SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 06/16/19 1147058 Arizona Coyotes re-sign defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to 1147090 Rangers, rivals set to battle for Jets’ Jacob Trouba at 1-year deal steep cost 1147059 Rick Tocchet’s favorite job isn’t coaching; it’s being Trevor Tocchet’s dad Ottawa Senators 1147091 Senators enter a pivotal stretch going into NHL draft 1147092 Dorion ready to make changes as Senators head to NHL 1147060 To many, the Bruins’ loss is a rebalancing of the sports draft universe 1147061 Blues’ blueprint: Don’t expect league to follow Flyers suit 1147093 Flyers parting ways with defenseman Andrew MacDonald 1147062 Tuukka Rask ready to return for another run at Cup and 1147094 Chuck Fletcher: Flyers are 'bullish on Philippe Myers' sharing season workload upside' 1147063 David Krejci is hoping for stability on his line 1147095 Chuck Fletcher, Matt Niskanen see a Flyers team ready to 1147064 Bruins notebook: Injuries do their playoff toll pop 1147065 David Backes gets ready for uncertain offseason 1147096 Flyers place Andrew MacDonald on unconditional waivers for purpose of terminating contract 1147097 What Andrew MacDonald's buyout means for future of 1147066 The Cup has been hoisted but the action isn't stopping Flyers' defense anytime soon 1147067 How Trevor Zegras evolved into possible Sabres draft pick 1147068 NHL prospect Kirby Dach learned lesson in consistency 1147098 Penguins trade Olli Maatta to Chicago for forward Dominik with Saskatoon Kahun, draft pick 1147099 3 issues Penguins, must cope with in retooling 1147069 Bag of Jerks, Part 2: Prospects, prospects, more 1147100 Penguins trade Olli Maatta to Blackhawks for Dominik prospects and that Geekie hair Kahun and a draft pick 1147101 What the Olli Maatta trade says about the Penguins’ — and ’s — future 1147070 Blackhawks acquire D Maatta in trade with Penguins 1147071 Blackhawks upgrade defense with Olli Maatta acquisition 1147072 For Blackhawks’ Connor Murphy, father-son bond has 1147102 NHL rumors: Sharks have made Erik Karlsson massive defined NHL experience contract offer 1147073 It doesn't take miracle to win Stanley Cup 1147074 Chicago Blackhawks trade for defenseman Maatta St Louis Blues 1147075 Blackhawks acquire Olli Maatta, send Dominik Kahun to 1147103 Blues wave overtakes downtown as fans celebrate their Penguins team 1147076 2019 NHL Draft Profile: RW 1147104 Jake Allen took the high road in handling the Binnington 1147077 Roundtable reaction: Blackhawks deal Dominik Kahun to phenomenon Pittsburgh for defenseman Olli Maatta 1147105 Armstrong parades Blues in the right direction with bold actions and patience 1147106 Heavy broadcast coverage of Blues' downtown 1147078 Former Avalanche, DU Pioneer and CC Tiger hoist the celebrations on tap today Stanley Cup 1147107 Blues notebook: Sanford's big in Game 7 was 'for my 1147079 NHL Prospect Profile Ville Heinola dad' 1147108 They packed MetroLink and stood in the rain. These fans came to celebrate the Stanley Cup. 1147080 Blue Jackets feel impact of moves they made in 2017 1147109 Despite the rain, thousands of Blues fans gather to celebrate Stanley Cup in St. Louis 1147081 Shortage of picks magnifies Stars' first NHL draft decision, Maple Leafs and Dallas has multiple paths to choose from 1147110 SIMMONS SUNDAY NOTES: Kawhi stays or goes? 1147111 Where will the Maple Leafs trade Nikita Zaitsev? Ranking all 30 potential destinations 1147082 Falling talent and other fun facts that could benefit the Oilers in the NHL Draft 1147119 How Brian Burke’s Canucks stocked their cupboard before chasing the Sedins 1147083 Kings buy out final two years of Dion Phaneuf’s contract 1147120 Ben Kuzma: Hard to replicate Burke’s power of persuasion 1147084 Kings buy out Dion Phaneuf’s contract that secured Sedins 1147085 Kings’ buyout of Dion Phaneuf sets summer in motion for 1147086 FINAL TWO YEARS OF PHANEUF’S CONTRACT 1147112 Golden Knights, Raiders meet in Las Vegas charity BOUGHT OUT; FINANCIALS AND LOOKING AHEAD softball game 1147113 Golden Knights’ ideal draft pick could be goalie Spencer Knight 1147087 North Score: Wild GM seems aimed at 1147114 Golden Knights to open 2019 preseason at home against long-term, rather than quick fix Coyotes 1147088 Hometown hero Maroon celebrates Stanley Cup family 1147115 Golden Knights, Raiders and Ringers Raise Money For style Charity With Softball Game Entertainment New Jersey Devils 1147089 Here are 3 takeaways from the 2019 Websites 1147121 Sportsnet.ca / 31 Thoughts: Sharks still have shot at keeping Erik Karlsson 1147116 Jets sign free agent Finnish forward 1147117 prospect Gustafsson signs with jets 1147118 Jets land another Finn SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1147058 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes re-sign defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to 1-year deal

BY MATT LAYMAN

JUNE 14, 2019 AT 1:44 PM

UPDATED: JUNE 14, 2019 AT 2:36 PM

The Arizona Coyotes announced Friday they have re-signed defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to a one-year deal.

Lyubushkin, 25, appeared in 41 games for the Coyotes in the 2018-19 season, his rookie year after he came over from the KHL’s Yaroslavl Lokomotiv. Injuries on the Coyotes blueline opened up the chance for Lyubushkin to play frequently in his first season.

“We are pleased to re-sign Ilya,” GM John Chayka said in a press release. “He was a solid addition to our team last year and provided us with depth and a physical presence on our blueline. We look forward to having him on our roster this season.”

Lyubushkin scored 0-4-4 in those 41 games with 13 minutes.

“I am very happy to re-sign with the Coyotes,” Lyubushkin said via a team spokesperson. “We have a very good team and I’m excited about next season.”

He was going to become a restricted free agent this offseason, but Chayka and the Coyotes have one fewer contract to make a decision on as free agency looms.

With Lyubushkin signed, all eight of the defensemen that Arizona used in 2018-19 are under contract for next season, joining Oliver Ekman- Larsson, Jason Demers, Jakob Chychrun, , Niklas Hjalmarsson, Kevin Connauton and Jordan Oesterle.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147059 Arizona Coyotes saying we didn’t have that beforehand but it wasn’t as strong as it is now because I was only seeing him a couple times a year. We really got to catch up on the things we missed when I was younger.”

Rick Tocchet’s favorite job isn’t coaching; it’s being Trevor Tocchet’s dad During Tocchet’s seven years back in Pittsburgh, he got a feel for his son’s greatest athletic passion, lacrosse – a sport to which Lynne introduced Trevor. Rick attended Trevor’s games all over the country and By Craig Morgan watched his boy grow into a 6-foot-5 physical specimen who just completed his freshman season on an academic/athletic scholarship at Jun 15, 2019 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he is studying computer science.

When the Coyotes offered Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach Rick There were countless family dinners together and trips to exotic Tocchet their head coaching job in the summer of 2017, Tocchet was locations. Rick was there to drop Trevor off at the prom, and he was conflicted. Coaching is a professional passion for him, and he wanted there when Trevor got his first car, a Toyota RAV4, and began driving. another crack at running a team after a two-year stint as the Tampa Bay “I tried to bite my tongue because I didn’t want to be that backseat Lightning’s head coach ended badly in 2010. driver,” Rick said, laughing. “It turned out he was actually a pretty good But moving to Arizona also meant less time for his favorite job. Before driver.” Tocchet made a decision, he reached out to the only person whose Perhaps the most memorable time in that seven-year window was the opinion mattered: his son, Trevor. time the two spent around the Penguins. “He had one more year in high school so I was thinking, ‘Do I wait one “The Penguins are obviously big in Pittsburgh and Trev had all-access to more year, take another shot with Pittsburgh at winning three (Stanley) them but it wasn’t like he boasted about it, going to high school and Cups in a row and then maybe there is a job out there in a year?’” saying, ‘I ate breakfast with ,’” Rick said. “I enjoyed how Tocchet said. “If he had told me, ‘Dad, I would rather you stay another our players interacted with him, but I don’t think he had a sense of how year’ I wouldn’t have taken the job, but he said, ‘Dad, you’ve got to take big a deal it was early. When we won our first Cup I think he did. He was the job.’ in both parades with me, in the back of a pickup truck in front of (an “He’s the guy that basically gave me the push. That’s a true story. He estimated 650,000) people.” said, ‘There’s only so many head coaches, dad. You’ve got to take the Trevor went to as many of Pittsburgh’s playoff games as his schedule job.’” would allow, but he wasn’t able to attend the Penguins’ Cup-clinching Rick and Lynne Tocchet divorced while Trevor was a toddler. Trevor game in San Jose in 2016 because he was participating in a showcase doesn’t remember his life with two parents under the same roof, but he lacrosse tournament in Denver; one well-attended by college recruiters. never experienced the tension that such a split can create for a family. “I was pretty bummed that I didn’t get to be there to see them winning it “I have talked to some of my friends who have divorced parents,” said but I was fortunate the next year that they ended up going back to the Trevor, 19, who was born in Arizona while Rick was playing for the final against Nashville,” Trevor said. “When they had the chance to clinch Coyotes. “There are some where the parents get along, but there are (Game 6 in Nashville), I was like, ‘I am not missing this opportunity some where the mom and dad don’t speak or they only get to see one again.’ parent. “It was me, my mom and a sea of Nashville fans. It’s a really insane and “That has never been the case with my mom and dad. Both of my intimidating place to play. The game was 0-0 the whole way and then parents understood how important it was to have a great relationship for (Patric) Hörnqvist scores with like two minutes (1:35) left, and my mom me and they both did a really good job of that. Back when I was in and I got up and started cheering and everyone was staring at us. We Pittsburgh, we’d all have dinner together. My dad would come over to the saw all the other Pens fans 100 feet away and there’s the two of us.” house. We still take trips together. It has always been a really good Trevor was on the ice to hoist the Cup with Rick, he was in the dressing relationship.” room for the postgame celebration and he attended the after-hours The only deficiency for father and son was time. Right after his playing celebration at the team’s hotel – one that ran past 3 a.m. career ended in 2002, Rick took a job as an assistant coach with the “That was an amazing moment, being able to raise it with my dad and Colorado Avalanche. He also served as an assistant with the Coyotes then celebrate with him,” he said. “Not many kids get that opportunity.” and Lightning before becoming Tampa’s head coach, creating an eight- year gap where Lynne and Trevor remained in Pittsburgh while Rick When Trevor graduated from high school last summer, Lynne and Rick criss-crossed North America. offered to take him and a friend (Jake Freedlander) on a “senior trip” to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where the drinking age is 18. Rick and “Christmases without him – and I had a bunch of them – that was a really Trevor competed together in a resort-sponsored water polo tournament, tough one for me,” Rick said. “I see families when their kids are overseas they played football and volleyball on the beach, and they ate meals in the military or the dad is over there and they don’t see their kids. You together. have that same kind of feeling. “There were a lot of families but there was also a lot of 19-year-old girls,” “We’d have phone conversations. We tried to hook up on the road or if Rick said, laughing. “We’d have a couple beers and then Trev would tell there was day off I’d try to fly back, but it was tough. It really hurt me. I me it was time to leave in his own way, because he’s a real sensitive kid. wasn’t around to take him to sports or to take him to play hockey and I He’d go, ‘Dad, you can stay if you want.’” think he would have been a good hockey player. You just don’t feel as close because you’re not there.” Trevor suspects he wasn’t quite that delicate.

When Tampa fired Tocchet, he decided that even if he received another “My friend and I would just be hanging out by the pool and my dad would offer as an assistant coach, he was moving back to Pittsburgh to be with kind of just be lurking,” Trevor said, laughing. “I’d be like, ‘Hey, dad. It’s his son. It was the example Rick’s father, Fortunato, a mechanic, had set time for you to go back to your beach.’ He totally understood.” for him when he drove him to every practice and game in Scarborough, Ontario. Distance hasn’t kept Rick from seeing Trevor over the past two seasons while serving as the coach in Arizona. Trevor joined the Coyotes on a Rick took a job as a pre- and postgame analyst on road trip in December and watched them rally from a 3-0 deficit to beat games for Sportsnet. After telecasts, he would commute more the New York Rangers on Derek Stepan’s overtime goal at Madison than 300 miles back to Pittsburgh. He did that for three-plus seasons until Square Garden. the Penguins hired him as an assistant coach. Rick drove through a snowstorm from Montreal to RPI in upstate New “I have always had a really strong connection with my mom because for York to see Trevor practice in a blizzard when the Coyotes began the All- a while it was just the two of us — I’m an only child,” Trevor said. “But Star break. when my dad was broadcasting in Philly and commuting back to Pittsburgh, that’s when we really built a father-son relationship. I’m not “He took a picture and sent it to my mom, saying ‘I can’t believe they’re practicing out here,’” Trevor said. “It was like sub-20 (degree) weather.

“We have cold-weather protocol because we don’t have an indoor facility so we’d go outside and practice for an hour, go inside for 15 minutes, go back out for 30 minutes, go back inside and come out for 15 more minutes. The whole time, he was watching from the comfort of the coaches room, all nice and warm. I think I told him he could go outside and watch practice but he just kind of found his way into the press-box area.”

Rick marvels at how the time has flown.

“To see him competing at the college level and also getting great grades, I’m really proud of him for being such a great student-athlete and I’m really glad I’ve gotten to see it,” Rick said. “The last eight, nine years have meant the world to me. A lot of the decisions I’ve made were made because of him.”

Trevor has already been to Arizona this summer and he’ll be back again at some soon, but the big thing dad and son are sorting out is where to take their next trip together this summer. It’s a tradition Trevor hopes to continue as long as possible.

“The last year has been rough for my dad’s side of my family because his mom and dad died,” Trev said. “I lost both of my grandparents in the last year so it is really important that I have this connection with my dad.

“I’m so glad that we were able to connect on such a deeper level after he moved back to Pittsburgh. Even though he’s in Arizona now, we talk every other day or even every day. I know a lot of friends that may or may not have a father figure in their life and I know how important it is. I love family. I will ride or die with family so it’s really fulfilling for me to have my dad in my life.”

The Athletic LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147060 Boston Bruins I recognize that none of this is solace for the crestfallen Spoked- Believers or their hockey heroes. This likable and redoubtable Bruins team, players who poured their hearts into the season and sacrificed To many, the Bruins’ loss is a rebalancing of the sports universe their bodies during it, deserved better than to go out with a clunker. They were red-eyed and ashen in their locker room following the 4-1 Game 7 loss for good reason. Classy Bruins bellwether Patrice Bergeron repeatedly called it “heartbreaking.” and David Krejci Shirley Leung referred to it as the most painful loss of their careers.

This one hurt more for those players, 42-year-old Zdeno Chara, The pucks postmortem is necessary following the Bruins falling short and and 32-year-old goalie Tuukka Rask because it felt like the last call for a getting the short end of some suspect officiating in the series, but so is a second Cup for the Bruins core. It brings to mind the profound words of reminder of how incredibly blessed Boston sports fans and observers John Greenleaf Whittier: “For of all sad words of tongue and pen, the have been since 2002. It’s hard to argue that Boston sports fans and saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’ ’’ teams haven’t enjoyed a disproportionate share of good fortune this But sometimes the universe pushes back. The scales have to be century with 12 championships and 18 championship-round appearances rebalanced. You have to be reminded that’s it’s not supposed to be this among the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics. Even with the Bruins’ easy to win championships. Blame a lack of finish around the net and a defeat on Wednesday night, Boston teams have won two-thirds of the collective Boston backlash for the Bruins’ loss. The Sports Gods on high titles they’ve played for. That’s a .667 winning percentage, the same decided Titletown needed to give some other city a turn. winning percentage the World Series champion Red Sox had last year when they won a franchise-record 108 regular-season games during a You can’t win them all, even though here it sometimes feels like you can historically successful season. It’s a winning percentage that a lot of fans and you should. would take for one of their teams for one season, never mind while playing for 18 championships in 17 years.

That’s not even counting the Cinderella-to-icon emergences of Tom Boston Globe LOADED: 06.16.2019 Brady and David Ortiz.

A Bruins win on Wednesday night meant Boston would’ve claimed its third professional sports championships in a span of 227 days, or about 7½ months. Pardon the comparison, but we’ve become the New York Yankees of professional sports fandom. The thrill of winning championships hasn’t worn off here, but the sheer novelty of it has.

It’s nothing like the crusty, cynical days of preordained doom and self- abnegation, a time filled with curses and curse words. Thank goodness. However, the newness, the euphoria, the wonder, the sense that it’s a momentous, once-in-a-lifetime event, that was palpable in St. Louis last Sunday leading up to Game 6 as the city braced for a Cup celebration 52 years in the making, and that was so evident after the Blues won Game 7 on Wednesday, has faded.

Perhaps, karmic balance is to blame for the egregious non-call that facilitated the decisive second goal by St. Louis in Game 5 of the series, a tipping point. Justice is blind and so were the referees. Clinging to a 1-0 lead, Blues forward Tyler Bozak fork-lifted Boston’s Noel Acciari with his stick — a blatant tripping penalty that went uncalled — to set up the eventual game-winner by David Perron and stake the Blues to a 3-2 series lead.

After I wrote about that travesty, I received an e-mail from a reader in Missouri. He brought up the obligatory mention of the uncalled Timo Meier hand pass that set up the overtime goal that allowed the San Jose Sharks to best the Blues in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals. But he added something else, a good-natured plea for Boston sports beneficence. St. Louis has been a frequent and favorite foil for Boston this century.

“You guys have won many titles in Boston. Some of which were at our expense. You can spare one title, can’t you? October will be here soon and January right after that. You’ll forget about this soon enough. I’m kinda tired of seeing your number 4 flying through the air scoring the deciding goal [49] years ago. Let us have some new hockey memories in St. Louis. Thanks.” — Bill in St. Louis.

Boston sports teams’ embarrassment of riches and trophies don’t inure us from dejection or disappointment. Even in times so good, so good, so good, there will always be stinging defeats (Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series, the loss of the 2007 Patriots’ perfect season in Super Bowl XLII, the Bruins’ 3-0 series lead, 3-0 Game 7 lead collapse against the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010, Game 6 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks) and major disappointments such as the Bruins’ Game 7 loss on Wednesday. The Celtics dropping the 2010 NBA Finals after leading, 3-2, and the Malcolm Butler benching in the Patriots’ Super Bowl LII defeat also come to mind.

When the losses stop hurting, the championships stop mattering. But they don’t hurt as much as they used to. This pain will linger . . . until the Patriots start training camp and their pursuit of a seventh Super Bowl title since 2001. The Blues look like a one-and-done title team. 1147061 Boston Bruins Speed and skill will continue to rule the NHL day, inform and guide general managers in their roster-building. They’ll continue to value skating, puck moving, stick skills, and players who can process the game Blues’ Stanley Cup blueprint: Don’t expect league to follow suit at pace. All the other grind factors, though not to be dismissed, for the most part now are accompanying curiosities in the puppy mill know as the amateur-entry pool.

Shirley Leung It was largely a throwback effort, with Berube, a throwback coach who logged 3,149 penalty minutes during his NHL career, that delivered the

2019 Cup. Admirable, for sure, and while not impossible to replicate, just The Bruins, much like the Jets, Stars, and Sharks, found the Blues too not where the game is headed. much, too strong, to handle. The biggest difference for the Bruins in Brayden Point could potentially receive an RFA offer sheet from the Game 7, aside from their own dumbfounding lack of pushback over the once free agency begins on July 1. final two periods, was netminder Jordan Binnington. Outside of the playoff season, these next couple of weeks include Nothing new there, right? Goalies too often, and some will argue too perhaps the most critical dates on the NHL calendar. The two-week consistently, dictate failure and success. Exhibit A: If not for Tuukka buyout period began Saturday, to be followed by this week’s draft in Rask’s work both in 2013 and again this spring, the Bruins are still Vancouver (Friday-Saturday) and then the annual free agent flea market, hunting for their first Cup Final since 2011. Binnington was impossible to which swings wide its doors on Monday, July 1. beat in the first 20 minutes in the clincher, and he grew all the bigger when handed a 2-0 lead by the first intermission. July 1, which again will see some ridiculous overpayments lavished on unrestricted free agents, technically is the same day restricted free Overall, the Blues banked their first Cup in franchise history on agents also can be tendered offer sheets. We say technically because determination, muscle, and grit, factors that have been diluted across the restricted free agent sheets come around now with less frequency than league, frankly, over the years since the Bruins won with their heavy UFO sightings in Area 51 or Exeter, N.H. (see: Barney and Betty Hill). lineup in 2011. In a game now dominated by skill and speed — the latter Maybe if we look to the sky enough, something will happen? sometimes working against some of the skill — the Blues this spring separated themselves with a menacing and grinding forechecking game, In the salary-cap era, which began after the “lost” season of 2004-05, stout and sometimes intimidating work along the wall, and requisite there have been but eight RFA offer sheets, and only one that led to a sandpaper and scoring touch around the net. player departure.

Is that energy and grind model something the other 30 Original NHL In 2007, Anaheim declined to match Edmonton’s offer (five years/$21.5 teams will follow? Sure, to a degree, because there is no magic mojo in million) to strapping winger Dustin Penner. The good news, when determination and grit. If the coach preaches it, and the players buy in to Edmonton finally unloaded the unproductive Penner on Los Angeles the level the Blues bought in with Craig Berube, the Cup is right there for three-plus years later, the package included a first-round Kings pick that the hoisting. brought the Oilers top blue liner Oscar Klefbom.

The Blues mixed all that, too, with some impressive scoring touch from It was that same July, remember, the Oilers made an even more the likes of Jaden Schwartz (12 goals), Vladimir Tarasenko (11), Ryan aggressive play with an RFA offer sheet to then-Sabre Thomas Vanek. O’Reilly (8), and David Perron (7).That’s 38 goals from their top four But the Sabres matched, retaining Vanek at the then-whopping price of strikers. The Bruins got nearly the same punch from their top four: Brad seven years/$50 million. After only two NHL seasons, he went from Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, and Charlie Cole, with nine making $942,000 to an average of just over $7 million, with a first-year apiece. payout of $10 million.

In and of itself, there is no secret sauce in playing hard. Remember, This year, four names, including Maple Leafs forwards Mitch Marner and other than Berube giving Binnington a fling in net ostensibly as a last Kasperi Kapanen, lead the rumor mill as possible targets for RFA sheets. resort in midseason, the same St. Louis lineup stood dead last in the The same for forwards Brayden Point (Tampa Bay) and William Karlsson standings as of Jan. 3, some six weeks after coach Mike Yeo was (Vegas). canned. The roster-wide buy-in came only after Binnington proved competent in net. All of a sudden, the pain of playing hard delivered All are coming off expiring entry-level deals except for Karlsson, who rewards, the way a house warms up once someone decides to shut the opted for a one-year, $5.25 million bridge deal a year ago after failing to window and close the door. come to terms on a long-term pact with the Golden Knights. His overall production slipped by some 30 percent to 24-32—56 in 2018-19, so he But if you’re thinking St Louis has an easy model to replicate, think again. may not cash in that whopping payday that he envisioned just a year ago. Playing hard and heavy, while simple in theory, just isn’t how the talent pool is being cultivated in 2019. It has never been the game taught in Again, given the history of RFA sheets, it’s likely all will remain with their Europe, which delivers so many speed-and-skill players to the NHL. It’s current clubs, but it will be interesting to see how the Leafs deal with the no longer taught in the United States, either, be it on the National Team Marner-Kapanen tandem, particularly after the five-year, $58.2 million Development Program or throughout NCAA Division 1. deal they shoveled into Auston Matthews’s wallet in February.

The three top Canadian junior leagues have their pockets of that old Marner, 22, led the Leafs in scoring the past two years. Have to think school tradition (some would say charm), but overall, from to he’ll want one of those Matthews-like $11.6-million-a-year deals, right? Ontario to The Dub (WHL), the mantra has switched to speed and skill, Kapanen, acquired from Pittsburgh in the Phil Kessel deal, was the club’s layered on top of more speed and more skill. second highest-producing winger (20-24—44). Give that man $5 million, at least. So even if NHL general managers thought of going more with a grind approach, it’s hard to imagine them being able to find players to fit the In Tampa, Point just keeps getting better, with point totals the last three model. The likes of Milan Lucic, Nathan Horton, Dennis Seidenberg, and seasons of 40, 66, and 92. The two Bolts ahead of him on the scoring list Johnny Boychuk, all critical members of Boston’s 2011 Cup title, aren’t this past season, Nikita Kucherov and , average $9 walking through that door. If they are, everyone else will skate around million a year. At minimum, Point has to be hunting for the six-year/$40 them like traffic cones. million pact that David Pastrnak signed with the Bruins in September 2017. In fact, it would not be a surprise to see the Blues next year, especially during the regular season, struggle to recapture the type of discipline and If anyone receives an offer sheet, it will be the first one in six years. energy that delivered the Cup, even if Binnington is solid in net. The 82- Calgary in 2013 tried to filch holdout Ryan O’Reilly away from the game regular season is a long haul and the 8-9-week Cup run totally Avalanche with a two-year deal totaling $10 million. Lucky for the exhausting. Playing that game over the course of nine months is too Flames, the Avalanche matched. much to ask, even for a Blues team that will return to work in October still basking in the reaffirming glory that all the hard work delivered. Due to a CBA technicality, the Flames, had they acquired O’Reilly, would have been forced to place him on waivers prior to adding him to their roster. O’Reilly surely would have been claimed, even at the $5 million-a- year sticker, and the Flames would have been out the two draft picks, a record fifth Selke . . . Caught in a cap squeeze, the Predators might Rounds 1 and 3, due the Avalanche as compensation. have to move left winger Viktor Arvidsson, who is locked in at a comfortable cap figure ($4.25 million) for the next five seasons. He Former Bruin Malcolm Subban will be a restricted free agent on July 1. averages around 55 points a season and would seem a perfect second- Back in the June 2017 expansion draft that stocked Vegas, the Bruins line fit with David Krejci as his distributor . . . The Bruins on Friday were chagrined when the Knights opted not to take Adam McQuaid and announced that their development camp will run June 26-28 at Warrior instead claimed Colin Miller, whom they acquired in the deal two years Rink in Brighton. Finally, at long last, hockey is back in the Hub. The earlier that shipped Milan Lucic to the Kings. telltale chill is in the air.

Just over three months later, the Bruins again were chagrined to lose No. 1 goalie prospect Malcolm Subban to the Knights via waivers on the eve Boston Globe LOADED: 06.16.2019 of a new season. The Bruins had invested heavily in the athletic Subban, the club’s top pick (No. 24) in the 2012 draft, and he had shown some promising flashes in his four seasons at AHL Providence.

Less than two years later, it appears the Bruins could get another crack at both players.

The Knights, with the priciest payroll in the league (everything happens fast in today’s NHL), at the very least will have to clear some money in order to get William Karlsson under contract.

Subban, only 25, will be a restricted free agent come July 1, so technically his payroll number (league-minimum $650,000) doesn’t factor in the already-bloated Knights ledger.

However, Miller, 26, is on the books for three more years at $3.875 million. A righthanded shot, he has averaged 35 points in his two seasons in the desert, and while that’s hardly Torey Krug territory (average 56 points the past two seasons), Miller’s pay rate also is substantially less than the $5.25 million Krug has remaining on the final year of his deal.

Miller is not nearly as nimble or as quick-thinking as Krug, but he does possess a booming, heavy slapper. If the Bruins were to move Krug, with the idea of making Charlie McAvoy their power-play quarterback at the right point, Miller could be slotted there as the No. 2 point man, or provide McAvoy some relief, if necessary.

To land Subban, the Bruins likely would have to give up a late draft pick, unless the Knights opted to cut him free. With Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak locked into the varsity jobs, it would mean a return to AHL Providence for Subban. Not ideal, but also not the worst place to settle in and grow his game.

Loose pucks

Not to be lost in the Bruins’ disappointing finish: Krug was second only to Rask for his overall postseason performance. The 5-foot-9-inch dynamo finished 2-16—18, third in team scoring, and earned a place in Black and Gold lore with his clean, pulverizing hit on the Blues’ Robert Thomas in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Over the last three playoff seasons, Krug has totaled 30 points, second only to unrestricted free agent Erik Karlsson (34 points) and a tick ahead of the Capitals’ John Carlson (29) . . . Trade winds persist that ex-Bruins Lucic and Loui Eriksson will switch sweaters, with Lucic landing back in hometown Vancouver and Eriksson joining the goal-challenged Oilers. Both would have to waive their no- trades, considered likely, given how both have been equal busts since signing their pricey UFA deals. Eriksson has three more years coming at a $6 million cap hit, while Lucic has four more at $6 million. The Canucks could use Lucic’s thump on the wing, if he is still willing to thump, and the Oilers need scoring help on the wing. Of course, so did the Canucks when they signed Eriksson, only to see him deliver 32 goals over his three seasons in British Columbia . . . The Blue Jackets on July 1 are likely to lose their three high-end free agents — Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. With ex-Blue Jackets boss John Davidson now president of the Rangers, it’s possible Panarin and Bobrovsky follow him to Broadway. That can’t happen unless King Henrik Lundqvist, with two years left at $8.5 million per, agrees to surrender his no-trade . . . Phil Kessel remains in Pittsburgh (but for how long?) after reportedly nixing a deal to Minnesota that would have brought left winger Jason Zucker to the Penguins. Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford is believed to remain keenly interested in moving Kessel as a means of helping coach Mike Sullivan reshape and revitalize the offense. A move to the Wild would have brought Kessel back to his home state, but he reportedly kiboshed the swap because he didn’t feel the Wild are ready to compete for a Cup. Seems a fair calculus, but he also might have said the same about St. Louis a year ago . . . Patrice Bergeron will be at the NHL Awards show Wednesday night in Vegas, where he again is up for the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward. He lost out last June to Los Angeles’s Anze Kopitar. A win would bring Patrice The Thief 1147062 Boston Bruins

Tuukka Rask ready to return for another run at Cup and sharing season workload

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

PUBLISHED: June 15, 2019 at 6:44 pm | UPDATED: June 15, 2019 at 9:21 PM

The best stretch of his career went unrewarded, but with two years left on his contract, Tuukka Rask is prepared to try to repeat his performance.

Rask played just 46 regular season games, his lowest since 2013, which appeared to set him up perfectly for a fresh playoff run. That turned out to be the case, as he posted a 2.02 goals against average and .934 save percentage and finished third in Conn Smythe voting despite being on the losing end.

He’s the clear No. 1 goalie, with Jaroslav Halak returning for another season as the backup. Any remaining Rask doubters likely wouldn’t have been satisfied regardless, but the B’s goalie can feel good about his role in getting the team to the final game of the season.

“It’s over. It was a great season, great run, and we fell one win short,” Rask said. “You’re going to always think about it, what happened, but there’s nothing you can do about it now. Just have to be proud of how you battled, worked together and support…. Right after the game, it’s a very empty feeling. It’s over. There’s no tomorrow. I think, for me, it was just after the game, that’s it. I don’t know if it’s sunk in yet, we’ll see. I’m sure it’s going to be in the back of your head for a long time, just have to realize that you prepared yourself the way you want and battled for each other and played hard. No regrets, that’s hockey. You just have to live with it.”

Next season might be scripted a bit differently, but it seems they found the magic formula for how to handle Rask’s workload, and that might be a trend for the league overall.

Part of Rask’s ice time being down had to do with the leave of absence he took in November, which wasn’t planned nor expected in the future, but the Bruins had a plan for how they wanted to limit him well before that.

It could be the way his career is structured from here on out.

“I think so,” he said. “I think the league’s trending that way. The players are better, they’re shooting better, there’s more scoring opportunities. It takes a toll on goalies. I strongly believe it’s a very difficult task if you play 60, 70 games and are expected to play 25 more at a playoff level. I was very happy, Jaro was very happy, I think it worked out great for us.”

He said this is as healthy as he’s felt at the end of a season, which has a ton to do with how his workload was managed.

“Probably. I feel great.”

With two years left on his deal, he hasn’t thought much about what happens afterward quite yet, but with his ice time managed, there’s always a chance of an extended career.

“There’s two years left on the contract,” Rask said. “You go year by year. I haven’t thought about that. You prepare every year like you want to win, you expect to win. We’ll see what the future holds. I don’t know. Two years left on the contract, then go from there I guess. Definitely better to feel fresh than fatigued all the time.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147063 Boston Bruins receptive to mentoring a young player than he might have been earlier in his career.

“I’ve enjoyed it. Maybe it was a little bit of a learning process a couple of David Krejci is hoping for stability on his line years ago with JD, but a year later, we were in the Stanley Cup Final, Game 7,” Krejci said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I actually enjoyed t. I look at it a little differently now. I know it’s possible, so I’m By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald kind of excited.

