SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 4/21/2020 Bruins Oilers 1183213 believes Bruins’ ‘structure’ will be a benefit 1183243 Ryan Mantha's potential Oilers career never had a chance when (if) play resumes 1183244 Discount forward options the Oilers could pursue in free 1183214 The 2011 Bruins are reuniting Tuesday to watch their agency clincher 1183245 ‘He was one in a million’: Colby Cave’s wife, Emily, opens 1183215 Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy making the most of his down up about her loss time 1183246 ‘Oh my God, Edmonton’s picking first’: An oral history of 1183216 Bruins Breakdown: Jaroslav Halak has been a great the 2015 NHL draft lottery addition 1183217 Bruce Cassidy says pause in NHL hasn't changed Bruins' 1183247 WEBSTER’S LEGACY LEAVES LASTING IMPACT: “HE 1183218 This week in Bruins playoff history: Lake Placid trip LOVED THE GAME, BUT HE LOVED PEOPLE” sparked Stanley Cup run in 2011 1183219 This Date in Bruins History: Boston beats rivals in high- scoring games 1183248 Jeff Petry and P.K. Subban feed hospital workers, save 1183220 Entire 2011 Bruins team to reunite for Stanley Cup Game some jobs along the way 7 watch party 1183221 If hockey is to return this year, captains’ practices may prove essential 1183249 Will the Predators try to re-sign Mikael Granlund and Craig 1183222 My favorite player: Rob Zamuner Smith? Can they? 1183223 Shinzawa: How I’d improve the NHL if I were commissioner 1183250 Position-by-position: NJ Devils have depth on wings but few impact players 1183224 Sabres' No. 1 pick Dylan Cozens named Lethbridge's MVP 1183225 NHL rules contract invalid after former Sabres No. 1 pick 1183251 Untold stories from the Islanders beat: The moments of Mikhail Grigorenko signs with Columbus kindness I won’t forget 1183226 As Pegulas face business challenges, employees describe a ‘toxic culture’ at PSE 1183227 The Athletic Q&A: Kim Pegula addresses PSE’s latest 1183252 Rangers’ Chris Kreider continues to heal in uncertain downsizing phase times 1183253 Lias Andersson discusses sleepless nights, improved mental health since leaving NY Rangers 1183228 Simulating the 2020 NHL playoffs: Flames vs. Golden 1183254 Rangers' Chris Kreider says foot has healed and feels Knights good Senators 1183229 With NHL suspended, Rod Brind’Amour has time to reflect 1183255 When there's no ice, what does a skating coach do? on Canes’ 2006 Stanley Cup run 1183256 Troy Mann and his staff have sent their evaluation of the club's prospects to management 1183257 ' coach Troy Mann knows this could be 1183230 Andrew Ladd and Kris Versteeg weigh in on Dustin a big missed opportunity Byfuglien's NHL future 1183258 name Anthony LeBlanc as president of 1183231 Blackhawks’ Andrew Shaw holds Q&A, talks funniest business operations teammate, favorite rivalry 1183259 Sens radio analyst Gord Wilson donates blood to help 1183232 ‘It’s just not the same’: Brent Seabrook’s importance was COVID-19 vaccine efforts clear in his absence 1183260 discusses mixed feelings on Flyers' success, 1183233 Blue Jackets’ signing of Mikhail Grigorenko on hold after future NHL rejects the deal 1183261 Young Flyers fulfill dream of a pro contract in unexpected 1183234 Michael Arace | Peter Karmanos’ scheme to house NHL fashion team at airport never got off the ground 1183235 Michael Arace | Blue Jackets’ upset of Lightning echoed Penguins Oilers’ 1981 stunner 1183262 Jim Rutherford, Penguins continue to wait, make 1183236 NHL voids Mikhail Grigorenko’s contract with Blue Jackets contingency plans 1183237 After three seasons in Russia, Mikhail Grigorenko back in 1183263 Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss how the draft may impact NHL with Blue Jackets Steelers trades; Matt Murray’s future 1183238 From Nash to Zherdev to Foligno: The 10 best goals in 1183264 Paul Zeise: NBA and NHL should think way outside the Blue Jackets history box to finish seasons 1183265 Penguins on pause: Evan Rodrigues' fresh start in Pittsburgh didn't last long 1183239 Trophy time: Fox Sports Southwest to re-air Stars, Mavs 1183266 Former Penguins players know the challenge of being title runs, plus Rangers playoff victories locked out of a season 1183240 Revisionist history: Did Stars really reach for Riley Tufte over Alex Debrincat? 1183267 Thirteen reasons why Jamie Baker misses sports during coronavirus haitus 1183241 Michael Rasmussen can make the Detroit Red Wings next season. Here's how 1183242 Steve Yzerman has tough calls to make on Red Wings’ 12 restricted free agents St Louis Blues Websites 1183268 Blues (literally) have their brush with history in "Market 1183293 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Which birthday Street Dream" painting produces the best starting six in NHL history? 1183269 LeBrun: Alex Pietrangelo on chance to defend, his next 1183294 The Athletic / LeBrun: Alex Pietrangelo on chance to deal and uncertain times defend, his next deal and uncertain times 1183295 The Athletic / A special season for Penn State hockey ends in a whisper and a lot of ‘what ifs’ 1183270 How sports are helping in the coronavirus fight 1183296 The Athletic / A scarred son and a scared mother: Inside 1183271 Hitting home: Grandfather of Lightning prospect Daniel Tucker Tynan’s journey back to the ice Walcott dies of COVID-19 1183297 .ca / Canucks faced 2011 first round test vs. Cup-defending Chicago Maple Leafs 1183298 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs Mailbag: Is Andreas Johnsson 1183272 The Leafs might have to share popular anthem singer most likely to be traded? when the NHL returns 1183299 Sportsnet.ca / Three potential destinations for Dustin 1183273 Pandemic strikes at a pivotal time in women’s professional Byfuglien, if he decides to return hockey 1183300 Sportsnet.ca / Meghan Chayka reconnecting hockey's 1183274 The results are in: How you voted in our inaugural Maple analytics community amid pandemic Leafs fan survey 1183301 Sportsnet.ca / The best team in Canucks history, Part I – Sportsnet 1183302 TSN.CA / Tyler Stars' Seguin all-in for COVID-19 relief, 1183290 Ben Kuzma: Canucks cornered by COVID-19 mass- resuming NHL season gathering edict, 'fear of the unknown' 1183303 TSN.CA / Tough lessons give F 1183291 Willes' Musings: Desperate to finish season, NHL may Adam Brooks a new appreciation for NHL hockey have bigger issues with next season 1183304 TSN.CA / Yost: Assembling All-Decade Teams for each 1183292 Rise of the odd couple: On Quinn Hughes and Elias NHL club Pettersson’s elite partnership 1183305 TSN.CA / Seravalli: An audit of our 31 bold predictions for the NHL season 1183306 USA TODAY / Six former pro athletes-turned-medical 1183275 Chandler Stephenson in line for new contract with Golden professionals who are on frontlines of COVID-19 fight Knights 1183276 Simulating the 2020 NHL playoffs: Flames vs. Golden Knights 1183287 Harkins proved hard work can pay off 1183288 Jets have no worries about lead farmhand 1183289 Subscribers were a little less keen on Winnipeg’s assistant 1183277 T.J. Oshie is having fun with his young family but can’t coaches — Charlie Huddy, Jamie Kompon, Wade Flaher wait to start playing hockey again 1183278 Gretzky: I 'pull for' Ovechkin to score goals, chase record World Leagues News 1183279 Oshie wants season to resume, but 'safety needs to be 1183307 Coronavirus causes major adjustments for injury rehab No. 1' 1183308 Competitive sport could return under Level 2 1183280 Here's when Ovi will know it's time to hang up his skates 1183309 Iconic Bat Company Louisville Slugger Shuts 1183281 Devante Smith-Pelly discusses experience with Beijing Down Amid Coronavirus Crisis team during coronavirus pandemic 1183310 UFC officially cancels four more events due to coronavirus 1183282 Where is the No. 1 place in the world TJ Oshie would like pandemic to play? Not where you think 1183311 UofL Athletics losing revenue to coronavirus 1183283 T.J. Oshie on being in a hospital for the birth of son during 1183312 Kirk Herbstreit reveals ‘extreme’ college football possibility coronavirus pandemic 1183313 Agency: Coronavirus to cancel nearly half of scheduled 1183284 Best comebacks of 2019-20 final: Stunning the Sharks vs. sports events in 2020 4-goal 3rd period against Pittsburgh 1183314 Coronavirus: Liverpool v Atletico Madrid virus link an 1183285 Kovalchuk and Oshie have not talked about the epic Sochi 'interesting hypothesis' shootout 1183315 England's Eddie Jones says coronavirus crisis will lead to 1183286 Alex Ovechkin accepts ALL IN Challenge offering private rise in hybrid players lesson from his 'office' 1183316 Coronavirus: Premier League, EFL offered £1 billion lifeline to survive in crisis – sources 1183317 was the summer sport safe from coronavirus. Then a perfect storm struck 1183318 NRL CEO Todd Greenberg quits amid coronavirus crisis 1183319 As coronavirus spreads, Maryland looks ahead to an uncertain future for football season SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1183213 ▪ Movies: “ ‘Mystic River’ — Which I haven’t seen in 15 years. Forgot parts of it. Probably watched it on a bus 15 years ago. Great movie.” And the latest iteration of “Benji.”

Bruce Cassidy believes Bruins’ ‘structure’ will be a benefit when (if) play “Of course, the family wants a dog. So do I. Julie is the one who’s a little resumes bit on the fence, but we outvote her, 3-1, but her vote weighs much more than our three.”

By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff,Updated April 20, 2020, 6:21 p.m. ▪ Throwing batting practice to Cole: “He hits me all over the park.”

Boston Globe LOADED: 04.21.2020

Bruce Cassidy, like his 30 NHL coaching brethren, remains a man without a team at the moment.

But should hockey’s pandemic-related freeze-out come to an end in the coming days or weeks, the Bruins’ bench boss figures the Black-and- Gold’s solid game structure will provide a pathway to success.

“I think our team plays a pretty structured game,” noted Cassidy, whose club led the NHL’s overall standings with 100 points when the shutdown came March 12. “We’re not a loosey-goosey team that just relies on making plays all night to win. So I think that helps us in that regard.

“Structure can typically be your friend until you get your legs under you. It’s your security blanket until you can find your offensive game.”

The Bruins, 44-14-12, led the league with a plus-53 goal differential when the hiatus was implemented. They also led the league in fewest goals allowed (174), a miserly 2.49 per game. The Dallas Stars stood second with 2.57.

“My expectation is, like everyone else, we’ve got to be ready in a hurry,” said Cassidy, chatting in a noontime Zoom session with beat reporters Monday. “We’ve got to be ready for the next team — and that’s very hard to predict. No one’s ever been through this.

“I know our players are excited about this opportunity — assuming it’s coming. They’ll be highly motivated to get themselves ready to play, and you hope during the break that the guys will take it to heart, done the most they can so they don’t have to play too much catch-up.”

Cassidy, who lives in Winchester, has enjoyed the unexpected opportunity to spend more time with his wife, Julie, and two children, Cole and Shannon, yet remains eager to get back to the routine of coaching and being part of a team.

“That’s the most difficult part, to be honest with you,” said Cassidy, ”because I enjoy the people I work with a lot — coaches, trainers, GM, medical staff, the strength guy. I mean, we’re all in it together.

“I think it’s a great group. I typically go to work in a good mood, a good frame of mind, ready to get to work and get better that day, and still have some fun and smiles while you’re doing it.”

There is comfort in the routine, noted Cassidy.

“And I miss mine,” he said. "I’m not going to lie to you. It’s great being around the family more at this time of the year. But, at the end of the day, I do miss going to work.”

No one knows what shape or form the NHL schedule would take if hockey resumes. The league has yet to cancel the remaining games of the regular season — about 15 percent of the schedule — and the Bruins still had 10 games, including five at TD Garden, left to play.

Bruins general manager Don Sweeney conjectured in a similar Zoom session recently that players would need upward of two weeks to get ready for game action. Some of the older players, said Cassidy, might have to approach a re-entry differently than younger players.

“Do we have seven days of camp. Do we have 17 days?” said Cassidy. “That factors into how fast we can ramp up.

“And then I think it’s a personal conversation with each player. Obviously [ and Zdeno Chara], they may need a little more time or a different intensity than maybe [Jake DeBrusk or David Pastrnak].”

Bergeron, 34, and Chara, 43, have combined for 2,642 regular-season games, while DeBrusk and Pastrnak, each 23, have logged 593 total.

Cassidy spoke on sundry other topics, including:

▪ Current book he is reading: “ ‘The Teenage Brain’ — A little more scientific. The title speaks for itself.” 1183214 Boston Bruins

The 2011 Bruins are reuniting Tuesday to watch their Stanley Cup clincher

By Chad Finn Globe Staff,Updated April 20, 2020, 5:48 p.m.

Even in these quarantined times, the Bruins have found a fun way to get the band back together.

When NESN rebroadcasts Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday night (8:30 p.m.), viewers will be able to watch the 4-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks with some especially good and insightful company.

In what the team dubbed “Locker Room Time Machine,’’ the entire 2011 Bruins squad is expected to reunite via live stream on the franchise’s YouTube channel to watch and comment on the game.

During the telecast of the game that clinched the team’s first championship since 1972, NESN also will be showing all the live tweets from the Bruins’ Twitter account.

Subscribers to the Bruins’ YouTube channel will receive a notification when the event begins, and direct links to the live stream will be posted on the Bruins’ Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.

Boston Globe LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183215 Boston Bruins The Bruins annually recall members of the Baby B’s to help the club prepare for the playoffs, an assemblage of NHL prospects known as the Black Aces. Cassidy intends to employ the Black Aces despite the logistical barbwire of travel restrictions and mandatory self-quarantines Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy making the most of his down time “They have been given the right to go home when the American League called their season,” said Cassidy. “We would have to discuss that as we get closer and who would we bring back here from the so-called Black By RICH THOMPSON | April 20, 2020 at 5:52 p.m. Aces team.

“If you are going right into playoffs would you want two teams to Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy is enjoying quality family time at home that scrimmage? I would think most teams would want some level of live would have been unimaginable during the . competition more against their own group than an exhibition game. That to me would be a huge risk.” Cassidy provided a laundry list of domestic activities he’s engaged in while observing the governor’s stay-at-home orders during the global Boston Herald LOADED: 04.21.2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

Cassidy resides in Winchester with his wife Julie, daughter Shannon (9) and son Cole (8), who is big time into baseball. Cassidy tries to get outdoors and perform normal springtime activities in the era of social distancing.

Cassidy retreated to his in-house hideaway on Monday for a 30-minute Zoom meeting.

“Right now, I’m in my office by myself enjoying my quiet time,” said Cassidy. “We have not gone very far, and like everybody else to the grocery store.

“I try to pitch batting practice to Cole and a lot of the parks are closed so don’t tell anybody but I sneak on. I’ve been out riding my bike if the weather is agreeable, which hasn’t been often.

“I did a little yard work the other day and the sun was shining and like everyone else, I wanted to be outside.”

Cassidy’s workday consists of watching and analyzing game videos and revisiting the NHL playoffs of his youth.

“Just trying to do a little bit of work but honestly, I would be lying if I said there was eight hours to work every day,” said Cassidy. “You can only watch so much video especially if there are no new games and I watched a lot of playoff hockey when this first happened on the NHL Network.

“They had a lot of replays of the Stanley Cup playoffs. I thought it was really cool to go back in time and get re-educated with the game in the 70s.”

Most shut-ins, even the active kind, lean towards books and movies to fill the dead time of isolation. Cassidy and his wife caught a movie based on a novel by Boston author Dennis Lehane while favoring G-rated dog flicks with the kids.

“I am reading a book called ‘The Teenage Brain’ right now and that is a little more scientific and obviously the title speaks for itself,” said Cassidy.

“Movie? Julie and I watched one late night the other night — ‘Mystic River’ — which I hadn’t seen in 15 years and forgot parts of. Great movie.

“Last night we watched the family ‘Benji’ – the latest edition of ‘Benji’ – and of course the family wants a dog.”

What Cassidy misses most during the lockdown is the daily interactions with Bruins executives and Don Sweeney, his coaching staff and trainers warehoused at Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton.

Sweeney took a gamble when he fired Claude Julien on Feb. 7, 2017 and promoted Cassidy from assistant to on an interim basis.

Cassidy’s top assists are Joe Sacco and Jay Pandolfo, a pair of Boston University Terriers from the school, along with Kevin Dean and Bob Essensa. Paul Whissel is Director of Sports Performance and Rehab while Don Delnegro is the head athletic trainer.

“That’s the most difficult part because I enjoy the people I work with,” said Cassidy. “The coaches, the trainers, the GM, medical staff and strength guys.

“We are all in it together and I think it’s great group that typically goes to work in a good mood and a good frame of mind ready to get to work that day and have smiles doing it.”

In the event the NHL starts up, Cassidy will need to call up members of the for training camp purposes. 1183216 Boston Bruins Swayman looks like a blue chipper but he’ll need seasoning in the minors. Veteran Max Lagace, who’ll also be a UFA, has spent all of his career in the minors save for 17 games with the Golden Knights.

Bruins Breakdown: Jaroslav Halak has been a great addition Maybe the B’s could go back into the larger UFA market. Thomas Greiss is on an expiring contract, as is Jimmy Howard. Khudobin, who has also played himself into a pay raise from his $2.5 million deal, could also be eligible for a third tour of duty in Boston. By STEVE CONROY April 20, 2020 at 5:22 a.m. But whoever fills Halak’s skates, should he leave, will have a tough act to

follow. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney owns a mixed record in the free Boston Herald LOADED: 04.21.2020 agency market.

High end acquisitions Matt Beleskey and David Backes were both dealt before their deals were up. On the flip side, there were some low-key success stories like Riley Nash and Joakim Nordstrom.

But Jaroslav Halak? That signing has been an unqualified .

Backup was once an overlooked position, an afterthought. But teams that took that approach did so at their own peril, including the Bruins. If you look back at the two consecutive seasons the B’s missed the playoffs in the last decade, the lack of a reliable backup was a leading culprit on those two near-misses. None of the backups – not Niklas Svedberg, not Jonas Gustavsson, not Malcolm Subban – significantly pushed Tuukka Rask for playing time, instead contributing just barely adequate support in a traditional backup sense. The goaltending situation was much improved for the next two seasons with the acquisition of Anton Khudobin. But when the Bruins and Khudobin could not come to terms on a new deal two summers ago, Sweeney decided to invest even more heavily in the position.

After having allocated $1.2 million per season on a two-year deal for Khudobin, Sweeney upped the ante with a two-year deal for Halak worth $2.75 million. Halak has been more of a No. 1B instead of a traditional backup, and it could not have worked out much better for the B’s.

In 71 games as a Bruin, Halak has posted a 40-17-8 record with a .921 save percentage, 2.36 goals against average and eight shutouts. The need for a quality alternative to Rask was dramatized last season when the former winner struggled badly out of the gate. This season he stepped in for a concussed Rask in January when the B’s were trying to regain their momentum and he captured wins over Pittsburgh and Vegas in a three-game stretch. He won his last seven consecutive starts before the coronavirus pause.

As good as Halak has been, the biggest bang for the B’s buck with him has been what he’s meant for the overall performance of the goaltending position. Halak’s reliable play – he’s had a couple of stinkers here and there but has been very good for the most part – has allowed Rask to play fewer than 50 games a season in both seasons.

We’ve yet to see what the reduced workload for Rask could bring in the playoffs this season – if the playoffs even happen – but it worked almost perfectly last season. As was the case with Rask’s first run to the Finals in 2013 (.940, 1.88 GAA in 22 playoff games) – which, by the way, came after a lockout-shortened season – Rask would have run away with the Trophy had the B’s closed the deal in Game 7. He posted a 2.02 GAA and .934 save percentage in 24 games.

Halak never played a game in last year’s playoff run, but he deserves a lot of credit for getting Rask ready. And if Rask had faltered at all, it would have been easy to imagine coach Bruce Cassidy going with Halak for a game or more.

Now the problem for the Bruins is just how attractive Halak, a pending UFA, has made himself for the open market (whatever that may look like). He’ll be 35 on May 13, so no team will be shelling out a long-term deal for him to be its No. 1 starter. But a team could very well do significantly better than $2.75 million – or at least enough to put the squeeze on the B’s – for Halak to split the duties for a couple of years (Buffalo? Detroit? Calgary?).

It could significantly depreciate the position should Halak decide to move on. What are the alternatives? They could try and dip into their current talent pool in the pipeline, but that would not seem advisable. Daniel Vadar, a 2015 third-round pick who has endured some injury-induced zig-zagging in his development, has put together a nice stretch in Providence (14-7-1, .936, 1.79 in 25 games) but that’s not a large body of work off of which to promote a kid to the NHL. Promising prospect Kyle Keyser, limited to just eight games between Providence and Atlanta, had a lost season after suffering a concussion. University of Maine’s Jeremy 1183217 Boston Bruins

Bruce Cassidy says pause in NHL season hasn't changed Bruins' goal

By Joe Haggerty April 20, 2020 2:52 PM

Like most around the NHL world, Bruce Cassidy doesn’t know when hockey will resume amidst the coronavirus outbreak still raging over .

He’s read plenty of articles about playoff games in empty arenas during July and August, and a handful of ideas about how best to fairly wrap up the regular season into the Stanley Cup Playoffs while giving teams a chance to ramp up to the postseason.

None of them are set in concrete, however, so that really limits the planning that the Bruins coaching staff can do with so many variables still on the table until things like rapid, universal testing could make even those scenarios possible.

One thing Cassidy guarantees, however, is that the Boston Bruins are going to be fully invested in the process when hockey games are played again no matter when they are held or where they are being played.

“Obviously our standard is to be Stanley Cup champions and that hasn’t changed, and that won’t change,” said Cassidy, during a Monday Zoom conference call with Bruins reporters. “I think every team would think the same way. With this year being very unique compared to others we’re all a little but unsure going back as to what it’s going to take [to play].

“I think once you start playing some games you’ll get right back at it. No matter what time of year it is, you’ll get back to doing what you do best and that is playing. Hopefully we’re the best team at that . I do believe that once you get back into it, players love their routine and love the game. It won’t matter where we’re playing and it won’t matter the weather outside, we’ll get back at it and be ready to do our best.”

As a reminder, the Bruins were the NHL’s top team once the regular season went on pause in the first month of March. They were the only NHL team that had reached 100 points this season and it was essentially a fait accompli that the Bruins were going to win the Presidents' Trophy and secure home-ice advantage throughout their entire playoff run.

Needless to say, there is plenty on the line for the Bruins once some semblance of normalcy has been restored and it might again be a safe enough world for the NHL to return.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183218 Boston Bruins Krejci picked the Journey song “Don’t Stop Believing” at one point and the entire pub all at once seemed to realize the message that the big game center was sending to everyone.

This week in Bruins playoff history: Lake Placid trip sparked Stanley Cup Krejci modestly downplayed it after the fact, but he was clearly setting an run in 2011 optimistic, confident tone with the only song he played on the jukebox that night.

"I did it by accident," said Krejci with a smile a few days later. "I was By Joe Haggerty April 20, 2020 3:05 PM trying to pick a song. I was going through the songs and accidently I pressed on Journey, and it started to play. Then I had no more credits. I

like that song. Sometimes we play it in the room. I really like the On this week in Bruins history nine years ago, the Black and Gold looked beginning, the first minute. It was an accident that it happened, but I like they were in mighty deep trouble. enjoyed it."

They had dropped the first two games of their first round playoff series on As it turned out, Krejci turned into a dominant force for the rest of the home ice against the Montreal Canadiens, and had just escaped the Bell playoffs centering and Nathan Horton while leading all Centre with a Game 3 win while having lost home-ice advantage in the postseason scorers with 12 goals and 23 points in 25 games. best-of-seven series. The Bruins won the next two games to seize control of the series, capped They had managed just five goals in the first three games of the series, it all off with a dramatic Game 7 win on home ice and the rest and their top two lines had only accounted for a couple of goals while it was history in 2011 as they defeated the Flyers, Lightning and Canucks looked like Carey Price was holding a big-time advantage over Tim for their first Stanley Cup in almost 40 years. Thomas between the pipes. There were plenty of questions swirling Nobody that night in Lake Placid could have possibly foreseen all that around a Bruins team coming off the playoff collapse against the transpired in the next two months, but this humble hockey writer had no Philadelphia Flyers just one postseason prior and around a B’s coaching doubt he was amidst something special at the Lake Placid Pub and staff clearly in job jeopardy if there was another postseason toe-stubbing. Brewery as history was being made. Oddly, through a quirk in the playoff schedule, the Bruins had two off SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.21.2020 days in Montreal between Games 3 and 4 of the playoff series and they had no intentions of sticking around in hostile Habs Central with that much off-time.

Don’t forget this was also the same season that Zdeno Chara and Max Pacioretty had collided into a stanchion at the Bell Centre during the regular season, seriously injuring Pacioretty, and enraged Habs fans had flooded Quebec’s 9-1-1 system demanding the Bruins be prosecuted for assault.

Montreal was wholly and truly enemy territory for the Boston back in 2011.

The Bruins brain trust of Peter Chiarelli, Cam Neely and Claude Julien decided to escape to Lake Placid in New York where the Miracle on Ice took place at the Olympic Center in 1980, and it was perhaps the best decision they made in that entire run to the Cup in 2011. They took a collective breath, adjusted their game plan to pair Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg together as a dominant shutdown pair capable of playing 30 minutes per game and coolly regrouped, even with all kinds of pressure sitting on their shoulders.

Nobody in the Bruins media will soon forget eventual Conn Smythe winner Tim Thomas sitting in the Lake Placid locker rooms after practice talking about how much Miracle in Ice goalie Jim Craig meant to him as a hockey hero. I won’t forget how NBC Sports Boston Camera Guy Glen Gleason along with Mike Giardi gave Thomas a ride back to the team hotel so he didn’t have to scale the big hill from the downtown area back to the Bruins team hotel.

It was a couple of days where things moved a lot more slowly and the Bruins players were allowed to relax away from the frenzied, angry atmosphere in Montreal.

It was also a bonding time for everybody within the Bruins travelling playoff party as pretty much the only place to go in town was the Lake Place Pub and Brewery, home of the famously delicious Ubu Ale. It was where all the B’s players, the Bruins media corps, Bruins management and all the team employees ended up on the night of April 19 after off- day practice.

Everybody watched that night’s Stanley Cup playoff games together, had a few Ubu Ales to pass the time and bonded as a group that was unknowingly about to go on a two-month odyssey together.

There were laughs and conversation about the Bruins/Canadiens series, of course, but there was also a belief among the B’s personnel that they had just begin to fight for their playoff lives. It was part of the rare spirit, character and toughness of that championship group that worked extremely hard and played with great skill and toughness, but also had the confidence to enjoy a few laughs off the ice.

The night was perfectly encapsulated by Bruins center David Krejci popping money into the jukebox at the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery. 1183219 Boston Bruins

This Date in Bruins History: Boston beats rivals in high-scoring games

By Nick Goss April 20, 2020 2:00 PM

April 20 has been good to the Boston Bruins in their Stanley Cup playoff history.

They have won seven of the nine games played with 44 goals scored and 20 allowed.

The two most recent B's playoff games on this date were both wins. The last was a 4-1 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 2014 playoffs at TD Garden.

Justin Florek, Reilly Smith (power play), Milan Lucic and Zdeno Chara (power play) all scored for Boston. The most memorable moment from this game was Chara laughing at Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith's attempt to fight him.

The Bruins won the next three games and the series.

The other recent playoff matchup from this date was also in the first round in 2009. The Bruins beat the rival Montreal Canadiens 4-2 in Game 3 of their series. Boston later swept Montreal with a Game 4 victory at the Bell Centre.

Here's a recap of Bruins playoff games on April 20:

2014, Round 1: 4-1 win vs. Red Wings

2009, Round 1: 4-2 win at Canadiens

1993, Division Semifinals: 4-0 loss vs. Sabres

1988, Division Finals: 4-3 win at Canadiens

1983, Division Finals: 9-0 win vs. Sabres

1976, Quarterfinals: 7-1 win vs. Kings

1972, Semifinals: 10-2 win vs. Blues

1969, Semifinals: 3-2 win vs. Canadiens

1958, Stanley Cup Final: 5-3 loss vs. Canadiens

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183220 Boston Bruins

Entire 2011 Bruins team to reunite for Stanley Cup Game 7 watch party

By Darren Hartwell April 20, 2020 12:20 PM

The Boston Bruins are reuniting the whole band for a one-time show.

The Bruins will satisfy hockey fans' appetites for content Tuesday by re- airing Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final on NESN and the team's official YouTube page at 8:30 p.m. ET.

But that's not why we're here. We're here because the entire 2010-11 Bruins squad will join that YouTube live stream to watch and break down the game.

The gang is back together.

For the first time in nearly a decade, the entire 2011 #NHLBruins will be reuniting.

"As fans re-watch all the Game 7 action on NESN, the players will be hanging out together on the YouTube live stream breaking down the action and sharing their favorite memories of that classic postseason run," the Bruins said in a statement Monday.

That means you'll see familiar faces like Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Krejci and Tuukka Rask (who are all still playing for the B's) as well as old friends like Tyler Seguin, Shawn Thornton, Johnny Boychuk, Andrew Ference and more.

Heck, you may even see goaltender Tim Thomas, who's essentially been off the map since his playing days ended.

The 2011 squad will have plenty to discuss: Game 7 saw the Bruins blank the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 in their own building to bring home Boston's first Stanley Cup since 1972 and spark riots in the streets of Vancouver.

And as the Bruins warned, the conversation could get lively: The team noted in its press release that this a "live event featuring unfiltered commentary" and that "viewer discretion is advised."

So, if you want a trip down memory lane, head to the Bruins' YouTube page at 8:30 p.m. ET to watch the 2011 squad put the "color" in color commentary.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183221 Boston Bruins stay with it, because it’s not a switch you can turn on and off, so that works to our advantage.”

If and when official practices resume, the biggest concern will be the If hockey is to return this year, captains’ practices may prove essential recovery of those older players, due to the rigors that come with skating at a high pace every day after a long layoff. Cassidy acknowledged the training staff will monitor the recovery more than the conditioning.

By Joe McDonald Apr 20, 2020 While captains’ practices should be an important part of the plan, calling up players from the AHL should help, too. There are plenty of players

general manager Don Sweeney could recall from Providence if needed, In the leadup to any normal hockey season, nearly every professional especially if Cassidy wants to run a few Black and White intrasquad player participates in so-called captain’s practices during late summer games if there is a training camp. and early fall before training camps begin. These are informal, non- “I would think most teams would want some level of live competition, mandatory practices — sometimes led by actual captains but also by probably more against their own group,” Cassidy said. assistants or a local skills coach — that then ramp up in intensity as players get closer to the official start of work. While much depends on whether the AHL resumes alongside the NHL, the Bruins could potentially recall many of the players in Providence, This, of course, is no normal hockey season. And if hockey is to return including prospects Jack Studnicka, Trent Frederic, Cameron Hughes, this summer, it may be that captains’ practices are an essential factor in Zach Senyshyn, Urho Vaakanainen, Jakub Zboril and Daniel Vladar, ensuring the health and safety of players as they try to ramp up following along with veterans Steven Kampfer, Brett Ritchie and Ryan Fitzgerald. an unprecedented and unexpectedly sudden layoff. The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 With the season remains on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHL continues to brainstorm different scenarios and possibilities for resuming the schedule. If the present quarantine is lifted, and players are given permission to skate on their own or in small groups before the league’s hiatus officially ends, it will help prepare them for a potential training camp. That’s where captains’ practices could be essential — if public health conditions allow for them to be held safely — as a bridge between zero on-ice activity and full-on NHL work.

“It would be ideal if that could happen,” said Bruins forward Charlie Coyle. “That’s why we need a good couple of weeks of ‘training camp’ before we jump back in. There would be injuries left and right if we try to hop back into playoff hockey. Captains’ practices would definitely allow us to ease back in to prevent serious injury.”

The public health situation is so uncertain, of course, that some levels of informal practice might be both advisable and allowable, while others might not. At the same time, the definition of a captains’ practice varies — from an event with coaches and uniforms held at a team practice facility, featuring nearly the entire squad, to small gatherings of a few players in informal settings in their home cities before they depart for training camps. It may be that the former is not possible under these new conditions, while the latter is something that might be helpful and less worrisome from a health standpoint.

But while acknowledging that there are myriad public health issues that need to be dealt with, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy is of the opinion that some sort of ease-in would be beneficial, and perhaps needed, especially as it pertains to injury concerns.

“If we’re told we have to stay off the ice until June 30 and we start July 1, and no one’s been on the ice, then you would need a minimum of two weeks to get guys up and running,” Cassidy said during a video conference call Monday.

Cassidy added that if players are allowed to skate on their own prior to any training camp, it might be that only one week would be needed before games are played. Exhibition games have value, but players need physical play in practices and games before the official season resumes, and the more informal warmups they can get in, the better.

“I don’t know about exhibition games, going right into the playoffs. It’s not realistic to tell your team, ‘We’re going to play an exhibition game and then turn around and play a playoff game three days later.’ You’re really risking it (with injuries),” Cassidy said.

Last week, Bruins forward Brad Marchand suggested that teams with younger players should return more easily from this hiatus than older teams like the Bruins, because younger players will be healthy and it won’t take as long for them to get into game shape. Well, there’s a counterargument to that, involving experience and knowing one’s body, and Cassidy believes the Bruins’ veteran core is professional enough to stay active and ready for when the time comes.

“Nobody knows until we get back out there,” Cassidy said. “We do have some older guys; it might take their engine a little longer. They are true professionals and know how to keep in shape, maybe even better than some of the younger guys who feel like, ‘Oh, when we’re ready to go I can ramp it up.’ I do believe some of the veteran guys know they need to 1183222 Boston Bruins agonizing over every missed game due to injury and celebrating every point.

The 2003-04 season would end up being Rob’s last in Boston. The 2004- My favorite player: Rob Zamuner 05 NHL season was cancelled because of a labor lockout. Rob went to play in . He didn’t get another NHL contract so he played the next two seasons in Italy and Austria. When he was back in North America, he would occasionally call my dad to see how all of us were By Matthew Fairburn Apr 20, 2020 doing.

Over the years, we lost touch. Rob took a job with the NHLPA and was I wasn’t sure if Rob Zamuner would remember me or if he would be who I raising his own family. Life gets busy. His signed picture is still hanging in remembered. my parents’ house. We still have his trading cards and the signed hockey sticks he gave us. By now, you’ve noticed that writers at The Athletic have been penning essays about their favorite players. Some are writing about childhood The photograph Rob signed still hangs on a wall at my parents’ house. heroes, others about favorite players to cover or favorite teammates. He gave me memories with my dad and my brother that will last forever. There have been pieces about Ed Reed, , Dwight Gooden and He also gave me a peek inside the world of pro sports and made it feel other legends. accessible. By that point I realized my hockey skill wouldn’t take me to I thought about Rob Zamuner. He spent parts of 13 seasons in the NHL, the NHL, but my dad had opened the doors of an NHL locker room accumulating 139 goals and 172 assists in 798 games. I’m not writing simply by being an honest and likable guy. I didn’t need to be a star about Zamuner for anything he did on the ice, though. hockey player to do the same.

I got to know Rob in 2001 when he signed with the Boston Bruins as a I can’t say Rob made me want to be a sportswriter. My seventh grade free agent. I was nine years old. He moved into a home in Middleton, English teacher, Monica Kelley, deserves credit for putting that idea in Mass., a half hour from Haverhill, my hometown. Family Pools, the my head. And my mom and dad encouraged me to pursue it when other swimming pool company my dad works for, had put in the pool at the career paths were more practical. But Rob made me want to be around house for the previous owner. Rob decided to retain them for the service sports in some way. He introduced me to heroes and gave me a glimpse on that pool; openings and closings, heater and liner repairs and of a world that had the power to inspire. whatever else he needed. He wasn’t the first prominent customer of the That made him an easy choice when The Athletic asked us to write about pool company, but he’s the one I’ll always remember. our favorite players. What he did for me and my family will forever mean I should preface this by saying my dad is like the Patrick Mahomes of more than anything I ever saw an athlete do on a field or on the ice. As swimming pools. Throw him into a situation with a pool that seems you get older, the gravitational pull of superstar athletes wears off, and impossible to fix and he’ll find a way to escape with a positive result. He’s those who are good people stand out even more. never met a pool heater he can’t fix. That’s why I asked the Lightning if they could put me in touch with Rob. I That’s earned him the respect of countless customers. He’s dealt with his told them it was less of an interview and more just a chance for me to fair share of hammerheads who find a way to complain about anything thank him almost 20 years later. When I texted him, I wasn’t entirely sure and everything, but I’ve watched him form relationships with a lot of he would remember me. But he did and was happy to reconnect. We people over the years because of his honest, fair and tireless work. talked about his job with the NHLPA in Toronto and his family. I filled him in on how I had ended up just a few hours away from him in Buffalo Rob was one of those people. He and my dad it off right away. My dad writing about the NFL. was washing his patio after opening his pool and Rob rushed outside to grab a bucket and help him out. They talked about hockey and life. My The only real question I had for him was what made him be so good to us dad poked fun at his Canadian accent. Rob made fun of my dad’s old, all those years ago when he didn’t need to be. beat-up Bruins hat, one he said he would wear until the Bruins won the “It’s going to come out a little cheesy, but I always felt it was a privilege to Stanley Cup. Rob signed it and offered to toss it in his casket. play in the NHL,” Rob said. “And I think it’s because of my roots. My When Rob found out my dad had two sons who were hockey players, he father his whole life had a machine shop and I worked at the machine insisted he bring us over for the next service call on Rob’s pool. shop all the time. He always talked about the value of hard work and the people that get their hands dirty. I think I just always had an affinity for Not long after that, my dad went out to Rob’s house to find a leak in his people that worked like that. Your dad came over and we just became pool. We got to tag along. While my dad strapped on the scuba gear and friends. He was just an honest guy. You treat everybody the way you went swimming around the pool in search of a hole in the liner, Rob want to be treated. I don’t think there’s any special sauce to it.” asked me and my brother if we wanted to play road hockey (that’s Canadian for street hockey). We didn’t have our sticks, but he grabbed a That Rob thought so highly of my dad left an impression on me. My couple of his out of the garage and we headed down the street. I played parents are my heroes more than any professional athlete ever was, and a lot of street hockey in my youth, but none of it was as memorable as to see a professional hockey player not only admire my dad’s work but those few hours playing with an NHL player. treat him as a friend was the coolest thing a 10-year old can experience.

When my dad emerged from the pool, he looked around the yard and “I’m touched to hear that story,” Rob said. “To me, I’m more proud of that noticed we were gone. Rob’s wife informed him the kids had gone to play than scoring a big goal, if I ever did.” road hockey. Rob now works with NHLPA after another one of my childhood favorites, “All three of them?” my dad quipped. Eric Lindros, convinced him to come aboard. He serves as a rep for the Northeast Division and is involved in the pension and health and safety Over the next few years, Rob became more than just one of my dad’s committees. It’s fitting that his post-playing career is dedicated to helping customers. He was a friend. When his wife couldn’t make it to a game, current and former players given how willing he was to help his pool guy Rob would call my dad and offer up his tickets. He would always ask and his kids. Those are the type of people who stand out in sports and in around the locker room for extras, knowing we needed three. He got us life. into a special visitor’s area after games so we could say hello to him and meet other players. He took us to practice and walked us around the Years after Rob left, my dad was gifted a Milan Lucic Bruins jersey. No. locker room. He gave us his broken sticks, signed pictures. I grew up a 17. He went up to the shop in the arena where they’ll add a nameplate or Flyers fan, but Rob quickly became my favorite player. numbers to your jersey. My dad asked if they could remove a nameplate and switch it with another. The worker was probably confused by the odd When we would attend a game or even watch one on television, we were request. Lucic was one of the Bruins’ most popular players, an active glued to No. 17. He wasn’t a flashy goal scorer, but he played a sound member of the team and a top scorer. But he said he could switch it, so defensive game and was a key role player on those Bruins teams. His my dad now has a No. 17 Bruins jersey with “Zamuner” across the back. defensive prowess and skill in the faceoff circle earned him a spot on ’s Olympic team in 1998. We followed his career closely, He no longer has the old hat Rob used to laugh at. He threw it on the ice at T.D. Garden when Patrice Bergeron scored his first career hat trick against the Senators in 2011. A few months later, I sat in the living room with my dad as we watched the Bruins beat the Canucks to win a Stanley Cup. To this day, it’s my favorite sports memory.

My dad still geeks out about my job, the people I get to meet, the places I get to go. That keeps me going when the job gets tough. I can be my dad’s window into a world Rob first showed us years ago. That never gets old.

Our favorite players aren’t always the ones who score the most goals. They’re the ones who create the moments you’ll never forget. Rob created a lot of those for us.

“Honestly, it means just as much to me that you would reach out,” Rob said. “I don’t see myself as that person. It made my day just as much as it sounds like I made an impression on you and your father.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183223 Boston Bruins • Scrap the offside challenge. See ya later. Good riddance. We won’t miss you.

• Introduce the north-south camera angle on TV. Think of video games Shinzawa: How I’d improve the NHL if I were commissioner like EA Sports’ NHL series. This could allow viewers to see patterns unfold, like on the power play. This is hard to discern on the traditional east-west view.

By Fluto Shinzawa Apr 20, 2020 • Give the green light to advertisements on uniforms. Let’s face it: Hockey-related revenue will continue to take a beating. Perhaps this

could be one way to put some cash back in the drawer. I had always wondered, pre-coronavirus, why hockey players shared Granted, not many corporations will have spending money on hand. their water bottles. Granted, amid the spitting and sweating and panting Aside from the makers of Purell and Charmin, of course. that takes place on the bench, perhaps designating a water bottle for every player would make little difference. • Let the teams conduct the year’s NHL Draft from their respective cities. Yes, social distancing is on my mind. But there’s now really no need to Now, whenever the NHL reopens, maybe that should become the new have everyone in the sport congregate in one location. That’s why the normal. NHL postponed the draft that was scheduled to happen in Montreal in This is a dreadful time for the league and for everyone else. But this late June. unexpected and unwanted downtime is an opportunity for everyone to The league hasn’t settled on a new date or platform for the draft, as it think critically and creatively about the game. Short term, executives are scrambles to decide whether it can even finish the suspended season. modeling scenarios for what could happen if a resumption of the season But the NFL Draft that will take place later this week virtually — with team gets the green light. Long term, it’s a chance to ponder big-picture officials participating from their homes — offers a blueprint for how it can issues. be done. Here’s what I would consider if granted the privilege to introduce The NHL has done something similar before, too, in 2005 after the lost improvement, some more panoramic than personal hydration: lockout season. Sidney Crosby, the No. 1 pick, has probably gotten over • Go back to the old playoff format. I do not believe the 1-8 conference being drafted at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa instead of at the rink. seeding was broken. It makes regular-season achievement meaningful. The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 This year, for example, it would have been possible for the Blue Jackets, Islanders and Rangers to pull ahead of the Maple Leafs and finish an 82- game regular season with more points. But because of the divisional bracket format, Toronto would have been practically locked into the No. 3 seed.

• Instruct the referees to be aggressive on penalizing coaches and players for complaining. You see it after almost every call — screaming and whining and crying during the skate to the box. It is downright jarring, on the other hand, to see a player make his way off the ice with his mouth shut.

This is a rapid sport overseen by referees trying to stay out of harm’s way. It is impossible for them to get every call right. The league promotes a rotten culture by allowing disagreement, often nasty, to fester. People are watching, from coaches to young players to fans.

According to Rule 39, a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be assessed to any player who challenges or disputes the ruling of an official. As for those on the bench, an unsportsmanlike minor is also due for a coach who uses obscene, profane or abusive language or gesture directed at an official.

The league would set a good example by enforcing what is already in place.

• Encourage more regular-season division play. This is what promotes rivalries: six or more showdowns, some of them back-to-back. Hate initiates conflict, which leads to . That’s what everyone wants to see, not home-and-away guarantees of the Bruins playing the Coyotes, for example.

• Have coaches and players wear microphones during games and air the sound on broadcasts. This is the stuff that makes all-access television crackle: the insults, swears and wisecracks.

All of us know the naughty words. The rink is not exactly a library. Let the viewer experience the sounds that make the game come alive on the ice and bench.

• Change the draft age to 19 and older. It is hard enough to project whether an AHL player will become a full-timer in the NHL. Trying to do the same with an 18-year-old is throwing darts with a blindfold.

NHL scouts are accumulating viewings on 16-year-olds. It’s a waste of time. Physical and emotional maturity vary wildly between a junior without a driver’s license and a man dealing with a mortgage. From a player’s point of view, performing for a scout in the stands adds to the pressure and takes away some of the fun of competition.

These are teenagers. Let them be kids. 1183224 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres' No. 1 pick Dylan Cozens named Lethbridge's MVP

By Mike Harrington

Published Mon, Apr 20, 2020|Updated Mon, Apr 20, 2020

Center Dylan Cozens, the Buffalo Sabres' No. 1 draft pick last June, has been named the Harry Ingarfield Memorial Award winner as team Most Valuable Player by the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the .

Cozens, a co-captain, had 38 goals and 85 points in 51 games this year for Lethbridge before the WHL season and playoffs were canceled by the coronavirus outbreak. He also had nine points in seven games for Team Canada while winning a gold medal at the World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic. Cozens had a goal in the gold medal game against Russia.

Cozens, who turned 19 on Feb. 1, is expected to battle for a top-9 role in the Sabres' lineup next season and is the team's current best hope for a No. 2 center behind Jack Eichel.

Buffalo News LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183225 Buffalo Sabres

NHL rules contract invalid after former Sabres No. 1 pick Mikhail Grigorenko signs with Columbus

By Mike Harrington

Published Mon, Apr 20, 2020|Updated Mon, Apr 20, 2020

The Columbus Blue Jackets thought they had made a deal Monday with former Sabres first-round draft pick Mikhail Grigorenko, who has spent the last three years in the KHL. But late Monday night, the NHL ruled the one-year, $1.2 million contract invalid, meaning the parties will have to wait until the league's unrestricted free agency period to execute it.

As reported by Renaud Lavoie of Quebec-based network TVA Sports, the league rejected the deal because it violated Section 50.8(d) of the collective bargaining agreement. That stipulates contracts must be for the current league year unless they are with unsigned draft choices or draft- related unrestricted free agents. Grigorenko, 25, does not fit either category.

Grigorenko, taken 12th overall by the Sabres in 2012, collected 46 goals, 70 assists, 116 points and a plus-64 rating in 147 games the last three years for CSKA Moscow in the Russian pro league. Grigorenko last played in the NHL for Colorado, leaving the Avalanche in 2017 when the team opted not to give him a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent.

Girgorenko and the Blue Jackets can sign again when the NHL's UFA period starts, either on its normal July 1 date or after the Stanley Cup playoffs if they extend into the summer.

Grigorenko has been a standout in his homeland. This season, he finished second on his team in goals (19) and fourth in assists (22) and points (41). His best year was 2018-19, when he was named to the KHL First All-Star team after collecting 52 points (17-35) in 55 games, leading the team in assists, points and plus-minus (plus-33).

Grigorenko then led the club to the 2019 championship after leading the KHL in playoff goals and points (13-8-21 in 20 games). Grigorenko has represented Russia at numerous international tournaments, collecting a gold media at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

[Related content: See Grigorenko's career stats here]

The Sabres took Grigorenko two picks before selecting at No. 14. Touted as a top-5 pick from the , Grigorenko's stock fell due to a bout of mononucleosis and many observers at the time thought the Sabres got a steal.

It never worked out that way, as Grigorenko had just six goals and 14 points in 68 games with Buffalo over three seasons. The Sabres drafted both Grigorenko and Girgensons ahead of notables such as Washington's Tom Wilson (No. 16), San Jose's Tomas Hertl (17), Carolina's Teuvo Teravainen (18), Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy (19) and defensemen Olli Maatta of Chicago (22) and Brady Skeji of the New York Rangers (28).

Grigorenko was traded to Colorado at the 2015 NHL draft as part of the deal that landed Ryan O'Reilly. Also sent to Colorado were defenseman and center J.T. Compher, both of whom are now regulars with the Avs.

Grigorenko also broke through as a regular for two seasons in Colorado but production remained limited with 16 goals and 50 points in 149 games. His NHL career-high in points was 27 for the Avs in 2015-16, and his career high in goals was 10 in 2016-17.

Buffalo News LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183226 Buffalo Sabres It has been assumed the coronavirus pandemic caused a drastic reduction to the Pegulas’ workforce, but concern over upcoming terminations have loomed since November, when 10 of 30 jobs were eliminated from PicSix Creative, a marketing agency the Pegulas formed As Pegulas face business challenges, employees describe a ‘toxic two years earlier. culture’ at PSE Tension only intensified after the Bills’ season.

“One day, we were a perfect company,” a current PSE employee said of Tim Graham Apr 20, 2020 the November firings. “The next, you’re hearing left and right that one person was let go, then two, then six. All early on a Monday morning.

“It was a shock not only to hear friends going, but that we are actually not Last January, within a couple of weeks of the reaching the doing as well as some imagined.” playoffs for the second time in three seasons, owner and president Kim Pegula spoke to her employees about tightening their belts. Anxiety roiled nearly two months before PSE laid off virtually its entire hospitality division on March 20. Over the course of a few days, Pegula addressed various departments via video conference from the family’s home office in Boca Raton, Fla. Last week, PSE fired another 21 employees, including three vice She explained raises and bonuses should not be expected aside for presidents, and announced 104 furloughs across a portfolio that includes those, such as coaches and players, contracted to receive them. Budgets the , the of the National would be scrutinized. League and the , the Sabres’ minor-league affiliate.

Times ahead were going to be difficult, Pegula stressed, and sacrifices Terry and Kim Pegula, meanwhile, have paused construction of their new must be made. The tone underscored worries that had been circulating superyacht in Amsterdam. among workers at various Pegula Sports and Entertainment properties. They already feared Terry and Kim Pegula were eyeing additional Employees say they feel increasingly rudderless amid growing concern cutbacks to right-size a sports, media and hospitality empire that the Pegulas are low on liquidity while operating too many side projects. expanded too rapidly. The angst has contributed to waning confidence and heightened insecurity. Kim Pegula’s video presentation included a rundown of organizational objectives. One particular slide, titled “Pegula Family Goals,” shook The Athletic interviewed 39 current and former full-time employees by executives and lower-level employees alike. A handout version of the telephone, text and verified direct message. All have worked for PSE, the slide, obtained and verified by The Athletic, listed the Pegulas’ three chief Bills or the Sabres within the past 14 months. All but five were on the objectives: win championships, sustainability, return on investment. staff directory within the 2019 Bills or 2019-20 Sabres media guide. Their names are being withheld because of their concerns over reprisal. Pegula, current and former employees say, explained that return on investment included maintaining the family’s lifestyle. “Toxic culture” was the most repeated phrase from those interviewed. They detailed being overworked because of continual downsizing while “People were walking out of those meetings like they’d been punched in dealing with chain-of-command breakdowns, poor communication flow the gut,” a Bills management source said. “We just made the playoffs in and interdepartmental disorder. the NFL, where it’s impossible to lose money. We’re firing on all cylinders. Now we have to pinch pennies? The most common observations made from the perspective of those interviewed: “The morale after those meetings was lower than the day died.” The Pegulas’ resources and attention are stretched too thin by businesses not related to the core mission of winning games. Spirits within PSE’s other properties were depressed before that. The Buffalo Sabres have been among the NHL’s worst clubs for nearly a There is a lack of faith in the shrunken executive leadership team: decade, missing the playoffs nine straight seasons (presuming the 2019- executive vice presidents Gregg Brandon (legal), Frank Cravotta 20 regular season standings hold true) while employing six head coaches (creative), Chuck LaMattina (finance), Mark Preisler (media and content) in that time. A source with knowledge of the numbers said the Sabres and Ron Raccuia (licensing and brand merchandise). have been losing between $40 million and $60 million the past few High job turnover is coupled with little explanation for it. seasons. Family and close friends receive positions of growing influence or are Key executives departed, three amid sex scandals and three more for allowed pet projects. reasons never divulged to the staff. Jobs throughout the PSE portfolio were culled. Many roles were eliminated or divided up, creating more Employees conveyed support and sympathy for their coworkers along work for the same pay. with resentment that upper management takes their efforts for granted.

Many in management positions have wondered if any of the Pegulas’ “A lot of the things that were so amazing about it when I started,” said a companies are turning a profit aside from the Bills. Not even the industry former PSE employee, “began to evaporate as they continued to cut that made wealthy could be relied upon. His natural gas corners and cut expenses. wells have been capped since last summer; prices have plummeted further since. “I’m sure you’ve heard or will hear that the people who work there are awesome people, but the people high up in executive leadership now are The Bills, though, essentially had been insulated from the PSE snakes, to put it kindly.” melancholy until January. Representatives for Terry and Kim Pegula also provided information on Two sources close to Bills head coach Sean McDermott say the January the condition of anonymity. They stressed difficult personnel moves are meetings left him concerned about low morale eroding the culture he and being made because they must be and that any judgment should be general manager Brandon Beane have cultivated over the past three reserved for the future, when the results will speak for themselves. years with a meticulous, holistic attitude. Kim Pegula agreed to email responses to questions about employee Any worries McDermott harbored for One Bills Drive would be felt morale and workplace perceptions. The Athletic has published the entire exponentially deeper in the Pegulas’ downtown offices, where employees transcript of those answers here. already were wary. Vice presidents took the handouts from Kim Pegula’s video presentation and shared them with different departments. “As I have been taking a deeper look into how all our businesses have been operating,” Kim Pegula wrote, “I have had to make changes. Some The VPs reiterated one of Kim Pegula’s primary organizational goals was I could plan for, and others I could not. maintaining her family’s lifestyle. “If I had a magic wand and in one swing could make everything the way “What that told me,” said one current PSE employee, “is I’m getting laid we intended, I would. But these types of changes take time and are a off before they cancel that family trip to Tahiti.” natural part of the evolution of all businesses. We are no different. “Are we where we want to be as an organization? Definitely not; I don’t “We kept people in leadership roles because we trusted them to have our know any business that is. All I can say is that we will continue to interests and the interest of the teams as their number one priority,” Kim address these issues.” Pegula wrote. “We were wrong.

Sports teams are considered a civic trust. They represent their region on “We fully admit we put trust in some of the wrong people and made the national stage, and few sports markets rely on their teams for positive decisions based on information that was given to us by them. It’s our communal energy like Western New York does. fault. … We allowed them more leeway than clearly they deserved. We kept them too long, and we’ve paid the price. It’s a lesson I’ve learned The Pegulas became stewards not only for fans, but also the public at over the last couple of years.” large given the amount of state and county tax dollars dedicated to the cause. As such, Kim Pegula is unapologetic about elevating two close family connections over the past year and a half. Terry Pegula, his fortune amassed through hydrofracking, was unknown to Buffalo sports fans until 2011, when he bought the Sabres, Americans Taylor Gahagen is PSE’s director of corporate development and Jessie and Bandits for a reported $189 million. A year earlier, he donated $102 Pegula’s fiancé. Executives consider Gahagen a rising star, but million to his alma mater, Penn State, to build the Pegula Ice Arena and frustrations throughout PSE in recent years have created skepticism start a Division I hockey program. among the rank and file.

Kim Pegula formed PSE in 2014 to oversee the teams and additional Jason Long emerged from the Bills sports performance department in ventures, including Black River Entertainment (a country music label run September 2019 to take over HarborCenter as general manager. Long is by her brother in Nashville) and the $200 million HarborCenter project. the son of Terry Pegula’s longtime friend, Bob Long, an executive with Within the HarborCenter complex are two hockey rinks, a Marriott hotel, East Resources until Pegula sold it in 2010 for $4.7 billion. (716) Food and Sports, and Healthy Scratch (a restaurant launched by daughters Jessie and Kelly Pegula). “After what we have gone through with previous leadership,” Kim Pegula wrote, “I think it is understandable that we would want to put in place When Bills founder Ralph Wilson died in March 2014, panic overtook people we’ve known all our lives and who are part of our family. … We Western New York. Fans long feared that when Wilson passed the team have learned through past mistakes the quality of the person is more would be snatched up by someone with designs on relocating to Toronto important than their experience, especially if they have a different agenda or Los Angeles or Las Vegas or London. and do not represent who we are as people or as an organization.”

Terry and Kim Pegula became heroes, easing a region’s collective Kim Pegula has taken on the role of president for all five of PSE’s teams torment by ensuring the Bills would remain for generations to come. They and with an inner circle that has gotten smaller and less experienced paid a record $1.4 billion for the franchise. over the past two years. The Bills also are without a chief administrative officer after declining to renew Dave Wheat’s contract in February. On Oct. 12, 2014, the Pegula family emerged from the tunnel at Ralph Wilson Stadium to an explosion of cheers and chants before the Bills “President of an NFL or NHL team is not a part-time job,” one Bills source played the , their first game as owners. said.

The pregame party launched the Pegulas’ signature campaign. Fans Several employees interviewed for this story said they were encouraged performed a card stunt that spelled out “One Buffalo” in the upper and when employee surveys were distributed on June 5, 2019. lower decks. “They emphasized there would be changes to improve the organization,” “It is intended to bring the community of Buffalo together as a a former PSE employee said. “I never felt that they actually listened.” representation of teamwork and a deeper connection between Buffalo sports teams and their fans,” PicSix Creative says on its website. “It is a Workers from different departments say they compared notes and came meaningful sign that we are all moving in the same direction: One Team; up with a list of common concerns they were hopeful the executive One Goal; One Community; One Family; One Buffalo.” leadership team would address. At the annual employee breakfast to launch the Sabres season, Kim Pegula revealed the two pressing Not only did Pegula Sports and Entertainment oversee both of Buffalo’s concerns from surveys: goal setting and employee development. big-league clubs, but it also intensified Western New York’s us-against- the-world tribal spirit. The results didn’t match the feedback provided by those interviewed for this story. “I used to feel proud to tell people I worked for PSE,” said a current employee. “Then there was a point I just had to force a smile when “I remember being underwhelmed,” said a current Sabres employee. talking about my job. Now, when people ask me about openings, I tell The executive leadership team, known within the company as the ELT, them not to apply.” devised collaboration committees for each of the main entities, PSE, Several people interviewed mocked One Buffalo as a marketing gimmick, Bills, Sabres, Rochester and hospitality among them. not a corporate ethos. Even among fans, the concept of One Buffalo has The committees began meeting in January but had two inherent come to represent less of a unifying movement and more of a brand. The problems, employees say. They were given little direction as to what the logo is on shirts, hoodies, hats, ice cream, cupcakes and beer. groups were supposed to accomplish, and they were to answer to the “We always say winning fixes everything,” a current PSE employee said. ELT, the very people employees seemed most troubled about. “And I’m sure if the Sabres were successful some of these issues would “We have been working on correcting that,” Kim Pegula wrote in be less infuriating on the surface. response to a question about lack of faith in the ELT. “We had to take a “But, top to bottom, it doesn’t excuse the fact they’re trying to make hard look over the last few years and make decisions on people we lost shortcuts within these large entities. Any feeling of a true One Buffalo confidence in, people that I considered close friends. should be out the window. The whole thing just feels like a scam.” “Don’t forget: We have numerous properties across our portfolios, many Upheaval within the Pegulas’ inner circle began when managing partner formed under the recommendation by past leadership. I understand that and president resigned in May 2018 after an internal not every decision is going to be understood by each and every investigation into inappropriate sexual relationships and workplace employee, but at the heart of it, we are doing what we believe is right for misconduct. Two trusted HarborCenter executives, Michael Gilbert and the health of the organizations.” Nik Fattey, resigned in January 2019 after an internal investigation into Less than two years ago, PSE listed eight executive vice presidents. Now sexual harassment claims. it has five.

Three PSE executive vice presidents exited in February 2019: chief Three ELT members have been with the Pegulas since before they operating officer Bruce Popko, chief administrative officer Brent Rossi bought the Bills. Cravotta and LaMattina joined the Sabres in 2004 under and head of business development Erica Muhleman. No reasons for the Tom Golisano’s ownership. Preisler, a former NHL Network and ESPN moves were revealed. producer, joined PSE in August 2014. Gregg Brandon, Russ Brandon’s younger brother, has been the Bills’ one former employee — recounted recurring problems with receiving general counsel since August 2013. He became a PSE executive vice commission payments. president in 2018. “We didn’t make great money, so we were relying on that,” a sales Raccuia became a PSE executive vice president in August 2017, when source said. “As the year progressed, we never got them on time. There the Pegulas bought a majority stake in his AdPro Sports apparel was always an excuse.” company. Raccuia was an NFL agent who represented Bills running back Fred Jackson, cornerback Terrence McGee, safety Coy Wire and punter Since the coronavirus pandemic halted hockey and lacrosse seasons, Brian Moorman. PSE has made public relations missteps regarding the wages of KeyBank Center and ushers, ticket-takers, security Natural gas has been the underpinning of the Pegulas’ wealth. Forbes and freelance broadcast workers. estimates Terry Pegula is worth $4.5 billion, and while that number is considered a bit high by a source close to the Pegulas, there’s no While other NHL clubs promised to pay the workers regardless of quibbling the family is prosperous. whether the season resumed, PSE’s initial public comment was that it would take a wait-and-see approach. Kim Pegula later announced game- Upon purchasing the Sabres and declaring the team’s sole purpose night employees would be compensated once games officially were would be winning Stanley Cups, Terry Pegula famously remarked, “If I canceled. want to make money, I’ll drill another well.” The pandemic shutdown nixed a busy three-day weekend in KeyBank Natural gas closed Friday at $1.76 per unit, up 23 cents compared to just Center. The Sabres were scheduled to host games March 13 and March two weeks earlier. The increase, nevertheless, leaves the Pegulas far 15; the Bandits had a game in between. behind where they were when they began amassing their PSE portfolio. All three games were to be televised. PSE entities pay the broadcast Natural gas sold for $4.21 per unit the day he bought the Sabres and for crews. An email from Pegula’s vice president of broadcasting, Chrisanne $3.89 the morning the NFL unanimously approved Terry and Kim as the Bellas, announced that usual work for the three games was canceled, but next Bills owners. They funded their Bills acquisition by selling off $1.7 a crew was needed to pack up equipment spread throughout the arena billion in oil-drilling acreage. and to load the broadcast truck. A game-day crew normally features more than 20 workers. The Pegulas can’t go to that well now. Only six were called in and compensated for a 10-hour day. The “I don’t know any industry that wouldn’t be affected with that type of bypassed workers were paid the five-hour minimum for Friday’s decline,” Kim Pegula wrote. “People may not like that our businesses postponement of the Sabres. interconnect or have influence over another, but all I can say is that if it wasn’t for the oil and gas industry and the people that work in that “There will be no compensation for the crews scheduled for Saturday and business, we couldn’t have invested in Buffalo, and the people who are Sunday,” Bellas wrote in the email. “As more information becomes employed would not have their current jobs. available, we will provide updates as necessary.”

“We do not have an endless supply of capital, and, like everywhere else No further information has been supplied since that March 12 email, around the country, all of our organizations have been affected by the leaving the broadcast workers in the dark even though the NLL called off pandemic. It would be irresponsible to not reevaluate our holdings.” its season April 8. Broadcast workers have not been paid (or gotten any notification when they will be) for the Bandits’ three canceled home JKLM Energy — named for children Jessica, Kelly, Laura and Matthew games. — capped its wells in July because natural gas prices had fallen too far. The price then was $2.14 per unit, 21.6 percent higher than it closed A pandemic is not the sole reason the Pegulas have dismissed so many Friday. people.

Another snapshot from the Pegulas’ investment collection is Rand Furloughs and salary reductions for top executives are one thing. But Capital Corp. those who have been fired would have been gone regardless of COVID- 19. Terry Pegula finalized a $25 million deal in November to buy 57 percent of the Buffalo-based venture-capital firm. Kim Pegula said as much Tuesday in an email to the remaining employees. He paid $3 per share, a premium over the stock’s $2.73 price that day. Rand closed Friday at $2.12. “Layoffs are always difficult and not something we take lightly,” Kim wrote in the internal email. “Over the last year, Terry and I have been analyzing Emblematic of PSE’s inefficiency was PicSix, an overambitious venture all levels of our businesses to truly understand their viability and that had nothing to do with winning football or hockey games and has sustainability. We have slowly been making changes over the last had employees from other departments rolling their eyes since its origin. several months, and feel it’s necessary to continue with planned moves The intention was to capitalize on a deep creative staff with a boutique based upon the conclusion of the scheduled Sabres season. advertising and marketing agency for outside clients such as New Era “We thank and acknowledge these people for the work and contributions Cap, the University at Buffalo and Canisius College. One of the critical they made to the organization and wish them well. We are providing issues was inexperience at running such a business. severance, knowing that this is not the best time to announce these PicSix launched in June 2017. By last November, despite interviewing changes.” and hiring new workers merely four months earlier, PSE abruptly fired 30 But word circulated swiftly through PSE, Bills and Sabres offices that percent of the PicSix staff along with half a dozen from business three vice presidents among the 21 firings would receive only two weeks development. of health insurance.

As the Pegulas downsize and their ELT looks for “efficiencies,” a term Among those let go: vice president of tickets and service John Sinclair, used for jobs that can be combined across all organizations rather than vice president of live events Jennifer Van Rysdam and vice president of having similar roles at each club, workers claim they constantly are being media relations Chris Bandura. They combined for 72 years of Sabres asked to do more work with less resources. service.

“People are fried,” one former executive said. “They’ve been letting Seymour Knox IV, son and nephew of the Sabres’ co-founders, posted people go for over a year, and the ones that have to work with both the The Athletic’s article about the firings on his Facebook page. He added Bills and the Sabres are going nonstop from summer until April. It would the message: “A very sad day in Sabreland.” be later than that if the Sabres ever made the playoffs. In the comments underneath, recognizable names lashed out at the “Nights, weekends, different fan bases, different presentations, different Pegulas. databases, different practices within each league.” Former Sabres minority owner and president Larry Quinn called the Examples of communication breakdowns were plentiful among those moves “baffling,” said Kim Pegula was “making a horrendous mistake” who spoke with The Athletic. Two from ticket sales — one current and and blamed “sneaks (who are) hiding and assassinating good people.” A source confirmed Bonny Seiling, wife of French Connection right wing Rene Robert, called Thursday to cancel her family’s season tickets, as she stated under Knox’s post. Sabres Hall of Fame goaltender Don Edwards called Sinclair’s dismissal “very disheartening. … Despite the current pandemic, looking optimistically ahead to when it ends, common sense, loyalty and appreciation for someone’s many years of devotion and dedication is the strength of any organization.”

The ousted Sabres vice presidents did receive severance pay, unlike Wheat. After 20 seasons with the Bills, he was informed the day before his contract expired in February that he would not be renewed.

Two sources said Wheat was resistant to PSE synergies and fought to keep the Bills an isolated organization, that he didn’t want the problems at PSE or the Sabres to be felt in Orchard Park.

“We have invested almost all profits back into the Bills,” Kim Pegula wrote. “We have renovated locker rooms, training areas, clubs, suites, our cafeteria, scouting room and most recently funded a new sports- training center along with all the normal capital expenditures needed for an almost 50-year-old stadium.

“With the pandemic and the uncertainty of sports in the near future, we instituted a hiring freeze, freeze on raises and bonuses as well as reassessing discretionary spending. We, along with many other teams, put into place these same guidelines so that we could plan for uncertain times.”

Wheat, the Bills’ top executive after Russ Brandon’s resignation, and the former Sabres vice presidents declined to be interviewed for this story.

In a news release about last Tuesday’s workplace announcements, PSE made a point to mention the Bills “continue to operate at normal levels” because the NFL’s offseason schedule hasn’t been significantly changed. The NFL Draft will begin Thursday.

A league source took note of that proclamation, saying “That’s the Pegulas sending a message to their NFL peers that their other business decisions are not impacting their competitiveness. Roger Goodell pays attention to things like that.” No NFL team has announced cutbacks due to the pandemic.

“The culture is legitimate,” a Bills source said. “Whatever’s going on with the Sabres, I don’t care. That’s their problem. Their shit better not affect what we built.”

In response to a question about their plans with their struggling hockey club, Kim Pegula said, “We are not looking at selling the Sabres. We are looking at the best way to operate the club so that it’s viable and sustainable.”

She conceded future stadium and arena costs — newly built or renovated — already have been incorporated into their business decisions.

As the NFL’s second-smallest market, every dollar will count. The outlook for state and county tax dollars has darkened during the pandemic.

“We are trying to correct our mistakes and the mistakes of others with the goal in mind that we need to be better in many areas to not only survive but to thrive,” Kim Pegula concluded in her email to The Athletic.

“Despite these challenges, we believe there is still a lot of optimism and opportunity here in Western New York with the right people in place and the collaboration of all our entities we always envisioned.”

— Additional reporting by John Vogl

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183227 Buffalo Sabres encouraged open communication as well as implemented programs such as employee surveys and different employee engagements across all our properties to foster a One Buffalo culture. I have emphasized how we are better together than apart, sharing resources, knowledge and information The Athletic Q&A: Kim Pegula addresses PSE’s latest downsizing phase across all our entities. This is the heart of why PSE was formed. Over the last couple of years, I have personally spoken to many employees across

various departments to talk through organizational goals and provide By Tim Graham Apr 20, 2020 clearer understanding and direction. I’ve tried to provide transparency, information, both the good and the bad, so that people could better understand the decisions being made. As for all the other issues you outlined above, these are all things we continue to work on. Several Pegula Sports and Entertainment last week terminated another round of months ago, we put in new guidelines to limit the amount of workload to employees separate from other personnel cutbacks stemming from the various departments. One person may view this as a good decision to COVID-19 pandemic. decrease their workload, but another person views it as a resource being The moves merely were the latest downsizing phase for a portfolio that taken away. includes the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, two As I have been taking a deeper look into how all our businesses have clubs, a minor-league hockey team, restaurants, an ad agency and been operating, I have had to make changes. Some I could plan for, and various other properties. others I could not. If I had a magic wand and in one swing could make The Athletic spoke to 39 current and former PSE, Bills and Sabres everything the way we intended, I would. But these types of changes employees, who shared their increasing frustrations with what they take time and are a natural part of the evolution of all businesses. We are perceive to be mismanagement and fears that economic uncertainties no different. Are we where we want to be as an organization? Definitely have spread the Pegulas too financially thin while operating ancillary not; I don’t know any business that is. All I can say is that we will businesses that don’t help the teams win. continue to address these issues. There may be people that don’t fit into our organization, and it’s no fault of either side; it’s just not the right fight In response to concerns raised about low morale and a lack of faith in for both parties and people are free to take their own paths. corporate leadership, Kim Pegula agreed to answer questions submitted by email. While many of these responses are included in the What concerns do you have of the perception among employees that accompanying story, we felt it was appropriate to provide the exchange family members and their friends have been given increasingly too much in full here as well. power?

As the PSE portfolio grew, many people accepted jobs with faith in your Honestly, I can only think of two people out of thousands of employees business acumen, but since have been dismissed as you right-size. What who would fall in this category. After what we have gone through with decisions caused these dismissals to be necessary? previous leadership, I think it is understandable that we would want to put in place people we’ve known all our lives and who are part of our family. Tim, as we’ve discussed before, when Terry and I came back to Buffalo If you look across our staff you will find many who are related, husbands in 2011, there was no handbook for being a sports owner (there still isn’t, and wives, extended family and friends. We have always allowed but we have learned an awful lot). Many times, with ownership changes coaches, GMs, VPs and others to hire people to their staff. Often, they come sweeping changes. We chose not to do that. We felt we owed the have hired people they have personally known or worked with and/or current staff an opportunity to continue working for the organization. We recommended by friends and family. I’m disappointed that we as owners kept people in leadership roles because we trusted them to have our do not get the same consideration that we give others. We have learned interests and the interest of the teams as their number one priority. We through past mistakes the quality of the person is more important than were wrong. their experience, especially if they have a different agenda and do not We fully admit we put trust in some of the wrong people and made represent who we are as people or as an organization. decisions based on information that was given to us by them. It’s our Some of the frustration regarding the perception of family favoritism fault. We put too much faith in certain people. We allowed them more comes from the different businesses and projects, such as Healthy leeway than clearly they deserved. We kept them too long, and we’ve Scratch and Ready 24, that have been funded and promoted. What paid the price. It’s a lesson I’ve learned over the last couple of years. assurances can you give employees who believe there have been too What you call “right-size” is true. For us to survive as an organization, we many distractions from the core product of winning NFL and NHL have to get these organizations right. We must be sustainable and have games? the resources we need in the right areas for the right reasons. Tim, I would disagree with those that feel that other projects have been a We know how important these organizations and teams are to the distraction for our core teams. Since we purchased the teams, we have Western New York community, and we want to make sure they are here done more in every area, including the hockey and football departments. for a long time. We can only do that by correcting our mistakes and We have given football and hockey every resource to win, and the “right-sizing” our businesses. With the uncertainty around the sports, different businesses and projects in no way have impacted that. The only entertainment and hospitality industries, it’s more important now than assurance I can give is that our commitment to winning has not wavered ever before we have a sound plan and strategy in place. nor will it change.

