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SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 4/3/2020 Oilers 1182049 Ducks owners agree to pay arena workers’ salaries 1182078 COVID-19 isolation means dog days for ' through June Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 1182050 Ducks owners to continue to pay part-time employees 1182079 Lowetide: Making the call on RFA and UFA players on the through June 30 Oilers’ 50-man roster 1182051 Ducks owners extending financial support of arena, other business employees Canadiens 1182080 In his crease, Canadiens prospect Michael McNiven found a sanctuary from pain 1182052 pause affording Arizona Coyotes center Derek Stepan more time with family Devils 1182053 AZ alone: Conor Garland’s personal loss, concern for 1182081 Scouting Devils’ 2019 draft class: Arseny Gritsyuk ‘has girlfriend, on-ice regrets elements’ in his game to establish space and bury chan 1182054 Milan Lucic joined Instagram, and Bruins' fans will love his 1182082 Islanders’ sees unique hurdle for an NHL first post coronavirus return 1182055 reveals what Ducks would've given Bruins for 1182083 Islanders players pool funds to donate N95 masks to in 2005 Northwell Health 1182056 Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara lead NHL 1182084 Islanders president 'extremely optimistic' in plus-minus this decade NHL season will resume 1182057 Bruins prospect Jeremy Swayman named Hobey Baker 1182085 Islanders' Jordan Eberle knows time is running out to finalist resume NHL season 1182058 Hindsight 2020: David Backes' Bruins contract costly in 1182086 Not everyone can be reached but Greg Cronin will too many ways certainly try 1182059 Distant Replay: Revisiting Bruins’ epic Game 7 comeback 1182087 The best players to wear every jersey number in Islanders against Leafs in 2013 history 1182060 Buffalo sports' greatest what-ifs: What if Sabres kept 1182088 Ryan Lindgren’s emergence gives Rangers tantalizing Daniel Briere, ? pairing 1182061 MSG's 'Sabres Classics' will move to 2006 playoff series 1182089 NY Rangers questions: Is Kaapo Kakko's development on vs. Flyers track? Or has it stalled? 1182090 Defense-minded forward Justin Richards signs free-agent deal with Rangers 1182062 Five big ‘what-ifs’ the 2019-20 Hurricanes might never 1182091 The best players to wear every jersey number in Rangers answer history Blackhawks 1182063 Blackhawks sign Matthew Highmore and Kevin Lankinen 1182092 The Ottawa Senators are hopeful there are no more cases to extensions, securing 2 young talents through 2022 of COVID-19 in their room 1182064 Blackhawks signings: Matthew Highmore, prospect Evan 1182093 Revisiting the Ottawa Senators 'Northern Lights Dream Barratt among 4 players given new contracts Tour' of 2012 1182065 Blackhawks extend Highmore, sign 3 others 1182094 Ottawa Senators to make temporary staff reductions 1182066 Blackhawks agree to extensions with F Highmore, G because of COVID-19 crisis Lankinen 1182067 2010 Hawks Rewind: 3 things we noticed in Blackhawks' Flyers Game 1 win over Sharks 1182095 Flyers’ concerned that NHL season may not 1182068 Blackhawks re-sign Highmore, Lankinen, agree to terms return but trying to stay positive and even learning to with 2 prospects 1182096 McCaffery: When Flyers return, Kevin Hayes will help 1182069 Hawks Rewind: Blackhawks get off to a good start in San answer the Call Jose 1182097 Kevin Hayes offers the quarantine goods — and misses 1182070 NHL 20 sim: Blackhawks battle for playoff lives vs. what Flyers had cooking before 2019-20 NHL stoppage Islanders 1182098 all over the place, funny Penguins moments as 1182071 Evan Barratt leaves Penn State, signs with Blackhawks Flyers roll their rival in NHL 20 1182072 How hometown boy adjusted to being on the 1182099 making gnocchi will be the best thing you Blackhawks see all day 1182100 Xbox and eggplant parm: how Kevin Hayes has been coping in Boston 1182073 Not everyone can be reached but Greg Cronin will 1182101 The best player to wear each jersey number in Flyers certainly try history Penguins 1182074 Who are the most iconic DFW athletes at every uniform 1182102 Mike Sullivan appreciates time at home, balances keeping number, from 0-99? Penguins engaged 1182075 For Stars’ Ty Dellandrea, faceoffs could be key to 1182103 Penguins on pause: Will Jake Guentzel get to resume his reaching NHL next season All-Star season? 1182104 The man, the myth, the legend: On ’s Red Wings Penguins’ odyssey 1182076 Will finish this season? Why pandemic 1182105 How well do you know Pittsburgh’s famous numbers? restrictions toward no 1182077 NHL draft prospects: Alexis Lafreniere consensus top pick Websites 1182106 Sharks GM says Bob Boughner has “upper hand” to be 1182131 The Athletic / While not without its faults, ‘Youngblood’ is a coach next season damn fun movie 1182107 Bob Boughner: Series-clinching win vs. Kings was 1182132 Another day another moment that slips away in what “launching pad” to final would have been the 2019-20 NHL season. 1182108 Can Brinson Pasichnuk go straight from Arizona State to 1182133 The Athletic / What the hockey world’s shutdown looks like the NHL? “I think he’s ready” from inside an OHL franchise 1182109 admits Bob Boughner has 'upper hand' to 1182134 The Athletic / In his goal crease, Canadiens prospect stay Sharks' coach Michael McNiven found a sanctuary from pain 1182110 Sharks' injured stars expected to make full recovery by 1182135 .ca / 10 critical unanswered questions brought training camp on by NHL's pause 1182111 Ever wonder where Sharks' giant head came from? It 1182136 Sportsnet.ca / Power-ranking Maple Leafs' 10 best trades involves Disney since 2010 1182112 Doug Wilson suggests Bob Boughner is likely to return as 1182137 Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' Nugent-Hopkins hit stride as a Sharks coach in 2020-21 winger and leader in 2019-20 1182138 Sportsnet.ca / Q&A: Quinn Hughes on self-isolating with St Louis Blues his brothers, Calder race and more 1182113 From big names in the booth to behind-the-scenes-help: 1182139 Sportsnet.ca / Oilers greats McDavid, Gretzky open up in Many Midwest workers not being paid 'epic conversation' 1182114 Other stations join KMOX's St. Louis sports championship 1182140 TSN.CA / Projected to be first d-man drafted in 2020, party Jamie Drysdale aims to emulate 1182141 TSN.CA / Maple Leafs' Morgan Rielly keeping busy, doing 'some reflecting' during NHL pause 1182115 The best players to wear each jersey number in Tampa 1182142 TSN.CA / History suggests NHL Awards for 2019-20 Bay sports history season will be distributed 1182116 Polling the experts to find NHL comparables for 10 top 1182143 TSN.CA / A look at 10 ‘stolen’ games from the 2019-20 Lightning prospects season 1182144 USA TODAY / Day 22 without sports 🏒: How would NHL playoff race look heading into season's final weekend? 1182117 Morgan Rielly and Tessa Virtue are the pandemic love story we need right now Jets 1182118 Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly has had time for 1182128 One-on-one with Jason Jaffray: On retirement and the call reflection, and he hasn’t always liked what he’s seen that changed his career 1182119 Looking back at the longest game in Leafs history 1182120 Leafs' Rielly hopes comeback wasn't for just one game World Leagues News 1182121 More Maple Leafs help public deal with COVID-19 crisis 1182145 Coronavirus: Gambling ‘plummets’ as pandemic halts 1182122 Report: 2019-20 final player grades sport 1182146 Friday coronavirus sports update Canucks 1182147 How the coronavirus has hit global sport 1182129 Ben Kuzma: Canucks planning for healthy return of 1182148 One of Australia's most popular professional sports could Ferland if season is salvaged relocate to a tropical island during the coronavirus 1182130 The Sedin Cup, Drance vs. Harman: Which team wins a 1182149 Opinion: Cutting college coaches' pay during coronavirus 7-game series? crisis is the right call 1182150 Wimbledon chief says tennis may not return until 2021 due to coronavirus 1182123 Golden Knights prospect misses Hobey Baker Award 1182151 NRL Island: Queensland resort manager reveals plan to top-3 rescue coronavirus-hit season 1182152 How WWE Is Dealing With Coronavirus Threat at WrestleMania 1182124 T.J. Oshie invites fan to Caps game after he made every 1182153 BBC to broadcast summer of sport nostalgia during NHL team's logo out of dominos coronavirus crisis 1182125 Alex Ovechkin on the last time he cried and how his video 1182154 R&A has not made decision despite report 2020 British game habit ticks his wife off Open is set to be canceled due to coronavirus 1182126 How to watch Capitals vs. Lightning Eastern Conference 1182155 Sports could return in some form later this summer, but Final 2018 will fans? That’s highly questionable. 1182127 How to watch Capitals at Panthers NHL 20 simulation and 1182156 The NHL's Big Test: Inside the League's Pandemic Capitals at Lightning Stanley Cup Eastern Con Response 1182157 British sports bodies fear financial ruin because of coronavirus pandemic 1182158 Coronavirus pandemic will eventually end, but it might change the way we view our favorite sports | COMMENTARY SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1182049 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks owners agree to pay arena workers’ salaries through June

By BILL SHAIKINSTAFF WRITER APRIL 2, 20202:45 PM

The Dodger Stadium workers who would have gotten paid Friday say they have no idea what financial assistance the Dodgers might provide them while they’re idled by the coronavirus shutdown. The Angel Stadium workers are waiting to hear too.

Employees at Staples Center are covered for the events they would have worked through this month’s scheduled end of the regular seasons for the Lakers, Kings and Clippers.

Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli set a new standard Thursday for taking care of workers. After initially agreeing to pay Honda Center workers through the end of March, the Samuelis announced Thursday they would extend the agreement through the end of June, paying workers for their shifts as if Ducks games, concerts and other events actually had taken place.

The Samuelis run Honda Center and own the San Diego Gulls, the Ducks’ top affiliate. The Samuelis agreed to cover payroll through June for the 2,100 part-timers that work at Ducks games and Gulls games, at nine affiliated youth and community sports facilities and at JT Schmid’s, a restaurant across the street from Honda Center that’s owned by the Samuelis.

The Samuelis are prominent Orange County philanthropists. They have given their names and financial resources to UC Irvine, UCLA, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, and a campus in Irvine that houses a Jewish community center and school.

“The Samueli family’s primary concern is the welfare of their employees,” Ducks president said in a statement. “Today is another example of their kindness, generosity and support for the local community. As a result of their decision, 2,100 dedicated part-time staff members will have one less immediate concern during this significant health crisis. We join them in wishing everybody good health during this unprecedented time.”

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LA Times: LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182050 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks owners to continue to pay part-time employees through June 30

Samuelis will cover Honda Center workers, plus those at nine Rinks ice and inline facilities and the San Diego Gulls

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD PUBLISHED: April 2, 2020 at 2:39 p.m. | UPDATED: April 2, 2020 at 3:08 p.m.

Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli announced Thursday they would continue to pay 2,100 part-time employees of their sports and event management companies through June 30 for canceled, postponed or rescheduled games or events because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NHL suspended play March 12, and Honda Center announced Thursday it had postponed or canceled all of its events scheduled through May 16. The Ducks were originally scheduled to play their final home game of 2019-20 on Friday against the Kings.

The move covers all events scheduled for between April 1 and June 30. The Ducks and Anaheim Arena Management, which owns and operates Honda Center, previously announced all their employees would be paid through March 31.

Employees not only at Honda Center but also those working at the nine Rinks ice and inline facilities in Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego counties will continue to be paid. The move also includes employees of the San Diego Gulls and JT Schmid’s Restaurant and Brewery in Anaheim.

The Gulls are the Ducks’ AHL team.

“The Samueli family’s primary concern is the welfare of their employees,” Tim Ryan, the president and chief executive officer of Anaheim Arena Management, said in a statement. “Today is another example of their kindness, generosity and support of the local community.

“As a result of their decision, 2,100 dedicated part-time staff members will have one less immediate concern during this significant health crisis. We join them in wishing everybody good health during this unprecedented time.”

DOSTAL HONORED

Lukas Dostal, a 19-year-old Ducks prospect from the Czech Republic, was named the Finnish league’s top after winning 27 games and posting a 1.78 goals-against average and a .928 percentage before play was halted last month because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Ducks drafted Dostal in the third round (85th overall) in 2018, and then signed him to a three-season, $2.775-million entry-level contract May 10. He played with in ’s for the second consecutive season after beginning his pro career in his native Czech Republic.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182051 Anaheim Ducks but faced backlash for a decision to reduce employees’ salaries by 20 percent. The Devils owners, who also own the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, quickly reversed course after significant criticism. They have since Ducks owners extending financial support of arena, other business extended support of part-time employees until May 15. employees The Dallas Stars are paying workers at American Airlines Center for scheduled events from the league’s shutdown on March 12 through the end of the regular season. Team president and general By Eric Stephens manager voluntarily cut their salaries by 50 percent. Office staff is continuing to be paid at the regular rate.

Many owners and athletes of teams have offered financial assistance for Whether Henry and Susan Samueli are owners who are willing to spend those put out of work. But that assistance has its limits. For instance, what is necessary to put a Stanley Cup-contending hockey club on the Sean Gordon of The Athletic recently broke down how the Molson family, ice has been debated among diehard and vocal members of the Ducks which owns the , is responding to the effects of the fan base. pandemic on its entertainment entities. He called it a “perfect storm.” What doesn’t generate much debate: The stewards of Anaheim’s NHL “Their Plan B business (concert and event promotion) is even worse off franchise have long been known for their charitable endeavors. And they revenue-wise than Plan A,” Gordon said. “Groupe CH, the company that have again revealed their philanthropic side when it comes to offering controls the Canadiens, laid off 60 percent of its employees on March 30. support for their employees during a crisis. Many work for a concert promotion subsidiary that’s been particularly The team announced Thursday that the Samuelis are extending through hard-hit by the pandemic. June 30 an arrangement where they will pay part-time staff members for “It also instituted a $6 million (CDN) top-up fund to ensure those who current or future rescheduled events affected by the coronavirus qualify for federal employment insurance will earn 80 percent of their pandemic. It will cover all part-time employees who work programs and salary over the next eight weeks. The fund also provides for emergency events at Honda Center and the nine ice and in-line skating facilities they loans to those who need them.” also own. Staffers for the San Diego Gulls, the Ducks’ AHL affiliate, are also covered. Other ownership groups have taken a hit in the public forum.

In addition, the owners are covering the part-time employees who work at True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns the , a popular restaurant, JT Schmid’s, which is across the street from the initially would not compensate part-time and casual workers for income Anaheim arena. The Samuelis recently purchased the restaurant, which lost to canceled events. The Jets would alter their stance somewhat, caters to many hockey fans who visit on dates of Ducks home games. It opting to pay employees with that status for scheduled shifts through is temporarily closed following a mandate from the state of to March 31. Sports and Entertainment Corp., which owns the cease dine-in service as a measure to limit the spread of COVID-19. Flames and CFL’s Stampeders, laid off half of its 300-member full-time workforce and rolled back salaries for its remaining staff from 10 to 25 Originally, the Samuelis had offered to pay full-time and part-time percent. The Edmonton Oilers group announced a temporary staff employees who were scheduled to work through March 31. Events at reduction for its 139 employees effective April 13. They also indicated a Honda Center have been postponed or canceled, and their system of ice financial assistance program with government involvement will ensure rinks and in-line facilities from Lakewood to Poway are closed. Ducks that nonexecutive employees will receive 75 to 90 percent of their normal staffers are working from their homes. A team spokesman said there salary. have been no staffing adjustments that have occurred with regard to salary or employment status. Some of the harshest criticism has been reserved for Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs and Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and . In a statement, Anaheim Arena Management president and CEO Tim Ryan said, “The Samueli family’s primary concern is the welfare of their Jacobs was the last NHL owner to come forward with any offer of employees. Today is another example of their kindness, generosity and financial assistance for his TD Garden employees. Through his Delaware support for the local community. As a result of their decision, 2,100 North, a hospitality and food service giant, 150 full-time employees were dedicated part-time staff members will have one less immediate concern either laid off or given a salary reduction. This came after hourly during this significant health crisis. We join them in wishing everybody employees weren’t going to be paid until the league officially canceled good health during this unprecedented time.” what’s left of the season.

Under the Samuelis’ ownership, the Ducks don’t make huge headline- The Pegulas, who also own the NFL’s Bills and AHL’s Rochester grabbing splashes in free agency. Typically, they’ve spent to the salary Americans, committed $1.2 million toward residents of the western New cap ceiling in the years when they were winning division titles and York area after receiving criticism for employing the same plan of paying contending for the Cup but usually try to keep their expenditures in line arena staff only when games are canceled and laying off workers at their with their revenue as a midmarket NHL team. The organizational focus Buffalo restaurants. has mostly been on drafting and development when it comes to their core players. But the Samuelis have created a legacy of community — The Athletic’s Sean Shapiro, Corey Masisak, Murat Ates and Scott involvement and investment during their 15-year run. Cruickshank contributed to this story.

Praised for their efforts in growing hockey at the grassroots level in The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 Southern California, the Samuelis — who do venture out in public but have long preferred to keep a low profile and give few interviews — have mostly been known for their philanthropic efforts after amassing their Forbes-reported $4 billion fortune in wireless and broadband communication.

In 2017, the Samuelis donated $200 million to the University of California at Irvine for the creation of a college of health sciences. And in 2019, they pledged to give $100 million over 10 years to UCLA’s engineering school, from which Henry Samueli earned three degrees.

They were among the first professional franchise owners to make public their wish to offer financial support for their employees who lost work as the coronavirus pandemic shut down leagues and forced the closure of arenas. Social media has been an outlet for swift judgment of billionaire owners and the handling of their workers, most of whom rely on the primary or secondary income to make ends meet.

For instance, the ’ managing partners were initially lauded for being among the first NHL teams to pledge monetary support 1182052 Arizona Coyotes Stepan also addressed the uncertainty regarding a potential return to the 2019-20 season, adding that his preference would be for some type of tournament to not leave the fringe teams on the outside of the playoff Season pause affording Arizona Coyotes center Derek Stepan more time picture — such as the Coyotes — wondering what could have been. with family "There's just so much unknown right now," Stepan said. "It's really hard to predict anything. We can't put a timeline on anything. I personally think that, if there is something that goes on, I don't even know how it would Richard Morin, Arizona Republic Published 1:29 p.m. MT April 2, 2020 | work but I think you have to find a way to do a tournament of some sort. Updated 4:10 p.m. MT April 2, 2020 How do you do that? I'm not sure.

"... Still, I'm a big believer that the most important thing is safety. We need to make sure this thing is under control and everyone is safe before Coyotes center Derek Stepan said he's been able to spend more time we even think about playing hockey. I think this thing is much bigger than with his two kids and wife, Stephanie, amid the NHL's season pause due the game of hockey." to the coronavirus pandemic. Arizona Republic LOADED: 04.03.2020 Speaking to reporters via conference call on Thursday, Stepan said he's been around to watch his son, Max, who will turn 5 in October, start to ride a bike — albeit with training wheels — for the first time.

"I've actually been pretty good with it so far," Stepan said of his isolation at home. "I've logged a lot of hours with the kids and I've been doing a lot of catch-up with them. They're at a fun age right now and the Arizona weather is just starting to get into that prime stage. We're enjoying the outdoors."

Stepan admitted it's been challenging to stay in hockey shape with the lack of ice available. Still, he's been riding his Peloton and working out to the best of his ability. There is also an ongoing street hockey battle between Derek and Max in the driveway.

"We've just been plugging away with outdoor stuff in the driveway," Stepan said. "We've used so much chalk that I've probably got chalk on me right now. ... If we were in the regular season here I'd be missing out on a lot of this great weather and being outside with them and enjoying time with them.

"If you ask my son, we have a very strong seven-game series going in the driveway. I've gotten a couple slashes to the shins. No calls, but I let them slip. But, hey, that's the way it works."

Stepan also addressed a bit of news revealed by Coyotes on Wednesday that teammate Michael Grabner has opened his personal gym to other Coyotes players.

While Stepan said he has not visited the Grabner household, the center did confirm that some players have taken advantage of Grabner's facilities. Tocchet said that players were coming in groups of no more than two and would then sanitize the equipment before leaving.

Stepan and Grabner, who were teammates with the New York Rangers before joining forces in Arizona, have a long-running joke when it comes to fitness and appearance. Stepan will often boast that he has a "better body" than Grabner, who is frequently posting workout videos on social media.

Straight up shredded. @grabs40 is in beast mode.

( : @ArizonaCoyotes) pic.twitter.com/A6wSLkIpx1

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 30, 2020

"Listen," Stepan said, "I said it when he first signed here. He's still got the second-best body on the team. He's still chasing me. Hopefully a couple more weeks in quarantine in that gym and he can catch up."

Stepan has other former teammates still in New York and said he knew that some who reside in the city had sought to get out as long as three weeks ago. He said he also knew some living in the suburbs that elected to stay put.

"A city like that," Stepan said, "to have a virus come in that is doing what it's doing is scary. Obviously when you're in the city you always had those thoughts about, 'If something came in, what would happen here?' It's certainly something where you wish everyone in the city is being safe. I know apartments may be smaller than homes, which can make quarantining more difficult.

"I know one thing for sure: New Yorkers, and I was there for seven years, they're tough. It's a tough brand of people. They'll come out of it stronger than they went into it and they'll find a way to carry that New York swagger with it." 1182053 Arizona Coyotes “Kells every day, (Jakob) Chych(run) most days and sometimes Phil (Kessel) when he gets bored,” Garland said, laughing. “He and I are the only two out here without a wife, a girlfriend or a roommate to keep us AZ alone: Conor Garland’s personal loss, concern for girlfriend, on-ice company so those first couple weeks it was like, ‘Hey, what are you regrets doin’?’ And he’d go, ‘Nothin’, you?’ And I’d go, ‘Nothin.’”

Like his teammates, Garland hopes the NHL season will resume and give the Coyotes a chance to climb back into a playoff spot. He can’t stop By Craig Morgan Apr 2, 2020 thinking about all those close losses they suffered, particularly a three- game stretch against Anaheim, Los Angeles and Chicago in late

January-early February, when Arizona earned two of a possible six Conor Garland doesn’t need more challenges than the month of March points against Western Conference bottom feeders. offered. “We played well but we just couldn’t get a win against those teams that In the past four weeks, he suffered a knee injury that he initially feared aren’t high in the standings and then all of the sudden you’ve got this might end his season, he lost a good friend, he has worried endlessly for tough stretch against a bunch of good teams where you know you put a loved one on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle, and he has yourself in a bad spot,” he said. “So many one-goal losses. That’s so endured it all alone, sequestered in his Scottsdale home. frustrating for a player like myself or all the guys who pride themselves on their offense and want to score. I can go back to so many games and “The days are getting long,” the Coyotes forward said. think, ‘How did I miss that chance?’