June 15, 2019 at 5:35 PM “Now, I have lots of sadness in my head, I’m trying to find the positive things and this is one of them. I’m trying to create more positive thoughts

in my head. I’m looking forward to whoever is going to be on my line and Whenever the Bruins have suffered a particularly painful defeat in the create some chemistry and create a bond, especially. You win or lose as past five years or so, there are a couple of things that you’re guaranteed a team, those guys are going to be there for you no matter what to hear from the digital cheap seats. The first, of course, is “Rask can’t happens. I still talk to guys from years before. That’s the beauty about win the big one’ or some such silliness. the sport. I know me and JD are going to be friends for a long time, so I’m looking for more friends like that.” The second one, almost invariably, is ‘Dump Krejci!’ You can never have too many friends, especially ones that shoot right- It is hard to determine which is more asinine. But we will say this about handed. David Krejci: What the veteran center was able to accomplish this season was truly remarkable. On his left wing, he had a second-year player in Jake DeBrusk who, despite his 27 goals, ran hot and cold Boston Herald LOADED: 06.16.2019 throughout the year. And on his right side, it was a revolving door from the beginning of training camp to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Yet through all the variables, Krejci managed to notch 73 points, tying his career high, and score 20 goals — reaching both those levels in the same season for just the second time in his career. He achieved those numbers in his first full NHL season (73 points, 22 goals in 2008-09), when hewas riding on the first power-play unit and enjoying regular linemates in Blake Wheeler and Michael Ryder.

Krejci, meeting with reporters on breakup day Friday following the heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Blues, wasn’t yet ready to appreciate what he had accomplished.

“It could have been a dream season for many of us, including myself,” Krejci said. “But the way it ended, it’s obviously not. You go from the possible best day of your life to the worst day of your life. That’s just something you have to deal with now.”

But Krejci did talk about one thing that he discussed with the brass in his exit meeting. He made it clear he’d like a little more consistency on his right side next year. He believes that can be found within the organization.

“We did touch on that a little bit, but that’s not really something I can control,” the 33-year-old said. “We have lots of good players here who can play on that side, so I’m not worried about that. We have lots of players. But what I would like to have is consistency of the lines so you create some chemistry. You always go through some ups and downs. Everyone does. But if you stay together as a line, in your difficult time of the year, the two other guys can lift you up, or the other way around.

“It’s 82 games, right? You’re going to go through some tough times. I think that’s what’s most important to me. Because I believe in these guys and in this room, there’s a right fit for me. But just to stay together, to create a chemistry, to create a bond on and off the ice. We all get along really well. Me and JD we’ve been on the line for the last couple of years and we get along great off the ice. We find the other guy and create the same bond as I have with JD, that’s something I would look forward to.”

One obvious solution would be to drop Krejci’s countryman David Pastrnak down to play with him. But in a very small sample size, Karson Kuhlman looked like a good fit, though the energetic Kuhlman did not seem like a top six prospect until he scored a couple of beauties this year.

“I thought he played great, as a young guy coming into Game 6 (vs. St. Louis),” Krejci said. “I know he played some games before that in the season, but to come in and play Game 6. And it wasn’t just the goal that he scored. He had a jump and had a fire in his eyes. It definitely gave us a different look, more energized. Looking back, you always think you can do some things differently. For myself, I would have to have put the puck in the net. That just wasn’t the case. I had a couple of chances, especially Game 7, first period. Who knows what would have happened?”

Whether it’s Kuhlman or another young player like Jack Studnicka (a right-shot center who’d have to make a switch), he wouldn’t mind it being a kid. In light of his positive experience with DeBrusk, Krejci is more 1147064 Boston Bruins

Bruins notebook: Injuries do their playoff toll

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

June 15, 2019 at 10:59 am

A hockey team’s list of wounded at the end of every season is horrifying.

The Bruins aren’t any different, and there are not too many surprises, but there still is a significant shock to hear what some of them played through into the final day of the Stanley Cup.

Zdeno Chara is the obvious one, confirming he played in Games 5, 6, and 7 with a broken jaw. The 42-year-old said he had pins, plates, and wires inserted and it will take six weeks to heal.

“It was obviously a tougher stretch in the playoffs, just getting bumps and bruises,” Chara said. “But that’s just a part of it. … I got multiple fractures. … Two plates, some wires and screws. … It’s one of those things where I think I’m able to tolerate pain, just focus on the game. I think you just have to accept sports brings some pains, sacrifices you have to make.”

The B’s captain also said he’ll get an MRI for a lower-body injury.

Brad Marchand confirmed he had a hand sprain in the B’s night scrimmage, and also had groin and abdomen injuries. Patrice Bergeron joins him with a groin injury, while linemate David Pastrnak re-aggravated his mid-season thumb injury after taking a hit in the Columbus series.

Noel Acciari might take the cake with the forwards, playing through a broken sternum.

Jake DeBrusk took the heavy hit from Nazem Kadri in Game 2 against the Maple Leafs that left the Toronto center suspended for the rest of the opening round, but DeBrusk’s effects never fully dissipated.

“I think everyone saw what happened in Game 2 against Toronto,” he said. “From then on I was kind of battling some things here and there, but nothing I didn’t think I couldn’t play through. This time of year it’s just a battle of will. … I mean, it was pretty blatant, the play. I’ve talked about that incident way too much this year.”

John Moore broke his humerus in a late-season game against the Lightning and needs surgery that will sit him for six months.

Kevan Miller, who walked into the locker room Friday on crutches, suffered a broken kneecap on the second-to-last day of the season and re-fractured it in rehab.

Miller suffered several injuries during the season, all of them in a flukey way.

First he broke his hand blocking a shot, then he blocked another in Toronto and broke his larynx. He returned before tearing his oblique, then went awkwardly into the boards in Minnesota, where he broke his kneecap.

“It’s disappointing,” he said. “If I start looking back at this timeline and putting things on paper, this season for me, I broke my hand, blocked a shot, I’ve blocked tons of shots before. … Fluke, nothing you can do about it. Take a deflected puck off the throat. … Nothing you can do about that. Come back, play 30 games, in Vegas and in a tough position against the board. … Something that never happened to me before, tore my oblique muscle. … There’s not one thing I could have done different.”

During his comeback attempt, he broke the kneecap horizontally — compared to vertically the first time — which ended his season.

“I don’t think frustrating really does it justice, to be honest with you.”

He said it’s going to be “a lot longer” than the last one, but should be ready for the start of the season, or at least close to it. He’s on crutches for three weeks, and a “slow progression” after that.

Boston Herald LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147065 Boston Bruins

David Backes gets ready for uncertain offseason

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

June 15, 2019 at 10:59 am

David Backes’ final moments with the Bruins may have been watching them lose to his former team from the press box.

The 35-year-old had obvious disappointment after missing the last three games of the Stanley Cup Final. The chances of him returning to the Bruins next season might not be great, given his potential for a buyout and the youth they have in the rest of the lineup.

If that was it for Backes in Boston, his final season was somewhat unceremonial, becoming a healthy scratch at times in the second half of the season and going in and out of the lineup during the postseason.

With plenty of time to reflect now, there’s a lot for Backes to decide on his future.

“The six, seven days before, the uncertainty, feelings of possibilities, potential, opportunities, all these different things,” Backes said. “Now missed opportunities. … It’s a swirl and a whirlwind of emotions that I haven’t fully gripped and I don’t know that I will in the near future.”

Backes posted seven goals and 13 assists in 70 regular-season games with the Bruins along with two goals and three assists in 13 postseason contests. He was bumped around the lineup but settled into a second- line role from mid-Columbus series until the final days of the Stanley Cup Final.

He watched the last three games against the Blues, his former team, which was sure to add another level of emotion.

“I don’t know if my situation, all the extra layers helps, hurts,” he said. “That’s my jumble of random thoughts. … Who our opponent was, not playing the last three games. All those sorts of things.”

Backes is under a five-year contract with a cap hit of $6 million over the next two seasons before he hits unrestricted free agency again.

He would save the B’s only $1.33 million with a buyout, since half of the money he is due over the next two seasons is in the form of a signing bonus.

But it still is tough to see him carving a role with this specific team in the future. They still don’t have a solidified winger for the second line, although they could bump up Charlie Coyle and add another center, go out and get a winger, or hope one of the young guys earns a role.

Either way, a Backes return feels unlikely with the two-week buyout period coming up, and he has a restricted no-trade clause with only eight teams in which he wouldn’t need to approve being traded. He always could expand that list if there’s a taker that would expand his ice time.

He wasn’t in a position to yet project the future Friday.

“I had my exit meeting, they’re smart guys, they know everything is still pretty raw,” Backes said. “48 hours, 36 hours after the end result. To dive too deep into next steps, I think, we didn’t get there, at least in our meetings. I don’t know what that looks like … I’m in flux at the moment. I guess gotta trust the bigger plan, and that’s where I’m at.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147066 Buffalo Sabres Schedule release coming

The full NHL schedule for 2019-20 is not expected to be released during draft week, as it's reportedly been pushed back to June 25. The league is The Cup has been hoisted but the action isn't stopping anytime soon expected to release teams' home openers on Friday night.

The Sabres' early-season schedule will be interesting to check out. If the By Mike Harrington|Published Sat, Jun 15, 2019|Updated Sat, Jun 15, league opens in the first week of October, Buffalo may be starting on the 2019 road this year because there are concerts in the building from MercyMe (Oct. 3) and Phil Collins (Oct. 4). Look for another long October road trip in the middle of the month as the Jurassic Park World Tour is in the house Oct. 17-20. And it will be interesting to see how much rest the The St. Louis Blues just won the Stanley Cup on Wednesday and were Sabres get before and after their trip to Sweden for games against feted with a parade and rally under the Gateway Arch on Saturday. The Tampa Bay on Nov. 8-9. official end of hockey season? Hardly. Things are done on the ice for now but will really start heating up off of it. Price paid for heavy hit

The NHL Awards are Wednesday night in Las Vegas, with Sabres Overlooked play of the Cup final: The boarding call on St. Louis' Oskar defenseman Rasmus Dahlin joining St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington Sundqvist against Boston defenseman Matt Grzelcyk in Game 2. It and Vancouver sniper Elias Pettersson as the three finalists for the resulted in a one-game suspension – but Grzelcyk missed most of that Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. game and the next four due to a concussion. It cost the Bruins' one of their prime puck movers from the back end, and they struggled in that Former Sabres center Ryan O'Reilly, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner for area with Grzelcyk out and Zdeno Chara limited after taking a puck to the St. Louis, is a nominee for the Selke (defensive forward) and the Lady face in Game 4. Byng (gentlemanly player). Ex-Buffalo goalie Robin Lehner of the New York Islanders is expected to run away with the Masterton Award for "He’s an incredible puck mover and he's just kind of had that fire in his perseverance and dedication to hockey, and is a nominee for the Vezina eye for the playoffs," McAvoy said of Grzelcyk prior to Game 7. "He’s Trophy for best goalie. been playing awesome for us, and we’ve missed him terribly since he’s been out. He just gives us that extra jolt when it comes to breaking out. The NHL's board of governors is expected to have its regular meeting in He’s a gifted puck-mover." Vegas, and then the league moves to Vancouver for draft weekend. General managers meet there on Thursday, in what could bring about Speaking of Chara, he revealed on Friday at locker cleanout day in sweeping change and expansion in video replay and an important shift in Boston what everyone already knew: He had multiple fractures in his jaw, the standings that would make regulation wins the first tiebreaker rather with plates and wiring in his face, and was surviving on a liquid diet. He than wins in regulation plus overtime. should be recovered, however, in the next five to six weeks.

The first round of the draft in Rogers Arena is Friday night with the Other Sabres Cup connections Sabres currently owning Nos. 7 and 31 (acquired from St. Louis in the O'Reilly trade). The betting here is the Sabres move No. 31 in a package In addition to O'Reilly, two other members of the Blues with Sabres for a current NHL player. Rounds 2-7 of the draft are Saturday. connections got a chance to hold the Cup during Wednesday's postgame ceremonies. A buyout window opened Saturday and stretches until June 30 at 5 p.m. Sabres GM has been open in the past about his disdain Chris Butler, a defenseman and St. Louis native who played 155 games for buyouts, preferring to just play out contracts rather than stretch them for the Sabres from 2008-2011, played 13 games for the Blues this year out over time, even for lesser amounts. And now that Cody Hodgson's (one goal, one assist) in his fifth season in the organization. Butler, 32, 2015 buyout docks the Sabres $791,667 on the cap for the next four played 51 games in the AHL for San Antonio. seasons (ouch), Botterill may not be interested in adding another. Meanwhile, Chris Thorburn played just two minutes in one game for the But he should. Vladimir Sobotka is owed $3.5 million for 2019-20 and Blues this year but the team called up the rugged forward from the AHL quite simply should not be on the team. If a buyout of Sobotka adds to at the end of the season so he could collect his NHL health care for his 8- Botterill's embarrassment over the O'Reilly trade, so be it. At 31, Sobotka year-old autistic son. Thorburn practiced with the team each day as is no longer an NHL player. A buyout would cut his cap hit to $1.5 million opposed to the Black Aces squad of reserves but did not appear in the for this season but give him a $1 million hit for 2020-21, when he would playoffs. have been off the books. No matter. Botterill should do it. Pronto. Thorburn was drafted by the Sabres in the second round in 2001 and The interview period for unrestricted free agents opens at 12:01 a.m. spent three years in Rochester. He only played two games for Buffalo, June 23. For restricted free agents, it opens at 12:01 a.m. on June 26. both in 2005-06, and his career has taken him to Pittsburgh, Atlanta, The are plenty of big-name UFAs out there like Erik Karlsson, Joe Winnipeg and St. Louis. The 36-year-old has played 801 NHL games and Pavelski, Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky, Matt Duchene, Kevin is likely headed into retirement. Hayes, Anders Lee, Jake Gardiner and former Sabres Calder winner Bizarro numbers Tyler Myers. * The Sabres had a 1-13-2 nosedive from March 2 to April 2 that It's RFAs where things get very interesting. Look at this list of names ultimately led to Phil Housley's undoing, and narrowly missed becoming heading to RFA status that are probably all worthy of big money: the first team in history to pair a 10-game losing streak with a 10-game Binnington, Mitch Marner, Brayden Point, Matthew Tkachuk, Timo Meier, winning streak in the same season. Remember the only win in that Brock Boeser, William Karlsson, Mikko Rantanen, Kyle Connor, Patrik stretch? It was a 4-3 St. Patrick's Day shootout victory in what Jack Laine, Jacob Trouba, Sebastian Aho, Zach Werenski and Charlie Eichel called a "rambunctious" KeyBank Center against .... the St. Louis McAvoy. Blues. Seriously.

Wow. It's going to crush some teams on the cap and leaves lots of Mike Harrington: 'Rambunctious' Sabres fans get a nice reward speculation flying that offer sheets could be coming for the first time since 2013. * The road team won five of seven games in the Cup final. The Bruins lost the series despite winning road games by scores of 7-2 and 5-1 – the And the offer sheet might not even be to actually acquire the player. Blues' worst two home losses since December. Would some GM out there risk the wrath of the Leafs by offer sheeting Marner, thus forcing Toronto to match and jam their cap to the point * Entering Game 7, Boston goalie Tuukka Rask had stopped 145 of 149 where the Leafs couldn't sign Kasperi Kapanen? Or perhaps offer sheet shots in his five prior elimination games in this playoff year for a stunning Kapanen at a much lower price, knowing the Leafs have to get in the $10 .973 save percentage. Then Rask got burned for two goals on four shots million to $11 million range for Marner and can't overpay second-tier in the first period of Game 7 and four goals overall in the game. players? * That's three straight wins in Game 7 for road teams in the Cup final, as Lots of possibilities here to watch. Stay tuned. Come July 1 when free the Blues joined the Bruins (2011 at Vancouver) and Pittsburgh (2009 at agency opens, things could get mighty interesting. Detroit) in that stretch. Before the Pens' victory, road teams were just 2- 12 – and had not won since Montreal prevailed at Chicago in 1971. The eventual winning goal in the last nine Game 7s has been scored in the first or second period, dating to Henri Richard's '71 winner at 2:34 of the third period in Chicago Stadium.

* The Blues won a seven-game series even though their power play was held to a 1-1 stalemate. St. Louis was just 1 for 18 with the man advantage – and gave up Brandon Carlo's short-handed goal in Game 4.

* That whopping 41.8 rating on NBC for St. Louis in Game 7 is even more amazing when you consider the combined estimate of more than 50,000 fans who were at watch parties in Enterprise Center and Busch Stadium. That's a lot of eyeballs that weren't in front of a television set to count in the ratings.

The last word

It goes to Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy, who rued the lost opportunity of the Bruins' first potential Cup clincher at home in 1970 and closed his column off Game 7 with this only-in-New-England classic: "So now it’s on to the Red Sox. And that doesn’t feel very good either."

Buffalo News LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147067 Buffalo Sabres 17 season was not a failure by any stretch. He still scored 20 goals among 59 points in 56 games.

However, his game took a remarkable step this season, a promising How Trevor Zegras evolved into possible Sabres draft pick development considering he competed against older college players.

With the Sabres in need of help down the middle, Zegras could be atop By Lance Lysowski their draft board if he's available when they are on the clock.

Published Sat, Jun 15, 2019 "He’s got personality to his game and he’s one of these high-character players on the ice where he can rise to the occasion," Dan Marr, the director of NHL Central Scouting, said at the combine. "He wants the puck. He wants to score. He wants to be in on the play. He goes out This is part of a series of profiles on players who might be available for there and makes things happen. He’s a player that forces you to notice the Buffalo Sabres with the seventh overall pick in the NHL Draft on June him. You don’t have to go up there and say, ‘Where is No. 9? I’m looking 21. for him, I can’t find him.’ He jumps up and pops at you every game." When Seth Appert wanted to deliver a lesson to the Under-17 team at the USA Hockey National Development Team Program, he showed a series of video clips featuring center Trevor Zegras. Buffalo News LOADED: 06.16.2019 Not for the reason one might expect, though. Zegras, an 18-year-old center from the NTDP's Under-18 team, is best known for his remarkable highlight-reel, no-look, behind-the-back passes.

However, Appert, coach of the Under-17 team at the NTDP, used Zegras as an example of the tenacity needed to retrieve the puck in the offensive zone. The lesson: No matter how talented a player is, they won't be effective unless they play with that sort of effort.

However, Zegras would not have been the subject of such a talk a year earlier. His evolution from a skilled forward to a dynamic two-way player makes him a possible target of the Buffalo Sabres with the seventh overall pick at the draft June 21 in Vancouver.

"Trevor is a world-class talent," Appert told The Buffalo News in a recent phone interview. "I think he, in my opinion — being inside the program but looking at it a little bit from the side because he’s the other birth year — you could make an argument he grew further than anyone in their two years. He was a young, talented, skilled player in the U-17 year. Really skilled. He has dynamic offensive ability.

"His competitiveness, his willingness and want to go get pucks for himself and to work and to hunt pucks grew so much in his two years at the program that it turned him into one of the most dangerous offensive players in the world at that birth year. It was really fun to watch his transformation from being the skill guy that didn’t always play the game with the tenacity it deserves and watch his game mature into the elite player he is."

Zegras is expected to be among the top 10 players selected, ranked the sixth-best North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. He met twice with the Sabres during the scouting combine, once in KeyBank Center and a follow-up over dinner, and might require only one season at Boston University before he is ready for the NHL.

Zegras scored 26 goals among 87 points in 60 games with the NTDP, adding nine assists in five games at the world championships despite playing through injury. He was the architect of many remarkable goals scored by a team that is expected to produce as many as five top-10 picks.

Zegras explained during the combine that he emulates Chicago winger Patrick Kane, a South Buffalo native, with his daring passes. Those plays might appear to be irresponsible at times, however, Zegras has proved to have the instincts to read how he's being defended and when such a play is possible.

"I think there’s a time and place for everything," Zegras said. "Maybe the behind-the-back passes or stuff like that. You feel it. Maybe below the dots I kind of have free rein to do whatever I want, but you also have to read the game. You’re in overtime and maybe the other team is kind of pouring down your throat it’s not the best time to go between the legs or behind the back. You kind of just feel it out."

There is much more to Zegras than the playmaking, though. During one- on-one interviews with teams, Zegras' elevator pitch included an emphasis on his improved defensive play. Even the most talented centers in the NHL must be sound defensively and those who struggle with that facet can struggle to make an impact offensively, particularly young players at the position.

Centers cannot be sound defensively unless they have the sort of effort Zegras showed during his second year with the program. His first Under- 1147068 Buffalo Sabres He said he’s a better player for the experience.

“I think it kind of grows and develops your maturity as a young player in the game,” Dach said. “I know how good I can be every night and I want NHL prospect Kirby Dach learned lesson in consistency with Saskatoon to be able to bring that level of consistency, and to learn that early on in my career has been really good.”

By Jason Wolf

Published Sat, Jun 15, 2019|Updated Sat, Jun 15, 2019 Buffalo News LOADED: 06.16.2019

This is part of a series of profiles on players who might be available for the Buffalo Sabres with the seventh overall pick in the NHL Draft on June 21.

Kirby Dach had never struggled through a scoring slump quite like the one he was forced to contend with midway through last season, his third with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades.

Dach had opened the season on a tear and was living up to his vast potential before a midseason stretch during which he managed just one goal and three points in 14 games.

“That was tough, being a producer at the junior level and not scoring for seven games or whatever it was,” Dach said at the NHL scouting combine at Harborcenter. “It sucked. You’ve kind of got to go through those stretches as a young player to learn about the consistency of the game, because the next level, if you want to be a top player in the league, you have to be consistent night-in and night-out.”

The Buffalo Sabres could target Dach, a 6-foot-4-inch, 200-pound center from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, with the seventh overall pick in the NHL draft on June 21 in Vancouver.

Dach, who shoots right-handed, is known for using his wingspan and size to help shield the puck from defenders and control the pace of play, as well as for his elite passing, vision and puck handling.

“Ever since I was little, I just kind of saw things different than maybe other people did and it kind of translated throughout my whole life,” Dach said. “It’s just something I was kind of born with, I guess. There’s something about the game that just comes easy to me and natural. It’s almost like a chess match. I’m thinking two, three steps ahead.”

The 18-year-old said he met with the Sabres at the combine.

He is ranked as the No. 3 North American skater in the draft by NHL Central Scouting and projects as a likely second-line center in the NHL.

“He’s a really skilled forward,” said Matthew Robertson, a defenseman for the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings and Dach’s training partner and teammate on Team Canada. “He has some size. He uses that to his advantage, and he’s really good at slowing the game down and making a good pass. And he’s really smart. He has the potential to go a long way.”

Dach, the second overall pick in the 2016 WHL bantam draft, was able to overcome his midseason slump and heavily contribute down the stretch, finishing the season with 25 goals, 48 assists and 73 points in 62 games played.

He recorded 11 goals and 31 points over the final 25 games and helped Saskatoon reach the second round of the playoffs. He had eight points in 10 postseason games.

Dach finished third on the team in scoring, more than tripling his goal total from the previous season.

“I couldn’t say enough good things about him,” said Peyton Krebs, a center and forward for the WHL’s Kootenay/Winnipeg Ice and Dach’s teammate on Team Canada. “He’s a hell of a player. I think any time you can play with one of those guys, you know you’re going to have some opportunities to put the puck in the net, so it was great getting to play with him.”

Dach said he entered the WHL season on a roll after recording seven points in five games to help Canada win gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

“I kind of hit the ground running with the Hlinka Gretzky tournament in August and then was able to kind of have a head start in junior this year that way,” Dach said, “but it kind of caught up to me in mid-December. It’s not like I was playing wrong or doing the wrong things. I just wasn’t getting any puck luck or good bounces around the net, and I was still doing the right things away from the puck.” 1147069 Carolina Hurricanes snarl and around-the-board-friendly attitude he plays with now is a recent development.

He had 17 goals and 46 points in 59 games in his last season (2017-18) Bag of Jerks, Part 2: Prospects, prospects, more prospects and that with ’s Karpat. I have so much respect for the way he changed up Geekie hair his game to make the NHL, and the crazy thing is how organic it seemed. That’s why it wouldn’t shock me to see him develop as a scorer.

By Sara Civian I could see Wallmark do the same, but it really depends on the way he’s utilized. He emerged as a beast on the face-off dot when Jordan Staal Jun 15, 2019 was out for months, so it seems more likely he works with Brind’Amour to develop as a two-way center. I would consider Foegele’s “big step

forward” the playoffs, it’s just a matter of if he can maintain it. I feel like I am a constant combination of stunned and grateful that anyone would he’s taken the next step in that it’s not a pleasant surprise when he pay actual dollars to view my content. It’s always humbling when even scores, but a disappointment when he doesn’t, you know? one of said content-viewers asks me a question. Thanks for doing this Sara! Are there any Canes prospects that are flying There were a lot of those this go-round. under the radar of the common fan? We’ve all heard of Necas, Bean, and Geekie after the great seasons they had in Charlotte. But is there anyone Thanks for Part 1, in which we discussed free agency, contract who you think could make a big splash in the coming years that we may negotiation and celebrity Caniacs. not know about? — Ryan C.

Thanks for Part 2, in which we’re about to discuss Hurricanes prospects Anytime, Ryan. C. and their hair. The thing about Hurricanes fans is they are very dialed in to prospect It seems there are a lot of prospects in Charlotte that are close to NHL talk. I’m sure that’s what a league-leading playoff drought does to a ready but limited slots available next year. How do you see (Hurricanes fanbase. We need to go down the rabbit hole for this, because Lord GM) and company managing the surplus, and which knows you’ve all done your research on the Top 25. players do you think are the closest to making the jump to the NHL? — Justin P I would tell you to keep an eye on Jack Drury at Harvard this season if you’re over the Adam Fox situation. I would also tell you to keep an eye Hi, Justin P. on Matt Filipe, and not just because my whole family went to and/or played various sports at Northeastern. The first part of your question reminds me of conversations I’ve had with Rod Brind’Amour about Warren Foegele, who made the NHL team out of In conclusion: watch college hockey. Thank you for coming to my TED camp last season. Talk.

“From Day 1, it’s been rewarding to see a guy show up to camp not really What happens with Mike Vellucci? Do you think he stays with the sure where he would fit in, then it was just, ‘You gotta keep him, you Checkers, pursues other opportunities or joins Rod Brind’Amour’s staff? gotta play him,’” Brind’Amour said after Round 1, Game 4. “Today’s — Carson B. game (the NHL) is tough because of the way contracts are set up (going into training camp). A lot of times the team is already kind of set up, on We’re at the point that it would shock me if Vellucci isn’t on the radar for your lap. That wasn’t the case this year — we had spots open, and you an NHL assistant coaching job and it would disappoint me if he wasn’t in love to have that, you know? When you go, ‘Who’s the guy that’s earned line for an NHL coaching position. I’ve heard so much from players he the right to be here?’ We’ve been saying it all along that’s what he did. coached in the OHL in the past, current players he coaches and his He’s earned the right to be here, then he’s earned his ice time. He works peers. hard, he does what he has to. Yes, you’re happy to see those guys The unfortunate thing about having someone excellent on your succeed.” professional hockey staff is that they’re probably gone in a few years. (As an aside, it’s always hilarious to me when Brind’Amour talks about Vellucci is excellent. He’s also, by all accounts, a big family man. how much he loves extremely difficult situations like this and assumes we I haven’t yet heard legitimate rumblings about his future or offers, but it’s normal folk think the same way.) hard to imagine he doesn’t accept one that: Anyway, I’m not sure I totally agree just yet with the premise that there Provides more for his family and still … are limited slots available. There are quite a few roles that could be up for grabs if Justin Williams retires, UFAs like Greg McKegg and Micheal Allows him to spend time with it. Ferland find different homes, or bottom-six players get outplayed. It’ll be a competitive training camp. The question becomes, obviously, what kind of offer is that? Something internal or elsewhere? I see them managing it like they did last season with Foegele — “Who’s the guy that’s earned the right to be here?” We’ll see.

We’ll be going extremely long on the prospect pool shortly, but off the Are you enjoying your time in the Raleigh area? Anything you’ve done cuff I’ll rank the players I consider closest to making the NHL club based stand out as a staple favorite? — Joseph S. on a combination of positional need and readiness. “I like that there’s beer at the coffee shops,” she said, sipping one (1) 5. Aleksi Saarela beer at a coffee shop.

4. Julien Gauthier I like how chill it is here, and the community feel. I thought I’d be darting for the airport to something exciting when the season was over, but I’m 3. Jake Bean honestly just content to chill here for a few months before the season starts back up. 2. Morgan Geekie Do (Tom) Dundon, Don (Waddell) & co. really just love players from 1. Martin Necas Finland? We have like 5 Finnish players now? — Jessi T. Fighting encouraged in the comments. Are you not entertained? Among these players, who do you think is most likely to take a big step Hi, Sara. First time commenter, long time Twitter annoyer. You might or forward in their production next season: Lucas Wallmark, Foegele, Saku might not be aware that Morgan Geekie underwent quite a hair Maenalanen, Greg McKegg or Haydn Fleury? — Peter W. transformation his rookie season in the AHL. Similar to Dougie Hamilton. So, if we’re specifically targeting an increase in production here and not Is it possible that if he keeps letting these golden brown locks of hair just general development, it has to be one of the first three. Just asking grow that he becomes too powerful for the NHL similar to how a nuclear around in Finnish circles (a sentence clause I never thought I’d type a power plant melts down when the water level decreases, the fuel rods decade ago…), Maenalanen actually used to be known as a scorer. The begin to heat up and face the risk of melting? — Jakob N. We here at The Athletic Carolina are well aware of the situation and all its potential ramifications.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?) this is the price one has to pay for Calder Cup glory. We will provide updates as soon as they become available.

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Blackhawks acquire D Maatta in trade with Penguins

Staff Report

AP Published 8:32 p.m. ET June 15, 2019

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired defenseman Olli Maatta in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins for forward Dominik Kahun and a fifth-round pick in this year's draft.

The Blackhawks had been looking to upgrade their blue line after missing the playoffs for the second straight season. The 24-year-old Maatta, who helped Pittsburgh win the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017, ranked third on the Penguins with 116 blocked shots in 60 games last season.

Kahun, who turns 24 on July 2, played in all 82 games for Chicago in his first NHL season. The Czech-born German finished with 13 goals and 24 assists.

The deal was announced Saturday.

Maatta's contract runs through the 2021-22 season with an average annual value of $4,083,333. The Finn was selected by Pittsburgh with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2012 draft.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147071 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks upgrade defense with Olli Maatta acquisition

Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

The Blackhawks began their offseason defensive overhaul Saturday by acquiring left-handed blueliner Olli Maatta from the Penguins for center Dominik Kahun and a fifth-round pick — No. 151 overall — in the NHL Draft, which begins Friday.

Maatta, who turns 25 in August, brings six years of NHL experience — all with Pittsburgh — and an up-and-down track record to the Hawks.

Maatta’s inconsistency has never been starker than in the last two seasons.

In 2017-18, he played all 82 games, matched a career high (dating to his 2013-14 rookie season) with 29 points and served as an effective puck- moving defenseman in all three zones.

But in 2018-19, he missed nearly two months because of injury, recorded just 14 points and slipped tremendously in his own zone, ending up a healthy scratch for the last three games of the Penguins’ first-round sweep.

The Hawks are counting on Maatta, who has all the tools to be a reliable top-four defender, to bounce back in 2019-20.

He has good size at 6-2, 206 pounds and has been a positive possession player in four of his six seasons. He also is signed for three more years at a roughly $4 million cap hit.

In other words, Maatta almost certainly won’t singlehandedly fix the team’s defensive struggles, but he likely will help.

Someone will need to head out to make room for him, though. The Hawks now have seven defensemen under contract, plus Gustav Forsling as a restricted free agent and Henri Jokiharju to fit into the depth chart. That’s not going to fly, especially given the high likelihood of more additions on the way.

Maatta joins an oversized left-handed group that also includes Duncan Keith, Slater Koekkoek, Erik Gustafsson, Carl Dahlstrom and Forsling. The latter three each stand a chance of being moved.

Meanwhile, the Hawks will hope their two European signings this spring — Anton Wedin and Dominik Kubalik — can offset the loss of Kahun, who was a reliable defensive forward in the bottom six last year and quietly scored 37 points.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147072 Chicago Blackhawks “It just seemed to go so fast,” Gord Murphy said. “In that very moment, you have the memories of him being a young player and going off the ice because he didn’t want to learn to skate. It felt like, in the blink of an eye, For Blackhawks’ Connor Murphy, father-son bond has defined NHL we’re looking at him out on the ice for his first NHL game. The emotions experience can be somewhat overwhelming.”

Connor was re-assigned back to the AHL immediately afterward, so when the Murphys sat down for a late postgame celebratory meal, they Ben Pope@BenPopeCST did so with their first-time NHL-er’s full equipment bag in the back of the rental car.