As of this email, I’ve interviewed 39 current and former PSE, Bills and How much has the price of oil and natural gas influenced the way you Sabres employees, including executives and lower-level. The most conduct business at PSE, Bills and Sabres? common concern is lack of confidence in the ELT. How do you correct that? There has always been a connection between the two. If it wasn’t for the oil and gas industry and the people who worked for us for almost 30 We have been working on correcting that. We had to take a hard look years, we would not have been able to purchase the Sabres, kept the over the last few years and make decisions on people we lost confidence Bills in Buffalo and provided jobs for Western New York. To give you in, people that I considered close friends. Don’t forget: We have more insight, when we sold the oil and gas business, the average price of numerous properties across our portfolios, many formed under the natural gas in 2010 was $4.37, and oil was $71.21 a barrel. Today, the recommendation by past leadership. I understand that not every decision price of natural gas is $1.78, and oil is at $17.66 a barrel. I don’t know is going to be understood by each and every employee, but at the heart any industry that wouldn’t be affected with that type of decline. People of it, we are doing what we believe is right for the health of the may not like that our businesses interconnect or have influence over organizations. another, but all I can say is that if it wasn’t for the oil and gas industry and Many also expressed disappointment that the One Buffalo culture is the people that work in that business, we couldn’t have invested in preached but not practiced. They expressed feeling taken for granted, Buffalo, and the people who are employed would not have their current overworked because of continual downsizing, poor communication flow jobs. We do not have an endless supply of capital, and, like everywhere and inter-departmental disorder. What is being done to eliminate these else around the country, all of our organizations have been affected by issues within your properties? the pandemic. It would be irresponsible to not re-evaluate our holdings.

I’m sorry to hear they feel that way. We have a robust HR department to How much do the Sabres’ sustained financial losses impact decisions help address the needs of our employees. I have personally initiated and when it comes to Bills budgets? In the last six years it hasn’t at all. We have invested almost all profits back into the Bills. We have renovated locker rooms, training areas, clubs, suites, our cafeteria, scouting room and most recently funded a new sports-training center along with all the normal capital expenditures needed for an almost 50-year-old stadium. With the pandemic and the uncertainty of sports in the near future, we instituted a hiring freeze, freeze on raises and bonuses as well re-assessing discretionary spending. We, along with many other teams, put into place these same guidelines so that we could plan for uncertain times.

Given the NFL lines of credit that have been extended and employee concerns over liquidity issues, how do you describe your ability to sustain a return on your investment?

We used the majority of the NFL line of credit in the initial purchase of the team. Unlike Mr. Wilson, we did not buy the team for $25,000. Despite this, the NFL line of credit is a very small percentage of the valuation, so we have no concerns that it would hinder any ability to sustain the investment.

What is your long-term outlook when it comes to the possibility of selling the Sabres?

We are not looking at selling the Sabres. We are looking at best way to operate the club so that it’s viable and sustainable.

How much do the future costs of stadium and arena renovations and/or construction impact what business decisions you’re making now?

There is no doubt the costs of the stadium and arena need to be part of any business decisions. We are in one of the smallest markets in both size and revenue. Terry and I have invested billions into Western New York to ensure the teams stay here. These future financial needs and others highlight the critical need to ensure our businesses are efficient. I have outlined to our staff the short- and long-term goals so we can prepare for the critical financial needs we know are coming down the line.

Is there anything else you would like to add about these business decisions?

We understand our employees’ anxiety and frustration. We are feeling the same way. We have taken pride in employing people across Western New York and ensuring the teams stay in the area. It would be irresponsible of us to continue business as usual. What we put off today may make us and others feel better, but in the long run will do more damage and hurt our community even more. There isn’t anything I’ve said today that I have not said to staff directly over the last few years. We are trying to correct our mistakes and the mistakes of others with the goal in mind that we need to be better in many areas to not only survive but to thrive. Despite these challenges, we believe there is still a lot of optimism and opportunity here in Western New York with the right people in place and the collaboration of all our entities we always envisioned.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183228 Calgary Flames Fleury and Talbot each left their creases for a brief moment, verbally challenging one another before thinking better of it.

“We came in here to send a message, and I think we did that,” Reaves Simulating the 2020 NHL playoffs: Flames vs. Golden Knights said following the contest. “Would’ve been nice to see Flower drop the gloves, right?”

Jonathan Marchessault scored into the empty net in the final minute after By Scott Cruickshank, Jesse Granger and Dom Luszczyszyn Apr 20, the Golden Knights fended off a final push from the Flames. Talbot was 2020 fantastic for Calgary, stopping 28-of-29 shots on the night.

Golden Knights’ coach Peter DeBoer’s biggest decision entering this postseason will be who to start in net on a nightly basis. When the The NHL isn’t back yet, but we’re going to pretend it is. Over the last Golden Knights added Robin Lehner at the trade deadline, it created month, we’ve run a simulation of how the NHL’s regular season might tremendous depth behind Fleury, but also a tough choice for the coach. have played out if the league hadn’t been suspended on March 12. Now, the standings have been set and we’re carrying that forward through the Consider his first test passed, as Fleury netted his 16th career playoffs. This time around, one of our beat writers from each team will be postseason shutout. in charge of every lineup decision, the narrative for every playoff game and they’ll get to decide what “happened” in each game. Join us as we “We were always going with Fleury,” DeBoer said. “He’s the backbone of make our way through the simulated postseason to crown a virtual this team, he’s played well in the biggest moments, and he was great for Stanley Cup champion. us tonight.”

The Flames and Golden Knights: Two teams that expected to meet each — Jesse Granger other in the second round last season, but unceremoniously bowed out in Game 2 the opening round. They meet this year instead, with one team advancing to face Vancouver in the second round. Vegas sticks with the same lineup while Calgary swaps Zac Rinaldo for Tobias Rieder. The two teams could not have had a more different finish to the 2019-20 regular season. The Flames were red hot, finally looking like the team Calgary ties the series with another closely contested game. that won the West last season finishing 8-2-2 to earn home ice in the playoffs. Vegas stumbled from atop its perch at the top of the division, Well aware of their record in Las Vegas — winless all-time in six going 4-6-1 to drop to third in the division. Most of that was a result of the appearances at T-Mobile Arena — the Flames desperately needed a split team missing Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty, a gigantic loss for any in Calgary. team, but both are back and ready to rock the playoffs. Still, the Golden And they got it, squeezing out a 3-2 overtime decision in Game 2 at the Knights’ underlying strength took a big hit as a result of the weak stretch Saddledome. drive, making this series a bit closer than expected. The Golden Knights are favoured by 59 percent. Playing hero, no surprise, had been Sam Bennett, who, at 18:48 of the first extra period, redirected a T.J. Brodie point past Golden Knights Last year, Johnny Gaudreau would’ve been rated as one of the league’s goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Bennett not only collected a game-high seven best players and Mark Giordano one of the league’s best defenders. hits in his 11:08 of ice time — to go with his six belts in Game 1 — he Sean Monahan was on the cusp of elite too. All three have struggled this also set up Mark Jankowski’s first-period strike. year though relative to the level they showcased last season and have seen a large drop in projected value as a result. The star-power edge in The outburst gives the rambunctious winger seven points in his last previous years would’ve went in Calgary’s favour, but not anymore. Not seven postseason appearances. with the way Stone has played in recent seasons, not with Pacioretty’s incredible bounce-back campaign, and not with the way Shea Theodore “Well, you guys know Benny,” said Milan Lucic, who, on the power play, has quietly controlled play this season (similar to Giordano at his best) to recorded the locals’ other goal. “It’s the time of year when he always become one of the league’s new elite rearguards. seems to shine. That line (with Jankowski and Zac Rinaldo) was our best line. The rest of us just have to do what we can to follow.” On paper, Vegas is a tough matchup, one Calgary doesn’t stack up well against. Vegas has stronger high-end talent, more depth at every The Flames led 1-0 and 2-1 by periods, but allowed the guests, with the position and better goaltending too. The Earth 2 version of the team may goalie pulled, to collect the equalizer in the final minute of regulation — a have wobbled to the finish line, but there’s still a lot of talent here, ready rebound conversion by Paul Stastny (who, by the way, has 65 points in to take the playoffs by storm. 57 regular-season meetings with the Flames).

Calgary will have to be at its best here and find the version of themselves For the Golden Knights, Ryan Reaves scored in the second period. that was the West’s best team just a short year ago. Fleury looked solid, stopping 27 shots, but Calgary goalie Cam Talbot Game 1 was spectacular, parrying 51 of 53 pucks.

Vegas takes a close opening game. After the heated series-opener, this had been a relatively calm affair, with only three obstruction minors. But with the matchup now shifting to Marc-Andre Fleury stole the show in Calgary, stopping all 33 shots to Vegas — where the Golden Knights have outscored the Flames 27-6 shut the Flames out, and nearly dropping the gloves with Cam Talbot in over the years and overpowered them generally — fireworks are Game 1. expected.

Fleury was the difference in a tightly-contested game that didn’t take long “Yeah, but we can hold our own in that department,” said coach Geoff to develop into a slugfest. He was spectacular early on, making several Ward. “It’s all about guys stepping out of their comfort zone and digging acrobatic saves in the opening minutes to keep Vegas in the game. The in. You can be scrappy without dropping your gloves. When you see a Golden Knights eventually found their rhythm and added an empty net 50-50 puck, win it. Watch Andrew Mangiapane.” goal late to claim a 2-0 win over the Flames. NOTES: Calgary D Mark Giordano hobbled off in the second period and The teams battled to a 0-0 tie through two periods before Max Pacioretty did not return — a “lower-body” injury, according to the team. If he can’t eventually beat Talbot to open the scoring early in the third. Pacioretty go in Game 3, D Juuso Valimaki is champing at the bit … C Mikael curled into the slot, received a pass from William Karlsson in stride, and Backlund won 15 of his 21 draws. lifted a wrist shot over Talbot’s glove to break the tie. — Scott Cruickshank The game featured more fights than goals, and the heavyweight main event came in the third period between veteran bruisers Ryan Reaves Game 3 and Milan Lucic. The two slugged it out at center ice, while Fleury and Giordano has officially been ruled out for Game 3. Juuso Valimaki will Matthew Tkachuk exchanged words near the Vegas crease. Minutes slot in for his first game of the season coming back from injury. Vegas will later Tkachuk dropped the gloves with Chandler Stephenson, while go with the same lineup, but coach Pete DeBoer is looking to run Shea Theodore a lot more. Vegas wins to take a 2-1 series lead in what is one of the closest games Roommates in Stockton, linemates in their first-ever taste of the NHL, of the first round. Matthew Phillips and Glenn Gawdin helped the Flames stay alive in their opening-round series. In typical Las Vegas fashion, the Golden Knights and Flames began Game 3 of their playoff series in the evening and finished it in the wee Surprise participants in Game 5, the rookies combined for five scoring hours of the following morning. points — Gawdin with two goals, Phillips with three assists — in the Flames’ 5-2 triumph over the Golden Knights at the Saddledome. Mark Stone ended the marathon contest with a shorthanded goal in triple overtime, beating Cam Talbot five-hole on a partial breakaway. Stone’s In the must-win meeting, the newcomers wasted no time. Twice in the tally ended the game just after midnight Pacific Time, more than four opening 12 minutes, Phillips set the table for Gawdin strikes. In the third hours after the initial puck drop, to give Vegas a 3-2 win, and a 2-1 lead period, Phillips collected a helper on Sam Bennett’s insurance goal. in the series. “Yeah, kind of storybook for me and Gawdsie,” chuckled Phillips, a But while Stone was the overtime hero, defenseman Shea Theodore was Calgary native. “I think we were so nervous that we had plenty of energy. the best player on the ice for most of the contest. After falling behind 2-0 I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight.” early, Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer deployed Theodore in all situations, hoping to spark some offense for Vegas. Cradling his keepsake pucks, Gawdin added: “Benny helped us. His physical play really set the tone. That gave us a bit of room, especially Theodore finished the night with 46 minutes of ice time, and despite with (Ryan) Reaves chasing him around out there.” recording one goal and one assist he wasn’t made available to the media in the dressing room following the contest. Theodore tweaked something It’s worth noting that the Flames, who also got markers from Elias late in the final overtime and will be a game-time decision for Game 4. Lindholm and Andrew Mangiapane, stayed in a Calgary hotel the night before the game. As one of the top travelling teams in the NHL — and “He was our best player tonight,” DeBoer said. “I haven’t spoken with the desperate in the face of elimination — they reverted to road mode. trainers yet, but we’re hoping it’s nothing serious, and that he’ll be able to go.” Paul Stastny scored twice — one shorthanded, one on the power play — as David Rittich, in his return to the Calgary net, blocked 28 drives. The Calgary raced out to an early lead behind spectacular goals from Johnny Flames goalie also got into a spirited second-period exchange with Max Gaudreau and Mikael Backlund, but couldn’t hold on. It’s the Flames Pacioretty, both players drawing minors for slashing. seventh-straight loss at T-Mobile Arena. Marc-Andre Fleury faced 32 shots. — Jesse Granger With the best-of-seven favouring Vegas 3-2, the series shifts to T-Mobile Game 4 Arena, where the Flames have never won in eight regular- and postseason visits. Mark Giordano returns from injury, will replace Derek Forbort who will be a healthy scratch. Shea Theodore has been ruled out for Game 4 – Jon — Scott Cruickshank Merrill will fill in. Game 6 Just like last year, Vegas takes a 3-1 series lead in the opening round. Tomas Nosek in for Ryan Reaves who will be a healthy scratch. Jon Merrill’s eyes lit up as he crashed into the corner boards, pumping Theodore back to full minutes. his fists into the air with teammates rushing to celebrate with him. Calgary forces Game 7 in a nail-biter. The postseason wouldn’t be complete without Merrill unexpectedly stepping into a spot, and delivering. He did it once again tonight, filling in It was that kind of night. for an injured Shea Theodore, and scoring twice to lead Vegas to a 4-1 Matthew Tkachuk’s first goal of the postseason tied it. Sean Monahan’s win over Calgary in Game 4. first goal sealed it.

Theodore was a game-time decision after playing 46 minutes in the And the Flames’ first win — on their ninth try — at T-Mobile Arena triple-overtime thriller, and wasn’t able to suit up for Vegas. Coach Peter extended it, forcing Game 7 in what has been a ferocious opening-round DeBoer called Merrill’s name, and he played exceptionally. The veteran series. forward has stepped up many times this season, including playing wing (he scored in that game too). “Wow. We just refused to lose,” said Flames skipper Geoff Ward. “We got timely goals from our talented people. And, of course, what can you “It’s been fun, I just hope he doesn’t steal my job,” goalie Marc-Andre say about Ritter? Unbelievable.” Fleury said after the game. Indeed, in backstopping the guests to a 2-1 decision, goalie David Rittich Merrill opened the scoring early at T-Mobile Arena with a shot from the blocked 59 pucks over 82 minutes of game time. point that deflected off Flames defenseman T. J. Brodie and into the net. Mark Stone would add another goal to make it 2-0 before Calgary “He was our best player,” said Ward. “We don’t get it back to Calgary (for answered with one of their own. Dillon Dube capitalized on a rebound by another game) without him.” Fleury, putting the second-chance into a wide-open net to make it 2-1. The Golden Knights appeared to be headed for the second round when The Golden Knights pulled away late with goals by Merrill and Schmidt. Mark Stone counted the night’s opening goal midway through the third Fleury remained solid in net for Vegas, stopping 30-of-31 shots to help period, corralling a power-play feed from Shea Theodore and buzzing it the Golden Knights take a stronghold on the series, up 3-1. over the blocker of Rittich.

Note: DeBoer said after the game that Theodore will make the trip to But at 19:50, going with an extra attacker, the Flames went around the Calgary for Game 5, and that he expects him to play. However, his horn in Vegas territory — Mark Giordano to Rasmus Andersson to Elias minutes may be slightly limited compared to his usual team-leading Lindholm to Tkachuk, who, stationed in front of goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, 22:14. clubbed in the equalizer.

— Jesse Granger It’s probably worth mentioning that Max Pacioretty somehow got loose in the Flames’ zone in the final 10 seconds of regulation time — and Game 5 clanked the post.

David Rittich takes over the starter’s crease over Cam Talbot while two “That’s all I gave him,” said Rittich, with a wink. “But, yeah, I heard the newcomers – Glenn Gawdin and Matthew Phillips – get a taste of the big pink. That scared my pants off.” leagues in place of Zac Rinaldo and Mark Jankowski. Theodore is back for Vegas. The first overtime solved nothing.

The Flames live another day, force Game 6 in Vegas. But early in the second extra period, Monahan, working a give and go with Johnny Gaudreau, went five-hole on Fleury, cueing the visitors’ wild on-ice celebration. “Obviously, that was a big goal,” said Monahan. “Now we look forward to “I know you guys have expectations. I know fans have expectations,” winning it all. We’ve got the guys to do it. We can’t wait.” Ward continued. “But we have our own expectations … and, while it’s damn sad we couldn’t get it done, I think the players and us as coaches — Scott Cruickshank will look back and see this as a step forward for the organization.

Game 7 “We talk about compete level. We talk about getting out of your comfort Vegas continues to roll with Fleury despite losing two straight. Reaves zone. I’m not sure you could’ve asked for more from the guys, all of the back in for Nosek, though he won’t see much ice with Vegas planning to guys. I’m proud of them.” give a heavy dose of minutes to the top six. No changes for Calgary, but The Flames got strong performances from goalies David Rittich and Cam coach Geoff Ward aims to ride or die with his top six and top four. Talbot, from seven defencemen (including star-in-the-making Juuso This one’s almost literally a coin flip. Valimaki), from all of the forwards (including NHL newbies Matthew Phillips and Glenn Gawdin). Vegas survives the comeback scare to advance to the second round. “It seemed everyone was dialled in,” said Johnny Gaudreau, who picked As the clock ticked down on Game 7 at the Scotiabank Saddledome, a swell time to unleash the best hockey of his season. “That’s what things looked dire for the Vegas Golden Knights. makes this so hard right now. We played so well. I don’t know how we didn’t get it done. It was right there for us.” Calgary held a 2-0 lead late in the third period, and the Flames appeared to be in control after winning the last two games while facing elimination. He’s not wrong. The game — and the series — was theirs. Blowing a With only 5:15 to play the teams lined up for a faceoff, and that’s when it lead always stinks, but to fritter one away late in a Game 7? Nothing happened. could be worse.

Milan Lucic cross-checked Ryan Reaves directly off the draw, and the The Flames’ jaw-dropping finish — surrendering three power-play goals Golden Knights’ behemoth went down hard. The two had battled all (on three shots) in the last five minutes of regulation — will be dissected series, trading collision after collision, but after Reaves finished a for years. questionably late check on Lucic the shift prior, Lucic wanted to settle the score. “It is what it is,” said Rittich, who, after his centre-ice fight with counterpart Marc-Andre Fleury, had been in the dressing room when the Golden Knights players mobbed Lucic, as Reaves stayed down on the guests staged their epic rally. “I know you always want to blame ice. Brawls broke out across the ice, including Marc-Andre Fleury and somebody. Well, forget it. I’m not going to let you. I stand by these guys David Rittich, who dropped their gloves and skated to center ice. The two and I know they stand by me.” netminders circled for a moment, before finally engaging, and each landing a few haymakers before they crashed to the ice. The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020

Both goalies were subsequently tossed for game misconducts, and Lucic was escorted to the box for a five-minute major for cross-checking Reaves (who went straight to the dressing room). Flames’ coach Geoff Ward screamed from his bench, but following a review the officials confirmed the call on the ice, and Vegas sent its power play unit on the ice.

Cam Talbot replaced Rittich, who had stopped 28-of-28 shots, and Robin Lehner took the crease for Vegas.

Less than a minute into the man advantage Vegas capitalized with a one- timer from Max Pacioretty in the left circle. Minutes later, Jonathan Marchessault tied the game from the exact same spot.

Then, on the third shot Talbot faced in the contest, Mark Stone also beat the netminder to give Vegas a 3-2 lead. Lehner stood tall in relief, stopping all seven shots he faced to allow the Golden Knights to complete the come-from-behind win.

When Vegas first hired Peter DeBoer in January, he was asked by the Golden Knights Insider Show what defines success, and he said playing to the team’s identity, then joked “sometimes, you need a major penalty or a hand pass to help you out, too.”

Turns out he was right.

— Jesse Granger

Yes, it goes into the record books as another first-round loss.

For the second straight spring, the Flames failed to reach the next bracket. That, of course, is disappointing — and extra heart-breaking given the magnitude of the Game 7 collapse.

But this series bears little similarity to last spring’s matchup — a mile- high schooling at the hands of the . That was awful, raising all sorts of red flags about the core, about the coaching, about the construction of the roster.

The past two weeks, though, had been something else altogether.

The Flames, getting contributions from every corner of the dressing room, taking few steps back, showed themselves to be the equals of the Golden Knights, one of the elite groups in the NHL.

“Yeah, I mean, we were good, darned good,” Geoff Ward said. “That other team is a team that’s going to go a long way — just watch. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re still playing in a month’s time.”

The Flames coach stepped back, needing to take a moment to regroup. 1183229 Carolina Hurricanes Brind’Amour and Williams each played almost 24 minutes in Game 1. Even after three increasingly intense series leading up to the Cup Final, Canes coach relied heavily on Brind’Amour’s line and those two — Brind’Amour, who was 35-years old in 2006, and Williams, With NHL suspended, Rod Brind’Amour has time to reflect on Canes’ 24. 2006 Stanley Cup run “That year, Peter used me quite a bit and any player would want that,” Brind’Amour said. “It was something I had trained for and I wanted to be out there. I felt like I played better the more minutes I was able to get. BY CHIP ALEXANDER ‘Willy’ was a young kid at the time and he could handle it for sure. APRIL 20, 2020 09:45 AM “I don’t know if we looked at the minutes back then, at that stat. It certainly wasn’t as important as it seems to be today. When you’re ready to go, you put your best guys out there. That’s how Peter ran it. Rod Brind’Amour rarely discusses the details of the Carolina Hurricanes’ Fortunately for me and Willy, we were playing pretty good hockey.” 2006 Stanley Cup run. As the Canes’ coach hasn’t had the time to sit back and watch replays of old playoff games. Roloson would play no more hockey that series for the Oilers after his knee injury in the opener. Conklin’s turn was brief. Jussi Markkanen, a Until now. With the coronavirus pandemic suspending the the NHL Finn, would take over in net for the Oilers in Game 2. season and everything on hold, Brind’Amour will finally watch and reflect. The Canes soared to a 5-0 win in Game 2, then went to Edmonton and Starting Monday, Fox Sports Carolinas will air the four Carolina victories took a 3-1 series lead with a 2-1 victory in Game 4 at Rexall Place. But from the ‘06 Stanley Cup final against the . John the Oilers staged their own comeback, stunning the Canes 4-3 in Forslund, the Canes’ longtime television broadcaster, and analyst Tripp overtime on Pisani’s shorthanded goal in Game 5, and won 4-0 in Tracy will offer commentary before each telecast, and Brind’Amour and Edmonton to force a Game 7. Forslund also will reminisce. “What I liked about this series was the speed it was played at,” Forslund “The one thing I wanted was to see these guys be validated for their said. “It was incredible. The Oilers were flying, the Canes were flying. season,” Forslund said Friday. “They won 52 games in the regular season. I was hoping their (playoff) run would prove to the National “They were coming off the (lockout) season and had adjusted all the Hockey League, in the big-picture aspect of things, that not only was the rules and it was the first year of freedom for the players on the ice. The team legitimate but the market was legitimate and the fans legitimate. season was unbridled, the season was wide open, and this series played And all of that came to fruition. That was important.” out like it.”

No one will forget Game 7. Canes fans stood start to finish on that June It was a long flight back to Raleigh after Game 6 for the Hurricanes. So night which ended with a 3-1 victory, with Brind’Amour, the Canes’ much was on their minds, especially the older players. Brind’Amour, Glen captain at the time, raising the Cup. But Game 1 in Raleigh was a wild Wesley, Bret Hedican and others had not won a Stanley Cup and sensed affair and likely the most entertaining game in the series. this might be their last, best chance.

The Canes won 5-4 but only after falling behind 3-0 in the second period. “I remember how quiet it was on that flight, remember Rod’s demeanor, Glen Wesley’s demeanor,” Forslund said. “I had to jar my memory,” Brind’Amour said Friday. “I don’t remember getting down three. I thought it was a couple.” Was there any doubt the Canes would win?

Nope, 3-0. Fernando Pisani scored first for the Oilers, then defenseman “There’s always doubt,” Brind’Amour said. “I think more than anything Chris Pronger on the first penalty-shot goal in finals history. Ethan there was the fear of losing. You just knew how big the stakes were. We Moreau’s goal late in the second made it 3-0 but the Canes finally had so many veteran guys who had been doing this their whole life to get countered 54 seconds later — on a Brind’Amour goal. to this point. We weren’t going to let it slip through our hands.

“We always had a group that year that felt we could come back, because “I think that was comforting. I do remember a big lump in my chest for we had done it a lot during the regular season,” Brind’Amour said. “It Game 5 and Game 6. In Game 7, it was gone because you just knew wasn’t out of the question to come back in any game. That was a real there was no tomorrow. This is it. The weight was off our shoulders. We ace in the hole that we had.” were home in front of our crowd and it gave us that little edge we needed.” After Brind’Amour’s goal, Ray Whitney scored twice and one of Brind’Amour’s linemates, winger Justin Williams, gave the Canes a 4-3 It’s as if nothing was going to stop the Canes in the final game. lead midway through the third period — with a shorthanded breakaway. Defenseman scored the always-important first goal, The decibel level was full-tilt in the building. defenseman Frantisek Kaberle made it 2-0 with a power-play score and Williams’ empty netter at the end finished it off. But there was incredible Ales Hemsky’s power-play goal tied the score 4-4 and the game tension, and the Canes needed another clutch game from Ward in net to appeared headed to overtime. But Oilers goalie Dwayne Roloson had win. been injured in the third period. In came Ty Conklin. With a half-minute remaining in regulation, Conklin misplayed the puck behind the net, Game7-WardSave01 Brind’Amour snatched it and scored the winner as the arena — then Ward, burned on the Pisani shorthanded goal in Game 5, denied the called the RBC Center — rumbled. Oilers winger on a rebound late in regulation and was the Conn Smythe Game 1, 2006 vs. Edmonton. The Hurricanes tied the Trophy winner as playoffs MVP. biggest comeback in finals history, erasing a three-goal deficit before Time to raise the Cup. Brind’Amour all but snatched it out of the hands of Andrew Ladd collided with Oilers goalie Dwayne Roloson behind the net. commissioner Gary Bettman. When backup Ty Conklin misplayed the puck behind the net, captain Rod Brind’Amour swept in to score the game-winner with 32 seconds to play.. “They validated how good they were,” Forslund said. “They became champions but I thought they played like champions all season.” The Oilers had three good looks at a tying goal in the final seconds, but rookie goaltender Cam Ward made the stops, making a sprawling glove FOX SPORTS CAROLINAS “CANES CLASSICS” save on a Shawn Horcoff shot with 3.8 seconds left. Brind’Amour won a final faceoff and that was that. Monday, April 20, 7 p.m.: 2006 NHL Stanley Cup Finals, Game 1.

Even Don Cherry, who was in the house that night for the CBC Tuesday, April 21, 7 p.m: Game 2. broadcast, had to be impressed. Wednesday, April 22, 7 p.m.: Game 4 “Being a veteran group and knowing how we were playing, we knew we Thursday:, April 23, 7 p.m.: Game 7. could come back,” Brind’Amour said. “It was true again that game. It wasn’t a big deal.” News Observer LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183230 Chicago Blackhawks

Andrew Ladd and Kris Versteeg weigh in on Dustin Byfuglien's NHL future

By Slavko Bekovic April 20, 2020 9:38 PM

Ever since Dustin Byfuglien and the Winnipeg Jets mutually terminated his contract, there has been speculation about Byfuglien’s desire to return to the NHL, as well as his physical ability to do so.

Two of Byfuglien’s former teammates chimed in on Monday night. Andrew Ladd and recently-retired Kris Versteeg took to Instagram Live to share stories about “Big Buff” and his potential return to the NHL.

Ladd: “We saw Buff yesterday. Me, you, Colin Fraser, Troy Brouwer and Buff had a Zoom hangout.”

Versteeg: “What do you think, is he going to play again?”

Ladd: “My guess is he’s 90 percent done.”

Versteeg: “He’s never told me or anything, just by talking. I said I’d be shocked if he played again. But I also said, in two years, if he’s been doing nothing but fishing, he’s the only guy out there that can come back and play again in two years, you know what I mean? Like, there’s no one that can go out, not do s*** and come back and then probably get 30-40 points as a d-man or a forward, whatever position you want to put him at.”

Ladd: “Yeah. He’s just so...he’s so talented, obviously, but he’s just a freak. Like, so strong. I don’t know, he just does everything. He’s played ‘forward/d’...everything.”

So you’re saying there’s a chance!

There are a number of reasons to be skeptical about Byfuglien’s return to the ice. He’s 35 years old, hasn’t played in an NHL game in exactly one calendar year, and there are so many questions about his game-shape as well as the potential salary demands of the three-time NHL All-Star.

But as Versteeg put it, if there was one guy who could come back and still ragdoll guys around the ice, it’s probably Byfuglien.

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Blackhawks’ Andrew Shaw holds Q&A, talks funniest teammate, favorite rivalry

By Kelly Twardziak April 20, 2020 3:52 PM

While we’re all staying safe and social distancing at home, it's always nice to get a chance to connect with some of our favorite players online. Earlier this afternoon Blackhawks’ Andrew Shaw hopped on NHL’s Twitter to do a fun little Q&A to talk with fans (and even our very own Blackhawks Talk Twitter). We learned a lot about the Hawks’ right winger this afternoon.

We learned if Andrew Shaw could be any cartoon character he would want to be Groot from Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. An excellent choice, but followup question, which Groot would you want to be? Adult Groot, moody teenage Groot, or sweet adorable baby Groot? Our DMs are open.

I would’ve never imagined Seabrook as the type to go around ‘a hootin and hollerin’ but that’s what’s so fun about Q&A’s. Shaw cited himself, Zack Smith and Calvin de Haan as other jokesters in the Blackhawks’ locker room.

Shaw also shared that the teammate most likely to beat him at bowling would be Jonathan Toews.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183232 Chicago Blackhawks For Alex DeBrincat, it was Seabrook the comedian whose absence he felt. The guy who could break the sometimes unbearable tension in the dressing room before or during a game.

‘It’s just not the same’: Brent Seabrook’s importance was clear in his “That’s where you miss him the most; he’s always putting a smile on absence guys’ faces,” DeBrincat said. “It’s the glue in the room. Those guys are so important for any team — the guy who knows when to be serious and when to crack a joke. You miss having that in the room.”

By Mark Lazerus Apr 20, 2020 For Murphy, it was Seabrook the motivational speaker whose absence he felt. The guy who kept everybody going during the toughest times, the

guy who might have been able to give them the lift they so desperately Antti Raanta once described the parting shot that Brent Seabrook needed during a dreadful, season-crushing five-game Western Canada delivers to every Blackhawks player as he steps out of the tunnel and swing in February. onto the ice as less a fist bump than a fist punch. It’s a literal shot in the “I realized it on that road trip,” Murphy said. “You have days where you arm, sending a shockwave that travels through your glove and up to your get in late at night and you have to get up the next day and go to the rink, shoulder before dispersing into your heart and your brain, triggering that and it’s a little quieter because guys are dragging a bit. He’s the guy who final burst of adrenaline needed to make it through another 20 minutes of keeps it light and keeps it positive and is vocal. When it’s quiet like that, the most grueling of sports. you remember how much of a presence a guy like Seabs has.” “He hits you so hard,” Raanta said. “You think he’s going to break your For Corey Crawford, it was Seabrook the hockey player whose absence hand, but it just gets you so psyched up to play. You need it.” he felt. The guy who routinely sacrificed his body for the benefit of the In an ever-changing league with ever-changing rosters, that fist-bump team, no matter what condition he was in. Within the room, nobody bats was the Blackhawks’ constant for more than a decade. Every game, an eyelash at Seabrook’s oft-discussed contract. every period, Seabrook was the last person you saw before hitting the “He’s a pretty key player for us,” Crawford said. “He can play against top ice, his fist bump calibrated to the exact level necessary for each lines and block a ton of shots. And when he gets the chance, he can individual player. score on the power play, too. They’re big shoes to fill.” “It depends on the guy,” Connor Murphy said. “He reads the guy’s face For Kirby Dach, it was Seabrook the father figure whose absence he felt. and knows who needs it.” The guy with whom he drove to the rink every day. He still had his Over 13 body-ravaging seasons, Seabrook missed just 18 games — a mentor at home, since Dach was living in Seabrook’s house. But he no model of durability, of pain tolerance, of stubbornness, even. But over the longer had him at the arena or on the road. last three months of the season, he missed twice as many games, 36 “He’s so focused on the team, it’s crazy,” Dach said. “He puts everybody straight, his battered body finally succumbing and requiring three major else before himself, and that’s what makes him a great leader and a surgeries to his hips and shoulder. great person. He’s just so huge for this team.” Suddenly, Seabrook was gone. Gone from the ice. Gone from the And for Keith, it was Seabrook the life partner — not the defensive dressing room. Gone from the plane. Gone from the hotel. Gone from his partner — whose absence he felt. The guy who had been by his side customary spot at the end of the tunnel. And well, it just wasn’t the same every step of the way since 2005, the guy whom he could tell anything, anymore. the guy who always understood. Seabrook had been without Keith for It was different when Robin Lehner was the last guy, only because he stretches. But Keith had never been without Seabrook. was the backup goalie on a given night and was positioned there on the “You realize just how much you rely on a guy to get you through some bench. Or when Alex Nylander somehow found himself in that role for a difficult times, hard times,” Keith said. “The ups and downs of a long few games. It was strange even when it was Patrick Kane followed by season. Whether that’s just riding to the rink, riding to the airport, riding Jonathan Toews at the end of the line, as became the custom eventually. back from the plane, being on a road trip, talking hockey, talking about Those two might be the faces of the franchise, but it’s Seabrook who’s life and things like that. So for myself, I’ve definitely missed having him always been its voice, its beating heart. around.” There is only one Seabrook. And while the Blackhawks managed to Of course, it’s not as if Seabrook was the lone voice in the room. Toews replace him on the ice by pressing Adam Boqvist into service a year is the captain for a reason, and he’s never shy about standing up in the early, they never quite managed to replace him off it. Even before the room and speaking his mind. Kane has become more of a vocal leader world stopped turning and the 2019-20 season came to an abrupt end in over the years, particularly for the younger players who came into the mid-March, the last few months of the season were, well, they were just league idolizing him, and wore Seabrook’s “A” in his absence. The fiery kind of weird. Keith always has been able to say so much in so few words. “It’s been hard,” said Duncan Keith, Seabrook’s longtime partner and Hell, even when Seabrook was still in the lineup, Lehner damn near took best friend. “We’ve missed his presence around the team. He’s a guy over the room with his boisterous personality and booming voice. that brings everybody together, and I think that we would be that much better with him. It’s just not the same.” “I’ve never seen a goalie like that, that can be vocal and also be focused on his game, as well,” Kane marveled days before Lehner was shipped On Stanley Cup Final media day in 2015, Keith scoffed at a reporter’s to Vegas. “He’s been really good for the team. I think more guys have question about players standing up, striding to the center of the dressing stepped up and done a good job of trying to chime in here or there with room and delivering impassioned, eloquent pregame and intermission Seabs out.” speeches. “This isn’t Disney,” he sneered. So while yes, Seabrook is far and away the most vocal of the Blackhawks and he was typically the one But Seabrook was different. His voice — whether he was just blurting out to speak up during an intermission when things were going sideways, it’s a “Let’s go, Red!” while guys were lacing up their skates or dressing not the big, flowery monologues that his teammates missed. down his teammates for a lackluster period — always managed to be heard through the din of ripping tape and heavy breathing. And while Leadership is more subtle than that. Seabrook was still around the United Center from time to time, checking For Kane, it was Seabrook the cruise director whose absence he felt. in on his teammates and working on his rehab, that voice no longer was The guy who made sure everybody was included and felt like a part of there when the Blackhawks needed it the most. the team, regardless of how many minutes they played. “Tazer and Kaner and Duncs have their own way of leading that’s “Especially on the road,” Kane said. “He was the guy that, when you get different than what Seabs does,” Murphy said. “It’s definitely interesting into a city, he texts the group chat or a few guys and says we’re going to and makes it cool for a team dynamic to have guys who lead in one way, dinner here, and that was the plan for the night. He was a guy that I hung and then have someone like him who feeds into that soul of the team, out with a lot on the road.” and that character of the team. He’s able to do everything the right way and step up and speak at the right times, when a lot of guys aren’t willing to do that.” DeBrincat put it more succinctly: “Obviously we have some other guys who can do some of that, too. But Seabs was pretty loud.”

How do you quantify leadership? Is a welcoming personality, a quick wit and a booming voice worth $6.875 million for the next four seasons? No, of course not.

And fairly or not, Seabrook’s reputation is now forever linked to the massive contract Stan Bowman handed him three months after the 2015 Stanley Cup Final, when Seabrook was already 30 years old and showing signs of slowing down. Seabrook might be the toughest and most durable of Blackhawks, but he was never the physical freak of nature like Keith or Toews. It was always inevitable that he’d lose a step and start breaking down physically in his mid-30s. And now the Blackhawks are paying for it. There’s no sugarcoating that.

But what happens now? Will Seabrook be healed up and ready to go in October? Will he look like his old self or a shell of it? Will owners and players negotiate compliance buyouts into the CBA to bail out teams now that the coronavirus pandemic is likely to keep the salary cap flat at best? And if so, would Bowman have the Belichick-ian ruthlessness to use one on a player as beloved as Seabrook?

Nobody knows for sure. But those who do know Seabrook know he’s not going out like this, that he won’t be content to lay on a beach for the final four years of his contract while sitting on long-term injured reserve. Seabrook is determined to play again, and soon. Keith is convinced Seabrook will be back for the start of next season, whenever that is. Kane believes nine or 10 months off and two repaired hips could rejuvenate Seabrook and help him regain the mobility he’s lost in recent years. Toews expects Seabrook to be blasting slap shots from the point for years to come.

It’s been as hard for Seabrook to be away as it’s been for his teammates. Seabrook has been Keith’s emotional support for years, but for these past five months, Keith has been the shoulder his buddy has leaned on.

“As a friend, as a teammate, I’ve tried to do that,” Keith said. “I can’t imagine having to (have three major surgeries), especially for a guy who’s been in the lineup and hasn’t missed a lot of games. I think that’s taken for granted a lot, to be honest with you, someone who can play seasons and not miss a lot of time. There are a lot of good players around the league, but you’re not very effective if you’re on injured reserve. He’s a guy that’s battled through injuries for so long, and that often times can get overlooked. Now he’s battling through this to get back here. We can’t wait to have him back.”

Poll 21,000 people at the United Center, and you’ll probably get a different answer. But poll the two dozen guys who call him a teammate, and they all can’t wait to see Seabrook — to hear him, to laugh with him, to be punched in the fist by him — in a Blackhawks uniform again.

“We miss him,” Keith said. “I miss him.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183233 Columbus Blue Jackets "We believe he has a lot of those ingredients that make a player successful over here," Kekalainen said. "He’s had some success over here. He was drafted 12th overall and went back to Europe. (He’s) not the first player to do that and will not be the first player to come back and Blue Jackets’ signing of Mikhail Grigorenko on hold after NHL rejects the have success if that’s in order for him, which is something we’re hoping deal for and projecting."

Statistically, there is evidence that might be a possibility.

Brian Hedger Grigorenko struggled with the Sabres but still excelled at lower levels. The Avalanche gave him his first shot to play full time in the NHL, but his Apr 20, 2020 at 6:09 PM offensive production still lagged. His best season was 2016-17, when he totaled 10 goals and 13 assists in 75 games in his final NHL season before going to Russia. It was a good deal while it lasted. Grigorenko rediscovered his offensive touch there, becoming one of The Blue Jackets, however, must wait until July 1 to officially sign CSKA’s top players. He had a scoring line of 17-35-52 in 55 games last Russian forward Mikhail Grigorenko to the one-year, $1.2 million contract season and 19-22-41 in 47 games this season. He also helped Russia for the 2020-21 season. win bronze medals in the past two world championships and won an Olympic gold with Gavrikov in 2018. Nearly 12 hours after announcing the signing on Monday, the Jackets issued a news release late Monday night stating the deal was rejected by Grigorenko met with Kekalainen in Russia twice in the past year and NHL Central Registry. spoke by phone recently with Gavrikov, former Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin and coach . "The contract subsequently has been rejected ... due to a misunderstanding with regards to the filing window," the statement reads. "He could be making three times the amount of money in Russia, but he "We have been in contact with the league and Dan Milstein, Grigorenko’s chose to come to North America to continue what he began," Milstein agent, and the contract will be re-filed on July 1." said. "He’s got unfinished business here."

Grigorenko, who finished his contract with CSKA Moscow this season in Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.21.2020 Russia's Kontinental Hockey League, is thought to be an unrestricted free agent until a deal is re-filed and accepted.

Despite the freeze in the NHL’s 2019-20 regular season for the COVID- 19 pandemic, the league hasn't yet postponed its July 1 start of free agency. Regardless of the date, officially signing Grigorenko would be a move that carries little risk for the Blue Jackets and the potential for a nice payoff.

It all depends on Grigorenko, a skilled 25-year old forward who has played the past three seasons in the KHL.

"I think he’s improved as a hockey player," general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said during a conference call with reporters. "We’ve watched him the last couple years and have had interest in him the last couple years.

"He’s improved, but time will tell on the North American side."

The first time around in the NHL didn’t exactly work out for Grigorenko, who was selected No. 12 overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2012 draft and made his debut the following season.

But the 6-foot-3, 209-pound Grigorenko could never stick in Buffalo, playing parts of three seasons (2013-15) while splitting time among the Sabres, the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Rochester Americans of the .

Grigorenko totaled six goals and eight assists and had a minus-14 rating in 68 career games with Buffalo.

He was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche in July 2015 in a package that netted star center Ryan O’Reilly for the Sabres. Grigorenko played two full seasons for the Avs, totaling 16 goals and 34 assists in 149 games before returning to Russia.

He was considered a bust, but Grigorenko was still just 22 when he signed with CSKA Moscow.

"He went back to recharge his career," said Milstein, who also represents Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. "He’s a player who can play in all roles, so he became a very universal player. He is mature now, so he’s coming back for an opportunity."

The Blue Jackets would be thrilled if that opportunity leads to a longer tenure than one year in Columbus.

They already have Gavrikov, who was impressive as a rookie this season, plus three highly-regarded Russian prospects: goaltender Daniil Tarasov (2017, third round) and forwards Dmitri Voronkov (2019, fourth round) and Kirill Marchenko (2018, second round).

Grigorenko won’t turn 26 until May 16, so the Jackets see his glass as half-full. 1183234 Columbus Blue Jackets The terms of sale Weicker provided Karmanos put down $22 million on a price of $47.5 million and didn’t have to drop another cent if the team lost money made the move inevitable: Skip the debt, cover the losses, pay a nominal exit fee and cash in on relocation. You don’t have to be on a Michael Arace | Peter Karmanos’ scheme to house NHL team at airport board of directors to see the value in that. My uncle Pasquale whose never got off the ground calling card read "Thirty-two arrests, no convictions" could see this sort of thing a mile away.

Ultimately, it looked exactly like a quid pro quo: Weicker, when he Michael Arace Apr 20, 2020 at 5:46 AM retreated from politics, presumably to spend more time with his family, wound up with stock options. And Karmanos got to steal away a public trust. In the absence of sports and with the shuttering of saloons, many of us are now forced to spend time with our families (as we ride out the Karmanos was 54 years old and sporting a ponytail when he and I got in COVID-19 pandemic). Under such trying conditions, my attorney, Randy our cups, you might say, at the All-Star Game party in an aircraft hangar Kilbride, has advised me to tell tavern stories, to build a big bar rail we on the outskirts of San Jose in late January 1997. I was 33 and not can all sidle up to in six-foot intervals. Pull up a stool. nearly as smart as Uncle Pasquale, but I did understand my business. I told Karmanos that, on a professional level, I didn’t care whether the Today’s subject is aircraft hangars. Whalers moved I just wanted the heads-up before the deal went down.

Bob Hunter, who used to own this space, was on hand when Hartford I didn’t want to get beat on the story. Whalers owner Peter Karmanos visited an old McDonnell Douglas aircraft hangar at Port Columbus International Airport on Tuesday, April Karmanos promised, promised, promised that I’d be the first to know 22, 1997. That’s 23 years ago this week. when he was ready to announce that he was crushing the soul of Connecticut’s capital city. Those weren’t his exact words, but they might Karmanos had already announced he was moving the Whalers but he as well have been. We bonded next to an open bar, drank on it, shook on did not really know where. He flirted with Minneapolis and Nashville. He it. Jefferson Starship was on a stage playing "I’m on Fire" but Grace Slick pitted Raleigh against Columbus. He figured he’d come up with wasn’t there. something. It was neither the first nor the last promise Karmanos made to me. He liked Columbus. A lot. One theory floating around Hartford went like this: Two months later, on March 25, 1997, the Colorado Avalanche visited the Hartford Civic Center and beat the Whalers 4-0. Colorado goaltender Karmanos who founded a software company (Compuware) and sold dedicated his shutout to the fans of the Whalers, folks he algorithms could not believe that his beloved Detroit Red Wings were respected after going through playoff wars when he played for the owned by Mike Ilitch, who founded a pizza chain (Little Caesars) and Montreal Canadiens. I was in the press box but not covering the game, sold calories. To Karmanos, this was an affront to his brilliance. His plan, as my main job at the time was chasing around Karmanos and Gov. then, was to put a competing team in Columbus, set up an Ohio State- Rowland. It was a 1990s version of Veep. TTUN thing and reshape hockey history. Or something like that. A local news anchor, Tom Monahan, came on television during the third By the late winter/early spring of 1997, Karmanos was in the final stages period and broke the story: The Whalers would announce their departure of his plan to move his team. But he wasn’t sure where. He liked the next day. Columbus. Go Bucks. He was pals with John H. McConnell, another self- made man, who founded Worthington Industries. In fact, Karmanos was I got beat. on Worthington’s board of directors. If there’s a point to this story, which I got on the phone and found Karmanos at a local hotel. is debatable, it is to get on some boards of directors. It seems to come in handy. "Pete, what’s going on?"

Anyway, Karmanos was in Columbus and Hunter was there and this is "Aww, Mike, I’m in bed. Hold on. Let me turn on the light." what Hunter wrote: "Pete, Tom Monahan is on the front lawn of the State House. Says you’re "When I look at Building 3 of Air Force Plant 85, I see a gone. Like, tomorrow." lonely, old warehouse that is a useless remnant of the industrial age. "Aww, Mike. Let me find my glasses." "When Peter Karmanos looks at it, he sees Maple Leaf Gardens." "Pete, you swore. Is this it? Tell me." (This column is one of many beauties that can be found in Players, Teams and Stadium Ghosts: Bob Hunter on Sports. Check it out. Hunter Long pause. has free copies for anyone who will put him on a board of directors.) "Aww, Mike. I promised the governor I wouldn’t say anything until Again, this was on April 22, 1997. tomorrow."

Three months previous, Karmanos and I got into one, as Mike Aside from an expletive, that was about the extent of our conversation Commodore might put it, at an NHL All-Star Game party held in an old that night. After five more phone calls, I had two confirmations and I airplane hangar on the outskirts of San Jose. At that time in midwinter, wrote it. But I knew I had blown it. I had leaned too hard on a Karmanos was still pretending he might keep his team in Hartford. And I, source, and I had failed to fathom said source’s self-absorption. the Whalers beat writer for my hometown newspaper, the Hartford On Sunday, April 13, 1997, the Whalers played their last game at the Courant, didn’t think he was kidding. Silly me. Mall. They beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0. Kevin Dineen scored the Truth was: Karmanos who would later be sued by his own children for last goal in Whalers history, the game-winner. That was 23 years ago, borrowing against their trust fund and not making payments on the last week. principal and interest and then-Connecticut Gov. John Rowland who On April 22, 1997, Karmanos was in Columbus, out at the airport, saying would later be convicted on felony corruption charges were the dog and he could put his team in Building 3 of United States Air Force Plant 85 for pony in a civic farce. Rowland said he’d deliver a new Hartford arena but two years while a taxpayer-funded arena was built Downtown. That was never met Karmanos’ demands, which continually stretched. 23 years ago, this week. You didn’t have to be a mathematical genius or a pizza magnate to There are some folks of high standing in Columbus who raised a lot of guess that the game was rigged. money and worked long hours in an effort to pass a referendum to get a Karmanos bought the Whalers from state receivership in 1994 from then- taxpayer-funded arena built Downtown. Their campaign was highly Gov. Lowell Weicker, who would later wind up on the board of directors organized and included sophisticated polling. And everything was looking of Karmanos’ software company (as well as the boards of World full-go until Karmanos showed up and gave a speech at Building 3 of Wrestling Entertainment, United States Tobacco and whoever else United States Air Force Plant 85 on April 22, 1997, and came off as wanted to pay him for his, ah, experience). exactly what he was: a carpetbagger. Crew fans know from this.

Two weeks later, on May 6, 1997, Franklin County voters rejected a three-year, half-cent sales-tax increase that would have generated $192 million of the $277 million needed to build a Downtown sports complex with an arena and a soccer stadium. The day after the ballot initiative vaporized, Karmanos announced he was moving the Hartford Whalers to Raleigh, via Greensboro which didn’t need an aircraft hangar because it had an arena.

On June 25, 1997, the NHL awarded an expansion team to Columbus. Within a year’s time, Lamar Hunt was suing McConnell for damages after the one was replaced in the ownership group by the other. But that is another story.

Karmanos lost a reported $75 million in two years while his new arena was being built in the Triangle. Although the Hurricanes struggled to draw in their lean years, they had a couple of sustained playoff runs and actually won a Stanley Cup something that was unfathomable in Hartford, where the Whalers were losers in 15 of their 18 seasons, and never made the playoffs under Karmanos’ watch.

In January 2018, Karmanos sold controlling interest in the franchise for $420 million. At the time, the team was carrying $260 million in debt, which is to say a lot of the money used to buy the team was used to pay off old bills.

Karmanos’ three older sons settled out of court with their father on the matter of the $105.7 million he borrowed against their trust fund, money that had been used to keep the hockey franchise afloat. There’s probably more to it than that.

Karmanos was elected to the in the Builder category in 2015. His older sons did not attend the ceremony.

Jefferson Airplane/Starship was elected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, but Grace Slick wasn’t there.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183235 Columbus Blue Jackets "(Sevigny) said he was going to put Gretzky in his back pocket, or something like that," said longtime Edmonton Journal hockey writer Jim Matheson, another Hall of Famer.

Michael Arace | Blue Jackets’ upset of Lightning echoed Oilers’ 1981 "Gretz just skated by the guy and tapped his pads," Matheson said. "It stunner was like, ‘We’ll see about that.’ "

Gretzky had 11 points in the three games. It was the Oilers’ first series victory in franchise history. Michael Arace Of the 24 Cups the Canadiens have claimed, they won five in the 1960s Apr 19, 2020 at 6:10 AM and six in the ‘70s. Their fans demanded annual silver. Who, in 1981, were the Oilers? They were, in some ways, like the 2019 Jackets.

"We were a bunch of kids, and we just beat the Montreal Canadiens," Brian Hedger, our fine Blue Jackets beat writer, on Saturday put the Coffey said. "We weren’t expected to win, but we weren’t afraid to lose. finishing touches on an oral history of last year’s first-round upset of the And when you’re not afraid to lose, it’s just ‘let’s go play.’ And that’s mighty Tampa Bay Lightning. It was a chronicle of the first time in NHL dangerous for any team to play against i.e. with Tampa last year, against history that a Presidents’ Trophy winner was swept from the first round of Columbus. the playoffs. It was an all-time stunner. "I watched that series. It was one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. We’ve groped for analogies over the past couple of weeks. Brian Columbus got them off their game, as Brian (Engblom) said. Columbus Engblom came up with a good one. A personal one. hit everything that moved. Hit, hit, hit. ... I was surprised that Columbus Engblom has served as a color analyst for ESPN, ABC, NBC and, during didn’t have more success after that. I thought in the second round they’d the 2006-07 season, for Jackets telecasts on Fox Sports Ohio. He’s one be a lot better than they were." of the best in the business. For the past five years, he has provided color But Coffey digresses. for Lightning telecasts, which is to say he had a front-row seat in Amalie and Nationwide arenas last spring. "We beat the Montreal Canadiens," he said. "Then we gave the Islanders, who went on to win the Stanley Cup, a good run. We were like, And history rhymed. ‘We’re going all the way! We’re the best team ever!’ And what happened Lest we forget, Engblom was a first-rate defenseman with a scoring the next year (1982)? Boom. LA. First round. Beat us. touch who played 659 games over 10 years. He made his debut with the "That’s the beauty of sports." Montreal Canadiens during the 1977 playoffs, at the height of the Habs’ last dynastic period. His name is twice etched into Lord Stanley’s silver. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.21.2020 "My personal analogy (for Jackets-Lightning) is from 1981," Engblom said. "We’d won four Cups in a row (1976-79). We had a pretty good season. We played Edmonton in the first round, and they took our game away from us and they played to their strengths.

"We were dumping the puck in and trying to get the forecheck going and they were waiting for us. Paul Coffey had the puck and he was coming back at us. The traffic was going one way and we were going the wrong way down a one-way street. It was like, ‘Oh, my goodness.’ We never had the puck."

The 1981 Canadiens had six future Hall of Famers: , 27 years old at the time; Steve Shutt, 28; , 29; Larry Robinson, 29; Guy Lapointe, 32; and Serge Savard, 35.

The 1981 Edmonton Oilers had a future Hall of Fame coach, , and five future Hall of Fame players: Paul Coffey, 19, and four 20-year-olds: , , Jari Kurri and .

Gretzky turned out to be the greatest hockey player who ever lived. His teammates weren’t chumps, either. Coffey, for one, would go on to score more points than any other defenseman not named Raymond Bourque.

These Oilers were a dynasty-in-waiting they’d win five Cups in seven years (1984-1990) but in 1981, they were just the No. 14 seed in a 16- team tournament.

"We didn’t find out who we were playing until the last night (of the regular season)," Coffey said. "I remember like it was yesterday. We were all at a Rod Stewart concert at and Slats (Sather) called us downstairs after the concert and said, ‘Guys, the good news is we’re in,’ and then he kinda looked at us and said, ‘and we’re playing the Montreal Canadiens.’

"To a man, we just kind of giggled and said, ‘We’re going to get (expletive deleted) killed."

The first round back then was a best-of-five. At the fabled for Games 1 and 2, the Oilers beat the Canadiens by a combined score of 9-4. The Oilers completed the sweep at Northlands in Edmonton with a 6-2 victory on April 11, 1981.

"When I think about (Jackets-Lightning) last year, it feels the same," Engblom said.

Edmonton’s rookie goaltender, Andy Moog called up from Wichita on the eve of the series outdueled Montreal’s Richard Sevigny, who won the Vezina Trophy that year. 1183236 Columbus Blue Jackets

NHL voids Mikhail Grigorenko’s contract with Blue Jackets

By Aaron Portzline Apr 20, 2020

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The contract signed by the Blue Jackets and Mikhail Grigorenko was voided by the NHL on Monday just a few hours after the club announced the 25-year-old forward’s return to North America.

As first reported by TVA Sports’ Ren Lavoie, Grigorenko was not eligible to sign a contract for 2020-21 until July 1.

The contract was filed by the Blue Jackets on Monday morning and announced in a news release around 10 a.m. Soon thereafter, the NHL informed the team the contract was rejected by the league’s Central Registry because it didn’t conform with the collective bargaining agreement.

According to Article 50.8(d): “No club or player may enter into a standard player’s contract (SPC) that does not cover at the then-current league year. The foregoing does not apply to an SPC entered into pursuant to section 50.5(f) above, or to unsigned draft choices or draft-related unrestricted free agents, who shall be permitted to sign an SPC during the period from March 1 through June 1 immediately preceding the league year in which such SPC is to take effect.”

Grigorenko does not qualify for any of those exceptions. He was drafted in 2012 by the Buffalo Sabres and has spent the past three seasons playing in Russia.

The Blue Jackets said in a statement late Monday that, after speaking with the NHL and Grigorenko’s agent, Dan Milstein, the contract (one year, $1.2 million) will be refiled July 1.

“Earlier today, the Blue Jackets announced the signing of forward Mikhail Grigorenko to a one-year contract for the 2020-21 season,” the statement read. “The contract subsequently has been rejected by NHL Central Registry due to a misunderstanding with regards to the filing window. We have been in contact with the league and Dan Milstein, Grigorenko’s agent, and the contract will be filed on July 1.”

But until July 1, neither side is bound to the one-year, $1.2 million contract.

Neither Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen nor Milstein was available for comment late Monday.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183237 Columbus Blue Jackets

After three seasons in Russia, Mikhail Grigorenko back in NHL with Blue Jackets

By Aaron Portzline Apr 20, 2020

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Earlier this season, Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen traveled during one of his trips abroad to watch Mikhail Grigorenko and CSKA play a marquee KHL matchup against St. Petersburg SKA.

“I was going to meet with (Grigorenko) afterward, but the coach (Igor Nikitin) put a curfew on him after the game, so he couldn’t leave the hotel,” Kekalainen said. “So I didn’t meet with him. We texted each other. We talked again after the season and now … well, here it is.”

The Blue Jackets ended a near two-year pursuit of Grigorenko, a former NHL first-round draft pick, by signing him to a one-year, one-way contract worth $1.2 million on Monday. He will be an unrestricted free agent when the deal is up.

(Getty Image)

Current Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and former defenseman Fedor Tyutin both spoke with Grigorenko about the organization, the city, the coaching staff, etc., before the signing was finalized.

“Mikhail could have made many times more (money) staying in Russia,” agent Dan Milstein said. “He could have waited for other (NHL) teams or for the environment (relating to the coronavirus pandemic) to improve.

“But he feels this is a great opportunity to show the team and everybody the hockey player he has become in the last three years, and he wants to stay here (NHL) a long time.”

Grigorenko, 25, can play all three forward positions, Kekalainen said, and is at home on the half-wall during the power play.

“He has a lot of tools that can make him successful in the NHL,” Kekalainen said. “He found his offensive side again in the KHL with a couple of really good years. He played for Russian in the (2019) World Championships, even when they had all of their NHL guys playing.

“He’s going to get a good opportunity to provide some offense, which is something I think we need. He can play center, too, which is intriguing for us.”

Grigorenko was the 12th overall pick by Buffalo in 2012 but spent the next three seasons bouncing between the NHL, AHL and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He was traded in 2015 to Colorado, part of the blockbuster trade that sent center Ryan O’Reilly from the Avs to the Sabres.

In two full seasons with the Avs, Grigorenko totaled 16-34-50. Colorado did not extend a qualifying offer after the 2016-17, allowing him to return to Russia as a free agent.

The two knocks on Grigorenko back then were his average skating and his lack of physicality in board battles. He’s 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, but he played much smaller.

Grigorenko appeared to rescue his game with three strong seasons in Russia. He’s played at nearly a point-a-game clip (.91) over the last two seasons (93 points in 102 games), winning a title with CSKA in 2019.

But he’ll start from square one in the NHL.

“He’s going to have to prove himself all over again,” Kekalainen said. “Like everybody else, it’s up to him to earn his ice time from (coach John) Tortorella.

“He one-times the puck pretty good. He can see the ice and make plays. He’s got good hands. He’s a big guy. He’s got all the ingredients. It’s up to him to put it all together.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183238 Columbus Blue Jackets on third-period goals by Thomas Vanek and Seth Jones to send the game into overtime.

Inside the play: The play starts on the other end of the ice when Pierre- From Nash to Zherdev to Foligno: The 10 best goals in Blue Jackets Luc Dubois makes an initial attempt to get the puck out of the zone and history ahead to Panarin. Washington’s Jakub Vrana seals the puck off with his skates along the wall, but Jackets defenseman Ian Cole makes a sprawling play to shove the puck ahead to Panarin, who grabs and goes. Panarin has sneaky speed. Just ask Washington’s Dmitry Orlov, who By Aaron Portzline Apr 20, 2020 gets walked around by Panarin in the left circle. What impressed players and coaches so much about the goal was how quickly Panarin went backhand to forehand to inside the far post with the puck. Serious hands, We started this project back in October when the Blue Jackets’ Sonny people. Milano scored a ridiculous goal against the Dallas Stars, an effort described repeatedly as “one of the best goals in the history of the Quotable: “He scores a goal right there that a lot of people can’t score in franchise.” this league. The way he switches it up on his stick and just gets it off so fast (clapping his hands together) … that’s special.” — Blue Jackets But then news happened on the beat, more games were played and coach John Tortorella. Milano’s highlight seemed less and less relevant. Plus, we wanted to take the appropriate time to sift through nearly 20 years and 4,000 goals What it meant: Panarin was just OK in two playoff series with Chicago before we whittled the list to an exclusive number. before his trade to Columbus, but this was the first time he played a starring role in the postseason. It also marked the first time the Blue Well, most of us have plenty of time now. Jackets ever led in a playoff series.

These are the 10 best goals in Blue Jackets history. Please note, they 8. SuperMan-ny | Jan. 21, 2004, vs. St. Louis are not the “biggest” goals in franchise history and they don’t attempt to recognize the biggest moments in franchise history. The setup: It was a quiet winter night in Nationwide Arena, the Blue Jackets and Blues locked in a 1-1 tie into the third period. Todd Marchant No, these are the top individual efforts, for some the rare moment when scored in the first for Columbus and Chris Pronger scored early in the everything clicked in a memorable sequence. second. Both the Blues and Blue Jackets killed off minor penalties already in the third. Many of the names won’t surprise you. Nash. Foligno. Panarin. Inside the play: Malhotra had been claimed off waivers from Dallas But you may be as surprised by who is there — Grand-Pierre? Malhotra? exactly two months earlier, and he was regarded mostly as a bottom-six Savard? — as who isn’t. No Atkinson. No Sanderson, Vyborny or forward. But this play certainly hinted at his athleticism. The initial shot is Whitney? a resignation that Malhotra wasn’t able to get wide on Blues defenseman Five of these goals were game winners, one of them a game-ending Jame Pollock, but it’s the Superman dive forward — serious launch — goal. Three of them were between-the-legs goals, revealing that that surprised everybody. It especially surprised Bryce Salvador, who members of the committee are suckers for the razzle-dazzle. Two were appeared the target of ’s rebound kick. Also impressive: scored by defensemen, but not the defensemen you’d expect. Malhotra sweeping the puck into the net at midair past a shocked Osgood. Three of them were scored within the past 12 months and four of them have come in the past two-plus seasons, but half the list comes from the Quotable: “The rebound was just sitting there, juicy.” — Malhotra told The Blue Jackets’ first decade on the ice … so get ready for some standard Columbus Dispatch. definition highlights. What it meant: There aren’t many NHL players who could score that Enjoy this happy stroll down memory lane: goal, and it was an eye-opening effort early in his Blue Jackets career. Malhotra was regarded, chiefly, as a third- or fourth-line player, in 10. David or Serge? | April 10, 2019, at Tampa Bay addition to being an exceptional penalty killer. But he always played an The setup: After a dreadful first period (down 3-0), the Blue Jackets had elevated role in Columbus. The Blue Jackets kept trying to find a center steadied the ship in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series versus who could play with Rick Nash, but they kept coming back to Malhotra. Tampa Bay. But they were still down 3-1, needing something to happen 7. The Foligno Flip | Dec. 3, 2013, vs. Tampa Bay pretty quickly. David Savard is regarded as a physical, shutdown defenseman, not the type to be picking off passes in the neutral zone and The setup: The Blue Jackets were (once again) off to a slow start (11-14- going the distance. 3) under coach Todd Richards, but they were engaged this night in a physical, tight-checking game against the Lightning. Ben Bishop and Inside the play: What the highlight doesn’t quite capture is the way Sergei Bobrovsky were locked in a goalie duel for much of the night. Savard anticipated Viktor Hedman’s pass, leading to a turnover in the neutral zone. What it shows in vivid detail is how silly Savard made Inside the play: Foligno gets the goal and the glory, but go back a couple Hedman look as he came into the attack zone with speed, turning the of seconds before the finish and admire Johansen’s work as the Lightning standout inside-out. (Or was that outside-in?) Savard then caps Lightning are trying to leave the zone. Ryan Johansen swats the puck off the sequence with nasty, bar-down wrister past goaltender Andrei Valtteri Filppula’s stick, then cuts between Filppula and defenseman Matt Vasilevskiy. Carle to gather. In one motion, he backhands the puck through Carle and delivers it directly to Foligno for a wide-open look in front. Bishop is a Quotable: “I didn’t see it live. From my angle, I couldn’t see down the huge goalie (6-foot-7), so there’s not much to shoot at unless he’s bench, so I didn’t see him dangle, I just saw him score. All of the other moving. Foligno brought him across the crease, switched the puck to his guys were like, ‘Oh, my God, that was unbelievable!’ I was like, ‘What backhand between his legs and fired it wide of Bishop on his stick side. happened? What did he do?’ They were like ‘He just toe-dragged Hedman!’ I saw the replay and I was like, ‘Holy shit, that’s pretty sick.’” — Quotable: “(That came from) practicing in your driveway or watching on Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski. YouTube. It’s just one of those things that in the spur of the moment you think of. Luckily, it went in.” — Foligno told The Columbus Dispatch. What it meant: Sergei Bobrovsky made a huge save in the second period to keep it a 3-0 game. scored in the second to get What it meant: Foligno’s goal should have been the stand-alone memory Columbus’ comeback started. But it was Savard’s goal that truly in a 1-0 Blue Jackets win, but it was slightly overshadowed by bad news generated momentum and allowed for an incredible 4-3 win on the way later in the game. Bobrovsky (18 saves) left the game with a groin injury to a sweep. It’s the only playoff goal of Savard’s career. He hasn’t scored at 4:13 of the third period and missed a month. Curtis McElhinney (eight since, either. saves) came on in relief, the only combined shutout in franchise history.

9. Flick of the wrist | April 12, 2018, at Washington 6. Sonny side up | Oct. 16, 2019, vs. Dallas

The setup: The Jackets fell behind 2-0 after the first period of Game 1 The setup: The Jackets had a 2-1 lead thanks to first-period goals from against the Capitals (sound familiar?) but roared back. Panarin assisted Zach Werenski and Alexander Wennberg, but now the game was drifting into the nervy moments. Sonny Milano hadn’t played much to that point (only 8:03 total in the game), and it’s likely he wouldn’t have seen many shot, but he may have served only as a partial screen for goaltender more shifts if this remained a one-goal game late in the third. Alexandar Georgiev. It’s only fitting that the shot goes bar down. Nasty.

Inside the play: Of course, a goal like this happens with the Blue Jackets’ Quotable: “I don’t think Panarin and all (the Blue Jackets’) top guys were fourth line and shutdown defensive pair on the ice. Riley Nash gets the dead-on tonight. But when it came time for a big play, we got it, and puck out of the defensive zone quickly and finds Jakob Lilja in the neutral that’s what defines those types of players.” — Tortorella. zone. Lilja wisely sends it quickly on to Milano along the left wall. Milano, without breaking stride, made Dallas defenseman Roope Hintz look like a What it meant: The Rangers scored with seven seconds left in regulation cat chasing a flashlight, pulling the puck through Hintz’s legs in a to force overtime, so Panarin’s goal — while not the game winner — was backhand-to-forehand move to cross the blue line. Hintz and partner Esa vitally important. Panarin won the game for the Blue Jackets eventually, Lindell gave chase as Milano closed in on Stars goaltender Ben Bishop scoring in the second round of a shootout. The win clinched a third — yep, him again — carrying the puck on his backhand as he angled consecutive playoff spot for the Blue Jackets. For the Rangers, it was just through the left circle. Milano pulled the puck back through his legs as he an inkling of what was coming their way. Panarin signed as a free agent skated through the hash marks, now almost in the right circle. The with the Rangers last summer. velocity on the puck compared with most between-the-legs shots was 3. Ridiculous roofer | Oct. 25, 2007, vs. St. Louis extraordinary. This was Milano’s only shot on goal in the game. It was also his first goal of the season and his last game-winning goal as a Blue The setup: The Blue Jackets were staked to a 1-0 lead midway through Jacket. the second period on the second goal of rookie Jared Boll’s career (and his first eventual game winner). The Jackets went on the power play at Quotable: “That’s the best shot I could have had, so I just did it. You’re 16:31 of the period on a Jay McKee tripping penalty, putting Rick Nash not planning anything, you’re just trying to score. I could have gone net front on the man advantage. backhand, maybe, but … I knew one guy was on me. I felt pressure. I don’t really know, I just went through my legs. I thought it would be the Inside the play: The Blue Jackets’ power-play unit had Ron Hainsey on best chance to score.” — Milano. the point, , and David Vyborny across the circles, with Nash leaning and banging down low. Not bad. Question for What it meant: The Blue Jackets needed that goal because the Stars Hainsey: Were you playing the bank, or was that shot a touch offline? It scored with five seconds left in regulation to make it 3-2. That’s how the looks coordinated, the way Nash spins to play the carom. Nash’s reach game ended. Alas, Milano’s highlight did nothing to solve the five-year- off the backhand to corral the puck is pretty impressive. That’s a long long Milano conundrum in Columbus. The Blue Jackets always knew he draw through his legs to his forehand, but he does it so quickly. Most could score YouTube-highlight goals, but he never quite could hold down would have skated the puck around the net and simply regrouped. a top-six job. The coaching staff never had confidence in him. He was Instead, Nash roofs it at an almost impossible angle. traded for fourth-liner Devin Shore in February, a humbling fall for a former first-round pick. Quotable: “If I tried it 50 times, it might only work once. You practice it. You never think you’ll actually use it in a game. That was just the perfect 5. Hyphenator strikes | Oct. 12, 2002, at New Jersey situation. I had to get the puck up and to the net as quickly as I could. The setup: One day earlier, Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre learned that his That was the easiest way to do it.” — Nash. father, Allaix, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and needed surgery What it meant: The Blue Jackets were in a transitional phase, with new immediately. Blue Jackets coach Dave King gave Grand-Pierre the GM Scott Howson cleaning up the oil spill left by previous GM Doug option to skip the game, but he asked to play. The Jackets fell behind 2-1 MacLean. Nash, in his first full season under coach Ken Hitchcock, early in the third, but at 4:58 Grand-Pierre unfurled the best individual became a 200-foot player. The highlights never stopped though. In 2007, effort of his career. between-the-legs shots were still exceedingly rare. Nash’s goal came two Inside the play: Grand-Pierre would later say he “blacked out” on the years after Marek Malik’s revolutionary shootout move for the New York play. How else to explain it, really? Grand-Pierre tended to get rid of the Rangers. puck quickly, but he carried it through traffic here, winding and working 2. Zig, zag, Zherdev | Dec. 26, 2005, vs. Chicago his way into the attack zone. That’s Scott Stevens, the most-feared hitter of his generation, whom Grand-Pierre sidesteps atop the right circle. The setup: The Blue Jackets and Blackhawks were two of the NHL’s That’s another Hall of Famer, goaltender Martin Brodeur, he beats from worst clubs, but every game holds the potential to be memorable, right? in tight, rattling his water bottle. Chicago led 3-2 in the final minute when the Blue Jackets pulled goaltender for an extra skater, hoping to end a six-game Quotable: “I saw open ice, so I attacked. I remember getting past the losing streak. blue line and there’s and Scott Stevens. I was going so fast and I’m coming in on those guys, and I was like (laughing), ‘OK, we’re Inside the play: I’m not sure the NHL has ever seen a player who could going to toe-drag this bitch through this traffic.’ I had no idea it was dangle and toe-drag the puck quite like Zherdev. It drove the Blue Stevens. No idea. I realize I could have died right there on the ice, Jackets crazy, mostly, because Zherdev’s attempts to make NHL carrying the puck that long in his direction. But, hey, I’m alive. It worked! I defensemen look silly usually backfired with god-awful turnovers. This was so surprised and I was going way too fast to even have time to was a 200-foot goal, though. Zherdev skated away from pressure in his shoot, so I just kind of chipped it on net and it went bar-down on Marty.” own zone and picked up considerable speed through the neutral zone, — Grand-Pierre. leaving Blackhawks defenders flat-footed as he crossed the blue line. Two key elements that are easy to miss in the old days of standard What it meant: The Blue Jackets ended up losing 3-2, but this was more definition. Zherdev nutmegged Blackhawks defenseman than just the game. Instead of heading to Columbus with the team after to go backhand-to-forehand at net front, and he scores off his own the game, Grand-Pierre flew to Montreal to be with his father post- rebound as he gets tripped up by Nikolai Khabibulin’s left pad. surgery. Allaix, who is alive and well today, greeted him as such: “Nice goal last night, kid.” It was the most beautiful goal of Grand-Pierre’s Quotable: “I just saw the replay. It’s borderline , and I don’t career. It was the first point (primary assist) of Lasse Pirjeta’s brief NHL think (Zherdev) even knows who Bobby Orr is.” — Blue Jackets career. goaltender Marc Denis told The Columbus Dispatch.

