SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 1/22/2020 1172146 Coyotes’ conundrum: What to do about Antti Raanta? 1172170 ‘We apologize’: NBC Sports Chicago regrets missing the start of the Blackhawks’ tribute to as Bruins 1172171 Blackhawks fall 4-3 to Joel Quenneville’s Panthers as their 1172147 Bruins finish up their work before leaving for vacation 5-game win streak comes to an end 1172148 Jeremy Lauzon is making long strides for the Bruins 1172172 Former Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville makes his 1172149 Kevan Miller closer to returning to Bruins’ lineup long-awaited return to the United Center: ‘I was a lucky gu 1172150 Bruins dig out win over Golden Knights, and other 1172173 and Duncan Keith get into a heated observations scrap at the Blackhawks morning skate: ‘Just a little friend 1172151 For Bruins, one more day at the office before vacation 1172174 Column: Joel Quenneville’s return caps a nostalgic week 1172152 Bruins slay Golden Knights in come from behind win for the Blackhawks, who are making a statement that th 1172153 head into the break with plenty to think 1172175 Blackhawks fall to Quenneville-led Panthers as Robin about Lehner suffers rare off-night 1172154 Bruins still looking for blue line solutions 1172176 Joel Quenneville reflects on bond with Blackhawks’ fans, 1172155 Bruins pregame notes: On the rebound with the Golden players during first return to United Center Knights 1172177 Blackhawks planning to honor Joel Quenneville during 1172156 Talking Points: Bruins' new-look David Krejci line pays off Tuesday return with Panthers late in 3-2 win over Vegas 1172178 Quenneville coaches Panthers to 4-3 win over Blackhawks 1172157 Mind-blowing stat shows importance of Jake DeBrusk 1172179 Hawks can't complete comeback in Quenneville's return to scoring for the Bruins UC 1172158 David Krejci a 'game-time decision' for Bruins after 1172180 Rozner: Emotional night for Quenneville, Blackhawks fans missing last two games 1172181 Tough luck keeps Kane's parents from witnessing 1172159 Bruins send Steven Kampfer to Providence, call up rugged milestone moment in person Jeremy Lauzon 1172182 Toews brushes off scuffle with Keith during morning skate 1172160 A break is a break: Workouts are not encouraged while 1172183 3 Takeaways: Joel Quenneville returns to United Center, the Bruins are away Patrick Kane honored for 1,000th point 1172161 Bruins coach ’s (mock) baseball Hall of 1172184 Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith separated at Fame ballot Blackhawks morning skate 1172162 Pace, possession, quickness: Analyzing the Bruins’ future 1172185 Joel Quenneville thanks Blackhawks fans: 'The support in No. 1 pair — one with a past Chicago was outstanding' 1172163 There’s always next year, still, for the ageless Zdeno 1172186 Q&A: Joel Quenneville on firing, returning to Chicago and Chara, who shows no signs of slowing down new chapter in Florida 1172187 Joel Quenneville reflects on best memories with Blackhawks 1172164 Season is pretty much over if Sabres don't take advantage 1172188 Joel Quenneville wasn't surprised by firing from of next stretch Blackhawks 1172165 Evaluating Sam Reinhart’s value as he approaches 1172189 Panthers coach Joel Quenneville a winner in Chicago restricted free agency return 1172190 Sights and sounds from Joel Quenneville’s memorable, Flames emotional return to Chicago 1172166 10 assets at Flames GM Brad Treliving’s disposal as the 1172191 Joel Quenneville’s return means Coach Q’s mustache will trade deadline nears start tweeting again Carolina Hurricanes Colorado Avalanche 1172167 As high as expectations were for his return, Justin 1172192 Avs double up Red Wings WIlliams exceeded them 1172168 Williams scores twice as Canes go into long break with Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 win over Jets 1172193 Elvis Merzlikins’ improvement with Blue Jackets can be 1172169 What should the Hurricanes do about the Dougie traced back to mistake Hamilton-sized hole in their lineup? 1172194 Michael Arace | Blue Jackets’ numbers amazing in their 21-game revival 1172195 Blue Jackets count on David Savard’s fearless shot- blocking 1172196 The opening reviews are in on Elvis: Performance, passion and personality all pluses for Merzlikins Dallas Stars 1172197 How have the Stars become captains of the comeback? 1172225 Josh Bailey, Thomas Greiss help Islanders get revenge It’s all in the numbers against Rangers 1172198 The 2020 Dallas Stars player poll: Sharpest dresser, most 1172226 Islanders get much-needed win over Rangers before superstitious, best shot and more break 1172227 Rangers no match for Islanders without Artemi Panarin Detroit Red Wings 1172228 Islanders overcome two late penalties to beat Rangers 1172199 Detroit Red Wings might not see top winger Anthony 1172229 Rangers look lost without Artemi Panarin in loss to Mantha for rest of season Islanders heading into break 1172200 Detroit Red Wings look at old rival Avalanche and see 1172230 Trotz benches Barzal during third period of win over what's possible Rangers 1172201 Red Wings meet extra long to fix defensive issues 1172231 Isles vs. Rangers preview: The 'mini-playoff series' wraps 1172202 Red Wings’ Anthony Mantha out another month, maybe up rest of season Edmonton Oilers 1172232 Josh Bailey, Thomas Greiss help Islanders get revenge 1172203 Racial slur leads to five-game suspension for Bakersfield against Rangers Condors' Brandon Manning 1172233 Rangers’ David Quinn gives Kaapo Kakko top-line minutes 1172204 JONES: Oilers, Flames rematch the talk of the NHL 1172234 Rangers’ lack of urgency makes playoff dream harder to 1172205 Inside how ‘Okanagan boy’ Ken Holland helped bring back fathom the Penticton Young Stars tournament 1172235 Rangers no match for Islanders without Artemi Panarin 1172206 Oilers minor-league defenceman Brandon Manning 1172236 With Artemi Panarin out, NY Rangers head into NHL suspended five games for racial slur All-Star break with a loss to Islanders 1172207 Willis: An updated list of which Oilers are most likely to be 1172237 Islanders overcome two late penalties to beat Rangers traded in 2019-20 1172238 Rangers' Lias Andersson practicing with Swedish team 1172208 Lowetide: Kailer Yamamoto gives Oilers a midseason 1172239 Rangers look lost without Artemi Panarin in loss to spark, one of the best in team history Islanders heading into break 1172240 Isles vs. Rangers preview: The 'mini-playoff series' wraps up 1172209 Vatrano scores 3 goals in second period as Panthers win 1172241 Artemi Panarin shows he’s the Rangers’ MVP … by not Quenneville’s return to Chicago; head into All-Star br playing in loss to Isles 1172210 Florida Panthers reportedly to host 2021 NHL All-Star Game NHL 1172211 Florida Panthers to host 2021 NHL All-Star Game, 1172242 KeyArena will begin reattaching its roof by late February. according to sources Then we might know a completion date. 1172212 Panthers roll into Chicago for Joel Quenneville’s reunion 1172243 Who will be NHL Seattle’s first coach? Here’s one recently on five-game win streak after rare victory in Minnes fired coach you should watch Los Angeles Kings 1172213 Kings coach Todd McLellan’s faster, aggressive system is 1172244 Former Senator Chris Phillips thrilled his No. 4 will be run by AHL affiliate raised to rafters 1172214 Kings at the All-Star break: What’s right, what’s wrong and 1172245 Salvian and Stevenson: Revisiting 10 bold (and pretty what’s next accurate) Senators predictions at the All-Star break 1172215 ‘Frustrating as hell’: Drew Doughty opines on the state of the Kings’ rebuild 1172246 Flyers, Brian Elliott avenge early-season loss and blank Minnesota Wild Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-0 1172216 Wild-Detroit game preview 1172247 Quick observations from the Flyers’ 3-0 win over the 1172217 Wild line of Marcus Foligno, Joel Eriksson Ek and Luke Penguins Kunin start turning defense into offense 1172248 Flyers prospect continues to lead Ohio State; German 1172218 Survey says it's unanimous: Wild draft pick Kirill Kaprizov Rubtsov in lineup vs. Penguins is next NHL star from KHL 1172249 Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin pokes Flyers fans; Michael Raffl 1172219 Wild extra cautious with players who are ill this time of out of lineup Tuesday year 1172250 Flyers tormentor Sidney Crosby and hated Penguins 1172220 The Wild Player Poll: Who’d be the worst road roommate? invade Philly | On the Fly Who’s best and worst dressed? Who’s always late? And m 1172251 Flyers veterans key win over Penguins 1172252 Joel Farabee ready for first NHL playoff drive 1172253 Flyers Notebook: Rest or no, Ivan Provorov keeps rolling 1172221 ‘It helped my development’: How Josh Brook’s stint as a along forward brought the fun back to his game 1172254 After shutting out Sidney Crosby, Penguins, Flyers have 1172222 Canadiens player poll: Who has the best hair? Who taken down NHL's top 4 teams in span of 14 days snores? Who pays for dinner? 1172255 Penguins' Evgeni Malkin may have complimented Flyers fans Nashville Predators 1172256 Flyers vs. Penguins: Live stream, storylines, game time 1172223 Catfish Corner newsletter: Carton Hutton visits Craig and more 'Partner' Baugh, captain Roman Josi 1172257 In Flyers’ biggest game of the season, they put more on Joel Farabee’s plate New Jersey Devils 1172258 Over past two weeks, Flyers provide sneak peek of what 1172224 Ex-Devil Ben Lovejoy credits interim GM Tom Fitzgerald, could be, with win over Pens the crowning achievement coach Alain Nasreddine for his success in the NHL 1172259 The Athletic Philadelphia’s Top 20 Flyers prospects for 2020 Pittsburgh Penguins 1172260 Empty Thoughts: Flyers 3, Penguins 0 1172291 Evgeny Kuznetsov takes on Capitals’ new esports pro, 1172261 Minor league report: Jordy Bellerive leads Penguins to gets smacked in NHL 20 overtime win 1172292 How the Caps' European players are adjusting to life 1172262 Penguins assign Agozzino, Blandisi, Czcuzman, Lafferty thousands of miles from home to AHL 1172293 Do the Caps have the defense to win the Stanley Cup? 1172263 Penguins shut out in lackluster effort against Flyers 1172264 What are the Penguins’ options on the left wing? Websites 1172265 Penguins to start Tristan Jarry against Flyers 1172307 The Athletic / The Tank Index: Which playoff also-rans are 1172266 Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz remains sidelined in the best position to get a lot worse down the st 1172267 Jeers to cheers, most Penguins fans say they support 1172308 The Athletic / ‘It’s going to blow people away’: Developers Matt Murray raise expectations for, keep lid on new Seattle ar 1172268 Tim Benz, Brian Metzer talk Penguins’ Matt Murray’s state 1172309 The Athletic / Inside how ‘Okanagan boy’ Ken Holland of mind, brutal schedule after break helped bring back the Penticton Young Stars tournament 1172269 Tim Benz: Who cares if Penguins crowd jeers Matt 1172310 Sportsnet.ca / Q&A: Maple Leafs' John Tavares on Mike Murray? What matters is how he responds. Babcock, fatherhood and books 1172270 Flyers blank Penguins in final game before All-Star break 1172311 Sportsnet.ca / Analyzing how teams have fared after 1172271 Penguins hope injury returns come in 'timely fashion' after changing coaches in 2019-20 All-Star break 1172312 Sportsnet.ca / Q&A: Canucks GM Benning on trade 1172272 20 Penguins Thoughts: Is Mike Sullivan the NHL’s best deadline, playoff race coach? 1172273 Penguins-Flyers: Game time, TV information and matchup Winnipeg Jets notes 1172294 Jets' tailspin continues 1172274 Yohe: A look at the 10 greatest Penguins’ moments in 1172295 TSN's Sawyer apologizes over plastic-wrap remarks Philadelphia 1172296 Optimus Reim raising Cane in Carolina 1172275 Sidney Crosby as Penguins’ sellout streak hits 600: ‘As a 1172297 Jets fall into another early hole, continue alarming slide player, you can’t ask for anything more. It’s the be with loss to Hurricanes 1172298 TSN's Sawyer apologizes for on-air comments San Jose Sharks 1172299 JETS GAMEDAY: On back-to-back, Jets in tough against 1172276 These trades could help struggling Sharks restock draft rested Blue Jackets picks, build for future 1172300 JETS SNAPSHOTS: Vesalainen says he’s more calm at 1172277 Main reasons for Sharks' struggles in atypically the rink, more comfortable with smaller ice surface disappointing season 1172301 Jets shuffle deck in wake of Lowry injury as they prepare 1172278 Why polled NHL players want to drink beers with Sharks' for Hurricanes Joe Thornton 1172302 Wheeler’s 2020 NHL prospect pool rankings: No. 23 Winnipeg Jets St Louis Blues SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1172279 NHL adds new dimension to All-Star skills package: Shots from the stands 1172280 Blues player poll: Who’s the best dressed, who’s always late, uses the most hair product and more? 1172281 NHL scouting confidential: A 360-degree view of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s prospect pool 1172282 Immature or not, Keefe’s Leafs could learn a little from the Bruins 1172283 John Tavares flirted with 50 goals. Now Auston Matthews is ahead of the game — with a different approach 1172284 Video Scouting Report: Why Maple Leafs prospect Timothy Liljegren’s game is ready for the NHL 1172285 Ask the Maple Leafs, Grammys preview edition: Favourite artists and first concert memories 1172286 With Auston Matthews on pace to join exclusive group, remembering the Leafs’ other 50- scorers 1172303 Patrick Johnston: Captain Horvat finds his groove, aims to steer Canucks toward playoffs 1172304 Canucks bring back Young Stars Classic for 2020 1172305 One-on-one with Jim Benning: On the Canucks’ cap structure, contract talks and his trade deadline shopping lis 1172306 So far, Quinn Hughes is the best player from the 2018 NHL Draft. Here’s why Vegas Golden Knights 1172287 Golden Knights lose lead in 3rd period, fall to Bruins 1172288 Lengthy break comes at opportune time for Golden Knights 1172289 Golden Knights fall short in final game before break 1172290 Why adding one defenseman could substantially improve the Golden Knights in all three zones 1172146 Arizona Coyotes “I don’t think we overplayed him, but it’s a lot of load for any goalie. Some of those guys that can take the load and do it consistently, I think those are the outliers, and I think we’re seeing a lot of that in the league now.”

Coyotes’ conundrum: What to do about Antti Raanta? While Chayka is correct in noting that Raanta started seven straight games from Dec. 22 to Jan. 4, the first two came before the Christmas break, affording Raanta plenty of rest after them. In his fifth straight start By Craig Morgan Jan 21, 2020 after the break (albeit, in a span of eight days), Raanta left a game against the Philadelphia Flyers after two periods and he hasn’t looked

right since, lasting just 40 minutes in games against Carolina (Jan. 10) The combination of the CBA-mandated five-day break, the All-Star break and Edmonton (Jan. 18). and the NHL’s unpredictable scheduling has provided the Coyotes with The fact that Tocchet and goalie coach Corey Schwab kept turning to 10 days between their last game, a 7-3 loss at Edmonton on Saturday, him is a clear indication of the staff’s assessment of his ability in and their next game on Jan. 29 at Anaheim. The lengthy break will afford comparison to prospect Adin Hill, but Chayka’s comments suggest that it the Coyotes plenty of time for rest, healing, meetings, personnel may have been too great a workload for Raanta to handle without injury evaluations, soul searching, system tweaks, and three days of practice risk. when they return to the ice on Jan. 26 at the Ice Den Scottsdale. “We understand now how he’s got to be managed,” Chayka said. “I think Coach Rick Tocchet and his staff have plenty to ponder before Tocchet he’s a great goalie when he’s in the net, and you can’t place enough heads to St. Louis on Thursday to coach the Pacific Division All-Stars. value on a top goalie. When you look at his history, his body of work, it’s Can they get more play-driving from the center position or do they need elite. That’s why we designed our goaltending the way we have. to find it elsewhere? How can they get Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller Unfortunately, even with some of the best-laid plans, you’ve got to plan to (one combined point in their past seven games) going again offensively? get punched in the face and then you have to try to adapt and adjust.” How can they get Phil Kessel going, period? How can they best utilize Niklas Hjalmarsson to get the most out of an overworked blue line? How It is perilous to speculate about the severity of injuries because only the can they revive a once-effective fourth line that is defending far too player truly knows what he is experiencing, but it is instructive to note often? How can they recapture their road magic, which has suddenly that Kuemper played through a knee injury late last season when the vanished in four straight losses in which they were outscored by a Coyotes were making a playoff push and needed him in net (because combined 17-4? Raanta was injured). Raanta hasn’t been able to do the same, and the frustration on Tocchet’s face has been visible at times. Here’s another question to ponder: What to do about goaltender Antti Raanta? When Tocchet was asked recently whether it was tempting to let Raanta rest until after the break, here was his response: “Nobody is ever 100 Recency bias may cloud an accurate analysis of Raanta, but when he percent in today’s game. There are certain times when you can play at has been in net, he has been very good. In 81 games in Arizona, he 95 percent. Yeah, the goalie might be a little different but if he feels ready owns a 2.52 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage and a to go and the doctors give him the OK then I’ve got no problem putting goals-saved-above-average mark of 2.62. The problem, as everyone him in.” knows, is that Raanta hasn’t been in the Coyotes’ net nearly enough due to injuries. GMs and coaches often see the same issue through a different lens. One is thinking longer term; the other is thinking in more immediate terms His first season (2017-18) didn’t really get going until the new year due to because of the daily emphasis on wins and losses. Maybe that explains an assortment of injuries including a hamstring and a concussion that the difference of opinion on this topic. limited him over the first three months. Last season was cut short by a knee injury in November that required surgery. He wasn’t ready to start “Goalies are difficult,” Chayka said. “Some other positions can play at this season, a flu bug forced him from a couple of games and now, when less than 100 percent. Unfortunately, these guys just can’t. It’s the reality the Coyotes needed him desperately, a lower-body injury made him of the position and its demands.” unavailable for key games before the break that saw the Coyotes stagger to a 1-4-1 record that dropped them into fifth place in the Pacific Division That doesn’t explain how Kuemper managed to do it last season, standings. however. And it’s instructive to note that a similar fate befell Raanta in his second season in Chicago (2014-15). With Raanta unable to play “The way we’re set up with having two good goalies, it’s the through illness, two sources said that then-coach Joel Quenneville lost compounding nature of the injuries that makes it difficult,” president of faith in Raanta and turned to Scott Darling, who served as Chicago’s hockey operations John Chayka said. “If just one guy is injured then backup late in the season and in the playoffs during Chicago’s run to the we’re able to sustain, but having both injured is difficult. With any team in Stanley Cup. the league, if both goalies get hurt, you’re going to start scrambling and maybe struggling.” Raanta has been the subject of much trade speculation this season, with Tocchet admitting that the team had received multiple calls about him The Coyotes are struggling. Once atop the Pacific Division standings, before the Taylor Hall trade. The Coyotes’ decision to keep Raanta they have slipped to the final wild card in the Western Conference and looked wise when Kuemper went down, but now they are in a familiar everyone around them except Vegas has games in hand. The Pacific predicament with their oft-injured goalie. Division standings are still tight, and Kuemper should be back after the break to alleviate some of the concern, but one of the strengths of this It’s hard to envision the Coyotes trading him at the Feb. 24 deadline, team was supposed to be its depth in goal. For three straight seasons, given the importance of having two good goalies, but Raanta has one the Coyotes haven’t been able to depend on a key piece of that depth. year left on his contract after this season at a cap hit of $4.25 million. Given the greater trade options that exist in the summer, and given “I think he’s a great goalie, but he’s got to stay in the net,” Chayka said. Raanta’s injury history, the Coyotes will have to decide if they can rely on “If we can manage his load, I think we can keep him in the net.” him for another season or if they would be better served trading what may be a diminished asset. Chayka stopped short of saying the Coyotes no longer view Raanta as a co-starter with Kuemper, but the evidence suggests that is where things Raanta has tried different training and rehab techniques to get the most stand. Kuemper played at a Vezina-Trophy level before a lower-body out of his body, but he hasn’t been able to avoid the injury bug in any of injury sustained late in a game against the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 19 his three seasons in Arizona. One of the key components of goaltending shelved him. That afforded Raanta yet another chance to seize the job, is dependability. Can the Coyotes depend on Raanta if given a lesser but he managed just seven starts before suffering another injury. workload, or should they find a more reliable fallback option?

“When Darcy went down, Antti took on a huge load,” Chayka said. “He The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 played seven games straight with a lot of travel, changing time zones. For Antti’s style of play, I think we’ve got to be better at managing his load, but in order to do that, you need two goalies. When Darcy goes down then it becomes an issue of survival and we’re trying to survive. 1172147 Boston Bruins “It was a tough game out here,” said DeBrusk, who counted four shots into the chests of goalies in the last two games, including a couple breakaways. “They were pushing pretty good . . . I thought we started off Bruins finish up their work before leaving for vacation the third period pretty well. We just made the right plays at the right time.”

The winner was a mix of skill and timing from Krejci, who missed the previous two games with an upper-body injury and was a question mark By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated January 22, 2020, 1:18 a.m. to play the final game before the break.

Brandon Carlo sent a wrister toward the net and Krejci, with good position in front, tipped the shot off Fleury’s left pad. All alone at the post, After looking all too ready for their impending vacation, the Bruins took he jammed home a fortunate bounce. down the “out of office” auto-reply and put in an honest effort before punching out for their late-January break. “We talked about those games,” Krejci said of the recent 8-14 skid, which looked like 8-7-7 in the NHL’s generous standings. The Bruins were 20- Third-period goals by Jake DeBrusk and David Krejci erased a sluggish, 3-5 on Dec. 3, but have sagged in recent weeks. frustrating start Tuesday, and earned them a 3-2 win over the visiting Golden Knights. Forget about that, they will. Time for some Vitamin D, some beach time, a pina colada . . . whatever they want. “Good pros. It didn’t surprise me,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said after his club improved to 29-10-12 and remained atop the Atlantic Division. “We’re going to be resetting pretty good,” DeBrusk said. “I know I need it.” The Bruins hit the league-mandated bye week/All-Star break 8 points clear of the second-place Lightning (70 points to 62), who have two Boston Globe LOADED: 01.22.2020 games to play before the Bruins return Jan. 31 at Winnipeg.

Atlantic representatives Cassidy (coach) and David Pastrnak (NHL goals leader, 37) will head to St. Louis on Thursday for the Friday-Saturday All- Star festivities. Many of their Black-and-Gold pals will head for warmer climes. If any of them were focused on this before puck drop, it didn’t show.

One of the reasons Cassidy expected a full-go affair was the previous game: a Sunday stinker in Pittsburgh that saw the Bruins blow a three- goal lead. Had that been a clean match, Cassidy reasoned, his club might have been content. But they had an edge at practice Monday, and were ready to go at the start — well, mostly so.

Jaroslav Halak, who turned back 27 shots, surrendered a softie 1:24 in. Vegas winger Mark Stone, one of the league’s most unheralded stars, had Zdeno Chara swiping left and right before sticking a backhand between the short-side post and Halak’s blocker. But Halak sharpened, beat only by a power-play rocket from rookie defenseman Nicolas Hague at 10:59 of the second. He stopped all 13 shots he saw in the third.

The Bruins didn’t sag after the early gaffe, pulling even on Jeremy Lauzon’s seeing-eye slapper at 11:40 of the first (his second career goal, on the day he was recalled from AHL Providence). It was a joyful moment for the 22-year-old from Val-d’Or, Quebec, who was brought up to provide a physical edge.

By the end of the second the Bruins were down, 2-1, after Hague’s strike, and trying to shake off an 0-for-5 performance on the power play.

Vegas arrived with a kill that looked more like what new coach Peter DeBoer ran in San Jose: aggressive. Boston was doomed by its inability to win 50-50 pucks, think one move ahead of the sharp PK sticks, and create simple outlets for each other. Now 0 for 15 in the last three games, it is a slight concern (albeit after a club-record string of 14 games with a man-up goal).

“There were a few looks,” Cassidy said. “But not enough, and not enough support. They did a good job on their kill. We didn’t handle it as well as we could. I was kind of pleased how we didn’t let it bog us down in the third, and use it as a crutch.”

They also had no production — then, and by night’s end — from the top line of Brad Marchand, , and Pastrnak. The stellar unit, a collective 0-0—0 with 11 shots on net, was kept off the scoresheet for the third time all season (42 games). The others: opening night at Dallas (2-1 win), and Jan. 14 at Columbus (3-0 loss).

Cassidy noted how the Bergeron line “kept pushing,” and two of the stifled power-play mainstays, DeBrusk and Krejci, lifted them. DeBrusk’s ripper of a snapshot 4:26 into the final frame tied the score, and set up Krejci for the winner with 7:42 to go.

Brad Marchand of the Bruins had to be on his toes to knock a puck out of the air during the second period.

On the tying goal, Halak, who has had a few misadventures playing the puck this season, earned a bold assist by charging to the top of the circle. He sent the rubber up the ice to Charlie Coyle, who used his frame to redirect it a streaking DeBrusk, who broke in and sent a screamer over Marc-Andre Fleury’s glove for his 15th of the year. 1172148 Boston Bruins rolled up 1:54 of penalty-killing time, the highest kill time among the 13 players Cassidy deployed on the PK.

“I thought he played hard,” said Cassidy. “Competes all over the ice. Jeremy Lauzon is making long strides for the Bruins We’ve seen that before [in his first 17 games], so we expected that. And scores a goal. Obviously, in a one-goal game, that matters.”

By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff, Updated January 22, 2020, 1:12 a.m. The method behind the goal also caught Cassidy’s eye.

“He did it the right way,” noted the coach.

Jeremy Lauzon celebrates with David Krejci after his first-period goal After collecting a short backhand relay up the right wing wall from David Tuesday night. Krejci, the alert Lauzon promptly stepped to his left and snapped off a rising shot from about 57 feet. Danton Heinen set the screen in front of It likely won’t be goal scoring that factors heavily in whether Jeremy goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, and Lauzon’s shot sailed high into the net. Lauzon has a long, successful NHL career. He’s a defenseman, the most enticing part of his game weighted decidedly toward keeping his net Quick. Decisive. Emphatic. clean. Points picked up at the other end of the sheet are just treats in his “Didn’t overthink it,” added Cassidy. “Got it. Got off the wall. Made sure box of ice-chilled Cracker Jack. he pounded it so he gets by the first layer [of defense]. If it gets closer to The baby-faced Lauzon is only 22 years old, with all of 18 games on his the net, at least it’s not going to be a quick transition . . . we’ve been NHL résumé, and nearly every shift has that new-car smell. There is still trying to instill that attitude in some of our other guys.” no telling where, or how far, his ride will go. Some of that could benefit Charlie McAvoy, who now has logged 48 “When you get on the board, you feel like everything comes easier for games this season and is still wanting for a goal. McAvoy fired four times you,” the rookie backliner said late Tuesday night, after his second career against Vegas, landed three on Fleury, and seems to be awakening to goal helped the Bruins to their 3-2 win over the Golden Knights at TD the idea of shooting more, passing less. It has been a lesson for him. Garden. “Your confidence is higher . . . it for sure helped.” Lauzon, the Quebec-born son of two doctors, appears to be a quick All in all, it was a solid night’s work of 15:38 time on ice for Lauzon, the learner. His upside, at least at the moment, could be as a second-pairing 52nd pick in the 2015 draft, who was called up from the AHL again on defender, logging, say, 18-21 minutes a night, pairing up against first and Tuesday morning and looks now to be on the cusp of finding regular work second lines. Chip in a goal like Tuesday night, and it could be in Boston’s lineup. He’ll be assigned back to the WannaBs on impossible for Cassidy to keep him out of the lineup. Wednesday morning, but only because the varsity went on its bye break Because, out of necessity, things are changing. as of 9:33 p.m. Tuesday, with camp officially buttoned up until Jan. 30. Boston Globe LOADED: 01.22.2020 Lauzon’s presence was further proof that the composition of the Boston lineup is changing, and for a reason, first and foremost because the win over Vegas was only the ninth for the Bruins in the last seven weeks (9- 7-7), a meager .391 win rate.

Alarming, no. Disappointing, you bet.

The Bruins tore it up for the first eight weeks of the season, losing only eight times in 28 outings (20-3-5), a .714 win rate, but then fell into a funk that management finally felt compelled to address over the last 10-14 days.

Up front, Brett Ritchie and David Backes both were waived and assigned to Providence. Karson Kuhlman (second assist on Lauzon’s goal), recovered from a broken tibia, rejoined the varsity. Lauzon was promoted, which had John Moore assigned to the press box. Anton Blidh, sidelined by injury since training camp, also was popped into the lineup vs. the Golden Knights, which sent Joakim Nordstrom skittering to the DND list.

“What we’re trying to do . . . and again, I’ll be very open,” explained Cassidy, prior to leaving the Garden and prepping for his appearance at this weekend’s NHL All-Star Game, “we decided a couple of weeks ago, or whatever it was, that we needed a little more internal competition.”

Generally, noted Cassidy, that means looking to change first at the margins, among the group of forwards Nos. 7 through 12, and third- pairing blueliners.

So out with Ritchie and Backes, Moore and Nordstrom . . . in with Kuhlman, Blidh, and Lauzon. And maybe more, once everyone returns from their midwinter night’s dream. By the time they play again (on Jan. 31 in Winnipeg), there will be only slightly more than three weeks to go before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

“We identified some guys who were playing well in Providence,” continued Cassidy. “And [Blidh] was one of them. We did it with Kuhlman, Lauzon — taking a veteran out in Moore. That was a bit by design these last two weeks to see if it would give us a little extra push . . . we’ll see where it leads us.”

There will be 30 games remaining in the regular season when the Bruins’ charter departs Jan. 30 for Winnipeg. The bet right now is that Kuhlman and Blidh and Lauzon all will be aboard, all aiming to keep their roster spots for the duration.

Lauzon made a strong case for staying, and not just with the goal, which pulled the Bruins into a 1-1 tie. He also finished plus-2 for the night and 1172149 Boston Bruins Krejci was on the third line, with Danton Heinen on his left and Karson Kuhlman on his right.

The move was likely about helping Charlie Coyle develop some Kevan Miller closer to returning to Bruins’ lineup chemistry with his new wingers — but the Bruins needed only wait till the third period to see it pay off twice over, leading to the Bruins’ 3-2 victory.

By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated January 22, 2020, 1:04 a.m. Coyle set up DeBrusk in the third period for the tying at 4:26, and Krejci cleaned up on the doorstep at 12:18 for the win.

Krejci has spent a bit of time with both Heinen and Kuhlman, and was a GLOBE STAFF Bruce Cassidy likes how his defensive corps looks with clear upgrade over Par Lindholm, who was scratched. Kevan Miller involved. It is a well-balanced group, with speed and puck- moving ability, power-play and penalty-kill acumen, size and strength, left The Bruins also activated Anton Blidh, who had been practicing with the sticks and right. team of late, and scratched Joakim Nordstrom. Blidh, who missed most of the year with a shoulder ailment, played four games with Providence “I’ve seen it, lived it, been here,” Cassidy said. “We feel it’s pretty strong.” (2-0—2). He suited up for one NHL game in each of the last two seasons, and 19 in 2016-17. The latter describes Miller, Zdeno Chara’s longtime rival in the team’s preseason fitness testing. Never shy to play the body, the 6-foot-2-inch, Blidh got off one shot and three hits in 9:45 of action. 210-pound back liner adds the toughness that could help the Bruins against their more rugged opponents (looking at you, Washington and St. Nordstrom has been on an unlucky run of blocking shots lately, taking Louis). punishment like a Swedish Black Knight (’Tis but a scratch).

Miller, who skated Tuesday for the second time in three days, is on the Party planning way back. It’s too early, however, to say what he might be able to bring The Bruins postponed the 500th-game ceremony for Jaroslav Halak until on the ice, and when. Players don’t often recover easily from twice- sometime in February. The club wanted to hold the ceremony on a night broken kneecaps. Halak was not due to start. With Tuukka Rask injured, Halak played for Miller, 32, fractured his right knee last April 4, and again in mid-May, right the fifth game in a row (four starts). Halak is 2-2-1 with an .903 save as he was slated to return to practice during the Eastern Conference final percentage in his last five games since relieving an addled Rask 1:12 against Carolina. He skated in late October, but a setback kept him on into last Tuesday’s game at Columbus. Dan Vladar remained on duty as the shelf until Sunday. a backup . . . Rask (concussion) skated on his own before the team hit the ice for the morning skate. Cassidy on Rask: “Looks like he’s going to “He hasn’t played in a long time,” Cassidy said. “That’s why I don’t want be fine.” . . . Cassidy noted that they’ll be monitoring Charlie McAvoy, to get ahead of myself, but if he gets back to where he was, we feel we’re who bumped his head on the wall when Chandler Stephenson boarded aligned really well to match up all three pairs against anybody.” him in the second period, and Grzelcyk (apparent left arm trouble after a late-game collision) . . . The Bruins’ power play went 0 for 5 and is now 0 That includes St. Louis, first place in the Western Conference for the last for 15 in its last four games, after setting a club record with a PPG in 14 five weeks. The Blues didn’t see Miller at all in last year’s Stanley Cup straight contests. Sunday in Pittsburgh, they gave up a shorthanded goal Final, and St. Louis fourth-liner Oskar Sundqvist dizzied Miller’s partner, that tied the game at 3 in the third period. The Bruins’ power play fell to Matt Grzelcyk, with a dirty hit in Game 1. It was a series-altering blow. 25.5 percent for the season, but still sits third in the league . . . Brandon Grzelcyk, who returned for Game 7, was the Bruins’ best option for Carlo, the club trying to coach more offense out of his game, recorded breaking out the puck against a heavy Blues forecheck. Fair to say Miller the primary assist on Krejci’s winner and led the Bruins in shots on goal would have let Sundqvist know that kind of behavior is, uh, not (five) and hits (four) . . . The blue line landed 16 of Boston’s 37 shots and acceptable. 14 of its 27 hits . . . Ex-Hab Max Pacioretty, having a bounce-back Jeremy Lauzon, who was recalled Tuesday, brings a similar kind of season on the Strip (21-26—47 in 51 games) hit Halak with seven of his game. He replaced John Moore as Grzelcyk’s third-pair partner Tuesday eight attempts . . . Vegas defenseman Nicolas Hague scored his first against the Golden Knights, playing his second game of the season (17th NHL goal . . . The Bruins assigned Steven Kampfer to Providence. The career) after three weeks in the AHL. Though he is a left shot, he played veteran defenseman was recalled Dec. 27 on an emergency basis when the right side as a junior (QMJHL Rouyn-Noranda) and recently, in Torey Krug went to IR with an upper-body injury. Because of the Providence (as Urho Vaakanainen’s partner). emergency situation, Kampfer — who passed through waivers on Dec. 8 — would not need waivers to return to the AHL. He suited up for six of Cassidy said Lauzon, 22, has been around for long enough — two-plus the Bruins’ last 11 games (0-2—2). seasons, mostly in the AHL, to carve out an identity. Boston Globe LOADED: 01.22.2020 Additionally, he’s a left-stick penalty killer, behind Chara. That was Moore’s role, Cassidy noted, “and he was good at it.”

“Playing with a lot of bite,” he said of the 6-2, 205-pound blue liner, who played his only game of the season on New Year’s Eve in New Jersey. “Making a good first pass. Adding a little offense from the [offensive- zone] blue line. He’s willing to be assertive there.”

Such was the case at 11:40 of the first, when Lauzon, taking advantage of Bruins’ forechecking, fired home a slapper from the right point to tie the game.

It was a full-value night for Lauzon: a goal, two shots, four hits, and a blocked shot in 15:38.

Miller may return in February (fingers crossed on that one), as could Connor Clifton (upper body, missed 11 games). Lauzon might have a bit of time to show his worth.

“He’s at that stage where he’s put in his time in Providence,” Cassidy said. “It’s fair to say it’s a good time to get a look at him and see where it goes.”

Center of attention

David Krejci returned to the lineup, but in a different role.

The center, who missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, did not start on the second line with Jake DeBrusk and Anders Bjork. 1172150 Boston Bruins Slick work by Krejci, who dug the puck from a Kuhlman-Alex Tuch wall battle, waited for winger William Carrier to check him, and fed a newly open Lauzon at the point. Krejci is the king of subtlety.

Bruins dig out win over Golden Knights, and other observations ■ That sequence aside, Fleury was strong in the first 40, stopping 22 of 23 shots. His best was a pad denial of DeBrusk on the breakaway with 1:04 left in the first. There were many more chances the Bruins fumbled By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated January 21, 2020, 9:52 p.m. away.

■ The second power play featured Anders Bjork for perhaps the first time all season. Bjork, whose speed has been an asset on the penalty David Krejci celebrates what proved to be the Bruins’ winning goal after kill, wired a snapshot from the circle high over the net on his best chance. he put a loose puck past Vegas defenseman Nick Holden, who was DeBrusk, in his net-front spot on the first, missed an open-net stuff-in trying to cover the open net. from a sharp angle. David Krejci celebrates what proved to be the Bruins’ winning goal after ■ The Bruins had their fourth PP at 4:07 of the second, but failed to land he put a loose puck past Vegas defenseman Nick Holden, who was a shot on net. They fell to 0-4 on the power play, with one SOG and trying to cover the open net.THE BOSTON GLOBE/ seven attempts. Coming out of the busted PP, David Pastrnak whiffed on GLOBE STAFF After looking all too ready for their impending vacation, a rebound with Fleury nowhere near him. He knew it, too, looking at the the Bruins took down the “out of office” auto-reply and entered the break rafters. Krejci later passed on a golden chance from the slot. on a winning note. ■ The Bruins down, 2-1, after the Hague goal, they put Krejci on the first Third-period goals by Jake DeBrusk and David Krejci erased a sluggish, power-play unit after Chandler Stephenson boarded Charlie McAvoy at frustrating start, and earned them a 3-2 win Tuesday over the visiting 15:04 of the second. They set up a Pastrnak bomb from the circle, but it Golden Knights. sailed high. The Bruins, again, fired blanks.

DeBrusk’s ripper of a snapshot 4:26 into the final frame tied the score, McAvoy, who was concussed some 13 months ago, smacked the top of and set up Krejci for the winner with 7:42 to go. Netminder Jaroslav his helmet against the boards. Slow to get up, he was doubled over as he Halak (27 saves), who has had his misadventures playing the puck this glided to the bench. He returned at the end of the power play, which season, jumped out to play the puck at the top of the circle. He sent it up again, failed. the ice to Charlie Coyle for a tap to a streaking DeBrusk, who sent a ■ With less than nine minutes remaining, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk left screamer over Marc-Andre Fleury’s glove for his 15th of the year. It was favoring his left arm after a collision with Vegas forward Cody Eakin. He Halak’s second assist of the season and 12th of his career. returned to the bench with 4:29 to go. The winner was a mix of skill and timing from Krejci, who missed the Boston Globe LOADED: 01.22.2020 previous two games with an upper-body injury and was a question mark to play the final game before a nine-day break between games (Jan. 22- 30, including the All-Star Weekend in St. Louis).

Brandon Carlo sent a wrister toward the net and Krejci, with good position in front, tipped the shot off Fleury’s left pad. All alone at the post, Krejci jammed home a fortunate bounce.

That goal helped the Bruins forget a moribund special-teams performance: 0 for 5 on the power play with three shots, and 1 for 2 on the penalty kill. The Bruins’ PP is now 0 for 15 in its last three games, after potting one goal in each of its previous 14 games (a franchise record).

Fleury, who stopped 34 shots, departed the Vegas net with 1:39 left, returned after a timeout, and left again at 1:14. Mark Stone slapped Krejci’s empty-net bid out of the air, but the Bruins (29-10-12) had enough.

Other observations from Causeway Street:

■ Looking every bit a team that needed some Vitamin D and an escape from hockey, the Bruins trailed the Golden Knights, 2-1, in a sloppy 40 minutes. They went a disastrous 0 for 5 on the power play, firing 10 shots and landing three on net.

■ The visitors scored on their first shot of the game, 1:24 in. Stone stuck a backhander between the short-side post and Halak’s blocker, for his 18th of the year. It was a softie, to be sure, but Stone had Zdeno Chara wiping windshields as he beat him to the outside. Halak saved 14 of his first 16, through 40 minutes. He was beaten by a power-play slapper from rookie Nicolas Hague at 10:59 of the second.

■ The Bruins had two power plays in the minutes after Stone’s opening salvo — including one that began 15 seconds after — but managed one shot. Vegas had as many hits (four) as Boston had shot attempts.

■ They had life when the kid, 22-year-old Jeremy Lauzon, scored from long range. His second NHL goal in 18 games tied it at 1, at 11:40 of the first. He has now cashed in twice against Vegas. His first goal, Nov. 11 of last season, was a long rebound into an empty net.

This was a more precise strike: a top-shelf half-slapper from 60 feet, Lauzon firing through the dual screen of Brayden McNabb and Danton Heinen. He earned the chance after Fleury made a poor attempt to play the puck, leaving it for Karson Kuhlman in the corner. 1172151 Boston Bruins ■ Florida beat Minnesota Monday thanks to a Noel Acciari winner in the final seconds. It was the Providence product’s 18th goal in 45 games with the Panthers, matching his total from four years and 180 games For Bruins, one more day at the office before vacation here.

The Panthers, whose bye week coincides with the Bruins’, are 3 points behind the Lightning, and chasing hard. If the playoffs began today, By Matt Porter Globe Staff,January 21, 2020, 11:47 a.m. though, those two teams would face each other in the postseason for the first time.

While we’re here: If the playoffs began today, we would get to see . . . The Bruins won the first meeting with Vegas this season, 4-3, back in October. Washington-Carolina, a spicy little rivalry.

12:33 p.m.: Here are four updates from after the morning skate: Boston-Columbus, a playoff rematch with recent heat.

■ Jaro Halak will start in goal. The Bruins will hold his a scheduled Tampa-Florida, for the first time. pregame ceremony (in honor of his 500th game) to avoid disrupting his routine. Pittsburgh-NY Islanders, an interesting clash of styles.

■ David Krejci will be a game-time decision. St. Louis-Arizona, in which everyone in Boston would be Team Kessel.

■ Kevan Miller (knee), who last played April 4, skated for the second Vancouver-Vegas, which could easily get out of control. day in a row. Colorado-Dallas, two fun teams with playoff history.

■ Jeremy Lauzon will replace John Moore in the lineup. He will play on Edmonton-Calgary, a blood feud that could spark division across the right side of Matt Grzelcyk. Canada.

10:19 a.m. A few pregame notes on the Bruins (28-10-12), who host the Sign me up. Vegas Golden Knights (25-19-7) Tuesday in the final game for both teams before the bye week/All-Star break. Boston Globe LOADED: 01.22.2020

■ Come puck drop (7 p.m., NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub), the Bruins will be going hard. At the end of the night, they’ll be packing their bags. Several players had plans to get out of town during the league-mandated five-day break, which comes after the four days off for All-Star weekend in St. Louis Friday and Saturday.

Brad Marchand’s wife, Katrina, was planning a getaway to Turks and Caicos with their children. Even though island life sounded nice, Marchand didn’t plan to kick his feet up the entire time. “Push-ups, sit- ups, bench press,” he said. “Most places have a gym you can dip into. They’ll have something, a bike, a treadmill. I’m not going to kill myself, just try to stay active.”

■ While still on the clock, Marchand will be hunting for a breakout game to finish the slate. He has three goals since Nov. 27, one of them an empty-net gift from linemate David Pastrnak. Marchand (21-44—65) has been racking up the assists by feeding Pastrnak (37 goals), who needs one more to tie his full-season career high by the All-Star break.

■ The Bruins’ power play is 0 for 10 in the last three games, after setting a club record with a PPG in 14 straight games. Sunday in Pittsburgh, they gave up a shorthanded goal that tied the game at 3 in the third period.

■ Though both made progress Monday, smart money is on David Krejci (upper body) and Tuukka Rask (“upper, upper body,” per Bruce Cassidy) to remain out of the lineup.

Speaking Monday, Cassidy said it was a possibility that Rask, concussed by an Emil Bemstrom elbow on Jan. 14 and placed on IR, could return and spell Jaroslav Halak. The latter is 1-2-1 with an .890 save percentage in the last four games, starting three and relieving an injured Rask 1:12 into last Tuesday’s game at Columbus. Dan Vladar remains here as a backup.

Krejci, who missed two games, skated in a red (no contact) practice jersey during a physical session Monday. If he can’t go, Charlie Coyle would center the No. 2 line, Par Lindholm remaining on the No. 3 unit.

■ The Bruins on Tuesday assigned Steven Kampfer to Providence and recalled Jeremy Lauzon. Kampfer, the veteran defenseman, was recalled Dec. 27 on an emergency basis when Torey Krug went to IR with an upper-body injury. Because of the emergency situation, Kampfer, who passed through waivers Dec. 8, would not need waivers to return to the AHL. He suited up for six of the Bruins’ last 11 games (0-2—2).

■ The Bruins entered Tuesday 6 points up on the second-place Lightning (68 points to 62) in the Atlantic Division. Idle Tampa Bay, which ends its break Jan. 26, will play two games while the Bruins are vacationing. Space is tightening behind the Bruins, once 15 points ahead of the Atlantic pack amid a 20-3-5 start (through Dec. 3). They are 8-14 since then, which translates to 8-7-7 in the NHL’s generous points system. 1172152 Boston Bruins Unlike in Pittsburgh, the Bruins kept this lead as Halak settled in after the shaky goal in the first and gave the Bruins something much better to think about for the next nine days.

Bruins slay Golden Knights in come from behind win The Bruins now head into the all-star break, not active again until Jan. 31 in Winnipeg.

By MARISA INGEMI | PUBLISHED: January 21, 2020 at 9:33 pm | Boston Herald LOADED: 01.22.2020 UPDATED: January 21, 2020 at 10:31 PM

The last game before the All-Star break had that last-day-of-school feel.

In the final game before the break and a bye week, the Bruins were sloppy in a 3-2 win against the Golden Knights at TD Garden on Tuesday.

“They’re good pros, it doesn’t surprise me,” said Bruins Bruce Cassidy. “I think the way we finished in Pittsburgh probably gave us more focus. … I think it was two things, those guys are professional and I thought (Monday’s) practice was hard and good compete, so we understood we’re not going to just slide into the break.”

David Krejci was questionable heading into the game but he ended up the hero, burying a rebound on a night the Bruins missed multiple second chances to give the B’s a win heading into the break.

It took until the third period for the Bruins to have a handle on puck possession and to finally take advantage of an opportunity. They went 0- for-5 on the power play and didn’t put in several gifts.

“They’re used to having success and haven’t lately,” Cassidy said of the power play. “Frustration or whatever word you want to use, pressure came hard. … A little different from Vegas early in the year when we were there. We have to be able to handle it, have to win pucks and gotta be thinking one pass ahead.”

Much like on Thursday against the Penguins, Jaroslav Halak surrendered a goal on the first shot he saw.

Mark Stone powered his way into the Vegas offensive zone and snuck a shot through Halak to put the Knights ahead just 1:24 into the first period.

In his second NHL game of the season, Jeremy Lauzon made an impact.

Recalled again prior to Tuesday’s game, the young defender sent a shot on net from the corner of the blue line to tie it 1-1 with 11:40 gone in the first period.

The Bruins missed multiple opportunities in the second; first Jake DeBrusk missed an open net with Marc-Andre Fleury out to play the puck. Then, David Pastrnak had a chance on a nice dish from Brad Marchand and missed wide.

Four power plays with nothing doing kept it a 1-1 game until Brandon Carlo went to the box for a high stick.

Nicolas Hague blasted his first goal of his NHL career for the Knights on the power play with 9:01 left in the frame to give Vegas the lead once again.

The B’s power play missed another opportunity late in the second — their 16th consecutive man advantage without a goal — after Chandler Stephenson rocked Charlie McAvoy, and though the defender was shaken up on the ice he didn’t miss a shift.

Halak, who often has well-intended but misguided adventures playing the puck, jumped into the play early in the third to get the puck away from a Vegas broken play, and pushed it up ice to Charlie Coyle. The center found Jake DeBrusk who ripped in his 15th goal of the season on a laser from the faceoff dot to tie the game 2-2 just 4:26 into the third.

Midway through the third Matt Grzelcyk went down the tunnel clutching his left side, but he came back later in the frame. He collided with the Knights’ Cody Eakin in front of the Bruins net.

With 7:42 left, though, in his return after missing Sunday, Krejci got a rebound to finally go the Bruins way. Carlo fired shot from the point that hit off Krejci’s stick and he potted it in the empty net with Fleury in front of the crease for a 3-2 lead, the Bruins first of the game.

“It’s just another game, you like to get a win before the break,” said Krejci. “As a player you want to play and I felt pretty good (Monday) and (Tuesday morning) so I want to be out there.” 1172153 Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins head into the break with plenty to think about

By MARISA INGEMI | PUBLISHED: January 21, 2020 at 9:04 pm | UPDATED: January 21, 2020 at 9:07 PM

Just when it seemed the Bruins were back on track, they suffered another crack in the armor on Sunday.

They’ll enter the All-Star break with the third best record in the NHL, but there are times — like Sunday — where it sure doesn’t feel like it.

They’ll go into the break in a good spot in the standings and a bit of a cushion to figure things out, though the gap grows smaller each day with the Tampa Bay Lightning turning their season around.

The biggest thing to worry about heading into the dog days of the season? The blown leads.

“It’s something that we want to correct,” said Jake DeBrusk. “It’s something that’s been a trademark of this team in years past … we obviously want to address that and close games out. That’s what good teams do, that’s what winning hockey is. I think it’s just a lack of urgency on certain plays. … It’s just a matter of us executing and making the play that’s in front of us.”

It can feel nitpicky to look at where the Bruins sit in the standings and where they’ve been essentially all year and whine about all of their flaws, and they really don’t have many; the depth on the right side still lacks, secondary scoring is inconsistent, and the bottom third of the defense has fallen off.

The blown leads is the big one, though — aside from overtime and shootouts, which is less of a concern in the postseason — and that’s something that’s far from nitpicking.

It’s something that’s essential to fix going into the stretch run.

“At the end of the day, it falls on the older group in the room to set the standard and the bar when we get those leads. It’s about the culture we’ve built over the years,” said Torey Krug. “We’ve got to make sure we sustain that level of play throughout. Everyone’s got a voice and everyone’s got a huge role on this team. I think it starts at the top and works its way through the lineup. Everyone has to be a little bit better.”

Halak ceremony postponed

Jaroslav Halak was scheduled to have a pregame ceremony honoring his 500th game started in the NHL, which he achieved earlier this season. However, that was put on ice on Tuesday.

Coach Bruce Cassidy said they had it set where his and Tuukka Rask‘s ceremony — which occurred before the Penguins game last Thursday — were slated before games they didn’t start in net. Since Rask’s concussion, Halak has taken the reins and started against the Golden Knights, so they didn’t want a pregame distraction to disrupt his routine.

Miller skates again

Kevan Miller skated for the first time in months on Sunday, but made even more progress on Tuesday. The Bruins rugged defenseman was on the ice prior to the Bruins optional morning skate as he continues to come back from his twice-broken kneecap.

“He hasn’t played for a long time,” said Cassidy. “That’s why I don’t want to get ahead of myself. But if he gets back to where he was, then we feel that we’re aligned really well to match up all three pairs against anybody.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172154 Boston Bruins bigger than the sum of their parts. Take a piece away and it affects the overall product more than you might think.

Sure, good teams are good at making up for the loss of top players, for Bruins still looking for blue line solutions the short-term. But the B’s have never really made up for the loss of Jeremy Lauzon the latest to candidate to lay the Kevan Miller role Miller. Yes, the group was able to get this team to Game 7 of the Finals without him. Cassidy’s also had them in first place in the Atlantic Division for more than half a season without him. But the lack of Miller’s physicality very well may have cost them the Stanley Cup last spring. By STEVE CONROY | PUBLISHED: January 21, 2020 at 5:25 pm | They’d also have fewer blown leads this year, and a few more points in UPDATED: January 21, 2020 at 11:06 PM the bank.

The best-case scenario is for the Southern Californian to return healthy Kevan Miller stepped on the ice in Brighton at 10 a.m., skated a few laps, and with enough games left to get up to speed. But for now, he has to be took some wide circles and was done in 15 minutes. For the Bruins, the out of sight, out of mind. sight of Miller on the ice for the second time in three days was certainly “I know what (the blue line) looks like when he’s healthy. I’ve seen it, welcome, no matter how minimal that icetime was. lived it, been here and feel it’s pretty strong,” said Cassidy. “So that is an But if the rugged, snarly Miller — exactly what the Bruins’ back end element we’ve tried to replace and I think we’ve done a good job of it to needs right now — is ever going to make it back into the lineup (never be where we are, but we also know when Kevan is on, if he is healthy mind being the same player he was before breaking his kneecap twice at and back. … Now there’s a lot that has to go into that. He hasn’t played the end of last season), it’s going to take a while. A healthy Miller would in a long time, so that’s why I don’t want to get ahead of myself. But if he fix an issue for the B’s but now, 51 games into the season, it would seem gets back to where he was, then we feel like we’re aligned really well to like an unwise proposition to bank on that kind of transformative return match up all three pairs against anybody.” from the blueliner. And you can bet plenty of people in the B’s organization have their In the meantime, with blown leads becoming an unexpected trademark of fingers crossed that this isn’t another false start for Miller. But after this team, the B’s had to do something, anything, and on Tuesday they Tuesday’s performance, it may be time to see a little more of what brought up the strapping Jeremy Lauzon, sent Steven Kampfer back to Lauzon has to offer. Providence and sat John Moore, who is under contract for three more Boston Herald LOADED: 01.22.2020 years at $2.75 million.

Coach Bruce Cassidy was looking for some bite from Lauzon and maybe a little of offense. He got both. Not only did he deliver four hits in his 15:38, he scored the B’s first goal and finished plus-2 in the 3-2 comeback win against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Garden.

“I thought he played hard, competes all over the ice. We’ve seen that before, so we expected that,” said Cassidy. “Scores a goal, and in a one- goal game that obviously matters. And he did it in the right way. Didn’t overthink it. Just got it off the wall, made sure he pounds it hard, makes sure it gets by the first layer. If it gets blocked closer to the net at least its not going to be a quick transition. We’re trying to instill that attitude in some of our other guys. Then Brandon (Carlo) gets one through later (on David Krejci’s winner) so hopefully it snowballs, that part of our game. But all in all, he had good composure. Didn’t seem fazed by anything. We’ll always go back and look at it and there’ll be some details we’ll talk about. But I liked his game. I thought he brought what we needed.”

The 22-year-old Lauzon was one of the B’s second round draft picks (52nd overall) in the famed (infamous?) 2015 draft class in which the B’s had six picks in the first two rounds. It delivered a top-six wing in Jake DeBrusk and a very good shutdown defenseman in Brandon Carlo, but also a few well-known misses.

Lauzon had gotten a couple of tastes before injury situations (16 games last year, one this season) and had not looked out of place, but the Boston numbers always dictated that he return to Providence when the blue line returned to health. That’s not the case right now. Though Miller and Connor Clifton (upper body) are out, they have enough bodies. This is about seeing if they can fill that hole Miller left last spring.

He played the right side next to Matt Grzelcyk on Tuesday, not a perfect fit for the left-shooting Lauzon, though he has played the right side in Providence and in juniors. And the fact that this is the B’s last game before a nine-day break makes it hard for him to gather any momentum off Tuesday’s game. He’ll be headed right back to Providence now while the regular varsity takes off.

Those factors aside, this appears to be the best chance to stick in the NHL for Lauzon, who brings decent size, competitiveness and a little edge. And he seems to have some added maturity.

“I feel way more comfortable on the ice. My confidence is really high right now, so I just tried to bring the game I was playing in Providence up here and I think I did a good job,” said Lauzon, who earned third star honors.

Whether or not he gets recalled after the break — or whether he was here to just get more out of Moore— remains to be seen. But a player of Lauzon’s ilk is needed here.

The lack of balance on the third defense pair may not seem like a huge issue on paper, but most championship clubs are teams whose whole is 1172155 Boston Bruins

Bruins pregame notes: On the rebound with the Golden Knights

By MARISA INGEMI | January 21, 2020 at 12:11 PM

Just when it seemed the Bruins had responded well following their potentially rock-bottom loss to the Blue Jackets last week, that momentum was sapped with another blown lead on Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Losing another three-goal lead is far from ideal no matter what, but the Bruins can still head into the all-star break and their bye week feeling good if they can gain a couple of points against a Golden Knights team in a weird spot.

The Knights are in the middle of a long road trip broken up by the extended break, but have already played three games out east and two of them under a new head coach. They’re coming off three points in two games, though, as they try to get the train back on track.

It’s still a similar team that the Bruins saw in the third game of the regular season on their road trip to open the year, where they trailed 2-0 early and came back. They play a heavy, physical game but can also put the puck in the net.

The Bruins aren’t in panic mode by any means with the third best record in the NHL, but with a long break to sit on coming up, they could still use some good feelings after the bad taste in their mouth two days ago.

Game notes

Steven Kampfer was sent to Providence this morning and Jeremy Lauzon recalled, who will slide into the lineup and play for John Moore, who saw his shifts got cut in the loss to the Penguins on Sunday.

David Krejci is a game-time decision after he skated on Tuesday morning. He missed Sunday’s game with an upper body injury. Joakim Nordstrom would be the healthy scratch if Krejci can go.

Jaroslav Halak earns his third straight start in net with Tuukka Rask injured, and his fifth overall consecutive game.

About the Golden Knights

The Golden Knights (25-19-7) have turned things around a little bit since Peter DeBeor took over as head coach, but even before then, they were starting to trend upwards after a mediocre first half.

In the midst of an eight-game road trip, they fell in a shootout but scored four times against the Canadiens after a win in Ottawa. Boston is just the fourth stop on the trip before they head south.

The Knights rank 10th in the league with 156 goals and 155 goals against has them in the same spot. Their power play is in the top third of the league and penalty kill is in the bottom.

What stands out is how often the Knights shoot; their 1,744 shots are the second most in the NHL, while their shooting percentage is the 21st best.

Max Pacioretty leads the team with 49 points while Mark Stone has 28 assists and former Bruins forward Reilly Smith already has 20 goals on the season.

Marc-Andre Fleury gets the start in net.

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Talking Points: Bruins' new-look David Krejci line pays off late in 3-2 win over Vegas

By Joe Haggerty January 22, 2020 12:36 AM

GOLD STAR: David Krejci missed a couple of games with an upper-body injury, but made sure he returned for this final game ahead of the 10-day break for All-Star weekend and the bye week. And Krejci was a difference-maker. He scored the game-winner in the third period when he popped in a rebound of a Brandon Carlo point shot.

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Krejci finished with a goal and two points along with a plus-1 rating with 18:04 of ice time, one shot on net, one takeaway and one blocked shots along with 6 of 12 face-off wins while centering Danton Heinen and Karson Kuhlman on a new-look line. It remains to be seen how the forward groups will be divided up when the Bruins come back from break, but things worked out pretty well in the 3-2 victory over Vegas on Tuesday night.

BLACK EYE: The Bruins won the game, but did it in spite of a power play that struggled mightily.

The B's man-advantage went 0-for-5 on the power play against a Vegas team that’s stepped up its aggressiveness on the penalty kill. Boston managed just three shots on net in all that time on the man-advantage.

They still won in spite of it all, obviously, but the B’s special teams were lousy with a powerless power play and a penalty kill that allowed a PP goal to the Golden Knights.

Haggerty: Kreider remains top Bruins trade target

Now, the Bruins' power play gets 10 days to re-energize and perhaps figure out a few new tricks.

TURNING POINT: The Bruins trailed 2-1 headed into the third period and it didn’t appear it was going to be their night. Still, they managed to summon a little extra effort in that final 20 minutes, outshot Vegas 14-13 and scored a pair of goals to win in regulation rather than risk another overtime or shootout loss.

It was Jake DeBrusk who scored on a left-wing rush to tie things up in the third and then Krejci who won it in the final few minutes before the Golden Knights got desperate by pulling their goalie. It was certainly a different tack for the B’s in this one. Rather than blowing a lead as they’d done a few times over the past couple of weeks, they rallied in the third to win it.

HONORABLE MENTION: Good job by Jeremy Lauzon to step up and fill in at a time when the Bruins needed a little more physical thump. Even better, Lauzon managed to score his second career NHL goal on a deep point shot that traveled through a few Vegas bodies on its way to the net for Boston’s first score.

Physical trade targets the B's could pursue

Lauzon finished with the goal along with a plus-2 rating, two shot attempts, four registered hits and a blocked shot in 15:38 of ice time while also filling a lead role on the penalty kill. Considering it was Lauzon’s first NHL appearance of the season, it was very good with the physical, gritty play that could lead to more looks this season.

BY THE NUMBERS: 22:53 – the Bruins leading ice time player was Brad Marchand among forwards and defensemen in a game that featured plenty of special-teams situations.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “We did some good things [in] this first stretch. Enjoy yourself and get away wherever you’re going, mentally cleanse. But understand that [when] we get back, we get at it pretty quick.” –Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy on his message to his Bruins players headed into the 10-day break.

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Mind-blowing stat shows importance of Jake DeBrusk scoring for the Bruins

By Jacob Camenker January 21, 2020 9:37 PM

The Boston Bruins are often carried by the efforts of The Perfection Line. Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak had accounted for 79 of the team's 166 goals entering Tuesday night's game and were a massive part of their hot start to the season.

But secondary scoring is important as well. And in particular, Jake DeBrusk getting goals tends to have a really positive impact on the Bruins.

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According to the "Boston Sports Info" Twitter account, the Bruins are a remarkable 44-5-1 when DeBrusk scores in the regular season.

Jake Debrusk scores ≥ 1 goal in the regular season

Bruins record - (44-5-1, .890)

Wait, what?

Seems decent enough

— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) January 22, 2020

And in the playoffs, the Bruins are 6-3 when DeBrusk scores at least once.

DeBrusk was a key for the Bruins in their 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night. He scored the tying goal for the team early in the third period to afford them the opportunity to come from behind to win.

Moving forward, DeBrusk's scoring will be important. The Bruins are simply better when he produces goals and when the second line can impact the game. If this is the start of a hot streak for him, it could coincide with the B's getting hot.

Of course, they'll have to get through a lengthy All-Star break before that can happen. The Bruins won't play again until Jan. 31 when they travel to Winnipeg to take on the Jets.

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David Krejci a 'game-time decision' for Bruins after missing last two games

By Joe Haggerty January 21, 2020 2:39 PM

BRIGHTON, Mass. — David Krejci has missed the last couple of games with an upper body injury believed to be a back issue, but he may return on Tuesday night ahead of a long NHL All-Star break and bye week for the Boston Bruins.

Krejci made it through Tuesday’s morning skate at after skating with a no-contact sweater on Monday, and said he was feeling a lot better headed into tonight’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights at TD Garden.

Bruce Cassidy termed Krejci “a game-time decision” after missing the last week of action following the injury suffered in last week’s loss to Columbus on the road.

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It may come down to whether it would be of greater benefit for Krejci to maximize the rest he’s giving himself by taking the full 17 days in between the game he last played and when things start up again in Winnipeg on Friday, Jan. 31.

“I felt good yesterday and I felt good today. I’m pretty happy about that. I’ve got to talk to the [medical staff] and see what’s best” said Krejci. “[The break] couldn’t come at a better time and I’m looking forward to it. But obviously there’s one more game tonight and we’ve got to get that done.

“Obviously I want to play as soon as I can play. The break is for sure going to help, so we’ll see how the conversation [about playing tonight] is going to go.”

Certainly the Bruins could use all hands on deck on Tuesday night with the Tampa Bay Lightning just six points behind the B’s in the Atlantic Division, and a streaking Florida Panthers team also closing to within 10 points in recent days.

Haggerty: Bruins' blown leads a growing concern

In other lineup news, rookie Jeremy Lauzon will be inserted into the lineup in place of John Moore on Boston’s bottom defense pairing given some of the bottom pair struggles as of late. The Bruins will also postpone tonight’s celebration of Jaroslav Halak getting to his 500th career NHL games so as not to distract the backup netminder from his start against the Golden Knights.

Here is the Bruins projected line combos and D-pairings against the Golden Knights based on morning skate:

PROJECTED LINES

Brad Marchand Patrice Bergeron David Pastrnak

Jake DeBrusk David Krejci Anders Bjork

Danton Heinen Charlie Coyle Karson Kuhlman

Joakim Nordstrom Sean Kuraly Chris Wagner

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS

Zdeno Chara Charlie McAvoy

Torey Krug Brandon Carlo

Matt Grzelcyk Jeremy Lauzon

STARTING GOALIE

Jaroslav Halak

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Bruins send Steven Kampfer to Providence, call up rugged Jeremy Lauzon

By Joe Haggerty January 21, 2020 10:56 AM

The Bruins decided after a disappointing loss to Pittsburgh to add a little toughness to their back end, and they didn’t waste any time ahead of their final game before a 10-day break over NHL All-Star Weekend and the bye week.

The Bruins have called up rugged, young D-man Jeremy Lauzon from Providence and assigned Steven Kampfer back to the P-Bruins after once again ably handling duties as a spare seventh D-man over the last few weeks.

The 22-year-old Lauzon has one goal and 13 points along with a plus-18 rating in 43 games for the P-Bruins this season after making his NHL debut in Boston last year, and the 6-foot-1, 205-pound player has continued his style as a strong, hard-to-play-against defenseman that the B’s are currently missing a little bit of with both Kevan Miller (kneecap) and Connor Clifton (upper body injury) unavailable for the time being.

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The one area where Lauzon has been lacking is in the puck-moving and decision-making department, but it appears that’s one place where he’s made some leaps and bounds in his third pro season in Providence.

Bruce Cassidy mentioned over the weekend that Clifton will be out until mid-February with his injury and Miller has just begun small sessions of skating on his own after a number of setbacks while attempting to return from a couple serious kneecap fractures.

The B’s head coach was also openly critical of the “gifts” that his defensemen were giving up in Sunday’s loss to the Penguins when both Charlie McAvoy and John Moore had soft plays around the Boston net that led directly to Pittsburgh goals while the B’s blew a three-goal lead once again.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172160 Boston Bruins David Krejci, No. 3 center?

Krejci, back in the lineup against Vegas after missing the two previous games, did not return to his usual position on the second line. Instead, A break is a break: Workouts are not encouraged while the Bruins are Krejci centered the No. 3 line between Danton Heinen and Karson away Kuhlman. Charlie Coyle, who filled Krejci’s spot during his absence, stayed there between Jake DeBrusk and Anders Bjork.

By Fluto Shinzawa Jan 21, 2020 Based on Krejci’s production, this may be his home for a while.

Krejci set up Jeremy Lauzon’s first-period goal by dishing a puck up the right-side wall to his defenseman. In the third, Krejci tipped Brandon Sean Kuraly’s break began after Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Vegas. The 27- Carlo’s point shot. Marc-Andre Fleury kicked out the tip with his left pad, year-old will spend part of his midseason pause in Turks and Caicos. but Krejci scored on the rebound at 12:18 to snap a 2-2 tie. Kuraly and his teammates will not play again until Jan. 31 against Winnipeg. Krejci’s output: one goal, one assist, 18:04 of ice time.

If the 213-pound Kuraly acts like a normal person on an island getaway “If Coyle and DeBrusk and Bjork can keep contributing, maybe Krech — eat and drink what he wants, doze on the beach, laugh at the thought does give us … I’m not saying he’d be on the third line, but you know of the hotel treadmill — he would report back to Boston lighter than he what I mean,” Bruce Cassidy said. “Nine forwards that can all kind of was when he checked out of the dressing room Tuesday. pitch in. That’s something, at the start of the year, we weren’t sure where we’d be, so that’s a positive.” It’s yet more proof that NHL players are not human. Jeremy Lauzon’s turn “I’d lose mass,” Kuraly said. “I would lose weight, but I wouldn’t lose fat. I’d just lose some muscle.” The numbers stand against Lauzon. The Bruins are carrying four left-shot defensemen: Zdeno Chara, Torey Krug, Matt Grzelcyk and John Moore. For we mortals, the thought of losing pounds on vacation sounds like a Lauzon’s running mates in Providence include fellow lefties Urho dream come true. It is real life for professional athletes who spend just Vaakanainen, Jakub Zboril and Cooper Zech. about every day revving their tachometers into the red zone. They are working and training so hard that even nine days of doing nothing would For at least one game, however, Lauzon edged past Moore to get the not significantly compromise their conditioning. nod on the No. 3 pairing next to Grzelcyk. He made the most of his opportunity by scoring a goal, recording four hits and playing 15:38. In fact, doing nothing is encouraged. Tuesday marked Lauzon’s 18th career NHL appearance. Circumstances The team will provide suggested workouts for players who are interested may impede Lauzon from immediately adding to that total. He was in exercising during the break. They are far from mandatory. The returned to Providence after the win. performance staff would be just fine with all of their players resting their bodies and clearing their heads until they come back from their But if Lauzon displays his strengths — stay-at-home belligerence, respective locales. positioning, dependability — the 22-year-old could persuade the Bruins to grant him an extended look. This is because the players have trained so rigorously during the season and offseason. While some, like Kuraly, may lose muscle through “I thought he played hard,” Cassidy said. “Competes all over the ice. inactivity, their strength and endurance are not believed to be at risk with We’ve seen that before, so we expected that. Scores a goal in a one-goal a layoff so brief. The benefits of rest, both physical and mental, are worth game. That matters. He did it the right way. Didn’t overthink it. Just got it, any slight decrease in peak performance. got it off the wall, made sure he pounded it hard so it gets by the first layer. If it gets blocked closer to the net, it’s not going to be a quick NHLers, however, are naturally inclined toward activity, even during a transition.” time of rest. Chris Wagner, also planning an island vacation, will most likely play tennis with his girlfriend. Kuraly could reach for a racket, swim As much as the game is leaning toward skill and mobility on the back in the ocean or take a hike. The world’s top professional athletes, in other end, it could be argued that the Bruins lack some blue-line snarl. It never words, do not align themselves with chips and wings on the couch. hurts to have defensemen who can push back when challenged.

For Kuraly, some kind of very light core work — pelvic thrusts, perhaps “Cliffy has given us some of that when he’s been in,” Cassidy said of — will be on his menu. His back does not feel good if he takes too much Connor Clifton, who is out until next month because of an upper-body time off. injury. “Johnny, I think, not quite as much as we’d like. So we’re going to give Lauzie a shot. He’s probably at that stage where he’s put his time in “You’re not doing any of your warmup exercises, turning your core on in Providence. It’s a good time to get a look at him and see where it and putting yourself back in the right positions,” Kuraly said of inactivity. goes.” “Sometimes when I’m lounging for three or four days and not doing any of my stuff, I get a sore back. My back is something I keep an eye on.” Kevan Miller aiming to return

In the tropics, Kuraly will not have the resources that are available at More than nine months have passed since Miller last played in an NHL Warrior Ice Arena. That will be just fine. He might not visit the hotel gym game. The right-shot defenseman, who cracked his kneecap on April 4 in at all. Minnesota, has undergone multiple procedures to help him get back on the ice. Miller’s comeback has been delayed several times. “Doing a 30-minute bike ride, I think I’d get the same amount going for a swim in the ocean for half an hour. I like to be physically active,” Kuraly So while Miller has resumed skating, the Bruins are practicing restraint in said. “Those things give you energy. Whereas if I go in the hotel gym and projecting his return. That has not stopped Cassidy from thinking about I step on the bike, it sucks your energy. The biggest thing is having the how Miller would fill out the back end. energy. When you declutter it, everything comes back and you have your “I know what it looks like when he’s healthy,” Cassidy said. “I’ve seen it, energy.” lived it, been here. We feel it’s pretty strong. That is an element we’ve Professional hockey has been Kuraly’s goal since he was a teenager. As tried to replace. I think we’ve done a good job of it to be where we are. such, good habits in training, nutrition and recovery are practically But we also know when Kevan’s on, if he is healthy and back … Now, muscles he has developed. They do not dissipate in nine days. Machines there’s a lot that has to go into that. He hasn’t played in a long time. like Kuraly naturally order smoothies for breakfast instead of chocolate That’s why I don’t want to get ahead of myself. But if he gets back to chip pancakes. where he was, we feel we’re aligned really well to match up all three pairs against anybody.” “I’ll break them for a little bit,” Kuraly said of those sterling tendencies. “But some of the good habits are hard to continually break, break, break. Season debut for Anton Blidh You just want to go back to your normal kind of routine. I may want to Blidh played in his first game of the season. He replaced Joakim sleep in for two days. But even after that, I’ll start getting up a little earlier. Nordstrom on the fourth line. The left wing had one shot and three hits in It’s these habits we’ve been forced to do just to do what we do are hard 9:45 of ice time. Blidh is not a long-term solution, but he gives the Bruins to break.” some bite and competition for Nordstrom, who is unrestricted after this year. … Grzelcyk went to the dressing room after getting jammed up with Cody Eakin in the third. Grzelcyk was favoring his left side. He returned later in the third and completed the game. … Charlie McAvoy didn’t miss any shifts after going into the boards headfirst off a Chandler Stephenson check.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172161 Boston Bruins “A good Canadian guy, so I’ll vote for him.”

Paul Konerko

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy’s (mock) baseball Hall of Fame ballot “I liked him because he was a White Sox and also played for the Reds. He seemed like a really good guy. White Sox won the World Series (2005) when he was there. When they interviewed him he seemed like a By Joe McDonald Jan 21, 2020 really good, down-to-earth guy, a good teammate – like Rolen.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020

The National Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2020 will be discussed at length over the next few days. Everyone has an opinion and many enjoy debating who should be honored in Cooperstown, N.Y.

That includes hockey coaches.

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy is an avid fan of most sports. He’s attended countless sporting events, including golf tournaments and NASCAR races, but baseball has always been important to him. Cassidy grew up a Cincinnati Reds fan in the days of the Big Red Machine, partly because, growing up in Ottawa, he could get Reds games on television.

“Johnny Bench and Pete Rose, I liked both of them,” Cassidy said. “I was never a catcher, but I played first and third. I pitched, too. I just liked the Big Red Machine.”

After the Blackhawks drafted Cassidy in the first round (No. 18 overall) in the 1983 NHL Draft, he moved to Chicago and became a Cubs fan.

So, with baseball’s Hall of Fame class being announced Tuesday, we asked Cassidy to fill out a mock 2020 ballot. I sent him my completed ballot ahead of time and gave him a while to ponder his choices. Voters are allowed to pick up to 10 candidates. Cassidy, apparently a big-Hall proponent, opted for all 10.

Cassidy has visited the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., but he’s never been to Cooperstown for baseball or Canton, Ohio, for football. Both destinations are on his to-do list.

“I really should go,” he said.

Perhaps after this, he’ll be even more inclined.

Here’s how Cassidy’s 2020 ballot would read:

Bobby Abreu

“I’m voting for him. The (2005) All-Star game he probably hit 15 in a row in the first round (of the home run derby) about 10 yards from each other. I remember thinking, ‘Man, this guy is good. I didn’t know he could hit like that.’ Just for that alone I’m voting for Bobby Abreu.”

Barry Bonds

“I’m voting for Bonds … I’m voting for all these steroid guys, because you either take a stand or you don’t.”

Roger Clemens

“I’m voting for Clemens … I’m going to let them in, because I don’t know who else would’ve been on it. Any player could have been on that list and just didn’t get caught, so I’m going with the guys who produced on the field.”

Derek Jeter

“Yes.”

Andy Pettitte

“I agree.”

Manny Ramirez

“I gotta vote for Manny.”

Scott Rolen

“Scott Rolen I like. I thought he was a great team guy and he played for the Reds. They traded a good third baseman (Placido Polanco) or him.”

Sammy Sosa

“I’m voting for Sammy. I saw him in Chicago and saw him all the time. He was entertaining.”

Larry Walker 1172162 Boston Bruins • They will limit opposing attempts. This is partly because of their increased puck possession. But you can also assume that style of play — better skating, tighter gaps — leads to a higher degree of zone Pace, possession, quickness: Analyzing the Bruins’ future No. 1 pair — denials. one with a past • The opposing chance quality will probably be better than against Chara- McAvoy.

By Fluto Shinzawa Jan 21, 2020 “Defensively, Z’s a physical matchup guy where Grizz is more of a foot- speed, stick guy,” Cassidy said. “I don’t know if that changes a lot for Charlie. He takes on a little more of the heavy lifting in those situations, obviously. Net-front battles. They probably just sort that out on the fly. I For Charlie McAvoy, four years feels like 40. The 2015-16 freshman just see them a little more attack-oriented when they’re together on the season McAvoy played at Boston University with Matt Grzelcyk at his offensive side of things and work well together getting through the neutral side seems as distant as another lifetime — which, in reality, it is. zone.” McAvoy is in his fourth professional season. He lives on his own instead The game’s movement toward greater speed and skill should blend well of in campus housing. The NHL is not Hockey East. Years, growth and with the strengths of the Grzelcyk-McAvoy pair. They do everything in a experience have scattered the shifts McAvoy shared with Grzelcyk on hurry — process their surroundings, close on opponents, go back for Commonwealth Ave. from his mind. pucks, initiate the breakout with their sticks or feet. “I can’t really say, honestly, that I have any memory of it,” the 22-year-old The most interesting question is how a long-term relationship with McAvoy said of manning the BU blue line with Grzelcyk. “It feels like such Grzelcyk could express more offense from McAvoy. He has no goals and a long time ago that I can’t really remember any specific plays, shifts or 17 assists. Grzelcyk has two goals and 12 assists. On the power play, anything. But I think something like that is something we have that’s where they man the point on the No. 2 unit, Grzelcyk and McAvoy have unique. I don’t think we try to replicate anything that we did back then, been on the ice for three one-up goals. because I honestly can’t remember. But we definitely have that to build off of.” Cassidy would most likely give Carlo more of his hard matchups if Grzelcyk and McAvoy play together. In theory, relieved of some of his Zdeno Chara currently claims the title of McAvoy’s partner-in-crime. The defensive responsibilities, McAvoy could contribute to the attack more 42-year-old shows little interest in ceding that position. The Slovakian regularly, especially with the mobile Grzelcyk serving as his left-side strongman made his 1,000th appearance as a Bruin on Jan. 13. catalyst instead of the more stationary Chara. Uncommon genetics, storied willpower and an enduring love of hockey may extend Chara’s partnership with McAvoy another 1,000 games. “Puck possession is one of the things we try and preach,” McAvoy said. “I know he can make a lot of special passes, especially on breakouts. He’s But if Grzelcyk, 26, is still a Bruin when Chara says goodbye, Bruce very, very fluent at breaking pucks out and using his feet, whether he’s Cassidy has an excellent candidate to place on McAvoy’s left flank. At doing it himself or putting it through a triangle. When you’re able to make times, they do not even classify as defensemen. clean breakout passes and you’re able to keep possession, then you’re “On the offensive side of things, they use each other well,” Cassidy said. able to transition, get up and usually get more offensive chances than if “They get moving up ice. Grizz is quick and sees the ice on transition you’re flipping it, losing possession and starting all over again.” plays in a hurry. So I think Charlie can read off him there pretty well. A full-time Grzelcyk-McAvoy duo faces impediments. Grzelcyk is They’re on the same page there.” restricted after this season. Chara considers retirement a four-letter word. There is no debate about the nature of what Chara and McAvoy are Krug is unrestricted at year’s end. The expansion draft is in June of 2021. when they play together. During 5-on-5 play, Cassidy tasks Chara and But whenever the former Terriers reunite full-time as NHLers, chances McAvoy with shadowing opposing No. 1 lines, leaning on attackers down are they’ll be pretty good. low and worrying little about producing offense. The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 According to Natural Stat Trick, the No. 1 pair has started 88 shifts in the defensive zone, compared to just 52 at the other end. Their 37.14 percent offensive-zone start percentage is third-lowest among the 32 leaguewide pairs with 400-plus 5-on-5 minutes. In comparison, Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo lead all such tandems with a 69.05 percent offensive-zone start percentage.

The results are good. Despite drawing top-line attackers, the Chara- McAvoy pair has allowed 1.85 goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play, sixth- fewest among pairs meeting the 400-plus minutes threshold. This is while posting only a 46.22 Corsi For rating (fourth-lowest), indicating how they’ve limited goals while allowing more attempts than they’ve taken.

Other benchmark metrics: attempts allowed/60 (56.55), expected goals against/60 (1.98) and goals for/60 (2.51).

Things look different when Grzelcyk takes Chara’s place, and not just because of the 12 inches and 76 pounds that separate the two. Grzelcyk and McAvoy have spent 168:45 together at even strength. During this time, they have an on-ice GA/60 of 3.2, considerably leakier than the Chara-McAvoy pair. This while posting a 58.92 CF%, signaling their control of the puck.

The other measures: 45.87 (CA/60), 2.23 (xGA/60), 2.84 (GF/60).

The Grzelcyk-McAvoy sample size is significantly narrower than that of Chara-McAvoy. As a result, there is most likely some noise that would fade out with more repetitions.

But even if their time together is relatively limited, their history signals some fairly reliable future trends for a permanent Grzelcyk-McAvoy partnership:

• They will play with the puck more often. 1172163 Boston Bruins “It’s not a fluke. He didn’t wake up one day and say, ‘I got to get in shape now that I’m 40 because I want to play for the next two years.’ He’s prepared himself,” said Cassidy.

There’s always next year, still, for the ageless Zdeno Chara, who shows “He’s one of the toughest guys mentally I’ve ever been around. The no signs of slowing down passion for the game drives him every day. He’s a good student of the game, so he’s adjusted to the things he can and can’t do on the ice. For him, that’s how he’s beating it. It takes a special human being to be able By Joe McDonald Jan 21, 2020 to do it at that age.”

Cassidy also believes Chara’s longevity stems from a bit of good fortune, in that Chara has avoided major injuries during his career — especially Nearly every story about Bruins captain Zdeno Chara defying age incredible given his 6-foot-9, 255-pound frame. Other than a couple of limitations has been told. At this point, no one should be surprised that knee injuries, and the normal bumps and bruises connected with hockey, he’s still playing in the NHL at age 42. Or that he’s still making an impact Chara has remained relatively healthy after 1,533 games. on the ice. “Sometimes if you have a major injury, maybe a number of concussions, “He’s outliving the game, right?” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. “Every or a knee injury that keeps acting up, or a back, something that has player in every sport ages out at some point. Maybe they don’t agree with nagged at him for 20-something years,” Cassidy said. “That, to me, can who’s making that call about them aging out, but you see it in baseball, contribute to a guy aging out sooner or lasting longer.” you see it in football. Any major sport there comes a time that, for whatever reason, skills diminish — maybe reaction time, the body breaks So, it won’t be a surprise when or if the Bruins announce another one- down, or the mental grind of it. Zdeno has none of that.” year contract extension for a third consecutive season for Chara. When the time is right, he’ll be ready. Chara has played on a pair of one-year contracts the last two seasons and he’s hoping that trend continues, but the sides have yet to discuss The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 his future. Bruins general manager announced the previous two extensions in March 2018 and March 2019.

“We haven’t talked about it yet, and for good reason,” Chara told The Athletic. “To be honest, there are guys ahead of me in that process and I have to wait, obviously. So, based on those signings and decisions, we’ll see what’s going to happen with my situation. I understand, and it’s pretty obvious, guys are ahead of me.”

Defenseman Torey Krug is at the front of that line. The 28-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The sides have talked and the process continues, but there’s been no developments of late.

“Nothing,” Krug confirmed.

Besides Chara and Krug, defenseman Kevan Miller, forward Joakim Nordstrom and goalie Jaroslav Halak are all set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Forwards Jake DeBrusk, Anders Bjork and Karson Kuhlman, along with defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, will be restricted free agents. Miller, who has been sidelined the entire season due to a knee injury he suffered in the final week of the 2018-19 regular season, began skating on his own on Sunday.

Then there’s David Backes’ complicated situation. The Bruins placed the veteran forward on waivers last Friday and he cleared with the purpose of assignment to Providence of the AHL. However, the Bruins allowed him to take the All-Star break and bye-week off to decide his future. The 35-year-old still has one season remaining on his five-year, $30 million contract.

So, Chara needs to wait in line this time around.

In March 2018, he signed a one-year deal worth $5 million with $1.75 in incentives. Last spring, he agreed to a one-year contract extension worth a base salary of $2 million with another $1.75 in incentives.

Chara, who turns 43 on March 18, wants to return for at least another season.

“I do want to play,” he said. “Again, I have to wait and see what’s going to be happening at the end of the season and how I feel and how the team feels.”

His ability to still make an impact after 22 seasons in the NHL is impressive, especially in light of the Backes situation, where the much younger player was unable to keep up with the pace of this game on a consistent basis. Chara still averages 20 minutes of ice time per game, and has five goals and nine assists on the season.

“You really can’t put an emphasis on age,” Chara said. “You’ve seen it before where guys play for a long time. It’s hard even for young guys. You don’t see 23, or 24-year-old guys just breezing through the game, thinking, ‘Oh, this is easy.’ It’s not. It’s not just the age. There are multiple things playing a role in these hockey decisions, so it’s not just the age.”

Chara lives a clean life. He’s dedicated to a healthy lifestyle through nutrition, exercise and more recently, a conversion to a plant-based diet. He’s lived this stringent ethos much of his career, which is a major reason for his longevity. 1172164 Buffalo Sabres

Season is pretty much over if Sabres don't take advantage of next stretch

By Travis Yost Published Tue, Jan 21, 2020|Updated Tue, Jan 21, 2020

Travis Yost has been involved in the world of hockey analytics for a decade and is part of TSN's Hockey Analytics team. Prior to joining TSN, Yost was a contributor at the Ottawa Citizen, the Sporting News and NHL Numbers, and he has been a consultant for an NHL franchise. He will be contributing breakdowns on the Buffalo Sabres for The Buffalo News this season. Follow Yost on Twitter: @travisyost.

Can the Buffalo Sabres go on a run?

That is the question running through the minds of the fan base right now. Despite Buffalo’s low playoff probability at this point of the regular season, there is a significant opportunity over the next few weeks – one that coincides with playing 10 of the next 13 games at KeyBank Center. The Sabres are 14-6-3 on home ice.

But it’s not just the lengthy homestand that gives Buffalo an opportunity, it’s also a softer part of the schedule. Other than a daunting Feb. 4 game against the Colorado Avalanche, the Sabres will play an extensive number of games against also-rans and teams similarly sitting in the muddied middle of the standings.

That is a bit of a welcome reprieve for a Sabres team that has played a tough schedule so far when it comes to the quality of competition faced.

Yes, most teams can look like game adversaries when you are struggling the way Buffalo has, but think of some of the stretches the Sabres have played through this season. Think about the home-and-home in Sweden against the Tampa Bay Lightning – two games against one of the Stanley Cup favorites sandwiched between games against Washington, the New York Islanders and Carolina. That was the opening part of the November schedule, and the Sabres (not so surprisingly) finished that up 0-4-1.

So herein lies Buffalo’s opportunity. The Sabres, eight points out of third place in the Atlantic Division and the second wild-card position, are unlikely to reach the playoffs. Most forecasts and models only give the Sabres a fleeting chance at reaching the postseason, generally hovering around 10%. In other words: They need to pick up a bunch of wins, and fast.

You can see how soft this part of the schedule is relative to what is shouldering this two-week stretch. If you look at net Expected Goal% as a proxy for opponent quality, you quickly see that this 13-game stretch – when adjusted for home/road differences – is really the only part of the season where Buffalo seems to have a decisive advantage over its opponents:

I use expected goals because it tends to be a better reflection of the quality of a team over a longer horizon, but you reach a similar conclusion using any team-based measure (Goal%, Scoring Chance%, and the like) as a proxy for quality. At any rate, this is what it looks like when you have games against the likes of Ottawa (twice), Detroit (twice), Anaheim, Winnipeg, and so forth.

The full 13-game stretch at the game level looks as follows:

No, the Sabres haven’t given us a ton of reasons to believe they can win the majority of these games. Even a recent winning stretch – one that saw them pick up 10 of a possible 14 points before an ugly loss to Nashville – was driven largely by a hot power play and an incredible shooting percentage (better than 12% in all situations), neither of which give you a warm and fuzzy feeling that the Sabres might have turned a corner.

But they aren’t dead yet. Can Jack Eichel go supernova for another calendar month? Can the team get a white-hot stretch of goaltending from Linus Ullmark and Carter Hutton? Can secondary scoring emerge for the first time all year?

They’ll ultimately need some combination of the above, and Buffalo’s last stand starts next Tuesday against Ottawa.

Buffalo News LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172165 Buffalo Sabres when I played. Guys are way more inclined to do it today. They put a lot of time and effort and focus on their trade.

“I give him credit for putting the time and effort in.” Evaluating Sam Reinhart’s value as he approaches restricted free agency Sabres coach Ralph Krueger backed up that compliment.

“His conditioning is among the top of our team,” Krueger said. “He works as hard as anybody on his body and his overall professional package, By John Vogl Jan 21, 2020 which is an example for everybody.”

Reinhart’s year-to-year improvement is obvious. He set a career high in Is Sam Reinhart one of the top 50 forwards in the NHL? The numbers goals two years ago. He established personal bests in assists and points say he is. last season. He’s on pace to improve in goals and points this year, assuming he plays all 82 games for the third straight season. He’s If that’s the case, what is he worth? missed only six games in five years.

Let’s dive into the first question before getting to the second. Season Goals Assists Points

In order to be one of the game’s top 50 forwards, consistency is 2015-16 23 19 42 necessary. It sounds boring. But think back to every time a coach has described a young, talented player as needing to become more 2016-17 17 30 47 consistent to jump to the next level. That’s a lot of times. 2017-18 25 25 50

Here is what Reinhart has done over a number of recent intervals, 2018-19 22 43 65 beginning with his past eight games and going through his most recent 175. 2019-20 29* 40* 69*

Games Points Goals Assists Krueger says Reinhart’s two-way game is what’s leading to the increase in offense. 8 10 5 5 “What we love about Sam is how he’s embraced the necessity of playing 21 21 8 13 without the puck and staying above it when the others are below it, 50 42 18 24 tracking back hard and working with our D if called upon, being low if Jack’s high in the D-zone,” the coach said. “All those things, Jack and 100 80 31 49 Sam are an amazing duo. Sam’s offense is growing out of that defense, which is nice for us to see.” 131 106 39 67 One of Reinhart’s greatest strengths is also viewed as a weakness: He 175 145 59 86 connects with Eichel. Reinhart has skated with Eichel for 917 minutes “You start to learn as you get older, you’re not going to have it every this season and without him for just 85. night,” Sabres captain Jack Eichel said. “You’re not going to feel your “Our chemistry has gotten better as the years have gone on,” Eichel said. best every night and not everything is going to click for you. But I think the two of us have done a much better job the past couple years of trying They are the NHL’s 16th most productive pair this season, combining for to make a difference in the game when we’re not feeling our best. points on 23 goals. That’s the same as Boston’s Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, one fewer than Toronto’s Auston Matthews and Mitch “The best players in the league are doing it every night and obviously the Marner, and Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point. best lines in the league do it every night. We’re trying to find our way into that category.” So while it’s easy to say Eichel is lifting Reinhart to new heights, every star needs a reliable companion. Eichel is certainly entering the elite conversation, reaching the score sheet in 27 of the past 30 games. Reinhart is also becoming a regular. “Sam just augments the genius of Jack in so many ways,” Krueger said. “His intelligence and ability to read the game is so high.” The 175-game mark on the above chart is Jan. 1, 2018, when Reinhart scored at the Winter Classic and really kickstarted his career. Since that Before the season, general manager Jason Botterill talked often about day, he’s 40th among forwards in points (all stats are through Jan. 19). letting Reinhart drive his own line. Instead, the Sabres made Jeff Skinner There are significant players surrounding him. the centerpiece of the second line. Reinhart, who previously skated on Ryan O’Reilly’s wing, has yet to show he can carry a trio. But he certainly The 131-game mark is the start of 2018-19. During the past two seasons, helps the Sabres form a dynamic duo. Reinhart ranks 47th in points. Again, he’s alongside recognizable names. “In fairness, they both would connect with whoever they were playing Reinhart is 42nd in scoring among NHL forwards this season. It’s a fine with,” Paul Reinhart believes. “The fact they’re playing together is place to be, given the company. positive, but if there was somebody else they would also connect While there’s obviously more to being a top-50 forward than goals and because good players like that will and always do. That being said, assists, Reinhart is making a point. they’ve got a great relationship on and off the ice. I think they’ve been very complementary to each other.” “Looking at what I do now on a daily basis compared to Year 1 in the league or Year 2 in junior, you kind of have to learn from experiences,” The Sabres have to decide this summer what all of that is worth. Reinhart Reinhart said. “I think I’ve done a good job of that with how I conduct will be a restricted free agent. He and the team agreed to a two-year myself on a daily basis.” bridge deal worth $3.65 million per season in 2018. Reinhart has productively crossed that bridge and will be looking for solid land. His progression has started off the ice through physical maturity. Once a skinny kid with a “muffin” for a shot, as former coach Dan Bylsma There are a couple of categories to find comparables. Reinhart is close in infamously described the soft attempts, Reinhart has grown into solidly age to Detroit’s Dylan Larkin and Winnipeg’s Nikolaj Ehlers. Reinhart is built 6-foot-1, 194-pounder at age 24. His shot is much stronger, too. similar in production to San Jose’s Logan Couture, Vancouver’s Brock Boeser and , Calgary’s Elias Lindholm, Philadelphia’s Jakub “No matter how good you are, you don’t have that man strength when Voracek and Nashville’s Ryan Johansen. you first come in the league,” said Reinhart’s father, Paul, a longtime NHL defenseman. “That’s something you develop over time. Being Excluding Couture and Voracek, who were unrestricted free agents when around high-performance athletes day in and day out is where you they signed their deals, here are the contracts the Sabres and Reinhart’s generally start to gain some of that man strength. agent will look at:

“But, in fairness, he spends a tremendous amount of time during the Name Length Salary season and in particular the offseason training. That’s different than Johansen 8 $8 million Larkin 5 $6.1 million

Ehlers 7 $6 million

Boeser 3 $5.875 million

Horvat 6 $5.5 million

Lindholm 6 $4.85 million

The sides could also go back to the big question: Is Reinhart one of the top 50 forwards in the NHL? This season, No. 50 on the salary list (Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom) makes $6.7 million while No. 49 (Johnny Gaudreau) takes home $6.75 million.

Reinhart could rise to that range, if he keeps it up. Since New Year’s Day 2018, he’s kept it up, a consistency that’s put him in the conversation for the top 50 forwards in the NHL.

“It’s just that consistency, his compete, just his ability to skate with the puck and make plays,” Eichel said. “He’s obviously gotten more confident every game, but I always knew he was a special player, someone that I really enjoy playing with. He’s just so smart and easy to play with. It’s a treat.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172166 Last season, at this point, Treliving showed reasonable restraint — at least officially — springing for only a blue line-depth piece in Oscar Fantenberg.

10 assets at Flames GM Brad Treliving’s disposal as the trade deadline Then again, those Flames looked like winners. nears This edition, however, is desperate for difference-makers. Those don’t come cheap.

By Scott Cruickshank Jan 21, 2020 At Treliving’s fingertips, though, is a wide array of deal-closing commodities. Here are the meatiest of them:

The Calgary Flames need help. That’s hard to argue. 1. LD Noah Hanifin

Given the first four months of the season, even a casual observer could The young defender’s potential inclusion immediately transforms any draw that conclusion. So it’s not like it hasn’t occurred to general trade negotiation from tire-kicking into turkey-talking. He turns 23 this manager Brad Treliving that something is missing. week and, by season’s end, will already have 400 games under his belt. Big — 6-foot-3, 215 pounds — and mobile, this is a tremendously His Flames, at times, look frightful. valuable chip if Treliving is dying to get his way at the deadline.

Some nights, they’re terribly loose. They’ve permitted the sixth-most 2. First-round pick(s) shots against. They own first-round hollers for 2020 and beyond. Treliving has never Other nights their attack is shockingly inept. Sitting only 25th in goals, been shy about shuffling picks for live bodies — Dougie Hamilton for one they’ve been blanked a league-leading six times. first and two seconds; Travis Hamonic for one first and two seconds. It’s worth noting, though, that both of those swaps took place on draft It’s not a pretty picture. Sure, they happen to be burrowed into the upper weekend. reaches of the Pacific Division — but good coaches have been fired for that. ’s removal speaks to the Vegas Golden Knights’ The Flames’ most recent in-season pawning of a first-rounder took place expectations. Regard in Calgary should be no different. at the 2009 deadline when they surrendered what turned into the 13th overall selection to Phoenix for Olli Jokinen. The Finnish centre failed to The Flames had been the Western Conference’s top outfit last season. help them get to the promised land, but the sting was somewhat Now, with the same personnel, they are 11 points south of first place. lessened by the fact that the Coyotes drafted defender Brandon Gormley, What gives? who suited up only 58 times. (Vladimir Tarasenko got snapped up three slots later.) Or, more to the point, who goes? 3. F Dillon Dube Because fixes, short-term or otherwise, do not come for free. And certainly the Flames are in the market for upgrades. A solid and promising player, swift and sturdy — with plenty of brand recognition from his turn as captain of Canada’s entry at the 2018 world Colleague Darren Haynes did a mighty swell job of rounding up a herd of junior tourney. Obviously, he’s not a skater the Flames are itching to give candidates to cure what ails the flagging locals. up. But in their legitimate pursuit of right-side help, they may have to loosen their grip on the 21-year-old portsider. Hitched to that, of course, is cost, which can be met a number of ways — players, prospects, draft picks, cap space — in a number of 4. F Sam Bennett combinations. The highest pick in Calgary history — fourth overall in 2014 — has seen To run through the team’s top assets — a list of what the Flames do have his stock diminish, but not to the point where his services aren’t coveted. for bargaining power — requires first a look at what is not available Without doubt, there is more to be mined from Bennett. The young man’s between now and Feb. 24. most productive season — 18 goals and 36 points in 2015-16 — coincided with his busiest season. His current ice-time, 12:35, is the Not for sale lowest of his career — as are his offensive numbers. It’s a chicken-and- Starting with the goalies, David Rittich and Cam Talbot have evolved into egg situation for No. 93: Plays more when he plays well? Or plays well a reliable tandem. More than 50 games into a winter, you’re unlikely to when he plays more? Undoubtedly, there are teams out there eager to unload your No. 1 guy or put yourself in sudden need of a suitable take a stab at solving the riddle. backup. Staying pat in net is a matter of convenience and performance. One drawback — Bennett happens to be one of the few skaters on the They’ve combined for the ninth-best save percentage in the NHL. premises who isn’t spooked by the postseason. So any return better On the blue line, captain Mark Giordano is not in play nor is Rasmus include sandpaper. Andersson, the youngster the Flames recently put under lock and key for 5. LD Oliver Kylington six more seasons. And Juuso Valimaki, a plum that more than one team tried to pry out of Calgary a year ago, ain’t budging, knee surgery or not. A smooth-skating dandy, he is one appearance shy of matching his He’s got a top-pairing future with the Flames. career high in the NHL, established last winter with 38 games. Having taken over for Michael Stone as the No. 6 man on the blue line, the 22- A quartet of top-six forwards — Elias Lindholm, Matthew Tkachuk, Sean year-old still has his share of high-wire moments in the defensive zone. Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau — is also roped off. But his ability and his experience (nearly five years worth in North Now, understandably — and possibly deservedly — there may be America) make Kylington an enticing piece for NHL rebuilders. screeching in the streets at the notion that this many players on the 6, 7. LD T.J. Brodie/RD Travis Hamonic Flames roster are considered off-limits. Both blueliners are 29 years old. Both are on expiring contracts. For But bear in mind — should the conclusion of the Flames’ season teams in need of veteran bolstering on the back end — Toronto? resemble in any way the spring of 2019, consider that list pared Winnipeg? Carolina? — either one of them would make sense as a significantly. rental. Now, though, no. February is not a prudent time to blast apart a team’s (It should be noted that only one defender, total, can be shipped out of core, no matter how much it may need it. A midseason demolition feels Calgary. Treliving has maintained that he wants his core of NHL-tested far too drastic. rearguards to go 10 deep. Removing even one of Nos. 7, 24, 55, 58 In June? By all means. Detonate away. severely crimps that wish. In fact — even including Stockton’s Brandon Davidson and Alexander Yelesin (and not including the recovering Trade assets Valimaki) — the Flames are sitting at nine.)

8. Cap space In the mashed-together mess that is the Pacific Division, only the Edmonton Oilers have more wiggle room than the Flames — $5.85 million to $4.79 million, according to CapFriendly. The rest of the contenders, Vegas especially, are already near the ceiling. Meaning the Flames are in a position to shoulder salary, to use their financial flexibility as an advantage over their rivals.

9. Other picks

The Flames have all seven rounds covered for the upcoming draft and going forward. Nothing here would be considered off the table.

Second-rounders, in particular, often become outgoing chips — less painful to hock than a first-rounder, yet still in demand and worth peddling to fill a hole. (See: Kiprusoff, Miikka.) And the Flames, this year, may actually have a pair of third-round choices — one conditionally coming from Edmonton as part of the Milan Lucic-James Neal deal — that can be used to sweeten any pot.

10. In a pinch

If Treliving is keen to empty the cupboard for the right now, he could top up a trade package with one of his teenaged stars — Jakob Pelletier (Moncton, QMJHL), and Mathias Emilio Pettersen (University of Denver).

Yes, risky, given the depleted state of the Flames’ prospects and farm system. (Scott Wheeler recently rated it 26th.)

But should Pettersen stay at school for four years — he’s nearing the end of his sophomore season — he may slip away anyway.

Since coming to Calgary in April 2014, Treliving has presided over the leadups to five deadlines:

2015: trades Curtis Glencross, Sven Baertschi — for two seconds and a third

2016: trades , Jiri Hudler, Kris Russell, David Jones — for Hunter Shinkaruk, Niklas Backstrom, , Brett Pollock, two seconds and a fourth

2017: trades a second, a third, a fifth, Jyrki Jokipakka — for Michael Stone, , Michael Kostka

2018: trades a seventh — for Nick Shore

2019: trades a fourth — for Oscar Fantenberg

Nothing too blockbusterish in there, even if some of the aforementioned picks did wind up turning into Rasmus Andersson, Dillon Dube, Matthew Phillips and Tyler Parsons.

However, with the current gap between shortcomings and expectations, no one could blame Treliving for boldly cashing in assets this time around.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172167 Carolina Hurricanes “Breaks are good for everybody,” WIlliams said. “Even guys who have only played two games.”

News Observer LOADED: 01.22.2020 As high as expectations were for his return, Justin WIlliams exceeded them

BY LUKE DECOCK JANUARY 21, 2020 10:32 PM

RALEIGH-Justin Williams was mere inches away from a hat trick of mere feet. There’s a lot to be said for being in the right place at the right time, especially when you have a knack for it.

For the Carolina Hurricanes, Williams is in the right place (back on the ice) at the right time (right when they needed a boost). It’s not just that he scored the shootout winner in his return Sunday and two goals — and nearly a third — in a 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday.

With Dougie Hamilton out for the foreseeable future, losers of three straight, the Hurricanes needed some kind of lift heading into the All-Star break. Williams, his fabled dramatic timing as acute as ever, has provided it.

It’s hard to imagine his belated return to the NHL getting off to much of a better start than this. Williams was going to get a hero’s welcome anyway, even if he struggled to get his legs back, but he’s actually earned it. As high as expectations were, maybe even unfairly so, he’s managed to exceed them.

“I don’t want to say I had low expectations, but I think a lot of myself and I worked hard,” Williams said. “As I said before the first game, just trust myself, know you’re a good player, you’ve played a bunch of these games. Just go out and do it.”

Williams scored his first on a power-play tap-in thanks to a priority-mail delivery from Teuvo Teravainen, his second a few seconds after a power play expired thanks to an equally slick delivery from Andrei Svechnikov. Instantly, Williams was a goal-per-game player.

And he would have had a hat trick courtesy of Martin Necas in almost exactly the same spot on the back door but the pass caught him in the skates, only inches awry. It would have been a hat trick of a collective distance of about 6 feet.

“Things just kind of ended up on my stick,” Williams said. “I was the beneficiary of a couple really great passes. I just had my stick on the ice. I’m feeling comfortable. I’m feeling better than I did last game. I hope to feel better the next game.”

Necas had already provided the highlight of the night on the opening goal, set loose by Ryan Dzingel on the right wing a step ahead of Neal Pionk, who Necas proceeded to turn inside out on his way to the net. Pionk, victimzed on Svechnikov’s lacrosse goal in Winnipeg, has had a front-row seat for some amazing Hurricanes highlights this season.

