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Home , 1981 Stanley Cup Finals, Alain Vigneault, Brad Hunt (ice hockey), Brendan Gallagher, Brian Pothier, Bruce Cassidy

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 3/6/2021 Flames 1204912 Ducks fall to depleted Avalanche in OT 1204938 Hitmen finally hit restart to get shutout win backed by 1204913 leaves role with Ducks to become Flames Peters 1204939 Flames assistant coach Huska will run bench until Sutter’s arrival 1204940 Flames ready for ‘hard-ass’ coach: ‘When you get the 1204914 Wild thump Arizona Coyotes in season's first result, it’s worth it’ meeting between both teams 1204941 Sutter returns to Flames with ‘unfinished business’ on his mind Bruins 1204942 Flames players hear message loud and clear after Ward 1204915 Playing for each other, Bruins respond to hit on Brandon firing Carlo by knocking out Capitals 1204943 FLAMES: Sutter is going to be here for a long while 1204916 Brandon Carlo taken to hospital by ambulance after 1204944 GILBERTSON: With Sutter’s return, pressure is on head-hunting hit from Washington’s Flames’ core players 1204917 Charlie Coyle returns to lineup after one-game absence; 1204945 The Darryl Sutter shakeup: Can the Flames’ new coach Sean Kuraly scratched right the ship? 1204918 , member of gold-medal 1204946 Duhatschek notebook: Remembering Walter Gretzky, and winners, found dead Darryl Sutter’s ‘unfinished business’ 1204919 Bruins detail how to get tickets to games at TD Garden 1204947 Duhatschek: Darryl Sutter’s assignment is clear – light a beginning March 23 fire under the middling Flames 1204920 Bruins pummel Caps after ‘cheap ’ injures Brandon Carlo 1204921 Bruins notebook: Jack Studnicka at home in the middle 1204948 Hurricanes’ doctor helps author major new study on 1204922 Brad Marchand sounds off on Tom Wilson's high hit on athlete COVID heart complications Brandon Carlo 1204949 Hurricanes trade tiers: A scale of ‘not happening’ to ‘still 1204923 Brandon Carlo helped off ice after headshot by Tom not happening’ Wilson 1204924 D Brandon Carlo In Hospital After Wilson Headshot 1204950 Alex DeBrincat scores twice, Malcolm Subban makes 39 1204925 Talking Points: Boston Bruins Respond To ‘[Expletive] Hit’ saves and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Tampa Bay on Carlo Light 1204926 Wilson KO’s Bruins’ Carlo With Violent, Dirty & 1204951 Brent Seabrook, who won 3 Stanley Cups with the Unpenalized Hit Chicago Blackhawks, says his playing career is over after 1204927 Coyle Returns for Boston Bruins, Struggling Kuraly 15 s Scratched 1204952 Blackhawks beat Lightning in shootout, channelling Brent 1204928 Boston Bruins Announce Plans For 2021 Home Game Seabrook’s inspiration Tickets 1204953 Brent Seabrook retires after 15 seasons with Blackhawks: 1204929 Game 21: Coyle In, Kuraly Benched, Boston Bruins vs ‘It was a hell of a run’ Capitals Lines, Preview 1204954 No, we don’t have a right to know what’s wrong with 1204930 Why Not Give Red-Hot Senyshyn A Bruins Look? . But ... 1204931 Bruins fans, meet — the new guy who 1204956 Blackhawks moving toward purchasing Rockford IceHogs delivered payback to Tom Wilson while increasing focus on AHL development 1204932 Bruins have had it with Capitals’ Tom Wilson: ‘Completely 1204957 Chicago Blackhawks win wild one in shootout over unnecessary’ Lightning 1204933 The silent Bruins practice: Coach does all 1204958 Retiring Seabrook owns big place in Blackhawks' history the talking 1204959 Brent Seabrook announces his playing career is over 1204960 Blackhawks injury updates on Seabrook, Shaw, Smith 1204961 Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook says 1204934 Mike Harrington: needs to step in and stop NHL career is over after 15 seasons Sabres' insanity 1204962 Ranking NHL head coach job security: Whose seats are 1204935 Sabres GM Adams: Everything, including Ralph Krueger the hottest? and roster, being 'evaluated' 1204963 Blackhawks pull out shootout win on emotional day as 1204936 Sabres GM pulls no punches in assessing team: ‘Flat-out Brent Seabrook ends career: 11 observations not good enough’ 1204964 Lazerus: Blackhawks’ Brent Seabrook leaves a legacy that 1204937 Former Sabres captains weigh in on team’s woes: ‘A transcends any contract whole new kind of unwatchable’ 1204965 What can the Blackhawks do with Brent Seabrook’s contract? 1204966 Sans star center Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche defeats 1204996 Jordan Greenway gets an assist from Ian Cole's stick on Anaheim in breakaway vs. Coyotes 1204967 Nathan MacKinnon cleared to play; Gabe Landeskog 1204997 Friday's Wild-Arizona game recap skips morning skate after the birth of his son 1204998 Wild notes: Kaapo Kahkonen officially No. 2 goalie, but 1204968 Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer has been a ‘rock,’ but says he'll keep working at it is his workload sustainable? 1204999 Former teammates' memories of Mark Pavelich date to 1204969 Valeri Nichushkin’s overtime goal sends Avalanche to 3-2 Iron Range, Minnesota Duluth and Olympics victory over Anaheim Ducks 1205000 Wild breezes past Arizona 5-1 in first of two with Coyotes 1204970 Nichushkin scores twice, Avs beat Ducks 3-2 in overtime 1205001 Minnesota should join other states in opening doors back 1204971 Valeri Nichushkin helps rescue Avs in his best game of to pro sports fans season, but MacKinnon worry starts 1205002 'Miracle' hockey star Mark Pavelich found dead in 1204972 Nathan MacKinnon scratched from Avs-Ducks game with treatment center upper-body injury 1205003 Wild's path forward after benching Zach Parise will 1204973 Nathan MacKinnon good to go against Ducks, and become clearer tonight Landeskog is a father again 1205004 Zach Parise returns to Wild lineup vs. Coyotes; Evason says they had 'great meeting' Columbus Blue Jackets 1205005 Wild get back on track with dominant 5-1 win over Coyotes 1204974 Takeaways from Blue Jackets' win over 1205006 Wild veteran Zach Parise returns from healthy scratch on include adding a foundation piece line with Kevin Fiala 1204975 Cam Atkinson's eagerness to kill penalties for the Blue 1205007 Jordan Greenway, Kirill Kaprizov and … Ian Cole’s stick Jackets helps him get 'shorties' shine for the Wild 1204976 Michael Arace: The Dallas experiment: Can a man's 1205008 How Wild’s Joel Eriksson Ek has emerged as one of the knees withstand 40 NHL games in 70 days? NHL’s top two-way forwards 1204977 Blue Jackets avoid meltdown against Dallas Stars, regroup for second straight victory Canadiens 1204978 Center position remains an issue for Blue Jackets, with no 1205009 ’s hockey dad Walter Gretzky was always there for easy fix his son Wayne, but never in his way 1205010 Canadiens expected Carey Price to struggle, Stéphane Dallas Stars Waite says 1204979 The cruel reality is the Dallas Stars are sinking to the 1205011 Canadiens legend lends hand to CHUM bottom and a turnaround is becoming even more unlikel cancer fundraiser 1204980 ‘Soft,’ ‘unnecessary’ call was dagger but Stars’ issue is still 1205012 Hickey on hockey: Canadiens seeking solutions to inept offense overtime failures 1205013 About Last Night: Mistake after mistake hurt the Red Wings Canadiens against the Jets 1204981 Why Filip Zadina feeling fresh and happy matters for 1205014 Basu and Godin: Canadiens OT woes, Jonathan Drouin thrives, KK grows and more 1204982 Finally, Filip Zadina shows some offensive firepower in Wings' latest loss 1204983 Red Wings to start hosting 750 fans at Little Caesars 1205015 Nashville Predators must embrace the rebuild needed to Arena fix a bad team | Estes 1205016 Two questions that must be answered before the Oilers Predators re-sign Filip Forsberg 1204984 Oil Spills: State of Oilers defence 1204985 Walter Gretzky was the most famous hockey dad in world 1204986 Oilers versus Flames: Two hungry dogs and only one 1205017 Hockey Legend Shared His Father With a steak Nation 1204987 JONES: Farewell, Walter Gretzky. Hello, Darryl Sutter 1205018 Devils searching for any way to climb out of slump | 4 1204988 MATHESON: Oilers can't toss away this Leafs spanking observations from loss to Rangers as just a bad week 1205019 Devils Deep Dive: Where did the disappearing offense go? 1204989 Lowetide: Why are some Oilers fans hesitant to give Darnell Nurse his due? 1204990 Oilers prospect Ty Tullio trying to carve out his own path, 1205020 Ryan Pulock says COVID-19 pandemic helped forged one stop at a time great connections among Islanders 1205021 Is Islanders defenseman prospect Robin Salo ready for the NHL? 1204991 Column: ‘Dream Gap’ tour inches women’s pro hockey 1205022 Sorokin with a Strong Performance Despite Sabres association toward financial viability Scoring Two 1204992 Kings allow late equalizer, lose to Blues in OT 1204993 FINAL – KINGS 2, BLUES 3 (OT) – BROWN, KUPARI, MCLELLAN 1205023 Rangers coach downplays 1204994 GAME THREAD – KINGS VS. BLUES, 3/5 benching 1204995 3/5 PREVIEW – KUPARI’S NHL DEBUT & LINEUP 1205024 Rangers’ Kaapo Kakko set to return vs. Devils PROJECTIONS, PLUS GETTING THE PK BACK ON 1205025 Mark Pavelich, ‘Miracle on Ice’ team star, dead at 63 TRACK 1205026 Rangers exhale after Igor Shesterkin’s injury classified as ‘mild’ 1205027 Mark Pavelich dead, 'Miracle on Ice' Olympic team member was 63 1205028 Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin day-to-day with mild groin strain, team says NHL 1205029 Top Women’s Hockey Players Renew Their Olympic Journey Senators St Louis Blues 1205030 SNAPSHOTS: The take time for a reset 1205070 Blues notebook: Low-key homecoming for Clifford after 7-3 loss... Flames win but fire coach an 1205071 Hoffman's blast gives Blues 3-2 overtime win in LA 1205031 GARRIOCH: The Ottawa Senators need Matt Murray to 1205072 Blues Game Day: No Vladi Tonight find consistency to have success 1205073 25 years ago: Even the players had goose bumps for a 1205032 WARREN: All about Walter Gretzky, Darryl Sutter and magical hockey night in St. Louis NHL developments in Canada 1205033 SENATORS AFTERTHOUGHTS: Yet another short night for Murray in yet another long night for the Senators 1205074 Lightning fall to Blackhawks in shootout 1205034 Senators sequels: With Ryan Dzingel back, we rank every 1205075 Lightning defense corps continues to cope with injuries player who has done multiple stints in Ottawa 1205076 Lightning’s Ondrej Palat stepping out of the shadows with career-best start Flyers 1205035 For Flyers P.A. announcer , Sunday’s return of Maple Leafs fans will be special 1205077 Why this is Morgan Rielly’s best shot at the Norris Trophy, 1205036 Flyers will try to build off comeback win over Penguins, with an assist from someone who should know Phil Myers ‘doubtful’ for Saturday’s game 1205078 Maple Leafs need to get through Demko 1205037 Here’s what to expect at the Wells Fargo Center when the 1205079 TRAIKOS: Calgary's hiring of Darryl Sutter shows there Flyers welcome fans back still is a place for hard-nosed hockey coach 1205038 Flyers’ Brian Elliott, one of the NHL’s best No. 2 goalies, 1205080 Kyle Dubas’ offseason looks like a hit: Rating the Maple will start again Saturday vs. Penguins Leafs additions so far 1205039 What we learned from Thursday night’s Flyers’ 4-3 win over Penguins 1205040 Flyers could be missing 2 players in rubber match with 1205098 Tom Mayenknecht: Despite loss to Canucks, Leafs Penguins showing they're class of Canadian NHL teams 1205041 'We've been calling it a playoff series' — Flyers get 1 of 1205099 Patrick Johnston: Benning's long-term vision for Canucks more gut checks to come taking a long time 1205100 Drance: Canucks can’t afford Jim Benning’s patient, passive approach ahead of a crucial trade deadline 1205043 , others appear poised to return to Penguins lineup 1205044 Penguins up front about defensive issues around net 1205081 Golden Knights edge rival Sharks in OT 1205046 P.O Joseph among 2 assigned to Penguins’ AHL affiliate 1205082 Sports still trying to heal a year later from COVID pause 1205047 Mark Madden: On 30th anniversary of trade, Ulf 1205083 Fleury gets break, Knights start Dansk against Sharks Samuelsson remembered as Penguins X-factor 1205084 Through ups and downs, Oscar Dansk picks up first 1205048 Penguins' net-front problems more than just a matter of Golden Knights win since 2017 muscle 1205085 Golden Knights enjoy watching Oscar Dansk earn 1205049 Paul Zeise: Penguins are mentally tough but need to add long-awaited win vs. Sharks physicality to their blue line 1205086 Golden Knights Move To 15-4-1 With 5-4 OT Win Over 1205050 Penguins reassign Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Drew Sharks In San Jose Friday O’Connor 1205087 Max Pacioretty Leads Golden Knights Past Sharks in OT 1205051 From The : Teddy Blueger's grind doesn't stop 5-4 1205052 Penguins Demote Joseph, O’Connor to WBS Penguins 1205088 Morning Skate Report: Golden Knights begin longest road AHL trip of season in San Jose 1205053 Kingerski: Ready or Not, Hextall Needs to Shake Up Penguins 1205054 Dan’s Daily: Penguins Flatline, Flames Fire Coach, Caps 1205089 Bruins handle Capitals in a chippy game that followed a May Seek Goalie chippy game two days earlier 1205090 Backstrom’s 700th assist overshadowed by poor defense, Wilson hit 1205055 Sharks erase three-goal deficit, lose to Golden Knights in 1205091 Capitals, Bruins offer two very different views of Wilson's OT hit on Carlo 1205056 San Jose Sharks winger added to NHL’s COVID-19 list 1205092 The secret weapon behind the Capitals dramatic faceoff 1205057 ‘Miracle on Ice’ star, former Shark, Mark Pavelich found improvement dead 1205058 Sharks’ Logan Couture explains how he first met Walter Gretzky 1205059 As another NHL coach is fired, ’s job appears safe. Here’s why 1205060 Pacioretty's OT goal gives Golden Knights 5-4 win vs Sharks 1205061 'Miracle on Ice' star Mark Pavelich dies at treatment home 1205062 Couture, Boughner happy with Sharks' response in loss to Vegas 1205063 Sharks' Kurtis Gabriel explains what led to epic Ryan Reaves fight 1205064 Labanc's bizarre goal helps Sharks force OT against Vegas 1205065 Gabriel, Reaves fight at start of Sharks-Vegas third period 1205066 Game Notes #21: Golden Knights Edge Sharks 5-4 in OT 1205067 Game Preview/Lines #21: Gabriel Enters Fray, Stats Suggest More Goals Coming for Sharks 1205068 First Look at Sharks & the Trade Deadline 1205069 Meet Kraken head video analyst Tim Ohashi — the unheralded man who could help alter games and inform strategy Websites 1205101 The Athletic / ‘It was kind of inevitable’: NWHL players reflect on promising season gone wrong 1205102 The Athletic / NHL trade deadline: 12 more players not on our trade board who could move 1205103 The Athletic / LeBrun: NHL’s Canadian division winner could relocate to U.S. for semifinals, Final 1205104 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Who wins today, 2016’s Team North America or Team Everyone Else? 1205105 .ca / Darryl Sutter rides into Calgary with highest of expectations 1205106 Sportsnet.ca / Benning preaches more patience to already restless Canucks fanbase 1205107 Sportsnet.ca / Sabres GM: 'has not asked for a trade' as team continues spiral 1205108 Sportsnet.ca / Walter Gretzky embodied the heart, spirit of Canadian community hockey 1205109 Sportsnet.ca / Looking at Darryl Sutter's track record as an NHL head coach 1205110 Sportsnet.ca / The Lookahead: Maple Leafs coach Keefe emerging as frontrunner 1205111 Sportsnet.ca / NHL Rookie Notebook: Rangers' Alexis Lafreniere hitting his stride 1205112 Sportsnet.ca / Why a Mattias Ekholm trade would make sense for Jets 1205113 Fed up with coaching carousel, Flames turn to familiarity in Sutter 1205114 USA TODAY / Capitals' Tom Wilson sends Bruins' Brandon Carlo to hospital with crushing hit into boards 1205115 USA TODAY / Pittsburgh Penguins discipline staffer for altering fan photo to show proper mask use 1205093 Player Jets wanted to ditch is sure earning his keep 1205094 Canadian teams have already sent a pair of bench bosses packing 1205095 JETS NOTEBOOK: Maurice reflects on one-year anniversary of COVID pause; Remembering Walter 1205096 Expected "hogwash?" Different views on analytics within Jets organization 1205097 Jets' Perreault hasn't turned back the clock, he's just doing what he's always done SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1204912 Anaheim Ducks “We’ve got to search for that half stride, that half stride difference between winning the game and losing the game,” Manson said. “Because it’s out there somewhere and we’ve just got to find it, to get on Ducks fall to depleted Avalanche in OT the right side of these games. It seems like too many times we come up just short.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.06.2021 By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 9:04 p.m. | UPDATED: March 5, 2021 at 9:47 p.m.

The Ducks built a lead, then lost it, then regained their form after a few desperate moments.

So, what else is new?

No question, the Ducks were the better team for limited stretches, but stitching them together, from start to finish continued to be a chore. The Colorado Avalanche played a role in disrupting the Ducks’ play, to be sure, and they found themselves in another tight game.

In the end, the Ducks couldn’t stop a hard-charging Valeri Nichushkin, who scored the game-winner 2:45 into overtime and they suffered a 3-2 loss to the Avalanche on Friday night in Denver. The Ducks earned a point, but they haven’t won a game since Feb. 11.

It wasn’t as if the Ducks found a way to lose while falling to 0-6-3 in their last nine.

It was more like the Avalanche found a way to win.

Nichushkin jump-started Colorado’s rally from a two-goal deficit with a second-period goal.

“Another one where we’re right there, but at the end of the day, we get one point, but it’s two points that we want and we desperately need,” said Jakob Silfverberg, who had given the Ducks a 2-0 lead early in the second period. “Obviously, not satisfied with one.”

Ducks coach welcomed Josh Manson back to the lineup after a 20-game layoff because of an oblique injury suffered on Jan. 18 against the Minnesota Wild. Eakins tweaked his lineup to accommodate Manson, playing seven defensemen and 11 forwards instead of the usual six and 12.

Manson’s return to the ice more or less coincided with the news Thursday that Hampus Lindholm would be sidelined for six weeks because of a fractured wrist suffered during a Feb. 27 game against the Golden Knights. Lindholm could be out until mid-April.

“I thought he played excellent,” Eakins said of Manson. “He played a physical, solid game.”

Said Manson, referring to Denver’s mile-high altitude, “It felt like I was breathing through a straw.”

The Ducks got no sympathy from the Avalanche, who were without defensemen Bowen Byram, and Cale Makar and forward Nathan MacKinnon because of injuries. MacKinnon was checked in the head Wednesday by San Jose’s Joachim Blichfeld, who was suspended two games by the NHL.

Judging by the opening minutes, the Avalanche hardly missed them. The Avalanche had a of early scoring chances, but Ducks John Gibson turned them away long enough for his teammates to get their feet moving in the right direction.

Is Jamie Drysdale next to be called up to the Ducks?

Are bigger roles in store for Ducks’ Zegras and other young players?

The Ducks took a 1-0 lead with 10 seconds remaining in the first period, when Rickard Rakell slipped a pass from behind the net out front to Adam Henrique in the slot. Henrique fired the puck into the net. Rakell got the lone assist to extend his scoring streak to four games.

Silfverberg extended the Ducks’ lead to 2-0 only 2:22 into the second period, sending a laser past Colorado goalie Philipp Grubauer and into the upper reaches of the net. Silfverberg collected a loose puck along the boards in his own zone and raced down the right wing to score.

The two-goal lead would not last the period, though. Nichushkin scored moments after a Colorado power play expired at 14:46 of the second period and then the Avalanche’s Brandon Saad scored from close range to tie it 2-2 at 17:23. 1204913 Anaheim Ducks scrimmage and hasn’t played for the Ducks this season. He played five games with the Gulls on a long-term injury conditioning loan.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.06.2021 Darryl Sutter leaves role with Ducks to become Flames head coach

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 2:22 p.m. | UPDATED: March 5, 2021 at 6:26 p.m.

Darryl Sutter stood outside the visitor’s dressing room one day in Pittsburgh last season and explained why he decided to join the Ducks as a special advisor to coach Dallas Eakins and why he had zero interest in returning to coach an NHL team again.

Sutter changed his mind on Friday when he accepted a three-year contract to coach the meandering , his second stint with the franchise after serving as its coach from 2003 to ’06 and guiding it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2004.

“It’s unfinished business,” Sutter said on a Zoom call.

Sutter, 62, replaced Geoff Ward, who was fired with the Flames stationed in fifth place in the North Division with an 11-11-2 record, two points out of a playoff position and 14 behind the division- and league-leading going into Friday’s action.

Sutter was a midseason replacement when the Kings fired in 2011-12, rallying the team to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference before they went on to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship. The Kings won the Cup again in 2014.

Sutter was fired along with Kings general manager in a series of housecleaning moves in 2017. In 2019, former Kings player Daniel Carcillo said he saw Sutter kick a player seated on the bench and berated another who suffered from a concussion.

Sutter denied the allegations Friday.

“No,” he said. “I think honesty and truth always prevails. We’ll just leave (it at) that.”

Sutter joined the Ducks last season to mentor Eakins, who was promoted after four successful seasons with their AHL team, the San Diego Gulls. Sutter has an all-time coaching record of 634-467-184 with the Kings, Flames, San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks.

Sutter is the fifth coach in five years for Calgary.

“There’s a group of five or six players who have started their careers here and have been here through all those coaches,” Sutter said. “What’s important for them to know now is that I’m here with them and I’m going to stick with them and whatever works best for them is what I’m going to do.”

DANCING TERRY

Right wing Troy Terry returned to the Ducks’ lineup on Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues, after he was scratched for four consecutive games, and he assisted on Max Comtois’ second-period goal for his first point since Feb. 9.

Eakins likened Terry’s play to that of someone on a dance floor.

Is Jamie Drysdale next to be called up to the Ducks?

Are bigger roles in store for Ducks’ Zegras and other young players?

“There were some people who were unbelievable dancers and there was always somebody in there that just didn’t quite hear the beat and it looks off,” Eakins said. “That’s how I equate Troy’s play a lot of times. When he is dancing to the beat and he’s feeling his game and he’s got great support from his two linemates, he backs off people, he beats them, he makes plays.

“When he starts to force things or he doesn’t have the support of his linemate getting close to him, that’s when he looks like a bad dancer. That’s what it is.”

GUHLE UPDATE

As expected, defenseman Brendan Guhle cleared waivers and the Ducks assigned him to San Diego. He sprained his knee during a training camp 1204914 Arizona Coyotes Third star: Zuccarello, with a goal and assist. He has 13 points in his last

nine games. Minnesota Wild thump Arizona Coyotes in season's first meeting Second star: Kaprizov. The Wild's breakout rookie raised his team- between both teams leading point total to 19 with two assists on Friday.

First star: Greenway, with a goal and assist, the goal right after he Jose M. Romero apparently had to get a new stick. He has points in four of his last five games, and his 13 assists lead the Wild.

'Toc' Talk One hallmark of the Arizona Coyotes season so far has been the team's ability to keep many of their games close, giving them a chance at a Tocchet ended his postgame comments with thoughts on the team's comeback. recent play at home.

Friday was not one of those could-go-either-way nights at Gila River Faceoff with Fischer Arena. The Minnesota Wild scored three first-period goals and skated This week's Coyotes Faceoff features a few minutes with Christian around, past and through a porous Coyotes defense on their way to a 5-1 Fischer, who talks about his time so far in Arizona and finding his role on win in the first meeting of the season between the two West Division the team, among other things. teams. Up Next The Coyotes (10-10-3) had a chance to move into a tie with the Wild on standings points. But Minnesota (13-7-1) was able to take advantage of The Coyotes host the Wild Saturday night at 5 p.m. After Saturday, the defensive coverage errors. Coyotes will have played 17 of their first 24 games at home. Four of the Coyotes next six scheduled games are against the Wild, one Saturday in "They had about eleven shots at one point and had four goals on the Glendale and three in Minnesota. mistakes we made. We had four or five guys tonight that weren’t good. You can’t always just say the team, because yeah, it is a team game, but Arizona Republic LOADED: 03.06.2021 four or five guys were just really bad and it really cost us with egregious plays," Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said. "Some guys got to get self-evaluation and they need to be ready to go (Saturday). This team cannot have four or five guys playing at that level for us to compete."

Clayton Keller scored Arizona's only goal, his shot from the right side going high into the net early in the third period. It was Keller's third goal in three games and eighth of the season.

Jordan Oesterle got an assist with his long pass to Keller, and has a three-game point streak.

With Darcy Kuemper still not in the starting lineup after dealing with a lower body injury, the Coyotes turned to Antti Raanta in goal for the third straight game. Raanta didn't get much help and finished with 22 saves.

The Coyotes' defense improved as the game went on, and the kill did not allow a goal in four Minnesota power plays. But Arizona's early play cost them, and the Wild finished with flourish on Kevin Fiala's unassisted goal with 1:14 to play.

After a couple of good rushes on the net early in the first period from the Coyotes' Christian Dvorak that almost produced goals, the Wild took over. Mats Zuccarello scored moments after the Coyotes couldn't control the puck off a faceoff.

Brad Hunt made it 2-0, and 69 seconds later, Nick Bjugstad had half the net to himself to tap in a no-look backhand pass from Kirill Kaprizov at 14:27 of the period.

The second period has been the Coyotes' best, but the Wild tacked on another goal when Jordan Greenway broke free and skated in alone for a wrister past Raanta at 5:08 of the period.

"I think the best thing we can do is just flush it and forget about it," Coyotes forward Tyler Pitlick said. "Remember it a little bit, have a little chip on our shoulder (Saturday) and bring it to them and play a full 60 minutes and play hard. No matter what happens just keep going.”

Home hasn't been too kind to the Coyotes. They have lost five of their last seven games at Gila River Arena — one of those in an overtime shootout — and are 6-7-3 on home ice this season.

"I don't know. We've just got to be better," Pitlick said when asked about the team's recent play at home.

The Wild came in having lost their last two games, one in overtime, but before that had a six-game winning streak.

Keller skated in his 257th consecutive game, which ties Mikkel Boedker for the fourth-longest streak in franchise history.

Goal of the Game

Bjugstad's goal was nice, but the assist from Kaprizov was much more worth watching. 1204915 Boston Bruins At 1:05 of the third, Nick Ritchie smacked home a cross-ice pass from David Krejci, the Caps looking disinterested in defending.

The Bruins, on the other hand, were finely tuned. On Wilson’s first shift Playing for each other, Bruins respond to hit on Brandon Carlo by after his dirty hit, Bergeron, master of detail, set a pick that kept Wilson knocking out Capitals from creaming McAvoy on the forecheck. McAvoy and Grzlecyk may have submitted the best night of any Bruins defense pair this season. In the 10:39 they were on the ice, the Bruins outshot the Capitals, 6-1, and outscored them, 3-0. By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated March 5, 2021, 9:44 p.m. At 4:07 of the first, the Bruins were worried about another missing

defenseman. McAvoy left for the dressing room after taking the worst of a The Bruins channeled their anger at Tom Wilson in the ideal manner: by collision along the boards with Garnet Hathaway. McAvoy, who initiated pounding him twice, and the back of the Capitals’ net repeatedly. the hit after Hathaway dumped in the puck, led with his left hip and left side, and wound up airborne. Rare to see McAvoy, listed about 20 After Wilson’s predatory hit injured Brandon Carlo, teammates Jarred pounds heavier than Hathaway (6 feet 2 inches, 188 pounds), flattened Tinordi and Trent Frederic traded haymakers with a willing Wilson, and like that. He returned about four minutes later, and looked to be his usual Boston routed Washington, 5-1, at TD Garden Friday night. self.

Boston (13-5-3) chased Capitals starter Vitek Vanecek in the second, The Frederic-Charlie Coyle-Craig Smith line had some chances early, and responded to Wednesday’s loss. They responded to Wilson’s including one Frederic pass from the left wing Coyle nearly tipped home unpenalized takeout of Carlo, whose head rattled off the glass when off the rush. Wilson ran him with 1:28 left in the first period, with some Harlem Globetrotters passing. Their opponents from D.C. weren’t quite as Bruins netminder Jaroslav Halak stopped Lars Eller on two Grade-A hapless as the Washington Generals, but it was close. chances in the first: once, when Eller took a geometric triumph of a bank pass through the Bruins’ defense and broke in alone, and another when (goal) and Brad Marchand (two goals) recorded 3 he redirected a feed from the wing. points each, Frederic scored on a skillful deflection, and Nick Ritchie added another. Instead of losing their cool, the Bruins were sharp with Washington winger Jakub Vrana scored at 13:36 of the third, making it 5- the puck. 1, breaking Halak’s shutout bid. He finished with 31 saves.

Given all the loathing between these teams this week, their April 8 and In the locker room between periods, Cassidy typically outlines the game 11 series rematch in Washington will be appointment viewing. plan. He didn’t need to make a peep during the first intermission.

“It didn’t need to be said,” said Marchand, who opened the scoring 14:21 “This one,” he said, “I think the leadership group took over and said we’re in, taking a brilliant one-hand feed from Bergeron and deking Vanecek for going to finish every check, push back, go out and win.” a backhand roof job. “Guys took control and answered the bell.” Boston Globe LOADED: 03.06.2021 At 6:12 of the second, Tinordi made Wilson answer for the hit on Carlo, 24, who was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The Bruins, who ruled him out of the game with an upper-body injury, did not immediately issue a further update.

“He hit him clearly in the head,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “A defenseless player. A predatory hit from a player that’s done that before.

“We were upset. Brandon’s a very popular guy in the room.

Tinordi called the hit “a cheap shot,” and knew how to respond.

“That’s what I noticed about this team as soon as I got here,” he said. “The boys are playing for each other, night in and night out.”

Tinordi was cut on the forehead in their scrap, Wilson on the nose. It was apparent that Frederic, the young-and-eager fourth-liner earning a reputation as an irritant, might do something himself. He did.

He lunged away from the crease to deflect a Charlie McAvoy pass past Vanecek, for a 2-0 lead. He later instigated a fight with Wilson, taking a beating but smiling throughout. The two chatted from the penalty boxes, apparently amicably.

The temperature did not cool. Puck battles were hateful. It was so nasty that Capitals defenseman Zdeno Chara threw a jab at Marchand during a scrum with 9:40 left. Bergeron bear-hugged him and pulled him away. Jack Studnicka, the spindly rookie, threw an elbow at Chara during a puck battle.

Bergeron was seen talking to Wilson before puck drop to start the second period.

“Respectfully, I’ll keep that on the ice, between us,” Bergeron said, when asked what he said. “Things happen in games.”

Marchand, out of earshot, refused to speculate on what Bergeron said.

At 9:01 of the second, Bergeron finished a tic-tac-toe play with Marchand and David Pastrnak, the latter tapping it to the slot from the goal line for the , who was barreling downhill. Bergeron skated by the penalty box and appeared to have words for Wilson.

Six minutes later, Marchand finished a killer feed from Matt Grzelcyk, who zipped it from the left point to the far post to his waiting winger. That was all for Vanecek, who saved 14 of 18 shots. 1204916 Boston Bruins But Bergeron, whose career once nearly ended from a predatory hit in 2007, said there’s no place for hits on vulnerable players.

“When a guy’s in that position, you have to pull up … that’s definitely Brandon Carlo taken to hospital by ambulance after head-hunting hit something as players we’ve talked about getting rid of. from Washington’s Tom Wilson “It has to start from the players. We’re the ones playing the game.”

Boston Globe LOADED: 03.06.2021 By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated March 5, 2021, 8:26 p.m.

In the empty TD Garden Friday night, the sounds were clearly heard from the Level 9 press box.

The crunch of Brandon Carlo against the glass. The silence after players realized he was in trouble. The shouts from the Bruins bench.

At Tom Wilson:

“You’re a [expletive] scumbag.”

“[Expletive] headshot.”

“[Expletive] hit.”

At the officials, who kept their arms at their sides while the pile cleared:

“[Expletive] brutal!”

From Bruce Cassidy, at an official who told him there was no penalty coming:

“He’s going to get five games! For sure it’s a [expletive] penalty!”

Tom Wilson hits Brandon Carlo up high.

Wilson, widely considered the game’s dirtiest player, lived up to that reputation with a head-hunting hit on Carlo late in the first period of Friday’s game. With the Bruins up, 1-0, and 1:28 left in the period, the Capitals winger steamed into the corner as Carlo played the puck, using his gloves and elbows to drive Carlo’s head and shoulders into the boards from about a foot away.

The Bruins defenseman grabbed his head and crumpled to the ice, taking a couple whacks from Washington winger Jakub Vrana on the way down. He remained face-down for about a minute, and gingerly made his way to the room. He was ruled out for the rest of the game with an upper- body injury, and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

Speaking after the game, Cassidy did not know if Carlo, 24, was staying in the hospital overnight. Asked if Carlo had a concussion, Cassidy said, “You can probably make your own call on that, considering the hit was directly to the head.”

Referees Dean Morton and Pierre Lambert did not make a call on the ice. Capitals coach agreed with them.

“I mean, his feet were on the ice, he stayed down with everything,” Laviolette said. “It just looked like a hard hit in the corner. I’m not sure exactly sure what happened but to me it looked like just a hit.”

Cassidy called the play a “predatory hit from a player that’s done that before,” he said. “We felt it was completely unnecessary. Dirty.”

It is stunning that Wilson wasn’t tagged with a penalty, but as Cassidy said heatedly and pointedly in the moment, a suspension is likely coming.

Wilson’s rap sheet includes a 2017-18 run in which he was suspended for four preseason games, two regular-season games and three playoff games for dangerous hits. In a video explaining his 20-game ban for a headshot on St. Louis’ Oskar Sundqvist, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety’s narrator said it was his “fourth suspension in his last 105 games, an unprecedented frequency of suspensions in the history of the Department of Player Safety.”

He has not been suspended since that Sept. 30, 2018 hit, a span of 166 games including , and is no longer considered a repeat offender under the rules.

“From my view, I thought it was shoulder to the head,” said Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron, who was on the bench at the time. “The refs said they thought otherwise … if they’re seeing it, I guess I have to believe them.” 1204917 Boston Bruins pondered. “Did his offensive game grow because he’s able to hit the net continuously with his shot, and be a threat that way? If it’s the latter, he probably looks at being a bumper guy. I don’t know that Trent would be an elbow guy. I don’t want to rule that out, but I’d say more interior ice.” Charlie Coyle returns to lineup after one-game absence; Sean Kuraly scratched That means tips, puck recovery, using his muscle. At this level, he will have to grow into it. He’s certainly willing, as Capitals tough guy Tom Wilson has noticed.

By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated March 5, 2021, 7:11 p.m. “Yeah, that was a little weird,” Wilson said Friday morning, of Frederic’s targeting of Alex Ovechkin in Wednesday’s game. “I think if it was the

other way there probably would have been a lot more attention drawn to Charlie Coyle is no longer on the COVID list. it per se, if one of our guys was going after their stars or something like that. It’s probably a game within the game. I like to give him the benefit of The center from Weymouth returned to the Bruins lineup on Friday, after the doubt, a young guy coming into the league dropping the gloves with a missing Wednesday’s game against the Capitals because of COVID star.” protocol. The team did not elaborate on the specific reason for his absence. The Bruins used the same defensive pairings as Wednesday, with Jarred Tinordi and Connor Clifton on the third pair … The Bruins said season Being on the COVID list does not mean a player has the virus. A player ticket holders, game plan purchasers, and Society can be placed on the list because of, among other factors: an initial members will get first dibs on tickets when TD Garden is opened to a positive test that is not confirmed, isolation for symptoms, quarantine limited number (12 percent capacity) of fans on March 23 against the because of exposure to COVID-positive individuals, travel quarantine, Islanders. The team is directing fans interested in tickets to and of course, a confirmed positive test. NHL.com/Bruins/Tickets. The new procedures for entering the building can be viewed at TDGarden.com/PlayItSafe. Coyle, who scored a pair of goals in his previous game (last Sunday against the Rangers), centered the third line of Trent Frederic and Craig Boston Globe LOADED: 03.06.2021 Smith. He was looking for offensive traction.

He went 10 games without a goal, from Jan. 26 to Feb. 21, before he scored against the Flyers in Lake Tahoe, and entered Friday with a 5-3— 8 line in 19 games.

His return made a scratch out of Sean Kuraly, who sat for an undisclosed reason. In Wednesday’s shootout loss to Washington, Kuraly committed a turnover that led to the Capitals’ third-period equalizer.

So what is Trent Frederic at the NHL level, exactly?

The Capitals might answer with a few choice words.

Is he a bottom-six center? A physical winger? Is he a power-play option down the road?

A lot will depend on his offensive development.

Frederic entered Friday’s date with the Caps with two goals and one assist in 37 games. He was riding left wing on a 24-and-under third line, with center Jack Studnicka and right wing Jake DeBrusk.

Coach Bruce Cassidy is trying to find the right fit for Frederic, who was a solid producer in his two years at Wisconsin (65 points in 66 games) and less reliable in Providence (65 points in 127 games). He is a center moved to wing, not unlike Studnicka, another natural center who flipped to wing and back. More north-south will benefit Frederic.

“As a centerman, you’re trying to get pucks to your wingers,” Cassidy said. “As a winger, sometimes you’re getting pucks in different places, especially on the rush. You’re kind of a last-touch guy before it goes to the net. He was trying to make that extra play.”

Down low, he’s learning how to protect the puck, and sorting out whether defenses are in a zone or a man scheme, how much time he has if he beats the first defender.

“What he can get away with,” Cassidy explained. “What kind of power moves he can use to get to the net, and how hard to have to shoot to get the puck on the net a lot of times. If a goalie’s set and seeing it, no matter how good a shot you have sometimes, he’s still going to save it.”

In other words, Frederic shouldn’t be living off his Lake Tahoe goal, which came on a tumbling shot from the top of the circle. That was a misplay by Philadelphia’s .

“Sometimes guys come up and they have a good stretch of two or three games and they think, ah, I’ve made it. That’s not the case. It’s hard to stick in this league,” said Cassidy, who played 36 games over six NHL seasons (all with Chicago). “It takes a lot of work. I like the fact he’s matured in that part, at least. He’s trying to grow his game.”

If Frederic’s offensive game develops to the point he is needed on the power play, where would his strengths lie? That’s another TBD.

“Did it grow because he’s good in tight in front of the net and can outmuscle guys, recover pucks, and take them to the net?” Cassidy 1204918 Boston Bruins

Mark Pavelich, member of Miracle on Ice gold-medal winners, found dead

By Staff and Wire ReportsUpdated March 5, 2021, 5:38 p.m.

MINNEAPOLIS — Mark Pavelich, the speedy center from the Iron Range who won gold with the “Miracle on Ice” Olympic hockey team in 1980, has died at a treatment center for mental illness. He was 63.

Officials in Anoka County, Minn., confirmed Friday that Pavelich died at the Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Centre, Minn., on Thursday morning. The cause and manner of death are still pending.

“We are saddened to hear about the passing of 1980 Olympic gold medalist Mark Pavelich,” USA Hockey said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to Mark’s family & friends. [He is] forever a part of hockey history.”

Pavelich was undergoing treatment at the home as part of a civil commitment for assaulting his neighbor in Cook County, Minn., in August 2019, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Pavelich thought the man had spiked his beer.

He was charged with felony assault, but Judge Michael Cuzzo found he was incompetent to stand trial because he was mentally ill and dangerous. According to the judge’s order from December 2019, a psychologist found Pavelich was suffering from delusions and paranoia. Another psychologist found he suffered from a mild neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury, likely related to repeated head injuries.

Pavelich assisted on ’s winning goal against the heavily favored Soviet Union. He sold his gold medal for more than $250,000 in 2014, two years after wife Kara died in an accidental fall.

Pavelich starred at Eveleth High School and was an All-America selection at the Duluth before earning a spot on the Olympic team.

The 5-foot-8, 170-pound forward spent five seasons with the New York Rangers and played briefly for the and San Jose Sharks, finishing with 137 goals and 192 assists in 355 NHL regular- season games. He had a five-goal game for the Rangers on Feb. 23, 1983, in an 11-3 victory over Hartford.

“As a kid growing up in Hibbing I used to go to the arena and hang out with gear in hand waiting to see if I could skate with the teams that rented the ice,” former Minnesota and NHL player tweeted. “Mark Pavelich always let me join with the Eveleth guys. He taught me so much about the game.”

Pavelich’s sister, Jean Gevik, didn’t immediately respond to a message. The Rangers said in a statement they were saddened by Pavelich’s death.

“His determination, passion and dazzling playmaking ability earned him the adoration of Rangers fans during his five-year tenure in New York,” the team said.

Boston Globe LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204919 Boston Bruins

Bruins detail how to get tickets to games at TD Garden beginning March 23

By Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated March 5, 2021, 4:11 p.m.

As TD Garden gets set to welcome back fans, the Bruins shared details on how they’ll dole out tickets.

Beginning with the game March 23 against the New York Islanders, the arena will be allowed to operate at 12 percent capacity. There will be a very limited number of tickets for sale.

Priority will be given to season-ticket holders, game plan holders, and Boston Garden Society members, who will have first access to buy tickets based on availability.

Fans interested in tickets for the remaining home games can visit nhl.com/bruins/tickets and complete the form to receive updates regarding potential single-game ticket offerings and availability.

TD Garden also announced it has created a comprehensive program designed to help ensure the continued health and safety of TD Garden guests and associates. Named ‘Play It Safe’, the program aims to minimize contact risk and bolster hygiene to exceed best-practice guidelines from the CDC.

Boston Globe LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204920 Boston Bruins offside by an inch or half an inch. They don’t care about reviewing a guy’s head shot.

Just before the start of the second period, Patrice Bergeron, who had his Bruins pummel Caps after ‘cheap shot’ injures Brandon Carlo career nearly ended on a head shot, was seen having words with Wilson. Bergeron did not divulge the content of that discussion, but he obviously wasn’t happy with the hit.

By STEVE CONROY | PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 9:49 p.m. | “It’s always tough to see anyone go down, but when it’s a friend and a teammate, it’s harder. From my view, it was shoulder to head. I didn’t see UPDATED: March 5, 2021 at 11:35 p.m. the replay. I talked to the refs and they thought otherwise,” said Bergeron. “When you see a guy in that position, you have to pull up. You have to play puck or stop and not come in blazing. … As players, we A strong dislike between the Bruins and Washington Capitals developed have to be thoughtful of getting rid of that (type of hit).” into a burning hatred at the Garden on Friday night. Eventually, at the 6:22 mark of the second, Tinordi tapped Wilson’s pads After the two teams played a contentious game on Wednesday night, and the two heavyweights went at it, both throwing big shots but landing Capitals’ noted loose cannon Tom Wilson upped the ante at 18:30 of the mostly glancing blows. Still the newest Bruin earned his Black-and-Gold first period, lining up Brandon Carlo for a dangerous head shot heard stripes. ’round the league, though somehow not seen by the officials working the game. “That’s what I noticed about this team as soon as I got here. The boys are playing for each other and how close this group is. I’m not surprised After Carlo was lost for the game and for who knows how long, the B’s to see that the boys responded after one of our guys goes down like played inspired hockey while it looked as if the Caps finished out the that,” said Tinordi, playing his second game for the B’s after being picked night in sheepish embarrassment, taking a 5-1 beating as Wilson had to up on waivers from Nashville. fight both Jarred Tinordi and Trent Frederic. With that behind them, the B’s went to work on the scoreboard. And by “You can see it. He hit him clearly in the head. Brandon goes to the the time Wilson and Tinordi left their respective boxes, it was 4-0. hospital in an ambulance,” said coach Bruce Cassidy, who did not have a further update. “It clearly looked like he got him right in the head, a Just 21 seconds after the fight, Frederic gave the B’s a 2-0 lead. From defenseless player, a predatory hit from a player that’s done that before. I behind the Washington net, Frederic sent a long pass out to Charlie don’t understand why there wasn’t a penalty called on the ice. They McAvoy and slipped out on the left side of the net to redirect home huddled up but I did not get an explanation why. It’s out of our hands McAvoy’s return pass. after that. We’ve just got to play hockey, try to stick together as a team At 9:01, Bergeron finished off a tic-tac-toe play with Pastrnak setting him and play the right way. Sometimes that happens and there’s no call and up with an open net. the players kind of settle it on the ice on their own. We felt we pushed back, did what we could do, won the hockey game and let that particular Finally, at 14:58, Matt Grzelcyk, who played very well in his second game player know that was unnecessary.” back after being out for three weeks with a lower body injury, connected with Marchand for an easy tap-in goal after another dominant shift from Brad Marchand’s appraisal was succinct. the top line. “It was a bull(expletive) hit,” said Marchand, not bothering to mind his P’s Nick Ritchie added another one early in the third and then Frederic would and Q’s during an interview with NESN in between periods. “Brando had not let Wilson take no for answer, taking the extra two-and-10 for the his head down in the corner. He took a liberty on a guy that was in a instigator. No matter. The Caps were not about to mount a comeback in vulnerable spot. It was a cheap shot there.” this one. The question is, can the league handle another four more games and Boston Herald LOADED: 03.06.2021 possible playoff series between these two teams?

The Bruins took a 1-0 lead in the first period on Marchand’s first of two goals. But late in the period, Wilson did some Wilson things. Perhaps he was responding to Frederic’s rough treatment of Alex Ovechkin on Wednesday, but the Caps wing tried to line up Frederic in the neutral zone and did not make good contact with the rookie along the boards. The two collided again shortly after that.

His blood lust unquenched, Wilson kept on hunting. As Carlo battled for a puck behind the Bruins’ net with Jakub Vrana, Wilson delivered a blow to the defenseman, whose head took the brunt of the entire hit against the glass. Carlo, who had suffered a concussion his rookie season on an Ovechkin hit in the very same spot on the ice, was down for a long time as trainer Don Del Negro attended to him before he was able to skate off with a little assistance.

Throughout the stoppage, the B’s bench was hollering at referees Pierre Lambert and Dean Morton. We could not make out all the words all the way up on the ninth floor, but it was a slew of obscenities.

Stunningly, nothing was called on Wilson. One would think that with the way things went on Wednesday between the two teams, the refs would be on high alert for such shenanigans. But nothing. The B’s had to take care of it themselves. The refs could have called it a match penalty, reviewed it and reduced the penalty to a minor if they thought they were too harsh. But Wilson got off scot-free, at least until the Department of Player Safety catches up to him.

The biggest problem is what they’re choosing to review and not to review. Last year in the playoffs there were high-sticks that were reviewed. For a major penalty not to be allowed to be looked at, if the refs are allowed to look at that on video, that’s a clear suspension and he’s gone from the game. That’s the problem with bringing in video the way that they did. They care more about looking at a video review of an 1204921 Boston Bruins “He’s gone out and been hard on certain players and annoyed them. They just happen to be high-end guys. And he’s done it within the rules of the law. So that part of it is always an asset if you can get good players off their game and then still play yours and not spend the night in Bruins notebook: Jack Studnicka at home in the middle the box. I think he’s done a really good job with that. He’s finished checks clean,” said Cassidy. “As for the offensive part of it, I think he was looking

to make plays rather than shoot the puck or play north-south. Some of By STEVE CONROY | PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 4:01 p.m. | that is to do with he’s been a center and we put him on the wing. As a UPDATED: March 5, 2021 at 8:15 p.m. centerman, you’re trying to get pucks to your wingers. As a winger, you’re getting pucks in different places, especially on the rush and you’re kind of that last-touch guy before it goes to the net. And he was trying to make that extra play. I think that’s been some of the learning curve for Jack Studnicka‘s desire to play in the right now him, having a shot mentality. Then down low, protecting it and identifying is obvious. When it looked like the only route to a big league roster spot whether they’re in a zone coverage or a man-to-man and do I have a little was to play the wing, the lifelong centerman gladly accepted the more time if I beat my guy or does it have to be on and off my stick challenge if that was going to get him to where he wanted to go. because they flood, so to speak. He’s learning that part of the game at The results were mixed. He did score the B’s first five-on-five goal of the the NHL level, what he can get away with, what kind of power moves he season, but he wasn’t always a visible guy on the ice. Then absences hit can use to get to the net and how hard you have to shoot to get the puck the B’s solid center corps, first an injury to David Krejci and then on on net a lot of times. If a goalie is set and seeing it, it doesn’t matter how Wednesday Charlie Coyle was placed on the COVID protocol (Coyle was good a shot it is, he’s still going to save it. I think he’s learning that, the subsequently taken off the list and was back in the lineup on Friday). quickness of the release is just as important as how hard your shot is at times.” That has allowed Studnicka to play the pivot and, as one might expect, Studnicka has looked more like a guy who knows his position more Odds and ends intuitively than when he was on the wing. He’s been somewhat snake- In Thursday’s practice, Cassidy mixed up a couple of defensive pairings, bitten, but he’s also been around the net a lot more than he had been at putting Urho Vaakanainen with newcomer Jarred Tinordi and pairing wing. Connor Clifton and Steven Kampfer, but he decided to go back with the “Natural, I guess, is the word I’d use,” said Studnicka on Friday. “It just Clifton-Tinordi pairing that played together in Tinordi’s debut on feels like it’s something I’ve been doing for 20 years. I’m definitely a little Wednesday. … more comfortable, less thinking, less trying to learn new things. But I just The Bruins’ first game for which fans will be allowed is on March 23. Due feel more natural there and it’s been good so far.” to the small capacity limit (12% of the usual 17,565) the Bruins He had played well enough at center with Krejci out for coach Bruce announced that season-ticket holders, Game Plan holders and Boston Cassidy to re-imagine how his fourth line might look when Krejci returned Garden Society members will receive priority access to tickets. Fans to the lineup. He’d been planning to move Sean Kuraly over to left wing interested should visit https://www.nhl.com/bruins/tickets. and plop Studnicka in between Kuraly and right wing Chris Wagner. Boston Herald LOADED: 03.06.2021 That plan, of course, went out the window when Coyle was placed on the COVID protocol list prior to Wednesday’s game. Cassidy conceded that Studnicka may not be perfect for a fourth-line role, but the coach’s willingness to move those pieces around speaks to the level of improvement that Studnicka displayed by moving to the middle. Whether he’s ready for full-time NHL duty at center is still to be determined, but Cassidy has seen enough to give him that look now.

With the return of Coyle, Studnicka was between right wing Wagner and left wing Anders Bjork in Friday’s return match against the Capitals, making Kuraly the surprise scratch.

That made Studnicka the only center/faceoff man on the fourth line. Speaking in the morning before any of the changes were known, Studnicka expressed confidence in any situation.

“I think I’m a pretty versatile hockey player where I think I can be slotted in the lineup wherever,” said Studnicka. “If I ever get a chance to play with those guys, it’s pretty obvious how they like to play, a straight line, simple game, good defensively. They have skill, too. I would definitely feel comfortable with any kind of wing, in any role.”

For Friday’s game, Cassidy reunited the heavy line with Coyle in between Trent Frederic and Craig Smith. Jake DeBrusk moved up to play with Krejci and Nick Ritchie.

Playing against a tough, physical and highly skilled team like the Washington Capitals as he did on Wednesday and again on Friday gave Studnicka a pretty good litmus test of what he can expect as an NHL centerman.

“Firsthand, they’re a tough team to play against,” said Studnicka. “It was definitely a good learning experience for me the other night and I’ll probably feel more comfortable (Friday). I know the style that they like to play. There’s not a lot of room out there, so I have to make some strong plays, especially in the neutral zone. They’re a strong, heavy team and it was good for me to play against them.”

Frederic scratching surface of his offense

Frederic, who is staying put at wing, for now at least, is gaining notoriety around the league as an agitator, a reputation burnished by his battles with Alex Ovechkin on Wednesday. And Cassidy has loved his output in that realm of the game. But the coach thinks there’s a lot of room for growth from Frederic in his offensive game, too. 1204922 Boston Bruins

Brad Marchand sounds off on Tom Wilson's high hit on Brandon Carlo

BY JUSTIN LEGER

The Boston Bruins are none too pleased with Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson, and understandably so.

Wilson knocked B's defenseman Brandon Carlo out of Friday night's matchup with a questionable headshot in the first period. Carlo stayed down on the ice for several minutes before being helped off, and he was ruled out for the remainder of the game with an upper-body injury.

Report: B's open to doing new contract for Rask in-season

Bruins winger Brad Marchand made it clear with some colorful language that he did not approve of Wilson's latest antics.

"That was a bull---- hit. [Carlo] had his head down in the corner and [Wilson] took a liberty on a guy that was in a vulnerable spot, so that's a f------cheap shot there," Marchand told NESN during first intermission. "We lost a great player, and it is great to see him skate off the ice by himself, but he was obviously in a bad spot and he's hurting. So that's a bad hit.

Marchand's frustration is valid. Wilson's hit was unquestionably dirty, and somehow he wasn't penalized for it.

The Bruins responded with three goals in the second period, one from Marchand. Boston defenseman Jarred Tinordi also took on Wilson in a spirited bout.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204923 Boston Bruins

Brandon Carlo helped off ice after headshot by Tom Wilson

BY JUSTIN LEGER

A Tom Wilson cheapshot knocked Brandon Carlo out of Friday night's Boston Bruins-Washington Capitals matchup in the first period.

Carlo was skating after the puck near the boards when Wilson drilled the 6-foot-5 B's defenseman in the head and into the glass with his shoulder. Jakub Vrana got a couple of cross-checks in on Carlo as he went down with the injury.

Report: Bruins open to doing new contract for Rask in-season

Watch the play below:

Carlo stayed down for several minutes before being helped off the ice. Wilson was not penalized for the hit, and Carlo was ruled out for the rest of the game with an upper-body injury.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204924 Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins D Brandon Carlo In Hospital After Wilson Headshot

Published 4 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Jimmy Murphy

Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo could be spending the night in a Boston area hospital after being on the receiving end of a headshot from Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson in the waning minutes of the first period of his team’s 5-1 win.

Tom Wilson hits Brandon Carlo up high.

“Well listen, it’s a fast game; they play hard, we play hard,” Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said. “But I mean you can see it, he clearly hit him in the head. Brandon’s in an ambulance; goes to a hospital obviously from that hit. It clearly looked like to me he got him right in the head. It’s a defenseless player and predatory hit from a player that’s done that before.”

Shockingly, there was no penalty on Wilson or his teammate Jakub Vrana, who crosschecked Carlo after he was already crouched down in pain immediately following the hit.

“So, I don’t understand why there wasn’t a penalty called on the ice,” a flabbergasted Cassidy said. “They huddled up but I did not get an explanation why but it’s out of our hands after that, we just gotta play hockey after that and try and stick together as a team and play the right way. Sometimes when that stuff happens and there’s no call, the players kind of settle it on the ice in their own way. We felt that we pushed back and did what we could do and won the hockey game and tried to let that particular player know that that was unnecessary. That’s how we handled it and like I said, I assume it will get looked at by the National Hockey League and they’ll make their decision.”

The Bruins handled it by scoring five straight goals and with newly acquired defenseman Jarred Tinordi dropping the gloves with Wilson 6:12 into the second period.

Carlo’s teammates weren’t done though with exacting retribution as for the second time this season, Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic did the dance with Wilson 1:12 into the third period.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204925 Boston Bruins

Talking Points: Boston Bruins Respond To ‘[Expletive] Hit’ on Carlo

Published 5 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Joe Haggerty

Here are the Talking Points from the Boston Bruins 5-1 win over the Washington Capitals at TD Garden on Friday night.

GOLD STAR: Patrice Bergeron steps up in the big moments and he did that on Friday night when things got nasty at the end of the first period with Tom Wilson clobbering Brandon Carlo. Bergeron and the Boston Bruins leadership group talked in the room about finishing every check and then the Bruins captain skated over to Wilson as he stretched on ice to start the second period and let the predatory Capitals winger know exactly what he thought about the hit. Then Bergeron stepped up in the game and finished with a goal, two points, a plus-3 rating in 14:18 of ice time and won 13-of-19 face-offs while leading a hardnosed response from the B’s. There are some nights in the NHL when leadership counts more than others, and this was one of those nights for Bergeron and the Bruins.

BLACK EYE: How many chances is the NHL going to give Tom Wilson to continuously make reckless hits meant to injure other NHL players? It was Wilson that opted to go that route toward the end of the first period when he drilled Brandon Carlo in the head with a high, violent and predatory hit, and sent the Bruins defenseman to the hospital afterward. Technically Wilson is no longer a repeat offender because his 20-game suspension came down a couple of years ago and there are some saying the head wasn’t even the principal point of contact, but it doesn’t take a hockey expert to watch the video and know that Wilson was guilty of sin on that play. Credit to him for fighting both Jared Tinordi and Trent Frederic afterward while clearly knowing he needed to answer the bell, but he’s got plenty of experience manning up after he throws a dirty hit.

Tom Wilson hits Brandon Carlo up high.

TURNING POINT: The Boston Bruins were winning 1-0 and Jared Tinordi dropped the gloves with Tom Wilson in the immediate aftermath of the hit on Brandon Carlo, so things were already in a pretty good place from a B’s standpoint. But Bergeron and the Bruins leadership didn’t stop there while making certain the Bruins were going to respond in the right way, and Bergeron went one step further going straight to Tom Wilson out of the first intermission as he was stretching on the ice. Bergeron wouldn’t repeat exactly what he said to Wilson on the ice, but it’s safe to say he wasn’t letting him know that his head-hunting on Carlo was garbage. And the Bruins took out the trash in the final 40 minutes while outscoring the Capitals by a 4-1 score and handily winning the game.

HONORABLE MENTION: Give it to Jared Tinordi, who went right after Tom Wilson the shift following his hit on Brandon Carlo and challenged him to a bout. The 6-foot-6 Tinordi and the 6-foot-4 Wilson threw some tremendous blows in the heavyweight fight, but full credit to the newest Bruins player for stepping up and ingratiating himself with his new teammates. He will earn plenty of respect in the Bruins dressing room for protecting his teammates and fighting one of the toughest guys in the league. Otherwise, Tinordi was solid in a heavy, nasty game against the Capitals and had a couple hits and a couple blocked shots in 19:46 of ice time. But Brad Marchand called Tinordi’s fight with Tom Wilson “a turning point in the game” after the Carlo hit and he was right.

BY THE NUMBERS: 1,003 – the combined point totals of the Perfection Line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak over the last five seasons, which makes them one of only two trios to do that in that span joining Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent- Hopkins. Though it must be said that the Edmonton trio doesn’t play together as a line as the Perfection Line boys do, so that adds to the accomplishment.

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QUOTE TO NOTE: “That hit was bullshit.” –Brad Marchand to NESN during the first intermission when asked about the Tom Wilson head shot on Brandon Carlo.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204926 Boston Bruins

Wilson KO’s Bruins’ Carlo With Violent, Dirty & Unpenalized Hit

Published 7 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – Brandon Carlo was knocked out of Friday night’s Capitals/Bruins game at TD Garden after a vicious, dirty head shot from Tom Wilson in the corner with a couple of minutes to go in the first period. Carlo was battling with Jakub Vrana for the puck behind the Boston net and turned to get it out of the zone when Wilson left his skates to deliver a finishing hit directly to Carlo’s head.

The 6-foot-5 Bruins defenseman immediately went to the ice clutching his head and Vrana inexplicably delivered a pair of cross-checks to Carlo’s neck after Wilson had already targeted his head with the nasty hit. A dazed Carlo was eventually helped off the ice by the Boston Bruins medical staff after gathering himself, but somehow the referees on the ice didn’t make a single penalty call on the violent, clearly dangerous play by, guess who, Wilson.

Tom Wilson hits Brandon Carlo up high.

The lack of a penalty call is confounding given how much of a problem head shots and concussions have become in the NHL, and how often Wilson steps over that line and injures opponents with reckless hits.

The collision came at the end of another physical, hard-hitting period from the Bruins ands Capitals with Charlie McAvoy missing a shift after getting the worst of a massive collision with Garnet Hathaway in front of the benches earlier in the period. The nastiness in Friday night’s game was fairly predictable given the skirmishes between Trent Frederic and Alex Ovechkin in Wednesday night’s shootout loss for the Bruins, but Wilson’s predatory, dangerous hit took it to a different level.

The officials on the ice didn’t do anything about Wilson’s head shot, but one would expect that the NHL’s Department of Player Safety will be getting involved with the Capitals power forward, who is no stranger to suspensions and supplemental discipline.

During the first intermission, Boston Bruins alternate captain Brad Marchand didn’t hold back when discussing what he termed ‘a fucking cheapshot’.

“That was a bullshit hit,” Marchand told Sophia Jurkstowicz. “Brando had his head down in the corner and he took a liberty on a guy that was in a vulnerable spot. So that’s a fucking cheapshot there and we lost a great player.”

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204927 Boston Bruins Ottawa – none Philadelphia – Joel Farabee

Pittsburgh – none Coyle Returns for Boston Bruins, Struggling Kuraly Scratched San Jose – TBA

Get BHN+ Published 8 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Joe Haggerty St. Louis – none

Tampa Bay – none BOSTON – The Boston Bruins will get one of their stalwarts back in the lineup as Charlie Coyle is back in the lineup after missing Wednesday Toronto – none night’s game due to COVID-19 protocols. Vancouver – none The brief absence would be mostly likely explained by a false positive test somewhere along the way for the B’s third line center, but he was Vegas – none present for pregame warm-ups after clearing the NHL’s nightly COVID-19 Washington – none list. As for the lineup, it looks like fourth line center Sean Kuraly will be a healthy scratch after a critical turnover in the third period of Wednesday Winnipeg – none night’s game cost the Boston Bruins a point in the shootout loss. Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 Kuraly has been a minus-7 over the last five games amidst some pretty mighty struggles from the Bruins fourth line and Bruce Cassidy had some critical words for him following Thursday’s practice.

“Sean has been a major part of our penalty kill which has been good all year, and he’s been very good on face-offs from the left dot,” said Cassidy. “But away from that some other parts of his game have leaked oil at times. Last night he had some turnovers where I just don’t think he was skating.

“A player will call them bad decisions, but I think you make better decisions when your feet are moving. [On Wednesday night] he had some turnovers, on the penalty kill and one on the goal against, where I don’t think he was thinking about getting the motor running first and getting up ice. I think that’s where he needs to be better, get moving and get driving.”

Coyle was heating up prior to Wednesday night’s absence coming off a 2-goal game last weekend in a needed road win over the New York Rangers, and will slot back in to his third line spot beside Trent Frederic and Craig Smith. Jack Studnicka will take the struggling Kuraly’s spot between Anders Bjork and Chris Wagner on the B’s fourth line for Friday night’s game vs. Washington.

Here’s the NHL Health and Safety Protocol list for Friday night’s games with Coyle now off and nobody on the list for the Boston Bruins:

Anaheim – none

Arizona – none

Boston – none

Buffalo – none

Calgary – none

Carolina – none

Chicago – none

Colorado – Dennis Gilbert

Columbus – none

Dallas – none

Detroit – none

Edmonton – none

Florida – none

Los Angeles – none

Minnesota – none

Montreal – none

Nashville – none

New Jersey – none

NY Islanders – none

NY Rangers – none 1204928 Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins Announce Plans For 2021 Home Game Tickets

Published 10 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Joe Haggerty

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With the Boston Bruins about to allow a limited capacity into TD Garden (12 percent) for home games beginning on March 23 against the New York Islanders, fans have been wondering how they will get tickets.

Well, they can wonder no more.

According to the release, Bruins Season Ticket Holders, Game Plan Holders and Boston Garden Society Members will receive priority access to purchase tickets based on availability. Fans interested in tickets for the 2020-21 season should visit this link and complete the form to receive email updates regarding potential single-game ticket offerings and availability.

Needless to say, Bruins players are pumped to begin welcoming fans back into the building in a couple of weeks after playing to a limited capacity at against the New York Rangers last weekend.

“Definitely looking forward to it,” said Boston Bruins Captain Patrice Bergeron. “We all talked about it and how excited, how nice it’s going to be to have the fans back. And it makes a big difference. You have to take them out of the of the buildings to realize how big of an influence of an impact they have on games. And it’s just a fact.”

Considering that roughly 2,100 tickets will be available to each game for the time-being due to COVID-19 guidelines, one would expect the interest to be extremely high. The TD Garden has created ‘Play It Safe’ to address COVID-19 safety concerns, a comprehensive program designed to help ensure the continued health and safety of TD Garden guests and associates and reduce the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19.

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The TD Garden has “engineered operational and sanitation procedures to minimize contact risk and bolstered hygiene to exceed best-practice guidelines from the CDC”. This includes comprehensive cleaning and enhanced air quality along with fully remote tickets, and remote access to preorder concessions from the seats.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204929 Boston Bruins Capitals Notes -Center Nicklas Backstrom leads the Capitals in goals (10), assists (15),

and points with 25. , Jakub Vrana – who scored the Game 21: Coyle In, Kuraly Benched, Boston Bruins vs Capitals Lines, shootout winner Wednesday and Tom Wilson are second in scoring with Preview seven goals each.

-Defenseman John Carlson leads all Capitals defensemen in goals (5), assists (14), and points with 19. Published 11 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Jimmy Murphy -The Capitals are 16-for-57 on the powerplay. They’re scoring at a 28.1 percent clip which is fifth in the NHL.

The Boston Bruins (12-5-3, 27 pts .675 %) host the Washington Capitals -The Capitals have only allowed 14 powerplay goals on 72 powerplay (13-5-4, 30 pts, .682 %) in the final game of their two-game set at TD attempts against. They’re killing off powerplays at an 80.6 percent clip Garden tonight (7 PM ET, NESN, NBCSWA, NHLN, TVAS, SN). and are ranked 13th in the NHL.

The Bruins will try and bounce back and not just keep pace with the first- Boston Bruins Lines place Capitals, who beat them 2-1 in a shootout Wednesday night at the Garden, but also the New York Islanders (13-6-4, 30 pts, .652 %) who Forwards: are tied with the Caps for first place in the East Division and the Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak (12-5-3, 27 pts, .675 %) who are tied for second with the B’s. The Pittsburgh Penguins (12-9-1, 25 pts, .568 %) have been Nick Ritchie – David Krejci – Jake DeBrusk wildly inconsistent but they’re also within striking distance of the Bruins and Flyers. Trent Frederic – Charlie Coyle – Craig Smith

For the Bruins to start gaining consistent points again, they’re going to Anders Bjork – Jack Studnicka – Chris Wagner need to pick up the pace on the ice. Defense:

“I think we’re not playing at a high enough pace. If there was an easy Jakub Zboril – Charlie McAvoy answer, I’d give it to you,” head coach Bruce Cassidy said following the shootout loss Wednesday. “Some of it is personnel we’ve changed. So, Matt Grzelcyk – Brandon Carlo we’ve got to them playing to a higher pace that we’re used to. We’ve got some new people in our lineup. Jarred Tinordi – Connor Clifton

Some of it is that we’ve emphasized getting a little bigger and maybe you Goalies: lose some of that pace. Some of it is just our play that I haven’t stressed Tuukka Rask this enough. You’re trying to adjust for opponents every night and trying to do certain things, and maybe you lose track of the forest through the Jaro Halak trees sometimes. You just say ‘Hey, let’s get going and simplify and get Washington Capitals Lines on top of them quicker.’ I think it’s a little bit of everything.” Forwards The Boston Bruins are now 1-0-2 against the Capitals this season. In addition to Wednesday’s tilt, they also split a two-game set in Alex Ovechkin – Evgeny Kuznetsov – Conor Sheary Washington DC on January 30 and February 1 with the Bruins staging two third period comebacks. The Bruins fell just short in a 4-3 overtime Jakub Vrana – Nicklas Backstrom – Tom Wilson loss and then bounced back and completed the comeback with a 5-3 win Get BHN+ on February 1. Richard Panik – Lars Eller – T.J. Oshie After cooking dinner in the head of Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin so much that the superstar winger speared him in the groin, will Trent – Nic Dowd – Garnet Hathaway Frederic have to face retribution tonight? Remember, earlier this season, the Boston Bruins rookie forward went toe-to-toe with Washington Defense Capitals winger Tom Wilson, who many consider the toughest guy in the Brenden Dillon – John Carlson NHL. Will Wilson come knocking early tonight to make it clear Ovechkin is off-limits for Frederic? Dmitri Orlov – Justin Schultz

Jaro Halak (4-2-1, 2.42, .903 save percentage will be back between the Zdeno Chara – Nick Jensen pipes for the Boston Bruins for the first time since allowing seven goals on 37 shots in a 7-2 loss to the Islanders on Feb.25. The Caps will once Goalies again start rookie Vitek Vanecek (10-4-3, 2.69 GAA, .910 save Vitek Vanecek percentage). Craig Anderson Bruins Notes Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 – Bruins center Charlie Coyle returned from the COVID-19 protocol list.

-Defenseman Kevan Miller (knee) is still day-to-day and defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (broken hand) is out for at least another three weeks. Forward Ondrej Kase (upper-body) is on injured reserve.

-After he was named NHL East Division Star of The Month for February on Monday, David Pastrnak satyed hot on Wednesday as he scored his tenth goal of the season and the lone Bruins goal. After missing the first seven games of the season, the Bruins superstar winger has 10 goals and nine assists in 13 games and he’s registered two hat tricks so far.

– The Bruins went 0-for-2 on the powerplay Wednesday and are now 15- for-58 on the man advantage this season. They’re ninth in the NHL with a 25.9 percent success rate.

-The Boston Bruins penalty killed off both Capitals powerplays Wednesday. The Bruins have now killed off 60 of 68 powerplay attempts against them. Their 88.2 percent success rate is fourth in the NHL. 1204930 Boston Bruins game. He’s got straight-line speed and he’s really built the shot in his repertoire and he’s looking to use it.”

None of what happens now is ever going to change the fact that the Why Not Give Red-Hot Senyshyn A Bruins Look? Bruins passed over Mat Barzal, Kyle Conner, Travis Konecny and Brock Boeser among others to select Senyshyn 15th overall in a surprise reach of a first round pick. But it would be pretty cool to see the much-maligned pick begin to author his own NHL story rather than be stuck with the Published 18 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Joe Haggerty narrative that’s been foisted upon him after three very average AHL season to start his pro career.

One of the hallmarks of this early season for the Boston Bruins has been Bruins general manager was spotted in Marlboro watching the struggles amongst a number of their forwards. the P-Bruins game against Bridgeport on Thursday, so he’s also getting a first-hand look at what guys like Senyshyn are doing this season for the While the Perfection Line continues to pace things offensively and Nick farm club. It feels like a shakeup wouldn’t be the first worst thing in the Ritchie has been outstanding as a big-bodied option around the net, a world for a Boston Bruins forward group that’s a little too comfortable with number of other Bruins forwards continue to underwhelm and their cemented roles right now. underachieve for the Black and Gold. Clearly nothing has been promised at the NHL level to Senyshyn, but he Jake DeBrusk has one goal on the season and has been a minus player should be pushing for NHL consideration given everything at play. while serving as a non-factor most nights. Anders Bjork similarly has one goal and is a minus player in 19 games this season while getting pushed “Typically, a call-up is in an injury or you’re unhappy with certain players, out of the lineup recently. and the other day we called up Kuhlman from the taxi squad to make a change and to say it’s not an automatic you’re going to be in every night. Chris Wagner was a healthy scratch last weekend in New York while not For Zach he just needs to worry about playing his best hockey every giving the kind of energy that Boston needs out of him as a fourth line night and it sounds like is,” said Cassidy of Senyshyn, who just had a five spark plug. game point streak snapped in Providence. “I know he’s scoring there, which is great. Some guys have to learn to change their game because Even a normally steady player like fourth line center Sean Kuraly has they don’t have as many chances to score. I think that’s something he’s struggled badly while posting a minus-7 over the last five games and worked very hard on. coughed up the puck in the third period of Wednesday night’s loss that essentially cost the Bruins a point in a 2-1 shootout loss. At this point, “Every time he’s been used up here [at the NHL level] I think he’s played there’s a few Bruins forwards that realistically could benefit from watching fine, but unfortunately he got hurt when he was up here. So, he didn’t get a few games upstairs from the press box. an extended look. That’s hockey, sometimes you get some breaks and sometimes you really need to keep working for it. I suspect at some point Bruce Cassidy admitted following Thursday’s practice that Kuraly “has if he keeps playing that way then he’ll get a look. I can’t predict the future, leaked oil” in his overall game right now, and that’s manifested itself in a so hopefully he continues to play well.” fourth line that really hasn’t been consistently effective this season. Now, a Senyshyn promotion certainly doesn’t come without some asset “Sean has been a major part of our penalty kill which has been good all risk. year, and he’s been very good on face-offs from the left dot,” said Cassidy. “But away from that some other parts of his game have leaked If things didn’t work out, then the Bruins would risk losing him on waivers oil at times. Last night he had some turnovers where I just don’t think he if they sent him back down to the AHL (or the taxi squad} again. But was skating. realistically how much of a risk is there to losing on waivers an underachieving 23-year-old former first round pick that didn’t play “A player will call them bad decisions, but I think you make better particularly well during an NHL call-up? decisions when your feet are moving. [On Wednesday night] he had some turnovers, on the penalty kill and one on the goal against, where I It’s a low-risk proposition worth it if Senyshyn could bring his new-found don’t think he was thinking about getting the motor running first and offense to Boston’s forward group. getting up ice. I think that’s where he needs to be better, get moving and get driving.” It would seem Senyshyn is finally toughening up his overall game and responding to watching others pass by him on the Boston Bruins Clearly it’s more than just Kuraly as Cassidy believes the entire Bruins organizational depth chart over the years. That’s a very good thing even team isn’t playing up to their usual pace. if it took a few years to happen, and perhaps a call-up would end some of the DeBrusk flybys on the fore-check that have become all-too familiar. The Boston Bruins bench boss has introduced rookie Jack Studnicka into the lineup and mixed in guys like Greg McKegg and Karson Kuhlman So why not reward the 23-year-old for a strong start to his AHL season when he wants a different look or is looking to send a message to and potentially shake up the mix amongst the forward group with a struggling players. Some of the current lineup struggles may even abate Bruins team that appears to have some dead wood in their lineup right when Ondrej Kase returns at some point and the Bruins have the lineup now? they envisioned to start the season. Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 But that may be a while to come, if it happens at all, with a player in Kase that’s essentially been out for the whole season.

So why not promote Zach Senyshyn at this point and give the former first round picks a chance to perhaps spark things offensively?

The 23-year-old Senyshyn is off to his best start at Providence with four goals and seven points in nine games along with a plus-3 rating and is tied with Samuel Asselin for the team-lead in goals scored. The 2015 former first round pick is showing the speed and scoring ability that he featured so prominently during his junior hockey career and appears to finally be making the necessary adjustments to the pro game.

Even better, Senyshyn is a natural right wing rather than a player shoehorned in there like lefty-shooting DeBrusk and Bjork have been to this point this season. Part of Senyshyn’s improvement comes from focusing on his shot off the rush and turning that into a weapon to go along with his -like straight-ahead speed and solid size.

“I think he’s really worked on his shot. It was something he’s done in the summer and consistently he’s hitting it in practice coming off the wing with some speed,” said P-Bruins head coach Jay Leach. “That’s his 1204931 Boston Bruins regular-season National Hockey League games with the , Arizona Coyotes, Nashville Predators and, now, the Bruins.

• After being claimed from the Predators, Tinordi drove 17 hours from Bruins fans, meet Jarred Tinordi — the new guy who delivered payback Nashville to Boston, spread out over two days, thus avoiding the airport to Tom Wilson and, hence, COVID-19 protocols that would have required him to quarantine. He made his Bruins debut Wednesday night, a 2-1 loss to the Caps in a shootout, logging 16:41 of ice time.

By Steve Buckley Mar 5, 2021 • If Tinordi had accepted a scholarship to attend Notre Dame in 2010 when he was 18 years old, he might not have developed the necessary

skills to take on Wilson on Friday night. Having been drafted by the The officials didn’t give Tom Wilson a match penalty Friday night after the Canadiens, he decided to bypass college and play juniors instead. Washington Capitals forward viciously smashed the Boston Bruins‘ “College hockey is a different game than major junior,” he told The Brandon Carlo into the glass at TD Garden. Athletic in 2018. “I learned a lot that first year as far as picking my battles. I realized the physical side was one part of my game that could really And so a new guy in town, Jarred Tinordi, did the next best thing: He benefit from playing in the OHL.” gave the entire Capitals roster a match penalty. • In 2016, while playing for the Arizona Coyotes, Tinordi was suspended Remember that name. Jarred Tinordi. For if anything magical happens for 20 games for violating the NHL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. for the Bruins come Cup time — and even if it doesn’t — one of the As is custom, he said he never knowingly used a banned substance. biggest oh-yeah-I-remember-that moments of this season is going to be how Tinordi abruptly ended Tom Wilson’s War with a second-period fight • His father, , played 12 seasons in the NHL with the that fired up the Bruins and sent them roaring to a 5-1 victory over the Rangers, Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars and Capitals. Also a Caps. defenseman, he was a three-time All-Star.

Jarred Tinordi. If it’s true that every successful team has its unlikely The most interesting item on this list? Easy: All those games in the AHL. contributors who seemingly fall from the sky and right into your memory He is by no means the first Bruin to be a frequent flier in the AHL, and banks, then this guy is that guy. he’s by no means the first Bruins enforcer to ride those buses. Remember Shawn Thornton? Of course you do. So much a Bruin did he Jarred Tinordi. become that the 21st century Charlestown resident could have passed for a 20th century Charlestown native. But for all the time he logged in As if what happened Friday night needed this type of dramatic flourish, the NHL, including being a member of the Bruins during the 2011 Stanley consider that Tinordi is a hockey journeyman who joined the Bruins last Cup run, he played so many games in the AHL — a whopping 605 of week after being claimed off waivers from the Nashville Predators. Aside them — that it wasn’t until his second-to-last season, with the Florida from the fact that he’s a Gigantor — 6-foot-6, 230 pounds — he wasn’t Panthers, that he had finally played more games in the NHL. the guy you’d expect to be defending the honor of the franchise and firing up the boys. The NHL has changed, of course. But Tinordi is only 29, so who knows? Maybe he sticks around in Boston, or some other NHL port of call. But that’s precisely what happened. The Bruins were ahead 1-0 late in the first period when Wilson — a prior offender who has been suspended However many games he winds up playing, and wherever he plays them, by the NHL four times for questionable hits — skated in on Carlo and his efforts against the Caps on Friday night will be remembered by Bruins rammed him head-first into the glass. Match penalty for Wilson? He didn’t fans. even get two minutes. And while Cassidy didn’t know much about him a few days ago, he Between periods, the following happened: knows plenty now.

• Carlo was taken by ambulance to the hospital and examined for what The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 may well be a concussion. (“You can probably make your own call on that, considering the hit was directly to his head,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said after the game.)

• Brad Marchand taped a television interview with Sophia Jurksztowicz that contained enough Wilson-directed profanities that a team of producers back at NESN headquarters in Watertown was called upon to do some heavy-duty editing before it could air.

Before the start of the second period, the NESN cameras caught Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron giving Wilson a stern talking-to.

And then the period began and Tinordi gave Wilson a stern dropping of the gloves. A first-round knockout it was not, but Tinordi got his point across and the decision.

And the Bruins, quite fired up, scored three rapid-fire goals that chloroformed the Caps for the night.

“We were upset,” Cassidy said. “Brandon’s a very popular player in the room. We felt it was completely unnecessary, dirty.

“As for Tinordi, we don’t know him that well. He just got here. Certainly know he’s a big boy, capable of that. One of the reasons we picked him up is because we were lacking in size in the back end. He certainly answered the bell and did his job, played a hard game for us against some big forwards. Good for him.”

When even the coach of the team is saying, “We don’t know him very well,” it only adds to the legend of Jarred Tinordi.

So, let’s get to know him. Let’s get to know him very well.

• Tinordi has played 368 career games with the Hamilton Bulldogs, St. John’s IceCaps, , Wilkes- Barre/Scranton Penguins and . He has played just 90 1204932 Boston Bruins Thirty-one seconds later, Frederic gave the Bruins a 2-0 lead. At 9:01, Bergeron punched in a net-front goal. Following his celebration, Bergeron skated past the penalty box and rapped his stick on the glass to acknowledge Tinordi’s fight. Bruins have had it with Capitals’ Tom Wilson: ‘Completely unnecessary’ At 14:58, Marchand made it a 4-0 game. After the goal, Tinordi left the penalty box. Again, Tinordi’s teammates clapped their sticks and gave him attaboys. By Fluto Shinzawa Mar 5, 2021 “From the second he got here, he’s been a great teammate, which is

what we heard about him before he got here,” Marchand said. “He’s been Before the start of the second period on Friday, Tom Wilson skated onto a great player since he’s been in the lineup. That’s another element he the TD Garden ice and positioned himself to the left of the Washington brings. He’s tough. He’s willing to stick up for his teammates. He showed bench. Wilson got on his hands and knees to stretch. that tonight. That was the turning point of the game. He stepped up and had a great fight. We just rolled from there.” He had a visitor. The Bruins weren’t finished with Wilson. Following some jousting in the Patrice Bergeron is not one for confrontation. But Bergeron is the Bruins’ third, Wilson and Frederic threw down. Frederic was tagged with an captain. His career nearly ended because of a concussion. additional instigating penalty and 10-minute misconduct. The Bruins were happy to kill the penalty. So as Wilson stretched, Bergeron skated over to the 6-foot-4, 220-pound menace and said something to the Capitals forward. After the 5-1 win, “We felt we pushed back, did what we could do and won the hockey Bergeron declined to share the contents of the conversation. He would game,” Cassidy said. “And tried to let that particular player know that was only classify it as a discussion between players. unnecessary. That’s how we handled it. That’s what I thought of the whole situation. I assume it will get looked at by the National Hockey “That’s out of my earshot,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Even with League. They’ll make their decision.” no fans, I couldn’t hear what he said. But I’m sure he let him know that he wasn’t happy with it.” The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 One period earlier, Wilson sent Brandon Carlo to the hospital.

With 1:30 remaining in the first, as Carlo looked down for a puck along the end boards, Wilson smashed Carlo’s head into the glass. Carlo never saw Wilson coming.

The defenseman dropped his stick. He raised both hands to his head. Then he slid to the ice. Carlo stayed there for several minutes. He skated off the ice with guidance from assistant trainer Joe Robinson and team doctor Peter Asnis. He did not return.

“You can probably make your own call on that one, considering the hit was directly to his head,” said Cassidy, when asked if Carlo had suffered a concussion.

The Bruins use Massachusetts General Hospital as their primary care facility. Carlo was taken to the nearby hospital by ambulance. He missed the entire 2016-17 postseason because of a concussion delivered by Alex Ovechkin.

“We’re upset,” Cassidy said. “Brandon’s a very popular guy in the room. We felt it was completely unnecessary. Dirty.”

Wilson’s hit concluded a rambunctious shift. Earlier, Wilson came together twice with Trent Frederic up the ice. After the puck went into the Bruins’ end, Wilson had plenty of room to rev up, hit peak speed and plaster Carlo’s head into the glass.

Referees Pierre Lambert and Dean Morton did not call a penalty. Wilson was suspended for 20 games in 2018 for hitting Oskar Sundqvist in the head.

“That was a bullshit hit,” Brad Marchand said during a first-period NESN interview. “Brando had his head down in the corner. (Wilson) took a liberty on a guy that was in a vulnerable spot. That’s a fucking cheap shot there. We lost a great player. It is great to see him skate off the ice by himself. But he was obviously in a bad spot. He’s hurting. That’s a bad hit.”

In the second period, up 1-0, Jarred Tinordi had words with Wilson before a defensive-zone faceoff. Nothing happened after the puck dropped. But after the puck left the Bruins’ zone, Tinordi slashed Wilson on the leg. Wilson accepted the challenge. Tinordi did well in the fight. His new teammates slammed their sticks on the boards in appreciation.

Tinordi didn’t have to ask Wilson to fight. He is the new guy. Friday was Tinordi’s second game after he was claimed off waivers from Nashville and drove to Boston. The task could have gone to Frederic or Nick Ritchie, the other players in Wilson’s weight class. Instead, Tinordi accepted the responsibility.

“You can’t have guys taking liberties on our players out there,” Tinordi said. “That’s the way I’ve always played. That’s the way a lot of guys on the team play. You’ve got to recognize that. I thought it was a little bit of a cheap shot. Our guy goes down and we responded in a big way.” 1204933 Boston Bruins Kuraly has been on the ice for five goals for and 12 against during five- on-five play. Only Wagner’s 25 percent goals-for percentage is lower than Kuraly’s 29.41 percent GF%. It was probably not by coincidence that Cassidy spent time after practice talking to both veteran fourth-liners. The silent Bruins practice: Coach Bruce Cassidy does all the talking “Some other parts of his game have leaked oil at times,” Cassidy said of Kuraly. “Last night, he had some turnovers where I don’t think he’s skating. Again, it goes to pace. The player will call them bad decisions. By Fluto Shinzawa Mar 5, 2021 But I think you make better decisions when you’re moving. Both times, he turned some pucks over — one on the PK, one on the first goal against — where I just don’t think he was thinking about getting going up the ice, The Bruins’ post-practice stretch is usually lively. Players are happy to getting the motor running first. He was looking to make a play first. I think have completed their on-ice work. Jokes fly. The team enjoys selecting a that’s where Sean has to be better. Get moving, get driving.” stretch leader — someone who’s returning from injury, celebrating a birthday, playing a former opponent. Notes:

Thursday’s stretch at was silent. As captain, Patrice • Frederic lightened Alex Ovechkin’s checking account by $5,000. The Bergeron went to center ice. Not a single voice spoke as Bergeron Department of Player Safety delivered the fine because of Ovechkin’s methodically went through his movements. spear on Frederic.

Moments earlier, Bruce Cassidy had done all the talking. It was the second time Frederic traded paint with Ovechkin. Earlier in the game, Ovechkin noted his displeasure after Frederic rode him into the The Bruins coach was not happy. He let his players know. Cassidy boards. The rookie responded by dropping his gloves and grabbing regularly adjusted his mask to counter the slippage following each Ovechkin’s jersey. boisterous and corrective sentence. “When I dropped them, he went into the boards weird,” Frederic said. Pace, or his team’s lack of it, was the word Cassidy repeatedly used. “When he got up, he wasn’t happy about it. The read I got was, ‘I don’t know if you want to fight me or not.’ That’s the read I had. Maybe they “Usually we’re late on our forecheck or we lose our structure,” Cassidy came off a little quick. But just want to protect myself.” said. “Not creating enough turnovers to get pucks back as a group of five.” • Jarred Tinordi drove from Nashville to Boston over a two-day span. By his understanding, he would have been subject to a three-day quarantine When the Bruins are rocking and rolling, everything aligns. The first had he flown. So following minimal stops for food and gas, Tinordi arrived forechecker steers the puck in the Bruins’ preferred direction. F2 in Boston on Sunday, a day after the Bruins claimed him off waivers. anticipates the puck’s movement and chokes off the opponent’s first exit. F3 is above the puck and taking away an up-ice seam. Defensemen gap “I didn’t see it coming,” Tinordi said of the end in Nashville. “I found out up. maybe 30 minutes before they put me on that morning. It was a little bit of a shock, a little bit of a whirlwind. Figuring things out, then I get the call Overall, everything is airtight. There are no leaks. at noon the next day that Boston picked me up. Right away, I got It only takes one late arrival, though, to trigger a harmful chain reaction. excited.”

“Whether you get a turnover because your F1 is on them in a hurry, F2 Tinordi practiced with Urho Vaakanainen. makes a good read or F3’s in a good support position or your D are • Coyle did not practice. pinching, whatever the case may be, eventually if you’re playing with enough pace away from the puck, one of those five people will have The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 created the turnover,” Cassidy explained. “That’s where I see it the most. Teams that get through the neutral zone against us easily probably means they got it out of their own zone easily. Which probably means we weren’t on them quick enough. Some of that also goes to puck placement. You can be as fast as you want. If you don’t put a puck in a good place or if you duplicate at the puck, you lose your structure.”

The Bruins had just two first-period shots in Wednesday’s 2-1 shootout loss to Washington. One was on the power play. They were outshot in overtime, 5-1. Their lukewarm presence around Vitek Vanecek (19 saves) was the reason they recorded a season-low 0.9 expected goals at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Cassidy acknowledged that roster turnover could explain some of the indecision. Jarred Tinordi made his team debut alongside Connor Clifton. Jakub Zboril was spending just his second game next to Charlie McAvoy on the No. 1 pairing. Jack Studnicka moved up to the No. 3 line after Charlie Coyle was declared unavailable because of COVID-19 protocol.

Cassidy also ceded that some game plans may have leaned more toward opposition adjustment. Washington is one of the NHL’s heaviest teams. Physical play, like the belts thrown by Chris Wagner and Trent Frederic, was a point of emphasis.

But experienced players like Wagner and Sean Kuraly did not skate well enough. Kuraly’s third-period turnover led to the Capitals’ lone regulation goal.

Kuraly has delivered reliable play in pockets. Cassidy cited his faceoff work (59 percent overall, 58.5 percent in the defensive zone) and the penalty kill (88.2 percent teamwide, No. 3 in the league). At five-on-five, Kuraly has an 11.29 percent offensive-zone start percentage. It is the lowest of any forward in the league with 150 or more minutes, signaling how heavily Cassidy has leaned on him for D-zone grunt work.

But Kuraly’s had flareups elsewhere, particularly when he’s played center instead of left wing. He committed the critical defensive-zone turnover that led to Washington’s only regulation goal. 1204934 Buffalo Sabres Who has improved under Krueger? Jake McCabe and Rasmus Ristolainen have, but maybe assistant coach Steve Smith, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, is as much a reason as the head coach.

Mike Harrington: Kevyn Adams needs to step in and stop Sabres' That said, Smith has failed with Rasmus Dahlin. The No. 1 overall pick insanity from three years ago who was supposed to lift this franchise from the abyss of Housley's first season has fallen apart.

In 21 games, Dahlin has one goal and an NHL-worst minus-21 rating. Mar 5, 2021 Updated 1 hr ago He's No. 797 out of 797. And no one else in the league is worse than minus-16. Mike Harrington Former New York Rangers goalie and current MSG Network analyst

Steve Valiquette called the Sabres "dreadful" late Tuesday night. A News staffer since 1987, I'm a Baseball Hall of Fame voter, a 2013 You think the rant by MSG Rangers analyst Steve Valiquette was bad inductee into the Buffalo Baseball HOF and the Buffalo chapter chair of Tuesday night? That's nothing compared to what might happen come the Professional Hockey Writers Association. And I insist only Chicago & Sunday when the finale of the series on Long Island is aired nationwide New York can come close to Buffalo pizza. on NBC. It seems as though the Buffalo Sabres have reached the definition of Kenny Albert and , two of NBC's big names, will be on the insanity. call. Anson Carter and Ryan Callahan are scheduled to be in the studio. They keep doing the same things over and over again and hoping things If the Sabres pull yet another no-show, you can only imagine what might will change. Frankly, it would be no surprise if nothing changes and be said. Especially from Olczyk, who has been doing this job a long time Saturday and Sunday just result in two more drubbings at the hands of and is one of the most respected voices in hockey. the New York Islanders. Valiquette, a former NHL goalie, tore the Sabres to shreds after their 3-2 Sabres GM Adams: Everything, including Ralph Krueger and roster, loss in Madison Square Garden. being 'evaluated' "I think the Buffalo players should be wearing ski masks on the 15th and Sabres GM Adams: Everything, including Ralph Krueger and roster, 30th of every month (the NHL's paydays), because there's no way you being 'evaluated' can have that star power and then not have any pushback," Valiquette said. "I mean, they look like they've quit on their season. ... I think they're During a press conference Friday, Adams expressed anger and very easy to play against. I think that's a dreadful hockey team. They frustration while declaring that ownership gave him “full authority” over all should be embarrassed." hockey decisions. And all this, remember, was before Thursday's loss. At least there was something new Friday. After multiple proddings of the team over the last couple of weeks by the Buffalo media, General "Behind the scenes, I have to say we are status quo in what we are Manager Kevyn Adams finally faced the music. demanding on principles and style of play," Krueger said Friday. "But we are certainly looking for new avenues of motivational, psychological Adams was fired up. Good. If I had a dollar for every time he used the approaches and strategies that can bring us out of this negative funk word "unacceptable" during a video call with reporters, I could have right now." rounded up enough funds for some solid Friday pizza and wings. Talk about word salad. Now the GM needs to do something – anything – to fix a team that is nothing short of disgraceful. At Sabres games these days, "we need some calliope music like you hear in the old big tops. Because right now, this team is just one giant Taylor Hall told the media following the morning skate Thursday that he circus," writes Mike Harrington. is open to returning to Buffalo next season. You simply can't do this for another 35 games. You either have to trade That's the exact word I used with Ralph Krueger during his media call five guys or fire the coach. Or both. But you can't do nothing. Montreal earlier Friday, and you can't argue it. Look at this roster with all these and Calgary have made coaching changes in recent days, the Flames high draft picks. How is this team last in the NHL? How does it have canning Geoff Ward late Thursday night after a 7-3 win over Ottawa fewer wins than Detroit and Ottawa? brought them to 11-11-3.

Most of all, how is Krueger still employed? The Sabres are at Defcon-1 with Krueger. We're just counting the days. We should already be at zero. It's significant that Adams simply said that Krueger is being evaluated like everyone and everything else in this organization. There was no vote of Adams insisted he had "absolutely full authority" to make such decisions, confidence such as the one Columbus GM Jarmo Kekkalainen gave but I'm skeptical. Especially since Krueger will be owed around $6 million earlier this week, no sound bite of "I'm not looking to if he's cast aside in the next week or so. make a coaching change" such as the one Vancouver GM Jim Benning gave earlier in the day. For his part, the coach just keeps pushing forward.

Krueger should have been fired after last weekend's double blankings at "We communicate regularly, and everything that's happening here is the hands of Philadelphia. But he wasn't. Adams should have spent clearly something he knows about and he's been he's been an excellent Friday discussing a coaching change in the wake of Thursday's ugly 5-2 partner in that," Krueger said of Adams. "Nobody's happy with the loss in which the Sabres were outshot 45-18. But he wasn't. results. I'll take all your comments eye to eye, face to face and accept them. All they do is motivate me to work on an improvement and a Adams gave Krueger some nice platitudes, but it was hardly convincing. change of path. And that's what we're doing." It still feels as though the Sabres are cutting bait with Krueger either Monday, if Sunday's nationally televised game in Uniondale is a A few hours later, Adams didn't really articulate what those changes will trainwreck, or on Wednesday's off day at home before Thursday's game be. But they darn well better be coming quick. here against Pittsburgh. "Look, guys," Adams said with a level of exasperation. "I can keep saying "It feels as if there's no way Ralph Krueger can be the coach of the it, I'm gonna keep saying it. It's just flat-out not good enough. I mean, I'm Buffalo Sabres next year," writes Mike Harrington. angry. And I would hope that all of you are. I would hope that all our fans are because that means you care. And that's a good place to start. But This team is 7-18-3 in its last 28 games under Krueger dating to last what's going on is unacceptable. season. He seems to have been tuned out by underachieving, spoiled players. But we know how this works, as we learned with "We need to be better. And I've been empowered by Terry and Kim and . The inmates run the asylum and the coach takes the Pegula to fix this. And that's what I'm going to do." fall. Fair enough. Good words. Let's see some action. Buffalo News LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204935 Buffalo Sabres The disconnect has reignited trade speculation around Eichel, the 24- year-old captain who has two goals in 19 games. Adams would not say if Eichel is playing through an injury.

Sabres GM Adams: Everything, including Ralph Krueger and roster, It is clear, though, that Adams currently has no interest in trading Eichel being 'evaluated' and clarified again that teams called the Sabres about Eichel during the offseason. At no time did Adams actively field offers for Eichel, who is under contract for five more seasons. Adams also told the media that Eichel has never asked for a trade, and the two have continued an “open Lance Lysowski Mar 5, 2021 Updated 1 hr ago dialogue.”

“Like, I said this in the summer and I’ll say it again, Jack is one of the UNIONDALE – General Manager Kevyn Adams watched from the lower best players in the world, period,” Adams said. “Are people going to bowl inside as coach Ralph Krueger ran the Buffalo make a phone call and ask? Of course. And that’s the extent of it. Sabres through a practice Friday afternoon. “For me, Jack is someone that is just – when you see him going and you When Krueger stepped off the ice after the 30-minute practice, Adams see the dynamic difference maker he can be, there’s not many in the left his seat and followed the coach down the tunnel. The two men have league like him.” been working in lockstep since Adams replaced Jason Botterill in June. 3. No clear stance on Skinner: Adams would not say if he agreed with Only 21 games into their first season together, Adams is faced with his Krueger’s decision to bench Jeff Skinner for three consecutive games, first crisis on the job. The 46-year-old must decide why a team led by adding that coaches have different methods to "motivate players.” superstar talents Jack Eichel and Taylor Hall is sitting last in the National Skinner, a 28-year-old left wing with six more years on a contract that Hockey League with 15 points. As of Friday afternoon, Adams was not counts $9 million against the salary cap annually, has zero goals and one ready to say Krueger isn’t the problem and did not give his coach a vote assist in 19 games this season. He has not scored in over a calendar of confidence. year. Skinner has spent most of this season on the fourth line and barely “Everything is being evaluated," Adams said during a 30-minute news has a role on the power play. conference. “Ralph and I talk every day, multiple times a day. We’re very Adams called his conversation with Skinner’s agent, Don Meehan, honest with each other. He understands the situation we’re in is “healthy” dialogue. Meehan represented Adams for part of his playing unacceptable and the players do, everybody does. It’s just flat-out not career. Adams also had conversations with Skinner and Krueger, the good enough.” latter of which included Adams’ perspective. Adams spoke glowingly The Sabres have scored the fewest 5-on-5 goals in the NHL, their about Skinner’s work ethic and professionalism during the benching. defensive-zone structure is being picked apart and even their most “My job as a general manager is to be part of the process to talk to Ralph talented players are dealing with a lack of confidence. When Krueger left about things that I’m seeing,” Adams said. “Ralph’s going to make those the ice, his assistant coaches, including – who returned to day-to-day decisions on the lines and who plays with who and how the bench for a 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday night – players are used. But we talk about it, and you know what? What I have ran players through drills. seen out of Jeff is really impressive, though, because there was not one Adams expressed anger and frustration while declaring that ownership minute of him hanging his head or being negative. He worked through it gave him “full authority” over all hockey decisions. Adams did not sound with (director of player development) Matt Ellis on the ice doing extra like a general manager willing to keep a coach for the sake of continuity, work. He’s come out of it and obviously he’s had his chances, the puck though he added that he’s enjoyed building a relationship with Krueger. just hasn’t gone in the net for him.”

With that in mind, here are four takeaways from Adams’ talk with the 4. Goaltending not a priority: The Sabres continue to evaluate possible media: upgrades in goal with Linus Ullmark out at least one month, Adams said. However, Adams does not see goaltending as a significant problem. 1. Roster upgrades won’t be easy: Adams sounded as puzzled as Krueger that this roster isn’t producing, particularly at 5-on-5. At the onset Entering Friday, the Sabres were tied for 24th in 5-on-5 save percentage. of the offseason, the Sabres’ goals were to improve 5-on-5 scoring, Carter Hutton has a 1-6-1 record with an .891 save percentage, while special teams and character. Jonas Johansson is 0-2 with a .902 save percentage. According to Evolving-Hockey.com’s goals saved above expected, a metric that Adams noted Friday that their offseason additions – Hall, Eric Staal, accounts for the quality of shots faced, Ullmark and Hutton rank 25th and Tobias Rieder, Cody Eakin, etc. – have fit well in the dressing room. The 27th, respectively, among the 46 NHL goalies to appear in at least eight Sabres also successfully fixed their special teams, as their power play games this season. and penalty kill entered Friday ranked third and ninth, respectively. However, the Sabres have a negative-22 goal differential at 5-on-5. The Sabres rank 23rd in the NHL in suppressing shot quality at 5-on-5, Adams is exploring possible roster upgrades via trades – the deadline is meaning their defensive-zone coverage is doing a poor job limiting April 12 at 3 p.m., Eastern – but mandatory quarantines complicate opponents’ scoring chances. matters. “That is not why our record is what it is," Adams said of goaltending. “It’s an interesting time right now,” Adams said. “I’m on the phone every "We’ll always look for ways to improve, but overall, I think they’ve been day with all the different teams around the league and everybody’s solid.” having conversations. I think what’s interesting is with all the protocols Buffalo News LOADED: 03.06.2021 and quarantine, it’s going to be a challenging year. And so I think you’re seeing more conversations happening, even though the deadline’s still over a month away. …

“My job is to take the emotion at times out and figure out solutions to improve. Sometimes that means short term, sometimes that might be for the longer term. That’s what we’re working on.”

Though Adams did not detail which areas he’s looking to improve, he shouldered the blame for this roster not having enough “grit.”

2. Eichel isn’t going anywhere anytime soon and a rebuild isn’t in the cards, as of now: The Sabres aren’t looking to “rebuild,” according to Adams. He repeatedly said this team needs to be “better” and he has noticed that all five players on the ice routinely aren’t following Krueger’s system. 1204936 Buffalo Sabres “With Ralph, part of the evaluation is to look at everything. Big picture, small picture and everything in between. I need to do what’s best for the team right now and also in the long term.”

Sabres GM pulls no punches in assessing team: ‘Flat-out not good Short term, there’s no immediate replacement for Krueger. His staff enough’ would join him out the door. An outside coach would need to quarantine while the Sabres play every 1.8 days. Amerks coach Seth Appert lacks the experience of former Rochester bench boss Chris Taylor. Adams was an assistant coach under , but that was a long time ago. By John Vogl Mar 5, 2021 Add in Krueger’s nearly $4 million salary and the almost-zero chance of

making the playoffs, and the reasons for making an immediate move All the talk about confidence has gotten out of control in Sabreland. dwindle.

Players can’t score because they aren’t confident. But at some point, the long term will outweigh the short term.

They give up easy goals because they aren’t confident. “Continuity is always something that you hope can happen,” Adams said. “Ultimately, how does continuity happen? It happens by having success, Ralph Krueger gets outcoached nightly, but that’s because his players and we need to have success. aren’t confident, he says. “I like Ralph a lot. I’ve learned a lot from Ralph. He’s just an unbelievable Enough. person and there’s good people in the room, so that’s been a good working relationship. But we both know that it hasn’t been good enough “I will never, ever have a team that makes excuses or talks about, ‘Oh, so far in terms of translating to success. you know, my confidence is down,’” general manager Kevyn Adams said Friday, his voice rising. “Focus on what you can control. What you can “So, we’ll assess everything. It’ll lead to a bigger plan of how we march control is going out there and absolutely working as hard as you can, forward.” every practice, every game, and that’s it. Focus on that, and then confidence can build from that. That sounds a lot like “dead man walking,” but Krueger has time to change the organization’s mind. “So, for me, I just will not ever tolerate excuses. I won’t tolerate the fact that we’ve had injuries, COVID(-19) adversity. So have other teams. You The players are out of time. battle through it, and you’ve got to find a way. “I don’t think we’ve been competitive enough in all areas of the ice,” “That’s it. No excuses.’” Adams said. “We’ve shown glimpses of it at different times, but not a consistent hunger and battle and competitiveness through the games. The GM isn’t making any, either. His team is an NHL laughingstock, and it’s on him to help change that. “We give up too many Grade A scoring chances, which means we’re not hard enough in our defensive zone. And we’re not creating enough “Unacceptable where we’re at right now,” Adams said in a State of the Grade A scoring chances in the offensive zone, which means we’re not Sabres news conference. “Part of my job is to raise the standard, the hungry enough to get to the net and we’re not competing enough. expectations and the accountability in this organization. And we’re not where we need to be. “The passion hasn’t been good enough. The compete hasn’t been good enough, and we have to fix it.” “It’s unacceptable.” Though the Sabres were playoff long shots in the tough East Division, The Sabres have experienced major problems through one-third of their they were expected to stay in the race longer than 15 games. Adams is shortened season. Stars have flickered out. Energetic players have been among those surprised by the collapse. rested while tired players have been overworked. Jeff Skinner is more likely to get scratched than score. They’ve dealt with injuries and COVID- “I’m going to keep saying it. It’s just flat-out not good enough,” the GM 19. The game plan is a mix of chaos and incompetence. said. “I’m angry. I would hope that all of you are. I would hope that all our fans are because that means you care, and that’s a good place to start. But, for the short term, it’s on Krueger and the players to figure it out. The But what’s going on is unacceptable.” coach isn’t getting fired now, and trades are tough to make because of quarantine rules. As expected, the conversation veered toward Jack Eichel. The captain was fed up with losing last season yet has chowed down on more of the “What’s interesting about this team, and it just flat-out hasn’t been good same. Trade speculation has swirled. enough, but there’s good people in there,” Adams said. “They communicate well with the coaches, and the players enjoy playing for “He has not asked for a trade,” Adams said. “Jack is one of the best Ralph and the coaching staff. There’s a belief in that locker room, so players in the world. Period. Are people going to make a phone call and that’s something that I have to balance. ask? Of course. And that’s the extent of it.”

“But it hasn’t been good enough, hasn’t worked and it needs to.” The talk also included the No. 2 player on the payroll. Krueger scratched Skinner three times, a lowlight of the forward’s forgettable no-goal The person wearing the biggest target is Krueger. When one or two season. players are slumping, it’s easy to assume they’re the problem. When almost an entire team is fading toward oblivion, the assumptions turn “There’s all sorts of ways coaches use motivation,” Adams said. “My job toward the coach. as general manager is to be part of the process to talk to Ralph about things that I’m seeing and share. Ralph’s going to make those day-to-day Just hours before Adams spoke, Krueger again defended his methods. decisions on the lines and who plays with who and how players are used.

“Above all, my job here is to completely and totally and wholeheartedly “What I have seen out of Jeff has been really impressive, though, focus on not accepting results that are bad and adjusting and changing,” because there was not one minute of him hanging his head or being Krueger said. “Behind the scenes, I have to say we are status quo in negative.” what we are demanding on principles and style of play. But we are certainly looking for new avenues of motivations, psychological Well, except for after games. All of the Sabres have hung their heads approaches and strategies that can bring us out of this negative funk.” following 15 of the 21 outings, putting up a putrid .357 points percentage.

The Sabres are statistically on par with the tank-era teams of 2013 to “What’s gone on is unacceptable,” Adams said. “You owe it to the 2015, so to think it’s only motivations and psychological approaches that organization and the fans and the players to make sure that we’re doing need to change is ludicrous. everything we can to put ourselves in a position to have success.

“Everything’s being evaluated,” Adams said. “Ralph and I talk every day, “But you also are constantly balancing the reality of where we’re at, and multiple times a day. We’re very honest with each other. He understands where we’re at is the bottom of the league. We can’t hide from that.” the situation we’re in is unacceptable. The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204937 Buffalo Sabres The losing has to be affecting Eichel. He is a beautiful skater who can move the puck and has hockey sense. There’s no reason he shouldn’t be scoring. I don’t know if it’s in the back of Eichel’s head to want out, but it’s not hard to imagine him asking the Sabres for a trade. Star players can Former Sabres captains weigh in on team’s woes: ‘A whole new kind of do that when they’ve had enough. We just saw J.J. Watt ask the Houston unwatchable’ Texans to cut him so he can go someplace better. It’s very difficult to continually lose and sit there and face the questions after every game.

There’s got to be a lot of weight on Eichel’s shoulders right now, and I Tim Graham Mar 5, 2021 don’t know if he’s prepared to handle that. He doesn’t strike me as a particularly aggressive person. I just don’t know about him. He might be wondering “What the hell am I doing here?”

BUFFALO, N.Y. — There are hockey players, and then there are Linus Ullmark is a good goalie and getting better. I think they were captains. planning on trying to sneak through the season with him and then bring in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Carter Hutton is a good backup, but he’s not a Their status is elevated above their teammates, chosen as the example goalie you can put the load on. to emulate, the communicator to heed, the leader to follow. I just think Ralph’s in over his head based on the way the players are Captains are hockey nobility. They traditionally are connected to their performing. I saw Eric Staal get interviewed on TV a few nights ago. organizations, cities and fans in a deeper way. They weren’t players just Here’s a guy who has played for a number of coaches and won a Stanley passing through. They are — and have a tendency to remain — Cup. He was asked what’s wrong with the team, and he mentioned they emotionally invested. had no life, no mojo, no swagger. He’s right! You need those things to be Given such significance, their opinions matter more than most. That is successful. why The Athletic reached out to five former Buffalo Sabres captains for As for Kevyn Adams, I’ve always thought highly of him. But this mess has unvarnished thoughts about their kindred club. gone on too long. He should have done something by now, and I The Athletic granted the captains anonymity because they might work for wouldn’t see him as the kind of person to stand on the sidelines and just another NHL club or still get paid by the Sabres. Some contacted for this watch. For instance, signing Taylor Hall took a lot of guts because story declined to participate for those reasons. Others didn’t hold back. everybody knew Hall’s legs aren’t what they used to be. So by not making a move here during the season, that makes me wonder if Kevyn Shared observations involved coach Ralph Krueger’s shortcomings, Adams is in control. He’s got to lay down the law. general manager Kevyn Adams’ inexperience, a failure to address their subpar goaltending and the need for veteran leaders to teach Jack Eichel They need to do something drastic to change the momentum of this how to be an effective captain. organization.

The five former captains played for all four Sabres owners and served A former Sabres captain who asked not to be described further under four coaches. They played more than 4,600 NHL games. What I hear from my friends and ex-teammates throughout the league is All 30 Sabres who have worn the “C” are alive. not nice. The Sabres are a mess. As much as it hurts me to say, they’re a laughingstock. I don’t like hearing that. I had a lot of success in Buffalo. A Sabres captain from the Knox ownership era I’m proud of my time with the Sabres. I want them to be good, especially They’re in deep. The Bills were the same way, but the Pegulas finally for the fans. found the right general manager and coach. The Sabres are still Players are getting crushed for their performance on the ice, but it goes a searching. I’m not a great believer in swapping out those positions unless lot deeper than that. There isn’t any consistency within the organization. it’s absolutely unavoidable, but you have to win right away nowadays in Leadership starts from the top and trickles down throughout, but there every sport. Maybe that’s because players have the ability to leverage has been such a high rate of turnover at the top that it’s almost their way off teams more and more, and you need to keep showing them impossible to tell what the team’s identity is. Everything changes every that winning is the mission. Montreal just fired Claude Julien for losing couple years. You’re almost starting from scratch. three in a row, for crissakes. So you might want to plant your flag and say, “This is going to be the The Sabres started somewhat decently but just had terrible luck. They’ve start of long-term stability. We are going to stick this out.” Of course, that had a few injuries, including the goaltender. Now, they’re pretty much out doesn’t necessarily mean you have the right people just because you of the playoff race already, and they’re doubting themselves. insist on keeping them around. I don’t think they have the correct people Getting out of that is up to the coach. The rah-rah days are gone in in place, and a lot of other NHL people doubt these are the correct sports. “Let’s go out and kick their asses” doesn’t work with today’s people because of how it was done. The league is shaking its head. players. Although I did like seeing Dylan Cozens fight Tuesday night. There are so many highly qualified people in the NHL, and it bothers me That was just a frustrated kid who wanted to when I hear the laughter that the Sabres’ GM was running their junior stand up and be counted. But that’s not enough. program a year ago.