4. Bread-winner | April 5, 2019, at New York Rangers What it meant: In those days, it felt like the Rick & Nik Show was going to be the best show set in Columbus since “Family Ties,” but Zherdev could The setup: With two games left in 2018-19, the Blue Jackets still hadn’t never keep up his end of the bargain. He created more frustration than clinched a playoff spot and the New York Rangers were embracing the highlights during his four seasons in Columbus, but we should all be spoilers’ role. It was 1-1, getting late in the third period and the Blue grateful for this memory. The Jackets went on to win in overtime on a Jackets had just come empty on a power play. Nervy moments, indeed. Jaroslav Balastik goal.

Inside the play: Savard wisely feeds Panarin as they come through the 1. The goal | Jan. 17, 2008, at Phoenix neutral zone, and he keeps skating into the zone and through the circles, perhaps providing some distraction for the defending Rangers. We’ve all The setup: Nash took a high-sticking penalty on Phoenix’s Derek Morris seen players drop the puck ahead to themselves to get through traffic, with 3:12 remaining, leading to a power-play goal by Martin Hanzel that but I don’t recall an example where the pass is put so far out ahead. tied it 3-3 with only 1:38 to play. So Nash had a little extra juice in the Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren drops to a knee to block Panarin’s closing minute. The teams were skating four-on-four after Columbus’ Adam Foote and Phoenix’s Joel Perreault went off for roughing in the final minute.

Inside the play: Nash’s instincts help him get a jump. The very moment he sees the puck heading toward Peca, he flies the zone, in stride with Coyotes defenseman Derek Morris. Credit to Peca for one-timing the pass. If he waits for even a tenth of a second longer the angle isn’t there. The play opens up when Morris tries to take the body on Nash at the top of the circles, leaving poor Keith Ballard to handle the rest of the play by himself. Nash gets a huge break when the pokecheck by goaltender Mikael Tellqvist caroms up into his legs and carries with him across the crease.

Quotable: “It all happened so fast. It just seemed like the puck was on a string. I just kept making dekes and it found its way into the net.” — Nash told The Columbus Dispatch.

What it meant: It felt like a big win at the time because it kept the Blue Jackets, who were still searching for the franchise’s first playoff berth, only one point back of Colorado for eighth place in the Western Conference. Ultimately, the playoffs would have to wait another season, but highlights of the goal certainly elevated Nash’s status within the league. It didn’t quite get the attention of Alexander Ovechkin’s unconscionable behind-the-head goal scored two years earlier, but it remains one of the great goals in recent NHL history. Between this and his between-the-legs goal versus the Blues only three months earlier, Nash was a darling of the highlights in 2007-08.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183239 Dallas Stars Tuesday, April 28, 7 p.m., 2011 Second Round Game 1: Mavericks at Lakers

Tuesday, April 28, 9 p.m., 2011 Second Round Game 2: Mavericks at Trophy time: Fox Sports Southwest to re-air Stars, Mavs title runs, plus Lakers Rangers playoff victories Wednesday, April 29, 5 p.m., Rangers Jersey Retirement Ceremony: Adrian Beltre

By Matthew DeFranks Wednesday, April 29, 6 p.m., 2010 ALCS Game 6: Yankees at Rangers

4:08 PM on Apr 20, 2020 Wednesday, April 29, 8:30 p.m., Rangers Playoff Rewind: 2010 ALCS

Wednesday, April 29, 9 p.m., 2010 World Series Game 3: Giants at Rangers Dallas sports teams will be undefeated — if you turn on Fox Sports Southwest in the next four weeks. Thursday, April 30, 3:30 p.m., Stars Jersey Retirement Ceremony: Mike Modano Beginning Monday and running through May 14, FSSW will be re-airing classic Stars, Mavericks and Rangers playoff games, including all 16 Thursday, April 30, 5:30 p.m., 1999 Second Round Game 5: Blues at wins from the Stars’ 1999 Stanley Cup run and all 16 wins from the Mavs’ Stars 2011 NBA title run. All 18 wins from the Rangers’ back-to-back trips to Thursday, April 30, 7:30 p.m., 1999 Second Round Game 6: Stars at the World Series will also air. Blues In total, the network will broadcast 50 playoff victories by the Stars, Mavs Thursday, April 30, 10 p.m., Stars Playoff Rewind: 1999 Second Round and Rangers. Friday, May 1, 7 p.m., 2011 Second Round Game 3: Lakers at Mavericks At the conclusion of each playoff series, FSSW will air a 30-minute program with special guests discussing the series. For the Stars, Josh Friday, May 1, 9 p.m., 2011 Second Round Game 4: Lakers at Mavericks Bogorad will host with analysis by Daryl “Razor” Reaugh and Brent Severyn. For the Mavs, Mark Followill will host. For the Rangers, Dave Friday, May 1, 11 p.m., Mavericks Playoff Rewind: 2011 Second Round Raymond, Mark McLemore, Tom Grieve and Emily Jones will be Saturday, May 2, 6 p.m., 2011 ALDS Game 2: Rays at Rangers featured. Saturday, May 2, 8:30 p.m., 2011 ALDS Game 3: Rangers at Rays Below is a schedule by date, followed by schedules for each team. Sunday, May 3, 7 p.m., 1999 Western Conference Finals Game 2: Full schedule in chronological order: Avalanche at Stars

Monday, April 20, 6:30 p.m., 2010 ALDS Game 1: Rangers at Rays Sunday, May 3, 9 p.m., 1999 Western Conference Finals Game 3: Stars Monday, April 20, 9 p.m., 2010 ALDS Game 2: Rangers at Rays at Avalanche

Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 p.m., Best of Stars Insider Monday, May 4, 7 p.m., 2011 Western Conference Finals Game 1: Thunder at Mavericks Tuesday, April 21, 7 p.m., 1999 First Round Game 1: Oilers at Stars Monday, May 4, 9 p.m., 2011 Western Conference Finals Game 3: Tuesday, April 21, 9 p.m., 1999 First Round Game 2: Oilers at Stars Mavericks at Thunder

Wednesday, April 22, 7 p.m., 2011 First Round Game 1: Trail Blazers at Tuesday, May 5, 6 p.m., 2011 ALDS Game 4: Rangers at Rays Mavericks Tuesday, May 5, 8:30 p.m., Rangers Playoff Rewind: 2011 ALDS Wednesday, April 22, 9 p.m., 2011 First Round Game 2: Trail Blazers at Mavericks Tuesday, May 5, 9 p.m., 2011 ALCS Game 1: Tigers at Rangers

Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m., 2010 ALDS Game 5: Rangers at Rays Wednesday, May 6, 7 p.m., 1999 Western Conference Finals Game 6: Stars at Avalanche Thursday, April 23, 9:30 p.m., Rangers Playoff Rewind: 2010 ALDS Wednesday, May 6, 9 p.m., 1999 Western Conference Finals Game 7: Thursday, April 23, 10 p.m., 2010 ALCS Game 2: Yankees at Rangers Avalanche at Stars

Friday, April 24, 3:30 p.m., Rangers Jersey Retirement Ceremony: Wednesday, May 6, 11 p.m., Stars Playoff Rewind: 1999 Western Michael Young Conference Finals

Friday, April 24, 6 p.m., 1999 First Round Game 3: Stars at Oilers Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m., 2011 Western Conference Finals Game 4: Mavericks at Thunder Friday, April 24, 8 p.m., 1999 First Round Game 4: Stars at Oilers Thursday, May 7, 8 p.m., 2011 Western Conference Finals Game 5: Friday, April 24, 11 p.m., Stars Playoff Rewind: 1999 First Round Thunder at Mavericks Saturday, April 25, 5 p.m., 2011 Mavericks Championship Parade Thursday, May 7, 10 p.m., Mavericks Playoff Rewind: 2011 Western Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m., 2011 First Round Game 5: Trail Blazers at Conference Finals Mavericks Friday, May 8, 6 p.m., 2011 ALCS Game 2: Tigers at Rangers Saturday, April 25, 9 p.m., 2011 First Round Game 6: Mavericks at Trail Friday, May 8, 9 p.m., 2011 ALCS Game 4: Rangers at Tigers Blazers Saturday, May 9, 7 p.m., 1999 Stanley Cup Final Game 2: Sabres at Saturday, April 25, 11 p.m., Mavericks Playoff Rewind: 2011 First Round Stars Sunday, April 26, 6 p.m., 2010 ALCS Game 3: Rangers at Yankees Saturday, May 9, 9 p.m., 1999 Stanley Cup Final Game 3: Stars at Sunday, April 26, 8:30 p.m., 2010 ALCS Game 4: Rangers at Yankees Sabres

Monday, April 27, 5 p.m., Stars Jersey Retirement Ceremony: Jere Sunday, May 10, 7 p.m., 2011 NBA Finals Game 2: Mavericks at Heat Lehtinen Sunday, May 10, 9 p.m., 2011 NBA Finals Game 4: Heat at Mavericks Monday, April 27, 6 p.m., 1999 Second Round Game 1: Blues at Stars Monday, May 11, 5:30 p.m., 2011 ALCS Game 6: Tigers at Rangers Monday, April 27, 8 p.m., 1999 Second Round Game 2: Blues at Stars Monday, May 11, 8:30 p.m., Rangers Playoff Rewind: 2011 ALCS Monday, May 11, 9 p.m., 2011 World Series Game 2: Rangers at Full Mavs schedule: Cardinals Wednesday, April 22, 7 p.m., 2011 First Round Game 1: Trail Blazers at Tuesday, May 12, 6 p.m., 1999 Stanley Cup Final Game 5: Sabres at Mavericks Stars Wednesday, April 22, 9 p.m., 2011 First Round Game 2: Trail Blazers at Tuesday, May 12, 8 p.m., 1999 Stanley Cup Final Game 6: Stars at Mavericks Sabres Saturday, April 25, 5 p.m., 2011 Mavericks Championship Parade Tuesday, May 12, 11 p.m., Stars Playoff Rewind: 1999 Stanley Cup Final Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m., 2011 First Round Game 5: Trail Blazers at Wednesday, May 13, 7 p.m., 2011 NBA Finals Game 5: Heat at Mavericks Mavericks Saturday, April 25, 9 p.m., 2011 First Round Game 6: Mavericks at Trail Wednesday, May 13, 9 p.m., 2011 NBA Finals Game 6: Mavericks at Blazers Heat Saturday, April 25, 11 p.m., Mavericks Playoff Rewind: 2011 First Round Wednesday, May 13, 11 p.m., Mavericks Playoff Rewind 2011 NBA Finals Tuesday, April 28, 7 p.m., 2011 Second Round Game 1: Mavericks at Lakers Thursday, May 14, 5:30 p.m., 2011 World Series Game 4: Cardinals at Rangers Tuesday, April 28, 9 p.m., 2011 Second Round Game 2: Mavericks at Lakers Thursday, May 14, 8 p.m., 2011 World Series Game 5: Cardinals at Rangers Friday, May 1, 7 p.m., 2011 Second Round Game 3: Lakers at Mavericks

Thursday, May 14, 10:30 p.m., Rangers Playoff Rewind: 2011 World Friday, May 1, 9 p.m., 2011 Second Round Game 4: Lakers at Mavericks Series Friday, May 1, 11 p.m., Mavericks Playoff Rewind: 2011 Second Round

Full Stars schedule: Monday, May 4, 7 p.m., 2011 Western Conference Finals Game 1: Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 p.m., Best of Stars Insider Thunder at Mavericks

Tuesday, April 21, 7 p.m., 1999 First Round Game 1: Oilers at Stars Monday, May 4, 9 p.m., 2011 Western Conference Finals Game 3: Mavericks at Thunder Tuesday, April 21, 9 p.m., 1999 First Round Game 2: Oilers at Stars Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m., 2011 Western Conference Finals Game 4: Friday, April 24, 6 p.m., 1999 First Round Game 3: Stars at Oilers Mavericks at Thunder

Friday, April 24, 8 p.m., 1999 First Round Game 4: Stars at Oilers Thursday, May 7, 8 p.m., 2011 Western Conference Finals Game 5: Thunder at Mavericks Friday, April 24, 11 p.m., Stars Playoff Rewind: 1999 First Round Thursday, May 7, 10 p.m., Mavericks Playoff Rewind: 2011 Western Monday, April 27, 5 p.m., Stars Jersey Retirement Ceremony: Jere Conference Finals Lehtinen Sunday, May 10, 7 p.m., 2011 NBA Finals Game 2: Mavericks at Heat Monday, April 27, 6 p.m., 1999 Second Round Game 1: Blues at Stars Sunday, May 10, 9 p.m., 2011 NBA Finals Game 4: Heat at Mavericks Monday, April 27, 8 p.m., 1999 Second Round Game 2: Blues at Stars Wednesday, May 13, 7 p.m., 2011 NBA Finals Game 5: Heat at Thursday, April 30, 3:30 p.m., Stars Jersey Retirement Ceremony: Mike Mavericks Modano Wednesday, May 13, 9 p.m., 2011 NBA Finals Game 6: Mavericks at Thursday, April 30, 5:30 p.m., 1999 Second Round Game 5: Blues at Heat Stars Wednesday, May 13, 11 p.m., Mavericks Playoff Rewind 2011 NBA Thursday, April 30, 7:30 p.m., 1999 Second Round Game 6: Stars at Finals Blues Full Rangers schedule: Thursday, April 30, 10 p.m., Stars Playoff Rewind: 1999 Second Round Monday, April 20, 6:30 p.m., 2010 ALDS Game 1: Rangers at Rays Sunday, May 3, 7 p.m., 1999 Western Conference Finals Game 2: Avalanche at Stars Monday, April 20, 9 p.m., 2010 ALDS Game 2: Rangers at Rays

Sunday, May 3, 9 p.m., 1999 Western Conference Finals Game 3: Stars Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m., 2010 ALDS Game 5: Rangers at Rays at Avalanche Thursday, April 23, 9:30 p.m., Rangers Playoff Rewind: 2010 ALDS Wednesday, May 6, 7 p.m., 1999 Western Conference Finals Game 6: Stars at Avalanche Thursday, April 23, 10 p.m., 2010 ALCS Game 2: Yankees at Rangers

Wednesday, May 6, 9 p.m., 1999 Western Conference Finals Game 7: Friday, April 24, 3:30 p.m., Rangers Jersey Retirement Ceremony: Avalanche at Stars Michael Young

Wednesday, May 6, 11 p.m., Stars Playoff Rewind: 1999 Western Sunday, April 26, 6 p.m., 2010 ALCS Game 3: Rangers at Yankees Conference Finals Sunday, April 26, 8:30 p.m., 2010 ALCS Game 4: Rangers at Yankees

Saturday, May 9, 7 p.m., 1999 Stanley Cup Final Game 2: Sabres at Wednesday, April 29, 5 p.m., Rangers Jersey Retirement Ceremony: Stars Adrian Beltre

Saturday, May 9, 9 p.m., 1999 Stanley Cup Final Game 3: Stars at Wednesday, April 29, 6 p.m., 2010 ALCS Game 6: Yankees at Rangers Sabres Wednesday, April 29, 8:30 p.m., Rangers Playoff Rewind: 2010 ALCS Tuesday, May 12, 6 p.m., 1999 Stanley Cup Final Game 5: Sabres at Stars Wednesday, April 29, 9 p.m., 2010 World Series Game 3: Giants at Rangers Tuesday, May 12, 8 p.m., 1999 Stanley Cup Final Game 6: Stars at Sabres Saturday, May 2, 6 p.m., 2011 ALDS Game 2: Rays at Rangers

Tuesday, May 12, 11 p.m., Stars Playoff Rewind: 1999 Stanley Cup Final Saturday, May 2, 8:30 p.m., 2011 ALDS Game 3: Rangers at Rays Tuesday, May 5, 6 p.m., 2011 ALDS Game 4: Rangers at Rays Tuesday, May 5, 8:30 p.m., Rangers Playoff Rewind: 2011 ALDS

Tuesday, May 5, 9 p.m., 2011 ALCS Game 1: Tigers at Rangers

Friday, May 8, 6 p.m., 2011 ALCS Game 2: Tigers at Rangers

Friday, May 8, 9 p.m., 2011 ALCS Game 4: Rangers at Tigers

Monday, May 11, 5:30 p.m., 2011 ALCS Game 6: Tigers at Rangers

Monday, May 11, 8:30 p.m., Rangers Playoff Rewind: 2011 ALCS

Monday, May 11, 9 p.m., 2011 World Series Game 2: Rangers at Cardinals

Thursday, May 14, 5:30 p.m., 2011 World Series Game 4: Cardinals at Rangers

Thursday, May 14, 8 p.m., 2011 World Series Game 5: Cardinals at Rangers

Thursday, May 14, 10:30 p.m., Rangers Playoff Rewind: 2011 World Series

Some of our staff's picks for "Best Game I've Ever Covered" include (left to right) Miss. State's championship win over UConn in Dallas, Vince Young leading Texas to a title in the Rose Bowl, and No. 16 seed UMBC's upset of No. 1 Virginia in the NCAA Tournament.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183240 Dallas Stars SportsNet, The Hockey News and Future Considerations all had him at No. 22 among all prospects. TSN and McKeens both had him ranked No. 21 overall while NHL Central Scouting had Tufte ranked No. 17 amongst North American Skaters. Revisionist history: Did Stars really reach for Riley Tufte over Alex Debrincat? Debrincat was ranked No. 24 overall by Sportsnet and The Hockey News, 25th by Future Considerations. TSN and McKeens both had him outside the first round and NHL Central Scouting had him ranked 21st overall for North American skaters. By Sean Shapiro Apr 20, 2020 While you may have liked Debrincat more at the time — and good for you

if you did — he was far from a “clear pick” or a “no-brainer” selection for When I set up our Stars fan survey last week, I was expecting the team’s many who covered the draft. recent drafts to be a point of contention amongst respondents. Pronman, who was with ESPN at the time, was one of the few who There was a vibe, particularly on social media and in my conversation pegged things properly when he had Debrincat ranked 15th on his list with fans in the real world, that the Stars don’t draft well, especially in the and didn’t have Tufte listed as a top-30 prospect. first round. Recent successes have eased some of those thoughts – We should probably air everyone’s old laundry, including my own. When I thank you, Denis Gurianov – but because of past misses (Jack Campbell, compiled my 2016 NHL Draft guide (at the time just a PDF that I emailed Scott Glennie, Riley Tufte) there is healthy skepticism about recent to Patreon subscribers) I had Tufte listed as the first player under the list Dallas first-round picks not named Miro Heiskanen. of Stars potential first-round picks. We had fans rank Jim Nill’s drafting on a scale from 1 to 5. 44.7 percent Here’s what I wrote at the time. looked at the drafting under Nill as average with a three rating. 27.8 percent gave the Stars an above-average draft ranking with either a 4 or Here is what I had written about Debrincat, who I didn’t have going in the 5, while 27.5 percent gave Dallas a below-average rating with a 1 or 2 in first round in my mock draft. the survey. So, yeah, 2016 Sean. You messed up. This lined up with what I expected. In my mind, the Stars are an average drafting team. (If you need to feel better about yourself, 2016 Sean, you were bullish on the futures of Charlie McAvoy and Samuel Girard.) One thing that did come up rather frequently is the viewpoint that the Stars reached when they drafted Riley Tufte 25th overall in 2016. Here’s what I said about Tufte in the July 2016 Stars Prospect Newsletter I put together after the draft. I called him a longer-term project, but I was In the expanded responses, 15 different respondents mentioned the still rather positive about his future. mistake the Stars made when they took Tufte instead of Alex Debrincat, who ended up going 14 picks later in the second round to the Chicago In one way, I was right on. He is a long-term project. But Tufte is turning Blackhawks — 39th overall. into a very long-term project, one with questionable odds of panning out.

Some of those comments from our survey responses: The point here isn’t to say Tufte was the right pick; history has shown he wasn’t. But it’s important to remember the Stars were far from laughed off …As far as the draft goes, they do fine at finding talent, but some of the the draft room floor when Jim Nill had make the mistakes (Tufte over Debrincat stands out) are glaring… announcement in Buffalo.

However his drafting especially the first round is a major fail. I know If there was a red flag about Tufte, which you can hear mentioned in the judging with hindsight is not fair however if we look at certain drafts video above, it’s the fact he went back for his senior year of high school, mainly the Tufte and Gurrinov drafts the majority of people knew those and some teams had put him on a no-draft list because of that. were not the right picks … As mentioned Tufte draft was also wrong, I Dominating high school competition as a 6-foot-5, 205-pound teenager is never envisioned Debricant being available, he was the clear pick before nice, but not really impressive when you consider the level of competition and after the draft. other first-round picks typically battle against.

His drafting is poor. 2014 was evident of that, as is his inability to read That size, however, is why Tufte was pretty close to a consensus as a rankings with reaches for Elie as a second rounder in 2013 and Tufte as better prospect than the 5’7, 165-pound Debrincat by both teams and a first- with (in 2016) better players on the board. analysts. Jim Nill has a type — there is a reason the Stars have always been one of the biggest teams in the league during his tenure — but the Debrincat over Tufte should have been a no-brainer, just imagine where NHL in general also has a type. Bigger often equates to better. this team would be if he made the right choice on that pick. “Tufte had all physical tools; question on skill level,” Pronman wrote me. Hindsight being 20-20, the Stars absolutely should have taken Debrincat “DeBrincat had all talent, questions on physical size/skating.” at No. 25. “(Debrincat) was polarizing at the time,” Wheeler texted me. “The internet Debrincat already has 173 points (87 goals, 86 assists) in 243 career liked him, as they usually do with kids who put up big numbers, but the NHL games over the course of three NHL seasons. Tufte has struggled scouting world was definitely split. A lot of people thought he wasn’t a in the AHL, and while he made progress this season, it’s not a great sign first-rounder so I remember being in the minority on that one too.” when a first-round pick is being asked to find a role in the minors to get more minutes. This isn’t meant as a defense for Tufte or a promise he’ll be something he’s clearly not, but it’s important to have proper context when looking If you re-drafted the 2016 NHL draft right now, Debrincat is a lock as a back at the draft. Maybe, just maybe, the Blackhawks deserve more top-10 pick. Tufte probably wouldn’t be selected in the first three rounds. credit for taking Debrincat at No. 39 and getting one of the draft’s But this is hindsight, and sometimes hindsight can set up false revisionist eventual best players in a year when they didn’t even have a first-round history. As we saw in the survey, some Stars fans believe Dallas reached pick. and picked a player at No. 25 that no one else would have taken in the Revisionist history doesn’t help anyone here. Pointing fingers at the Stars first round. for missing on Debrincat is a bit hollow when every NHL team other than That’s not true. Chicago passed on him at least once in the draft.

I reached out to both of The Athletic’s prospect gurus, Corey Pronman A team will never admit a player is a bust while they are still in the and Scott Wheeler, with this sentiment, and they both agreed. According system — that’s bad business — but Tufte’s selection in 2016 should be to Pronman, Tufte was a consensus top-30 prospect amongst teams he’d (and maybe is) used as a lesson for future Stars drafts. Skill and skating spoken to heading into that draft. Wheeler said he personally liked should trump size, while level of competition should probably be taken Debrincat more but quickly pointed out that Tufte “wasn’t seen as a crazy into further consideration when it comes to first-round picks. pick at the time.” Picking at No. 3 is different than No. 25, but Miro Heiskanen played in If you look at the pre-draft rankings from 2016, Tufte rates rather well. Finland’s top men’s league before he was drafted — not against high schoolers. Ty Dellandrea and Thomas Harley, the past two first-round picks, have come from the OHL and both played central roles on their respective teams before they were drafted.

The other key lesson from the Tufte-Debrincat conversation goes beyond the draft and takes a deeper look at development. Tufte was a classic overripe pick. The Stars were ready to let him marinate in college and eventually do so in the AHL.

Debrincat played as a 19-year-old for Chicago during the 2017-18 season. Even if the Stars had drafted him, he likely wouldn’t have played for them that season. The 2017-18 season was one where Dallas had doubled down on size and veterans. Debrincat would have spent another year in the OHL with Erie.

For a long time, Nill has still been big on the overripe process, but his tone and actions have slightly changed in the past couple of seasons. Harley was never going to make the NHL roster but allowing him to stay in camp as long as possible was a move with eyes on a springboard toward potentially having a 19-year-old defenseman next season. It’s not a major shift, but it’s a slight trend in the right direction.

Maybe Tufte pans out. Perhaps he becomes an NHL depth piece in the near future. The 2015 draft was originally looked at as a complete waste, but it turned into the offensive lifeblood this past season with Gurianov and Roope Hintz. Time can add some shine, even if that appears unlikely for Dallas’ 2016 crop.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183241 Detroit Red Wings Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.21.2020

Michael Rasmussen can make the Detroit Red Wings next season. Here's how

Helene St. James, Detroit Free PressPublished 2:28 p.m. ET April 20, 2020 | Updated 2:30 p.m. ET April 20, 2020

With the hockey world on pause because of the coronavirus pandemic, this is an opportunity to check in on Detroit Red Wings prospects.

This edition takes a look at forward Michael Rasmussen.

When the Wings drafted Rasmussen at ninth overall in 2017, it marked the first time they picked in the top 10 since selecting Martin Lapointe at 10th overall in 1991.

At the time of the draft, the Wings described Rasmussen as a guy who goes to the hard areas, plays net-front on power plays, and has a good scoring touch. Rasmussen was coming off a 32-goal, 55-point season with the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League, and returned to his junior team in 2017-18 and recorded 31 goals among 59 points in 47 games, followed by 33 points in 14 playoff games.

One of the aspects that appealed about Rasmussen was his size at 6 feet 6, 220 pounds.

“He’s got really good reach, so he should be hard to get around,” director of player development Shawn Horcoff said then. “He should be able to defend, and the nice thing is there is a willingness for him to do that.”

Rasmussen made the Wings in his first year of pro hockey, in 2018-19. Like Dylan Larkin before him, Rasmussen switched from center to wing to ease the transition. Rasmussen accumulated six goals and seven assists in 41 games before being sidelined by a nagging hamstring injury in early January 2019.

When the Wings emerged from the All-Star break (their All-Star representative that year was goaltender Jimmy Howard!), Rasmussen was sent to Grand Rapids for a conditioning stint — he had two goals in three games. Rasmussen wasn’t eligible to play for the Griffins otherwise because he had a year left of junior eligibility. General manager Ken Holland considered sending Rasmussen back to juniors in the spring because it was the only way to make him eligible for the AHL playoffs, but ultimately Rasmussen stayed with the Wings, and finished with eight goals and 10 assists in 62 games.

Rasmussen had four goals in seven exhibition games in 2019. He was assigned to the Griffins because the Wings wanted Rasmussen to get comfortable playing center at the pro level, because that’s where they see him being of most use to the rebuild long term. The hope is Rasmussen can develop into a Jordan Stall-like center who can defend other team’s top centers.

Rasmussen responded well, producing two goals and three assists his first three games with the Griffins. But various injuries interrupted Rasmussen’s season, including a two-month absence spanning mid- November to mid-January.

“He got off to a really good start this season," Horcoff said. "He spent a lot of time in the summer training and that led to a good start. Then he got injured and it took him some time to come back from that.

“One thing with Ras, he’s played center this year, which is a big step for him. We like his game defensively. He’s got good sense.”

Rasmussen, who turned 21 on April 17, had seven goals and 15 assists in 35 games when the AHL shut down March 12, the same date as the NHL. The Wings had 11 games left in their season, but would not have called up Rasmussen unless there was an opening for him to play center.

Rasmussen has another season of waiver exemption, but he will be expected to challenge for an NHL job in 2020-21.

His task will be to utilize his size to demonstrate he can be an asset playing in front of the net, especially on power plays, an area where the Wings desperately need help. If he can do that and defend well, there’s a chance for Rasmussen to emerge as a viable third-line center. 1183242 Detroit Red Wings ►Brendan Perlini, 1 goal, 3 assists, $874,125: What appeared to be a shrewd acquisition didn’t turn out to be. Perlini had scored at least 14 goals three times in his career, but only had one goal in 39 games with the Wings. Perlini isn’t a physical presence, and it would be very Steve Yzerman has tough calls to make on Red Wings’ 12 restricted free surprising to see Perlini back in a Wings uniform. agents ►Evgeny Svechnikov, 11 goals, 14 assists (Grand Rapids), $863,333: Svechnikov is no longer waiver-exempt, so he’ll either start next season with the Wings or potentially be lost to another team. He had a spotty Ted Kulfan, The Detroit NewsPublished 4:31 p.m. ET April 20, 2020 return this season after missing all of 2018-19 to knee surgery.

►Dmytro Timashov, 4 goals, 5 assists (Detroit-Toronto), $694,444: Only Detroit – Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has many played five games with the Wings after being claimed on waivers. decisions to make once this pause in the NHL season ends. Timashov has some offensive promise, is strong for his size, and is penciled for third- or fourth-line duty next season. But what’ll keep Yzerman busy for a while is what to do with all of his restricted free agents. ►Dominic Turgeon, 63 games, 10 goals, 13 assists (Grand Rapids), $750,000: Turgeon has been passed on the organization depth chart, Not necessarily the Red Wings’ unrestricted free agents. Those decisions and it’s possible he won’t be brought back. appear clear-cut at this point. ►Kyle Wood, 4 goals, 7 assists (Grand Rapids), $700,000: Acquired in a But the restricted free agents – the young players who have completed minor-league trade for defenseman Oliwer Kaski, Wood doesn’t appear their entry-level contracts but don’t have enough NHL service time to be to have much of a future with the Wings given the defensemen in the unrestricted – will give Yzerman plenty to think about. system.

The Wings have a staggering 12 restricted free agents – players the Detroit News LOADED: 04.21.2020 organization could re-sign to longer term deals, short-term contracts, or simply not bring back.

Some of these RFAs certainly improved their stock with promising seasons that made them appear to be building blocks for the Wings’ future. But others disappointed, though they were given numerous opportunities.

Here are the Red Wings’ RFAs (with statistics and current salary), though exactly when the free-agency process takes place this summer is unknown right now because of the coronavirus pandemic.

►Tyler Bertuzzi, 21 goals, 27 assists, $1.4 million: Bertuzzi posted his second consecutive 21-goal season, was the Wings’ All-Star representative, and was one of the team’s more consistent players. Bertuzzi has proven capable of playing a variety of roles, the coaching staff can plug him on any line, but he’s been especially productive on the top scoring line. Bertuzzi will likely get a long-term deal.

►Madison Bowey, 3 goals, 14 assists, $1 million: Bowey was waived in December, played one game in Grand Rapids, and was recalled when injuries decimated the Wings’ roster. Bowey hasn’t progressed defensively, and with the Wings likely to reshuffle the defense, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them cut ties with Bowey.

►Christoffer Ehn, 54 games, 2 goals, 2 assists, $759,167: Ehn provides some flexibility on the fourth line, plays with speed, but has shown meager offense in his brief NHL career. Ehn provides roster depth at this point.

►Adam Erne, 2 goals, 3 assists, $1.05 million: Acquired for a fourth- round pick last summer, Erne was a disappointment offensively. He provides a bit of a physical presence, and some grit, but it’s fair to wonder how much of a ceiling he has. The Wings are likely to bring him back, but he needs to take a bigger step forward.

►Robby Fabbri, 15 goals, 17 assists, $900,000: Fabbri was one of Yzerman’s better acquisitions, traded for forward Jacob de la Rose. Fabbri plays his best when he plays with an edge, and he needs to do that consistently. But Fabbri definitely showed he’s a short-term part of the picture, a formidable top-six forward on this roster.

►Taro Hirose, 5 goals, 27 assists (Grand Rapids), $925,000: Hirose took a step back this season, being sent to Grand Rapids after struggling early with the Wings. He might settle into a depth player in the organization because of his strength and speed limitations.

►Anthony Mantha, 16 goals, 22 assists, $3.3 million: Mantha is the most interesting of the RFA cases. If it weren’t for two significant injuries, Mantha may have had a career-best season. At age 25, Mantha is on the threshold of his peak years. But can Mantha and the Wings agree on the terms of a new contract? It might be tricky. Mantha might be willing to sign a one-year deal, betting he can post big numbers before he could be unrestricted in two years. Or the Wings could sign Mantha to a four- or five-year deal, believing he’s going to continue to progress. It’ll be interesting to watch. 1183243 Edmonton Oilers Grigorenko’s CSKA teammate for a possible return from Russia but he re-upped with CSKA … Vegas team president George McPhee’s winger/son Graham, who is graduating from Boston College this year after the Oilers drafted him in the fifth-round in 2016, is still on their radar Ryan Mantha's potential Oilers career never had a chance to sign. But more than likely it is just for an AHL contract, not an NHL deal … With Scott Howson officially starting his duties as AHL president

May 1, the Oilers are now looking for a new director of player Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal development. Wonder if they would consider ex-Oilers winger Dan Cleary, who is Shawn Horcoff’s assistant in player development with the Published:April 20, 2020 Red Wings? Holland certainly knows Cleary from his Detroit days.

Updated:April 20, 2020 7:20 PM MDT Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.21.2020

Defenceman Ryan Mantha’s contract with the Edmonton Oilers ends June 30, and sadly, we hardly knew you because your career was derailed by a fluke blood clot in your eye.

He only played 43 games in Bakersfield, his sight damaged in his left eye during a Feb. 2, 2018, AHL game against the Iowa Wild. He hasn’t played since.

Mantha, whose uncle Moe played 25 games here in 1988, was a unique story in March 2017, when the Edmonton Oilers signed the 20-year-old to a three-year free-agent contract. They out-bid several NHL teams because he was a right-shot defenceman, six-foot-five and 229 pounds and he could pound the puck. He was the captain of the Niagara IceDogs on a junior team with current Oilers farmhand winger Kirill Maksimov. He was a very intriguing pickup after being originally drafted by New York Rangers in the fourth round in 2014, but they didn’t see a need to keep him.

“He really found his stride upon not signing with the Rangers and his overage junior prior to signing with the Oilers was very good,” said , the NHL draft prospect expert. “He settled into his game and was very effective in many facets.”

Unfortunately, Mantha suffered the blood clot after taking a drop pass from current Oilers winger Patrick Russell and trying to unload a shot as an opposing player from Iowa went to poke-check him. All of a sudden, he couldn’t see as he tried to defend an ensuing three-on-two breakout with his partner, Keegan Lowe. He retained his peripheral vision the next day but not his straight-away sight because of damage to the central retinal artery, which carries oxygen-rich blood to the retina.

Mantha turns 24 in two months. His promising pro career never had any chance of gaining steam because of a medical situation that came out of nowhere during a harmless play that happens countless times during a game.

“I thought, ‘What the hell is going on?’ I didn’t feel a thing,” said Mantha, in a story a few months after the blood clot.

This wasn’t taking a puck in his eye or a stick under his visor. It was a play two-thirds of the way into his first pro season. And with the big kid out of the lineup, the organization became much deeper in young defencemen with the additions of Evan Bouchard, Dmitry Samorukov and Philip Broberg.

It wasn’t like ex-Oilers defenceman Ryan McGill, currently an assistant coach in Vegas, who took a puck in his left eye April 5, 1995, in Anaheim, six weeks after turning 26. He never played another game. McGill, legally blind in his left eye, at least got into 151 NHL games, though.

“Ryan (Mantha) had a solid developmental season in the AHL before the blood clot. He was showing all the signs of being a good, solid player who was steady, not flashy, but consistent. For me, that was a positive signal as an NHL prospect,” said Button. “He’s a terrific young man.”

When Oilers general manager Ken Holland was Detroit’s GM, the Red Wings were one of the NHL teams interested in signing Mantha, who is from Clarkston, Mich., 45 minutes away from Detroit. It’s also where Kid Rock’s from.

This ’n’ that: The Oilers have signed Swedish draft pick defenceman Filip Berglund but he’s going to stay with his club team Linkoping for this upcoming season and he may come over in 2021 … The Oilers are still mulling over whether to re-sign Swiss free-agent centre Gaetan Haas (10 points, 58 games) as a depth forward. If it’s for the same $875,000 one- way that Joakim Nygard got, they may well do so …The Oilers kicked the tires on centre/winger Mikhail Grigorenko but the free-agent forward signed a one-year deal in Columbus. Interestingly, he signed for $1.2 mil, very close to what the Oilers were offering Anton Slepyshev, 1183244 Edmonton Oilers 15-9. He played most often with Artemi Panarin (who inflates numbers in a good way) and Ryan Strome. Even with the help, Fast has been a solid possession player relative to his teammates for four of the last six seasons and just slightly below average in the two other campaigns. Discount forward options the Oilers could pursue in free agency Depending on the price point, Fast would be a nice fit for Edmonton, able to slide behind and Kailer Yamamoto on the top two lines and ahead of Josh Archibald on the fourth line. By Allan Mitchell and Jonathan Willis Apr 20, 2020 Mikael Granlund, Nashville Predators

Like his younger brother Markus, Mikael is a jack-of-all-trades forward As Ken Holland tackles the Oilers’ roster this summer, he’s going to face who can play any position and feature on both special teams. The some of the same challenges he did a year ago. Edmonton’s forward difference is established talent: over three seasons preceding this one corps has solidified somewhat thanks to successful auditions by a Mikael scored 69, 67 and 54 points, respectively. handful of young players and outside hires but it’s still a group that would benefit from shoring up. Once again, the Oilers will have to make do with He’s especially well-established as an offensive weapon at 5-on-5 and a limited budget, though just how limited remains to be seen with the produces without sacrificing on defence. In six seasons preceding this NHL season on hold and the state of next year’s cap a moving target. one, he’s had a positive on-ice goal share five times and a positive expected goal share six times; in 2017 he finished 13th in Selke voting With those limitations in mind, we have assembled a list of 10 pending while playing wing, ahead of notables such as Marian Hossa, Anze free agent forwards who might prove capable of outperforming the Kopitar and Aleksander Barkov. contracts they sign this summer. What makes him a target of opportunity this summer is a lousy platform Colin Blackwell, Nashville Predators year. The 28-year-old was mired at 30 points at the pause, his worst total Trying to find a right-shot centre for the Oilers in free agency is an since his rookie year, and further had some of the worst on-ice exceptionally difficult task, and it isn’t clear that there’s a better option percentages of his career. This is an established offensive threat and all- currently out there than incumbent Gaetan Haas. It takes a lot of around contributor who enters a contract year in a somewhat diminished squinting to imagine Blackwell, a 27-year-old rookie, ascending into a position. top-nine role next season but he has some definite points in his Ilya Kovalchuk, Washington Capitals advantage. This is a long shot, Kovalchuk may just stay put and try to win a Stanley Blackwell played college hockey at Harvard, where he dealt with Cup with Alexander Ovechkin. He was brilliant in Montreal and went 1-3- concussion problems, graduated to the AHL in a depth role in San Jose’s 4 in seven games with the Capitals before the season was placed on system at 23 and has spent his past three seasons scoring reasonably hold. well in the minors. He had 23 points in 26 games this season before earning regular work in Nashville. He’s listed at 5-foot-9 but a solid 190 Why Kovalchuk? He is still a volume shooter (11.27 per 60 at 5-on-5 pounds and was credited with 43 hits in 27 games for the Predators. while with the Capitals) and his price point crashed from $6.6 million to $700,000, meaning he may be less expensive. More importantly: in those 27 games, Blackwell had 10 points in limited 5-on-5 minutes. Nashville outshot the opposition 152-128 with him on the It would be an intriguing idea to place Kovalchuk on McDavid’s left wing ice, outscored it 17-10 and had an expected goal share of 55 percent. at times, and to install him as the left side trigger man on the power play. Dobber’s Nicholas Kawka likes his speed and tenacity on the forecheck. Intriguing for fans and perhaps for Kovalchuk. An Oilers left wing depth Those are thin credentials but he’ll be cheap and righty centres are hard chart that features Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Kovalchuk, Andreas to find. Athanasiou and Joakim Nygard could offer Tippett plenty of options and more firepower than in 2019-20. Cody Eakin, Winnipeg Jets Johan Larsson, Buffalo Sabres Eakin caught fire after a deadline trade to Winnipeg, recording five points in eight games after managing just 10 in 41 for Vegas. His 15 points on There are several quality arrows in Larsson’s resume. His on-ice goal the year are narrowly better than his low-water mark of 12, set in Dallas differential at 5-on-5 (54.55 percent) is very strong and Puck IQ tells us in 2017. Yet he’s also hit the 40-point mark twice; once with the Stars he spent 250 minutes (32 percent of overall minutes) playing against and most recently with the Golden Knights last season. elites. His line battled elite to a 7-7 goal differential; that’s a victory.

Highs and lows aside, on balance he’s a fairly typical third-line centre. He Overall at 5-on-5, Larsson ranked No. 50 among forward in goals-against generally scores at a third-line clip at 5-on-5. As a two-way talent, his on- per 60, meaning he was quality in goal suppression. Edmonton needs ice results suggest he’s roughly average: his shot, goal and expected that kind of defensive player for the bottom six. goal metrics all tend to hover around or just below break-even. On a short-term deal, which is all he can expect after the year he just had, he’s Larsson is not a major offensive piece (1.24 points per 60 at 5-on-5) but a reasonable bet for that role. is a regular on the penalty kill and historically successful in the faceoff circle (some wobble in 2019-20). He could slide behind McDavid and Tyler Ennis, Edmonton Oilers Draisaitl and share the third and fourth line duties with .

He’s a skill winger who scored 16 goals on an $800,000 contract in 2019- Josh Leivo, Vancouver Canucks 20. That’s a strong money puck option; inexpensive scoring wingers who are proven are a rare item. Hockey fans are used to seeing Leivo’s name on bargain lists. Buried for years in Toronto, he won his freedom midway through last season when The Oilers took him for a test drive after the deadline (2-2-4 in nine Vancouver flipped minor-leaguer Michael Carcone for his rights, giving games) and he was productive. One area that raises an eyebrow: He Leivo a second NHL opinion. played 69 minutes with Connor McDavid at 5-on-5, scoring 1-2-3. His on- ice totals with the captain (5-5 goals, 32-46 shots) are high event and the Leivo has not squandered the opportunity. In 85 games since the trade possession (shots) number would have coach shuffling in he has scored 17 times and added 20 assists for 37 points. Over the past other options. two seasons he ranks fourth on the Canucks by 5-on-5 goals per hour and fifth by points per hour while posting splendid on-ice metrics. He’s The appeal of Ennis for the Oilers is this: He has 15-goal potential, he had the benefit of playing with quality centres (both Elias Pettersson and can move up and down the lineup and his contract will be inexpensive. ) but been a quality complementary scorer.

Jesper Fast, New York Rangers Because of injuries, the timing of the trade and the pause to this season, he’s never had more than 24 points in a single NHL year. That will limit Fast is a two-way winger with good speed. His last contract came with a his earning potential. $1.85 million cap hit so the price on a new deal will be significant. Vladislav Namestnikov, Colorado Avalanche Puck IQ tells us Fast played 364 5-on-5 minutes (38 percent of his total ice time in the discipline) against elite competition, outscoring the best The reasons Edmonton might be interested in this player are likely the same reasons Colorado traded for him at the deadline. He is a skilled forward who can win battles, pass extremely well and has two-way acumen.

He is a complementary player. Over his last two seasons at 5-on-5, he has scored 15 goals and 33 points (1.17 scoring per 60). His key skill comes from being the defensive conscience on a skill line. Puck IQ tracks him as a winger who spends 30-35 percent of his time in the discipline holding elite opposition at bay.

The Avalanche often ran Namestnikov with Nathan MacKinnon. The line outscored opponents 7-2 in 72 minutes despite losing the shot differential. If the Oilers are going to run McDavid with Kassian, a skill winger who can check is necessary. Namestnikov is young enough to (27) warrant a multi-year contract.

Conor Sheary,

The 5-foot-8 Sheary ended a brilliant college career by sighing an amateur tryout deal with Pittsburgh’s farm team, performed beautifully as a rookie and worked his way into the Pens’ plans—ultimately playing a regular role for two championship teams. In 2017, he scored 53 points in just 61 games, with a whopping 48 of them coming at even strength as he clicked brilliantly with Sidney Crosby.

That high point ultimately couldn’t be sustained. A 30-point season made him a cap casualty to the Sabres, where he had one decent year and a less-impressive 2019-20 before returning to Pittsburgh at the deadline. Ignoring the 53-point outburst, he’s scored a very respectable 1.54 – 1.64 points per hour at 5-on-5 his entire career.

The smart play would probably be signing in Pittsburgh at a discount and trying to rekindle his magic with Crosby, but failing that there aren’t many options better than Edmonton.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183245 Edmonton Oilers It was 2015 and Colby was a few weeks into his rookie season with the Providence Bruins, Boston’s minor-league club. She had a group of friends do her hair and makeup – “Normally, I’m not like that” – and one saw her off at the airport just so she wouldn’t back out. ‘He was one in a million’: Colby Cave’s wife, Emily, opens up about her loss She was so nervous when she arrived in Boston that she walked right past Colby. He ran after her and gave her a kiss. He blew her away during the visit in Providence and Emily left thinking he was the one.

By Daniel Nugent-Bowman Apr 20, 2020 “As soon as I landed home, he already booked me another flight to come back,” she said. “After that first meeting, I could just tell.”

It wasn’t long before Emily moved down to Providence, putting her career As Emily Cave grieves the sudden loss of her husband, she can’t stop on the back burner, so their relationship could move to the next phase. thinking about all the reasons she loved him. None of them have anything to do with him being a professional hockey player. She still didn’t really care much for hockey but went to all the games. She’d sit with the other girlfriends and wives, slowly learning a thing or She thinks about the way he would help an elderly person in a grocery two about what was happening on the ice. store, hold a door open or pay the bill at a restaurant for someone less fortunate. She knew if Colby played well and was pleased when he did. Her biggest smiles, however, almost always came away from the rink when he’d help She knew Colby’s kind and gentle nature would have made him a someone in the community. wonderful father – something they were working toward. “I’ll be proud of him the most because of his character,” Emily said. Before Colby’s tragic death at age 25 on April 11, the result of complications from a brain cyst, the couple had been planning a trip to She knew from their first face-to-face meeting that Colby would be the Haiti in the hopes of starting the process of adopting a child. man she’d marry. Their wedding took place on July 19 of last year at a vineyard in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ont. “We had a saying: ‘Be somebody that makes everybody feel like a somebody,’” Emily said. “We always wanted to help. That’s the one thing Heatherington, one of the Broncos teammates Colby first talked to about about our relationship – we brought the best out of each other.” Emily, was a groomsman.

Emily, 26, had dreams of having three children – two of her own and one Colby barely got the first words of his vows out before he started to cry. adopted from Haiti – long before she and Colby got married last July. “You take my breath away every time I stare into those beautiful brown The idea to adopt a child from the country was inspired by her father, eyes,” he said seconds into his speech. “You’re everything I can imagine who did a lot of work at an orphanage and a missionary compound there. – and more – in a wife. I cannot believe I get to marry you.” Colby, selfless and supportive, was all-in when she told him of her vision. “He said everything perfectly,” Emily said. “The wedding was just perfect. The plan was to give birth to a baby first and then adopt a child of the I wouldn’t have changed one thing. opposite gender before having a third. The process of adopting in Haiti is a years-long procedure, filled with rules and regulations, so they wanted “It all came together for a reason. We were meant to be together.” get things moving. The 2019-20 season was one of constant shuttling between Edmonton Emily had a flight booked to Haiti in November but had to cancel it when and Bakersfield, Calif. — three times in total — for Colby and Emily. Colby was demoted from the Oilers to AHL Bakersfield. He felt terrible. Colby pushed toward being a full-time NHLer but played 44 AHL games They were working toward an alternative solution early in the new year compared to only 11 contests in the NHL. He handled the ups and downs until the Canadian and U.S. governments warned against travel to Haiti of navigating through his first full season with the Oilers organization with due to violent protests. a smile on his face.

“Instead of celebrating our first anniversary, we thought, ‘Let’s go back Emily was in lockstep with him, making the best of each situation. She and see if we find a kid that we’d love to be a part of our family,’” she never complained when she was unloading boxes at the Airbnb they said. “Unfortunately, we won’t be doing that.” stayed in during training camp, their Bakersfield apartment or an Edmonton hotel that served as home during call-ups. She’d stay behind It was supposed to be the next chapter of the life they would share to pack and move when Colby changed teams, too. together. “That was his dream, to play in the NHL. I’m so proud of how far he got Colby was 18 and playing for the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos when he playing in the NHL,” Emily said. “Every time we got that call, I never saw a picture of Emily on Instagram. He told teammates Dillon wanted him to worry about anything. Heatherington and Bobby Zinkan that he was going to marry her one day and mustered up the courage to send her a message. “I would have done anything for him to stay up in the NHL. He would have done anything to stay in the NHL, too. It was his dream. Then it Emily was hesitant, initially ignoring him. Being from Barrie, Ont., she definitely became mine.” lived hundreds of kilometres away from , where Colby played and where he was raised in North Battleford. She didn’t know A demotion right before the NHL trade deadline kept Colby in the minors much about hockey and, truthfully, wasn’t all that interested in learning for what turned out to be the end of his career. either. Emily just happened to deviate from her usual routine of sitting high up He finally talked his way into a FaceTime conversation. It went well and top with the wives and girlfriends for Colby’s last game on March 7 more of them followed. Those chats sometimes stretched into the wee against the . She opted for a seat a few rows from the hours of the morning after his games with the Broncos. glass instead. She’s glad she did.

Emily was making early morning trips to Toronto, where she was doing “I didn’t want Colby to see me. I didn’t want to get him distracted,” Emily an internship at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as part of their said. “But it was probably one of the best games he played this season. foundation to organize fundraisers and parties for terminally ill children. He got a goal. I was so close to the ice and I was screaming, cheering.

“There were many days that I was running on no sleep at work,” she “Looking back now, that’ll be a good memory that I was so close to the said. ice.”

Known as a tireless worker with an infectious personality as a hockey The NHL and AHL seasons were postponed on March 12 and the Caves player, Colby pursued Emily with as much passion. That perseverance made their way back to Barrie to quarantine at Emily’s parents’ home a eventually paid off. few weeks later.

Two years after that first message, Colby convinced Emily to meet him. Everything changed on the morning of April 7. Emily woke up beside Colby and panicked when he wouldn’t wake. “He was pretty persistent,” Emily said, laughing. “He was unresponsive, and I just kept shaking him,” Emily said. “It all As she waits for that to happen, Emily is grappling with balancing happened so fast.” mourning the tragic loss of her husband with how or if she can carry out their plans. She turns 27 on Sunday; they had their whole lives ahead of Colby was taken via ambulance to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre them, so many things they wanted to fulfill together. in Barrie, where he was placed in a medically induced coma. It was determined that he needed to be airlifted to Sunnybrook Hospital in “I’ll miss him dearly,” she said. “I’ll live the rest of my breaths trying to Toronto. make him proud.”

Emily wasn’t permitted in any of the emergency vehicles because of One of the most prominent plans was that trip to Haiti. COVID-19 regulations. He was flown to Toronto by helicopter; she returned home to gather some belongings to take on the 100-kilometre “I know Colby would want me to go back,” Emily said. “When the time is drive with her parents. right, I wanna go back for sure – just not necessarily to adopt anymore. That was a big plan in our future, kids and adopting.” At Sunnybrook, Colby had emergency surgery to remove a colloid cyst in his brain that was causing bleeding. The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020

Coronavirus restrictions kept Emily out of the hospital room, but she communicated with Colby via walkie talkie and FaceTime as he remained in a coma and on life support.

As Emily talked through a glass pane, a doctor would squeeze his hand three times. That was a custom Emily and Colby started before they fell asleep because he would get too hot to cuddle; three squeezes for “I love you.”

“When you can’t touch someone when they’re dying, it’s pretty unbearable,” she said.

He wasn’t getting better and died four days after he first lost consciousness. A nurse gave three more squeezes. It gave Emily comfort; she hopes Colby knew she was right there.

After Colby died, Emily got to see him. A nurse, in tears, hugged Emily afterward.

“The hospital staff was incredible,” Emily said. “I can’t thank them enough.

“They did everything they could. I’ll forever be grateful.”

Emily first shared the news of her husband’s death with close friends Wendy Tippett and Julie Cassidy, the wives of two of Colby’s NHL head coaches. Tributes from Colby’s teammates flooded social media on the day he died.

“He was rare,” she said. “He was one in a million.”

Colby’s parents, Al and Jennifer, and his sister, Taylor, returned home from Toronto last Monday. Cars were lined up for kilometres on Highway 16 outside of North Battleford as they travelled northwest from Saskatoon, where their plane touched down. Hundreds of people wore hockey jerseys, held signs and waved to the Caves as they neared their home.

Emily followed along via FaceTime while at a funeral home; she stayed in Barrie to deal with Colby’s remains.

“It was really heartwarming,” she said. “It was bittersweet for me, but I’m so proud of North Battleford and I can’t thank them enough.”

The Oilers have set up a memorial fund in Colby’s name, which will benefit community programs with an emphasis on mental health initiatives and provide access to sports for underprivileged children.

Never much of a sports enthusiast, Emily certainly is now.

“It’s just a big honour. Colby would be so humbled,” she said. “I look forward to working with the Oilers and the whole hockey community to carry on Colby’s kindness and generosity to help others.

“Even though he’s not physically here, I know he’ll continue to make a difference.”

She wants to honour her husband in the most appropriate way she can.

Emily missed out on a memorial service for Colby with the Cave family and their friends in Saskatchewan last week.

She held a makeshift service on the front lawn of her parents’ home with her family – her sister, brother-in-law and niece were there. Bakersfield winger , one of Colby’s best friends on the team, is living in Barrie and he, too, was there.

“This COVID situation is so horrible,” Emily said. “It can amplify grief.”

She picked up Colby’s ashes last Thursday. “I just want a funeral for my husband so bad, just to help give closure for everyone.” 1183246 Edmonton Oilers Scott: They had Canadian flags. At the bottom it said, “Good Luck Socks.”

Nicholson: I told him he better not come back to Edmonton if he didn’t ‘Oh my God, Edmonton’s picking first’: An oral history of the 2015 NHL have the number one draft pick. draft lottery Scott: He called me out in front of everybody and put a little pressure on me. Then I met him privately in his office.

Daniel Nugent-Bowman Apr 20, 2020 Nicholson: I wished him good luck and gave him a lucky loonie. They were from my time at . We always hid a lucky loonie somewhere. Everyone knows the story about Salt Lake City at centre ice, but also with many junior teams we hid them and put them in a net for It was five years ago this month that one of the most anticipated events good luck. That is what we were all counting on as Bill took the journey to in NHL history took place. And yet, there would be no big saves, crushing Toronto. hits or highlight-reel goals. Scott departed the day before the event and spent the night with his Executives from 14 non-playoff teams were left twisting, anxiously parents. The Oilers couldn’t have been further from the minds of those wondering if the ideal four numbered balls would be plucked from a close to him as the lottery neared. The Sabres and fourth-ranked Maple lottery machine. The right combination would earn the lucky winner’s Leafs, the two closest teams to the family’s Newmarket, Ont., home, team the opportunity to draft Connor McDavid, the most heralded dominated the conversation. prospect since Sidney Crosby came around 10 years earlier. Kelly: We talked about Buffalo a lot. It would be such an easy transition The outcome is well known by anyone with even the slightest interest in for us and for Connor, too. It wouldn’t be that far from home. hockey. Much to the chagrin of those around the league, the Oilers, who had the third-best odds of securing the first choice, won their fourth No. 1 Jackson: It was just underlying everything. There was a connection with pick in six years. Buffalo that year. The Otters played a league game in Buffalo.

Although team success for the Oilers has been rare in recent years — at Kelly McDavid: We’d been driving back and forth to Erie for three years. least until this halted season — McDavid has certainly done his part by We were used to the drive. finishing in the top two in league scoring in each of the past four campaigns. He’s also been named the league’s best player in The Sherry Bassin, Otters GM: The thing about going to Buffalo is it’s away Athletic’s player poll two years running. from the epicentre (Toronto). And it’s still close enough geographically for everybody. McDavid has been remarkable since he got to Edmonton in 2015, showing he deserved all that buzz on draft lottery night in Toronto. This is Jackson: If he’s in Toronto, that’s obviously a huge hockey market. He’s how it all unfolded. close to home. He’d probably love that.

With McDavid up for grabs, the NHL strengthened the odds of the 10 Kelly McDavid: Toronto would be really easy for us. But there were best non-playoff teams and weakened the chances of the bottom four concerns about Toronto, too, being the way it is with hockey. But we finishers. There was more uncertainty as the Sabres, the worst squad thought that would be pretty good. that year, saw their odds of picking No. 1 slimmed to 20 percent from 25. Jackson: Is that harder because he’s around buddies and people that he There was so much anticipation for this particular draft lottery that the played with? Does that put more pressure on him? NHL and Sportsnet decided to air it live on TV with some of the top prospects in attendance. The event featured McDavid, his Kelly McDavid: I remember a conversation we had with him about junior teammate and collegiate defenceman Noah Hanifin. Toronto. He said something about living downtown. I was like, “Oh no, Presumptive No. 2 pick Jack Eichel was unable to attend. you won’t be living downtown. You’ll be living at home.” (Laughs) He kinda looked at me like, “Oh God.” Jeff Jackson, McDavid’s agent: We also had Noah Hanifin as a client at the time and he was a top-rated player. The NHL pitched us on this idea. With a couple teams front of mind, the McDavids — including Connor’s dad, Brian, and brother, Cameron – spent most of their day in front of a Kelly McDavid, Connor’s mom: We were hesitant to do it. We had gone computer before heading downtown. through so many different scenarios. Connor McDavid: We ran the lottery tests, that mock thing, where it has Connor McDavid: It’s kind of the only time you can really just picture all the odds and just spits out a team. yourself on 16 different teams. Kelly McDavid: It was just something to do — just to keep us busy and Jackson: We debated the pros and cons of it. The players have to sell our minds busy. the game. We just looked at it as: He’s gonna be the first pick. There’s gonna be lots of media in the next number of years – and this is just Connor McDavid: We ran that thing probably 100 times that day. another part of it. Kelly McDavid: We didn’t really talk about Edmonton. I’m sure it came up. Dylan Strome: It was so crazy at the time. We just finished the second I think we just quickly dismissed it. “For heaven’s sakes. How could they round of (the OHL) playoffs. We still had two more rounds to go. possibly win again? What are the odds?” (Laughs)

Jackson: They had a break and it was a sufficient enough time. It wasn’t Connor McDavid: We had dinner beforehand. just an off night or something. He was at home. They’d given him a few days off. Kelly McDavid: We all got dressed up and went to The Shore Club. We’d never been there before. We had steak and lobster tail. I remember it The Oilers had just completed their ninth straight season without a being a really good dinner. There was a lot of nervous chatter, talking playoff berth, posting the NHL’s third-worst record. They’d picked first about all the locations and just how it was all gonna turn out. Afterwards, overall each year from 2010 to 2012, but the top player available was a we went into the Sportsnet studios right across the street. sure-fire superstar this time. The McDavids arrived a few minutes before 7 p.m. Things were starting Bob Nicholson, Oilers CEO: I had just become the CEO of the Oilers a to get real. week prior to that and we had gathered everyone together to have an all- staff meeting. We had announced Bill Scott was going to represent us at Kelly McDavid: Right away, we saw Ron (MacLean) and Don (Cherry). the lottery. Jackson: I was apprehensive — or curious.

Bill Scott, Oilers assistant GM (now director of salary cap management): Kelly McDavid: (Gary) Bettman came into the room they put us in. He I’d only been in the position for a year. I really didn’t know a lot of what to said to Connor, “Would you like to see how your future is going to be expect. determined?” He took us into the room where all the balls are dropping Nicholson: We called Bill out (in front of the group) and gave him a pair of and showed us how it was gonna work. “Oh my God. A few balls are lucky socks. gonna drop and it’s gonna determine where he goes.” We went back to the room and that’s when (host) George Stroumboulopoulos came in. McDavid went off with Strome and Hanifin to do an interview with Kelly McDavid: Why did we never think of Edmonton? It was such a Stroumboulopoulos as the draw took place just after 7:45 p.m. Eastern shock. We all had to kinda get ourselves together. Time. A representative from each team with the five-best odds — Buffalo, Arizona, Edmonton, Toronto and Carolina — witnessed the draw. Scott Personnel from the Oilers and rival teams keeping tabs on proceedings was asked to hand over his cellphone, placing it in a marked envelope from afar also had a wide range of emotions. Edmonton executives Craig before he entered the room. MacTavish, Scott Howson and Bob Green were on their computers in the early morning hours in Switzerland, where they were scouting the world Scott: There was tension because everybody knew it would be a game- under-18 championship. changer for their team. They’d given us sheets ahead of time with all the number combinations and what teams they matched up with. When they Scott Howson, Oilers senior vice-president of hockey operations (now first handed them out, I figured there’s no way I’m gonna look through director of player development): It was around 2 in the morning over this and memorize our numbers. There were too many combinations. I there. We were all in separate rooms, but we were all on the same floor. was just sitting there thinking, “What are the odds of the Oilers winning Our doors were open. I was following it on Twitter. It got to three, so we this again?” were next up.

The odds weren’t great — 11.5 percent, with 115 favourable Nicholson: I was watching in my family room at the condo, by myself, combinations out of 1,000 for the 14 numbered balls. (One combination – glued to the TV set. When Bill Daly turned over the gold card for Oilers, I 11, 12, 13, 14 – was designated as a redraw.) NHL commissioner Gary almost went through the ceiling. Bettman instructed a lottery technician to load and start the machine and Howson: I heard this scream from the adjacent hotel room. It was MacT another man to call for the drawing of the balls in 10-second intervals. screaming. Somehow, he had found out that we won before it came up Scott watched closely with his lucky loonie buried in his right pants on my Twitter. pocket. The balls labelled 5, 14 and 6 were shot up a tube in succession. There was just one more ball to go. Dave Tippett, then Coyotes coach and current Oilers coach: Our coaches were all in the offices. We were sitting around, watching it together. It Scott: I looked down real quick. We had two combinations left – 1 and 10. was a sudden thud when we went to three. It was almost dead silent. Then 1 popped up there. I saw it right away. I couldn’t believe it. I just kinda sat back in my seat, knowing that we had won before they had Nicholson: I made my first call to Oilers owner . My second call announced that it was the Oilers. was to my son, Grant, who was bouncing off the walls.

An agonizing, 20-minute wait followed. He couldn’t share the news since Howson: MacT was coming towards my room and I was watching out his phone had been confiscated. towards his room. You just wanted to have somebody to be happy with. It’s unbelievable that you’ve hit the jackpot. Scott: Nobody wanted Edmonton to win, certainly, after winning three in the previous five years. I was sitting beside (Carolina GM) Ron Francis. Nicholson: I felt like I talked to half the country, people phoning myself He shook my hand right away. Most of the people were pretty friendly — and me phoning them. It reminded me a lot of winning the gold medal in but obviously disappointed, as anybody would be. You’re just watching, ’02 and ’10. hoping those minutes go by quickly more than anything. I tried my best to Tippett: As an organization, you feel like you’ve gone through a lot of be respectful for the room. I’m new to the league; I’m young in the pain to get to this point. It would be nice to be rewarded for that. It didn’t league. The last thing you wanna do is walk around there with a big smile happen. Now I’m glad it didn’t happen. on your face while everybody else has had just as tough of a year as you and you lucked into getting the right four numbers. Back in Toronto, all the attention was on McDavid. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman interviewed Scott before Stroumboulopoulos spoke to The prospects finished their interview with Stroumboulopoulos and McDavid, who’d just been shown on air with a deer-in-headlights look on headed backstage. It wasn’t long until deputy commissioner Bill Daly was his face. revealing the placards with team logos in inverse drafting order. Scott: He asked if we knew who we were taking. (Laughs) We weren’t Kelly McDavid: Just before they went on air, they closed the door, so it going to say it at that point in time. I think everybody knew the answer. was just the four of us in the room and they let us watch what was gonna transpire. Kelly McDavid: Connor was very overwhelmed. All of a sudden, they whisked him away and they had him on air. That was a little bit scary. Strome: He was in his own room with his family. I was with Hanifin watching it in a different room. Connor McDavid: People thought I was upset and made a big deal about that, which wasn’t the case at all. We were just more in disbelief than Kelly McDavid: That was the calm before the storm. anything. Jackson: (Colleague) Dave Gagner and I were in a room with the GMs. Jackson: There was never any question about him not wanting to go to (Sabres GM) Tim Murray and a couple of his guys from Buffalo were Edmonton. It wasn’t contemplated with any real depth of thought. there. Bassin: He’s never, ever tried to challenge the system in his life. Kelly McDavid: Connor and Brian were standing right in front of the TV Everything he got, he earned. He isn’t as good as he is because of some and Cameron and I were sitting on the couch. We were just holding our magic carpet flying in. breath the whole time. Jackson: I give Connor a lot of credit to do it the way he did it. He did a The Leafs held their position at No. 4. Daly then flipped a card revealing really great job. He was open-minded about the whole thing. And just the Oilers emblem, which was surrounded by a golden background. getting over the initial shock of, “Oh my God, Edmonton’s picking first. Strome: My dad said he saw the Edmonton card before anyone else did We never thought about this as a possibility.” because they were up top in the studio. He got to look down on it with Bill Bassin: I’ll tell you what I call it: All that stuff that was being said was the Daly reading it out. babble of the diseased mind. Kelly McDavid: We let out a gasp. They could hear us in the room. They Connor McDavid: If I were to do it over again, I wouldn’t have gone to the were like, “Oh yeah. We heard you guys.” (Laughs) And Connor being as studio. I just think it was something that we were hesitant on originally young as he was, it was emotional. and it turned out to be for good reason. Strome: There was a lot more on the line for him than anyone else. Jackson: If I have to go back, I’d probably say, “Let’s not do it.” We didn’t Kelly McDavid: It was his future staring him in the face right there. It was feel pressured to do it. I think we just felt like maybe it was more of a all overwhelming. professional obligation – and it was gonna be one of many that he had being a top player. Jackson: It felt like it was gonna be Buffalo. Then it wasn’t. Strome: It probably won’t ever happen again. I think they learned their Scott: They escorted me quickly out of the room into the studio, which lesson the first time. It’s just awkward. was maybe 50 feet down the hall, and I watched Bill open our envelope. Jackson: It wasn’t like some other years. There was a lot of the whole Connor vs. Jack thing that year, but it was a pretty well-done deal that Connor was the first pick and there was no doubt in anybody’s mind.

Bassin: If anybody said there was any question, you should get the licence plate of the banana truck they fell off of and hit their head.

Scott: There was really only one guy who needed to be there.

Murray seemed to feel the same way during a media availability minutes later at a nearby hotel. He couldn’t hide his disappointment at the Sabres missing out on getting McDavid, comparing the bump down to No. 2 to a player getting the call he’s been cut from Canada’s world junior roster. “I feel for the fans,” he said. Others felt better about how the evening unfolded – especially Scott.

Scott: I went out for a nice dinner afterwards. A big ribeye steak — and it was excellent. I went with Tyler Dellow. Tyler was working for us at the time (in analytics) and he was living downtown. I hadn’t made any plans with anyone that night, and certainly didn’t have any plans to have a victory dinner.

Jackson: Connor was nervous. Edmonton had not done well for a number of years, despite having lots of picks. But everything Connor does, he looks at it as the glass being half full. “I’m gonna go in there any make that team better.”

Kelly McDavid: Knowing that he would be so far away was difficult, but it’s all worked out. He built a beautiful new home in Edmonton. We go there all the time. It used to be a four-hour drive to Erie. Now it’s a four- hour flight.

Scott: I’m probably never gonna experience anything like that again. Outside of our playoff run a couple years ago, certainly one of the most exciting things I’ve been a part of in the NHL.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183247 Los Angeles Kings degree, and off I go doing something else. But he was so good to me that I just enjoyed the hell out of it. It just became a fun job, right?”

Maurice chuckled when he noted that his own practices weren’t “nearly WEBSTER’S LEGACY LEAVES LASTING IMPACT: “HE LOVED THE as long as his used to be,” but that Webster represented a shift towards GAME, BUT HE LOVED PEOPLE” the modernization of organizational detail and on-ice structure – one well respected because of his pro background. “I would say in terms of my daily operation, I would’ve modeled myself a little bit after him in a lot of ways – how he worked, how he ran his practices,” he said. JON ROSENAPRIL 20, 2020 “He had a magnetic rink board with the magnetic feet that he used to

move around, which we all thought was very cool. It was very avant- Some of the boldfaced headlines accompanying Tom Webster’s three- garde at the time.” year tenure as LA Kings head coach might be among the most So were some of Webster’s ideas. At the junior level, on the ice, those misleading of anyone who held the position since Red Kelly was named who played for him and coached against him understood the heightened the franchise’s first coach in 1967. And that’s not the fault of newspaper emphasis on the team’s play away from the puck and in support. Off the writers or editors. He did throw a stick at Kerry Fraser, earning the ice, teams that drafted knew they’d be selecting a longest suspension handed to an NHL coach. He did trade punches with player whose junior accomplishments were cultivated within the . environment of a program known to exact maturity and reward those who But if there’s an anecdote from that truncated but fascinating era that didn’t cut corners. raised the hood and revealed the engine that powered him, it’s buried The 1980s Smythe Division was no pantheon of structural precision, but some 600 words into an article printed during the fallout of his dismissal. the division produced Campbell Conference champions every year from “If there is one regret I have as a coach, it’s that I didn’t get a coaches’ 1982 to 1990 and six Stanley Cups, meaning that even the Gretzky- association started, like I wanted to,” Webster told Steve Springer of the boosted Kings knew they needed to supplement their own regimen with LA Times in May, 1992. whatever boost was available. “I think it was accepted pretty well [by my The lack of playoff success certainly cost him and, in its wake, teammates], to be honest,” said Jim Fox, whose career-ending knee undoubtedly ate at him. Though L.A. won its only divisional title under injury kept him off the ice in 1988-89, ’s final season before Webster, whose three years at the helm produced the sixth best points Webster was hired – one that saw Los Angeles swept from the playoffs in percentage among 26 Kings coaches, they didn’t advance past the the second round by eventual Cup champion Calgary. “I think that the second round with the league’s most superstar-studded group. But the group accepted the fact that they needed more help in [structure and fuel behind a 50-year hockey career – 15 as a player, 24 as a coach, 11 detail], that they could run and gun with anyone, but to win at the as a scout – as exemplified in that quote was a desire to help others. important times, I think they took pretty well to it. I think it’s understanding what you need and understanding that he’s trying to give it to you.” Webster passed away April 10 at 71, reportedly from brain cancer. The final season in a playing career is often a difficult one, and Fox “Tommy was an exceptionally intense coach. He was hard. But that gritted through 11 games under Webster in 1990-91 as he came to the never outweighed the fact that you knew he cared about you,” Paul difficult terms that his body simply couldn’t endure the explosive combat Maurice said of the coach that passed away of an NHL game. Before his transition into broadcasting and community relations, he spent plenty of time with his coach, whose respect and care Maurice is more than accommodating in talking about Webby, who was for his players was apparent. much more than simply a mentor for the Winnipeg head coach. If Webster was your coach, there wasn’t any way of getting around the fact “Playing in that transition period where coaches were starting to really that he and his family were caring for you and looking out for your best think about how to talk to their players, as opposed to keeping them in interests. the dark, I felt that a daily basis,” Fox said. “I was basically finding out that I was physically not able to play anymore, and he really spent a lot of The stage of life in loco parentis – “in the place of a parent” – that springs time with me – a lot of time – and I really appreciated that, even though it maturation comes earlier for junior hockey players than maybe for those didn’t end up that well for me.” who go to college or leave home for work, and Webster and his wife, Carole, who passed away last year, were essentially extended members “I remember only positive about Tom, because I think he talked to me of the Windsor Spitfire billet family. They’d invite the players over for every day. Basically, what happened was the more I played, the more I dinner – as well as board games, as Maurice’s teammate, Peter DeBoer practiced, the more my knees grinded themselves to the point where I recalled – and enjoyed the experience it provided their young kids, couldn’t play anymore. You don’t really know that at the time, you’re Stacey and Brent. “And I’m talking about all the players on the team at always trying to work to get back in the lineup, but he was really good on one point. He was constantly bringing players over, and you would get to a daily basis.” see the family side of the coach,” Maurice said. The Kings went on to win their next three games after the altercation with Midway through his overage season as Spitfires captain, the Gilmour and Calgary that March, cementing the first and only division title defenseman’s hockey career received a jolt. Limits on overage players in franchise history. After defeating Vancouver in the first round, they lost prompted a decision by the club to change its mix of 20-year-olds, and three overtime games during a notoriously bitter divisional final loss to the Peter Karmanos, Jr.-owned club provided the option to join Webster’s Edmonton, the second of three consecutive playoff exits at the hands of staff as an assistant. Gretzky’s old mates.