The flip side to Williams going in is someone else coming out. It was Jordan Martinook on Sunday. It was Erik Haula on Tuesday, unthinkable earlier in the season but understandable after he let Anders Lee get to the net for the game-tying goal in the final minute Sunday. That’s a dynamic Martinook and Haula and several others are going to have to accept as long as there are 13 healthy forwards.

The play of everyone else fighting to stay in the lineup offers solid justification for carrying 13 rather than saving cap room with 12 and relying on last-minute call-ups from Charlotte; the competition leaves no margin for error, as Haula found out Tuesday.

“They’re making it tough on me, and that’s what’s good,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “I don’t want it to be an easy decision. When I have 13 forwards that I want to play, can’t do it. You’ll see different guys going in and out all the time, as long as we’re healthy.”

Of course, that presumes Williams plays well enough to justify his spot in the lineup, something that was not exactly guaranteed during his three months off but does not appear to be an issue now.

He’s no longer the captain, but at least in the early returns, he’s still the same player he was. Williams hasn’t lost a step. He still knows where he’s going. He still gets the same 10 days between games as everyone else. 1172168 Carolina Hurricanes “It’s good to feel and give that aura that we’re not going to be pushed around,” Williams said. “It just shows to everybody the Hurricanes aren’t going to be pushed around and aren’t going to shy away.”

Williams scores twice as Canes go into long break with 4-1 win over Jets News Observer LOADED: 01.22.2020

BY CHIP ALEXANDER JANUARY 21, 2020 09:37 PM

RALEIGH-Teuvo Teravainen is headed to Finland. Sebastian Aho and Lucas Wallmark are going to the Bahamas, Warren Foegele to the Cayman Islands and Andrei Svechnikov to Mexico.

But before the NHL All-Star break, before their bye week, the Carolina Hurricanes had one more game to play. And at times Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets, some of the Canes appeared to have mentally started their break a tad early.

But not Justin Williams. He was playing just his second game of the season and more than ready for it. Scoring a pair of goals, it was the old pro who led the Canes to a 4-1 victory at PNC Arena.

Williams’ first game had a storybook finish, Williams scoring the deciding goal Sunday in the eighth round of a shootout to beat the New York Islanders 2-1. Canes fans roared their approval as last year’s captain, out of semi-retirement and finally back on the ice, provided a lot of the drama.

It was more vintage Williams, crafty and effective, on Tuesday. He kept his stick on the ice to redirect a Teravainen pass in the first period for a power-play score. In the third, he beat Jets forward Kyle Connor to the post for a backdoor score off a Svechnikov pass, a sneaky good play.

As Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour put it, “He knows how to play.”

Teravainen finished with a goal and two assists and goalie Petr Mrazek, given the last start before the break, earned his 18th victory of the season. The Canes then played a little dodge ball in the Storm Surge after the game, before Williams again had Canes fans at full throat after being the game’s first star.

“Things just kind of ended up on my stick,” Williams said. “I was the beneficiary of some really great passes and I had my stick on the ice.

“I’m feeling comfortable. I’m feeling better than I did last game. I hope I feel better in the next game than I feel tonight.”

For Williams and the Canes (29-18-3), the next game isn’t until Jan. 31 against the Vegas Golden Knights at PNC Arena. But they took care of their final bit of business Tuesday and can head out for some R&R with positive vibes off a pair of victories.

“It was big,” Teravainen said. “Especially at home we’ve got to make sure we play hard, play the right way, get these two wins. Now we can have the rest for our mind and our body and come back even better.”

The Canes led 3-1 after the opening period as Martin Necas and Teravainen scored at even strength and Williams on the power play, the Canes’ first with a man advantage in nine games.

Williams, known for his candor, was not happy with the Canes’ play in the first, noting the Canes did not take care of enough of the little details. They also allowed a goal by Patrik Laine, who got off an open shot from the slot.

Necas’ goal was about speed and skill. Carrying the puck down the right wing and blowing past defenseman Neal Pionk, the forward darted to the front of the net and beat Hellebuyck with a backhander for his 12th of the season.

Aho and Teravainen teamed up for the third. Aho had a backhander off the rush stopped by Hellbuyck but collected the puck behind the the net and found Teravainen open to Hellebuyck’s right, Teravainen going top- shelf on the shot.

The Jets (25-21-4), having lost four of five, played with more purpose in the second, but their scoring chances were limited. Williams’ third-period score was a dagger for Winnipeg, which had just three shots in the period.

A physical game became heated in the third. Canes defenseman Brett Pesce and the Jets’ Mark Scheifele dropped the gloves at one point. But the Canes stood their ground. 1172169 Carolina Hurricanes Maybe we’re entering the era where the Hurricanes could trade a pick and/or a prospect? If they can get a decent defenseman in return for any of the players who will be regulars on the scratch rotation (TBD), they What should the Hurricanes do about the Dougie Hamilton-sized hole in might make that trade — cap space permitting. their lineup? Our Michael Russo has reported that the Wild are “listening” to calls about Jonas Brodin, and Matt Dumba is another interesting possibility.

By Sara Civian Jan 21, 2020 Either player would enhance the Canes’ D-core, but neither even remotely replaces Hamilton’s skill set, so if a trade gets done, don’t think like that and set yourself up for disappointment.

If you haven’t heard, Dougie Hamilton is out indefinitely, recovering from Do nothing a broken fibula. Some say that the act of not making a decision is making a decision in It really stinks. itself, and it sort of feels like that’s what the Hurricanes would be doing here. The Canes have trudged along without their would-be All-Star for the few games before the nine-day break, but they’ll have to come back with a The organization likes having insurance in the defense department — plan for the rest of the season. their systems thrive off active defense, and most of the success the team has starts from the blue line. Having just six NHL defensemen — Trust the six NHL defensemen they already have? Call up a prospect? including one Brind’Amour has been hesitant to play (unfairly or not) — Make a trade? doesn’t sit well for the long term. There are a few looming possibilities. That said, the defense has been fine in the small sample of two games Call up someone without Hamilton.

We’ve discussed the infamous system-wide logjam on defense ad “I thought we were just solid and every guy was accountable,” said nauseam for about a year now. Justin Faulk is obviously gone and Brind’Amour, referring to the shootout win Sunday against the Islanders. Hamilton is injured, so is it finally, actually time to see what some of “Did a good job in their own end, battle-ready, one of those games last these prospects can do? night where one mistake was going to make the difference. I thought our guys gapped up well, I thought we had good puck pressure in the D- Rod Brind’Amour gave me a maybe Monday. zone. If we’re going to be effective going forward without Dougie Hamilton, we need all six of those guys to be good. They don’t have to be “We’ll see, we’re down to six,” he said. “That’s a tight number to have. great, but they need to be good.” Whether we call one up just to have an extra, I don’t know. We haven’t discussed it because we basically have one game, then nine days off, Brind’Amour has definitely been giving his top defensemen monster but that’s probably an option.” minutes because there’s a nine-day break coming up. Here’s a look at defensemen’s TOI in an all-around solid game vs. the Islanders: The as a whole have been hot recently after a rough start to the season. They’re 9-1-0 in their past 10 and exploding on Trevor van Riemsdyk: 12:27 offense, and it all just so happens to fit our narrative because noted first- rounder Jake Bean is emerging. Haydn Fleury: 15:18

The 21-year-old left shot has two goals and five assists for seven points Joel Edmundson: 18:16 in his past four games. And despite Charlotte’s #woes, Bean has been Jake Gardiner: 21:49 one of the top offensive defensemen in the AHL with 7-24—31 39 games into his sophomore campaign — that’s No. 2 among all AHL Brett Pesce: 26:14 defensemen. He’s the Checkers’ AHL All-Star, for whatever that’s worth. Jaccob Slavin: 26:39 From the one and only Corey Pronman just six days ago: “Bean has been a top player for Charlotte this season and has followed up a great Is that sustainable? Probably not, especially if you’re trying to make the rookie pro season with an AHL All-Star appearance as a sophomore. playoffs and don’t want your best guys to burn out. Fleury had arguably Bean has shown he can handle an expanded role this season, taking on the best game of his NHL career Sunday and brought some snarl, tougher defensive minutes and still improving in that aspect of the game. though. He often plays better when he gets an actual chance to, ya His main assets are still with the puck, though. He’s a mobile puck-mover know, wipe off the rust and play some meaningful minutes. Maybe he with excellent vision. He makes the offense go, from his exits to the way can keep it up, van Riemsdyk can find his way and that’s that. he runs the power play. Bean is getting close to being NHL ready.” But it’s a risk to assume the best-case scenario.

What about Chase Priskie, who signed with the Hurricanes over the Bottom line summer because they genuinely believe he has an NHL future? He’s tied for 11th among all AHL rookies with 23 points (five goals, 18 assists) and Nobody is going to replace what Hamilton has been doing this season, third in assists. He also has 10 power-play assists, and the fact that he’s but the Hurricanes need to move forward regardless. They have to look a right shot is another plus if the Canes wanted to toss him on the power at it through the lens of what enhances the team, not who can replace play. Hamilton.

But something tells me the man who gives Jordan Staal ample power- Why not exhaust every option? Let Fleury play, give a few prospects a play time because he knows he can trust him will have trouble shot, sniff out the trade market and adjust accordingly. stomaching an unproven rookie on an NHL power play. The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 Priskie has had a solid start to his pro career and is definitely on track to make it to the NHL, but I’d venture the Canes would go with Bean over Priskie right now.

Make a trade

I would be in vehement opposition to this if Justin Williams didn’t return. But he returned (in the most Justin Williams way possible), so now (if everyone stays healthy) there’s going to be an odd man out of the lineup nightly. I know Brind’Amour hated scratching alternate captain Jordan Martinook, but Martinook is a pro, and the likely reason he got the first scratch was Brind’Amour knew he would handle it better than anyone else. 1172170 Chicago Blackhawks

‘We apologize’: NBC Sports Chicago regrets missing the start of the Blackhawks’ tribute to Joel Quenneville as it came out of a commercial break

By PHIL ROSENTHAL CHICAGO TRIBUNE |JAN 21, 2020 | 11:13 PM

NBC Sports Chicago apologized Tuesday night for missing the start of the Blackhawks’ video tribute to former coach Joel Quenneville during his first game back at the United Center leading the Panthers because it was still running a commercial.

Ironically, the first-period Coach Q montage that ran on the stadium video boards ran live in its entirety on Fox Sports Florida.

 Chicago gives Joel Quenneville a video tribute set to "Behind Blue Eyes" by The Who; the crowd then erupts with a STANDING O! #FlaPanthers #OneTerritory #NHL pic.twitter.com/aZAFMb4ul2

— FOX Sports Florida & Sun (@FOXSportsFL) January 22, 2020

Set to The Who’s “Behind Blue Eyes,” it was a loving look back on Quenneville’s three Stanley Cup championships and 2008-19 run in Chicago, which ended with his dismissal 14 months ago.

The tribute moved Quenneville, who waved to the crowd as it gave him a standing ovation.

"We were coming out of a break when the tribute was taking place ... and stayed with it live," an NBC Sports Chicago spokesman said. "We apologize for missing the earlier portion of the tribute and we immediately posted the tribute live in its entirety online and on the app.”

NBCSCH also ran the tribute in full during the postgame show about 20 minutes after the Panthers’ 4-3 victory.

During the game, however, Blackhawks fans on Twitter understandably were peeved by NBC Sports Chicago’s error, taking it as a slight.

“Come on @NBCSBlackhawks, (you) knew the Quenneville tribute would be during the commercial break ... you couldn’t skip just ONE break to show the whole thing live for your tv audience?” @Chrisiewicz tweeted. “Weak.”

Come on @NBCSBlackhawks, u knew the quenneville tribute would be during the commercial break...you couldn’t skip just ONE break to show the whole thing live for your tv audience? Weak...#Blackhawks

— Chris Lasiewicz (@Chrisiewicz) January 22, 2020

Another member of NBCSCH’s audience was among those appreciative that the Panthers’ TV outlet tweeted video of the segment in split-sceen showing Quenneville’s reaction:

“Thank you Fox Florida for actually airing this and getting a camera on Q,” @jahnbahmb tweeted. “Us Hawks fans got to watch a commercial about a fish oil replacement supplement.”

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172171 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks fall 4-3 to Joel Quenneville’s Panthers as their 5-game win streak comes to an end

By JIMMY GREENFIELD CHICAGO TRIBUNE |JAN 21, 2020 | 10:22 PM

The Blackhawks blew a chance to pull within one point of the final Western Conference wild-card spot on Tuesday when they gave up four second-period goals and lost 4-3 to the Panthers in Joel Quenneville’s triumphant return to the United Center.

The Hawks’ five-game win streak came to an end in their final game before the All-Star break. They won’t practice again until Jan. 30 in Glendale, Ariz., and resume play Feb. 1 against the Coyotes. They dropped to 24-21-6 and remained three points behind the Golden Knights, who lost to the Bruins on Tuesday.

The Hawks held a pregame ceremony to commemorate Patrick Kane’s 1,000th point and also honored Quenneville with a video tribute early in the game.

Kane scored for the first time in eight games with 1 minute, 15 seconds remaining after the Hawks pulled goaltender Robin Lehner, but they couldn’t get the tying goal. Kane extended his point streak to 11 straight games.

After a scoreless first period, each team had great scoring chances in the initial minute of the second, but Lehner came up big on a point-blank shot from the right faceoff circle by Evgenii Dadonov and Brandon Saad’s rush to the net was stopped by Sergei Bobrovsky.

But the Panthers soon scored twice in less than two minutes. Dadonov shoved a rebound past Lehner for his 23rd of the season, and with 13:46 left in the period Frank Vatrano slipped into the slot uncontested and fired in a wrist shot to make it 2-0.

Vatrano scored again a few minutes later for a 3-0 lead on a shot that went through Lehner’s legs. But Kirby Dach got the Hawks on the board late in the frame with a nifty backhander over Bobrovsky’s right shoulder to score his seventh and end a 13-game goal drought.

The Panthers completed their four-goal period and Vatrano picked up his second career hat trick on a power-play goal with 37 seconds remaining in the second.

Drake Caggiula’s power-play goal five minutes into the third period cut the lead to 4-2. It was Caggiula’s sixth of the season, including his third in his last four games.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172172 Chicago Blackhawks it at the end” — he’s still a huge Hawks fan. Going to Tuesday’s game to honor Quenneville was very important to him.

“The fans are going to appreciate him, there’s no doubt about it,” he Former Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville makes his long-awaited said. “That’s the reason I got tickets for me and my daughter. I told her, return to the United Center: ‘I was a lucky guy at the right time’ we’re coming to this game. If you’re not, I’m going to be here. I’ve got to be here for him.”

By JIMMY GREENFIELD CHICAGO TRIBUNE |JAN 21, 2020 | 8:36 PM Those Cups are why Quenneville will be remembered forever, and they’re what he remembers most from his 11 seasons with the Hawks. Trying to get him to pin down one memory that stood out was a near impossibility. Each one he brought up — and there were many — had to More than 14 months after he was dismissed, it’s still a little hard to do with the postseason, which is no surprise for a coach who loves to say believe Joel Quenneville is no longer the coach of the Blackhawks. he is in the “winning business.” Few coaches in the history of Chicago sports have established a similar He began by talking about the playoff runs they had, first about the long connection to one of the city’s sports franchises as Quenneville. When he marches toward Stanley Cup titles, then defining moments such as walked to the podium to hold a pregame news conference Tuesday at Patrick Kane’s Stanley Cup-winning goal and the fact that the puck he the United Center, on some level it felt as if he had never left. put in the net was never found. The gruff-but-friendly voice, the iconic mustache, the rolled-up sleeves Quenneville then turned to beating the Bruins in 2013 and the Lightning and the sly sense of humor were all still there. This was the same old Q in 2015, including the Western Conference Finals that season when they in so many ways. beat the Ducks in seven games. Of course, everything is different now. “Those are the things that stood out, and the celebrations, the parades Behind Quenneville stood a background featuring the dozens of logos of were always special as well,” Quenneville said. “But the memories of the the Panthers, his new team that swooped him up last April. And as the guys finding ways to win and key games and making big plays in key questions started to come in, the reminders that he was here as a visitor moments. You think of Detroit with (Brent Seabrook) scoring and (Nik were clear enough. Hjalmarsson) almost scoring prior to that. Just some cool moments.”

What would his emotions be like coaching in the United Center again? And some not-so-cool moments.

“That’s a special feeling that you don’t get to feel in a lot of buildings.” "We had a couple of runs that were disappointing as well," he said. "Some frustrating losses. So it wasn't just all easy or we just expect to Did the Hawks share their plans for how they would honor him? win it and you're going to win it. So we had to work in different ways, but I think at the end of the day the guys who came in here were leaders. The “No.” guys that were here through thick and thin led the charge. We gave the But the question that really hit was a straightforward hockey question guys a lot of freedom of how to play the game." focused on how the Hawks had looked recently. That’s something Jonathan Toews — whom Denis Savard named "You probably know them better than I do right now," Quenneville said. captain of the Hawks in his second season when Toews was only 20 — recalled as he reminisced about Quenneville after Tuesday’s morning He said it with a grin on his face but he quickly followed up with a spot-on skate. analysis of the Hawks as well as his own team. “He wasn’t sitting me down and giving me the old speech and telling me “You got to give them a little credit,” he said. "They’re playing fast, what to do as a captain,” Toews said. "But he was definitely allowing they’ve got some speed in their lineup. They’re quick in all lines. They myself to grow and to be a good player on the ice. Put me in every can score, they’re dangerous. I think we’ve got to be respectful for what situation possible and also just kind of let me find my way as a captain their rush game can bring, and I think that it was kind of reminiscent with my teammates. when I talk about our team a lot. I say we can always score goals. “I’ve always said that he was always respectful of our space in the locker “Trying to keep it out of our net is a priority. We’ve been scoring a lot of room, he treated us as professionals, as adults, and the respect was goals, and we want to make sure we can get better without the puck, and mutual in that sense. very lucky to be able to play for a coach like him for I think that’s been a work in progress for us, but it’s a comparable time in all those years, being a young captain on this team.” our team’s development right now. But we’re seeing progress, and I think tonight that’s going to be a good test of how well we defend.” One of the final questions Quenneville was asked Tuesday was if he felt satisfaction to have been the focal point of the greatest run in Hawks The timing of Quenneville’s return allowed him to witness a pregame history. ceremony the Hawks held Tuesday to commemorate Patrick Kane scoring the 1,000th point of his career in Sunday’s win over the Jets. That's not how he viewed it.

Fans were loud, appreciative and, before the game was a minute old, a "You say focal, I'll say the entire organization," Quenneville said. "I give few chants of “Q!” began to be heard throughout the United Center. Rocky (Wirtz), when he had the vision of making some changes right off the bat with John (McDonough), with Jay (Blunk), Stan (Bowman), Dale During a break in the action with 13 minutes, 43 seconds left in the first (Tallon) — I think everybody had some input on the type of team that was period, the Hawks shared a video tribute to Quenneville. He waved to the coming. crowd, which responded with a standing ovation and even more screams of “Q!” “Some tough years prior to that, and being the beneficiary of coming in to coach a team that had a lot of talent, lot of skill, lot of depth, competitive Hawks fans were vocal, but none were as visual as Steve Jaklic, 64, of guys. We were in the position to have some success, and I was the right Brookfield, who wore a jersey bearing the name “Coach 'Q' ” on the back. guy — I was a lucky guy — at the right time.” Instead of one number below the name there were three: 2010, 2013 and 2015 to reflect each year the team won the Stanley Cup during Chicago Tribune LOADED: 01.22.2020 Quenneville’s tenure.

This might be Joel Quenneville’s biggest fan. pic.twitter.com/fhoxzGTWeE

— Jimmy Greenfield (@jcgreenx) January 22, 2020

“He brought a team working here for 10 years and gave us three Stanley Cups,” Jaklic said.

Although Jaklic said he was “extremely disappointed” that Quenneville was fired — “If you’re going to do it, do it before the season started or do 1172173 Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith get into a heated scrap at the Blackhawks morning skate: ‘Just a little friendly wrestling’

By JIMMY GREENFIELD CHICAGO TRIBUNE |JAN 21, 2020 | 12:16 PM

Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith got into a prolonged scrap Tuesday just as the Blackhawks started their morning skate at the United Center.

It wasn’t clear what precipitated the scrap or when it began, but with reporters in the stands, Toews and Keith began wrestling and had to be separated by assistant coach Sheldon Brookbank.

Breaking down Patrick Kane’s milestone points, from No. 1 to No. 1,000 »

Neither player appeared to throw a punch, but Keith ended up on the ice with his jersey pulled over his head. The practice began on time and without further incident.

The tail end of what appeared to be a, um, physical disagreement between Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith.

I didn’t see what precipitated it and can’t say if it was real but sure looked real. pic.twitter.com/77ZcWnk5ZG

— Jimmy Greenfield (@jcgreenx) January 21, 2020

Tuesday night’s game against Joel Quenneville’s Panthers is one of the most anticipated regular-season games in recent memory. Quenneville coached the Hawks for 11 seasons, winning three Stanley Cups.

Keith was not at his locker after the morning skate. Toews was available and — with a grin on his face — attempted to downplay the incident.

“Just a little friendly wrestling,” Toews said.

Really?

“Ah, you know, we’re ready to go,” he said. “It’s a big game tonight and I think that’s the whole point of coming out for morning skate is to get yourself ready to go for tonight’s game. And we’re ready now.”

Coach smiled and shrugged it off when asked about the scrap.

“You got a brother?” he asked a reporter. “I do too. And I’ve got two boys at home, so I’ve seen that movie before.”

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172174 Chicago Blackhawks Besides the ageless Kane and Toews, dynamic rookie Dominik Kubalik has been a revelation. The way Kubalik batted a backhand saucer pass from Toews out of the air for his 20th goal Saturday was enough to Column: Joel Quenneville’s return caps a nostalgic week for the impress the most grizzled baseball scout. Blackhawks, who are making a statement that they shouldn’t be trade- Goalie Robin Lehner oozes attitude with a big presence in net and the deadline sellers dressing room. Brandon Saad returned in top form from a monthlong injury layoff. Alex DeBrincat has gotten hot lately and remains a threat on the power play. Newbies Kirby Dach and Adam Boqvist keep reminding By DAVID HAUGH CHICAGO TRIBUNE |JAN 21, 2020 | 8:00 AM us why they were first-round draft picks. And the secondary scoring has helped.

Are the Hawks — within three points of the Western Conference’s final Covering the Blackhawks through three Stanley Cup titles in the last wild-card spot after 50 games — a playoff team? They better be, or decade provided too many dramatic memories to pick a favorite, but the Bowman will have more explaining to do in his office. most indelible was more instructive than euphoric. After aggressively making six trades last summer to retool the roster, It came in general manager Stan Bowman’s office one August day in Bowman believed he had put together a team capable of making the 2010, mere weeks after a parade celebrated the city’s first Cup since playoffs. If he still believes that — and he should after his team’s strong 1961. Salary-cap realities had forced Bowman to shed nine players off statement the last week — then he should approach the trade deadline that historic team, including rookie goalie Antti Niemi, a move I criticized trying to fill holes rather than shed salary. That means keeping Crawford heavily enough to be summoned to the United Center. and any other veteran he might be tempted to unload. That means For at least an hour, Bowman calmly stood at a grease board behind his embracing the beautiful randomness of hockey that gives hope to every desk and scribbled numbers and symbols like a high school algebra playoff team if they can just get in. teacher. He methodically did the math, which ultimately added up to two The Hawks haven’t won a playoff series since Quenneville was cleaning more championships during the Joel Quenneville Era. Quenneville confetti out of his hair after winning the 2015 Stanley Cup at home always took care of the chemistry. against the Lightning. It sure seems like longer. But at least for one “Perceptions are, ‘Geez, the Blackhawks mismanaged the salary cap,’ wonderful night of reminiscing, it will seem like yesterday. but I’d say we did the opposite — we managed the hell out of it,” Chicago Tribune LOADED: 01.22.2020 Bowman told me that day. “And I promise you we’re going to be OK.”

The Hawks were better than OK, winning enough titles to earn NHL.com’s distinction as franchise of the decade. Bowman never doubted the organization’s direction, and neither did anybody else who believed in the “One Goal” mantra.

One of the biggest reasons for that confidence returns Tuesday to the scene of so many celebrations. Those will be “Qs,” not “boos,” as 21,000 fans stand and pay homage to an all-time great.

A rugged, regular guy who hated acknowledging the history he made, Quenneville was only the fourth coach of a major pro sports team to win multiple titles in our city. No matter where the NHL’s second-winningest coach works, his Q rating never will be higher than in Chicago. When will Quenneville’s statue go outside Gate 3½ next to Stan Mikita’s and Bobby Hull’s?

Sports fans of a certain age will recall Mike Ditka once stalked the sideline at Soldier Field for the Saints. Phil Jackson coached Bulls opponents at the United Center. Likewise, that will be Quenneville cursing his head off behind the glass for the Panthers against a Hawks team full of guys he knows well. More than just the mustache will be familiar.

Quenneville, not surprisingly named NHL.com’s coach of the decade, returns with a resurgent Panthers team 14 months after the Hawks fired him following a 6-6-3 start to the 2018-19 season. Enough time has passed to soothe any hard feelings and see why perhaps both sides needed to part. It remains a fair debate whether Quenneville or Bowman should have gone, but everyone can agree that Hawks fans miss the days the two men worked so well together — and that’s no reflection on coach Jeremy Colliton, who had the daunting task of replacing a legend.

Who was Chicago’s best — or worst — manager or coach of the decade? »

What a nostalgic week this has been for the Hawks, who are riding a five- game winning streak right down memory lane. Patrick Kane recorded his 1,000th point, remaining on track to end his career as the best American- born hockey player ever. Jonathan Toews continued a recent tear, making an impact at both ends as he was named the NHL’s third star of the week.

Corey Crawford, the goalie who replaced Niemi in 2011 and was as instrumental as any player to Quenneville’s last two Cups, looked like his old self in stoning the Canadiens in Montreal. And future Hall of Famer Duncan Keith still can have games on the blue line that make you forget he is 36. So many Hawks of the rich past under Quenneville are having an impact on the immediate future.

Just when everybody was ready to declare the Hawks sellers at the Feb. 24 trade deadline, they surprised the league by showing signs of life. 1172175 Chicago Blackhawks He was then gifted a silver puck by his first coach with the Hawks, Denis Savard, and an engraved glass plaque by the late Stan Mikita’s wife, Jill.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.22.2020 Blackhawks fall to Quenneville-led Panthers as Robin Lehner suffers rare off-night

The Panthers scored four times in the second period en route to a 4-3 win, spoiling an eventful game day for the Hawks.

By Ben Pope Jan 21, 2020, 10:13pm CST

Robin Lehner’s dominance has become so commonplace that his latest impressive streak entering Tuesday — the Blackhawks were 9-1 in his previous 10 starts — was barely noteworthy.

No goalie is perfect every night, however, and Lehner finally looked human. He conceded four goals in the second period in the Hawks’ 4-3 loss to the Panthers, a disappointing ending to an eventful game day at the United Center.

“Honestly, I thought we played well,” Lehner said. “I kind of let the team down today. I should’ve made a couple more saves.”

Beaten once on a side-of-the-net jam-in in which he could’ve been more committed to hugging the post and later on an unscreened shot from the faceoff dot that ripped through the five-hole, Lehner had several plays that he’d like to have back.

Despite the flawless first and third periods, he finished with only 22 saves on 26 shots.

“I just needed to find a way to stop the bleeding a little bit and pick myself up,” Lehner said. “Felt better and then they scored a fourth goal off the skate, but I started the bleeding with the first goal, and it was unfortunate that we couldn’t stop it early enough.”

The Hawks, trailing 4-1 at the second intermission, put together a valiant third-period effort, but it ultimately fell short.

Joel Quenneville’s system, which worked so well for more than a decade in Chicago, has clearly settled in well in south Florida, too.

The Panthers boast a deep, well-rounded forward group that Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton raved about after the game — their depth was exemplified by relative no-name Frank Vatrano’s hat trick — and that group’s effort proved enough to halt the Hawks’ five-game winning streak.

Colliton redirected the blame for the loss to the team overall, rather than specifically point to Lehner.

“He’s been great for us; he’s won some games for us that we probably weren’t the better team,” Colliton said. “Definitely not going to stand here and lay it on him at all. The focus for me, when addressing the team, was how we responded in the second period to the adversity. We’d love to turn it around quicker.”

Toews, Keith scrap

Tuesday started with a jarring sight: Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith skirmishing during the morning skate. The confrontation ended with Toews on top, pulling Keith’s jersey off.

Both players resumed practice as usual within a minute — though Keith was the first player to leave as soon as the main portion of it ended — and Toews brushed off the conflict as a non-event after the skate.

“Just a little friendly wrestling,” Toews said. “The whole point of coming out for morning skate is to get yourself ready to go for tonight’s game. I think we’re ready now.”

Colliton also smiled when asked about it, comparing it to the occasional conflict between brothers.

Kane honored

Patrick Kane was honored for his 1,000th career point, which he picked up Sunday, during a pregame ceremony.

Accompanied by his family, Kane was feted with a Jumbotron video tribute that replayed his milestone assist along with many notable moments in his career. 1172176 Chicago Blackhawks

Joel Quenneville reflects on bond with Blackhawks’ fans, players during first return to United Center

The new Panthers coach finds himself coaching a team on a similar upward trajectory to the Hawks group he inherited in 2008.

By Ben Pope Jan 21, 2020, 8:31pm CST

Joel Quenneville glanced around at the media horde filling the United Center’s NBA visiting locker room — one of the few places he probably never entered during his 10-plus seasons as Blackhawks coach — with an appreciative smile beneath his iconic white mustache.

It then took about two seconds for his equally iconic lighthearted grouchiness to make its own reappearance.

“Feels good,” Quenneville said, his first words in this arena since his abrupt firing in November 2018. “It was a good feeling, seeing not all you people here today, but walking in the locker room here.”

That Quenneville would be back on Madison Street this soon — behind these benches, coaching an NHL game — felt implausible at the time of his and the Hawks’ earth-trembling breakup 15 months ago.

He admitted he didn’t follow the team much last season after successor Jeremy Colliton took over. At 61 now, he also hinted he might not be in for an 11-year haul with the Florida Panthers like he was with the Hawks. And his Hinsdale home is for sale, even though he didn’t exactly shoot down a question about potentially living in Chicago again one day.

But not surprising is how smoothly Quenneville has landed on his feet.

The Panthers squad he took over last summer ended Tuesday winners of six in a row — after beating the Hawks 4-3 — and in position to reach the postseason after making only two playoff appearances in 19 years.

Quenneville said he and general manager Dale Tallon, fittingly together again, have noticed similarities between their new franchise’s situation and the Hawks’ trajectory when Quenneville arrived in 2008.

“[It’s a] comparable timeline ... [to] when we first got together back here,” he said. “Trying to make the playoffs is where we’re at, and [Dale is] excited about where we’re at with the challenge. A lot of young kids looking to maybe take that next step in their own development.”

The applause that rippled, then roared, from the first row to the Stanley Cup banners in the rafters after Quenneville’s video tribute Tuesday was not for the resurgent Panthers, though.

It was for the curmudgeonly man lovingly known as ‘‘Q,’’ finally present for the entire fan base to salute.

“It all brings back [a] special time in our lives and a special time with the city, going through some amazing runs that are so memorable,” Quenneville said. “So many people shared it and so many people played a hand in it and were responsible for it.”

The fan base’s love is requited.

“People have their moments: ‘I was the one that TP-ed your house,’ ’’ he said. “Or you’ve got different people that will pop into you and have their memories when the Blackhawks had their run. Everyone likes to share that moment, and there are some good moments. . . . It’s nice hearing their stories. It’s that type of connection that makes it pretty special.”

Members of the Hawks’ core, from Patrick Kane to Jonathan Toews to Corey Crawford, said they hadn’t been able to catch up and reflect with Quenneville outside of a few scattered calls and messages. With this first on-ice meeting leading into the All-Star break (and the Panthers flying in on a back-to-back), those lengthy reunions weren’t doable this week, either.

Just as Quenneville’s legacy will live forever in Chicago, though, so will his relationships with the players.

“He’s an intense guy,” Kane said. “He loves to win and he loves to be passionate about the games, so you’ve got to love that about him.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172177 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks planning to honor Joel Quenneville during Tuesday return with Panthers

Quenneville will face the Hawks for the first time, shortly after being named the NHL’s Coach of the Decade for his three Stanley Cups in Chicago.

By Ben Pope Jan 21, 2020, 6:55am CST

Legendary former Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville, now coaching the Panthers, will face the Hawks for the first time on Tuesday.

For the first time since Oct. 28, 2018, Joel Quenneville will be behind a United Center bench Tuesday, coaching an NHL game.

There will be just one slight difference: It’ll be the visiting bench.

Quenneville’s return to the UC as the coach of the Panthers has been anticipated since last spring. He’s the most successful coach in Hawks history and the second-winningest in NHL history.

The Hawks are planning to honor the man known simply as “Q.”

“It’s a big night for the organization, and he was great to me, so I want to honor him, too,” successor Jeremy Colliton said Sunday. “Because a big part of the reason why I came here to begin with is because he was here. So obviously [I] want to beat him.”

The game comes at a crucial time for the Hawks, partly because of their 11-4-0 surge and partly because of the 10-day break for the All-Star Game and bye week that follow.

Regardless of the planned video-board programming, Quenneville is likely to receive an enormous ovation from fans. It might be a bit strange for some of his longtime players, but Patrick Kane said he was looking forward to it.

“He’s like an icon in Chicago, whether it’s him winning three Stanley Cups [or] coming in and helping us become better players,” Kane said. “Obviously, what he’s done here in his career is amazing. I’m sure he’ll get a warm reception. It will be good to see him.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172178 Chicago Blackhawks Panthers killed off a penalty, Vatrano slid a shot between Lehner's legs for a 3-0 lead midway through the period.

Dach got one back for Chicago with a slick backhand on his 19th Quenneville coaches Panthers to 4-3 win over Blackhawks birthday, but Florida opened a 4-1 lead when Hoffman's centering pass banked in off Vatrano's left skate. Vatrano's 14 th goal completed his second career hat trick. By JAY COHEN Associated Press It's always nice to be rewarded like that," Vatrano said. 'œTo score one goal in this league is hard enough and obviously a hat trick is a great honor." CHICAGO -- Joel Quenneville barking out instructions from behind the bench. A young team with a couple budding stars showing signs of NOTES: Kane reached 25 goals for the seventh consecutive season. ... improvement. Vatrano has five goals and four assists in his last five games. ... Florida's six-game win streak is tied for the third-longest in franchise history. ... It was a familiar scene, with quite a twist. Hoffman extended his point streak to 10 games. The Florida Panthers got Quenneville a win in his return to Chicago, Daily Herald Times LOADED: 01.22.2020 using a hat trick by Frank Vatrano to beat the Blackhawks 4-3 on Tuesday night for their sixth consecutive victory.

Made it a little interesting at the end of the game, but that was certainly a memorable event that I'm thankful for," Quenneville said.

The 61-year-old Quenneville coached Chicago to three Stanley Cup championships and nine playoff appearances in 10-plus years before he was fired when the team got off to a lackluster start last season. He was hired by Florida in April, and the former NHL defenseman was showered with love in his first game back at the United Center.

The crowd of 21,559 roared and bellowed 'œQ!'• during a sustained standing ovation after the Blackhawks aired a tribute video during the first period. One fan held up a sign that read 'œThan Q.'•think that ovation was incredible," Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said. 'œI think all of us that played for him were all smiles."

Quenneville grinned while he watched the video on the scoreboard, and then waved and mouthed 'œThank you'• while the crowd cheered.

It was special. It was kind of like saying thank you to me, and I was thanking them," Quenneville said, 'œand it was all good. It felt great."

Evgenii Dadonov also scored for Florida for the fourth consecutive game. Mike Hoffman had two assists, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 32 saves.

The Panthers (28-16-5) won for the seventh time in eight games overall, including a dramatic 5-4 victory at Minnesota on Monday night. They head into the All-Star break in prime position for their first playoff appearance since 2016.

It was reminiscent of the young team Quenneville inherited when he took over the Blackhawks four games into the 2008-09 season.

We still got tons of work to do, but there's some upside here," Quenneville said.

Patrick Kane, Kirby Dach and Drake Caggiula scored for Chicago (24-21- 6), which had won a season-high five straight. Robin Lehner made 22 stops.

I let in a couple of goals that kinda hurt us a bit," Lehner said. 'œThat's tough, but it's part of hockey. I've just got to regroup and go on another run.'

The Blackhawks honored Kane before the game after he recorded his 1,000th career point during Sunday's 5-2 victory against Winnipeg. The All-Star forward was presented with an engraved gold puck and crystal commemorating the achievement.

Quenneville also had a smile on his face while he watched the ceremony paying tribute to one of the players who rose to stardom while he was in Chicago.

Kane extended his point streak to 11 games when he drove a big slap shot by Bobrovsky with 1:15 left, trimming Florida's lead to 4-3. But Toews was whistled for hooking with 31.7 seconds remaining, helping the Panthers hold on.

That push we had in the third, we can get more out of it," Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. 'œWe kind of ran out of gas."

After a scoreless first period, Florida grabbed control with four in the second.

Dadonov stuffed home a backhand from in front before Vatrano beat Lehner from the right circle for a 2-0 lead at 6:14. Moments after the 1172179 Chicago Blackhawks "That ovation was incredible," Toews said. "All of us that played for him were all smiles. His ovation might have been bigger than Kaner's, I don't know. It was a close call.

Hawks can't complete comeback in Quenneville's return to UC "Obviously the fans showed him lots of love and respect, so pretty cool to see."

John Dietz Daily Herald Times LOADED: 01.22.2020

Jonathan Toews knew Tuesday night at the United Center was going to be strange.

Different. Odd. Perhaps even bizarre.

That'll happen when a head coach you spent 10-plus seasons busting your butt for returns with an enemy franchise for the first time.

But when it was all over a completely different word summed up the evening: Special.

"Pretty cool to see the respect they gave 'Q' tonight," Toews said of the fans' reaction to Joel Quenneville's tribute video during the first period of Florida's 4-3 victory over the Blackhawks.

Said Quenneville, whose eyes were awfully misty during the extended ovation: "It felt unbelievable. It was a great feeling.

"They captured some special moments in the building (with) the enthusiasm and the excitement and the noise. ... It was special. It was kind of like saying thank you to me, and I was thanking them."

It wasn't the only time the crowd roared to salute an individual either as about 30 minutes earlier they rained down thunderous applause upon Patrick Kane during an on-ice ceremony to celebrate the winger's 1,000 NHL points.

"Some great moments. Big goals. Huge goals," Quenneville said of Kane's video. "He was a privilege to coach. ... He's a special player and you've got to love players that want the puck, and once they get it they do special things with it."

It wasn't a particularly special game for the Hawks, who fell behind 3-0 after Florida scored at 4:43, 6:14 and 10:04 of the second period. Coach Jeremy Colliton's team did get goals from Kirby Dach, Drake Caggiula and Kane -- with Kane's coming at 18:45 of the third period -- but a hooking call on Toews with 31 seconds left essentially ended the comeback bid.

The Hawks (24-21-6) had their five-game winning streak snapped and are off until Feb. 1.

Toews played nearly 750 regular season and 128 playoff games under Quenneville and teamed up with the now 61-year-old coach to produce the most memorable stretch of hockey in the franchise's history.

The marriage began when Quenneville took over five games into the 2008-09 season with Toews still a fresh-faced 20-year-old.

Wait. Make that a fresh-faced 20-year-old captain, something Quenneville had never seen before.

"Joel (probably) felt like he'd seen it all, and all of a sudden he's dealing with a 20-year-old captain who has no idea what he's doing," Toews said. "But he was so patient, letting me grow as a player and giving me every opportunity to go out there and focus on my game. ...

"He was a great mentor in that sense for me personally every step of the way."

While the divorce between Quenneville and the Hawks came 14.5 months ago, it wasn't a parting that left the coach with bitter feelings or any animosity.

"I didn't have any of that type of feeling," he said. "The memories were too special and recapturing it here you have that sense of why it was like that.

"They show a lot of appreciation for everyone here. It's a great place to play. Special fans and a fun building and a great organization."

Those fans -- all 21,559 of them Tuesday -- showed why that's the case during that thrill ride of a 90-second video. 1172180 Chicago Blackhawks and the great comebacks, like Detroit in 2013, the 17 seconds in Boston and Anaheim in 2015.

"I know I was fortunate to have the team that we had. I was lucky," Rozner: Emotional night for Quenneville, Blackhawks fans Quenneville said. "And we had to change on the fly with three different kinds of teams over those years, fortunate to retool in the salary-cap era, able to have four-line teams and depth. Barry Rozner "We had a couple of runs that were disappointing as well, some frustrating losses. So it wasn't all easy or we just expected to win.

Joel Quenneville knew he was going to cry, but for the moment he had to "We gave the guys a lot of freedom to play. We tried to instill in them laugh. doing things the right way.

His arrival at the United Center on Tuesday afternoon demanded enough "But the cooperation that we had from the guys was always outstanding. cameras to make him glance over his shoulder to see who might have The motivation part of the game was basically as simple as you can been behind him. imagine, which is not always easy.

So yeah, he chuckled at the attention. "That was one standard that was always achieved without even trying to push or shove or demand or beg. As a coach you couldn't ask for an But he smiled and took it in stride, never breaking stride as he found the easier setup than that. The players did it." visitor's locker room, first joking habit might force him into the wrong office. Quenneville credited ownership, management and so many who contributed to clearly the greatest years of his hockey life. It wasn't quite No. 23 returning to Chicago in a Washington uniform, but there was much interest in a future Hall of Fame coach, one who stood "It all brings back a special time in our lives and a special time with the behind the bench during the greatest decade in Chicago Blackhawks city, going through some amazing runs that are so memorable," history. Quenneville said. "So many people shared in it and so many people played a hand in it and were responsible for it. This was not a small deal, but being the focus of the evening was clearly not what Quenneville wanted, not with two teams riding five-game win "I was very fortunate to have that type of career here in Chicago." streaks and heading into a 10-day holiday. And Chicago was very fortunate to have had Joel Quenneville. The Panthers' first-year coach knew the standing ovation would get to him, understood the video tribute could bring tears to his eyes -- and Daily Herald Times LOADED: 01.22.2020 those of his fans -- and he knew seeing his former stars on the ice in a different uniform would cause a flood of memories.

And it all happened just as he suspected.

During the first TV timeout, the players from both teams returned to their benches, the Quenneville highlights played on the huge video screen and everyone in the building watched.

When it was done, play was held up by the officials as the standing ovation continued, Hawks players tapping their sticks and Hawks coaches clapping, Quenneville repeatedly acknowledging the fans and ultimately his former captain on the ice.

Finally, the game overshadowed the return of a beloved figure in Chicago sports history, a man that is on any coaching Rushmore this city can ever carve.

But in a crowded and entertaining pregame session with the media, Quenneville tried to stress that the game was truly the important matter for both hockey clubs, and that he hadn't even mentioned his own situation to his team, which -- like the Hawks -- is fighting for a playoff spot and won with only seconds remaining Monday night in Minnesota.

"Never brought it up," Quenneville said with that infectious Quenneville smile. "Got a hockey game tonight. Both teams are excited about where they're at going into the break. It's a very meaningful game to sustain momentum.

"That's all we're focused on."

It doesn't mean he didn't understand the fans' love for him and doesn't mean he wasn't grateful for the fascination in his first game back in Chicago.

"I think it's two different things," Quenneville said. "When the game starts, that's the most important thing. Dealing with your team and trying to win.

"There's a moment when you can say thank you and the appreciation that you have for what transpired and all the people that touched you."

The abundance of pomp was not at all surprising given the circumstance.

It had all the passion one would expect for someone as revered as Quenneville, bringing the grizzled coach to his emotional knees, the first opportunity for fans to salute him since he was fired, to remember together so many great times.

Quenneville recounted his many favorite memories, all dealing with the toughest moments en route to three Stanley Cups, the most brutal series 1172181 Chicago Blackhawks

Tough luck keeps Kane's parents from witnessing milestone moment in person

John Dietz

Fate can be cruel sometimes, a fact Patrick Kane's parents can attest to after an unfortunate set of circumstances kept them from seeing their son's milestone moment Sunday at the United Center.

Knowing Kane was fast approaching the 1,000-point mark, Donna and Pat Kane Sr. were doing everything possible to make sure they saw it in person.

They traveled to Ottawa last week when Kane was at 995 points, then went to Montreal when he was at 997.

After Kane registered an assist against the Canadiens to reach 998 points, the entire family attended a jersey-retirement ceremony by the London Knights Friday.

And that's when Mother Nature threw a wrench in the Kanes' plans.

First, nasty weather kept them from driving from Buffalo to Toronto for the Hawks' game Saturday. Then, with Kane just 1 point from 1,000, another system pummeled the East Coast and forced them to make a difficult decision.

"After the game in Toronto, which was about 11 o'clock, I went and gassed the car up for the next morning," Kane Sr. said. "I came back from the gas station and told my wife, 'Let's go right now.' It was (only) raining. ...

"Then we said, 'No. This doesn't feel right.'"

They woke up the next morning, turned on the Weather Channel and decided to stay put.

Hours later, history was made when Kane recorded the secondary assist on Brandon Saad's goal with 5:46 remaining during a 5-2 victory over Winnipeg.

Five hundred miles away, tears were being shed.

"One (of his) sisters and his mom were crying out of happiness," said Kane Sr., who attended all 41 home games last season for the first time. "For 13 years we've been coming here and making the 8.5-hour trip. We've really never missed a big moment.

"I don't know if it's the biggest because of the Stanley Cups, but it was a big one. It was important to the family. We're thrilled that it happened in the city of Chicago."

After the game, Kane was able to spend about 30 seconds on the phone with his dad in between postgame media interviews.

While Kane Sr. was bummed about missing the big milestone, he said it was more important that the entire family was able to attend Tuesday's pregame ceremony.

Kane echoed those thoughts after the morning skate.

"Obviously it would have been nice for him to be here, but it'll be nice to have him here tonight," he said, then added with a smile: "I'm sure he'll try not to miss many more games here."

The 10-minute ceremony featured a highlight video of Kane's biggest playoff goals, as well as a rundown in reverse order of his milestone points from 1,000, 900, 800 and so on all the way down to No. 1.

Denis Savard and Jill Mikita, Stan Mikita's wife, also presented Kane with a gold puck with 1,000 engraved on it, and an engraved Tiffany crystal from the NHL.

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Toews brushes off scuffle with Keith during morning skate

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said the dust-up with Duncan Keith at Tuesday's morning skate was "friendly wrestling."

John Dietz

Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith got into a brief scuffle during morning skate Tuesday at the United Center.

What started as a little jawing quickly escalated into a wrestling match. Both Blackhawks players removed their gloves, and Keith's jersey was almost completely off afterward.

"Just a little friendly wrestling," Toews told reporters.

It didn't appear that friendly, though.

"We're ready to go," continued Toews, whose Hawks faced off against Joel Quenneville's Florida Panthers. "That's the whole point of coming out for morning skate is to get yourself ready to go for tonight's game. I think we're ready now."

Keith stayed stoic during the rest of the skate and was the first to leave the ice after the Hawks did about 20 minutes worth of drills. He did not speak with reporters.

Coach Jeremy Colliton wasn't concerned that the dust up would carry over into the game.

"You got a brother? I do, too," Colliton said. "I got two boys at home, so I've seen that movie before."

Sweet home, Chicago?

Former Blackhawks Denis Savard, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Troy Murray, , Keith Magnuson and Tony Esposito all made their home in or around Chicago after they retired.

So it begs the question: Would Joel Quenneville settling down here once his coaching career is over?

"We've got our house, it's still up for sale," said Quenneville, who lived in Hinsdale before being named coach of the Florida Panthers in the off- season. "But we wouldn't mind even coming back here in the summer. Our kids work in downtown, so we love it here in Chicago.

"We'll see. There's so much to like. We'll see."

He said it:

"Uh, coach's office is just OK. (Huge laughs). Everything else -- major league."

-- Joel Quenneville on what he thought of the visiting team's facilities at the United Center

He said it II:

"Which way do I go? This is all new. Never been in this room."

-- Joel Quenneville as he entered the United Center and found the visiting coach's room

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172183 Chicago Blackhawks

3 Takeaways: Joel Quenneville returns to United Center, Patrick Kane honored for 1,000th point

By Scott King January 21, 2020 10:29 PM

The Blackhawks lost 4-3 to the Florida Panthers, but welcomed former head coach Joel Quenneville back to Chicago and honored Patrick Kane for capturing his 1,000th NHL point. Here are three takeaways:

Welcome back, "Q"

Quenneville returned to the United Center for the first time since being fired on Nov. 6, 2018. Coach Q now the head coach of the Panthers (third place in the Atlantic Division), received a thunderous ovation during a video tribute from the Hawks organization in the first period.

"I think that ovation was incredible," Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said. "I think all of us that played for him were all smiles. His ovation might have been bigger than Kaner's, I don't know. Close call. But obviously, the fans showing him lots of respect and love... pretty cool to see."

"Q" guided the Blackhawks through three Stanley Cup championships (2010, 2013, 2015) and helped end a 49-year cup drought in Chicago in 2010. Quenneville returned to face the red-hot Hawks, who had won five- straight games, with his red-hot Panthers, who had also won five straight prior to Tuesday.

"You got to give them a little credit," Quenneville said of Jeremy Colliton's Blackhawks before the game. "They're playing fast, they've got some speed in their lineup. They're quick in all lines. They can score, they're dangerous.

"I think we've got to be respectful for what their rush game can bring and I think that it was kind of reminiscent when I talk about our team a lot. I say we can always score goals.

"It's 'try to keep it out of our net' is a priority and we've been scoring a lot of goals and we want to make sure we can get better without the puck, and I think that's been a work in progress for us but it's [a] comparable time in our team's development right now. But we're seeing progress and I think tonight that's going to be a good test of how well we defend."

The Blackhawks held a ceremony before the game to honor Kane for recording his 1,000th NHL point off an assist in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets. The ceremony included a video of the superstar winger as a small child saying: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the greatest show on earth.”

Kane is the 90th player in NHL history to reach the milestone and the youngest US-born player (31 years, 61 days) to record 1,000 points in the show.

On Tuesday, Kane scored with 1:15 remaining in regulation to bring the Blackhawks within one of the Panthers, extending his point streak to 11 games (five goals, 11 assists), but it wouldn't be enough.

Streak snapped

The Hawks' five-game winning streak ended and they remain three points out of a wild card spot. Their next game won't be until Feb. 1 in Arizona with the All-Star break and bye week.

A horrid second period is what did the Hawks in on Tuesday. Chicago gave up four second-period goals, including a hat trick from Frank Vatrano.

The Blackhawks did see contributions from Kirby Dach, who scored off a backhand over Sergei Bobrovsky's shoulder. Dach, who turned 19 on Tuesday, ended a 13-game goal drought, making it 3-1 in the second period. Drake Caggiula scored off a redirect on a third-period power play to make it 4-2. Caggiula has five points (three goals, two assists) in his past four games after returning from a concussion on Jan. 9.

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Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith separated at Blackhawks morning skate

By Scott King January 21, 2020 10:57 AM

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews and alternate captain Duncan Keith had to be separated during Tuesday's morning skate after the two appeared to get into a confrontation.

The two three-time Stanley Cup champs wrestled to the ice, with Toews pinning Keith down. Assistant coach Sheldon Brookbank broke the pair up.

After "a little friendly wrestling" between Toews and Keith at morning skate, the boys are ready to get after it tonight against the Panthers. pic.twitter.com/QEGyX1Qu9m

— BlackhaWWWWWks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) January 21, 2020

“Just a little friendly wrestling," Toews said of the bout. "Were ready to go. It’s a big game tonight. I think the whole point of morning skate is to get going and we’re ready now.”

Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton also made light of the situation following the skate.

"You got a brother?" Colliton asked Chicago Tribune reporter Jimmy Greenfield, who asked about the altercation. "I do too and I got two boys at home, so I've seen that movie before."

Things have been looking up for Chicago, which is three points out of a WIld Card spot and riding a five-game winning streak with one game left before the All-Star break.

"I don't know," Patrick Kane said with a laugh regarding the kerfuffle. "I think they were just messing around, I'm not really sure what happened there."

The Hawks welcome coach Joel Quenneville back to the United Center for the first time since he was fired on Nov. 6 of 2018 Tuesday night. Quenneville now coaches the Florida Panthers, third in the Atlantic Division.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172185 Chicago Blackhawks

Joel Quenneville thanks Blackhawks fans: 'The support in Chicago was outstanding'

By Tim Stebbins January 21, 2020 6:42 AM

Joel Quenneville enjoyed plenty of success during his stint as Blackhawks head coach (2008-18). The 61-year-old ranks second all- time in franchise history with 797 wins; he led the Blackhawks to nine straight playoff appearances (2009-17), three of which ended with Stanley Cup championships (2010, ‘13, ‘15).

All good things must end, and the Blackhawks fired Quenneville on Nov. 6, 2018 following a 6-6-3 start to the season. After taking the rest of the season off, Quenneville joined the Florida Panthers as head coach last April.

The Panthers currently have 59 points and sit in an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Tuesday, they’ll take on the Blackhawks at the United Center — the first time Quenneville has coached at the UC since his firing.

Although he’s returning as a visitor, Quenneville is looking forward to Tuesday’s matchup. In an interview with NBC Sports Chicago’s Charlie Roumeliotis, the head coach expressed his love for the city and looked back fondly on his time with the Blackhawks.

"Going into it right now thinking about it, it's going to be a fun night. The memories are so great,” Quenneville said. “The moments, the people, the staff, the organization, we got treated like, you couldn't ask for a better 10 years of our lives, our coaching experience or our families or the opportunity to work with some of the best players that ever played the game.

“There's a lot of good things, so looking forward to it and hey, the fans have been tremendous. We love Chicago, we loved everything about it and I'm looking forward to it."

The Blackhawks fired Quenneville following a 5-3 loss to the Flames in Calgary on Nov. 3, 2018. He expressed some regret for never getting to truly thank Chicago and Blackhawks fans for their support during his stint as head coach.

"Yeah, I never got to thank them much either though,” he said. “But certainly, there's a great appreciation for what they meant and how important they were for our team as well. The support in Chicago was outstanding and I just think, special place to play.

“We had one of those memorable runs, privileged to be there. The franchise was the team of the decade and it was very deserving, and being a part of it, cause everybody's contribution was important and that was part of it as well."

The Blackhawks roster has gone through some changes in the last year or so, but franchise mainstays Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Corey Crawford will all be opposite Quenneville Tuesday on the home team’s bench.

For Quenneville, what made his successful stint in Chicago so memorable was going to battle with his players night-in-and-night-out.

"Obviously the championships were significant achievements. And then when you look back how each one was accomplished and how hard they were and all the things, the ups and downs of winning each one were things that stand out the most,” he said. “And the thrills that we had at the games and the city, the celebrations were cool, I thought the parades were extremely cool. But going through it with the guys was probably the part that'd be most memorable."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172186 Chicago Blackhawks When you got let go, you kind of faded from the spotlight and fans never got a chance to thank you for everything. What do you expect the fan support to be on that night?

Q&A: Joel Quenneville on firing, returning to Chicago and new chapter in Yeah, I never got to thank them much either though. But certainly, there's Florida a great appreciation for what they meant and how important they were for our team as well. The support in Chicago was outstanding and I just think, special place to play. We had one of those memorable runs, By Charlie Roumeliotis January 21, 2020 6:40 AM privileged to be there. The franchise was the team of the decade and it was very deserving, and being a part of it, cause everybody's contribution

was important and that was part of it as well. Joel Quenneville will forever be talked about as one of the greatest Were you surprised by the timing of when you were let go? Obviously, coaches in Chicago sports history after overseeing a Blackhawks you were there for 10-plus years and you accomplished a lot, but ... it dynasty that won three Stanley Cups during his 10-plus-year tenure. He was only one month into the season. What was your reaction when you was the perfect head coach to manage a well-oiled machine. found that out? But with the Blackhawks in a retooling phase, the organization parted At the time surprised or not? Maybe not. But after what's going on this ways with Quenneville on Nov. 6, 2018. On Tuesday, he returns to the year [with the coaching firings across the NHL], I'm going to say not United Center for the first time as a member of the Florida Panthers. surprised at all. I think in our business, it happens. We're seeing a In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with NBC Sports Chicago, number of coaches lose their jobs and then you see what happened in Quenneville opened up about his firing from the Blackhawks, returning to St. Louis [last season] and all of a sudden you got a team that was in the Chicago, his new chapter and much more: toughest spot in the league and they turned out to be a champion, so I think that could be how things going now maybe moving forward, but First off, Joel, it's good to have you back in the game of hockey. But it's a hey, it happens. Especially in our business knowing that's one of the new team, new city, what has your transition been like in Florida? negative things that can happen in our game. But we took some time away and we're happy where we're at now. It's been fun. It's been a good process here. I think as we've gone along this year, it's a whole different conference, a whole different division, I know hindsight is 20-20, but is there anything you would've done different type of lifestyle. We've got beautiful weather, you go on a road differently when you take a step back and reflect on it? trip and come back at two in the morning after being in the ice and snow and all of a sudden and you get off the plane and it's 75 degrees. So, it's Coaching wise, I think you do everything the best you can to win. We had different and there's some perks to it, there's some things that you could a tough year the year before, that start to the season, we had a decent enjoy. And we got a team that we think that we're in that learning process start. The Calgary game was the last game, I could look back and say I of going to that next level. wish I could've done this, I wish I could've done that, kind of like what we do after every game here. We're always looking, me or our staff, at things We've had an interesting start to the season, which I thought was a good that I should've done differently, whether who we had on the ice at a start. We've had an ordinary stretch here, we know that we want to go on certain time and sitting there, 'yeah I should've done this.' So we reflect the break here on a positive note but we're in a tough division. We think like that. And I think that second guessing ourselves is something you that we're doing everything we can. We want to be a playoff team in the can learn over the course of a season but the gut and the worst way. We've got a lot of young guys that are learning and some spontaneousness of coaching is what we enjoy and sometimes you can guys are having some really big years as well. So we've got a lot of always second guess yourself on that type of stuff. pieces with our team here. We think we're turning into a four-line team, we've got a defense that is maturing and improving, and I think A lot has been made about it in Chicago — whether it's been overblown offensively we think we're very comparable from when we were with or not — about coach-GM relationship. What is the importance of that Chicago. We never had to worry about scoring goals. We can score and what's your relationship like here with Dale Tallon? goals, it's now we got to defend and defend in all zones. But we've been Dale's fine. We've been with Dale before. I think as long as you're well getting some progress here and it's been a fun team to work with. aware of what's going on with the team, where we're at, the game's You mentioned at your press conference that there are a lot of similarities different, there's a business side of it, there's a hockey side of it. And between the Blackhawks and Panthers now that they're rising. What Stan [Bowman], we had a good relationship. It was fine. We were sorts of parallels do you see? respectful for each other's jobs and roles and how we did our things, and that's kind of the way it was or is. I probably see Dale more. We're Well, high-end players. Very privileged opportunity, you got a [Patrick always talking hockey and you're talking about this or that so that's just Kane] or a [Jonathan Toews] and a [Duncan Keith] when you're starting the way it is. I'm respectful for their position and the jobs they're doing there, so we had some really good players. [Marian] Hossa, we had and what they've done. some top players. Now you come here you got [Aleksander] Barkov, [Jonathan] Huberdeau, [Aaron] Eklbad's a nice player, we've got some When you look back at your 10-plus years, what do you remember most guys that might be in that next level. A lot of guys are having some good about your time in Chicago? years offensively, so I think by committee, a lot of guys can score goals Obviously, the championships were significant achievements. And then on our team. when you look back how each one was accomplished and how hard they And then finding that balance where we got, it's not just a scoring line were and all the things, the ups and downs of winning each one were where everybody's got a purpose to it is what we're trying to get at. So things that stand out the most. And the thrills that we had at the games there's depth on our team and we're trying to make sure that playing well and the city, the celebrations were cool, I thought the parades were without the puck is going to be one of our strengths. But going back to extremely cool. But going through it with the guys was probably the part that team, it was a four-line team but we really did have some high-end that'd be most memorable. players and the high-end players really responded at very memorable This is the 10-year anniversary of the 2010 Stanley Cup team for the times. Blackhawks. Can you believe it's been that long? You're obviously returning to Chicago for the first time on Tuesday, but 2010, man. It's almost like, where's the puck now? Do we know where it's weird because it's happening so late in the season — we're past the the puck is? I can't believe it's already been 10 years. midway mark already. What will your emotions be like going back? At what point in the season did you feel, 'OK, this is a special group, we Going into it right now thinking about it, it's going to be a fun night. The could go all the way'? memories are so great. The moments, the people, the staff, the organization, we got treated like, you couldn't ask for a better 10 years of The year before we got a good education when we played Detroit and our lives, our coaching experience or our families or the opportunity to getting to the Conference Finals was pretty impressive with that group, work with some of the best players that ever played the game. There's a young group, a lot of talent, a lot of ability, competitive bunch. And so we lot of good things, so looking forward to it and hey, the fans have been learned, had some valuable lessons in that series and throughout those tremendous. We love Chicago, we loved everything about it and I'm first couple rounds, so that helped us. A young team learning how to win looking forward to it. and that exposure the following year. You get that close and you're thinking you got a chance, a real chance, the following year.

A lot of things got to go right though. You need goaltending, you need health, you need your best players to be great and you need four lines and you need your D to be solid, so we had a lot of those things happen and fortunate in a lot of ways. Sometimes the matchups work out in your favor, but some amazing series' and some things that turned it around, you think about that Nashville game, you think about Game 6 against Philly and then you can go on and on — some series' are not as vivid as others — but it was pretty amazing each one, they stand out.

The Patrick Kane Game 5 goal against Nashville where does that rank among biggest goals in playoff history? It's weird to think about the alternative, whether there is a Game 7 back in Chicago.

That was unbelievable. I mean, when I think back about it, you take a five-minute major, down a goal, late in the game and you got Hoss in the box. Now we're getting down late, we've got to use Kaner on the kill — I don't even know if we used him once that whole year killing penalties, I don't even think we did. But he knows what he's out there to do and then we get a break and we scored and we still had to kill it, and then we got into overtime.

That was a huge goal and the crowd, that might've been the loudest we heard the building in certain times. We've had some moments that stood out, the Vancouver game when Kaner might've gotten a hat trick that night, that might've been louder. Seabs scoring against Detroit, that was loud, that was noticeable, memorable. Duncs scoring against Tampa. Certain goals stand out but that was definitely a huge, huge goal. Don't expect to score shorthanded like that very often.

How big of an impact did Marian Hossa have on the franchise? Because when he did leave, they really haven't been the same since.

One of those players that really, really set the table of playing the right way. And as a coach, you couldn't ask for a guy that demonstrates exactly what your message is of how we want to play structurally, in all zones, in all situations. Protects the puck, keeps the puck, tough to take it away from him. It was almost like it was like, 'OK, this the perfect player' and does everything you want. Playing without the puck is something we always try to instill, and checking is a part of our game and he was perfect in that area, so he was ideal for our team and quietly went about his business. Good teammate, one of those guys that guys would rely upon and every game he was key to what we were trying to do in our team game and it was noticeable. We used him in all situations, all times of the game. Very important player.

Dustin Byfuglien, I have to ask. What went into the decision to move him from defenseman to forward and where does that rank among your coaching decisions?

I don't know if I [should] get credit for that. I think a lot of guys might've tried it in different parts of their career. And even if he was playing D, you could put him in front of the net to be a distraction because he's a big guy, he can screen and he's tough to move, he's got good hands and he could still find pucks in tight areas. So it was almost like, hey, I know Buff would rather play D but it's a lot of work. It's a lot more skating and getting to the front of the net.

But as a defenseman, he is a handful in front of the net or for goalies. He brought that element, that versatility, you could use him in either situation and of course in the middle of the game, so I think he brought a unique aspect to our team. Fun guy to be around and coach and privileged to coach him as well. Wish him nothing but the best, I still see him around and hopefully we see him in the game soon. But, The Buff, I remember the series with Vancouver and San Jose where he was very, very disruptive at the net.

Last one for you: Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith. You've coached these guys, they're winners, three-time Stanley Cup champions. What's it going to be like now going against them when you come back to Chicago?

Great appreciation and respect for these guys as players, knowing let's be aware. Let's try to deny Kaner the puck, be aware of Jonny. He can beat you a number of ways, starting right off the puck drop. Duncs, he's just going to be out there half the game or almost half the game and he's going to up in the play and he's going to be killing plays and he's going to be around the puck. He's one of those guys that you got a lot appreciation for what he brings your team.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172187 Chicago Blackhawks "One of those players that really, really set the table of playing the right way," Quenneville said. "And as a coach, you couldn't ask for a guy that demonstrates exactly what your message is of how we want to play Joel Quenneville reflects on best memories with Blackhawks structurally, in all zones, in all situations. Protects the puck, keeps the puck, tough to take it away from him.

"It was almost like, 'OK, this the perfect player' and does everything you By Scott King January 21, 2020 6:43 AM want. Playing without the puck is something we always try to instill and checking is a part of our game and he was perfect in that area, so he was

ideal for our team and quietly went about his business. It may not be surprising that when Joel Quenneville recently sat down "Good teammate, one of those guys that guys would rely upon and every with NBC Sports Chicago, his fondest memories with the Blackhawks game he was key to what we were trying to do in our team game and it centered around when he helped end a 49-year Stanley Cup drought in was noticeable. We used him in all situations, all times of the game. Very 2010. important player." "Obviously the championships were significant achievements," said the Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.22.2020 three-time Stanley Cup-winning former coach of the Blackhawks, now with the Florida Panthers. "And then when you look back how each one was accomplished and how hard they were and all the things, the ups and downs of winning each one were things that stand out the most.

"And the thrills that we had at the games and the city, the celebrations were cool, I thought the parades were extremely cool. But going through it with the guys was probably the part that'd be most memorable."

Coach Q is returning to the United Center on Tuesday, when the Hawks take on the Panthers, for the first time since his firing on Nov. 6 of 2018. During the 10-year anniversary of the 2010 Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks, Quenneville is still wondering what a lot of Hawks fans are.

"2010, man," Quenneville said. "It's almost like, where's the puck now? Do we know where the puck is? I can't believe it's already been 10 years."

The 61-year-old knew he had a special group on the cusp of doing serious damage when the Hawks lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the 2009 Western Conference Final.

"The year before we got a good education when we played Detroit and getting to the Conference Finals was pretty impressive with that group, young group, a lot of talent, a lot of ability, competitive bunch," Quenneville said. "And so we learned, had some valuable lessons in that series and throughout those first couple rounds, so that helped us.

"A young team learning how to win and that exposure the following year. You get that close and you're thinking you got a chance, a real chance, the following year. A lot of things got to go right though. You need goaltending, you need health, you need your best players to be great and you need four lines and you need your D to be solid, so we had a lot of those things happen and fortunate in a lot of ways.

"Sometimes the matchups work out in your favor, but some amazing series and some things that turned it around, you think about that Nashville game, you think about Game 6 against Philly and then you can go on and on — some series are not as vivid as others — but it was pretty amazing each one, they stand out."

When looking back at big goals, Quenneville had a fondness of Patrick Kane's shorthanded game-tying goal (3-3) with 13.6 seconds remaining in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal against the Nashville Predators in 2010 at the United Center. Marian Hossa scored the game- winner in OT out of the penalty box to put Chicago up 3-2 in the series.

"That was unbelievable," Quenneville said. "I mean, when I think back about it, you take a five-minute major, down a goal, late in the game and you got Hoss in the box.

"Now we're getting down late, we've got to use Kaner on the kill — I don't even know if we used him once that whole year killing penalties, I don't even think we did. But he knows what he's out there to do and then we get a break and we scored and we still had to kill it, and then we got into overtime.

"That was a huge goal and the crowd, that might've been the loudest we heard the building in certain times. We've had some moments that stood out, the Vancouver game when Kaner might've gotten a hat trick that night, that might've been louder, Seabs scoring against Detroit, that was loud, that was noticeable, memorable. Duncs scoring against Tampa. Certain goals stand out but that was definitely a huge, huge goal. Don't expect to score shorthanded like that very often."

Of course, Quenneville had nothing but great things to say, as he always did, when asked about Marian Hossa and his impact on the Blackhawks. 1172188 Chicago Blackhawks

Joel Quenneville wasn't surprised by firing from Blackhawks

By Scott King January 21, 2020 6:41 AM

You could hear a pin drop at the Blackhawks practice facility, now Fifth Third Arena, on Nov. 6 of 2018 when Chicago announced they fired three-time Stanley Cup winning coach of the Hawks, Joel Quenneville.

Quenneville, now head coach of the Florida Panthers (third in the Atlantic Division), will return to the United Center for the first time since the firing on Tuesday. He recently sat down with NBC Sports Chicago to talk about his time with and departure from the Hawks.

The 61-year-old bench boss doesn't seem surprised by the timing of when he was let go by the Blackhawks based on the way coaches are being tossed around in today's NHL. Quenneville was relieved of coaching duties in Chicago following a five-game losing streak that gave the team a 6-6-3 record to start the 2018-19 season.

"At the time surprised or not? Maybe not," Quenneville said. "But after what's going on this year [with the coaching firings across the NHL], I'm going to say not surprised at all. I think in our business, it happens.

"We're seeing a number of coaches lose their jobs and then you see what happened in St. Louis [last season] and all of a sudden you got a team that was in the toughest spot in the league and they turned out to be a champion, so I think that could be how things [are] going now maybe moving forward, but hey, it happens.

"Especially in our business knowing that's one of the negative things that can happen in our game. But we took some time away and we're happy where we're at now."

Quenneville, who went 452-249-96 with the Blackhawks, isn't dwelling too much on what he could have done differently.

"Coaching wise, I think you do everything the best you can to win," Quenneville said. "We had a tough year the year before, that start to the season, we had a decent start. The Calgary game (Nov. 3, 2018: 5-3 loss in Calgary) was the last game, I could look back and say I wish I could've done this, I wish I could've done that, kind of like what we do after every game here."

In the Calgary game, Quenneville drew criticism after failing to put a player in the penalty box after Duncan Keith drew a five-minute major that included a game misconduct. After a penalty expires, the fifth player must come from the penalty box per league rules. The Hawks were forced to skate with four players for almost two extra minutes.

"We're always looking, me or our staff, looking at things that I should've done differently, whether who we had on the ice at a certain time and sitting there, 'yeah I should've done this,'" Q said. "So we reflect like that.

"And I think that second guessing ourselves is something you can learn over the course of a season but the gut and the spontaneousness of coaching is what we enjoy and sometimes you can always second guess yourself on that type of stuff."

Dale Tallon, now GM of the Panthers, was Quenneville's first GM in Chicago from the time he became the head coach - Oct. 16, 2008 - until July of 2009. Quenneville weighed in on his relationship with Tallon and Stan Bowman, still GM of the Hawks, who took over for Dale.

"Dale's fine," Quenneville said. "We've been with Dale before. I think as long as you're well aware of what's going on with the team, where we're at, the game's different, there's a business side of it, there's a hockey side of it.

"And Stan [Bowman], we had a good relationship. It was fine. We were respectful for each other's jobs and roles and how we did our things, and that's kind of the way it was or is.

"I probably see Dale more. We're always talking hockey and you're talking about this or that so that's just the way it is. I'm respectful for their position and the jobs they're doing and what they've done."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172189 Chicago Blackhawks

Panthers coach Joel Quenneville a winner in Chicago return

ESPN News Services

Joel Quenneville is used to winning games at United Center. When you coach the Chicago Blackhawks for 11 seasons, it comes with the territory.

Tuesday night was more of the same for him ... just on the opposing bench.

Frank Vatrano had three goals, Mike Hoffman had two assists and Sergei Bobrovsky made 32 saves as the Florida Panthers outlasted the Blackhawks 4-3 in Quenneville's return to Chicago, the city where he won three Stanley Cup titles.

"Made it a little interesting at the end of the game, but that was certainly a memorable event that I'm thankful for," Quenneville said.

The Blackhawks stopped the game at the 13:43 mark of the first period to air a lengthy video tribute for a coach who went 452-249-96 with Chicago before being dismissed last season. There was a standing ovation from the fans in the stands as well as the players on the bench, who tapped their sticks to honor the coach. The chant throughout the arena during the video was a simple and succinct "Q!"

"I think that ovation was incredible," Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said. "I think all of us that played for him were all smiles."

Quenneville grinned while he watched the video on the scoreboard, and then waved and mouthed "Thank you'' while the crowd cheered.

"It was special. It was kind of like saying thank you to me, and I was thanking them," Quenneville said, "and it was all good. It felt great."

Quenneville, 61, signed a five-year deal with the Panthers on April 8, and in his first season, he has Florida primed for the Eastern Conference postseason. With the victory in Chicago, his Panthers will take a season- high six-game winning streak into the All-Star break. If the season ended Tuesday, Florida, with 61 points, would be the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic Division.

Evgenii Dadonov scored his 22nd goal of the season for the Panthers, off feeds from Aleksander Barkov and Michael Matheson, to open the scoring in the second period. Dadonov is one of six Panthers with at least 16 goals this season.

Patrick Kane, Drake Caggiula and Kirby Dach scored for the Blackhawks in the loss, which ended Chicago's season-high five-game winning streak. Kane's goal, his 25th, came a game after he recorded his 1,000th career point on an assist.

ESPNChicago.com LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172190 Chicago Blackhawks Heading for the slopes for the break, he joked that he skis like he skated — slowly.

Quenneville was fired some 14 months ago despite all he accomplished, Sights and sounds from Joel Quenneville’s memorable, emotional return despite the way his players loved him, despite the fact that his team was to Chicago at .500. There was tension with the front office. It could have been ugly. It could have been acrimonious. Instead, Quenneville just disappeared, popping up at a Bears tailgate to do a shot, then disappearing again. No By Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus Jan 21, 2020 ad in the paper. No press tour. No tell-alls.

His decade-plus in Chicago was too wonderful to allow him to dwell on how it ended. Closure came Tuesday night, and it was cathartic. It was After the first crescendo ebbed, and the “Qyooooos” briefly faded, Joel emotional. And it was really, really loud. Like it so often used to be. Quenneville spun on his heel and offered his trademark smirk and a wave in all four directions, mouthing “thank you” to the 21,559 fans in “The bitterness that you think you might have leaving from here (that) attendance. Your standard Guy Returning To Chicago tribute during the would have been prevalent — I didn’t have any of that type of feeling,” first television timeout. Quenneville said. “The memories were too special.”

But Quenneville isn’t the standard Guy. — Mark Lazerus

So the roars immediately started up again, a second crescendo, a It was probably inevitable with Quenneville’s return, but Jeremy Colliton deafening wave of sound that hadn’t been heard in the United Center honestly didn’t deserve to be booed when introduced before Tuesday’s since the heady days of 2015. The smirk gave way to a full-blown smile. game. The Blackhawks entered the game on a five-game winning streak, Even the hearty cheer Patrick Kane got 10 minutes earlier for his 1,000- and Colliton has had them playing as well as they have in the past few point ceremony couldn’t compare with this. years. Whether you want to believe it or not, the Blackhawks are back in the playoff race from a points perspective. By the third crescendo, Quenneville finally cracked, ever so slightly. Maybe the mustache twitched. His eyes appeared to redden. “We’ll see,” It’s too bad people make it a Quenneville-vs.-Colliton thing. It’s not. The he had said a couple of weeks earlier when asked if he might finally get Blackhawks front office fired Quenneville, not Colliton. Colliton was just the tiniest bit sentimental when the cheers inevitably came. Well, we saw. asked to replace him. Quenneville has never had any issues with Colliton. “I think he might have a sensitive side to him,” said Panthers forward Frank Vatrano, fresh off a hat trick that proved too much for the There was a way to honor Quenneville and not trash Colliton. If you’ve Blackhawks in a 4-3 loss to the old boss. “When you’ve been in a city for listened to anything Colliton said over the past few days, you would have so long and done so many great things, it’s kind of hard not to tear up a heard someone who admired Quenneville, too. little bit.” “It’s a chance to honor Joel,” Colliton said of the game a few days ago. It was a most unusual evening on the West Side. When the national “It’s a big night for the organization, and he was great to me so I want to anthem gets the third-longest and third-loudest cheer of the night, you honor him, too. Because it’s a big part of the reason why I came here to know it’s not a typical game in the dog days of winter. begin with is because he was here. So obviously want to beat him because they’re two big points for our team and we’re going to have to sit There was Quenneville, of course, who was showered with “Qyooooos” on that game for a bunch of days. We’re going to have to prepare with all during warmups even though he was still back in the coaches’ office. The the detail and excitement that we can muster, and then I’m sure there will return of the greatest coach in Blackhawks history, one of the greatest be a lot of energy in the building and we’ve got to use it in the right way.” coaches in Chicago sports history, was long-awaited, and it didn’t disappoint. Colliton was asked after the morning skate about mentioning that he came to the Blackhawks partly because of Quenneville. There was Kane, too, standing on carpeted ice for the second time in less than a week. Fresh off his jersey retirement ceremony in London, “I had a pretty good situation in Sweden, so I wasn’t in a hurry to go just Ontario, last Friday, Kane was feted again — handed a gold puck and a anywhere,” Colliton said. “Obviously, when the Hawks let me know they Tiffany crystal, shown a video of some of his most memorable goals and were interested and we started talking, the tradition of winning and assists, and drowned in cheers from an amped-up crowd. knowing what it takes to win Stanley Cups, and obviously Joel was a huge part of that. Obviously, Stan and Scotty and being around people Then there was the game itself — a big one, at that. Two teams riding like that, I was at that point just thinking about my own personal five-game winning streaks, hoping to continue their playoff push and development and also opportunity to get better. That’s what I wanted, to carry that momentum into the All-Star break and bye week. It was easy to be around people like that.” get caught up in the pomp and circumstance and screaming, and a disjointed first period seemed to be the byproduct. I’m not saying you have to love Colliton or you can’t question his decisions — everyone did the same with Quenneville — but I am saying “Yeah, it’s easy to get out of the flow of the game there,” said Panthers he didn’t deserve what he got from a lot of Blackhawks fans Tuesday. defenseman Aaron Ekblad. “I like to bask in the moment there for a second, but I try not to look up at the board too much. Just kind of gets — Scott Powers you out of it. You’re staring up there too long and your neck gets a little sore. But it’s obviously a huge accomplishment for both of those guys. Across the hall from the visitors’ locker room and a few paces down from It’s so great for the game that guys are around for that long and doing the posh home coaches’ suite (remodeled in 2015 after the Blackhawks such great things. It’s special for both Patty Kane and for Q and (Mike) basically destroyed the entire locker room area after winning the Stanley Kitchen.” Cup) is the visiting coaches’ room. It’s a cramped auxiliary dressing room for performers, with spartan cinderblock walls and little elbow room. A far Quenneville had a grand old time. He looked like a proud dad during the cry from Quenneville’s former cushy office, where he frequently napped Kane ceremony, absolutely beaming from the bench while watching the facedown on the couch between morning skates and games. highlights. He had his own moment shortly after that. And, of course, he won the game. As he’s quick to tell you, nobody likes winning more than So I teed him up at his press conference, asking how the visiting team’s he does. facilities were.

He even seemed to enjoy his two sessions with the press, sharing some He smiled, very much in on the joke, and said, “Uh, coach’s office is just wistful memories of championships and neighbors toilet-papering his OK.” house during a 15-minute pregame press conference — the first full- Ah, Qspeak. A language unto itself. “Just OK,” of course, means “pretty blown press conference for a visiting player or coach in recent memory damn bad.” We used to be fluent in it, but transcribing Quenneville in — and yukking it up during his postgame scrum. He insisted that Florida a couple of weeks ago and then again Tuesday night, we were NHL.com’s Tracey Myers get the first question, since she always did reminded of just how impossible a task it is. The man doesn’t speak in back when he was in Chicago. He asked where the puck was from full sentences, he speaks in clauses. So the thoughts just go on and on Kane’s 2010 Cup-winning goal for the umpteenth time, always a go-to. and on. And on. And on. There can be gold in those sentences, but you really have to dig and pan for a while to find it. Here’s a primer for those who’ve forgotten. It’s like any language you There were some other, more non-graphic memories, too know but don’t speak on a regular basis. The only way to bring it all back is full immersion. HIS CUP DANCES PIC.TWITTER.COM/PGKRUYRSHD

DEAR FLORIDA, — YAMA (@KENYAMA23) JANUARY 22, 2020

HERE'S A HANDY GUIDE TO QSPEAK. EVERYTHING SCOTT EVERYTHING

PART I: EVALUATING PLAYERS: — ASHER SUSMAN (@ASHERSUS) JANUARY 22, 2020

"SPECIAL": FREAKIN' AWESOME. Best @coachqsmustache tweet

"I LIKED HIM": PRETTY GOOD. 1-0. CRAP.

"I DIDN'T MIND HIM": FINE. I MEAN, “YAY.”

"FINE": NOT FINE. SCREW IT, I’M GOING TO NEED SOME SERIOUS THERAPY AFTER TONIGHT. "JUST OK": BAD. — COACH Q'S MUSTACHE (@COACHQSMUSTACHE) JANUARY 22, "ORDINARY": I MIGHT MURDER HIM IN HIS SLEEP TONIGHT. 2020

— MARK LAZERUS (@MARKLAZERUS) APRIL 8, 2019 As for the Blackhawks, they fell behind 3-0, put together a late comeback but couldn’t complete it and lost 4-3. PART II: PREGAME: A win would have been helpful in the standings as the Winnipeg Jets and "COULD BE": WILL. Vegas Golden Knights, the teams just ahead of them in the wild-card "LIKELY": DEFINITELY. race, lost in regulation. Instead, the Blackhawks head into their extended break trailing the final wild-card spot by three points. "EVERY GAME IS DIFFERENT": I DON'T WANT TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION. The points’ pace to get into the playoffs has slowed down over the past week. It had been around 95 points, but it’s closer to 92 points. The "WE'LL SEE": I DON'T WANT TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION. Blackhawks are around an 89-point pace.

*ANGRY GRUNT*: I DON'T WANT TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION AND Let’s say about 93 points gets you into the playoffs. The Blackhawks will I MIGHT MURDER YOU IN YOUR SLEEP. probably need something like an 18-10-3 record the rest of the way after their break. — MARK LAZERUS (@MARKLAZERUS) APRIL 8, 2019 Doable? Jonathan Toews thought so. PART III: MISCELLANEOUS: “I don’t see why not,” Toews said after the game. “I think there’s still way "NET-NET": IN SUMMATION. more potential, another level we can get to, and that’s our goal — to keep "THINGS CHANGE QUICKLY IN OUR BUSINESS": I LIKED LAST focusing on those little details and the results will come. Been playing GAME BETTER. good hockey, and I think everyone is buying in, playing for each other and it’s a lot more fun to come to the rink when we’re doing those things. "PEANUT BUTTER": I AM PLEASED. The wins come when you’re playing right and playing for each other.”

*GRABS CROTCH*: I AM DISPLEASED. The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 — MARK LAZERUS (@MARKLAZERUS) APRIL 8, 2019

Fittingly, Quenneville ended his pregame presser with his most well-worn bit of Qspeak. Asked if he could see himself returning to Chicago to live after he eventually retires, Quenneville, after raving about the city and what it means to him, offered up one last, “We’ll see.”

— Lazerus

If you missed the Quenneville tribute video and reception (yes, we heard it wasn’t played live on local TV), we have a couple of views of it for you.

WENT INSIDE THE STANDS TO EXPERIENCE JOEL QUENNEVILLE’S TRIBUTE PIC.TWITTER.COM/3X0TJDRUV2

— SCOTT POWERS (@BYSCOTTPOWERS) JANUARY 22, 2020

VIDEO TRIBUTE AND A HELL OF AN OVATION FOR JOEL QUENNEVILLE. PIC.TWITTER.COM/J2DCFONN72

— MARK LAZERUS (@MARKLAZERUS) JANUARY 22, 2020

Put out a call for favorite Joel Quenneville memories before the game. No. 1 was what you’d expect. It was delivered in a variety of ways.

PIC.TWITTER.COM/WAWOEWRI1U

— EAMUS CATULI! (@EAMUSCATUII) JANUARY 22, 2020

PIC.TWITTER.COM/PYLLKKFN8K

— BEN (@BBALL30346) JANUARY 22, 2020

PIC.TWITTER.COM/LICERGE1GV

— THE REAL STAR WAR'S FAN (@BAGMAN928) JANUARY 22, 2020

SCOTT, YOU JUST WANTED TO SEE THE CROTCH GRAB GIF OVER AND OVER, DIDN’T YOU? 👊🏻

— ANNA MAREVSKA (@ANNA_MAR3) JANUARY 22, 2020 1172191 Chicago Blackhawks “The inner circle was very small,” Malcolm said. “It wasn’t that I wanted it to be some big secret. Who cares? And frankly, if I knew personally as a fan that if it was some suburban father — married father of two — that Joel Quenneville’s return means Coach Q’s mustache will start tweeting could kind of dent the magic.” again Malcolm isn’t the person you probably imagine behind such an account. He’s 50. He lives in Elmhurst with his wife, Ginger, and two children, Charlie and Molly. He works for the Big Ten Network. By Scott Powers Jan 21, 2020 And he doesn’t have a mustache.

“My father had a mustache, my grandfather had a mustache, my great Chris Malcolm was riding his morning train into Chicago when he saw the grandfather, they all had, I come from a long line of mustaches, which is news of Joel Quenneville’s firing on his phone. probably why I lean towards the idea,” Malcolm said. “But no, it’s not for me. … When I met Q, he said I can’t believe a guy running a mustache Like a lot of Blackhawks fans, Malcolm had mixed feelings about account doesn’t have a mustache. I said, nobody wants to see me with a Quenneville’s dismissal. Malcolm had been to the United Center plenty mustache. Some people can … Q can pull it off, this guy cannot pull one over the years, took his two children to all three Stanley Cup parades and off.” had a lot of fond memories of Quenneville’s time behind the bench. Malcolm has a natural comedic tendency. He says he’s always been able But the news meant something else for Malcolm, too: in effect, the end to to think fast, which comes in handy when you’re reacting to the moment his run as the person behind the Twitter parody account and tweeting comedy. @CoachQsMustache. Malcolm’s intent with the account was always first and foremost to have It had been a wild and unexpected ride. The alter ego of the mustache fun. He sought silliness in a time in his life when silliness had been gone took on a life of its own. The account was created to entertain two of for some time. He and his wife lost their first child, Faith, to a heart Malcolm’s close friends and transformed into something none of them malfunction in 2007, and that put him in what he described as a fog. They expected. Since April 2010, Malcolm — and the occasional substitute — had their son in 2008 and that began his recovery. Introducing his son to tweeted 18,000-plus times and attracted over 40,000 followers. It hockey eventually led him down the path to tweeting as a sentient became an entertainment staple for most who followed Blackhawks mustache. games on Twitter. “Through him, I rediscovered this idea of being silly and funny, not a But as Malcolm digested the news on the morning of Nov. 6, 2018, he rebirth, but a poignant reminder,” Malcolm said. “I started propping him didn’t spend too much time reminiscing. There was work to be done. up to watch Blackhawks games and enjoyed the nature of what then was Quenneville might be out of the spotlight and wouldn’t say much for some really early social media, following along with somebody something. On a time, but the mustache still had a voice. lark to amuse two friends of mine who are brothers, one in Canada, one Malcolm sent out four tweets over a six-minute span. in the United States, I’ll just launch this thing just to crack you guys up.

I CAN’T LOG ONTO MY BLACKHAWKS EMAIL ACCOUNT. IF IT’S NOT “I said I’m running out of beard and mustache jokes. What if we made the ONE THING, IT’S ANOTHER… mustache — the things I think about on my commute on the way in — what if we made the mustache kind of coach’s little buddy. It’s like a — COACH Q'S MUSTACHE (@COACHQSMUSTACHE) NOVEMBER 6, buddy movie. Whether coach likes it or not, he’s never won a game 2018 without the mustache. That’s been proven. That’s a fact. The mustache has great seats. The mustache sees things other fans don’t see. I re- AND NOW MY ONLINE BLACKHAWKS STORE DISCOUNT CODES imagined him and started doing that. I launched the account a couple DON’T WORK. COME. ON. I’LL JUST WALK DOWN AND TALK TO months before they won the Cup. It caught that wave, which was fun. I STAN ABOUT THIS … felt like it was like in parallel to doing this silly thing and see how long I — COACH Q'S MUSTACHE (@COACHQSMUSTACHE) NOVEMBER 6, can make it last and wound up catching significant waves. It tied into my 2018 desire to emerge myself in the silliness and fun of sport, which more and more is not always readily apparent.” STAN’S HERE. SO IS MCDONOUGH AND ROCKY. WOW, IT’S NOT EVEN MY BIRTHDAY. JUST A SECOND GUYS – I’M TWEETING… Over the years, there have been some Coach Q mustache gems. Some were reactions to moments. Others Malcolm had put some additional — COACH Q'S MUSTACHE (@COACHQSMUSTACHE) NOVEMBER 6, thought into. 2018 There was the one before the much-anticipated meeting with Raffi Torres SO, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. STAN SAID Q’S BEEN RELIEVED OF after he had injured Marian Hossa: HIS DUTIES BUT I, THE MUSTACHE, AM WELCOME TO STAY ON. DEVELOPING: RAFFI TORRES' BEARD DIDN'T SLEEP AT ALL LAST THINK ABOUT THAT. THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE. NIGHT. JUST STARED AT CEILING. HE KNOWS. HE. KNOWS.

ONWARD. — COACH Q'S MUSTACHE (@COACHQSMUSTACHE) FEBRUARY 7, 2013 — COACH Q'S MUSTACHE (@COACHQSMUSTACHE) NOVEMBER 6, 2018 There was the one about reacquiring Andrew Ladd:

That last tweet is pinned to the profile. It’s one that made Malcolm laugh, BREAKING: BOWMAN AT MCD'S DRIVETHRU, TRADES DOUBLE which was often the barometer for which tweets saw the light of day. He CHEESEBURGER MEAL TO GIBSON'S FOR 8 OZ FILET & BAKED had thought about the day Quenneville would no longer be the POTATO. NOW HE'S JUST SHOWING OFF. Blackhawks’ coach and was ready for it. — COACH Q'S MUSTACHE (@COACHQSMUSTACHE) FEBRUARY “You always got to be prepared,” said Malcolm, who has tweeted 27, 2016 sparingly from the account since then. “You always game plan. I knew the mustache would be shocked thinking that now his gig was up. … I This one was quite popular: knew I wanted (Stan) Bowman to offer the mustache the ability to stay, WEIRD. SHARP'S BEARD JUST ARRIVED WITH BOWMAN IN A and the mustache saying, that’s impossible (laughs to himself). That’s DELOREAN. STAN'S IN A WHITE LAB COAT. "STAY HERE!" HE SAID. silly. I can’t do that. To him, it’s out of a sense of loyalty, it’s not out of a "I'M GOING BACK FOR BOLLAND!" sense that I’m attached to the guy that just got shit-canned.” — COACH Q'S MUSTACHE (@COACHQSMUSTACHE) JULY 1, 2017 There was a time when only a few people knew Malcolm was running the account, and he now almost regrets revealing himself to the public. It was Sometimes it was simple, but it was always in character: never about bringing attention to himself. IT'S A NICE DAY FOR A …

WHITE MUSTACHE. — COACH Q'S MUSTACHE (@COACHQSMUSTACHE) JANUARY 1, The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 2015

“I think the general approach comes easy to me,” Malcolm said. “I wouldn’t suggest it’s all fun. In fact, I’d say the majority of it isn’t. That’s OK. As long as you’re okay with the duds, that makes the bombs better or good stuff better. … My rule was if you had something to say that you thought was worth a shot, say it. It wasn’t like it’s 8 o’clock I got to tweet. It doesn’t work that way. It’d become a job.

“The mustache somewhere along the line assigned himself, I don’t coach hockey, I coach the beards and every beard has a personality. (Seabrook’s) beard is like Seabs, but a little off. You don’t want to talk to Duncan (Keith)’s beard if it hasn’t eaten in the last 24 hours, stuff like that. It was never the volume. It was, ‘This might work.’ Sometimes it did, sometimes it didn’t. That’s OK because it’s Twitter and it’s gone in 20 seconds.”

Malcolm tried to keep his account clean and family-friendly. He stayed away from confrontation. His emotions as a fan would sometimes bleed into his tweets, but they were mostly aboveboard.

Malcolm met Quenneville and his mustache when the former was part of a VIP group that got time with the coach before a game. This was a few years after the Twitter account started.

“So, he comes out says hello to everybody, real nice guy, as everybody seems to know, and my high school buddy jabs me,” Malcolm said. “Joel, I got to tell you a secret. I’m the guy on Twitter who tweets as your mustache. And he goes, I heard about that, I heard about that. I don’t read them, but my kids and my wife read them. And we had a conversation.

“I start going into — it was like a tap dance — going into why I do it, he coaches the beards, you coach the hockey players, he doesn’t know anything about hockey but he’s like your buddy. And I stopped. Quenneville looks at my high school friends and goes, he’s really put a lot of thoughts into this, he’s nuts. They’re like yeah, he’s nuts.”

Quenneville was asked recently again about Malcolm and the account. His recollection was vague.

“Some guy does it,” Quenneville said. “He’s pretty organized in how he does it. He’s very proud of it. … I met the guy, I think, one time. Shorter guy.”

Malcolm had a good laugh when that was relayed to him. He then recalled the time he was told Quenneville laughed at one of his tweets.

“They’re at the White House and I tweeted along the lines of here we are at the White House, just imagine Abraham Lincoln’s beard walked these halls,” Malcolm said. “It made me chuckle, whatever. (I knew someone with the Blackhawks and he) was on the plane, showed it to Q and said Q laughed. He texted me this. I’m like, that’s it. If you get a chuckle out of the man, there’s nothing else to accomplish here anymore.”

Come Tuesday upon Quenneville’s return to the United Center, Malcolm will be tweeting at a higher rate as the mustache again. He’s already been working on some material and tested some of it during his interview for this story.

“He’ll be wearing his home white,” Malcolm said. “The Blackhawks will be in red. The Panthers will be in white. And the mustache will be in white by design, not by choice.”

Coach Q’s mustache may reappear in your timeline more often Tuesday, but it’ll likely be silent mostly in the future. That always seemed logical to Malcolm.

“I so enjoyed Joel as we all did as coach of the Hawks,” Malcolm said. “What a run, what a special time as a Hawks fan. There was a sense of relief (when he was fired) because I knew I’d probably stop doing it. There’s also a sense of I had my kind of a Cup run. That was my run and now my run is over.

“That lasted a really long time. I think that was unexpected for me because I just thought I’d kind of wisecrack and be done with it. That’s what kept it going for as long as it did. I knew early on that I was going to do it for as long as Q is here and I wasn’t going to flip to some kind of fan account. It had to be the mustache right to the end. I thought my last tweet would be the day he was fired. I had a couple kind of lined up. I dabbled into it a little bit, but then I realized he’s going to be back some day. I thought I’d save the best for last, for his return.” 1172192 Colorado Avalanche second period and Kadri scored the tying goal when he tipped in a shot from Makar.

Makar then assisted on MacKinnon's goal by skating around before Avs double up Red Wings sending a pass down low to a wide open MacKinnon.

The lone first-period score was turned in by Bertuzzi, who knocked in his By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer Jan 21, 2020 team-leading 17th of the season 2:28 into the game. He instantly drew boos from the crowd.

He was booed throughout the afternoon. It wasn't Bertuzzi nearly as DENVER (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon doesn't have to dig too deep to find much as his last name. a reason why he scores so much. Red Wings Avalanche Hockey “I shoot a lot of pucks,” the Colorado All-Star forward said. David Zalubowski Shoot, it's really not that easy. On March 8, 2004, his uncle, Todd Bertuzzi, then playing for the Red Wings Avalanche Hockey Vancouver Canucks, hit former Colorado forward Steve Moore from behind. Moore crashed face first to the ice, leaving him with a concussion David Zalubowski and fractured vertebrae. A settlement was eventually reached in Moore's MacKinnon scored twice to reach the 30-goal mark for a third straight lawsuit against Todd Bertuzzi. season and the Avalanche beat the reeling Detroit Red Wings 6-3 on “He loves his uncle and that stuff doesn't bother him a bit,” Blashill said. Monday. Avalanche coach can sympathize with Blashill, whose The speedy forward joined Hall of Famer Joe Sakic as the only team is in the midst of a 12-34-4 (28 points) season. Bednar and his Avalanche players to record three straight seasons with at least 30 goals squad went a through an equally trying 22-56-4 (48 points) campaign in since the team relocated to Denver in 1995. 2016-17. “I have a lot of help and it's nice to be on a really good team,” MacKinnon "It's horrible. It's pure misery," Bednar explained to reporters after said. "I think that makes it easy.” practice Sunday. “You feel your effort is good and you're trying to do your Red Wings Avalanche Hockey best and you just can't get it done.”

David Zalubowski The Red Wings can take solace in watching Colorado, a team that's made it to the postseason the past two seasons. He wasn't the only one reaching a milestone. With a two-assist afternoon, Cale Makar has 37 points this season, which ties him with Bruce Bell for “I remember three years ago coming in here playing against these guys, the Colorado/Quebec record for a rookie defenseman. Bell set his mark they didn't look like they wanted to play," Larkin said. "Look at what in 1984-85 with the Nordiques. they've done with their top line and Makar is one heck of a player.

Nazem Kadri and MacKinnon scored 1:54 apart as the Avalanche were Red Wings Avalanche Hockey propelled by another second-period spurt. They also pulled away from David Zalubowski the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues with a middle- period flurry over the weekend. "I find these guys right now a real team, and they're contenders and the most dynamic team we've played against.” Red Wings Avalanche Hockey NOTES: Red Wings F Frans Nielsen and D Mike Green both suffered David Zalubowski upper-body injuries. ... Avalanche F Joonas Donskoi (concussion Leading 2-1 early in the third, Kadri helped Colorado put the game out of protocol) missed a fifth straight game. He went through practice Sunday reach when he and Matt Nieto scored within 53 seconds of each other. and could be back after the break. ... Kadri recorded his fourth multi-goal Ryan Graves added another goal late in the third and MacKinnon game this season. knocked in an empty-netter for his 30th. LOADED: 01.22.2020 The win allowed the Avalanche to finish their homestand with a 3-0-2 mark. They won't play again until Feb. 1 due to the All-Star break and a bye week.

Pavel Francouz stopped 22 shots for Colorado.

Tyler Bertuzzi, Dylan Larkin and Givani Smith scored for Detroit, which has dropped five in a row (0-4-1). Larkin also had two assists.

Red Wings Avalanche Hockey

David Zalubowski

Jimmy Howard made 40 saves in falling to 2-18-2.

“We wouldn't have been in the game if he hadn't played as well as he played, so he was excellent," Red Wings coach said. "He's been really good the last three games. He looks like he's on top of his game.”

The Avalanche had 10 players with at least a point.

“The story about our team this year is having that depth, having other guys step up on any given night,” said Kadri, who also had an assist. “That’s what makes us such a hard team to play against.”

Red Wings Avalanche Hockey

David Zalubowski

It was a penalty-marred opening period, with both teams drawing double- minor, high-sticking calls. Colorado's power play extended into the 1172193 Columbus Blue Jackets

Elvis Merzlikins’ improvement with Blue Jackets can be traced back to mistake

Jacob Myers The Columbus Dispatch

The Winnipeg Jets have seen Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins before. In a different sense, though, they haven’t.

What they saw Nov. 23 at Winnipeg was a goalie in his fifth career start who played a puck in traffic up the middle of the ice, and it wound up in the net behind him three seconds later as the game-ending goal.

What they haven’t seen in person is a goalie who has three shutouts in his past four games and an 8-2-0 record, .955 save percentage and 1.51 goals-against average in his past 10 games. The Jets probably will get that version of Merzlikins on Wednesday night at Nationwide Arena after he used that mistake as a pivotal moment in adjusting to the NHL.

“Obviously if you don't do mistakes, you can't learn,” Merzlikins said, “so I'm trying to play more simple with the puck.”

Merzlikins vowed after that mistake in Winnipeg that he would never repeat it, and he hasn’t. He said goaltending coach Manny Legace “changed everthing” to help him adjust to the smaller rinks in North America and the speed of the NHL compared with what Merzlikins was used to in Europe.

Coach John Tortorella has lauded Merzlikins for his play while Joonas Korpisalo has been out because of injury.

“I think it's been a good progression for him,” Tortorella said. “I'm not going to be 'yea'-ing all the time, (saying) 'Elvis has arrived.' There's so much more hockey to be played, and he has so much more to learn.”

Tortorella is not taking anything away from Merzlikins. This is still the beginning of the goalie’s career. But the growth from two months ago at Winnipeg is tangible.

"I feel really good in my post,” Merzlikins said. “Like I said before, it's easier now for me to move in the post and out. I feel good and keep working with Manny hard.”

Milano’s charges dropped

Sonny Milano missed practice Tuesday while making a court appearance related to misdemeanor assault charges stemming from an early-morning altercation July 7 in New York.

All charges against Milano and A.J. Greer, a Colorado Avalanche prospect, were dismissed as part of a deal with the Manhattan district attorney’s office that required the players to each serve five days of community service and pay restitution in the amount of the victim’s medical bills.

Milano and Greer were arrested after they were accused of assaulting a 28-year-old acquaintance, allegedly over a bar tab at a Manhattan nightclub. The victim, who called police, suffered bruises on his face and the left side of his torso, according to a police report.

Milano is outside the playing group for the Blue Jackets but has added five goals and 11 assists in 37 games.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172194 Columbus Blue Jackets Who are these Jackets? Are they the lottery team they were through 29 games? Or are they the team that has amassed 34 points over their past 21 games?

Michael Arace | Blue Jackets’ numbers amazing in their 21-game revival Perhaps the team’s history through 50 games is instructive. The Jackets have made the playoffs six times, and each time, they’ve had at least 56 points through 50 games. This year, they have 60. Michael Arace The Columbus Dispatch There’s so much hockey yet to play, and, as Gerard Gallant can attest, things can get away from you quickly.

The Blue Jackets are 15-2-4 over their past 21 games. The numbers That said, the youngest team in the league (average age 26, according to within are crazy, and we can count the ways. hockey-reference.com) with the fourth-biggest chunk of salary-cap space ($6.15 million projected, according to capfriendly.com) is in decent shape On Dec. 9, when this hot streak started, the Jackets were closer to last with 32 games to go. place in the conference (nine points ahead of Detroit) than they were to the second wild card (11 points behind Carolina). Heading into a game General manager Jarmo Kekalainen will be getting scores of phone calls Wednesday night against the Winnipeg Jets in Nationwide Arena, the from teams looking for help on defense, with scoring and in the net by the Jackets are holding the first wild card. Right now, they’re in. time the trade deadline arrives Feb. 24.

The Jackets are 26-18-6. They have 60 points, their second-best record Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 01.22.2020 through 50 games, trailing only the 2016-17 team, which had 71 points through 50 games and ended the regular season with 108. That was a healthy group touched by magic. This is something else.

The past 21 games, by the numbers (and the goaltending stats are crazy):

Nineteen players have combined to score 63 goals (3.0 a game). Twelve players have scored winning goals.

Fourteen players have missed time because of injury.

Nine players have missed more than half of the 21 games, including Cam Atkinson, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Emil Bemstrom, Markus Nutivaara, Alexandre Texier (still out), Josh Anderson (still out) and Joonas Korpisalo (still out).

The Jackets have absorbed 145 man-games lost to injury during the streak.

Only nine players have played in each of the past 21 games.

Ten rookies have run into and out of the lineup, mostly into. Among them: Vladislav Gavrikov (two goals, five assists and a plus-16 rating during the streak); Kevin Stenlund (three of the Jackets’ seven power-play goals in 18 games); Eric Robinson (three goals and five assists in 21 games) and Texier (two goals and five assists in 11 games).

The Jackets have jacked up their goals-per-game to 2.68 from 2.44 during the streak. They have gone from worst to 23rd in the league in that category. If that doesn’t sound impressive, it should: It’s like turning a battleship in the Scioto River. Their differential has gone from minus-20 to plus-7.

Among the many impact players during the streak: Pierre-Luc Dubois (five goals and 12 assists), Gustav Nyquist (four goals and nine assists), Atkinson (seven goals and three assists in nine games) and Bjorkstrand (eight goals and two assists in eight games).