I can’t figure out what style Krueger wants them to play. Maybe you can. Everything they do just seems so forced. The Pegulas need guidance to “Confusion” might be what it’s called. So changing lines won’t do bring that winning attitude within the organization. There have been anything. You have to change your style. You can’t force a style if it Sabres GMs who were limited in their spending but still put winners on doesn’t fit your roster. You have to roll out a style your players can the ice. Darcy Regier, for one … The Rigases wouldn’t let him re-sign provide. They have really good players with one goal or two goals. Michael Peca, and that leads to Dominik Hasek forcing a lopsided trade, but then Darcy rebuilt another winner even while Tom Golisano was Instead of sitting back and playing a defense-first game, maybe get cutting costs all over the place. The Pegulas have the money. The aggressive. Tell your defensemen to gamble and move up into the play. Pegulas have all the resources, but their coaches and GMs can’t figure it That’s the style Rasmus Dahlin played when he first came here, but he’s out? They’ve spent so much money on this team that it’s sad to see been taken out of it. Guys are so worried about getting scored against — where they are now. and they should be — but they look like they’ve given up on offense except for the power play. Offense is a lot more fun for the guys, and The constant losing infects an organization. You have players that know they look miserable out there. There’s nothing like scoring goals to make nothing else. You get to the point where you’re not even offended when a team happy. If you’re always in your own end, then the nights become you lose another game. You figure that’s just how it is, and you get used excruciatingly long. to it. They don’t know how to win, how to deal with adversity. They just revert to what they’re accustomed to. All they’ve done is learn how to So I guess that leads us to Jeff Skinner getting scratched. How the hell lose. does that happen? Skinner has been a producer his whole life, and now he can’t get on the ice with the linemates he should be playing with. That When the Pegulas realize they’re still going sideways, they’re going to line scored 100 goals a couple seasons ago. A hundred goals! I can’t have to restart all over again. That wastes another two years, and maybe figure that one out. Jack Eichel is gone by then. Even if he stays, you’re wasting so many years of a talented player’s career. The whole thing with Eichel contradicting Krueger about the injury last frustration because he’s The Guy. They’re all looking at him as the leader weekend, I saw the play against New Jersey where Eichel got hit behind they want to follow. So it becomes a situation where everybody almost the net and hurt his knee or his ankle. Right then, while I thought he has to figure things out on their own. might finish that game, I fully expected him to miss the next couple games. I could see it with my own eyes. But then Krueger comes up with I’m not making COVID an excuse because everybody in the NHL is some explanation that didn’t add up, and Eichel decides to correct him in working through it, but that must make it harder to work through a news conference. problems, too. Before the pandemic, you could go out for beers or grab lunch and talk about not being able to find the net. A heart-to-heart I feel bad for Jack Eichel. He gets a bad rap because he has gone conversation over the phone or over Zoom just isn’t the same. Even through so many coaches and GMs in a short time. Maybe some of it is meeting at the rink is hard because it just feels like more work, especially his fault because he calls the organization out, but he doesn’t have any when you’re losing. Sometimes, you just need to get together away from kind of leadership around him to show him the right way. the rink and decompress.

Giving him the “C” when they did looks great on paper, to be able to To see the Sabres struggle makes me feel bad for the fans. I went show the NHL your 20-year-old star is a captain so early in his career. through ups and downs in Buffalo, so I know what hockey means to that Just look at our franchise player! But in reality, you’ve put a tremendous town. Winning isn’t easy, and nobody went into this season thinking, “We amount of pressure on a very young player. He shouldn’t be the captain aren’t good enough to make the playoffs.” But to go 10 years without the at this stage. playoffs is almost shocking to consider.

You need to bring in more character to surround Eichel, Dahlin, Reinhart, On paper, the Sabres have some good pieces. They seem to have Ristolainen. A good core of young players exists for the Sabres to build enough skill, but the goaltending is a concern. They have two really good around, but you have to surround them with better leaders. You look up No. 2 goalies, but neither has proven to be a No. 1. When you go into a and down the current roster and don’t see any names you could point to game thinking, “We have to score four goals to have a chance,” that puts as someone to keep everything together. Who does Jack Eichel look to? a lot of pressure on a team. Playing in front of good goalies give you a Taylor Hall, who was part of an Edmonton team that learned how to boost. To know someone is back there who can cover for a mistake, you lose? Who bails out Jack Eichel? Who advises him not to call out the can play looser, create and not be afraid to take a chance in the offensive team in the media? He uses that card way too often. zone, go harder on the forecheck without worrying about giving up a three-on-two. Same goes for the goalie, who can’t be terrified of giving up I want them to do well. I still watch most of their games. I hope they figure more than two goals. out how to climb out of this misery, but it looks like that won’t happen any time soon. It’s hard to watch. The Pegulas want the Sabres to do well, and there were times in Sabres history you didn’t feel that way about ownership. A quick Q&A with a former Sabres captain The Sabres need stability. The players can’t go into every season waiting Let’s see, my thoughts on the season … I wouldn’t even know where to for the coach or GM to be fired. But that doesn’t mean you stick with what start. clearly isn’t working. And, as a player, you should want to be a part of the Do you watch the games regularly? solution. But if you’re giving everything you got and keep losing every night, you begin to think it’ll be better somewhere else. I watch them, which is kind of funny. A Sabres captain from the Lindy Ruff coaching era Why’s that? I still watch Sabres games. Of all the teams I played for, Buffalo is the Because they’re unwatchable. closest to my heart. I enjoyed every place I went to, but Buffalo is my team. It’s where I most felt a part of something special. So I see the Well … Sabres a lot. And I don’t mean unwatchable like the NHL was in the late 1990s or early It’s been tough to watch. Unless you’re on the team, it’s difficult to say 2000s. This is a whole new kind of unwatchable. I just get aggravated, what exactly the problems are. Since Lindy Ruff was fired, from top to but I watch because it almost feels like I’m obligated. bottom, there just hasn’t been a plan. The Pegulas have the right thing in Sounds like work. mind, but you have to hire the right people. Those are tough decisions to make, and I don’t know if I can tell you they must go out and get A, B, C Ah, Christ. and D.

What aggravates you? Is Kevyn Adams a good hire? I don’t know. He’s smart, and I like him, but how much say does he really have? With the Pegulas’ resources, my Just thinking about it. All of it! Hell, this interview is aggravating me. I’d hope is that he can go out and hire an experienced assistant if he wants love to talk about the Sabres, but there’s nothing to put a smile on your to, just to have a sounding board or someone who can offer guidance. face. My heart just isn’t into answering questions about this team. I guess Kevyn should have the budget to go out and create a staff around him. that sums up where my head’s at. Ralph Krueger has a reputation as a motivator, but he needs really good A former Sabres captain who asked not to be described further assistants to help with the X’s and O’s. That’s not a knock on Ralph. Culture is important. The best teams I’ve played on, the players were There are a lot of coaches who operate as motivator-delegators and are together all the time, not just at the rink. Our wives were friends. Our kids successful, but the entirety of a coaching staff is important. You have to played together. Holiday parties, baby showers, you name it. So when break down film. You need to be rock-solid with game strategy. That’s we had issues on the ice, they were easier to fix because we knew how where a guy like Lindy Ruff is so fabulous. On the fly, he can see after to communicate with each other. Sometimes, you need to be able to say five shifts what strategies to adjust. In-game changes might be a some uncomfortable things to each other. That’s where trust and that weakness for this Sabres staff. family vibe are important. When I watch the team, that’s something I As for the players, once you’re in a losing situation — and I would never sense is missing. have admitted this publicly when I played — many of them think in the When I played, the captain was the guy I’d go talk to when I needed help back of their heads “I just want to get out of here” because shit is not with anything. If you had a fight with your girlfriend and that was inside changing. And once that mentality seeps into a team setting, then you your head, you might go to the captain and say, “Man, I had a tough have a losing team. Guys don’t even have to talk about it. Even if they day.” Or the captain will be the kind of guy who’ll come up to you and just think it. When you have two or three guys thinking like that, then say, “You don’t seem like yourself lately. Is everything OK?” And if you pretty soon you have seven, eight, nine, 10 guys thinking like that, and can discuss personal stuff like that, then of course you could talk about you cannot win. That’s what I see here. hockey, a slump, not getting enough minutes, whatever. You have to want to be there and buy in. We’ve had that for a very long Nothing against Jack Eichel, but he doesn’t have that life experience. time in Buffalo, but it slowly started slipping because there wasn’t a plan. How does he tell his teammates the way to get out of this mess? He The Sabres certainly can use better players, but they have enough talent doesn’t know. He’s the face of the franchise, and I get that it looks good to be way better than they are showing on the ice. Do they have enough to have your best player wear the “C,” but what can he tell the dressing room about success? He also needs to be careful about showing his players to compete with Boston and Washington right now? No, and they need a goaltender to even get into that conversation.

Leadership is a huge question mark. I can’t judge the character in the locker room because I’m not in there, and I don’t know Jack Eichel well enough to know if he’s an effective leader, but I do know that players need to be taught how to be leaders. They traded for Eric Staal, who provides veteran leadership, but does he really want to be there? Staal was traded to Buffalo. He didn’t sign there by choice. I’m no GM, but three or four years ago I would have surrounded Eichel with two or three older veterans and even been willing to overpay them to make sure they’re happy and want to be in Buffalo and willing to teach Eichel what being a leader means.

You need to create that culture. Everybody talks about culture, but what is culture? You can’t just conjure it up from one day to the next. It takes years. Right now, the Sabres’ culture is Jack Eichel. Think about that. And the entire time it has been losing, losing, losing. He’s not learning from anyone how to be a winner.

The captaincy is so old-school. The symbolism changed a while ago. Today, your best player is your captain. Doesn’t matter if he’s 22 years old. That used to be a rarity, like with , who is a rarity as a player. Those guys don’t come around often.

Your best leader should be your captain. I never wanted to be the captain, but at the end of my career I was a veteran leader and enjoyed the role. The role is important whether you’re on a shitty team or a Stanley Cup contender. If you strike the right message, then it gets absorbed within the organization so you can build off it.

Young guys are wearing the C’s and A’s, I think, because that’s how management buys themselves time. They can constantly talk about their young core on the rise. Just look at our young players! They are the leaders! Give it a couple years! I would see that happen around the league later in my career and think, “That team is going nowhere.” All they’re trying to do is fool the fan base that the future is right around the corner — until you’re hyping the next group of young guys coming up two years later.

Casey Mittelstadt is an example. The Sabres should have told him not to leave college after one year. A good organization looks at a kid like that, who didn’t even dominate college hockey, and refuses to rush him. There was no point. He should have stayed two more years and turned pro as a much better center. The 2017 eighth overall draft choice should be a difference maker by now. He has the talent and vision. As of today, he’s nothing.

We can go back eight years, and I just don’t see too many leaders. They haven’t done anything. They haven’t been anywhere. They don’t make a difference.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204938 Calgary Flames With 18.1 seconds left on the board, Peters stopped Ben King’s shot in tight and then kept the puck out of the cage on a late mad scramble to end the game and preserve the goose egg.

Hitmen finally hit restart to get shutout win backed by Peters “I was just keeping my head on the puck when I felt it was tough to track it or pick it up off bodies,” Peters said. “(My teammates) did a good job of opening up lanes and letting me see the puck, too. It felt good to get that battle in and never give up on the puck. And it turned out in favour for Todd Saelhof me.” Publishing date:Mar 06, 2021 • 1 hour ago In all, the Hitmen goalie made 27 saves for the shutout — the first of his WHL career.

Calgary Hitmen goaltender Brayden Peters reaches for the puck against The hosts, meanwhile, put 31 quiet pucks on Anders. the at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on Friday, March 5, “We found a way,” added Hamilton. “It wasn’t pretty.” 2021. The victory moved the Hitmen to 1-0 and dropped the Rebels to 0-2-1 on Never mind the year off. the year. Brayden Peters made the forget all about that frustrating The teams rematch in a Central Division affair Saturday at Red Deer’s time away from the rink with his play in the team’s season-opener Friday Westerner Park Centrium (7 p.m., watch.CHL.ca). night. : LOADED: 03.06.2021 His shutout followed the shutdown, as the Taber kid’s solid netminding in the Hitmen’s Game 1 of the shortened Western Hockey League campaign pushed them to a 2-0 rub-out of the Red Deer Rebels at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex.

“I was not prepared for that,” said Peters with a smile. “I was just hoping to go in there and compete and try to work some of the rust off. As much as you practice, it’s a completely different monster going into games. Obviously, I was happy with the result.

“It feels amazing after almost a year to the day of not playing. Ending up with the hot start is a good thing.”

With six fresh faces in the season opener and two key veterans in Orca Wiesblatt and Cael Zimmerman out with injuries, the Hitmen turned in a solid start to the campaign.

And it was certainly spirited, with good jump from the get-go and extracurricular stuff after nearly every whistle on a goalie save.

“The first period was mostly spirited and filled with emotion and excitement,” said Hitmen head coach Steve Hamilton. “We played with energy.”

Indeed, the home-side juniors proved they were anxious to get back to competitive action after nearly a year off due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Hitmen owned the bye last weekend while the other four Central Division rivals played twice in season-opening sets, including the Rebels in losing twice to the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Sean Tschigerl celebrates after scoring the first goal of the game — and season — for the Calgary Hitmen as they faced the Red Deer Rebels at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on Friday, March 5, 2021.

Hitmen forward Conrad Mitchell obliged Rebels blueliner Joel Sexsmith in a first-period fight and quickly dropped his opponent.

Peters himself even got into the middle of rough stuff, but it was by accident, when he got bowled over by Rebels forward Arshdeep Bains on a first-period play well out of the net.

But he shook off the crash to string together save after save against the visitors, especially in the second period when he stopped 11 shots.

After goals by Sean Tschigerl — on a breakaway — and Tyson Galloway — on a clearing attempt from deep in the Hitmen zone that bounced off the sideboards, went the length of the ice and somehow escaped the clutches of Rebels goalie Ethan Anders inside the post — Peters went on a tear to turn back the surging side from Red Deer.

His leg save coming across the crease to thwart Bains on an odd-man rush was his featured stop of the middle frame.

“Brayden was so on point,” said Hamilton. “He was our best player by a country mile. And we need that.”

Peters got some help, too, when Rebels forward Chris Douglas missed the net entirely on a breakaway early in the second period and Hitmen teammate Riley Stotts stopped what looked like a surefire wraparound goal in the third with the visitors continuing to press to at least get on the board. 1204939 Calgary Flames

Flames assistant coach Huska will run bench until Sutter’s arrival

Wes Gilbertson

Publishing date:Mar 06, 2021 • 6 hours ago •

There would have been no better welcome-back for Darryl Sutter than an edition of the NHL’s Battle of .

Except that he, too, will be watching Saturday’s action on .

Sutter is back in business as the Calgary Flames’ head coach — returning for a second stint with the Saddledome-dwellers — but before he can deliver his first locker-room pep-talk or meet face-to-face with his new crew, he must clear the strict pandemic protocols.

Ryan Huska will run the Flames’ bench for a weekend back-to-back — Saturday’s showdown against the Oilers in Edmonton and Sunday’s home date with the Ottawa Senators.

Sutter, currently hanging out at home in Viking, Alta., is slated to arrive Monday.

“I wish I could be there tomorrow,” he said on Friday’s Zoom call. “But we’ll get through it.”

While former head coach Geoff Ward was axed late Thursday, the Flames retained the rest of their staff — assistants Huska, Ray Edwards and Martin Gelinas, goaltending coach Jason LaBarbera and video guru Jamie Pringle.

“It’s not an easy thing. There’s a lot that has gone on in the last 24 hours or less,” Huska said after Friday’s practice. “You hurt for Geoff, I think that’s the first thing I would say. He is such a good man that it’s difficult to see this happen in these situations. Unfortunately, when your team isn’t at the expectations or performing to the standard that you want, sometimes this stuff happens.

“I think the challenge that we all had to kind of come to grips with today was we have to be able to understand what went on, have some feelings for Geoff and what happened, but we also have to look forward now. And I think that’s the big thing for our group is that we have two important games here to play before Darryl comes in. I think the group is really looking forward to Darryl and what they’re expecting that he is going to bring to the table, but we want to make sure we do things right for these next couple of games to make sure we put ourselves in a good position when Darryl does join us.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204940 Calgary Flames A headline Friday on Sportsnet’s website wondered, “Will Darryl Sutter’s coaching style fit in today’s NHL?”

Mark Giordano, Calgary’s current captain and one of two holdovers from Flames ready for ‘hard-ass’ coach: ‘When you get the result, it’s worth it’ Sutter’s previous appointment at the Saddledome, perhaps provided an answer: “If you’re not going to listen to a guy who is a proven winner like that, you shouldn’t be in the game. We all respect him. We all know what he’s going to bring. He’s going to bring that intensity, and we’re looking Wes Gilbertson forward to it.” Publishing date:Mar 06, 2021 • 7 hours ago • They have no choice now but to embrace it.

“Being demanding and having expectations, that’s not a bad thing,” said Darryl Sutter has a reputation for being as tough as an over-done steak, Flames general manager after hiring Sutter. “We’re in a as unrelenting as a prairie cold-snap. business where it’s hard to win. You need to extend people. You need to push, sometimes pull, sometimes walk arm-in-arm … And I don’t know if He’s demanding. there’s anyone that does it as well as Darryl does.

He’s blunt. “Let’s not mistake it. There’s honesty. There’s clarity. Darryl is also one of the best humans I’ve been around in terms of you know a lot of people in He has that trademark scowl. your life and when you talk to them and they ask you how you are, he And yet, during Friday’s virtual press conference, the start of his second actually means and wants to know how you are. This is a guy who has stint as coach of the Calgary Flames, the 62-year-old repeatedly stressed great depth. He is one of the sharpest minds that’s stood behind the the importance of strong relationships with his players. He won’t be all bench in our league and has the ability to extract the very best out of scold and snarl. each individual. That’s a skill. It’s not easy. The players will always know exactly where they stand. It’ll be complete clarity. “I’ve always said, my good fortune as a coach has been because I understand people and it doesn’t take long for me to figure that out,” “And that’s all you can ask as a player. When maximum effort is required Sutter said. “Its not always just about the work part of it.” and asked, I don’t think you’re asking too much.”

Make no mistake, Sutter will insist on the work. Sutter was asked several times Friday about how his approach has evolved, about the keys to communicating with the current generation. That’s non-negotiable. “The biggest part of a head coach’s responsibility now is the one-on-one The Jolly Rancher isn’t leaving the farm in Viking — especially during and the honesty and getting the most out of guys,” he reasoned. “That is calving season — to oversee a rebuild or to settle for the sort of something that continues to drive the bus on the good teams — the inconsistency that has plagued the Flames in the early stages of this relationship the head coach has with players and how he can maximize condensed campaign. what they have inside of them. It’s not always easy. Sometimes it’s a pull, While he’s anxious to put his stamp on this 11-11-2 herd, he will watch sometimes it’s a push and sometimes it’s side-by-side.” the next two games — Saturday’s in Edmonton and then Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.06.2021 Sunday’s home clash with the Ottawa Senators — from the comfort of his couch due to quarantine protocols.

That means that most of the guys will be waiting until Tuesday to meet the new boss.

You can bet they’ve heard enough stories to know that he’s no push-over or sugar-coater.

Darryl Sutter has long held a reputation of a hard-nosed style of head coach in the NHL. It helped him lead the Los Angeles Kings to two Stanley Cups.

“He just wants the best out of you,” said Flames forward , who skated for the Sutter-coached Los Angeles Kings in 2015-16. “He wants you to compete hard and work hard. And when he gets the best out of his players and he gets the most out of his players, that’s when you get the results. And ultimately, we’re in a business of winning.

“You know, the daily grind is hard with Darryl because he expects a lot out of you on a day-to-day basis. But when you get the results and you’re winning, it’s worth it in the end. And that’s what he is all about.

“Yeah, you said it … He is a hard-ass and he demands a lot. But when you get the result, it’s worth it in the end.”

That’s exactly what Sutter had been preaching, via Zoom, a couple of hours earlier: “There’s nothing better than feeling good about it after you’ve worked your tails off and win.”

The Flames haven’t had a whole lot to feel good about of late, sputtering to a 4-6-1 stretch that included four blowout losses and ultimately a bye- bye to bench boss Geoff Ward.

The hiring of Sutter sends a loud-and-clear message — they’re not ready to give up on this core, but they’re also not satisfied with what’s been squeezed.

Enter one of the NHL’s ultimate button-pushers, a no-nonsense sort who has racked up 635 career victories and been sized for a pair of Stanley Cup rings but also hasn’t been behind a bench since 2017. He was most recently an advisor for the Anaheim Ducks. 1204941 Calgary Flames “When I started talking to Brad, to be quite honest, it was sort of like having a treasure map and you have all these little red dots on it, and that’s the players,” Sutter grinned. “And how do you connect them and get to the treasure? That’s kind of how I see it.” Sutter returns to Flames with ‘unfinished business’ on his mind The trouble with these Flames, at least so far in 2021, is they look like legitimate treasure-hunters one night and then trash another.

Wes Gilbertson Their 11-11-2 mark has featured some promising performances, sure, but they always seem to be followed by a lackluster loss. Publishing date:Mar 06, 2021 • 8 hours ago • “We Zoomed with all the players already today, in two different groups,”

Sutter said Friday. “And the message is really clear — we’re going to get His return will certainly bring back memories. this thing straightened out and get the most out of everybody. And everybody is looking forward to it and excited about it.” In this second stint with the Calgary Flames, iconic coach/cowboy Darryl Sutter wants to bring back a title. Sutter’s arrival — especially on a three-year contract — immediately squashes any talk of a rebuild or tear-down. It’s been on his to-do list for, oh, 6,000 days or so, since that agonizingly close call in 2004. With 634 career coaching victories, good for No. 17 on the NHL’s all-time list, he will command respect and demand a relentless work ethic. He’ll “For me, it’s unfinished business,” Sutter said during Friday’s re- want to ensure that folks start talking about the Flames as one of the introductory media call. “It’s still really clear in my mind, losing in the toughest teams to play against, something that has not been the case Stanley Cup final with that team and thinking about it on the flight home this winter. from Tampa, about the players and owners and how much that resonated with me and how much it stayed in my mind. There’s undoubtedly more talent and depth on this current roster than he was working with back in 2004. “So I’m thrilled to be back.” He has another star goalie in Jacob Markstrom. MAY 27, 2004 – Coach Darryl Sutter and the boys are not too happy during the third period of Stanley Cup final game 2 action in Tampa Bay, While there’s no Iginla, there is quite a committee of capable lamp- between Calgary Flames and the Tampa Bay Lightning. lighters — a list led by Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm, Andrew Mangiapane, Sean Monahan and Matthew Tkachuk. The return of the Jolly Rancher became reality late Thursday, with Sutter — a staple at the Saddledome for an eight-year stretch from 2002-10 — And Sutter once again has ‘The Eliminator’ on his side. Martin Gelinas, re-hired to helm an underachieving bunch that has been too often who scored three series-clinching goals — and arguably deserved a outworked, that has tuned out too many coaches. fourth — during that improbable run way-back-when, remains an assistant coach at the Saddledome. An inconsistent start cost Geoff Ward his job. He was informed shortly after a 7-3 thumping of the cellar-dwelling Ottawa Senators — one of Besides the ouster of Ward, the rest of the staff remains intact. those nights that the Flames finally showed what they’re capable of — “I think there’s a nucleus of nine or 10 players that are really good that he’d been replaced. players in the National Hockey League,” Sutter said Friday, assessing his Sutter is riding in to salvage the season. At least, that’s the hope. new squad. “From a coaching standpoint, that jumps out at you always. When you have a top goalie and you have two or three top defencemen “As a manager, you take your cues from your team. You have heard me and you’re strong down the middle of the ice, you have the recipe for say that before,” explained Flames GM Brad Treliving on Friday’s virtual winning. That’s what appealed to me the most. media conference. “There are certain times that require patience and there are certain times that require action. And in watching our team over “The blueprint is there. Now you have to take it and build it, but the the past several days and weeks, I felt strongly that this time right now blueprint is there. The goalie and the top-end defencemen and the was a time for action. centremen are there. That’s what it takes. You win championships down the middle of the ice, from the goalie on out. I believe that. We’ll build “Our team was underperforming. It needed this change. This change was around that.” required. And not only was a change required, Darryl was required. We needed Darryl. This team needs Darryl and what he can bring.” Sutter has been waiting for this call. Hoping for it, anyway.

The Flames during practise Friday afternoon following a 7-3 win over the He mentioned that he and his wife, Wanda, have talked in the past about Ottawa Senators in the ‘Dome. Next up for the Flames, another edition of the possibility of a return to coaching — and that there were two cities the Battle of Alberta as they travel to Edmonton to face the Oilers that they would consider. Chicago was the other. Saturday evening. Friday, March 5, 2021. Sutter smiled as he talked about his close relationship with Flames Treliving characterized Sutter, now 62 and waiting out a brief quarantine owners past and present — from the late Harley Hotchkiss, Bud McCaig before he can get to work at the Saddledome early next week, as “one of and Doc Seaman to current honcho Murray Edwards. our game’s greatest coaches” and admitted he’s been on their radar in “It’s like I have a debt to pay to them guys,” Sutter said. “And we’re the past. gonna win a Stanley Cup for them.” He praised his clear and direct approach and added, “if you look back at Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.06.2021 his track record, he maximizes player performance.”

Sutter certainly did that in 2004, leading a lunch-bucket crew — a star goal-scorer in , a stingy puck-stopper in and a cast of lesser-lights — to within a whisker of a Stanley Cup crown.

The Flames haven’t been close since. (And that includes a string of early exits when their new coach was serving as GM.)

MAY 29, 2004 – Sporting a tie, Calgary Flames coach Darryl Sutter watches the action during the third period during game 3 of the 2004 versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sutter returns to town as a two-time Stanley Cup champion, having guided the Los Angeles Kings to a parade in 2012 and then another two years later.

He’s not just shooting for the hat-trick. He’s hell-bent on reviving the Red Mile, except with an alternate ending. 1204942 Calgary Flames know what’s coming in and it’s going to be a big wakeup call for all of us to be better on a more consistent basis.”

The nature of the Flames’ schedule is that there was little time to mourn Flames players hear message loud and clear after Ward firing the departure of Ward on Friday. They were back on the ice for a lunchtime practice and travelled to Edmonton later in the afternoon in advance of their Saturday evening tilt with the Oilers. They play the Ottawa Senators on Sunday, too, before Sutter is expected to arrive on Daniel Austin Monday. Publishing date:Mar 05, 2021 • 8 hours ago • Sutter will bring a new voice and a new set of day-to-day expectations. He’s already communicated what those are through a Zoom call with the players, and they have no doubt what Sutter, management and Ultimately, it was Geoff Ward who took the fall for the Calgary Flames’ ownership all want from them. struggles so far this season. “He’s coming in to win. That was the biggest message to us,” Backlund The Flames fired their head coach late Thursday night, replacing him said. “It doesn’t matter, it’s all about winning. Not that it wasn’t before, but with Darryl Sutter. that’s his mentality and he said it’s going to be a lot of hard work and he expects us to compete hard on a daily basis. The biggest thing I took was If Ward was the scapegoat, though, that doesn’t let the Flames players he’s coming in to win and nothing else is good enough.” off the hook. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.06.2021 That message from ownership and management came through loud-and- clear.

“We’re not where we want to be but our management (and) our ownership has been steady with their message: They want to win,” said Flames captain . “This is obviously another indication of that. We weren’t performing or where we want to be. They made a change and now it’s on the players to respond.”

Throughout his morning media availability on Friday, Flames GM Brad Treliving stressed that he didn’t lay the team’s failures solely at the feet of Ward. The players bear much of the responsibility, too.

He also noted that in this unique season, trading players is more difficult than normal. If the Flames were to trade one of their core pieces to an American team, whoever they got in return would have to sit in quarantine for two weeks. That’s not ideal for a team that isn’t in a playoff position and is trying to chase down the teams in front of them.

So for now, the Flames are going to roll with the players they’ve got at their disposal and rely on Sutter’s infamously demanding coaching style to coax more out of them.

Again, that doesn’t absolve any of the Flames players of blame. The underwhelming 11-11-2 record is as much their fault as it is Ward’s, and they know it.

“The responsibility is on all of us, not just Wardo,” said Flames centre Mikael Backlund. “He did a great job when he came in, first as an assistant coach and then last year when he stepped up as head coach. I think he did a great job with us and I really feel bad for what happened.

Geoff Ward on the bench against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Scotiabank Arena.

“I’m very disappointed we haven’t played better and we are just a .500 club right now. I expect more from us and so did Wardo.”

Any time a coach is fired, there’s a sense of guilt that permeates among the players in the locker room. That’s especially true with Ward, who was immensely popular with the Flames players.

As recently as Monday night, when the Flames lost badly to the Ottawa Senators, Milan Lucic was defending Ward and saying responsibility for the Flames’ disappointing inconsistency lay with the guys on the ice.

Professional hockey players understand the business, though, and Lucic said Ward’s firing was going to be a wake-up call for himself and his teammates, one way or another.

“It sucks, obviously,” Lucic said. “You lose a good person in Geoff Ward. I’ve known him for the last 14 years of my life and he’s been a big part of my success and personally, he’s a big part of rejuvenating my career and getting me going again.

“From that standpoint, it sucks when you lose a great person like that but when your team is inconsistent and your team isn’t playing well, things like this happen. That’s the nature of the business, the nature of the sport. He takes the fall for our poor play.

“It sucks, but there’s no better wakeup call than what we had last night and today here with Darryl coming in. I’ve played for Darryl before and I 1204943 Calgary Flames making decisions each time with what you feel is in the best interest of the team. But it should be real clear the coaching position in Calgary is going to be stable for some time here.”

FLAMES: Sutter is going to be here for a long while That stability matters. It’s not just that it can be difficult for players to start from scratch with a new coach. It’s also about building a foundation and having players improve and thrive within a system.

Daniel Austin was with the Tampa Bay Lightning for seven years before winning the Stanley Cup in 2020. took over as the Publishing date:Mar 05, 2021 • 8 hours ago • Washington Capitals head coach in 2014 and they didn’t win the Cup under him until 2018.

The coaching carousel is over. Darryl Sutter is going to be here for a There’s evidence that a new coach can spark immediate success in a while. team, of course. Just look at taking over at the St. Louis Blues’ interim head coach near the start of 2018-’19 and then guiding That was the message from Calgary Flames general manager Brad them to a Stanley Cup at the end of that season. Treliving on Friday morning, just hours after the team announced it had fired Geoff Ward as head coach and replaced him with Sutter. The Flames hoped Ward might be able to help them climb that mountain. It didn’t work out. In five years, the Flames have now had five head coaches. That’s too many. Now, it’s Sutter’s turn. It’s going to be his turn for a while.

Bob Hartley finished up his tenure in the spring of 2016. He was replaced “I don’t put this all on Geoff,” Treliving said. “This is not something that by Glen Gulutzan, who lasted 164 games. Bill Peters then took over and I’m lay at the feet of Geoff and Geoff alone. Unfortunately, when player made it 110 games before resigning due to past racist behavior, and movement is as difficult as it is right now and you continue to look at Ward finished off the 2019-2020 season as interim coach before taking every way to improve your team – and we’ll continue to look at that — I over full-time this past off-season. just felt strongly over the course of the last little bit that our team was underperforming. Now, it’s Sutter’s turn. “It needed this change. This change was required and not only was a That turn is going to last a while, Treliving said. change required, Darryl was required. This team needs Darryl and what he can bring.” “Churning coaches over is not something that leads to success but the message to the players is the coach they’ve got now isn’t going Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.06.2021 anywhere,” Treliving said. “It’s now on the players to perform.”

Is there a world in which the Flames drastically underperform and they get rid of Sutter before his contract — reported to expire at the end of the 2022-’23 season — is up? Sure, but that possibility seems incredibly remote.

The Flames know what they’re getting in Sutter. He’s an established NHL winner with two Stanley Cups (2012 and 2014) on his resume as the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings. He also guided the Flames to Game 7 of the Cup Finals in 2004 as their head coach and was the team’s general manager from 2003 to 2010.

The common denominator over the past five years with the Flames has been the core group of players. It’s possible that all four coaches who have come before Sutter bear some of the responsibility for their underperformance.

But the Flames players won’t get the benefit of the doubt with Sutter. Management and ownership know he can be a tough, demanding coach and that’s what they want. You get the feeling that if the players underperform, that’s on them. It won’t be easy to blame a coach with a proven record for getting the best out of players like Sutter.

“I’m not proud saying I’ve been here for so long and we’ve had so many coaches,” said Flames centre Mikael Backlund. “That means we haven’t been successful enough, so yeah, just look forward and hopefully Darryl comes in and hopefully he’s the guy who does the job to turn this around.”

Darryl Sutter last coached in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings, seen here in a game against the in 2016.

It’s not that the players aren’t being held accountable for their underperformance now, although Treliving explained that the COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder to make changes through in-season trades. Anyone coming from an American team would have to quarantine for two weeks after crossing the border, to start, which isn’t ideal for a team that’s chasing a playoff spot.

“There’s different ways to shake up your team and improve your team. Player transactions is one of that,” Treliving said. “We’re in a different environment right now. Not that you continue to look at that avenue, but you make a transaction with quarantine rules and you aren’t getting immediate impact. That’s only this year.

“We’ve gone through some good coaches here, but it’s always on the players. The unfortunate and difficult part of this business is you can’t change entire rosters. When you’ve gone through it you want stability and need stability to have success. When we’ve made changes, you’re 1204944 Calgary Flames The results, starting with Saturday’s Battle of Alberta against the Edmonton Oilers (8 p.m., CBC/Sportsnet 960 The Fan), will be fascinating.

GILBERTSON: With Sutter’s return, pressure is on Flames’ core players Ward was ultimately scapegoated for an inconsistent, unpredictable start to this 56-game sprint. The Flames have been a mixed bag so far, with an 11-11-2 record that has featured a few dominant victories and a few too many demoralizing losses. Wes Gilbertson Thursday’s 7-3 thumping of the last-place Senators was too little too late, Publishing date:Mar 05, 2021 • 12 hours ago • to save his job.

“I think the mental readiness of our team was good, I thought the work MAY 29, 2004 - Sporting a Red Mile tie, Calgary Flames coach Darryl ethic was good, and I thought our details were a lot better,” Ward Sutter watches the action during the third period during game 3 of the praised. 2004 Stanley Cup Finals versus the Tampa Bay Lightning. While he was axed shortly after that post-game presser, those same Those guys were hard-hatted. traits — engagement, accountability and a willingness to work — will be priorities under Sutter. He won’t accept anything less. These guys might be hard-headed. And if the message doesn’t stick, if wins don’t follow, you can bet the Darryl Sutter, who led the Calgary Flames to within a whisker — or next move will be a farewell to one of the skating stars. Or several of perhaps a pixel — of a Stanley Cup parade in 2004, is now back behind them. the bench at the Saddledome, tasked with squeezing more out of a talented core that has already churned through several coaches. Prior to Ward’s ouster, there seemed to be two trains of thought for a frustrated fan-base — either blame the coach or blame the general Under their new boss, there will be no excuse for falling short of manager for not hiring a proven winner. expectations. Ward, as likeable a guy as you’ll ever meet, lasted less than six months The Flames made this surprise move late Thursday, announcing about after his ‘interim’ tag was removed. Previously, he’d only worked as an 75 minutes after a 7-3 rout of the Ottawa Senators that Geoff Ward had assistant or associate at the NHL level. been fired and that Sutter is returning to his old stomping grounds. His predecessor, Bill Peters, never made the as a They are, indeed, going full retro. head coach before he arrived in Calgary. (Peters was forced to resign after startling allegations of past misconduct, including a racial slur.) Sutter was a staple at the Saddledome for an eight-year span from Dec. 28, 2002, until that exact same date in 2010, serving as skipper and then Treliving’s first coaching hire, Glen Gulutzan, was also short on general manager. experience and profile.

MAY 27, 2004 – Coach Darryl Sutter and the boys are not too happy Sutter brings both. during the third period of Stanley Cup final game 2 action in Tampa Bay, between Calgary Flames and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sutter has two Stanley Cups to his credit.

In his first full season at the helm, he guided two superstars — right- The moment he walks through the door, he will be the most winger Jarome Iginla and netminder Miikka Kiprusoff — and a bunch of accomplished guy in the locker room. relative unknowns on a fairytale run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. His demanding style can work. He has two Stanley Cup rings as proof of The Red Mile was born that spring, the city rallying around a band of it. If video-review technology was further along in 2004, it might be three. overachievers that was being spurred along by the no-nonsense farm- Which means that the pressure is on the Flames’ players now, especially boy from a few hours to the northeast in Viking, Alta. those core pieces. Since that stint in Calgary, Sutter has twice had his name engraved on You could argue, up until Thursday at 10:50 p.m. MT, that Treliving had hockey’s ultimate prize. He coached the Los Angeles Kings to the NHL assembled all of the ingredients except for an established top-of-his-craft title in 2012 and again in 2014. coach. The Flames’ current core — now taking their orders from a 62-year-old The Flames have a talented forward cast, although their go-to guys have Sutter, most recently an advisor for the Anaheim Ducks — has barely yet to silence their critics in the spring. advanced through a playoff round, let alone stuck around long enough for bushy beards and banner-raisings. While they don’t necessarily have a premier , a description that Mark Giordano no longer fits at age 37, they are certainly solid on Maybe ‘The Jolly Rancher’ can change that. the blue-line. Giordano has been around so long that he had Sutter as That’s what Calgary’s general manager, Brad Treliving, is banking on. his GM when he was first cutting his teeth at the Saddledome.

Treliving and Sutter will address the media on Friday at 11 a.m. MT video They just signed one of the NHL’s elite puck-stoppers, Jacob Markstrom, call. When the team takes the ice for an early-afternoon practice, Johnny to a six-year deal. Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Matthew Tkachuk & Co. better be ready to Can Sutter get this group to play to their capabilities? Or, better yet, bust their butts. beyond? Darryl Sutter is not here to preach patience. When they arrive at the rink Friday, Gaudreau and Monahan will be Sutter, even if he’s softened a wee bit since his initial stop in Calgary, will meet-and-greeting with their fifth head coach. That’s a lot of bosses for demand as much. two guys in their mid-20s. (Treliving has now hired four of them since he inherited Bob Hartley.) Thursday’s late-night coaching switch should squash any talk of a tear- down or rebuild. You don’t bring in a guy with Sutter’s resume — he is Sutter, however, won’t require a tour of the rink. No. 17 on the NHL’s all-time wins list with a career mark of 634-467-101- He knows the organization and ownership. 83 — or reputation unless you consider yourselves a contender. He knows the city. While the new/old boss has reportedly signed a three-year contract, he’s not here to preach patience. He’s back to change the culture, to insist on He knows what buttons to push, and we’ve all seen the evidence of it. the same sort of relentless effort that helped him and five of his brothers go from spirited scrimmages in the hayloft to squaring off at the highest Back in 2004, the Flames were rarely, if ever, outworked. For that level. reason, the hard hat was a fitting prize for their in-house player-of-the- game nod. This current cast has worked when they want to. It’s never lasted long- term, and it’s never been more obvious than this season, when they have oh-so-often followed a strong showing with a total stinker.

Can Sutter buck that trend? Can he be the difference?

We’re about to find out.

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204945 Calgary Flames The Flames entered the season with the expectation – at the very least – of making the playoffs. The team has an 11-11-2 record (.500) and entered Friday ranked fifth out of seven teams in the North Division. They’ve had their wheels spinning from the first drop of the puck and The Darryl Sutter shakeup: Can the Flames’ new coach right the ship? have been frustratingly consistent in their inconsistency.

Still, Treliving and Sutter both believe their goals are still attainable.

By Hailey Salvian Mar 5, 2021 “Deep down I believe it’s a good hockey club and Brad made moves in the offseason after the bubble to bring in as good a goalie as there is in

the NHL (Jacob Markstrom) and bring in a top defenseman (Chris There is no question about it — the Calgary Flames needed a shakeup. Tanev),” Sutter said. “I think this team has as good an opportunity as And they got it in a blast from the past on Thursday night when they fired anybody to make the playoffs and do well in the playoffs.” coach Geoff Ward and hired Darryl Sutter as his replacement. Realistically, the playoffs are not out of reach. The Flames (24 points) are It wasn’t so much shocking that it happened, but rather the timing, shortly only two points back of Montreal, which has been struggling in recent after a 7-3 win against the Ottawa Senators. However, the writing was on weeks, for fourth place in the division. And four points behind the third- the wall that a change was coming. The Flames have been inconsistent, place Edmonton Oilers. The Flames have been stuck right in the mushy they’ve lacked an identity and frankly, at times they have looked middle of the division, but with Sutter they may have a pathway out of it. downright bad. So bad that many had wondered, was this season His resume would certainly suggest that the Flames are in good hands. already a lost cause? Treliving even went so far as to say that Sutter is, in his mind, “one of our This is a strange and short NHL season, which adds pressure to right the game’s greatest, most successful coaches.” ship as quickly as possible or risk losing your season. This move by “I knew we had to make a change and there was only one guy in mind general manager Brad Treliving shows that the organization isn’t giving that I knew we needed,” he said. “This team needs Darryl and what he up on this season. The Flames are not going to go quietly, and they are can bring.” going to commit to changing the way this team plays. Sutter has been an NHL head coach for 18 seasons, having previously “We do have an expectation of the team,” Treliving said at Friday’s press worked in Chicago, San Jose, Calgary and L.A. In 15 of those 18 conference. “We think we’re a good team that’s playing poorly right now. seasons, his teams finished with a winning regular-season record. He “I felt strongly that this action was required, and Darryl was required for most recently coached the Kings from 2011 to 2017 and won the Stanley us to maximize the group. We like our group but we need to change Cup in 2012 and 2014. some things and get back on track.” And of course, Sutter’s last run behind the Flames’ bench resulted in Sutter, 62, received a three-year contract from the Flames. He is in the their best playoff performance in decades, as he led the team to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and plans to be in Calgary by Monday and to Stanley Cup Final in 2004, where they lost in seven games to the be on the ice by Tuesday. But he’s not wasting any time. Sutter said he Lightning. That’s something Sutter said is still on his mind, and that he already has held video calls with players and gave them a clear has “unfinished business” in Calgary because of that loss. message. In all, Sutter’s coaching record in Calgary was 107-73-15-15. He also “We’re going to get this straightened out,” Sutter said Friday. served as the team’s GM for just over seven years before he resigned in 2010. So, how will they get there? Also, the Flames’ current situation is not unlike what the Kings did in Dec. First, there is going to be a culture shift. There will be a level of 2011, when they fired coach Terry Murray and hired Sutter. They were accountability and work ethic that has been missing on a consistent basis expected to make the playoffs but floundered around the bottom of the with this group. division to start the year. Their season was on the brink and they decided to make a change. After Monday’s 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators, Milan Lucic said the team didn’t seem to want to work hard like they did last season when Sutter led the team to a 25-13-11 record in 49 games. The Kings finished Ward took over the bench. third in the Pacific Division and entered the playoffs as the eighth seed and ultimately won the organization’s first Stanley Cup. “It’s unacceptable,” he told Sportsnet 960. “You can’t have everyone show up on Saturday and then expect it to be easy tonight. I think that’s Sutter said the team “fought like hell” to get to the playoffs and our problem right now. … Sometimes we want it to be too easy.” acknowledged that there were similarities between his new team and old one but noted one key difference: time. That is going to change, as Sutter comes with a hard-working, no- nonsense approach to the game. He believes in a defence-first “We had longer, it was more of a process,” he said. “Here’s different. I philosophy and that to be a playoff team, “you have to play playoff think we have to try to speed that up as much as we can.” hockey every night.” The Flames’ top players have had some ups and downs to start the There is no room for taking off games, or even periods, with that season. Johnny Gaudreau started hot but has cooled off as of late. Sean blueprint. Monahan, Matthew Tkachuk and others on the roster also have had cold streaks of their own. There will be some systems changes, as there would be with any new coach. But systems, lines or special teams weren’t the focal point of Sutter is the fourth Flames coach hired by Treliving since 2016. He is Friday’s press conference. known to be a demanding coach and should be able to get the best of his players. He has a history of it. “Ours isn’t a structure issue. Ours isn’t a system issue,” Treliving said. “Ours is a maximizing performance issue.” “I don’t know if there’s anyone that does it as well as Darryl does,” Treliving said. “(He’s) one of the sharpest minds, that has stood behind The feeling on Friday was that pieces are in place in Calgary. It’s just a bench in our league. And has the ability to extract the very best out of about getting them to play to their potential and as a cohesive unit. each individual and that’s a skill. “There’s a nucleus of nine to 10 players who are really good players in “It’s not easy, but the players will always know exactly where they stand. the National Hockey League and so from a coaching standpoint that They’ll be complete clarity. It will be black and white and that’s all you jumps out at you always,” Sutter said. “When you got a top goalie and can ask as a player. When maximum effort is required and asked, I don’t you have two to three top defenceman and you’re strong down the think you’re asking too much.” middle of the ice, you have the recipe for winning. The Flames, at least on paper, should be much better than their record “When I look at this group, they’re a very intriguing group because there’s suggests. Exactly what was going wrong had been difficult to pinpoint. a lot of really good players, they just have to adjust their style a little bit to Was it coaching? An issue in the locker room? Lack of leadership? All of do what it takes to win and we’ll do that.” the above? Regardless, it was obvious that things couldn’t continue the way they were going in Calgary with Ward. And with player movement more difficult because of COVID-19 protocols and the flat salary cap, a coaching change ultimately was the best path for Treliving.

“This is not something I’m laying at the feet of Geoff and Geoff alone,” he said. “I just felt strongly over the course of the last little bit that our team was underperforming. It needed this change.”

Ward, who had the interim coaching tag lifted in the summer, did a good job under challenging circumstances last season after being thrust into his first head coaching position after Bill Peters resigned. Ward led the team to a 24-15-3 and into the NHL’s playoff bubble, where they lost to the Dallas Stars in the first round after defeating Winnipeg in a play-in round. However, Ward could not translate what transpired last year into success this season.

The only thing that seemingly everyone can agree on is that the Flames have been missing something. And regardless of what it is, there is no room for ambiguity with Sutter. He will find out what the issue is, and he’ll let it be known. He will give the team an identity. He will carve them a path that will ultimately show who is buying in and who’s not. And that’s exactly what Treliving was looking for in this change.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204946 Calgary Flames But the one story that made me laugh focused on the early days of his professional career, when he and his parents flew to Vancouver to sign his first professional contract, in the , with Nelson Skalbania, then the owner of the Indianapolis Racers. Skalbania Duhatschek notebook: Remembering Walter Gretzky, and Darryl Sutter’s picked up the Gretzkys plus agent Gus Badali at the Vancouver airport in ‘unfinished business’ his Rolls Royce.

“Pretty beautiful car and we’d never been in a Rolls Royce,” Gretzky said. “So, we get in the car, and it was one of the first times I’d ever seen a By Eric Duhatschek Mar 5, 2021 telephone in a car. Halfway to his house, the car broke down. So he called his house and they brought him out another Rolls Royce. So we’re driving again and 10 minutes later now the second Rolls Royce broke Walter Gretzky is gone. Darryl Sutter is back. down.

The two events, which occurred within a few hours of each other on “And Nelson turned to my dad who, at that time, was probably making Thursday night, shook the hockey world. $30,000 a year at Bell telephone, and says: ‘Walter, don’t ever buy a Rolls Royce.’ I thought my dad was going to fall over. He turned to us When the Calgary Flames introduced Sutter as their new/old head coach and said: ‘Nelson, I don’t think I’m ever going to have to worry about on Friday morning, that’s actually where the press conference started – that.’” with general manager Brad Treliving remembering Gretzky, who he’d gotten to know as a minor-league teammate of Keith Gretzky’s and then Walter Gretzky was 82 at the time of his death. He was predeceased by later when he and Wayne worked together in the Phoenix Coyotes his Phyllis. They had five children – Wayne, Kim, Keith, Glen and Brent. organization. Treliving remembered Walter’s great passion for the game According to a family statement, Walter bravely and uncomplainingly and told a story of once trying to sneak a sip of his coffee, in case it battled Parkinson’s Disease and other ailments during the final years of contained some magic elixir that would transform him from hockey- his life. playing journeyman into an elite talent. Didn’t work. The Sutter chronicles Sutter, meanwhile, retold a story from his playing days: Seeing his father, Louis, standing alongside Walter Gretzky following an Oilers-Blackhawks For the second time in eight days, an NHL team made a jaw-dropping game in Edmonton, the two dads exchanging thoughts on the game the coaching change. This time around, it was the Flames bringing back way old coaches do. Sutter for his second go-round behind their bench, replacing Geoff Ward. The Flames are in fifth place in the North Division, two points behind “Even though Wayne was Oilers and I was Chicago, they were just Montreal, but the Canadiens hold two games in hand. standing talking about the game,” Sutter said. “It was the coolest thing. Wish I had a picture of that because it was something to see.” Montreal made the previous coaching change, firing Claude Julien and promoting Dominique Ducharme to the top job. In Ducharme’s case, he’d Wayne Gretzky announced the news of his father’s death on social been on the ice with the team, theoretically making the adjustment media. The senior Gretzky had had a narrow escape once before in his easier. Sutter, by contrast, has been on his ranch in Viking, Alta., acting life – in 1991, when he suffered a near-fatal brain aneurysm that he as a consultant to the Anaheim Ducks coaching staff and keeping his eventually recovered from but that damaged his short-term memory. hand in the game that way.

Walter Gretzky’s fame, as Canada’s preeminent hockey dad, was so At 62, Sutter said there were only two positions in hockey that would great that the CBC ultimately did a film version of his recovery, called have tempted him to return and Calgary was one because of “unfinished “Waking Up Wally: The Walter Gretzky Story.” business.” That’s a reference to the Flames’ 2004 run to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost in seven games to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The story of how Walter introduced Wayne to hockey is common knowledge in hockey circles — how he and his wife, Phyllis, purchased a That iteration of the Flames’ team – the only tangible postseason home in Brantford, Ont., in part because the backyard was large enough success they’ve had since winning the 1989 Stanley Cup — was and flat enough to install a homemade ice rink. distinguished by its work ethic and being far greater than the sum of its parts. Wayne was out there, on the ice, from the age of three on, with Wally as his primary teacher. Many of the playing techniques Walter taught Wayne The current edition of the Flames is thought to be just the opposite – a – about spacing and positioning — mirrored those of the Soviet national good team on paper that hasn’t been able to translate raw talent into hockey team, which had burst into the Canadian hockey consciousness consistent success on the ice. When Treliving unveiled his newest in 1972 during the Russia-Canada Summit series. But while the Soviet’s coaching hire, that was a point he reiterated over and over: that Sutter intricate passing and weaving was a revelation to many North American would bring accountability to a team that hadn’t met expectations and observers, it wasn’t to Wayne, who had learned to play that way that Sutter’s history suggests he can squeeze the maximum performance practically since he left the cradle. levels out of his players.

Over the years, Wayne and I spoke often about parenting and the Sutter is inheriting a team that only two seasons ago had the most points influence that our mothers and fathers had on the way we raised our own in the Western Conference and this past offseason went out and signed children, who were roughly the same age. an elite-level goaltender. According to Sutter, the personnel is there to win now, which is probably a good thing because the odds of Treliving In Wayne’s first year after retiring from the NHL, when he was coaching being able to engineer a major, shape-shifting trade are slim. Border his son in little league baseball, I asked him how much of the instruction quarantine issues are just the start of the logistical stumbling blocks. A he was passing on to his players echoed the words he’d heard from his far better solution, short term anyway, was changing the message, and own father 25 years earlier because I was guilty of doing that myself. the message will change with Sutter behind the bench. Wayne laughed. According to Sutter, he gave the Flames’ players an overview of his “We’re all guilty of that,” he said. “My parents stressed working hard in coaching approach during a pair of Zoom calls early Friday. school and treating people well. The difference between my dad and I – “Deep down, I believe it’s a good hockey club,” Sutter said. “Brad made and I mean this in a nice way – is that I was fortunate enough to play moves in the offseason to bring in as good a goalie as there is in the NHL hockey professionally. My dad never did, but he was able to see what the (Jacob Markstrom), bring in a top defenceman (Chris Tanev) and bring in life of a professional athlete was like during my career. For me, because kids from organizations where guys are used to winning and want to win I’ve already lived that life, I don’t have the same desire for my kids to be and have had success. professional athletes that my dad had for me.” “You know what? You’ve just got to put it all together and do it as one. In 2020, over the course of a number of different conversations, Wayne Sometimes, it’s hard for young guys. They get off track a little bit, and talked about his dad a lot. One came back in February, just before they want to do it as individuals. We’ll do it as a team, and then we’re COVID-19 shut down the world. Gretzky’s son Ty got married in New going to be happy because there’s nothing better than the feeling you get York. Wayne’s greatest concern was getting both his father and Janet’s when you work your tails off and you win.” mother to New York safely for the ceremony — which they managed. Sutter has been characterized by many, including me, as being old- back-to-back-to-back shutouts with three different goalies between the school. But he insisted that there is a nuanced difference in the way he pipes. approaches the job of coaching. Styles of play have evolved in his time in the NHL. How you handle people doesn’t change. And given how Jack Campbell had the first shutout on Feb. 27 in a 4-0 win. Then complex coaching staffs are these days, the primary job of the head Michael Hutchinson was the goalie of record for Monday’s 3-0 victory. On coach isn’t necessarily systems; it’s managing people. Wednesday, Frederik Andersen came back after a four-game absence with a lower-body injury to blank the Oilers for the first 33:46 of play “It’s the one-on-ones, the honesty, and getting the most out of guys,” before Ryan Nugent-Hopkins produced the only goal in Edmonton’s 6-1 Sutter said. “That is something that continues to drive the bus on loss. successful teams: the relationship the head coach has with players and how he can maximize what they have inside them. It’s not always easy. Question: If Andersen had managed to turn in a shutout, had that ever Sometimes it’s a pull, and sometimes it’s a push, and sometimes you do happened before in NHL history? it side by side. That part of the game hasn’t changed.” And the answer is no, with a small asterisk.

Treliving brushed off suggestions that Sutter’s tactics were rooted in a No club had ever recorded shutouts in three consecutive games played yesterday philosophy that doesn’t work with the modern-day athlete. against the same opponent using three different netminders.

“Being demanding and having expectations is not a bad thing,” Treliving However, according to research provided by NHL Stats, within a single said. “We’re in a business where it’s hard to win and you need to extend regular season (rather than three games in a row), the 1968-69 Montreal people. As Darryl said, you need to push, sometimes pull, sometimes Canadiens did manage to shut out an opponent, the Philadelphia Flyers, walk arm in arm. I’m not sure anyone does it as well as Darryl does.” in three consecutive games with three different goalies. The difference The gospel according to Darryl being the three games were sprinkled over a two-month span.

Philosophically, Sutter believes teams that compete for championships It began when the great Gump Worsley shut out the Flyers by a 3-0 need to be built from goal out and must feature a strong, deep defense score on Nov. 21, 1968. Weeks later, Tony Esposito earned a 1-0 victory corps and strength down the middle. over the Flyers on Dec. 14. And then Rogie Vachon managed a 4-0 decision on Jan. 16. Esposito’s shutout came at home, the other two on Whenever the subject of the Flames’ personnel came up, he insisted that the road. I figure any time you can type the names Worsley, Esposito and he believes there are enough good players in place to get the job done, Vachon in the same sentence, it’s worth doing. which in the short term, is reeling in Montreal or one of the other teams ahead of them in the North Division standings and securing a playoff The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 spot.

They’ll have 32 games to do that – 30 by the time Sutter is in place behind the bench because he isn’t available to coach either of the team’s two weekend games. Ryan Huska will handle the bench on an interim basis.

Framing Sutter’s task is simple enough. Accomplishing his goal is another matter altogether.

He needs to get more out of his group. Right now, he sees too much individualism in their style of play.

That essentially gets down to the nub of what’s gone wrong with the Flames since their 107-point season in 2019: too many nights when the commitment to play hard on every shift was missing. Sometimes, they’d get discouraged. Sometimes, they’d look indifferent. With Sutter behind the bench, the hope is that the inconsistencies are weaned out of their game and they simply become a harder team to play against.

That’s the sort of team they were back in 2004 when they made it to the Stanley Cup Final with two elite pieces – Miikka Kiprusoff and Jarome Iginla – and a whole lot of ultra-competitive worker bees. One of those worker bees was Martin Gelinas, who played on the top line in 2004 and is now on the coaching staff Sutter inherits.

Outside of firing Ward, Treliving said the Flames would make no further changes to that staff.

Sutter is undergoing COVID-19 testing and indicated he also had some business to complete on the ranch before he could leave Viking and make his way to Calgary. He’s due to arrive Monday and will oversee his first practice Tuesday.

I covered that 2004 finals series that Sutter referenced as his primary motivation for returning to the Flames. One thing was clear from that series: The players completely emptied the tank. There was nothing left to give and maybe not enough NHL-caliber defensemen left to play because they’d had so many injuries along the way. Sutter said the memory of that disappointment — and the difficulty of the flight home — has stayed with him to this day.

“This team has as good an opportunity as anybody to make the playoffs and do well in the playoffs,” he said, noting the 2020-21 Flames are “a kind of treasure map with all these little red dots on it. That’s the players, how to connect them and get to the treasure. That’s kind of how I see it. I’m excited about it and looking forward it.”

The weight of the goaltending world

The Toronto Maple Leafs were in a unique position this week during their three-game series against the Edmonton Oilers — in a position to record 1204947 Calgary Flames Rarely does that ever happen but here the Flames essentially gave the people what they wanted. Now, comes the hard part. Taking over a team, just shy of the mid-point of the season, and instilling enough of a change to set them on a winning track. Duhatschek: Darryl Sutter’s assignment is clear – light a fire under the middling Flames In 2012, when the Kings were mounting their first of two Stanley Cup pushes, I canvassed a number of players on their team about life with Darryl. Jarret Stoll, now a commentator on Kings’ television broadcasts, described it as a democracy of sorts, noting: “You don’t want a guy that By Eric Duhatschek Mar 5, 2021 blows smoke, you want a guy who tells you how it is. He doesn’t miss much – and if he sees something, he’ll let you know, no matter who you are, a role player who plays five or six minutes, or a guy who plays 22.” A last desperate attempt to salvage a season going rapidly off the rails? Or a contemplative hire, based on the theory that if you can’t fire an Stoll added: “Everybody’s the same on our team; that’s how he treats us. entire hockey team, the next best course of action is to appoint a coach And I wouldn’t want it any other way.” who will light a fire on the underachieving incumbents? described Sutter as “open and approachable. As a player, The decision on Thursday evening by the Calgary Flames to bring back he lets you know what’s expected of you and when he wants more from Darryl Sutter to coach the team is probably a mixture of both. The you. I like the fact that when you do something well, he says, ‘Great job.’ Flames hired Sutter to replace Geoff Ward for the remainder of this When you’re not doing something, he also tells you that, so there’s no season and two additional seasons, charting a new/old course for a team guessing.” that’s been unable to form any sort of identity, with its current nucleus in Defenceman freely admitted he was scared of Sutter place. when Sutter first took over from Terry Murray. “You don’t want to be on Make no mistake about one thing. With Sutter, there is never any his bad side,” Doughty told me, “because it’s not fun. I was on his bad ambiguity. Some people, once they reach a certain age, may soften side for a few games and his sarcastic-ness, it’ll get to you. You can play around the edges. That’s not Darryl Sutter. That’ll likely never be Darryl a good game but if you make one mistake, he’s on you no matter what. Sutter. Sutter is blunt, hard-edged, hard-nosed. Use any adjective you “Sometimes, it’s frustrating, but he’s making sure every little step is like and as long as it conjures up the image of an old-school, weather- perfect. He’s adamant on every single thing. Without your top players worn rancher from northern Alberta, you pretty much have a picture of being your best, you won’t win too many games.” what Sutter will bring to the mix in Calgary. Well, it’s hard to argue with Doughty on that final point. Winning teams He is old-school in his values and his approach. He believes in a generally squeeze the most out of their best players. defence-first philosophy. Those years in Los Angeles when the Kings were winning Stanley Cups, they were never among the league leaders Calgary’s best players this season have been up-and-down. The good in offence. But you could usually find them in contention for Vezina and news is, once healthy, Jacob Markstrom should provide the level of Jennings trophies. goaltending that Sutter teams generally require to win. During the Cup run in 2004, it was Miikka Kiprusoff leading the way. In L.A., it was Philosophically, if you’re looking for a kind and gentle message, look . Markstrom dressed as the back-up to David Rittich on elsewhere. Thursday night, after missing time with an injury, so he should be good to The thing about Sutter is he wins more games than he loses. And when go Saturday when the Battle of Alberta resumes in Edmonton. his teams do lose, life can be pretty miserable. The object of hiring Sutter Sutter had been living his wife Wanda and son Christopher on their ranch to coach the team was unmistakable – it was to light a fire under a group in Viking, Alta., so there’ll be no need to quarantine, or travel very far. of reasonably talented hockey players that just eked back to .500 on Thus far, the Battle of Alberta has featured a couple of mild skirmishes Thursday night, during an impressive 7-3 win over the Ottawa Senators this season. With Sutter aboard, you can be sure the intensity will be that also marked Ward’s final appearance behind the bench. Rarely does cranked up to a higher level. a fired hockey coach go out on a winning note – but these were desperate times in Calgary, a team that is currently fifth out of seven in Considering there were other experienced coaches available – including the NHL’s North Division and has been spinning its wheels almost from and – it was interesting to see that the the start of the season, inconsistent in virtually every area of its game. Flames chose to go down this path instead. What happens next? Who knows? But maybe Thomas Wolfe will be proven wrong. Maybe you can So, the culture and the working conditions are about to change in a hurry go home again. and any of the holdovers from Sutter’s previous years with the Flames, which at the moment is limited to team captain Mark Giordano, can The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 provide a short primer on how life is about to change going forward. There probably won’t be a lot of laughs. There’ll be a level of accountability that most probably haven’t seen before. Behind closed doors, Sutter generally doesn’t mince words. The good news there: Players will know exactly where they stand at any given moment.

But for all that, the resume is impressive. Sutter most recently coached the Kings from 2011 to 2017 and presided over their Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014. In all, he has been an NHL head coach for 18 seasons, having previously worked in Chicago and San Jose as well as Calgary and L.A. In 15 of those 18 seasons, his teams finished with a winning regular-season record.

Most recently, he’d been hired by his old Blackhawks teammate Bob Murray to act as a coaching consultant for the Ducks’ team that Murray manages. Many of us privately believed that if Murray were to make a coaching change for the last-place Ducks, his first choice might have been Sutter. Sutter’s last turn behind the Flames’ bench also resulted in their best playoff result of the past 30 years – when he led the 2004 team to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost in seven games to the Lightning.

In all, Sutter’s coaching record in Calgary was a credible 107-73-15-15. He also served as the team’s GM for just over seven years – from April 2003 until December 2010. Recently, amid growing pressure on current general manager Brad Treliving to dismiss Ward, many on social media recommended Sutter as a possible replacement. 1204948 Carolina Hurricanes “It is the moderate to severe COVID cases that seem to be at significant risk,” Bloom said. “That’s a really important distinction. We’re not saying you don’t need to think about it, but you only need to think about it in patients who have a tough time with this, a hard clinical course. Our Hurricanes’ doctor helps author major new study on athlete COVID heart (study) population was obviously young and healthy and athletic. complications COVID’s a bad actor, but from a cardiac perspective it might not be radically different from other viral respiratory illnesses.”

News Observer LOADED: 03.06.2021 BY LUKE DECOCK

MARCH 05, 2021 05:12 PM

Charlotte Hornets guard Malik Monk (in mask) didn’t play in the first three games of the season, after missing a week of training camp with COVID- 19. A study published in JAMA Cardiology, suggests that heart complications are uncommon in pro athletes who have had COVID-19.

Amid all the bad news surrounding COVID-19 and sports, Josh Bloom was thrilled to finally be part of discovering what he believes to be some of the good news. The Carolina Hurricanes’ team physician was one of the authors of a study released Thursday that found an absence of serious heart issues in professional athletes diagnosed with COVID-19.

The NHL, NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLS and their players’ unions threw their support and data behind the study, which looked at the medical history of 789 athletes who had COVID, both symptomatic and asymptomatic. Of that group, 36 showed potential heart problems in diagnostic tests. Only five were found to be worth further investigation, and they were eventually able to return to action.

“You had to be cautious until you knew you couldn’t be,” Bloom said Friday. “Regarding this part of it, we’re pretty comfortable we don’t need to be.”

HOW BLOOM GOT INVOLVED

So how did a community physician and team doctor end up with his name on a study authored by some of the biggest names in sports medicine, cardiology and infectious diseases?

Bloom also works out of Carolina Family Practice and Sports Medicine and the Carolina Sports Concussion Clinic in Cary. With his focus on brain injuries, he was the catalyst for his son’s football team at Apex Friendship to switch to contact-free practices in the fall of 2019.

Over the spring and summer, he saw that his athletic patients who either tested positive or had COVID antibodies, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, were passing cardiac screenings without any heart issues. Tapping his NHL connections, he reached out to the league’s chief medical officer, Winne Meeuwisse, to find out if the NHL was seeing the same thing. That conversation led to conversations across the professional leagues and unions, and the rapid expansion of an NBA/WNBA study already in progress.

“Honestly, I said as a clinician, ‘All this myocarditis, why are we not seeing it? Why are we not seeing cardiac arrests?’” Bloom said. “These are the things we were worried about with COVID.”

INITIAL FEARS

The potential for heart problems was one of the biggest fears and hurdles for sports’ return as the pandemic began, based on anecdotal hospital evidence with COVID-19 and an Ohio State study of a limited sample of athletes that found evidence of myocarditis, an inflammatory heart condition that often goes undiagnosed and can lead to heart attacks or other life-threatening complications.

Those fears were exacerbated when Florida’s Keyontae Johnson, who had contracted COVID-19 over the summer, collapsed during a game in December and was briefly placed in a medically induced coma. Johnson’s medical issues were not COVID-related, his family said, and the new study, published in JAMA Cardiology, should offer reassurance for athletes, Bloom said.

“This is really profound data for the rest of society as we make decisions about what a safe return to sports looks like at the youth level, in high school, across the board,” Bloom said. “I’m also involved in some of those decisions around here and this will help guide us.”

Fears of heart inflammation remain with COVID-19, but the study is an indication those complications are limited to patients who struggle with the disease, Bloom said. Most athletes aren’t in that group. 1204949 Carolina Hurricanes Pronman wrote: “Carolina is a deep team up front, and — like with Janne Kuokkanen, who was traded to New Jersey last season and in a similar waiver situation — Geekie is likely an asset that it makes more sense to move for a lineup boost than see him walk for nothing.” Hurricanes trade tiers: A scale of ‘not happening’ to ‘still not happening’ Jake Bean

Bean is the only Hurricanes player currently on The Athletic’s NHL Trade By Sara Civian Mar 5, 2021 Deadline Big Board (listed last). And even then, Craig Custance wrote in the article that they aren’t shopping Bean. It is also my understanding

that the Hurricanes have stacked their blue line in part due to the Let’s be real. I’d be shocked if the Hurricanes made any big moves upcoming expansion draft. They want the ability to lose someone to before the April 12 trade deadline. Seattle without gigantic implications for the rest of the team.

They’re tight against the salary cap as it is, they just traded for Cedric But Bean is buzzing lately, with seven points in 13 games. There’s a non- Paquette, Rod Brind’Amour has repeatedly said he doesn’t want much to zero chance the Canes could identify an issue with their forward group — change about the group and the moves they’ve made in the past few or maybe even goaltending — and decide to sell Bean high for the right years have already put them in a position to succeed. Then factor in all of return. That would probably involve a package with an aforementioned the league-wide reasons this deadline might be quieter than usual. draft pick and/or prospects, and it would have to be something really good — like, Rask-for-Nino, fire-the-GM-immediately good. In that There’s always a chance something might happen. That’s why we love aspect, trading Bean to improve a hole in the roster would be living in the deadline day, right? So, feel free to find a stream of the Canadian sports moment and an indication that the Canes are going all in for the Stanley show of your choice and have a day, but if you’re a Hurricanes fan, you’ll Cup this year. Keeping him is sort of the same deal, though, since likely be watching the drama from the outside looking in. Enjoy the lack of Brind’Amour is now comfortable with giving him real NHL minutes and stress while you can, and I suppose there are still several possibilities to he’s making the most of them. Crazy how that works out, eh? consider… The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 The ‘I’m going to stop you right there’ tier

Dougie Hamilton

The Canes of yore were notorious for trading every one of their decent pending free agents as to not “let them walk for nothing,” but these are not your grandfather’s Hurricanes.

These Hurricanes actually keep their key players in order to make playoff pushes, and sometimes even *gasp* negotiate to extend them. That’s where the Canes are with Dougie Hamilton right now, although talks have slowed down, as Pierre LeBrun detailed in his latest piece.

“Can both sides find the middle ground? I’m betting on yes, but there’s no guarantee of that,” LeBrun wrote. “There would definitely be teams waiting July 28 with open arms for a 27-year-old right-handed star defenceman like Hamilton. … There should be a sizeable market for a player of Hamilton’s talent even in the flat cap environment. But the priority for both sides is to figure it out in Carolina where he’s happy.”

It’s been my sense all along that neither side was looking to rush into this negotiation, and that it likely would’ve happened after the season regardless. And, as was the essence of LeBrun’s report, both sides want to, and almost certainly will, work something out. Even if it goes totally south and the Canes and Hamilton decide to part ways, it’s not happening during the season. It’s just not.

Anything else that seems even remotely juicy

Sorry, but it just isn’t going to happen this year. I especially can’t imagine any NHL regular forwards getting moved. The Canes don’t want to mess with the chemistry and familiarity that has made a season full of so much uncertainty a bit easier.

The ‘what’s left in the cupboard’ tier

If anything, this might be the year for the anticlimactic, random “draft pick for depth player/prospect or vice versa” trade.

The Hurricanes don’t have much to give in the draft pick department, unless someone is in the market for a 2021 fifth-rounder, one of two 2021 seventh-rounders or a 2022 seventh-rounder.

Any of these picks could be packaged as part of something bigger, but if the Canes are involved in a transaction like this, they’ll probably be the ones getting some picks for a depth player. I could rattle off a list of players in this situation, but it essentially would just involve going to the “non-roster forwards” section of Cap Friendly, closing my eyes and picking whomever I land on.

The ‘We’re winning a cup TODAY, period’ tier

Morgan Geekie

Prospect whisperer Corey Pronman listed Geekie as one of 13 “prospects who could be moved,” so that was an automatic eyebrow raise. 1204950 Chicago Blackhawks Anthony Cirelli put the Lighting on the board first with a short-side wrister, assisted by Point and Ondrej Palat.

The Lightning hogged the puck for the early half of the first period and Alex DeBrincat scores twice, Malcolm Subban makes 39 saves and the gave the Hawks fits getting out of their defensive zone or through the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 on Philipp neutral zone, much like the Hawks did to the Lightning during the first two Kurashev’s shootout goal periods of Thursday’s game, which the Lightning won 3-2 in overtime on Alex Killorn’s buzzer-beating deflection goal.

Killorn and Victor Hedman bedeviled the Hawks again on the Lightning’s By PHIL THOMPSON first power-play opportunity — in almost identical fashion.

MAR 05, 2021 AT 11:15 PM With Killorn screening, Hedman fired from the high slot, and the puck ricocheted off Killorn’s body. This time their victim was Subban instead of

Kevin Lankinen. Retiring defenseman Brent Seabrook received a tribute Friday night, but DeBrincat gave the Hawks a spark. Alex DeBrincat stole the show, rallying the Chicago Blackhawks from a two-goal deficit against the Tampa Bay Lighting, and Philipp Kurashev As Carl Soderberg screened McElhinney, DeBrincat tucked a top-shelf sealed a 4-3 win with a shootout goal. shot through a narrow opening to McElhinney’s stick side. Adam Boqvist and Kane were credited on the assist. The Hawks and Lighting went to overtime for a second night in a row at the United Center, and the hosts’ prospects didn’t look good after At 7:18 of the second, Kane served up another helper, which DeBrincat committing a penalty in overtime. blasted under McElhinney’s wing, again on his stick side.

Duncan Keith was called for slashing with 1:56 left in OT, giving the In the third period, Ryan McDonagh knocked in a rebound back door off Lightning a four-on-three power play, but the Hawks sent out a big lineup Killorn’s shot. Nearly three minutes later, Dominik Kubalik returned the of David Kampf, Connor Murphy and Nikita Zadorov and killed it off. favor off Keith’s rebound for his ninth goal of the season.

Malcolm Subban made a nice blocker save against Victor Hedman and Chicago Tribune LOADED: 03.06.2021 made a leg save to thwart Brayden Point’s shot.

Kurashev went top-shelf against Curtis McElhinney for the only goal in the shootout, and Subban stopped Steven Stamkos to secure the win.

Subban pumped his arms and let out a shout as teammates congratulated him. He had 39 saves to McElhinney’s 24.

The Hawks improved to 13-7-5 (31 points) and stand in fourth place in the Central Division, having earned three points in back-to-back games against the defending Stanley Cup champions. The teams complete the three-game series at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the United Center.

Subban said the shootout win felt good but credited the defense in front of him.

“We blocked a lot of shots,” he said. “As goaltender, you don’t want to face (Steven) Stamkos taking one-T’s (one-timers) all night.”

To rally against an elite team like the Lightning — despite being outshot 42-27 and held in their own zone for stretches at a time — has to serve as a confidence builder for a rebuilding team, right?

“It should. I mean, we weren’t good,” coach said. “We didn’t play very well but we found a way. That’s a big confidence-booster — that we didn’t have our best game yet we found a way to come back and get two points against (at team that was) pretty good.

“That’s not the formula. We’ve got to be way better on Sunday, but that’s what great teams do — you find a way to get points when you’re not your best.”

DeBrincat scored his 100th career goal during a first-period power play, then led off scoring in the second with a one-timer off Patrick Kane’s assist. DeBrincat has at least one goal in four straight games and a point in eight straight.

The second-period goal was the 101st of DeBrincat’s career and 14th of the season. He also has 100 career assists and 14 this season.

Seabrook, 35, a Hawks veteran of 15 seasons, announced his retirement Friday morning, citing a severe hip injury that prevented him from returning to the ice despite surgery and more than a year of rehabilitation. He helped the Hawks win three Stanley Cups in 2010, ‘13 and ‘15.

The United Center video boards showed a montage of Seabrook’s career highlights — starting as a boyish young prospect — before the tribute shifted to players from both benches to tapping their sticks on the ice in approval as referees and a smattering of special guests clapped.

Seabrook addressed the Hawks in the locker room before the game.

“Brent ... had a nice little speech for us,” DeBrincat said. “Good (for) him. Probably (an) emotional day for him and a lot of guys in the room.” 1204951 Chicago Blackhawks “It was hard to skate and keep up,” Seabrook said. “Skating for three weeks prior and it was a battle. It just never really gave me anything. It never got better.

Brent Seabrook, who won 3 Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks, “I’d wake up in the morning, I’d feel pretty good. I’d skate for five minutes says his playing career is over after 15 seasons because of injuries: ‘I and it would lock up and I couldn’t push or pivot or turn. don’t know if it was a decision I made or my body made for me.’ While talking to Terry, “I think it confirmed what he already knew about a month ago. In true fashion, I said, ‘OK, well I’m going to see how I feel in the morning and maybe I’ll skate.’ But I woke up the next morning and By PHIL THOMPSON couldn’t really move very well.

MAR 05, 2021 AT 7:54 PM “That was sort of the decision I made. With the help of Dr. Terry, I don’t know if it was a decision I made or my body made for me.”

Seabrook thought back to the Monday before Christmas, when he After 15 seasons and a drawn-out battle with injuries and surgeries, “Mr. couldn’t walk and had “no idea why. And it’s been like that ever since.” Overtime” just couldn’t extend his hockey career for an extra chapter. “It was a weird thing,” he said of the lead-up to the season this winter. Brent Seabrook, a three-time Stanley Cup champion defenseman for the “(That) Friday (before), I finished skating, working out. I felt great. We Chicago Blackhawks, announced his retirement Friday, shortly after the scrimmaged at the end. I thought I was doing really good, skating with Hawks placed him on long-term injured reserve with a hip injury. some NHL guys back in Kelowna (). I was able to keep “I’m incredibly proud of my career,” said Seabrook, 35. “I got to play with up, I was really excited to come into training camp and have a hard camp a tremendous group of players for the best organization in sports. When I and play and help this team. first got here, we weren’t the Blackhawks you see now or through the “Whatever happened on Monday — I didn’t do anything on the weekend early part of the decade. It was fun to be a part of that group that brought that would suggest that I hurt anything. We went up Saturday and went this franchise back up to the top. up into the mountains with the kids — a bunch of the dads from my son’s “I wouldn’t change anything for anything. I gave it all I had.” hockey team — and shoveled off a pond and the kids skated. We did some ice fishing, made a fire and had a beer and I woke up the next day Seabrook was part of title teams in 2010, ’13 and ’15, and he’s most and I couldn’t walk. celebrated for his overtime goals in Game 7 of the 2013 Western Conference semifinals against the Detroit Red Wings, as well as the “That’s sort of been the challenge I’ve had.” overtime winner in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Seabrook asked Terry about that episode but, “He really didn’t give me Bruins, when the Hawks were down 3-1 in the championship series. an answer that I wanted. I didn’t really understand it. I think he probably He also helped win a 2010 Olympic gold medal for Canada, along with knew all along that there’s no cartilage in my hip, lots of arthritis in there. Hawks teammates Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. He knew that when he went in.”

“As a player you want to play forever,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “If “I actually had an X-ray yesterday on it. The one side has zero cartilage you’re a competitor, you never want to let that go. At some point, and the other (side) actually looks not too bad. It was throwing darts at a everyone goes through it, where they just can’t do it anymore. dart board trying figure out what’s going to get me back skating and playing.” “But from Seabs’ perspective, no one can say that he didn’t do everything he could to come back. He definitely still had the fire and the hunger to Team medical staff tried cortisone injections and other treatments but to get back and compete and help us win. I don’t think he left anything on no avail. He hasn’t been able to play this season. the table there. “I told me body to screw off for 15 year and it finally turned around said, “As well, I’m not sure he has anything left to prove either. He’s won ‘Well, I’m not going to do it anymore,’ ” Seabrook said. “That’s the way everything there is to win as a team.” I’ve been saying it with some different words involved but can’t say that on TV.” For more than a year, Seabrook attempted to rehab from lingering hip problems to get back on the ice, but the pain and long-term damage were Seabrook said he eventually might need a hip replacement. too much overcome. He said he has an active family — including children Carter, Kenzie and “This is definitely sad,” Seabrook told reporters during a conference call Dylan — that goes skiing and snowboarding, and he wants to be able to Friday. “It’s weird because I’ve been doing this for a year, the same thing: participate. Just come into the rink, you’re working out or whatever, being around the “This last year’s been tough,” Seabrook said. “I remember telling my wife guys a little bit, watching them on TV when they’re on the road. (Dayna), ‘I’m not scared of the work that has to go into what I had to do “I don’t know if it’s really hit me yet until I head home. There’s a ton of after surgery, I’m not scared of the pain or dealing with that kind of stuff. emotions. I was driving to the rink yesterday ... and I stopped at a stop It’s part of it and I’m motivated and excited.’ And I did that. I think I sign — a stop sign I’ve stopped at a million times on the way to the rink could’ve made this decision (to retire) a month ago and for me for the — and I thought it was a stoplight. I was there for about five minutes, and rest of my life, it was really important for me to push it and really give it it was right outside the United Center. everything I had to try and come back.

“Just weird things like that. I’ve had a lot of emotions.” “Unfortunately, Saturday, the writing was on the wall. I was proud of the last three to four weeks that I was going through and proud of the year I Seabrook underwent surgeries on his hips and right shoulder, team took to rehab and proud of my whole career. I’ve got a lot of great physician Dr. Michael Terry said, but added a “long-term issue” with the teammates that are going to be lifelong friends.” defenseman’s right hip prevents a return to hockey. For many years, Seabrook was paired with Duncan Keith, and they were “Over a three-month period from December 2019 to February 2020, close friends off the ice too. Seabrook broke the news to Keith and other Brent underwent successful surgeries on both of his hips and his right longtime teammates, such as Patrick Kane and Toews, who has been shoulder,” Terry said. “He has worked extremely hard to recover from out this season with an undisclosed illness. those surgeries but has a long-term issue with his right hip that is preventing him from playing professional hockey. We have tried all “I made the decision on Saturday, and Sunday morning we had a back- available conservative treatments, and nothing has worked well enough to-back, so I didn’t want to bug them with that,” Seabrook said. “I think I for him to live life as an athlete. We support his decision to prioritize his told Duncs Sunday night after the (Detroit Red Wings) game, and he’s long-term physical health.” been attached to me like he’s wearing a leash since then, so it’s been pretty great to have him. Seabrook said he discussed his status with Terry last Saturday night after practicing with the taxi squad in the morning. “He’s been around a little bit, been sharing lots of stories. Obviously talking with Kaner was emotional as well. I reached out to Johnny, talked to him. Yeah, so it was one of those things, I definitely liked to let them know.”

Seabrook said he thought might have been able to preserve his career had he had his surgeries sooner but didn’t want to take off six months or longer to recuperate, particularly during an era when the Hawks were usually contenders.

“In hindsight, maybe things would’ve worked out better, but I got no regrets,” he said.

Seabrook scored 103 goals and had 361 assists in 1,114 games, the third most in team history, and team President and general manager remembers their first meeting at the combine in Toronto before the Hawks made the product of Richmond and Tsawwassen, British Columbia, the 14th pick in the 2003 NHL draft.

“I was just getting started with my career, I think it was only the second combine I went to,” Bowman said. “Brent came in, went through the process, he asked a lot of questions, and when we left, we always do a little debrief on what we thought, and he had that quality of being a leader.

“It stuck out in my memory compared to the other interviews. It was the first time I met him. Now here we are, 18 years later, talking about his career and remembering so many fantastic moments he was part of.”

Seabrook’s placement on long-term injured reserve frees up salary cap space and add flexibility for future seasons — his $6.8 million annual cap hit through 2023-24 had become burdensome — but Bowman declined to go into details, preferring to take the moment to honor a “fearless player.”

“Big, strong guy, not afraid to play physical and stand up for himself or for his teammates if they were being taken advantage of,” Bowman said. “Ultimate competitor, that’s what I think of with him.

Bowman added that Seabrook’s passing was underrated, particularly for those Cup teams that featured star forwards such as Toews, Kane, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp.

“We had some really high-powered forwards, but the key to those teams — I’ve said for a long time — was how good our defensemen were, in particular Keith and Seabrook,” Bowman said.

Colliton and Seabrook once shared an agent, played against each other in the Western Hockey League and played summer hockey as preteens.

“I’ve known Seabs since we were 10,” Colliton said. “Probably the biggest thing is he really cares. Of course he cares about the team but he cares about people individually. Not afraid to go the extra mile to try to make people feel good. He’s a really smart player, intelligent, got the most out of what he had, tremendous passer.

“That’s probably the thing, even going back to playing junior -- passed the puck hard, passed it flat. As a forward you love receiving those pucks.”

Seabrook expressed appreciation for Hawks fans — “I had a blast putting on that Blackhawks jersey every night and competing for you guys” — and thanked them for pushing his teams to be great, but he wasn’t sure how he wanted be remembered.

“It’s not really up to me,” he said. “I played, I gave everything I had, tried to do it the right way and I wanted to be the best I could. That’s a decision for people to make up on their own. ...

“But for me it was never about what people thought about me or anything like that. I was trying to win hockey games and trying to be the best teammate I could and just be there.”

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204952 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks beat Lightning in shootout, channelling Brent Seabrook’s inspiration

By Ben Pope Mar 5, 2021, 9:55pm CST

The Blackhawks responded after a devastating defeat Thursday, rallying from two deficits in regulation and surviving a haywire overtime to beat the Lightning 4-3 in a shootout Friday night at the United Center.

Even on his first day of retirement, Brent Seabrook’s prints were all over the performance.

The longtime defenseman watched from his own suite above the ice. After a sluggish start by the Hawks, a Seabrook tribute video during the first TV break — and the ensuing standing ovation from both benches — seemed to jump-start the hosts.

After the emotional win, Seabrook was in the Hawks’ locker room addressing the team. Winger Patrick Kane also addressed Seabrook in front of the team.

“This win was for him,” defenseman Adam Boqvist said.

Added coach Jeremy Colliton: “It definitely meant something to the guys. It’s good for our group to feel [Seabrook’s] support. He wants us to win. He’s not going to be here every day, but he is still part of the group. And that’s worth something.”

A sequence of huge saves by Malcolm Subban in overtime and an upper-shelf snipe by center Philipp Kurashev in the third round of the shootout gave the Hawks their first victory this season over the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Two goals from winger Alex DeBrincat — moving him into a tie for second in the NHL with 14 this season — and a rebound strike from winger Dominik Kubalik in the third period helped the Hawks overcome deficits of 2-0 and 3-2, respectively.

The Lightning nonetheless controlled most of the game and had sizable advantages in shots on goal (40-27) and scoring chances (49-29). Defenseman Calvin de Haan’s departure with an injury also hurt. Colliton said he didn’t think it would be a long-term issue, but it could jeopardize his availability for Sunday’s series finale.

The Hawks owed the win to a few timely plays, Subban’s late heroics and a crucial penalty kill to survive OT.

“We weren’t good,” Colliton said. “We didn’t play very well. But we found a way. And that’s a big confidence-booster.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204953 Chicago Blackhawks two months, he finally approached Hawks doctors about a multitude of physical ailments, which came as a shock to team management.

“He never mentioned anything, and then when he finally did mention it, Brent Seabrook retires after 15 seasons with Blackhawks: ‘It was a hell of we realized how serious it was and how he’d been playing with this for a a run’ long time,” general manager Stan Bowman said. “That goes to his personality. He didn’t want to make a big deal out of things. You’d see him block shots, and he could barely walk. We’d say, ‘You have to get that X-rayed. And he said, ‘I’m fine.’ That’s how he was wired.” By Ben Pope Updated Mar 5, 2021, 3:15pm CST Seabrook’s bad contract and declining play — partially because of those

undisclosed injuries — made him a frequent scapegoat in recent years. The weekend before Christmas, Brent Seabrook celebrated the But during his prime, he and Keith stood equally as the Hawks’ defensive upcoming holiday with a classic Canadian winter retreat. cornerstones. From 2007-08 through 2015-16, he missed only 13 of 786 games and played an average of almost 23 minutes per night, cementing At that moment, life was good. The 35-year-old defenseman felt largely himself as one of the NHL’s most reliable defensive defensemen. His recovered from his trifecta of hip and shoulder surgeries 11 months offensive contributions were never as heralded, but he averaged a quietly earlier. He was excited to rejoin the Blackhawks for January training impressive 35 points per season during that span. camp, continue his NHL career after more than a year off and disprove the endless criticism over his albatross contract. And in the locker room, Seabrook’s unflappable demeanor and uncanny ability to always say the right thing at the right time — be it to a certain “We [got] up Saturday and went up into the mountains with the kids,” teammate or the whole team — was a driving force behind the Hawks’ Seabrook said. “A bunch of the dads from my son’s hockey team three championships. His No. 7 sweater stands a good chance of one shoveled off a pond, and the kids skated. We did some ice fishing, made day rising to the United Center rafters. a fire and had a beer.” Asked Friday how he hopes to be remembered in Chicago, Seabrook — Then, the morning of Dec. 21, life struck back, dealing a fatal blow to his physical weathering having finally overcome his warrior mindset — Seabrook’s determination to keep his 15-year Hawks career alive. characteristically demanded nothing.

“I woke up, and I couldn’t walk,” he said. “I had no idea why. And it’s “I played, I gave everything I had, I tried to do it the right way, and I been like that ever since.” wanted to be the best I could,” he said. “That’s a decision for people to make up on their own.” Morrissey: No, we don’t have a right to know what’s wrong with Jonathan Toews. But ... Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 03.06.2021 After trying and failing over the last few months to regain any momentum toward an eventual return, Seabrook announced his retirement Friday.

In the official NHL lexicon, he’s not explicitly retiring. Instead, “it will not be possible for [him] to continue playing hockey.” He’ll spend the remaining 3½ years of his contract on long-term injured reserve, receiving all of his guaranteed salary while providing the Hawks some salary-cap relief — although that relief is complicated and Seabrook’s $6.875 million cap hit through 2024 will remain an obstacle.

But Seabrook made it clear that after 1,237 regular-season and postseason games, three Stanley Cups and three of the biggest overtime goals in Hawks history — Game 7 against the Red Wings in 2013, Game 4 against the Bruins in 2013 and Game 4 against the Predators in 2015 — this is definitely the end.

“It was a hell of a run,” Seabrook said. “I’ll never forget these last 15, 16 years.”

This 16th year might not be remembered quite as fondly. Seabrook said he considered retiring a month ago but realized he’d regret it later if he didn’t make one last push.

He skated on his own for several weeks, then tried practicing with the Hawks’ taxi squad last weekend. But he found it difficult to keep up, given he couldn’t push, pivot or turn on his right hip.

That prompted a talk with Dr. Michael Terry, the Hawks’ team physician, where it became clear his options were exhausted.

Seabrook first spoke privately and individually with longtime teammates Duncan Keith, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews about his decision, then addressed the whole team this week before going public.

Terry said in a statement Friday that he and Seabrook “tried all available conservative treatments, and nothing has worked well enough for him to live life as an athlete.” Seabrook described the process as like “throwing darts at a dartboard.”

An X-ray revealed Thursday that Seabrook has no cartilage remaining in his right hip. A hip replacement might be needed eventually, he thinks, in order to achieve his newly set goal of being able to ski regularly with his wife and three kids.

“I told my body to screw off for 15 years, and it finally turned around and said, ‘Well, I’m not going to do it anymore,’ ” he said.

Seabrook’s final NHL game turned out to be Dec. 15, 2019 — a 5-3 win over the Wild at home. On Dec. 18, healthy-scratched for the third time in 1204954 Chicago Blackhawks A serious health issue seems out of bounds, a line not to be crossed. But a portion of the fan base will say: “Yes, I understand all that. But I’ve paid good money to watch him play year after year, money that has gone into his pocket. Would it hurt to get an update?” No, we don’t have a right to know what’s wrong with Jonathan Toews. But ... When I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006, I thought it was important for me, as a journalist, to let readers know. I had spent a professional career trying to get information from others, sometimes trying to get information that others didn’t want me to have. How could I By Rick Morrissey Mar 5, 2021, 3:10pm CST now play the privacy card? It didn’t seem right. I couldn’t be conspicuously absent from the newspaper for weeks without explanation while I went through chemotherapy and radiation. So I released the Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews hasn’t played a game this season information for public consumption. because of an undisclosed medical issue. Should I apply the same right-to-know expectations to Toews? No. For Do we have a right to know what’s wrong with Jonathan Toews? starters, I’m about 1/1,000,000th of the public figure that Toews is. And we come from different life experiences. It doesn’t help that this is the The short answer is, no, we don’t. We don’t have a right to know why the NHL, which is notoriously close-mouthed about injuries. What you call Blackhawks captain, a three-time Stanley Cup winner and a sure-thing the common cold, the league often calls an upper-body injury. Why the Hall of Famer, hasn’t played a game this season. In a December intrigue? Because who knows what could happen if that information gets statement released by the Hawks, he said he had been “experiencing in the hands of the wrong people! The suspicion about sharing injury symptoms that have left me feeling drained and lethargic.’’ news might be informing Toews’ decision to stay silent now. He said he was working with doctors to better understand his condition. I know some people will react harshly to the very idea of this column. Since then, silence. They’ll rush to protect Toews. It’s what people do with celebrities. Social So that’s it, right? Nothing to see here? End of discussion? media is full of fans who are outraged if Kim Kardashian is outraged and in tears if Nicki Minaj is in tears. Many are hoping that the celebrity will Well, no. Not even close. acknowledge them in some way. With a retweet? Or, be still my heart, a It has been more than two months without news on the Toews front, and DM? lots of people are worried. They’re worried not as Hawks fans, but as It might be in Toews’ best interest to give an update. Or not. But one fans of Jonathan Toews, the person. They want to know how worried thing is certain: It’s silly to expect that because he’s out of sight, he’s out they should be and where to direct their worry. of mind. The longer this goes on, the more demand there will be for And, because of the hush from Toews, the rumors are all over the place information. about the mystery ailment, adding to the sense of concern and Just understand why: He’s beloved in Chicago. That’s it. That’s what this foreboding. is about.

Fans want to know what’s wrong, not because they’re intrusive by nature, Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 03.06.2021 but because he’s Toews. Because they’ve spent 13 seasons with him. Because they love what he stands for. Because he’s one of them.

So they want to know. A lot.

On Feb. 9, the Sun-Times ran a story addressing Toews’ situation, with Hawks general manager Stan Bowman saying that the team had no update on the captain’s condition. The most remarkable thing about the story is that, since it ran, it has remained one of the Sun-Times’ most- read stories on a daily basis. Remember, it was a story with no update. It means that people who have been Googling to see how Toews is doing have found our story. It means that people want to know.

However Toews wants to handle this is the right way. But it doesn’t mean that everyone is going to stop wondering about him, nor does it mean you’re an awful person for wanting to know what’s wrong with him.

I don’t think I’m off-base when I say that wanting to know means that most of you are caring human beings.

Toews’ desire to guard his privacy is human, too. It’s also possible he still doesn’t have a diagnosis — or, if he does, that he hasn’t gotten his head around it yet. Maybe he needs time to process things.

We’re weighing all of these elements amid a swirl of rumors that is starting to look like a funnel cloud.

Is he OK? Is he going to play again? What’s wrong?

The right answer to this, going back to our first question, is that nobody has a right to know what’s wrong with Toews except Toews. But there is some nuance.

It’s true that, over the course of his career, he has kept to himself more than most athletes in his lofty situation. He hasn’t asked Chicagoans to be part of his life. He hasn’t had a million endorsement deals off the ice. He’s not Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods, both of whom knocked on our doors with products to sell and then demanded privacy when we asked about their lives.

But being a star athlete means giving up some of your private space. Standing on the ice in front of 20,000 spectators means you’re putting yourself out there. There’s a price to be paid when you’re famous. One of those prices is that it’s impossible to expect fans to forget about you when it suits you. 1204955 Chicago Blackhawks two months, he finally approached Hawks doctors about a multitude of physical ailments, which came as a shock to team management.

“He never mentioned anything, and then when he finally did mention it, Brent Seabrook retires after 15 seasons with Blackhawks: ‘It was a hell of we realized how serious it was and how he’d been playing with this for a a run’ long time,” general manager Stan Bowman said. “That goes to his personality. He didn’t want to make a big deal out of things. You’d see him block shots, and he could barely walk. We’d say, ‘You have to get that X-rayed. And he said, ‘I’m fine.’ That’s how he was wired.” By Ben Pope Updated Mar 5, 2021, 3:15pm CST Seabrook’s bad contract and declining play — partially because of those

undisclosed injuries — made him a frequent scapegoat in recent years. The weekend before Christmas, Brent Seabrook celebrated the But during his prime, he and Keith stood equally as the Hawks’ defensive upcoming holiday with a classic Canadian winter retreat. cornerstones. From 2007-08 through 2015-16, he missed only 13 of 786 games and played an average of almost 23 minutes per night, cementing At that moment, life was good. The 35-year-old defenseman felt largely himself as one of the NHL’s most reliable defensive defensemen. His recovered from his trifecta of hip and shoulder surgeries 11 months offensive contributions were never as heralded, but he averaged a quietly earlier. He was excited to rejoin the Blackhawks for January training impressive 35 points per season during that span. camp, continue his NHL career after more than a year off and disprove the endless criticism over his albatross contract. And in the locker room, Seabrook’s unflappable demeanor and uncanny ability to always say the right thing at the right time — be it to a certain “We [got] up Saturday and went up into the mountains with the kids,” teammate or the whole team — was a driving force behind the Hawks’ Seabrook said. “A bunch of the dads from my son’s hockey team three championships. His No. 7 sweater stands a good chance of one shoveled off a pond, and the kids skated. We did some ice fishing, made day rising to the United Center rafters. a fire and had a beer.” Asked Friday how he hopes to be remembered in Chicago, Seabrook — Then, the morning of Dec. 21, life struck back, dealing a fatal blow to his physical weathering having finally overcome his warrior mindset — Seabrook’s determination to keep his 15-year Hawks career alive. characteristically demanded nothing.

“I woke up, and I couldn’t walk,” he said. “I had no idea why. And it’s “I played, I gave everything I had, I tried to do it the right way, and I been like that ever since.” wanted to be the best I could,” he said. “That’s a decision for people to make up on their own.” Morrissey: No, we don’t have a right to know what’s wrong with Jonathan Toews. But ... Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 03.06.2021 After trying and failing over the last few months to regain any momentum toward an eventual return, Seabrook announced his retirement Friday.

In the official NHL lexicon, he’s not explicitly retiring. Instead, “it will not be possible for [him] to continue playing hockey.” He’ll spend the remaining 3½ years of his contract on long-term injured reserve, receiving all of his guaranteed salary while providing the Hawks some salary-cap relief — although that relief is complicated and Seabrook’s $6.875 million cap hit through 2024 will remain an obstacle.

But Seabrook made it clear that after 1,237 regular-season and postseason games, three Stanley Cups and three of the biggest overtime goals in Hawks history — Game 7 against the Red Wings in 2013, Game 4 against the Bruins in 2013 and Game 4 against the Predators in 2015 — this is definitely the end.

“It was a hell of a run,” Seabrook said. “I’ll never forget these last 15, 16 years.”

This 16th year might not be remembered quite as fondly. Seabrook said he considered retiring a month ago but realized he’d regret it later if he didn’t make one last push.

He skated on his own for several weeks, then tried practicing with the Hawks’ taxi squad last weekend. But he found it difficult to keep up, given he couldn’t push, pivot or turn on his right hip.

That prompted a talk with Dr. Michael Terry, the Hawks’ team physician, where it became clear his options were exhausted.

Seabrook first spoke privately and individually with longtime teammates Duncan Keith, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews about his decision, then addressed the whole team this week before going public.

Terry said in a statement Friday that he and Seabrook “tried all available conservative treatments, and nothing has worked well enough for him to live life as an athlete.” Seabrook described the process as like “throwing darts at a dartboard.”

An X-ray revealed Thursday that Seabrook has no cartilage remaining in his right hip. A hip replacement might be needed eventually, he thinks, in order to achieve his newly set goal of being able to ski regularly with his wife and three kids.

“I told my body to screw off for 15 years, and it finally turned around and said, ‘Well, I’m not going to do it anymore,’ ” he said.

Seabrook’s final NHL game turned out to be Dec. 15, 2019 — a 5-3 win over the Wild at home. On Dec. 18, healthy-scratched for the third time in 1204956 Chicago Blackhawks trips instead of the usual 20 to 23, further gutting their AHL depth during those stretches.

As a result, the IceHogs have struggled mightily. On Wednesday, an Blackhawks moving toward purchasing Rockford IceHogs while embarrassing 9-4 loss to Grand Rapids, the Red Wings’ affiliate, dropped increasing focus on AHL development their record to 1-7-1.

“Being competitive is part of development,” Colliton said Thursday. “But at the same time, it is a special circumstance this year. More than By Ben Pope Mar 5, 2021, 6:30am CST anything, we just want to know [their players are] improving and doing everything they can to hopefully be contributors for us down the road.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 03.06.2021 The Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, likely will be sold by the City of Rockford to the Hawks in 2021.

The Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority (RAVE), which oversees the IceHogs, filed a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Wednesday to accept bids on the team.

The RFP is the first step in a process that most believe will result in the Hawks purchasing their own affiliate, following a trend set by many franchises in recent years. At least 19 NHL organizations already own their AHL affiliates.

“At the direction of our ownership, we are exploring many ways in which the Chicago Blackhawks can work more closely with the city of Rockford and the American Hockey League to enhance our standing in the sport while increasing that economic benefit to the city and state,” the Hawks said in a statement. “Obviously, we are looking closely at the city’s overture as a means to accomplish those goals.”

The IceHogs have been the Hawks’ AHL partner since moving to Rockford in 2007, but the current affiliation agreement is set to expire at the end of the 2021-22 season.

The purchase of the team would cement the affiliation and the IceHogs’ future in Rockford, while giving the Hawks full control over business decisions and some financial hurdles.

The IceHogs’ arena, the 6,200-seat BMO Harris Bank Center, needs modernization after turning 40 this year. IceHogs ticket sales also have lagged, dropping attendance to 3,759 last season (sixth-lowest in the AHL).

If the purchase goes through, the Hawks would relieve RAVE of its $400,000 annual affiliation payments and plan to spend $20 million on BMO Harris Bank Center upgrades, WTVO Rockford’s Scott Leber reported this week.

The Hawks’ front-office changes last summer stimulated increased dialogue between the team and the IceHogs about “strengthening our partnership,” ultimately leading to this new direction, RAVE chairman Craig Thomas said in a statement.

“Based on those discussions, we believe it may be in the best interest of the team, and equally important the City of Rockford, to consider expanding our relationship to include a deeper investment by the Blackhawks in Rockford,” Thomas added. “The RFP is an important first step in evaluating the positive impact of an expanded Blackhawks presence in the community.”

The Hawks’ off-ice move toward purchasing the IceHogs comes as the on-ice affiliation also takes on a different dynamic in 2021.

On one hand, Hawks general manager Stan Bowman’s increased focus on building through youth at the NHL level has made prospect development at the AHL level even more important.

Most of the rookies exceeding expectations on the Hawks this season — Kevin Lankinen, Brandon Hagel, Philipp Kurashev, Nicolas Beaudin and others — all gained key experience in Rockford last season. Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton also traces his roots in the organization to coaching the IceHogs in 2017-18.

The Hawks have stacked the IceHogs’ roster full of more highly touted prospects this season, including Evan Barratt and Wyatt Kalynuk, the No. 5- and No. 6-ranked prospects, respectively, and recently sent down Beaudin, Collin Delia and Lucas Carlsson for tune-ups.

But young rosters are often death curses (standings-wise) in the AHL.

Additionally, the NHL’s new taxi squads and COVID-related travel restrictions mean the Hawks now bring 28 or 29 players on their road 1204957 Chicago Blackhawks Shaw has one year remaining on a contract that carries a $3.9 million cap hit. Smith's contract ends after this season.

Cap issues: The Hawks now have six players on LTIR: Jonathan Toews Chicago Blackhawks win wild one in shootout over Lightning ($10.5 million cap hit), Brent Seabrook ($6.875 million), Andrew Shaw ($3.9 million), Zack Smith ($3.25 million), Kirby Dach ($925,000) and Alex Nylander ($863,333).

John Dietz In the short term, this isn't much of a concern as the rebuilding Hawks are exceeding expectations with a roster full of cheap veterans and up- Updated3/5/2021 10:51 PM and-comers.

Down the road, though, it could get dicey with the salary cap staying It wasn't exactly as big as "Win one for the Gipper." relatively flat.

But the Blackhawks certainly wanted to prevail over Tampa Bay at the "We've been through this before," said GM Stan Bowman, referring to United Center on Friday for Brent Seabrook, who announced his playing Marian Hossa's skin condition that forced him to stop playing after the days were over earlier in the day. 2016-17 season. "I understand the curiosity about that. It'll evolve over time how we handle the situation in the coming years." And they did just that, erasing a 2-0 deficit and defeating the Lightning 4- 3 in a shootout when Philipp Kurashev converted in the third round. Much like the Hawks did when they sent Hossa's contract to Arizona, they could trade Seabrook -- as long as he waives his no-movement Malcolm Subban stopped all 3 attempts from Tampa Bay and was clause. They cannot, however, buy him out now that he's on LTIR. spectacular in regulation and OT by turning away 37 shots. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 03.06.2021 Alex DeBrincat scored twice, upping his season total to 14 and his career number to 101. Both goals came on assists from Patrick Kane. Dominik Kubalik also scored, tying the game at 3-3 with 14 minutes remaining.

The night included a first-period tribute video to Seabrook, who was sitting in a luxury box behind the Hawks' bench. When it ended both teams gave the 35-year-old defensemen a round of hearty stick taps.

Both Kane and Duncan Keith acknowledged their teammate and friend with ear-to-ear smiles.

"It definitely meant something to the guys (and) for Seabs," coach Jeremy Colliton said. "Kaner had some great words after the game for Seabs. And Seabs was great, too. They've won together and there's a deep connection.

"They both care deeply about the Blackhawks."

Said DeBrincat: "It's good to hear from him. Probably a very emotional day for him and a lot of the guys in the room. It was good that we got the win. He can be proud of us and we've just got to keep going."

The Hawks improved to 13-7-5, while Tampa Bay moved to 16-4-2. The teams meet again Sunday.

The Hawks weren't nearly as sharp as they were in a 3-2 OT loss Thursday, allowing Tampa Bay to score on 2 of its first 8 shots. They steadied themselves long enough to tie things up on DeBrincat's goals at 12:57 of the first and 7:18 of the second.

But the real hero were Subban, who somehow kept the Lightning from scoring 6, 7 or even 8 goals.

"Subby was fantastic for us all night," Colliton said. "We didn't really play that well, but we're happy we found a way. And that's what good teams do. That's what they did the night before. ... We stayed with it, found a way to survive. So we end up with 2 (points).

Subban was helped by plenty of selfless teammates, including Connor Murphy, Carl Soderberg, Nikita Zadorov, Calvin de Haan, Pius Suter and Boqvist. Those six combined to block 19 shots.

De Haan was injured blocking a shot in the second period and hobbled to the dressing room. Colliton doesn't believe it will be a long-term injury, although the veteran may miss the rematch with Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Shaw, Smith updates:

In addition to placing Brent Seabrook on long-term injured reserve and announcing his playing days are over, the Blackhawks on Friday placed forwards Andrew Shaw and Zack Smith on LTIR.

Shaw is out with a concussion, while Smith is out with a back injury.

Asked if Shaw's career might be over, general manager and president of hockey operations Stan Bowman said: "Obviously Andrew's had some concussions here. First and foremost, I'm just concerned about him to make sure he gets himself in a better place. When he feels better, we'll have a better feeling if he's going to be returning to play or not.

"That'll come from him and the doctors more so than from me." 1204958 Chicago Blackhawks He did the things that must be done in order to win, so that the superstars can get their points and their headlines, things he never cared about.

Retiring Seabrook owns big place in Blackhawks' history Among that group of seven -- Toews, Kane, Keith, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa and Niklas Hjalmarsson -- Seabrook was easily the least celebrated.

Barry Rozner Seabrook didn't even understand why reporters wanted to talk to him after games. A guy who doesn't want the camera lights is exactly the guy Updated3/5/2021 10:31 AM you want sitting next to you on the bench, and lining up next to you on a faceoff.

One by one they depart, the remnants of a dynasty disappearing before His presence was immense and irreplaceable on those three Cup your eyes. winners. At his best, he was big, mean, could clear a zone and join the rush. With a heavy shot that made defense and cringe, he And if you think it's tough for you, imagine how difficult it is for the did whatever was necessary to win a game or a shift. championship-era players remaining to know that Brent Seabrook will never skate for the Blackhawks again. Simply put, he is one of the greatest defensemen ever to wear a Blackhawks sweater. From the 2015 Stanley Cup roster, only Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Andrew Shaw are still in town. Toews has not been And he will be missed. heard from in months and Shaw's status is also uncertain. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 03.06.2021 Seabrook, who turns 36 next month, did all he could to return from numerous surgeries, after playing more than a decade with one of those injuries. It goes without saying that they don't come much tougher than Brent Seabrook.

He arrived here at age 20 in 2005 and logged a staggering 1,114 games, third all-time for an franchise. Seabrook skated in another 123 playoff games with 59 postseason points and 3 overtime winners, all enormous, all of them series-changing -- or clinching -- goals.

That's a lot of miles and a lot of minutes, important minutes, eaten up many of those years with Keith at his side, but also doing the heavy lifting that few others on the team could handle.

On a skilled and soft team with players that didn't like getting hit, Seabrook would stand up to anyone, dishing out hits, protecting the net and looking out for his teammates.

Perhaps the biggest of such moments earned him a suspension during the 2014 postseason against the Blues, when St. Louis spent the first two games bashing the Hawks' brains against the boards, many of the hits dirty and most of the illegal play unpunished by the refs.

And when the officials won't police the game, you do it yourself. That's what Seabrook did when he hammered David Backes in the corner, knocking him out of the game and, well, knocking him out.

One of the dirtiest players in the league, Backes took a hit from a team tired of his antics, a player Colorado coach Patrick Roy had called "gutless" just weeks before when Backes jumped 18-year-old rookie Nathan MacKinnon, not exactly a tough guy.

The hit on Backes turned the series around for the Hawks, who lost the first two games in overtime. After that hit they won the next four, Backes missing a pair of games and then a nonfactor when he returned.

As the Blues' top center, top defensive forward and most physical player, not to mention an offensive threat, Backes' departure changed the series.

It wasn't that Seabrook was trying to take him out, but he was trying to send a message. Take liberties with our best players and someone will answer for it.

Someone had to do it.

As good as he was on the ice -- part of the Magnificent Seven that won three Stanley Cups together -- Seabrook off the ice was just as big, carrying the loudest voice in the room, one that inspired confidence and eliminated fear.

When certain players walk into a room with big shoulders and mountains of certainty, everyone else takes a deep breath and knows it will turn out well.

Seabrook was one of those guys.

His game wasn't pretty, didn't get him on highlight reels or the cover of a magazine. He didn't skate like the wind or raise fans out of their seats. No, he did the hard jobs, the dirty work, the important work. 1204959 Chicago Blackhawks

Brent Seabrook announces his playing career is over

BY CHARLIE ROUMELIOTIS

After 15 NHL seasons, Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook announced that he is officially hanging up the skates due to injuries.

He released this statement on Friday:

"I am so proud to have played my entire 15-year National Hockey League career in Chicago with the Blackhawks. It was an honor to play the game that I love, with teammates I love, in front of fans I love, in a city that my family and I have grown to love. After several surgeries, countless hours of rehab and training to get back on the ice at the level of my expectations, it will not be possible for me to continue playing hockey. This is what is best for me and my family. The love and support of my wife, Dayna, and my kids, Carter, Kenzie and Dylan has meant everything to me. My parents, Gary and Suzanne, and my brother Keith, have been behind me every step of the way and are my foundation.

I want to thank the Blackhawks organization - including the Wirtz Family, Rocky and Danny Wirtz, Stan Bowman and Jeremy Colliton - who have been very supportive throughout this process. I’m thankful for all that the Blackhawks have done for me and my career. This organization drafted me as an 18-year-old kid out of western Canada and this team became my family away from home. In addition, I'm thankful for the Blackhawks medical and training staff for always putting me in the best position to succeed on the ice. Over the past 15 years, I've played with and for some incredible teammates and coaches. I thank each and every one of you. It was an honor to wear the Blackhawks sweater and go to battle with you night in and night out. I loved being your teammate.

Lastly, to the great fans of the Chicago Blackhawks, thank you. I sacrificed everything for this team in our quest to lift three Stanley Cups and gave it everything I had for you. I couldn't have asked for a better fan base to play for. You, more than anyone, kept me honest and always pushed me to be better - while also cheering me as your All-Star and Champion. Lifting the Stanley Cup in 2015 in front of all the fans at the United Center will be a memory I’ll never forget. You have truly made Chicago a second home. My family and I will be forever grateful for your love and support and I look forward to always having a special connection with you the fans. I will always be a Blackhawk.”

Seabrook, 35, had not appeared in a game since Dec. 15, 2019 after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder and both hips. He then sustained a back injury on Day 1 of training camp ahead of the 2020-21 season.

Seabrook finishes his career with 103 goals, 361 assists and 464 points in 1,114 games with the Blackhawks. He also racked up 20 goals, 39 assists and 59 points in 123 postseason contests and helped bring three Stanley Cups to Chicago.

Seabrook was drafted by the Blackhawks in the first round (No. 14 overall) of the 2003 NHL Draft. He has three years left on his contract after this season with a cap hit of $6.875 million and was placed on long- term injured reserve.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204960 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks injury updates on Seabrook, Shaw, Smith

BY CHARLIE ROUMELIOTIS

The Blackhawks announced Friday that Brent Seabrook (hip), Andrew Shaw (concussion) and Zack Smith (back) have been placed on long- term injured reserve.

Seabrook, 35, also released a statement saying his playing career is over because of injuries. He has not appeared in a game since Dec. 15, 2019 after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder and both hips.

"After several surgeries, countless hours of rehab and training to get back on the ice at the level of my expectations, it will not be possible for me to continue playing hockey," said Seabrook, who has three years left on his contract after this season with a cap hit of $6.875 million. "This is what is best for me and my family. ... It was an honor to play the game that I love, with teammates I love, in front of fans I love, in a city that my family and I have grown to love."

Shaw was moved from injured reserve to long-term IR, which isn't surprising given his concussion history. It's unclear whether he will return this season or ever play again.

Smith underwent back surgery on March 6, 2020 and has not played since. His contract that carries a $3.25 million cap hit expires at the end of the season.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204961 Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook says NHL career is over after 15 seasons

10:33 AM ET

Emily Kaplan

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook announced Friday that his NHL career is over after 15 seasons.

"After several surgeries, countless hours of rehab and training to get back on the ice at the level of my expectations, it will not be possible for me to continue playing hockey," Seabrook said in a statement Friday. "This is what is best for me and my family."

Seabrook, 35, has not played in an NHL game since November 2019. Over a three-month period from December 2019 to February 2020 he had surgery on his right shoulder as well as on both hips. The defenseman "tweaked" his back in a pre-training-camp session this January. Blackhawks team doctor Michael Terry said it was an issue with the right hip that prevents Seabrook from playing. Terry said the team has "tried all available conservative treatments, and nothing has worked well enough for him to live his life as an athlete."

Chicago placed Seabrook on long-term injured reserve. He was signed through the 2023-24 season, with a $6.875 million cap hit and full no- move clause.

"I told my body to screw off for 15 years," Seabrook said. "It finally turned around and said, 'I'm not going to do it anymore.'"

Seabrook, a first-round pick of the Blackhawks in 2003, finished his career having played in 1,114 games and scored 103 goals and 361 assists. Most important to Blackhawks fans, he played in 123 playoff games (20 goals, 39 assists) and helped the team to three Stanley Cups.

"Without Brent Seabrook, the Chicago Blackhawks would not have three Stanley Cups," Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said in a statement. "He concludes his career as not only one of the best defensemen in franchise history, but one [of] the greatest Chicago Blackhawks of all time. We cannot thank Brent enough for what he did for the Blackhawks organization, the city of Chicago and this fan base. He will always be a part of the Blackhawks family and we wish him well in his life after hockey."