He took the team up on its offer, a decision that helped shape hockey There were larger issues in play beyond playoff losses, but Webster development and coaching circles for decades to come – though that didn’t blame outside forces or find excuses in what he couldn’t control; 1987-88 season ended in heartbreak as Windsor’s 21-game winning rather, he returned to coaching alongside prominent names. He rejoined streak was snapped in the final by a - Maurice in OHL-Detroit as a head coach and was named a Hartford coached Medicine Hat team catalyzed by Wayne McBean’s midseason assistant under Maurice when at 28 he became the second youngest return from Los Angeles. head coach in NHL history – two bookends around assistant coaching positions in Florida and Philadelphia, the latter under another highly But 32 years and 1,600 NHL games coached later, Maurice recalls those structured former L.A. coach in Terry Murray. “He had such incredible formative moments in which Webster’s renowned detail and care for his people around him,” Maurice said. “He worked with , you players and fellow coaches was apparent. had Wayne Gretzky. Like, the spectrum of ideas and thoughts that he “He’d sit down, and this was back in the days of VHS tape, and break would’ve come across over the course of his career is really impressive.” down the game for you, and you’d watch hockey with him,” he recalled of After returning to Windsor for four years to coach Steve Ott (now a his earliest days as a coach. Stanley Cup-winning assistant with St. Louis) and former L.A. first round “And I look back at that as him being really, really generous. If I don’t pick Tim Gleason (a player development coach with Carolina), he have a good experience in my first year and a half coaching or working transferred his comprehension of player mechanics and development with somebody, I’m not going to do it anymore. I’m going to finish my towards a calling that continued for 12 seasons and culminated with a standing ovation from his peers and the hockey fans who stayed late into The applause that washed over him at the 2014 draft were the echoes the second day of the 2014 NHL Draft. from half a century of hockey service – of playing the game, loving the game and developing generations of young talent and bright minds. As “You know, the one thing I always say is coaches seem like they make the applause provided the score for his final pick, Conroy felt it fitting that the best scouts,” Craig Conroy said. “It’s because of their attention to Webster’s final act as a scout was to announce a player – Austin Carroll detail – what exactly they’re looking for, all those little intricacies, like the – whose last name sounded like his wife’s. way the guy pivots, all these things — and Webby was really the master.” It was fitting, given Webby’s reputation for treating those he was Conroy, the skilled and detail-oriented two-way forward who played 130 coaching and mentoring as family. Family members can be honest and games for the Kings from 2005-07, has spent the last 14 years with the blunt and firm – but they’ll also show you more than anybody else how Flames – the first five as a player, the most recent six as the Assistant much they deeply care. General Manager to Brad Treliving. His friendly, accommodating reputation precedes him. One story has it that a former Calgary media “As I got to know him as a man more than just as my junior coach, I relations representative reached out to Los Angeles’ staff when he realized he just had a huge heart and wore it on his sleeve,” Maurice signed with the Kings, inquiring about their best player at speaking with said. “The emotion he brought to the game was passionate – he loved media. Before anyone answered, he shared that they were now second- the game, but he loved people. He’s better at that than I am. Tommy was best behind Craig Conroy. gifted at that.”

He’s eager to talk about Webster. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.21.2020

“I remember the first day I had just retired [from playing], and I went to a game and there were all the scouts there and I sat next to Webby and he just said, ‘do you know what you’re looking for, Craig?’,” he said. “And I mean, I’m watching the players, but he goes, ‘who would you want to play with out there? You just retired, who makes plays? What defenseman can get you the puck, how can they support?’”

“All these little things that you think about during the game, he just said those are what you want to look for. Which guys do you want to play with on the ice? Which guy’s going to make you a better player – and vice versa? He kind of walked me through it, right from the beginning, with defensemen, with goalies, and he did it in such a way that he just made you feel good about yourself. He explained to me how to take notes and just kept it really simple and brief – but his attention to detail and his eye for players was excellent.”

Brad Watson/NHLI

When Webster spoke in meetings and conferences with other Calgary scouts and executives, it carried weight. And just because of how much he cared for his colleagues didn’t mean that the competitive juices had been exhausted.

“I saw him break his computer once during one of the meetings and I was like ’whoa, didn’t see that coming,’ because he’s always so nice and in a good mood and you loved his stories,” Conroy said. “You could just sit with him for hours and listen to the stories that he had, but when it came time to do the work, he was so passionate and if he liked a player and he believed in him, he made sure everybody knew.”

This was, after all, a voice that carried the tone and gravitas of one who’d played with Howe and coached Gretzky, who’d influenced Maurice and DeBoer and many others, an individual with a high canopy of branches spawning other coaching branches. He was greatly admired by the rest of the room, and particularly amateur/USHL scout Jim Cummins, whose 1,538 penalty minutes in 511 NHL games offer a suggestion that he’s one not afraid to back down from confrontation and perhaps speak his mind. “They would battle, they’d go back and forth,” Conroy said. “I’d just sit there and laugh when I hear them going back and forth, hearing Jim say he likes a guy, ‘that’s fine, you write what you want, I’ll write what I want, we’ll hash it out in the meeting.’ Webby didn’t talk a lot in the meetings, but when he did, he instantly commanded the room and everyone was like, ‘OK, Webby’s talking, let’s listen, guys.’”

Indulge us for a moment, Kings fans, but that voice helped lay the concrete of the Flames’ modern foundation. Having keyed in on an undrafted defenseman he’d previously coached against that played under current Los Angeles AGM Michael Futa and coach Mike Stothers at Owen Sound, he advocated strongly to Calgary GM that they sign Mark Giordano – who’d already begun to plan out his course load at York University, as the story goes.

The 2019 Norris Trophy winner has now played more games in a Flames jersey than anybody other than Jarome Iginla. “I think back when Gio won the Norris, I was thinking of Webby first,” Conroy said.

Between the start of his junior career in 1964 and his retirement in 2014, the only season he spent away from the rink was 1977-78, when recovery from spinal fusion surgery limited him to the final 13 games of a playing career spent with Boston, Detroit and California in the NHL and New England of the WHA, with whom he won the 1973 Avco World Trophy and appeared in 352 games. 1183248 MontrealCanadiens all – Notre-Boeuf-de-Grâce will do about $4,000 to $5,000 in business on a weekday, Ambas said.

Courtesy Notre-Boeuf-de-Grâce Jeff Petry and P.K. Subban feed hospital workers, save some jobs along Lately, however, weekdays have pulled in roughly $1,500 to $2,000 a the way day, hence the layoffs.

“At first it was only myself, one of the owners and one cook who were By Arpon Basu Apr 20, 2020 working here,” Ambas said. “So we’ve re-hired four other staff thanks to these donations and the publicity we’ve been getting. So if business keeps picking up, I can slowly start re-hiring my team back little bit by little bit.” When you walk into Notre-Boeuf-de-Grâce at supper time on a typical weeknight, finding a table is a serious challenge. But it’s worth the wait. On top of that, exposing their product to the hospital staff has also The burgers are outstanding. resulted in some return customers and just a general uptick in business.

This is my local burger joint in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, located in the “Oh definitely,” Ambas said. “A lot of the health care workers have come former spot of my local bagel shop in NDG (RIP, D.A.D.’s Bagels) on by on their days off, or sometimes they pick up their free meals but they Sherbrooke St. between Harvard and Wilson Ave. In the five years since also order for their families on their way home. So it’s definitely adding to it opened in 2015, it has expanded to nine locations across the greater our sales. We’re very fortunate for that.” Montreal area. It really is a local success story. It should be noted that Notre-Boeuf-de-Grâce is not simply receiving But like so many others in the restaurant industry, the pandemic hit, and here. No, the restaurant is giving back as well by delivering food to difficult decisions were required. Then, out of nowhere, Notre-Boeuf-de- various hospitals around the city, hand delivered by Ambas. Grâce was sent a saviour. Two, in fact. “Not only do they come in, but we also do some deliveries because we First, at the end of March, Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry and his wife like to help out other hospitals, so we’ve done some at the Royal Vic, the Julie offered to pay for meals for frontline hospital workers at the NDG Montreal Children’s, at the Jewish General, Montreal General, St. Mary’s, burger joint and at another local success story located just up the street at Ste Justine Hospital and also at the CHUM, we did a free delivery in Westmount, Mandy’s Gourmet Salads. there,” he said. “We’ve been delivering mainly to ICU’s, emergency units, recovery units. The Petry family covered $2,500 worth of food at each restaurant for workers at any hospital, as long as they presented their identification “But you can really see how grateful everybody is.” card when they picked up the food. Both restaurants are very close to the McGill University Health Centre. The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020

It was an extremely generous and thoughtful gesture on the part of the Petry family, but the hospital workers were not the only ones who benefited.

At Notre-Boeuf-de-Grâce, what had become a worrying situation turned around as well.

“With the Petry family, some people graciously added to the tab because the tab ran out really, really quickly, as you can imagine,” said Andrew Ambas, the general manager of Notre-Boeuf-de-Grâce’s flagship location in NDG. “We had some anonymous donors and some other donors who donated also on behalf of other foundations.”

Ultimately, the tab the Petry family started at Notre-Boeuf-de-Grâce grew from $2,500 to over $7,000, Ambas said, as people donated to feed hospital workers. But the side benefit was the relief it brought to Notre- Boeuf-de-Grâce as a business.

“It’s a great feeling. We’re all happy,” Ambas said when asked what it felt like to see hospital workers come in for a free meal. “We’re all happy to have a job. Most of our staff, unfortunately, we laid off over 50 people just at this location alone and out of our nine restaurants, only four are currently open.

“And that’s just our restaurant. There are so many of my friends in this industry who are not working at all and a lot of restaurants I know won’t re-open, they won’t recover after this. So we’re very lucky here.”

Shortly after the Petry family’s initiative, the P.K. Subban Foundation announced it would be buying meals for staff at the Montreal Children’s Hospital from Notre-Boeuf-de-Grâce every Friday in April. Every hospital employee who arrives between 12-6 p.m. receives one classic burger – beef, chicken or veggie – and an order of french fries, sweet potato fries or onion rings.

Notre-Boeuf-de-Grâce is charging $10 for the classic burger – it normally costs $13 on the menu – and business on Fridays has been very swift.

“It’s been at least 250 to 350 burgers every Friday,” Ambas said.

With the final Friday in April still to come, that means an extra $10,000 in business, at least, for the restaurant, in addition to all the hospital staff being fed for free.

Now, a bit of context is required here to show the impact of these two charitable causes on this local business. Around this time of year, just prior to the outdoor patio opening – sorry, terrasse, this is Montreal after 1183249 Nashville Predators Slot Pass Receptions 1.57

1.25 Will the Predators try to re-sign Mikael Granlund and Craig Smith? Can they? OZ Possession Time

0:29

By Adam Vingan Apr 20, 2020 0:31

Points

On March 4, NHL general managers were informed that the salary cap, 0.4 which was $81.5 million in 2019-20, was projected to be between $84 million and $88.2 million next season. 0.57

Eight days later, the NHL paused its season amid the coronavirus Time On Ice pandemic, and more than a month since that decision was made, the 16:45 league is no closer to knowing if and when it will return. 19:07 The resulting loss of revenue makes it unlikely the cap will rise as anticipated. Smith was en route to his sixth 20-goal season in seven years when the season was suspended. He maintained that pace despite seeing a “We don’t know whether we’re going to finish the regular season (or) if reduction in his five-on-five ice time per game. we’re going to play the playoffs,” Predators GM said last week. “If we were able to do that, certain revenues would obviously be No Predators forward was better than Smith at firing shots from the inner brought back into the pot and shared between the NHL and the players. slot, the highest-percentage scoring area of the ice. If we don’t have that, then obviously there’s going to be a deficit of money that was budgeted for, and all of this is going to affect the cap Craig Smith's Offensive Production going forward. Goals

“All of us have certain player commitments that we have made that add 0.22 (3rd) up to a certain number. … Until we play these games or not play these games, it’s going to be an open issue.” 0.2 (2nd)

The Predators could have used the extra space. They have roughly Shots $72.2 million committed to 17 players — 10 forwards, five defensemen and two — next season, according to CapFriendly. If the cap 2.22 (3rd) were to stay at $81.5 million, that would leave the Predators with less 2.3 (1st) than $9.3 million to fill out their roster. Slot Shots NHLPA SPOKESMAN SAYS THAT’S NOT ACCURATE. THAT NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE YET ON NEXT YEAR’S CAP. 1.03 (3rd)

MY OWN TAKE: AS I WROTE A FEW WEEKS AGO, FREEZING THE 0.94 (4th) CAP A FEW YEARS AT THE CURRENT NUMBER OR CLOSE TO IT IS Inner Slot Shots POSSIBLE, YES. BUT NOT DECIDED YET. HTTPS://T.CO/GNJKKT5FSX 0.46 (6th)

— PIERRE LEBRUN (@PIERREVLEBRUN) APRIL 17, 2020 0.64 (1st)

The Predators’ two biggest pending free agents are forwards Mikael Time On Ice Granlund and Craig Smith. Poile said he has spoken to their agents “just a little bit here during the break” but acknowledged the difficulty in 12:08 (9th) negotiating without a clear idea of his financial parameters. (Colin 10:53 (11th) Blackwell, Dan Hamhuis, Korbinian Holzer and Yannick Weber are the other UFAs.) To get an idea of how much it could cost the Predators to re-sign Granlund and Smith, we will use the contract projection tool created by “That’s going to be paramount to know for every club,” Poile said. “It Evolving Hockey. (Here is an explanation of how it works.) would be really hard to go forward with certain players at this time not knowing what the cap is going to be.” If Granlund, 28, were to re-sign with the Predators in July, when free agency normally begins, Evolving Hockey predicts that he would receive Granlund benefited most from the firing of Peter Laviolette and hiring of a three-year contract with a $5.165 million cap hit. That is based on a cap in January. He saw an increase of more than two minutes in projection of $81.5 million. his ice time per game under Hynes, and his 19:07 average comfortably led Predators forwards. It is hard to imagine Granlund, whose expiring contract carries a $5.75 million cap hit, taking a pay cut, especially after his resurgence on the Although Granlund was much more productive under Hynes with 11 scoresheet. Evolving Hockey forecasts that Granlund would get a seven- goals and 16 points in 28 games, his underlying numbers did not soar as year contract with a $6.525 million cap hit if he were to sign with another a result of the coaching change. Still, he made the most of his team. opportunity. Smith, who turns 31 in September, is projected to receive a three-year Mikael Granlund's Coaching Splits contract with a $4.117 million cap hit if he re-signs with the Predators, Slot Shots which would be reasonable for a player his age. He has had a $4.25 million cap hit for the past five years. 1.17 Based on those projections, which accounted for a flat cap, the Predators 1.29 would not have enough room to re-sign both players, let alone address other needs. Inner Slot Shots Poile would be forced to get creative in order to make that happen. One 0.63 idea, as recently suggested by colleague Jonathan Willis, would be to 0.75 buy out Kyle Turris. It would save the Predators $4 million in cap space, and if the league were to offer compliance buyouts, then the Predators would not have to carry $2 million in dead money through 2028.

With too much uncertainty surrounding the future of this season, Poile is prepared to wait to make those decisions.

“We’re just going to have to react to what is presented in front of us,” Poile said. “Hopefully, our relationships are such with the players that they understand that, and if there is an ability to maybe do something with them when the season is over and when we know more, we will put our best foot forward at that time.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183250 New Jersey Devils There’s quite a bit more impact on the right side with Palmieri and Gusev at the top of the depth chart and emerging players like Joey Anderson starting to hit their NHL strides.

Position-by-position: NJ Devils have depth on wings but few impact After Coleman was traded, it looked as though Palmieri, an alternate players captain and a local product (Montvale), was on his way out of town as well. Interim general manager Tom Fitzgerald made a big decision to keep Palmieri, who still has another year on his contract after this season, recognizing the importance of what he brings to a team that is Abbey Mastracco, Published 4:00 a.m. ET April 21, 2020 desperately trying to become competitive again.

Palmieri has been the Devils' leading scorer for the past two seasons, The NHL season is still on hold as the world deals with the coronavirus playing on the top line and on the top power play unit. He’s fast, physical, pandemic, but if and when it resumes, the New Jersey Devils won’t be he’s the team’s best forechecker and has a shot that can beat goalies major players in the run up to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. clean. He’s also a vocal leader in the locker room. He’s an established NHL player and a team like this needs a player like him. You can’t win We’re taking a look at each of the Devils’ position groups, how they with a group of guys who are still developing. A team needs players like performed this season and what to expect moving forward, operating Palmieri to lead and contribute on and off the ice. Keeping Palmieri under the hypothetical scenario of the season being canceled. signals the desire to be competitive again next season.

We’ve already looked at the goaltenders and defensemen in previous The start of the season didn’t go as planned for Gusev. At one point, the weeks. Here’s a look at the wingers. Next, we’ll conclude with the former KHL MVP was a healthy scratch because his defense was such a centers. hindrance. But one of the best decisions former head coach (and current Nashville Predators’ coach) John Hynes made was to switch him from Left side the right side to the left and play him with and Coleman. The Devils lost some punch on the left side when Blake Coleman was Patrik Elias made the suggestion to play the right-shot defenseman on traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in a surprising deal a week before the the right side since it worked for former Devils’ forward Ilya Kovalchuk, trade deadline. However, they gain a big piece for the future in that trade who also happened to play with Gusev on SKA St. Petersburg. in left winger Nolan Foote. But we’ll get to that part later. When he adjusted to the North American game he became pretty When was traded it left a hole on the left side of the top line. dangerous. Gusev is undersized but shifty and has great vision and With Nico Hischier in the middle of him and Kyle Palmieri, Hall became a anticipation. The team nicknamed him “The Magician” for the way he set Hart Trophy winner and helped lead the Devils to the playoffs in 2018. up teammates for scoring chances. He scored 13 goals and assisted on Again, it was New Jersey’s most successful line in 2018-19 before Hall 31. was injured in December and missed the rest of the season after knee But now comes the tricky part. Gusev has a year left on his contract and surgery. he’ll be 28 in July. A player at that age lacking footspeed like him typically Fans wanted to see Jesper Bratt, Jesper Boqvist or Janne Kuokkanen in gets slower, not faster. He’s not exactly a developing prospect. Do the that spot. Bratt was given a chance to play in that spot but by the end of Devils try and extend him this season and give him a bridge deal of some the season he had been moved to a line with Nikita Gusev and Pavel sort? That’s a question that won’t be answered until they make a decision Zacha, a smart coaching decision by interim bench boss Alain about the GM vacancy. Nasreddine. That line was exciting and excelled on both ends of the ice. Anderson’s play at the end of the season was solid and it looks as Bratt put together a solid campaign despite his point total (16 goals, 16 though he’s ready to play in the NHL. He was vocal about saying how assists). He improved his defensive game and maybe even improved much his time in the AHL benefitted him this season and how much it Zacha’s game. He’s a top-six winger, so maybe that top left spot is his for improved the defensive-minded forward’s offensive game. the taking next season. Nick Merkley, who came to the Devils in the Taylor Hall trade, looked Jesper Bratt #63 of the New Jersey Devils heads for the net as Kevin good in his few NHL games and will have a chance to compete for a spot Hayes #13 of the Philadelphia Flyers defends in the second period at out of training camp. A change of scenery and some luck with his health on Nov. 1, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. benefitted him tremendously and it appears as though the 22-year-old first-round pick (2015) might finally ready to get over that AHL hump. Boqvist was in the American Hockey League after the All-Star Break though he’ll likely spend next season in the NHL. The Devils kept him in John Hayden will be a restricted free agent this summer. He’s a fourth- the NHL out of training camp in order to keep him in North America but it line role player who was used as effective protection for rookie Jack became apparent that he wasn’t quite ready to be an everyday NHL Hughes for much of the season. He’s a smart enough player to know player and Boqvist himself said he was grateful for the opportunity to be what he can do and doesn’t try and play outside of his own game. able to go to the AHL to work on his game and find some confidence. He In the system scored eight goals and assisted on three with the resurgent Binghamton Devils. New Jersey Devils right wing Nathan Bastian (42) celebrates his first NHL goal during the first period of their game against the Montreal In 35 NHL games, Boqvist scored three goals with zero assists (three Canadiens at Prudential Center. points). It's clear he's talented but he wasn't really ready for the NHL this season. It was a learning year for Boqvist and it will be exciting to see It’s tough to know what to make of Nathan Bastian. A year ago it looked what the 21-year-old Swede can do next year with some experience and as though he was ready for the NHL and he put up 38 points in 62 games a little self-assurance. but wasn’t called up this season. Bastian brings good size and mobility for his 6-foot-4 frame. He has one more year on his entry-level contract We don’t really know what Kuokkanen can bring just yet. He was an so his next development and training camps will be big for him and intriguing prospect that came via the Sami Vatanen trade with the players Binghamton bubble teammates like Marian Studenic, Brett Seney Carolina Hurricanes and had a good showing in the AHL this season. But and Brandon Gignac. he doesn’t project as much more than a depth piece. Aarnie Talvitie is returning to Penn State for another season. With the Miles Wood is the winger fans love to hate. His speed leads to transition cancelation of the season, several college prospects, including Devils’ chances but he’s not always able to capitalize on them. And the bad defense prospect Reilly Walsh of Harvard, have made the same penalties don’t help his cause. But he’s a solid role player fit for a fourth- decision. line energy role, but his $2.75 million cap hit might be a little heavy for a fourth-liner. Foote is the top forward prospect in the system and you could probably still put Kuokkanen in the prospect category as well. When will Foote be Right side ready for the NHL? It could be as soon as the 2020-21 season, which Mar 10, 2020; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing would be his 20-year-old season, but what may be more realistic option Nikita Gusev (97) celebrates his goal during the first period of their game for the 6-foot-4, 200-pound left winger would be the 2021-22 season. against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Prudential Center. Outlook

The forward group is good but there are some question marks. Wood’s contract comes to mind as one of them and with the defense in dire need of an upgrade they could try and trade him as part of some sort of package for blueline help.

In the long run, the Devils should have some impact players. In the short- term, look for the team to grab a veteran winger or two to bridge the gap until some of the talent in Binghamton is ready. It’s a thinner group without Hall and Coleman and the club is hoping they find another Coleman in their current prospect pool.

Bergen Record LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183251 New York Islanders The boys were a little skeptical that they were really talking to a Red Wing, but it was a fun conversation. That’s not something I’d ask of too many people I’ve covered, but Nielsen was an easy choice. And he made me look good in front of a tough crowd of young hockey fans. Untold stories from the Islanders beat: The moments of kindness I won’t forget — Being on the road for special nights is part of the job — family birthdays, weddings and, in the case of the Islanders, always on New Year’s. I’m an old married guy so New Year’s isn’t a huge deal, but it’s still another night when everyone else is celebrating while the family is By Arthur Staple Apr 20, 2020 home and I’m somewhere else.

Jan. 1, 2015 I was in Calgary, having flown awfully early from Winnipeg. I For the first installment of this hockey hiatus-induced series, we brought happened to be staying at the same hotel as the team (never a good you my misadventures in trade deadline travel. thing if you want to get a decent room) and Snow texted me to see if I wanted to meet him and the coaches in the restaurant to watch bowl This piece will focus on some of the nicer moments of my time covering games. That didn’t happen often, but it was welcome that night, sitting at the Islanders. Don’t get me wrong, this job has had lots more highs than the bar with Snow, Doug Weight and Capuano, just listening to stories. lows and the last decade has been a blast — with more to come whenever the games return. It’s always fun for me and it certainly beats The bartender happened to be a big Islanders fan, and after a little while having a real job. he pointed to the end of the bar, where Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan were sitting. I didn’t quite get why two of the Flames’ biggest Still, there are taxing times. The relationship between reporter and team stars were at a hotel bar in their city, but whatever. Snow leaned in to the is naturally adversarial, even when the team in question is littered with bartender and asked if he could make the strongest drink possible and good people. I’m there to question and criticize. During a lot of my years disguise it as something innocuous, then send it to Gaudreau and say it covering the Islanders, I was the only one there to do those things. Jack was from us. Capuano used to love to say “you guys” when referring to the lack of respect the Islanders received, even as the team turned the corner from The bartender put about seven different kinds of liquor in a glass, 2014-16. spritzed some soda and brought it down to Gaudreau, who was 21 at the time but looked about 12. Snow raised his glass and Gaudreau, looking “You guys doubted us from the beginning,” he’d say, and I’d make a big very amused, raised his. I don’t think he drank it. He did score a goal the show of looking around to see who else he was referring to. He loved next night, but the Isles won. that bit, trust me. You remember those nights not for the inside dirt being dished, but the And life gets in the way. When I was first back on hockey for Newsday at stupid stuff like that. Makes the road feel a little less lonely. the start of the 2009-10 season, filling in for the Islanders and Rangers writers as well as covering games, I was a single dad. My personal Next week, I’ll bring you the flip side: A few times when I got into it with schedule and my professional schedule didn’t always click, which meant the guys that I cover. I’d have to juggle some things and hope for generosity from media The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 relations staffs and teams.

So kindness, even in quick moments that were surely forgotten by the players I’ll mention below, for me will always be remembered.

And what better time to recall some little events that could put a smile on your face? Let’s dive in:

— Once I had been on the beat for a few years, said I was welcome to bring my son to practice any time I needed. During the days of the Islanders practicing at IceWorks in Syosset or at the Coliseum, it was a pretty relaxed atmosphere. Toward the end of the 2014-15 season, the team had a weekend practice and I brought my son, then almost 10, along. He had been there a handful of times and knew how to behave, so I was comfortable doing my job while he hung out and watched the end of practice.

I emerged from the locker room that day to see my son holding a stick and wearing a giant grin. I immediately grabbed the stick, thinking he’d gone into the equipment room and nabbed it, but I heard a voice behind me say, “Hey, that’s your kid?” It was Tyler Kennedy, the Islanders’ deadline pickup from the Sharks. He laughed and said my son helped him get off the ice when he couldn’t get the door open, so he handed my son his stick, as players do from time to time.

I still wasn’t comfortable, but Kennedy convinced me it was fine. Even now, my son won’t bring that stick out to play in the driveway. He’s not much of a hockey fan, but that stick could be his most prized possession.

— The Islanders have had lots of good people on and around the team in my time covering them — Snow is rightly criticized for plenty of missteps, but finding players who were and are genuinely good people was a priority of his. Frans Nielsen is on a lot of people’s “good guy” lists. Nielsen asked for my help near the end of his Isles tenure: He wanted me to send him a few of the stories I’d written about him, which was easy enough. He said if I ever needed a favor to let him know.

Soon after he signed with the Red Wings, our family hosted three teenaged hockey players from Michigan for a youth sports event in our area. As host parents, we were supposed to come up with something special for the kids on their night off from the games; I texted Frans to see if he’d be willing to talk to them and share some of his hockey knowledge and he was happy to do it. 1183252 New York Rangers

Rangers’ Chris Kreider continues to heal in uncertain times

By Brett CyrgalisApril 20, 2020 | 6:45PM

The past few weeks have been good for Chris Kreider — physically, at least.

The Rangers winger suffered a broken foot while blocking a shot from Flyers defenseman Philippe Myers on Feb. 28 in Philadelphia, and the injury could have kept him out for the rest of the regular season, which was slated to end April 4.

“My foot feels good,” Kreider said Monday during an NHL conference call, joining a few fellow Bostonians including former Rangers teammate Kevin Hayes, now on the Flyers.

“So, Kev, thank your teammate for that,” Kreider joked. “But the foot was better a few weeks ago, so able to work on rehabbing it and getting it back to where it was.”

Just days before the injury, the 28-year-old Kreider had signed a seven- year, $45.5 million contract extension, which likely kept him from being dealt before the trade deadline. But instead of spending the past couple weeks rehabbing and hoping to be ready for a playoff run, Kreider has been at home in Connecticut, wishing his healed foot allows him to play hockey.

“Gives me an opportunity to get outside a little bit, but I really haven’t seen many people,” Kreider said. “Just kind of slowly losing my mind.”

New York Post LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183253 New York Rangers "I do not know," he said when asked if he would accept such an invitation. "Damn, I haven't thought that far. I get to have a dialogue with agents and whatever it is during the summer — and then I try to take it as it comes. I am open to suggestions." Lias Andersson discusses sleepless nights, improved mental health since leaving NY Rangers While the future remains uncertain, Andersson made it clear that his mental state is in a much better place.

"I sleep — and I sleep without pills," he said. "I sleep in my own bed. I'm Vincent Z. Mercogliano, Published 10:41 a.m. ET April 20, 2020 | at home with friends and working out with my friends. I'm like the fish in Updated 11:23 a.m. ET April 20, 2020 the water."

Bergen Record LOADED: 04.21.2020 After saying in January that his pro hockey career in North America had "become too difficult mentally," former New York Rangers first-round pick Lias Andersson laid out his challenges for the first time in an interview that was published Sunday in Sweden's Gothenburg Post.

A translation of the interview, which was provided by reporter Johan Rylander, revealed that Andersson was feeling lonely and having sleeping issues.

"It wasn't just something that happened overnight, but it sneaked up on me," he told Rylander. "I had a hard time. ... I was injured, couldn't do anything about it. There were many small things that made it weigh. I started to get (into) bad habits off the ice."

The No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft has struggled to meet expectations, with a disappointing 17 games with the Rangers this season followed by a demotion to AHL Hartford.

It seemed to compound his feelings of melancholy, which manifested into poor eating and sleeping habits. He admitted that he began taking sleeping pills, which he said was in part due to undisclosed injuries to his feet.

"I sat playing video games all night, just waiting for the Swedes to wake up to go to work at home so I could call," Andersson said. "I had trouble sleeping and started taking a sleeping pill every now and then. ... It could have been worse if I let it continue."

LIAS ANDERSSON: After a tumultuous season, what's next for Andersson?

HENRIK LUNDQVIST: Has he played his final game for the Blueshirts?

Those issues led to the 21-year-old forward requesting a trade on Dec. 21 and leaving Hartford to return to his native Sweden.

"I didn't think hockey was fun anymore," he said. "I thought other things were more fun and more important."

In previous comments, Andersson hinted at "incidents that have disturbed me" while he was with the Rangers. He never went into detail and is now saying the organization was unaware of his emotional struggles before he left.

"I don't really want to talk about it that much, but they didn't know I had a hard time," he said. "I'm just trying to leave it behind me. ... You may have to go through such things to be better as a person and a player."

At first, Andersson declined to discuss the trade request with the Rangers, deferring to his agent, Jarrett Bousquet. But persistence from team president John Davidson eventually led to direct communication, which helped thaw the relationship between organization and player.

"He has talked to me a few times," Andersson said. "He is very kind, a good man. He has asked about my feet and everything like that."

Those conversations also led to the Rangers granting Andersson permission to be loaned to HV71, a team in the .

There, Andersson posted 12 points (seven goals and five assists) in 15 games and says he started having fun again.

"It was like a child coming home again," he said. "They offered me help around, someone to talk to. It wasn't just coming here and delivering. It was definitely not. They knew I could add something — and (I) liked myself as a person both on and off the ice."

As for what's next, Andersson said, "I'm open to anything." That includes continuing to play in Sweden, but he didn't completely shut the door on joining the Rangers for training camp leading into the 2020-21 season. 1183254 New York Rangers

Rangers' Chris Kreider says foot has healed and feels good

By Colin Stephenson

Updated April 20, 2020 10:38 PM

Rangers left wing Chris Kreider, who was rehabbing a broken left foot when the NHL halted its schedule on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Monday that his foot healed during the season’s pause.

“My foot feels good,’’ said Kreider, speaking on an NHL Zoom call with fellow Boston-area players Kevin Hayes, Chris Wagner and Keith Yandle. “The foot was better a few weeks ago. I’m able to work on, kind of, rehabbing it, and getting it back to where it was now.’’

Kreider broke the foot in the Rangers’ game against the Flyers and Hayes, his former college and Rangers teammate. He suffered the injury when he blocked a shot by Flyers defenseman Phillipe Myers late in the first period of a 5-2 loss.

At the time, the Rangers refused to give a timetable for a possible return, though a week later, general manager Jeff Gorton said on NHL Network that the team expected Kreider to be out four to six weeks.

A week after that, on March 10, Kreider skated on his own at the Rangers’ morning skate in Dallas before that night’s game against the Stars.

The following night, the Rangers played their final game, a 2-1 overtime loss in Colorado, before the league stopped the season.

Kreider, who will turn 29 on April 30, had been one of the team’s hottest players when he signed a seven-year, $45.5 million contract extension on Feb. 24, the day of the NHL trade deadline.

The injury forced him to miss six games, but at the time of the stoppage, he was the team’s third-leading goal-scorer with 24. He also had 21 assists in 63 games.

Kreider, Hayes, Wagner and Yandle were part of the NHL’s series of Zoom meetings in which the league gathers small groups of players and coaches via the videoconferencing service and a league spokesman asks questions, with selected media invited to watch.

Monday’s call featured players from the Boston area in honor of it being the day when the Boston Marathon originally was scheduled to run. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the race has been rescheduled for Sept. 14.

Rangers join fundraiser. The Rangers announced that they have accepted the challenge to join the Fanatics’ “All-In Challenge.’’ The challenge is an attempt to raise $100 million to support efforts to feed people in need during the pandemic.

Fans can bid on the opportunity to skate with members of the 1994 Stanley Cup championship team at as well as buy a Henrik Lundqvist game-used mask from the 2010-11 season.

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1183255 Ottawa Senators have to go four months without being on the ice. No matter how much work you might have to do on the ice, you also have to do the (off-ice) work in the summer, too. Most young guys work super hard in the gym, but it’s hard to stay motivated when you’re working out by yourself.” When there's no ice, what does a skating coach do? When they do come back to skate, they will be making up for lost time.

As for the future of hockey, Kettles marvels at the way players such as Ken Warren Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and Thomas Chabot can maneuver around the ice, but she says there’s an endless wave of superb skaters

coming. At various points during the Ottawa Senators season, the presence of “I’ve seen some seven and eight year olds who are on the ice with NHL skating development consultant Shelley Kettles makes for quite the players,” she says. “And the NHL players say they skate better than they scene. do.” There’s the petite 5-1 Kettles, sporting the bright white figure skates, Scouting from a skating point of view pushing and preaching for 6-6, 228-pound , 6-4, 212-pound Brady Tkachuk and 6-3, 206-pound Drake Batherson to fine-tune their Shelley Kettles will offer her two cents of advice to Senators general edges and streamline their skating strides in order to become more manager Pierre Dorion and the scouting staff in advance of the NHL dominant players. entry draft.

It’s also the type of edge countless highly-talented teenagers are looking Considering that it could be the most important draft in franchise history for now, aiming to get a leg up on their peers with off-season skating. — the Senators own three first round picks and nine selections in the Accordingly, it’s normally the most hectic season for Kettles. opening three rounds — it only makes sense for the organization to take advantage of whatever expertise they can find. “To stay ahead right now, you need to skate,” Kettles said Monday in a telephone interview. “One agent (of -aged Accordingly, Kettles is spending some of her down time doing what players) wants all of his clients to skate twice a week in May and June. In Dorion and the scouts are doing — looking at game tape of draft-eligible July and August, he wants them on the ice three days a week. There’s so players. much speed, the game has changed completely.” “Leading up to the draft, I’m being sent some video to analyze the skating Of course, our worlds have changed completely. of some players,” said Kettles, who serves as the Senators skating development consultant. “It’s really the only work I can do right now.” All of the above, is well, on ice. There is no ice. Until the city re-opens its doors to arenas, and some semblance of a routine returns, Kettles’ The date and format of the NHL draft, originally scheduled for June 26-27 blades are quiet, the lessons on hold. in Montreal, is in limbo due to the suspension of the NHL season.

Community rinks have, quite correctly, been deemed non-essential The Senators currently have the second and third (through the Erik services during the novel coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home edicts Karlsson trade to the San Jose Sharks) best odds of selecting first are in place. overall.

It all makes for an entirely different speed for Kettles, who is a fixture The organization has a total of 13 selections in the seven rounds, but it’s around the rinks of Ottawa for her skating expertise. Due to the demands possible they will trade some of the picks, particularly in the later rounds. from the hockey crowd, she no longer has time to work with elite figure skaters. She sports a “2Skate” licence plate. Her answering machine Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.21.2020 offers up, “I must be on the ice, leave a message.”

So, how is she managing amid the new world order?

“I’m bored,” she says. “It’s my lifestyle, seven days a week. Even my vacations aren’t really vacations. We’re coming up on May and June. This is the busiest time. If there are summer tryouts, normally May and June is insane.”

Year-round hockey might seem ridiculous to old school types. Even Wayne Gretzky has always preached that children were better off taking a break for the summer months to play another sport. But for better or worse, that’s not the direction hockey has headed. At the highest end of the competitive structure, skating regularly in the spring and summer is vital for development.

Considering the current environment, though, Kettles is working on back- up plans for individual players — different skaters have different strengths and weaknesses — whenever health experts deem it safe to return.

“I’m revamping the summer schedule,” she says. “We might be looking at a full four months off the ice, maybe. I’m trying to find the best way for players to get (where they want to go) a little quicker, with a condensed program.”

In the meantime, Kettles suggests rollerblading as a temporary stopgap measure.

“At least that keeps the (skating) motion going,” she says. “You’re not going to get the edges, but if you’re staying on the roller blades and getting some balance with the hockey stick, it helps.”

Once players are cleared to return to the ice, Kettles says it’s pivotal they are in the best possible shape. While the specifics of off-ice workout programs aren’t her area of expertise, she says players must find the motivation to stick with a strict in-home program.

“The only thing I can recommend for some of the guys in terms of conditioning is to be as strong as they can be,” she says. “They might 1183256 Ottawa Senators

Troy Mann and his staff have sent their evaluation of the club's prospects to management

Bruce Garrioch

Just in case there actually is no tomorrow for this edition of the Belleville Senators, Troy Mann and his coaching staff have done a lot of their end of season work already.

With time on their hands, the head coach of the club’s American Hockey League affiliate along with his assistants David Bell, Colin Chaulk, Kory Cooper, Fredric Lemay and strength coach Jeremy Benoit sat down to do a full of evaluation of the club’s top prospects and where they feel they stand.

Those were sent to general manager Pierre Dorion, assistant GM Peter MacTavish and the rest of the hockey operations staff _ including coach D.J. Smith and his staff _ in case the club doesn’t get the opportunity to reconvene.

It’s been 41 days since the NHL and the AHL went on pause March 12 because of the novel coronavirus threat and there are no guarantees that Belleville will play again this season.

“This is normally stuff that would you do at the end of the season or the end of the playoffs,” Mann said from his Belleville home Monday. “What we’ve done, is we’ve put together indepth documents in point form of the strengths and weaknesses of every one of our players whether they’re prospects or not.

“Then, we put together our team analytics, which have obviously gotten quite prevalent over the last few years, so we do a team report and also an individual report. When I say individual, I say the top three in the categories we follow all year. That was part of the process.

“And the other thing we’ve done is roster recommendations for management just from a coaching perspective because we’ve been with the players all year and with some of them for two years. It gives them an idea of what we’re thinking down here as a staff. It just gives them a better idea and I also think it helps our development team.”

Two players that were nice surprise this season were centre Josh Norris, who was coming off a shoulder injury at last year’s world junior championships, and the play of winger Alex Formenton. Yes, both had high expectations because Norris arrived in the deal with the San Jose Sharks for Erik Karlsson and Formenton is highly-touted, but both were in their first full seasons in the AHL.

Norris had 31 goals and 61 points in 56 games games before the pause while Formenton had 27 goals and 53 points in 61 games.

“Guys like Josh, when they’re draft in the first round, you know they’re going to come in with a pedigree and you knows there’s talent there but how much can he improve over the course of the year?,” said Mann. “I look at him and I look at Formenton, as well, and they exceeded the coaching staff’s expectations anyway because you get a first hand look at these guys.”

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183257 Ottawa Senators “It’s two-fold, individually it makes them raise their game to a different level because that’s what happens in the playoffs, right?,” Mann said. “You have to raise your game to another level which ultimately helps you at the NHL level. Second, it’s just that team bonding and building that Belleville Senators' coach Troy Mann knows this could be a big missed something like that does. opportunity “I’ve been through it twice to the final, as a coach, one as an assistant, where we won the in 2010, and 10 or 11 guys went on to play in the NHL, not just for the parent team and it was same thing when Bruce Garrioch I went to the final against Cleveland as a head coach in 2016. There’s several players that went on to the NHL and some won (the Stanley Cup) with the Caps in 2018. Troy Mann is trying to stay busy and ready. “It does a lot for that player and the organization, especially when the The head coach of the Ottawa Senators’ American Hockey League organization at the NHL level is in a different spot. It’s a shame that’s the affiliate in Belleville remains hopeful his club will be able to get playoff way it’s going to play out.” experience, but he knows with each passing day during this pause in the schedule because of the novel coronavirus outbreak around the world The issue for the Senators is if this group doesn’t get the chance to get the chances of that happening are getting slim. together in Belleville then they’ll never know the kind of success they would have had because there will changes next year. He spends his morning having coffee and working out in the basement of his Belleville home with his wife while the afternoons are filled with trying “The beautiful thing about the American league, in a positive and to find a task around the house that needs some attention. Monday, for negative way, is the turnover,” Mann said. “The turnover is usually example, he was getting the snowblower ready for winter, but what Mann greater than 50%. So, what you can do as a team, if you go on a playoff really longs for is the opportunity to see the Zamboni cleaning the snow run and let’s say you win the thing, the next year the turnover is so great. off the ice at the CAA Arena in Bellville again. It makes me it even more special because of the turnover.

“We’re just trying to get into a routine here,” Mann said Monday in a “When you look at our situation, that’s the frustrating part, guys are going telephone interview. “It’s just trying to stay busy in the afternoon.” to move on to free agency, three or four guys are going to end up in Ottawa, and the dynamics of the team just automatically change. Come The AHL went on pause on March 12, the same day as the NHL made its October it’s a brand new year. You don’t know what’s going to happen. decision to shut down to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Maybe we’re not going to be that good next year, maybe we won’t be in a expectation is the AHL’s board of governors will reconvene around May 1 playoff position. There’s just the unknown.” to make a determination on what’s next and the expectation is the playoffs will be cancelled because of the difficulty involved in the logistics Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.21.2020 of trying to host the post-season.

While the NHL can consider playing in empty rinks in the summer for television, that concept won’t work in the AHL because it’s a gate-driven league. Those teams don’t have a TV deal that pays them enough money to cover the costs of playing in an empty rink. That’s why it doesn’t make sense for AHL teams to play again unless there can be fans in the rink and that just seems highly unlikely at this juncture.

A cancellation of the post-season would be tough for Belleville to swallow and that’s what general manager Pierre Dorion noted in a conference call last week with reporters when he stated “it’s probably thing that hurts us the most with this organization” because of the opportunity for the growth of the prospects.

“The best way to categorize it is it’s just a missed opportunity,” Mann said. “I thought Pierre said it best last week, in terms of what’s gone on and who it hurts the most in our organization and it’s got to be what’s happening in Belleville from a prospect perspective and even from an organizational (perspective) when you think about the Belleville Senators in the community.

“You know what playoff pushes and runs can do for a community as well. When you sit back and start thinking about it, it’s not only a missed opportunity, it’s frustrating and also borderline devastation from our perspective to put in all that hard work. Now, there’s probably a small glimmer of hope because they haven’t cancelled it from the AHL side of thing, but I think with each passing day it’s slimmer and slimmer. I just hope we can play in October.”

Belleville was sitting in first place in the North Division with a 38-20-5 record and 81 points in 63 games. The club would likely have gone into the post-season as the top seed in the division and even though they’re the second-youngest team in the AHL along with San Jose’s affiliate, it was widely anticipated that this group of Senators was poised to have playoff success.

That would assisted the development of prospects like Josh Norris, Vitaly Abramov, Drake Batherson, Alex Formenton, Erik Brannstrom, Marcus Hogberg, Filip Gustavsson and Joey Daccord. Many of those players will push for spots in Ottawa next season and while they had an opportunity for development this season, the playoffs are a chance to take it to the next level.

Now, they may not get that chance and if you look at the roster of the 2011 Calder Cup champion several players went to have successful careers with Ottawa. 1183258 Ottawa Senators of a rebuild under general manager Pierre Dorion which is centred around bringing in Ottawa’s top prospects over the course of the next couple of seasons and high-end draft picks.

Ottawa Senators name Anthony LeBlanc as president of business The Senators have three picks in the first round of this year’s NHL draft, operations seven in the first three rounds and 13 in total whenever the annual crapshoot takes place. Not only do the Senators have the second-best odds of winning the lottery at 13.5%, they also have San Jose’s first- round pick which carries odds of 11.5% and the belief is this is a strong Bruce Garrioch draft at the top end.

The club is hopeful they’ll be build able to build on the excitement of this Anthony LeBlanc is coming home. year’s draft along with the success of prospects like Josh Norris, Drake Batherson, Alex Formenton, Logan Brown, Erik Brannstrom, Marcus The former president of the was named as the president Hogberg, Filip Gustavsson and Joey Daccord in Belleville over the of business operations by Ottawa Senators’ owner course of the next couple of seasons on the ice under coach D.J. Smith. Monday afternoon. Off the ice, Melnyk and the Senators believe LeBlanc can get them LeBlanc, a co-owner of the Coyotes from 2009-to-2017 before it was sold headed in the right direction. to Andrew Barroway, is also spearheading a bid to get the to expand to Halifax with Schooners Sports and Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.21.2020 Entertainment and remains involved in that process.

LeBlanc, who served as Arizona’s chief executive officer for the eight seasons he was with Coyotes, has the business experience the Senators need at this level. Like everybody else, the Senators are waiting to see if they’ll suit up for the final 11 games of the season or the NHL will go straight to the playoffs once the threat of the novel coronavirus has passed and the league can resume play.

The NHL went on pause March 12 because of COVID-19 and there isn’t any firm plan on when the league will resume but when it does LeBlanc will be ready to get going.

“I am thrilled to be appointed to the position of president of business operations with the Senators,” LeBlanc said in a statement. “Having been a diehard Senators fan since (Ottawa) rejoined the league, this opportunity is truly an honour.

“I look forward to working closely with the entire staff as we prepare for an exciting chapter in the history of the Senators. I am confident that my experience in the NHL, as well as my sales and marketing background in the technology sector, will be put to good use here in the national capital region.”

Leblanc makes his home in the Glebe and was a season ticket holder when the Senators played out of the old Ottawa Civic Centre at Lansdowne Park from 1992-to-1996 before they moved to the Canadian Tire Centre midway through their fifth season in the league.

“We welcome Anthony back to the NHL, and to Ottawa,” Melnyk said in a text message to Postmedia Monday. “No doubt he will have a positive impact with our fans, our sponsors and our staff.

“We continue to be excited about our upcoming season and especially, in the near term, the upcoming draft.”

He had season tickets in the club section near the penalty box before he moved to Arizona and LeBlanc worked with the NHL to play a big role to keep the Coyotes in Glendale when many doubted the future of the franchise in the desert. He has close ties with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly, but mostly LeBlanc understands the day-to-day operations of a franchise.

Immediately after it was confirmed LeBlanc was named to the post Monday afternoon, he and Melnyk took part in Bettman and Daly’s bi- weekly conference call with the league’s 31 owners and executives from each team on what actions the league is taking during this pause.

Essentially, LeBlanc will replace chief executive officer Jim Little, who was fired on March 4 after less than two months on the job with Ottawa. A former executive with RIM/Blackberry, LeBlanc left his post as the head of Global Sales in 2008.

LeBlanc has his a a big job ahead him to get this organization back on track and get people back in the seats in Ottawa. Unlike his predecessor, where LeBlanc’s ahead of the game is he has the experience of being in a league office day-to-day and has a knowledge of the market place so he knows what needs to be done here to trying to get sponsors on board and sell tickets

With four home games left on the schedule when the NHL went on pause because of COVID-19, the Senators were ranked No. 31 in the league in average attendance with 12,618 for 37 games with the club in the midst 1183259 Ottawa Senators the bulk of the time quarantined within his own home to protect the other members of his family who were also practicing social distancing.

When he woke up each morning, he’d hurry down from his bedroom, Sens radio analyst Gord Wilson donates blood to help COVID-19 vaccine have his morning coffee (which tasted simply like warm water without his efforts sense of smell or taste) and breakfast, and then wipe down everything in a frantic sanitation effort only to scamper back up to his bedroom for refuge before anyone else in his family awoke. He’d awake with anxiety about what sort of day he’d wake up to the following morning. It was a By Katie Strang Apr 20, 2020 time filled with uncertainty.

Now, three weeks after revealing he had the virus, Wilson is on the mend No one would have blamed Senators radio analyst Gord Wilson if he had and everyone under his roof has been cleared from quarantine; no other simply done what he’s been envisioning ever since contracting COVID- member of his immediate family is known to have contracted the virus 19 last month and gritting through an arduous recovery. (his wife and 23-year-old daughter both had cold symptoms but tested negative; his two younger kids never developed symptoms), which was Had he simply packed up his wife and four kids, headed an hour west to something they feared may happen. the cabin that has been in their family since 1946 for some rest and relaxation and maybe a beer on the deck, that would seem typical for the They have had basically zero contact with the outside world, though they sort of return to normalcy one might be craving following such an ordeal. are now at least able to share meals and spend precious time together, which is something Wilson is not often allowed given his frequent travel However, Wilson, who announced he was diagnosed with the virus in during the NHL season. late March, did something civic-minded as his first order of business — he donated his blood as part of a research study into developing a “We’ve been able to eat, argue and occasionally laugh,” Wilson said of vaccine for the virus. the past few weeks. “And share everyone else’s frustration (with this virus).” “The world needs a vaccine. Whatever can be done, and there are probably hundreds if not thousands of companies looking to find a But now that his whole family has received the green light, and he’s solution to this worldwide problem, if I can be a bit of help, then so be it,” donated blood in hopes of contributing to the greater good, his cottage is Wilson said. looking pretty tempting. As is that beer on the deck.

How that came to be was either a matter of serendipity or the insularity of Said Wilson with a chuckle: “It may happen as soon as tomorrow.” the hockey world, depending on how you view it. Wilson was contacted The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 by a part-time Senators staffer who also works in the high-tech sector. That staffer told Wilson that his brother-in-law was the chief medical officer of a Canadian research company that, in coordination with a company in Boston, was trying to develop a vaccine.

Would he be open to donating his blood to help researchers? Wilson didn’t think twice.

“That’s a no-brainer,” Wilson said. “You want to be part of the solution.”

Wilson contacted his physician and provided him with contact information for the research company; his doctor was already familiar with the company’s reputation and saw no risks in having Wilson do a blood draw for donation. The doctor arranged for the procedure to be done at his office.

The idea, Wilson said he was told, is that his blood sample will hopefully provide insight into the antibodies of someone who contracted the virus and got better. Distilled down to its most basic function, that insight can help researchers in their quest to develop a vaccine for the disease, which has infected more 30,000 people in Canada and more than 2.1 million cases worldwide.

According to many researchers, the development of such a vaccine will take 12 to 18 months and additional time to then mass produce that vaccine in sufficient capacity to distribute to everyone that needs it.

In the meantime, the pandemic continues to have a monumental impact across the world, including professional sports. The NHL shut down back in March and recently extended its recommendation that players self- quarantine until the end of April. The Senators were the first club to announce that some of its players tested positive for Coronavirus.

As of Monday, seven people who were on the team’s charter plane for the club’s last road trip of the season are known to have have tested positive for COVID-19; none of the names of the players who tested positive have been disclosed.

Wilson went public with his own diagnosis in part to help shed light on the illness. The 59-year-old broadcaster who had a mild heart attack in February said when he first began to experience basic cold-like symptoms during the team’s West Coast swing he chalked it up to an already-weakened immune system and stayed in for what he called the quietest California trip he had ever experienced – “I was self-isolating before it came fashionable.”

Once he returned home and eventually lost his sense of taste and smell, he felt sure it was Coronavirus. He was diagnosed just a few days later and eventually experienced all the trademark symptoms — body aches, cough, fatigue. He is still feeling far from normal, which his doctor warned could take months, but Wilson is feeling better week by week. He spent 1183260 Philadelphia Flyers great — everything has just got to go the right way because of the parity in the league now.

“They’ve got a good group there and I’m happy for all those kids. Does it Ron Hextall discusses mixed feelings on Flyers' success, future sting a little? Yeah, of course it does.”

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By Jordan Hall April 20, 2020 6:20 PM

Ron Hextall never lost track of his vision for the Flyers.

The overarching goal was to be competitive in the present while setting up a long and prosperous future.

The best of both worlds in theory.

In 2018-19, his fifth year as general manager of the Flyers, Hextall was fired. He had meticulously and tirelessly rebuilt the club's future but the present wasn't coming together quickly enough for the organization's liking. When he was relieved of his duties, the Flyers were 10-11-2 and in last place of the at Thanksgiving for the second straight season.

Hextall believed the organization was unified in staying the course. In a video interview last Thursday with NBC Sports Philadelphia's John Clark, Hextall discussed the apparent disconnect.

I think it’s more of an understanding of kind of everybody being on the same page and buying in. Hey, I didn’t like the last month and a half, the October and November there before I got let go, I didn’t like the way we were playing, something had to change and we were certainly working hard to try and change something. But what I wasn’t going to do was what I said all along — I wasn’t going to trade young players for older players to try to win a round of the playoffs or to try to make the playoffs.

I knew it was going to take some time. Quite honestly, I still say the same thing, I was surprised when things went down like they did. I felt like people in the organization were on the same page; obviously I found out different.

Hextall can be proud of his work in the GM seat of his former team. As the 2019-20 club has enjoyed success and looks poised for multiple runs in the future, Hextall can take solace in the fact that he played a big role in constructing the team's window to contend.

“I can say I wasn’t surprised, we built it for four and a quarter years there and kind of what we planned on building is what’s in place right now and hopefully is in place for the next 10 years," Hextall said.

“You start adding these kids to the mix of [Jakub Voracek] and [Claude Giroux] and those guys, it’s a pretty good formula there for success. Last year, at the start of the year, we weren’t getting the production and the performance out some of the kids that we thought we would get and we probably should have got — they got a little bit better as the year went on but they really popped this year. It takes time with young players, it just does, it’s history.

“I hope they have success; there’s certainly a lot of people in the organization that I’m extremely fond of, the players that were either drafted under my tenure or signed under my tenure, I wish nothing but good for those people. I think they’re set up for a long time so I’m not at all surprised by the success that they’ve had. They’ve got good players, but they’re also good people. Typically when you have good people that are, as well, good hockey players, in the end, they’re going to be a pretty good team. [ has] done a good job, as well.”

Now a part-time advisor to hockey operations for the Kings, where he won a Stanley Cup as an assistant general manager, Hextall said any future success for the Flyers will bring him mixed emotions. He would have loved to see his process through with the organization for which he played 11 years.

"I got drafted by Philadelphia when I was 18 years old, I started playing my first year when I was 22, and the only thing I wanted to do was be a part of bringing a Stanley Cup to Philadelphia," Hextall said. "Obviously we came up a little bit short as a player. To get the opportunity as a general manager, my sole focus was not building a real good team, the sole focus was building a team that was capable of winning the Stanley Cup.

"It’s so hard to win, we went through it in L.A. there. You’ve got to have a lot of breaks, you’ve got to be healthy, your goaltender has got to be 1183261 Philadelphia Flyers With the Big Ten tournament canceled, Laczynski tried but failed to retrieve his car — which he’d taken to the shop a week earlier to get a broken front door fixed — and was forced to hunker down in Columbus at a house with a few of his teammates, rather than make the trek home to Young Flyers fulfill dream of a pro contract in unexpected fashion the Chicago suburbs.

Allison was more fortunate. He’d originally planned to stay in Michigan and ride out the uncertainty, but as the pandemic escalated in North By Charlie O'Connor Apr 20, 2020 America, Allison and his parents decided it was best for him to return to Manitoba before authorities shut down the United States-Canadian border. (The border was closed to nonessential travel on March 21.) He Wade Allison signed his first NHL contract under mandatory quarantine was told at the border to self-quarantine for 14 days as a returnee to the in the basement of his family’s farm in tiny Myrtle, Manitoba. Tanner country, which meant two weeks of living in the family basement, with his Laczynski put pen to paper on his college campus, stuck at Ohio State parents staying home as well — the cost of contact with him. Allison rather than home with his parents because his car was trapped behind adhered to the guidelines, even though Myrtle is a town of only about 30 locked doors at a shuttered mechanic’s shop. people.

Achieving a lifelong dream, coronavirus-era style. “Can’t find somebody (even if) you’re looking,” he said, laughing, of his time in lockdown. “I’m sure there would have been a lot more celebrating if quarantine wasn’t going on,” Laczynski said by phone last week of the milestone. But fears over a border shutdown were only part of the reason Allison “But I saw my good buddies here (at Ohio State) and I FaceTimed my returned home. He knew he was on the verge of signing his first contract, parents, and I talked to some of my buddies back home (in Illinois). It and felt it was an event that his parents should experience with him in was all smiles and excitement and it was a blast, but it didn’t really hit me person. until a couple days after, just the situation we were in. It was kind of weird.” “They put so much time and effort and everything … so much sacrifice into being able to let me achieve my dream, or at least chase it, (and For a Philadelphia Flyers fan base starved for anything resembling good now) I’ve got the first step done,” Allison said. “That was really cool to do news in hockey’s absence, the announcements that Laczynski (March 23 (it) in front of them.” signing day) and Allison (March 27) had finalized their respective deals were cause for celebration. The front office may have long expressed And despite some fans’ concerns over Allison possibly testing free public confidence that both players would ultimately commit to agency, he said he always believed that his first contract would come Philadelphia, but the possibility that Allison (2016 second-round pick) or with the Flyers. Laczynski (2016, sixth-rounder) might spurn the Flyers in favor of “They’ve helped me with so many things, and so for me, there was never unrestricted free agency on Aug. 15 couldn’t be discounted entirely — at really any thought about free agency,” he said. “There was never any least until they’d each signed on the dotted line. Both signed two-year doubt that I would go anywhere else.” deals with $925,000 cap hits, per CapFriendly.com. Wade Allison at Flyers development camp in June. (Courtesy of Kate For Allison and Laczynski, their respective signing days ideally would Frese) have come a bit later than the fourth week of March. Like the rest of sports, college hockey came to a screeching halt in mid-March due to the Allison explained his reasoning for staying in college through his senior global pandemic. Instead of competing in conference tournaments to season during last year’s Flyers development camp; he didn’t want to earn a final shot at a national championship, Laczynski and Allison, both turn pro until he felt fully healthy, so he’d have the best chance of a seniors, were forced to accept an unsatisfying end to their college strong start to his career. Laczynski’s intentions weren’t as clear, though careers. Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr has said that the Ohio State product was intent on getting a college degree before beginning his “That was one of the main reasons — along with school — why I came career. Laczynski said that earning a diploma was indeed one of the back (for my senior season), and obviously to get that news just real driving forces behind the decision to remain in school for four years. abruptly, kinda out of nowhere, it’s weird and it’s tough,” Laczynski acknowledged. “You always think of what could have been.” “I mean, I just know I’m not gonna play hockey forever,” he said. “You’re extremely lucky if you’re playing five to ten years in the NHL. That Laczynski’s disappointment surely at least partially reflected feelings of window is very slim. Obviously, you can make a lot of money playing unfinished business at the Frozen Four — in 2018, his Buckeyes made it professional hockey. But … you don’t really know what can happen in to the national semifinal before falling to eventual champion Minnesota- your career. So I just figured I’d want (a degree) to fall back on, and have Duluth, 2-1. The Buckeyes, who lost in the first round in 2019, were a plan, if something did happen, or if hockey came to an end abruptly.” projected to secure another NCAA Tournament bid this season, but their chances at redemption went up in smoke with the season’s cancellation. Laczynski said the Flyers were his first choice before his senior season and were still at the top of his list when it came to a sudden end. But that Allison’s frustration was no less severe, but for different reasons. His didn’t mean he’d sign. Laczynski recounted having conversations with Western Michigan Broncos weren’t guaranteed an NCAA Tournament GM Chuck Fletcher about where he fit in the organization, and bid — they entered the ultimately cancelled National Collegiate Hockey acknowledged that he took notice of how many young forwards were Conference tourney as a team on the bubble. But Allison believes his granted extended auditions in Philadelphia during the 2019-20 season. club was starting to fire on all cylinders, at least in part because he was Fletcher envisioned Laczynski plausibly filling a number of roles at the finally — after two injury-filled seasons following an ACL tear in 2018 that NHL level, and that boosted the strength of the Flyers’ pitch. ended his sophomore year — feeling fully healthy. “(Fletcher) said they can see me on penalty kill, and they can also see “My knee finally quit bugging me, (and) my head and shoulder from the me on a second power play, potentially in front of the net,” Laczynski beginning of the year — I got two more injuries at the beginning — those recalled. “Whether it be a third-line center to a right wing or left wing, or were over,” Allison said by phone. “I was past those and I was feeling even a fourth-line wing, or potentially even a second-line winger, (or), if good. My body was feeling good. My cardio was getting up there. My they needed me on a shift or two at center or something like that. So timing was good. I was starting to really feel like the player I want to be we’ve definitely discussed those types of things.” out there.” Tanner Laczynski carries the puck up ice during the 2018 Frozen Four. The numbers backed up Allison’s confidence. The 22-year-old winger (Marilyn Indahl / USA Today) went on a scoring tear to close out the regular season, posting nine goals and 19 points in his final 15 games — and signaling the return of the The GM said last month that Laczynski and Allison should challenge for dominant Allison from his stellar sophomore season. NHL spots right away, considering the physical readiness that comes with being 23. (Laczynski turns 23 in June, while Allison will in October.) But instead of a reinvigorated Allison getting the opportunity to drive a Nevertheless, neither player views a spot on the big club as anything Cinderella postseason run, and Laczynski getting one last chance to close to a foregone conclusion, Fletcher’s comments notwithstanding. exorcise old tournament demons, the two prospects had no choice but to adjust to the realities of social distancing and quarantine. “I mean, you always want to hear good things,” Allison said. “But, at the end of the day, both of us still got a lot of work to do. That’s the NHL there. That’s the dream of everybody. It’s no longer college hockey. You’re going out there playing against men who are trying to provide for their families. So that’s a whole different step, that’s a whole other level.”

“I think I’d be a little worried if (Fletcher) said I didn’t have a chance or I needed more seasoning,” Laczynski said. “But for him to say that, that just gives me the kick in the butt to even work harder this summer and try to prove myself, and prove him right, and be ready to come camp.”

Of course, 2020 isn’t shaping up to be a normal summer for anyone, no less two young players preparing for their first professional season — whenever it begins. Laczynski remains holed up in Columbus, finishing up three online classes with college teammates Tommy Nappier and Eugene Fadyeyev keeping him company. Recently finished with quarantine, Allison has resorted to doing odd jobs around the family farm with his father.

And while the Flyers have provided both prospects with workout regimens and nutritional recommendations, it is still the “offseason.” After watching their senior years come to unexpected ends, signing their first contracts and experiencing the ennui that accompanies a pandemic, no one would begrudge Allison and Laczynski a little time to recharge their batteries.

“I’m doing a little working out in the basement, just trying to build a little here and there, but I’m also taking my time away from hockey,” Allison said. “You always need that little break, so that when you come back, you’re that much more motivated and you miss it that much more.”

Flyers fans certainly hope the newest members of the organization won’t be missing it for too long.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183262 Pittsburgh Penguins pending restricted or unrestricted free agents such as goaltenders Matt Murray, Tristan Jarry, forward Jared McCann and others.

“I haven’t been doing any negotiations with our NHL players because we Jim Rutherford, Penguins continue to wait, make contingency plans don’t know what the cap is going to be,” Rutherford said. “It can just take one or two contracts that put a team in a tough spot. Until we know what the cap is going to be for next year, I don’t think there will be a lot of negotiations going on.” SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, April 20, 2020 6:31 p.m. Another matter that affects the Penguins is the status of conditions in

trades they made before February’s trade deadline. About 365 days ago, Jim Rutherford wasn’t terribly busy. In acquiring forward Jason Zucker from the on Feb. 11, He had just watched the Pittsburgh Penguins get swept from the first the Penguins could defer the 2020 first-round draft pick they sent to the round of the playoff by the New York Islanders with a 3-1 home loss April Wild to 2021 if they were to miss the 2020 playoffs per parameters of the 16, 2019. transaction. The Penguins control the option on that trade, and it expires on June 1. That humiliating defeat was the start of an uncertain time for the Penguins and their general manager, which led to considerable changes Additionally, their acquisition of forward Patrick Marleau on Feb. 24 from for the organization. the San Jose Sharks sent a conditional third-round pick in 2021 to Sharks that could be upgraded to a second-rounder if the Penguins win One year later, Rutherford and the Penguins are again dealing with the the Stanley Cup this season. unknown in late April. There are several other conditional transactions around the league that Mainly, they don’t know when their next game will be. could be affected by how the NHL concludes (or doesn’t conclude) the season. It has not been determined how the league will determine a With the NHL and all sports leagues in North America on hiatus because course of action with those conditions. of the coronavirus pandemic, Rutherford and the Penguins still are going about their business, even if they don’t know when business will resume. Rutherford seems to be primarily concerned with the pick that went to San Jose. “I know the league and the (NHLPA) are working hard together to try to figure out a way to do it and do it in a safe way,” Rutherford said in a “They’re different kinds of trades,” Rutherford said. “The Minnesota trade phone interview with the Tribune-Review on Monday while enjoying is a player that we have in his prime that we have another three years some light exercise in his backyard. “That’s going to be the most left. It wasn’t a rental. important thing. There’s going to be a little more time to figure all that out. But I know everybody is working hard on it.” “The San Jose trade was a rental and a draft pick. That point has been raised to the league as to what is the fairness of that, when you get a The Penguins have not played since March 10. Two days later, the NHL rental player to take a run in the playoffs, and you only get the player for suspended play for all 31 teams. a couple of handful of games. That has been raised with the league.”

In the 40 days since, the Penguins have tried to maintain some level of How the NHL proceeds with the 2020 draft also remains to be seen. readiness, even if they’re largely confined to their homes and don’t have Originally scheduled for June 26-27 in Montreal, the league indefinitely a target date for which to aim. postponed the event and could stage its draft remotely.

“Everybody in their own department talks, communicates on a regular The draft is one of the few times of the year when virtually every general basis,” Rutherford said. “Probably four to five days a week. I talked to manager, coach, agent, scout or other hockey operations staffer gather (coach) Mike Sullivan and (CEO and president) almost in one place on one weekend. A lot of horse trading goes on in a face-to- daily here four to five times a week. Communication has been really face fashion, and in many ways, that weekend is almost as big as trade- good. Everybody has been communicating with everybody. Our player deadline day or the start of free agency in terms of player movement. development guys are talking to our prospects. All the way through the organization. How will that be altered in a more virtual setting?

“Lots of conference calls going on related to the amateur draft. All the “It will obviously be a lot different,” Rutherford said. “I feel bad for the different things that we deal with. Hockey (operations) and the coaching players that are being drafted and their families. They love to come and staff have been working being prepared to play if we play at some point enjoy that (weekend). That’s who I feel bad for. As for teams, we can this season, and if not, what we may like to do moving forward for next adjust with technology.I’m sure we’ll be working off a few phones and season.” computers and everything like that. Because there (are) trade talks going on. It’s easier to do at the draft in person. But even though it’s going to be The prospect of completing the 2019-20 season appears to be a moving tougher, I believe we’ll be able to adjust.” target. Teams and leagues are at the mercy of state or provincial laws, which can vary considerably given the ongoing pandemic. The Penguins and the NHL have no choice but to adjust. And they are seemingly doing it on a daily or weekly (or monthly) basis as the The rules for New York can be very different for or pandemic continues. California or . As he waits for his next game, Rutherford has turned to another sport, There’s also the not-so-minor matter of the border between the United which also has been halted by the coronavirus, to fill his days. States and Canada being closed to nonessential travel. That has a considerable impact on the bottom line for the Penguins and the NHL as “I really do miss baseball,” he said. “This is a nice time of the year. To get a whole. the home opener out of the way and get the start of the season going. I find watching some of those old games, hockey and baseball games are “It’s affected this year a lot,” Rutherford said. “As a league, it’s going to fun. … I watched the Pirates’ game last week, the (Bill) Mazeroski game be a $1.1 billion shortfall. That obviously affects every team. That (from the 1960 World Series). I watched some other World Series games obviously affects the players’ share, escrow, everything. On the other in the 1970s and ‘80s. side of that is the projections for next season as to what the revenue is going to be and everything. Personally, I’d like to think that we get to next “I mean, I really enjoyed them, but I’d really like to be watching the season, and we have therapeutic drugs or a vaccine or close to a Pirates play live right now. Just as I’d like to see the Penguins play live vaccine, which changes everybody’s mindset.” right now.”

Next season’s salary cap is a huge question mark. The cap is determined Notes: Rutherford indicated no member of the team or organization has by hockey-related revenue from the previous league year as outlined by been diagnosed with coronavirus. … Rutherford did not have any the collective bargaining agreement between the league and players’ updates on players who were sidelined because of injuries — such as association. forwards Nick Bjugstad or Jake Guentzel — before the league shut down. While Rutherford has signed some prospects to entry-level contracts, he has not recently discussed any potential contract extensions with Tribune Review LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183263 Pittsburgh Penguins

Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss how the draft may impact Steelers trades; Matt Murray’s future

TIM BENZ | Monday, April 20, 2020 6:41 a.m.

In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden and I focus on the NFL Draft.

We both see the logic in the Steelers drafting a skill-position player in the second round. But what becomes of JuJu Smith-Schuster or James Conner if that happens? Could either of them be traded?

If they do stay, what becomes of their playing time, or how far down the depth chart does the rookie have to begin?

We tackle those questions and look at the prospect of the Steelers potentially drafting an offensive lineman in the third round as well.

I’ve been saying for a while now, though, that the Steelers would have a compelling argument if they decide to lean heavily toward defense. Depth is needed at inside or outside linebacker. Mark doesn’t appear to be as on board with that mentality. He explains why.

On the hockey front, we entertain the potential of Matt Murray having already played his last game as a Penguin. The goalie is a restricted free agent. And if the salary cap doesn’t go up — or is decreased — because of the coronavirus shutdown, the Penguins may want to let him go and turn the reins over to Tristan Jarry. Mark and I debate that possibility.

There’s also some talk of the NHL moving out to virtual sites such as Manchester, N.H., Fargo, N.D., and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Big picture, we get deep into a conversation about the status of sports and how long it could take before we see athletics again.

Aside from that, Mark and I extol the virtues of the HBO show “Succession,” finding hand sanitizer, and Clipper the cat’s debut on WPXI.

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Paul Zeise: NBA and NHL should think way outside the box to finish seasons

Paul Zeise

The NBA, NHL and have all recently floated ideas about resuming or starting their seasons. The most common one has been the idea of a “bubble” scenario where all teams would go to one place and players are quarantined on some level.