Atkinson got back Thursday and had an assist on his first shift. Bjorkstrand got back Sunday and scored two goals.

The top defensive pair of Zach Werenski (nine goals, four assists, plus- 12 rating) and Seth Jones (10 assists, plus-12 rating) have combined for a dream season — in 44 days.

David Savard has blocked more shots than Manute Bol.

And then there are the goaltenders. They are melting calculators.

Joonas Korpisalo played the first 10 games of the streak and had a 1.72 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage. Then he injured a knee, and coach John Tortorella was forced to give rookie Elvis Merzlikins a little less conversation and a little more action.

Merzlikins played the next 10 games and had a 1.51 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage. He has gone 4-0-0 with a 0.50 goals-against average and three shutouts in his past four games. He needed a rest, and Matiss Kivlenieks stepped in to make his career debut in Madison Square Garden on Sunday night. Kivlenieks made 31 saves and beat the Rangers 2-1. Latvia!

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that these goalies play with confidence behind a team that is committed to a defensive posture. Sergei Bobrovsky would admit as much. 1172195 Columbus Blue Jackets Savard has carried on the tradition. He keeps the mood light in the Jackets’ locker room and is a mentor to younger defensemen in the way Tyutin was for him.

Blue Jackets count on David Savard’s fearless shot-blocking “It changed kind of quickly, but it’s been fun,” said Savard, who became the Jackets’ most senior defenseman after Jack Johnson and Ian Cole left as free agents in 2018. Brian Hedger The Columbus Dispatch Jan 22, 2020 at 5:30 AM “I’m just trying to help these young guys the same way some guys did for me when I came into the league.”

David Savard was a high-scoring defender before he reached the NHL, One butt block at a time. where he has become a stout, defense-oriented defenseman for the Blue Jackets who isn’t afraid to use his body to block shots. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 01.22.2020

His most recent goal was a beauty.

It happened in Game 1 of the playoffs last season, when the Blue Jackets stunned the Tampa Bay Lightning by overcoming a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 at Amalie Arena — the first victory in a shocking sweep of the NHL’s top seed.

David Savard pounced on a loose puck in the neutral zone, beat defenseman Victor Hedman with a move to the inside and then flipped a shot past Andrei Vasilevskiy, who later was awarded the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goalie.

It was a stark reminder of Savard’s unheralded worth, which is measured more in goals prevented than scored. In fact, Savard hasn’t scored since that goal, a fact he would like to change, but he has done plenty to help the Jackets get back in the hunt for a fourth straight playoff appearance.

“If there’s a person that sees him that understands hockey in any sense, they can see what he does, because he’s fearless as far as defending,” coach John Tortorella said of Savard, who’s a sturdy 6-foot-2, 229-pound shot-blocking machine.

“He’s a huge plus to us, as far as building a bench, a camaraderie of a bench, just with his shot-blocking alone. And he’s a guy everybody pulls for.”

Savard is also a guy who’s comfortable with the type of defenseman he has become, transitioning from a high-scoring defender in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League into a stout, defense-oriented defenseman with the Blue Jackets.

His size, strength and stick have become effective defensive tools, and he isn’t afraid to use his body to block shots — which he’s done 107 times going into a game Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets.

Savard has taken pucks off the shins, skates, thighs, arms and torso, and two in particular stood out for another impact zone — his rear end. The first was a hard wrist shot Nov. 19 against the Montreal Canadiens, courtesy of Ben Chiarot. The second was a slap shot by the Vegas Golden Knights' Nick Holden on Jan. 11 at T-Mobile Arena, striking Savard with eight seconds left in the first period.

Savard didn’t flinch on either one, and the Blue Jackets won both games.

“I always watch players, how they handle themselves after certain things,” Tortorella said before the 3-0 win at Vegas. “He blocks a shot and you see in this league, all over the place, the wincing and this (and that). He goes to the bench, sits down, gets ready for his next shift. That’s invigorating to a team.”

It’s also a change for Savard. The season before the Blue Jackets selected Savard in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL draft (No. 94 overall), he had 44 points on nine goals and 35 assists for the Moncton Wildcats, adding five goals and five assists in 10 playoff games.

The following season (2009-10), Savard had 77 points on 13 goals and 64 assists before finishing his final QMJHL playoffs with one goal, 14 assists and 15 points in 21 games.

Savard’s offensive production continued in his first three professional seasons with Springfield of the — the Blue Jackets’ former affiliate — but the focus changed after he played with veteran defenseman Fedor Tyutin in Columbus.

“It was just the way he carried himself in practice and all the stuff he did,” Savard said. “You go through ups and downs and stuff, but he was always positive. It was fun to be next to him and learn from him.” 1172196 Columbus Blue Jackets What’s his strength?

He’s really fast. When he moves laterally, he’s able to do the splits while he moves laterally, and it reminds me of (Los Angeles Kings goaltender) The opening reviews are in on Elvis: Performance, passion and Jonathan Quick in his prime, how he could come across, spread the legs personality all pluses for Merzlikins out and really make an unbelievable save that was under control. He’s not always like that, but his moves are exceptionally quick. What I like about him, and this is technical, just an observation, when the puck is Aaron Portzline Jan 21, 2020 around the net, even when it’s with his own guy, he follows the puck and moves with the guy, almost like you would if it was on an opponent’s

stick. Elvis is engaged on the puck. He follows it like he would on a COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Blue Jackets have done their best to keep a breakaway. That just shows his engagement level to me. He doesn’t play lid on the fervor surrounding goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, hoping the at 10 percent. He plays at 100 percent all the time. emotional 25-year-old from Latvia can keep grounded even as his recent And his weakness? string of play is drawing headlines across the NHL. The one part he’ll have to work on, and it’ll come with experience, is his But those who know the position best aren’t showing much restraint. puck management. I’m not just talking about him playing the puck, but a The Athletic contacted former NHL goaltenders Marty Biron, Darren lot of times when the puck is around the crease and he could put a hand Pang, Chico Resch and Kevin Weekes, as well as Michael Lawrence, on it or freeze it, he’ll bat it away with the stick. You’re going to find out who was Merzlikins’ longtime goaltending coach in Switzerland, to get quickly you don’t want to give second and third chances to the other their thoughts on his explosion onto the scene. team. When it’s around you, freeze the puck and get a whistle and move on. They didn’t hold back, raving about Merzlikins’ style of play, his energy, his competitiveness and his personality, which is making him a star Does his personality come through to you in his play? attraction in Nationwide Arena and beyond. I’ve worked with people at TSN and they’ve talked about him for a few Merzlikins, named the NHL’s second star of the week last week, is 8-2-0 years now. They always say, “This guy, he’s the real deal.” He more than with a .955 save percentage and 1.51 goals-against average since taking just a player, eh? He has a love for the game, has some personality, too. over as the Blue Jackets’ starter Dec. 31 when Joonas Korpisalo went I thought it was a little bit weird when Korpisalo went down and Elvis said down with a knee injury that required surgery. he wasn’t going to talk to the media, that he wanted to be in his own bubble. That’s either extremely mature, to have the goalie say he doesn’t Here are excerpts of each conversation: want to talk and then provide the explanation, or it’s incredibly insane, right? We’re seeing him now. Him celebrating playing the guitar (in Las Marty Biron Vegas), the in-house entertainment (in Nationwide Arena) has spotlights NHL career: Played for Buffalo, Philadelphia, New York Islanders and on him because you know he’s going to do something special. He’s New York Rangers celebrating. It’s great, and I don’t see it as reckless energy. I just see him enjoying the ride. It’s really cool. I remember Game 7 against Current: TV broadcaster, Madison Square Garden Network Washington (first round) in 2008, (Philadelphia) wins in overtime and I’m in the locker room after the game, just kind of going “Yay, we won. OK, What’s the first thing you noticed about Merzlikins when you started what’s next?” We were taught to not get too high or too low. You look at a taking a closer look? guy like Elvis, and there are other guys around the league, they’re going One thing that stands out is he’s not a traditional, new-age type of to truly enjoy the highs. I mean, Martin Brodeur would win or lose and goaltender, which we’re seeing a lot of from the up and coming guys you couldn’t tell. now. Elvis, he had a little bit of an old-school or old-time goalie to him. Chico Resch I’m really into equipment, and he’s one of a handful of goalies who still have the old cowlings around his skates. Most goalies have gone to the NHL career: New York Islanders, Colorado Rockies/New Jersey, skates that just look like player skates. He still has them; that’s the first Philadelphia thing I noticed. This is not a guy who has to use the new stuff, it’s whatever feels good for him, whatever works for him. Current: Madison Square Garden, New Jersey Devils TV color commentator How about his style of play? You saw Merzlikins’ 41-save shutout on Saturday, Chico, and you He’s not perfect with his technique. He’s obviously had to find his game seemed impressed by the goaltender, the atmosphere … from the start of the season until now, but the one thing he does is he fights. He’s quick. He moves around, sometimes almost too much. But it Oh, we’ve been chucking about the Elvis phenomenon, then to have works for him. I tell the young kids that one of the cardinal sins is falling seen it on Saturday (laughs heartily), it was quite a show! Obviously the on your back or sitting on the ice. Every game there’s a situation or two energy level is the first thing that strikes you. A lot of goalies don’t want to situations where Elvis is diving back, laying down, his legs are up in the be too busy, they want to be calm. But that Elvis … he just oozes energy. air. There really isn’t a mold for him. But it works for him and it works for It was one of the greatest feats of goaltending I’ve seen this season. His Columbus and it works for (coach John) Tortorella. I played for Torts. movements are all solid, but he’s so active. He’s 6-foot-3, and he These are the guys that Torts really likes coaching. They’re not cookie- stretches out — he made that great save on Jack Hughes — and just cutters, they’re individuals. They do it their own way and it works. oozes confidence.

The name that gets mentioned a lot regarding Merzlikins’ style is Dominik As a goaltender, what did you see with his technical play that stood out? Hasek … A couple of things. He can get his knees flat on the ice. Some goalies it’s It’s there, yeah. Maybe more of a 2020 style vs. a 1995 style, but yeah. just off the ice a little bit, but he’s flat and nothing sneaks under him. He’s When Dom was in the league — when I played with him — he was really not like a lot of 6-3 or 6-4 goalies who play deep. No, he’s going after the strong technically. We would do drills in practice and his pushes (from puck. He’s saying, “I’m playing the puck, the puck’s not playing me.” It’s side to side) were really strong, he knew exactly where he needed to be nothing too crazy, but he’s on the edge of being too active. Hey, he’s on the ice, and when he needed to be in location. His post play was going through the most exciting time of his life as a goaltender. This good, and all that. The only thing he did differently than everybody else would be like Elvis (Presley) himself after the first time he’s played in was the way he made saves. He did not go traditional butterfly or half- front of large crowds. The adrenaline! The energy! When he jumped into butterfly or stand-up, he was just … whatever worked for him, he did. Foligno’s arms at the end of the game, I thought, OK, now, I haven’t seen You see that a little bit with Elvis when he gets back to the post, he gets that before. I’ve seen guys jump but this was orchestrated. I just about back to the post in that reverse VH (one pad vertical, one horizontal) exploded. I was so excited. I haven’t been that excited just to watch a position. He’ll have the tendency to show one position as his “base” as a goalie in a long time. There are some athletes who cross over to the goaltender, but then, all of a sudden, he does something completely artistic. They’re artists. The way they see what they’re doing, and different. Instead of facing the shooter and going butterfly, he’ll come way everything around them, it’s sort of through an artist’s eyes, and that’s out on the shooter and challenge him. There’s that similarity with the two, what that guy does. He’s a throwback. but they’re from two completely different generations. You’ve seen lots of different goaltenders through the years. Does he Please! conjure memories of anybody else? (laughs) I like goalies who breathe fire and have foam in their mouths. I don’t want to get too carried away here but … Dominik Hasek. He’s got Everybody has their own cadence but, for me, a Jonathan Quick type, a some of Hasek’s flair. There are some skaters, like say an Ovechkin, Henrik Lundqvist type … those guys who have foam in their mouth and who are worth the price of admission. Not many goaltenders, though, they compete on every shot and they hate getting scored on, and I mean because they’re such cookie-cutters. But that guy is worth the price of in games and practices, alike. And he shows a lot of that right now. There admission. I was thinking of an Elvis song during the game. “Falling In is a star quality about him. I like to put things in the proper context. There Love With You.” I was signing it after the game, “I can’t help … falling in are a lot of blowhards out there; I’m not that guy. I saw what (Sergei) love with you.” He’s going to get that from the fans there as long as he Bobrovsky did for that franchise over the course of his tenure, and you can win, and I don’t see why not. He grabbed a puck about three minutes know that’s very hard to find. I saw what Steve Mason did when he first in and ripped all the way around the boards. I thought “Wow!” That shot came there, and then it got good to Mason and the work ethic stopped of his has some heat on it. and, well, you’re there, you know the rest of it. What I’m seeing with Elvis is not unlike what I saw with Hank Lundqvist in his first year, when I was Being in the , you’ve seen a lot of the Blue Jackets his partner. Now, don’t go and say I’m saying Elvis is the next Hank the last few years … because Hank is a future Hall of Famer. A lock! But I tell you, as far as Oh, everybody’s disappointed that (Sergei) Bobrovsky leaves and gets how they play, the aggressiveness, the instincts, the competitiveness, the $10 million. I said to my broadcast partner during the game on Saturday, fire, the personality … I’m seeing Hank in him as far as that’s concerned. who would you rather have, Bobrovsky for $10 million, or this kid here? Is Where’s the soft spot with his game? he even making a million dollars? It’s just such a good story. Columbus pulled the most courageous thing I’ve ever seen last season, hanging on I don’t see a soft spot, per se, but sometimes when you’re aggressive it to all those assets they could have justified trading. But they took a step can be with your decision-making. But listen, give me a thoroughbred and lived on the edge, and how do they get rewarded? With this guy! over a plow horse all day. The plow horse will get the job done, but I like (laughs) the thoroughbreds and the guys who foam at the mouth. You don’t ever have to pull-start these guys like a lawnmower; they’re always up, always The NHL doesn’t have a lot of players with personality. The game beats it ready to go. He has that. Does he maintain that? Only time will tell. But out of them. The teams don’t know how to handle characters. What does he has that. It’s very noticeable from my standpoint. He’s on the right Merzlikins need to keep in mind? trajectory. He’s dialed in right now.

You pick your spots and make sure you don’t step over the line. Are fans Where do the Blue Jackets go from here? dressing up like Elvis in the stands yet? I love the flair and the character, as long as everything he does is genuine. That was the captain waiting to I know a lot of people were hypersensitive (in Columbus) about me (last hug him after the game. That’s a good sign. We need that. We need season), but I’ve always been a big Jackets booster. I’ve always said, some of that in the game. Everybody’s so scrubbed up now. Is there they’ve drafted well and developed well. Jarmo’s done a great job. John anybody recently who’s been a showman? Anybody? I remember when I Davidson did a good job. This team … I think Josh Anderson should be kissed the goalposts back in the 1970s and it was such a big deal. another Tom Wilson. The first time I met Pierre-Luc Dubois I was like, People still remember that. I didn’t do it to show off. I learned, though, the “This guy’s legit.” You know how I feel about Seth (Jones) and Zach fans love you when you’re winning. When you’re not winning, it’s a (Werenski) … I’ve always felt like Columbus had good pieces in place. different story. I just hope the kid doesn’t lose that flair. There were some Now you’re cooking with gas. You got two ‘tenders who are 25 years old. good rock singers, too, but Elvis had the flair. It’s kind of refreshing. I One (Korpisalo) is an All-Star and the other one is playing like an All- hope he doesn’t step over the line because he’s doing something that Star. As a franchise now, you’re in a position of strength. I’m a big other guys can’t do. All the other guys want to do it quieter, want to do believer in development, and that it doesn’t stop at the NHL level. These less. This guy wants to do it a little bit differently. two goalies are proof of that.

Kevin Weekes Darren Pang

NHL career: Florida, Vancouver, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay, NHL career: Chicago Blackhawks Carolina, New York Rangers, New Jersey. Current: St. Louis Blues color analyst Current: NHL Network studio analyst How did Merzlikins first grab your attention? How much credit do you give Merzlikins for not falling to pieces after his Pittsburgh debut, after starting the season 0-4-4, etc.? I mean, back-to-back shutouts. Three shutouts in four. I never had one! Honestly, though, it started in training camp when we played those I know what it’s like to have those big expectations and not be able to get couple of games against one another, and the one in St. Louis he played. a win at the start of your career. I went into Florida as a rookie and just I remember writing down in my notes that he might be a little raw, but boy couldn’t get a win (0-5-1) and then I got traded. It’s tough. It eats at you. I is he competitive. We all talk so much about calmness and the new give Elvis a lot of credit for pulling the kepi over his eyes and just getting techniques that are part of the game, but at the end of the day, every down to work. Elvis is super talented and he’s played great, and you’re goalie has to be competitive and has to want it, has to own that crease. I starting to see him get more comfortable and his personality is coming was impressed that Elvis wanted to be on top of that crease and he out. This is what he knows he’s capable of delivering. It’s a shitty feeling would fight for his own space. That’s the only way to let your teammates when you’re not delivering, and it’s a great feeling when you are. Good know that you’re engaged and you’re into it. If you’re passive and calm, on him for getting his nose bloodied and being humble about it and sometimes they don’t believe you’re totally involved. That was the first putting on his work boots. Told this to (GM) Jarmo (Kekalainen) on thing I was totally impressed by, his ability to get out there and fight for Saturday: The scouts did an amazing job in finding him; Torts, the pucks and make saves that maybe he didn’t see, but he still worked hard coaches and his teammates have done a great job with him … all of to find them. that’s true. But whatever they’re paying (goaltending coach) Manny Legace, it better come with some bonuses. The way Manny has handled What’s the buzz like around the league right now for this guy? himself and what he’s done with these two guys — Korpisalo and now I was sitting in the Blues dressing room, Jake Allen and Jordan Merzlikins — it’s beyond remarkable. Binnington and I, just having one of those conversations, “What do you What did you see first with Merzlikins? think of this guy?” I think we said Elvis’ last name wrong (laughs), or maybe we just called him Elvis, but we all agreed on the same thing. He The majority of the best goalies in the game are great skaters. It matters. seems to have really good feet. At that point, I was wondering if he was They get to where they need to be either early or on time because they going to be over-moving, over-rambunctious to the point where he can. He’s an elite skater. I haven’t seen him skate around the rink, but I overplays things or is he going to calm down and use those competitive saw him skate to the bench on a delayed penalty and I was like, “Yeah, instincts he has to maybe do less work to make more saves. That was great skater.” I feel like his reflexes and athleticism are elite. He has early. I keep my eyes on all of the young goaltenders out there, just to great instincts. I don’t feel like he’s too robotic. I don’t feel the goalie make sure I know something about them. I was certainly impressed by coaches have coached him to the point that he’s robotic. He’s loose and him. technical at the same time. I could go on and on with this guy. What’s the difference you see in his game from early in the season to into your game when you’re playing frequently. When you’re not, you live now? in your head and there’s not that next night to get better.

I think Manny (Legace) has done a really good job of simplifying the You know Elvis about as well as anybody in hockey. What’s it like to see crease. It’s not that big, ya know. You don’t have to work outside the him tasting this success, to hear Nationwide Arena chanting “Elvis!”? crease, you just have to work inside the posts and get to the middle of the net. Our guy, Binnington, he’s not the biggest guy in the world, but I’m proud. I’m so proud. I’m an older brother, a teacher to him, so yeah, he’s a great “angle” goalie, which is why he makes a lot of saves look really proud. But I’m not shocked. Elvis has a strong warrior spirit to him. easy. He gets back to the center of the net without sliding excessively on People are drawn to that. They want to take that in. When you watch one side or the other. I see that in Elvis. I see the guy who gets to the somebody who fights as hard as he does … especially in Columbus, middle and makes big saves by letting it hit him in the chest. He’s where a lot of people counted them out. Then, all of a sudden, two covering rebounds. It’s confidence more than anything else, but incredibly talented goaltenders start playing the way they’re playing, and Binnington had 204 games in the minors. Elvis doesn’t have that, so you have an amazing group of guys who are doing all of the right things that’s hard. That’s very impressive. on the ice, playing the right way. They’re a team, and they’re in a playoff position because of all of that. But when you have a guy with Elvis’ spirit You saw in St. Louis last season what it’s like when a team throws its full and the building is chanting his name, it’s because of the fight that he trust behind a goaltender. Describe that magic. stands for when he’s playing for that team. He’s all in. There’s no doubt, and the fans love that. I’m not surprised, but very, very proud. More Those are the instincts of the coaching staff. That’s what (Blues coach) importantly, Hockey Club Lugano is incredibly proud of this kid they did. He saw a goaltender come in and win his first game. brought in when he was very young and needed a lot of guidance. He He didn’t play him the next game. He played him the one after that. But needed attention from our GM to his agent to our owner, the you could feel something special going on, especially when you’re in that management here. They treated him like a son, and they’ll continue to position when you’re not in the playoffs. You have to run whoever is hot. treat him like a son, and it all comes from a lot of love and understanding Even when Binnington appeared to slip a little bit last season, he’d get a of who Elvis is. little help from Jake Allen and then he’d go right back in and find his game. He never lost back-to-back regular-season games. Even when he What makes Elvis special in your opinion? let in a goal, he bounced right back with a big save. He has that mentality. You can see it with Elvis, too. I’m telling you, I could feel it I’ve been around a lot of great competitors, very successful people. My when my teammates had confidence in me and when they didn’t. When time with Elvis has shown me that his drive is just very, very competitive. they do, it’s like nothing can go wrong, so you run that goalie out as It’s not fake. It’s real. It comes from the most genuine place. Sometimes much as you can. he can control it and sometimes he couldn’t control it. A lot of his process here in Lugano was learning to find the middle. He’s evolving, but it’s Where’s the line between being a character and being a “me” guy? And going to the right place. Everything about him is about being precise and how important is that distinction? being the best at what he does. You can’t fake that. He wants to win a championship, and I don’t think that’s any different now that he’s in the First of all, Elvis has a great name. So right away, he wins. I mean, Elvis . His drive is to win a championship with his … how can you go wrong with that? He’s shown some energy. The hugs club, the Blue Jackets. That’s who he is. I’m not sure what happens when at the end of the game are good. Binnington has a different kind of Korpisalo comes back, how the playing time will work. But I know that swagger. He’s sly. He has a sense of humor that’s really dry and he Elvis’ passion to win a championship is not just going to go away. That’s challenges everybody in a fun way. That’s his personality. Could we use who he is; it’s always going to be with him. more personality in this game? Absolutely! I’d have no problem with it as long as it doesn’t take over the team. We always think that way in A 7 p.m. game here is a 1 a.m. start time in Lugano. Are you able to hockey. Once your locker room believes in what you’re doing, then watch him play most nights? everything else outside of that is OK. If they don’t believe or if they think you’re a phony, just doing it for attention, that’s different. That can really I record the games and watch them when I get home from the rink in the go against you. But when you win the room over, and you know the other afternoons. You can’t help yourself. You want to see how he’s doing. It’s players have your back, then, boy, it’s all fun and games after that. funny. Each morning the players are in the lounge here at the rink getting coffee, chatting and watching NHL highlights. Elvis used to be in that Michael Lawrence room with those guys just a few months ago. And now they’re watching his games and his highlights. It’s funny to be hearing Merzlikins’ name Current: Goaltending coach, Hockey Club Lugano (Switzerland) over the TV now. It’s well earned. It’s well deserved. And there are a lot You know Elvis’ game inside and out. What’s changed lately versus of people here who are awfully proud of him. earlier in the season? The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 When you’re the guy who’s used to playing so much … when you think about Switzerland, he was playing in the league, but also the World Championships, the Champions League, the Swiss Cup. He was over 70 games, and he did that year in, year out. Not a lot of guys in the NHL are doing that kind of workload. When you’re in that rhythm and then you go to playing nine games over the first couple of months of the season, it’s a completely different mental approach. You’re always stopping and starting and you can let your mind get in the way a little bit. But I think he’s better now for going through that. I think he’s learned from it. Where he’s at now … he can just run, and no, I’m not surprised by any of this. He’s worked very, very hard to get where he is, and he’s worked very, very hard in Europe to play in those events and become a horse.

Tell me about the adjustment he’s made to play here in the smaller rinks.

There are some changes, but I think it’s mostly awareness. Manny (Legace) has done a very good job of making him understand that the volume of shots is going to be much higher. The angles have changed a bit, but it’s more just the scenarios of getting pucks at the net and the volume of shots. The games over here (in Switzerland), the shots-to- scoring chances ratio is almost 50-50. It’s kind of like soccer. You only shoot when you have a real opportunity. It’s a very different game. You have to be very strong mentally with those scenarios. They’re going to shoot from everywhere (in the NHL). They’re going to funnel pucks, try to get rebounds on you, drive to the house. Manny’s done a really good job of constituting those things into his game. It’s easier to bring those things 1172197 Dallas Stars don’t), and somehow Dallas is offensively dependent on a power play that ranks 18th in the NHL.

Of course, this is all overshadowed by the Stars’ goaltending, which How have the Stars become captains of the comeback? It’s all in the leads the NHL in both goals allowed per game at 2.46 and save numbers percentage at .922. But how long can the Stars rely on the power play Despite seemingly constant deficits, Dallas still has a 10-6-1 record and goaltending to dig themselves out of holes? under interim coach . Dallas Morning News LOADED: 01.22.2020

By Matthew DeFranks

The Stars have spent a lot of time trailing in the last month.

Since Rick Bowness took over as the team’s interim head coach on Dec. 10, the Stars have spent more than half of the time trailing — 30:35 per game. Only one team (Philadelphia) has spent more time behind than the Stars, but Dallas still has a 10-6-1 record in 17 games under Bowness.

The Stars lead the league in wins when trailing after two periods. They are second in the NHL in wins when trailing after the first period. They tied a franchise record for consecutive comeback wins by reeling off five in a row after the Christmas break, and the Stars have allowed the first goal in 11 of the last 15 games.

It’s not a recipe for success in the long term (the 13 teams who trailed the most last season missed the playoffs), but in the short term, the Stars have survived the constant deficits despite entering the All-Star break with back-to-back losses to Buffalo (4-1, including two empty-netters) and Minnesota (7-0, the biggest loss of the season).

Is there anything in particular behind Dallas’ propensity for comebacks? Or a reason for falling behind so often?

Let’s start with how Bowness deploys his forwards according to the score.

These are his top five used forwards at 5 on 5 when leading or tied: Radek Faksa, Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov, Blake Comeau and Jamie Benn.

Here are the top five used forwards at 5 on 5 when trailing: Seguin, Benn, Radulov, Joe Pavelski and Comeau.

The main differences are the use of Faksa when tied or protecting a lead, and the use of Pavelski when chasing a goal, and there’s an argument to be made that the forward rotation when trailing should be the usage all the time, albeit with an injection of Roope Hintz and Denis Gurianov. Hintz leads the team with 15 goals and Gurianov is tied for fourth on the team with 11.

Seguin, Benn, Radulov and Pavelski are the team’s highest-paid forwards and most proven goal-scorers in their careers, so shouldn’t they be used more often regardless the score? The Stars are a team that ranks as the fifth-worst offensive team in the league, but also a team that uses their checking line of Faksa, Comeau and Andrew Cogliano more than Pavelski, Hintz and Gurianov when leading or tied.

The Stars do have more of an offensive push when trailing and that’s not surprising given the usage. They attempt 10 more shots per 60 minutes at 5 on 5 when trailing than when leading, and generate four more scoring chances per 60 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick. While that’s encouraging offensively, the overall numbers remain pedestrian when trailing: 50.7% of shot attempts, 49% of shots on goal and 47.3% of scoring chances belong to the Stars.

That means that even with an added emphasis on offense and a push to try to tie the game, the Stars still have been relatively average to below- average in puck possession at 5 on 5.

That’s where the power play comes into play.

Since the coaching change in December resulted in Derek Laxdal taking over the Stars’ power play, Dallas has scored 11 power play goals. While they’ve been a huge tool in helping Dallas score at all, they’ve also been instrumental in leading comebacks, with 10 of the 11 power play goals coming when the Stars are either tied or trailing.

So while an added emphasis on offense arrives when trailing, it’s really been the power play that has added the bottom-line production to the Stars’ comebacks. Also consider that the Stars are a blistering 17-2-2 in games that they score a power play goal (and 10-15-2 in games they 1172198 Dallas Stars Comeau gets credit from his teammates for the variety and finding a good mix. One player said if you don’t like one song, you’ll likely dig the next one.

The 2020 Dallas Stars player poll: Sharpest dresser, most superstitious, “He does a great job, the best I’ve ever seen in my career.” best shot and more 4. Who has the worst taste in music?

No answer: 6 votes By Sean Shapiro and Saad Yousuf Jan 21, 2020 Alexander Radulov: 3

Radek Faksa: 1 During the past week, we’ve been polling the Dallas Stars about their teammates. Esa Lindell: 1

Oftentimes this took place after asking about the 10 poll questions for John Klingberg: 1 The Athletic’s league-wide poll, so we decided to make it a bit lighter and mix in some off-ice and on-ice topics. As poll-makers, this was a dud question, and maybe we should have known that going in. While Comeau’s music choices are blasted into the In total, we polled 12 anonymous players, all of whom made the opening- locker room, the rest of the team’s listening choices are typically confined night roster and now have spent more than four months together as to headphones. teammates. Players were encouraged to pick one teammate, but in some situations we allowed them to cast a half vote and split their ballot. “No one else touches the stereo, so I don’t know if anyone else has had a chance to prove how bad their taste is,” one player said Here are the results. One thing that did come up from those not answering? Country music 1. Who is the best-dressed player on the team? isn’t that popular.

Roope Hintz: 4.5 votes “Someone once played country when (Comeau) was hurt. Whoever that was is the worst.” John Klingberg: 3 Radulov got the most individual votes, but it turns out he’s just the poster Jamie Benn: 2.5 child for the Stars’ Russian contingent when it comes to music choices.

Blake Comeau: 1 “Any Russian. All three of them.”

Tyler Seguin: 1 5. Who is the most superstitious player?

Roope Hintz was something of a surprise winner, considering Tyler Radek Faksa: 9 votes Seguin was voted the fifth-best dressed player in the NHL by the league- wide NHLPA player poll during the 2018-19 season. Andrew Cogliano: 1

It turns out Seguin apparently isn’t tops in his own locker room at this Denis Gurianov: 1 point. Tyler Seguin: 1 Of the 12 ballots cast, Seguin only received two half-votes, with Klingberg and Benn getting the other half vote on those two ballots. It’s a shame that Radek Faksa got hurt last week and wasn’t available to the media, because we’ve got some questions after his teammates voted What put Hintz over the top? in overwhelming fashion that he’s the most superstitious player on the team. “He’s out there, he’s trendy,” said one player. 6. Who is most likely to work in hockey after their playing career is over? 2. Who is the worst-dressed player? Andrew Cogliano: 5.5 votes : 4 votes Joe Pavelski: 4 No Answer: 4 John Klingberg: 1 Jason Dickinson: 1 Nobody: 1 Jamie Oleksiak: 1 Blake Comeau: 0.5 Ben Bishop: 1 We could have dubbed this “The Jason Spezza Question.” The former Radek Faksa: 1 Star and current Toronto Maple Leaf was widely regarded as a future This one made the players think, and while more settled on Anton NHL executive by his teammates. Khudobin as the worst-dressed player, a lot of the answers came after a “Last year it would have been Spezz, for sure, just want to throw that in player scanned the locker room and struggled to think of a clear-cut there.” answer. With Spezza gone, Cogliano took over that title as “future GM,” while “There’s not any that bad,” one player said. “It’s a well-dressed team.” Pavelski was also high on the list.

So what’s the thing that put some of the players on this list. “I’m gonna go with Pavs. He understands the game, he’s been around a “Not enough variety; wearing the same thing too often.” while and I could see him in management, for sure.”

3. Who has the best taste in music? The common theme of the top vote-getters: They’ve been around for a while and, as veteran players, have their teammates’ respect for how well Blake Comeau: 9 votes they know the game.

Mattias Janmark: 2 7. Who is the best skater?

Justin Dowling: 1 Miro Heiskanen: 11 votes

We had a feeling this would be the result of the poll. Blake Comeau has Denis Gurianov: .5 control of the auxiliary chord in the Stars locker room, and there is a reason that no one has challenged him for it in the past two seasons. Roope Hintz: .5 One player summed this one up best: “Come on, do I even need to answer?”

He then pointed at Heiskanen’s locker.

“It’s Miro by a landslide.”

8. Who has the best shot?

Tyler Seguin: 7.5 votes

Roope Hintz: 2

Corey Perry: 1

Miro Heiskanen: 1

Esa Lindell: .5

There were a lot of split votes in this category, but Seguin was always in the discussion, and of the 12 players polled, only two didn’t give him at least a half-vote.

The type of shot was often a point of clarification after asking the question, and that’s why some of the votes were split.

“If it’s a one-timer, it’s Seggy. But if it’s a wrister, it’s Roope.”

“There are several guys, I don’t know if it’s the hardest shot or accuracy. It’s either Esa (Lindell) or Tyler Seguin.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020

1172199 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings might not see top winger Anthony Mantha for rest of season

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Published 5:03 p.m. ET Jan. 21, 2020 | Updated 6:17 p.m. ET Jan. 21, 2020

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — One month has grown to two with a chance of see-you-next-season.

Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill began his Wednesday news conference with injury updates, a scenario played out almost as regularly as the team has racked up losses this season.

The big question that looms is the status of top-line winger Anthony Mantha, who suffered a rib cage/shoulder injury Dec. 21 at Toronto.

Detroit Red Wings right wing Anthony Mantha (39) is helped up off the ice by the team trainer during the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.

“He’s still a ways away,” Blashill said Tuesday after an optional practice at Xcel Energy Center. “A month maybe.”

Pressed for more, Blashill said: “It’s going to be a long process before he’s healed,” and although he doesn’t anticipate it, there is a chance Mantha may miss the remainder of the season.

The freshest injures are those to defenseman Mike Green and center Frans Nielsen, neither of whom finished Monday’s game at Colorado. Green, who sported a splint on his left middle finger, will be out a couple of weeks.

Nielsen (upper body) wasn’t ruled out beyond Wednesday’s game at Minnesota.

Green’s injury casts further doubt on the possibility of trading him by the Feb. 24 deadline, a trade that would be ideal for the rebuilding Wings.

Anthony Mantha high-fives a Detroit Red Wings fan Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena.

Goalie suffered a lower-body injury during a Jan. 10 shootout against Ottawa but is expected to be available in early February.

Mantha had 12 goals and 12 assists in 29 games when he was injured going after Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin in retaliation for a hit on Wings defenseman Madison Bowey.

Muzzin appeared to slew-foot Mantha in throwing him to the ice, and Mantha left Scotiabank Arena with his right shoulder in a sling.

Mantha had six goals and eight points his first four games and looked poised for a breakout season on a line with Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi.

“We definitely miss him,” Larkin said. “He’s had a tough season with injuries. We need him to be healthy. He’s a big part of the future here. We’re going to be patient and when he comes back, it’s going to feel really good to have him back in the lineup, back on the ice with us.”

The Wings like the idea of teammates sticking up for one another, or themselves, but Bowey didn’t miss any time, while losing Mantha is a significant blow for a team that struggles to score as much as it has this season.

Mantha missed a month last season after hurting a hand fighting Patrik Nemeth (then with Colorado, now a teammate) after his hit on Larkin, and missed the last five games of the 2016-17 season after fracturing a finger fighting Tampa Bay’s Luke Witkowski to answer for a hit in a prior game.

“Sometimes your emotion gets going and you fight,” Larkin said. “Some top-six forwards don’t fight. I think it’s just competitive spirit and sticking up for yourself.”

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172200 Detroit Red Wings way they can skate," he said. "I think it came back to wanting the puck on my stick and moving my feet.

“I’ve been playing with great linemates and all the opportunity I could ask Detroit Red Wings look at old rival Avalanche and see what's possible for ... I want more for myself and everyone in this room. We deserve better, but we have to stay in it and work for each other.”

All of the losing has worn most visibly on Larkin, who takes it upon Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Published 6:00 a.m. ET Jan. 21, himself to talk to reporters after the majority of games. 2020 “When you start to lose confidence or the losses wear on you, it starts to hurt your energy a little bit,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “We have to be real careful of that, we have to find a way to have great energy in our last DENVER — The Detroit Red Wings noticed fans still remember the game before the break and then get ourselves rejuvenated coming back rivalry, and the competitiveness of the Colorado Avalanche stoked hopes at it out of the break. it soon might be revived. “Dylan competes hard all the time. I’ve asked a lot of him here. We’ve The Wings head into Wednesday's game at Minnesota, their last before lost centermen in the last two games. He played 24 minutes the other the break, on a five-game losing skid after dropping a 6-3 Monday night. I am asking probably too much of him in terms of minutes, so we matinee at Pepsi Center. There were enough partisan fans to start a few have to do a better job managing that, but I think he is playing really, "Go Wings" chants, but many more voiced their disapproval of the Wings, really hard.” whose rivalry with the Avalanche two decades ago was one of the best in sports. Smith created two scoring chances during a first-period power play, using his 6-foot-2, 210-pound body to create space in front of the net. It looks Red Wings right wing Givani Smith shoots the puck on Avalanche as if he will be part of the rebuild, too. goaltender Pavel Francouz the first period on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Denver. “I think in the big picture he is making a real case for himself,” Blashill said. “You look at guys and say, well, what’s their NHL skill set? Well, “This rivalry, with the fans, most definitely it’s still there,” Dylan Larkin he's a big man who plays hard who has good enough hands, has enough said. “Next year or year after and in the years following, with the players skill. I think he has done a really good job of learning how to play within they have and the players that we have, it’s going to be an exciting rivalry himself, utilize his skill set the best he can in the NHL.” again.” Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.22.2020 [ Mailbag: What will Steve Yzerman do at the trade deadline? ]

The Wings don’t stack up against opponents most nights, their lineup weakened by injuries (top defenseman Danny DeKeyser is out for the season and top-line winger Anthony Mantha’s return is uncertain) and patched with minor-league call-ups. At 12-34-4, the Wings are on pace to finish with 46 points.

That’s where the Avalanche serve as an example. Three seasons ago, they finished 22-56-4 for 48 points — 21 points behind 29th-place Vancouver. They had the best odds entering the draft lottery but were pushed back to fourth, where they picked defenseman Cale Makar. He set up two goals Monday, giving him 37 career points, second among defensemen from the 2017 draft.

Another key move for the Avs came Nov. 5, 2017, when they traded Matt Duchene to the Ottawa Senators in a three-team trade package that yielded Samuel Girard, Vladislav Kamenev, and a conditional first-round pick in 2018, as well as second- and third-round picks in 2018.

Girard has emerged as one of the team’s top defensemen, a workhorse who averages 21-22 minutes a game. One of the draft picks was used to acquire Philipp Grubauer, who has become Colorado’s No. 1 goaltender.

After beating the Wings, the Avs were six points behind St. Louis for the top spot in the Western Conference.

“I remember three years ago coming in here and playing against these guys and they didn’t look like they wanted to play,” Larkin said. “For us, it’s important here near the end of the season, we have to form good habits and stay in it. There’s a lot of players in here that, we are all still trying to prove ourselves and we should be proving ourselves every day.

"I think you look at what they have done with their top line and Makar, he is a heck of a player, and they have a pretty solid goalie tandem. I find these guys right now a real team. They’re contenders, one of the most dynamic teams we have played against. It is exciting to look forward and hope that we can become what they have become.”

The Wings have 32 games left, and while the playoffs are long lost, it matters that competitiveness is not. Larkin came through with a goal and two assists, Tyler Bertuzzi scored his 17th goal of the season, and Givani Smith had his second in four games.

Larkin anchors the rebuild, and his resurgence after a mediocre first half matters more than the results of the games. He has 10 points in the past 10 games, and he has regained confidence after getting to a low point in December, when “I didn’t want the puck on my stick and that’s part of my game."

“In this league when you don’t have it, when you are afraid to have the puck on your stick, it’s not a fun league to play in with the guys with the 1172201 Detroit Red Wings Blashill also noted that forward Anthony Mantha (mid-body), out since Dec. 21, is likely to miss another month and there’s no certainty Mantha will be able to return before the end of the season April 4.

Red Wings meet extra long to fix defensive issues “There’s always a chance,” said Blashill, of Mantha missing the rest of the season. “I don’t anticipate that, but there’s a chance.”

The break beckons Ted Kulfan, The Detroit NewsPublished 5:35 p.m. ET Jan. 21, 2020 | Updated 4:50 a.m. ET Jan. 22, 2020 Both the Wings and Minnesota go on their break after Wednesday’s game. Blashill is optimistic the Wings’ minds will be on hockey, rather than the beach.

St. Paul, Minnesota — The Detroit Red Wings had an optional skate “For us, we better keep getting better,” Blashill said. “The game didn’t scheduled for noon Tuesday at Xcel Energy Center. end well in Colorado. We have to be better than that. It shouldn’t be an issue at all (not being ready). If it is, those guys will struggle and Goaltending coach Jeff Salajko was on the ice beforehand with goalies ultimately, won’t play much.” Jonathan Bernier and Calvin Pickard. Red Wings at Wild Said Wings coach Jeff Blashill of what he wants defensively: “You have to have guys wanting the puck, guys in the right spots, then you have to Faceoff: 8 p.m. Wednesday,Xcel Energy Center. deliver the puck to the right spot.” TV/radio: NBCSN/97.1 FM The three lingered for nearly 20 minutes before teammates finally got on the ice. Outlook: Minnesota (22-21-6) is coming off a painful loss to Florida in the final four seconds…The Wild have only won three of their last 10 There was a meeting scheduled, going over the details and games (3-6-1)…C Eric Staal (16 goals, 36 points) and LW Zach Parise responsibilities in defensive zone coverage — and let’s say it ran a little (19 goals) lead the Wild. long. Detroit News LOADED: 01.22.2020 “It was something I wasn’t going to leave until we had it straight,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “We have to be better. I talked about it last night (after the 6-3 loss in Colorado). We have to get better in our D-zone coverage.

“Until everybody had a chance to make sure we understood, we weren’t leaving that meeting. If it ran a little long, it ran a little long.”

Defensive zone coverage is an area Blashill has talked often about in recent weeks, as the Wings has drifted between being average and ineffective.

Monday in Denver, though, it was particularly ineffective, and it cost the Wings any chance for a victory.

“You have to have guys wanting the puck, guys in the right spots, then you have to deliver the puck to the right spot,” Blashill said. “It’s everybody. Sometimes the more pressure you’re under, the more important it is to talk and have guys in the right spots. Our job is to train guys to be in the right spots and their job is to execute it.

“(Monday) we had a few (instances) where a little more talk and want- the-puck would have helped us.”

In the last two periods of the Avalanche game, the Wings simply wound up defending too much and allowed Colorado to capitalize.

“We still struggle at times to get the puck out of our end,” Blashill said. “We have to do a better job of making sure the support is there, making sure we are talking, and making better decisions.

“Sometimes the best play is just to put it (the puck) into space. One thing we have to be better at is once you turn puck over, you can’t turn another one over. I don’t care if you ice it. You can’t just can’t let the chaos that happens from turnovers continue.

“It’s something we’re still working on.”

Defenseman Madison Bowey agreed communication on the ice is something that is vital.

“It’s huge, and when we’re hearing and helping each other, that makes everyone’s job a little easier,” Bowey said. “It helps us get out of our defensive zone quicker.”

Injury update

Blashill confirmed defenseman Mike Green (upper body) would be out approximately two weeks because of an undisclosed injury. Because of the upcoming All-Star/bye week, Green might not miss many games, but it’s still another key injury.

“It’s one of those things that happens in hockey and it’s unfortunate,” Blashill said. “The good part is it involves the break, so you’re not missing as much action.”

Forward Frans Nielsen (upper body), who also left Monday’s game hurt, will also miss the Minnesota game, said Blashill. 1172202 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings’ Anthony Mantha out another month, maybe rest of season

By Ansar Khan

Detroit Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha will be out at least another month, and coach Jeff Blashill didn’t rule out the possibility he might not return this season.

Blashill, speaking to media after practice Tuesday in Minnesota, said “It’s going to be a long process before he’s healed.”

Asked if there is a possibility he might miss the remainder of the season, Blashill said, “I think there’s always a chance. I don’t anticipate that, but there’s a chance.”

Mantha was injured on Dec. 21 in Toronto when he was slew-footed and slammed to the ice by Jake Muzzin during a confrontation late in the game.

On Dec. 27, following the Christmas break, Blashill said Mantha would be out at least four weeks due to “rib-type issues and things associated with that.”

Blashill told reporters on Tuesday: “It will not be something that affects him (long-term). It’s just something that it’s going to take time.”

Blashill also revealed that defenseman Mike Green will out for a couple of weeks and center Frans Nielsen is out for Wednesday’s game at Minnesota (8 p.m., NBC Sports Network only). Both were injured in Monday’s 6-3 loss at Colorado.

Andreas Athanasiou, out since Dec. 29, has resumed skating on his own and might be ready immediately after the break.

The Red Wings, following the All-Star break and their “bye week,” face the Rangers back-to-back, Jan. 31 in New York and the next night at Little Caesars Arena.

Michigan Live LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172203 Edmonton Oilers

Racial slur leads to five-game suspension for Bakersfield Condors' Brandon Manning

Postmedia News

Brandon Manning, a defenceman with the Edmonton Oilers’ affiliate club in Bakersfield, Calif., received a five-game suspension from the American Hockey League after using a racial slur toward an opponent Monday.

Ontario Reigns forward Bokondji Imama, a former Tampa Bay Lightnine prospect, was the target of the slur – on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, no less – which led to Manning being assessed a game misconduct and, later, issuing an apology through the Condors club Tuesday.

“Last night, I made comments to an opposing player that were stupid and offensive,” said Manning, a 29-year-old product of Prince George, B.C. “After the game, I spoke with the opposing player in person, which I’m very grateful for. He allowed me to apologize and I took full responsibility for what I said. To say I’ve learned from this situation is an understatement and I promise to be better.”

A statement was also issued by Bakersfield Condors general manager Keith Gretzky.

“We are aware of an unacceptable comment directed toward an Ontario Reign player by Bakersfield Condors defencemen Brandon Manning during last night’s game,” said Gretzky, who is also the Oilers assistant GM. “This is a very serious matter, we are disappointed by Brandon’s comment and we fully support the American Hockey League’s decision.

“The Oilers and Condors organizations wholeheartedly believe in a respectful workplace and will work to better educate our players on appropriate conduct on and off the ice.”

Manning, who sidelined Oilers forward Connor McDavid for 37 games with a broken collarbone in 2015 as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, was traded by the Chicago Blackhawks to the Oilers along with Robin Norell in exchange for Drake Caggiula and Jason Garrison on Dec. 30, 2018.

He was placed on waivers Feb. 18, 2019, before being reassigned to Bakersfield.

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172204 Edmonton Oilers “A lot has to do with the two teams having been out of the playoffs for a lot of those years.

“You may be playing each other five times during the season, but while JONES: Oilers, Flames rematch the talk of the NHL there’s still the geographical rivalry and the historical rivalry, we haven’t seen all the elements of the Battle of Alberta for a long time,” said MacDonald who joined the organization in 1987.

Terry Jones “But with the teams being so competitive this year and the bad blood that’s been on the ice has taken it back to the roots of the Battle of

Alberta. George Parros is coming to the game. But he doesn’t want to talk about “The most politically correct way to say it is that the fans on either side of it? the line love to dislike their rival and the bad blood has really brought that Meanwhile, just about everybody else seems to want to talk about back. The incidents have certainly fueled that, not just in Alberta but nothing else but Game 787 of the NHL schedule Jan. 29 in Edmonton. across the NHL.” It’s a game that has come to stand separately from all the others on the There are expectations of a serious spike in TV ratings and secondary 2019-20 NHL schedule. market ticket sales are booming. The renewal of hostilities of the finally-on-again Battle of Alberta following Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s the secondary ticket sales involved scalpers. the Oilers recent 4-3 loss in Calgary featuring heels Matthew Tkachuk Now they’re business concerns. and Zack Kassian has become the featured game of the entire regular season. “We’re seeing a demand for this one like the Battle of Alberta years at their peak,” said MacDonald. “It’s certainly safe to say that the demand Parros, the NHL Director of Player Safety, has decided his presence will right now has resulted in tickets selling for well above the retail price. be required in Rogers Place to read the riot act to both teams and particularly both players in order to prevent a riot. “This is definitely bigger than a regular season game and it’s at the end of January.” In all his years as a goon, playing 10 NHL seasons with career totals of 18 goals and 18 assists and 1,092 minutes in penalties, no NHL Director Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.22.2020 of Player Safety was ever required to show up for any jackpot Parros ever managed to get himself involved.

But he’ll be third-man-in on Kassian and Tkachuk when the season resumes here a week Wednesday with the Oilers first game back from the All-Star break.

“Dating back to when Brendan Shanahan had the job, the league has had a hard and fast rule about not doing any interviews about individual incidents,” said NHL media relations director John Dellapina in declining a request by your correspondent for an interview in regards to his visit.

“Also our intention is to lower the temperature,” said Dellapina of the focus on the potential slugfest and Kassian’s first game back since receiving a two-game suspension from Parros for rag-dolling a turtling Tkachuk after the Flame had twice launched himself into the Oiler with what many viewed as a Raffi Torres-style predatory attack.

“Anything George says will simply generate more conversation,” added Dellapina, indicating that Perros will likely make himself available to talk to the media on game day in Edmonton.

If the Battle of Alberta had been dormant for the better part of two decades, there was no question it had returned with the Flames 4-3 win in Calgary in a game that the two teams went into tied for first place dating back to 1990.

Clearly the Battle of Alberta was back when Tkachuk delivered his pair of highly controversial hits and Kassian proceeded to take justice into his own hands and took a pair of minor penalties with the result being that the Flames scored the winning goal of the game while he sat in the penalty box.

The two players began pouring the fuel on the fire in the post game dressing rooms, Tkachuk saying if Kassian doesn’t want to get hit he should “stay off the tracks” and Kassian saying he’d “do it again.”

It escalated rather rapidly from there with reaction coming from all over the hockey world. And in a season where the economy, past performance and ticket and beer prices combined to end Edmonton’s sellout streak at 548 games, the toughest ticket out there became Jan. 29 at Rogers Place.

The Oilers managed to sell out the first two games of the season against Vancouver and Los Angeles and then Christmas games against Pittsburgh, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and the New Year’s Eve game against the New York Rangers. Most went all the way to game day to sell the last seat. But this one was declared a sellout of primary tickets 11 days prior to the tilt.

“We’ve seen more interest in this one game than in any other regular season game in the last number of years,” said Oilers long-time executive vice president of revenue Stew MacDonald. 1172205 Edmonton Oilers Penticton, they have an infrastructure. And being an Okanagan boy, a Vernon boy, that didn’t hurt the cause either, I guess.”

Penticton is a popular tourist destination in the summer months, which Inside how ‘Okanagan boy’ Ken Holland helped bring back the Penticton makes it well-suited to hosting four hockey teams, coaching staffs, Young Stars tournament management, scouts, media, sponsors and visiting fans. The building itself, the South Okanagan Events Centre, has an ice surface that’s already fitted to NHL standards, which makes the event relatively turnkey from a hockey perspective. By Thomas Drance Jan 21, 2020 The arena can seat nearly 5,000 fans for a hockey game and has quality

positions to accommodate print, digital and broadcast media, and One of the best events on the annual Western Canadian hockey Spectra staff is experienced at doing the heavy lifting and putting on calendar is back. events of this scale.

The Vancouver Canucks will again host the Penticton Young Stars “You want intense atmosphere, you want fans to add to it to get the most tournament in Penticton, B.C., from Sept. 11 to Sept. 15, 2020. out of the tournament,” Holland told The Athletic on Tuesday. “It’s a great part of the world, but the most important thing is to have a good Founded in 2010 with a rotating cast of participating teams that most environment. And good rules. Back at Traverse City, you didn’t worry frequently included the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets about bringing in tough guys, you just wanted to evaluate the players.” and the Canucks, the Penticton tournament was widely loved by anyone who enjoys hockey, wine and late-summer trips to the interior of British While the resulting tournament will provide a more competitive Columbia (or in other words, just about everybody). atmosphere for prospect evaluation than your customary prospect camp, it will still consist only of a round-robin format. It was suggested to The But in 2018, the Flames and the Oilers pulled out of attending the Athletic by multiple sources back in September that Holland would’ve tournament. Then it went dormant entirely in 2019 as the various preferred a playoff-type format along the lines of the Red Wings hosted Western Canadian participant clubs tried a new approach with their Traverse City tournament, which Holland was instrumental in founding. prospects before the opening of NHL training camp. The Traverse City tournament traditionally awards a trophy named in honour of the late CapGeek.com founder Matthew Wuest to the winning There was significant optimism this past September that the tournament prospect team. would return for 2020, as The Athletic previously reported. Which makes sense, because the event really should be a no-brainer. Sources close to the negotiations indicated that, ultimately, talk of an expanded format including a tournament winner wasn’t discussed in- Multiple sources indicate that a basic agreement on a return was agreed depth as talks progressed, as most of the teams involved preferred the to by all sides months ago, and it was just about figuring out some scheduling certainty that comes with a round-robin format. The schedule scheduling specifics before the public announcement. The Canucks had will, however, be extended for a fifth day, or an additional day beyond the hockey operations staff in Penticton on Tuesday as the agreement was length of past tournaments, to provide for more rest and practice sealed and announced. opportunities for the prospect teams involved. The Canucks have consistently preferred to hold and host the Since its inception in 2010, Penticton Young Stars has featured a who’s tournament but were left with diminishing partners in recent seasons. who of the best young players in the sport, including future Hart Trophy Ultimately, the return of the Penticton Young Stars was a cooperative winners like Connor McDavid and Taylor Hall, in addition to a laundry list effort on all sides, but several sources singled out Ken Holland’s role as a of top NHL stars like Brock Boeser, Leon Draisaitl, Johnny Gaudreau, Bo driving force in renewing the appetite of the other Western Canadian Horvat, Patrik Laine, Sean Monahan, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Elias teams to participate in the tournament during rookie camp. Not only was Pettersson, Mark Scheifele and Matthew Tkachuk. Holland the architect of the Traverse City tournament during his storied tenure as Detroit Red Wings general manager, but the longtime hockey Beyond the big names, the tournament has also provided an opportunity executive also hails from Vernon, B.C., and has close ties to the area. for invitees, like current Canucks forward Antoine Roussel, who was in Penticton on a tryout with Vancouver’s prospect group back in 2011. “When I got the job in Edmonton I reached out to Jim Benning, to Brad Roussel parlayed a strong tournament performance into an invitation to Treliving and they reached out to Kevin Cheveldayoff and we all worked training camp and ultimately an AHL deal with the using together, ramped up,” Holland explained to The Athletic on Tuesday the Penticton platform as a path to building a successful NHL career. when reached by telephone. “There’s an expense to it, but I think it’s like research and development. If you’re going to draft and develop players, The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 then this is one piece in the puzzle.”

Holland’s strong belief in evaluating young players during prospect camp in a competitive environment against their peers stretches back more than 20 years.

“We get the rookies for a week before the veterans, rather than watching them practice every day, I’d like to see them play against their peers,” Holland said. “That’s what we did at Traverse City, we started in 1997 with a four-team tournament. And with Winnipeg, Vancouver and Calgary, we get to evaluate our players, we get to evaluate them against their peer group. It’s an opportunity as an organization to spend some time together as you head into training camp, and it’s a time for evaluation.

“We’ve drafted these players, we have decisions to make on contracts and we get to watch them against their peers. It can be hard to evaluate 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds against NHL players in main camp because they’re not quite ready. This way, you get a good evaluation.”

If Holland’s belief in the value of a competitive rookie tournament is bone- deep, his ties to the Okanagan Valley run even deeper.

“Without a doubt. I’m familiar with the Okanagan Valley, and I want to be in the location that is best,” Holland said. “I was open to — and I didn’t want to come in from the outside and dictate — but I wanted to make sure that this would work for Calgary and Vancouver and Edmonton, but all the infrastructure is in place in Penticton. That’s what Traverse City had. The teams just show up. The ice time, it’s all in place. And 1172206 Edmonton Oilers the American Hockey League’s decision. The Oilers and Condors organizations wholeheartedly believe in a respectful workplace and will work to better educate our players on appropriate conduct on and off the ice.” Oilers minor-league defenceman Brandon Manning suspended five games for racial slur What other steps might be available to the Oilers is an open question. The NHL’s standard player contract does include a clause wherein the player promises “to conduct himself on and off the rink according to the highest standards of honesty, morality, fair play and sportsmanship, and By Jonathan Willis Jan 21, 2020 to refrain from conduct detrimental to the best interest of the Club, the League or professional hockey generally.”

The AHL announced Tuesday that Brandon Manning was suspended five It’s rare to see an NHL team attempt to terminate a contract on those or games for “use of a racial slur towards an opponent.” similar grounds, with the last recent example being Mike Richards in Los Angeles under very different circumstances. It’s not clear it would even Manning, who began the year as the Oilers’ seventh defenceman, was be a viable option for the Oilers. waived on Dec. 28 and then sent to their farm team in Bakersfield. He’s been a regular for the Condors since, and the incident prompting Far more commonly, teams simply allow contracts to expire. Manning is Tuesday’s suspension came in the second period of a contest between a pending unrestricted free agent, and it would have been difficult to Bakersfield and the Kings-affiliated Ontario Reign. imagine the Oilers bringing him back in any event given their glut of left- shooting defencemen. Bruce McCurdy of the Edmonton Journal watched the game and flagged the offending play, which occurred six minutes into the second period. What this incident may alter is the way other organizations view him. As Manning was ejected under an AHL rule referencing obscenity after an a fringe NHL defenceman likely looking at a two-way contract next year, altercation with Bokondji Imama, a winger originally drafted by Tampa one of Manning’s key responsibilities would be the one he’s supposed to Bay. be filling in Bakersfield: a leadership role in which he helps mentor young teammates. Any team looking at employing him in such a capacity in the McCurdy cautioned against jumping to conclusions before the facts were future would have to wonder if his ability to perform that function is now known, but he noted the “ominous overtones” of the penalty, particularly fatally compromised. given the ethnicity of Imama, whose parents immigrated to Canada from Democratic Republic of Congo. That foreboding tone was borne out by For now, the punishment is five games, but Manning might find that the Tuesday’s suspension. consequences for his self-described “stupid and offensive” comments stretch beyond the relatively lax suspension handed him by the AHL. In addition to the misconduct to Manning, both he and Imama were given roughing minors in a game in which 21 infractions, combining for 58 The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 minutes in penalties, were assessed by the officials. Although Manning’s slur clearly came in the heat of the moment, the circumstances are not an excuse for his conduct.

Both player and team issued statements recognizing this once the suspension was announced.

“Last night I made comments to an opposing player that were stupid and offensive,” Manning’s statement read. “After the game I spoke with the opposing player in person, which I’m very grateful for. He allowed me to apologize and I took full responsibility for what I said.

“To say I’ve learned from this situation is an understatement and I promise to be better.”

The quick contact with his opponent, the appropriately apologetic tone, and Manning’s decision not to try to justify or duck responsibility are all in his favour, but one wonders at the length of the suspension all the same. Five games is not an especially long suspension for conduct that should be universally recognized as unacceptable, particularly for an older veteran with long experience (517 professional games, 886 minutes in penalties) in heated situations.

It isn’t clear precisely what Manning said, with TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reporting that he didn’t use the same word Bill Peters used toward Akim Aliu in a story which shook the NHL earlier this year. It also isn’t clear that the precise words matter. Racial slurs are unacceptable in any form, and the fact of the suspension is evidence enough that his conduct crossed that line.

This situation is distinct from the Peters incident in any event, since the relationship between opponents is different from the authority exercised by a coach over the player. It is worth noting, however, that Peters’ use of a racial slur ended his tenure as coach in Calgary and may have concluded his career behind the bench.

The suspension will keep Manning out of the lineup until Feb. 1. Two of Bakersfield’s four games immediately following the end of that suspension will come against Ontario.

One wonders whether the Oilers organization might take further steps, particularly given the team’s stated public support for the suspension. In a statement attributed to Condors manager Keith Gretzky, the Oilers condemned Manning’s actions and upheld the suspension.

“We are aware of an unacceptable comment directed toward an Ontario Reign player by Bakersfield Condors defenceman Brandon Manning during last night’s game,” the statement read. “This is a very serious matter, we are disappointed by Brandon’s comment and we fully support 1172207 Edmonton Oilers games over his two previous attempts combined, and he’s on his entry- level contract for another season.

Tyler Benson. The Oilers will likely recall Benson shortly. He has spent Willis: An updated list of which Oilers are most likely to be traded in half of his entry-level contract in the AHL and performed well. He might 2019-20 very well be a more important addition than anyone Edmonton adds prior to the deadline.

2020 first-round pick. If they wouldn’t trade it for Taylor Hall, it’s probably By Jonathan Willis Jan 21, 2020 not getting traded.

Pending UFAs

The NHL trade deadline falls on Monday, Feb. 24. The Oilers will play 13 Zack Kassian. The Oilers have a real shot at the postseason, and it games before that, a stretch which promises to be intense for team and certainly sounds like they’re going to get their top UFA signed to an fans alike. extension, perhaps as quickly as over the current break.

Edmonton’s 57 points put the team one back of division-leading Mike Smith. Smith has quieted goaltending concerns with a 5-0-1, .924 Vancouver. They also tie the Oilers with Arizona, currently inhabiting the save percentage run in 2020. That combined with a no-trade clause final wild card slot in the West. The gap between home ice for two playoff means he’s here for the duration. rounds and outside-the-playoffs is razor-thin, and a good or bad month might well make the difference between buying and selling at the Riley Sheahan. He’s a mainstay on the penalty kill and has played his deadline. best hockey of the season lately, including a four-point game Saturday. He’ll have value if the Oilers fall out of the playoff picture but as long as The uncertain nature of the standings is certain to influence Edmonton’s they’re in it he’s an important role player. approach to the deadline. It would be difficult for any Oilers general manager to go all-in with the current group. It’s particularly unlikely for Josh Archibald. Archibald is Sheahan’s partner on Edmonton’s top GM Ken Holland, who whenever asked has taken a long-term view to the penalty-killing tandem. He had just one point in his first 28 games after problem of making Edmonton a winner. struggling with injury and a new team but has caught fire with 10 points in his last 12 contests. Like Sheahan, he’s a valuable NHL role player. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the Oilers will be quiet over the next month. The team has a few weak points that might best be addressed via Gaetan Haas. He’s quietly been a cheap and effective fourth-line centre. trade, along with a modest collection of players and futures which might He’s also started getting an increased role on the penalty kill, something have value around the league while being expendable in Edmonton. the coaches probably wouldn’t be doing if they expected to be without his services shortly. His contract expectations should be modest. This is an updated look at the roster and where those pieces might be found, with a special emphasis on players with expiring contracts. Joakim Nygard. Nygard’s situation is similar to Haas: he’s come in from Europe, carved out a depth role with the Oilers and done a decent job of Untouchable it. His speed at left wing has made the checking line more effective.

Connor McDavid. He’s the best player in the game, according to his Patrick Russell. Russell checks the three critical boxes for an end-of- peers, and it wasn’t especially close. roster forward: he’s cheap, he can do some useful things when called upon and he doesn’t bemoan his role on the team. Leon Draisaitl. It only took five years and three coaches for the much- discussed one-two punch down the middle to become a reality for the Sam Gagner. He’s a nice complement to Russell in the press box in Oilers. every way except cap hit. If the Oilers want to bring in money at the deadline, moving his contract out could be a way to do it. Unlikely Brandon Manning. Like Gagner, he could be moved to even up the Oscar Klefbom. He’s not old, he’s not expensive, his contract isn’t money in a larger deal. expiring any time soon, and he logs almost 26 minutes per game in all situations and against all opponents. Markus Granlund. Granlund is in a similar situation to Gagner and Manning but he’s also a nice break-glass-in-case-of-emergency recall Ethan Bear. Bear’s future looked less certain in the summer, when he option. He has seven points in six games since going to the AHL and can was one of a bunch of young defencemen trying to find their way. play all three forward positions. Halfway through a brilliant rookie season, he’s the Oilers’ best right-shot defender and he’s only 22. Conceivable

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He’s a talented offensive player, useful on both Adam Larsson. Could the Oilers really subtract a veteran right-shot special teams, and the third-best forward on a team which has long been defenceman from their lineup? It seems like a stretch for a team in a light on forward talent. playoff race, but for the right forward one wonders. Given what Edmonton has coming on the right side it seems unlikely that Larsson will be an James Neal. He’s in the second season of a five-year, $5.75-million AAV Oiler past the end of his current contract in 2021, and in terms of trade contract. It’s awfully hard to move that much money at the trade deadline. value he’s going to bring back a lot more today than he would a year Darnell Nurse. The critical moment in the relationship between Nurse and from now on an expiring deal. Teams love to add experienced right-shot the Oilers will come this summer, when he becomes a restricted free defencemen at the deadline (though they don’t much like to give them agent looking for a long-term extension. Depending how those talks go, a up). trade might become plausible then. It’s unlikely to happen in-season. Matt Benning. Benning is in an interesting spot. Like Nurse he’s a Mikko Koskinen. Koskinen has taken a back seat to Mike Smith of late, pending RFA coming out of a two-year second contract. Unlike Nurse he but it would be a bad idea to overstate the significance of that. The Oilers isn’t bound for a big pay increase. It’s reasonable to wonder if the Oilers are going to need two goalies; after all, they play 30 games in a span of are going to qualify him at his current $2-million salary, given that he’s 60 days in February and March. Even if they only needed one, Koskinen averaged fewer than 14 minutes per game under . He’s a is younger and has been the superior player over the balance of the good third-pair defenceman but he has a lot in common with Edmonton’s season. soon-to-be UFAs.

Caleb Jones. The Oilers ended speculation about Jones’ future with a Alex Chiasson. Chiasson’s key selling point last season was special two-year contract extension which promises to be good value for a team teams, and that’s a problem this year, since a lot of his work has been tight to the cap. Expansion is still a question mark but in-season trade taken by Neal. He has settled in as a reasonable depth player at 5-on-5. should not be. He has another year to come at a $2.15-million cap hit.

Kailer Yamamoto. Because he’s on his third try in the NHL, it’s easy to William Lagesson. Two of three star Condors defencemen from last forget that Yamamoto only turned 21 in September. With six points in season have carved out NHL jobs. Lagesson, the exception, will require eight games this season, he’s already scored more than he had in 26 waivers next fall and probably won’t be higher than fourth on Edmonton’s left-side depth chart at that time. NHL-ready prospects always have value to sellers at the deadline and Lagesson is arguably expendable.

Joel Persson. Like Granlund, he’s not a bad option to have in the system. He appears to be playing well at the minor-league level and was mostly passable when pressed into major-league duty earlier in the year. Presumably big minutes in the AHL will mean he’ll be better adapted to North American hockey the next time he gets an NHL opportunity.

2020 non-first round picks. The first-rounder seems to be off the table and the third-rounder is probably going to the Flames as part of the payment for the Milan Lucic/James Neal trade. The Oilers do have an extra sixth-rounder in 2021, brought back in exchange for John Marino, which might make the prospect of dealing a pick from that draft more palatable.

Candidates

Jujhar Khaira. He’s lost his checking line gig to Nygard, and now the Oilers are auditioning replacements on the penalty kill. He’ll be valued for his demonstrated ability shorthanded (where he’s been good, even when Edmonton has been bad) and for that playoff-ready combination of size and strength. He also has a history prior to this season of respectable 5- on-5 scoring and possession.

Kris Russell. His role has been reduced at even strength, where he’s slotted in as a third-pairing defenceman. He’s still a good penalty killer and useful for when a coach needs nothing to happen: his shot and expected goal percentages are not great but his shots-against and expected goals-against are among the lowest on the team and there are situations where that can come in handy. Jones probably takes over his job next season, but an Oilers team with playoff aspirations might well be tempted to keep him for the spring before making a deal in the summer.

Jesse Puljujarvi. It likely makes more sense to deal Puljujarvi at the draft rather than in-season, but for a team outside the playoff race it really won’t matter that he isn’t eligible for NHL action this year. He has 37 points in 38 games in Finland’s top league, and Karpat has a 61 percent Corsi and has outscored the opposition 36-16 when he’s on the ice.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172208 Edmonton Oilers boasted names like Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle. In his first eight NHL games, Schultz scored 2-3-5 and averaged 22:34 per game. That early workload would eventually result in Schultz finding his way in Pittsburgh, but he was a smash hit out of the box in Lowetide: Kailer Yamamoto gives Oilers a midseason spark, one of the Edmonton. best in team history Ty Rattie was recalled by Edmonton in February 2018 and was inserted on the Connor McDavid line. This is like found money for any winger, especially for a player trying to find some traction in the NHL. Rattie By Allan Mitchell Jan 21, 2020 scored four goals and three assists in his first eight games in the role and earned an NHL contract. It didn’t work out long term but stands as Rattie’s NHL highlight to this point in his career. Kailer Yamamoto’s recall from Bakersfield might count as one of the key turning points of the season. The Oilers, looking for two outscoring lines The kings of recall for what seems like forever, have struck upon what might be a real No. 2 Andy Moog had a big impact on the Oilers in the spring of 1981. He line with the undersized winger playing next to Leon Draisaitl and Ryan played his first NHL games in December 1980 and lost both contests. He Nugent-Hopkins. won his first NHL game on Jan. 2, 1981, a shootout (the old-fashioned The results were immediate, and Yamamoto delivered in all areas, kind) against the Boston Bruins. From there, he played in one more including 5-on-5 offence. Through eight games leading up to the team’s game before being sent down. Recalled in March, he played three games All-Star break, Yamamoto boasted a 2.58 points per 60 in the discipline, and won the last two, stopping 56 of 60 shots (.933 SV%) against courtesy two goals and three assists in just under two hours of ice time. Pittsburgh and Vancouver to end the season.

The line has been together for 90 minutes at 5-on-5. In that time, the trio Sather shocked everyone by going with the rookie Moog over the veteran has outscored opponents 7-1 and has over 51 percent of the shot share, Gary Edwards to start the playoffs, against the Montreal Canadiens. per Natural Stat Trick. In a word: outstanding. Oilers fans should be Moog would backstop the Oilers to a monster series win over the excited about this line, especially if the three men can have sustained Canadiens and then push the eventual Stanley Cup champion New York success through the next 20 or 30 games. Islanders to six games. Moog played all but 20 minutes in those playoffs. There are Oilers fans who, to this day, believe the organization should The line’s success brings some questions to mind: How many minor- have run with Moog over Grant Fuhr during the glory years. league recalls have had this kind of impact? Over 40 seasons of a franchise, there must be a long list. How many of these players went on Leon Draisaitl played for the Oilers in his first year after being drafted. to stardom? How many washed out of the league? Who is the king of the But he was sent back to junior after 37 games, scoring only two goals pile? Is it Yamamoto? Let’s have a look. and nine points. It was an unusual situation, because he was close on many opportunities but couldn’t cash. The following season Edmonton No trades, please placed Draisaitl in the AHL to start the year, he had a goal and an assist in six games for the Bakersfield Condors. I’m not going to include trade pickups, but there are a ton. Example: In March 1980, Glen Sather traded for pure scorer Donny Murdoch, who Draisaitl returned to the NHL on Oct. 29, 2015, in a memorable game had run into great success and real trouble in New York. In his first eight against the Canadiens. Draisaitl played on a line with Nugent-Hopkins Oilers games, Murdoch scored four goals and two assists and had 31 and Hall, and scored twice, including the winner with just over one minute shots on net. Slats had his big line (Wayne Gretzky with wingers Brett left in the game. In his first eight games with the Oilers in 2015-16, he Callighen and Blair MacDonald) and some good scorers like Stan Weir announced his presence with authority, scoring five goals and eight plus some surprising offence from rookies like Dave Lumley. However, assists. with Bobby Schmautz unhappy about everything, Sather traded Schmautz and brought in Murdoch in a two-week span. It worked out, for Yamamoto’s future a time. The hot starts from the past offer us a mixed bag of possible futures for Five great recalls Yamamoto. Fans will balk at the idea of having a Roman Oksiuta or Ty Rattie career, and that’s fair. Yamamoto is 21; Rattie and Oskiuta were Todd Marchant was acquired by Edmonton at the 1994 trade deadline both 24. and arrived to stay in the NHL in January 1995. He was an immediate hit — as a left winger — on a line with centre Mike Stapleton. Marchant was I’m also more than hesitant to suggest Yamamoto will hammer amazing at getting breakaways but less successful in scoring on them. In opponents like Draisaitl did upon recall, when he scored 19 goals and 51 his first eight games that month, he would score five goals and add an points in 72 games. assist. Among his five markers were three at equal strength and one A good guess? I’ve always maintained Yamamoto has 20-goal potential each on the power play and penalty kill. Marchant’s offensive prowess and I think that remains a reasonable line in the sand. didn’t reach crazy heights but his speed and intelligence allowed him to emerge as a quality two-way centre. He had a fine career. I’m reminded of Todd McLellan’s assessment of Yamamoto in the winger’s first training camp. It remains the best scouting report I’ve seen Roman Oksiuta was a gigantic (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) winger in the on him. McLellan said “he knows how to use his size and the more Rangers organization that Sather grabbed in a deal for Kevin Lowe in structured he gets, the better he plays. He can anticipate where players December 1992. He played 10 games with the club in 1993-94 and then are and he plays better with higher-end players.” had an enormous impact in January 1995. In eight games with the emerging Oilers, he scored seven goals and added an assist. Three of One thing is certain: Yamamoto’s career just got a helluva lot more his goals came on the power play and he played so well Oskiuta got interesting. himself traded to Vancouver at the deadline. He hung around the NHL for a couple of additional seasons but that run with the Oilers was notable. The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 He was typical of a Sather acquisition in that he could help a team despite being less than a complete player.

Tom Gilbert was acquired by the Oilers from Colorado in a trade for goalie Tommy Salo at the 2004 deadline. His first NHL action came in early 2007, with a quick January cup of coffee and then a longer look in February. The Oilers weren’t a strong team that season (they finished 32- 43-7 under Craig MacTavish) but won four of the first five games Gilbert played, losing the fifth game in a shootout. He arrived ready, scoring 1-4- 5 and averaging 17:57 per game in his first eight games with the club.

Justin Schultz signed with the Oilers to much fanfare (he was a drafted player who became a college free agent, like Matt Benning and John Marino) and started his pro career during the 2012-13 lockout. He played his first pro games with a stacked Oklahoma City Barons team that 1172209 Florida Panthers After a scoreless first period, Florida grabbed control with four in the second.

Dadonov stuffed home a backhand from in front before Vatrano beat Vatrano scores 3 goals in second period as Panthers win Quenneville’s Lehner from the right circle for a 2-0 lead at 6:14. Moments after the return to Chicago; head into All-Star break on 6-game win streak Panthers killed off a penalty, Vatrano slid a shot between Lehner's legs for a 3-0 lead midway through the period.

Dach got one back for Chicago with a slick backhand on his 19th By JAY COHEN ASSOCIATED PRESS | JAN 22, 2020 | 12:08 AM birthday, but Florida opened a 4-1 lead when Hoffman's centering pass banked in off Vatrano's left skate. Vatrano's 14th goal completed his

second career hat trick. CHICAGO-Joel Quenneville barking out instructions from behind the “It's always nice to be rewarded like that,” Vatrano said. “To score one bench. A young team with a couple budding stars showing signs of goal in this league is hard enough and obviously a hat trick is a great improvement. honor.” It was a familiar scene, with quite a twist. NOTES: Kane reached 25 goals for the seventh consecutive season. The Florida Panthers got Quenneville a win in his return to Chicago, Vatrano has five goals and four assists in his last five games. Florida’s using a hat trick by Frank Vatrano to beat the Blackhawks 4-3 on six-game win streak is tied for the third-longest in franchise history. Tuesday night for their sixth consecutive victory. Hoffman extended his point streak to 10 games.

“Made it a little interesting at the end of the game, but that was certainly a UP NEXT: Panthers at Montreal on Feb. 1. memorable event that I'm thankful for,” Quenneville said. Sun Sentinel LOADED: 01.22.2020 The 61-year-old Quenneville coached Chicago to three Stanley Cup championships and nine playoff appearances in 10-plus years before he was fired when the team got off to a lackluster start last season. He was hired by Florida in April, and the former NHL defenseman was showered with love in his first game back at the United Center.

The crowd of 21,559 roared and bellowed “Q!” during a sustained standing ovation after the Blackhawks aired a tribute video during the first period. One fan held up a sign that read “ThanQ.”

“I think that ovation was incredible,” Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said. “I think all of us that played for him were all smiles.”

Quenneville grinned while he watched the video on the scoreboard, and then waved and mouthed “Thank you” while the crowd cheered.

“It was special. It was kind of like saying thank you to me, and I was thanking them,“ Quenneville said, “and it was all good. It felt great.“

Evgenii Dadonov also scored for Florida for the fourth consecutive game. Mike Hoffman had two assists, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 32 saves.

The Panthers (28-16-5) won for the seventh time in eight games overall, including a dramatic 5-4 victory at Minnesota on Monday night. They head into the All-Star break in prime position for their first playoff appearance since 2016.

[Popular in Sports] Miami Hurricanes add 2020 WR previously signed to Washington State »

It was reminiscent of the young team Quenneville inherited when he took over the Blackhawks four games into the 2008-09 season.

“We still got tons of work to do, but there's some upside here,“ Quenneville said.

Patrick Kane, Kirby Dach and Drake Caggiula scored for Chicago (24-21- 6), which had won a season-high five straight. Robin Lehner made 22 stops.

“I let in a couple of goals that kinda hurt us a bit,“ Lehner said. “That's tough, but it's part of hockey. I've just got to regroup and go on another run.”

The Blackhawks honored Kane before the game after he recorded his 1,000th career point during Sunday's 5-2 victory against Winnipeg. The All-Star forward was presented with an engraved gold puck and crystal commemorating the achievement.

Quenneville also had a smile on his face while he watched the ceremony paying tribute to one of the players who rose to stardom while he was in Chicago.

Kane extended his point streak to 11 games when he drove a big slap shot by Bobrovsky with 1:15 left, trimming Florida's lead to 4-3. But Toews was whistled for hooking with 31.7 seconds remaining, helping the Panthers hold on.

“That push we had in the third, we can get more out of it,” Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. “We kind of ran out of gas.” 1172210 Florida Panthers Forward: Ray Whitney 2001:

Forward: Pavel Bure Florida Panthers reportedly to host 2021 NHL All-Star Game 2003:

Forward: Olli Jokinen By KEVEN LERNER SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL |JAN 21, 2020 | 12:10 PM Defenseman: Sandis Ozolinsh

2004:

The Florida Panthers will host the 2021 NHL All-Star weekend, according Goaltender: Roberto Luongo to a report from The Athletic. 2007: An official announcement that next year’s festivities are heading to the BB&T Center in Sunrise is expected in the coming days. Defenseman: Jay Bouwmeester

South Florida also will be the home of the Super Bowl on Feb. 2 and next 2008: year’s college football national championship. Goaltender: Tomas Vokoun

This will be the second time the Panthers will host the event and the 2009: fourth time it will be in Florida. The Panthers hosted the 2003 All-Star Game, while the Tampa Bay Lightning hosted hockey’s midseason Defenseman: Jay Bouwmeester classic in 1999 and 2018. 2012: This year’s All-Star festivities will be held this weekend at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, with the Skills Competition taking place Friday and Defenseman: Brian Campbell the 64th NHL All-Star Game on Saturday. It will consist of a three-game 2015: tournament, played in a 3-on-3 format, featuring four teams, one for each NHL division. Defenseman: Aaron Ekblad

[Popular in Sports] Dolphins in holding pattern as Bengals, Lions keep Goaltender: Roberto Luongo their options open ahead of 2020 NFL draft » 2016: Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau, the team’s leading scorer with 18 goals and 46 assists, will be making his first All-Star appearance in Coach: Gerard Gallant Saturday’s game as the team’s lone representative. He will also Forward: Jaromir Jagr participate in the Skills Competition the night before. Defenseman: Aaron Ekblad Huberdeau has been dominant in his eighth season with the franchise. The Panthers’ first-round pick in 2011, Huberdeau ranks in the NHL’s Goaltender: Roberto Luongo top-10 for both points (seventh) and assists (fourth) this season. 2017: The longest-tenured player on the Panthers’ roster, Huberdeau is one of Forward: Vincent Trocheck just 10 players in franchise history to play in over 500 regular-season games. With 423 career points, he recently surpassed Olli Jokinen (419) 2018: for the most in franchise history. Huberdeau also is the Panthers’ career leader in assists (280) and sixth in goals (143). Forward: Aleksander Barkov

Huberdeau (64 points) became the second-fastest player in Panthers 2019: history to reach the 50-point mark (38 games) this season — trailing only Defenseman: Keith Yandle Hall of Famer Pavel Bure (34 games, 1999-00). 2020: The streaking Panthers (27-16-5) have won six of their last seven games and 12 of 16 to move into third place in the Atlantic Division. Forward: Jonathan Huberdeau

Panthers All-Time All-Star Representatives Sun Sentinel LOADED: 01.22.2020 1994:

Forward: Bob Kudelski

Goaltender: John Vanbiesbrouck

1996:

Coach: Doug MacLean

Goaltender: John Vanbiesbrouck

1997:

Coach: Doug MacLean

Defenseman: Robert Svehla

Goaltender: John Vanbiesbrouck

1999:

Forward: Viktor Kozlov

2000:

Forward: Pavel Bure (MVP)

Forward: Viktor Kozlov 1172211 Florida Panthers Western Conference cities. Expect Vegas to get one of these in the very near future.

Having the All-Star Game in a desirable location is something players get Florida Panthers to host 2021 NHL All-Star Game, according to sources excited about.

“There are a lot of things to do here for players, either in Fort Lauderdale or Miami,’’ said Sasha Barkov, whose All-Star experience came in By George Richards Jan 21, 2020 Tampa two years ago. “This is a great place. Players would really enjoy their time here.”

While the NHL has held the ASG in places like Columbus, Ottawa, St. SUNRISE, Fla. — South Florida is no stranger to putting on major Louis and San Jose in recent years, players seem most excited to attend sporting events. when it is in a place where they can enjoy their off time — such as Fans will begin flocking to the area in the coming days for Super Bowl Tampa, Los Angeles and Nashville. LIV. College football’s national championship also will be in Miami With the bye week now coinciding with the All-Star break, players from Gardens next January. around the league are already headed to Miami, Fort Lauderdale and the A few weeks after the national title game wraps up at Hard Rock Florida Keys during their downtime. Stadium, another big event will be held in Sunrise, as multiple sources 2003 NHL ALL STAR GAME. WHAT A WEEKEND. have confirmed to The Athletic that the Florida Panthers have been PIC.TWITTER.COM/TWUDUKNXRZ awarded the 2021 NHL All-Star weekend. — EJ (@EKBLAD5JESUS) MARCH 22, 2017 This will be the fourth time the NHL has held its midseason classic in the Sunshine State. The Panthers previously hosted it in 2003 and it has “When I went, it was in Los Angeles, and that was before the bye week been in Tampa twice — most recently in 2018. was tied in so you flew out there, flew back and were back to practice,” said Trocheck, part of the Atlantic team in 2017. The 2020 All-Star weekend is being held Jan. 24-25 in St. Louis, and the Panthers’ winning bid for 2021 will be announced officially there. “Now, you can surround the All-Star Game with a real vacation. I think everyone would enjoy that.” One thing is certain: The outdoor, red-carpet entrance on All-Star Friday leading into the Skills Competition should be a tad warmer next year. Yes, next year, the All-Stars can join everyone else who is taking their talents to the South Florida beaches (or bring the family to the Orlando The Panthers declined to comment on this report. theme parks) during their midseason break. “Nothing against other places around the league, but we’re talking about South Florida could become the capital of hockey for a 10-day span with January in Florida,” said Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad, a two-time the number of players likely to be vacationing here. All-Star in Columbus and Nashville. “This is where guys want to be.” “You would kill two birds with one stone,” said Keith Yandle, an All-Star in Said Vincent Trocheck: “An All-Star Game on the beach? That is San Jose last year. “Everyone enjoys going to the All-Star Game, but awesome. With the sun and our weather, it is a vacation destination some just want to use the break for vacation, head to the beach for a few already. days. Here, you can take care of both. It would be unbelievable.” “This would be huge for our city, our organization and for our fans. They Due to the Panthers’ deal with Broward County, teams (the All-Star would love it. They make the game so much fun for everyone even if you Game is currently a three-on-three tournament featuring the top players can’t get to the game. They’ll turn downtown into a hockey town.” from the four divisions playing for a $1 million prize) will likely stay on The tentative dates, based on past All-Star weekends, would be Jan. 29- Fort Lauderdale Beach with most — if not all — of the official league 30, as it is typically held during the two-week break between the NFL events being held within county limits. conference championship games and the Super Bowl, which next year In St. Louis, a Fan Fair has been set up at Union Station with a 5K race will be held in Tampa. to be held through the downtown streets on Saturday morning. Green FOUR GOALS IN YOUR #NHLALLSTAR DEBUT? Day is scheduled for a free concert outside the arena before the All-Star Game. DANY HEATLEY COULD NOT BE STOPPED IN THE 2003 #NHLALLSTAR GAME!  PIC.TWITTER.COM/4CPIAZWC88 Next year, expect hockey-themed fan events including concerts and interactive games to be held throughout Broward County, although — NHL (@NHL) JANUARY 14, 2020 Sunrise may be the center of the action with players, dignitaries and media shuttled over from the beach. Owner Vinnie Viola sold the league on bringing one of its premier regular-season events back to Florida with hopes that the excitement of In 2003, a FanFest was set up on the large concourse outside the having the NHL’s best in town will continue to grow the hockey Sunrise arena and could be the site of the 2021 event as well. community in South Florida. “Having it here would be amazing,” Yandle said. “Probably one of the The Panthers previously hosted the NHL draft in 2001 and again in 2015. best All-Star experiences the league has ever had.” The NHL promised Broward County it would consider bringing the All- Star weekend to town as part of the new arena lease agreement the The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 team and county entered into five years ago.

Florida may not get an outdoor game anytime soon, but All-Star weekend in the sunshine is a natural — and should be a big hit with players and fans from around the league.

#TBT TO THE 2015 #NHLDRAFT @THEBBTCENTER

SOUTH FLORIDA, THANK YOU FOR LETTING US BE A PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY! PIC.TWITTER.COM/KD4OMZWHLK

— FLORIDA PANTHERS (@FLAPANTHERS) AUGUST 6, 2015

The NHL had considered holding another World Cup of Hockey in 2021, but when that idea was shelved, the league announced it would hold an All-Star Game in its place.

Arizona and Las Vegas are also thought to have been considered for next year’s event. Four of the past five All-Star Games have been held in 1172212 Florida Panthers Florida either had the lead or was tied throughout, but in the third, Minnesota finally took a lead at 4-3 and the Panthers’ longest winning streak of this season looked to be in jeopardy.

Panthers roll into Chicago for Joel Quenneville’s reunion on five-game Minnesota played with its lead for more than eight minutes — Florida win streak after rare victory in Minnesota successfully killed off a penalty during that span — before Trocheck scored perhaps his biggest goal of the season by walking in on goalie Alex Stalock off a pretty pass from Anton Stralman and going five-hole.

By George Richards Jan 21, 2020 VINCENT TROCHECK COMES HUGE 5-⃣ HOLE GOAL IN THE 3RD!

THE @FLAPANTHERS ARE LIVE ON FOX SPORTS FLORIDA  & ST. PAUL, Minn. — It’s as pretty a building as there is in the league, but FOX SPORTS GO : HTTPS://T.CO/W34YWK6PZU the Florida Panthers have absolutely hated playing at the Xcel Energy 4 #FLAVMIN 4 #FLAPANTHERS #ONETERRITORY #NHL Center over the years. PIC.TWITTER.COM/3G427UH03S There have been few instances when the Panthers walked out into the — FOX SPORTS FLORIDA & SUN (@FOXSPORTSFL) JANUARY 21, Minnesota air feeling like winners — not counting the 2011 draft in which 2020 they took Jonathan Huberdeau and Vincent Trocheck while also trading for Brian Campbell. “They flooded the ice on one side, and I just hoped Stralman saw me,” said Trocheck, who has seven goals this season, including two in his Monday, however, was one of those nights where the Panthers were past four games. feeling good about themselves despite some uncertainty about the outcome until the final seconds. ”I knew I would have a huge head of steam and if he got it to me, I had a pretty good chance. He made a phenomenal play for me, a great pass, The Panthers didn’t play their best but rallied from a late deficit to tie the and the rest was just instinct.” score against the Wild with 4:08 remaining — and then won it on a shot that was deflected (twice!) before hitting the back of the net with 4.8 With the score tied, the Panthers continued to press and had several seconds left. more scoring chances.

That goal, which Mark Pysyk shot from 40 feet only to have both Aaron In the final seconds of regulation, with the game seemingly headed to Ekblad and then Noel Acciari get a piece of the puck, led to a 5-4 win, overtime, Pysyk fired off a wrister from the sideboards toward the slot. Florida’s first-ever regulation victory at the X. Ekblad got a piece of the shot, redirecting it toward the net, where Acciari inadvertently deflected it past Stalock for the winner. “Listen, for the past four or five years, not winning here is something that has been talked about, and it was talked about again today,” said Ekblad. NOEL ACCIARI SCORES INCREDIBLE GOAL WITH 5 SECONDS “It was something we really wanted to overcome and this is the team that LEFT! 勞 can do it. (Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky) stood on his head for us, made THE @FLAPANTHERS ARE LIVE ON FOX SPORTS FLORIDA  & some big saves on breakaways and we found a way to win it.” FOX SPORTS GO : HTTPS://T.CO/W34YWK6PZU A double-tip to win? 5 #FLAVMIN 4 #FLAPANTHERS #ONETERRITORY #NHL “Absolutely insane,” Ekblad said. PIC.TWITTER.COM/O7X8L47KUQ

Coming into the night, only Vegas and the Panthers had failed to win in — FOX SPORTS FLORIDA & SUN (@FOXSPORTSFL) JANUARY 21, regulation in St. Paul. 2020

The only win the Panthers had here previously came on March 9, 2010, “He has scored some big goals for us,” Quenneville said of Acciari, “and when Cory Stillman tied the score at 2 with 9:20 left, then scored in the that may have been as big as we have had. That was very good timing fourth round of a shootout to lead Florida to victory in one of the ugliest for him and for us. But he has an amazing knack around the net. That’s a games in NHL history. tip we’ll take.”

Though 2010 does not seem to be that long ago, consider it in hockey The play was called a goal on the ice (Acciari did not appear to see the age: Cory’s son Riley is now becoming one of Florida’s better puck coming his way as Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter was fighting defensemen and played 24:27 on Monday night. him for possession of his stick), and a video review for Acciari using a high stick upheld the original call. Riley Stillman was celebrating his 12th birthday the night the Panthers last won here. He’ll be 22 in a few weeks. Instead of sitting back and letting overtime come, the Panthers were persistent and aggressive in the final minutes of the game, and it paid off “This is a special win just for the way we fought and the way we battled in a big way. back with that little time left,” said Trocheck, who tied the score at 4. “I have never won here before so it is always a bit of a mental grind. Huge Because of it, Florida’s five-game winning streak lives on with the win, especially with the break coming up and us being in a tight race. Chicago Blackhawks up next Tuesday at United Center. That was a good team, especially at home. We played simple at the end, which is key, especially when it comes to the playoffs.” “This is one of those games you will remember for a while,” said Sasha Barkov, who scored to make it 2-1 in the second. “We battled hard, The win was the latest rink-buster for the Panthers, who also snapped an played for each other. Some nights, you are not going to have your best eight-game losing streak in Pittsburgh earlier this month. Ekblad (and a game and we did not. Good teams find a way to win, and that is what we lot of his teammates) had never won in that building, either. did.”

Florida is now a robust 2-9-1 (with a 0-0 tie in its first game here in 2000) Q’s kinda town (Chicago is) at Xcel. Quenneville said he was “looking forward” to returning to United Center “That is what you call a break, being very opportunistic,” coach Joel on Tuesday for the first time since he was fired by the Blackhawks in Quenneville said of the winning goal. “We did some decent things in the 2018. game — it was one of those games where all of a sudden the pucks were going in during the third. We were behind for the first time, it didn’t look Chicago won the Stanley Cup three times in Quenneville’s 11 seasons very promising with five minutes and then bang-bang, there you go.” there and fans in that town have been waiting since the schedule was released to welcome home their old coach. The Panthers did not play their best game Monday, and it almost cost them. The fact that both teams come in riding five-game winning streaks and are in the thick of the playoff hunt (Florida will go into its 10-day break holding third in the Atlantic Division regardless of what happens Tuesday) makes things even more interesting. “It will be an important game for both teams,” Quenneville said.

Been thinking about it? ”Well, now I am,” he said with a grin.

Quenneville said he was looking forward to seeing all his old friends in and around the building — from the Blackhawks’ staff to folks who work in the arena.

“All great memories,” Quenneville said. “There have been special years there and you think about all the people there who you got acquainted with, from the staff to management, players, training staff. All the people you had great memories with and great times with. The fans were always special as well. It will be fun to be back in the building.”

Piling up the points

Quenneville said prior to the game that Evgenii Dadonov was questionable to play Monday night (an illness is suspected), but he was in the lineup and gave the Panthers a 3-2 lead at 2:02 of the third period on a power-play goal.

EVGENII DADONOV (22 GOALS) HAS A NOSE FOR THE NET! 

THE @FLAPANTHERS ARE LIVE ON FOX SPORTS FLORIDA  & FOX SPORTS GO : HTTPS://T.CO/W34YWK6PZU

3 #FLAVMIN 2 #FLAPANTHERS #ONETERRITORY #NHL PIC.TWITTER.COM/ZYDKGYKMBY

— FOX SPORTS FLORIDA & SUN (@FOXSPORTSFL) JANUARY 21, 2020

Dadonov has been leading the Panthers in goals for some time now. Monday’s tally was his 22nd of the season and his eighth in the past nine games.

“I am just working hard, trying to help our team any way I can, but I am not thinking about the goals right now,” he said. “Sure, you’re happy when you score them, but if it is going, good.” While Dadonov has at least a point in his past five games, Mike Hoffman has a nine-game scoring streak going with five goals and six assists during that span.

Monday, he fed a streaking Keith Yandle (goal, three assists) near the cage for Florida’s initial goal 4:01 into the game.

The Panthers had 11 individual players hit the scoresheet, and they have outscored their opponents 26-14 in their five-game winning streak.

“Dads was a question mark and then he comes in and gives us a game like that,” Quenneville said. “I am very pleased with his compete, he scores timely goals and I thought his line was very good. …

“Hoff has been productive lately. Both guys, look at their production: It’s a big reason why we have been scoring at such a high rate.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172213 Los Angeles Kings

Kings coach Todd McLellan’s faster, aggressive system is run by AHL Ontario affiliate

By JACK HARRIS JAN. 21, 2020 4:42 PM

Kings minor league coach Mike Stothers didn’t get to see much of the club’s prospect development camp in June. Instead, he was tucked away in a video room, huddled around the organization’s other NHL and American Hockey League coaches.

Two months earlier, the Kings hired coach Todd McLellan to reshape the franchise. He was given a five-year contract and free rein to implement his systems. Just like the team’s veteran players, Stothers had to learn what McLellan wanted to do.

“We basically try to design our game plan around what they’re doing,” said Stothers, the silver-haired Ontario Reign coach now in his sixth season at the helm of the Kings’ AHL affiliate. “We do try to keep it as close as possible to whatever Kings head coach is in there. We’re trying to follow their system.”

This season has been a stark change. Stothers spent five seasons running the familiar heavy-checking, defense-minded style employed by former Kings coaches and John Stevens. McLellan arrived with a new neutral zone forecheck (a 1-3-1 instead of the Kings’ previous 1-2-2), new terminology (a phrase such as “skating interference,” for instance, is now known as a “down screen”), a new special-teams system, and a new ethos: Play faster and more aggressive.

“It was like going to school,” said Stothers, who has tried to mimic those lessons with a Reign roster that includes some of the Kings’ top prospects, such as Gabe Vilardi, Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Tobias Bjornfot.

“We took a lot of notes. We watched video and took notes from the video. We took notes from what Todd was saying, or [assistant coaches and Marco Sturm]. We didn’t end up watching much of the development camp with the kids they brought in. We were over in the war room on the Kings’ side, just going through the system Todd was wanting to implement.”

Said McLellan: “Every minute we spent together, [the Reign] staff was with us.”

Even as both teams are suffering growing pains (the Kings are 18-27-5 and last in the Western Conference; the Reign are 18-18-5), the Reign and Kings have cultivated a symbiotic NHL-AHL relationship.

For example, after sitting out the first three months of the season because of a back injury, defenseman Derek Forbort was able to get acclimated to McLellan’s system during conditioning stints with the Reign. The same goes for rookie call-ups such as Matt Luff, who has found the jump to the NHL “an easy transition. You don’t have to think [about the systems]. That’s a big thing.”

Known as a players coach — he carries a “Hakuna Matata” mug around the Reign’s arena — Stothers understood the challenges such changes created, especially for players who have been around the organization for years.

“It’s hard when you’re conditioned to do it certain ways, to retrain your brain to think about, ‘That’s how it used to be. Now we’re doing this,’” he said.

But Stothers sees the potential long-term benefits too. Once the Kings decided they required a total reset, it was up to the coaches to groom the franchise’s next generation of players in the organization’s mold.

“Whether it’s Todd to his guys or our coaching staff to our guys here, you want them to believe in it,” Stothers said of the new system. “You want them to trust it. You want them to know why they’re doing it, and the results they’re going to have from it.”

LA Times: LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172214 Los Angeles Kings On the bright side, the Kings have played with higher tempo, dominated possession metrics and had some excellent starts. They are a respectable 13th in first period goals for, and their -3 first-period goal differential is far better than the double-digit negative differentials they Kings at the All-Star break: What’s right, what’s wrong and what’s next have posted in the second stanza and final frame.

Once again the Kings have strong possession numbers, both 5-on-5 and over all. They are near the top of the league in Corsi-for percentage, By ANDREW KNOLL |PUBLISHED: January 21, 2020 at 1:31 pm | Fenwick-for percentage, shots-for percentage and even have solid UPDATED: January 21, 2020 at 4:53 PM numbers in terms of scoring-chances-for and high-danger-scoring- chances-for percentages.

The NHL all-star weekend is upon us and for the Kings that will mean an This year’s Kings are also decidedly younger than in recent years, unusually long break –11 days without a game — to reflect upon their 50 despite the enduring presence of eight veterans who won two Stanley games to date and look ahead to their remaining 32 contests. Cups in LA, as well as another who won one.

For Kings management and some of their players, the Feb. 24 trade The Youth Movement deadline looms. The Kings are undoubtedly a team in transition that has Eighteen skaters — the same number that dresses on any given night — an eye toward getting younger and tidying up a decidedly untidy cap who are 26 or younger have suited up for the Kings this season. Among situation. them is forward Adrian Kempe, who has begun to take advantage of his They headed into this hiatus inauspiciously, losing seven of their last ample opportunities. He posted five goals and eight points in December, eight games and winning just three of their previous 14 contests dating each total falling one shy of his career-best for a single month. He has back to Dec. 19. They slunk back down to last place in the Western integrated himself into all situations, scoring a pair of goals on the power Conference. In the entire league only one team, the Detroit Red Wings, play and two more shorthanded, where he’s become a two-way asset on has a lower point total. the penalty kill.

The Kings’ 41 points through 50 games put them on track for 67 points, a Undrafted free agents defenseman Sean Walker and center Blake Lizotte slight drop from last season’s deflating finish of 71 points, which was also have also begun to solidify their roles in the organization. Walker, a right- the worst in the West. handed shot with above-average puck skills, has been an asset moving the puck out of the D-zone and putting it into dangerous positions on Yet in the absence of tangible improvement, the Kings have developed offense. some of their young players, found utility for their veterans and installed first-year coach Todd McLellan’s system. The Kings’ top prospect, center Alex Turcotte, has remained at the junior level this season. They had the most players competing in the Under-20 Where 99 once reigned, there are now 99 problems World Junior Championships of any NHL franchise, but will need to be patient in developing those players. At the American Hockey League The Kings have had to battle through a lack of consistency both in games level, talents like center Gabriel Vilardi, who has been hindered by a back and across stretches of their schedule. While they have been excellent condition, and defenseman Tobias Bjornfot, who started the year in Los shutting the door with a lead after two periods — their 12-0-1 mark with a Angeles but appears bound to finish it in Ontario, will also need some second-intermission lead represents the fifth-best point percentage in the seasoning. league — getting to that point has been a struggle. Their 12 total wins when leading through two are fifth-worst in the league, and their number Of the Kings’ six 10-goal scorers this season, only Kempe is under 25, of leads through 40 minutes, 13, is the second-lowest figure behind and he is in his fourth NHL season. Detroit. The veterans march on … for now Their ability to come back successfully in games has been even more severely limited. They have yet to win a contest where they trailed after Center and team captain Anze Kopitar leads the team in goals, points the first intermission, and have only won one in which they had a second- and assists, making him the Kings’ lone all-star. He’s also one of just intermission deficit. That hasn’t been for lack of opportunity as they have three Kings to have a positive plus-minus rating, the other two being trailed after one 20 times and after two 27 times this season, which Lizotte and defenseman Matt Roy. represent the second-highest totals of disadvantages at each Drew Doughty leads them in scoring by a defenseman with 27 points. intermission. Defenseman Alec Martinez has bounced back strong after a scary If putting together 60 minutes has been a challenge, stringing together incident where he was cut by a skate, providing a balanced game from multiple winning efforts has proven all but impossible. The Kings have the blue line. won consecutive games just four times this season, and only one of Forward Jeff Carter played in his 1000th career game this season and those was a streak of more than two victories. They won three straight at his 500th as a King. He has scored one more goal to date than he did in home in late October, with two of the three wins coming over last-place 2018-9 and his injury-plagued 2017-8 campaign, when he posted teams in Detroit and the Minnesota Wild. identical totals of 13. Wing Dustin Brown recently surmounted a bout with Five-on-five, the Kings have often dominated shot totals and possession pneumonia and has continued to be a consummate pro, even as his metrics, but it has not translated into results yet. They rank third to last in production has dropped. goals per game, and out-shooting opponents has been negatively Forward Tyler Toffoli has provided some offensive spark at times. Trevor correlated with Kings wins (11-21-3 when they out-shoot their opponents, Lewis and Kyle Clifford have brought experience to the bottom-six 6-5-2 when their opponent has out-shot them). forward group, though Lewis has been hampered by two designations to On special teams, the Kings hover just above Detroit for the league’s the injured reserve list. worst penalty-kill percentage despite improving their defense of seam In goal, Jonathan Quick has maintained his athletic ability, remaining one passes. Similarly their power-play percentage, sixth-worst in the NHL, of the strongest goalies in the league getting across the crease. He can actually represents an improvement from earlier in the season. Their still compete on any given night, though the team’s inconsistency has power play has been worse at home than on the road for most of the often been reflected in his statistics. season. What’s next That may be about the only thing that has been better on the road for the Kings, who have been a hair over .500 at home (11-10-1) but much less Even in a league where an expansion franchise played for a effective on the road. On their most recent road trip, they dropped four championship two years ago and a team in the league’s basement last out of five games. Their overall 7-17-4 mark is buoyed by a 4-2-2 stretch January won the Stanley Cup in June, an about-face for the Kings that on the road in December. Prior to that, they had gone 2-12-1, frequently lands them in the playoffs would be shocking beyond words. ceding untimely goals and otherwise struggling away from Staples Center. The Kings also face some obstacles this coming offseason. They have nearly $11 million in cap space committed to terminated contracts and The sunny side of the street buyout penalties (this year’s hard cap was $81.5 million). While they project to have more than $20 million in cap space for next season, they also have just 12 players under contract of the 22 currently with the big club or on injured reserve.

Toffoli, Lewis and Clifford are all pending free agents. Carter, Brown and Quick all carry cap hits north of $5 million. Whether or not there will be any movement among those players or some less obvious trade candidates at the Feb. 24 deadline remains to be seen. The Kings were unsuccessful at dealing wing Ilya Kovalchuk earlier this season, and will be on the hook for his $6.25 million cap hit next season even though he has since moved on to the Montreal Canadiens.