The Blackhawks are currently undergoing a rebuild, with Bowman telling ESPN this summer that his team has a "ways to go" before it can sustainably win again. There was a commitment to play more young players this season. The Blackhawks, however, have been one of 2021's pleasant surprises. At 12-7-5, Chicago is in fourth place in the Central Division, which would qualify for the playoffs.

"I sacrificed everything for this team in our quest to lift three Stanley Cups and gave it everything I had for you," Seabrook said in a statement. "I couldn't have asked for a better fan base to play for. You, more than anyone, kept me honest and always pushed me to be better -- while also cheering me as your All-Star and Champion. Lifting the Stanley Cup in 2015 in front of all the fans at the United Center will be a memory I'll never forget. You have truly made Chicago a second home. My family and I will be forever grateful for your love and support and I look forward to always having a special connection with you the fans. I will always be a Blackhawk."

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski that Seabrook will "likely not" have to be protected in the expansion draft.

"It's also likely he can't be selected by Seattle," Daly said. "Before the draft we will review list of players and deem players who have long-term, career-ending injuries as 'exempt' for purposes of draft."

ESPNChicago.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204962 Chicago Blackhawks Pete DeBoer, Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas is the class of the West Division and made the conference finals in DeBoer's first season at the helm in 2019-20. He reportedly has two more years left on his deal after this campaign. Obviously, when Bill Foley is your boss, there are no Ranking NHL head coach job security: Whose seats are the hottest? guarantees on job security if the Golden Knights fall short of the Stanley Cup. But DeBoer should be back next season even if Vegas goes bust in

the playoffs again. Greg Wyshynski , Minnesota Wild. While going one and done in Minnesota 7:00 AM ET isn't an impossibility on the hockey operations side -- see Fenton, Paul -- Evason is in the first campaign of a two-year deal and has the Wild positioned to be a playoff team in the West Division. He also has them playing an up-tempo system that's in direct contrast with the style of The Montreal Canadiens started the 2021 season with a 7-1-2 record. hockey that has defined this franchise since its inception. We're going to Their big-ticket offseason acquisitions meshed well with a returning core need a moment to process this ourselves. of talents. It appeared that coach Claude Julien had a North Division juggernaut on his hands. Peter Laviolette, Washington Capitals. The Capitals are challenging for the East Division title in Lavy's initial campaign behind the bench in D.C. Three weeks later, Julien was handed his pink slip. And considering he's in the first year of a three-year deal that pays him In the pressure cooker of a 56-game sprint to the playoffs, the fortunes of close to $15 million, he's not going anywhere. teams shift dramatically. The Calgary Flames had won five of their last , Winnipeg Jets. Quietly, the Jets have moved into second seven games on Feb. 11. Three weeks later, head coach Geoff Ward place in the North Division behind the Maple Leafs. Maurice has his was fired from a .500 team, replaced with Darryl Sutter. faults, like some specious lineup configurations, but he also has a These are the only two head coaches fired this season thus far. One contract extension he signed last February and another season in which wonders how many others there would be if not for the COVID-19-related his Jets have punched above their weight. factors, including travel restrictions at the border and the economic Todd McLellan, Los Angeles Kings. He's in the second campaign of a catastrophe that teams are facing after a year without ticket revenue. five-year deal with the Kings worth a reported $5 million annually when Just because they haven't been dismissed doesn't mean many NHL performance bonuses are factored in. Los Angeles is just starting to turn coaches aren't squirming as their seats get hotter. Here's a temperature the corner back to relevance -- and hitting a sweet spot with a maturing check for all 31 teams, from the coaches sitting on mounds of snow to prospect pool and a still-effective veteran core. McLellan was hired to the ones who might want to consider wearing hazmat suits. This is coach through the rebuild, and will be there when they come out it. informed speculation after conversing with sources. Shoutout to the , . The Panthers are contending for a indispensable Cap Friendly for some of the contract info. playoff spot in Quenneville's second season behind the bench in Sunrise. Note: Coaches are listed in alphabetical order within each tier. But even if they weren't, it's hard to imagine Florida's ownership endorsing the removal of "Q" with three years and upward of $18 million Ice cold left on his contract.

Whether it's because of their success, their contact or their team's plan, Lindy Ruff, New Jersey Devils. He's in his first season with the Devils, these coaches can exhale. tasked with teaching a young team how to win. It's an education that'll , Dallas Stars. The man they call "Bones" signed a two- obviously extend beyond this season, so logic dictates this teacher will year contract in October 2020 after coaching Dallas to the Stanley Cup be around a bit longer, too. Final on an interim basis. The Stars have been underwhelming this Darryl Sutter, Calgary Flames. Generally, a coach who is hired and given season, with a .471 points percentage in 17 games, but GM Jim Nill a multiyear contract is not on the hot seat before the team plays a single recently gave Bowness a firm vote of confidence. "I can put that to rest: game under his command. Sutter was hired on Thursday when Geoff There is no hot seat. Rick's done a great job. Here's a coach who, Ward was fired after just 66 games as head coach. He's the fifth head through a pandemic, took us to the Stanley Cup Final. For anybody to coach hired by GM Brad Treliving since taking over the Flames in 2014. question the job he can do -- he's done a great job," Nill told The Athletic. Treliving is signed through 2022-23. Logic dictates that this duo have the Rod Brind'Amour, Carolina Hurricanes. He's in the final year of his rest of this season and the 2021-22 campaign to turn the Flames into contract and makes only $600,000, so Brind'Amour is due for a hefty winners. After that? Well, Sutter already served as Calgary coach/GM raise from the Hurricanes or another team (that may or may not play in once ... who knows what the future holds? Seattle beginning next season). He wants to remain in Raleigh, and Barry Trotz, New York Islanders. Trotz is in the third year of a four-year owner Tom Dundon -- despite some previous reservations about deal he signed with the Islanders after guiding the Capitals to the Stanley overspending on coaches and general managers -- wants him to stay. Cup. His system has produced tedious, if effective, teams that have "We're going to get it worked out," Dundon told the News and Observer. made the playoffs in his first two seasons -- including a conference finals "He's going to be here. We don't want him to go, and he doesn't want to appearance last summer in the bubble. While GM has go. This is the easiest thing of all time. I've got to pay him more. That's been known to change coaches like many of us change coffee filters, life. He earned it." Trotz isn't going anywhere.

Bruce Cassidy, Boston Bruins. Cassidy was extended in September , Philadelphia Flyers. The coach is in the second year of a 2019 by the Bruins on a multiyear contract that pays him around $3 contract worth a reported $25 million. He coached the Flyers to the million annually. The Bruins are contending again, and Cassidy's status second round of the playoffs last summer and has them in contention continues to grow, especially considering Boston's high-profile offseason again this season. Even if the Flyers miss the cut, AV is A-OK in Philly. departures. Lukewarm Jeremy Colliton, Chicago Blackhawks. If you had told us a year ago that Colliton would be residing in this tier, we would have responded with that These coaches are safe ... maybe. Ron Burgundy meme of him saying, "I don't believe you," mainly due to , Colorado Avalanche. Toss out that first season, when our affinity for "Anchorman" comedy. Well, the joke's on us: The Bednar was hastily hired after Patrick Roy quit, and he has coached the Blackhawks handed Colliton a two-year extension in January, signing Avalanche to a .585 points percentage in the following four seasons. But him through the 2022-23 season, and their success thus far is one of the he's signed only through the 2021-22 season, and expectations are season's pleasant surprises. We respectfully respond with the meme of growing for what's become a perennial Stanley Cup favorite. Ron Burgundy saying, "well, that escalated quickly." He wouldn't deserve it based on his accomplishments, but the Avalanche Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning. As the head coach of the defending might be one to watch for that "proven veteran coach who takes the team Stanley Cup champions, who are 15-4-1 through 20 games this season, to the next level" type of coaching change, which is a motif you'll see Cooper's seat is slightly colder than a pint of Ben and Jerry's on the repeated throughout this list. surface of Neptune. Bob Boughner, San Jose Sharks. The Sharks have a .450 points He's in the last year of his contract and looking for a raise. His general percentage after 20 games and are skating to a minus-18 goal manager, Bill Armstrong, didn't hire him and might want to move his own differential. Barring an unexpected turnaround, they'll miss the playoffs guy in there at a lesser cost. (Potentially looking at you, Blues assistant for the second straight season, for the first time since 1995-96 and 1996- Mike Van Ryn.) But even if the Coyotes want Tocchet back, does 97. Boughner, who is reportedly signed for two more seasons after this, Tocchet want to come back, given the state of the franchise? has a 22-30-5 record since coming on as an interim coach last season. He's not the solution here. Even if he was, the real issue is that the Sweating profusely Sharks don't seem to even understand the problem. Which means he's Their seats are hot and growing increasingly hotter. probably back next season. Dominique Ducharme, Montreal Canadiens. The interim coach after Craig Berube, St. Louis Blues. The coach that led St. Louis to their first Julien's firing, all he has to do is turn around the season for a team that and only Stanley Cup in 2019 is in the second campaign of a three-year added more offseason payroll than anyone else, for a general manager contract. He's no longer coasting on the goodwill that moment created, who is so even-keeled these days that he fired his star goalie's coach but it would take a real downturn in the Blues' fortunes to see him during intermission of a recent game. Ducharme, who has never been dismissed before that contract runs its course -- like missing the playoffs the head coach of a professional team, could earn this job on a in the West Division, where the Blues have a 39% chance of qualifying at permanent basis if Montreal makes the playoffs; or he could become a the moment? brief stop-gap to the new guy like Randy Cunneyworth was a few years Still, injuries should provide him enough cover if St. Louis misses the cut back. in a truncated season. The bottom line: His seat is going to be as hot as 's, as , Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs are running away with many believe Ducharme is the last coach Bergevin will be permitted to the North Division, and Keefe could very well be a Jack Adams finalist for hire in Montreal, as he has one year left on his deal -- and he's managing getting them to finally care about defense in the regular season. like it.

So why is he here? Because it's the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are , Nashville Predators. The Predators are currently 28th in always one first-round meltdown away from an over-reactionary firing of offense this season at 2.27 goals per game. During his five-season general manager Kyle Dubas, to whom Keefe is inexorably linked. Would tenure in New Jersey, Hynes's teams were ... 29th in offense, at 2.54 this be instantly regrettable? Yes, as Dubas is 100-57-19 as a general points per game. His Nashville teams can't score and have been wildly manager, getting to 100 wins faster than any other GM in franchise inconsistent, although injuries and the sudden regression of players such history. Does that mean it can't happen? It's the Leafs, silly. Barring that as Ryan Johansen and Juuse Saros hasn't helped. calamity, Dubas is safe, which means Keefe is safe, and the coach He has one more year on his deal, but his status is less important than keeps getting better at this. that of GM David Poile, whose future is murkier than it has ever been in D.J. Smith, Ottawa Senators. Two determining factors here: expectations Nashville. If the team's disparate collection of owners decides Poile's and the continued employment of his general manager. On the latter time is done, Hynes leaves with him. point, Pierre Dorion has a contract that runs through the 2021-22 season. David Quinn, New York Rangers. The Rangers should be better than a He has been lauded for acquiring a treasure trove of assets for the middling .475 points percentage, and perhaps at the end of the season Ottawa rebuild but is also the guy who made the Matt Murray trade. they will be better. If not, then Quinn is squarely on the hot seat. He has Smith was his hire; but if it comes down to saving Dorion's job by firing two more years left on his contract after this one, a contract that was his coach before next season, we imagine he won't hesitate. signed in May 2018, just over three months after "the letter" the team But what are the expectations here? Smith has the Senators -- who are sent its fans to signal a rebuild. That rebuild has been expedited through not good -- playing well enough to be a tough out on most nights in the acquisitions of players such as Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba. North Division. For now, that's fine, but what's going to be expected in Meanwhile, some of the young players Quinn was tasked with developing 2021-22? -- Adam Fox excepted -- aren't playing with the necessary consistency, as a slew of Rangers fans have noted. Fluctuating levels of heat Influential New York Post columnist Larry Brooks doesn't buy the player Depending on the day and the context, otherwise successful coaches development argument, but he called out Quinn last month for the team's find their seats a little sizzly. lack of effort and, more important, his lack of answers. This is a classic "fire the rebuild coach for the proven NHL coach who takes the team to Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh Penguins. There was a brief moment recently the next level" situation. when it looked like Sullivan could be on the hot seat, to which we responded, "in this economy?" He's signed through the 2023-24 season at what we assume is a pretty healthy clip. Of course, the Penguins could have let him go under the assumption that Sullivan would get another job In which facing the inevitable is its own temperature. quickly, getting that contract off their books -- a more than reasonable Jeff Blashill, Detroit Red Wings. GM should give Jeff assumption. Blashill a going-away bonus after this season, which is assuredly his last But here's the reality of his surroundings: The Penguins are in win-now as Red Wings head coach as his contract expires. After making the mode, and the two hockey operations fixers they just hired -- Brian Burke playoffs in 2015-16, Blashill was the caretaker of the team for five years and Ron Hextall -- did not hire Sullivan, who is in his sixth year as head of rock-bottom rebuilding, culminating in last season's .275 points coach. Penguins team president and CEO David Morehouse talked percentage dumpster dive. He did his time, made sure everyone had about Sullivan as part of that brain trust when Burke and Hextall were their skates tied properly before hitting the ice, and will leave having hired, so that cools his seat a bit. But if the Penguins miss the playoffs, finished over .500 just once in six seasons. Seriously, give this guy a little does the new management bring in their own guy in the hopes of getting something for the effort. Maybe a year's worth of free Little Caesars instant, different results? pizza, if he's not sick of it by now.

Dave Tippett, Edmonton Oilers. In the great "coaching vs. construction" Nuclear core meltdown debate, there's no question the problem with the Edmonton Oilers is one You'll not find hotter seats in the NHL than these four. of construction. Just like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can only drag this group so far, Tippett can only play the cards he has been dealt. Dallas Eakins, Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks have a .370 points His contract runs through next season. Someone might have to pay the percentage; if that holds, it would be the lowest in the history of the price if the Oilers flame out in the postseason again -- or fail to make it. franchise, even going back to their first year as the Mighty Ducks when That might be the Tipp-ing point. Terry Yake was their leading scorer. Through Wednesday, Eakins has been at the helm for 94 games over two seasons and had posted a 35- Rick Tocchet, Arizona Coyotes. This is a fascinating one. Tocchet is 45-14 record. He has one more season on his deal, but one assumes credited with getting a lot out of a little in Arizona, bolstered by some of this'll be his last swim in the Anaheim pond. The biggest question: Will the league's best goaltending over the past three seasons; the Coyotes general manager Bob Murray float away with him? are fifth in goals-against average (2.68) in that span. Offensively ... well, there's a lot of criticism that can be laid at the coach's skates. Travis Green, Vancouver Canucks. There are three scenarios for the Vancouver Canucks and Travis Green, who doesn't have a contract beyond this season:

The first is that he's brought back after what has been a putrid, regressive season (.385 points percentage after 26 games) in the hopes that it was an anomaly and he's still the coach for this team.

The second is that he isn't brought back because of that regression -- and there's a strong case that his coaching staff was ill-prepared for the early-season stumble, which is concerning -- and GM Jim Benning attempts to save his own job by hiring "the proven veteran coach who takes the team to the next level."

The third is that Benning doesn't get to make that decision because he's fired, after some specious personnel moves around his young core, in which case the new GM decides whether to keep or jettison Green.

If it's the latter, this won't be his last NHL coaching gig.

Ralph Krueger, Buffalo Sabres. Krueger was always off limits. He's well- spoken and as well-liked by his players as he is by the media, who rooted for him as an "outside-the-box" NHL hire. But the Sabres stunk last season, and they stink even more this season; their offense has dropped to 2.20 goals per game from 2.80 goals last season, despite adding Taylor Hall, Eric Staal and others to Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner. Suffice it to say, he's no longer off limits, especially after a recent obfuscation over Eichel's injury.

"You can fire Krueger on hockey reasons and you would be justified. But there's a bigger issue at play now: Just like ownership and a neophyte GM who has disappeared from view despite numerous media outlets seeking comment, Krueger has a credibility problem," wrote Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News, in a recent evisceration. Krueger has one more year left on his deal. The best thing Buffalo could have done was move him up to a hockey operations job after firing GM Jason Botterill. Instead, they have an overmatched bench boss getting diminishing returns, whose tagline has shifted from "a coach who deserves another shot in the NHL" to "maybe he's not an NHL coach."

John Tortorella, Columbus Blue Jackets. GM Jarmo Kekalainen said he has "100 percent confidence" that Tortorella and his staff can lead Columbus back to the playoffs this season. We don't have "100 percent confidence" that he'll make it to the end of the season. We're a bit more confident that both sides will move on when his contract expires after this season.

It feels like the time is right for a new direction in Columbus after six seasons of "tough love," conservative play and constantly striving for the postseason bubble. It also feels like the timing is right for Tortorella to walk away from a place that has had a steady stream of talented players leave town during his tenure there. (And yes, there is a "chicken or the egg" argument when it comes to whom some of them might be fleeing.)

There's speculation in NHL coaching circles that Tortorella wants to move on after this season. If he does, it won't be long before he finds another gig -- with a significant salary -- in the NHL. For a coach with his history, there's always another seat available. Until that one gets unbearably hot, too ...

ESPNChicago.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204963 Chicago Blackhawks Throughout this story, we’re going to share what people throughout the hockey world said about Seabrook on Friday.

Let’s start with former Blackhawks teammate Marian Hossa. Blackhawks pull out shootout win on emotional day as Brent Seabrook “I knew as he was coming back it wasn’t going to be easy with so many ends career: 11 observations injuries and surgeries in a row,” Hossa said by phone from Slovakia. “He tried and obviously it wasn’t going in the right way. I read about it today and just texted him. It’s sad stuff. You have to make a difficult choice. By Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus Mar 5, 2021 “It’s similar (to my situation), but a little bit different because I felt great, but I couldn’t play because of the skin issue. His was different. He tried, but he had the injuries. Those injuries didn’t allow him to return to the Brent Seabrook was always the loudest voice in the room, but his form that he’d like to play. In a similar concept, he’s going to be on the booming baritone really bounced off the walls in the delirious moments long-term IR, obviously, he can’t play anymore. As a guy still in a good after a big victory. So it was fitting that he was in the United Center age, he could play if he was still healthy, but he would be really limited. dressing room — albeit in a suit, not a uniform — following the It’s tough to play in the National Hockey League without a full recovery.” Blackhawks’ rollicking 4-3 shootout victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night, some 13 hours after he announced he’d never play Hossa tried to sum up what Seabrook meant to the Blackhawks during again. Stanley Cups years.

“He had a nice little speech for us,” said Alex DeBrincat, who scored two “He was always the voice in the dressing room,” Hossa said. “We were goals in the game. “It’s good to hear from him. Probably a very emotional lucky to have him. He was a key part on the blue line of the success we day for him and a lot of guys in the room. It was good we got the win, and had in Chicago. He’s scored amazing, big goals in crucial times. Nobody he can be proud of us.” can forget this. Definitely one of the biggest that I remember was against the Red Wings when he scored the overtime winner and we beat them in There was plenty to be proud of. A night after a gut-wrenching last- Game 7. He was a huge part of it. He was the voice inside the locker second — make that last-tenth-of-a-second — overtime loss, the room. He was the one always giving energy to the guys and always in a Blackhawks erased an early 2-0 deficit and a third-period 3-2 deficit to good mood. That’s what I’ll always remember about him.” get the game to overtime. They then survived a truly wild overtime that included a Tampa Bay power play on which Nikita Zadorov broke his And, of course, there were Seabrook’s superstitions. stick, then won in a shootout when rookie Philipp Kurashev roofed a shot and Malcolm Subban went 3-for-3, capping a spectacular effort for the “They were unique,” Hossa said. “He was special with his superstitions. goalie. Every time, every game day, the same thing over and over and over again. That was funny to see. But everybody’s different, and that was Other than Subban and DeBrincat and some fearless shot-blocking, the Seabs. He had to have his routine and nobody could touch it.” Blackhawks weren’t particularly good on Friday night. Both DeBrincat and Adam Boqvist noted that they played better in the first game. But 3. How good has DeBrincat gotten? One league source described him as they won this one, anyway. a superstar in the making earlier this week. It’s difficult to debate that as DeBrincat has become much more than a goal scorer. “I’m happy with how we just found a way,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “That’s what good teams do. That’s what they did the night before. We Goal scoring is still what the 23-year-old DeBrincat does best, though. A probably deserved to win (Thursday), they probably deserved tonight. season after the puck didn’t seem to give him any breaks, he We stayed in it, we found a way to survive, so we end up with two.” rediscovered that goal-scoring touch.

The rubber match is Sunday afternoon, but after taking three of four On Friday, DeBrincat netted his 13th and 14th goals of the season. It points against the defending champs in the first two games, the took him 58 games to reach 14 goals last season. He’s done it in 21 statement has already been made. games this season.

“These are big games for us,” DeBrincat said. “We’ve got to get as many “I thought he, too, kind of fought the puck at times tonight, but the thing is points as we can. They’re a good team, but we’ve shown we can hang he works so hard away from it, his habits are so good right now that he with them and beat them. We’ve got to keep this momentum into Sunday puts himself in a spot where he can contribute,” Colliton said. “Obviously and try to beat them again.” the power play he finished. Both his goals, he finished. With his habits and work ethic away from the puck, even when he doesn’t have it at his 1. Subban could only imagine what the atmosphere would have been like highest level as far as his puck plays, he allows himself to be an effective in the United Center if fans had been in attendance on Friday night. player and help us win.”

Seabrook’s retirement ceremony. It was the Blackhawks and the DeBrincat’s first goal of the night also marked the 100th of his NHL defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning playing extra career. For a bit, he had 100 career goals, 100 assists and 200 points. hockey for a second consecutive night. Finally, it was the Blackhawks The second goal marked his 201st point. He has played 255 NHL games. winning in a shootout. Here’s a look at his first goal: And when Subban denied Steve Stamkos’ shootout attempt with his blocker and secured the Blackhawks the win, Subban shook his left glove On the second one, it’s Patrick Kane and DeBrincat playing a give-and- hand, then threw his arms into the air and swung them down in go game they’re beginning to perfect. DeBrincat gets the puck and sends celebration. it across the ice to Kane. They continue to look for each other until Kane finally hits DeBrincat for a one-timer. “Pointed up to the fans watching back home,” Subban said. “Obviously, it’s not the same getting these wins without the fans in the building. Can’t The following clip is highlighted to better see where Kane and DeBrincat wait for them to be in here to support us.” are on the ice.

Subban gave up an early goal, but he bounced back and was solid 4. We contacted several other former Blackhawks for their thoughts throughout. He finished with 37 saves. about Seabrook on Friday.

“Fantastic, he was huge for us,” Colliton said. “We weren’t good. We’ve Joel Quenneville: “He was a privilege to coach. He was the voice in the got to be much better. At the same time, he held us in the game. He gave room that carried a lot of weight, a big part of the leadership group. I was us a chance. We manufactured some goals. Power play came through just chatting with him. Some great memories and moments. He always with a big goal that got us some juice. Obviously, we manufactured some had the flair to score some huge goals — none bigger than Detroit.” things to crawl back into the game. He allowed us to be close enough to Dave Bolland: “Seabs is a great leader, great teammate and great friend. do that and big saves in overtime and obviously perfect in the shootout.” He’s a guy that wanted to play 20 years in the NHL. I wish him all the 2. The Blackhawks paid tribute to Seabrook with a video during the first best in retirement.” TV timeout. Players from both teams tapped their sticks on the ice after Marcus Kruger: “Seabs, I would say was just the ultimate teammate. the video. Seabrook, who was sitting in a suite, waved to the camera in Always checking in on guys, asking how things are at home, having acknowledgment. Super Bowl parties at his house, making sure everyone’s involved. At the there, obviously, their season’s over. By scoring the goal, they go on to rink, just super solid and always showed up to play, made numbers of win the Stanley Cup that year. Great players, they produce in big clutch goals and plays. … I learned early the hard way his route during moments. That’s one of the things he did for the Blackhawks.” warmups, he’s not stopping and is really consistent with that, made sure to stay out of his way after that time.” 8. Maybe this was Adam Boqvist’s tribute to Seabrook?

Andrew Ladd: “I’d say he’s one of the best leaders I’ve ever played with, 9. Here are the game’s analytics from Sportlogiq: always there for all of his teammates. One of the best first-pass OZ possession time defensemen I’ve played with, and a guy who provided such stability on the back end for the Hawks. Always played his best in big games.” 9:17

Brandon Saad: “I was a little surprised hearing it, but playing with him 5:09 over the years, you kind of see his injuries and where he was at, so it Slot shots on net was going to be tough to battle back. It’s tough to see a guy go out like that, but you can’t say a bad word about that guy. He’s a great leader. He 13 does what he needs to do on the ice. He was a great mentor (for me) coming into the league as a young guy. Obviously, I wish him the best.” 22

Bryan Bickell: “Amazing career. Amazing locker-room guy. Amazing two- Rush scoring chances way D-man. Amazing superstitions.” 5 Troy Brouwer: “It’s always shocking when you see a teammate and a 4 close friend call it a career. But he has been a stud in the NHL for a very long time. Half of one of the most dominant D pairings in the league for Controlled entries over a decade, and his résumé is as good as it gets! The Blackhawks and the city of Chicago were very fortunate to have such a great person 32 representing them. Now he gets to enjoy being around and spending 40 more time with his wife, Dayna, and their three kids.” Controlled exits 5. Calvin de Haan left the game and didn’t return after he suffered an apparent leg injury after blocking a shot in the third period. 67

Colliton provided some guarded optimism about de Haan’s injury. 56

“We think he’ll be fine, but we’ll probably know more tomorrow,” Colliton Stretch passes said. “Obviously we’ve got until Sunday to figure it out. I don’t think it’s going to be long term. It’s just whether he can bounce back to play 8 Sunday.” 8

6. The Blackhawks finished with 24 blocked shots. Connor Murphy led 10. It’s worth showing the Blackhawks’ other shootout hero, Philipp the team with five. Kurashev. He scored the lone goal in the shootout.

Several of those came during the Blackhawks’ penalty kills, including a 11. It was overshadowed by the Seabrook bombshell, but the four-on-three kill in overtime. Blackhawks also put Andrew Shaw (concussion) and Zack Smith (back) “Honestly in overtime, but the third period, too, just some unbelievable on long-term injured reserve Friday. At the moment, there’s little reason blocks by our guys,” Subban said. “I think the boys flexed out willing to to believe either will be back any time soon. We already knew that with block shots.” Smith, and unfortunately, we already suspected it with Shaw, who came to camp feeling like a new man after losing a season to another 7. The most memorable goal of Seabrook’s career was his series- concussion. winning overtime goal over the Detroit Red Wings in the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs. “With concussions, it’s hard,” Bowman said. “It’s different than what Brent was going through with his injuries. Obviously, Andrew’s had some , who was then the Red Wings’ general manager, gave his concussions here. First and foremost, I’m just concerned about him to perspective of the goal and Seabrook’s career. make sure he gets himself in a better place. When he feels better, we’ll have a better feeling if he’s going to be returning to play or not. That’ll “Obviously we were up 3-1 (in the series),” Holland said. “I remember come from him and the doctors more so than from me. We’ll wait to hear they spanked us good in Game 5, then we had them again on the ropes his status going forward. In the meantime, we wish him well and hope he in Game 6. We were up a goal going into the third period and then they starts feeling better.” scored a couple of goals. We went into Game 7, and I think they scored a goal that was called back with about two minutes to go in regulation. The bright side for Shaw, if you can call it that, is that he spoke They thought they had scored the winning goal and two guys who had eloquently in January about how his year away from the game helped gotten penalties and went to the penalty box. him find peace with the eventual end of his career, that he knew he’d be OK if and when it was all over. But he still wants to play and looked sharp “Then we went to overtime. Certainly knew next shot wins, next shot and effective to start the season, a key cog in the Blackhawks’ early advances to the final four. Brent Seabrook, he had a real heavy shot, and power-play success. Now his career, as it was a year ago, is in doubt. As in the offensive zone, he knew how to kind of get into a soft spot. In that for Smith, whom the Blackhawks waived at the beginning of the season, time, he got into the soft spot, the puck came to him and he released it Bowman said: “He’s still injured and he’s not close to playing any time quick. I think it deflected off somebody and then all of a sudden, bang, it soon.” was by Jimmy Howard. It’s sudden victory for them and sudden death for the Red Wings, and we go home. He knew how to get into the soft spots. The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 He had a big shot. He had the ability to let shots go from the blue line. He can get it by the first guy. He got it to the net.

“He was a good player. He was an Olympian. He played for Canada’s Olympic team. He was part of a core group of players for Chicago. The Red Wings won the Cup in ’08, and ’09 we lost in the Finals to Pittsburgh. From 2010 to 2018, six, seven, eight years, the Blackhawks won three Cups in six years, and over an eight-year period, they were the class of the league, they were the talk of the league, and he and Duncan Keith at the back end made that defense go and then the goalie and then three, four forwards. My memory of that goal is he sort of did what he does. He found a soft spot. He sneaks in. The puck comes in. He lets the release go. The puck’s in the net and our season’s over. If we score 1204964 Chicago Blackhawks Remember the bone-rattling hits, the big wind-up at the point on the power play, the best stretch passes maybe anyone’s ever made on the West Side.

Lazerus: Blackhawks’ Brent Seabrook leaves a legacy that transcends Remember the way he indoctrinated newcomers and rookies alike to the any contract Blackhawks family, immediately saddling them with a possibly ridiculous nickname and then inviting them out for dinner with himself and Jonathan Toews. Remember the way he brought Kirby Dach into his home to ease the teenager into life as a suddenly wealthy grown-up. Remember the By Mark Lazerus Mar 5, 2021 way he fist-bumped every player as they stepped on to the ice, the force of each jab somehow perfectly calibrated to each player’s mental state. Remember the way he kept that locker room loose when it was Two summers ago, I approached Brent Seabrook in the corner of a unbearably tense, light when it was insufferably dark, serious when it was ballroom at the Hilton Chicago and, once the throng of reporters had unacceptably unfocused. dissipated and it was just me and him, I asked a very proud man a very humiliating question. That last part, that’s what I’ll remember the most. The voice. The thunderous boom of a towering manchild, somehow both endearing and You’re a three-time Stanley Cup champion, you’re an Olympian, you’re intimidating, goofy and scary. Whether he was chirping the equipment damn near worshipped by your teammates, but all anyone thinks of when guy or a reporter, a teammate in the room or an opponent on the ice, they hear your name is “worst contract in the NHL.” Does that bother Seabrook’s voice always cut through the din. His was the only voice you? players would hear in the anxious moments before a game or late in an intermission, almost mindlessly blurting out things like, “Here we go, Red! I was goading him, of course. The Athletic had just put that very phrase We got this, Red!” Even this year, without playing a game, he was always in a headline in a ranking of the biggest albatrosses in hockey. Seabrook around the rink when the Blackhawks were home, his presence still felt, can be a prickly sort, so it was playing with fire a little, but after all these that voice still heard. years, I had earned enough rope with the guy to pull something like that every now and then. I’ve run out of ways to convey his impact on the Blackhawks over the years. I’ve called him the team’s beating heart. The paterfamilias. The He didn’t bite. He gave a smart, stock answer about how he doesn’t pay center of gravity for the greatest 15-year stretch in franchise history. attention to what people write about him, that he knows what he can do and what he’s worth and the only opinions he cares about are the ones in Some fans roll their eyes at this stuff. They hand-wave the “leadership” the room with him. and the “intangibles” and all that hockey hooey and dwell on the precipitous drop in footspeed for a player who was never fast to begin But there must be some part of you that wants to just shove all of it back with. On the defensive lapses when his savvy and experience couldn’t in everyone’s faces, right? overcome two bad hips, a bad shoulder, a bad back, a body ravaged in Seabrook smiled. the service of a team and a city that he struggled to use a toilet for years.

“Oh, yeah,” he said, letting on what I knew to be true, that he was well On that contract. That goddamn contract. aware of every negative word written about him, every cross tweet about Yes, it was a bad contract. The moment it was signed, we all knew it was him, every what-have-you-done-for-me-lately rant from the 300 level. a bad contract. Too many years for a guy who wasn’t exactly built like “We’ll get to that.” Duncan Keith. Too much money for a guy who couldn’t possibly live up to He never did. His body betrayed him. Three major surgeries and months it for eight years. Stan Bowman was guilty of being too loyal to one of his of grueling work in the physical therapist’s office, in the weight room, in most loyal players, and Seabrook spent the rest of his career getting Ian Mack’s gym, on the ice couldn’t get him back. Cruelly, it got him so mocked and jeered and booed and hated for it. As if any one of those close, as he wrapped up a surprise appearance at summer training camp fans and pundits howling at and about him would have pushed the not quite ready to play in the Edmonton bubble but raring to show the city contract back to Bowman, leaned back, crossed his arms and said, “No, and the hockey world at large that he was more than a regrettable that’s too much.” contract, more than a cap hit. That he was still, in his words, “a great I’d bring up the contract — and the backlash Seabrook faced for it — a player.” couple of times a year with him. Usually on the road where it’s quieter. Then his back and hip gave out on him one more time. And now, his Usually pulled into a back hallway outside the dressing room, away from career is over, a decision — an acknowledgment, really — he made prying eyes and ears. I hated doing it. He hated doing it. But we both public Friday morning. Seabrook never made it back. He never got a understood we had to do it. Sometimes, I’d phrase it delicately. Other chance to prove what he was so sure in his heart was true. He never got times, I’d ask him if it pissed him off that some fans had turned on him so to shove it all back in everyone’s faces. harshly. He’d stop and think a long while, then give a very diplomatic answer about how much he loves the city (true), how hard he was It changes nothing. working (true) and how it doesn’t bother him what other people say (not If all Brent Seabrook ever did was skate into the offensive zone on the true). Sometimes he’d track me down a few minutes later and ask me if east end of the United Center and fire that singular shot from the high he had said anything people might take the wrong way, worried he would slot — you know the one, the one that sent the hated Red Wings to the ever seem the least bit appreciative of the team and the city and the fans Eastern Conference, the one that sent referee Stephen Walkom into the that made him — and that, let’s face it, he helped make. dustbin of almost-history, the one that sent the Blackhawks into the 2013 Of course, he knew. Of course, it mattered to him. As one source close to Western Conference final — then he’d be a Chicago icon forever. That him told me last year, “It eats at him.” goal was that big. Without it, the Blackhawks might have been broken up, sold for parts, relegated to one-Cup wonders. Seems absurd to think But it also fueled him. To get his hips and shoulder fixed when it became about, but things really were that tenuous after two straight first-round clear he was going to be the No. 7 defenseman in December. To work exits, Presidents’ Trophy be damned. his ass off to get back. To prove to himself, to his teammates, to his fans, to the hockey world, that he was more than a bad contract. That he was But Seabrook’s career was so much more than that one shot. Hell, that still Brent Freaking Seabrook. wasn’t even his only playoff overtime winner. Mr. Big Shot also ended Game 4 in Boston during the Stanley Cup Final later that spring, as well He never did. He never will. And it doesn’t matter. as the triple-overtime marathon in Game 4 against Nashville in 2015. He Some day, Seabrook’s jersey will hang in the United Center rafters. came agonizingly close to extending the glory years in the 2016 playoffs, Some day, he’ll be part of some sort of statue on the grounds too, hitting both posts with a blast from the point in the dying minutes of commemorating The Core that brought so much joy and life to a city that Game 7 in St Louis. hockey had long since abandoned. Some day, people will forget the Remember those moments. Remember the 28 minutes a night he logged contract the way they forgot as a Blackhawk or Willie Mays as during those final two rounds of the 2015 Cup run, at the end of a a Met. Time washes away the late-career blemishes, leaving only the preposterous run of playing in 269 of 273 Blackhawks games between pristine memories of one of the most successful and most significant January of 2013 and June of 2015, only one of them missed for injury. careers in Blackhawks history. The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204965 Chicago Blackhawks On top of that, though trading Seabrook’s contract wouldn’t be easy in normal times, it’ll especially be challenging with the salary cap expected to remain flat for many years due to the pandemic. If the cap ceiling was estimated to increase by at least a few million dollars, as it usually has in What can the Blackhawks do with Brent Seabrook’s contract? the past, there might be a team that could figure out a way to squeeze in Seabrook’s cap hit and balance other players’ contracts to stay

competitive. By Scott Powers Mar 5, 2021 “The salary cap will probably stay at $81.5 million for the next four years based on what they’re telling us,” a league executive said. “That could change if their next TV deal is significant, but that’s difficult to envision No storyline about Brent Seabrook could be told in recent years without right now.” mentioning his contract. Brent Seabrook. (Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today) Regardless of what he meant to the Blackhawks, and his major role in their three Stanley Cup championships, the elephant in the room was Where a contract like Seabrook’s could come in handy is if a team always the eight-year, $55 million contract he signed in 2016. As his play already knows it’s going to be in cap hell and could utilize a dead declined, that contract began to dominate the conversation. Fans and contract to go beyond the cap ceiling with LTI. The Tampa Bay Lightning media widely talked about it. Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman are an example of that this season. They took on two contracts of players discussed it. Seabrook was even asked about it multiple times. who weren’t going to play this season to make their numbers work. The St. Louis Blues had to do some financial gymnastics this season, too. Now that Seabrook has announced he’s unable to play again, there will be plenty of stories today about his legacy and his significance to the “Maybe a team like the Colorado Avalanche could be interested in Blackhawks organization. But while Seabrook is stepping away from the Seabrook’s contract considering they’re going to have some major game, what remains is his contract. After this season, he has three years financial hurdles in the coming years with (Cale) Makar and Nathan left with a $6.875 million cap hit. MacKinnon’s next contracts coming up,” a league source said. “Maybe the Lightning will be looking to do that again, too.” So, what are the Blackhawks’ options? The problem is that not a lot of teams want to be juggling LTI contracts First, it’s worth clarifying something. Seabrook isn’t officially retiring. He like that too often. It’s manageable for a year, but it gets much more won’t be filing retirement papers. His words are important. He complicated over multiple years, which would be the case with Seabrook. announced, “It will not be possible for me to continue playing hockey.” In It also usually prohibits a team from calling up many players from the other words, Seabrook isn’t leaving behind the rest of his guaranteed AHL. money. He’ll go on permanent long-term injury (LTI) for the rest of his career. “It’s hard to manage your team if it’s always in LTI,” a league source said. “It’s just hard. You lack roster flexibility.” Seabrook won’t be the first player to continue collecting a paycheck even though he won’t be on the ice. There are plenty of other examples of Bowman said something similar in the past, too. He didn’t want to go into players, including Dave Bolland, Marian Hossa, Henrik Zetterberg and offseason LTI when dealing with Hossa’s situation. , who made that same decision because it was their “You’ve got to be compliant day one and you’ve got to have a functional body, not their mind or a feeling, that determined they couldn’t play any team,” Bowman said in 2017 when deciding what to do with Hossa’s longer. contract. “So there’s never been a team that’s gone all year without Because Seabrook won’t be able to play, it’s also worth noting the having a recall of a player or an acquisition. So you have to have the Blackhawks can’t buy him out. Buying out Seabrook would have been a ability to do that during the season. You can’t start the season with zero costly option with four years left on his deal, but it could have been cap space and then expect, when two guys get hurt, to play shorthanded something the Blackhawks considered in the coming years as the buyout all year. It’s not a functional way to run your team. We have things we’re figures declined. The Blackhawks also can’t bury any part of the contract going to study and look at, but it’s really got nothing to do with summer in the minors because an injured player can’t be loaned. cap.”

Bowman does have some experience with this situation. Hossa was with The Blackhawks’ best bet might be the Seattle Kraken. The Kraken will the Blackhawks when he decided to end his playing career due to a skin have $81.5 million in cap space as they enter the NHL as an expansion condition after the 2016-17 season. He still had four years remaining on team next season. Could they be persuaded to take on Seabrook’s his contract with a $5.275 million cap hit. Bowman traded Hossa’s contract? Maybe. It depends, first, on whether the Kraken are looking to contract to the Arizona Coyotes in July of 2018. Bowman also had to build a contender from the start. Because other teams are expected to send Vinnie Hinostroza, Jordan Oesterle and a third-round pick to the struggle with a flat cap, it could be an opportunity for the Kraken to steal Coyotes to make the deal agreeable. The Blackhawks got Marcus some top players right away and compete instantly if they spend their Kruger, a few prospects and a fifth-round pick in return. money wisely. But if the Kraken take a more patient approach, and feel as if they’ll have some extra cap space and want to build their assets, “We’ve been through this before, so it’s not like we have to figure out how they might just consider taking on Seabrook’s contract. it works or whatnot,” Bowman said Friday. “I understand the curiosity, but that’s something that will evolve over time in how we handle the situation Finding a suitor is one thing. Then there’s agreeing on a deal. The price in the coming years, and got some ideas on that as well. But I think in the would likely be steep for anyone to take on Seabrook’s contract. One short term, it doesn’t really change anything right now. Looking at our source thought the Blackhawks would have to give up a first-round pick team, we haven’t had Brent on the ice, so it doesn’t change our short- or one of their top players to get something done. The source thought a term picture. As far as the long-term picture, that’s something we have team would come calling for Alex DeBrincat or Kirby Dach. Bowman dealt with in the past with Hossa. That’s something we’ll figure out in would likely balk at that. Could a package of young players like Ian time.” Mitchell and Brandon Hagel get a deal done? It’s possible. Bowman will have to weigh what’s important in the future. Is it losing assets or gaining Bowman is likely to face more obstacles with Seabrook’s contract than that cap space? The Blackhawks are in a decent financial spot now, but he did with Hossa. For one, there doesn’t appear to be a team like the there could be some rough waters ahead. Coyotes taking on those types of contracts right now. The Coyotes were the perfect dumping spot for permanent LTI contracts for many teams for Seabrook’s decision does help the Blackhawks in another way with the a while. The Coyotes still have Hossa’s contract on their books this expansion draft. The Blackhawks were going to have to protect Seabrook season, but they also previously had Chris Pronger and Dave Bolland’s in the draft due to his no-movement clause. Now they can protect contracts while they finished their careers on LTI. someone else. It could save the Blackhawks from losing someone like Calvin de Haan or Nikita Zadorov, or even from trading someone before Seabrook’s contract is also structured differently than Hossa’s. Hossa that because they feared they’d lose a quality player for nothing. was owed only $1 million in actual salary over each of his last four years. Seabrook is owed a lot more. He’s due $6 million next season, $5 million It’s also worth highlighting that Seabrook would have to waive his no- in 2022-23 and $4.5 million in 2023-24. That could make the contract movement clause to have his contract traded. Hossa had to do the same. harder for another team to digest. Dom from Cap Friendly was also willing to assist with some possibilities for the Blackhawks. He mentioned a number of the above ideas.

“They could try and trade the contract — all or in part — to a club that either needs it because it can be placed on LTIR, like what Tampa did this season and Toronto did last season, or to a team with a ton of space who needs to hit the floor or who is willing to take it on in return for a sweetener,” he said. “Seabrook’s contract is likely insured, so the acquiring club would get 60 percent of his salary back from the insurance. It’s usually 80 percent, but that drops to 60 percent once a player hits 35 years of age. … They could also place him on IR, and if they build a roster that takes them right up against the cap then place him on LTIR so as to exceed the ceiling by an additional $6.875 (million).

“A third option might be the expansion draft. If you remember the 2017 draft, here were a couple clubs that made side deals with Vegas that saw them ‘draft’ a player they might not have necessarily wanted to draft, and then made a side trade for a sweetener for doing so. If you recall, Vegas drafted J-F Berube from the Islanders and then New York made a side deal that sent Mikhail Grabovski, Jake Bischoff, a first-round pick and a second-round pick to Vegas in return for ‘future considerations.’ This is probably not something that will likely happen given the steep price they’d likely have to pay, but it’s still an option.”

Bowman didn’t want to spend too much discussing the financial ramifications of Seabrook’s deal. His focus was on Seabrook’s career.

“It’s something we’ll work through as we go forward,” Bowman said. “It’s hard to map things out that far into the future. In the here and now, he’s on LTIR and that certainly an option going forward as well. Try not to get too far ahead of things. We’ve got time to work that out and figure out how it’s going to impact our team in the coming years. For right now, he’s put on LTIR and we have plenty of cap space right now if we were going to make moves. But that’s not what this is about. It’s about Brent and honoring his great contribution to the team.”

The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204966 Colorado Avalanche Footnotes. Nichushkin had a game-high seven shots. … MacKinnon joined five others on the injured list: Defensemen Cale Makar and Bo Byram and forward Matt Calvert, each out day-to-day with upper-body injuries, and defenseman Erik Johnson (upper body) and goalie Pavel Sans star center Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche defeats Anaheim in Francouz, who both are on long-term injured reserve. Byram and Calvert overtime skated Friday but Makar did not. … Avs defenseman Daniel Renouf, who was playing in his fifth career NHL game, had an assist on Saad’s goal

for his first career point. … Colorado defenseman Devon Toews logged a By MIKE CHAMBERS | PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 9:53 p.m. | career-high 28:15, and Avs blueliner Sam Girard played 28:41, tying his UPDATED: March 5, 2021 at 11:39 p.m. career-high. … Avs captain Gabe Landeskog did not participate in Friday’s morning skate after witnessing the birth of his second child, a boy, Thursday night. Gabe and Melissa Landeskog also have a 15- month-old daughter. … Avs depth defenseman Dennis Gilbert is The Avalanche fell another man-down Friday night — this time losing its recovering from facial surgery but was added to the NHL’s COVID-19 best player. absence list Friday. Star center Nathan MacKinnon suffered an apparent head injury late in Denver Post: LOADED: 03.06.2021 Wednesday’s game at San Jose but participated in Friday’s morning skate and was cleared to play. However, he became a game-time scratch before the Avs faced the Anaheim Ducks to begin a two-game set at Ball Arena.

“The afternoon, he came down and wasn’t feeling good. The protocol says you can’t play and we’re not going to put him out there and risk him getting hurt or making it worse,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said of MacKinnon. “I don’t know what that means as far as tomorrow or the next day but I’m assuming he’s going to miss a couple games.”

Minus MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin saved the day in an otherwise shoddy performance to begin a club-record nine-game homestand. The Russian winger scored twice, the latter at 2:45 in overtime to give the Avs a 3-2 victory.

Brandon Saad also scored for Colorado (13-7-1), which got 26 saves from goalie Philipp Grubauer.

All three of Colorado’s goals were scored from the goal crease or just in front of it. Saad hand in all three but Nichushkin was the player of the game.

“Happy for (Nichushkin), happy for the team,” Saad said. “He was sharp tonight.”

Anaheim came to Denver on an eight-game winless streak (6-0-2) and had won just once in its last 10 games. But the Ducks found themselves leading 2-0 midway through Friday’s game.

In replacing MacKinnon, second-line center Nazem Kadri moved up to the first line and Tyson Jost came up from the fourth line to center the second. Jost was solid in an increased workload and assisted on Colorado’s second goal that tied it 2-2 at 17:23 of the second period.

Saad was credited with that goal, tapping in a loose puck in the crease of goalie John Gibson seconds after an Avalanche power play expired.

“It seemed after that we got some jump and we kind of finished off the game well,” Saad said.

Gibson was perfect until Nichushkin sliced Anaheim’s 2-0 lead in half by scoring from the same spot as Saad. Nichushkin accepted a Joonas Donskoi pass and tapped the puck over Gibson from blue paint of the crease at 14:46. Less than three minutes later, it was a 2-2 hockey game.

The Ducks, who stand last in the eight-team West Division, scored late in the first period (19:50) and early in the second (2:22), with Adam Henrique and Jakob Silfverberg using wrist shots to beat Grubauer.

Before Silfverberg’s goal, the Avs had a Kadri goal disallowed because of a high stick and Nichushkin had a wrist shot beat Gibson but carom off both posts.

The rematch between the teams to conclude the two-game set is Saturday at 6 p.m.

Bednar said his team has to be better to earn another two points.

“I thought (Nichushkin) played well. No question,” the coach said. “I give our team a lot of credit for sticking with it and finding a way and getting a little better as the game went on, but as far as what I thought of the game, I didn’t like the game at all. It was just sloppy, too many turnovers, and we looked tired. That first game back off a road trip is tough but that was an ugly game from our team tonight. 1204967 Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon cleared to play; Gabe Landeskog skips morning skate after the birth of his son

By MIKE CHAMBERS | March 5, 2021 at 11:52 a.m.

Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, who left midway through the third period in Wednesday’s game at San Jose with an apparent head injury, participated in Friday’s morning skate and has been cleared to play against the Anaheim Ducks at Ball Arena.

MacKinnon will again center the top line with wingers Gabe Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen, a trio that combined for three goals and nine points in Wednesday’s 4-0 win against the Sharks.

Landeskog did not participate in Friday’s morning skate after witnessing the birth of his second child, a boy, Thursday night. Gabe and Melissa Landeskog also have a 15-month-old daughter.

Avs coach Jared Bednar said he will use the same lineup Friday night as he did in the last game. Top young defensemen Cale Makar and Bo Byram remain out with upper-body injuries, in addition to forward Matt Calvert. Byram skated on his own Friday morning and Calvert skated with the team in a non-contact jersey.

Colorado is beginning a club-record nine-game homestand. The Avs also play the Ducks on Saturday night to complete the back-to-back stretch.

Avalanche lineup Friday

Forwards

Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen

Saad-Kadri-Burakovsky

Nichushkin-Compher-Donskoi

Jost-Bellemare-O’Connor

Defense

Toews-Girard

Graves-Timmins

MacDonald-Renouf

Goaltending

Grubauer, Miska

Denver Post: LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204968 Colorado Avalanche “I’m feeling pretty good,” said Grubauer, who will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. “Nothing’s changed. Preparation hasn’t changed because I’ve played a little more than usual and the schedule is a little tighter.” Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer has been a ‘rock,’ but is his workload sustainable? It’s hard to envision Grubauer continuing to play 85 percent of the Avalanche’s games, especially with 15 more contests left in March, including two back-to-backs. No goalie has started more than 85 percent of their team’s games since Cam Talbot in 2016-2017. Last season, By Peter Baugh Mar 5, 2021 Montreal’s Corey Price led all goalies by starting 81 percent of games.

With Francouz’s status still unknown, the Avalanche will have to figure Shortly before the Avalanche’s season opener, coach Jared Bednar out how much they can play Grubauer without wearing him out. The 25- outlined his plan for the team’s top two goalies. Philipp Grubauer would year-old Miska has been an adequate backup (1-1-1 record, .883 save start between 60 and 65 percent of games, and reliable No. 2 Pavel percentage), but Colorado could look to bring in a more experienced Francouz would take the rest. second goaltender to take some weight off Grubauer’s shoulders. The team is right up against the $81.5 million salary cap, though, which will The plan didn’t last long. Before the team’s first road trip of the season, make moves tough. That said, if Francouz is going to be on LTIR for the Francouz went down with a lower-body injury. He had yet to make his rest of the season — Bednar has not shared any updates on his status season debut and hasn’t skated since the injury, leading the team to — the Avalanche could go over the cap by an amount equal to his cap hit place him on long-term injured reserve. His status for the rest of the ($2 million), which could give them more financial flexibility to make a season is unknown. move.

Francouz’s injury has led to Grubauer taking a greater than expected Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, if the Avalanche were to add a goalie chunk of the goaltending load, starting 17 of the team’s 20 games (85 via trade or waivers, that player would have to quarantine for a week percent). That was tied with Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy for the before being eligible to play. Any help they acquire wouldn’t be highest percentage in the league before Vasilevskiy started for the immediate. Lightning on Thursday night. (Grubauer would move ahead of Vasilevskiy on Friday if he starts the first half of the Avalanche’s back-to-back against So for now, it’s Grubauer’s load to carry, with Miska getting a chance the Ducks and Vasilevskiy sits for the second half of the Lightning’s back- every few games. To manage the strenuous schedule, Bednar has given to-back against the Blackhawks.) his players more days away from the rink, of which Grubauer has taken full advantage. So far, Grubauer has proven up to the task. After a disciplined, hard- working offseason, he has a .920 save percentage (fifth among goalies “If you have a day off: rest, recover,” Grubauer said. “I think recovery is who have played 14 or more games), a 2.07 goals-against average the biggest thing here coming up with 17 (total) games in this month. (third), three shutouts (tied for first) and 11 wins (tied for third). “I feel great.” “He’s been a rock for us, one of the reasons we have a good record right The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 now,” defenseman Devon Toews said. “Even in our struggles, he’s shown up game in, game out.”

“I’m pretty happy with his workload,” Bednar said. “He’s handled it really well to this point.”

But is such a high level of play sustainable with such a heavy workload? It’s uncharted territory for Grubauer, who has never played more than 37 games in a season. He’s only appeared in more than 5o percent of his team’s regular-season games once: last season, when he played 36 of 70 games despite dealing with injuries. He then got hurt in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, missing the final six games of the series, which the Avalanche lost to the Dallas Stars.

But the lack of precedent hasn’t deterred Colorado’s trust in the 29-year- old, who won a Stanley Cup in 2018 with the Capitals while splitting time in net with Braden Holtby. (Grubauer started the 2018 playoffs as the Washington goalie, but Holtby seized the job before the opening series was over.) Bednar and the team are comfortable with how much they’ve used Grubauer, and other goalies in the league are playing heavy minutes, too. John Gibson has started 19 times in Anaheim’s 23 games, for example, which is only a slightly lower rate (82.6 percent) than Vasilevskiy and Grubauer.

As the Avalanche continue a busy March schedule, Bednar said he will continue to monitor his goalie’s workload. For example, after Grubauer allowed five goals in a Feb. 24 loss to Minnesota, Bednar gave his netminder an extra day of rest. He started Hunter Miska, the backup while Francouz is out, in the first game of a back-to-back with the Coyotes, whom the Avalanche beat 3-2. Grubauer was back between the pipes a night later and looked more like the goalie Colorado has seen most of the season, logging a .920 save percentage in a 6-2 win.

Grubauer suffered a four-goal loss to the Sharks on Monday, but Bednar said the team “hung him out to dry.” The skaters turned pucks over and allowed multiple odd-man rushes, blowing a 2-0 lead to lose 6-2.

“We were giving away those easy opportunities and leaving (Grubauer) in the dust,” Toews said. “He’s been so steady for us, and we need that from him. We’ve just got to be better in front.”

But Grubauer rebounded, as he has throughout this season. He’s lost back-to-back games only once so far. The defense played better, too, and Avalanche shut out the Sharks 4-0. 1204969 Colorado Avalanche Colorado’s victory began what will be the longest homestand in team history. The Avs will play eight more times on home ice before their next road trip. The remainder of the road trip will be played in just 14 days.

Valeri Nichushkin’s overtime goal sends Avalanche to 3-2 victory over “We have a huge homestand and these are games you want to take Anaheim Ducks advantage of,” Saad said. “We started off a little slow but it’s a good bounceback character win. That definitely gets you feeling good in the right direction.”

By Aarif Deen - March 6, 2021 Baby Landeskog: Captain Gabriel Landeskog was absent from morning skate as well. Late Thursday night, Landeskog and his wife Melissa

welcomed his new baby boy and second child into the world. Star center Nathan MacKinnon was a late scratch Friday. Without their Girard, Toews reach new highs: Defenseman Samuel Girard and Toews most explosive offensive weapon, the Avs needed a hero. Teammate logged 28:41 and 28:15 of ice-time, respectively. Both numbers are Valeri Nichushkin provided just that. career-highs. The pair continue to play big minutes since Makar and Nichushkin scored twice, the latter in overtime, to erase a two-goal deficit Byram have been absent from the lineup. and lift the Avalanche to a 3-2 victory over the struggling Anaheim Ducks milehighsports.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 at Ball Arena.

MacKinnon left Wednesday’s game in San Jose after taking a hit to the head from Sharks rookie Joachim Blichfeld. He participated in morning skate on Friday and Avs coach Jared Bednar said he would play but something went wrong. His teammates were made aware when they arrived for the game that MacKinnon was going to be scratched.

“The afternoon, he came down and wasn’t feeling good. The protocol says you can’t play and we’re not going to put him out there and risk him getting hurt or making it worse,” Bednar said of MacKinnon. “I don’t know what that means as far as tomorrow or the next day but I’m assuming he’s going to miss a couple games.”

Nichushkin, having already scored once, gained his coach’s trust and began overtime. The forward did not score on his first shift. But on his second opportunity and seventh shot of the evening, he closed it out to complete the comeback. Nichushkin took a pass from Devon Toews beyond the circles before skating towards the goal, past a Ducks defender and potted home the game-winner. It was his first two-goal game since last year’s playoffs.

“I thought (Nichushkin) played well. No question,” Bednar said. “I give our team a lot of credit for sticking with it and finding a way and getting a little better as the game went on, but as far as what I thought of the game, I didn’t like the game at all. It was just sloppy, too many turnovers, and we looked tired. That first game back off a road trip is tough but that was an ugly game from our team tonight.

MacKinnon was not the only big name missing from the game. He joined a list of players that missed both games in San Jose this week, defensemen Cale Makar and Bowen Byram and forward Matt Calvert. The former did not participate in morning skate but Byram and Calvert did. Goaltender Pavel Francouz and defenseman Erik Johnson remain out long-term.

Without MacKinnon, Nazem Kadri centered the top line and Tyson Jost was elevated to the second line to start the game.

Colorado stormed back to erase a two-goal deficit thanks to the momentum of a power-play opportunity. The second power-play unit was on the ice and Nichushkin was fed by Joonas Donskoi and tapped the puck past goalie John Gibson in the blue paint. Nichuhskin’s third of the season came just eight seconds after a minor penalty to Anaheim’s Cam Fowler expired.

The Avs continued to fight back before Brandon Saad put home a loose puck in the blue paint behind Gibson. The goal was the result of a hard- working play from defenseman Dan Renouf at the blueline as he fought to keep the puck in the zone before feeding Tyson Jost, who eventually got the puck on goal.

Renouf, who was playing in his fifth career game, produced his first career point.

“I was just pumped that we scored,” Renouf said. “It’s a big goal in a 2-1 game. It’s super special to get your first point. I’m glad I did but I’m happy we got that goal to make the comeback.

The Avalanche trailed 2-0 after surrendering an early second-period goal. Rickard Rackell’s tally came just two minutes after Nichushkin’s shot hit both posts on the opening shift of the middle frame. Goalie Philipp Grubauer made 26 saves, including the last 16 shots he faced after Anaheim’s second goal. Grubauer is tied for second in the NHL with 12 wins. 1204970 Colorado Avalanche

Nichushkin scores twice, Avs beat Ducks 3-2 in overtime

By PAT GRAHAM AP 3 hrs ago

DENVER (AP) — Valeri Nichushkin scored his second goal of the game 2:45 into overtime, Philipp Grubauer made 26 saves and the Colorado Avalanche rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat the struggling Anaheim Ducks 3-2 on Friday night.

Nichushkin circled around a defender and then slid a shot past John Gibson for the winner. He was mobbed by teammates in the corner.

Brandon Saad also scored for a Colorado team missing star player Nathan MacKinnon, who was a late scratch. MacKinnon left in the third period Wednesday in San Jose after taking a hit to the head.

Trailing 2-0 in the second period, Nichushkin and Saad scored 2:37 apart to even things up. Both of their goals were in front of Gibson, who stopped 31 shots.

Adam Henrique and Jakob Silfverberg scored for Anaheim, which dropped to 0-6-3 over its last nine. The Ducks haven’t won since beating Vegas on Feb. 11.

Both of the goals that beat Grubauer were on wrist shots, including one by Silfverberg after he skated from end-to-end.

Henrique staked the Ducks to a 1-0 lead on a nifty wrist shot with 9.4 seconds remaining in the first period.

Nazem Kadri had a first-period goal disallowed after he batted in a puck once it caromed off the glass. The officials took a long look on replay before determining Kadri's stick was above the crossbar when he made contact.

HOME SWEET HOME

Colorado began a nine-game home stretch, which is the longest continuous homestand in Avalanche history. The team did have a nine- game homestand in 2002, but that included an Olympic break.

“Just hanging out at home, and sleeping in your own bed and not having to travel, obviously, that pays dividends,” Kadri said.

It will also be the busiest month in Avalanche history, with 17 games in 31 days.

PROUD PAPA

Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog and his wife, Melissa, recently welcomed a baby boy. Landeskog had the morning off to remain with his family. The couple also have a daughter.

NO INTENT

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar felt the two-game suspension issued to San Jose forward Joachim Blichfeld for his hit on MacKinnon was a fair punishment.

“He doesn’t do any of the things that sometimes players do when it’s a predatory hit,” Bednar explained. “I don’t think it was intentional.”

THIS & THAT

Ducks D Josh Manson (oblique muscle injury) returned to the lineup for the first time since Jan. 18. ... Avalanche defensemen Cale Makar and Bowen Byram are day-to-day with upper-body injuries. ... D Dennis Gilbert was added to the league's COVID-19 protocol list. He was already out after surgery on his face. ... F Matt Calvert (upper body) skated in a non-contact jersey Friday morning. ... Saad also had two assists.

UP NEXT

The Ducks and Avalanche run it back again Saturday. Anaheim is 1-1 this season in the second game of a back-to-back, while Colorado is 2-0- 1.

LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204971 Colorado Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin helps rescue Avs in his best game of season, but MacKinnon worry starts

Published 4 hours ago on March 6, 2021By Adrian Dater

Finally – finally – Jared Bednar looked like a coaching genius in an overtime game for the Avs. The heavy use of one Valeri Nichushkin in OT was the winning move in Colorado’s 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks at a still-fanless Ball Arena.

Nichushkin scored on a gorgeous wheel move around the Ducks defense, slipping a puck past tough Ducks goalie John Gibson with 2:15 left to give the Avs their first come-from-behind win of the season when trailing either after the first or the second period.

Nichushkin started the OT and, while there were a couple of anxious moments, he really had a great last shift in scoring the goal. What did Nichushkin think of it?

Well, he still doesn’t do media, so we don’t know. But he sure looked happy anyway.

The Avs had a bad start and were trailing 2-0 in the second period. Gibson looked great, and this just seemed like one of those nights. And then, the Avs just outworked the Ducks the rest of the way. That really was the difference. Gradually, the Avs just chipped away, getting a goal from…Nichushkin…to cut the lead in half. Previously, Nichushkin hit both posts with a shot. He, like the Avs, didn’t hang their heads. They just kept coming.

Brandon Saad tied it not long after Nichushkin’s first goal, putting home a rebound in front. The Avs had 34 shots in the game, despite getting a pregame shock of Nathan MacKinnon being a scratch with an upper- body injury.

March Madness!

Nichushkin ended it, with assists to Saad and Devon Toews.

“That was a beautiful goal,” Saad said of No. 13’s game-winner. “This was huge. I thought we had a pretty good road trip, but we had to come out at home too to get started.”

NOTEBOOK

As for MacKinnon, Bednar said this: “I didn’t see him tonight, but he just basically – the afternoon, he wasn’t feeling good. So, the protocol says he can’t play. We’re not going to risk him getting hurt worse. But I would expect he’ll miss a game or two here.” … MacKinnon skated this morning and the team said he’d play. But, obviously, things changed. Bednar said the protocol has to do with the hit from the other night, and not Covid-19. … I thought Conor Timmins had a very good game, for me his best of the season. He was good in his own end and also pretty dangerous at times offensively. “I thought he skated well tonight,” Bednar said … Bednar wasn’t happy at all with his team’s first 30 minutes or so. He said “we looked tired” and “Turned the puck over too much.” But he said the work ethic was much better in the second half. … Saad finished with a goal and two assists. … You know what? For a guy I pretty much had never heard of before recently, I think Dan Renouf has done a nice job with the Avs on defense. He played nearly 13 minutes and got his first career point. …

Colorado hockey now LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204972 Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon scratched from Avs-Ducks game with upper-body injury

Published 7 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Adrian Dater

Bad news: After taking part in the Avs’ morning skate and nothing seeming amiss, Nathan MacKinnon is a late scratch for the game tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. The team said he has an “upper-body” injury.

MacKinnon’s spot in the lineup was taken by Kiefer Sherwood.

MacKinnon, who took a hit to the head in Wednesday’s game in San Jose, took part in a full morning practice and the team gave no indication anything was wrong afterward. But, here we are. The biggest worry, of course, is that MacKinnon developed concussion symptoms. Those, as we know, can last for a long time.

March Madness!

We’ll give updates as they happen.

This is the first game MacKinnon will miss this season. He leads the team with 22 points.

Colorado hockey now LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204973 Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon good to go against Ducks, and Landeskog is a father again

Published 14 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Adrian Dater

Nathan MacKinnon was, indeed, on the ice this morning – something we told you last night was highly likely to happen. Two days after taking that dirty hit from San Jose’s Joachim Blichfeld, MacKinnon was out there in a regular sweater, looking none the worse for wear. He will play tonight against the Anaheim Ducks at Ball Arena (7:08 p.m. puck drop).

Gabe Landeskog was not on the ice this morning, but not because of injury. He and his wife, Melissa, welcomed their second child (It’s a boy) into the world last night, so he was given the morning off to be with them. But he will be in the lineup tonight.

No Bo Byram out there this morning. He still is classified as out day-to- day. Was he hurt in that fight the other night in Arizona? Could be, but we don’t know for sure. The good news on him: He was on the ice skating on his own before practice and Jared Bednar said he’s considered day-to- day.

Cale Makar wasn’t out there either, but as I also reported last night, he is expected to return to the lineup next week sometime. Bednar classified him as day-to-day.

So, this is the lineup for the Avs tonight:

Landeskog-Nathan MacKinnon-Rantanen

Saad-Kadri-Burakovsky

Nichushkin-Compher-Donskoi

Jost-Bellemare-O’Connor

March Madness!

D

Graves-Girard

Toews-MacDonald

Renouf-Timmins

Grubauer in goal.

The Avs are heavy favorites to win tonight, at -250, on the moneyline at SuperBook Colorado. They are +110 to win on the puck line (win by two goals or more).

Kiefer Sherwood was on the ice this morning, but unless there is some last-minute change, I guess he’s just a spare forward for right now. The Ducks have lost two in a row and are in last place in the Honda West Division. John Gibson, a very good goalie, is likely to start for Anaheim.

Colorado hockey now LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204974 Columbus Blue Jackets Robinson’s goal was scored off the type of bounce the Blue Jackets haven’t gotten much this season.

Jenner shoveled a shot toward the net that stayed low to the ice before Takeaways from Blue Jackets' win over Dallas Stars include adding a nicking Robinson’s right skate blade and between the pads of goalie foundation piece for a 3-0 lead.

“(Robinson) said it hit his skate and I couldn’t really see it to be honest,” Jenner said. “I just tried to get it on net and he was in a good spot there Brian Hedger and we get a good bounce.”

Solid in goal

Emil Bemstrom (52), Oliver Bjorkstrand (28), Riley Nash (20), Vladislav Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo enjoyed a low-stress night, making 22 Gavrikov (44) and Michael Del Zotto, right, celebrate Bjorkstrand's goal saves to earn the win in his sixth straight start. Korpisalo is pulling a that put the Blue Jackets up 2-0 against the Dallas Stars on Thursday. heavy workload because of a pair of upper-body injuries for Elvis The Jackets won 3-2 for their second straight victory. Merzlikins, but is showing signs that he could be back to looking like the goalie who shined brightly last season. The Blue Jackets' 3-2 win over Dallas on Thursday wasn’t perfect, but it may have been a building block. In a tumultuous season, the result Since allowing five goals in a pair of starts — a 7-3 loss Feb. 15 to carried some added value for the Jackets. Carolina and a 6-5 shootout loss Feb. 20 to Chicago — Korpisalo has allowed just nine goals in his past five games. Columbus nearly coughed up a 3-0 lead — built on goals by Boone Jenner, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Eric Robinson — but prevented a full “I’ve been feeling good all the time,” said Korpisalo, who has a 1.82 tumble after allowing the Stars a pair of third-period goals 3 minutes, 13 goals-against average and .932 save percentage in that stretch. “I don’t seconds apart. look at the stats. I focus on my things and what I can do and trying to get better every day. So, yeah, I feel good.” A collapse might have fit neatly into a confounding season had those Stars goals led to another gut-wrenching loss, but that’s not what Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.06.2021 happened. Instead, the Blue Jackets wiggled out of trouble with the aid of some old-fashioned gumption and a well-placed TV timeout.

The most meaningful aspect was the win itself as the Jackets improved to 10-10-5 and won consecutive games for just the third time this season. It was a building block. It didn’t have to be pretty.

“I’m not going to jump up and down and do cartwheels here,” coach John Tortorella said. “We’ve got to stay on top of ourselves and continue to try and get better in all aspects.”

Here are some takeaways:

Let it ride

After the Stars pulled to 3-2 on goals by Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson, Tortorella had to decide whether to spend his one timeout to help his team regroup or let them play through to the next built-in TV break, which he knew was approaching.

He chose the latter, which paid off after a nerve-wracking stretch of 1:54 that included blocked shots by Zach Werenski and Seth Jones before the stoppage.

“I knew we were close to a TV timeout,” Tortorella said. “When I saw the next rush come down (for Dallas), they threw a play backdoor. I started kicking myself a little bit. If they score that goal, maybe I should’ve (taken the timeout). But after the TV timeout, I think we collected ourselves.”

His logic for holding off on calling his timeout was interesting.

“Quite honestly, I think sometimes when coaches call timeout in that type of situation, you almost spook the team even more,” Tortorella said. “You call a timeout because you want to talk to them, but then they start playing the music in the building during the timeout, so you end up yelling at them, basically, so they can hear you. I don’t think it helps.”

Here comes Boone

Jenner had another productive night with his goal and the primary assist on Robinson’s goal, which proved the winner.

Jenner's goal was his eighth of the season, scored after an impressive deke to elude a defender, and two points pushed his total to nine — five goals and four assists — in the past 11 games. Jenner also filled the stat sheet with four hits, two blocks and a 55% success rate on face-offs (6 of 11).

“Remember, last year during the playoffs, in our last game, he was struggling so bad … I mean, I didn’t play him,” Tortorella said. “I think he has really tried to focus to be that complete guy. He plays a major part in our game, as far as face-offs, and has been one of our more consistent players.”

Blade of glory 1204975 Columbus Blue Jackets Anticipation was the key to both goals, along with the one Atkinson scored against the Red Wings this week — after he hopped on a long rebound of a shot by Detroit’s Bobby Ryan and turned it into a 2-on-1 short-handed rush with Texier. Cam Atkinson's eagerness to kill penalties for the Blue Jackets helps him get 'shorties' “He’s so good at reading what the other team is going to do,” defenseman Zach Werenski said. “He kind of sniffs out those high (reverse passes). He’s great (forechecking) on the penalty kill … he creates a lot of chances that way. He’s been a huge part. Scoring four Brian Hedger short-handed goals in 24 games is pretty impressive.”

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.06.2021 Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson, here scoring against Detroit on Tuesday at Nationwide Arena, leads the NHL with four short-handed goals.

It’s not a job that attracts a lot of the NHL’s top scoring forwards.

Killing penalties is hockey’s most selfless task, requiring the stomach to block shots, anticipation to break up plays, humility to log tough minutes and a coach willing to risk an injury to one of his top scoring options while doing it.

It’s what makes Cam Atkinson a valuable outlier for the Blue Jackets, who went into a game Thursday in Dallas with their leading goal-scorer also leading the NHL with four short-handed goals.

“That’s why he’s relied upon in so many situations on our team,” said captain Nick Foligno, who has set up two of Atkinson’s short-handed goals this season. “He plays in all facets and he’s trusted in every area, so it’s good to see him being rewarded for the hard work he creates — especially on the penalty kill.”

Atkinson’s four “shorties” this season were all significant.

All four provided leads, including two that put the Blue Jackets up 1-0 in the first period. His second and third were scored in back-to-back victories against Carolina and Chicago in February, which tied and surpassed Rick Nash for the most short-handed goals in franchise history.

His fourth was the first goal scored Tuesday in a 4-1 victory against the Detroit Red Wings, which ended a five-game winless streak and included fans watching inside Nationwide Arena for the first time in more than a year.

Atkinson’s goal off a slap shot from high in the right face-off circle beat Red Wings goalie Jonathan Bernier over the glove on the short side, allowing him to welcome fans back with a pointing salute along the glass. That it happened while the Blue Jackets were short-handed was mostly inconsequential and not the least bit surprising.

“I’ve penalty-killed my whole life, I guess, if you want to go way back,” said Atkinson, who has a team-high 10 goals this season. “I take a lot of pride in it and I love (penalty-killing). I never thought I’d ever say that, but I’m always excited to jump over the boards for PK.”

Opponents should be less enthused. They should also be more aware of Atkinson’s knack for scoring goals at a disadvantage.

Through the Blue Jackets’ first 24 games, Atkinson had attempted 13 shots while penalty-killing and put seven on net. Of the four goals, one was a penalty shot Feb. 8 against Carolina, giving him a blistering 57.1% short-handed shooting percentage.

“One of Cam’s biggest attributes as a penalty killer is his quickness, not only with his feet but he has anticipation skills mentally,” coach John Tortorella said. “He anticipates plays and it gives him opportunities like this (to score short-handed). It’s a huge part of his game for us.”

Last season, Atkinson played most often with center Alexander Wennberg, another skilled forward, on one of the Blue Jackets’ top two penalty-killing units. Wennberg’s departure after a contract buyout took away that combination, so Atkinson has worked with a rotation of penalty-killing forwards this season, including Foligno and Alexandre Texier.

Foligno’s stretch pass from the right wing in the defensive zone Jan. 26 led to Atkinson’s first short-handed goal this season, which put Columbus up 3-2 early in the third period of the Jackets’ 4-3 shootout loss the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena. A return feed from Foligno to Atkinson Feb. 11 in Chicago led to the first goal of a wild 6-5 victory for the Blue Jackets at United Center. 1204976 Columbus Blue Jackets with their health (14 skaters played 40-plus games) and their goaltending (Corey Crawford shared the load with Ray Emery).

The 2021 Stars are a different story. Tyler Seguin, who had hip surgery Michael Arace: The Dallas experiment: Can a man's knees withstand 40 after the Stanley Cup final last year, is out for the season. Alexander NHL games in 70 days? Radulov (lower body) and Roope Hintz (day-to-day for days on end) are hurting. And so forth. These things can be managed during a normal season, but this year …

Michael Arace “I see injuries written all over it,” Stars coach Rick Bowness said recently.

The Stars (6-7-4) had their first four games of the season postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak. They had had four more games postponed Coach Rick Bowness and the Dallas Stars already have been ravaged by last month because of frigid conditions that caused power outages in injuries this season, and that was before starting a closing stretch of 40 Texas, the energy capital of the world. The deadly freeze was followed games in 70 days. by a lifting of most statewide COVID-19 restrictions, including a mask The Dallas Stars and the Blue Jackets, presently engaged in a two-game mandate. Because freedom. series down in Texas, are producing similar headlines. They’ve had their If you are a Star and you lose one more game, maybe you’re thinking, struggles of late, their playoff hopes have been dimming, and their “Forget this season.” Maybe you’re thinking that already. No one can general managers have been compelled to make public pronouncements blame you. of faith in their respective coaches. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.06.2021 The two teams diverge, however, in one critical area: The Jackets, for all of their dramas, have had a relatively normal pandemic-tinged season while the Stars have been star-crossed, to Shakespearian levels.

The Stars, because of COVID-19 protocols, and because of a winter storm that recently savaged Texas, have had eight games postponed. Their remaining schedule has been compressed to the point of shattering — 40 games in 70 days (weather permitting).

Forty games in 70 days — with six against the Tampa Bay Lightning! The march began Tuesday, a day after the Stars had what may be their last practice of the season. Think about that for a second.

“It’s tough. No time to recover,” Ken Hitchcock, the former Stars and Jackets coach, said Thursday via text. “It’s like the playoffs before the playoffs even begin. That’s why you need 30 players with no drop-off in talent.”

Who has 30 players with no drop-off in talent? The 1980 Soviet national team was arguably the greatest ever assembled for an international competition, and they lost in the Olympic semifinals to a bunch of college kids. How? Why? Maybe because coach Viktor Tikhonov pulled Vladislav Tretiak, and there is only one Tretiak.

Hitch’s point about the playoffs, though, is well-taken. If you’re a hockey fan, you know the hype about the Stanley Cup being “the toughest trophy to win in team sports” is true. Lack of rest combined with competitive intensity takes a physical toll that is Darwinian. At the end of two months, the finalists take off their gear and head off for surgery.

In the case of the 2021 Stars, they’re being asked to play four games a week for 10 weeks. The games may not be as intense as playoff games — but no one, not even , were born to do something like this. Nine sets of back-to-backs! That’s stretching soft tissue to the limit, and probably beyond.

“In a sense, it’s easier — there are no three games in four nights in three different cities,” said Daryl Reaugh, the Stars’ television analyst (and Hitch’s goalie for the in the mid-).

“The travel’s different this year. I get that,” Reaugh said. “At the same time, there are other things going on. For instance, there’s the everyday pressure to stay healthy so you’re not infecting yourself or your teammates. The mental toll that takes is real.”

As for the physical toll, Reaugh offered the following scenario: A player has a nagging injury; the games are coming apace and there’s no chance to heal; a difficult decision is made to shut him down for a week or two weeks; he misses four to eight games in that span — and his team’s season turns on a dime.

“Top guys can only carry you so much,” Reaugh said. “You need four lines and two goalies, as opposed to riding a top line or a No. 1 defenseman. I think if you go back and look at the 48-game season (2012-13), you’ll find the same stuff.”

The 2012-13 season was cut in half by a lockout. It ran over a span of 80 days. There was no pandemic. The Chicago Blackhawks won the Cup.

Those Hawks were star-studded with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith, among others. But they were also lucky 1204977 Columbus Blue Jackets Nick Foligno and David Savard got assists for getting the puck out of the Columbus zone, and the goal they helped create sparked a frenzy for the Jackets – who scored two more quick ones in the third.

Blue Jackets avoid meltdown against Dallas Stars, regroup for second Bjorkstrand scored at 2:23, making Kiviranta pay for an egregious straight victory turnover, and Robinson’s skate blade made it 3-0 at 4:05 off Jenner’s shot from the high slot. The puck stayed low after hitting Robinson’s skate and slid through Khudobin’s pads for a three-goal cushion.

Brian Hedger Against a team that entered the game off two shutout losses to the Tampa Bay Lightning, that should’ve been enough for the Jackets to

cruise into their second straight win. Instead, it became considerably It could’ve been one of those gut-punch endings. more difficult after a Dallas push that led to the goals by Heiskanen and Robertson. Had the Blue Jackets coughed up a 3-0 lead and lost to the Dallas Stars on Thursday night at American Airlines Center, it would’ve been another Heiskanen cut it to 3-1 at 7:35 with the Stars’ first goal in three games body blow to a team that has absorbed a number of them already in the and Robertson followed up with his tally at 10:48, pulling Dallas within 3- first 25 games of this season. 2 on his third goal of the season.

Instead, they regrouped after Jason Robertson’s goal pulled Dallas within It quickly shifted back into a nail-biter, but the Blue Jackets won by 3-2 midway through the third period and ground out a win by the same restarting their engine following a TV timeout. score for their second straight victory. “I think that’s a really important few minutes for us, as we keep pushing “I thought that was a pretty big moment for us,” coach John Tortorella forward during this season here and just staying within ourselves,” said. “When they score the two quick ones, I’m contemplating a timeout. I Tortorella said. “I thought we got back (to) forechecking and, for the most know we have a TV timeout coming pretty soon. (We) just let them play. I part, I think we played a really good game.” think there (was) one more rush that was a pretty scary rush against us, Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.06.2021 but then I think we settled in.”

Joonas Korpisalo made 22 saves for the win in his sixth straight start in net and the Blue Jackets got their goals from Boone Jenner, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Eric Robinson – who scored the deciding goal when a shot by Jenner glanced off his right skate blade.

Anton Khudobin made 19 saves and Miro Heiskanen scored the first goal for the Stars, who lost their fourth straight game and hadn’t scored a goal in their previous two games – both against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“You knew they were going to get some momentum off the (first) one they get (from Heiskanen) and then they get another one, so it was a good job of just settling ourselves a little bit there,” said Jenner, who has five goals, four assists and nine points in the past 11 games. “It took us a couple shifts, but I thought we did a good job of settling ourselves after that and getting back on our toes.”

That was how the most exciting period of the game concluded. The first two were more mundane, especially the first one.

Neither team scored in the opening 20 minutes, both put five shots on net and each had a fruitless power play that didn’t present a challenge for either goalie. The Blue Jackets’ ongoing struggle to clear their own zone plagued them again, allowing the Stars to hound the puck on the forecheck, but Columbus generated the better scoring chances.

According to NaturalStatTrick.com, Dallas had 65% of even-strength attempts in the first period (13-7), but the Blue Jackets had a 2-0 edge in high-danger chances.

“I thought we did a good job, even though there wasn’t much action in the first two periods, “ Bjorkstrand said. “I still felt there were good parts and you could probably see the ice was kind of bumpy, so that also makes it difficult sometimes. But we’ve got to hold onto this and get more consistent as a team.”

The Blue Jackets had the puck a lot more in the second, which helped them build a 9-7 edge in chances. They also added to their advantage in high-danger chance with a 3-1 margin and finally broke through for the game’s first goal.

Jenner scored it with 1:49 left in the second to make it 1-0, after winning a puck-battle in the right-wing corner. Pulling the puck off the boards, he scored between Khudobin’s pads with a wrist shot that immediately followed a deke to evade Joel Kiviranta’s attempted stick check.

“I was just trying to get on the forecheck,” Jenner said. “I think the puck popped loose and I just tried to get it – and once I got above the goal line, (I tried) to just get in a shooting position and get it on net. Luckily, it found a way in.”

It was Jenner’s eighth goal of the season. It was also the Blue Jackets’ 18th lead of 1-0 lead this year – and fourth in a row. 1204978 Columbus Blue Jackets “I think they've done a really good job so far. There’s a lot of learning to go, but it’s nice to see them taking steps forward,” he said. “Especially in that D zone, they look a lot more comfortable.”

Center position remains an issue for Blue Jackets, with no easy fix If the Jackets are to regroup to make a playoff push, that must continue. Meanwhile, Kekalainen will keep looking.

“I believe in having good goaltending and having a strong defense,” he Bill Rabinowitz said. “It starts from there and then goes through center ice. I think we have some very good potential center-icemen growing into that role

within our team. But we’re also going to look for ways to strengthen that Columbus native Jack Roslovic (96) has shown some flashes of solid position from outside.” play at center for the Blue Jackets since arriving via trade with Winnipeg Higher capacity in January. The next time the Blue Jackets play at Nationwide Arena, they’ll see Their losing streak over, the Blue Jackets head on the road for two more than double the number of fans than they did Tuesday against the games at Dallas starting Thursday. Red Wings. Columbus beat woeful Detroit on Tuesday for its first win in six games, The team announced a new round of ticket sales Wednesday in and it was a much-needed salve. But if it’s to be more than a temporary conjunction with the expected capacity limit rising from a 10% maximum one, the Blue Jackets will have to build on that performance. (1,953) to 23% (roughly 4,500) next Tuesday against Florida. The central issue for the Jackets doing that rests with, well, the center The increase was made possible late last week by Ohio Gov. Mike position, which has been a season-long problem. Unfortunately for the DeWine, who cleared the way for indoor events to host up to 25% Blue Jackets, an easy fix will be difficult. capacity while adhering to mask and social-distancing mandates. “It’s a challenge because they’re just not available via trade,” Jackets During a tour last week, Nationwide Arena associate general manager general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a Zoom call Tuesday. Derek Smith said that 23% capacity is the highest number the building “Usually you have to draft one and develop one. I think that we did that can go while maintaining a minimum of 6 feet between seating pods of very well with one player, and now he’s not here. And now we have to up to six seats. get back into our hunt finding a centerman either through a draft or trade. But again, they’re not available very often.” Presale of tickets to the remaining 15 home games will be held Thursday and Friday for season-ticket holders, while a limited number of tickets to The one the Blue Jackets had, of course, was Pierre-Luc Dubois. Then select games will be sold to the public starting at 9 a.m. Saturday for the former No. 3 overall draft pick sulked his way into forcing a trade. single-game purchase — available online only at bluejackets.com and Max Domi, traded for Josh Anderson with the expectation he could be ticketmaster.com. the second-line center, has been a major disappointment and is now a fourth-line wing. Third-line center Mikko Koivu suddenly retired after Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.06.2021 seven games this season.

That void thrust 21-year-old Alexandre Texier and 24-year-old Jack Roslovic into the top of the lineup at center. While both have shown plenty of skill, there have also been growing pains, especially with defensive responsibilities.

“You have to know where everybody is on the ice at all times and what your responsibilities are,” center Riley Nash said of the position. “I know early on, it definitely helped me when I played wing a little bit just to get my feet underneath me and get the speed of the game — having a guy there beside me that could help me out.

“I think a lot of players go through it. You see top overall picks go through it early in their careers. They usually play wing before they’re put into the middle. There’s just a lot going on in that position.”

Coach John Tortorella moved Boone Jenner from wing to center, where he has sometimes played in recent years. Tortorella also briefly shifted captain Nick Foligno to the middle to lessen the load on the youngsters.

Roslovic considers himself a natural center, and the Jackets acquired him along with wing Patrik Laine in the Dubois trade believing he could play that position. Roslovic played mostly wing with Winnipeg.

“I’ve been playing center for a long time, not necessarily at the NHL level, but I’m comfortable (there),” he said.

Roslovic knows the Jackets need consistency at that spot and believes he’s ready to show it.

“There’s no room for growing pains anymore, so I have to take it upon myself to really figure that out and figure it out quick,” Roslovic said. “I think I’ve done a pretty good job of it. I’ve been really focusing on my play away from the puck.”

Tortorella knows his young centers will make mistakes. He believes Texier is better at center than wing and is enthused by Roslovic’s development.

“I think Jack has put in some good minutes for us,” Tortorella said, “and I think it’s important that (area) keeps growing (in) the middle of the ice.”

Nash also has seen growth from both young centers. 1204979 Dallas Stars Expected goals 27th 10th Scoring chances 18th 8th

High-danger chances 19th 5th The cruel reality is the Dallas Stars are sinking to the bottom and a turnaround is becoming even more unlikely Shooting percentages 27th 29th

Last year, you could at least make the case that the Stars were generating offense, even if they were a little unlucky or ran into a hot By Matthew DeFranks2:16 PM on Mar 5, 2021 CST goalie. That same case cannot be made this season.

The entire package leaves the Stars searching for anything as the rest of Falling so far so quickly never seemed like a likely option for the Stars. the Central Division passes them by.

But after 18 games of a 56-game season, the reality is cruel for Dallas: It Dallas Morning News LOADED: 03.06.2021 is closer to the league-worst Red Wings than it is to a playoff spot.

Perhaps that would have made sense had the upper barometer been, say, first place in the division or reaching the Stanley Cup Final again. That would have been plausible, that the Stars were a middling team in the playoff hunt. As it stands now, though, the Stars find themselves outside the playoff picture and struggling to find their way back into it.

Thursday’s 3-2 loss to Columbus gave the Stars losses in 10 of the last 11 games. Since a 4-0-0 start, Dallas is 2-8-4. Each loss sinks the Stars (.444 points percentage) closer to the Red Wings (.327) and further from the fourth-place Chicago Blackhawks (.604, entering Friday’s game vs. Tampa Bay). Each loss leaves coach Rick Bowness and players searching for answers and grasping onto anything positive to hang on to any semblance of hope.

“We’ll build off the third period, that’s what we’ll do,” Bowness said Thursday night after the Stars awoke from a slumber to make the loss a competitive one.

The math gets more daunting after each game for the Stars.

To catch Chicago’s 68-point pace for fourth place entering the Tampa Bay game, Dallas would have to go 26-12-0 in the final 38 games. With the Stars’ condensed schedule, that means 26 wins in the season’s remaining 66 days. For comparison, Dallas has just two wins in the last 35 days.

The Stars are an experienced, veteran group that has been through this before. Surely, you’ve heard that by now. You already know about the first- and second-round scares from last season against Calgary and Colorado. You know about the 1-7-1 start and six-game losing streak to finish. Of course, there’s the coach firing and front-office criticism of marquee players.

Yes, last year’s team did pull off a run like this. Across the team’s best 38-game stretch last season, it went 26-9-3. From the ashes of a scorched start to the season, the Stars rose into a playoff team and then the Western Conference champions.

It was a remarkable turnaround executed by largely the same roster, but don’t expect the same this season.

The roster is largely the same, but the missing pieces are significant ones. Tyler Seguin is the team’s No. 1 center. Ben Bishop is the team’s No. 1 goalie. Both are expected back in late March or early April. Alexander Radulov is the top right wing; he’s expected back at some point this week. Roope Hintz is the team’s No. 2 center and will be dealing with a lower-body injury the rest of the season.

The remaining schedule is the hardest in the NHL. The Stars don’t have two days off before a game the rest of the season. They may not have a full, mandatory, hour-long practice before the end of the regular season May 10. Plus, they play Tampa Bay six more times, Florida five more times and Carolina four more times.

There’s also the issue of scoring goals. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Stars rank 30th in the NHL in 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes, which matches their ranking a season ago. Except that the Dallas offense has actually been worse this season. Here are comparable underlying figures from the last two seasons (at 5 on 5 per 60 minutes).

Category This season Last season

Shot attempts 18th 18th

Shots on goal 29th 33rd

Goals 30th 30th 1204980 Dallas Stars Credit to Kiviranta though, as the 24-year-old stepped to the lectern after the game and took ownership.

“At this point in the season, with how it’s going now, it feels so bad to ‘Soft,’ ‘unnecessary’ call was dagger but Stars’ issue is still inept offense make plays and mistakes like what I did for the team right now,” Kiviranta said.

2. Let’s talk about the actual dagger in this game. With just under four By Saad Yousuf Mar 5, 2021 minutes remaining, Andrej Sekera got called for interference. The puck was flipped high into the neutral zone and Nick Foligno went up to grab it.

Sekera simply ducked his head and made incidental contact with Foligno The Dallas Stars have an offensive problem. This isn’t a new revelation and was sent to the box for two minutes. Here’s the “penalty:” to anybody who has been watching the team this season — or the bulk of “Incredibly,” said Bowness, when asked if the call was frustrating. “I the past few seasons — but the concern level skyrocketed Thursday in a thought it was totally unnecessary and the timing of it was totally 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. unnecessary, and we will leave it at that.” The Stars had been shut out in two consecutive games against the “It’s frustrating,” Jamie Benn said. “I thought we could have had a couple Tampa Bay Lightning. It was easy, and somewhat fair, to point to the of calls. I think it was pretty soft.” man in net; Andrei Vasilevskiy is the standard for NHL goaltending. But there was no such excuse Thursday night to go 47 minutes and 35 3. Context is also important for why the reaction was strong. The Stars seconds without scoring on Joonas Korpisalo. had been zombies for most of the game but in the nine minutes before the penalty, they scored two goals to cut a 3-0 deficit to 3-2 and were One month ago, the Stars scored five goals on Korpisalo in one game buzzing for the tying score. With the penalty called at that juncture in the and followed it up with another three goals two days later. Sure, game, it halted any momentum the Stars had built, which they were Alexander Radulov and Roope Hintz played in both of those games and clearly feeding off, and put them on the penalty kill. Then, they’d have to combined for two goals and five assists. Neither was available Thursday regroup and try to score a goal in less than 90 seconds. It was truly the but even the absence of two offensive weapons of that caliber shouldn’t dagger in the game. result in a blank scoreboard for that long. That’s a call that shouldn’t be made in the first period, let alone late in the “It’s really close games, but we have to score more goals and win the third period of a one-goal game. As soon as the whistle blew, before the games,” defenseman Miro Heiskanen said. “We need to find a way to win call was officially made, I said, “Oh no.” I don’t have a horse in the race and it is, of course, frustrating.” but you want to watch players decide the games. The referees getting There were levels to the frustration Thursday. Since the Stars pride involved in that kind of way puts a damper on everything. themselves on being a defensive-minded team, let’s start there. In the To be clear, the Stars didn’t lose because of the referees. They lost first two periods, the Blue Jackets had seven high-danger scoring because of an inept offense and a horrible turnover; hence, the order of chances, according to Natural Stat Trick. Shifting over to the offense, the this piece. But that was still an egregious call that should have never Stars had two high-danger scoring chances in those same 40 minutes. happened and ruined what looked to be a very interesting ending. “We were a little tight to start,” coach Rick Bowness said. “You could see 4. The Stars’ first goal came about eight minutes into the third period and the puck bouncing of sticks, but then we found our legs and everything in it was a big one. Heiskanen hadn’t scored a goal since Game 3 of the the third period.” Stanley Cup Final. He finally broke through and ended a stretch of almost The Stars and Blue Jackets ended up equal on high-danger scoring 190 minutes of scoreless hockey for the Stars. chances at nine apiece. That’s the kind of third period the Stars had, “It’s always nice to score goals, but, like I said, we have to win games,” outperforming the Blue Jackets 7-2 in the final period. Hockey is a 60- Heiskanen said. “We have to find a way to win these games.” minute game, though, and when you throw away 47 minutes, you’re not only playing with fire, you’re burning in it. The Stars came alive and 5. It was remarkable what the goal did for the Stars. A team that didn’t scored a couple of goals in the third period but that’s not the story. At have a pulse offensively for most of the game suddenly came alive like it least, it shouldn’t be the story. An NHL team scoring two goals is a was the second round of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. That led to a highlight if you’re talking during the first intermission, not after the game. quick follow-up goal by Jason Robertson, who has been on an incredible The Stars’ scoring drought over the past week made scoring goals — a run ever since he re-entered the lineup regularly. goal — in the third period feel like a win. It’s not. The Stars left the building with zero points while Columbus added two points to their As I’ve said time and time again, good things happen when John cushion on Dallas. Klingberg shoots the puck. Robertson’s goal is the latest example.

1. Joel Kiviranta had a really bad game. He was the only forward who 6. Hintz was a game-time decision and did not play as he deals with his was a minus-2 on the evening and though plus-minus doesn’t always tell nagging lower-body injury. As Stars general manager Jim Nill said, this is the story, it did Thursday. The first goal was easier to stomach, relatively an injury that will linger for the remainder of the season so Hintz will be in speaking, because it was really a fantastic play by Boone Jenner and and out of the lineup. Here is what the Stars lineup looked like: Andrej Sekera certainly shares a slice of blame for allowing the goal. Jamie Benn — Joe Pavelski — Joel Kiviranta But it was the second goal, scored by Oliver Bjorkstrand in the first three Jason Robertson — Jason Dickinson — Denis Gurianov minutes of the third period, that was simply unacceptable. While the goal went unassisted to Bjorkstrand in the books, it was actually a perfect Andrew Cogliano — Radek Faksa — Blake Comeau setup by Kiviranta. Of course, the problem there is the difference in jerseys. Tanner Kero — Justin Dowling — Nicholas Caamano

Whether it was a jittery moment or lapse of judgment, it’s a play that Esa Lindell — John Klingberg should never happen. But for it to come in the final period when the Stars Jamie Oleksiak — Miro Heiskanen hadn’t scored in more than 180 minutes, it felt like a dagger. It turned out not to be but still, if that play doesn’t happen, there’s a chance the Stars Joel Hanley — Andrej Sekera at least come out of the game with a point as opposed to empty-handed. Anton Khudobin “Well, he is a kid, and he made a mistake,” Bowness said. “We said early in the year that we are going to play the kids and we are going to have to Columbus countered with this: live with some mistakes. That’s what comes with it when you play a lot of Patrik Laine — Jack Roslovic — Cam Atkinson young players. They are going to make some mistakes, and they have to know that if they make a mistake, they are going to go right back out. Emil Bemstrom — Riley Nash — Oliver Bjorkstrand

“If they continue to make the mistake, they may lose ice time but, listen, Eric Robinson — Boone Jenner — Nick Foglino it’s frustrating, but when you play young players, they are going to make some mistakes.” Max Domi — Alexandre Texier — Kevin Stenlund Zach Werenski — Seth Jones

Gabriel Carlsson — David Savard

Vladislav Gavrikov — Michael Del Zotto

Joonas Korpisalo

7. Ty Dellandrea was sent down to the taxi squad shortly before the game as Kiviranta and Tanner Kero were recalled. Dellandrea was on the roster before the previous game and skated in warmups before being a healthy scratch. Dellandrea has not played in the past five games after playing in 11 of the first 13 games.

8. The power play continues to be an issue for the Stars. They only had two opportunities Thursday but were unable to break through. That was especially disappointing on the first power play in the first period because NHL short-handed goals leader Cam Atkinson was the one that went to the box and the Stars still couldn’t capitalize. The Stars’ power plays were also essentially one minute each time Thursday.

The top unit on the first power play was Klingberg, Heiskanen, Gurianov, Pavelski and Benn. The second time, Robertson took Gurianov’s place. But without Alexander Radulov, Hintz and Tyler Seguin, the power play depth is gutted. The second unit doesn’t have the playmakers necessary to take advantage.

9. It doesn’t do much for the bottom line but it’s still sort of remarkable that Thursday adds to the Stars’ run of one-goal losses. Not counting empty-netters, the Stars have 10 one-goal losses on the season. They are 6-8-4.

10. Radulov is getting closer to returning. He began this week looking sharp in practice skating in a gray non-contact jersey and was in full uniform by Wednesday. The Stars are off Friday before their weekend back-to-back. They host Columbus again Saturday before Nashville comes to town Sunday. If Radulov could return for one of those games, it could not only bring a much-needed jolt to the team but also help out with the forward rotation.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021

1204981 Detroit Red Wings he tries to play from the defensive side of the puck, he tries to check for his chances, and he’s done a really good job of that.”

The goals, on six shots on net, gave Zadina eight points in 19 games. Why Filip Zadina feeling fresh and happy matters for Detroit Red Wings “Sometimes pucks are going the way you want and you get the puck on your stick and you just feel like you want to shoot it and you see the option to shoot the puck,” Zadina said. “That’s what I did. I probably have HELENE ST. JAMES to do that more often.”

Filip Zadina is shining as a bright spot amid another dreary season for Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.06.2021 the Detroit Red Wings.

They head into a four-day break on a three-game losing streak, but Zadina’s performances over the past week give encouragement that he will help the franchise escape the doldrums someday. A two-goal outing Thursday gave him four points in five games.

“I felt really good,” Zadina said. “I was skating a lot and felt fresh and scored a couple goals, which I’m really, really glad for. I didn’t score for a long time and now this. I am happy about what I did on the ice, but unfortunately we lost.”

The Wings played better in Thursday’s 5-2 loss at Carolina than in their previous two games, when they collapsed against the Columbus Blue Jackets (in the second period Tuesday) and the Chicago Blackhawks (in the third period Sunday). Zadina twice provided a lead, but the Hurricanes scored three times in the third period, the last time into an empty net with 5:05 to play.

Goaltenders are rarely pulled that early.

“It was a calculated risk and I lost on the risk,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “We don’t score very easy, and it was an advantageous situation for us with the icing. We ended up winning the faceoff, but we have to do more with the puck. It’s a calculated risk and when those decisions end up in your net, then it looks like a bad decision.”

The Wings (7-16-3) have five goals their last three games, all of which have been played without top-line forwards and Tyler Bertuzzi. Zadina’s line with Vladislav Namestnikov and Sam Gagner has created the most chances during that stretch.

“We had a couple chances the other game,” Zadina said. “We are all skilled players and want to play with the puck. They gave us some space and we won the battles. It was pretty easy for us — when we win the battles we have the puck and we can create chances like we did and score.”

On the first goal, Gagner flicked the puck down low to Namestnikov, who fed Zadina.

Blashill called them a good line.

“Vladdy was playing really good, Gags played good,” Blashill said “As we get healthier, hopefully we can continue to build more lines.”

Over the weekend, a clearer picture should emerge of who could be back when the Wings host the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday, but at the very least the expectation is that Larkin will be available.

Zadina went through health issues early in the season, testing positive for COVID–19 and spending two weeks in pandemic protocol. He worked hard to regain his form, and notched his third point of the season, an assist, in his first game back. Two games later, he recorded a goal.

He didn’t score again until Thursday.

“He’s played really, really good hockey,” Blashill said “Last game he took a step backwards, and this game he took a major step forward. Overall, I think he’s played good hockey. It’s a hard league to score in and you can’t get frustrated and you’ve got to stay with it, and he’s done a pretty good job of that.”

Zadina, the sixth pick in the 2018 draft, figures as a key component in the rebuild. He has matured nicely over the past year, showing a willingness to chase down the puck instead of waiting for someone to put it on his stick. But he's still only 21; he needs the boost a night like Thursday can provide.

“When you are a guy who scores, confidence is a critical thing,” Blashill said. “For those pucks to go in is important for him. Both were really good goals and hopefully he can continue to build on that. I think he’s played really hard most of the season. I think he’s done it the right way. I think 1204982 Detroit Red Wings But the move backfired when the Wings didn't control the puck effectively, and Carolina's Nino Niederreiter scored into an empty net only 10 seconds later.

Finally, Filip Zadina shows some offensive firepower in Wings' latest loss “It was a calculated risk and I lost on the risk,” Blashill said. “We don’t score very easy and it was an advantageous situation for us with the icing (called against Carolina).

TED KULFAN | The Detroit News "We ended up winning the face-off, but we got to do more with the puck there.

"It’s a calculated risk and when those decisions end up in your net then it Detroit — This was one of those nights where Filip Zadina felt like a looks like a bad decision.” dangerous offensive player in the NHL — a guy who when he had the puck on his stick, knew something good was going to happen.

For long stretches Thursday, there really wasn’t anyone else on the Red Detroit News LOADED: 03.06.2021 Wings who was making a similar impact to Zadina.

Zadina had both goals — one on a resurgent power play — but he couldn’t do it alone in a 5-2 loss to a Carolina team that looks like a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

The Wings aren’t anywhere close to that right now. But with Zadina gaining more experience, and learning how to become a consistent star in this league, and more talent around him, he could help the Wings get there one day.

“Sometime the puck is going the way you want, and you get the puck on your stick and you just feel like you want to shoot it,” said Zadina, who had six on net. “You see the option to shoot the puck, and that’s what I do.

“I probably have to do that more often, have more focus on shooting the puck.”

The two goals were only the second and third of the season for Zadina, who hadn’t scored in 11 games.

It’s been a strange season for Zadina. Few will deny he’s been significantly better defensively and is clearly becoming a dependable and effective player all over the ice. But offensive, a part of the game that was supposed to be Zadina’s calling card since being drafted in 2018, has been missing.

“I’m really glad for those goals, and hopefully they will keep coming,” Zadina said. “Shoot the puck more, and good things will happen.”

Zadina’s development as all-around player has pleased coach Jeff Blashill, who felt the goals would also give Zadina a boost in terms of confidence.

“When you're a guy who scores, confidence is a critical thing," Blashill said. "For those pucks to go in is important for him. Both were really good goals, so hopefully he can continue to build on that.

“He’s played really hard most of the season. He’s done it the right way. He tries to play from the defensive side of the puck. He tries to check for his chances, and he’s done a good job of that.

"He’s just got to stay on it.”

Svechnikov battle

The much-hyped first battle between Evgeny Svechnikov and his younger brother Andrei of the Hurricanes was clearly won by Andrei.

Andrei Svechnikov had a goal and assist while helping lead Carolina to the win.

Evgeny had an assist in 11 minutes, 29 seconds of ice time, and now has four points (two goals) in four games since being inserted into the lineup.

"Svech created a real good chance on the power play late, he did a solid job," Blashill said. "I'm sure it was an emotional night.

"He's an emotional kid, a great person, and i'm real glad he had a chance to play against his brother."

Bad gamble

Blashill saw an opportunity and he went for it. But the move didn't pay off.

Blashill pulled goaltender Jonathan Bernier for an extra skater, the Wings trailing 4-2, and 5:15 left. 1204983 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings to start hosting 750 fans at

Updated Mar 03, 2021; Posted Mar 03, 2021

By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

Little Caesars Arena will be slightly louder and maybe have a little more atmosphere when the Detroit Red Wings start a six-game homestand Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The club plans to take advantage of Michigan’s eased restrictions on attendance at sports venues by allowing 750 fans at games. That is the maximum allowable in this initial reopening phase for arenas with a capacity of 10,000 or more.

Until now, the team has been allowed to host only a couple hundred family members/friends of players.

There is no word yet on when tickets will be available to the public.

The Red Wings played in front of slightly more than 4,000 fans in Dallas and slightly less than 4,000 fans in Florida earlier this season. On Tuesday in Columbus, a little less than 2,000 fans attended the game following eased restrictions by the city.

“It’s funny what perspective is,” coach Jeff Blashill said Wednesday. “If we would have been playing in full buildings all year and walked into last night, we would have thought it was empty. And last night it seemed full. You could hear the crowd; they were into it. It was great.

“Chicago has no one in their building and the atmosphere was really quiet (last weekend). So, this was great to be part of. It’s closer to what we’re used to and what makes it such a great thing to be part of.”

Said Luke Glendening after Tuesday’s game: “A little bit of normalcy, coming back to hockey. It’s nice to have fans, nice to have people in the building.”

Michigan Live LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204984 Edmonton Oilers

Oil Spills: State of Oilers defence

Craig Ellingson

Publishing date: Feb 27, 2021

The defensive look of the Edmonton Oilers has transformed this season.

It started by necessity, with last year’s No. 1 defenceman Oscar Klefbom lost for the season to a shoulder injury and the addition of free-agent Tyson Barrie.

That’s a big change right there, but it goes much beyond it.

Darnell Nurse stepped into Klefbom’s role, as he has in the past, and has been particularly effective in 5-on-5 play, scoring at a strong clip to sit among the league leaders in points along with Barrie.

Opportunities to play have also seen Oilers prospects increasing their grips on regular roles on defence, now and in the future.

Evan Bouchard, William Lagesson and Caleb Jones all have stood out and played effectively while gaining more NHL experience in the first half of the truncated 2020-21 campaign.

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson joins me in this episode of Oil Spills to talk about how the defence has changed over the first half of the shortened season.

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204985 Edmonton Oilers Walter had a heart of gold. “Once in Helsinki with a Brantford bantam team, Walter saw a homeless

man on the street and passed around a hat on the bus and gave the Walter Gretzky was the most famous hockey dad in world money to the homeless man and said , “OK, we can go now,” recalled Jouni Nieminen, who covers the NHL for a Helsinki paper.

They knew Walter everywhere. Jim Matheson • “Quite frankly, Walter became as famous in our country as Wayne. You Publishing date: Mar 06, 2021 would see him at hotels and he would give people all the time they needed. The funny thing is, he had that aneurysm (from falling off a

ladder) in 1991 and he changed. Walter was a smoker before that and Walter Gretzky’s patch of ice at 42 Varadi Ave. in Brantford, Ont., was the other thing was he was almost an introvert,” said Lowe. hockey’s most famous backyard Field of Dreams. “I’ll never forget being with Wayne at a banquet and Walter had gotten a Wayne’s mom, Phyllis, helped out by going to the hardware store in printer to put his signature on every one of these, like, stick-it-notes he February to buy a new sprinkler. had. He would never have done that before the aneurysm. He lost the memory that he was a smoker and lost that he was an introvert. And now the beloved hockey dad is up in heaven with Phyllis, maybe Complete extrovert. No word of a lie.” checking out garden hoses. Maybe Wally is hanging around with his old pal, John Muckler, who knew the couple in Paris, Ont., before they were Barnett knows how much Walter loved being around his boy’s peers. married. “I remember the 1987 Canada Cup where Walter had the Russian team Walter, who died Thursday at 82, and Phyllis, who passed away in 2005, over to 42 Varadi for a barbecue. (Coach Viktor) Tikhonov knew that were Canada’s golden couple, writing the book on humility for their boys Walter had put out those frozen bleach bottles out on the backyard rink Wayne, Keith, Brent, Glen and daughter Kim, even in the harsh glare of so Wayne could stickhandle through them. He really admired Walter,” celebrity. said Barnett.

“The story that encapsulates who they were was when Wayne was “In ’94, Walter went with the group of NHL players (during the lockout) chasing ’s record,” Wayne’s long-time agent Mike Barnett and a lot of fathers, and Doug Wilson let Walter be on the bench for a said of scoring 76 goals in a single season. “The Oilers were in Buffalo, game in Helsinki,” said Barnett. “He says to Walter, ‘OK, get that first and I told Walter I would get three tickets and I’m outside the will-call and power play unit. Walter calls out, ‘Gretzky, Messier, Hull, Coffey, in walks Walter and friend Charlie Henry. No Phyllis. Walter says, ‘Brent MacInnis,’ then he smirked. Thirty seconds later, we’re winning 1-0.” had a pee wee game that night and Phyllis is driving him to his game. “I also remember Walter yelling at Brett, ‘You’ve got back-check more.’ That was the night Wayne set the all-time record. Buffalo was only 90 Hull laughed and said ‘It’s not the playoffs, it’s an exhibition game.’’’ minutes away. Wayne was always thinking of his dad, often when he was chasing “Sixty-one NHL records for Wayne, and Walter was still the Bell Canada records. The time he got 50 goals in 39 games on Dec. 30, 1981, he blue-collar installer whenever he met people,” said Barnett, from his figured his dad should come out from to hang around with his home in California. “I’m watching TV in Canada and they’re saying Walter boy. But he told Walter he should fly out to Vancouver for game 40 that is being mourned by a nation. How better to describe Walter?” season, and maybe stick around for game 41 to see how he was doing. , whose dad, Doug, is still alive but his mother, Mary-Jean, When he got the five goals against Philadelphia, he had to let Walter passed away last year, knows how tight-knit both family clans have been. down easy. “Wayne was who he was because of Wally. Wayne realized at a very “He came into the room and said ‘I guess I better call big Wally. Tell him early age there was a great responsibility coming his way with the player not to come to Vancouver,”’ recalled Lowe. he became and he was well-prepared for it,” said Messier. “He learned those lessons from Wally.

“I read about Wayne in a Canadian magazine when he was nine years Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.06.2021 old. The Gretzkys let people into their lives, people felt a part of the journey. They felt a part of the Canadian icon. Wally becoming the celebrity, and how many kids he touched, they were not a closed book by any stretch of the imagination over the last 30, 40 years.”

Walter almost signed as many autographs as his boy.

“He turned strangers into friends in every arena, every restaurant, every (airport) terminal, all the trips to hospitals,” said Barnett. “Once he retired, he loved going to hospitals. He took carloads of things to give away, particularly kids hospitals. Wayne would get dozens and dozens of samples from the endorsements he did and we rented a 20-foot truck and filled it, had a friend drive it from Los Angeles to Brantford and Walter opened it up and had this big smile.

“He gave it all away in 60 days, walking in like Santa Claus.”

Walter built the backyard rink for Wayne when he was four years old and his dad taught him to think the game, maybe more than play it.

“For sure, the one thing about, ‘Go where the puck’s going to be, not where it is,’ that was Walter. That was a big thing about Wayne’s game, for sure,” said Oilers Entertainment Group vice-chairman . “Wayne had very few downtimes but he would reach out to his dad and Walter always had a nugget or two to help out. And, of course, putting the time in with the backyard rink, that’s the old 10,000 hours, right? You know you’ve got a kid who’s a hockey nut.”

The Tim Hortons commercial where it showed Walter had kept a napkin from 1968 where Horton signed an autograph for a seven-year old Wayne, was a treasured memory of a hockey dad.

“Walter kept it in a shoebox,” said Barnett. 1204986 Edmonton Oilers “It’s going to be a big mental test for us. We played a really good hockey team three games in a row. We see the level we need to be at to compete at that level.”

Oilers versus Flames: Two hungry dogs and only one steak That seems to be the lingering message in the wake of those 3-0, 4-0 and 6-1 losses. The Oilers are a good team, but good teams never get much beyond the middle of the pack. If the Oilers aspire to be better than that, they will need to give more. Robert Tychkowski “Toronto had a better playoff mindset than we did,” said Tippett. “Their Publishing date: Mar 06, 2021 discipline, their structure, they beat us in those departments. Those are areas we have to improve on if we’re going to be a better team. When you make mistakes that cost you goals or cost you games, you have to When one team just got outscored 13-1 in a three-game sweep and the learn from them.” other team just fired its coach, something has to give. The Oilers are discovering that it’s harder to be a good team than it is to And you know it will Saturday, when the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary be an average team — that it doesn’t get easier when you push toward Flames square off in a compelling showdown between ill-humoured rivals the top of the standings, it gets tougher. looking to use each other as a steppingstone to redemption. “I always equate it to golf,” said Tippett. “When you’re an 18 handicap, It’s two hungry dogs and only one steak. it’s a lot easier to get to 12 than it is to get from 12 down to three. Once you get down to a two or a three you’re a good player, but that last bit is On the Edmonton side, would like to see his team channel a lot harder. the anger and embarrassment from what can only be described as The Maple Leaf Massacre, and use it to make things right against Calgary. “That’s where we are, we have to get better as a team. As you do, the steps to get even better become harder and harder, and those are steps “That’s what you’re hoping for,” said the Oilers coach. “If you truly hate to we want to make sure we’re engaged in.” lose, you get up off the mat and you do something about it. When you lose, and you lose the way we did the last three, there is lots to clean up.”