There has been a lot of debate about these bubble city plans and

Many question how realistic these “bubble” plans are. I choose to operate under the assumption that there will be no sports until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approves a plan that makes sense and ensures the safety of the players. Once that happens — and not a day before — all the rest of the details will fall into place quickly.

That being said, the NHL and the NBA would be very wise to begin to come up with alternative, smaller plans. Both leagues are running out of time to realistically finish the regular seasons that were suspended and complete the playoffs unless they want to run into next season.

Even if the CDC approved a plan today for both leagues to start in a “bubble “city with no fans, they wouldn’t be able to start playing for at least three or four weeks, and both leagues wouldn’t finish until late summer.

I don’t think that makes a lot of sense to go that deep into the year. The leagues should just scrap the regular seasons and go right to the playoffs. This would do two important things: Shrink the amount of time needed to complete the season and cut the number of teams needed to be brought to one place in half.

Another step could be to take only the top eight teams in the league regardless of conference. So the NHL would bring Boston, St Louis, Colorado, Tampa, Washington, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Las Vegas to one city. The NBA would bring Milwaukee, the LA Lakers, Toronto, the LA Clippers, Boston, Denver, Utah and Miami.

The NCAA tournament houses eight teams in one city every single year, so it wouldn’t be difficult to do. And the number of people needed to be tested and monitored for COVID-19 would be reduced by a large percentage. Also, because they are playoffs and only the winner advances, the number of teams in the bubble city would be cut in half after every round.

It isn’t ideal and there wouldn’t be nearly as many games to try and monetize, but at this point that has to be secondary. There will enough games on TV for a sports-starved nation that the leagues and networks should be able to sell advertising and sponsors to make money. There would have to be a negotiated playoff share for players, but that’s a minor detail as well.

This kind of thinking would make all of these scenarios so much easier to pull off as well as so much more realistic for even the toughest critics to understand and accept. Yes, it sucks that only eight teams would make the playoffs and that neither league would get to finish properly, but it would enable them to salvage something out of what is looking now like lost seasons.

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Penguins on pause: Evan Rodrigues' fresh start in Pittsburgh didn't last long

Matt Vensel

The NHL has “paused” its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unclear if it will resume. So, with one eye still on the future, the Post- Gazette’s Matt Vensel and Mike DeFabo are looking back at what each Penguins player did in 2019-20. We started with the captain, No. 87, and will count down by jersey number.

Way back on Oct. 3, the Buffalo Sabres came to PPG Paints Arena for the season opener and dominated a sleepwalking Penguins squad in a 3-1 victory.

There were no happy campers in the home locker room after that one. Down the hall in the visiting team’s room, one Sabres player wasn’t thrilled either.

Evan Rodrigues had high expectations for himself entering 2019-20 after he had a career-high 29 points for the Sabres in 2018-19, spent a chunk of last season filling top-six roles and got a little action on the power play. But Buffalo’s new coach, Ralph Krueger, had him in street clothes on opening night.

That was the beginning of a challenging season for Rodrigues. The 26- year-old said he was too worried about making mistakes and never settled into a groove. He was a healthy scratch 24 times and reportedly requested a trade.

Rodrigues got the change of scenery he was hoping for Feb. 24, when the Sabres dealt Conor Sheary and him to Pittsburgh in exchange for Dominik Kahun.

“I went through the roof,” the giddy forward said after joining his new team.

The fun didn’t last long. The Penguins lost their first three games after the trade deadline and five of the next eight overall before the NHL suspended its season March 12. Rodrigues was a healthy scratch for one of those games.

But in the two games after returning to the lineup, the speedy forward scored a goal and showed signs he could be a useful bottom-six forward during a playoff run. Now he waits to hear if that race to the Cup will even take place.

DEFINING MOMENT: The Penguins got routed by the Carolina Hurricanes in the penultimate game before the pause. But Rodrigues almost singlehandedly gave them a chance. He drew three penalties and with the score tied in the second period, he hit the post on a breakaway. The Hurricanes took it from there.

STAT THAT STANDS OUT: It is very much a small sample size, but in his seven games with Pittsburgh, the Penguins had 61.4% of the scoring chances with Rodrigues on the ice at 5-on-5, per Natural Stat Trick. That’s especially impressive considering the overall struggles of the squad heading into the pause.

IF THE SEASON RESUMES: Rodrigues will not be guaranteed a spot in the lineup, not if Jake Guentzel and Nick Bjugstad are ready to go if the playoffs take place. But his ability to play all three forward spots, kill penalties and give the Penguins a right-handed option on faceoffs could help him crack the lineup.

LONG-TERM OUTLOOK: Rodrigues, who earned a $2 million salary in arbitration last summer, is scheduled to become a restricted free agent again this offseason. He is one of seven Penguins forwards who will be free agents. Whether he is back in black and gold next season may depend on his price tag.

Post Gazette LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183266 Pittsburgh Penguins “The Penguins are a different breed, right?” Kennedy said. “They train better and harder than everyone else. We were training harder than a lot of other teams.”

Former Penguins players know the challenge of being locked out of a Today? State regulations and NHL mandates have shuttered all practice season facilities. The closest thing to real hockey might be the street hockey games that Zach Aston-Reese and Bryan Rust play with the gear they picked up from Dick’s Sporting Goods. While team trainers have given every player a personalized workout plan, some younger players who live Mike DeFabo in apartments might not have much more than a pull-up bar and a place to do pushups to stay in shape.

The way Tyler Kennedy remembers it, the Penguins almost needed the “As far as the uncertainty of the season and all that goes, it’s obviously break. really tough,” Rust said. “We’re trying to make the most of it. But, obviously, not being able to get on the ice or do much skating or even They had just been bounced by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round some sort of skill work makes you a little bit rusty. Some guys in the of the 2012 playoffs, the club’s briefest postseason appearance since summer don’t even go a month or more without skating.” 2007. During the five seasons in between, the Penguins did more than just add two championship banners to the rafters. They also racked up If or when the NHL does decide it’s safe to resume play, the plan is to do an extra 70 playoff games of wear and tear on their bodies, nearly so slowly over a period of weeks. First players will be permitted to skate another full NHL season. in small groups, kind of like they did during the lockout. That will be followed by a brief training camp period. Finally, games will resume. “That was almost the first time I didn’t go pretty deep,” Kennedy said. “Having a full summer was a very different experience for me.” Lovejoy said when the NHL ended the lockout and the shortened season began in January of 2013, he never felt more prepared for a training What Kennedy didn’t realize at first was just how long that break would camp. But today, he’s just glad he doesn’t have to be part of it. be. “At the end of the season, if guys take more than one day off from On Sept. 15, 2012, the NHL locked out the players amid a labor dispute. practice, they’re going to feel like they’ve never skated before,” Lovejoy We know now the lockout would last 113 days, wiping out 628 games said. “It’s awkward and weird. and hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. But at the time, the negotiations were evolving on almost a daily basis, leaving players “I can’t tell you how difficult this is going to be for guys. This is going to unclear as to if, when or how the 2012-13 season might actually start. be one of the biggest challenges that all 700 NHL players have ever gone through.” “Some guys were literally not working out, just saying, ‘Oh this is going to go all year because we’re so far apart.’” Kennedy remembers. “Some Post Gazette LOADED: 04.21.2020 guys were like, ‘We’re real close.’”

“Two, three weeks go by. By that time, it’s Thanksgiving. Then it’s Christmas. Then it’s like, oh my god it’s pretty crazy.”

Today, NHL players are once again living in limbo.

Let’s be clear. These circumstances are dramatically different. The 2012- 13 lockout was, essentially, millionaires fighting against billionaires. The current COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis that is affecting virtually every American in some way, whether it’s physically, mentally or financially.

“This is different,” Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said. “A work stoppage ... it’s like two sides working against each other. In this case, everybody is working together.”

But during this unprecedented time, the closest comparison for the hockey world might be a lockout. At least it is in one key way: the uncertainty.

How will the NHL return? When will it return? And will it even come back this year at all? All the same questions that were asked on Sept. 15, 2012 started being asked again on March 12, 2020, when the NHL officially “paused” its season.

“That affects you mentally,” former Penguins forward Jordan Staal said. “It’s hard to be stuck in limbo and really not have an idea of a goal or a date to set yourself up to be at your peak when the puck is dropped.”

Back in 2012, NHL players weren’t permitted to work out with coaches or team trainers. However, about a dozen Penguins who stayed in Pittsburgh organized informal skates. They purchased ice time at the Iceoplex in Southpointe and used a public locker room.

“It sort of felt like preseason until after Christmas,” said Ben Lovejoy, who played parts of seven seasons in Pittsburgh. “I would come with an hour worth of drills to do every day. We would go to practice and try to stay in shape, because the next day we could start training camp. We wanted to be ready.”

Several players, including many Russians, went overseas to keep their skills sharp during the lockout. Evgeni Malkin, for example, dominated for in the KHL. Kris Letang signed with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL but the NHL agreement came before he could suit up. 1183267 San Jose Sharks There are many different elements to this, including: Fans arriving, fans holding up signs of their favorite players, the players warming up, players throwing pucks to fans, pre-game interviews, the pre-game show, a rehearsal for the open and then the lights go down. The best pre-game Thirteen reasons why Jamie Baker misses sports during coronavirus light show in sports lights up the arena, gets the crowd even more jacked haitus up for the game as the famous Shark head slowly is lowered to the ice.

We all know what’s next, the Sharks are introduced and the place is booming as the Sharks skate through the Shark head, one of the most By Jamie Baker April 20, 2020 11:00 AM iconic player entries in all of sports. We have one more item: the national anthem. I love listening to the anthem, it brings us all together and is the last part of warm-up to what’s about to unfold live in front of us all. Editor's note: Like you, NBC Sports Bay Area insiders, reporters and analysts are feeling the sports void during the coronavirus stoppage. 7. The Energy They'll share their thoughts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Can you imagine an arena with no fans? Sports are all about the fans, "What I Miss About Sports." Next up in the series: Sharks analyst Jamie and the energy they bring … tonight the energy is enticing; excitement, Baker. nervous, and anxious, they too just want the puck to drop. Be loud The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought the sports Sharks fans, you make a difference; just ask the players, they’ll be the world to a standstill. first to tell you.

For the Sharks, that meant a pause to a disappointing season. By the way, The Energy was picked No. 7 for a reason … it’s what I love the most, and miss the most. Without the fans and their energy, the other While we wait for sports to resume, here are 13 reasons why I miss 12 attributes are meaningless! It sits right smack dab in the middle of sports. everything, right where it belongs.

1. Game Day 8. Different Characters

What’s better than waking up and the first thing I think of is “It's game Sports are its own version of a reality TV show. It’s not just the different day.” Love those days, and today, is even more special. players, like Burns, Jumbo, Logan, Hertl, Karlsson, Kane, Meier but it’s the coaches, the referees, the mascot, in this case SJ Sharkie, and yes 2. Routine even the broadcasters. As I look at the Sharks bench waiting for the We are creatures of habit, and I love my gameday routine. I do my "train game to start, I think to myself "Who is going to be the player to take on the brain” regimen, have my green goodness protein shake and then the character of ‘hero’ tonight?” head to the practice facility for morning skate. Part of today’s routine 9. Showtime includes Facebook Live to preview the game and answer fans' questions. I’ll get a hot yoga workout this afternoon and I’ll try to nap, but no chance, Hockey is a modern-day gladiator sport. Because the shifts average 40 not with what’s at stake tonight. to 45 seconds and there are live changes during the play, the pace is always fast. Hockey, unlike many sports, doesn’t have an out of bounds, 3. Camaraderie so there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Hockey has speed, skill, Just arrived at Morning Skate, and I always enjoy seeing my fellow physicality and all of it every shift. Watching these two teams, who broadcasters, other media, the PR and digital media staff … We share despise each other, battle for time, battle for space all the while stories, predictions, updates, all while doing our own thing. We all have executing at a high level with almost zero room for error has been one thing in common on this day … anticipation. The day will not go as exhilarating and excruciating at the same time, that’s what showtime fast as we want, because we are so excited for puck drop. provides to us.

4. Preparation The game is incredible, but the visiting team is getting amazing goaltending, and they have also taken advantage of a couple of Sharks At morning skate I pick up a copy of the official NHL game notes. Some mistakes and have been the recipient of a lucky play. The game isn’t games I use them more than others, today I’ll just use them to update a over, but it’s slipping away, and the home crowd can feel it, their energy few stats. After the players finish their skate I head to the dressing room is changing. with the other media. I listen in on a few scrums, and pull a couple of Sharks players aside for a quick 1-on-1 interview. My interviews are fast; 10. Tension & Unpredictability I only ask one question and then I’m done … as an ex-player, I respect In the span of five to 10 minutes the fans went from: the routine the players have on game days. • sitting back in their seats filled with tension that the season might After both teams' morning skate and my workout, I go back to my place end and do game notes. My game notes take on average 4-to-6 hours of total prep time, but I only need an hour or two today because of the magnitude • to leaning forward in their seats with incredible concern for a of this game. beloved player who was just seriously injured and helped off the ice with his equally concerned teammates I enjoy picking out my suit/shirt/tie combo and then the last part of preparation is arriving at the arena about two and a half hours before • to standing, jumping, hugging, screaming, you name it because the puck drop. It’s now two hours before the game and we have our unpredictable went to a completely other level production meeting run by Producer extraordinaire Sean Maddison. We go over all the elements of the open, what we are looking for in the This game's tension and unpredictability would reach new levels as the broadcast and discuss the keys. This prep ties directly with camaraderie, visitors scored a late goal sending this game into overtime. I knew it was love this time with our “team.” an instant classic, was just hoping the end would be in favor of the good guys. It was, showtime showed up, so did a new hero, the energy was insane, the warm-up, preparation all worth it, always is, but even more so today. 5. The Headset 11. The Emotion When I put the headset on, I enter a different realm. It’s like voyaging into a different world for the next few hours. My focus becomes more alert, After the game, the energy didn’t go away, it just shifted to different I’m aware of my energy, trying to be part of a symphony, doing my part to locations as the crowd and anyone who witnessed this game couldn’t help inform, analyze, educate, and ultimately entertain. I’m in my happy hold back their emotions. Twitter lit up like a Christmas tree, I had over a place when the headset is on! Tonight, I’m grateful to be calling this hundred texts, some from people I hadn’t heard from in years and the game at ice level, and glad that we are getting closer to puck drop. The streets filled with joyous Sharks fans. Trying to get to sleep was wait has been killing me … you know what I mean! impossible, I think I finally fell asleep around 4 a.m., it was late, but it was going to be a satisfying sleep. 6. The Warm-up 12. Non-Game Day I wake up and the first thing I think about is the game last night. I smile. It’s a non-game day, while the camaraderie of hockey people all over the world discuss last night’s epic Game 7, the controversy, the incredible comeback by both teams, the drama in OT, I start to think about the next- game. Tomorrow is game day, and I have to start my series preparation for the Avalanche.

13. Passion

Sports are about passion. Not every game is a classic, but every game is different and sports brings us together. I was asked to be on the NBC Bay Area Unite float during the Warriors second championship parade. Barry Bonds was on the same float; people went crazy when they saw him, just wanting a wave or for him to smile for a picture. Rickey Henderson was on the same float; he received pretty much the same adulation that Barry did. The passion was palpable as everyone celebrated at the Warriors parade.

I can’t remember exactly how long the parade went for, but about three- quarters of the way through Rickey and I were talking. He had been way busier waving to adoring fans than I had, but I was able to take it all in from a different lens if you will. Anyway, I said to Rickey, and I remember saying it vividly “Look at how happy everyone is, everyone! People from different walks of life, different races, political affiliations, sexual orientations, tall people, short people … and everyone is happy. How do we make life where everyday we treat each other like it’s a parade?”

We don’t, but that’s what sports can do, bring us all together for incredible moments we will never forget for the rest of our lives.

Just like Game 7 on April 23, 2019 between the San Jose Sharks and the Vegas Golden Knights, the epic series was a war from the drop of the puck in Game 1. The series that had everything including a Game 7, somehow managed to squeeze out even more, and not surprisingly, in the true nature of sports, it gave us a new character that gets to wear the cap “hero.”

His name? .

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183268 St Louis Blues “Every one of the players that was on the 2019 team, they have a spot in here,” said Rush, who has attended Blues games as far back as the days of the old Arena.

Blues (literally) have their brush with history in "Market Street Dream" Another aim of the project was to incorporate franchise history into the painting painting. So in the background is the front of The Arena, a scoreboard and banners of retired jerseys hanging in Enterprise Center.

“One thing that was important to me about the past was the banners with Jim Thomas the players of the past,” said Keinath, who has been a Blues’ season- ticket holder for more than 30 years. “Also, I wanted Bobby and Barclay

Plager’s banners lower because when they retired Bobby’s, they lowered Alabama-based artist Rick Rush, a long-time Blues fan, is putting the Barclay’s — that was a special moment. finishing touches on his painting "Market Street Dream" that “When my brother Warren and I would go to the old Arena as kids, they commemorates the team's Stanley Cup championship. (Rick Rush) had the neon hockey player and net (on the marquee in front of the In the past, St. Louis businessman and sports superfan David Keinath building). The puck would go from the player’s stick to the net. We has commissioned several paintings from noted sports artist Rick Rush. remembered that as kids.”

There was one depicting the 1999 Rams’ XXXIV victory over So that feature from days gone by was included in the painting. the ; others commemorated the Cardinals’ World Suffice to say, Rush got a lot of input on what to include in the painting, Series titles in 2006 and ’11. They became friends. They were Blues including feedback from Blues president and CEO Chris Zimmerman. fans. They went to games. “We threw a lot of things at him,” Keinath said. And for years, they told each other, if only the Blues would win a Stanley Cup. . . . Getting going

Well, that dream became a reality last June with the Blues’ Game 7 Rush came up with his first drawing in July; then another in late July/early victory over the Boston Bruins. As a result, “Market Street Dream” almost August. Each time, Rush got feedback, made changes and tweaked the is a reality. That’s the name of Rush’s painting commemorating the project. Blues’ Stanley Cup championship. The idea, Rush said, was to get the “correct vision of that story, what “I had been waiting and waiting for the St. Louis Blues to win a Stanley needed to be said in the painting.” Cup so I could get Rick to do a painting,” Keinath said. “Finally, the Blues won!” The last of five drawings was completed in September and he began painting in October. Keinath will keep the original painting, adding to his collection. But he also wanted Blues fans to have an opportunity to purchase prints of the In early February, little more than a month before the coronavirus painting — in the form of grand giclees, giclees and serigraphs — with all pandemic shut down play in the NHL, Rush held an unveiling of the proceeds going to charity. painting — at least its status at that time — for most of the Blues’ roster in the alumni room at the Centene Community Ice Center. “When I was watching the playoffs and saw Laila (Anderson) and her fight with cancer, I knew I wanted to help,” Keinath said. “. . . Proceeds “At the players unveiling, we actually talked about how literally that group will go to the Blues for Kids and also the Rick Rush foundation.” of Blues players had made their mark on American hockey history,” Rush said. “They had made their mark on the NHL and made their mark on the Some proceeds also will go to the Blues Alumni and its charitable efforts city of St. Louis. The first time in the history of a franchise after 52 years, in the St. Louis area. The Rush foundation helps provide art supplies for they won this thing.” schools. With that in mind, Rush then asked Blues players, — there were about Alabama born and bred, Rush has his studio in Tuscaloosa. His claim to 19 in attendance that night — to literally make their mark on the painting fame as an athlete was quarterbacking his high school team to victory by applying a quick slash of paint onto the likeness of the Cup. over a squad quarterbacked by Ken Stabler. “Now, Rick, are you gonna trust these guys with a paint brush?” Zuke “We beat them 20-16; his senior year, my junior year,” Rush said. “It’s asked Rush. one of those kinds of things that just sort of sticks with you.” Rush replied: “If they can handle a paint brush like they can handle a Stabler ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Rush went on to make hockey stick we’re in good shape.” a name for himself commemorating great athletes and great moments in sport. His portfolio includes paintings of Muhammad Ali, Wayne Gretzky So the players gathered around Rush, who had a jar of paint and a and Michael Jordan, among others. His painting of the 1980 Miracle on brush. Rush dipped the paint and handed the brush to each player, who Ice — the U.S. hockey upset of Russia in the Olympics — was presented made their mark on the Cup. to President Jimmy Carter. “They’d walk over to it like they were about to touch the Mona Lisa,” Locally, he has done paintings of former Cardinals greats Ozzie Smith Rush said. “It was a great memory for me.” and Albert Pujols. A great memory, that sprang from a great memory. Freeze frame St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.21.2020 Rush’s work takes historic moments in sports and freezes them in time. Many are mural-like, with lots of detail. His Blues painting, which should be completed by the end of this month, is nearly four feet by five feet.

At the centerpiece of “Market Street Dream” are depictions of Vladimir Tarasenko, Jordan Binnington and Ryan O’Reilly all making key plays in the Cup Final: An off-balance goal by Tarasenko in Game 2; a key save by Binnington in Game 7; a wraparound goal by O’Reilly in Game 4.

Former Blue Mike Zuke served as kind of a hockey consultant on the project.

“I put my two cents in on stuff that I thought should be included in the painting,” Zuke said.

Behind the net are Blues players celebrating the Cup championship. Between the net and the celebrating players is an oversized Stanley Cup. 1183269 St Louis Blues future contract, but that in the scope of what’s happening in real life right now, he felt lucky just to do what he does for a living.

“There are so many variables that you can bring into this that you don’t LeBrun: Alex Pietrangelo on chance to defend, his next deal and really know,” Pietrangelo, 30, said of his pending free agency. “There are uncertain times so many unknowns. We were thinking about it for a while, my wife and I certainly had some discussions between us. But it certainly gets pushed aside when you’re sitting at home chasing around these little rug rats all day. I’ve got family members going through it right now, they’re being laid By Pierre LeBrun Apr 20, 2020 off, they’re not being able to work the same way they were a few months ago. So he’s (Taylor Hall) right, we’re blessed to even be in this situation, to be discussing potential opportunities we can have when the Rewind to last June 12 in Boston. employment rate (in the U.S.) went up by five million of whatever it was in one week. Those are staggering numbers.’’ The Stanley Cup comes out onto the ice. The home crowd is devastated but committed to the customary booing of NHL commissioner Gary So yes, the father of two-year-old triplets has perspective, too. Bettman as he gets set to award the best trophy in sports to the St. Louis Blues. I asked Hall last week about the notion of signing a shorter-term deal to get through the brunt of the damage to the industry and then signing a There are delirious fans from St. Louis who made the trip and you can bigger deal in a few years on the other side of this. Hall didn’t hesitate, he hear them loud and clear as Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo raises Lord said he’d rather go for long-term security now. Stanley over his head. I asked Pietrangelo the same question. That moment capped an unbelievable Game 7. “I’m going to explore all options, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if Now imagine that entire night without a single fan in the building. One of you’re not sitting back there with your agents and your family laying out the NHL’s loudest rinks muted, save the hollers and celebrations taking everything on the table, thinking about every possibility, that’s really what place on the ice. you should be doing,” Pietrangelo said. “When you have a growing family, it’s one of those things where if you can put yourself into a “Win or lose, playing in that game with the fans in Boston, if you’ve ever position where you’re somewhere long term, it’s a little bit easier than been to a game in Boston, it’s pretty rowdy,’’ Pietrangelo told me over the having to pick up and move potentially every couple of years.’’ phone Friday. As Pietrangelo said, it’s hard to know at this point what a long-term deal “Whether you’re feeding off the momentum for your own team where would look like given this current landscape, so you can’t predict you’re trying to make the building quiet, it’s still something you think anything. about during the game and prior to the game, the energy before the game makes it a little easier to get up for.’’ But all things being equal: “I know for me with a family, it’s certainly important to be able to have some security time-frame wise so we can It is difficult to consider what that experience would have been like settle in.’’ without fans in the building, however, that’s the likely scenario facing the NHL if they can resume the season at some point this summer. And of course, staying in St. Louis is still a strong option.

“I think the weird thing for me if this situation was last year, what do you “Army (Blues GM ) said the same thing at the beginning, do with your family,’’ Pietrangelo wondered. “The first thought after you our goal is to try and get something done here,” Pietrangelo said. “That’s win is where’s my family? My dad and my wife my brother and my been the goal from the beginning. We’ve both said the same thing. That’s brother-in-law’s, they were all there in Boston. both of our mindsets.’’

“It’s certainly a logistical thing that really needs to be thought through on I sense that there hasn’t been much dialogue during this pause between both sides.’’ Pietrangelo’s reps at Newport Sports and the Blues. A deal of this importance, in my mind, needs to wait until both sides have a better idea Don’t get Pietrangelo wrong, like the rest of the reigning Cup champion of the landscape, the salary cap, all the dynamics that may affect what Blues, he hopes to have a chance to defend their title. the NHL world looks like on the other side of this nightmare. And while Pietrangelo is not unique among his NHL brethren in his desire “We try to work behind closed doors with regards to player contracts. As to play again this season, he too shares their concerns about the safety always, when we have something to report, we will do so immediately,’’ of everyone involved in the face of this pandemic. Blues GM Doug Armstrong said via text message on Sunday. “It’s not easy because everyone is in different situations,” the native of Armstrong did get some work done last week, signing pending UFA King City, Ontario said. “Some guys have parents and grandparents and blueliner Marco Scandella to a four-year, $13.1-million extension. kids and pregnant wives, the list goes on and on. I don’t think anything will be decided on without some good, long smart discussions from both However, I don’t think this deal has much bearing on what happens with sides with people in health organizations who can really steer us in the Pietrangelo. Scandella fits a need on the left side. right direction. “Army’s got a job to do, Marco’s got a job to do, he has taken care of “And I’ve said this before, we have some really smart minds working on himself and his family and Army has got to do what is best for the this, I don’t think anyone is going to make a rash decision,’’ Pietrangelo organization,” Pietrangelo told me. “Look, I understand the business side added. “I think both the NHLPA and the league are seeing this as an of this game. I’m always happy for guys, that’s just how I am as a person, unprecedented situation. We really need to think this through, which has Scandy and I get along really well and we were shooting texts last night, really been happening, there have been some really good discussions he’s excited to come back.’’ between us and the PA, and between us and the league. But again, it’s hard to say anything concrete when you still have social distancing and Scandella was a clever pick-up by Armstrong after the scary situation stay at home orders. Until we have more concrete evidence of what we with Jay Bouwmeester. The Blues will have star winger Vladimir can do, I don’t think many decisions can be made.’’ Tarasenko back from injury if and when the season resumes this summer. If there is no season resumption, there’s the question of whether or not Pietrangelo has played this last game in a Blues uniform. The champs are set up for another run.

Last week, my TSN colleague Frank Seravalli put out his ranking of the “Look, our mindset is still that we’re going to have a chance to play again top 25 pending UFAs, and sure enough, Pietrangelo was No. 1 on the and repeat,” Pietrangelo said. list. The frustration, Pietrangelo says, is that the team had momentum when No. 2 was Taylor Hall, whom I spoke with last week, and one of the the season was paused, it was trending in the right direction a month things I appreciated from that interview was Hall’s grounded perspective away from the playoffs. on the unknown ahead for him. The reality, he said, was that the NHL Now they wait, like everyone else. business was going to be affected by this and that will likely impact his “The reality of this whole thing is that it’s out of our hands and it’s in the hands of people that it should be, the doctors and the people who are in these positions for a reason,” he said. “The hard part is that it’s out of our hands but the easy part is that it’s out of our hands. So you just have to trust that this is bigger than hockey, this is bigger than all of us. That’s just the reality of it. Sitting at home with three kids and my wife, you realize how important that is. I think all of us are in the same mindset, we want to play again, we were born to play, this is what we do for a living; and if we don’t, it will certainly be a long offseason.

“But then again, this is something that’s so out of the ordinary.’’

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183270 Tampa Bay Lightning us will also help support @HillsboroughSch Teachers and Staff#FeedItForward pic.twitter.com/SuHkUi9cls

— Titus O'Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) April 16, 2020 How sports are helping in the coronavirus fight Broadcaster Erin Andrews (a Bloomingdale High graduate) gave 100 Our updated list on how sports teams, employees and other groups are beyond-meat burgers to the workers at Tampa General Hospital. doing their part during the pandemic. Rays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough gave enough food from Buddy Brew Coffee to feed about 125 people at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

MATT BAKER The Bolts Better Halves gave more than 100 meals to the staff at Tampa General Hospital.

Earlier this week, our Bolts Better Halves donated over 100 meals and 75 As the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the sports world is wellness juice shots to nurses at @TGHCares to show support and doing its part to try to help while their athletes remain sidelined. We’ve appreciation for all of their hard work! pic.twitter.com/U0aOzvhFKp compiled an incomplete list (heavy but not exclusively from Florida) of some of the ways teams and players are helping the community and the — Lightning Foundation (@LightningFDN) April 2, 2020 fight against the novel coronavirus: Former Rays pitcher Chris Archer sent coffee and breakfast pastries to Donations and fundraisers the staff at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

Ann Austin, the Women's Association's senior director of Amalie Arena donated 18 pallets of food and drinks to Feeding Tampa community development, delivers medical supplies for local hospitals. Bay and Metropolitan Ministries. The items were initially supposed to be [Courtesy: WTA] used during events at the arena, like March Madness.

The Rays and Rowdies have set up a COVID-19 Relief Grant Program to able to donate 18 pallets of food and beverage to @MetroMinistries and aid organizations that provide food and shelter relief in the community. @FeedingTampaBay. Let’s make the best of our circumstances and Their overall financial commitment: $1 million. come together! [2]

The Glazer family (which owns the Bucs) have given $100,000 to the — Amalie Arena (@AmalieArena) March 19, 2020 Fighting Chance Fund, which helps locally owned small businesses in St. IndyCar teams donated their extra food after the Firestone Grand Prix of Petersburg. St. Petersburg was called off three hours into a three-day event. That Bucs lineman Alex Cappa set of a chain of supporting local restaurants was almost 3,000 pounds of food just from Team Penske, Andretti and providing meals to area health care workers. Autosport and Chip Ganassi Racing, according to the Indianapolis Star.

The Bucs, Rays and Lightning have all pledged $100,000 to One Tampa, Facilities a relief fund that will help families pay for their rent, mortgage or utilities. Raymond James Stadium has been serving as a testing site for people The Mike Evans Family Foundation has pledged $50,000 to the United who might have the virus. Way Suncoast for relief efforts. The donation from the Bucs star receiver Daytona International Speedway will also be acting as a drive-up testing is expected to help more than 53,000 people in the area. site starting Friday morning through one of its partners, AdventHealth. New Bucs quarterback Tom Brady and his wife are providing 750,000 Other tracks are doing the same thing, including Charlotte Motor meals through Feeding Tampa Bay. Brady is also taking part in the All-In Speedway and Martinsville Speedway. Challenge by auctioning off a chance to watch Brady’s first Bucs game Daytona also bought BBQ for first responders in Volusia County. and meet him afterward, among other things. When word gets out that the Speedway @DISupdates is picking up the I accept the #ALLINCHALLENGE. Watch the video & go to tab for first responders today at @4RiversFL Smokehouse in Daytona https://t.co/bRtYgf65MS to get involved. I challenge my wife Beach pic.twitter.com/MXTQmDvA14 @giseleofficial, my buddy @drake & YOU @nflcommish to go ALL IN! pic.twitter.com/QDeBNEM0rf — Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) April 17, 2020

— @tombrady (@TomBrady) April 15, 2020 In the SEC, the University of Kentucky’s indoor football facility, the Nutter Field House, is set to become a 400-bed temporary hospital that could Lightning players have donated 500,000 meals through Feeding Tampa treat a surge of patients. Bay. They’re also creating a fund to help support part-time employees of the team and Amalie Arena who are now out of work. Equipment

Lightning owner Jeff Vinik’s Vinik Family Foundation gave $300,000 to In this March 23, 2020, photo provided by Bauer Hockey Corp., an Metropolitan Ministries, which will add up to at least 60,000 meals. It also employee models a medical face shield the hockey equipment handed USF $50,000 to help students with necessities like rent, food and manufacturer has begun creating to help those treating the coronavirus toiletries. pandemic, at Bauer Hockey Corp. in Blainville, Quebec. [AP]

The Rays donated $100,000 to Feeding Tampa Bay and will match funds Manatee County-based running store Fit2Run has a campaign to donate for another $150,000 through an online food drive. They’re also giving comfortable shoes to doctors and nurses. payments of $500 or $1,000 to game-day workers, like people who work in security, cleaning or concessions. Hockey equipment manufacturer Bauer pivoted from making helmet visors to medical visors. The St. Petersburg-based Women’s Tennis Association has donated 5,000 N95 masks to be distributed to area hospitals. The WTA is also Several auto racing companies have switched, too. Dallara has gone donating 20,000 meals through Feeding Tampa Bay and has launched a from making IndyCar chassis to masks and gowns. NASCAR’s R&D WTA 4 Love campaign. Center is also producing protective gear.

Other food donations Fanatics, which makes Major League Baseball uniforms, has been using the polyester mesh fabric to create masks and hospital gowns. Former Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston and WWE star Titus O’Neil donated $50,000 to Metropolitan Ministries to provide food to needy Other good deeds families. The Gators are playing their fourth-quarter song, Tom Petty’s I Won’t Proud to announce that @NFL QB @Jaboowins and I have donated Back Down, every Friday at noon as a way to stay in touch with fans, $50,000 to @MetroMinistries to provide food boxes to @CityofTampa even from afar. families in need during the #COVID19 crisis. This $25k gift from each of At noon today in #TheSwamp, we played @TomPetty. Because we missed you. On Fridays at noon, we hope you'll play "I Won't Back Down" wherever you are, until we can get together again.#GoGators #WontBackDown pic.twitter.com/rW4hR0dm74

— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) April 17, 2020

The Lightning are taking out public service announcements in the Tampa Bay Times and elsewhere to tell residents where they can go for help.

Employees of the Rays and almost every other MLB team are participating in a large test to study coronavirus antibodies.

Former Bucs quarterback and Florida State star Jameis Winston helped launch a toll-free coronavirus hotline.

UP NEXT:Monday was to be Boston Marathon day; its absence is felt from Hopkinton to Boston

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183271 Tampa Bay Lightning “I remember him talking about having played in a peewee tournament I had just come back from,” Daniel said. “There was hope for me. I was in that same situation. It was good to see guys like that come in and give back. I always remembered that. Hitting home: Grandfather of Lightning prospect Daniel Walcott dies of COVID-19 “So if I can give back by doing that and having an effect on someone, why wouldn’t I do it? Our schedule in the AHL is different. We mostly play on the weekends, so during the week, we have a lot of time on our hands. I’ll use that time to give back. I know I won’t most likely be the By Joe Smith Apr 20, 2020 MVP of the league, so it’s one thing I look forward to, and to earn (the Man of the Year Award) is special.”

Daniel Walcott may have the largest personality of any of the Lightning Walcott has been involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, prospects. forming a connection with his 11-year-old “brother” Jeremiah. Jeremiah’s indoor hoop recently broke, so Walcott sent his over. “He gets The 26-year-old AHL forward lightens up Syracuse’s dressing room with me doing things I’d never think of doing — like playing laser tag,” Walcott jokes. He was a natural in the Crunch’s “Karaoke Battles” series and has said. “It’s been harder now because we can’t see each other.” Walcott kept fans’ spirits up through this coronavirus pandemic with his antics on has visited several children’s hospitals and community centers. He’s TikTok. He has also been named the team’s American Specialty Man of done ride-alongs with local police and spent time playing pool and the Year for his charitable/community efforts three of the last five shuffleboard at a senior recreation center not unlike the one his seasons. When Walcott signed a new one-year, two-way deal with the grandfather lived in the past three years. Lightning last week, setting him up for a sixth season in Syracuse, teammate Cory Conacher tweeted, “The mayor is back.” Turns out, his sense of humor isn’t the only thing Walcott inherited from his late grandfather. Walcott said his sense of humor comes from his grandfather, Denys, a carpenter from Barbados who kept things light up until the very end. Walcott bought a house in Syracuse in June and did a lion’s share of the Denys, 92, died April 13 from COVID-19. Walcott said there were 17 renovations, something that would no doubt make his carpenter cases on his grandfather’s floor at his Montreal nursing home. The virus grandfather proud. He has been spending this quarantine period working first attacked his lungs, then his brain. on finishing his basement, too, and is currently working on building a bar.

“When the virus hit him, it was a matter of days,” Walcott said. “And it “My garage, I’ve turned it into a woodshop,” he said. was over.” It’s a three-bedroom ranch home, and Walcott joked that one of the The pandemic has shut down the sports world and changed how all of us rooms is so small, Crunch captain Luke Witkowski called it his “closet” live our life. But for Walcott, this virus has really hit home. He said his last when he lived with him the past year. Former Crunch forward Danick conversation with his grandfather was a couple of days before he died. Martel also lived in the house until he was dealt to the Panthers at the They did a group Zoom call with other family members. “He still seemed trade deadline. perfectly fine,” Walcott said. “He was cracking jokes.” “Now I’m alone again,” Walcott joked. But the day after Denys’ 92nd birthday, he was gone. There hasn’t been Like most Crunch players, Walcott has been trying to get creative with his an opportunity for a funeral, memorial or service, though Walcott’s aunts workouts as he hopes to eventually play hockey again this summer and in Quebec plan to eventually take care of that. Now it is time to fall. He had initially planned to do 500 pushups and 1,000 situps a day, remember his grandfather and his impact on Walcott’s career. but that’s when he thought it would be a shorter shutdown. “My body felt “My clowning side definitely comes from his side of the family,” Walcott it after a week,” he said. said. “He’d always have a good time. That’s what I’ll remember.” Now he’s doing more squats and full-body workouts. He bought some Denys Walcott never played hockey. cleats and kicks the soccer ball around at the park, or he’ll go for run and rollerblade. While most prospects are hoping their stay in the AHL is But he was good with his hands. temporary — and it’s still Walcott’s dream to play in the NHL — he doesn’t mind putting down roots in Syracuse. Denys was a carpenter, and he traveled a lot for work. But when he was in town at the family’s Île-Perrot home in southwest Quebec, he’d be the “This is the place you’re living. Why not enjoy it to its fullest?” Walcott life of the party. said. “I love the fact Syracuse is a blue-collar city. Everyone likes sports. Being from Montreal, hockey is the religion. We’ve got (Syracuse) “He was always clowning around and telling us stories,” Daniel said. University and the Crunch here. It’s a sports city and it’s great to be part “Entertaining everyone.” of.” Daniel’s father, David, was the athlete. He started as a boxer, but when (L to R) Lightning prospect Daniel Walcott with brother Karl, grandfather they moved from Barbados to Canada, he fell in love with hockey. Daniel Denys and brother Chad. (Courtesy of Daniel Walcott) followed suit. “The rest is history,” he said. It’s still a relatively short drive to Montreal, and Walcott plans to make the Daniel played junior for Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the Quebec trip (once he can) to pay his respects to his late grandfather. In trying to Major Junior Hockey League before getting drafted in the fifth round by come up with his favorite memory, it was a tough one. the Rangers in 2014. He was traded to Tampa Bay in June 2015 for a seventh-round draft pick and has become a staple with Syracuse ever “He’s got a lot of jokes that I don’t know if I can share,” Walcott said, since. Denys would often come see his grandson play when the Crunch laughing. “I do remember at his nursing home, there was a wheelchair were in Laval, Quebec. hockey game. He actually scored in it. He was pretty good.”

Denys Walcott at a game to watch his grandson, Daniel, Even when Denys was at the nursing home, he’d always look on the play for Syracuse. (Courtesy of Daniel Walcott) bright side.

“I’m glad he got a chance to see me play,” Daniel said. “He loved it. “He’d joke about (the workers there): ‘That’s my landlord, he takes good (Some Crunch season ticket-holders) made 50 heart-shaped necklaces care of me,'” Walcott recalled. “He’d say, ‘I’m in heaven.'” with my face on it. My grandfather got one, and he wore it all the time. He’d show people at the games. The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020

“If you lived in Montreal at any point in your life, you have no choice but to fall in love with hockey, with the Habs. It’s hard to not be a hockey fan living there.”

Another seminal moment for Daniel came when he was a kid in Quebec. He was in elementary school when NHLer Alex Burrows, a native of nearby Pincourt, came to visit his class. Burrows was the son of the school’s principal. 1183272 Toronto Maple Leafs “She’s awesome,” said Leafs forward . “It’s really cool that we’ve had her since we’ve been there. She kind of grew up with us, in a sense, and we watched her grow up. She’s got real spunk, and she’s got a great voice and gets everybody going right before the game. Happy to The Leafs might have to share popular anthem singer when the NHL have her.” returns Even as her acting and singing careers take off, she promises to keep performing at Leafs games whenever possible.

By Kevin McGran Mon., April 20, 2020 “The plan was to sing at the games whenever I was back in Toronto,” said Ortiz-Luis. “Stepping out onto the ice every night is still, almost four

years later, one of my favourite feelings in the whole entire world. Martina Ortiz-Luis still gets goosebumps thinking about the first time she Hearing the people is crazy. I love how Canadians are so proud, and like sang the Canadian anthem at a Maple Leafs game. how they love to sing along with ‘O Canada.’”

“They flew me out to Halifax for the first pre-season game (in September Toronto Star LOADED: 04.21.2020 2016),” Ortiz-Luis recalled in a telephone interview. “I remember stepping out on the ice and I was like, ‘Wow, this is crazy.’ This was Halifax, in a much smaller arena. And I kind of got emotional too, afterwards, because I couldn’t believe I did that. That was so crazy.”

She was just 15, wore braces and was attending Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts in North York. She’d heard through a relative over the summer that the Leafs were looking for an anthem singer for their centennial season, someone who would grow along with the team that was about to be loaded with young talent such as Auston Matthews and .

And while they’ve become stars on the ice, Ortiz-Luis is on her way to a different kind of stardom — one that may mean fans at Scotiabank Arena will see less of her when hockey resumes.

She missed the final few home games before the COVID-19 pandemic paused the NHL season because she’d landed a role on “Wynonna Earp,” a Syfy TV series filming its fourth season in Calgary.

“Everything happened so quickly,” said Ortiz-Luis, who studied classical voice performance at the University of Toronto. “I auditioned for the role in December. In January, I was sitting in a lecture and I got an email notification that I was being considered for the role, and I was asked to go in for a callback.

Martina Ortiz-Luis, who started singing “O Canada” for the Maple Leafs at age 15, will have to cut back on pre-game appearances when they conflict with her acting work.

“It was so funny because I was sitting in this lecture, everyone’s silent, and I’m trying so hard not to squeal.”

Within a couple of days, she landed the part.

“Right after I got the call, I called the Maple Leafs because I was so concerned, but thankfully they were all so supportive.”

She’s been performing in public since she was five, though like everyone else her career is on pause for now. Instead, she’s at the family home in Woodbridge, where she says the big moment of the day is cooking breakfast. Then it’s off to work on songs and dance routines, some of which are on her TikTok account.

In many NHL cities, anthem singers are synonymous with the team. Lauren Hart in Philadelphia. Lyndon Slewidge in Ottawa from 1994-2016. Rene Rancourt recently retired from his Bruins gig after 42 years. The Leafs, however, had a rotating cast prior to 2016. Now Ortiz-Luis is making the role her own.

Her version of “O Canada” includes a key change toward the end — a popular trait when American singers perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” but not as common in Canada.

“God keep our land,” she sang over the phone. “I feel like that’s the part that really gets the crowd going because (it’s) kind of like that rah-rah moment. You want to get everyone singing with you to the end. I just like that little inflection that I usually do at the end. I call that the Scotiabank Arena Special.”

It dates back to her first sound check in Halifax.

“I was talking to the people who take care of the sound there, and I said I’m going to try something and you tell me if you like it. It stuck … that line is so powerful, and (it’s) kind of just my artistic take on it.”

The crowd gets loud at that point. She says she can barely hear herself in those moments. 1183273 Toronto Maple Leafs “I think that’s where this is going to slow us down in where we were hoping we would be next season.”

Hefford has more time to plot the PWHPA’s strategy for 2020-21 than Pandemic strikes at a pivotal time in women’s professional hockey she did last year, when she was named the union’s lead operations consultant a month out from the first showcase tournament in Toronto.

“Last season was really just thrown together so last minute,” the four-time By Donna Spencer The Canadian Press Mon., April 20, 2020timer3 min. Olympic gold medallist said. “It was incredibly successful on our end, we read felt like, and we pulled it together.

“Being able to make strategic decisions and have some time to plan, that’s a really appealing thing for us, but it’s also difficult because no one Women’s professional hockey, already in upheaval, is facing the is committing to anything at the moment.” economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Toronto Star LOADED: 04.21.2020 Jayna Hefford, leader of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association, remains undaunted in her quest to navigate women to the league they desire. The road map is murkier, however, because of a virus that’s pushing hockey down the list of society’s priorities at a time when the women’s game is striving to raise its profile.

Hefford hopes the clout the PWHPA and its players cultivated this past winter isn’t for naught.

“Women’s sport is certainly going to suffer because of this, and simply because I think there was so much momentum in our sport and in others as well,” the Hockey Hall of Famer told The Canadian Press on Monday. “We’re still in a place where the investment needs to be made. It’s going to be harder and harder to get that investment in the current situation.”

After the Canadian Women’s Hockey League folded just over a year ago, roughly 200 players formed a collective. Their goal is a financially sustainable league that provides regular ice time, health insurance and other supports.

The players — including stars Kendall Coyne Schofield, Hilary Knight, Marie-Philip Poulin and Natalie Spooner — have shunned the U.S.- based NWHL. Hefford said she isn’t concerned by a recent report that the five-team NWHL is expanding into Toronto.

“We’ve been very clear about what we believe the next professional women’s league needs to look like,” she said. “We don’t believe those things currently are offered in any women’s pro league.

“Ticketing, public relations and marketing, having access to daily ice time, full-time coaching staffs and medical staffs, strength and conditioning people and year-round medical and health insurance, a living wage, there’s all these elements we believe that if we don’t fight for them now ... the time is now in our minds.”

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To connect with fans and show their commitment, the PWHPA played showcase tournaments and exhibition games in Canada and the U.S. from September to March, dubbed the Dream Gap Tour.

A tournament scheduled March 4 to 7 in Tokyo was cancelled because of COVID-19, but one in Tempe, Ariz. the same weekend was the tour’s finale.

It attracted sponsors including Budweiser, Bauer, Adidas, Unifor, Dunkin’ Donuts, Tim Hortons, Secret and the Magellan Corporation. The union wasn’t able to secure a television deal, but arranged for livestreaming of games.

“It may be a little bit more challenging, but I do believe we’ll still have those partners by our side and supporting us (after the pandemic),” Hefford said.

But the league they envision has the NHL running it.

The NHL and some of its clubs gave women’s hockey increased attention and support this past winter, and included 20 players plus retired stars Hefford and Cammi Granato on all-star weekend.

There were reports the NHL has developed a template for a women’s league, although commissioner Gary Bettman’s stated position is that they won’t get involved while a women’s pro league is still operating. The NHL is now preoccupied with the pandemic’s impact on its own operations.

“We continue to want to work with NHL partners and with the NHL,” Hefford said. “They have so many challenges on their own plate. They’re going to have to figure those out first as their priority. 1183274 Toronto Maple Leafs 4. On a scale of 1-10, what is your confidence level in coach after 47 games?

The new coach earned very, very high marks from the fan base. Almost The results are in: How you voted in our inaugural Maple Leafs fan no one expressed concern with the coaching staff at this point, which survey makes sense given how improved the Leafs have been, generally speaking, since Keefe took over.

The Leafs’ 27-15-5 record under Keefe translates to a 103-point full- By James Mirtle Apr 20, 2020 season pace, which would rank seventh in the NHL overall.

5. On a scale of 1-10, what is your confidence level in GM Kyle Dubas after two seasons? This is the first time we’ve ever done anything like this — asking Maple Leafs fans to weigh in directly, as a group, on their team. I really didn’t Dubas scored lower than his coach, but not by an overwhelming degree. know what to expect. Maybe the results would be dull and predictable, and it would all be a big waste of time? More than 5 percent of respondents wanted him nominated for GM of the Year. More than 54 percent scored Dubas an eight or higher, despite the No, it turns out. That’s not so. There are lots of interesting tidbits in here Leafs relatively underwhelming season. and results I wasn’t expecting. The number of people who actively expressed they are not confident in Nearly 5,000 of our Leafs subscribers filled out the survey over the past the Leafs’ 34-year-old GM was low: Only 5 percent gave a grade of four week. From those responses, we can get a pretty good indication of the or less. Less than 1 percent of the fan base that reads here believes mood of the fan base — at least the subset that is hardcore enough to Dubas should be let go. subscribe for our services. Again, this shows that some of the loudest voices — on social media and Thanks to everyone who contributed. If there are questions you’d like to in the comments here — are in the tiny minority when it comes to the see on future versions of the survey, let us know in the comments. team’s front office. Most are on-board with Dubas’ vision for the team, after nearly two years in the GM role. Let’s get into the results. 6. On a scale of 1-10, what is your confidence level in President Brendan 1. When did you become a Leafs fan? Shanahan and the Shanaplan after six seasons? In hindsight, I screwed up the eras here. Gilmour and Quinn should have The feedback on Shanahan was even more positive than for Dubas. been separated into two distinct periods, even if it meant splitting up the Nearly 13 percent of respondents chose the option that said Shanahan ’90s and the 2000s. Gilmour was technically 1992 to 1997; Quinn was the architect of the NHL’s next dynasty, which is incredibly high. coached 1998 to 2006. We’ll change that up in the future. Shanahan, perhaps, gets more leeway given he came aboard in the ugly Still, it was rather shocking just how high a percentage of the Leafs fans years and had to make some hard decisions to chart a course that who responded came of age in that era. In contrast, just 10 percent of brought the Leafs to the point where they’re at least in the conversation our subscribers remember the glory days of the 1960s and only an as a perennial 100-point team. additional 23 percent suffered through the Ballard years. 7. On a scale of 1-10, what is your confidence level in the Leafs scouting That leaves a full two-thirds of the fan base that grew up on Dougie, department (primarily amateur)? Mats, Phil and Auston. We haven’t really had much of a look at Dubas’ revamped scouting staff, Let’s give a shout out to the 5 percent of Leafs fans who hopped aboard given he was hired right before the 2018 draft and they didn’t have a first- only in the past few years and yet are still part of our dedicated audience round pick in 2019. here. My guess is that cohort will only grow as the kids who are wearing No. 34 jerseys around town will become subscribers in the years to The selections of Rasmus Sandin in 2019 (29th overall) and Nick come. (Even more so if the Leafs have some playoff success in the Robertson late in the second round in 2019 certainly provide very strong coming years…) indications that this group knows what they’re doing. If they hit on some of their other picks at those drafts, then these grades could rise from 2. On a scale of 1-10, how optimistic are you about the current Maple here. Leafs team? 8. On a scale of 1-10, what is your confidence level in the Leafs analytics This was higher than I’d expected, given how this season has gone. department? What this survey showed, in general, is that the loudest complainers I received some complaints about this question, which, well, fair enough. about the Leafs are not representative of the whole fan base, as in large This is a hard thing for anyone to evaluate, let alone the fan base. part, this is a group that still believes in this team. THIS IS KIND OF A WEIRD QUESTION. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT Less than 6 percent of the fan base indicated they are pessimistic about WORK THEY DO SINCE IT'S ALL DONE IN SECRET. WE CAN AT the franchise right now. LEAST JUDGE THE GM AND COACH BY THE MOVES THEY MAKE. Part of that, I think, is owing to the fact that the Leafs were awful for a PIC.TWITTER.COM/GEX04TZWM9 decade before Matthews and company came around. This fan base — DRAGLIKEPULL (@DRAGLIKEPULL) APRIL 13, 2020 knows pain — and while where they’re at right now may be frustrating, it’s highly preferable to what came directly before. I think you can try and make some assumptions as to how the analytics department is influencing decisions the organization is making, but they 3. Did you agree with the organization’s decision to fire in would all be guesses. That said, most of the fan base appears to have a November? high opinion of this group, with more than 60 percent handing them an Not a lot of subtlety there. eight or above.

Some respondents wanted this to be a more nuanced question, which 9. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate how well you are treated as a makes sense. Many wanted to be able to answer that they wanted fan by the organization? Babcock let go sooner. I really didn’t know what to expect here, as the Leafs fan base is so big Others indicated that they changed their mind on this after hearing about and disparate. The organization has a challenge on its hands trying to some of the Babcock issues post-firing, especially the incident with Mitch please everyone, especially the large group of fans who can’t afford to go Marner and some other players around the league. Others still felt they to games regularly. changed their minds about the firing after Sheldon Keefe had immediate How do you service that group well if there’s much less of a direct success in improving the team’s fortunes. relationship? It’s safe to say there are not many fans that miss the former coach right now. Still, for the most part, the fans we surveyed feel they’re treated well by This was another answer that surprised me. MLSE. We needed to allow more in-depth responses to this question to truly know the nuances of the relationship, as this is a complex thing to To hear talk from many fans in this market, there’s so much love for measure. Feel free to drop your responses in the comments. Wendel and Dougie that I assumed one of them would win out. That it was instead , who often seemed underappreciated when he 10. Who is your favourite member of the current Leafs team? was captain, speaks perhaps to a different section of the fan base looking back on his time with the ‘C’ fondly. Thirty-five percent of the vote Auston Matthews is the overwhelming choice here, which isn’t a surprise is pretty decisive. given how many No. 34 jerseys are in the arena every night. Among the write-in candidates, and Borje Salming were Morgan Rielly places second with a really strong 16.6 percent of the vote. basically tied, followed by Curtis Joseph, Felix Potvin and Gary Roberts. Marner and Nylander were in a dead heat for third spot. There were a surprisingly high number of votes for , too.

The write-in votes were fascinating. More than 200 voters chose Zach 13. If Kyle Dubas had to trade a core member of the Leafs in the next 12 Hyman, which was double what Andersen received and not that far off of months, who should it be? . (Hyman’s votes aren’t properly represented in the chart given they were all spelled in various ways. His slice of pie should be Oh, there were complaints about this question to be sure. If there was a bigger.) “none” option, I’m sure that’s who many would have chosen.

Jake Muzzin, and Ilya Mikheyev also received votes, Surprisingly Marner received the most votes, something that was related although no one was close to Hyman. There were three votes for mostly to his contract. Andersen wasn’t far behind, which isn’t surprising Zamboni driver David Ayres and one for Carlton the Bear. given he only has one year left on his contract and was having a tough season. 11. Who is your least favourite member of the current Leafs team? No one wants to see Matthews or Rielly moved. And the “Trade I had to add these up manually, so no pretty chart. Roughly a quarter of Nylander” faction is smaller in the fan base than it seems to be in the respondents declined to answer this question or gave a goofy answer like media. Carlton the Bear (12 people). David Clarkson’s LTIR contract also received nine votes. 14. Which Leafs prospect has you the most excited to watch next season? Here were the top choices that didn’t fall into that category: I thought Nick Robertson would run away with this given the season he Cody Ceci had in the OHL, but perhaps many don’t expect he’ll stick with the Leafs?

1496 Sandin is a solid choice, too, given his play this season and the Leafs 47.8% needs on D.

Martin Marincin Several fans said they weren’t excited to see any of the Leafs prospects because their system is thin on talent, which seems like an odd take 438 given the top two options could be big factors next season.

14.0% 15. How many Leafs games do you watch in a typical recent season?

Tyson Barrie Unsurprisingly, the diehard Leafs fans reading The Athletic are watching the vast majority of the Leafs games. 304 16. Are you a Maple Leafs season ticket holder? 9.7% I lived in Vancouver previously and attended games there on a once in a Mitch Marner while basis 20 years ago, so it’s interesting to me how much harder 215 tickets are to come by in Toronto. Many, many of the season ticket packages seem to be owned corporately or by ticket brokers, meaning 6.9% you see few individual holders.

Frederik Gauthier 17. How many Leafs games did you attend this season?

193 This fits with the two previous questions. More than half of the Leafs fans who read regularly here didn’t attend a game this season. Some pointed 6.2% out that’s because they live in a different country or area of Canada, William Nylander which makes sense. (We seem to have a large base of ex-pat readers of Leafs coverage.) 96 It’s a shame the average Leafs fan can’t attend more games in person, 3.1% however.

Alex Kerfoot 18. What percentage chance do you believe the Leafs have of winning the Stanley Cup in the next five years? 76 I ran these numbers by our stats guru, Dom Luszczyszyn, who said these 2.4% figures skewed very high. He put the chances of the Leafs winning the Denis Malgin Cup in the next five years at somewhere between 25 and 50 percent.

73 So only one-third of you are realistic about what’s coming.

2.3% 19. What is the biggest obstacle between the Leafs and the Stanley Cup? Others Not only do Leafs fans not love some members of the blue line, they 239 don’t have a ton of faith in the D group as a whole.

7.6% The fatalistic “They’re the Leafs” answer was also popular — and Defencemen often get the Larry Murphy/Jake Gardiner treatment, so it’s probably will be until they actually break the drought. not shocking that they picked up the bulk of the votes. Ceci and Barrie 20. Which of these soon-to-be free agents should the Leafs re-sign? won’t be back next season, which means these fans will have to find new players to get frustrated with.

12. Who is your favourite Maple Leafs player of all-time? Respondents were allowed to pick as many of these players as they wanted, with the only caveat that the cap commitment would obviously mean subtractions elsewhere.

The vast majority want to see Hyman and Reilly re-signed and Andersen and Barrie let go, which makes logical sense given their play and the cap constraints Dubas will be working under the next few years.

21. The Leafs should trade one of their four highest-paid forwards for a defenceman: Agree or disagree?

There’s a reason this is such good fodder for talk radio and TV debate panels: It’s a pretty split decision.

That said, 59.6 percent of fans disagree with the idea of trading one of the big four. And only 11.5 percent strongly agree that this is something management should pursue.

This one will be interesting to track in the years to come if the Leafs struggle to have sustained success.

22. What’s your level of satisfaction rooting for the Leafs right now?

Again, the group of fans that took our survey is pretty bullish on the team right now. They’re not exactly happy with where things are at, but when nearly 77 percent of your fan base is either hopeful or content, you’re doing some things right.

Only a very small subsection is resigned or angry about where the Leafs are at, despite a season in which they were a frustrating team to watch on a lot of nights.

23. Complete this sentence: My biggest frustration with the Maple Leafs is ______.

By far the most popular answer to this question revolved around some version of “consistency,” with more than 40 percent of answers including the actual word and at least half centred on similar themes.

Other answers receiving a lot of support included defence and defensive play, cap management, work ethic and effort level, negativity from media and fans, and the team’s poor history since 1967.

24. My biggest request for coverage of the Leafs from The Athletic is ______.

This question was more for our own purposes as a company, as we’re always trying to improve our coverage. But I appreciate how many of you answered that you’re happy with the content and don’t want any changes.

Those who did suggest improvements wanted more prospect/Marlies coverage, more podcasts and more in-depth player profiles, which are certainly things we’re all on-board with.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to fill out the survey. Hopefully, you found the results as interesting as we did.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183275 Vegas Golden Knights The 2.47 percent salary cap hit on Fast’s contract comes out to just over $2 million per season based on the current $81.5 million salary cap.

Betting on himself Chandler Stephenson in line for new contract with Golden Knights The alternative for Stephenson, who is eligible for salary arbitration, is to hope he can continue to produce at a 44-point pace for a full season and then try to cash in as an unrestricted free agent next summer. By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal April 20, 2020 - 11:25 am And that’s where Tanev comes in.

The Penguins handed the unrestricted free agent a six-year contract with Chandler Stephenson and Penguins forward Brandon Tanev don’t a $3.5 million AAV after he produced 14 goals and 29 points in 80 games appear to have anything in common. They never have been teammates for Winnipeg. in the past decade and only crossed paths on the ice a handful of times. Tanev’s career scoring totals (24 goals, 51 points in 195 games) when he No, it’s the head-turning contract Tanev signed with Pittsburgh last signed his contract don’t stack up to what Stephenson is projected to summer as an unrestricted free agent that’s relevant for the Golden have next summer. Knights forward. While other general managers might have learned their lesson from the Stephenson, who turns 26 on Wednesday, was in the midst of a career Penguins, it also shows what could be available to Stephenson on the season when the NHL paused March 12 because of the coronavirus market next summer. pandemic. He will become a restricted free agent when the NHL offseason takes place and is due a raise after he almost doubled his LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.21.2020 career scoring output.

That puts Stephenson in an intriguing negotiating position, similar to the one teammate William Karlsson was in last summer, albeit for less money.

Stephenson posted 11 goals and 26 points in 65 games with the Knights and Washington Capitals. After being acquired for a fifth-round pick Dec. 2, he tallied eight goals and 14 assists in 41 games with the Knights.

His play at center, with a 57.4 percent shot attempts share during five-on- five play, helped make Cody Eakin expendable at the trade deadline and provided a glimpse of Stephenson’s potential.

But more than half his points (12) with the Knights came while centering leading scorers Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone, making it difficult to project Stephenson’s future production.

Stephenson went the final 13 games without a goal playing almost exclusively on the third line before he sustained an upper-body injury and missed the final game March 9 at Edmonton. He was listed as a game- time decision for the March 12 game at Minnesota before it was postponed.

Cost certainty

If the Knights believe there’s more in the tank offensively than Stephenson showed in Washington, they can try to lock him up before he hits unrestricted free agency in 2021 to gain cost certainty.

That’s what Nashville did last summer with Colton Scissons (seven years, $2.86 million average annual value) and in 2016 with Calle Jarnkrok (six years, $2 million AAV).

St. Louis made a similar move with Oskar Sundqvist, who was selected four picks after Stephenson in the 2012 draft. He received a four-year contract with a $2.75 million AAV last summer on the heels of a career- high 14 goals and 31 points.

And with next season’s salary cap number in flux because of the coronavirus pause, that type of long-term security might appeal to Stephenson if offered.

The Knights are projected to be $8.875 million under the salary cap with 15 players signed if the cap remains at $81.5 million.

For an idea of Stephenson’s value, Dallas center Mattias Janmark signed a one-year, $2.3 million contract as a restricted free agent at age 26 last season after a six-goal, 25-point season.

Janmark’s career numbers (40 goals, 88 points in 235 games) were slightly better than Stephenson’s (22 goals, 55 points in 209 games) at the time he signed.

Carolina’s Brock McGinn signed a two-year deal with a $2.1 million AAV coming off a 26-point season, and Scott Laughton stayed in Philadelphia (two years, $2.3 million AAV) after a career-high 32 points.

Maybe the closest recent comparison to Stephenson is the New York Rangers’ , who signed a three-year, $5.55 million contract in 2017 after a 21-point season. Fast had 65 career points in 216 games when he signed. 1183276 Vegas Golden Knights Fleury and Talbot each left their creases for a brief moment, verbally challenging one another before thinking better of it.

“We came in here to send a message, and I think we did that,” Reaves Simulating the 2020 NHL playoffs: Flames vs. Golden Knights said following the contest. “Would’ve been nice to see Flower drop the gloves, right?”

Jonathan Marchessault scored into the empty net in the final minute after By Scott Cruickshank, Jesse Granger and Dom Luszczyszyn Apr 20, the Golden Knights fended off a final push from the Flames. Talbot was 2020 fantastic for Calgary, stopping 28-of-29 shots on the night.

Golden Knights’ coach Peter DeBoer’s biggest decision entering this postseason will be who to start in net on a nightly basis. When the The NHL isn’t back yet, but we’re going to pretend it is. Over the last Golden Knights added Robin Lehner at the trade deadline, it created month, we’ve run a simulation of how the NHL’s regular season might tremendous depth behind Fleury, but also a tough choice for the coach. have played out if the league hadn’t been suspended on March 12. Now, the standings have been set and we’re carrying that forward through the Consider his first test passed, as Fleury netted his 16th career playoffs. This time around, one of our beat writers from each team will be postseason shutout. in charge of every lineup decision, the narrative for every playoff game and they’ll get to decide what “happened” in each game. Join us as we “We were always going with Fleury,” DeBoer said. “He’s the backbone of make our way through the simulated postseason to crown a virtual this team, he’s played well in the biggest moments, and he was great for Stanley Cup champion. us tonight.”

The Flames and Golden Knights: Two teams that expected to meet each — Jesse Granger other in the second round last season, but unceremoniously bowed out in Game 2 the opening round. They meet this year instead, with one team advancing to face Vancouver in the second round. Vegas sticks with the same lineup while Calgary swaps Zac Rinaldo for Tobias Rieder. The two teams could not have had a more different finish to the 2019-20 regular season. The Flames were red hot, finally looking like the team Calgary ties the series with another closely contested game. that won the West last season finishing 8-2-2 to earn home ice in the playoffs. Vegas stumbled from atop its perch at the top of the division, Well aware of their record in Las Vegas — winless all-time in six going 4-6-1 to drop to third in the division. Most of that was a result of the appearances at T-Mobile Arena — the Flames desperately needed a split team missing Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty, a gigantic loss for any in Calgary. team, but both are back and ready to rock the playoffs. Still, the Golden And they got it, squeezing out a 3-2 overtime decision in Game 2 at the Knights’ underlying strength took a big hit as a result of the weak stretch Saddledome. drive, making this series a bit closer than expected. The Golden Knights are favoured by 59 percent. Playing hero, no surprise, had been Sam Bennett, who, at 18:48 of the first extra period, redirected a T.J. Brodie point shot past Golden Knights Last year, Johnny Gaudreau would’ve been rated as one of the league’s goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Bennett not only collected a game-high seven best players and Mark Giordano one of the league’s best defenders. hits in his 11:08 of ice time — to go with his six belts in Game 1 — he Sean Monahan was on the cusp of elite too. All three have struggled this also set up Mark Jankowski’s first-period strike. year though relative to the level they showcased last season and have seen a large drop in projected value as a result. The star-power edge in The outburst gives the rambunctious winger seven points in his last previous years would’ve went in Calgary’s favour, but not anymore. Not seven postseason appearances. with the way Stone has played in recent seasons, not with Pacioretty’s incredible bounce-back campaign, and not with the way Shea Theodore “Well, you guys know Benny,” said Milan Lucic, who, on the power play, has quietly controlled play this season (similar to Giordano at his best) to recorded the locals’ other goal. “It’s the time of year when he always become one of the league’s new elite rearguards. seems to shine. That line (with Jankowski and Zac Rinaldo) was our best line. The rest of us just have to do what we can to follow.” On paper, Vegas is a tough matchup, one Calgary doesn’t stack up well against. Vegas has stronger high-end talent, more depth at every The Flames led 1-0 and 2-1 by periods, but allowed the guests, with the position and better goaltending too. The Earth 2 version of the team may goalie pulled, to collect the equalizer in the final minute of regulation — a have wobbled to the finish line, but there’s still a lot of talent here, ready rebound conversion by Paul Stastny (who, by the way, has 65 points in to take the playoffs by storm. 57 regular-season meetings with the Flames).

Calgary will have to be at its best here and find the version of themselves For the Golden Knights, Ryan Reaves scored in the second period. that was the West’s best team just a short year ago. Fleury looked solid, stopping 27 shots, but Calgary goalie Cam Talbot Game 1 was spectacular, parrying 51 of 53 pucks.

Vegas takes a close opening game. After the heated series-opener, this had been a relatively calm affair, with only three obstruction minors. But with the matchup now shifting to Marc-Andre Fleury stole the show in Calgary, stopping all 33 shots to Vegas — where the Golden Knights have outscored the Flames 27-6 shut the Flames out, and nearly dropping the gloves with Cam Talbot in over the years and overpowered them generally — fireworks are Game 1. expected.

Fleury was the difference in a tightly-contested game that didn’t take long “Yeah, but we can hold our own in that department,” said coach Geoff to develop into a slugfest. He was spectacular early on, making several Ward. “It’s all about guys stepping out of their comfort zone and digging acrobatic saves in the opening minutes to keep Vegas in the game. The in. You can be scrappy without dropping your gloves. When you see a Golden Knights eventually found their rhythm and added an empty net 50-50 puck, win it. Watch Andrew Mangiapane.” goal late to claim a 2-0 win over the Flames. NOTES: Calgary D Mark Giordano hobbled off in the second period and The teams battled to a 0-0 tie through two periods before Max Pacioretty did not return — a “lower-body” injury, according to the team. If he can’t eventually beat Talbot to open the scoring early in the third. Pacioretty go in Game 3, D Juuso Valimaki is champing at the bit … C Mikael curled into the slot, received a pass from William Karlsson in stride, and Backlund won 15 of his 21 draws. lifted a wrist shot over Talbot’s glove to break the tie. — Scott Cruickshank The game featured more fights than goals, and the heavyweight main event came in the third period between veteran bruisers Ryan Reaves Game 3 and Milan Lucic. The two slugged it out at center ice, while Fleury and Giordano has officially been ruled out for Game 3. Juuso Valimaki will Matthew Tkachuk exchanged words near the Vegas crease. Minutes slot in for his first game of the season coming back from injury. Vegas will later Tkachuk dropped the gloves with Chandler Stephenson, while go with the same lineup, but coach Pete DeBoer is looking to run Shea Theodore a lot more. Vegas wins to take a 2-1 series lead in what is one of the closest games Roommates in Stockton, linemates in their first-ever taste of the NHL, of the first round. Matthew Phillips and Glenn Gawdin helped the Flames stay alive in their opening-round series. In typical Las Vegas fashion, the Golden Knights and Flames began Game 3 of their playoff series in the evening and finished it in the wee Surprise participants in Game 5, the rookies combined for five scoring hours of the following morning. points — Gawdin with two goals, Phillips with three assists — in the Flames’ 5-2 triumph over the Golden Knights at the Saddledome. Mark Stone ended the marathon contest with a shorthanded goal in triple overtime, beating Cam Talbot five-hole on a partial breakaway. Stone’s In the must-win meeting, the newcomers wasted no time. Twice in the tally ended the game just after midnight Pacific Time, more than four opening 12 minutes, Phillips set the table for Gawdin strikes. In the third hours after the initial puck drop, to give Vegas a 3-2 win, and a 2-1 lead period, Phillips collected a helper on Sam Bennett’s insurance goal. in the series. “Yeah, kind of storybook for me and Gawdsie,” chuckled Phillips, a But while Stone was the overtime hero, defenseman Shea Theodore was Calgary native. “I think we were so nervous that we had plenty of energy. the best player on the ice for most of the contest. After falling behind 2-0 I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight.” early, Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer deployed Theodore in all situations, hoping to spark some offense for Vegas. Cradling his keepsake pucks, Gawdin added: “Benny helped us. His physical play really set the tone. That gave us a bit of room, especially Theodore finished the night with 46 minutes of ice time, and despite with (Ryan) Reaves chasing him around out there.” recording one goal and one assist he wasn’t made available to the media in the dressing room following the contest. Theodore tweaked something It’s worth noting that the Flames, who also got markers from Elias late in the final overtime and will be a game-time decision for Game 4. Lindholm and Andrew Mangiapane, stayed in a Calgary hotel the night before the game. As one of the top travelling teams in the NHL — and “He was our best player tonight,” DeBoer said. “I haven’t spoken with the desperate in the face of elimination — they reverted to road mode. trainers yet, but we’re hoping it’s nothing serious, and that he’ll be able to go.” Paul Stastny scored twice — one shorthanded, one on the power play — as David Rittich, in his return to the Calgary net, blocked 28 drives. The Calgary raced out to an early lead behind spectacular goals from Johnny Flames goalie also got into a spirited second-period exchange with Max Gaudreau and Mikael Backlund, but couldn’t hold on. It’s the Flames Pacioretty, both players drawing double minors for slashing. seventh-straight loss at T-Mobile Arena. Marc-Andre Fleury faced 32 shots. — Jesse Granger With the best-of-seven favouring Vegas 3-2, the series shifts to T-Mobile Game 4 Arena, where the Flames have never won in eight regular- and postseason visits. Mark Giordano returns from injury, will replace Derek Forbort who will be a healthy scratch. Shea Theodore has been ruled out for Game 4 – Jon — Scott Cruickshank Merrill will fill in. Game 6 Just like last year, Vegas takes a 3-1 series lead in the opening round. Tomas Nosek in for Ryan Reaves who will be a healthy scratch. Jon Merrill’s eyes lit up as he crashed into the corner boards, pumping Theodore back to full minutes. his fists into the air with teammates rushing to celebrate with him. Calgary forces Game 7 in a nail-biter. The postseason wouldn’t be complete without Merrill unexpectedly stepping into a spot, and delivering. He did it once again tonight, filling in It was that kind of night. for an injured Shea Theodore, and scoring twice to lead Vegas to a 4-1 Matthew Tkachuk’s first goal of the postseason tied it. Sean Monahan’s win over Calgary in Game 4. first goal sealed it.