Player development, salary cap cleanup and luck in the NHL’s draft lottery are perhaps the three most significant developments to watch for the Kings, even as the group of proud, season competitors forges on with another tumultuous season.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172215 Los Angeles Kings Then there’s the smaller picture. The recent improvements made on the penalty kill vanished in Florida and Philadelphia and it dropped to 30th in the NHL. Their power play is ranked 26th.

‘Frustrating as hell’: Drew Doughty opines on the state of the Kings’ The kids are having their costly moments of regression. For example, rebuild Austin Wagner’s ill-advised penalty in the opening minutes against the Panthers led to Florida’s first goal. This paved the way for Wagner to sit out in Philadelphia.

By Lisa Dillman Jan 21, 2020 Last season, the Kings came out of the bye week and promptly traded defenseman Jake Muzzin to the Toronto Maple Leafs for prospects Carl

Grundstrom and Sean Durzi and a first-round draft pick that turned out to PHILADELPHIA — Drew Doughty knew there would be pain. He realized be defenseman Tobias Bjornfot. that last season. Doughty and Muzzin and their wives and other members of the Kings But Doughty certainly didn’t anticipate the Kings’ struggles would last this and their families had been in Maui during the bye week before the band long and run quite this deep. What looks to be their continuing was disbanded, so to speak. membership in the Lottery Club is difficult to accept for someone with The trade deadline this season is Feb. 24, and Doughty said he thinks Doughty’s winning pedigree — a two-time Stanley Cup champion, two- there will be even more Kings players moved than a year ago. Doughty time Olympic gold medalist and Norris Trophy winner in 2016. pointed out that their record was better last season before the bye, “It’s frustrating. Being one of the top guys, I never expected to be (in this adding: “I’m pretty positive, just from what I personally think, there will be position). I always expected that I would be able to help push my team to a couple more (trades) coming up.” a playoff spot every single year,” Doughty said. “But now back-to-back It makes sense considering the Kings are in a murky world of transition, years, being in last place, it’s been stressful and depressing a little bit. combined with the contractual situations of a handful of veterans: “Sometimes you’ve got to sit back and realize you don’t have the team pending UFAs Tyler Toffoli, Trevor Lewis, Kyle Clifford, Derek Forbort you once had.” and Ben Hutton. Toffoli and defenseman Alec Martinez, who has one year of term left after this season, were listed second and third, The frank conversation took place at the Class of 1923 Arena at the respectively, as top trade targets by The Athletic colleague Craig University of Pennsylvania — a rink that managed to make Toyota Sports Custance. Performance Center feel warm. This also happened to be one day after the Kings said goodbye to their dads and brothers in Florida (as part of “We know we’re never going to all stay together forever,” Doughty said. the dads/brothers trip) and one day before the Kings’ final game heading “That’s just the bottom line. It’s a business. The thing that is frustrating — into the bye week, a 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. we just need to get better and stop being at the bottom of the league. What is frustrating as hell.” While Project Rebuild might look like it is moving forward with a better effort and more appealing on-ice product, the reality is that the Kings are There is nothing subtle about Doughty when it comes to emotions; in this three points behind the pace of last season’s disaster. After 50 games in case, his sense of pride. He is a minus-11 with six goals and 27 points in 2018-19, they were 20-26-4 and a goal differential of minus-36. 50 games. His average ice time (26:02) is second among NHL defensemen behind the Ottawa Senators’ Thomas Chabot (26:26). This season, the Kings are 18-27-5 with goal differential of minus-33. “Very proud guy. He wears his numbers — whether it’s plus/minus, or “There are times when you see really good things and you can see we’re goals or assists, wins and losses, more importantly, on his sleeve,” getting better,” said Doughty, who is in the first year of a self-negotiated McLellan said. “Maybe we didn’t know that as much (beforehand). It eight-year, $88 million contract. stings him if things aren’t where he wants them to be, starting with the team and then certainly working down to him as an individual. He doesn’t “The bottom line is we need to play a full 60 minutes and we didn’t play view it the other way around. well (against the Panthers). You didn’t see a full 60 minutes. Vegas, we didn’t play well for two periods. Carolina was a good 60 minutes even “But that’s part of being a champ and he’s been a winner everywhere though we lost. he’s been. And now he’s going to be a winner in a different form here. He’s got to lead. He’s got to lead by example, through his play, through “Tampa was ups and downs too. We need to figure out how to play a full his words, through his actions, both on and off the ice, to get this team 60 minutes. When we have the lead, we need to learn how to (protect) back to the championship-caliber it needs to be in. the lead. I know we’ve got a young team, so maybe it’s a little harder now. “If he can do that and when he does do that, he’ll leave a pretty good legacy for his career. But he’s got a big job in front of him.” “Bottom line is we’re still in second-to-last place or maybe last.” Only it’s shaping up that Doughy is going to have to get by with the help That just about covers the recent developments in the Western of friends, at least some new ones. The knowledge that things will likely Conference with the Kings and the , their Southern be changing in a meaningful way made the trip with the dads and California rivals, trading places in holding down the last spot. brothers slightly bittersweet. “It’s a hard question to answer because there are so many ways of “That was a good time for the dads,” Doughty said. “We had some fun, if looking at it. You can look at the standings, and go, ‘We didn’t want to be that’s the last one with everyone.” in 28th or 29th, nobody wants to be there,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said before the Flyers game. “But then we look at the team and the way The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 they’re playing and for the most part, we think that we’ve moved the needle forward. We believe that we have better structure. We know that our goaltending and our goals-against has got better as the year’s gone on.

“From Christmas on, our special teams have been outstanding — in the top 10 in the league. We’re starting to get buy-in from everybody when it comes to systematic play. We still make mistakes. We still struggle to score goals. When one team might need five chances, this team might need five-and-a-half to six chances to put it in. We’re not that far off. But we struggle a little in that area.”

Progress isn’t necessarily linear when it comes to the big picture. The Kings went 2-7-1 in their 10 games heading into the bye week and came away with one victory on their recently completed five-game trip. 1172216 Minnesota Wild

Wild-Detroit game preview

Sarah McLellan JANUARY 21, 2020 — 10:08PM

7 p.m. vs. Detroit • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM

Break nears, but first lowly Wings

Preview: This is the Wild’s final game before an extended break for the NHL All-Star Game and bye week. C Mikko Koivu is ready to return after missing the past two games because of an illness. D Brad Hunt, who’s also been dealing with a flu bug, is still “down a little bit of weight,” coach Bruce Boudreau said. G Devan Dubnyk is scheduled to start after backing up Alex Stalock the past three games.

Players to WATCH: Red Wings LW Tyler Bertuzzi has a team-high 17 goals and 36 points. C Dylan Larkin has two goals and four points in his past two games. … Wild D Ryan Suter’s 21 assists since Nov. 19 are tied for first in the NHL among defensemen. D Jared Spurgeon has four points during a season-high three-game point streak.

Numbers: Wild RW Luke Kunin has eight points in his past eight games. The Wild’s power play has scored in a season-high four consecutive games. … Detroit is 0-4-1 in its past five games. Since Nov. 1, the Red Wings have won only eight games.

Injuries: Red Wings G Jonathan Bernier (lower body), Ds Mike Green (upper body) and Danny DeKeyser (back), C Frans Nielsen (upper body), LW Andreas Athanasiou (lower body) and RW Anthony Mantha (upper body) are out.

Star Tribune LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172217 Minnesota Wild olds already have established career highs in multiple offensive categories this season.

“You can see the growth in Ek and Kunny,” Boudreau said. “Talking a Wild line of Marcus Foligno, Joel Eriksson Ek and Luke Kunin start year ago, Ek wouldn’t have made those 2-on-1 passes that you’ve seen turning defense into offense in the last little while but now he’s making them. And Kunny would have maybe not got the shot away, but he’s getting the opportunity.” Foligno, Eriksson Ek and Kunin aren't just stopping high scorers, they're getting some points, too. Defense might have been what brought them together, but offense is certainly helping them stay together.

And that’s important to have both ends covered by the same line. By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune JANUARY 22, 2020 — 12:27AM “I think a lot of times when you play against the other team’s most offensive guys,” Kunin said, “I think there’s going to be opportunities, some defensive breakdowns. We’ve just been taking advantage of it. Wild coach Bruce Boudreau has trusted forwards Marcus Foligno, Joel Things have been going well. We just want to keep progressing.” Eriksson Ek and Luke Kunin to match up against the opposition’s best players ever since he arranged them on the same line at the start of the Star Tribune LOADED: 01.22.2020 month, and the three have rewarded that faith.

Not only have they limited the impact of superstars such as Florida’s Aleksander Barkov and Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov, but they kept Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin in check at 5-on-5 and completely flummoxed the Dallas duo of Alexander Radulov and Jamie Benn.

“I knew they were going to embrace it,” Boudreau said, “and they have.”

But eight games into this assignment, the players have become more than shutdown specialists.

The third line has also emerged as a source for timely offense, and this multifaceted role has the potential to keep the unit a vital arm in the Wild’s operation — especially when the team resumes its playoff push following the All-Star break and bye week, which begin after the Wild plays host to the Red Wings on Wednesday at Xcel Energy Center.

“You look at the future of the team, I think you look at those two [young] guys and you look at Marcus,” Boudreau said. “He’s only 28 as well. What a great starting point.”

Since they were united Jan. 4 against Winnipeg, the line was been tagged for five goals at 5-on-5. One of those came amid a line change, with only two-thirds of the line on the ice.

In that same span, the three have contributed nine goals — most recently chipping in two, including a shorthanded tally by Kunin on Monday in the 5-4 loss to the Panthers. Overall, the three are a combined plus-9 and boast 22 points since they started working together this month.

“We like to play the same type of game,” Eriksson Ek said, “and I think that’s a big reason for us working well so far.”

Although they’re on the ice against some of the most talented players in the league because of their defensive strengths, the three also seem to have recognized that they’re not confined to the Wild’s end. In reality, the best defense is not having to play any at all.

“I feel like we catch, sometimes, top lines kind of sleeping a little bit or just cheating for offense, and I think we’re good at seeing that and forcing turnovers or playing a little bit quicker and getting our feet moving, getting into the offensive zone and making plays,” Foligno said. “… Sometimes those top lines, they’re really good offensive players because sometimes they let their defensive guard down a bit and that’s when we take possession and kind of go the other way with it.”

And those lifts have come at critical times.

Not only did Kunin’s shorthanded goal Monday, set up on a 2-on-1 rush by Eriksson Ek, tie the score, but the right winger’s second of the game put the Wild on top in the third period. In the recent 3-2 victory over the Lightning, Eriksson Ek was responsible for another go-ahead goal. Four of Foligno’s past five goals have either opened the scoring, evened the game or broke a tie.

The left winger’s five goals overall since moving up from the fourth line to the third are tied for the most on the Wild in that time, and Foligno and Kunin are both tied with defenseman Ryan Suter for the most points in January with eight.

Eriksson Ek isn’t too far behind with six, flexing a more consistent offensive presence that the Wild has been hoping to see from the center since he’s settled into the NHL as a regular after getting drafted in the first round in 2015. Same with Kunin, another first-round prospect (2016) turned pro the organization has been counting on to deliver. The 22-year- 1172218 Minnesota Wild

Survey says it's unanimous: Wild draft pick Kirill Kaprizov is next NHL star from KHL

A survey of seven players in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League produced one answer when asked about the next star to go to the NHL: Wild prospect Kirill Kaprizov

By Michael Rand JANUARY 21, 2020 — 1:15PM

I’m not usually in the habit of reading about the thoughts of players in the Kontinental Hockey League — the 24-team pro league with clubs in six different countries — but when one of the players surveyed is Wild draft pick Kirill Kaprizov all the rules change.

ESPN talked to seven players in the league, asking them various questions about the league and hockey in general. But the most relevant and interesting question to Wild fans came when this question was posed:

Which KHL player will be the next big star in North America?

Six of the players picked Kaprizov. The other player is, of course, Kaprizov himself.

“Thank you, we’ll see,” Kaprizov said when learning that he was the unanimous choice of his polled peers.

Some of the kudos:

Stephane Da Costa: I’d probably just say Kaprizov right now, he’s a really big star. He’s really good with the puck, he protects the puck well, he has good vision. He’s overall a really great player.

Nigel Dawes: Kaprizov. I think everyone sees it. It’s kind of a no-brainer. He’s a great player, he’s done a lot already in his young career. I’m sure he’ll face some challenges going over to North America, but the way he plays the game and the type of guy he is, and his character, I think he’ll have a lot of success in the NHL.

Ilya Sorokin: Kaprizov. His hockey intellect is very high. He has a good shot, as well as good vision.

Kaprizov, playing for CSKA Moscow, leads the KHL with 23 goals (in 44 games). He was a fifth-round pick of the Wild in 2015 and is still just 22. His potential arrival in Minnesota — on track for as soon as next season — is the stuff of dreams for Wild fans starved for a star and staring at the prospect of a rebuild in the midst of a tumble into mediocrity.

New Wild GM Bill Guerin went to see Kaprizov in Moscow in early December and came away impressed.

“He’s extremely talented,” Guerin said. “He made plays. He’s not afraid to go play in traffic. There’s a lot to like.”

The fact that every player polled picked him as the next KHL-to-NHL star doesn’t guarantee anything, but it doesn’t hurt.

Star Tribune LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172219 Minnesota Wild “We can’t do that,” Koivu said. “It doesn’t matter who it is. We haven’t earned the right to overlook any team we play. And it doesn’t matter if it’s the last game before the break or anything. Just getting those two points is all that matters to us. We can’t afford to lose any ground right now.” Wild extra cautious with players who are ill this time of year Pioneer Press LOADED: 01.22.2020

By DANE MIZUTANI | PUBLISHED: January 21, 2020 at 2:46 pm | UPDATED: January 21, 2020 at 6:24 PM

Brad Hunt was conspicuously absent from practice several times last week and hasn’t played in a game in more than 10 days.

Similarly, Mikko Koivu missed the past couple of games with an illness, though he appears ready to return to the lineup for Wednesday’s home game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Still, to say there’s a bug circulating through the locker room would be inaccurate because the Wild are doing everything in their power to make sure that doesn’t happen.

It hasn’t gone as far as quarantining sick players when they are at the rink. Actually, it’s much simpler than that, according to coach Bruce Boudreau.

“I think the players are really good at phoning (athletic trainer) John Worley in the middle of the night or whatever, and he’ll have them go straight to the doctor,” Boudreau said. “If the doctor says to stay away, then they stay away.”

That makes everything easier on the sick players since they don’t have to worry about rushing back to the ice before they are ready.

“You just listen to what the medical staff says,” said Koivu, who claims to be back to 100 percent. “They know what they are doing.”

It’s not too hard for sick players to stay away since the last thing they want to do is spread their illness around the locker room.

“We are all here to do our job and everybody wants to give it everything they’ve got,” Hunt said. “You just don’t want to hurt anybody else to do that. Just be smart about it.”

Plus, Hunt couldn’t have done much last week even if he wanted to push it.

“Just no energy and no urge to eat anything,” he said of his illness. “It was just a sickness. A lot of people have it at this time of the year. It is what it is.”

Ever the optimist, Hunt noted that the most important thing was not getting too down in the dumps.

“It was tough for a bit,” he said. “You just stay positive and try to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

POWER SURGE

After struggling immensely on the power play for the better part of a month, the Wild are in the midst of a hot streak.

They have more power-play goals over the past week (7 for 13) than they had in the previous 18 games combined (6 for 51).

“Everything seems to go in cycles,” Boudreau said. “If we continue to do the right things and work at it all the time, and we work at it as much as any team, everything is going to get where we want it. And for us, being over 20 percent is really good. That’s where we have been the last few years, and I think once we get a little bit of confidence it starts to snowball.”

How about the penalty kill?

“I wish the same thing could be said about that,” Boudreau said. “We aren’t there yet.”

TRAP GAME?

Everything about Wednesday’s game looks like an easy win for the Wild.

Not only will they be extra motivated heading into a week-long break, they are playing the lowly Red Wings, who are far and away the worst team in the league with a 12-34-4 record and 28 points in 50 games.

Not that the Wild are overlooking this one. 1172220 Minnesota Wild because of the fact I’m not playing much. But I take training seriously and like it a lot.”

Two players did choose themselves — Mats Zuccarello and Greg The Wild Player Poll: Who’d be the worst road roommate? Who’s best Pateryn. and worst dressed? Who’s always late? And more “This year, it has to be me,” said Pateryn, who missed more than half of the season following abdominal surgery in training camp.

By Michael Russo Jan 21, 2020 Who is always late?

Wild player poll

Poor Jordan Greenway and Ryan Donato. The problem with the way this question was framed is, as Ryan Hartman said, “No one really is ever late. They’re just right on time.” Let’s just say they’re about to get roasted. Well, not exactly, Jordan Greenway did miss a meeting earlier this In what turned out to be a very fun exercise, 22 Wild players took part in season and was fined accordingly. (and had a boatload of fun with) The Athletic Minnesota’s Wild-specific poll that runs one day after 392 NHL players took part in The Athletic’s “As of late, he’s been good, but he’s been late before,” Nick Seeler said. anonymous league poll. “Yeah, you miss one meeting, that’s all you need to get branded,” said Twenty-two Wild players took part in that one, too, and we really do thank Pateryn. them for participating in both polls as evidenced by the fact that the Wild Devan Dubnyk also voted for Greenway, saying, “It used to be me, but were the 31-team clubhouse leader in terms of number of players polled. I’ve gotten a lot better. I’m more like right on time all the time.” What’s neat about this team-specific poll is Wild players were completely When informed he actually won this category, Dubnyk said, laughing, cool doing this poll out in the open and without anonymity. In fact, they “This just goes to show you how you don’t get rewarded for getting especially loved the questions where they got to rib their buddies. better. I’ve not been late once this year. I didn’t realize this was a poll for We asked Wild players everything from who would make the worst road last year. I’m a new man. A couple times last year, I rolled in at like 5:03 roommate to which teammates have the best and worst taste in music to for a 7 o’clock game. It was quickly $500 bucks on the board. Sometimes who’s the most well-dressed and worst-dressed to their favorite that traffic around Xcel is tough. I’ve learned not to try to time it down to restaurant and athlete on another Minnesota pro team. the two minutes it takes me to get from the car to the locker room.

Buckle up,and enjoy. “To be honest, my wife would tell you the exact same thing. She says I have the worst time management. But things just take longer to do than I Who spends the most time in the weight room? think they will. I like to use my time wisely. Sometimes … I don’t.”

Wild player poll Who’s the most superstitious on the team?

Shockingly, Joel Eriksson Ek didn’t win this despite the fact teammates First place: Ryan Donato (10 1/2 votes) have dubbed the gym rat, Mr. September. Players even have a team- issued t-shirt with his likeness on an exercise bike. Second place: Jason Zucker (6)

Ryan Donato wins this by a hair, but he pretty much got torn apart in Third place: Zach Parise (5 1/2) doing so. Again, poor Donato. “Hmmmm. Productive time?” Ryan Suter wondered. “Donato spends a “Zucker could be up there, too, but Donny’s list grows from game to shit ton of time in there. He’s the smallest guy on the team, yet he game so I don’t even know what it’ll be like by the end of year,” said spends the most time in there.” Dubnyk. “Zach’s extremely superstitious, but he hides it a little bit better. “Now, does this mean actually working out or does this mean just being Donny will get a drink at the exact same time. He’s got to get his gear on in the weight room? Because if it’s the latter, it’s Donny,” said Zach at the exact same time. Everything’s at the exact same time. Just this Parise. constant train of everything’s got to be right at the same time.”

“Yeah,” Kevin Fiala answered Parise from a few stalls over. “He’s Zucker got a lot of votes, but he said there’s “a big difference between stretching but accomplishing nothing.” OCD and superstitious. I do the same thing every game, so that’s routine, not superstition. Well, I guess everyone who has superstitions “He’s on the track, but no weights,” Matt Dumba chimed in. says that.

“Yeah, he’s not exactly lifting weights, but … he’s there,” Jared Spurgeon “But, I mean, I do little things like tape my sticks the same way and put said. my gear out certain ways. But I’m telling you, mine’s more OCD. It’s not like I think that’s going to help me score goals, it’s more like I can’t stand Donato rolled his eyes. looking at things messy.” “They can say what they want, but they don’t need to know how I’m in When Donato heard Parise vote for him, Donato said, “Please, you’re 10 such good shape,” Donato said. “I’ll just do my own thing, and they can times more superstitious than me. Zach’s just so specific about speculate what I’m doing to stay in shape. I’m definitely one of the guys everything. He keeps it kind of to himself, but his sticks are the same that likes to be in there. I think these guys know we’re professional exact way every time. We had a thing where I was giving him a roll of athletes, so it’s up to us to be in the gym as much as we can. tape before games when he wasn’t scoring like he’s used to, and I just Sometimes, it’s too much, but when things aren’t going well, it’s time to started finding these tape rolls that were a little different and right when I fix it up.” gave it to him he started scoring and now every game I have to have a Alex Stalock answered this question when rookie Nico Sturm was still on roll of tape ready for him. the team. “I’m not superstitious. Just a little … stitious.” “It’d be Mikko (Koivu) or Nico,” Stalock said. “Actually, it could be Donny, When told he won the category, Donato said, “I think guys are just but he’s not doing weights. He’s doing who knows what forever in there. speculating again. I’m a guy who just likes to stick to a routine. I don’t do You can go with Donny for time in there, but if you’d want actually anything too crazy, I don’t think. I’m sure there are guys that are secretly working out, Nico and if you’d want actual weights, probably Mikko. doing their own stuff that are just better at hiding it.” “Let’s go with … Nico.” Donato thinks he was voted the most superstitious because he’s the Seeler was proud he came in a close second. most religious.

“Summers, I work hard, and I enjoy working out,” Seeler said, before “I do pray before I go out there on the ice, but it’s not like I’m praying out laughing. “Obviously this year, I’ve been in there the most probably just loud,” Donato said, shaking his head. “I do the cross whenever I go on the ice, too, but if you watch anybody who goes out on the ice for Parise looked right at Donato. warmups or for each period, I’m sure every guy is doing the exact same thing. So, I think it’s funny that they all speculate that I’m the most “Why’s that?” Donato snapped. “I’m extremely neat.” superstitious. But that’s just their opinion. I just do my own thing.” “Relax,” said Parise. “Donato actually would be good because I bet he’d Who’s the best dresser on the team? clean up after you.”

Wild player poll Greenway picked Donato, his Olympic roommate, saying, “He just rattles me with everything he does.” For best-dressed, it wound up coming down to who wears the snazziest suits. Stalock got some votes because, as Pateryn said, he probably wouldn’t shut up. Players must wear shirts, ties and sportscoats on the way to the rink, entering the rink, after games and onto the planes. What’s funny about Fiala got some votes because, as Foligno said, “He’d be FaceTiming his that, if you really think about it, they’re getting all jazzed up in order to be girlfriend the whole time.” seen by very few people for only a few minutes. But Greenway was the landslide winner.

Most fans don’t get to see them on the way to a game or entering the Why? arena or leaving the arena or getting on and off the bus at hotels and the airport. “You’d have to drag him out of bed half the time,” Dubnyk said. “He literally wouldn’t do anything other than be in his bed. You might have to Let’s put it this way: After a game, players put on their suits again only to even help him to the bathroom once in awhile.” walk to the bus, which is parked in the arena’s loading dock, just for a ride to the airport. They get off the bus and right onto the plane, where “There’d be pizza boxes all over the room,” added Stalock. they usually strip down into comfortable pajamas or sweats for the ride. Echoed Donato, “He’d probably be ordering pizza at 4 in the morning or But hockey’s mentality has long been, “Look like a pro, feel like a pro, doing something stupid.” play like a pro.” “I’d go Greener, too, because he’s just on his own page,” said Carson Dumba (Kingly is Calgary) and Zucker (Gentleman’s Playbook) each Soucy. have their own custom suit makers. Greenway stood up for himself. “For me, suits are something that you can be a little out there with,” “This is absolutely absurd. Honestly,” Greenway said, laughing. “That’s Zucker said. “Basically no one sees you, so you can be a little more absurd! I would like to know the reasons because honestly I think I’d be a flashy. You wear it for 15 minutes, so a lot of times it’s just so your great roommate. Pretty laid back, I’m up for anything. This is just teammates and the staff can see you and get a laugh. That’s why I like to ridiculous. I don’t even know what to say. Honestly. Pizza boxes? Yeah, I have some fun with it because it can get pretty monotonous and boring. eat a pizza once in awhile. Big deal. I don’t really see that as a problem. It’s an easy way to show your personality a little bit.” “These guys just know I’d be chirping them the whole time and they “I like them tight,” Dumba said. “I like them super tight, and maybe show wouldn’t be able to keep up. This is ridiculous. That’s OK, though. I like a little ankle.” rooming alone.” Dumba did get a lot of accolades from his teammates. Some did jump to Greenway’s defense, like Dumba. “I like his style,” said bosom buddy Jonas Brodin. “I’d love to room with Greener,” Dumba said. “I’d probably get like a free “Plus, he’s got a big interest in it,” said Eriksson Ek. pizza out of it every night at like 3 a.m., it’d be quiet because he’s going to be sleeping a lot and when he’s up, we both would want to watch “He definitely cares the most,” said Fiala. sports on TV. I bet it’d work.”

Zucker definitely has his fans, kinda sorta. Who has the best taste in music?

“I’d go with Zucker for best and worst,” said Marcus Foligno. “Some are Wild player poll just hideous.” Dumba definitely controls the music and many teammates love it “except “Yeah, this is arguable because some guys don’t like his suits, but for the new-school rap stuff, which is terrible,” Zucker said. “But 90 Zucker’s a pretty sharply dressed man,” said Dubnyk. percent of the stuff he plays is really good.”

Who’s the worst dresser on the team? “I heard some of the guys gave me worst, but I’m glad most guys have Wild player poll good taste,” Dumba said. “But here’s the thing, on my personal playlist, I don’t really bring that around the room because I would catch heat and Koivu turns 37 years old next month, so there’s a chance this is age people would say I have the worst taste. So I don’t know, you just have to discrimination. feel the room, what kind of day it is.

“Me winning just tells you I must be the best,” Koivu said. “We do a lot of throwbacks in here. Like Staalzy, he likes Creed, I found out this morning. Big Creed guy. We have a lot of Bruce Springsteen This, funny enough, was the one category many players requested fans, like Stalock. We’ve got a lot of genres. My personal favorite is rap anonymity except for the gutsy Luke Kunin. and hip hop. I know that wears on some guys like country wears on me. “Mikko thinks he’s the best … but he’s not,” cracked Kunin. We keep it kind of fresh in here.”

A definite runner-up? Brad Hunt. It was interesting how many people chose Eric Staal.

“Huntsy dresses like he’s 48 years old,” Dubnyk said. “No offense to “He’s got cool, old-school music on his playlist,” said Kunin. anybody who’s 48, but I’m just saying.” “Yeah, the boys seem to like my music,” Staal said.

“More like 53,” chimed in Koivu. “He’s got the throwbacks going,” Dubnyk explained. “Anytime he gets on As Seeler tried to determine his answer, he looked straight at Donato. the aux board, it’s nice.”

“Don’t you dare. Don’t you dare,” Donato yelled. “Me? I’ve got great suits. Parise’s not a fan of most the music in the Wild room, “but we’re slowly You know I do.” exposing the guys to real music like George Strait.”

Who would be the worst road roommate? Who has the worst taste in music?

Wild player poll Wild player poll

Once again, poor Greenway and Donato. Suter won this, but not even necessarily because of the country music he listens to. “I’d say Suts because I’ve got to guess he’s not a music guy,” Donato What’s your favorite thing about Minnesota winters? said, triggering laughter. “I bet he doesn’t care for music at all.” First place: Playing with the kids in the snow, on the outdoor rinks, The Swedes all got votes. sledding (12 votes)

“Have you ever listened to like that Swedish rap stuff?” Seeler asked. Second place: Love the snow (5)

Like, say, Brodin. Third place: It’s always sunny (2)

“He likes the modern rap, and it’s just I don’t even know if you can call it Fourth place: Minneapolis skyways, playing for the Minnesota Wild, rap, but whatever it is, it’s just gross,” said Dubnyk. football season (1 each)

“Yeah,” Greenway agreed, “Like Ekker listens to that weird house music What’s your least favorite thing about Minnesota winters? shit.” First place: The hideous (sorry, but the truth hurts) Minnesota drivers, “Ekker’s a different bird when it comes to music,” said Foligno. traffic, icy and salt roads (10 votes)

Who avoids paying the bill at the restaurant? Second place: Bitter cold, windy days (5)

First place: Zach Parise, Kevin Fiala and Jordan Greenway (3 each) Third place: Dry skin, getting trapped in the house with the kids “when it’s minus-whatever,” the snow, shoveling slush, cloudy days, it’s way too Second place: Nick Seeler and Brad Hunt (2 each) long (“I wish it was one or two months shorter, said Spurgeon”) and, as Third place: Ryan Suter, Joel Eriksson Ek, Mikko Koivu and Marcus Greenway asked, “What could you like about the winter?” (1 vote each) Foligno (1 vote each) What’s your favorite Twin Cities restaurant?

There were some funny back and forths about this, like this one: First place: Butcher and the Boar (4 1/2 votes)

Dubnyk: Seels. Second place: Spoon and Stable (4 1/4)

Seeler: What?! Who paid for ice cream yesterday? Third place: CoV (2)

Dubnyk: OK, I don’t want to upset Seels. I’ll tell you what: We had a Fourth place: Sushi Fix (1 3/4) couple in Edmonton that were so bad. Fifth place: Burch Steak and Zelo (1 1/2 each) Seeler: We all split the bill unless somebody picks it up. Sixth place: Demi, Bar La Grassa, Martina, The Bachelor Farmer, Ciao Or this one: Bella and Arezzo (1 each)

Hartman: I hear it used to be Fiala, but then he signed that big contract. Seventh place: Colita and Pizzeria Lola (1/4 each)

Spurgeon: Kevin, for sure, last trip. He claimed he left his wallet in the A number of players couldn’t pick one, like, say, Spurgeon, who picked hotel. FOUR!!!, hence the quarters.

Or this one: The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 Hunt: It’s got to be … me?

What is your favorite Minnesota sports team?

First place: Minnesota Vikings (14 1/2 votes)

Second place: Minnesota Timberwolves (3)

Third place: Minnesota Twins (2 1/2)

Fourth place: Green Bay Packers and Minnesota United (1)

You can guess easily which Wisconsin native picked the Packers. Zuccarello voted for the Loons. Huge soccer fan, as are many of the Wild’s Europeans.

Who is your favorite athlete on a Minnesota sports team?

First place: Adam Thielen (6 votes)

Second place: Stefon Diggs (4)

Third place: Karl-Anthony Towns (3)

Fourth place: Harrison Smith, Kyle Rudolph, Joe Mauer and Dalvin Cook (2 each)

Fifth place: Adrian Peterson (1)

Wild players have a big appreciation for Thielen, the undrafted Detroit Lakes wide receiver.

“Thielen reminds me of myself, kinda. Same type of walk-on kind of thing, an unheralded guy in college,” said Spurgeon, who was tied for fourth in the NHL as the league’s most underrated player in Monday’s NHL player poll.

What is your favorite Minnesota or Wisconsin golf course?

First place: Interlachen (7 votes)

Second place: Troy Burne (4)

Third place: Spring Hill, StoneRidge, Superior National at Lutsen, Minnesota Valley, Wayzata Country Club, Windsong, Hazeltine National and Ridges at Sand Creek (1 each) 1172221 MontrealCanadiens “I enjoyed it,” said an upbeat Brook. “Not thinking, just playing. That’s what the coaches wanted me to do. I think it was a good thing for me, I really enjoyed it. They just wanted me to relax and have fun.”

‘It helped my development’: How Josh Brook’s stint as a forward brought As for the concerns about his development, Brook was quick to dispel the fun back to his game any criticism, crediting Bouchard’s actions with the change in his attitude, much like Jake Evans did earlier in the season.

“I think it helped me. Sitting out a couple of games, then coming in, By Marc Dumont Jan 21, 2020 skating and having fun, enjoying the game, that was the goal. I don’t think it hurt. I think it helped my development if anything.”

As much as he had fun playing as a winger, evidenced by his four-minute Josh Brook was a popular man on Tuesday morning in Laval. With the laugh-filled scrum, which was about four times longer than any previous Canadiens on their bye week, the media presence grew from a trickle to Brook scrum this season, he was glad to be back on defence at practice a sustained flow, and the topic of the hour was Brook’s recent usage, on Tuesday morning, beside his regular defensive partner Karl Alzner. which saw him spend two games in the press box, as well as two games as a forward. “We’ve joked around about it a couple of times,” said Alzner about the defensive logjam. “I don’t think anyone deserves to sit, we’re all playing With the excess of quality options, especially on defence, as well as the good hockey. Seeing Marchy (Maxim Lamarche) not play, well, you feel veteran limit, Brook has been the odd-man out of late. Using him as a bad for him. But at the same time, look around…” forward was one way of getting him into the lineup while maintaining a strong defensive core and respecting the AHL’s development rule. Alzner pointed to Christian Folin’s locker, Xavier Ouellet’s locker and Gustav Oloffson’s locker, all players that have significant NHL It’s far from ideal, but it’s just another one of those odd puzzle pieces experience, all players that performed better than Brook this season, Joël Bouchard and the rest of the coaching staff have dealt with this which again points to the meritocracy instilled by the coaching staff at the season. AHL level, though it certainly flies in the face of the developmental angle, “First of all, Josh has received a lot of mileage since the start of the year,” at least in the short term. said Bouchard. “People see potential, and we see it as well, but there “Everybody can play,” he said. “It’s an unfortunate situation. But was an opportunity for him to play. Since our defensive group was everyone would want to have this situation as opposed to not having healthy and we needed a player up front, the fact is, of all our enough guys to play.” defencemen, he’s the one that had the skill set to contribute to the team as a forward. And he played quite well. He was named the player of the But what about the development angle? Surely, there’s a drawback. game by his teammates in his first game, and he scored in his second.” Every minute spent as a forward takes away from the precious shifts His goal, a power-play tap-in, not to mention his breakaway, might have spend playing as a defenceman, where the learning curve is much given him some top-notch material in the eternal chirping-battle between steeper. defencemen and forwards, but there’s no denying that a defensive prospect playing as a forward raises legitimate questions. “Everyone can benefit from playing all the positions,” said Alzner. “Then you can see what the forward has to deal with. Whenever you come out Is he not good enough to displace any of the other defencemen? of the box as a defenceman, and you’re in the defensive zone having to play like a winger, you have no idea what’s going on. It’s so weird to have At the moment, no. But it would be unreasonable to expect a first-year guys on either side of you. I understand that people want to see him pro to outplay veterans with several seasons under their belt. It’s also develop as a defenceman, but he’s already a good defenceman.” worth noting that Brook played some games as a forward for Moose Jaw in the WHL, though fewer than half a dozen. There you have it. It’s about long term gain, and there are no worries about any short term pain. Should the Rocket not focus on developing prospects rather than giving veterans ice time? Absolutely, but they’re also trying to win games. From the coaching staff to his defensive partner and the player himself, the concerns about Brook’s development were much ado about nothing, Much like Claude Julien in the NHL, Bouchard is tasked with except perhaps giving a player that desperately needed it an opportunity development first and foremost, but he’s also trying to reward his team to have fun again. for their sustained effort all season long with a taste of playoff action. It’s a juggling act, but it’s not just a matter of giving Brook ice time. The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 As much as Bouchard was trying to find a way to fit everyone onto the roster while respecting the league’s rules, he was concerned with Brook’s state of mind.

“Josh is dealing with a lot of defensive pressure,” said Bouchard. “They’re not challenged physically in the WHL. For example, Josh isn’t as strong as Cale Fleury was last season. So, in one-on-one battles, in physical play and defensive play, it’s a lot of pressure. Yes, he needs to learn, but it’s also our job to alleviate some of the pressure he has to deal with. This was a good way to give him a break.”

In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to lose sight of history, but Fleury, who has defied all expectations in the NHL this season following a one- year tenure in the AHL with Bouchard, was also a healthy scratch last season for the Rocket.

“Playing him as a forward gave him a chance to play with the puck more often,” said Bouchard. “He contributed offensively, to the tune of plus six in individual scoring chances generated, and he initiated the physical play as opposed to receiving it, which is a nice treat for defencemen, who usually have to deal with getting hit rather than hitting.”

Recently, Brook was overthinking every shift, making mistakes that were below him, particularly in the defensive zone.

Simply put, he wasn’t having much fun out there, which is a much more pressing issue than using a player out of position. 1172222 MontrealCanadiens Their names were mentioned: Cale Fleury, Max Domi No player has scored more on the backhand over the past decade than

(whisper it) Brad Marchand. According to the league’s official stats, he’s Canadiens player poll: Who has the best hair? Who snores? Who pays done it 58 times, often on breakaways. There are no Marchands (or for dinner? Sidney Crosbys or James Van Riemsdyks) on the Canadiens, which explains the tightly bunched field.

There is one current Montreal player in 20th position on that list: Tomas By Sean Gordon Jan 21, 2020 Tatar. And he got … zero votes.

This is a question that stumped most respondents, in fact. Some went by process of elimination: “definitely not Gallagher.” It took weeks of low-grade nagging but results are in from The Athletic Montreal’s second annual player poll questionnaire. While the Canadiens “Hmm, who’s scored a backhand goal this year?” mused one player, might be on the beach for the bye week, we’ve been feverishly working before remembering that, actually, he had. “Post and in! I’m going to go the abacus to compile the data. with Webby, he had that wraparound.”

Once again, the answers are illuminating and fun; humble thanks to our Ah yes, the “NHL ’95 goal“. One teammate who offered Weber as the respondents for playing along. answer said: “his blade is flat, he’s got a big paddle so he can easily go to his backhand.” Last season’s questions focused primarily on the Canadiens’ impressions of each other’s skill when it comes to shooting, skating and the like. It Danault’s name featured on the same number of questionnaires as stands to reason players view the game from a different perspective, Weber’s. “His is sneaky-heavy, you can tell he works on it,” said a player. their responses suggested that Joel Armia is way more gifted on the hands front than any fan or pundit credited him for. Another voted for Fleury, whose first NHL goal came on a surprisingly deft forehand-backhand dangle. “I think he’s pretty much the only guy Well, they sure called that one. You also learned about who the wine who’s scored on a sweet backhander for us this year, right?” geeks are and which player was fussiest about his skates. For that last assertion to be true, the word ‘sweet’ needs to do a fair bit of This season, the focus turns to some subtler aspects of the game, like work. We’ll allow it. saucer passes and puck protection and to at least a couple of topics that once again stray from the usual fare: personal grooming habits and Who’s the best stickhandler in full flight? cinema. You have the honour of hoisting the Cup: Drouin (62.5 percent) We were able to corner 16 Canadiens this time around. To anyone who Better luck next year: Domi (31.25 percent) might wonder whether that’s a statistically significant sample: what is this, a research methods seminar? Put away the textbook, Poindexter. As was His name came up: Nick Suzuki the case last year, players were offered ironclad anonymity. In exchange they provided honest, unfiltered answers; perhaps a few engaged in a Maybe this is the recency bias talking, but if this question had been spot of friendly character assassination. This, we can neither confirm nor posed after Domi’s insane sequence of dipsy-doodles in overtime against deny. the Vegas Golden Knights on Jan. 18, the top two positions may well have resulted in a closer vote. So whose hair needs an urgent intervention? Who has the best one- liners? Which guys suddenly sprout T-Rex arms when the dinner bill As it is, Drouin’s slick handling and his high-end speed carried the day lands on the table? We have the answers. over his good buddy Domi.

After that meandering, Bettman-esque preamble, let’s awkwardly hand “He’s one of the top two or three guys in the league (at stickhandling),” out a few trophies! said a teammate.

Some, as you’ll learn, are more desirable than others. Anyone inclined to dismiss that as hyperbole is invited to consider the Canadiens’ win-loss record since they’ve been forced to forgo the benefit Who is the toughest guy to take the puck from in practice? of Drouin slicing through the opposing neutral zone forecheck like a filleting knife. “You have the honour of hoisting the Cup”: Joel Armia (50 percent of respondents) Note the vote for Suzuki as well. “Not the quickest, but great edges and hands. He’s incredibly elusive,” said one player. Better luck next year (tie): Brendan Gallagher and Phillip Danault (each with 18.75 percent) Who is the best, or at least most effective, ‘chirper’?

Their names were mentioned: Shea Weber, Jordan Weal You have the honour of hoisting the Cup: Domi (56.25 percent)

Armia is, in the words of one teammate, “just an absolute horse.” That Better luck next year: Nick Cousins (31.25 percent) the Canadiens’ largest forward is the clear choice in this category can’t count as a surprise. There are times when it feels like he can just impose His name came up: Gallagher his will along the boards and on the penalty kill. Those occasions used to There was only ever really one choice in this category, which is of course be rare, which is why he’s on his third NHL club. No longer. an essential hockey skill. Domi could probably walk away with this one But the Canadiens are one of the league’s top 5-on-5 possession teams for his body of work involving Kasperi Kapanen alone. Spirited showing because they have lots of players who are good at holding on to the from the quick-witted Cousins, though, so a stick tap for him. puck. Linemates Gallagher and Danault tied for second, which jibes with And there’s at least one sympathy vote for Gallagher, who, not terribly the eye test. surprisingly, is the man other players love to razz: “He’s not the best The votes for Weal count as a slight surprise, given his stature, but his chirper but he tries hard so I’ll go with him.” ability to quickly turn off both feet and shield the puck are key aspects to Who is the most gifted purveyor of sauce? his game. It’s noteworthy that one player went with the Man Mountain. You have the honour of hoisting the Cup: Drouin (62.5 percent) “I bet most guys are going to say a forward,” he said, “but if Shea has the puck, you’re not getting it.” Better luck next year: Domi (31.25 percent)

Who owns the best backhand on the team? His name came up: Suzuki

You have the honour of hoisting the Cup (tie): Danault, Weber (18.75 This will surprise you: NHL players are better at making saucer passes percent apiece) than anyone you’ve ever played with. Everybody in the Canadiens lineup can casually throw them the width of the ice from both their forehand and Better luck next year (tie): Jonathan Drouin, Weal, Gallagher, Armia backhand side. (each with 12.5 percent) Then you look at the Drouins and Domis of the world, who are dropping We regret to inform you there is overwhelming evidence that Brendan perfectly flighted pucks onto their teammates’ blades in games like they Gallagher is a bit of a cheapskate. This can probably be blamed at least were delivered by drone. partly on whatever ancient incantation Marc Bergevin mumbled before getting a future 30-goal guy to sign a below-market six-year deal in late “Drou just has ridiculous hands,” said one player who voted for this year’s 2014. winner, “he’s firing passes in traffic over two or three sticks, shin-high, and then it just hits dead flat right as it gets to your stick. He’s Anyway, this wasn’t close. Most questions elicited at least a moment or unbelievable.” two of thought from respondents. Not this one. Several of those who ultimately offered other answers initially said Gallagher. Domi earns similar, if not identical, praise. What’s more interesting is the 20-year-old Suzuki, he of the 50 career NHL games, earned a vote “I bet he still has the first per diem cheque he ever got, probably still in against that competition. Impressive. the envelope,” quipped one Canadien.

Who is your favourite “Slap Shot” character and why? Judging by the responses, if Fleury weren’t exempt from this list by dint of being an entry-level player, he’d also be getting fitted for a pair of You have the honour of hoisting the Cup: Jack, Steve and Jeff Hanson crocodile arms. Lehkonen and Armia likewise have a rep for being (56.25 percent) budget-conscious.

Better luck next year: Denis Lemieux (18.75 percent) “All the Finns,” said a player. “They never pay.”

Their names were mentioned: Dave “Killer” Carlson, Ogie Ogilthorpe and Tut-tut, let’s not be creating stereotypes based on nationality, kids. Reggie Dunlop Distinguished achievement in coiffure (i.e., the player who spends the We figured there should be a more expansive question somewhere in most time on his hair) there to allow for some Rorschach-style interpretive psychology (yes, we realize that’s not what polls are about. Yes, this is the sort of cheap VIEW THIS POST ON INSTAGRAM device that launched a thousand listicles. Our house, our rules. Shut it.)

If there is one cultural baseline that every hockey player can identify with, it’s “Slap Shot.” If you’ve been on a bus with a bunch of hockey players HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE. THANK YOU FOR on a long road trip (and everyone in the NHL has been on too many of BEING YOU @SYDNEYKTHOMPSON_  those to count) you probably know this movie’s dialogue at least as well A POST SHARED BY NATE THOMPSON (@NTHOMPSON44) ON as the actors who were actually on set. They include Ned Dowd, a prolific MAR 1, 2019 AT 5:32AM PST college and minor-league scorer who played Ogilthorpe; his sister Nancy wrote the screenplay. In any case the story about the real player who You have the honour of hoisting the Cup: Nate Thompson (43.75 inspired the character is much crazier than fiction. percent)

The Hanson Brothers are easily the most popular in the Canadiens’ Better luck next year: Tomas Tatar (18.75 percent) room. Read into that what you will. By way of explanation, we recorded three independent instances of “they’re hilarious,” and a “my brothers Their names were mentioned: Ben Chiarot, Brett Kulak, Mete, Domi and I went to Halloween as them one time.” One player voted for Carlson This is a tricky category to nail down, if only because Montreal is one of (“he wants that bounty”) and another went with Paul Newman’s Dunlop the teams in the league that forbids its players from warming up (“gotta go with the player/coach on that one, he’s the leader”). helmetless; the opportunities to show off one’s luscious locks are Also, those Denis Lemieux voters know what’s up. therefore curtailed. Particularly when one considers the typical NHL pregame uniform: suit, overcoat, toque or flat cap. As opposed to the player who sheepishly (and quietly) admitted: “Uh, believe it or not, I’ve never seen ‘Slap Shot.’” Heresy. Get thee to a DVD Anyway, let’s hear it for the veteran Thompson, whose jet-black coif player. earns the seal of approval from a plurality of his teammates. Thompson is 35, which means he has a built-in advantage over younger teammates Who is the loudest or most persistent snorer on the team plane? who are still trying to figure out what style suits their head and face shape best. I mean, he’s a handsome fella in that wedding photo. Check out You have the honour of hoisting the Cup: “No one,” or some derivative that hairline! These things don’t happen without a little effort and hair thereof (62.5 percent) product. Better luck next year: Christian Folin, Mike Reilly, Cousins, Drouin, Mete, Tatar is also freshly barbered at all times, it’s not a surprise he finished Lehkonen (6 percent each) second. An argument could be made for each of the also-rans. One His name came up: Ryan Poehling teammate said of Chiarot’s hair-care routine “he goes home, he’s pretty secretive about it. He’s got nice hair though, and that doesn’t always It turns out there are plenty of sleepers on the Canadiens’ charter, and come naturally.” also card players, but nobody whose snoring has caught people’s attention. We feel obligated to point out at this juncture that not noticing Said one player when the best hair question was put to him: “it’s anyone in particular is not the same thing as saying there are no snorers. definitely not Gallagher.”

One guy mentioned Reilly, a drop-of-the-hat sleeper who has since been Who owns the saddest, most wilted salad? traded to Ottawa, which is a little like the white-collar crime tradition of You have the honour of hoisting the Cup: Gallagher (68.75 percent) pinning it all on the dead guy. Better luck next year: Lehkonen (12.5 percent) It would appear your inveterate dozer among players currently on the roster is Poehling. Their names were mentioned: Weal, Kotkaniemi

One player jokingly put forward Alain “Flower” Gagnon, the club’s head of There are stories about Gallagher and his hair, so many stories. Like the team services (i.e., the guy who makes sure the schedule runs on time time a couple of veteran teammates brought him to a fancy salon – he on the road). Now that right there is what you call Antarctic cold. was starting out in the league – and he just didn’t get that they wash it for you before the chopping commences. Which player is least likely to pick up the tab on the road (entry-level contracts excluded)? Anyway, his teammates aren’t impressed by his flow management.

You have the honour of hoisting the Cup: Gallagher (68.75 percent) “Terrible,” said one teammate, wrinkling his nose, “it’s almost as bad as Trump’s.” Better luck next year: There were no second-place finishers in this category, all eyes are pretty much on Gallagher For a while it looked like Gallagher might actually run the table in this category, but a few other players ended up earning votes, including Weal Their names were mentioned: Cousins, Petry, Weal, Danault, and Gallagher’s running mate Lehkonen. Lehkonen/Armia, Fleury Never let it be said that Canadiens players aren’t self-aware or completely allergic to introspection.

That’s right, one player voted for himself: “(My hair) is pretty tough right now … I have to hold myself accountable.”

Admire the honesty, because it’s a somewhat fraught question. “It’s bad karma if you pick a guy that’s losing it,” the player continued. Thinking of anyone in particular? “There’s a couple of guys. We’ve had a talk.”

Anyway, in the end he put forward Kotkaniemi, whose recent buzzcut has been a source of mirth in the room.

Let’s go to the bonus round!

The Canadiens are on the road, with time on their hands. There’s a karaoke joint around the corner from the team hotel. They repair to said lounge to settle the question of who on this club has the purest-sounding pipes. Which player would win that contest?

You have the honour of hoisting the Cup: Suzuki (18.75 percent)

Better luck next year: Lehkonen and Thompson (12.5 percent each)

Their names came up: Poehling, Danault, Domi, Fleury

Other players have more stentorian voices, or the swagger and charisma to offset whatever’s missing through the vocal cords (“I don’t know if (Domi) can sing, but he’s a showman,” said one player).

Suzuki, however, has training. “I think he used to be in a youth choir or something,” said a teammate.

So the rookie gets the nod, but only barely. Lehkonen, who speaks in a rich baritone, won this unconditional endorsement. “Definitely Lehky. I can even tell you what he’d sing: the song from ‘Frozen.’”

Because of a methodological error (blame the author of these lines), we also have some small-sample insight as to who would constitute the biggest train wreck in our hypothetical croon-off: Kotkaniemi, Gallagher, Tatar.

This is news you can use.

In summary, it’s worth noting Gallagher’s name was recorded in six of the 10 categories that required identifying a teammate.

That makes him the winner, right?

— With files from Arpon Basu and Marc Antoine Godin

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172223 Nashville Predators "It feels like when we go down 1-0 or 2-0 it seems like we kind of just like are dead on the bench. That's something we have to take out of our game. It's gonna happen, down by a couple goals. But we can't just sit and be like, 'Oh, here we go again.' That's sometimes how the mindset is Catfish Corner newsletter: Carton Hutton visits Craig 'Partner' Baugh, on the bench — gets quiet when we get down 1 or 2-0. If we can clean captain Roman Josi that up ... we'll be better off." — Grimaldi

Tennessean LOADED: 01.22.2020 Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean Published 5:00 a.m. CT Jan. 21, 2020

I've seen in many times. Every time it's perfect.

Oftentimes when visiting teams are in town, players seek out visiting clubhouse attendant Craig "Partner" Baugh, who has more friends in the NHL than perhaps anyone.

We wrote about Baugh in December, in case you missed it.

Former Predators goalie Carter Hutton is no exception. Hutton, now with the Sabres, made his way to Baugh after a Predators practice at Bridgestone Arena last week.

There were hugs and "I love you, mans, of course. There also was plenty of ribbing.

One person on the Predators staff threatened to send a truck to Baugh's house to pick up a TV -- a TV that Hutton jokingly said Baugh lost to him in a bet.

So Hutton played along, asking Baugh when he could pick up his TV.

"Not gonna happen, man," Baugh repeated as Hutton laughed.

Craig Baugh cleans the team's laundry after a Predators' practice at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. Baugh has been with the Predators as a clubhouse assistant since they began the franchise.

These are the kinds of scenes that don't always make it into stories. This are the kinds of scenes I look forward.

As always, we have you covered with Predators news here.

With the Predators on break, here's a look back at the week that was (and last week's newsletter here):

Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) talks with center Kyle Turris (8) as they wait for a face-off against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Bridgestone Arena Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.

Captain crunch time

There have been some waves in social media circles, mostly by frustrated Predators fans, that Roman Josi isn't fit to be captain. That's ridiculous. The numbers he's put up justify the letter on his sweater.

Remembering the Titans

Pekka Rinne and Josi were among the Predators rooting on the Titans, who fell to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. They haven't forgotten when the Titans were there for them during their run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.

Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) shoots during the first period of the 2020 NHL Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020.

He's No. 2

A few days after Pekka Rinne became the 12th goalie in NHL history to score a goal, Filip Forsberg became the second player in league history to score a lacrosse goal, though his occurred during a loss.

Wakeup calls

Rocco Grimaldi said the Predators have a tendency to become "dead on the bench" when things go wrong. And he's not the first player on the team to suggest the mindset must change.

Room for improvement

New coach knows he has his work cut out for him. Here are a few ways the Predators can get better.

Quote of the week 1172224 New Jersey Devils the second game of a three-in-three, and we took the bus at right after the game from Norfolk to Hershey, Pennsylvania.

"And the next night before a game in Hershey, Nas pulled me into the Ex-Devil Ben Lovejoy credits interim GM Tom Fitzgerald, coach Alain locker room. My confidence is so shaken right now. I’m struggling. And Nasreddine for his success in the NHL he just said, ‘You’re going to play a long time in the National Hockey League. Go out and have confidence. Don’t be scared. This is going to happen throughout your career.’ And I was lucky that I had a leader like him at that point in my career, and it’s something that that I wanted to do By Chris Ryan to sort of pay it back, pay it forward to other players that did the things that Alain Nasreddine did for me.”

Ben Lovejoy’s first season of professional hockey occurred at the same Star Ledger LOADED: 01.22.2020 time as the start of Tom Fitzgerald’s career as an NHL executive.

The former Devils defenseman signed to play in the AHL within the Pittsburgh Penguins’ organization for the 2007-08 season, when Fitzgerald, the current Devils interim GM, started as the Pens’ director of player development.

That meant plenty of interaction between Lovejoy and Fitzgerald. The defenseman, who joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of Dartmouth, went on to play in the NHL in 11 different seasons before retiring in 2019, and Lovejoy credited Fitzgerald as a big reason for that.

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“I was very intimidated. And he ultimately had a plan for me. I was the 14th defenseman in the organization, and he has a plan for everything," Lovejoy told NJ Advance Media. "And he made my life very difficult for a long time, but, ultimately, I give him a lot of credit for the player that I became. And I think that he’s done that with a lot of players, and he knows how to connect with young players, how to communicate, and when players need tough love, real love. Fitzy understands those human relationships and can push the right buttons. And I’m excited for him to have a chance to run his own organization.”

Lovejoy’s playing career followed Fitzgerald to New Jersey, where the two spent parts of three seasons together from 2016-17 through 2018- 19.

The defenseman saw Fitzgerald develop into an assistant GM with the Penguins and the Devils, and Lovejoy said Fitzgerald has all the right tools as a person to make it as a general manager.

“Some of the things that that he would say to you were very difficult to hear, and, ultimately, things he would say would keep me up at night," Lovejoy said. "But they were very good for me and they were all true, and he’s a big part of my development throughout the years.”

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Lovejoy’s playing career also allowed him to cross paths with Devils interim coach Alain Nasreddine on two different occasions. Lovejoy, of course, played under Nasreddine for three seasons when he was an assistant coach in New Jersey.

But the two also played one season together as players. Lovejoy’s first pro season happened to be Nasreddine’s last pro season in North America, where he was the captain of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL.

When Lovejoy stepped on NHL ice for the first time in a preseason game, Nasreddine was the one by his side, and Lovejoy could already see the coach in him.

“He was my defense partner for my first exhibition game in Montreal," Lovejoy said. “This is a guy whose goal was to be the seventh defenseman in Pittsburgh — and he was sort of fighting with Kris Letang for the spot. And everybody knows who the more talented defenseman was, but Nas was going out of his way to help this young French guy, to turn him into the player he is, and Nas was a coach from from the first day I knew him.”

Nasreddine helped guide Lovejoy through his first pro season before he made his NHL debut one season later, and Lovejoy recalled one moment in particular where Nasreddine was there for him.

“I was going through a decent stretch of hockey that first year in Wilkes- Barre, and I got into my first fight and just basically got one-punched and my entire face opened up,” Lovejoy said. "I remember getting an hour and a half worth of stitches. I don’t know how many that is. And it was in 1172225 New York Islanders deflected off Lindgren's leg and in. Bailey was credited with his 11th goal with 6:25 remaining.

The Islanders were on another power play as Beauvillier got the puck Josh Bailey, Thomas Greiss help Islanders get revenge against Rangers from Barzal high between the circles, skated forward and fired the puck past Georgiev for his 18th with 3:25 left in the period to make it 2-0.

By VIN A. CHERWOO ASSOCIATED PRESS |JAN 21, 2020 | 11:04 PM New York Daily News LOADED: 01.22.2020

Josh Bailey had a goal and two assists, Thomas Greiss stopped 40 shots, and the New York Islanders held on to beat the rival New York Rangers 4-2 Tuesday night.

Anders Lee, Anthony Beauvillier and Brock Nelson also scored, and Mathew Barzal had two assists to help the Islanders head into the All- Star break with their second win in eight games (2-4-2). The Islanders got their first win against the Rangers in the teams' third meeting in nine days.

Greiss improved to 5-0-1 in eight career games against the Rangers.

Pavel Buchevich and Chris Kreider scored power-play goals 1:47 apart late in the third period for the short-handed Rangers. Alexandar Georgiev, who came in 4-1-0 in five games against the Islanders, finished with 14 saves.

The Rangers were without All-Star forward Artemi Panarin, who sat out with an upper body injury. Brendan Lemieux took his spot on the top line to start the game.

The Islanders, 2 for 29 on the power play over their previous 14 games, were 2 for 2 against the Rangers.

Josh Bailey celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Rangers.

Nelson scored from the left side off a nice pass from Bailey to make it 4-0 at 3:13 of the third. It was Nelson's 20th of the season.

Lemieux hit a goalpost a little more than a minute later, keeping the Rangers off the scoreboard.

However, shortly after Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield was whistled for a double-minor for spearing Lemieux, Buchnevich scored on a deflection to get the Rangers on the board with 6:15 left. It was Buchnevich's eighth.

With the Rangers still on the power play and the goalie pulled for a 6-on- 4 advantage, Kreider scored on the rebound of Mika Zibanejad's shot to make it 4-2 with 4:28 to go. It was Kreider's 17th.

After a time out by the Rangers, the Islanders were given a delay of game penalty — putting the Rangers on the power play again with 4:26 left. The Rangers again pulled Georgiev for another 6-on-4, but couldn't take advantage.

The Rangers trailed 2-0 after one period, and Zibanejad nearly cut the deficit in half in the opening minute of the second but his shot went off a goalpost.

Lee fired a one-timer off a pass from Barzal past Georgiev for his 16th at 9:52 of the second for a 3-0 lead. The puck appeared to deflect in off the Rangers' Ryan Lindgren, the second time in the game a goal was scored off the defenseman.

Nick Leddy rang a shot off a goalpost for the Islanders with just under nine minutes left in the middle period.

Ryan Strome appeared to get the Rangers on the scoreboard with 2:08 left in the second, but the Islanders challenged for offside on the play and, after a review, the goal was erased.

The Rangers also controlled play for much of the first 12 minutes of the game. Greiss made several nice stops to keep the Rangers off the scoreboard, including a stellar save on a slap shot by Buchnevich with 8:34 left.

On the other end, Barzal fired a shot off the crossbar less than 20 seconds later. The Rangers had an 8-1 advantage on shots on goal at the time.

With the Islanders on a power play, Bailey deflected a shot by rookie defenseman Noah Dobson. Georgiev made the save, but the puck 1172226 New York Islanders

Islanders get much-needed win over Rangers before break

By Mollie Walker January 22, 2020 | 2:14am

Facing the Rangers for the third time in eight days, the Islanders finally had some luck on their side.

It had been some time since the Islanders saw bounces go their way and frustrations were beginning to culminate. But the Islanders snapped a three-game losing skid with a rejuvenating 4-2 win at the Garden on Tuesday, avoiding a third loss to their rivals and taking a much-needed win into the All-Star break.

“That’s hockey,” Islanders captain Anders Lee said. “You’re going to have stretches where it goes your way and stretches where it doesn’t.”

It was an unstoppable five-point performance from the Artemi Panarin, the Rangers’ prized offseason addition, that buried the Islanders 6-2 in the team’s first meeting Jan. 13. And then it was an inopportune penalty on Derick Brassard that led to Chris Kreider’s goal in the final 30 seconds to steal a 3-2 win three days later.

This time around, the hockey gods were looking down on the Islanders, who had likely suffered enough after blowing a 4-1 lead against the Capitals on Saturday and then falling in an eight-round shootout to the Hurricanes the next night.

“I’m ecstatic with the two points,” Islanders coach said. “We’re exhausted, we had to battle through it. It was huge for our psyche [going] in the break. We’ve had so many games in a short period of time and we’re mentally and physically fatigued. The break is going to do us good.”

Alexandar Georgiev reacts dejectedly after giving up a goal during the Rangers’ 4-2 loss to the Islanders on Tuesday night.Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

Panarin, who has combined for six points (two goals, four assists) in two games against the Islanders this season, was held out of the Rangers lineup with an upper-body injury. The Islanders power play, which had been in a rut for a handful of games, broke through with two goals. And the one goal the Rangers could’ve built off of at 17:58 of the second period was nullified after the Islanders challenged for offside.

“Playing these guys, obviously huge rivals for us, big division opponent, and for them to take two from us last week, we felt tonight was a good opportunity to bounce back and get one and we did that,” said Josh Bailey, who registered three points (one goal, two assists) in the win.

The luck disappeared in the third period as the Rangers netted back-to- back power-play goals from Pavel Buchnevich and Chris Kreider after Scott Mayfield was assessed a double minor for spearing with . Then, as the Islanders began to scramble, the refs called them for a delay of game — a power play they were able to survive.

Goaltender Thomas Greiss made 11 of his 40 saves in the final 20 minutes to secure the victory. The Islanders will now have over 10 days until their next game and over a month until they see the Rangers again.

“We’ve had a lot to say [about playing the Rangers] in our room,” Lee said. “It’s going out and executing, it’s going out and playing the right way — our way.”

New York Post LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172227 New York Islanders “It would have been a lot nicer to leave with a win,” Zibanejad said. “But I think these [10] days will do us good.”

More importantly, the Rangers hope it does good by Panarin’s health. Rangers no match for Islanders without Artemi Panarin New York Post LOADED: 01.22.2020

By Brett Cyrgalis January 21, 2020 | 9:49PM

First the Rangers saw what they look like with a somewhat hobbled Artemi Panarin. Then they saw what they look like without their best player at all.

Neither was very pretty.

The Blueshirts played their first game this season with the injured Panarin on the sideline and suffered a 4-2 loss to the Islanders at the Garden on Tuesday night. It sent the Rangers into the 10-day break initially not knowing if Panarin was still going to be their representative at this weekend’s All-Star Game in St. Louis — eventually replaced by Chris Kreider — but knowing full well that they are hardly the same team when the superlative winger is not in the lineup.

“One guy makes a big difference, especially a guy who’s a superstar,” coach David Quinn said. “Obviously with him in the lineup, our lineup looks a lot different. The other team has to pay more attention to him, and in essence, you lose three players because the two guys he’s playing with aren’t as good as they would be with him there.”

Panarin has apparently been dealing with an upper-body injury for the past five days, according to Quinn, and he was questionable before he played in Sunday night’s last-minute 2-1 home loss to the Blue Jackets — arguably the most pedestrian game he has played in the spectacular opening 47 of his Rangers tenure (racking up 26 goals and 68 points).

The injury is something that Quinn said “he’s had an issue before with this, and it reoccured.” It’s hard to know how the break is going to affect him by the time the club returns for their next game all the way on Jan. 31. But Quinn did add that the Rangers “don’t think it’s long term,” which is about as close to a good sign as there was.

The Islanders took down the Rangers on Tuesday night.Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

“It’s a blow, but every team goes through injuries,” Quinn said. “We’ve been fortunate in a lot of ways with injuries this year. I was confident we could win this hockey game without him — and we could have. But we’re obviously a much better hockey team with him.”

It might have been different if they had Panarin’s offensive talent early on, when the Rangers (23-21-4) were drastically outshooting the Islanders (29-15-5) but were unable to beat Thomas Greiss, who turned aside all 30 shots he faced in the opening 40 minutes and staked his team to a 4-0 lead. And it might have been different with Panarin’s playmaking ability late, with the Rangers getting two gifted power-play goals in a span of 1:47 late in the third to make it 4-2 without getting another even with goalie Alexandar Georgiev on the bench for the extra attacker.

“We miss [Panarin] tremendously,” said Chris Kreider, who is off to his first All-Star game after he scored the second power-play goal, his 17th on the season, with 4:28 left in regulation. “But you have to find a way.”

The Rangers were feeling pretty good about themselves having won four of five going into the Columbus game, which included two victories over the Islanders in this three-game midseason miniseries. And that good feeling seemed only to dissipate a little bit after this one, even if there was some lip service paid to keeping a good mental outlook going into such a long period without another game.

“It’s disappointing, because I thought we actually played pretty well,” Quinn said. “It was just one of those nights. They [the Islanders] were very opportunistic, and we weren’t.”

The Rangers ended up outshooting their rivals, 43-18, but Georgiev could only make 14 saves as his good run against the Islanders dried up. Josh Bailey and Anthony Beauvillier scored power-play goals exactly three minutes apart near the end of the first period, while Anders Lee added one at 9:52 of the second and Brock Nelson got an easy backdoor tap-in at 3:13 of the third to make it 4-0.

It was just too much to overcome, especially without their best player. 1172228 New York Islanders

Islanders overcome two late penalties to beat Rangers

By Andrew Gross

Barry Trotz knows the crucial value of having “big-moment guys,” players whose performances elevate in the tightest of moments.

The coach left it somewhat open-ended before the Islanders’ 4-2 win over the Rangers on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden whether he believes his roster has enough of them.

“I don’t know, we’ll find out,” Trotz said. “I did last year and there’s not much change. So, I would say, yes.”

It might still be an open-ended question. The Islanders (29-15-5) nearly made a mess of what was shaping up as a neat, much-needed victory before the extended All-Star Game/bye week break over the Rangers, who were missing All-Star Artemi Panarin. The Islanders are off until facing the Canucks on Feb. 1 at Barclays Center.

They completed a stretch of seven games in 11 days with a 2-3-2 mark and avoided their third loss to the Rangers (23-21-4) in nine days.

However, the Rangers halved the Islanders’ 4-0 lead on power-play goals from Pavel Buchnevich and Chris Kreider after defenseman Scott Mayfield drew a double minor for spearing Brendan Lemiuex at 12:39 of the third period. Then, the Islanders were called for a bench minor at 16:34 when the wrong players went out for the faceoff after an icing.

“I’m ecstatic with the two points,” said an unusually tense Trotz. “We’re exhausted. We had to battle through it. It was huge for our psyche. We’ve had so many games in a short period of time. We’re mentally and physically fatigued and the break is going to do us good. If we’d lost that game in any way, shape or form, I think it would have been a big punch to the stomach.

“It’s a big win,” Trotz added. “I’m just a little emotional right now. We could have made it easy. We don’t do anything easy right now.”

The Islanders took just 18 shots on Alexandar Georgiev but top-six forwards Josh Bailey, Anthony Beauvillier, Brock Nelson and captain Anders Lee all scored and Mathew Barzal — benched in the third period for all but one, 40-second shift — got two assists. Thomas Greiss made 41 saves and the power play went 2-for-2.

“That was a little bit funky but we played a good game,” Lee said. “We needed this win before the break and we went out and got it.”

Nelson has five goals and two assists over his last six games. Over the last five games, Beauvillier has three goals and three assists, Bailey has three goals and two assists and Lee has three goals and one assist.

“We need those guys to be big for us,” Trotz said.

Bailey deflected in Noah Dobson’s shot at 13:35 of the first period on the power play and Beauvillier made it 2-0 at 16:35 on the man advantage after Greiss denied defenseman Jacob Trouba’s shorthanded chance.

Lee’s one-timer from the left circle made it 3-0 at 9:52 of the second period and Nelson pushed it to 4-0 lead at 3:13 of the third period.

The Rangers appeared to cut the deficit to 3-1 at 17:58 of the second period but Trotz successfully challenged that Jesper Fast was offside, making him 4-for-4 this season on offside challenges.

Notes & Quotes: Trotz said Cal Clutterbuck, out since his left wrist was slashed by Patrice Bergeron’s skate blade on Dec. 19 at Boston, is “progressing” with his off-ice workouts and it was possible he could resume skating on his own after the extended break…Michael Dal Colle took line rushes during warmups but was not in the lineup, with Ross Johnston instead skating on Derick Brassard’s third line with Tom Kuhnhackl.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172229 New York Islanders players, because the two guys he's playing without aren't as good as they would be with him.’’

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 01.22.2020 Rangers look lost without Artemi Panarin in loss to Islanders heading into break

By Colin Stephenson

It seemed an obvious question for Rangers coach David Quinn after the Rangers had lost, 4-2, to the rival Islanders Tuesday night, their final game before the NHL All-Star break: How different is your team without Artemi Panarin?

The answer was equally obvious.

“Very,’’ Quinn said, after his team outshot the Islanders, 43-18 and yet lost their second straight game before heading into a nine-day break, with their record at 23-21-4. They have 50 points on the season, and are 10 points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Panarin has been the Rangers’ most dynamic player all season, leading them in scoring, with 26 goals and 42 assists, for 68 points while lifting the play of everyone around him. And, after spurning the Islanders as a free agent over the summer to sign with the Rangers instead, he had scored two goals and had three assists in the Rangers’ 6-2 win over the Isles on Jan. 14.

But the 28-year-old winger had missed practice Monday for “maintenance,’’ and had left practice early on Saturday with what Quinn said was “an upper-body thing.’’

Quinn said Panarin had been a game-time decision Sunday, when the Rangers lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets, 2-1. He’d played in that game, but was no better than a 50-50 proposition for this one.

“By the end of it, it just didn't seem like the right thing to do [to play him],’’ Quinn said. “We don't think it's long term.’’

Quinn said the injury had been bothering Panarin for “probably five days,’’ and is something he has had before. The coach said he did not know whether Panarin, who is the Rangers’ sole representative to the All- Star Game, will be able to make the trip to St. Louis for this weekend.

“That’s up to Jeff [Gorton, the Rangers’ GM] and JD [team president John Davidson] to deal with now,’’ he said.

Pavel Buchnevich, who’d been playing on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, but who’d been dropped to the fourth line Sunday against Columbus, stepped into Panarin’s spot on the left wing with Ryan Strome and Jesper Fast. Buchnevich also took Panarin’s spot on the first power-play unit, and he scored the Rangers’ first goal, on a power-play tip-in in the third period.

The Islanders were up, 4-0, by the time Buchnevich scored, though. Two first-period power-play goals -- the first a crazy tip-in by Josh Bailey at 13:35 that went off goalie Alexandar Georgiev, off the skate of Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren, and in, and second a wrist shot from the slot by Anthony Beauvillier at 16:35 – had put the Isles up, 2-0. Anders Lee’s goal at 9:52 of the second period made it 3-0, and Strome’s apparent goal with 2:02 left in the second – which would have made it 3-1 – was disallowed after the Islanders challenged the play for offside and the challenge was upheld. Quinn called it “deflating’’ that the goal came off the board.

Brock Nelson then made it 4-0 at 3:13 of the third period, before the Islanders’ Scott Mayfield was called for spearing Brendan Lemieux and the Rangers got a four-minute power play. They scored twice with the man advantage – Buchnevich first, at 13:45, and Kreider on a rebound at 15:32 – to get within 4-2.

The Rangers outshot the Isles by a huge margin, but Thomas Greiss was good in goal for the Isles.

Still, there’s no telling how the game would have been different had Panarin played.

“Obviously with him in the lineup, our lineup looks a lot different,’’ Quinn said. “The other team has to pay more attention to him and he makes the two linemates he had -- you know, you really, in essence … lose three 1172230 New York Islanders

Trotz benches Barzal during third period of win over Rangers

By Andrew Gross

It’s Mathew Barzal’s skills as an offensive playmaker and elite skater that earned him a second straight All-Star Game appearance this weekend. But the top-line center knows the Islanders are not a “juggernaut offensively.”

Conforming his natural instincts to the structure Barry Trotz has implemented in his two seasons as Islanders coach is still an adjustment.

And Trotz benched Barzal in the third period of Tuesday night’s 4-2 win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden for all but one, 40-second shift. Trotz said it was a coach’s decision based on Barzal not playing within the team framework.

“That was a good example, exactly,” Trotz said. “One hundred percent, today.”

Barzal is the Islanders’ leading scorer with 17 goals and 25 assists, on pace to surpass his career high of 22 goals as a rookie. He will participate for the Metropolitan Division in the All-Star Game festivities Friday and Saturday in St. Louis.

“I’d love to score every night,” Barzal said before the game. “I try to score every night. I try to score every shift, really. I would like to score more. You just have to adjust. That’s our system. That’s our structure and it wins hockey games for us, so far. Would I trade 15 more points, 20 more points to be out of the playoffs? Absolutely not. We’re just trying to play meaningful hockey in April and May. That’s what gets me excited.”

He is due a big raise this offseason after competing a three-year, $2.775 million entry-level deal.

“You worry about contracts after the season,” Barzal said. “You want to be in the playoffs. That’s ultimately where you show yourself as a player.

“We’re not a juggernaut offensively, that’s just how it is,” Barzal added. “That’s how it’s been the last two years.”

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172231 New York Islanders line after being dropped from Mika Zibanejad’s top line in the third period against the Blue Jackets.

Projected lineups Isles vs. Rangers preview: The 'mini-playoff series' wraps up Islanders (28-15-5)

Anders Lee-Mathew Barzal-Jordan Eberle By Andrew Gross Anthony Beauvillier-Brock Nelson-Josh Bailey

Michael Dal Colle-Derick Brassard-Tom Kuhnhackl The so-called “mini-playoff series,” as described by the Islanders and Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Leo Komarov Rangers, concludes on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. Nick Leddy-Ryan Pulock It’s a last chance for the Islanders to beat the Rangers in this stretch of three games in nine days between the bitter rivals. Devon Toews-Scott Mayfield

“The first one wasn’t us, we didn’t play well structurally and we gave Noah Dobson-Johnny Boychuk them a ton of odd-man rushes,” Islanders right wing Jordan Eberle said. “I felt like we played better in Long Island but we didn’t get the result. So, Thomas Greiss (13-7-1, 2.45 goals-against average, .923 save I think the message tonight is we’ve got to find a way to win. It’s the last percentage) game before the break for both teams. There’s nothing really to save it Rangers (23-20-4) for. So, we’ve got to find a way to get two points.” Brendan Lemieux-Mika Zibanejad-Chris Kreider Both teams start their extended All-Star break/bye week after Tuesday night’s game. The Rangers next play against the Red Wings at the Artemi Panarin-Ryan Strome-Jesper Fast Garden on Jan. 31 and the Islanders face the Canucks at Barclays Center on Feb. 1. Brett Howden-Filip Chytil-Kaapo Kakko

The Islanders enter Tuesday night’s game in third place in the Brendan Smith-Greg McKegg-Pavel Buchnevich Metropolitan Division, six points behind the surging, second-place Brady Skjei-Jacob Trouba Penguins and just one point ahead of the surging, fourth-place Blue Jackets. They are only two points ahead of the Hurricanes, who hold the Marc Staal-Tony DeAngelo Eastern Conference’s second and final wild-card spot. The points cushion they built during a franchise-record 15-0-2 streak from Oct. 12- Ryan Lindgren-Adam Fox Nov. 23 is gone. Alexandar Georgiev (12-9-1, 3.06, .913)

“That’s sort of the NHL,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “Could we Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 01.22.2020 have had a few more points? Yes, absolutely. Could we have played better through the last 20 games (9-8-3)? Absolutely. But you’re going to have some of that. We’ve got to build our game. We can’t worry about what’s around us. We’ve got to worry about what’s in front of us and tonight, that’s the Rangers. And the Rangers have won two games against us.”

The Islanders played one of their worst games of the season in a 6-2 loss at the Garden on Jan. 13. They played well but still lost, 3-2, at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on Thursday night after Derick Brassard’s cross- checking penalty on Jesper Fast with 53.5 seconds left in regulation led to Chris Kreider’s power-play winner with 24.6 seconds to go.

“They’re going to be hungry,” said the Rangers’ Ryan Strome, an ex- Islander. “We beat them twice. I think it’s a great test for our group to see how we’re going to respond.”

The Rangers blew a one-goal lead and lost, 2-1, to the Blue Jackets on Sunday at the Garden. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice in the third period, including netting the winner with 26.5 seconds remaining in regulation.

Alexandar Georgiev, who started both games in net for the Rangers against the Islanders, again gets the call for the third matchup as coach David Quinn tries to juggle a three-goalie rotation along with future Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist and Russian wunderkind Igor Shesterkin.

The statistics certainly support Quinn’s decision to go back to Georgiev against the Islanders.

He is 4-1-0 with a 1.40 goals-against average, a .955 save percentage and one shutout in five career appearances against them.

Thomas Greiss will start for the Islanders after making 31 saves in Sunday’s 2-1, eight-round shootout loss at Carolina. Greiss stopped the one shot he faced after relieving Semyon Varlamov midway through the third period of last week’s loss at the Garden. Varlamov made 25 saves in the loss to the Rangers at the Coliseum.

The Islanders “held” Rangers All-Star playmaker Artemi Panarin to a secondary assist (on Kreider’s winner) at the Coliseum after he had two goals and three assists in the win at the Garden. Panarin missed practice on Monday, with Pavel Buchnevich skating in his spot on Strome’s second line.

Panarin is expected to play on Tuesday night and Buchnevich, with just one goal and three assists, is expected to skate on Greg McKegg’s fourth 1172232 New York Rangers deflected off Lindgren's leg and in. Bailey was credited with his 11th goal with 6:25 remaining.

The Islanders were on another power play as Beauvillier got the puck Josh Bailey, Thomas Greiss help Islanders get revenge against Rangers from Barzal high between the circles, skated forward and fired the puck past Georgiev for his 18th with 3:25 left in the period to make it 2-0.

New York Daily News LOADED: 01.22.2020 By VIN A. CHERWOO ASSOCIATED PRESS | JAN 21, 2020 | 11:04 PM

Josh Bailey had a goal and two assists, Thomas Greiss stopped 40 shots, and the New York Islanders held on to beat the rival New York Rangers 4-2 Tuesday night.

Anders Lee, Anthony Beauvillier and Brock Nelson also scored, and Mathew Barzal had two assists to help the Islanders head into the All- Star break with their second win in eight games (2-4-2). The Islanders got their first win against the Rangers in the teams' third meeting in nine days.

Greiss improved to 5-0-1 in eight career games against the Rangers.

Pavel Buchevich and Chris Kreider scored power-play goals 1:47 apart late in the third period for the short-handed Rangers. Alexandar Georgiev, who came in 4-1-0 in five games against the Islanders, finished with 14 saves.

The Rangers were without All-Star forward Artemi Panarin, who sat out with an upper body injury. Brendan Lemieux took his spot on the top line to start the game.

The Islanders, 2 for 29 on the power play over their previous 14 games, were 2 for 2 against the Rangers.

Josh Bailey celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Rangers.

Nelson scored from the left side off a nice pass from Bailey to make it 4-0 at 3:13 of the third. It was Nelson's 20th of the season.

Lemieux hit a goalpost a little more than a minute later, keeping the Rangers off the scoreboard.

However, shortly after Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield was whistled for a double-minor for spearing Lemieux, Buchnevich scored on a deflection to get the Rangers on the board with 6:15 left. It was Buchnevich's eighth.

With the Rangers still on the power play and the goalie pulled for a 6-on- 4 advantage, Kreider scored on the rebound of Mika Zibanejad's shot to make it 4-2 with 4:28 to go. It was Kreider's 17th.

After a time out by the Rangers, the Islanders were given a delay of game penalty — putting the Rangers on the power play again with 4:26 left. The Rangers again pulled Georgiev for another 6-on-4, but couldn't take advantage.

The Rangers trailed 2-0 after one period, and Zibanejad nearly cut the deficit in half in the opening minute of the second but his shot went off a goalpost.

Lee fired a one-timer off a pass from Barzal past Georgiev for his 16th at 9:52 of the second for a 3-0 lead. The puck appeared to deflect in off the Rangers' Ryan Lindgren, the second time in the game a goal was scored off the defenseman.

Nick Leddy rang a shot off a goalpost for the Islanders with just under nine minutes left in the middle period.

Ryan Strome appeared to get the Rangers on the scoreboard with 2:08 left in the second, but the Islanders challenged for offside on the play and, after a review, the goal was erased.

The Rangers also controlled play for much of the first 12 minutes of the game. Greiss made several nice stops to keep the Rangers off the scoreboard, including a stellar save on a slap shot by Buchnevich with 8:34 left.

On the other end, Barzal fired a shot off the crossbar less than 20 seconds later. The Rangers had an 8-1 advantage on shots on goal at the time.

With the Islanders on a power play, Bailey deflected a shot by rookie defenseman Noah Dobson. Georgiev made the save, but the puck 1172233 New York Rangers

Rangers’ David Quinn gives Kaapo Kakko top-line minutes

By Brett Cyrgalis January 22, 2020 | 3:47am

How’s that for giving the kid a chance?

Kaapo Kakko got season-high 19:33 of ice time (by one second), playing most of the second period and all of the third on the top line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad during the Rangers’ 4-2 loss to the Islanders on Tuesday night at the Garden.

Yet the 18-year-old Kakko, taken No. 2-overall in June’s draft, couldn’t register a point, going into the 10-day break for the All-Star Game and the bye week riding an eight-game pointless streak. In his first 44 NHL games, he has seven goals and 16 points, going without a point in 15 of his previous 16 games.

“I thought he did have extra tonight,” said coach David Quinn, who moved him off his kid line with 20-year-old Filip Chytil and 21-year-old Brett Howden. “I’ve kind of liked his game for a while here. It was something that I contemplated doing earlier. But I’ve liked that young line together, and I just didn’t love them tonight as a group. But I did like his game, so I put him up there.”

The move sent Brendan Lemieux down from that top line, where he started his second game back from almost a month-long absence due to a broken hand, to play with Chytil and Greg McKegg. Brett Howden got only two shifts in the third period and played only 8:24.

There has been a thaw in the relationship between Rangers and Lias Andersson, The Post has learned. Andersson and team president John Davidson have been communicating directly for about the last 10 days, following the 2017 No. 7 pick demanding a trade and then being suspended by the Rangers when he left AHL Hartford to return home to Sweden just before Christmas.

Andersson, 21, has begun to skate/practice with Division II Kungälvs IK, with the Rangers’ approval.

Goalie Igor Shesterkin was sent back to AHL Hartford for the break, with the Wolf Pack playing Friday and Saturday at home. Shesterkin, who played in three NHL games since his recall on Jan. 6, will not participate in the AHL All-Star Game, set to take place in Ontario, Calif., on Monday.

Shesterkin was a healthy scratch Tuesday while Alex Georgiev stopped 14 of 18 shots to end his winning ways against the Islanders, having taken four of the first five contests against the rivals in his short career. Henrik Lundqvist backed up for the seventh time in the past eight games.

Vinni Letteri was named as a late addition to the AHL All-Star Game, putting up 18 goals and 35 points in 42 games for the Wolf Pack this season after having played 46 NHL games, all with the Rangers, including 27 this past season.

Winger Phillip Di Giuseppe was sent back to AHL Hartford without getting into a NHL game following his call-up on Jan. 12.

— with Larry Brooks

New York Post LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172234 New York Rangers was a high stick on Brock Nelson at 12:19, accounting for the center’s 18th minor penalty of the year, tied for 10th most in the league. Of those 18 minors, three have been seven for hooking, six for tripping and five for high-sticking. The Islanders struck on the power play for a 1-0 lead at Rangers’ lack of urgency makes playoff dream harder to fathom 13:35.

Exactly three minutes later, Anthony Beauvillier rifled one home on the power play. After Lee made it 3-0, Nelson got one in front, both beating By Larry Brooks January 22, 2020 | 1:27am Strome on the draw and then escaping his coverage down low for the deflection.

This was not good enough. With or without Artemi Panarin, this was not It was another one that was too easy on a night the Blueshirts made it good enough from a Rangers’ team that has established making the easy for the Islanders. playoffs as a realistically achievable objective. New York Post LOADED: 01.22.2020 But it surely won’t be if the Blueshirts play with the same lack of urgency immediately following the bye week/All-Star break as they did in Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat to the Islanders at the Garden that ushered in the 10-day hiatus.

It was difficult to tell whether the guys in the room who insisted the effort had been good enough were spinning for their own benefit or the media’s. There was talk of the 43-18 advantage in shots, far less talk about the benign nature of most them with which netminder Thomas Greiss had to contend.

And yes, true enough, the Rangers were without their signature player, Panarin, sidelined with an unidentified upper-body issue that had been festering since the end of last week, but you’d think No. 10’s absence would have created an additional sense of urgency among the healthy.

But no, it did not.

The Rangers played a lot on the outside. They were lax in their decision- making. Just as the Blue Jackets did in their 2-1 last-minute victory over the Rangers on Sunday, the Islanders went into a neutral zone trap relatively early in the match. For the second straight game, the Rangers were slightly flummoxed by it all.

The team that lives for and thrives in open spaces was unable to create much. After losing both Battles of New York last week, the Islanders dictated the pace. The Rangers need fast and frenetic. This was neither.

Ryan Strome struggled throughout. Pavel Buchnevich did score on a late third-period power-play deflection but otherwise was unimpressive. Alex Georgiev was ordinary and did little to secure a spot in the three-into-two scenario in nets. Marc Staal wasn’t especially strong, neither was Jacob Trouba. Brett Howden was benched for most of the third period.

There was not enough from too many players, though Kaapo Kakko, who moved up to play with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider in the third period, had one of his most substantial performances over the last two months. Indeed, Kakko played 7:55 in the third period, elevating his total time on the ice to a career-high 19:33, one second more than the rookie got on Nov. 6 against Detroit.

So, a positive step there. And if it is true in the long view that whatever is good for Kakko is good for the Rangers, then No. 24’s night provides a salve to the wound of defeat. Of course, the next game isn’t until Jan. 31 at the Garden against Detroit, and Kakko is heading home to Finland for the break, so we’ll see if there’s a carryover and if David Quinn keeps him on that top-flight unit or reunites the 18-year-old with Howden and Filip Chytil.

The Islanders, who’d won only one of their past six (1-3-2) and only 12 of 28 (12-12-4) since they bolted out of the gate 16-3-1 by dint of a 16- game point-streak, came into the match with only a three-point cushion on a playoff berth. They were desperate.

The Rangers, who entered the contest nine points out of the second wild- card spot, with two games in hand and five teams to leapfrog in order to qualify for the tournament, should have been desperate, too. If they were, it sure never manifested itself in their play.

Quinn talked about the goal that gave the Islanders a 3-0 lead at 9:52 of the second period, “too easy,” but the coach could have defined the Rangers’ game that way. Anders Lee scored that one after the Blueshirts lost a puck battle behind their own net despite a three-two edge in bodies. They lost it despite Staal being first on the puck before being outmuscled (?) by Mat Barzal, who, by the by, was benched for the entire third period by Barry Trotz for No. 13’s penchant for individuality.

The Blueshirts did stack up shots early on Greiss and had a 9-1 edge when Strome took what has become a patented careless-stick foul. This 1172235 New York Rangers More importantly, the Rangers hope it does good by Panarin’s health. New York Post LOADED: 01.22.2020

Rangers no match for Islanders without Artemi Panarin

By Brett Cyrgalis January 21, 2020 | 9:49PM

First the Rangers saw what they look like with a somewhat hobbled Artemi Panarin. Then they saw what they look like without their best player at all.

Neither was very pretty.

The Blueshirts played their first game this season with the injured Panarin on the sideline and suffered a 4-2 loss to the Islanders at the Garden on Tuesday night. It sent the Rangers into the 10-day break initially not knowing if Panarin was still going to be their representative at this weekend’s All-Star Game in St. Louis — eventually replaced by Chris Kreider — but knowing full well that they are hardly the same team when the superlative winger is not in the lineup.

“One guy makes a big difference, especially a guy who’s a superstar,” coach David Quinn said. “Obviously with him in the lineup, our lineup looks a lot different. The other team has to pay more attention to him, and in essence, you lose three players because the two guys he’s playing with aren’t as good as they would be with him there.”

Panarin has apparently been dealing with an upper-body injury for the past five days, according to Quinn, and he was questionable before he played in Sunday night’s last-minute 2-1 home loss to the Blue Jackets — arguably the most pedestrian game he has played in the spectacular opening 47 of his Rangers tenure (racking up 26 goals and 68 points).

The injury is something that Quinn said “he’s had an issue before with this, and it reoccured.” It’s hard to know how the break is going to affect him by the time the club returns for their next game all the way on Jan. 31. But Quinn did add that the Rangers “don’t think it’s long term,” which is about as close to a good sign as there was.

“It’s a blow, but every team goes through injuries,” Quinn said. “We’ve been fortunate in a lot of ways with injuries this year. I was confident we could win this hockey game without him — and we could have. But we’re obviously a much better hockey team with him.”

It might have been different if they had Panarin’s offensive talent early on, when the Rangers (23-21-4) were drastically outshooting the Islanders (29-15-5) but were unable to beat Thomas Greiss, who turned aside all 30 shots he faced in the opening 40 minutes and staked his team to a 4-0 lead. And it might have been different with Panarin’s playmaking ability late, with the Rangers getting two gifted power-play goals in a span of 1:47 late in the third to make it 4-2 without getting another even with goalie Alexandar Georgiev on the bench for the extra attacker.

“We miss [Panarin] tremendously,” said Chris Kreider, who is off to his first All-Star game after he scored the second power-play goal, his 17th on the season, with 4:28 left in regulation. “But you have to find a way.”

The Rangers were feeling pretty good about themselves having won four of five going into the Columbus game, which included two victories over the Islanders in this three-game midseason miniseries. And that good feeling seemed only to dissipate a little bit after this one, even if there was some lip service paid to keeping a good mental outlook going into such a long period without another game.

“It’s disappointing, because I thought we actually played pretty well,” Quinn said. “It was just one of those nights. They [the Islanders] were very opportunistic, and we weren’t.”

The Rangers ended up outshooting their rivals, 43-18, but Georgiev could only make 14 saves as his good run against the Islanders dried up. Josh Bailey and Anthony Beauvillier scored power-play goals exactly three minutes apart near the end of the first period, while Anders Lee added one at 9:52 of the second and Brock Nelson got an easy backdoor tap-in at 3:13 of the third to make it 4-0.

It was just too much to overcome, especially without their best player.

“It would have been a lot nicer to leave with a win,” Zibanejad said. “But I think these [10] days will do us good.” 1172236 New York Rangers Shortly thereafter, the Rangers appeared to cut the deficit back down to two goals when Strome chased down his own rebound and put it in. But a challenge from the Islanders showed that the Rangers had been offsides prior to the goal, reversing the call and keeping the score at 3-0. With Artemi Panarin out, NY Rangers head into NHL All-Star break with a loss to Islanders Quinn called it a "deflating" moment.

"I thought there was grey area with it," he said of the offsides call. "Apparently, they didn’t." Vincent Z. Mercogliano, NHL writer Published 7:13 p.m. ET Jan. 21, 2020 | Updated 12:24 a.m. ET Jan. 22, 2020 The Isles made it 4-0 early in the third period, with Bailey threading a pass in front of the Rangers' net to Brock Nelson for the goal.

The Rangers rallied a bit too late with two power-play goals in the final NEW YORK - Artemi Panarin played in each of the first 47 games of the 6:13. season for the Rangers, but that streak has come to an end. Pavel Buchnevich scored the first with 6:13 remaining, tipping in a wrist Panarin missed Monday's practice with an upper-body injury and did not shot from Adam Fox, and the second came from Kreider. play in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the rival Islanders at Madison Square Garden. There we go Kreids! #NYRpic.twitter.com/H4WjvLCK27

"He’s had an upper-body issue and we were kind of 50-50 throughout the — Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) January 22, 2020 afternoon (about) whether he was going to play," Rangers coach David Zibanejad assisted on both goals to increase his season total to 39 points Quinn said. "By the end, it just seemed like the right thing to do." (18 goals and 21 assists) in 35 games played. It came as a bit of a surprise. "For most of the game, I thought we played pretty well," Zibanejad said. Following Monday's practice, Quinn called it "a maintenance day" and "We made it hard on them. We had a lot of zone time and tried to toss indicated that Panarin would play Tuesday. more pucks to the net. … Their goalie did a good job."

LINEUP: What's next for Ryan Strome and Pavel Buchnevich? Caught my eye

PREVIOUS GAME: Late goal leads to crushing defeat for Rangers Rookie Kaapo Kakko has consistently played on the same line with fellow youngsters Filip Chytil and Brett Howden since the Christmas break. When asked prior to the game if the injury had been affecting Panarin's play, Quinn said, "Maybe a little bit." Prior to Tuesday's game, Quinn was asked if he's considered making any changes — specifically promoting Kakko into the top six. Then Panarin was missing when the Rangers took the ice for warm-ups. "I’m not set with leaving it," he said. "There are a lot of things you think "It’s been probably five days," Quinn said when asked when Panarin about over the course of a game when you put people in situations. So sustained the injury. "He’s had an issue before with this and it just far, I haven’t felt enough of an urge to do it — to put (Kakko) up (on a reoccurred. It didn’t get a lot better." different line)."

The 28-year-old has been a godsend since signing a seven-year, $81.5 Apparently, that urge came during the second period against the million contract this offseason. He leads the team with 68 points (26 Islanders. goals and 42 assists) and was selected to his first NHL all-star game. With the Rangers struggling to find offense, Quinn swapped Kakko and Late Tuesday night, the league announced that Chris Kreider will take Brendan Lemieux. Kakko went to the top line with Zibanejad and Kreider, Panarin's place as the Rangers' representative for Saturday's all-star while Lemieux dropped down to the line with Chytil and Howden. game in St. Louis. It'll be the first all-star appearance for Kreider, who's posted 31 points (16 goals and 15 assists) this season. "It was 3-0 and we hadn’t scored a goal five-on-five in a while," Quinn said. "I just started changing the lines a little bit." As for Panarin's injury, Quinn said, "We don’t think it’s long-term." It didn't result in any goals, but it did yield some positive signs from As for the game... Kakko.

Predictably, the Rangers (23-21-4) had trouble generating goals without The No. 2 overall pick in last year's draft was active in the offensive zone Panarin. and strong on the puck. He finished with 18:26 time on ice and three shots on goal, while setting up teammates with good passing on a few They had their chances, outshooting the Islanders by a wide margin of occasions. 43-18, but couldn't find their finishing touch until late in the contest. "I thought he did have extra tonight," Quinn said. "I’ve kind of liked his "I don’t think we’ve had a lot of games with 43 shots, so I think guys game for a while here. It was something that I contemplated doing stepped up," Kreider said. "Obviously, we missed him tremendously — earlier, but again, I’ve liked that young line together. I didn’t like them just like we missed Mika (Zibanejad when he was hurt) — but you’ve got tonight as a group, but I did like his game, so I put him up there." to find a way."

The Rangers had their chances, but they just couldn't cash in against the Kaapo Kakko doing everything himself. ✊ Isles.#NYR | @NYRangers | @VallysViewpic.twitter.com/jWL7YkOqCR pic.twitter.com/lkzZkw5v0R

— Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) January 22, 2020 — Nathan "Grav" (@NathanGraviteh) January 22, 2020

Meanwhile, the Isles seemed to take advantage of every opportunity. More takeaways from Vin

The Rangers entered the game having successfully killed 22 of their last After the game, the Rangers announced that they're sending goalie Igor 24 penalties, but they went 0 for 2 in the first period. Shesterkin and forward Phil Di Giuseppe back to AHL Hartford. It A high-sticking call on Ryan Strome resulted in a tip-in goal for Josh seemed likely they would do that with Shesterkin after getting him his first Bailey and hooking penalty on Brady Skjei turned into a slot goal from three NHL starts — and a few NHL paychecks. It's unclear when he'll Anthony Beauvillier. return, but now he can start one of the two games for the Wolf Pack this weekend and possibly have the option to participate in the AHL all-star "We made a bad decision on the second power play goal," Quinn said. game next week. (It was announced today that Vinni Lettieri would "We were killing it and I thought we tried to create offense when we didn't replace him, so I'm not sure how this works from here. I'll find out.) He need to try to. We do a bad job coming back in our end and it kind of went 2-1 with the Rangers with a .929 save percentage and a 2.48 goals deflated us a little bit." against average. (Side note: I'll be visiting with the Hartford team this week and have a lot of cool stuff coming while the Rangers are off.) The Islanders made it 3-0 halfway through the second period on an even- strength goal from Anders Lee. Back to the Rangers... the team was more upbeat after this loss than they were after Sunday's loss to Columbus. But there's no way to sugarcoat it: After winning four out of five, they missed a huge opportunity to head into this period of nine days off with positive momentum. Their playoff chances are looking slim, but I think they're looking forward to some time to rest and regroup. "Our game is worlds better than it was at the beginning of the year," Kreider said. "We’ve gotten so much better. I don’t think the score line is indicative of how well we played tonight. But a few lapses against good teams and they’re going to capitalize. We’ve got to shore up those things."

It's hard to figure out what to make of the lopsided shot totals. The Rangers did a good job of "throwing pucks at the net" — that and "staying in our structure" are probably the most used phrases of the first half of the season — but many of those shots resulted in easy saves for Thomas Greiss. On the other hand, the Isles cashed in on some bad defense from the Rangers — particularly the third and fourth goals — and hit at least one post and one crossbar that I can remember. They were the better team tonight, even though the Rangers more than doubled their shot total. "They were very opportunistic," Quinn said. "And we weren't."

I asked Zibanejad about why they didn't convert more of those shots into goals. "That’s a good question," he said. "I don’t know. I thought (Greiss) came up with some big saves. I thought we were there. We were around the net. There were a few that didn’t really hit him — hit the D-men in front. … Just one of those nights."

Speaking of Zibanejad, he played a team-high 25:38. Those are major minutes. You know who was second among the forwards? Buchnevich with 24:05. He had what Quinn called "a tough night" against Columbus, but scoring a goal and being relied on that heavily in this one was probably a good step for his confidence. Quinn has made it clear he wants to get him going.

Obviously, not having Panarin was huge for the Rangers. He's been their MVP and offensive driving force. I probably don't need to explain it more than that, but here's what Quinn said. "Very," he said when asked about how much Panarin's absence changes things. "One guy makes a big difference, especially a guy who's a superstar. Obviously with him in the lineup, our lineup looks a lot different. The other team has to pay more attention to him and he makes the two linemates he has — in essence, you lose three players, because two guys he's playing with aren’t as good without with him there. It's a blow, but hey — listen, every team goes through injuries. We've been fortunate in a lot of ways with injuries this year. I was confident we could’ve won this hockey game without him — and we could have. But we’re obviously a much better hockey team with him."

I'm not sure we'll see Kakko on the top line when the Rangers get back from their break, but he looked really good tonight. Even though the points still aren't coming very often, he seems to be in a much better place mentally lately. We had our most extensive conversation since he's been here on Monday, and I wrote about how he's learned to cope with the ups and downs of the NHL in a story that will be posted Wednesday morning. Check it out, yo.

Even though the team is going to be off for a while, I'll have a lot of stories and content coming your way during the break. Stay tuned... it's going to be an interesting second half. "We have a lot of hockey left to play," Zibanejad said.

Bergen Record LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172237 New York Rangers

Islanders overcome two late penalties to beat Rangers

By Andrew Gross

Barry Trotz knows the crucial value of having “big-moment guys,” players whose performances elevate in the tightest of moments.

The coach left it somewhat open-ended before the Islanders’ 4-2 win over the Rangers on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden whether he believes his roster has enough of them.

“I don’t know, we’ll find out,” Trotz said. “I did last year and there’s not much change. So, I would say, yes.”

It might still be an open-ended question. The Islanders (29-15-5) nearly made a mess of what was shaping up as a neat, much-needed victory before the extended All-Star Game/bye week break over the Rangers, who were missing All-Star Artemi Panarin. The Islanders are off until facing the Canucks on Feb. 1 at Barclays Center.

They completed a stretch of seven games in 11 days with a 2-3-2 mark and avoided their third loss to the Rangers (23-21-4) in nine days.

However, the Rangers halved the Islanders’ 4-0 lead on power-play goals from Pavel Buchnevich and Chris Kreider after defenseman Scott Mayfield drew a double minor for spearing Brendan Lemiuex at 12:39 of the third period. Then, the Islanders were called for a bench minor at 16:34 when the wrong players went out for the faceoff after an icing.

“I’m ecstatic with the two points,” said an unusually tense Trotz. “We’re exhausted. We had to battle through it. It was huge for our psyche. We’ve had so many games in a short period of time. We’re mentally and physically fatigued and the break is going to do us good. If we’d lost that game in any way, shape or form, I think it would have been a big punch to the stomach.

“It’s a big win,” Trotz added. “I’m just a little emotional right now. We could have made it easy. We don’t do anything easy right now.”

The Islanders took just 18 shots on Alexandar Georgiev but top-six forwards Josh Bailey, Anthony Beauvillier, Brock Nelson and captain Anders Lee all scored and Mathew Barzal — benched in the third period for all but one, 40-second shift — got two assists. Thomas Greiss made 41 saves and the power play went 2-for-2.

“That was a little bit funky but we played a good game,” Lee said. “We needed this win before the break and we went out and got it.”

Nelson has five goals and two assists over his last six games. Over the last five games, Beauvillier has three goals and three assists, Bailey has three goals and two assists and Lee has three goals and one assist.

“We need those guys to be big for us,” Trotz said.

Bailey deflected in Noah Dobson’s shot at 13:35 of the first period on the power play and Beauvillier made it 2-0 at 16:35 on the man advantage after Greiss denied defenseman Jacob Trouba’s shorthanded chance.

Lee’s one-timer from the left circle made it 3-0 at 9:52 of the second period and Nelson pushed it to 4-0 lead at 3:13 of the third period.

The Rangers appeared to cut the deficit to 3-1 at 17:58 of the second period but Trotz successfully challenged that Jesper Fast was offside, making him 4-for-4 this season on offside challenges.

Notes & Quotes: Trotz said Cal Clutterbuck, out since his left wrist was slashed by Patrice Bergeron’s skate blade on Dec. 19 at Boston, is “progressing” with his off-ice workouts and it was possible he could resume skating on his own after the extended break…Michael Dal Colle took line rushes during warmups but was not in the lineup, with Ross Johnston instead skating on Derick Brassard’s third line with Tom Kuhnhackl.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172238 New York Rangers

Rangers' Lias Andersson practicing with Swedish team

By Colin Stephenson

Lias Andersson, the 21-year-old center who requested a trade last month and abruptly left AHL Hartford, where the Rangers had sent him in mid- November, skated Tuesday in Sweden at a practice with second division club Kungalvs IK.

In an interview with the Swedish newspaper GP, Andersson was asked about his future and said — according to a translation by Google Translate — “I know a lot, but I can’t say anything.’’

The Rangers had no comment other than a team spokesman saying, “There is nothing new to report on our end, and [there are] no issues.’’

The Rangers had no comment when asked if team president John Davidson, who had said in a Jan. 10 sitdown with reporters that he wished to speak directly with Andersson, had spoken to the young Swede. But Larry Brooks of the the New York Post tweeted Tuesday that Davidson and Andersson had been in contact with each other the past 10 days and there was a “thaw’’ in the relationship between the two parties.

Andersson, in an interview this month with a Swedish reporter, had hinted that there were mental health issues connected to his decision to leave Hartford, though he was not specific. A few days later, at a Rangers practice, Davidson said he wished to speak directly to Andersson about his concerns. At that point, Davidson said, the Rangers had only spoken to Andersson’s agent, and not the player himself

Andersson, the No. 7 pick overall in the 2017 draft, made the Rangers out of training camp, but found himself buried in a fourth-line role with little ice time. He managed only a single assist in 17 games before the Rangers sent him to Hartford Nov. 17. In Hartford, he had four goals and one assist (five points) in 13 games

Ice chips

With Alexandar Georgiev starting in goal, and Henrik Lundqvist serving as backup, Igor Shesterkin was scratched, along with Artemi Panarin (upper-body injury) and Phillip DiGiuseppe.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172239 New York Rangers players, because the two guys he's playing without aren't as good as they would be with him.’’