Captain Connor McDavid doesn’t care what emotion fuels his teammates Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.06.2021 on Saturday, as long as it fuels them and they can get back to being who they were before.

“You can feel the heck you want, as long as you channel it the right way,” he said. “Everyone handles losing differently, but ultimately it pushes us, drives us forward. That sense of urgency and desperation has to be back in our game, the way it was throughout February.”

It will be there from Calgary, as it always is when a team changes coaches. And especially when the new coach is Darryl Sutter. The Flames all know what Sutter is looking for, and if they deliver it, they will be a very tough out.

“You’re going to get an excited Calgary team, a team that’s going to be playing with lots of jump, lots of energy and intensity,” said McDavid.

“I’m sure we can expect a physical game, a simple game. They’re going to play in straight lines. Sutter has coached a long time and had lots of success. I’m sure he’ll want to make his mark right away on a very good Calgary team.”

The Oilers have only been in the mud for three games, so it’s not like they have to blow things up and search for answers now that they couldn’t find before. They’ve been a good team that battled hard, played tight and found ways to win. They know the formula.

“It’s not like we’ve been playing bad hockey for a month here,” said McDavid. “We had a bad week — three straight losses — and you want to grab it as quickly as you can.”

Because there is a psychological importance to this game that can’t be ignored. The Oilers want to show the Toronto series was just a temporary glitch and not a symptom of something bigger. Saturday’s fork in the road could help with that.

“It’s how fast can we get out of this slump,” said winger Jujhar Khaira. “These are the moments during a season that can define you as a team. You can either sit in this slump or work as a team and get back to how we were playing and slowly climb up the standings again.

“We’re going to have another chance playing (Toronto). Right now, it’s on to Calgary tomorrow and getting ready for that.”

There is also the matter of the standings, which have closed in again with those three losses. Among the four teams fighting for the last three playoff spots, the Flames are four points back of third-place Edmonton with a game in hand, Montreal is two points back with three games in hand and second place Winnipeg is three ahead with one game in hand.

“There’s no point sulking over what happened, but we definitely need to learn from those three games and get back to finding our identity,” said Khaira. 1204987 Edmonton Oilers If it’ll take 66 points to make the playoffs in the Canadian division, he’ll need to go 21-11 the rest of the way. If 60 will do it, make that 18-14. Calgary is home for 12 of the next 18, including two in mid-March against the Oilers after returning from this one. JONES: Farewell, Walter Gretzky. Hello, Darryl Sutter Sutter, who coached the Los Angeles Kings from 2011-17 and won Stanley Cups in 2012 and ’14, was previously coach of the Flames with a 107-73-15-15 record before moving into Calgary’s general-manager role Terry Jones for seven seasons from 2003-10. Publishing date: Mar 05, 2021 Sutter is taking over an 11-11-2 team that has been up and down like a toilet seat for Ward, especially of late. In the past four games, all against Ottawa, Calgary lost 6-1, won 6-3, lost 5-1 and won 7-3. Life goes on. Sutter’s history is definitely old-school. There’s no fuzzy-wuzzy, player’s It’s something people who have lost somebody dear say couldn’t be pal involved here. truer, yet sometimes seems so unwelcome when expressed. But when you wake up to the news of the death of Walter Gretzky and the return What you see from the Edmonton-area rancher is what you get. He still behind the Calgary Flames bench of Darryl Sutter at the same time, it’s shovels manure in his barn and he still believes in accountability and what you deal with. hard work from everybody in the lineup.

To people of Wayne Gretzky’s generation, Walter was everybody’s Everybody knows exactly where he sits every day of the season when hockey dad. To those of us who had the privilege of enjoying a special Darryl Sutter is coach. relationship with No. 99 over the years, Walter almost felt like our dad, “This change was required,” said Flames GM Brad Treliving. “This team too. needs Darryl and what he can bring.” That, I believe, was especially felt by almost the entire population of On a media conference call, he spoke of the close relationship he had Edmonton who lived through the Gretzky Era. There are hundreds of with late owners Doc Seaman and Harley Hotchkiss, and said he has, people in this city who had the opportunity to meet Walter. There wasn’t “unfinished business. It’s like I have a debt to pay to those guys. We’re a guy in the hockey world as easy to meet as he was. going to win a Stanley Cup for them.” Walter gave so many of his traits to his superstar son and without This already compelling coronavirus pandemic-inspired Canadian attempting to, became a celebrity himself by just being himself. He also division season just got more compelling. gave so much of himself to the game and causes associated with hockey.

Today should be a day to stop the world of sport and celebrate that. But Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.06.2021 life goes on. And hockey goes on. And to today’s generation of fan, the Edmonton Oilers just lost three-straight games to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who turned around and lost to the Vancouver Canucks. And prior to playing the Oilers here Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada, the Calgary Flames announced the return of Sutter to return behind the bench.

To lose three to Toronto by the combined count of 13-1, watch the Canucks beat the Leafs 3-1, see Winnipeg win in Montreal with the Canadiens getting a loser point and Calgary replace Geoff Ward with Sutter is a whole lot of wakeup call for the Oilers.

The Calgary coaching change definitely should have an effect on Edmonton.

“You’re going to get a Calgary team that’s playing with lots of energy, lots of jump and lots of intensity,” said Connor McDavid. “Sutter is a coach that has coached for a long time and had lots of success and I’m sure he’s going to want to make his mark right away on a very good Calgary team.”

Edmonton went into the series against the Leafs with an opportunity to pull even for first place. Now they’re 10 points back of Toronto, three back of Winnipeg and only two ahead of Montreal, four points ahead of Calgary and only six in front of Vancouver.

A few days back, I wrote of the year Sutter convinced the Flames if they won their games against Edmonton, they’d make the playoffs. The Flames responded and owned the Oilers all season. Calgary made the playoffs. Edmonton didn’t. And that was basically the difference.

Well, the situation going into Saturday’s fourth meeting of 10 this season isn’t that much different.

Sutter, who returns behind the bench with 634 wins in 18 seasons as an NHL head coach, has been spending the season working as a consultant with the Anaheim Ducks. He has been doing it from his Viking-area ranch, so there is no quarantine or travel time involved. He was in position to light a fire under the Flames immediately, but chose to delay his arrival to Monday because of things he had to do involving the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and things he had to “clear up at the farm.”

Assistant coach Ryan Huska will run things from the bench Saturday, but everybody on the ice knows their new head coach will be sitting 137 km to the east watching and evaluating. 1204988 Edmonton Oilers “We thought we were playing pretty good and they showed us otherwise. We have to address some important things,” he said. “They embarrassed us, tough one to swallow.”

MATHESON: Oilers can't toss away this Leafs spanking as just a bad Or a tough three. week Not getting a single power play in the first game or the third, and only four overall in the series, is a microcosm for how badly the Oilers played with the puck. The refs had nothing to call. Jim Matheson • Edmonton Journal “It’s not having sustained O-zone time and putting them in positions to Publishing date: Mar 05, 2021 take a penalty on us, or making them uncomfortable,” said Barrie.

Letting the Leafs outscore the Oilers 6-0 in the first period of the games was a foul-tasting recipe. Hey it’s not all gloom and doom, somebody in Oiler Nation was smiling Wednesday because they had the winning $214,817 ticket in the 50-50 “You can’t chase that team because they’re playing too well structurally, draw. they weren’t giving us any freebies in their end,” said Barrie.

Chances are, those were the only numbers that mattered to that fan. The Leafs, who were 4-2 after their first six games but have collected 30 of a possible 36 points since, had their hands around the Oilers’ throat in Not the 6-1 score for Toronto, on a night when it was abundantly clear every game. that the Maple Leafs, who have four regulation losses in 24 games, are beating up on everybody right now except the True North division’s The Oilers are still 11-5 in their past 16, so there’s that. But this would Winnipeg Jets because, somehow, in a scheduling quirk, they’ve only have easier to stomach if they had lost 4-3, 3-2 and 5-4. Instead, all played them once. games were over 30 minutes in. McDavid had no points while Leafs’ Jason Spezza had four, including three assists Wednesday. But, those are the Jets, what about the Oilers? Draisaitl had one assist. They not only gave up four power-play goals in They had 88 shots in three games against Toronto and scored once. 10 Leafs tries; Wednesday, the Leafs scored six seconds after a James That’s what Buffalo does, but Edmonton? One goal against their No. 1 Neal penalty, 11 seconds after one by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. That folks, goalie, Frederik Andersen? Fine. But his backup, Jack Campbell and is not good penalty-killing. Campbell’s backup, Michael Hutchinson stopped all 61 shots. Mike Palmateer, who just turned 67, could have played and played well, if They were outscored 9-1, even-strength. They had no answer for the there had been a fourth game in the series. Toronto forechecking. Not enough saves, obviously, from Mikko Koskinen or Mike Smith, who allowed a combined 13 goals in 84 shots. The Oilers, who have beaten up on Ottawa, Vancouver and Calgary (9- 2), got schooled by the Leafs. Yes, they should let this fester, to learn McDavid kept running into a thicket of checkers. Draisaitl, playing hurt from it, get mad, not write it off as a bad five days. but not enough to sit out, didn’t have his extra gear. Nugent-Hopkins got their only goal but did not have a good series. Neither did Kailer The Oilers have beaten Toronto twice and were coming in 11-2 after a Yamamoto. Nobody, actually. month of wonderful hockey, but looked bad because Toronto was clearly deeper, also better, and they didn’t need Auston Matthews. McDavid, has to keep the ship steered even in these stormy seas.

They have finally learned to take the risk out of their game. They’re “It’s still not a bad run, 11-5. Not happy with the three losses and the way checking and defending to accompany their abundant offence now, they went on. But we can’t forget about some of the positives we built,” which made it suffocating for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and he said. others, who threw up a lot of wishin’ and hopin’ shots. But … Let’s talk Toronto first: The Leafs forwards appear to have defined roles now and once the puck was in the Edmonton end, the Oilers had no “We have to figure out what exactly happened, then take those lessons visible answer for their puck possession. Their defence made non- and move on.” panicked 10-foot passes. Their top-four — Morgan Rielly and partner T.J.

Brodie, who has one of the best sticks in the game as a defender, along with Jake Muzzin and Justin Holl — is very strong. And when you see a Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.06.2021 visiting team play three straight, you see how good gritty unrestricted free-agent winger Zach Hyman, who could be available to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft, would be on Edmonton coach Dave Tippett’s team. He’s a missing top-six piece.

Tippett’s eyes were opened, for sure. So were general manager Ken Holland’s. They weren’t as good as they looked with only two losses in a month and not as bad as they looked against Toronto. But, as yardstick’s go, the Oilers, even at third in the division, are more feet than inches away from being in Toronto’s league at this time.

“Very concerning that we don’t want to grab the competitive level in a series like this. Not winning enough one on one battles to push the game along, critical battles, coming back to defend hard,” said Tippett.

It’s look-in-the-mirror time. Losing three straight games over an 82-game season to Tampa, Florida and Carolina on the road is how it goes sometimes, but three in a row at home to the same team in a short 56- game season that is almost almost half over, should be a sobering lesson. This was as speed bump for the Leafs.

“We can’t put this behind us, we have to recognize what we’re doing. Recognize how you played because if you don’t recognize how you play, it’s pretty hard to fix it. We’ve got a lot of recognition coming the next couple of days,” said Tippett.

Oiler defenceman Tyson Barrie cut right to the chase. 1204989 Edmonton Oilers percent of possession (Dangerous Fenwick is smart Corsi). Relative to the rest of the Oilers blue, Nurse is above average.

Nurse has played 114 minutes away from Barrie and against elites, and Lowetide: Why are some Oilers fans hesitant to give Darnell Nurse his his DFF percentage in that time (57.3) towers over Barrie’s time away due? from Nurse (48.0 percent DFF percent in 43 minutes).

Nurse and Bear together own a DFF percentage of 60.8 percent in 81 minutes. That’s your best available pair in 2020-21, although Bear’s By Allan Mitchell struggles Wednesday night against the Maple Leafs are a concern.

Mar 5, 2021 Nurse offensively

Nurse at even strength is a strong offensive contributor, although it often gets overlooked. He has posted over 1.00 points-per-60 for the past Darnell Nurse is easing into the heart of what looks like it will be a three seasons (including this one), leads NHL defenders in even-strength distinguished NHL career. goals (six) and is in the top 10 in points. By any available measure, he’s He is the top defenceman on the Edmonton Oilers roster, a two-way an offensive asset. player who is a major factor in every game. He plays big minutes at even Why are some fans hesitant to give Nurse his due? I have three reasons. strength and on special teams, has a growing reputation for five-on-five offensive production and serves as a policeman for opponents with Memories diabolical intent. He has established as much over 375 NHL games now, collecting recognition to the extent that last month, Jonathan Willis wrote Fans have long memories, and the disappointment of Game 5 of the an article for The Athletic opining that the big man should be considered Oilers’ 2017 playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks remains the for the 2022 Canadian Olympic team. strongest playoff memory of the past 15 years. Rickard Rakell’s late goal with less than 16 seconds to play is embedded in the mind of every So why are there some in his team’s fan base that are not bought in? Edmonton fan who witnessed it. A controversial goal because was interfering with Oilers goalie Cam Talbot, the officials ruled Despite his strong resume, a vocal group of Oilers fans continues to point that Kesler had initially been pushed into the crease by Nurse. Kesler to Nurse as the kind of player who isn’t capable of leading a team to was (in the minds of the referees) free to roam. Referee Chris Rooney playoff glory. They point to multiple “also in photo” plays involving reviewed the play on the (at that time brand new) iPad and saw nothing disaster as proof that he isn’t worthy of the universal appeal of a player that would overturn the call. like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, another two-way contributor who was (like Nurse) a high draft pick. Fans were outraged at the officials (this is universal in hockey, no matter how good or bad the call), but as time wore on, it has been Nurse who That group of fans was back at it during the team’s third straight loss to wore the brunt of blame. the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, calling out Nurse for being on the ice for four goals against, two at even strength and two on the penalty kill. And if Nurse with and without McDavid you watch the highlights, sure enough: Nurse is right there, No. 25, also in photo. But if you break down each goal against, Nurse isn’t close to Nurse plays a lot when McDavid is on the ice. That’s a reflection of the being the primary culprit on any. defenceman’s status as one of the Oilers best defencemen. His results with the captain tower over the results away from him, and that is often It’s just the nature of being a workhorse defender that he’ll be out there mentioned when discussing Nurse. for goals against on a tough night for his team. How bad is it? Well, let’s have a look via Natural Stat Trick: More Oilers fans than not believe Nurse can be a major player in any team’s success, but I want to drill down on the point from group that’s During these years, the second most common defensive teammate was been more critical since he arrived and see if we can identify an actual Adam Larsson, but the better style match is Oscar Klefbom. Here are the issue. numbers with McDavid and Klefbom on and off the ice together from 2018-19 through this season. I believe there are three reasons for the gap between value and perceived value worth discussing, with one of them standing apart as the Nurse with McDavid has been more effective, although both defencemen prime culprit. Let’s start with why Nurse has so much value. flourished. I think we can say that the Oilers are successful with either choice but that there is no mathematical reason to suggest Klefbom The coach’s endorsement should have been playing these minutes over Nurse. One caveat: A healthy Klefbom during these seasons might have changed the The best way to measure how a coach values his defencemen is their ice conversation. time. Edmonton Oilers coach Dave Tippett values Nurse to the tune of 25 minutes and 49 seconds per night, on average. Saw him good, saw him bad

That total leads Edmonton defencemen by over three minutes per game Nurse began his pro career in the fall of 2015 with the Bakersfield in all situations. He is No. 1 in even-strength minutes per game, No. 1 in Condors of the AHL. He played just nine games there before being shorthanded minutes per game and No. 2 in power-play minutes per recalled to Edmonton because of injuries. He was thrust into the deep game. end (he played 408 minutes against elites as an rookie in 2015-16, according to Puck IQ), and Oilers fans saw a young defender struggle. In all, he is on the ice more than 40 percent of the time for the Oilers. The back-door play, errant passes, delayed recognition of danger and That’s a valuable player. pounding the puck into the goalie’s chest were noticed and mentioned Against the best time and again in regard to the early Nurse years.

The best way I know to gauge defensive performance is by using the It should be mentioned fans also gave full credit for Nurse’s outstanding stats available at Puck IQ. The website “bins” opposition into three wheels (he’s a phenomenal skater), rugged style and quick recoveries. categories, with the most difficult opponents (elites) represent the very This is the process for most every young defenceman who enters the best of the NHL. All of these numbers are important, but the time on ice NHL, and Nurse has never been out of the lineup or back in Bakersfield. number is a strong tell: Nurse today has improved a great deal in all areas. His passing, once Nurse is taking on most of the heavy lifting, followed by the team’s top limited to one speed (supersonic), now has real touch and is effective. shutdown defenceman, Adam Larsson. Nurse’s two partners this season, His shooting ability has improved, too. Tyson Barrie and Ethan Bear, follow the top two in time on ice. Kris Russell has also played enough against elites to make the list 24 games There are still mistakes made. The modern NHL doesn’t allow Nurse to into the season. hook and hold and clamp a la Tim Horton in the olden days. A quick look at five-on-five on-ice goal differential shows Nurse is an effective member Nurse’s numbers are impressive. He is playing 44 percent of his five-on- of the team, especially considering he is playing so much against elites: five time against elites (only Bear has played more) and winning 51.2 Darnell Nurse 30-25 (plus-5)

William Lagesson 5-2 (plus-3)

Evan Bouchard 5-6 (minus-1)

Ethan Bear 10-11 (minus-2)

Adam Larsson 14-16 (minus-2)

Tyson Barrie 20-22 (minus-2)

Kris Russell 5-7 (minus-2)

Caleb Jones 5-8 (minus-3)

Slater Koekkoek 4-12 (minus-8)

Barrie is 17-13 (plus-4) with Nurse so has recovered nicely over the past four weeks from that difficult start. It remains to be seen how Tippett will deploy the top pairing during March and for the rest of the season.

What does it all mean?

Oilers fans being a house divided over a defenceman is nothing new. In fact, Hall of Famer got booed at the old Coliseum during the 1980s, and more than a decade later Tom Poti had a tough time. Nine years ago, Justin Schultz arrived and found it difficult to endear himself to the locals.

All of those men were puck movers who had some issues defensively.

Nurse is not the same player type. He is exactly what Edmonton fans love: a punishing hitter who never backs down and can play the big minutes while winning the goal differential. He is an impressive even- strength defenceman offensively, and his tape-to-tape outlet passes have improved markedly in the past 20 months.

Whatever gaps or inconsistencies in his game, the record shows his coach values him above all others, and the stats tell us he is delivering quality in monster minutes and against the best in the game.

What is it?

The Oilers haven’t been deep in the playoffs since 2006. A fan who turned 16 that summer is now 31. That fan is not impressed with four- game winning streaks and really not impressed with three-game losing streaks to Toronto at home.

It isn’t fair for Nurse, who wasn’t here in 2007 or 2009 or even 2012. It is, however, the task at hand.

Some Oilers fans have had their hearts broken so many times there appears to be a wait-and-see attitude on everything. All mistakes count double and double again, and a player like Nurse, who plays in the heart of the game, has paid a heavy price.

The best thing for Nurse, and the Oilers, is to get themselves into a series like the one against Anaheim in 2017, and then deliver a knockout blow.

Can Nurse play a major role on a team that goes deep in the NHL playoffs? There’s no doubt in my mind. He is a fine player with a wide range of skills who takes on the toughest moments. He needs a showcase series to show what he can do as a mature player.

Perhaps it will arrive this summer.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204990 Edmonton Oilers At the year-end OHL Cup, the province’s top minor hockey tournament in advance of the OHL draft, Tullio scored another 10 points in seven games, helping to the Kings reach the final.

Oilers prospect Ty Tullio trying to carve out his own path, one stop at a So by the time the OHL Draft arrived, Tullio belonged as a first-round time pick.

Knowing that the Generals would be selecting 11th, within the range he was likely to be picked, Tullio sat down with his mother, Danielle, and By Scott Wheeler Stewart before and after the draft to discuss the elephant in the room.

Mar 5, 2021 “I didn’t even talk about it with my dad,” Tullio said. “It was my mom and Cam, to figure out a game plan for myself to decide if that was the right fit

for me whether or not my dad owned the team. And at the end of the day, Ty Tullio knows that there are always going to be people who see him we thought that would be the best spot and he knows as a parent and an through the lens of his dad, Rocco. owner that I wanted to create my own path for myself, that I wanted to do this by myself, that I don’t want help, and that I wanted to be treated the Rocco Tullio purchased the OHL’s in 2007, when Ty same as anybody else on the team.” was 5 years old. A little more than a decade later, Rocco’s Generals selected Ty 11th in the 2018 OHL Draft. After the selection, and in advance of his rookie season in the OHL, Tullio worked closely with Nick Quinn of Power Edge Pro (PEP), a skills He gets it. development and technology company. Quinn, who also trained Perfetti and worked with the Generals, knew Tullio from his own playing days He knew, two years after that selection and as he navigated his NHL when he played for the Generals from 2010-12 and a young Ty would draft year, questions about nepotism and the role his father may have swing through the dressing room. played in his development were going to be asked. If NHL teams didn’t come out and ask them of him directly, he knew that they were thinking Quinn saw in that little kid turned NHL prospect what Stewart had seen: a about it, or asking others in his orbit. legitimate player in his own right.

When he picked up his cell phone for this story in late February, while “He is deadly from the top of the circles in,” Quinn said. “From a goal- staying in Arizona in advance of a flight to Bakersfield to join the farm scoring perspective, I don’t work with many kids that can fire the puck the team of the Edmonton Oilers, the team that selected him in the fifth round way he does when he gets time and space. He actually reminds me of of the 2020 NHL Draft, he knew he would have to answer questions (former NHLer) Christian Thomas, who I played with in Oshawa, and I about it again. always wondered if Ty learned that shot from Christian when he hung around the rink. He’s got a wicked release. But he’s also an 18-year-old kid who wants to carve out his own path. And those who know Ty insist that he’s a lot more than just the son of “He knows how to move pucks into space and maneuver past players, Rocco. He’s a determined, feisty kid who has travelled from Windsor to and he’s known as an offensive guy but he’s not a liability in his own Vaughan to Oshawa and, more recently, to Liptovský Mikuláš (a small zone. He plays a 200-foot game and I think the other part about Ty that town in the middle of Slovakia) trying to make a mark that’s distinctly his. people don’t really know is that he’s feisty. He’s not afraid to mix it up. He can grind it out. He can play any role.” He says Bakersfield will be another stop on his way to Edmonton. Several of the people he has encountered along the way so far agree. In Oshawa, instead of living at his dad’s place, Tullio took the traditional junior hockey route and entered the team’s billet program. He was Ty grew up in Windsor, Ont., where Rocco owned and operated the land- assigned to live with Montreal Canadiens draft pick Allan McShane. Early development company Rock Developments. on in his career, he tried to follow McShane’s lead. Ty started skating at 3 and playing house league hockey at 5. The sport The team’s general manager, Roger Hunt, took notice. Though Tullio has came naturally to him and by 6 he was playing a year above his age always been on the smaller side and says that he’s now 5-foot-11 and group. Though Rocco split his time between Windsor and Oshawa, with 175 pounds, his gritty style quickly endeared him to his teammates and Ty often tagging along for the four-hour drive from their home to the Generals staff. Generals’ Tribute Communities Centre (then named the General Motors Centre), Ty and his older sisters, Teagan and Tori, lived in Windsor full- “He’s very much a chameleon,” Hunt said. “He has a way of being good time. At age 7, Ty continued to play his AAA hockey with kids a year at whatever level he’s at. A ton of that credit goes to his work ethic, how older than him with the Windsor Jr. Spitfires. At 14, he led Windsor’s he prepares, and then his hockey sense is so good that when you put under-16 AAA team in scoring with 46 points in 33 games. hard work into it, you’ve got a good mix.”

It wasn’t until the following year, when he joined the Vaughan Kings in Tullio posted 42 points in 60 games in his first year with the Generals, the GTHL, that Ty Tullio returned to play with his 2002 age group for a good for fifth among the league’s under-17 players. second season at the under-16 AAA level in his OHL draft year. Hunt insists it was his own doing. With the Kings, he joined one of the best minor hockey teams in the country, playing alongside some of the top prospects in the province, “I think Ty has always been a leader and coming to Oshawa where his including Cole Perfetti (the 10th pick in the 2020 NHL Draft) and Ryan dad owns the team, that was probably always something in his mind. The O’Rourke (a second-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft). big thing is that I’ve never once mentioned (anything) about his dad. He’s just Ty Tullio to me,” Hunt said. “He’s a player on our team. I think our In Vaughan, Tullio became a star, grabbing an OHL spotlight that he coaches have done a good job of that, I think our players have done a never had in Windsor. good job of that, and I think Ty’s personality lends itself to that. He is his own person, he’s going to make his own headway.” That season, which he calls the “most fun year I’ve ever had and one of the best experiences of my life so far,” Tullio finished second in the GTHL That headway continued to build into his second season with the in scoring to Perfetti, with 89 points in 50 games. Generals as he pushed toward the NHL Draft. Early on in the season, Tullio was a go-to player for the Generals. Then, after the trade deadline, Tullio and Perfetti became fast friends, too, and Perfetti introduced Tullio his play continued to improve on the team’s “TNT line” with Nashville to his agent, KO Sports’ Cam Stewart. Predators prospect Philip Tomasino and overage OHL standout Brett After watching Tullio and meeting with the Tullio family, Stewart, who Neumann. doesn’t typically recruit clients in the crowded GTHL market, quickly put When the OHL season was abruptly shut down due to the pandemic, his hat in the ring to represent Tullio. Tullio was fourth on the Generals in scoring with 66 points in 62 games, “He had all of the things I look for, which is three things: hockey sense, which was again good for fifth in his age group. NHL Central Scouting skating, and compete,” Stewart said. “We just kind of organically created ranked him 52nd among North American skaters eligible for the 2020 a relationship because I was seeing them all the time and then when they draft. were ready to make a decision, he was somebody who fit my bill.” After the 2020 draft was pushed back from June to October, Tullio spent “Once I stepped onto the ice for that first game in Slovakia, I felt way his offseason at home in Windsor working with his trainer, Joey Garland, bigger, way stronger, way faster, like I was a whole new player out while he interviewed with NHL clubs over Zoom. He felt like he made there,” Tullio said. progress, working specifically on his explosiveness and strength off of the ice, and his stops and starts, tight turns, shot, and strength over the “I thought honestly going into the pro level, playing against men, that it puck. was really beneficial for myself. I’m still in my growing stages. I got used to that type of skill, that type of speed, that type of physicality early, After a long wait for the draft, he gathered in his dad’s office in Windsor before a lot of other players did. And I’m a feisty guy. I know how to play with his parents, his sisters and his grandparents to wait for his name to in the corners, I know how to play against bigger guys. But I’m also a be called. skilled player who can put the puck in the back of the net and make plays, and I think I really did that there and really adjusted well.” The name Tullio didn’t flash across the screen until No. 126. He stayed with the team until the middle of February, registering 13 Hugs and tears followed. points and 77 penalty minutes in 19 games as one of the team’s leading “It was a little bit painful taking the time to wait, and wait, and wait, when scorers. you just want it to come,” Tullio said. “It’s nerve-wracking and it took a Neither the production nor the penalty minutes came as a surprise to little longer than I expected, but at the end of the day I went to a great Hunt. organization and I honestly couldn’t have been happier with myself and the team I went to. It was one of the best, most relieving moments of my “He has grown into a man,” Hunt said. “If you think he’s slight or weak, life.” opponents do that at their own peril. He’s got an edge, he’s got an ability to take care of himself on that side of it, and I think that only goes to After Tullio decided against going to Europe with the first wave of junior enhance his pretty developed skill set that makes him an offensive threat. players who made that choice before the draft, Stewart and the Oilers There’s a reason some guys get room and get opportunities. And his worked in concert to find opportunities for him abroad, knowing that the ability to play that way affords him those opportunities. A lot of his goals OHL season was likely to be delayed into the winter. aren’t from the outside. He’s in the crease, he’s in the home plate area Tullio’s only preference was that he be able to go over with some friends. where there are a lot of bodies and action going on. That’s where he lives.” Stewart eventually found some openings with MHK 32 Liptovsky Mikulas, in Slovakia’s top level. Quinn believes the Oilers got a steal.

“There weren’t many opportunities,” Stewart said. “A lot of kids wanted to “It’s one of those things where, too often people bring up (Rocco). The go that could not go. You’re picking and choosing. And even pro players truth of the matter is that Ty has gotten there on his own. He’s a heck of were paying to play over there, and paying their own rent just to play, a hockey player, he has always been a great hockey player, and if you which is crazy but not crazy because of how in-demand those spots ask me I think he should have been drafted a lot higher last year as well,” were. And then we didn’t want to send him over there by himself, so we Quinn said. “He’s a great kid off of the ice. Really humble and down to put a group together.” earth. He comes and he works his butt off and his attention to detail is very impressive. His teammates all love him. He’s definitely a leader That group included McShane, David Jesus (another Generals within the team and the organization.” teammate), Mississauga Steelheads forward William Portokalis and Owen Sound Attack defenceman Carter Robertson. In time, they all think questions about his dad will start to be asked less often. Going into it, though Tullio knew Portokalis a little, he didn’t know Robertson. “He has obviously had to deal with dad being in the hockey world, and if you ask him he says it hasn’t been tough, but it has to be. He has had to In Liptovsky Mikulas, they joined a last-place team that hadn’t won a create his own path and be Ty Tullio,” Stewart said. “Has his dad given game in over a year, in a town of a little more than 31,000 people where him opportunity and put him in situations to succeed? As parents, we all nobody spoke English. want to do that. And yeah, he has. But you’ve got to take the baton and go and you’re not getting to pro hockey without the kid being able to play The five of them were set up in a three-story apartment-style hotel, with and have work ethic.” Tullio sharing a room with Jesus, McShane sharing with Portokalis, and Robertson, who arrived last, living alone. The hotel itself was otherwise Hunt expects Tullio will make the same impression in Bakersfield, and completely empty, so they got into a habit of leaving their doors open to eventually Edmonton, as he has everywhere else. prevent loneliness, playing a lot of video games together in their time away from the rink. “After losing his third OHL season, he made the most of it by going over to Slovakia to make an opportunity for himself,” Hunt said. “This season Being with McShane for a third straight year also helped ease the hasn’t been a lost opportunity for him because of that. He continued to transition for Tullio. grow as a player. Whatever can be said about that league, he was playing against 30-year-old men that have wives, mortgages, and kids, Even at the rink, outside of a couple of the MHK 32 players who’d and it gives you a different perspective on how hard those guys work. It previously played outside of Slovakia, briefly including Slovak Oliver was a nice introduction into what his next step was going to be. I think Okuliar, who played his junior hockey in the WHL, none of the team’s he’ll slide seamlessly into the AHL.” players or coaches spoke English. When Tullio looks back on his journey so far, he points to people like “The biggest issue was the language barrier, and not only that but the Hunt, Stewart and Quinn for their guidance. Then he mentions his dad, city at the time wasn’t open,” Tullio said. “We were on lockdown for whom he credits for finding a “sweet spot between being a parent and basically the time we got there until the time we left. So we couldn’t do being an owner.” anything or explore the city. We were just kind of from the rink to the hotel. We didn’t know what the coach was saying ever and even the “He lets the coaches do what they need to do,” Tullio said. “He doesn’t players it was really hard to know what they were saying. It was difficult.” get too involved. And I’ve had a blessed OHL career so far where I haven’t had any difficulties between myself and any other players, or That meant that there was limited direction from coach Milan Jancuska myself and my dad.” unless there was a translator around. Most of all, though, he’s proud of himself for going to Slovakia, and “They kind of told us to just come in and play hockey our way,” Tullio confident about his own future. said. “That’s what we did and it really helped them I think. We definitely improved our team when we were there, while improving ourselves at the “At the end of the day, it’s all working out for myself,” Tullio said, “all of same time.” my hard work in the offseason, putting myself on the map. Now I have the opportunity to go to play for the Condors. That decision I made to go Tullio made his pro debut on Dec. 11. He played 18:51, scoring his first overseas is one of the best decisions I’ve made. Leaving my family pro goal in the second period of a 5-4 loss. The work he did in the wasn’t easy but it was great, it was just awesome. I wouldn’t change that summer paid off. for anything. From there I’ll work my way into practices and games in the AHL.” He flew to Bakersfield on March 3 to begin that process.

His plan?

“Just keep dominating,” he said.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204991 Los Angeles Kings women’s soccer team experienced compared to its male counterparts, is the primary Dream Gap tour sponsor. The Women’s Sports Foundation and Adidas also are sponsors. JP Morgan Chase was a presenting sponsor in New York and AT&T will be a presenting sponsor in Chicago. Column: ‘Dream Gap’ tour inches women’s pro hockey association In addition, the Mark Messier Foundation, overseen by the six-time toward financial viability Stanley Cup champion (and brother to Bauer’s Mary-Kay Messier), vowed to match donations to the PWHPA up to $100,000.

Also of significance, the PWHPA has been working with individual NHL By HELENE ELLIOTT SPORTS COLUMNIST clubs, forging valuable partnerships with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New MARCH 5, 2021 11:27 AM PT York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks. “Instead of thinking, ‘What can the NHL do for us?’ How about, ‘How do we envision the future?’” Mary-Kay Messier said. “In some ways, why do we even want it to come from the NHL? Why not come from the women who have Between the vision of a sustainable women’s league that pays a living an idea of what the vision of girls’ and women’s hockey should look like?” wage and the current reality of having scarce resources, little visibility and part-time jobs is the chasm that explains the name of the Hefford said the NHL will play “a strong role in the future of a women’s Professional Women’s Hockey Players Assn.’s “Dream Gap” tour. professional league,” but working with clubs has been mutually beneficial. “We feel the relationships we’ve been building with the clubs The gap between what is and what they hope will come to pass is has been really successful because they’re the ones that can really narrowing slowly. It closes with each stop on the tour, which Saturday will activate on them. They’re excited to be a part of it, they share our vision reach the United Center in Chicago. The game will air at noon Pacific on of what professional women’s hockey should look like and I think they NBCSN with a team of female broadcasters and U.S. Olympian Kendall take it to their regional level and see it as an opportunity to grow the Coyne Schofield wearing a microphone. game within their region,” Hefford said. The gap closes a little each time they showcase their skills and share The PWHPA also gains stature by association with long-established NHL their remarkable stories, as they did last week at Madison Square teams. “It’s demonstrating that they see value in what we’re doing,” Garden in a game broadcast on the NHL Network and Canada’s Knight said, “and not only is it providing the credibility within the hockey Sportsnet. “A watershed moment for women’s hockey,” said Mary-Kay space and hockey community it’s also opening up new doors and having Messier, vice president of global marketing for Bauer Hockey. different synergies between our programs and shared services with these Blake Bolden, a scout for the Kings and their growth and inclusion other clubs that helped create a platform for a sport, because that’s specialist, felt the weight of the occasion as a TV analyst. “It was so something we’ve truly been missing for so many years. The visibility many girls’ dreams coming true, and you felt the energy in the building component has been the hardest one to overcome.” even without fans,” she said. “It was a powerful day.” Coyne Schofield also sees a great need to elevate the women’s profile. The gap closes each time the women inspire a “see it, be it” moment that “Look at the visibility of the women’s soccer team. I can walk into Dick’s changes a child’s life. “It’s important to develop young girls through Sporting Goods and get an Alex Morgan jersey if I wanted to,” Coyne sports, develop leadership, to keep people in the game, to keep hockey Schofield said. “You look at their social media channels: they have over 4 healthy for years to come,” said Jayna Hefford, a million followers combined and we don’t even have social media player and PWHPA operations consultant. “We always talk about hockey channels with the women’s national hockey team.” is for everyone, but to be healthy in the long term you’ve got to have that Hockey players on the ice. 50% of the population that sees themselves as part of the game, one way or the other, if it’s as a fan, competing, or in an executive or Interest in women’s hockey typically peaks during the Winter Olympics, leadership position.” but the grind doesn’t stop in the four years between the Games. As part of the resolution of a dispute between the U.S. women’s national team The PWHPA was born in 2019 with the aim of creating and promoting a and USA Hockey, a series between the U.S. and Canada — the top viable professional hockey league for women. There have been pro women’s international hockey powers — was established to give the leagues and the National Women’s Hockey League still exists, though its women chances to play and popularize the game. A matchup between players get little pay and its season ended abruptly when the coronavirus the U.S. and Canada drew 13,320 fans to Honda Center on Feb. 8, 2020, breached its bubble in Lake Placid, N.Y. Members of the PWHPA chose a record for the U.S. national team on home soil, but such games are not to play in the NWHL. Instead, they’re strategizing to build a league rare. The Dream Gap tour hopes to have one or two more stops but that will be financially stable, inclusive and forward-looking. nothing is certain. The 2020 world championships were cancelled It’s an ambitious goal. The pandemic, which limited the scope of the tour because of the pandemic and this year’s competition in Nova Scotia has and potential revenues, also prevented Canadian players from been pushed back a month to May. participating. The vision is crystallizing more slowly than everyone would Coyne Schofield, whose blazing speed electrified a wide audience when like. she competed in the 2019 NHL All-Star skills competition, said she was “When you’re so close to it and you’re a player — and I’m wearing my delighted when friends told her they enjoyed last week’s game in New player hat — I wanted it yesterday and we needed it yesterday,” U.S. York but was sad on another level. “It’s always so bittersweet for me to national team member Hilary Knight said. “But when you take a step hear from so many people after we play because we play like that every back you’re able to see it from a different viewpoint. What we’re doing day but we don’t have the platform to play on every day,” she said. today, we’re making amazing strides and we’re going to get where we “When we do, everyone’s like, ‘Wow, women’s hockey is awesome.’ And need to be eventually. But we can’t make rash decisions. my response is, ‘It’s awesome every day.’

“I think that’s been the hardest part, to collectively move forward “It goes back to the All-Star weekend. That was an incredible moment for understanding that you wanted these things yesterday but the reality is the game. What was so challenging for me was not being able to direct they weren’t created yesterday, and sometimes it takes a bold group of people’s attention to a consistent landscape of women’s hockey where women to stand up and forego the easy today for a better tomorrow.” they can go find us on a regular basis. Or it’s like, ‘Wait four months and two weeks until the world championships.’ You’ve lost them right there. The NHL has been supportive of women’s hockey and invited female You need to have somewhere to go, have a home base, and those are players to participate in its last two All-Star Game weekends, but it things that I hope to see in the future as well.” stayed on the sidelines while the NWHL and now-defunct Canadian Women’s Hockey League were rivals. The NHL hasn’t endorsed a Coyne Schofield and her husband Michael, an NFL offensive tackle who league in the way the NBA did in launching and funding the WNBA. spent three seasons with the Chargers, recently joined a new investor group behind the National Women’s Soccer League Chicago Red Stars. Olympians Alex Morgan, Simone Manuel, Sue Bird and Chloe Kim “When this opportunity presented itself to us it was a no-brainer,” she combined forces to launch Togethxr, a new media company for women. said, “because we know the need for people to invest and support and Instead of waiting for the NHL to provide funding — and possibly take advance women’s sports if we want to continue to close that gap.” They ownership of its future — the PWHPA found its own sponsors. Secret continued a mini-trend of celebrities and athletes investing in the NWSL; deodorant, which donated $529,000 to close the pay gap the 2019 U.S. Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian, actresses Eva Longoria, Jennifer Garner and Natalie Portman and more than a dozen former members of the U.S. women’s soccer team are among the owners of the Angel City soccer team, which is scheduled to debut next year in Los Angeles.

Westwood, CA, Saturday, February 27, 2021 - UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis competes in the floor exercise.

Would a prospective women’s hockey league benefit from famous investors? “I don’t see why it wouldn’t work,” Hefford said. “When you’re trying to get things up off the ground, A, you need the financial investment and B, to have the platform of people who have influence publicly is certainly key.”

Coyne Schofield estimated that women’s soccer is about 20 years ahead of where women’s hockey is. “We are seeing the success of the NWSL take off because of the amount of capital and the amount of people who are investing in women’s sports, and that’s not just a dollar amount,” she said. “That’s also awareness, that’s broadcasting partners, that’s resources.”

The NWSL stands as a blueprint for women’s hockey. “To look how they’ve built their brand and see how popular the women’s players are is incredible,” Knight said. “And I think that shouldn’t be unique or rare to women’s soccer or to women’s players in any sport.”

There’s a lot of work to be done to reach that point. “I look at it as we have this amazing product and every day we don’t have a place to play that’s professional quality for our unapologetically amazing talent is a miss. It’s a huge miss,” Knight said. “As we step up and cultivate more relationships with the existing hockey brains in the space, that’s going to be tremendous for our success moving forward, but right now it’s a big missed opportunity. You have this amazing product when women’s sports are so popular that we could really take the sport to the next level.”

It’s moving that way. Slowly, but it’s moving. “I just feel a tide shifting and it’s a really exciting feeling,” Bolden said. “I’ve seen so much in this game. I’ve been in a lot of different leagues. I’ve been all over the world playing. This just feels like we’re on the precipice of something big, something bigger than me or anything else. It’s really exciting to see this unfold in front of me.

“This is not something that we’re doing for ourselves. This is the Dream Gap tour, it’s for the girls that have dreams of playing professional women’s hockey at the highest level. It’s for them.”

LA Times: LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204992 Los Angeles Kings In the second period, the Kings continued to control the flow of the game and limit St. Louis mostly to perimeter shots, many from their defensemen. But it took until nearly 17 minutes were off the clock for them to finally get on the board. Kings allow late equalizer, lose to Blues in OT A counterattack with defenseman Tobias Bjornfot jumping into the play saw winger Andreas Athanasiou draw St. Louis’ transition defense into the center of the ice. He found Carter streaking ahead of the play, and By ANDREW KNOLL Carter glided in on goal with a toe-drag move that led to him beating PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 9:59 p.m. | UPDATED: March 5, 2021 at Husso with a backhand shot. 10:40 p.m. St. Louis scored a power-play on its first shot of the game. An untidy line change saddled the Kings with a penalty for too many men on the ice.

An overall sound, steady and structured effort went for naught Friday as “The line that took the penalty wasn’t even on the ice yet, and that’s the Kings blew a lead in the final minute and fell to the St. Louis Blues, 3- unacceptable,” said McLellan, who also rued his team’s ill-fated press for 2, in overtime on Friday night at Staples Center. the empty-net goal before Perron tallied a second time.

It marked the third time this season that the Kings gave up a goal 6-on-5 with less than a minute to play – the other two were against Minnesota Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.06.2021 and San Jose – and all three late goals have led to overtime or shootout losses.

Jeff Carter and Dustin Brown scored for the Kings. Goalie Cal Petersen was flawless in regulation save for the first shot and second to last shot he faced. He made 19 saves.

“We take out minute 3 and minute 59, and you’re leaving the rink pretty happy with the group as a whole,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said.

Forward David Perron scored twice for the Blues and winger Mike Hoffman netted the overtime winner. St. Louis gave Jordan Binnington a rare night off as Finnish rookie Ville Husso got the nod in net and made 28 saves.

Young players like Kings center Gabe Vilardi and Blues winger Jordan Kyrou had their moments, but all four goal-scorers were veterans with a combined age of 135.

“I thought we played, actually, a really good game. We had a lot of really good chances,” Brown said. “We just didn’t find the back of the net as much as we’d like.”

In the extra frame, the Blues were set up in a 1-2-1 formation during a delayed penalty, moving the puck from the left wing to the top of the zone and then over to the right faceoff dot where Hoffman hammered home a one-timer for the win.

St. Louis forced overtime by scoring with just 43.5 seconds left in regulation, counterattacking as the Kings pressed for an empty-net goal. The Kings hustled back to even up the rush, but Perron caught the defense backing up, allowing him to pick his corner and loft the puck high to the short side for the equalizer. It was an NHL-leading seventh goal for St. Louis when it is playing 6-on-5, and it portended the Kings’ fourth consecutive loss since their six-game winning streak.

“To give a goal up late … I think it’s a good lesson for us as a group,” Brown said. “During the six-game winning streak, we squeaked out a couple games where the bounces went our way. You’re going to have to play a full 60 to get out of this little skid we’re in.”

For all the Kings’ unrewarded effort early in this game and late in their Wednesday loss to Arizona, they were compensated with a break early in the third period. They began the period on the power play and after Kopitar’s pass for Brown failed to connect it ended up going in off a skate as Brown spun to find the puck. It was Brown’s fifth goal in as many games against the Blues this season and sixth power-play goal overall in 2021.

“When we got back to the bench, we both kind of chuckled because as soon as I gave him the puck I think we both knew what was going to happen,” Brown said. “That’s the benefit of playing with one guy and clicking with a guy for the last whatever many years we’ve played together.”

Kopitar moved into a tie with Dave Taylor for third on the franchise’s career assists list. Kopitar and Brown have now played the most regular- season games together (1,067) of any two active players in the NHL. Blackhawks defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook had played 1,069 games together, but Seabrook retired Friday due to complications from three surgeries, one on his shoulder and one on each hip.

Five minutes into the final frame Adrian Kempe had a breakaway but was denied by the right pad of Husso. 1204993 Los Angeles Kings We’ll do what we always do. We’ll look at the video, we’ll try to fix things that need to be fixed, whether it’s individually or collectively. Even the penalty to start the game with, there’s not much we can do or say to that individual right now, he knows it, he feels really bad about it, let’s just FINAL – KINGS 2, BLUES 3 (OT) – BROWN, KUPARI, MCLELLAN make sure it doesn’t happen again. To me, it’s just not being sharp. Again, it’s unacceptable, but it’s a team game and guys make mistakes in

a team game. Everybody pays for them, but that’s what we signed up for. BY ZACH DOOLEY FOR LAKINGSINSIDER.COM We get better as we move forward.

MARCH 5, 20210 On if tonight feels like a “bad point”

I have to be careful how I answer that, because 58 and a half minutes were pretty darn good. There’s still mistakes, but we couldn’t be happier In the words of their head coach, the LA Kings put together a strong 58 with that part of the game. To let it get away in the other minutes the way minutes and 30 seconds, but it was the other minute and a half that cost that it did is disappointing. I don’t know what the most important minute of them in a 3-2 overtime defeat against the St. Louis Blues. the game is, you usually don’t know until after. Was it the too many men on the ice penalty that they scored on? Maybe. Was it the 6-on-5 goal? Early in the game, the Kings took a too-many men on the ice penalty, Maybe. Overtime is overtime, but those are two moments that standout. that wound up in the back of their net on the resulting power play. What followed felt like a pretty great game played by the Kings, until we On Rasmus Kupari’s NHL debut tonight reached the final 60 seconds. Pretty solid night. A little nervous to begin with, but who wouldn’t be, and The Kings chased an empty-net goal too aggressively as the clock then he settled in. He was good in the circle, he was responsible in his wound down, which led to a 3-on-2 rush for the Blues the other way. own end, I thought he forechecked, he had a couple of scoring Given space, forward David Perron sniped home his second goal of the opportunities, that’s a pretty good night for a 20-year-old to have in his game from the top of the right-hand circle to force overtime. St. Louis first one. capped things off with a 4-on-3 goal in overtime, with a delayed penalty coming against Los Angeles. Notes –

In between those two moments at either end of the game was some very – With his 12th goal of the season, forward Dustin Brown moved into a good hockey from the Kings. They got a nice goal from Jeff Carter and a tie for fifth in the NHL in goals scored this season. Brown also leads all power-play tally from Dustin Brown, in his typical, around-the-net fashion. players in the West Division in goals. They certainly had several opportunities to put the game away with a – Anze Kopitar collected the lone assist on Brown’s goal, his 21st of the third goal, but couldn’t get another one to go past Ville Husso. season, moving him into a tie of his own for fifth in the league. Kopitar Overall, the Kings did a lot of things well tonight, and put together what leads all players in the West Division in assists and points this season. was nearly a complete 60 minutes, but between the two moments that – With the primary assist on Jeff Carter’s second-period goal, forward Todd McLellan was most disappointed in tonight, and just not being able Andreas Athanasiou now has points in four of his last five games (1-3-4). to get that insurance marker in the third period, they were on the wrong side of another overtime game, falling to 1-5 games that extend past the – The Kings have earned at least one point (3-0-3) in each of Cal scheduled 60 minutes. Petersen’s last six starts.

Unfortunately we lost, but I think there were a lot of good things with our – Forward Rasmus Kupari made his NHL debut tonight, skating 10:07, as line and with the whole team, we got some chances. I just tried to keep it he became the third Kings player this season to make his NHL debut. simple, use my speed and get the forecheck going. I thought that when our line did that, we got some pretty good chances a couple of times, and – The Kings tied a season-low for shots allowed (22) tonight, matching I’m pretty sure next game we’ll score on those. the 22 they allowed on February 18 in Arizona. The 22 shots allowed were also the fewest they have allowed in a game this season at home. Of course, the game is a little faster, but I think it’s more organized here. Guys are smarter, more skilled, so I think that can be a good thing for me – The Kings have now scored a power-play goal in three consecutive as well. It helped my game. games, with four goals in total during that stretch.

On if anyone on the team was especially encouraging for him before his The Kings and Blues are scheduled for a rematch tomorrow evening at debut STAPLES Center, with puck drop again slated for 6 PM.

I think the whole team said congrats to me and they helped me through this day. On the ice, I had to say that the whole team, lots of different LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.06.2021 guys, I’m really thankful for the whole team and coaching staff.

On taking the solo lap before tonight’s game

Yeah, I had a lot of fun. It was a moment I will never forget. I was in line there, and Kopi just told me to go ahead, and I got a couple laps by myself. It was totally something that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Todd McLellan

On if he felt the team chased the empty-net goal too aggressively, leading to the Blues game-tying goal

One-hundred percent, I couldn’t say it better myself.

On the two moments that cost the Kings the game tonight

When I look at the game, I think of the too-many men on the ice penalty right off the bat. The line that took the penalty hadn’t even been on the ice yet and that’s unacceptable. You’ve got to know who you’re going for and when to go. We had a couple of those early in the year and it hurt us. At the back end of the game, the last minute, we chased that empty netter and we didn’t need to. We needed one to be aggressive, two maybe to help and three to be safe, and we weren’t that. You take those two moments out of the game and I thought we played a pretty good night.

On the message to the group between games 1204994 Los Angeles Kings

GAME THREAD – KINGS VS. BLUES, 3/5

BY ZACH DOOLEY FOR LAKINGSINSIDER.COM

MARCH 5, 2021

Los Angeles Kings 2, St. Louis Blues 3

FINAL – Overtime

Game Previews: LA Kings Insider – NHL.com – St. Louis Blues

Pre-Game Live Show (Call-In 877-KINGS20)

SOG: LAK – 30 STL – 22

PP: LAK – 1/4 STL – 1/3

First Period

1. STL – David Perron (8) – (Ryan O’Reilly, Brayden Schenn) – 2:08 (PP)

Second Period

2. LAK – Jeff Carter (5) – (Andreas Athanasiou, Tobias Bjornfot) – 16:41

Third Period

3. LAK – Dustin Brown (12) – (Anze Kopitar) – 0:37 (PP)

4. STL – David Perron (9) – (Ryan O’Reilly, Mike Hoffman) – 19:16

Overtime

5. STL – Mike Hoffman (7) – (Torey Krug, Ryan O’Reilly) – 1:30

Los Angeles Kings (9-8-4) vs. St. Louis Blues (13-8-2)

Friday, March 5, 2021 – 6:00 p.m. PT

STAPLES Center – Los Angeles, CA

Referees: #2 Jon McIsaac, #14 Trevor Hanson

Linesmen: #82 Ryan Galloway, #43 Mitch Dunning

Fox Sports West, FOX Sports GO, LA Kings Audio Network

LAK Starters: G Cal Petersen, D Mikey Anderson, Drew Doughty, F Andreas Athanasiou, Gabriel Vilardi, Jeff Carter

LAK Scratches: Michael Amadio, Kurtis MacDermid, Austin Wagner

STL Starters: G Ville Husso, D Vince Dunn, Marco Scandella, F Kyle Clifford, Brayden Schenn, David Perron

STL Scratches: Colton Parayko

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204995 Los Angeles Kings with a full practice and the team not in the middle of an extended winning streak, the time is right for his introduction to the lineup.

“The timing on the road was a little bit different too, because the team 3/5 PREVIEW – KUPARI’S NHL DEBUT & LINEUP PROJECTIONS, was winning games and we needed to continue to reward those players PLUS GETTING THE PK BACK ON TRACK that were involved in it,” McLellan said this morning. “Here, we obviously haven’t won in a few games and a couple guys haven’t performed to the level that we expect from them, and probably what they expect of themselves.” BY ZACH DOOLEY FOR LAKINGSINSIDER.COM Kupari has produced at a pretty great level in the AHL so far this season. MARCH 5, 2021 As crazy as it is to say that a 20-year-old forward can feel like a bit of a veteran, on a team consisting of so many players in their first foray into professional hockey, it has felt that way at times. His performance, and TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: The Kings continue their three-game production, has been greatly improved in his second season in North homestand tonight against St. Louis. America.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Kings forward Dustin Brown has four goals from four Kupari spoke with media this morning in large variety of topics, including games against the Blues this season, to lead all players in the season his adjustments to the AHL from Year 1 to Year 2, his combination of series. At .38 goals-per-game against St. Louis, Brown has only scored speed and skill, adding more physicality to his game, friends and family at a higher rate against Edmonton in his NHL career. Forward Anze tuning in tonight from Finland, and more! Kopitar also has four points (1-3-4) in the season series, while linemate Alex Iafallo has three (1-2-3). On the St. Louis side, forwards Ryan The Killers O’Reilly (1-3-4) and David Perron (1-3-4) have each collected four points The penalty kill was an area of improvement for the Kings after from four games played. Wednesday’s defeat. That evening’s opponent, Arizona, scored a pair of KINGS VITALS: The Kings held an optional morning skate this morning power-play goals, both of which came off of failed clearing attempts. in El Segundo, with everyone on the ice besides Andreas Athanasiou, Heading into Wednesday, the Kings had not allowed a power-play goal Dustin Brown, Jeff Carter and Drew Doughty. against in four-straight games (11-for-11) and ranked fifth in the NHL with Yesterday’s practice gives us an indication that the Kings might make an 85.9% success rate in penalty killing to date. Through 20 games, the some lineup changes from the group they iced on Wednesday against Kings had only “lost” the special teams battle in 2 of 20 games, meaning Arizona. With the expectation that Rasmus Kupari could check in allowing more power-play goals than they scored. Wednesday, however, alongside Adrian Kempe and Trevor Moore, here’s a projection at how marked number three. the Kings might line up at forward tonight, with listed defensive pairings Over the last two days, the team watched video of the penalty kill, the same as we saw versus the Coyotes. serving as a bit of a refresher course for what they’ll need to button up Both goaltenders have impressed so far this season against the Blues. against the Blues. Jonathan Quick posted a 31-save shutout last time out, and is 2-0-0 on “We watched some video on it, I think we all know what to do, we know the season, with a .952 save percentage and a 1.51 goals against our positions and our responsibilities,” defenseman Matt Roy said this average in head-to-head matchups. Cal Petersen was also impressive morning. “We just kind of refreshed our memories and walked through it last time out, as he made 35 saves on 36 shots, in a 2-1 victory. On the a little bit, so hopefully tonight we can be dialed in there.” season, Petersen is 1-1-0, with a .938 save percentage and a 2.03 goals against average. McLellan felt after the game that mistakes the Kings were making last season on the penalty kill showed up in their game against the Coyotes. With the Kings and Blues playing both tonight and tomorrow, expect for On both goals allowed, Los Angeles had opportunities to clear the each goaltender to play one game. defensive zone, and neither instance resulted in a full 200-foot clear, BLUES VITALS: The Blues will go with backup goaltender Ville Husso which would have both allowed the Kings to relieve pressure and get tonight against the Kings. Jordan Binnington has seen the bulk of the fresh bodies on the ice. The results of not doing so were two goals starts to date – he ranks one game played shy of the NHL lead this against. season – but considering the back-to-back this weekend, you’d have to “We were certainly out of position on one of them, and just an individual think we’ll see four goalies in total across the two games. mistake on another,” McLellan said. “It’s going to happen, from time to Husso has won each of his last three starts, is 4-2-0 this season and time. It’s hard to be elite and perfect on your penalty kill, there’s a lot of holds a .879 save percentage and a 3.82 goals against average. The really good power plays in the league right now. We got stung for two Finnish netminder has started once this season against the Kings, as he and it cost us a game. I’d like to think that we can clean that up tonight.” took the loss with 29 saves on 34 shots in a 6-3 Kings victory on January Kings and Blues, tonight in Downtown Los Angeles, an hour earlier than 24 in St. Louis. usual. Game Thread is coming up next! Could we see the return of forward Vladimir Tarasenko tonight for the visitors? When I pre-wrote some of this preview yesterday, it felt like it might happen. This morning, however, Craig Berube said that Tarasenko LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.06.2021 will not make his season debut tonight against the Kings. The Blues have an internal date for Tarasenko’s return, though they are not sharing that publically.

Perhaps tomorrow will be the day -Berube indicated previously that he expected Tarasenko to return on their current road trip. St. Louis plays these two games against the Kings, and one final game against the Sharks, before heading home.

“Rasmus is going to get his first NHL game tonight, we want him to play free, play hard, don’t worry about making mistakes,” Todd McLellan said this morning. “We’ll help him with those things, and enjoy it.”

Kupari has spent the bulk of the season to date in the AHL with the Ontario Reign, but earned his second recall to the taxi squad yesterday morning, when he skated on a line with Adrian Kempe and Trevor Moore.

It’s looking like Kupari will center that line between Kempe and Moore in his debut tonight. As McLellan said previously, the middle of a road trip, in the situation the Kings were in, wasn’t the right time. Now, at home, 1204996 Minnesota Wild Kahkonen leads NHL goalies in wins since Feb.18, and his six road victories are tied for the most in the NHL.

"He's such a good kid, and he's got a real bright future in this league Jordan Greenway gets an assist from Ian Cole's stick on breakaway goal that's for sure," Hunt said. "He just keeps it simple. He's not flashy by any vs. Coyotes means but when the save needs to be made, he does."

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune Star Tribune LOADED: 03.06.2021

MARCH 6, 2021 — 12:33AM

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Wild winger Jordan Greenway gave the stick back once he returned to the bench, but defenseman Ian Cole figured his teammate would be asking to keep it.

"He's 1-for-1 with it," Cole said. "You can't beat that batting average."

After breaking his stick earlier in his shift, Greenway made a pitstop at the bench and accepted Cole's stick before going on a breakaway and scoring to open the floodgates in a 5-1 dismantling of the Coyotes Friday at Gila River Arena.

"That was a first," Greenway said.

Initially, no one wanted to give Greenway a stick and Cole noticed Greenway idling at the bench.

"He was just standing right in front of me," Cole said. "'Well, here you want mine? Take it.' And then he curls down and goes for a breakaway and scores. I think I might have [celebrated] harder than he did."

Cole guessed it was the first breakaway goal from one of his stick since his peewee days.

That Greenway was even able to get a shot off on net was impressive considering how different Cole's stick is from the one Greenway uses; he described it as a two-by-four that was 2 1/2 inches longer and "50 pounds" heavier.

But Greenway was still able to capitalize, going five-hole on Arizona goalie Antti Raanta.

"Now that I knew there were some goals in that stick, I really wanted it back," Cole said.

Another memorable goal from the night, aside from Nick Bjugstad's finish on a no-look, behind-the-back pass from rookie Kirill Kaprizov, was the game-winner from defenseman Brad Hunt.

A frequent scratch this season, Hunt took advantage of the ice time and scored his first goal of the season on a shot from the point that slipped through Raanta.

"He's dressed in every warm-up," coach Dean Evason said. "Even when he doesn't play, his positivity every single day – you see him come to the rink it doesn't matter if he's sitting, in or out or what happened, he's got a smile on his face. He's standing up on the bench, talking to the guys throughout the game.

"Yeah, it's certainly nice to see him get rewarded."

Most of the Wild's offense came in the first period, with the team jumping out to a 3-0 lead.

And once the team hits that threshold, it's usually unstoppable – going 13-1-1.

"Leadership" is what Evason chalked the attentive first period up to, explaining, "I think our leadership in the room has recognized that and adjusted and got each other ready. I think [captain 's] done a real good job of leading in that department, and coaches can talk until they're blue in the face about being ready to play. If the group isn't talking about it and doing the right things to prepare for the drop of the puck, then you can talk till you're blue in the face. Leadership's done a good job."

Despite how lopsided the score was, this was yet another strong showing by goalie Kaapo Kahkonen.

He made 24 saves to record his sixth straight win, a franchise record for a rookie goalie and a run in which he's stopped 152 of 162 shots. 1204997 Minnesota Wild

Friday's Wild-Arizona game recap

MARCH 6, 2021 — 12:24AM

GAME RECAP

STAR TRIBUNE'S THREE STARS

1. Kirill Kaprizov, Wild: The rookie was dynamic, setting up two goals.

2. Jordan Greenway, Wild: The winger finished with a goal and an assist.

3. Kaapo Kahkonen, Wild: The goalie finished with 24 saves.

BY THE NUMBERS

1 Goal for Brad Hunt in the defenseman's sixth game of the season.

2 Assists by Marcus Foligno, who has six points during a three-game point streak.

13 Points for Mats Zuccarello over his past nine games after recording a goal and assist.

Sarah McLellan

Star Tribune LOADED: 03.06.2021 1204998 Minnesota Wild "What we like about his game and when it's really good, it's really urgent," Evason said. "It's really heavy, and it's really hard. If he brings that each and every night, clearly, he's going to give our hockey club an opportunity to have success." Wild notes: Kaapo Kahkonen officially No. 2 goalie, but says he'll keep working at it

Star Tribune LOADED: 03.06.2021

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune

MARCH 6, 2021 — 12:35AM

GLENDALE, ARIZ. – Kaapo Kahkonen's spot with the Wild was solidified this week, with the goaltender locking up the team's backup duties after Alex Stalock was claimed off waivers by Edmonton.

But the job security hasn't changed Kahkonen's outlook.

"I'm treating everything the same way," he said. "Just trying to focus one game at a time here."

That approach seems to be working for the rookie, who was back between the pipes Friday for the first half of a back-to-back against Arizona after starter Cam Talbot handled the first two games on the road trip.

At the time the Wild placed Stalock on waivers, Kahkonen was coming off his fifth straight win and a run in which he had stopped 128 of 137 shots — steadiness that has become a hallmark of the 24-year-old's play since his debut with the Wild last season.

"[I'm] trying to be calm and trying to get square and beat the pass," Kahkonen said. "If there's a cross-ice pass, just get there before the puck gets there. Just not chase the game."

Even if the Wild chose to keep Stalock on its roster and carry three goalies instead of subjecting Stalock to waivers — a necessary precursor to get him to the minors for longer than a conditioning loan or on the taxi squad — it would have been tough to shake up the depth chart with how well Kahkonen has performed.

"His practice habits are never giving up on a puck," coach Dean Evason said. "That translates into a game. He's never out of a play no matter where the puck is or where it's going. He's going to battle to get there."

And it's possible this is just the beginning of a permanent stint with the Wild.

"I feel confident," Kahkonen said. "I felt good about my game. I feel like I belong [in] the NHL. It's still a work in progress. You've got to work every day and every night you get to play. You have to play your best."

Parise returns

Zach Parise was back in the lineup Friday after he was a healthy scratch Wednesday for the first time in his Wild career.

The benching came after an extended shift for Parise in the 5-4 overtime loss Monday at Vegas, a miscue that coincided with the Golden Knights' game-tying goal. Parise said he was trying to help Marcus Foligno score an empty-net goal for a hat trick and felt it wasn't a good idea for him to go for a line change like Foligno did.

Parise was disappointed with the Wild's decision to sit him and disagreed with it. Evason had a "great meeting" with Parise before Friday's game and said, "We're going forward."

Hunt plays

The Wild made another change to its lineup, subbing Brad Hunt in on defense for Carson Soucy. This was Hunt's sixth game this season and first since Feb. 2 at Colorado.

"I approach every day like I'm playing, and my attitude doesn't change," Hunt said. "I feel like that helps me when I'm in this position. Obviously, when you haven't played in a while, certain things take a second to get back into it. But if your whole mental attitude is like you're playing every day, then nothing really changes."

Not only was the switch made to get Hunt game action, but the swap was also reflective of Soucy's play, with Evason believing the 26-year-old still needs to refine his consistency. 1204999 Minnesota Wild opened the locker, the bird came out with a startle, and Rothstein almost keeled over."

Schneider gives Pavelich credit for the Conehead description that made Former teammates' memories of Mark Pavelich date to Iron Range, the line of Bah, Buzz and Pav notorious during the Olympics — and films Minnesota Duluth and Olympics that followed.

Herb Brooks, the winner of his third and last Gophers title with the 1979 team, was earning his international fame as the Olympic coach. MARCH 6, 2021 — 12:36AM "He would have the other lines practicing power plays at the other end of Patrick Reusse the ice, and we'd be down where they had orange cones for skating drills," Schneider said. "One day Pav said, 'Look, the Rangers, we're

stuck down here with all these cones. Just like TV ["Saturday Night Live"] The troubled times of Mark Pavelich had brought great sadness to … we're just a bunch of Coneheads.' " members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. That was also the case Schneider was the oldest player on the team but also close to Pavelich, with players who competed against him in the mid-1970s when hockey because his wife, Gayle (Warn), was from Eveleth, and her father and was ridiculously good in the Iron Range Conference, and competed with Pavelich's father worked together as instructors at a vocational school. him for Minnesota Duluth later in the 1970s when competition was ridiculously strong in the WCHA. "The centers mostly played north-and-south back then," Schneider said. "Pav was different. He would paint the picture for himself coming up the John "Bah" Harrington was in all three of those groups, and on Friday the ice. He was spontaneous. He would see the possibilities." sadness increased substantially with the news that Pavelich, 63, had been found dead at Eagle's Nest Healing Center in Sauk Centre, Minn. Brooks brought Pavelich to New York when Herbie became coach of the Rangers. People have set the scene of Ron Greschner and his model He was there receiving mental health treatment. This private man's wife, Carol Alt, walking out the players door at Madison Square Garden problems had become very public in recent months, which only increased in matching fur coats, with cameras flashing, and Pavelich exiting quickly the need for Harrington, and other teammates and rivals, to remember behind them, wearing his Eveleth letterman's jacket lightly smeared with the "real Pav." the remnants of game or fish. Harrington is now the women's hockey coach at Minnesota State "Pav just had a birthday and all the players from 1980 sent him text Mankato. He was a high school standout for Virginia when Pavelich was messages with congratulations, encouragement and wise remarks," 6 miles to the south with Eveleth. He was on a wing for Pavelich at Schneider said. "He responded with good humor. Minnesota Duluth. He was part of the "Conehead Line" for the Lake Placid gold medal with Pavelich and fellow Iron Ranger "We've had regular phone conversations. He was sounding good. This is from Babbitt. tough for all of us. And you talk about the Coneheads. There was the main Conehead … Pav." "I was a year ahead of Pav and Eveleth was the archrival, of course," Harrington said. "We were loaded in my senior year in 1975, and lost to Grand Rapids in the semifinals." Star Tribune LOADED: 03.06.2021 Was that the game when Grand Rapids coach talked the refs into taking a late-period goal off the scoreboard between the first and second periods, and your Virginia teammate, Keith Hendrickson, went next door, pounding on the Rapids locker room door, threatening to pummel his Uncle Gus?

"Exactly," Harrington said. "And the next year, when Pav was a senior, that Eveleth team lost its first two games of the season, and its last to Grand Rapids, and won 25 in a row in between. That was Range hockey in the 1970s. Brutal. And great."

The conniving Gus Hendrickson went to Minnesota Duluth, taking assistant Mike Sertich with him, after Grand Rapids won the state title in 1975. Harrington let recent grudges go and went to play for Gus, Sertie and the Bulldogs.

A year later, Pavelich did the same.

"We had some players at Duluth," Harrington said. "The top half-dozen teams in the WCHA were outstanding in 1978-79. We lost the total-goal series to the Gophers in the semifinals of the WCHA tournament. And Gophers beat North Dakota in the national title game."

Pavelich was centering a line with Harrington and Scott Carlston, a freshman from Bloomington. "Scott was happy to carry our equipment, as freshmen had to do, to play on that line," Harrington said.

Hendrickson had put Harrington and Pavelich together as juniors, not long after the two had a fight in practice.

"We were both playing center then," Harrington said. "I wasn't going to let him go around me, and Pav wasn't going to let me go around him, and it turned into a fight.

"All our teammates thought it was hilarious because we were far from fighters. Gus must have liked it, though, because a couple of weeks later, he put us together."

The legend of a morose, non-communicative Pavelich doesn't equate with what the Bulldogs saw on the ice or in the locker room.

"Pav was a great prankster," Harrington said. "The one we all remember is when he had been out partridge hunting, wounded one, kept it alive and brought it to practice. He put the bird in John Rothstein's locker, John 1205000 Minnesota Wild "He's honestly a big part of our team," Hunt said. With 1:14 to go, Kevin Fiala tacked on a fifth Wild goal — a slick finish

after eluding two defenders with one hand on his stick. Wild breezes past Arizona 5-1 in first of two with Coyotes "To be able to close the game out like we did," Cole said, "was a step in the right direction."

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune

MARCH 6, 2021 — 12:27AM Star Tribune LOADED: 03.06.2021

GLENDALE, ARIZ. – Nick Bjugstad was familiar with the setup, a crafty sequence in which a wraparound turns into a no-look, behind-the-back pass.

He called it the Russian nod, and this time when the play popped up, a Russian was the one sending him the puck.

"It was pretty cool," Bjugstad said.

The Coyotes became the latest team in the West Division to get an ice- level view of Wild rookie phenom Kirill Kaprizov and, like he has so far in his young NHL career, Kaprizov put on a show — orchestrating two goals, including Bjugstad's highlight-reel finish, in the 5-1 rout Friday in front of 2,541 at Gila River Arena that ended the Wild's two-game slide.

"He's such a special player," Brad Hunt said. "When he gets the puck, something's going to happen every time he has it."

Overall, this was a balanced takeoff for the Wild offense after it sputtered in the 5-1 loss in Vegas on Wednesday; five different players scored and eight had points, which drew cheers from the smattering of Wild fans in attendance.

But after a pointless start to this road trip, Kaprizov's line with Mats Zuccarello and Victor Rask rediscovered its chemistry, with Kaprizov and Zuccarello especially in a groove.

Kaprizov scooped up a Coyotes faceoff win and fed the puck to Zuccarello for a blistering shot over goalie Antti Raanta's glove to start the scoring parade 4 minutes, 27 seconds into the first period.

Hunt, in a rare appearance, followed that up with his first goal of the season — a floater from the blue line that squeaked through Raanta's pads at 13:18.

And then just 1:09 later, Kaprizov had the play of the night when he found Bjugstad with a seeing-eye pass after faking the wraparound.

"It was an absolute gift from Kirill," Bjugstad said.

Kaprizov's 19 points lead the Wild and NHL rookies, and his 13 assists are also tops among rookies. He has 10 points in his past nine games.

Only three rookies in Wild history have had more multi-point efforts than Kaprizov's five, with the 23-year-old closing in on Kurtis Foster's record (seven).

As for Zuccarello, he has 13 points over his past nine outings. All four of his goals this season have opened the scoring for the Wild.

"Those guys are making plays," Bjugstad said. "You get Zuccarello bringing his confidence to our team and making plays, it kind of trickles down to everyone. That confidence is definitely needed throughout our lineup."

Jordan Greenway and Marcus Foligno, who assisted on Hunt's goal, combined on another goal in the second when Foligno sprung Greenway for a breakaway that Greenway buried five-hole at 5:08 of the second period after going to the bench to retrieve a stick — which happened to belong to Ian Cole.

"I think I should at least get a second assist, maybe a third assist," Cole said.

Both Greenway and Foligno ended up with two points in the game. Foligno is up to 10 over his past seven games — including six on his season-long three-game point streak. Neither power play scored, with the Wild 0-for-4 and Coyotes 0-for-3.

Raanta totaled 22 saves, and Kaapo Kahkonen had 24; Arizona didn't ruin his shutout bid until 4:59 into the third period, a shot just under the crossbar by Clayton Keller. Overall, Kahkonen has won six in a row, stopping 152 of 162 shots in that span. 1205001 Minnesota Wild A limited number of fans are now being allowed into high school events, so there should be no problem with a few thousand spreading out in a much larger venue with limited risk — for all sports, preps to pros.

Minnesota should join other states in opening doors back to pro sports As spring nears and vaccines continue to roll out, it's reasonable to look fans ahead to what it will be like to sit in a stadium with fans again. It should happen here sooner rather than later, and become a significant checkpoint on the road to sports normalcy.

MARCH 5, 2021 — 6:48PM

La Velle E. Neal III Star Tribune LOADED: 03.06.2021 La Velle E. Neal III @LAVELLENEAL

FORT MYERS, FLA. – An announced crowd of 2,122 fans Wednesday watched Jose Berrios toss two scoreless innings and Nelson Cruz swat a long home run in his spring training debut as the Twins lost 14-6 to Boston.

In the Twins' eyes, however, they were winners. Because they are playing games in front of fans at Hammond Stadium. And they are out to prove they can do the same at Target Field, beginning with their home opener on April 8 against Seattle, while doing it safely.

And the Twins aren't the only local pro team to work with Gov. Tim Walz's office on their startup plan. The Timberwolves and Wild would like to open their doors again, and Minnesota United and the Lynx aren't far behind. Sports teams across the country are seeking approval from their local governments to open gates and sell tickets to fans again.

The Wild, in particular, is pushing hard to bring fans back to . And barring unforeseen developments, doors could be unlocked on some local venues within the next six weeks.

We have not vanquished the virus by any means, but the decrease in cases, hospitalizations, ICU bed usage and deaths coupled with increased vaccinations have encouraged more states to relax pandemic restrictions while showing others how bringing back a limited number of fans can be achieved. Nearly 30 teams across the NHL and NBA are allowing a small number of fans into arenas. Why not in Minnesota?

Some states have been more aggressive about allowing spectators than others. In December, I attended the Vikings-Buccaneers game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., and sat among 25,000 fans. We were spread out, wearing masks and spent the afternoon listening to the many Minnesotans in attendance complain about Dan Bailey's missed kicks.

Twins scouts were on hand last weekend at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, where 15,000 fans were allowed in to watch a high school baseball showcase.

We all have different tolerance levels when it comes to living with the virus. But allowing a few thousand fans into enormous arenas for Wolves and Wild games can be done safely. (I know what you're thinking: It might be a challenge for the Wolves to find a few thousand fans willing to show up for their games.)

Currently there are 11 NHL teams allowing limited numbers of spectators to attend games; there will be six more by March 23. Meanwhile, 14 NBA teams have opened their doors to fans, with five more coming by March 22. So by the last week of March, more than half the NBA and NHL will be open, providing jobs for arena employees and enabling neighboring bars and restaurants to gain pregame and postgame traffic.

Walz has navigated the state through the pandemic deliberately, taking criticism at times for dialing things back too much. In January, he extended bar closing times an hour, to 11 p.m., and increased restaurant attendance to 50% of capacity, both coming after the infection rate dipped under 4%. He has expressed a desire to allow fans at Target Field on Opening Day, and that day is approaching.

How about turning that dial one more click forward, Governor, and let more fans be fans again?

He can start with allowing more fans into Xcel for the final games of the state hockey tournaments (April 1-3), and the same for Target Center for state hoops (April 6-10). We can watch the All Hockey Hair Team videos online, but the games deserve to be seen in person by more than just a couple hundred people. 1205002 Minnesota Wild "Mark was dedicated to his recovery and had made great progress," Bruno said. "Mark's legal matters were moving in a positive direction."

In recent years, family and friends have said, they watched the public- 'Miracle' hockey star Mark Pavelich found dead in treatment center averse Pavelich become confused, paranoid and borderline threatening. They said they came to believe that he suffers from chronic traumatic encephalopathy — commonly known as CTE — caused by repeated blows to the head while playing hockey as a tenacious, undersized By Paul Walsh Star Tribune forward. MARCH 5, 2021 — 3:51PM Pavelich's sister, Jean Gevik, told the Star Tribune soon after the assault that the family is convinced that "all the concussions and the blows he had in the NHL" left him suffering from CTE, a degenerative brain Olympic "Miracle" hockey star and Iron Range sports legend Mark disease that has been linked to erratic behavior and deaths among Pavelich was found dead Thursday in a central Minnesota residential hockey and football players and others in sports that inflict trauma to the treatment center, bringing to an end the life of a man who reached the head. pinnacle of international sport and hit the depths of legal and psychological distress. "Mark is the most kind and gentle person you'd ever know," said Gevik, who would spend summers near Pavelich's home on property that her Pavelich, who turned 63 a week ago, died at Eagle's Healing Nest, brother gave her. "This is a totally different guy." according to the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office. He had received mental health treatment there for the past several months. At the time of The NHL reached a court settlement in 2018 with hundreds of retired his death he was under civil commitment for a violent assault on a North players who claimed harm from head injuries while playing, but the NHL Shore neighbor nearly 1½ years ago, admitted no fault or wrongdoing. Each player opting in would receive $22,000 and could be eligible for up to $75,000 in medical treatment. Sauk Centre police said they were called to the center about 8:30 a.m. Pavelich never made a claim, his sister said. Thursday on a report of a death. Emergency dispatch audio disclosed that Pavelich had not been seen since 8 p.m. Wednesday, and For all his success at every level of hockey, Pavelich will always first be responding personnel said he appeared to have been dead for several remembered for winning gold in the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y. hours. He assisted on Mike Eruzione's winning goal in a stunning David-Goliath His body was taken to the examiner's office in Anoka, which said it has upset of the heavily favored Soviet Union in their medal-round game, yet to determine a cause and manner of death. which was referred to as the "Miracle on Ice" and inspired the Hollywood hit movie "Miracle" in 2004. Team USA then defeated Finland to win the Pavelich's hockey resume is pure Minnesota gold in itself. He was a gold. speedy and crafty standout for the Eveleth High School Golden Bears. In college, he led the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in goals in the last of his Pavelich played with the Rangers for five seasons and briefly joined the three seasons. Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks. In 355 NHL games, he tallied 137 goals and 192 assists. Then came his significant role in Team USA's "Miracle on Ice" defeat of the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympics before they went on to win gold. In a statement of condolence, the Rangers front office said Pavelich's Success followed Pavelich into the NHL, where he scored more than 30 "determination, passion, and dazzling playmaking ability earned him the goals in his first two seasons with the New York Rangers with "Miracle" adoration of Rangers fans. … Mark helped inspire a nation through the head coach behind the bench. integral role he played on the "Miracle on Ice" team in the 1980 Olympics." Mark Pavelich shunned the spotlight and preferred the quiet life on the North Shore. Credit: Family submission Out of the game since 1992, Pavelich lived quietly in Cook County. His wife, Kara, died at age 44 in an accidental fall from a second-story But after hockey, Pavelich's quiet life in near-seclusion along the sparsely balcony at their home in 2012. Two years later, Pavelich sold his gold populated North Shore came to a shocking halt when he was charged in medal for $262,900 at auction, explaining that he was not in financial Cook County District Court with beating his neighbor James T. Miller trouble and just wanted to provide financial security for his adult after the two went fishing in August 2019. Pavelich suspected that Miller, daughter. 63, spiked his beer. That unfounded notion left Miller with cracked ribs, a bruised kidney, a fracture to one of his vertebrae and other injuries. The medal was bought by a hockey fan who knew Pavelich well. As an Eveleth grade-schooler, Brian Raduenz was a devoted hockey fan and Pavelich, a land developer and longtime Lutsen resident, faced four went to many of Pavelich's high school and college games. He also felony counts, including two assault charges and two illegal weapons remembered Pavelich as a tireless skater who spent countless hours on charges after authorities found firearms with altered serial numbers on the Ely Lake rink that Raduenz's father tended to and flooded regularly. his reclusive property. The aerospace CEO and retired Air Force lieutenant colonel living in San In December 2019, District Judge Michael Cuzzo ruled that Pavelich was Diego recalled Friday sitting on his parents' bed, getting in his hockey incompetent to stand trial because he was mentally ill and dangerous. gear and listening on the radio to Pavelich and the rest of Team USA The judge ordered him committed to a state-operated secure treatment defeat the Soviet Union. facility in St. Peter. Knowing that Pavelich was on that team was "part of why I felt excited to Two clinical psychologists who examined Pavelich before the order found have his medal," said Raduenz, who at times fought back tears less than him to have post-traumatic stress disorder as well as other conditions. an hour after learning of his childhood hero's death. He also remembered Both found that he lacked insight into his mental illness and was crossing paths when Pavelich was back in Minnesota in the early 1990s opposing treatment. and said, "'I get hit too much. I'm going to retire from the Rangers and play in Europe.' " However, he then showed enough progress in treatment to win release late this past summer from St. Peter to the less restrictive treatment Raduenz said he believes Pavelich "would be happy knowing I have the center in Sauk Centre, where he had been living until his death. medal, rather than someone else. It wasn't that we had some kind of personal bond. I just followed him and knew the whole story." One of Pavelich's attorneys in connection with his civil commitment, Carolyn Bruno, said, "Our firm is heartbroken that we have lost our friend and legend. … Recently Mark was filled with hope and renewal for the future. He had been thriving at the new facility since leaving St. Peter." Star Tribune LOADED: 03.06.2021

Pavelich was due in court Tuesday for a review of his civil commitment and the granting of a six-month extension of his time at Eagle's Healing Nest. 1205003 Minnesota Wild

Wild's path forward after benching Zach Parise will become clearer tonight

By Michael Rand Star Tribune

MARCH 5, 2021 — 8:54AM

Wednesday felt like an inflection point in Minnesota sports.

Zach Parise was a healthy scratch for the first time in his Wild career, and Minnesota went out hours later and lost 5-1 at Vegas.

The Wolves were blown out (again) and headed into the All-Star break with a 7-29 record and a healthy dose of frustration nagging franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Gophers men's basketball team lost another lopsided game, continuing both their late-season slide and questions about coach Richard Pitino's future.

I talked about all of those things on Thursday's Daily Delivery podcast, and now we can focus squarely on just one of those three.

The last two things don't figure to have any resolution until late next week at the earliest. The Wolves have a week off to recharge and sort themselves out. Nothing figures to be decided about Pitino until after the Gophers' season is over — a point that likely will come next week with a loss in the Big Ten Tournament.

But the Wild? It has big games Friday and Saturday at Arizona, then rematches with Vegas back in Minnesota on both Monday and Wednesday. The games come fast and furious in this shortened NHL season, particularly for the Wild after having to reschedule six games due to a COVID pause.

Before the chain of events involving Parise, the Wild had won six consecutive games. They were headed toward a seventh when Parise stayed on the ice too long — while in pursuit of helping Marcus Foligno get a hat trick — and had some direct responsibility in the tying goal being scored in an eventual overtime loss to Vegas.

The next game, he was scratched. He didn't "agree" with the decision and insisted even after the fact that "I know in my heart I had the best of intentions" about trying to get Foligno his first career hat trick.

It was a weak explanation, but the more important messages are yet to come.

As our Chip Scoggins already noted, the decision to bench Parise was a power play of sorts that 1) has roots deeper than one game and 2) wouldn't happen (and didn't happen) under previous regimes.

If Parise is correct and his teammates support him 100%, what happens next will be interesting. The Wild already lost 5-1 in the game Parise missed. That might have happened even if he had played against a strong Vegas team.

But Minnesota's energy level and output bears watching going forward. Was the decision to bench Parise one that will make the Wild stronger in the long run and reinforce coach Dean Evason's message of accountability, or will it end up being a turning point in the wrong direction for a season that started off with significant promise?

That's what I want to know, and we will get a good clue when the Wild plays Arizona on Friday night.

Star Tribune LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205004 Minnesota Wild

Zach Parise returns to Wild lineup vs. Coyotes; Evason says they had 'great meeting'

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune

MARCH 5, 2021 — 1:28PM

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Zach Parise will return to action Friday at Arizona after he was a healthy scratch Wednesday for the first time in his Wild career.

"Zach and I had a great meeting today," coach Dean Evason said. "We're going forward. I can't remember what happened yesterday, and neither can he. We're going forward."

Parise's addition won't be the only change for a Wild squad coming off a 5-1 loss in Vegas on Wednesday.

Evason has reunited the team's best line to start the season, moving Marcus Foligno alongside Joel Eriksson Ek and Jordan Greenway. And Brad Hunt will draw in for Carson Soucy on defense, a change indicative of Soucy's play but also the team wanting to get Hunt a game.

This will be Hunt's first appearance since Feb.2 and the first time Soucy has been a healthy scratch this season.

"What we like about his game and when it's really good, it's really urgent," Evason said of Soucy. "It's really heavy, and it's really hard. If he brings that each and every night, clearly he's going to give our hockey club an opportunity to have success."

Kaapo Kahkonen will be in net for the Wild. He's on a career-high five- game win streak, stopping 128 of 137 shots during that span. His win streak is the longest by a rookie goalie this season.

"He doesn't give up on any pucks," Evason said. "We've talked about it before his practice habits are never giving up on a puck. That translates into a game. He's never out of a play no matter where the puck is or where it's going. He's going to battle to get there."

Star Tribune LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205005 Minnesota Wild Pioneer Press LOADED: 03.06.2021

Wild get back on track with dominant 5-1 win over Coyotes

By DANE MIZUTANI | [email protected] | Pioneer Press

PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 10:39 p.m. | UPDATED: March 5, 2021 at 11:32 p.m.

Marcus Foligno made it clear after a recent loss to the Vegas Golden Knights that the Wild shouldn’t be trying to keep up with other teams at this point. They should be trying to make other teams keep up with them.

“That’s a mindset we have this year,” Foligno said “And moving forward, that’s how it has to be.”

Brad Hunt expressed a similar sentiment before Friday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Nevermind that the Wild entered the night on a two-game losing streak.

“We proved to ourselves that we can play with one of the best teams in the league,” Hunt said. “We should think we are one of the best teams in the league.”

It’s hard to argue with that statement after the Wild boat-raced the Coyotes en route to a 5-1 win in Glendale, Ariz. In the game, the Wild got goals from five different players, and Kaapo Kahkonen finished with 24 saves to record his sixth straight win.

“We were very happy with how the guys responded,” coach Dean Evason said. “We were definitley ready to play from the drop of the puck here tonight.”

With the win, the Wild (13-7-1, 27 points) moved firmly ahead of the Coyotes (10-10-3, 23 points) for the final playoff spot in the West Coast Division. It’s never too early to start thinking about those things.

It was a dominant performance from the onset as Mats Zuccarello scored early in the first period to make it 1-0. Kirill Kaprizov assisted on the goal as that dynamic duo continued to fire on all cylinders.

That started the blowout, and the Wild increased the lead to 2-0 later in the first period when Hunt snuck a wrist shot past goaltender Antti Raanta. It was a cool moment for Hunt, considering he was playing his first game in more than a month.

“It was great,” Hunt said. “At the same time (Jordan Greenway) made a great play, and (Victor Rask) did a great job in front. If they don’t do that, it doesn’t go in. They did a great job, and I’m thankful it went in.

Not long after that, Kaprizov nearly broke Twitter with a no-look pass from behind the net to set up Nick Bjugstad for a tap-in on the doorstep. That made it 3-0 in favor of the Wild and pretty much put the game out of reach.

“I thought it was an absolute gift from Kirill,” Bjugstad said with a smile. “If I would’ve missed that it would’ve been a tough one. I’ll take it.”

It felt like the Wild were taking out their frustration on the Coyotes after struggling to score in the recent two-game series in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights.

That wasn’t an issue on this particular night.

The blowout continued in the second period as Greenway scored on a breakaway to make it 4-0. He actually scored using Ian Cole’s stick after losing his own earlier in the shift.

“That was a first,” Greenway said with a laugh. “No one wanted to give me their stick, and then Coler gave me his two-by-four. I’m glad I found a way to sneak it five hole.”

It was that kind of night for the Wild, and while Clayton Keller helped the Coyotes cut the deficit to 4-1 in the third period, it was way too little way too late. Kevin Fiala added a highlight-reel goal for the Wild in the final minutes to finalize the score at 5-1.

“The ability to refocus and come back against a good team here and put together a great game was a step in the right direction,” Cole said. “We will continue to take those steps.” 1205006 Minnesota Wild

Wild veteran Zach Parise returns from healthy scratch on line with Kevin Fiala

By DANE MIZUTANI | [email protected] | Pioneer Press

PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 3:03 p.m. | UPDATED: March 5, 2021 at 9:10 p.m.

Wild veteran Zach Parise had no problem expressing his discontent with coach Dean Evason’s decision from earlier this week.

To put it mildly, the 36-year-old Parise didn’t think he deserved to be a healthy scratch after overextending his shift late in an overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Now, with Parise slated to return to the lineup for Friday’s road game against the Arizona Coyotes, the coaching staff’s hope is that everything is water on the bridge.

“We had a great meeting today,” Evason said. “We are going forward. I can’t remember what happened yesterday, and neither can he.”

While that might sound a little too good to be true, especially considering some of Parise’s comments earlier this week, Evason is clearly trying to move past the awkwardness of the situation. He also is doing everything in his power to get his franchise player back on track.

For the first time in a couple of weeks, Parise will skate on the same line with dynamic winger Kevin Fiala, while Nick Bjugstad will serve as the man in the middle.

This has everything to do with getting Parise going, even if Evason won’t admit it. In theory, Fiala will attract some of the attention away from Parise, which could create some additional scoring chances.

“We watch all our line combinations and all the guys that work well together and then we try to make an intelligent decision,” Evason said. “We hope (Parise) and (Fiala) can work off of each other, and (Bjugstad) has been playing extremely well, so looking forward to that line having a big night tonight.”

Defenseman Brad Hunt entered Friday’s game with more than a month off between games. He hasn’t played in a game since Feb. 2 against the Colorado Avalanche.

You’d never know that based on Hunt’s demeanor. He was simply happy to draw back into the lineup alongside Ian Cole on the blue line.

“Honestly, I wake up every day when we have a game and I prepare like I’m going to play even though sometimes I know I’m not going to play, Hunt said. “I approach every day like I’m playing, and my attitude doesn’t change. I feel like that helps me when I’m in this position.”

Ryan Hartman appears close to returning from a lower-body injury. While Hartman didn’t participate in Friday’s morning skate, and thus wasn’t available for the game, Evason caught a glimpse of him riding the bike as other players were coming off the ice.

It’s unclear whether Hartman will be cleared for Saturday’s rematch. What have the Wild missed in his absence?

“He really took charge and really provided us with a steady grit level up the middle,” Evason said. “You combine that with his pace of play and it just was a nice fit. We have certainly missed him, there’s no question.”

Pioneer Press LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205007 Minnesota Wild But Greenway was sure appreciative, although even at 6-foot-6 and strong as an ox, Greenway couldn’t believe how heavy Cole’s stick was and called it a two-by-four.

Jordan Greenway, Kirill Kaprizov and … Ian Cole’s stick shine for the “Two-and-a-half inches maybe and 50 pounds (heavier than mine),” Wild Greenway said, laughing.

Greenway said he literally couldn’t feel the puck on his blade, so he decided to try to sneak a shot five-hole. By Michael Russo “Honestly, I got the puck, I didn’t know if I was going to be able to raise Mar 5, 2021 the thing or what I was going to be able to do,” Greenway said.

Evason said the entire time Greenway glided in on that breakaway, it was comical to be on the bench because players were going ballistic when Jordan Greenway’s playing so well this season, now he’s scoring with they realized Greenway was carrying the stick of a defensive other player’s sticks. defenseman. And no matter how well all-world Calder Trophy front-runner Kirill Cole joked after the game that the last time any one of his sticks would Kaprizov continues to play this year, as coach Dean Evason said have scored on a breakaway was in peewees. perfectly after Friday night’s 5-1 slicing and dicing of the Arizona Coyotes by the Wild, “he seems to give us something new all the time.” When Greenway returned to the bench, Cole quickly reclaimed his stick.

No, this isn’t your grandfather’s Wild. “Now that I knew there were goals in that stick, I really wanted it back,” Cole said. Or, your father’s, or even your kid’s Wild, for that matter. Don’t worry though, Hunt said kiddingly, “(Equipment manager) Tony When have we ever seen the usually offensively challenged Wild fill the (DaCosta) ordered 12 for (Greenway) after the shift.” net as plentifully as this nine-game run when they’ve scored a league- high 37 goals and five or more goals four times? The evolution of Greenway this season has been one of Minnesota’s biggest surprises. He came to camp in great shape and motivated to Let’s put it this way: The Wild looked so good during a three-goal first prove himself, and 21 games into the season, he’s the Wild’s second- period full of pretty plays and dazzling highlights, Evason actually leading scorer, two points behind Kaprizov. He’s skating better, more challenged his group to chillax a bit, simplify things the final 40 minutes engaged physically and chipping in offensively. and worry more about getting the “W” than padding their individual stat columns. “His preparation when he came to camp, he was not only in phenomenal shape physically, he was in phenomenal shape mentally,” Evason said. “Do the little things right, do the simple things, do the starts and stops, do “He’s a pro. He goes about his business every day and is having the ‘stick on puck,’ managing the puck and all that good stuff,” Evason success.” said. “Guys did a good job of coming out in the second period and not thinking it’s point night and worrying more about the two points.” • Let’s also rewind to the Bjugstad tally on a shift in which the big forward was lucky enough to change for Victor Rask while Zuccarello and OK, OK, you might think Evason detests fun and is a downright party Kaprizov were doing their magic in the offensive zone. pooper, but this is a coach who just watched his team blow two- and three-goal leads in two of the past three games. And he knows how Kaprizov, as he has been known to do his first couple months in the NHL, contagious it can be for the skill level of Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello, skated circles around overwhelmed defenders when he executed a especially, to become a little too transmissible and cause other, let’s call gorgeous give-and-go with his favorite linemate, Zuccarello, who has 13 ’em, less skilled Wild skaters to play too cute. points in the past nine games and was the beneficiary of a Kaprizov setup for the game’s first goal. So, the Wild followed directions, scored a couple more goals and rode Kaapo Kahkonen, the Wild’s other special “KK” rookie,” to the finish line. Kaprizov skated around the back of the net like he was going to attempt The goaltender made 24 saves for a rather easy victory to extend his a forehanded wraparound inside the far post. Instead, Kaprizov executed personal win streak to a rookie franchise-record six games. a perfect no-look backhander through defenseman Nick Schmaltz’s legs to the near post, where Bjugstad received the puck, gathered it in and The Wild got one goal and one assist each from Zuccarello and tucked it into an open side of the cage. Greenway, two assists apiece from Kaprizov and Marcus Foligno, and goals by Nick Bjugstad, Brad Hunt and Kevin Fiala. The Wild are now 17- “A player like him, you’ve gotta expect the puck. He puts it in spots,” 4-3 in their past 24 games against the Coyotes. That .771 points Bjugstad said. “I thought it was an absolute gift. If I would have missed percentage is their second-best run against any opponent since Feb. 28, that, that would have been a tough one.” 2013. They’re 11-3 (.786) against Montreal in that same span. Kaprizov, 23, leads the Wild and all NHL rookies with 19 points. It was In a game full of superlatives, there were two fun plays to really highlight: nice to see Kaprizov and Zuccarello, who developed instant chemistry Greenway’s goal to give Minnesota a 4-0 lead and Kaprizov’s setup of when they first started playing together last month in Anaheim, back on Bjugstad’s for a 3-0 lead. top of their game after a couple of tough games in Vegas.

• Let’s start with Greenway, who has 17 points in 21 games, 16 of which Evason loves their skill set, but “we like even more when they shoot the have come at even strength. puck and simplify a little bit and then have those beautiful plays open up from there. They recognized a few games ago that they were being a One period after setting up Hunt’s goal, Greenway was battling in the little too passy, too cute,” and that they needed to simplify and shoot the corner when he broke his stick. He skated to the bench, and nobody puck. seemed to notice that the Big Rig needed a new twig. “When Zuccy shoots the puck like that, he’s got a heckuva shot,” Evason “I was kind of watching the play that was back in our end and no one continued. “He just doesn’t use it as much as he should. He’s such a apparently gave him a stick, so he was just standing right in front of me,” pass-first guy.” defenseman Ian Cole said. “I said, ‘Here, you want mine? Take it’ And then he curls down and goes for a breakaway and scores, and I think I So is Kaprizov, who gave his “word” a few days ago that he would start might have celly’ed (celebrated) harder than he did, I’ll be honest. shooting the puck more. But if he’s going to create chances as he did in Arizona, there’s not a Wild fan or even a coach who’ll complain. “I think I should at least get a second, maybe a third assist.” So, good victory. Unfortunately for Cole, the only players who received assists were the guys on the ice, not the bench — Foligno, who head manned the puck to After dropping two games in Vegas, one in overtime, the Wild rebounded Greenway, and Jonas Brodin. the way you’d hope they would at Gila River Arena with a decisive win against a very beatable opponent. Unfortunately, the other six teams in the division all got points Friday as the other three contests featuring West Division teams went to overtime. But the fourth-place Wild did gain a four-point cushion between them and Forward Ryan Hartman (lower body) missed his second game in a row. fifth-place Los Angeles and sixth-place Arizona heading into Saturday’s He was riding the bike Friday, and while Evason didn’t rule him out for rematch with the Coyotes. Saturday’s game, he’s expected to miss another week or so. …

Kahkonen was asked Friday morning why he has been so good on the In Foligno’s past seven games, he has five goals, 10 points and four road. multi-point games. …

“I approach every game the same,” he said. “I haven’t been aware of my The power play went 0-for-4 and remains a league-worst 5-for-70 (7.1 stats, home or on the road. I just know that we’ve won a bunch of games percent). and that’s all that matters to me, really.”

That continued later that night when Kahkonen improved to 9-4 with a 2.30 goals-against average and .918 save percentage and 6-1 on the The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 road with a 1.73 GAA and .935 save percentage.

“He’s got a really bright future in this league, that’s for sure,” Hunt said. “He just keeps it simple. He’s not flashy by any means, but when a save needs to be made, he does.”

Earlier this week, Kahkonen solidified his spot on the team when the Wild lost Alex Stalock on waivers to the Edmonton Oilers.

“Sad to see him go,” Kahkonen said. “Awesome teammate, awesome person, great goalie. I guess that’s just a part of the business. I feel confident. I’ve felt good about my game. I feel I belong (in) the NHL. But it’s still a work in progress. You’ve got to work every day. Every night you get to play, you’ve got to play your best. It’s tough competition.”

Speaking of which, the Wild play a 5 p.m. local game against Arizona on Saturday in the second half of a back-to-back, and with 13 more games this month, it wouldn’t be surprising if Cam Talbot starts Saturday’s game despite Kahkonen’s relatively simple night.

With Hunt having not played since Feb. 2 and only five times this season, Evason decided to insert the defenseman into the lineup and give Carson Soucy a night off after a tough game in Las Vegas.

So, naturally, what does Hunt do?

Score his first goal of the season.

Normally a sharpshooting defenseman with a big cannon, this time Hunt floated a wrister through Rask’s screen for a 2-0 lead.

“Honestly, I wake up every day when we have a game and I prepare like I’m going to play even though sometimes I know I’m not gonna play,” Hunt said. “I prepare like I’m going to be in and that allows me to be sharp when I am going to play. I approach every day like I’m playing and my attitude doesn’t change. I feel like that helps me when I’m in this position to play. Obviously, when you haven’t played for a while, certain things, it takes a second to get back into it. But if your whole mental attitude is like you’re playing every day, then nothing really changes.”

Hunt’s a popular teammate because of his always positive demeanor, so players were ecstatic when he scored, especially his defense partner, Cole.

“There’s no one on our team that is more excited for his teammates than Huntsy over here, so the fact that we had a chance to reciprocate that early and be over the moon for him, it was huge,” Cole said.

As for Soucy, Evason said like every young player, he just needs to work on his consistency.

“What we like about his game, when it’s really good, it’s really urgent and really heavy and really hard,” Evason said

One game after being scratched as a repercussion for his extended 93- second shift that played a part in Vegas’ tying goal Monday night, veteran Zach Parise returned to the lineup and played on a line with Bjugstad and Fiala.

“Zach and I had a great meeting today. We’re going forward,” Evason said after Friday’s morning skate. “I can’t remember what happened yesterday and neither can he, so we’re going forward.”

Parise has scored three goals in 20 games, and in an effort to help get him going, Evason put Fiala on the line to help drive it and reunited the efficient Greenway-Joel Eriksson Ek-Foligno line from the start of the season.

However, Parise, who scored 12 power-play goals last season but has none this year despite the third-most minutes among forwards on the league’s 31st-ranked power play, was removed from the first three power plays. He’d finish the game with no points or shots. He has 44 shots this season. … 1205008 Minnesota Wild most attention to when it comes to defensive value — and whether some of them have much merit altogether.

That makes for a tough case for Eriksson Ek, who has never previously How Wild’s Joel Eriksson Ek has emerged as one of the NHL’s top two- received a Selke vote and finds himself outside the national spotlight way forwards playing for the Wild. It’s difficult to build up a case outside of that with limited visibility and a thin resume prior to this season. It’s clear too that despite a strong start to the season, Eriksson Ek’s defensive play is still flying under the radar. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski posted By Dom Luszczyszyn and Michael Russo his monthly awards watch column, which canvasses a pool of NHL Mar 5, 2021 awards voters for their opinions on the Selke Trophy among other awards. It’s arguably the best representation of how the mainstream media and voting body feels about each award since it directly surveys them. Eriksson Ek wasn’t among the eight players on the shortlist. It was late January when Joel Eriksson Ek got his first big test of the season: a date with two-time Selke Trophy winner Anze Kopitar, still one On merit, he’s worthy of consideration. of the best two-way centers in the game. “He reminds me a lot of Bobby Holik in the way he plays his game,” said Hard line matching isn’t quite as frequent during the regular season as it Wild general manager , who played with the hulking power is in the playoffs, but on that night — a home game for the Wild — coach forward in New Jersey. “He’s got good hockey sense, knows what to do, Dean Evason made sure the Wild’s best center would be stapled to Los but he’s so big and strong and heavy that he just plows into people and Angeles’ captain. knocks people over and they get so upset with him, and he’s like, ‘I don’t know what I did.’” Eriksson Ek played 13 1/2 minutes at five-on-five that night with 10:06 coming against Kopitar, the highest percentage of time he has spent this What Eriksson Ek has done this season season against the opposing team’s No. 1 center. To be blunt, Eriksson Ek is a pain in the butt to play against, and he And he made every single second count. doesn’t even know it. Until an opponent goes head-to-head against him, it’s almost like they have no idea how big and strong the 6-foot-3 In their head-to-head matchup, Eriksson Ek showed the veteran center a Eriksson Ek is. In such impeccable shape that teammates have dubbed potential glimpse of the future of the Selke race, dominating the puck him “Mr. September” because he breezes through all of training camp’s while giving Kopitar virtually nothing. In their 10 minutes together, the fitness tests during a normal year, there’s not a player on the Wild who Wild generated 1.15 expected goals. The Kings were at 0.09. That’s 93 can make an opponent lose his mind on the ice more than Eriksson Ek. percent of the chances, suggesting the Wild lived in the Kings’ zone rent free while Eriksson Ek matched up against Kopitar. Defenseman Matt Dumba calls him, “Mack Diesel — the NHL scrum leader.” The Wild lost the game, but that’s not on Eriksson Ek; he scored the Wild’s lone goal, tying the game 1-1 early in the third period. That goal Nobody on the Wild gets into more tangles, scrums, facewash contests came on a shift with extended zone time where the Wild were able to than Eriksson Ek, and he rarely says a word. Teammates joke it’s just his hem Kopitar and the Kings in their own zone for 45 seconds before “look” that makes opponents snap. scoring. Eriksson Ek wasn’t the focal point of the pressure until he scored, but his ability to read the play and position himself was key to the “He just bears down in every scenario,” Dumba said. “He’s so strong on shift’s success. the puck, I think guys don’t realize that until they get around him and realize his strength and how big he is out there.” This is usually an every-night thing for the 24-year-old fifth-year NHLer, but if you ask Eriksson Ek what he’s doing to be so successful on the Added teammate Ryan Hartman, “He’s annoying. He is in your face. defensive side of the puck, he doesn’t have an answer other than hard Every whistle, he’s always there, he’s hard. You go up against him, and work. you can’t move him. It’s got to be pretty frustrating. And it gets under the skin of guys. And he just does it by hard work and strength.” “I play the game as hard as I can, just do the right things, have a good stick and try to be at the right time at the right spots,” Eriksson Ek said. A lot can change over the remaining 36 games this season, but so far Eriksson Ek has received some very tough defensive assignments and Eriksson Ek has been no stranger to the matchup game this season, aced them. He leads all Wild players with a 66.5 percent expected goals used as the team’s go-to shutdown center. He has been served a healthy rate, essentially equating to two expected goals for the Wild for every one diet of top lines, squaring off against the opposing team’s best on 45 the team gives up. It not only leads the Wild, but it’s also the second-best percent of his five-on-five shifts. That’s a bit of a drop-off from the game mark in the league behind only Aleksander Barkov — the Selke Trophy against Kopitar, but he still leads the Wild in forward competition quality favorite. He’s getting the actual results to match too, with a 66.9 percent this season. It was a similar story last season when he was second only goals rate that’s nearly exactly as much as expected. This isn’t just a to Luke Kunin, his second-most common forward linemate. fancy algorithm built by twins from Minnesota saying Eriksson Ek is dominating, it’s showing up on the scoreboard, too. Every season the Wild emerge as one of the league’s top defensive teams, and this season is no different, with Minnesota allowing just 1.87 And that isn’t him padding his stats in the 55 percent of minutes he plays expected goals against per 60, the fourth-best mark in the league. against non-top-liners. Eriksson Ek is doing it regardless of who’s out Eriksson Ek is one of the driving forces behind that up front, arguably the there, which is what makes his play this season the most impressive. best defensive forward on one of the league’s best defensive teams — Against each team’s top center (or his primary matchup against teams it’s time he starts getting the recognition he deserves. That means not with two viable options), Eriksson Ek’s expected goals percentage is just as one of the Wild’s top defensive forwards, but also one of the almost identical to his full-season rate. league’s best. With his sparkling play this season, Eriksson Ek belongs in the early Selke Trophy conversation. In all 20 games, Eriksson Ek got the better of his top-line counterpart, which makes sense given his possession dominance this season. There “Since I’ve been here, his shutdown capabilities have been real good, continue to be a lot of questions regarding Minnesota’s center depth this real high,” Evason said. “It’s his development on the other side of the season, but Eriksson Ek has risen to the occasion to fill that role and do it game that has really come. But I think from Day 1, Joel is the guy that well. For the season, because of his excellent five-on-five play, Eriksson we’ve always felt real comfortable to play against top lines. Ek has been worth 0.97 wins — a four-win pace over a full-82 game season. That’s well above the cutoff line for elite play, and this season he “He’s such an intense guy, a heavy guy, plays in your face and skates ranks seventh among centers in value. It’s enough to up his projected obviously extremely well to get back when there’s a breakdown.” value to two wins, the mark of a bona fide first-line center. Breaking into that Selke conversation is easier said than done, though. That’s not all on his defensive play either. While Eriksson Ek has been a Of all the major NHL awards, the Selke Trophy is by far the one that stronger defensive presence this season, the big change in his game has depends most on a player’s reputation, where word of mouth from the happened at the other end of the ice. right people generally holds more cache than actual results. It’s also where there’s debate over which results people should be paying the He leads the Wild with eight goals, matching his career high set in 62 exact type of scoring winger Minnesota has been missing for most of its games last season. existence. With his wicked shot, he was a bona fide first-line winger from the get-go but Eriksson Ek has needed a bit more seasoning. Through “I think it’s great to see,” Guerin said. “You know, the toughest thing for a his first three seasons, he had 66 points in 220 games and was mostly young player to get is the defensive side. And he had that down first, relegated to middle-six duties. which is nice. But he’s got the offensive ability, and I think Dean’s put him in a lot of positions that he wasn’t put in before and he’s taken advantage Eriksson Ek’s defensive ability was always apparent, though. From his of it. We’ve encouraged him to think more offensively. very first season, the Wild have always had stronger defensive results with Eriksson Ek on the ice compared with off, with an expected goals “Don’t just settle. Don’t take the puck away from the other team and give against rate under two in each season. That’s led to strong five-on-five it back to them just so you can check them again. Make something numbers regardless of his lesser offensive impact. happen. Go and play.” Last season, his impact there began to grow as he started to become a Last season, the Wild earned 0.15 fewer expected goals per 60 with more efficient scorer. This season has been the full-blown breakout as Eriksson Ek on the ice — he was a pure defensive shutdown center. This Eriksson Ek’s offensive game has blossomed, adding some attacking season, his offensive impact is stronger than his defense; the Wild are flair to his already sterling defensive arsenal. He’s looked more and more earning nearly one more expected goal per 60 with Eriksson Ek on the like a complete 200-foot player who can handle any situation thrown at ice rather than on the bench. That’s a huge difference, one that ranks him. second in the league behind only , last year’s Selke Trophy winner who’s only played half as many games. In terms of raw Those guys don’t grow on trees and though it’s taken a while for Eriksson expected goals, only Teuvo Teravainen and Carter Verhaeghe have Ek to get here, it looks like he’s finally arrived. been on the ice for more scoring chances than Eriksson Ek’s 3.45 per 60. “It’s just fun to see him evolve,” Hendrickson said. “It’s fun to see him get All of this delights longtime Wild assistant coach and former Wild center rewarded and get more opportunity and take advantage of it. But the Darby Hendrickson. small details of his game, to me, are improving. He’s still working on faceoffs (45 percent in his career), and that’s a big part that he is “I always tell Joel, ‘I wore your number (14) before, and it’s not like I dedicated to really improve and work on every day. scored a ton, so there are a lot of goals in that, Ek,’” Hendrickson, who scored 29 goals in 182 games for the Wild, said, laughing. “He’s known “But out of the gate here, he’s been one of our top forwards, and he’s from all of our goalies as probably having the hardest, quickest release only going to get better. I’m really happy for him, and for us.” on our team. And that’s in practice. His release is incredible, but the challenge he has had is to do that in games and he’s done more of that this year.” The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 The definition for the Selke Trophy says the award is for best defensive forward, and though Eriksson Ek qualifies by that definition, he did last year too where he was arguably just as good defensively. The major difference in his game this season is offense, and that carries a lot of weight for voters, with the definition often morphing into best two-way forward. Eriksson Ek is delivering on that front, even if the production isn’t quite there. He has 12 points in 20 games, which is an improvement over last season’s points-per-game pace but may not be enough to earn consideration from some voters.

That, however, ignores that his lack of production stems from the team’s 31st-ranked power play. At five-on-five, Eriksson is scoring 2.09 points per 60 this season. That’s good for 76th in the league, ahead of offensive stars like Kyle Connor, Sebastian Aho and Artemi Panarin as well as three likely Selke candidates: Ryan O’Reilly (2.03), Patrice Bergeron (1.98) and Barkov (1.95). Points need to be put in proper context of a player’s situation and usage. On the surface, Eriksson Ek’s scoring looks lackluster, but dig deeper and he’s right in line with the competition so far. Interestingly, it’s not far off from his scoring rate last season either where he scored 1.95 points per 60.

“That’s why I’m glad he’s still on our team,” Hendrickson said. “When a first-round pick doesn’t score, a lot of teams will look at that player and think, ‘Well, I bet we can get more offense out of him,’ and look to get him.”

That’s very true.

From Guerin to Paul Fenton to the man who drafted him, , all have been offered enticing deals to move on from Eriksson Ek in the past. You can bet Guerin’s happy he and the others resisted any deals to this point.

It’s only been 20 games, but Eriksson Ek has looked like the real deal this season — the exact type of player the Wild hoped they were getting when they drafted him 20th overall in 2015.

There were many Wild fans that were disappointed with that pick at the time, hoping instead for Burnsville, Minn., native Brock Boeser instead.

The Wild have long lacked a pure goal scorer, and Boeser’s 83 goals since 2017-18 are tied for 49th in the NHL.

There’s no doubt Eriksson Ek will be compared to Boeser by Wild fans for the rest of his career, but ask him, and he’s got no clue and doesn’t care.

In the five years since both players were drafted, Wild fans were right to feel like the organization made a mistake not selecting the hometown kid. Boeser scored 161 points in 197 games in his first three seasons, the 1205009 Montreal Canadiens and down your street high-fiving the neighbours for the next decade. It’s human nature. You’d believe you made this happen. You. You, you, you.

Walter didn’t think that way. Though he’d done all the janitorial work that Canada’s hockey dad Walter Gretzky was always there for his son made hockey greatness possible – icing the backyard rink, paying for all Wayne, but never in his way the gear, schlepping it all over the place at an ungodly hour of the morning on his one day off – he gave all propers to the person who did the real work. Sure, Walter knew you had to skate to where the puck was going to be, rather than where it was. But he was never the one skating CATHAL KELLY there. PUBLISHED MARCH 5, 2021 He called it “destiny,” whatever magic it was that possessed his son. “I UPDATED MARCH 5, 2021 just did what I could to help it along.”

This wasn’t humility. It was realism – an increasingly rare commodity in the sports world. Walter understood he was the helpmate of greatness, Back when children were still raised free-range, there was no such thing not its creator. Another thing that made him special was that that was as the sports parent. enough for him.