Theodore was a game-time decision after playing 46 minutes in the And the Flames’ first win — on their ninth try — at T-Mobile Arena triple-overtime thriller, and wasn’t able to suit up for Vegas. Coach Peter extended it, forcing Game 7 in what has been a ferocious opening-round DeBoer called Merrill’s name, and he played exceptionally. The veteran series. forward has stepped up many times this season, including playing wing (he scored in that game too). “Wow. We just refused to lose,” said Flames skipper Geoff Ward. “We got timely goals from our talented people. And, of course, what can you “It’s been fun, I just hope he doesn’t steal my job,” goalie Marc-Andre say about Ritter? Unbelievable.” Fleury said after the game. Indeed, in backstopping the guests to a 2-1 decision, goalie David Rittich Merrill opened the scoring early at T-Mobile Arena with a shot from the blocked 59 pucks over 82 minutes of game time. point that deflected off Flames defenseman T. J. Brodie and into the net. Mark Stone would add another goal to make it 2-0 before Calgary “He was our best player,” said Ward. “We don’t get it back to Calgary (for answered with one of their own. Dillon Dube capitalized on a rebound by another game) without him.” Fleury, putting the second-chance into a wide-open net to make it 2-1. The Golden Knights appeared to be headed for the second round when The Golden Knights pulled away late with goals by Merrill and Schmidt. Mark Stone counted the night’s opening goal midway through the third Fleury remained solid in net for Vegas, stopping 30-of-31 shots to help period, corralling a power-play feed from Shea Theodore and buzzing it the Golden Knights take a stronghold on the series, up 3-1. over the blocker of Rittich.

Note: DeBoer said after the game that Theodore will make the trip to But at 19:50, going with an extra attacker, the Flames went around the Calgary for Game 5, and that he expects him to play. However, his horn in Vegas territory — Mark Giordano to Rasmus Andersson to Elias minutes may be slightly limited compared to his usual team-leading Lindholm to Tkachuk, who, stationed in front of goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, 22:14. clubbed in the equalizer.

— Jesse Granger It’s probably worth mentioning that Max Pacioretty somehow got loose in the Flames’ zone in the final 10 seconds of regulation time — and Game 5 clanked the post.

David Rittich takes over the starter’s crease over Cam Talbot while two “That’s all I gave him,” said Rittich, with a wink. “But, yeah, I heard the newcomers – Glenn Gawdin and Matthew Phillips – get a taste of the big pink. That scared my pants off.” leagues in place of Zac Rinaldo and Mark Jankowski. Theodore is back for Vegas. The first overtime solved nothing.

The Flames live another day, force Game 6 in Vegas. But early in the second extra period, Monahan, working a give and go with Johnny Gaudreau, went five-hole on Fleury, cueing the visitors’ wild on-ice celebration. “Obviously, that was a big goal,” said Monahan. “Now we look forward to “I know you guys have expectations. I know fans have expectations,” winning it all. We’ve got the guys to do it. We can’t wait.” Ward continued. “But we have our own expectations … and, while it’s damn sad we couldn’t get it done, I think the players and us as coaches — Scott Cruickshank will look back and see this as a step forward for the organization.

Game 7 “We talk about compete level. We talk about getting out of your comfort Vegas continues to roll with Fleury despite losing two straight. Reaves zone. I’m not sure you could’ve asked for more from the guys, all of the back in for Nosek, though he won’t see much ice with Vegas planning to guys. I’m proud of them.” give a heavy dose of minutes to the top six. No changes for Calgary, but The Flames got strong performances from goalies David Rittich and Cam coach Geoff Ward aims to ride or die with his top six and top four. Talbot, from seven defencemen (including star-in-the-making Juuso This one’s almost literally a coin flip. Valimaki), from all of the forwards (including NHL newbies Matthew Phillips and Glenn Gawdin). Vegas survives the comeback scare to advance to the second round. “It seemed everyone was dialled in,” said Johnny Gaudreau, who picked As the clock ticked down on Game 7 at the Scotiabank Saddledome, a swell time to unleash the best hockey of his season. “That’s what things looked dire for the Vegas Golden Knights. makes this so hard right now. We played so well. I don’t know how we didn’t get it done. It was right there for us.” Calgary held a 2-0 lead late in the third period, and the Flames appeared to be in control after winning the last two games while facing elimination. He’s not wrong. The game — and the series — was theirs. Blowing a With only 5:15 to play the teams lined up for a faceoff, and that’s when it lead always stinks, but to fritter one away late in a Game 7? Nothing happened. could be worse.

Milan Lucic cross-checked Ryan Reaves directly off the draw, and the The Flames’ jaw-dropping finish — surrendering three power-play goals Golden Knights’ behemoth went down hard. The two had battled all (on three shots) in the last five minutes of regulation — will be dissected series, trading collision after collision, but after Reaves finished a for years. questionably late check on Lucic the shift prior, Lucic wanted to settle the score. “It is what it is,” said Rittich, who, after his centre-ice fight with counterpart Marc-Andre Fleury, had been in the dressing room when the Golden Knights players mobbed Lucic, as Reaves stayed down on the guests staged their epic rally. “I know you always want to blame ice. Brawls broke out across the ice, including Marc-Andre Fleury and somebody. Well, forget it. I’m not going to let you. I stand by these guys David Rittich, who dropped their gloves and skated to center ice. The two and I know they stand by me.” netminders circled for a moment, before finally engaging, and each landing a few haymakers before they crashed to the ice. — Scott Cruickshank

Both goalies were subsequently tossed for game misconducts, and Lucic The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 was escorted to the box for a five-minute major for cross-checking Reaves (who went straight to the dressing room). Flames’ coach Geoff Ward screamed from his bench, but following a review the officials confirmed the call on the ice, and Vegas sent its power play unit on the ice.

Cam Talbot replaced Rittich, who had stopped 28-of-28 shots, and Robin Lehner took the crease for Vegas.

Less than a minute into the man advantage Vegas capitalized with a one- timer from Max Pacioretty in the left circle. Minutes later, Jonathan Marchessault tied the game from the exact same spot.

Then, on the third shot Talbot faced in the contest, Mark Stone also beat the netminder to give Vegas a 3-2 lead. Lehner stood tall in relief, stopping all seven shots he faced to allow the Golden Knights to complete the come-from-behind win.

When Vegas first hired Peter DeBoer in January, he was asked by the Golden Knights Insider Show what defines success, and he said playing to the team’s identity, then joked “sometimes, you need a major penalty or a hand pass to help you out, too.”

Turns out he was right.

— Jesse Granger

Yes, it goes into the record books as another first-round loss.

For the second straight spring, the Flames failed to reach the next bracket. That, of course, is disappointing — and extra heart-breaking given the magnitude of the Game 7 collapse.

But this series bears little similarity to last spring’s matchup — a mile- high schooling at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche. That was awful, raising all sorts of red flags about the core, about the coaching, about the construction of the roster.

The past two weeks, though, had been something else altogether.

The Flames, getting contributions from every corner of the dressing room, taking few steps back, showed themselves to be the equals of the Golden Knights, one of the elite groups in the NHL.

“Yeah, I mean, we were good, darned good,” Geoff Ward said. “That other team is a team that’s going to go a long way — just watch. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re still playing in a month’s time.”

The Flames coach stepped back, needing to take a moment to regroup. 1183277 Washington Capitals “The girls are very excited that I’m not at hockey,” Oshie said. “We have fun when we’re at home, and I’m a pretty positive guy. I’ve really, I think, taken advantage of this time of being home.”

T.J. Oshie is having fun with his young family but can’t wait to start Oshie has also been able to watch some of the 2018 Stanley Cup finals playing hockey again replays that have been airing on TV. He said he watched most of Game 4 and the third period of Game 5. Before now, all he had seen were highlights on social media and on the video board at Capital One Arena.

Samantha Pell April 20, 2020 at 3:46 PM EDT So there have been some silver linings and some outlets for Oshie during the NHL’s pause, but they can’t replace what he misses most about the

sport: competition. Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie wants to play hockey again, “I’m a competitive guy, whether we’re throwing tape balls into the and he isn’t too concerned about where, how or when. The NHL season garbage can in the locker room or we’re on the ice playing in a playoff has been paused since March 12 because of the novel coronavirus game,” Oshie said. “I like to make competitions out of things and have pandemic, and once it becomes safe enough to resume play, Oshie will games and try to beat people. You got to let the kids win every once in a be happy just to be back on the ice. while. Can’t do that all the time here. But I think that’s what I miss the The NHL continues to say it will explore all options for the resumption of most. It’s going out there and lining up against another guy and trying to the season — including playing at neutral locations and deep into the beat him for that shift.” summer — and Oshie told reporters on a video conference call Monday Washington Post LOADED: 04.21.2020 that he is content to leave the decision-making to the experts. He will be ready to go whenever the time comes.

In fact, he expressed confidence that he could step in and be ready to play the postseason after only about a week of practice.

“Whatever format it is, I think playoff hockey is still going to look a lot like playoff hockey and it is going to be exciting and it is going to be fast,” Oshie said. “And at the end, if we are able to do it, whoever does win it, whether it is [a] crazy format or not, would have been the team that earned it.”

While he was clear in his desire to finish the season, Oshie was also sure to express the importance of health and safety that would make a return possible. He said his priorities will always be his family and the safety of other young families over himself.

“A smarter man and maybe team of men and women will have to figure out how to get this thing going and make sure it is 100 percent safe and we can guarantee that we are not going to put anyone in harm’s way,” Oshie said. “If there is a way that they can do that, if we can ensure the safety of everyone that is working the rinks, the teams and the trainers and everybody, I want to play and want a chance to raise another Cup.”

Oshie also disclosed a personal preference for one of the options that has been floated as a possible path toward a return. If hosting games at a secluded neutral site proves more feasible than playing in arenas across the continent, the former University of North Dakota standout knows where he would want that to be.

“Obviously, North Dakota is the number one place I’d want to play in the world, so that would be amazing,” Oshie said.

Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky to square off in NHL 20 for coronavirus relief

In the meantime, Oshie has been sending videos, mostly through friends of friends, he said, thanking doctors and nurses who are helping fight the virus. He said he is also working on ways to raise money for people in hospitals.

“It’s kind of weird times, and I think we’re very fortunate that during this time we’re able to stay connected through these different ways,” Oshie said. “It hurts me, it’s really hard, not to be practicing at MedStar [Capitals Iceplex] there in front of the fans and playing in front of fans and not be out in the community, but everyone wants to be safe. I definitely miss doing it and just seeing everybody.”

His focus has also been on his young family, which added its newest addition, Campbell, last month. Campbell is Oshie and wife Lauren’s first boy, joining older sisters Lyla and Leni.

Capitals Coach Todd Reirden knows through his immune-deficient son the risks of virus

The Oshie family has been posting to social media regularly since the season was paused, sharing videos on Instagram nearly every day. Just in the past few weeks, Oshie helped Lyla ride a bike for the first time and was the victim of a makeover from Lyla and Leni while he was sleeping. There have also been many clips of Campbell napping. 1183278 Washington Capitals Gretzky had the idea after seeing a social media video of Ovechkin playing Xbox with his 1-year-old son, Sergei, on his lap.

“It’s not anything serious,” Gretzky said. “It’s about trying to help people Gretzky: I 'pull for' Ovechkin to score goals, chase record who need help right now. The good Lord knows a lot of people need help at this point in time. For Alex and I, this will be a fun night of adventure and we’re looking forward to — I know I am — to participate. It’ll be fun.”

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times - Monday, April 20, 2020 “Obviously I didn’t play a lot of ‘NHL,’ I’m kind of a different guy on the video games,” Ovechkin said, “but I’m going to try to do my best to beat

Wayne.” Alex Ovechkin admired Wayne Gretzky as he was growing up playing Washington Times LOADED: 04.21.2020 hockey in Russia while Gretzky dominated the NHL. It’s clearer than ever that that admiration is mutual.

In Ovechkin’s and Gretzky’s first-ever joint interview, recorded remotely from their homes because of the coronavirus pandemic and aired Monday, “The Great One” said he is rooting for “The Great 8” to break his career goals record of 894 — using words like “when” it happens, not “if.”

“I can’t help but cheer and root for him each and every day,” Gretzky said as Ovechkin looked on. “I watch a lot of his games. I probably watch almost every game he plays. I hope for him to score goals, I pull for him to score goals. I think it’s great for the game.

Gretzky has said he hopes to be the first to shake Ovechkin’s hand if and when he scores No. 895, a sentiment he reiterated in the strongest terms yet during Monday’s interview.

“I remember when I was breaking Gordie Howe’s (goals) record, my dad said to me at one point in time, ‘Your record is going to be broken one day and I hope you have as much class and dignity as Gordie Howe has had with you breaking his record,’” Gretzky said. “And I hope I do. I hope that I’m the first guy to be able to shake his hand when he does break my record. I don’t think there’s any doubt in my mind that he has a great chance to do that.”

Expect Gretzky to stay true to his word. He mentioned he plans to be in the building to see his record fall live and in person.

“When (you) get to 890 and I’m with (wife) Janet, following you around, make sure you do it quickly,” Gretzky jokingly told Ovechkin. Ovechkin replied that he believed their wives would get along.

Ovechkin said with no games being played right now, he has “lots of time to think about” what it means for him to seriously threaten Gretzky’s record.

“It’s great for game, it’s great for me, for my teammates, it’s great for Washington area, D.C. area, to be able to see that,” Ovechkin said. “Obviously sometimes — right now I can’t even realize what I did through all my career, because my career is not ending, but to be eighth all-time on the goals in whole NHL, it’s special.”

Gretzky and Ovechkin also shared stories of when Ovechkin requested a game-used stick from Gretzky for his collection, and the advice “The Great One” gave when Ovechkin was on the precipice of his 700th NHL goal earlier this season.

When the NHL season was suspended, Ovechkin stood at 706 career goals, eighth in NHL history. He was a few weeks removed from scoring the milestone 700th goal on Feb. 22, after several games stuck on No. 699. Gretzky told him to relax and forget about the outward pressure.

“I texted him and said, ‘699. Not a lot of people have been there. And I don’t think people realize the microscope that you’re under,’” Gretzky said.

Considered two of the sport’s all-time greats, Gretzky and Ovechkin met early in Ovechkin’s career and have kept up a relationship ever since. When Ovechkin asked for a stick a few years ago, Gretzky replied — in Ovechkin’s words — “Yeah, win the Cup and I give you a stick.”

Gretzky added that Ovechkin didn’t bother him until after he led the Capitals to the 2018 Cup title. After that, “I heard from him once a month, ‘Where’s my stick?’”

On Wednesday, Ovechkin and Gretzky are set to play each other in “The Great One vs. The Great Eight Showcase,” a best-of-three contest in the video game “NHL 20.” The Capitals’ livestream on Twitch will benefit two charitable efforts: the Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation’s “Feeding the Frontlines” fund and the Edmonton Food Bank. 1183279 Washington Capitals

Oshie wants season to resume, but 'safety needs to be No. 1'

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times - Monday, April 20, 2020

Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie, like most pro athletes staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic, is itching to get back to competition.

But in order to resume and complete the 2019-20 NHL season, Oshie said the safety of everyone involved must be atop the list of considerations.

“Safety needs to be No. 1,” Oshie said. “I mean, we need these numbers to stop and go down and become zero, and a lot of players have young families and I’m thinking about them more so than myself.

“And you hate to get things rushed and not done properly and somehow they put a bunch of people in harm’s way and especially our families in harm’s way.”

Oshie trained “like we were going to be back really soon” for the first two weeks of the pause, before recognizing the suspension would be a long haul. He said he misses competing on a daily basis and wants to get back to playing hockey, in whatever form that takes.

“With our team and with just how much effort, not only us and myself personally but everyone in the league puts forth during the regular season,” he said, “all the blocked shots, all the injuries, all that stuff - that all is geared toward getting in the playoffs and having a chance to raise the Cup, and to not have that be a possibility is a hard pill to swallow.”

It was a stark contrast to what Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said last week: that winning the 2020 Stanley Cup wouldn’t feel like “winning a real Stanley Cup” due to the likely truncated season and different postseason format. Doughty’s Kings, it should be noted, will not qualify for the playoffs either way.

One possibility that’s been floated is to hold the Stanley Cup Playoffs at one site in a smaller, more isolated city, including Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Manchester, New Hampshire. Oshie, who attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, called it “probably the No. 1 place I’d want to play in the world.”

The 33-year-old winger said it will take a team of people smarter than him to organize a “100 percent safe” solution to finish the season.

“If there is a way that they can do that, if we can ensure that the safety of everyone that is working the rinks, the teams and the trainers of everybody … I want to play and want a chance to raise another Cup,” Oshie said.

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Here's when Ovi will know it's time to hang up his skates

By J.J. Regan April 20, 2020 6:11 PM

Alex Ovechkin has the skill to beat Wayne Gretzky's goal record of 894, but does he have the time? Ovechkin is already one of the greatest to ever play the game, but he is 34 years old and certainly closer to the end of his career than he is to the beginning. Now with 700 goals in the rearview mirror and only one year left on his current contract, it is fair to wonder just how much longer Ovechkin will play.

Ovechkin was asked that question by NBC Sports' Kathryn Tappen in a special edition of Hockey at Home that featured a joint interview with Ovechkin and Gretzky. Ovechkin was coy with his response.

"We'll see," Ovechkin said. "I have one more year after this season and we'll see."

Obviously there is no question that the Capitals will look to re-sign the greatest player in franchise history, but he will be 36 when he plays his first game under his next contract.

Given the remarkable durability Ovechkin has shown throughout his career and the fact that he remains one of the most dangerous goal- scorers in the league at an age in which most players have begun to sharply decline, Ovechkin very likely could play at a high level for several more years. When he no longer can play at that level, however, he does not see himself being someone who sticks around for several more years as a depth player.

"I'm healthy, thanks God, and I still love this game," Ovechkin said. "As soon as I'm not going to love this game, I'm not going to cheat on it because I respect it a lot and I don't want to put my name on the caliber players who just play out there and take somebody's spots. I don't want to do that."

There have been numerous examples of elite players continuing to play well into their late 30s and even early 40s as depth players. That is not the way Ovechkin wants to see his career end.

Given what Ovechkin has meant for the Capitals franchise and the city of Washington, he has earned the right to dictate the way his career will end there and it's not going to be as a bottom-six player earning only a handful of points and taking a roster spot away from a younger player ready to break into the NHL.

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Devante Smith-Pelly discusses experience with Beijing team during coronavirus pandemic

By Raichele Privette April 20, 2020 2:22 PM

Before the coronavirus began to impact the NHL, former Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly had already got a glance at its seriousness.

When the virus began spreading in China back in January, Smith-Pelly was playing for Kunlun Red Star, a Beijing-based team that plays in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League.

Smith-Pelly recalls preparing for a road trip to Russia and Finland along with his team when he began to realize the effect the virus could have on the remainder of the season.

"Nobody obviously knew what was going on with the virus, so it was kind of, like, 'We'll pack a little bit more if we don't go back,'" Smith-Pelly told NHL.com’s William Douglas. "Probably the day after we left or two days after we left, they literally locked down everything. At that point, we figured it was super, super serious."

Little did Smith-Pelly and his teammates know that the road trip would become a 35-day journey that resulted in Kunlun spending 58 of the last 67 days of the season outside of Beijing.

Because of the restrictions due to the virus, Kunlun was forced to play its final two games at neutral sites before completing its regular-season schedule.

"We played one in Novosibirsk, which is like Siberia," Smith-Pelly said. "We were also hanging out in a city named Yekaterinburg. We were there for about five days."

Kunlun lost its final game 2-1 to Dinamo Riga on Feb. 24 before returning to their homes. Smith-Pelly finished the season will 11 points (eight goals and three assists) in 36 games.

Although Kunlun did not qualify for the KHL's Gagarin Cup playoffs, the postseason was eventually cancelled in March anyway after two of its non-Russian teams - one Finland-based Jokerit, the other Kazakhstan- based Barys - decided to back out because of the pandemic.

"The original plan was to go back to Beijing and get all your stuff and go," Smith-Pelly told NHL.com. "But at that point, that wasn't possible, so we just left. We were in Novosibirsk at that point. Literally the next day, everyone got out just to make sure there were no holdups in getting back to North America. Going into airports and stuff like that at that time was kind of scary, but at that point, we were good to go home."

Smith-Pelly is currently living at his parents' house in Toronto. With uncertainties due to the virus most of his time on quarantine has consisted on reflecting on his season abroad, trying to stay in shape and wondering what his future holds.

"As of right now, nothing is moving in any league," Smith-Pelly said. "Just like everyone else, I'm just kind of playing it day by day, seeing what happens with this virus, seeing what happens with leagues starting back up, then go from there."

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Where is the No. 1 place in the world TJ Oshie would like to play? Not where you think

By J.J. Regan April 20, 2020 2:14 PM

T.J. Oshie has played hockey games in some pretty crazy places. He has played a Stanley Cup Final in Las Vegas and a Stadium Series game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. But what's the one place in the world he would like to play more than anywhere else? North Dakota, of course.

As the NHL explores possible scenarios for resuming the season, one plan has teams returning to the ice to play at empty arenas at a neutral site. One such site that is being discussed is North Dakota. Oshie was asked what he felt about that possibility during a video conference on Monday.

“I want to play," he said. "It doesn’t necessarily matter too much to me where it is. Obviously, North Dakota is probably the No. 1 place I’d want to play in the world, so that would be amazing."

North Dakota? As in like...near Winnipeg?

That answer is not as totally out of left-field as you may initially think. Oshie played three years of college hockey at the University of North Dakota, the campus of which is located at Grand Forks, a little more than an hour's drive north of Fargo.

Clearly a return to the ol' stomping grounds is an exciting prospect for Oshie who amassed 142 points in 129 games while in college.

The larger issue, however, is not so much whether he would be OK playing in North Dakota, but whether he would be OK with returning to the ice at a neutral site with no fans. For Oshie, who is a father of three children, the most important thing for him is that the league returns only when it is safe for the players and their families to do so.

"You hate to get things rushed and not done properly and somehow they put a bunch of people in harm's way and especially our families in harm's way," Oshie said. "So a smarter man and maybe team of men and women will have to figure out how to get this thing going and make sure it is 100-percent safe and we can guarantee that we are not going to put anyone in harm's way."

As for whether he would be OK with a return to a neutral site, Oshie made clear that's fine with him if it means saving the season.

"With our team and with just how much effort, not only us and myself personally but everyone in the league puts forth during the regular season," he said, "All the blocked shots, all the injuries, all that stuff, that all is geared toward getting in the playoffs and having a chance to raise the Cup, and to not have that be a possibility is a hard pill to swallow.

“So, if it’s neutral site, if that’s what you have to do to have a chance to win a Cup, I’m all for it.”

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T.J. Oshie on being in a hospital for the birth of son during coronavirus pandemic

By J.J. Regan April 20, 2020 1:58 PM

With the coronavirus pandemic currently gripping the world, just about the last place a healthy person wants to be right now is at the hospital. For T.J. Oshie, however, there was no avoiding it in March when his wife, Lauren, went into labor.

The United States was just coming to grips with the reality that we had a pandemic on our hands in mid-March. The NHL paused the regular season on March 12. On March 16, Campbell Oshie was born.

"It was definitely a weird experience, different than the last two, but we felt safe and were able to get out of there pretty quickly," Oshie said on a video conference Monday.

The coronavirus has forced hospitals to take extra precautions to limit the spread of the coronavirus. As a result, Oshie's two daughters, Lyla and Leni, were not able to be at the hospital for Campbell's birth.

"The hardest part for me and Lauren was not having our girls there to be able to meet Campbell right when he was born," Oshie said. "Lauren got out of the hospital pretty quick. I think she got in two days, and it was kind of crazy that no one could come visit and we had to do everything over FaceTime."

Oshie was able to be at the hospital with his wife, but security even inside the hospital was very heavy as well.

"Security was very tight on who could go on what floors, who could come in," Oshie said. "Just to go down and get some food delivered, you had to go through security and make sure they see where you're going."

The thought of you or your family getting sick is about the last thing you want to think about when having a child, but that was the reality in which Campbell was born. Oshie, however, said the hospital staff was "unbelievable" and was thankful for their efforts.

Thankfully, a month has now passed and everyone in the Oshie household remains happy and healthy.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183284 Washington Capitals JM: I’m honestly shocked we aren’t talking about the miracle comeback on Long Island which might have even edged out this Sharks game. But instead the history-making Sharks comeback is up against some Penguins game. Need I say more? Best comebacks of 2019-20 final: Stunning the Sharks vs. 4-goal 3rd period against Pittsburgh JJ: What's a bigger comeback, erasing a two-goal deficit with less than a minute to play, or erasing a one-goal deficit entering the third period? It's the Sharks game. I know I'm supposed to make a case for the Penguins game, but come on people, the correct answer is the Sharks game! The By NBC Sports Washington April 20, 2020 1:30 AM win against Pittsburgh should not have even made it this far. Washington was trailing by one goal. One! And they had a full period to work with! That's a great comeback? With the NHL hitting pause on the 2019-20 season, NBC Sports Washington is looking back at the highlights from the first 69 games of Listen, this was a great game, the Caps scored four times in the third the regular season. The Comeback Caps dug many holes and climbed period against their biggest rival. It was fun to watch, but it was not as back out of a large number of them, but which comeback was the best? epically crazy as the San Jose game.

We've gone through all of the best comebacks and we've narrowed it The win over the Sharks was the first time in franchise history down to the top two. Here is the final matchup. Washington has come back from a two-goal deficit in the final minute of a game to win! That should get your vote, not a one-goal comeback FINAL: Stunning the Sharks (Jason Murphy) vs. 4-goal 3rd period against Pittsburgh. against Pittsburgh (JJ Regan) You decide! The Set-up CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND JM: The game was over. The Caps, with an empty net, turned the puck over at the blue line and with one pass Logan Couture was all alone for We’re down to the final two games of the Caps Best Comebacks bracket: the empty netter to seal the win. Except there was still a minute left. It ain’t over ‘til it’s over. Caps overcome 2-goal deficit in final minute, stun Sharks in OT

JJ: After two periods, the Caps had only 10 total shots on goal. vs Pittsburgh, meanwhile, erased a 1-0 deficit with two goals in a span of 26 Caps score 4 goals in third period to beat Penguins seconds thanks to Patric Hornqvist and Sidney Crosby. Entering the third period, Washington had no offense, no momentum and seemingly little Which was better? chance to battle back against their hated rivals. — NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) April 20, 2020 The Comeback Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.21.2020 JM: Listen, every Caps fan loves beating the Penguins. Any grade- schooler knows that. No Caps fan thinks fondly back about that time that Caps beat the Sharks. But this was historic. Off a failed clear by the Sharks, Jakub Vrana found the loose puck in the slot, spun and fired it past Martin Jones. Forty-six seconds left, still down a goal, but still with time. Alex Ovechkin at the point threw it down the wall where Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nick Backstrom dug it out and Kuznetsov threw it to the slot where T.J. Oshie didn't waste a breath and rifled it past Jones to tie things at 4. A 3-on-3 overtime ensues where anything can happen. Evander Kane had a great chance for his fourth goal of the night turned away by Braden Holtby, then Holtby denied a breakaway from Brent Burns before banking a stretch pass off the boards to John Carlson barreling through center. End-to-end and a 2-on-1 developed for Carlson and Lars Eller who took the pass from Carlson and fired it home.

The Caps were the first team in 15 years to overcome a 2-goal deficit in the final minute of regulation and win the game. That kind of history is surely better than a run-of-the-mill victory over the hated Penguins.

JJ: Tom Wilson scored less than two minutes into the third period on a 4- on-4 breakaway opportunity as he forced a neutral zone turnover which Backstrom tipped back to him to spring the breakaway. Washington restored its lead just over three minutes after Wilson's tying goal with Carl Hagelin scoring a key goal against his former team on a relentless scrum in front of goalie Matt Murray.

Just as Washington retook the momentum, however, Evgeni Malkin scored the goal of the night, nutmegging John Carlson before shooting it past Holtby. The Caps, however, would not be denied and Oshie responded less than two minutes later. Hagelin would add the empty- netter for the team's fourth goal of the period and the Caps would earn the victory.

The Importance

JM: In the grand scheme of things, it’s a January win over a Western Conference opponent. But... Holtby started to get his groove back, the Caps continued to learn that they are never out of a game and they made franchise history. A pretty good Sunday at the office if you ask me.

JJ: It's always good to win against the Penguins. The win snapped a four- game losing streak and the Caps vaulted back over Pittsburgh to reclaim first place in the Metropolitan Division.

Which comeback gets your vote? 1183285 Washington Capitals

Kovalchuk and Oshie have not talked about the epic Sochi shootout

By J.J. Regan April 20, 2020 10:00 AM

Ilya Kovalchuk and T.J. Oshie were linked long before they became teammates in Washington. In the 2014 Winter held in Sochi, both players met in the epic shootout game between Russia and the United States.

With the game tied at 2 after overtime, a shootout was needed to determine the winner. In international rules, you do not need to cycle through the players, you can pick the same one to continue shooting. That's essentially what both teams did after the first three shooters. Russia began cycling through Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk, while USA turned to Oshie.

Kovalchuk made two out of his four shots, Oshie scored four out of his six including the game-winner.

And yet, surprisingly, this game is not a topic of conversation in the Caps' locker room.

In a recent appearance on the Cam & Strick Podcast, Kovalchuk was asked if he and Oshie had spoken about the shootout.

"No, actually we didn't, but I know why he's scoring, I don't know what his percentage on penalty shots, but he's really skilled overall," Kovalchuk said. "You can see him practice those little things he did with the puck and stuff. He's a great player obviously, but he beat both me and Datsyuk. We were switching every time and he was going to take every shot."

Oshie's clearly a bigger man than me. I would probably bring it up just about every day. In the end, however, neither team went on to medal in the Sochi Olympics so the game turned out to be worth nothing more than bragging rights. But hey, it's Russia-USA. Bragging rights are better than nothing.

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Alex Ovechkin accepts ALL IN Challenge offering private lesson from his 'office'

By J.J. Regan April 20, 2020 6:00 AM

Alex Ovechkin took to Twitter Sunday to accept the ALL IN Challenge and he is auctioning off a pretty incredible experience in support. The ALL IN Challenge is a digital fundraiser by Fanatics that is aimed at combating food insecurity. The idea is to raise money through sweepstakes and auctions with celebrities giving up memorabilia or experiences.

Ovechkin has quite the experience planned for the winner of his auction.

I have accepted the @allinchallenge I hope we can help lots of people!!!Go to https://t.co/uEGxqcZLJ9 and see what you can do!! I also want to challenge my boy Ryan Zimmerman from the @nationals the @capitals organization and @snoopdogg to go ALL IN to help!!! #allinchallange pic.twitter.com/OlrIrlzHWI

— Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) April 19, 2020

The experience is listed out in detail on the auction page here.

The winner will get four round-trip airfare tickets to Washington and a two-night hotel stay, a 30-minute lesson on shooting one-timers with Ovechkin after a practice, four tickets to the game the following day after the practice, and will be brought down to the locker room after the game to receive an autographed game-used stick.

Sounds awesome, right? Well, if you want to get in on the auction you better bring your checkbook. As of 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, the current bid in the auction was $13,500.

Hey, it's for a good cause.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183287 Winnipeg Jets Reichel’s development underlines another important lesson for young players: it doesn’t matter what round you got drafted in or whether you got drafted at all.

Harkins proved hard work can pay off "At some point it doesn’t apply anymore. To us it’s about what are you doing now. How are you improving? If you help us win hockey games, who cares?" said Vincent about a player’s draft number.

By: Mike McIntyre A pair of first-rounders, Logan Stanley (2016) and Kristian Vesalainen (2017), are still finding their way at the pro level. Stanley, 21, is still

growing into his 6-7, 242-pound frame but has shown progress, 22-year-old Jansen Harkins' (left) promotion to the Winnipeg Jets saw according to his coach. him net seven points in his first 29 NHL games. "For him to get used to his body and play at the level he needs to play, The teacher wastes no time identifying the star pupil. it’s going to take a little longer than usual," said Vincent. "I believe he could be called up tomorrow and do a decent job with the Jets, but that’s "Jansen Harkins is the story of 2019-20," head coach not the point. We want you to get called up and do so well that you stay Pascal Vincent said Monday. there."

When Harkins began his third professional season in the AHL, Vincent Vincent feels Kristian Vesalainen is on the right path in his development said an NHL call-up was a long shot at best with several other prospects as a player. ahead of him on the depth chart. As for Vesalainen, the 21-year-old probably suffers from unfair But a tremendous summer of training led to 31 points in his first 30 comparisons to another first-round Finnish player, Patrik Laine, who games with the Moose and had Harkins near the top of the league’s seamlessly made the jump to the NHL. scoring race. That earned the 22-year-old a promotion to the Winnipeg Jets, where he continued opening eyes with seven points in his first 29 "Two different players, two different individuals. Having spent a lot of time NHL games. with Ves, he puts a lot of pressure on himself and wants to make it really bad," said Vincent. "I think he’s on the right path but he’s following more "Jansen Harkins did it right. He did everything right. For him to come of a normal path than the exception." back this year, getting a little bit faster, a little bit stronger, a little bit quicker. He spent a lot of time studying the systems, watching video, Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.21.2020 asking questions. A very low–maintenance guy but he was very demanding of himself."

"I have players who come into my office and ask ‘When I am gonna get called up? Is it my time? Why is this guy getting called up?’ They’re all legitimate questions, they’re all fair. Players have the right to ask those questions. They all want to play for the Jets and want to know where they stand. But Jansen Harkins never did. Not one time," Vincent said.

Instead, Harkins quietly went about his work, which included a brief demotion to the ECHL during the 2017-18 season.

"Jansen Harkins did it right. He did everything right," said Vincent. "For him to come back this year, getting a little bit faster, a little bit stronger, a little bit quicker. He spent a lot of time studying the systems, watching video, asking questions. A very low-maintenance guy but he was very demanding of himself."

And just like that, his moment finally arrived. Vincent said it’s a tremendous lesson for all players, that development isn’t always a straight line, and that hard work and patience can pay off.

"Of course we’re going to use this story for a long time. If you push yourself and keep believing in yourself, good things will happen," said Vincent.

There were several other success stories this year as well.

Manitoba Moose Goalie Mikhail Berdin made huge strides this season.

Goaltender Mikhail Berdin made huge strides in his second year of pro hockey, which included a big run of games early in the season after veteran goalie Eric Comrie was claimed on waivers by the Arizona Coyotes. The 22-year-old Berdin appears to have a bright future.

Same goes for defenceman Leon Gawanke, a 20-year-old fifth-round pick by the Jets in 2017 who had 26 points in 48 games in his rookie season for the Moose after finishing up his junior career.

"At the end of the year he was running the top power play for us. We knew about his hockey sense, but we didn’t know how well he could apply his reads at this level," said Vincent.

The undrafted Kristian Reichel, playing on an AHL deal, had 12 goals in 39 games and may have played his way into a two-way NHL deal by next season.

Vincent believes Logan Stanley could be called up tomorrow and do a decent job with the Jets.

"As a coach, he’s the type of guy you really loved. He’s bringing his best every day. His maturity, his decision-making, his compete level is off the chart," said Vincent. 1183288 Winnipeg Jets his first five years in Winnipeg as an assistant coach with the big club, first under Claude Noel and then .

Vincent is an astute mind who can relate to young players, after spending Jets have no worries about lead farmhand five years as a player in the QMJHL, then a combined 11 years as a head coach with the Quebec major-junior league’s Cape Breton NHL squad's prospect pipeline in good hands with Vincent Screaming Eagles and the Montreal Juniors before getting his first NHL gig the year the Jets returned to Winnipeg.

"A weird season in so many ways. One that I hope we never experience By: Mike McIntyre again."

— Manitoba Moose head coach Pascal Vincent Manitoba Moose Head coach Pascal Vincent is seen as a key cog in the He’s a great communicator and is very much on the same page with the organizational pipeline of the Winnipeg Jets. Jets in terms of implementing systems and a consistent message of what Class may no longer be in session for Pascal Vincent, at least not in the it takes to get to the next level, and then stick. That’s something Maurice usual sense with the hockey season currently on indefinite pause due to has brought up numerous times this season. COVID-19. "When there’s player movement, there’s no adjustment other than the But the man tasked with leading the next generation of Winnipeg Jets speed of the game. But the hockey language is the same, the terms, the prospects is staying busy these days, helping to home-school his nine- way we do things, how we prepare before morning skate, during the year-old daughter while also reflecting on the valuable lessons learned morning skates. There’s no adjustment, just a different logo on the front over an eventful season at the helm of the Jets’ AHL team, the Manitoba of their jersey," said Vincent. Moose. Vincent’s track record is impressive on that front, given the number of "Their patience is off the charts, way better than mine. And they’re former Moose players who have become regulars with the Jets. underpaid, big time," Vincent told me Monday of what he’s learned about Forwards Kyle Connor and Jack Roslovic and defenceman Tucker teachers during this pandemic while watching their daily Zoom calls. Poolman are the three biggest success stories to date, with Appleton, Harkins and Niku all knocking on the door for full-time work at that level. "They’re really, really good at repeating their message and staying patient and their ability to go into details. I’m learning quite a bit from That’s significant for a draft-and-develop franchise such as Winnipeg, them, actually." which had 14 homegrown talents on their roster when the NHL season was paused last month. That’s high praise, especially coming from someone who knows a thing or two about shaping young minds. Vincent’s area of expertise isn’t math Vincent told me he’d love to get back to the NHL but only if it’s as a head or geography, but the X’s and O’s associated with professional hockey. coach, which is his ultimate goal. And if that doesn’t come to fruition or takes a long time, he’s more than happy to remain with the Moose for the Manitoba Moose head coach Pascal Vincent did some of his finest work foreseeable future. this season despite an overall record of 27-33-1. For that reason, you can probably rule him out from returning by Vincent gets more than just a passing grade in that respect. He is the Maurice’s side, now that former assistant coach Todd Woodcroft has perfect man for the job, a key cog in the organizational pipeline who did taken a college head coaching job in Vermont. Vincent is far more some of his finest work this season despite an overall record of 27-33-1, valuable to the organization right now mentoring the Moose. which would be an unfair measuring stick in this case. "The relationship we’ve built over the years and the ways we’ve been Consider: Jets training camp began with a bang, with Dustin Byfuglien’s treated by everybody, not just the organization but by the community, has retirement bombshell having a trickle-down effect that meant one less been amazing," said Vincent, whose wife has been working long days blue-liner would be on the Moose roster. Then came the loss of Vincent’s recently in the health-care field. No. 1 netminder, Eric Comrie, to a waiver-wire pickup by the Arizona Coyotes, a move Vincent described as feeling like they’d "lost a leg" "I don’t just like the people I work with, I love the people I work with. And given the veteran goalie’s important role on the team, both on and off the its not that we always agree, we don’t, but we disagree respectively. ice. Every morning I get up and get to coach hockey and work with amazing people. I feel very, very lucky." They eventually got Comrie back, only to have top scorer Jansen Harkins get called up to the big club, never to be seen in the AHL again. Moose True North should also feel fortunate to have Vincent in the fold. With him captain Peter Stoykewych went down in November with a major injury at the helm of the Moose, the Jets’ future appears to be in good hands. that would cost him the rest of his season. Top blue-liner Sami Niku Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.21.2020 seemingly couldn’t stay healthy, either.

Numerous injuries among the Jets meant a revolving door with the Moose, with Harkins, Niku, Mason Appleton, Logan Shaw, Kristian Vesalainen, Joona Luoto (prior to suffering a season-ending injury), Andrei Chibisov, C.J. Suess, Cam Schilling, Nelson Nogier, David Gustaffson and Ville Heinola (prior to returning to Finland) all coming in and out of the lineup at various points.

The Moose lost No. 1 netminder Eric Comrie when he was a waiver-wire pickup by the Arizona Coyotes.

Add it all up and a whopping 40 players (36 skaters, four goaltenders) suited up for at least one Moose game this season. And that was before the coronavirus shutdown, with 15 games left on the Moose regular- season schedule that likely aren’t going to get played. The AHL, like the NHL, hasn’t officially cancelled at this point, with the possibility of summer hockey on the horizon.

"A weird season in so many ways. One that I hope we never experience again," is how Vincent described it to me.

The personable 48-year-old native of Laval, Que., checks off all the boxes an NHL club would want from someone in charge of their top prospects. Vincent has done that for the past four seasons after spending 1183289 Winnipeg Jets The unlabeled slice of pie is a combination of the various creative schemes you came up with.

“Use each team’s most recent 68 games played.” Subscribers were a little less keen on Winnipeg’s assistant coaches — “Coin flips.” Charlie Huddy, Jamie Kompon, Wade Flaherty, Matt Prefontaine (and Todd Woodcroft, until recently.) And “there are more important issues at play.”

Still, the majority of you prefer play-ins or a completion of the regular season if the NHL resumes play. Of course, there’s no way you were Staff influenced by Winnipeg’s unique spot in the standings — in the playoffs by points, out of them by points percentage — right?

This isn’t a perfect summation of each coach’s role but Huddy leads the Whatever happens, count me in the camp that says a 2020 Stanley Cup, Jets’ defence and PK, Kompon is known for the power play, Flaherty is as unlikely as it might feel today, would mean a lot — if and only if it were Winnipeg’s goaltending coach and Prefontaine runs video. The only one able to be played safely. I don’t agree with Drew Doughty or others who of these coaches singled out by a subscriber’s comments was Huddy — think it would come with an asterisk — as soon as you drop that puck, and the person who brought him up was not a fan. players and teams will care.

“I have no idea why no one talks about the assistants and focuses Let’s say Winnipeg makes the playoffs. How far would they realistically everything on Paul. Defence and the PK are the Jets’ biggest problems go? and Huddy is responsible for both of them. Even at its best, the D corps If there are playoffs and if the Jets are in them, three-quarters of you was still nowhere near as good as it should have been. From 16-17 on, believe that Winnipeg would win at least one round, while 22.3 percent of Huddy had 3 years of Morrissey/Trouba/Buff/Myers/Enstrom (for 2 of you have the Jets making the Western Conference final, as they did in them) in his top 6, yet over those three years we were somehow still 13th 2018. in the league in (unblocked shots against).” Times are tough right now. I’m going to let you have this one. Still, 59.4 percent of subscribers are satisfied with the assistant coaches, including Huddy. That comment was the only one to single out an The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 assistant by name but it does not appear to be the majority opinion.

How confident are you in Winnipeg’s amateur scouting?

Be patient. Draft and develop. Trust the process. Whatever words you want to give to it, Jets fans are confident in the work done by Winnipeg’s amateur scouts. While certain successes were gifted to Winnipeg — hello, Patrik Laine — the success of first-round players like Mark Scheifele, Jacob Trouba, Josh Morrissey, Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyle Connor and Jack Roslovic has given Jets fans a lot to cheer about.

That said, I suspect a fan’s greatest bit of satisfaction from the draft comes from late-round smash hits so it would be wise to talk about Tucker Poolman, Mason Appleton and Connor Hellebuyck, plus mid- round hits like Jansen Harkins, Andrew Copp and Adam Lowry.

Logan Stanley is tracking to be the biggest miss, given that Manitoba Moose coach Pascal Vincent called him “a project that’s going to take some time,” but Winnipeg is staying patient with the 21-year-old defenceman.

All in all, you’re extremely happy with your scouts.

How confident are you in Winnipeg’s professional scouting?

You’re confident in your professional scouts but not quite as enamoured by them as you are by things on the amateur side.

One subscriber put it this way: “I think management has been great on amateur scouting, but slow to embrace analytics on the professional side and that these two exist in tension with each other. It’s akin to owning a gold mine with a great mining team and then being unable to get the best price at the market for that gold because of how the rest of the operation is run.”

The many of you who praised the pro scouts called Neal Pionk and Dylan DeMelo diamonds in the rough.

On paper, how good were the Jets on opening night (without Byfuglien?)

There’s 78 percent of you that agree with The Athletic’s season preview. That said, the overall outlook without Byfuglien is dire — as it should be, in my opinion.

On paper, how good is the Jets current roster (with DeMelo and Eakin)?

With the additions of Dylan DeMelo and Cody Eakin (plus Luca Sbisa, Carl Dahlström and Nick Shore along the way), Jets fans got a whole lot more optimistic. The number of you who see a surefire playoff miss has dropped to almost nothing, while 40 percent of you see a surefire playoff team.

I suspect that Winnipeg’s 6-3-1 stretch leading into the league’s pause has an awful lot to do with that.

Let’s say there are playoffs this summer. How should they be decided? 1183290 Vancouver Canucks team playoff format to ensure an off-season and eventual launch of the 2020-21 schedule.

“They’re preparing for when we can get back to practising and playing, Ben Kuzma: Canucks cornered by COVID-19 mass-gathering edict, 'fear but they don’t share too much because of the unknown,” stressed of the unknown' Benning. “We don’t get into situations that may or may not happen three months from now.”

The Canucks had 13 games left over 24 days when the season was Ben Kuzma paused March 12. The initial playoff housing concept was a remote arena location without fans. That would diminish COVID-19 concerns, but

players have reservations about being sequestered in a hotel and away 'The fear of the unknown is that if they do open things back up, does it from families. However, to recover revenue and reduce the escrow, mean we have another (positive-case) spike?' playoffs make the most sense.

Long-standing NHL buzzwords like ‘the left-wing lock’ and ‘neutral-zone With teams having a difference in games played, points percentage is the trap’ have been replaced by long-term novel coronavirus pandemic entry criteria. Top four clubs in each conference would get first-round jargon like ‘community immunity’ and ‘computer modelling’. byes and the remaining eight would contest best-of-three, play-in series. The Canucks would be seeded sixth and face the ninth-seeded Arizona For the Vancouver Canucks, the latest think-small edict by B.C. health Coyotes. That would get playoffs down to the traditional 16 teams for the officials to avoid mass gatherings until at least the fall — even though second round. small-group restrictions could be eased in a month — will force the club and league to strike a balance between good health and good business There has to be more site vetting because as COVID-19 cases decrease practices. in the west, there has been the thought of Las Vegas hosting playoffs with players sequestered in casino hotels. And maybe Vancouver also The PNE is rethinking its scheduled Aug. 22-Sept. 7 prominent presence gets on that bigger-city-thinking radar with multiple arenas and hotels? on the entertainment calendar. So are other events. What about the Canucks? What if directives to restrict large gatherings extend into 2021 Who knows? as the world awaits a vaccine? “We’re in a holding pattern,” said Benning of doing day-to-day business. On Monday, B.C. health officials reported 52 new positive COVID-19 “It depends on if we play or don’t play, and what the salary cap looks like cases from Saturday to noon Monday, which brought the provincial total next season. We have to let it play out.” to 1,699. There are 49 patients in intensive care, 86 have succumbed to Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.21.2020 the disease and 1,039 have recovered.

The positive-case curve continues to flatten here, but being prudent far outweighs the pursuit of lost NHL revenue — US$1 billion if the season and playoffs are scuttled — and soaring escrow for players. And even though some teams are losing $1 million for every lost regular-season game, a figure that only grows in the playoffs, health has to trump wealth.

“It seems in Vancouver, we’re doing pretty well with it (the COVID-19 curve) and I don’t know if that means we’re on the other side of it,” said Canucks general manager . “The fear of the unknown is that if they do open things back up, does it mean we have another (positive- case) spike and have to shut things down again? These are the things that nobody knows.”

And nobody really knows how to safely seat patrons in next season.

Social distancing isn’t going away in the new normal. Safeguards could include keeping fans far away from each other — two or three seats apart — to alleviate obvious health concerns. But is that even possible?

Canucks vice-president of communications Chris Brumwell said he hadn’t heard of seating scenarios and that his sense is “everything is so hypothetical right now.”

Which is understandable.

Would there be advanced patron screening or testing by next season, or taking temperatures outside the venue? And would as little as 6,000 fans instead of 18,000 be enough of a stimulus for ownership, even with reduced luxury-suite, concession, souvenir and parking revenues?

Sam Lu, 28, has two Canuck season-ticket seats in Section 108. He hasn’t heard about any distancing proposals for seating, but has obvious concerns.

“I thought about this the other day, that they haven’t thought of this at all,” said Lu, a West End resident employed in real estate. “Concourses and bathrooms are not wide. And unless you have mass testing, you wait until there’s a vaccine.

“I would be pretty damn uncomfortable. You don’t want to be sitting next to a person who may or not be sick, and you wouldn’t want to make them sick. And even if you reopen it (arena), how many people would come in that scenario? You need a vaccine or a superfast, day-of testing to make this happen.”

League GMs will conduct a conference call Tuesday with NHL officials to review the possible cancelling of the regular season and a revamped 24- 1183291 Vancouver Canucks Thank you. Toronto goaltender Johnny Bower makes save on Canadiens’ Gilles

Tremblay (5) during the 1967 Stanley Cup Final, which the Maple Leafs Willes' Musings: Desperate to finish season, NHL may have bigger won in six games. Toronto hasn’t won the Cup since and the Canadiens- issues with next season Maple Leafs rivalry has never been the same. HOCKEY HALL OF FAME/CBC

• Watched Game 6 of the 1967 Stanley Cup Final between the Leafs and Ed Willes Canadiens over the weekend and was fascinated by a couple of things.

— Teams were allowed to dress 16 skaters but the Leafs played the game with nine forwards and four defencemen. Mike Walton played a We’re not sure if this is Monday but let’s operate under that premise and couple of shifts on the power play. Eddie Shack and Bobby Baun, two plow ahead with the musings and meditations on the world of sports. pretty good players, didn’t see the ice. • It sounds daft but it will be easier for the NHL to squeeze in some Tim Horton and Allan Stanley, the Leafs’ top defensive pair, must have mutated form of this season than to play a full 2020-21 season. played 35 minutes each. That might also be the ultimate commentary on the impact of the COVID- — The size of the players. Frank Mahovlich was nicknamed The Big M. 19 outbreak. He was 6-foot-1 and weighed 200 pounds. The Canadiens’ John The NHL, it seems, is clinging to the idea that they can finish 2019-20 by Ferguson was the heavyweight champ of the NHL. He was listed at 6- playing in some isolated outposts in front of empty stands, then hold foot and 180 pounds. some version of a Stanley Cup tournament. It seems far-fetched but if — The durability of that generation. Dave Keon, who was sensational in numbers continue to flatten over the next couple of months and the Leafs Cup-clinching win, was still playing 17 years later. Horton was restrictions are relaxed it’s conceivable the biodome approach could 36 that season. He was playing in Buffalo seven years later when he died work. in a car crash. For the Habs, J.C. Tremblay was playing 12 years later Besides, Grand Forks, North Dakota, in the dead of summer has to be with Quebec in the WHA. experienced at least once in everyone’s lifetime. • And finally, last week Dale Hawerchuk rang the Bell of Hope after he Less plausible, however, is the idea the same approach could be used completed his final round of chemotherapy in Barrie and there was for a full schedule. The projections of the medical community vary greatly something poignant and powerful in that moment. but the overwhelming consensus is some form of social distancing will be It starts with Hawerchuk, a hockey lifer who’s made a boatload of friends in place for the foreseeable future. in his 40-plus years in the game. As a player, he might have been the That rules out the gathering of large crowds. That rules out a live second-best centre in the game, non-Gretzky division, when he was at audience for the NHL. his peak in the mid-80s. The problem was few people knew because he played in Winnipeg. The leaves the biodome option, but how many players would agree to shutting themselves out from their family and the world for six or seven He would eventually fashion a Hall-of-Fame career — 1,409 points in months to play a full slate of games in the middle of nowhere? 1,188 games, not bad — but his second act as the coach and GM of the was just as meaningful. One of the most astute minds in the Even if the league finds a way to finish this season by the end of the game, he helped develop players like Mark Schiefele, , the summer, they’ll be right back to where we are now. A vaccine is, Canucks’ Tanner Pearson, Andrei Svechnikov and others in a decade minimally, a year off. Without a vaccine, people won’t be able to gather in with the Colts before he stepped away in September because of stomach large numbers. cancer.

Things might get better for the general population in a couple of months The chemo treatments started in the fall. but that means, what? They’ll be able to attend weddings? They can hold family parties? “For some reason the Lord put me in this kind of fight and I’m ready to fight it,” he told NHL.com. “I want to live to tell the story.” It doesn’t mean 18,000 people will be sitting together watching sports. As we work through these dark days, it’s hard to see any light in the Canucks GM Jim Benning, new head coach Travis Green and former relentless onslaught of genuinely crappy news. Maybe you had to know president of hockey operations, Trevor Linden at Rogers Arena when Hawerchuk. Or maybe you just had to read about him ringing that bell. Green was hired on April 26, 2017. Arlen Redekop / PNG Either way, he provided something in that one simple act, something to do with hope and the idea that things can get better. • Things you find out when you start poking around the history of the Vancouver Canucks. We all needed to see that. We all needed to hear the bell ringing.

According to a former member of the organization, the famous 1998 Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.21.2020 trade which sent Trevor Linden from the Canucks to the Islanders for , Bryan McCabe and a third-round pick was the second iteration of that deal.

The first involved Linden going to the Islanders for Bertuzzi, McCabe and, wait for it, Travis Green.

The story goes the Canucks and Islanders had hammered out the framework of the trade before the Canucks, whose front office was in turmoil, dithered. Green, then a third-line centre, eventually was sent to Anaheim with Doug Houda and Tony Tuzzolino for — ta da — former Canucks’ first-rounder J.J. Daigneault, Mark Janssens and Joe Sacco.

The next day, Linden was dealt for Bertuzzi, McCabe and a third-rounder who turned out to be Jarkko Ruutu.

“Wow,” Green said, when apprised of this story. “Haven’t heard that one. That would have changed a lot of things.”

• Couple of thoughts on self-isolation:

Gardening is highly overrated.

Golf is highly underrated. 1183292 Vancouver Canucks very good job, because Hughes honestly had no idea what I was talking about.

“Yeah, I don’t know if I do that. Like, do I have the puck?” a clearly Rise of the odd couple: On Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson’s elite confused Hughes asked. partnership “I think you start a skating move before you get it sometimes,” I responded, in an attempt to unmuddy the waters.

By Thomas Drance Apr 20, 2020 “I have a good idea of what I’m going to do before I get the puck, but I don’t think I start it before I get it. Because I’d lose the puck. No. Why would someone sell for the spin if I start it before I get the puck? When I’ve got the puck, I have to sell that I’m passing and then spin, I can’t just Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes aren’t just teammates, they’re spin!” Hughes said. cornerstones. Luckily, Hughes’ teammate Troy Stecher – sitting in the next stall and On the road, they’re roommates. On days off in Vancouver, they’re laughing as the interview went south – intervened and gave a more brunch pals. And when they’re on the ice together, they’re almost muted example. His example clicked for Hughes and despite unstoppable. understanding what I was getting at, he shrugged and answered, “I don’t Overall, the Canucks profiled like a fringe playoff team through 69 games know. Whatever I have to do to make space. If it works, I’ll do it.” of the 2019-20 season: a club with significant offensive pop, quality In another exchange later on in the season, I approached Hughes to get special teams and excellent goaltending held back from more credible a sense of the work he’d put in to improve his shot. His shot velocity was contention by a too-permissive defensive game and overall depth issues. said to be a question mark in his draft year, I recalled, something that In Hughes’ first full NHL season (or thereabouts), the Canucks were a seems ridiculous when you watch him regularly blow point shots by different, altogether more formidable side when he and Pettersson were goaltenders on the Canucks power play less than two years later. on the ice together. He insisted there was no specific work he’d done. Just reps, good old Consider that the Canucks were outscored by four goals at 5-on-5 this fashioned offseason work teeing up passes from his brother – New season and yet, when Pettersson and Hughes took simultaneous 5-on-5 Jersey Devils centre Jack Hughes. shifts, the Canucks were essentially peerless. In those Hughes and Pettersson minutes, the Canucks managed to control games unlike any “Well, people have to nitpick something,” Hughes said of the question other team in the league, throttling opponents on the scoreboard by a marks around his shot in his draft year. “It’s gotten better, I’ve got better than 2:1 margin. stronger and I’m using it a bit more. I think it’s good though, I’ve never been worried about it.” In fact, if you sort every team in the NHL based on how they performed at 5-on-5 in the minutes in which their top point-producing centremen Asked if he put in extra work to improve, Hughes’ answer was typical. shared the ice with his most frequent blueliner teammate, the Canucks stand alone at the very top of the league by both shot-attempt differential “No, it’s nothing crazy. I work hard at everything I do. When I’m on the ice and raw goal differential: in the summer, I’ll get 50 pucks and shoot them, work on specific one- timers, but it goes along with the rest of my game.” There’s some noise in those results – the Canucks converted north of 13 percent of shots with Pettersson and Hughes on the ice together 5-on-5, “There’s nothing I put into it, I shoot, that’s it. There’s nothing specific.” a figure likely to prove unsustainable – and it doesn’t account for As conversations in this vein continued throughout the season, I began to deployment, which matters. Still, Hughes and Pettersson’s relative workshop a theory. performance among this starry cohort by both underlying and bottom-line metrics is astounding, particularly considering that Pettersson is 21- Hughes grew up in a hockey family, his parents were both high-level years-old, Hughes is 20-years-old and both play premium positions. collegiate athletes and his father worked in player development with the Toronto Maple Leafs – often taking Quinn with him to Kitchener or It’s also fascinating to step back and consider the “how of it all.” Neither Guelph to watch OHL games. And of course, his two younger brothers Hughes nor Pettersson is an imposing physical force, not at this juncture are both elite players in their own right. of their career anyway. Instead, their excellence is built on smarts, on being true hockey players. They’re on-ice geniuses who share an elite Coming up in junior hockey in greater Toronto, Hughes dominated, aptitude for spatial problem solving. earning the nickname “the worm” in recognition of his on-ice elusiveness.

That they appear to be force enhancers for one another isn’t surprising Undersized and surrounded by so much talent throughout his either, particularly considering the way they seem to think and play the development as a young man, my theory is that Hughes’ deep level of game so similarly. on-ice awareness became instinct and his unique hockey intelligence developed a certain subconscious level to it. Hughes makes insane plays “Petey is really creative, he’s really smart, he wants to make plays and constantly, regularly does things I’ve never seen, things that even amaze look for players and I’m trying to do the same thing …” Hughes told The his NHL peers, but he doesn’t seem to process those things as special. Athletic at a Canucks practice back in October. “It’s easy to connect with a guy like that. If you’re open, he’s going to hit you. If he’s open, I’m To observers, it’s amazing. To Hughes, he’s just playing hockey. going to do the same thing. I think our skill set is complimentary.” He shoots it, that’s it. “We think the game very similarly, and with Hughes, I know he can make a defender miss,” echoed Pettersson at the same practice. “So it’s easier I laid my theory out for Hughes the week before the season was for me to create and skate to an open position and a scoring chance.” scrubbed, and he mostly seemed to think it was fair.

What’s been most fascinating for me to observe in my first season “You learn being around good players,” Hughes said. “For me, I’m a covering these two young men every day, is that for the clear similarities smaller guy and you need to learn how to play this type of game, or in how they see, process and play the game, they’re wired so differently. you’re not going to make it. You have to learn how to create space. The game keeps getting harder so you have to evolve. It’s adapt or die. Hughes is the natural. I recall an exchange I had with the young Canucks blueliner in Detroit during the fall. I approached him after a pro scout “I watch hockey, but I don’t watch too much video,” Hughes continued. “I pointed out that Hughes starts moving his feet, his hips, even starting don’t know. You watch games, you see a good play, it’s like “that’s cool, spins a bit early to misdirect checkers before he receives passes on in- that’s smart” and you take it. I watch hockey, I watch good players and I zone play. The scout described it as amazing, something coaches would learn from them. get mad at 98 percent of players for even attempting. “Growing up, I had my dad, he always taught me and then you teach I wanted to follow up and ask Hughes about it. So I begin to describe a yourself. How can I create? How can I make more plays? Especially play from a game the previous weekend in the New York area, in which because it gets harder at every level.” Hughes seemed to start a spin before he received the puck. I didn’t do a If Hughes is the natural (and “the worm”), then Pettersson is the savant (or “the alien”). Hughes claims to have improved his shot by just putting in reps in the There are still two more years to play before they both enter what we summer, whereas the tale of how Pettersson developed into a premier would historically expect to be their prime seasons. That’s an exciting marksman the year after he was drafted involves him breaking his shot prospect for Vancouver hockey fans. down scientifically into 12 parts and mastering them each individually. And it’s a prospect that raises the stakes significantly for what comes “I feel like everything I do, I can always do it better,” Pettersson told The next. Athletic in February. “If everything was perfect, I’d never make a mistake out there or make a bad play. The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020

“I’m still working on my shot, to be honest. I want to get my one-timer better, work at it every day …

“It’s those small techniques that I’m such a nerd about.”

Where Hughes seems to experience the special decisions he makes on the ice as no big deal, because to him, he’s just making the obvious play, Pettersson processes the game like Deep Blue processes chess. And he can break down the choices he makes with an uncanny level of clarity, deliberation and detail.

This sharp distinction between the two, to me anyway, makes them something like the hockey version of “The Odd Couple.”

Observing and talking with Hughes and Pettersson over the course of this season, I’m convinced this analogy extends beyond the rink as well.

Where Pettersson is fashionable to the point he jokes about knowing some of the salespeople at the Holt Renfrew in downtown Vancouver, Hughes is nearly always in sweatsuits leaving Canucks practice. He was the most popular pick in our Canucks player poll for worst dressed.

Where Hughes lives out of his suitcase on the road, Pettersson likes to neatly unpack and sort his gear at every stop the club makes on a road trip – a dynamic that Pettersson was happy to grind Hughes about when the VIPs asked him about it in late February.

“He steps into the hotel room, I’m trying to be neat, put my bag where it’s not taking up space,” Pettersson said of rooming with Hughes. “Then he comes in, throws the bag in the middle of the room, opens it up, takes out his suits, puts it over the chair. Lays in bed, kicks off his shoes. Then his socks off, just kicks them too. He’s very messy.”

When we asked Hughes for his response, he was somewhat less forthcoming.

“I read the thing, he’s just so dramatic. Let’s just leave it at that.”

Perfect.

If there’s a divergent dynamic in how Hughes and Pettersson dress, drop their bags on the road and process the decisions they make on the ice, there’s another crucial trait they share, a thought that should be as frightening for other NHL coaches as it is exciting for Canucks fans: that capacity for learning that all great NHL players have.

Canucks coaches say that neither Hughes nor Pettersson needs to be told about mistakes they’ve made. They just know. And they tend not to make the same ones again.

These are players that get it.

This is why it was a big moment for Hughes this season when he made a defensive mistake and tried to take the body on Leon Draisaitl in the very first game of the regular season. Draisaitl burned Hughes once by overpowering him, and immediately Hughes adjusted, spending the rest of that game, and the rest of the season, using a quick stick and quicker feet to frustrate bigger forwards.

From an error, came an approach that permitted Hughes to hold his own and then some in a matchup role as 20-year-old – particularly in the last four months of the season before play was suspended.

And it’s why Pettersson was able to improve his point production and all- around game as a sophomore. That’s no small feat when dealing with an NHL environment where he was much more heavily scouted and game planned against, with defenders always on top him in the neutral zone to prevent him from getting a full head of steam on the rush and penalty killers cheating like crazy to take away his one-timer on the power play.

Together, they combined to drive the top end of the Canucks roster. Without even factoring in their power play excellence, they performed at a super-elite level throughout what history seems likely to record as a pandemic-shortened season.

And they’re just getting started, just scratching the surface. 1183293 Websites Jan. 3 Forwards: Bobby Hull, Rick MacLeish, Mike Walton

Defence: Ryan Ellis, Cory Cross The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Which birthday produces the best starting six in NHL history? Goaltender: Jacques Cloutier

This date features some big names like Bourque and Lemieux, but unfortunately, that would be Ryan and Real. We do get the real Bobby By Sean McIndoe Apr 20, 2020 Hull, and he has some decent support, but this team isn’t giving Mario and Patrick any real worries. It’s a decent proof-of-concept, the equivalent of a light warmup stretch, but that’s about it. We can do better Last summer, I wrote a post about which first names could produce the a bit further into the month. best starting six lineup in NHL history. The response from readers was immediate and overwhelming: OK, great, now do the same thing for Jan. 18 birthdays. Forwards: Mark Messier, Syl Apps, Brian Gionta Look, I know when I’m being mocked. And yes, rummaging through 366 Defence: Alex Pietrangelo, Dean Kennedy days’ worth of player data just to build a few imaginary teams full of stars and also-rans who’ve never played together or met or (in some cases) Goaltender: Jason LaBarbera been alive at the same time, all seems like a gigantic waste of several days. But gigantic wastes of days are kind of my beat, so I was tempted. Man, this team was feeling at least mildly frisky right up until we got to the goaltender, with two Hall-of-Famers up front and an All-Star on the I initially held off for two reasons. The first is that I figured I wouldn’t have blueline. the time to even consider such a weird concept until the offseason. That offseason came early this year, and it might last a while, so every crazy Jan. 21 idea is back on the table. Forwards: Dany Heatley, Doug Weight, Ulf Dahlen

But the second reason felt like the deal-breaker: There wouldn’t be any Defence: Ryan Suter, Moe Mantha suspense. We all knew which date was going to win. It wasn’t even worth digging into. Goaltender:

It’s obviously going to be Team Oct. 5. We don’t have any surefire Hall-of-Famers here, but we do get four modern-day All-Stars as part of a solid six-man lineup. Quick has a Conn That’s pretty much the greatest date in NHL superstar birthday history. Smythe, Heatley had multiple 50-goal seasons and Suter is definitely not Specifically, Oct. 5, 1965. That’s the day that two of the very best players on a bad contract. That’s not awful, but we can probably do better. in the sport’s history were both born, just a few hours and about 100 miles apart: and Patrick Roy. While we’re still in January, let’s check in on an entry some of you are probably wondering about … It’s a great bit of NHL trivia that also kind of ruins this whole “best birthday” concept. You start with two guys who have plausible cases as Jan. 26 the best to ever play their positions, and it’s over. Forwards: Wayne Gretzky, Frank Nighbor, Dale McCourt Or is it? When I finally got around to confirming my suspicion, I realized that the rest of Team Oct. 5 isn’t going to be quite as unbeatable as you Defence: Fred Barrett, Vic Lynn might think. In fact, it ends up looking something like this … Goaltender: Daniel Berthiaume

Oct. 5 Yeah, that’s what we’d call a top-heavy lineup. The Great One is at least Forwards: Mario Lemieux, , Dean Prentice joined by a fellow Hall-of-Famer in Nighbor, and McCourt was a first overall pick, but that’s about all the support this date can offer. Gretzky Defence: Fredrik Olausson, Bob Whitelaw vs. Lemieux makes for a great debate most of the time, but not when Mario has Roy in net and Wayne has to rely on The Bandit. Goaltender: Patrick Roy Feb. 7 Conacher won an Art Ross and made the Hall of Fame, while Prentice was a decent winger who played forever. Olausson was fine, but Forwards: Steven Stamkos, Ryan O’Reilly, Peter Bondra Whitelaw is a name from the 1940s and he barely played. Defence: Aaron Ekblad, Lee Fogolin It’s still a pretty intimidating group, if only because Lemieux and Roy alone would dominate most lineups. But it doesn’t seem invincible. With Goaltender: David Aebischer 365 more days to work with, there could be a challenger lurking out there This team starts strong but fades as we go. Still, that’s a hell of a forward somewhere. line. And our depth includes a WJC hero in John Slaney and a former Screw it, I don’t have anything better to do. Let’s make this happen. first overall pick in Alexandre Daigle. It’s not a bad group, but let’s skip ahead a week and see if Valentine’s Day can warm our hearts … As always, we start with a few quick ground rules: Feb. 14 We want three forwards, two defencemen and a goalie. Beyond that, positions or handedness won’t matter. Forwards: Marian Gaborik, Milan Hedjuk, Viktor Kozlov

Let’s assume everyone is alive and healthy and you get the player at the Defence: Calle Johansson, Petr Svoboda peak of their powers. Goaltender: Petr Mrazek

If you can’t fill out a full lineup, you’re out of the running. The goalies will No mega-stars, since we just miss Jaromir Jagr by one day. But that’s a trip a few teams up, but that’s life in the tough world of imaginary roster- solid roster top-to-bottom, and in a few years, Nikolaj Ehlers will probably building. push one of the forwards out. One question: Why are no North American We’ve set the bar high with Team Oct. 5. We’ll run through this stars born on Feb. 14? We’ll get our investigative reporters working on chronologically, so let’s see who wants to step up and challenge them for that one. the crown. Since we’re finding a lot to work with in February, let’s try a team you (Birthday data comes from hockey-reference.com. And special thanks to might have been wondering about: the NHL front office denizen who helped with the research but wishes to Feb. 29 remain anonymous because he doesn’t want people to know he talks to me.) Forwards: Henri Richard, Simon Gagne, Dan Daoust Defence: Kari Eloranta, Bobby Sanguinetti Mark Stone rocking pretty much the same haircuts. Just watch the stickwork, OK guys? Goaltender: Cam Ward June 24 That’s … not bad? I wasn’t sure they’d even be able to ice a team, but they end up delivering a Hall-of-Famer, a Conn Smythe winner and a Forwards: Wayne Cashman, Bernie Nicholls, two-time All-Star. Defence: Gary Suter, Uwe Krupp March 18 Goaltender: Drew MacIntyre Forwards: Guy Carbonneau, Bob Nevin, Gilles Hamel It’s a strong forward group, and Pierre-Luc Dubois is on the way up the Defence: Zdeno Chara, Guy Lapointe ranks. But the lack of goaltending, where we have to rely on a recent Obscure Player, will be the downfall. Still, it’s the best I can do in June. Goaltender: Cory Schneider OK, let’s call a quick timeout to address something you may have This team would be awfully tough to score on, especially if we’re invoking noticed: Our list started strong with lots of solid lineups in January and the “height of their powers” rule for Schneider. Chara and Lapointe is the February, but has kind of petered out into one or two a month as we best blueline we’ve seen yet, by far. Unfortunately, that defence-first make our way into the summer. What’s going on? approach extends to our forwards, where we’ve got a Selke-winning Hall- of-Famer but not much offensive prowess. Your first instinct might be “Sean is getting lazy,” but for once that’s not the answer. Instead, it’s that those early-year dates just seem to be As it turns out, a lack of firepower won’t be an issue for our next entry … better. And maybe that’s not surprising since there’s been a theory March 31 kicking around for a while now that early-year birthdays have an advantage when it comes to making the NHL. That’s because being even Forwards: Gordie Howe, Pavel Bure, Bob Pulford a few months older than other kids in early hockey is a big edge, and many later-year kids just never get the chance to catch up. Defence: Gord Lane, Brad Marsh It’s a theory, and this isn’t a scientific study, but the numbers back it up. Goaltender: Tom Barrasso And if you’re looking for anecdotal evidence from a guy who just spent Holy smokes. This team has three Hall-of-Famers up front, and yeah, way too much time clicking through NHL birthdays, yeah, I think they may Pulford’s selection was kind of dicey. I don’t care, because I’m picturing be on to something. Gordie Howe trucking whole teams to clear space for Bure to speed That said, business picks up a bit in July, so let’s keep going … around untouched. Those two on the same line would be impossible to stop. July 1

The downside here is that the best puck-mover on our back end is Forwards: Jarome Iginla, Steve Shutt, Rod Gilbert probably Barrasso. But that’s OK because we won’t need Lane and Marsh to do much more than get the puck to Bure and help pick up the Defence: Dan McGillis, John Barrett teeth of anyone who gets near Howe. This is our leading contender so Goaltender: Bill Beveridge far, and the first that would make Mario and Patrick nervous. Yeah, I went all-Canadian for July 1. In case you’re wondering, they’d April 15 smoke an all-American July 4 team led by Jake Gardiner and Keith Forwards: Ilya Kovalchuk, Kevin Stevens, Keith Acton Kinkaid.