Garland’s ordeal began on March 6 in Calgary when he clipped Flames “It’s such a shit feeling when you’re on the ice 6-on-5 and then the clock goaltender Cam Talbot while chasing down a loose puck late in a 3-2 runs out on another loss. It’s like a dagger and it just kept happening.” loss at Scotiabank Saddledome. It’s no surprise that if play were to resume without regular-season games, “He came out of the net, the puck bounced over his stick and I jumped at Garland would be in favor of an expanded playoff format where 24 teams it, tried to slide, and when he came out he got me right at the end of my make it and the lower teams fight it out in play-in series for the right to hockey pants and I just flipped over him and I don’t think my knee fully join the regular field. turned,” Garland said. “I knew right away that something was wrong. Their defenseman cross-checked me in the back because he was “You want to play, and there’s so many teams fighting for spots that it thinking I hit their goalie and he has to do that. I just said, ‘Hey, I fucked would be so hard to tell the teams that are close, ‘Sorry,’” he said. my knee up. You’ve got to leave me alone.’ He was like ‘OK, I gotcha,’ “You’re right there and nobody can predict how the season was going to and I said, ‘Thank you.’” end.”

Garland got himself to the bench and when coach Rick Tocchet asked if All of those plans are on indefinite hold, however, as the COVID-19 he could go back on the ice for 6-on-5 play as the Coyotes tried to tie the cases and deaths continue to climb in the United States. game, he initially said, “Yes.” “I listen to the press conference every day with the president and the two “When we called timeout, I jumped out on the ice, tried to do a turn and doctors and it’s hard to believe we’re going to be able to play any time then I was like, ‘I can’t,’” he said. “I would never turn down a chance to go soon without some hard-core restrictions,” he said. “I’m sure the league out there but I said, ‘I don’t think I’m going to help.’” is thinking about all of that, but it sounds like it’s going on longer than anyone thinks. Garland suffered a Grace 2 MCL sprain in his left knee and flew back to Arizona the following day — four days before his 24th birthday — while “This is way more important than hockey.” the Coyotes prepared to complete a three-game road trip in Winnipeg. The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 While some reports suggested Garland could be out for the rest of the regular season, Garland knew after two weeks that would not be the case.

“We did such a good job with it at the beginning that after two weeks when I got checked out, I was almost back to normal already,” he said. “Had the season continued, I probably would have surprised people with how fast I came back. I could play right now.”

Instead, Garland is in a holding pattern like much of the world, trapped in his home by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“I’m just trying to stay safe,” he said. “All the unknown is scary.”

It’s particularly scary for Garland, whose girlfriend, Meghan, is a nurse at a children’s hospital in the Boston area.

“I spend a lot of my day worrying about that and talking to her,” Garland said. “She’s the best and I admire her so much, but the work is getting more and more intense and more and more dangerous because they are laying more and more people off so there is more and more to do.”

Garland would rather have Meghan in Scottsdale with him, but he understands the sacrifice she is making. That doesn’t ease his concern, his loneliness or the pain he is feeling over a recent loss. A week ago, his parents had to put the family dog down. Max was a 15-year-old yellow lab who lived with Garland the past few summers and would have come to Arizona if he had a roommate to take care of him while he traveled with the team.

“I was able to see him when we got to Boston (for a Feb. 8 game against the Bruins), but it was his time,” Garland said.

Aside from talking to Meghan, Garland calls his parents every day back in Scituate, Mass. He bought a bunch of gift cards for friends and family to help support his buddy’s barbershop until everyone can get their hair cut again. He works out, he shoots pucks into his fireplace, he plays video games online with old friend Ryan Donato, a forward for the , and he chats with his teammates such as Clayton Keller. 1182054 Boston Bruins

Milan Lucic joined Instagram, and Bruins' fans will love his first post

By Erin Walsh April 02, 2020 9:42 PM

Former Bruins forward Milan Lucic officially joined Instagram on Thursday, and Boston fans will absolutely love his first post.

Although Lucic now plays for the , he couldn't pass up the opportunity to reminisce on the B's 2011 Stanley Cup championship.

View this post on Instagram

First post. Let’s have some fun

A post shared by Milan Lucic (@milan.lucic.17) on Apr 2, 2020 at 10:16am PDT

Lucic posing with the Stanley Cup is a huge flex, but the big guy definitely did his part during the 2011 playoff run. The Vancouver native tallied 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 25 playoff games playing alongside David Krejci and , including two goals and an assist in the series against the Canucks.

During his day with the Stanley Cup, Lucic returned to Vancouver for a celebration with family and friends, so we can imagine his first Instagram post is from that day.

Hopefully he plans on sharing some more photos from 2011 because that championship run was electric.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182055 Boston Bruins

Brian Burke reveals what Ducks would've given Bruins for Joe Thornton in 2005

By Erin Walsh April 02, 2020 8:40 PM

It appears the Boston Bruins could've received a lot more for Joe Thornton when they dealt him to the San Jose Sharks in 2005, at least according to Brian Burke.

During a Twitter Q&A session on Thursday Burke, of the Anaheim Ducks at the time Thornton was traded, revealed he was rather frustrated he couldn't pry the future Hall of Famer from Mike O'Connell's clutches.

Get the latest news and analysis on all of your teams from NBC Sports Boston by downloading the My Teams App

I tried desperately to get Joe Thornton to Anaheim. I thought we beat the offer that got accepted. Mike O’Connell was the GM and we were babysitting him, checking in once a day, sometimes more (cont) https://t.co/zkLzbwLll9

— Brian Burke (@Burkie2020) April 2, 2020

As for what he would've given up for Thornton -- this one may frustrate B's fans.

I told OC that I would protect 5 players on my roster and he could take whoever he had ranked 6th. No restrictions. Then I’d add another roster player, a prospect, and a first. I’m still bitter we didn’t get him. #askburkie https://t.co/zkLzbwLll9

— Brian Burke (@Burkie2020) April 2, 2020

O'Connell ended up dealing Thornton to the Sharks for Marco Sturm, Wayne Primeau and Brad Stuart. The move cleared cap space for the Bruins to later sign Zdeno Chara and Marc Savard, among others, but could what they have received from Anaheim been better?

If the Bruins ended up receiving Anaheim's 2006 first-round draft pick (19th overall), they could've drafted anyone from who went 22nd overall to the to Nick Foligno who was drafted 28th overall by the Ottawa Senators. Now, if the first-round pick Burke was willing to give up was indeed a 2006 pick, then the Bruins who drafted fifth overall that year could've potentially added two stars for the price of one.

Thinking about that situation alone should make Bruins' fans cringe, but there's more.

Burke noted he would've given up the player who O'Connell ranked as sixth-best on the Ducks roster as well as a prospect. Looking back at that now, the sixth player could've been anyone from Francois Beauchemin to Joffrey Lupul and a prospect could've been the likes of Ryan Getzlaf or Corey Perry, according to WEEI's Matt Kalman.

The sixth-best player makes you shake your head because Beauchemin and/or Lupul weren't the greatest, but the first-round pick and possibility of adding Getzlaf or Perry would've been huge for the Bruins.

If this deal was done in 2020, you'd have to wonder if would've accepted Burke's offer.

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Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara lead NHL in plus-minus this decade

By Erin Walsh April 02, 2020 6:03 PM

The Boston Bruins were the NHL's best team before the league hit pause on the 2019-20 season due to the coronavirus, and it's not hard to see why.

The B's are one of the best defensive teams in the entire NHL. They have allowed the least goals with 167 and rank eighth in shots against per games played with 30.

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Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara are a big reason why Boston has found plenty of defensive success over the last decade. The trio ranks one, two and three in plus-minus from the 2010-11 season to the 2019-20 campaign.

Although those three have the best plus-minus in the league, a majority of the B's 2019-20 roster is solid defensively.

If the NHL season does resume at some point, you can bet on the Bruins being just as good as they were before the league hit pause.

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Bruins prospect Jeremy Swayman named Hobey Baker finalist

By Joe Haggerty April 02, 2020 2:23 PM

Bruins prospect Jeremy Swayman will begin his professional career once the NHL regular season pause is over, but the goaltending prospect has already ended his college career in style.

The goaltender was named one of three Hobey Baker finalists as the top player in all of NCAA hockey this past season after a tremendous year with the Black Bears.

Swayman, a fourth round draft pick of the Boston Bruins in 2017, finished up his junior season in Orono by playing over 2,000 minutes and leading the nation in saves (a school-record 1,099) with a 2.07 goals against average and a .939 save percentage (second in the country).

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Swayman earned Player of the Year and Finalist honors in addition to being named a Hobey Baker finalist and leaves the Black Bears in the same rarified air as fellow Maine alums like Ben Bishop and Jimmy Howard.

The 21-year-old Swayman signed an entry level contract with the Bruins last month and will embark on his professional career once hockey has resumed. Swayman obviously will be in need of some development at the pro level before he’s considered NHL material in Boston, but he’ll be in the pipeline to be the heir apparent to the No. 1 gig in Boston along with fellow prospects Daniel Vladar and Kyle Keyser.

Swayman joins University of Minnesota Duluth defenseman Scott Perunovich and University of North Dakota forward Jordan Kawaguchi as the three finalists up for college hockey’s top honor, which will be announced on April 11.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182058 Boston Bruins Insult was added to the salary cap injury just a couple of months ago when the Bruins needed to part with their 2020 first round pick, sending it to Anaheim, in order to free themselves of the odious Backes contract for Hindsight 2020: David Backes' Bruins contract costly in too many ways next season. On top of it all, the Bruins were forced to still eat a portion of the Backes deal ($1.5 million) for next year even after coughing up a valuable first round pick in the Backes/Ondrej Kase swap with the Ducks.

By Joe Haggerty April 02, 2020 1:15 PM The Bruins assumed they would get at least a couple of good seasons from Backes at the beginning of the $30 million deal where he would be a

big, strong, versatile top-6 winger — or third line center — who would If there’s one move that Don Sweeney can be fairly and vigorously take weight off the shoulders of guys like Patrice Bergeron. quaestioned for from the semi-recent past, it’s the signing of David Instead they spent premium dollars on a good man who may have been Backes to a costly albatross of a five-year, $30 million contract during the a consummate pro and an excellent leader within the Bruins dressing summer of 2016. room, but on the ice was a hockey player already breaking down on the It’s not the only second-guess opportunity when it comes to Sweeney back nine of his NHL career. running the Bruins, of course, but that’s the same story with every other The Bruins will still be paying that price for years to come with a 2020 general NHL manager in the 31 organizations. first round pick they no longer own and nothing to show for the big money It should be noted the B’s general manager has also led the franchise to they spent hoping Backes would hang onto his effectiveness in his mid- an impressive run as one of the best teams in the NHL over the last four 30s. seasons and has done it while focusing largely on the draft-and- Sweeney and the B’s will probably know better the next time they are development component. tempted with the same kind of quick-fix solution to their needs because, But there are some well-worn blemishes to be sure. after all, hindsight is 20/20.

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There’s the 2015 NHL Draft, obviously, when the Bruins missed on two out of three picks in the first round by taking Jakob Zboril and Zach Senyshyn in a loaded draft class. That decision continues to sting. Or the initial moves later in the summer of 2015 to acquire Matt Beleskey, Jimmy Hayes and Zach Rinaldo in a futile attempt to bring physicality to a Bruins team that had dealt Milan Lucic at the draft.

We’ll give Sweeney a mulligan for that entire first year, though, as he navigated the first season on the job, asserted himself as the final decision-maker on hockey operations decisions and attempted to transition a once-great-but-aging hockey club weighed down by some ill- advised contracts.

As of late, it’s been much more difficult to pinpoint obvious Bruins mistakes as they have developed young star players like Charlie McAvoy and Jake DeBrusk and pushed all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last season.

But one could make an easy argument the Bruins might have won Game 7 last summer against the St. Louis Blues if they’d utilized that $6 million in cap space for a more effective player than the 35-year-old Backes.

Hindsight 2020: What if C's hadn't traded Perk?

The aging Backes went through his worst NHL season last year with seven goals and 20 points in 70 games while showing consistent difficulties in keeping up with the NHL pace. Then he was in and out of the lineup in the playoffs before serving as a healthy scratch for the final three games of the Cup Final in favor of a player in Karson Kuhlman who's managed just four goals and 11 points in 36 career NHL games.

Clearly the summer of 2016 wasn’t a good one for the NHL free agent market when the Bruins were tossing around their big money.

Backes was a beyond-his-prime bust. Loui Eriksson has been consistently terrible for the . Milan Lucic hasn’t been the same as he was in his best years with the Bruins and has switched teams from Edmonton to Calgary in that time period. Andrew Ladd and Troy Brouwer were respective free agents busts for their new NHL teams as well.

In hindsight, the Bruins would have been better off simply holding off on spending the money that summer, and instead waiting until the right fit came along for them rather than wasting valuable cap space on an aging power forward incapable of posting the hard-hitting 20-goal/50-point seasons that he did in his best years with the Blues.

A more effective top-6 winger than Backes or Kuhlman certainly would have made a bigger impact in the seven-game series against the Blues last postseason, and would have left the Bruins without a massive top-6 winger void over the last few seasons. It’s a roster imperfection that, to this point, still hasn’t been properly addressed by the Bruins front office after a massive swing-and-miss on Backes.

Hindsight 2020: When the Sox built around the wrong Adrian 1182059 Boston Bruins games for the Bruins. After Dennis Seidenberg suffered an injury early in the game (more on that later), the Bruins were forced to play with five defensemen. Bartkowski logged 24:51 of ice time.

Distant Replay: Revisiting Bruins’ epic Game 7 comeback against Leafs Down to five, and the arrival of the future in 2013 Seidenberg played only two shifts for a total of 36 seconds before he pulled his hamstring, keeping him out for the remainder of the game. He By Joe McDonald Apr 2, 2020 wasn’t able to return until Game 5 of the semifinal series against the New York Rangers. His absence allowed the Bruins to insert then-rookie Torey Krug into the lineup. Krug took full advantage of the opportunity in his Stanley Cup playoff debut and finished the five-game series with four Editor’s note: “Distant Replay” is an occasional feature from The Athletic goals and one assist. Because of his contributions, Krug remained in the re-examining notable games from Boston sports history. You can read lineup for the duration of the playoffs, while was the odd more here. man out. Only twice during my career have I jumped out of my seat while covering The beginning of the end? a game. It’s probably two too many, but these events warranted that reaction. For the record, it had nothing to do with the fortunes of the Speaking of Hamilton, his performance in Game 7 against the Maple teams involved, the Bruins and Red Sox. Rather, what resonated were Leafs was probably the beginning of the Bruins decision to the one- the incredible individual accomplishments I was lucky enough to witness. time top prospect two summers later. He never fit well in the locker room and never lived up to expectations on the ice in Boston. In this game, The first came when Manny Ramirez crushed a walk-off home run especially with the blue line down to five after Seidenberg’s injury, against Angels’ Francisco Rodriguez in Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS. Hamilton struggled. On Toronto’s second goal, he easily lost a 50/50 Ramirez stood motionless at home plate with his arms in the air as the puck race behind Boston’s net when he decided to play the body instead ball soared out of Fenway Park. It was one of the hardest-hit balls I had of possessing the puck and making a play. The Maple Leafs capitalized ever seen, and it was still climbing high over the Monster when we lost with Cody Franson’s second goal of the game at 5:48 of the second sight of it. The ball probably landed somewhere in New Hampshire. period. The second time I was forced out of my seat, the Bruins’ Patrice Chara was a beast Bergeron provided the heroics. His goal at 19:09 of the third period of Game 7 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals erased a three- On the opposite end of the defensive , Zdeno Chara goal deficit and tied the contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 4-4. It was involved in every aspect of this game. He continually pinched deep was an incredible moment that forced , leading to Bergeron’s in the offensive zone and played his typical shutdown role, especially next great feat, when he scored the winner to close out the series at TD against the Maple Leafs’ Phil Kessel. Chara also worked the top power- Garden. play unit as the point man, alongside forwards Patrice Bergeron, , Jagr and Lucic. He was a physical presence and it proved crucial The 2013 season ultimately ended in disappointment for the Bruins, with on Bergeron’s game-tying goal when Chara camped out in front of the a loss to the in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final. But crease and limited Reimer’s ability to see the puck. His decision to pinch the Bruins would’ve never made it that far without the epic Game 7 win time and again, however, backfired on Chara and resulted in Toronto’s against the Maple Leafs. It’s a moment that still resonates throughout the fourth goal. The Bruins created sustained pressure in the offensive zone organization, and one that might even still provide a little bit of a and Chara crashed the net. Seguin failed to cover the point and Toronto psychological edge over Toronto. It’s a comeback that’s still worth created an odd-man rush with only defenseman Adam McQuaid back to revisiting, remembering, and rewatching today. defend before ’s tally at 5:29 of the third. Overall, Chara was The Setting a beast and logged a total of 35:46 of ice time.

That spring wasn’t a normal one. It was the year of Boston Strong, with Best players being the best players only a month passing since the Boston Marathon bombings, and The Bruins’ top line of Lucic, Krejci and Horton proved crucial in the third seemingly the entire city was cheering on the Bruins as they tried to hoist period. It was another example of Krejci’s ability to reach a different level their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. The Maple Leafs staved off in the Stanley Cup playoffs. In this game, he was going to the dirty areas elimination twice in the series to force Game 7 in Boston. The Bruins and having success. On Boston’s first goal, he recognized where trailed 4-1 midway through the third period and the season appeared to Bartkowski had the puck in the high slot, so Krejci raced to the front of be over. If it ended with a loss, many changes would have been made. the net to screen Reimer and it worked. In the third period, this trio kept Coach Claude Julien probably would have been fired and the roster hammering away and it resulted in Horton’s goal at 9:18. It wasn’t the would have been completely revamped. turning point of the game, but Lucic skated back to the bench after However, the Bruins weren’t ready for it to be over. Boston cut the deficit to 4-2 and told his teammates, “Here we go, boys. There’s one. Let’s go.” Immediate response Turning point Many forget that Games 6 and 7 of this series were played on back-to- back days. In fact, after losing Game 6, the Bruins didn’t arrive home Yes, Horton’s goal was crucial and gave the Bruins life, but it was from Toronto until after 2 a.m. the morning of Game 7. So, it was Julien’s decision to send out the Merlot Line on the ensuing faceoff that important to start heavy and fast, which is exactly how the Bruins came really paid off. The trio of Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell and Shawn out. Instead of overtime, this game could have been decided in the Thornton did their job to the best of their ability and sent a physical opening minute. Boston’s top line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Nathan message during that shift, indicating this game was far from over. They Horton immediately set the tone. Krejci registered two quality shots in the were on the ice for less than a minute before Julien sent Krejci’s line first 21 seconds, and Jaromir Jagr had a golden opportunity from the slot back out. From that moment, the lines were rolling and gaining only 43 seconds into the first period, but Maple Leafs goaltender James momentum. Lucic led the charge and was rewarded for his efforts. With Reimer made the crucial save. A goal in that situation — especially for four minutes remaining and the Bruins still down by two, Lucic applied a Jagr, who went goalless in all 22 games of his only postseason with huge body check on the Leafs’ Carl Gunnarsson in the offensive zone. Boston — would have made a big difference for the team and the Boston’s momentum kept building until Lucic scored with only 1:22 individual. remaining to cut the deficit to one.

Bart man On the dot

Remember Matt Bartkowski? Julien decided to replace veteran The Bruins finished the game with a 71 percent success rate on faceoffs, defenseman and insert Bartkowski for Game 7. He never partially reflecting that Toronto’s top centerman, Tyler Bozak missed lived up to expectations during his NHL career, but he was a key factor in Game 7 due to injury. Krejci (9-for-14), Bergeron (16-for-22), Rich Game 7 against the Leafs. Paired with Johnny Boychuk, Bartkowski Peverley (7-for-9), Chris Kelly (6-for-7), Campbell (3-for-5) and Lucic (2- made an immediate impact when he scored at 5:39 of the first period to for-4) dominated in the circle. That stat proved crucial because the Bruins give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. He was solid at both ends in one of his best are at their best when they start with the puck, which was the case on Bergeron’s game-tying goal. The Bruins called a timeout, and assistant coach Geoff Ward designed the play with an extra attacker. It was important to win the ensuing faceoff in order to get Rask off the ice immediately. Bergeron won the drop, allowing Rask to race to the bench and Jagr to jump into the play. That faceoff win set in motion the sequence that would lead to the game-tying goal. The Maple Leafs weren’t as aggressive as they should’ve been in this situation and the Bruins took advantage and when Bergeron’s from the high slot beat Reimer, it was total bedlam at TD Garden — yes, including me, and I couldn’t help but get out of my chair in amazement at what I’d just witnessed.

Save of the game

Only 1:53 into overtime, the Leafs created a quality scoring chance when Joffrey Lupul released a quick wrister from 44 feet outside the crease. Rask, who finished the game with 24 saves, moved from left to right and made a right-pad save. It turned out to be Toronto’s last shot on net before Bergeron scored the game-winner at 6:05 of overtime.

The Jagr effect

The Bruins acquired the veteran forward from the Dallas Stars at the trade deadline with the idea that the two-time Stanley Cup winner, and proven postseason performer, would help Boston reach its ultimate goal. When it was over, No. 68 only had 10 assists in 22 playoff games for the Bruins. In Game 7 against the Maple Leafs, he played with Bergeron and Marchand, but on the winning goal it was Seguin who proved crucial on that line. While Jagr was down the tunnel behind the bench with either an injury or equipment issue, Julien sent Seguin onto the ice. He had been playing with Peverley and Kelly the majority of the game, and hadn’t registered a point in the entire series. Seguin stepped up when needed. He won a net-front battle, which forced the puck loose before Bergeron drove it home for the winner. It would have been fun to see how well Marchand, Bergeron and Jagr could have played together if they had a full season to build chemistry. Ultimately, it didn’t matter because Jagr signed with the Devils that summer.