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 01.22.2020 Rangers look lost without Artemi Panarin in loss to Islanders heading into break

By Colin Stephenson

It seemed an obvious question for Rangers coach David Quinn after the Rangers had lost, 4-2, to the rival Islanders Tuesday night, their final game before the NHL All-Star break: How different is your team without Artemi Panarin?

The answer was equally obvious.

“Very,’’ Quinn said, after his team outshot the Islanders, 43-18 and yet lost their second straight game before heading into a nine-day break, with their record at 23-21-4. They have 50 points on the season, and are 10 points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Panarin has been the Rangers’ most dynamic player all season, leading them in scoring, with 26 goals and 42 assists, for 68 points while lifting the play of everyone around him. And, after spurning the Islanders as a free agent over the summer to sign with the Rangers instead, he had scored two goals and had three assists in the Rangers’ 6-2 win over the Isles on Jan. 14.

But the 28-year-old winger had missed practice Monday for “maintenance,’’ and had left practice early on Saturday with what Quinn said was “an upper-body thing.’’

Quinn said Panarin had been a game-time decision Sunday, when the Rangers lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets, 2-1. He’d played in that game, but was no better than a 50-50 proposition for this one.

“By the end of it, it just didn't seem like the right thing to do [to play him],’’ Quinn said. “We don't think it's long term.’’

Quinn said the injury had been bothering Panarin for “probably five days,’’ and is something he has had before. The coach said he did not know whether Panarin, who is the Rangers’ sole representative to the All- Star Game, will be able to make the trip to St. Louis for this weekend.

“That’s up to Jeff [Gorton, the Rangers’ GM] and JD [team president John Davidson] to deal with now,’’ he said.

Pavel Buchnevich, who’d been playing on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, but who’d been dropped to the fourth line Sunday against Columbus, stepped into Panarin’s spot on the left wing with Ryan Strome and Jesper Fast. Buchnevich also took Panarin’s spot on the first power-play unit, and he scored the Rangers’ first goal, on a power-play tip-in in the third period.

The Islanders were up, 4-0, by the time Buchnevich scored, though. Two first-period power-play goals -- the first a crazy tip-in by Josh Bailey at 13:35 that went off goalie Alexandar Georgiev, off the skate of Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren, and in, and second a wrist shot from the slot by Anthony Beauvillier at 16:35 – had put the Isles up, 2-0. Anders Lee’s goal at 9:52 of the second period made it 3-0, and Strome’s apparent goal with 2:02 left in the second – which would have made it 3-1 – was disallowed after the Islanders challenged the play for offside and the challenge was upheld. Quinn called it “deflating’’ that the goal came off the board.

Brock Nelson then made it 4-0 at 3:13 of the third period, before the Islanders’ Scott Mayfield was called for spearing Brendan Lemieux and the Rangers got a four-minute power play. They scored twice with the man advantage – Buchnevich first, at 13:45, and Kreider on a rebound at 15:32 – to get within 4-2.

The Rangers outshot the Isles by a huge margin, but Thomas Greiss was good in goal for the Isles.

Still, there’s no telling how the game would have been different had Panarin played.

“Obviously with him in the lineup, our lineup looks a lot different,’’ Quinn said. “The other team has to pay more attention to him and he makes the two linemates he had -- you know, you really, in essence … lose three 1172240 New York Rangers line after being dropped from Mika Zibanejad’s top line in the third period against the Blue Jackets.

Projected lineups Isles vs. Rangers preview: The 'mini-playoff series' wraps up Islanders (28-15-5)

Anders Lee-Mathew Barzal-Jordan Eberle By Andrew Gross Anthony Beauvillier-Brock Nelson-Josh Bailey

Michael Dal Colle-Derick Brassard-Tom Kuhnhackl The so-called “mini-playoff series,” as described by the Islanders and Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Leo Komarov Rangers, concludes on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. Nick Leddy-Ryan Pulock It’s a last chance for the Islanders to beat the Rangers in this stretch of three games in nine days between the bitter rivals. Devon Toews-Scott Mayfield

“The first one wasn’t us, we didn’t play well structurally and we gave Noah Dobson-Johnny Boychuk them a ton of odd-man rushes,” Islanders right wing Jordan Eberle said. “I felt like we played better in Long Island but we didn’t get the result. So, Thomas Greiss (13-7-1, 2.45 goals-against average, .923 save I think the message tonight is we’ve got to find a way to win. It’s the last percentage) game before the break for both teams. There’s nothing really to save it Rangers (23-20-4) for. So, we’ve got to find a way to get two points.” Brendan Lemieux-Mika Zibanejad-Chris Kreider Both teams start their extended All-Star break/bye week after Tuesday night’s game. The Rangers next play against the Red Wings at the Artemi Panarin-Ryan Strome-Jesper Fast Garden on Jan. 31 and the Islanders face the Canucks at Barclays Center on Feb. 1. Brett Howden-Filip Chytil-Kaapo Kakko

The Islanders enter Tuesday night’s game in third place in the Brendan Smith-Greg McKegg-Pavel Buchnevich Metropolitan Division, six points behind the surging, second-place Brady Skjei-Jacob Trouba Penguins and just one point ahead of the surging, fourth-place Blue Jackets. They are only two points ahead of the Hurricanes, who hold the Marc Staal-Tony DeAngelo Eastern Conference’s second and final wild-card spot. The points cushion they built during a franchise-record 15-0-2 streak from Oct. 12- Ryan Lindgren-Adam Fox Nov. 23 is gone. Alexandar Georgiev (12-9-1, 3.06, .913)

“That’s sort of the NHL,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “Could we Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 01.22.2020 have had a few more points? Yes, absolutely. Could we have played better through the last 20 games (9-8-3)? Absolutely. But you’re going to have some of that. We’ve got to build our game. We can’t worry about what’s around us. We’ve got to worry about what’s in front of us and tonight, that’s the Rangers. And the Rangers have won two games against us.”

The Islanders played one of their worst games of the season in a 6-2 loss at the Garden on Jan. 13. They played well but still lost, 3-2, at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on Thursday night after Derick Brassard’s cross- checking penalty on Jesper Fast with 53.5 seconds left in regulation led to Chris Kreider’s power-play winner with 24.6 seconds to go.

“They’re going to be hungry,” said the Rangers’ Ryan Strome, an ex- Islander. “We beat them twice. I think it’s a great test for our group to see how we’re going to respond.”

The Rangers blew a one-goal lead and lost, 2-1, to the Blue Jackets on Sunday at the Garden. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice in the third period, including netting the winner with 26.5 seconds remaining in regulation.

Alexandar Georgiev, who started both games in net for the Rangers against the Islanders, again gets the call for the third matchup as coach David Quinn tries to juggle a three-goalie rotation along with future Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist and Russian wunderkind Igor Shesterkin.

The statistics certainly support Quinn’s decision to go back to Georgiev against the Islanders.

He is 4-1-0 with a 1.40 goals-against average, a .955 save percentage and one shutout in five career appearances against them.

Thomas Greiss will start for the Islanders after making 31 saves in Sunday’s 2-1, eight-round shootout loss at Carolina. Greiss stopped the one shot he faced after relieving Semyon Varlamov midway through the third period of last week’s loss at the Garden. Varlamov made 25 saves in the loss to the Rangers at the Coliseum.

The Islanders “held” Rangers All-Star playmaker Artemi Panarin to a secondary assist (on Kreider’s winner) at the Coliseum after he had two goals and three assists in the win at the Garden. Panarin missed practice on Monday, with Pavel Buchnevich skating in his spot on Strome’s second line.

Panarin is expected to play on Tuesday night and Buchnevich, with just one goal and three assists, is expected to skate on Greg McKegg’s fourth 1172241 New York Rangers and a lot of good looks. … We played a really stingy game. It’s just a couple of lapses against a good team like that and they capitalized.”

Well, that’s up for debate. My eye test said they stunk – not their worst Artemi Panarin shows he’s the Rangers’ MVP … by not playing in loss to game, not even close. But not nearly good enough. Isles Now they scatter, some to warm climates, some to homes far away, and when they return they’ll have one hour to get ready for the NHL again – well, a home-and-home with Detroit, anyway. By Rick Carpiniello Jan 21, 2020 The Rangers have a lot of time to think about losing two in a row after going 4-1 in their previous five.

NEW YORK – You probably could have seen this coming in warmups. I There is a lot to digest after 48 games and with the trade deadline less mean, Artemi Panarin has failed to score a point in just 11 games this than five weeks (and 13 games) away. season, and the Rangers were 1-9-1 in those 11. Thoughts So when Panarin turned up a late scratch Tuesday due to an upper-body injury that’s been bothering him for a while, well, the Rangers were in 1) ICYMI, a Lias Andersson update. Andersson is skating with a team in trouble. To put it mildly. Sweden, and as first reported by The New York Post’s Larry Brooks, he and the Rangers have put some patches on their relationship. Team “We don’t think it’s long-term,” Rangers coach David Quinn said after a 4- president John Davidson, as he promised, reached out to the former first- 2 loss to the Islanders that was 4-0 late. rounder, who asked to be traded and then left the organization while playing for Hartford. They’ll be in much more trouble if Panarin doesn’t recover during this ridiculous break (All-Star game, “bye” week) in the schedule that won’t Davidson said last week that he’s not closing any doors on Andersson, have the Rangers playing again until Jan. 31, nor practicing until Jan. 30. keeping everything on the table, though there’s no indication he’s close to returning to the Wolf Pack or being dealt. Panarin was a game-time decision against Columbus on Sunday and played one of his worst games that night. In an interview in the Gothenburg Post on Tuesday, Andersson was asked, “What do you know about the future?” The Rangers are a different team without Panarin, who was replaced by Chris Kreider in the All-Star Game. “I know a lot, but I can’t say anything,” Andersson said (Google translate with the assist). #NHLALLSTAR UPDATE: @NYRANGERS FORWARD CHRIS KREIDER WILL REPLACE TEAMMATE ARTEMI PANARIN AT THE 2) Daily Bread: The first zero-carbs night of the season for the Rangers 2020 HONDA NHL ALL-STAR GAME. and they hope the last. PIC.TWITTER.COM/XBWIEIUHJB 3) The two best Rangers shifts in the first half of a decent first period — NHL PUBLIC RELATIONS (@PR_NHL) JANUARY 22, 2020 came from the Diaper Line. On one, a 3-on-2 break, Kaapo Kakko turned down an opportunity to shoot (rinse, repeat) and forced a pass that “Very,” Quinn said. “One guy makes a big difference, especially a guy missed. On the other, Kakko set up Brett Howden in the lower right circle who’s a superstar. Obviously with him in the lineup, our lineup looks a lot and he missed the net. On that shift, Kakko drew a penalty, putting the different. The other team has to pay a lot of attention to him and he Rangers on the power play. makes the other two linemates – in essence, you lose three players because the two guys he’s playing with aren’t as good as with him there. 4) Kakko-Meter: Quinn was asked before the game if he considers It’s a blow, but listen, every team goes through it. … moving Kakko up in the lineup to push him a bit. “There’s a lot of things you think about in the course of a game, putting people in situations, and “I was confident we could win this hockey game without him. And we so far I haven’t felt enough of an urge to put him up there. could have, but we’re obviously a much better hockey team with him.” “One of the things people might lose sight of is when you do play a guy The Rangers played the Islanders three times in nine days. Panarin had on a third line, quote-unquote, you’re not seeing another team’s top D five points in the first one, a blowout win. He had an assist on the game- pairing, you’re not seeing another team’s top lines. But you’re still getting winning goal with 25 seconds left on Long Island. In December, he pretty good ice time. He is on the power play, he does play 15, 16, scored the game-winning goal against his former team in Columbus. On sometimes 17 minutes a night. So that’s a pretty good opportunity for a Sunday, battling the upper-body injury, he had zero points in a late 2-1 young player. As we’ve touched on for a long time, you just don’t want to loss to the Blue Jackets. give anybody anything. You want to make him earn it. Now there are Maybe this really is the best argument for him being in the MVP situations where you might say, ‘I’m going to put him in this situation; it conversation – he won’t have any realistic shot at it on a non-playoff might be the right thing to do.’ I don’t feel that is warranted right now. I team. But he is as valuable to the Rangers as any player they’ve had in may during the course of this game. … That said, I like this young line years not named Henrik Lundqvist. together.”

THE RANGERS HAD THEIR CHANCES, BUT THEY JUST COULDN'T By late in the game, Kakko was playing with Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. CASH IN AGAINST THE ISLES.#NYR | @NYRANGERS | And doing just fine there. @VALLYSVIEW PIC.TWITTER.COM/JWL7YKOQCR 5) Back to the previously mentioned power play. Pavel Buchevich – — RANGERS ON MSG (@RANGERSMSGN) JANUARY 22, 2020 demoted Sunday due to sickness and disinterested play but promoted due to Panarin’s absence, had two great chances, one that snuck And, hey, the Rangers didn’t just lose to the Isles on Tuesday because through Greiss and trickled just past the right post and the other fired they didn’t have Panarin. It was another really bad night for Ryan Strome, over the net from close range, though Greiss might have gotten a piece Panarin’s center, both of whom went for a bad change on the decisive of it. It was one of the Rangers’ better power plays lately – and their goal against Columbus. It was another iffy game by the No. 1 defense power play had scored the last goal at Nassau Coliseum on Thursday pair of Jacob Trouba and Brady Skjei, and difficult for 21-year-old rookie and both late goals in this game. defenseman Ryan Lindgren, too. Goalie Alexandar Georgiev wasn’t so grand, either, allowing four goals on 18 shots, and that’s with help from at 6) Good Tony: An Islanders steal in their own end trapped Marc Staal, least two posts and a crossbar. At the very least, he wasn’t as good as and left Tony DeAngelo to face a two-on-one. DeAngelo played it Thomas Greiss on the other end. You could go down the list, actually. perfectly, staying on his feet and taking away the passing lane, leaving Mat Barzal to face Georgiev. Barzal hit the crossbar. Of course, some charts will have the Rangers playing a wonderful game, having outshot the Islanders 43-18 – you know, possession metrics and 7) But Strome took a careless offensive-zone penalty (known as a xGs and all. But the Islanders had some XL xGs. Pouliot), Zibanejad cleanly lost a faceoff and Josh Bailey beat Lindgren to the front of the net to deflect Noah Dobson’s shot through Georgiev for “Overall it was good energy,” Kreider said. “We outshot them 2-to-1. a 1-0 lead. And the Rangers’ penalty kill had been so good lately (22-for- That’s hockey sometimes. … I thought we were getting a lot of riding time 24, 91.7 percent, in the past eight games, 79-for-92, 85.9 percent, the past 27). Derick Brassard had an assist. Maybe the Rangers needed one 18) The Rangers are back to having two goalies. Igor Shesterkin (and of those staged fights at that point? Phil DiGiuseppe) were assigned to Hartford after the game. Shesterkin can play – the Wolf Pack have games Friday and Saturday – once or 8) Skjei took a modern-day-NHL soft hooking penalty, and the Isles went twice before the break. He was also named to the AHL All-Star game, right back on the power play. After Trouba just missed a shorthanded though the league has already named a replacement. Not sure the redirection and the rebound, the Isles countered with Trouba up ice. Rangers would want him messing around with that, regardless. No doubt Anthony Beauvilier put a shot through Brendan Smith’s screen and past he’ll be back after the break – though Hartford plays Jan. 31, the night Georgiev for a 2-0 lead. A diving Greiss robbed Zibanejad with eight the Rangers return to action – so he could play one more before seconds left in the period, so the Islanders went into intermission with the returning. two-goal lead. 19) Hall of Good: There was some news in another sport Tuesday. I’m 9) Forty-five seconds into the second, Zibanejad ripped a one-timer past not in love with Larry Walker being in the Hall of Fame, but whatever. Greiss and loudly off the left post. It was from the left circle, by the way, The voters have spoken and standards aren’t what they used to be. Very where he ought to be on the power play. good is good enough. I didn’t vote for Derek Jeter because I gave up my 10) Big Ross Johnston (who reminds me of John Scott), gave the vote a few years back – I am an honorary lifetime member of the BBWAA Rangers a chance to get back into the game when he boarded Lindgren but haven’t covered baseball in a long time. I gave up my vote because (another Pouliot). Remember, the Rangers credited the Johnston- of the cheaters. I’m sure we have already elected a cheater or two. The Micheal Haley bout for sparking their victory in Game 1 of this mini- big cheaters still haven’t gotten in, thank goodness, but a lot of voters series. So would Johnston jolt them again? Hardly. The Rangers went believe they should be in. very quietly through the two minutes Johnston served. Here’s what bothers me: The writers who vote for Barry Bonds and 11) And quickly after the power play ended, with three Rangers behind Roger Clemens and don’t vote for Sammy Sosa. Because in my mind, if the net, Anders Lee sent a long shot off Georgiev’s pad and in, though it cheating doesn’t matter to you, fine. Then Sosa should be on your ballot. might have nicked Lindgren, for a 3-0 advantage. Nick Leddy followed He was a much better player, with much better stats, than Walker, Scott with another rip off the post behind Georgiev, who then stopped Barzal Rolen, Gary Sheffield (a cheater), Todd Helton and some of the guys on a breakaway behind. voted in the past several years. If cheating doesn’t bother you.

12) With about six minutes left in the second period, the Rangers – Shayna Goldman’s analysis perhaps for the first time since early in the game – spent an entire shift in • The Rangers just couldn’t get those lucky bounces against the the Islanders’ zone. That was after Quinn put Filip Chytil on the right of Islanders. They attempted 73 shots in all situations, which ties their Chris Kreider and Zibanejad, with Staal and DeAngelo on D. Then Kakko season high (against the Oilers on Dec. 31), but this time it was without took his first twirl with Zibanejad and Kreider, and that line spent some their best player, Artemiy Panarin. The Rangers also conceded only 40 time testing Greiss, to no avail. But the Rangers had something going, shot attempts against, which was the second lowest of their season (to and Strome – having a second consecutive stinker to that point – put a 38 shots against the Sharks on Dec. 12). loose rebound over Greiss. However, the Islanders challenged that Jesper Fast was offside and with the most absurd rule in hockey, the • At five-on-five, when adjusting for score and venue, the Rangers took goal was disallowed. 56.41 percent of the shots and when factoring in quality, were expected to score 50.5 percent of goal share. Going into the third period down 3-0, 13) It’s absurd because they get it right about 50 percent of the time, they the Rangers kicked their offensive generation up a notch with 15 overturn goals based on very little, if any, evidence, and that half-an-inch attempts to the Islanders’ five. However, they didn’t create a high-danger offside, if it was half-an-inch offside, had nothing to do with the play. But chance at even strength in the final frame of play. most of all, we live with hundreds of missed calls per game, including violent headshots and stick fouls, but we must review that particular play, • Leading the Rangers’ offensive generation in all situations were which might not have been missed by linesman? That’s where they draw Zibanejad with 10 shot attempts and Kreider with an individual expected- the line? goal total of 0.94.

“I thought there was gray area with it,” Quinn said. Ya think? • At even strength, the ice was the most tilted in the Rangers’ favor with Fox and Kreider on the ice. Fox ended the night with a +22 shot-attempt IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING WITH @NHL REF WES MCCAULEY, THIS differential as the Rangers took 27 shots for and allowed only five against TIME IT'S A MIC MALFUNCTION. PIC.TWITTER.COM/UUCPA8G8BX when he was on; in terms of quality, his 1.04 xG differential lead the way — MSG NETWORKS (@MSGNETWORKS) JANUARY 22, 2020 (1.39 expected goals for, 0.35 expected goals against). Kreider finished second with an xG differential of 0.83 (1 xG for, 0.17 xG against), as the 14) My Great Aunt Tillie Could Have Scored: You won’t get an easier Rangers took over 85 percent of the quality chances when he was on the goal than this one. Early third, Strome lost a draw cleanly, then let Brock ice. Nelson waltz to the net and put in Josh Bailey’s rebound like a six-inch putt into a four-foot hole. What a night (actually two nights) for Strome, • After excelling against the Islanders last week, it was a rough night for giving the Islanders a 4-0 lead. Georgiev this time. He allowed 1.59 more goals than expected in all situations, with a save percentage that was -6.12 percent lower than 15) Later in the third, Brendan Lemieux suckered Scott Mayfield into league average based on the shots he faced. On the other end of the ice, taking a four-minute spearing penalty (boy, the Rangers missed Greiss, who faced a tougher workload with 42 shots against and 4.01 Lemieux). On the first power play, the snake-bitten Buchnevich deflected expected-goals against, stopped 2.01 goals above expectation. an Adam Fox shot past Greiss to cut the deficit to 4-1. • Fox led all skaters in game score (3.14), which blends traditional and 16) On the second power play, the Rangers pulled Georgiev with more advanced statistics for a single value. Rounding out the Rangers’ top five than five minutes left to make it six-on-four. Zibanejad had a couple of were Zibanejad (2.05, fifth overall), Kreider (2.02, sixth overall), Lindgren chances stopped then fired another one. Kreider cashed in the rebound (0.64, 15th overall) and DeAngelo (0.57, 18th overall). for his 17th goal to make it 4-2. Kreider is back on pace for his usual 29 goals. Kreider followed that with a left-wing break but snapped his stick in The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 two as he shot it with 3 1/2 minutes left. That led to an icing and …

17) … more interesting officiating. Coming out of a Rangers timeout, the Islanders were called for delay of game – no explanation provided, of course – apparently for not putting out the five skaters who were on the ice when the icing occurred. The Rangers had another glorious chance on the power play. Greiss robbed Kakko on the best opportunity.

BROCK NELSON CONTINUES HIS IMPRESSIVE SEASON WITH HIS 21⃣ ST⃣ GOAL TO PUT @NYISLANDERS UP 4-0 OVER @NYRANGERS. 聾 PIC.TWITTER.COM/IRQCJAFQFE

— SPORTSNET (@SPORTSNET) JANUARY 22, 2020 1172242 NHL

KeyArena will begin reattaching its roof by late February. Then we might know a completion date.

Geoff Baker

KeyArena’s 44-million-pound roof now is completely suspended by dozens of temporary posts and should start being reconnected to the foundation by late February of what’s to be a completely rebuilt venue.

That was the word from the media tour Tuesday of the construction site, where digging continues beneath the demolished structure on what will eventually be a $930 million rebuild into a modern NHL and NBA-caliber arena. Ken Johnsen, construction executive for the project developer, the Oak View Group (OVG), said concrete footings were to begin being poured Tuesday ahead of reattaching the foundation and roof and that he should have a more accurate completion date target by late April or early May.

“I think it’s safe to say this is really unique,’’ Johnsen said of the project, due for completion by summer 2021 and ahead of an NHL Seattle expansion team launch. “This is a one-of-a-kind of this size of a roof, this weight of a roof, being held in place while building what we’re building underneath it.

“I think that means for everybody working on it, it’s interesting, it’s challenging and it’s something that they’re going to remember for a long time.’’

The roof, designed by Northwest architect Paul Thiry ahead of the arena being built for the 1962 World’s Fair, was designated for historical preservation. That’s resulted in months of work to keep it suspended intact above the construction zone, where the arena has been demolished while workers dig down an extra 15 feet — reaching more than 50 feet below ground level — to expand the venue’s new walls farther outward.

By the time that’s done, the new arena beneath the old roof will be roughly 800,000 square feet compared to its prior 368,000.

First, though, crews must finish excavating some 600,000 cubic yards of soil to create the new venue’s foundation. Johnsen said they’ve “gotten lucky with the weather’’ starting in November and have averaged about 7,000 cubic yards of removal per day instead of the 6,000 previously envisioned.

“We’ll be done with that by the end of February,’’ he said.

But digging already has been completed in the northwest corner of the site, where new foundation began being drilled Jan. 5.

Greg Huber, project executive for lead contractor Mortenson, said permanent steel posts will then be built back up from that foundation piece by piece and eventually reattached to the roof.

“It takes about a month,’’ Huber said. “But we’ll have several of them being worked on at the same time.’’

The privately funded project, originally pegged at $600 million, has seen costs soar due to its complexity as well as upgrades ordered by OVG and NHL Seattle. Timing for completion remains an issue, with the groups hoping to hold the NHL draft and expansion draft there in late June 2021 ahead of a debut season four months later.

The Seattle Storm also needs to be in the arena by June 2021 for the start of its season. Johnsen said it will take about a year to build up the arena — barring unforeseen circumstances — once the roof is reconnected by spring.

“On a project like this, everyday there’s challenge,’’ Johnsen said. “The building was built well and the roof was built well. And I think that’s helping us out with how we’re saving it. It wasn’t like it was overly fragile. It was pretty robust. And that was a pleasant — not surprise, but confirmation.’’

Seattle Times LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172243 NHL of his verbally and psychologically tormenting players made him too toxic for a first-year team to gamble on.

Ditto for onetime Francis hire Bill Peters, who guided the Calgary Flames Who will be NHL Seattle’s first coach? Here’s one recently fired coach to the top Western Conference record last season only to resign in you should watch November amid allegations of racist remarks and physical abuse toward players.

The third coach fired after a stellar record last season was Jim By Geoff Baker Montgomery of the Stars, who has since said he’s seeking treatment for alcohol abuse.

But others let go? Mostly head-scratchers and victims of increasingly NHL head coaches Bruce Cassidy, , Todd Reirden, Dave high expectations in a 31-team league where only one champion gets Tippett and had best watch their backs. crowned. All are coaches NHL Seattle would undoubtedly have interest All had teams at or near the top of division standings by this week’s NHL in. All-Star break. Which can only mean they might be NHL Seattle coaching DeBoer seemed an A-list candidate when the Sharks fired him after four candidates a year from now once pink-slipped by their respective playoff seasons. But the Knights quickly took him off the board. squads. There’s also , who once coached NHL Seattle GM What else to expect after the most unpredictable coaching carousel to Francis and was fired by Nashville last month after making the Final in ever hit an NHL season? Of seven coaching departures thus far in 2019- 2017 and notching consecutive division titles after that. Laviolette has 20 – punctuated by the Vegas Golden Knights dismissing Gerard Gallant coached two other teams to the Final, winning with Carolina in 2006. last week – only one didn’t make the playoffs last season. Seattle Times LOADED: 01.22.2020 And that coach, John Hynes of the New Jersey Devils, has already been rehired. So has Peter DeBoer, fired by San Jose last month and immediately brought in by Vegas to replace Gallant.

”I think that might be the first time two guys have been fired in the same season and hired in the same season,” NHL Seattle general manager told me the day Gallant was fired. “They make good money but it’s a tough profession.”

Francis wouldn’t comment on Gallant’s firing – other than saying he found it “a little surprising” — or on his potential for coming here, given he remains under contract to the Knights.

But it would be shocking if NHL Seattle didn’t make a play for Gallant this summer, well ahead of its time frame for landing a coach by spring 2021. In recent months, senior NHL Seattle officials had confided the future coach could be somebody like Gallant was prior to Vegas taking him on.

Back then, Gallant wasn’t on any star candidates’ list. He’d had parts of three unremarkable seasons coaching Columbus and then two good ones in Florida – winning a division title in 2015-16 – only to be canned 22 games into the ensuing campaign by a new general manager.

But Vegas liked Gallant’s ability to relate to Florida’s players both young and old and get them to quickly buy into a system. Expansion teams must combine players from widely differing systems and Gallant delivered, taking the Knights to the Stanley Cup Final their first season and reaching the quarterfinals last year.

They also liked his perseverance as a player through 615 career games in the 1980s and 1990s as a rugged winger for the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning who could both score goals and trade punches. They figured it would help him relate to the type of castoff players selected in an expansion draft.

One of Gallant’s teammates in Detroit had been Steve Yzerman, who has the ear of former boss and current NHL Seattle CEO and has no doubt extolled some of Gallant’s interpersonal strengths.

Thus, it was always a Gallant prototype NHL Seattle figured it would try to hire if no absolute star candidate emerged.

Only thing is, NHL Seattle no longer needs to find a future Gallant. Now, it can have the real deal. And a coach who ran a puck-possession system in Vegas who should meld with NHL Seattle’s analytics approach.

But they’ll need to move quickly, given the speed with which coaches are being fired and rehired. Gallant barely sat four months between his Florida firing and Vegas hiring and may not be sidelined much longer this time.

Among potential suitors are the Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils and the Red Wings under GM Yzerman.

For NHL Seattle, the coaches who’ve become available exceeds anything imagined when adopting their current wait-and-see approach. Mike Babcock getting fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs piqued their interest and seemed the best outcome possible until subsequent stories 1172244 Ottawa Senators That was Game 6, but it was close enough to being a goal you dream about and how would you score it and celebrate.

“It was a certainly a highlight of mine, with the whole back story of Rog Former Senator Chris Phillips thrilled his No. 4 will be raised to rafters and his big speech, it was certainly an emotional time, and to factor in by pushing that one game further was huge.”

The Senators are currently going through a rebuild, but Phillips believes Bruce Garrioch the team is being built the right way for plenty of success down the road. He sees a lot of promise and hope with the pieces already here plus

additional assets the club will acquire through the draft. A ceremony before a home game on Feb. 18 will make the No. 1 pick in “Where they are is very similar to where I was when I first started,” the 1996 NHL only the second modern Senator to have his jersey Phillips said. “When I first came here, Marian Hossa was a draft pick, number retired. Wade Redden was in his first year. Alfie had won the Calder, but was Chris Phillips is waiting with anticipation for Feb. 18. coming into his own.

He’s touched and he’s a little bit surprised, but mostly he’s honoured that “They weren’t finishing high, but they had drafted well. Nobody knew who before the Ottawa Senators face the Buffalo Sabres at the Canadian Tire Martin Havlat or Mike Fisher or Chris Neil or Anton Volchenkov was … Centre that night, the No. 4 jersey he put on 1,179 times during his Guys likes Jason Spezza, who really became household names, or the career with the National Hockey League club will be raised to the rafters. trade for Zdeno Chara or Dany Heatley. They drafted well and those guys were impactful, had success. Phillips, 41, who was drafted by the Senators and spent his whole career here, will join former Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson as only the “I see that’s where this team is right now. They’ve got some great guys in players in the modern-day history of the franchise to have their numbers Belleville, some really good players here with some young leaders like retired. Alfredsson’s No. 11 was retired on Dec. 29, 2015. (Brady) Tkachuk, (Thomas) Chabot and (Colin) White. Not only are they talented players, you can see the character they have.” As the day draws closer, Phillips is excited by what will be a special night to celebrate a great career for the franchise-leader in games played, one As we all know, Phillips is pretty good judge of character because that’s ahead of Alfredsson, who suited up for 1,178 with Ottawa. The decision one of his finest attributes. to retire Phillips’ number was made last summer by the club’s player Ottawa Sun LOADED: 01.22.2020 honouring committee.

“It was an honour to be recognized to put my number up in the rafters,” Phillips said Tuesday while participating as a guest with this newspaper’s weekly “Sens Panel” discussion. “Quite honestly, it’s almost surreal right now, thinking about it.

“I know once (the No. 4) is up there and just the legacy of that always being up there and going to games with my kids and for them to go and to see that up there, it’s really hard to find the words to describe how special that’s going to be.”

Phillips, who has settled into the community with his wife, Erin, and children Niomi, Ben and Zoe, is proud he was able to start and finish his career with the Senators. He was drafted by No. 1 overall in 1996 and hung up his skates because of a back injury following the 2014-15 campaign.

He has become a big part of the community.

“From the hockey standpoint of being on one team my entire career is very special and there’s a lot of pride to go along with being a Senator for life,” he said. “Off the ice, my wife being from here, raising the kids and the charity stuff we were able to get involved with because of the people that we met and the relationships we’ve made here.

“I couldn’t have really scripted it any better. You don’t expect when you get drafted to play as long as I did and let alone all with one team. It’s nice to be recognized. I know that my career had some big moments, but really, for the most part, a journeyman guy. In that aspect of having loyalty to the team, and vice versa, I’m very proud of that, but to be recognized with my jersey being retired really puts the feather in the cap for that.”

As noted by colleague Ken Warren during Tuesday’s panel discussion, Phillips didn’t give himself enough credit by calling himself a journeyman. He played a big role, mostly as a shutdown defenceman, from 1997 to 2015 and was part of Ottawa teams that had a lot of postseason success.

He went to the Stanley Cup final in 2007 against the Anaheim Ducks, but scored the biggest goal of his career in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final in 2003 against the New Jersey Devils in overtime, sending the series to a dramatic Game 7 back in Ottawa.

Yes, the Senators lost that series, but nobody could forget the jubilation throughout the city when Phillips scored to give the Senators a chance after trailing the best-of-seven series 3-1. Phillips noted a dramatic speech by assistant coach Roger Neilson, who was in the final stages of a battle with cancer, sparked Senators players.

“That was definitely at the top of the list,” Phillips said. “When you grow up playing street hockey, you dream of scoring in overtime in Game 7. 1172245 Ottawa Senators Salvian: Can I issue a late correction? Hainsey will live on the Senators penalty kill?

Prediction #4: Stevenson says Craig Anderson will rebound and have a Salvian and Stevenson: Revisiting 10 bold (and pretty accurate) Senators save percentage of at least .920. predictions at the All-Star break Salvian: Anderson has had a save percentage above .920 seven times in his 15 previous seasons in the NHL. To think he would do that again this year was bold. As of the bye week, Anderson’s save percentage is .897. By Hailey Salvian and Chris Stevenson Jan 21, 2020 It doesn’t help that the majority of the Senators’ blue line was injured for most of November and into December. The Senators also give up just

over 33 shots per game, which is the third most in the league. Anderson Back in October, before the Senators entered the next stage of their himself has faced more than the average 33, seven times in his 22 starts. rebuild towards their Five Year Run of Unparalleled Success™ to begin And has faced as many as 40 shots three times. Not exactly a recipe for in 2021, we made some predictions that were bold, and not so bold, and success. actually pretty accurate. Stevenson: Oh, boy. It was bold, eh? Right now the only thing I’ve got A break in the schedule for All-Star weekend and the bye week seemed close in this prediction is how many shots Anderson might face this like as good a time as any to check back and see where things are at. season. Right now he is on pace to face about 1,100. That would have fit into my theory, though how they got there is a different thing (Nilsson Prediction #1: Salvian says Thomas Chabot will lead the team in points injured and Marcus Hogberg stealing the show lately? Now that would have been a bold prediction). That .897 number isn’t going to help his Stevenson: Hey, this one could still happen, given Chabot is just six trade value at the deadline, is it? I still think he’s got some good hockey points behind the scoring lead held by Anthony Duclair. But it’s clear at left in him, but I could understand some teams looking at that number this point Chabot is not going to put up points like he did last season. and his age and going in another direction. Chabot played his best hockey last season with Dylan DeMelo riding shotgun. He played 771 minutes of 5v5 with DeMelo last season and it Prediction #5: Salvian says Anthony Duclair will be a Senator past the worked, according to Natural Stat Trick. This season he has played 160 trade deadline minutes so far with DeMelo, 281 with Ron Hainsey and 361 with Nikita Zaitsev. I think the revolving partners haven’t helped Chabot get into a Stevenson: You nailed this one, Hailey. He’s had a season that has flow this season. Add in the Senators aren’t as good offensively this made him a really intriguing player. It seems like he has clicked with this season (they scored 242 goals last season; on pace for 222 this season) coaching staff which has given him confidence. I don’t think there’s any and there just aren’t as many points to be had. I think Duclair is going to question the Senators should try and move forward with Duclair. Given be tough to beat. he’s a restricted free agent, there are lots of options available. Hang onto him. Salvian: He may only be six points behind Duclair, but he also needs to pass Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Connor Brown and Brady Tkachuk in the Salvian: I’m pretty good at this prediction stuff. That or I’m not bold points race. Tyler Ennis is also only one point back of Chabot. You’re enough. But when we made these predictions, Duclair was still very right, it could still happen, but it seems right now the Senators are set on much a wildcard and someone a lot of people in the league seemed to keeping Chabot with Ron Hainsey. And, as you said, he has performed have given up on. His turnaround has been a great development this better offensively with DeMelo who is now paired with Mike Reilly. It year. He’s already beat his career high goals (20) with 21, and he’s on doesn’t help that he is quarterbacking a power play that has only scored pace for a career year in points too. Boy, I feel like a broken record 18 goals. In hindsight it would have been more bold and more accurate saying that, but there are a lot of players having career years on the to predict that Mark Borowiecki would have more goals (5) than Chabot Senators this season. I agree that the team should move forward with (4). him, but they should make sure this is the Dulair they will be getting for good before signing him long term. I predict a one or two year contract, at Prediction #2: Salvian says Connor Brown will score 20 goals again least for now.

Stevenson: Wow, remember those days when Colin White was projected Prediction #6: Stevenson says Jean-Gabriel Pageau will have a career to be the centre on the No. 1 line? Seems so long ago. At this point, year Brown is on pace for 17 goals, so your prediction is looking pretty good, Hailey. I’ve really liked Brown’s game. Consistent, can play a lot of roles Salvian: Chris, this prediction was money. and can play with anybody. He’s a guy I think they should keep around. I don’t know how many people would have predicted the run Pageau Salvian: I remember in training camp talking about the White, Brown and would go on to start the year, and in November (11 goals). He has Brady Tkachuk line as if it would last all season. Rookie mistake. My already tied his career-high 19 goals he set in 2015-16. And he’s only 12 prediction looks pretty good now, but if we’d have revisited these in points away from his career-high 43 set in the same year with 34 more December I would have been disappointed in myself for this one. games to go this year. He is shooting at a higher clip this year, and his Through Dec. 3, Brown had only two goals. He’s picked things up shooting percentage is higher (18.4) than his career average (10.6). considerably as of late and now has 10 goals through 48 games. And Needless to say, unless he regresses terribly, this will be a career year now I feel pretty darn good about this one. Brown hasn’t scored 20 goals for Pageau. Topping 50 points is possible too if he goes on another since his first full NHL season in 2016-17, and he is almost on pace to November-esque run. match it. He’s already passed his goals, points and shot totals from last Now, would it count if he tops 50 on another team? season in 82 games with Toronto. Stevenson: Good point. I, of course, say yes, yes it will. Does this make 2018-19: eight goals, 21 assists, 29 points. up for my Anderson prediction? Good for Pageau, who couldn’t have 2019-20: 10 goals, 21 assists, 31 points. picked a better time for a potential career year.

He is on pace to pass the career-high 36 points he scored in 2016-17, his Prediction #7: Stevenson says Senators attendance will increase this first full NHL season. He’s exactly halfway to 20. I say he does it. season

Prediction #3: Salvian says Ron Hainsey will once again lead the league Stevenson: I said the Senators’ attendance might have nowhere to go in shorthanded minutes but up. Bad CJ. They averaged 14,553 last season and, according to hockeyreference.com, they are averaging 12,294 this season. I don’t Stevenson: Hailey, you nailed it when you said he would live on the know about you, Hailey, but I can’t see a reason for there to be an penalty kill for the Senators, but the Senators are going to have to take a attendance spike between now and April unless they start selling lot of penalties if he’s going to lead the league in SH/TOI. Hainsey is premium seats to watch you make GIFs during the game. already 55 minutes behind Esa Lindell of the Dallas Stars. The Senators have opted for a more equitable distribution of penalty killing duties: I think the attendance figures highlight what a big challenge new CEO Hainsey (132:33); Mark Borowiecki (111:21); Zaitsev (105:16) and Jim Little is going to have when it comes to repairing the relationship DeMelo (95:19). between the team and its fans. Salvian: I think even the eye test would say that this prediction isn’t going last in the Atlantic, are 31st in the league, and hold the worst goal well. Those numbers don’t tell the whole story either. A lot of times differential in the NHL with minus-84. Did I say, Yikes? Canadian Tire Centre is packed with away fans, look no further than the Carey Price chants or the sea of Chicago Blackhawks and Vegas Golden I am willing to laugh this one off, take the half win, and apologize to any Knights fans we saw this past week. Even former goalie Robin Lehner Senators fans I may have offended in saying the Red Wings would be noticed a difference. better.

“When I played here it was packed buildings all the time and a great The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 atmosphere,” he said. “It was just kind of sad to see what it is right now.”

It was a nice prediction, Chris. But it’s safe to say Little has a lot to do, for sure.

Prediction #8: Stevenson says the over/under for the number of NHL games played by Erik Brannstrom this season will be 23

Stevenson: I’m going to be off on this one a little bit because Brannstrom has played 31 games so far, but I think he was sitting right on 23 games when he was assigned to Belleville in early December. He was called up again when they ran into some injuries.

I picked that number of 23 games because I thought that would be a fair sample size to see where he was at in his development and I had my doubts he was ready for NHL play. He’s got the potential to be a Torey Krug kind of player, I think, but he still needs some development time. Belleville is the best place for him. He was down to about 12 minutes a night in the NHL and had just two assists on the season. He’s been a point-a-game player in the AHL.

Salvian: You’re right to think that, Chris. Before being called up on Dec. 3, Brannstrom had played exactly 23 games. Injuries to Dylan DeMelo, Nikita Zaitsev and Ron Hainsey forced their hand to call him back up for eight more games, pushing him to 31 games in the NHL this year.

But, I think 23 was a good number to start with, Chris. Especially now that we have heard GM Pierre Dorion say the plan was always to give their top-end prospects a fair sample size, which we have seen is around 20 games. Brannstrom, before all the injuries, got 23. Logan Brown got 23 games as well. Other prospects like Filip Chlapik or J.C. Beaudin have gotten sporadic looks on the fourth line throughout the year, but don’t fall into the same category as Brown and Brannstrom. I think now the next prediction to make is, will Drake Batherson and Rudolfs Balcers be recalled again after the bye week, and will they also hit 23 games?

Prediction #9: Stevenson says the Senators penalty killing will be in the top half of the league

Salvian: The Senators are modestly 15th in the NHL on the penalty kill at around 81 percent. It may not be best in the league, but you were spot on to say that they would finish in the top half. The Senators’ penalty kill has been such a treat to watch this year too. It feels like every time they are short handed they have at least one really good scoring opportunity and it’s usually one of Brown, Tierney or Vlad Namestnikov. Honestly, I prefer watching the penalty kill over the power play.

Stevenson: Haha. Great point about the power play. It does feel like the PK is more dangerous. Associate coach Jack Capuano has done a good job. He’s got the Senators playing an aggressive penalty kill. Pageau and Brown are among the top 10 in the league in shorthanded shots and the Senators rank third in shorthanded goals per game. His best move might have been the inspired decision to have Duclair become part of the unit. Because of Duclair’s speed and offensive ability, the other team’s power play has to be aware of the threat he presents.

Prediction #10: Salvian says the team will finish with more points than last year (64), but will still finish last in the division

Stevenson: OK, Hailey, you had a couple of winners here, but the best you can hope for with this bold prediction is being half right. There is no way the Senators are going to catch (if that’s the right word) the Detroit Red Wings for last in the Atlantic Division.

You were right in predicting they will have more points this season: right now they are on pace for about 72 points, so I will give you that one.

Salvian: “With a new coach, a new message and some veteran guidance, the Senators should improve on last year, but will likely still finish in eighth place in the Atlantic, as teams like the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings project to be, not good, but better than Ottawa this year.”

I think I may have overestimated the Detroit Red Wings when I made this prediction. Yikes. The Red Wings are 14 points behind the Senators for 1172246 Philadelphia Flyers Down the other end, Jarry, who began the night tied for the NHL lead in save percentage (.929) and second in goals-against average (2.16), made key stops on Couturier, Braun, Konecny, and Giroux.

Flyers, Brian Elliott avenge early-season loss and blank Pittsburgh Farabee, moved to Couturier’s line to replace the injured Michael Raffl, Penguins, 3-0 had the Flyers’ best scoring chance in the first, but he fired wide on a breakaway with 9:54 to go in the session.

As the Flyers were killing a penalty late in the first, Kevin Hayes drew by Sam Carchidi loud cheers as he went one-against-four and ragged the puck for about 15 seconds and fed a teammate in his team’s defensive end to kill more

time. Nearly three months after they were embarrassed in Pittsburgh, the In the teams’ previous meeting back in October, Pittsburgh built a 4-0 Flyers got a chance to redeem themselves Tuesday at the Wells Fargo first-period lead and never looked back. Center. “We’d like to think," van Riemsdyk said before the game, before scoring Done. his 14th goal, “we’ve grown since the start of the season.” Jake Voracek and James van Riemsdyk scored goals and Brian Elliott Tuesday was proof. was flawless as the Flyers defeated the Penguins, 3-0, to go into the All- Star/bye break feeling good about themselves. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.22.2020 “I thought we really got up for this game,” Elliott said. “Sometimes it’s human nature to go on break a little early [mentally], and I think we really stuck to our guns. You saw that in the preparation and focus in the room before the game and that’s a good sign moving forward.”

The win avenged a 7-1 loss to the Penguins on Oct. 29.

Elliott, playing because of an injury to Carter Hart, made 19 saves and recorded his first shutout of the season. He was backed by a pristine effort by a defense that was led by Ivan Provorov.

“We were really defensive-minded and staying on top of guys,” said Elliott, whose team allowed just three third-period shots. “I thought we really frustrated them. You give them time and space and they can make plays, and we took it away.”

“I think we were more willing to play D first, and they cheated a bit and that’s where we got our offense,” rookie left winger Joel Farabee said.

Justin Braun iced the win with an empty-net goal.

Midway through the third period, Elliott enabled the Flyers to maintain their 2-0 lead by stopping Bryan Rust from point-blank range after he took a pass from Sidney Crosby from behind the net.

Second-period goals by Voracek and van Riemsdyk -- they both finished off slick passing plays -- staked the Flyers to a 2-0 lead.

Farabee, who had an outstanding game, fed to put the Flyers’ first goal in motion. Couturier made a cross-ice feed to Voracek as he angled toward the goal from the left circle and scored on a backhander with 14 minutes, 34 seconds left in the second.

With 1:20 remaining in the period, another pretty passing play increased the lead to 2-0.

Claude Giroux intercepted a pass in the neutral zone, anticipated where Travis Konecny was going to be stationed, and the right winger collected the pass after it caromed off the right boards. Konecny then slid a pass to van Riemsdyk, who redirected it through the legs of goalie Tristan Jarry.

The Alphabet Soup Line -- Giroux, Konecny and van Riemsdyk are known as G, TK and JVR, respectively -- had struck.

“Everyone looks at the play when the goal happened,” said Konecny, whose new line combined for three goals and seven points in the previous game, a 4-1 win over the Kings. “But it was one of the nicest plays G has ever made. It’s such a heads-up play to lay the puck into an area like that. Me and Reemer kind of did the end of the work.”

Van Riemsdyk liked the Flyers’ defensive effort.

“We talked about playing with good details, with and without the puck, and just trying to be in the right spots so you don’t have to run around and do anything too crazy,” he said after the Flyers’ second shutout of the season.

The Flyers had the more quality chances in the first period, outshooting the Penguins, 12-8.

But Pittsburgh came closest to scoring as Andrew Agozzino redirected a pass off the left post with 3:39 left in the opening period. 1172247 Philadelphia Flyers

Quick observations from the Flyers’ 3-0 win over the Penguins

by Mike Sielski

Sidney Crosby was booed. This, you knew. Here’s some stuff you might not have known about the Flyers’ 3-0 victory over the Penguins on Tuesday night.

Joel Farabee turns 20 next month. This is worth noting for a couple of reasons. One, he was the Flyers’ best forward for most of Tuesday’s game. He picked up the secondary assist on Jake Voracek’s goal early in the second period. He freed himself for a breakaway in the first period, though his shot sailed over the net. Coach put him on a line with Voracek and Sean Couturier, and not only did Farabee appear comfortable with them, but that line created more scoring chances than any other Flyers line Tuesday.

Two, if he continues to play like this, or better than this, he will be here for a long while, and be an important and productive part of the Flyers’ present and future. They need that. Oskar Lindblom might never play hockey again. General manager Chuck Fletcher has said he is optimistic that Nolan Patrick will return this season from his migraine disorder. But there’s no guarantee that Patrick will come back, and as it was, he had been underwhelming during his first two seasons in the NHL after the Flyers selected him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft.

At the moment, the Patrick pick looks to be a huge miss, and to overcome a squandered opportunity like that one, to overcome the failure to draft a superstar in a spot where superstars are drafted, the Flyers will need another young player to develop into a special one. Travis Konecny, headed to this season’s All-Star Game, might be on his way. Farabee, who entered Tuesday with five goals in 39 games this season, has some growing to do, but at least it appears possible that he can get there.

The Moose isn’t loose

For every chorus of boos that greeted Crosby whenever he touched the puck, there was a chant of “MOOOSE” raining from the Wells Fargo Center stands. Brian Elliott (“Moose” is his nickname, in case you didn’t pick up on the connection) was that good for the Flyers on Tuesday, making 19 saves, including a chest save on a point-black shot by Bryan Rust midway through the third period. Over his last three games, all victories, Elliott has stopped 83 of the 87 shots he has faced.

It makes you wonder, though: If Elliott had managed to stay healthy each of the two previous seasons, how much different would things have turned out for the Flyers? Would they have beaten the Penguins in the 2018 playoffs? Would they have made the playoffs last season? Would Ron Hextall and still be here? Just a fun thought experiment.

The night’s big revelation

Did some asking around, and was able to find out who didn’t vote for Derek Jeter for the Hall of Fame:

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172248 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers prospect continues to lead Ohio State; German Rubtsov in lineup vs. Penguins

by Sam Carchidi,

For Flyers prospect Tanner Laczynski, the honors keep coming.

The Ohio State senior winger/center was named the Big Ten’s second star of the week Tuesday after collecting two assists in each of the Buckeyes’ two games against Notre Dame.

He leads Ohio State, which is ranked No. 6 nationally, with 18 assists and 25 points in 24 games. Laczynski, 22, is second in the Big Ten in assists, third in points, and fourth with a plus-12 rating.

In his career, he has been honored as one of the league’s top players of the week nine times, including three this season.

“He’s a mature player and he’s been pretty consistent since the start of the season,” said Brent Flahr, a Flyers assistant general manager. “He’s a big reason for the way that team is going.”

After the season, the Flyers are confident they can sign the 6-foot-1, 205- pound Laczynski to an entry-level contract.

“I don’t see any reason why not,” said Flahr, whose organization owns his rights until Aug. 15.

Laczynski, who was Travis Sanheim’s teammate in the , was drafted in the sixth round (169th overall) in 2016. That draft also netted the Flyers three players on their current team: German Rubtsov (first round), Carter Hart (third round), and Connor Bunnaman (fourth round).

Raffl sidelined

Michael Raffl was out of the lineup Tuesday against visiting Pittsburgh because of a neck/shoulder issue. With Raffl sidelined, rookie Joel Farabee moved to left wing on a line with Sean Couturier and Jake Voracek.

Rubtsov, recalled from the AHL’s Phantoms on Monday, played left wing on the fourth line. Rubtsov, 21, looking for his first career goal, played in his fourth NHL game and his first since Nov. 5.

The Flyers expect Raffl to play in their next game, Jan. 31 at Pittsburgh. Because of the All-Star break and the bye week, the Flyers have nine days between games.

Breakaways

Claude Giroux entered Tuesday needing four power-play assists to pass Bobby Clarke for the top spot on the franchise’s all-time list. … Ivan Provorov began the night eighth in the NHL, averaging 24 minutes, 55 seconds per game. He was the second-youngest player in that group. … Heading into Thursday, the Flyers were 11th in the NHL on the penalty kill (81.9% success rate) and 17th on the power play (19.9%). … Travis Konecny will represent the Flyers in Saturday’s All-Star game in St. Louis.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172249 Philadelphia Flyers

Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin pokes Flyers fans; Michael Raffl out of lineup Tuesday

by Sam Carchidi,

As if the Flyers-Penguins rivalry wasn’t already percolating, Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin gave it more juice the other day.

Malkin, indirectly, took a slap at Flyers fans, which means he might get more boos than teammate Sidney Crosby when the teams meet Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Maybe.

After the host Penguins overcame an early 3-0 deficit and beat Boston on Sunday, 4-3, Malkin was miffed about how the Pittsburgh fans treated goalie Matt Murray. Murray has two Stanley Cups to his credit, but he was booed during the first period of Sunday’s game as the Penguins fell into an early hole.

“You pay money for a ticket. You do what you want,” Malkin, who leads the Pens with 50 points, told reporters. “But it’s tough to sit on the bench and hear that. I don’t like it. We hear that in Philly, not Pittsburgh.”

Tuesday’s game is the final one before the All-Star break for both the Flyers and Penguins. In the teams’ first meeting this season, the Penguins trounced the visiting Flyers, 7-1. Murray stopped 29 of 30 shots in that Oct. 29 game.

Murray (2.84 GAA, .900 save percentage) has had a disappointing season and has divided time with Tristan Jarry (2.16, .929), who will start Tuesday.

Brian Elliott (3.20, .901) will get the start for the Flyers.

Raffl out, Rubtsov in

Left winger Michel Raffl will be out of the lineup Tuesday because of a neck/shoulder issue. With Raffl sidelined, rookie Joel Farabee will move to left wing on a line with Sean Couturier and Jake Voracek.

German Rubtsov, recalled from the Phantoms on Monday, will play left wing on the fourth line.

Raffl should be ready to play in Pittsburgh on Jan. 31, the Flyers’ first game after their extended break.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172250 Philadelphia Flyers Minnesota. He had goals in each of his first three games after he returned.

But even if the Flyers are somehow able to contain Crosby, it won’t Flyers tormentor Sidney Crosby and hated Penguins invade Philly | On matter unless they can find a way to beat goaltender Tristan Jarry (2.16 the Fly GAA, .929 save percentage), the Penguins’ likely starter Tuesday. Jarry has been, in a word, sensational.

With Carter Hart still sidelined by an abdominal injury, Brian Elliott (3.03 by Sam Carchidi GAA, .901 save percentage) ) will get the call for the Flyers. In his career against the Penguins, Elliott is 8-4-2 with a 3.19 GAA and .911 save

percentage. If you are a Flyers fan, and most of you are if you are reading this “They’ve been playing really good hockey without Crosby, and now he’s newsletter, you might not like what I have to say next: The Pittsburgh back, so he’s another weapon in their arsenal,” Elliott said. “We just have Penguins are an amazing, driven group of players. to play a good home game and stay connected. The big thing with a lot of I know. I know. You hate the archrival Penguins and Sidney Crosby as our games is that we’re supporting each other throughout the ice and much as Eagles fans despise the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle defensive making those five, 10-foot passes and not spreading too far out. I think end Jadeveon Clowney. that’s what breaks the puck out of our zone cleanly and gets it into the other one. It’s going to be really important against these guys.” You can hate the Penguins, but you can also admire them. That’s because they have been amazingly good despite losing star center When the break ends and the Flyers return to action Jan. 31, they’ll get Evgeni Malkin for a month and megastar Crosby for 28 games with to play the Penguins again, this time in Pittsburgh. The hope is that Hart injuries ... and somehow never skipping a beat. returns for that game.

Both are now back in Pittsburgh’s lineup, which isn’t good news for the If the Flyers are going to make the playoffs, and win their first postseason Flyers, who will host the Penguins on Tuesday night. If the Flyers don’t series since 2012, the play of Hart will be the most important factor. They bring their "A" game, it could turn ugly, as it did Oct. 29 in Pittsburgh, have 33 games remaining, and Hart is expected to play in a vast majority when the Penguins ripped the visiting Flyers, 7-1. of them.

You’re signed up to get this newsletter in your inbox twice a week during Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott lying on the ice as Pittsburgh's Sidney the Flyers season. If you like what you’re reading, tell your friends it’s Crosby celebrates a teammate's goal next to Travis Sanheim. free to sign up here. I want to know what you think, what we should add, Things to know and what you want to read, so send me feedback by email or on Twitter (@broadstbull). Thank you for reading. Here are some links to stories that give this rivalry — and the Flyers season — some context: — Sam Carchidi ([email protected]) I take a look at Tuesday’s matchup; the Flyers think it will be much Crosby: Public Enemy No. 1 different from the teams’ early-season meeting. This will be the Flyers’ last game before their nine-day break, so they A look at the Flyers’ new “Alphabet Soup Line,” which was impressive in obviously want to go into their vacation feeling good about themselves. a 4-1 win over the Kings. To do that, they must contain Crosby, whose whining to the officials The always-entertaining Ed Barkowitz makes some observations about throughout the years (not to mention how he torches the Flyers) has the Flyers’ latest victory. made him Public Enemy No. 1 at the Wells Fargo Center. Can the Flyers emulate the St. Louis Blues’ 2018-19 success? My Crosby didn’t make Flyers fans happy when he answered a question I column. asked him back in the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs. His answer went viral, and even started a cottage T-shirt industry. Columnist Mike Sielski, who is always a great read, has an interesting take on Alain Vigneault. In Game 3 of the Flyers’ 8-4 playoff win over the Penguins in 2012, Crosby, then 24, went out of his way to antagonize Flyers winger Jake In case you want to relive the Flyers’ disastrous 7-1 loss in Pittsburgh on Voracek during the first period. Voracek’s glove had fallen off during one Oct. 29. We understand if you want to pass. of the several scrums in that game. Another scrum erupted after Crosby reached around a player and knocked away Voracek’s glove just as he Flyers: Feast on the East was going to pick it up. If the Flyers get into the playoffs — their final 33 games will determine After the game, Crosby was asked if the move was stirred by his their fate — here’s some good news: They have feasted on Eastern frustration. Conference opponents, compiling an 18-6-4 record.

“I don’t like any guy on their team,” he said. “His glove was near me and Twenty-four of their last 33 games are against the East. he went to pick it up, so I pushed it. I don’t like him.” There are a lot of moving parts, of course, but if the Flyers finished as the Any particular reason? second wild card, they would probably face Washington or Boston in the first round. They are 2-0 against the Bruins and 1-0-1 against the “Because I don’t like him,” he replied. “I don’t like any guy on their team.” Capitals.

That spurred the Flyers’ marketing department, in an act much more Based on last season, the Flyers need 39 points in the last 33 games to creative than their Rage Room, to hand out orange shirts before the next reach the playoffs. With the travel portion of their schedule easing up game that read, Guess what? We don’t like you either! considerably, that’s certainly doable, but they need some of their veterans such as James van Riemsdyk and Claude Giroux to continue Ah, the good ol’ days. the momentum they built with Saturday’s 4-1 win over Los Angeles. They In 102 career games against the Flyers, Crosby has 42 goals — the most also need Hart, assuming he is healthy, to assert himself the rest of the he has scored against any NHL team — and 60 assists for 102 points. way. Yeah, he’s pretty good. Important dates Amazingly, the Penguins went 18-6-4 this season while Crosby was Tonight: Pittsburgh at Flyers, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN) sidelined after core-muscle surgery, giving them an NHL-leading .714 points percentage over that span. Those 18 wins included a Western Saturday: All-Star Game, at St. Louis, 8 p.m. (NBC) Conference road trip in which they swept Vegas, Colorado, and Arizona. Friday, Jan. 31: Flyers at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. (NBCSP) Crosby, 32, returned to the lineup Jan. 14 and looked a little, ahem, rusty, collecting just four points in his first game back, a 7-3 win over Saturday, Feb. 1: Colorado at Flyers, 7 p.m. (NBCSP+) Monday, Feb. 3: Flyers at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSP+)

Thursday, Feb. 6: New Jersey at Flyers, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)

Monday, Feb. 24: Trade deadline, 3 p.m.

From the mailbag

Mike Mazzarella asked if the Flyers should trade when he returns from a knee injury. He said Robert Hagg needs to stay in the lineup, and noted that Mark Friedman held his own when he was here.

Answer: Thanks for the question, Mike. Gostisbehere has been in the rumor mill since last summer, and if he proves he’s 100% healthy after he returns, I wouldn’t be surprised if GM Chuck Fletcher put out feelers because he’s a player who could bring back a very useful forward.

You make a good point that Friedman looked very serviceable in his brief stint with the Flyers, and that Hagg has been solid. That said, Gostisbehere has lots of upside and I wouldn’t deal him unless they received a player who can help them in the long run — and not just this season.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172251 Philadelphia Flyers add up. Our road games have to be better. But we’re going to a break and I think it’s good to have a break mentally and physically.″

Justin Braun scored an empty-net goal with one minute to play. Flyers veterans key win over Penguins Giroux nears milestone

Giroux’s assist was NHL career point No. 797. He’s close to joining Bob By Wayne Fish Posted Jan 21, 2020 at 10:08 PM Clarke, Bill Barber and Brian Propp as the only Flyers in the 800 club. ... Ivan Provorov played in NHL game No. 296. He has yet to miss a game in his career. ... The Flyers are off until Jan. 31 when they visit Pittsburgh. They will get in one practice on Jan. 30 at Voorhees. PHILADELPHIA — A win over the Pittsburgh Penguins is uncommon enough, but when a team crafts a shutout the way the Flyers did on Burlington County Times LOADED: 01.22.2020 Tuesday night, well, that’s rare artwork.

While goaltender Brian Elliott deserved a lot of the credit in Philadelphia’s 3-0 win at the Wells Fargo Center, it was team defense which drew raves.

It stymied the high-powered Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin offense at every turn. This was just the second time Pittsburgh has been blanked all season.

And the Penguins registered only 19 shots, marking just the second time they’ve been held under 20 all season.

Jake Voracek and James van Riemsdyk came up with timely goals to give Elliott all the offense he needed.

It was the defense which provided the impetus for this win, holding Crosby to two shots and Malkin to one.

“It (the defense) was really strong,″ said Elliott, who posted career shutout No. 39. “I thought we were really defensive-minded, staying over top of guys, allowing our ‘D’ to keep up with the play. I thought we really frustrated them.

“You know, you give them time and space and they can make plays. But we took it away, we just moved our feet and I think that was key to the game.″

The win sends the Flyers to the bye week/NHL All-Star break with a record of 27-17-6 (60 points), virtually even with idle Columbus for the eighth and final wild card spot in the East.

Van Riemsdyk, who ended a 12-game goal drought the other night against Los Angeles, scored with 1:20 to go in the second period for the Flyers’ second goal.

Van Riemsdyk, finished off a pinpoint pass from Travis Konecny. The puck barely eluded center Jared McCann’s stick and all van Riemsdyk had to do was tap the puck past goalie Tristan Jarry. The sequence started with center Claude Giroux getting the puck on the rush to Konecny.

Voracek opened the scoring at 5:26 of the second period for his 10th goal of the season. Sean Couturier sent a pass across the slot and Voracek, cutting in from the left side, moved across the crease and dumped a low backhander into the net.

Elliott didn’t get all that much work but came up with some timely saves, including a point-blank shot by Brian Rust midway through the third period.

It was just the second shutout for the Flyers this season.

Rookie Joel Farabee saw a lot of playing time against Crosby and held his own.

“I’m always up for the challenge,″ Farabee said. “He’s probably top three in the world. We knew going in we were going to have to stay above him. He likes to swing in their ‘D’ zone and kind of pick up speed.

“I thought we stayed on top of him pretty well. They didn’t really have much offense from it.″

Added van Riemsdyk: “I thought it was a pretty mature game from us, knowing this break was coming up and you want to feel good about yourself. We talk about being in the right spots so you’re not running around. We were supporting ourselves with and without the puck. I think that makes it tough for the other team to make plays when we do that.″

Like the rest of the Flyers, Giroux looks forward to the break.

“We had some ups and downs during the first half,″ Giroux said. “Those downs, we have to make sure we don’t get losses in a row, they don’t 1172252 Philadelphia Flyers that are jumbled in (Flyers, Carolina, Columbus, the Islanders) fighting for the playoffs.

“We have a lot of important games coming up here. It makes it fun to Joel Farabee ready for first NHL playoff drive come to the rink and play in those games.″

Van Riemsdyk ended a 12-game goal drought against the Kings. He was moved up to the Claude Giroux-Travis Konecny line for that game and By Wayne Fish perhaps that unit can stay together for awhile down the stretch.

“I don’t think you’re necessarily doing anything different in these situations,″ he said. “It (stunk) last year when it got to the point that we PHILADELPHIA — For Joel Farabee, it will be his first NHL playoff were kind of out of it. You’re playing for pride but it’s not as much fun. stretch drive experience. “Everyone in here wants to make the playoffs and that’s when hockey is For James van Riemsdyk, it will be one of many. the most fun. Playing well down the stretch and cementing a position — But the two figure to share one common denominator: The excitement of it’s going to be a tough road to do that but I think we’re up to the pressure hockey. challenge.″

After Tuesday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins — perhaps Vigneault, who was ill on Monday night and forced to cancel his speaking a good example of how the last 32 games might play out — the Flyers engagement at the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Banquet, was get an eight-day break in their schedule due to their “bye week″ plus this back in the saddle Tuesday morning and ready to talk about the last weekend’s NHL All-Star bash. portion of the season.

When they come back to play the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Jan. 31, “You know I’m not into morning skates but everyone is out there today,″ both Farabee and van Riemsdyk have the feeling it’s going to be he said. “So we’re trying to keep everybody focused on the task at hand. desperation mode almost every night. We have one more game before the break and we need to play well.″

Going into Tuesday’s game against Pittsburgh, the Flyers were on the Vigneault likes where his team is. outside looking in, trailing eighth-place Carolina by one point for the “We’re in a great position — right where we want to be,″ he said, “We Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot. said coming in here we’re going to get into the playoffs and have an Farabee, promoted to Sean Couturier’s second line with Jake Voracek opportunity to challenge to play for the Stanley Cup.″ due to Michael Raffl’s neck-shoulder soreness from an injury suffered in Rubtsov in for Raffl the Los Angeles game, looks forward to the challenge of these must-win games. With Raffl out, German Rubtsov was scheduled to play against the Penguins. Rubtsov was called up from the Phantoms on Monday. He’s “That’s the reason you play the game,″ Farabee said after Tuesday played three games with the Flyers this season with no points. morning’s skate at the Wells Fargo Center. “You’re trying to get into the playoffs, trying to make a run. Burlington County Times LOADED: 01.22.2020 “When we come back from break, all the games are big.″

Like his teammates, Farabee believes that consistency is the most important element. The Flyers’ longest winning streak has been five games — that back in late November, early December.

At one point, the Flyers had a seven-point cushion for a playoff spot. But a shaky December, featuring a 7-6 mark, erased all of that.

“You try to get high at the right times,″ Farabee said. “You need consistency all around if you’re going to make a run.″

The Boston University graduate has played in 39 games for the Flyers and four for the Phantoms, so that 43-game total already exceeds last year’s 37 with BU.

He went through a bit of a stretch run for NCAA playoff seeding with the Terriers.

“We were kind of in the middle of the pack,″ he said. “We were trying to sneak into the NCAA but it didn’t work out. Playoff hockey is a lot of fun but you have to get there first.″

Farabee’s role has increased as the season has gone along. He’s even getting more power-play time now.

“Every opportunity I’m given is what I’ll do,″ he said. “Getting the opportunity (on the power play) definitely feels good.″

Coach Alain Vigneault seems to be putting more trust in Farabee’s efforts.

“Sometimes we forget how young he is (turns 20 next month),″ Vigneault said. “He’s played more hockey than he’s played in any season prior to this.

“I think the one game off (a technical move to the Phantoms) may have re-energized him. He’s played better for us.″

For van Riemsdyk, it’s another trip down the road to possible postseason play.

“You want to be having meaningful games down the stretch,″ he said. “Obviously we’re jockeying for position. There seems like a lot of teams 1172253 Philadelphia Flyers • • • Speaking of Voracek, his goal only highlighted his solid, two-way play of

late. Asked about that, Voracek agreed. Flyers Notebook: Rest or no, Ivan Provorov keeps rolling along "I would say I think it's longer than a month," Voracek said of his run of impressive performances. "The first 15 to 20 games it was a little bit sluggish, I agree, but since then I think I've been playing some pretty By Rob Parent good hockey. Defensively I've been working on that a lot during the season."

• • • PHILADELPHIA — Because the NHL is a forward-thinking game of the 21st Century — or at least believes itself to be — the league's players Reminded at a practice earlier in the day that the last time the Flyers and union a few years back thought it would be a fresh, modern idea to give Penguins had gotten together, the game wound up in a 7-1 Penguins their guys a long rest right in the middle of the season. home win on Oct. 29, Vigneault said, "I sort of tried to turn the page on that one." Kind of a kindly halftime, if you will. Like those tough football guys have it. Of course, they don't have to jam 82 football games into a season. "We're past that," he added with emphasis. "That was a long time ago. We know they're one of the best teams in the NHL. For quite some time That's why the Flyers don't play another game until taking on the now they've been rolling on all cylinders, playing real well offensively and Penguins in Pittsburgh Jan. 31. defensively. So we know we're going to have to be at our best tonight. It's That's why, prior to Tuesday's getaway game against the Penguins at a lot like some of the opponents we've been playing lately, they're on top Wells Fargo Center, the Flyers had played 12 games in a three-week of their game." stretch. Delaware County Times LOADED: 01.22.2020 Once again, that's 10 days between games on the heels of a dozen games in 21 nights. That's the state of your NHL, fans. Or, as Alain Vigneault so classically characterized his team's so-called bye week, "I don't know how that got into the game, really."

Join the club, coach.

Since it's there, and has been for the previous three seasons, team officials have to live with it. A chance to give injured players extra recovery time is an obvious benefit. But there are some players who question the necessity of having it condense the schedule on both ends.

A player like Ivan Provorov, for example. The Flyers defenseman played in his 50th game of the season Tuesday night, in the Flyers' 50th game. It was also his 296th regular season career game ... out of a possible 296.

"Touch wood there," Vigneault noted. But maybe they created this ridiculous bye week for players like Provorov.

The guy never takes a night off, and it's typical that his work night is spent with more time on the ice than any other player.

"He's a force for us," Vigneault added. "He plays big minutes against the other team's top lines, plays on our power play, kills penalties ... and I still think he hasn't peaked yet as far as capability. There's a lot more there.

"They say for a defenseman it usually takes around 200 games, just to establish yourself, to learn the game and understand it. Without a doubt I think he's an excellent player right now with still some upside to go."

Provorov is having an outstanding fourth season, but Vigneault said he thought he will become a more consistent player as he goes along. "And as far as offensively," Vigneault added, "knowing when to jump up and when to use his good shot, those are all elements of his game that I think as he gets more experience, he's going to improve."

• • •

Michael Raffl missed Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury stemming from a hit he took Saturday against the Kings. Vigneault figures Raffl could use an extended period of rest on top of the 10-day break to recover.

"He still has some effects from that hit, neck wise and shoulder wise," Vigneault said.

So he inserted Phantoms promotee German Rubtsov on the wing of a checking line and moved rookie Joel Farabee back to the second line on left wing in Raffl's place.

Farabee has looked sharper after being a one-game demotee to the Phantoms last week.

"We forget sometimes how young he is," Vigneault said. "He's probably played more hockey before this break than he's played throughout any season prior to that. So I think that little game off might have re- energized him; re-set, refocused. The last couple of games he's played much better for us."

Farabee had an assist on Jake Voracek's goal Tuesday. 1172254 Philadelphia Flyers • Since returning from core muscle surgery, Sidney Crosby had eight points (three goals, five assists) in four games, while Evgeni Malkin had gone scoreless only twice over his last 19 games, a stretch in which he had put up 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists). After shutting out Sidney Crosby, Penguins, Flyers have taken down NHL's top 4 teams in span of 14 days The Flyers held both stars scoreless and to only three shots.

Warm welcome for Sidney Crosby. pic.twitter.com/CJgxr91a3S

By Jordan Hall January 21, 2020 10:00 PM — Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) January 22, 2020

• Brian Elliott has won three straight with 83 saves on 87 shots.

The Flyers will confidently go into their NHL-mandated Jan. 22-30 bye He has been terrific in Carter Hart’s absence. week knowing that they can beat the best teams in the NHL. Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry, who entered 11-3-1 with a 2.11 goals- Especially after shutting out the Penguins, 3-0, Tuesday night at the against average and .929 save percentage over his last 15 games, made Wells Fargo Center. 27 saves on 29 shots.

Over a span of 14 days, the Flyers have taken down the Capitals, Bruins, • Kevin Hayes has been a treat to watch on the penalty kill. Instead of Blues and Penguins — the top four clubs in the NHL standings. quickly clearing the puck, which allows the opposing power play to restart, the 6-foot-5 center will often hold onto the puck to milk more The Flyers (27-17-6) improved to 9-2-3 against the Metropolitan Division seconds and force the opposition to take it away from him. after going 10-16-2 against divisional opponents last season. The strategy worked perfectly in the first period against the Penguins. Alain Vigneault’s team is three points out of third place in the division, while the 60 points overall are the Flyers’ most through 50 games since Electric PK from Hollywood Hayesy.#PITvsPHI | #NowOrNever 2011-12, when they started 30-14-6 and last won a playoff series. pic.twitter.com/jiZuUnXClP

The Penguins (31-14-5) were shut out for just the second time this — Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 22, 2020 season. "I was very nervous, though, he was protecting the puck against four Alain Vigneault said he’s going on his pontoon and is gonna have a guys. The guys on the bench telling him to put it deep. martini. "It was a great play, but I still get nervous when he does that." He gets it. - Claude Giroux with a smile while talking about Kevin Hayes on PK — Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) January 22, 2020 — Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) January 22, 2020 • The Flyers’ penalty kill has gone 25 for 28 over the last seven games, Since 2016-17, Hayes is fourth among all NHL players in shorthanded which included matchups with the Capitals, Lightning, Bruins, Blues and points with 14 (seven goals, seven assists), behind only Brad Marchand Penguins. (17), Michael Grabner (16) and William Karlsson (15). The Flyers went 5-2-0 during that stretch, in large thanks to the improved With each game, we’re seeing more and more why. PK this season. • Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins and catcher J.T. Realmuto took in • Travis Konecny is surging into his first All-Star Game. the rivalry showdown. Through 47 games, the 22-year-old already has a new career high in Phillies’ Rhys Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto in the house. assists with 26 after feeding James van Riemsdyk during the second pic.twitter.com/7dgu3d1zc7 period to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead. — Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) January 22, 2020 At second intermission, Konecny sung the praises of Claude Giroux, who started the whole sequence. • Konecny will represent the Flyers at the NHL All-Star festivities this weekend in St. Louis. "Everyone looks at the play when the goal happened, but it was one of the nicest plays that G has ever made was that play,” Konecny said. “It is The Flyers are off until next Thursday when they practice at 2 p.m. in such a heads-up play to lay the puck into an area like that." Voorhees, New Jersey, before visiting the Penguins that Friday (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP). TK WITH THE PASS... Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.22.2020 JVR WITH THE FINISH! pic.twitter.com/GUqnfLdZBV

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 22, 2020

Konecny is eight goals and seven points away from setting new career highs across the board.

Meanwhile, the new line of van Riemsdyk, Giroux and Konecny has starred in two games. Suffice it to say Giroux will be staying at center for at least a little longer.

• Jakub Voracek has looked like a force for a lengthy stretch.

Over his last 28 games going back to Nov. 23, the 30-year-old winger has put up 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) and a plus-14 rating.

Nobody can get on him for his defense right now. If you’ve watched, you’ve seen him skate, forecheck and make plays in the offensive zone on a nightly basis.

“Jake is coming on, like he tends to do,” Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said last Tuesday. “I remember when I got the job here last year, they were talking about how Jake was struggling and he had a pretty big second half, so he seems to be finding his legs.”

COOTS TO VORACEK! pic.twitter.com/NveGEtWfK7

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 22, 2020 1172255 Philadelphia Flyers

Penguins' Evgeni Malkin may have complimented Flyers fans

By Jordan Hall January 21, 2020 3:45 PM

At least Evgeni Malkin understands he is not well-liked in Philadelphia, nor are his Penguins.

That is clear.

The three-time Stanley Cup champion Malkin was unhappy with Penguins fans Sunday when they sarcastically cheered Matt Murray for some saves after the goalie had allowed two markers in just over two minutes of a game against the Bruins. Murray, who has won two Cups with the Penguins, surrendered three goals in the first period of the game Pittsburgh eventually won, 4-3.

Malkin was annoyed by the mock cheers for the 25-year-old Murray.

Via a story by The Athletic's Rob Rossi, here's what Malkin said:

It was stupid.

I’m not understanding our fans. Muzz won two Cups for us. You boo him — why? If you come to the arena, support our team. All of us. We try. We play so hard this year. We work so hard through injuries. We play good hockey. Maybe not last couple games, not early this game. But we try.

I understand: You pay money for ticket, you do what you want. But it’s tough to sit on bench and hear that. I don’t like it. We hear that in Philly, not Pittsburgh.

What Malkin likely meant by his Philly comment was that the Penguins expect to be jeered in Philadelphia by the rival fans, but not by their home fans in their own building.

That irked the 33-year-old Malkin, who has played in Pittsburgh his entire 14-year career. Malkin was sticking up for a teammate, which anyone can respect.

What's also clear is Malkin probably wouldn't love playing in Philly full- time. Everybody knows the city's tough love with its sports teams. Boos are expected when expectations aren't met.

Carter Hart put it well in December:

“Sure, they get on us when we’re not playing well, but as an athlete in a big sports market, what more could you ask for?” Hart said. “They’re loyal and they’re passionate.”

Maybe Flyers fans will sarcastically cheer Malkin Tuesday night. You've got to love their creativity.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172256 Philadelphia Flyers Alex Lyon Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.22.2020

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

By Jordan Hall January 21, 2020 2:23 PM

The Flyers would much rather go into their NHL-mandated Jan. 22-30 bye week riding a win over the Penguins than stewing over a loss to the division rival.

They'll decide their fate ahead of the break Tuesday night when the Flyers (26-17-6) host the Penguins (31-13-5).

Let's get into the essentials:

• When: 7:30 p.m. ET

• Where: Wells Fargo Center

• Broadcast: NBC Sports Network

• Live stream: NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com

• If the Flyers want to beat Pittsburgh, they'll have to find a way to at least somewhat slow down Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Since returning from core muscle surgery, Crosby has eight points (three goals, five assists) in four games, while Malkin has gone scoreless only twice over his last 19 games, a stretch in which he has put up 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists).

Those two have notoriously hurt the Flyers. Crosby owns 102 points (42 goals, 60 assists) in 68 career games against the Flyers and Malkin boasts 70 points (27 goals, 43 assists) in 56 lifetime meetings with the orange and black.

During the Flyers' 7-1 loss to the Penguins on Oct. 29, the lone matchup thus far in 2019-20, Crosby enjoyed a three-point game and Malkin was out. The Flyers have been far better defensively at home, so let's see what adjustments they make in Game 2 of the four-game regular-season series.

• Speaking of playing at home, the Flyers have taken significant strides in that area. They are 16-4-4 with 36 points at home after going 19-18-4 with 42 points last season.

Another important improvement has been their play against the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers are 8-2-3 vs. divisional opponents compared to a 10-16-2 mark against the Metro last season.

Interestingly, the Flyers and Penguins have been polar opposites against the Eastern and Western Conferences. The Flyers are 18-6-4 vs. the East compared to 8-11-2 against the West, while the Penguins are 11-9- 3 vs. the East compared to 20-4-2 against the West.

• The Flyers will be without Michael Raffl (upper body) as rookie call-up German Rubtsov enters the lineup.

Joel Farabee, who has goals in back-to-back games, should see greater minutes.

Projected lineup

Forwards

James van Riemsdyk-Claude Giroux-Travis Konecny

Joel Farabee-Sean Couturier-Jakub Voracek

Scott Laughton-Kevin Hayes-Nicolas Aube-Kubel

German Rubtsov-Connor Bunnaman-Tyler Pitlick

Defensemen

Ivan Provorov-Matt Niskanen

Travis Sanheim-Philippe Myers

Robert Hagg-Justin Braun

Goalies

Brian Elliott 1172257 Philadelphia Flyers “Yeah, absolutely,” he said. “There’s highs and lows to the season and that was obviously a lot point, but you just grind through it and try to get through it. That was a big win there and we’re happy with that one.”

In Flyers’ biggest game of the season, they put more on Joel Farabee’s Courier-Post LOADED: 01.22.2020 plate

Dave Isaac, NHL writer Published 11:07 p.m. ET Jan. 21, 2020

PHILADELPHIA — Like he would have as a college sophomore, Joel Farabee can’t help but hit up Chipotle every so often.

OK, it’s pretty often.

“That’s my weakness,” the Flyers rookie said. “I still probably go two or three times a week.”

It’s a habit he’s trying to break now that he’s a professional hockey player. He left Boston University after his freshman season and knew he’d need to develop a new routine to make it in the big league. It’s included finding the right bedtime and eating better (most of the time).

So far, it seems to be working. He was impressive Tuesday night on a line with Jake Voracek and Sean Couturier, a unit that shut down Sidney Crosby’s line in a 3-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins that sent the Flyers into the bye week.

“I’m always up for a challenge. He’s probably top three in the world so he’s really fun to watch,” Farabee said. “We knew going in that we were going to have to stay above him. He likes to swing in their D-zone and pick up speed. I thought we stayed on top of him pretty well and they didn’t really have much offense from it.”

Brian Elliott helped as well, making 19 saves for his first shutout of the season. There were definitely times that he had to make big saves, like in the third period when Crosby found Bryan Rust in prime real estate in front of the net, but largely it was a team defensive effort that got the job done.

That responsible play without the puck has always been part of Farabee’s game and is why the team selected him 14th overall in 2018.

Last time the Flyers had a teenager in a shutdown role against the Penguins it was an 18-year-old Couturier getting under the skin of Evgeni Malkin. Eight years later, he’s still under there. Malkin took a hooking minor on Couturier in the waning minutes of the game.

“We forget sometimes how young he is,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “He’s probably played more hockey just before the break than he’s played throughout any season prior to that. I think that game off (when the Flyers had to send him to the minors to be salary cap compliant) may have re-energized him, reset, re-focus and the last couple games he’s played much better for us.”

If Farabee had stayed in school, there would be a little more than a month left in his regular season before the NCAA’s postseason tournament begins. Now he’s in a stretch run where the Flyers will have to play their best hockey to win a playoff spot in a tight Eastern Conference.

James van Riemsdyk, one of the three goal scorers, knows the path Farabee took quite well. He went to the University of New Hampshire for a year after the Flyers drafted him and also turned pro at 19.

“Certainly the games just come one after the other so you’ve got to make sure you stay pretty even-keeled,” van Riemsdyk said. “You don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself or when things go bad you’ve got another one to play, which is a good thing. I think he’s got a pretty good head on his shoulders and I think his hockey sense is probably his best trait as a player. He’s really skilled but his smarts allow him to manage the game and do things that make him an effective player.”

After a nine-game streak without a point, Farabee now has points in three straight with his assist on Voracek’s10th goal of the season.

Farabee had been in a bottom-six role for the Flyers and not been expected to score, but having goals in each of the two previous games raised his confidence after he admitted it was lacking quite a bit. 1172258 Philadelphia Flyers “We talked about playing with good details with and without the puck, and just trying to be in the right spots, so you don’t have to run around and do anything too crazy,” James van Riemsdyk said when asked to explain the standout defensive effort. “I think we were supporting each other well Over past two weeks, Flyers provide sneak peek of what could be, with with and without the puck, and I think it makes it tough for other teams to win over Pens the crowning achievement make plays when you do that.”

But Philadelphia’s success went far beyond pregame tape studies and X’s and O’s breakdowns. And there was one play, in particular, just a By Charlie O'Connor Jan 22, 2020 minute into the third period with the Flyers up 2-0, that exemplified the underlying reason their team defense was so difficult for Pittsburgh to handle. The Philadelphia Flyers are not yet a great hockey team. Scott Laughton shouldn’t win this loose puck. Patric Hornqvist has That’s not meant as pessimism; it’s merely a statement of fact. The control, position, and two obvious passing outlets in Kris Letang and Flyers’ place in the standings — tied for 11th in points percentage, just Bryan Rust. But Laughton outworks the Pittsburgh forward, forcing a out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference due to the tiebreaker clear and essentially ending the Penguins’ final power play opportunity of formula — proves as much. So does the team’s middle-of-the-pack the game. advanced metrics, and its pendulum-swing inconsistent nature. The Flyers are a good team, but not quite out of the muddled middle. Afterward, asked if he felt the Flyers’ effort level overwhelmed the Penguins, Laughton didn’t take the bait. But as it turned out, Laughton’s However, when Philadelphia finally does achieve unquestioned diplomacy was unnecessary — none other than Crosby himself bluntly greatness — whether it’s next month, next year or further in the future — admitted as much. there’s a good chance it looks a lot like the past two weeks of Flyers hockey, with Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins the “It’s unfortunate, it’s a big divisional game and it just seemed like they Platonic ideal of that greatness. wanted it more,” Crosby said after the loss. “It’s never a good feeling when you finish the game and that’s the feeling you have.” Since dropping the final game of their disastrous road trip, the Flyers have gone on a tour of destruction through the upper reaches of the NHL Strong defense at the NHL level can’t solely come from systemic standings. The Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals? supremacy and expert positioning — teams’ systems are too similar and Defeated. The best team in the Atlantic Division, the Boston Bruins? players are too skilled to be kept in check for long solely through “being Downed in epic comeback fashion. The defending champion (and in the right place.” It also has to be the result of winning more “toss-up” Central Division-leading) St. Louis Blues? Not able to hold up in puck battles, forcing turnovers via sheer effort, driving opponents to overtime. And now, the Penguins, who have overcome an endless sheer frustration because the “easy” plays are never there to make. In parade of injuries to remain the fourth-best team by points percentage? other words — exactly what the Flyers did to the Penguins. Made to look mortal by their fiercest natural rival. “We showed a lot of maturity as a team in just playing the right way, and That’s a 4-1 record (including the 1-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on not trying to do anything too crazy or too fancy, and making it hard on Jan. 11) against the five best teams in 2019-20. The Flyers also got the them,” van Riemsdyk said. better of the even-strength statistical battles (Corsi and expected goals) The Flyers are not yet a “mature” team, and not just because 40 percent in all four of the victories. These weren’t flukes; they were well-deserved of their lineup Tuesday was under the age of 25. As their inconsistency triumphs. this season shows — a flaw that Claude Giroux and van Riemsdyk didn’t Appropriately, the Pittsburgh game feels most like a sign of things to hesitate to reiterate after the victory — this club is far from a finished come in a happier Flyers timeline. product. Aside from being an extremely tight-knit group, the Flyers haven’t really settled on an overarching identity yet. Since general manager Chuck Fletcher settled into his role atop the Flyers’ food chain, he’s harped on one common theme — the need for a But perhaps Tuesday’s game provided the blueprint, one that fits with the mindset change, which sure seems to be code for “play a lot better mentality of past Fletcher clubs, matches the team’s most likely future defensively.” It made sense on two levels. First, Philadelphia was a roster makeup and has the potential to be a sustainable, winning horrific goal-prevention team in 2018-19 (3.41 goals allowed per game, solution. third-worst in the league), and a new GM would logically want the team to The Flyers might not yet be a great team. But the version that showed up address its biggest apparent weakness. But it goes beyond that. against the Penguins had the makings of one. Fletcher’s Minnesota Wild teams were renowned for their defensive prowess, ranking in the top five in expected goals allowed per 60 minutes Nine more observations at even strength in each of his final six seasons as GM. 2. In an ideal world — one with Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick active Strong defensive play was the defining characteristic of Fletcher- and not dealing with serious health issues — the Flyers would be able to managed teams before he took over in Philly. And with the Flyers roll three dangerous scoring lines and not have to rely on their top-of-the- seemingly poised to build around a talented young defense, a potential lineup talent to drive the bus. In the real world, however, for Philadelphia impact goaltender and waves of solid forwards, you don’t have to squint to hold its own against top-tier opponents (particularly in a playoff series), to see a plausible path for long-term contention centered on stingy, its star players will have to legitimately outplay the stars on the other lockdown team defense, which would allow Philadelphia to overcome the side, since the Flyers can’t depend upon a nightly boost from the depth in lack of a Sidney Crosby- or -level talent up front. their bottom six.

That’s exactly how the Flyers succeeded on Tuesday. That’s exactly what happened on Tuesday. The Flyers’ top two lines — Farabee-Couturier-Voracek and JvR-Giroux-Konecny — combined for a By the numbers, it wasn’t their best defensive performance of the season 28-18 shot-attempts advantage (60.87 percent), a 1.15-0.31 edge by — 11 times in 2019-20, they have allowed fewer expected goals/60 at expected goals (78.77 percent) and a 2-0 lead by actual goals. That’s even strength (1.76) than they did versus Pittsburgh. But by the eyes, it’s exactly the type of dominance that Philadelphia’s highest-priced forward hard to think of a better showing when it came to preventing their talent needs to provide against a club such as Pittsburgh. opponent from doing anything it wanted to do. 3. How did they rack up such impressive results? By handily winning their The Flyers forechecked relentlessly. They backchecked and forced matchups against Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, of course. Couturier got the turnovers in the neutral zone. Their third man high in the offensive zone bulk of the shifts versus No. 87, and in 12:13 even-strength minutes, rarely let a Penguins forward get behind him in transition. And they pasted him to the tune of a 71.27 expected-goals-for percentage. Giroux defended the slot and net-front areas in the defensive zone as if both was even better against Malkin. In 7:15 minutes matched up against the were their own private parcels of land. No Pittsburgh player was going to Flyers’ captain, Malkin and his linemates managed just five shot attempts trespass without alarm sirens in the form of diligent checkers beginning worth only 0.06 of xG. Pittsburgh isn’t going to win many games when its to blare. As a result, the seventh-highest scoring team, a club with two top two players are shut down to such a degree. future Hall of Famers driving its offense, produced just 19 shots on goal, eight high-danger scoring chances and zero goals. 4. Joel Farabee might not have scored a goal in his third consecutive game, but he did add a secondary assist on Jakub Voracek’s goal, and more than held his own on the top line in Michael Raffl’s absence. For the past few weeks, Farabee has been toiling away in the bottom six, but the best version of the Flyers includes him further up the lineup, in place of stopgap veterans such as Raffl and Tyler Pitlick, who simply don’t possess the offensive upside of Farabee.

The 19-year old simply had to play well enough to justify a promotion back up onto a scoring line, and over the past three games, he’s done just that. “I think when I play with confidence is when I play my best,” he admitted, and he’s surely playing with a great deal of it as the Flyers hit their bye week.

5. In his three starts since taking the lead goaltender role in the wake of Carter Hart’s injury, Brian Elliott’s stats are staggering — three wins, a 0.954 save percentage and 3.18 goals saved above expectation. Considering how well the Flyers played defensively in this one, they very well might have won even without an exceptional Elliott performance, but he provided one anyway. And why knows — maybe if Elliott doesn’t make a monster stop on Bryan Rust in the slot midway through the third period, it sparks a Penguins comeback.

6. Suddenly, James van Riemsdyk is back in top form. After an eight- game pointless drought, all it apparently took was a new line combination to get the best version of JvR to re-emerge. He and Travis Konecny are showcasing undeniable offensive chemistry, often relegating Claude Giroux to the defensively responsible support piece on the line as the duo goes on its jaunts up ice. JvR hits the break with six points in his past five games.

7. There was a subtle moment late in the third period that showcased Travis Konecny’s growth as a player. With the score 2-0 in favor of the Flyers and Konecny 34 seconds into his shift, he took a lead pass from Giroux and began to head up ice with three Penguins chasing him. The younger version of Konecny might have tried to blast down the wing in a madcap attempt to create a transition rush.

Present-day Konecny, however? Once he realized that Alex Galchenyuk was closing in on him and threatening to possibly cause a turnover if Konecny continued to attack, the Flyers’ young forward recognized the situation and turned back into his own zone, rather than risk disaster on a low-percentage play. Two years ago, maybe Konecny keeps going, loses control of the puck and gives Pittsburgh a dangerous chance. This Travis Konecny, however, is smart enough to recognize that in some situations, the conservative play is the best one.

8. The Flyers might have held Pittsburgh off the scoresheet, but they’re playing a dangerous game for however long they keep the pairing of Robert Hägg and Justin Braun together. The duo was gashed for 20 shot attempts and 0.76 worth of expected goals at even strength — essentially half of all the offense Philadelphia allowed at even strength in the game. Putting two stay-at-home blueliners on the same pair rarely works, and it doesn’t look like this situation is much different. With Shayne Gostisbehere a possibility to return right after the break, however, perhaps the pair’s days are numbered, anyway.

9. In three full power plays, the high-powered Pittsburgh unit managed a mere four shot attempts and obviously zero goals. “I thought we attacked when we needed to and didn’t allow them that many zone entries,” Scott Laughton noted after the win.

10. As has come to be expected, Kevin Hayes was one of the PK’s standouts, with his best moment coming late in the first period when he bled a whopping 13 seconds off Pittsburgh’s first power play by refusing to relinquish control of the puck. It thrilled the Wells Fargo Center faithful, but Giroux admitted with a smile that Hayes’ penalty-killing bravado does cause him white-knuckle moments on the bench. “Yeah, I was very nervous (watching it), though,” he said. “(Hayes) was protecting the puck against four guys and the guys on the bench (were) telling him to put it deep. It was a great play, but I still get nervous when he does that.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172259 Philadelphia Flyers to find a way to get on the scoreboard. His freshman season at Denver has been no different; Brink has established himself as one of the top scorers on one of the best teams in college hockey.

The Athletic Philadelphia’s Top 20 Flyers prospects for 2020 Brink isn’t banging down the door to the NHL just yet; there’s a good chance he returns to college for at least one more season to round out his game. But he’s one of the few prospects remaining in the system with the potential to become an impact scorer at the next level, primarily Charlie O'Connor Jan 21, 2020 because so many of his offensive skills — shooting, passing, vision, tenacity — are high-end. Brink has been exactly what the Flyers hoped he would be when they traded up to draft him at No. 34 overall last June. For the past few seasons, the Philadelphia Flyers’ prospect pool, and particularly its depth, was the envy of the NHL. Few — if any — teams The rangy Russian blueliner’s stock might have risen as much as any had so many players yet to reach the big club with legitimate potential to NHL prospect’s since the summer. During his second straight banner be positive contributors at the highest level. campaign, Yegor Zamula established himself as possibly the best defenseman in the WHL, with point-per-game production, good gap Midway through the 2019-20 season, however, the Flyers have started to control, and impressive play around his own net and along the boards, enter a transition period with their most-valued prospects. That’s what despite his narrow frame. happens when many of those blue-chip youngsters exit the theoretical and make the jump to the NHL. But the undrafted defenseman’s standout play at world juniors really boosted his profile. Zamula had five points in seven games, and the top- That said, the prospect pool isn’t anywhere close to barren. Depth pair defenseman played a large role in helping Russia win the silver remains solidly above-average — thanks, in part, to a solid 2019 draft medal. Zamula excelled in all three zones, showcasing his high-end skill, haul — and there are prospects in the system who could plausibly strong skating and exceptional hockey IQ. What made his performance develop into impact players. But an organization doesn’t lose blue- more impressive was that it came while playing through a back injury, chippers like Carter Hart, Philippe Myers and Joel Farabee to NHL which required season-ending surgery after the tournament. Assuming a graduation and not take a bit of a hit, and that’s before noting that solid full recovery, Zamula has top-four defenseman upside. mid-tier prospects such as Mikhail Vorobyev and Nicolas Aubé-Kubel have also officially entered “rookie” status, and no longer qualify as true Compared to fellow 2017 pick Frost, Isaac Ratcliffe has had a far tougher prospects due to their time with the big club. time adjusting to the pro game in his first season after the OHL. Through his first few months in the AHL, Ratcliffe still flashed the raw talent on The Athletic Philadelphia will navigate this new environment this week, occasion that makes him such an intriguing winger prospect. But his beginning with our biannual Top 20 Flyers Prospects list. As usual, only struggles with the finer details — winning battles along the boards, players who retain eligibility for the Calder Trophy qualify for inclusion, corralling pucks in his skates, retaining possession under pressure — which means that a player is still considered a prospect even if he has often nullified his strengths. made an NHL appearance, as long as he hasn’t played more than 25 games in a single season or six-plus games in two separate seasons. In It was always unlikely that Ratcliffe would move quickly through the compiling the list, both myself and contributor Alexander Appleyard put system, even if his 41- and 50-goal seasons that concluded his junior together individual lists of the top 25 prospects, and then combined the career caused some to think otherwise. Development time is a necessity two to form the final ranking. for Ratcliffe, who needs to learn how to best take advantage of his massive frame and impose his will on opponents. But the upside of an This is just Day 1 of “Prospect Week” at The Athletic Philadelphia. On impact, top-six forward remains, and in recent weeks, Ratcliffe seems to Wednesday and Thursday, assistant general manager Brent Flahr will be making progress. Consider this a transition year that will likely be provide insights on the prospects who made the list, and on Friday, remembered down the road as pivotal to his progression. Alexander will highlight the players who just missed the cut. German Rubtsov’s post-draft career has been a roller-coaster ride. A Without further ado, here is our latest ranking. positive Draft+1 year, in which he produced like one of the better young forwards in the CHL after coming over to North America midway through Morgan Frost’s transition to pro hockey this season hasn’t been the season, was followed by a concerning final QMJHL season that saw seamless, but it’s important to acknowledge just how well it’s gone. Frost his scoring stagnate. Then, in his rookie pro season, he exploded onto quickly proved his offense could translate to the AHL level, and the 20- the AHL scene with 10 points in his first 14 games with the Phantoms year-old has scored at what amounts to a 55-point pace over a full 76- before a shoulder injury ended his year. game AHL season. He’s had far more good games than bad as a Phantom. And Frost earned his first extended call-up to the Flyers, He picked up right where he left off to begin 2019-20, producing six scored two highlight goals in his first three NHL games and held his own points in his first seven games — a start that led to a three-game stint as a third-line center. with the big club. Since then, however, he has just six points in 21 AHL games, though a recent four-points-in-six-games surge earned him a Of course, the Flyers have far higher hopes for Frost than for him to top surprise recall this week as injury insurance for Michael Raffl. Despite the out as a 3C, and that was part of the thinking in sending him back to the offensive slump in November and December — which was at least AHL after his scoring dried up in December. Frost still needs to work on partially due to team-wide scoring struggles and a new shoulder injury — consistently playing at pro-level pace, along with cleaning up some things Rubtsov possesses a well-rounded game with the necessary skills to in his off-puck play, particularly in the defensive zone. But it’s not terribly stick in the NHL as a versatile, responsible player who’s capable of difficult to argue that Frost is the organization’s third-best healthy center playing all three forward positions and on the penalty kill. He’ll need to (assuming Claude Giroux and Scott Laughton are viewed as wingers) — develop more as a scorer to reach his plausible ceiling as a 45- to 50- and that’s with just 43 pro games to his credit. Frost is easily still the point second-liner, though. club’s most exciting and best prospect. In Hart, the Flyers have arguably the best young goalie in the world, as The 2019 first-round pick has faced a bit of adversity since starting his technically sound as one could imagine at 21 years old. But in terms of collegiate career, but a high-ankle sprain in his first game of the season, technique alone, Samuel Ersson is not too far behind. Calm, composed a nagging shoulder injury and limited ice time at the World Junior and always in the right position, Ersson set records last year in the Championship have not stopped Cam York from excelling at Michigan. Allsvenskan (Swedish second tier) as a teenager, before finding his way The 19-year-old from Southern California has put up 11 points through to the SHL this season at 20. 18 games, and leads all NCAA defensemen born in 2001 or later in His 0.897 save percentage may not impress at first glance, but Ersson points and points per game, despite playing for one of the lower-scoring has played well enough to win the starting job at his club, Brynäs, teams in Division I. But don’t take his point total to mean that he is an outplaying SHL veteran (and former Flyers draft pick) Joacim Eriksson. offense-only blueliner. York’s defensive game is right up there with his The Brynäs defense has not helped its goalies this season, suppressing offense — mature, well-rounded and consistent. As for York’s upside? shots but not chances around the net or odd-man rushes. It’s not difficult to envision him developing into a good No. 2 defenseman. Underwhelming 2019-20 stats aside, Ersson has NHL potential and All Bobby Brink does is produce. Yes, he’s a bit on a small side. Yes, his remains firmly in the organization’s plans. skating stride isn’t orthodox — even if he’s noticeably improved his quickness and separation gear. But put him on the ice, and Brink seems For Wade Allison, the big question is injuries. It’s not merely the fact that all situations — while still providing point-per-game offense. He’s he has missed extensive time over the past three college seasons with established himself as one of the more well-rounded forwards in college various ailments; it’s the concern that the player who took the NCHC by hockey. Aside from a true dynamic element to his game, it’s hard to storm as a sophomore might never fully return, as a result of lingering identify any specific area in which he’s lacking at this level. effects from injuries (particularly a torn ACL) and lost development time. But in a few months, Laczynski will face a new challenge — the pro The old Allison appears in flashes, as he did in the half-ice scrimmages game. Physical readiness doesn’t appear to be a major issue and, if his at development camp this past summer and in his best games with skill set translates to the pro game, he could quickly jump into the NHL Western Michigan (he had four points on Saturday, his top showing of mix given his versatility. The Flyers are hoping Laczynski chooses to the season). Allison still has a great shot, and at his best, can play a begin his promising pro career with the organization, but they only retain bruising, physical game from the wing that seems tailor-made for the his rights until Aug. 15, at which point he could sign with any club. NHL. The key for Allison is to prove he can play at that level consistently, Laczynski hasn’t ruled out signing an entry-level contract with the Flyers, after all of his injuries. and presumably the team will make a big push to lock him up after his senior season. The Flyers have until the summer to sign Allison to an entry-level contract, but they’ve always been high on the power forward’s potential, Felix Sandström is one of the most athletic goalie prospects in the world. and Allison has expressed interest in officially joining the organization But since his stellar performance at the 2017 world juniors, he’s faced after his senior season. Assuming he does agree to terms, he’ll take his serious adversity. In 2017, a hiatal hernia threatened his career, and place as one of the true boom-or-bust prospects in the system. other nagging injuries hampered him as well. He seemed to get back on track in 2018-19, on the strength of solid play with HV71 in the SHL, and Jay O’Brien may be the wild card in the Flyers’ prospect deck. Despite a made the jump to North America this past summer. concerning 18 months since he was drafted, O’Brien’s skill set remains undeniable. His speed, skill and comfort level on the cycle make for a The start of his career on this side of the Atlantic has been bumpy. rare combination, but his freshman season at Providence can be Sandström was sent to the ECHL to ease his transition to North characterized only as a severe disappointment, and ultimately drove him American pro hockey, but Reading’s team defense was poor to start the to seek a better fit elsewhere. season, and several solid performances by Sandström resulted in awful stat lines. He’s also battled the injury bug again, and watched as fellow This season, O’Brien elected to move to the BCHL — the top Canadian prospect Kirill Ustimenko started to take a larger share of the workload in junior-A league — to preserve his NCAA eligibility, with plans to transfer Reading. The talent is still there — as the club’s decision to call him up to to Boston University in 2020-21. However, his season has not been as Lehigh Valley after Hart’s injury hints — and he has been better than his dominant as one would expect from a 20-year-old first-round pick. stats, but given the Flyers’ goalie prospect depth, Sandström might start O’Brien’s 1.42 points per game rank third in the league, but it was to get lost in the mix if he doesn’t shine soon. reasonable to hope for more production given his talent and pedigree. Injury luck hasn’t treated O’Brien kindly — he missed more than a month Since the start of 2017-18, David Kaše has blossomed. A strong season with a fractured foot but returned to action this past weekend. Next with Mora IK in the SHL was followed by a solid AHL season last year season will be the real test for O’Brien, and his return to college hockey (albeit one cut short by injuries), and while his surface-level stats may not will show whether he can harness his skills and become a middle-six be that impressive (eight points in 31 games this season), almost the NHLer in the future. entire Phantoms team has produced below offensive expectations. Kaše has certainly been one of Lehigh Valley’s better forwards. Mark Friedman’s progression has been slow but steady. After three years at Bowling Green, Friedman turned pro before the 2017-18 season, and Speed, tenacity and two-way play earned Kaše his Flyers debut in delivered a first-year AHL campaign that proved simultaneously December. He took full advantage of the opportunity, scoring his first promising and frustrating. By advanced metrics, Friedman was one of NHL goal less than a week later against his brother’s Anaheim Ducks. Lehigh Valley’s more effective defensemen, but he also consistently With continued strong play in the AHL, Kaše could return to the NHL full- vexed his coaches with wildly inconsistent play. In Year 2, he earned his time in the next year or so. He held his own in his first two stints this way into the coaches’ good graces — and received a one-game “reward” season, hinting that he might have the ability to be a good third- or fourth- call-up to the Flyers at the end of the season — but his underlying stats liner in the near future. dipped. After consistent year-over-year growth since being drafted by the Flyers This year, at 24, it’s all starting to come together for Friedman. Not only is in 2016, Högberg has had a mixed bag of a season. The smooth-skating his approach far more professional than before, but he’s also become blueliner began the year as a go-to defenseman for the Växjö Lakers, one of the Phantoms’ most consistent and impactful blueliners. And he’s playing team-high minutes at 5-on-5 and against opponents’ best back to shining by advanced metrics — per Brad Keffer’s tracking work at players. But despite solid work, the goalies behind him struggled, and the PhancyStats, Lehigh Valley has generated 56.06 percent of the scoring forwards could not score. chances at 5-on-5 with Friedman on the ice and just 46.25 percent with him on the bench, which shows his positive impact. As a result, Växjö brought in Finnish defensemen Ilari Melart and Miika Koivisto, which pushed Högberg to No. 5 on the depth chart. Friedman received his second NHL call-up after Shayne Gostisbehere’s Counterintuitively, his play seemed to tail off slightly in a role with fewer recent injury, and held his own in limited minutes. Friedman may not minutes and responsibilities, and the last few months have arguably been have a clear spot on the roster, but he’s reached the point where it’s the most adversity he’s faced in his career. Högberg has the attributes to merely a lack of space that’s preventing him from earning a long look as potentially become a strong bottom-pairing NHL defenseman — if, of a third-pair defenseman — not a lack of NHL readiness. course, the Flyers sign him. They have until June 1 to get him on an entry-level contract or they’ll lose exclusive negotiating rights. For Noah Cates, the production is starting to match the reputation. Long a favorite in scouting circles for his high-end hockey IQ and detail- Kirill Ustimenko had a monster finish to 2018-19, going on a streak from oriented approach, Cates’ offense began to emerge at the collegiate level December through the end of the season in which he was essentially midway through his freshman season at Minnesota-Duluth. After a slow impenetrable in Russia’s MHL, and setting the league shutout record in scoring start, Cates finished the season with 17 points in his final 24 the process. He began his first year in North America in the ECHL, and games, and became a primary offensive threat on a club that won the did so tentatively, befitting his rawness as a goalie prospect, struggling Division I national championship. behind a leaky Reading defense. In mid-November, Ustimenko was well below a 0.900 save percentage, but he’s found his footing, posting a Cates has carried over that success to his sophomore season, scoring at 0.927 since mid-December, while taking primary goaltending duties from nearly a point-per-game pace for the Scott Sandelin-coached Bulldogs; Sandström. he leads all Minnesota-Duluth forwards in scoring. For Cates, what will likely decide whether he becomes merely a useful NHL bottom-sixer or a Ustimenko is far from a finished product, but it would be interesting to middle-sixer with 40-plus point potential is his skating, which remains a see how he would perform in a more structured league. With a few more work-in-progress but is steadily improving. He’s one of Philadelphia’s years of positive development, he has the talent to become an NHL best under-the-radar prospects. netminder.