Defence: , Pavel Kubina July 20

Goaltender: Tim Thomas Forwards: Peter Forsberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Jimmy Carson

We could also call this sneaky-good squad Team Borderline Hall-of- Defence: Oscar Klefbom, Terry Murray Famer. Kovalchuk might get there, Lowe has been on the bubble for Goaltender: Bill Oleschuk decades, Thomas is the ultimate high peak/low totals guy and Stevens probably would have been in the discussion if he hadn’t suffered that This another team that looks good up front, not so much on the back end. awful injury. But what if I told you we left a certain number 97 off the roster? Would that perk your attention? Probably, until you found out it was Matt Gilroy. May 3 (If you’re wondering about the real deal, Connor McDavid became the all- Forwards: Vyacheslav Kozlov, R.J. Umberger, Jeff Halpern time leading scorer for Team Jan. 13 before his career was four seasons Defence: Rod Langway, Bob Dailey old, so that’s going to be a no.)

Goaltender: Ron Hextall July 31

What a weird team. It’s basically Kozlov and then a bunch of skaters who Forwards: Evgeni Malkin, , Bryan Hextall can’t score in front of a goaltender who can. Speaking of which … Defence: , Jiri Fischer

May 6 Goaltender: Linus Ullmark

Forwards: Harry Watson, Brendan Gallagher, Bob Bassen That’s a strong forward line, one that’s so good we even bumped Ryan Defence: Jack Stewart, Keith Brown Johansen off of the unit. But as with so many teams we’ve seen, the back end will be the downfall. Goaltender: Martin Brodeur Aug. 13 That’s three Hall-of-Famers, even if most modern fans only know one of them. The rest of the roster is weak, though, so let’s keep searching. Forwards: , Johnny Gaudreau, Filip Forsberg

May 13 Defence: Bullet Joe Simpson, Marcus Ragnarsson

Forwards: Babe Dye, Mark Stone, Travis Zajac Goaltender: Marty Turco

Defence: P.K. Subban, Darryl Sydor Two modern-day young stars nudge this lineup into contention. It’s the best of the August options; this is where we can start to see another Goaltender: Jaroslav Halak pretty clear bias emerge against players who are born right up against the NHL’s current Sept. 15 cutoff for draft eligibility. Let’s see what I don’t know why I like this entry so much but I do. I think it’s the happens when we cross that threshold … possibility of old-timey sniper Babe Dye and modern two-way prototype Sept. 18 Sept. 26

Forwards: , Peter Stastny, Bun Cook Forwards: Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Craig Janney

Defence: Lasse Kukkonen, Jack Bionda Defence: Brooks Orpik, Paul Laus

Goaltender: Peter Budaj Goaltender:

Huh. We skip ahead to late-September, and land on the mother of all top- The league’s most famous twins give us a two-for-one special here. And heavy lineups, with three Hall-of-Famers up front and then not much they find some decent support, including Janney (or if you’d prefer, Chris else. Kunitz). Orpik and Laus aren’t superstars, but they give us a hard-nosed blue line that won’t be fun to play against. And we don’t just have a Hall- Sept. 20 of-Fame old-timer in goal in Brimsek, but we have one available as our Forwards: Guy Lafleur, John Tavares, Jan Hlavac backup too, since Clint Benedict was also born on this day.

Defence: Radim Simek, Mike Forbes Oct. 2

Goaltender: Sergei Bobrovsky Forwards: Glenn Anderson, , Josh Bailey

It’s another strong top line, or at least two-thirds of one. And for once, Defence: Glen Wesley, Gordie Roberts there’s a strong option in goal. But the blue line is barren; Simek is the Goaltender: Frederik Andersen best option is the history of the NHL, and he’s only been in the league for two seasons. From a homer’s perspective, this is the team full of guys that Maple Leaf fans have very mixed feelings about. It’s not bad, especially for a late- Birthdays that didn’t make the cut, but are worth mentioning … year birthday, but they’re not scaring our top contenders. Maybe March 1: Three Hall-of-Famers in Ron Francis, Max Bentley and Allan tomorrow will be better. Oh, look … Stanley, but only four career games from the goaltenders. Oct. 3

March 9: If you’re a good hockey player who was born on March 9, Forwards: Jean Ratelle, Michael Nylander, Pat Flatley congratulations, you’re a defenceman. Phil Housley, Brent Burns, Morgan Rielly and Chris Phillips all check in here. But up front, we’re Defence: Mark Giordano, Seth Jones looking at guys like Radek Dvorak, Paul MacLean and Ryan Dzingel, and the only goalie we have is 16 games worth of Golden Seals backup Gary Goaltender: Glenn Hall Kurt. Depth up front isn’t great, although Flatley was good enough to edge out April 28: How good would a Nicklas Lidstrom blue line be if he was paired Mike Johnson and Nylander at least stayed off Tik Tok. But the real skill with Roman Polak? Probably still pretty good, but not good enough if here is on the back end, where we’ve got two of today’s best they had to carry a forward line highlighted by David Krejci and Mel defencemen and one of the greatest goalies of all time. Can they beat Bridgman and rely on Joonas Korpisalo (or Peter Ing) in net. Mario and St. Patrick and Team Oct. 5? I don’t think so, but apparently, the first week of October is a good time to have hockey babies. June 1: A Paul Coffey/Roman Josi blue line is intriguing, and Jeff Hackett isn’t bad in goal. But the forward group would be built around Murray Oct. 29 Baron and Dan Quinn, so that’s going to be a no from me. Forwards: Mike Gartner, Eric Staal, Mikko Rantanen

June 7: The forwards are a nice mix, with skill from Mike Modano and Defence: Denis Potvin, Dmitry Kulikov Stephane Richer and toughness from Milan Lucic or Terry O’Reilly. The blue line is T.J. Brodie and our goalless friend Gilles Marotte, which is Goaltender: Johnny Mowers passable, but the only goalie is John Grahame. That’s a pretty scary forward line, featuring one Hall-of-Famer, another July 6: We start with two Hall-of-Famers in George Armstrong and Brad veteran who might get there, and a still-in-his-prime star who’s on the Park, and have some fun pieces like Steve Sullivan and Ron Duguay. way. Oh, and we also have one of the best defencemen of all time. The But the four goalies we can choose from total 11 career games. second blue line spot is a weakness – Colby Miller is our other candidate – and the goaltending relies on a 1940s name that won a Vezina in July 11: Joe Pavelski and Vincent Trocheck team with Bill Barber up wartime and then barely ever played again. front, and Blues fans will like a back end that includes Al MacInnis and Jordan Binnington And with that, our late-year age bias kicks in again, as the rest of the calendar doesn’t yield much at all. Let’s find a couple more entries and Aug. 7: Sidney Crosby’s trademark day is weird – just eight other players, take it home … four of whom are goalies, and maybe the only date all year long where we literally can’t find three forwards to ice a full team. Nov. 19

Aug. 9: The leaderboard for this date goes from Brett Hull’s 1,391 points Forwards: Patrick Kane, Petr Sykora, Dennis Hull to Rod Brind’Amour’s 1,184 and then plummets all the way down to Andy Defence: Grant Ledyard, Dmitri Yushkevich Brickley’s 222. Still, I think I’d pay just to watch Rod and Brett work out together. Goaltender: Reggie Lemelin

Sept. 17: Alexander Ovechkin and Auston Matthews is a hell of a way to Yeah, this is the best I could do for the entire month. Sorry, Scorpios, I’m start. It’s also pretty much where we end, with apologies to Rob Zamuner one of you, but we’re all terrible at hockey. and Shawn Horcoff. The goaltending duo of Zac Bierk and Yutaka Fukufuji would be interesting, but there’s not enough here to challenge Dec. 11 for the crown. Forwards: Daniel Alfredsson, Dave Gagner, J.P. Parise Dec. 4: A great forward line of Alex Delvecchio, Dave Taylor and Rick Defence: Pierre Pilote, Mark Streit Middleton, but just two games of goaltending. Goaltender: Martin Prusek Dec. 23: Two old-time Hall of Famers in Cy Denneny and Woody Dumart, plus some fun modern options like T.J. Oshie and . It’s one Hall-of-Famer plus another who might get there and then two But again, no goalies. hockey dads up front. The family theme continues, as we’re probably a year or two away from Matthew Tkachuk taking over a spot on that top Your birthday: It’s your special little day and it’s the best. line. It’s just too bad none of these guys ever thought to have a kid who OK, off to the home stretch. Now that we’re into late-September, it’s time was a decent goaltender. for a team that I’m guessing you may have been thinking about. Let’s just Dec. 13 say that when it comes to packing Hall-of-Fame talent onto a roster, this birthday is working with a distinct advantage … Forwards: Sergei Fedorov, Bob Gainey, Vladimir Tarasenko Defence: Doug Mohns, Dan Hamhuis

Goaltender: Moe Roberts

Two Selke winners and an explosive winger make for a dynamic top line, and the defence is decent even if we’re not getting Mohns’s forward years. And our goalie had an NHL career that spanned 26 years … and, uh, ten games.

Dec. 28

Forwards: Rob Niedermayer, Curtis Glencross, Eddie Wiseman

Defence: Ray Bourque, Harry Howell

Goaltender: Terry Sawchuk

The forwards are bleh, but good lord that back end is scary, with three Hall-of-Famers. Surely these three guys could finally be the team that stops Mario Lemieux, right?

(Remembers how Ray Bourque’s career went.)

Dammit.

And the winner is …

So after all that, can any of these lineups beat Team Oct. 5?

A few of them would have a shot. Team Sept. 26 has a ton of creativity up front with the Sedins and Janney, a Hall-of-Famer in goal to match up with Roy and two physical defencemen who could at least try to gang tackle Mario. They’re close. But I don’t think they’re close enough.

Team April 15 at least makes it interesting if Tim Thomas stands on his head. Team Oct, 3 and Team Dec. 28 both have great blue lines and goalies that might be better than Roy. There’s potential with all three teams. I’m not sold, but you might be.

I think it comes down to that March 31 team that features Howe and Bure, along with Pulford up front and Barrasso in goal. Yes, the blue line is weak, but remember that Team Oct. 5 only has Olausson and Whitelaw, so it’s fairly even. Bure’s one of the only forwards in history who can give Lemieux a run for his money on pure skill, and Howe was a force of nature that Mario and friends have no answer for.

The matchup might come down to goaltending, where Team Oct. 5 definitely has the edge. But how much of one? Barrasso won two Cups and a Vezina (with four other top-three finishes), and you could argue he should be in the Hall of Fame. He’s not Roy, but he’s not that far off, and if he can stay in that ballpark then he gives his team a shot.

I think the key here is that like all great super-villains, Roy has a weakness: He can’t look at anyone wearing a Red Wings logo without wanting to punch them. And if he tries that here, Howe will end him. (Team Oct. 5’s backup goalie is , in case you’re wondering.)

I think it might be too close to call, but I’m leaning to Team March 31. But let’s head to the comment section, where you can tell me I’m wrong, make a case for one of the other entries, or ruin my whole week by pointing out the date with six Hall-of-Famers that I inevitably missed.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183294 Websites future contract, but that in the scope of what’s happening in real life right now, he felt lucky just to do what he does for a living.

“There are so many variables that you can bring into this that you don’t The Athletic / LeBrun: Alex Pietrangelo on chance to defend, his next really know,” Pietrangelo, 30, said of his pending free agency. “There are deal and uncertain times so many unknowns. We were thinking about it for a while, my wife and I certainly had some discussions between us. But it certainly gets pushed aside when you’re sitting at home chasing around these little rug rats all day. I’ve got family members going through it right now, they’re being laid By Pierre LeBrun Apr 20, 2020 off, they’re not being able to work the same way they were a few months ago. So he’s (Taylor Hall) right, we’re blessed to even be in this situation, to be discussing potential opportunities we can have when the Rewind to last June 12 in Boston. employment rate (in the U.S.) went up by five million of whatever it was in one week. Those are staggering numbers.’’ The Stanley Cup comes out onto the ice. The home crowd is devastated but committed to the customary booing of NHL commissioner Gary So yes, the father of two-year-old triplets has perspective, too. Bettman as he gets set to award the best trophy in sports to the St. Louis Blues. I asked Hall last week about the notion of signing a shorter-term deal to get through the brunt of the damage to the industry and then signing a There are delirious fans from St. Louis who made the trip and you can bigger deal in a few years on the other side of this. Hall didn’t hesitate, he hear them loud and clear as Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo raises Lord said he’d rather go for long-term security now. Stanley over his head. I asked Pietrangelo the same question. That moment capped an unbelievable Game 7. “I’m going to explore all options, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if Now imagine that entire night without a single fan in the building. One of you’re not sitting back there with your agents and your family laying out the NHL’s loudest rinks muted, save the hollers and celebrations taking everything on the table, thinking about every possibility, that’s really what place on the ice. you should be doing,” Pietrangelo said. “When you have a growing family, it’s one of those things where if you can put yourself into a “Win or lose, playing in that game with the fans in Boston, if you’ve ever position where you’re somewhere long term, it’s a little bit easier than been to a game in Boston, it’s pretty rowdy,’’ Pietrangelo told me over the having to pick up and move potentially every couple of years.’’ phone Friday. As Pietrangelo said, it’s hard to know at this point what a long-term deal “Whether you’re feeding off the momentum for your own team where would look like given this current landscape, so you can’t predict you’re trying to make the building quiet, it’s still something you think anything. about during the game and prior to the game, the energy before the game makes it a little easier to get up for.’’ But all things being equal: “I know for me with a family, it’s certainly important to be able to have some security time-frame wise so we can It is difficult to consider what that experience would have been like settle in.’’ without fans in the building, however, that’s the likely scenario facing the NHL if they can resume the season at some point this summer. And of course, staying in St. Louis is still a strong option.

“I think the weird thing for me if this situation was last year, what do you “Army (Blues GM Doug Armstrong) said the same thing at the beginning, do with your family,’’ Pietrangelo wondered. “The first thought after you our goal is to try and get something done here,” Pietrangelo said. “That’s win is where’s my family? My dad and my wife my brother and my been the goal from the beginning. We’ve both said the same thing. That’s brother-in-law’s, they were all there in Boston. both of our mindsets.’’

“It’s certainly a logistical thing that really needs to be thought through on I sense that there hasn’t been much dialogue during this pause between both sides.’’ Pietrangelo’s reps at Newport Sports and the Blues. A deal of this importance, in my mind, needs to wait until both sides have a better idea Don’t get Pietrangelo wrong, like the rest of the reigning Cup champion of the landscape, the salary cap, all the dynamics that may affect what Blues, he hopes to have a chance to defend their title. the NHL world looks like on the other side of this nightmare. And while Pietrangelo is not unique among his NHL brethren in his desire “We try to work behind closed doors with regards to player contracts. As to play again this season, he too shares their concerns about the safety always, when we have something to report, we will do so immediately,’’ of everyone involved in the face of this pandemic. Blues GM Doug Armstrong said via text message on Sunday. “It’s not easy because everyone is in different situations,” the native of Armstrong did get some work done last week, signing pending UFA King City, Ontario said. “Some guys have parents and grandparents and blueliner Marco Scandella to a four-year, $13.1-million extension. kids and pregnant wives, the list goes on and on. I don’t think anything will be decided on without some good, long smart discussions from both However, I don’t think this deal has much bearing on what happens with sides with people in health organizations who can really steer us in the Pietrangelo. Scandella fits a need on the left side. right direction. “Army’s got a job to do, Marco’s got a job to do, he has taken care of “And I’ve said this before, we have some really smart minds working on himself and his family and Army has got to do what is best for the this, I don’t think anyone is going to make a rash decision,’’ Pietrangelo organization,” Pietrangelo told me. “Look, I understand the business side added. “I think both the NHLPA and the league are seeing this as an of this game. I’m always happy for guys, that’s just how I am as a person, unprecedented situation. We really need to think this through, which has Scandy and I get along really well and we were shooting texts last night, really been happening, there have been some really good discussions he’s excited to come back.’’ between us and the PA, and between us and the league. But again, it’s hard to say anything concrete when you still have social distancing and Scandella was a clever pick-up by Armstrong after the scary situation stay at home orders. Until we have more concrete evidence of what we with Jay Bouwmeester. The Blues will have star winger Vladimir can do, I don’t think many decisions can be made.’’ Tarasenko back from injury if and when the season resumes this summer. If there is no season resumption, there’s the question of whether or not Pietrangelo has played this last game in a Blues uniform. The champs are set up for another run.

Last week, my TSN colleague Frank Seravalli put out his ranking of the “Look, our mindset is still that we’re going to have a chance to play again top 25 pending UFAs, and sure enough, Pietrangelo was No. 1 on the and repeat,” Pietrangelo said. list. The frustration, Pietrangelo says, is that the team had momentum when No. 2 was Taylor Hall, whom I spoke with last week, and one of the the season was paused, it was trending in the right direction a month things I appreciated from that interview was Hall’s grounded perspective away from the playoffs. on the unknown ahead for him. The reality, he said, was that the NHL Now they wait, like everyone else. business was going to be affected by this and that will likely impact his “The reality of this whole thing is that it’s out of our hands and it’s in the hands of people that it should be, the doctors and the people who are in these positions for a reason,” he said. “The hard part is that it’s out of our hands but the easy part is that it’s out of our hands. So you just have to trust that this is bigger than hockey, this is bigger than all of us. That’s just the reality of it. Sitting at home with three kids and my wife, you realize how important that is. I think all of us are in the same mindset, we want to play again, we were born to play, this is what we do for a living; and if we don’t, it will certainly be a long offseason.

“But then again, this is something that’s so out of the ordinary.’’

The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183295 Websites The day will go down in history as a “where were you when …” day. About an hour after that meeting, Jones was at his apartment with

roommates Biro, Sucese and Folkes. They all saw on Twitter that the The Athletic / A special season for Penn State hockey ends in a whisper NCAA had canceled the season. No more Big Ten tournament. No and a lot of ‘what ifs’ Frozen Four. A four-year journey for these seniors coming to abrupt end.

Longtime play-by-play announcer Brian Tripp learned about it from a text.

By Sara Civian Apr 20, 2020 “‘Hey, it’s not gonna happen. They’re not going to be able to play,'” Tripp said in recounting the text. “To hear that it wasn’t just suspended, but canceled, and for them to cancel not only the winter championships but also the spring championships all at once is when it really hit home. In another world, I’ve just returned home from Detroit, sporting a smile That’s when it really sunk in to me how serious this is and how impactful and a misplaced sense of accomplishment. it could be to so many people.” In this other world, Penn State hockey had made its first Frozen Four The news coincided with Penn State’s announcement that students appearance and won its first national title. would have to leave campus, so Gadowsky — who is known for his The seniors, of course, led the way just as they had four years earlier reassuring pep talks — had only a few minutes for exit meetings with when as freshmen they won the program’s first Big Ten Tournament title. each senior. He had to talk to everyone else on the phone. That was the last team to win a tournament at Joe Louis Arena, and “That’s how it had to go,” he said, admitting he still hasn’t fully processed though the Joe is long gone, it felt special in this other world that they it. No one has. had finished things off in the same city. Talking to somebody as deliberate as Gadowsky feels like certainty in “(They) come in as freshmen and win the Big Ten and really set us on uncertain times. the course of expectations,” head coach Guy Gadowsky said before Penn State’s senior night last month. “From the start, everybody said, I’d covered the Nittany Lions’ rise from club team to Division I ‘Hey — eventually, eventually, eventually,’ but they’re really the guys who prominence in my five-year stint as a Penn State student — he and his came in and took the eventually away. For that, they’ll always be special. players are the reason I decided to become a hockey journalist. They This has been an extremely special, gratifying, fun four years with them.” always seemed to come through with some sort of magic.

This other world is especially gratifying because most of their opponents Last season, for example, Penn State had a Friday game in Minnesota thought that their 2016-17 run was a fluke. against the Gophers, and the Hurricanes, who I cover for The Athletic, were playing the Wild the next day. Obviously, I showed up at the college Penn State was tired of hearing the chirps. Those freshmen returned to game. the tournament the next season as sophomores, but even I wrote at the time that a first-round exit wouldn’t cut it anymore. Anyone paying It was a game in which Hurricanes 2019 draft pick Kevin Wall scored his attention, however, could see the amount of potential brewing in this first NCAA goal in a Penn State 8-2 win. The memory of that game was class. fresh in my mind when I reached out to Gadowsky to take my mind off our current state of affairs. “I think there was a sentiment, at least in some other locker rooms, ‘Oh boy, they just got lucky,'” Gadowsky told me a few weeks ago. “They When I got him on the phone, he started asking me questions and really wanted to prove that wasn’t the case. This year, they won the Big reassuring me about the decisions I’ve had to make in the face of this Ten regular season and really wanted to make another statement on a crisis. national level.” He then explained his situation. He’s “holed up in the house” with his In this other world, there’s closure, there’s “told ya so,” and there’s a three, young kids — Mac, Magnus and Mia. They have online classes so whole new course of expectations. It was a process, but they’d figured it he doesn’t have to play teacher, but he’s still going stir crazy. out. “This seemed like a really great idea about a week ago,” he said, In our world, the real world, I haven’t been to Detroit for the Frozen Four. laughing. “Now, instead of spending money on food for them, I want to I haven’t been anywhere. get an apartment.”

Instead, I’m sitting on my couch FaceTiming two former Penn State But Gadowsky knows there are no easy paths to success, be it in his hockey players that have since turned pro. I’m struggling with this story, I family life or his professional career. tell them, partially because it’s hard to accept the current state of “our world,” but mostly because it’s hard to explain exactly why this group of Gadowsky’s coaching resume is a masterclass on proving people wrong. seniors is so special. How do I make an audience unfamiliar with Peyton He doesn’t just adapt to challenges — he actively seeks them out. Jones, Liam Folkes (Edmonton), Nate Sucese (Arizona), Brandon Biro In 1999, he inherited an Alaska-Fairbanks team with a 11-22-1 record. In (Buffalo), Denis Smirnov (Colorado), Kris Myllari, James Gobetz, Nikita his third season, the team went 22-12-3 and during his tenure set school Pavlychev (Pittsburgh), Blake Gober and Will Holtforster care about them records for team grade-point average, wins and game attendance. as much as we do? His next stop was Princeton in 2004. The Tigers went 5-24-2 before They’ve been following along, too, and they say this was the most skilled Gadowsky’s arrival but made back-to-back NCAA tournaments (2008 team Penn State hockey has assembled in its eight years of existence. and 2009). Everyone on the call thinks it could have — and probably would have — won the national championship. The senior class in particular helped the After he proved he could turn around programs the traditional way, program graduate from charming grit to NHL-potential skill. Gadowsky headed off to Penn State to start a Division I team from scratch. He took over in 2011 and led the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten title It’s a class of 10 good people who deserved a better ending. just six years later. March 11, 2020 But nothing in his previous stops resembled the challenge of comforting a Gadowsky weighed his options an hour before the scheduled team senior class that would go from having a chance to chase a national meeting. Fans had already been banned from Penn State’s March 14 Big championship to graduating via Zoom in a matter of hours. Ten tournament semifinal against Minnesota. News was moving fast. “I just hope they come out of this knowing that they absolutely … one of Harvard had already ended its season. More cancellations would follow the teams in the country that had a good chance to win the national title,” as the effects of the spreading coronavirus pandemic started to be felt. he said, detailing the gist of his talk to players. “They were absolutely one “Things had been coming out, so I think the team anticipated that the of the best teams in the nation and had only lost (two) of the past nine season was over,” Gadowsky said. “Obviously, we let them know right games. They were playing their best hockey.” away when it became official, but everyone kind of knew it was coming “I know, but what did you actually say,” I pressed. as we saw things trickle in on social media.” “You know, look, we just felt really bad for them,” he said. “You could see “I think we had a really good chance,” he said. “I think we would’ve won it on a number of their faces, specifically it was hard to look at Nate the Big Ten championship and I think we would’ve really made some Sucese and tell him that we weren’t going on to play anymore. That was noise in the NCAA tournament.” tough. You could just see the disappointment and anger in several of their faces, but his specifically.” Peyton Jones is intense, as usual.

Sucese, an undrafted free agent, signed a deal with the Coyotes last He’s been cooped up in his Langhorne, Pa., house — a 30-minute drive week. He and Kings prospect Cole Hults became the first All-Americans to Philly. Though the undrafted free agent and his agent have been in team history. scoping out potential professional opportunities, he acknowledges this is a weird time. Penguins prospect Pavlychev said Gadowsky underplayed the value of his speech. “Teams are worried about their own players — when is their season starting? Where are their players going? Are they coming back?” he said. “The first thing (Gadowsky) said was something like, thank God you guys “I think that once teams figure that out, everything will move a littler won those last games and clinched first place in the regular season,” faster. But right now, I’m kind of sitting still, being patient.” Pavlychev said. “At least we had some sort of sweetness in our loss; we got to win something. That was one thing we got knocked out of the way He took a few weeks off of training because he believes in rest, that we were planning on doing. But he said it was really tough and he especially for goaltenders. Now he’s back at it, with whatever he has was really upset just like the rest of us — he wished he could’ve seen available to him in his house. what we would’ve done with the team that we had.” Like most goalies, Jones is particular and deliberate about most things When our conversation wound down, I told Gadowsky I’d let him go. he does. He credits preparation for his ability to elevate in the important moments. “No, I appreciate it,” he said. “It was good to talk to you again.” He was especially prepared for a moment that didn’t come — the first Liam Folkes is happy-go-lucky, as always. playoff game against Minnesota at Pegula Ice Arena.

In another world, he would’ve been the guy to finish it. In his freshman “I think it kinda became real when Penn State announced there wasn’t year, he scored what now stands as the biggest goal in Penn State going to be any fans at our game,” he said. “For us, when we found out history — in dramatic fashion, of course. we were in first place, we were so excited to play in front of our home fans, play in front of Pegula. For the seniors, it meant we’d get at least Breakaway-to-backhand-to-forehand-to sudden-death-win. one more game at Pegula.

It lifted the Nittany Lions out of double overtime to secure their first-ever “I think it became real when we realized it wouldn’t be that atmosphere. Big Ten Title against Wisconsin. Then it all went downhill from there.”

There was nothing golden to this year’s finish, but Folkes is handling it Jones grew up a fan of Penn State but never thought he’d get the well. opportunity to represent the Blue and White. Then, like something out of The Scarborough, Ontario, native waited until the very last second to a dream, the university announced plans for a Division I hockey team in leave State College because he was hoping there might be some formal 2010. graduation. When the campus emptied out and there were rumblings of a It played out like a movie for Jones, all the way up until the very last Canadian-American border closing, Folkes and Biro, an Alberta native, scene. decided to head north. “To be honest, I was just disappointed — I felt like I had so much more to At least “Friends” is on Netflix up there. give to Penn State,” said Jones, a four-year starter in net. “I felt like it was “I have been watching a lot of “Friends” — it’s my favorite show,” he said. my senior year, it was my last year to leave a legacy, leave the team to “Biro and I, we started it earlier this year, then it was canceled on winning a Big Ten championship, a regional championship, a national American Netflix, then I came back a week ago and it’s on Canadian championship. When you’re playing a game and you’re losing, at least Netflix. I think I’ve watched a minimum 10 episodes a day.” you know it’s the end of the season. At least you get to be like, ‘You know, I left everything out there. I gave it everything I had and I couldn’t Aside from seeking out TV diversion, Folkes was quick to point out the do anything else to change the outcome of that game.’ But for me, I didn’t “student” part of this whole situation. get that opportunity. I won the last game I ever played at Penn State, and then I had a game I was supposed to play. I don’t have the feeling that I “Online classes are actually terrible,” he said. “Professors FaceTime the left everything on the ice. I still had more to give and I was never given entire class. Personally, I think it’s miserable and they should give us our that opportunity to give everything I had.” grade at this point. It is not fun. And we have to log on at the specific hours the classes were supposed to be at, like I still have to wake up at 9 How do you respond to that? a.m. and take this class. I think Penn State’s made it easier with allowing us to just have pass/fail classes, and that’s nice, but I would prefer a Has it been easier since he packed up college life and left Penn State? classroom setting.” “No. Hockey is my life,” Jones said. “I played hockey my entire life. I have But as bad as the virtual classroom experience is, losing a chance to dreamed of going to Penn State my whole life. Then I actually got the chase a national title is worse. Much worse. opportunity to go to Penn State. Then I dreamed of putting Penn State on the national map and leaving it the best possible way I could, and I feel “I don’t think you can ever get over that,” he said. “Personally, and I won’t like I didn’t. be the only one to say it, but everyone on our team believes we could have won the national championship. … We could’ve won it — that’s for “We had a lot more to offer — guys were rolling, guys were feeling good, sure.” guys were healthy. I think we had a really good opportunity to win another Big Ten championship at home, win the regional and go to Gadowsky had said he was worried about Pavlychev and Smirnov being Detroit and win a national championship. It’s never going to get easier. able to get back home to Russia in light of the pandemic travel It’s always going to be hard. I put my heart and soul into that school, into restrictions. Luckily, Pavlychev is back in Scranton, where it all started for that program, and it’s just disappointing that we didn’t get to finish him, and Smirnov is settled stateside, too, he said. everything off that we started.”

“I’m in Scranton with my (former billet family), that’s so helpful,” he said. The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 “Otherwise, I would’ve been kinda screwed. I mean, first of all you can’t even really leave the country anymore. Second, if I left before it got real bad, I probably wouldn’t have been able to come back, and that wouldn’t have been good, either.”

Pavlychev has been working out with Flyers countryman Ivan Provorov, but he won’t disclose exactly what they’re doing. It’s a weird time and he’s trying his best to think of his future with the Penguins, but he can’t help wondering about what has so suddenly become the past. 1183296 Websites of his net. Skinner’s skate blade cut through Tynan’s equipment and into all four parts of his quadriceps muscle, breaking past the tendons and blood vessels below them. Skinner’s blade stopped just shy of the leg’s major arteries, as well as his femur, in all likelihood saving his life. The Athletic / A scarred son and a scared mother: Inside Tucker Tynan’s journey back to the ice “It’s actually really crazy. I’ve probably been run into hundreds of times like that, where a player crashes the net,” Tucker said. “And that was the only time it has turned for the worst.”

By Scott Wheeler Apr 20, 2020 In the moment, shaken from the impact and out of breath, he didn’t realize what had happened.

“I had no idea what was going on. I was in shock. I tried to get up but it When the blood began to pool, Ruth Tynan began to panic. wasn’t working,” he said. “And then…” She watched her son Tucker Tynan lying on the ice, more than 800- The adrenaline kicked in and prevented him from passing out, so he kilometres away from their home in suburban Chicago. The Niagara remembers almost everything. He remembers lying in his blood as it IceDogs goaltender was cut by a skate during a collision in the crease. pooled and teammate Adrien Beraldo cutting his equipment off. And he “It was very scary. Everything had stopped. I was confused. I didn’t know remembers wanting, desperately, to get off the ice. what was happening,” Ruth said. “And then he couldn’t get up and once “I wasn’t fully comprehending what was going on. I knew it was a big cut they started talking about how injured he was I was like ‘Oh my gosh, but I didn’t even want to look to see where it was or how big it was,” what’s happening?'” Tucker said. “I just wanted to get to the hospital.” Ruth knew that no matter what it took, she had to get to her son. She Ruth was watching the game with the youngest of her three sons, 7-year- was on the last flight of the night to Buffalo, where the IceDogs told her old Teddy — who is a half-brother to Tucker and Jason. They had just they’d pick her up and drive her across the border to the hospital in St. returned from an intermission trip to the Dunkin Donuts around the corner Catharines, Ont. from their house but the play happened so fast that she didn’t really see While Ruth was on the flight, texting with Niagara IceDogs staff through it. the plane’s WiFi, Tucker was being rushed out of an ambulance and “It is still scary for me to think about it. I knew the older he gets the more directly into surgery. challenging it’s going to get,” Ruth said. “I worried about him as a mother, Four months later, the memory of that night still terrifies her. Tucker is always … [But] I never thought about what actually happened.” alive because of the help he received from the IceDogs’ staff and first Her first instinct was to call Tynan’s billets, Aaron and Kelly Garrett, who responders. The long scar across his leg is a reminder of what was were at the game with their two young sons. When the Garretts didn’t almost lost that night. But also, of the strength he gained through his have any answers, she began looking up flights while she waited to hear mother, who raised him alone and helped carry him through. from the team. Ruth Tynan moved from Mexico to Chicago in 1999. Her husband, “I was like ‘If I have to drive, if I have to do anything, I’ll be there. I have Christopher Tynan, died of a heart attack when their two boys were eight to be there,'” Ruth said. months and a little more than a year-and-a-half old. By the time Tucker woke up, Ruth was in the hospital waiting to see him. “It was tough. You have to do what you have to do. It was hard but A couple of hours of rest later, when the surgery had been successful, (hockey) kept us busy, which is good,” Ruth said of life after they finally got to see each other but Tynan was so groggy that he wasn’t Christopher’s passing. “You don’t worry about other things when you’re even aware of what was happening. busy.” In the days that followed, Tucker, who had never been injured before, Even though she wasn’t familiar with the sport, Ruth put her sons in tried to get out of bed and go to the washroom only a couple of times. hockey to give them something to do outside of school. When he finally got discharged and he was able to return home to Like most kids, Tucker started playing hockey when he was six years old, Chicago, appointments had already been made for him to meet with local following his big brother Jason onto the ice at the local rink. And like most orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Bradley Dunlap. mothers, Ruth was skeptical when he took an interest in playing goalie midway through his first season. Because Tucker’s bedroom was on the second floor of his two-storey home, Ruth moved all of his things to the main floor in an effort to make She wondered whether Tucker’s interest in the position would come and his recovery as comfortable and pain-free as possible. go. Knowing he probably wasn’t actually serious about it, she encouraged him to try it out. After another MRI was completed in January, Dr. Dunlap recommended a second surgery because he feared that the muscles weren’t healing Early on, Tucker’s interest wavered like she expected. He enjoyed the properly. games but whined during the practices. Eventually, though, practices spilled into games and games into goalie clinics. “Gosh, it was quite the time,” Ruth said.

By 12, he started playing a couple of age groups up. By 14, colleges had A few weeks later, Tucker was on crutches. And a month and a half after begun showing interest. By 16, he’d been selected in the OHL draft by that, he was in a walking brace. the Niagara IceDogs. Throughout, Tucker’s rehab has included gruelling weekly physical After Ruth lost Christopher — and later when her relationship with her therapy sessions and at-home exercises. Slowly, though, progress has second partner ended — all she had were her kids and the friendships been made with his mom by his side. she’d forged with parents through hockey. Today, four months after he nearly lost his life, Tucker is on his feet, Putting the boys through hockey on her own was tough and she couldn’t walking without support, and working out. There have been a lot of have done it without the help of others with care for her boys or drives. squats, lunges, and time spent on the stationary bike trying to rebuild lost When the boys got older and they were both on travel teams, she used to muscle. have to pick the away game she would go to. Whenever there were two tournaments in the same state, she would spend her days driving “With range of motion stuff, it has been hard to get used to. But it comes between towns and rinks. back and now I’m feeling almost normal,” Tucker said.

And by 17, Tucker was in his now-familiar spot in the crease, crouched He has even lightly skated a few times in player skates (goalie skates will against his right post — on Dec. 12, 2019 — when have to wait). Taking light strides on the ice has been a highlight of the forward Jonathan Gruden threw a pass across the ice streaking entire recovery process, he says. defenceman Hunter Skinner. During the coronavirus pandemic, Tucker still leaves the house for his Reading the play, Tynan pushed off of his post prepared to make a save. physical therapy sessions. But updates with Dr. Dunlap happen over Instead, Skinner, slipped and collided with him, pushing him into the back FaceTime. Tucker is just trying to stay positive, determined to work his way back to “In terms of getting to play in the NHL one day, I don’t think that’s over,” the IceDogs. he said. “I feel like I will get that chance one day.”

“At this point, I’m just seeing how it goes as the time goes. I’m definitely The Athletic LOADED: 04.21.2020 optimistic. At home, I’m trying to get into goalie moves and positions that I would be in and it’s getting there, definitely sooner than I would even think,” he said.

Throughout his rehabilitation, he has learned a lot about himself.

“I have matured. The biggest thing I’ve learned is just to be optimistic regardless of the situation because there’s going to be bad things and good things really in every situation,” Tucker said. “You’ve just got to take away whatever good you can.”

It hasn’t been easy, though. Tucker is most disappointed by the lost opportunity. He was in the middle of a strong first half to his NHL draft year.

“It’s definitely tough. I feel like I was having a really good season and then it just got halted. But it is what it is. There’s not much I can do except look forward. I’ve just got to do my best from there,” he said. “It changed my entire life. But I don’t feel any grief or depression. It’s really just optimism. I’m just trying to see how I can get to the next step forward.”

Most of all, he says he has learned to be thankful for everything he has.

He has a newfound appreciation for the extraordinarily close bond he shares with his mom and for everything she did to raise him as a single parent.

“My mom and I are very, very close,” Tucker said. “She raised me on her own.”

And he’s thankful for his billets, the Garretts, and for the relationship he’s been able to build with their kids, who he says look up to him. He’s thankful for the IceDogs, who’ve been there every step of the way, and for his teammates, like Beraldo.

“Everyone that helped,” he said, sighing. “I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Ruth has learned a lot about her middle son, too.

“He has a very strong will and a very positive attitude. I can’t imagine being in his shoes if something like that would happen to me. But he has a goal in mind,” she said. “I remember when he tweeted that he would come back strong and I believe it. I believe he will. Because knowing him, he’s doing what he needs to do to get there. It has to be really hard, especially when he was doing so well. But he has such a great attitude and he has put in the work that he needs to.”

JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THE KIND WORDS, TRULY THEY MEAN MORE THAN ANYONE CAN EVER KNOW. AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION, LOOKING FORWARD TO RECOVERING AND COMING BACK EVEN STRONGER AND HEALTHIER THAN BEFORE

— TUCKER TYNAN (@TUCKERTYNAN1) DECEMBER 13, 2019

They’re both thankful for the hockey world and the outpouring of love that they have received.

“It has been crazy, the support from everywhere,” Tucker said. “It was just crazy. It was really good to see. It made a difference.”

Ruth says that even though it was difficult as a single-mother, she’s grateful that her son had the opportunity to pursue his dream in hockey.

“Getting into hockey has been really awesome because we met so many families and everyone has been so supportive,” Ruth said. “I don’t have family here. My whole family is in Mexico. So I have a new family: the hockey family.”

Ruth will never forget that family and what they’ve meant to her and her son in the last four months.

“I am very grateful to the IceDogs family for assisting Tucker and our family and for supporting us during his recovery. We are also thankful to the community in Canada for coming together by donating blood and praying to save Tucker’s life,” Ruth said. “We hope someday we can repay so much kindness.”

Meanwhile, Tucker Tynan, armed with his “really big scar,” insists the hockey world hasn’t seen the last of him either. 1183297 Websites Higgins opened scoring 7:03 into the first period, when he chipped the puck down low to Kesler, who worked it back to the point to defenceman Kevin Bieksa. As both forwards charged to the slot, Higgins deflected Bieksa’s point shot past goalie Corey Crawford. Sportsnet.ca / Canucks faced ultimate 2011 first round test vs. Cup- defending Chicago A little over three minutes later, Jannik Hansen out-skated Hossa on a breakaway and buried a forehand above Crawford’s catching glove to make it 2-0. That turned out to be the final score, as Luongo posted a 32- save shutout. Iain MacIntyre | April 20, 2020, 4:58 PM Higgins, Kesler and Mikael Samuelsson – until Samuelsson was injured

and replaced by Mason Raymond – went head-to-head against Toews, VANCOUVER – The reward for the Vancouver Canucks’ greatest regular Hossa and Sharp. season was a first-round playoff matchup in 2011 against the Chicago “We just wanted to win our matchup,” Higgins said. “We’ve got to find a Blackhawks. Imagine what second-prize would have been. way to at least tie them, then let Hank and Danny (Sedin) win their The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup the previous spring, eliminating matchup. That was kind of our mentality: if we could neutralize those the Canucks from the National Hockey League playoffs for the second guys, our team would have a chance to win. straight year. Although their champagne hangover had them scuffling “We talked about it before the series: ‘Let’s make Toews play defence, through the first half of the season, the Blackhawks went 15-6-3 down let’s make Kane play defence.’ Their (defencemen) on the back end were the stretch and ducked into the Western Conference’s final playoff spot great puck-movers, but they weren’t great one-on-one in the corners. So on the last week of the regular season. that’s where we wanted to play. We were going to play defensively by They were still the team of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, Marian playing in their end, having the puck and just wearing them down.” Hossa and Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, with Joel Higgins, who is now the Canucks’ assistant director of player Quenneville behind the bench. These stars were the Canucks’ reward for development, said he still gets chills thinking about that game and series. winning the Presidents’ Trophy by 10 points, for leading the NHL in scoring and goals against. As a player, Higgins’ most productive seasons were with the Montreal Canadiens, with whom he faced the Boston Bruins in the 2008 and 2009 Daniel Sedin won the Art Ross Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award that year, playoffs. Ryan Kesler the Selke, Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider the Jennings and coach was runner-up for the Jack Adams. “That’s one of the all-time NHL rivalries,” he said. “But this series seemed even a little bit more heightened because it was two teams that could win Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey the Cup. It was so pervasive, it seemed like every guy was thinking world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what exactly the same way. You could just tell body language, how guys they think about it. approached everything. Everything was for a purpose. It was so dialed All that, and the Canucks still had to open the playoffs against the mighty up, it was crazy, man. Like I said, it was intoxicating. Blackhawks at Rogers Arena. “I’ve been watching some of the past games on Sportsnet, reading some “Just knowing Chicago had won the Cup the year before and what they of the articles. I feel it through my whole body still. I’m still thinking about had done to Vancouver the previous two seasons, we knew that even the crowd, how people waved towels. It was bananas, man. You try to though we were the No. 1 seed and they were the No. 8 seed, it wasn’t a put yourself back in 2011. It’s a nice feeling.” one-eight matchup,” former Canucks defenceman Dan Hamhuis told Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.21.2020 Sportsnet on Monday. “There was a lot of respect in our room for what Chicago could do. They maybe had a bit of a Stanley Cup hangover from the previous season, but we knew they would be bringing it coming into the playoffs. So we were on edge and ready for them.”

Vancouver winger Chris Higgins said, “It seemed like: OK, this is what we’ve led the entire season up toward. This is it, this is the tip of the spear. Now we’re going to find out if we’re a team or not. We want to win the Cup, and this is a really good team we’re playing against with a lot of history. This is your journey right now; you’ve got to beat these guys. It just seemed like there was such a laser-sharp focus on what needed to be done. To be honest, it was intoxicating.”

Higgins had joined the Canucks six weeks earlier as a trade-deadline pickup from the , one of the best deals general manager Mike Gillis made during his six years in Vancouver.

Higgins was one of the missing pieces, a two-way winger who brought speed, tenacity and experience in a matchup role alongside Kesler against the opposition’s best players.

And he was all over Game 1, which is being rebroadcast tonight as Sportsnet Pacific and Sportsnet West replay the entire seven-game epic between the Canucks and Blackhawks over the next three weeks.

“Game 1 was probably our most physical game of the series,” Higgins said. “I thought especially in that first period, we showed that this was going to be a series, man. We weren’t going to be pushed around. I thought it was just a great hockey game. It was playoff hockey personified. We dialed up the physical play to show them they were going to have to beat us.

“Playoffs, it’s mostly about matchups. For the most part, you’re always playing against the same forward line, the same D-pairing. You’re always looking for mismatches. The margin for error is so thin against teams that stack up well talent-wise, which we did. The talent level for both teams was sky high. It would be the littlest of things that were going to win that series, so the attention to detail was extraordinary.” 1183298 Websites Part of the reason Matthews has been slow to use his six-foot-three, 220- pound frame, I’d suggest, is he developed in skills-centric programs that didn’t encourage it as much as, say, coming up in the CHL might.

Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs Mailbag: Is Andreas Johnsson most likely to A few other factors I believe encouraged him to increase his physical be traded? battle level: He’s heard the criticism. He now has a letter on his chest and the juiciest paycheques on the roster, and he’s an alpha dog who thrives on outperforming expectations. For the first winter in three years his upper body was fully healthy. Luke Fox | April 20, 2020, 10:11 AM Finally, under coach Sheldon Keefe, Matthews was given more ice time,

more trust and more tough matchups that demanded more butting of In our first-ever Toronto Maple Leafs mailbag — a trusty crutch in these heads. sports-content-starved times — we tackle 2020-21’s hole-filled blue line, “He’s been great,” Matthews said. “Everybody’s been really receptive to Auston Matthews’ increased physical presence, the uncertain contract him and I think he’s been extremely receptive to us as well. I think that’s status of Ilya Mikheyev and more. all you can really ask for.” Unlike Amazon, which can’t get around to shipping my nonessential rice what do u actual think ilya m. can get it versus what he should get? cooker until mid-May, this mail will get delivered on time. Thanks for the do you think Andreas J is the most likely to get traded?? questions. Keep ’em coming @lukefoxjukebox. — dan w (@danwass) April 13, 2020 What’s happening with the Leafs D-core next season? Only Rielly, Muzzin, Holl under contract. (Dermott RFA, Sandin & Liljegren not The great news on Ilya Mikheyev — Leafs Nation’s soup-slurping, guaranteed to make the team) Friends-studying cult hero — is that he has recovered from his horrific post-Christmas wrist injury and will be available to the club should the Can we expect Pietrangelo to come home? 2020-21 resume. And from a contract bargaining standpoint, the RFA- Revisit acquiring Josh Manson? bound rookie could benefit from a few games to prove his health and value. — KB (@KPBails) April 13, 2020 Mikheyev’s leverage will be minimal because the 25-year-old is still under This is far and away the greatest roster question mark hovering over the club control (although he is eligible for arbitration), the salary cap is organization, which currently commits less than 25 per cent of its salary expected to flatten and the winger has less than half an NHL season of cap space to its blue line. The retention of Jake Muzzin was critical, and experience (eight goals, 15 assists in 39 games). The player likes the Morgan Rielly and Justin Holl will be leaned on for heavy minutes and team; the team loves the player. We’d guess a one- or two-year bridge must be two of the 2020-21 Leafs’ greatest bargains. deal in the ballpark of the extension Pierre Engvall signed mid-season (two years at $1.25 million per year). Would a team with more budget If, like me, you agree Martin Marincin re-signed for the league minimum and ice time for forwards give Mikheyev a raise over $2 million? ($700,000) to quietly hang around as the seventh defenceman, and Probably. But Dubas’s investment in this player isn’t all financial, and like Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci will walk in free agency, that leaves three it or not, the GM must pinch the roster’s middle class to keep the Big 4 in open spots on a healthy blue line. the city. RFA Travis Dermott, 23, has no arbitration rights and, coming off On Andreas Johnsson, who is still recovering from February’s knee shoulder surgery, didn’t bust out in quite the way some of us imagined. surgery: I don’t think he’s the most likely to get traded, even though he His next deal has bridge written all over it. could well be the forward Dubas is most comfortable dealing. That’s In my opinion, Rasmus Sandin is essentially guaranteed to make the because Toronto would be trading when Mango’s value has dipped. team, but a veteran upgrade over righty Timothy Liljegren should be a Despite being given a prime opportunity in the top-six, Johnsson suffered top priority. a sophomore slump. He endured a series of injuries and, by virtually every measure, saw his numbers drop from that promising 20-goal No doubt, general manager Kyle Dubas’s dream would be bringing Alex freshman campaign. Pietrangelo home, but the Blues captain is happy where he is, and there is a mutual interest to get a deal done in St. Louis. The UFA targets drop If I’m a rival GM looking for a Toronto forward with cost certainty, I’m a tier from there to names like Justin Schultz, Sami Vatanen, Chris Tanev more likely to trade one of my defencemen for the speedy, spunky, and Radko Gudas. penalty-killing Kasperi Kapanen or the defensively responsible Alexander Kerfoot, who offers the ability to play centre as well. Toronto prefers trading for term, so defencemen who fit that bill absolutely include Josh Manson. We’d toss out the names Rasmus If restarted, would it not be prudent to have at least a 2 week mini- Ristolainen and Matt Dumba as nice fits as well. camp for conditioning purposes so minimize risk of injury to the athletes? Anything being discussed in that front? What do you think changed or clicked in Auston Matthews head for him to realize how much more effective he can be when he uses his — Wil Capano (@eeojj) April 13, 2020 large frame to physically dominate his opponents? Noticed more of a Yes, and also yes. mean streak in his game this season. Star players from Connor McDavid to John Carlson have publicly spoken — Anthony Cino (@anthonycino13) April 13, 2020 about the necessity for ice time, minicamps, plus exhibition and/or You’re 100 per cent right, Anthony. There was much more bite to regular-season games before leaping into the playoffs after what could Matthews’ game this season, and that edge — which personally I loved be a layoff exceeding five months. And the NHLPA will absolutely have a seeing emerge — was swelling as the playoff and Rocket Richard Trophy say on the when, if and how 2019-20 resumes. races simultaneously tightened. COVID-19 concerns aside, “we also want to make that our players don’t From an individual standpoint, the halt to AM34’s campaign was the jeopardize their health by coming back too soon and not being in game biggest bummer on the roster. His 40 hits on the year crushed his shape,” Gary Bettman said on CNN this week. previous high of 28, and last week Matthews described his 2019-20 as a Expect a two- or three-week on-ice ramp-up period between a lifted season of “lots of growth and room for growth.” quarantine and hockey that matters. Twice Matthews said he senses the Leafs need more of “a killer Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.21.2020 mentality,” and that quality has to start with your No. 1 centre.

Remember, the kid is only 22. A large reason for things “clicking” is simply maturity. 1183299 Websites It wouldn’t be easy but the Leafs are here only because, as a Cup hopeful with at least one obvious flaw, they’ll be as aggressive as they can be to fix that. So, any time a right-shot defenceman of significance becomes available, Toronto should have some degree of interest. Sportsnet.ca / Three potential destinations for Dustin Byfuglien, if he decides to return To start, this could only happen if Byfuglien wanted to come to the Leafs and took less than likely market value. That’s because the Leafs are already having to deal with a cap crunch and have committed $76.9 million to the 2020-21 roster. That’s without including pending UFAs Rory Boylen | April 20, 2020, 4:00 PM Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci, and also without factoring in what RFA Travis Dermott will command. If the cap stays flat, that would leave Toronto with less than $5 million of space to start from. The initial reaction from many fanbases to last Friday’s news that the Winnipeg Jets and Dustin Byfuglien had mutually terminated his contract, Byfuglien would be nice in Toronto’s top four, but even on a value thus making him a free agent, was likely: “Hey, does that mean he could contract, the team may have to move some money around elsewhere. sign with my team?” Would Leaf fans want Byfuglien instead of, say, Alexander Kerfoot? We’ll assume yes on the surface. But is this sort of investment, and the If Byfuglien — who was undecided about continuing his career before subsequent moves that would need to happen, worth it if you don’t even having ankle surgery and then couldn’t commit to the Jets afterwards — really know what Byfuglien has left? does one day return to the NHL, you can bet just about every team in the league would be calling his agent. He’s truly unique with a massive six- MINNESOTA WILD foot-five, 260-pound frame, and is a player who dominates all over the One thing is for sure: after leaving $14 million on the table to step away ice. There is probably no other more physically imposing player in the from Winnipeg, money doesn’t appear to be a driving factor behind league and he can score, too, notching at least 50 points in four of the Byfuglien’s actions. We don’t know what’s driving him right now, but if past seven 82-game seasons. there is any thought of him coming back to the bigs, then perhaps we But until Byfuglien himself speaks of his intentions, we’re all just guessing shouldn’t underestimate the draw of going home. Byfuglien is from whether or not he’ll play in the NHL again. Roseau, Minn., and played high school hockey there before leaving home to play at higher levels. “I would be shocked if he ever plays again. Shocked. But I mean, you never know I guess,” Kris Versteeg told Hockey Central last week. And the Wild could be a fit that makes sense for a few reasons. One: Versteeg and Byfuglien know each other from their time with the Chicago they wouldn’t have to tiptoe around the cap as much as Toronto. The Blackhawks. Wild have $65.3 million committed to next season’s roster and if Mikko Koivu retires, the players they need to re-sign shouldn’t add up to too View this post on Instagram much. So Minnesota could offer a competitive salary.

After 8 years of playing for Winnipeg, this chapter of our life comes to Two: Trade rumours have been swirling around this team’s defence all a close I have nothing but gratitude towards the Jets for an amazing 8 season, in particular, Matt Dumba and Jonas Brodin. Even if both of them years in Winnipeg. What an awesome experience it has been. From stay, Byfuglien could fall behind Jared Spurgeon and Dumba on the right having our first baby here, to now raising 3 kids in this much loved side of their depth chart. But if Dumba, especially, were to be moved, the community. We have grown up together and as a family here, and I Wild could acquire some tasty assets and have “Big Buff” as a top-four wouldn’t change that for the world. The support from Winnipeggers has replacement. been overwhelming. I appreciate all of you that have reached out to me with support and kindness. No one can know for certain what their future Three: While you have to wonder how legit a team is that was puttering may bring. I never thought for a second our time here would be cut short along all season and then strung some wins together when it looked as under these circumstances. The past 8 months have been the hardest of though all hope was lost, we still have to note that the Wild seemed to be my life. I struggled to come to terms with the situation. I struggled as a turning a corner before the pause. They were just one point out of the wife and as a mother under the stress. I didn’t want any of it to be true. second wild-card spot and had a 15-7-1 record since mid-January. This has been the only life I’ve known for a long time, and I am beyond Byfuglien could jump in, be a difference-maker for his hometown team devastated to have to leave here. I love this city, and the people in it. I and have a shot at playoff games, too. had the best 8 years of Dustin’s NHL career here in Winnipeg. I am going FLORIDA PANTHERS to miss every second of Dustin playing here. I’ll miss these amazing girls who are some of my absolute best friends. I’ll miss the schools, activities, Let’s get crazy here. and sports for the kids. There is just something about Winnipeg that is different. People feel like, and treat you like family, and I’m so grateful to As well as Byfuglien fit with the Jets and the city of Winnipeg, would he have experienced this. I will always be a Winnipegger at heart. Thank perhaps be interested in starting up again in a sunnier and warmer you so much to this city and the Jets organization for everything. Xo locale? Not to mention a team that has already made investments in winning (to middling results)? A post shared by EMILY BYFUGLIEN (@emily.byfuglien) on Apr 17, 2020 at 9:47am PDT The Panthers signed Sergei Bobrovsky to that massive, eight-year, $80- million UFA contract last summer that so far hasn’t worked out, but while It’s also worth noting that even though Byfuglien is officially a free agent he’s gotten all the negative press from his putrid numbers, he didn’t sink right now, he wouldn’t be able to help anyone’s Stanley Cup run if the the season on his own. Florida’s defence was porous, allowing the ninth- league is able to return to complete the 2020 playoffs. He would be free most 5-on-5 high-danger chances per NaturalStatTrick, and the 10th- to join a team and — hypothetically at least — fit in regular-season most shots per game overall. If Florida wants to come back stronger, it’ll games. But to qualify for a playoff roster, you have to have been on that need to upgrade the defence corps. team’s reserve list at the trade deadline and since Byfuglien was a Jet, he couldn’t play for anyone else in the post-season. There could be an opportunity to do it, too, though a ton of roster questions hang over this team. Mike Hoffman and Evgenii Dadonov, But at 35 years old, with a recent injury significant enough to require Florida’s top two goal scorers, are UFAs, as is Erik Haula, who was the surgery, and an entire season of games lost, it’s also reasonable to main piece coming back in the Vincent Trocheck trade. They have a few ponder what version of Byfuglien any prospective team would be getting. young forwards ready or near-ready to graduate to the NHL and four Would he return as the game-changing, do-everything defenceman? Or defencemen who are signed through at least the 2021-22 season. would he be a lesser version of that? But they’ve also shown in the past year or two a real desire to push this In the weird times we’re in right now, it’s difficult to project where a player thing ahead and, if that means shaking it up again this off-season, we may end up because we don’t even know what the salary cap will be shouldn’t be surprised. Byfuglien has a history with GM Dale Tallon and moving forward. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the NHL’s head coach , too — they all won a Cup together with economy has yet to be fully understood. But if we assume the cap stays Chicago in 2010. flat, or relatively close to that, we can at least begin to see where it may make sense for Byfuglien to land … if he lands anywhere at all. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.21.2020

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 1183300 Websites “It’s kind of cool to shine a spotlight on different people who are doing really cool things, and maybe aren’t as advanced in their careers but still have a lot to offer that we can all learn from,” Chayka says. “It was actually a lot simpler than I thought to find people. I’ve been really Sportsnet.ca / Meghan Chayka reconnecting hockey's analytics fortunate, but also happy with how connective and open the hockey community amid pandemic community, or sports community, is in general.”

Alongside Lukan, helping to organize and moderate the events, that led to a second iteration of HANIC featuring four-time Olympic gold medallist Sonny Sachdeva | April 20, 2020, 9:51 AM Jayna Hefford, as well as a keynote presentation from Matthew Barlowe, Application Developer for the NHL.

TORONTO — It begins the same way any social gathering does during With three somewhat on-the-fly sessions now in the books, interest has this odd segment of our current timeline: a rectangular box at centre- only continued to grow. After an initial tweet sent out in late March to test screen, first blank and then flipping between slightly fuzzy, framed-up the waters on the idea made immediately clear the potential interest, the faces situated in their most presentable rooms. The Zoom era of our HANIC sessions have seen 200 to 500 interested hockey lovers tune in 2020 social life has been a case study in determining the areas of our to each call, learning of them only through a few tweets sent out to homes we feel best convey professionalism. disperse Zoom links.

On this Saturday night, it’s Meghan Chayka — co-founder of the And keeping with the effort to do things differently, Chayka’s used the analytics company Stathletes — leading the online video session, along newly-created platform to ensure she’s highlighting diverse voices within with Alison Lukan, a group of panelists on deck, and a few hundred the hockey community that have long deserved to be amplified. analytics fans tuning in from their own screens. This is the third iteration “I think that’s where having these maybe non-traditional types of groups of the online video calls Chayka has been organizing for the past month of work becomes interesting, because there can be that diversity, where on Zoom, a digital conference series dubbed ‘Hockey (Analytics) Night in it’s not just the white man who, you know, played in the NHL for 15 Canada’ or HANIC. years,” she says. “There’s an element where people understand that “First up, we have coaching and analytics,” Chayka tells the crowd diversity and background in thought is important, and not only moves you gathered online. “We really wanted to do something a bit different.” away from groupthink, but helps you become more of a well-rounded, well-put-together research group. Taking the digital floor soon after is Wes Wolfe, assistant coach for the OHL’s Erie Otters, followed by former NHLer Rob Schremp and then “It’s sort of a new environment, where there are no preconceived notions Rachel Doerrie, currently the director of advanced performance for York of what background makes the most sense.” University and recently an analyst for the New Jersey Devils. The trio The Internet proved once again slow to accept progressive thought share their thoughts on how best to bridge the gap between advanced without incident, though, as the first HANIC session was hijacked by trolls data-based thinking and traditional coaching methods, before Meghan offering up a tirade of obscenities — a disappointing, but not wholly Hall, a well-known voice in the hockey analytics community, takes over to surprising, result, she says. close out the evening with a coding-focused keynote presentation. “Any time you leave space on the internet for something to happen, you The panelists are among a long list to have already graced the digital kind of open yourself up, especially the more popular things are. I had HANIC stage — the first online session on March 28 featured 15 created a waiting room, I did everything to basically try to prevent any speakers ranging from pro players like Sarah Nurse, Renata Fast and sort of interruptions. … I was hopeful that people would be a little more Natalie Spooner, to familiar voices from across the hockey analytics respectful than 10-15 minutes. space like Micah Blake McCurdy, Asmae Toumi and Harman Dayal, with a number of others representing different corners of the hockey world. “Whatever came of it, I was just happy to have a bit more of a gender- balanced approach to talking about hockey.” In the beginning, before that debut session, the idea of reconnecting the analytics community through free, openly-accessible video calls was The impact of the online conferences on hockey fans, stuck in quarantine simply an effort to salvage what had already been planned and lost as a awaiting a far-off return to normalcy, has been clear to see. Photos have result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chayka tells Sportsnet. trickled in from viewers over social media voicing their appreciation, with everyone from young kids to Columbus Blue Jackets assistant GM Josh “We were actually supposed to do a cross-Canada hackathon — there Flynn taking in the presentations. were five or six campuses involved and quite a large number of NHL teams as well, and it obviously got cancelled. So, my thinking originally It’s become a telling encapsulation of the passion for an analytics was just bringing that online,” she says. movement that’s been gaining momentum in the hockey world for years, and figures to only keep growing with player-tracking in the NHL’s Chayka was set to give the keynote address at a hockey conference in immediate plans. Ottawa in May, too. And having also just spoken at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston — which only just barely escaped “I think it’s a lot broader of a field than maybe originally people think, or is cancellation — she figured there were plenty of potentially lost talked about in traditional media. And that’s why I think it captures so discussions to still be had by shifting the conversation online. many people with their interest, whether they’re from the engineering, computer science or math and stats side, there’s a lot of different skills But the change of venue also granted something more, the chance to “do that go into any one topic or any one group,” Chayka says. “So, I think it’s something a bit different,” as she’d said. just even interesting to young people and students that have these types “It’s not just ex-hockey players commenting on the game, it’s actually, of skills and never really thought that they could work in sports, but now you know, ‘Where is sport going in general? Where is sport tech going?’ are seeing gaps. And giving people something to think about on a Saturday night that’s “You can really see that it’s not going to go away any time soon. It’ll just maybe atypical for the usual hockey talk,” she says. “I feel like during become more and more about competitive advantage for whatever sport quarantine, anything goes, so that was how it sort of snowballed from the league or team or group can figure out how to leverage it best.” original idea of keeping these conferences going.” As for how that movement ties into HANIC — the next of which goes With a vision for the type of conversation she hoped to create space for, April 25, highlighted by Lukan’s presentation on tracking in hockey — the getting together the voices to carry it was a fairly simple task given goal is much simpler, Chayka says. Chayka’s unique place in the hockey world. “Because I work in the NHL and overseas, in all different facets — the tech world, the sports world, “I’m just happy that people are connecting and learning something from hockey ops, business ops — I feel like I have a lot of touch-points,” she it.” says. The first step was bringing aboard those who were set to speak at the since-cancelled conferences previously dotting Chayka’s schedule. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.21.2020 The next was reaching out to others in the analytics world whose work she felt deserved a wider audience. 1183301 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / The best team in Vancouver Canucks history, Part I – Sportsnet

by Iain MacIntyre

RICK BOWNESS (Assistant coach, 2006–2013) I do remember almost breaking up a practice fight with Kevin and Kesler. They were fooling around the ice and then it got a little too serious. Someone yelled, ‘Bones, you can’t leave the ice, they’re going to have a fight!’ I looked back and sure enough, they were just about ready to go at it. By the time we got them in the locker room, it was forgotten. That’s how competitive they were.

KELLY We were on the bench once before practice. Trevor Linden was there. I can’t remember exactly how it all happened, but right around then, 8 Mile was a big movie. Kesler was saying something, and Bieksa replied, “Okay, 4 Mile.” I thought Trevor and I were going to fall off the bench.

BURROWS I remember Kevin cutting the sleeves off one of my favourite sweaters. After practice I got dressed and the sleeves were cut off. Obviously he’s saying it’s not him, and then Kesler is saying it’s not him, and you don’t really know who did it. I think that’s the angriest I got. We went to Columbus and in one of these restaurants, there was a vending machine where you could scoop up a lobster and bring it back home and cook it yourself. We took it back and threw it in Ryan’s bed. He wasn’t too happy having a lobster in his bed.

We interrupt all of this craziness to remind you these three could really play. Kesler, taken 23rd overall in the 2003 NHL Draft, won the Selke Trophy in 2011. He is seventh all-time among Canucks in shorthanded goals, 10th in game-winners.

KELLY You could tell he was going to be an NHL guy. There was no doubt. It was just a matter of time.

SMYL I remember him early on [with the Moose], his first leg was always over the boards. Like, “I want this, I want this.” And it’s kind of, “Take your time. You’re going to get your time.”

CRAWFORD I remember him struggling with offence that first year he spent in the American League. But he played a very mature game for a young player, defensively. My brother [Marc], who was coaching in Vancouver at the time, liked and respected how he played. We were a little concerned that offence was going to be problematic for him if he didn’t follow the proper steps. But he proved us wrong. Peter Sarno was our highest-scoring player [in 2004-05], and he was kind of our half-wall guy on the power play, but Kesler was a very dominant two-way power forward. And he scored 30 that year.

NEWELL BROWN (Assistant coach, 2010–2013, 2017–present) Kesler in front of the net on the power play was fantastic. A lot of guys don’t want to do that job, because they want to play on the half-wall, which is more of a prestigious role. But Kes just really bought into that. He ended up scoring 41 goals and 15 power-play goals [in 2010–11].

HIGGINS I played on a line with Kesler pretty much my entire time in Vancouver. We felt we matched up well against the other team’s best players. We would talk before the game and say, “We’re going to win this matchup.” And we would tell the rest of the team, “We’re winning this matchup, so if you guys win your matchups, we’ll win the game.”

JEFF TAMBELLINI (LW, 2010–2011) He played at Ohio State. I played at Michigan. So, coming up, the first time I met him, it was in such a heated NCAA rivalry that of course we didn’t like each other. Once I got into the room with him, I had more respect for the way this guy played. He played it so hard.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183302 Websites Tyler Seguin talks to @markhmasters about the All-In Challenge and what he’s offering in a 'Dream Day' with the Stars, provides insight into teammate Alexander Radulov and his belief that there will be some form of playoffs this season: https://t.co/0jukTdxuV9#TSNHockey TSN.CA / Tyler Stars' Seguin all-in for COVID-19 relief, resuming NHL pic.twitter.com/kj8P5Gknbo season — TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) April 20, 2020

During a recent Instagram story chat with fans, you said Radulov is the Mark Masters teammate you miss most, because he's a funny guy who always has something going on. Meanwhile, Jamie Benn said Radulov is the guy

he'd least like to be in quarantine with. Can you give us a sense of what Tyler Seguin already wanted in on the All In Challenge when his cell this guy is all about? buzzed with a message from an old friend. "That's how he is. He's got great days and not-so-great days. It depends "I saw guys like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning doing it and I saw Meek who you get. I mean, I love him. I love all his personalities and I love him Mill put up his Rolls-Royce and it’s a $300,000 car," said the Dallas Stars as a teammate. He's the biggest competitor or one of the biggest centre. "So, I saw these cool things and was like, 'I want to be a part of it.' competitors I've ever played with. If the puck goes in the corner he's And, sure enough, Michael Del Zotto from Anaheim texted me and said, going to fight three guys for that puck. But, definitely he has different 'I'm doing it, can I nominate you?'" days."

The All In Challenge, organized by sports retailer Fanatics, provides a As part of the All In Challenge, the NHL is auctioning off a special 2021 platform for prominent athletes, musicians and celebrities to auction off Winter Classic package. What do you remember most about your items or 'experience' packages with all proceeds going to charities experience this season at the Cotton Bowl? working to eliminate food insecurities during the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's hard to put one thing. I think the family day was incredible, getting to Del Zotto actually included Seguin in his package, with the winning share that with the family and friends and just going out there. That's the bidder getting to play a round of golf with the pair. day before so you practise and bring your family out and you get to see it all and just imagining how many people will be at the game. #ALLINCHALLENGE @tseguinofficial pic.twitter.com/GKdn4YFAJx "And then my next biggest moment was when we played soccer, playing — Michael Del Zotto (@MichaelDelZotto) April 16, 2020 two touch before the game started and realizing what it's like being an NFL player in a way. You hear everything good and bad so we walked by "He told me that after he did it," Seguin noted with a grin. "But I'm good Nashville's fan base and heard all the chirping and then our fans. It was with that. We were roommates for a couple summers so we'll come up surreal to see everything that that game was going to entail. with some stories. He's a guy that needs everything super clean and we've had a lot [of] arguments over it. I'd leave my pants out or my pots "And then it was business as usual after that, played a game and there's out or my drawers open and he has to be spotless. There will be a lot of no time to get nervous or jitters, it's right into hockey, which is great. And good storytelling." then after the game taking that team picture after winning, I'll never forget that as well." Seguin is offering a dream day with the Stars. The winning bidder will get to attend a morning skate, hang out in the dressing room, watch a game They said it couldn’t be done. Happy New Year everybody. #gostars from seats on the glass and get Seguin's game-used stick, which will be #2020 pic.twitter.com/Bopr7smusU signed by the team. The night will end with dinner. Seguin says Nick and Sam's, a steakhouse, is his go-to spot in Big D although he hasn't settled — Tyler Seguin (@tseguinofficial) January 2, 2020 on a specific location for the night. Any chirps from the fans stand out? You said you heard everything. I’ve accepted the #ALLINCHALLENGE to help feed the hungry "I heard everything. A lot of swearing and off-side comments, but we'll during this challenging time. Click here to see what I’m putting up: leave those there." https://t.co/uQVwa3neWp. Also, @Benbishop30, @Bmarch63 I challenge you to be ALL IN!! Lets goo pic.twitter.com/dVb3vJDjyn Were you tempted to bid on any of the other All In Challenge auctions when you were scanning them? — Tyler Seguin (@tseguinofficial) April 19, 2020 "There's some heavy numbers up there. I think that day with Tom Brady While Seguin is aware of all the talk about neutral-site games and other and going to the (Tampa Bay) home opener. Whether it's working out return-to-play possibilities for the National Hockey League, he prefers to with him or being able to pick his brain, I mean, that's a pretty cool focus on the present. experience." "It hasn't crossed my mind yet," he insisted. "The thought process right (Note: The leading bid for the Brady package is up to $775,000 as of now, honestly, starts with being worried about the world and the less Monday afternoon.) fortunate and the people who are going through so much worse things than I am. I accept the #ALLINCHALLENGE. Watch the video & go to https://t.co/bRtYgf65MS to get involved. I challenge my wife "And then it's, 'How can I be positive right now in my life?' And, 'How @giseleofficial, my buddy @drake & YOU @nflcommish to go ALL IN! focused can I be on being ready to play hockey?'" pic.twitter.com/QDeBNEM0rf — DallasStars (@DallasStars) April 15, 2020 — @tombrady (@TomBrady) April 15, 2020 Seguin spoke to TSN via Zoom on Monday. The 28-year-old reflected on Growing up, what was your coolest fan moment? A moment when you his season to date, offered a scouting report on his hometown Maple had to pinch yourself. Leafs and looked ahead to potential playoff opponents for the Stars. "I mean, growing up it was tough, because I was always a Leafs fan The following is an edited transcript of the exchange. (smile). So, watching (Mats) Sundin all the time scoring goals, I mean, As part of the All In Challenge, you're offering behind-the-scenes access that was awesome. And Shayne Corson, Darcy Tucker, all those guys, to the dressing room. So, which teammates will you introduce to the but the big moment was going to be when they won. Obviously, I'm person and who will you steer clear from? talking to TSN now so I'm not going to say I'm a Leafs fan, but if we were out of the playoffs and they were still playing I'd probably still watch, "Introducing to, probably, Ben Bishop. He's the social butterfly of the because I'm Toronto raised and it's Leafs forever growing up there." team. I think he's called every player on the team almost every day and just wants to talk so he's a good person to introduce to people he's never The Stars played the Leafs twice in the last six weeks before the pause. met. And I'd probably steer clear of (Alexander) Radulov. He's just a bit What did you think of this version of the team? of an intimidating human being, no teeth, a lot of hair, speaks a lot of "They're a good hockey team. They have so much skill, so much offence. Russian around the room so probably avoid him." They're pretty deep and they're fun to play against. It's just rapid fire. It reminds me a bit of playing the Red Wings back in the day, just that first shift you see the puck move around and keep going. They just got to get — TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) April 8, 2020 a little better defensively, get some more experience and they'll be a good hockey team." How do you feel about your season? I know you like to put up points, but the way the Stars play it's more about defence. Playing your ex-teammate Jason Spezza, did any moments stand out going up against him? "I feel good. I feel like our team still has a lot of offence that we're leaving on the table, but it's also not our identity. We're a defensive team that has "Every faceoff’s a moment. He was one of those guys, I won't say early in great goaltending and our forwards track back hard and we put a lot of my career, but he helped grow my faceoff abilities. I started off with Rich our energy into that. So, I'm all about winning and I love winning games Peverley in Boston and David Krejci and then watched Patrice Bergeron and our style works. You sacrifice the goals and points sometimes, but and then definitely Spezza taught me many things at the dot and taught it's all about winning and getting back to the Stanley Cup. So, I'm all for me many things about being a leader and leadership qualities and how we're playing." everything about being a pro on and off the ice. Spezza's the go-to guy to be a role model. A lot of chirps at the dot against him." TSN.CA LOADED: 04.21.2020

Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky recently did a joint interview. If the NHL asked you to do something similar, who do you think you'd have a good conversation with?