The end result

After defeating the Rangers in five games in the conference semifinals and sweeping the Penguins in the Eastern Conference final, the Bruins were banged up and hurting against the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup final. Chicago proved to be a resilient team and, down 2-1 in Game 6, scored a pair of goals in 17 seconds in the waning minutes of regulation en route to claiming the Cup. Still, that Game 7 comeback against the Maple Leafs is in the books as one of the most dramatic wins in Stanley Cup playoff history for the Bruins, one that resonates to this day.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182060 Buffalo Sabres years or younger, accounted for 98 of the Sabres' league-leading 308 goals in 2006-07. Following the free-agent departures, Buffalo made a significant financial commitment to Vanek by matching Edmonton's Buffalo sports' greatest what-ifs: What if Sabres kept Daniel Briere, Chris seven-year, $50 million offer sheet. Maxim Afinogenov, Jochen Hecht Drury? and Ales Kotalik also were returning.

Management failed to consider how much the departures impacted the Sabres' depth. The Sabres remained competitive, including a division title By Lance Lysowski Published Fri, Apr 3, 2020 in 2009-10, but the franchise reached the playoffs only twice, both first- round exits, after Briere and Drury departed.

No one was able to fill the leadership void, either. This is part of a series looking at Buffalo sports' greatest what-ifs. Today: What if the Sabres retained star forwards Daniel Briere and Chris Drury "We had a younger team," Pominville said. "A lot of those guys, it was in July 2007? our third year in the league. ... We definitely had the skill. We were able to win games and do well. Our goaltending was excellent. But you need Public discourse surrounding one of the darkest days in Sabres franchise to have some of those veterans for their presence in the room and what history still bothers Tom Golisano almost 13 years later. they bring on a day-to-day basis. Losing those two was huge on the In a span of almost five hours on July 1, 2007, the Sabres lost their two room, but it gave opportunities for other guys to step in and have bigger top forwards as Daniel Briere left for an eight-year, $52 million offer with leadership roles." the Philadelphia Flyers and Chris Drury agreed to terms with the New The Sabres could have remained under the $50.3 million salary cap York Rangers on a five-year, $35.25 million contract. ceiling by signing Briere and Drury to the offers they reportedly desired. The co-captains wanted to stay together. They were even willing to Future cap projections suggest the team could have kept both without accept less money to remain in Buffalo because they thought the Sabres' sacrificing Pominville or later. It's possible the right roster roster had the makings of a longtime Stanley Cup contender after decisions would have allowed Buffalo to also keep defenseman Brian consecutive conference finals appearances. Campbell, who was traded to San Jose in February 2008.

Yet neither was expected to return when free agency opened that But ownership never intended to spend to the cap ceiling. Briere had 26 summer. or more regular-season goals in four of his six years in Philadelphia and helped the Flyers to five consecutive playoff appearances, recording a "I know all the inside information about why it happened, the very logical league-best 30 points during a run to the Stanley Cup final in 2010. process we went through and the reasons it happened," Golisano, who owned the team from 2003-11, said in February. "I don't want to have Drury had 47 goals over his first two seasons in New York but injuries second thoughts about it. It bothers me that people have negative forced him to retire in August 2011. feelings about the way we handled it, but I thought we handled it as best Retaining one, or both, also could have impacted the Sabres' future we could under the circumstances." financial decisions. It's unlikely the Sabres would have signed Ville Leino The Sabres never recovered. Their nine-year postseason drought is the to a six-year, $27 million contract in 2011, and it's fair to wonder if Leino longest in the and they have not won a playoff would have earned a big pay day without playing alongside Briere in series since the two stars departed. But what would have happened had Philadelphia. Drury and Briere signed contracts with Buffalo that summer? More playoff runs with Briere and/or Drury could have saved the jobs of History shows it's not the pie-in-the-sky scenario some would lead you to former coach Lindy Ruff and former General Manager Darcy Regier. It's believe. Briere reportedly would have accepted a five-year, $25 million also unlikely the Sabres would have ever tanked to draft either Jack offer if it was presented before or during the season and, in the fall of Eichel or Connor McDavid. 2006, Drury agreed to terms with the Sabres on a four-year, $21.5 million There likely wouldn't have been lucrative free-agent contracts for offer. The combined average annual value: $10.375 million, a Christian Ehrhoff, Matt Moulson and Kyle Okposo. Ehrhoff and Leino considerable discount to retain the heart and soul of a team that had just later had their contracts bought out. There would be no reason to trade won the Presidents' Trophy. Miller or Pominville, who returned in June 2017 after being dealt to However, the Sabres stuck to their policy of not negotiating contracts Minnesota in April 2013. during the season. Drury was never given a contract to sign after Briere and Drury leaving began a series of bad business decisions that agreeing to terms and Briere did not receive an offer until two days eventually created a losing culture that festered for years. It's conceivable before free agency opened. the Sabres would have remained one of the top teams in the NHL for “I thought I was going to be a Sabre for the rest of my career, honestly, multiple seasons, though Regier's failures in the draft would have created even after the season,” said Briere during the team's 2000s night in a lack of depth. KeyBank Center this season. “Things happen … and I’m not trying to Even Briere couldn't believe the Sabres haven't made the playoffs since throw anybody under the bus. It’s done. We can’t change anything about 2011. But while he and Drury are having successful post-playing careers, it.” the shadow of a long postseason drought is still cast over a fan base that Drury was arguably the Sabres' best all-around player, a two-way force has never recovered from the tumultuous summer of 2007. who killed penalties and took key faceoffs while recording career highs in "No team can survive a long run after losing their top two guys," goals (37) and points (69) in 2006-07. He had 31 points in Buffalo's Pominville said. "It was definitely a tough blow for everyone. We thought march to consecutive conference finals. it was only the beginning where we could keep the team together, keep Briere, meanwhile, led the Sabres in regular-season and playoff points in building and try to find a way to compete every year for a Cup. I guess 2006-07 with 95 and 15, respectively. He scored 92 regular-season goals salary cap and all those type of things came into play. Things changed during his four years in Buffalo. The two players also accounted for 35 and they changed pretty quick." percent of the team's game-winning goals during three postseasons, and Buffalo News LOADED: 04.03.2020 their impact off the ice could not be measured.

"I remember Chris being a little more quiet, more on the personal side," said , an MSG analyst and retired NHL goaltender who was traded by the Sabres to Philadelphia in February 2007. "Danny was a ball of fire. Danny, you could see him face the locker room. You could see him angry and happy and ecstatic and (upset) in his stall. He wore it right on his sleeves. They were very different, but when you got on the ice, they were both non-stop."

Sabres ownership thought it had the talent to replace Briere and Drury. Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville and Derek Roy, all of whom were 23 1182061 Buffalo Sabres

MSG's 'Sabres Classics' will move to 2006 playoff series vs. Flyers

By Mike Harrington Published Thu, Apr 2, 2020|Updated Thu, Apr 2, 2020

MSG's "Sabres Classics" series has spent this week focusing on the 2005-06 regular season, as the Buffalo Sabres came out of the lockout to become one of the surprise teams of the NHL. The club announced Thursday that next week's games will start a run of postseason replays, opening with the four victories in the 2006 first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers.

All games air weeknights at 8 p.m. on MSG and the MSG Go app. They then will appear the next day on a special Sabres Classic Games video channel that has been created on NHL.com.

The schedule:

Monday, April 6 – Game 1: A 3-2 double-overtime win featuring Daniel Briere's game-winning goal and Brian Campbell's thunderous hit on Flyers forward R.J. Umberger.

Tuesday, April 7 – Game 2: An 8-2 win built on hat tricks from J.P. Dumont and Jason Pominville.

Wednesday, April 8 – Game 5: After the Flyers won both games in Philadelphia to even the series, the Sabres rallied for a 3-0 victory as Ryan Miller made 24 saves.

Thursday, April 9 – Game 6: The Sabres wrap up the series with a 7-1 win in Philadelphia behind two goals from Chris Drury and four-point nights from Drury and Mike Grier.

Buffalo News LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182062 Carolina Hurricanes round no matter who the opponent is. My gut says the Canes would’ve been a first-round exit in this scenario — especially with Carter Hart’s first playoff opportunity.

Five big ‘what-ifs’ the 2019-20 Hurricanes might never answer As for a second installment of Hurricanes vs. Capitals, Round 1? I just would’ve hoped that everyone made it out alive.

By Sara Civian Apr 2, 2020 3. If the Hurricanes hadn’t made the playoffs, how would it have impacted the fan base?

Approaching my third season covering the Canes, I have learned a lot Somehow, it has been less than a month since the NHL went on hiatus about how things work around here — and how things have to work in a as a result of the coronavirus crisis. There are a million more important small market. This franchise has suffered, like, Dunder Mifflin levels of things to worry about right now, but the general air of uncertainty is ironic failure despite best intentions over the years. The Canes always relevant in the context of the NHL. manage to make a deep run every time they make the postseason, but they have only made back-to-back playoff appearances once in franchise Will the regular season ever resume? Probably not. history. What about the playoffs? Believe it or not, inconsistency does a number on ticket sales, and lack of The league is hopeful that this season’s schedule will resume in some ticket sales does a number on a small-market hockey team. Despite what form. But the NHL won’t make any decision until the virus trajectory some guy on Twitter with two followers and no profile photo might tell presents a clearer timeline. you, there was tangible evidence that things were looking up in this aspect after last season’s run. What if the virus says “screw you and your playoff hopes,” which it probably will? This group of Canes will stay relevant for years, and y’all aren’t stupid — you know what’s been brewing. But to tangibly prove it means everything There are a few, burning questions the Hurricanes will have to table. when it comes to ticket sales, viewership and ultimately keeping the franchise alive in Raleigh. 1. Would the Hurricanes have made the playoffs? What if this pandemic never hit, and the Canes didn’t make the regularly When the league suspended play March 12, the Hurricanes held the scheduled playoffs this season? second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 14 games remaining in their regular season. As of that day, Dom Luszczyszyn’s On one hand, the was a force — one Rod Very Own Model had their odds of reaching the playoffs at 80 percent. Brind’Amour called the best division he’s seen in the NHL in “all his (Meanwhile, his simulation of the rest of the season currently has them at days.” There were bound to be deserving teams screwed out of a spot. a 50 percent chance.) There’s also the fact that this team and ownership is different than teams The Canes were in the midst of their much-anticipated Metropolitan and ownership Canes fans were used to in the past — Tom Dundon was Division World Tour when the league suspended play, and a few of their willing to make moves at the trade deadline, and was willing worst losses of the season slingshotted (is that a word) them into some to act on that notion. Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, Jaccob Slavin of their most convincing wins. They’d played a stretch of crucial games and Brett Pesce are locked up in their collective primes, Andrei with one EBUG and two AHL goalies in net, mind you. They’d strung Svechnikov and Martin Necas are approaching theirs. together three wins for the first time in what felt like a decade — exactly when they had to. I think Dom’s simulation only has the Hurricanes at 50 If the Canes had missed the playoffs this season, I think there would be percent chance to make the playoffs because Petr Mrazek had only some degree of understanding that the team will be right back in it next returned for one game before the suspension. year.

The road ahead was Devils, Penguins, Sabres, Sabres, Blues, Senators, But truthfully, I would’ve considered missing playoffs a failure regardless Islanders, Penguins, Leafs, Penguins, Devils, Bruins, Blue Jackets, of what’s to come. The team needs to earn the trust of the fan base, for Bruins. real.

With the way they were trending after the trade deadline and Mrazek’s 4. What is Petr Mrazek? return, I say in a normal world the Hurricanes went 8-5-1 in that stretch It’s always interesting to get an outside perspective on Petr Mrazek. and kept their second wild card spot. Craig Custance’s annual, preseason goalie tier piece elucidates that 2. If the Hurricanes had made the playoffs, how far would they have perfectly. gone? An excerpt: According to Dom’s Model as of April 1, the Canes had a 26 percent “I wouldn’t want him as my No. 1,” said a GM. chance of meeting the Capitals in the first round, a 23 percent chance of meeting the Bruins and a 19 percent chance of meeting the Flyers. One executive seemed to feel guilty about his low rating.

What would’ve been the best first-round matchup? “I’m probably not giving him the credit he deserves,” he said.

Considering the Hurricanes had only played the Bruins once this season The reality is, Mrazek is probably a tweener — a guy who can get hot for — a 2-0 thriller that the Bruins ended up winning in the final few minutes stretches of time but not somebody you want to count on for most of the — that’s tough to say. The Bruins obviously swept the Hurricanes in the season. Eastern Conference Final last season, and I think that happened for a handful of reasons. One of the most compelling is the battle-tested “You don’t know if he’s a backup,” said an executive. “You don’t know Bruins core knew how to make a deep playoff run whereas most of the what he is. I’m not sure he’s a starter but he’s an above average Hurricanes who were supposed to make an impact three rounds deep backup.” had been there for the first time. I thought about this article almost every game Mrazek played this Now, I had the Bruins winning the Cup from Day 1 of the 2019-20 season, and I kept circling back to “You don’t know what he is.” season, and I still think they would’ve won it. But I think the Hurricanes Maybe that’s the most annoying unanswered question of this season — would’ve had a better chance sneaking past them in the first round than we were about to find out. meeting them in the second or third round again. I think if the Hurricanes managed to beat the Bruins in the first round then they would’ve had as I made a case for him — and James Reimer — before all the injuries hit. good a chance as anyone remaining to win the Cup, considering potential matchups. But it’s still a tough sell. You could make a strong case in disagreement and you wouldn’t be wrong — that’s the thing. Mrazek’s return from injury could’ve been the I feel almost inversely about a first-round matchup with the Flyers. I see difference between decisive, No. 1 starter and “above average backup.” the 2018-19 Hurricanes in the 2019-20 Flyers — I see them riding off adrenaline and the satisfaction of proving people wrong to exit the first We will just have to wait. 5. If the Hurricanes made the playoffs, how would Brind’Amour take the next steps?

When the Bruins completed the sweep to beat the Canes in the ECF, I asked Brind’Amour what he’d learned in his first season at the helm.

“I learned I could handle it,” he said. “As a new guy coming in the league, you’re never quite sure if the way you’re going to do it is going to be OK. You have nothing to look back on to see if it can work. I think I can handle it.”

What comes next?

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Blackhawks sign Matthew Highmore and Kevin Lankinen to extensions, securing 2 young talents through 2022

By PHIL THOMPSON |APR 02, 2020 | 1:33 PM

The Blackhawks agreed to contract extensions with forward Matthew Highmore and goaltender Kevin Lankinen, and signed forwards Evan Barratt and Andrei Altybarmakyan to entry-level contracts, the team announced Thursday.

Highmore and Lankinen’s signings tick off two from the Hawks’ list of young restricted free agents they’ll try to sign — a task made tougher by what’s expected to be a flat salary cap because of the suspended NHL season.

Highmore agreed to a two-year extension that runs through 2021-22 and averages $725,000. Lankinen’s two-year deal averages $800,000.

The Hawks like Highmore’s , energy and work ethic. He split the season between Rockford and Chicago and had two goals and four assists in a career-high 36 NHL games.

“You look at a guy like Highmore, he’s playing unbelievable on the fourth line, he’s a perfect fourth-line player,” said last month. “Plays hard, gets in on the forecheck , wins a lot of pucks back, plays for the team, so it’s fun to see guys come in that maybe wouldn’t have had an opportunity like that at the beginning of the season.”

Lankinen, an AHL All-Star for the first time season, posted a 8-10-2 record, 3.03 goals-against average and .909 save percentage with the IceHogs.

Barratt’s three-year entry-level deal runs through 2022-23 with an $870,000 average. Altybarmakyan’s two-year entry-level contract carries an $817,500 average.

The Hawks drafted Barrat in the third round in 2017, and the Penn State junior tied for the Nittany Lions team lead with 12 goals this season.

Altybarmakyan, another 2017 third-rounder, notched KHL career highs in goals (six) and assists (11) for HK Sochi.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182064 Chicago Blackhawks Lehner could theoretically be brought back as an unrestricted free agent; another UFA (or two) could also be added.

In other words, Lankinen has no way of knowing whether he’ll be battling Blackhawks signings: Matthew Highmore, prospect Evan Barratt among Delia for the NHL starter job, battling Delia for the vacant NHL backup 4 players given new contracts job, or battling Delia and a new addition for a crowded backup job.

Highmore and AHL goaltender Kevin Lankinen were re-signed to two- Still, Thursday’s re-signing means the Hawks — as expected — do see year extensions, while prospects Barratt and Andrei Altybarmakyan were Lankinen as part of the puzzle. signed to entry-level contracts. Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 04.03.2020

By Ben Pope Apr 2, 2020, 12:58pm CDT

The uncertain timeline of the remainder of the 2019-20 NHL season and ensuing offseason didn’t stop the Blackhawks from announcing four new contracts Thursday.

Fourth-line forward Matthew Highmore and AHL prospect goaltender Kevin Lankinen were both signed to affordable two-year deals — with cap hits under $1 million — while prospects Evan Barratt and Andrei Altybarmakyan inked their entry-level contracts.

Barratt is the most exciting part of the announcement.

A 2017 third-round pick, Barratt was one of the best players in Penn State’s elite program the past three years and had moved up to No. 7 in the Sun-Times’ midseason Blackhawks prospect rankings.

The 6-foot center is playmaking genius who produced highlight goals around every turn in college and scored 77 points in 66 games over the past two seasons.

“What separates him is his ability to make very unique plays at game speed,” Nittany Lions coach Guy Gadowsky said in January. “A lot of players can, when no one’s around and no one’s hitting you, do different things with the puck. But he’s able to do it at game speed, and that’s what is really amazing about him.”

Skating ability has long been the knock on Barratt, but he’d recognized that weakness this year and worked hard to improve in that realm. He has the skill and vision to become a productive top-nine center at the NHL level.

His entry-level contract is a standard three-year deal with an $870,000 cap hit; he’ll probably at least start next season in Rockford to transition to the pro game.

Evan Barratt (No. 17) was a star at Penn State prior to Thursday’s signing. Craig Houtz/Penn State Athletics

Altybarmakyan, 13-character surname and all, was also a 2017 third- round pick — actually chosen 20 picks before Barratt — whose development slowed after his draft year, then leapt up again in 2019-20.

The 5-foot-11 winger finally established himself this past season with Sochi of Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), tallying 17 points in 49 games. His odds of eventually cementing a role on the Hawks roster are lower than Barratt’s, but his move to North America — on a two-year deal with a $817,500 cap hit — will nonetheless help.

For Highmore and Lankinen, who both saw time up with the Hawks this past season (although Lankinen did not actually appear in a regular- season game), the news is less surprising but still notable.

Highmore was a quiet breakout in 2019-20 after missing almost all of 2018-19 recovering from shoulder surgery, cementing himself as a Hawks lineup regular from mid-December on.

Despite his unremarkable stat line of six points in 36 games, his combination of quickness and toughness made him an ideal fourth-line grinder in the new speed-focused NHL. Like Lankinen, his new contract signed Thursday is technically two-way for 2020-21, but he’s a good bet to retain a role in the NHL.

Lankinen, meanwhile, will also contend for an NHL job, although his fellow competitors are quite unclear right now.

Collin Delia, Lankinen’s counterpart in Rockford this past season, will surely be in the mix, but he’s the only certain one. Corey Crawford is no guarantee to re-sign as an unrestricted free agent; current backup Malcolm Subban may end up with the shortest Hawks career ever; Robin 1182065 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks extend Highmore, sign 3 others

John Dietz

The Blackhawks agreed to terms with four players Thursday:

• Forward Matthew Highmore signed a 2-year, $1.45 million extension that runs through the 2021-22 season. Highmore, originally signed as an undrafted free agent in March 2017, appeared in a career-high 36 NHL games this season. He had 2 goals and 4 assists. The 24-year-old also had 4 goals and 8 assists in 21 games with Rockford.

• Goalie Kevin Lankinen inked a two-year, $1.6 million deal. Lankinen went 8-10-2 with a .909 save percentage and 3.03 goals-against average for Rockford this season and was an AHL All-Star. He set a franchise record with 55 saves during a 2-1 OT win over Milwaukee Dec. 10. Lankinen led Finland to a gold medal at the 2019 IIHF (juniors) World Championship, going 7-1-0 and posting a .942 save percentage.

• Evan Barratt, drafted in the third round by the Hawks in 2017, agreed to a three-year, entry-level deal worth $2.61 million. The 6-foot, 188-pound forward tied for the team lead at Penn State this season with 12 goals in 34 games. He scored 16 times in 32 games last season.

• Andrei Altybarmakyan, also a third-round pick in 2017, signed a two- year, entry-level deal worth $1.635 million. The 5-11, 191-pound forward scored 6 goals and had 11 assists in 49 games while playing in the Kontinental Hockey League and HK Tambov of the VHL.

The Hawks have three important players still unsigned: forwards Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome, and defenseman Ian Mitchell.

Kubalik scored 30 times in 68 games and is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

Mitchell (10G, 22A in 36 games at the University of Denver) was taken in the second round in 2017 and could compete for a spot on the opening- night roster next season.

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Blackhawks agree to extensions with F Highmore, G Lankinen

Associated Press Updated 4/2/2020 1:34 PM

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to two-year contract extensions with forward Matthew Highmore and goaltender Kevin Lankinen.

The first year of each extension is a two-way deal. Highmore's agreement has an average annual value of $725,000, and Lankinen's extension carries an average annual value of $800,000.

The Blackhawks also announced Thursday that forwards Evan Barratt and Andrei Altybarmakyan had agreed to entry-level contracts. Barratt's three-year deal runs through the 2022-23 season with an average annual value of $870,000, and Altybarmakyan's two-year contract carries an average annual value of $817,500 and runs through the 2021-22 season.

The 24-year-old Highmore has turned into a reliable depth forward for Chicago. He has two goals and four assists in a career-high 36 games this season.

Lankinen is still looking for his NHL debut, but he could compete for the backup role with the Blackhawks next season. He is 8-10-2 with a 3.03 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage this season with Rockford of the AHL.

Lankinen, who turns 25 on April 28, helped lead Finland to gold at the 2019 world championship, going 7-1-0 with a 1.50 GAA during the tournament.

Barratt, 21, was selected by Chicago in the third round of the 2017 draft. He had 12 goals during his junior season at Penn State.

Altybarmakyan, another third-round pick from the 2017 draft, spent this season with HK Sochi of the Kontinental Hockey League and HK Tambov of the VHL.