At the college level, Tanner Laczynski has little left to prove. Since his Just as the Flyers anticipated when they selected him in the fourth round first season at Ohio State in 2016-17, Laczynski has been a do-it-all last June, Mason Millman has taken a step forward in his second full forward for the Buckeyes, capable of playing both wing and center and in season in the OHL. Not only did he exceed his 2018-19 goal total in just 16 games and his point total in only 35 contests, but Millman is also more regularly flashing the plus skating ability that so intrigued Chuck Fletcher and Flahr in the lead-up to the draft.

Millman, 18, certainly qualifies as a project, and won’t see the NHL anytime soon even if he does pan out. He needs significant physical development before taking the leap, and he’ll have to adapt his defensive play to the more structured pro game. But with a number of under-25 defensemen currently patrolling the blue line in Philadelphia, the Flyers can take a wait-and-see approach with Millman and allow him to progress at his own pace.

The smooth-skating Wyatt Kalynuk could have turned pro last summer but chose to return to Wisconsin for at least one more season. So far, the move has paid off from a developmental standpoint — Kalynuk is on track to exceed his previous career-high in points (25) and has enjoyed a boost from playing behind high-end forward prospects like Alex Turcotte and Cole Caufield.

For Kalynuk, the primary question is one of upside. His skating ability is NHL-caliber, and he continues to improve his strength with the goal of eventually holding up against AHL and NHL competition. What remains to be seen is whether his skill with the puck will translate. He’s not the most flashy defenseman, so Kalynuk will have to largely rely on his skating and smarts in the pro game. Whether he can will decide if he establishes himself as a full-time NHLer or remains organizational depth for the bulk of his career.

This time last season, the versatile Swede was struggling to earn ice time and seemed low on confidence. This year is a stark contrast. Olle Lycksell has been one of the better players on his SHL club, Linköping. He has 15 points in 33 games, which ranks fourth on a team that’s struggled to score, while switching back and forth between the second and third lines.

Lycksell’s 15 points are the most for any under-21 forward in the league. (He turns 21 in August.) He has showcased high-end skill — regularly dangling past opponents and creating great chances on most nights — and played a diligent two-way game at left wing. On a better team, his production would likely be higher. Peering into our crystal ball, Lycksell appears to have bottom-six upside.

Wyatte Wylie could have become a pro before the start of the 2019-20 season, because he was poised to turn 20 in November 2019. But even though Wylie made a push for an entry-level contract at training camp, the Flyers decided that another year in the WHL was best for his development. The club thought he could use the additional season to develop more confidence in his game, particularly on the offensive side, since he likely won’t end up in such a role at the pro level.

That’s exactly what Wylie has done, racking up 11 goals and 40 points in 43 games with the Everett Silvertips. Wylie’s production has improved every season, and even though he lacks a a dynamic element to his game, he’s a player who appears to get the most out of his talent. Assuming the Flyers sign him to an entry-level contract at the end of his Draft+2 season, Wylie will get a shot in 2020-21 to prove he can continue that progression at the pro level.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172260 Pittsburgh Penguins -The Flyers controlled shots, 30-19. -Voracek led the game with five shots.

-Defenseman Kris Letang and forward Jared McCann led the Penguins Empty Thoughts: Flyers 3, Penguins 0 with three shots each.

-The Penguins had a 26-24 edge in faceoffs (52 percent). SETH RORABAUGH | Wednesday, January 22, 2020 2:24 a.m. -Forward Evgeni Malkin was 6 for 9 (67 percent).

-Flyers forward Kevin Hayes was 6 for 10 (60 percent). Observations from the Penguins’ 3-0 loss to the Flyers. -Braun and Marino each led the game with three blocked shots. PHILADELPHIA – No one really wanted to admit it. But they didn’t really Historically speaking deny it either. The Penguins’ last shutout at the hands of the Flyers was a 4-0 road The Penguins were looking forward to nine-day break. They just loss, March 15, 2017. Goaltender Steve Mason made 23 saves in the happened to start looking at it one day early. victory. “We have a long break coming up,” forward Bryan Rust said. “The Randomly speaking mindset was probably empty the tanks and I don’t think we did a good enough job of that.” Already missing the talents of franchise staples such as forward Jake Guentzel and Brian Dumoulin, the Penguins avoided another injury scare For the vast majority of the season, the Penguins have been true in early in the contest when Chad Ruhwedel left the game at 18:46 of the terms of offering a legit effort in most games. There have been games first period. As he lunged for a puck in the air at center ice, Voracek tried where they’ve made terrible mistakes or just had rotten luck. And, the to hit him with a shoulder check but ended up striking Ruhwedel’s left injuries have certainly inhibited the level of talent they’ve had at their knee with his own left knee. Ruhwedel left the ice in considerable disposal most games this season. discomfort but returned by the start of the second period. Voracek was But very rarely have they simply not offered an honest effort. given a minor penalty for tripping. \

Tuesday was one of those occasions. pic.twitter.com/ZJbPptg5s3

So was Dec. 21 in Vancouver, a 4-1 loss. — Here's Your Replay ḏ (@HeresYourReplay) January 22, 2020

And don’t forget Jan. 19, 2019 in Vegas, a 7-3 loss. The Penguins had chances to get on the scoreboard. At 16:21 of the first period, forward Andrew Agozzino took a pass off the right wing from Each of those games preceeded lengthy breaks. The loss in Vancouver forward Alex Galchenyuk and put a re-direction off the left post. was before the holiday break while the loss in Vegas in advance of last season’s All-Star break. Arguably, the Penguins’ best chance to get on the scoreboard came 5:41 into the third period when Pettersson chopped a slapper from the left This piece of prose isn’t intended to be an excuse for them. They’re point which clanged off the near post. Crosby battled for the rebound but professionals. They should give 100 percent no matter if it’s the first could not get a clean handle on the puck as he fell on top of Flyers game of the season or the 82nd. goaltender Brian Elliott.

But they’re humans. -With Dominik Kahun sidelined due to a concussion, the Penguins Like a lot of us on the verge of a long vacation, they slacked off at the switched up their top two lines. Crosby centered Dominik Simon on his office. left wing and Patric Hornqvist at the right wing. Meanwhile, Malkin centered McCann on the left wing and Rust on the right wing. It’s not acceptable. But it happens. Publicly speaking “We’re not going to make excuses,” said captain Sidney Crosby. “We have a long break here. We need to do better. There’s not much to say. -Penguins coach Mike Sullivan tore into the team after the game. We can make excuses but we haven’t made excuses all year. We’re not “There wasn’t anything. For me, there was a lack of execution, a lack of going to start now.” attention to detail, no sense of urgency, no cooperative play. Can’t play in What happened this league and expect to win. … I would hope they are as disappointed as I am in how we played tonight. I just know we are a way better team. After a scoreless first period, the Flyers struck first at 5:26 of the second We’re capable of much more. The level of expectation and the standard period. Gaining the offensive zone on the right wing, Flyers forward Sean is a lot higher. … All of us have to take ownership for our own respective Couturier veered towards the high slot and fed a pass between Penguins contributions. We just weren’t good enough.” forward Patric Hornqvist and defenseman Jack Johnson to Flyers forward Jakub Voracek driving up the left wing. Cutting across the front of -More from Sullivan: the crease, Voracek tucked a backhander under goaltender Tristan “Tonight, we were easy to play against. We didn’t chip bodies, finish Jarry’s left skate for his 10th goal of the season. Couturier and forward checks, we didn’t make great decisions with the puck, we didn’t execute Joel Farabee netted assists. when we had it. There’s nothing positive I can draw from this game. It’s With the benches being on the far side of the ice, defenseman Chad disappointing.” Ruhwedel and Johnson were stuck on the ice for 1:20 seconds – a long -Crosby suggested the break should have boosted his team beforehand shift by any measure – before the goal was scored. then made a slight guarantee:

It became a 2-0 game at 18:40 of the second period. Penguins rookie “It should be motivating. You go out there, you empty the tank. You get defenseman John Marino tried to skate a puck out of his own zone but adequate rest after that. For whatever reason, we didn’t have it tonight. lost it on a pokecheck from behind by Flyers forward James van It’s unfortunate. It’s a big divisional game. It just seemed like they wanted Riemsdyk who tapped the puck to the neutral zone where Flyers forward it more. It’s never a good feeling when you finish the game and that’s the Claude Giroux claimed it and banked it off the right wing boards creating feeling you have. To have to sit on this one a bit, it’s not great. We’ll be a rush into the offensive zone for forward Travis Konecny. From the left motivated when we come back.” dot, Konecny fed a pass to the front of the crease where van Riemsdyk tapped the puck through Jarry’s five hole for his 14th goal. Assists went -Crosby knows his team will be ready to go when they play the Flyers at to Konecny and Giroux. home on Jan. 31:

An unassisted empty net goal by defenseman Justin Braun at 19:00 of “We should use the rest. Battled through a lot of different things but the the third period capped the scoring. most challenging part of the season is ahead of us. We’ll use the rest and make sure we’re focused when we come back.” Statistically speaking -Rust gave props to the Flyers, to a point:

“They played hard. They played a smart, simple, hard game and they were rewarded for it. We could have probably shot a lot more pucks than we did and got some more traffic. A lot of that is on us. … Give some credit to them. But a lot of that is on us. We didn’t play hard enough, we didn’t play smart enough.”

-Jarry spoke about the benefits the break should offer:

“It’s time to spend time away from the rink and just recharge and not think about hockey for a couple of days. The mental game is just as big of a physical game. That helps a lot in the aspect of just resting your mind.”

-Elliott spoke about what his team did to the Penguins:

“I thought we really frustrated them. If you give them time and space and they can make plays. We took it away. We just moved our feet. That was the key to the game.”

-Flyers coach Alain Vigneault was asked about certain line combinations he might use after the break and offered the quote of the night:

“You know what I’m going to do? I’m getting on a plane tomorrow and I’m getting on my pontoon. I’m having a martini. When I get back, I’ll think about that. … I might have more than one.”

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Minor league report: Jordy Bellerive leads Penguins to overtime win

SETH RORABAUGH | Tuesday, January 21, 2020 11:19 p.m.

An overtime goal by forward Jordy Bellerive gave the Wilkes- Barre/Scranton Penguins a 3-2 road win against the at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Tuesday.

Goaltender Casey DeSmith made 23 saves for the Penguins (20-16-3-4) while forwards Anthony Angello and Kevin Roy also scored goals.

Highlights:

The Penguins’ next game is against the Charlotte Checkers at Bojangles’ Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C. on Friday, 7 p.m.

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Penguins assign Agozzino, Blandisi, Czcuzman, Lafferty to AHL

SETH RORABAUGH | Tuesday, January 21, 2020 11:09 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA — Barely an hour after their 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday, the Penguins assigned forwards Andrew Agozzino, Joseph Blandisi, Sam Lafferty and defenseman Kevin Czuczman to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.

The transactions come as the Penguins embark on a nine-day break in the schedule as a result of the NHL’s All-Star Game event and their own bye.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins will play two games over that span.

Agozzino has appeared in nine NHL games this season and has one assist.

Recalled to the NHL roster seven times this season, Blandisi has played in 16 NHL games and has five points (two goals, three assists).

Lafferty, a native of Hollidaysburg, has appeared in 36 NHL games this season and has 10 points (four goals, six assists).

Czuczman has yet to play in an NHL game this season. In 21 AHL games, he has eight points (one goal, seven assists).

The NHL Penguins return to action on Jan. 31 when they host the Flyers at PPG Paints Arena.

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172263 Pittsburgh Penguins When they get back, the Penguins will host the Flyers at PPG Paints Arena on Jan. 31. That game begins a stretch where they will face Metropolitan Division foes 17 times in their final 32 games.

Penguins shut out in lackluster effort against Flyers “We should use the rest,” Crosby said. “Battled through a lot of different things (thus far this season) but the most challenging part of the season is ahead of us. We’ll use the rest and make sure we’re focused when we come back.” SETH RORABAUGH | Tuesday, January 21, 2020 10:09 p.m. Tribune Review LOADED: 01.22.2020

PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Penguins will be gone for more than a week.

Thanks to a combination of the NHL’s break for the All-Star Game and the Penguins’ scheduled bye, they won’t play a game for nine days.

One reasonably could accuse them of extending things into a 10-day break.

The Penguins offered an incomplete and mostly enervated effort against their most enduring rival, the Philadelphia Flyers, in a monotonous 3-0 loss at Wells Fargo Center.

Having played 11 games in only 20 days, their lack of energy was evident to the naked eye and confirmed with a blunt critique from their coach.

“There wasn’t anything,” a sullen Mike Sullivan said. “For me, there was a lack of execution, a lack of attention to detail, no sense of urgency, no cooperative play. Can’t play that way in this league and expect to win.

“Tonight, we were easy to play against. We didn’t chip bodies, finish checks, we didn’t make great decisions with the puck, we didn’t execute when we had it. There’s nothing positive I can draw from this game. It’s disappointing.”

After a scoreless first period, the Flyers struck first at 5 minutes, 26 seconds of the second period.

Gaining the offensive zone on the right wing, Flyers forward Sean Couturier veered towards the high slot and fed a pass between Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist and defenseman Jack Johnson to Flyers forward Jakub Voracek driving up the left wing.

Cutting across the front of the crease, Voracek tucked a backhander under goaltender Tristan Jarry’s left skate for his 10th goal.

With the benches being on the far side of the ice, Chad Ruhwedel and Johnson were stuck on the ice for 1:20 seconds — a long shift by any measure — before the goal was scored.

It became a 2-0 score at 18:40 of the second period. Penguins rookie defenseman John Marino tried to skate a puck out of his own zone but lost it on a pokecheck from behind by Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk, who tapped the puck to the neutral zone.

Flyers forward Claude Giroux claimed it and banked it off the right wing boards, creating a rush into the offensive zone for forward Travis Konecny. From the left dot, Konecny fed a pass to the front of the crease, where van Riemsdyk tapped the puck through Jarry’s legs for his 14th goal.

An empty-net goal by Flyers defenseman Justin Braun at 19:00 of the third period completed the scoring. It was his third goal of the season.

The Penguins’ best chance to get on the scoreboard came 5:41 into the third period, when Pettersson chopped a slapper from the left point that clanged off the near post. Penguins forward Sidney Crosby battled for the rebound but could not get a clean handle on the puck as he fell on top of Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott.

With such a pronounced respite looming, the Penguins certainly offered the appearance of a team needing some downtime on Tuesday. Their captain suggested the break should have provided a boost beforehand.

“It should be motivating,” Crosby said. “You go out there, you empty the tank. You get adequate rest after that. For whatever reason, we didn’t have it tonight. It’s unfortunate. It’s a big divisional game. It just seemed like they wanted it more. It’s never a good feeling when you finish the game and that’s the feeling you have. To have to sit on this one a bit, it’s not great. We’ll be motivated when we come back.” 1172264 Pittsburgh Penguins comfort with Simon, it’s difficult to see Simon playing on any other line as long as the lineup is constructed as it is.

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.22.2020 What are the Penguins’ options on the left wing?

SETH RORABAUGH | Tuesday, January 21, 2020 2:32 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA — When the Pittsburgh Penguins opened their game against the rival Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday, Jake Guentzel wasn’t there. His season is all but over because of a devastating right shoulder injury.

Neither was Dominik Kahun. He’s sidelined indefinitely with a concussion.

Chris Kunitz wasn’t there, either. Ditto Kevin Stevens and Lowell MacDonald.

After all, they’re retired.

They wouldn’t be terrible options given the circumstances, even at the ages of 40, 54 and 78, respectively.

Entering their break from the schedule for the NHL’s All-Star Game event and their own bye, the Penguins are struggling on their port side as two of their top options on the left wing, Guentzel and Kahun, are out of the lineup.

After Guentzel underwent surgery that is scheduled to sideline him for four to six months, general manager Jim Rutherford said he did not feel a need to trade for a left winger specifically because of the ability of his incumbent wingers to play on either side of the line.

Kahun is one of those players who can flip to either wing and showed he could produce while playing on a line with Evgeni Malkin at center and Bryan Rust at right wing. In the eight games he opened on that line, Kahun had six points (one goal, five assists).

But his injury, which he suffered in Sunday’s 4-3 home win against the Boston Bruins, digs the hole a little deeper for the Penguins on the left wing.

Short of an external option like a trade or waivers claim, what are the Penguins’ options on the left wing? In no particular order, here are the internal candidates:

Jared McCann — Largely serving as a second-line center during Sidney Crosby’s convalescence from a core muscle injury, McCann slid back onto Crosby’s left wing once the Penguins’ captain returned to the lineup. Blessed with a heavy shot and hiccup-quick skating, McCann has proved to be an ideal fit with Crosby. Currently, he’s stationed on Crosby’s line with Dominik Simon at the right wing.

Alex Galchenyuk — He has been given ample opportunity to skate with Malkin, but Galchenyuk never has done enough to stay there, either because of ineffective play or injury. After Guentzel’s injury, Galchenyuk played two games on a line with Malkin and Rust before being replaced by Kahun. As one of the team’s most skilled players, Galchenyuk, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 draft, likely will be given another opportunity to prove he deserves a top-six role during Kahun’s recovery.

Sam Lafferty — A healthy scratch for the past four games, Kahun’s injury presumably clears the way for Lafferty to reclaim a spot in the lineup. Making his NHL debut this season, the Hollidaysburg native showed he could produce at a respectable pace with eight points (three goals, five assists) in his first 16 games. But points have been hard to come by as of late. Lafferty has not recorded a point since picking up a primary assist Dec. 4 and has no points in his past 14 games. He has the speed to play NHL hockey. He just needs to show consistency.

Zach Aston-Reese — After largely being a spare part in his first two NHL seasons, Aston-Reese has found a perfect fit on a defensive line with Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev. Despite all the injuries this season, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan largely has been hesitant to break up this line to boost the other three. Aston-Reese has been a big component of this trio’s success with his abrasive style.

Dominik Simon — Listed as a center, Simon mainly has been used as a winger during his five-year NHL career. Capable of playing either wing, he is sturdy but hardly spectacular at either position. Given Crosby’s 1172265 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins to start Tristan Jarry against Flyers

SETH RORABAUGH | Tuesday, January 21, 2020 1:17 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA — The Penguins are scheduled to start goaltender Tristan Jarry against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday according to coach Mike Sullivan.

Jarry, who was named to participate in this weekend’s All-Star Game event in St. Louis, has appeared in 24 games this season and has a 16- 7-1 record along with a 2.16 goals against average, a .929 save percentage and three shutouts.

In his most recent game, a 4-1 road loss to the Boston Bruins, Jarry allowed three goals on 29 shots.

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172266 Pittsburgh Penguins • The Flyers are expected to start goaltender Brian Elliott. In 23 games this season, Elliott has an 11-5-3 record along with a 3.03 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.

Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz remains sidelined • Flyers forward Michael Raffl will be sidelined because of a suspected neck or shoulder ailment.

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.22.2020 SETH RORABAUGH | Tuesday, January 21, 2020 12:20 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA — Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz will remain sidelined for Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center.

Schultz was in Pittsburgh — or Cranberry, to be specific — and skated with with skill coach Ty Hennes a day after he participated in practice with his teammates for the first time since suffering an undisclosed injury that has sidelined him since Dec. 17.

With the Penguins embarking on an eight-day break following Tuesday’s game because of a combination of the All-Star Game event and their own bye in the schedule, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan indicated the team wanted to exercise caution in bringing Schultz back to the lineup.

“That’s one of the factors that we weighed into it, for sure,” Sullivan said. “When we’re trying to make the decision of a player returning from injury and returning to play, the safety of the player is the priority, first and foremost. Our medical staff does a real good job at advising the player and us of when that opportune time is. Based on where Justin is at, we feel this is in the best interest of him and the team.”

According to Sullivan, Schultz and forward Nick Bjugstad, sidelined with a core muscle injury since Nov. 15, each skated with Hennes on Tuesday.

“Nick’s making progress,” Sullivan said. “Both of them are skating back at home right now, with (Hennes). Obviously, we’re hopeful they’ll be making significant progress here. After the break, we’re hopeful we’ll get them back in a fairly timely fashion.”

Notes:

• The Penguins are scheduled to start goaltender Tristan Jarry, according to Sullivan.

Jarry, who was named to participate in this weekend’s All-Star Game event in St. Louis, has appeared in 24 games this season and has a 16- 7-1 record along with a 2.16 goals-against average, a .929 save percentage and three shutouts.

• Forward Joseph Blandisi, recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Monday for the seventh time this season, figures to be a healthy scratch. He and reserve defenseman Kevin Czcuzman were the only non-goaltenders who skated at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday morning. That typically indicates an impending scratch.

• Having missed 13 games this season because of injury, Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin is no threat to set any new career highs in goals or points.

But he is in line to establish new career-bests in faceoffs. Entering Tuesday’s game, he had won 50.6% of his draws this season (321 of 635).

Over his 14-year career, Malkin never has been in the black in that category. His best season came in 2013-14, when he won 48.8% of his draws (303 of 621).

He was forced to take more draws during forward Sidney Crosby’s two- plus months convalescence because of a core muscle injury and, perhaps for the first time as an NHLer, made them a point of emphasis.

“When Sid was out, (Malkin) was terrific in the faceoff circle,” Sullivan said. “I wish I knew the reason why. I think it’s because he just started to value the importance of it. He realized the benefit of winning faceoffs and how it could help his overall game. (Malkin) is so capable. He’s such a talented player. He’s capable in every aspect of the game. Give him a lot of credit. … He’s come to the realization that this is an important aspect of the game, and if (he) can be good at it, it’s going to help (his) line. He’s been been much better at it.” 1172267 Pittsburgh Penguins

Jeers to cheers, most Penguins fans say they support Matt Murray

TRIBUNE-REVIEW | Tuesday, January 21, 2020 11:38 a.m.

Most Penguins fans have Matt Murray’s back, according to TribLIVE.com social media polls.

Sixty-seven percent of respondents in the Trib’s unscientific Facebook poll said fans were not justified in booing Murray after he allowed two early goals against the Boston Bruins on Sunday at PPG Paints Arena. About 400 people voted.

The vote was close on Twitter, but more fans than not still thought the boo birds were out of line.

Were fans justified in booing Penguins goalie Matt Murray after he let in two early goals in Sunday's game?

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) January 20, 2020

Things got worse for Murray before they got better, as the Penguins faced a three-goal deficit before rallying to win 4-3.

Murray’s teammates came to his defense after the game, but the two- time Stanley Cup-winning goalie seemed particularly annoyed, offering a curt “no comment” when asked about the fans.

Justin Petrick said on the Trib’s Facebook account that he believes fans paying to attend games have a right to boo a player who is playing poorly but offered, “The only downside is that most casual viewers don’t understand hockey enough to know when it’s the goaltender’s fault or the players in front of them. Not to mention that, (Tristan) Jarry has been playing well, and people expect that all of the time.”

Jim Duron said booing “goes along with playing pro sports.”

“Fans are both emotional and invested,” he said on the Trib’s Twitter account. “If an athlete can’t handle it, they are in the wrong business.”

Said Jeremy Horn on Facebook: “I think the whole team deserved (boos). Not just Murray.”

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Tim Benz, Brian Metzer talk Penguins’ Matt Murray’s state of mind, brutal schedule after break

TIM BENZ | Tuesday, January 21, 2020 6:39 a.m.

It’s our usual Tuesday hockey podcast with Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network.

And by usual, I mean typically unusual.

Eventually we get to hockey, after much more pressing debates about Godzilla movies, baby Jabba versus baby Yoda, and Led Zeppelin covers.

Following all those important topics, we get down to hockey business.

Brian and I agree about how Sunday’s crowd-jeering of Matt Murray may have been overblown during the Penguins’ win over the Boston Bruins. But we disagree in the sense that I think Murray’s reaction is an important talking point.

We also dive into the play of Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby versus the Bruins. Then we dissect Tuesday night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

If it feels like forever since the last time these two rivals have played, that’s because it has been.

Their most recent contest was back on Oct. 29, a 7-1 win for the Penguins. We take a look at how both teams have changed since then.

The Penguins go on a 10-day break after Tuesday’s game in Philly. They better rest up. Because they face a gantletof formidable opponents after returning to action. We take a look at what lies ahead at the end of January and the start of February.

It’s not pretty.

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172269 Pittsburgh Penguins If that kind of game wound up in a loss, Fleury usually just blamed himself and did little to let the conversation linger.

Probably knowing that a “no comment” was just as good as saying, Tim Benz: Who cares if Penguins crowd jeers Matt Murray? What “Yeah. I hear it.” Which would lead to the “Fleury is flustered” talk matters is how he responds. popping up again.

In the early days of training camp after the loss to Boston in the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals, I asked Fleury about how he had been raked TIM BENZ | Tuesday, January 21, 2020 6:20 a.m. over the coals by the fans and if he even wanted to come back to play in Pittsburgh another year.

In his endearing trademark “Franglais” accent he replied, “Of course. I In the wake of the derisive cheers aimed at Penguins goaltender Matt know at times I felt like the fans, they — how do you say that — they Murray Sunday, there was quite a showdown on Pittsburgh sports talk ‘throw me at the bus?’ But, it’s just part of playing goalie, you know. and online. “Is that right? Throw me at …” In the Black corner, you had the “It’s my money. It’s my ticket. I’ll boo if I want” crowd. “Close enough,” I replied. “You mean, ‘Under the bus’?”

In the Gold corner, you had the “I’m a better fan than you because I don’t “Right,” Fleury sighed and laughed. “(Expletive deleted). See. Now they make fun of the hometown guy” crowd. can make fun of me for that, too.”

A steel-cage match of sports fan sanctimony! And poof. Like that. The response disarmed the hate.

Of course, the media got into it, too. I know for a fact, internally, Fleury seethed over what he thought was unfair fan response. When he’d lose a 1-0 Game 7 in the playoffs to Any time this debate crops up I go back to Barry Bonds’ struggles in the Dwayne Roloson of Tampa with no Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin on playoffs. As a young Pirates fan, I loved Bonds. the ice. Or when he was getting outdueled by Henrik Lundqvist two years The player. On the field. in a row and the Penguins couldn’t buy a goal with a fistful of hundreds against the New York Rangers. I hated him for his arrogance, attitude and subversiveness off it. But it was always taken in stride. But, as much as I disliked Bonds, I never understood booing him after he’d strike out in the playoffs. How was that going to help his next at-bat? Unfortunately, Murray seemed agitated on Sunday. Really bothered. Maybe because now he’s in Fleury’s position. Now he’s the incumbent Based on how poorly he did every NLCS between 1990 and 1992 (.191 goalie who got off to a slow start. He is the one getting pressed by the avg, 1 HR, 3 RBI), it obviously never did. flavor of the month (Tristan Jarry).

My concern isn’t why people are razzing Murray. My concern is how he Just like Murray did to Fleury in 2016. will handle it. If Murray doesn’t want to comment on the crowd giving him guff for letting On the ice, he was great, stopping 35 of 38 shots en route to a 4-3 in a few bad goals early in a game, he has two choices. victory over the Boston Bruins. 1. Slough it off as Fleury eventually mastered. However, based on his reaction when asked about the fans during postgame interviews Sunday, there are reasons to wonder about how 2. Never give up another goal the rest of his life. Ever. much he was impacted. I’m not sure what will be easier for Murray to do. Penguins goalie Matt Murray’s response says everything about what he Tribune Review LOADED: 01.22.2020 thought of the crowd reaction at PPG Paints Arena after the Boston Bruins scored two goals in the first two minutes. pic.twitter.com/5dVhaTx27B

— Kevin Gorman (@KGorman_Trib) January 19, 2020

With that clipped “no comment,” he made every comment he needed to make: “I heard it. And it ticks me off.”

Murray often spoke glowingly about how much he learned from his predecessor, Marc-Andre Fleury.

“The Flower” heard his fair share of those catcalls, boos and even cheers when he got pulled from games.

Rewind your dusty memory banks to Game 7 against Montreal in the 2010 playoffs, or the gong show series against Philadelphia in 2012, or when the fanbase was salivating for Tomas Vokoun in the spring of 2013.

Fleury was lit up by these same fans so often in the years between 2010 and 2013, he got booed out of one arena and got harassed in a second one. If he comes back in his 60s to play in a third building as part of a charity game, he’ll probably get jeered to the bench there, too.

Because that’s what hockey fans do. They blame the goalie.

All the time. Every time.

Yet now, Fleury is treated like a king whenever he comes back with the Vegas Golden Knights.

If Murray watched Fleury as closely as he said he did, then Murray better remember how Fleury handled such situations.

In a game like Sunday’s, when the Penguins would win despite a bad goal or two allowed by Fleury, he’d usually laugh at the crowd reaction if asked. And at himself for the bad goals that got in. 1172270 Pittsburgh Penguins Not only was that the last good chance. It was the last chance at all. The Penguins went the final 9:11 without recording a shot on goal before Philadelphia's Justin Braun added the empty-netter to settle the final score. Flyers blank Penguins in final game before All-Star break “Give some credit to them,” Rust said. “I think they did some good things. But a lot of that is on us. I don’t think we played hard enough. I don’t think we played smart enough.” MIKE DEFABO Pittsburgh Post-Gazette JAN 21, 2020 10:13 PM The loss wrapped up a stretch of 11 games in 20 days, a grind that has

physically and mentally tested the Penguins. For the most part, the PHILADELPHIA — Penguins coach Mike Sullivan carries himself with a Penguins stood tall in the face of the scheduling challenge, going 7-3-1 certain swagger. His passion for the game and fiery competitiveness during the stretch. smolders just below the surface, clearly evident in even the most relaxed But on Tuesday, just days after coming back to beat Boston in one of the pregame settings. most satisfying wins of the season, they looked like a team with tired legs But on Tuesday night, after the Penguins were blanked 3-0 in limping to the break. Philadelphia, the tectonic plates shifted below the surface and lava “We need to be better,” Crosby said. “There’s not much to say. We can bubbled to the surface. Plenty of words can be used to describe this one. make excuses. But we haven’t made excuses all year. We’re not going to But the coach summed it up best. start here.” “There was a lack of execution,” Sullivan said. “Lack of attention to detail. Though the Penguins (31-14-5) failed to gain ground in the standings No sense of urgency. No cooperative play. You can’t play that way in the from the last game before the break, what they accomplished in the first league and expect to win.” 50 games of the season is remarkable nonetheless considering the Ouch. Tough analysis. But honest. adversity they’ve been dealt. The list of injured players has been long and significant in the first half. 20 Penguins Thoughts: Is Mike Sullivan the NHL’s best coach? Yet, despite racking up more than 205 man-games lost to injury, the Against what was supposed to be a heated, in-state rival that is Penguins enter the break at second place in the Metropolitan Division. floundering in sixth in the Metropolitan Division, the Penguins looked flat They trail only the Washington Capitals (31-11-5), who have tallied 71 and tired. They managed just 19 shots to give Flyers goalie Brian Elliott points on the season. an easy shutout win. Meanwhile, goalie Tristan Jarry was left out to dry on several occasions, including when he was asked to make five high- The Penguins returns to action Jan. 31 when they hosts the Flyers at danger saves in the first period alone. PPG Paints Arena, looking to kick start the final stretch with a better performance. “Tonight, we were easy to play against,” Sullivan continued. “We didn’t chip bodies, finish checks. We didn’t make great decisions with the puck. “For whatever reason, we didn’t have it tonight,” Crosby said. “It’s We didn’t execute when we had it.” unfortunate. It’s a big divisional game. It just seemed like they wanted it more. It’s never a good feeling when you finish a game and that’s the Finally, Sullivan provided the most direct evaluation of the game by feeling you have.” saying, “There’s nothing positive that I can draw on from this game. It was disappointing.” Post Gazette LOADED: 01.22.2020

In the coming days, Jarry will make the trek to St. Louis to play in his first All-Star Game. But even an All-Star-caliber effort would not have been enough to help the Penguins steal a win in the last game before the break.

He made 27 saves on 29 attempts, several of them stellar. However, a pair of second-period goals and an empty-netter sent the Penguins to the break with a loss.

Philadelphia eventually took a 1-0 lead with 14:34 left in the second. Sean Couturier skillfully knifed a pass through the Penguins defense to find Jakub Voracek, who beat Jarry on the backhand.

Then, in the closing minutes of the second period, the Flyers took a 2-0 lead. James Van Riemsdyk received a pass in the slot from Travis Konecny. He tapped it through the five hole easily on a bang-bang play.

Penguins center Nick Bjugstad puts the puck past New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev on Saturday, April 6, 2019.

Mike DeFabo

Penguins hope injury returns come in 'timely fashion' after All-Star break

“They were quick,” Jarry said. “Two good plays. Both of them came quick and both of them drove the net hard. It was just a matter of stopping or not stopping them.”

The Penguins have been one of the NHL’s best comeback teams in the league. Seven times they’ve entered the third period trailing and earned a win anyway, including Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 victory against Boston. Only Dallas (eight) has more third-period comebacks.

However, Tuesday’s comeback attempt never left the station.

Looking for a spark, Sullivan played his two star centers — Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin — together on the same line for several shifts. The decision led to one of the best opportunities of the night, when Crosby found Bryan Rust in front of the net. But his point-blank attempt was turned away. 1172271 Pittsburgh Penguins Joseph Blandisi’s yo-yo season continued this week when the Penguins recalled the forward for the seventh time this season. In total, Blandisi has been part of 18 different transactions since the start of the season, including two times in which he cleared waivers. Penguins hope injury returns come in 'timely fashion' after All-Star break “He’s handled it extremely well,” Sullivan said. “I’ve talked to Joseph a lot of this year about the role he plays on this team. The reality is it takes more than 12 forwards and six defensemen and two goalies to win in this MIKE DEFABO Pittsburgh Post-Gazette JAN 21, 2020 1:57 PM league. The 13th and 14th and 15th forwards are really important. The seventh, eighth and ninth defenseman are really important. These guys are valuable parts of our organization.” PHILADELPHIA — There’s still a decent chance that injured Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz will return in time to play against the “I think Joseph understands the role that he plays within our organization Philadelphia Flyers — just not the game Tuesday night. and he’s embraced it.”

Schultz, who rejoined practice Monday for the first time since suffering a Blandisi, who was recalled when Kahun entered the concussion protocol, lower-body injury Dec. 17, was ruled out for Tuesday night’s game by was a healthy scratch on Tuesday night. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. Their next game is not until Jan. 31 … Penguins to hold ‘Black Hockey History Day’ against the Flyers. The Penguins will celebrate “Black Hockey History Day” during the Flyers The decision means that Schultz will get, at a minimum, at least 10 game Jan. 31, when the NHL’s Black Hockey History mobile museum additional days of rest, a full All-Star break and an off week before a comes to Pittsburgh for the first time. possible return when the Penguins play host to the Flyers, the second consecutive meeting between the two teams. The Penguins will then go The mobile museum is the centerpiece of the NHL’s Black Hockey on a three-game road trip to Washington (Feb. 2), Tampa Bay (Feb. 6) History Tour, which celebrates black achievement in hockey by looking and Florida (Feb. 8). back at history makers and Stanley Cup champions (including ex- Penguin Trevor Daley) and looking ahead to the next generation of stars. When the team evaluated when the best time would be to bring Schultz The league-wide tour began Jan. 12 and will continue through March 22, off injured reserve, Sullivan said the break was “one of the factors that with scheduled stops in 14 NHL markets. weighed into it for sure.” During a full day of activities, the mobile museum will make a mid-day “The safety of the player is the priority first and foremost,” Sullivan said. stop at Miller African Centered Academy in the Hill District for private “I think our medical staff does a real good job of advising the player and tours by the students. The museum will then move to Logan Avenue us about when that opportune time is. Based on where Justin is at, we across from PPG Paints Arena and be open to the public free from 4-7 think this is in the best interest of him and the team.” p.m. Meanwhile, at least based on the original time line the team provided, Special guests on Jan. 31 will include members of the Black Girl Hockey Nick Bjugstad should be nearing a return as well. On Nov. 21, the Club, a national organization whose founder, Renee Hess of Riverside, Penguins announced that Bjugstad would miss a minimum of eight Calif., is a Penguins fan. More than 45 members of the club from across weeks after undergoing core muscle surgery. Jan. 16 marked exactly the country are expected to attend, and many will volunteer to help Miller eight weeks since the announcement. The game on Jan. 31 will be just African Centered Academy students during the mobile truck tour. over 10 weeks from surgery. On Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month, the Penguins and the Bjugstad has been skating since at least Dec. 27 with the team’s skills Black Girl Hockey Club will co-host a special screening of “Soul on Ice: coach, Ty Hennes. Past, Present and Future,” a 2016 documentary that tells the history of “Nick is making progress,” Sullivan said. “Both of them are skating back black hockey players in the U.S. and Canada. The event will be held at at home right now with Ty, our skills coach. Obviously, we’re hopeful that 11 a.m. at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. they’ll be making significant progress. After the break, we’re hoping we Jarry in goal again get them back in a fairly timely fashion.” Tristan Jarry will get the nod in goal when the Penguins play the Flyers. In other injury news, Dominik Simon, who suffered a hip pointer during the Penguins’ comeback win against Boston on Sunday, suited up The 24-year-old netminder carries a 2.16 goals-against average and .929 against the Flyers on Tuesday night. He played on Sidney Crosby’s left save percentage. Both are among the league’s best among eligible wing. Dominik Kahun remains in concussion protocol. goaltenders.

Malkin in the circle Recently, Matt Murray earned back-to-back starts for the first time since Nov. 19 and 21, adding just a little bit of intrigue to Tuesday’s decision. Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has enjoyed a bounce-back season in a The goaltender usage will certainly be one of the hot-button issues to number of different ways. He’s one of the league leaders in points-per- monitor when the team returns from the All-Star break. game. He’s showing a commitment to playing away from the puck. He has cut down on his giveaways. Post Gazette LOADED: 01.22.2020 20 Penguins Thoughts: Is Mike Sullivan the NHL’s best coach?

And he’s doing it in the faceoff circle.

Entering Tuesday night, Malkin had won 50.6% of his draws — the best percentage of his 14-year NHL career. The significance of Malkin’s success in the circle was magnified over the last couple weeks when Sidney Crosby was injured. Crosby turned himself into one of the game’s best faceoff men. In his absence, Malkin was asked to take more significant draws and largely helped to fill the void.

“When Sid was out, he was terrific in the faceoff circle,” Sullivan said. “I wish I knew the reason why. I think it’s because he started to value the importance of it. I think he realized the benefit of winning faceoffs and how it can help his overall game.

“Geno is so capable. He’s such a talented player. He’s capable in every aspect of the game. I give him a lot of credit.”

Yo-yo Blandisi 1172272 Pittsburgh Penguins Raise your hand if you thought Sullivan was going to pull, or should have pulled, Murray in the first period Sunday after a rocky start and three goals allowed in the first 15:07, two in the first 2:02.

20 Penguins Thoughts: Is Mike Sullivan the NHL’s best coach? Mine’s up. I was wrong. Bet many of you were, too.

5. By sticking with Murray, Sullivan took a significant gamble. If Murray allowed a fourth goal, the Penguins were probably cooked. Sullivan JASON MACKEY Pittsburgh Post-Gazette JAN 21, 2020 7:00 AM would have been skewered for sticking with a struggling goaltender too long, his emotional ties to Murray questioned.

But it’s obviously not the first time he read the play perfectly when it For all of their illustrious history, essentially employing the NHL’s best came to one of his netminders. I’ll never forget that afternoon at the player since Mario Lemieux’s rookie year, the Penguins have had just Penguins’ team hotel in Ottawa, when Sullivan announced that Murray one winner — Dan Bylsma in 2010-11. Shoot, during would start Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final. many of those years, the man behind their bench was probably more familiar with Jack Daniel’s than Jack Adams given the run-and-gun style It was obviously the right move. The Penguins rode Murray the rest of the that’s inherent to this particular franchise. way to their fifth Stanley Cup. The decision wasn’t popular with fans, but it will forever be attached to Sullivan’s tenure here — in a very good way. But as the league’s coaching carousel has spun out of control this season — seven changes, with two guys already re-hired by other teams 6. The injuries the Penguins have had to endure this season have been — it’s time to (once again) acknowledge and appreciate what we have nothing short of crazy. It’s amazing they’ve continually and consistently here in Mike Sullivan. won games, and Sullivan routinely deflects praise for that. It’s always about the players, he’ll say. Is there anyone better right now? From this seat, definitely not. It’s hard to call the 2019-20 season “his best work” since Sullivan did win the This season, it’s pretty much the only topic on which Sullivan has been Stanley Cup twice, but it’s not far off. wrong.

I thought about that several times while watching Sunday’s 4-3 win over 7. Moving on … “Do you ever miss covering the Penguins?” the Boston Bruins, not only because of Sullivan’s move sticking with Matt Murray when seemingly everyone else — including this idiot — thought That’s a question I get a lot, usually from someone who thinks I’ve lost he should’ve turned to Tristan Jarry. But also the ridiculous buy-in that my mind for switching over to baseball last summer. Sullivan has from his entire team. Yeah, if we’re being honest here, sometimes. It wasn’t long ago that many around here worried whether Sullivan had But it’s not that simple. There’s a lot that went into that decision — lost his fastball, the dressing room or both. Turns out he’s just fine. probably entirely too much if you ask my wife — and it’s something that I 2. Seriously, who would you rank ahead of Sullivan right now? still think about a lot, which is why I thought I’d address some of it here.

If you look at the NHL’s top 10 teams in terms of points, their coaches 8. I made the move, as I said, for a fairly simple reason: I love baseball. are as follows: Todd Reirden (Washington), Craig Berube (St. Louis), Played it my entire life. It’s long been my favorite sport. I understand it Bruce Cassidy (Boston), Sullivan, Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay), Barry Trotz more than the others, and I’ve always fantasized about spending a (New York Islanders), Jared Bednar (Colorado), John Tortorella summer doing nothing but going to baseball games. (Columbus), Rod Brind’Amour (Carolina) and Rick Bowness (Dallas). I’ve also always been fascinated about being on a baseball beat, that Only Trotz has won more playoff series (10-9), but he has hoisted the whole grind, and specifically the writing that comes out of it. Stanley Cup once compared to twice for Sullivan. Reirden’s Capitals But this isn’t so much about the move as it is what I think is a rather have an NHL-high 71 points ... with a terrific roster that’s been mostly interesting question in this business: If beat reporters are supposed to be healthy. He’s also not yet won a playoff series. Berube turned out to be impartial, which we are, why should it matter the quality of the team we exactly what the Blues needed last season, but it was one year. cover? Tortorella has dealt with injuries and significant change; however, the Blue Jackets are technically a fourth-place club. Neither Cooper nor 9. Clearly there are differences between the Pirates and Penguins. Even Cassidy, despite having really good teams, have won Cups. the Pirates would tell you that’s the case, whether we’re talking about fan interest, competitiveness, whatever. You get the point. Again, in my opinion, it’s hard to put anyone ahead of Sullivan among the current group of NHL head coaches. But something most don’t realize about a beat reporter’s job is this: We’re not fans. It’s actually hard to do because whatever team you cover, that 3. Three of the Penguins’ four goals Sunday — all except Jack Johnson’s becomes work. There are inconveniences, little stuff that drives you nuts, short-handed marker — should be downright scary for the rest of the and you realize you have the same responsibilities and salary whether league. they win or lose. When Dominik Simon, Teddy Blueger and Bryan Rust scored, the I’d also be lying if I said it was that easy. You miss the fan engagement. Penguins had their franchise centers, either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni You miss the high-stakes games. You miss the way Jim Rutherford Malkin, doing the dirty work behind the net to create a scoring chance. always wanted to make the next move and his accessibility with local That stuff has become routine around here. reporters.

A year after the Penguins were out-classed by the Islanders in the 10. At the same time, baseball has its perks, too. Absolutely tremendous postseason, Sullivan has adjusted how the Penguins play. He continues access, the best. So many sources to develop and people to know. A to coax the best out of his stars, and he’s also instilled a sense of much better relationship with numbers, which, as a former math major, I responsibility mixed with urgency in the entire group. appreciate.

It’s also incredible how Sullivan can identify a specific direction and I’m also pumped for spring training in a way that I haven’t been about a coach his team to play that way. A couple years ago it was speed. Now, journalism assignment in years, the same way I felt in college whenever the Penguins are in your face; they pressure you, out-compete you and our Westminster team would travel south for a week. (I have another have become the hardest working team in hockey, per Panthers coach upcoming project I’m geeked to do, something that would never, ever be Joel Quenneville. possible with hockey.)

“The worker bees are getting the job done,” NBC analyst Keith Jones I actually started thinking about this stuff while watching Jay Caufield on said on Sunday. “And the stars are picking up the points.” AT&T SportsNet the other night.

4. Equally as important as Xs and Os is Sullivan’s feel for his team and As Jay broke down Crosby’s goal 24 seconds into Thursday’s loss, it hit its players, providing exactly what they need in specific situations. me: I could likely tell you why something in baseball was done or come pretty close to analyzing a particular play without hearing an analyst utter a single syllable, the result of having played the game from ages 3 to 30. I couldn’t and can’t do that with hockey. Could follow once people That was Trotz talking about his former captain, Alex Ovechkin, after the described it to me. Knew plenty of details, too. But writing about latter passed Mario Lemieux in career goals and pulled into a tie with something that I understand so intimately has always intrigued me. Steve Yzerman over the weekend.

Yet there are nights … I think Ovechkin is a tremendous player. So fun to watch. He’s been red- hot lately and showing no signs of slowing down. But the greatest goal- 11. Like when the Penguins are in Montreal or Toronto, two of my scorer of all time? I’m not sure I can go there. At least not yet. favorite road cities. Or sneaky-good ones like Buffalo or Columbus. This spring I’ll surely curse at that stupid, ridiculously small visiting room in 18. I’m not the biggest Marchand fan. He’s a tremendously skilled player, Washington and wish I felt claustrophobic again. The day after the 2017 and I wish he’d focus more on that than trying to be weird or annoying or Stanley Cup final, writing all night and the next day grabbing lunch at toeing the line or whatever you want to call it that he does. Hattie B’s with Sam Werner and Sean Gentille (and watching Sean almost die) will be seared in my brain forever. I nearly cried during my But props to him for this tweet. last trip to Vancouver. ATTENTION...hands have been lost or stolen, if found please return to But I also avoid the dreaded de-icing bay during baseball. Flight delays TD Garden...thanks are far less prevalent. I can feel my fingers when I write. I can do different — Brad Marchand (@Bmarch63) January 17, 2020 stories because baseball access is unlike any other pro sport. Unpacking my suitcase (which I always do) now makes sense because I stay places At least he has a sense of humor about the whole thing. His failed for longer than 36 hours. shootout attempt was obviously bad, but I’m pretty sure the puck had butter on it or something during this breakaway against the Penguins on 12. I guess what I’m trying to say is that all sports, all beats, have their Thursday night: perks and downsides. As one veteran beat man once told me: “There’s [crap] everywhere.” That may be true, but I’d like to think there’s beauty, Brad Marchand is apparently cursed on any form of a breakaway now too. And with some serious gorgeousness on the way via spring training,  pic.twitter.com/4C1RHTpnMg I’m thrilled to think about that. — Hockey Central (@HockeyCentraI) January 17, 2020 So, no. I don’t totally miss it. I’m happy to have made the move, to have intentionally put myself in an uncomfortable position to see how I would 19. Number of the week: 3 respond and also because I love the sport. But I also can’t say any of it The Penguins pulled off another three-goal comeback win Sunday, their has been easy. third this season. That’s the second time in franchise history they’ve done 13. Back to pucks … An Eastern Conference final against the Bruins that, the first coming in 2008-09. would be absolutely tremendous. I’m not sure there’s a better top line in They’re one of three NHL teams with multiple comebacks from three-plus the league than Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak, goal deficits, and their seven wins when trailing entering the third period who’ve combined for 79 goals and 176 points. rank second behind only Dallas (8).

Toss in Zdeno Chara (not literally; that would be hard) and a 20. Non-hockey Thought(s) of the week: As the (married) father of two considerable amount of snarl, a power play that at one point scored in 14 young boys — ages 6 and 1 — I was mortified by the Antonio Brown consecutive games plus a healthy dislike that already exists between video that made its way around the internet last week. these teams, and it could be a lot of fun. One, the guy needs help. CTE or whatever, it’s not normal to act like that. 14. The Penguins’ bounce-back Sunday wasn’t all about Murray Two, that poor woman and those children; nobody should ever be treated gathering himself or Crosby and Malkin making terrific plays or Johnson’s like that. I can’t even imagine what those kids must be feeling and short-handed goal or Bryan Rust impersonating Jake Guentzel. thinking right now.

It was also about Patric Hornqvist. Three, if you’re not getting Brown help, how do you possibly associate As the Penguins dug themselves a huge hole, did you notice who was with him? The rap career, that goofy (and subsequently filmed) tryout constantly agitating Bruins goaltender Jaroslav Halak and pretty much with the Saints … you need a paycheck so bad that you’re willing to anyone else he could find? associate with someone who treats women and children like that?

The energy Hornqvist injected into the Penguins was something else. It Post Gazette LOADED: 01.22.2020 was yet another example of why he has a letter on his sweater without actually having one.

15. We can talk all we want about how the Penguins are playing now under Sullivan, but the real key here is simple: losing faceoffs. Seriously, it’s a funny trend that proves faceoffs are (mostly) pointless for this team.

Of the 14 Stanley Cup winners in the salary-cap era, only two won less than 50 percent of their faceoffs: the 2008-09 Penguins (49.1) and the 2016-17 Penguins (47.6). In the other 12 seasons, the Cup champion was sixth or better nine times, including the Blues (51.4 percent, sixth) last season.

This season, the Penguins are winning just 48.5 percent of their faceoffs, which is 24th in the league. They won 50.3 percent last season and 50.6 before that, ranking 15th and 12th, respectively.

Perhaps Matt Cullen was at practice in early December to remind the Penguins to not exert too much energy in this part of their game.

16. Good news for the Penguins that it appears Dominik Simon won’t miss any significant time.

The Czech winger with little finish was actually starting to bury a few — four goals and seven points over his past 13 — before he left Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury.

I’m surprised I’m typing this, but Simon has actually capitalized on a few opportunities lately. They’ll need more of that with Guentzel out.

17. “To me, at this point, he would be the greatest goal-scorer of all time.” 1172273 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins-Flyers: Game time, TV information and matchup notes

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

Who: Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers

When, where: 7:30 p.m., Wells Fargo Center

Look, listen: AT&T SportsNet, NBCSN, WXDX-FM (105.9), PittsburghPenguins.com.

Noteworthy: The Penguins defeated the Flyers, 7-1, on Oct. 29 at PPG Paints Arena in their first meeting this season. ... Travis Konecny, Philadelphia's lone All-Star, leads the Flyers with 42 points in 46 games. ... Sidney Crosby has tallied at least one point in all four games since returning from sports hernia surgery and has eight points over that span. ... Flyers goalie Carter Hart will not play due to injury. Brian Elliott is expected to start in his absence. ... The Penguins have won nine of their last 11 road games. ... The Flyers have won 53.8% of their faceoffs this season, tops in the league entering Monday.

Penguins goaltender Matt Murray makes save on Bruins center Danton Heinen on Sunday at the PPG Paints Arena Uptown.

Did you know? The Penguins have won seven games after trailing heading into the third period, including their last two. Only the Dallas Stars have won more.

Post Gazette LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172274 Pittsburgh Penguins period, and then reeled off three goals in the third period in one of the great playoff performances in team history.

Flyers fans threw beer bottles at Crosby and Guentzel during the game’s Yohe: A look at the 10 greatest Penguins’ moments in Philadelphia final minutes. They both seemed rather amused in the locker room following the incident and, given what they did in that series — Crosby had 13 points, Guentzel scored six goals and had 13 points of his own — it’s easy to see why they were all smiles. By Josh Yohe Jan 21, 2020 6. April 21, 1989

Back then, the Penguins almost never won in Philadelphia. If a victory PHILADELPHIA — Like Sherman marching to the sea, Sidney Crosby were a possibility, a number of brawls would erupt, some players might shows up in Philadelphia today with a chance to orchestrate some more be taken to the hospital, and the Flyers would win. It’s just the way things damage to the city he has largely owned during his 15-year NHL career. were. Including the postseason, Crosby has participated in 43 games in But everything started to change for the Penguins during the 1988-89 Philadelphia, racking up 25 goals, 43 assists and 68 points, good for an season and, though they ultimately lost the series in seven games, they outrageous 1.58 points per game. put up quite a fight and won a playoff game in Philadelphia for the first Crosby’s dislike for the Flyers started during his rookie season, and he’s time in team history. In overtime, Robbie Brown set up Phil Bourque for been taking out his frustrations on the Penguins’ biggest rival ever since. the winner. It was the most memorable goal of Bourque’s career and a signal that the Penguins were no longer intimidated when walking into It’s been a colorful history for the Penguins on the eastern side of the the Spectrum. commonwealth. Since that unfortunate run of 15 years and 42 games without earning a victory in the Spectrum, the Penguins have enjoyed 5. November 16, 2005 many fine moments in Philadelphia. This was the night Crosby started to truly dislike the Flyers and Where do some of Crosby’s heroics rank? Philadelphia. Derian Hatcher removed some of Crosby’s teeth with some stick work, and no penalty was called. Crosby, understandably upset Let’s take a look at the Penguins’ 10 finest moments in Philadelphia. about this, received a penalty for complaining to officials.

10. March 26, 1991 In overtime, he had the last laugh, scoring on a breakaway. Crosby didn’t even smile after the goal, his disdain for everything Philadelphia quite Mario Lemieux recorded 40 hat tricks in his career, good for the second visible. most in NHL history. He only did it one time in Philadelphia, and he only managed one hat trick while playing under legendary coach Bob Following the game, former Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock commented that Johnson. It happened in 1991, about two months after Lemieux returned the only time he noticed Crosby during the game was during the to the lineup following a lengthy absence from a back infection. breakaway. Crosby would make sure that the Flyers noticed him on plenty of occasions in the following seasons. While the Penguins were making a push to win the Patrick Division for the first time in team history, Lemieux sustained an eye injury in The image of a sneering Crosby celebrating this goal remains one of the Philadelphia but still managed to score all three of his team’s goals in a indelible Images of this rivalry. 3-1 victory. It marked the first time in Penguins’ history that they had scored a hat trick in Philadelphia. Since then, the Penguins have 4. April 26, 1997 managed four hat tricks in Philadelphia. The others to pull off the feat This actually wasn’t a pleasant memory for the Penguins, as they were were Kevin Stevens, Crosby, Jordan Staal and Jake Guentzel. eliminated from the postseason and forced to move on without Lemieux, 9. April 21, 2009 who was retiring after that season. He would return nearly four years later, of course, but this meant goodbye at that time. In perhaps one of the forgotten performances of his career, Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 45 of 46 shots to steal Game 4 of the first-round series Still, for a visiting player to receive the second standing ovation of his between the Penguins and the Flyers. Although the Penguins won this career in Philadelphia is worth mentioning. Lemieux scored a goal in his series in six games, they were arguably outplayed in this series following final game but the Penguins were badly overwhelmed during this series, their Game 1 victory. losing in five. Fans in Philadelphia gave him a powerful standing ovation following the game. Lemieux embraced Flyers star Eric Lindros in what Fleury’s brilliance in Game 4, however, put the Penguins ahead 3-1 in appeared to be a passing of the torch and then waved to the crowd the series they ultimately would win in six. before departing the ice.

8. February 8, 2007 For all of Philadelphia’s resentment toward Crosby, the city seemed to have a different kind of respect for Lemieux, and it was evident that night. On the surface, there was nothing special about this game. The Penguins were good that season, the Flyers were not, and the Penguins 3. April 25, 2009 won a 5-4 road decision thanks to Crosby’s shootout goal. This, however, was a significant victory because it was the fourth of the season for the The Penguins were trailing the Flyers, 3-0, in Game 6 of the first-round Penguins in Philadelphia. In fact, the Penguins were 8-0 against their series and looked absolutely dead in the water, a Game 7 inevitable. bitter rivals that season. Following the NHL lockout, the league had Then, Max Talbot picked a fight against Daniel Carcillo. The fight didn’t division rivals play eight times. go so well for Talbot, who wasn’t the fighter that Carcillo was.

The Penguins had never swept a season series against the Flyers and to The Philadelphia crowd loved it. Talbot, while skating to the penalty box, do so in eight games was quite the accomplishment. Michel Therrien, placed his index finger over his lips in a “shhh” motion. Is this why the now an assistant with the Flyers, took great pride in his Penguins’ Penguins came back to win, 5-3? There’s no way to determine this, but it success against the Flyers at that time, and it was only fitting that Crosby made for many fine T-shirts and one incredible memory. put the game away with its only shootout goal. Crosby, to this point, was 2. February 2, 1989 0-for-7 in shootout attempts that season. But when a game is on the line in Philadelphia, he doesn’t often miss. The Penguins went 0-39-3 during a 42-game streak over 15 years. It’s difficult to even put this in perspective. 7. April 22, 2018 After Lemieux was drafted, there were a couple of close calls, but they The Penguins were down, 4-2, in the second period of Game 6 of the still couldn’t win in the Spectrum. The WDVE morning crew provided first-round series and looked in danger of having to head back to some help by showing up in witch doctor garb before the game. Pittsburgh for Game 7. Then, Jake Guentzel took over. With backup goaltender and former Flyer Wendell Young between the Guentzel had scored 13 postseason goals during his rookie season the pipes, the Penguins held on for a dramatic 5-3 victory. Lemieux didn’t previous spring, proving that he was hardly going to shrink on the biggest score a goal in that game, perhaps a sign that the Penguins were stage. This, though, was unprecedented. Guentzel scored in the second maturing into a great team even when he didn’t carry them. The Penguins celebrated that night like they had just won a championship, and understandably so.

1. March 2, 1993

The story of this day never gets old. Lemieux endured his final radiation treatment for Hodgkin’s Disease earlier in the day, boarded a private plane that afternoon, showed up in Philadelphia a couple of hours before game time and played that night.

He produced a goal and an assist during the 4-3 loss, but that wasn’t what anyone remembers. Rather, before the national anthem, Lemieux was given a lengthy, powerful standing ovation in Philadelphia. Such a thing had never happened to a member of the Penguins, or any visiting team, in the Spectrum. But much like there is only one rivalry like this, there was only one figure like Lemieux.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172275 Pittsburgh Penguins Chicago scored the next three goals, breaking the tie when Tuomo Ruutu, whose brother Jarkko Ruutu was playing for the Penguins, nudged a puck past goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. The fans howled, protesting that the Blackhawks had an extra man on the ice, and Sidney Crosby as Penguins’ sellout streak hits 600: ‘As a player, you Penguins head coach Michel Therrien pleaded his case with the officials. can’t ask for anything more. It’s the best.’ But it was to no avail. “I distinctly remember six Hawks skating by the bench for post-goal high fives,” Mannion seethed.

Evgeni Malkin, the then-20-year-old Russian rookie winger, refused to By Stephen J. Nesbitt Jan 21, 2020 send the sellout crowd back into the snowstorm dissatisfied. Malkin poked a puck past Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin late in the third period, then beat him again in the shootout to clinch a 5-4 win. So, the In the afterglow of a furious comeback, a spotlight shined on Penguins Penguins’ winning streak stayed alive that night, and a sellout streak was captain Sidney Crosby as he stepped back onto the ice. Crosby, the born. game’s first star, skated a small circle and raised his stick to salute the capacity crowd of 18,655 that packed PPG Paints Arena on Sunday. It “My dad and I talk about it a lot,” Mannion said, “how we were there when was the Penguins’ 600th consecutive home sellout, an NHL attendance it all started.” record continuing to climb. Conroy talks about it a lot, too. He and Gemma, the girl he kissed after Back in the Penguins dressing room, Crosby settled into his stall, wiping every Penguins goal that game, got married five years later, in a barn in sweat from his face with a white towel, and tried to recall when the sellout Butler County. Today, the Conroys live in Whitehall, Pa., with their two streak began. The exact date and details elude him now. After a few boys, Sid and Geno. (Just kidding!) Wyatt is 3 years old, and Cooper is 8 seconds of thinking, Crosby admitted, “I don’t remember the specific months. The Penguins’ sellout streak — and the Conroys’ relationship — game,” but then he reached even further into the past, before the streak now spans 13 years. started, to relive a memory. The Conroy family — Gemma, Cooper, Jeff and Wyatt. (Courtesy of Jeff It was April 17, 2006, the last home game of Crosby’s rookie season. The Conroy) Penguins had already locked up last place in the division for the fourth Four weeks after the streak started, the Penguins announced a deal for a year in a row and were putting the finishing touches on one of their worst new arena. Co-owner Mario Lemieux said, “The Penguins are staying in seasons ever. But their fans came anyway. A standing-room-only crowd Pittsburgh, where we belong.” The next year, 2007-08, the Penguins sold filled Mellon Arena that night. Crosby, just 18 at the time, tallied three out an entire home slate for the first time in franchise history. Their new assists, making him the youngest player to 100 points in NHL history, building, originally named Consol Energy Center and later rebranded as and the Penguins won 6-1. PPG Paints Arena, has seen nothing but sellouts since it started hosting “I remember driving (to the arena) and thinking, We’re in 29th place. Penguins games in 2010. What’s this game going to feel like?” the 32-year-old Crosby said Sunday Now, attendance figures are often ridiculed, and rightly so. It’s easy to afternoon. “And then, coming out for warmups, I felt like we were in juice the numbers, one way or another, and the Penguins have used its Game 1 of the playoffs.” student rush initiative and a partnership with Rivers Casino to sell tickets, He grinned. The Penguins have made the playoffs every season since especially to non-marquee games. Their eight October home games then. were especially challenging. But the Penguins’ home-ice advantage has been undeniable. They are 380-170-41 at home — including regular- “Those are some great memories,” Crosby continued. “It’s amazing (the season and playoff games — since Feb. 14, 2007. It all has made sellout streak) has been able to go for this long. We’re pretty fortunate Morehouse a happy man. here. We’ve got great fans. As a player, you can’t ask for anything more. It’s the best.” “When you work every day with people who are that good at their jobs — from Sidney Crosby to our ticket-sales people to our ownership group, The streak started in Crosby’s second season. which never says no to anything to make the team better — when you have those three things together, it makes it pretty fun to come to work,” Jeff Conroy remembers the exact night it began. It was Valentine’s Day Morehouse said. — Feb. 14, 2007 — and Conroy had a first date. A blizzard had blanketed Pittsburgh in snow and ice, closing schools across the city. “To have the Penguins (sellout streak) go to 600, it’s great. I would have Conroy, then 24, and his date, Gemma, bundled up and trekked through never dreamed we’d have been able to do that. But we’re not finished.” the cold. They sat in the ‘C’ level at Mellon Arena, across from the Penguins and Blackhawks benches. The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020

Tyler Mannion remembers. He was 20 at the time, a student at Penn State’s Beaver campus, and he bought student-rush tickets for many Penguins games back then. But that night was different. He went with his dad, Michael, who always wanted to drive downtown several hours before game time. They waited at a bar near the arena, then found their seats. The building was alive, louder than Mannion had heard it since the playoff games he attended in the 1990s.

David Morehouse remembers, too.

“We were sold out, and it was February,” Morehouse, the Penguins’ president/CEO, said in the dressing room Sunday after the Penguins beat the Bruins. “We had a chance to go to the playoffs for the first time in a long time.”

The cardiac Penguins were streaking, 11-0-2 in their previous 13 games, and six of those games had required overtime. So did this one.

The Blackhawks’ Craig McDonald scored a shorthanded goal midway through the first period, then the Penguins poured in three consecutive goals — from Ronald Petrovicky, Max Talbot and Michel Ouellet — to secure a lead.

“This may seem lame,” Conroy admitted, “but I remember the Pens building the lead, and after each goal, I kissed Gemma. It being Valentine’s Day and all.”

Lame or not, the elation was short-lived. 1172276 San Jose Sharks Leading up to last year’s trade deadline, Derick Brassard was traded from Florida to the Colorado for a third-round pick. Around the same time Carl Hagelin was traded from the Kings to the Washington Capitals for third- and sixth-round picks, while Brian Boyle was traded from the Devils These trades could help struggling Sharks restock draft picks, build for to the Nashville Predators for a second-round pick. future I would imagine that Thornton could fetch a third-round draft pick, San Jose Sharks could move Joe Thornton in -style deal; possibly a second if the Sharks were willing to take a bad contract in Brenden Dillon, Melker Karlsson, Aaron Dell could also move at NHL return. trade deadline Brenden Dillon

While Thornton is the most prominent player on the block (if he agrees to By BRIAN RICKS | PUBLISHED: January 21, 2020 at 9:28 am | it), Brenden Dillon is the team’s most sought-after pending free agent. UPDATED: January 21, 2020 at 2:43 PM His relatively low cap hit, at times crushing physical play, and proven ability to partner with top-pairing defenders makes him the ideal

defensive add for a team looking to make a long run. As the Sharks enter the All-Star break, they sit 11 points out of a playoff Dillon is not an offensive powerhouse, but his defensive reliability and spot, with 32 games to go. Depending on your source for such things, the steady play can help provide a team looking to make a deep playoff run Sharks have between a 0.9 percent and 5 percent chance of making the with a reliable defenseman who can fit in any situation, except the power playoffs. play. Having already earned just two regulation losses shy of last year’s total, it The Toronto Maple Leafs need Brenden Dillon like it is nobody’s is clear that the Sharks season is effectively decided. Barring a miracle business. Their top two defenseman are injured, and the team beyond that of the 2019 St. Louis Blues, the team will miss the playoffs consistently gives up far too many goals. In spite of being in a playoff for the second time in the Joe Thornton era. spot, the Leafs have given up the fourth-most goals in the league this Often teams suffering a disappointing season can look forward to a year, sandwiched between the Sharks and the Ottawa Senators. They wealth of high-quality prospects and a chance in the NHL’s draft lottery. have scored their way out of trouble this year, but need more defensive However, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson lost the team’s 2020 depth should they desire to win a round in the playoffs for the first time first-round pick when he traded for Erik Karlsson in 2018. Further, the since 2013. team is also without a fourth- or sixth-round pick this year. Dillon is a defensive defenseman who will immediately impact their The team is not only missing out on the playoffs, but the chance to draft roster, and provide much needed depth when Morgan Riley and Jake in the top five for the first time since 1998. The Sharks’ selection would Muzzin return from injury. have almost certainly been their highest pick since taking Timo Meier at While the Leafs need Dillon, many other contenders could use the No. 9 in 2015. veteran presence on their blue line. The Boston Bruins’ third pair could Wilson faces a number of decisions. Namely, which players should be be improved by Dillon, as could that of the Calgary Flames, Washington rented off to playoff-bound teams and for how much. Before diving into Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Winnipeg Jets. However, the clearest the entire list of players on expiring contracts, a big question exists: need and best fit seems to be with the Leafs.

Does Joe Thornton want to be traded for a chance at a Cup? The return should be more than that of Thornton. Similar deals in the past include the Devils trading away Ben Lovejoy for a third-round pick Matters of the heart must be dealt with first. and Connor Carrick (a fourth-line forward), the Leafs acquiring Muzzin for a first-round pick and two low prospects, Jamie Oleksiak being traded to Speculation has already begun about whether or not the Sharks should the Dallas Stars for a fourth-rounder, and Justin Braun being traded by give Jumbo Joe the Ray Bourque treatment. Bourque, the Hall of Fame the Sharks for a second- and a third-round pick. defender who spent nearly his entire career with the Boston Bruins, was traded to the Colorado Avalanche at the end of his career and played With this sort of history, the Sharks should expect at least a third-round with them for a season and a half in pursuit of a championship. He pick and a low-level prospect in return for Dillon. If multiple teams run into ultimately was handed the Stanley Cup by Joe Sakic, leading to an iconic injury troubles like the Leafs have experienced, it is not out of reach to image of perseverance, sacrifice and victory. see Dillon going for a second-round pick.

Such romance, one would assume, might lead Sharks fans to wish the Melker Karlsson same for the bearded face of their franchise. As the trade deadline approaches on Feb. 24, expect to hear increasing Bourque references, The Sharks’ fourth-line winger has never been more than a depth player and calls to get Joe a Cup. for a sustained period of time. However, he could be a valuable asset for a team seeking a reliable fourth-line option who is a competent penalty Potential suitors are likely to be successful teams that need a boost to killer. their power play. By this metric, the interested teams might include the Avalanche and the Calgary Flames. Both are in playoff position, but have Despite the Sharks’ various warts, the team is the best penalty killing power play percentages in the bottom third of the league. Both teams team in the league, and Melker Karlsson is an important reason why. also boast impressive No. 1 power play units, but could use support on Expect Karlsson to go for at most a fourth-round pick, likely on deadline their secondary unit. day to a team that has injury problems and realistic aspirations of a long playoff run. Another interesting trade partner is the Pittsburgh Penguins. Although the team just welcomed back captain Sidney Crosby from injury, the Patrick Marleau Penguins are still lacking depth at the center position as their third-line Although Sharks fans would think that he is valued much higher than center Nick Bjugstad has been out since Thanksgiving. Melker Karlsson, expect the market for Marleau to be similar — on most It all depends, of course, on whether Thornton wants a trade. He has a teams he is a third-line winger. He is dependable and safe and provides full no-movement clause. The Penguins may make a good case for him more offensive upside than Karlson. However, he is not a special teams to waive it with their proven record of success and two first-ballot Hall of impact player like Karlson. Should the Sharks try to ship off Marleau to Famers in Crosby and Malkin. give him one more run at a Cup, the return should be a middle-round pick. If Thornton is traded, what should be the expected return? Although Marleau does not have a no movement clause like Joe This question is difficult. Thornton is having his poorest offensive year Thornton, it is safe to say that a move won’t be made without the player’s since the 90s, so he is no longer a top trade deadline prize. Any trade approval. The list of teams he would like to join is small, I imagine. with Thornton as the headliner wouldn’t be a blockbuster, but there is However, Colorado does seem like a good fit given the team’s youth and recent precedent for teams adding depth forwards. Marleau’s ability to play anywhere in the lineup.

Aaron Dell If the Sharks trade Aaron Dell, it will be the most clear admission that the team has given up on the season. The 31-year-old backup has been ’s No. 1 goalie in light of Martin Jones’s second consecutive horrendous season. Dell did not fare too well either, at least until receiving a heavier load from the new coach.

Fans have latched onto Dell’s resurgence as a sign of hope for the team’s greatest position of need. However, Dell is not the goalie of the future and if the team can get assets for him they should.

Although the Sharks have not passed the smell test for much of the year, Dell has somehow managed to climb up to a .909 save percentage. Trading him would mean that the Sharks would turn to Jones with an unproven minor league goalie from the Barracuda as backup, but Doug Wilson’s draft pick and prospects reserve is rather barren. So he should try to get what he can.

What might that be? Well, not much. Despite his recent upturn, Dell has been a subpar goalie the last year and a half. He also carries a $1.9 million salary, so should he be dealt, expect the Sharks to either take a bad contract in return or retain 50 percent of his salary.

That all being said, there are teams who would take a chance on Dell for a sixth- or seventh-round pick. Maple Leafs backup Michael Hutchinson has had a poor season posting a save percentage below that of Martin Jones, so interest may exist there. Florida could use an upgrade in backup goaltending, but it is questionable whether or not Dell is an improvement this season over a younger Sam Montembeault.

Barring injury, it seems like there is little market for an average backup as the trade deadline approaches. However, similar to the Keith Kinkaid move of last year, where the Columbus Blue Jackets acquired the veteran backup for a fifth-round pick, teams aspiring to reach deep into the playoffs might be willing to give up a low pick so that they can have an insurance policy against a goaltending injury. To such a team, Dell is a much more attractive backup than a rookie with no experience.

While none of these moves actually address any problems the Sharks face, it gives them the opportunity to showcase new talent without worrying about the results. This might give management a more realistic assessment of their prospect pool.

It is clear Wilson overestimated the ability of his team’s prospect pipeline as no rookie forward and only one rookie defenseman has made a significant impact on the team. Giving extended NHL looks to Danil Yurtaykin, Lean Bergmann, Ivan Chekhovich, and others will enable the GM to go into the draft and free agency with an accurate assessment of his young talent.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172277 San Jose Sharks Through the first 50 games, San Jose has had only 138 power-play opportunities (2.76 per game), the sixth-fewest in the league. Last season, the Sharks went on the power play 241 times, or 2.94 opportunities per game. Main reasons for Sharks' struggles in atypically disappointing season So, not only are the Sharks going on the power play less often, but they're also not being very effective with the opportunities they do get. For a team that has been shorthanded 163 times already (fourth-most in By Brian Witt January 21, 2020 6:02 PM the NHL), that's just asking for trouble.

Emergence of younger players To say the Sharks' season thus far has been a major disappointment When Joe Pavelski, Gustav Nyquist and Joonas Donskoi departed in free would be the understatement of 2020. San Jose is in the midst of its agency over the offseason, the Sharks lost 58 goals -- or roughly one- worst season in more than 15 years, and it has been a bumpy ride from fifth of their 2018-19 season total. It wasn't going to be easy to replace the start. that kind of production, and with little in the way of offseason signings in The four consecutive losses to begin the season weren't the final nail in the forward group, San Jose inevitably was going to be reliant on several former head coach Peter DeBoer's coffin, but they did set his eventual of its younger players taking the next step in their development to help fill dismissal in motion. A dismal October was counteracted by an the void. impressive November, but a lengthy losing streak to begin December Well, that hasn't really happened. prompted Sharks general manager Doug Wilson to make a change behind the bench. Tomas Hertl, an injury-replacement All-Star, is on pace to score 25 goals after notching 35 a year ago. Timo Meier appeared to make the leap last San Jose had been performing better under interim head coach Bob season when he tallied 30 goals and 66 points, but he has failed to Boughner since the switch, but three blowout losses heading into the All- expand upon that promise in the current campaign. Barclay Goodrow Star break have dried up any momentum the team had generated. The might already have set a career-high with eight goals scored and Kevin Sharks sit 11 points back of playoff positioning with 32 games left to play Labanc is on pace to do the same, but even that improvement hasn't and several teams ahead of them to leapfrog. Here are the main three been as considerable as necessary. Furthermore, none of the prospects reasons San Jose finds itself in such unusually bad shape: the team had hoped would explode on the scene actually have, whether Goaltending it be Antti Suomela, Sasha Chmelevski or Dylan Gambrell. 21-year-old defenseman Mario Ferraro has been the one major bright spot, which The most obvious sign that a team's season has taken a wrong turn is a should tell you everything you need to know about the current state of the coaching change. The second-most obvious? A goalie switch. Sharks.

Martin Jones entered the season as the Sharks' No. 1 goalie by default. San Jose entered the season as one of the oldest teams in the league His playoff experience, combined with his hefty and immovable contract, and knew it would need some of its younger players to step up. They gave him the leg up on backup netminder Aaron Dell. But not all of that haven't, and while that already has negatively impacted the franchise's postseason experience has been impressive, and Jones didn't do present, it could continue to moving forward if some players don't anything to answer the question marks he entered the current season emerge. with. He lost nine of his first 11 starts, and the Sharks have only won one of his last 10. Over those two separate cold streaks, he failed to post a Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.22.2020 save percentage of .900 or better in 16 of the 21 games.

Other than stopping pucks, consistency is arguably the most important quality in a goaltender, and Jones simply wasn't providing that, nor has he for quite a while. Dell, on the other hand, has been a breath of fresh air since taking over the No. 1 spot, stealing Jones' job and running with it. While Dell's numbers aren't overly impressive since becoming the starter, they're better than Jones', and it's likely Dell's steady presence in net that has given Boughner the confidence to stick with him.

Despite the improved goaltending since the coaching change, the Sharks still rank near the bottom of the league in all of the important metrics. San Jose's cumulative save percentage (.891) ranks third-worst in the NHL, while the team's cumulative goals-against average (3.10) is tied for sixth- worst. And that's not the worst of it. The Sharks' goalies have actually performed substantially better when the team has been shorthanded than they have at even strength.

The San Jose Sharks are the only team in the NHL who have a higher save percentage while shorthanded (.921) than at even strength (.896)

— Evolving-Hockey (@EvolvingHockey) January 18, 2020

There are no obvious ways for the Sharks to improve their goaltending situation moving forward, so what you see is likely what you're going to get. If San Jose is going to make a second-half comeback, both Dell and Jones will have to be considerably better than we've seen thus far.

Power play

The Sharks are averaging nearly one fewer goal per game than a season ago, and when you combine that with some substandard goaltending, disaster ensues. Just ask DeBoer.

Some of that offensive drop-off was expected, but San Jose's fall from a power-play juggernaut to its current middling state certainly was not, at least not to this extent. Last season, the Sharks scored at the sixth- highest clip in the league with the man-advantage, scoring on 23.7 percent of their power-play opportunities. This season, that scoring rate has plummeted to 16.7 percent, seventh-worst in the NHL. And that's only half the problem. 1172278 San Jose Sharks

Why polled NHL players want to drink beers with Sharks' Joe Thornton

By Marcus White January 21, 2020 7:00 AM

If you ever wanted to buy Joe Thornton or Brent Burns a beer, you'd better hope none of their NHL colleagues are around.

In The Athletic's annual player poll, 12 percent of 392 NHL players who participated said Joe Thornton is the player they'd most want to drink a beer with, just behind Alex Ovechkin (14 percent) and Sidney Crosby (12 percent). Defenseman Brent Burns, with 5 percent of the vote, finished fifth, while fellow Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson also received votes.

Why Thornton?

"He's a legend," a Pacific Division player told The Athletic.

Only Sharks teammate Patrick Marleau has played more NHL games (1,703) than Thornton (1,616), and Thornton, Marleau and Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara are the only remaining NHLers who debuted in the 20th century. The Athletic found that the average NHL player entering this season was around 27 years old, meaning the average player was about five years old when Thornton debuted in 1997.

In this case, a good chunk of the league does want to meet one of their heroes, but Thornton's personality can't hurt, either. After all, he once signed a contract extension on a lawnmower, plays Risk in his downtime and famously posed in the buff alongside Burns for ESPN The Magazine's "Body Issue" in 2017.

“He’d have good stories and he seems like a fun guy," an Atlantic Division player told The Athletic.

Thornton, 40, has 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 60 games during his 22nd NHL season.

If he returns for a 23rd, it's easy to imagine him and Burns on this list again next year.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172279 St Louis Blues The challenge will be that, other than Crosby and Malkin in their video, there’s no evidence that anyone involved has ever tried anything like this. Players will get a chance to practice on Thursday or Friday before the competition so they’re not going into it blind. And, of course, the league NHL adds new dimension to All-Star skills package: Shots from the would like it if players, you know, hit the targets, though it seemed to stands happen often enough in their rehearsal, though with different targets.

“I haven’t done it,” Blues All-Star center Ryan O’Reilly said. “It will be something a little different, something cool to try.” Tom Timmermann If it works, it could be a regular fixture at the skills competition, which will

include old favorites of fastest skater, hardest shot, most accurate shot During the NHL skills competition on Friday night, NHL players will go and goalies stopping breakaways. For both logistical and dramatic where they have never gone before during the skills competition: Into the reasons, the Shooting Stars will be the final event of the night. The stands. league is hoping it’s as popular as they expect it to be.

From a platform built in the open area above sections 122 and 123 in the “I am confident but I’m not sure,” Mayer said. “Listen it’s a different event, lower bowl of Enterprise Center, about 30 feet above ice level in a space it takes a little feel. All the other players will be on the ice at the very far usually used for in-game promotional activities, NHL players will take aim end, they’ll be cheering them on and have a unique look at this. You plan at on-ice targets at that end of the ice, whizzing pucks over the heads of and plan and plan and go through how this is going to work and have fans in those sections, over the glass and onto the ice in the evening’s every i dotted and every t crossed, but until they start hitting pucks, you grand finale. don’t know how it will turn out. I think it will be great, but we’re all going to watch together and hopefully by the end of the night, we’ve got a winning Blues captain and All-Star Alex Pietrangelo didn’t even have to think with event.” his answer when asked if he’d ever shot pucks out of the stands at a hockey rink. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.22.2020

“Into the stands,” he said. “I’m good at that.”

It’s a bold step for the NHL as they try to add some pizzazz back to the event by eliminating the slower, more technical events – goodbye Puck Control and Premier Passer — and trying something very different.

There were several sources of inspiration said Steve Mayer, whose title of NHL executive vice president and chief content officer means he gets paid to think up ideas like this, for what is being called the Shooting Stars challenge. The main impetus came from a video shot by the Pittsburgh Penguins last year, which had Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin shooting from the top deck at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh into a net on the ice. Add in Topgolf, the driving range/entertainment venue where you can do the same with a golf ball – if there’s one thing NHL players do, it’s play golf – and Dude Perfect, a group that performs trick shots and posts videos online, and you’ve got an event.

“We wanted to do some new events and looked to see if it was feasible to do something from off the ice,” Mayer said. “We started up high but that was pretty dangerous and worked our way down. We have a great location behind the goal on the first concourse and said, ‘Let’s try it in St. Louis.’ We love the result. It’s what we think will be an interesting, unique and memorable event.”

The league, which is also adding a U.S. vs. Canada women’s three-on- three match to the skills night, came to Enterprise about a month ago and tested it out with former players now with the league, including George Parros and Shane Doan, among those taking shots.

“They loved it,” Mayer said. “They had so much fun and did pretty well. We weren’t set up with targets, but they felt it could be a lot of fun. I think the players will show their personality and talk their way through the event.”

When Blues president Chris Zimmerman got a call from the NHL about having players shoot from the stands, his mind went one place.

“My first thought was, obviously, you have a plan to make sure everybody’s safe,” he said. “But it immediately took me to the Bird vs. Jordan McDonald’s ads. I think it will be a lot of fun.

“This is about entertainment and I think they’re bringing some fresh ideas. The women’s three-on-three has been well-received. I think we have a big week ahead. It should be fun.”

Fans in those sections will have pucks flying over their heads, but for safety, the nets that usually are in place to stop pucks from flying into the stands will be lowered to protect the fans from shots from above.

The idea is to have the 10 participants taking part up on the platform, so players can chirp at each other and the fans at home and in the arena can hear all of it. That could be as much fun as the shooting itself if the league can get its best chirpers among the All-Stars to take part. Each player will get seven shots, with different targets counting for different points. Diagrams of the event show the main target as a 10-foot wide arch at center ice. 1172280 St Louis Blues O’Reilly: Dunner. Sundqvist: Dunner.

Pietrangelo: Dunner. Blues player poll: Who’s the best dressed, who’s always late, uses the most hair product and more? Perron: I would say Vince Dunn. Did his name come up? We’ve got to get him and Blazer an alarm clock or something. They’re not late to

important things, but it’s always like dinners. We always set it up for like By Jeremy Rutherford Jan 21, 2020 at 7 o’clock and we show up at 6:55, and they show up at 7:30.

Blais: I don’t (agree), we are always here on time. Every guy has family, so they wake up early. We just wake up later, I guess, so we get more On Monday, The Athletic NHL brought you its annual player poll, in which sleep. But I’ll go with Dunner. approximately 400 players around the league were asked questions ranging from the best player to the dirtiest player in the game today. Dunn: I would have said me my first year. But this year, I’ve definitely been a lot more responsible, even coming in early on my own. So THE ATHLETIC'S NHL PLAYER POLL IS BACK. probably Blazer, I’ll say him. He’s just in his own little world sometimes.

WHO'S THE BEST PLAYER? WORST REFEREE? DIRTIEST PLAYER? WINNER: It’s a tie between Dunn and Blais.

THE ANSWER TO THOSE QUESTIONS AND MORE RIGHT HERE: Who uses the most hair product? HTTPS://T.CO/E3XMLCOHFY Gunnarsson: Well, who has got the greasiest hair? Robert Thomas, — THE ATHLETIC NHL (@THEATHLETICNHL) JANUARY 20, 2020 maybe.

We thought it would be fun to follow up with a Blues-specific poll, asking Pietrangelo: Hair product? Hmmm … oh, O’Ry! a few playful questions. And rather than granting anonymity like with the league poll, we told players we’d be quoting them. Nearly 20 Blues Faulk: O’Reilly. played along with us, leading to some hysterical back-and-forth banter. Bouwmeester: O’Ry. A special thanks to Jay Bouwmeester, Brayden Schenn, Jordan Bozak: Probably O’Reilly. Binnington, Jake Allen, Sammy Blais, Justin Faulk, Vince Dunn, Alex Pietrangelo, David Perron, Carl Gunnarsson, Ryan O’Reilly, Robert Schenn: Probably O’Reilly, but DP (David Perron) is a sneaky one up Thomas, Oskar Sundqvist, Jaden Schwartz, Alexander Steen, Zach there, too. But probably O’Reilly because he puts Vaseline in his hair. Sanford and Jordan Kyrou for participating. Enjoy! Dunn: He does, he uses Vaseline. That’s true. Who is the best dresser? O’Reilly: Me for sure. I load this thing up with Vaseline and some other Bouwmeester: You’re asking the wrong guy, but I’m going to say O’Ry. stuff. I use something else as well, but I’ve got naturally curly hair, so it’s He’s pretty fashionable. got some great hold there, where it kind of locks it back so it doesn’t come curling up. Schenn: Probably O’Reilly if you’re talking suits, but it depends what kind of style you’re looking for. Otherwise, he wears the same three Band of Perron: I don’t know how (O’Reilly) does it, but he keeps his ponytail Horses or City and Colour shirts every day. tucked in.

Thomas: Dunner. He’s got all the trendy stuff. He’s my guy. Allen: He uses a lot of things, but he’s got nice hair.

Binnington: Dunner. Blais: It does look good.

Blais: I hate to say it, but I’ll have to give it to Dunner. WINNER: O’Reilly has a stronghold on this category.

Faulk: See, I think best dressed is like the worst dresser, like tries too Who is the most vocal in the locker room? hard. But the Swedes are usually pretty good. I like Gunnarsson. He keeps it simple, so that’s good. Schenn: Well, the loudest is (Perron), for sure. He talks a lot. He’s always talking. It could be anything, he’s just always talking. Bozak: I like Gunnarsson’s style. Dunn: He doesn’t stop, no matter what it is. He’s not talking structurally, Dunn: Gunny doesn’t wear a lot of flashy colors, but he always looks very like he’s not telling guys what to do. The odd time he might be trying to professional, his outfits always match, his shoes are always clean. create a play, but most of the time he’s just talking to talk.

Pietrangelo: Maybe Gunny reads magazines. Allen: He’s just a goofball. When he speaks, things go in one ear and out the other because he’s just being Perron. He’s just being a goof. Allen: Gunnarsson is just very clean and the Swedes are always known for their classy, quality style. But definitely not Sunny (Sundqvist). I don’t Perron: I think for myself, I’m trying to get guys to bring their energy up. even consider Sunny a Swede. Mostly after warmup, when we get in the room, I try to go around to each guy and say something funny or whatever. But as far as when it’s time to Sundqvist: I wouldn’t say that, I’m getting the hang of it now. But I’ll go say something important or challenge the group, I think J-Bo is really with Gunny. good at it. J-Bo (Jay Bouwmeester) doesn’t talk a lot, but when he does, Gunnarsson: I keep it simple. But you can’t pick yourself, so I’ll pick it seems like he has that presence that everyone listens. It’s always Steener. He’s got good style. something smart, and he doesn’t overdo it.

WINNER: In a tight battle, Gunnarsson edges Dunn. Bouwmeester: Oh, I don’t know. We don’t have a very vocal group, to be honest. I think every team is different. Usually there’s like one or two Who’s always late? guys that are facilitators and get everybody going.

Schenn: Late? Like to anything? Sunny. O’Reilly: I’d say Petro (Pietrangelo) or Steener.

Faulk: Sunny. I don’t know if he’s late, but he’s patient. Pietrangelo: Probably me, yeah. It just comes natural to me. I see the game well and I just feel like I need to relay what I see back there. Maybe Allen: Oooh, good one. Blazer (Blais) or Dunner. They live together, I talk too much. Maybe they don’t listen, I don’t know, haha. coincidentally. They’re never actually late, they’re just fashionably late, let’s put it that way. Blais: When guys like Pietrangelo, Steen and Bouwmeester talk, everyone listens to them. Bouwmeester: Blazer and Dunner. They live together, so it’s a bad combination. Steen: I don’t know … It’s just when you see something worth noting, whether it’s something we’re doing well or something we need to improve Binnington: Some guys kind of slide in and they’re good at sliding in. on, I just want to make sure that the guys understand what’s going on. Allen: We have a lot of guys that pitch in and say meaningful things, Pietrangelo: Oh, that’s a good question. I’m not really sure, to be honest which is better than one clown that’s just sort of yelling and screaming with you. I’d probably say Perron. the whole time. We have guys that make valid points, which is great. It’s not a loud locker room, but when guys speak, it’s for the right reason. Bozak: Probably DP.

WINNER: This one could go to Pietrangelo or Steen, but we’ll give it to Bouwmeester: I don’t know where you could wear that thing, but Perron the captain Pietrangelo. is probably a good one. He probably, when he goes back home, he wears it. Who hopes he gets noticed and asked for an autograph? Schenn: DP! Bozak: I hope no one, but I’m going to go with Blazer. Sundqvist: Perron. Bouwmeester: I’m going to say Dunner. Perron: Haha, I haven’t worn it one time. I think it’s something that you’re Perron: Schenner. extremely proud of, but it would be weird to just wear it around town. There will be charity events down the road, or maybe you’ll go see some Schenn: DP, 100 percent, DP. kids at the hospital and try to make them smile a little bit, make them Binnington: Oh Perron, that’s good! hope for something more. But it wouldn’t feel right to wear it now.

Allen: Perron. That’s the first name that comes to mind. WINNER: Another “win” for Perron.

Dunn: Perron, for sure. He had a good All-Star campaign for himself, so Who watches the most video? that was pretty good. I’m just playing, he definitely deserves it. Bozak: Probably the goalies, I would say. Both of them.

Pietrangelo: Perron! Did he get a lot of votes? It happened when we were Allen: Yeah, Binner and me both watch every game, all the saves, goals in Vegas and we were giving him crap about it. We were all sending against, things like that. As far as a student of the game, a lot of the snaps to each other. centers watch the guys who they take face-offs against, just their Gunnarsson: It did happen, so DP for sure. tendencies.

Thomas: DP. He gets pumped. Binnington: Maybe Thomas, a young guy. He’s working on his craft, you know? O’Reilly: DP. Thomas: That’s a good thing, right? I’ll take it. WINNER: No debating this one, it’s Perron. Faulk: Most video? The coaches, haha. Who spends the most time in the weight room? Blais: I’d say Dunner. Pietrangelo: J-Bo. Dunn: Probably Steener or Bozak. Faulk: J-Bo. He’s in there all the time. Pietrangelo: Steener. Dunn: Jay Bouwmeester. O’Reilly: Steener. Blais: Bouwmeester. Sundqvist: Steen. O’Reilly: Probably J-Bo. Bouwmeester: I know a guy like Perron probably does, and Steener Sundqvist: Bouwmeester. watches quite a bit.

Binnington: J-Bo. He takes care of the body. Schenn: DP! I would have to guess at home he’s probably watching the most. Schenn: Jay Bouwmeester. He’s a true pro. Whether it’s stretching or activating his muscles or lifting heavy or doing extra bike rides, he’s just a Perron: Steener’s on the video quite a bit, making sure he stays on top of freak in the gym. his details. Obviously that’s a huge part of his game.

Allen: Bouwmeester. He’s been known as a fitness guru. He takes care WINNER: Despite Schenn picking Perron for the fifth time in eight of his body unbelievably well, better than anyone on this team. I’d put him categories, our answer is Steen. right up there with anyone, best shape in the league. That’s why he’s still playing as well as he is. He takes pride in it, which is great. I’m sure he’ll Who had the most, um, adult beverages at the Stanley Cup parade? be like that until the day he dies. Perron: Ooof. The night before the parade it was me. During the parade, Bouwmeester: It’s out of necessity. It takes me a long time to get warmed we were all pretty even. up. I literally can’t show up and practice. There’s like 45 minutes’ worth of Gunnarsson: Well, next to Hullie (Brett Hull), I’ll pick Sunny. stuff that I have to do, and that’s normal. When you’re young, you think, “Oh man, that guy is old and has to do all of that stuff, that will never be Thomas: Sunny. me,” but eventually it catches up to you. But it’s fine, I don’t mind doing it. It’s just a routine. Binnington: Sunny.

WINNER: In another unanimous vote, it’s Bouwmeester. Allen: I wish we all kept track. I’m going to exclude myself from that one, even though I think I had a ton. I’m going to go with Joel Edmundson. Who wears his Stanley Cup ring the most? Eddie was the ringleader there for three or four days. He partied hard, like he should. Jaden Schwartz (left) and Robert Bortuzzo react to receiving their Stanley Cup rings. (Courtesy St. Louis Blues) Blais: I think I’d pick myself.

Binnington: That’s a tough one. I don’t know. Dunn: That’s probably myself. Other than me, Sanford did a good job. There was a good video of him. He couldn’t hold it in on the float. Dunn: I wouldn’t really say anybody at this point. Everyone is pretty humble, no one really is that flashy. I don’t know if I could name Sanford: In my defense, I didn’t have enough to eat; that was the someone. problem. When you don’t eat or sleep for three days, it’s going to catch up to you. Thomas: I’m going to go Schenner. O’Reilly: Sandy looked like he had a few too many. Are we saying guys O’Reilly: Bozie. that are here right now? Because I’d go Big Rig (Pat Maroon). If not, then Allen: Oooh, that’s a good question. I’m going to say Perron again. Sandy. Pietrangelo: If not Big Rig, Sandy. Bouwmeester: Probably Rig.

Schenn: Everyone maxed out. Give it to the Rig. He’s a big human, too, so it probably takes him half as much to get after it.

WINNER: The only criterion is being on the current roster, so we’re sticking with Sanford.

Who always avoids paying the bill at a restaurant?

Dunn: Kyrou.

Thomas: Kyrou. A little bit alligator arms.

Kyrou: I don’t think I’ve been here enough to do that.

Binnington: We’ve got a really generous team, but I’ve never seen Dunner pick up a tab, so I’ll throw him on there.

Schenn: Is this anonymous? Petro.

Perron: I’d give it to Petro. It’s probably not even that true, but I’d like to give it to him.

Pietrangelo: Perry’s an idiot … I buy him dinner all the time.

Bozak: Schwartzy. Every single time. Not really, but I’ll say him just to piss him off.

Faulk: Schwartzy.

O’Reilly: Schwartzy.

Bouwmeester: Schwartzy, I’ll say. Guys just like giving him a hard time.

Allen: We usually play the credit card game, where everybody throws a credit card in a hat and whoever picks it out pays it, so there’s generally not one specific guy. But we went on a golf trip this summer, 16 guys, and Schwartzy got stuck with two large bills. They were not cheap and it was quite comical.

Schwartz: I avoid paying the bill? I believe it’s more like I pay the bill. This summer I got caught bad a couple of times. There was, how many … 16 of us? Lost twice in a row. Shocking! I think they rigged it. If they’re saying I avoid the bill, it’s a joke, they’re just using a little reverse psychology.

WINNER: It may or may not be Schwartz, but we’ll play along with the team and pick him.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172281 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL scout No. 1: “There’s nobody that will come in and have an impact like Point or those types of guys, first-line players. … You’re not looking at Stamkos, Point and those types of high-end guys.”

NHL scouting confidential: A 360-degree view of the Tampa Bay NHL scout No. 2: “They still have some players, but I wouldn’t say they’re Lightning’s prospect pool as talent-laden as they have been in the past. The last two years, we’ve been spoiled down there with (Erik) Cernak, Cirelli, Joseph, Stephens. Hell, even Verhaeghe came out of nowhere.”

Joe Smith Jan 21, 2020 NHL scout No. 3: “That’s the hard part of success and not having high draft picks — there’s not really a ‘next wave.’ Those (Point, Cirelli) are

brilliant picks, and those are really hard to get. You look at the draft and SYRACUSE, N.Y. — You swing open the curtain to enter the main press other teams and how well these picks did, those are exceptional picks. box suite at War Memorial Arena, and Lightning assistant general And they’re kind of outliers almost.” manager Stacy Roest offers a warm welcome. Roest: “I’m happy with where we’re at. When you don’t pick high — and “It’s the best seat in the house,” Roest says with a smile. we don’t want to pick high, we want to pick late — we’ve got some good prospects in college. Foote and (Gabriel) Fortier are very good It’s also a very important one. prospects. Sammy Walker, Nick Perbix. We’re fine on the back end, we’ve got some good young forwards coming. We’ve got a good pool. It With Roest taking over for Julien BriseBois as the GM of Tampa Bay’s just takes time. We don’t have the high-end guys, maybe, the higher AHL affiliate in Syracuse, the former Red Wings forward is in charge of picks, but I like what we have.” developing the Lightning’s “next wave” of prospects. There’s no secret that this summer will be BriseBois’ most challenging — with a serious Alex Barre-Boulet salary cap crunch coming to Tampa Bay — so they’re going to soon need some young players on entry-level contracts to step in and Barre-Boulet could be a hidden gem among the group. The Lightning contribute. The Lightning also have to take stock ahead of the Feb. 24 signed him as an undrafted free agent on March 1, 2018, giving the CHL trade deadline as to whether they have any homemade options to bolster Player of the Year a three-year, entry-level deal. All the 5-foot-10 forward their lineup or if they have to look to the market. did was tie for the AHL lead in scoring (34 goals) as a rookie last season.