It’s that type of family support, through the constant travel and instability Gord Murphy, behind the bench of the Philadelphia Flyers for four years, of the top-tier hockey circuit, that has kept both Murphys sane through and Connor Murphy, defenseman for the Coyotes and now Blackhawks, their respective NHL journeys. have “faced” each other eight times in the NHL to date. When Connor was traded to the Hawks, Gord advised him about how to Connor’s record: 5-3. balance the added scrutiny, social media backlash and historical context “For whatever reason, every time we played against them, something that comes with playing for an Original Six franchise. would happen,” the Hawks rearguard said. When Gord molded prospects coming up through the Flyers’ system, Twice, Connor Murphy scored — a rare occurrence for the defensive Connor advised him about the perspective of his generation of players — defenseman. Once, he fought — an even more rare occurrence. Every “How they interpret certain situations when coaches talk to them, how time, he would take every opportunity to stare down his dad on the they hear it, how they translate it,” Gord elaborated. opponent’s bench, attempting some friendly family gamesmanship. Murphy’s ice time increased by more than three additional minutes per Rarely, however, would he catch his dad’s eyes. game in his second season with the Blackhawks. “I wouldn’t use the phrase that I was trying to avoid it,” Gord Murphy And when Connor missed the first two months of the 2018-19 season, laughed. “It just probably didn’t work out.” and then Gord lost his job as part of a sweeping overhaul in Philadelphia For the Murphys — one of a small group of living father-son duos in while Connor was rehabbing, the two helped each other along, turning which both enjoyed lengthy NHL careers — sport has served as a what could’ve been one of the Murphy family’s most trying times into one lifelong connection. of its best.

That bond has helped Connor manage the pressure of being a first-round They were together for Connor’s sister’s graduation from nursing school, pick, the transition involved with his trade to Chicago in 2017 and the for Christmas, for the Winter Classic at Notre Dame. And they were struggle to overcome his back injury of a year ago. It’s also given Gord together, period. insight into the new generation of NHL players he guides and a fallback “It was a blessing that we were able to be there for each other, spend when the league’s inescapable coaching change serpent strikes. time together,” Gord Murphy said. “I’d never really been able to do that. And it dates to the latter half of Gord’s own 14-year professional career, We made numerous trips to Chicago, spent time with him, and it was when Connor and older brother Tyler grew up in the neighborhoods and very therapeutic mentally for both of us.” locker rooms of two unconventional hockey markets — south Florida and Gord said he hopes to get back into an NHL coaching role at some point, Atlanta. but there’s no rush. This newfound togetherness is worth savoring for “It was a different path than how I envisioned my children growing up, now. and how I could get them out on a backyard rink or an outdoor rink down The whole group reunited in Ontario last weekend to visit mother Nicole’s at the schoolyard,” Gord Murphy said. “It was just the garage, or in their side of the family. Connor is planning to host a family week in Chicago bedrooms until they broke something, and then back out in the garage.” later this summer, too. Hockey and Connor Murphy weren’t immediate companions. His parents And even once the two find themselves in opposing roles on opposing remember, with mixed feelings of lingering embarrassment and nostalgic teams again — even once the eye-avoiding and gamesmanship resumes hilarity, their youngest flunking his first Learn to Skate class, more out of — both know that that closeness, forged by more than 26 years now of a lack of interest than anything. father-son hockey bonding, won’t go away. That initial hiccup didn’t interrupt his blossoming youth career for long, “In warmups, we [will] just look at each other and give a smile and a though, and by the time Gord retired and took an assistant job with the wink,” Gord said. “And then the game starts and we’re both doing our Blue Jackets, Connor’s skill was obvious. Not hurting his progression job.” was his weekly exposure to the NHL lifestyle, both in person — he’d collect sticks from the Jackets’ practice rink trash can, saving gems from the likes of Michael Peca and Trevor Letowski — and from afar. Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.16.2019 “He would have video in the kitchen and as we were watching TV, he would call me and my brother over and show us what he was working on,” Connor Murphy said. “As a kid, you don’t realize details of the game; you just play. But then when I saw him working on stuff, you learn there’s a lot of little parts of the game that you don’t see until you’re at a higher level.”

Through nightly video sessions in the Murphys’ suburban Columbus home, Connor memorized the intricacies of what it took to be a defenseman in the NHL.

“I’d see guys like Brian Rafalski, and how they could skate with the puck with their head up, and pivot, and use the ice to make plays,” he said. “It was just little things like that.”

Now six years into his own NHL journey, Murphy isn’t quite on track for a Rafalski-esque career, but he’s racing towards making his father-son pair only the 17th in league history to play 500 games apiece. (If he ends up exceeding his father’s 862, they could rank sixth all-time).

Both Gord and mom Nicole were in attendance at Connor’s first game in Phoenix in 2014, when he first began the trend of scoring nearly every time his parents are present. 1147073 Chicago Blackhawks As for the pain of the Blues' early-season woes, it served them well when they got hot, a group that came together and held each other accountable.

It doesn't take miracle to win Stanley Cup In the end, that was perhaps their greatest attribute.

The coaching staff did its part as well, but the when the room holds you Barry Rozner responsible, the impact is much greater.

The result was a parade in St. Louis and it was well earned.

In light of the St. Louis Blues' extraordinary run from worst to first and a Teams around the NHL will use the Blues now as proof that anyone can Stanley Cup championship, teams around the league will immediately win, sell tickets based on the chance to get in. begin to say -- again -- that anyone reaching the NHL postseason can They will say miracles can happen. And when they point to the Blues as win if they simply get in. evidence, they will be wrong.

Well, there's just a few things wrong with that, the biggest being that it's There was nothing miraculous about it. an insult to the Blues.

In a league that frowns on hitting and physical play, the Blues were the most consistently physical team in the postseason. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.16.2019

They were big enough to play with the biggest teams.

They were fast enough to play with the fastest teams.

And while not as skilled as the teams they faced, they had enough skill because of their commitment to play a five-man defensive game.

That's because of their depth, somewhat reminiscent of the Blackhawks' first Cup team in 2010, not close in terms of skill, but in regards to their overall depth.

Witness 24-year-old Zach Sanford, who drew in for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on the fourth line, promoted by Game 4 to the second line and producing 4 points in five games, including a dagger of a goal in Game 7.

Like that 2010 Hawks team, the Blues could play it any way you wanted to play it, be it fast, slow, heavy or high scoring.

The Blues had home ice only in the second round and had 10 wins in 13 road games during the postseason, tying the record, which makes sense because they have a game more suited to playing away from home.

They were willing to win a patient, low-scoring game, ferocious on the forecheck, and committed to backpressure and helping the defense.

Teams often pay lip service to that commitment, but you don't get the result if forwards are hanging out at the opposition blue line while the rest of the group defends.

The Blues were truly in it for one another, something that was obvious in the way five guys came back full speed to help their .

Yes, Jordan Binnington saved them twice against Boston, holding off the Bruins in the first period of Games 5 and 7 when the home team could have blown out the visitors.

But a team that was in last place Jan. 3 was scarred from their misery and used that to their advantage during difficult times in the postseason.

Their big, long, physical defense handled speed and size while breaking out with confidence.

A smaller group would have struggled against the bigger teams, shorter sticks would not have clogged as many lanes in the neutral and defensive zones.

With defensemen the size of Colton Parayko (6-feet-6), Joel Edmundson (6-4), Jay Bouwmeester (6-4), Alex Pietrangelo (6-3) and Carl Gunnarsson (6-2), the Blues handled any and all who tried to intimidate them.

Just the opposite, it was St. Louis that did the intimidating.

Their forecheck was smothering and their physical presence was unrelenting, never passing up a chance to get a body on the puck, wearing down and wearing out the opposition.

Sure, hitting doesn't matter -- unless you're the one being hit every time you sniff the puck. The only expert who says hitting isn't important is an expert who's never been hit.

Every pounding adds up and soon defensemen are looking for the hit instead of the puck, avoiding pain whenever possible. 1147074 Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks trade for defenseman Maatta

John Dietz

The Chicago Blackhawks took a big step in helping their 'D' corps Saturday by trading forward Dominik Kahun and a fifth-round draft pick for Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta.

Maatta, the 22nd overall pick in 2012, had 25 goals and 82 assists in 325 games for Pittsburgh over six seasons.

A left-shot defenseman, Maatta had 1 goal, 13 assists and 116 blocked shots in 60 games last season while averaging 18.5 minutes of ice time. He was a healthy scratch in Pittsburgh's final three playoff games during a four-game sweep by the New York Islanders.

The 6-foot-2, 206-pound Maatta carries a $4.083 million cap hit through the 2021-22 season.

The trade means the Hawks' top five D-men are Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Connor Murphy, Erik Gustafsson and Maatta. If no other moves are made, then Henri Jokiharju, Gustav Forsling, Carl Dahlstrom (a restricted free agent) and Slater Koekkoek figure to fight for the two remaining spots.

Kahun had 13 goals and 24 assists last season for the Blackhawks, but he scored just twice in the last 26 games. The Hawks have recently signed forwards Anton Wedin and Dominik Kubalik.

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Blackhawks acquire Olli Maatta, send Dominik Kahun to Penguins

By Charlie Roumeliotis

June 15, 2019 7:29 PM

One of the Blackhawks’ priorities this summer is to add pieces that will help shore up the defensive part of their game after they gave up the second-most goals in the NHL last season. And they didn’t waste much time doing it.

Less than a week before the 2019 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks announced Saturday that they have acquired defenseman Olli Maatta from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Dominik Kahun and a 2019 fifth-round pick.

Maatta is 24 years old, carries a left-handed shot and is a two-time Stanley Cup champion. But he battled injuries last season and fell out of favor in Pittsburgh, where he was a healthy scratch for three games in the first round of the playoffs.

The Blackhawks are hoping a fresh start could help Maatta find his game again, and do it in a place that may better utilize his skill-set. Where he could help is in the defensive part.

According to The Point, Maatta ranked 9th among defensemen in blocked shots per game (2.05), 26th in defensive zone puck battles won (2.45), 40th in blocked defense zone passes (3.77) and 47th in outlet passes (8.95).

Maatta, who was taken in the first round (No. 22 overall) in 2012, had 14 points (one goal, 13 assists) in 60 games last season. His best year came in 2017-18 when he tallied 29 points (seven goals, 22 assists) in 82 games. He has three years remaining on his deal that carries a $4.083 million cap hit.

It’s worth noting that when Maatta signing his extension with Pittsburgh on Feb. 26, 2016, the contract included a modified no-trade clause in his final two years, according to Cap Friendly. The Blackhawks will have the option to either honor that clause or nullify it.

The Blackhawks are expected to have some heavy competition among the forwards at training camp with the signings of Dominik Kubalik and Anton Wedin. That likely made Kahun expendable despite a rookie season in which he compiled 37 points (13 goals, 24 assists) in 82 games.

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2019 NHL Draft Profile: RW Kaapo Kakko

By Charlie Roumeliotis

June 15, 2019 9:50 AM

From June 10-20, Charlie Roumeliotis will profile one top prospect per day — 11 total — leading up to the 2019 NHL Draft as the Blackhawks prepare to pick third overall.

Kaapo Kakko

Position: Right wing

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 194 pounds

Shoots: Left

Scouting report from The Draft Analyst's Steve Kournianos:

"Multi-tooled winger with size and coordination who incorporates his impressive puck skills with a desirable physical package that consistently exhausts opponents. Blessed with incredibly soft hands and tight-quarter quickness, Kakko is a reliable stickhandler who uses timing plays to either get open or create space for his linemates.”

NHL player comparable: Mikko Rantanen

Fit for Blackhawks:

Alright, let’s get this out of the way with: Kakko isn’t going to be on the board when the Blackhawks pick at No. 3. He’s expected to be taken second overall by the New York Rangers.

But, hypothetically, if he did slip, Kakko is probably one of two players in this draft class who could step onto an NHL roster today and make an immediate impact. He’s that good, and we saw it at the 2019 IIHF World Championship when he scored six goals to lead Finland to a gold medal.

Kakko would give the Blackhawks a dynamic winger on the right side to go along with Patrick Kane, meaning they wouldn't have to worry about their top-six right wingers for many years to come. You shouldn't draft a winger this high unless he's as close to a sure-fire prospect as they come, and Kakko would qualify.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147077 Chicago Blackhawks be the top-pairing guy the Penguins envisioned during his excellent rookie campaign, but he’ll be 25 in August. It’s far too early to be writing him off because of one bad year.

Roundtable reaction: Blackhawks deal Dominik Kahun to Pittsburgh for Do the Blackhawks need slow-footed defensemen? No. But they do need defenseman Olli Maatta actual defensemen, defensemen who can actually defend, defensemen who can block a shot or two and improve the league’s worst penalty kill. Maatta has proven he can do that in the past, and is a two-time Stanley By Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus Cup champion. With Wedin and Kubalik on the way in, Kahun — a pleasant surprise in his rookie season — became expendable. To get Jun 15, 2019 something on the back end, the Blackhawks had to give something up from their lone position of strength, forward. Better Kahun than say, Saad. And let’s not pretend Bowman is done. Sources have been telling promised that the Blackhawks roster would not look the me all week how aggressive Bowman has been lately, kicking the tires same in October as it did in April, and he started reshaping it Saturday on just about every team out there in search of defensive help. Whether night with his first (of what could be many) offseason moves. it’s another deal or free agency, the Blackhawks’ blue line is still very much a work in progress. The trade: Blackhawks send forward Dominik Kahun and a fifth-round pick in the upcoming draft to Pittsburgh for defenseman Olli Maatta. Scott Powers’ thoughts: Where does this trade put the Blackhawks now? Maatta is signed for three more seasons at a $4.083-million cap hit. I’ve been contemplating since the news broke just a while ago. Honestly, I’m not sure. On the one hand, Maatta is an upgrade in the defensive Olli Maatta scouting report, from The Athletic’s Josh Yohe: Still only 24 zone. He’s not going to break up a lot of plays coming into the zone, but and in possession of two Stanley Cup rings, Maatta is a legitimate top-six he can help minimize those high-quality chances the Blackhawks NHL defenseman who has played extensively in top-four situations. struggled with this season. He can also make the Blackhawks’ penalty kill Maatta is very positionally sound and a reliable defender who kills better. That had to be a priority for this offseason. The penalty kill was penalties well. He owns a high hockey IQ, uses his long reach to thwart historically bad last season. I think he’ll do well with some things Jeremy faster players and showcases above average puck moving skills. His Colliton wants to do defensively and struggle with other parts because of work in the offensive zone is perfectly adequate though he isn’t capable his skating. of running a No. 1 power play. On the other hand, he’s not the top-pairing defenseman I thought the Maatta has one weakness, and it’s a big one. He’s slow. Very, very slow. Blackhawks were going to pursue. All the names I’ve been hearing in the Maatta was never a great skater, but years of the NHL getting faster and last week have been players you’d place in a higher category than Maatta dealing with considerable health ailments — cancer, Maatta. You also wonder how all of his injuries have impacted him and reconstructive shoulder surgery and a nasty hip injury, to name three — where the trajectory of his game is going. He might be the type of player have turned him into one of the NHL’s slowest defensemen. He does that works with the right defensive partner. He and Kris Letang thrived everything else at an above average level, but against the league’s together. Maybe he and Henri Jokiharju make sense together on the fastest players, he struggles. second pairing. Could the Finns be a pairing going forward? One source mentioned how Maatta is low-maintenance and works hard. A person of the highest of character, Maatta is among the hardest working players I’ve ever witnessed. From Dan Bylsma, to Mike I’m also curious if this is the first move of many for Stan Bowman this Johnston, to Mike Sullivan, his head coaches over the years have been offseason or if this is it. If this is the lone defensive upgrade the forced to remove him from the ice long after practice has expired. He Blackhawks make this offseason, then that makes you wonder about the won’t short the Blackhawks in terms of effort and he’s a legitimate top-six defensive stability again. If this one move precedes other moves, I’m guy. But it doesn’t appear that he has star potential, which is something open to circling back and assessing the trade again. Also, losing Kahun many believed he had a few years ago. could be significant in a way, too. Not that Kahun lit up the NHL last season, but he was one of the better defensive forwards in a group of Dominik Kahun scouting report, from Mark Lazerus: Players simply don’t very offensive forwards. He helped balance that and had enough offense make the leap from the German league to the NHL, but Dominik Kahun where he could move up and down the lineup. So much for Kahun — who caught the attention of several NHL teams with his performance getting to play in Germany in the preseason. Anyway, I’m not as negative in the World Championships and the Olympics — pulled off the feat with as some people about this trade, but I’m also not sold on it. surprising ease. He immediately slipped into a top-six role, first finding chemistry with Alex DeBrincat and then showing off his versatility by playing on all four lines, in both offensive and defensive roles. The Athletic LOADED: 06.16.2019 He’s not going to set the world on fire offensively — and a couple weeks shy of his 24th birthday, perhaps he never will — but he has good vision (of his 24 assists, 17 were primaries), decent speed, and can handle himself in his own end. He was a regular on the Blackhawks’ little-used second power-play unit. Overall, he’s a useful, middle-six player who can play a number of roles.

The Blackhawks were in no hurry to trade him, but with European imports Dominik Kubalik and Anton Wedin expected to be in the NHL lineup right away, forward was a position of strength for them to try to leverage into improving their brutal blue line.

Scout’s take on Maatta: “He is a defensive D-man. Speed is not great but he can move the puck and he plays within limits.”

Another scout’s take on Maatta: “My concern after he came back from his injury was that it has affected his skating.”

Lazerus’ thoughts: If the Blackhawks are getting the slow, broken-down Olli Maatta who was a healthy scratch in Games 2, 3 and 4 of the Penguins’ first-round sweep at the hands of the Islanders, then this trade could go down as quite a bad one, with Stan Bowman saddling himself with another slow, overpaid bottom-pairing defenseman.

But if Maatta can regain the form he had just one season ago — when he was arguably the Penguins’ most reliable guy on the back end, a positive possession player and a solid stay-at-home defender — then it could be a nice boost to a blue line sorely in need of one. Maatta’s never going to 1147078 Colorado Avalanche

Former Avalanche, DU Pioneer and CC Tiger hoist the Stanley Cup

By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected] | The Denver Post

June 15, 2019 at 9:00 am

From my perspective as a Colorado native, it was nice to see Ryan O’Reilly, Tyler Bozak and Jaden Schwartz hoist the Stanley Cup on Wednesday at TD Garden in Boston.

The St. Louis Blues’ trio each spent significant time in the Centennial State as youngsters, and I was fortunate to work with them and follow their development. O’Reilly joined the Avalanche at age 18 in 2009, and Schwartz was also 18 when he began his freshman season at Colorado College in 2010. Bozak, the late-bloomer of all late-bloomers, was 21 when he joined the University of Denver in 2007.

Schwartz and Bozak each signed NHL contracts after their sophomore years in college — Schwartz as a first-round draft pick and Bozak as an undrafted free agent.

Fittingly, after O’Reilly was presented with the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP and the Stanley Cup was introduced, Bozak hoisted the Cup before passing it off to Schwartz, a fellow Saskatchewanian. Bozak grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, and Schwartz in nearby Wilcox. Those cities are bound to buzz with Cup excitement this summer — before or after O’Reilly celebrates with the Cup in his hometown of Clinton, Ontario.

Bozak, who lives in Denver during the offseason, might not bring the Cup to town but he’ll surely host a championship party in his adopted hometown. He’s one of those proud alumni who forever bleeds his schools’ colors.

This column could have had the same angle if the Bruins had defeated the Blues in Game 7 of the Final. I also worked with Boston teammates Brandon Carlo and Danton Heinen when they were teenagers, and of course with Bruins assistant coach Joe Sacco, the Avs’ former head coach from 2009-13.

Carlo, from Colorado Springs, was a midget triple-A star in the Denver area who took the major-junior route instead of college. Heinen is a western Canadian who became a two-year star at the University of Denver.

Congratulations to the Blues and Bruins for a maximum playoff run and one heck of a Final — an unusual one based on the home team’s 2-5 record.

Crunch time. Ask any executive in the NHL, and they’ll all say their busiest time of year is between June 20 and July 1. This year, two days after the June 19 NHL awards show in Las Vegas, the NHL draft unfolds in Vancouver, British Columbia. The two-day event (June 21-22) leads directly into the day teams can begin talking to prospective free agents (June 23), and free agency opens July 1 — usually after most teams host a development camp between then and the draft.

The more chips you have in play during this time, the busier you are. And the Avalanche will be a major player at the draft and in free agency. Colorado has eight picks in the seven-round draft — including five in the first three rounds — and is expected to sign a high-priced, top-six forward in free agency.

The Avs must hit on their two first-round draft picks — Nos. 4 and 16 overall — and then sign that elite scorer who can help spread the wealth offensively. They need to also hit on their complimentary pieces from the draft and free agency, before slowing down July 2 and focusing on re- signing restricted free agents Mikko Rantanen, Nikita Zadorov, Alex Kerfoot, J.T. Compher and Ryan Graves, among others.

The NHL offseason officially began Thursday, and in reality, it’s just the beginning of the busy summer season.

Denver Post: LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147079 Colorado Avalanche

NHL Prospect Profile Ville Heinola

BY AJ HAEFELE

JUNE 14, 2019

The Draft Analyst

A quick and agile puck mover who can play either side and jumpstarts the attack from as far back as his own goal line, Heinola is a polished defender who immediately earned the trust of his coaches to play a significant role. At first glance, Heinola looks like a purely offensive defenseman, mostly because of his smaller frame and his confidence controlling the puck. But he has proven to be highly intelligent in his own end, using proper positioning and anticipation to create turnovers. He’ll never be a physical presence, but Heinola plays the body in an effective and efficient manner, using just enough of his upper-body strength to separate an opponent from the puck or fix him into the corner. Heinola is an excellent skater who pivots or curls away from pressure, but he also has the innate sense to identify backpressure and take the path of least resistance. Once he escapes, Heinola properly identifies blocked passing lanes and rarely forces the puck into an area that could lead to an opposing counterattack.

One underrated aspect of his game is the way he avoids passing into coverage for the sake of saving his own tail – Heinola knows when to either eat the puck and take a hit or to use his quick first step to attack an opening. Once in open ice, Heinola can uses a series of head fakes and gear shifts to enter the zone cleanly; stopping on a dime to allow the numbers to even out. He is incredibly patient with the puck and will regroup back to the neutral zone if necessary. Heinola surveys the offensive zone like a confident quarterback and passes the puck crisply and right on the tape, especially off his back foot. He properly supports his defense partner and is used quite frequently for set plays that allow him to dart into the scoring areas. Heinola is more of a playmaker than a shooter, although he can sling a high-powered wrister that he seems to favor over his slapper, and he rarely takes low-percentage shots.

AJ’s Thoughts

There’s clearly something going on in the lower levels of Finnish hockey right now. The country is starting to churn out players who are strikingly similar. Up front they have huge forwards with tons of skill (Rantanen, Laine, Barkov, etc.) and defensemen known for high-IQ games and high levels of skill (Maatta pre-injuries, Heiskanen). Heinola continues this trend (as do several other Finnish defensemen in this year’s draft).

He’s a good skater, a smart player, and he has a mature two-way game that has flourished in Finland’s top league. He’s not a guy that’s going to drop a grip of sexy highlight-reel plays on a nightly basis but he’ll get the job done at a consistently high level. He’s exactly the kind of defenseman that is built to flourish in today’s NHL. Mobile, extremely smart, and blessed with plenty of offensive ability.

Highlights

Avalanche Fit

He’d be a great fit at 16 if the Avs were locking in on a defenseman with that selection. They really don’t have much in the pipeline beyond Timmins and Meloche so beginning to rebuild that depth will be important eventually. Heinola fits exactly the style of player the Avalanche have had success in developing over the last couple of years and Heinola has the added bonus of being left-handed, which neither Timmins nor Meloche are.

In the end, Heinola would be decent value but a great fit and his timeline (two-three years) would be perfect for expansion draft protection in case the Avs lose someone on the blue line.

BSN DENVER LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147080 Columbus Blue Jackets was only for two years, so be it, but he was a great player for us for two seasons, and hopefully for longer.”

The draft Blue Jackets feel impact of moves they made in 2017 If Duchene signs a contract extension, the Panarin trade will have played a role. Davidsson, however, wasn’t the only gem bagged in that draft.

By Brian Hedger Despite not owning a pick until the third round, the Jackets also got The Columbus Dispatch forwards Alexandre Texier and Emil Bemstrom, who starred as teenagers in Europe this past season and appear ready to contribute in @BrianHedger the NHL.

Posted Jun 15, 2019 at 4:42 PM Updated Jun 15, 2019 at 4:42 PM Texier, who was called up in time for the Jackets’ playoff run, was selected in the second round, 45th overall, after Kekalainen traded

prospect Keegan Kolesar to Vegas for the pick. Bemstrom was taken in As the offseason party begins for the NHL’s champions, the St. Louis the fourth round, one round after the Jackets selected goalie Daniil Blues, the rest of the league is gearing up for the busiest time of the Tarasov, a highly regarded prospect who’s expected to play next season offseason. in Finland’s top league at age 20.

This week, the NHL will have its awards presentation Wednesday in Las “We have the same mindset every year,” said Kekalainen, who is seeking Vegas, followed by the draft Friday and Saturday in Vancouver. And that trades to add picks this year. “We’re going to do the best we can to put sets the stage for the July 1 opening of free agency. the best possible team on the ice ... and we always have to keep the long-term in mind, as well.” Some teams, the Blue Jackets included, will hold their prospect camps the following week, when teams face a June 25 deadline to tender qualifying contracts to restricted free agents and can meet with Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 06.16.2019 prospective unrestricted free agents.

“Everybody is back in business,” said the Blue Jackets’ Jarmo Kekalainen, who figures to be among the league’s busiest general managers in the coming weeks. “The celebrations and the seasons are over, so everybody is back in business with meetings and phone calls. Everything will be getting up to speed, I’m sure.”

It may be a frenetic time for the Blue Jackets, who have a spate of key pending unrestricted free agents, a number of restricted free agents and — as of today — only two draft picks (third and seventh rounds).

Before looking forward, however, a glance back is a better way of jumping into this offseason for the Jackets, whose decisions in 2017 factored heavily into where they are now.

The expansion draft

Before the regular draft, the Blue Jackets made a splash in the 2017 expansion draft, striking a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights that impacted each team significantly.

The Jackets sent their first-round pick in 2017 and their second-round pick in 2019 — along with forward David Clarkson’s full contract worth $5.25 million a season — to Vegas for the Golden Knights agreeing to select center William Karlsson rather than goalie Joonas Korpisalo or right wing Josh Anderson in the expansion draft.

Karlsson blossomed into the Knights’ top center, scoring 43 goals last season and 24 this year, while the Blue Jackets missed out on two high draft picks. What they do have is salary-cap space, thanks in part to moving the contract of Clarkson, who is unable to play because of a chronic back injury.

The blockbuster

Nobody saw it coming, not even the Jackets. Only a few hours before the draft at Chicago’s United Center, they stunned the NHL by acquiring dynamic, high-scoring forward Artemi Panarin from the host Blackhawks.

Sending forward Brandon Saad back to Chicago along with goalie Anton Forsberg and a fifth-round pick in 2018, the Jackets added Panarin, forward Tyler Motte and the Blackhawks’ sixth-round pick in 2017.

Panarin, now an unrestricted free agent poised to leave July 1, delivered exactly what the Blue Jackets had lacked — a top scorer who set franchise records in points each season he played with the team. Motte never found a fit and was dealt at the 2018 trade deadline for veteran Thomas Vanek, who helped secure a playoff spot.

The sixth-round pick was valuable, too: Kekalainen used it to select Swedish forward Jonathan Davidsson, who was traded this season to Ottawa with forward Vitaly Abramov for center Matt Duchene — yet another unrestricted free agent.

“When you have an opportunity like that in front of you, sometimes you have to take a leap of faith — and we’d do it again in a second,” Kekalainen said. “We were able to get a really good player (Panarin). If it 1147081 Dallas Stars

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.16.2019

Shortage of picks magnifies Stars' first NHL draft decision, and Dallas has multiple paths to choose from

Matthew DeFranks

Because of a busy February, the Stars could have a quieter June.

The Stars have only four picks in next week's draft -- which begins Friday night in Vancouver with the first round, and continues with rounds 2-7 on Saturday -- after trading three of them away during last season. Dallas does not have a second-round pick (lost in the Mats Zuccarello trade deadline deal), third-round pick (in acquiring Ben Lovejoy) or a seventh- round pick (trading for Connor Carrick).

Instead, the Stars hold pick Nos. 18, 111, 142 and 173, and is open to the possibility of trading down to acquire more selections.

"The big thing is to hit on that first pick," Nill said. "Will we have an opportunity to pick up more picks talking to teams? But you never know. So we're prepared if we stay where we're at, we're happy the mix of players we're in. If we get extra picks or move down to get extra picks, we're comfortable picking in that group as well."

The Stars could also collect more picks by trading some of their players. Perhaps former first-round picks Julius Honka or Valeri Nichushkin will garner interest at the draft.

The Stars have not had fewer than five picks in a draft since 1968, when the franchise was based in Minnesota and the draft was only three rounds. Dallas also has only four picks in next year's draft, with one pick lost in the Zuccarello trade (currently a third-rounder that becomes a first should he re-sign with Dallas), a second-rounder lost in trading for Marc Methot and a seventh-rounder in exchange for Taylor Fedun.

"When the fans get all excited at the trade deadline when you want to make trades, you always hear me saying 'Be careful,' because when you get to the draft, that's when you want those picks," Nill said. "It's a real balancing act between making trades, giving up players."

With the current pick makeup, the Stars will do most of their work in later rounds, where they have struggled to pick in recent years.

None of the last 26 picks in rounds 4-7 has played a game for the Stars. Only two have reached the NHL, and both did so with other teams (Dylan Ferguson played one game for Vegas, and Nick Paul played 56 games for Ottawa). Gemel Smith was the last Stars late draft pick to play for Dallas, and he was picked in 2012, before Nill's arrival in Dallas.

What makes drafting in later rounds so difficult?

"They're players that all have major weaknesses," Nill said. "You're trying to figure out who can improve from those weaknesses, some guys may be undersized, who's going to sprout up 3, 4, 5 inches and gain 20 pounds. That's the unknown part of the draft and that's where the scouts do their homework, and try to find out things from their family background. They've all got a weakness, but they've got something special too."

Some of the Stars' cornerstones are late-round picks. Jamie Benn and John Klingberg were fifth-round picks, but finds like them are tough to uncover.

"You're trying to hit on somebody that's really skilled, but really small and weak," Nill said. "Or somebody that's got good size and just hope his skating gets better. It's really all over the map. If there was a perfect blueprint, whoever had that blueprint would be doing very well."

Nill said the Stars would consider their current talent pipeline when making selections, especially in the first round. The Stars have a glut of forward prospects (such as Denis Gurianov, Joel L'Esperance, Ty Dellandrea, Jason Robertson, Tye Felhaber and Riley Damiani) but are thinner on defense.

Gavin Bayreuther, Ben Gleason and Joseph Cecconi might be the Stars' best defensive prospects, but none is a top-end talent. Since 2012, the Stars have drafted just two defensemen who made the NHL: Miro Heiskanen and Honka. 1147082 Edmonton Oilers Edmonton plucked goalie Olivier Rodrigue from the QMJHL last season. The Quebec league is flat in terms of quality this season, best reflected in Pronman’s year-over-year lists. In 2018, Pronman ranked eight QMJHL Falling talent and other fun facts that could benefit the Oilers in the NHL prospects among his 74 names (10.8 percent). In 2019, it’s 11 out of 107 Draft (10.3 percent). That’s flat.

During the season, I noticed several wingers from the league who offered very specific (and valuable) strengths while also having obvious flaws. By Allan Mitchell That type of prospect has value and could get overlooked by many teams that cross the prospects off their lists for their various downfalls. For Jun 15, 2019 Edmonton, needing skill forwards in abundance, there might be rewards early and late.

The 2019 NHL Draft is one week away, and the hockey industry is mostly One player who might find his way to Edmonton on draft day is Jakob settled on a universal ranking. Bob McKenzie’s list for TSN, considered Pelletier (). He’s an undersized skill winger with great hands and the draft bible, will be the final shuffle before teams, players and fans anticipation. The Oilers need wingers who can skate and think with its head to the left coast for the seven-round circus. brilliant centres, and Pelletier is such a player. It might mean trading back into the first round with selection No. 38 and a sweetener, but Pelletier is The 217 names we’ll see on the board represent only a percentage of the among the most attractive possible matches for the team’s needs in this total number of players hoping to be drafted, reflected in the number of year’s draft. eligible players (Central Scouting detailed 438 players from four lists this year). There are many additional names that do not appear on the Nathan Legare might be my favourite player in the draft. He’s a shooter Central Scouting list, so fans will see names that are not familiar, (271 shots and 45 goals in 68 games), and he drives to the net beginning as early as the third round. consistently. Tough, aggressive and able to play with skilled men, he has speed that isn’t a strength, but he can keep up. I’m not sure where he’ll Top-5 talent is likely to fall go in the draft, but he’ll have a lot of fans because of his style of play.