The last-place Blackhawks haven't played any games since their 6-2 win over San Jose on March 11. The NHL has suspended its season because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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2010 Hawks Rewind: 3 things we noticed in Blackhawks' Game 1 win over Sharks

By Charlie Roumeliotis April 02, 2020 5:10 PM

In honor of the 10-year anniversary of the 2010 Stanley Cup team, NBC Sports Chicago is re-airing each of the Blackhawks' 16 postseason wins from the run that ended a 49-year championship drought. You can join the conversation using #HawksRewind on social media.

Despite opening the Western Conference Final on the road, the Blackhawks overcame an early deficit to defeat the San Jose Sharks 2-1 in Game 1 at HP Pavillon. Here are three things we noticed in the win:

1. An epic goaltending battle

The Blackhawks and Sharks ranked third and fourth, respectively, in goals per game going into the playoffs, so it wasn't a surprise to see two of the NHL's best offensive teams reach the Final Four.

The offensive firepower was on full display in Game 1, with the two teams combining for 85 shots on goal, 68 scoring chances and 22 high- danger chances, according to Natural Stat Trick. But it was the goaltending that stole the show.

Antti Niemi made a career-high 44 saves on 45 shots for a save percentage of .978. He also stopped all 13 high-danger chances. His counterpart Evgeni Nabokov turned aside 38 of 40 shots, including all nine high-danger chances, for a save percentage of .950.

2. Escaping the special teams nightmare

The Blackhawks made Game 1 very difficult on themselves in the special teams department. They committed five minor penalties compared to the Sharks' zero, which is as lopsided a ratio as you'll ever see in the playoffs.

The Sharks capitalized on one of those five chances but credit the Blackhawks for hanging in on the other four. They played a full 60 minutes without a single man advantage and made sure it wasn't the reason they lost the game.

3. The legend of Dustin Byfuglien grows

You are going to see a lot of Byfuglien in this series, and he didn't waste any time.

In a 1-1 tie, a wide-open Big Buff pounded his stick on the ice, received a pass from Patrick Kane in the high slot and buried a slap shot past Nabokov with 6:45 left in regulation and it turned out to be the game- winner.

Byfuglien scored a goal in all four games and was credited with the game-winner in three of them. Game 1 was just the start.

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Blackhawks re-sign Highmore, Lankinen, agree to terms with 2 prospects

By Charlie Roumeliotis April 02, 2020 12:15 PM

The Blackhawks announced on Thursday that they have re-signed pending restricted free agent forward Matthew Highmore and goaltender Kevin Lankinen, and agreed to terms with forward prospects Evan Barratt and Andrei Altybarmakyan on entry-level contracts.

Highmore's deal runs for two years through the 2021-22 season and carries a $725,000 average annual value (AAV). Lankinen's deal is also for two years and runs through the 2021-22 campaign, and carries a $800,000 AAV.

Barratt's deal runs for three years through the 2022-23 season and carries an $870,000 AAV, while Altybarmakyan's is a two-year deal that runs through the 2021-22 campaign and carries a $817,500 AAV.

Highmore has six points (two goals, four assists) in 36 games with the Blackhawks this season and registered 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 21 games with the Rockford IceHogs of the . Lankinen went 8-10-2 with a 3.03 goals against average and .909 save percentage for Rockford before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery on March 2.

Barratt, who was drafted by the Blackhawks in the third round (No. 90 overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft, is the most notable signing. He registered a team-high 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points in 34 games during his junior season at Penn State, and was also a Hobey Baker nominee in 2019 after setting career-highs in goals (16), assists (27) and points (43) as a sophomore.

Altybarmakyan was also taken in the third round (No. 70 overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. He registered career highs in goals (six), assists (11) and points (17) in 49 games this season for HK Sochi of the Kontinental Hockey League, and appeared in three games for HK Tambov of the VHL.

With the re-signing of Highmore and Lankinen, the Blackhawks now have nine pending restricted free agents, which most notably includes Drake Caggiula, Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome.

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Hawks Rewind: Blackhawks get off to a good start in San Jose

By Scott King April 02, 2020 11:05 AM

New day, new Hawks Rewind, new series. Thursday at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Chicago you can re-watch the 2010 Blackhawks inch closer to their first Stanley Cup in 49 years when they take on the San Jose Sharks in Game 1 of the 2010 Western Conference Final.

The Hawks had just clinched in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Vancouver Canucks in a 5-1 blowout.

Now, heading into San Jose to open the series, there was even more at stake with the winner going to the big dance for the Cup.

Dustin Byfuglien and continued their fabulous postseason performances for Chicago.

After trailing 1-0 off a Jason Demers first-period power-play goal, Sharp tied it 1-1 at 7:44 of the second period. Duncan Keith and Troy Brouwer assisted on the goal.

Then, Byfuglien put the Blackhawks ahead at 13:15 of the third period for the 2-1 final score.

Antti Niemi made 44 saves in his first contest against the Sharks. The Hawks goalie helped Chicago kill four of five power plays including a San Jose 6-on-4 in the final minute.

The victory ended a streak of four straight series-opening losses for the Blackhawks.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182070 Chicago Blackhawks - : 32/36 (.888 SV%)

Corey Crawford was consistent in net for the Hawks yet again, as he has been since the deadline day trade of Robin Lehner. The first goal was NHL 20 sim: Blackhawks battle for playoff lives vs. Islanders one he might want back, but it was still conceded to an open shooter in the slot. The second was a perfectly placed shot Crawford had very little chance on. By Matthew Rooney April 02, 2020 7:21 AM Power Play:

- Chicago: 2-6 With the Blackhawks down to their final two games on the would-be NHL schedule, we decided to wrap up their season by simulating the New - New York: 0-3 York swing in NHL 20. The Hawks finish up with two games in the Special teams success is key to any postseason run, and for a team like Empire State; first a matchup with the Islanders followed by a showdown Chicago that has had major struggles on the power play this season, this with Artemi Panarin’s Rangers. game was a welcomed sight. A pair of goals on the man-advantage and These games are must-wins as the Blackhawks fight for a playoff berth. a perfect kill is a recipe for success. How did we get to this point? Here's the scenario: The Hawks surged Notable Blackhawks performances through mid-March largely due to a heavy home schedule. Chicago defended home ice with a record of 6-1-1 in their last eight games at the - Alex Debrincat (Goal, Assist) , coupled with a 2-0-1 record in their remaining three road games of the month, good for an 8-1-2 record leading up to the final two - Alex Nylander (3 Assists) games of the season. Getting four of four points in their home-and-home - Kirby Dach (Assist) against the Minnesota Wild was crucial. - Adam Boqvist (Assist) Despite the late playoff push, the Blackhawks still need all four points in their East Coast visit to potentially earn a wild card spot in a crowded The Blackhawks had several young players step up and play big roles in Western Conference. Can they continue their hot streak and vault a big situation. Alex Nylander chipped in with 3 assists (2 on the PP). themselves into the playoffs? Adam Boqvist notched an assist on the game-tying goal early. Alex DeBrincat set up the go-ahead goal and netted the goal that effectively Blackhawks at Islanders (4/2) put the game out of reach, a goal that Kirby Dach assisted on. For the Result: Blackhawks win 5-2 Blackhawks to make a deep playoff run, they’ll need contributions like this from their youth. With their postseason hopes on the line, it’s a : positive performance out of the team’s young players hoping to get their first taste of the playoffs. 1st Star: Dylan Strome (2 G, 1 A, 6 SOG) Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020 2nd Star: Leo Komarov (2 G)

3rd Star: Brandon Saad (2 G, +1)

The Blackhawks’ big men were key to the win in Brooklyn. Strome and Saad both stepped up with multi-goal performances and were vital to the Blackhawks success on the man-advantage. The Hawks will need both to continue to play important roles on special teams if they want to get into the postseason and make a run.

Scoring Summary:

1st Period

- 11:01: Leo Komarov (B. Nelson, D. Toews) 1-0

- 13:17: Brandon Saad (A. DeBrincat, A. Boqvist) 1-1

- 14:38 PP Brandon Saad (A. Nylander, D. Strome) 2-1

2nd Period

- 9:55 PP Dylan Strome (A. Nylander, D. Keith) 3-1

3rd Period

- 5:05 DeBrincat (J. Toews, K. Dach) 4-1

- 12:04 Leo Komarov (M. Martin, J. Boychuk) 4-2

- 19:20 EN Dylan Strome (A. Nylander, P. Kane) 5-2

Box Score:

Shots on Goal:

- Chicago: 37

- New York: 26

The Blackhawks defense stepped up in a big way limiting the Islanders to just 26 shots on goal. The six Chicago power plays certainly helped swing things in their favor, but limiting shots has been a Blackhawks weakness all season (35.1 shots allowed per game). If Corey Crawford is seeing close to 10 less shots per game than the team average, the Hawks stand a chance against anyone.

Goalies:

- Corey Crawford: 24/26 (.923 SV%) 1182071 Chicago Blackhawks line from the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL next season. Both centers are still on the young side too, with Barratt just turning 21 in February and Kurashev not turning 21 until October. Add in 19-year-old Kirby Dach and Evan Barratt leaves Penn State, signs with Blackhawks 23-year-old Dylan Strome, and the Blackhawks have a number of young, promising centermen.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 By Scott Powers Apr 2, 2020

As other teams around the NHL began signing players and getting on with their hockey business recently, it was only a matter of time before the Blackhawks followed suit.

Blackhawks general manager has a lot to do in the coming months with decisions on prospects, free agents, balancing the cap and more. On Thursday, he took care of his first piece of business.

The Blackhawks and center prospect Evan Barratt agreed Thursday to a three-year, entry-level contract that will begin in the 2020-21 season. With that, Barratt, 21, will forgo his senior season at Penn State. The team also announced an entry-level contract with forward Andrei Altybarmakyan and extensions for forward Matthew Highmore and goaltender Kevin Lankinen.

Barratt, who is 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, was drafted by the Blackhawks out of the U.S. National Team Development Program in the third round in 2017. He was among the top college points producers over the last two seasons. He had 16 goals and 27 assists in 32 games as a sophomore during the 2018-19 season and 12 goals and 22 assists in 34 games this past season.

Barratt said last month he thought he was ready for pro hockey.

“I believe if the option presents itself then I am confident in my abilities and my game that I can make the next step,” Barratt said in March.

Altybarmakyan’s signing isn’t surprising. It had been mentioned as a possibility recently as his KHL contract had expired after this season.

“It’s always been his dream to have the opportunity to play in the NHL,” his agent Dan Milstein said on Thursday. “He’s had a great experience in the KHL. He just wanted to fulfill his contract obligations, and he felt the time was right to start developing into an NHL player in North America.”

Altybarmakyan, who will turn 22 in August, does not have a European clause in his contract.

“If he has to spend some time in the AHL, he’s willing,” Milstein said.

Altybarmakyan has made strides in the KHL since the Blackhawks drafted him in the third round in 2017. He saw his most ice time and produced the most this past season with Sochi. He had six goals and 11 assists in 49 games. His 17 points were fifth among under-22 players in the KHL.

Barratt has been widely considered the Blackhawks’ second-best unsigned prospect next to Ian Mitchell. The Athletic’s Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler both had Barratt highly rated in their organizational rankings this season.

“He’s super smart, makes a lot of plays,” Pronman said of Barratt on Thursday. “I think he’s a solid chance to make it to the NHL but he’s not a lock because he still lacks NHL level quickness.”

Barratt focused on his quickness and speed this past season. He and the Blackhawks discussed him turning pro after last season, but he returned to school after discovering he required hip surgery. Barratt said last month he thought returning to Penn State had helped his development.

“I feel like I played a faster, more pro-style game taking care of all areas of the ice,” Barratt said. “I felt like I was more confident with the puck and had the puck on my stick a lot more than I have in the past. Just felt more comfortable, stronger, faster as every weekend went on.”

One league source thought the same.

“I like him a lot,” the source said of Barratt. “He’s strong inside the dots and around net. He plays hard and on the edge at all times. Obviously he can score points, but his overall game is real solid and honest. He’s very smart.”

Barratt is projected to be a center at the next level and will add organizational depth at the position. Outside of the Blackhawks’ current NHL centers, Barratt and Philipp Kurashev could be their next centers in 1182072 Chicago Blackhawks That first game, which was against Detroit, felt different than anything I had experienced to that point. It was a game I had dreamed about my whole life and then all of a sudden here I was, putting on that sweater How hometown boy Eddie Olczyk adjusted to being on the Blackhawks with my name on the back and walking up those stairs to the ice level and the crowd is going crazy. It was like, man, you’ve arrived. I thought about my folks, who were there at the game along with my brothers. You have all these people watching you. By The Athletic Staff Apr 2, 2020 Being on the ice and seeing the crowd through the glass was totally

different compared to how I had seen the game as a spectator. It was This excerpt from Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life surreal. We won 7–3 and I scored. Every young hockey player dreams of by Eddie Olczyk with Perry Lefko is printed with the permission of scoring their first NHL goal so they can keep the puck and talk about it Triumph Books. For more information and to order a copy, please visit after their career and provide the details. Here’s how mine happened: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or www.triumphbooks.com/EddieOlczyk. passed the pack to Dave Feamster, who shot it from the point. I was cruising in front of the net and the puck hit the end boards I had a lot of confidence going into that first training camp with the and came back out. Red Wings goalie turned and was out of Hawks. There was a lot of attention on me from the media and I definitely his net and I put it home while I was getting knocked down on my ass. felt the pressure. I was both nervous and excited. The Hawks were The crowd went nuts chanting my name, “Edd-ie, Edd-ie.” I could never coming off a disappointing season, so I had to grow up pretty quickly. It have imagined that would happen. It was pretty special. I remember they was like, “I’m playing for my hometown team and I can’t screw this up.” used to do that for goalie —“To-ny, To-ny”— when he made a great save. I remember thinking I must have done something I was mentally tough at that point, but this was no dream. There were right for the fans to chant my name. guys trying to kick my ass and take my job or keep their job. That’s when you realize this is a business. Everybody is friendly and most hockey Keith Brown grabbed the puck and gave it to me and I skated off the ice. guys are the greatest guys in the world, but when some 18-year-old punk I remember raising my right arm and pumping my fist in the air. I couldn’t from Chicago is coming in trying to take your job, that’s a different story. believe it: I had scored a goal in my first NHL game.

From day one I always felt like I had 36,000 eyeballs on me every night Eddie Olczyk survived a cancer scare in 2017. (Courtesy of Triumph because I was a Chicago guy. I wanted to do so well for so many people, Publishing) which was no easy task. After the game, I was pulled in every direction by the media. The late After our first preseason game, our head coach, Orval Tessier, told the broadcaster Tim Weigel, who was a legend in Chicago, did an interview media I was going to be a great player, referencing my play in the with me from the bottom of the stairs. I had a shiner and stitches in my Olympics and . “If he can play that well against the best in cheek from the preseason and I couldn’t believe this was all happening. the world, he can play for the Chicago Blackhawks,” he said. Every game I played, whether it was good or bad, there was hometown I learned very quickly that the trainers on a hockey team are the lifeline of pressure. It’s just the way it was. There was no doubt some of my a player. They are overworked and underpaid, but they are the best. If teammates, particularly the older guys, were not happy with the attention you are good to those guys, you are golden forever. I loved those guys I was receiving, but it wasn’t like I asked for it. This was a story that had my whole career, every one of them. never happened before. Think of a kid from Toronto playing for the Maple Leafs, that kind of stuff is pretty normal. Same thing with a kid from I had told Hawks medical trainer Skip Thayer during training camp about playing for the Bruins. This had never happened before in this dream I had when I was younger. In the dream, I was late arriving to the first round with the Hawks. I wasn’t the first native of Chicago to play the arena for the first game and security at the players’ entrance wouldn’t for the Hawks, but I was the first one selected so high in the draft. I’ll let me in because they didn’t know who I was. I would eventually wake always be proud to say where I’m from and this was just something that up in a cold sweat. I had this dream hundreds of times. On my way to the became part of my NHL learning curve. I definitely had to earn the arena for the actual game, there was a traffic jam. I was driving my respect in the locker room. father’s car, which had broken windshield wipers. When I arrived at the Stadium, the person at the security entrance prevented me from going in I always tried to answer my fan mail, something I still do today. When I to park. When I told him I was Eddie Olczyk, he said Eddie Olczyk had was with the Olympic team, I received a letter from , whose already arrived. father, Marv, is a broadcast legend, and I sent him back an autographed photo. Who knew years later we’d both be working for NBC on hockey Eddie Olczyk began his NHL career with the Blackhawks during the broadcasts? 1984-85 season and finished with them for the last two seasons of his career from 1998-2000. (Robert Laberge / Allsport) Orval moved me from Tommy Lysiak’s line to a line with on left wing and Troy Murray at center. We meshed right away because we I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard. I told him I had already played four thought the same way and had great chemistry off the ice. Troy is still preseason games and that I was late for my first game in the show. I was one of my best friends. We had everything on our line: toughness in Fras, beginning to panic and I told the security person to call the Hawks Troy’s two-way play, and I was kind of the playmaker and offensive guy. dressing room. Eventually, they let me in. My nightmare had actually come true. I was thinking I was a psychic. Hawks TV play-by-play man dubbed us the Clydesdales Line because we each weighed more than 200 pounds and there were very As I was walking, stunned, by the training room, I saw Skip and he said, few lines at that time that had three guys that big. He just thought it was “Hey, kid, did you have any trouble getting in?” descriptive for that time, which was when Budweiser had a national At that point, I knew Skip had pranked me. Nothing is sacred in a locker advertising campaign featuring Clydesdale horses. Pat says he was room. trying to be minimally creative, but it became quite popular. The first time I became aware of it was from my parents. Just for the record, we were I began the season playing right wing on a line with center Tommy Lysiak the fastest Clydesdales around. I think it’s still one of the top 10 greatest and left wing . I told Tommy that I wrote a letter to him when names for a hockey line. I was 15 telling him I was a fan of his and that I wanted to play in the NHL. He sent me back a photo of himself that he signed, “To Eddie O, Back in the day when guys played together for long stretches of time, maybe we could play together, Tommy Lysiak.” Sure enough, three years they were given names: the Production Line, the Punch Line, the GAG later, I was playing on a line with him in my first game. What are the Line, the Triple Crown Line, the Trio Grande Line, and the French chances of that? To me, that’s an incredible story. Connection, for example. Chicago always seemed to have lines with great nicknames: the MPH Line (Pit Martin, Jim Pappin, and ), When I told him the story, in typical Tommy fashion, he said, “How many the Scooter Line (, , and Ken Wharram), the other players did you send letters to?” Sadly, Tommy passed away on Pony Line (Max Bentley, Doug Bentley, and Bill Mosienko), and the May 30, 2016. It happened during the Stanley Cup Final between Million Dollar Line (Hull, Murray Balfour, and ). Pittsburgh and San Jose. I traveled to Georgia to pay my respects to his wife, Melinda, and their entire family. Sometimes during a stoppage in play when I came on to the ice with Troy and Fras, the Stadium organist, , would play “My Hometown” by Bruce Springsteen. My brother Ricky recalls it being intentional and how he picked up on it right away.

Early in February, with the team sitting in second place in the Norris Division with a record of 22–28–3, Pully fired Orval and took his place as our head coach. Two seasons before, the Hawks finished first in the Norris Division with a record of 47–23–10, second overall in the Clarence Campbell Conference behind Edmonton. The Hawks were swept by the Oilers in the conference finals. Edmonton won the first two games by a combined score of 16–6 and when asked about it after the second game, Orval said, “We’ll probably call the Mayo Clinic for heart transplants.”

The previous season, the Hawks plummeted to fourth in the division with a record of 30–42–8 and lost to Minnesota in the division semifinals. Looking back, when we started off the season slowly, it was only a matter of time before Orval was fired.

When it happened, I was like, “OK, the coach gets fired, just keep playing.” Pully was a tough guy but the best coach I ever had. He knew what guys could do and couldn’t do—old-school strategy!

Things were going well for me professionally, and personally, my life was about to change.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182073 Colorado Avalanche What’s it like to be in his good graces compared to when you’re not?

“You definitely know when you’re not,” Nelson said. “You’ll have a couple meetings, have a couple (video) clips and get called out a little bit, but Not everyone can be reached but Greg Cronin will certainly try rightfully so sometimes.”