The current roster is littered with homegrown talent, from cornerstones Barre-Boulet, 22, has followed that up with a strong sophomore season, like Steven Stamkos (1st overall, 2008), Victor Hedman (2nd overall, becoming the only Crunch player selected for the AHL All-Star Game. He 2009), Nikita Kucherov (second round, 2011) and Andrei Vasilevskiy (1st has 35 points in his first 38 games (including 16 goals) and has been round 2012) to jackpot middle-round picks like Brayden Point (third better in five-on-five play and in his own end. round, 2014) and Anthony Cirelli (third round, 2015). Recently, rookies The hockey sense and skills are there, but coaches believe he needs to Mitchell Stephens and Carter Verhaeghe have shown they may be improve his skating and strength to reach the next level. Scouts are coming into their own. mixed, some believing in his upside, while others wonder if he’ll turn out But you have to wonder if there’s a bit of an untimely lull in the to be just a very good AHL player. Lightning’s prospect pool, at least in terms of NHL-ready players. BB GETTING IT DONE.#BELVSSYR Mathieu Joseph, who spent the last year and a half with the Lightning, PIC.TWITTER.COM/SQGR3VLHEO received a humbling demotion to Syracuse in late December in hopes of rediscovering his game and his confidence. Wing Alex Volkov’s play was — SYRACUSE CRUNCH (@SYRACUSECRUNCH) NOVEMBER 9, up and down during his latest call-up, living up to his label of “intriguing” 2019 but enigmatic. NHL scout No. 1: “That one totally depends on who you talk to. The There are some nice prospects in Syracuse, from former first-round pick offense and skill are NHL level. But then, for me, he hasn’t been a ‘wow’ and defenseman Cal Foote to AHL All-Star Alex Barre-Boulet and this year as much as last year. Part of that may be he was the shiny new second-year pros Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk. Nolan Foote, a toy. This year, you know what he is more. I’m still on the fringe a little bit 2019 first-round pick, impressed for Team Canada at the World Juniors, with him. and University of Minnesota star Sammy Walker has got a shot in a few years. “When you watched Gourde down in the minors, he was a pest, an asshole. I don’t see that as much out of this guy. It may be unfair to But are the Lightning lacking impact players? It probably comes with the compare two smaller-sized French guys. But does he have the kind of territory considering Tampa Bay hasn’t had a top-10 pick since 2013 piss and vinegar that a small guy needs? But he’s got the sense and skill, (Jonathan Drouin, No. 3). But as our Scott Wheeler does his NHL the shot that all it takes is an opportunity, and you catch him at the right prospect pool rankings this month, expect Tampa Bay to fall somewhere time and they stick.” in the early 20s. NHL scout No. 2: “He’s a real smart playmaker. He gets a lot of points, “I don’t think there’s a lull,” said The Athletic’s Corey Pronman. “I think power-play time. He’s pretty crafty in that situation. My thing is that for there are NHL players in this group. There are no Kucherovs coming the next level, he’d need foot speed and weight, just the weight of his though. There are no high-end guys where you’re like, ‘Oh my God, he’ll game. The size doesn’t bother me anymore if you play a weighty game be a world killer. I don’t see a Point coming — those guys are hard to and are able to fight through checks and be able to do what you have to find.” do. He’s definitely got a power-play presence. But the feet have to get better, and you have to play more weighty without being a physical guy. I Lightning prospect Taylor Raddysh fights for the puck against the boards wouldn’t count him out, but there may be some development time left during a September preseason game against the Hurricanes. (Kim there.” Klement / USA Today) NHL scout No. 3: “I wonder what other teams think of him. If I were GM, I But … might see if someone has a high opinion of him and see what they’ll give “Nolan Foote is really good, and I think Barre-Boulet is really good,” he me for him. I’m not convinced he’ll be anything more than an AHL continued. “And given where they’re picking, they’ve done an efficient player.” job, a fine but good system. You can argue in hindsight whether Cal Groulx: “I always say this: Barre-Boulet has got to improve his skating Foote should have been a top-15 pick. But they found Barre-Boulet (as a and his strength. And that day (he does that), I believe, will be the day free agent), he was free money, a great signing.” he’ll be a call-up in the NHL. With the Lightning at a critical stage in terms of their salary cap, I wanted “Right now, is he stronger? I think he is. He doesn’t get pushed around to take a 360-degree look at their prospect pool. So I made a trip to as much as last year. Skating? He’s still got a lot to do with the skating. Syracuse to gather insight from several NHL scouts, Roest, Syracuse The rest? He’s got everything else. He’s competitive, he’s gifted, he’s a coach Ben Groulx and the players themselves. Here’s what I found: magician with the puck. He’s on pace for the same production as last On the Lightning’s prospect pool year, even better. His five-on-five game has been way better this year. “Skating is a big thing in the NHL. Look at Joseph — he’s a speedster. — SYRACUSE CRUNCH (@SYRACUSECRUNCH) JANUARY 19, 2020 Stephens, Verhaeghe, they’re all good skaters. It’s something (Barre- Boulet) has to keep working on. The day you see (his) skating is way NHL scout No. 1: “He’ll tease you. I’ve watched him in Syracuse in better is the day you’ll think about him as a call-up.” warmups and watched the start of the game, and you get excited. Everything is there. And as the game goes on, you wait for it, you wait for Barre-Boulet: “If you’re a small guy, you’re probably going to hear it your it, and most of the time, it doesn’t show up. You’re like, ‘OK, maybe I was whole career that you’re too small. I’ve just got to work hard and make at the wrong game.’ But the next game, same thing.” people regret what they’re saying. It’s motivation. Sometimes it takes longer, but at the end of the day, you work hard. It’s not because you’re a Pronman: “I really struggle with that guy. I watched him a ton the last small player you won’t make it.” three years in Syracuse. I don’t remember one game where I thought he was dominant. But you tease us with skating skills, he’s got the brains, AND THAT’S WHY HE’S AN #AHLALLSTAR.#SYRVSLV he can be powerful when he wants to. He can score goals. He’s had PIC.TWITTER.COM/QS9UXQPNDW good NHL camps, but when I watch him, I’m never blown away. When I watch Barre-Boulet, there are nights where I’m dazzled by skill and — SYRACUSE CRUNCH (@SYRACUSECRUNCH) JANUARY 16, 2020 hockey sense. You watch Nolan Foote, you see him score long-distance Cal Foote goals and powerful, highly skilled plays. ‘OK, that translates.’ With Volkov, that doesn’t happen that much.” You watch Cal Foote now, and it appears he’s taken a big jump since this time last year. His skating has improved, as have his assertiveness and Taylor Raddysh confidence with the puck. Raddysh, 21, is in his second full pro season with Syracuse. The 2016 There’s a reason Tampa Bay made him its first-round pick in 2017 (14th second-rounder came with a lot of hype, especially after scoring 42 goals overall), but the organization has been patient with him. He’s getting top- in junior and playing for Team Canada at the World Juniors. But Raddysh pairing minutes, playing in all situations in Syracuse. hasn’t been a consistent difference-maker as of yet with the Crunch, scoring nine goals in his first 41 games. So how close is Foote to being ready? My sense is that if Tampa Bay absolutely needed a depth defenseman due to injuries, Foote could get The 6-foot-2 winger has a great shot but has worked on his skating, two- the call. But it may be better for him to finish the year in Syracuse and way play and performances in battles, which are critical in him finding make a push for a spot in camp next year. This play to set up Ross and creating space. Coaches say he’s been better in the second half of Colton’s goal several weeks ago is an example of the kind of the season after just an OK start. puckhandling you wouldn’t have seen from Foote a year ago. GOT A SOLID @RADDY1998 – @ROSCOLDASH CONNECTION THAT ONE HAD SOME EXTRA MUSTARD.#LAVVSSYR GOING ON TONIGHT.#ROCVSSYR PIC.TWITTER.COM/93ZE4KKYCX PIC.TWITTER.COM/DWXOOQ1EGD

— SYRACUSE CRUNCH (@SYRACUSECRUNCH) JANUARY 11, 2020 — SYRACUSE CRUNCH (@SYRACUSECRUNCH) JANUARY 12, 2020

NHL scout No. 1: “To me, it seems like Tampa is not afraid to have NHL scout No. 1: “I find Raddysh’s defensive side quite good. I find he slower-footed defensemen. They like their heavy back end. He kind of has some good details defensively. His thing will be his foot speed. If it fits.” ever catches up, he’ll be another one that’s in that bottom six, two-way category.” NHL scout No. 2: “The jury is still out. His mobility and play under pressure, those are all things that could come eventually. But I find he Pronman: “I’ve had a soft spot for Raddysh, have loved him for years. has to be quicker: quicker hands, quicker in terms of decision-making, That said, the skating has not improved substantially, and he has not that type of thing. They’re taking their time with him, they see the raw really accomplished a whole lot. I think he’s a really smart player — I do potential. I wouldn’t expect a top-two defenseman there. I don’t think he like him. But it’s fair to say that after the freshman year, he’s not had the replaces Hedman. I would say a third-pair guy, maybe a secondary PP second season I thought he would.” guy. I wouldn’t by any means say he won’t play in the NHL. Just don’t Roest: “He’s stronger. He’s a little quicker. He can always shoot. But you expect a high-end, top-four (guy), that’s all I’m saying. He’s a guy I’d take just watch him along the walls and in the battles. In the NHL, you watch some time (with) and be patient and bring him in slowly and groom.” the Points and Cirellis — they win the battles. And with Taylor, the NHL scout No. 3: “His skating still needs work. But he does a lot of good skating is getting better. He can make plays and shoot, but he’s got to things. He’s smart. He handles the puck really well. Because of his dad win those battles. And he’s getting better — he knows that. … And he’s (former NHL defenseman Adam Foote), you’d like to see him a little bit trying to get to the next level.” meaner. But I think he’s just working on his skating. That might be what Mathieu Joseph limits him. He’ll be in the NHL, but how good will he be at the NHL level?” When it comes to an NHL-ready forward who can step into the top nine, Groulx: “I like his progression. From where he was last year to now, I Joseph would have to be near the top of the list. The Lightning have think he’s more assertive, he’s got more confidence making plays and all already seen the kind of impact his disruptive speed can have, with the of that. He’s got to use every tool he’s got, a little like Barre-Boulet. If former fourth-rounder racking up 13 goals and 13 assists as a rookie last you’re not the best skater, you’ve got to make sure you pass the puck at year. the right time, shoot the puck at the right time, use your stick properly. It’s something he does way better. When he defends, he’s got a long reach But Joseph struggled in the first half of the NHL season, leading to his and his stick is in the way. He makes plays because of that. He’s more demotion to Syracuse in late December. Tampa Bay isn’t planning to physical. He’s playing 18-19-20 minutes, power play, PK. Defensively, bring Joseph back until he’s back to his old self, whether it takes a few he’s better — offensively, too. Skating, he’s got to keep working on — no weeks or a few months. It has to help that the 22-year-old is getting a lot doubt it is his agility. I’d like to see him move better, east-west, north- more touches and minutes with the Crunch and that he is playing in south, there’s still improvement to do there.” every situation. He had more scoring chances in one game I watched in Syracuse than the previous three weeks with the Lightning. Even if Foote: “(Skating) has been a main focus since I came into the Joseph lost his spot in the Lightning lineup, scouts are still intrigued by organization. They’ve done a great job with all the coaches that have him and could be interested in him leading up to the trade deadline. come and helped. I think I’m at the point where — obviously, I can get better, it’s a never-ending process — but now, it’s no longer a struggle for JOE PUTTING IN WORK. #SYRVSBNG me. It’s a mainstay in my game.” PIC.TWITTER.COM/MZZSNLXFON

Alex Volkov — SYRACUSE CRUNCH (@SYRACUSECRUNCH) JANUARY 12, 2020

I still think Volkov has top-six potential, but the key is getting consistency NHL scout No. 1: “Joseph will be a good top-nine player where if he hits and engagement out of him. After his recent four-game call-up, Volkov his ceiling, (he) will be maybe a 45-50-point guy. His hockey sense has returned to AHL Syracuse and recorded a hat trick in his first game back. to get a little bit better, and he’s more of a complementary guy.”

VOLKY GETTING IT DONE.#SYRVSBNG Groulx: “Mathieu Joseph two years ago finished (as) the top scorer on PIC.TWITTER.COM/YOU0OKYVFG our team, he had a great camp in the NHL and there’s a reason why he made the team (in the fall of 2018). Now they think he’s not that player Katchouk: “The second year is really huge. It gives you a lot of extra anymore. So for him, he’s got to get back to his identity. What is his confidence. I’ve been trying to work on my 200-foot game. In the pros, it’s identity? Great skater, (so) he’s got to be good on the forecheck, got to a different style. The key is competing.” be relentless in pursuing the puck. When you play in the NHL on the fourth line, you want to be there, but it’s tough to keep your confidence, Nolan Foote tough to produce, tough to stay in shape, tough to play with that Nolan Foote, the Lightning’s first-round pick last summer, might end up composure with the puck. It’s a vicious cycle.” being the top prospect in their system. Foote, 19, the younger brother of Ross Colton Cal Foote, was impressive for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships but is sidelined now with a lower-body injury. Colton, a 6-foot forward, really jumped out at me when watching a couple of recent games in Syracuse. His speed, playmaking ability and shot Foote caught the attention of the Lightning coaches in training camp, and caught me a bit by surprise. But from talking to coaches, you get a sense he got to play in a few exhibition games. He has an NHL shot, which that Colton, in his second year as a pro, has made a nice jump. A fourth- Dale Hunter compared to Alex Ovechkin’s, and has posted 33 points (15 round pick in 2016, he played two years at the University of Vermont. Not goals) in his first 26 games for Kelowna in the WHL. With Kelowna only is Colton already approaching last season’s point total but he has hosting this year’s Memorial Cup, Roest says it’s unlikely Foote will get to been named an alternate captain for several games this season. join Syracuse late in the season.

A NICE MOVE, A NICE GOAL.#ROCVSSYR Pronman: “He’s smarter than I thought he was. He’s quicker than I PIC.TWITTER.COM/LKAJSTHJET thought he was. The feet aren’t great, but he’s got a big-time shot. I’ve seen him really make some plays on the power play for Canada and — SYRACUSE CRUNCH (@SYRACUSECRUNCH) JANUARY 12, 2020 Kelowna.

NHL scout No. 1: “I do like his energy. I think he’s a guy that if we talk in “One thing you look at with those sniper types is, ‘Do they hang around April, I’ll have a much better book on him and I may say, ‘You know the dots all game?’ And he doesn’t. At even strength, he drives the net. what? They got somebody there.’ He’ll be someone on the watch list. He hangs around the tough areas, uses his big body. I see a lot of How (a player is) used is a good indicator of how much coaches like him positives. He’s got a cannon, but he’s more than just his shot. He’s got and what they think of him, and I feel there’s been growth as the year has the brain, the size and more skill than I thought.” progressed.” Nuts and Bolts Pronman: “He’s a lot better than I thought he’d be when I watched him in college. It looks like he’s got a chance. There’s nothing elite about him, Sammy Walker, whom we profiled over the summer, is in his second but he’s a nice player.” season at the University of Minnesota. He has 14 points in 22 games (including seven goals) but is a minus-16. Groulx: “First of all, he came back to camp in great shape. He was more fit, more mature. His skating is better. There’s still some improvement to “He’s one of the best pure skaters outside the NHL,” Pronman said. “That make, but the skating is better. Ross, when he plays 200 feet, shoots the team around him has struggled. You can make the argument that he has puck and is physical, he’s at his best.” no one to play with or he’s one of the best players and still not producing. I see it both ways. I don’t think he’s that dynamic skill type, but I think Colton: “I’m not thinking too much, I’m just trying to play my game. I’ve he’s got good skill. I don’t know if he’s a legitimate power-play, got more confidence. I’m trying to make plays, whereas last year I was playmaking type in the NHL, but he’s got enough skill that with his just trying to get it in deep because I didn’t want to make a mistake. Now skating, I think he’ll be an NHLer. I don’t know if it’ll be top six, maybe I feel I can make plays.” (on) a third or fourth line. Still, (he’ll be) an NHL player and a very good value (seventh-round pick in 2017).” Boris Katchouk Dominik Mašín, 23, is in his fourth full season with Syracuse, and some Katchouk, a 6-foot-2, 204-pound winger, was the Lightning’s other wonder if he could be a viable call-up option on defense. Mašín is playing second-round pick in 2016, taken 14 spots before Raddysh. While in the top pair for the Crunch with Cal Foote, and he has made some Katchouk, 21, doesn’t have quite as good a shot as Raddysh, it seems strides in the past year. There’s not really much room on the left side with like he’s closer to the NHL because of his overall 200-foot game. Groulx the Lightning (Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, Mikhail Sergachev), but uses Katchouk as his Swiss army knife, playing him in all situations at least Mašín is looking like he could be a depth sixth/seventh (power play, penalty kill). He’s been able to pitch in offensively, too, with defenseman. nine goals in 39 games. Another prospect that profiles in the bottom-six, Katchouk can score those gritty goals. “I think Dom is having his best season of his career since he’s been with us,” Groulx said. “This year, if I could use a word for Dom, it’s ‘stability.’ THE POWER PLAY CONNECTS EARLY.#SYRVSBNG He’s been way more stable through the ups and downs. He keeps his PIC.TWITTER.COM/8UUC1KEOV5 composure, keeps his calm, (shows) more poise.”

— SYRACUSE CRUNCH (@SYRACUSECRUNCH) JANUARY 12, 2020 Hugo Alnefelt, 18, has seen his stock rise quite a bit this past year, NHL scout No. 1: “Katchouk is a good cycle guy, power forward, net especially after his performance for Sweden at the World Junior front. He’ll get some greasy goals. He’s got good net instincts. I don’t Championships. Alnefelt, a goalie taken in the third round last June, think he’s very creative, not a passer or an off-the-rush guy. He won’t could go a long way toward helping ease the burden after former top carry the play. Both he and (Raddysh) need to add some quickness, in goalie prospect Connor Ingram was traded last year. my mind, in order to play a regular role up top.” “I put him on my (prospect) goalie rankings as a top-10 goalie,” Pronman Groulx: “When I look at Boris, he had, I wouldn’t say an average year last said. “He’s had a very limited sample, but to be an 18-year-old and have year, but expectations were pretty high on him, and he didn’t do much a .920 save percentage in (the ) is no joke. He offensively. We used him more on the PK, but when you look at this was one of the best goalies at world junior, was awesome (in SweHL), team, Boris is a jack of all trades. He can do a lot of things for you. He he’s super athletic and made high-end saves at world junior that not can play power play, he can play PK, play left wing, right wing, center. many guys could make. He’s very impressive. After the Ingram situation, He’s very good at doing a lot of things. His confidence is a little bit higher, he’s now having another great year in Milwaukee (in the AHL and) made and he’s still got to play a bit harder in different situations with more the All-Star Game. It’s nice to have (Alnefelt) so they can move on from consistency. that situation.”

“But the way Boris is developing, I see him becoming a very good player. Gabriel Fortier, a second-rounder in 2018, stood out in camp for his I like his versatility, I like the fact he’s got good hockey sense, is good relentless nature and his underrated two-way game. The Lightning are with the puck. I think it’s a matter of time in his case. If he continues to hoping his trade this season from Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) to Moncton will bring that progression and maturity …. We’ll see how it plays out. But if give him a boost. The 5-foot-10 wing did rack up five goals and eight you look at Boris right now, this time of year and last year, I think it’s points in his first six games there. night and day.” Conclusion

The Lightning certainly have players — especially forwards — who could be called up and added to the lineup. We didn’t even get into veterans like Cory Conacher, Gemel Smith or Danick Martel, all of whom are all capable of filling in for a depth role if there were injuries. Same with defenseman Cameron Gaunce. Our focus has been on the younger prospects, the guys the Lightning are still trying to get a full book on in terms of their NHL potential.

If Joseph gets his game together and Volkov plays with some consistency, I can see those two as late-season additions. I don’t get the sense that Barre-Boulet is close yet, and the team seems to want Cal Foote to get more seasoning in the minors. Many fans have been waiting for Raddysh and Katchouk to take big steps and knock on the NHL door, and they are making progress — but they’re not there yet.

When you don’t pick in the top 10 or 15 of the draft consistently for a 7-8- year stretch, it is difficult to land those high-end, impact prospects. And the fact is that the Lightning have graduated several of their prospects into key NHL roles, from Point and Cirelli to Cernak and Sergachev (who was acquired from Montreal in the Jonathan Drouin trade).

The Lightning aren’t in desperate need of a prospect infusion at the NHL level currently, but with a brutal cap crunch coming this summer, it’ll be interesting — and important — to watch how some of these young players develop given that they could be needed to play larger roles next fall.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172282 Toronto Maple Leafs “Yeah, I think it’s just having a blueprint to fall back on and what it feels like when you’re playing good,” said veteran Jason Spezza. “I think the good teams find a recipe of what it feels like when you’re playing your best hockey, and then you kind of have a framework of what to try to get Immature or not, Keefe’s Leafs could learn a little from the Bruins back to when you’re struggling.”

“(When you’re going) you feel like you’re in control of the puck, you feel like you’re in sync. So I think it’s finding that feeling when you’re not. And By Bruce Arthur Sports Columnist sometimes when you lose it, you just have to work your way out of it. Yeah, and it’s ugly and it’s not pretty, and you just gotta come (with) a little more urgency.” Last week the Toronto Maple Leafs held a team meeting about defence, which surely isn’t an unusual occurrence. The four teams that have He said the New Jersey game, after Florida, was the most intense start allowed more goals per game this season are, at last check, 26th, 28th, of the season for this team, and that “I think we needed a little wakeup 29th and 31st in this 31-team league: one has fired a coach, and one has call like the Florida game to say: Hey, this is a hell of a league.” canned a GM. Giving up a truckload of goals tends not, in hockey, to lead Then came Chicago. Look, the Leafs are probably going to be fine. to success. They’re probably going to outlast Florida and play Boston or Tampa in And among the issues raised in the Leafs’ meeting was Game 6 against the first round. What kind of habits they have when they get there would the Boston Bruins in last year’s seven-game first-round loss. That was then be the trick. Better start soon. the season’s hinge point: the Leafs had come out brilliantly, allowed a Toronto Star LOADED: 01.22.2020 pair of power-play goals to fall behind 2-1, and had 45 minutes left to eliminate the Bruins. In such situations good teams play with a purpose. They push.

The Leafs, of course, didn’t. They spent a while wandering, shell- shocked or undone, and lost. And then lost another Game 7, in Boston.

“I think some of the stuff we talked about was that we got away from who we are in that game,” said team captain John Tavares. “And in those games where you’re so close to winning a series or you’re in that type of environment, that type of opportunity, I think it’s trusting your game and there’s so much that goes into that.”

Every team talks about sticking to their game and trusting it. But with the Leafs, they are still trying to actually stick to it: a priority on possession, a dedicated defence based on protecting the centre of the ice, and an offence dedicated to getting to that same place at the other end. Broadly, under coach , it’s worked.

But this season has seen third-period lapses, blown leads and the occasional outright stinker, like that 8-4 loss to Florida or the 6-2 loss to Chicago right before Toronto’s bye, which had a whiff of a group which had a plane to catch. Keefe nailed it when he called it an “immature” performance. He said, “Reality checks come. I thought we were an immature team down in Florida, I thought we were an immature team here today. That’s how we’re approaching these things. We’re not performing. We’re not playing with any level of discipline or consistency. That’s what happens.”

That is about as strongly as he has criticized his team, and it hit home. Yes, Toronto’s top two defencemen, Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin, are both out with broken feet. Yes, goaltender Frederik Andersen is slumping on a team that plays high-event, and sometimes high-risk hockey, which is a little like blindfolded skateboarding.

But it’s up to the rest of them to deliver better habits. Earlier this season, Muzzin was talking about how difficult it can be in the NHL to bring the requisite emotion every night. He said, “Look at football. They play once a week, and it’s a hard game too, but to get emotionally amped up for a game, I think, is a lot easier. You play one game a week. I can get amped up one game a week.”

But the pros manage something close, however they do it. Tavares is legendarily focused on routine, and tries to practice toward his highest level of performance.

“To me that’s how you work on things: you identify it, and you address it and then you work on it,” Tavares said. “And it just become instinctive, where when you go out there and play it’s just a natural habit.”

The Leafs don’t have that yet as a team. Nobody questions this team’s talent, though the composition and strategy can be debated. But the key difference between Toronto and Boston, say, isn’t that the Bruins are more physical or more talented. It’s that the Bruins come to play more consistently, in the regular season and otherwise.

The Leafs are still learning to react to poor play, and how to avoid it in the first place. It’s a long season, but it will get short fast. And so sticking to what Keefe is preaching — and realizing how difficult this playoff chase could be — might be a key. 1172283 Toronto Maple Leafs “I’ve used the same curve since I was a kid. I’ve been happy with it … The opportunities, if they don’t go in, I look in the mirror before I look at the curve.”

John Tavares flirted with 50 goals. Now Auston Matthews is ahead of the Toronto Star LOADED: 01.22.2020 game — with a different approach

By Mark Zwolinski

Maple Leafs captain John Tavares can tell you a few things about scoring 50 goals — even though he’s never done it in the NHL.

He came within three goals of the mark in a memorable first year in Toronto. Now, teammate Auston Matthews is on pace to become the fourth Leaf ever to reach the plateau.

Tavares hit the 40-goal mark on March 20 last season, then scored four times against the Florida Panthers five days later and dealt with the 50- goal watch the rest of the way, while trying to stay focused on more important team targets.

Matthews, who has 33 games after the all-star break to score the 16 goals he needs, will almost certainly face the same daily scrutiny. Only four NHL players since the 2011-12 season have scored 50. Alex Ovechkin did it three times — from 2013-14 to 2015-16 — before the league went without a 50-goal scorer for the next two seasons.

“I never approached it as: I have to score 50 goals,” Tavares said of last season. “When you get to 45 — things were locked up for us as far as playoffs, but (reaching 50) was never my focus.”

While playing down the importance of reaching a certain number, consistent scoring is a personal goal for the Leafs captain. He tallied seven multi-goal games last season, three of them in the first two months. This season, Matthews has scored more than once in 10 games.

“It’s hard to do,” Tavares said of reaching 50. “Every year, there’s a different set of circumstances, a different journey, a different way of getting those goals. That’s why guys like Ovie, you know, what he’s done in this generation, is so impressive — the ability to find different ways every year.”

Tavares is nowhere near his scoring pace of a year ago, having suffered a broken finger early in the season that cost him seven games. After a coaching change from Mike Babcock to Sheldon Keefe on Nov. 20 and changing linemates, Tavares has 18 goals in 42 games.

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In his career year, Tavares had Zach Hyman and Mitch Marner as linemates — both of whom also put up personal bests. It’s no secret that Matthews has benefitted from playing with Marner of late.

“... When your linemates create opportunities for you — especially when they give you the ones where you don’t have to do a lot on — that’s going to be nice. It’s been a different ride this year so far … I think there’s been plenty of chances, and I played with great players who’ve given me lots of looks around the net.

“Obviously last year I played with the same guys most of the year, and this year there’s been changes. Playing with Willie (Nylander), has been great, and I enjoyed playing with (Ilya Mikheyev), but he got hurt. The last few weeks it’s been (Alex Kerfoot) and Pierre (Engvall) and a few other guys. It’s different, and those are the things you have to adapt to.”

While Tavares prefers not to tinker with what works — including when it comes to sticks and skates — he says Matthews is the opposite. Improved skating has been a major factor for Matthews this season — in open ice and, most important, in tight spaces. Stronger skating helps him get into better position to unleash the dangerous one-timer he’s added to his arsenal.

“I don’t play around a lot with things … Auston plays around a lot with stuff,” said Tavares, who nonetheless has gone to a firmer skate boot this season. For me, I like to get into my feel with things and stay consistent with it. The only thing I’ve changed is my (boot) flex, by five per cent. I did it last year and this year too, just trying to find a little more flex in the blade and a little more velocity. 1172284 Toronto Maple Leafs mistakes are few-and-far-between. Overall, his transition game is a massive net-positive, based on a dual-pronged approach.

The first prong is rush activation. Liljegren is always involved in the rush Video Scouting Report: Why Maple Leafs prospect Timothy Liljegren’s in some form. Sometimes, it takes the form of leading the play straight up game is ready for the NHL the middle of the ice, passing to a teammate, and getting into scoring position:

Most of the time, Liljegren’s supporting the rush. In the same way that he By Mitch Brown Jan 22, 2020 sees — and stops — plays as they develop, he identifies opportunities to jump into the rush. He fills gaps on the outside lane, recognizing space to

activate into and make himself a passing option while stretching out the When most prospects improve, they don’t change the fabric of their width of the attack. And while he’s not a high-skill attacker, he contributes game. Timothy Liljegren is different. His progression isn’t just to the offence while his patience and commitment to playing the part of a improvement — it’s evolution. forward.

When the Leafs drafted Liljegren in 2017, he was an offence-first Whether or not Liljegren can continue to stay this active in transition in blueliner with lousy defence and decision-making. As Liljegren closes in the NHL is a legitimate question, but I’m confident he can. His skating is on the NHL, that player is hardly recognizable. Liljegren’s defence and probably the main concern: he’s quick off the hop, but his top-end speed decision-making are his defining characteristics, the characteristics that falls closer to average thanks to inconsistent stride extension and other could make him a mainstay with the Leafs for years to come. minor mechanical limitations.

In the two seasons preceding Liljegren’s draft, he didn’t show much in the But he has an answer for that. First, as illustrated in the clip above, when way of defensive skill and awareness. Sure, he had some ability to make Liljegren identifies an opportunity to activate, he takes it without stops thanks to his quickness, but he also stood around his net with no hesitation. Committing in that manner helps limit confusion and mistakes. purpose. He let attackers move around him unimpeded. Second, Liljegren makes himself faster with his skating habits. He makes passes without breaking stride, then continues to stride after passing. Now, Liljegren’s off-puck defence is his best defensive attribute. It’s He’s hard to catch. impressive. He can lockdown fast-moving attacks with such efficiency that it would be surprising if it doesn’t translate to the NHL. He reads the Activating into the rush has real defensive benefits. In the event of a play a step-ahead and making a probability-based decision on where to turnover, the defender is ready to peel off into the middle and defend the head next. incoming rush — with the gap already closed. Activation also creates more options for teammates. Sometimes, the decision is obvious. In the clip below, Liljegren closes the gap on the middle lane drive and pokes the puck away. Simple, right? The second prong to Liljegren’s transition game is his passing ability. His Watch how Liljegren manages this play. At first, Liljegren’s on the weak stretch passes are a well-known commodity. He can complete the three- side but recognizes his partner is facing a mini 2-on-1. So he zone pass through layers while pressured. That skill is a weapon for such communicates to the nearest backchecking forward to grab his man so a talented offensive team. But what’s most interesting is how Liljegren he can move toward the middle. Liljegren begins to pivot and close his makes passes. Whether he’s skating backward, laterally, or pressured, gap on the soon-to-be-recipient before the pass leaves the stick and he makes accurate passes to where the recipient is going. His breakout pokes the puck away during the pass reception (where the player is passes allow the offence to stay in motion and attack with speed. easiest to dispossess). Liljegren’s passing fundamentals — find a teammate in motion while That’s a simple read — that’s an expected stop for an NHLer. But staying in motion — applies while he’s up in the rush, too. He makes Liljegren communicates, makes a proactive decision and times his check. clever cross-ice passes to the wide side attacker in motion. He’s nearly Those layers make the stop as efficient as possible. That’s what Liljegren as skilled on his backhand, allowing him to carve up the neutral zone no does on a nightly basis. matter the situation.

Another indicator of a player’s off-puck defence is interceptions. They In short, Liljegren makes his forwards’ jobs easier. He keeps their feet require awareness of the passer and potential recipients. Liljegren is moving. He can stretch the zone with a pass straight up the gut, or find a impressive in these situations, whether defending the rush, in the teammate on the perimeter who can then make an easy move for an defensive zone or on the penalty kill. He reads the puck carrier’s puck entry. No matter the situation, Liljegren finds a way to ignite an attack. positioning, whether they’re on their backhand or forehand, and their It’s easy to see this element of his game sliding into the NHL without options. Then he wedges himself in between the puck carrier and the much trouble. most likely recipient, making for an effortless interception. Four years ago, Liljegren’s offence wasn’t the question mark — it was As the on-puck defender (i.e., the closest defender to the puck), Liljegren what drove his value. Now, I’m not sure just how much offence he’ll bring brings plenty of value. His quick first-three steps allow him to close gaps to the NHL. Of course, his transition value is high, and that will get him and contest just about every shot nearby. Loose puck recoveries, some points. Inside the offensive zone is the question. And with 24 points whether long or short-range, are a strength, as he takes routes with in 33 AHL games, he’s providing some answers. escape options and has the skill to make a play while jostling for body Inside the offensive zone, Liljegren’s passing isn’t at the same level as positioning. other elements of his game. He’s more risk-averse, preferring to hang Defending the rush, Liljegren isn’t quite as impressive, but is still above- onto possession on the perimeter or let his forwards do the work. There’s average. His positioning and mobility are his best attributes. He’s alert, nothing wrong with that. And like when he’s activating into the rush, when recognizing threats, communicating with his teammates, and driving he sees an opportunity to move off the point, he does it. plays to the perimeter. In short, he makes the stops he should. The lateral mobility allows Liljegren to rip up a storm along the blue line, My issue with Liljegren’s rush defence is the inconsistent nature of his and sometimes, he’ll beat a player with a fake and then send a shot-pass reads. He respects fast-moving attacks too much, backing into the for a deflection around the net. defensive zone before closing the gap. Consequently, skilled players Plays like these are much more common on the power for Liljegren, have the space to operate high in the offensive area. A tendency to although he’s still a tad passive overall. Complicating the offensive commit too early against slower-moving attacks allows skilled handlers to projection is that he’s not much of a shooting threat, averaging only 1.5 gain the middle lane. The slightest bit of trickery can convince Liljegren to shots on goal per game in the AHL, which has slightly trended down over crossover to the outside lane, only to concede the middle. his three AHL seasons. While Liljegren’s rush defence reads will be exposed at times in the NHL, Ultimately, I don’t think that creating offence inside the zone will be it’s not a huge concern. He has the recovery quickness to disrupt the play Liljegren’s strong suit. He’s only 20 years old, and this season includes a after getting beat, and he has legitimate stopping power inside the significant uptick in both production and play, so perhaps that changes. defensive zone.

One constant throughout Liljegren’s development is his transition game. Sometimes, he makes a lousy pass, but while memorable, these Regardless, Liljegren doesn’t need to be a dynamic attacker in the NHL. The Leafs have plenty of those. He needs to complement the skill with his offence-building passing and defence.

In those regards, Liljegren’s ready for the NHL. His transition ability should translate quickly, and I’m confident he’ll calibrate his strong defensive game to the pace of the NHL with repetition.

In time, Liljegren could become a top-four defenceman who can play the back-half of both special teams in a pinch. He’s not might be there yet, but he’s ready to prove himself in the NHL.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172285 Toronto Maple Leafs Engvall and Gauthier both had their first concert experience together during the Leafs’ prospect camp in the summer of 2014, and they got started with a big one: Jay-Z and Beyonce, together for their On the Run tour that July. Ask the Maple Leafs, Grammys preview edition: Favourite artists and first concert memories “That was a top 3 concert I’ve ever been to,” said Engvall. “It was unreal! I’ve been to smaller ones, but I don’t even consider those concerts.”

Gauthier was considerably less enthused. By Joshua Kloke Jan 21, 2020 “I’m not a big fan of Jay-Z and Beyonce but it was actually pretty good,” said Gauthier. “We had a box. Everybody knows ‘Single Ladies.’ That was the only song I knew.” For a few seasons now, The Athletic has been surveying the Toronto Maple Leafs on a number of pertinent, and also offbeat, off-ice questions. If you want Gauthier to get excited about music, play him some We’ve learned that Auston Matthews wears No. 34 because his dad once OneRepublic. did. Frederik Andersen wanted to become an architect had he not become a hockey player. And Morgan Rielly is a sucker for the Kevin “My favourite concert I’ve ever been to was OneRepublic in Montreal, two McAllister special, a large cheese pizza, on his cheat days. summers ago,” said Gauthier. “They gave a good show. They played so many songs from different artists, and everyone would sing them all.” This season is no different. There’s been some discussion and varying opinions about the state of the music in the Leafs dressing room since The Leafs are a team filled with young players, so it’s no surprise that the departure of previous team DJs Nazem Kadri and Jake Gardiner. electronic dance music is popular. Engvall counts a number of different And with the Grammys taking place on Sunday evening, it felt like the artists as his favourites, including some EDM standouts. right time to learn a little more about the team’s musical tastes. “I like everything, as long as it’s good,” said Engvall. “Eminem. I love In this edition, timed well with the other team-specific surveys running Avicii, Kygo and Swedish rap. (Swedish rap) is making it bigger on the across our NHL sites, The Athletic spoke to nearly every Leaf about their Swedish scene.” first-ever concerts, and their favourite artists. “During pre-game, I like Kygo and Avicii,” said Alex Kerfoot. Kerfoot is The Toronto-based OVO Fest, perhaps to be expected, was brought up also a fan of Chainsmokers, as is Andreas Johnsson. by a few Leafs as either their first, or most memorable concert. “Oh my God. I can’t remember,” said Martin Marincin after being asked Auston Matthews enjoyed the 2016 edition. The highlight? Kanye West for his first concert. “But I do remember a couple of years ago, in surprising a raucous then-Molson Amphitheatre crowd to join local hero Toronto, Kygo. I went with my wife. It was at the Scotiabank Arena. It Drake onstage. “That was great,” said Matthews. “(Drake) brought Kanye was perfect!” out and things went pretty crazy there. The crowd just went nuts for him.” Mitch Marner knows his EDM, even if the genre is still part of some Andersen also fondly remembers a Kanye West concert, but from 2012 unwanted memories. when West and Jay-Z teamed up for the Watch the Throne tour, which “Oh my God,” Marner said, while shaking his head when asked about his made for his first concert in his hometown of Herning, Denmark. first concert. “Veld was my first concert. It’s an EDM festival. I went there “I’m a big Jay-Z fan,” said Andersen. “They had the coolest stage setup when I was in grade seven. It was awful. I didn’t enjoy it at all. We had a I’ve ever seen. I thought they were just going to play songs from (Jay-Z whole thing with a bunch of classmates. And one of them ended up and West’s collaborative 2011 record Watch the Throne). I didn’t know bailing. And it ended up being me, a buddy and his girlfriend. It was they were going to go back and play all their hits. That was a great regrettable.” bonus.” Jake Gardiner used to play a lot of country music during his time as Andersen remembers the crowd eagerly anticipating multiple dressing room DJ ahead of Leafs morning practices. Teammates performances of “In Paris” and cheered wildly as the song was played enjoyed the way he could motivate players without making his music “six or seven times” in the one show. choices too overbearing early in the day.

Matthews’ preferred genre also fluctuates depending on the mood he’s And many Leafs still appreciate country music. in. “I’m a big fan of country music when I’m just hanging out and just on “We listen to a lot of Young Thug in here, Da Baby’s been pretty popular practice days, or just when I’m driving home. I like that,” said Kerfoot. as well,” said Matthews. “Drake, obviously. Future. And I like alternative “Growing up, I liked a lot of country, so really any country music,” said the rock too. The Lumineers. Vance Joy. Stuff like that.” recently demoted Adam Brooks. Drake has fans throughout the Leafs dressing room. “I like country music. I’m a big Eric Church fan too,” said Michael “He’s just such a cool guy,” said Dmytro Timashov. “Passionfruit. That’s a Hutchinson. good song.” Dressing room DJ-in-waiting Justin Holl’s introduction to live music was “I listen to a lot of stuff,” said Rasmus Sandin. “I’m into a lot of hip-hop country. right now. I’ve been into Post Malone, a little bit of Drake, obviously.” “The first concert I ever went to was Big & Rich,” said Holl. “It was great. I Hip-hop is popular within the Leafs room. was probably 10 years old. We were on a family trip and we were just cruising through the Montana State Fair, and it just was just random that “I like a wide range of music,” said Trevor Moore. “I like country. I like they were playing. I still like them a lot.” rap. I like hip-hop. My dad was a big rock guy so I grew up with that, too. I got into some Mac Miller recently. I just started listening to his new Noted country fan Travis Dermott, who enjoys playing acoustic guitar in album “Good News.” I haven’t finished it. It’s so sad.” his spare time, has some specific artists he enjoys.

“Right now, Da Baby’s pretty good. But that’s not a very popular opinion,” “James Barker Band,” Dermott said. “I know all of them now and I’m tight said Cody Ceci. with a few of them. I linked up with one of them, the bass player, Bobby, and now we’re all pretty good friends. He gets us hooked up with the If we’re talking mega global stars, Beyonce also has fans in the Leafs whole band. With Hollsy and I liking music, it’s great to get the inside room. scoop. You become fanboys with them and then you meet them and they become fanboys with you. It’s funny how it works, back and forth. They’re Pierre Engvall, Frederik Gauthier and Timashov all counted Beyonce as big hockey guys and they ask us as much stuff as we do to them.” their first concert. Dermott’s love of country began at a young age. Longtime country Timashov remembers seeing Beyonce in Stockholm in 2013. “I loved it,” crooner Trace Adkins was his first concert and introduction to what can said Timashov. “What a show.” happen at large scale country concerts. “It was at Darien Lake in Buffalo,” said Dermott. “It was unreal. I was Morgan Rielly said he’s on a big Bruce Springsteen kick, Kasperi probably 12 or 13, maybe even younger. I went with my whole family: my Kapanen loves firing up the Rolling Stones and AC/DC and Brooks mom, my dad, and my sister. I think we underestimated how rowdy the remembers Kiss as his first concert. crowd was going to be, so we ended up at a back railing and my dad had like a force field around us, trying to protect us. Everyone was blackout “And the opener was Buckcherry,” said Brooks. “I was like 10 and my drunk. It was pretty fun though! Adkins has a great voice. He’s got dad took us and I don’t think my mom was too pumped with some of the probably the deepest voice in country.” lyrics she heard. My dad always listened to that kind of stuff around the house, and it was more about my mom and my dad wanting to go. And I Owing to the time they were raised, two Leafs remember boy bands was just tagging along. I just remember that it was a great show, with all being their introduction into live music. the lights and pyro going on. I was amazed. At that age, it definitely wasn’t my favourite music to listen to, but I was into the lights.” “My first concert was Backstreet Boys, when I was like nine years old,” said Tyson Barrie. “That was my parents’ fault. It was classic, those guys Timothy Liljegren, recently sent back to the Marlies, smiles when are legends!” recalling his first concert.

I double-checked with Barrie to make sure he wasn’t kidding around on “It was Alice Cooper,” said Liljegren. “It was somewhere in England. My his answer. He was not. dad took me there when I was a kid. It’s kind of a weird concert to go to for a kid. I was eight or nine maybe? He was kind of weird on stage. I “I thought it was awesome,” said Barrie, nodding in approval. don’t remember all of it, but I remember (Starts singing) “School’s out, for Across the dressing room, another Leaf answers the question of his first summer…” concert proudly. Children who attend concerts usually have a parental chaperone, and the “Aaron Carter,” said Trevor Moore. Leafs were no different.

Again, I widened my eyes in surprise. “It was Red Hot Chili Peppers, with my parents,” said Kerfoot, rolling his eyes. “I didn’t even appreciate the music. I don’t even think I liked “It was a good one,” said Moore. “I was so young. I just remember falling concerts. I was pretty young.” asleep at the concert and my mom carrying me home. I’m proud of it, are you kidding me?” “My first concert was Gwen Stefani,” said Kapanen. “I was seven or eight. My cousin came over, she wanted to go. It was somewhere in Rock from the 1990s is still often heard in hockey arenas throughout Philadelphia. No real memories of it.” North America, and many Leafs profess to loving the same bands they grew up listening to. “Maroon 5,” said Rielly. “The Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver. I was with my mom. Phenomenal. Between eight and 11. It was probably my idea, “It’s the decade I grew up in, I always enjoy a lot of ’90s music,” said but I don’t think she was complaining.” John Tavares. “Matchbox 20, Third Eye Blind. That’s something I can listen to any day, any time. It’s easy to listen to. I like all genres.” There are some Leafs that aren’t too picky when it comes to music and have been pleasantly surprised at concerts. Tavares’ first concert was Sum 41 in March 2008 at the then General Motors Centre in Oshawa. “My most recent concert was Elton John,” said Zach Hyman. “That was great. What a great show. It was one of those things: you don’t know if The first band Jason Spezza ever saw live has long been associated with you’re ever going to see him again right? It’s an experience I’ll hockey. remember. I’m one of those guys that just listens to whatever is on the radio. Just kind of go with what’s happening.” “The Tragically Hip. Lansdowne Park, I think? Either that or the Molson Amphitheatre. I was in high school. I’ve seen them at Lansdowne Park “Jack Johnson,” Hutchinson said of his first concert. “He did an outdoor more recently. I’ve seen them likes 10 times though. I love The Hip,” said concert in Burl’s Creek, just outside of Barrie. The owner of the junior Spezza. team I was on got me tickets that summer. I would’ve been 17 or 18 at the time? At the time, I didn’t even really know Jack Johnson’s music at Throughout his career, Spezza had gotten to know the members of The all, but I definitely became a fan after seeing his music live. It was a really Hip, whom he now considers as his favourite band. He was hooked from cool atmosphere, being outdoors.” that first show. Swedish music has an influence in the Leafs dressing room. Andreas “Just the energy on stage,” Spezza said of what he remembers from his Johnsson and Rasmus Sandin both went to see their first concerts in first Tragically Hip show. “I wasn’t a music guy growing up. So I really Sweden, even if they find it difficult to remember the names of the bands. appreciated musicians, and just how much they put into their concerts. It takes a lot more energy than you think.” “It was an ABBA tribute band. I was like five or six,” said Sandin.

The always energetic ’90s stalwart Blink 182 is Holl’s favourite band. “There’s a (Swedish pop group) called Hov1,” added Liljegren. “I like it.”

“I don’t like the later stuff as much,” said Holl. “I only saw them once a The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 couple of years ago at the Molson Amphitheatre with A Day to Remember, who I also really like. ‘What’s My Age Again?’ is so good. I could play them on the piano, and I think if you’d learn guitar chords they’d be easier to learn.'”

“I grew listening to ’90s rock bands,” adds Cody Ceci. “Blink 182, Sum 41, Linkin Park.”

Ceci, an Ottawa native, was spoiled when it comes to nearby concerts.

“I think it was Bluesfest, the music festival in Ottawa,” Ceci said of his first concert. “It goes for like 11 days so I usually try to go at least four or five times. There’s always some good headliners. It doesn’t matter who.”

Modern alternative rock gets a lot of love among the Leafs.

Hutchinson, Marner, Matthews, Barrie and Gauthier all said they count The Lumineers as one of their favourite bands. Other bands getting love include City and Colour (Marner) and Mumford and Sons (Spezza and Hutchinson).

Classic rock, also a mainstay in hockey arenas, also gets some love from the Leafs. 1172286 Toronto Maple Leafs “To be honest with you, I’m not really a numbers or stats guy,” Leeman said. “I just wanted to win.”

He said he did not know how close he was to getting 50 goals until the With Auston Matthews on pace to join exclusive group, remembering the general manager pulled him to the side before a game in New York. Leafs’ other 50-goal scorers Leeman had gotten into a fight five or six games earlier, and he cracked a knuckle.

It got to the point where he could barely hold his stick. The goals started By Sean Fitz-Gerald Jan 21, 2020 to dry up, and Floyd Smith wanted to know what was wrong. He told Leeman he had the chance to do something rare in Toronto.

“I wasn’t thinking about it, and I didn’t want to think about it,” Leeman In the spring of 1990, after Gary Leeman became the second player in said. “To me, it was more of a line thing. It wasn’t an individual thing. Our Maple Leafs history to score 50 goals in a season, the franchise line was playing great. We were producing, and that’s all you can really bestowed two gifts. The first was a contractual obligation — a $50,000 ask for — doing your part in a line.” bonus previously written into his deal — and the second was so strange, he had to take a picture of it. He was on a line with Ed Olczyk and Mark Osborne that season. Leeman sought them both out after meeting with the general manager. The team gave him a trophy. “I said, ‘Hey, I just got the message, so all passes come here,’” he said. It was not a large trophy. In the picture he snapped, Leeman placed it “And they looked at me funny, like, ‘What are you talking about?’” next to a trophy he won for being named player-of-the-month during his bantam season in Toronto. His minor hockey trophy was bigger than the He was joking. one he got for scoring 51 regular-season goals in the NHL. His father turned 50 a month or so before Leeman scored his milestone “I really haven’t made it that public, you know?” he said with a chuckle. goal. The son framed the puck and gave it to his father as a belated “I’d love to take it into Shanny and say, ‘This is what it was like, so make birthday present. He still has it. sure this doesn’t happen with your guys.’ “That’s the kind of thing that makes me feel good,” Leeman said. “I “I couldn’t see them giving this trophy to Auston.” shared it with my dad, and anybody that sort of was involved with my career.” Leafs president Brendan Shanahan will have to start shopping for ideas this spring if Auston Matthews, his young star centre, stays on the pace He also still has the small plastic trinket the Leafs gave him, stored in a he has set heading into the all-star break. The 22-year-old is on pace to box near his old player-of-the-month trophy. It was not much, but it was score 57 goals by the end of the season. more than the Leafs gave Vaive.

Despite a history that stretches back more than 100 years, only three “Nothing,” Vaive said with a smile. Leafs players have scored 50 goals in a season. Rick Vaive did it first, in 1982, setting the franchise record (54) in the first of three straight 50-goal No trophy? No letter? No pat on the back from management? seasons. Leeman followed, and Dave Andreychuk was the last, in 1994. “Not even a congratulations from Mr. Ballard or anything,” Vaive said. “You look at Rick Vaive, he had a great shot,” Leeman said. “If you ever It was not clear what, if anything, the Leafs might have given Andreychuk saw the stick he scored 50 with, you’d think it was more of a superhero. It for reaching 50 goals. Now vice-president of corporate and community was the worst hockey stick you could possibly shoot with, and he did it affairs for the Tampa Bay Lightning — and also enshrined in the Hockey three times with that stick.” Hall of Fame — he did not respond to email requests to be interviewed It was truly amazing, he said: “Rick’s stick, I could barely bench press.” for this story.

“It weighed about 10 pounds,” Vaive said with a laugh. “Very little curve. If Matthews can stay healthy, Vaive said he suspects the 50-goal club But it worked for me.” could soon add another member.

Vaive was only 22 years old when he hit 50 for the first time in Toronto. “I would expect that he will,” he said. “And hopefully, I’ll be able to be Like Matthews, Vaive had also been a first-round draft pick (fifth overall, there when he does and congratulate him.” in 1979), but his arrival was not as immediately celebrated. The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 He arrived as part of a trade that sent Dave (Tiger) Williams to Vancouver. The Canucks appeared to be giving up on a prospect who had worn out his welcome. (“I was 20 years old and single,” Vaive told the Toronto Star, “and sure, I had a little fun.”)

The Leafs were hosting the St. Louis Blues at Maple Leaf Gardens the night Vaive scored his 50th. It was late March, and he would go on to score four more times over the final five games to set a franchise record that has stood for the better part of four decades.

“Records are meant to be broken,” Vaive said. “It’s going to happen one day. And why not this year, with him? And then it’d be a pure, unbelievable goal-scorer who broke the record.”

He said he mentioned the record to Matthews when they chatted during a recent team event. Vaive told Matthews he would have to hit 55 to set the new record.

“He goes, ‘Oh, I got a little bit of work to do then,’” Vaive said. “We had a good chuckle over it.”

John Tavares has gotten closer to 50 goals than any Leafs player over the last quarter-century, with 47 last season. (He was held without a goal over his last two games of the season, despite managing eight shots on goal against Montreal in the finale.)

Leeman was born in East York and skated at Dieppe Park, one of the local outdoor rinks. By the time he reached the NHL, his hometown team had already fallen into one of its darkest eras. Owner Harold Ballard had turned a flagship franchise into a (lucrative) doormat. 1172287 Vegas Golden Knights The Knights have gone two straight games without allowing a power-play goal after giving up one in seven straight before that.

“We were in sync,” Stone said. “I thought we did a good job keeping the Golden Knights lose lead in 3rd period, fall to Bruins shifts short, rolling over guys.”

3. ‘Work to do’

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal The Knights missed out on a chance to take over first place in the Pacific Division and head into a nine-day break holding the second wild-card January 21, 2020 - 6:37 PM spot with 57 points (25-20-7).

Updated January 21, 2020 - 9:14 PM They finished the road trip 1-2-1 and don’t play again until Jan. 31 at Carolina.

“We talked. We’re not where we want to be going into the break,” DeBoer BOSTON — For all the things the Golden Knights haven’t done well this said. “We have some work to do, and it’s going to be a sprint to the finish season, one area in which they’ve excelled is holding leads entering the line. Get some rest, refresh and reset and come back ready to go to work third period. because this is going to be a dogfight right to the end.” Heading into Tuesday’s game against Boston, the Knights were 20-1-1 when leading after two periods, the sixth-best points percentage in the league. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.22.2020 But the Knights were unable to hang on to a lead against the Atlantic Division-leading Bruins and allowed two third-period goals to fall 3-2 at TD Garden in the final game before the All-Star break.

“Disappointing going into the third (period) with the lead and not getting points, but we didn’t help ourselves with the penalties early in the game,” coach Peter DeBoer said. “Despite the fact we killed them off, it takes a toll on you. You get to the third period, it’s tough to find energy at the end of a road trip when you start that way.”

Rookie defenseman Nic Hague scored his first NHL goal midway through the second period to give the Knights a 2-1 advantage. But Jake DeBrusk tied the score 4:26 into the third before David Krejci gathered a rebound and flipped in the winner with 7:42 remaining.

Mark Stone beat Bruins goaltender Jaroslav Halak from a tight angle on the Knights’ first shot 1:24 in before defenseman Jeremy Lauzon answered for Boston at 11:40 of the first period with his first goal this season.

The Knights’ only previous loss in regulation when leading after two periods came Nov. 10 at Detroit, and they also fell to Winnipeg in overtime Nov. 2 after squandering a two-goal lead.

“Frustrating at the end to lose again,” said goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who finished with 34 stops. “We’ve lost a few lately, and that was a good challenge for us. Obviously, they’re a good team.

“I thought Stoney got a big goal to get us going early. We had the lead after two, and they came pretty hard in the third and got a couple goals there and cost us the win.”

Here’s what stood out from the loss:

1. Haguer bomb

Hague came close to scoring several times in the first 37 games, including a golden chance in the third period Saturday at Montreal. But he broke through on the power play at 10:59 of the second period when he overpowered Halak with a one-timer.

“That’s a goal-scorer’s goal,” Stone said.

Hague also made two key defensive plays in the third period, as he broke up a 2-on-1 early and prevented a scoring chance about six minutes into the period when he slid to knock down Chris Wagner’s pass.

After the game, Hague was reassigned to the American Hockey League along with Nicolas Roy to help save salary cap space.

“It’s definitely a dream come true for me,” Hague said of scoring. “It felt like it took forever, but we’re there. I’m definitely happy with that, but really it sucks just the way the game ended.”

2. Perfect on penalty kill

The biggest change thus far under DeBoer has been the penalty kill, and it went 5-for-5 against Boston, which entered with the league’s third- ranked power play at 26.3 percent.

The Knights allowed one shot on goal during two first-period power plays and held the Bruins to a total of three shots on goal with the man advantage. 1172288 Vegas Golden Knights

Lengthy break comes at opportune time for Golden Knights

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

January 21, 2020 - 3:28 PM

Updated January 21, 2020 - 6:45 PM

BOSTON — There are two ways to look at the timing of the Golden Knights’ nine-day break that starts Wednesday.

On one hand, the Knights could use more practice time and games to absorb the concepts being introduced by coach Peter DeBoer since he was hired Jan. 15.

The flip side is the time off allows everyone to catch their breath after a hectic week for the entire organization.

The Knights are choosing the latter.

”It’s definitely been a mental stress, for sure,” defenseman Shea Theodore said. “Just to get away with a couple of the guys and relax, whether it’s just sitting on the beach or going for a round of golf, I think that’s good for us.”

The Knights scattered to the wind after Tuesday’s game against Boston, as left wing Max Pacioretty was the lone representative headed to the All-Star Game in St. Louis.

Defenseman Nick Holden said his family is off to Disneyland during the break, and left wing Jonathan Marchessault also said he has a brief family vacation planned.

The Knights begin their bye week Monday and do not play again until Jan. 31 at Carolina, which offers plenty of time to heal any bumps and bruises and gear up for the final 30 games. They’ll resume practicing Jan. 30.

“I think mentalwise, it’s good to just get away from the game and kind of just hang out with family or friends or with your girlfriend or whatever,” center Paul Stastny said. “Just get away from the game, get away from hockey and recharge the battery.”

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was handed his 10th start in the past 11 games, meaning he will serve his one-game suspension for skipping the All-Star Game against the Hurricanes.

By rule, Fleury was required to sit out the game preceding or following the All-Star break.

“I want to get (Malcolm) Subban in there, too, and we will,” DeBoer said. “Coming out of the break we’ve got a back-to-back, so that’s an opportunity to do that.”

The Knights’ trip to Boston came with an added bonus for DeBoer, who was able to spend time with son Jack.

Jack DeBoer is a sophomore forward at Boston University, and the Knights practiced at the Terriers’ home arena Monday. Father and son then were able to enjoy dinner together that night.

“That’s one of the detriments of what we do. You don’t get a lot of family time like that,” Peter DeBoer said. “I watch a lot of games on livestream or on tape, but to get into town and spend some time with him was great.”

Knights prospect Jiri Patera was named the Western Hockey League’s goaltender of the week after going 2-0 with a 0.50 goals against average for Brandon.

Patera, a sixth-round pick in 2017, stopped 51 of 52 shots in the two games.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172289 Vegas Golden Knights season-long road trip with four games against playoff contenders on the other side of it.

A win tonight would have put the Golden Knights in first place going into Golden Knights fall short in final game before break the break, something that could have buoyed their spirits during a turbulent time not only in the season, but during the franchise’s young history. They had a four-game losing streak, fired their coach and still had a chance to pick up five of eight points on the road trip as late as the By Justin Emerson third period. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 | 7:50 p.m. They’ll use the bye week to rest up and refuel before the season’s final 30 games.

BOSTON — There are positives and negatives about going 5-for-5 on “There was some good, but when you look at the overall, not good the penalty kill in a game, as the Golden Knights did Tuesday. enough to come into a building like this to win,” DeBoer said. “We’re not where we want to be going into the break. I think we have some work to The good is obvious. They didn’t allow a goal in five opportunities against do and it’s going to be a sprint to the finish line.” the third-ranked power play in the league, frustrating the Boston Bruins and keeping themselves in the game until they had a chance to take the lead. LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 01.22.2020 The bad is that they were short-handed five times. It takes something out of a team needing to kill that many penalties, as lines get jumbled coming off the penalty-killing units and players need to play high-intensity shifts.

It’s not the only reason, surely, but the early penalties were a factor in the Golden Knights losing a third-period lead for only the third time this season and falling to the Bruins 3-2 at TD Garden.

Vegas fell to 20-2-1 when leading after two periods.

“Despite the fact we killed them off, it takes a toll on you and you get to the third period and it’s tough to find energy at the end of the road trip when you start that way,” coach Peter DeBoer said.

That was the positive takeaway of the game, that the penalty kill was that good. The Bruins scored at a 26.3% clip with an extra man coming into the game, and David Pastrnak was third in the NHL in power-play points. Yet the Bruins were held without a goal on just three shots on goal, already implementing DeBoer’s system.

One of the focuses of DeBoer's practices has been the penalty kill, particularly disrupting the opponents’ zone entries. Considering that the Sharks did have the best short-handed unit in the league when he was there and still do, it’s one place where DeBoer is already making his mark on the team.

“We were in sync,” forward Mark Stone said. “I thought we did a good job keeping the shifts short, rolling over guys. It's usually when you score power play goals when you tire out the PK. We got good clears and were able to get off the ice and get fresh guys out there."

But the issue emerged in the third period. Through two periods, the Bruins controlled possession at 5-on-5, though it was the Golden Knights who led 2-1. It was like looking at the opposite of Vegas games where recently it seems the underlying numbers favor the Golden Knights but the score doesn’t.

Jake DeBrusk beat Marc-Andre Fleury with a beauty of a shot at 4:26 of the third, then David Krejci capitalized on a rebound at 12:18 to give Boston its first lead of the game. For a team that had been nearly unbeatable with a lead after two periods, this one hurt.

“They’ve done that a lot this year, come back. They don’t change the way they play,” Stone said. “It’ll be a good learning example for us. We kind of let our foot off the gas, but we’ve got to give them a little bit of credit, too.”

The loss took away the excitement of Nicolas Hague’s first goal. It was the kind of goal that the team envisions him scoring plenty of, using his 6- foot-6 frame to lean into a slapshot and blast it by the goalie. That shot from the right circle on the power play at 10:59 turned out to be Vegas’ last goal of the game, giving them a 2-1 lead at the time.

It’s a shame for Hague, who sat somberly at his locker instead of gleefully waiting for the media to arrive like many rookies do after their first tally. He enjoyed the goal in the moment, of course, but the outcome of the game put a damper on his evening.

“I was definitely enjoying it in the moment. It was a dream come true for me,” he said. “It sucks the way the game ended. Obviously, we want better and too bad I couldn’t score another one I guess.”

The Golden Knights will have plenty of time to think about this one. They are off for the next nine days between the All-Star break this weekend and the subsequent bye week. They went 1-2-1 on the first leg of the 1172290 Vegas Golden Knights The line has also outscored the opposition 5-0 with Theodore on the ice, compared to a still-solid 12-6 without him.

This is due to Theodore’s uncanny ability to hit players as they exit the Why adding one defenseman could substantially improve the Golden zone with speed. It catches the opposing defensemen on their heels and Knights in all three zones allows Vegas to operate in transition — which is where it’s been it’s most dangerous for the past three seasons.

When Stone and Pacioretty are centered by Paul Stastny, the line is still By Jesse Granger extremely dangerous, but they become significantly less so without Theodore on the ice. Like the other line, they see a 10 percent drop off in Jan 21, 2020 possession (67.92 to 57.07) and create 7.93 fewer shots per 60 minutes. Stone, Pacioretty and Stastny’s goals per 60 minutes also drop from 3.02 to 2.88, and their scoring chances fall from 43.22 to only 35.54 per 60 The Vegas Golden Knights need a defenseman. minutes.

The trade deadline is a mere 34 days away, and signs point to the front Not only does Theodore’s passing ability allow the line to breakout more office at least attempting to acquire a blueliner. Over the past few week’s successfully in transition, but his skating and offensive instincts help him we’ve discussed a handful of defensemen who could be on the market hold the zone more often, leading to more shifts of extended possession and why each would be a good or bad fit in Vegas. in the offensive zone.

But the biggest question remains: Will one defenseman make that much Switch to a completely different set of players — William Karlsson, Reilly of an impact? Smith and Jonathan Marchessault — and the numbers say the exact same thing. The offense is significantly better with Theodore on the ice. The Golden Knights are currently 17th in the NHL in points percentage (.559), putting them almost dead average in the league. But Vegas is still This trio creates 7.02 fewer shots per 60 minutes and nearly an entire only one point behind the Vancouver Canucks for first place in the Pacific goal per 60 minutes less without Theodore. Division. There’s no doubt acquiring help on the blue line will improve the team, but how much? Just to demonstrate that a puck-moving defenseman doesn’t only benefit a top-six line, look at these numbers for Vegas’ most consistent fourth It obviously depends on the level of defender they acquire, but with a line this season. In 81 minutes with Theodore on the ice, Tomas Nosek, solid addition, I think the difference can be substantial. Perhaps even Ryan Reaves and William Carrier have had 60 percent of possession, 60 enough to vault the Golden Knights back into contender status. percent of shots on goal and 60 percent of the goals scored. In 159 minutes without him, they’ve had only 51.97 percent of possession, 52 Vegas has struggled in its own end this season, allowing the 10th-most percent of the shots on goal and an abysmal 38.46 percent of the goals goals per 60 minutes at even strength, but that is partially due to a 25th- scored. ranked 5-on-5 save percentage of 91.04. Marc-Andre Fleury is one of the best goalies in the NHL, so it’s safe to assume that will improve. Now, if Schmidt can find a way to snap out of his current slump, he’ll provide Vegas with another good, puck-moving defenseman. He’s very The truth is Vegas’ defensive core isn’t all that bad at the actual quick on his feet and is actually tied with Theodore for the most even defending itself. They currently rank sixth in shot attempts allowed, eighth strength assists on the blue line at nine. Rookie Nic Hague has also in shots on goal allowed and eighth in scoring chances surrendered. It’s started to develop a passing touch in the offensive zone and leads all moving the puck through the neutral zone, up to the forwards, where they Vegas defensemen with four primary assists at 5-on-5. struggle the most. There’s a possibility Vegas could get away with what it has if Schmidt Vegas’ defensemen have struggled to clear the zone this season, often returns to his best form and Hague continues developing. However, turning the puck over in transition. That leads to extremely dangerous gambling on both of those things happening probably isn’t wise. chances against, which is why the Golden Knights keep finding themselves outshooting the opposition 10-3 early in a game, but trailing Adding another distributor to the back end will take some of the load off 1-0 on the scoreboard. Theodore’s and Schmidt’s plates, allowing coach Peter DeBoer to roll all four lines the way he likes without worrying which defensive pair is on the That’s mostly due to roster construction. Shea Theodore has been elite ice with each line. this season for the Golden Knights, ranking 11th in the NHL in Dom Luszczyszyn’s GSVA model, which quantifies overall performance. At this point you’re likely wondering how much an elite, puck-moving Theodore ranks amongst the NHL’s best defensemen, just under last defenseman of Theodore’s caliber is going to cost, but I don’t believe year’s Norris Trophy-winning Mark Giordano and Boston’s Torey Krug, Vegas needs quite that. The Golden Knights’ immense forward talent and just above Quinn Hughes, Erik Karlsson and Cale Makar. makes life easy on its defensemen, meaning any blueliner with good skating and passing ability is going to see a major bump in production But while Theodore is excellent at retrieving pucks and moving them up coming to Vegas. to the forwards, the rest of the blue line struggles in that department. That’s a major factor in Vegas’ offensive struggles this season. The There are plenty of options, whether it’s a player with term remaining on Golden Knights rank 16th in even strength goals per 60 minutes despite his contract like Montreal’s Jeff Petry or New York’s Tony DeAngelo having a stacked roster full of talented forwards. Those forwards are (pending RFA), or one of the deadline rentals like Chicago’s Erik heavily reliant on the defensemen to not only get them the puck, but do Gustafsson or New Jersey’s Sami Vatanen. so in stride, allowing them to keep their momentum and speed through the neutral zone. Kelly McCrimmon and George McPhee can decide which defenseman fits their scheme, as well as what they’re willing to give up. But this roster Players like Brayden McNabb, Deryk Engelland, Nick Holden and Jon is built to win now and has nearly every piece needed for a deep run. Merrill have actually been pretty solid in their own end, but have turned the puck over far too often attempting to exit the zone. Nate Schmidt, The coaching change may provide the tactical edge necessary. The front who has been Vegas’ most reliable defender for the past two seasons, is office certainly thinks that or it wouldn’t have made such a controversial uncharacteristically struggling in that department as well. move. But without the personnel on the back end, Vegas’ talented forwards aren’t being fully utilized. To show how big of an impact a puck-moving defender makes for forward productivity, let’s examine each of the Golden Knights’ top One trade could change a lot. forward lines, and their production both with and without Theodore on the ice. The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 Vegas’ most effective line this season has been Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty and Chandler Stephenson. In fact, they’ve been one of the best lines in all of the NHL. The trio has played 66 minutes with Theodore and 103 minutes without him. The drop off without Theodore is obvious. The line sees a 10 percent drop in possession (Corsi percentage) and creates 7.13 fewer shots on goal per 60 minutes. 1172291 Washington Capitals

Evgeny Kuznetsov takes on Capitals’ new esports pro, gets smacked in NHL 20

By Scott Allen

January 21, 2020 at 12:15 PM EST

After practice last Wednesday, Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov donned a headset, picked up a controller and prepared to go head-to- head with one of the best NHL 20 players in the world. Over the next hour, Kuznetsov, a casual gamer who’s partial to FIFA, and John “JohnWayne” Casagranda, the runner-up at the second annual NHL Gaming World Championship last June, battled it out on the virtual ice.

Kuznetsov is among the most enthusiastic gamers on the Capitals. He says he plays when he can find time, given his on-ice career and family at home, but he tends to play after Capitals games as a way to unwind, or if the team is on a long road trip and he wants to relax in the hotel room. Still, he was no match for JohnWayne in NHL 20.

“How much [did] you pay for those referees?” the 27-year-old Russian quipped after his team took an early penalty in the first of two losses. Kuznetsov would get some revenge in a subsequent game of FIFA, when he defeated JohnWayne’s Barcelona while playing as hometown D.C. United.

The friendly competition — including the cross-continent banter between Kuznetsov, from inside a conference room at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, and JohnWayne, from his bedroom in Anchorage — was streamed on the Caps Gaming Twitch channel. It also helped promote the most recent example of the Capitals’ foray into esports.

The Capitals announced the creation of Caps Gaming in November, as part of a leaguewide effort to grow NHL esports. While the NBA has the NBA 2K League, which completed its second season last August, the NHL has no formal esports league structure and has instead left esports activations to individual teams.

Washington became the first NHL team to sign an esports pro when it tabbed JohnWayne to serve as an official ambassador of the Caps Gaming brand. JohnWayne streams weekly on Twitch, and he’ll represent the team in tournaments such as the NHL Gaming World Championship this summer. But Wednesday marked the first time he competed against a Capitals star.

“We think the NHL has a fabulous opportunity to engage a younger fan base by launching an NHL esports platform in the future,” Monumental Sports and Entertainment senior vice president of strategic initiatives Zach Leonsis said. “The NHL has allowed every team to develop its own local activation, and we decided to take it seriously. … Ultimately video games are fun. We’re having a lot of fun with it.”

Married with two kids, Kuznetsov said he’s not the biggest gamer, and mentioned Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin often brings his own console on road trips to play Fortnite.

As a rookie, goaltender Ilya Samsonov is tasked with bringing the PlayStation for him and Kuznetsov to play FIFA and NHL 20.

“He’s constantly losing,” Samsonov told The Post in November.

Kuznetsov denies that’s the case, or has apparently improved dramatically over the last couple of months.

“We pretty much play everyday,” he said. “Last three days, he won one game. We play 10 times.”

Washington Post LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172292 Washington Capitals How much English did you know and how difficult did that make the transition?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: “Zero.” How the Caps' European players are adjusting to life thousands of miles [Describing his first press conference] “I'm just guessing at that time from home pretty much every time. I see reaction, if these people happy that means I'm guessing the right way.”

By J.J. Regan Michal Kempny: “I didn't speak any English. I think the language is No. 1 [hardest part]. I tried to learn English as fast as I could. Different country, January 21, 2020 9:30 AM different people. I never been in the U.S. before so it was kind of everything new, but year after year I felt better and better.”

Jonas Siegenthaler: “If I didn't understand something it was just maybe When the Capitals take the ice each game, they represent Washington, one or two words and then I just ask. But overall, I spoke pretty good D.C. Off the ice, however, the players are a collection of talent from all English from school. I started to learn English when I was seven years over the world. Washington is the team they play for, but neither old. My birth year was the first year that had this English class from Washington nor America is where many of them come from. Many seven years old. I'm glad for that.” players are a long way from home, playing hockey in what is, for them, a foreign country. Jakub Vrana: “It's kind of easy to learn when you just in here and you hear it every day. It's different than if you're back home and you're Hockey is what brought them to America and adjusting to a new country actually going to school and you have a one-hour, two-hour class and it’s brings with it a number of challenges. Coming from Canada is one thing, like not it, you know? Because then you speak Czech all day. So here but coming from Europe where life is very different is quite another. you don't have a chance so you're hungry, you're going to ask for food. The Capitals roster is full of several players from all over Europe. What is You're going to understand, it's important.” it like trying to adjust to life in America? What does this country look like Backstrom: “We have English in school, but I was terrible at that, to be from an outside perspective? In their own words, here are the stories of honest. I wasn't great. First one or two years, I was pretty quiet around those players about what life is like in their new home. there, I was just trying to learn. I was just trying to pick up the language What was adjusting to life in America like when you first came to this and it helped me a lot that I had roommates [Matt Bradley, Mike Green] country? that spoke English. You could practice with them. Once you get a little more confident too, that helps as well.” Nicklas Backstrom: "It was different, that's for sure. I think first of all, the culture back home when you play, we had a lot of single guys over there. Richard Panik: “I had great grades in school in English, but as soon as I We practiced in the morning, had lunch together and then we went grab got here I didn't understand. I couldn't speak. It took me maybe like six a coffee, sit down together, had dinner together. We pretty much were months to get used to it and then it was just easier and easier.” hanging out with each other for the whole day. I think culture over here a Carl Hagelin: “I thought I knew it better than I did. It was easy for me to little bit more is you practice and then you go home, do your own stuff. It read and stuff, but I think having conversations and speaking in front of was a little bit of transition to start there, but once you get used to it you people is pretty hard my first year. And then by my third semester [at the just adjust. I think that was the biggest eye-opener for me because that's University of Michigan], I started picking up more and more. I was pretty the only thing I knew before I come over here and then all of a sudden quiet my first year, just kind of hung around and tried to learn as much as you were just solo, by yourself. A little different, but once you adjust, possible. Because even though you knew, we speak more the Oxford you're fine.” English, British English back home. And then you came over here and : “The States and Europe, everything is different. Even the you used some words that they would use and some of the guys are just smallest thing is little bit different. It's definitely a lot of getting used to it. looking at you. And on our team, there was no other Europeans so I Moving from Washington State to Virginia to New York, every state has would say it's probably easier around an NHL team because you have something different. Going from the West Coast to the East Coast, it was the Canadians, the French Canadians and people are used to people a lot of things to get used to. with different dialects and language.”

“When I got drafted, I signed two weeks after that and I didn't have my Gudas: “I graduated in English as the best of my class so I thought I'm [social security number]. I couldn't get any paychecks yet. I didn't have a speaking fluently and perfect, but when I showed up in the States I found bank account in the States, I didn't have nothing. My first, I would say out I don't know [expletive]. All the slang and all the Canadians around, it month and a half, maybe two months I was pretty much living off my per was a different English than we learned in school. We learned the proper diem or what my savings were from the leagues in Czech Republic. … I 'English' English. It took me at least two, three months to get it going to at had to get a car, driver's license which was a pain in the ass, the least be able to have a fun conversation of just like what I need and what insurance. I had a lot of help from all the staff and the Norfolk Admirals I want.” front office. Really happy that they helped me through a lot, but I’m sure I What is something you find weird or different about America and wasn't the only guy that they had to deal with through all this. It's Americans? obviously not an easy thing to do, but if you have the right people, I was fortunate enough to have the right people around me to help me through Siegenthaler: “I just found out that you can buy your groceries online, get a lot. Made it all the way here and still don't have the IRS knocking on my it delivered. Yeah, back home if you tell somebody that you get your door so I guess I did something right.” groceries delivered, it's kind of like, um, you're a lazy ass.”

Axel Jonsson-Fjallby: “Go to the grocery store, I don't know the brands. Eller: “I won't say everybody is that way, but [Americans] tend to only Don't know what's the best brand and stuff like that. So just small things.” know what's going on in America. Everything outside of America, they're not very well educated on that.” Martin Fehervary: “In Europe, in Sweden I came, I got everything set up. Here I had to find apartment so I did. Need to figure it out my car so Gudas: “I think the attachment to the phones. You don't see that in lifestyle like this. But, I mean, it's fun.” Czech. Everybody trying to live more outside than inside, you know? I think that's one thing that could change here.” Eller: “It's different, but I think the biggest part is just being a grownup, being an adult, paying the bills, paying rent, finding out things on your Panik: “The first thing I noticed, everybody is just too friendly. It just own. For a lot of guys it's a big step of maybe living with a family or living seems like, you don't even know the person and it seems like you know at home and now all of a sudden you're on your own. You've got to cook, the person for 10 years. It's weird. Back home, we're conservative. I you've got to grocery shop, you've got to do this and that. I think that's wouldn't say they're bad people, still good, but like here it's more I think the biggest step, just becoming an adult person, not necessarily it doesn't when you meet somebody new it's more open.” have to do with hockey. And also, I think if you speak the language it helps a lot, but for like a Russian player or eastern Europeans, that can Hagelin: “I love the fact that people love going to sporting events. Like be a lot tougher for sure. For me, I spoke the language, makes a big back home, if you go to [a] sporting event you go and you kind of sit and difference.” you dissect the game. You don't really talk to fans from the other team and you don't really wear jerseys. Like a girl in Sweden would never wear a jersey to a game, they'll get dressed up and go to a game. Here it doesn't matter who you are, you put a jersey on and you show your support. It's a different feel in here. Obviously it's cool in Europe, but the fan clubs are screaming and hollering throughout the whole game, but it's a different experience and I think that's cool.”

Backstrom: “Only thing maybe that I notice is they're really bad drivers in the rain.”

Kuznetsov: “Driving. The way they drive.”

What do you think of American food?

Panik: “Back home when you say American food, everybody imagine hamburgers, fries, but even here you can find great restaurant with the great food. Basically you can cook at home whatever you wanted. I think American food, it means hamburgers. I like it, but I don't eat it that often. It's different than Slovakian for sure.”

Jonsson-Fjallby: “I feel like good food is usually a lot more expensive than fast food and stuff. I mean, in Sweden, it's also cheaper with fast food, but it's not that big a difference so if you want a good dinner it's quite expensive here.”

Eller: “I eat a hot dog or pizza once in a while, but I don't eat a lot. I think it's changed here over the last decade. Now it's trending much more towards healthier food and greens and veggies. People are more aware now than they were a decade ago I think. So it is changing, but you can always find your McDonalds and your Domino's, right? Even though I rarely eat that anymore, I like the diversity. You can get everything. That's what I like about America. Every kind of food is available.”

Hagelin: “You can see there's a bit of a health kick coming now and if you want good food you can always find it. That's the great part especially. I've been fortunate to live in some big cities and some health-conscious people living in those cities, especially in California. Any place you go to, there's some good and healthy food.”

Vrana: “Fries and burgers, that's like typical, isn’t it? Steak? Fries? That's very American? Or ribs? Sometimes it's not bad, but I would not recommend it like eat it too much.”

Ilya Samsonov: “There's better meat here, steaks. Steak is very good.”

Siegenthaler: “It's more fried stuff. More burgers, fries. I found a Swiss restaurant here in D.C. They're pretty good. I think we're pretty good friends. When I miss home or when I miss the Swiss food, I just go get dinner at the Swiss restaurant. Makes me feel like home.”

What do you miss about home?

Kuznetsov: “Everything. People, food. This summer I wasn't home so a long time. Most important, we got the families back home. We've got the grandmothers, all those people who pretty much see us once in a while. They get so old. The older they get, the more you want to see them.”

Hagelin: “I think just having your family close by. Now with all the technology, it feels like they're close, with facetime and all that. I think just that feeling that everyone's close and you're just a 40-minute car ride away from all your closest people.”

Gudas: “You get a lot of visits here from the family, but the grandmas, grandpas don't come here as much anymore and now having kids, it would be nice to be around the great grandparents and be around them so I think that's the hardest thing for me, not being able to have my kids around my grandparents as much as I would like to. It's always hard in the summer to go and see them for a while because [the kids] need their rest too, but we try to get them involved as much as we can, forcing them to speak as much Czech as we can so they don't only speak English.”

Samsonov: “I don't know, maybe dumplings. A little bit talking with the Russian guys, my friends, my family. It's OK. I'm professional hockey player. That's my life.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172293 Washington Capitals Hurricanes in the first round the last playoffs and has seemingly been an issue in the regular season as well.

The only other defensive issue has to do with the penalty kill. Yes, the PK Do the Caps have the defense to win the Stanley Cup? has been stellar, but it has been called upon far too often. Washington has taken 186 minor penalties this season, more than any other team in the NHL. Sure, sometimes the referees like to put away the whistles in the postseason, but the Caps are a physical team that plays a heavy By J.J. Regan game. That could open them up to more penalties. Most importantly, the January 21, 2020 6:00 AM team has to be smarter with their sticks and limit unnecessary slashes and hooks.

The verdict: No, the defense is not good enough to win the Cup...yet. The bye week and the all-star break are upon us meaning we will have to wait until Jan. 27 for the Capitals to take the ice again for a game. With A hole on the top-four is a significant enough weakness that I do not the season over halfway done and the Feb. 24 trade deadline rapidly believe the team can afford to ignore it heading into the playoffs. approaching, the focus of the season now shifts towards the playoffs. But don't despair. While I do not believe the current makeup of the Washington has certainly done enough at this point to show they are a defense is good enough, it is not beyond repair. Only one addition is playoff team, but just how good are they? Are they a true contender or needed to completely shore up the blue line. This team needs an are they destined for an early exit? adequate player to plug onto the right side of the second pair. They don't need a superstar, just a serviceable top-four righty. That addition would Over the next few days, I will examine the team to answer if it is good imrpove the defense to the point of making the team a real contender. enough on offense, defense and in net to win a Cup and, if not, what they must do to improve by April. Top four defensemen do not grow on trees, however, especially right ones, and the team's cap constraints will certainly hurt their ability to Today’s question: Do the Caps have the defense to win the Stanley Cup? improve in this area.

Whatever question marks this team may have on the blue line, John This leaves me with two possible solutions the team could explore. Carlson is not one of them. With 60 points in 49 games, he is on pace for exactly 100 points this season, but do not fall into the trap of thinking his First, and probably the most likely, look for the next Kempny. Find a great season is only about the offense. He is easily the most consistent cheap defenseman on another team's roster who the scouts think has defensive defenseman on the team as well. He is just an all-around elite high-upside and is undervalued by his current team, trade a mid-round player who was long ago labeled an "offensive defenseman" and that draft pick and plug him in. The fact that Washington was able to recall perception still lingers though it has not been factual since the 2017-18 Christian Djoos after the Christmas break means Washington has at season when Matt Niskanen was out for a prolonged period and Carlson least banked enough cap space to fit in his cap hit ($1.2 million). Brian was leaned upon and excelled. MacLellan seems deadset on keeping the roster with only one healthy scratch to bank as much cap space as possible so I think they should Carlson has obviously been the highlight of the blue line this season, have probably at least about $2 million to work with by the time the Feb. which is to be expected. Jonas Siegenthaler and Radko Gudas have also 24 trade deadline rolls around. Plus, there is always salary retention, been bright spots. The penalty kill has essentially been entrusted to though that would cost more in a trade. Siegenthaler who gets more shorthanded ice time per game (3:06) than any player on the roster, including Carl Hagelin. Gudas is not far behind The second option is to bring up Martin Fehervary. He is a left shot, but at 2:43. has been playing on the right with the . The team certainly loves him which was made evident by him starting the season in the The benefit to this is that this is the team's third defensive pair, yet they NHL. Even if he may not have reached his full potential yet, he is are doing the heavy-lifting on the penalty kill allowing the other two pairs certainly seen within the organization as a top-four caliber player so bring who play more minutes 5-on-5 to get some time to rest. The fact that the him up and try him out. For this option, I would like to see him called up penalty kill remains among the league's best even with the third pair sooner rather than later in order to get as much time as possible to adjust running the show is a luxury that not many teams can boast. to the NHL, but even if this option is on the table, I would not anticipate seeing it until after the trade deadline when the team no longer needs to Dmitry Orlov has been up and down, but he fits the mold of a second-pair continue banking that space. offensive defenseman. I view him as more of an asset than a liability and his possession numbers (54.91 Corsi-For percentage) back that up. One last note, for anyone wondering if Djoos could be a possibility, I do not see that happening. In his two games with the team this season, he Having said that, there are a few major concerns on the blue line. The was not put on the ice for a single defensive zone start whether on the fly first is that this team does not have two top-four right defensemen. or off a faceoff. Not one. It is a small sample size, but that shows me Carlson is the only one. Nick Jensen has been playing on the second there is a lack of trust in him from the coaches when it comes to playing pair, but it is clear that he just cannot handle such a significant role. He in the defensive zone. That does not sound like a realistic candidate to has been with the Caps for nearly a full calendar year at this point and slot into the top four anytime soon. his struggles can no longer be dismissed as him simply adjusting to a new team and system. The change in system was a dramatic shift for him as it requires a lot more crossing over onto the left side, something he does not seem to be comfortable with at all. He's not a bad player and Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.22.2020 I would feel comfortable with him as a third-pair defenseman. In fact, Jensen averages 2:12 per game shorthanded, more than Carlson (1:38) or Michal Kempny (1:25), so he has held a major role on Washington's stellar penalty kill. The problem can be boiled down to this: The Caps have two third-pair caliber right defensemen and only one top four.

The second issue is that Kempny has not played at the level of a top-pair defenseman essentially all season. In comparison to the issues on the right, this is a minor flaw. Kempny's issues are not nearly as blatant and he is rarely caught out of position. The issue mainly has been how weak on the puck he has been.

One team issue has been how Washington performs against an aggressive forecheck. I will label that a defensive issue because the issue comes from the defensive zone. Everyone on the team has to be smarter with puck management and distribution, but especially the blueliners who are often tasked with starting the breakouts. They have to be able to distribute the puck quickly and smartly in the face of that pressure. This was a major factor in the team's loss to the Carolina 1172294 Winnipeg Jets "I gave Pesce a little cross check and he fell, and then Mrazek tripped me in front of the net and Pesce comes and cross checks me in the face while I’m on the ground and he asks me to go, so, you know, I thought I might as well go. That’s hockey," said Scheifele. Jets' tailspin continues "It wasn’t frustration, it was passion. This is a beautiful hockey game, Pesce’s a great hockey player, he played hard all night and once in a while you drop the gloves and have at ‘er." By: Mike McIntyre Wheeler was spitting fire after the game, suggesting Pesce threw a few Posted: 01/21/2020 8:41 PM | Last Modified: 01/21/2020 10:35 PM additional punches at Scheifele when he was prone.

"I like to play with guys that are willing to lay it on the line. He’s a guy I’d RALEIGH – One team was gathered at centre ice playing a massive go to bat with any day. I don’t love their guy throwing punches on the game of dodge ball in front of their hometown fans as part of the latest ground. Anybody can throw punches on the ground. That will come back "Storm Surge" victory celebration. The other was dropping F-bombs in to him," said Wheeler. the post-game media scrums as frustration continued to boil over. Winnipeg went 0-for-4 on the power play, continuing a recent slide that Such was the state of both Carolina and Winnipeg following Tuesday's has seen them go 1-for-16 in recent games, including 12 straight power game at PNC arena in Raleigh, which the Hurricanes won 4-1. plays without a goal.

For the Jets, it's their third straight loss — they've been outscored 16-4 in Carolina Hurricanes' Brett Pesce exchanges blows with Winnipeg Jets' that span — and leaves them with just five wins in their past 17 games, Mark Scheifele during the third period Tuesday. now 25-21-4 overall. And not even the captain and coach appeared to be Carolina Hurricanes' Brett Pesce exchanges blows with Winnipeg Jets' on the same page in assessing what went wrong with this latest effort. Mark Scheifele during the third period Tuesday. "There was no f——-g slow start. We played as good in the first as we "Last game we had 13 (power play) shots, 10 chances. (Tuesday) we did in the second as we did in the third," was 's terse didn’t have as many. It’s a hell of a penalty killing group that they’ve got, reaction to a question about why his club fell behind 2-0 before the just between (Jordan) Staal and (Jaccob) Slavin, and they’ve got nine contest was even six minutes old, then got outshot 16-3 in a third period shorties. That’s a top-end PK unit that they put on the ice. It’s not gonna that began with them still down a pair of goals. look the same way every night, but our power play’s been good," said "F—k man. Yeah, they were better than us in the first and third," was Maurice. Blake Wheeler's response to a similar query. All told, the Jets put up just 17 shots on Mrazek as his team improved to So which was it? You'd be hard-pressed to convince anyone the Jets 29-18-3. At the other end, Connor Hellebuyck stopped 25 of the 29 shots played very well at any point in this game, let alone in the opening 20 he faced. minutes. Martin Necas at 2:28 and Justin Williams at 5:30 did the "It’s tough playing against a team that’s good, they’re solid, they work damage to a fragile Winnipeg club that should have come out playing like hard, they have good sticks, they’re fast. They’re where they are in the their season was on the line. standings for a reason. We battled hard, too, and we have to keep that Because, in a way, it is. They keep falling further down the Western battle attitude, that grind attitude going into (Wednesday's) game and get Conference standings, and they're not even looking competitive at times. a win before the break," said Scheifele.

"We’re getting scored on in the first period. If some of those bounces Indeed, the Jets will try to salvage something out of this three-game road weren’t going against us right now, the first period wouldn’t look nearly as trip, which began with a 5-2 loss in Chicago Sunday, as they head to bad. It’s not bouncing for us for sure and playing from behind every game Columbus to play back-to-back against the red-hot and well-rested Blue is pretty challenging in this league when you play against good teams," Jackets. said Wheeler. After that, players will part for an eight-day break which includes the All- Patrik Laine gave the Jets some hope with his 17th goal of the season at Star game and league-mandated "bye week." 6:26 of the first period to cut the deficit in half, but Teuvo Teravainen got "There’s nothing we can do about (Tuesday night). We battled hard. We it back with just under two minutes left in the frame. just have to play good hockey (Wednesday). Battle, grind it out again, There's no doubt Winnipeg turned it up in the second period, with several have everyone going and leave it all out on the ice before the break," stretches of offensive zone time. But they were unable to score, let alone Scheifele said of the mindset that will be required to bust the slump. muster much in the way of scoring chances. "You take a shower, you wake up (Wednesday) and you bust your ass "They battled hard, they have good sticks, they play hard, they’re a good one more time and try to win. That’s it man," said Wheeler. team. They’re tough to generate offence on. We had a few sustained shifts where maybe we didn’t get a shot but we need to do more of that, make teams tired playing in their d-zone with their backs towards our Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 01.22.2020 net," said forward Mark Scheifele.

And then came the inexplicable third period, when you'd think the desperation level would have been cranked on high. Instead of Carolina sitting back to nurse the two-goal lead, it was the Jets who appeared to be on their heels the entire time.

And Williams, playing in just his second game of the season after opting to put off retirement, scored his second of the night midway through the third period to put this one on ice. The 38-year-old beat 23-year-old Kyle Connor to the net for the easy goal.

The Jets did show a bit of fight, quite literally, as Scheifele was the unexpected combatant in fighting Carolina defenceman Brett Pesce. It didn't go so well for the Jets No. 1 centre, who had been tripped by Carolina goalie Petr Mrazek just prior to dropping the gloves.

Winnipeg Jets' Mason Appleton battles for the puck with Carolina Hurricanes' Haydn Fleury during the first period.

Winnipeg Jets' Mason Appleton battles for the puck with Carolina Hurricanes' Haydn Fleury during the first period. 1172295 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg had participated several times in the Classic, but last fall the organization opted to play in a rookie tournament in Belleville, Ont., against prospects from the Montreal Canadians and Ottawa Senators.

TSN's Sawyer apologizes over plastic-wrap remarks The roster included Manitoba Moose goalie Mikhail Berdin, defenceman Ville Heinola and forwards Kristian Vesalainen, David Gustafsson and Joona Luoto.

By: Mike McIntyre This fall, the Jets will play the Canucks on Sept. 11, the Flames on Sept. 12 and the Oilers on Sept. 15. Posted: 01/21/2020 10:22 PM

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 01.22.2020 RALEIGH — Kevin Sawyer has finally broken his silence, explaining a major misunderstanding that was caused by his own on-air blunder, then inexplicably allowed to fester for more than two weeks.

The former player turned NHL broadcaster used his platform on Tuesday night’s Winnipeg Jets telecast to clarify some eyebrow-raising remarks he made during a Jan. 4 game that caused a firestorm on social media.

Kevin Sawyer apologized to TSN viewers Tuesday.

"Favourite story of Jared Spurgeon," Sawyer said on the previous TSN 3 broadcast, when the Winnipeg Jets were playing a matinee against Spurgeon’s Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. "He was a 15-year-old. Two months into the season we Saran-Wrapped him to a pillar in the arena, about six feet up in the air. He was tiny. He looked like he was 12."

Many had accused Sawyer of abusing his position as an assistant coach with the Spokane Chiefs and being guilty of a hazing incident against Spurgeon, who was a star player with the Western Hockey League club.

But as the Free Press revealed last Saturday — and Sawyer has now confirmed in his own words Tuesday — what actually happened was quite different. The problem was in how Sawyer haphazardly shared the story, creating the impression he was directly involved.

"I’ve spent considerable time reflecting on my comments over the past couple of weeks and I was insensitive in sharing a story that was inaccurate and should never have been told on television in the first place. I was, in fact, unaware and had nothing to do with the 16th birthday recognition until we sang Happy Birthday to Jared who appeared happy in that moment. At that time I did not view it as a negative, harmful or demeaning in any way. Rather, a celebration of an extremely popular and well-liked teammate," Sawyer began off the top of the broadcast in speaking with play-by-play announcer Dennis Beyak.

"I understand that times have changed a lot over the past 15 years and for the better. This is certainly something I would never allow if I was coaching in the game today. I myself am the father of two teenaged children and I understand completely how important it is for our kids to feel safe when they are in the care of others. My comments were unprofessional, insensitive and may have sent the wrong message. And for that I want to sincerely apologize to you, our viewers. And for that I am truly sorry."

Spurgeon has declined a request made through the Wild to speak about the matter.

Sawyer’s silence created the impression there was something to hide, and his absence from the past three TSN3 broadcasts only fuelled the fire. In fact, it was a regularly-scheduled week off, with Ray Ferraro working all three Jets homes games last week, as he does when his busy schedule allows.

However, Sawyer was not allowed to initially address the issue, as his employer (Bell Media) advised him to hold off even as damage was clearly being done to his reputation. As well, it wasn’t just anonymous folks on Twitter weighing in. Former NHLer Daniel Carcillo, who has helped lead the charge for improved mental health care for players, Tweeted about it to his nearly 100,000 followers. Akim Aliu, who was the victim of a racist tirade from ex-coach Bill Peters, condemned Sawyer.

The Jets will once again participate in the 2020 Young Stars Classic, a tournament in Penticton, B.C., featuring the top prospects of the NHL’s four teams from Western Canada.

The Jets, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks will ice teams at the tournament, set for Friday, Sept. 11 to Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the South Okanagan Events Centre. 1172296 Winnipeg Jets "Good people, some awesome people in the organization, and I met some good people, too, and our family, both kids were born down there. But on the ice and what-not, it was interesting."

Optimus Reim raising Cane in Carolina Reimer’s most recent victory came Sunday on home ice and was a memorable one, when his team beat the New York Islanders 2-1 in a shootout. Justin Williams, a.k.a Mr. Game 7, scored the winner in the breakaway competition in his first game back since putting off retirement By: Mike McIntyre to play another season. Posted: 01/21/2020 8:57 PM | Last Modified: 01/21/2020 9:42 PM "Sports is awesome, and the little things like that are fun. In the sporting world anything can happen, and when things work out like that it’s fun for everyone in the building. Unless you’re wearing an Islanders jersey," RALEIGH — James Reimer has never forgot where he came from — Reimer said with a chuckle. even if the vast majority of hockey fans couldn’t find Morweena on a map. He’s proud of his Manitoba roots, appreciating the simpler life after Carolina’s quest for a championship just got a bit tougher as defenceman travelling through much of North America during a pro career now in its Dougie Hamilton broke a bone in his left leg last week and is out for the 10th full season. remainder of the regular-season. Hamilton had 14 goals and 26 assists and was in the Norris Trophy conversation. "Great people back home, great community to grow up in. Just wholesome people," Reimer told the Free Press on Tuesday of his "Dougie’s awesome. A great guy and just a stupid amount of skill. It’s hometown, located north of Winnipeg in the Municipality of Bifrost- tough. I think what was maybe nice, and obviously it wasn’t planned, was Riverton. to get Willy (Justin Williams) back right after. That was a big boost for our team. Obviously different positions and what-not, but just the presence And now, as he settles into his newest hockey home here in Raleigh, the and kind of the boost to the club is nice," said Reimer. 31-year-old is making the most of a fresh start. Reimer is 11-6-1 in 20 appearances with the Carolina Hurricanes, with a tidy 2.47 goals-against- "We’ve got a lot of good players so hopefully guys kind of hold the fort average and sparkling .921 save percentage. and we keep getting better, and when he comes back it will be a huge boost for us." "It’s been pretty good. We’ve got a good young team and we’re having some fun playing some hockey. It’s a nice city to be living in, a nice family town. So there’s a good feel to it," Reimer said of the fit for him, his Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 01.22.2020 wife and their two children.

Yes, he’s come a long way from the kid who didn’t start playing organizational hockey until he was 12, then caught the eye of Steinbach hockey agent Ray Petkau after playing in a local tournament on a church team.

The former Red Deer Rebel, drafted 99th overall by Toronto in 2006, had to pay his dues in the ECHL and AHL before finally breaking through on the NHL stage during an impressive 2010-11 campaign with the Maple Leafs. He went 20-10-5 with a 2.60 GAA and .921 save percentage, earning the nickname "Optimus Reim."

But the road to stardom was paved with plenty of obstacles along the way, with Reimer mostly relegated to a backup role over the past decade. His career-high in games played is just 44, due to a combination of circumstances, performance and injuries.

Six years in Toronto. One in San Jose. Three in Florida. And now the latest stop, with the fun-loving "Bunch of Jerks" in Carolina, who took the league by storm last season and are off to another solid run this year.

"I think the main thing is you just want to go to a team that has a chance to win. This group here, we’ve got a good group and a lot of skill. I was excited about that, obviously saw what they did last year," Reimer said of the Hurricanes run to the Eastern Conference final.

He’s worked well with netminder Petr Mrazek, who made his 32nd appearance of the season Tuesday night as the Hurricanes hosted the Winnipeg Jets at PNC Arena. They’ve formed a solid one-two punch that takes pride in both their defensive acumen and speed and skill up front.

"Obviously like any season there’s ups and downs, good games and bad games, but I think as a team we’re playing pretty well. When as a team you play well, individually you look better. I think that’s kind of the case here. You try to have a good off-season, you try to train well and do what you can do. We’re just playing some good hockey," said Reimer, who is in the fourth year of a five-year contract that pays him an average annual salary of US $3.4 million.

Reimer said he was especially happy to move on from the Panthers, saying his time in the Sunshine State didn’t exactly go as planned. Florida traded him last summer in an attempt to clear out some salary, which they used to sign new No. 1 goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky in free agency.

"It was interesting. There were a lot of expectations and different plans per se that were in place. It was just, I don’t know how to explain it, but things didn’t go as you thought they would go. It wasn’t seamless by any means. I don’t know how to explain it. It was interesting times, I’ll put it that way," said Reimer. 1172297 Winnipeg Jets battled hard, too, and we have to keep that battle attitude, that grind attitude going into (Wednesday’s) game and get a win before the break.”

It seems unlikely anyone in the organization wants to fire Maurice and, to Jets fall into another early hole, continue alarming slide with loss to be fair, he has been dealt a bad hand this season, between off-season Hurricanes departures, Dustin Byfuglien’s suspension and injuries, but the organization has to at least look at what effect such a move would have.

Maurice’s contract is up at the end of the season and it’s going to be a Ted Wyman hard sell to give him a multi-year contract extension after two years of regression. January 21, 2020 10:07 PM CST His team is just not making things happen for him right now.

The power play has scored once in the last 16 tries and is 0-for-9 on this RALEIGH, N.C. — Another slow start proved to be too much to road trip, which started with a 5-2 loss in Chicago on Sunday. overcome for the Winnipeg Jets and their January backslide is threatening to carry into the all-star break. Martin Necas put the Jets in an early hole for the third straight game by scoring at 2:28 of the first period and veteran Justin Williams, playing just The Jets allowed two goals in the first 5:30 of the first period and trailed his second game of the season, scored on the power play at 5:30 to 3-1 after one before falling 4-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes before 14,607 make it 2-0. fans at PNC Arena Tuesday night. Patrik Laine scored less than a minute later off a Scheifele feed from The Jets have now been outscored 8-1 in the first period over the last behind the net to make it 2-1, but his Finnish countryman Teuvo three games — all losses — and are quickly falling out of playoff Teravainen scored late in the first to make it 3-1. contention in the Western Conference. The Hurricanes, a fast team with great defensive sticks, shut the Jets “There was no f—ng slow start,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said, down from there and Williams got his second of the game to make it 4-1 defiantly. “We played as good in the first as we did in the second as we midway through the third period, converting a great pass from Andrei did in the third. That team played its asses off tonight. Svechnikov on a three-on-three rush. “Listen, I haven’t liked some of the games we played but that team The Jets defensive play left something to be desired on that goal, and played as hard as it could. I got no beef on the effort, the other team really all of the Carolina tallies. played well too.” Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves and has now allowed 13 Playing better than in the last two games wasn’t saying much and it goals on 73 shots over the last three games, a save percentage of .821. produced the same result, a lopsided loss. “It’s not on him,” Maurice said. “They’re still getting A chances on us. He The Jets have now been outscored 16-4 in the last three games — all needs a night off and he needs some break. We’ve asked an awful lot of defeats — and if there’s any greater indication that things simply aren’t this guy. The number of shots that we give up, the quality of shots that working, I don’t know what it would be. we give up, he needs a break.” They have one more chance to get back in the win column Wednesday Backup Laurent Brossoit will play in Columbus Wednesday. night in Columbus — against a rested Blue Jackets team that is on a five- game heater — before their eight-day all-star break gets underway on Though the Jets only generated three shots in the third period and never Thursday. had a chance to come back, they did show some fight, especially Scheifele, who threw punches with Canes defenceman Brett Pesce. So, what can the Jets do about this right now? “It wasn’t frustration, it was passion,” Scheifele said. “This is a beautiful “You take a shower, you wake up tomorrow and you bust your ass one hockey game, Pesce’s a great hockey player, he played hard all night more time and try to win,” Jets captain Blake Wheeler said, shortly after and once in a while you drop the gloves and have at ‘er.” dropping an F-bomb of his own. “That’s it man. The question that comes to mind is: Where was that passion and fight in “Sometimes, your effort and your overall play isn’t indicative of the final the first period? score. Right now it’s not as bad as it seems. We’re scoring one goal a game and giving up a few and it’s just a product of when you go down by multiple goals every single game, you’re chasing the game and it makes it real challenging.” Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.22.2020

The Jets are 3-6-1 this month, have lost five of the last six games and remain three points back of the Arizona Coyotes and Vegas Golden Knights, who hold the last two wild-card playoff spots in the Western Conference. The Coyotes will play twice before the Jets return from their break on Jan. 31.

“You’re feeling your record in your last six right now, but they played hard and I’ve got no complaint with them,” Maurice said.

“It doesn’t always go perfect for us but it’s what we’ve got and what we’ve got to learn to fight with it.”

All this is bringing Maurice’s future with the Jets into question.

The Jets have regressed in the standings for two straight seasons, since making it to the Western Conference final in 2018, and have dropped off considerably this season after a more than decent start.

They haven’t been getting the job done offensively, nor defensively, and have been out-goaltended on most nights since the calendar turned to 2020. Even if they believed their performance was good on Tuesday, it’s still another setback stacked up in a troubling series of losses.

“It’s tough playing against a team that’s good, they’re solid, they work hard, they have good sticks, they’re fast,” Jets leading scorer Mark Scheifele said. “They’re where they are in the standings for a reason. We 1172298 Winnipeg Jets

TSN's Sawyer apologizes for on-air comments

Paul Friesen

January 21, 2020 9:27 PM CST

Winnipeg Jets TSN TV analyst Kevin Sawyer on Tuesday night apologized for what he called “unprofessional and insensitive” comments during a Jets broadcast more than two weeks ago.

“I have spent considerable time reflecting on my comments over the past couple of weeks,” Sawyer began at the start of the broadcast of the Jets at Carolina. “And I was insensitive in sharing a story that was inaccurate and should never have been told on television in the first place.”

During a game against Minnesota, Jan. 4, Sawyer reminisced about being an assistant coach on a junior team on which Wild defenceman Jared Spurgeon was a rookie during the 2005-06 season.

“Favourite story of Jared Spurgeon,” Sawyer began. “He was a 15-year- old. Two months into the season we saran-wrapped him to a pillar in the arena, about six feet up in the air… he was tiny. He looked like he was 12.”

Sawyer’s comments appeared to make light of a hazing incident while he was an assistant coach with the Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs, and drew immediate negative reaction on social media.

Former players like Scott Campbell, a former Jets defenceman, and Daniel Carcillo, an outspoken advocate for mental health initiatives and concussion awareness, called out Sawyer and condemned the comments, via Twitter.

Sawyer on Tuesday called the incident a birthday celebration for Spurgeon, who “appeared happy in that moment.”

“At that time, I did not view it as negative, harmful or demeaning in any way,” Sawyer continued. “Rather a celebration of an extremely popular and well-liked teammate. Now I understand that times have changed a lot over the past 15 years, and for the better. This is certainly something that I would never allow if I was coaching in the game today.”

Sawyer went on to say he is the father of two teenage children and understands completely “how important it is for our kids to feel safe when they are in the care of others.”

“My comments were unprofessional, insensitive and may have sent the wrong message,” he concluded. “And for that I want to sincerely apologize to you, our viewers. I am truly sorry.”

Sawyer’s story about Spurgeon looked even worse considering the head coach of Spokane at the time was Bill Peters, who last month resigned as head coach of the NHL’s Calgary Flames for racist and abusive behaviour in previous coaching stops.

Sawyer and TSN refused repeated Winnipeg Sun requests for comment over the last two weeks.

The heat was turned up when Akim Aliu described the comments as “egregious” and “sickening to hear” in a Sun column last week.

Aliu was the target of racism by Peters in the American Hockey League and the man who sparked the investigation that led to Peters’ resignation.

Aliu said last week it didn’t matter whether the incident was a birthday prank or a rookie prank.

“It seems like you’re belittling somebody,” Aliu said. “It seems like you’re bullying… you’re singled out. I don’t really see any sort of excuse for that.”

Aliu’s outing of Peters and subsequent revelations about other coaches caused the NHL to craft a zero-tolerance policy on bullying and abusive conduct.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.22.2020 1172299 Winnipeg Jets

JETS GAMEDAY: On back-to-back, Jets in tough against rested Blue Jackets

Ted Wyman

January 21, 2020 8:13 PM CST

WEARY JETS VS. RESTED BLUE JACKETS

While the Jets are on the tail end of a back-to-back and are playing for third time in four nights, the Blue Jackets haven’t played since Sunday when they won their fifth straight game. The Jets, who played at Carolina Tuesday, will have to look to turn the tables after losing badly twice in the last week to teams on the tail end of back-to-backs. The odds will be against them against a Columbus team that has gone 8-2 in its last 10 games to move into a playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

Five keys to the game

HEY BABY, IT’S ELVIS

Perhaps the Jets wish Elvis would leave the building. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has been on fire of late for the Blue Jackets, winning his last four starts, and earning shutouts in three of them. Joonas Korpisalo, who started the season as No. 1 after the departure of Sergei Bobrovsky, has been injured, but Merzlikins and backup Matiss Kivlenieks, who started and won Sunday, have been excellent. Merzlikins started the five games before that and should be in net against the Jets against Winnipeg backup Laurent Brossoit

FIGHT THROUGH THE D

The Blue Jackets have given up the second fewest goals against per games played this season at 2.50. They’ve been getting good goaltending but are also playing terrific team defence. It seems coach John Tortorella has got his players buying into forgoing offence in order to play solid defence. That might explain why their leading scorer, Pierre- Luc Dubois, has just 35 points.

SHUT ’EM DOWN

The loss of Artemi Panarin to free agency has clearly hurt the Blue Jackets offence. Exhibit A is winger Cam Atkinson, who scored 41 goals last season but has just 12 through 38 games this season. The Jackets leading goal scorer is defenceman Zach Werenski (tied with Dubois) so the Jets should have an opportunity to use their higher-powered offence to keep puck possession and outscore them.

NEW LOOKS

Jets coach Paul Maurice hinted Tuesday that he may give forward Kristian Vesalainen a chance to play Wednesday and some have speculated he could see time in the top-six after getting called up from the Manitoba Moose on Monday. Maurice also said he’d like to give rookie Jansen Harkins a chance to play centre on Wednesday.

LEAVE IT ALL OUT THERE

The Jets and Blue Jackets both begin their bye weeks on Thursday so there will be no holding back in the final game before the break. If ever there was a game to leave it all out there, it’s this one. Especially when you consider the psychological effects of going into the break on a winning note as opposed to a losing one.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.22.2020 1172300 Winnipeg Jets The Jets seemed to be having no problem keeping up the positivity, even if the fans aren’t feeling it at all right now.