Each year, there are math anomalies that make one wonder about the Maxim Cajkovic is another pure shooter (216 shots in 2018-19) whose final rankings. The most obvious issue this year involves OHL sniper boxcars (60, 22-24-46) were shy for the Saint John Sea Dogs. He is a Arthur Kaliyev from the Hamilton Bulldogs. He scored 52 goals in the good passer but will make his money in hockey as a shooter, something best junior league in the world, exceeded only by three players (all of the Oilers need badly. whom were two to three years older than Kaliyev last season). His 320 shots ranked No. 2 in the OHL, plus he’s listed at 6-foot-2, 194 pounds, and Europe so there are no size issues. Corey Pronman wrote a fascinating piece on The Oilers have had a rocky road with Russian players since drafting Nail him, and it drills down on the issues scouts have with this player, and Yakupov in 2012, and the Jesse Puljujarvi pick in 2016 is an reasons Kaliyev might make the scouts regret passing on him. It reminds organizational sore spot. There have been times over the past 30 years me of the 2016 draft and Alex DeBrincat: Math had him inside the top 15, when it felt like the (with Holland as part of the but the industry took him at No. 39. organization) used Sweden and Russia as exclusive talent pipelines. My guess is that we’ll see a team with two first-round selections take Holland didn’t bring the entire organization with him but does have a Kaliyev on the second choice, and someone will have bragging rights in Rolodex (or a smartphone) with important names and numbers. If those five years or less. bird dog scouts still answer his calls, perhaps we’ll see an obscure Over-agers European drafted who will blossom in the years to come.

There’s a pocket of over-agers available in this year’s draft whom we One player who might hear his name called by the Oilers next weekend could see come off the board beginning early in the second round. Brett is Philip Broberg. His scouting report is reminiscent of Oscar Klefbom in Leason is 20, scored 36 goals in 55 WHL games and showcased his 2011, as Broberg has speed and skill, can defend and has some talent all the way to the Memorial Cup for the Prince Albert Raiders. He ruggedness in his game. Oilers fans focused on a scoring forward might would be a strong option for a team looking for forwards to fast-track. In be disappointed, but if Broberg is the clearly better player at No. 8, the the same category is Samuel Fagemo, one of the better scorers the SHL disappointment will subside. this season (14 goals in 42 games). He turned 19 in March and has a Something curious happened around Broberg and the Oilers in the shoot-from-anywhere mentality. Another Swedish player, Mattias month of May. He wasn’t mentioned heavily in media until after Holland Norlinder, is a brilliant skater and fine puck mover, making him a arrived in Edmonton as the general manager. The draft list will be prototype for the modern game on defence. finalized this coming week, and Holland’s impact on it could begin right at Obscure alternatives the top.

The 2019 draft has interesting numbers from forwards and defencemen. What does it all mean? One player who caught my eye is defender Cole Moberg of the Prince I suspect the Oilers pass on Kaliyev and choose Dylan Cozens or Philip George Cougars. He’s a mobile two-way defender, but math picks him up Broberg at No. 8 overall. I suspect the team would consider trading up for because of his shot totals: 189 in 61 games (3.10 per game). That’s a Kirby Dach or Bowen Byram but will consider the price too high. That handsome total, placing him in the range with more touted draft-eligible second-round pick could be in play for immediate help, especially if a defenders such as Bowen Byram and Lassi Thomson. scoring winger comes back the other way. Drafting Leason in the second What’s more, history teaches us that projecting defencemen is difficult, round is also an option. Watch out for those QMJHL kids; they’re a and sometimes the second-round picks have more room to grow than the fascinating bunch. first-rounders (witness Shea Weber and Duncan Keith).

The QMJHL The Athletic LOADED: 06.16.2019 Since 1979, the Oilers have shopped CHL teams heavily, as have all NHL clubs. There is a clear preference for the WHL and OHL reflected in Edmonton’s totals over 40 years.

WHL — 74: Notables include Andy Moog, Grant Fuhr, Ryan Smyth, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, .

OHL — 68: Notables include Paul Coffey, Steve Smith, Jason Arnott, Taylor Hall, Darnell Nurse, Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard

QMJHL — 30: Notables include , Georges Laraque, Ales Hemsky. 1147083 Los Angeles Kings

Kings buy out final two years of Dion Phaneuf’s contract

By CURTIS ZUPKE

JUN 15, 2019 | 1:25 PM

The Kings bought out the contract of defenseman Dion Phaneuf in an expected move announced Saturday.

The team is intent on moving out older players with high salaries as it rebuilds, and Phaneuf, 34, was a prime candidate for a buyout. He was set to make $5.25 million annually for the next two seasons.

The Kings will buy out Phaneuf through 2022-23, starting with a $2.1- million salary cap hit next season and $4 million in 2020-21, according to capfriendly.com.

Phaneuf gave the Kings an initial boost when he was acquired from the Ottawa Senators with Nate Thompson on Feb.13, 2018. The Kings got rid of injury-riddled Marian Gaborik in the trade and finished that regular season 15-7-3 with Phaneuf, a big-bodied, third-pairing veteran who was once a Norris Trophy finalist.

But it became clear this past season that Phaneuf didn’t fit into the team’s plans. He was benched for the first time in his 14-year career in February and bristled when asked about being a mentor.

“I’m not that old,” Phaneuf said. “I will say that, and I’ve got lots left.”

Phaneuf declined to speak to reporters at season-ending exit meetings. It is the second buyout by the Kings in three years, after Matt Greene in 2017. Greene’s salary is off the books, but the Kings are still paying a penalty for the terminated contract of Mike Richards and will pay $3.7 million in buyouts or penalties to Phaneuf and Richards this season, according to capfriendly.com.

Saturday was the first day that NHL teams could buy out players’ contracts.

LA Times: LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147084 Los Angeles Kings

Kings buy out Dion Phaneuf’s contract

By Robert Morales | [email protected] | Press Telegram

PUBLISHED: June 15, 2019 at 12:53 pm | UPDATED: June 15, 2019 at 12:54 PM

The Kings on Saturday announced they have parted ways with defenseman Dion Phaneuf by buying out the final two years of his contract.

Phaneuf had a salary-cap hit of $5,250,000 over the next two seasons; he was slated to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2020-21 campaign.

Phaneuf, 34, this past season had a career-low six points (1 goal, 5 assists) with a ratio of minus-21 in 67 games for the Kings, who missed the playoffs with the fewest points (71) in the Western Conference.

Phaneuf had 44 points in a season as recently as 2011-12 with Toronto. He had a career-high 60 points in 2007-08 with Calgary.

The Kings acquired Phaneuf and center Nate Thompson from the Ottawa Senators for forwards Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore during the 2017-18 campaign. He finished that season by scoring 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) with a minus-7 in 26 games.

Phaneuf was an alternate captain with the Senators, and was captain for the Toronto Maples Leafs for six seasons.

The three-time All-Star has appeared in 1,048 regular-season NHL games since being drafted ninth overall in the first round by Calgary in 2003. He has 497 points (137 goals, 357 assists) and 1,345 penalty minutes.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147085 Los Angeles Kings Even though there’d been speculation that Jeff Carter also could be a buyout candidate, Blake confirmed to The Athletic that Phaneuf would be the only player to receive a buyout this summer. This means that any sort Kings’ buyout of Dion Phaneuf sets summer in motion for Rob Blake of roster reconstruction would have to come via trade. Kings president has said (on the record) that 34-year-old Carter remains in their plans. It’s unclear what they will do with 33-year-old goaltender Jonathan Quick, who will make $5.8 million for the next four seasons. By Lisa Dillman L.A. has Jack Campbell and Cal Petersen as NHL-ready in-house Jun 15, 2019 replacement options for Quick.

Los Angeles also has several other trade chips it could use this offseason if it wants to push forward with its rebuild over the next few For most of the first decade of his NHL career, Dion Phaneuf was a months. useful and valuable player – and as recently as New Year’s Eve 2013, the valued his contributions so highly that they The Kings did not specifically address why they chose to buy out signed him to an expensive seven-year, $49 million contract extension Phaneuf at this time, but after a 30th-place finish this past season, they rather than risk losing him as an unrestricted free agent. have continually stressed the need to move to a younger team playing a more up-tempo style – which no longer plays to Phaneuf’s strengths. Unhappily for Phaneuf and for the Leafs, his value started to diminish soon after the ink was dry on the contract. “I think all teams, sooner or later find themselves in this type of situation,” an NHL team scout said about what the buyout means for the Kings. “It’s Toronto traded him to the Ottawa Senators in February 2016, in a deal easy to understand why and how it happens, it is the way the system mostly motivated by cap complications. works right now. … unfortunately there is no easy way out.”

Two years later, when the Senators flipped him to the Kings in a trade for Marian Gaborik, it was also seen as mostly a cap-management issue. The Kings held out a small hope that Phaneuf could provide a steadying The Athletic LOADED: 06.16.2019 defensive presence as they transitioned to a younger blue line. But the NHL game just got faster and Phaneuf never did. Near the end of last season he was, at times, a healthy scratch for interim coach Willie Desjardins, as the Kings tried to assess some of their defensive prospects as they played out the string.

Accordingly, it didn’t come as too much of a surprise on Saturday when the NHL’s official buyout window opened and the Kings took advantage of the opportunity to part ways with Phaneuf.

“I think it was a no brainer. Phaneuf doesn’t have trade value and cap space has value,” a former NHL team executive said. “So it’s as automatic a decision as it gets.”

Phaneuf was going into the sixth year of a seven-year contract that he originally signed with Toronto, but for the purposes of the buyout, the Senators will share one quarter of the cost, because they retained a quarter of Phaneuf’s salary when the deal was originally made.

Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the Kings will spread the buyout cost over the next four seasons. The numbers are complicated by the fact that Ottawa is on the hook for a quarter of the cost, and the fact that the signing bonus portion of Phaneuf’s contract – $1 million for next season, $2.5 million in the final year of the contract – has to be paid out in full, dollar for dollar.

The bottom line, according to the helpful folks at CapFriendly, is the Kings will save $4.083 million against the cap next season, and an additional $1.58 million against the cap in 2020-21. They will also carry a $1.41 million cap charge in each of the next two seasons as they pay out the remainder of Phaneuf’s contract.

Screen shot via Cap Friendly.

Phaneuf’s is the second contract the Kings have bought out in the Rob Blake era. Blake took over as Kings general manager in April 2017. The first buyout – for defenseman Matt Greene – comes off the books at the end of June.

As a result of the buyout, Phaneuf becomes an unrestricted free agent. At the age of 34, it’s not immediately clear if he will seek another NHL opportunity, or if he will consider retiring.

Our Jordan Samuels-Thomas recently said Phaneuf could play a mentor- type role on a rebuilding team.

Phaneuf’s departure opens up a roster spot and/or additional playing time for one of the Kings’ younger defensemen – Sean Walker and Matt Roy; and maybe even Daniel Brickley, who struggled in his first minor-pro season with the Ontario Reign, but it is believed still to have NHL potential.

Eventually, the likes of Kale Clague, Mikey Anderson (signed earlier this summer) and Sean Durzi, who was acquired from Toronto in the Jake Muzzin trade, will get their opportunities at the NHL level. 1147086 Los Angeles Kings Anderson, Rempal, Anderson-Dolan, Vilardi, Kupari, Petersen, potential #5 pick

As of two months ago the numbers shared internally envisioned around a FINAL TWO YEARS OF PHANEUF’S CONTRACT BOUGHT OUT; roster ideally around $80-million, a touch below the expected salary cap FINANCIALS AND LOOKING AHEAD ceiling of $82-$83M, though that number will obviously be affected by the degree to which they find success shedding some weight and bringing in players at positions of need. They’ve identified slots number two center JON ROSEN and number two defenseman as two of the areas with the greatest need to improve. More context on their financials and needs is available here. JUNE 15, 2019 Keep in mind, too, that if we’re just talking personnel – and not taking into

account the more nebulous cultural reinforcement needed – the Kings Shortly after the NHL’s first buyout period opened on Saturday, the LA still have a ways to go to dig out of their current abyss. They were the Kings bought out the remaining two years of Dion Phaneuf’s contract, 30th place team, and though they’re focused on infusing speed and most creating an additional opening on their blue line while spreading two- importantly a higher degree of skill into their lineup as part of “The Plan,” thirds of his remaining salary cap hit out over the next four seasons. were also the 30th place offense. Their plans acknowledge that they will not be contenders in 2019-20, nor probably in 2020-21, either. Ideally, The 34-year-old Phaneuf, who appeared in 93 games with Los Angeles should they find success and some fortune in getting to where they want after his February, 2018 trade from Ottawa, responded to the first healthy to be, they envision the 2021-22 season as when they’d like to return to scratch of his career by telling LA Kings Insider, the LA Times and The “contender” status. In other words, the $2.2M and $4.1M in dead cap Athletic shortly after the All-Star Break that, “I’m not that old. I will say space over the next two seasons aren’t exactly precluding them from that – that I’ve got lots left” in an emotive pronouncement in the visitors’ advancing into a different class of team. Via Elliotte Friedman in today’s dressing room at TD Garden in Boston. For a tenured and respected 31 Thoughts: veteran – as well as a top-10 draft pick, World Juniors star, six-year captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and member of the silver stick club – 8. There will be more conversation about the 2019-20 salary cap next his 67-game, six-point, minus-21 rating represented career-lows across week in Las Vegas, where the Board of Governors meet the day before the board in an extremely difficult and existential episode for a prideful the NHL Awards. After the combine, several teams indicated they player. Phaneuf continued to play his role and be a positive influence thought the cap might be closer to $82M than the previously projected though he shot down the suggestion of his role as a “mentor,” and was $83M. The players have the option to raise the ceiling up to five per cent, praised by the coaches and executives for his professionalism even as but, with concerns about escrow, lifted it 1.25 per cent for last season, Willie Desjardins planned for a defensive rotation – one that ultimately and a similar number is expected this time around. didn’t revolve as envisioned when Matt Roy entered the lineup on Another interesting tidbit involves the U.S. TV deal, which is up in two February 6 and didn’t leave it, playing the final 25 games of the season. seasons. The Sports Business Journal reported the possibility of a split With a significant arm of “The Plan” revolving around the team’s desire to deal, with NBC keeping the majority and a new partner (ESPN? FOX?) shed certain expensive contracts of older players and incorporate getting a smaller package. Teams are hopeful about what that could do younger and more skilled players into the mix, Phaneuf was expected to to the cap, especially with Seattle entering the NHL. draw the most serious buyout consideration, as previously confirmed by Stick taps to LAKI for reporting the projected shift to a partial escalator the team and reported by LAKI on April 11. Because Phaneuf owned a rather than the full five percent salary cap escalator four off-seasons ago. no-movement clause, he had the option to bypass waivers, which he More importantly, while there is also tangible financial benefit, this move elected to do. When asked without Phaneuf’s name attached whether a opens up another spot on defense, and in addition to players they’ll bring player would be a candidate for a buyout at year-end media availability, in via trade and free agency, there are also young players capable of General Manager Rob Blake responded, “Realistic in ‘there is an option fighting for an NHL spot beyond the likes of Sean Walker, Matt Roy, to do that,’ yes.” Kurtis MacDermid, Paul LaDue and Daniel Brickley. It’s influenced by the Phaneuf is now an unrestricted free agent, while Los Angeles owns the number of players they bring in, but it’s also expected that some following annual cap hits: combination of Kale Clague, Mikey Anderson, Sean Durzi and Markus Phillips should make cases for a roster spot. I’ll have a lot MORE ON 2019-20: $2,187,500 THIS TOPIC, but even as the team strives resuscitate its offense, it will also be relying on a young back end whose reconstruction began last 2020-21: $4,062,500 year and also needs an infusion of veteran stewardship. Again, there’s a 2021-22: $1,062,500 long, long way to go here, but Phaneuf’s buyout pushes the team in the direction it wishes to head. 2022-23: $1,062,500 The previous club buyout was the final year of Matt Greene’s contract in Because Ottawa retained 25% of his salary at the time of the trade, they June, 2017. Anaheim’s Corey Perry is a candidate for a buyout, while are also responsible for the remaining 25% of his full cap hit. The Philadelphia’s Andrew MacDonald was placed on waivers Saturday for financial impact of his buyout on the team’s sheets was shared in early the purpose of a buyout. May, but Los Angeles will have a healthy amount of cap space this off- season to pursue personnel to fill a number of holes. A very loose In 1,048 NHL games, the stately and eminently professional Phaneuf has template in advance of trades and free agency identifies 20 players at a 137 goals, 494 points and 1,345 penalty minutes. combined $68,888,065, which includes Mike Richards’ cap recapture and termination penalty and Phaneuf’s buyout. There are players listed whose shot at making the team isn’t perhaps as shiny as the template LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 06.16.2019 suggests, especially on the back end of the defensive list shared, so don’t take this as any indication on where a player is headed or trending. Keep in mind that players bound for restricted free agency are listed in their own category.

Forwards (12/$38,884,671): Kopitar, Kovalchuk, Brown, Carter, Toffoli, Lewis, Clifford, Grundstrom, Wagner, Amadio, Luff, Prokhorkin

Defense (6/$19,770,000): Doughty, Martinez, Forbort, Walker, LaDue, MacDermid

Goalies (2/$6,475,894): Quick, Campbell

Restricted Free Agents: Leipsic, Iafallo, Kempe, Rempal, Amadio, Roy, Brickley, Petersen

Fighting for spots: Grundstrom, Wagner, Leipsic, Amadio, Prokhorkin, Luff, Walker, LaDue, MacDermid, Roy, Walker, Lizotte, Brickley, Clague, 1147087 Minnesota Wild What Zucker’s future looks like could certainly preview the Wild’s outlook. That and other clues should be arriving soon.

Sarah McLellan covers the Wild and NHL. Before joining the Star Tribune North Score: Wild GM Paul Fenton seems aimed at long-term, rather in November 2017, she spent five years covering the Coyotes for The than quick fix Arizona Republic.

Our North Score Sunday debate looks at what the Wild needs to do now Star Tribune LOADED: 06.16.2019 that the NHL offseason has officially arrived.

Sarah McLellan and Michael Rand

JUNE 16, 2019 — 1:44AM

An important offseason for the Wild gains steam this week with the NHL draft, which will soon be followed by free agency. Trades could happen any time during this stretch as well.

Given those parameters and that the Wild is coming off missing the postseason after six consecutive years in the playoffs, is there a strategy emerging for next season and beyond?

First take: Michael Rand

Everything GM Paul Fenton said in talking to the media Friday pointed toward a multiyear roster building plan instead of a one-year fix. He spoke happily about the eight picks the Wild has in next week’s draft after years of trading away picks, likening it to restocking a cupboard.

He also indicated a comfort level with the current roster even as he continues to seek upgrades and changes. Fenton would never say it — and in fact he downplayed the idea when I asked if this team needs to take a step back to take steps forward — but it feels like the Wild is really gearing up for 2020-21 and beyond.

The big question is how much of a step the Wild’s young forwards can take next year.

Wild writer Sarah McLellan: That might be the best indicator of what to expect from the Wild in 2019-20 — even regardless of what other roster moves the team makes this summer.

The emphasis on youth has only expanded since the trade deadline, with the acquisitions of forwards Ryan Donato, Kevin Fiala and Nico Sturm giving the 25-and-under crowd more opportunity to impact results.

There were encouraging signs last season, such as Donato’s release, Jordan Greenway’s strength on the puck barreling down the wing and Joel Eriksson Ek’s poise when given more responsibility up the middle. But evolution in the NHL isn’t always linear. How the Wild braces for potential growing pains could be key since a strong supporting cast still seems important for a team trending younger.

Rand: A reboot around young forwards isn’t a bad strategy given how NHL players tend to ascend starting around age 24.

Kirill Kaprizov could be elite if and when he arrives for the 2020-21 season. Donato had 16 points in 22 games after arriving via trade. Fiala scored 23 goals two seasons ago. Green-way, and Eriksson Ek all showed promise last season.

But even Fenton acknowledges there are a lot of “ifs” in that group, and any optimistic projection requires us to ignore either inconsistency or uncertainty.

That said, trying to remake this roster on the fly without a drawn-out rebuild might make the most sense in this market.

McLellan: An approach like that also fits with the current landscape of the NHL. The Stanley Cup champions were in last place almost midway through the season. Sure, many expected the Blues to be a contender after a busy offseason that included adding eventual Conn Smythe winner Ryan O’Reilly and center Tyler Bozak. But it took a torrid second half and terrific postseason for St. Louis to ultimately realize its potential, a Cinderella run that makes the rags-to-riches transformation seem doable.

That’s not to say improvement is a given for a team like the Wild, but preaching progress rather than patience wouldn’t be unusual in a league where five different teams have won the last six Cups.

Rand: If the Wild is really preaching progress, I know a 27-year-old forward who scored 33 goals two years ago. His name is Jason Zucker.

Final word: McLellan 1147088 Minnesota Wild goes for Chris Pronger, and neither nor Keith Tkachuk ever won it.

Reminded that this Blues team did what 50 others in the franchise's Hometown hero Maroon celebrates Stanley Cup family style history couldn't, Maroon flashed a big smile.

"We did it," Maroon said. "We did it. There's nothing else. We deserve STEPHEN WHYNO this."

JUNE 15, 2019 — 10:15AM Star Tribune LOADED: 06.16.2019

Patrick Maroon lifting the Stanley Cup above his head in a St. Louis Blues uniform fulfilled a lifelong dream.

The moment didn't compare to holding the Cup just low enough for his son to kiss it. Maroon will be hailed as a hometown hero for signing with the Blues and helping them win their first championship, but what is most important to him was the chance to be around 10-year-old son Anthony and celebrate with him.

"This is truly something I'll never forget," Maroon said. "Me and my son will take this to our grave, and we'll have memories for life."

The Maroons on Saturday will get the chance to ride in the first Blues championship parade, the culmination of Maroon's gamble on himself to take less money and a one-year deal to be around his family.

Patti Maroon was almost speechless at the sight of her youngest son holding the Stanley Cup for her grandson to enjoy. It was a year full of ups and downs, from a horrendous start to the season to an 11-game winning streak, the chance to play in Anthony's father/son game and the death of his grandfather, Ernie.

Maroon hugged his grandfather on his deathbed just before the playoffs and told him he'd win the Stanley Cup for him. The chance to be around his family on the ice in Boston on Wednesday night with the Cup represented a brand new high.

"Something like I've never experienced in my life," Patti said. "It doesn't get better than this. All your dreams as a child and being in the NHL, to get this far, words can't even explain."

Maroon authored a signature moment of the championship run when he scored in double overtime of Game 7 in the second round against Dallas. Patti Maroon ranked that moment — Anthony cried when his dad scored — right up there with the Stanley Cup.

Now, about that Stanley Cup. It's a little different than the makeshift trophy Patrick, his brothers and their friends played for in Patti and Phil Maroon's basement in Oakville, just outside St. Louis.

Businesses on Telegraph Road there have been trumpeting messages like, "Congratulations hometown boy" or offering Maroon a free car wash. If Anthony has anything to say about it, Oakville's main street will host his dad's summer celebration.

"It feels great to have my dad win the first Stanley Cup that he's ever won," Anthony said. "He's going to bring it back on Telegraph Road, you know? ... I'm really proud of him."

Maroon's parents beamed with pride as he took the Cup from teammate Colton Parayko and wanted his son to touch it. He handed it to one of his brothers, too, because this has always been about family for Maroon.

"It's amazing," Maroon said. "Who wouldn't want it like that? Being from St. Louis and signing in St. Louis and winning the Stanley Cup and bringing it home and being with my family and friends."

Phil Maroon was there when his youngest son was drafted in 2007 in Columbus, when he made his NHL debut in 2011 in Chicago. A longtime season-ticket holder himself, Phil's thoughts raced back and forth between Patrick winning the Stanley Cup and that he did so for the city of St. Louis.

"Patrick has been dreaming of this his entire life," Phil said. "And he got the opportunity this year and the team came together as one and I couldn't be more happier for the St. Louis Blues organization and most importantly the St. Louis fans who have been waiting 49 years. My son, so surreal. This is unbelievable."

Maroon would always pretend to be Brett Hull in childhood basement games, but Hull had to go elsewhere to win the Stanley Cup. The same 1147089 New Jersey Devils prior. Each of the last two averaged about 70 hits between the two teams per game.

Game 5: right wing Tom Wilson knocks Here are 3 takeaways from the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Oskar Sundqvist was running guys through walls. Each team possessed big bruisers well over 6-feet. The St. Louis Blue line didn’t feature one Abbey Mastracco defenseman under 6-feet and had seven well over that mark, including 6- 4 Robert Bortuzzo, Jay Bouwmeester and Joel Edmundson and 6-6 6:13 p.m. ET June 13, 2019 Colton Parayko.

This is a stark contrast to the smaller, speedier defensemen teams have been loading up on in recent seasons. Typically, the team that hoists the Stanley Cup sets the trends for the ensuing season. The offseason kicks off with the NHL Draft, where Jun 12, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Blues players celebrate after teams attempt to draft players who will play like the ones who just won defeating the Boston Bruins in game seven of the 2019 Stanley Cup the Cup. Teams might try and trade for players who fit the mold of the Final at TD Garden. ones who won the best trophy in sports, or they poach a few of those winning players in free agency. Is there anything to glean from this? Not really. You can’t hit a player you can’t catch. While the Blues might like a big, heavy blue line, that doesn’t The winners are usually the trend-setters and the playoffs serve as necessarily mean every team needs to have a big, heavy blue line to be lessons to learn for how to win in present-day NHL. successful, but inevitably, some teams will overreact to that and go out and find some big bodies in the draft and free agency over the next few But not this year. months. Jun 12, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Blues players pose for a team Speed, skill and puck battles are still going to be prioritized over size, but photo with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Boston Bruins in game a good team is going to have a mix of everything. seven of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Nothing The St. Louis Blues captured their first championship in the 52-year history of the franchise by defeating the Boston Bruins, an Original Six There was no overarching trend that was set in this latest edition of the team, in Game 7 on the road. Home-ice advantage proved meaningless postseason. The officials had the spotlight for the wrong reasons. The from rounds one through four. best team in the salary cap era, the Tampa Bay Lightning, didn’t have the mental toughness to win. All four Wild Card teams advanced past the first Even more meaningless was the oft-used holiday standings benchmarks. round and the Carolina Hurricanes put the on The Blues were as bad as the Ottawa Senators, the league’s worst team, notice. at one point during the season. The Bruins were defeated by the Devils, the third-worst team, in the first game after the Christmas break. A team that looked like a lottery pick early on won it all.

There isn't much to take away from this edition of the Stanley Cup This was an upside-down, weird, wacky and wildly entertaining Playoffs, but here are a few observations. postseason. It was enjoyable, but not very educational.

Officiating Class dismissed. Enjoy your summer.

There was the hand pass by San Jose’s Tim Meier that led to Erik Bergen Record LOADED: 06.16.2019 Karlsson’s overtime goal in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final. The Sharks were no stranger to officiating controversy by that point. They made it out of the first round after a blown call in Game 7 against the Vegas Golden Knights. A five-minute major slapped on Cody Eakin led to a stunning comeback by the Sharks, who rattled off four power play goals to take a lead before eventually winning in overtime.

The call was so bad the NHL had to apologize to the Golden Knights, calling general manager George McPhee after his team had been eliminated.

And there was an egregiously bad non-call in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final when Tyler Bozak took out Noel Acciari right before David Perron scored for the Blues. It was a slew foot and should have been called as such.

But nothing was called and that’s the problem.

It’s one thing to swallow a whistle in the final round of the postseason but to call nothing for headshots, bridge hits and slew-footing is irresponsible. There is no standard being enforced and no accountability. It’s as if the NHL called up MLB and asked for Angel Hernandez.

The argument could be made that the game has sped up on the officials. The NHL Players Association’ and the NHL/NHLPA Competition Committee have recommended expanded video review and coaches challenges. Some want more video and some want less.

I don’t know what the solution is but it has become abundantly clear that changes need to be made.

Physicality

The heavy game isn’t quite dead.

Two years ago, Eastern Conference teams attempted to model themselves after the Pittsburgh Penguins. After winning two track meets in back-to-back seasons, the trend became speed and skill. Boston and St. Louis played a different style of hockey. You could even argue that the Washington Capitals played and won with a heavier game one year 1147090 New York Rangers

Rangers, rivals set to battle for Jets’ Jacob Trouba at steep cost

Larry Brooks

June 15, 2019 | 6:11PM

The Rangers and Islanders are among the most aggressive teams in pursuit of Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba, The Post has learned, with the Devils also in the chase.

Trouba, the 25-year-old impending restricted free agent for whom the Jets are soliciting offers, would slide into the right side of the first pair for either club. But his acquisition would come at a steep cost, both in terms of personnel going the other way in a trade package and the long-term contract Trouba would command.

Winnipeg, according to several sources, has yet to give permission to inquiring clubs to speak with Trouba’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, about a contract. One would figure seven years at up to $7.5 million per season for the Michigan native — who recorded 50 points (8-42) last season, 13th most among defensemen. His 42 assists tied for ninth among blue- liners.

There are up to a dozen teams in the chase for Trouba, a mobile, 6-foot- 3, 220-pound puck mover, transporter and power-play guy. The Jets, who are facing a serious cap crunch, are believed to be looking for a first- rounder and a pair of legitimate prospects or young NHLers in return.

The Rangers, of course, own Winnipeg’s first-rounder at 20th overall, as part of the bounty — Brendan Lemieux, too — obtained in the lend-lease deal for . General manager Jeff Gorton, whom we are told is pushing mighty hard for Trouba, could offer that pick, impending restricted free agent Pavel Buchnevich and, perhaps, Nils Lundkvist to the Jets.

That might not be enough, not with lurking … and, for that matter, , as well. Both the Islanders and Devils are loaded with prospects who might be expendable in a deal for Trouba, who has played six seasons in the NHL out of the University of Michigan following his 2012 ninth-overall selection by the Jets.

Question: Does the price become too high for the Rangers if the Jets demand Lias Andersson be included in the package?

For the Islanders, would Lamoriello be willing to include defenseman Noah Dobson, last year’s 12th-overall pick, in a deal for Trouba. For the Devils, would Shero be willing to send Jesper Bratt and Jesper Boqvist or Ty Smith back the other way? Smith, almost certainly not.

The Rangers line up with Kevin Shattenkirk, Adam Fox, Tony DeAngelo and Neal Pionk on the right side. It is difficult to imagine Shattenkirk — at a $6.65 million cap hit — remaining if the Blueshirts add Trouba, who would presumably split the power-play quarterback responsibilities with Fox, the rookie out of Harvard whom the Rangers acquired from Carolina in April.

The first buyout period opened on Saturday, with the Rangers quiet. They could trim payroll by moving Jimmy Vesey ($2.275 million) and/or Vlad Namestnikov ($4 million), though the team will need people to play up front.

Or, they could go the buyout route with Shattenkirk and/or Brendan Smith ($4.35 million). Buyouts of both would represent a cap saving of approximately $7.47 million, though generating a combined $2.6 million of dead cap space down the line. There is time for those decisions — if not by the June 30 deadline, then during the second summer buyout window following arbitration filings.

But as the entry draft looms next weekend in Vancouver with the July 1 opening of the free-agent market — looking at you, Artemi Panarin — not all that far behind, the Rangers are working hard to land Trouba.

They’re not the only ones.

New York Post LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147091 Ottawa Senators “There’s no doubt we’re getting a player,” Dorion said. “I doubt very much we’ll take a goalie, but you never know, but we feel we’re going to get a top-seven forward or top-four with whichever direction we Senators enter a pivotal stretch going into NHL draft take.”

Senators development camp begins June 25 in Ottawa, and NHL free agency opens at 12 noon on July 1. Bruce Garrioch “We’re excited about forming our team for next year with possible trades June 15, 2019 6:06 PM EDT in the next little while and adding players through the draft,” Dorion said. “The draft is always a great time to set the foundation for your team and

get younger players. The Ottawa Senators have made their list for the National Hockey “From here to development camp, we’re excited because we’re going to League Draft next weekend and they’ll be taking one last look when the see a lot of the guys we’ve traded for with (Jonathan) Davidson, (Vitalii) scouting staff arrives in Vancouver on Tuesday. Abramov, (Josh) Norris and (Erik) Brannstrom, along with guys we But, as general manager , top scout Trent Mann and the drafted like (Jacob) Bernard-Docker and (Jonathan) Tychonick. This rest of the staff prepare for the No. 19 selection in Round 1 on Friday group at development camp will be one of the most talented groups night and three picks in the top 44 overall as the annual crapshoot we’ve had at development camp, so it’s exciting for us.” continues Saturday at Rogers Arena, the Senators are prepared for any Ottawa Sun LOADED: 06.16.2019 scenario in their rebuilding project.

With the hiring of new head coach D.J. Smith last month after an exhaustive search, the Senators will complete the turn to next season at the draft. Yes, a lot of work has already been done, but the draft, development camp and free agency all within the next few weeks will also be crucial.

“It’s another step in the growth and development of our team,” Dorion said in a telephone interview Saturday. “I’ve alluded to our fans and I’ve alluded to it in our press conference (at the end of the season) that the worst is behind us.”

After the Senators finished No. 30 in the overall standings in 2017-18 and No. 31 this past season, fans hope Dorion is right.