Cronin is aware he can be considered an intimidating figure. Those who By Ryan S. Clark Apr 2, 2020 meet him immediately notice the intense and near stone-faced look of a man who does not appear to be flexible or capable of cracking a smile. Some would argue he looks more like a drill sergeant than a hockey coach. His almost military-style haircut, plus the fact he spends hours in Believe in the message. the gym or running every day, just adds to that image. Greg Cronin was a first-year assistant with the New York Islanders when He speaks with the knowledge one would expect from a coach with his he learned that lesson in a harsh yet memorable way. He was doing a resume. But he discusses hockey like a mad scientist whose latest presentation that required him to hold then-captain experiment might sound strange at first but gets results when applied. He accountable. Cronin admitted he was intimidated by the environment. spends hours watching video of games and practices. It is why he can After all, he was a young coach with a college hockey background in a greatly detail a player’s flaws or the firmness he shows with certain position to instruct some of the best professional players in the world. details. He can still do that with players he has not coached in several What he said to Linden and the rest of the team lacked conviction. Mike years, speaking about them as if they were on his team. Milbury noticed and it led to a long-lasting discussion. “He’s got a lot of energy and he’s passionate. Really passionate,” “Mike pulled me aside and says, ‘Listen to me. These players don’t care Mayfield said. “For me, he brought me mentally to another level. It’s what your background is. They are going to respond to a message that tough those first couple of years when you’re back and forth trying to has conviction, believability and accountability,’” Cronin said. “He said, ‘If make it. He kind of talks about the grind mentally and what it takes to get you’re not going to coach with those qualities, you might as well go back to the next level by having confidence. I think he likes that physical, old- to Boston.’ I’ll never forget it. He was passionate about the way he said it. school defenseman style still and that helped me playing under him There are certain intersections that you go through in coaching and your because that’s the way I like to play. I learned a lot from him in the couple life that promote growth and leadership. But that intersection might get a years I was with him.” little bit uncomfortable.” Cronin is always noticing something and can offer some sort of advice or The anecdote is older than some of the Colorado Avalanche prospects tip that can have a major impact. Cronin is charged with molding, yet it is the reason why he is in a position Eagles goaltender Adam Werner played his entire career in to sculpt them. aside from a four-game stint with the in 2017-18. Cronin has developed a multifaceted coaching style concentrated around Experiencing back-to-back games was something he did twice a year. the principle of getting players to believe in his message. It is an The last time Werner recalled playing both games of a back-to-back in approach that has served him as an NHL assistant and as a head coach Sweden was three or four years ago. That’s not the case in the AHL. The at . The methods have helped countless players Eagles’ season-opening series was a back-to-back, and most of their such as Islanders forward Brock Nelson and defenseman Scott Mayfield games were scheduled that way. reach the NHL. It is why veteran Johnny Boychuk still speaks fondly of Ten of their 11 games in December were back-to-backs and having him and the relationship they have. Cronin around helped Werner adjust. “For me, personally, it was very easy to get to know him,” Boychuk said. “It was to not overthink,” Werner said. “If you have a good game that first “I still talk to him to this day. I talked to him last night and maybe once night, take the good feeling with you but at the same time, reset and go every two months. I send him a message or he sends me one. I enjoyed for the next one. If you have a tougher game or feel tired, try to put it the time I spent with him because he is a good person.” away and find a way to be ready for the game. That was the biggest thing Getting someone with those credentials is why Avalanche general I dealt with.” manager and his front office staff hired Cronin to become the But the passion Cronin displays also comes with humanity. ’ head coach nearly two years ago. Youth is at the forefront of the organization’s plans of becoming a long-term Stanley Cup He will crack jokes during a film session or on the bench during games to contender. keep players relaxed. He makes the effort to ask every player how they, their girlfriends or their wives are handling life. He likes to know if players Some players, such as superstar center Nathan MacKinnon, were NHL- have moved into their new apartments or houses. ready. Eagles defenseman Jacob MacDonald was in the New Jersey Devils and Others, however, are not, which is why Cronin is so important. He and organizations before signing a one-year deal to join the his staff are responsible for developing the prospects whose futures Avalanche’s system. He has a reputation as a puck mover who made the hinge upon how quickly and responsibly they learn the traits that could Eagles a more well-rounded defensive unit. The Eagles allowed the expedite their NHL careers. Just ask Avalanche defenseman Ryan fourth-fewest goals in the AHL before the season was placed on pause Graves or goaltender Pavel Francouz. They went from being under because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cronin’s supervision last season into becoming reliable players Jared Bednar trusted this year before the NHL came to a standstill. Cronin had moments when all seven defensemen deserved playing time but did not want to sit any of them, so he decided to use MacDonald at Having players who can operate in key roles on low contracts is more forward. It was a surprise at first but MacDonald had fun with his new vital than ever before. The Avalanche are trending in a direction that assignment because he wanted to do whatever was best for the team on could see them have success. But it comes with a price tag. Juggling top of the trust he established with Cronin. those higher-end deals with prospects at a cheaper cost is the reality every legitimate title favorite manages at some point in its progression. “It’s definitely been a good experience for me,” said MacDonald, who recently signed a two-year extension. “He’s invested in you as a person That is what makes a coach like Cronin even more valuable. His and as a player. It’s not just you come to the rink and this is what you collegiate experience means he knows how to handle young talent have to do to be better. … It’s on a much deeper level than just hockey. coming out of school. The time spent as an AHL coach means he is For that connection to exist from a coach to a player, it helps when you’re aware of what it takes to make the transition to the NHL. Being a former trying to teach something on the ice. You take that message a little more Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs assistant also means he is more than to heart with someone who is not just only invested in you but they are aware of what it takes to stay in the NHL or risk returning to the minor committed to you.” leagues. Eagles forward Jayson Megna, who is also in his first season with the “Cro’s pretty black and white and cut and dry and he wants everything organization, offered another perspective into what makes Cronin’s done the right way,” Nelson said. “If guys go out and do their job, they’ll methods effective. be in his good graces. If not, he’ll let you know and let you learn from your mistakes. But he was good for us.” That would be accountability. Megna said Cronin treats every player the same, creating continuity and forward Shane Bowers, who also struggled at the start of the season, fairness. Say a player makes a mistake. He can be a first-round pick who “was dominating” opponents as of late, according to Cronin. There is also is still young or a journeyman with years of experience. It does not the work done with defenseman Conor , which further adds to matter. They will all be called out in the same way with the underlying the narrative of how 2020-21 could be the season the 2017 second- premise being everyone — regardless of their station — must work to get round pick becomes a full-time NHL player. better. “We knew his background was strong along with his body of work,” “He expects guys to bring it every single day,” Megna said. “Especially assistant general manager Craig Billington said about why the for the young guys, it’s such a great tool and motivator to have. That’s organization hired Cronin. “We knew he was direct, honest and huge for young guys coming into pro hockey for the first time. He gets passionate about what his vision was and what he would do. But, at the them out of their comfort zone. It’s even the same for veteran guys who same token, he was open to other ideas. He and I work very close have been other places. You may (have) previously had coaches who together along with our development staff. It’s exciting because we feed have let small details slide. He takes you back to the basics and checks off each other. I think the development staff and our American League you. I’ve really enjoyed this year because he is trying to make you better staff have done a great job integrating our whole program.” every day.” Billington said Cronin’s ability to develop and win games fed into what the What Cronin teaches is designed to do more than just make his players Avalanche wanted to achieve now that their AHL affiliate was an hour’s more effective in the AHL. It’s designed for them to become contributors drive away instead of a several-hour flight compared to previous years. of varying levels once they reach the NHL. Yet what the former NHL goaltender felt made Cronin so strong at his job Injuries became a constant theme for the Avalanche this season, which was he applies concepts such as compassion, honesty and transparency is why defenseman Samuel Girard and forward Matt Nieto were the only into what he does. skaters to play in every regular-season game. It led to the front office calling up 10 players from the Eagles who filled in for a combined 74 Cronin had been let go by the Islanders when the Avalanche were games. looking for an AHL coach. He said coaching can be a humbling profession because building a body of work does not mean it’s enough to Simply having healthy bodies, however, is not enough. Bednar and the rest on those previous achievements. Originally, he had no thoughts on Avalanche needed capable reinforcements who could be asked to serve returning to the AHL. How Billington, MacFarland and Sakic presented in a variety of roles if needed. their vision made Cronin excited about the possibilities.

It is another reason why the work Cronin and his coaching staff do “The fun part of this stuff is watching guys like Frankie, O’C and Gravy do matters. It’s about preparing players for the future knowing that time well,” Cronin said. “That’s the spirit of development. To see Bowers and could come at a moment’s notice. then have a guy like say, ‘I can’t believe how much better Bowers got. Look at how much fun this is to watch,’ to be able to be a “The margin of error up there is so small that you have to rely on the coach and do that and be an instrument of change? How much fun is simplest of details,” Megna said. “When those are hammered on Day 1 of this? … I am proud of our staff. Coaches build their own teams and the season, it provides a strong foundation for you and you have those growth happens quicker when everything is more enjoyable. foundational tools in the back of your mind, especially for young guys going up who are a little nervous and they have those details to fall back “If you ever come to a practice and don’t see me being passionate, tell on and I think that’s huge.” me and I will stop coaching.”

A lot of the work Cronin is known for is the defensive principles he The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 teaches to make defensemen more formidable while giving forwards another dimension. He credits his staff of Aaron Schneekloth, Ryan Tobler and goaltending coach Ryan Bach for buying into his philosophies. There is also the appreciation he shows for the commitment that has been shown by the development staff, which includes Brett Clark and Brian Willsie, among others.

Maybe the strongest example of Cronin’s need to concentrate on those details would be Graves. The former New York Rangers prospect went into Cronin’s office for what was deemed a “tough conversation” that proved to be a turning point. It led to the hulking Graves finding more consistency in his game and being called up to the NHL in a manner that led to Bednar altering the lineup to play him.

Graves made the Avalanche out of training camp and has turned into a first-pairing partner for rookie defenseman Cale Makar. He led the league with a plus-40 rating while scoring nine goals and 26 points in 69 games. Graves has played a significant part in why the Avs possessed one of the best defensive units this season, too.

The work Cronin and his staff did with Graves are experiences they recorded. That way, it allows them to have a database they can use as a teaching tool to help future players.

“You can say to a guy, ‘There are 20 things you can get better at,’ but if you do that, a guy is going to drown with what you are telling him,” Cronin said. “If you can drill it into saying they need to get better at these three things, then your game is going to get better. If you do these things, the game is going to slow down. If you don’t, then you’re just going to be surviving shifts.”

The work with Graves, while important, is just one example. Cronin and his staff helped Francouz transition from being a career European goaltender and into a 21-game winner in his first NHL season. They have helped 2018 first-round pick Martin Kaut go from scoreless in his first 10 games with the Eagles into someone who looks like an NHL contributor with three points over a nine-game cameo.

It is the continued growth forward Logan O’Connor has shown from scoring more points in the AHL than he did in three years at the University of Denver while remaining a two-way presence. Or how 1182074 Dallas Stars undoubtedly the best player in Stars history. He’s the all-time leader in goals scored by a player born in the U.S., the third straight Hall of Famer in this exercise and the third straight to have his number retired.

Who are the most iconic DFW athletes at every uniform number, from 0- 10: Michael Young — The Rangers’ all-time leader in games, hits, 99? doubles, triples (and so on), Young was the Rangers’ constant from the lean years in the early 2000s through the years of celebration. He’s not a Hall of Famer, but he is the fourth in a row here to have his number taken Levi Weaver Apr 2, 2020 out of use.

11: — Yu Darvish did his best to make it close, but it takes a Modano-like career to knock off a Cowboys … or is it I don’t recommend using this time off to think too deeply about sports Cowboys ? That’s right, Danny White started a total of one game fandom. It can get extremely existential in less time than it takes to run a at QB in his first four years while serving as the Cowboys’ punter, a role fast break or lob a Hail Mary. Don’t do it. Within the big nebulous oddity he still filled with regularity while starting at quarterback from 1980 until of sports-at-large, however, there are a million smaller things that are — the arrival of in 1989. when subjected to even a little bit of scrutiny — deeply weird. The weirder they are, the easier it is for me to love them, and one of those 12: — Sorry, Derek Harper. Staubach is one of the all- things is uniform numbers. You could kill the better part of an afternoon time greats at one of the all-time prestigious positions in sports. While the reading about the little quirks of how each league has implemented the No. 12 isn’t officially retired by the Cowboys, it hasn’t been worn since practice. Ruben Sierra wore six different numbers as a Texas Ranger, Staubach’s retirement after the 1979 season, so we’ll count it. That but we all knew it was still him, and not some other “Sierra“, so …why put means it’s one of five numbers (7, 8, 12, 22 and 26) that is out of service a number back there at all? Why not just put “SIERRA” in bigger letters? by more than one DFW team.

See? Don’t overthink it. 13: Steve Nash — The Mavs traded for Nash and Dirk Nowitzki on the same day (June 24, 1998), and Dirk will indubitably join his friend in the We here at The Athletic DFW decided — since uniform numbers are one Hall of Fame as soon as he becomes eligible. Nash was an All-Star twice thing that all the local teams have in common — it was time to take a in his six seasons in Dallas, then the Mavs let him walk in free agency hard look at uniform numbers. Namely, who was the best professional just in time for him to win back-to-back MVP awards in the next two athlete to wear each number, 0-99 in their time in DFW? We took seasons with the Suns. Whoops. nominations from each of the beats: Jon Machota chose the relevant Cowboys for each number (minimum of one, maximum of three). Tim 14: Jamie Benn — With apologies to the great Julio Franco, Jamie Benn Cato did the same for the Mavericks, Sean Shapiro nominated Stars, is one of the all-time Stars greats, winning the Art Ross trophy in 2014-15 Saad Yousuf added FC Dallas and the Wings, and I picked the best by scoring 87 points. When play stopped this year, he had scored an Texas Rangers to wear each number, 0-99. Then the entire DFW staff even 300 goals — good for fourth all-time in franchise history (second, if voted. Here are the results! you exclude players who only played for the and never in Dallas). 0: Shawn Marion — “The Matrix” played five seasons in Dallas, scoring 11.9 points per postseason game for the 2010-11 championship team. 15: Brad Davis — Sporting an iconic mustache (and, for a while, a He beats out Al Oliver (Rangers) and Odyssey Sims (Wings) to claim the remarkable mullet), Davis was a fan favorite on the great late-80s first spot on this list. Mavericks teams that made the playoffs six out of seven years in the mid-to-late 80s. He was the last remaining member of the inaugural 1: Elvis Andrus — Eleven seasons in, the Rangers shortstop was the first 1980-81 Mavericks team when he retired in 1992. Shortly thereafter, the unanimous choice of this practice. Mavericks made his No. 15 the first jersey in franchise history to be 2: Derian Hatcher — The defenseman was a member of the first Stars retired. squad and was a Stars fixture for ten seasons in Dallas. He was the 16: — There may have been some strategic voting here. Brett captain of the Stanley Cup-winning team in 1999, and was thus the first Hull’s defining moment as a Dallas Star came while wearing the #22. But Dallas Star to ever hoist the Stanley Cup. He narrowly edged out Jason with that number well out of reach, our team largely voted for him under Kidd here, but that vote was not as close as… No. 16 — a number he had worn in St. Louis before arriving in Dallas and 3: Alex Rodriguez — He wasn’t particularly popular in Texas, despite one he switched back to the following season when winning an MVP in 2003 and leading the league in home runs in each of departed via free agency. his three seasons with the Rangers. He beat out John Klingberg by one 17: Nelson Cruz — Perhaps the biggest upset of this entire vote, Cruz vote amongst our DFW staff. somehow upended to lay claim to the No. 17 title. It’s easy 4: Dak Prescott — Michael Finley has a legit beef here, and Skylar for Rangers fans to remember [sigh] that one play, but the Rangers don’t Diggins-Smith has scored more points than anyone else in a Dallas even get to the World Series in 2011 without Cruz. He hit a combined 14 Wings uniform, but Dak Prescott is in the process of joining a long legacy home runs in the 2010 and 2011 postseasons for the Rangers, six of of legends in the Cowboys QB position. them en route to winning the 2011 ALCS MVP (including this beauty in the bottom of the 11th inning of Game 2.) 5: Ian Kinsler — There were a surprising number of options at No. 5, but Kinsler came out on top. The Rangers second baseman was a pivotal EditOr’s note: Part of the reasoning for the Cruz vote at this spot has to part of their two World Series runs in 2010-11 and was thrice an All-Star be his excellent nickname — NC-17. in Texas. 18: Mitch Moreland — Moreland was a perfectly serviceable first 6: Tyson Chandler — deserves some love here, but baseman for the Rangers from 2010-16, hitting 110 home runs, but the Chandler was the missing piece that finally put the Mavericks over the competition was a contributing factor here: He beat out James Neal and top in 2010-11 after nearly a full decade of coming up short in the . playoffs. He was only here for two one-year stints, but he wins the vote 19: Juan Gonzalez — Since retirement, Juan González has lived up to regardless. his nickname of “Juan Gone” — declining to even show up for his 7: Iván “Pudge” Rodriguez — No one will ever have No. 7 stitched on the induction into the Rangers Hall of Fame in 2015. Still, his on-field back of their Rangers uniform again, and for good reason. The Hall of contributions can’t be denied: He was the AL MVP in 1996 again in 1998 Famer was one of the best catchers of all time. when he drove in 157 runs. Yes, the Rangers were given a swift playoff exit by the Yankees in 1996. But González hit .438/.526/1.375 (1.901 8: Troy Aikman — We have arrived at the “Legends” sections of this OPS) with 22 total bases and five home runs in four games. His 372 exercise. The six-time Pro-Bowler led the Cowboys to three home runs and 1,180 RBI as a Ranger are still franchise bests. championships in the 1990s. The Cowboys haven’t officially retired any numbers, but Aikman was the last to wear No. 8, all the way back in 20: — valiantly hung in there until the end, but 2000. Renfro was one of the all-time Cowboy greats, helping to anchor the defense for two Super Bowl trophies. In his rookie season in 1964, 9: — It takes a special hockey player to knock off Tony Renfro put up an insane 1,545 all-purpose yards — 1,017 in kickoff Romo (and, to a lesser extent, Tatu) in Dallas, but Modano is return yardage (remember, he was primarily a defensive player). The ten- time Pro-Bowler had 52 career (still a franchise record) and or worse. Now he finds himself in legal trouble after domestic abuse was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996. charges last October.

21: — After winning the 1995 Super Bowl as a member of 33: — For a long time, Dorsett was inarguably the best the 49ers, the future Hall of Famer came to Dallas and repeated the feat in the history of the . The fact he has been the following year, even catching a pass on offense as a in undeniably bumped to second place on that list doesn’t tarnish his Hall of Super Bowl XXX. “Prime Time” was an All-Pro in four of his five seasons Fame career in the least. in Dallas (first-team in three of those four). 34: Nolan Ryan — Ryan is an all-time legend, not just in Rangers lore, 22: — Smith’s opponents were a gauntlet — Will Clark, but in baseball, writ large. The sport’s all-time leader in strikeouts had his “Bullet” , Brett Hull and Rolando Blackman (whose number is number retired by the Rangers … and Astros … and Angels. Get with the even retired) — yet he still won 100 percent of the vote. The NFL’s all- program, Mets. time leader in rushing yards (18,355) and (164) has more than twice as many rushing touchdowns as a Cowboy (153 to 72) as the 35: Marty Turco — The man who took over the goaltending duties from next guy, who happens to also be a Hall of Famer (Tony Dorsett). In Ed Belfour played nine of his eleven NHL seasons as a member of the 1993, he became the only running back in NFL history to win the rushing Stars. He played in three All-Star games and led the league in save title, the MVP, the Super Bowl and the Super Bowl MVP in the same percentage and goals against average in two of his first three years in the year. league.

23: Mark Teixeira — This number had the broadest selection of choices, 36: Bobby Witt — This was a very Rangers-pitcher-heavy ballot, as Witt with no fewer than seven players nominated. But Teixeira wins, not just squared off against C.J. Wilson and Gaylord Perry. Perry indubitably had for the value he provided on the field for the Rangers — his 7.2 bWAR a better MLB career than Witt, but Witt struck out 1,405 hitters as a season in 2005 is tied for the eighth-best in franchise history, and member of the Rangers (including 221 in 1990). In the second half of the finished in first place in our “greatest seasons by a Rangers first 1988 season, Witt pitched complete games in 12 of his 16 starts (and baseman” article — but for what that value translated to in a rebuild. Jon went into the tenth inning in another). Despite leading the league in walks Daniels wrangled Elvis Andrus, Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison, Jarrod on three separate occasions, he gets the nod over his counterparts. Saltalamacchia and Beau Jones from Atlanta in that 2007 trade as the 37: Kenny Rogers — Speaking of Rangers pitchers, “The Gambler” still Rangers went from perpetually bad to perpetual playoff pests. has the only perfect game in Rangers history. Maxi Urruti would have a 24: — Someone do their best to explain to me why this little beef here if soccer had a bigger profile in the area, but it’s hard to guy isn’t a Hall of Famer? Walls led the league in interceptions on three knock off the guy who has pitched in more games as a Ranger (528) separate occasions (only Ed Reed has matched that feat) and has the than anyone else. tenth-most pickoffs, all time. He also donated a kidney to former 38: Ron Washington — Johnny Oates has his number No. 26 retired, but teammate Ron Springs. Come on. Wash is the only coach to make this list. Of course, that’s partially 25: — Quick quiz: Who won the Conn Smythe (Finals because baseball is the only sport where the manager/coach wears a MVP) trophy the year the Stars won the Stanley Cup? Okay, your context number, but it’s also partially because he was the man at the helm in the clues are spoiling the surprise, but it wasn’t Modano. The eventual Hall of Rangers’ best years. Famer scored 11 goals in the playoffs that year; six of them were game- 39: Brandon Carr — Carr has been in the league for twelve years; that’s winners. He beat Rafael Palmeiro by one vote. 192 games, if you’re keeping count. He has started all 192 games, a 26: — The Stars are on a little run here. Lehtinen was a streak among active players that trails only Philip Rivers (224). His five Stars lifer, thrice winning the Frank J. Selke award for the top defensive seasons at cornerback in Dallas were enough to earn him the spot here forward in the league, and finishing in the top three another three times. for No. 39, even in spite of a 36-game streak in which he did not intercept a single pass. 27: Shane Churla — [dun-dun] DALLAS [dun-dun] STARS! Our third straight hockey player was an original member of the Dallas Stars and 40: — As a child, I knew two things about Bill Bates. One, he just so happens to be their all-time leader in penalty minutes. looked like Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid), and two, he played football like a Tasmanian devil with its hair on fire and fourteen Mountain Dews in its 28: — In another unanimous vote, Woodson locked system. Always an underdog — Bates wasn’t even drafted out of college down No. 28 after playing his entire 12-year career (and another 16 — he became a fan favorite with his exceptional special teams play, and playoff games) as a member of the Cowboys, finishing as the franchise’s the NFL invented a spot for special teams players just to get all-time leader in tackles with 827. him on the squad in his second year in the league.

29: Adrián Beltré — On one hand, I’m not going to argue against my 41: Dirk Nowitzki — Forever and ever. favorite player of all time being a unanimous winner. On the other, I’m a little surprised that Rusty Greer didn’t get a single vote. Beltré was not 42: Roy Tarpley — One of the great tragic stories of Dallas sports lore, only one of the best third basemen of all-time, but he was also a lovable Tarpley was an immensely talented player who just could not scamp on the field. His No. 29 was the sixth (and most recent) to be overcome his addictions and stay on the court. After multiple retired by the Rangers, and he’s certain to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. suspensions, he was eventually banned by the league and played successfully in Greece for a few years. In 2015, he passed away at the 30: Ben Bishop — After eight years with the Blues, Senators, Lightning age of just 50. and Kings, Bishop (an incoming free agent at the time) was traded to the Stars for a fourth-round pick in the 2017 draft and immediately 43: — Like Bates, Harris was not drafted and signed as a free established himself as the answer in goal for Dallas, posting goals- agent. He went on to make six Pro Bowl teams and help the Cowboys to against marks of 2.49, 1.98 and 2.50 thus far. In a reversal of big- five Super Bowl appearances in his ten years in the league before retiring moments-counting-for-extra in this exercise, he beats out Neftali Feliz, at 31 to work in the oil business. He was elected to the Hall of Fame whose strikeout of Alex Rodriguez sent the Rangers to their first World earlier this year. Series in 2010. 44: — Rushing for over 4,700 yards in 12 seasons 31: Jason Terry — Fergie Jenkins was a Hall of Famer and probably the with the Cowboys, “The Human Bowling Ball” (who famously threw a 30- first true ace the Rangers ever had. (the safety, not the yard pass in Super Bowl XII) emerges victorious here in what wide receiver) was a five-time Pro-Bowler, all with Dallas. But JET was was absolutely the most hotly contested vote of this entire exercise. He Dirk Nowitzki’s longtime sidekick and one of the most beloved players to got three votes, while every other contestant got two. Just like in the real ever suit up for the Mavs. His three-pointer over LeBron James sealed sports world, the presence of Shawn Bradley was bewildering, and it’s the Game 5 win in the Finals. not clear if it made anything better.