Star athletes had parents, but not ones you’d notice. It was not widely Though shy, he did enjoy the part of fame that allows you to meet assumed mom or dad were the originators of their son’s brilliance, or that strangers and hear their stories. He was by all accounts a wonderful they should be constantly hovering around him as he moved into the listener, which is another way of saying he was interested in things he pros, pulling strings and holding court. didn’t already know about. These days, that counts as a superpower.

Bobby Orr – the ultimate product of our national Valhalla, the frozen pond Eventually, Walter rose to the status of secular Canadian saint. There is – said his parents almost never saw him play when he was a kid, even no more tenuous perch. Just one cross word on one bad day in front of long after he’d become a big deal, even after he’d made the NHL. They one cellphone camera and that’s it, you’re off. But he never wobbled. were too busy working. Forty years being Canada’s dad, and not one bad interaction or low- Father of the Great One, Walter Gretzky, dies at 82 grade hissy fit. The son, like all pros, got the benefit of a million mulligans. Nobody remembers his clankers on the ice. The father didn’t Nowadays, ‘soccer mom’ is an insult. ‘Tennis father’ calls to mind a have the luxury of even one public screw-up, and he batted 1.000 for his frothing maniac standing behind his daughter, shrieking every time she career. You tell me which is the more impressive accomplishment. misses a stroke. As illness slowed him and he left the stage, Walter was cemented in our Sports parents are everywhere, and usually not for the better. They’re on national imagination. He was the quiet Canadian, the gentle patriarch, ESPN acting as hype-men and women for their clients – which is the the guy you’d run into down at Becker’s who always said hello. He was better way to describe their relationship to their children. They’re getting our ideal image of the family man, someone who loved his wife, his kids interviewed in the stands as though they just threw the no-hitter. and coaching hockey, in that order. How do you spot the good sports parent to a modern pro? They’re the In his way, Walter was even greater than his son. Because while a fair ones you don’t hear from all that much. few people have been tremendous hockey players, exceedingly fewer of For a few years in the 1980s and ’90s, Walter Gretzky occupied the their parents have managed to hit and maintain precisely the right tone sweet spot between the two extremes. as they became as famous as their kids.

He was always there, but never in the way. He didn’t go on TV to yell Now that he is gone, you wouldn’t say he was the last of a vanished about how amazing his son was. He didn’t work behind the scenes to get breed. Instead, you are moved to recognize that, in his heroic the coach or the general manager fired. He didn’t latch on once the averageness, Walter Gretzky was the only one of his kind. money started coming in and begin siphoning. He had his own thing going on. Globe And Mail LOADED: 03.06.2021 While Wayne was marrying a movie star and spiffing himself up for Madison Avenue, Walter held down the working-class end of the Gretzky operation. That was the key to Wayne’s national-icon status. As his lifestyle became unrecognizable to the average Canadian, there was still the tether of Walter and Brantford, Ont., to make him seem like a regular guy.

Walter was every blue-collar Canadian dad from the seventies frozen in time – varsity jackets, pomade hair and a face worn beyond his years. If you were the child of European immigrants around the same vintage, Walter Gretzky was your father. Like, exactly the same. And he never changed.

When he released his autobiography in 2001, Walter wondered what point there was to it.

“Why would anyone be interested in me?” he wrote. “I’m just a guy who grew up on a farm, worked for Bell Canada for 34 years and raised a sports-loving family in a small Canadian town. It doesn’t seem very remarkable.”

You’ll note the only actual achievement he counts in there is all those years spent as a repairman for the phone company. If someone said it to you today – “worked for (Conglomerate X) for (huge amount of time)” – they’d make it sound like a prison sentence. Walter was from the last generation that took pride in the fact they’d done something well enough that someone let them do it their whole life.

The only exceptional thing about himself, he decided, was that he had survived a massive stroke at 53 and came back from it.

That he was unremarkable was in fact what made him remarkable. If your kid turned out to be the best there ever was, you’d be running up 1205010 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens expected Carey Price to struggle, Stéphane Waite says

Pat Hickey •

Publishing date: Mar 06, 2021

Stéphane Waite said the Canadiens expected Carey Price to struggle as he adjusted to the new reality of sharing the goaltending duties with Jake Allen.

“We expected that in January and February it’s gonna be tough for him to get his rhythm, his timing, his feel for the puck, seeing the puck well like he used to because Carey is not used to playing every two games,” Waite told TSN 690’s Mitch Melnick Friday.

“Every good No. 1 goalie is the league needs to play a lot to have the timing,” said Waite, who was fired as Montreal’s goaltending coach after the second period of Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Ottawa. “We thought he might have some problems, but he would benefit in March and April when the plan was for Carey to play two games out of three.”

Waite, who was in his eighth season as the Canadiens goaltending coach, said there were problems with the team in front of Price.

“We were very disorganized (in our own zone) and Carey wanted to do too much, cheat a little bit and once a goalie starts to not trust the defensive system, that’s when he starts to guess,” Waite said. “Then there’s bad goals and he starts to lose his confidence and it becomes a snowball. That’s why the last four days before I was fired, we sat down and settled things down, said ‘OK, relax, come back to the basics.’ You could see he was too busy as a goaltender (and we said) just kept it simple, let the game come to you.

“I knew he was going to play well in Ottawa and I liked how (interim head Dominique Ducharme) made adjustments in our own zone,” Waite added.

Waite said there were no issues between him and Price. He said the goaltender called him after the game Tuesday and the two met at Waite’s condo on Wednesday. He said the two talked for about 90 minutes and it became emotional at times.

The veteran coach said he was blindsided by general manager Marc Bergevin’s decision. They met a week earlier after Bergevin fired head coach Claude Julien and and, while Bergevin expressed concern over Price’s inconsistent play, there was no hint that Waite’s job was on the line.

Waite was asked whether the 33-year-old Price’s game has deteriorated and he noted that Marc-André Fleury, who is three years older than Price, is one of the top goalies in the league this season and recently discussed the advantages of playing 10 games in a row.

Waite said it was difficult to compare the two.

“(Fleury) is kind of like a rubber man, he has no injuries, he has no issues physically,” Waite said “With Carey, it’s different. He can play two, three, four games in a row, but we have to take care of his body because he’s had a history with his knees, his hi ps, his back. Unfortunately for Carey, that’s a reality now at his age.”

Is Price injured now?

“He’s not 100 per cent, but he can play,” Waite said. “He’s not hurt but he has some stiffness. He has to learn to play with the pain and that’s why we need a very good backup and that’s what we have in Montreal right now.”

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205011 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur lends hand to CHUM cancer fundraiser

Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette

Publishing date: Mar 06, 2021

An optimistic Guy Lafleur made his first public appearance since October when he talked to journalists during a video conference Friday announcing the creation of the Guy Lafleur Fund. It will be part of the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) foundation’s effort to raise money for cancer research.

Lafleur has had a variety of health problems since September 2019, when a routine physical exam required to renew his helicopter pilot’s licence revealed blocked arteries. He underwent quadruple-bypass surgery, which revealed the presence of lung cancer. One-third of his right lung was removed, but the cancer reappeared in October.

Lafleur offered some good news, when he said the cancer mass has shrunk by 30 per cent.

“When there is life, there is hope,” he said Friday. “I feel good. I take it one day at a time. I have treatments every three weeks. I am getting tired, I sleep a lot, but the oncologist told me this is normal.”

Lafleur said he has a treadmill at home and tries to get outside for a walk in the some fresh air.

“With the (COVID-19) confinement, there is not much positive,” said Lafleur. “At our age, the pleasure is going to a restaurant with friends, but we are cut off from everything. For me, the confinement started in September 2019 when I had my quadruple-bypass surgery and when my upper lobe of the lung was removed. It’s long, it’s painful, but we’ll get through it.”

The CHUM foundation has set up the Club des 10, which is a play on his Canadiens sweater number and the nine celebrity friends who will join him on Facebook. Fans will have access to the celebrities in exchange for a weekly donation over the next 10 weeks.

A video shown Friday featured , Yvan Cournoyer, Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Drouin, Wayne Gretzky, Alexis Lafrenière, cancer survivor , Marie-Philip Poulin and Patrick Roy. They each told stories of adversity they had experienced, and sent a message of support to Lafleur. and will also offer their help.

Lafleur said he was encouraged by advancements in cancer treatment.

“My father died of cancer in 1992 and I look at the evolution of treatments from 1992 to today, it’s day and night,” said Lafleur. “My oncologist told me: ‘You can’t cure cancer, but you can treat it, and give you a good quality of life.’ It is not cancer that you catch and die two weeks later. Science is improving day by day. It is really encouraging.

“If we can treat it and I have 10-15 years to live, it’s not a lot but I’m 69 years old and it will take me into my 80s, it’s not so bad,” said Lafleur. “It’s about always keeping hope and understanding the evolution of treatments.”

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205012 Montreal Canadiens Second act for Sutter: The Calgary Flames are bringing back noted cattle rancher Darryl Sutter for a second stint as head coach. He replaces Geoff Ward, who once served as Claude Julien’s assistant with the Boston Bruins. Hickey on hockey: Canadiens seeking solutions to overtime failures While the Canadiens swapped out Julien for Ducharme because they wanted a younger, modern coach, the Flames are going in the opposite direction. Sutter, 62, is definitely an old-school coach. While he is known Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette for being protective of his players and a master motivator, his Publishing date: Mar 06, 2021 motivational skills involve a lot of shouting.

He led the Flames to the Stanley Cup final in 2004 and won the Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014. Overtime continues to be a major stumbling block for the Canadiens, who dropped a 4-3 OT decision to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. The When he was fired by the Kings in 2017, he hoped to return to the Canadiens are 0-6 this season in games that have extended beyond Flames, but GM Brad Treliving hired Bill Peters and Sutter announced regulation time. Four of those losses have been decided in 3-on-3 play, that he would return to full-time ranching on the 3,000-acre family spread while the others ended in shootouts. in Viking, which is a four-hour drive northeast of Calgary.

An optimist will say the Canadiens salvaged six points in the standings. A The coaching change was announced one hour after the Flames realist understands they lost six points. defeated the Ottawa Senators 7-3 on Thursday. Calgary has an 11-11-2 record and is fifth in the Canadian division. The Flames are two points The last two overtime losses were to the Jets and they offer evidence behind the Canadiens, but Montreal has two games in hand. that interim head coach Dominique Ducharme is still trying to find a solution for the team’s OT failures.

In the 2-1 loss to the Jets last Saturday, Ducharme took a conservative Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.06.2021 approach and started Phil Danault, Jeff Petry and Joël Armia against three Winnipeg forwards. As Ducharme explained after the game, the plan was for Danault to win the faceoff and give the Canadiens control of the puck.

The problem is that faceoffs are usually a 50-50 proposition — which was the case for Danault that night in regulation. Danault lost the draw and Jets scored 36 seconds later.

Montreal hung in a little longer Thursday — Pierre-Luc Dubois scored the winner at 4:29 — but the twittersphere was filled with questions about Ducharme’s personnel decisions.

Ducharme had the right intentions when he decided to go the three- forward route. He said he wanted to use the Suzuki line, but Jonathan Drouin was cramping and Tyler Toffoli was still recovering from an earlier shift. The result was Suzuki between Tomas Tatar and . Toffoli showed up later with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Byron.

There seems to be confusion about the nature of 3-on-3 hockey, which should be an advantage to the Canadiens who pride themselves on their speed. However, Montreal negated that advantage by giving too much OT time to defencemen and Ben Chiarot, while Alexander Romanov, who arguably is the team’s most mobile blue-liner, sits on the bench.

There are also questions about why Brendan Gallagher doesn’t see the ice in overtime, but this makes a little more sense because, by his own admission, he’s not a sniper. He’s a mucker who scores by working hard in traffic and you don’t see that on the highway that is 3-on-3 hockey.

The Canadiens have a better idea of what they’re doing on the power play, which is 4-for-8 since assistant coach took charge. The problem is figuring out how to draw more penalties. The Canadiens scored on their only power play Thursday and it’s difficult to take advantage of the improvement when they only get two chances a game.

RIP Walter Gretzky: Canada lost its hockey dad Thursday when Walter Gretzky died after a nine-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 82.

Gretzky is best-known as Wayne Gretzky’s father, but he dedicated his lifetime to minor hockey and charitable endeavours, most notably the CNIB — which is dedicated to assisting Canadians who are blind or living with vision loss — a beneficiary of the annual Wayne Gretzky golf tournament.

Walter Gretzky deserves a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder. In shaping Wayne’s career beginning as a 3-year-old on a backyard rink, Walter Gretzky served as a model for what a hockey parent should be.

“He taught me the basics of life as far as schooling, as far as how I treated people,” Wayne said during a 1996 interview with the CBC “I don’t think there’s any question in my mind I wouldn’t be playing professional hockey if it wasn’t for him. 1205013 Montreal Canadiens “The result is ultimately the most important thing but it takes time with some things. We know we’re right there. I think we believe, in the dressing room, that it’s right there. Like I said, we’re doing a lot of good things. We keep doing those good things and shore up the mistakes and About Last Night: Mistake after mistake hurt the Canadiens against the the bad things that we’re doing and I think we’ll start moving forward in a Jets better way,” Weber said.

There’s a lot of good that’s come from the team’s latest adjustments. But the team is in need of positive results sooner rather than later to keep Julian McKenzie • Special to the Montreal Gazette them from losing ground in the North Division standings. Publishing date: Mar 05, 2021 Hopefully Anderson will be back on Saturday. 1 point is 1 point. If we win on Saturday, we can take 3 out of 4. I have a feeling Price will be ready to prove a few people wrong. This is when he’s at his best. GO HABS Jets' Kyle Connor celebrates as Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen looks GO. — Carin Latzel back in to the net after the Winnipeg scored the winning goal in overtime Thursday night at the . Need snipers in OT. We don’t have any. Probably haven’t had a game breaker since Kovalev. 3 on 3 is about offensive talent, not team play. I Article content suppose if we make the playoffs we don’t have to worry about it? — Justin Miller Mistakes were made. They cost the Montreal Canadiens Thursday night.

It didn’t matter if the Canadiens once again found success on their power play. It didn’t matter if the Canadiens negated both of Winnipeg’s power Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.06.2021 play opportunities. The Canadiens outshot the Jets 36-27. Jonathan Drouin put together a solid effort and got an assist on the game-tying goal (it was initially believed that he scored before the NHL gave it to Corey Perry).

Despite the positives, the Canadiens’ mistakes took them out of a winnable game against a divisional opponent that has given them trouble through three meetings this season.

Whether it was the Canadiens defence allowing shots on net within the opening seconds of game time or giveaways that led to goals, Montreal couldn’t get out of their own way at times. It forced them to play from behind. It almost worked, but it was the Jets who got two points in the end.

Canadiens captain Shea Weber felt his team had played a “sound” game overall.

But those damned mistakes.

The Canadiens were already down 1-0 after a Paul Stastny redirect gave the Jets the lead. But later in the period, a careless back pass made by Tyler Toffoli gave Mathieu Perreault a clear runway to the goal.

There was Shea Weber’s gaffe, failing to corral a puck ringing around the boards. The Jets would eventually keep the puck in the zone and re-take the lead.

“Mistakes are going to happen in games and you want to limit those mistakes, obviously,” Weber said.

Finally, there was the overtime winning goal which saw two Canadiens defencemen bump into each other as they tried to focus on their men. But both players failed to realize they’d be crossing into each other.

To this point, we’ve harped on most of the bad for the Canadiens. But we have to admit it wasn’t all bad. There was room for the Canadiens to make up for their mistakes. After all, it was Toffoli who scored his team’s second goal of the night to make up for his opening period gaffe.

“I don’t think we were bad tonight. We had some chances to go up in the game. (On the) power play, Gallagher with another big goal. But we had some good looks in overtime. If we score in overtime, it’s a whole other different story,” Toffoli said.

Toffoli raises a good point. We might look back at that game and commend the Canadiens for their resiliency. The team might still acknowledge that mistakes were made and they’ll have to clean them up. A win is a win after all.

Except that the Canadiens didn’t win. You can’t cash in moral victories for points.

I’ve used this reference before. Who cares. Let noted poet laureate Shawn Carter tell you who moral victories are for.

They now have one win in their last seven games. They haven’t won back-to-back games in over a month. Montreal is still adjusting on the fly with Dominique Ducharme and Alex Burrows behind the bench.

Still, the Canadiens believe they’re on the right track. 1205014 Montreal Canadiens the regular season, he almost always left you wanting more, because the talent was so obvious.

Drouin was also like this, with flashes of jaw-dropping skill sprinkled into Basu and Godin: Canadiens OT woes, Jonathan Drouin thrives, KK a sea of uninspiring efforts. grows and more When he finally had enough of it, when he went through a drought for essentially the entire second half of the 2018-19 season, Drouin turned to someone he trusted to help him find his way. By Arpon Basu and Marc Antoine Godin He turned to Dominique Ducharme. The two of them spent the summer Mar 5, 2021 watching video together, and the results were striking at the start of last season. The change in his game, but more importantly his attitude, was

evident. If we want to explore certain elements of the first full week of Dominique Now that Ducharme is his head coach, Drouin seems to have taken Ducharme’s time as head coach of the Canadiens, let’s start with the those improvements we saw and taken them to another level. He jumps most recent, which was the team’s performance in overtime Thursday over the boards with purpose, with an intent on doing something to against the Winnipeg Jets. impact the game, and he is doing so with greater regularity. It was Ducharme’s fourth game in charge and the second the Canadiens The version of Drouin we have seen under Ducharme is like the version lost in overtime, both times against the Jets. we saw at the beginning of last season on steroids. As a reminder, last Saturday in Winnipeg the new coach began overtime “Since the start of the season, for me, it’s really been about the with Phillip Danault, who was assigned with winning the initial faceoff to consistency of my work,” Drouin said after the game Thursday. “The best gain possession, Joel Armia, whom Ducharme considered his best parts of my game come out when I’m moving my feet and I’m on the forward that night, and Jeff Petry, a master of three-on-three play. puck. Dominique is on me about that every shift that I don’t move my Ducharme had a plan in mind to take advantage of the Jets deploying feet, that I don’t backcheck, that I don’t forecheck. He talks to me about it three forwards so that he could spring the Nick Suzuki line on them once and let’s me know what’s going on.” the faceoff was won. Except Danault lost the draw, the Canadiens barely touched the puck and Paul Stastny ended it 36 seconds later. The odd thing is that Ducharme was behind the bench before, so he had the ability to do these little in-game motivational sessions before. But On Thursday, the strategy changed. Ducharme kept Petry to start, but clearly, having it come from the head coach carries different weight, and this time he was joined by Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who had played a strong it’s not only about pointing out the mistakes or the lack of effort, either. game, and Paul Byron. The result was no different, other than it coming later in the overtime period. A collision between Armia and Petry opened Ultimately, it’s about trust and feeling trusted. the door to Pierre-Luc Dubois, and the Canadiens lost for the fourth time this season in overtime, on top of two losses in shootouts. Those are “I know what he expects of me, I don’t need to guess what he wants from precious points to leave on the board, even if the Canadiens can take me every night. I know what he wants, he tells me,” Drouin said. “He’s some solace in gaining a point with a goal late in the third period someone who knows how to challenge me, someone who can push me, Thursday. he knows my limits. That’s really it, he knows my limits and knows how to push me. It’s up to me to respond.” “They play their big dogs, they play every other shift – six forwards,” Tyler Toffoli said of the Jets overtime strategy. “They’re really good players So far, Drouin has done that. He has taken everything he was doing well and they scored again.” before and kicked it up a notch.

This is a problem for the Canadiens. Who are Montreal’s big dogs? There are those who still won’t be satisfied. After all, his two-assist Considering overtime is often a situation where you go best on best, performance Thursday night only gave him 15 points in 22 games, choosing players with the best combination of speed and skill, coaches putting him 112th on the NHL scoring list. He still only has two goals in need to be confident that their best players will be better than the best of 22 games. There is still ammunition for the folks who will probably never the other side. It would be fair to want the Canadiens follow that path and like Drouin’s game, no matter what he does. send out three forwards like the Jets, but they are a bit more limited in But an objective look at how he’s been playing lately would reveal options. At one point Thursday, Ducharme wanted to send the entire someone who seems ready to take his game to another level. As he has Suzuki line on the ice, but Jonathan Drouin was cramping on the bench said himself countless times, it is up to him to show he can do it and so he sent out Paul Byron in his place while Toffoli had to wait for a consistently. long time before Tomas Tatar was able to get to the bench. Toffoli ultimately lined up with Kotkaniemi and Byron on the next faceoff. Kotkaniemi earning more ice time?

Strong link teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers, Even if, for the third time in his last six games, Jesperi Kotkaniemi was but also the Jets to a certain point, have an advantage on the Canadiens one of the Canadiens’ most dangerous forwards, he still played six fewer in overtime. The Canadiens are built more so on depth than high end minutes than Nick Suzuki, Thursday. Phillip Danault played two and a talent, and they will need to come up with overtime strategies that take half minutes more than Kotkaniemi. that reality into account. We hear from many fans who would love to see Kotkaniemi replace Petry is a defenceman who has been the Canadiens’ top scorer at three- Danault between Tomas Tatar and Brendan Gallagher, but Ducharme, on-three since the start of the 2018-19 season with four goals. He’s a rather than turn everything upside down after taking over, has decided must in overtime. But it’s when we see Ben Chiarot jump over the boards lineup stability and getting some previously known quantities going was a in overtime that we come to understand how much better off this team better way to go. would be in overtime by finding combinations of three forwards to throw out there. How long will Ducharme be able to remain patient?

Has the real Jonathan Drouin arrived? He is trying to inject his own principles into the way the Canadiens play, and we suspect he’s waiting for his adjustments to take hold before Jonathan Drouin will never make everyone happy. He will always leave fiddling with his lineup. some people wanting more, people who remember a lazier, more entitled version of that player we see today. He is the latest in a long line of “We want to be so in sync at one point that we can move guys around polarizing players who have played for the Canadiens, but in many ways and it wouldn’t change their game, it wouldn’t change the way that we the old version of Drouin was similar to a polarizing player he loved to play, the way we know that the options are going to be there, there and watch as a kid, Alex Kovalev. there,” Ducharme said this week. “Then, once you create that, one night you can move a guy around because he’s had a better night or an off Kovalev had moments where he dazzled you, where he did things only night or you see a better chemistry. You can start trying out things and he could do, but other moments where he left you pulling his hair out see different chemistry…We’re working on the core of our game, of because of his lack of a commitment to playing as hard as he could every creating those habits. I don’t want us to react, I want us to act, but acting shift. Kovalev never did that when the games mattered most. But during within those certain rules. That’s the most important thing right now for “Yeah, it’s fair to say that I have high expectations,” Bergevin said. “I said me.” from Day 1 that I expect this team to make the playoffs and from there we’ll see where we’re at. But I have expectations that we have a good It is no small task, in the middle of a season, to have everyone so team that can beat anybody when we’re on the top of our game, and comfortable with a new system to allow Ducharme the liberty of tinkering that’s why I felt it was important to make those changes.” with lines in the middle of a game, especially when the very reason Ducharme is now in charge is because the team was somewhat lost and Hang on a second. What was that? Did that sound like what Bergevin lacking cohesion. has always set as the expectations for the Canadiens? That the goal was to make the playoffs and then we’ll see what happens? It sure sounded But once the forwards approach the point where Ducharme feels they like that, and Bergevin mentioning Day 1 only drives the point home that have absorbed the new system, that could mean Kotkaniemi will benefit the tone has changed significantly since he spoke on Day 1 of training because as he begins to thrive, Phillip Danault is running out of camp. arguments to be eternally considered as a top-six forward. “We have internal expectations that are high,” Bergevin said that day, Having said that, is swapping Danault and Kotkaniemi in the lineup back on Jan. 4. “Can’t hide from that. We have to perform.” necessarily the right solution? Josh Anderson will be back in the lineup soon, which would mean Tyler Toffoli could wind up back on No mention of simply making the playoffs and then we’ll see. Definitely a Kotkaniemi’s line. What’s important for Kotkaniemi is not so much who he different tone to those comments. Or how about this? plays with, but rather that he simply plays more often. “The team we have now, I think it sends a message to the league and to Ducharme would rather have Kotkaniemi force his hand and earn more our own players that we mean business, we’re here to win, and we can minutes rather than just receiving them by default. That would mean play any way you want to play,” Bergevin said on Day 1. “Guys are more production, that would mean showing that he is the one driving his excited, I can tell you that right now.” line, that would mean demonstrating that he could handle the defensive responsibilities that would come with higher usage against tougher The refreshing aspect of Bergevin’s season-opening press conference competition. Because more minutes naturally means tougher was that it appeared the bar had been raised within the Canadiens competition. Just ask Danault. organization, that simply making the playoffs and then you never know what happens was no longer good enough, that more was expected. Against the Jets on Thursday, Kotkaniemi’s line had two dominant shifts in the offensive zone in the second period and generally had a strong What Bergevin said after firing three coaches in less than a week game. But that didn’t necessarily erase Kotkaniemi’s turnover in the first sounded a lot more like same old, same old. period that eventually led to the Jets’ first goal. There was a perfectly natural impression that when Ducharme took over “You look at the first goal, that’s a play that began maybe 30 seconds for Claude Julien that it wouldn’t be a clean break. After all, Ducharme earlier,” Ducharme said. “We lost the puck in the neutral zone on a play was on Julien’s staff. He had input on everything that happened before, we shouldn’t have made. We turn the puck over at the red line, they so why should it be much different with Ducharme in charge? come back into our zone, we spend some time in our zone, we ice it, and As it turns out, it’s become clear that Ducharme was holding a lot back after the faceoff, the puck hits a skate. working under Julien. He had input, yes, but he didn’t set the agenda. “It’s unlucky, but on that play, we created our own bad luck.” And he’s made it clear that if it were up to him, things would be a lot different while Julien was still running the ship. In order to displace a veteran that remains an important element of the team, Kotkaniemi needs to clean up the types of plays Ducharme made a Just watching practice all week makes it obvious to what extent changes point of describing. That would eliminate any bad aftertaste from a strong are being put in place, and the way the Canadiens are operating now is game like the one Kotkaniemi had on Thursday. significantly different.

Being directly responsible for the power play taking flight would be On Monday, Ducharme organized the Canadiens into three groups and another way for Kotkaniemi to up his minutes. had them go through stations, one run by him, one by Luke Richardson and another by the new assistant coach, Alexandre Burrows. Ducharme At the beginning of the season, the second power play unit was centred had players working on a forecheck drill, where a backchecking forward on Kotkaniemi, who was positioned at the right wall. It was generating and a defenceman stepping up in the neutral zone work in concert to lots of shots, but few goals. Alex Burrows has put Kotkaniemi on the left squeeze an onrushing forward against the boards and then transition out flank – which is where he played under Burrows in Laval last season – of that to offence. Richardson was working on a drill emphasizing allowing him to move freely between the circle and the point. Tuesday, positioning on the forecheck, while Burrows was working on pressuring a against the Ottawa Senators, Kotkaniemi essentially quarterbacked his defenceman walking the blue line for the forwards, and eliminating a unit and led either directly or indirectly to two goals. It was the first time in forward along the boards for defencemen (as an aside, Burrows was the more than a month that the Canadiens scored more than once on the forward being eliminated into the boards for this drill, and every time a power play in a game. defenceman squeezed him into the boards, he exaggeratingly acted as though he’d been plastered against the glass). Then Thursday, Kotkaniemi didn’t get a point on Brendan Gallagher’s power play goal, but his excellent pass to Tomas Tatar on the zone entry Towards the end of practice, Ducharme gathered the entire group and made the goal possible. Considering how poorly the power play has went over how he wanted to see offensive forechecks executed, skating performed, if Kotkaniemi’s unit continues to produce consistently, it could himself to certain areas of the ice to show the routes he would like to be take over as the top unit. taken. It was meticulous and detailed, but it was also a sign that Ducharme is in many ways working from scratch and not simply refining If the Canadiens slump continues, perhaps Ducharme will deem it what Julien had in place before. appropriate to make some more drastic changes to try something different and lean more on players who are going to snap the slump. It’s The entire group took a knee and listened for about 10 minutes. Class possible. But Kotkaniemi has a better chance of earning more minutes if was in session. his play simply leaves no other choice to Ducharme but to use him more. “Everything we do, we want to be as clear as possible,” Ducharme said It looks like he is on that track. after the practice. “So watching what was going on, I got the feeling guys were not really understanding what we wanted to do, so with the time, I It was a brief moment in a very long press conference to explain the was giving myself between 30 and 35 (minutes for the practice) with the highly unusual move of firing a goaltending coach after the second period pace that we wanted and the execution. I was around that, just after 30, of a game, so it may have gone unnoticed by many. so I said instead of keeping going for three minutes and not doing it the But it was noticed here. right way, we’ll stop, walk through it, they’ll understand and we’ll leave here better.” Marc Bergevin, in the midst of explaining the firing of Stéphane Waite, was asked whether the internal expectations the organization has for this Ducharme was able to work on these things Monday because, according season played a role not only in what happened Tuesday night, but also to him, he was “ahead of schedule” in making the defensive zone a week prior in the firings of Claude Julien and Kirk Muller. adjustments he wanted to make. At the morning skate on Tuesday, the instruction continued, this time worked together for the Montreal Juniors and later with the Blainville- emphasizing offensive zone play, how to create opportunities off the Boisbriand Armada in the QMJHL. cycle, creating plays in the middle of the ice, with Burrows doing a lot of the instruction. He had begun this work at the end of practice Monday, “He’s a worker, he’s passionate, he’s dedicated,” Bouchard said. “Marco and the continuation of it Tuesday morning had the Canadiens running didn’t play in the NHL, but he’s climbed a lot of steps in hockey. We’ve different plays off the same basic offensive zone set of creating a triangle lost a workhorse because he takes care of the goalies and he takes care between the three forwards in the offensive zone. of video for us. Having said that, we have a new reality with Covid and we can only be happy for him. It’s very much deserved. He doesn’t count Every day Ducharme has been the head coach has been a day to add his hours. He’s always been there for me for years.” elements that he would like to introduce to how he wants his team to play. Because the Canadiens are his team, and though he would never say so, it is clear a little over a week into his tenure that Ducharme is The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 instituting many changes to how Julien had the Canadiens playing before.

The notion Ducharme taking over would be more of the same was dispelled quite convincingly very early on. The Canadiens are taking a crash course in how Ducharme wants the game to be played.

“I think we’ve adapted really well, actually,” Shea Weber said after the game Thursday on the changes Ducharme has put in place. “I’m pretty impressed with the way guys have picked things up. It’s almost like a cram session to get everything in, guys have paid attention for the most part and I think we’re getting results. Guys are doing what he wants, and there’s going to be those mistakes and those habits that we’ve had from the past, that’s what the video will shore up. As we go along here, those shouldn’t be as common or as frequent.”

Ducharme has noted some recurring themes on his philosophy, the two most popular being that he wants to have identifiable options for the puck carrier in every situation, and that support is a central tenet of what he is trying to accomplish. Support offensively means having two players near the puck at all times, and the way the Canadiens run their routes on breakouts and in the offensive zone already makes this change evident.

Even though Ducharme considers the Canadiens to be ahead of schedule in terms of learning the way he wants them to play, there is still a lot of work to be done. But the first week of the Ducharme era has made it painfully obvious that this coaching change was not simply a matter of a new voice. It was about a new system.

We’re very used to players being called up from the AHL to the NHL, stay for a few days and then get sent back down.

It’s a bit more unusual for a coach.

After Stéphane Waite was fired as Canadiens goalie coach, and with the 14-day quarantine his replacement Sean Burke has to undergo, goalie coach Marco Marciano has assumed the duties of working with Carey Price and Jake Allen in practice.

Burke and Marciano have worked together in the past because, as the Canadiens goaltending consultant, Burke visited Laval at times to work with the Rocket goalies to provide a more big picture view.

Burke and Marciano have been collaborating to come up with a concrete plan while the Canadiens transition to their second and third goalie coaches during a shortened season.

“Everything Marco does on the ice with our goalies, they talked about it, they prepared drills together,” Ducharme said. “So, until Sean comes, that’s the way they’re going to be working.”

Price is not starting from scratch with Marciano since they’ve been on the ice together before. They’ve spent a lot of time together in practice the past few days.

Price let out a little smile when asked about Marciano and revealing his enthusiasm and energy, something that made Rocket goalie Cayden Primeau smile as well.

“Marco gets along great with all of his goalies, it’s just kind of his personality,” Primeau said. “He’s very energetic and he just loves his job. So when you have someone like that, who’s always positive, it just radiates and, in turn, it makes you have a positive outlook. So, not only as a goalie coach, in teaching me things on the ice, off the ice, he’s taught me so much. I’m missing him right now for however long he’s going to be gone, but excited for him to come back and teach us whatever he has learned while he’s up there as well.”

Marciano has been with the Rocket as long as the team’s been in Laval, back when Sylvain Lefebvre was still the coach. He served as a familiar face when Joël Bouchard replaced Lefebvre, since the two of them 1205015 Nashville Predators waving a white flag and accepting that things must get worse before they can improve.

Beloved players will exit in return for draft picks and much-needed Nashville Predators must embrace the rebuild needed to fix a bad team | prospects. Mattias Ekholm? Filip Forsberg? Arvidsson? In the era of Estes COVID-19, flat salary caps and cost-conscious teams, will anyone be untouchable? Will Hynes be? Or Poile even?

When all this goes down, it’ll be the end of this franchise’s golden age, GENTRY ESTES | Nashville Tennessean gone too soon and without the Stanley Cup so many saw as possible.

The descent down the mountain’s shady side isn’t pleasant, but you only know that if you've made the climb in the first place. You then realize that Sooner or later, and it’s looking sooner by the day, the Nashville losing wealth is far worse than never having it – especially when no one Predators must finally come to grips with what's increasingly apparent: seems to have much of an idea how it all got away. This isn’t working. Were this fixable, the Preds would have fixed it by now. They’ve had time Before much longer, if not already, it’ll be time to blow it up. Whether the with this core of players, and it is about to run out. You understand what Preds want to or not. has to happen then.

How much evidence does a reluctant franchise — one still living too I’d say, Smashville, to brace yourself to watch deflating defeats and bad much on recent accomplishments — need to embrace such an hockey. unwelcome fate? But you're already there. Thursday night’s 5-4 defeat to the Florida Panthers at Bridgestone Arena was nothing but a tired rerun. The Preds trailed 3-0. Nothing new. They usually fall behind. Then they rally late and make it interesting. Then they Tennessean LOADED: 03.06.2021 still lose.

You know the script beforehand, right down to postgame comments that contrast fast finish and slow start as if it’s proof it doesn’t have to be that way – even though it is.

“We know we can play better. We can play better than we did in the first (period),” said . “… You can see in the second and third, we can hang. We can play. I don't know why we're not doing it."

The explanation Preds coach John Hynes keeps offering for the poor starts: A lack of urgency, that his team opens too tentative and wants to “dip our toe in the water.” Can’t say I saw that Thursday. The Preds played hard enough in the first 30 minutes. The Panthers were just better at hockey.

“It could have been 3-0 or 4-0 in the first probably seven minutes,” Hynes said.

And that’s the point.

As much as the Preds want to act as if this is easily correctable, truth is, they’ve just become a bad team in need of an extensive overhaul.

The Preds won’t own that easily. Too many good memories clouding too many minds.

They’re like an aging pitcher who once won a Cy Young Award but has since lost his stuff. He keeps struggling to get out of the first inning and then keeps pointing to the fact he struck out the side in the fourth inning to excuse his horrible ERA and high salary.

The Preds’ failings have been cast – by the team itself, and also by others – not as a bad team playing badly but as a good team simply underachieving. And that has given breath to a mystical belief that – any day now – things are going to turn around.

General manager David Poile has long stymied questions about the “R” word, seemingly holding on to hope that a rebuild wouldn’t be needed if this could fix itself. As recently as this week, he was still telling 102.5-FM that “this next stretch of games … are going to show us whether we are one of the top teams in our division, whether we’re a playoff team or possibly that we’re not.”

Allow me to end the suspense: They’re not.

How could anyone not realize what these Predators are by now? Entering Thursday’s defeat, they were 28th out of 31 NHL teams in goals per game. That’s a rough neighborhood. Don't want to be there while nearing the midpoint of a shortened season in which your record is 10- 13-0.

Poile can keep hoping against reason. Or he can start doing what needs to be done.

It’ll be messy and painful. Always is with a full-scale rebuild. In abandoning hope today for the vague promise of tomorrow, you’re 1205016 Nashville Predators No one would blame Forsberg for wanting to see what else is out there. He enjoys playing for the Predators, but at this stage, the team cannot afford a repeat of the Ryan Suter situation in 2012, when negotiations with the star defenseman dragged on before he walked away in free Two questions that must be answered before the Predators re-sign Filip agency. Forsberg Forsberg is a foundational player, but he could also bring back valuable future assets. Stone was worth top defensive prospect Erik Brannstrom and a second-round draft pick when the Ottawa Senators traded him to By Adam Vingan the Golden Knights at the 2019 deadline. Mar 5, 2021 At the time, Stone was on an expiring contract, though he signed his megadeal less than two weeks later. A team acquiring Forsberg would have him for another season at $6 million, so the Predators could ask for Not long ago, the idea of trading Filip Forsberg would have been met with more in a potential trade. laughter. The fact that this is a conversation at all is a reflection of how far the But as the Predators drift further from playoff contention, it does not Predators have fallen. But it is something that they might be forced to sound so far-fetched. Forsberg, 26, is No. 4 on The Athletic’s NHL Trade consider. Deadline Big Board and his value might never be higher than it is now.

As the Predators contemplate their future, a new contract for Forsberg, who has 22 points in 23 games this season, will be part of the discussion. The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 He is signed through next season with a $6 million cap hit and can re- sign this summer.

Six Predators players, all of whom are in their late 20s to early 30s, will be under contract in 2022, when Forsberg’s next deal will take effect.

Financial flexibility is a key component of a successful rebuild. The Predators need to be careful about locking themselves into more expensive, long-term contracts, especially since the ones they have will be difficult to move. (Roman Josi has a no-movement clause and Matt Duchene has a modified no-trade clause that begins in 2023.)

2026

There are two important questions:

How much will Forsberg cost?

Does he want to be part of a potential rebuild during the prime of his career?

The first is easier to answer. Forsberg has 176 goals and 375 points in 481 games, a career average of 0.78 per game. By the end of the season, he will eclipse the 400-point mark if keeps up his current scoring pace.

The baseline for Forsberg’s next cap hit could reasonably be $8 million, which would match Duchene and Ryan Johansen, the Predators’ highest-paid forwards. Forsberg’s agent, J.P. Barry, could make the case that Forsberg is more valuable to the team than either center, which would be hard to dispute.

As any seasoned agent would, Barry is sure to aim high in negotiations, which he previously said would not start until the offseason. Here is an assortment of high-priced forwards he could choose from:

Although Forsberg is tied for 21st among forwards in goals since his first full season in 2014-15, he is not thought to be on the same level as the players on the chart.

Mark Stone, now the captain of the Vegas Golden Knights, is an elite two-way forward and a perennial Selke Trophy contender. Nikita Kucherov was coming off a 100-point season when he signed his deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning in July 2018 and won the Hart Trophy the following year. Since joining the Dallas Stars in 2013, Tyler Seguin has one 40-goal season and two 80-point seasons.

That leaves Jeff Skinner, who scored a career-high 40 goals riding shotgun with Jack Eichel and received an eight-year, $72 million contract from the Buffalo Sabres in June 2019. Forsberg, who has been more productive than Skinner on a per-game basis over the course of his career, could play his way into a similar deal.

Forsberg is under no obligation to sign a new deal this summer. He could choose to wait, bet on himself and earn a bigger payday after next season, especially if the salary cap rebounds.

That brings us to the second question. The Predators are headed in the wrong direction and might not return to contention for at least a few years. 1205017 New Jersey Devils It was Walter who told Wayne to “skate to where the puck’s going and not to where it’s been.” As a 10-year-old, Wayne Gretzky scored 378 goals for the Brantford Nadrofsky Steelers, and he became known nationally before reaching his teens. He retired from the N.H.L. as its Hockey Legend Wayne Gretzky Shared His Father With a Nation scoring leader, with 894 goals and 1,963 assists in 1,487 games; all told, he held 61 scoring records.

The superstar son always maintained that he developed his game “right By Roy MacGregor in my own backyard,” under the tutelage of his father. Walter Gretzky had March 5, 2021 been a fine young player in his own right, but at 140 pounds he was considered too small to move into Junior A hockey, then the traditional route to a professional career.

OTTAWA — In an instant 30 years ago, a huge piece of Walter Gretzky’s He turned his attention to coaching his children, all of whom excelled in a legacy went missing. variety of sports.

Gretzky, the father of the greatest hockey player of all time, had an Walter Gretzky was active in multiple causes, raising more than a million aneurysm while painting his mother’s farmhouse in Southwestern Canadian dollars through annual golf tournaments for the Canadian Ontario, Canada. An ambulance and a nearby hospital saved his life, but National Institute for the Blind. In 2007, he was named to the Order of when he came to he could remember not a single one of his son’s Canada, the country’s highest civilian honor, for his charitable work. extraordinary feats. “It’s not that hard to be ‘Canada’s Dad’ if you’re already the father of the It was as if someone had accidentally deleted the folder holding Wayne greatest player ever,” Charlie Henry, Walter Gretzky’s closest friend for Gretzky’s four Stanley Cups, dozens of National Hockey League records, more than 50 years, said in an interview on Friday. even his 1988 trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings. The two men, born within two weeks of each other in 1938, met in the “It’s like I was asleep for 10 years,” Walter Gretzky told The Ottawa stands at a minor hockey tournament when Henry took note of the slick Citizen in a 1994 interview. “It’s all kind of like a dream.” young player from Brantford wearing distinctive white gloves.

He said he tried to recapture those precious father-son moments through “That kid’s going to be a great player,” Henry said to those standing with video, “but it was not the same.” him, “but if you have to play with white gloves that glow in the dark, I don’t know …” Walter Gretzky — widely known as “Canada’s Hockey Dad” — died Thursday night in Brantford, Ontario, after a nine-year struggle with “That’s my kid!” Walter Gretzky snapped from a few rows away. Parkinson’s disease. He was 82. The two quickly made up and grew close, and Henry frequently traveled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada tweeted: “Walter Gretzky cared with Gretzky, particularly after his recovery from the aneurysm. deeply about his family and his community — his kindness was undeniable, his passion was obvious, and his impact was immense. My “Wally would have flashes of memory,” Henry said. “Like his first pair of thoughts are with Wayne and the entire Gretzky family, and all who are skates. Or his wedding. But Wayne’s hockey was gone.” mourning the loss of Canada’s hockey dad.” Wayne Gretzky wrote extensively about his father in his 1990 book, Indeed, it seemed the entire country was grieving this small man with the “Gretzky: An Autobiography." crooked grin and prominent nose. Gretzky became a hockey icon himself “My hero as a kid was a man with constant headaches, ulcers and over the decades, appearing in television commercials and at charitable ringing in his ears,” he wrote. “He’s a funny little guy who stays up events. Obliging, humble and supportive, he was an ideal model for drinking coffee every night until 3:00 in the morning even though he’s got hockey parents, many of whom lose control and a sense of reality while to be at work at 8:00 the next day. He doesn’t have to work if he doesn’t encouraging their children to excel in the sport that is Canada’s national want to, yet he never misses a day. obsession. He was the hockey parent you wanted in the stands. “He was my hockey instructor. He was also my lacrosse, baseball, Wayne Gretzky, who was a Ranger when he retired in 1999, released a basketball and cross-country coach, not to mention my trainer and statement on Friday saying: “For my sister and my three brothers, Dad chauffeur. He’s still my coach, but he’s also my agent, manager, amateur was our team captain — he guided, protected and led our family every lawyer, business partner and best friend. He doesn’t have a college day, every step of the way. For me, he was the reason I fell in love with degree, but he’s probably the smartest guy I know.” the game of hockey. He inspired me to be the best I could be, not just in the game of hockey, but in life.” Later, in a 1996 interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Wayne Gretzky put all that into a single sentence: Walter Gretzky was predeceased by his wife, the former Phyllis Hockin, in 2005. He is survived by their five children: Wayne, Keith, Glen, Brent “Everything I am is because of him.” and Kim, and several grandchildren.

The Gretzky home at 42 Viradi Ave., in Brantford, has become something of a national shrine over the years. Walter Gretzky happily welcomed New York Times LOADED: 03.06.2021 strangers wishing to see the backyard where the rink known as “Wally’s Coliseum” started a 3-year-old Wayne on his way to hockey superstardom.

The family had one golden rule — “Get your homework done first” — and then everyone could play as long as they wanted, on what Wayne’s father liked to call “glass ice.”

“He would be out here hour after hour,” Walter Gretzky told The Globe and Mail in 2008, “twisting in and out between pylons we made from Javex bottles. He used to tie a can off a string and hang it in the net and see how many times he could hit it. He used to pay kids a nickel or a dime to play goalie for him.”

It was Walter Gretzky who drove his son to his very first game, and it would be Wayne Gretzky who drove his father to his final game with the Rangers.

“I rode with my Dad,” Wayne Gretzky said in a broadcast interview. “It was like my first game when I was 6 years old.” 1205018 New Jersey Devils should walk out of the first period with at least two or three, and we didn’t. And we pushed the envelope, our puck management wasn’t quite as good, and it hurt us.”

Devils searching for any way to climb out of slump | 4 observations from Thursday marked the first time this season Ruff pulled a goalie from a loss to Rangers game. Mackenzie Blackwood’s night ended after he allowed his fourth goal on just 15 shots through the early portion of the third period.

“Really I didn’t think he was seeing (the puck). I thought he was fighting Updated Mar 05, 2021; Posted Mar 05, 2021 it,” Ruff said. “So I just thought I could try to spark a little bit of momentum.” By Chris Ryan Zajac on playing without Nico Hischier for the foreseeable future

Prior to the game, the Devils placed Nico Hischier on injured reserve due After opening the scoring in the first period, everything went downhill the to a concussion and sinus fracture, both suffered when a P.K. Subban rest of the night for the Devils. shot deflected and stuck his helmet visor last Saturday. Six unanswered goals by the Rangers resulted in a 6-1 Devils loss on Hischier is considered week-to-week, and after appearing in just five Thursday at Prudential Center in Newark, giving the Devils their most games so far this season, Hischier will miss even more time. lopsided defeat of the season. After winning the first two meetings with the Rangers at Madison Square Garden earlier this year, the Devils Since December, Hischier has suffered a broken fibula, tested positive looked thoroughly outmatched in the third. for COVID-19 and taken a puck to the head, resulting in the latest two injuries. Sign up for Devils Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers “I mean, it sucks for him, Zajac said. “He hasn’t had some good luck this year, but he’s a guy that’s gonna persevere. If anyone can get through Here are some takeaways from the game. this adversity, it’s Nico. He’s got the right mentality, he’s got the right “Have to find a way to get a win” personality to get through anything so he’ll be back hopefully soon, and right now it’s a tough piece to replace, but we need, you know everyone Thursday marked the Devils’ fourth straight loss, and after winning their to contribute and step up.” first two games following the team’s two-week COVID-19 pause, the Devils are now 1-7-0 in their past eight games.

They’ve played 10 games in less than three weeks, and the schedule Star Ledger LOADED: 03.06.2021 doesn’t relent anytime soon. They play four games every week until the final days of March.

“Right now we just have to find a way to get a win,” forward Travis Zajac said. “We have to really bear down, we have to pay a price. We’re not going to get an easy game. We can’t hope for bounces, we can’t hope for a play. We have to go and really earn it for 60 minutes.”

Since emerging from the COVID-19 pause, the Devils haven’t won a game at home. They’re just 2-8-1 at home this season, compared to 5-2- 1 on the road.

They’ve managed to squeeze in a handful of practices during their marathon schedule, but the Devils know they’re not the only team dealing with the limited work between games.

“We’re in the same boat like every other team right now,” Zajac said. “So there’s no excuses with that. We just have to find a way Saturday to win a game.”

Things fell apart after the Rangers tied it

The Devils looked like the better team on Thursday for about 28 minutes. They dominated possession, limited the Rangers to only handful of decent looks and appeared to skate with purpose.

Then the Rangers tied it on a power play midway through the second period, and things unraveled from there. The Devils still controlled the vast majority of the shots, but every mistake made by the Devils seemed to turn into a Rangers goal.

“They got one and it just seemed like we strayed from our game maybe a little bit, instead of what was working in the first period,” Zajac said. “Up until then we were keeping it simple, we were taking what they gave us and we did a really good job in the first of getting pucks to the net and get bodies there, creating some chances. And for whatever reason we just got away from it for a bit.”

During their four-game losing streak, the Devils have just six goals to show for their efforts. While they haven’t been shut out this season, goals have been hard to come by in the past two weeks.

Outside of Jack Hughes’ goal in the first period, the Devils couldn’t find a way to bury their numerous chances. At this point, their slump appears to be mental as much as it is physical.

“We’re a young group that, we couldn’t quite stay with it,” head coach Lindy Ruff said. “We started getting on the wrong side of the puck on a couple of goals, and it hurt us. But you could see some frustration with not scoring, with creating the number of chances we did create. You 1205019 New Jersey Devils Nico Hischier has only played in five games and he’s on injured reserve with a sinus fracture while spending time in concussion protocol. Zacha looked like a potential revelation as a shoot-first wing next to Hischier, but now he’s back filling in at center. The Devils need the four wings we Devils Deep Dive: Where did the disappearing offense go? expected them to lean on — Palmieri, Johnsson, Bratt and Nikita Gusev — to produce more.

Palmieri had several quality looks against the Rangers. He’s been By Corey Masisak generating lots of chances all season, but has three goals. Gusev is Mar 5, 2021 more of a creator than a shooter, but he hasn’t done a lot of either and has now been a healthy scratch on multiple occasions.

Johnsson spent Thursday night on the third line, but Bratt was all the way The Devils went from struggling to tailspin Thursday night, and two down with the fourth unit. He only played 12:13 against the Islanders on issues that have plagued them this season were front and center in a 6-1 Tuesday, easily his lowest ice time of the season. Well, it was until he rout by the rival Rangers. logged 11:01 two nights later against the Rangers.

New Jersey’s special teams scuttled some strong work at even strength, This has a bit of a “here we go again” feel to it. Previous Devils coaches but the Devils also can’t score goals with any regularity at any strength, John Hynes and Alain Nasreddine did the same thing, limiting Bratt’s ice save for when they pull the goalie and are down by multiple tallies. They time for short stretches. They both made him a healthy scratch in the have scored 47 goals in 19 games, and 2.47 per contest is good for 27th past two seasons, and used similar terms for the rationale — consistency in the NHL. It’s worse since the two-week COVID-19 shutdown, and the most often among them. Devils have scored just 16 goals in their past eight games, a stretch that has included one victory. “I see the same,” Ruff said of Bratt. “I need more puck possession. Consistency is a great word. I use the compete in small-ice play. What There’s a little good news, but also a lot of bad. Let’s start with a couple are you doing when you get the puck? How hard are you competing in a of positives. small-ice play to make a difference? You battle those highs and lows with a lot of players and I think I see the same (with Bratt).” The Devils are still shooting the puck as often as they did before the shutdown. And despite a rotating cast of linemates, Jack Hughes is still I went back and watched Bratt’s 19 shifts from Tuesday night. His line, driving the top line and creating lots of chances. along with Zacha and Gusev, was on the ice for both Islanders goals, and the second one in particular looked bad. had time to take Before the third-period meltdown Thursday night, the Devils had played multiple whacks at the puck near the right post, while Bratt offered little nine games before the COVID-19 outbreak and nine since. The before resistance. and after statistics tell a pretty clear story: That wasn’t the biggest issue, though. He had multiple chances to help The pre-COVID goals for percentage was propped up a bit by Mackenzie the Devils get the puck out of danger earlier in that shift but did not. Blackwood’s outstanding three games to start the season. The post- We’re not going to run a bunch of clips picking on Bratt, but there were a COVID scoring chance percentage is propped up by a weird game handful of poor puck-management decisions and lackluster board-battle against the Sabres in which the Devils were credited with a 33-12 engagement decisions to choose from throughout the game. advantage in a game that was not nearly that lopsided. This is also the point at which we need to mention that a bunch of the The other stats indicate a team that is still getting a high quantity of players on this team tested positive for COVID-19 and we have no idea shots, but the quality has been lacking. how much it’s truly affecting them. What does seem clear is that Ruff has “For me, it is getting inside, when you talk about expected goals and been more critical when he views a problem to be an effort issue and not getting the opportunities from the key areas,” Lindy Ruff said before the a fatigue-related mistake. Rangers game. “We are playing teams recently that are really hard to get New Jersey’s best line this season was Hughes with Bratt and Johnsson. inside (on). We’ve misplayed some of our great inside plays, but it’s that They’ve only played 48 minutes together, but the numbers are video willingness to get there. If you look at our second opportunities, they’ve game-level outrageous — nearly 68 percent of the shot attempts, a 38-11 been down to a minimum. So it’s not only getting the first one, it’s putting advantage in shots on goal and 3-0 in goals scored. The Devils had a a team under duress to get the second opportunity.” game in which Ruff felt the whole team was overpassing and not creating New Jersey did create quality chances against the Rangers. The Devils enough, and the line blender has not spit out those three names together had a 26-10 advantage in scoring chances at five-on-five and a 13-3 since. advantage in high-danger chances and there wasn’t anything quirky Ruff’s rationale for the lines against the Rangers — wanting someone on about that. Igor Shesterkin was fantastic until he left the game with a each line who would go to the net and create havoc — wasn’t going to painful-looking injury. lead to those three playing together again. So the process was mostly good Thursday, but the finish continues to be Fans don’t like to see talented players get demoted or scratched, but an issue. Hughes, Kyle Palmieri, Jesper Bratt and Andreas Johnsson three consecutive coaches now have done it with Bratt. He’s also still just have combined for 89 scoring chances at five-on-five in the past 10 22, and like Zacha or even Hischier, playing in the NHL at 19 doesn’t games, but only five goals. Other guys aren’t creating enough chances. guarantee a finished product in three years. Bratt proving he can be a Ruff has tinkered with his forward lines during several games this consistent top-six wing is on the to-do list to make this season a success season, but he made wholesale changes at practice Wednesday. regardless of the record.

“When I make changes as radical as the lines look now, that’s something Palmieri and Gusev are both pending unrestricted free agents, but I talk to the team about,” Ruff said. “Here’s the lines. Here’s the reasons Johnsson and Bratt are both under team control for a while. Neither is a I’m going this direction. Some of it is to get better inside work — guys natural sniper per se, but the Devils need them creating chances and that will be around the net versus always looking for that outside converting some. Bratt’s offensive talent when he’s rolling is obvious, and opportunity or rush opportunity when very few are existing if the other his per-60 numbers are all among the best on the team, but that doesn’t team is defending really well.” help as much if he’s among the least-played forwards.

So, Miles Wood moved up to play with Palmieri and Pavel Zacha against Alex the Absurd the Rangers, Nathan Bastian moved up to Travis Zajac’s line, and both Alex Ovechkin had six shot attempts Sunday in the first period against Bratt and Johnsson were pushed down the lineup. Yegor Sharangovich the Devils. It looked like a vintage, force of nature performance might be and Janne Kuokkanen joined Hughes’ line and the new-look trio had a in progress. He “only” finished with 10, and six shots on goal. Oh, and the strong game — 10 shots on goal at five-on-five, nine scoring chances game-winning goal, which was No. 713 of his career, four behind Phil and the team’s lone score, from Hughes in the first period. Freakin’ Esposito for sixth all time. As someone who covered the early The process at the offensive end was pretty solid for all four lines, but part of Ovechkin’s career, getting to the part where he has as many goals missed chances led to frustration and special teams troubles led to more as someone like Esposito feels crazy and yet totally expected. of it, and eventually the dam broke at the other end. …led me down a rabbit hole. Ovechkin has had 10-plus shots on goal in We focus on it a lot. We know it doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, but a game 50 times, more than double of any player in the NHL since 1980 winning battles all over the ice is so important.” (Ray Bourque is second with 24). The closest active player, unless we count Jaromir Jagr playing in Europe, is with … nine. That led me to say to him that I thought those board battles were a big part of why his Corsi stats were so great, so maybe they do show up on How many teams have not a player finish with 10 shots on goal 50 times the stat sheet. It turned into a full-fledged conversation about Corsi and in the past four decades? All of them, except for Pittsburgh. analytics. He admitted at that point he didn’t really know a whole lot about it, but knew that he and the Kings rated highly. The player with the most 10-shot games in Devils/Rockies history? It’s a four-way tie — Claude Lemieux, Bobby Holik, John MacLean and Rene 3. Brian Pothier, Panera Bread, Arlington, Va., 2008 Robert — with two each. The only 10-shot game by a Devils player since 2008 was Taylor Hall on Jan. 4, 2018, in Dallas. That also happened to Pothier hadn’t played in nearly a year because of a concussion after be the second of his 26-game point streak that helped fuel his Hart Milan Lucic drove his head into the glass. He was very open about what Trophy campaign. he had experienced, and it was tough to hear him speak about not being able to play with his kids. Any time someone talks about concussions or Finding a player who has the ability to create chances in bunches at even head shots in the NHL, I think about Pothier and all of the other players three-quarters the rate of Ovechkin would certainly help the Devils’ who had to sit in dark rooms with no idea when the symptoms would offense in the future. subside.

The success of the Devils’ 2020 draft class likely hinges on the three 2. Pele Baldinger, Pele’s Skills Center, Visp, Switzerland, 2018 players they took within the first 20 overall selections. That said, the guy they picked at No. 120 is one of the more intriguing long-term projects I told Hischier that I was going to his hometown to write a story about the club has drafted in the late rounds in recent years. him, but I needed some names of people to talk to. Getting to talk to one of his former teammates at the old arena they grew up playing in was Ethan Edwards was a small defenseman with good-but-not-great cool. Getting to talk to his parents at Hischier’s home was great. But numbers in the Alberta Junior Hockey League last year. He got bigger talking to his youth coach at his hockey shop/skills center was fantastic, during the extended offseason — Edwards was listed at 5-foot-9, 155 and it was kind of a shot in the dark. I didn’t have a phone number for pounds, for Spruce Grove and is now at 5-11 and 176 for Sioux City in Baldinger, but I did find the address to a hockey center baring his name the USHL. He was the USHL defenseman of the week earlier this month on Facebook. I had three days to track him down, but the first day I walked into the shop, there he was behind the counter. Baldinger is Edwards has four goals and 13 points in 33 games for Sioux City. His definitely one of those “could talk to him about hockey for hours” kind of production has ticked up lately, with three goals and five points in the people. past eight contests. 1. Harrison Browne, Mastercard Centre, Toronto, 2018 He’s going to play at Michigan next season, joining a freshman class that is expected to include Jack Hughes’ brother, Luke, and a defense corps This was definitely the most nervous I’d been for an interview since at that might still include Owen Power, another top 2021 draft prospect who least college. I was at Devils’ breakdown day after they lost to the is a freshman for the Wolverines now. Lightning in the playoffs when I received a call about a possible story idea — Harrison Browne, pro hockey’s first openly transgender player, The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler pegged Edwards as one of his 10 sleepers was going to retire from the Riveters and the NWHL. Because The in the 2020 draft, and had him ranked at No. 86 overall. Athletic is an amazing place to work, within an hour I had a flight to “If Edwards’ size and mediocre production contribute to a fall into the Toronto the next day and less than 24 hours after the call, I was sitting draft’s later rounds, I’d bet on his age and tools, play the waiting game with Browne at the Maple Leafs’ practice facility. We talked for about an and see where he’s at in three or four years,” Wheeler wrote. hour, and it was great. He’s one of the most courageous and thoughtful athletes I’ve interviewed. Top five …

A suggestion from James G. for the top five this week: “Best/most entertaining interviews you’ve ever done.” (Reader suggestions for this The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 segment are definitely welcome.)

5. Ben Lovejoy, Devils locker room, 2018

Every interview with Lovejoy is a delight, but one in particular was most memorable for the story I can tell off it. This was an interview for this story about being teammates with a player like Brad Marchand (who had recently put Lovejoy’s then-current teammate Marcus Johansson out for weeks with a concussion from a dirty hit.) Here’s how it went:

I told Lovejoy that I wanted to ask him some questions about being Matt Cooke’s teammate in Pittsburgh. Full disclosure, I also told him he could tell me to “fuck off” at any point.

First question from me: Great, thoughtful answer.

Second question from me: Another great, thoughtful answer.

Third question from me (knowing I was pushing it a little with the subject matter): A long pause … “OK, you can fuck off now.”

4. Justin Williams, Blackhawks visiting locker room, 2014

It’s pretty hard to get significant one-on-one time with any player the deeper a team advances in the playoffs. I covered the Kings’ entire run to the Stanley Cup in 2014 for NHL.com, and early in the conference finals I sat down next to Williams at his locker and told him I wanted to talk about board battles. He’s been one of the best quotes in the league for years, but he was pretty excited to talk about that.

This quote from my story:

“It’s experience, determination, second effort, smarts … I would say all four of those are part of it,” Williams said. “A lot of board battles go unnoticed within people outside the dressing room, to be quite honest. 1205020 New York Islanders Quenneville, who has led four teams since 1997, will coach his 1,730th game on Tuesday.

Walter Gretzky, No. 99’s father, passed away on Thursday at age 82. Ryan Pulock says COVID-19 pandemic helped forged great connections And while the elder Gretzky never played professional hockey, he was among Islanders nearly as well-regarded around the NHL as Wayne, his Hall of Fame son.

Trotz said he never had the pleasure of meeting Walter Gretzky but had a deep respect for him and all he did in teaching his son how to play the Updated March 5, 2021 11:32 PM game.

"My condolences go out to the Gretzky family," Trotz said. "You hear all the good stories. I don’t think there’s a bad word that has ever been There will come a time for deeper reflection and appreciation, maybe five spoken about Walter Gretzky. He’s probably the hockey dad. I think he years from now, maybe when his career has ended. But Islanders was the one that really inspired the outdoor rink for so many. His passing defenseman Ryan Pulock knows he’s lucky to have played as much hurts the hockey community." hockey as he has through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Trotz said he took a moment to address Gretzky’s passing at Friday’s With so many other aspects of daily life interrupted or altered, it’s brought practice. a semblance of normalcy. "We told all our players, just a reminder through this pandemic, make This week marks the one-year anniversary of the NHL's decision to sure you call your parents tonight. You never know." pause last season on March 12 before ultimately resuming play in postseason bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton through August and September. By Andrew Gross "Everyone is going to look back on these years," Pulock said in a private chat with Newsday this past week. "Hopefully this is the last time that we Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.06.2021 have to deal with this in our lifetime. The playoffs, playing in a bubble and hanging out with each other for 50-some days. Those are some memories that we will remember. If you look at the year, it’s pretty fortunate that we’ve been able to play the amount of hockey that we have."

The Islanders reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1993 while playing in empty arenas in the two Canadian cities. Pulock expects that experience, and navigating through the pandemic, will bind this group together forever.

"This group has been together for a few years now," he said. "Last summer really pulled everyone together. The guys that came in, [Jean- Gabriel] Pageau and [Andy] Greene, I think having them in that playoff run did bring us together. I think we always will be connected because of that situation."

Even though this shortened 56-game regular season is being played in the home arenas, not in sequestered bubbles, there still are concessions to the pandemic. All games are within the division — often in multi-game series — to limit travel, and fans are just starting to re-enter the buildings.

In appreciation of their work and sacrifices during the pandemic, the Islanders will host 1,000 Northwell Health front-line workers for Thursday’s game against the Devils, marking this season’s first game in front of an audience at Nassau Coliseum.

The relentless, condensed schedule seems to have benefited the Islanders, whose blue-collar work ethic suits the playoff-like feel to each game.

"I think our style and our structure of how we can defend and kind of frustrate teams, it’s kind of like a playoff style," Pulock said. "Playing little mini-playoff series against teams, I think maybe that helps us. We’ve done a good job of making adjustments we need to make.

"Every game is so important when it comes to the standings. It’s a different experience. I kind of like playing the same team back-to-back. But obviously, I think we all would enjoy if things got back to normal now."

No. 1,700

Barry Trotz will become the third NHL coach to reach 1,700 games on Tuesday night against the Bruins at Nassau Coliseum. Trotz, who also has coached the Predators and Capitals, has been behind an NHL bench since 1998.

"It’s just extremely impressive," Anders Lee said. "It says a lot about Barry and his work ethic and who he is as a person. I think anyone that’s worked with him or played for him understands how genuine a guy he is and how much everyone means to him. Kudos to him for everything that he’s accomplished and has worked so hard for."

Scotty Bowman, whose career spanned 1968-2002 with five teams, is the all-time NHL leader in games coached with 2,141. The Panthers’ Joel 1205021 New York Islanders been good this season and productive for a 22-year-old in the SHL, but I can’t say he’s such an offensive dynamo to play that way in the NHL. I think he has a chance to play in the league and is worth giving a contract as they recently did, but I don’t think he’s a lock to play.” Is Islanders defenseman prospect Robin Salo ready for the NHL? Still, with the Isles’ prospect pool as thin as it is, any potential is important. Salo will be 23 in October, so he’s not a raw talent. He’s also bigger than Sebastian Aho, who came off a dazzling age-20 season in By Arthur Staple the SHL and was drafted 139th in the same draft in which Salo was taken Mar 5, 2021 as an 18-year-old. Aho came straight to North America, became a three- time AHL All-Star in Bridgeport and can’t crack Barry Trotz’s lineup now for three seasons running.

The Islanders are still not a young team, but they are incorporating some Projecting in the most positive way, Salo could fill Nick Leddy’s role in a youth into their lineup well. Noah Dobson and Oliver Wahlstrom have couple of years. This year has been a strong step toward that. The SHL become regulars, Ilya Sorokin (25 years old but an NHL rookie) is playoffs begin at the end of the month, and Örebro could last a little starting to look as advertised in goal. In Bridgeport, 2019 second-round while, so it’s unlikely Salo comes over this spring. Even if he does, it’s defenseman Samuel Bolduc has been the Sound Tigers’ best player, unlikely he would be considered for a role on the Islanders at the end of leading the team in scoring through seven games. the regular season or in the playoffs. He’s not there yet.

Outside of the NHL and AHL right now, though, prospects are scarce. The real test comes in the fall, when Salo can see where he measures Especially ones who have a chance to be NHLers in the next couple of up against the rest of the Islanders defense. years. “I was maybe not ready until this year,” Salo said. “Now I think I am. I Enter Robin Salo, quite literally. The Isles’ 2017 second-round pick want to take a chance and see how far I can go.” signed his entry-level contract three weeks ago, just a few months before the deadline to sign or become a free agent. So Salo, 22, will be coming over to North America, either when his Swedish League season ends this The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 spring or, more likely, for training camp in the fall. He may not be ready right away to win a spot on the Isles defense, but the season he’s put together for Örebro has Salo closer to being a true NHL prospect than ever before.

“He’s continued to develop in a good way,” said Örebro coach Niklas Eriksson. “He’s a creative player with the puck, very skilled, and he’s a smooth skater. That’s his strength.”

Salo was coming off a solid first full season in Finland’s when the Islanders took him with the No. 46 pick in 2017, the team’s first selection of that draft after having dealt away their first-rounder in the expansion- draft trade with Vegas. But Salo’s post-draft season was a bit of a dud: He had no goals and five points in 43 games for Sport Vaasa and even spent time in the , Finland’s second division.

He rebounded after a move to SaiPa, but the Finnish League has its limitations. After representing Finland in a regional tournament during the 2019-20 season, Örebro initiated a move to the SHL. “I think you can get a bit more ready for the NHL here,” Salo said. “There’s maybe more guys who played in the NHL that are in Sweden. There is a lot of skating in the game in Sweden, and I feel that’s the best way for me to be ready to come over (to North America).”

Salo had six points in 12 games for Örebro last season before the pandemic shut down the league. The Islanders were likely to sign Salo if last season had been a normal one, but with the pandemic, Salo stayed in Sweden. And to very good effect.

Entering Friday’s game, Salo was tied for sixth among defensemen in the SHL with 29 points and among the top 20 players in the league in ice time, averaging 21:23 per game. The only real NHL prospects in the same range are two highly regarded first-rounders: the Rangers’ Nils Lundkvist and the Red Wings’ Moritz Seider.

“I feel like I’m getting better at my overall game, not just the offense,” Salo said. “Skating is going to be very important for me when I get to the Islanders, supporting breakouts, things like that. I think my offensive game has improved, too. I’m creating more chances and getting more responsibility on the power play this year.”

Eriksson said Salo has to improve in the usual areas for a young defenseman to be considered a potential NHLer. “It’s still the game he can develop, the play away from the puck, the physical side,” he said. “Sometimes, too, he has to play a bit faster. That’s very important for the NHL. He is a very good skater, but you can’t hold onto the puck as long as you can sometimes in our league.”

The Athletic’s Corey Pronman has watched Salo play a lot this season.

“When you watch Salo, you see what made him a second-round pick. He’s a 6-1 D who can skate and has very good offensive instincts,” Pronman said. “That typically translates to the NHL. I’ve seen worse defenders, but I don’t think that aspect of his game is a strength, and typically coaches don’t lean on him for the tough defensive minutes. He’s 1205022 New York Islanders done a great job protecting him more recently, which has allowed him to focus on his game.

Head coach Barry Trotz stated that down the stretch, Sorokin would take Sorokin with a Strong Performance Despite Sabres Scoring Two some of the load off of starter Semyon Varlamov. Giving Sorokin the start on Thursday should be a major confidence booster, and despite it coming against the worst five-on-five offense in the entire National Hockey League, he got the job done. Published 15 hours ago on March 5, 2021 Sorokin has undoubtedly had Buffalo’s number this season, as he now By Stefen Rosner has a 2-0 record with a 1.00 GAA with a .947 SV%. With two more games against the Sabres this weekend, I would bet the rookie gets seventh NHL start Sunday. New York Islanders rookie netminder Ilya Sorokin came into the game on Thursday having posted back-to-back shutouts his last two times out. Despite seeing that shutout streak come to an end last night after 143:08 NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 minutes, the rookie netminder put together another strong performance in the 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

PICKUP SIX: Islanders Extend Point Streak to Six Games in Win Over Buffalo

Sorokin only faced 18 shots on the night, which included six in the first, five in the second and seven in the third. He saw five high-danger chances throughout the contest, with two of them entering the back of the net.

Sorokin is 3-2-1 this season, with a .909 SV % and a 2.16 GAA. But over his last three starts, the 25-year old netminder has posted a 3-0-0 record, with a .967 SV% and a GAA of 0.67.

The Sabres, who had been shutout over their last two games, were looking to shoot when applicable (which was not often). The majority of the Sabres’ six shots in the opening frame came from inside the right circle, but Sorokin played his angles to perfection.

The one downside to shots from that angle is that rebounds could become a problem depending on the speed at which they leave the stick. But Sorokin did a nice job controlling the rebounds and the defense helped him by clearing the front of the net.

However, in the second period, one of those rebounds saw a puck enter the net, which snapped his shutout streak. Taylor Hall scored his second of the season, but it was the hard shot off Cody Eakin’s stick from inside the left circle that made the play.

Sorokin was at the top of his paint, a little off to his right. But a hard shot like that far pad will always create a rebound such as that. When a goaltender is aggressive, there is really no other place for that puck can go. Adam Pelech needed to do a better job at picking up Hall there.

Earlier in the frame, with a little over 14 minutes to play in the second period, Sorokin made a fantastic blocker save on Rasmus Ristolainen to keep the Islanders slim one-goal lead intact. He was towards the top of his crease and tracked the puck well as he stretched out just enough of it with the blocker.

The Sabres picked up their second goal of the game at 11:15 of the third period. With the extra man due to a delayed penalty, the Buffalo Sabres were able to set up in the Islanders’ zone. From inside the left circle, Jack Eichel took a hard wrist shot which Sorokin stopped with his shoulder. But the rebound landed to his left, where defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen stuffed it in.

Sorokin had to fight through a Pulock screen on the initial shot. I would have liked to see him come out a little farther than he was, but I do not believe he was truly ready for Eichel to release the puck there, especially that quickly. One of the more challenging saves to control is off the shoulder as is it is more of a stun shot, catching the goalie by surprise.

What we saw from Sorokin is what we have seen over his recent starts. The growth we have seen from him cutting off angles has been phenomenal. He did not overplay any Buffalo shots on Thursday and the two rebound goals were unfortunate, but to me, not worrisome at all.

The more important part was that none of the sharp-angle shots went directly into the net.

We are also seeing what happens when Sorokin is given a lead. This was now three games in a row in which the Islanders scored first for him and he has played well enough to preserve those leads.

Over his last three games, Sorokin has faced a combined total of 58 shots, which averages out to 19.33 shots per game. The Islanders have 1205023 New York Rangers

Rangers coach David Quinn downplays Mika Zibanejad benching

By Mollie Walker

March 6, 2021 | 1:16am | Updated

David Quinn was candid while explaining his reasons for benching struggling veteran Mika Zibanejad for a majority of the second period in the Rangers’ 6-1 victory over the Devils on Thursday night, but the head coach said everything was business as usual between the two in practice Friday.

“The same vibes, nothing has changed from my end with him,” Quinn said. “Listen, he and I have had plenty of conversations, there’s no surprises here. Like I said, I was happy with the uptick in his play after he sat for a little bit.”

It’s an unavoidable topic of conversation when the team’s top-line center has just two goals (one an empty-netter) and a mere eight points through the first 21 games of the season. But once Quinn seemingly had seen enough and limited Zibanejad’s ice time in the first period Thursday to a startling 3:59, it became the topic of conversation.

Quinn didn’t deploy the 27-year-old Swede until 10:46 of the second period. By that time, the Blueshirts had tied it 1-1 on Chris Kreider’s power-play goal, his first of three tallies in the victory.

“I didn’t love his game, I didn’t love what we were seeing, I didn’t love a lot about our first period. But obviously he’s had a tough start to the season and maybe sitting him for a while would give him a little jolt and give our team a little jolt,” Quinn said of Zibanejad after the game, adding that he thought the stats and pressure were beginning to slow him down. “I did like what I saw when he came back out.

“I was just going to see how he was playing, how he was competing, how he was skating. If I thought I saw an uptick in his play, I was going to continue to play him and if not, he was going to continue to sit. That’s really what it came down to.”

The pace of the NHL is beginning to slow down for Alexis Lafreniere.

Currently riding a four-game point streak with two goals and two assists, the 2020 first-overall pick has a weightlessness about him that’s infectious, Kreider pointed out after the Rangers’ win Thursday.

Lafreniere has started to develop chemistry with his first-line teammates, Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich, which has allowed the top trio to generate more high-danger opportunities in the last handful of games than they have all season.

“At the start of the season, you always want to produce offensively as an offensive player,” Lafreniere said Friday. “But I was trying to keep my composure, and I knew it was going to come. I wasn’t playing my best hockey the first couple of games, but as the season, the games start going, I was better I think.

“For sure, the game is getting a little bit slower and [I’m] getting used to the pace a little bit. I still have things to improve and work on in practice and in games.”

The 19-year-old pointed out that he has grown more comfortable playing in the Rangers’ system and has been able to focus on improving his play in both zones.

“I’m getting chemistry with my linemates for sure,” he said. “We’ve been playing a couple of games together, so that helps. And they’re really good players. I just have to get open and they’re going to find me I think.”

New York Post LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205024 New York Rangers

Rangers’ Kaapo Kakko set to return vs. Devils

By Mollie Walker

March 5, 2021 | 10:37PM

Kaapo Kakko is set to return to the Rangers’ lineup for Saturday’s matchup against the Devils after missing the past six games due to a bout with COVID-19.

The 20-year-old winger was placed on the COVID-19 protocol list for the second time this season on Feb. 20. After registering a false positive during his first brief stint on the list (he missed the Feb. 1 game), Kakko revealed Friday he did contract the coronavirus and that’s why his absence was much longer this time around.

Kakko said following practice that he was “sick a little bit, but not too bad.”

“I think it’s a little bit hard [to get back into game shape],” he added. “I was on the ice with the team [Thursday] and [Friday], so sometimes it takes time but feeling good right now.”

After Kakko practiced with the Rangers for the first time during the morning skate ahead of Thursday’s 6-1 win over the Devils, head coach David Quinn said he was still going through the return-to-play protocol and wasn’t eligible to compete.

Kaapo Kakko

With another game in Newark scheduled for Saturday night, Kakko is expected to slot right back onto the second line next to Chris Kreider and . Before being placed on the COVID-19 protocol list, Kakko had flanked Strome with 2020 top-overall pick Alexis Lafreniere. But with Lafreniere’s promotion to the top line, Kreider will likely be on the left wing now.

Kakko, Strome and Kreider have only logged 3:51 of ice time together, according to Natural Stat Trick. Kreider’s current hot streak of two hat tricks in the past five games, however, should allow Kakko to ease back into the swing of things.

In his last five games before going on the coronavirus protocol list, Kakko was generating a ton of shots on goal and logging more than 17 minutes of ice time each night.

“Yeah, I played well before [going on the list] and I think just try to play like that,” Kakko said. “I think it’s coming, just try to keep [playing] the same way. That’s it.”

New York Post LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205025 New York Rangers

Mark Pavelich, ‘Miracle on Ice’ team star, dead at 63

By Michael Blinn

March 5, 2021 | 5:27pm | Updated

Mark Pavelich, a member of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Olympic hockey team who spent the bulk of his seven-year NHL career with the Rangers, was found dead at a treatment facility in central Minnesota.

The 63-year-old died at Eagle’s Healing Nest, where he was receiving mental health treatment, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Pavelich was under civil commitment after assaulting his neighbor with a four-foot metal pipe in August 2019.

Police were called to Pavelich’s residence around 8:30 a.m. Thursday after a reported death. No one had seen Pavelich since 8 p.m. the previous day.

The cause of death was not immediately known.

Pavelich starred for the U.S. squad during the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., as part of “The Coneheads” line, collecting an assist on Mike Eruzione’s goal that stood as the winner in a semifinal round upset over the vaunted Soviet Union team. The Americans went on to beat Finland for the gold medal.

“We are saddened to hear about the passing of 1980 Olympic gold medalist Mark Pavelich,” USA Hockey tweeted. “We extend our deepest condolences to Mark’s family & friends. “Forever a part of hockey history.”

The 5-foot-7 Minnesota native went on to a seven-year NHL career that began in 1981 with the Rangers and his former Olympic coaches, Herb Brooks and . On a team with big personalities like and Ron Greschner, the quiet Pavelich was hard-nosed and skilled.

Pavelich centered Duguay in the winger’s lone 40-goal season, which Duguay told The Post was “much of his doing,” and also recorded 133 goals in 341 regular season games over five seasons with the Blueshirts.

“I will always be so grateful to have been given the opportunity to play and to have had a friend in Mark Pavelich,” Duguay said. “He was the most unselfish, kind and courageous teammate. He was fearless. … The Ranger fans adored him.”

Pavelich’s five-goal game on Feb. 23, 1983, is still a franchise record, now shared with Mika Zibanejad.

“The New York Rangers are saddened to learn of the passing of Mark Pavelich,” the Rangers said in a statement. “His determination, passion, and dazzling playmaking ability earned him the adoration of Rangers fans during his five-year tenure in New York. Mark helped inspire a nation through the integral role he played on the ‘Miracle on Ice’ team in the ., Our thoughts are with Mark’s loved ones during this difficult time.”

His NHL career also included stops with the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks.

Pavelich’s post-hockey life was one of legal, personal and mental issues. His wife, Kara, died in 2012 at the age of 44 after falling off a balcony. In 2014, he famously sold his gold medal for $262,900, splitting the sale to help his adult daughter. He had run-ins with neighbors and family which eventually led to his incarceration for the 2019 assault in which he accused a neighbor of “spiking” his beer.

In April 2020, family and friends told The Post they were hopeful Pavelich was getting the help he needed.

“Mark doesn’t want to be the poster child for mental health,” former Rangers teammate said. “But we would like to see him be able to tell his story, and not have someone else tell it for him.”

New York Post LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205026 New York Rangers

Rangers exhale after Igor Shesterkin’s injury classified as ‘mild’

By Mollie Walker

March 5, 2021 | 4:06pm | Updated

The Rangers likely let out a collective sigh of relief Friday at the news that rookie goaltender Igor Shesterkin had suffered what the team described as a “mild groin strain” during Thursday’s win over the Devils.

Shesterkin is considered day-to-day, according to the team’s announcement, after suffering an injury that looked to be far worse when he had to be helped to the locker room at Prudential Center. Shesterkin wasn’t able to put any weight on his right leg and appeared to be in immense pain toward the end of the third period of the Rangers’ 6-1 win over the Devils.

When head coach David Quinn spoke to the media following practice Friday, he said the 25-year-old was still being evaluated by a doctor.

This is Shesterkin’s second groin injury since joining the Rangers last season. While in the bubble for the expanded playoffs, Shesterkin suffered a similar injury while playing the first half of an exhibition game against the Islanders on July 29. It flared up again at a Rangers practice a few days later, forcing Shesterkin to sit for the first two games of the play-in series against the Hurricanes.

By the time he made his first NHL playoff start in Game 3, the Rangers had already checked out, and Carolina completed the sweep.

Alexandar Georgiev is set to start Saturday against the Devils in Newark, with Keith Kinkaid serving as his backup should Shesterkin be unavailable. Kinkaid, who played parts of six seasons with the Devils to start his NHL career, has been practicing with the Rangers this season as part of their taxi squad.

Igor Shesterkin is helped off the ice following an injury during the Rangers’ win over the Devils.

The possibility of losing Shesterkin for any amount of time put a damper on what should’ve been a feel-good win for the Rangers. With roughly seven minutes left in the third period, Devils center Michael McLeod skated across the Rangers’ crease and clipped Shesterkin, causing him to fall with his right knee bent awkwardly under his body.

On his next lateral movement to get in front of a shot by Devils defenseman Damon Severson, Shesterkin collapsed to the ice and appeared to be favoring the same leg he had bent on the previous play. He was unable to leave the ice by himself, keeping just his left skate on the ice with his right leg stretched out behind him.

Shesterkin has been emerging at the Rangers’ No. 1 goalie, starting in five of the last eight games. He has a 6-7-1 record with a 2.31 goals against average, as well as a .921 save percentage, in 15 games so far this season.

After allowing 10 goals through his first three starts of the season, Shesterkin held opponents to just one or two tallies in eight of his next 11 appearances. He is just the second rookie goaltender in Rangers history to appear in at least 15 of the team’s first 21 games of a season, joining .

Along with Kinkaid, there are three other goalies the Rangers could turn to, if necessary. Adam Huska, in the final year of his entry-level contract, and Tyler Wall, who signed a one-year ELC in May 2020, have split time with AHL Hartford.

Dylan Garand, who is on an AHL deal and is set to go back to the WHL’s Kamloops when the Blazers’ training camp begins, has yet to sign with the Rangers. Once the WHL season begins, the Rangers’ fourth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft has to play either in juniors or for the Rangers. Garand could be signed at any time, but it would eat up a year of his deal, making it less likely for him to be an option this season.

New York Post LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205027 New York Rangers

Mark Pavelich dead, 'Miracle on Ice' Olympic team member was 63

Staff Report

By The Associated Press

March 5, 2021 7:07 PM

MINNEAPOLIS — A member of the "Miracle on Ice" Olympic hockey team has died at a treatment center for mental illness.

Officials in Anoka County, Minnesota, confirmed Friday that 63-year-old Mark Pavelich died at the Eagle's Healing Nest in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, on Thursday morning. The cause and manner of death are still pending.

"We are saddened to hear about the passing of 1980 Olympic gold medalist Mark Pavelich," USA Hockey said in a statement. "We extend our deepest condolences to Mark’s family & friends. (He is) forever a part of hockey history."

Pavelich was undergoing treatment at the home as part of a civil commitment for assaulting his neighbor in Cook County, Minnesota, in August 2019, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Pavelich thought the man had spiked his beer.

He was charged with felony assault but Judge Michael Cuzzo found he was incompetent to stand trial because he was mentally ill and dangerous. According to the judge's order from December 2019, a psychologist found Pavelich was suffering from delusions and paranoia. Another psychologist found he suffered from a mild neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury, likely related to repeated head injuries.

Pavelich starred at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and assisted Mike Eruzione on the winning goal against the heavily favored Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympics. That U.S. team went on to win the gold medal.

Pavelich spent five seasons with the NHL's Rangers and played briefly for the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks. He sold his gold medal for more than $250,000 in 2014, two years after his wife, Kara, died in an accidental fall.

Pavelich's sister, Jean Gevik, didn't immediately respond to a message.

The Rangers said in a statement they were saddened by Pavelich's death.

"His determination, passion and dazzling playmaking ability earned him the adoration of Rangers fans during his five-year tenure in New York," the team said.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205028 New York Rangers

Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin day-to-day with mild groin strain, team says

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinSNewsday

Updated March 5, 2021 11:11 PM

Igor Shesterkin did not practice Friday after leaving Thursday’s 6-1 win over the Devils in Newark with 5:22 left in the third period, unable to put weight on his right leg.

Rangers coach David Quinn did not have an update on Shesterkin’s status in his Zoom call with the media immediately after practice, saying Shesterkin was still seeing the doctor.

Later in the afternoon, the team posted an update on Twitter saying Shesterkin officially is day-to-day with a mild groin strain.

Alexandar Georgiev replaced Shesterkin on Thursday and will start Saturday afternoon against the Devils in the second of the two-game series, Quinn said. Long Islander Keith Kinkaid, the taxi squad goalie, is the likely backup.

With the Rangers up 4-1 and on a power play Thursday, the Devils broke in shorthanded on a two-on-one, with Jesper Bratt carrying the puck up the right wing. As Bratt passed the puck to Damon Severson, Shesterkin pushed off from left to right to square up for Severson’s one-timer. The shot went high, and Shesterkin, his legs split wide open, suddenly fell face-first to the ice.

He remained down for several moments, tended to by athletic trainer Jim Ramsay until teammates helped him off.

Kakko will return

Kaapo Kakko, who has missed six games after going on the team’s COVID-19 list, will return to the lineup Saturday, Quinn said.

"I’m feeling better,’’ Kakko said. "I was out 12 days, and right now I’m feeling better and ready to go.’’

Kakko, 20, said he was "sick, a little bit, but not too bad.’’ He might be considered high-risk for the virus because he is a diabetic and has celiac disease. Those who suffer from the autoimmune disease cannot eat gluten.

Kakko had two goals and one assist in 14 games, but he was one of the Rangers’ most dynamic forwards before he was put on the COVID-19 list Feb. 20. He skated at practice with red-hot Chris Kreider (nine goals in his last six games) and Ryan Strome.

"They are both playing good right now,’’ Kakko said. "I think it’s easier for me to come back.’’

Blue notes

Quinn wasn’t asked if defenseman Jacob Trouba (seven games missed with a broken thumb) will play Saturday, but he practiced at full contact . . . Defenseman Anthony Bitetto (lower-body injury) did not practice with the team . . . Quinn benched center Mika Zibanejad for the first half of the second period Thursday, and the coach was asked how he performed at practice. "Nothing’s changed from my end with him,’’ Quinn said. "He and I have had plenty of conversations. There’s no surprises here, [and] I was happy with the uptick in play [Thursday] after he sat for a little bit." . . . Judging by the line combinations at practice, Colin Blackwell could be the odd man out with Kakko returning to the lineup. Blackwell was the fourth player on the third line with Kevin Rooney, Filip Chytil and Julien Gauthier. Quinn wouldn’t confirm who will be out . . . Rangers prospect Vitali Kravtsov had a goal and an assist in Traktor Chelyabinsk’s 3-2 overtime loss to Salavat Yulaev in Game 2 of their KHL first-round playoff series. The best-of-seven series is tied at 1-1. Game 3 is Sunday.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205029 NHL Amanda Kessel, Decker’s teammate, said the players had to shake off rust during the event. Some of the athletes had been playing and practicing against male players, including at a two-week event in Florida against college-aged men. Top Women’s Hockey Players Renew Their Olympic Journey “It felt so good to be back,” goaltender Alex Cavallini said. “It’s been over a year since I’ve played a full women’s game.”

By Carol Schram Additional Dream Gap Tour events are expected, but scheduling has been a challenge. March 5, 2021 In Canada, the association is running training hubs in Calgary, Toronto

and Montreal. And like the Rangers and the Chicago Blackhawks, the When the women’s hockey team won Olympic gold for the Toronto Maple Leafs announced a partnership in early February. But so first time in 20 years in 2018, the star forward Hilary Knight believed the far, health restrictions have prevented the organization of an event in moment would be a steppingstone to greater visibility for the sport and Canada. for more players to have the opportunity to earn a living playing “This year, we aren’t able to cross borders,” Jayna Hefford, the retired professional hockey. four-time Canadian gold medalist who is now the association’s “It’s easier to have conversations when you’re winning,” Knight said. “I operations consultant, said. think the future in the U.S. is extremely bright for the sport. By winning, it Hefford did not rule out the possibility of a cross-border event happening helps us continue to break down the barriers that we faced for many later this year. years.” “It was pretty easy to get up for this weekend because we’ve been Those barriers have included an inability to earn a living wage in waiting a long time to play a hockey game,” Coyne Schofield said on professional leagues and a fight to have one with Team U.S.A., or to Sunday. “And I don’t want to forget that we do have 75 players in Canada receive the type of support that elite-level athletes need. And while the that couldn’t be here this weekend. I know with them, this would have U.S. women’s team is ranked first in the world and took home a fifth been even bigger.” consecutive world championship gold medal in 2019, the challenges have persisted at both the international and professional levels. The Coronavirus Outbreak ›

In May 2019, the Canadian Women’s Hockey League ceased operations Let Us Help You Better Understand the Coronavirus after 12 years. Six months later, a 2019 international tournament was canceled by the host Swedish Association amid a dispute Are coronavirus case counts rising in your region? Our maps will help with its players over issues including wages. you determine how your state, county or country is faring.

Then came the coronavirus pandemic, which forced the cancellation of Vaccines are rolling out and will reach many of us by spring. We’ve the 2020 world championship. The only international competition in the answered some common questions about the vaccines. 2019-20 season was a five-game series between Canada and the United Now that we are all getting used to living in a pandemic, you may have States. new questions about how to go about your routine safely, how your Since then, female players have gotten creative to keep training. After children will be impacted, how to travel and more. We’re answering those more than a year of individual and small group workouts, video training questions as well. sessions, and skates and scrimmages that often included men, Knight, So far, the coronavirus outbreak has sickened more than 106 million Kendall Coyne Schofield and 32 other top players finally hit the ice last people globally. More than two million people have died. A timeline of the weekend for their first competitive games against women since February events that led to these numbers may help you understand how we got 2020. It was an important step for a group looking to bolster its here. professional circuit and play games before upcoming international competitions. Hefford said after the Rangers, Blackhawks and Maple Leafs got on board with the association, other N.H.L. teams also expressed interest in The two-day showcase was part of the 2021 Dream Gap Tour organized hosting games, but the uncertain timing of the 2021 world championship by the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, an impacted scheduling decisions. organization that was formed after the demise of the Canadian league. Made up of several top players from the United States, Canada and The event was originally scheduled for April in Nova Scotia. On Europe, the association hopes to give a voice to players who want a Thursday, the International Ice Hockey Federation announced that it professional North American women’s hockey league that pays a living would be pushed back to May. wage and provides support to the athletes. Some formerly played in the National Women’s Hockey League, which is in its sixth year. After the Nova Scotia health authorities increased their province’s Covid- 19 restrictions last week, had to alter its 35-player camp In 2019-20, the first Dream Gap Tour touched down in six cities for running through Sunday. No more than 25 participants will be allowed on games and on-ice clinics. A planned trip to Japan in February 2020 was the ice at a time. The camp is only the second time the Canadian players canceled because of coronavirus concerns. have been on the ice together this year.

The 2020-21 season saw the P.W.H.P. A. receive new sponsorships. But The players are preparing for both the world championship and the 2022 health and safety concerns prevented the association from staging a tour Games in Beijing, which are now less than a year away. Over the next 11 event until recently. months, athletes and their governing bodies need a training plan.

Abby Roque, a 23-year-old playing in her first pro game, had four points “It definitely approaches a lot faster than you think,” Knight said. “When last Saturday at a rink in New Jersey before Brianna Decker had her own you’re four years out, you have a little bit more runway to take off. Now, four-point game the next day at Madison Square Garden. it’s almost like you’re at the end of the runway. You get to fly.”

This weekend, the same two teams, representing training hubs based in For Coyne Schofield, that preparation means balancing hockey training Minnesota and New Hampshire, will face off again in Chicago. Saturday’s with other commitments — working as an N.H.L. analyst for NBC Sports, game at the United Center, scheduled to be broadcast on NBC Sports, and as a player development coach and youth hockey growth specialist will feature an all-female announcing team. with the Blackhawks.

Arizona’s governor is lifting capacity limits on businesses and “It hasn’t been challenging,” she said, “because I have the respect and I restaurants, but masks are still recommended. have the blessing of the Chicago Blackhawks and NBC Sports to make sure I’m training and I’m preparing full time to be the best hockey player I Pope Francis visits Iraq amid a new surge in cases there. can be. Scientists in Oregon find a homegrown, and more troubling, version of a “It’s a balance,” she continued. “But for me, whatever I’m doing in that variant first identified in the U.K. moment, I’m 110 percent all in.” It’s been a long wait, but now with tentative dates for the world championship and the potential for more Dream Gap Tour showcase games, the P.W.H.P.A. athletes are finally getting the opportunity they’ve sought — to draw attention to their sport and play competitive games that will help prepare them for 2022.

New York Times LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205030 Ottawa Senators “As a manager, you take your cues from your team,” Treliving said. “There are certain times that require patience and times that require action. In watching our team over the last several days and weeks, I felt strongly that this was a time for action. We’ve been underperforming and SNAPSHOTS: The Ottawa Senators take time for a reset after 7-3 loss... we’ve been inconsistent. Flames win but fire coach Geoff Ward anyway “The biggest strength I see from Darryl is his ability to be very clear. The clarity he provides players in terms of their roles and expectations and the standards. If you look at his track record, he maximizes performance. Bruce Garrioch This should be a clear message to our players that the level of urgency Publishing date:Mar 05, 2021 • 10 hours ago • 4 minute read • that’s required is hopefully recognized.” comment bubbleJoin the conversation THE LAST WORDS

Ryan Dzingel would have liked to have seen a better result, but he noted Brett Ritchie #24 of the Calgary Flames celebrates after scoring against it felt comfortable to be back with the Senators after making his debut Matt Murray #30 of the Ottawa Senators. with a goal Thursday in Calgary.

The Ottawa Senators took a step back Friday and had a chance to hit the “I have deep ties with this place, they developed me for five development reset button. camps, so I sat next to (Thomas) Chabot and it just felt like déja vu all over again,” Dzingel said. “Different logo, but, like you said, it felt weird After dropping a 7-3 decision to the Calgary Flames on Thursday night at and it felt like I never left except for the systems.” the Saddledome, the Senators had a scheduled day off at their downtown hotel headquarters and Saturday they’ll return to the ice to Dzingel wore No. 18 the first time he played with the Senators, but work on the areas where coach D.J. Smith wants to see improvement. switched to No. 10 this time.

Since their defensive zone coverage was horrible against the Flames, “I always look at the back of my jersey before I go on the ice and just you have to think that’s an area the coaching staff will put under the think about my dad, my grandpa and my family,” Dzingel said. “Usually microscope when the Senators take the ice. There wasn’t anything good for the last, I don’t even know how long, I pick up the jersey and I look at about the way they played Thursday and there are plenty of areas that it and it says No. 18. So, 10 being there was a little weird. I wore No. 19 could be addressed. in Columbus, but that just a cup of coffee.

But, Smith made one thing abundantly clear in his post-game Zoom call, “The boys started calling me Tommy Pyatt because he was No. 10 when his team just didn’t have it. Two goals in a span of 37 seconds by Byron I was here.” Ritchie and Dillon Dube, who went on to score a hat trick, had the Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.06.2021 Senators back on their heels and they never really recovered.

“We weren’t very good,” Smith said. “It looked to me like we had no legs. Certainly, at the start (of the game), and it ran right on through. It looked like we were skating uphill. We maybe found it for a few minutes here and there, but, as a whole, we just didn’t have much.”

It’s hard for Smith to put his finger on why that happened and that’s what he likely spent Friday watching while poring over video with the staff.

“It’s tough to say. We just didn’t have any legs,” Smith said. “They were prepared. We just beat them (5-1 Monday) handily in our building and they came back ready. We weren’t ready to do all the things we had to do and that we did the other night. They were the better team (Thursday).”

And, the Senators have to find a way to be better Friday.

A NEW LOOK

There’s something about the Senators that’s bad news for the opposition.

First, Montreal coach Claude Julien and assistant Kirk Muller were fired the day after a 5-4 shootout loss to Ottawa on Feb. 23 at the Canadian Tire Centre. Then, after scoring a 3-1 win over the Senators last Tuesday, the Habs announced they had fired goalie coach Stéphane Waite before the start of the third period.

Just over an hour after the Flames scored their decisive win over the Senators, Calgary GM Brad Treliving announced Geoff Ward had been fired. Veteran coach Darryl Sutter, who took the club to the Stanley Cup final in 2004 and lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning, was brought back.

“I’ve told my wife, and we’ve talked about this a lot, if we coached again then we had two cities that we would go to and one of them was the Calgary Flames,” Sutter said Friday. “For me, it’s unfinished business. It’s really clear in my mind, losing in the Stanley Cup final and thinking about on the flight home from Tampa with the players and the owners and how much resonated with me and stayed in my mind.

“I’m thrilled to be back with Brad and to work with this group. When I started talking to Brad, it was kind of like a treasure map with all these red dots on it and that’s the players and how to connect them and get to the treasure.”

Sutter, 62, who won a Stanley Cup with Los Angeles in 2013, held a Zoom call with all the players Friday, but won’t be behind the bench Sunday against Ottawa. He has to go through COVID-19 protocols. Treliving said he had to make the change. 1205031 Ottawa Senators The key now is that, if he starts Sunday’s game against the Flames, Murray has to give his team a chance to win. The Senators know they have to play better in front of him, which is why they shifted the blame away from him during Thursday’s post-game. GARRIOCH: The Ottawa Senators need Matt Murray to find consistency to have success “Matt’s been playing great for us. He’s really found his game and we just didn’t play strong in front of him (Thursday),” alternate captain Erik Gudbranson said. “You give teams in the league opportunities, ‘A-plus’ opportunities, like we did, and they’re going to capitalize and they’re Bruce Garrioch going to make you pay. Publishing date:Mar 06, 2021 • 7 hours ago • “We don’t feel good about our game (Thursday) and we need to play better in front of him for sure.”

The Ottawa Senators don’t need Matt Murray to be their saviour every True enough. By the time the first period was over, the defensive pairing night. of Nikita Zaitsev and Braydon Coburn was minus-3. Every skater on the roster was a minus except for the defence pair of Thomas Chabot and They just need him to find consistency. Artem Zub, so that tells you everybody has to be better.

Coming off a 7-3 loss to the Calgary Flames on Thursday night at the Murray is a standup person, and, if he’d been requested by the media Saddledome, the Senators’ top goaltender was pulled after allowing four following the game, he absolutely would have come out to answer goals on 11 shots in the first period. That marked the fourth time in his 18 questions. Goalie coach Pierre Groulx and Murray have a good starts with Ottawa that he was replaced by the backup. relationship, so they’ve got a couple of days here to regroup, watch some video and figure this all out. The Senators were horrible in front of him and coach D.J. Smith felt the best bet after 20 minutes was to get him out of there by giving backup Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.06.2021 Joey Daccord a chance to finish it up with the club trailing 4-1. Murray gave up two goals on the first two shots, and while the Senators got one goal back, it got worse when Sean Monahan and Josh Leivo fired it home before the first-period buzzer sounded.

Given the odd-man rushes and other struggles in front of Murray, Smith felt it was in his best interests to give Murray the rest of the night off.

“I think our team was flat and I think you could say the same for the goalie,” Smith said Thursday night from Calgary. “Everyone was in the group together. I thought it was an opportunity to get Joey some minutes. He played well in Montreal and we’ve played a lot of games, so there’s no point to keep Matt going there.

“We’ll give him a breather and we’ll get back at it next game.”

Yes, the 26-year-old Murray knew there would be nights like this when he was dealt to Ottawa, but he needs to get back to the game that helped him backstop the Pittsburgh Penguins to two Stanley Cup wins. He has it in him, he just has to find it. The concern with Murray now is that, when the team hasn’t played well in front of him, for the most part he hasn’t been great, either.

There just hasn’t been any middle ground.

Signed to a four-year, $25-million contract extension after being acquired in October, Murray has had his shares of ups and downs. He had won four of his previous five starts coming into Thursday’s game and had a 2.91 goals-against average in that stretch.

“This is still a learning curve for him,” TSN analyst Jamie McLennan, a former National Hockey League goalie who has worked several Senators games this season, said Friday morning. “The biggest challenge for him is to stay strong mentally because there are going to be nights where your team looks its age and looks like its inexperience. That’s the challenge.

“Does he have to be better? Absolutely. The word when it comes to Matt Murray is consistency. We’re not seeing the consistency out of him. We’re seeing great Matt Murray and really off Matt Murray. Yes, the team contributes to that, but maybe, if you don’t have your ‘A’ game that night, maybe your ‘B’ game can keep the score closer. But it’s been ‘A’ and then choose a letter.”

The disappointing part of that performance was the table had been set for Murray.

After he stopped 27 of 28 shots in Monday’s 5-1 win over the Flames in Ottawa, the Senators decided to give him a complete day off Tuesday in Montreal. Filip Gustavsson went to the Bell Centre to back up while Daccord made the start.

Murray had a day or two to get some rest.

His save percentage has slipped back to .883 after he had taken steps in the right direction, and he has a 6-11-1 record. The Senators need him to steal the odd game when they look like they did against the Flames and that’s not much to ask. 1205032 Ottawa Senators THE NORTHERN GOAL RUSH: Spezza is, of course, playing with the front-runners in the highest scoring division in hockey. A little homework with the calculator shows that teams north of the border are scoring an average of 3.08 goals per game. In the Central, East and West Divisions, WARREN: All about Walter Gretzky, Darryl Sutter and NHL the average is 2.90. developments in Canada For Canadian-based shooters, that’s great news. Atop the NHL scoring race, five of the top six scorers play for teams in this division, as are six of the top 10 defencemen in points. Ken Warren THE WIDE OPEN NETS: But what does that say about the goaltending? Publishing date:Mar 05, 2021 • 11 hours ago When the goals go up, save percentages must go down.

The Senators became the first team to top 100 goals against Thursday Walter Gretzky, father of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky. as the struggles of Matt Murray and his .883 save percentage continued.

Some days during the pandemic you can’t help but take a step back for Murray allowed four goals on 11 shots against the Flames, and the some perspective. Senators aren’t going to win consistently until their netminding becomes steady and solid every night. If hockey can serve as the pulse of the nation, we woke up Friday to news about the first families of Canadian hockey: the sad death of Walter The Flames can say the same as they await the return of the injured Gretzky and yet another coaching re-incarnation of Darryl Sutter, who Jacob Markstrom. took over from the fired Geoff Ward behind the Calgary Flames bench. In the four blowout games between Calgary and Ottawa so far — both Just in case the significance of the names might be lost on a younger squads have won twice — the Senators and Flames have combined for generation, Gretzky was the Everyman Canadian Dad who became a 32 goals. legend in his own way, making all the right choices in guiding his phenom Over in Montreal, Carey Price, who also got goaltending coach Stéphane son Wayne into becoming the face of the sport for a generation or two. Waite fired this week, has a save percentage of .893, as does The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Vancouver’s Braden Holtby. Edmonton’s Mikko Koskinen is at .897 and it As for those who get tied into knots contemplating the tree wasn’t until the return of Mike Smith from injury that the Oilers started to (six brothers played in the National Hockey League and four have climb up the standings. become coaches and/or general managers), Darryl is the one who led The most notable exception is Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck, the 2020 the Los Angeles Kings to two Stanley Cup titles after previous coaching winner who is keeping the Jets in a playoff spot thanks to stints with the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks and Calgary. his .915 save percentage. He’s gruff, but grounded, as befits the infamous farming family from With all the goals being scored up north, though, the NHL’s goaltending Viking, Alta., where fights between the brothers toughened them up in headlines are being written by Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy, Marc- order to take on the NHL. André Fleury of Vegas, Chicago’s Kevin Lankinen and Florida’s Chris Like Walter Gretzky, the Sutters are central figures in the Canadian Driedger, the former Senator. hockey landscape, but can the now 62-year-old Darryl connect with In Canada, the story is about the goals being scored, something that the today’s players? Gretzkys are all too familiar with from a few decades ago. Now, please stay tuned for more questions and contemplations in a Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.06.2021 column focused on the NHL’s Canadian division.

THE PRESSURE COOKER: The Ward firing is another reminder of the never-ending heat that Canadian-based coaches face to make the playoffs. As a reminder, only four of the seven are going to make the post-season and, when the hopes are so high, the bench bosses are always vulnerable.

Last week, it was Claude Julien in Montreal. Next week? Travis Green in Vancouver? The Canucks are 10-15-2 and have given up 91 goals in those 27 games.

The one twist here is that the Senators’ D.J. Smith could be the safest of them all despite owning an 8-17-1 record and being firmly at the bottom of the division.

All the bumps and bruises are painful — including another rough 7-3 loss to the Flames on Thursday — but for the Senators this season isn’t about making the playoffs.

Ultimately, Smith will be judged based on how the kids — from Tim Stuetzle to Drake Batherson to Josh Norris to Erik Brannstrom (and maybe soon Alex Formenton, Logan Brown, Shane Pinto, Jake Sanderson and Jacob Bernard-Docker) — progress from prospects into front-line players.

As Thursday’s ugly loss showed, there’s plenty of work to be done. Success doesn’t come overnight. Just ask Green, whose lineup is full of high-end draft picks the Canucks have patiently tried to develop.

TURNING BACK THE CLOCK: On the topic of top picks, Stuetzle is the first Senators player to earn NHL rookie of the month honours since the late Ray Emery in 2006. An interesting tidbit here: Emery’s former minor- league roommate, Jason Spezza, was the last Senators teenager to receive the kind of over-the-top attention that Stuetzle is receiving. Spezza, now 37, has five goals and 10 assists for 15 points for the Toronto Maple Leafs, one ahead of the 19-year-old currently in Ottawa’s lineup. 1205033 Ottawa Senators If Reilly isn’t ready to return for Sunday’s rematch against the Flames — and even if he is — Smith is likely going to have to give Christian Wolanin another shot to prove himself. He has been a healthy scratch for the past seven games, not playing since having a rough night in the SENATORS AFTERTHOUGHTS: Yet another short night for Murray in Senators 7-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 18. yet another long night for the Senators Yet while the fingers are being pointed at Murray and the defencemen, the forwards were also missing in action inside their own blueline.

Ken Warren Only seconds into his second tour of duty with the Senators, Ryan Dzingel let Brian Ritchie sail to the net untouched for the opening goal. Publishing date:Mar 05, 2021 • 17 hours ago • (Dzingel did look better as the game went on, including scoring the Senators third goal).

FLAMES 7, SENATORS 3 Teenage sensation Tim Stuetzle, fresh from being named the NHL’s rookie of the month, made a ghastly turnover in the neutral zone that the WHY THEY LOST: What is it about the water out in Western Canada that Flames quickly turned into a goal. makes the Ottawa Senators flatter than the Prairies? The Flames’ Sean Monahan and Josh Leivo had all the time in the world Just when you thought the Senators might have a handle on what it takes in the slot to score the third and fourth goals. The Senators were in a to battle their way through games from start to finish, on Thursday they deep, deep hole, chasing the game and creating more Flames changes fell back into the old ugly habits and breakdowns that caused them to in the process. start the season in a tailspin. Indeed, there was plenty of blame to be shared. Being the goaltender The Calgary Flames feasted on it all: The miscommunications on asked to put Band-Aids on all the bleeding in front of him is a tough gig, defence, the forwards failing to pick up their defensive assignments and but that is why the Senators traded for Murray and paid him handsomely. the biggest concern of all, yet another short and shaky outing from number one goaltender Matt Murray. Doing it every second outing isn’t good enough.

The Senators were down 2-0 after three minutes and 4-1 after the first THEY SAID IT period, when coach D.J. Smith became Dr. Hook again, putting Joey Senators coach D.J. Smith Daccord into the crease to replace Murray. From there, the Flames rolled to a comfortable victory, with Dillon Dube registering his first NHL hat “I think it’s one of those ones, that when you’re that flat, it’s tough to trick. judge your team.”

Before we break down the Senators many breakdowns, chew on the Senators centre Josh Norris, who scored the club’s first goal. following and digest the numbers: “Sometimes when you’re cheating and not playing on the right side of the In nine games in Alberta, British Columbia and so far, the puck, you don’t get puck bounces and we certainly didn’t get those Senators have gone 1-8-0. They’ve been outscored 46-19. tonight and we’ve got to tighten up a lot of areas.”

Post-game, the Senators were doing their best to defend Murray, who Senators defenceman Erik Gudbranson ended up stopping seven of the 11 shots he faced, but there’s a deeply disturbing trend in his game. After appearing to shake off the struggles “If you come out a little bit flat-footed, teams capitalize on you very that marked the Senators ugly losses in their first trip out west, Murray’s quickly and tilt the ice and make it very difficult on you to come back. We past couple of weeks have been a yo-yo ride: on again, off again, on didn’t react well and we’ve got to take what we can from this game and again, off again. take the emotion from this game that wasn’t very good and use it for the following game.” He was pulled after two periods of last Saturday’s 6-3 loss to the Flames, but rebounded with a stellar performance in Monday’s 5-1 victory over THE NUMBERS GAME the Flames. Come Thursday, though, he allowed three goals on the first 3: Goals scored by the Flames Dillon Dube, the first hat trick of his NHL four shots he faced. His goals against average is now 3.72 and his save career. Matthew Tkachuk also had three assists. percentage is at .883, the worst numbers of all NHL number one goaltenders. 4, 11: Goals allowed, shots faced by the Senators Matt Murray before leaving after the first period. Joey Daccord stopped 15 of 18 shots in When the goalie doesn’t stop the puck, everything else gets magnified, relief. too. 17-15: Combined score, in favour of the Senators, in the four games Calgary Flames goalie David Rittich stops Ottawa Senators Brady played between the teams so far this season. The Senators have won by Tkachuk in third period action at the in Calgary five and four goals, the Flames by three and four goals. on Thursday, March 4, 2: Points (one goal, one assist) registered by Senators centre Josh The criticism of Smith’s roster decisions, particularly on defence, is also Norris. Norris now has 15 points for the season, moving one ahead of growing. teammate Tim Stuetzle in the NHL rookie scoring race. The night started with Erik Gudbranson — who took plenty of heat in WHAT’S NEXT: Tuesday’s loss to the Montreal Canadiens — being bowled over by Milan Lucic at the Flames blueline. It didn’t get much better from there. After completing their seventh game in 11 days, the Senators now have an extended break before facing the Flames in Calgary yet again on Dealing with a shoulder injury to Mike Reilly, Smith was forced to juggle Sunday. In a bizarre piece of scheduling, the Flames will travel to his defensive pairings. Edmonton to face the Oilers on Saturday before returning home against Nobody on the blueline had a good night. Defensive confusion was Ottawa. everywhere. It’s an advantage the Senators need to exploit in order to re-discover the Braydon Coburn, who came into the lineup to replace Reilly, was paired fundamentals of defensive coverage that they lost on Thursday. with Nikita Zaitsev. They were on the first three Flames goals. Once again, Murray faces big pressure to rebound after a shaky Erik Brannstrom, paired with Gudbranson, was pushed off the puck on performance and Smith is under the gun to find some solid defensive the fourth goal to end the first period. tandems.

While there was hope that rookie Artem Zub could become an ideal Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 03.06.2021 partner for Thomas Chabot, that didn’t work well, either. Zub’s inability to Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.06.2021 clear the puck from his own zone led directly to a goal. 1205034 Ottawa Senators Now keep your hand raised if your only memory of O’Brien’s first stint in a Sens jersey was that sweet drop pass to Kyle Turris in overtime to beat the Rangers in 2012.

Senators sequels: With Ryan Dzingel back, we rank every player who Overall, O’Brien’s two tenures were rather unremarkable, considering he has done multiple stints in Ottawa was a first-round pick, which is why he lands at No. 12 on this list.

Jim O'Brien's tenure in Ottawa

By Ian Mendes Mar 5, 2021 First

63

Creating a good sequel can be extremely challenging in the movie world, 8 especially if the original film was deemed a success. 4 “Back to the Future Part II” may have given us hoverboards and Biff’s 12 sports almanac, but it fell far short of the magic and creativity of the original. Second

“Toy Story 3,” on the other hand, was an emotional roller coaster that 10 vastly outperformed the first two iterations of that movie franchise. 0 The sports world has the same mixed bag of results when it comes to sequels. Players and coaches will often return for a second tour of duty, 1 and it’s tough to replicate the success of the first visit. Just ask Mark 1 Messier with the New York Rangers. After his first stint with the Senators ended after the 2012-13 season, For the Senators, Ryan Dzingel is now officially back for his sequel, after O’Brien signed a deal to play in the KHL. He then had a cup of coffee scoring 62 regular-season goals — and one memorable Game 7 playoff with the New Jersey Devils. He returned to Ottawa as a free agent after goal — in his first showing with the club. the trade deadline in 2018 as the Senators needed some bodies to help On Thursday night, Dzingel scored in his re-debut, starting his second finish the season. O’Brien appeared in 10 games and managed to muster stint on the right foot. a single assist in a game against the Blue Jackets.