Dorion and his staff are looking at every possibility, but what often happens is that NHL teams focus on the first round of the draft before Friday and any trades involving roster players usually happen Saturday.

Senators staffers will sit down again Thursday to make sure final preparations are in place. There will also be meetings with potential candidates in the draft.

“Our list is pretty much ready,” Dorion said. “We made some changes to it after the combine and some interviews with some players we’ve had into Ottawa. We’re going to have some meetings to make some final tweaks on the list Thursday. We’ll probably meet a prospect or two in Vancouver, just to spend some time with them.

“That isn’t 100 per cent, but we’ll probably meet some kids there.”

The Senators are one of four teams — the Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings and are the others — with three picks in the top 44. Ottawa has two picks in the second round and one of those could be used as a trade chip to try to move up in the first round. That’s never easy, but it’s always a possibility.

The first pick of the second round, No. 32, was already Ottawa’s, and the No. 44 pick came from the as part of the three-way deal with the San Jose Sharks for Erik Karlsson.

“We’ve had talks about moving up and moving down,” Dorion said. “Those second-round picks are really valuable. When you’ve got two picks that are high second-rounders, it’s really, really valuable.”

The Senators have a history of making a move to ensure they get a player they want. In 2016 in Buffalo, they sent the No. 12 selection and a third-rounder to the New Jersey Devils for the No. 11 pick, and they used that to take centre Logan Brown.

Brown struggled with injuries early last season with Belleville of the , but had a strong finish. Dorion said the 21- year-old Brown, who had 14 goals and 34 assists in 56 games, will push for an NHL roster spot in training camp this fall.

“If Logan Brown plays the way he played in the second half and is consistent game in and game out, he’s going to have more than a realistic chance to be on our team,” Dorion said.

While the Senators traded away what turned out to be the No. 4 pick to the Colorado Avalanche in the Matt Duchene deal in November 2017, they are confident their top selection in Vancouver will suit up for them down the road. 1147092 Ottawa Senators

Dorion ready to make changes as Senators head to NHL draft

Bruce Garrioch

June 15, 2019 5:51 PM EDT

The Ottawa Senators will be focused on the present as well as the future when the NHL draft festivities get underway this week in Vancouver.

In a telephone interview with this newspaper Saturday, general manager Pierre Dorion indicated he’ll try to add a veteran player or two either through a trade or via free agency on July 1.

Yes, the Senators are in a rebuild, but Dorion said that doesn’t mean the organization feels it can dress 20 young players and expect them to grow. He’s looking to make deals to help improve the team to bring in experience.

The Senators have already kept backup goalie Anders Nilsson from testing unrestricted free agency by signing him to a two-year, $5.2-million extension, and he’ll play a bigger role with veteran Craig Anderson, who heads into the final year of his contract.

“Our fans have to know it’s not just going to be a bunch of young kids,” he said. “It’s important they understand that we might bring in a veteran (player), whether it’s through trades or free agency. You can’t put kids on the first line because they can’t play against the best players on the other team.

“Yes, more kids are going to get into our lineup, but at the same time there will be some really good kids in Belleville that will be ready to play when that time comes. We want to help our kids grow.”

The Senators are going to build through prospects, but they have pieces they can move. Given the club’s depth on defence, it wouldn’t be surprising to see blueliner Ben Harpur moved this week, and he’ll be an attractive option because of his size and $725,000 one-way contract.

While the 24-year-old Harpur is one of the top candidates to move, the Senators wouldn’t mind dealing winger Mikkel Boedker, who has one year left at $4 million. Guys like Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk, Colin White and Christian Jaros will be untouchables when Dorion talks to other teams about possible trades.

The Senators are expected to qualify restricted free agents Cody Ceci, Anthony Duclair and White. The club has held talks with the agents for all three players on extensions. Dorion didn’t want to get into details about talks, but would like to get a long-term deal done with Ceci if the two sides can find the right fit.

The club is also working on a contract with restricted free agent goalie Marcus Hogberg, who did a solid job down the stretch in Belleville, and defenceman Christian Wolanin, who will be a full-time NHLer down the road. The expectation is Nick Paul, Andreas Englund and Jack Rodewald will also be extended qualifying offers.

Once the Senators do get to training camp in September, Dorion is convinced the players will respond well to new coach D.J. Smith.

“It’s going to be a great camp with D.J. making them compete,” Dorion said. “He’s a breath of fresh air and he can coach. We’re really encouraged by what D.J.’s going to bring to the table.”

The buyout period started Saturday, but the expectation is that goalie Mike Condon, the former backup to Anderson, will be brought to camp and then a decision will be made on his future.

The Los Angeles Kings bought out the last two years of defenceman Dion Phaneuf’s contract Saturday, and that has salary implications for the Senators because the club is paying 25 per cent of his contract. According to capfriendly.com, Ottawa will have a cap hit of $729,000 next season, $1.35 million in 2020-21 and another $350,000 per-season from 2021 to 2023.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147093 Philadelphia Flyers many feel he would fit perfectly alongside Provorov on the Flyers’ top pairing.

Trouba, 25, shoots right-handed, and he had a career-best 50 points last Flyers parting ways with defenseman Andrew MacDonald season.

Breakaways

Sam Carchidi Fletcher said he has had “constructive dialogue” with Hayes’ June 15, 2019- 1:12 PM representatives and “we’ll see how it plays out. So far, it’s been a positive process.” ... After a slow start last season, Niskanen’s strong second half makes Fletcher optimistic. He said Niskanen would have been the Flyers’ best defenseman in the second half “or right up there." In an expected move, Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher announced Saturday that the team was parting ways with veteran Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.16.2019 defenseman Andrew MacDonald.

MacDonald, who will turn 33 on Sept. 7, played parts of six seasons with the Flyers but fell victim to a youth movement on the back end — and the fact they could use more cap space to improve the team this summer.

The Flyers placed him on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating the remaining season on his six-year, $30 million contract.

It’s expected that MacDonald won’t be claimed and the Flyers will buy out the last year of his deal. The buyout is spread over two years and is two times the length of the remaining year on the contract.

“It was a difficult decision and it was solely cap-related,” said Fletcher, who called MacDonald a consummate professional. "We asked a lot of Andrew. And by that, I mean he played the left side, the right side. He’d [sometimes] be a healthy scratch and then we took him back in the lineup. We asked him to play with young players and mentor them and bring stability to our back end.”

Per CapFriendly.com, the Flyers will have a $1.17 cap hit for MacDonald this season, and a $1.92 million cap hit in 2020-21. He would have had a $5 million cap hit this season if he remained.

The $3.83 million cap-hit reduction this season can be used in the free- agent market.

“We wanted to maximize our cap flexibility,” said Fletcher, who is trying to sign center Kevin Hayes before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

On Friday, the Flyers added to their cap by acquiring Washington defenseman Matt Niskanen ($5.75 million cap hit) for ($3.35 million) — and agreeing to pay about $1 million of Gudas’ salary.

MacDonald had no goals, nine assists and a minus-5 rating in 47 games last season.

“He’s just a quality person and a guy who played a very effective two-way game for our team,” Fletcher said, “but we are in a cap world and we made that tough decision today to try and reallocate some of those dollars to maximize our chance to stay in the hunt on some players over the next couple weeks.”

Fletcher said he was “continuing to look at every option” on defense, “but I will say that with the move [Friday], it allows us to slot players in their proper places.”

He said he envisioned Phil Myers taking Gudas’ spot as a third-pairing defenseman next season.

Fletcher was asked if he felt he still needed to add a first-pairing defenseman in the offseason.

“They’re not easy to find,” he said. “Certainly if we can find a guy who can play in our top four that we have the ability to acquire, we’ll look at it.

"I will say that we have some really top-end defensemen here who have the potential to grow into that role. If you’re looking at and Travis Sanheim, and Philippe Myers has shown upside. is a young man that has been very effective in his young career so far, and by bringing in Matt Niskanen, we feel we have some quality defensemen.”

Added Fletcher: “You’re always looking to upgrade if you can, and whether we can acquire that player” is unknown.

Winnipeg’s Jacob Trouba, a pending restricted restricted free agent, is on the trade market. If Fletcher can put together the right package — which might include dealing the team’s first-round draft pick (No. 11 overall) — 1147094 Philadelphia Flyers Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.16.2019

Chuck Fletcher: Flyers are 'bullish on Philippe Myers' upside'

Jordan Hall

June 15, 2019 6:18 PM

Back when Philippe Myers was called up to the Flyers in February, it was evident general manager Chuck Fletcher liked the 22-year-old prospect.

The Flyers were rolling through an NHL-best 10-game stretch at the time and pushing for the playoffs. Still, Fletcher had no qualms with trusting a kid who had no NHL experience to possibly jump into a postseason race.

"The fact that he's getting the call is a recognition of what he's accomplished and that he's knocking on the door," Fletcher said Feb. 9.

Where are the Flyers now on Myers?

Pretty high.

"We're bullish on Philippe Myers' upside," Fletcher said Saturday in a conference call.

Some of Fletcher's maneuvering with the Flyers' defense over the past two days has revolved around Myers and his ability to jump on a full-time role in 2019-20. The Flyers on Friday traded 29-year-old Radko Gudas in exchange for defenseman Matt Niskanen (see story). On Saturday, they parted ways with Andrew MacDonald, placing the 32-year-old on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract (see story).

While Fletcher's work is far from done, the Flyers' defense is already rounding into shape, with visions of Myers taking a big step forward. The overwhelming point of trading Gudas was to acquire Niskanen, who can benefit the Flyers' defense in a variety of ways (see story). But the move also came to fruition with Myers in mind.

"Radko has been a very effective third-pairing defenseman for us," Fletcher said. "He's been a great member of our organization, he's competed hard and certainly we appreciate everything he did for our organization.

"Going forward, we feel we have an in-house player in Philippe Myers that can come in and take on some of that role. He's only played [21] games in the NHL, so there could be an adjustment period, but having the ability to maybe slot Philippe into that third slot on the right side, we feel is a real proper place for him to potentially start his NHL career."

Myers, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound righty shot, was rated a top-50 prospect by the NHL Network last season. He's come a long way from going undrafted in 2015. He's quick for his size, a fluid skater and brings offensive qualities, as well.

He showed plenty of glimpses in his 2018-19 showcase.

Here's an early look at the Flyers' potential 2019-20 defensive pairings:

Ivan Provorov-Matt Niskanen

Shayne Gostisbehere-Travis Sanheim

Robert Hagg-Philippe Myers

"Certainly if we can find a guy that can play in our top four that we have the ability to acquire, we'll certainly look at it," Fletcher said. "I will say that we have some really top-end young defensemen here that have the potential to grow into that role. If you look at Ivan Provorov and Travis Sanheim … Shayne Gostisbehere is a young man that's been very effective in his young career so far, and by bringing in Matt Niskanen, we feel that we have some quality defensemen.

"You're always looking to upgrade if you can, but it will certainly depend on whether we can acquire that player and whether even that player is available.

"In saying our defense corps is young, I do believe it's the strength of our team going forward."

Myers can make it younger and stronger. In just two days, the Flyers cleared him a path, as if to say: Here's a spot, go take it. 1147095 Philadelphia Flyers "I've been fortunate to be on real good teams," he said. "I've been around and I know what good hockey looks like, I know what a good culture looks like. I'm not going to be a rah-rah guy, but I think with my résumé, Chuck Fletcher, Matt Niskanen see a Flyers team ready to pop my words hold a little bit of weight, especially with young players.

"They have a good team and I'm not going to come in and ruffle any feathers, but I think my word will hold some weight. I'll come in and try to Jordan Hall have real good practice habits and have a good attitude, bring a good work ethic, and hopefully I'll be another piece to what they already have June 15, 2019 3:00 PM there."

And potentially make the Flyers pop. At first, Matt Niskanen was "a little surprised" and caught "a little off Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.16.2019 guard."

He had just been traded by the Capitals, a team with which he won the 2018 Stanley Cup and experienced fond memories, and was now headed to a division rival.

But after Niskanen spoke with Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher, his emotions slowly started to shift. Fletcher wanted Niskanen to believe in the Flyers' situation and how the accomplished defenseman could be integral to it taking off.

"He said he likes their team, he felt that they're ready to pop," Niskanen said Friday in a conference call after being dealt to the Flyers (see story). "He kind of feels the same way that I do about the group there — young talent, they're close, just need to add some more pieces along the way.

"It sounds like he's trying to put together a real good team and we'll see where that takes us. But I'm excited to be there. Trying to be a real solid piece for what they have there already. They have a lot of talent, these guys can play and put up some goals, and maybe get our goals against down — so maybe that's where I come in, to help out with that. I'm excited for that challenge."

From the start, the Flyers fell well short of expectations in 2018-19, which put Fletcher in the team's GM chair. The 82 points were the Flyers' fewest in a full season since 2006-07 and the club hasn't made the playoffs in consecutive years since 2010-12, when it last won a series.

In this league, things can change quickly, though.

"We're all close," Fletcher said on April 18.

The Flyers went 0-4-0 against the Capitals in 2018-19 and were outscored 18-9, but Niskanen remembered looking at one of his teammates during the regular-season series and saying, "Man, they should be doing better than they are."

Fletcher sees Niskanen as the type of player to change that narrative.

"This is a guy that has played over 1,000 games in the NHL when you factor in his playoff experience," Fletcher said Saturday on a conference call. "He's a guy that commands respect with how he plays and how he prepares, he shows up every day.

"I'll give and Chris Pryor (former general manager and assistant general manager) a lot of credit here — we have some top-end young talent on that back end, and I think the goal right now is to try to surround them with the right people and add some talent back there, as well."

Niskanen didn't need a whole lot of convincing by Fletcher. The GM's message only helped build the excitement for the former Capital and Penguin who has played 38 career games against the Flyers.

"Over the last few years they've gotten younger. I like their team," Niskanen said. "They have dangerous people, they've added young players with a lot of promise, hard to play against.

"They have good people, dangerous players, talented forwards, a young group of D that can really play — they're just young, I think. They're on the upswing. It was hard to play against the Flyers. Good organization, they play the game hard, they play to win. A lot of promise there. I'm excited about that."

With the Capitals' first-round exit in the 2019 playoffs following their Cup run the previous season, Niskanen said he has been training for over a month now and feels much better physically. He knows about the Flyers' defense. He referred to the group as "young studs" multiple times (see story).

So, yeah, as tough as the trade is, Niskanen believes in Philly. 1147096 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers place Andrew MacDonald on unconditional waivers for purpose of terminating contract

Jordan Hall

June 15, 2019 12:23 PM

Chuck Fletcher is certainly putting his mark on the Flyers' defense.

A day after trading Radko Gudas for defenseman Matt Niskanen, the Flyers' general manager placed Andrew MacDonald on unconditional waivers Saturday for the purpose of terminating his contract.

MacDonald is expected to go unclaimed and the Flyers will buy out his contract. In 2019-20, the 32-year-old MacDonald was entering the final year of a six-year, $30 million deal. His cap hit was a hefty $5 million. MacDonald was signed to the deal in April 2014 by then-general manager .

Per spotrac.com, the move will result in a total buyout of $3,833,333 with a base salary of $1,916,667 over each of the next two years.

The Flyers are taking on significant money with Niskanen (as well as reportedly retaining some of Gudas' cap hit) and are in the process of negotiating with soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Kevin Hayes, so Fletcher said the MacDonald move was about maximizing the team's cap flexibility. Fletcher, who spoke Saturday via a conference call, obviously feels there is more work to do this summer, outside of Niskanen and Hayes.

It was a difficult decision and it was solely cap related. I've had a couple of good conversations with Andrew — one at the end of the season and another one again today. This guy is a consummate professional. We asked a lot of Andrew and by that I mean he was a player that played the left side, played the right side, he'd be a healthy scratch and then we'd put him back in the lineup. We asked him to play with young players and mentor them and bring stability to our back end.

He's just a quality person and a guy that played a very effective two-way game for our team, but we are in a cap world and we made that tough decision today to try reallocate some of those dollars to maximize our chance to stay in the hunt on some players over the next couple of weeks.

MacDonald was banged up this past season and became a healthy scratch, as well. He played just 47 contests and saw 16:24 ice time per game, the lowest of his career.

He was often the butt of criticism among the fan base — in large part because of the contract — but inside the Flyers' locker room, he was a true professional and one of the most respected players by his teammates.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147097 Philadelphia Flyers Without MacDonald in the fold and the swap of Gudas for Niskanen, here’s a preemptive look at how the roster shakes out on the back end. Fletcher may not be done making moves.

What Andrew MacDonald's buyout means for future of Flyers' defense Ivan Provorov — Matt Niskanen

Travis Sanheim — Shayne Gostisbehere

Dave Isaac Samuel Morin — Phil Myers

1:36 p.m. ET June 15, 2019 Robert Hägg

The Flyers also have David Schlemko on an NHL contract for one more The picture is starting to look clearer and the Flyers haven’t gotten to free season and 23-year-old Mark Friedman is knocking at the door of being agency or the draft yet. General manager Chuck Fletcher didn’t want to NHL ready and had a taste of it, suiting up for the Flyers’ season finale wait that long. this spring. Fletcher also didn’t discount the potential of still adding a top- pair defenseman. Fletcher kept reciting, even to newly-acquired Matt Niskanen in an introductory phone call, how the Flyers allowed 280 goals last season, “They’re not easy to find,” he said. “Certainly, if we can find a guy that third most in the NHL, and it had to change. That means revamping the can play in our top four that we’d have the ability to acquire, we’ll defense and Fletcher has made two significant moves to do that. certainly look at it. I will say we have some really top-end young defensemen here that have the opportunity to grow into that role, if you’re First was trading Radko Gudas to Washington for Niskanen. Saturday looking at Ivan Provorov and Travis Sanheim. We’re bullish on Philippe the Flyers waived Andrew MacDonald for the purposes of buying out the Myers’ upside. Shayne Gostisbehere is a young man that’s been very last year of his contract, assuming he clears waivers on Sunday. effective in his young career so far. In bringing in Matt Niskanen, we feel that we have some quality defensemen. You’re always looking to “It was a difficult decision and it was solely cap related,” Fletcher said on upgrade if you can, but it would depend on if you could acquire that a conference call with reporters. “I’ve had a couple good conversations player and even whether that player’s available.” with Andrew, one at the end of the season and another one again today. This guy is a consummate professional. We asked a lot of Andrew. He Courier-Post LOADED: 06.16.2019 played the left side, played the right side, he’d be a healthy scratch and then we’d put him back in the lineup. We asked him to play with young players and mentor them and bring stability to our back end. He’s just a quality person and a guy that played a very effective two-way game for our team but we are in a cap world and we made the tough decision this morning to re-allocate some of those dollars to maximize our chance to stay in the hunt for some players over the next couple weeks.”

One of those players is pending unrestricted free agent center Kevin Hayes, whose rights Fletcher traded for on June 3. While those negotiations continue and Fletcher said they’ve had some “very good, constructive dialogue” with Hayes and agent Bob Murray, there is no deal in place yet.

Another player may be a goalie to play with Carter Hart. Fletcher said he’s spoken with some teams about potential trades but he can’t really characterize how the process in finding a tandem partner is. It certainly doesn’t sound like Brian Elliott or Cam Talbot are staying in Philadelphia based on that and the goalie search, “very well could go to July 1 (the start of free agency),” Fletcher said, “but there could be some opportunities prior to that.”

Buying out MacDonald gives a little more flexibility in the short term. The 32-year-old defenseman signed a six-year, $30 million contract on April 15, 2014 and will have only played five years of it. Buyouts in the NHL double the remaining length of the contract, so the Flyers will pay MacDonald for two more years instead of one. They’ll save $3,833,333 against his $5 million cap hit next season, but be charged $1,916,667 in the 2020-21 season, according to capfriendly.com.

Most of that saved money will likely go to investing in the defense prospects. Restricted free agents Travis Sanheim and Ivan Provorov are still due new contracts and Fletcher doesn’t know how long that process will take. Next week, at the draft in Vancouver, Fletcher plans on meeting with their agents, as well as the representation of forwards Travis Konecny, Ryan Hartman, Scott Laughton and Justin Bailey.

With a particularly talented RFA class this summer and the league’s top players being younger and younger, so-called “bridge” contracts that take players from their entry-level deals to a big payday are looking extinct.

“That’s hard to say,” Fletcher answered recently when asked if he thought the bridge contracts were going away. “This will be an interesting summer to see. Certainly I remember a few years ago it seemed like the majority of players…maybe it was 50-50. Half would do bridge and half would do five- or six-year deals. Last year there seemed to be more longer-term deals. This year, we’ll see. It’s really a function of cap space, too. It’s hard to commit to everybody long-term and still have the flexibility to do what you want to do. These kids are important players, really important parts of our future and frankly they’re going to be important parts of next year.” 1147098 Pittsburgh Penguins “Usually, you do have to get creative to make trades now. So we’ll see,” Rutherford said. “There’s been lots of talk since our last game. There’s a lot of things out there. You just don’t know what somebody might come Penguins trade Olli Maatta to Chicago for forward Dominik Kahun, draft back with, come back with an idea that might help both teams. If one of pick those comes along, we’ll make another change or two.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 06.16.2019

JONATHAN BOMBULIE

Saturday, June 15, 2019 8:32 p.m.

Shortly after the Pittsburgh Penguins were swept out of the first round of the playoffs, general manager Jim Rutherford made headlines when he said all options were on the table when it comes to returning the team to championship-contender status.

One of the items on his offseason to-do list wasn’t optional, however. It was mandatory.

He had to move out a defenseman with a sizeable contract, and that trade came to pass Saturday night when he sent Olli Maatta to the Chicago Blackhawks for forward Dominik Kahun and a fifth-round draft pick.

“I think we all knew something had to give at that position and cap-wise,” Rutherford said. “That’s what led to making this decision.”

If the Penguins hadn’t moved a defenseman, they would have had nine players on one-way contract at the position and would have been a few million over the projected $83 million salary cap.

Maatta makes a little over $4 million annually on a contract with three years remaining. Kahun makes $925,000 on the last year of his entry- level deal.

That didn’t make the decision to trade Maatta any easier for Rutherford personally. Maatta, the fourth-longest-tenured player on the team, was one of the most affable players in the locker room.

“He’s had success here,” Rutherford said. “He’s been a good player. He’s won two Cups. He’s dealt with adversity. He’s a wonderful person. These last couple of days have been hard on me.”

There are a few reasons Maatta was the odd man out on defense.

First, he slid to the fourth spot on the left side of the team’s depth chart on the blue line by the end of last season. After missing almost six weeks with a shoulder injury late in the year, he was a healthy scratch for the last three games of the playoffs against the Islanders.

Second, he still had trade value. It would be difficult for Rutherford to move a defenseman like Jack Johnson because he’s 32 with four years left on a contract that pays him $3.25 million annually. Maatta, conversely, is 24 with two Stanley Cup rings in his pocket and his best hockey not all that far behind him.

He had enough value to fetch Kahun, a 23-year-old who had 13 goals and 37 points as a rookie last season. Thirty-five of those points came at even strength.

Rutherford said his objective in acquiring Kahun wasn’t necessarily to improve his team’s speed, but it helps. He said he liked the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder’s ability to play all three forward positions up and down the lineup.

“He’s got good speed,” Rutherford said. “He has good hands. He’s a skilled player. Second year, albeit he’s going to have to adjust to a new team, I would suspect he could take an even bigger step. Coming off 13 goals in his first year is a good year for him.”

With the salary-cap situation and defensive logjam straightened away, Rutherford can turn his attention to the rest of his offseason objectives.

He remains intent on trying to improve the roster.

“I haven’t changed my position on what I said at the end of the season,” Rutherford said. “We had a decent regular season. A hundred points is a good mark to get to, but as we all know, we finished with a very disappointing playoffs. If there’s good changes to make, then we’re going to do that.”

He’s just not sure what moves will present themselves. 1147099 Pittsburgh Penguins

3 issues Penguins, Jim Rutherford must cope with in retooling

JONATHAN BOMBULIE

Saturday, June 15, 2019 7:25 p.m.

When he traded defenseman Olli Maatta to the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford jumped feet-first into the busiest time of the offseason.

The NHL Draft is set for next weekend in Vancouver. On July 1, the league’s free-agent signing period opens.

It’s prime time for Rutherford and the league’s other 30 GMs to retool and reshape their rosters heading into next season.

Here is a look at three pressing issues the Penguins must deal with during that time.

The Phil Kessel situation

If circumstances don’t change, the only thing the Penguins have to do to resolve the Kessel situation is hang a No. 81 jersey in his locker in September and proceed with business as usual.

Let’s face it, though. Circumstances probably are going to change.

The Penguins decided last month the first thing they would do to try to become a team that’s more defensively responsible and less lackadaisical with the puck was to ship Kessel, reportedly to Minnesota for winger Jason Zucker. Kessel exercised his limited no-trade clause to nix the deal.

Could Kessel decide he doesn’t want to play in a place where he’s considered part of the problem, not part of the solution, and therefore relax his stance on where he can be moved? Absolutely.

Could one of the eight teams to which Kessel can be traded without his consent make an offer Rutherford feels comfortable with? No question.

Monitoring changing conditions will be a big part of Rutherford’s job in the next week or two.

Pick it up

While the trades will steal the headlines, the draft remains the fundamental method for building championship teams. For the first time since they took Kasperi Kapanen in 2014, the Penguins will have the chance to make a selection in the first round.

The last four times the Penguins took a player in the range they’re selecting Friday night, they chose Kapanen, Maatta, Joe Morrow and Beau Bennett. None became a superstar, but all became bona fide NHL players.

Because this is considered a deep draft, especially at forward, the Penguins can expect to get a player at the high end of that talent range if they choose wisely.

Goalie on the go

It looks like the rubber finally will meet the road for goaltending prospect Tristan Jarry.

Now 24, Jarry has developed just fine since the Penguins drafted him in the second round in 2013, but he was beaten by Casey DeSmith in the race to back up and the sands in his waivers hourglass have run out.

Trading Jarry, if they can find a taker, would be preferable to losing him on waivers in September.

Tribune Review LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147100 Pittsburgh Penguins Recchi said last year. “His hockey IQ is very high. … He’s just a very smart player, a very competitive player and he fits right in with this group of guys, who just want to win.”

Penguins trade Olli Maatta to Blackhawks for Dominik Kahun and a draft The Finnish defenseman, who debuted in 2013, played 362 regular- pick season games with the Penguins, scoring 25 goals with 82 assists and a plus-61 rating.

MATT VENSEL In 69 playoff games, Maatta had 21 points and a plus-21 rating. That included a pair of big goals in the 2017 Eastern Conference finals against JUN 15, 2019 8:33 PM Ottawa.

Despite those contributions, Maatta was never the top-pairing defender they hoped he might become when they grabbed him with the 22nd pick Olli Maatta was the odd man out on the Pittsburgh blue line for the final in 2012. three games of their swift first-round playoff loss against the New York Islanders. Maatta made the occasional comical gaffe and his skating held him back, especially as his NHL peers seemingly got faster and faster and faster Now Maatta is the odd man out as the Penguins attempt to retool their every year. His skating struggles were not for a lack of effort, though. roster and create salary cap space before the start of NHL free agency Maatta was one of the hardest-working Penguins, often among the last on July 1. ones off the ice after practice. Maatta, a 2012 first-round draft pick and two-time Stanley Cup champion Maatta, still a youngster, now will get a chance to bounce back with with the Penguins, was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for young Chicago. forward Dominik Kahun. The Penguins also acquired a 2019 fifth-round pick in the Saturday trade. The Penguins, meanwhile, hope to get better by adding Kahun, a fifth- round lottery ticket and a few million dollars of cap space. We’ll see what After suffering a shoulder injury in February, Maatta returned late in the they do with it. regular season and was in the lineup for Game 1 against the Islanders, with Jack Johnson surprisingly sitting. Maatta had a rough night in that Post Gazette LOADED: 06.16.2019 loss and became a healthy scratch in favor of Johnson. It was Maatta’s last game with the Penguins.

Maatta later admitted he was disappointed with how his season ended.

Asked about the possibility of getting traded, he said, “You try not to think about that. All you can do is go and have a good summer. Whatever happens, happens.”

The trade leaves the Penguins with just 10 players under contract who appeared in a playoff game during their most recent run to the Stanley Cup two years ago.

Maatta has three years left on his contract with an annual cap hit of $4,083,333. Kahun, 23, will make $925,000 in 2019-20 and be a restricted free agent after.

While the trade gives the Penguins more financial flexibility, they are also scoring an intriguing young forward in Kahun, who is listed at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds.

Kahun, a native of the who signed with the Blackhawks last May, recorded 13 goals and 24 assists as a rookie this past season while appearing in 82 games. He did most of that damage at 5-on-5, often skating next to Jonathan Toews or Alex DeBrincat on one of Chicago’s top two lines.

Kahun finished the season plus-10, tops among all Blackhawks forwards.

Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Phil Kessel makes his way out of the locker room Thursday, April 18, 2019, at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.

“Dominik had a great rookie season with the Blackhawks,” Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said in a statement. “He is a speedy, versatile player capable of playing all three forward positions. He also saw time on Chicago’s power play and penalty killing units. We are very excited for him to join our team.”

The fifth-round pick gives the Penguins six selections heading into next weekend’s NHL draft. They do not possess any picks in the second or third rounds.

The trade of Maatta could mean that Johnson, who would have been sent to the Minnesota Wild last month had Phil Kessel not nixed that trade, remains with the Penguins. The veteran had a minus-7 rating last season, including playoffs.

Maatta, a hard worker and respected teammate, has crammed two decades worth of highs and lows into the first seven years of his career. He made his NHL debut at age 19 and has never left. He beat cancer in 2014 and overcame significant injuries. He has his name on the Stanley Cup twice. And now he’s been traded.

“It does feel like he’s been around forever. People forget he’s only 24. He’s still growing, still getting better,” Penguins assistant coach Mark 1147101 Pittsburgh Penguins “PLAYERS SIMPLY DON’T MAKE THE LEAP FROM THE GERMAN LEAGUE TO THE NHL, BUT KAHUN — WHO CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF SEVERAL NHL TEAMS WITH HIS PERFORMANCE IN What the Olli Maatta trade says about the Penguins’ — and Phil Kessel’s THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AND THE OLYMPICS — PULLED — future OFF THE FEAT WITH SURPRISING EASE. HE IMMEDIATELY SLIPPED INTO A TOP-SIX ROLE, FIRST FINDING CHEMISTRY WITH ALEX DEBRINCAT AND THEN SHOWING OFF HIS VERSATILITY BY PLAYING ON ALL FOUR LINES, IN BOTH OFFENSIVE AND Rob Rossi DEFENSIVE ROLES. HE’S NOT GOING TO SET THE WORLD ON FIRE OFFENSIVELY — AND A COUPLE WEEKS SHY OF HIS 24TH BIRTHDAY, PERHAPS HE NEVER WILL — BUT HE HAS GOOD Everything the Penguins do these days is not about winger Phil Kessel. VISION (OF HIS 24 ASSISTS, 17 WERE PRIMARIES), DECENT Not officially, anyway. SPEED AND CAN HANDLE HIMSELF IN HIS OWN END. HE WAS A REGULAR ON THE BLACKHAWKS’ LITTLE-USED SECOND POWER- Their latest move — the acquisition of Dominik Kahun, an inexpensive PLAY UNIT. OVERALL, HE’S A USEFUL, MIDDLE-SIX PLAYER WHO young forward, and a draft pick in exchange for Olli Maatta, a more costly CAN PLAY A NUMBER OF ROLES. THE BLACKHAWKS WERE IN NO veteran defenseman — does address a couple of needs no matter what HURRY TO TRADE HIM, BUT WITH EUROPEAN IMPORTS DOMINIK becomes of Kessel during the offseason. KUBALIK AND ANTON WEDIN EXPECTED TO BE IN THE NHL And keeping Kessel, which general manager Jim Rutherford recently told LINEUP RIGHT AWAY, FORWARD WAS A POSITION OF STRENGTH The Athletic he was open to doing, would fit with the Penguins’ plan to FOR THEM TO TRY TO LEVERAGE INTO IMPROVING THEIR again chase the Stanley Cup with a roster that favors skill and speed. BRUTAL BLUE LINE.”

“Heavy hockey,” a hallmark of the St. Louis Blues’ Cup run, isn’t all that — MARK LAZERUS, THE ATHLETIC CHICAGO enticing to Rutherford. “He had a good first year,” Rutherford said of Kahun. “He was signed as “It’s a mix of both,” Rutherford said of styles proven to be successful over a center and moved to wing, which is something you’ve seen from a lot of the past half-decade. “But if I was picking, and I am, I’d still pick a high- my own players over the years. But he can play all three forward tempo game for us.” positions. He’s an exceptional skater and has good hands, (and) incredible skill. Kessel remains a strong skater with elite skill. Rutherford said those attributes fit into his blueprint for returning the Penguins to championship “If you get a player like that, and he can move up and down your lineup, it contention after they have lost two of their past three playoff series. gives Sully some versatility that I think we need.”