32: Josh Hamilton — When Hamilton was at his peak, there was no one 45: Brenden Morrow — Derek Holland wore No. 45 for the Rangers for in the game like him. With five tools and a penchant for the dramatic, he his entire eight-year career in Texas. Morrow only wore No. 45 for two was perhaps the most electric (and maybe also the most perplexing) seasons before switching to 10 for his final eleven seasons in Dallas. Did player in Rangers history. At the same time, he served as an inspiration his two years in the jersey outweigh Holland’s contributions? Or was this to many as his battles with addiction were all-too-often public, for better a strategic vote because he deserved to be on the list but was never going to beat Michael Young? I guess we should have been clearer on criticisms that he was too small to play linebacker. He was a second- the rules. team All-Pro in 2003 and led the team in tackles three times in his seven- year career before injuries forced him into retirement. 46: Robbie Ross — As one Rangers left-hander suffers the unforgiving blade of uniform-based competition, another benefits. Robbie Ross was 60: Antoine Roussel — Despite Roussel wearing No. 21 for the better a perfectly good relief pitcher in Texas, but not someone you’d think to part of his Stars career, it’s fine to list him here. The Frenchman finished add to an all-Rangers team. Nevertheless, when your competition is in the top 10 in penalty minutes in five of his six seasons in Dallas but Gemel Smith and Mark Washington, hey: You did a good job of putting wasn’t just an enforcer: He also scored 12 or more goals in four of his six yourself in a winnable bracket. seasons as a Star. Fun fact: When he was told to change numbers (Jim Nill is a big proponent of “no football numbers”), Roussel felt bad for fans 47: Alexander Radulov — Who doesn’t love Radulov? He plays hockey who had bought No. 60 jerseys and offered to pay for them to get like Bill Bates played football, which is to say that he is just so much, all replacements with his new number. the time. 61: — There might not have been a more uniformly beloved 48: Daryl “Moose” Johnston — If Robbie Ross benefited from a soft member of the mid-90s Cowboys than the affable Newton, who was — bracket, Colby Lewis was another victim of a granite-hard one. When oh, by the way — also a six-time Pro Bowler. Life after football was a bit you’re a two-time Pro Bowl fullback who helps the Dallas Cowboys win more bumpy for a while — he was twice arrested while transporting three Super Bowls, that’s going to outrank the Rangers’ all-time leader in hundreds of pounds of marijuana and sentenced to 30 months in prison. postseason wins. In the post-prison years, he has lost 175 pounds (down from a peak of 49: Charlie Hough — I don’t know who voted for Jamize Olawale over over 400). Hough, who pitched 11 of his 25 MLB seasons with the Rangers and 62: Jose Leclerc — He has since switched to No. 25, but his most bamboozled hitters with one of the best knuckleballs of all time … and I dominant stretch, in which he converted all 12 save opportunities and don’t want to. I will never check to see who it was. struck out 29 hitters in 18 innings after the trade deadline in 2018, came EditOr’s note: We do have a North Texas-heavy staff. I’m not looking for in No. 62. With apologies to , he gets the nod here. a confession; Go Mean Green! 63: Mike Ribeiro — Six years as a member of the Stars (including 2007- 50: Sean Lee — Had he been able to stay healthy, Lee might have been 08, in which he led the league in shot Ppercentage at 25.2) were enough one of the all-time great linebackers in Cowboys history. As it stands, he to propel him to a narrow margin of victory over , a member of was still good enough to outrank names like Frank Francisco, Krys Barch two Super-Bowl winning Cowboys teams in the 1970s. and Salah Mejri to represent the half-century mark in this vote. 64: — He wasn’t a star (centers rarely are), but Stepnoski’s 51: Ken Norton, Jr. — Dad was a WBC heavyweight champion; Ken Jr. predecessor was the all-time leader in Cowboys games played when he was a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys. Dad probably retired in 1990. Frankly, he’s exactly the sort of player I like to see still had bragging rights, though: He was a Hall of Famer who once beat honored in a practice like this: He never made a Pro Bowl, never got an Muhammad Ali. The next-closest competition here was Matt Bush, who MVP vote, never was a household name. But he grinded away for nearly once hit Jose Bautista with a pitch, leading to another famous boxing a decade and a half, hiking the ball to Staubach, Aikman and every match. quarterback between the two.

52: Dave Edwards — A solid 13-year career as a Cowboys linebacker 65: Andre Gurode — Sometimes, centers are stars. Gurode was a five- was more than enough to propel him past Tanner Scheppers and Calvin time Pro-Bowler and two-time All-Pro in Dallas. It’s remarkable to read Booth the stats of NFL linemen; Gurode was 6’4 and 316 lbs, and still had a 30.5″ vertical leap. That’s stupid. 53: Mark Stepnoski — The mid-90s Cowboys continue to be represented well. Stepnoski had two tours of duty in Dallas, split up by a four-year 66 – — Andre Gurode followed by George Andrie? Well, stint in Houston/Tennessee, and was the second-team center on the All- that’s aesthetically pleasing. Andrie was a for the Decade team for the 1990s. The five-time Pro Bowler is now a vocal Cowboys from 1962-72 and was a Pro Bowler for five consecutive years advocate for marijuana law reform. (1965-69) as well as an All-Pro and Pro Bowl MVP in the last of those years. A fixture of the “,” Andrie had 18.5 sacks in 54: Randy White — The “Manster” (half-man, half-monster) was a nine- 1966, though the sack wasn’t recognized as an official stat until 1982. time Pro Bowler, a nine-time All-Pro, a Hall of Famer, first-team All- Decade team member (1980s), member of the Cowboys Ring of Honor, 67: — By the way, we are firmly into the “they mostly NFL Top 100 All-Time team and somehow managed to make “Randy only let football players wear these numbers” portion of the exercise, if White” a household name despite it being perhaps the most generic you hadn’t noticed. Maryland was the first pick overall in the 1991 draft, 1980s Guy name of all time. and while each of the first 32 picks of that draft will be measured against Brett Favre, Maryland had a perfectly serviceable career, making a Pro 55: Darryl Sydor — Another strategic vote. Sydor wore No. 5 (and briefly Bowl and starting at for three Super Bowl-winning No. 6) in his most productive years in Dallas, when he helped them win a teams. Stanley Cup and received Norris trophy award votes in three separate years (1996-97 through 1998-99). He only wore No. 55 only in 2008- 68: Jaromir Jagr — Jagr only played one season in Dallas, as a 40-year- 2009, near the end of his career. His time in Dallas was deserving of a old who posted a -5 in the +/- category. But given the choice between an spot on an all-time list, but knocking off ? all-time great making a cameo and three-time Pro Bowler/two-time All- Pro , voters took the name recognition. It presents an 56: Sergei Zubov — There’s no question about Zubov’s place on this list. interesting question, actually: Is it “Who was the greatest to wear the The Hall of Famer played 12 of his 15 seasons as a member of the Stars, number in Dallas?” or “Who was the greatest while wearing that number and holds the record for scoring among franchise defenders. He’s the in Dallas?” In this case, the former won. eighth member of the Stanley-Cup-winning 1999 squad to make this list. 69: George Hegamin — Yeah, I know, you scrolled down just to see. No 57: Mark Lowe — Lowe was part of the trade that brought Cliff Lee to other DFW franchise has issued the number (though some players have Texas and was mostly a good relief pitcher, but gosh [tapping forehead tried), so Hegamin ran unopposed. Must be nice. with increasing intensity] I just cannot think of any significant moment from his time with the Rangers that we should ever bring up here, or 70: — Martin edges out , and he has earned anywhere, ever. it: The guard has made the Pro Bowl in each of his six seasons in Dallas, earning first-team All-Pro nods in four of those seasons (and second- 58: Alex Claudio/ (tie) — Two underdogs wrestle to a tie team honors in the other two). Good thing the Cowboys took him instead here. Hegman didn’t play football until his senior year of high school but of Johnny Manziel, eh? worked his way into a twelve-year special teams and defense career for the Cowboys. Meanwhile, Claudio, wibble-wobble lefty underdog with the 71: — Tuinei continues the Cowboys’ dominance of the high- infuriating changeup and immaculate control, emerged from relative end numbers. The native Hawaiian (and former basketball teammate of anonymity to win the 2017 Rangers Pitcher of the Year award. President Barack Obama) made two Pro Bowls in his fifteen-year career, all of which came with the Cowboys. Tragically, Tuinei passed away of 59: — The former Texas A&M linebacker was the first an accidental drug overdose in 1999 at the age of just 39. Vietnamese-American player to make it to the NFL despite persistent 72: Ed “Too Tall” Jones — Recently retired got some 83: Terry Glenn — Here’s a fun one: Terrance Williams had 3,377 votes, but Jones’ game-altering pass-tipping defense and 224 games as receiving yards and 20 TDs as a Cowboy. Terrance Tyree Glenn had a defensive end — a total that would have been higher had he not 3,337 receiving yards and 20 TDs as a Cowboy. How do you choose who “retired” for the 1979 season to pursue a career in professional boxing — to vote for? Perhaps Glenn’s 59 rushing yards and one touchdown were enough to outlast the newcomer. There’s a real argument to be (Williams: 19 yards, 0 TDs) was the difference in this narrow margin of made that Frederick was better in a shorter period of time (he made five victory. Williams’ disappointing final few years in Dallas counted against Pro Bowls in his six seasons before health sent him to an early him, too. retirement, while Jones only made one), but good luck toppling a man with a nickname so good that even Pro Football Reference refuses to 84: — Prince Fielder got a vote from someone on our staff acknowledge his given name in the top line. (again, I’m not even going to look), but Jay Novacek was always going to be the play here (with a hat-tip acknowledgement to Doug Cosbie). The 73: — While some linemen are running unopposed here, five-time Pro Bowler was Aikman’s in the glory years; if Allen would have to be a contender at any number. The man was an “quadruplets” had the same ring to it as “triplets,” he would likely have anomaly; a 6’3, 325-pound Hulk who bench-pressed over 700 pounds, been the fourth member of that mid-90s power trio. squatted over 900 and ran a 40-yard dash in 4.85 seconds. He was a seven-time All-Pro, made two different All-Decade teams and is tied for 85: Kevin Williams — Running “unopposed” in this exercise usually just the most Pro Bowls (11) by any Dallas Cowboy ever. He’s in the Hall of means that none of the other sports have ever handed out the jersey Fame for all of these reasons, but even if none of the above were true, number, but the next-closest competition that Williams had from other he should be in for this indelible and mind-bending moment. Cowboys was Kevin Ogletree. Williams wasn’t a mega-star, but he twice eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in kick returns for the Cowboys in the mid- 74: Bob “Mr. Cowboy” Lilly — Did you expect to get two legends back to 90s, helping them to two Super Bowl victories. That’s good enough here. back this far into the exercise? Lilly is one of the other two Cowboys to make 11 Pro Bowl teams (also matching Allen’s seven All-Pro nods) and 86: Butch Johnson — If 85 was an easy bracket, check out 86. Johnson’s established himself early in Cowboys lore as the first draft choice in closest Cowboys competition was Eric Bjornson. Both guys were franchise history, later becoming the first to be inducted into the Ring of perfectly serviceable, but Johnson’s career got the nomination from Jon Honor. He is a Hall of Famer, one of the greatest defensive players in Machota. He scored 19 touchdowns in his eight years in Dallas. NFL history and the only Cowboy to have ever worn No. 74 in a regular- 87: Nate Borden — Borden played two years in Dallas in 1960-61 and season game, a fact that is unlikely to ever change even if the Cowboys made 48 tackles. That’s still good enough to be the best No. 87 in never official begin retiring numbers. Cowboys history. Ken-Yon Rambo, Andy Stynchula or would 75: — Okay, so Pugh isn’t going to continue the streak of have been much cooler-sounding names to type here but weren’t able to legends, having never made a single Pro Bowl. But that fact might be milk enough production out of their time in Dallas. Milk. That’s a Borden more of a result of his being overshadowed by fellow defensive linemen. joke. I’ve been typing for a long time. At the start of his career, he was teammates with Lilly and Andrie; later 88: — had the most receiving touchdowns in on, he shared a defense with Randy White and Too Tall Jones. Still, his Cowboys history, and three-time All-Pro Drew Pearson was the original 14 seasons as a Cowboy ties him for fifth-most all-time behind Jason legendary No. 88, but Michael Irvin emerged victorious here. He crossed Witten, Bates, Jones and Tuinei. over the 1,000-yard mark seven times in his 12-year career, leading the 76: Flozell Adams — The Rangers, Mavericks and Stars combined for a league in 1991. He retired as the Cowboys’ all-time leader in both total of zero players to ever wear No. 76 in a regular-season game, but receiving touchdowns and receiving yards, though both marks have since Adams is still deserving of a spot on this list, even running unopposed. been eclipsed. He made five Pro Bowls in his 12 seasons with the Cowboys, and while 89: Billy Joe Dupree — Before Witten, before Novacek, before Cosbie, his game was probably a little underrated, his nickname (“The Hotel”, there was Billy Joe Dupree. (Before Dupree, there was Ditka, but Dupree because of his 6’7″, 338-lb. frame) is vastly more so. was better.) Dupree’s 41 touchdown receptions as a tight end were a 77: Luka Dončić — On one hand, is a seven-time Pro team record in the pre-Witten years. Bowler, a two-time All-Pro and one of the best offensive linemen of his 90: Demarcus Lawrence — Somehow the Stars (Jason Spezza) and generation. On the other, Luka is transcendental; the most fun basketball Mavericks (Drew Gooden) have issued No. 90 jerseys, but neither guy player to grace these parts since another European laid claim to the (nor Jay Ratliff) was able to knock off “Tank” Lawrence. His production greatest Maverick of all time. He won Rookie of the Year honors as a 19- dipped a little last season, but the two-time Pro-Bowl defensive end still year-old last season, then made his first All-Star appearance a few got 72 percent of the vote from our staff. decades ago in February of 2020. It seems likely that he’ll have No. 77 locked down on a lot of these lists for a very long time (and maybe not 91: Tyler Seguin — With respect to L.P. Ladouceur’s 15-year career, a just the ones limited to DFW or basketball, though Ray Borque’s career long-snapper wasn’t going to knock off Seguin. The center has 223 goals will put up a fight). since coming to the Stars in the summer of 2013. He has played in five of his six career All-Star games in the years since and is one of the sport’s 78: — His name will forever be tied to that of Don Beebe and most durable stars; he hasn’t missed a game since the 2015-16 season. that Thanksgiving gaffe against the Dolphins, but Lett was an exceptional defender, twice making the Pro Bowl. 92: — DeShaun Stevenson was the rare non-football entry in this vote, but Tolbert won the vote on the back of a nine-year career as 79: — You’ve heard of “Too Tall,” but did you know he had a Cowboys defensive end that spanned all three of the Cowboys’ 1990s a teammate with the nickname “Too Mean”? Somehow that one didn’t Super Bowls. quite stick as well, but the Dallas native was still the 1977 Defensive Player of the year, making four Pro Bowls in his eleven-year career, all 93: — It’s nice to see more of the pretty-good-but-not- with the Cowboys. quite-a-star-level players get their due. Spencer put together a solid eight-year career as a linebacker and defensive end. He was rewarded 80: Tony Hill — Fans of a certain age (mine) will always associate No. 80 with a Pro Bowl appearance in 2012 with , but before he arrived, Tony Hill was hauling in passes for the Cowboys for a decade, from 1977 through 1986, thrice surpassing 94: DeMarcus Ware — A true defensive force, Ware spent nine years 1,000 receiving yards. enforcing his will on opposing linemen and , twice leading the league in sacks en route to a franchise-record 117. The nine-time Pro 81: Terrell Owens — Who would have thought that the guy who got Bowler (seven with Dallas) will almost certainly be a Hall of Famer as waylaid by George Teague for grandstanding on the midfield star would soon as he is eligible in 2022. end up representing No. 81 for the entire DFW sports world? The eventual Hall of Famer was only a Cowboy for three seasons, but led the 95: — A solid contributor to the 1990s Cowboys league in touchdowns in 2006 and surpassed 1,000 yards all three years. defensive units. Hennings might have been a bigger star given more time, but he didn’t join the team until he was 26 years old due to Air 82: Jason Witten — You could have guessed a handful of these without Force commitments. looking, and the guy who played more seasons and amassed more receiving yards than any other Cowboy is certainly one of them. He now 96: Marcus Spears — Chosen just nine picks after Ware in the 2005 draft heads to the Raiders, falling just one touchdown reception short of the (though wanted to take Spears with the team’s first pick), franchise record (73, Dez Bryant). Spears never did make a Pro Bowl or become a major star, but he was still a solid contributor for eight years in Dallas, recording 143 solo tackles and 10 sacks with the Cowboys from 2005-12. He’s a clear winner here, but shout out to and Ebenezer Ekuban, anyway.

97: La’Roi Glover — Glover made the last four of his six Pro Bowl appearances (and both All-Pro nods) after joining the Cowboys in free agency before the 2002 season. He got the lone nomination here, beating out names like Jason Hatcher and Kavika Pittman.

98: Greg Ellis — Greg Ellis was a perfectly good football player. He had 400 solo tackles, forced 22 and logged 84 sacks in his career (375, 20 and 84, respectively, as a Cowboy); he even made the Pro Bowl in 2007! Of course, the spectre of the 1998 draft haunted his legacy forever, since Dallas selected him with the eighth overall pick, passing up Randy Moss. But hey, a lot of teams passed on Moss. Greg Ellis was good! Better than Andre Wadsworth.

99: Chris Canty — Canty played four solid, mostly unremarkable years with the Cowboys but still comes out with the lone nomination for No. 99, edging out names like Igor Olshansky and George Selvie. I just wanted to type “Igor Olshansky,” honestly.

Aaaaaand whew. We did it! It was always going to be football-heavy, thanks to the relative lack of high-number usage in the other three sports, but here’s how the representation totals broke down:

Cowboys: 56

Rangers: 20

Stars: 17

Mavericks: 8

If you’d like to see who was nominated from each team, you can actually vote here. We’ll keep the polls open for a week and tweet the results from our Twitter account. As someone who saw the name “Vince Albritton” under No. 36 and was immediately taken back to my beloved 1988 Dallas Cowboys team poster, I can assure you that it’s a fun exercise to see names you haven’t thought of in awhile. Happy voting!

Tim Cato, Jon Machota, Jamey Newberg, Mike Piellucci, Sean Shapiro and Saad Yousuf contributed to the reporting of this story.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182075 Dallas Stars would get play meaningful minutes in the playoffs, and there was a chance Flint could make a run in the Western Conference.

“I was at home and then got the call to say, ‘Looks it’s over for good.’ (It) For Stars’ Ty Dellandrea, faceoffs could be key to reaching NHL next was pretty heart-breaking,” Dellandrea said. “We were having our best season year as a team, we loaded up a little bit at the (trade) deadline and everybody on our team believed we could take it all the way. It’s hard when you’ve worked so hard for something, and then for them to shut it By Sean Shapiro Apr 2, 2020 down for good, yeah, it hurt a lot.”

Dellandrea finished his OHL career with 216 points (94 goals, 122 assists) in 231 games with Flint. In fact, since the franchise relocated At the conclusion of each regular season, the Hockey League from Plymouth, , to Flint in 2015, Dellandrea is the franchise releases the results of the annual coaches poll, which honors the top leader in every offensive category despite missing time this season to three players in each conference in particular skills. play for Team Canada and win a gold medal at the 2020 World Junior For the second straight season, Dallas Stars prospect Ty Dellandrea was Championships. He is ready for the next step, but he admits that moving named the best on faceoffs in the Western Conference. on will be bittersweet.

It was one of the less surprising results in the poll. Dellandrea’s 59.1 “It’s hard and it’s sad; it didn’t kick all in right away,” Dellandrea said. percent success rate on faceoffs was sixth in the OHL among players “Right away, it was kind of hard to believe our season was over, and then that took at least 300, and his 647 faceoffs won ranked eighth in a year you just to start thinking about it more, you go, ‘Man, this is the end of my when Dellandrea played fewer games (47) than any other player in the time in Flint.’ I think the past couple days, I’ve still been working through top 30. Dellandrea averaged 23.27 faceoffs per game for the Flint that and that realization. All the guys have been reaching out and saying Firebirds and won an average of 13.77 per game. bye and good luck. And that’s what’s gonna be harder, just missing those friendships and miss those buddies. Flint became home the past four One of the keys to Dellandrea’s success on faceoffs is the versatility in years. They embraced me with open arms and it was a great chapter and how he takes draws. Those who win faceoffs most frequently, and at the it’s gonna be hard to say goodbye.” highest level, are those who can adapt to different opponents and throughout the game. Dellandrea has always been a team-first player. In addition to being Flint’s captain, he was also an alternate for Team Canada. “Future NHL “I think I kind of learned more about that my second year in the OHL, captain” is a label often applied to the center during internal discussions when I was kind of getting more and more responsibility, and I was within the Stars’ offices. thrown out there because I was pretty good at them, and I was getting defensive zone and penalty-kill faceoffs,” Dellandrea said. “That’s when I But when he takes a moment to think about his own game – something started to think, ‘Man, these are so important.’ And so that’s when I you have specifically ask him to address – he’s honest about his game started really working on them and getting better.” and where he’s headed.