And it got me thinking: How has everybody else fared when they’ve had If you’re ever looking to stump your friends with an obscure trivia a second tour of duty with Ottawa? Has anybody had more success in question, try this one: Name the only Senators first-round pick who later his second stop than his first? signed a free-agent contract with Ottawa.

So for a fun little read, I decided to rank everybody who has come back 11. David Oliver for a sequel with the Senators franchise. I’ve ranked them in reverse I know some of you reading this column won’t remember that David order, culminating with the player who I think had the most success in his Oliver had one stint with the Senators — let alone two. second stint with the club. But after a surprising 20-goal season with the Edmonton Oilers in 1995- 13. Serge Payer 96, Oliver bounced around the NHL and eventually landed in Ottawa as a My research for this story led me to uncover that the Senators originally free agent in the summer of 1998. He scored two goals in a game acquired Serge Payer from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a ninth- against Washington in November of 1998, but those were the only goals round pick in the 2004 NHL Draft. The Panthers used that pick to select he scored in a Sens jersey. After spending the following season with the Luke Beaverson — a name I felt utterly compelled to pass along in this Coyotes, Oliver signed another free-agent contract with the Senators in space. the summer of 2000. This time, he only appeared in a handful of games.

After his first stint with the Senators, Payer returned to the Panthers for a David Oliver's tenure in Ottawa season, but then he signed as a free agent again in Ottawa and played a First handful of games for the team during its 2006-07 season. 17 Serge Payer's tenure in Ottawa 2 First 5 5 7 0 Second 1 7 1 0 Second 0 5 0 0 At least Oliver can always say he’s on the short list of players who signed 0 in Ottawa as a free agent on multiple occasions.

0 10. Steve Martins

Payer gets some extra marks for consistency, as each of his stints in You know the only thing cooler than signing as a free agent in Ottawa Ottawa lasted only five games. And if we ever do a story on players who twice? do multiple stints with the Panthers, he’ll end up on that list too. Doing it three times, which is what Steve Martins did. 12. Jim O’Brien The diminutive forward signed three separate free-agent deals with Hands up if you don’t remember Jim O’Brien’s second tour of duty with Ottawa, in the summers of 1998, 2001 and 2005. the Senators. Steve Martins' tenure in Ottawa

First 38 Alex Auld was a solid goalie in his first campaign with Ottawa in 2008-09, wresting the No. 1 job away from Martin Gerber. But Auld was eventually 5 traded to Dallas in the summer of 2009 for a sixth-round draft pick — who 3 turned out to be Mark Stone. (So the next time you’re uttering the phrase, “He’s tall … he’s bald … he’s Alex Auld,” feel free to insert the phrase, 8 “He landed quite a haul.”)

Second After bouncing around with the Stars, Rangers and Canadiens, Auld returned to sign a free-agent contract with Ottawa in the summer of 2011. 28 But this time around, he didn’t play as big a role. 3 Alex Auld's tenure in Ottawa 3 First 6 43 Third 16 4 18 1 7 1 2.47 2 .911 During his second stint with the Senators in the 2001-02 season, Second Jacques Martin inserted Martins into Game 6 of the team’s second-round playoff series against Toronto. Martins ripped a shot that beat Curtis 14 Joseph — but rang off the post and stayed out of the net. The Senators eventually lost that game, and now let’s never speak of Ricard Persson 2 again. 4

9. Rob Ray 2

Wait, Rob Ray played for the Senators twice? 3.35

That’s right. It may only feel like one stint, but John Muckler brought in .884 Ray on two occasions around the trade deadline to add muscle and toughness to the lineup. Auld could have seized the No. 1 job again in his second stint with the Senators, as he was the backup goalie when Craig Anderson’s chicken- In 2003, Ray was traded from Buffalo to Ottawa for future considerations. knife incident went down. Auld started the first game after that but lost a (I have always assumed the future considerations were repaid when 5-3 decision against Boston on Feb. 25, 2012. After that, the Senators Buffalo gave Ottawa a first-round pick for Robin Lehner at the draft in turned to 20-year-old Robin Lehner and then traded for Ben Bishop 2015.) shortly thereafter. Auld never played another game in the NHL.

The following year, Ray was out of hockey when the Senators came 7. Mike Comrie calling again — signing him to a free-agent contract in February of 2004. After a brief conditioning stint in Binghamton, Ray joined the Senators for Mike Comrie is probably the first name that comes to mind when you a handful of games and was a central figure in a bench-clearing brawl think of Senators players who had two stints with the club. Comrie was against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 5. originally acquired by the Senators for Alexei Kaigorodov during the 2006-07 season. He played a significant role on that club, appearing in Ray is also one of the only players who can brag that he played more all 20 playoff games en route to the Stanley Cup Final. games with the Senators in his second tour of duty than in his first. That summer, Comrie signed as a free agent with the New York Rob Ray's tenure in Ottawa Islanders. Two years later, he found himself back in Ottawa as a trade- First deadline acquisition. The price to land him and Chris Campoli was steeper this time around: a first-round pick and Dean McAmmond. 5 Mike Comrie's tenure in Ottawa 0 First 0 41 0 13 Second 12 6 25 1 Second 0 22 1 3 But for all the talk of his extra muscle, Ray never appeared in a single playoff game for Ottawa. And in his second tour of duty, he saw a grand 4 total of 27:59 of ice time in those six games — which is about what 7 Thomas Chabot sees on a nightly basis. Comrie’s second stint was far less successful as he joined the club about 8. Alex Auld two weeks after Cory Clouston was named head coach during a Ottawa has had a reputation for being a goalie graveyard, and only one disastrous season. If Comrie couldn’t be convinced to stick around goaltender was glutton for punishment enough to return for a second Ottawa after a Cup final run, he certainly wasn’t going to re-sign in stint. Ottawa in the summer of 2009 after Dany Heatley indicated he wanted out of town. Instead, Comrie opted for an Oilers sequel, returning to Edmonton as a free agent. 6. beautifully crafted table below, he did also suit up for one final pregame skate with his Ottawa teammates, against the New York Islanders on The return of Joe Corvo was probably the most surprising situation on Dec. 4, 2014. this list, mainly because he was a polarizing player in his first tenure with the club. Daniel Alfredsson's tenure in Ottawa

Corvo was traded out of Ottawa during the 2007-08 season, wrapping up First a fairly eventful 18 months with the club. Despite the fact that Ottawa went to the Stanley Cup Final with Corvo as a regular defenceman, he 1178 was often a target for fans and media because of his inconsistent play. 426 Corvo himself seemed to welcome a change of scenery, which is why many were shocked he returned as a free agent in the summer of 2013. 682

Joe Corvo's tenure in Ottawa 1108

First Second

127 Just took a

14 pregame

50 warmup

64 with the team

Second Something to notice from the stat line above: I don’t think we talk enough about the fact Alfredsson was so close to finishing his Ottawa career with 25 1,111 points. It’s a shame his second stint couldn’t have involved him just 3 getting back on the ice to get three points.

7 3. Chris Kelly

10 Chris Kelly deserves some appreciation as one of the most underrated, most loved players in Senators history. He was a steady and reliable Corvo’s second tenure in Ottawa ended after he cleared waivers and was force who played a significant role when the club made its lone trip to the loaned to the of the AHL. He would have undoubtedly Stanley Cup Final in 2006-07. He was then shipped to Boston at the scored a hat trick in his first game against the , but trade deadline in 2011 and helped the Bruins capture the Stanley Cup alas, they didn’t face each other. that season. He returned as a 36-year-old free agent who appeared in all 82 games of the 2016-17 regular season. 5. Chris Kelly's tenure in Ottawa Dan Quinn had one of the briefest and most fascinating careers in Senators history. First

He signed as a free agent from Europe at the end of the 1993-94 season 463 and promptly scored twice in his Ottawa debut. After leaving the following summer to sign in Los Angeles, Quinn returned to Ottawa — where he 75 was very productive in a brief stint in the 1995-96 season. On Oct. 15, 101 1995, Quinn exploded for one of the best individual games in Senators history, scoring three goals and adding three assists in a win over 176 Tampa. His second tenure with the club was brief, but he produced at Second almost a point-per-game clip. 82 Dan Quinn's tenure in Ottawa 5 First 7 13 12 7 Fun fact about Kelly’s second stint with the Senators: He’s one of the 0 only players in NHL history to score an empty-net goal in the first period 7 of a game. On Feb. 9, 2017, Jiri Hudler of the Dallas Stars accidentally put the puck into his own net on a delayed penalty, and Kelly was given Second credit for the goal. It was the 123rd and final goal of his NHL career.

28 2. Jody Hull

6 You know those reality TV shows where somebody leaves their home for 18 work and when they come back, a contracting crew has done a complete renovation to their place? 24 That’s kind of how Jody Hull must feel about his two tenures in Ottawa. But on Jan. 23, 1996, Quinn was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers … for Consider that Hull was part of the Senators expansion team in 1992-93 cash considerations. Does anybody else find this odd? The same week that won a grand total of 10 games out of 84. When he rejoined the the Senators opened their brand-new arena, they trade arguably their Senators for his second stint in 2001, the club was a legitimate Stanley most productive forward for straight cash. I need to do a deep dive on Cup contender. this down the road. Jody Hull's tenure in Ottawa 4. Daniel Alfredsson First I can already hear the angry voices screaming at your screens. 69 “Come on, Mendes! This was a fun and delightful read until you did this!” 13 But technically, Daniel Alfredsson left and did come back to the organization to sign a one-day contract. And as you can see from my 21 34

Second

95

5

10

15

Hull is also part of that small collection of players who ended up playing more games in their second stint with the Senators — although those 69 games with the 1992-93 Senators probably felt equivalent to playing 200.

1. Shaun Van Allen

Shaun Van Allen’s first stint with the Senators was very successful as he was a fixture in the lineup in each of the first four seasons the club made the playoffs. He was consistently a Jacques Martin favourite and even received eight votes for the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward in the 1999-2000 campaign.

Shaun Van Allen's tenure in Ottawa

First

314

30

59

89

Second

151

14

30

54

But Van Allen locks down the top spot on this roster because when he returned to the Senators as a 35-year-old in the 2002-03 season, he scored a career-high 12 goals and was a big part of the club that captured the Presidents’ Trophy. Van Allen then went on to score a clutch overtime goal in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final against New Jersey — the only playoff goal of his NHL career.

He did it in spectacular fashion, finishing off a give-and-go passing play with Martin Havlat to send the home crowd into a frenzy.

It’s doubtful Ryan Dzingel will do anything along these lines, considering there are no fans in the building and the Senators are well out of the playoff picture. So no matter what Dzingel accomplishes in the weeks ahead, it’s a safe bet this moment from Van Allen will keep him securely locked in as the best Senators player to have a second tour of duty with the team.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205035 Philadelphia Flyers full house, not just the players, staffers, arena workers, media members, and four people from a front-line-worker family.

He admits it has been strange talking to a virtually empty arena, but not For Flyers P.A. announcer Lou Nolan, Sunday’s return of fans will be difficult. special “No matter what the circumstances, you have to be there to perform,” he said. “On the PECO power play, I just sort of close my eyes and do it. I just dream there are fans in the stands.” Sam Carchidi Nolan began working in the Flyers’ public-relations department as Joe Published Mar 5, 2021 Kadlec’s sidekick when the franchise started in 1967. Five years later, he became the team’s P.A. man, a position he has held longer than anyone

on the other 30 NHL teams. Lou Nolan, the legendary Flyers’ public-address announcer, has a voice By the way, for those curious, as best Brian Smith can figure, the lowest so familiar and welcoming that some fans have asked him if he could home attendance in the Flyers’ history was for the Nov. 30, 1967 game record his famous PECO power-play declaration for them, while others against Oakland. A crowd of 3,167 watched the Flyers lose to the Seals, have implored him to introduce their wedding party at their reception. 3-1. He’s obliged to both requests, and many others. Countless times. There were five inches of snow in Philadelphia that day, and the team Since the early days at the venerable , Nolan has given Flyers itself didn’t get to the Spectrum until 90 minutes before game time after home games an added personality. Somehow, he even has made it having played the night before in Chicago, said Smith, the Flyers’ sound exciting when he announces the attendance figures. manager of broadcasting and media services.

With gusto, of course. Smith said there were about 2,000 people in the Spectrum the night a window was knocked out by a blizzard on March 14, 1993, but the game He remembers telling fans there were 14,646 at numerous games before was postponed and replayed two weeks later, so there was never an the Spectrum’s third level was built, remembers when it later increased to official attendance figure. 17,007 and then 17,077, remembers when it reached 20,237 at a building then known as the Wachovia Center for the decisive game in the There were just 5,148 in the stands the day after the blizzard of 1978, 2010 Stanley Cup Final. said Smith, adding that a 2003 blizzard appears to have kept most people away from a February game, but it did not affect the official At some point in the third period of Sunday night’s game at the Wells attendance count. Fargo Center, Nolan hopes to announce that the attendance for the Flyers game against Washington is 3,100. A “sellout.” Nolan was at all those games. Like always.

Forget the number This game, though, will be more emotional because of how the pandemic has changed the world in the last year, and how (fingers crossed) it is the Never mind that it would be the lowest crowd for a home game in start of a return to normalcy. franchise history. “I’m so looking forward to it,” Nolan said. “It’s been a crazy year, not only Nolan will never be so excited to announce an attendance figure. in hockey, not only in sports, but in all our lives.”

“I will be absolutely thrilled to do that,” Nolan said the other day. “That We are all ready for normalcy. would be absolutely outstanding. I’ve announced a lot of crowds over the years, from the non-sellouts at the Spectrum (in the team’s early days) to Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 03.06.2021 huge sellouts at the playoff games, where you couldn’t shoehorn any more people in there, and this will be up there with anything that was ever a thrill for me.”

Because of the pandemic, fans have not been in the Wells Fargo Center for a Flyers game since March 10, 2020, against Boston. The state and city recently lifted restrictions, allowing 15% of capacity in the arena, starting Sunday.

When the Penguins had fans for the first time in almost a year Tuesday, their P.A. announcer welcomed spectators back with an enthusiastic greeting. Players from both the Penguins and Flyers tapped their sticks in appreciation, and some waved them toward the crowd.

Nolan isn’t sure yet what he’ll say, but he is just thankful to have some fans in the building. Thankful to charge them up with his trademark proclamation: “The Flyers are going on the PEEEEEEEEEEEEEECO POWER PLAY,” which is sometimes more exciting than the team’s two minutes with an extra attacker.

In the first 10 home games this season, Nolan has been perched on the press level, high in the fan-less Wells Fargo Center instead of his usual ice-level seat.

“I’m as far away from the rink as you can possibly be,” he said.

He wasn’t complaining. In the COVID-19 era, everybody is adjusting on the fly. Without gripes.

A true professional

From left to right, Flyers public-address announcer Lou Nolan, winger

Provided

Nolan makes game-related announcements -- including goal scorers and penalties -- with the same professionalism that has marked his amazing tenure. If you closed your eyes, you would think he was announcing to a 1205036 Philadelphia Flyers The current series with the Penguins has oozed with intensity. “In our locker room, we’ve been calling it a playoff series,” Konecny said.

“You’ve got to make sure you win two out of the three. It’s different and Flyers will try to build off comeback win over Penguins, Phil Myers it’s more challenging because teams can look at the way you played, and ‘doubtful’ for Saturday’s game there are a lot more adjustments. Even in-game adjustments are pretty important.”

As for Myers, he took a big hit late in the second period from Anthony Sam Carchidi Angello Thursday. The 6-foot-5 defenseman played a shift early in the third period, then sat out the rest of the game. Published Mar 5, 2021 Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 03.06.2021

The Flyers, coming off a stirring comeback, will try to open some distance between themselves and the Pittsburgh Penguins when the teams finish their feisty three-game series Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh.

And they will probably have to do it without one of their top defensemen, Phil Myers, who was injured in Thursday’s win. Coach Alain Vigneault said Myers was doubtful, which means Erik Gustafsson figures to join the defensive rotation after being a healthy scratch the last three games.

Winger Joel Farabee, who missed Thursday’s game because he was placed on the COVID-19 protocol list, might also be sidelined Saturday. When asked if he thought Farabee could return soon or would be out for a while, Vigneault said he was not allowed to comment on players on the COVID list.

The Flyers will be trying to carry the momentum from Thursday’s dramatic victory -- they erased a three-goal deficit and stunned the Penguins, 4-3 -- into Saturday’s 1 p.m. matinee. It was the first time they trailed in a game, 3-0, and won since 2016.

“That was a big win for us and something we can build off of,” right winger Travis Konecny said after Friday’s practice in Pittsburgh. “It was our first comeback win of the year. I mean, that’s big to build confidence, and we know we have the ability to play from behind and get goals back when we need to.”

The teams split the first two games in this first-ever, three-game regular- season series for both franchises. Oddly enough, each winning team overcame having a key player on the COVID-19 protocol list. Pittsburgh superstar Sidney Crosby missed the Penguins’ 5-2 win Tuesday, and Farabee, who is tied for the Flyers’ lead with 10 goals, was absent in Thursday’s victory.

In the latter game, had three points and two goals, including the winner off a slick feed from Nic Aube-Kubel (two assists) with 2:08 left, as the Flyers moved two points ahead of the Penguins and climbed into a third-place tie with Boston in the packed East Division race. Boston played Washington on Friday.

“Shortened season like this, obviously you look at the standings and a lot of teams are pretty tight,” Giroux said. “For us to make the playoffs, we need to win games like [Thursday’s].”

It was the first time the Flyers won in five tries this season when they faced a deficit heading into the third period.

Konecny and Oskar Lindblom each had two assists; both are rounding into form after battling the coronavirus.

“I feel like I’m getting better the last three or four games here,” said Lindblom, who had just one point, an assist, in his previous nine games. “I don’t know if it was good for me to get some rest [during his quarantine]. I don’t feel as bad as I thought I would after COVID. I’m just trying to work on my game every day and get better because I feel I have more in me.”

If Farabee is still out, Lindblom is expected to be back on a line with Giroux and Aube-Kubel, a new unit that combined for seven points Thursday.

Will the victory serve as a springboard to a strong regular season and a playoff spot? That’s to be determined, starting Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh, where the Flyers can move four points ahead of their bitter rivals and have two games in hand.

Four of the eight East Division teams will make the playoffs. Five teams are the front-runners: Washington, the Islanders, Boston, the Flyers, and Pittsburgh. The Rangers are a dark horse. 1205037 Philadelphia Flyers one chance to understand. Then after that, they’re going to be asked to leave.

“We can’t risk the entire season and being perceived as not a safe venue Here’s what to expect at the Wells Fargo Center when the Flyers because one person” doesn’t want to follow the rules. welcome fans back The Flyers had their best win of the season on Thursday and have one more game in Pittsburgh on Saturday. It would help the mood at the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday if the boys came home on a roll. Ed Barkowitz “That’s what we do in this business is bring live events, live sports to people. Not being able to share it leaves you empty,” Laws said. “I’m looking forward to going home at the end of the night knowing that 3,000 One of the benefits to the Wells Fargo Center opening back up to fans people had a good time.” here in early March is that Philadelphia will be able to learn from the growing pains of others. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 03.06.2021 “We’re the 26th or 27th NBA or NHL arena to reopen,” arena general manager Phil Laws said. “We’re not blazing a new path here. We’re really building on a lot of the experiences that have been out there the last few months. That gives us confidence we can do this in a safe way.”

Some very quick points.

The parking lots and gates will open at 6 p.m., an hour ahead of the Flyers-Capitals opening faceoff. Tailgating is prohibited.

There are two entrances: one on Broad Street, the other on 11th Street.

Concessions will be available through QR codes and payment is cashless. If you don’t know what a QR code is, you probably should sit this one out.

No bags allowed.

The typical restrictions that we all ought to be used to -- facemasks over the nose and mouth, and 6-foot distancing -- will be enforced. Security isn’t looking to apply a heavy hand, but it’s not going to play around, either.

“There are very clear rules that we will communicate to our fans,” said Mike Shane, chief business officer for the Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center. “If you are not actively eating or drinking at that moment, you have to have your mask on.”

Wells Fargo Center workers prepare the arena for fans.

About 3,000 fans will be allowed in on Sunday: season-ticket holders already have been notified where to park and which gate to enter. Each team also has a waiting list for games down the line. The Flyers’ can be found here. The Sixers’ version is here.

“I’m looking forward to crowd noise not being pumped through the speakers,” Laws said. “I’m looking forward to seeing people excited when something happens.”

The return of fans to local venues also will aid the neighboring businesses that feed off sporting events, even if it’s incremental.

“Anything can help,” said Pete Ciarrocchi, owner of Chickie’s & Pete’s at 15th & Packer. “If they allow 15% [of capacity], maybe we’ll be up 15%. It’s a ratio of fans to customers. The more fans, the more customers. We’re all grateful for anything. Right now, it’s sad in my place.”

Laws said the expansion allows him to bring back about 400 more workers to the Wells Fargo Center, to about 650 total.

The 15% maximum equates to about 3,000 fans being allowed for Flyers and Sixers games. Any expansion will have to take into consideration the social-distancing restriction. Laws said his building could accommodate maybe 30% or so capacity.

“You can’t fill the building and keep everybody 6 feet apart,” he said. “The next move would be to [change] the definition of distancing to an arm’s length or whatever it might be. It would take a change in the overall guidance.”

Among the lessons learned from arenas that have previously reopened, Shane said, was the concept of pod seating. Mistakes were made of offering fans six- or eight-seat options. That became unwieldy. The Wells Fargo Center is offering only two- and four-seat options.

“If we make [the rules] clear to the fans, then it’s a lot easier for our staff to enforce,” Shane said. “Ultimately, we’re going to have to enforce the rules at some point. If someone’s not following the rules, they’ll be given 1205038 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers’ Brian Elliott, one of the NHL’s best No. 2 goalies, will start again Saturday vs. Penguins

Sam Carchidi

Lost in the shuffle of Claude Giroux’s heroics in the Flyers’ 4-3 comeback win Thursday in Pittsburgh: Brian Elliott’s flawless goaltending over the game’s final 56 minutes, 3 seconds.

Elliott, 35, who couldn’t be faulted for any of the Penguins’ three goals in the first 3:57 -- defensive breakdowns and a deflection off a teammate left him helpless -- is now 6-1 with a 2.15 goals-against average and .926 save percentage.

In other words, he has become one of the NHL’s most reliable backup goaltenders.

“You know what you’re going to get from him every game,” Giroux said.

On Saturday afternoon, when the Flyers finish an unprecedented three- game series in Pittsburgh, Elliott will get his second straight start. Carter Hart will get the call Sunday night against Washington at the Wells Fargo Center, the team’s first home game before fans in about a year.

Elliott’s biggest stop Thursday was a glove save on Evgeni Malkin’s point-blank chance with 9:46 left in regulation, keeping the Flyers within 3-2.

Giroux did the rest, setting up Scott Laughton’s goal and then scoring the game-winner with 2:08 to go.

Laughton had a career-high 10 hits in the game while playing left wing on a revamped line with and Travis Konecny.

Since coming off the COVID-19 protocol list, Justin Braun has steadied the Flyers’ defense. He is plus-5 in the four games since returning, playing three games on the second pairing with Travis Sanheim, and being on the top pairing Thursday with .

Braun, 34, played a season-high 22:23 Thursday and was plus-2. He is a team-leading plus-9 for the season.

“It stinks when you’re quarantined, and you’re happy to be back and around the guys -- and I think that gives you a little extra energy to be back and doing what you love,” Braun said.

Before returning from contracting the coronavirus, Braun had been primarily used on the second or third pairings.

The Flyers have five players shooting at least 20% for the season: Konecny (25%), Laughton (22.2%), James van Riemsdyk (21.3%), Sean Couturier (20.7%), and Joel Farabee (20%).

Konecny had two assists and looked a lot more comfortable Thursday than on Tuesday, his first game back from the COVID-19 protocol.

“I felt better,” he said. “There are still times where I was a little bit out of breath and I had to take a little bit of a shorter shift to stay more fresh. It’s just going to take time and it’ll come back.”

Couturier has six goals and six assists during a career-high eight-game points streak. ... Hayes, who leads the Flyers with 53 shots, has just one goal in his last nine games. ... Elliott’s lone loss was a 2-1 decision to Boston, a game in which the Bruins erased a 1-0 deficit by scoring two

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205039 Philadelphia Flyers need to win games like tonight. I think the way we answered tonight, I think it’s our first comeback win this year.

“It’s good to know we can do it and that’s how we have to respond in the What we learned from Thursday night’s Flyers’ 4-3 win over Pittsburgh future.’’ Penguins Goaltender Brian Elliott held the fort after that initial blitz, blanking the Penguins (who got star player Sidney Crosby back from COVID-19 protocol) for the final 56 minutes and raising his season record to 6-1-0. Wayne Fish The Penguins' Jake Guentzel, left, skates away as the Flyers' Claude Giroux, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period Thursday in Pittsburgh. If the Flyers go on to do great things this year, they might point to Thursday night’s “The Time-out’’ and “The Comeback’’ as turning points Giroux line excels in their season. Giroux was moved from left wing to a center spot between Oskar When it comes to character victories, they don’t come any bigger than Lindblom and Nicolas Aube-Kubel after winger Joel Farabee was placed this. in COVID-19 protocol shortly after the start of the morning skate.

After allowing three goals in a span of just 1:11 only 3:57 into the game, It didn’t take long for that line to find some chemistry. Flyers coach Alain Vigneault called the badly needed time-out. “I thought (Giroux) played extremely well tonight,’’ Vigneault said. “He He reminded his players there were still 56 minutes to play. was good in our end when it was time to defend, he was good on the forecheck. That line had some good jump. And what a 56 minutes they turned out to be. “I won’t tell you what my lines were originally this morning. Came here Captain Claude Giroux led his regrouped team with two goals and an and suddenly found out Joel is on the COVID protocol. There was not assist, the last marker with just 2:08 to play, and the Flyers went on to a one line I had drawn up last night that was the same after this morning.’’ dramatic 4-3 triumph at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Giroux scored his 45th career game-winning goal. It was the Flyers’ first comeback win of the season and first successful rally from a three-goal deficit since Oct. 25, 2016. “He gets two big goals for us,’’ said Scott Laughton, who had a Giroux shot deflect off him for the tying goal in the third period. “He takes big After the Flyers surrendered the third goal of the Penguins’ early burst, faceoffs (third-best in NHL), kills penalties … does a lot for our group. I’m Sean Couturier smashed his stick into pieces off the crossbar of the happy to see him get rewarded with two tonight.’’ Philadelphia net. Friedman scores, then gets banged up That’s when Vigneault, who usually doesn’t call time-outs early in the game, decided to do so to try to change the momentum. Ex-Flyer Mark Friedman, claimed off waivers recently, had quite a night. He scored in that three-goal blitz, then wound up on the short end of not Let’s go into the huddle: one but two collisions with the Flyers’ Nolan Patrick. “It was pretty simple,’’ Vigneault said. “I just told them to take a deep “Hits are part of this game,’’ Vigneault said. “Unfortunately for Mark, he breath, there’s still a lot of time left on the ice. Play the right way, a shift got hurt on that play.’’ at a time. Patrick said the collisions are prevalent in rivalry series. “And that’s what we did. We went out and played the right way, were able to dig ourselves out of the hole we put ourselves into. Won a big game “Yeah, I think when you have a series and you see a team that many for us, a big character win.’’ times in a row, it’s bound to happen,’’ he said. “A lot of guys stepped up with the physical play.’’ Couturier perhaps needed a quick breather to gather himself. A shot by the Flyers' Sean Couturier gets by Pittsburgh Penguins “I think (the time-out) was just to calm everyone down,’’ he said. “Refocus goaltender Tristan Jarry for a goal as James van Riemsdyk crowds the and make sure we got back to good habits. No panic. Everything was crease during the first period Thursday, March 4, 2021, in Pittsburgh. under control and we responded really well.’’ Elliott comes through in clutch Couturier started the comeback with a goal after the break. The Flyers admitted they left Elliott out to dry in the early going. But he These are the types of those character efforts that can set a tone for the stood his ground. season. If the Flyers had lost this game, it would have moved the Penguins ahead of Philadelphia in the standings and made it real tough “Some of their goals, it was us not playing well in front of him,’’ Giroux for the third game of this series on Saturday afternoon. said. “(Elliott) gave us a chance to win. Made some big stops for us.’’

Your stories live here. Per NHL Stats, this is the first time the Flyers have ever given up three goals in the first four minutes of a game and come back to win. Also, this Fuel your hometown passion and plug into the stories that define it. is the fourth time the Flyers have rallied from a 3-0 deficit to the Penguins Create Account and won. The other times were once in 1969 and twice in 1980.

Vigneault acknowledged this type of performance can give a team long- Burlington County Times LOADED: 03.06.2021 lasting confidence in itself.

“I do think there are some moments in a regular season where a team has a gut-check,’’ Vigneault said. “We had lost that first game two days ago (5-2). For us, this was an important game. Like a mini-playoff series. To start off the way we did was definitely not the way we had talked about.

“Our guys stayed positive. We knew the right way, did the right things, battled back. To come back against the Penguins — they’re one of the strongest teams — is very good for us.’’

Giroux agreed with his coach about the importance of this game to the season.

“I think so,’’ Giroux said. “In a short season like this, you look at the standings, a lot of teams are pretty tight. For us to make the playoffs, we 1205040 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers could be missing 2 players in rubber match with Penguins

9H AGO

BY JORDAN HALL

o wrap up a five-game road trip, the Flyers (12-5-3) play the Penguins (12-9-1) on Saturday in the rubber match of a three-game set.T

Let's get into the essentials for the game:

When: 1 p.m. ET with Flyers Pregame Live at noon ET

Where: PPG Paints Arena

Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Live stream: NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com and the NBC Sports MyTeams app

• Joel Farabee did not practice Friday as he remained on the NHL's COVID protocol list for a second day. The 21-year-old winger was placed on the COVID protocol list Thursday and missed the team's 4-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Farabee's status for Saturday's game is in doubt. However, some players have been removed from the COVID protocol list after two-day stints. Sidney Crosby was in protocol for only two days and returned to the Penguins' lineup Thursday. Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller was recently removed from the list following a two-day absence.

We'll have to wait and see if Farabee is in pregame warmups.

• Philippe Myers is considered doubtful after missing the third period Thursday night with an undisclosed injury. The 24-year-old defenseman took a big hit from Anthony Angello midway through the second period just after releasing a shot.

If Myers can't play, Erik Gustafsson will likely enter the lineup. He has been a healthy scratch the last three games. Gustafsson (one goal, eight assists) is tied with Ivan Provorov for most points among Flyers defensemen.

• Brian Elliott, who is 6-1-0 with a 2.15 goals-against average and .926 save percentage, will start Saturday. The decision sets up Carter Hart to start against the Capitals at the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday, when the Flyers welcome fans back for the first time in nearly a year (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

Projected lineup

Forwards

James van Riemsdyk-Sean Couturier-Jakub Voracek

Scott Laughton-Kevin Hayes-Travis Konecny

Oskar Lindblom-Claude Giroux-Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Connor Bunnaman-Nolan Patrick-Michael Raffl

Defensemen

Ivan Provorov-Justin Braun

Travis Sanheim-Erik Gustafsson

Robert Hagg-

Goalies

Brian Elliott

Carter Hart

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205041 Philadelphia Flyers Thursday night's win marked the Flyers' first of the season when trailing after the second period.

"There was no panic," Sean Couturier said of the team's first-period 'We've been calling it a playoff series' — Flyers get 1 of more gut checks timeout. "Everything was under control. I think we responded really well to come after."

It wasn't an elimination game. It wasn't the pressure-cooker of the postseason. 11H AGO But the win showed the Flyers have big boys capable of taking the gut- BY JORDAN HALL check moments.

In this kind of season, for a team eyeing to take the next step, there will be more gut checks along the way. Well, this was only Game 20 of the 2020-21 regular season, but Thursday night represented a big-boy win for the Flyers. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 "I do think there are some moments in a regular season where a team has a gut check," Vigneault said.

The Flyers got a good one when they went down 3-0 only 3:57 into the action against the Penguins. Frustration was brewing for the Flyers. Confidence was soaring for the Penguins. Pittsburgh fans were loving it.

Vigneault called a timeout and the Flyers hiked up their big-boy pants. They settled the waters and chipped away at a 4-3 come-from-behind win at PPG Paints Arena.

"I just told them to take a deep breath, still a lot of time left on the ice, play the right way a shift at a time," Vigneault said postgame Thursday. "And that's what we did. ... Big character win."

Indeed. Those types of wins can fuel a team's psyche. Scott Laughton, who scored the game-tying goal in the third period, had an important point about the significance of the win for the Flyers.

"I think it was 3-0 with 16 minutes left, so lots of time," Laughton said. "I don't think we've had a comeback win this year, so it feels good to come back, especially in the fashion we did. Guys were working hard all night, supporting each other all over the ice.

"It's a huge win to build off of."

That's the key.

The Flyers are two games into a jam-packed March slate of 17 games. The club lost Game 1 of the three-game set in Pittsburgh, 5-2. The rubber match with the Penguins comes Saturday (1 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

"In our locker room, we've been calling it a playoff series," Travis Konecny said Friday. "You've got make sure you win two out of the three. It's different and it's more challenging because teams can look at the way you play — you've got to have a lot more adjustments; even mid-game adjustments are pretty important.

"I think one of the big things that people don't realize is special teams is challenging because they can look at so much video. It's a lot about adapting and making sure you're surprising the other team with different stuff every night. They're doing the same to us so it's a lot of fun."

At 12-5-3 with 27 points, the Flyers have matched their best 20-game start since the 2005-06 season (12-5-3).

Here's their breakdown through 20 games last season and this season:

2019-20

Record: 10-6-4

Goals per game: 2.90

Goals allowed per game: 2.80

Power play: 20.8%

Penalty kill: 84.2%

2020-21

Record: 12-5-3

Goals per game: 3.35

Goals allowed per game: 3.00

Power play: 18.6%

Penalty kill: 73.5% 1205042 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers could be missing 2 players in rubber match with Penguins

9H AGO

BY JORDAN HALL

o wrap up a five-game road trip, the Flyers (12-5-3) play the Penguins (12-9-1) on Saturday in the rubber match of a three-game set.T

Let's get into the essentials for the game:

When: 1 p.m. ET with Flyers Pregame Live at noon ET

Where: PPG Paints Arena

Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Live stream: NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com and the NBC Sports MyTeams app

• Joel Farabee did not practice Friday as he remained on the NHL's COVID protocol list for a second day. The 21-year-old winger was placed on the COVID protocol list Thursday and missed the team's 4-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Farabee's status for Saturday's game is in doubt. However, some players have been removed from the COVID protocol list after two-day stints. Sidney Crosby was in protocol for only two days and returned to the Penguins' lineup Thursday. Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller was recently removed from the list following a two-day absence.

We'll have to wait and see if Farabee is in pregame warmups.

• Philippe Myers is considered doubtful after missing the third period Thursday night with an undisclosed injury. The 24-year-old defenseman took a big hit from Anthony Angello midway through the second period just after releasing a shot.

If Myers can't play, Erik Gustafsson will likely enter the lineup. He has been a healthy scratch the last three games. Gustafsson (one goal, eight assists) is tied with Ivan Provorov for most points among Flyers defensemen.

• Brian Elliott, who is 6-1-0 with a 2.15 goals-against average and .926 save percentage, will start Saturday. The decision sets up Carter Hart to start against the Capitals at the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday, when the Flyers welcome fans back for the first time in nearly a year (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

Projected lineup

Forwards

James van Riemsdyk-Sean Couturier-Jakub Voracek

Scott Laughton-Kevin Hayes-Travis Konecny

Oskar Lindblom-Claude Giroux-Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Connor Bunnaman-Nolan Patrick-Michael Raffl

Defensemen

Ivan Provorov-Justin Braun

Travis Sanheim-Erik Gustafsson

Robert Hagg-Shayne Gostisbehere

Goalies

Brian Elliott

Carter Hart

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Brian Dumoulin, others appear poised to return to Penguins lineup

CHRIS ADAMSKI | Friday, March 5, 2021 3:40 p.m.

Defensemen Brian Dumoulin and Juuso Riikola and forward Evan Rodrigues on Friday again were full participants at Pittsburgh Penguins practice. Though coach Mike Sullivan stopped short of declaring if any will return to game action Saturday, considering Dumoulin was in a prominent place among the pairings during line rushes is an encouraging sign.

Dumoulin (lower-body injury) skated with longtime partner Kris Letang on what has long formed the Penguins’ top defense pairing. Combined with the assigning of P.O Joseph to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a day after another defenseman (Mark Friedman) was injured, it’s not a leap of logic to assume Dumoulin could play Saturday afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“It’s a real boost to us to get him back,” defenseman Marcus Pettersson said. “It’s been a while.”

It’s been since Jan. 26 that Dumoulin has played. It was exactly one week prior to that since Riikola (upper-body) has played, and since Jan. 24 since Rodrigues (lower-body) was in the lineup.

Riikola skated on a fourth pairing with Chad Ruhwedel, and Rodrigues was part of a rotation of wingers on the fourth line. For each, that is likely where they’d be when healthy.

“(Dumoulin, Riikola and Rodrigues) skated today full contact and in a full capacity, so they are making progress there,” coach Mike Sullivan said after Friday’s practice at PPG Paints Arena. “We will see how they respond and will visit with our medical staff and make (lineup) decisions accordingly.”

A day after leaving a game upon absorbing a hit early in the second period against the Flyers, Friedman was not at practice Friday. Sullivan had no specific update other than he was “continuing to be evaluated.”

Keep up with the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long.

Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer.

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Penguins up front about defensive issues around net

CHRIS ADAMSKI | Friday, March 5, 2021 5:59 p.m.

The four goals the Pittsburgh Penguins allowed in their stunning loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday came in succession, and something else about them was just as apparent.

“When you look at their goals,” Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson said, “they had a guy in front. We need to do a better job playing physical.”

A clean crease and a welcoming open net-front for opponents has been a problem that has plagued the Penguins throughout this season, but it was never more obvious than when the Flyers came back from down 3-0 with a first-period goal by Sean Couturier, second- and third-period tallies by Claude Giroux (the latter the eventual winner) and the third-period tying goal from Scott Laughton.

All came in part because of a Flyers player standing within a few feet of the net and appearing comfortable doing so.

“It’s something we’ve got to do a better job of,” Pettersson said of clearing the front of the net. “Let (goalie Tristan Jarry) see the puck a little bit more.”

Jarry certainly couldn’t see the puck on Couturier’s goal because James van Riemsdyk was standing directly in front of Jarry next to what looked like an indifferent Pettersson.

The Flyers’ second goal similarly had Giroux alone in front because all five of the Penguins on the ice were preoccupied, apparently, by Nicolas Aube-Kubel holding the puck along boards.

The tying goal had Laughton cruising through the slot, obstructing Jarry’s view and getting a piece of Giroux’s shot.

And for good measure, the winning goal, scored with 3 minutes and 8 seconds left, featured Giroux in the ideal offensive position of being between the net and a pair of Penguins defensemen (Mike Matheson and John Marino). The result was an easy rebound goal.

“A lot of guys have been working on net-font stuff the past few years,” Penguins defenseman Cody Ceci said. “It’s a big part of game. (The Flyers) have got a couple guys who are really good in front.”

Those same Flyers are the Penguins’ opponent for the third consecutive game at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Penguins have identified their issues with defending the front of the net, but the next step is how to address them.

“I think it’s just attention to detail, and it’s just collective effort in making sure we defend the most dangerous area of the rink,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “It’s a group thing, and there’s a lot of details that go into it. We’ve got to be better as a group, and we’ve got to be more focused on (each player) doing (his) job and (each player) trusting that teammates are going to do theirs.”

Communication and trust were issues on the Flyers’ second goal Thursday. But while physicality with that net-front player is important, Pettersson stressed being physical in the other areas of the defensive zone helps, too.

That’s easier said than done for a defense corps that lacks a true pure thumper and has been playing with only one player who weighs more than 201 pounds (Ceci), although the imminent return of the 207-pound Brian Dumoulin from a six-week absence will help.

“We’ve got to make sure we protect net-front first,” Pettersson said, “(but) I think it starts with just getting pressure on the puck a little more. I think we all can do a better job of that the whole game. Play the body, the first guy in the corners, make them stop, don’t let them wheel around in our D-zone. I think it starts with that.”

Keep up with the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long.

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Brian Dumoulin, others appear poised to return to Penguins lineup

CHRIS ADAMSKI | Friday, March 5, 2021 3:40 p.m

Defensemen Brian Dumoulin and Juuso Riikola and forward Evan Rodrigues on Friday again were full participants at Pittsburgh Penguins practice. Though coach Mike Sullivan stopped short of declaring if any will return to game action Saturday, considering Dumoulin was in a prominent place among the pairings during line rushes is an encouraging sign.

Dumoulin (lower-body injury) skated with longtime partner Kris Letang on what has long formed the Penguins’ top defense pairing. Combined with the assigning of P.O Joseph to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a day after another defenseman (Mark Friedman) was injured, it’s not a leap of logic to assume Dumoulin could play Saturday afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“It’s a real boost to us to get him back,” defenseman Marcus Pettersson said. “It’s been a while.”

“We probably have nine or 10 NHL defensemen,” #Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Wednesday after a practice in Cranberry Township that featured Mark Friedman and Brian Dumoulin. https://t.co/iklfRiSjDi

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) March 4, 2021

It’s been since Jan. 26 that Dumoulin has played. It was exactly one week prior to that since Riikola (upper-body) has played, and since Jan. 24 since Rodrigues (lower-body) was in the lineup.

Riikola skated on a fourth pairing with Chad Ruhwedel, and Rodrigues was part of a rotation of wingers on the fourth line. For each, that is likely where they’d be when healthy.

“(Dumoulin, Riikola and Rodrigues) skated today full contact and in a full capacity, so they are making progress there,” coach Mike Sullivan said after Friday’s practice at PPG Paints Arena. “We will see how they respond and will visit with our medical staff and make (lineup) decisions accordingly.”

A day after leaving a game upon absorbing a hit early in the second period against the Flyers, Friedman was not at practice Friday. Sullivan had no specific update other than he was “continuing to be evaluated.”

Keep up with the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long.

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P.O Joseph among 2 assigned to Penguins’ AHL affiliate

CHRIS ADAMSKI | Friday, March 5, 2021 12:30 p.m.

Two promising young players who made their NHL debuts this season for the Pittsburgh Penguins are headed back to the minors.

Defenseman P.O Joseph and forward Drew O’Connor were reassigned to the organization’s AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday. Forwards Anthony Angello and Josh Currie were reassigned to the NHL taxi squad.

The 21-year-old Joseph burst onto the scene with five points (one goal, four assists) and a plus-5 rating over his first seven games with the Penguins after an earlier-than-expected recall necessitated by a spate of injuries on defense.

The marquee return in the trade of Phil Kessel to the Arizona Coyotes in 2019, Joseph quickly ascended to the Penguins’ top defense pairing. But his play diminished over his next nine games (no points, minus-4), and he did not play in either of the Penguins’ past two games after the team got healthier on its blue line.

Coach Mike Sullivan said assigning Joseph and O’Connor to the AHL gives each a chance to get regular ice time and development. Joseph, a former first-round pick, is viewed as a major part of the Penguins’ future.

“We’re really excited about (Joseph’s) game and where it’s at and potentially where we think it could go,” Sullivan said, “and so we want to help continue with his growth and development.”

“I think it will be good for him,” veteran defenseman Cody Ceci said of Joseph’s demotion. “He’s got to hold his head high. He played really well for us when he was up here. If he continues to do that down there, I am sure he will back with us in no time.”

Signed as an undrafted free agent last March, O’Connor made his NHL debut Jan. 26 — four days after Joseph. O’Connor had an assist that day but did not reach the scoresheet in any of his subsequent eight games for the Penguins, mostly skating as a fourth-line wing.

Angello, who turns 25 on Saturday, supplanted him in the Penguins lineup the past four games. Currie, 28, made his Penguins debut Tuesday.

Keep up with the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long.

Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer.

Tribune Review LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205047 Pittsburgh Penguins It’s not absurd to think the Penguins could have won the Stanley Cup in ’91 without making that deal. But it’s accurate to say that the years gave them a marked edge in that trade.

Mark Madden: On 30th anniversary of trade, Ulf Samuelsson Cullen didn’t get his name on the Stanley Cup in 1991. But most of those remembered as Penguins X-factor who did knew how much he meant to that team.

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MARK MADDEN | Friday, March 5, 2021 9:41 a.m.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Jack Ham is arguably the greatest outside linebacker of all time, right there with Lawrence Taylor. Ham once told me if New Orleans had drafted him instead of Pittsburgh, no one would have ever heard of him.

He’s right. For athletes, it’s about where you play as much as how you play.

This week (specifically Thursday) is the 30th anniversary of the trade that brought center Ron Francis and defensemen Ulf Samuelsson and Grant Jennings from Hartford to Pittsburgh. The Stanley Cup followed nearly three months later, the first of five for the Penguins.

Francis was the best player acquired. He’s in the Hockey Hall of Fame and sits fifth among the NHL’s all-time leading scorers.

But Samuelsson was the X-factor. He had huge, very tangible impact. He is a perfect example of a perfect fit. If Samuelsson had stayed in Hartford, he’d have stayed anonymous.

Samuelsson personified in-your-face, except he often got you from behind. At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, he was physical, dirty, merciless and uncompromising. Samuelsson was christened “Jack Lambert on skates,” great PR in a city where the Steelers are king. (Lambert was also lucky New Orleans didn’t draft him. Joe Greene was the most foolproof of those ’70s Steelers.)

In the 1991 Eastern Conference final, Samuelsson and Boston winger Cam Neely butted heads like bighorn sheep. It was an epic individual battle. Samuelsson got Neely with a knee-on-knee hit in Game 3. Boston coach went berserk. Neely was permanently hobbled.

Neely finished the series but missed many more games than he played over the next five seasons before his career ended too soon at 30.

Boston won the series’ first two games. The Penguins won the next four. Samuelsson ruined Neely and demoralized the Bruins. That wasn’t Samuelsson’s only contribution to the Penguins winning Cups in 1991 and ’92. But it was a big one, if not necessarily a proud one.

If Samuelsson stays with Hartford, he never gets the opportunity to play in a situation like that. A player utilizing Samuelsson’s style is useless to a bad team. It doesn’t accomplish anything. You’re just a villain. With a championship team, you’re a gladiator.

Within that trade’s context, Samuelsson is second fiddle to Francis. But he’s not forgotten.

John Cullen, who went to Hartford, largely is.

The Hockey News, among others, thought the Whalers won that trade initially. That’s because defenseman Zarley Zalapski was just 22, had first-round pedigree and a lot of tools.

But it was mostly because Cullen was on his way to a career-best 110 points. He finished fifth among NHL scorers, had 23 more points than Francis and was the Penguins’ offensive fulcrum that season while Mario Lemieux was sidelined until late January after having back surgery.

The Penguins plucked him out of the now-defunct International Hockey League as a free agent in 1988. Cullen’s resume wasn’t overwhelming to that point.

But Cullen was a smart, skilled, fiery player with great vision and a knack for playmaking. He meshed perfectly on a line with Mark Recchi and Kevin Stevens.

Lemieux and Francis were a dynamic duo for the ages at center.

But Lemieux and Cullen were also an effective 1-2 punch when Lemieux was healthy. In 1989-90, Lemieux had 123 points in 59 games, Cullen 92 points in 72 games. 1205048 Pittsburgh Penguins Much has been made about the size of the blue-line corps, which by design is an assembly of quicker, mobile puck-movers. Bulkier guys such as Jamie Oleksiak, Jack Johnson and Erik Gudbranson were deemed suboptimal fits in Sullivan’s scheme. So former general manager Jim Penguins' net-front problems more than just a matter of muscle Rutherford scratched his need for speed.

In many ways, the plan has unfolded as hoped. With Kris Letang, Mike Matheson and other defensemen frequently joining the rush or jumping MATT VENSEL into the offensive fray, the Penguins have gotten 11 goals from them at MAR 5, 2021 7:30 PM 5-on-5. And they are getting to more loose pucks and often limit the puck possession of opponents.

But it is true that their lack of bulk on the back end has hurt the team at Twice in Thursday’s stunning come-from-ahead loss to the Philadelphia times. Flyers, Claude Giroux scored from within a stick’s length of Tristan Jarry. The reasons why the Penguins were outmanned in front of their net Recently, The Athletic reviewed the height and weight of all NHL players. differed on those goals. The average defenseman weighed 202.3 pounds and was a shade under 6-foot-2 tall. Yes, the Penguins not rostering the beefiest or nastiest crew of blue- liners was a factor in one of them. But the other breakdown? That was The 11 to suit up for the Penguins in 2021 weigh an average of 192.2. mostly mental. Only Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci are above – and not by much – that 202.3 mark. Let’s look back at the second-period goal that pulled the Flyers within 3- 2. That size disparity definitely made a difference on a number of those net- front goals. Giroux’s game-winner from inside the blue paint Thursday When the Flyers worked the puck up the wall to Nicolas Aube-Kubel, comes to mind. He outmuscled John Marino for that tap-in. Maybe a Evgeni Malkin and Marcus Pettersson both charged at him. Meanwhile, bigger defender could have lifted his stick – or just blasted Giroux into the winger Kasperi Kapanen, who sagged between the circles, passed Oskar net before the pass arrived. Lindblom off in front of the net. The problem was nobody else realized they had to rotate over to pick him up. Of course, there aren’t a ton of people on the planet who are large and play with physicality and can also run a power play or repeatedly chase John Marino briefly stood behind his net watching the puck then saw too down a puck, dodge a check and snap an accurate breakout pass the late that the Flyers forward was unchecked. Jarry made the first save but way Marino can. It’s a trade-off. Giroux, who had been Marino’s mark, looped around the far post to knock in the rebound. Time will tell if the new front-office duo of Brian Burke and Ron Hextall prefers the former or the latter for the Penguins. For now, there are the “We’ve got to be a lot stronger there,” Pettersson would lament a day guys they got. later. So what can Letang, Marino and the Penguins do to wall off the inner Whether you ask the guy behind the bench or any angry uncle who slot? watched that 4-3 loss from their recliner, you won’t get much pushback on that notion. “I think between the defensemen, forwards and the goaltender, there needs to be more communication so we don’t duplicate or make The Penguins, with one of the league’s skinniest sets of blue-liners, are mistakes,” Letang said. doing some good things on their own end. Per Sportlogiq’s tracking data, they rank in the top seven in the NHL in total shot attempts against, Pettersson said more physicality on the perimeter will slow opponents offensive-zone puck possession permitted, rush chances allowed and and allow the three low defenders to establish inside position in order to percentage of shots they block. box them out.

But when it comes to shots from the inner slot, which is essentially “We can kind of keep track of them and not let them roam around,” the defined as anything from between the hashmarks and in, they rank 29th Swede said. “Because when they get their speed in the offensive zone in the league. and get to use all five guys, it’s hard to keep track of all their guys and eventually they’re in front.” If you want to rank in the top 10 in any defensive statistic, that’s the one. About half of the NHL’s goals are being scored there nowadays, per And when it’s battle time in the blue paint, sure, they must do better at Sportlogiq. bumping bodies, holding their ground, lifting sticks and whacking away any loose pucks. “The majority of games are won or lost at the net front,” Mike Sullivan said. But the Penguins can’t do that if they’re not in the right position in the first place, which has been as big of an issue as the size of the guys on their The Penguins are giving up 2.29 goals against per game from the inner blue line. slot overall and 1.57 inner-slot goals at 5-on-5. They’re dead last in both categories. Post Gazette LOADED: 03.06.2021

Asked a question about that on Friday, Sullivan made no mention of muscle.

“It’s attention to detail. It’s collective effort and making sure that we defend the most dangerous area of the rink,” he said. “And so it’s a group thing and there are a lot of details that go into it. So we’ve just got to get better as a group.”

The coach added that the Penguins need to trust their teammates and stick to their assignments instead of freelancing, which can lead to two players defending one opponent and another opponent all alone in front, celebrating a score.

The Penguins sometimes “caught in between” when “duplicating jobs,” he said.

“The majority of guys have played this type of game for a while now,” Sullivan said of his system. “The concepts that are instilled here have been here for a while. And so everybody needs to buy in and everybody needs to be committed.” 1205049 Pittsburgh Penguins at the trade deadline, but that’s not this team’s biggest need. They have enough players to score goals, and while they do have a glut of defensemen, they need one who is strong, physical and a hitter while possessing enough skill to play the Penguins’ game. Paul Zeise: Penguins are mentally tough but need to add physicality to their blue line I don’t know who that guy is, but that’s not my job; that’s the job of Hextall and Burke. This is supposed to be a team that is in win-now mode. And that means they need to go out and find a player or two that will help this team win this year. I used to think that player was a goalie, but Jarry has PAUL ZEISE played well enough to ease that concern. MAR 5, 2021 2:33 PM The Penguins need some size and physicality in their defensive pairings, and adding that has to be Hextall and Burke’s priority in the coming weeks. The Penguins blew a 3-0 lead Thursday night to the Flyers and ended up losing in regulation, 4-3. It was a devastating loss because it was a four- Post Gazette LOADED: 03.06.2021 point swing in the standings and the Flyers are one of the four teams the Penguins will be battling for a playoff spot all season long.

It was sort of the opposite of what the Penguins do, as they usually fall behind and then come back, force overtime and win. There is a disturbing trend with the Penguins of giving up too many soft goals, and I don’t know they have a solution to that problem on the roster.

Goalie Tristan Jarry was the problem early in the season, but he has really rallied and played much, much better in recent weeks. He can only do so much, though, and in these last two games against the Flyers, he has been under constant attack. I don’t know that there was one of the four goals he gave up Thursday that was his fault.

The Penguins’ penalty kill is also one of the worst in the NHL, and that’s a problem. You can’t continue to give up power play goals with the regularity the Penguins do and expect to beat good teams. That isn’t a formula for success. The Flyers’ comeback, in fact, got started with a power play goal by Sean Couturier. That goal gave the Flyers life and they scored the final three goals of the game to steal the two points away from the Penguins.

At first glance, it seems that the Penguins could really solve their issues if Jarry just tightens up a little more and they fix whatever ails the penalty kill. That is a nice sentiment, but it isn’t going to change the course of the Penguins’ season.

The Penguins are set to get defenseman Brian Dumoulin back, and that will certainly help as he is obviously one of their top defenders. He is a perfect complementary player to Kris Letang and getting him back in the lineup will be a nice boost. He is 30 and injured often recently, but he is still very good at what he does and inserting him means you can take one of their weaker links out of the lineup.

That still won’t change what ails the Penguins’ defense, though, as they are just too soft. That’s not a statement about the team in general because the team is mentally tough. They are just physically weak defensively and they don’t have an ass kicker on their blue line. I am not talking about a talentless goon; I am talking about a stay-at-home defenseman who will clear out the area in front of the net.

It is incredible how many goals get scored against the Penguins just because teams are able to skate through their zone and across the mouth of their goal without any fear of getting knocked around. The Penguins have too many finesse defensemen like Letang, Mike Matheson and John Marino, and I understand why given who they are and how Mike Sullivan wants to play.

I get it — skill and speed is what Sullivan values and that enables the Penguins to play the way the stars of the team like to play. They are capable of out-skilling a lot of teams and they are capable of skating faster than a lot of teams, and when they are on their game they are really difficult to beat.

The problem is they get pushed around in their own zone and they allow opposing teams to pitch a tent and throw a party in front of their net all the time. They don’t push anyone around, they don’t knock anyone out of Jarry’s way and they don’t make anyone pay for camping in there.

And on the penalty kill, they are passive and give way too much space. Watch how many power plays result in the other team getting some really high-percentage scoring opportunities. They just sort of pass the puck around because they have seemingly so much space to operate, and that leads to the disaster that is the penalty kill.

This is the first test for Brian Burke and Ron Hextall, as they need to fix this flaw in the roster. I know some people are clamoring for another wing 1205050 Pittsburgh Penguins Sullivan said Dumoulin’s return to the lineup, if it indeed happens Saturday at PPG Paints Arena, will have a trickle-down effect on the rest of the pairings.

Penguins reassign Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Drew O’Connor “I think it has a huge impact,” he said. “Dumoulin is a guy that’s been paired with Kris Letang for a long time now in my tenure as a coach. … He’s just a real good, reliable, 200-foot defenseman. When we do have Dumo in our lineup, it puts the other defensemen in the position where MATT VENSEL we envisioned them being.” MAR 5, 2021 12:16 PM Rodrigues and blue-liner Juuso Riikola were also a full-go at Friday’s practice.

With Brian Dumoulin and Evan Rodrigues on the verge of rejoining the Friedman sits out practice lineup, the Penguins on Friday sent two underutilized youngsters to Mark Friedman, who got his first NHL goal Thursday, did not practice Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League in order to get in Friday. more action in games. Friedman went to the dressing room twice in Thursday’s loss to the Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Drew O’Connor were on the taxi squad as of Flyers, his former team. Not long after he scored, he got drilled into the Thursday’s 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. But with the Penguins boards by Nolan Patrick, who received a minor penalty for boarding. close to full strength at their respective positions and veterans ahead of Friedman returned but was knocked out of the game for good during his them giving, in their opinion, the team a better chance to win right now, first shift of the second period. they opted to reassign the two. Friedman tried to hit Patrick in the neutral zone but was met by a hard “We don’t want them on the sidelines too long,” coach Mike Sullivan said. shoulder. He appeared to be woozy before heading off the ice and down Joseph got off to an impressive start to his NHL career. He had a goal, the tunnel. five points and a plus-5 rating in his first seven games. But the rookie Sullivan said Friday that he was still being evaluated for an upper-body cooled off, dropped down the depth chart and last suited up in Sunday’s injury. 2-0 loss on Long Island. The right-shot defenseman has one goal, one assist in a plus-3 rating in Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry makes save against the Flyers in the two games with the Penguins, who claimed him off waivers from the second period Thursday, March. 4, 2021, at PPG Paints Arena in Flyers last week. Pittsburgh. “He’s a guy who’s like a little Energizer Bunny,” Jared McCann said. “We’re really excited about his game, where it’s at and where we think it “He’s always going, always willing to stick up for his teammates. He’s can potentially go,” Sullivan said. “We just want to try to help continue been a great add for us.” with his growth and development. ... We still feel very strongly that P.O is part of the group here in Pittsburgh even though right now he’s playing Post Gazette LOADED: 03.06.2021 games in Wilkes-Barre.”

The 21-year-old blue-liner had five points and a plus-1 rating in 16 games.

“I think [the experience] will be good for him. He can hold his head high. He played really well for us,” veteran Cody Ceci said. “If he continues to do that down there, I’m sure he’ll be up here in no time when the opportunity presents itself.”

O’Connor was not as successful in his first stint in the NHL. The former college free agent played nine games, notching just one assist with a minus-2 rating. In his last game, the winger took a costly penalty in a Feb. 25 loss in Washington.

The 22-year-old averaged just 9:14 minutes of ice time in those games. Sullivan said the Penguins believe it will be in the best interest of O’Connor, who “had some inconsistencies in his game,” to get some seasoning in the AHL. There, he can play 20-plus minutes and get pro experience in high-leverage situations.

“We’re always going down parallel tracks here,” he said. “As a coaching staff, our priority is to win games, and that’s the first priority here. We’re trying to put the best lineup on the ice so we can do that. But we also have a commitment to every single player on the team to try to help them get better and grow.”

Anthony Angello and Josh Currie took their spots on the taxi squad Friday.

Flyers right wing Nicolas Aube-Kubel sets up Claude Giroux for the game winner late in the third period — beating Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry — on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at PPG Paints Arena in Downtown.

Dumoulin ready to rock?

Brian Dumoulin practiced without contact restrictions Friday afternoon at PPG Paints Arena and was back next to longtime partner Kris Letang on the top pair. That suggested he is on track to suit up against the Flyers on Saturday.

He has been out with a lower-body injury since Jan. 26, forcing the Penguins to try to fill his sizable void with a few different blue-liners. Most recently, it was Marcus Pettersson, who skated with John Marino on the second pair Friday. 1205051 Pittsburgh Penguins This year, Blueger’s focus was stick-handling, hanging onto the puck longer and displaying more poise and identifying areas to attack in the offensive zone.

From The Point: Teddy Blueger's grind doesn't stop “I wanted to create more offense and be more helpful to the team when I’m out there,” he said. “My first two seasons, I was just focused on not making a mistake, chipping every puck out and once I got to the red line, I’d dump it in a lot. Now, the game has slowed down to the point where I MATT VENSEL can look to make a play.” MAR 5, 2021 9:59 AM That pretty pass he made to Kapanen down in D.C. was a perfect example.

Teddy Blueger wasn’t the scene-stealer in the highlight goal. But a series OK, so where does Blueger go from here? Pigeonholed as a bottom-six of smart, simple plays set up one of the most memorable moments of this player for much of his hockey life, he doesn’t want to put a ceiling on his season. potential. He can look across the dressing room at Bryan Rust, another Penguins draft pick who was seen as a fringe prospect before becoming During 3-on-3 overtime in Pittsburgh’s 3-2 win in Washington on Feb. 23, a point-per-game player at 27. Blueger stepped into Dmitry Orlov’s shooting lane to force the Capitals defender to miss wide. Then Blueger, whose skating has noticeably “I think sometimes players get labeled as certain things because that’s improved over his NHL career, booked it down the right wing to create a how they start out,” he said. “It may not happen quickly. But it’s ultimately 2-on-1 with Kasperi Kapanen. up to you.”

He crossed the Washington blue line with the puck on his backhand. A So while Blueger is embracing the third-line center role now, he doesn’t year ago, he might have gotten rid of it right then and there. But instead, plan to settle. As far as he is concerned, if he keeps putting in the work, Blueger waited another beat or two, pulled the puck onto his forehand why can’t he be a top-six player, maybe a Phillip Danault type, five more and spun a perfect saucer pass over the outstretched leg of Orlov to set years down the road? up Kapanen’s winning one-timer. “I did it before, even if it was at a lower level,” he said. “I know I can do it That play, adding offense on top of some solid D, summarized Blueger’s again.” rise. POINT SHOTS Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry makes save against the Flyers in the • Mike Sullivan sounded off after the Penguins lost to the Flyers on second period Thursday, March. 4, 2021, at PPG Paints Arena in Thursday, and not just because they coughed up a three-goal lead. That Pittsburgh. choke job continued a maddening stretch in which they have been “If you think about the big picture and look at where I am now compared unable to string together even two or three complete efforts in a row. “If I to a year or two ago, I think there’s been some good progress,” Blueger had an answer for you, I could probably fix it,” he said. “It’s frustrating said the other day. “[The development] has not always been as fast as I from the coach’s standpoint because I know we’re capable of more would have liked. But that’s the main goal — just keep getting better and consistent play.” Pressure is mounting as his team falls back from the build my game year to year.” pack in the East standings and two guys who didn’t hire him or hand him that lucrative contract extension evaluate his performance. But Sullivan is The Penguins have been looking for the right third-line center since Nick a very good coach. He didn’t just trip over those two Stanley Cups in the Bonino left in 2017, a frustrating search that included paying a premium middle of the night. It would be foolish for Brian Burke and Ron Hextall to for Derick Brassard. The past two years, Blueger quietly kept grinding to move on from him during this strange pandemic season. And Burke and become that guy. Hextall aren’t fools.

Entering the weekend, the 26-year-old had three goals and 11 points in • Some potential good news for Sullivan and the Penguins: Nine of their 22 games. He’s won a career-best 49.5% of his faceoffs. And next 11 games are against the Rangers, Sabres or Devils — the only defensively, he is not far off from where he was a season ago, when he three teams that, based on points percentage, currently trail them in the received a vote for the Selke Trophy. East standings.

The Latvian has come a long way since he arrived — with a hunched- • Five weeks ago, the Penguins were pulling blue-liners off the street. over stride but a high hockey IQ — at Minnesota prep school Shattuck Now, they roll five deep on each side. You have to think Hextall will look St. Mary’s in 2008. to dangle one or two of them in the hopes of adding some desperately needed bottom-six help. Blueger exceeded the expectations of others there. And then at Minnesota State. And then in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he slowly but • I took a deep dive into Evgeni Malkin’s game a few days ago, talking to surely climbed the depth chart from a fourth-line plugger to an all- a few NHL analysts about what is missing from his game. In case you situations player who tallied 21 goals and 39 points in 45 games in his missed it, it has been consistent fire and shots from the slot and goals final American Hockey League season. and clear explanations for why he continues to be in a funk. I know he was on the ice for three more goals against Thursday. But I believe he is Along the way, as he realized he needed to work harder than hyped-up on the verge of a breakout. I can just feel it coming, like the water cup peers, his work ethic developed into a habit and then into a borderline rattling in “Jurassic Park” before the T-Rex arrives. Or maybe I just had addiction. one too many IPAs before sending this column in to my editors. “If I’m not working as hard as I can, it eats away at me mentally,” he said. THREE STARS The Penguins' Pierre-Olivier Joseph (73) plays against the Washington 3. Cody Ceci: The Penguins took a cheap, one-year flier on Ceci and he Capitals an NHL hockey game , Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Pittsburgh. has been a bargain. His fancy stats are favorable if you are into analytics. After the playoff loss last summer, Blueger spent about six weeks in The eye test shows a blue-liner who can skate and isn’t afraid to throw Latvia before heading to his offseason home in Minneapolis and getting his weight around. back to work. 2. Kasperi Kapanen: The newcomer netted two huge goals Tuesday and From late September until December, he worked with “skating dynamics” had six points in his last six games entering Saturday. You would still like coach Barry Karn. Or he dropped in at pickup games featuring NHLers to see him be a bigger factor on the forecheck, but his quick-strike ability such as Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and James van Riemsdyk. Or he did is undeniable. skills drills in a small group. He was typically on the ice five days a week. 1. Kris Letang: The six-time All-Star is climbing up the NHL’s scoring What, just five days? Slacker. ranks at his position, silencing his critics for now. Over a four-game “Well,” Blueger said, chuckling at himself a little bit, “no one wants to do stretch, he had three goals and two assists. He is playing better D and anything on the weekends. So the weekends were more for tennis or cut down on the turnovers, too. basketball.” FINAL BUZZER If Blueger keeps this up, the pending restricted free agent is someone the Penguins should protect in the Seattle expansion draft this summer. Assuming they opt to go the six-forward, three-defenseman route, it could come down to keeping two among Blueger, Jared McCann and Jason Zucker. A lot can change over the next two to four months, but right now I’d definitely keep Blueger over McCann, who just can’t seem to cash in on his enticing potential. If the Penguins don’t, you’d have to think the Kraken, led by a heck of a two-way center in Ron Francis, wouldn’t mind getting their tentacles on this hard-working tone-setter.

Post Gazette LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205052 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Demote Joseph, O’Connor to WBS Penguins AHL

Published 17 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Dan Kingerski

The Pittsburgh Penguins cleared roster space for injured players and created an opportunity for young players to get ice time. On Friday morning, the Penguins demoted defenseman P.O. Joseph and forward Drew O’Connor to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL, according to GM Ron Hextall.

Joseph, 21, burst into NHL action with a few eye-popping games following his NHL debut, including his first NHL goal and filling in well as a top-pairing defenseman with John Marino.

The defenseman played 16 games thus far in his first NHL season with one goal and four assists. Joseph notched a point (assist) in his NHL debut on January 22 against the New York Rangers and later notched a three-point game (3a) against the Rangers on Jan. 30.

On February 6 at the New York Islanders, Joseph scored his first NHL goal.

Head coach Mike Sullivan last week said Joseph ad begun to struggle.

“He’s had glimpses of brilliance, obviously. Everybody sees his potential and what he’s capable of,” Sullivan said last week. “…I think the last handful of games, he hasn’t been quite as good as when he first came up, but he’s still doing good things out there.”

O’Connor was an undrafted college free agent who worked his way into the lineup out of training camp. He skated in nine games for the Penguins this season, registering an assist in his NHL debut on January 26 at Boston.

The moves open the door to activate top-pairing defenseman Brian Dumoulin and versatile forward Evan Rodrigues. Dumoulin has played in seven games this season and registered one assist.

Rodrigues is technically in his second stint with the Penguins. Last February, the Penguins acquired him at the trade deadline but included his rights as part of their package in the Kasperi Kapanen deal. The Penguins then signed him as a free agent.

In six games this season, Rodrigues has one goal.

Forwards Anthony Angello and Josh Currie were re-assigned to the Pittsburgh Penguins taxi squad.

Pittsburgh Hockey NowLOADED: 03.06.2021 1205053 Pittsburgh Penguins Penguins will do as well as Washington, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia have already done against those teams?

There isn’t a shred of evidence the Penguins have the spark or the Kingerski: Ready or Not, Hextall Needs to Shake Up Penguins energy to be a playoff team. They too often can’t show up for the first two periods of games they win. After a four-game flatline in August when all of the chips were on the table and a 22-game start this season which mirrors August., the mirror doesn’t lie. Published 20 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Dan Kingerski If this season is truly the last gasp, the last stand for the vaunted

Pittsburgh Penguins core, and they are in WIN NOW mode, they Hextall The Pittsburgh Penguins are a great team. The Pittsburgh Penguins are is needed. a terrible team. Evgeni Malkin is an all-world player. Some nights he is The Penguins need a shakeup. not. The Penguins have entered a maddeningly frustrating world of inconsistency and shortfalls of their own doing, and it appears the only This season is also eerily similar to the dipsy-do, up and down, slumber way out is with change. of the 2018-19 season. Then-GM Jim Rutherford was angry and let it be known publicly. He felt the team took things for granted. He was right, so Things are not trending the right way, either. Two of the last three games in November, he traded part of the Penguins heart, Carl Hagelin, for have been two of their worst efforts of the season. And sandwiched in the Tanner Pearson. middle was their best. Tada! The Penguins are in fifth place and not gaining traction. The move didn’t work, and Pearson was little more than background wallpaper on the 8mm home movies of the Penguins slide to the NO, we are not suggesting the Penguins trade Malkin or Kris Letang. No, mediocrity. But Rutherford was in the right church, just the wrong pew. no, no, and no. And no matter how many negative comments pile on social media, Malkin and maybe Letang will stay as long as they want. The Penguins don’t have many untouchable secondary pieces left. Jake Stop wasting your breath otherwise. Guentzel and probably Bryan Rust. P.O. Joseph. And maybe John Marino, who has also been inconsistent this season. Also, be careful of confirmation bias. Malkin is in the crosshairs, and every mistake or misgiving is amplified 10x, but the Penguins’ problems Inconsistent teams have inconsistent players. That’s the only answer that are not his alone. fits. There isn’t a coaching problem or a lack of talent. There is an abundance of inconsistent players. The Penguins inconsistency was cited by Hextall nearly two weeks ago when he announced new AGM Chris Pryor. Head coach Mike Sullivan The NHL trade deadline is April 12. That’s five weeks. has repeated it so often a cardboard cutout with a voice track could do his postgames. There are players with big shoulders and mean streaks out there. We found a couple who could be on the Penguins trade wishlist. “We just didn’t play the game hard enough or smart enough,” Sullivan said Thursday night after the Penguins faceplanted in a 4-3 loss to Time is short. Not because the deadline is in five weeks, but because the Philadelphia. Penguins could well be an afterthought by then. Unfortunately, losing now doesn’t improve the Penguins’ first-round draft selection, either. That The Penguins have now turned in far too many performances unworthy pick belongs to Minnesota for Jason Zucker. of a playoff team. Far too much “not hard enough” or “not smart enough.” Ready or not, Ron Hextall, you’re up. The team can tout their third period comeback record this season. They have nine wins when tied or trailing after two periods. But that also Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 means they were behind. Given their three wins while behind after two periods and their nine losses this season, that means in 22 games, they’ve trailed 11 times after 40 minutes.

They’ve trailed or been tied after two periods, 17 times in 22 games.

Yikes.

Yet, they can also look like a team ready to make one last run. When the team is clicking, it is something to behold—maddening, frustrating inconsistency. “If I had an answer for you, I’d fix it,” Sullivan deadpanned. “It’s frustrating from the coach’s standpoint because I know we’re capable of more consistent play, but we haven’t found it yet. Some nights, when we play hard, we play committed, and we play the right way and work together, we’re a competitive hockey team.

And then, for whatever reason, other nights, we get away from it.”

After 22 games, just six games shy of halfway, the Penguins are what they are. There is no more sugar-coating or waiting until everyone is healthy.

And if you’re only good enough sometimes, you’re not good enough, period. It seems a Penguins trade, a shakeup, is the only shot.

Ready or not, GM Ron Hextall has to shake up the team.

Most GMs would prefer to wait, get a real sense or feel of the team, go through a thorough evaluation and analysis. Sure, before Hextall makes his first Penguins trade, he would prefer to take the prudent, patient, cautious approach.

But if he does, the Penguins will miss the playoffs.

The New York Islanders are on a six-game point streak. The Penguins could trail the Philadelphia Flyers by as much as six points with a game to go on Saturday.

And, yes, yes, the Penguins still have 16 games with the hapless Buffalo Sabres and the toothless New Jersey Devils. What makes you think the 1205054 Pittsburgh Penguins

Dan’s Daily: Penguins Flatline, Flames Fire Coach, Caps May Seek Goalie

Published 22 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Dan Kingerski

As the Pittsburgh Penguins were slowly bleeding out against the Philadelphia Flyers, and head coach Mike Sullivan said games are won at the net, former Penguins net-crasher Patric Hornqvist was busy creating havoc in another first-place Florida Panthers to another win. The Washington Capitals could hit the NHL trade market for a veteran goalie, and the Calgary Flames canned coach Geoff Ward and reached for a hammer.

We’ll start with the Penguins. Hold your nose, if you must.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins sprinted to a 3-0 lead against the Philadelphia Flyers, then flatlined. “We let our foot off the gas the rest of the game thinking we could get away with it,” Kris Letang said. The Penguins lost 4-3.

PHN+: Get the Report Card with a few Ds, an F, and a few A grades from the Penguins’ latest stinker.

PHN (Free): The Penguins lost, but defenseman Mark Friedman probably had his best 1.5 periods in the NHL. He scored his first NHL goal, dished a few hits, was rattled by a dangerous boarding penalty then almost knocked unconscious. It was a wild night for Mark Friedman.

NHL.com: The Calgary Flames had enough of struggling. They fired head coach Geoff Ward and turned to their former GM, former coach, and disciplinarian Darryl Sutter.

TSN: The TSN Insiders pondered the future of Tanner Pearson, who is actually playing well in Vancouver. They also were the first to say the Washington Capitals could look on the NHL trade market for an experienced backup goalie.

Sportsnet: Wayne Gretzky’s father, Walter, passed away at 82. Walter became a favorite of hockey folk and will be sorely missed.

Colorado Hockey Now: Adrian Dater got the EXCLUSIVE SCOOP on Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar injuries.

Boston: The Boston Bruins had a tilly with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night. Bruins forward Trent Frederic dogged Alex Ovechkin all night, then…Ovechkin took his revenge with a wicked below-the-belt shot. The NHL fined Ovechkin the max, which wasn’t much.

I missed this yesterday:

Zdeno Chara had to fight back tears as the Bruins paid tribute before the game against Washington.

Vegas: Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 51 shots on Wednesday night, but Robin Lehner has been absent for a month. Is it time to see what’s behind Fleury in the pipeline?

San Jose: Several San Jose Sharks callups are being pressed into duty this season. And there is a lot of praise for those Sharks.

Florida: Patric Hornqvist is creating havoc and providing energy. Aaron Ekblad had a big night, and Florida keeps winning.

New York: Uh oh, the New York Islanders are rolling. They have points in six straight and smacked the hapless Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. Here are the Islanders’ pluses and minuses.

Philly: You may have seen it? The Flyers’ big comeback. Here’s the Philadelphia take on it.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205055 San Jose Sharks In their only other meeting this season, Sharks’ defenseman Radim Simek was injured and had to miss four games after he was crunched against the end boards by Golden Knights winger Jonathan Marchessault. Sharks erase three-goal deficit, lose to Golden Knights in OT A few seconds later, Simek was cross-checked in the midsection by Marchessault, left the game, and did not return.

By CURTIS PASHELKA | PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 10:15 p.m. | Sharks coach Bob Boughner did not like the lack of response from his UPDATED: March 6, 2021 at 12:57 a.m. team as they failed to stand up for their teammate in that situation.

“We’ve talked a lot about how we’ve tried to address the culture, and there’s been a lot of good things that have come out of some of the Logan Couture and Max Pacioretty got into a wrestling match in the first changes that we’ve made,” Boughner said last month. “I think this is just period. Kurtis Gabriel and Ryan Reaves dropped the gloves for a another learning experience.” heavyweight tilt at the start of the third period. After that game, a 3-1 Vegas win, some Golden Knights players felt Kane The extracurricular activity that one has come to expect whenever the unfairly jumped Reilly Smith. The two collided midway through the third Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights get together materialized as expected period before they got into a wrestling match and fell onto the ice. Friday night. “Jumping a guy like Smitty, he’s not … I think Evander’s got him by a few So did an entertaining game. pounds, for sure,” Vegas forward Alex Tuch told Golden Knights The Sharks erased a three-goal deficit and scored with just over a minute television broadcasters after the game. “You know what? I know that he’s remaining in the third period to tie the game, but Pacioretty scored at the going to have to keep his head up every game we play. All the next 1:25 mark of overtime for a 5-4 Golden Knights win at SAP Center. seven games we play, Evander better be looking over his shoulder because there’s going to be a lot of guys that are going to want to get With the Sharks down by one, Kevin Labanc scored his fifth of the him back for that.” season at the 18:53 mark of the third period. Vegas goalie Oscar Dansk misplayed the puck as it slid toward him, and Labanc dove to get a stick San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 03.06.2021 on it to knock it across the goal line and tie the game.

Brent Burns, Matt Nieto and Logan Couture also scored for the Sharks, who dropped to 1-3-1 on this seven-game homestand. The two teams play again Saturday night before the Sharks play the St. Louis Blues on Monday.

“It’s the best team in the west and we scored four goals on them, won the special teams, took them to OT,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said of the Golden Knights. “I’ll take the positives out of that. It was a good point for us.”

The Sharks fell behind 3-0 by the 2:57 mark of the second period, as starting goalie Martin Jones was pulled for the fifth time this season after he faced just eight shots.

Reilly Smith and Chandler Stephenson scored at the 5:48 and 7:03 marks of the first period, respectively, and Pacioretty gave the Golden Knights a three-goal lead to chase Jones.

Pacioretty had just come on the ice and threw a low shot at the Sharks net that slid under Jones for his 11th goal of the season. Jones was then replaced by Devan Dubnyk, who stopped all 10 shots he faced over the final 16:56 as the Sharks killed two late-period penalties to Kurtis Gabriel and Rudolfs Balcers.

Burns’ power-play goal came at the 6:01 mark of the second period, and Nieto scored at the 12:43 mark of the second period.

Couture tangled with Pacioretty with about seven minutes left in the first period after Pacioretty hit Couture near center ice well away from the puck. Couture remained on the ice for a few seconds, and when the play came back up the ice, tackled Pacioretty right in front of the Sharks’ bench.

There was no call on Pacioretty but Couture was given a two-minute minor for roughing, the second of two penalties the Sharks had to kill in the first period.

At the start of the third period, Reaves and Gabriel dropped the gloves in a spirited tilt. The two exchanged words during pregame warmups, and then started the third period on the ice together. After the fight, the two continued to jaw at each other from their respective penalty boxes.

Reaves was injured later in the third period. He checked Gabriel from behind and it appeared Gabriel’s skate made contact with Reaves’ thigh or groin area as he forward. Reaves needed help off the ice as he could not put any weight on his right leg.

“It’s a high tension game but that all goes out the window when you see him go down like that,” Gabriel said of Reaves. “It looks like a serious injury so it’s tough to see.”

Given the distant and more recent history between the two teams, there was bound to be some bad blood Friday. 1205056 San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks winger added to NHL’s COVID-19 list

By CURTIS PASHELKA | PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. | UPDATED: March 6, 2021 at 12:35 a.m.

San Jose Sharks winger Marcus Sorensen was added to the NHL’s COVID-19 list Friday and was unavailable to play in the team’s game with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Sorensen, 28, joins Tomas Hertl as the two Sharks players on the list. Hertl first appeared on the list Feb. 24, leading the Sharks and the NHL to close the team’s practice facility, cancel practice for two days and postpone their scheduled Feb. 25 game with the Golden Knights.

It was later discovered that Hertl tested positive for the coronavirus. He remains in isolation and unavailable to play at least until the middle of next week.

Reasons for a player appearing on the NHL’s COVID list include an initial positive test that remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed, mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals, or required quarantine as a high-risk close contact.

Players can also be put on the list due to isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the league’s protocol.

“We’re just in a wait-and-see mode on Marcus,” coach Bob Boughner said the Sharks’ 5-4 overtime loss to Vegas. “There’s a lot of reasons guys get put on the list, I think you can see that throughout the league. Those guys are put on the list and taken off the list a few days later, and we’re hoping that’s the case with Marcus.

“We’re in wait and see mode but at this point, there’s nothing definite.”

Sorensen practiced Thursday and was projected at that time to play on a line with Joel Kellman and Kurtis Gabriel against the Golden Knights. Friday, Matt Nieto played with Kellman and Gabriel.

Sorensen, who is in his fifth season with the Sharks, has one goal and one assist in 15 games this year. He’s averaged 11 minutes and 38 seconds of ice time per game this season.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205057 San Jose Sharks

‘Miracle on Ice’ star, former Shark, Mark Pavelich found dead

By FIELD LEVEL MEDIA |PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 3:28 p.m. | UPDATED: March 5, 2021 at 4:08 p.m.

Olympic hockey star Mark Pavelich was found dead Thursday in a residential treatment center, the Minneapolis Star News reported Friday.

Police said emergency personnel were sent to the Eagle’s Healing Nest after Pavelich had not been seen for most of a day. There was no initial indication of the cause of death.

Pavelich, who turned 63 last week, had been receiving mental health treatment under civil commitment for a violent assault on a neighbor in 2019.

A hockey star for Eveleth High School and then the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Pavelich was a key member of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Olympic Team. He assisted on Mike Eruzione’s winning goal in the legendary upset of the Soviet Union, and scored a goal and had six assists in the Olympic tournament, which Team USA won by defeating Finland in the gold medal game.

Pavelich went on to play with the New York Rangers for five seasons, followed by brief stints with the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks. The scrappy, 5-foot-8 forward last played professionally in 1992, after scoring 137 goals with 192 assists in 355 career games.

USA Hockey on Friday issued a statement of condolences, referring to Pavelich as “Forever a part of hockey history.”

The Star Tribune reported, according to friends and family, Pavelich had become increasingly confused, paranoid and borderline threatening In recent years with those close to him believing that he may have been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy — commonly known as CTE — caused by repeated blows to the head. Yet, Pavelich was not among the former players who filed claims with the NHL and gained a settlement with the league in 2018.

The Star Tribune reported that his wife, Kara, died in an accidental fall from a balcony at their home in 2012, and several years later, Pavelich sold his gold medal for more than $250,000 in an auction.

In August 2019 Pavelich was charged with beating his neighbor, James T. Miller, after an argument when the two went fishing. Miller, 63, was treated for cracked ribs, a bruised kidney and other injuries, and Pavelich faced four felony counts, including two assault charges and two illegal weapons charges after authorities found firearms with altered serial numbers on his property.

Two clinical psychologists who examined Pavelich found him to have post-traumatic stress disorder and that he lacked insight into his mental illness and was opposing treatment. The court eventually ruled that Pavelich was incompetent to stand trial because he was mentally ill and dangerous, and committed him to a state-operated secure treatment facility.

Pavelich earned his release from that facility to a less restrictive treatment center last summer, where he had been living until his death.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205058 San Jose Sharks

Sharks’ Logan Couture explains how he first met Walter Gretzky

By CURTIS PASHELKA | PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 2:10 p.m. | UPDATED: March 5, 2021 at 6:43 p.m.

As a kid growing up in southern Ontario in Canada, San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture figures he was among countless hockey-playing kids who got to spend time and be around Walter Gretzky, Wayne Gretzky’s father.

Couture said his parents used to run three-on-three hockey tournaments at the Wayne Gretzky Centre in Brantford, Ontario in the summer, and Couture would help out by working at the front desk or as a timekeeper. Walter Gretzky, who still lived in Brantford after he raised his family there, would come around often to hand young players souvenirs.

“He would pop in and he would meet with kids, with teams, just kind of walk up to kids and give them a signed Wayne card or memorabilia, and he did that for me,” Couture said. “I think I have a Gretzky jersey at home or cards, or something like that that I got from him.

“So you’d be hard-pressed to find minor hockey kids in that area, whether it’s around London, Brantford or Toronto that hadn’t met Walter, so definitely a special, special person.”

Walter Gretzky passed away Thursday at the age of 82. Wayne Gretzky shared the news on Twitter, adding that his father was battling Parkinson’s disease and other health issues.

“For my sister and my 3 brothers, Dad was our team captain — he guided, protected and led our family every day, every step of the way,” Gretzky wrote.

In a statement, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Walter Gretzky’s influence ”on our League and our game was profound.

“He embodied all that is great about being a hockey parent,” Bettman said. “Teaching the game to his children on the famed backyard rink he built in his beloved hometown of Brantford, Ontario, Walter instilled in them not only an uncommon understanding of hockey’s essence, but a love and respect for the game that has become synonymous with the name Gretzky, all while ensuring that the game was fun to play.”

Couture said Walter Gretzky’s impact and influence on the sport around the region where he grew up was underappreciated.

“He was always around arenas, always, throughout that area of Ontario,” Couture said “He always had a Canada jacket on or something with Gretzky on it, so you’d kind of think, ‘Yeah he’s related to (Wayne).’

“But very down to earth, humble, loved to talk about the game of hockey. I think that was his true love, was going to the rink, watching kids play and trying to build the love of hockey with other kids. He was a special person.”

Sharks winger Evander Kane also met Walter Gretzky at a young age. Kane, a Vancouver native, met Gretzky when he traveled with his Pee- Wee team to City to play in the prestigious international tournament that’s held there every year for 11-12-year old players.

“He was so kind and generous with his time,” Kane tweeted Friday morning. “My condolences to the entire Gretzky Family.”

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205059 San Jose Sharks playoffs. In the playoffs, they went 16-4 to win the first title in franchise history.

Two years later, the Kings reverse swept the Sharks in the first round of As another NHL coach is fired, Bob Boughner’s job appears safe. Here’s the playoffs, and also got past the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks why and the New York Rangers to win their second Stanley Cup.

The Sharks aren’t in Cup contending mode this season, and it’s unclear as to when they’ll again be considered among the NHL’s elite. By CURTIS PASHELKA | PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 12:38 p.m. | Boughner’s contract runs for two more seasons after this one, as he UPDATED: March 5, 2021 at 12:47 p.m. continues to try and establish a winning culture and get the Sharks to play to a certain identity.

In other words, don’t expect the Sharks to make the same quick coaching Bob Boughner was officially named the San Jose Sharks’ full-time head change the Flames and Canadiens have made. Expectations aren’t the coach on Sept. 22, 2020, nine months after he was given the job by same. While the Sharks certainly hope they can go on a run and make general manager Doug Wilson on an interim basis. the postseason, they’re just in a different phase than some other teams. Just eight days earlier, Geoff Ward also had the interim tag removed San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 03.06.2021 from his title by the Calgary Flames, as he was named their full-time coach.

Ward was fired Thursday, replaced by Darryl Sutter after the Flames began the season with a mediocre 11-11-2 record. Ward was the second coach to be let go in the last two weeks, as Claude Julien was fired by the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 24 after a middling 9-5-4 start.

So far, there’s been no hint that Boughner’s job is in jeopardy, as the transitioning Sharks entered Friday with an 8-10-2 mark and in seventh place in the West Division.

What’s the difference? The expectations each club had at the start of the season.

Both Calgary and Montreal spent big in free agency and had thoughts of contending for the North Division title. If there was a year in which either club could make a deep playoff run, maybe this was it given this season’s postseason format in which each team stays exclusively in their own division for the first two rounds.

The Sharks’ expectations for this year were more modest. Yes, Wilson acquired Ryan Donato and Devan Dubnyk in separate trades with the Minnesota Wild, signed Matt Nieto and as free agents, and gave Kevin Labanc a four-year contract extension.

But none of those moves can be considered a huge splash, one that was going to propel the Sharks into title-contender status. As it goes, simply qualifying for a playoff spot would be viewed as a success this season for the Sharks after they finished 15th and last in the Western Conference a season ago.

“This coaching gig, I think that there are expectations of different organizations, what levels and where they’re at,” Boughner said Friday morning. “I think that Calgary, I would take it that they’re a team that should be doing better than they did, I don’t know. It’s a tough situation.”

The no-nonsense Sutter coached the Sharks for five-plus seasons from 1997 to 2002, leading the team to five straight playoff appearances before he was fired by then-general manager Dean Lombardi on Dec. 1, 2002. He wasn’t unemployed for long, as the Flames hired him to be their coach four weeks later.

Boughner was the Flames’ co-captain during the 2002-03 season and saw how Sutter raised the bar from the team’s previous coach, .

“I will say this: Darryl will come in and do a good job,” Boughner said. “I think he’s a guy that’s going to demand respect and accountability, and he’s going to be a different voice for those guys, a much different voice than they’re probably used to.

“But I thought Darryl was done and was going to take a step back from the game a little bit from a coaching level. But he’s obviously still got that fire and I think he’ll do a good job.”

The Sharks and Boughner will see Sutter and the Flames soon enough, as the current division alignments are not expected to last beyond this season. The Sharks and Flames are expected to be back in the same division in 2021-22, along with Anaheim, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver and Vegas.

Sharks fans do not need to be reminded that Sutter’s greatest success, though, came with the Kings, as he led the team to the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014. In 2012, Sutter took over 32 games into the season and helped the Kings clinch the eighth seed for the Western Conference 1205060 San Jose Sharks a good goal to cut Vegas’ lead to 3-1 and they put the 24 seconds back onto the clock.

FAST START Pacioretty's OT goal gives Golden Knights 5-4 win vs Sharks The Golden Knights scored twice in a 75-second span of the first period to take the lead. The Sharks left Smith alone at the side of the net on the first goal and William Karlsson slid a pass to him through the crease to JOSH DUBOW make it 1-0.

March 5, 2021 Stephenson added to that lead a little over a minute later off a nice setup from Mark Stone, who has 20 assists in 20 games this season. Updated: March 5, 2021 10:43 p.m. COVID-19 UPDATE

Sharks forward Marcus Sorensen was placed on the COVID-19 list SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Max Pacioretty scored his second goal of the before the game. Sorensen had taken part in practice on Thursday but game in overtime and the Vegas Golden Knights recovered after allowing was added to the list shortly before faceoff. He’s the second San Jose a bizarre tying goal late in the third period to beat the San Jose Sharks 5- player currently on the list with forward Tomas Hertl going on it Feb. 24. 4 on Friday night. UP NEXT Pacioretty converted off a pass from Alex Pietrangelo to beat Devan Dubnyk 1:25 into overtime for his third OT goal of the season to end a The teams wrap up the back-to-back set on Saturday night in San Jose. wild game that gave Vegas a five-game winning streak. San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 03.06.2021 “You have to have the mindset that you're going to attack on the 3 on 3,” Pacioretty said. “If you don't take many chances, you won't create much and end up in your own end.”

The Sharks had tied the game with 1:07 left in regulation came after Brent Burns’ clear attempt bounced toward goalie Oscar Dansk as Kevin Labanc came rushing toward him. Dansk tried to knock the puck away, but didn’t make clean contact and it hit off Labanc’s stick and went into the open net to tie the game.

“We told him not to worry about it,” Pietrangelo said. “Stuff happens. Breakdowns happen. It's how you pick him up. ... I love to see guys like that get rewarded.”

The Golden Knights had led 3-0 after knocking out Martin Jones early in the second and went back up 4-2 early in the third when Alex Tuch scored 24 seconds after the bad blood between Vegas and San Jose led to a spirited fight between Vegas’ Ryan Reaves and San Jose’s Kurtis Gabriel.

The Sharks carried a grudge coming into the game after Jonathan Marchessault injured defenseman Radim Simek with a couple of hard hits in the first meeting of the season last month.

There was some expected chippiness that eventually led to the fight at the opening faceoff of the third period with Reaves getting the best shot in late in the tussle. Reaves left the game later in the third with an apparent leg injury.

Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) celebrates with center Chandler Stephenson (20), who scored a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Friday, March 5, 2021.

The Golden Knights delivered another blow on the shift following the fight when Tuch scored on a one-timer to make it 4-2 with his sixth goal in the past six games.

But San Jose rallied to tie it and earn a point.

“I thought the energy from the rest of the third period was in our favor,” captain Logan Couture said. “We played hard. Unfortunately we didn’t get two (points), but happy we got one.”

Reilly Smith and Chandler Stephenson also scored for Vegas. Dansk made 25 saves in his first start since 2019 and earned his first win since Oct. 27, 2017.

Brent Burns, Matt Nieto and Couture also scored for the Sharks, who have dropped four of five to start their seven-game homestand. Martin Jones allowed three goals on eight shots before getting pulled early in the second. Dubnyk stopped 17 of 19 shots in relief but took the loss.

DELAYED REACTION

The Sharks got on the board in the second period thanks to a replay review on a power play. Burns’ point shot hit the post and then went into the net before bouncing directly out. The official on the ice didn’t notice and play continued for 24 seconds until the horn blew with the replay center in Toronto calling for a replay. The officials took a look and ruled it 1205061 San Jose Sharks

'Miracle on Ice' star Mark Pavelich dies at treatment home

March 5, 2021

Updated: March 5, 2021 5:23 p.m.

AP

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mark Pavelich, the speedy center from the Iron Range who played on the “Miracle on Ice” Olympic hockey team, has died at a treatment center for mental illness. He was 63.

Officials in Anoka County, Minnesota, confirmed Friday that Pavelich died at the Eagle's Healing Nest in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, on Thursday morning. The cause and manner of death are still pending.

“We are saddened to hear about the passing of 1980 Olympic gold medalist Mark Pavelich,” USA Hockey said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to Mark’s family & friends. (He is) forever a part of hockey history.”

Pavelich was undergoing treatment at the home as part of a civil commitment for assaulting his neighbor in Cook County, Minnesota, in August 2019, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Pavelich thought the man had spiked his beer.

He was charged with felony assault but Judge Michael Cuzzo found he was incompetent to stand trial because he was mentally ill and dangerous. According to the judge's order from December 2019, a psychologist found Pavelich was suffering from delusions and paranoia. Another psychologist found he suffered from a mild neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury, likely related to repeated head injuries.

Pavelich assisted on Mike Eruzione’s winning goal against the heavily favored Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympics. He sold his gold medal for more than $250,000 in 2014, two years after wife Kara died in an accidental fall.

Pavelich starred at Eveleth High School and was an All-America selection at the University of Minnesota Duluth before earning a spot on the Olympic team.

The 5-foot-8, 170-pound forward spent five seasons with the New York Rangers and played briefly for the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks, finishing with 137 goals and 192 assists in 355 NHL regular- season games. He had a five-goal game for the Rangers on Feb. 23, 1983, in an 11-3 victory over Hartford.

“As a kid growing up in Hibbing I used to go to the arena and hang out with gear in hand waiting to see if I could skate with the teams that rented the ice,” former Minnesota and NHL player Pat Micheletti tweeted. “Mark Pavelich always let me join with the Eveleth guys. He taught me so much about the game.”

Pavelich's sister, Jean Gevik, didn't immediately respond to a message.

The Rangers said in a statement they were saddened by Pavelich's death.

“His determination, passion and dazzling playmaking ability earned him the adoration of Rangers fans during his five-year tenure in New York," the team said.

San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205062 San Jose Sharks

Couture, Boughner happy with Sharks' response in loss to Vegas

BY ALI THANAWALLA

Back in February, Sharks coach Bob Boughner called out his team for not coming to the defense after a hit on Radim Simek by Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault.

There was no similar feeling from Boughner and team captain Logan Couture after the Sharks' 5-4 overtime loss to the Golden Knights on Friday night.

The Sharks (8-10-3) fell down 2-0 in the first period, 3-0 in the second period and 4-2 in the third period before Couture and Kevin Labanc scored late goals to force OT with the Golden Knights (15-4-1).

"I was proud of how we played," Couture told reporters after the game. "I thought we battled. We were down two, with I think 12 [minutes] left, even before that [Kurtis Gabriel] steps up for us and fights [Ryan] Reaves, and obviously, they got one right away. But I thought the energy for the rest of the third period after that fight was in our favor. So everyone played well. I thought we played hard. Unfortunate that we didn't get two [points], but happy that we were able to get one [point] there."

Games between the Sharks and Golden Knights are always testy and Friday's contest was no different. Before the game, Gabriel and Reaves were seen having an animated conversation at the team benches.

When the third period was getting set to start, Gabriel and Reaves dropped their gloves and put forth an epic fight. Both received five minutes for fighting.

And while Vegas winger Alex Tuch scored moments after the fight to give the Golden Knights a 4-2 lead, Boughner disagreed with a reporter's assessment that the visitors to SAP Center fed off the scrap.

"I thought that worked in our favor," Boughner told reporters during his postgame Zoom press conference. "I know they scored right after, but we had a sense of togetherness on the bench and we never stopped attacking. It didn't matter that they got that fourth goal. We had nine minutes or whatever it was at that point. We were determined to find a way to tie the game up and get a point and try to get to overtime.

"Wasn't the result we were looking for, but tonight was a team that put its head down and work hard, battled through adversity being down 3-0, didn't change our game and kept fighting. We found a way to get a point and in the midst of all that, I thought we stuck together and we played a real hard game."

Despite the result of the game, Boughner was much more pleased with the response from his team Friday.

The Sharks and Golden Knights will get right back at it Saturday night in San Jose, so we'll see if the inspired play by Boughner's team carries over.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205063 San Jose Sharks

Sharks' Kurtis Gabriel explains what led to epic Ryan Reaves fight

BY KATIE WOO

Kurtis Gabriel and Ryan Reaves sure brought the theatrics in a drama- fueled matchup between the Sharks and the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night at SAP Center.

Both players kicked off the third period of the Sharks' 5-4 overtime loss by dropping their gloves and going at it, leading to an epic fight.

After the game, Gabriel broke down what led to the scrap.

"I basically had to earn his attention enough to get a fight there," Gabriel said regarding Reaves. "I guess he didn't think I did in the first game. I guess he deemed it was time tonight."

"I basically had to earn his attention enough to get a fight there."

However, Gabriel did acknowledge Reaves, who left the game after returning from the penalty when he was possibly hit by another player's skate blade.

"It's a high-tension game, but that all goes out the window when you see him go down like that," Gabriel said. "Looks like a serious injury, so that's tough to see."

The two fourth-line players had begun chirping at each other before the game even started, so it seemed likely a fight was inevitable at some point Friday.

In a rivalry as fiery as the Sharks-Golden Knights is, it wasn't surprising to see the two duke it out. Logan Couture and Max Pacioretty also exchanged shots earlier in the contest.

Pacioretty and the Golden Knights would have the last laugh though, as the winger ripped his second goal of the game past Devan Dubnyk 1:25 into overtime to give Vegas the victory.

Luckily for the Sharks, they won't have to wait long for a revenge game. They'll take on the Golden Knights for game two of the series Saturday, and it's sure to be just as intense as usual.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205064 San Jose Sharks

Labanc's bizarre goal helps Sharks force OT against Vegas

BY KATIE WOO

The first contest of the Sharks' two-game series with bitter rival Vegas Golden Knights brought the intensity, emotion and drama we've come to expect when these two teams are on the ice.

A hard-fought battle between San Jose and Vegas featured nine goals, an extra period and a fight (of course), though the Sharks would eventually fall 5-4 in overtime.

While Vegas controlled the majority of the game, the Sharks were resilient and erased a two-goal deficit in the third period to knot the game at four apiece. The game-tying goal came down to just before the final minute and it was far from your normal score.

Brent Burns' clear attempt bounced near goalie Oscar Dansk, and while Dansk was able to put his stick on the puck, Kevin Labanc rushed in and sent it into the net for the Sharks' fourth goal of the game.

It was quite an emphatic, albeit bizarre, goal for San Jose, although their excitement ultimately would be short-lived.

Alex Pietrangelo connected with Max Pacioretty, who ripped his second goal of the game past Devan Dubnyk 1:25 into overtime, extending the Golden Knights' winning streak to five games.

Still, after trailing the Golden Knights 3-0, it was remarkable enough the Sharks were able to claw back into contention. The overtime loss surely was deflating, but San Jose should have even more motivation to even the series Saturday.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205065 San Jose Sharks

Gabriel, Reaves fight at start of Sharks-Vegas third period

BY ALI THANAWALLA

Maybe Sharks forward Kurtis Gabriel and Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves planned this during their pregame chat.

As the third period was starting between the Sharks and Golden Knights on Friday at SAP Center, the two fourth-line players dropped gloves and engaged in an epic fight.

The fight between Gabriel and Reaves was just another chapter in a tense game, and rivalry.

Both players were sent to the penalty box for five minutes for fighting.

During pregame warmups Friday, Gabriel and Reaves were seen having an intense conversation at the team benches.

In the second period, Gabriel laid a hit on Vegas winger Alex Tuch, and NBC Sports California analyst believes that play led to the fight to start the third period.

The Sharks and Golden Knights clearly don't like each other. Every game between the two West Division rivals adds a new layer to the disdain. If you enjoy the bitterness, the good news is the two teams play again Saturday night, and it's sure to be just as dramatic as always.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205066 San Jose Sharks That was dramatic, you could hear Gabriel and Reaves drop sticks and gloves a-clatter onto ice in empty arena.

Credit to Gabriel for going and Reaves for giving. Good tilt. Burns was Game Notes #21: Golden Knights Edge Sharks 5-4 in OT loud on the bench banging his stick. Honestly, Vegas needed to get going too, moribund second for them.

I complimented him earlier, but Kellman can’t give Tuch that much space. Published 4 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Sheng Peng Broken play, but Tuch reacted much faster.

Think Kane got away with one on the Couture goal? Regardless, good response from Sharks. Another primary assist for Karlsson, nice job to Minute in, Gambrell ready to tee up on one-timer in slot, but lure Stephenson up top to him, frees up center lane for Couture to walk Marchessault stick checks him. Hate him if you want, but that’s a Winning down. Play™ from Marchessault. 10 minutes in, Balcers with almost a nice play, looks like he took it off Smith goal: Between Knyzhov and Erik Karlsson, just 1 guy has to go to Pietrangelo along wall, he fed it into slot but just missed. Good effort the far post, not both. Ugly defense. though. This is going well: Both Ferraro and Couture chase puck, leaving Reaves being helped off, Gabriel the only Shark tapping the stick that I Stephenson on his own. saw. Will say only a couple Golden Knights tapped sticks too, this wasn’t 7 minutes in, brilliant Karlsson high-low pass to the front, but San Jose that type of situation necessarily. Not sure what happened, Reaves Sharks can’t stuff in their point-blank chance. There’s the difference, coming hard for Gabriel, replay shows Gabriel stick catching Reaves. Vegas capitalizing on their golden chances, San Jose isn’t. Then Quietly, Burns has been real handful for Vegas tonight. Draws penalty Karlsson makes forechecker Smith look silly. At least tonight should be there. Critical spot for San Jose Sharks, no exaggeration to call this their entertaining on that score, EK65 on the ball. most important PP of year. Season obviously fast slipping away from Looks like Balcers-Gambrell-Donato-Marleau-Burns on PP2. them.

8 minutes left, Balcers goes offsides a step away from a great chance. Did Donato hit the post? Just ugly hockey. OT Pacioretty will probably say it was accidental. And maybe so. But it’s also Good stick by Karlsson on Smith, first shift. not a stretch to say that Vegas is very confident in here, very willing to throw their own weight around, even when they shouldn’t. And they don’t Burns let Pacioretty get behind him, too puck-focused. seem afraid of retribution, be it physical or on the scoreboard. San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 3 minutes left, Ferraro looks hurt after a stick pick from Martinez in slot. Will have to re-watch. He looks OK.

More than a minute left, Donato nice battle win, beating Stephenson to 50-50 puck on PP. Then Donato earns a quality chance. But no dice.

Per SPORTLOGiQ, Karlsson led all players on both teams in OZ Possession Time (00:22), All Situations. For me, a barometer of where he’s at, how confident he is with his skating, that he can hold puck for more extended periods of time.

PERIOD 2

5 minutes in, behind net, Knyzhov does nice job to pull in forechecker Smith, then give it to Karlsson. Small play, but nice sign of puck poise and maturity.

After Burns’s goal, Gabriel just creamed Martinez behind Dansk.

8 minutes in, Donato draws a penalty on Theodore. Donato has done some good things offensively recently, he feels close to breaking his slump.

All eyes watching Karlsson with puck, Nieto and Kellman get behind defense. Looks like Carrier, who was filling in for pinching defenseman up top, caught watching Karlsson.

3 minutes left, nice work by Kellman to force turnover. Gabriel breakaway bid goes wide. As I wrote after first Avs game on Mar. 1, thought we might see him emerge. Urgent need at 4C, Chmelevski raw, True with some promise but just OK vs. Colorado. Boughner has called Kellman a gamer, been highly complimentary of his game. Obviously not a ton of NHL talent, but he’s considered reliable. Was surprised, actually, that Kellman got just one game before getting sent down.

Good saves by Dubnyk and tough PK by Vlasic to close period. If San Jose Sharks pull it out, these two kills to finish frame will loom large. Nothing too challenging for Dubnyk, but timing of save matters too, as Sharks fans have learned all too well over last three years.

Overall, like we’ve said about a lot of Sharks periods this year. They’re close, doing good stuff, but they need a hero.

Per SPORTLOGiQ: San Jose Sharks doing more right than wrong, All Situations, they’re up 9-5 Slot Shots on Net, 3-1 Scoring Chances Off the Rush.

PERIOD 3 1205067 San Jose Sharks Obviously, San Jose will need more than that to overcome a vaunted Vegas squad, but this will be one of the interesting storylines to watch tonight: Will the Golden Knights bring out the best of the Sharks tonight? Or, like Feb. 13, will they once again bring out the worst? Game Preview/Lines #21: Gabriel Enters Fray, Stats Suggest More Goals Coming for Sharks SPORTLOGIQ PRE-GAME STAT OF THE NIGHT

Before Wednesday’s game, I noted that the San Jose Sharks were actually the NHL’s best in Even Strength Inner Slot Shots on Net: Published 10 hours ago on March 5, 2021By Sheng Peng Game Preview/Lines #20: Karlsson Off PK? Sharks NHL-Best in Key Offensive Area

Finally, the San Jose Sharks are going to square off against the Golden After being shut out by Colorado, they’re second to Minnesota, but the Knights again. point remains: San Jose is actually earning a lot of scoring chances in arguably the most dangerous area of the ice. It’s been three weeks since their heated Feb. 13 match-up, which saw Evander Kane and Ryan Reaves jaw at each other from opposite sides This was the plan this summer, Bob Boughner reminded us: “Yeah, we of the penalty box, Jonathan Marchessault injure Radim Simek, and a talked this summer and we introduced our [technical package] at the tepid Sharks response to said Marchessault incursion. beginning of the year, that’s something that we wanted to improve on. Creating chances below the tops of circles and more of a quick strike In a compressed 56-game, all-division season, three weeks feels like an mentality. eternity. “Beginning of the season, it was a bit of a project. We’re getting it, Of course, San Jose was supposed to play Vegas on Feb. 25, but that starting to find that. game was postponed because of Tomas Hertl testing positive for COVID-19. Before that scheduled tilt, however, we spoke with noted “It’s another one of the departments we’ve been really good of, as of late, pugilist Kurtis Gabriel – who’s re-entering the line-up for his first NHL is creating offense off our forecheck. Once we get into those situations, game, since, you guessed it, Feb. 13. He had some interesting things to you want to attack the slot as soon as possible. say then about how the Sharks need to play going forward, comments that are still relevant. “It’s something we’ve really dug in on.”

Also, when Bob Boughner was hired full-time this summer, he promised Specifically, the Sharks are eighth in the league in ES Shot Attempts a refreshed offensive attack. Per SPORTLOGiQ, he’s actually delivered from the Slot Off the Forecheck. They’re also seventh in ES Rebound in many ways, even if the results – San Jose is 20th in the league in Shot Attempts from the Slot. Goals Per Game – haven’t necessarily been there. Leading the forecheck, of course, has been the Evander Kane-Logan SAN JOSE SHARKS (8-10-2) Couture-Kevin Labanc line.

Projected lines for tonight's #SJSharks game. “It feels like we’re getting more opportunities in those areas. It feels like we’re going to the net and banging in dirtier goals,” Couture Kellman and Gabriel draw in. acknowledged. “We know with what we have, we’ve got to find ways to score goals close to the net. I think it’s just being hungrier on the VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS forecheck. Max Pacioretty — Chandler Stephenson — Mark Stone “When we’re good on the forecheck, we’re looking for quick strikes to the Jonathan Marchessault — William Karlsson — Reilly Smith slot if it’s there. If not, not throwing pucks away.”

Alex Tuch — Cody Glass — Keegan Kolesar So are the goals coming? Ryan Donato, who hasn’t scored in 13 games, and the rest of the Sharks, sure hope so. William Carrier — Nicolas Roy — Ryan Reaves “Yeah, if you look at league-wide, where all the goals are scored, they’re Shea Theodore — Alex Pietrangelo all scored in front of the net or around the net,” Donato noted. “The more we can get it in that area, hopefully the more success we’ll have.” — Zach Whitecloud San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 Nicolas Hague — Dylan Coghlan

Marc-Andre Fleury

(HT Danny Webster)

WHERE TO WATCH

Puck drop is 7:30 PM PT at SAP Center. Watch it on NBC Sports Bay Area, AT&T Sportsnet, or NHL.tv.

MORNING SKATE

Kurtis Gabriel said this before the scheduled Feb. 25 San Jose-Vegas tilt:

He added during that Feb. 23 presser: “I just think as a group as a whole, we got to play harder. Obviously, just from watching up top, it’s easy to say, but I’m ready to get in there and do my part of it.”

Gabriel will get another chance to do his part tonight. We asked him two weeks ago why the Sharks didn’t respond to the Marchessault hit.

“It’s not my position to speak on,” Gabriel said. But he stressed a “team- tough” attitude against this bitter rival:

“I think everybody can take it upon themselves to respond in their own battles, play hard against their team. Things are gonna happen like that, Simmer made a great hit [on Smith], clean hit on their guy, and they’re gonna come back hard at us. So we need to go back hard at them at all times. Not just when there’s a hit. We need to play hard all the time.” 1205068 San Jose Sharks

First Look at Sharks & the Trade Deadline

Published 18 hours ago on March 5, 2021By JD Young

Kyle and JD look ahead to the Trade Deadline to try and find some potential partners for the San Jose Sharks to work with. We look at why the Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team in the North Division who might be good partners, if the St.Louis Blues make sense for a penalty- killing specialist (9:00), or if trying to work with a team like the Pittsburgh Penguins, who don’t have much in the way of draft picks, is the way to go (13:00). Then we discuss if the San Jose Sharks moving Tomas Hertl for a bounty of picks and prospects is smart (19:00).

San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205069 Seattle Kraken Between periods, assistant coaches will seek video pertaining to their responsibilities. An assistant wondering why his powerplay unit wasn’t winning faceoffs can scan video of those taken with the man advantage and pinpoint shortcomings. Or, study footage of offensive breakouts to Meet Kraken head video analyst Tim Ohashi — the unheralded man who determine why his players weren’t quickly gaining the zone. could help alter games and inform strategy Head coaches typically review scoring chances — particularly those against them, trying to spot whether they resulted from defensive breakdowns and individual or team-wide lapses. March 5, 2021 at 11:14 am Updated March 5, 2021 at 11:18 am “Intermissions are quick,” Ohashi said. “You have maybe eight minutes to Geoff Baker figure out what you see, what adjustments you want to make and then the head coach has to go in and address the team.”