“I don’t see the core players on our team on a decline,” Rutherford said. Also, the Penguins didn’t need all the defensemen they had working on “But like I said at the end of our season, we have to figure out how to get one-way contracts, which was just bad luck for a respected defenseman better team chemistry.” who has known his share of misfortune.

To that end, Rutherford disputed that Kessel and coach Mike Sullivan Maatta, whose NHL career began when he was the second first-round cannot co-exist, even as he conceded they were not always on the same pick by the Penguins at the 2012 draft staged in Pittsburgh, had been page the past two seasons — specifically regarding Kessel’s preference presumed the likely odd-man out dating to at least last summer. Moving to play on a line with center Evgeni Malkin. him, though, was not an easy choice for Rutherford.

“He’s been a good player, and I don’t think he’s caused chaos,” “I have a special affection for Olli. He’s as good a guy as you can find,” Rutherford said of Kessel. “Certainly there were times when there have Rutherford said. “He’s a good player, too. Gone through a lot of adversity been differing opinions. But he’s always come out the next game and and has worked hard to get through it.” played. Maatta had already undergone two surgeries to the same shoulder, a “Look, I really respect Phil. I like Phil, and so does Sully. There were procedure to remove a cancerous thyroid tumor and dealt with the times they had different opinions. There were times when they won two mumps when he signed a six-year extension in February 2016. Under Cups, too. This is a player who steps up. So, it can absolutely work with terms of that deal, which has three years remaining, Maatta counted Phil coming back. $4.083 million against the cap.

“It can be done.” For most of the past three years, the Penguins could live with such a cap hit because Maatta was regularly playing as one of their top-six No matter Kessel’s future with the Penguins, Rutherford wanted to guard defensemen when healthy. However, Rutherford last summer added against the aging of his top offensive stars — Kessel, Malkin, winger defensemen Jack Johnson, Marcus Pettersson and Eric Gudbranson — Patric Hornqvist and captain Sidney Crosby are all in their 30s — and the and there was more of a market for Maatta, still only 24, than Johnson, injuries and/or scoring slumps that often coincide with players who have whom the Penguins tried to make part of a proposed deal in May with the spent at least a decade in the NHL. Minnesota Wild that also involved Kessel.

Though he played in 82 games last season, Kessel scored only 10 goals “Certainly, this move takes pressure off as we find out what the cap is in his final 43 contests. Hornqvist (4) and Malkin (9) also did not going to be,” Rutherford said. contribute many goals after New Year’s Day, though each player missed games due to injuries. Crosby tallied only four goals in his last 15 games. The cap has been projected to set at $83 million for next season. The CapFriendly website lists the Penguins at $76.625 million after this trade. Rutherford said his offseason objective is to restore balance to the Penguins’ offense. His takeaway from the postseason was that depth Rutherford said the trade involving Maatta came together late this past scoring was the one element that linked Cup clubs that won with different week. Adding a second fifth-round pick in what his scouts have assessed styles, such as the speedier Penguins from 2016-17 and the more a deep draft was a bonus. bruising Capitals and Blues of the past two seasons. Restocking the Penguins’ prospect system is not his current priority, Only 23, Kahun is coming off a rookie season during which he scored 13 though. Notably, Rutherford did not rule out more trades — including one goals and 37 points and played in every game for the Chicago involving the Penguins’ first-round pick — before the NHL Draft that Blackhawks. With only modest improvement upon that production, he opens Friday in Vancouver. would be a big bargain for the Penguins at a $925,000 salary-cap hit next “Our priority certainly is to be in a win-now mode,” Rutherford said. “We season. have to continuously look at that.” The Penguins acquired Dominik Kahun, seen here in a March 13 game The Athletic LOADED: 06.16.2019 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, from the Blackhawks in a trade Saturday. (Dan Hamilton / USA Today) A scouting report on Kahun: 1147102 San Jose Sharks

NHL rumors: Sharks have made Erik Karlsson massive contract offer

Dalton Johnson

June 15, 2019 2:32 PM

The Sharks fell short in their Stanley Cup bid this season, and they now have some serious business to take care of this offseason.

It all starts with the team's pursuit in keeping star defenseman Erik Karlsson.

The Sharks have been working toward a contract extension for Karlsson, and they reportedly now have made an offer. SportsNet's Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday that "it is believed they’ve [the Sharks] made him an offer that will challenge, if not surpass, Drew Doughty’s extension from last summer."

The L.A. Kings made Doughty the NHL's highest-paid defenseman last summer when they signed him to an eight-year, $88 million contract.

Not only did Friedman report the Sharks already have offered Karlsson, but he believes the team has a serious chance at bringing him back to San Jose for the long term.

"Conversations have intensified, and I think they’ve got a shot," Friedman wrote.

Karlsson had dinner with Sharks general manager on Wednesday night in Santa Clara, The Athletic's Kevin Kurz reported. A Facebook user in a Sharks fan group posted a picture with Karlsson and Wilson from the restaurant, and it later surfaced on the Sharks' fan-run subreddit.

The Sharks acquired Karlsson in a blockbuster trade with the Senators on the eve of training camp. He played 53 games in his first year as a Shark and scored 45 points -- three goals and 42 assists.

Karlsson battled injuries all season long, and he clearly was hobbled in the playoffs before missing the Sharks' season-ending loss in Game 6 of the Western Conference final to the eventual Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues. He aggravated his injured groin in Game 4, and played just 10:32 in Game 5.

While Karlsson’s first go in San Jose didn't go as planned, the Sharks clearly want him to stay in the Bay.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147103 St Louis Blues “It’s a great story,” he said. “Even for young kids: Don’t give up.”

“The energy is incredible,” said Grellner, 47. “It’s something that can bring people from all walks of life together. ... For St. Louis, I think that’s Blues wave overtakes downtown as fans celebrate their team something we need.”

Blues jerseys and flags were visible all along the route; chants filled the Colleen Schrappen, Bryce Gray and Jesse Bogan air in some places: “We got the Cup! We got the Cup!”

People came together even as their fanaticism inspired them to find ways to stand out — in blue and yellow leis, painted faces and “Gloria” gear. Intermittent rain was no match for the blue wave — and the Blues wave They were blowing horns, climbing lampposts and batting beach balls — that swept down Market Street on Saturday, overflowing onto the overhead. Gateway Arch grounds where the sea of fans roared for their championship hockey heroes. Brandon Breault fully committed with a baby-blue leisure suit circa 1970, set off with a cowboy hat and boots. He got a little warm during the walk If only the muddy Mississippi River would have run blue. from his home in Lafayette Square despite the cooler than usual temperature. Perhaps next year. Leisure suit “It’s amazing to look out and see all this blue,” David Lawrence, 37, an off-duty security officer from Godfrey who was among more than 100,000 But it was totally worth it, he said. people in the festive crowd. Authorities did not release an official estimate. Breault, 32, wore it in honor of his dad, the suit’s original owner, and to mark the last time the Blues were in the Stanley Cup Final. He said seeing the Stanley Cup paraded through downtown was a “dream come true.” “It’s been 50 years. It just made sense,” said Breault of the vintage threads and the Blues’ victory. Others on the route that stretched from 18th Street to Broadway were able to do more than just see the Cup. Public transportation and traffic were jammed up coming into downtown. By the time the parade started, the route and rally site were packed with “We actually got to touch it,” said Dan Albers, a retired UPS driver who people, sometimes 30 deep. came back to St. Louis from Florida for the festivities. “It was surreal. I am 57. I didn’t think this would ever happen.” The St. Louis police color guard led off, followed by marching bands, a fleet of Zambonis and Louie the mascot shaking his hips atop a blue van. The party — which officially started at noon but had been building since Then the big guns: Coach Craig Berube, hockey legend Bobby Plager, the Game 7 win Wednesday night — was equal to the accomplishment. superfan Laila Anderson. In early January, the Blues were in last place. This wasn’t supposed to be the year. And finally, the team. The ones who got it done.

“This is another notch on the belt where everyone underestimates us, Leilani Hafley, 80, of Wildwood, made a beeline through the wall of and we rise up,” said Jahi Eskridge, 28, of University City, after playing revelers to take pictures of some players: the goalie and “that other guy.” trombone on stage during newly retired national anthem singer Charles In her excitement, she was briefly separated from her family. When Glenn’s musical performance. reunited, the family figured out the other player’s name: MVP Ryan Randy Sapienza, 36, of St. Louis, said from under the Arch that he O’Reilly. estimated that the crowd of “diehards” was larger than when the But all Hafley got for her trouble were pictures of other people taking Cardinals won the World Series in 2011. “This is the biggest party St. pictures. Regardless, she was glad to be at the celebration in honor of Louis has ever seen,” he said. her brother, who died five years ago.

For Ben Munson, of O’Fallon, Mo., losing a night’s sleep was not too big “He was such a huge fan. He’d grab you in a head hold and beat you up a sacrifice to provide his 5-year-old son with a close-up view of the team. (kindly) if they made a goal,” Hafley said.

Munson had planned to come downtown at the crack of dawn when he Kevin Coughlin, 53, of south St. Louis County, said he saw every game heard on the 10 o’clock news Friday night that Kiener Plaza was already of the season. He grew up in Belleville playing street hockey and filling up. So he left his sleeping wife to stake out a place on the sidewalk listening to Dan Kelly announce the games on the radio. in front of Stifel Theatre. “I love the Cardinals but the Blues take precedence,” he said from his At first, it was him and his chair. As night wore into morning, he met his perch in Kiener Plaza. He loves the beauty of the pass and shot, as well new neighbors. One of them was Bob Pinkley. He arrived from Crystal as the teamwork. City with a crew of 15. His group doubled by midmorning and huddled under a tan pop-up tent during a quick rain shower. “There’s a lot that goes into the game,” he said. And being a fan has come with plenty of heartbreak over the years. The Pinkley group “Seeing them go this far, you understand how hard it is to win the whole “We wanted to make sure we were on the front row to see the guys who thing,” Coughlin said. won. I’ve been waiting my whole life for this Cup,” said Pinkley, who was born in 1967, the same year as the Blues. The Chungs await start of parade

Lifelong Blues fan Mark Robinson, of Kirkwood, arrived at the Arch Rhonda Rizzo, 55, fell in love the with Blues about the same time she fell grounds at 8 a.m. with his wife. Their children, who live out of town, in love with her husband, Jim Rizzo, 52. He took her to her first game expected them to be there. when they started dating in the 1980s, and she has been a fan since.

“And we can send them pictures,” he said. “It’s just exciting,” said Jim Rizzo, of Webster Groves. “St. Louis is always getting a bad rap for stuff.” Robinson said the parade atmosphere was an extension of the playoff watch parties — a shared experience. “This makes us proud to be in St. Louis,” said his friend, Vikki Sanders.

“There was absolutely this sort of collective bond, where you were As the Blues rolled by, many fans yelled “thank you” and hugging people you didn’t even know,” he said of the two-month-long “congratulations,” sentiments that were returned by the players, who postseason run. tapped their chests and pointed back to the crowd.

Cody Fulkerson and Amanda Grellner woke up at 5:30 a.m. to drive from Players hopped in and out of firetrucks, convertibles and pickups, taking their home in Linn, Mo., near Jefferson City. Fulkerson said he couldn’t selfies, spraying beer and prompting the crowd with the familiar three have envisioned this ending to the season, especially with the Blues chimes that always led to a bellow of “Let’s go, Blues!” mired in the NHL cellar in early January. Todd Medley, 47, of Festus, cheered for all of it. The bands, the staff, the heroes of his youth: Bernie Federko, Brett Hull, Al MacInnis.

He held his 5-year-old, Jaden, while 10-year-old Camden whipped around a rally towel and hollered for the next generation of heroes: Jordan Binnington, Vladimir Tarasenko, Brayden Schenn.

“It’s everything I thought it would be,” said Medley, his eyes brimming with tears. “It feels real now.”

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147104 St Louis Blues So looking back on it for me, I was really proud of my second half, off the ice and on the ice. I feel like I still definitely pitched in.”

Binnington was glad to get the help. Jake Allen took the high road in handling the Binnington phenomenon “He’s been incredible,” Binnington said. “I’ve known Jake for a number of years now being in the organization. He’s always been good to me. His Jim Thomas work ethic is really respectable, and he’s a great goaltender. I think the team is confident in either one of us. He’s a great mentor for me and goalie partner, also.”

He could have complained, sulked, pouted. He could have done nothing Although it wasn’t in the ideal manner, Allen at least can say he played in to help. It wouldn’t have been the first time someone in his situation a Stanley Cup Final. After Binnington gave up a fifth goal in that 7-2 reacted in such fashion. defeat, Allen came in to stop the bleeding midway through the second period of Game 3. He played 24 minutes 28 seconds, with the Blues There were a lot of ways Jake Allen could have handled the Jordan pulling the goalie for 3:20. Binnington phenomenon. He chose the high road. He didn’t have to. But he helped Binnington when he could. He stayed ready. And he enjoyed “It was pretty cool for me,” he said. “I tried to enjoy the moment, the ride, even if his view was from the back seat. especially the last few minutes of the game. When the game was over, I’m looking around and it’s a pretty cool feeling.” “It’s not even a hockey thing,” Allen said. “It’s just about having the right mentality in the situation you’re in. If I was in that situation, I’d be hoping But what about next year? Will Allen ask for a trade, or be content to someone else would be doing the same for me.” enter the season as Binnington’s backup? Conversely, are the Blues interested in having Allen around as a high-priced backup? He has two Not everyone does that. years left on a contract that counts $4.35 million against the salary cap “Yeah, there’s goalies that you played with that sometimes want you to both years. do bad so they can get in the net,” he said. “I’ve never thought a thing about that,” Allen said before Game 1 of the Allen didn’t choose that path. Cup Final. “I’m enjoying this ride.”

On Jan. 8, Allen started and took a 3-1 loss to Dallas at homer. It would But once the Blues’ victory parade comes and goes down Market Street be his last home appearance until mop-up duty in Game 3 of the Stanley on Saturday and the festivities on the Arch grounds conclude, the ride Cup Final — a 7-2 loss to Boston in which Binnington was pulled in the officially is over. And it’s something general manager second period. definitely will think about in the coming weeks.

So nearly five months between games at Enterprise Center. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.16.2019

In his first NHL start, Binnington had registered a 3-0 victory in Philadelphia the night before that Dallas game. With lots of back-to-backs over the remainder of the season, Allen became a road specialist.

He played very well, with a 2.21 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in 12 road starts over the rest of the regular season. But Binnington was spectacular, leading the Blues into the playoffs and eventually to the Stanley Cup.

“He’s been the best goalie in the league since he took over, and he’s very deserving of everything he’s gotten so far,” Allen said at the start of the Cup Final. “For me, it’s been a pleasure to watch.”

Allen always knew Binnington had the skill to be a top-flight goalie. But there are lots of good goalies in the American Hockey League just waiting for a chance. Binnington finally got his, and made the most of it.

“He’s got strong confidence and belief in himself,” Allen said. “You can see that in his play. You can see that in just the way he handles himself. I think he’s matured a lot ever since I first met him as a kid. And it just translated on the ice as well.”

Allen never lost his desire to be the guy in net. He’s only 28, still in his prime athletic years.

He was the Blues’ primary goalie the previous three seasons. He has appeared in four playoff series himself, and with 136 regular-season wins trails only Mike Liut (151) and Curtis Joseph (137) in franchise history.

“You always think about it,” Allen said. “I’d be lying if I said I never did. But I understand where I’m at. I understand my position. I bought into that a while ago, before the playoffs.

“I’m a realist, and I understand the business of this game. So probably mid-March I sat back and I took my role. I understood. I would be ready when called upon. I thought I had a really great second half of the season. It’s probably some of the best hockey I’ve ever played. But ‘Binner,’ he’s just been unbelievable. He’s the best goalie in the league. And I just bit the bullet and said: ‘All right, this is something special.’ I knew we had a good group here. It’s been amazing.”

So Allen helped however he could. He tried to provide leadership. He remembers Blues veterans helping him when he first came up to the big club from the AHL, in 2012.

“My mentality in the second half was to be a good person and play well every single (chance) in the net,” he said. “And I really thought I did that. 1147105 St Louis Blues Armstrong. Tarasenko and his shoulder are on that list. So is Alexander Steen.)

Many GMs would have pulled the plug on the Blues by December. A Armstrong parades Blues in the right direction with bold actions and vocal portion of the fans once wanted the team to, “Lose for Hughes.” patience The grassroots movement encouraged Armstrong to tank toward improved chances of drafting prized prospect Jack Hughes.

Ben Frederickson Months later, Hughes was the guest of the league at one of the Blues’ Stanley Cup Final games. Surreal. Armstrong also resisted calls to make major moves at the trade deadline, instead deciding to let the team’s improving chemistry build. With chaos all around him, he has been quiet and calm. “The reality is, I never thought I was as dumb as people thought I was in On Wednesday, bottles of Bud Light were being emptied to his left and December, and I’m not nearly as smart as people think we are now,” right as he stood near the edge of the TD Garden ice and watched, Armstrong said “It takes a village, and these guys all did such great work. hands in his pockets, soaking it in as others sucked down suds. There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes.” On Thursday, up on the deck at OB Clark’s bar in Brentwood, he raised a Armstrong nodded toward a group of front-office workers who were beer to toast the fans who had gathered below. celebrating on the ice, Stanley Cup championship hats atop their heads. On Friday, he arrived at the Blues team store in the Enterprise Center to “That’s what makes me excited,” he said. buy some Stanley Cup championship gear, then stood in line to buy it like one of us. Many GMs are wishing they would have given a shot to Berube. Too late. He became just the seventh coach in NHL history to take over a team Doug Armstrong is taking time to enjoy this, even if he refuses to put during the season then win the Stanley Cup. On the fly, “Chief” changed himself in the middle of it. a team’s character. It was Berube who delivered on Armstrong’s “We are going into uncharted water again now,” the Blues’ president of challenge for the Blues to rediscover their blue-collar brand. It was hockey operations and general manager said after the club’s Game 7 Armstrong who resisted the urge to rush a coaching search before he win. “When I first got to St. Louis, I was surprised at how much anger found out what Berube could do. was built up with the fan base of not winning. I remember saying that to He will not be slow to extend Berube. Right? someone. Why are we blaming this group for something that did not happen in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s? But after 11 years, you become part of “No, we’re going to let him go,” Armstrong joked. “Of course we are going that fabric. Now it’s nice not to be part of that, but part of something to get it taken care of. We are going to have to get down to work pretty special.” soon.”

The well-documented history of the Blues’ shortcomings is just that now. But first, the parade St. Louis has spent nearly 52 years imagining. History. The same can be said for the sludge this edition of the Blues marched through. On Saturday, Armstrong will not draw the loudest cheers, and he’s more than OK with that. Here’s something to think about as his portion of the How many of those beer-drinking players on Wednesday could have parade floats by. been traded? How many of those celebrating fans on Thursday once thought Armstrong should be fired? How long were the lines to buy Blues Since he officially became the team’s GM before the 2010-11 season, gear six months ago? the Blues are tied (with the Bruins, ironically) for third-most regular season wins (403). The Blues now are one of the six teams to win the If it was Armstrong who got the Blues into this season’s mess, it was Cup during that span. And with the bulk of the roster coming back, with a Armstrong who led them out. Which part will you remember, the coach and a goalie in place, the Blues aren’t exactly going anywhere. beginning or the end? Uncharted territory, indeed. “There was a lot of white noise around our team at different times during the year,” Armstrong said. “It could have been easy to go the wrong St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.16.2019 direction. There were a lot of people questioning our whole organization. My leadership. The players’ leadership. The coaches’ leadership. I’m a little bit older now. I just want to reflect on what it means to these guys, and be a part of it.”

At this time last year, Armstrong and Blues owner Tom Stillman were in the process of making a series of moves that announced championship expectations. The Blues welcomed the hype. It turned on them.

After packing Ballpark Village for an ice-breaker event, the team flopped in its regular-season home opener and remained down, stumbling to a mark of 7-9-3 before Armstrong made the decision to fire Mike Yeo and promote Craig Berube to interim coach. Berube turned to rookie goalie Jordan Binnington. The Blues won 11 in a row during a stretch that defined their season. Armstrong saw a good thing rolling and let it ride.

The Blues no longer are the NHL team waiting the longest for its first championship. Their worst-to-first climb deserves a movie. Armstrong was the director who wrote the script, knew when to adjust it on the fly — and perhaps most importantly, understood when it was time to stand back and watch. That’s what he did during playoff games, with the collar of his jacket turned high, often munching nervously on Swedish Fish candy.

Many GMs are wishing they would have traded for Ryan O’Reilly. Too late. Armstrong prioritized the forward after the Blues were stiff-armed by free agent John Tavares.

Armstrong never let the false narrative about O’Reilly — good player on a team that can’t win big — give him pause. O’Reilly became the Blues’ most consistent player. His work ethic inspired teammates. And on the biggest stage, he shined, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy despite playing with cracked ribs. (He wasn’t the only one playing hurt, per 1147106 St Louis Blues

Heavy broadcast coverage of Blues' downtown celebrations on tap today

Dan Caesar

If you don't want to fight what are expected to be massive crowds downtown today for the Blues' Stanley Cup championship celebrations, there are plenty of alternative viewing options.

Fox Sports Midwest, the team's local television home, three local over- the-air stations and NHL Network all plan to show the parade and ensuing speeches from a stage under the Gateway Arch. The events are to begin at noon and run until about 3 p.m.

KTVI (Channel 2), KMOV (Channel 4) and KSDK (Channel 5) are set to carry the festivities. It's a relatively easy move for channels 4 and 5, which had not significant programming already planned. But Channel 2 was to be carrying the U.S. Open, one of golf's major tournaments. So it will show Fox's coverage of that event from 11 a.m. until noon, then move it to sister station KPLR (Channel 11) to carry the hockey hoopla. It will return to golf at about 3 o'clock.

Each outlet can have its own version of parade coverage, using its own reporters and commentators, though KTVI and NHL Network plan to simulcast Fox Sports Midwest's production.

But the telecast of the stage presentation at the Arch will be a pool feed to be used by all stations showing the event, though they can add their own commentary.

Most of the stations also plan to show the coverage on their streaming outlets.

RADIO REPORT

KMOX (1120 AM) wraps up its latest run as the team's radio home with extensive coverage of the festivities, beginning at 11 a.m. Ron Jacober, who retired in 2014 after a long run at the station following a lengthy stint at KSDK, is being brought back to augment the reporting. His time at KMOX included doing some Blues play-by-play.

WXOS (101.1 FM) officially becomes the team's flagship station on July 1, and also has a lot of live coverage of today's events planned.

Meanwhile, it has been a rollicking finish for the Blues at KMOX, which has had the team for 42 of its 51 years.

"It's a heck of a way to end it," KMOX program director Steve Moore said.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147107 St Louis Blues Brad Marchand had a sprained hand, aggravated in the team’s pre-Cup scrimmage, and groin and abdominal injuries.

Meanwhile, the future of David Backes is uncertain, as are his feelings Blues notebook: Sanford's big goal in Game 7 was 'for my dad' about seeing the team he captained and played for much of his career win the Cup.

Tom Timmermann “It’s a swirl and a whirlwind of emotions that I haven’t fully gripped, and I don’t know if I will in the near future,” he told the Boston Globe. “I don’t know if my situation and all of the extra layers helps or hurts.”

It's all or nothing for the Blues in Game 7 Backes has two years to go on his contract and is a prime candidate to be bought out of the deal. When Zach Sanford scored for the Blues with 4:38 to go in the third period of Game 7 on Wednesday night, the goal was huge. It pretty much DRAFT CENTRAL ended any chance of a comeback by the Boston Bruins, who now trailed 4-0. Even the most pessimistic Blues fan at that point could accept the The NHL announced the order for the draft, which will begin at 7 p.m. inevitable, that the Blues were going to win the Stanley Cup. Friday. (This is what happens when you go to the Stanley Cup Final. The offseason happens very fast.) The second through seventh rounds start What went through Sanford’s mind was totally different: “It’s for my dad.” Saturday at noon.

Sanford’s father, Michael, died suddenly shortly before the Blues’ season The Blues sent their first-round pick to Buffalo in the Ryan O’Reilly trade, began. On the day after the Blues’ first exhibition game, Sanford woke to and that ended up being the last pick of the first round, No. 31. The Blues messages from his sister telling him his father had had a heart attack in will have the last pick in each round, which means their first pick, barring his sleep. Before Sanford could get home to see him, his father had died. a trade, will be No. 62.

“He always dreamed of this for me,” Sanford said. “I wish I could share it They have their third-round pick, No. 93, but traded their fourth-round with him. He’s definitely watching up there and definitely smiling ear to pick, No. 124, to Toronto for . They’ll pick at No. 155 in ear. . . . I think he had a lot to do with this year. It’s pretty awesome. the fifth round, won’t have a sixth-round pick after trading that to Anaheim for Michael Del Zotto, then will close out the draft with pick 217. “I just wish he could be here. But he’s definitely watching. He’s proud. He sacrificed so much over the years, along with my mom, to make me the General manager Doug Armstrong could try to move up in the draft. But person and player I am. They dedicated their lives to this. This is the without a first-round pick, choosing high in the first round would require ultimate goal — it’s nice to have it pay off, and it’s nice to have it pay off them to move a significant name. and be able to share this with them.” St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.16.2019 If Oskar Sundqvist hadn’t been suspended for Game 3, Sanford might never have gotten the chance. He hadn’t played since Game 3 of the Winnipeg series, six weeks before getting into Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

He did well enough there than when Sundqvist came back, Sanford stayed in and Robby Fabbri came out. Sanford had points in four of the five games in which he played in the Final and was a plus-5, with a goal and three assists.

To make the win even more poignant, Sanford won the Stanley Cup facing the team that he grew up rooting for — he was born in Salem, Mass., and raised in New Hampshire.

“It’s pretty surreal,” he said. “It’s funny how things work like this and you get to win it close to your home. . . . Our team is great. I owe it all to my teammates and coaches and family for the support and giving me the confidence to come in. I was pretty nervous at first, but they backed me up and believed in me and I owe it to them.”

The Sanford family rooted for the Bruins for years, and his mother had to make a switch of allegiances for the series.

“I don’t know, but I think she’s got it right now,” he said. “That’s all that matters. I think there’s a lot of people back home who switched from Bruins to Blues fans this series, and their support has been awesome. Everyone’s been great.”

OUCH

The Bruins had their locker clean-out day Friday, which is the day when everyone admits the injuries they didn’t want to mention over the previous two months.

Defenseman Zdeno Chara confirmed that his jaw was fractured in multiple places in Game 4 and he would have a five- to six-week recovery period. At present, he has wires and plates holding it together. He said he wanted to come back in that game — he sat on the bench in the third period — but deferred to doctors who said no. But he was back for the final two contests.

In other pain and suffering, forward David Pastrnak aggravated a thumb injury in the second round and defenseman John Moore will need shoulder surgery. Defenseman Kevan Miller suffered a fractured kneecap at the end of the regular season and was trying to get back for the Final but had a setback during the East final and needed another operation.

Forward Noel Acciari, who was dumped to the ice by Tyler Bozak in a key moment in Game 5, suffered a broken sternum in the second round. 1147108 St Louis Blues ”I was starting to wonder,” Korte said as he waved a towel while standing on a ledge, straining to see the parade. “A lot of disappointments. They’ve had some good teams and they always let us down.”

They packed MetroLink and stood in the rain. These fans came to Not this time. celebrate the Stanley Cup. ”This is bigger than the World Series,” he said.

As part of 9-year-old Owen Pfeffer’s birthday, his parents, Jeremy and JOSEPH BUSTOS Monica Pfeffer, both 37, brought their son and his 11-year-old sister, JUNE 15, 2019 03:59 PM Lydia, to the parade so they could see the Stanley Cup.

The Edwardsville family delayed a party at the Edge in Belleville to make the championship celebration part of their day. ST. LOUIS “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, at least for us,” Jeremy Pfeffer said. Greg Schoemehl, of St. Louis, started his camp out in downtown St. “The Stanley Cup is the hardest championship to win.” Louis at 2 a.m. Saturday to make sure he had a good spot for the parade along Market Street. Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 06.16.2019

But that wait was nothing compared to how long the 63-year-old, and the rest of the region, waited for the St. Louis Blues to capture their first Stanley Cup.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, and I want to be part of it,” Schoemehl said. “It’s like that first kiss, you’ll never forget it.”

Schoemehl was one of the tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, of fans to celebrate the team’s 2019 Stanley Cup championship.

They came from all over the St. Louis metropolitan area, some packing MetroLink trains three to four hours before the parade was scheduled to step off from the Enterprise Center.

The Blues defeated the Boston Bruins 4 games to 3, capping off the seven-game series with a 4-1 victory on Wednesday.

During the parade, people blew vuvuzelas and car horns that were accompanied by cheers of “Let’s Go Blues!”

Before and during the parade, the team’s anthem for the year, “Gloria,” played from radio speakers along the route.

Players were slowly driven down Market Street from the Enterprise Center to the Arch in convertibles and pickup trucks. At times, players such as Zach Sanford, Jordan Binnington, Jake Allen, Vince Dunn and Ryan O’Reilly, the series MVP, walked over to the crowd to sign autographs, take selfies, and drink beers.

Rookie goaltender Binnington also drove a scooter for part of the route down Market Street.

Between 7th Street and Broadway, Blues forward and native St. Louisan Patrick Maroon carried and hoisted the cup bringing it to both sides of the street as fans sought to see the trophy. Cars carrying coaches, General Manager Doug Armstrong, the team’s broadcasters and owner, Tom Stillman, were also part of the parade.

Interim Head Coach Craig Berube said he was overwhelmed by the show of support from the fans.

George, 65, and Pam Demetrulias, 63, of Waterloo, were among those to take the MetroLink into St. Louis, which was standing room only as people headed to the parade hours earlier.

“We’ve been Blues fans forever,” Pam Demetrulias said. “We’ve been Blues fans for a long, long time.”

They are former season ticket holders who had to give them up while they used to work an early shift.

“I think it might be happening again,” said Pam Demetrulias, referring to getting season tickets. The couple are now retired.

They watched the game from home on Wednesday night, where they screamed at their television in their basement.

“I got excited when it got down to the last minute,” George Demetrulias said.

While thousands lined the parade route, many thousands more were waiting on the Arch grounds for a rally that followed.

Ryan Korte, a 56-year-old letter carrier from the St. Louis suburb of Belleville, Illinois, said he wasn’t sure he’d ever get to see the Blues win a cup. 1147109 St Louis Blues — John Pertzborn (@PERTZFOX) June 15, 2019

11 AM

Despite the rain, thousands of Blues fans gather to celebrate Stanley The parade route is filling up, even as light rain continues. Cup in St. Louis Parade goers had high praise across Twitter and on the ground for the job MetroLink staff did in getting everyone in and off the trains and to the parade route. MetroLink tweeted: “Thanks for your patience!” JOSEPH BUSTOS AND GARY DOTSON We’re about to watch the STANLEY CUP parade down Market St. Like JUNE 15, 2019 10:41 AM something out of a dream. #LGB pic.twitter.com/n9iKW4hFea

— Michelle Smallmon (@msmallmon) June 15, 2019

ST. LOUIS 10 A.M.

A throng of St. Louis Blues fans descended on downtown Saturday to Crowds began showing up hours earlier. Parade organizers erected tents celebrate the 2019 Stanley Cup Championship — the first in franchise and canopies along Market for people to stand under. Many parade history. goers showed up in rain suits, parkas and toting umbrellas.

The parade began at noon and traveled east down Market Street from Estimates for the crowd have been up to half-a-million people 18th Street to Broadway, to be followed by a rally on the Arch grounds. descending upon downtown St. Louis for the celebration, although the No official crowd estimates have been given, but thousands began lining rain may cut into that number. up as four or more hours before the parade began. Conservative However, the National Weather Service said that after a downpour that estimates would put the crowd at tens of thousands of people — a crowd was expected about an hour before the parade, there was no rain behind that some on Twitter were calling the biggest party in St. Louis’ history. the front for several hours. Predictions were that there would be up to half a million people attending. Metrolink at 9;15 pic.twitter.com/OkAUG2TSzR A crowd mills around in front of Union Station at the conclusion of the parade to celebate the St. Louis Blues winning the Stanley Cup. Jane — Randy Karraker (@RandyKarraker) June 15, 2019 Dotson PROVIDED The St. Louis Blues defeated the Boston Bruins in seven games in the Ryan Korte of Belleville told The Associated Press he wasn’t sure he’d Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday night, capping off the series with a 4-1 ever get to see the Blues win the cup. Not any more. victory in Boston. For long-suffering Blues fans, this is the first championship in the franchise’s 52-year history. “This is bigger than the World Series,” Korte said. Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 06.16.2019 1:30 PM

The Stanley Cup passes by Union Station on Market Street, pulled on a wagon by the Budweiser Clydesdales, marking the end of the parade.

A rally will continue into the afternoon at the Arch grounds.