Most of them have their mothers on this trip and they are doing their best JETS SNAPSHOTS: Vesalainen says he’s more calm at the rink, more to make the experience memorable. comfortable with smaller ice surface “You can see it over there,” he said, motioning toward the volleyball/soccer game the players were playing. “If we start crying about it, it’s not gonna do us any good. We’re here, having fun, our mom’s are Ted Wyman on this trip and we’re focused. We know what we need to do.”

January 21, 2020 7:23 PM CST With the Jets in a back-to-back situation, Connor Hellebuyck got the call in net Tuesday and Laurent Brossoit was expected to play Wednesday

night in Columbus. RALEIGH, N.C. — Kristian Vesalainen arrived in North Carolina Tuesday Maurice did some line juggling in light of the injury to centre Adam Lowry, with little idea of what kind of role he’ll play for the Winnipeg Jets but a who’s out at least a month and there could be more of that in story. whole lot of excitement at the possibility of getting into the lineup. He said he wants try rookie Jansen Harkins as a centre. “You can’t expect anything so you just have to work hard, rely on yourself and hope you’re gonna get called up,” he said at PNC Arena Tuesday, “I want to look at Harkins, maybe, in the middle, so I’m gonna move ahead of the Jets game against the Carolina Hurricanes. some pieces around, not tonight, but possibly (Wednesday),” he said.

“For sure it’s really nice and I’m really excited.” “That’s the position he played. He started as a lefty, went into the middle, had some success there. It may be something we want to look at.” The 20-year-old Finnish winger, drafted in the first round (24th overall) by the Jets in 2017, was recalled from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL The pride of Morweena, Man., James Reimer, is enjoying his first season Monday as the big club deals with a rash of forward injuries. in Carolina, where he’s serving as the 1A goalie to No. 1 Petr Mrazek.

With Adam Lowry out for a month and Andrew Copp shifting to centre, Mrazek, who was in net against the Jets on Tuesday, has now started 31 the Jets needed a winger and Vesalainen, who has nine goals and 13 games, while Reimer has started 20. assists in 44 games with the Moose this season, fit the bill. Reimer, in the 10th season of a career that started in Toronto, made a “They like the way he’s playing,” Maurice said, referring to Moose coach brief stop in San Jose and lasted three years in Florida, has an 11-6-1 Pascal Vincent and his staff. “A lot of what we do, when we call a guy up, record this season, with a 2.47 GAA and .921 save percentage. is by position, for need, especially if I’ve got him going in right away. Or, it’s the guys down there that they like how they’re going. I don’t get to see “Yeah, obviously like any season there’s ups and downs, good games many of those games, but his game is improving.” and bad games, but I think as a team we’re playing pretty well,” Reimer said Tuesday. “When, as a team, you play well, individually you look It seems like the Jets didn’t call Vesalainen up just to sit him. While he better. I think that’s kind of the case here. “You try to have a good off- was in the press box on Tuesday, Maurice said earlier in the day that he season, you try to train well and do what you can do. We’re just playing wanted to get him into one of the team’s remaining two games prior to some good hockey, and as a goalie, you’re a benefactor of it.” the all-star break.

That means it’s likely Vesalainen will play Wednesday night in Columbus. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.22.2020 It will be his first game with the Jets since Oct. 14 of last season. He had one assist in five games before being assigned to the Moose and eventually Jokerit Helsinki of the KHL.

He re-joined the Moose at the beginning of this year and believes his game has come a long way since his first training camp in Winnipeg.

“I’m just a little bit more calm at the rink, with this ice, and I feel like it’s been better for me to play in the smaller rink so I have some good experience now,” Vesalainen said. “I feel like it’s a little bit easier for me.”

Vesalainen and teammate and fellow Finn Sami Niku were involved in a car accident during training camp and sustained minor injuries, but Vesalainen does not believe that set him back at all.

“It was just an unfortunate thing that happened,” he said. “That was nothing to do with the things have gone on.”

On the morning of Tuesday’s game at Carolina, most of the Jets chose not to participate in the optional skate at PNC Arena, instead engaging in a rousing game of “footvolley” in the corridors below the stands.

It was a boisterous and noisy affair and clearly everyone was having a good time, which seems a bit out of tune with how things have been going on the ice lately.

Heading into Tuesday’s game, the Jets had lost four of the last five games and had been outscored 12-3 in their last two contests.

It seems head coach Paul Maurice wouldn’t have it any other way.

“So we’re clear, this isn’t a casual thing for us,” Maurice said.

“We know what our record is here, our last five games, we know the situation we’re in. By design, we don’t want to be walking around dragging our lips and feeling sorry for ourselves. You’ve got to work hard some days to be in a good mood when you’re not happy. And we want them to work at it. We want them to stay together, do their normal routines and not be a dead quiet group, you know, the sky is falling. You’ve got to fight to get out to these things.” 1172301 Winnipeg Jets The Hurricanes are in a battle as well, with a 28-18-3 record, which has them in the final wild card spot in the East, one point up on the Philadelphia Flyers.

Jets shuffle deck in wake of Lowry injury as they prepare for Hurricanes The Canes provide a very tough matchup for the Jets, as they showed in beating Winnipeg 6-3 at Bell MTS Place on Dec. 17.

Carolina is a fast team with great sticks and they use that to their Ted Wyman defensive advantage.

January 21, 2020 12:16 PM CST The Jets often struggle with teams like that but believe they know what it will take to fight through it.

“You don’t give them any chances to use that stick,” Ehlers said. “When RALEIGH, N.C. — The Adam Lowry injury has prompted significant line you come down through the neutral zone, you get pucks deep and you juggling by Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice as his team work from there. If you try too many things in the neutral zone, they’ll get prepares to play its final two games before an eight-day winter break. their sticks on these pucks and we don’t want to give them their offence. Lowry is out at least a month with a left arm or shoulder injury, which We know what we need to do and it’s just a matter of going out and doing means Andrew Copp will take his place as the shutdown centre on the it.” third line. Maurice said what the Hurricanes do isn’t that different from what you Copp is expected to skate with Mathieu Perreault on his left and Mason see in the Western Conference, except it involves less physicality. Appleton on his right when the Jets face the Carolina Hurricanes “Their gap is a foundation of what they do defensively and then they Tuesday night at PNC Arena. transition off that with some real good quickness and good hands,” Meanwhile, the team’s top two centres — Mark Scheifele and Blake Maurice said “You’re just not gonna have the puck very long and if you Wheeler — will switch lines again, after doing so for Sunday’s 5-2 loss in take time with it, they’ll get a stick on it. They’ve got great sticks, they Chicago. knock an awful lot down and they transition off it. We’ve got to move faster tonight that we did against Carolina the last time and not be Scheifele will centre the top line, with Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine on frustrated by a night when you’re just not gonna get a lot of free-flowing the wings, while Wheeler will be between Nikolaj Ehlers on the left and offence.” Jack Roslovic on the right.

The fourth line remains a bit of a question mark after the Jets called up winger Kristian Vesalainen from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL on Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.22.2020 Monday.

Vesalainen, Jansen Harkins and Gabriel Bourque all took part in the team’s optional skate on Tuesday, though it’s expected Harkins and Bourque will be the ones to play, on a line with centre Nick Shore.

Jets coach Paul Maurice said he hopes to get Vesalainen in the lineup in one of the two games they play on back-to-back nights. They also play in Columbus Wednesday night.

Connor Hellebuyck will start in goal for the Jets Tuesday night as they try to break a two-game losing streak, during which they were outscored 12- 3 by the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks.

Maurice said Laurent Brossoit will start on Wednesday.

While most of the Jets players didn’t skate on Tuesday, a large group engaged in a boisterous game of “footvolley” in the corridors of PNC Arena.

Ehlers and Maurice both pointed to that game as proof that the team remains loose and positive despite losing four of the last five games and falling out of a playoff position.

“So we’re clear, this isn’t a casual thing for us,” Maurice said.

“We know what our record is here, our last five games, we know the situation we’re in. By design, we don’t want to be walking around dragging our lips and feeling sorry for ourselves. You’ve got to work hard some days to be in a good mood when you’re not happy. And we want them to work at it. We want them to stay together, do their normal routines and not be a dead quiet group, you know, the sky is falling. You’ve got to fight to get out to these things.

“What we can control on these days is working hard to have a positive mental attitude about what might happen tonight.”

Ehlers echoed those comments, saying there’s no doom and gloom among the Jets players just because things haven’t gone their way for the last week.

“You can see it over there,” he said, motioning toward the game the players were playing. “If we start crying about it, it’s not gonna do us any good. We’re here, having fun, our mom’s are on this trip and we’re focused. We know what we need to do and it starts tonight.”

The Jets have a 25-20-4 record and sit three points back of the final wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference. 1172302 Winnipeg Jets anything else). He’s got the chance to be a good second-pairing defenceman at even strength, with penalty kill upside.

3. Mikhail Berdin, G, 21 (Manitoba Moose) Wheeler’s 2020 NHL prospect pool rankings: No. 23 Winnipeg Jets After a sensational start to his first full season with the Moose (which followed an excellent first half-season), Berdin has begun to struggle and shows signs of either burning out or having lost rhythm once the Moose By Scott Wheeler got Eric Comrie back into the mix. Still, I’m really high on Berdin’s game. He’s a little on the smaller end but he’s a freakish athlete who can get to Jan 21, 2020 pucks most goalies aren’t capable of getting to and he’s ultra- competitive, which contributes to a style of player that rarely means he’s out of it, even when it looks like he is. He’s also a superb puck handler, Welcome to Scott Wheeler’s 2020 rankings of every NHL organization’s which doesn’t show up in his save percentage but gives him another prospects. You can find the complete ranking and more information on element that contributes to his team’s success. I’m not sure if he’s going the criteria here, as we count down daily from No. 31 to No. 1. The to be an NHL starter but I wouldn’t rule it out and he definitely has NHL series, which includes evaluations and commentary from coaches and upside. staff on more than 500 prospects, runs from Jan. 13 to Feb. 11. 4. Kristian Vesalainen, LW/RW, 20 (Manitoba Moose) There are prospect pools featured throughout this series that have pushed themselves up the list from where I expected they’d be at the I don’t know how infuriated Jets fans are with him at this point but if it’s start of the year. Those teams have seen a plethora of prospects exceed anywhere near where I’m at then I pity you. I’ve written this again and my expectations, prompting a climb for them individually and their team’s again but Vesalainen should be way better than he is. When he’s on, system collectively. he’s a force, blending size, power and puck control skill with decent peripheral vision and an ability to create through traffic (not an easy thing Then there are prospect pools whose most important players went the to do when you’re 6-foot-4 and 200-plus pounds). When he’s not on, or other direction, where talent and success haven’t aligned to result in when he’s not playing with other talented players, he can fade. The good steps forward. The Jets are one of those pools. news is that despite it feeling like he’s been playing pro hockey forever without making the jump, his late birthday means he’s only 20. There’s Though a small number of their prospects have progressed on a steep still time for him to put it all together. If he does, he might have second- incline, several key pieces have either only showed signs or have begun line upside at the NHL level. If he doesn’t, I don’t know where exactly his to look like they might be plateauing. The result is a pool of talented floor is but it’s not in the NHL. On pure talent and upside, he should be young players that should probably, on the whole, be ranked a couple of ranked No. 2 here. But here we are. spots higher. It’s a group that leaves me wanting a little more. 5. Declan Chisholm, LHD, 20 (Peterborough Petes) 1. Ville Heinola, LHD, 18 (Lukko) Unlike Vesalainen, who hasn’t taken year-over-year steps since his After showing quite well in his brief NHL stint, Heinola hasn’t had a breakout season in Liiga, Chisholm is one of the better Jets prospect particularly impressive year. Despite posting five points in seven games stories of this season — and a player I was surprised wasn’t at least at the world juniors, I wasn’t all that impressed with his game. Three of invited to Canada’s world junior selection camp. Part of Chisholm’s OHL those five points came against Kazakhstan and Slovakia and he wasn’t success this season is driven by his age and experience. Even with that noticeable in the other games, nor did he grab hold of big-minute usage, said, though, I didn’t expect him to be this dominant. He’s second among finishing fifth on the team in time on ice at an average of 16:53. After an all OHL defencemen in points, just ahead of Sharks prospect Ryan excellent rookie season in Liiga last year, he also hasn’t been an impact Merkley and just behind overager Noel Hoefenmayer, a former Coyotes player for Lukko, playing more than a minute and a half less each night prospect who went unsigned and is now a free agent. Chisholm logs big than he did a year ago. The good news is that while he’s not producing minutes for the contending Petes, he’s 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he can like you might hope, or activating offensively like you might want, he has drive play at even strength with his calculated aggression and above quietly driven possession results with a 55.4 Corsi For percentage to lead average skating ability (he’s smooth without being powerful) and I’m all Lukko defencemen. If you followed my draft coverage last year, you’ll starting to see more of a surprise-you element from the blue line in, know I like Heinola a lot and that I believed he was drafted right around which may give him PP2 upside at the NHL level if he continues to take where he should have been (he was No. 21 on my final top 100 and was steps. selected 20th). Still, my concern now is the same as it was then: While Heinola plays an efficient, poised game with and without the puck, he 6. Jansen Harkins, C/LW, 22 (Manitoba Moose) lacks a dynamic quality that may limit his NHL upside. He’s not the kind of player who is going to take over a game, open up a shift with a jaw- If Chisholm’s season is one of the better stories among Jets prospects, dropping sequence or become a volume shot presence from the point. Harkins is the best. He now looks closer to the player I thought he had a He skates well enough in all four directions to break down teams in the chance to become when I ranked him 24th in my final ranking for offensive zone, he’s got good hands and he’s always got his head up, so McKeen’s Hockey in 2015 (he went 47th). This year, he has gone from there’s room for him to attack and be more aggressive. His lone Liiga versatile, driven AHL forward who could probably fill a depth role in the assist on the season highlighted exactly that: NHL to dominant AHL threat who looks like he may have middle-six upside. Nobody has ever faulted Harkins for his ability to stay on pucks, But that’s not his typical approach to the game. He normally plays it a fight for control, make the right choices with the puck and play little safer. As a result, his game projects more for a second-pairing role responsibly off the puck. He’s also always had standout offensive than a first-pairing one. instincts. Despite not being an outwardly gifted offensive player as a handler, he has always done a nice job tracking the play, supporting his 2. Dylan Samberg, LHD, 20 (University of Minnesota-Duluth) linemates and creating offence through a give-and-go style that didn’t Samberg has always had the defensive chops needed to be a legitimate require he drive a line to contribute. This year, it has been nice to see NHL prospect. He’s huge without being slow and uncoordinated, he’s him attack more and show off his ability as a passer, which has always physical off the rush and along the wall while remaining relatively been a bit more impressive than his ability as a scorer (though he does disciplined and he doesn’t just use his size and power to overwhelm have a quick release, which I’d like to see him use more because there’s people because he also has an active stick, which he uses to disrupt still untapped upside there if he can look shot more often). Despite his carriers before stepping into them or breaking up seam passes. The recent promotion, I decided to include Harkins in this ranking because I question was always whether his offensive game was going to progress suspect he may still end up back in the AHL this year before making the far enough to make him more than a depth, stay-at-home type. After jump full-time next season. taking on a bigger role on the NCAA champion Bulldogs as a sophomore, 7. Leon Gawanke, RHD, 20 (Manitoba Moose) he has continued to show signs of above average offensive skill for his size as a junior. Though he’s not going to wow anyone with his pop with Gawanke deserves more love for the rookie season he has put together. the puck, Samberg has developed a strong zone-exit game as an outlet I expected him to play a limited role or potentially even spend some time passer who is talented enough as a handler to sidestep forecheckers if in the ECHL and he has done neither. Some of the raw tools have always need be. He’s also got a good — though not great — point shot, even if it been there — his hard shot, his pro frame, his powerful stride — but I hasn’t resulted in goals this year (I’d chalk that up to luck more than have been particularly impressed by his vision. In my viewings, Gawanke has routinely demonstrated an ability to find teammates through traffic, size and reach to his advantage and attack as a shooter a little bit more. walk the blue line or activate into the rush as a playmaker. And while his When he does, he can make plays: defensive game could use a little more polish, he’s been fine in that regard as a 20-year-old pro. I’m still not sure exactly what role he might 13. Giovanni Vallati, LHD, 19 () fit into as he progresses toward the NHL but keep an eye on him. Vallati’s skating blew me away the very first time I watched him live in a 8. Johnathan Kovacevic, RHD, 22 (Manitoba Moose) preseason game ahead of his rookie year. Today, it makes him one of the smoothest-skating defencemen in junior hockey. His stride is light Over the years, Kovacevic has slowly turned himself into a legitimate and effortless, propelling him away from pressure with ease. It also helps prospect. After getting passed up in the NHL draft, he made a name for him correct from mistakes because despite lacking game-breaking talent himself as a standout (literally and figuratively) freshman at Merrimack and a shot (his is weak), Vallati tries to hang onto the puck and make College, got selected in the second go-around and has continued to things happen in the offensive zone. Though his production hasn’t perform ever since. In college, he became a contributing two-way followed the curve you’d look for in a D prospect with NHL aspirations, defenceman with size and length who made up for mediocre skating with he’s got NHL athleticism and that alone makes him worth giving a long a calm, don’t-chase approach to defending that allowed him to pick his AHL look. spots effectively and kept teams to the outside. Though he’s not the type to corral the puck, change direction and fire a pass across the offensive 14. Simon Lundmark, RHD, 19 (Linköping HC) zone to a teammate, he has just enough offence in his game (his 6-foot- Lundmark will put the idea of being good at everything without being 5, 219-pound frame helps him power through his snap shot to force great at any one thing to the test. He’s a smooth skater without tough saves) to complement an excellent defensive presence. On a breakaway explosiveness. He’s a heads-up outlet passer without being Moose team that has been outscored on the year, he has driven results. the type to stretch the ice. He’s got pro size but he’s not physical. He’s He has a chance to be a good third-pairing option who can complement a poised with the puck without being aggressive with it. He’s just a good, more talented lefty. smart hockey player. I think you need to be more than that to climb into 9. Nathan Smith, C, 21 (Minnesota State University) the NHL, but you never know.

It has been a bit of a slow burn for Smith (you never like to see a decent 15. Skyler McKenzie, LW, 21 (Manitoba Moose) prospect only begin his collegiate career at 21) but he has stepped into Speaking of tweeners. McKenzie has it written all over him. Undersized? the top-ranked Mavericks as an immediate contributor and the kind of Check. Dominant offensive junior player without ever pushing 100 player who looks like more of a sophomore or a junior than a freshman. points? Check. Struggled to replicate that offensive prowess at the pro At his best, Smith is a line-driving, dynamic puck carrier who can hang level due to that size and lack of a truly game-breaking skill? Check. Has onto it and wait for seams to open off the rush, carve through traffic to shown flashes as a sophomore of an ability to make high-end plays at draw attention before a quick pass in the offensive zone, run a power the AHL level now that he’s comfortable? Check. McKenzie is clearly play or get under an opposing player’s skin with his physical, in-your-face gifted enough to make things happen in the AHL, particularly as a scoring approach. At his worst, he can look a little too one-dimensional because threat (he’ll score 25-30 in a mid-level pro league someday). But he’s he’s not a major scoring threat, he can box himself into corners looking probably not talented enough to play in a scoring role at the NHL level, pass and he’s not an explosive skater. he’s going to be 23 or 24 before he really takes over in the AHL and he’s 10. Michael Spacek, C/RW, 22 (Manitoba Moose) not likely a fit on a fourth line. Think Nic Petan (they even share Portland Winterhawks roots) but less talented. After a strong season saw him finish third on the Moose in points last year (even with a shooting percentage under 10 percent), I expected 16. Logan Stanley, LHD, 21 (Manitoba Moose) Spacek to push for 50-55 points across the Moose’s 76-game season I don’t want to rub salt in the wound so I’ll keep this short. He might get this year, giving him a real shot at an NHL promotion into a depth role in shoe-horned into a third-pairing, penalty kill role eventually. I don’t think the process. And after a decent start, he was called up to the NHL in the he’s talented enough for the NHL, though, and his selection looked middle of November. But despite the brief promotion, Spacek’s season doomed to fail from a mile away. hasn’t been a good one — and included a stint as a healthy scratch with the Moose. He’s been better of late, with four points in his last three 17. Santeri Virtanen, C, 20 (Saipa) games. At this point, though, Spacek turns 23 in April and the clock has He’s big and used his size and athletic maturity to dominate his peers begun to tick on him showing he’s more than an inconsistent second-line growing up. Doesn’t have a physical element to his game that you’d hope forward in the AHL. Stylistically, there are some redeeming traits to his for, nor the pure offensive ability. If you think that sounds like Nikkanen, offensive game: he does a good job leading his linemates with passes that’s because it does. into dangerous pockets in the offensive zone and he’s strong on the puck for a 5-foot-11 player. But he can also frustrate as he tries to do too 18. Austin Wong, C, 19 (Harvard University) much, plus he has never been a consistently reliable defensive player. He’s starting to look like a tweener. You can’t rule out Wong just because pests find weird ways of earning pro opportunities and he’s such a pain in the ass that he’s going to make 11. Harrison Blaisdell, C, 18 (University of North Dakota) a name for himself by the time his college career (which is off to a slow start) is over. Blaisdell has been thrust into a depth role on a top-ranked college team as a freshman but he’s got an NHL shot and the offensive instincts The Tiers needed to eventually be a really good scorer at the college level. And though he’s not an explosive skater, Blaisdell makes up for it with sheer Each of my prospect pool rankings will be broken down into team-specific force of will, a hunt-the-puck approach and a willingness to engage tiers in order to give you a better sense of the talent proximity from one physically in man-on-man battles despite not being an imposing physical player to the next (a gap which is sometimes minute and in other cases player. If he — and the Jets — are willing to be patient, they might get an quite pronounced). energizing depth player with some scoring touch someday. Winnipeg’s groups are pretty straightforward, with a clearcut No. 1 close 12. Henri Nikkanen, C, 18 (Jukurit) to a lock to be an NHLer, a five-player tier of prospects with good odds at becoming medium-impact NHLers, a smaller group who could be Nikkanen made a name for himself very early on in his competitive peripheral NHL options with room for more and a final tier of long shots hockey-playing career in Finland because he was bigger than all of his with intriguing enough qualities for inclusion here. peers and it made him a dominant offensive presence growing up. Today, it also makes him a serviceable depth option in a decent pro league as a teenager. His problem is that as his peers began to catch up The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 to him in size, they surpassed him in terms of his skill level. That’s particularly noticeable because he doesn’t offer the overwhelming physical presence you expect out of a 6-foot-4 centre. So he’s never going to be a physical, finish-your-check power forward type and he’s not overly skilled for his size. That makes him hard to evaluate from an upside perspective. I would like to see him hang onto the puck, use that 1172303 Vancouver Canucks “I think when a guy comes to the room and talks, that’s an older veteran guy, you have to listen to them. Whether someone has an A or C (crest) or not, whatever those older guys say is important and you’ve really got to make sure you’re paying attention.” Patrick Johnston: Captain Horvat finds his groove, aims to steer Canucks toward playoffs The Canucks have put themselves in the driver’s seat in the Pacific Division. They’re confident without being cocky.

Now they have 33 more regular-season games to prove they have what it PATRICK JOHNSTON takes to make the playoffs. The captain is ready to accept that mission, starting next week. January 21, 2020 5:35 PM PST

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.22.2020 The Canucks' captain is playing some of the best hockey of his career and that's making everyone happy.

To lead, you must be able to make things happen and walk the talk.

As of late, almost no one on the Vancouver Canucks is doing it better than Bo Horvat.

Over the past 10 NHL games, when the Canucks’ captain has been on the ice at even strength, his team is taking 54 per cent of the shot attempts.

Nobody has had a more positive influence on his team’s offence in that span. That he and his linemates are posting positive numbers while regularly facing down the opposition’s best lines is even more remarkable.

It’s a trend that actually began before Christmas, with the injury to Josh Leivo. The winger fractured his right kneecap Dec. 19 and was replaced by Loui Eriksson.

Eriksson has played well in his time with Horvat and winger Tanner Pearson, but there’s little doubt the story of why the Horvat line is dominating play right now is because their leader has rediscovered his groove.

Horvat wasn’t getting much puck luck before Christmas, but he and his linemates weren’t always making good decisions with the puck. That’s not the case any longer.

Brock Boeser pointed to how much fun his friend and teammate is having. The upbeat Horvat is now comfortable as a leader and is happy with his play.

“I’m sure there’s some nerves that come with that (being named captain) at the start of the year, and I don’t know if there’s pressure or not; but you see him, the way he’s playing now, and how he’s leading, he seems more relaxed,” said Boeser just before players headed out for their all- star break. “He’s having a lot of fun with it … I think that makes a huge difference.”

The Canucks struggled in a pair of lopsided losses two weeks ago in Florida, but then quickly righted the ship in Buffalo and Minnesota.

That quick turnaround, like his season, was due to the team’s positive mindset as much as anything, Horvat said.

“The more you dwell on it the more it can bug you,” Horvat said of how he and his teammates were able to flip the switch after their flop in Florida.

“I think it’s just being positive around the room, I think that’s the biggest thing. It can get negative pretty quick, especially when you’re losing, so you keep the high spirits and keep positive and just resorting back to your structure and your game plan. I mean, it’s going to take care of itself.”

Canucks coach Travis Green credited his players for being willing to accept strong criticism of their play, learn from mistakes and work to become better.

“I think we’re learning how to win in different areas of the rink, being better in different areas of the rink,” Green said. “When you’re coaching, you like teams that respond and are coachable. … I’ve found our team is really receptive to coaching. You can be honest with them.”

Not every player accepts criticism well. It’s about mindset. And it’s also about how the message is delivered, as much as it is about who is delivering it, Boeser added. 1172304 Vancouver Canucks

Canucks bring back Young Stars Classic for 2020

PATRICK JOHNSTON

January 21, 2020 2:30 PM PST

After a one-year hiatus, the popular prospects tournament will return to Penticton in 2020.

Fans of NHL prospects hockey should consider digging out their suitcases: the Vancouver Canucks are heading back to Penticton.

The NHL club announced Tuesday the revival of the Young Stars Classic, the popular pre-season prospects tournament it hosted in the Okanagan Valley city from 2010 to 2018.

This year’s event runs Sept. 11-15 and will also showcase the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers. All games will be at the South Okanagan Events Centre, home of the Penticton Vees and the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame.

When the tournament was cancelled last year, the Canucks said they had difficulty securing opponents; the Flames and Oilers had organized their own series of games in Alberta, and the Winnipeg Jets decided to travel to Belleville, Ont., for a tournament with the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens.

The Canucks didn’t host any prospect games last fall, and instead opted for an extended training camp for their younger players.

GM Jim Benning said then it was about the team trying something different. They weren’t sure of the value of the games, especially since the Canucks’ squad wasn’t likely to feature many of their own top-end prospects. Benning expected those prospects would already be in action in Europe or back in the NCAA.

The Canucks also wondered if playing high-paced games in mid- September might add unneeded physical stress on their younger players.

But, in confirming the news that the tournament is back, it would appear those concerns are no longer an issue.

“The Young Stars tournament provides an opportunity to evaluate top NHL prospects in competitive, high-calibre games,” Benning said in Tuesday’s news release.

Fans will be delighted by the return of the Young Stars. Each game featured large crowds, especially the contests involving the Canucks. And event organizers estimated the financial impact of hosting the games was worth around $2 million to the local economy.

“Today’s announcement that the Young Stars Classic is returning home to Penticton is great news for the city, the South Okanagan Events Centre and the region as a whole,” Penticton Mayor John Vassilaki said in a news release.

“Hockey has a long and established history in Penticton, and this tournament, marking the ninth time it will have been held in our community, continues our tradition of being a popular and welcoming community to host great hockey events. On behalf of city council and all our residents, I’d like to welcome the players, coaches, families and visitors to Penticton.”

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172305 Vancouver Canucks We’ll see with how we perform here in February. And injury-wise, where we’re at. I think that will give us a better idea of what we need to do heading into the deadline.

One-on-one with Jim Benning: On the Canucks’ cap structure, contract Part of our strategy and our thinking was that the last couple seasons talks and his trade deadline shopping list we’ve had so many injuries that we tried to make sure this summer we added depth to our whole organization. A guy like Justin Bailey — he has three hat tricks in his last four games! I went down to Utica when we were in Buffalo last weekend to see him play and he had a hat trick. I’d By Thomas Drance like to get him some games, get a look at him. He’s worked hard and he’s Jan 21, 2020 earned some games.

Zack MacEwen, the games he’s played, he doesn’t look out of place. He looks like he’s ready to play in the NHL. Tyler Graovac should be back in The Vancouver Canucks will go into the All-Star break with the best point the next couple of weeks. Ashton Sautner and Jalen Chatfield have percentage of any team in the Pacific Division. played well for us this year down there — I think they’re ready to play games. Brogan Rafferty has had a real good year, leading their defence Clearly the Canucks, a team that scrupulously avoided any “playoffs or in scoring and he’s close to playing. Guillaume Brisebois, too. bust” type talk during training camp, have exceeded expectations over the first half of the 2019-20 NHL season. In our quest to have depth in our organization, maybe as we come to the deadline and we see where we’re at, we have to measure which depth There’s still a lot of work to do, though, and not just to qualify for the players we’re going to trade for versus our own guys we have internally. postseason. We maybe have to give them an opportunity to show us what they can It starts with a myriad of players on expiring contracts — including All- do. Because they’ve earned it. Star goalie Jacob Markstrom — and continues with a variety of prospects It is the first time in five years, potentially, where you may be entering the the club would like to get signed and started on their professional deadline in a playoff spot. Last time you were pretty conservative overall, careers. There’s also the trade deadline to navigate at the end of a second-round pick for Sven Baertschi — who was a young player at February and a tight cap structure to creatively work through. the time — and Dustin Jeffrey for Cory Conacher, an AHL deal. Should Even beyond that, there’s a pair of blue-chip young players in Elias fans be prepared for something similarly muted or process-driven this Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, both already All-Star level contributors, time around, do you think? who become eligible for contract extensions on July 1, and a head coach I’m not trying to skirt your question, but it’s too early to say. We have in Travis Green who has pressed all of the right buttons and will be going another month. Let’s see, first of all, how the team performs as a healthy into the final year of his contract following this season. unit. And let’s see where we’re at injury-wise at the deadline. Over the past month, Canucks general manager Jim Benning has led I’m not afraid to add. The one thing, though, is that it’s going to be hard to amateur scouting meetings in Florida and pro scouting meetings in add, because I’m not going to be trading any of our good young players Vancouver. Now it’s the bye week, which represents something of a calm away. And if we do make the playoffs, then I’ve already moved my first- before an anticipated storm of activity from Benning and the Canucks — round pick. It’ll have to be some kind of lateral move somehow, but we’ll both at the rink and in the boardroom. stay in the market. Before setting off to use the bye week to hit the road and scout amateur I’m talking to all of the general managers and we’ll know what the market players, Benning took some time on Monday morning to sit down with is going to call for at the time. We’ll make that determination as we get The Athletic in his office and guardedly discuss his club’s approach to the closer to February 24th. balance of the 2019-20 campaign, the trade deadline and all of the many balls the club has up in the air at the moment. As you say, it’s still early. With the standings as compressed as they are though, it doesn’t look like there’s too many surefire sellers — even a Your stated goals going into this season were: be competitive over 82, month out. Based on the conversations you’ve been having, what impact keep growing as a team, compete for a playoff spot. Now we’re sitting in do you think a lack of sellers could have in the marketplace this your office, it’s January 20th and your club is in first place in the Pacific deadline? Division. Do you get a bit greedy, as far as raising those expectations? What happens at this time of the year is that, whether you’re a seller or a Well … No. This isn’t something that happens overnight or in a week or buyer, you want to have conversations with the other general managers in a month. We’ve been working toward this for the last two or three so that if you decide at the deadline to buy or sell, you know what’s out years. We wanted to and I feel like we have drafted some good young there. players. Short of picking good players, the next step is their development and making sure we surround them with players that help us get their full You have conversations with some teams and they’re going to wait, but if potential out of them. That’s what we’ve been trying to do and that’s what they decide they are going to sell, they want to know what their players we did this summer. are worth.

You know, it’s fluid. Travis Green has done a good job, but there’s 33 We have these conversations on a daily basis and as we get closer to games left. We’re happy that we’re in the pack to compete for a spot and the deadline teams will know where they’re at. it’s going to be great experience coming down the stretch, and we’ve played well the last 15 games. Hopefully we can keep taking that next In an ideal world, just assessing the team you see on the ice night in and step, but it’s going to get faster, harder and more competitive. As far as night out, what would be at the top of your shopping list? that’s concerned, what we were trying to achieve, it’s worked out so far. To be perfectly honest with you right now, I like the chemistry of the So there’s no temptation to accelerate a bit? Is that the long and the group we have. short of it? Right now the first question we’d have to ask ourselves if we’re going to Well, we gave up a first-round pick and a third-round pick for J.T. Miller to make moves is: What is the fit going to be like? We’ve won 11 of our last get him for the whole year. We paid deadline prices for a guy that we 14 games and it seems like we have a good fit in our group — knew would help us the full year and he’s got three years left on his experienced guys with young players. Maybe there’s players that have contract after this year. deficiencies in their game, but they’re playing with players that help those deficiencies out. As far as the trade deadline is concerned, it’s still a month away. We got Brandon Sutter back here the last two games before the break, and we’re Our forward group and even our defensive group, I really like the job the hoping in the next couple of weeks that we’re going to get Micheal coaches have done in figuring out the fit with each guy and who they’re Ferland back. It would be nice to see what our group looks like healthy — playing with. So we’re going to have to be careful, because we have a we won’t have Josh Leivo obviously, he’s going to be out for a period of good group of guys that are playing hard for each other. I think we’re time yet. building that chemistry. I don’t want to wreck that. What role would future cap flexibility have, potentially, in shaping your had and about whether we want to approach their agents to try and figure posture? If there was a way to clear some salary at the deadline, is that something out. something that would appeal to you? We’ll look at all that, but that won’t be until the summertime. We’re set up good going forward with the cap. We have a lot of expiring contracts the next year or two, we only have one player with more than So in terms of taking a run at locking up Hughes and Pettersson long- three years left on their deal after this season. Cap-wise we’re set up well term, that’s more of a summer priority? going forward. Yes, exactly.

To try to answer your question, it would be relative to what player we’re And you wouldn’t expect, then, to have something done for July 1? talking about and what kind of impact he has within our group. From there, we’d make the determination on if we want to move that player out No. of our group for cap purposes, but we don’t have to. We talked a bit about Utica and clearly you feel that even beyond the list We’re in good shape cap-wise. of guys like Rafferty, Lind and Olli Juolevi that there’s a variety of American League players you’d like to see get a game or a look at the You’ve spoken in the past about looking to recoup a draft pick or picks, NHL level this season. With how your team has performed, exceeding often in relation to the J.T. Miller deal. You’ve already gone over that expectations, does that complicate your ability to get some depth guys dynamic a bit, but is that still a priority for you over the next four weeks? into NHL action?

To add a first-round pick you have to sell a good player. So it goes back Our NHL team, we’re playing well right now. Even players that aren’t in to the conversation as to where we’re going to be at in the next month. the lineup, they’re going to have to wait for an injury or something like As we get closer to the deadline we can make a better judgement as to that to get in to play. Like MacEwen, he’s been up and he looks like he’s where we’re at. ready to play in the NHL. The next step for him is to fill in if we get an Part of the reason we got J.T. Miller is that I like the group of prospects injury and we know what to expect from him if he gets in the lineup. Or we have coming. Kole Lind has really taken a step this year and he’s Bailey, if we get an opportunity to get him some games, then he’s earned going to be a top-nine player for us at some point. We’ve talked about it because he’s played well. MacEwen and Bailey and we’d like to get, after the season is done — We’ve got Reid Boucher and he’s played well, he’s leading the league in there’s about five guys that we feel are good young prospects that we’d scoring. If it’s a need in the top six, or top nine even, we may get him up like to get signed and get started on their pro careers. We’re continuing here and get a look at him. He’s working hard, he’s rounding out his to add depth from our prospect pool to our organization, these guys are game. playing two to three years down in Utica and developing. Sven Baertschi too, he’s gone down there and competed hard, worked So I feel good about replacing players in our group through players we hard. And Nikolay Goldobin too, he’s scoring at a good rate. develop and I’m excited about that going forward. As we continue to build the team, we have some good young players now that are going to be We have some internal depth, so we don’t have to rely on going outside ready to go here in the years ahead. to solve any depth problems. We can do it internally.

To clarify, with the five players you mentioned, are you talking about With Rafferty, he’s on a deal that becomes one-way next season. Does undrafted free agents or guys like Jack Rathbone and Tyler Madden? that have any impact on how you’ll approach the right side of your defence corps, especially with Tanev and Stecher expiring? I’m talking about our internal players, but I don’t want to comment on guys playing college hockey now. After the season is over they’ll have We feel, like we feel with Chatfield, that (Rafferty’s) ready to play games conversations with their parents and their advisers and they’ll let us know for us. Right from the start of the year he’s been a sponge, learning about if they’re going to come out of school. At that point, we can talk to them, the pro game, learning what he’s capable of and improving the things but I can’t comment on it now. that he needs to get better at. He’s an All-Star for them down there and was leading the league in scoring among defencemen. At the college level, though, Rathbone and Madden, they look good. I would call them offensive-bent players who are competitive guys that He’s got some size to him, he’s a smooth skater, he’s got poise with the play in the hard areas of the ice. They’re maybe not the biggest guys but puck and he’s got a good shot from the point — he gets it through and on they’re competitive, they want to win, they’re drivers offensively for their net. We’re excited about him, but we’ll finish out the year and see where teams — both of them. we’re at. He may get games with us, we’ll see. I think he’s putting himself in a position where when he comes to training camp next year, he’ll have They’re having good seasons and we’ll continue to watch them. a chance to fight for a spot on the team.

With nine pending free agents, including some key contributors, how We’ve spoken about you not being too concerned about your club’s cap much will conversations with representatives for players like Markstrom, structure, but your three All-Stars are all poised to become more Tanev, Stecher and the like shape your posture and priorities ahead of expensive over the next year or two. Philosophically, how do you take the deadline? that step from a team that’s competing for a playoff spot into being in that We just had our pro scouting meetings the last few days and we touched mix to really contend? on this. We still have a third of the season to play. I think it’s getting trickier, because we see now that some of these good We’ll see where the players are, but I don’t want to comment on contract young players coming out of their entry-level deals, they’re getting paid negotiations that we’re having with the players. The ones that we are, as sums of money that end up impacting the overall depth of your group. soon as we get those players signed, we’ll be so happy that you guys will By then these guys have played three years in the league for the most be the first to know! part and you’re hoping that they’ve learned enough in those three years I’m not going to start commenting on where we’re at. As soon as the that once you start paying them, they can be the leaders of the team. contracts are done, we’ll announce the deals and we’ll be good to go. That they do the things that help you win on the ice and off of it.

We’ll see if you give me the same answer again on this next question! We’re going to have younger players coming up. The Podkolzins and You’ve spoken in the past about the reality of a “cap window” in a some of these guys we’ve drafted. We’re in a good position, I think, to contemporary NHL CBA environment. In navigating the “cap window” supplement when we have to start paying these players, with some good with your current core, looking long term, how crucial is it to have some young players underneath them. kind of cost certainty over the long term with Quinn Hughes and Elias We’ve been around here long enough now where we have good depth in Pettersson? our prospect pool. We’re developing players. I think every year you’re We’re in a good position cap-wise. They still have the rest of this year to going to see one or two of these young players that can step in and play play and perform and they have another year left on their contracts. on our team going forward.

We’re not going to have those conversations right now, with their agents That’s what the good organizations do. They do it internally. I think we’ve or internally. We’re going to let them play out the season. At our end-of- been here long enough now that we’re getting to that point. the-year meetings we’ll talk to our group about the type of years that they You’ve spoken a couple of times about the work that Travis Green and We have Thatcher and we’ll have to decide what else we want to do, to his staff have done and his staff all reportedly got extensions earlier in bring in someone else or if we have someone internally that can fill that the fall. Travis at the end of this season will have one more season left. position. There’s a lot of moving parts, but first and foremost, our desire Do you expect to engage Travis and his camp on extension talks this is to figure something out so that (Markstrom’s) part of our group going season or will that wait until year’s end and the offseason? forward.

Yeah, we’ll wait until the end of the year. I think Travis has done a really good job with the players and with the structure and discipline of the team. We’ll see how things end this year and we’ll have time in the The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 summer to get to that.

When you first showed up in Vancouver and I remember one of those season ticket holder events, someone asked you about tanking and you had this negative reaction to it. I think it’s clear that you hate losing …

Yeah, that’s a fair comment.

How much has it meant to you to see this team take a step this year, and how close is your club now to the team you envisioned building five years ago?

It’s about daily habits. It’s about the process of doing the work, doing things the right way.

We’ve had some years that have been hard years. It’s hard losing. And on top of it being hard, when you have good young players, you don’t want them to develop in that kind of environment. It causes bad habits. Sometimes they think just because I’m scoring I’m helping the team but it’s more than that. It’s about playing without the puck too, working hard to get back and to be good defensively. Working hard to be well-rounded players.

That’s something I’ve always been conscious of, because you have these young players and can muold them to be core players that can be part of your organization for 10-12 years.

When you’re winning you learn to play the right way, then you learn to drag younger players along with you. That’s been our goal around here.

I think we’re heading in the right direction and I feel like our young players are continuing to improve and get better. They’re taking steps in their games and the team, overall, is playing more competitive as a group. We’re playing with good structure.

Then the next thing is the maturity of your team and your group: over the course of the year, how a team grows together. We saw with St. Louis last year that there’s stuff you can’t measure, the intangibles of a group pulling the chain in the same direction. It can be powerful.

We don’t know if we’re going to keep getting better at that over the course of the year, but that’s what my hope is. I hope we can keep growing as individuals and as a team.

We saw this summer with the goalie market that it can be unpredictable once you get to July 1. You look at a team like Columbus, they had a $70 million goaltender walk and now they have the third-best save percentage in the NHL with a handful of lesser-known goaltenders. You’ve worked hard on your goaltending pipeline here, investing picks, development time and free agent money on goaltenders like Ryan Miller, Markstrom, Thatcher Demko, Michael DiPietro and on and on. Does what transpired this summer impact your view of the goaltender market and how careful you have to be in approaching a possible Markstrom extension with a view toward the future, the expansion draft and other factors?

With Marky, we’ve worked with him to develop him.

I think we’ve tried to improve him, with our goalie coaches working with him. The other side of it is that Jacob is a free agent and he’s earned his right to free agency. That’s part of doing business in this league.

We want Jacob back. Besides being a good goalie, he’s one of the leaders in our room within our group.

I don’t want to comment too much on contract negotiations, but we do want him back. He’s good with Demko. I know Hughes and Pettersson look up to him as a leader. He’s important to our team.

We’re going to do everything in our power that we think is fair to try and figure out a contract going forward and to try and get him signed.

But if we don’t, for whatever reason, then we have to be prepared. Because he’s earned the right to free agency. 1172306 Vancouver Canucks In the chart above, I’ve collected career numbers for Hughes and Dahlin. Under normal circumstances, I would have compared only their sophomore seasons because Hughes didn’t play in the NHL as an 18- year-old, but I expanded the window because Dahlin was much better in So far, Quinn Hughes is the best player from the 2018 NHL Draft. Here’s his rookie season. why What the table undersells is Hughes’ midseason maturation into a No. 1 defenceman. The time-on-ice differences are less than a minute over their careers, but it’s worth noting that Hughes has averaged just north of By Harman Dayal 23 minutes since December, while Dahlin is logging just over 19 minutes. Jan 20, 2020 This has stayed true even with the return of Alex Edler — Hughes has surpassed him as the Canucks’ top left-shot defenceman in ice time and in how often he plays against the other team’s best players.

The early years of Jim Benning’s tenure yielded some of the leanest Matchups-wise, the former seventh overall pick is among the 64th seasons in Canucks history. percentile of NHL defencemen (top 36 percent) in how many of his minutes have been against elite competition through his career. Dahlin, Vancouver watched as the beloved core from the 2011 Stanley Cup Final on the other hand, is in the 38th percentile in terms of quality of team succumbed to Father Time, enduring years of pain and patiently competition overall and has seen even more sheltered minutes in his waiting to see light at the end of the tunnel. second year (24th percentile for 2019-20). That light has finally emerged, and it appears brighter than ever. Another area where Hughes holds a decisive leg up is in how he’s driven Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes have given the play at even strength. Regardless of whether you look at shot attempts, Canucks three consecutive rookie All-Stars. Boeser’s been a first-line scoring chances or expected goals, Hughes has tilted the ice in his winger since Day 1. In Pettersson, the organization has found its team’s favour to a greater extent at five-on-five. It’s definitely worth franchise centre — a slam-dunk top-10 player in the NHL and very likely considering that Dahlin’s been saddled with subpar partners at points in the best skater from the 2017 draft class. his career. Once we adjust for that, it becomes abundantly clear that he’s been a formidable five-on-five performer in his own right. Meanwhile, Hughes, selected in 2018, gives the Canucks a chance at owning the best player in two consecutive drafts. You see, while Rasmus Dahlin’s underlying numbers look very promising once we focus on the Dahlin was billed as a generational defenceman a full year before the two-way impact he’s had on his teammates, but Hughes has risen to draft, it’s Hughes who has been the best defenceman from that class. exclusive company by those same metrics — in the 97th percentile of defencemen for his impact on shot-attempt differential and in the 98th There are other players from the 2018 draft who have been superb — percentile for his impact on expected goal share. like Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov, who’s on a 72-point pace — but I believe a No. 1 defenceman will almost always be more valuable than a In laymen’s terms, Dahlin has done an impressive job of helping his team first-line winger, and that’s why the focus will be on Hughes versus outshoot and out-chance the opposition when he’s been on the ice, but Buffalo’s Dahlin. Hughes is already among the league’s elite defencemen in this regard.

Believing that Hughes has been the better player so far isn’t an A big reason Hughes owns such gaudy numbers and why Green has indictment of Dahlin, who had a dynamite 44-point campaign as an 18- trusted him with a critical workload is his defensive impact. The Florida year-old. He’s lived up to the hype despite a rockier sophomore season native uses a combination of excellent skating, smart reads and an active than people anticipated. And it’s only been a year and a half since the stick to strip players of the puck. Combine that with his disposition to 2018 draft — Dahlin has physical tools in his 6-foot-3 frame that Hughes advance the puck up ice with possession and you have a player who will never possess, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he ascends rarely spends time defending in his own zone. as the NHL’s best blueliner in his prime. “The first thing you notice is how Quinn moves his feet,” said Tyler Give me the option long term and I’d bet on Dahlin over Hughes. Myers. “He’s so mobile, versatile that he’s able to escape certain plays, and it’s a huge help on breakouts.” All those caveats don’t change the fact, however, that Hughes has outperformed the first overall pick early in their careers by virtually every Hughes has an exceptionally high panic threshold where he’s able to objective measure. hang on to the puck, draw forecheckers and make plays under heavy pressure — an asset that opens up space for his teammates in transition. The quickest and simplest measure people tend to look at is point Watch below how he attracts three forecheckers and still makes a play production, and while I’d argue that it can be overrated in assessing up the ice. defencemen, it’s the first category where Hughes comes out on top, although it’s very close. Dahlin has notched three goals and 28 points “He’s got that skill set where he can bait a guy and then spin off of him, through 41 games (56-point pace) this season, compared with Hughes’ escape him,” Myers said. “It’s one of his strengths, he uses his feet so five goals and 34 points in 48 games (58-point pace). well. That certainly opens up space for other guys when he makes an escape move and passes it over.” That said, it’s not the offensive side of things where I believe Hughes has created an edge. The 20-year-old’s robust two-way play has given head Whether Hughes makes an outlet pass right away or carries the puck on coach Travis Green the confidence to deploy him as a top-pair, shutdown his own, the constant is he always knows where his teammates and the defenceman — trusted with more minutes and tasked with tougher opposition are. He rarely skates himself into trouble. matchups compared with Dahlin, who has played less in relatively “You got to have patience in your game, you can’t just know what you’re sheltered minutes. going to do (on the retrieval) without knowing the situation,” said Hughes. Quinn Hughes vs. Rasmus Dahlin, career numbers “You’ve got to get your head up, cleanly pick up the puck and then see what opens up. But sometimes you know what you’re going to do before Statistic Hughes Dahlin you get the puck, you have a good idea (of your options).”

Average TOI 21:16 20:27 Hughes can afford to see what opens up because few in the NHL can TOI% against elite competition 33.4% 23.5% maneuver through tight spaces the way he can. So often, it looks like he’s skated himself into trouble or he’s in a vulnerable position, and he’ll Points per game 0.70 0.59 turn on a dime and burn the forechecker.

Shot share (CF%) 53.7% 50.7% The most impressive part, however, is how rarely he makes an egregious error. His mature decision-making is a standout trait. Scoring chance share (SCF%) 51.7% 49.6% “Sometimes you just got to know when to make a play and when not to,” Expected goal share (xGF%) 53.8% 49.2% Hughes said. “It just depends on the forecheck pressure and what they’re Competition data courtesy of PuckIQ bringing. Communicating is huge, you can’t see everything at once, so you lean on your teammates and I feel like we’re on the same page so it’s easy to know where guys are going to be.” The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 Said Myers: “He makes a lot of plays all over the ice, but it doesn’t seem like any of them have too much risk. For a young guy to show that and display a skill set like that, he’s ahead of his years.”

Getting back to the Hughes and Dahlin comparison, one lens we can use to measure the holistic value of each player is Dom Luszczyszyn’s Game Score model, which attempts to summarize a player’s performance with just one number. It takes into account a combination of point production, impact on driving play and penalty differential.

Hughes vs. Dahlin Game Score value above replacement

Season Hughes Dahlin

2019-20 1.51 wins 0.31 wins

2018-19 — 1.31 wins

Total 1.51 wins (48 GP) 1.61 wins (123 GP)

Hughes has been worth 1.51 wins through 48 games this season — the type of impact you’d expect from a No. 1 defenceman and one that crushes Dahlin’s impact this season and bests his rookie season. In all, Dahlin has provided 0.1 wins more value in Dom’s model despite dressing in 75 more games than Hughes.

Again, this shouldn’t take anything away from Dahlin, who’s been excellent for a teenager and remains six months younger than Hughes. To make a final conclusion on one player being better than the other long-term two years after they were drafted would be a grave mistake (keep in mind how long it took Victor Hedman to blossom).

That said, Hughes is already on track as one of the NHL’s better No. 1 defencemen — projected as 12th-best through Dom’s model.

Top 20 NHL defencemen

Per Dom Luszczyszyn’s GSVA model:

Player Team Age Wins

Victor Hedman Lightning 29 3.49

Dougie Hamilton Hurricanes 26 3.47

Roman Josi Predators 29 3.45

Alex Pietrangelo Blues 30 3.09

Kris Letang Penguins 32 3.07

John Carlson Capitals 30 2.89

Ryan Ellis Predators 29 2.77

Mark Giordano Flames 36 2.74

Torey Krug Bruins 28 2.60

Shea Weber Canadiens 34 2.57

Shea Theodore Golden Knights 24 2.57

Quinn Hughes Canucks 20 2.56

Erik Karlsson Sharks 29 2.55

Jared Spurgeon Wild 30 2.55

Cale Makar Avalanche 21 2.54

Charlie McAvoy Bruins 22 2.37

Morgan Rielly Maple Leafs 25 2.23

Miro Heiskanen Stars 20 2.20

Mikhail Sergachev Lightning 21 2.12

John Klingberg Stars 27 1.95

Compared with Dahlin, Hughes plays a bigger role, faces tougher matchups and produces more points while also being the superior five- on-five play driver. Dahlin is more likely to be the better player in their primes and finish with a more illustrious career, but it can’t be disputed that Hughes has the definitive edge so far as the better defenceman and probably also as the best player, period, from the 2018 draft class. 1172307 Websites before the break. It wouldn’t take more than a bad week or two for their odds to go from slim to none. But in the meantime, a tank job doesn’t seem to be a big part of the GM’s to-do list.

The Athletic / The Tank Index: Which playoff also-rans are in the best Tank potential total: 14/30. We could argue over what the Habs should position to get a lot worse down the stretch? do, but unless they fall out of the race quickly it doesn’t seem like major changes are in play. They don’t seem to want to sell, and they don’t really have much to sell, at least if we believe Bergevin.

By Sean McIndoe 10. Anaheim Ducks

Jan 22, 2020 Seller potential: 4/10. They have six pending UFAs, but none are big names aside from Ryan Miller. Ondrej Kase or Jakob Silfverberg would

feel like more of a hockey move, and there doesn’t seem to be any buzz Every now and then, it’s fun to write about a topic that borders on fiction. about shaking things up by putting Ryan Getzlaf on the market, so Bob Fantasy scenarios. Stuff like building rosters out of star players from Murray will either have to get creative or stay relatively quiet. Or they across NHL history who never actually played together or imagining could just trade everyone to the Flames. strange new rules that could never actually exist. Goaltending problems: 2/10. John Gibson hasn’t been great this year, but So today, let’s pretend that NHL teams would ever tank. he’s exactly the sort of goalie who can randomly get red hot in March and ruin his team’s draft odds. I know, I know, tanking isn’t a thing in the NHL. Gary Bettman told us so, and he’s an unfailingly honest man who never lies to his customers. Motivation: 9/10. It’s been a disappointing season, their farm system is Every franchise is trying as hard as it can to win every single game and only middle-of-the-pack, and their franchise forward is 34 with one year nobody is keeping an eye on the draft lottery odds and thinking ahead to left on his deal and no obvious heir apparent. If anyone could use a building a contender around Alexis Lafreniere. Nope. Every team out lottery win, it’s these guys. there desperately wants to win as many games as they can until the Tank potential total: 15/30. Here’s hoping learned a thing season ends. Nothing to see here. or two about winning lotteries during his brief stint in Edmonton. But just for fun … what if they weren’t? What if – just stay with me, I know 9. San Jose Sharks this is going sound crazy – what if some front office out there realized that they weren’t making the playoffs and decided that it might make Seller potential: 5/10. This one’s a little tricky, since their rental options more sense for their long-term success to crash and burn down the include Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, two veterans who probably stretch? In that weird and impossible world, which teams would be in the don’t want to go anywhere but would have the potential to make for all- best position to actually do that? time OGWAC stories if they did. (For what it’s worth, Marleau apparently doesn’t have no-trade protection.) More realistically, Brenden Dillon could That’s what we’re going to figure out today. We’re going to take a look at be an option. But most of their big names have long-term deals that feel the teams that are fading out of the playoff race and try to figure out unmovable. which ones would be best positioned to pull the chute if they wanted to. We’ll be focused on three key categories: Goaltending problems: 10/10. I’ll save Sharks fans the misery of repeating the numbers. By the way, that’s the first time San Jose fans Seller potential: If you want to get bad, you start by getting rid of useful have seen the word “save” all season. players. With the deadline approaching, do they have assets that other teams would be interested in? Bonus points if those players are on Motivation: 1/10. Here’s the rub. As everyone knows by now, the Sharks expiring contracts, since those are still the most likely names to be don’t have their own first-round pick, having traded it to the Senators in moved. the Erik Karlsson deal. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t embrace the opportunity to build for the future, but “winning” the lottery would just be Goaltending problems: Harry Neale once said that goaltending is 75 more salt in the season-long wound. percent of hockey, unless you don’t have it, then it’s 100 percent. If you wanted to lose games down the stretch, the single most effective way to Tank potential total: 16/30. How secure do you think Doug Wilson feels make sure that happens is to not have goaltending. Some teams are these days? That could be important, and determine just how much of a already in that situation. Others would have to figure out how to get there. sledgehammer he’s willing to take to this mess.

Motivation: Even in an alternate reality where tanking was an obvious 8. Detroit Red Wings and common strategy, not every team can get away with it. Does the GM have the job security to get worse, or is he worried about his own future? Seller potential: 4/10. The Red Wings are a very bad team, which is good Are the fans willing to accept a few more losses, or has their patience run news if you want to finish last but not especially helpful if you’re waiting out? And are they close enough to a playoff run that they can pretend for a line to form for your players. Mike Green and Trevor Daley are they’re still in it? veterans on expiring deals, but wouldn’t fetch much. Andreas Athanasiou showed up on Custance’s trade board, and is probably their most Add up those three categories, and we’ve got ourselves a Tank Index valuable realistic option at this point. score. We’ll take all the teams that are at least six points out of a playoff spot, which gives us 11 teams to work with. Who’s in the best position to Goaltending problems: 8/10. Jimmy Howard is another expiring deal and tank? Who shouldn’t bother? Let’s find out … heading into the season he seemed like an ideal trade chip. But he’s had an awful year and it sure seems like the Red Wings just waited too long 11. Montreal Canadiens to play this card. Jonathan Bernier has been OK this year but has another year left on his deal so he probably stays too. Seller potential: 4/10. They didn’t place a single player on Craig Custance’s trade board, although TSN thinks it’s at least possible that Motivation: 5/10. This is a tough one. On the one hand, the Red Wings Ilya Kovalchuk could be in play. Beyond him and Marco Scandella, there are clearly already in all-out tank mode. They have a new GM with a aren’t any rentals here, although half the team is a UFA in 2021 so they long-range plan and everybody knows this season is a write-off. But on could get some interest from teams that weren’t afraid of a little term. the other hand, they’re already so bad that they’ve all but locked up last We’re told that Shea Weber and Carey Price won’t even be considered, place, so they don’t need to worry too much unless some other team though. goes absolutely scorched earth to take a run at them. Remember, this ranking is about teams getting worse, and right now the Red Wings might Goaltending problems: 4/10. Price has been all over the map this year, not be able to. but he’s had some strong games lately. That’s great if you think the Habs still have a shot at the playoffs. If you’re hoping for lottery odds, it’s about Tank potential total: 17/30. When we did this last year, we had the Red the worst news possible. Then again, any sort of full-on tank job could Wings ranked No. 1, in pretty much the ideal position to execute a major always involve shutting down the veteran with some sort of mysterious sell-off. Then they … just kind of didn’t. And then their GM was replaced. late-season injury. Weird how that happens.

Motivation: 6/10. Marc Bergevin hasn’t given much indication that he’s 7. Nashville Predators ready to pack it in, and the Canadiens were showing just a little bit of life Seller potential: 6/10. They have a few UFAs, including Mikael Granlund, Motivation: 8/10. Jeff Gorton has been in rebuild mode for a few years Craig Smith and Dan Hamhuis, who’s the sort of veteran blue line depth now, and there was a time where it felt like this season could be a tipping some team would probably give them a pick for. Nick Bonino has a year point where they moved back into playoff contention. That hasn’t really left after this one, but also two rings. And of course, they’ve been trying happened, even with Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba in the lineup, so to find a new home for Kyle Turris for the last year. Good luck with that. there’s still work to be done. Gorton seems like he’s prepared to do it.

Goaltending problems: 7/10. They’re in the middle of what seems to be Tank potential total: 20/30. Kreider is the big piece, and it will be the transition from Pekka Rinne to Jusse Saros, and neither has been interesting to see if Gorton can get a first and maybe more for him. great. In theory, that presents a perfect opportunity to ride the cold hand. Beyond that, the Rangers may make bigger waves in the offseason.

Motivation: 4/10. I could be wrong here, but I just don’t get that “tear it all 3. Los Angeles Kings down” vibe from David Poile. He spent big in the offseason, he’s got his core locked in long term and he’s already changed coaches. He’s not so Seller potential: 6/10. Tyler Toffoli probably has to go. Alec Martinez all-in that he couldn’t reverse course if it became apparent that the year doesn’t, since he still has another year to go on his deal, but the Kings was a lost cause, but I think the Predators will be just about the last of showed last year that they’ll move guys with term. Those are the only two the also-rans to accept reality and run up the white flag. names that made the first edition of the trade board, although Rob Blake might be able to squeeze a middling pick or prospect out of a few other Tank potential total: 18/30. I mean, what would they even do if they situations. wanted to tank, hire the coach of one of the worst teams in the league? Wait a second … Goaltending problems: 7/10. It’s been bad all year, and there’s no reason to think it will get all that much better. But one caveat: Even though it’s 6. Minnesota Wild been a while, we know that Jonathan Quick is the sort of goalie who can get red hot for a month or two at a time. Seller potential: 4/10. Their two big UFAs are captain Mikko Koivu and 26-year-old Jonas Brodin, both of whom you’d assume aren’t going Motivation: 10/10. The GM is relatively new, popular with the fan base anywhere. Jason Zucker has lots of term left, but his name’s been and has a mandate to rebuild. All systems go. showing up on hot stove lists for most of the last year, so maybe that finally goes somewhere. Eric Staal would be a long shot. Otherwise, Tank potential total: 23/30. Here’s hoping Blakes’s deadline holds up most of the Wild’s top names have NTCs, unmovable contracts or both. better in hindsight than 2018, when he traded backup Darcy Kuemper to the Coyotes for a few months of Tobias Rieder and Scott Wedgewood. Goaltending problems: 7/10. Devan Dubnyk is having an off year, for understandable reasons. Alex Stalock’s been a bit better, but only a bit. 2. Ottawa Senators

Motivation: 8/10. A few weeks ago, we would have said it was high. Seller potential: 7/10. It’s nothing like this time last year, when they had There’s a brand new GM with a mandate to clean up the mess left behind Mark Stone and Matt Duchene on the market. But it’s a little better than by Paul Fenton, and after a few months of observing from a distance, you might think, thanks to breakout years from pending free agents Jean- you’d figure Bill Guerin would be ready to get to work. But then a weird Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Duclair. Ron Hainsey probably holds some thing happened: The Wild turned out to be better than we thought, and appeal for a contender out there too. have been at least hanging around the edge of the wild card race. Goaltending problems: 7/10. Youngster Marcus Hoberg has the potential They’re teetering, so this score could be a 10 by the time the deadline to mess things up with some strong play but if they ride Craig Anderson arrives. But for now, they could talk themselves into keeping the dream they should be fine. alive. Motivation: 9/10. Pierre Dorion seems relatively safe, and this was Tank potential total: 19/30. Right in the middle of the list. That’s very on- always going to be a rebuilding year. There will be some pressure to re- brand. sign Pageau, who’s always been popular with Sens fans, but Dorion had 5. Buffalo Sabres to navigate far tougher waters last year. He says he knows who his players are going forward, so everyone else can be had. Seller potential: 6/10. They’ve got a ton of pending FAs on the roster – seriously, look at this, it’s pretty much half the team. The question is how Tank potential total: 23/30. Last year, the Senators were in the nightmare many of them would actually be of interest to a contender. Not many, scenario of being awful without their own first-round pick. This year, according to Craig’s trade board, which only included Zach Bogosian. they’ve flipped the script and could double up thanks to the Sharks. They That’s actually kind of depressing. seem to be enjoying this scenario a little bit more.

Goaltending problems: 6/10. It’s Buffalo, so goaltending’s an issue. Linus 1. New Jersey Devils Ullmark has actually been decent for much of the year, so they may need Seller potential: 8/10. They’ve already played the Taylor Hall card, but to nudge up Carter Hutton’s workload. Or, you know, trade all of their they’ve still got some attractive UFAs, including defensemen Sami goaltenders like they did back in 2015. Vatanen and Andy Greene. There’s also Wayne Simmonds, who isn’t the Motivation: 7/10. On the one hand, the Sabres know the drill by now. If player he once was but has been the sort of warrior that some team will they’re out of the playoff race by mid-February, they’ll know what to do. talk themselves into heading into the playoffs. The bigger question is On the other hand, the Sabres know the drill by now. They know it really, whether the Devils look beyond the rentals and try to move a veteran really well. How many times can you sell a rebuild to your fans before with term, including someone like Travis Zajac or even P.K. Subban you have to break the cycle and stop cycling out the limited talent you (presumably with salary retained). have? Goaltending problems: 8/10. It’s been a weakness all season, and would Tank potential total: 19/30. The Sabres are going to have a ton of cap probably continue to be if they handed the job back over to Cory room in the summer, which is when Jason Botterill will really be under the Schneider. MacKenzie Blackwood worries you a little here, though. gun to make something happen. Until then, if they fall further out of the Motivation: 8/10. This one’s a little iffy. On the one hand, any time you race, well, they know the drill. have a new GM come in, you typically see them get free rein to hit the 4. New York Rangers reset button. But Tom Fitzgerald has the interim tag, which muddies the waters a bit, and there’s still talk that the organization may be debating Seller potential: 7/10. Chris Kreider topped the trade board and is exactly which path to take. Still, they’ve already fired a GM and a coach and the sort of middle-six piece that contenders like to target as a rental. traded away their best player, so it seems pretty clear that the entire There’s also the goaltending situation, where you’d figure that Alexandar organization knows which way this is headed. Georgiev will go to the highest bidder. Beyond that, though, there’s not a ton. Tank potential total: 24/30. Can they catch the Red Wings? No, but they’re well-positioned to make sure they lock down the second-best Goaltending problems: 5/10. This looked more promising a few weeks lottery odds. From there, let’s hope for their sake that a little bit of Hall’s ago than it does now, with Igor Shesterkin showing up and looking solid. ping pong ball mojo is still in the building. The ideal situation would be for Henrik Lundqvist to look like a guy who’s almost 38, but that gets trickier with two good young players behind him. Moving Georgiev probably helps. The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172308 Websites “Naming rights, we’re confident we’re going to get it right,” Leiweke said. “Part of it is getting it all to fit. They (the company that will have its name on the arena) will certainly borrow brand equity and we’ll borrow some back. Getting the right partners matters a lot.” The Athletic / ‘It’s going to blow people away’: Developers raise expectations for, keep lid on new Seattle arena Ohio-based KeyBank held the naming rights to the old arena. Those rights expired in 2010, but the KeyArena name, along with the familiar red KeyBank logo, remained at the peak of the roof until the old venue shuttered in 2018. Leiweke joked that the KeyBank logo is still in place By Ryan S. Clark because “somebody’s gotta climb up there and take it down.” NHL Jan 21, 2020 Seattle will take down the logo only once there is a new naming rights partner in place.

“That way, there’s no hidden message. There’s no symbolism,” Leiweke SEATTLE — Locals know it because it’s an icon, but those who aren’t said. “The day we unplug it, we’re going to have another name to plug from around here know it from its presence in the lower portion of the in.” million or so Seattle skyline photos taken from Kerry Park. Will the naming rights go to a local company? Alaska Airlines already has The “it” in this case is the 44-million pound landmark on the National UW, whereas telecommunications giant T-Mobile, whose U.S. Register of Historic Places officially known as the Seattle Center Arena headquarters sits just across Lake Washington in Bellevue, just roof. completed the first season of a 25-year pact with the Seattle Mariners reportedly worth $87.5 million. Elvis and Jimi played under this thing. So did John, Paul, George and Ringo, along with The Glove, The Reign Man, The Hawk and Detlef. “I think when people walk into the building, they should feel like it’s Pulling in A-list musical acts while also playing home to an NBA franchise uniquely Seattle,” Leiweke said. “Some of that is definitely the kinds of is what made this roof — and the arena as a whole — a destination partners you have. This whole thing is not for the faint of heart. … Our within the Pacific Northwest. partners who have signed up believe deeply in the building, the music, the content, what we mean to the city and what this hockey team is going But here’s the thing about being historic: it’s just a nice way of saying to be.” something is old, potentially outdated, which was the case for the roof and the venue it covered. Major acts were no longer coming en masse Leiweke’s statement about “the music” is a reference to OVG’s when the SuperSonics left for Oklahoma City in 2009 after a prolonged partnership with Live Nation, the Goliath events promoter, in their battle with the city about its former home. collective bid to once again make Seattle a major concert destination, with the new arena serving as its crown jewel. The genesis behind Live “This city struggled with this issue for a long time,” NHL Seattle CEO Tod Nation’s involvement with the arena project goes back to a decision Leiweke said. “And for a city with so much going on to have a Rubik’s made by Leiweke’s brother, Tim, who is OVG’s CEO. Tod said his Cube arena, the fact we couldn’t fix it cost us an NBA team and lots and brother knew there was both the potential and the need to provide a lots of events; big events, small events, big concerts, small concerts. premier music venue in order to make any sort of arena project in Seattle They passed us.” successful. Leiweke and the rest of his ownership group believe the arena’s days of “It’s not just investing money but informing us what the building should be being a primary destination can happen again, but there’s work to do. acoustically, what the artists quarters should be like, how the loading Currently, the roof is suspended off the ground by buttresses and docks should be designed,” Leiweke said. “This building, when an artist scaffolding while crews clear out 600,000 cubic yards of soil to build an comes in, they’re going to see a different kind of feel on that event level.” entirely new arena underneath. Ken Johnsen, a construction executive for developer Oak View Group and NHL Seattle, said the nearly 60-year- Johnsen, a Seattle native who once watched Elvis perform at the old old roof will be strengthened and cleaned to make sure it can support the arena, said the previous venue was designed for what musicians and required equipment for a modern arena. fans experienced back in 1962. That meant smaller spaces, namely the two loading docks that originally came with the previous building. The $900 million project will be home to Seattle’s NHL franchise and the Seattle Storm upon its completion in Summer 2021, with a capacity of Fast forward to 2020. Adding more seats with stronger sightlines between 17,100-19,100 seats depending upon the event. Certain enhances the benefit for fans coming to the new arena to watch a elements like the roof and exterior windows, which also have landmark concert. Performers will have larger, more contemporary dressing rooms, status, will be the only remaining items from the building’s previous while the loading docks will increase from two to eight, which will make it incarnation. easier for larger acts to get in and out of the building.

Digging out a new, deeper bowl below the roof means that fans will walk “They may have a need for 15 trucks to load everything,” Johnsen said. into the building at its highest point of entry, according to Elliott Veazey, a “Increasing that loading dock capacity from two to eight is important. How senior director for CAA ICON, a firm working on the arena project. The these buildings work with the fan experience, club space, concession plan is to have a new grand atrium on the arena’s south side that will be operations, locker room capabilities in terms of health and what they used as a way of welcoming fans into the building. It will be an open need, it’s all a lot more space. Some of it is space and some of it is concept with plenty of lighting and the contemporary features one would bringing it up to the modern-day standards of what the fan thinks it expect to find in a cutting-edge venue. should be and what the performers think it should be, too, whether that is an athletic event or a concert.” Veazey likened it to restoring a classic car but with present-day upgrades. Johnsen has been a part of a number of major projects in Seattle. He was executive director for the Public Facilities District tasked with “It might look like an older car like a Camaro or a Chevelle, but it has designing and building the Mariners’ new home, which opened as Safeco modern features with all the technology. It’s going to blow people away,” Field in 1999. Johnsen was also part of a recent Pike Place Market Veazey said. “That’s the mindset we have with this. It might look like the renovation effort. He said projects like the new arena generate a strong old build on the site, but get indoors and it will be something like you amount of civic pride while further adding to the region’s economic have never experienced before in your life.” profile. Last Thursday, OVG and Alaska Airlines announced a naming rights deal “The fact is we are on a 74-acre campus and we are embraced by the for the “Alaska Airlines Atrium,” continuing the Seattle-based airline’s region as the living room for a lot of the cultural events and celebrations,” presence in the city’s sports scene. In 2015, the company agreed to a Johnsen said of the Seattle Center campus that encompasses the arena. 10-year, $41 million pact with the University of Washington for the “The fact we are able to take this arena, modernize it and keep that naming rights to the school’s basketball arena and football stadium in iconic roof, but have it as part of that broader entertainment cultural what was the most lucrative college athletics deal at the time. Financial center is really unique and a great opportunity.” terms of the new atrium transaction were not immediately available but should pale in comparison to the rights to the arena itself.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 1172309 Websites had. The teams just show up. The ice time, it’s all in place. And Penticton, they have an infrastructure. And being an Okanagan boy, a Vernon boy, that didn’t hurt the cause either, I guess.”

The Athletic / Inside how ‘Okanagan boy’ Ken Holland helped bring back Penticton is a popular tourist destination in the summer months, which the Penticton Young Stars tournament makes it well-suited to hosting four hockey teams, coaching staffs, management, scouts, media, sponsors and visiting fans. The building itself, the South Okanagan Events Centre, has an ice surface that’s already fitted to NHL standards, which makes the event relatively turnkey By Thomas Drance from a hockey perspective. Jan 21, 2020 The arena can seat nearly 5,000 fans for a hockey game and has quality positions to accommodate print, digital and broadcast media, and Spectra staff is experienced at doing the heavy lifting and putting on One of the best events on the annual Western Canadian hockey events of this scale. calendar is back. “You want intense atmosphere, you want fans to add to it to get the most The Vancouver Canucks will again host the Penticton Young Stars out of the tournament,” Holland told The Athletic on Tuesday. “It’s a great tournament in Penticton, B.C., from Sept. 11 to Sept. 15, 2020. part of the world, but the most important thing is to have a good environment. And good rules. Back at Traverse City, you didn’t worry Founded in 2010 with a rotating cast of participating teams that most about bringing in tough guys, you just wanted to evaluate the players.” frequently included the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and the Canucks, the Penticton tournament was widely loved by anyone While the resulting tournament will provide a more competitive who enjoys hockey, wine and late-summer trips to the interior of British atmosphere for prospect evaluation than your customary prospect camp, Columbia (or in other words, just about everybody). it will still consist only of a round-robin format. It was suggested to The Athletic by multiple sources back in September that Holland would’ve But in 2018, the Flames and the Oilers pulled out of attending the preferred a playoff-type format along the lines of the Red Wings hosted tournament. Then it went dormant entirely in 2019 as the various Traverse City tournament, which Holland was instrumental in founding. Western Canadian participant clubs tried a new approach with their The Traverse City tournament traditionally awards a trophy named in prospects before the opening of NHL training camp. honour of the late CapGeek.com founder Matthew Wuest to the winning There was significant optimism this past September that the tournament prospect team. would return for 2020, as The Athletic previously reported. Which makes Sources close to the negotiations indicated that, ultimately, talk of an sense, because the event really should be a no-brainer. expanded format including a tournament winner wasn’t discussed in- Multiple sources indicate that a basic agreement on a return was agreed depth as talks progressed, as most of the teams involved preferred the to by all sides months ago, and it was just about figuring out some scheduling certainty that comes with a round-robin format. The schedule scheduling specifics before the public announcement. The Canucks had will, however, be extended for a fifth day, or an additional day beyond the hockey operations staff in Penticton on Tuesday as the agreement was length of past tournaments, to provide for more rest and practice sealed and announced. opportunities for the prospect teams involved.

The Canucks have consistently preferred to hold and host the Since its inception in 2010, Penticton Young Stars has featured a who’s tournament but were left with diminishing partners in recent seasons. who of the best young players in the sport, including future Hart Trophy Ultimately, the return of the Penticton Young Stars was a cooperative winners like Connor McDavid and Taylor Hall, in addition to a laundry list effort on all sides, but several sources singled out Ken Holland’s role as a of top NHL stars like Brock Boeser, Leon Draisaitl, Johnny Gaudreau, Bo driving force in renewing the appetite of the other Western Canadian Horvat, Patrik Laine, Sean Monahan, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Elias teams to participate in the tournament during rookie camp. Not only was Pettersson, Mark Scheifele and Matthew Tkachuk. Holland the architect of the Traverse City tournament during his storied Beyond the big names, the tournament has also provided an opportunity tenure as Detroit Red Wings general manager, but the longtime hockey for invitees, like current Canucks forward Antoine Roussel, who was in executive also hails from Vernon, B.C., and has close ties to the area. Penticton on a tryout with Vancouver’s prospect group back in 2011. “When I got the job in Edmonton I reached out to Jim Benning, to Brad Roussel parlayed a strong tournament performance into an invitation to Treliving and they reached out to Kevin Cheveldayoff and we all worked training camp and ultimately an AHL deal with the Chicago Wolves using together, ramped up,” Holland explained to The Athletic on Tuesday the Penticton platform as a path to building a successful NHL career. when reached by telephone. “There’s an expense to it, but I think it’s like research and development. If you’re going to draft and develop players, then this is one piece in the puzzle.” The Athletic LOADED: 01.22.2020 Holland’s strong belief in evaluating young players during prospect camp in a competitive environment against their peers stretches back more than 20 years.

“We get the rookies for a week before the veterans, rather than watching them practice every day, I’d like to see them play against their peers,” Holland said. “That’s what we did at Traverse City, we started in 1997 with a four-team tournament. And with Winnipeg, Vancouver and Calgary, we get to evaluate our players, we get to evaluate them against their peer group. It’s an opportunity as an organization to spend some time together as you head into training camp, and it’s a time for evaluation.

“We’ve drafted these players, we have decisions to make on contracts and we get to watch them against their peers. It can be hard to evaluate 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds against NHL players in main camp because they’re not quite ready. This way, you get a good evaluation.”

If Holland’s belief in the value of a competitive rookie tournament is bone- deep, his ties to the Okanagan Valley run even deeper.

“Without a doubt. I’m familiar with the Okanagan Valley, and I want to be in the location that is best,” Holland said. “I was open to — and I didn’t want to come in from the outside and dictate — but I wanted to make sure that this would work for Calgary and Vancouver and Edmonton, but all the infrastructure is in place in Penticton. That’s what Traverse City 1172310 Websites area. I mean, I’m a football throw away from the actual park. So, it’s beautiful in there. And it’s such a great place to just go spend outside and enjoy the day. Lots of things to do there. I really like Bloor West and Ronce, Ossington, Little Portugal area. It really suits my type of lifestyle. Sportsnet.ca / Q&A: Maple Leafs' John Tavares on Mike Babcock, We found a great house that we liked, so it’s just worked out. It all fatherhood and books happened really fast. We just had a really good feeling about it when we went and looked at it.

SN: What type of dogs do you have? Luke Fox | @lukefoxjukebox JT: I have a Bernedoodle, but he’s a mini. And then my other one, January 21, 2020, 9:04 AM Charlie, she’s got Bernedoodle, Australian Labradoodle, golden retriever and something else in there. We got them from the same breeder. She’s a little bigger. She’s about 40 pounds. My first dog, Bo, is about 12 You can set your watch to John Tavares. (pounds). He’s not like miniature at all, but he’s small. Yeah. They’re a lot of fun. I didn’t grow up with dogs. It’s kind of the hockey player model: Anytime the Toronto Maple Leafs turn in a disappointing effort, Tavares Dogs first before kids. They’ve been great. I’ve always loved dogs and will be the first one to step before the microphones and answer the hard like animals so yeah, it was just it was a lot of fun. questions. SN: How is Jace? At four months, he’s probably not quite crawling yet. But you could participate in 91 Tavares scrums, listen to a slew of honest responses about the power play, the D-zone coverage and the JT: Not there yet. He’s kind of flipped over a few times, but I don’t think contributions of the third-line winger, and still walk away feeling you don’t he’s realized that he actually rolled over. He’s more attentive, more alert. know a whole lot about the 29-year-old superstar. He’s grabbing things a lot now. And there’s certain noises he likes. We get to find out how much he weighs now next week, so it’s just been So, it was both refreshing and enlightening to just chat one-on-one with great to kind of see him evolve and grow. I’m really excited for once he Tavares after practice one recent afternoon, away from a semicircle of can really start communicating. cameras and free of the game-oriented line of questioning. SN: Has anything about dadhood surprised you? For nearly 20 minutes, the notorious rink rat was happy to chat about a range of topics outside of the arena: what he loves, how he spends his JT: Honestly, I wouldn’t say anything has surprised me. I’ve just enjoyed precious downtime, which Leafs he’s clicked with. (And, of course, we it. And we’ve been really fortunate. He’s a really good baby. He sleeps talked some hockey too.) good, eats well, he’s happy. So anytime you get all those things, it makes it really good. We’ve had a lot of help from friends and family, too. That Home of the Maple Leafs goes a long way. Stream 56 Maple Leafs games this season with Sportsnet NOW. Get SN: What are you reading? over 500 NHL games, blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, all outdoor games, the All-Star Game, 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and JT: I’ve been reading one book about parenthood. I can’t remember the more. name, it’s kind of long. I have a bit of everything. I read Chop Wood, Carry Water to start the year, which was really good. A very simple, easy Sportsnet: Describe your perfect day off. read. It’d be good to read to my kids one day. It’s a story that teaches life John Tavares: Start with a nice cup of coffee. I like to cook. So if I can lessons. I’ve been reading a little bit about the New Zealand football cook a nice breakfast, a nice cup of coffee and then probably take the team. It’s called Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the dogs for a good walk. Get outside, get some fresh air. Business of Life. It’s good. It’s got a lot of life lessons in there, too. I’m a slow reader. SN: Are you a coffee snob? Do you go for the really premium beans? If I don’t take my time, I don’t retain the information. And usually, I’m JT: I do. So, maybe a little bit. But I can’t say I’m very knowledgeable in reading before bed, so I get pretty sleepy very quickly. It’s a good way to all the details that go into it. Our medical staff are really into their coffee, shut my brain off and actually get to sleep, so I don’t get through it as so we’ve been spoiled with the stuff we get supplied. It’s something you quickly as I like. But I have a lot of books. Like I said, I like to cook. So, enjoy coming to the rink, so it’s nice having some at home. And there’s family and friends have given me books about the knowledge of cooking great coffee shops where I live as well, so I can walk to many places or about food and stuff like that. I enjoy it. It’s a nice way to gain around where I live. knowledge and also very relaxing and kind of soothing.

SN: You live in High Park, right? SN: Are you a Netflix guy? Ever get sucked into binge-watching?

JT: Yes. So, I go up to Ronce(valles) a lot, or a little farther up to JT: Not really. When there’s something good that comes out, if there’s a Ossington. There’s some really good spots. (After coffee) I’ll spend some good documentary or a docuseries, I’ll watch something. Sometimes I’ll time with the family, see the little guy. He’s moving around more, so just watch Sebastian Maniscalco, a really good comedian. interacting and being around him more is a lot of fun. I might go somewhere good for lunch, walk and grab a nice bite. I might go see SN: Oh, yeah. He’s funny. family out in Oakville. There is a good brunch place I like going out there, JT: I saw him live on Long Island once. He was incredible. The show Kerr Street Café. I do a lot of cooking, so I usually go grab a few Mediator is good — quick episodes. I’ll maybe watch that after games to groceries. relax before going to bed. I’m trying to think what else…. The Dawn Wall SN: What’s your specialty? was really good — that free climbing doc. I’ve watched Suits for a long time, but I haven’t watched it in a little bit. Same with Ray Donovan. I’m JT: My family on my dad’s side, with the Portuguese heritage, my mom’s more listening to podcasts and trying to read as much as I can now. picked up on a lot of the red pepper sauce they make. I make some really good chicken or shrimp with that. Just really good flavours. My wife SN: There’s a theory out there that contracts weighed on the room as a really likes it, too. I don’t know if it’s my specialty per se, but it’s whole last season and were a distraction. Do you think that was the something I like eating. Just relax, watch some TV or read a little bit case? Has settling those contracts made a difference? before going to bed. I listen to podcasts. JT: I don’t know. A lot of guys had great years and helped contribute to SN: Which podcasts? this team. There’s no doubt it’s always nice when it gets done and it’s over with. Now you don’t have to worry about it at all, it’s not even a JT: A lot of Joe Rogan lately. conversation. But everyone, especially our young core, is extremely SN: Why did you choose High Park? driven, extremely talented. And I think they have a lot of confidence in their ability and trust themselves and know that there are ups and downs JT: We didn’t know High Park very well at all and looked at many and that they’re still learning and growing and continue to accept the different areas (after 2018’s signing), but the location was ideal for challenges that they face. I don’t think it was really in the way or a big practice rink, game rink. Also, it’s been really good for my family that’s deal. out in the west end, to see them a lot more. It’s really easy. I just love the Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey responsible when we go out on the ice to play at a high level and get the world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what job done and make the plays necessary to win games. So, you feel a they think about it. sense of responsibility. I think (it was) owning up to that and having a good conversation and just wishing him the best and enjoying whatever SN: How’s your broken finger? downtime he has and whatever happens with his future.

JT: It’s good. It’s been good for, like, a good month now. It’s been in the SN: Do you believe he’ll be back in the NHL? rear-view mirror. JT: I do. He’s just very competitive. Unless he’s very content — I’m not SN: When you’re handed the stat sheet after a game, which column do sure. But it’s hard to see him not doing what he’s done for so long, and you look at first? he obviously had a lot of success with it.

JT: It probably changes, depending how on the game was or how you’re SN: How specifically did Mike improve your game? feeling about certain things. Certainly, I look at faceoffs a lot. Probably look at shift average, attempted shots, and shots on goal. JT: He talked about a lot of things away from the puck and just committing to them on a daily basis, game in and game out. And they’ll SN: What’s your ideal shift length? lead to a lot of good things. It’s effort, but at the same time, it makes the JT: It’s nice to be around 45-50 (seconds), but there’s certain game easier for you. So, it’s just buying into that and understanding that. circumstances, whether it’s a lot of power plays or if we’re down to That was probably the thing that I remember the most. games, you’re being double-shifted a lot late in the game. But in general, you have a good sense that the more energy you have, the better able you are to sustain that over 60 minutes. It’s about being able to play at a Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.22.2020 high level consistently and not trying to stretch yourself out, hoping for opportunities, thinking you still have gas in the tank and meanwhile you’re burning the candle at both ends.

SN: What do you miss most about New York?

JT: There’s a lot of great people and relationships that you develop, guys I’ve played with or people in the (Islanders) organization that you’ve known for a long time. They make a huge impact on your life. Certainly, you miss a lot of that. But there was a lot to do, a lot to experience. Long Island was a good place to kind of just relax and be yourself, a very family-friendly type of place. A lot of things to do. So, if we went into the city, we’d go somewhere new to eat, go to a sporting event or some other type of event.

SN: Did your decision to leave affect any of your friendships?

JT: I don’t think so. Everyone that knows me personally knows that it was an honest and a very difficult decision — the hardest I had to make in my life. So, I think they understood. Whether they agree or disagree or like it or not, I don’t really know. That’s up to them. But I think there’s a mutual respect.

SN: Who have you clicked with here, on this team?

JT: Me, Mitchy (Marner) and Zach (Hyman), especially being from the area. Me and Mitchy both have places up north and a lot of stuff in common — people who played in London and whatnot. We’re just different personalities, but sometimes that kind of attracts. I go to dinner a lot with Zach. Willie (Nylander) as well. Willie’s a very competitive person, but he’s also a lot of fun to be around. We go for dinner a lot and hang out on the road. Freddy the Goat.

SN: The Goat, eh?

JT: Yep. I call him the most interesting Maple Leaf. He’s awesome. He’s got a dog. He’s just a quirky guy that’s very interesting and just a really good person. I think he plays a really good role for us. It’s not always seen or talked about a lot, but just a lot of consistency with him and just the way he carries himself and his professionalism.

SN: Is Willie misunderstood?

JT: I don’t know, because I don’t read or listen to a lot. He’s very competitive, and he’s very knowledgeable in the game. To me, he’s still growing and learning and continuing to find how he can get better. And I think he’s very driven. He wants to be a great player and make a difference every night and be counted on and help this team be successful.

SN: Did you talk to Mike Babcock after he got fired?

JT: Yes.

SN: How did that conversation go? Or is it ongoing?

JT: Well, I just called to thank him. He was a big part of bringing me here. Also, he helped me become a better player. I had a really good year under him (a career-high 47 goals, 88 points and plus-19). He taught me a lot, and I think his commitment every day to maximize the team and maximize everybody was extremely impressive. He wanted to help do something special here. So I think just for all that, and obviously you’re disappointed it didn’t work out because, as players, we’re the ones 1172311 Websites need. The best story of the early going was probably how David Rittich was quickly becoming acclimatized as a heavy-usage NHL starter.

And then one tweet from Akim Aliu set into motion a string of events that Sportsnet.ca / Analyzing how teams have fared after changing coaches altered the course of not only the Flames, but the entire hockey world, as in 2019-20 we were left facing tough questions about the game. Before November was out, Peters and the Flames parted ways and assistant Geoff Ward took over the head job on an interim basis.

Rory Boylen | @RoryBoylen Though his first game behind the bench doesn’t officially count on his head-coaching record since Peters was still employed, we’ll give Ward January 21, 2020, 1:39 PM credit for winning his first seven games. The practices got looser, as music over the loudspeakers became the norm. This was a juncture in Calgary’s season where all the distractions could have taken the team It’s fair to say this has been a strange and turbulent season for coaches way off course, but Ward deserves major credit for stabilizing everything. in the NHL. Under Ward, the Flames are second in high-danger goals for percentage Seven have lost their jobs already — just four shy of the season-long at 5-on-5, and 13th in expected goals for percentage. It hasn’t all gone record of 11 — though not all of those dismissals have been smoothly, but it’s worth noting that any time the Flames have hit a bump performance-related. The Bill Peters situation opened up all kinds of under Ward it hasn’t spiralled out of control. Their longest losing streak questions about hockey culture and the player-coach relationship, while since the switch is just three games. Jim Montgomery’s ousting in Dallas was equal parts mysterious and shocking. If there is a worry, it’s how the offence is showing a propensity to dry up for prolonged periods. While the Flames won four of their last six games Only three of the seven teams have hired a full-time replacement, while before the break, they only managed 11 goals over that stretch. This puts the other four are running with interim bosses. But all of these teams more pressure on the goalies and defence, and has us wondering if GM hoped and expected that their coaching changes would lead to better Brad Treliving — no stranger to a big trade — looks to upgrade his days under the new guy — or that at least their seasons wouldn’t be forwards. derailed further. NEW JERSEY DEVILS But how have these coaching changes worked out so far? Here’s a look at how the seven teams have fared since making a move behind the Under John Hynes: 9-14-4 bench. Under Alain Nasreddine: 8-11-3 TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS Less than two years after leading the Devils to a surprising playoff berth, Under Mike Babcock: 9-10-4 Hynes was out the door following a surprisingly slow start. GM Ray Shero (now former) did a lot to try and accelerate this thing — trade for Under Sheldon Keefe: 16-7-3 P.K. Subban, draft Jack Hughes, trade for Taylor Hall a year earlier, sign Wayne Simmonds off the UFA market, trade for the upside of Nikita Though Toronto’s front office would have preferred the team work Gusev, etc. But rather than take a step up, New Jersey was still through its issues and let Babcock guide the Maple Leafs through languishing near the bottom when Hynes was dismissed Dec. 3. another playoff run before deciding his future, a six-game losing streak in mid-November proved too much to endure. At the time of the decision, He was a highly touted coach, though, and it barely took him a month to Toronto was fifth in the Atlantic and sitting outside of the playoff picture. find another head-coaching job in the league, so what gives? Rather than this being the fault of coaching, it may be just that the Devils failed to find Since then, however, it’s mostly been a success under new head coach chemistry and that ultimately unravelled all hope. Sheldon Keefe. Although, another recent run of mediocrity to head into the bye week and all-star weekend is raising eyebrows. Under Nasreddine the Devils have been mildly better, which may be more due to having a little more luck fall their way than anything else. It is Toronto won four of its first five games under Keefe and, in a 10-game worth noting, though, that since the Devils traded Hall on Dec. 16 they stretch through December and into early January, the team didn’t lose have one more point than the Arizona Coyotes, the team they moved once in regulation. In fact, from the day Keefe was hired through Jan. 5, Hall to. Toronto’s 15-4-1 record was second-best in the league behind only Tampa Bay. Their offence had opened right up, averaging a league-high Nasreddine had the Devils playing .500 before a tough road trip prior to 4.10 goals per game, while their 2.70 goals-against per game was the their bye made for a record that looks worse. There are still major fifth-lowest mark. Everything, it seemed, was coming up Milhouse Leafs. problems on the blue line and in goal (until MacKenzie Blackwood settles in), but by bringing the Devils even close to .500, Nasreddine is making a It’s the past two weeks that are causing worry again, as Toronto allowed case to stick around beyond the season and get promoted from interim to 28 goals in just six games. Frederik Andersen has struggled, and enters head coach. the all-star break with the lowest save percentage of his career, but it wouldn’t be fair to say the Leafs showed up for all these games. A Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it lackadaisical first period against Chicago on Saturday, the team’s last 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, before the break, clearly highlighted that. they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover Canada’s most beloved game. So there’s two ways to look at this. One is that Toronto is playing to the strengths of the roster now and the clicking offence has made it seem DALLAS STARS like the team has turned a corner. The other is that, especially over the past two weeks, Toronto’s roster showed the kind of “immaturity” that Under Jim Montgomery: 18-11-3 worries fans about how real their Stanley Cup chances are. This is why Under Rick Bowness: 9-6-1 GM Kyle Dubas needs to find some veteran help, ASAP. The Stars can be a tough team to figure out. They run hot and cold and CALGARY FLAMES can be streaky, though overall the swings haven’t been as wild as last Under Bill Peters: 11-12-4 season. But they’re still there. After Dallas won a single game in its first nine of the season, some were wondering if Montgomery would be on the Under Geoff Ward: 15-7-1 hot seat. Then they won 14 of their next 16 and all looked right again.

The Flames were treading water at the end of Peters’s tenure, as he had But on Dec. 10, completely out of the blue two days after beating the won just one of his last eight games with the team. Some of their metrics Islanders, Montgomery was fired not for on-ice performance, but for were fine — the Flames were in the middle of the pack in Corsi for “unprofessional conduct.” Almost a month later, Montgomery admitted percentage — but they were being outclassed in scoring chances himself into an inpatient residential program for alcohol abuse. created at 5-on-5. Stars Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan weren’t bringing the same level we’d become accustomed to and that the Flames The Stars are a well-put-together team, though, and after promoting assistant Rick Bowness with an interim-head-coach tag they just kept chugging along. Dallas has played nine road games under Bowness, When we looked at some potential next stops for Gallant after Vegas winning six of them, and has been nearly as good at home. Their longest dismissed him last week, we highlighted that it’s mostly been bad luck losing skid has been just two games. that has held Vegas back this season. With a little better shooting and save percentages, given the team’s strong underlying numbers, they may However, they have allowed more goals than they’ve scored under be running away with the Pacific Division right now. Bowness, and that’s not the only potentially troubling stat to keep an eye on. Where Dallas generated the most high-danger chances at 5-on-5 In just two games under former rival coach DeBoer, we can’t determine under Montgomery, it ranks 20th under Bowness. No matter all the big what’s changed or where this thing is going. A win in Ottawa and a names you see in the lineup, make no mistake that offence is not this shootout loss in Montreal are all we’ve seen, but everything is still in team’s primary strength. place for a team two years removed from a Stanley Cup Final appearance, and one year removed from an incomprehensible collapse They have a formidable team defence, which is the core of their success that in any other universe would have been a Round 1 win. dating back to last season, as well as a couple of quality netminders. As long as that base stays in place, the Stars will remain a Cup contender. This is a well-put-together team that wouldn’t surprise anyone with a The offence, with all its weapons, should come. stronger stretch run than we’ve seen so far.

SAN JOSE SHARKS

Under Peter DeBoer: 15-16-2 Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.22.2020

Under Bob Boughner: 6-9-2

Does anyone really believe coaching is the core reason (or, heck, even a peripheral reason) why the Sharks are falling from their pedestal this season? Remember, this is a team that lost Joe Pavelski, Joonas Donskoi, Gustav Nyquist from its forward unit, did nothing to upgrade its depth issues on the blue line, and returned with the same two goalies that led the team to a league-worst save percentage last season.

It’s not that we don’t believe GM Doug Wilson can’t turn them around in a year or two. After all, Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl seem to be following nicely and naturally behind Logan Couture as younger difference-makers up front. But there is work to do.

Boughner was bumped up and given the interim tag after DeBoer was let go and an Aaron Dell hot streak, during which he’s taken over the No. 1 job in January, has saved San Jose’s goalie numbers from looking as bad. We believe this is only a limited-time offer. The Sharks lost their last three games before the bye, two of which Dell started, and allowed 14 goals-against. This is who San Jose is right now and there’s not a coaching change to be made that’ll fix it.

Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what they think about it.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Under Peter Laviolette: 19-15-7

Under John Hynes: 3-3-0

Very small sample size and too early to determine if Hynes is getting this team back on track, but the writing was on the wall for Laviolette with this year’s slow start following a first-round playoff exit in 2019. The team’s power play remained near the bottom of the league after finishing dead last in 2018-19, while the penalty kill took a significant step back into the bottom-third.

Nashville generates the third-most average shots per game in the league but, despite seemingly having enough offensive firepower among the forwards, the team generated the ninth-fewest high-danger opportunities under Laviolette this season. They just heavily rely on their blueliners to generate offence, which isn’t ideal in today’s NHL.

The third line, led by Nick Bonino, is having a great year, but the drivers (Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson, Ryan Johansen, Matt Duchene) haven’t been able to put up high totals. Defenceman Roman Josi leads the team in points by 16.

Under Hynes this measure hasn’t changed yet.

It should be noted that Pekka Rinne has also regressed hard at age 37 and has posted just an .899 save percentage, despite Nashville’s defence remaining one of the tougher outfits in the league to get high- quality chances against. Had Rinne been able to continue his resurgence from the past couple of years, perhaps the team would have overcome some of the offensive issues and Laviolette would still be in charge.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Under Gerard Gallant: 24-19-6

Under Peter DeBoer: 1-0-1 1172312 Websites Quinn has done this year hasn’t surprised me. As he keeps getting stronger, he’s just going to keep getting better and better.

SN: With these big contracts looming, is the dead money on your payroll Sportsnet.ca / Q&A: Canucks GM Benning on trade deadline, playoff going to become more of a burden? race JB: We’ve got these good young players and we want to make sure they develop properly. Maybe people from the outside think we’re wasting money or spending too much money. But when I look at J.T. Miller, how Iain MacIntyre | @imacSportsnet much value is there in him playing with Petey and Brock (Boeser)? And Antoine Roussel, what’s his value playing with and (Adam) January 21, 2020, 9:47 AM Gaudette?

SN: We meant dead money like Sven Baertschi in the minors at an NHL VANCOUVER – There is a lot of time this week for Jim Benning to take a salary of $3.37 million, the buyout charge on Ryan Spooner and Gary bow. Bettman’s cap-recapture penalty on Roberto Luongo.

With the Vancouver Canucks’ bye week followed by the National Hockey JB: We’re going to be fine going forward. We’ve got lots of cap space, a League All-Star Game, the general manager’s team doesn’t play again lot of expiring contracts, in the next couple of years, so I don’t worry until next Monday. about that.

Unless the struggling Vegas Golden Knights win their game Tuesday in SN: Since you mentioned J.T. Miller, whose acquisition last June for first- Boston, the Canucks will spend the week in first place in the Pacific and third-round picks sparked a lot of criticism, do you feel vindicated by Division. The Canucks, who lost 201 games over the last four seasons the outstanding season he is having? and were given little chance by odds-makers to make the playoffs this JB: I don’t look at it like that. I knew at the time we were getting a real season, have won 11 of their last 14 games and eight in a row at home. good hockey player. He’s made such a big difference for our young They are on pace for 97 points. players. He has come from winning organizations. He has played in the playoffs and knows what it takes to win. The intangibles that people don’t Heck, Brandon Sutter is actually healthy and even Loui Eriksson is see that he brings to our young players, you can’t measure that stuff. I’d playing well and getting cheered. do that trade all over again.

So, yes, this would be a good time for Benning to say “I-told-you-so.” But SN: As good as Miller has been with 17 goals and 46 points, how he won’t. In a sit-down interview with Sportsnet, he talked about how concerned are you about your other big winger acquisition, Micheal excited he is for his team, whose chemistry he wants to protect ahead of Ferland, who suffered a concussion and has played just 14 games and next month’s NHL trade deadline, and how he wants to keep a good scored once? thing going. JB: (His current injury) is not concussion-related this time. You always And damn the “dead money.” worry about players, but we did our due diligence this summer with the doctors before we signed him. I’m hoping he’ll be back in the next couple Home of the Canucks of weeks. Stream all 82 Canucks games this season with Sportsnet NOW. Get over SN: Can he still make an impact? 500 NHL games, blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, all outdoor games, the All-Star Game, 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. JB: He’s a proven, good 5-on-5 player. He’s not a perfect player. It’s pretty hard to find perfect players. I think Travis has done a good job with SN: For the first time since 2012, when the Canucks last won the the fit and matching players. I’m excited, when Ferland’s 100 per cent Presidents’ Trophy, Vancouver has three players going to the All-Star healthy, to see what he does when he comes back because he’s going to Game: Elias Pettersson, Jacob Markstrom and rookie Quinn Hughes. help us 5-on-5. How significant is this for the organization? SN: You just had your pro scouting meetings, five weeks ahead of the Jim Benning: I’m excited for the guys that are going. With Petey and Feb. 24 trade deadline. Are those meetings more fun when you may Quinn, we drafted them and they’re going to be a big part of our future, actually be a buyer at the deadline after several years of trying to sell so for them to go and hang out with the best players in the game, it’s assets? going to be exciting for them. For Jacob, he’s worked hard for this. When I got here (in 2014), we worked with him and developed him. He’s put in JB: We’re getting to a point now where we’ve drafted well and are the work, he’s had a good season for us and is a leader on our team, so developing players in the minors. We’ve got guys down there that we I’m happy for him that he’s getting the recognition he deserves. need to get them some games up here. (Justin) Bailey has three hat tricks. He’s playing good and it would be nice to have a look at him (in SN: Markstrom seems to be getting better by the month, which means the NHL). We’ve had some defencemen (like Brogan Rafferty) who have he’s probably getting more expensive by the month, too. Are you still had good seasons and we’d like to get a look at them. There are some confident you can re-sign your goalie before he becomes an unrestricted players down there now ready to play NHL games. free agent on July 1? SN: How does that impact your deadline thinking? JB: He likes Vancouver and has been here a long time. He’s been with (coach) Travis Green a long time. He likes the guys on the team and the JB: In other years, we were scrambling to find players. Now we’ve got guys like him. We’re going to get that figured out so he can remain guys who are waiting for their chance. That’s exciting for us. playing for us. SN: Does that mean you won’t be looking for another top-six winger SN: It’s always tricky to determine the market for goaltenders. But with which you said in December you were targeting? Pettersson and Hughes eligible for potentially huge contract extensions after this season, do you need a hometown discount on Markstrom? JB: I’m not saying that. I’m going to be in the marketplace. But I’m not necessarily going to sacrifice draft picks to make the team better for two JB: We’re not going to get a deal done unless it’s a fair deal. At the end months. I hope that we keep competing and win our share of games day, it has to work for them and it has to work for us, so it has to be a fair because I want to make the playoffs. But on rentals, I’m going to be deal. We understand that. We want to work towards that. careful that we’re not going to be giving up high draft picks or the prospects we’ve worked to develop just for help for a couple of months. SN: The happiest we’ve seen you in six years as GM in Vancouver was the night you drafted Quinn Hughes seventh overall in 2018. At age 20, is SN: Is this thinking also a reflection of how much you believe in the he even better than you thought? players who have your team into first place?

JB: I was so excited to get him because the two hardest positions to get JB: We’ve got these young players who are having good seasons, and are a No. 1 centre that can score and a power-play defenceman. I knew we’ve surrounded them with character players that are good in the room he could be that defenceman we needed to take the next step. What and add something to our group. We have a group of guys that likes playing with one another and playing hard for one another. I want to make sure if we do do something, we don’t wreck the chemistry in the group that we have right now. I really like the chemistry in this group.

SN: Do you think broken chemistry contributed to some of the high-profile coaching firings we’ve seen, like in San Jose and Las Vegas?

JB: It’s a high-pressure business. A lot of good coaches have gotten fired. Every organization has its own reasons for making changes, but I’ve been real happy with Travis and his staff. Like I said, I like the chemistry they’ve developed with our group.

SN: We’re not suggesting you’ve been close to firing Green, who has been here 2 ½ seasons, but do you believe the patience required to develop players also applies to a new coach?

JB: That’s my philosophy. He’s a good coach and has done a good job. The players keep getting better. Our team has shown a resiliency. We’ve got guys who are workers this year and they make the whole group, on any given night, work and compete. I’m pulling for these guys.

SN: You expected your team to be better, but are you surprised it’s in first place?

JB: We don’t look at that so much. We look at the process and doing things the right way, working with our young players to develop them and make sure they keep getting better so we have success over the long term. I like the direction we’re going in. This is going to be the start of some good years for us going forward.

SN: So why not take a bow?

JB: I’ve always been more concerned about doing the work. For me, the fun part is building your team. Is it fun adding pieces to see what this team will look like in two or three years? Yeah, for me, that’s the fun part about this job and the business. I like doing that and I think it’s what I’m good at. I’ve taken some criticism along the way, but I’m just going to keep doing the work.

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