"I'd like to pick Scotty Bowman's brain. I met him once, but I'd like to get to know him more. Growing up my idol was Steve Yzerman and I met him a couple of times. You know, just the way he transitioned his game, he was a younger player, got statistics and all this, but he grew into a leader and didn't win, really, until late and then was part of a dynasty. So, probably those two guys to start off with."

— NHL (@NHL) April 20, 2020

What's your sense on whether the season will resume? Are you optimistic, pessimistic or hard to say?

"I'm planning that we're going to play. I'm mentally preparing and physically preparing like we're going to play. Right away I had a six-week program planned that I thought we were playing in six weeks and now it's probably a 16, 18-week program. I mean, you could sit here and speculate all you want. I, personally, think we're going to play playoffs at some point whether that's with fans or no fans. It's my 10th year in the league, you know, (it's) not often a Stanley Cup comes around and I want every opportunity to win it so I don't want to take a year off."

How long would you need to get up to speed?

"We're all professional athletes. We're all going to be fine when it comes to staying in shape. I'm not worried about that at all. But, we're going to need some kind of time on the ice. You can prepare all you want, but to get on the ice (is important), have that cold feeling in your lungs, the sore throat, all that stuff that comes from getting back on the ice. So, not being on the ice is tough."

Two to four weeks seems to be the idea for a mini camp.

"Yeah, two to four weeks. I was talking to Ben Bishop and he says he needs five to seven days, but he's Ben Bishop and he's a goalie so I don't know. I think it varies guy to guy, but I think we're all in the same boat here so there's not going to be any excuses."

With a long break now, it’s a chance to take a big-picture view of things. Is there one thing you'd like to see changed in hockey or you think is worth taking a look at?

"I've thought a lot about the way our playoffs are and having two of the top teams sometimes playing each other in the first round or second round and how you could change that. But, I mean, every year's different. You get in the playoffs and it doesn't matter where you finish anymore. You know, you look at a team like Nashville that finished eighth and went to the Stanley Cup Final (in 2017). You look at St. Louis last year, I mean, they were dead last and they come on and Tampa Bay is unbeatable and then they lose [the] first round. So, I don't think it matters at the end of the day. So, whatever the fans like the most. But, I guess that's something I've thought about."

It appeared like you were lining up to play Colorado in the first round. Dallas swept all four games from the Avalanche in the regular season. What did you like about that matchup?

"You don't love or hate any potential matchup, no matter what. You got to get through these great teams in our division. It's pretty insane. Colorado has a ton of skill. I've also heard a couple times on Twitter and stuff about going back (to where every team was after) 68 games and that would mean we're facing St. Louis. And the thought process of that is if you want to win a Stanley Cup you got to get through them at some point so you welcome it. It's just about being prepared now and being ready to go for whenever that day comes." 1183303 Websites Brooks has been staying on top of the workouts sent to players from the Leafs’ strength and conditioning staff, incorporating everything from yoga to speed drills in his routine. It took a lot of work for him to build the foundation of skill used to reach the NHL, and Brooks is committed to TSN.CA / Tough lessons give Toronto Maple Leafs F Adam Brooks a keeping it as locked in as possible during the break. new appreciation for NHL hockey “One area I've seen a lot of improvement in myself, and that I still think I can improve upon to stay at that NHL level, is just being a little bit quicker,” he said. “I’ve been improving my skating and just being stronger Kristen Shilton all around on the puck. The work that you do with this organization, and especially [skating consultant] Barb Underhill, is incredible. Just the steps that she has made with me already, and that I still want to try to get to as Ask Maple Leafs’ rookie Adam Brooks about the first “Welcome to the a player, is exciting.” NHL” moment of his young seven-game career, and he’s quick to tell the tale of getting schooled by a fellow Winnipeg native. Until that journey is safe to continue, Brooks can be sustained by a few positive memories of the season, ones that remind him of scaling “We were playing Chicago [on Jan.18],” Brooks recalled to TSN last hockey’s highest peak, and the euphoric feeling from the top. week. "There was a six-on-five situation and Jonathan Toews walked me – just walked in for a goal. Your responsibility is to push him to the “Just being in the locker room with the Leafs for my first game, knowing outside and be harder on him, and just be a lot harder in situations like how exciting it was, was incredible,” he said. “You grew up your whole that than I was. You can never take any part of the game off. So that’s life hoping to play in the NHL and to put on one of those jerseys and one of the things where you're like, ‘Well, this is the next step, so you when you're in the stall sitting around guys like Auston [Matthews], Mitch need to take to really up your game and stay up here.’” [Marner], Jason Spezza, John Tavares, Morgan [Rielly], like top-end talent in the NHL, and you see your name on an NHL jersey, it's a pretty That was the last NHL action Brooks saw this season. The 23-year-old exciting experience and one that I'll never forget.” forward was returned to the American Hockey League’s Marlies just hours after the Leafs’ 6-2 loss, having tallied three assists during his stay. TSN.CA LOADED: 04.21.2020

More importantly, he left with a whole new appreciation for hockey at its highest level.

“If you had asked me a couple years ago if I ever thought I was gonna play in the NHL, I would probably have been a little hesitant to say yes,” Brooks said. “But I felt very good, I felt confident. That whole experience of just getting a chance to play those games and then to feel comfortable through most of them, it was really cool.”

If not for the COVID-19 pandemic that shuttered hockey operations in mid-March, Brooks could have seen another recall before the season was out.

Despite his prior reservations about being able to make the NHL jump, Toronto has been grooming Brooks to potentially fill a depth spot in its lineup. The Leafs grabbed Brooks in the fourth round, 92nd overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, after he put up 120 points for the WHL’s in 2015-16. Brooks followed that up with another prolific 130-point campaign for the Pats in his final junior season before joining the Marlies.

Brooks showed some promise during the limited minutes he played for the big club this season (averaging 7:51 per game primarily on the fourth line) by generating solid underlying numbers with 51 per cent possession and an expected goals-for percentage of 54 at 5-on-5.

Back in the AHL, Brooks was determined to learn from his mistakes while continuing to improve, and had 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 29 AHL games when the pandemic struck.

Biding time now back home in Winnipeg, Brooks has been reflecting on whether he’ll see the ice again at all this season, and what his future might hold as a pending restricted free agent nearing the end of his three-year, entry-level contract.

“There was definitely some ups and downs with the way I played [in the NHL] and things that I would have liked to correct,” he said. “But just getting your feet a little bit wet, it allowed me to learn a lot. Even the things that didn't probably go so well for me were still learning experiences that I'm able to correct and get better at, whether the season continues and I'm able to go back to the AHL, or maybe be a Black Ace for the Leafs. And then hopefully [take that] into next season as well.”

While the details of his next contract still have to be worked out, Brooks talks about his coming chapter as being in Toronto. He feels fortunate to have made big strides in the system, and has a good relationship with Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe, who was the Marlies’ bench boss for the first two seasons Brooks played there.

“Whatever was asked of me from Sheldon, I would be ready to do,” Brooks said. “He's a coach where you know exactly where you're at, at all times. You know what he expects from you. I would relish [any chance he gave me] and try to excel at. But at the same time, I’m really not looking at that right now. You still need to get in the best shape that you possibly can for whatever comes towards the end of this season now.” 1183304 Websites defencemen, Eberle and Hall were displaced for Oscar Klefbom and Matt Benning. Two quality defenders, but defenders who stick out like sore thumbs compared to their peers. (That said, Benning in particular has always been underrated.) TSN.CA / Yost: Assembling All-Decade Teams for each NHL club Montreal Canadiens: I was surprised to see David Desharnais make the cut on the Montreal roster, but keep in mind two things: the Canadiens have been the most average franchise of the decade, finishing 15th in Travis Yost winning percentage. And the years where they were great were really anchored by a small core of dominant players – Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban in their primes, Brendan Gallagher entering his own as the future With this being the final NHL regular season of the decade, I had been face of the franchise, and veteran Andrei Markov, who played through planning on drafting up All-Decade Teams for the 31 clubs. It’s the the 2016-17 regular season. All great players, but a reminder that the perfect off-season topic – one you can give proper attention to in the second tier in Montreal was quite thin – so much so that the next two middle of July when there is little else going on in the hockey world. players from the cut line were Paul Byron and Josh Gorges.

Then the last month happened, and plans certainly changed. Ottawa Senators: Before the Ottawa Senators became the NHL’s disaster on (and off) ice, the organization had done a masterful job of So, how would one go about defining what these All-Decade Teams securing high-end talent. So much so that you wonder how it was should look like? There are any number of ways to go about this, but I possible this team, save one Stanley Cup run in 2016-17, couldn’t get think the selection criteria is important to define. over the playoff hump. But perhaps the most interesting point, which I “Sustained productivity” is the phrase that best defines the players we think has been realized years after the fact: Erik Karlsson may have been are looking for – those who were highly productive contributors with the the face of the franchise, and his peak may have been second to none same team for an extended period of time. on the blueline. But the team’s most valuable player over the past decade was Mark Stone. We’ve seen that play out since Stone left the Because we are looking at aggregated contributions, it of course means franchise to help take the Vegas Golden Knights to new heights. that special one- off seasons may get lost in the shuffle – think of Mike Ribeiro in Washington as an example, a player who averaged more than Toronto Maple Leafs: Nazem Kadri! I don’t want history to be rewritten a point per game in his only season with the Capitals. merely because Kadri didn’t have the luxury of playing for the same calibre a team as, say, Auston Matthews. Kadri’s exit from the There are a few ways to quantify contributions – we could use something organization was unceremonious but consider these two data points: he like scoring rates, but that would really only help us with our forward was just -2 in goal differential at even strength for a Toronto team that group. We could use on-ice goal differential, but that would was -42 with him off of the ice. Don’t forget about his 161 goals and 357 disproportionately affect players who skated in front of elite or shoddy points either. goaltending. As one example: Connor McDavid’s sophomore season was played in the midst of a blistering Cam Talbot performance. Oilers Vancouver Canucks: The Sedin twins were obviously going to occupy the forwards predating McDavid, like Taylor Hall in 2010-11, played in front top two spots, but the closest mathematical race in the league was of 37-year old Nikolai Khabibulin. You get the point. actually for the third forward slot here. Jannik Hansen played for Vancouver for nearly a decade prior to being traded to San Jose in 2016- To try and cover all bases and contributions across all game states, I’ll 17, and his longevity with the club helped with his counting total use Evolving Hockey’s regression-based Goals Above Replacement compilation. But a mere rounding error away from stealing the third spot? model. Here we can aggregate contributions for all skaters relative to our Elias Pettersson, who has played all of a season and a half with the club. expectations for replacement-level talent, and the results are about what Pettersson is a superstar of the highest order, and two freakishly strong we would expect: the leaders of the decade are Pittsburgh’s Sidney performances were nearly enough to earn All-Decade consideration. Crosby, Los Angeles’ Anze Kopitar, Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos and Chicago’s Jonathan Toews. Winnipeg Jets: It is a shame that Dustin Byfuglien’s exit from the organization was so abrupt. I’m not sure if we will see Byfuglien skating So, what would each five-man unit look like, taking the three most for another team in the NHL at some point in time, but I do know that he productive forwards and two most productive defencemen? was a big reason for Winnipeg’s return to competitiveness. Defencemen One thing that jumps out is that, despite tremendous track records of with that much size and offensive prowess are impossible to come by, success in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles over the past 10 and the Jets parlayed that into years of respectability. seasons, no team has had a more productive core group of players than We’ll add goaltending tandems on Thursday! Boston. TSN.CA LOADED: 04.21.2020 The Patrice Bergeron - Brad Marchand combination has been indomitable for ages, anchored by the ageless Zdeno Chara on the blueline. Think about how talented this core is and what it means for the players that were left on the outside looking in – David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, two staples of the current roster, couldn’t crack Boston’s top five.

The other thing that jumps out is that the Canadian teams, save Vancouver, are strongly represented by players from the back half of the decade. There were some interesting debates across the Canadian clubs to be sure – I’ve added some quick thoughts for each club below:

Calgary Flames: While the defensive pairing was quite obvious (Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie have been sensational for years now), the forward groups were a bit more difficult. Sean Monahan edged out Matthew Tkachuk for the final forward slot, but it’s close enough to be debatable, and that’s with giving Monahan credit for three additional seasons of production. Something worth remembering going forward: the Flames are +22 in even-strength goal differential with Tkachuk on the ice since 2016-17, and he is yet to have a season with a negative number.

Edmonton Oilers: If you look at the Oilers' system now, it is teeming with capable defensive players. There is perhaps a sensible argument to be made that one of these defensive prospects, at some point in time, will become a trade piece for an impact winger. But that hasn’t always been the case. The Oilers' five best skaters of the decade included the three above forwards, Taylor Hall, and Jordan Eberle. Having to take two 1183305 Websites Editor’s Note: Watch out for the Hurricanes if the NHL resumes. They’ve got one of the youngest forward corps in the league (read: should be back in shape quickly) and they’re likely to be healthy for the first time in a long time with Dougie Hamilton and Sami Vatanen ready to return. TSN.CA / Seravalli: An audit of our 31 bold predictions for the NHL Brett Pesce (shoulder) is on track to return next season. season 7. CHICAGO - Robin Lehner will continue to author one of hockey’s best stories as he carries the Blackhawks back to the playoffs after a two-year hiatus. Frank Seravalli Verdict: Hmmm

Editor’s Note: Does it count if Lehner continues to author that story in With the National Hockey League season on pause, there’s no better Vegas instead of Chicago? No, probably not. The Hawks hung in the mix time than now to flog yourself in public. most of the season, teasing fans by hovering around four points out most Let’s take a look back and audit our 31 bold predictions from September, of the postseason. But it seems like the only way Chicago gets in is if the where some have reached final verdicts while others are still pending NHL expands to a 24-team playoff, which is unlikely. with varying levels of confidence. 8. COLORADO - The Colorado Avalanche will hoist the Stanley Cup for There was certainly some good (St. Louis), some bad (San Jose) and the third time in franchise history. some just plain ugly (Edmonton) preseason picks: Confidence Level: As good a Cup pick as any 1. ANAHEIM - With fans expecting a retooling season, the Ducks will be Editor’s Note: The argument for the Avs chance to win the Cup this one of the surprise teams in the West. season is the same one might make for Nathan MacKinnon to win the Verdict: Swing and a miss Hart. After MacKinnon, almost all of Colorado’s key contributors have missed significant time: Mikko Rantanen (28 games), Nazem Kadri (19), Editor’s Note: This bet looked pretty good for the first three weeks of the Gabriel Landeskog (16), Andre Burakovsky (12), Cale Makar (eight) and season with Anaheim off to a 6-2 start. Brighter days are ahead for the starter Philipp Grubauer (one month). Ducks with Trevor Zegras on the way, a lottery ticket in the first round, plus an extra first-round pick from the Ondrej Kase deal near the 9. COLUMBUS - The Blue Jackets will slide back into no-man’s land, but deadline. it won’t be because of GM Jarmo Kekalainen’s gamble on inexperienced goalies Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins. It’ll be because Columbus 2. ARIZONA - The Coyotes will miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the won’t generate enough scoring. eighth straight season. Verdict: Half right? Verdict: Right on Editor’s Note: Columbus was far from no-man’s land. Shame on me. Editor’s Note: The Coyotes’ season has been confounding. Without They’re unlikely to make the playoffs if qualifiers are decided by points Taylor Hall: 19-12-4. With Taylor Hall: 14-17-4. Yes, No. 1 netminder percentage or 68-game rollback. But it has been a serious struggle to Darcy Kuemper was out, but the Coyotes were consistent in goals score. Only the Red Wings, one of the worst teams in the salary cap era, against with and without Kuemper. A rocky summer could now be in have scored fewer goals that the Blue Jackets in the East this season. store for GM John Chayka, currently without a first-round pick from the Hall trade, along with a serious investigation looming on Arizona’s 10. DALLAS - GM Jim Nill will take home the GM of the Year Award. alleged illegal physical testing of draft prospects. Verdict: He’s in the mix 3. BOSTON - Torey Krug will remain with the Bruins past TradeCentre Editor’s Note: Nill didn’t finish in the top three in the PHWA’s Midseason but walk as a free agent on July 1. Awards voting. Joe Sakic took the prize there – and he may well again Confidence Level: Not particularly high when it’s all said and done – but Nill is certainly deserving of consideration. The Stars will be a tough out in the playoffs, if they Editor’s Note: Even with the salary cap remaining flat, there is a path happen, because Nill has built his team based on a blueprint for the forward for the Bruins to keep Krug. Getting Anaheim to take $4.5 million postseason’s style of play. of David Backes’ cap hit for next season was the key. Jake DeBrusk is due a new deal and Matt Grzelcyk will probably double his pay, but the 11. DETROIT - #APrayerForLafreniere. The Red Wings will win the 2020 B’s should have enough room. Draft Lottery and pick No. 1 overall for the second time (Joe Murphy, 1986) in the entry draft era. 4. BUFFALO - Jason Botterill’s future as Sabres GM will be up for debate after Buffalo doesn’t come close to the playoffs for the third straight Confidence Level: 18.5 per cent season on his watch. Editor’s Note: Indeed, the Winged Wheel will finish 31st and earn an 18.5 Verdict: It’s up for debate per cent shot at Alexis Lafreniere. What I didn’t account for in this prediction was that the Senators would have a better likelihood – Editor’s Note: The heat has been turned up on both Botterill and the potentially at 25 per cent – as a combination of their own pick (13.5) and Pegulas in Buffalo. There have been pluses (Ralph Krueger) and the Sharks’ pick (11.5), because I didn’t see San Jose finishing 29th. minuses (Jeff Skinner’s contract) for Botterill in the last year, more pluses than minuses in fact, which will probably allow him another year to right 12. EDMONTON - Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will see a drop in the ship. points, but the Oilers will be better for it this season, hitting the 90-point mark. 5. CALGARY - Kiss goodbye those dreams of another 100-point season, the Flames are taking a step back this year. Verdict: Public humiliation

Verdict: Spot on Editor’s Note: Draisaitl was only on pace for one of the best individual scoring seasons in the salary cap era and McDavid was right behind him Editor’s Note: The Flames hit the pause on pace for 93 points over a full at 97 points. Hey, at least the Oilers were on pace to be north of 90 – and 82-game season. There have been some rocky stretches, but in the playoffs! considering the spot they were in on the night Bill Peters’ racial slurs came to light (11-12-4), Calgary has handled a tumultuous season – one 13. FLORIDA - Despite spending to the cap, signing Sergei Bobrovsky with playoff expectations and a number of free agents – really well under and hiring the best coach of his generation in Joel Quenneville, the interim coach Geoff Ward. Panthers will still miss the playoffs.

6. CAROLINA - Can I get an encore? The Canes want more. They’ll get it Verdict: Yes guy as they return to the Eastern Conference Final for the second spring in a Editor’s Note: It’s difficult to say with certainty in year one because of the row. position, but Bobrovsky’s contract may go down as one of the big-money Verdict: So, you’re saying there’s a chance? mistakes of the salary cap era. Now, after likely failing to make the playoffs for the eighth time in 10 seasons, GM Dale Tallon could well scrutiny. The Islanders just squeak in with the eighth spot in the East on have run out of chances with owner Vinnie Viola. points percentage, but who knows if those last 14 games are played?

14. LOS ANGELES - Breakout star Jack Campbell will become an NHL 20. NEW YORK RANGERS - Going up against two Hughes (Jack and starter this season, if not with the Kings, then elsewhere. Campbell will Quinn), Kaapo Kakko will capture the Calder Trophy as rookie of the become quite the trade chip for GM Rob Blake. year.

Verdict: Close, but no cigar Verdict: No guy

Editor’s Note: Campbell was traded to the Maple Leafs on Feb. 5 along Editor’s Note: At least I had the good sense to mention Quinn Hughes in with Kyle Clifford in exchange for Trevor Moore, a third-round pick and a the Calder Trophy conversation. Kakko’s 18-year-old season was paused conditional third-round pick. He provided much needed stability in the with 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points, definitely underwhelming backup position for Toronto, going 3-2-1 with a .915 save percentage. It’s number. There is much to learn, but Kakko does have more goals (by just that he won’t be a starter, at least not in Toronto, and he’s signed to three) and points (by two) than Jack Hughes, his cross-Hudson rival and an extension that pays him a manageable $1.65 million for each of the the player picked one spot ahead of him last June. next two years. 21. OTTAWA - The Sens will not finish last in the Eastern Conference. 15. MONTRÉAL - Claude Julien will win the for the second time in his career as coach of the year. The playoff-bound Habs Verdict: Better cash than trash will become the most exciting team in the NHL to watch. Editor’s Note: Admittedly, the bar wasn’t exactly high here, not with Steve Julien: ‘I need to be ready for any scenario the NHL comes up with’ Yzerman’s long-term plan that has a few years to run in Detroit. But these Sens were a scrappy, competitive bunch – one that could be back Canadiens head coach Claude Julien says that he has spoken to the in the playoff mix as soon as next season. Ottawa has arguably the team to see how they have been handling the layoff. Julien also says that deepest prospect pool in hockey and it’s about to get a lot better with two his coaching staff has continued to Watch video and stay sharp for when top-five picks in the Draft – and maybe even Alexis Lafreniere. training camp inevitably gets going again. 22. PHILADELPHIA - Carter Hart will win the Vezina Trophy after leading Verdict: Simonac! the Flyers back to the playoffs.

Editor’s Note: Wrong on all counts. GM Marc Bergevin said in March that Verdict: Worth a try Julien is not in danger of losing his job, but that tells you how much he had a shot at the Jack Adams. The Habs will miss the playoffs for a Editor’s Note: The better and bolder prediction would have been Alain franchise record-tying third straight spring, but brighter days are ahead Vigneault for the Jack Adams Award. Vigneault may be the front-runner. with Nick Suzuki here and Alexander Romanov on the way. Hart has been pretty darn good (24-13-3, .914 save percentage) in his sophomore season as a 21-year-old. But he was exceptional just before 16. MINNESOTA - It won’t take long for rookie GM Bill Guerin to realize the pause with a 9-2-0 record and .934 mark, a big reason why the Flyers that the Wild require seismic changes. Guerin won’t be afraid to make hit the break as the NHL’s hottest team. them. 23. PITTSBURGH - Evgeni Malkin is a monster again. He’ll take home Verdict: Oooooh man the Hart Trophy for a second time.

Editor’s Note: Guerin was *this close* to making a seismic change on Verdict: An apple a day keeps the doctor away TradeCentre before his deal to send Zach Parise to Long Island fell through. The story goes that the Wild and Islanders just couldn’t work out Editor’s Note: Malkin just hasn’t been healthy enough to be in the mix. the finances. But unloading one of his $98 million twin pillars in Parise With 74 points in 55 games, Geno was tied with Nathan MacKinnon for would have been seismic, with Guerin already looking toward the future fifth in the NHL in points-per-game (1.35). That’s a 110-point pace over after getting a first-round pick, Alex Galchenyuk and prospect Calen 82 games. Not too shabby. The time Malkin – and other key Pens – have Addison back for Jason Zucker. missed is part of Mike Sullivan’s case for the Jack Adams.

17. NASHVILLE. Hear that sound? It’s the Stanley Cup window 24. SAN JOSE - The Sharks are still a playoff team, but they’ll be taking slamming shut for the Predators, who have been going in the wrong a step back from last season’s trip to the Western Conference Final. direction since their 2017 Stanley Cup Final appearance. The Preds will Verdict: Yikes be in a dog fight for a wild-card spot. Editor’s Note: There are no words. Verdict: Mostly accurate 25. ST. LOUIS - There will be no Stanley Cup hangover for the Blues, Editor’s Note: The Preds are in the dance in most post-pandemic playoff who have as strong a chance to repeat as any champion in the salary scenarios – including points percentage – but it was a grind to get there. cap era. John Hynes replaced Peter Laviolette behind the bench in January. Nashville avoided a sell-off at the deadline. But with one of the older Confidence Level: I’d make that bet lineups in the NHL, a bevy of long-term contracts, and a thin prospect Editor’s Note: The Blues have been a machine; probably the NHL’s most pipeline, the pied piper will eventually need to be paid. consistent team – even more consistent than the Bruins. They’ve had 18. NEW JERSEY - Taylor Hall will ink a massive eight-year, $88 million one three-game losing skid and three winning streaks of at least seven extension with the Devils in the first month of the season, putting aside games. Now, the best in the West will have plenty of rest after playing the Trade Bait talk early. deep into last June. Who’s betting against them?

Verdict: I award you no points and may God have mercy on your soul. 26. TAMPA BAY - After owning their historic first-round failure, Tampa Bay is ready to move forward. The loaded Lightning, who bolstered their Editor’s Note: The Devils were never competitive enough to warrant roster with battle-tested players, will get back to the Stanley Cup Final. Hall’s attention on an extension. Hall was traded to Arizona on Dec. 16 before the NHL’s holiday roster freeze. Coach John Hynes was fired on Confidence Level: Pretty, pretty, pretty good Dec. 3, GM Ray Shero was fired on Jan. 12, and the Devils still have Editor’s Note: Tampa Bay is all-around tough. They are tough to out-skill, both an interim GM and interim coach. Hey, they’ll always have the 2018 tough to out-skate, and just generally tough to play against. Now, they Hart Trophy. seem mentally tough, too. A wobbly start to the season, coupled with last 19. NEW YORK ISLANDERS - The Isles will still be the same stingy year’s epic collapse, could have broken the Bolts. But they’re a toss-up team under , but they won’t be able to keep last season’s with Boston for the top team in the East – and a second-round matchup magic alive. They’ll fall short of a playoff spot. with the Bruins would be an epic battle.

Verdict: Nail-biter 27. TORONTO - Stuck between the Bolts and Bruins, it’s going to be more of the same for the Buds. Another first-round exit is on the horizon. Editor’s Note: This looked incredibly foolish at U.S. Thanksgiving. The There is no doubting the Leafs’ firepower and motivation this season Islanders were off to a 16-3-1 start. Their slide since then, with a 19-20-9 (Auston Matthews will hit 50 goals), it’s the lack of depth on defence mark and an 0-3-4 tumble into the pause, avoided a lot of league-wide (Nos. 4-7) that makes breaking through to the other side of the Atlantic Division bracket a real challenge.

Confidence Level: Sounds about right

Editor’s Note: So, the Leafs appeared to finally avoid the Bruins in the first round. Their reward: Tampa Bay. Yes, Toronto was 2-1 against Tampa this season, but the Buds would still enter as considerable underdogs against the Bolts. Another bad break in the pause: Matthews was on pace for 55 goals, one better than Rick Vaive’s club record of 54. It would’ve been a fascinating Rocket Richard race.

28. VANCOUVER - Elias Pettersson will notch his first 100-point season, joining the conversation among the Top 10 players in the game.

Verdict: Not quite

Editor’s Note: ‘Petey’ already matched his Calder season point total, in three fewer games, but he was still a bit of a way off from the Century Club. With 66 points in 68 games, Pettersson was on track to finish with 79 in 81 games. Seems like it’s only a matter of time now.

29. VEGAS - Powered by one of the best duos in hockey in Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty, the Golden Knights will win the Pacific Division for the second time in three seasons.

Verdict: Show me the money

Editor’s Note: With an impressive bounce-back season for Pacioretty (66 points) and Stone’s (63 points) continued excellent two-way game, they were definitely among the top duos in the NHL this season. They owned more than 60 per cent of the shot attempts when they were on the ice together, over 735 minutes. Oh, and the Golden Knights – even with their struggles and coaching change – are still the class of the Pacific.

30. WASHINGTON - The “Great Eight” will now be the “Third Nine,” as Alex Ovechkin will tie Wayne Gretzky and with a record ninth career 50-goal season.

Verdict: Awarded on goals per game

Editor’s Note: This has to count, right? Yet again, Ovechkin was pacing the league with 48 goals. At 34, Ovie was on track for 57 goals, which would have been the second-highest total of his illustrious career. If the NHL season never resumes, we will wonder if Ovechkin was robbed from his ninth 50-goal season because of a one-game suspension for sitting out All-Star weekend.

31. WINNIPEG - The Jets will fail to make the playoffs, regardless of whether Dustin Byfuglien decides to return or hang up his skates. Even with him back, the Jets don’t have the defence corps to make it through the murderous Central Division alive.

Verdict: Technically right, feels wrong

Editor’s Note: If the season resumes, and it’s a 16-team playoff, the Jets are likely to miss any way you slice it. But that would sell short one of the best stories of the NHL season. The way Winnipeg battled – through the Byfuglien saga, through injuries, through schedule adversity – was something to behold. They entered the pause winners of four straight and in a playoff spot in the standings. Maybe they will remain there, forever frozen in time, if hockey isn’t to be played again in 2019-20. And then I'll be wrong, again.

TSN.CA LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183306 Websites retirement in 1992, Gregg completed his residency training program at the .

USA TODAY LOADED: 04.21.2020 USA TODAY / Six former pro athletes-turned-medical professionals who are on frontlines of COVID-19 fight

Scott Gleeson

Marshall Leonard, MLS: The former New England Revolution defender traded in his soccer jersey for physician attire in the emergency room. The 39-year-old is at a New York-area hospital after completing his ER residency in 2019 at Stony Brook University. He played defender for six seasons and 63 games in the MLS from 2002-07.

"I use the analogy to sports because that’s all my life was prior to medicine,” he said on "SportsCenter" two weeks ago. "I understand very quickly in medical school and my residency, you understand what sickness is, what death is, and you see that on a daily basis, really, in your residency. At the end of the day, you all have this common goal to get somebody healthy or at least calm their nerves in a stressful time."

Mark Hamilton, MLB: The former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman is graduating a month early from medical school in Long Island (Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell). He'll start his residency in June at the ICU at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital. The 35-year-old played 47 games with the Cardinals in 2010-2011.

"I could get the call tomorrow, that it's time to go in," Hamilton told The Associated Press. "I have had an incredible journey to becoming a doctor over the last four years, and not once did I think that I would find myself entering the field in a time like this."

Myron Rolle, NFL: The former Florida State standout is a third-year neurosurgery resident at Massachusetts General Hospital. The 33-year- old was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft and spent three years trying to make a career in the NFL before retiring in 2013 to go to medical school.

He skipped his senior season at FSU to accept a Rhodes Scholarship and spend the year studying at Oxford in pursuit of his dream: to become a brain surgeon.

Nate Hughes, NFL: The former and wide receiver is now a first-year resident at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. The 35-year-old graduated from medical school last year. After an All-American college football career at Alcorn State, Hughes made it on to several NFL practice squads and active rosters but a full-time football career never materialized. He took a full-time job as a nurse in 2011.

At the end of June, Hughes will move to New Jersey, where he will spend the next three years continuing his anesthesia training while completing his residency at Rutgers.

"So many people think they know so much about what’s going on, but in the grand scheme of things we really don’t know as much as we would like to know about the virus itself," Hughes told USA TODAY Sports at the beginning of the month.

Hayley Wickenheiser, Canadian Olympic player: The four- time Olympic gold medalist started attending medical school at the University of Calgary in 2018. She was pulled from her clinical rotation as a medical student in Toronto emergency rooms as coronavirus cases grew rapidly. In Canada, medical students are not allowed to directly treat patients who have contracted COVID-19. So Wickenheiser has been assisting her certified medical professionals by gathering protective equipment for doctors, according to The New York Times. Additionally, Wickenheiser, 41, was one of the key voices to call out the International Olympic Committee for not postponing the 2020 Olympics sooner, helping the Canadian Olympic Committee to pull out of the Games before Tokyo organizers pushed them back to 2021.

Randy Gregg, NHL: The former Edmonton Oilers defenseman, 64, is now a family physician at a sports medicine practice in Edmonton, and back on a March 10 podcast he urged pro leagues to play games without fans before all sports were ultimately canceled. With the Oilers, he won five Stanley Cups, in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990. Following his 1183307 World Leagues News “No one’s getting ahead of me,” he said. “No one’s studying film for 30 minutes while I recover, no one’s going through a two-hour lift while I’m at rehab.”

Coronavirus causes major adjustments for injury rehab At Missouri, athletes only have access to the school facilities if they are in rehabilitation, and that is limited. Coach Eliah Drinkwitz said quarterback Connor Bazelak, who is recovering from a torn ACL, is among the few April 20, 2020 at 11:20 pm Updated April 21, 2020 at 12:01 am players who still can go to the training room.

Ohio State’s depth at running back could be an issue because of injuries. Master Teague III was in line as the heir apparent to J.K. Dobbins before Under normal circumstances, you would almost have to force Indiana suffering an Achilles injury on the first day of spring practice. Fellow linebacker Thomas Allen out of his school’s athletic facilities. sophomore Marcus Crowley is recovering from a knee injury and so is Allen had season-ending surgery on his left shoulder in November, and Trey Sermon, a graduate transfer from Oklahoma. his dedicated rehabilitation led him to recently declare himself 85% to Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Teague and other injured players are 90% healthy even though he was restricted to individual workouts when set up with home programs to follow and have access to a sports spring practice began in March. medicine facility on campus. His recovery plan changed dramatically when the coronavirus pandemic Reinold said some of the answers are throwbacks. The clinic at his shut down campuses and college sports. He is among many football facility is open, but the gym is closed. players across the country recovering from injuries who have limited access to top-tier equipment and one-on-one help. Some experts say “Maybe we’ve gotten too dependent on these amazing facilities that all those issues could lengthen recovery times and put athletes at risk of re- the colleges and all the pro teams are building and using to cater to the injury. athletes to have everything they need,” he said. “I think it goes back to the basics. It takes some creativity on the performance departments to Allen has no access to campus facilities and he is working only twice a simulate those things.” week with team trainers who can’t physically touch him. Much of his care has been outsourced to an outside clinic. The rest of his work is done at home. LOADED: 04.21.2020 “If we didn’t have what’s going on now, you’d be with them (trainers) basically 24-7,” Allen said. “The longer you’re in there, the sooner you get back on the field. So you’re doing some things at home without blowing up your shoulder.”

Dr. Kevin Wilk, the associate clinical director for Champion Sports Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama, has helped Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson, Drew Brees, Derek Jeter and others recover from injuries. Wilk is using telehealth — basically long-distance clinical health care — for the first time in his three-decade career, and it is frustrating.

“I’m old-school,” he said “I’ve got to see you, I’ve got to talk to you eye to eye, not through the phone so I can read if you’re telling me the truth or not. I want to see you do great. Let me put my hands on you. Let me see you move.”

A lack of close supervision and care “can slow the recovery,” he said. “I don’t think it is optimal.”

Wilk said athletes rehabbing at home lack the usual level of instruction and don’t have access to muscle stimulators, laser therapy and other tools that help speed up recovery.

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger had been shut down during winter conditioning after he aggravated a rib injury. A recent checkup was a little different.

“He had a Zoom conference with the physician last week, and she was telling him to, ‘Push here, push there, how does that feel? What are you feeling?’” Texas coach Tom Herman said. “So that was interesting and again unique because the injury is really kind of a pain tolerance. You know when those things heal because they stop hurting.”

Dr. Mike Reinold, owner of Champion Physical Therapy and Performance in Boston, said the risk of re-injury will be higher when athletes return to practice because they have not been able to match their normal activity while training from home. There also are increased risks of over-training or training improperly with reduced supervision.

Scott Anderson, Oklahoma’s head athletic trainer, said the extra time could be beneficial in some cases.

“An athlete we were going to try to get into the back half of spring football — they’ve got additional time to work, to regain that strength, to get back into some sport-specific activity,” he said.

South Carolina tight end Nick Muse tore his ACL last fall and had surgery soon after. He is doing work at a training center near home in Gastonia, North Carolina, and checks in with Gamecocks trainer Clint Haggard a couple of times a week.

Muse said there are elements of the current situation that level the playing field. 1183308 World Leagues News

Competitive sport could return under Level 2

Zoë George

The Sports Minister said he was one of many fans across the country missing live sport.

Sports Minister Grant Robertson said some competitive sports may return under Covid-19 Level 2.

Work by government officials is under way to ensure "some forms" of competitive sport can resume once the country goes into Level 2, Robertson told TVNZ's Q&A programme .

More information about when community and club rugby will return is due in the coming days.

Stuff understands New Zealand Rugby will release further information about what rugby will look like under Covid-19 Level 3 and Level 2, and how plans are progressing for the resumption of the Super Rugby season.

The country is in Alert Level 4, with a move to Level 3 to take place at 11.59pm on Monday.

Professional sports are ruled out under Level 3, and further guidelines about what can take place are due to be released later this week.

"I'd like to think in Alert Level 2 we can look at certainly competitive sports of some forms coming back," Robertson said.

"But we've got to work that process through with the public health people...[to] make sure we've got a situation where it's safe both for the people involved and the wider community."

Under Level 2 restrictions on social gathering will still be in place.

According to the Sport NZ Sport and recreation activity guidelines, physical distancing is still required. and groups of no more than 100 indoors and no more than 500 outdoors can congregate.

Robertson said it may be an opportunity for sport to resume on television.

"They may not have the crowds they had, but I'm certainly hoping we'll see them on our screens before too long," he said.

"As a huge sports fan and as Sports Minister... I'm keen to see that happen."

According to the guidelines, more work is being done around contact sports, but other sports like water activities, can still go ahead.

Non-contact sports will be able to go ahead in both indoor and outdoor facilities, while adhering to proper health recommendations.

The guidelines also say public facilities will be open under Level 2.

As for Level 3, some sports and recreation activities will increase, with golf expecting confirmation the sport can go ahead under strict rules. But there are complexities across a wide range of activities, which are still being worked through at government level. [email protected] LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183309 World Leagues News

Iconic Baseball Bat Company Louisville Slugger Shuts Down Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Anthony Witrado

One of baseball’s most iconic brands – and a piece of Americana for some – has closed its doors amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Louisville Slugger, the baseball bat company that has become one of the most recognizable equipment brands in any sport, has closed its factory and renowned museum, furloughed 171 employees – the vast majority of its workforce – and the remaining 10% are taking a 25% pay cut. The furloughed employees will still receive health care but will not be paid.

“We’re not doing any advertising. We’ve cut all our expenses we can. We’re just hoping we get back to normal before we run out of cash,” John Hillerich IV, CEO of Hillerich & Bradsby, which owns Louisville Slugger, told the Louisville Courier Journal.

The company has been in business since the late 1800s and made bats for some of the game’s icons like Derek Jeter, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle. Overall, the company produces about 2 million wood bats a year.

The pandemic has hit the company hard because the Major League Baseball season is on hold right now. According to Bat Digest, almost 14% of MLB players used Louisville Slugger bats. That means the company produces about 50,000 bats a year for those players, and if the company’s production does not start soon, some of the wood supply it has may dry up and spoil, resulting in more money lost.

As of now, there is no definitive plan for MLB to return to the field. That could mean more hard times are in Louisville Slugger’s future. Hillerich & Bradsby applied for federal aid, but it was denied because it was too large a company. It reapplied later but the federal aid program had exhausted its $350 billion by then.

In 2015, the company sold for $70 million. According to Owler, its latest revenue report was $84.3 million.

Hillerich said Louisville Slugger has been “very resilient” in its long history, surviving two world wars, the Great Depression, Louisville’s great flood of 1937, a fire and the 2008 recession. However, he also noted that the company’s situation “looks pretty bleak right now.”

MLB returning would definitely help Louisville Slugger’s outlook, but if the season is cancelled, there is no telling how severe the damage to the company could end up being.

LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183310 World Leagues News Yahoo Sports:LOADED: 04.21.2020

UFC officially cancels four more events due to coronavirus pandemic

Jack Baer

Yahoo Sports20 April 2020

The UFC has officially pulled the plug on four more scheduled events due to the coronavirus, though another might still be in the works.

The cancellation of UFC Lincoln on April 25, UFC Oklahoma City on May 2, UFC 250 on May 9 and UFC San Diego on May 16 was announced by the UFC on Monday. Full refunds to at least the first two events will be given to fans who bought tickets.

[ Coronavirus: How the sports world is responding to the pandemic ]

The cancellations are somewhat surprising given how obstinate UFC president Dana White has been in trying to hold events despite the ongoing pandemic, attempting to move UFC 249 on April 18 to California tribal land in a circumvention of state mandates. The event was eventually postponed after broadcast partner ESPN stepped in.

White has also claimed he has secured a private island to hold events, but has yet to reveal where that island actually is.

Despite all those efforts, the UFC has not held an event since an event in Brazil on March 14. The last time a UFC fan was allowed into an event was March 7 at UFC 248.

UFC could still be trying to hold events

While another month’s worth of events has been called, that doesn’t quite mean the UFC will be holding no events in that span.

UFC 249 still remains a possibility, as White has said that he hopes to hold the event on May 9 in UFC 250’s place. After that, the executive said he hopes to hold weekly events going forward with precautions. So this could be more of a clearing of the previous schedule to set up new events rather than the UFC conceding the month.

Seven UFC events have been called off

The following UFC events have now been called off due to the coronavirus:

• UFC London on March 21

• UFC Columbus on March 28

• UFC Portland on April 11

• UFC Lincoln on April 25

• UFC Oklahoma City on May 2

• UFC 250 on May 9

• UFC San Diego on May 16

All future events remain up in the air after being indefinitely postponed alongside the UFC 249 postponement. That includes UFC 251 in Perth, Australia on June 6 and UFC 252 in Las Vegas on July 11.

Adding to the seriousness of the situation was UFC welterweight Lyman Good testing positive for the coronavirus earlier this month, which put a bit of a hole into the idea that fighters can be completely protected from both contracting the illness and spreading it to others.

Amanda Nunes has already pulled out of May 9 event

While the UFC is still trying to hold UFC 249 on May 9, one of its biggest names has already said she won’t be a part of it.

Double champion Amanda Nunes told CBS Sports earlier Monday that she is out:

"Actually, I'm not fighting May 9," Nunes said. "I'm going to fight, [but] I don't know yet. I don't think this is the right time for me right now to fight. Let this coronavirus pass a little bit so I can at least have a full camp. We can maybe see around June, [but] let's see what is going to happen. But I'm not fighting [May 9]." 1183311 World Leagues News

UofL Athletics losing revenue to coronavirus

By Jerrica Valtierra | April 20, 2020 at 6:59 PM EDT - Updated April 20 at 7:16 PM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - A campus that on most April days welcomes a fair amount of traffic is practically a ghost town these days.

A far cry from the normal scene? A stadium or arena packed with UofL fans, watching football or basketball.

On Monday, University of Louisville Athletic Director Vince Tyra said the football budget, which accounts for 45 percent of the revenue, will be cut down. This is due to the fact that tickets aren’t for sale, there aren’t any profits from collegiate apparel, marketing is at a halt, and there aren’t any concessions sales.

"We’ve gone through some pretty detailed review of our revenue budget for next year,” Tyra said. “We’re trying to think about things will be even if we were to play football, if it were to start in October, November (or a) later date. In the end, it comes up to $15 million of a delta that we (got to) go solve for.”

Tyra said 15 percent will be cut across the sports and administration budget, $25 million are on the line for basketball, and surplus at the end of the year has come down from $6 million to $3 million. Tyra added that 2020 was supposed to be a strong year for sports programs across the board, but the pandemic has changed that from a financial aspect, among others.

“This is something that has been immune to at some degree,” Tyra said. “In these kind of economic challenges, they don’t move around as much with the commodity, but this is an unusual one in a pandemic setting.”

While budgets are being worked out, fans want to know if football will start on time. Tyra said coaches have been talking about how long it would take for a team to get ready should there be a season. Most agree that six weeks is enough time before kicking off a new season. It would give institutions enough time to plan living accommodations with social- distancing guidelines.

“If something were to happen, if we saw improvement in a pandemic situation, that doesn’t mean football players or fall-sport athletes would be effectively in full, physical contact,” Tyra said. ”But conditioning ... they could potentially be ready for traditional kickoff in early September.”

UofL said season-ticket holders can roll over their passes to any sport or use those funds elsewhere. The department is expected to announce an employee furlough Wednesday. UofL already has formally notified affected employees.

WAVE 3 News LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183312 World Leagues News

Kirk Herbstreit reveals ‘extreme’ college football possibility

By Zach BrazillerApril 20, 2020 | 6:00PM

Kirk Herbstreit, the college football analyst who said nearly a month ago he would be “shocked” to see a football season of any kind due to the coronavirus pandemic, believes everything is being done to avoid such a scenario. And that includes a college football campaign in the spring.

“They’re going to do everything they can if it comes to that extreme to be able to potentially have a 2020 season,” the ESPN/ABC broadcaster said on a conference call Monday.

Herbstreit, who will be part of the NFL draft coverage on ABC this week, described moving the season to the spring as a “last-ditch effort,” the final of many contingency plans being worked on by “decision-makers” in the sport. That plan would entail the season beginning as late as February or March, with the College Football Playoff being held in June. According to Herbstreit, it “just proves how willing the administrators are with the NCAA and the conference commissioners and the ADs and the presidents to have a college football season.”

On March 27, Herbstreit went on ESPN Radio and said he would be “shocked” if NFL and college football seasons went on as scheduled in the fall. On the conference call, he walked back those comments, saying he was “just thinking out loud at that point.”

“It was the day baseball was supposed to start, Opening Day, and we were reminiscing about how sad it is that we weren’t having any baseball,” he said. “I was like, ‘Hey, man, this thing’s scary. We may not even have football. … I was trying to explain how real this pandemic is.”

It obviously remains a fluid situation. College campuses nationwide are closed, and it remains uncertain when they will open. On a conference call with Vice President Mike Pence last week, the College Football Playoff Management Committee — which consists of commissioners from the Power Five and Group of Five conferences along with Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick — made it clear there will be no games until students are back on campus.

If college football does have to push its season into the spring, one potential storyline to follow, Herbstreit believes, is the sport could be missing its premier players. The top draft-eligible prospects would have a tough choice to make: Play out the season, risking injury, or train and prepare for the draft? It would create a quandary for the likes of Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields.

“It does make you kind of wonder what some of the players at that level would do,” Herbstreit said.

NY POST LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183313 World Leagues News

Agency: Coronavirus to cancel nearly half of scheduled sports events in 2020

Kelly Cohen

Sports around the world have been on hiatus only since mid-March, but when the numbers are crunched, the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the industry will be felt for years to come. Only 53% of the major sports events originally scheduled for 2020 are likely to take place this calendar year.

That means, according to new projections from Two Circles, a sports marketing agency, just 26,424 sporting events will be held by the end of 2020 -- with the possibility that more are canceled as the virus spreads. There were approximately 48,803 major sports events -- ticketed events for professional and competitive sports with a projected attendance of at least 5,000 -- scheduled in 2020.

Because of the sudden and ongoing interruption to live sports, the global sports industry will generate just $73.7 billion in revenue in 2020. That's $61.6 billion less than the projected revenue before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the global sports industry generated $129 billion in revenue and was anticipating a growth in the industry by 4.9% year-on- year.

The revenue projections, according to Two Circles, is cumulative revenue generated by professional sports rights-owners through their event-day businesses and the sale of media and sponsorship rights.

"Compared to most other industries, in recent times of economic adversity sports has proven to be recession-resilient. Whilst live sports is halted, every corner of the sports industry will continue to feel this significant financial pain, but we are certain that it returns, whether that's behind-closed-doors or with full houses, sports' economy will thrive once again," Gareth Balch, Two Circles CEO, said in a statement.

There is some hope that sports will be back in some capacity soon.

The Bundesliga in Germany hopes to begin soccer events in May, for example, though without fans in attendance. Other countries, like South Korea and Australia, have been mulling the return of sports without fans as their numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases continue to drop.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States' top infectious disease expert and one of the faces of America's fight against the coronavirus, said last week that the only way professional sports will happen in summer 2020 is by holding events without fans and by having players stay in hotels.

Fauci's comments came a week after 72% of Americans polled by Seton Hall University's Stillman School of Business said they would not attend if sporting events resumed without a vaccine for the coronavirus available. Just 13% of Americans said they would feel comfortable attending games the way they had in the past.

Two Circles works directly with more than 300 sports organizations worldwide, including the Premier League, Ligue de Football Professionnel and Wimbledon.

ESPN LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183314 World Leagues News McLean's comments could add to the pressure on the government, those advising ministers at the time, and Uefa.

LOADED: 04.21.2020 Coronavirus: Liverpool v Atletico Madrid virus link an 'interesting hypothesis'

Speculation over a possible link between coronavirus cases in Liverpool and the club's Champions League match with Atletico Madrid last month is an "interesting hypothesis", a scientific adviser to the UK government has said.

Some coronavirus deaths in Liverpool have been blamed on the 11 March match at Anfield, which was attended by more than 52,000 people, including 3,000 from Madrid, where a partial lockdown was already in force.

While there is no confirmed link between the match and any coronavirus cases, the government's deputy chief scientific adviser, Angela McLean, said it warranted further investigation.

"It will be very interesting to see in the future, when all the science is done, what relationship there is between the viruses that have circulated in Liverpool and the viruses that have circulated in Spain," she said at the UK government's daily coronavirus news briefing on Monday.

Liverpool city council's director of public health Matthew Ashton previously told the Guardian the match should have been called off, while the mayor of Madrid, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, said over the weekend that it was a "mistake" to allow thousands of Atletico fans to attend.

"It didn't make any sense that 3,000 Atletico fans could travel to Anfield at that time," Martinez-Almedia told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

Latest figures show that 246 people have died with coronavirus in Liverpool's NHS hospitals.

Madrid, meanwhile, is one of Europe's worst affected cities. Spain has the second-highest number of confirmed infection cases in the world, behind the US, figures from Johns Hopkins University say.

The country's death toll climbed close to 21,000 on Monday.

Speaking at Monday's news briefing, UK chancellor Rishi Sunak rejected claims the government was too slow to cancel large sporting events in the days before the coronavirus lockdown was enforced.

The Cheltenham Festival, along with Liverpool's Champions League match with Atletico, went ahead in the second week of March. There were 251,684 racegoers in attendance across the four days of the Festival, while 68,500 watched the Cheltenham Gold Cup on 13 March.

Strict limits on daily life - such as requiring people to stay at home, shutting many businesses and preventing gatherings of more than two people - were introduced on 23 March.

"There is often a wrong time to put certain measures in place, thinking about sustainability and everything else," Sunak said.

"At all parts of this we have been guided by that science, we have been guided by making the right decisions at the right time, and I stand by that."

This is the furthest a senior government adviser has gone in admitting there may be a link between Liverpool's match against Atletico Madrid and the coronavirus outbreak that the city has since suffered. Certainly, deputy chief scientific adviser Angela McLean did not rule out a connection when asked about the issue by a reporter from the Liverpool Echo.

At this stage it is impossible to know whether - and to what extent - the Champions League game contributed to the surge of deaths on Merseyside that followed. (Just as we do not know how many of the quarter of a million racing fans who visited the Cheltenham Festival that same week caught the virus from being there.)

But ever since the match, there has been mounting concern that thousands of fans from one of the early European epicentres of the pandemic were allowed to travel to Anfield, even after Spain had closed schools and banned mass gatherings. Two days later, of course, the Premier League suspended the season, effectively taking the decision out of the government's hands. 1183315 World Leagues News

England's Eddie Jones says coronavirus crisis will lead to rise in hybrid players

Gerard Meagher

Eddie Jones has claimed the coronavirus crisis will result in the rise of more hybrid players when rugby resumes and has given his backing to proposed sweeping changes to the international calendar.

The England head coach has previously suggested Jack Nowell could play as a flanker for the national side while Ben Earl covered the back three during the Six Nations. During the championship, Jones also came in for widespread criticism for selecting players out of their traditional positions, including Jonathan Joseph on the wing and Tom Curry at No 8.

“How teams operate will be different,” Jones said. “I think every sport, particularly rugby, has been blown up through television rights and I think what will happen is that squads will become smaller and will need more multiskilled players. We got criticised a lot for playing like Tom Curry, who can play six, seven and No 8, but they are the sort of players you’re going to need to have: Jack Nowell being able to play wing or flanker, Ben Earl being able to play flanker or wing.”

It remains to be seen whether Jones’s theory will come to pass with England’s next outing – a two-Test tour against Japan in July – almost certain to be called off. On Monday the Japan head coach, Jamie Joseph, expressed strong doubts while the Rugby Football Union chief executive, Bill Sweeney, has already discussed contingency plans for moving the tour to October. Sweeney has revealed a proposal for a bumper Six Nations later this year if the southern hemisphere sides are not able to travel north in November.

“When we get through this it will be a different place, and we are looking at the fact that the season will change, which will only be positive,” Jones said. “I think rugby has grown sort of higgledy-piggledy since the start of international rugby and there is an opportunity for it to get better.”

Meanwhile, the Pacific Island Players Welfare chief executive Dan Leo has written an extraordinary 1,500-word open letter to World Rugby, condemning the nomination of a leading figure in the Fiji Rugby Union to the governing body’s executive committee.

After a Sunday Times report which said it had heard a recording of the FRU chairman Francis Kean, while he was in charge of the Fiji prison service, in which the paper alleged homophobic language was used, World Rugby confirmed it was launching an investigation. The FRU supported Sir Bill Beaumont’s bid for re-election as World Rugby chairman next month. Kean was convicted of manslaughter in 2007.

“I find myself asking this obvious question: why does World Rugby have some of the most elaborate and exhaustive eligibility checks for those who play the game but apparently no checks for someone wanting to run the game,” wrote Leo. “Even when that person couldn’t get a visa to watch Fiji in the opening match of the 2015 RWC or the 2018 RWC 7s because of his criminal record for violent killing.”

Guardian News LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183316 World Leagues News Premier League clubs but one in their case offset by the billions they receive in television broadcast income.

The EFL has already provided its own £50m fund to help clubs with their Coronavirus: Premier League, EFL offered £1 billion lifeline to survive in cash flow in addition to a £125m pledge from the Premier League. crisis – sources However, sources have told ESPN the £50m sum comprises reserves from the League's television deal while the £125m figure is made up of early solidarity payments -- monies annually distributed by the Premier James Olley League to help lower-league clubs.

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A group of world financiers, including a major U.S. company, are offering Here's how many people are needed to play 'behind closed doors' a lifeline in excess of £1 billion to English football as it tackles the monetary crisis created by the coronavirus pandemic, sources have told By contrast, this new fund would make fresh money available -- a ESPN. possibility also being explored by EFL chairman and former EFL CEO Shaun Harvey, who is believed to have examined similar funding - Stream new episodes of ESPN FC Monday-Friday on ESPN+ arrangements.

- Stream every episode of 30 for 30: Soccer Stories on ESPN+ British health secretary Matt Hancock said earlier this month that footballers had an obligation to take a pay cut. So far, Arsenal are the The Premier League and English Football League remain adamant that only club to have agreed to do so but wage deferrals are becoming the 2019-20 campaign will be finished, but no resumption date has been common and Premier League players have also set up a collective agreed, with some clubs fearing they may go bust if the hiatus extends initiative called "Players Together" which is raising money for the into the summer. National Health Service. Sources have told ESPN a fund incorporating contributions from several ESPN LOADED: 04.21.2020 investment banks have indicated they can provide an alternative: a working loan facility to help offset cash flow issues.

The proposal would see money distributed by football's governing bodies wherever it was most needed and then repaid at a negotiated rate of interest at a future date -- or perhaps converted into equity if all parties agreed.

Discussions have taken place between representatives of the fund and senior officials at a variety of sporting bodies including, but not limited to, football. No decision has yet been taken on whether to activate the fund, with negotiations said to be ongoing.

Contributors to the £1bn fund have been brought together by various parties, including several leading football agents.

One of them, Scott Smith, who founded agency RAPS Management, told ESPN: "We want this to work because it will help show that agents -- as well as players who have received an unfair press of late -- care passionately about the game and its future."

Sources have told ESPN there is support for use of the fund from lower levels of English football, with many clubs facing a huge financial battle due to a loss of matchday revenue.

Several top-flight sides have either agreed wage deferrals or are in discussions with players to do so. Tottenham and Liverpool were among the teams to be widely castigated for attempting to use the British government's furlough scheme to help offset losses -- both clubs later reversed their course of action -- and it is believed the Treasury are keen to prioritise other areas outside of sport in providing financial support.

Sources have told ESPN that football could resume in early June but matches would only take place behind closed doors and with plans to condense the end of the season into a few weeks, it may be months before supporters will be able to attend matches inside stadia.

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS IN FOOTBALL

• Euro 2020: Postponed for a year

• Champions League: Suspended indefinitely

• Premier League: Suspended indefinitely

• La Liga: Suspended indefinitely

• Bundesliga: Likely no fans for rest of 2020

• Ligue 1: Suspended indefinitely

• Serie A: Suspended until May 3

• Copa America: Postponed until 2021

• MLS: Suspended through June 8

Several chairman have expressed their concerns at being able to survive without fans inside stadiums, something which is also an issue for 1183317 World Leagues News Having said that, no sport projected or factored in the effects of a global pandemic. The CEO and the CA board, which presumably signed off on the budgets, have good company.

Cricket was the summer sport safe from coronavirus. Then a perfect In this respect players and states have been beneficiaries of this over- storm struck payment to date.

In a purely financial sense, cricket’s deal with the players has Tom Browne compounded this problem. Their pay is linked to revenue.

When the sport’s revenue increased in 2016-19 so did its expenses, because players have received a fixed proportion of revenue - 30 per Just how has the coronavirus crisis left Cricket Australia (CA) in trouble? cent - since bitter negotiations concluded with a new pay deal active from late 2017. The sport’s cash crisis has taken staff, players and officials by surprise - and CEO Kevin Roberts has even been accused of manufacturing the So when critics ask how CA’s cash evaporated in 2016-19 while revenue setback out of thin air. increased part of the answer can be found in that pay deal with players.

Apart from last month’s cancelled white-ball series with New Zealand, The players agreed to participate in the upside and downside in the which cost about $2 million, it’s the off-season and CA hasn’t yet lost a revenue-sharing model, and Australian Cricketers’ Association CEO dollar of further gate receipts. Alistair Nicolson is vowing to stick to it.

But coronavirus has hit cricket for six at precisely the wrong time. CA is projecting revenue to fall as much as 50 per cent in the next financial year. Players are bracing to receive a proportionate cut, up to Anyone who thought CA was immune or insulated from this crisis were that 50 per cent mark. wrong. It just took an extra couple of weeks to catch up with Australia’s most popular summer sport. It’s an unfortunate consequence of the model, but that’s what they agreed to do. They didn’t anticipate a global pandemic. With the benefit The sport’s been spending money in anticipation of the World Cup and of hindsight, the pay deal has left cricketers heavily exposed. an Indian tour that doesn’t look like materialising. The stock investments myth It’s complex, and requires an explanation of cricket’s business model. Cricket Australia’s stocks have been smashed, but it’s not really part of The four-year cycle the current problem. Cricket operates on a four-year business cycle. Just before coronavirus, It’s a paper loss, and CA will only realise a decrease if they sell the CA was at its lowest point in that cash cycle. shares. Sources say that’s highly unlikely at the moment. Four years ago, Cricket Australia had almost $198 million in cash. Fast They’re better off funding the shortfall from bank debt, which is forward to its most recent financial report, CA has $26 million. comparatively cheap. (You can borrow money for around three per cent, Given revenue growth, including a record Australian TV rights deal and a and in theory the value of the shares CA owns will recover over time.) home Ashes series in the corresponding period, it’s hard to believe CA The shares were worth around $45 million in the most recent financial burnt through so much cash. report; about 50 per cent of the securities are equities. What’s particularly hard to reconcile is that the game had an operating They’re mainly ASX 200 equities. On the assumption they’re down surplus in each of those four years. around 20 per cent, it’s fairly safe to assume the paper losses are $9 On the face of it, you could accuse CA of mismanagement. million.

That’s up for debate, and there is certainly pressure on CEO Kevin That’s chump change compared to CA’s cash deterioration. Roberts to publicly reconcile his sport’s cash burn. Having said that, the Australian Cricketers’ Association wants CA to open Regardless, it’s clear it left the sport exposed to coronavirus, which, as it up the books. And they are sure to check the portfolio value, market to turns out, is cricket’s version of cash armageddon. market - ie the current value - as soon as and assuming the players receive the updated financials. Cricket spends money in two main areas: distribution to players, and distribution to the states. Kevin Roberts should also disclose the current share value publicly.

CA smooths out these payments, taking into account the anticipated TV The inevitable comes early and gate revenue, over the four-year period. The cash crisis has shocked some Cricket Australia staff, most of which It makes sense, because visiting countries tour in cycles. For example, were stood down until at least June 30 last Thursday night. the jewel in the crown - India - might visit once every four years. Even Australian men’s team coach Justin Langer is part-time. So CA averages out those projected revenues and expenses, and Sources say a handful heard of the stand-downs from CA’s public distributes the cash to players and states. CA absorbs the lumpy cash announcement on Thursday night first, then only told their individual fate cycle. The idea: players and states get some certainty. on Friday. That model breaks down when the key revenue events in the four-year In fairness, other sources point out CA did hold a staff call Thursday night cycle don’t happen. In this case, October’s T20 World Cup and the 2020- but news of that call unfortunately leaked out in advance, which often 21 Indian tour of Australia. invariably happens. If CA doesn’t earn its projected revenue in 2020-21, which is year four of Regardless, it’s been a tough time for staff. their business cycle, they’ve really been paying players and states in 2016 - 2019 with cash the sport doesn’t have. States and players have Some are also upset they’ve taken 80 per cent pay cuts, while the been getting paid overs, in advance. executive team is short 20 per cent.

That’s where you can debate the merits of Roberts’ cash burn. On The executive team, which is now effectively working seven days, won’t reflection it wasn’t overly prudent. be paid any short-term incentives, and started their pay cuts a couple of weeks in advance of Thursday night’s staff stand-down. Cricket Australia will look at slashing the number of support staff who travel with the national teams as former Vice-Captain Adam Gilchrist The sudden cuts have taken staff by surprise, but bleak revenue predicts a dramatic scaling back of player salaries. projections mean that - like other sports in similarly unfortunate spots - it appears it was inevitable. Cricket Australia will look at slashing the number of support staff who travel with the national teams as former Vice-Captain Adam Gilchrist The timing will also allow many to take advantage of the federal predicts a dramatic scaling back of player salaries. government’s JobKeeper payment scheme. Cricket’s perfect storm

Cricket Australia’s worst-case scenario has revenue off by 50 per cent.

The T20 World Cup is in significant doubt. Border and quarantine arrangements for 16 visiting teams are virtually impossible, and it’s unlikely the government will approve the tournament.

Regardless of whether the T20 World Cup takes place, it’s virtually certain there won’t be spectators.

It means CA will forgo its gate receipts, its main source of revenue, from the 45 matches played in stadiums such as the MCG, Perth Stadium, Adelaide Oval and the SCG.

Gate receipts from the Indian tour and the usually lucrative Big Bash League are also in doubt, with spectators highly unlikely.

These losses are only amplified if the Indian tour is cancelled outright. The TV rights, both domestical and the separate deal for the subcontinent, are CA’s biggest individual cash cow, in the four-year business cycle. It’s one of the deals - as with the Ashes - that makes up for all the other ‘loss leader’ series against smaller nations.

It means CA is now furiously working on five areas.

The first is reducing costs at head office. Next comes reducing distributions to the states, which is causing tension.

CA is trying to phase those reductions to ease some pain. CA also wanted the states to stump up cash and assets, which was met with resistance and raised eyebrows.

They’ll then deal with the players. CA recognises there is no game without player participation - the governing body needs to make other cost cuts first.

CA will also speak to its bank, keeping in mind it doesn’t own a stadium like the AFL. (The winter code used Marvel Stadium, bought in 2016, as security for a loan).

And, perhaps most importantly, CA desperately needs to work out which aspects of the upcoming fixture it can salvage. That’s difficult because the restrictions and views surrounding coronavirus are changing daily.

What comes next?

Cricket’s business model, with the benefit of hindsight, factored in too much largesse to cope with a crisis such as coronavirus. But again, cricket’s got good company.

After COVID-19 the sport’s bosses know they have a highly popular and profitable product. Just five weeks ago 86,000 fans watched the women’s T20 World Cup final at the MCG.

Cricket - like other sports - will have to adjust to a new reality. And they’ll need fast cooperation from states and players. That is all medium to long-term thinking.

Short term, CA is in the same boat as the AFL and NRL, trying to create a safe, workable and profitable schedule, in the face of huge uncertainty.

The executives should also better explain their cash burn.

As far as navigation goes, coronavirus was like clear air turbulence - it was impossible to spot.

But by paying out players and states in advance, burning through $175 million of cash in four years, Cricket Australia really should explain why it has missed its big chance to better navigate the sport’s perfect cash storm.

7NEWS LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183318 World Leagues News

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg quits amid rugby league coronavirus crisis

Guardian sport and agencies

After reflecting on the “needs of the game”, the NRL has come to a mutual agreement with its chief executive, Todd Greenberg, to part ways, effective immediately, as the game in Australia fights to extract itself from a financial crisis caused by the coronavirus epidemic.

The NRL’s chief commercial officer, Andrew Abdo, will take over the role on an interim basis while a replacement is sought for Greenberg, who had held the position since March 2016.

“It has been my great honour and privilege to be the CEO of the NRL for the last four years,” Greenberg said on Monday. “Despite the variety of challenges and pressures I have loved every single minute of the journey. Our growth over the last four years has been extraordinary and I am very proud of my contribution to the game.”

Greenberg’s latest and greatest challenge arrived with the Covid-19 outbreak, which forced the 2020 season to be suspended after just two rounds. The league is seeking a return date of 28 May but is yet to offer details of exactly how that would happen.

The chief executive’s position had come under intensifying scrutiny and Channel Nine fired a scathing broadside this month, accusing the league of “squandering” millions of dollars under his tenure.

How a broadcast arrangement with Nine and its fellow major broadcast partner, Foxtel, would look in a modified season remains uncertain, although on Monday Nine’s chief executive, Hugh Marks, for the first time reaffirmed the network’s commitment to the NRL.

Greenberg had been kept out of meetings with Nine last week but he had vowed to lead the charge on fixing the financial concerns raised by the broadcaster in an email to staff as late as last week, before his stint abruptly ended.

“I am indebted to the game for the variety of opportunities and experiences that have been provided to my family and I, and we leave with many great memories and life long friendships,” Greenberg said.

“My sincere thanks to all the stakeholders across the game, particularly the fans who are the lifeblood of rugby league,” he said. “Their unwavering passion for the game is wonderful.

“I remain in awe of the players’ skill and bravery to play this game week in and week out and I thank all of them, both past and present for their friendship and support.

“My thanks also to the staff and executive team at the NRL. It has been an absolute honour to lead this team of talented, resilient and hard working professionals.”

The former boss of Canterbury, Greenberg became the NRL’s head of football in 2013 before he took over the reins in 2016. His first major challenge came in the form of Parramatta’s salary-cap scandal, while off- field behaviour proved his biggest test until coronavirus.

The ARL Commission chairman, Peter V’landys, thanked Greenberg for his involvement in the game over the past seven years.

“The role of chief executive of the NRL is one of the most challenging and difficult roles in Australian sport, with a diversity of passionate stakeholders,” V’landys said.

Guardian News LOADED: 04.21.2020 1183319 World Leagues News There are many questions surrounding the viability of non-profitable sports if the football season is altered. In 2012, then-athletic director Kevin Anderson announced that Maryland was eliminating seven teams As coronavirus spreads, Maryland looks ahead to an uncertain future for to offset deficits in the athletic department. However, Evans said he isn’t football season ready to discuss that possibility.

David Berri, an economics professor at Southern Utah University, said while he anticipates some athletic departments will use the situation as a Ben Cooper reason to cut sports that generally perform poorly financially, there’s no reason to make those types of long-term decisions.

“All of this is temporary, so even if there’s a delay [in the season], it’s just Maryland Stadium has already had its last event of the semester as it sits a temporary revenue decline from the loss of attendance, but then the empty on March 19, 2020. (Joe Ryan/The Diamondback) revenue numbers all come back,” Berri said. “Making a permanent April is normally a time when Maryland football would be hosting in- decision in response to a temporary problem seems not particularly person recruiting visits, organizing team workouts and preparing for its wise.” annual spring game. Berri said athletic departments dump far more money than necessary But what was once normal is now shifting due to the coronavirus into football, and in the case that they do incur short-term deficits, there pandemic. Recruiting has turned virtual, team workouts have turned are clear areas where expenditures can be reduced — rosters with too individual and the spring game has turned to dust. many players, bloated salaries for assistant coaches and decked-out facilities with unneeded technology, among them. “This pandemic has altered our day-to-day lives; our sense of normalcy is gone,” University of Maryland athletic director Damon Evans said. “And Ticket sales, general game revenues and donations help make those some might say it’s a new normal.” luxuries possible. But the idea of playing games without fans this fall, which has been met with mixed responses from experts and athletic In the U.S., the coronavirus has infected more than 690,000 people and directors alike, would directly affect revenue sources. killed over 35,000. Unemployment rates have skyrocketed, education efforts have shifted online and most sports have been put on hold. On a conference call with reporters earlier this month, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said it wouldn’t make sense from a health Final decisions about the college football season have yet to be made. standpoint, either. Speculation has swirled about the impact of a potential disruption, as football teams often serve as athletic departments’ financial kingpins. “When I first heard that, I said, ‘OK, that could work,’” Smith said. “But Though Evans didn’t have specific numbers to indicate the extent of what then I figured that if we don’t have fans in the stands, that means that that effect could be at Maryland, he said the department is preparing for we’ve determined it’s not safe for them in a gathering environment, so the possibility of an altered season. why would it be safe for the players?”

“Football is vitally important to our university, our athletics program, our From a financial point of view, empty stadiums — meaning the loss of state,” Evans said. “But that’s the same across the country. It’s vitally revenue from ticket sales, concessions and parking while retaining TV important for a lot of reasons, but from a financial perspective, football is revenue — could still be viable, Berri said. very, very significant.” But if the football season is canceled altogether, a more dire outcome Athletic programs across the U.S. are looking at different ways to limit the could unfold. financial impact the pandemic may bring. Of the 276 Big Ten teams accounted for on NCAA financial reports — The University of Louisville and Iowa State University, among others, Northwestern is a private university and is not required to share all of its have announced pay cuts. The University of Wisconsin chose not to financial information — only 30 were profitable in the fiscal year 2019. pursue waivers for its spring sports athletes that would allow them an Twenty-six of those 30 teams were either football or men’s basketball, extra year of eligibility. And the University of Cincinnati cut its men’s with the outliers being three men’s ice hockey programs and Nebraska’s soccer program due to “profound challenges and widespread women’s volleyball team. uncertainty.” There are certain challenges that come with getting those other sports to Maryland, meanwhile, is weighing its options. turn a profit, Evans said.

“I don’t have a crystal ball,” Evans said. “But my job is and our job as an “There are baseball programs that generate a profit … but they have athletic department is to figure out how we navigate this new normal and 8,000- or 10,000-seat stadiums with suites that are selling out. Some of make decisions that are going to keep the safety of and the health and our venues, we have limited capacity,” Evans said. “For the most part, it’s the welfare of our student-athletes at the top of mind.” hard for those sports to generate more money than they cost. But I never say never.” About 31 percent of Maryland’s athletic revenue in fiscal year 2019 was tied to football, according to NCAA financial reports obtained by The Maryland has not had a profitable sport other than football and men’s Diamondback through public records requests. Aside from men’s basketball since men’s track and field in fiscal year 2013. basketball — which accounted for roughly 13 percent — only about 2.6 The uncertainty of the football season’s fate weighs heavy right now. But percent of revenue was tied to Maryland’s other 16 sports. The remaining even as athletic directors across the country express their predictions, revenue was not tied to specific teams. Evans said he knows the decision is ultimately not up to them. Evans said Big Ten athletic directors have had daily conference calls to “While we will have some input … that decision is going to be made by discuss how to proceed as they run through the plethora of scenarios health experts and going to be made by state governments and the that could play out. Some that have been discussed around the country federal government,” Evans said. “What we need to be doing is following include delaying the start of the football season, playing games without their lead, understanding what’s going on in our environment, and fans in attendance, shortening the regular-season slate or having no preparing different scenarios when the opportunity presents itself to season altogether. return to play.” According to NCAA financial reports, football was the most profitable dbknews.com/ LOADED: 04.21.2020 sport for 13 of the 14 Big Ten schools in the 2019 fiscal year. Rutgers did not make a profit off any sport. Maryland generated about $10.2 million in profit from football and men’s basketball combined, while its other 16 sports accounted for a nearly $23 million net loss.

“Football and men’s basketball basically pay for everything,” Evans said. “It’s the best way to put it. Football and basketball generate enough revenue for most athletic departments across the country to allow us to be able to provide for other sports.”