The Dallas Stars have been one of the NHL’s better faceoff teams for the “This year was big for me, I think got a lot of confidence out of this year,” past four seasons – they rank fifth, winning 51.8 of them at the time of Dellandrea said. “I felt my game came a long way offensively throughout the season suspension – and when you discuss faceoffs with the Stars’ the year. I was working a lot on my individual skills and did a lot of work centers, they often point out how variety is the spice of life. Tyler Seguin, on my own time. I knew hopefully that pro was the next step next year, so for example, ranks fifth in the NHL in faceoff percentage (58.2 percent) I’ve been working hard to get that confidence and getting the experience and said earlier this season that there are certain opponents he knows to win gold at world juniors, that’s an experience I could never do again. I he’ll have a strong night against because they are one-dimensional on think this will all help me in the long run.” draws. The first offseason of that long run has now started for Dellandrea, who is So it only makes sense that Dellandrea picked Seguin’s brain on multiple working out at his parents’ home in Port Perry, Ontario. He hasn’t gone occasions during his time in Stars training camp. He’s also had a into his full offseason program yet – he’s waiting until late April at least to valuable asset in Stars player development coordinator Rich Peverley, really dive into that – but he’s been biking often and recovering from a who built his NHL career in the faceoff circle. In years past, Peverley busy season that featured an NHL prospect tournament, an extended torched Stars prospects in faceoff drills in Stars development camps in stay at NHL training camp and a gold medal for his country. the past. He may not be able to play anymore due to a heart condition, “It was busy with lots of travel,” Dellandrea said. “So getting healthy and but that skill never left his aresnal. some more rest. Then when it’s time to ramp it up, it’s going to be “That’s been big; he’s got a lot of technique that we’ve talked about,” exciting training for a new chapter, and hopefully, I’m moving on to Dellandrea said of Peverly. “There are thoughts that come into it that he something much bigger.” brings that others don’t think of. I think a lot of people think it’s just the The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 biggest guy comes in with the heavy stick and swipes it on the backhand. But when you are talking to Rich you immediately realize there is a lot more technique. It’s a mind game and a game within a game in everything that goes into it.”

Dellandrea, who turns 20 in July, could be taking key faceoffs for the Stars during the 2020-21 season. With Dallas facing a potential cap crunch, a cost-effective internal option like Dellandrea is an asset that Jim Nill plans to give every chance of making the NHL roster.

Dellandrea’s junior career had an unceremonious ending when the first suspended play and then ultimately canceled both the remainder of the season as well as the Memorial Cup because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He never spoke poorly of his early years in Flint, but Dellandrea had endured some horrendous seasons as the franchise struggled to escape a saga that unfolded with owner Rolf Nilsen in 2016. Flint had a 68-117- 11 record in Dellandrea’s first three seasons and only made the playoffs once, quickly getting ousted in 2017 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Things turned around in Flint this season. At the time of the stoppage, the team had a 40-21-2 record and was in striking distance of the Saginaw Spirit for the West Division title with five games remaining. After three years of struggles, this was supposed to be the year Dellandrea 1182076 Detroit Red Wings

Will Detroit Red Wings finish this season? Why pandemic restrictions point toward no

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Published 6:02 a.m. ET April 2, 2020 | Updated 10:55 a.m. ET April 2, 2020

The hockey world is on pause because of the coronavirus pandemic, leading to a great deal of questions — and little certainty regarding answers.

This Detroit Red Wings mailbag focuses on a question from a reader, Patty C., who emailed to ask: Will we see the Wings play again this season?

It has been three weeks since the NHL postponed the 2019-20 season, and the message from both the league and the players' association naturally is still a desire to finish the season and complete the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Fans may have seen their last Detroit Red Wings game of the 2019-20 season because of the COVID-19 crisis.

The COVID-19 crisis has rendered scenarios for doing so uncertain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised against gatherings of 50-plus people into mid-May, and President Donald Trump has extended social distancing guidelines through April 30.

The NHL has extended a self-quarantine order through April 15, meaning players can’t gather at their arena workout facilities, but players are first and foremost subject to their local government’s restrictions on mass gatherings and travel.

That means teams might face different guidelines.

At this point, it’s highly unlikely the NHL will be able to pick up where the season was interrupted. Teams had anywhere from 11 to 14 games left when the league shut down on March 12.

Going straight to the postseason isn’t fair to the handful of teams within reach of the playoff picture. The Islanders, for example, were one point out of a wild-card spot; the Rangers, two points. In the Western Conference, the Canucks and the Wild are among teams within a point of making the playoffs.

The Bloomfield Township home is a Handsome newer shingle-style house and is near pristine inside and out. Wochit

Playing out the full schedule would take roughly three weeks. Playing a condensed version — say, half — could be done in 10 days. Maybe it’s reduced to a three-game schedule, which could be done in a week.

The Wings were eliminated from the playoffs Feb. 21 and are ensured a last-place finish. There’s little sense in the NHL forcing the Wings, along with teams including Ottawa, San Jose, Los Angeles and others to go through a training camp (which would be needed because players won’t have been able to skate for at least a month, likely more) to play for one week.

If the NHL is able to resume, it should go either straight to an expanded playoffs model — for example, having teams ranked 7-10 in each conference compete in a play-in game — or it should play no more than a one-week schedule limited to teams with the most realistic chance of making the playoffs.

Make the cutoff 78 points in the Eastern Conference (that would include three teams not currently inside the playoff picture: the Islanders, Rangers and Panthers). Make it 77 points in the Western Conference (giving Vancouver and Minnesota a shot).

The NHL is a business, and there are hundreds of millions of dollars at stake in finding a way to award the 2020 Stanley Cup. The Wings may lament the loss of revenue without the four home games they had left on their schedule, but given the situation, we’ve almost certainly seen the last of them this season.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182077 Detroit Red Wings Height/Weight/Shot: 5-10/180/L GP: 61 G: 37 A: 74 PT: 111

TSN’s rank: 4 NHL draft prospects: Alexis Lafreniere consensus top pick Sportsnet rank: 7

Red Line Report rank: 3 By Ansar Khan NHL.com rank: 6

Analysts like his hands and hockey sense. Perfetti developed into a more The 2020 NHL draft is full of centers at the top, many of them versatile well-rounded player his second year in juniors, doubling his assist total forwards who can play wing as well. from 37 to 74 while scoring the same number of goals. The NHL announced recently that the draft, originally scheduled for June 5. Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie (OHL) 26-27 in Montreal, has been postponed due to the coronavirus pause. The timing, location and format of the draft and the draft lottery, which Height/Weight/Shot: 5-11/174/R had been slated for April 9, will be announced when details are finalized. GP: 49 G: 9 A: 38 PT: 47 The Detroit Red Wings will be selecting high, though it’s unclear how high. TSN’s Craig Button rank: 5

The Red Wings clinched the worst record in the league before the Sportsnet rank: 6 season was suspended. If the draft lottery format remains the same, the Red Line Report rank: 6 Red Wings will have an 18.5 percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick and a 49.4 percent chance of finishing in the top three. They can draft no NHL.com rank: 4 lower than fourth if nothing changes. He’s not big but is a terrific skater with high-end offensive ability and Here is a look at the top dozen prospects, according to a consensus of should be the first defenseman selected. several draft analysts: 6. Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa (OHL) 1. Alexis Lafreniere, LW/C, Rimouski (QMJHL) Height/Weight/Shot: 5-9/183/L Height/Weight/Shot: 6-1/192/L GP: 56 G: 39 A: 81 PT: 120 GP: 52 G: 35 A: 77 PT: 112 TSN’s Craig Button rank: 8 TSN’s Craig Button rank: 1 Sportsnet rank: 5 Sportsnet rank: 1 Red Line Report rank: 4 Red Line Report rank: 1 NHL.com rank: 5 NHL.com rank: 1 He’s small, raising concerns of whether he can play center in the NHL. Widely expected to be taken first overall by any team that lands the pick, But this Austria native is a good playmaker with tremendous vision. Lafreniere possesses an elite combination of scoring and passing ability, speed and a willingness to play in traffic. The 2020 World Junior 7. Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgardens (Sweden) Championship MVP for Canada is primarily a left wing but can play Height/Weight/Shot: 6-0/181/R center. GP: 35 G: 9 A: 7 PT: 16 2. Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury (OHL) TSN’s Craig Button rank: 13 Height/Weight: 6-5/214/L Sportsnet rank: 4 GP: 45 G: 32 A: 50 PT: 82 Red Line Report rank: 8 TSN’s Craig Button rank: 3 NHL.com rank: 8 Sportsnet rank: 2 Struggled a bit the second half of the season, causing his stock to slip in Red Line Report rank: 2 some circles. Holtz is projected as a goal-scorer with good speed, soft NHL.com rank: 3 hands and a quick release.

Big center skates well, has good hands and plays a 200-foot game. His 8. Jake Sanderson, D, U.S. National Team Development Program combination of size and skills have drawn comparisons to Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin. Height/Weight/Shot: 6-2/186/L 3. Tim Stutzle, C/LW, Mannheim (Germany) GP: 19 G: 2 A: 10 PT: 12 Height/Weight/Shot: 5-11/178/L TSN’s Craig Button rank: 12 GP: 41 G: 7 A: 27 PT: 34 Sportsnet rank: 12 TSN’s Craig Button rank: 2 Red Line Report rank: 7 Sportsnet rank: 3 NHL.com rank: 7 Red Line Report rank: 5 A mobile, puck-mover believed to have untapped offensive potential, NHL.com rank: 2 Sanderson was the USNTDP’s most valuable player. He will attend the Would Red Wings general manager take another University of North Dakota. German-born player with his top pick, if it’s at No. 2? Stutzle is a flashy 9. Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda (Sweden) player with high-end offensive skills, playing for the same team that Moritz Seider, selected sixth by Detroit last year, played for. Height/Weight/Shot: 5-10/161/R

4. Cole Perfetti, LW/C, Saginaw (OHL) GP: 33 G: 4 A: 6 PT: 10 TSN’s Craig Button rank: 10

Sportsnet rank: 9

Red Line Report rank: 11

NHL.com rank: 9

A smooth skater who likes to have the puck on his stick, he’s always around the puck and has good hands.

10. Yaroslav Askarov, G, St. Petersburg (Russia)

Height/Weight: 6-3/176

GP: 18 GAA: 2.45 SV PCT: .920

TSN’s Craig Button rank: 7

Sportsnet rank: 13

Red Line Report rank: 10

NHL.com rank: 11

The Red Wings need a franchise goaltender and Askarov is far and away the best in the draft, but it seems unlikely they would select him even drafting as low as fourth. Tall, athletic, with a quick glove, his stock appears to have dipped from early in the season.

11. Anton Lundell, C, HIFK Helsinki (Finland)

Height/Weight/Shot: 6-2/183/L

GP: 44 G: 10 A: 18 PT: 28

TSN’s Craig Button rank: 16

Sportsnet rank: 8

Red Line Report rank: 9

NHL.com rank: 10

A two-way center who is strong on his skates, Lundell’s offensive upside appears limited, perhaps relegating him to third-line status in the NHL, no higher than second line.

12. Jack Quinn, RW, Ottawa (OHL)

Height/Weight/Shot: 6-0/176/R

GP: 62 G: 52 A: 37 PT: 89

TSN’s Craig Button rank: 6

Sportsnet rank: 10

Red Line Report rank: 25

NHL.com rank: 12

Possibly the best pure goal-scorer in the draft, his stock rose considerably from the start of the season, but there still is a wide disparity of opinions from analysts. He can play all three forward positions.

Michigan Live LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182078 Edmonton Oilers “What do I like about Yamo? The way he goes and gets pucks, he’s not afraid to go into the corner with anybody. He battled with (Zdeno) Chara — a little height difference there, but he’s not afraid,” said Nugent- Hopkins. “He wants to win the puck battle and get pucks back for us.” COVID-19 isolation means dog days for Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent- Hopkins It’s a strong scouting report, just like the one he’s got on 14-year-old forward Connor Bedard, who was just granted exceptional-player status by the , who will welcome him as a 15-year-old.

Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal Nugent-Hopkins can relate because he was the first-overall pick in the bantam draft by Red Deer Rebels in 2008, just as Bedard will be when

the call out his name. Every dog has its day, especially Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ golden retriever “I’ve skated with Connor with Power Edge Pro in Burnaby. I think we Sophie, who wouldn’t know COVID-19 from a milk bone. started skating with him when he was 12 and when we found out how old But her tail has been wagging with all the times the Edmonton Oilers he was, we were pretty shocked. He’s a bigger kid for his age (165 centre has gotten out her leash lately. pounds), I definitely wasn’t that big at that age, but everything he does is so advanced,” said Nugent-Hopkins. “I think she’s the only one that’s happy with the whole quarantine thing that is going on. She gets lots of attention, lots of walks right now,” said “His shot is already very good, hard and so accurate and a great skater. the longest-serving Oilers player at 604 games, who is currently camped Pretty special player for sure and for him to become the first guy to be out with wife Breanne at their house in Edmonton during the stoppage, granted exceptional-player status in the WHL is pretty impressive.” rather than return to their off-season home in Vancouver. Nugent-Hopkins would rather be talking about the other Connor, and Like pretty much everybody staying inside and practising social Saturday’s game in Calgary to end the regular-season, bringing back the distancing during the coronavirus threat, he’s safe but bored, sleeping in fire on ice in the Battle of Alberta. But, we won’t be getting that now. later than usual, trying to get some exercise, watching Netflix. “I’ve thought about all the games we’ve missed. We had that one eastern Yeah, he’s seen Tiger King. road trip left and then a lot of home games left,” he said.

“Pretty bizarre, the whole thing,” he said, not stick-handling around the “It’s hard not to think about that when you’re going over those days we question on whether Carole Baskin’s departed husband had been fed to should have been playing. Everybody’s kind of just taking it one day at a the tigers. time now, waiting for updates. It’s definitely strange, knowing we would have been playing our last regular-season game on Saturday.” “Sure seemed that way to me,” said Nugent-Hopkins on SportsNet’s . Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.03.2020

He’s spending more time in the kitchen than usual. Not as big on take-out with Skip the Dishes or Uber Eats.

“I’ve been cooking a lot, something I don’t usually do during the season, lunches and dinner, a little unusual for me but cooking is something I’ve wanted to get more into and my wife and I are trying to come up with creative dishes to try out,” said Nugent-Hopkins.

Getting creative is what he’s done with his playing too, moving to left- wing from centre. This may be his true NHL calling if McDavid and Draisaitl are the NHL’s best tag-team at centre. Just as moved to wing with Joe Thornton in San Jose with Logan Couture as the other Sharks’ centre.

Nugent-Hopkins had 61 points in 65 games at the stoppage, 41 of those in 30 games since New Year’s Eve, when he and Draisaitl found themselves with Kailer Yamamoto.

This may be the start of Nugent-Hopkins’ second chapter, the first player taken in the 2011 draft, now a winger like so many other centres in the NHL because all those Canadian Olympic teams are populated with centres who have to move over.

Either Nugent-Hopkins stays with Draisaitl, the NHL’s scoring leader, or shifts to left-wing with McDavid because the Oilers third-best forward can’t be a No. 3 centre; not nearly enough ice-time for a guy who was on pace for a career high 70-plus points before the stoppage.

“Playing the wing changes your game a little bit, it does open up a little more offensively for you,” said Nugent-Hopkins on a video conference call. “When you’re centre, you’ve always got to make sure you’re coming back and playing deep in your own zone. You’re kind of catching up to the rush more so coming out of the defensive zone, transitioning to offence.”

“Whereas as a winger, you’re usually the one leading with the puck or at least supporting the guy who’s leading with the puck. So it’s kind of, as soon as we get it, we have that offensive mindset. At least, that’s how I saw it once I went onto the wing. I got to play with obviously Leo and Yamo and we got some chemistry going right away. Definitely a lot of fun,” said Nugent-Hopkins.

Yamamoto’s arrival from Bakersfield saved the season for the Oilers, gave them a second-line, taking the heat off McDavid on the first unit. Yamamoto has 25 points in 26 games, and nobody’s looking at the 150- pound winger like he’s a work in progress any longer. 1182079 Edmonton Oilers certainty returns. Either way, Bear is going to get paid. A good guess would be a low cap number on a one or two-year deal. Bear played 18:25 a night at 5-on-5, 49 percent shot differential and played more total minutes as a percentage of individual overall minutes against elites via Lowetide: Making the call on RFA and UFA players on the Oilers’ 50-man Puck IQ than any other Oilers defenceman. roster If Edmonton can afford it, a six-year deal that grabs some free agent campaigns is wise. The uncertain cap is likely to conspire against Holland in this situation. The Oilers are likely to use some of the muscle By Allan Mitchell Apr 2, 2020 the CBA allows them on young players coming out of entry-level deals.

Andreas Athanasiou is arbitration-eligible and is coming off a contract On Friday, Oct. 16, 2017, the played the first game that paid him $3 million on the last deal. He is a couple of years from free of the 2017-18 AHL season. It marked the professional debut for three agency; this is the time an organization might buy the RFA winters and a defencemen — Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones and Ryan Mantha — all of couple of UFA seasons, too. Athanasiou’s value is unsettled, his last two whom had solid résumés in junior hockey. Bear would score in the first seasons have been unequal (30-goal season followed by 11 goals this period (assisted by Jones and Jesse Puljujarvi) and Mantha spent some season) so the club will want more track to make the assessment. time on the Condors power play. A one-year deal is possible but there’s the slight chance of a trade. I spent a lot of time monitoring that 2017-18 Bakersfield team, partly Matt Benning is also arbitration-eligible coming off a deal that paid him because the three new defencemen had such different experiences in $1.9 million per season. Benning is a rock-solid third pair defenceman, their first seasons of pro hockey. We don’t have time on ice for AHL right-handed and has great utility. The question surrounding him involves players, and offensive numbers don’t tell us a lot about defenders. top prospect Evan Bouchard, who is NHL-ready. Holland may want to However, even strength goal differential is a tell; it gives us an idea about slide Bouchard into that third pairing role and that would mean Benning what’s happening when each player is on the ice. would likely move via trade. Ryan Mantha: 41 games, 28-27 (+1) That would seem to be the obvious option at this time. Ethan Bear: 37 games, 19-27 (-8) William Lagesson played in both Bakersfield (25 games) and Edmonton Caleb Jones: 58 games, 30-54 (-24) (eight games). His next contract will be inexpensive. He’s a lock for a second contract unless he’s dealt over the summer. All three men were playing significant minutes during the season, Jones had more events but the trio would have been regulars in all games AHL RFAs played. Based on these numbers, it would have been impossible to Colby Cave spent some time in the NHL this season, and Edmonton is predict how things turned out. No one would have guessed Mantha likely to offer him a contract based on his performance in two cities last would be the one in the group that wouldn’t be signing a second pro season. contract. Ryan Kuffner was acquired in a deal at the deadline, he was highly Mantha’s final game came early February 2018, details of the injury touted coming out of college but had a pedestrian AHL debut in 2019-20 finding their way out in the spring. In the fall, at training camp, the injury (6-5-11 in 36 games). He’s a good skater, something the Oilers have was once again addressed with a vague date of return. been collecting since Holland’s arrival. My bet is he’ll get a contract. It is now spring 2020. Contracts are up and the future is very different for Logan Day’s second AHL season was a struggle and his status with the these three men. It’s a reminder about how much injuries can impact the Oilers is up in the air. It could go either way. future, especially when it comes to defencemen. Jones has already signed his second contract. Bear will sign his in the coming days. Cam Hebig started strong in 2018-19 but faded and was removed from a line that featured Cooper Marody and Tyler Benson. Since then, goals Mantha? The numbers say he adjusted quickly to the AHL and there’s have been hard to find (just three goals in 31 games with Bakersfield in only one league in North America higher. We’ll never know. 2019-20). The Oilers probably set him free. Oilers 50-man roster for 2020-21 Nolan Vesey found the AHL a challenge, playing in just 25 games with Let’s start with the players who are signed to contracts for next season Bakersfield over two seasons. Very likely Edmonton walks him. and in some cases beyond. Excluded are AHL deals, plus restricted and Ryan Mantha is unlikely to return. unrestricted free agents. There are 29 names, with Philip Broberg a slide rule (he’ll stay in Sweden and won’t count toward the 50-man limit). NHL UFAs

Goalies: Mikko Koskinen, Stuart Skinner, Dylan Wells, Olivier Rodrigue Mike Smith was so strong after Christmas it wouldn’t surprise many (4) observers if the returns. There is real risk, but he’s known to the coach and went 11-1-4 from the start of January to the end of February. It could Left defence: Oscar Klefbom, Darnell Nurse, Kris Russell, Caleb Jones, be difficult to move off the idea that Smith can get the Oilers to the Dmitri Samorukov, Philip Broberg (slide) (6) playoffs. Right defence: Adam Larsson, Evan Bouchard (2) Tyler Ennis played well after arriving via trade and his contract Centre: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Jujhar Khaira, Cooper Marody, ($800,000) represented outstanding value. It would seem like he and the Ryan McLeod (5) Oilers are an obvious fit, but other NHL teams may come calling. He scored 1-2-3 (2.62 per 60) in 68 minutes playing 5-on-5 with Connor Left wing: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, James Neal, Joakim Nygard, Tyler McDavid, that’s an attractive number in a small sample size. I believe Benson, Joe Gambardella, Ostap Safin (6) they’ll offer him a contract but Ennis will have options.

Right wing: Zack Kassian, Kailer Yamamoto, Josh Archibald, Alex Riley Sheahan played a lot (2:25 a night) on a very good penalty kill, Chiasson, Kirill Maksimov, Raphael Lavoie (6) that’s going to have value to the organization when contemplating a return. Among NHL forwards who played 75 or more minutes on the PK, NHL teams usually run with at least four goalies, 10 defencemen and Sheahan ranked No. 21 with 5.41 goals against per 60 (via Natural Stat more than 20 forwards, but with AHL signings and the lack of roster Trick). Holland knows him, Sheahan signed a value deal and delivered. I restrictions in the minors there are no set rules. Looking at this 29-man suspect he’ll be back. list (remember Broberg is a slide) it’s likely will add to each position. An NHL goaltender, No. 3 centre and a scoring winger would be Gaetan Haas is an interesting player who brings a nice range of skills. He specific items on the wish list. has speed, can forecheck, he can draw penalties and delivers more scoring chances per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 than several third and fourth NHL RFAs line players from a year ago. The things he doesn’t do well (faceoffs) Ethan Bear will be the priority. Holland may want to go short on his don’t have as much value as some would believe, but Haas doesn’t second contract and then buy some free agent seasons when cap penalty kill and that’s an issue. I don’t know if the organization signs Haas next season but I would be curious to see him in a second NHL season.

Patrick Russell is a fourth-line winger who does everything asked and does it double time. He is not a talented offensive player but can help on the penalty kill. If we’re playing it by the book, he (like Haas) doesn’t bring enough offence to the table. Like Haas, his return is uncertain.

Mike Green played only two games with the Oilers, and it would seem his return is a long shot. It’s not impossible. Holland likes older defencemen.

AHL UFAs

Brad Malone serves a role similar to Colby Cave, although he is less likely to be recalled to the NHL. The Oilers may want Malone to mentor a young player like Ryan McLeod in Bakersfield this season, and Jonathan Willis teased the idea of an AHL contract recently. It makes a lot of sense.