Kraken head video analyst Tim Ohashi won’t soon forget the first time his An earpiece keeps Ohashi connected with the bench, making it easier to replay-perusing acumen helped directly swing an NHL game. know what video to pre-cut before intermission. Or, if there’s a TV timeout with his team facing a big penalty kill against Boston, Ohashi can Before joining the Kraken last October, he’d been a Washington Capitals scan video of all faceoffs taken by Bruins specialist Patrice Bergeron and video coach for five seasons with, among other things, a nerve-wracking relay information on who best to deploy against him when play resumes. responsibility to tell the head coach whether to challenge on-ice calls. The Caps went 2-for-10 when such coach’s challenges — for offsides Pregame hours are spent preparing advance clips of upcoming and goaltender interference — were first allowed in 2015-16, ranking opponents, breaking them into similar player and situational files. 21st of 30 teams. So, Ohashi and fellow Caps video coach Brett Though Ohashi never played at a high level, he was a huge fan and avid Leonhardt weren’t exactly brimming with confidence the ensuing season street hockey participant. when head coach Barry Trotz summoned their help during a December 2016 game against the Buffalo Sabres. He also played club hockey at a small college in Maine, then attended graduate school at Brown University in Rhode Island where he met his “It’s definitely right up there with the most stressful components of the fiancee, Nicole Kahn, who happens to hail from Bellevue. Ohashi job,’’ said Ohashi, 32, a D.C.-area native who’d handled some video work planned to be a middle-school teacher until a serious back condition interning with his boyhood favorite Caps for a season before it became forced him back to his parents’ place in Bethesda, Maryland to await and his full-time role. “The 30 seconds you have to decide (whether to recover from surgery. challenge) feel like they go by in three seconds. And then, the two or three minutes it takes for them to actually make a decision once the To quell his restlessness, his parents and Kahn suggested he take sports challenge goes to review feels like the longest two or three minutes of management graduate courses at Georgetown University. Ohashi so your life.’’ enjoyed those he earned a Master’s degree and the Capitals internship.

That particular game saw Ohashi and Leonhardt make the right call: A Four years later, he was being fitted for a Cup ring. Sabres winger had crossed the blue line inches ahead of a dumped-in puck. Buffalo wound up scoring when the play wasn’t ruled offside, so “I’d grown up watching that team and it was the first Stanley Cup in they had Trotz challenge and the goal was overturned. Washington history,” he said. “So it was definitely a highlight.”

“We ended up winning by one goal,’’ Ohashi said. “So, that felt like a Now, he’ll help a new team in his fiancee’s home town try to win a Cup. pretty big change in fortune in a one-goal game — you definitely feel They moved into her parents’ Bellevue basement just before New Year’s good about that.” while continuing to seek their own place.

Two months later, the pair alerted Trotz to goaltender interference he The Kraken have yet to hire a second video analyst, though teams are hadn’t even noticed — nullifying a Philadelphia goal 23 seconds into a 4- increasingly using pairs. Ohashi will work all Kraken games and 1 win by Washington. “We have the two best video guys in the league estimates his video compilations of other teams means he’ll see parts of and they play a big part in a lot of our wins,” Caps goalie Braden Holtby “hundreds if not a thousand games per year.” told reporters afterward. It isn’t clear whether he’ll keep assisting on video challenges, since some The following week, they wiped out a New York Rangers go-ahead goal head coaches prefer handling it themselves. With the July expansion on an offside call in another 4-1 win for the Caps — the 700th of Trotz’s draft upcoming, Ohashi currently helps the Kraken’s analytics department career. double-check stat-based conclusions about players against actual video evidence. That stretch was as high-profile as it gets in the unheralded video analyst world; a rare opportunity to directly alter games and register — however “When we think about players, we’re thinking on the macro level,” said fleetingly — in fans’ consciousness. By that season’s end, the Caps Alexandra Mandrycky, the Kraken’s director of hockey strategy and doubled their successful challenge rate to 40% for the league’s 10th best research. “What Tim brings to the table is, he’s really fluent in the X’s and mark. And by 2017-18, when capturing a Stanley Cup, they got 50% O’s of hockey. He can go to the film and say ‘Maybe we’re seeing things right. one way when we should be seeing them a different way.’

Ohashi chuckled describing those angst-filled moments and their “We know numbers really well, but he knows hockey so it’s a good outsized importance to his typical work day. The job is already pairing. He’ll be working with the coaches once games start but I’m challenging enough — requiring quick keyboard fingers and a solid hopeful he can advocate for our department.” situational grasp of hockey — without having to drop everything and Ohashi is also creating video files of players and game-events from this sweat out a ruling by off-site replay officials. season the future coaching staff can reference. And, of course, staying He’ll spend games in a video room adjacent the team’s locker area, on top of how coach’s challenges are going. watching three television screens and their footage from network Last season, the league began allowing challenges for missed stoppages broadcast cameras. A computer monitor offers four additional angles of play in the offensive zone that led to goals. And instead of losing a from each of two overhead cameras at opposite rink ends. timeout for a failed challenge, teams are now assessed a two-minute Ohashi edits small clips of on-ice happenings for coaches to study penalty — a move that severely reduced challenges attempted. between periods. He’ll use customizable Hudl Sportscode software to The Caps only tried three last season, getting one wrong. differentiate and time-mark each happening during the live feed to quickly identify, edit and file the clips accordingly. “We had to kill a penalty and they had the puck in our zone for the full two minutes,” Ohashi said. “I don’t think I breathed once. Fortunately, “So, in any given game I can create over 1,000 marks of every situation they didn’t score.” that happens on the ice — every faceoff, every forecheck, every breakout, every zone entry,” he said. “It’s a combination of individual stuff He’s breathing again now, in a new town with a new team. And for at as well as team and systematic stuff.” least another half-year or so, with the job anonymity he’s grown to love.

Seattle Times LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205070 St Louis Blues quarantining in Los Angeles since being called up from the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League a week ago.

They took the ice Friday after the Blues’ main group was wrapping up its Blues notebook: Low-key homecoming for Clifford morning skate. According to Berube, it marked the first time they were able to get on the ice since arriving in LA.

“It’s unfortunate that they got here and they couldn’t skate,” Berube said. Jim Thomas 4 hrs ago “I don’t get it, but whatever. It doesn’t matter. We gotta get ‘em going here and get ‘em skating.”

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.06.2021 LOS ANGELES — Kyle Clifford came back to LA last season for a game following his Feb. 5 trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs. So he’s already done that

And due to the pandemic, it’s not like he could renew acquaintances with his former Kings teammates over dinner and a cold one while he’s in town.

So this weekend’s set of back-to-back games between the Blues and Kings represents a muted homecoming. Then again, when you’ve spent 10 years in one place, encompassing two Stanley Cups and 716 regular- season and postseason games, it’s still meaningful.

“You don’t really realize it till you get in the building again, but a lot of good memories,” Clifford said. “Special place to play, obviously, downtown LA. Yeah, it definitely brings up some old memories.

“Any time you win with a team it’s a special moment. You create a special bond. They’ve had some turnover the last couple of years, so there’s only a few of them left. But it’s good to see old faces and it’s fun playing against them.”

Clifford, who signed a two-year, $2 million free-agent contract with the Blues on Oct. 11, doesn’t recognize too many faces any more on the LA bench.

“They still have their Kopitars, Doughtys, Carters, Quicks and Browns,” he said.

But not their Cliffords.

In St. Louis, he has fit in quickly on the Blues’ fourth line, with three goals and one assist in 21 games. He’s averaging only 8 minutes 55 seconds a game, but at 6-foot-2, 211 pounds has provided the physical presence that characterizes his game. Blues players have been in only four fights this season, but two of them have involved Clifford.

“He’s come as advertised for me,” coach Craig Berube said. “He’s a reliable guy out there. Plays a north game, a physical game. Knows how to play the game. Very good leader; a good leader in the locker room and on the ice. … And he skates well. That’s the key. Guys that can get there and get there on time on the forecheck and be physical.”

Clifford began the season with a pair of veterans on the fourth line in Ivan Barbashev and Oskar Sundqvist. But as has been the case with all four lines, injuries have led to a revolving door of linemates. Friday marked his third game with the relatively inexperienced Mackenzie MacEachern and rookie call-up Dakota Joshua.

“They’re hard-working guys,” Clifford said. “I consider myself a hard- working guy. We feed off each other.”

No Tarasenko

As usual, Vladimir Tarasenko was on the ice with the rest of the team for Friday’s morning skate. But he was out of the lineup once again, even though his return from shoulder surgery is drawing ever so near.

Berube said the team has had a date in mind all along for Tarasenko’s return. He’s just not sharing it.

“It’s not to give out to anybody,” he said. “It’s an in-house thing.’

However, Berube has said on at least a couple of occasions recently that the plan is to have Tarasenko play at some point on this six-game trip through California. There are only two games left on this trip: Saturday against the Kings and Monday in San Jose against the Sharks.

So it looks like it will be one or the other.

Reinforcements on deck

The Blues have some fresh bodies on hand in taxi squad additions Sam Anas, a forward, and Steven Santini, a defenseman. Both have been 1205071 St Louis Blues in Perron’s second goal of the night — and ninth of the season — to tie things at 2-all with 43.5 seconds left in regulation.

Truth be told, Perron originally was going for an assist on that play. Hoffman's blast gives Blues 3-2 overtime win in LA “It was kind of a broken play scramble,” Perron said. “(Jordan) Kyrou’s going to the net. I’m trying to hit him there. I kind of fanned on the pass. And it kind of ended up giving me space there to shoot the puck.” Jim Thomas 4 hrs ago Then came overtime. What looked like a disheartening defeat minutes early became a riveting win.

LOS ANGELES — The last time the Blues played the Los Angeles Kings, “It turns pretty quickly,” Perron said. “It went from zero points to two they couldn’t score and couldn’t win. A 2-1 loss to LA just nine days ago points in that game, all because of that great effort by (Hoffman). Same marked the first time since 2018 that the Blues had lost three consecutive thing with O’Ry. I think he’s the one that passed to me there in the home games in regulation. neutral zone.”

It took an Oskar Sundqvist goal with just 106 seconds left in that Feb. 24 So the Blues are 4-0 on this trip with all four games decided by one goal. contest to snap a Blues scoreless streak of 139 minutes 33 seconds. They are now a rather astounding 10-2 away from home this season. It’s the quickest they’ve reached double figures in road wins in franchise The Blues met Los Angeles again on Friday; only now they’re scoring history. and winning. On the road, of course. A 3-2 overtime triumph at Staples Center gave the revived Blues (14-8-2) a four-game winning streak, “It was a battle,” coach Craig Berube said. “I liked our game a lot better in matching their longest of the season. the third period than the other two periods. I thought we were more aggressive. More urgency. But found a way to win. That’s basically what Mike Hoffman scored the game-winner, his seventh goal of the season, it boils down to. with 1 minute 30 seconds left in OT. It came on one of his patented rip it and grip it one-timers from the right circle. “There’s times when it’s not great but we hang in there and we don’t panic, stay calm, and then come around and find a way to get a goal And it came on a delayed penalty, so the Blues had a 4-on-3 going at the here or whatever and win a game.” time because LA was about to be whistled for too many men on the ice. (For the second time in the game.) The usually pesky Kings (9-8-5) are headed in the other direction. They left St. Louis with a league-best six-game winning streak nine days ago. After Ryan O’Reilly drew two defenders to him, Hoffman knew a pass After Friday’s setback, they are winless in their last four (0-2-2). was probably coming his way. But it didn’t come from O’Reilly. The Blues captain passed it over to Torey Krug, who then sent it over to Hoffman for And the teams do it all over again on Saturday. a blistering shot. SUNDQVIST INJURED Tic-tac-goal. Sundqvist left the ice gingerly after a corner scurm and did not play in the “I knew it was coming at some point,” Hoffman said. “I thought maybe he third period. Berube did not provide details on the injury, but said it's was gonna slide it through a seam but he made a good play up to possible Sundqvist could play Saturday. Kruger. And once Kruger got it I knew it was coming to me, so just get ready.” It marked at least the 11th time this season the Blues finished a game down a player due to injury and the second time it's happened to It was a dramatic and surprising finish to a game that sure looked like it Sundqvist. was sliding away. After a power play goal by David Perron gave the Blues a 1-0 lead in the opening period, the Kings slowly strangled the life St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.06.2021 out of the Blues’ offense. Just as they had done in the shutout and near- shutout back in St. Louis.

When you have only 11 shots on goal through two periods, and struggle to reach 20 in regulation, it’s not a good night offensively. As the clock wound down Friday it look like frustration was setting in.

“I think we did (get frustrated) at times,” Perron said. “I wouldn’t say frustrated, but we came off the plan we were trying to do at certain times by trying to stickhandle through the neutral zone through their 1-3-1, which is extremely hard to do.”

The preferred plan, which the Blues stuck in the first half of the game, was to dump-and-chase, and then forecheck. It was working well enough until Jeff Carter got behind the St. Louis defense to score in tight on goalie Ville Husso, making his second start in five days. That tied the game 1-all late in the second and shifted momentum LA's way.

Then Blues-killer Dustin Brown scored his 12th goal of the season, and fifth in five games against St. Louis this season, to make it a 2-1 Kings lead in the opening minute of the third period to finish off a power play.

It was a bad bounce from the Blues’ perspective with Brown and Justin Faulk wrestling for position and the puck net front, with the puck deflecting in off Faulk’s skate.

Fast forward to late in the third, still 2-1, with Husso pulled and a loose puck heading toward the empty St. Louis net. Three Kings were in pursuit but Hoffman got there first in the final minute of regulation.

“Once it’s late in the game and we got the goalie pulled, we’re just looking to do everything we can to get the puck in,” Hoffman said. “Obviously back-checking is key there, where I just try to get on my horse and fly down and get the puck back up to the neutral zone.”

A slower skater doesn’t get there, but Hoffman moves pretty well. He retrieved the puck and triggered a 3-on-2 rush the other way that resulted 1205072 St Louis Blues HUSSO’S UP As the Blues approach the midpoint of their condensed 56-game

schedule, they play on back-to-back days on six consecutive weekends Blues Game Day: No Vladi Tonight and in eight of the last 10 weekends over the remainder of the regular season.

So look for more of backup goalie Ville Husso, starting with tonight’s Jim Thomas 12 hrs ago contest against the Kings. Any reason for Husso starting tonight and Binnington on Saturday?

“It’s just the plan,” Berube said. “We gotta use both goalies.” LOS ANGELES — For those who had “Friday night vs. Kings” in the Vladimir Tarasenko pool, sorry about that. You’re out of the running. This will be Husso’s sixth start of the season, and his second in five days. He made his first NHL start against the Kings on Jan. 24 in St. Louis, with Tarasenko’s eagerly-awaited return isn’t happening in tonight’s 8 o’clock LA posting a 6-3 victory. (The sixth Kings goal was an empty-netter). (Central) puck drop at Staple Center. REINFORCEMENTS “Not tonight,” coach Craig Berube said. “No.” The Blues have some fresh bodies on hand in taxi squad additions Sam But Berube said there has been a date in mind all along for Tarasenko’s Anas, a forward, and Steven Santini, a defenseman. Both have been return. Not that he’s sharing it. quarantining in Los Angeles since being called up from the Utica Comets “It’s not to give out to anybody,” he said. “It’s an in-house thing.’ of the American Hockey League a week ago.

However, Berube has said on at least a couple of occasions recently that They took the ice Friday after the Blues’ main group was wrapping up its the plan is to have Tarasenko play at some point on this six-game trip morning skate here. According to Berube, it marked the first time they through California. Well, there’s only two games left on this trip: Saturday were able to get on the ice since arriving in LA. against the Kings and Monday in San Jose against the Sharks. “It’s unfortunate that they got here and they couldn’t skate,” Berube said. “Whenever that day comes. . .we’re ready for him to come back,” center “I don’t get it, but whatever. It doesn’t matter. We gotta get ‘em going Brayden Schenn said. “Obviously we know what he can do and what he here and get ‘em skating.” can bring to our lineup. He can really put us to that next level, just how BLUES’ PROJECTED LINEUP teams defend him or people are aware of him when he’s on the ice. Forwards “He’s able to change a game with a flick of the wrist. He has one of the best shots in the game. We’re looking forward to having him back. We Sanford-O’Reilly-Kyrou know it’s gonna take time. He hasn’t played a whole lot of hockey in the past year, so we gotta be patient with him and help him. Walker-Schenn-Perron

“At the same time, he’s an elite talent and I’m sure it won’t take him too, Blais-Sundqvist-Hoffman too long to find his game.” Clifford-Joshua-MacEachern KINGS 5 Defensemen The tight Los Angeles defense put the Blues in a goal-scoring funk just a Krug-Faulk week ago in St. Louis, winning a two-game set by scores of 3-0 and 2-1. It took an Oskar Sundqvist goal with 1 minute 46 seconds for the Blues to Dunn-Scandella avoid a second shutout. Mikkola-Bortuzzo “They’re stingy defensively,” Schenn said. “They’re tight in the neutral zone. They sit back and play that 1-3-1 or 1-4, whatever you call it. I think Goalie the main part is just not get frustrated. Husso

“That’s obviously their key to playing teams — they’re trying to play a KINGS’ PROJECTED LINEUP defense that can frustrate you and keep the score low and try to capitalize on their opportunities.” Forwards

The best way to attack that defense maybe be dump-and-chase hockey. Iafallo-Kopitar-Brown

“I think the huge key tonight is the forecheck,” Schenn said. “Obviously, Athanasiou-Vilardi-Carter you’re gonna have to dump a lot of pucks, so that means the forecheck has gotta be good tonight, using all five guys to sustain offense and zone Kempe-Kupari-Moore pressure.” Grundstrom-Lizotte-Luff

In the 3-0 game on Feb. 22, the Blues had 31 shots on goal but were Defensemen kept to the outside for the most part. (LA’s third goal was an empty-netter in that contest.) Anderson-Doughty

In the 2-1 game two days later, the Blues had 36 shots on goal and much Bjornfot-Roy better chances but Calvin Petersen was very good in goal for the Kings. Maatta-Walker “I don’t know if we change a ton,” Berube said. “We had a lot of Goalie opportunities. Their goalies played well. Maybe we didn’t execute the shooting good enough, maybe get a little bit more net-front and create Petersen some rebounds, and some goals around there would help. BLUE NOTES “But I don’t think we have to change a whole lot. In two games at home, we just weren’t scoring at the time and gave up two goals in each game Despite their recent struggles in St. Louis, the Blues have won four of and lost. So they were pretty tight games; it’s gonna be tight again their last five in LA, outscoring the Kings 21-8 in those games. tonight the way they play. We gotta execute on our opportunities tonight.” — The Blues lead the NHL is road scoring this season, averaging 3.82 The Kings are among the NHL’s best on special teams, ranking 10th on goals per game. the power play (25.0 percent) and sixth on the penalty kill (83.6 percent). — Overall this season, three is pretty much the magic number for the “We gotta be disciplined and stay out of the box,” Berube said. “But Blues on offense. They are 13-3-1 when scoring at least three goals in a penalties are called so we gotta do the job on both sides of it tonight.” game. — Dustin Brown, one of the holdovers from the Kings’ Stanley Cup championship teams of 2012 and 2014, has four goals in five games against the Blues this season.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205073 St Louis Blues Panthers goaltender Mark Fitzpatrick stifled the Blues, but was ultimately worn down by the force of this night. Grant Fuhr was even more defiant, stopping 25 shots in the Blues' 2-0 shutout victory. Blues hockey is fun again. 25 years ago: Even the players had goose bumps for a magical hockey night in St. Louis For a guy just over a bad headache, Gretzky sure has made a lot of others feel better by curing the blues. He shows up, and fans see the Stanley Cup as half-full instead of half-empty. Brett Hull is so giddy, he could light up downtown office buildings with his kilowatt grin. Bernie Miklasz St. Louis Post-Dispatch 17 hrs ago Tuesday afternoon, Hull and Gretzky stopped traffic on the streets of

Clayton as they strolled a couple of blocks to lunch. Motorists shifted into On March 5, 1996, Wayne Gretzky made his home debut as a member neutral to gawk. St. Louis cops cheered Gretzky as he arrived at Kiel. of the St. Louis Blues. The biggest crowd in team history showed up to How can you put a price on something like this? Gretzky has the city watch him. Here is how we covered the night. floating on clouds. The team is confident, suddenly puffed with pride. Those who saw it never will forget it, this vision of Wayne Gretzky, Keenan is smiling, more user-friendly. The Kiel Partners have more cash wearing the No. 99, standing at attention on the blue line, being formally money to count. introduced to the home crowd for the first time. Yeah, Gretzky is responsible for this widespread healing. He's Love The Blues lineup was announced to the house, one by one, saving the Potion No. 99. And in his home debut, his teammates did their share, guest of honor for last. Then, at 7:37 p.m., it was Gretzky's turn. Hey, it with Brian Noonan scoring one goal and setting up Mike Hudson for the was OUR turn, too. All of St. Louis paused to take a deep breath and other. exhale. The noise. . . . Officially, Gretzky was held pointless by Florida. But we know better. He The applause. . . . created a memorable, magical night for a sellout crowd. Add another 20,725 assists to the Gretzky record. The affection. . . . St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.06.2021 Coming down to him from every corner of the arena. A powerful, poignant welcome. "It gave me goose bumps," Blues winger Shayne Corson said.

The ovation lasted about 99 seconds. Then organist Tom Docter began playing "Meet Me in St. Louis." Gretzky rocked gently on his skates. Clearly touched, he smiled, then bit his lip. It was his party, and he could cry if he wanted to.

"I was thrilled to be here," an exhausted Gretzky said later. "It was a great honor to be out there. I was tingling. I think I'm more happy to be here than the fans are to have me."

Blues fans

Fans Marty Prather and Greg Hoover were part of a record crowd celebrating Wayne Gretzky's home debut in St. Louis. Scott Dine/Post- Dispatch.

Look around, Wayne; you're not in Los Angeles. Here, the people will give you their hearts, and Gretzky felt that when a Blues-record crowd of 20,725 reached out to embrace him.

Really, this was one of the most wonderful, memorable moments in St. Louis sports history. Gretzky in The Note. Frame that picture in your mind. This was big. This may have been the most exciting night - ever - for this sincere but struggling franchise. One man is here to try and change that, and the town is up to his level.

What choice is there?

"In our sport," Corson said, "understand that Gretzky is god."

And on Tuesday, the king of ex-Kings reported to work in the rink at 14th and Clark, and transformed Kiel Center. The boring atmosphere: gone. The snarling at coach : forgotten. The hostility that had infected this new building: vanished.

"Tonight, it was almost like the Blues were back playing in the old Arena," Corson said.

With Gretzky standing there, gazing into the rafters, about to play the Florida Panthers, it was as if the contaminated, perfumed air inside Kiel Center had been sucked out and released into the ozone. Now, everyone tingled with anticipation. Even Gretzky.

"I feel pressure but I like the pressure," he said before the game. "That's why I'm here. Every game is big for me in that people always expect to see something from me."

On this night, just seeing him was enough.

Pudgy referee Mick McGeough - his eyesight remarkably restored after missing the cheap-shot elbow to Gretzky's face in Edmonton - could not ruin this evening with his incompetence. 1205074 Tampa Bay Lightning we had our chances to win. And ‘Mac’ gave us every opportunity to win, which he’s done all year. We just couldn’t capitalize.

“If we’re going to play like the way we did (Friday) on a regular basis, Lightning fall to Blackhawks in shootout which we hadn’t been for most of the year, we’ll be fine.”

Contact Eduardo A. Encina at [email protected]. Follow @EddieInTheYard. By Eduardo A. Encina Blackhawks 1-1-1-0—4 Published Earlier today Lightning 2-0-1-0—3 Updated 4 hours ago Chicago won shootout 1-0

First Period—1, Tampa Bay, Cirelli 7 (Palat, Point), 2:51. 2, Tampa Bay, One night after winning a game they probably shouldn’t have, the Killorn 5 (Hedman, Palat), 10:27 (pp). 3, Chicago, DeBrincat 13 (Kane, Lightning lost a 4-3 shootout to the Blackhawks on Friday night at the Boqvist), 12:57 (pp). Penalties—Mitchell, CHI (Hooking), 10:06; United Center in a game that felt like a role reversal. Coleman, TB (Hooking), 12:03; Schenn, TB (Interference), 17:28.

Just because the Lightning had won a season-high six straight games Second Period—4, Chicago, DeBrincat 14 (Kane), 7:18. Penalties— going into Friday, it doesn’t mean they were playing their best. Zadorov, CHI (Interference), 5:02; Soderberg, CHI (Interference), 8:47; Sergachev, TB (Delay of Game), 17:29; Coleman, TB (Hooking), 19:01. Their 3-2 overtime win Thursday in Chicago was one of their most flawed. They were outplayed by the Blackhawks before a second- Third Period—5, Tampa Bay, McDonagh 2 (Johnson, Killorn), 3:20. 6, intermission discussion among the players sparked them and they won Chicago, Kubalik 9 (Keith, Boqvist), 6:00. Penalties—Kubalik, CHI on Alex Killorn’s deflection with 0.1 seconds left in overtime. (Tripping), 0:54; Hedman, TB (Interference), 8:03; Kubalik, CHI (Tripping), 14:14. Friday’s loss was different. The Lightning outplayed the Blackhawks in every facet. The game came down to Chicago rookie forward Philipp Overtime—None. Penalties—Keith, CHI (Slashing), 3:04. Kurachev’s shootout goal past Lightning goaltender Curtis McElhinney and Blackhawks goalie Malcolm Subban stopping the Tampa Bay trio of Shootout_Chicago 1 (DeBrincat NG, Kane NG, Kurashev G), Tampa Bay Victor Hedman, Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos. 0 (Hedman NG, Point NG, Stamkos NG).

“I think both teams probably know who was a little bit better (Friday), and Shots on Goal—Tampa Bay 11-11-14-5_41. Chicago 10-5-8-4_27. (the Blackhawks) ended up winning,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. Power-play opportunities—Tampa Bay 1 of 6; Chicago 1 of 5. Goalies— “And I’d say for two-thirds of the game (Thursday) night they were better Tampa Bay, McElhinney 2-1-0 (27 shots-24 saves). Chicago, Subban 3- than us. So it’s probably worked out the way it should have in reverse 2-1 (41-38). A—0 (19,717). T—2:37. Referees—Tom Chmielewski, Brian order. But we did a lot of good things (Friday). We can’t hang our heads.” Pochmara. Linesmen—James Tobias, Travis Toomey.

The Lightning (16-4-2), who had the league’s longest current winning Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 03.06.2021 streak end, blew a 2-0 first-period lead and struggled to stay out of the penalty box, giving the league’s top power play too many opportunities (five). The Lightning saw their streak of 19 straight penalties killed snapped but were 4-for-5 on the kill.

In a frenzied overtime, the Lightning had a 4-on-3 power play for the final 1:56 but couldn’t produce a winner.

“For the most part, I liked our game,” Cooper said. “It’s unfortunate we couldn’t close them out on the 4-on-3, probably an opportunity missed there. And give them credit, they defended well at the end of the OT, and then it comes down to a skills competition.”

“That’s the way it goes,” said Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who scored early in the third period for a 3-2 lead. “I think more importantly we were happy with our efforts for pretty much the 60 minutes there, playing a lot more in the (offensive) zone, not getting caught in our zone as much.

“We continue to play like that, we’ll give ourselves a chance to win every night, and we need to continue to follow this up here. It can’t be a one-in- every-couple-games kind of thing. We’ve got to make sure that we take the good from this game and put it forth right away from the start next game.”

The Lightning played a much more complete game in the second of the back-to-back games. They wasted no time, starting off strong with first- period goals by Anthony Cirelli and Killorn in the first 10 minutes for the 2-0 lead.

The Blackhawks responded with goals from forward Alex DeBrincat in the first and second periods to tie the score at 2, including one on a power play, the first goal the Lightning’s penalty kill allowed in six games.

McDonagh scored on a rebound for his goal 3:20 into the third. But Chicago forward Dominik Kubalik responded less than three minutes later, putting in a puck he found at his feet.

McElhinney did his part, especially in overtime, when he turned away three shots by Blackhawks star Patrick Kane, including one on a breakaway.

“I thought he made all the saves we needed,” Cooper said. “And then (McElhinney) made some huge saves in overtime on an elite player. So, 1205075 Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 03.06.2021

Lightning defense corps continues to cope with injuries

By Eduardo A. Encina

Published Earlier today

Updated 3 hours ago

Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak rejoined the lineup for Friday’s game in Chicago following a one-game absence, but Tampa Bay’s defense corps still played short-handed due to another injury.

Veteran defenseman Jan Rutta, who assisted on a shorthanded goal that sparked the Thursday’s 3-2 overtime win over the Blackhawks, was scratched due to a lower-body injury. For the second straight game, the Lightning had to play with just six healthy defensemen on the active roster. Rutta is considered day to day, the team announced.

Following the Lightning’s 4-3 shootout loss to Chicago Friday, coach Jon Cooper said he expected Rutta to return soon.

“We think he’ll be back soon,” Cooper said. “But you play a night game, you wake up the next morning and it wasn’t wasn’t feeling great. So we got other guys can step in. It’s kind of the same philosophy we had with (Cernak), so it’s better to rest them and let them heal for a bit.”

With Cernak out Thursday with an upper-body injury, Rutta played a season-high 20:27. The team’s top three defensemen — Victor Hedman (27:16), Ryan McDonagh (26:14) and Mikhail Sergachev (25:47) — all logged more time than normal with Cernak out.

Rutta saw more time on the penalty kill Thursday and created a critical shorthanded opportunity that led to Anthony Cirelli’s early third-period goal.

“It was big for us,” Rutta said. “Obviously, we wanted to just kill the penalty and take some momentum, and scoring a shorty like that, that was huge and helped us, for sure.”

Lightning coach Jon Cooper was cautiously optimistic after the win that Cernak would return Friday.

As for Rutta, he went into the boards awkwardly during the third period of Thursday’s game and was in obvious pain on the ice for several moments before skating off under his own power.

Depending too much on Vasilevskiy?

Though the Lightning went into Friday’s game owning the league’s longest active win streak, they realized after Thursday’s victory that they’ve been relying too much on goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy to bail them out.

Vasilevkiy’s franchise-record scoreless streak ended Thursday at 228 minutes, 9 seconds as he allowed two goals in the second period. While Vasilevskiy turned in another fabulous performance, following his three straight shutouts with a 35-save effort, Lightning skaters knew they had to do more to help him.

After the team’s veterans rallied them during the second intermission, the Lightning scored two quick goals at the start of the third and eventually won in overtime on Alex Killorn’s deflection with 0.1 seconds remaining.

“We’re certainly accustomed to winning here, and we want to win every night,” Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said. “But we’ve let it slide a little bit, I’d say the past five periods before this third period (Thursday), where we were relying on maybe special teams or our goalie a little too much to win some hockey games.”

Vasilevskiy, who had Friday off as the Lightning played the second of games on consecutive nights, has kept Tampa Bay in many contests when the team wasn’t as its best.

“We want to keep winning games, and Vasy is a big part of our team and, you know, sometimes — not too often — you have to rely on him to keep us in games and when we’re not our best,” defenseman Victor Hedman said. “And he’s been tremendous this whole season. We’ve obviously got some work to do in our game.” 1205076 Tampa Bay Lightning playmaking abilities from the right circle spot. Kucherov is out for the entire regular season as he recovers from hip surgery.

Lightning assistant Jeff Halpern, who coaches the power play, said Lightning’s Ondrej Palat stepping out of the shadows with career-best having Palat’s left-handed shot from the right circle is valuable and start consistent with the success the Lightning saw there in the past with Kucherov.

“I think that’s opened us up,” Halpern said. “It’s not to say that it’s set in By Eduardo A. Encina stone who’s in what spot or what hand you need there. But I think when we did make that change, we scored a bunch of goals.” Published Yesterday With Steven Stamkos possessing one of the league’s best one-timers Updated Yesterday from the left circle, Point able to cause havoc in the slot and defenseman Victor Hedman always dangerous at the point, there’s seldom enough attention given to Palat. TAMPA — It’s been easy to overlook Ondrej Palat. With the talent on the Lightning roster, the Lightning left wing is often overshadowed by the That was the case Tuesday against Dallas, when Stamkos drew the players who share a line with him, and frankly, that’s the way he likes it. Stars’ attention on the left side and passed to Hedman above the circles. Hedman faked a shot and tapped the puck to Palat, who had a wide- Even after shining on hockey’s biggest stage last year — scoring 11 open shot from the right side that he buried for the game’s first and only goals, including three game-winners during Tampa Bay’s postseason run goal until the game’s final minute. to the Stanley Cup — Palat’s performance was obscured by linemates Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point. “It’s a new spot for me,” Palat said. “I’m just trying to learn every day in practice. I’m just trying to, you know, do the right play. When it’s time to But nearly a third of the way into the Lightning’s Cup defense season, it’s shoot, shoot. When it’s time to pass, pass. So I’m just trying to do that, become hard to ignore Palat. He entered Thursday’s game in Chicago and hopefully I can help the PP to produce.” second on the team in goals with nine, including six on the power play, tied for third-most in the NHL. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 03.06.2021

Three weeks shy of his 30th birthday, Palat is on pace to easily set a career high in goals during a shortened 56-game regular season.

For the second straight game, Palat on Tuesday scored the Lightning’s first goal — something he’s done six times this season — both times on the power play. He has four game-winning goals this season for Tampa Bay (15-4-1 entering Thursday’s game).

Palat’s success isn’t surprising to head coach Jon Cooper, whose time with Palat dates back to his minor league days in AHL Syracuse and Norfolk. Palat has always been good at doing the little things right, winning his 50/50 puck battles, knowing where to position himself, being aware of where his teammates are and playing hard-nosed, fundamental hockey.

Since his time as a member of the Lightning’s “Triplets” line, when he played alongside Kucherov and Tyler Johnson, Palat has found ways to set up dynamic players. He did the same last season playing with Kucherov and Point. He’s always been the engine, the glue that helps star players make big plays.

“For as long as I’ve had him in the minors from all the way till now, he has that ability to play with good players,” Cooper said. “He can play anywhere up and down the lineup, but he just doesn’t cheat, he doesn’t cheat the game. He will go get the puck for players that can do some magical things with it.”

“He’s played on big lines, and and he’s almost (the) glue (guy) to the line without getting a ton of the credit,” Cooper added. “And to be expected, he’s playing with fabulous players, but somebody’s got to play with them, and he’s done a good job.”

Cooper said a turning point for Palat came two summers ago, when he was coming off an injury-plagued season that saw him score a career- low eight goals. The coaching staff told him in his exit interview that he needed to step up his game. Specifically, he needed to get a step faster.

“Forget the skill stuff, forget the stick stuff,” Cooper said he told Palat. “And he changed the way he trains, and he came back and he gained a step. His mental approach to the game and his game-manship and how he never cheats the game, that’ll never go away. He just needed that step. And now that he’s got it, he’s putting himself in positions to score more.”

Meantime, the Lightning put him in a prime position on the power play.

Four of Palat’s past five goals have come in man-advantage situations after the Lightning shuffled their first unit. Palat moved from the slot postion to the right circle, and Point slid into the slot, where he’s done most of his damage on the power play.

But Palat has been the biggest beneficiary — at least on the scoresheet — as the Lightning searched for ways to replace Kucherov and his 1205077 Toronto Maple Leafs He lost support with his defensive play: on the ice for three or more goals against seven times, and four goals against three times. He was also on the ice for the most opposition shots and high-danger chances.

Why this is Morgan Rielly’s best shot at the Norris Trophy, with an assist Part of that can be attributed to playing in the top pairing and facing the from someone who should know toughest opposing forwards in all situations, which Rielly can relate to. What’s changed for Rielly this season is the other half of that top pair.

Giordano flourished offensively with Brodie in Calgary: 32 goals in 143 Mark Zwolinski games with him, 25 goals in 163 games without. And after just 22 games with Rielly, Brodie says his new partner is “a lot like (Giordano) ... They Fri., March 5, 2021 both can do it all.” updateArticle was updated 4 hrs ago At age 26 with seven-plus seasons under his belt, Rielly is the longest tenured Leaf and might have his best shot at the Norris, after a tough 2019-20 season in which he played through injuries. Morgan Rielly’s inclusion in this season’s Norris Trophy discussion underlines how much he’s contributed to a Maple Leafs team that is off to “I feel like it keeps getting better and better, just the way he keeps one of the best starts in franchise history. bringing it every year,” teammate Mitch Marner told the Star about Rielly. “Just how he tries to be difficult to play against every night. But Rielly has been mentioned as a candidate for top defenceman honours in previous years and never been a finalist, which also highlights “But when he gets out there, his game doesn’t change much. He’s still how difficult it is to win. the same guy, making plays on the offensive side of the puck, on the defensive side, making the right plays with his stick, smart in our own With the Leafs first in the North Division and mid-season arriving next zone. Just a lot of fun to watch.” week, Rielly’s game has drawn attention around the league. Other top contenders include Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes, who leads all NHL Toronto Star LOADED: 03.06.2021 defencemen in scoring with 21 points, and Montreal veteran Shea Weber, who has never won the award.

For Rielly to win, he would almost certainly have to finish among the top five scorers among blueliners. He enters Saturday’s game in Vancouver with 19 points in 25 games, tied for third with Washington’s John Carlson, who was runner-up to Norris winner Roman Josi of Nashville last season.

While production is always a factor in the voting, Rielly will also have to live up to the definition of the award, intended to reward the defenceman who “demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.”

Rielly did not receive a single first-place vote in the 2018-19 race despite posting career-high offensive numbers (20 goals, 52 assists), so it isn’t all about scoring. Calgary’s Mark Giordano, 35 at the time, won it with current Leaf T.J. Brodie as his defence partner.

Rielly’s defensive metrics may have factored into that vote, but he’s playing a leading role this season in the Leafs’ defensive improvement — paired with Brodie.

Most notably, among the NHL’s elite blueliners, only Rielly and Tampa’s Victor Hedman are outperforming their expected goals against when they’re on the ice at five-on-five. In data compiled by Sportlogiq, Rielly’s expected goals against comes in at 2.53 per game, while his actual goals against is 1.86. Hedman, the 2018 Norris winner, shows a 2.05 expected goals against vs. an actual 1.63.

Several top defencemen — including Josi, Hughes and San Jose’s Erik Karlsson — have actual goals against numbers higher than the expected figure.

Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said Rielly has answered a challenge defensively.

“I think he’s been really good. He’s been playing with a lot of assertiveness, offensively and defensively,” Keefe told the Star’s Kevin McGran. “Offensively, he’s at his best when he’s using his legs, skating by people, and getting into the rush, and giving us the extra option coming out of our zone. Those things are what makes him who he is, and we like that about his game and what he brings to our team.

“Defensively, I think closing on people in our own zone, maintaining a tighter gap, those are two things we have been talking a lot about and he’s been committed to that.”

Nonetheless, winning the Norris will be difficult.

At the moment, Josi has the edge in offence-based metrics: second in the NHL in five-on-five shots per game (2.23) and first in offensive zone possession, total possession, zone entries and zone exits.

While Rielly ranks among the top five in several of those categories, offensive success only goes so far with the voters. A year ago, Carlson put up 75 points, one of the 10 highest totals by a defenceman in the last 15 years, and still lost. 1205078 Toronto Maple Leafs at the Coca-Cola Coliseum. “He has been a pleasure to have on the team.

“For him, it’s about getting back to pace, just getting game timing, game Maple Leafs need to get through Demko feel and getting settled with our organization, the systems and details and getting comfortable defensively as well, which he has done a really good job at.”

Terry Koshan Galchenyuk, acquired by the Leafs from Carolina on Feb. 15 and sent to the Marlies to re-discover his game and confidence, had an assist in Publishing date:Mar 05, 2021 • 11 hours ago • each of his first two games with the farm club.

The Toronto organization is hopeful that Galchenyuk, the third pick in the The Maple Leafs’ desire is to have a celebratory mood permeate their 2012 NHL draft, can accomplish enough in the minors to earn a flight home from the West Coast this weekend. legitimate shot with the Leafs.

They’re going to have to find a way around Vancouver Canucks LOOSE LEAFS goaltender Thatcher Demko on Saturday night for that to happen. The Canucks’ Elias Pettersson remains day to day with an upper-body A trip that started with a sound three-game sweep of the Edmonton injury, Green said. Pettersson, who has 21 points in 26 games, did not Oilers, during which the Leafs allowed one goal and gave Connor practise on Friday after sitting out on Thursday … Walter Gretzky, who McDavid nothing, stalled with a two-goal loss on Thursday to the died on Thursday at the age of 82, should be in the builder category in Canucks. the Hockey Hall of Fame. Wayne Gretzky has said in the past his skills in the game were “Wally-given,” not God-given. We all know Gretzky was a Demko was the story for the home side, making 31 saves. The Leafs had revolutionary player; his impact on the game helped the sport take a 13 high-danger chances and only Pierre Engvall was able beat the 6- foothold in the southwestern United States. Without his dad’s guidance, foot-4 Demko. would Gretzky’s impression on the game have been as wide on and off the ice? Doubtful. “Walter Gretzky’s influence on our league and our “Demmer is a great goalie,” Leafs superstar Auston Matthews said. “He game was profound,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a is big, takes up a lot of space, and since the bubble and the playoffs last statement. Then elect the elder Gretzky, who received loud ovations year, he has really come into his own.” each time cameras showed him in his seat at Leafs games, to the Hall … Matthews and William Nylander each had five shots on goal on Thursday With 955 points in the NHL, Leafs veteran centre Jason Spezza needs to lead the Leafs. Matthews had what would have been his 19th goal of five to move into 100th place in scoring history. Kirk Muller is in 100th the season on his stick late in the game, but hit the post. Matthews, who with 959 points, but Spezza would have to hold off Nicklas Backstrom of has been bothered by right wrist/hand issues, has gone four games the Washington Capitals. Backstrom is in 104th with 952 points. without scoring a goal. It’s his longest goal drought since Nov. 27-Dec. 4, Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.06.2021 2019, when he played in five consecutive games and did not score.

“We have to find a way to get some more pucks in around the net,” Leafs captain John Tavares said. “They do a good job around their net too. They defend hard.”

Canucks coach Travis Green didn’t say on Friday that Demko would remain in the Vancouver net, but that is the expectation. Before he was excellent against the Leafs on Thursday, Demko made 27 saves in a shutout victory against Winnipeg on Monday.

Frederik Andersen, expected to start in goal for the Leafs on Saturday, has a career record of 13-2-5 with a .942 save percentage against the Canucks. This season, Andersen is 3-0 with .937 save percentage versus Vancouver.

A win by the Leafs, who have an NHL-best record of 18-5-2 through 25 games, would equal the most prolific 26-game start in franchise history in points and victories. In 1934-35, the Leafs won 3-2 in Chicago in their 26th game to improve to 19-5-2 and 40 points.

REST EASY

The Leafs had a full day off on Friday, and deservedly so, considering the game on Thursday night completed a stretch of four games in six nights.

“A day’s rest certainly is going to help us,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “That’s a no-brainer.”

Once the Leafs and Canucks finish their three-game set, the Leafs will play host to the Winnipeg Jets for three games starting next Tuesday. Following that set, there will be a rare opportunity — two, in fact — for Keefe to get some consistent teaching done.

After the Leafs pop up to Ottawa to play the Senators on March 14, they will have four days off between games, play host to the Calgary Flames on back-to-back nights, and then have another four days off from March 21-24 inclusive.

FITTING IN

It was a tiny sample size, but appeared to be finding his groove with the through two games.

“He’s a great teammate, he has done everything we’ve asked,” Marlies coach Greg Moore said on Friday before Toronto played host to the 1205079 Toronto Maple Leafs and he does it in an uncompromising fashion. If you play for Sutter, you better learn how to finish a check. And you better back-check.

“Darryl has a direct way of doing business,” said Hitchcock. “I saw how TRAIKOS: Calgary's hiring of Darryl Sutter shows there still is a place for he went about business (in Los Angeles). I think he was misinterpreted at hard-nosed hockey coach times. I had a real respect for the way he coached. His teams’ attention to detail was impeccable and their ability to sacrifice was top of the charts. I think the players still embrace that as long as you know what the end game is.” Michael Traikos Hitchcock speaks from experience. A couple of years ago, the Oilers Publishing date:Mar 05, 2021 • 12 hours ago were looking to shake things up after parting ways with Todd McLellan. So they turned to Hitchcock, a coach who used to rule with an iron fist, to dole out a serving of tough love. It was shortly after and Bill Peters had been fired when former NHLer Jeremy Roenick appeared on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast In turning to Sutter, the Flames are doing something similar. They and was asked if there was still a place in today’s game for hard-nosed couldn’t win with a player-friendly coach in Ward. Now, they’re bringing in coaches. Col. Nathan R. Jessup.

Roenick, who had spent his first seven seasons playing for Mike Keenan It will be Sutter’s job to turn the season around, to find a role for Sam and Darryl Sutter, answered no. Bennett and to get Gaudreau and Monahan to play with consistency. The Flames need urgency in their game. They need to be tougher to play When asked why, he said, “You can’t grab players by the throat against, both physically and defensively. They need to be pushed and anymore.” prodded and made to feel uncomfortable.

Yet, here we are, in the year 2021, with Sutter back behind the bench of If need be, they need a kick in the rear. the Calgary Flames. It is a move that speaks as much to familiarity as it does desperation. “That’s what I wish people could understand. When you’re demanding of players and you’re pushing them, it’s because you believe in them,” said The Flames, who were 11-11-2 under Geoff Ward, are in fifth place in the Hitchcock. crowded and competitive North Division standings, having lost seven of their past 11 games. With the shortened season almost at the halfway “I admire that quality. You have to coach at times with earmuffs on. To mark, the team needed a change. More than that, they needed someone get a player to play at that level, it’s not easy. Sometimes to get to where to light a fire. you want to go, there’s conflict and they’re not happy with you and you’re not happy with them. But if you can get through it, it’s rewarding.” So they coaxed Sutter out of retirement as a rancher in hopes of getting this underachieving team into the playoffs. It wouldn’t be surprising if the If it leads to a playoff spot, then maybe there is still a place for the hard- 62-year-old packed a cattle prod for the job. nosed coach.

“The Darryl Sutter I know is not changed,” former NHL head coach Ken Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.06.2021 Hitchcock told Postmedia on Friday. “I think the best way I can describe Darryl is there’s a big difference in playing with each other and playing for each other. He’s doing to be demanding. He’s going to demand sacrifice. He’s not going to let go of that rope.

“Darryl is not going to let one thing slide with the players.”

If you are Johnny Gaudreau or Sean Monahan, consider this your warning. I don’t know if Sutter has ever grabbed a player by the throat like Roenick accused Keenan of once doing. But let’s just say his motivational tactics are considered a bit old-school.

Dan Carcillo, who played for Sutter in Los Angeles, alleged he once saw his former head coach “kick someone in the lower back on the bench” and that players were not allowed to eat on the plane following a “bad loss.”

Drew Doughty, who won two Stanley Cups with Sutter as his head coach, praised him as being a perfectionist who demands the most out of his top players, but that he was not a guy you wanted to have on your bad side because of how sarcastically cruel he would be with his comments.

That sort of behaviour is taboo these days. Even if it wasn’t, you won’t find too many coaches who still rule with an iron fist in today’s NHL. Apparently, players no longer respond to being choked, kicked or insulted. You don’t intimidate to motivate. Instead, players are encouraged and explained what’s in it for them.

At times, they are coddled.

It explains why Babcock and Peters are still out of a job. And it’s probably why John Tortorella, who had Pierre-Luc Dubois ask for a trade after being publicly berated and repeatedly benched, found himself on thin ice with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

So what is Calgary thinking? Why did they choose Sutter? Why not someone with a softer touch, such as Bruce Boudreau or Gerard Gallant or even Claude Julien?

The answer is simple: Sutter’s teams get results.

In his 17 seasons as a coach, he’s only missed the playoffs three times. He took the Flames to the Stanley Cup final in 2004 and won two championships with the Kings. He turns good teams into great ones — 1205080 Toronto Maple Leafs Bogosian has been out there short-handed. His rugged game feels like it might even be more at home in the playoffs when the action grinds to muck.

Kyle Dubas’ offseason looks like a hit: Rating the Maple Leafs additions Beyond the on-ice stuff, all you hear from teammates is how much of a so far boost Bogosian has brought with an upbeat, outgoing personality. A clear free agent win to this point.

Impact: By Jonas Siegel Mar 5, 2021 Travis Boyd

A sluggish camp meant Boyd didn’t get his first opportunity with the Leafs Earlier this week, the great Dave Hodge offered a glowing endorsement until the eighth game of the season. He scored that night, and over time, of Kyle Dubas’ offseason. nailed down a spot for himself on the fourth line. It’s hard to produce more with less time than Boyd has: he has eight points in 16 games on He wasn’t wrong. barely 10 minutes a night. He’s not especially quick, but his smarts and With the rare exception, with nearly half the season now in the books, the skill have made him an asset. He’s fourth among Leafs in 5-on-5 points moves made by the Maple Leafs GM throughout the unusual 2020 per 60 minutes and in the top 20 league-wide among forwards. offseason are paying off. NHL 11-minutes or less scoring leaders Let’s review the moves one by one (in alphabetical order) using this Jason Spezza highly specialized impact measuring system: 10:47 = Minimal impact 15 = Mild impact Travis Boyd = Solid impact 10:12 = Strong impact 8 = Major impact Matt Martin Joey Anderson 10:04 Acquired in the cap-space clearing trade that sent Andreas Johnsson to New Jersey, Anderson has gotten into only one game for the Leafs so 6 far. He brought some energy and blocked a few shots in under 10 minutes of work, and also took an ultimately harmless late-game penalty. Austin Wagner He’s since become a top liner for the Marlies, which is where he belongs 10:35 at this point. Development is the plan here. Anderson is only 22 and more of a long-term project for the Leafs. He’s signed for two more 6 seasons after this one, with a potentially helpful $750,000 cap hit. Alexander Volkov Impact: 9:50 Alexander Barabanov 5 He’s come on a bit here of late, even notching a career-high of 13.5 minutes against Edmonton last week. Over a three-game stretch, in Adam Gaudette which he got an unlikely run on the Leafs second line, Barabanov fired 10:50 nine shots and was noticeable for the first time. He still has yet to register his first NHL point though, and when the Leafs are healthy, the 26-year- 5 old is bound to be a spare part. It’s still not clear which tool is going to keep him in the NHL. (Energy?) He’s not especially quick, skilled, or Boyd is one esteemed member of what we’re dubbing the Leafs $700K physical (Barabanov has thrown only five hits in 11 games). A low-risk, Club, delivering huge value for the NHL minimum. Boyd is bound to be high-upside kind of signing — for one year at entry-level money — the the next Tyler Ennis, someone who signs with the Leafs for cheap, Barabanov bet hasn’t paid off just yet, though it hardly hurts in the outperforms his contract, and then gets a raise elsewhere in free agency. scheme of things. Impact: Impact: T.J. Brodie

Zach Bogosian We’ve already delved deep into how well the biggest of all the offseason Bogosian has been exactly what the Leafs hoped they were getting when splashes has fit in so far. Simply put, Brodie has been exactly what the they brought him in on a one-year, $1 million deal. Leafs have been searching for, a reliable partner for Morgan Rielly.

As Sheldon Keefe explained it the other day: “I thought that in the early They’ve been the most utilized duo in the NHL this season. going you could tell he was still adjusting to being here and in our system “I think they’ve helped each other,” Keefe said. “Morgan, the way he and in his role. But I think for quite some time now, 15-plus games, he’s skates, is active in the rush, that helps move the play up the ice. Then, really settled and he’s provided what we thought and expected to get, (Brodie) is there, he’s responsible with his good stick and good gap and which is a guy that’s been a reliable defender, brought a level of he himself when it’s time to help the breakout, he makes a good play, physicality to our defensive group, reliable penalty killer, and just a great and that allows Morgan to activate as the off-side defenceman. So, I personality, great person, adding to our leadership of our team and his think both guys have paired well together, and I’ve been happy with the experience that he has in the league, of course coming off of a Stanley way that has come together here, especially (since) it’s a new pairing, no Cup win. All those types of things.” training camp, exhibition games, those kinds of things unlike what you’ve The 30-year-old has fit nicely on a third pair with Travis Dermott. The had in previous years. You don’t know how those things will go. It takes Leafs are winning the minutes, albeit against lighter competition, when some time, but we’re happy with it.” those two are out there (53 percent expected goals). His sly use of the stick and breakout skills are now well established.

Bogosian’s meat-and-potatoes game has offered needed diversity to a More under the radar: his shot-blocking. Brodie is tied for 10th among all finesse-based defence. He leads the group in hits per 60 minutes 5-on-5, NHL defencemen in 5-on-5 shot blocks, with 34 in 25 games, including and has proven formidable as a second unit penalty killer. The Leafs four alone in Vancouver on Thursday night. He’s averaging almost 22 have given up only two power-play goals in the more than 40 minutes minutes per game this season — with roles on both the power play and The late-career renaissance continues. Spezza has been among the penalty kill as well as regular top-line assignments at even strength. more productive old men in the league, with 15 points in 24 games as a 37-year-old fourth liner. He has two three-point games this season — Unlike most of the other additions we’re scrutinizing here, Brodie is one, a blast-from-the-past hat trick in early February, the other a three- signed long term — with three more years left on his contract after this assist night earlier this week against Edmonton. one at $5 million on the cap. With his guile and skating ability, it feels like he should age gracefully. But that’s really a question for another day. To His gigantic hockey brain is fueling his ability to still make an impact this point, Brodie looks like a home run signing. during season No. 18 in the NHL. Spezza knows right where he’s going with this puck the second time he gets it back from Justin Holl: Impact: Spezza has 10 assists already, the same number as guys like William Aaron Dell Nylander, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Steven Stamkos. He’s playing just Signed for third goalie duty, Dell was gone before he could ever suit up under 11 minutes a night. He’s won almost 60 percent of his draws, even for the Leafs — claimed off waivers by the Devils. He’s played twice for carving out a new role for himself as the go-to guy for shorthanded New Jersey so far. faceoffs this season. Spezza’s on-ice shooting percentage 5-on-5 is approaching 11 percent, which would be his highest mark since the Impact: 2007-08 season, so perhaps some regression is coming. But as another member of the esteemed $700K Club, a guy who’s earned over $90 Michael Hutchinson million in his career, Spezza is delivering big-time value during a flat-cap It was a surprise when the Leafs decided to bring Hutchinson back — on season. a two-year deal no less — after all the drama of last season. Impact: More surprising, by far, is how well Hutchinson has performed — Joe Thornton Thursday night notwithstanding — after rising steadily up the depth chart following Dell’s waiver claim and injuries to both Jack Campbell and The captain of the $700K Club, Thornton has been about as effective as Frederik Andersen. Three wins in his first four starts with a blistering .943 the Leafs could possibly have hoped when they signed the 41-year-old save percentage was wholly unexpected. Hutchinson even shut out grey beard in the offseason. The only real rub has been injuries, which Connor McDavid one night. He stumbled in his latest appearance, have kept Thornton out of 12 games. When he’s been in the lineup, yielding two rough ones to the Canucks. You can’t ask for much more Thornton has, for the most part, fit seamlessly around Matthews and though from your No. 4 — err, No. 3 — goaltender. Mitch Marner, as a slow-moving, but intelligent 6-foot-4, 220-pound presence. Thornton has fired off eight assists in 13 games and collected Impact: nine points in his past eight games. Overall, the oldest forward in the Mikko Lehtonen league this season is averaging nearly a point per game. Not surprisingly, the Leafs have been helped by his heady, and large, Initially in competition for playing time, Lehtonen has gradually lost that presence on the power play (four points). battle to Dermott, with his 24-year-old counterpart performing well in a more controlled role this season. Lehtonen has made it into only nine Teammates rave about his unyielding energy and enthusiasm. games. He looked predictably out of place playing NHL games for the For the price tag, there was really no going wrong with Thornton. How first time early on, with no exhibition games to work out the kinks. In more well he holds up over the second half of the season and playoffs is TBD. recent appearances, Lehtonen has appeared more comfortable with the Thornton logged only one shift in the third period in Vancouver on NHL pace. He’s dished the puck off with more decisiveness under Thursday night after a sluggish first two periods. Sitting him out on the pressure. second night of back-to-backs to keep him fresh down the stretch, makes It was thought that Lehtonen would make his greatest impact on the a lot of sense. power play, but because he’s been in and out of the lineup, he hasn’t Impact: made much of a dent there with only a single point so far. One encouraging development: Lehtonen is learning to get his shot through, Jimmy Vesey firing seven on goal in his past two appearances. Like Barabanov, he was a low-risk, one-year signing. Unlike Barabanov, he’s teased at Boy, did Vesey ever need that two-goal outburst against the Oilers this something interesting and could see his role grow if the Leafs ever week. To that point, he’d gone 17 games without a goal and was in decide to deal Dermott, or suffer injuries on the back end. danger of falling out of the lineup entirely. It’s possible he still loses his spot when Simmonds returns later this month, or in any scenario that Impact: sees the front office trade for a forward. Perhaps Vesey, who signed a one-year deal worth $900,000 in hopes of reviving his career, can still Wayne Simmonds carve out a role for himself. He’s a bigger body, albeit one who doesn’t I was skeptical that Simmonds still had enough left at 32 — an old 32 play physically and he has shown hints of PK prowess. So far though, the given all his injuries — to be worth the $1.5 million one-year investment. 27-year-old has been the rare high-profile bet who hasn’t paid off. (My choice to fill a similar role was Corey Perry, who ultimately signed a Impact: one-year deal with Montreal for $750,000.) And while Perry is showing he’s got some game left, Simmonds has proven me wrong to this point. The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 He’s been a plus for the Leafs.

Foreseeable was the impact he’s made as a big, edgy body around the net on the power play. Simmonds scored three power-play goals in his first 12 games as a Leaf. More surprising is how spry he’s looked 5-on-5, bouncy enough even to play as high as the second line before suffering a broken wrist last month. Ideally, he’s playing further down the lineup. An eventual fourth line of Boyd, Simmonds, and Jason Spezza makes some sense. Simmonds’ competitiveness has rubbed off on teammates just as Dubas hoped it would. His teammates appear to adore him.

Just watch Auston Matthews’ face after Simmonds roofs one against the Canucks:

Like Bogosian, his heavy style of play may prove even more impactful in the post-season. He’s already brought elements (the nightly intensity and physicality) the Leafs most certainly lacked last season. The real question with Simmonds looking ahead: Can he stay healthy?

Impact:

Jason Spezza 1205081 Vegas Golden Knights The Knights scored three goals on eight shots against Sharks starting goalie Martin Jones, who was pulled early in the second period after Pacioretty’s long-distance shot slipped through his pads.

Golden Knights edge rival Sharks in OT San Jose answered at 6:01 of the second period when Burns’ drive from the point went in off the post to cut the Knights lead to 3-1. Officials initially didn’t see the puck go in the net, and the in-arena horn sounded in the middle of play so it could be confirmed by review. By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal The power-play goal snapped the Knights’ streak of 20 straight March 5, 2021 - 10:13 PM successful penalty kills. Updated March 5, 2021 - 11:48 PM Fourth-line forward Matt Nieto converted on an odd-man rush at 12:43 of the second to bring San Jose within a goal.

Oscar Dansk skated to the bench during a timeout late in the third period “I think the guys wanted to play hard for (Dansk) and find a way to get a and was greeted with some words of encouragement from defenseman win for him,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “Unfortunate bounce there at the . end, but the guys dug deep, and the most important thing was he found a way to win.” Jonathan Marchessault and Alex Tuch followed with a fist bump and a stick tap. The rivals faced off for the first time since their heated encounter Feb. 13, and tensions simmered in the first period after the Knights scored two “I think they just said ‘We’ve got your back. We’re going to get one for goals 1:15 apart to take control. you here,’ ” Dansk said. “And they sure did.” Smith scored his fourth goal at 5:48, snapping a 10-game goal drought. Max Pacioretty scored 1:25 into overtime Friday to pick up the backup William Karlsson circled the net and drew a pair of Sharks defensemen goalie after his late miscue in the third period and give the Golden toward him before he slid a pass to Smith, who was camped alone at Knights a 5-4 win at SAP Center in San Jose, California. opposite side of the net.

Pacioretty finished with two goals and an assist. Tuch scored in the third Stephenson added to the lead when he swatted a chip pass from Stone period to help the first-place Knights (15-4-1, 31 points) win their fifth through the legs of Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro and past Jones for straight overall despite squandering a three-goal lead. his seventh goal.

Dansk was given the nod in the opener of a back to back against the Sharks after Marc-Andre Fleury started the past 10 games. He finished with 25 saves in his first start since Feb. 21, 2019, at Philadelphia and LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.06.2021 improved to 4-1 lifetime.

Dansk came up with a key save on Patrick Marleau during a third-period Sharks power play, but made himself sweat for his first victory since 2017.

After Sharks defenseman Brent Burns tried to spring Kevin Labanc with a long pass, the puck rolled into the Knights zone. Dansk whiffed on his clearing attempt and Labanc was able to tap in the tying goal with 1:07 remaining.

“You’re going to face challenges and that was a challenge in itself,” Dansk said. “I really just had to own up to it and go play again. There’s no other option and try to help the team once again.

“We’ve got each other’s backs out there, and we don’t ever give in or give up. It was an unfortunate play, and I’ve got to be better than that. But that’s team sports. We help each other out.”

In the overtime, defenseman Alex Pietrangelo carried the puck down low and slid a pass across to Pacioretty, who one-timed the winner past Sharks goalie Devan Dubnyk.

It was Pacioretty’s 59th game-winning goal, second-most in the NHL since 2010-11 behind Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (72). Pacioretty has scored 15 times in overtime, tied with Toronto’s John Tavares for third most in that same span. Ovechkin (17) and Boston’s Brad Marchand (16) are the only players with more.

“You’ve got to have the mindset that you have to attack on the 3-on-3,” Pacioretty said. “I’ve had a lot of looks like that as of late and I’ve got a lot of wood on them and they haven’t gone in. I kind of fanned that one and that one ends up going in so that’s just the way the game goes, I guess.”

Reilly Smith scored his first goal since Feb. 7 and Chandler Stephenson added a goal in the first period. Mark Stone finished with two assists and has nine points in his past three games.

The Knights have won three straight over their rival and are 10-1-3 all time in the regular season against San Jose. In the past six meetings, the Knights are 5-0-1 and have outscored the Sharks 21-10 over that stretch.

Knights forward Ryan Reaves, who fought San Jose’s Kurtis Gabriel off the opening faceoff of the third, was helped off the ice with 6:43 left in the period favoring his right leg. DeBoer did not provide an update after the game except to say he did not believe the injury was serious. 1205082 Vegas Golden Knights DeBoer is correct in that as more and more fans return to arenas and stadiums, so too will a sense of routine. And the more ordinary things seem, the faster what we knew as the experience of sports will be restored. Sports still trying to heal a year later from COVID pause Flicker of hope

There is still a massive amount of revenue loss to overcome for teams. By Ed Graney Las Vegas Review-Journal And socially distant seating and temperature checks might be part of your sports experience for some time to come. March 5, 2021 - 6:55 PM But if that’s not a light at the end of the tunnel as more and more folks

are vaccinated, it’s at least a flicker of hope. A flash of optimism. Little did we know. “It’s not just sports,” said Aviators president Don Logan. “People have to A year has nearly passed since Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID- get used to going back to work around co-workers, no matter what you 19. It only seems like 10. do. It’s everybody. I think it will take some time for people to get comfortable. This thing affected the entire world. There are different shades of darkness and the blackout that halted sports across America because of the coronavirus produced heartache “I think sports will be the same in time. People have started going back to for so many. some games. It’s gradually ramping up to be normal. Just remember social distancing and don’t get in peoples’ faces to talk.” That’s what happens when you’re temporarily deprived of something that so universally connects people. Something that had been in place since The best thing about this whole ordeal? According to Logan, “the man World War II. hug is going to go the way of the Conestoga wagon.”

Gobert was the first known sports figure to test positive last March 11. Nearly a year later, it would take more than some Lysol and hand Then came Utah Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell. sanitizer to clean one of those babies.

Then, the following day, came that darkness. That, and who’s Roger Goodell going to hug during the NFL draft?

“When you go through some tough times, I think those tough times make you grow,” Gobert recently told reporters. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.06.2021 Mostly, in this case, we all grew in our understanding of the bigger picture.

As major events like the NCAA Tournament were canceled and professional leagues hit the pause button, the importance of sports in our lives became even more clear.

It’s all relative. Fun and games aren’t a speck of dust compared to the storm that has been the loss of life that has resulted from COVID-19. Or the financial hardships suffered by so many.

Sports matter in a way that is minuscule to the level of despair felt the last 12 months. But they matter. Speck of dust or not.

“Human nature doesn’t thrive in isolation without those types of events where people can come together and celebrate,” said Golden Knights head coach Pete DeBoer. “Even a small thing like a birthday party. Or a hockey game at T-Mobile Arena with a packed crowd and a night out.

“The fact we have taken a huge step in getting people back in that environment is incredible. Hopefully, it’s a small taste of what is to come here in the near future.”

No sport or league was spared the virus. Billions of dollars were lost. When various bubbles and pods were formed and games resumed, everything and nothing was different.

What didn’t change: An athlete’s hunger for competition will never lessen, no matter how long safety protocols and COVID-19 testing are part of sports. You can’t put a mask over one’s perseverance and expect it to disappear.

(Although the fact jackets and ties have vanished from NBA and college basketball coaches and replaced with pullovers is a great thing).

What did: Surreal doesn’t begin to describe the imagery of sports and COVID-19. The level of intimacy lost.

Dressing up vacant is a tough sell. Debuting an NFL team to its new Allegiant Stadium home in front of, well, nobody, is hardly the most ideal option.

“I’ll tell you it’s been tough,” said Raiders general manager Mike Mayock. “Playing in empty stadiums, I couldn’t believe the lack of energy in the buildings. You have to bring your own energy into these empty stadiums. I hope we never have to deal with that one again.”

Sports has always been a source of healing in terrible times. An escape from the sadness of terrorists attacks or natural disasters. It’s the same now. Football, baseball, hockey and basketball all crowned world champions this last year. It just took different ways to get there. 1205083 Vegas Golden Knights

Fleury gets break, Knights start Dansk against Sharks

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

March 5, 2021 - 2:41 PM

Marc-Andre Fleury needed a breather. Golden Knights coach Pete DeBoer knew it, too.

The goaltender finally got a break Friday with Oscar Dansk starting the opener of a back to back against San Jose.

Fleury made 10 consecutive starts, and DeBoer admitted following the morning skate that his heavy workload has not been optimal. He complimented how the 36-year-old has held up physically.

Fleury is second in the league in goals-against average (1.71) and save percentage (.939) among goalies with at least five appearances.

“But we are getting to a point where we’ve got to look at managing that or I think we’d be risking either play dropping off or injury,” DeBoer said. “We’re getting into that zone now.”

Robin Lehner hasn’t played since Feb. 7 because of an upper-body injury. DeBoer noted that Lehner wasn’t with the Knights for the “beginning of this trip” and he was placed on long-term injured reserve prior to Friday’s game, according to CapFriendly.com. The move is retroactive to Feb. 11.

“I think there’s talk about him being very close to reintegrating in with the group,” DeBoer said. “That’s the best I can tell you on him.”

Dansk owns a 3-1 record in his NHL career, with all of his victories coming during the Knights’ inaugural season. He made one appearance last season and was knocked around in a 6-2 loss at Philadelphia.

“As far as (Fleury) and Dansk goes, we’re going to have to look at all options to make sure that we’re doing the right thing for the team and for all the individual players,” DeBoer said after the morning skate.

McNabb travels

Defenseman Brayden McNabb participated in the morning skate and is nearing a return from the lower-body injury he sustained Jan. 26 against St. Louis.

“Getting very close to reintegrating with the group,” DeBoer said.

McNabb is eligible to come off long-term injured reserve at any time. Once he is activated, the Knights will have to juggle their roster to become salary cap compliant.

Early in the season, the Knights were forced to go with a 13-forward, five- defenseman lineup at times to be under the cap. DeBoer expects to dip into the taxi squad during the next week to keep his skaters fresh.

The Knights play six games in the next nine days starting Friday.

“We’d be crazy not to,” he said. “I just think you’re asking players to do the impossible by showing up every night with the type of energy we need to expend to play the way we want to play without rotating fresh people in and out of those spots.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205084 Vegas Golden Knights “Stuff like this goes such a long way, much more than I think the outside even knows,” Pacioretty said. “Within the room, guys like that you just want to win for and we're happy that guys like that stepped up tonight.”

Through ups and downs, Oscar Dansk picks up first Golden Knights win Dansk’s last NHL start was a disaster. He gave up six goals to the Flyers since 2017 in 2019 and wasn’t seriously considered for another until recently. At 27 years old, he’s not a young goalie prospect anymore.

So he’ll remember Friday’s win. It wasn’t quite how he drew it up, but By Justin Emerson (contact) Dansk is a living testament to how hard it is not just to make it to the NHL, but to stay there too. He wasn’t in the mood to do any complaining Published Friday, March 5, 2021 | 10:23 p.m. after his first win in 1,225 days. Updated Friday, March 5, 2021 | 11:09 p.m. “Obviously it felt unbelievable,” Dansk said. “It was an unfortunate play and I’ve got to be better than that, but that’s team sports. We help each other out. I’m really happy about it and glad we got out of there with a Since they won the game, it will likely be forgotten soon that the Golden win.” Knights needed overtime. But Friday’s game could have been disastrous if not for Max Pacioretty’s third overtime goal of the season.

Goalie Oscar Dansk, making his first start in over a year, misplayed a LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 03.06.2021 puck with 67 seconds remaining in the third period to allow the Sharks to tie the game. It forced an extra period, but Pacioretty’s goal 1:25 into overtime, his second of the game, made sure that a 5-4 victory is all that will be remembered from SAP Center.

“I know it’s been a while since I’ve played in this league, like a year or so, so I don’t expect it to be a perfect game and it rarely is,” Dansk said. “You’re going to face challenges and that was a challenge in itself. I really just had to own up to it and go play again. There’s no other option and try to help the team once again.”

It was tough to watch the puck bounce over the stick of Dansk, a player making his first NHL appearance since Oct. 21, 2019. Before that, his last outing was two years prior and his last win was on Oct. 27, 2017. Overall, it was just his sixth NHL appearance.

Before the final play of the third, he had turned in a solid outing. He wasn’t perfect, but made the saves he needed to, including a big one on Patrick Marleau with 3:16 remaining in the third and with his team short- handed.

Then as time wound down, Brent Burns floated a puck from the defensive zone down the ice. Normally the goalie takes a step out of the crease and whacks the puck away from danger, but it bounced on Dansk, and Kevin Labanc was there for the game-tying goal.

“We told him not to worry about it. Stuff happens,” defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. “Breakdowns happen and it’s how you pick each other up.”

Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61), left wing Max Pacioretty (67) and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (7) celebrate the team's overtime win against the San Jose Sharks in an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Friday, March 5, 2021.

The Sharks called a timeout and Dansk skated to the bench, where he was met by a supportive team. He retook the net and didn’t need to make a save for the rest of regulation and was called upon just once in overtime before Pacioretty sent him and the Golden Knights back to the hotel as victors. Dansk made 25 saves.

“I think the guys wanted to play hard for him and wanted to find a way to get a win for him,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “Unfortunate bounce there at the end, but guys dug deep and the most important thing was he found a way to win.”

It was clear how much the win meant not just to Dansk, but the Golden Knights. He rejoined the team last summer in the postseason bubble after most of the year in the AHL and practiced nearly every day with the team. He did the same in training camp when this season started, and spent the first month as part of the NHL taxi squad.

He was assigned to AHL Henderson on Feb. 23 to get him into some games, and he turned in three solid outings with the Silver Knights, his first game action in nearly a year.

If everything went according to plan for the Golden Knights this season, he may never have seen the ice. Vegas was set with a goalie tandem of Robin Lehner and Marc-Andre Fleury coming into the year, and that worked for a while. Once Lehner went down, the Golden Knights rode Fleury as long as they could, but couldn’t play him every night. After 10 consecutive starts, Fleury sat and Dansk took the net. 1205085 Vegas Golden Knights Just more than a minute into overtime, Pietrangelo curled into the left faceoff circle in San Jose’s zone and fed a perfect backhand pass across the slot to Pacioretty, who buried it for his third game-winning overtime goal of the season. Golden Knights enjoy watching Oscar Dansk earn long-awaited win vs. Sharks “Stuff like this goes such a long way, much more than I think the outside even knows,” said Pacioretty about the team’s will to win for Dansk. “Within the room, guys like that you just want to win for, and I’m happy the guys stepped up tonight.” By Jesse Granger Dansk helped the Golden Knights extend their winning streak to five Mar 5, 2021 games, and allowed Fleury to rest up for the second night of the back-to- back in San Jose. Dansk earned his first NHL win of the season to go along with his 3-0-0 start in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights. Entering Friday night’s game in San Jose, Golden Knights goalie Oscar Dansk hadn’t played in an NHL game in 502 days. “I got to know Oscar in the bubble, and he’s essentially practiced with us for almost a year in that role,” coach Peter DeBoer said. “(He is the) first Despite the lack of playing time, Dansk has still found a way to make his guy on the ice every day. Stay as long as you want after to work with impact during that long span. He has served as Vegas’ third goalie, and whoever needs the extra work. He never complains. Great teammate. I due to the new roster rules implemented over the past year, that means a think the guys wanted to play hard for him, and find a way to get a win for lot of practices with the NHL club. him.”

Nearly every day the team has skated over the past 502 days, Dansk has And they sure did. been there. He’s usually one of the first players on the ice for practice. And after each practice ends, and most of the players have filed into the dressing room to go home for the day, Dansk remains in his crease, The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 facing shot after shot.

Behind star netminders Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner on the depth chart, Dansk is often relegated to working with players long after practice has ended, and he never minds. He stays as long as players need, allowing them to work on their shot or other techniques. These types of drills aren’t fun for a goalie. Sure, repetitions are always good, but he’s usually on the ice to give the shooters a goalie to shoot at more than for his own benefit. But he stands tall in the crease, rep after rep, with his legs likely burning, to help make his teammates better. And he does it knowing he won’t receive much – if any – playing time.

“Honestly, it’s been ever since Year 1,” Vegas forward Alex Tuch said. “Whenever he’s needed he’s come up, and he’s done a really good job. He’s putting in the extra work. He’s giving us extra shots after practice. I’ve seen an intense amount of professionalism out of Oscar Dansk.”

On Friday night, Dansk finally got the call to start in net, looking for his first NHL win since Oct. 27, 2017. He stopped 25 shots to help Vegas to a 5-4 win in overtime, and his teammates couldn’t have been happier for him.

“It’s really good to see him come in here and get a win,” Tuch said. “He’s deserved it, and it couldn’t happen to a better guy.”

“Oscar has been a guy who has had a lot asked of him,” Max Pacioretty said. “To come in, obviously it’s not the ideal situation. He’s always one of the most upbeat guys in the room and in practice, working hard. So it’s nice to see him get the win. Guys like that you want to win for.”

Dansk showed little signs of rust early in the game, holding San Jose scoreless until midway through the second period. He made several key saves that helped the Golden Knights build an early 3-0 lead.

But the Sharks made a push late, rallying from a late two-goal deficit to force overtime. The game-tying goal was a difficult moment for Dansk, who left his crease to play the puck, only to accidentally shoot it off Kevin Labanc’s stick and into his own net. But when Dansk skated over to the Golden Knights’ bench following the goal, his teammates lifted him up.

“We told him not to worry about it,” defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. “I mean, stuff happens. None of the other goals happen unless we make mistakes. Breakdowns happen, but it’s about how you pick each other up.”

Dansk needed to quickly regroup after the mishap as the game was moments away from entering sudden death, three-on-three overtime.

“I knew going into this game, I know it’s been a while since I’ve played in this league, so I don’t expect it to be a perfect game,” Dansk said. “It rarely is. So you’re going to face challenges, and that was a challenge in itself. I had to own up to it, and go play again. There’s no other option.”

After hours and hours of helping his teammates in practice, and sometimes long after practice, this time they helped Dansk.

“I think they just said, ‘We got your back, and we’re going to get one for you here,’” Dansk said. “And they sure did.” 1205086 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights Move To 15-4-1 With 5-4 OT Win Over Sharks In San Jose Friday

March 5, 2021

By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com

After 10 consecutive starts by VGK goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, the Knights had a new goalie between the pipes and his name was not Robin Lehner, who was signed to be a big contract during the off-season.

Oscar Dansk got the call for Friday night’s showdown with the San Jose Sharks, Dansk’s first start for the Knights since October 2019.

The Knights, who have feasted at T-Mobile Arena with a sizzling 10-2-1 at home on the way to a 14-4-1 mark after 19 games, began a half-dozen straight road games with two goals on their first three shots in San Jose.

Golden Knights forward Reilly Smith ended his 10-game goal-scoring slump for the Knights’ first goal before red-hot center Chandler Stephenson took a pass from Mark “Mr. Assist” Stone and snapped home a goal 1:15 later and the VGK jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead that they took into the first intermission. It was Smith’s fourth goal of the season, while Stephenson notched goal seven of the campaign.

San Jose goalie Martin Jones was pulled from the game after VGK forward Max Pacioretty scored on a long wrist shot that gave the Knights a 3-0 lead. Jones gave up three VGK goals on eight shots was replaced by Devan Dubnyk. It was Pacioretty’s 11th goal of the season.

San Jose got on the scoreboard when Brent Burns scored on the powerplay for his fifth this season, while Matt Nieto made it 3-2 on a two- on-one with a wrist shot for his fourth.

The Knights 3-0 lead was down to a 3-2 edge.

The Knights took that one-goal lead into the second intermission

After a Ryan Reaves – Kurtis Gabriel fight to begin the third period, red- hot Alex Tuch scored his sixth goal in six games 26 seconds into the period to up the VGK lead to 4-2. Tuch had scored four goals in the team’s first 14 games.

San Jose responded.

Logan Couture answered with his 12th goal of the year and the Knights’ lead was sliced to 4-3.

With 1:07 left in the period, the Sharks scored the equalizer when Dansk fanned on a bouncing puck. “I had to own up to it and play again. We have each other’s backs,” Dansk said.

A VGK 3-0 lead morphed into a 4-4 tie going into OT in San Jose. Sounds familiar to Golden Knights fans.

Pacioretty scored the game-winner in OT — his third overtime winner of the year.

Alex Pietrangelo fed Patches for the win.

You gotta have the mindset that you have to attack on the 3-on-3, if you don’t take any chances then you’re probably not going create much. — Max Pacioretty

The two teams go back at it tomorrow in San Jose.

*

San Jose had two of the four players on the NHL COVID-19 protocol list.

— VGK defenseman Brayden McNabb, out since January with an injury, is with the team

LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205087 Vegas Golden Knights

Max Pacioretty Leads Golden Knights Past Sharks in OT 5-4

Published 3 hours ago on March 5, 2021

By Tom Callahan

Max Pacioretty scored his second goal of the game in overtime to send the Vegas Golden Knights to a 5-4 win against the San Jose Sharks Friday night.

Vegas built a 3-0 lead on goals by Pacioretty, Reilly Smith and Chandler Stephenson.

But the Sharks would claw back into the game, eventually knotting the contest at four with just 1:07 to go when Oscar Dansk (25 saves) fanned on a clearing attempt that was tipped home by Kevin Labanc.

But just 1:25 into overtime, Pacioretty scored the game winner off a setup from Alex Pietrangelo, beating relief goaltender Devan Dubnyk (17 saves, L) under the left pad. The play was set up by Mark Stone absorbing a hit just inside the Sharks line to keep the play alive and create room for the Pietrangelo to Pacioretty connection.

Dansk picked up his first win of the season for the Vegas Golden Knights as Marc-Andre Fleury received a rare night off.

Tom’s Takeaways:

Dansk didn’t look great but he got the job done. Fanning on the puck late to give up the tying goal certainly didn’t help my opinion, but there were a few goals I think he’d want back. That said, for a guy who hasn’t seen a game in the NHL in almost two years he deserves some slack. Fortunately for the VGK, they’re a strong enough team to overcome a shaky start and beat a team they definitely should

Vegas’ streak of successive penalty kills ended at 20 straight when Brent Burns converted on the power play in the second period.

Ryan Reaves left the game after a third period collision, leaving the ice favoring his right leg. Reaves had a big fight to start the third period, and while he sat his major penalty Alex Tuch scored playing in his spot on that line to make it 4-2 at the time.

Speaking of Tuch, he now has six goals in his last six games and is one of the hottest Vegas Golden Knights players.

Max Pacioretty scored twice in the game and now has a three-game point streak (4-3-7).

Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205088 Vegas Golden Knights I’d still expect Dylan Coghlan as the odd-man out and McNabb, for the time being, moving to the third pair with Nic Hague.

Morning Skate Report: Golden Knights begin longest road trip of season Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 03.06.2021 in San Jose

Published 9 hours ago on March 5, 2021

By Danny Webster

Just get through this unscathed.

That’s the normal mindset of any road trip; whether it be three games in four nights, or even four in five.

But six games in nine nights? All on the road? Regardless of the opponent, it’s going to be the most strenuous road trip of the season for the Vegas Golden Knights.

“We have to take our recovery very seriously,” said forward Alex Tuch. “I think the coaching staff and our leadership group has made sure we plan it out and we have that off time and downtime to rest and recover, and we’re not over practicing, because we do have to play a lot of hockey.”

The Golden Knights’ longest road trip of the season starts Friday against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center.

Vegas will try to extend its winning streak to five games, which would be a new season-high. This will be the Golden Knights’ first matchup with their heated rivals since Feb. 13, a 3-1 win in San Jose.

Even though it’s almost been a month since they last played, per usual with this rivalry, there won’t any love lost. Between Jonathan Marchessault cross-checking Sharks defenseman Radim Simek and his teammates not retaliating, to Evander Kane taking a run at Reilly Smith, fireworks might happen.

Tuch even went so far as to say on the AT&T SportsNet postgame show following that game that Kane needed to “look over his shoulder” the next time they meet up.

“It doesn’t matter if nothing happened last game, or something big happened last game. Both teams are going to come out hard and play physical,” Tuch said. “The further down the season, the more games we play, it’s going to get more heated. Play a team eight times, especially San Jose, it’s going to be a pretty physical game tonight.”

But more than the physicality of it all, this is going to test the Golden Knights’ depth. Coach Pete DeBoer has talked about footing the bill when the time comes regarding the postponements and cancelations.

This is the first step in paying it forward.

“You’re asking players to do impossible by showing up every night with the type of energy we need to expend, to play the way we want to play, without rotating fresh people in those spots,” DeBoer said.

DeBoer said the plan is to test the depth and put it to use on this road trip. The goalies, however, were not confirmed. Marc-Andre Fleury is likely to make his 11th consecutive start with Oscar Dansk as the backup.

Robin Lehner did not travel with the team to San Jose, but DeBoer said there is “talk” of him rejoining at the tail-end of the road trip.

“Obviously not optimal, but because of the situation, I think he’s handled it exceptionally well and held up really well,” DeBoer said. “We are getting to a point where we’ve got to look at managing that, or I think we’re risking play falling off, or injury.”

MCNABB NEARING RETURN

Defenseman Brayden McNabb skated with his teammates at morning skate and is nearing his return to the lineup.

“He is on the trip, getting close to reintegrating with the group,” DeBoer said.

McNabb’s return to the lineup, as noted on VHN last week, is going to be intriguing. There’s no immediate desire to break up the new top pairing of Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore, seeing how McNabb has been a top-pair guy since the beginning. 1205089 Washington Capitals "Where we got outdone tonight was from a defensive standpoint there were just too many quality chances," Laviolette said. "There were too many backdoor tap-ins, backdoor plays, where we could've done something better defensively and our goaltenders really had no chance Bruins handle Capitals in a chippy game that followed a chippy game two at a lot of what went on. So for me, you've got to play good defense. days earlier You've got to take care of things."

With no offensive efficiency, Wilson was the center of the action all night, starting with his hit on Carlo. He dropped the gloves twice — in the By Samantha Pell second and the third periods — and now has three fighting majors this March 6, 2021 at 3:17 a.m. UTC season, all against Boston.

It was expected that the 26-year-old winger's hit was to be looked at by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, as it does all similar plays. It will BOSTON — The moment Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson mainly be looking to see whether Carlo's head was Wilson's main point of checked Boston's Brandon Carlo high, slamming the Bruins defenseman contact. into the glass and leaving him crumpled on the ice, play at TD Garden came to a screeching halt and Friday's game took a turn. Wilson has been suspended by the league four times in his eight-year NHL career. He has played 166 consecutive games (including the The physical, gritty nature of the contest was to be expected after a playoffs) without a suspension. similar clash Wednesday night. But as coaches and players looked up at replays of Carlo's head getting crunched into the glass late in the first The last time he was suspended was for his preseason hit against St. period, a fire ignited in the Bruins that the visitors were unable to snuff Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist on Sept. 30, 2018. Wilson initially out. was served a 20-game suspension. However, it was reduced to 14 games through a neutral arbitrator. The Bruins beat the Capitals, 5-1, snapping Washington's four-game winning streak, a convincing result that seemed to be fueled by Wilson's The game was still a tight affair at the time of the hit, with Boston clinging early body check that knocked Carlo out for the remainder of the game. to a 1-0 lead. The check sent the Bruins into another gear. Bruins Coach Bruce Cassidy said afterward that Carlo was taken to a "They've been a top team for a long time, so if you want to compete and hospital via ambulance. Cassidy did not know whether Carlo was going try to come out on top in your division, you know the games are going to to stay there overnight. be physical, they're going to be competitive," Laviolette said. "Tonight, I "We felt it was completely unnecessary, dirty," Cassidy said. would've liked to have seen us a little quicker, a little bit more competitive in the battles, a little tighter defensively in some areas." Peter Laviolette gets teams to believe in him fast. Former players explain why.

Capitals Coach Peter Laviolette said he thought it just looked like a "hard Washington Post LOADED: 03.06.2021 hit in the corner," and as of Friday night, the league had not informed the team that it wanted to talk to Wilson about the hit. The Capitals did not make Wilson available after the game.

"You can't have guys taking liberties out there," the Bruins' Jarred Tinordi said. "It was a cheap shot."

Washington was unable to find any offensive rhythm despite outshooting the Bruins 32-25. The Capitals were plagued by mental mistakes on defense that left their goaltenders out to dry, and their lone goal came with the outcome long since decided; Jakub Vrana scored from the circle on an assist from Nicklas Backstrom at 6:24 of the third period. It was Backstrom's 700th career assist.

Backstrom, who has 10 goals this season, joins Joe Thornton (1,097) and Sidney Crosby (813) as the only active players with 700 NHL assists. He is the 25th player in NHL history to reach 700 assists before his 1,000th career game, which he's set to hit this season.

"Honestly, I lied to you guys before," Backstrom said. "I said I was going to enjoy [reaching that milestone], and here we are, losing 5-1. I don't know. It's tough when you lose a game like this and the way we played, too. Hopefully we can get a win next game so I can think about it more."

For the past two weeks, the Capitals (13-6-4) looked to be a surging team that finally figured out Laviolette's system. But they left Boston with their heads down and their sticks banging forcefully against the boards in frustration.

Goaltender Vitek Vanecek was pulled after allowing four goals on 18 shots, but the lackluster play on defense didn't help the young netminder. Vanecek got the starting nod for the 19th time and was replaced by Ilya Samsonov, who allowed one goal on seven shots.

It was Samsonov's second appearance in an NHL game since he came off the league's covid-19 list Feb. 8. On Sunday, he made his first NHL start since he contracted the coronavirus, helping Washington beat the New Jersey Devils, 3-2.

But on Friday night, eyes were less on the Capitals' ongoing goaltending situation and more on their play in front. One game after players acknowledged Wednesday's matchup against the Bruins (13-5-3) was one of their best defensive efforts, Washington had multiple breakdowns and looked out of sync throughout. 1205090 Washington Capitals

Backstrom’s 700th assist overshadowed by poor defense, Wilson hit

by Andrew Gillis

It was fitting, in a cruel sort of way, that one of the Capitals’ quietest and most humble players reached a milestone that fell by the wayside in a game with bigger storylines.

Nicklas Backstrom tallied his 700th career assist Friday night against the Bruins, but the problem was that it came in a 5-1 loss where the Capitals’ defense was an unmitigated disaster and, perhaps most notably, Tom Wilson made a controversial high hit that sent Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo to the hospital.

Jakub Vrana’s goal in the third period ended the shutout and cut the deficit to four, but by then, no one felt like celebrating Backstrom’s milestone.

“Honestly, I lied to you guys before,” Backstrom said postgame. “I said I was going to enjoy it and here we are, losing 5-1. I don't know. It's tough when you lose a game like this and the way we played too. Hopefully we can get a win next game so I can think about it more.”

Backstrom had previously brushed off questions about his 700th career assist, but it certainly meant something to him to further entrench his status in Capitals and NHL history. Unfortunately, it just didn’t mean much to the game at hand.

Of course, Backstrom’s milestone shouldn’t be overlooked by any means.

He’s the 54th player in NHL history to tally 700 assists and the only Capital to do so in franchise history. He’s also the 25th player to reach the 700-assist milestone before his 1,000th NHL game. Of the previous 24 players to reach that mark, 23 of them are in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Backstrom (10 goals, 16 assists, 23 games played) is on-pace for 40 assists this season, which would put him 50th all-time in assist leaders ahead of Daniel Alfredsson and just behind Luc Robitaille.

Ten players in the top 50 assists list in NHL history are not in the Hall of Fame, but only because Joe Thornton and Sidney Crosby are still active and Jaromir Jagr and are not yet eligible. There are also strong pushes for Pierre Turgeon (32nd with 812 assists) and Daniel Alfredsson (50th with 713 assists) to make the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Should Backstrom, who is signed through the 2024-2025 regular season, have his play dip with age, it’s still not out of the realm of possibility for him to reach north of 850 assists and put himself in the top 25 of all-time assists.

“It's (a) pleasure to play with a player like Nick and obviously I was really happy for him, even (if) the outcome wasn't in our favor as a team,” Vrana said. “And I know individual stats when you have a game like that, he's a great team player and I know he didn't care at the time about that. He cares about the team play. I was happy for him because that accomplishment is not really just about this game, it's about the whole career he has and I'm really happy for him.”

But paired with Wilson’s hit and a potential call from the Department of Player Safety, the defensive breakdowns and brewing rivalry with Boston, the 700th career assist was swept under the rug.

Backstrom’s milestone Friday was certainly not an insignificant one. It just felt like it was at the time.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205091 Washington Capitals

Capitals, Bruins offer two very different views of Wilson's hit on Carlo

by J.J. Regan

The Capitals fell 5-1 to the Boston Bruins on Friday, but the game and the results were hardly the headline following the game. The big story from this game was the controversial hit Tom Wilson delivered to Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo.

“Clearly looked like to me got him right in the head, defenseless player, predatory hit from a player that’s done that before," Boston head coach Bruce Cassiday said.

Late in the first period, Wilson hit Carlo up high along the boards. The angle Wilson approached from was an awkward one as he was back and to the side. Carlo lifted his left arm back just prior to the hit exposing his head. Wilson skated face-first into Carlo's glove and then into his head, hitting it into the boards. Carlo clutched at his head immediately after and fell to the ice. He did not return to the game and Cassidy said he was taken to the hospital.

Wilson did not receive a penalty on the play.

Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette described it as "just a hit" after the game.

“I saw the hit," Laviolette said. "[WIlson's] feet were on the ice. He stayed down with everything. It just looked like a hard hit in the corner. I’m not exactly sure what happened, but to me it looked like just a hit.”

Not surprisingly, the Bruins saw things very differently.

"[Carlo's] pressed up against the glass," Jarred Tinordi said. "I think if you’re going in to make a hit like that, you got to let up there. The only thing that’s going to happen is you’re going to hurt the guy.”

“From my view I thought it was a shoulder to the head," Bruin Patrice Bergeron said. "I didn’t see the replay obviously. After talking [to] the refs they think otherwise, they said that they saw in between periods they thought otherwise. So I guess I’ll have to watch it again.”

In the end, how any of the players, coaches or fans saw the hit is ultimately irrelevant. The ultimate decision on whether the hit qualifies as illegal or not will fall on the league and specifically the Department of Player Safety.

Laviolette said after the game that he had received no indication from the league on if it intended to talk to Wilson about the hit.

Wilson has been suspended four times in his career, but he has not received any suspension since the beginning of the 2018-19 season.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205092 Washington Capitals Said Kuznetsov: “He showed a couple videos, he explained what I should do in some situations and I feel like it’s really helped me. I’m just learning that part and I’m excited that we have a guy like him.”

The secret weapon behind the Capitals dramatic faceoff improvement Peca said the primary reason for Kuznetsov’s uptick in effectiveness is the result of an adjustment to his technique.

“Before, if the faceoff was on his weak side, which is the right side, he By Tarik El-Bashir would go forehand,” Peca explained. “If it was on the left side, he would go backhand. Just going through his tape, he never really lost anything Mar 5, 2021 clean on his backend, ever.”

So Peca has instructed Kuznetsov to go backhand all of the time. From the start of the season until Feb. 8, the Capitals ranked 27th in “I told him it’s gonna create a lot of 50-50 pucks,” Peca said. “He’s just faceoff win percentage at 46.7 percent. got to get a little bit more aware off initial contact. The forehand side is Coach Peter Laviolette knew that had to change — and quickly. just more of timing and quickness thing, and some of the lefties that we go against in this division are bulldogs in the faceoff dot. It’s a tough He turned to Michael Peca, a two-time Selke Trophy winner as the matchup to go forehand on backhand some of those scenarios if you’re league’s top defensive forward, to help the Caps improve in the faceoff just going straight speed. So I convinced him to do it, and he’s had circle. Peca played for Laviolette on the New York Islanders in the early success since then.” 2000s. He joined Washington’s staff on Feb. 9 as a player development coach and, since his arrival, the team’s performance on draws has slowly Backstrom, the Caps’ leading scorer, is having an off year in the faceoff begun to turn around. In fact, in the 10 games since Peca arrived at circle, with his win percentage at 41.4 percent, down from his career MedStar Capitals Iceplex, the Caps have gone 50.7 percent at the dot, average of 50.2. After a subpar start, though, he’s been much better the good for 12th during that span. last five games, posting a 50.7 win percentage in that span.

“He’s done a real good job,” Laviolette said. “The move into the coaching “I was more of a manipulator (as a player), I get in and use my skill and ranks for Michael has been an easy transition. He’s been a leader his my brain to try and find ways to get around what was making the other whole life, he’s been a detailed player his whole life, and this is person successful,” Peca said. “That’s what has made Nick so something he wanted to do.” successful. I told him a while ago that I wasn’t overly concerned with him; he’s had a terrific career percentage-wise and is really good at faceoffs. The opportunity for another coach to join Laviolette’s staff presented itself So it’s good to see him turn the corner and build some confidence.” last month when Hershey head coach Spencer Carbery returned to the Bears for the start of the AHL season. Carbery was running the taxi Eller, who is second on the Caps behind Dowd at 53 percent, said that squad practices for the Caps. The 46-year-old Peca stepped into Peca’s tutelage has been especially helpful given this season’s unusual Carbery’s role and also assumed the job of coaching centers Nicklas schedule, which often features a back-to-back set against the same Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Lars Eller and Nic Dowd on the finer opponent. As an example, Eller pointed to last weekend’s trip to New points of winning faceoffs. Jersey. In the first game, he won eight of 18 draws (44 percent). In the rematch, he won eight of 12 draws (67 percent). “He was really good in the faceoff circle, he was a competitor, and if he can pass on some of his knowledge from what he learned along the way “Against New Jersey, he was like, ‘These two guys are doing exactly this and what he knows through video and working with the players on the thing,'” Eller said. “He could see, in slow motion, exactly what was ice, that’s the reason he’s here,” Laviolette said. happening. I figured out what adjustment I had to make, and then all of sudden I was winning a lot more draws because of the information that So far, so good. he provided.”

Peca typically pulls aside the centers as the morning skate winds down In Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Devils, as a team, the Caps won 37 of their for some faceoff-specific reps. With that day’s game just a few hours 55 faceoffs for a season-high 67 percent. away, it allows for a detailed — and urgent — discussion of the challenge they’re about to face. It encouraged everyone involved. But until the Caps’ season average is in the upper third of the league, Peca and the centers know there is work “It’s a little fresher for them, it’s more in the front of their mind,” Peca told to be done. The Athletic this week. “Obviously, we had a good game against New Jersey,” Peca said. “It’s What Peca does out of view, however, has proved just as valuable, good to have those and build some confidence and some momentum. players said. In addition to imparting tips, tricks and best practices, he But when we play Boston, Philly and the New York Islanders, who (are) provides video critiques of each center’s most recent performance as very good faceoff teams, they’ll present a bigger challenge. We’re well as a scouting report on the opponent they’re about to line up across trending in the right direction, and with such a good, explosive offensive from. team, you want the puck as often as possible and start with the puck as often as possible. Hopefully we see the continued improvement. I think “More than anything,” Peca said, “we want to just sharpen the focus on there’s a lot more there.” how we want to approach faceoffs by building a database of centermen in our division and looking at every faceoff our guys have taken.” Laviolette agreed.

He added: “Going into Boston, I’ll try and do my best to break down “I’ve checked in with players and they’ve been real positive about the (Bruins centers Patrice) Bergeron, (David) Krejci, (Sean) Kuraly and way he’s gone about his business and we’ve been a little better in the (Charlie) Coyle. It’s all about execution in every aspect of the game with faceoff circle,” he said. “We’ve got to continue to work at it. But if we can the players. Hopefully we can gain some advantage there.” improve from what we’ve been, we’ll have a better chance of being successful on the scoreboard.” Dowd, who takes the majority of his faceoffs in the defensive zone, has seen his win percentage jump dramatically over the last 10 games. He’s won 62.7 percent of his draws in that span, bringing his season average to a team-leading 55 percent among full-time centers. The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021

“At one point we were really struggling in the dot,” Dowd said, “and we’ve gotten a lot better since he’s come in.”

Kuznetsov has also seen improvement, as his percentage has increased to 44.2 percent. There’s still a lot of room for growth, obviously, but Peca said Kuznetsov has approached the challenge with the right attitude.

“With him, it seems to be something he’s embracing and is really looking forward to improving on,” Peca said. 1205093 Winnipeg Jets The switch really seems to have gone on in the last month. After registering just a goal and assist in his first 10 games, Perreault has four goals and four assists in his last dozen. That includes eerily similar hard- working tallies in two straight games, victories over Vancouver and Player Jets wanted to ditch is sure earning his keep Montreal, in which he stole loose pucks in the offensive zone, broke in all alone and beat netminders Braden Holtby and Jake Allen with beautiful

backhanders. Mike McIntyre There was more than enough jump in his legs on both occasions, as there has been on every recent shift. And a Jets team with an elite top six forward group in Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Paul Stastny, Nikolaj The list of professional athletes who go out on their own terms and at the Ehlers, Kyle Connor and Pierre-Luc Dubois is now getting the kind of top of their games is a very short one. Father Time remains undefeated, depth production that can turn good teams into great ones. and pride can be a powerful thing when it comes to recognizing the end of the road. There was a time when Perreault’s name would have been included among those top players, which is how he earned the current contract It can get especially problematic when an aging player is still cashing that will expire in the summer and leave him an unrestricted free agent. cheques far and above their current skillset, especially in a flat salary cap The versatile winger, who can also play centre, has always had strong era. Beloved fan favourite one day. Overpaid bum they can’t wait to run analytics for things like puck possession and retrieval, even as his speed out of town the next. Life moves fast, and it’s not always fair. and offensive production began to slow down and injuries mounted. And they’ve been stellar this season. All of which brings me to veteran Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault. "I don’t have any distraction, to be honest. I always come to the rink and play hockey as hard as I can. I’ve always done that. I’ve never worried Now in his 13th pro season, and seventh here in River City, Perreault’s about anything else outside of that. And this year it’s one of those years, best days are clearly behind him. An avid golfer, the 33-year-old is well Paul is giving me a lot of confidence, he’s playing me good minutes," into the back nine of his hockey career. Even when healthy, which is no Perreault said following Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win in his home guarantee given his injury history, Perreault doesn’t have the same province. giddy-up and go he once possessed, nor the same finish around the net. "I’ve just been able to find a way, really. My game doesn’t really change. I That would be fine if money was no object for the franchise or he was play the same way I’ve always played, and right now it’s just going in for signed for something close to the league-minimum of US$725,000. But me. So I’m just going to try and ride it. And the team’s winning games, so it’s a big potential problem considering Perreault is in the final year of a couldn’t be any happier." deal paying him US$4.125 million, on a Winnipeg team right up against the US$81.5-million cap ceiling. Maurice prefers a fourth line that he can trust, rather than one filled with younger, unproven players, and the current incarnation with Perreault The reality is Perreault would be long gone by now had the Jets gotten and fellow veterans Trevor Lewis and Nate Thompson is serving the their way. There were off-season trade talks in which general manager team well. Kevin Cheveldayoff would have gladly unloaded him for a draft pick but found no takers. And there was the NHL’s version of giveaway weekend When you throw in a third line of Adam Lowry, Andrew Copp and Mason in mid-January, when the team put him on waivers. The other 30 clubs Appleton, who have 14 goals and 25 assists between them, this is the around the league said "No thanks." deepest forward group in Jets 2.0 history. So deep, in fact, that players such as Jansen Harkins, Kristian Vesalainen and Gustafsson can’t even I imagine that must have felt like taking a spear to the groin for a guy like get a sniff. Perreault. Not that it was ever personal. He is a quality human being, and the man known to teammates simply as "Frenchy" is beloved in the Their time will come, soon enough. But for now, Perreault and the Jets room. But the business of sport can be cold and cruel, and the Jets had are reaping the benefits of their long-term relationship going into to make some calculated decisions in an attempt to create some financial overtime. Despite the steep price, keeping him around has really paid off. breathing room. His price tag is what scared everyone else away, too.

But here’s where things take a bit of an unexpected turn, a development that I didn’t see coming and I suspect many within the organization didn’t Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 03.06.2021 either. The Jets should be thankful everyone else took a pass and Perreault is still in the fold.

In addition to being a consummate pro and saying all the right things, Perreault’s recent play has spoken volumes as well.

He looks like a guy who is cherishing every minute of the opportunity, of playing every game this season on a big stage in his home country, of showing everyone around the league who was ready to write him off -- his own team included -- that he’s not done just yet.

"He never complains, whether he is playing less or more or whatever his role is over the years. That’s something everyone can take note from. A veteran guy who has had a great career who’s played a long time already in this league and it doesn’t matter where he is in the lineup, he’s going to work his butt off," alternate captain Josh Morrissey told me Friday.

The Jets have made his money work, with Bryan Little going to long-term injured reserve. And rather than hindering Winnipeg’s success, he’s actually helping with it. So what gives?

"Matty Perreault loves playing hockey," said coach Paul Maurice when I asked what he’s seen from him this season.

"I think he loves every part of it, right. He likes being around the guys, he likes the travel, he likes bringing his kids to the rink, he works hard in practice, and he’s never seemed to get caught up in ... he’s an unselfish player. He’s not worried about his lot in life. He’s found a way to come to the rink and enjoy it every single day. And that’s the energy and enthusiasm that he brings. That’s why he’s a valuable part of that fabric of our room right now." 1205094 Winnipeg Jets His coaches and teammates appreciate the effort. "The courage it takes is always valued in a room. You’re jumping up and

down when a guy scores a goal, but if you listen to NHL benches, every Canadian teams have already sent a pair of bench bosses packing time somebody blocks a shot everybody is banging their stick on the boards — it’s a big deal. He’s elite at it," said Maurice.

"Everybody in that room has been hit with one of those pucks, they know Mike McIntyre the courage that takes. What Derek has brought to our team is a really skilled shot blocker and I think you’re starting to see that kind of wears off

on everybody. () last year broke three bones shot Before the NHL season began, Winnipeg Jets bench boss Paul Maurice blocking, it’s not a fun job. Derek is doing it on a nightly basis and it jokingly predicted as many as five coaches would be fired in the garners the appropriate amount of respect in the room from the players." Canadian Division. It was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the pressure The Jets have joined the hockey world in mourning Walter Gretzky, who that would come with seven northern hockey neighbours playing their passed away on Thursday night at the age of 82. entire 56-game schedule against each other. Morrissey posted a tribute on his Instagram account and recalled the one Turns out he might not end up being far off. time he met the elder Gretzky at a minor hockey tournament in British Montreal’s Claude Julien was the first to fall last week, sent walking by Columbia. Montreal after his team hit the skids. And now Geoff Ward has been sent "I was pretty young — and it was like a celebrity was there. He was a packing by Calgary following a 11-11-2 start, replaced by Darryl Sutter. celebrity. It was Wayne Gretzky’s dad. I think he did a lot of great things. Considering Travis Green is on the hot seat in Vancouver — Vegas has The whole arena was full, the lobby was full, with kids and parents and him as the odds-on favourite to be the next NHL coach to get the axe — everyone wanting to meet him. You just don’t see that at all for a parent, and D.J. Smith’s Senators are dead-last, even more change could be in right?" he said Friday. the air in the Great White North. "There could have been an NHL player walking through the lobby and the "This is pro sports, so we get it. When you get into Canada, it’s just people wouldn’t have notice, but they noticed Walter. Sad news. extreme is what it is. I’m not complaining about that, it’s a big part of why Condolences to his family and everyone. He was a great part of the it’s great working in Canada. Everybody loves the game. They have an hockey community for a long time, and he will definitely be missed. When opinion on it. When you’re winning, you’re not far from winning the you think of the game of hockey, it’s the Gretzky family. Obviously, Stanley Cup. When you’re losing, everybody has to go. That’s the Wayne is the best player of all-time, and his dad and his family is sort of extremeness of the environment, which means the scrutiny is going to be synonymous with that." on the coaches — and it always is," Maurice said Friday. With a healthy NHL roster right now, there’s simply no room at the inn for "This isn’t going to end. You’re two weeks away, no matter how good you young forwards such as Kristian Vesalainen and David Gustafsson. But a think your team is playing, from being on the other end of that pressure. temporary fix has been found, with the pair being re-assigned to the That’s all part of it. It’s not always fun to live in that environment, but it’s a this past week to get some valuable game action under key driver — I think — in why the job is a lot of fun. It’s that energy, that their belts. juice, that tension, it’s part of what we do. It’s on display now in Canada Both made their AHL season debut Friday night in Belleville. The Moose like it’s never been." will then return to Winnipeg to begin 17 straight games at home starting Maurice, who is the second most-tenured coach behind Tampa’s Jon Monday. Cooper, expects the fifth-place Flames to get back to a "very direct" "They’ve worked really hard. Both of those guys have made big strides. game, hard and fast and in-your-face, which has been a staple of Sutter’s This is clearly an unusual year, but we’ve got to get them playing and previous success which includes winning two Stanley Cups with Los we’ve got to get them into games. It’s fantastic that we’ll be able to be in Angeles in 2012 and 2014. As does Jets defenceman Derek Forbort, the same city for a little bit of that long home stand. We’ll be able to move who played two years under Sutter with the Kings. guys, probably, a little easier back and forth. We want to get these young "He’s a great coach. He’s won a lot of games. He’s a hard coach, he’s guys games and get them playing, and they can help that team," said hard on guys and I’m sure he’ll do a really good job of getting the most Maurice. out of those guys in Calgary," said Forbort.

Most people eat cake for their birthday. Forbort feasted on vulcanized Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 03.06.2021 rubber.

He celebrated turning 29 in a most unusual and painful way Thursday night, setting a new franchise record by blocking 11 pucks in his team’s 4-3 overtime win over Montreal. The previous high of 10 was held by former blue-liners Greg De Vries and Andy Sutton in separate 2006 games, while the Jets 2.0 benchmark was held by Josh Morrissey with nine in 2018.

"When you’re playing the game, you’re not really thinking about it. It just kind of happens naturally. Yeah, it sucks sometimes. But you know, if you get them in the shin pads or the pads it’s not too bad," Forbort said following Friday’s practice at Bell Centre ahead of tonight’s rematch with the Canadiens.

It’s no picnic to step in front of a blistering slapshot coming your way, especially when it’s off the stick of someone like Habs defenceman Shea Weber. But paying the price, even if it leaves you black and blue, is part of the job description for someone like Forbort.

"When I was playing in LA, John Stevens was the D coach and he would bring out these kind of foam pucks and he would fire them at us. So we’d kind of work on technique that way, kind of getting your angle right from the net-front up to the point. It’s definitely a skill you can work on," said Forbort.

"It’s kind of what you have to do to help the team win. You just have to do it." 1205095 Winnipeg Jets the NHL player. There could have been an NHL player walking through the lobby and the people wouldn’t have noticed, but they noticed Walter. Sad news. Condolences to his family and everyone. He was a great part of the hockey community for a long time, and he will definitely be JETS NOTEBOOK: Maurice reflects on one-year anniversary of COVID missed.” pause; Remembering Walter Birthday bumps

Most birthday bumps are light-hearted jabs from friends or co-workers. Scott Billeck For Derek Forbort, who turned 29 on Thursday, those bumps came in the Publishing date: Mar 06, 2021 form of pucks fired like missiles into various parts of his body. In total, Forbort blocked 11 shots during a 4-3 win against the Montreal

Canadiens at Bell Centre. It seems a bit insane that we’re a week out from the one-year Those 11 blocked shots came with a bit of a present for Forbort, who anniversary of one of the strangest days in hockey history. now owns the single-game franchise record for block shots. March 12 has meaning in Manitoba as it was the first day cases of “Not too bad,” Forbort said when asked about bruises he received. “I COVID-19 were identified in the province. For hockey, it was the day the think 11 is a little high, I don’t really think I had that many. Very generous season was put on pause. The night before, the Winnipeg Jets walked stat keeper.” out of Rogers Place in Edmonton with two more points in the bag following a 4-2 win against the Oilers. Blocking shots is one-part art and another part pure bravery. Not every guy does it. And then there’s Forbort, who leads the team with 55, 22 They also left with a great deal of uncertainty. more than Morrissey, who’s ranked second. During the first intermission, it was announced that Utah Jazz centre “When you’re playing the game, you’re not really thinking about it,” Rudy Gobert had tested positive for the virus. It was the first case in one Forbort said. “It just kind of happens naturally. I’m sure it’s kind of like of the four major sports in North America, and the one that led to the that for (Mark Scheifele) and (Blake Wheeler) making plays, it’s kind of shutdown of sports seemingly altogether. like that for me blocking shots. “So I was not clued in to the whole significance of it at the time,” Jets “Yeah, it sucks sometimes. But you know, if you get them in the shin head coach Paul Maurice said Friday. “I’m walking out to the ice for the pads or the pads it’s not too bad.” morning skate and Blake Wheeler says to me, ‘Do you think they’re going to shut us down tonight?’ I said, ‘No, I think they’re going to play McDavid against you. He goes, ‘Not the game, Covid.’ I said, ‘I have no idea.’” Winnipeg Sun LOADED 03.06.2021 Maurice liked the way the Jets played in that first period on March 11. Even with the news in the NBA, Maurice didn’t think much of it at the time.

“But I could not describe to you that second period,” he said. “Our players knew and their players knew (a shutdown was coming) – and the game of hockey disappeared. It was a disaster for the rest of the night. The turnovers. Their minds quickly went to that (shutdown). We fly that night to Calgary and we’re going to play in Calgary the next night and then we’re going home.

Maurice figured they’d be shut down for a few days, develop a plan to continue and go from there. That wouldn’t happen, of course.

“Now we’re coming around on a year and now, when you’re walking around and you don’t have a mask on, it feels funny,” he said. “That’s how things have changed.”

Remembering Walter

There’s no bigger hockey dad in the game than Walter Gretzky, the man who helped produce the greatest player of all-time.

Late Thursday, one of hockey’s most iconic figures passed away at the age of 82 following a near-decade-long battle with Parkinson’s disease. On Friday, both Maurice and defenceman Josh Morrissey paid tribute to the man.

“I would have the same relationship most Canadian hockey fans do — never met the man and somehow feel like you know him because he’s part of such a great story of our game,” Maurice said. “Certainly saddened to hear the loss and condolences to the Gretzky family on behalf of all the people with the Jets. It’s a sad day, I think soon to be replaced by a lot of storytelling and a lot of great memories.”

Morrissey only met the Gretzky once, long ago as a kid. He likened it to seeing a celebrity.

“When you think of the game of hockey, it’s the Gretzky family,” Morrissey said. “Obviously, Wayne is the best player of all-time, and his dad and his family are sort of synonymous with that. I don’t really know him or anything like that. I had a chance to meet him at a hockey tournament and it was like — I think it was in Vancouver, I was pretty young — and it was like a celebrity was there. He was a celebrity. It was Wayne Gretzky’s dad.

“I think he did a lot of great things. The whole arena was full, the lobby was full, with kids and parents and everyone wanting to meet him. You just don’t see that at all for a parent, right? It’s not how it works. It’s for 1205096 Winnipeg Jets not sure how much better we can get in terms of… I mean we’re trying to improve our shot location against, for sure. There’s a truth there. But the vast majority of information you get about shot location is exceptionally poor and unreliable. Just keep that in mind. You’re off by five and ten feet Expected "hogwash?" Different views on analytics within Jets on a fairly regular basis. You need to know that.” organization The truth is players shouldn’t have to worry about analytics. That’s the job of those in upper management. But some have suggested players shouldn’t be offered up questions on them, citing replies like Scheifele’s, Scott Billeck which don’t offer much and certainly don’t push the conversation forward. Publishing date: Mar 05, 2021 The counter to that would be this: Sure, you’re going to get some players, like Scheifele, who don’t pay any mind to them. Then you’ll those like Dubois who will give you an honest opinion. And then there are others (in MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 04: Paul Byron #41 of the Montreal Winnipeg, you have Adam Lowry for example), who are willing to discuss Canadiens challenges Mark Scheifele #55 of the Winnipeg Jets during them at length and provide their own ice-level insights on what they see. the first period at the Bell Centre on March 4, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. But at the end of the day, if you’re going to judge a player based on Article content analytics, that player should be able to speak to them all the same, regardless of what they have to say. Mark Scheifele called them “hogwash” on Thursday, suggesting he can tell you who’s played well and who hasn’t just by watching them play.