Um, yeah. This is our city. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/iLux4GFDrb

— Tom Ackerman (@Ackerman1120) June 15, 2019

Blues fan have officially taken over @downtownstlouis! #StanleyCupParade #stlblues pic.twitter.com/Vgrb1EcIaR

— KMOV (@KMOV) June 15, 2019

12 NOON

The parade has begun. Vehicles carrying Blues present and former players head east down Market Street as Thousands cheer. Thousands more are awaiting for a rally at the Arch grounds.

Blues super fan Jon Hamm rides in a float during the St. Louis Stanley Cup parade https://t.co/lNbhALqrTt pic.twitter.com/DnwK4AkNRR

— FOX2now (@FOX2now) June 15, 2019

No words. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/r137ueKs6a

— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) June 15, 2019

11:45 AM

Huge crowds have now gathered for the parade and on the Arch grounds.

Huge crowds assemble for the #StanleyCupParade pic.twitter.com/9QA7B2iFWP

— KMOV (@KMOV) June 15, 2019

11:30 AM

People are bypassing the parade and filling up the Arch grounds. As more people line up along the parade route on Market Street, the sun is beginning to peak through the clouds.

Looking west @StLouisBlues rally stage beneath Gateway arch. @FOX2now @PERTZFOX @RandiNaughton @KHesselFox2 @LisaGHart @DerrionLH @JohnBrownTV @MandyMurpheyTV @FOXSports Live coverage at noon pic.twitter.com/HpeLeaZLu8 1147110 Toronto Maple Leafs sign Mitch Marner first, before he can proceed from there. Without knowing Marner’s salary, preferably before July 1, the Leafs can’t proceed with our pertinent business … Leafs have, by the way, utilized SIMMONS SUNDAY NOTES: Kawhi stays or goes? the Cone of Silence on the Marner negotiations. If stuff comes out, it isn’t come from them. They’re in pure Lamoriello mode now … All has to do now is figure out what to do with Marner, Patrick Marleau, Jake Gardiner, a backup goalie, , Kasperi Kapanen, Nikita Steve Simmons Zaitsev and finish off a coaching staff. No wonder he turned the invite down to go to Oakland for Game 6 of the NBA Finals …Thought it was kind of funny that I read a tweet this week indicating that the Leafs were The Kawhi Leonard guessing game just got more complicated on quietly shopping backup goalie Garret Sparks. They weren’t so quiet Saturday afternoon. when they awkwardly removed Sparks from the dressing room and pushed him away from the team just before the playoffs began, which is And maybe, the odds of Leonard staying with the NBA champion Toronto almost unprecedented in team history … Way back when, when the Raptors tilted ever so slightly in Toronto’s favour after it was reported that Blues were just about the worst team in hockey, Leafs inquired about Los Angeles had acquired Anthony Davis from New Orleans to join what it would take to bring in pending free agent Alex Pietrangelo … Phil LeBron James with the Lakers. Kessel has won a Stanley Cup. Tyler Bozak has won a Stanley Cup. The Lakers have been described as an internal mess since the NBA Does that mean James vanRiemsdyk and Philadelphia are next? … regular season ended. But now, they would be declared favourites to Blues’ Stanley Cup winning coach Craig Berube was part of the player follow the Raptors as NBA champions. package sent to Calgary in the famous one-sided Doug Gilmour trade of 1992 … Really, John Ferguson Jr. deserves a raise as So what does Kawhi do now? Typically, from Las Vegas, he’s not saying. assistant GM, maybe a promotion after all, he traded Tuukka Rask to Boston for Andrew Raycroft. Rask has played more games in goal for the But the word around here all year long has been that three things Bruins anyone in history — and that includes Gerry Cheevers, Eddie motivate Leonard: 1. Winning. 2. Maximizing his money. 3. Living with Johnston, Frankie Brimsek and Tiny Thompson … Actually Rask has and close to family in California. played more games for the Bruins than the legend, Johnny Bower, The Raptors have won a championship. The challenge now is to repeat. played for the Leafs … You’ll need to have a head on a swivel to play They can pay him more than any other team in the NBA and with an against the Washington Capitals now that they have Radko Gudas on additional year. They can’t give him California but a California that defence and Tom Wilson up front. includes the Lakers with Davis and James, might not be what he wants. SCENE AND HEARD LeBron is the best player of this generation, Davis is a current Top 7 NBA Vince Carter was nervous to be introduced at Scotiabank Arena during player and who knows how Leonard might interpret any of this? Game 5 of the NBA Finals. He told more than one person, including A decision has to be made soon. I figured it was certain he was leaving cousin Tracy McGrady, that he wasn’t sure kind of reception he would before the Raptors won. And now that they have, we don’t how if he will receive … Yeah, good idea to give Ross Atkins an extension with the take stock of this Davis trade. Blue Jays, said the baseball front offices in Boston, New York, Houston and Tampa Bay and no one else … Are you starting to think the way I Kawhi had a remarkable playoffs leading the Raptors to an unexpected am, that Milos Raonic’s inability to stay healthy has basically sabotaged championship. He scored the third most playoff points in history — just his professional tennis aspirations? … Rest in peace to the Canadian, behind Michael Jordan and LeBron, probably the two best players ever in Pat Bowlen, owner of the Denver Broncos. No one in the NFL cared the NBA. Had there been a Game 7, he might have set the single season more about the CFL than Pat, who objected to games being played in mark. What we won’t know, until he says something, is whether Davis’ Canada … The notion of trading Nazem Kadri has some substance, move to California means there’s a better chance for Kawhi to stay in considering his playoff history. The big picture idea is less logical. The Toronto. But certainly from the outside you can interpret it that way. Leafs don’t have any depth at centre after John Tavares and Auston THIS AND THAT Matthews without Kadri … Since Mike Babcock last coached in a Stanley Cup Final, Joel Quenneville has made the Cup three times, Mike Years ago, Larry Tanenbaum’s wife asked her husband about selling his Sullivan, Darryl Sutter, Peter DeBoer, Claude Julien, , share in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. She was tired of all the Peter Laviolette have all coached in the Finals twice. losing, the toll it was taking on her husband and the social implications of being associated with teams that had no hope. AND ANOTHER THING

Then Tanenbaum bought the Argos and they won a Grey Cup. And right Where were you in ‘72? That was the sporting moment of my young life, after that Toronto FC won an MLS title, followed by the Marlies winning when people celebrated on the streets after Paul Henderson scored the AHL. He was present for all those championships, celebrating the against the Soviets in the famous Canada-Russia hockey series. That victories. But the big one came Thursday night. The big league was the reference point. Since then, a Ben Johnson win and a Ben championship. At the Oracle Arena, fans were chanting his name. He Johnson disqualification in 1988. The Blue Jays home runs — Roberto was signing autographs. He couldn’t stop beaming. After years of losing Alomar, Ed Sprague, Joe Carter in 1992 and 1993. The Donovan Bailey with the Leafs, Raptors and the soccer team, these are the good times. Saturday nights in Atlanta in 1996. The Golden Goal by Sidney Crosby in Vancouver, 2010. The Canadian moments you remember. Wayne No one is more deserving of them is the chairman of the MLSE himself, Gretzky to Mario Lemieux in 1987. Mike Weir winning the Masters. So who desperately wanted to win for years and didn’t know how to much depends on your age and your sensibilities. And now add to the list accomplish it … Fred VanVleet got one vote for Finals series MVP. The — the Raptors winning and not just that, the way Canada responded to vote came from 85-year-old Hubie Brown, the former coach turned that championship. I was 15 when Henderson scored, 14 when Leon broadcaster. VanVleet had a terrific finals, especially the fourth quarter of McQuay fumbled. Those things never leave you. A new generation now the final game, but MVP, it has to Leonard … Danny Green is a free has its starting point … It even happens in San Francisco bars: When agent. Would you re-sign him? You can’t help but like him. Not sure I’d came out to present the Stanley Cup, the entire bar, sign him …. The best deal the Raptors have going forward – Pascal mostly St. Louis fans, booed Bettman on cue. It’s become tradition, like Siakam under contract for two more years at entry level money … Did throwing toast in the Rocky Horror Picture Show … Happy birthday to you know that Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol were all paid Kurt Browning (53), Bruce Smith (56), Jim Corsi (65), Martin St. Louis more this season than Kawhi was paid by the Raptors? …. The brilliance (44), Lou Brock (80), Jacob deGrom (31), Amari Cooper (25), Walt of Masai Ujiri: If this season didn’t go well, he would lose Kawhi for McKechnie (72) and Antonio Gates (39) … And hey, whatever became of certain in free agency, lose Green, and lose Lowry, Ibaka, Gasol – Lenny Wilkens? almost $80 million in three contracts — at the end of next season. Ujiri took care of this year and if needed, took care of next year. That’s what BLUES’ MERCURIAL MAN great managers do. When the St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup, I couldn’t help but think HEAR AND THERE back to their late general manager Ron Caron. And how much characters like him are missed around the . The Summer of Dubas is a large piece of Ikea furniture, with some parts missing. There’s too much to do and not everything will fit. But he has to Caron, nicknamed The Professor, was lightning in a bottle, mercurial, encyclopedic in his knowledge of professional and amateur players, all with a touch of a French accent in English. And what a story teller. He made every night around the Blues more entertaining than the one before it. He also had a legendary temper, an in-game semi-crazed temper that meant television cameras were always on him and between games he was often apologizing for his actions and passions from the night before.

One time I was interviewing the delightful Caron during a pre-season game at Maple Leaf Gardens. When all of a sudden, something he didn’t like happened on the ice, Caron exploded, swore, stood up and in the tiny Gardens press box, picked up his chair and threw it. Without missing a beat, the Sun’s quick-witted hockey writer Lance Hornby, turned to me and said: “Tough question.”

Ron Caron died in 2012 at the age of 83. How he would cherished this St. Louis season.

He might have even behaved.

STAY OR GO?

The great anticipated summer of NBA Free Agency took a giant step backwards when Kevin Durant tore his Achilles tendon and Klay Thompson blew out of his knee. So much of the talk had Durant heading east to the New York Knicks to build his own team around him while Thompson had been rather clear about wanting to stay with Steph Curry in Golden State.

And now what?

Durant probably won’t play next season and if he does play it won’t be for more than a month. Thompson is in the same situation. But reports out of ESPN, where just about all basketball reports begin, have the Warriors wanting to sign both Durant and Thompson to maximum contracts in dollars and five-year terms.

That would mean the Warriors would be willing to pay $82 million next season to two players who won’t likely play more than 10 games apiece, if they’re able to play that many games at all.

Give the Warriors credit for loyalty for wanting to stick with Durant and Thompson, when this could be a comfortable way of looking elsewhere. And while they’re paying all that money out, maybe they should look at spending more effectively on their medical staff. The Durant injury came from an asinine decision on someone’s behalf. It’s impossible to know if Thompson’s injury was in any way connected to the hamstring injury he suffered earlier in the Finals. Paying all that money may not be prudent but if they’re going to pay it they have to be smarter on their medical determinations.

BEDLAM AT THE ORACLE

It was bedlam at the Oracle Arena on Thursday night as it is on most championship nights in professional sport. The arena floor gets overcrowded almost immediately following a championship won and suddenly it’s not just teams on the court, it’s families, it’s friends, it’s hangers-on (an NBA phenomenon), it’s media, it’s cameras, and it’s police and security from the event, from the arena, from the city, all apparently working with different rules.

It was in the midst of all that when Masai Ujiri apparently had a confrontation with local authority, for holding his credential and not having it on display.

This, of course, is a great overreaction on a night of too many people, too little room, and far too much confusion. In a lineup to get to the court post-game, I was among many prevented from going forward, even with the proper credentials. I was then in a group of mostly local media who were caught in a mass of people attempting to negotiate a way into the Raptors dressing room. At about the same time, a Raptors team doctor was prevented from entering before media members convinced security that he belonged.

The NHL and the Grey Cup have figured out a way to deal with post championship craziness. The NHL does all its interviews on the ice after the Stanley Cup is won. The Grey Cup does it on the field post game. The Super Bowl, the organizational champion of all sports, has found a method to all this madness. Now it’s the NBA’s turn to take better control of its own event so a winning team president doesn’t have to squabble to celebrate a championship with his own team.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147111 Toronto Maple Leafs There were discussions on a Connor Brown to Edmonton deal during the season, with the rumour being that Matt Benning would be coming the other way. A Brown plus Zaitsev combination for Benning makes some Where will the Maple Leafs trade Nikita Zaitsev? Ranking all 30 potential sense on a number of levels, as it clears considerable cap space for the destinations Leafs ($4.7-million) while giving them an option that will still be able to contribute on either the second or third pair at RD.

Benning has some solid tools that would appeal to Leafs GM Kyle Dubas James Mirtle and is only 25 years old.

Jun 15, 2019 Brown, meanwhile, has a history with Oilers captain Connor McDavid from their days together in junior, and the Oilers are desperate to get

their superstar more options to play with. His $2.1-million cap hit is Let’s start with what we know for certain about the Nikita Zaitsev probably pricing him out of the Leafs lineup, given how tight Toronto’s situation. cap situation is.

The most important thing to keep in mind here is he wants out. Full stop. The other option I could see here is better players being involved. What if It’s not the coach (he likes Mike Babcock) and it’s not his teammates, but instead of Brown, the Leafs included Kasperi Kapanen or Andreas a personal situation that has come up that has led them to this decision. Johnsson in talks? Could that increase the return to someone like Adam Larsson, who would fit wonderfully alongside Morgan Rielly or Jake The reason that is important is Zaitsev has a 10-team no-trade clause Muzzin in a top-four role in Toronto? that kicks in on his contract beginning July 1. Another wrinkle to that is he is owed a $3-million signing bonus on July 1. I think there are a lot of possibilities here that make sense for both organizations. And Edmonton finally has some cap space to manoeuvre If Zaitsev wanted to be selective about where was getting dealt, he could with to pull off a trade like this, where they assume more money but use that no-trade clause to block moves to undesirable locations. And he improve their depth. could make this trade process far more difficult for the Leafs front office. 2. Vancouver My understanding is that will not happen. So the Leafs are not under time pressure here to trade him before July 1, for fear of the no-trade clause Again, I get the groans from Canucks fans. causing an issue. “Toronto media trying to offload more of their bad contracts on us – what Zaitsev then becomes more attractive to some acquiring teams because else is new?” they’ll say. Toronto can pay that $3-million bonus before the trade, leaving an But I think there’s substance here beyond just a Leafs-generated pipe average of $3.9-million in cash to be paid out per year on the remainder dream. of the deal. Vancouver needs experience on defence. And rather than spending a For teams on a budget, that difference will matter more than the $4.5- fortune on someone like Tyler Myers, who is one of the few options on million cap hit. right defence in free agency right now, buying low on Zaitsev could be So the fact Zaitsev wants out for personal reasons works significantly in more attractive given they likely won’t have to give up much in the way of the Leafs favour. What makes a trade more difficult is he’s signed for a assets. long period of time and there really aren’t a lot of teams that make for an SOURCE : THE #CANUCKS HAVE NOT MADE AN OFFER FOR ideal fit for a deal. ZAITSEV YET, THEY HAVE SHOWN INTEREST. ZAITSEV TALKS How many clubs around the NHL, a) have a hole at right defence, b) WILL HEAT UP AT DRAFT. LEAFS WANT A DEFENSEMAN BACK. have cap space to absorb the contract without giving a lot back and c) OILERS SHOWING INTEREST AS WELL AND NO OFFER FROM like Zaitsev in a top-four role? THEM YET.

It’s a fairly small list. — RICK DHALIWAL (@DHALIWALSPORTS) JUNE 13, 2019

In an ideal world, the Leafs would like to get a right-shot defenceman The Canucks have tons of cap space, and it’s become clear that GM Jim back in the trade, for obvious reasons. Their depth chart at the position is Benning wants to try and have his team take a step forward. I wonder if a thin, even with Zaitsev, and prospects like Timothy Liljegren really aren’t plausible trade might include Chris Tanev, with some salary retained, just ready for big minutes in the NHL in 2019-20. Whether or not that’s going to give Toronto some help on right defence at a lower cost and with less to be possible depends on who the trade partner is. term committed.

What follows is my sense of the most likely possible locations for the Tanev has slowed down of late, and has only one year remaining on his Leafs to trade Zaitsev, grouped into three categories: three leading deal, but could act as a bridge to when someone like Liljegren is ready to candidates, 11 maybes and 16 unlikely destinations. Consider this a mix step in for the Leafs. of reporting and informed speculation, with some guesswork involved, I think there’s a fit here with a team that has a lot more cap space to work too. with. The Canucks can use that advantage to get picks or prospects Leading candidates included in the deal while still filling a hole in the top four on their blueline.

1. Edmonton I don’t love the prospect of this trade from their perspective, but you can see why Vancouver’s front office might entertain it. I get the groans from Oilers fans. 3. Anaheim “Toronto media trying to offload more of their bad contracts on us – what else is new?” they’ll say. This one is pretty simple: The Ducks need defencemen. They only have Hampus Lindholm, Cam Fowler and Josh Manson as veteran D under But the reason Edmonton is a good fit here is they have some depth on contract, and Manson’s name has been in trade talks for months around defence, and they’re trying to get stronger up front – specifically on the the league. right wing. The Leafs have depth on right wing and they’re trying to convert some of that into help on right defence. Someone has to play on the blueline for this team. And specifically on the right side, given Lindholm and Fowler are both lefties. This doesn’t have to be a deal with a clear winner and a clear loser, although that depends I suppose on how you feel about Zaitsev’s value. Anaheim’s cap situation is somewhat precarious given they’ve traditionally been a budget team, but if they can find a taker for Corey TRADE DISCUSSIONS WILL HEAT UP IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO Perry and place Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves on long-term injured NEXT WEEKS DRAFT. MENTIONED VANCOUVER’S INTEREST IN reserve, that can change quickly. There’s room there to make multiple NIKITA ZAITSEV LAST WEEK. SOUNDS LIKE THE OILERS HAVE additions, in the right scenario. SOME INTEREST AS WELL.

— DARREN DREGER (@DARRENDREGER) JUNE 13, 2019 The Ducks are also not viewed as an analytics-inclined team and that 13. Chicago: The Blackhawks are another team with a lot of cap space could mean they may well value Zaitsev more than some of the teams and a potential need on defence. Brent Seabrook and Connor Murphy listed below. are their best right-shot D, although Erik Gustafsson logged a lot of time on the right side alongside Duncan Keith last season. They’re far down He can be a polarizing player around the league. If you ask some front this list because it’s difficult to envision a trade that makes sense, given offices, the answer on him is an immediate, hard no. I don’t think that’d the term remaining on Zaitsev’s contract, but it’s possible they find be the case in Anaheim. common ground on something.

But I don’t expect the Leafs would get much back if this was their trade 14. New Jersey: I can’t imagine the team’s new analytics department partner. would love the addition, but the Devils clearly need help on defence and The maybes they have a ton of cap space. Perhaps if the Leafs were to really sweeten the trade, it might make some sense. The fits get a little tougher here, but in most cases, they have the cap space or a need on right defence. Unlikely teams

4. Dallas: They’ve certainly got cap space and a need. Roman Polak I don’t see a plausible fit for these teams given Zaitsev’s contract and played top-four minutes for them in the postseason, which can’t be ideal what they have at the position, but there could always be multiple moving given they have designs on being a contender. Julius Honka’s future is a parts that change that equation. wild card here. 15. Ottawa: The most forgiving cap situation in the league, but what trade 5. Minnesota: The Wild are fairly deep at RD with both Jared Spurgeon makes sense here? and Matt Dumba at the position. But Spurgeon is in the final year of his 16. Vegas: Maybe there’s a fit in a deal for Colin Miller? But the Golden contract, and teams around the league are eyeing him as a trade target if Knights really need to clear cap space. Minnesota can’t get an extension done. Plus the Leafs have forwards the Wild are mighty interested in, so there could be something here as part of 17. Tampa Bay: The Lightning are very tight on cap space although there a bigger package. Paul Fenton could be one of the NHL’s more active is an opening on RD. GMs in the coming weeks. 18. Buffalo: The Sabres have a trio of veteran RD so there would need to 6. NY Islanders: The Lou Lamoriello connection is what makes this make be multiple moves to make this deal. the most sense. He signed the contract, and the Islanders – even after re-signing Jordan Eberle – have cap space to work with. Ryan Pulock 19. Pittsburgh: They liked Erik Gudbranson and Jack Johnson? has emerged as a big minute-eater on RD, but with Johnny Boychuk 20. NY Rangers: They’ll want to leave a lot of ice time for Adam Fox and getting older, they could use more help there. their other prospects on RD.

7. Florida: The Panthers are trying to change the mix on defence. Aaron 21. Detroit: They certainly have the cap space, but I doubt Steve Ekblad’s name has been out there. Mark Pysyk, too. If either one goes, Yzerman wants to commit to the term here. that opens a hold on RD that will need filling in the top four. And if they don’t get Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky in free agency, they have 22. Colorado: Between Erik Johnson, Tyson Barrie and Cale Makar, a lot of cap space. they’re going to have a hard time giving their RD enough minutes as is.

8. Philadelphia: The Flyers acquired some RD help in adding Matt 23. Montreal: Hard to imagine the Habs doing the Leafs a favour, Niskanen on Friday, but they also moved out Radko Gudas in doing so. especially with their existing depth on RD. They don’t have any other right-shot D and Andrew MacDonald could be 24. St. Louis: If they can’t get Alex Pietrangelo extended, they could have bought out or dealt. They’re pursuing other options, but it’s possible they a need at the position, but it’s hard to imagine that happening after the have to circle back to someone like Zaitsev further into the offseason. year they’ve had. 9. Arizona: The Coyotes have three veteran RD that could come back the 25. Calgary: The Flames are trying to open holes for their young D, other way and more or less even out the salary in a potential trade: Alex rather than blocking their way. Goligoski, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Jason Demers. A complicating factor is Arizona likes Ilya Lyubushkin, who re-signed on Friday afternoon, and 26. San Jose: Even if they don’t keep Erik Karlsson, it’s hard to see a fit may want to create a hole for him in the top six, but that would mean here. they’d need to move two RD to accommodate both Lyubushkin and Zaitsev. Every indication is that GM John Chayka intends to be active, so 27. Carolina: One of the few teams with too many RD as is. perhaps there’s something outside the box they come up with. The 28. Washington: Between John Carlson, Radko Gudas and Nick Jensen, Patrick Marleau situation could factor in here, too, given the Coyotes are they’re well situated at the position. a west coast option. 29. Columbus: Seth Jones and David Savard aren’t going anywhere. 10. Winnipeg: The Jets are really capped out, so it’s hard to envision them taking on a bigger, long-term contract like this. But if Jacob Trouba 30. Boston: Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo are the long-term future. is getting dealt and they lose Tyler Myers to free agency, what then happens on RD? Winnipeg is going to potentially need players on the The other, 31st option not listed here is Zaitsev stays in Toronto. This back end, and with the UFA class there fairly thin, the trade route may isn’t what his camp wants, but it may not be completely out of the make sense. I’m not sure anyone has a tougher offseason this year than question if the Leafs don’t find a deal they like. . I’m inclined to believe he goes, however, given there are enough teams 11. Los Angeles: Dion Phaneuf may well be bought out. But Drew here that will take the contract and the fact the Leafs want to change their Doughty and Alec Martinez remain fixtures on the right side of the Kings mix on the back end. But this is going to be an interesting deal for the blueline, even if Martinez is a lefty. The Kings are also looking to pare front office to pull off, considering everything else that’s on their plate payroll, rather than add to it. But the fact that there have been talks about right now. Marleau may make this a workable situation on a larger scale, if there’s The Athletic LOADED: 06.16.2019 an unusual deal to be made with multiple bad contracts involved. There’s a lot on the table right now for Los Angeles.

12. Nashville: The Predators are in a pretty tight cap situation and captain Roman Josi could sign a huge new extension at any point this offseason. There are also rumours that P.K. Subban will be dealt, which would open a big hole on RD. Top prospect Dante Fabbro may be the answer there at some point, but it’s possible Nashville wants another veteran presence on their blueline if Subban is moved. Zaitsev, however, doesn’t seem to fit the Predators love of smooth-skating puck movers on the back end. 1147112 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights, Raiders meet in Las Vegas charity softball game

David Schoen

June 15, 2019 - 9:52 PM

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Members of the Golden Knights and Oakland Raiders participated in the Battle for Vegas charity softball game Saturday at a sold-out Las Vegas Ballpark.

Proceeds from the event benefited the Tyler Robinson Foundation, which was formed by local band Imagine Dragons and provides financial support for pediatric cancer families.

Golden Knights and Raiders players alike were more than excited to join together in a charity softball game to raise money for pediatric cancer. Players from both teams cannot wait for the Raiders to arrive in Las Vegas so more joint events can take place.

Team Marcus Allen rallied to defeat Team Reilly Smith 20-16 on home runs by former major leaguer Shane Victorino and Raiders defensive end Arden Key in the final at-bat.

Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault smacked nine home runs, and former major leaguer Jose Canseco launched several balls off the side of City National Arena to help Team Reilly Smith win the Home Run Derby 25-22.

Team Reilly Smith included Knights teammates Deryk Engelland, Erik Haula, William Karlsson, Ryan Reaves and Shea Theodore. Former UNLV basketball standout Anderson Hunt and the UFC’s Megan Olivi also played.

Current Raiders Johnathan Abram, Trent Brown, Vontaze Burfict, Maurice Hurst Jr. and Josh Jacobs highlighted Team Marcus Allen with MMA fighter Frank Mir.

Local country music artist Sierra Black performed the national anthem, which included a flyover by three F-35 Lightning II jets from Nellis Air Force Base. Wayne Newton and Imagine Dragons’ Daniel Platzman sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147113 Vegas Golden Knights Alex Newhook, C, Victoria (BCHL) — A native of Newfoundland, Newhook played in the Junior A British Columbia Hockey League rather than major junior to maintain his college eligibility. The Boston College Golden Knights’ ideal draft pick could be goalie Spencer Knight commit had a league-leading 102 points in 53 games — 18 more points than the next closest player.

Newhook (5-10½, 192) is an explosive skater and tied with Krebs as David Schoen Team Canada’s leading scorer at the Under-18 World Championships with 10 points in seven games, but he needs to improve his shot.

Victor Soderstrom, D, Brynäs IF (Sweden) — There’s no consensus on His last name is Knight, for criminy sakes. It’s perfect! the next-best defenseman after projected top-five pick Bowen Byram, Spencer Knight is a match made in marketing heaven for the Golden with some draft boards preferring the 6-foot, 182-pound puck mover and Knights, with all kinds of promotional possibilities. others liking fellow Swede Philip Broberg, Harley, Moritz Seider of Germany or American Cam York. He’s also the top-ranked goaltender entering the NHL draft and could be available for the club with the 17th overall selection when the first round Soderstrom was the No. 3 European skater in the final CSB rankings and takes place Friday in Vancouver, British Columbia. is a right shot, which is coveted by scouts. He posted four goals and seven points in 44 games as a 17-year-old in the Swedish pro league. “I’m not really worried about where I go,” Knight said at the NHL Combine. “At the end of the day, there’s nothing different about you Ryan Suzuki, C, Barrie (OHL) — Yes, he’s the younger brother of Nick regardless of where you go. For me, I just want to take it all in. There’s Suzuki, which would make them some sort of hockey Eskimo brothers if obviously a lot of good players, and people ask them about the draft after he’s also selected by the Knights in the first round. a couple years of being in the NHL and they say they wished they Ryan Suzuki (6-0¾, 180) had 25 goals and 75 points in 65 games and is enjoyed it more. So, for me, I just really want to do that.” regarded as an elite playmaker. But he dropped from 10th among North Knight, 18, set the U.S. National Team Development Program record for American skaters in the CSB midterm rankings to 18th, and his tendency career victories (59) and went 32-4-1 with a 2.36 goals-against average to drift on the perimeter is a concern. and .918 save percentage for a loaded NTDP squad this past season. Cam York, D, U.S. National Team Development Program — The His 32 wins matched the single-season program record held by Southern California native set a USNTDP record for defensemen with 65 Vancouver Canucks prospect Thatcher Demko. points (14 goals, 51 assists), and his playing style has drawn comparisons to Toronto’s Morgan Rielly. He is the No. 12 skater in the But similar to the NFL and running backs, NHL teams often are reluctant CSB North American rankings. to invest a first-round pick on a goaltender. The knock against York is his lack of size (5-11¼, 172 lbs) and whether Since 2012, when Andrei Vasilevskiy and Malcolm Subban went 19th the Michigan commit will hold up against stronger opponents in the and 24th, respectively, two have been taken in the first round defensive zone. — Washington’s Ilya Samsonov (22nd in 2015) and Dallas’ Jake Oettinger (No. 26 in 2017). LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.16.2019

The last netminder selected in the top 10 of the draft was Carey Price, who went fifth overall to Montreal in 2005.

The 6-foot-3-inch, 193-pound Knight appears to be one of the rare first- round exceptions, as he impressed scouts during the physical testing at the combine and is regarded as an elite athlete at the position.

The Knights eventually need to find the heir apparent to Marc-Andre Fleury, who turns 35 in November and is at the start of a three-year contract. Knight is headed to Boston College and won’t be ready for the NHL anytime soon.

If the Knights look elsewhere in the first round, here are seven skaters (in alphabetical order) worth watching:

Thomas Harley, D, Mississauga (OHL) — The native of Syracuse, New York, was named best offensive defenseman and most improved player in the Ontario Hockey League Eastern Conference coaches’ poll after he posted 58 points (11 goals, 47 assists) for the Steelheads.

Harley, 17, finished No. 11 among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau rankings, and as one of the youngest prospects in this draft class, he is projected to fill out his 6-3, 193-pound frame.

Peyton Krebs, C, Kootenay (WHL) — The touted playmaker was projected as a possible top-10 pick until he suffered a partial Achilles tear during training this month and underwent surgery. He is expected to make a full recovery, but the Knights could benefit if he slips.

Krebs (5-11½, 183 pounds) had 19 goals and 48 assists while playing for one of the worst teams in the Western Hockey League, which made it difficult for scouts to evaluate him. He was 10th in the final CSB rankings for North American skaters.

Raphael Lavoie, F, Halifax (QMJHL) — Opinions vary on the 6-4, 199- pounder, who pumped in 20 goals in 23 postseason games to help the Mooseheads reach the Memorial Cup final. Lavoie is regarded as a good skater for his size and was named the best pro prospect in the Quebec junior league.

But he also is one of the oldest players in this class — he turns 19 on Sept. 25 and was 10 days shy of being eligible for the 2018 draft — and a modest regular season (32 goals, 41 assists in 62 games) turned off some scouts. 1147114 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights to open 2019 preseason at home against Coyotes

David Schoen

June 15, 2019 - 2:17 PM

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The Golden Knights will open the preseason against the Arizona Coyotes at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at T-Mobile Arena.

The team has not released its official preseason schedule, and no ticket information is available. The opening matchup was announced this week with the Coyotes’ preseason schedule.

Four additional Knights preseason games were confirmed through other teams’ schedules, including a road trip to Colorado on Sept. 17 and Los Angeles on Sept. 19.

The Knights host Colorado on Sept. 25 and also meet Los Angeles on Sept. 27 at T-Mobile Arena.

Preseason schedule

Sept. 15 — vs. Arizona, 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 — at Colorado, 6 p.m.

Sept. 19 — at Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 — vs. Colorado, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 — vs. Los Angeles, 7 p.m.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147115 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights, Raiders and Ringers Raise Money For Charity With Softball Game Entertainment

Alan Snel

Let’s just say it was not your average softball game.

Sure, there was beer drinking. One of the softball players had a certain easy access to cans of 7Five Brewing “Training Day” golden ale. And each team had a ringer, too.

But there was a certain surreal feel to the softball match Saturday, where mostly players from the Vegas Golden Knights were playing mostly players of the Oakland Raiders football team on a $150 million brand- new ballfield normally used by the Las Vegas Aviators Triple A baseball club. The ballpark in Summerlin was packed.

Knights forward Reilly Smith with fans before the charity softball game.

They raised $136,000 from the game under the “Battle 4 Vegas” banner, which said it was giving the money to the Tyler Robinson Foundation, the nonprofit foundation of local band Imagine Dragons to help the families of kids suffering from cancer.

The team was headed by Golden Knights winger Reilly Smith and filled with Golden Knights players like Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, Deryk Engelland, Erik Haula and Ryan Reaves, who supplied the 7Five Brewing Company brews.

Ryan Reaves

They faced a squad topped by former Raiders great Marcus Allen and included players like recently drafted rookie Josh Jacobs, linebacker Vontaze Burfict, lineman Trent Brown and former Raider Rod Woodson.

Vontaze Burfict, new Raiders linebacker

Erik Haula at bat

The jewel of a minor league baseball park was overrun by Golden Knights fans, though there were fans wearing Tim Brown, Derek Carr and Ken Stabler Raiders jerseys, too.

It was a surreal feel to a softball game that included a major league team — the NHL Golden Knights — that have taken over this city. And an NFL team that is playing its final season in Oakland while a new $1.8 billion stadium project is built in Las Vegas and opens for the 2020 season.

Plus, throw in colorful local ringers like Jose Canseco and Shane Victorino.

LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147116 Winnipeg Jets

Jets sign free agent Finnish forward

Mike McIntyre

06/15/2019 11:35 PM

The Winnipeg Jets have once again dipped their toes in European waters in an attempt to add to their talent pool.

Finnish forward Joona Luoto signed a three-year deal with the club on Saturday, which pays him US$758,300 if he plays in the NHL. Financial terms of the two-way deal, should he play in the AHL with the , were not disclosed.

Luoto, 21, has played the past three seasons in Liiga with and will be reuniting in the organization with both Patrik Laine and . He and Laine were teammates with several Finnish teams growing up, and he and Vesalainen played together on the Finland team at the 2017 World Junior Championship.

Luoto, 6-2 and 185 pounds, had eight goals and eight assists in 58 games with Tappara last season, and added two goals and two assists in 11 playoff games. He is a left-shot who has been playing right wing.

This is the second time this spring the Jets have gone overseas to ink a free agent. Russian winger Andrei Chibisov signed a one-year, two-way deal earlier this month. The 26-year-old has spent the past five years playing in the KHL.

It’s no secret the Jets are facing a salary-cap crunch for the coming season, so finding a way to add to the organizational depth without breaking the bank is key. Notable restricted free agents who need new contracts include Laine, Kyle Connor, Andrew Copp and Jacob Trouba.

In Trouba’s case, there’s a good chance he could be traded by next weekend’s NHL draft.

The Jets also have several unrestricted free agents they may wish to make a last-ditch attempt to retain prior to July 1, including Tyler Myers, Brandon Tanev and Ben Chiarot. But finding enough money to fit everyone in under what’s expected to be an US$83-million cap next season will be the difficult part.

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 06.16.2019 1147117 Winnipeg Jets

prospect Gustafsson signs with jets

06/15/2019 4:00 AM

Staff Writer

The Winnipeg Jets have signed 19-year-old forward David Gustafsson to a three-year, entry-level contract worth US$925,000 annually.

Gustafsson was drafted in second round by the Jets (60th overall) in the 2018 NHL draft.

He spent last season in the Swedish Hockey League, recording two goals and 10 assists in 36 games.

At the 2019 world junior championship, Gustafsson played five games for Sweden and recorded three assists.

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 06.16.2019 1147118 Winnipeg Jets

Jets land another Finn

Paul Friesen

June 15, 2019 4:48 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Jets have dipped into Finland to sign an old teammate of star Patrik Laine.

Joona Luoto was teammates with Laine on several teams as they grew up, including Under-18 and Under-20 teams.

Not drafted, Luoto also represented his country at the 2017 World Juniors, where he was teammates with Jets prospect Kristian Vesalainen.

The 21-year-old Luoto played the last three seasons with Tappara in the top Finnish pro league, the same team Laine played for before joining the Jets as the second overall draft pick three years ago.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound forward had eight goals, eight assists and 32 penalty minutes in 58 games last season and four points (2-2) in 11 playoff games.

He has 21 goals (38 points) in 129 career games and won a league championship with Tappara in his first season, 2016-17, when he managed one goal in 10 playoff games.

Luoto signed a three-year, two-way contract worth an average $758,300 in NHL dollars.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 06.16.2019 1147119 Vancouver Canucks Both picks were flipped, along with the fourth overall pick, to the Tampa Bay Lightning, who sent the first-overall selection the Canucks’ way. The Canucks would then cut a deal with the Atlanta Thrashers to flip the first How Brian Burke’s Canucks stocked their cupboard before chasing the pick into the second-overall pick, which Burke used on Daniel Sedin. Sedins (In a fun side note, the fourth-overall pick was packaged by Tampa Bay in a later draft-day deal with the New York Rangers; future Canucks goalie and current director of goaltending Dan Cloutier went from the Big Patrick Johnston Apple to the Sunshine State.)

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 06.16.2019 The Canucks needed more than just Brian Burke's gift of the gab to pull off the biggest trade in team history.

The hamper of picks (and players) that Brian Burke used to make his big draft day splash for the Sedin twins 20 years ago came together like so …

The Brian Burke-Mike Keenan partnership didn’t last long — Keenan was fired as coach by Burke halfway through their first season together — but Keenan’s hand in helping assemble the parts that Burke used in acquiring the Sedins wasn’t minor. Here the two share a laugh in the summer of 1998 while fishing in Haida Gwaii for the Mark Messier Fishing Classic. Jeff Vinnick / PNG

Canucks’ third overall pick

This is straightforward: The 1999 Canucks were dreadful. They managed just 58 points on the season. They couldn’t score, despite some interesting offensive talent in the fold. They finished last in the Western Conference.

This draft pick, which Burke retained throughout the process, would be used to select Henrik Sedin.

Bryan McCabe

The swashbuckling defenceman was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, along with either a 2000 or 2001 first-round pick — more on that later — for the fourth-overall pick.

McCabe was a Mike Keenan acquisition, picked up from the Islanders in the (in)famous 1998 Trevor Linden trade with New York. In exchange for Linden, Isles general manager Mike Milbury sent McCabe, Todd Bertuzzi and a 1998 third-round pick (the Canucks would grab Jarkko Ruutu) west.

Canucks defenceman Mattias Ohlund delivers a crushing hit to Chicago Blackhawks winger Pavel Vorobiev in 2005. Arlen Redekop / Province

2000 first-round pick

The Blackhawks ended up using their option in 2000, getting the 11th- overall selection to take Pavel Vorobiev. The Canucks were, obviously, a much more successful operation in 1999-2000, as Burke continued to remake the team.

Chicago could have taken the 2001 draft pick instead; the Canucks picked 16th overall that year, landing R.J. Umberger, who, of course, never played for the Canucks. He was traded along with minor-league defenceman Martin Grenier at the 2004 deadline for Martin Rucinsky.

LISTEN: Paul Chapman is joined by longtime Vancouver broadcaster Dave Pratt in this special edition of the White Towel. Dave talks about his new podcast, The Prattcast, weighs in on the current plight of the Canucks, the NHL draft, and even bike lanes.

75th-overall and 88th-overall draft picks

These were the days when the NHL would hand out compensatory picks when teams lost veteran players to free-agency; they were simply added to the draft order. In this case, Jyrki Lumme signed with the Phoenix Coyotes in summer 1998; the NHL gave the Canucks a third-round pick, 75th overall, as compensation.

The 88th pick the Canucks picked up in a 1998 swap with the Buffalo Sabres. Keenan and committee sent silky winger Geoff Sanderson, who had been acquired weeks before from the Carolina Hurricanes, to the Sabres, in exchange for rough and tumble Brad May and this third-round pick in the 1999 draft.

Winger Geoff Sanderson had two stints with the Canucks, in 1998 for nine games, and then at the end of the 2003-2004 season. Peter Battistoni / PNG 1147120 Vancouver Canucks captured the Art Ross Trophy as scoring leader with 112 points (29-83) and the Hart Trophy as most valuable player.

In 2011, Daniel won the Art Ross with 104 points (41-63) and the Ted Ben Kuzma: Hard to replicate Burke’s power of persuasion that secured Lindsay Award as most outstanding performer as voted by the players. Sedins Henrik was also honoured with the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership in 2015-16 and the twins shared the award in 2017-18.

Ben Kuzma Last month, they were inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame, and next season, their numbers will be retired by the Canucks.

“Two guys deserve credit for the Sedins’ success,” said Burke. “Gradin Former Canucks general manager made a series of circus-like moves in and Marc Crawford, who turned them into players, because he did a 1999 to land twins. really good job and played them when they weren’t putting up numbers. He was patient and protected them.” Brian Burke’s bravado and brash behaviour are legendary. And they needed protection. So was a bullish belief that he could orchestrate a complicated chain of circus-like events that included picks, promises and even threats to mark There was a lukewarm response to landing the Sedins because Burke one of the most dramatic moments in the history of the Vancouver had to part with a prized pick and defenceman Bryan McCabe. And when Canucks. the twins stayed another year in the Swedish Hockey League with MoDo — while 1999 first-overall pick Patrik Stefan was finding his way with the Acquiring Daniel and Henrik Sedin as second- and third-overall picks in Atlanta Thrashers — Burke was in the critical crosshairs. the 1999 draft — a first round that the former Canucks general manager labelled “a dog’s breakfast”— isn’t only fondly remembered because of “The move was not greeted with enthusiasm,” recalled Burke. “And the what the Sedins would become as elite players and champions of media’s reaction was we’ll give Burke high marks for being clever, but it charitable causes. It’s also remembered for the manic level of (the value) is far from clear. Everyone loved McCabe and so did I. It manoeuvring that won’t be replaced when the 2019 NHL Draft is held broke my heart to trade him — he was at the peak of his career. But it Friday and Saturday at Rogers Arena. was the right call.”

“Teams are reluctant to trade those high picks and the Sedin deal really Burke had to make another tough call last year. hurt the market because it came out so well for Vancouver,” recalled Burke, who’s working this draft as an analyst. “You’ve seen very little When the twins played their final NHL game on April 7, 2018, in movement with the top pick since then. That’s because it (1999) was the Edmonton, the Calgary Flames were hosting the Vegas Golden Knights. worst first round in the history of the draft. That’s the only reason teams Burke’s heart was in Edmonton, but his gut told him the optics of the were willing to move picks. Flames’ president of hockey operations not being at the Saddledome that night would have been wrong. “That not true with this draft — this is an excellent draft.” “I didn’t go and I didn’t ask them for anything,” said Burke. “Then I got a It’s why isn’t expected to part with the 10th-overall selection box couriered and there was a signed sweater from each of them with a because the Canucks’ current GM believes depth of talent will allow him note on the back that said: ‘Thanks for making our journey possible and to secure a future core player. And the cost of even moving up a few thanks for making it happen.’ spots — swapping first-round picks and surrendering a second — is too risky because Benning is buoyed by prospects who may still be on the “And when I came in when Nazzy (Markus Naslund) had his number board with his second-round (40th) and third-round (71st) choices retired (2010), as I was leaving the ice, the twins stepped off the bench Saturday. and kind of hugged me. I said: ‘The next two numbers going up there are yours.’ ” “I know when you have the draft in your building that there’s a temptation to move up and make some noise and do all those things — it would be THE ART OF THE DEAL cool,” added Burke. “In getting ready for this draft, I’ve talked to 10 Here’s how Burke authored one of the defining moments in Canucks general managers who are just raving about it. draft history:

“I would be shocked if anybody moved high picks. The magic number is 1. HELLO BOB, IT’S BRIAN: The Canucks had the third overall pick, but No. 11 or 12 and teams feel after that the next 15 picks you could pick quietly got the fourth from Chicago GM Bob Murray. out of a hat. They think there’s a wedge at 11 or 12 — and that obviously depends on the GM picking.” “We got it a week before the draft, but we didn’t tell anybody,” said Burke. “I didn’t file the trade until the Friday before the draft. It was a first- What made the Sedins’ scenario come to draft fruition was Burke’s round pick (Pavel Vorobiev in 2000) — the extra pick we got in the Bure willingness to listen to reason, which is hard for the stubborn Irishman, deal — so we felt we could spring for a first and then (trade) McCabe. It and put his faith in those around him — especially scout Thomas Gradin. was a very expensive trade, but we felt the twins were worth it.”

“Thomas was on the Sedins the summer before their draft, so it was the 2. THE DUDLEY DO-RIGHT: Tampa Bay held the first overall pick, which perfect storm,” stressed Burke. “We had a scout who believed in them, a meant Burke had to convince GM to part with it. It was terrible first round (1999) and teams that didn’t go to the world tough. championship. They only had the World Juniors to judge from.” “I had some difficult and profane conversations with him,” said Burke. “I Still, it took convincing to get Burke on-board. He knew the twins wanted told him: ‘Nobody is leaving with these kids except me.’ And finally, I told to play together and there was speculation one would opt out of the 1999 him we had two of the top four picks (third and fourth overall) and he said draft with the hope that a year later the club that picked one twin would that hadn’t come across yet. I said it was registered a couple of hours manoeuvre to land the other. And when that died down, other concerns ago.” arose. 3. ‘I WAS GOING TO GET FIRED’: Burke didn’t put the pieces in place “After the world junior, I told our scouts I’m trading our pick because I the night before the draft. was so disgusted with the first round.” said Burke. “Gradin said you’ve got to come over and watch them again (at the worlds). He insisted. I “I went to bed that night thinking I was going to get fired,” he said. “It was said I would and we can let this garbage go. And that was the first 2:30 in the morning and we both swore at each other and hung up.” tournament where they did all this twins stuff where you could see the special way they had. 4. THE BIG BOLT JOLT: Persistence paid off. The Lightning gave the Canucks the first and third overall picks in exchange for the fourth, 75th “And that’s when I said we’ve got to get them.” and 88th selections.

As great as the Sedin were in 17 NHL seasons to establish franchise Don Waddell, now general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, was the records for goals (Daniel 393), assists (Henrik 830) and points (Henrik Atlanta Thrashers’ first GM. Dave Sandford / PROVINCE 1,070) — their leaguewide impact was immense. In 2010, Henrik “Now we had No. 1 and No. 3 and I didn’t want to go up there (to the podium) twice,” said Burke. “I said to Atlanta (GM Don Waddell): ‘You’re a brand new team and do you want to draft first overall? Go up there first and be the stars of the show, but you’ve got to give me your pick.’

“We got the pick.”

The Thrashers would later select Stefan first overall.

5. MAD SCRAMBLE, FINAL HURDLE: Burke had the pieces, but assistant GM Dave Nonis had to complete them before the draft because there are no timeouts in the first round.

Dave Nonis (centre) worked for many years as Brian Burke’s right-hand man. Here they are in 2003, watching a Canucks prospects game. ARLEN REDEKOP / PROVINCE

“It was like: ‘Davey, you’ve got to get these deals done,’ ” recalled Burke. “He did and I went up and told the twins you’re coming to Vancouver.

“I didn’t know which one was which. I held out the sweaters and Danny took his. That’s why they wear 22 and 33 — they were second and third overall.”

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 06.16.2019 1147121 Websites did. But, there were moments he wavered, particularly as he considered a pre-Christmas sale.

At Media Day, approximately 30 hours before Game 1, Brayden Schenn Sportsnet.ca / 31 Thoughts: Sharks still have shot at keeping Erik was asked if he’d heard he was close to becoming a Boston Bruin during Karlsson the year.

"Yes," he smiled. "My agents (Newport) called me before U.S. Elliotte Friedman Thanksgiving. They’d heard something was up. When they call you…" he stopped for a second. "But I never heard anything more." June 15, 2019, 11:37 AM In Game 7, Schenn scored the 3-0 goal.

Minutes later, right below the Hockey Night in Canada set, a group of An hour after becoming a 10-time Stanley Cup champion, Larry Bruins fans turned and looked at three jubilant Blues fans. Uh-oh, we Robinson peeked into the Blues’ champagne-soaked dressing room. thought. Instead, they extended their hands, wished them congratulations Someone was drinking from the Cup, surrounded by players roaring the on ending a long wait, and exited. Later, the scene repeated itself on a opening beats from "Seven Nation Army." sidewalk outside TD Garden.

"Never gets old," the Hall-of-Famer said. For more than 50 years, the Blues and their base clamoured for those congratulations. Robinson is right. Watching anyone in that moment Imagine what it was like for those players. That organization. Their fans. never gets old. More than 50 years of frustration evaporated in the most unexpected of seasons. Just 160 days before St. Louis won the Stanley Cup, they were 31 THOUGHTS dead last in the NHL. 1. A few more things about the Stanley Cup Final. You always ask, "What Last Saturday night, 24 hours before the Blues had a chance to win the are other teams going to try and copy from the champ?" The Blues are a Cup on home ice, we went for dinner at a local steakhouse. After the throwback. Make your defence turn, go after them hard. meal, we were served, "The Gloria," a shot comprised of Bacardi and Malibu rums, Blue Curacao and pineapple juice. The Cardinals are the Berube hates pointlessly throwing the puck at the net. But, if anything kings of local sport, but, clearly, what the Blues had the opportunity to do really stood out, it was the size and reach of their defence. Several was very, very meaningful to the community. coaches, players and executives watching were struck by how hard it was to manoeuvre through their defensive zone — particularly the Jay "You have to understand," one St. Louisan said. "With the Cardinals, it’s Bouwmeester/Colton Parayko combo. When it came to the Patrice expected. We’re used to them winning. This, we’ve never experienced. Bergeron/Brad Marchand/David Pastrnak line, one Blue said they were We’ve never been close. It’s going to be bigger." determined "not to be fooled by their deception." Those three are excellent at creating havoc through the neutral zone via the different That doesn’t mean they were confident. At pre-game concerts outside routes they take. The Blues focussed on where they wanted to get to Enterprise Center, fans made it clear they did not want to hear "Gloria." (especially Marchand’s and Pastrnak’s preferred one-timer locations) That song was only to be heard after wins. instead of how they got there. There was no Laura Branigan after Game 6. A bad-bounce goal Vince Dunn, an excellent puck-mover, was the only St. Louis defender propelled Boston to a 5-1 win, and a Game 7 showdown on home ice. A under six-foot-two, and Boston couldn’t get it through them. couple of Blues employees joked, "We never do anything the easy way," unafraid of the challenge, since they were better on the road. 2. If anyone got shafted in the Conn Smythe voting, it was Parayko. My ballot went Binnington/O’Reilly/Tuukka Rask, but it hurt to leave big 55 But if there was one thing that stood out in the aftermath of that game, it off the list. The Blues outscored the Bruins 2-0 at five-on-five while was the families. There are times you see players walking out of Game 6 Parayko was on the ice against the top line. "He had to understand how defeats, and you can see the concern. That "We blew it!" look. good he is," more than one teammate said. Freed from that assignment, Down the corridor came Alex Pietrangelo, with his young family. Ryan Pietrangelo was borderline unstoppable. The score was 12-5 with him on O’Reilly, with his young family. Tyler Bozak, with his young family. David the ice at five-on-five. Perron, with his young family. They were calm, they were relaxed. As the You’ll remember that O’Reilly scored the winner in Game 4 on the parent of a seven-year-old, I got it. No matter how mad you are at what rebound of a Pietrangelo bomb. Two nights earlier, he shot low to Rask’s happened, there’s something about seeing your children at that age. It right side on a similar attempt, only to see the goalie harmlessly deflect it just…erases everything. (One of them was upset, with the father to the corner. "I couldn’t make it that easy on him again," the captain laughing later that the boy didn’t realize he would only get to go on the said. This time, he sent a screamer high blocker, much more difficult for ice if the Blues won.) Rask to handle. At the morning skate for Game 7, Jordan Binnington talked about Marc- Bouwmeester, who worked his tail off to save his season, was asked the Andre Fleury’s Stanley Cup-saving stop of Nicklas Lidstrom in 2009: "I morning of Game 7 if he’d say anything special to his teammates that liked how he loses his technical stuff and just goes for it." night. "I might," he smiled. Asked afterwards if he did, he replied, Hours later, Binnington’s sprawling save of Joakim Nordstrom kept it 2-0 "Everyone did." Remind me never to play poker against this guy. St. Louis midway through the third. That reminded you more of effort than 3. Binnington backed up Scott Stajcer during his first season at OHL technique, too. Owen Sound. One night, he was thrown in during a rough game for the Two weeks before Binnington’s first appearance of the season, the Blues team. According to legend, Skittles fell from his pads not long after. I lost 6-1 in Arizona. A friend of mine was there that weekend with his son, asked him if this was true. He replied, "I don’t remember that," but with a and bought tickets near their bench. He called the next day, saying he’d huge smile on his face. never seen anything like it. "Those guys couldn’t stand each other, and 4. There was a lot of debate after the series about the Bruins’ "window" (head coach) Craig Berube looked like he wanted to kill them all." and whether or not this was their last, best chance. I would be wary of I told that story to one player, who asked to remain nameless. He said, underestimating them. Rask is at the top of his game. The blue line is in "(Berube) almost did." excellent hands. Charlie McAvoy is so good that, if he played in Toronto, we’d be making you sick of offer-sheet stories about him. Torey Krug Some people talk tough, Berube is tough. Seventh on the NHL’s all-time would be coveted as a free agent next summer, but it is obvious when penalty list, he commanded respect and worked to repair a fractured you talk to him that he loves being a Bruin. room. Five weeks later, Binnington started winning games. The key will be development of forwards to take the load off the big line. "That finally gave us confidence," O’Reilly said. "You need results." What will also be interesting is how the dressing room changes if Bergeron or Zdeno Chara ever retire. The captain once again blew away GM Doug Armstrong, who didn’t like what he saw in 2017-18 and pulled his teammates with his commitment following the facial injuries. It wasn’t the chute with his team one point out of the playoffs, read things just playing, it was sitting on the bench in Game 4 to try and will them to differently this time. A GM has to know his group. Armstrong absolutely win, Professor X-style. Bergeron’s speech before Game 6 got the 13. The Jets are trying to sort out Jacob Trouba’s future. For one thing, I headlines, but he finds smaller, less obvious ways to get his point across. think they’d like to re-engage with Tyler Myers, but it’s not easy without a clearer picture of their roster/salary structure. He will be 30 in February, Krug told a great story about how Bergeron will come into the room after and Winnipeg doesn’t like giving more than five years at that age. a bad period and say, "I’m playing frustrated, I have to calm down." It’s Pittsburgh is interested in Trouba, but it is hard to see a match. The ask not yelled to the group, more of an aside that’s audible enough to get the is high. Philadelphia was there, and, I wondered if a Trouba/Shayne message across. "Young players will hear that," Krug added, "and they Gostisbehere-type deal made any sense. (But that’s just me talking, and will understand it is okay to get frustrated, as long they get a handle on the latter is not a righty.) it." Panthers broadcaster Steve Goldstein pointed out that Trouba — who Small thing, but a big thing. The identity change — whenever it comes — has a home in the Sunshine State — finished seventh in his annual will be a challenge for them. One note about Marchand: there was a neat Goldie’s Gang golf tournament last summer, but I’m not sure Florida moment as he waited to go to the podium after Game 6. A young boy in wants to pay the price. an O’Reilly jersey came out of the Blues’ family room. He did a double- take when he saw Marchand and asked him to autograph his jersey. 14. Panthers GM Dale Tallon wouldn’t specifically discuss Trouba, but They both realized that wouldn’t work, however, and settled for one on did say, "I’m excited about the next two weeks," when we talked on the guest pass stuck to it. Friday. "We have room to be active, we need to do it. Whether we are successful is another story, but it won’t be for lack of effort." 5. Finally, there were several occasions throughout the playoffs where Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy referenced "looking at the numbers" to Where? check if what he saw was backed by the data. Asked what he looks at, he named four things: how they defend the neutral zone, how they "Goals against are a problem, we need to remedy that. You do it through defend their blue line, slot chances for and against, and rebound goals. really good goaltending, defensive structure, good puck control, smart (He credited that one to assistant Jay Pandolfo, saying Pandolfo wants to players. We’re looking at all of that." know if the forwards are getting to the puck.) Will you acquire anyone’s rights?

6. Alright, let’s get to some news: We are getting close to clarity on Erik "No, we’re not doing that." (Wonder who I could be talking about.) "There Karlsson and San Jose. The Sharks have worked this hard. It is believed are three ways to improve. Through the draft, with deals or in free they’ve made him an offer that will challenge, if not surpass, Drew agency. We’re going to look at all of that." Doughty’s extension from last summer. Three weeks ago, I thought Karlsson was going back east for family reasons and a travel schedule 15. Tallon added he spoke to Roberto Luongo hours before we chatted. that’s easier on the body. San Jose needs a decision, conversations A decision on the goalie’s future is expected before the draft. have intensified, and I think they’ve got a shot. 16. Minnesota was believed to be eying Brock Nelson, who re-signed 7. The biggest impact of ’s eight-year, $72M extension was with the Islanders. It would not be a surprise if the Wild pursued Anders the structure — $60M in the first six seasons and $15M of lockout Lee or Joe Pavelski, assuming either hits the market. protection (although I remain optimistic). Those numbers did not go 17. I think Dallas continues to grind away with Mats Zuccarello. Mutual unnoticed. desire to extend the relationship, but you have to go through the process. 8. There will be more conversation about the 2019-20 salary cap next 18. That draft pick owed Ottawa if Matt Duchene re-signs in Columbus is week in Las Vegas, where the Board of Governors meet the day before a tricky little hurdle. We haven’t seen a sign-and-trade yet, and this the NHL Awards. After the combine, several teams indicated they makes it more difficult for Duchene to get the eighth year, because the thought the cap might be closer to $82M than the previously projected Blue Jackets have to sign him (either to keep or to trade) to get it. $83M. The players have the option to raise the ceiling up to five per cent, but, with concerns about escrow, lifted it 1.25 per cent for last season, 19. The buyout window opens Saturday. Names to WATCH: Scott and a similar number is expected this time around. Darling (Carolina), Andrew MacDonald (Philadelphia), Corey Perry (Anaheim) and Dion Phaneuf (Los Angeles). Dallas’s Valeri Nichushkin is Another interesting tidbit involves the U.S. TV deal, which is up in two under 26, so he can be bought out at one-third, (not two-thirds of) the seasons. The Sports Business Journal reported the possibility of a split money, which makes him very vulnerable. You always have to keep an deal, with NBC keeping the majority and a new partner (ESPN? FOX?) eye on who might be injured, therefore ineligible for one. getting a smaller package. Teams are hopeful about what that could do to the cap, especially with Seattle entering the NHL. A weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world with hosts Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek. New episodes every Thursday. 9. There’s a ton of trade talk. Among the most aggressive teams: Buffalo, Calgary, Chicago, Minnesota, Nashville, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, 20. The Anaheim coaching search has taken longer than many of us Toronto, Vancouver, Vegas, Washington and Winnipeg. Depending on expected. We know Lane Lambert and Todd Nelson are out. (I thought how the draft goes, we could see some frenetic attempts to move up and Lambert was Dallas Eakins’ biggest competitor.) The Ducks had down. permission to speak to Stars assistant Rick Bowness, but he didn’t have a formal interview. There’s always the possibility of a mystery candidate, The Sabres have talked to the Rangers about Jimmy Vesey. The Flames but I’m told it is unlikely. That leaves Eakins and NCAA Minnesota- tested the market on . The Blackhawks are looking for a Duluth’s Scott Sandelin, who just received an extension, but that doesn’t defenceman. Toronto’s asking price for Nikita Zaitsev is either another preclude him from taking the job. defenceman, or something they can use to get one. They will have no shortage of options if they do decide to move Nazem Kadri (Winnipeg is As I’ve said many times, I believe it is Eakins until told otherwise, but on his no-trade list, so he’d have to be approached about it.) Loui they’ve made it dramatic. GM Bob Murray interviewed some of AHL San Eriksson’s agent, JP Barry, confirmed on Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver on Diego’s veterans to gain added intel on Eakins. Friday that it is time for the winger to move on. Other teams believe the Capitals are in total "go for it" mode. 21. Chris Wideman, born in St. Louis, went to Game 3 of the Cup Final with a bunch of friends from high school. They sat in the middle of the 10. Eriksson’s been linked to Milan Lucic for what, 18 months now? upper bowl, just as excited as everyone else from the area. Twelve hours There is a belief Jesse Puljujarvi was added to that conversation at some later, we met for breakfast about 15 minutes from Enterprise Center and point, but I don’t know where it stands. I think the Flames at, the very looked back at his 2018-19 season. least, threw around the idea of Lucic for Neal, but decided against it. Word is the Oilers were willing, thinking Neal could work with one of their "I think the No. 1 thing I learned — that I didn’t realize at the time — was top centres. Another team pointed out an additional problem with Lucic’s how good I had it in Ottawa," he said in an emotional 90-minute situation — he has to be protected for the expansion draft. conversation. "When you’ve been in an organization for 10 years, you know them and they know you. You show up for the start of the season, 11. Puljujarvi, by the way, still prefers a fresh start. the equipment guys take your gear and you know it is in good hands. You go sit in the same stall. You take it for granted. You don’t know how 12. Are the Flyers willing to go into the $6.5M-$7M range on Kevin important that is until it’s gone." Hayes? 22. When the Uber video came out, another GM told me Wideman had 28. Montreal last hosted the draft in 2009. Sounds like the Canadiens are the most to lose. On a one-year contract, he got off to a rough start even on the radar once again. before the controversy. Then came the Nov. 4 home game against Tampa Bay. "Twenty-five minutes before warm-up, I was showed the 29. Underrated change at the Stanley Cup Final: both teams’ starters video," he said. It wouldn’t surface for another day, but Wideman introduced before each game, all skaters at the blue line. Liked it a lot. recognized the damage. "There were a lot of things to apologize for. 30. In October, I ran into ECHL Newfoundland’s Michael Garteig in There was enough controversy in Ottawa, now we added a new element. downtown Toronto. The Growlers had just won at Brampton and were It was unfair to the players who were not part of it." headed to Adirondack. He bet me a shout out that he’d beat the Thunder. They had to beg forgiveness from assistant coach Martin Raymond. "We I like to wager, so no problem. The Growlers lost 5-1. But they just won were very fortunate he is a quality person; that he was as forgiving as he the , becoming the first Canadian champions in league history. was. It wasn’t fair to him, and he handled it with a much grace as anyone Garteig’s a winner, adding that title to the 2012 RBC Cup with the probably could." Then, there was his family. "My parents (Gary and and a runner-up finish at the 2016 NCAA hockey Julie), they were disappointed. They’ve been proud of my career and championship (Quinnipiac). supportive, but that was not how they raised me. I was emotional about 31. During the lost season (2004-05), I was invited to a Raptors game that; it was hard to see them go through it." against Chicago. The Bulls had a veteran forward named Othella The hardest, though, was facing his fiancée, Caroline, who had moved to Harrington, then in the ninth of his 12 NBA seasons. My host had great Ottawa to be with him. Her mother was in town when he found out about seats, and I learned very quickly he loved to heckle opposing players — the video, and he took both to a restaurant to break the news. "I can still at one point, yelling, "Hey Othella, how many teams have you played remember their mouths dropping when I explained what was happening. for?" Harrington looked at him, pointed at the Raptors’ logo and replied, You think, ‘I’m going to be her provider.’ But I didn’t realize how crazy it "Thank God not this one." would become, and you see that look of helplessness on her face." In the moment, I nearly died of laughter, but the organization always 23. Wideman knew this was going to be the end in the Canadian capital. battled that. (Still don’t know what to think about ex-Raptors who bailed "I could sense it right away. But I don’t blame them. I was fragile and I did on the team jumping into this spotlight.) It’s a great triumph for the not play well." On Nov. 22, he was traded to Edmonton. He lasted five employees and fans who stuck with them. Now: time for a Canadian weeks and five games in northern Alberta. On Dec. 29, he was sent to Stanley Cup victory. Florida, where he played one game before being sent to AHL Springfield. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.16.2019 The demotion came on his 29th birthday. Caroline was still figuring out what to do with all of his stuff, still in transition from Canada to the United States. The final transaction was deadline day, a move to Wilkes-Barre. Some confidence came back in the AHL, where he had 15 points in 19 games.

"It’s a tough league. When you come down from the NHL, you’ve got a bullseye on your back. Everyone is coming after you." He thanked the likes of Derick Brassard and Phanuef, who supported him during their own difficult seasons, and a close friend, Bill McKeague. "He would call me and tell me, ‘Get up and do something today. Just do something that makes you feel good about yourself.’" Wideman pauses. "I had a few lawyers reach out and tell me I could sue Uber. I’m not interested in that. I just want to play. I’m going to work hard this off-season and prove to someone that I can."

24. During my time in St. Louis, I sat down for a while in our hotel with Adam Micheletti. Adam — the son of Rangers broadcaster Joe Micheletti — works for a company called Vizual Edge. He set up a laptop and gave me six different eye-related tests — everything from depth perception to tracking.

Here I am taking what is called the "recognition test," where I’m supposed to re-type the three arrows as they appeared, as quickly as possible. (You can’t start until they’ve disappeared.) I thought I did well here, scoring above 80 per cent with a reaction time barely over one second. Then, Adam told me there is a current NFL quarterback who got a perfect score with an average reaction time of 0.77 seconds. Don’t ask, he wouldn’t say who.

25. This is something I’m going to do more with in the future, but is another example of rapidly growing sports science. Micheletti’s company keeps its clients confidential, but does work with several NHL teams and I’d heard agents were looking at hiring it to work with their prospects. The goal is to determine visual strengths and weaknesses, then provide a training plan to address those weaknesses. Twenty years ago, I did a feature on laser-eye surgery becoming a big thing among golfers. I’m fascinated by this stuff.

26. I’m also hoping for more information about the potential changes to video review. From what I understand, the members of the Competition Committee asked that reviews be limited to clearly "black-and-white" calls — who high-sticked who; puck into netting; puck over glass; hand- pass, etc. The trip by Tyler Bozek on Noel Acciari that led to St. Louis’s winning goal in Game 5? There’s zero appetite to have that become reviewable. I do think on-ice officials will remain part of the decision- making process, too.

27. I had a few different people reach out and say Kelly Sutherland, who chose not to call that penalty, is a really good referee who had a really tough moment. Don’t usually get that kind of feedback.