“Them,” as Scheifele referred, are analytics, numbers that dive deeper Winnipeg Sun LOADED 03.06.2021 into the game to provide more of the micro in the macro equation. They’ve become a big deal in the game of hockey, with every team employing a department dedicated to them.

They’ve also, at times, divided fans, including in the same fanbases. A subscriber to the analytical movement will suggest Player A is poor, and Player B is very good. Someone who isn’t interested may suggest it’s Player A that doesn’t live up to the hype and it’s Player B, instead, that’s the good player.

While Scheifele brushed them aside, igniting a tire fire on Twitter, Pierre- Luc Dubois gave a far more constructive answer when asked why players, such as Scheifele, don’t always pay as much attention to them.

“Sometimes it could be easy to look at a number and equation and tell somebody to do it differently,” Dubois said. “When you’re in the heat of the moment, when you’re on the ice you’re making decisions, it’s sometimes easy to tell your friends at work, ‘Oh, you should have done this differently’ after the fact. Or based on these numbers, you should have done it this way.”

Dubois said the numbers are great, but it’s not as simple as just putting them to work in a game filled with fast-paced decision-making when you’re on the ice. Somethings just can’t be calculated.

“If a guy’s stick is to the left instead of being on the right, or if he’s two feet in front instead of being two feet behind, maybe that’s why the stats didn’t show there’s a shot on net or something like that,” he said.

In some cases, onlookers will wonder why players are even asked about analytics when it’s really up to the coaches and the general managers to use the data to deploy better teams. But analytics have also brought more precise judgements upon players. Players are often expected to be perfect.

“So we’re all now holding players, teams and coaches accountable to a standard I don’t think we fully understand, yet,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said. “I don’t think the data is of high enough quality that you could bet a kidney on. You wouldn’t want to take that hard a stand with any of this information.”

Maurice said teams have been analyzing chances, how they’re generated and who’s generating them for more than a decade now.

“What’s different now is you get a way better relative understanding in terms of where your team is at on a specific data point compared to the rest of the league — if we assume that you appreciate the validity of the data,” he said.

Maurice has questioned in the past that validity, particularly on plot points for shots. He prefers his own in-house data, which he has admitted in the past doesn’t always paint a rosy picture either, but data he views as more accurate.

At 15-7-1, Maurice’s team is second place in the North Division and in the top-10 ranked teams in the NHL this season. However, in terms of shot differential and expected goals, his team is in the bottom third in both categories and scraping the basement floor in the latter.

“There’s a truth in those numbers,” Maurice said. “We don’t generate as much offence as I think we can. We can improve in those numbers. I’m 1205097 Winnipeg Jets played in so far this season. “He came in here, we played him in the top- nine and he put up good numbers, our structure change, we have a checking line, those kinds of things. And he played very well on that (checking) line earlier in the year, but he is a kind of a good veteran pro Jets' Perreault hasn't turned back the clock, he's just doing what he's with a nice set of hands on him.” always done Maurice feels Perreault is just as impactful now as he was during the 2017-18 season, statistically one of his best, where he played with Matt Hendricks and Joel Armia. Scott Billeck “Tonight, you have a version of that in terms of two other veteran guys Publishing date: Mar 05, 2021 and he loves playing with those guys,” Maurice said following Thursday’s win. “He’s talking on the bench. Matty just loves the game, he loves playing but he wants to have fun doing it and he wants to play with two Ask Mathieu Perreault what he’s sprinkling on his Corn Flakes lately and guys… he plays with a little bit of abandon and certainly an awful lot of he’ll tell you there’s nothing new. passion.”

One would assume there’s been a dropoff at some point in his 11-year And that’s led to a level of trust between player and coach over time, not career. In terms of goals and assists, he’s not putting up the same pace just with Perreault, but with the guys he lines up with. that he was when he arrived in Winnipeg as a fresh-faced 27-year-old. The days of his 40-plus point seasons are likely past him at 33 years of A defensive zone faceoff coming off a TV timeout and knowing the other age now, especially considering he’s playing around five fewer minutes team would be sending out its best isn’t when Maurice would usually each night. deploy his fourth line. But with Perreault part of it, Maurice did just that during the first period of Thursday’s game. But what the lighter load on the scoresheet doesn’t show you is just how effective he still is, even in a reduced role. Take out the fact that he’s “Those guys feed off that,” he said. “They know they’re getting a chance making a hair over $4 million this season, and you have perhaps one of and they know the other team’s best is probably coming out, so it adds a the league’s premier fourth-liners, one good enough to play on the third, little different dimension on our team, with three veteran guys accepting and if necessary, can still hold his own in the top-six in a pinch. their role. Being really excited to play, with the passion he shows on the ice and you see on the ice, we feel on the bench and we see it in practice “He almost plays like a 20-year-old, where just wherever the puck is, he’s and around the locker room.” going to hunt it down,” forward Paul Stastny said. And that rich vein of form Perreault finds himself in? It’s a pretty good summation of Perreault’s most recent two goals. “I’m just going to try and ride it,” he said. “And the team’s winning games, Scored in back-to-back games now, including one in Winnipeg’s latest so couldn’t be any happier.” triumph 4-3 against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, they’ve both come in a similar fashion — strong forecheck leads to a mistake, which is then capitalized on by the Drummondville native, and before you know it, Winnipeg Sun LOADED 03.06.2021 the puck is on his backhand and deposited in the back of the net.

“When you have that, it creates turnovers. It creates momentum. It creates energy,” Stastny said. “And then he’s done a good job of finishing the puck now when he does get those chances when it’s on a breakaway or it’s in the slot.”

Stastny, 35, isn’t just tossing out a compliment or two to a fellow 30- something. Perreault feels the same way.

“I don’t have any distraction, to be honest,” said Perreault, who’s in the final year of his contract. “I always come to the rink and play hockey as hard as I can. I’ve always done that,

“My game doesn’t really change. I play the same way I’ve always played, and right now it’s just going in for me.”

Through 22 games this season, Perreault has five goals and 10 points. He had seven goals and 15 points in 49 games last season. Barring injury — and Perreault had plenty last season — Perreault looks good to reach the 20-point mark once again, if not higher.

“This year it’s one of those years, Paul is giving me a lot of confidence, he’s playing me good minutes,” Perreault said. “I’ve had the second power play and I’ve just been able to find a way, really.”

Maurice has coached Perreault since the day he arrived in Winnipeg during the summer of 2014. Coming off his best season to date with 43 points in 69 games with the Anaheim Ducks in the previous season (he later eclipsed that with 45 points in 65 games during the 2016-17 year), Perreault has been Maurice’s Mr. Versatile — a player you could literally plug into any forward position and he would excel, often carrying lesser teammates to another level along with.

It’s possible there isn’t a player in this league that’s had as big of an impact on the game, analytically speaking, yet hasn’t found a regular role in a top-six in the NHL.

In 11 NHL seasons, Perreault has produced just one season below 50% in terms of shot differential — last season — and just two where he’s sub-50% in expected goals (last season, and during the 21 games he played with the Washington Capitals during his inaugural outing in 2009- 10.)

“Some of what Matty Perreault has kind of been through here is actually a function of his linemates,” Maurice said, speaking of the 22 games he’s 1205098 Vancouver Canucks

Tom Mayenknecht: Despite loss to Canucks, Leafs showing they're class of Canadian NHL teams

Tom Mayenknecht

Publishing date: Mar 05, 2021

BULLS OF THE WEEK

Despite coming down to earth in a 3-1 loss to the consistently inconsistent Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, it’s been another good week for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Earlier in the week, the Leafs swept a three-game set against the Edmonton Oilers to create a seven-point cushion atop the Scotia North Division.

The Original Six franchise has clearly been the class of the group of seven Canadian teams playing together during a compressed 56-game NHL schedule that reaches its midpoint this weekend.

The fastest start in Leafs’ franchise history stands in stark contrast to the recent struggles of the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames, both of which have fired their head coaches in the last 10 days, and the Canucks, who have disappointed with their generally uninspired play this season.

Meanwhile, the Oilers are reflecting hope of another sort this week. They’re applying to health authorities to allow fans in the stands as part of a recent wave of teams in several of the big-five sports that are doing whatever they can to begin rebuilding ticketing revenue in the year ahead.

Edmonton, which was one of two hub cities in last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs and hosted the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in the bubble at Rogers Place over the holidays, seems intent on becoming the first Canadian franchise to play in front of in-arena spectators since the pandemic was officially declared March 11, 2020 — exactly one year ago this coming week.

Yet for the third time in a 2021 that is still less than 10 weeks old, our most bullish subject line in the business of sport is trading cards. This time it was a Tom Brady rookie card that sold for US$1.32 million at an online auction convened by PWCC in the U.S. The 21-year-old autographed memento set a new benchmark for football cards, leapfrogging past the card featuring Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs that sold for US$861,000 last month.

It comes in a first quarter of 2021 that has already made headlines because of record-setting sales of a US$5.2 million Mickey Mantle Topps card and US$3.6 million for a “one-of-one” Luca Doncic Dallas Mavericks card; second only to the Mantle card as the most expensive ever.

With a similar Brady rookie card currently up for auction at Leland’s in the U.S., the question is how long does this US$1.32 million mark stand? By spring, we could very well have Brady holding three of the top-four card sales in football history and perhaps a top-10, most-expensive- collectible-ever (Michael Jordan is currently 10 at US$1.4 million for an autographed 1997 game jersey).

BEARS OF THE WEEK

The world of hockey — and of sport for that matter — is poorer this weekend after the death of Walter Gretzky at age 82. The passing of the ultimate Canadian hockey dad invoked the postage-stamp Images commemorating the patch of ice in Brantford, Ont., that was the most famous backyard rink in the country. It reminded us of Walter’s place in Canadian heritage, inspiring a beautiful tribute Thursday by his son Wayne and the entire Gretzky family, one that tugs at the heartstrings of people across Canada and the hockey community at large.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205099 Vancouver Canucks At the end of the day, we must look toward the man who hasn’t spoken with the media in an unvarnished setting in years, who Benning wears all the team’s successes and failures for.

Patrick Johnston: Benning's long-term vision for Canucks taking a long Look at the list of voices who have left the organization during Benning’s time tenure: Laurence Gilman, , Linden, Victor de Bonis, Jeff Stipec and Judd Brackett. That’s a pretty good front office right there. And that’s without getting into the catalogue of people who left in the first decade of Aquilini ownership. Patrick Johnston They could help optimize a plan for the future. Publishing date: Mar 06, 2021 Instead, it’s become more and more clear that what Francesco Aquilini

wants, he gets, and if you don’t get in line, you’re out. Nearly three years after he was shown the door, if Trevor Linden is He’s been the owner for 17 years. Does he think he’s the hockey expert thinking “I told you so,” you could hardly blame him. now? Why won’t he sign off on a new contract for head coach Travis If he has additional emotions, you could hardly blame those, either. Green or his coaching staff? Benning didn’t want to comment on talks when he was asked about them, and it’s reasonable to wonder if that’s On Friday morning, Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning because it’s out of his hands. laid out a timeline for his club contending that actually falls behind the path that Linden had laid out in front of ownership not long before his The desire to sign big, lumbering players like Micheal Ferland and Tyler dismissal in summer 2018. Asked when he thought his team could Myers, and hanging on to Jake Virtanen, suggest that Aquilini still holds contend for the Stanley Cup, Benning said, “hopefully two years.” on to his old notion of the Boston model, that a winning team is big and burly more than anything else. But you can’t just make that team appear After checking the calendar, that would be 2023. The path Linden saw, out of thin air. There are plenty of examples to point to where that’s not according to sources, was four years, give or take. So, 2022. (At the worked. same time, Linden was also pooh-poohing the idea of even contemplating signing John Tavares, a plan ownership wanted, in a split A rebuild actually doesn’t take that long if you plan it right. Mediocrity is that proved final.) what happens when you don’t have a plan. Just ask the Edmonton Oilers. Benning’s Friday meeting with the media didn’t really have that many surprises for people who have been paying attention to the team. He still And here we are. believes in his plan, the idea of drafting and developing. And in that, he’s ICE CHIPS: Benning said talks about new contracts with Quinn Hughes had some success. and Pettersson wouldn’t start until after the trade deadline. … He It’s the rest of his game, whether he has really wanted to make every confirmed he would like to re-sign veteran winger Tanner Pearson. … signing he’s made or not, that carries the weight of any job assessment The Canucks also practised Friday and Pettersson, who the team says is you can make of him. In a results-based business, it’s hard to see him dealing with an upper-body injury, was again absent, a day after he was making a passing grade at this point. His young players are doing plenty scratched from the lineup. well, but the overall picture simply isn’t good enough.

He believes ownership has given him the space to do his job, even if Vancouver Province: LOADED: 03.06.2021 from the outside we can see that two senior executive positions have been left open for two years, their duties surely somewhat in his lap now. (And you have some sympathy for him in this regard. He was hired to build a hockey team, not also handle all the other things a president-like figure is expected to do.)

He insisted he has a good relationship with ownership and said he was thankful that Francesco Aquilini tweeted out his support for Benning and his management team in mid-February. But in seven years, Benning’s Canucks have made the playoffs just twice. His team this year is surely going to miss the postseason.

Yes, Jim Benning’s young core is still young and developing, but Elias Pettersson is now 22, while Auston Matthews is just 23 and Connor McDavid 24.

Nine years to “hopefully” build a contender? And that really isn’t a surprise, in the end, since Benning laid out his philosophy in talking about his plans for the trade deadline, which is five weeks away.

“We live day to day … We live with today, we’re in today’s world,” he said.

So even if his team’s playoff chances are slim, he’s not ready to pull the chute, to try to start selling players in an effort to reset his roster. His players are still young, he claimed, but the truth is that the Canucks’ young stars are no younger than the game’s best young stars: Connor McDavid is 24, Bo Horvat is 25. Elias Pettersson is 22 and Auston Matthews is 23.

It’s a useful comparison that the current opposition, the Toronto Maple Leafs, are a big favourite to go a long way in the playoffs this year and their top leader, Brendan Shanahan, was hired around the same time as Benning. In that time, he’s executed a rebuild and his team looks headed toward their fifth straight playoff appearance. Yes, it’s worth noting they’ve been a playoff disappointment to date, but if you were to line up the Leafs’ and Canucks’ squads against each other for comparison this season, it’s not hard to point to which team has the better short-term and long-term prognosis. 1205100 Vancouver Canucks remains on the club’s cap sheet as a result of a contract it agreed to with Luongo 13 years ago that was legal at the time it was signed.

So for about a third of their overall cap space for the 2021-22 season, Drance: Canucks can’t afford Jim Benning’s patient, passive approach they’re getting a forward trio who, if combined, would make up one of the ahead of a crucial trade deadline slowest and least-effective fourth lines in the league, plus a low-end second-pair defender and a below-average backup goaltender.

This is hugely inconvenient, considering that Pettersson, Hughes and By Thomas Drance Thatcher Demko are going to see their compensation increase by a factor of 10, year over year, this offseason. Mar 5, 2021 The combination of the flat cap, the Canucks’ best young talent

becoming more expensive on second or third contracts and what remains The excuses rang hollow, the buck was passed and there was no sense of the inefficient commitments that are as much a legacy of Benning’s of introspection. tenure as his success in the early rounds of the NHL Draft make it so that two years looks about right to me as a realistic timeline. There was zero indication Friday that Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning has even begun to grapple with the reality of his It is going to take two more years for this club to clear the decks and club’s plight as it lingers near the bottom of the North Division and NHL rearrange and upgrade the supporting cast so that the core group will standings approaching the midpoint of the 2021 season, or with his role have any realistic hope of credibly contending. That much, Benning is in bringing about that plight. right about. The window probably doesn’t reopen until 2022-23.

Forget selling proactively at the deadline or looking ahead to the future But whether Benning’s two-year assessment is accurate really doesn’t with a calculated plan, according to Benning. The Canucks plan to matter as much as it does that no hockey fan in this market wants to hear prioritize extension talks with 28-year-old middle-six stalwart Tanner that difficult truth from the second-longest-tenured general manager in Pearson over the five weeks ahead of the NHL trade deadline while Canucks franchise history. Particularly if he’s ducking responsibility for saving the more formative extension talks with their core 22- and 21- creating these circumstances and shrugging off the Eriksson deal — year-old superstars Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson for after the which is the league leader for the contract with the highest AAV on an deadline. NHL team’s taxi squad — by suggesting that it’s just “the nature of the business.” This is exactly backwards, but that’s fitting — particularly for a remarkable 35-minute news conference in which the embattled Canucks Fundamentally, the fact that this Canucks team is still hapless seven executive, now in his seventh season with the team, failed to address the years after the end of the Gillis regime and three years after the Sedin mess he has steered the organization into. twins’ retirement is largely on Benning — even if he won’t accept that publicly. And it’s going to take a good deal of focused, detailed work to Hopefully, you weren’t counting on a coherent articulation of a plan to get course correct. the club through it. Instead what you got was the general manager making a plea for patience. It came in response to a question from The And here’s the worst part: There’s one more dirty little secret about the Athletic about what his message is for fans who are no longer confident two-year timeline we just outlined. in his ability to construct a contending team around an impressive core Following the 2022-23 season, the Canucks will have to dole out another group of young players that, in fairness, he has constructed with some significant raise to another core piece in Brock Boeser, who is due a $7.5 hits at the draft table. million qualifying offer just to retain his restricted rights that summer. With “Realistically our core players, they still need to mature a little bit yet,” the Luongo recapture hit and the Eriksson, Roussel and Beagle contracts Benning said. “And I think in two years’ time, we’re going to be real all expiring, that shouldn’t be too cumbersome. In fact, the club should competitive and have a chance to compete for the Cup, but we have to have real flexibility that offseason, depending on where it lands with keep building and keep adding players to our group.” Pettersson and Hughes’ second deals.

It was a stunning quote. And it was stunning because there are certain That moment, in two years’ time, will be the time to go for it. things that a long-tenured general manager can’t do or say without scorn Here’s where this gets ugly. That window lasts for only one season from an attentive fan base, even if the assessment is dead on. before both Bo Horvat, who will then be 28, and J.T. Miller, who will turn Let’s consider an analogy with Benning’s predecessor, . One 30 during the 2023-24 season, see their deals expire. Essentially the of Gillis’ final substantial moves as the Canucks’ president and general Canucks are on pace, without significant reorientation, to lock manager was to complete a complex trade with the themselves into two seasons of pain —including this mercifully shortened Florida Panthers that returned Jacob Markstrom and would’ve been campaign — as they hurdle a wash of inefficient money during the flat- hailed as an unqualified grand-slam deal if it had been the first trade of cap era. And in exchange for enduring this, they’ll get just one more kick an incoming regime launching a rebuilding effort. at the can in the 2023-24 season with their current core group.

Because it was Gillis who made the deal toward the end of his tenure, For all the talk in the industry in recent years about this club’s bright though, it took years for the public perception about that trade to catch up future, it’s crucial to note that the structural logic of Vancouver’s team- to the reality that it was a clear win for Vancouver. building cycle has been compromised by short-term thinking, by ugly contract work in unrestricted free agency and by a complete lack of This seemingly preposterous plea for patience is Benning’s much lower- strategic discipline. stakes version of the Luongo deal. It’s a comment that’s being widely dunked on by sports talk radio hosts and Canucks fans in the digital In this context, hearing Benning discuss a possible Pearson extension on space in the wake of Friday’s availability, but honestly, of all the baffling Friday — leaving aside the way Benning sacrificed his own club’s statements that came out of Friday’s newser, on this one, Benning’s is leverage in those talks with his commentary — is an insult to the right. intelligence of hockey fans in the Vancouver market. Pearson is a good, reliable professional. But he doesn’t in any way move the needle for this This Canucks team is facing a longer, multiyear timeline in building club when you consider what it needs and when, if the goal is actually toward contention. That logic was partly locked in because of the flat-cap winning a championship. era and the host of inefficient contractual commitments on the Canucks’ books, but it was compounded by a series of key departures and bad For reasons both of their own making and outside their control, the bets this offseason — most notably retaining Jake Virtanen and bringing Canucks are entering a delicate and complicated stage of their team- in Braden Holtby. building cycle. And the next five weeks leading up to the most complicated NHL trade deadline in the history of the sport are an Some of these problems are intractable, particularly in the short term. As opportunity for Benning to, as best he can, reload the Canucks’ war chest it stands, for example, the Canucks have over $25 million in 2021-22 cap of draft picks and future assets by trading a variety of players who aren’t space committed to Loui Eriksson, Jay Beagle, Antoine Roussel, Tyler going to be contributors on the next Canucks team capable of making Myers, Holtby and a completely absurd salary cap-recapture penalty. It noise in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Dealing Pearson should be a no-brainer for any front office thinking critically about what this team needs and when. Same goes for . And Travis Hamonic. And Jordie Benn. And Alex Edler.

These deals are going to be complicated, though. They’re going to require the Canucks to retain salary. Deals involving Hamonic, Sutter, Edler and even Benn will require Benning to work with the players involved on three-dimensional transactions since all of those players are on deals with some form of no-trade or no-movement protection. It’s going to be a significant problem-solving test for Canucks hockey operations.

That’s why Benning’s characterization of his club’s pre-deadline posture was so mystifying Friday morning.

“I expect we’re going to get some calls on our players, and we’ll just see where it goes,” Benning said, as if winning in the NHL is a passive activity. It isn’t.

No one expects an NHL general manager to lay out the entire plan to the media or to wave a white flag on the season before the team is mathematically eliminated. What was so galling Friday, though, was that there was nothing in Benning’s commentary that even hinted at the stakes.

And nothing that indicated that the head of Vancouver’s hockey operations leadership has even begun to grapple with his own role in creating these dire circumstances.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205101 Websites The 2020 NWHL “bubble” season, announced in November, was full of hype and promise. The location — in Lake Placid where many NWHL players dreamed of playing — was idyllic. The Isobel Cup semifinal and final games would be broadcast on NBC Sports The Athletic / ‘It was kind of inevitable’: NWHL players reflect on Network, marking the first time professional women’s hockey would air promising season gone wrong live on a major cable network. Everything seemed to be going according to plan.

Beauts forward Kristin Lewicki, 25, was feeling excited, even though she By Lyndsey D'Arcangelo had a lot to arrange before the season. As a contract program analyst for Mar 5, 2021 the federal government, Lewicki had to get permission to work from Buffalo instead of her homebase in West Virginia, and then in Lake Placid once the season began. She received approval and traveled to Western New York at the end of September to begin practicing twice a The Boston Pride headed into their second game of a best-of-three week with some of her teammates. series against the Buffalo Beauts on Jan. 31, down 0-1. One more loss, and they’d be packing their bags. Beauts players from Canada weren’t allowed to cross the border yet and trained separately. It wasn’t until after the New Year that the Beauts were Three days earlier, the Metropolitan Riveters had dropped out of the two- able to practice as a full team. Training was put on hold again when a week 2020 NWHL season in Lake Placid, N.Y., after several players couple of Beauts players tested positive, Lewicki said. tested positive for COVID-19, and the NWHL had revised the schedule and format on short notice. Instead of pausing play to track the potential “It was kind of a lot heading up to the bubble,” she said. “But you just spread of the virus and evaluate the safety of the situation six days into gotta focus on hockey and remember what you’re there for.” the season, the league moved forward, putting players and coaches in a must-play situation. When they finally arrived at Lake Placid and the games began, Lewicki liked what she saw both on and off the ice. The protocols were pretty With the Riveters out of the picture, the Pride needed to win to stay alive straightforward — frequent testing, social distancing and mask wearing. in the Isobel Cup race with the Toronto Six, Minnesota Whitecaps and The expectation was that the players would travel only between the rink Connecticut Whale. There was only one playoff slot remaining, and and their hotel rooms, but social media posts, like a photo on Instagram Boston and Buffalo would be playing for it on the ice. that showed players in town, suggested otherwise. Going into the season, teams expressed concerns about the players’ mental health It was an elimination game, or so the Pride players thought. while living in such isolation. Before the game that Sunday, Boston head coach Paul Mara learned the “It’s just kind of bearing down and following those protocols,” Lewicki best-of-three series against Buffalo was off. Connecticut had just opted said. “I get that it’s kind of annoying that you’re locked in your room, like out of the season as well, ultimately leaving Lake Placid on Feb. 1 after you want to be able to hang out with your teammates, or if you have multiple players tested positive and their test results did not come back in friends on the other team, you want to see them as well. But, like, for us, time for their scheduled game that night. it’s only two weeks. I feel like it’s pretty easy to follow those rules. I mean, Amid the swirl of miscommunication and confusion, Buffalo and Boston I think for the most part, every team did what they could and (did) the would now both make the playoffs no matter the result of their game. But best to keep everyone safe and to try and follow those rules.” Mara kept the information to himself. On the ice, the Beauts got off to a slow start, going 0-2-1 in their first “Coach Mara didn’t tell us it wasn’t an elimination game until after the three games. Their lack of on-ice chemistry was apparent. The bright game,” said 23-year-old rookie forward Taylor Wenczkowski. “Having spot was rookie netminder Carly Jackson, who maintained a .909 save that pressure, do or die, really forced us to get into another gear and percentage despite facing 231 shots through six games, the most in the really pick it up.” league.

The Pride had yet to regain their form from last season, when they Lewicki felt the momentum shifting after Buffalo secured its first win finished first in the NWHL at 23-1 while leading the league in goals against Boston in the first game of the best-of-three series. “After each scored (120) and fewest goals allowed (43). In 2019-20, they were stout game, I think, we kept coming together more and more as a team, and in every facet of the game. This season, though, something was amiss. getting that chemistry,” she said. “For us, it was kind of tough since we really didn’t have that many team practices to figure out who really plays Heading into that second matchup with Buffalo, the Pride were hanging well together. I think the games kind of allowed us to see that each time, on to a 1-4 record and had scored only nine goals. They believed it was and we kept progressing as we kept playing.” win-or-go-home, and they played like it. Unlike the Pride, the Beauts knew ahead of the second game that the on- “It was hard to point at what we were missing,” Wenczkowski said. “But in ice stakes had lowered. Lewicki welcomed the chance to contend for the that second game against Buffalo, the energy on the bench was different. Isobel Cup, even if the season wasn’t going according to plan and Our backs were against the wall.” communication between the league and teams often faltered.

The Pride walloped the Beauts 6-0 and defeated them again the next “It was all over the place. It was ups and downs,” she said. “I mean, we’d day, 7-1. get told one thing one day and then a completely different the next day. “We were trying to build off the previous game and remind the rest of the So, I mean, emotions and not knowing what was going on was kind of all league … every team that we had played there had beaten us at one over the place. But with COVID, I have to expect that changes are going point,” Wenczkowski said. “We needed to prove to ourselves, and to the to be happening and it’s not going to go as planned.” other teams as well, that they’re not just gonna be able walk all over us.” Cailey Hutchison was playing her second season with the Riveters. But before Boston got the chance to prove itself in the playoffs, (Courtesy of Michelle Jay) everything stopped. The number of positive COVID-19 cases, which The Riveters were the first team to leave Lake Placid and forfeit the rest many say can be traced back to the Riveters, escalated. By the end of of the NWHL season. Forward Cailey Hutchison, 24, can’t help but think the season on Feb. 3, the virus affected just over 20 percent of everyone of what might have been. The Riveters had a good core of returning involved, NWHL commissioner Tyler Tumminia said in a statement to players from last season and were 2-1 when their season abruptly ended The Athletic. The league, which says now its players and staff were due to a COVID-19 outbreak. playing and living in a “restricted access environment” under a protocol plan it believed to be strong, had no choice but to cancel the rest of the “(Our) morale was defeated,” Hutchison said. “We really thought we season. could have brought the Cup home.”

“We don’t have the financial resources for a true bubble,” Tumminia said. For the Riveters, simply getting to the season was a challenge. The team “We learned a lot and I take responsibility for not providing enough had more players than there were roster spots available. With the oversight to be sure our plan was followed effectively.” amount of dedication and preparation it took just to make the team, Hutchison doubts anyone didn’t take the protocols seriously. The question is whether teams should have had more time to quarantine between when they arrived in Lake Placid and when they started games, and whether the NWHL should have paused play early on, until it had the Riveters’ situation under control.

“We had a number of players test positive for COVID, and I’m not really sure we could have done anything better. Like, I wouldn’t have participated if I didn’t feel safe,” Hutchison said. “I just think that due to our circumstances, it’s really hard to just solely isolate yourselves and play hockey. … I really don’t think anything could have been done differently. It was kind of inevitable.”

As a nursing student at Stony Brook in Long Island, Hutchison was juggling school work, twice-a-week hockey practices and her job on the side. She brought notes, books and PowerPoint presentations to Lake Placid and smoothed out her nursing assistant schedule ahead of time.

As careful as she’d been, Hutchison still contracted COVID-19 three weeks before arriving for the season. She isolated and stayed home. Then she was tested again. Players were given a rapid test before they boarded the bus to Lake Placid and again when they arrived. Even with all the testing in place, before and after games, some believe there may have been too much of a reliance on rapid tests.

Wenczkowski wouldn’t comment on whether or not she believes the NWHL did everything it could to keep the players safe and the season going, but she did say she wished they had taken more PCR tests, the standard COVID-19 nasal swab. According to the Food and Drug Administration, rapid antigen tests “have a higher chance of missing an active infection.”

“It’s hard to know how accurate the rapids really were,” Wenczkowski said. “Everyone tested negative coming in. I would have felt more comfortable with more PCRs, just because they are more accurate. I had a PCR that was inconclusive, and the next morning I took a rapid test and it came back negative.”

When Wenczkowski reflects on her short-lived rookie season with the Pride, it’s bittersweet. She’ll never forget the experience of playing in Lake Placid, and the way her team came together those last two games against Buffalo made her believe they were on the cusp of a great run.

“It was definitely interesting,” Wenczkowski said. “You know, not being able to have family there, I think that was the hardest thing — getting to play my first pro game and not getting to experience that with my family. They watched online and their cutouts (were) in the stands, but it’s different. Not getting to share that experience in person and see them after the game.”

Even if Boston had made it to the playoffs, Wenczkowski wouldn’t have been able to play. She was one of the players who tested positive before the league shut down the season. She thinks the virus must have transmitted between players in those games against Buffalo.

Still, Wenczkowski, Hutchison and Lewicki all said they would go back to Lake Placid and play the season over again if asked. The NWHL says it plans to resume the season after holding debriefing sessions on what went wrong in Lake Placid and concentrating on “daily testing and strict health protocols” moving forward. There have been rumblings that the NWHL may restart the season later this month, though nothing has been confirmed.

If the league figures out a way to finish the season, it would mean awarding the Isobel Cup after all, but under much different circumstances.

“It’s obviously hard to say (what the NWHL could have done better) because we weren’t part of all of their decisions or there when they did stuff behind the scenes to make those calls and whatnot,” Lewicki said. “You can only do so much, and then those rules are put in the players’ hands to follow those rules, and to make sure we do what we can to play and keep each other safe.

“We’re in a pandemic right now, and we at least got to get together and play the game that we love.”

The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205102 Websites eating some of that and maybe taking back an expiring contract to ease the pain, but it might be worth it to bring in a package of mid-range picks and/or prospects as well as shed the future cap hit.

The Athletic / NHL trade deadline: 12 more players not on our trade Such a move might be more easily orchestrated at the draft (whenever board who could move that might be) but never say never. What about a fit in Boston, where injuries and the departure of Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara have forced head coach Bruce Cassidy into a non-stop juggling act on the blue line? The Bruins have more of a need on the left side but the Bruins, or any By Scott Burnside team for that matter, could acquire Subban and then expose him in the Mar 5, 2021 expansion draft. Having a player with a big personality and Subban’s skill set might be an attractive add for the first-year Kraken.

Johnny Gaudreau, 27, forward, Calgary Flames In an NHL season unlike any in history, with COVID-19 postponements, realigned divisions and border restrictions, it stands to reason that we’re Contract Status: One more year remaining, $6.75 million cap hit headed for a trade deadline period unlike any in the league’s history. Maybe the Flames get their act together and find their way back into the Will Canadian teams deal with teams outside the North Division? Will North Division playoff mix. Maybe not. What remains undisputed is that teams that have played fewer games because of COVID-19 this is a team that has been stumbling around the edge of contention for postponements hold off on selling in the hopes of getting back into the the past three or four years and still seems to be far removed from where fray? How will surprise teams like Chicago, Arizona, Minnesota or Los its talent suggests it should be. Angeles approach the deadline when their original plans might have “It just hasn’t worked,” said one longtime NHL player and executive. been to sell off pieces to further their respective rebuilds? And how will all Change, he said, seems inevitable, and not just peripheral change but this work when many teams have zero or close to zero cap room? change at the very heart of the roster. As in Gaudreau and/or Sean All fodder for discussion as the April 12 deadline approaches. And as Monahan? always, there will be surprises. It’s the nature of the business. “The answer has to be yes,” the source said. Colleagues Eric Duhatschek and Craig Custance did an admirable job in So let’s start with Gaudreau, who does not have trade protection and building The Athletic’s trade board heading into the deadline period. whose name has popped up in trade discussions periodically in the past But they didn’t invite me into their club so I have my own board. Call it couple of seasons. Gaudreau is off to an impressive start and has The Little Board That Could. another year on his deal, so an acquiring team would get two playoff runs if they can get a deal together (even if Gaudreau’s playoff performances What follows is a list of possible trade assets who are more under the in recent years have left much to be desired). Maybe a move of this radar, perhaps on the outer edge of possibility, but a possibility significance makes more sense in the offseason, but with uncertainty nonetheless. surrounding the 2021 draft, it would seem GM Brad Treliving has to keep all his options open if he’s going to undertake the kind of critical roster Ryan Getzlaf, 35, center, Anaheim Ducks moves we’ve seen teams like St. Louis and Washington make prior to Contract Status: Pending unrestricted free agent, $8.250 million cap hit winning Stanley Cups.

The veteran captain won’t be going anywhere unless he wants to, given Just for fun, does Philadelphia, more in the market for a top-four he enjoys full trade protection. But there are lots of balls in the air for defender at this stage, have the young offensive parts necessary to bring Getzlaf and the Ducks, who look certain to miss the playoffs for the third Gaudreau into the fold? straight season. There is still lots to like about Getzlaf’s game, including a Darcy Kuemper, 30, goaltender, Arizona Coyotes defensive element that might be attractive to a team looking to add a third-line center who can play both ends. Getzlaf’s foot speed was never Contract Status: One more year remaining, $4.5 million cap hit his strong suit but he remains a fine puck distributor and brings power play skills to the table. Interesting days ahead for rookie Arizona GM Bill Armstrong as he approaches his first trade deadline with the Coyotes. The unexpected Perhaps most importantly, Getzlaf is a winner, having won gold twice play of the Wild and Kings has blunted some of the optimism that the with Canada at the Olympics in 2010 and 2014 and a Stanley Cup back Coyotes would be able to play their way into a playoff spot in the top- in 2007. Several sources we spoke to like a potential fit in Colorado as a heavy West Division. And given the tumult the team has experienced in third-line center who would fit in nicely behind Nathan MacKinnon and recent months, every move will be scrutinized closely. Complicating Nazem Kadri. If Getzlaf wanted to stay in the west for family reasons, matters for Armstrong is the fact the team was penalized a first- and there are other options, although the Ducks would likely have to retain a second-round draft pick for running afoul of draft combine rules. The chunk of Getzlaf’s salary to make any kind of deal work with some sort of team also botched the drafting and then renouncing of prospect Mitchell mid-range draft pick or picks coming back. And if there is a way to find Miller in the 2020 draft, so there is significant pressure on Armstrong to Getzlaf at least a temporary new home, there’s always the option for the restock the shelves for the perpetually rebuilding Coyotes. Ducks to turn around and bring him back for another season in Anaheim. Armstrong also has to keep an eye on costs. The Coyotes tried to move P.K. Subban, 31, defense, New Jersey Devils captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson and his $8.25 million cap hit in the offseason. Kuemper was also in play, at least for a time, before the Contract Status: One more year remaining, $9 million cap hit season began. Kuemper is critical to keeping the Coyotes in the hunt for I spoke recently to a person familiar with the Devils’ organization who felt a playoff spot, but he does not possess trade protection, and the extra outside of Travis Zajac, who controls his fate vis a vis a no-trade clause year on his current deal at a manageable cap hit means he might garner and declined a deal at last year’s deadline, and any of the team’s a significant return from a contending team looking to bolster its promising youngsters, GM Tom Fitzgerald would entertain moving any goaltending (like Carolina or Colorado, perhaps). other parts of his roster. Does that include the former Norris Trophy- What does the return look like? Maybe not a first-round pick but close, winning Subban who does not possess trade protection? given Kuemper’s age, skill set and contract status. One longtime This source believes the answer is unequivocally yes. Fitzgerald made it netminder and analyst said he thinks Carolina would be a good fit. clear when he took over as GM that the plan was to populate the New “I love Kuemper, and honestly, he needs to get out of Arizona before it Jersey lineup with players who could grow and mature with centerpieces becomes stale and he starts trying too hard,” the source said. Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Mackenzie Blackwood and Ty Smith. That plan was borne out when Fitzgerald did yeoman’s work at last season’s Nick Foligno, 33, forward, Columbus Blue Jackets trade deadline, and it stands to reason he will treat this deadline no differently. Fitzgerald inherited Subban, who still has the kinds of qualities Contract Status: Pending UFA, $5.5 million cap hit that should be attractive to contending teams. The fact that Subban has First off, Foligno can play on my team any day, any time. A consummate one more year left on his deal means an acquiring team gets two playoff pro who still has above-average offensive skills, Foligno has a 10-team runs. The $9 million price tag is monstrous, so it would take the Devils no-trade list, according to CapFriendly, so has some control over whether minutes, and if someone is annoying your team’s top players he’s not he stays or goes. And there’s nothing to suggest Foligno couldn’t be afraid to drop the gloves. Oleksiak is on an expiring contract without dealt to a contender and then re-up with the Blue Jackets in the trade protection. offseason. John Klingberg, 28, defenseman, Dallas Stars As a straight rental, Foligno’s value is in being able to play up and down the lineup. He’s not afraid of the hard areas and is a guy who has the Contract Status: One more year remaining, $4.25 million cap hit potential to be that missing piece for a contending team. An obvious fit If Oleksiak is cut and dried, Klingberg is something other. In a would be in Florida, pending the health of its roster, because new GM Bill marketplace with few blue-chip players likely to be available, Klingberg is Zito knows Foligno well from their days in Columbus, and Foligno would just that. A proven point producer and a player who has become a leader be another piece to a culture change that is well underway in South on a team that finished two wins short of a Stanley Cup, Klingberg will Florida. command attention if the Stars fall out of the race.

Does he have enough offensive pizzazz for a team like Toronto looking With one year left on his deal and without trade protection, Klingberg’s to add a top-nine forward? All of this is predicated on whether the Blue return should be significant, including a first-round pick and/or a top pick Jackets’ midseason swoon turns into a full-season tire fire. GM Jarmo and an NHL-ready scoring winger or center. In a perfect world, the Stars Kekalainen can’t do a complete tear-down, not if he wants to entice would simply extend Klingberg and move on, but the Stars’ situation is far Patrik Laine to sign a long-term deal and with cornerstone defender Seth from perfect with Seguin and captain Jamie Benn counting almost $20 Jones one year away from unrestricted free agency, and Foligno is million against a flat $81.5 million cap. immensely popular in the Columbus locker room and in the community. Rising star Miro Heiskanen, who has struggled this season with no goals Max Domi, 26, forward, Columbus Blue Jackets and nine points, is a restricted free agent this summer and will need to Contract Status: One more year remaining, $5.3 million cap hit get paid, even if it’s a bridge deal. Can the team afford both Heiskanen and Klingberg a year from now factoring in the drag that Benn and The Columbus discussion extends to what to do with Domi, who came in Seguin represent on the cap situation? the Josh Anderson deal and looked to slot into a top-six role with the Blue Jackets, ideally as a center. Hasn’t worked out. At all. Klingberg was MVP-like during the playoffs, with 21 points in 26 playoff games, and has 50-point potential during the regular season. Few Not only is Domi not playing center but is playing bottom-six minutes with players move laterally along the blue line and get shots to the net like just three goals in his first 23 games. Domi does not have trade Klingberg. The right-hand shot defenseman may be too big a ticket given protection, but does Kekalainen admit defeat and try to move Domi to a the circumstances, but the list of suitors for his services should be team that believes it can get Domi back on track and has the security of lengthy if he’s in play. having him under contract for another season? Never great to sell low on a talent like Domi, who was the 12th overall pick in the 2013 draft and Tomas Tatar, 30, forward, Montreal Canadiens had 28 goals and 72 points in 2018-19 in his first season in Montreal. Contract Status: Pending UFA, $4.8 million cap hit

But if the Blue Jackets are bottoming out, changes have to be made, and OK. Bear with us. We still like the Canadiens as a playoff team. And we maybe there’s a package that includes a second- or third-round pick still like them as a team that could upset the applecart come playoff time. and/or a prospect for Domi that gives Kekalainen more assets to But it’s obvious from the recent firing of head coach Claude Julien that restructure a lineup that has been confoundingly uneven this season. things were not going according to GM Marc Bergevin’s plans. We spoke Patrik Nemeth, 29, defenseman, Detroit Red Wings to a longtime NHL executive and former player familiar with the North Division, and he thinks the Habs will be OK. But he did note there are a Contract Status: Pending UFA, $3 million cap hit number of pending UFAs who may be feeling they missed the contract boat with the upheaval to the NHL cap situation and wondered aloud if When I think of Patrik Nemeth, I think of his renaissance season in that was an issue impacting their performance. Colorado in 2017-18 as the 6-foot-3 left-hand shot defender became a fixture on the Avs blueline after being acquired on waivers from the So, if the Canadiens wanted to tinker a bit with their roster, how do Joel Dallas Stars. Nemeth was well-liked and played well for Jared Bednar as Armia, Philip Danault and Tomas Tatar, all bona fide NHLers on expiring the Avs snuck into the playoffs and then gave highly regarded Nashville contracts, fit in? Is there a piece that could be moved without damaging all it could handle in the first round. the overall product in Montreal? Danault has gone from the edge of the Selke discussion to a pretty ordinary third-line center, the executive said. Nemeth ended up signing as a UFA with Detroit in the summer of 2019, But he’s a center, so moving Danault would mean finding a replacement and now he’s headed for free agency once again but should be on the somewhere else. Armia is a solid two-way player who can roam up and radar for teams looking for that all-important defensive depth that is down the lineup, so we’ll suggest that Tatar might fetch some value in a critical to winning a championship. Nemeth is low maintenance and can deal, presumably to an American-based team, and allow the Habs to play easily in a shutdown role on a third pairing. As a left shot, we can make an offsetting move to bolster the blue line and/or to make room for see him in Boston or Carolina or maybe Philadelphia, although the Flyers one of their young forwards to get a shot come stretch time. would likely be looking for a top-four guy and preferably a right-hand shot. Josh Manson, 29, defenseman, Anaheim Ducks

He isn’t likely to command a lot in assets – a late-round pick or two – but Contract Status: One more year remaining, $4.1 million cap hit what he brings to the mix might far exceed that kind of expenditure for a contending team. Hampus Lindholm, 27, defenseman, Anaheim Ducks

Jamie Oleksiak, 28, defenseman, Dallas Stars Contract Status: One more year remaining, $5.205 million cap hit

Contract Status: Pending UFA, $2.137 million cap hit We started with the Ducks’ venerable captain, Ryan Getzlaf, and we’ll close with two cornerstone defenders with the Anaheim Ducks. In a The Stars are one of those teams that is difficult to handicap given how perfect world, GM Bob Murray re-ups both these players long-term, few games they’ve played. But the stark reality is that, as of Thursday, allowing him to turn his attention to coaxing more offense out of his they are in last place in the Central Division, 12 points out of fourth place. forward corps. But these are not times anywhere near perfect, so Murray That means even if they go on a tear they will have to dislodge four faces a dilemma. teams to get into a postseason spot. They’ll get Ben Bishop and Tyler Seguin back from long-term injuries at some point later this spring, but Let’s assume both Manson and Lindholm are looking for raises and that will it be too late? And if you’re GM Jim Nill and you need to toss some the two will likely come in at a combined $14 million annually. Add Cam parts over the side with critical cap issues that lie ahead, there are some Fowler and Kevin Shattenkirk and netminder John Gibson and you’re obvious options, like Oleksiak, who has enjoyed a renaissance with the looking at north of $31 million for four defenders and a goalie in 2022. Stars in his second go-round in Dallas. That’s a problem, assuming a stagnant $81.5 million salary cap. As one source familiar with the team noted, maybe the fact neither player has lit Oleksiak handles the puck pretty well. He’s not afraid to jump into the it up offensively will blunt their contract demands, but maybe not. play as witnessed by his nine points in 27 playoff games as the Stars marched to the Stanley Cup Final. He can play big minutes or small Manson has a limited no-trade clause (12-team no-trade list) while Lindholm, a player with greater value both within the organization and on the marketplace, does not have trade protection. Manson shoots right. Lindholm shoots left. Both are still very much in their prime. Even with the currently restricted trade landscape, cornerstone defenders are not available every day, especially ones with another year at a digestible cap hit.

So the return for either would have to be significant and help address some of the organizational needs up front. Complicating the issue is whether one or both are interested in staying in Anaheim long-term. If the answer is no, that will make Murray’s job more difficult next season as one or both enter the final year of their current deals and with the potential to bolt for free agency without returning any assets an unappealing possibility, especially for a mid-sized market like Anaheim.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205103 Websites What I believe might happen is that once the North Division standings get firmed up and we get our four playoff berths confirmed, the league would start work on lining up a U.S. home for all four of those Canadian teams in the event they reach the semifinals. The Athletic / LeBrun: NHL’s Canadian division winner could relocate to U.S. for semifinals, Stanley Cup Final Right now the top four teams in the North Division are Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Montreal.

Minnesota would make sense for Winnipeg should the Jets be Canada’s By Pierre LeBrun representative in the final four (and assuming the Wild don’t make it to the semifinals); hey, isn’t half the Jets roster from Minnesota anyway? Mar 5, 2021 Arizona might work for Edmonton? You’ve got all those Albertan

snowbirds with places in Arizona. Not sure what would make the most So there may yet be playoff hockey in Buffalo after all this season. sense for Montreal, maybe Newark using the Devils facilities?

Stay with me, folks. Another idea is having all four remaining teams play the semifinals at one neutral site. As with all of these ideas, the NHL Players’ Association The NHL is doing some internal spitballing these days as it wrestles with would have to be in agreement and in this particular case, a neutral site the realistic scenario that the Canada-U.S. border could remain an issue for the semifinals would undoubtedly have to include players’ families come June when the playoffs are down to the four teams who have come being allowed to be on hand, etc. Nobody wants to relive the closed out of their respective divisions. bubble experience.

Right now, anyone entering Canada from the U.S. faces a 14-day But the No. 1 priority for the NHL would be to hope that come June and quarantine. Just ask Pierre-Luc Dubois about that. the semifinals, there’s a way to proceed as normal with the Canadian team playing out of its own rink, with the notion of a travelling bubble of There’s no way to factor in a 14-day quarantine in the middle of a best-of- sorts with both teams not straying from the hotel or the rink plus daily seven series featuring the Canadian division winner and a U.S. testing being enough to sway the Canadian government of a playoff counterpart come June. series going back and forth across the border. Even if the Canadian federal government dropped the quarantine Or could all four teams left standing in June be vaccinated by then? requirement to the training camp length, seven days, that still doesn’t Possibly in the U.S. But for the Canadian team that’s not so clear. work for a best-of-seven series. According to the Canadian federal government, we are looking at No question the NHL will try to persuade the Canadian government to September for having our country all vaccinated (hopefully). And the NHL make allowances. It will likely depend on how things look in June, has been sensitive to not wanting to jump the line. especially in Canada where the vaccine rollout has been much slower In any case, if the border/quarantine issues aren’t resolved by June, it’s than in the U.S. going to be rather interesting for the Canadian team still standing. But there are scenarios in which the Canadian division winner has to play the rest of its playoffs in the U.S. The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 “All possibilities are being considered and remain active,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said via email Thursday when asked about the semifinals scenarios.

Daly would not elaborate beyond that but from talking to other people around the league, it’s clear the NHL is going to look at all kinds of options for the semifinals because of the border issue.

One of them, I was told Thursday, was finding a U.S. home for the Canadian champion for the semifinals and potentially the Stanley Cup Final, should the team advance. Because it clearly wouldn’t be fair for the Canadian team to play an entire series in the arena of their opponent.

For example, let’s take the first-place Toronto Maple Leafs. You can’t ask them to play the entire series in, say, Boston if that’s who they would face if they got to the final four.

One idea being floated is whether the Leafs relocate just across the border to Buffalo after the second round should they be the Canadian team to get that far. That makes sense as far as proximity.

The Sabres will allow 1,900 fans or so for the first time March 20 in a game against Boston; 10 percent capacity allowance as per New York state’s guidelines.

Depending on where those rules are by June, how many fans could be allowed in and how many of those would come from southern Ontario, camp out in Buffalo for a few games, and then quarantine when they head home? That would require the Canadian federal government to relax the land border crossing rules. Right now Canadians can only fly into the U.S. unless they’re essential workers.

But depending on how things look with the border in June, it would be a way for the Leafs to have a small number of their own fans in a building for a semifinal series.

I don’t know how many Leafs fans would want to deal with the quarantine but if you’re working from home, it might be worth it to see the Leafs that deep in the playoffs?

Again, there’s nothing decided at all, this is just one of many ideas being floated within the league office, but the Leafs in Buffalo idea has some obvious merit given the proximity. Fans or no fans. 1205104 Websites six doesn’t have quite the same star power, but you couldn’t take either line lightly.

So that’s 13 forwards that are off the board, leaving us with every other The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Who wins today, 2016’s Team North North American player in the league to work with. Surely we can come up America or Team Everyone Else? with something better, right?

We’ll start with the obvious name, Sidney Crosby. And I’ll give him his two linemates from that 2016 Team Canada squad that won the By Sean McIndoe tournament, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. That’s an older line, but I like that, because they’ll be motivated to show these young Mar 5, 2021 whippersnappers that they’ve still got it.

I’m going to start my second line with another veteran, with Steven Five years ago this week, hockey fans got their first look at the roster for Stamkos as my center. But I’ll give him two wingers who were actually what would become one of the most unique teams in international sports eligible for Team North America but didn’t get the call, Mitch Marner and history. In organizing the 2016 World Cup tournament, the NHL went off Jonathan Huberdeau. Marner had been drafted in 2015 but hadn’t made the board with their decision to include Team North America, an his NHL debut yet, so you could hardly call him a snub, but Huberdeau’s unprecedented combo platter of Canadian and American stars who were exclusion was a surprise, and in hindsight he should have been on the 23 or under. team. Team Everyone Else will happily take advantage.

Did it make sense to have two countries combining for an entry in an I’ll start my third line with another young star who was Team North international tournament, let alone when those two nations were rivals? America eligible but, like Marner, hadn’t made an NHL impact yet: Not really. Was it fair to weaken those countries’ main rosters by ruling Brayden Point. He’ll be joined by one American star who was too young out some of the game’s best young stars? Probably not. Was the whole for the team in Matthew Tkachuk and another who was too old in Patrick thing a good idea? It’s fair to say that the initial reaction was mixed. Kane.

But then we got a look at the first draft of the roster, and even a The fourth line gets tough because we’ve got a lot of big names left to traditionalist had to be intrigued. That initial March 2016 list featured 16 consider. That list includes young stars like Pierre-Luc Dubois, Alex names, including established stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Connor DeBrincat, Brock Boeser and Kyle Connor, plus some veterans like Joe McDavid and Jack Eichel. They’d eventually be joined by a group that Pavelski, Logan Couture and Blake Wheeler. But I’m eying those first two included Auston Matthews (who’d yet to play an NHL game) and Mark Team North America lines and realizing I’m going to need some Scheifele. defensive prowess, so let’s start with two perennial Selke candidates in Mark Stone and Ryan O’Reilly. I’ll give them some offensive support from We weren’t sure if they’d be all that good, but we knew they’d be fun. It one more young name we haven’t mentioned yet, Mathew Barzal, with turned out they were both, stealing the show at the tournament with a Connor getting the 13th spot. run-and-gun style and all sorts of skill. They failed to medal, but beat Finland and Sweden. In terms of NHL star power, the future looked Who’s better? Team Everyone Else has the better third and fourth lines bright. and is far deeper, having left off several guys who are far better players today than Drouin and Saad. But even with Crosby on the top line, they Five years later, the future is here. So today, I want to tackle a question can’t match the star power of McDavid and friends. It’s closer than I sent in by Puck Soup listener Manny: Could a reunited Team North thought, but if we’re talking about a short series where depth isn’t crucial, America beat an all-star squad made up of everyone else in a series I think Team North America has to get the edge. played right now? Defense It’s a big ask. We’ve got a huge swath of the league to choose from, including stars who were too old for Team North America consideration, Huh. Let’s just say there’s a reason that all your memories of Team North guys who hadn’t entered the league yet, and a handful of snubs. And America involve the forwards flying around. The blue line was … OK. we’ve got the benefit of hindsight, because while most of the 2016 team It’s certainly not bad, and of the seven young blueliners that were picked, holds up well, a few haven’t seen their pro careers pan out as well as we only one has really struggled to establish themselves as an impact all expected. Team Everyone Else should have a big advantage. But NHLer. But the star power here just isn’t close to what it was up front. Team North America has Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews, so let’s Maybe that’s to be expected; defensemen take longer to develop and are do this. harder to project, after all. But of the three position groups, this is going One caveat: We’re doing North American players only. I originally to be the weak spot. thought about making it the kids against the world, but throwing names It’s not a bad group. Colton Parayko is close to the Norris tier, and Seth like Victor Hedman, David Pastrnak and Nikita Kucherov into the mix just Jones was too before wobbling a bit this season. Morgan Rielly and tilts the scales too far in one direction. It’s Canadian and American stars Aaron Ekblad are both very good players, and Jacob Trouba and Shayne only, and if you show up in the comments going “Uh, Leon Draisaitl?” Gostisbehere were well on the way there before levelling off. Ryan then you have to do 10 pushups and we all get to make fun of you. Let’s Murray’s really the only question mark, largely due to injuries. see where this takes us. Can the rest of the league measure up? They can, yes. We’ve got all Forwards sorts of options, including some big-name veterans like Drew Doughty, Let’s start with the main course, because Team North America’s forwards Shea Weber, Brent Burns and Mark Giordano that we won’t even need to are ridiculous. McDavid, Matthews and MacKinnon may be the three best use. players in the league right now, so we’re absolutely loaded with top-end Instead, let’s stare down Team North America’s young blue line by star power. But we’re not completely top heavy, with some excellent building an even younger one. I’m going to include four names that have options for all four lines. Some of the names aren’t exactly Hart entered the league since 2016, with Charlie McAvoy, Cale Makar, Darnell candidates, like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. J.T. Miller or Vincent Trocheck, Nurse and Quinn Hughes. Add in one 2016 snub in Dougie Hamilton, but they’ve developed into very good players. and two veterans in John Carlson and Alex Pietrangelo, and I think I’ve In fact, among the names on the final 2016 roster, there isn’t a single one got a solid mix. You could certainly swap in another young name like that you’d describe as a bust five years down the road. And the only ones Thomas Chabot, Shea Theodore, Zach Werenski or even Samuel Girard, who’ve struggled to establish themselves as legitimate top-end players or maybe an older veteran like Ryan Suter, Kris Letang or Jeff Petry, but are Brandon Saad and maybe Jonathan Drouin. you get the point. Team Everyone Else isn’t too worried here.

Obviously, you could mix and match to come up with different Who’s better? Team Everyone Else takes this one with room to spare. combinations, including loading up with McDavid, Matthews and Team North America had a good group, but nobody has emerged as a MacKinnon on the same line, which is kind of terrifying. I went with a McDavid-level difference-maker, or even come all that close, so the more balanced top two, letting McDavid keep one regular-season sheer depth of options available to Team Everyone Else overwhelms linemate and putting Matthews with a burner and a scorer. The bottom them. Goaltenders

For all the excitement around Team North America’s young talent up front and on the blue line, there was some serious trepidation when it came to goaltending. Forwards peak in their early 20s and defensemen are often well-established by then. But goalies? Lots of good ones don’t even make the big leagues until they’re well into their mid-20s. When the Team North America concept was first announced during the 2014-15 season, not a single goalie 23-or-under would make even 30 NHL appearances. At the time, there was serious talk about whether the age limit on goalies should be increased. It wasn’t.

With so little to choose from, how did Team North America do? Not bad, I’d say.

When Matt Muray, who was in the middle of winning back-to-back Cups, goes on to be a distant third on your depth chart, you’ve done pretty well. He ended up splitting duties with John Gibson, with Connor Hellebuyck playing third-string. For our current-day version of the team, we’ll go with last year’s Vezina winner as our starter, backed up by Gibson.

That’s pretty good, but Team Everyone Else has, well, everyone else. That includes slam dunk options like …

Um …

Huh. Yeah, it turns out Hellebuyck and Gibson are the two best North American goalies these days, and it may not even be all that close. We have plenty of options, including big names like Carey Price, Jonathan Quick and Marc-Andre Fleury. But as any Habs fan could tell you these days, a big name doesn’t mean much if the saves aren’t there. The days of having Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy and Eddie Belfour battling it out for the Canadian crease are long gone, and the best goalies in America are already spoken for.

I’m going to go with the same duo that I built my Team Canada B roster around: Fleury and Darcy Kuemper. I’ll also take Jordan Binnington as my third option, although this is more of a three-headed rotation than one with clear separation.

Who’s better? Team North America takes this one. That feels like an upset — remember, they picked these guys in 2016, when Gibson had one season as an NHL starter and Hellebuyck had played 26 games in his career. Maybe goaltending isn’t as hard to project as we’re told.

And the winner is …

I think I go with Team North America, although it’s close and I’ve flipped back and forth a few times. They have more high-end talent and better goaltending, which should give them just enough of an edge to cover for their weaker blue line. In a long season, the lack of forward depth hurts, but in a short series they could just run the McDavid and Matthews lines as much as possible and hope it’s enough. Bonus points for team cohesion since they’ve all played together before, and we’ll also hope that their coaches get around to telling them the rules this time.

Because I knew you’d ask, I had Dom Luszczyszyn run the numbers, and he likes Team Everyone Else as about a 2-to-1 favorite. That seems high to me, but then again I’ve never loved anything as much as his model loves Dougie Hamilton and Darcy Kuemper, so maybe Team North America asks for a recount. Still, if you trust the numbers then it’s not all that close.

Now it’s over to you: Team North America in 2021 or Team Everyone Else. Who you got?

The Athletic LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205105 Websites But can his old school approach work in today’s game, with today’s rules and today athletes?

“There’s fundamentals that never change in terms of taking care of your Sportsnet.ca / Darryl Sutter rides into Calgary with highest of own end, shot quality and puck possession,” said the hard-nosed coach expectations when asked if he can continue to evolve with the times.

“At the end of the day the biggest part of a head coach’s responsibility now is the relationships, the one-on-ones and the honesty and getting Eric Francis@EricFrancis the most out of guys. That’s what drives the bus on the good teams, the relationship the coach has with players and how he can maximize what March 5, 2021, 6:36 PM they have inside of them. Sometimes it’s a pull, sometimes it’s a push, sometimes it’s side-by-side. That part of the game hasn’t changed.”

“Buckle up.” And sometimes the lads simply tune out the tough love.

That was the advice from Milan Lucic as he wrapped up the players’ first With gritty types like Lucic, Mark Giordano, Matthew Tkachuk and media availability following the Flames’ dismissal of coach Geoff Ward. Andrew Mangiapane destined to love the increased accountability Sutter will demand, inquiring minds are eager to see how the Johnny Having already played for Darryl Sutter’s Los Angeles Kings in 2015-16, Gaudreaus and Sean Monahans fare in Sutterville. Lucic knows better than anyone just how turbulent the re-introduction of the Jolly Rancher could be next week. “When I look at this group, they’re a very intriguing group because there’s a lot of really good players - they just have to adjust their style a bit to do It was perhaps the most appropriate of all the reactions in town to what it takes to win,” said Sutter, who believes strongly in grouping shocking news late Thursday that the man who turned the Flames forwards in pairs, like Ward did. franchise around in 2004 is back with a similar mission. “There are five or six really good players who started their career here “For me it’s unfinished business,” said Sutter from his farm in Viking, and have been here through all the coaches and what’s important for Alta., citing the emptiness of walking out of the arena in Tampa Bay with them to know now is I’m here with them and I’m going to stick with them Jarome Iginla after losing Game 7 of the 2004 final. and whatever works best for them is what I’m going to do. They need stability and leadership from that same coach for a long time.” “I was close with (owners) Doc (Seaman), Harley (Hotchkiss) and Bud (McCaig) in Calgary, then Murray (Edwards) came and Al Libin. It’s like I Giordano said the group spent Friday dealing with the shock of Ward’s have a debt to pay those guys. We’re going to win a Stanley Cup for departure with the reality they need to focus on stepping up for games them.” against Edmonton and Ottawa on Saturday and Sunday.

Just like Sutter to ride in with the highest of standards, just as he did after “If you’re not going to listen to a guy who is a proven winner like that you Christmas in 2002 when he delayed his start in Calgary so the shouldn’t be in the game,” said Giordano. consummate cowboy could first take in the National Finals Rodeo in Vegas. “We can’t just keep switching the coach. There’s been too much change in that aspect. It’s up to us players to improve as a group.” This time the delay revolves around a pandemic that will have assistant Ryan Huska manning the bench Saturday and Sunday until Sutter arrives If this tight-knit group was best described as living in a country club Tuesday when he’s expected to have cleared COVID-19 protocols. atmosphere, it’s now promising to be more of a rodeo.

“Churning coaches over is not a recipe for success and the message to Buckle up indeed. the players is the coach they’ve got now isn’t going anywhere,” said GM

Brad Treliving whose fifth coach in the last five years is inked to a three- year deal. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.06.2021 “Ours isn’t a structure issue or a system issue, although those will be changed. Ours is a maximizing performance issue. This is not something I’m laying at the feet of Geoff and Geoff alone. I just felt this team was underperforming and inconsistent and this change was required. Not only was a change required, but we needed Darryl and what he can bring.”

What he brings is a demand for accountability that has produced a pair of Stanley Cup rings from his time in L.A., and a resume that has seen him post winning coaching records in 15 of 18 seasons. In his two-and-a-half- year stint in Calgary his tough love approach squeezed the most out of a rag-tag bunch of grinders who built an identity under Sutter as one of the toughest and hardest-hitting teams in the league to play against.

He inherits a team whose identity revolves around being the most inconsistent team in the loop.

“He has one of the sharpest minds that has stood behind a bench in this league and his ability to extract the very best out of each individual is a skill,” said Treliving, whose relationship with Sutter goes back decades.

“One of the biggest strengths is his ability to be very clear to players in terms of their roles, the expectations and standards of the organization.”

At age 62, and long ago decreeing he coached his last game, Sutter said Friday there were only two teams he’d leave his consulting role with Anaheim for – Chicago and Calgary.

The allure of finishing what he started was on par with his belief that the Flames have the core pieces to build a championship team around, starting with its netminding, a pair of pillars on the back end and depth up the middle.

In theory, what Sutter has traditionally brought is certainly a match made in heaven for what ails the underperforming and inconsistent Flames. 1205106 Websites Rookie Nils Hoglander has been a top-six fixture at age 20, and Russian power forward Vasili Podkolzin, 19, is expected to step into the NHL next season.

Sportsnet.ca / Benning preaches more patience to already restless This impressive core, almost entirely drafted and developed under Canucks fanbase Benning, is his greatest achievement as GM. But the dropoff around these players is also the GM’s greatest failure.

The opportunity-cost of inflated contracts the Canucks gave veteran role Iain MacIntyre@imacSportsnet players when the team was rebuilding – like Loui Eriksson’s $36-million contract in 2016, and the four-year, $12-million deals Jay Beagle and March 5, 2021, 8:08 PM Antoine Roussel signed as free agents in 2018 – finally came due and greatly limited what Benning could do to strengthen the bottom half of his lineup with Pettersson and Hughes still on bargain entry-level deals. VANCOUVER – Nearly seven years into his tenure, Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning asked Friday for more patience from fans. "Every team in the league has bad contracts," Benning argued. "That's His request was not favourably received. just the nature of doing business. You're never going to be perfect.

Halfway through the pandemic-shortened season as of Saturday’s home "There's going to be some decisions that you make that you wish you game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Canucks have regressed could have back, but it is what it is." from last summer’s breakthough and almost certainly will miss the Benning said nothing Friday to quell fan unrest in Vancouver, although Stanley Cup playoffs this spring for the fifth time in Benning’s seven he did offer a few snippets of news. seasons in charge. • He has been in touch with agent Pat Brisson and expects to start He said before the season that he did not expect the Canucks to take a negotiating second contracts for Pettersson and Hughes after the April step back. 12 trade deadline. Patience is a tough sell on the West Coast. It’s like trying to sell more • Benning would like to keep impending unrestricted free agent Tanner rain to people who are already soaked and shivering. Patience? No, Pearson and will explore before the deadline what that cost would be. thanks, fans are good. How about some sunshine? • Benning said he has talked to every GM in the league to start preparing And yet there is little else to do in Canucks Nation but wait some more. for deadline day, but added it’s too soon to decide if the team will be As Benning noted during a 36-minute, mid-season virtual press sellers. His comment about living "day to day" until the deadline was conference that swerved between numerous topics, the GM has the widely derided. support of owner Francesco Aquilini, coach Travis Green has the support Clearly, Benning isn’t ready to write off this season. of Benning, and with the border closed and quarantine requirements for travellers, it’s about impossible to make any kind of trade to help your "Of course, I'm not happy with our record," he said. "But I think if you play team. the right way, you do things the right way, then we'll start winning our share of games and our record will be better than it is right now. The Canucks can’t even practically recall players from their American- based farm team. "We want to be competitive in every game. I think we've taken a little bit of a step back so far but we still have half a season and we'll just see "I think we have to just keep trying to figure out how to get better from how things end up." within and to make all of our players better," Benning said. "That's the mindset that we have, and that's the way Travis is attacking this whole Pressed towards the end of his press conference to tell fans how exactly thing. how much longer they need to be patient with a team that has never won the Stanley Cup, Benning said the Canucks’ young core players require a "We're going to have to have patience when you talk about drafting, little more time to mature. developing, and, when these players are ready to play, stepping in. "My hope is that in a couple of years," he said, "we're the type of team "Last year, we made the playoffs. We had some success in the bubble. that's competitive every night and we can compete for the Cup." And then, you know, things have changed with the pandemic and the flat cap moving forward, and these young players that we're going to have to Two more years. Another tough sell. re-sign after this year. The circumstances, you know, didn't stay the same."

Benning said the Canucks, 10-15-2 and 27th in the NHL in winning Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.06.2021 percentage, were hurt by the lack of pre-season games, a suddenly and indefinitely stagnant salary cap, and a critical lack of practice time.

But all teams are dealing with these same conditions, and five of them are ahead of the Canucks in the seven-team Canadian division. Two of those, the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens, have already fired their coaches in desperation.

"Travis is doing a good job with our group," Benning said of Green, who is in the final season of his contract. "The one thing about playing the same teams over and over (is) the weaknesses you have as a team get exposed and then you have to adjust. I think he's done a good job of that.

"He has kind of had these young players for the last three years here, four years, and he's grown them to where they're at. He's continuing to work with them to make them better, to get better. I'm not looking to make a coaching change. I think him and his staff have done a good job with our group."

Few teams in the NHL rely as heavily on its youngest players as the Canucks do.

Elias Pettersson, who could play Saturday after sitting out Thursday’s 3-1 win against the Leafs, is 22 years old and in his third season. Defenceman Quinn Hughes, 21, is a sophomore. Winger Brock Boeser just turned 24 and is starting Season 4, and goalie Thatcher Demko is 25 but in his first month as an NHL starter. Captain Bo Horvat is 25. 1205107 Websites conversations. What's interesting is with all the protocols and quarantine it's going to be a challenging year, so I think you're seeing more conversations happening even though the deadline is still over a month away. And I'm having those." Sportsnet.ca / Sabres GM: Jack Eichel 'has not asked for a trade' as team continues spiral Truth is, this season is already a write-off for the Sabres. Twelve points out of a playoff spot and 29th in the league by points percentage, they're nestled in a very familiar spot at the bottom of the league, where another shiny new prospect awaits. Rory Boylen@RoryBoylen But it won't matter if that player walks into this same malaise. Adams was March 5, 2021, 7:51 PM frustrated, unhappy and primed to do...something. Will it be a trade, a coach swap, both?

As another Buffalo Sabres season slips away, amid criticism about his Something's about to give. head coach, star free agent signing, goaltending situation, and lamenting over the team's general asset-botching over the years, general manager Kevyn Adams had to say it. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.06.2021 "No, he has not asked for a trade. Jack (Eichel) is someone that I've bounced things off of. He's talked to me and we have an open dialogue."

Adams has been on the job for less than a year.

Yes, in case you hadn't heard, it's that kind of season again in Buffalo and still getting worse.

Step back two weeks and much of what Adams said sounded an awful lot like Flames GM Brad Treliving.

Need to play with more grit, in the hard areas of the ice? Check.

Need to find an "identity"? Check.

"Not good enough"? You better believe that's a check.

The Flames fired their coach 13 days after Treliving went on Sportsnet 960 and had a similar, frustrated message about his team. In Ralph Krueger's second season with the Sabres, the heat is turning up as doubt sets in that he'll be able to squeeze more out of his group.

"Part of the evaluation...is to look at everything big picture, small picture, and everything in between," Adams said. "I need to do what's best for the team right now and also in the long term. So I look at those type of things on a daily basis. I have conversations and what's interesting about this team -- and it just flat out hasn't been good enough -- but there's good people in there and they communicate well with the coaches. The players enjoy playing for Ralph and the coaching staff. There's a belief in that locker room. But it hasn't worked and it needs to."

"Everything's being evaluated. Ralph and I talk every day. Multiple times a day. He understands the situation we're in is unacceptable."

Krueger has already made $9-million-winger Jeff Skinner a multi-game healthy scratch, had inaccurate messaging about Eichel's injury, and suggested Rasmus Ristolainen -- his most-used player -- maybe had a bad game because of lingering COVID affect.

The Sabres have shown no improvement over last season and have the worst 5-on-5 offence in the league.

But firing the coach comes with its own pitfalls. The Sabres have had five coaches in the eight years since Lindy Ruff was dismissed following his 16-year tenure. Changing the messaging again would be problematic, and is a vicious cycle many troubled organizations repeat. Is the next candidate available, affordable and assured enough that they won't also find themselves in this same position a year or two from now?

"Continuity is something that you hope can happen," Adams said. "Ultimately how does continuation happen? It happens with success. We need to have success."

So the coach's seat is hot, but a move there alone wouldn't fix Buffalo. They need a goalie to replace injured Linus Ullmark, and they need to start exploring trades for their pending UFAs -- yes, even Taylor Hall, who said he was "open" to staying with the Sabres. And even more than that, anyone else beside Rasmus Ristolainen, the top prospects and Eichel (heck, maybe him, too, one day soon) should be negotiable.

The deadline to trade is April 12, but because of the extra layers involved in moving between divisions this year, the Sabres and other teams around the league are exploring wider options, earlier.

"It's an interesting time right now," Adams said. "I'm on the phone every day with all the different teams in the league and everybody's having 1205108 Websites Tournament. (But) never had he won a medal,” Coyne recalls. “Well, here we are, we’ve got a novice triple-A team, we entered it in the tournament — and we won it. And [there’s] Walter, having to present medals to himself. We made a big joke of it, we had a lot of fun, but it Sportsnet.ca / Walter Gretzky embodied the heart, spirit of Canadian really bonded the two of us together. community hockey “It was a step up for him, the fact that he had really coached a team and they had really won big. And it was a signal to the family that Walter was coming back. He was getting clear of the aneurysm problems that he had Sonny Sachdeva@sachdevasonny had. He was back. And we were pretty happy about that.” March 5, 2021, 8:58 AM Remaining Time -5:51

Kelly Hrudey on meeting Walter Gretzky and its lasting impact Few surnames have become as inextricably linked with a sport, with a To try to catalog every story of Walter opening his heart and lending a country, as the one that’s scattered throughout the NHL record books hand would be a misguided effort, simply because there’s no way they more than any other. could all be contained in one place. The weight of his impact has simply To speak of hockey in Canada, perhaps anywhere, is to speak of the been too great. Walk through any rink in Brantford, and you’re likely to Gretzkys. hear a story or two of his limitless kindness.

The First Family of On-ice Greatness means more to the game than There’s one that sticks out in Coyne’s mind, though. simply records and numbers, though. The statistical dominance, the It was during their days together behind the bench of that triple-A team, historic amassing of trophies — no one represents that aspect of the as Walter and Coyne led their pack of eight- and nine-year-olds into the sport better than its most prolific scorer, Wayne Gretzky. final days of a season. But the heart of the game, what it looks like not under the bright lights of “We were in the playoff time. It was in the Spring, and we were playing NHL arenas but in the dimmer glow of community rinks dotted throughout Niagara Falls,” recalled Coyne. “It was the deciding game. Loser goes the country, that calls to mind the memory of another with that surname: home, winner goes to the next level. We won, so Niagara Falls were Walter Gretzky, hockey’s most beloved hockey dad, who has passed going home — they’re pretty little kids, and they were taking it pretty away at the age of 82. hard.” It’s perhaps an indication of just how pivotal a figure Wayne became in As Coyne and Walter were heading back to their car after the game, they hockey lore that his father, Walter, was eventually owed not just his own spotted a young boy from the opposing club having a particularly tough chapter in that tale, but a tale of his own altogether. But even a brief time with the loss. moment spent with Walter would answer the question of whether the elder Gretzky’s ascent to national-treasure status was owed simply to “Here’s this little boy standing at the trunk of his dad’s car, they’re putting being the father of The Great One, or if it was something more. the gear in the car, and the little kid is just crying his heart out,” said Coyne. “Walter walked up to him and says, ‘What’s going on here? Why Bob Coyne has three decades’ worth of fond memories alongside Walter are you crying?’ that suggest it’s the latter. “‘We lost,’ he says. ‘And we didn’t wanna lose. Now there’s no more “Walter was always a people person — he would always reach out and hockey.’ have a hand to shake and time to say hello, whether it be adults, whether it be little kids, or just anybody,” said Coyne, a longtime friend of the “Walter looks at me and says, ‘Bob, this isn’t right — these little kids can’t Gretzky patriarch. “He was just always there for everybody. That’s what feel that bad about losing.... I’ll tell you what we’re going to do.” makes him different.” The elder Gretzky took off back through the arena doors, down the hall Coyne’s first introduction to the family would alone suffice as evidence of and into the Niagara Falls dressing room. Walter’s character. It was the mid-’80s when Coyne, then working at Brantford, Ontario’s W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind, first got a “Look, kids’ hockey’s gotta be fun,” Coyne remembers Walter telling the call to inform him that Walter and Wayne were hoping to connect with the players and parents gathered in the room. “We shouldn’t have tears school. Wayne had met two students from W. Ross Macdonald not long about losing. I understand what losing means, but we gotta create fun out before then, and decided he wanted to lend his family’s support. of this. I want everybody to come out in the parking lot, get in your cars and follow me — we’re going to go over to my house now. We’re going to So Coyne bridged the gap between the two, and the Wayne Gretzky go down in the basement. We’re going to see all of Wayne’s trophies. Tennis Classic charity event was born. But a single gargantuan act of We’re going to see Wayne’s hockey sweaters and other players’ hockey kindness wasn’t enough for Walter. He became a lifelong supporter, sweaters. We’ll have a great time with the kids.” travelling around Ontario gathering broken hockey sticks for the school’s shop teacher to craft into benches — and continuing to return to the The other parents didn’t know quite what to do, Coyne said. But the offer school even late into his life. wasn’t one to be passed up.

Walter and Coyne’s friendship grew through the years as well. It truly “In the end — counting kids, parents, aunts, uncles, whoever (else) came began to sprout in 1991 when Wayne’s mother, Phyllis, reached out to — 72 people arrived at the Gretzkys’ house,” Coyne said. “Seventy-two Coyne — also a widely respected hockey coach in Brantford — to help people that night went into that basement, and Walter made sure that Walter get back on the ice as he recovered from a brain aneurysm. Soon every kid got to try on Wayne’s hockey sweater and see his gloves and after, Walter was not only back on the ice but joining Coyne in guiding a pick up his skates and see his medals. They have Stanley Cups there, precocious group of five-year-olds through power-skating lessons. the Cups that players get, and each kid got to get his picture taken with them. Once again, Walter wasn’t content to simply dabble — his yearning to help, nurture and teach was too strong — and he started working “That’s Wally. That’s who Wally is. I can’t imagine a lot of other hockey alongside Coyne on a near daily basis. dads going to that kind of trouble. They would’ve just said, ‘Oh, he’ll get over it. Get in the car, let’s go.’ That would’ve been the end of it. “The kids just hero-worshipped him,” Coyne says of Brantford’s love of Walter. “Even though Wayne was long gone out of Brantford, everyone “But not Wally.” knew the name, obviously — Wayne Gretzky and his dad. Wow, they were just thrilled to have him.” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.06.2021 Soon Walter and Coyne moved from younger skaters to coaching a triple-A novice team together, and wound up at the annual tournament that swept up the town every Christmas.

“Walter was always on hand every year for years to present trophies and medals to the winners of the Wayne Gretzky International Ice Hockey 1205109 Websites The Hawks had a slightly better pace in the 48-game 1994-95 season and finished third in the Central. This time, Sutter led them to his first couple of series wins, a seven-gamer over the Leafs and a sweep of the Canucks. In the conference final, they lost to an emerging modern Sportsnet.ca / Looking at Darryl Sutter's track record as an NHL head dynasty in the Detroit Red Wings, who then were swept in the Cup final. coach After that playoff run Sutter stepped aside from coaching to be with his family back at the Viking, Alta. farm.

Rory Boylen@RoryBoylen While Sutter is returning to the Flames in 2021 four years after last working an NHL bench, it's not the first time he's taken a multi-year March 5, 2021, 4:45 PM break. After leaving the Hawks he took two years off before returning to...

SAN JOSE SHARKS: 1997-2002 We are going to find out very quickly what this Calgary Flames team is or Sutter was Patrick Marleau's first NHL head coach in 1997 after he was isn't made of. chosen second overall. These Sharks were still relatively new, just seven When Darryl Sutter was re-introduced to the Calgary media 11 years years into their existence, with a couple playoff upsets already pulled off. after he was let go as GM of the team and 15 years after the last time he But it had been two seasons since San Jose qualified for the post-season served as head coach, he mentioned coming back to deal with when Sutter was hired. Here you had a young and Jeff "unfinished business." Friesen leading the offence, but also with a mix of veterans. But as the Flames try to find consistency and an identity, it's fair to San Jose wasn't great in Year 1 under Sutter, but did see a 16-point wonder why Sutter? It's been four years since he was behind an NHL improvement and reached the playoffs as the eighth seed, where they bench and seven years since he won a playoff round. The game has lost in Round 1 to the Dallas Stars. The Sharks saw a regular-season changed wildly since he last found success and the amount of coaches points increase every year under Sutter, as some young players left who we'd label an "old school taskmaster" are dwindling. developed and the likes of Teemu Selanne, Vincent Damphousse, Brad Will his message get across to this group and will his style be effective in Stuart and were added. a more offensive league -- a more wild and crazy division and situation. Sutter's Sharks got past the first round twice, though never reached a "There's fundamentals that never change in terms of taking care of your conference final. His best playoff run was in his last season, when San own end and shot volume, puck possession, and things like that. When I Jose reached the second round and lost a 1-0 decision in Game 7 to got to LA we used the analytic part of it very effectively." Sutter said Colorado. Friday. "Tampa quietly changed their style of game by bringing in certain San Jose started slow the next season and Sutter was fired in types of players, having a better defence, getting star players to buy in. December. They went from a contender to winning championships." It didn't take long to find his next job... Sutter has never missed the playoffs in his first full season with a team, but when he last joined the Flames partway through 2002-03, his .511 CALGARY FLAMES: 2002-2006 points percentage wasn't enough of a turnaround to reach the post- season. They did make it to the Stanley Cup Final the next season Before December of 2002 was out, Sutter landed his next head coaching though. gig with Calgary.

Remaining Time -1:00 The Flames had a slow start of their own and needed a new voice. Sutter put up a better record after taking over, but Calgary still missed the post- Darryl Sutter has the blueprint for a successful playoff team season by a wide margin.

Sutter has coached parts of 18 seasons in the NHL and while most of In Year 2 of Sutter, Jarome Iginla drove the offence of this gritty and those (11) came in the pre-cap era, his greatest success came on this grizzled roster, with a dash of quickness in the mix. They added excellent side of history. goaltending, too, when the Flames traded with Sutter's former team to get Miikka Kiprusoff. Now, with a three-year contract, he's tasked with bringing an 11-11-2 Flames team that sits two points out of a playoff spot back to prominence This season would also mark the last before the 2004-05 lockout and a and set them up for playoff success. His way will be different than Geoff complete overhaul of the game. This was the last season of the Dead Ward's and how the players respond is now the key to their season and Puck Era and these Flames were well-built for the playoff style of that future. time. They finished sixth in the West, but got through Vancouver in seven, top-seed Detroit in six and even beat the Sharks one season after Will Sutter be the right hire this time? Here's a look back at each of his they fired Sutter. previous four stops as a head coach in the NHL. The Lightning knocked off the Flames in a seven-game Stanley Cup CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: 1992-1995 Final, which of course leaves a haunting memory of Martin Gelinas' "no Sutter's first job on an NHL bench was as an associate with the Hawks goal." under Mike Keenan. He was with them on their run to the 1992 Stanley Flashback: No goal for Flames' Gelinas Cup Final in that capacity and was promoted to the head coaching position that same off-season when Keenan was asked to focus on GM When the Flames and Sutter returned from the 2004-05 lockout the duties. Keenan didn't last two months into the next season until he was whole landscape was different, but Calgary still thrived and had an dismissed, but Sutter coached in Chicago for three years. exciting new rookie in . They finished atop the Northwest Division with 103 points, but were upset in Round 1 by Anaheim. Jeremy Roenick was the team's early-20s rising star, but it was mostly an experienced core with Chris Chelios, Steve Larmer, Steve Smith, and Sutter stepped down as head coach after that season to focus on GM brother Brent the next-highest scorers after Roenick. Sutter didn't miss duties, a role he remained in until 2010. the playoffs with these teams, but he couldn't get them back to the final again. LOS ANGELES KINGS: 2011-17

In his first year with the Hawks, Sutter did squeeze regular-season The situation Sutter first walked into with the Kings is in some ways improvement. The Hawks went from an 87-point team to a 106-point similar to the one he now faces in Calgary again. team and first place in the . But in a Round 1 rematch with The Kings had been rebuilding for some time before Sutter arrived in the Blues, Chicago was swept. 2011 and GM Dean Lombardi was taking plenty of heat. They had been In his second season at the helm, the Hawks stepped back to an 87-point eliminated in the first round of back-to-back playoffs and then started team in the newly formed Central Division and were ousted in the first 2011-12 slowly. Sutter was hired 33 games into that season as round by the Maple Leafs in six games. Lombardi's potential last hire -- if it went wrong, the GM could have been next. But the Kings became a quick powerhouse. They didn't score much, but defended extremely well, had solid netminding, and controlled shots better than almost anyone. They qualified for the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, but had gone 25–13–11 after Sutter became head coach and subsequently dominated their way to a Stanley Cup, losing just four times in the post-season.

"Neither one was in a playoff spot and we fought like hell to make it (in Los Angeles)," Sutter said about comparing that start with the Kings to what's ahead in Calgary. "There's a lot of similarities to start with top players. That team was probably more veteran at the time, but at the same time we had to get young players in the right frame of mind and they were star players and still are. To think about what it takes to win, and to prepare and take care of yourself.

"When I went to LA you had 40-something games left so you had longer," Sutter continued. "There was more of a process. We have to try and speed that up as much as we can."

Throughout Sutter's time in Los Angeles the Kings were Corsi darlings. Say what you will about analytics vs. old school and where the perception is of Sutter along those lines, but by underlying measures this team was a statistical juggernaut before it was cool. Los Angeles made three straight conference finals and won two Stanley Cups with Sutter, but eventually the well ran dry.

Even in Sutter's last season with the Kings, when they missed the playoffs for the second time in three years, they still led the league in Corsi For percentage and were the best defensive team in the league, but the goals didn't come. Injuries, roster attrition and maybe some regression bit the Kings, but Sutter guided them through peak years after taking over at a tumultuous time.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205110 Websites Scotia North Division. Darryl Sutter, step forward! You can catch the game on Sportsnet.

• Real Madrid at Atletico Madrid, Saturday, 10:15 a.m. ET: The soccer Sportsnet.ca / The Lookahead: Maple Leafs coach Keefe emerging as world needs somebody other than Real or Barca to win La Liga. Five Jack Adams frontrunner points up on both giants and with a game in hand, Diego Simeone’s Atleti are an interesting case study in how a coach can shape-shift a team into something different without needing a constant infusion of new players.

Jeff Blair@SNJeffBlair • Manchester United at Manchester City, Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET: I’ve already stuck a fork in United’s chances of being the only team to stop March 5, 2021, 11:42 AM City from winning the Premier League. Time now to flip it over and roast the other side to a nice, caramelized finish!

We’re getting close to the halfway mark of the COVID-19-altered 2021 • Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks, Sunday, 2:30 p.m. ET: I season, and so far Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe must took a lot of grief this week for suggesting I was over the whole Scotia be the frontrunner for the , no? North thing. So I’ll start doing some advanced scouting for that Leafs playoff series against the Lightning and let the folks in Calgary, Go ahead. Make a case for someone else. I’ll wait. Edmonton, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal sort out the other stuff among themselves. Plus … Patrick Kane! M-V-P! You can catch the Joel Quenneville of the Florida Panthers? Chicago Blackhawks bench game on Sportsnet. boss Jeremy Colliton? He certainly has his team overachieving. Paul Maurice of the Winnipeg Jets? I’d listen. • NBA All-Star Game, Sunday, 8 p.m. ET: Ever wondered what it would be like if players absolutely detested the notion of playing in an All-Star But Keefe’s team is third in points percentage and he has had his hands Game and really treated it like am unwanted intrusion? Ever wondered full, dealing with the absence of a first-line forward – that’s what Joe what it would be like if the wholesale lack of intensity in an All-Star Game Thornton is on this team – for a month with a fractured rib; the absence was multiplied by a million? We’ll find out, here. You can catch the game of Wayne Simmonds for the last six weeks; being forced to rely on one on Sportsnet. goaltender for the first six weeks of the season because his backup was unavailable, then being without his No. 1 and No. 2 goalie. That’s a LeBron explains why he drafted Jazz players last season's worth of goaltending drama in a week. All that … and having William Nylander, too. FAIR OR FOUL

True, he has elite offensive talent around him. He did last season, too, • Fair: Wondering whether Nate Pearson’s groin strain isn’t a timely and so did his predecessor, Mike Babcock. Didn’t much matter in the reminder that relying on the Toronto Blue Jays' top pitching prospect to end. be a mainstay in 2021 is a bit of a reach. Let’s be clear: given the predominant philosophies surrounding pitching development, there is no Yet it’s what has happened to the Leafs as a whole under Keefe that is way that Pearson will get the type of innings boost this season that will impressive — the transformation from a blissfully unaware defensive allow him to be pencilled in for five or six frames every start. group comfortably flitting around the fringes of the ice into a disciplined unit comfortable in some of the messier areas and playing with a purpose The Blue Jays have told us they will need to be creative, perhaps ‘piggy- beyond simply seeing how neat they can make the next pass or how nifty backing’ Pearson or developing some sort of system that couples shorter they can make the next move. stints with slightly longer stints. But the fact that Pearson appears to have once again sustained an injury pitching in a game as opposed to a Under Keefe, great players such as Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner bullpen session or drill suggests a slower approach is the more proper have become better and while some of that is likely just maturity, the approach. buck stops with Keefe when things are going poorly, so credit must also be accrued when they’re going well. That’s why so many of us were surprised when the Blue Jays seemed to draw back in their pursuit of free agent pitching, and why it would be And in and around all this has been the continued development of Justin surprising if this front office does not make an early in-season move to Holl and the sifting and re-jigging that has gone into figuring out the bring in a more established arm. bottom-six forward rotation – a process that will be vital for this team in the playoffs. Nate Pearson’s arrival is a moment to be looked forward to. Whether that jibes with the 2021 season remains to be seen. True, this has not been a one-man gig. General manager Kyle Dubas and his staff have brought in the players and provided the raw materials, At the Letters and while it’s tough to separate responsibilities on a staff, it’s clear that Ben Nicholson-Smith is Sportsnet’s baseball editor. Arden Zwelling is a the Leafs are better in two areas — power play and faceoffs — that are senior writer. Together, they bring you the most in-depth Blue Jays said to be assistant coach ’s area. podcast in the league, covering off all the latest news with opinion and But the head coach wears success or failure and in this so-far analysis, as well as interviews with other insiders and team members. overwhelmingly successful season the credit needs to be directed toward • Foul: Hammering on The Athletic’s Shams Charania for reporting that Keefe. He’s also had to share the burden of every other coach: adjusting “sources” told him that the Raptors' COVID-19 outbreak was being logistically, tactically and emotionally to the essentially joyless reality of blamed on poor adherence to mask protocol by some members of the team building and maintenance in a pandemic. coaching staff. My goodness but Raptors Twitter has become… I don’t While this has gone on, it’s been good, clean fun watching Babcock stick know… a little too precious. his head above the trenches after a year in hiding. You’d think a former This isn’t some sort of anti-Raptors agenda on the part of U.S. media. head coach of the Maple Leafs resurfacing as a network TV analyst – Indeed, the big movers and shakers south of the border not only are albeit an anodyne one - would be a big deal, but beyond 15 minutes of overwhelmingly fawning when it comes to the Raptors, their fans and fawning from his media acolytes, north of the border his redemption tour their front office, they are – how to put this delicately? – favourably was pretty much a full-scale and blessedly short-lived flop that saw him treated by the organization. Don’t tell me the Raptors “don’t leak.” They reduced to talking in the third person while his former players such as leak to Woj and Shams and all those guys, which is fine, just don’t come Marner talked about how the Leafs bench was a happy place these days whining when you’re the subject of leaks yourself. and guys he tried to bury like Jason Spezza turned back the clock. The NBA and its teams are within their rights to not give us the details of Keefe not only has the Leafs on a roll playing the kind of hockey that can COVID-19 issues. The NFL did it, too, and that didn’t prevent reporters win in the playoffs, he’s also reminded us all how very, very little we miss from digging up stories that blamed Denver Broncos quarterbacks for ol’ Babs. lousy mask protocol or the Baltimore Ravens' strength and conditioning THE LOOKAHEAD coach for improper mask wearing and social distancing leading to an outbreak on that team. The fact that the Raptors haven’t shot down • Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers, Saturday, 10 p.m. ET : Looking Charania’s reporting is good enough for me. Suck it up – or at least mask hard for that ‘playoff intensity’ I was promised night in and night out in the up. • Fair: Unless he clearly requests a trade, wanting the Raptors to forget about dealing Kyle Lowry, even if it means getting nothing in return if he leaves as a free agent. Unless somebody is silly enough to part with a first-round pick, I’d rather see this core group (Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet) continue their post-Kawhi growth for the rest of the season with Lowry at the point. I’d like to see how they build on their recovery from that 2-8 start, see how far they go in the post- season, then pivot off that in the off-season.

I’m not interested in dealing Lowry for a big, because this team is going to go as far as its small lineup takes it. The difference-making big that carries this team to the Eastern Conference title isn’t out there. Adding a depth wing would be just fine, and the Raptors shouldn’t need to move Lowry to get that commodity.

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THE ENDGAME

This was the week the Mickey Callaway story washed up on the shores of Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins, who were GM and director of player personnel, respectively, when Callaway was beginning his ascent through the Cleveland Indians organization and sexually harassing women in a manner that was a “badly-kept secret,” according to The Athletic.

Callaway is under suspension from his job as Los Angeles Angels pitching coach while Major League Baseball investigates incidents that allegedly occurred while he was with the Indians and later as manager of the New York Mets. Atkins has said in the past that he considered Callaway a friend and on Thursday apologized for not knowing about the stories that started when Callaway was with the Indians as a minor- league coach and then when he was promoted to major-league pitching coach, as well as not ensuring the proper channels were in place to allow for effective reporting of Callaway’s actions. Shapiro, for his part, addressed Blue Jays staff on Wednesday.

Truth is, we’ll never know who knew what and when they knew it; the bigger concern ought to be how two other organizations – the Mets and Angels – failed to do the requisite due diligence in hiring Callaway. Understand this: there will always be a chance that an organization hires someone in the minors who slips through the vetting process, especially at the lower level, because the younger or less well-known the person, the greater the likelihood that there will be a lack of information. What cannot happen is that those individuals are allowed to remain in and progress through the organization, or get passed on to another club where they can hurt more people.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205111 Websites against the Sabres. Lafreniere registered a point in the past four consecutive games, tallying two goals and five points in that time.

Lafreniere shows off quick hands in front to double Rangers lead Sportsnet.ca / NHL Rookie Notebook: Rangers' Alexis Lafreniere hitting He's clearly looking a lot more comfortable out there. his stride "You knew the offence was there," Kreider said of Lafrenière Wednesday

following the rookie's first multi-point game. "He's just a very even-keeled Emily Sadler@EmmySadler player. All he cares about is winning. At the end of the day, I mean, that’s infectious for our group to see that in the young guy and see that in the March 5, 2021, 3:57 PM first-overall pick. He’s feeling it right now and you can see just how much skill he has."

New Jersey Devils coach Lindy Ruff described his game now versus Every week throughout the 2020-21 season, we're highlighting a handful previous meetings, noting a definite difference. of rookie performances and milestones from around the league. Islanders taking patient approach with Sorokin Dollar Dollar Bill Kirill He's seventh in starts among all rookie goalies, but Ilya Sorokin is With 17 points in 20 games, Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov is currently leading the first-year field in shutouts this season. leading all league rookies in assists, points and... nicknames. Even with all the excitement around Sorokin joining the Islanders after Wild defenceman Matt Dumba gave his teammate the moniker "Dollar several years developing in Russia, the Islanders have been patient in Dollar Bill Kirill," and last Friday night the whole team greeted their first- their approach. Veteran Semyon Varlamov has taken the bulk of the year forward wearing specially-designed T-shirts with Kaprizov's starts (17), and head coach Barry Trotz hasn't put Sorokin in net in two nickname and face. consecutive games yet this season. With the way he's playing of late, The tees are made by Minnesota-based Sotastick.com, which teams up that could soon change. with local artists for their designs. "I think what we’re finding with Ilya — and I think you’re going to see a lot Minnesota has truly hit the jackpot with Kaprizov, KHL scoring champ more of him — is that it’s allowed him to continue to adjust," Trotz told turned Calder Trophy front-runner, who's been making highlight reel- reporters. "He works on a piece of his game from last game. I think as worthy plays on a nightly basis since his arrival thanks to superb skating you get into the real bulk of it, he’s going to take on a bigger piece of the and dynamic playmaking. load for Varly here. He’s had plenty of time now to adjust."

"It was unexpected," Kaprizov told reporters earlier this week (through a After losing his first three starts, Sorokin registered his first career NHL translator) when asked about the custom T-shirts. "You know, I heard win with a shutout on Feb. 16. Then, in his next game on Feb. 28, he did some of the guys were talking about potentially making a shirt, and I it again. It's not just the way he's played, but the way his team has played walked into the locker room and everyone was wearing them. Of course, in front of him: both shutout victories saw him face just 20 shots, and his it makes you feel good and a little shy even, but I liked it. It's very cool." third consecutive win (March 4) saw him face just 18 (with two pucks getting past him). Typical Islanders. The Chicago Blackhawks' youth surge is in full effect. The club has seen eight rookies hit the ice this season, which is the most of any team, and Sorokin is just the second rookie goalie in Islanders history to record a have a combined 132 rookie games played amongst the group. shutout in two straight games, and his shutout streak also put him in the franchise's history books. For comparison: the New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings have each seen seven rookies hit the ice so far this year. Senators' Stützle named rookie of the month

Currently sitting fourth in the Central Division standings, Chicago's The first of many honours for the Ottawa Senators' third-overall draft pick rookies' success – particularly that of goaltender Kevin Lankinen and of 2020, Tim Stützle was named rookie of the month for February. forwards Philipp Kurashev and Pius Suter – continues to be one of the The power forward had two goals and four points in two games to open biggest surprises of this shortened 2020-21 season as Chicago appears February, and though his scoring slowed in the first half of the month he to have hit the fast-forward button on this rebuild. finished strong with six points in seven games, including a three-game Currently in a goal-scoring race with Kings forward Gabe Vilardi and assist streak. Minnesota's Kaprizov, who each have six goals to their names, Suter His friendship with teammate (and roommate) Brady Tkachuk has been leads all rookies in goals (seven) and is currently sitting fourth in rookie well-documented as the Senators' core of young players continue to build points behind Kaprizov and Senators forwards Josh Norris (15) and Tim chemistry. Stützle (14). Brady's big brother Matthew, on the other hand? That bond might take a Lankinen's 9-3-4 record and .924 save percentage has him ranked ninth little more time. among all league goalies and second among rookie netminders behind Washington Capitals hero Vitek Vanecek (10-4-3, .910).

*I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.06.2021 Lafreniere's hitting his stride

Alexis Lafreniere hasn't had the easiest start to his NHL career – how can you, when you've endured the longest draft year, the shortest training camp and the strangest playing conditions, including taking your first pro hockey strides in an empty arena?

Despite solid play and plenty of promise shown throughout his first six weeks as an NHLer, the points just weren't coming. His first career point came in game No. 7 – a gorgeous goal in Buffalo – and he had to wait nine more games until his next, which came in Washington.

Turns out, all he needed was a little bit of... normalcy. The Rangers officially opened up Madison Square Garden to fans on Feb. 26, allowing 10 per cent capacity, and wouldn't you know it, Lafreniere been on a point streak ever since.

The Rangers' first game at home in front of fans brought Lafreniere's very first point on home ice. His first home goal came a few nights later 1205112 Websites He plays a physical game, brings some bite and among his strengths are clearing the front of the net and contributing to the penalty kill.

He has 65 games of playoff experience and has been involved in Game Sportsnet.ca / Why a Mattias Ekholm trade would make sense for Jets 7s and made it to the Stanley Cup final in 2017.

At 30 years of age, he’s got plenty of tread left on his tires.

Ken Wiebe@WiebesWorld Perhaps most importantly, Ekholm wouldn’t just be a rental, since he’s locked up through the end of the 2021-22 season at the reasonable cap March 5, 2021, 9:51 AM hit of $3.75 million — which represents a value proposition, especially for a team that’s going to need to provide a healthy raise to Neal Pionk

during the off-season. WINNIPEG - The complexities and challenges are numerous, yet the For a team looking to get back to full contender status after a run to the potential reward makes it impossible to ignore. Western Conference final in 2018 and two early exits since, Ekholm is When it comes to the NHL trade deadline during this compressed, quite simply a perfect fit. pandemic season, uncertainty remains the order of the day. Much like Paul Stastny, Ekholm is a no-maintenance player and a quiet How many teams will be buying, how many will be selling and how many leader. The type of individual you can count on when the stakes are high. of those clubs will be authorized to take on salary at a time when the Remaining Time -1:47 losses far outweigh the revenues? Stastny adding so much leadership and hockey IQ to Jets' top line With the midway point of the season quickly approaching, many teams are beginning to get a better glimpse of what category they best fit in: So why would the Predators be looking to move him? contender or pretender. First and foremost: he’s a guy with considerable value and someone who There are no towels being thrown in, yet some separation is occurring. has the ability to help push a team over the top.

With that in mind, even if the early indications are that it might be a Unless something changes, Ekholm is at risk of not being protected by buyer’s market, all it takes is a couple of teams to express interest for the Predators in the Seattle Kraken expansion draft — unless Nashville that pivotal player for that to change leading up to April 12. opts for an eight-skater approach as opposed to seven forwards and three defencemen (Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Dante Fabbro). CHOOSE PLAN The Dubois deal showed the Jets were serious, not only for this season, Following a 4-3 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday but with the intention of trying to extend their window to win. night, the Winnipeg Jets find themselves sitting in second place in the North Division with a record of 15-7-1. The Predators are another not-so-subtle reminder that the window doesn’t always stay open as long as the management team or the Currently, in a stretch with seven consecutive games between the players expect it to. Canadiens and the first-place Toronto Maple Leafs, the Jets are in the midst of finding out if they’re going to be staying in the contender So with goalie Connor Hellebuyck, captain Blake Wheeler and first-line category or moving closer to the middle of the pack. centre Mark Scheifele all with contracts that expire after the 2023-24 campaign — the Jets organization is in win-now mode. Will this run of 17 games in 31 days provide a clear enough picture for Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff to determine if he wants to and talk to a lot of people around the hockey push all of his chips into the middle of the table? world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what they think about it. Or will Cheveldayoff tip his hand earlier and choose to make a pre- emptive strike, paving the way for any acquired player to participate in a Acquiring a player like Ekholm makes so much sense, but it won’t be as longer run of games during the stretch run and providing more time to get easy as Cheveldayoff calling up Predators GM David Poile and ironing acclimated in his new surroundings? out the terms.

*I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time. Poile will most certainly be looking to maximize the return for Ekholm.

The Jets have already been involved in the highest-profile deal of this Much like the Jets had to do in finalizing the move for Dubois, they'll likely season and it’s unlikely that the next trade would approach the have to pay a premium to win the bid for Ekholm’s services. magnitude of the one that sent Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Pierre-Luc Dubois. With teams like the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins among multiple clubs that figure to have interest in Ekholm, what’s it going to Speaking of Dubois, he scored his second overtime winner in 12 days on take to be the last team standing in this race? Thursday night, helping the Jets improve to 5-0 during the three-on-three session. That’s where the picture gets a tad cloudy, though it’s been mentioned in hockey circles that the return figures to be similar to what the Los He’s up to four goals and six points in eight games with the Jets - and he Angeles Kings received from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Jake Muzzin (a seems to be finding his way after emerging from a 14-day quarantine and first-rounder, plus forward prospect Carl Grundstrom and the rights to a four-game absence because of a lower-body injury that came after defenceman Sean Durzi) or the Vegas Golden Knights for Alec Martinez suiting up in just two games with his new team. (two second-round picks).

Barring a loosening of government restrictions, it’s reasonable to expect With a flat salary cap for next season, some teams will be reluctant to that the two weeks of quarantine time could still be in place in the days include a first-round pick and another piece, but that’s what it’s likely and weeks leading up to the NHL trade deadline. going to take.

Even with that in mind, it wouldn’t be a surprise for Cheveldayoff to take Previous deals the Jets made at the NHL trade deadline for Stastny (first- another shot at landing another high-end trade target. round pick, plus forward prospect Erik Foley) and Kevin Hayes (first- round pick, plus forward Brendan Lemieux) to bolster the centre position While he doesn’t carry the same star value of Dubois or Laine, one of the have shown a willingness from Cheveldayoff to offer significant assets for guys who could generate the most interest this year is Nashville players. Predators defenceman Mattias Ekholm. The Predators would probably also be looking for another futures The laundry list of things Ekholm could bring to the table should the element before considering a deal, preferably a player that wouldn’t need Predators embrace a rebuild is a lengthy one. to be protected in the aforementioned expansion draft. Ekholm is a big (6-foot-4, 215 pounds), mobile blue-liner. Top defence prospect Ville Heinola is a non-starter, as close to an He’s a solid puck-mover with a heavy shot. untouchable as the Jets have in the minors. Fellow blue-liner Dylan Samberg isn’t far behind, since he projects to grow into the type of player Ekholm already is - a shutdown guy that can contribute to driving play while playing top-four minutes. For the record, Samberg’s offensive ceiling isn’t as high as Ekholm’s but that doesn’t diminish his value.

Cole Perfetti, the 2020 first-rounder, isn’t going anywhere either as the top centre prospect in the organization, but that’s where things could get interesting.

Predators goalie Pekka Rinne is expected to retire at the end of this season, so it’s natural Manitoba Moose netminder Mikhail Berdin could be of interest.

What about 2017 first-rounder Kristian Vesalainen?

Vesalainen has taken significant strides this season in terms of his development and his assignment to the AHL on Thursday was for the sole purpose of getting the left-winger major minutes and keeping him ready for the next time his number is called.

Vesalainen remains part of the Jets’ future plans, but the fact he doesn’t have to be protected from Seattle would be viewed as a major bonus by the Predators as well.

The point is it’s probably going to take a legitimate prospect to top up the offer.

The Jets will have their own expansion draft issues to sort out this summer and bringing in Ekholm could lead to several difficult choices.

But at a time when many other teams might be hesitant to roll the dice on a deal of this magnitude, Cheveldayoff must fully explore the temptation to sacrifice a bit of the future for the opportunity to deliver the type of player that could immediately change the dynamic of the defence corps.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205113 Websites “Churning coaches is not something that leads to success, but the message is that the coach they’ve got now isn’t going anywhere,” Treliving said.

Fed up with coaching carousel, Flames turn to familiarity in Sutter “I’ve seen a lot of coaches here,” Backlund said. “It’s always disappointing every time a coach gets let go.”

Sutter’s first practice will likely be Tuesday and his return to the bench is By Salim Valji set for Thursday when the Flames host the Montreal Canadiens. Assistant coach Ryan Huska will manage the bench against the Oilers

Saturday night in Edmonton and versus the Ottawa Senators on Sunday On April 25, 2015, Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau jumped into in Calgary. each other’s arms at the Saddledome as their underdog Calgary Flames As for Sutter, he will be tasked with fixing a group that has talked about rallied from a three-goal deficit to stun the Vancouver Canucks 7-4, the need to compete more, increase their emotional engagement, and winning the Western Conference Quarterfinal series in six games. play for one another. The two, who were 20 and 21 years old, respectively, had just combined Veteran Flames forward Milan Lucic has touched on those themes this for six points in Game 6. A teenage Sam Bennett, chosen fourth overall season and played a season under Sutter in Los Angeles. at the NHL Draft 10 months prior, logged more than 13 minutes of ice time that warm April night. Mikael Backlund, then 26, played 17 minutes. While much of the perception surrounding Sutter – who was behind the The team captain, Mark Giordano, had been enjoying a Norris-calibre L.A. bench from 2011 to 2017 – is that he’s old-school, in-your-face, and season before a torn bicep ended his season in February. distant from players, Lucic saw a different version of the man with the Kings. Three days after that celebration, Calgary general manager Brad Treliving toasted his one-year anniversary on the job presiding over one “That’s one thing about Darryl he might not get a lot of credit for,” Lucic of the league’s most exciting young teams. While the Flames would go said. “He’s a big family person. He cares a lot about players and their on to lose the next round to the Anaheim Ducks, coach Bob Hartley families.” would merit the Jack Adams Award that summer as the NHL’s coach of the year. In the spring of 2015, Lucic experienced the passing of his father, followed by the birth of his second child, and then his trade from Boston “Being around the group, I don’t know if you’re amazed, but you continue to Los Angeles. to be proud of what they do,” Treliving told the at the time. “That’s three big things that happened to me in a short amount of time,” he said. “The way Darryl brought me in and made me feel good about Little did Treliving know how fleeting that scene at the Saddledome would myself was a real big part of my success in L.A.” be. With Sutter, who won Stanley Cups with the Kings in 2012 and 2014, As Monahan, Gaudreau, Backlund, Bennett and Giordano get set to play also comes an increase in accountability. for Darryl Sutter, their fifth head coach in six seasons, that moment of euphoria following their first-round playoff series victory serves as the “He wants you to compete hard and work hard and when he gets the summit of their collective accomplishments. The Saddledome has been best out of his players and the most out of his players, that’s when you eerily quiet in the years since, with the faint sound of unfulfilled potential get the results,” Lucic said. “Ultimately, we’re in the business of winning lingering in its concourse as the team has failed to have any sort of and the daily grind is hard with Darryl because he expects a lot out of you playoff success. on a day-to-day basis but when you get the results and you’re winning, it’s worth it.” Perhaps nothing symbolizes the collective underachievement of the Flames more than the number of coaches that have gone through the Despite the optimism that tends to follow coaching changes, the Stampede City in the last six years. There have been stern taskmasters expectations in Calgary to replicate those feats of spring 2015 remain in Hartley and Bill Peters, and friendlier voices that valued two-way present. communication in Geoff Ward – who was fired late Thursday – and Glen Surely, as he celebrated that playoff success with his teammates six Gulutzan. years ago, Backlund could not have imagined just how tough it would be Enter – or, more accurately, re-enter – Sutter, whose reputation is far to get there again. more the former than it is the latter. “I’m not proud saying I’ve been here for so long and have had so many In his opening press conference on Friday, Sutter used the term coaches,” he said, “because that means we haven’t been successful “unfinished business” to describe his return to Calgary. He led the enough.” Flames to Game 7 of the 2004 Stanley Cup Final – the franchise’s only extended playoff run in 20-plus years – the memories and heartache of which are still apparently fresh. TSN.CA LOADED: 03.06.2021 “It’s still really clear in my mind losing the Stanley Cup Final with the team and thinking about it on the flight home from Tampa,” the 62-year- old Sutter said on Friday.

The Viking, Alta., native coached the Flames from 2002 to 2006 and also served as the club’s general manager from 2003 to 2010.

“The biggest strengths I see in Darryl is his ability to be very clear, the clarity he provides players in terms of their roles, the expectations, and the standards of the organization,” said Treliving who has inked high- profile free agents such as Chris Tanev and James Neal over the years, and pulled off blockbuster trades that have brought in the likes of Elias Lindholm and Travis Hamonic in a bid to reboot his team. After years of perpetual questions about netminding, the club signed the best one on the market in Jacob Markstrom last fall but the former Vancouver Canuck has missed several games lately with a lower-body injury.

‘If you look back at his track record, he maximizes player performance.”

With Sutter signed to a three-year contract, there will be coaching stability with the Flames for the first time in years. The onus now shifts directly to the players to salvage a season that began with heightened expectations and has so steadily veered off course. 1205114 Websites

USA TODAY / Capitals' Tom Wilson sends Bruins' Brandon Carlo to hospital with crushing hit into boards

Mike Brehm

USA TODAY

Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo was taken to the hospital Friday night after a hard hit into the boards by Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson.

The hit occurred with less than two minutes left in the first period as Carlo and Washington's Jakub Vrana went for the puck behind the Bruins net. Carlo immediately grabbed his head after the check from Wilson and stayed down. He appeared dazed as he was helped off the ice to the dressing room.

No penalty was called on the play or during the ensuing scrum.

“Brando had his head down in the corner and (Wilson) took a liberty on a guy that was in a vulnerable spot," Bruins forward Brad Marchand told NESN after Boston's 5-1 win. "So that’s a (expletive) cheap shot there and we lost a great player."

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said Carlo was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

“It clearly looked to me that he got him right in the head, a defenseless player, a predatory hit from a player (Wilson) that’s done that before,” Cassidy said.

Capitals coach Peter Laviolette disagreed with the Bruins' assessment.

"I saw the hit," he said. "His feet were on the ice, he stayed down with everything. It just looked like a hard hit in the corner. Not exactly sure what happened, but to me, it looked like just a hit."

Wilson has a history of suspensions, including one for 20 games for an illegal hit to the head of Oskar Sundqvist during the 2018-19 preseason. That was his fourth suspension in 105 games. The suspension was reduced to 14 games on appeal, and Wilson changed his style of checking afterward.

Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron talked to Wilson on the bench at the beginning of the second period.

A little more than six minutes into the second period, Boston's Jarred Tinordi fought Wilson. Then early in the third period, Boston's Trent Frederic started a fight with Wilson off a faceoff, receiving an instigator penalty.

The Bruins and Capitals were facing each other for the second consecutive game, and the first one was also very physical. Capitals star Alex Ovechkin was fined $5,000 for spearing Frederic in that contest.

USA TODAY LOADED: 03.06.2021 1205115 Websites

USA TODAY / Pittsburgh Penguins discipline staffer for altering fan photo to show proper mask use

Mike Brehm

USA TODAY

Fans are slowly being allowed back into NHL arenas in limited numbers as COVID-19 restrictions start to ease in states.

And teams and players are making sure to say what a difference having fans in the stands has meant for them.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, who welcomed back fans on Tuesday, tweeted out a photo Wednesday of mask-wearing, socially distanced fans at PPG Paints Arena during the 5-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

"We just had to say this again... Thanks for the continued support, Penguins fans. We can't wait to see you tomorrow night," the tweet said.

Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports, who had been tweeting photos of improper mask use during the night among some of the 2,800 fans in the building, noticed and shared that the photo had been altered.

The team addressed the issue in a statement to the New York Post.

“Our social media team should never send out altered photos to our fan base,” the Penguins said. “This is a violation of our social media and safety policy, and this staffer has been disciplined.”

USA TODAY LOADED: 03.06.2021