Josh Currie can play centre and score 20-plus in the AHL, plus he’s right- handed. I expect the Oilers will offer him a contract.

Shane Starrett is a Group 6 free agent, and his season was among the most disappointing in the entire organization. After a strong 2018-19 season, and an impressive playoffs with the Condors, his 2019-20 season was derailed. The Oilers have other options pushing and that could mean Starrett will be in another AHL city next year.

Keegan Lowe, who was a rock before this season at the AHL level, struggled with the workload this year. Edmonton may move on.

Brandon Manning had a tough year on and off the ice. It’s unlikely he’ll return.

Tomas Jurco played with the big club, was sent down and then got hurt. He could return, but it’s also possible others have passed him.

Markus Granlund struggled to stay with the big club despite owning a one-way deal. He is unlikely to return.

Angus Redmond was a trade pickup at the deadline and is unlikely to be signed.

Possible 50-man before free agency

It’s a guess and we could see any number of changes between now and the day Edmonton begins signing NHL free agents. Here’s how the list could look by June 1:

Goalies: Mikko Koskinen, Mike Smith, Stuart Skinner, Dylan Wells, Olivier Rodrigue (5)

Left defence: Oscar Klefbom, Darnell Nurse, Kris Russell, Caleb Jones, William Lagesson, Dmitri Samorukov, Philip Broberg (slide) (7)

Right defence: Adam Larsson, Ethan Bear, Evan Bouchard, Logan Day (4)

Centre: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Riley Sheahan, Jujhar Khaira, Gaetan Haas, Cooper Marody, Josh Currie, Colby Cave, Ryan McLeod (9)

Left wing: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Andreas Athanasiou, James Neal, Joakim Nygard, Tyler Benson, Joe Gambardella, Ryan Kuffner, Ostap Safin (8)

Right wing: Zack Kassian, Kailer Yamamoto, Josh Archibald, Alex Chiasson, Kirill Maksimov, Raphael Lavoie (6)

That’s 39, minus Broberg making it 38 and giving Holland room to add about nine names to this group (general managers like to have a couple of extra spots). There are fewer holes than one year ago and youngsters like Bear and Yamamoto have given more quality and balance to the roster. Good arrows for Holland but plenty of work to do.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182080 MontrealCanadiens And though he was not called upon to play the game against North York that night, his goaltending partner struggled, which left McNiven, and his coach, in an awkward position. Walters was aware of McNiven’s situation, but also wanted to give him the chance to work through his In his goal crease, Canadiens prospect Michael McNiven found a feelings on the ice if he chose to do so. sanctuary from pain “He looked at me and asked if I wanted to get in,” McNiven said. “And I immediately said yes.”

By Marc Dumont Apr 2, 2020 With his team losing 3-0, a simple nod was all it took for McNiven to be placed in the heat of the action. He couldn’t control what was going on

with his grandfather, but he could control how many pucks he turned It was a text message that changed everything. aside.

A 16-year-old Michael McNiven was on the road to the rink for a Junior A “He was very strong-willed,” said Walters. “We obviously wouldn’t start game between his and the , his him in a situation like that, but he wanted to play for his grandfather.” grandmother at the wheel. McNiven and his dad were passengers. McNiven didn’t allow a goal, leading Georgetown to a 4-3 overtime win. Had his father brought his reading glasses with him, perhaps the young Little did he know it, but McNiven was establishing a pattern that would netminder could have avoided the devastating news. But it was McNiven persist: relying on his second family — his hockey team — when things who was tasked with reading the message from his grandfather, who had went wrong at home. been diagnosed with thyroid cancer three years earlier. “Michael has gone through more than most,” said Walters. “And on top of “They told me I’d have to do this again,” read the message. “If I have to that, there’s all the regular stuff teenagers have to deal with. But when do it again, I’m done.” they get onto the ice all they think about is hockey. It takes their mind off The teenager could not hold back his tears. His grandfather’s recovery other things in life that aren’t going as smoothly as possible. It’s a way for had seemed to be going well. That one text cleared a smokescreen that them to find success, have some fun with their teammates. It’s a release had been set up to spare his feelings. for these kids.

Now, he feared he was about to lose the most important person in his “When I think of Michael I think of how strong he’s been, what he’s had to life. overcome in his life. If there’s one person who can fight through it, it will be Michael. Tough, tough kid. It’s remarkable that he’s still staying on “He’d go to every practice, everything he could make,” recalled McNiven course. I don’t know how many players would have been able to go in an interview. “Obviously when he was diagnosed with an illness it was through what he did.” a little tougher. But when he wasn’t in the hospital, he was always around.” McNiven spent much of his childhood on the soccer fields and hockey rinks in the municipality of Halton, Ont., less than an hour west of Jim and Michael McNiven. Credit: Christine McNiven Mississauga.

McNiven’s grandparents — Jim and Christine — were the main influence At age 4, he donned goalie equipment for the first time. It was love at first in the young man’s life, taking over for his parents, whose personal glove save. struggles made for a sporadic and fractured relationship with their son. His mother was a part of his life only until he was 4 years old. His father Hockey would go on to play a crucial role in his life, giving him was around at times, but never consistently. consistency, something his childhood otherwise lacked.

McNiven, now a 22-year-old AHL goaltender and prospect for the He did not know his mother. McNiven has faint memories of spending Montreal Canadiens, doesn’t like to talk about his parents’ difficulties in weekends in Toronto, including recollections of time at the Canadian great detail. He asked that the specific issues they encountered not be National Exhibition, one of the few good moments he keeps from his revealed in this story. experience with his mom.

By age 16, McNiven had risen to the ranks of legitimate hockey prospect “I remember going to Toronto. We did stuff together,” he said. “But I don’t while playing with the OJHL’s Georgetown Raiders, a team that struggled remember much about it.” to win until he arrived in 2013. When you’re only 4, you’re not expected to remember much, if anything, There were three netminders on the team. McNiven was just 16, and beyond your favourite colour and perhaps a fond memory of a dusty road players his age had trouble getting on the ice in this league dominated by trip. But those memories are usually the result of an endless stream of 20-year-olds. But he was also the best goaltender the Raiders had. activities that tend to fuse together. The details get lost with time, but the fondness remains. Georgetown was not expected to make the playoffs, something their head coach Greg Walters admitted to McNiven once the season Except, for McNiven, there wasn’t an endless stream of activities. His concluded. And though his team finished second in the OJHL’s West mother would pick him up in Georgetown, spend a little time with him in division, Walters had good reason to doubt his team’s potential. Prior to Toronto, and then drop him off in Georgetown. McNiven’s arrival, the team had won just two of their first dozen games, His father was around, at times. He did come to his games on occasion, on pace for nine wins in a 53-game season. but he wasn’t around enough to provide much in the way of guidance or Thanks largely to McNiven, the Raiders finished the season with a 31-20- leadership. Despite attempts by McNiven, his father has yet to 0-2 record. McNiven was in goal for 21 of those 31 wins and 10 of the 20 reintegrate himself into his life. losses. He had a .915 save percentage. Georgetown not only made the “He’s around somewhere,” said McNiven. “But not around me. I told him playoffs, but also swept division-rivals Milton in the first round and beat this year, ‘If you want to be a dad, buckle up and be one.'” the division-leading Buffalo Jr Sabres in five games in the second round before falling to the eventual league champions, the Toronto Lakeshore McNiven never received an answer. Patriots, in the conference finals. “I don’t understand why people can be like that,” he said. “The shame is “He definitely played extremely, extremely well,” said Walters. “He’s probably why he doesn’t want to talk to me. But at the same time, put never short of confidence, and you need that as a goaltender. And let’s your 50-year-old boots on and apologize.” not forget, playing as a 16-year-old in the OJHL and becoming a No.1 goalie shows how strong his mindset is.” A parent deciding they’d rather not be a part of your life is a tough pill to swallow, no matter your age. But it was not the first time McNiven dealt The OJHL generally has an age range of 17-20, with the elite players with that experience. cracking the roster at 17. McNiven didn’t just crack the roster at age 16, he became a starter. After dropping off her 4-year-old son in Georgetown one morning, his mother returned to Toronto, as she usually did. But the news of his grandfather’s failing health weighed heavily. It was the last time McNiven saw her. With his mother not picking up the phone and his father disappearing He posted back-to-back in the games following his grandfather’s from his life for months at a time, it was up to McNiven’s paternal funeral, which took place on Dec. 20, his grandmother’s birthday. grandparents to do much of the child-rearing. “Everyone gravitated to him,” said McNiven. “Everyone liked him. He Both his grandfather and his grandmother were factory workers, commanded respect. I try to be the same person he was.” spending over 40 years working difficult hours while trying to provide for their three sons. At times, they would work from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. Other The loss of his grandfather spurred McNiven to reach out to his mother times they worked the morning shift, or any other shift available. And on Facebook. His grandmother helped him find her. while the circumstance would have justified some form of frustration, it “I must have seen her profile 100 times,” said McNiven. “But, I didn’t never surfaced. know it was her.”

“We had the greenest lawn in the neighborhood, too,” McNiven said. He eventually struck up a conversation. At first, the communication lines The perfectly manicured front yard was a result of his grandfather waking seemed relatively stable, but as the days turned into months, the replies up at dawn to water grass or shovel snow. It was a practice that instilled from his mother were few and far between. They did make plans to meet, a sense of work ethic and responsibility in McNiven that, he says, fuels but those plans, predictably, fell through. his approach to life today. “She would pop up for an hour,” said McNiven. “And then she wouldn’t The McNivens had always been a sports-orientated family. One of Jim answer for two weeks. Then she’d pop on for two hours and disappear.” and Christine’s sons, Gary, was drafted by the in the The situation eventually wore thin for the young goaltender, who stopped 16th round of the 1995 OHL draft. Christine preferred summer months, responding to his mother’s sporadic messages. whereas Jim preferred the winter, though it had less to do with the weather and more to do with the sports seasons. She wanted her Less than two years later, he attended her funeral in Winnipeg. children to play soccer, enjoying the time she spent watching them in It was a surreal feeling, he recalled, of not really knowing the person in various parks near Halton Hills. He preferred hockey, carting kids to and the casket while waves of conflicting emotions washed over him. He was from the rinks with the same stoicism that would come to define his time aware he had three stepsisters, but beyond that, mystery shrouded her with Michael. life and their relationship, or lack thereof. Christine and Michael McNiven. Credit: Christine McNiven “When I got to the funeral, I didn’t really know how I felt about it,” “He wasn’t a crazy hockey parent by any means,” McNiven said of his McNiven said. “I didn’t know her. I talked to her maybe four times on the grandfather. “He couldn’t stand people like that. He would never be phone.” around people like that. He wouldn’t yell at me, ever. He just wanted me Once again, hockey came to the rescue. to love the game for myself. You can’t force someone to love something.” Sitting with his family, many of whom he had just met, he received a call That played a big part in McNiven’s future, as he would eventually from Team Canada to inform him he’d be joining fellow Canadiens choose to ditch soccer, a sport in which he excelled, for hockey, a sport prospects Noah Juulsen and Victor Mete at the world junior team that he loved. selection camp in Boisbriand, Que. His grandmother couldn’t stand to watch him, at least not for a full 60 He didn’t make the team, but the invite alone was recognition of his minutes. Once warmups were over she could handle, perhaps, 20 potential as a goaltender. minutes of her grandson being peppered with shots — but not a minute more. She would sequester herself in the family car for the second and The path as an undrafted pro goaltender has not been smooth. third periods. An early cut at Canadiens training camp this season, McNiven was Still, when Jim fell ill again in 2013, McNiven’s sports-related activities fell eventually loaned to the of the ECHL. The squarely on her shoulders. But much like her husband, Christine did not Canadiens, who do not have an ECHL affiliate, were unable to influence complain. the Thunder’s goaltending decisions, leading to just four games for McNiven. He was then loaned to the , where he Jim was the kind of person who wouldn’t want to burden others with his started 10 games, but was ultimately sidelined once more due to an own issues, so he attempted to keep his health situation a secret. But the overcrowded crease. visits to the hospital started to happen with more frequency, and with more urgency. His final ECHL assignment came with the Norfolk Admirals, where he played eight games for the worst team in the league before finally getting December was a difficult month for Jim, as he battled pneumonia and called up to the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate in Laval in early January — with went in and out of the hospital. four teams, two leagues and 22 starts already under his belt in 2019-20. Slowly, yet surely, the situation became critical. “I didn’t really read too much into the situation,” said McNiven. “I just Just three days after Jim was released from the hospital, McNiven was wanted to play hockey. At some point, it feels like the organization is awakened by his grandmother in the middle of the night. trying to play head games with you, but at the end of the day, you have to keep working and trust the process. “Grandpa is not feeling well,” she said. “We’re going to the hospital in Toronto. “Everything that’s happened this season is nothing compared to my past,” he added. “But he’s fine,” she specified. On Feb. 5, McNiven was given his first AHL start of the season. Laval Jim and Michael McNiven. Credit: Christine McNiven. won.

Reassured, McNiven went to school, just like any other day. TRUST THE PROCESS At about noon, he received a phone call. This was not any other day. — MICHAEL MCNIVEN (@MICHAELJMCNIVEN) FEBRUARY 6, 2020 The 16-year-old made his way to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in “I’m happy,” McNiven said that night. “I’m back home, I’m getting Toronto to say goodbye. opportunities, I’m working hard. It’s paying off.” “It was a shock,” said McNiven. “Because when I saw him at four in the But with the season now suspended indefinitely, McNiven will likely be morning he was fine. By the time I made it to the hospital he was holding left with only three starts and a .919 save percentage in the AHL. on with the help of a ventilator.” Impressive, yet unsurprising numbers from the 2016-17 CHL goaltender The man who sacrificed so much to guide his grandson toward a better of the year. life took his last breath on Dec. 16, 2013. “He’s a guy that dealt with a lot of adversity,” said head As was the case when he first read the somber text message meant for coach Joël Bouchard. “We had a meeting two years ago, and since then, his father, McNiven turned to hockey for comfort. I have nothing to say about his work ethic and the way he acts. He’s a professional through and through. He’s matured so much in the last few years, it’s incredible.

“At the moment, he’s reaping the fruits of his labour. When you do your homework, you work hard and have a great attitude, you’ll reap the benefits. Because of that, he’s now receiving starts in the AHL, but most importantly, he’s playing well in those starts because he followed the right process.”

And while the season might have ended prematurely, McNiven did enough to remind the organization that his potential at age 22 is not to be ignored.

“There could be a lot of doubters out there,” McNiven said. “But I know I can play at this level or higher.”

His former coach agrees.

“A kid like that?” said Walters. “Just give him the opportunity and he’ll do it. I really believe in him.”

For now, things are relatively normal in McNiven’s life. He is currently living with his girlfriend, Maude, who has been a pillar of support since they started dating two years ago.

“That’s where she comes into play,” he said. “Regardless of the situation, she’s been there for me. Everything’s been sunshine and rainbows. It’s been huge. Just being home with Maude and my dog is one of the best feelings ever.”

A man, his better half and his dog. A simple, yet efficient recipe for happiness.

Maude, Lola, and Michael. Credit: Michael McNiven

But McNiven still has his eyes set on the ultimate prize.

“When I get my chance at the NHL level,” he said, “I’m going to be ready for it.”

Notice the use of the word when, not if. It speaks to a confidence level he’s built over years of disappointments and perseverance.

“It’s been interesting,” he said. “Very interesting. It’s something you don’t want to go through, but my family extends to hockey now. Just growing up in hockey, I’ve met so many good people. Whether it’s in pro, junior, or wherever I go, it becomes an extended family.”

It’s the same sense of belonging his grandfather provided when he needed it most.

“I wish he could be here,” said McNiven before a smile took over his face. “But he’d be proud of how I reacted to everything I’ve been through.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182081 New Jersey Devils "And you’re talking about a guy who could potentially address a weakness with the Devils. They have centers. They’re trying to add some size. They’re trying to add different elements into the group, so Gritsyuk certainly has some of those qualities. You work with every player to try to Scouting Devils’ 2019 draft class: Arseny Gritsyuk ‘has elements’ in his maximize their potential to the greatest extent possible knowing full well game to establish space and bury chances that not all of them are going to take that potential even if they maximize it in the NHL.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 04.03.2020 By Randy Miller

When it comes to evaluating NHL prospects, nobody does it better than Craig Button, who doubles as director of scouting and television analyst for TSN, Canada’s version of ESPN.

The Calgary Flames general manager from 2000-03, Button knows the strengths and weaknesses of every NHL player and just about all of the drafted and undrafted prospects from all over the world.

NJ Advance Media recently phoned Button to provide fresh scouting reports on the Devils’ 2019 draft class, and he didn’t disappoint sharing his insight for 25 minutes from his home in Calgary.

Introducing Devils Insider: Sign up for exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers

We’re sharing Button’s take in a series.

Here’s Part 9:

ARSENY GRITSYUK, LW

Drafted: 5th round, 129th overall.

Hometown: Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

Age: 19 (20 on March 15, 2021)

Size: 5-10, 157.

Shoots: Left.

Contract status: Unsigned.

Instagram: arseny.grityuk_81

2019-20 clubs: HC Izhstal, Supreme Hockey League (VHL) & Omskie Yastreby, Russian Minor Hockey League (MHL).

2019-20 stats: HC Izhstal (VHL), 2 games, 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points, 0 PIM, plus-3. Omskie (MHL), 59 games, 28 goals, 35 assists, 63 points, 28 PIM, plus-40.

Fast fact: Gritskyuk comes from Siberia’s third-largest city, which also is the hometown of former Washington Capitals 40-goal scorer Alexander Semin.

Quoting Hockey Buzz’s Bill Meltzer: “Russia’s answer to pint-sized American goal-scoring machine Cole Caufield (who was drafted 15th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2019). The small but highly skilled Russian winger has torn up the U-17 and MHL levels with his ability score off the rush or hide out from the defense and materialize in prime scoring position to receive a pass and put the puck in the net. Carrying less than 170 pounds on his small frame and with a need to improve various aspects of his game without the puck, Gritsyuk is a boom-or-bust candidate."

Craig Button scouting report: “Gritsyuk is a good skater who gets into the right spots. He plays hard along the boards. He plays hard on the puck. To be able to score in the National Hockey League – to be able to score at any level – you don’t beat goalies from 40 feet anymore. You’ve got to get inside the real challenging areas where opponents are trying to depend hard against you. You’ve got to find a way to carve out your space. You’ve got to find a way to establish your space. And then I think you’ve got to find a way to bury your chances. You see those elements in Gritsky’s game.

"Obviously, the NHL’s not an easy league, but Gritsyuk has had a measure of success this year playing in that Russian League with some elements that are necessary to have success. You continue to watch. You watch, you work, you develop. You test him by perhaps signing him and seeing what he does in the American League. He’s got qualities that you like in a player. 1182082 New York Islanders

Islanders’ Jordan Eberle sees unique hurdle for an NHL coronavirus return

By Mollie Walker April 2, 2020 | 8:05PM

Anyone who has ever played high-level hockey, like Islanders forward Jordan Eberle, knows it’s impossible to emulate skating while working out off the ice.

During this unprecedented time, with the NHL season suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic, staying in shape has been an additional obstacle for players. Eberle said he knows getting back on to the ice will make all the difference should the 2020 NHL season eventually resume.

“None of us have ever experienced anything like this,” Eberle said on a conference call Thursday. “Going into training camp, we’d all been skating for two months straight and then you have training camp before the season. You’re pretty much on the ice for three months straight.

“You can ride the bike, you can go on the treadmill, you can go on runs, you can work out, but nothing is going to translate to skating. It’s just such a unique activity that it’s hard to translate to. I know guys in the NHL have talked about it, we’ve had [NHL Players’ Association] meetings, but if you want to put a really good product on the ice and get back somewhere near where we ended off, you’re going to need some practices for sure.”

The 29-year-old winger could only compare this lull to what some players experience before competing in the World Championships, which usually are held in early May but were officially canceled this year due to the coronavirus. Players who don’t make the NHL playoffs are challenged to stay at the top of their games during their weeks off before the international tournament begins.

Eberle, whose wife Lauren gave birth to a baby girl named Collins on March 16, said he has utilized the makeshift gym in his basement, but also has found himself sprinting up and down his staircase whenever he uses it.

It has been a struggle, however, to maintain his motivation to work out with no “clear-cut date” to return. Eberle said he wouldn’t mind having play resume late in the summer, but questioned how long the league should wait until officially canceling the season.

“I’m for playing later into the year,” he said. “But that being said, I don’t know: At what point do you cut it off? Right? You need to resume a full season next year, you have to have that time and that rest too.

“I think at some point there has to be a date where you say, ‘The season is lost and we start recuperating for next year.’ As of right now, I think everyone’s mindset is that we do want to play in the playoffs.”

Several players around the league have been asked what they would do if they were in commissioner ’s shoes, with the Penguins’ most notably saying he believes the schedule should jump right into the playoffs with the current standings should the season resume.

Eberle said he’s just happy he doesn’t have to make those decisions, but wasn’t too fond of Crosby’s suggestion considering it would leave the Islanders out of the postseason picture.

“You work this hard all year to play however many games we had left, you play that many games and you’re in the hunt and then the season is just done,” Eberle said. “That’s tough, you work all season long, all summer and the previous summer long, to have a shot to win the Stanley Cup.”

New York Post LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182083 New York Islanders

Islanders players pool funds to donate N95 masks to Northwell Health

By Andrew Gross

Islanders players made a financial commitment to help health care workers treating coronavirus patients by pooling funds to donate about 3,500 N95 masks to Northwell Health.

“A heartfelt thanks to the @NYIslanders for supporting our Northwell Health #healthcareheroes with your delivery of N95 masks this week!” the Northwell Health Foundation said via Twitter on Thursday night.

The donations will be split between different Northwell Health hospital locations, based upon need.

A heartfelt thanks to the @NYIslanders for supporting our Northwell Health #healthcareheroes with your delivery of N95 masks this week! pic.twitter.com/VKCHLZga1T

— Northwell Health Foundation (@GiveToNorthwell) Apr 93, 2020

Islanders players organized the effort among themselves.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182084 New York Islanders will be allowed to skate. We will not put him in any harm’s way until he’s 100 percent. There’s an unknown there.”

Lamoriello also said, “We’re not concerned right now,” that construction Islanders president Lou Lamoriello 'extremely optimistic' NHL season will being forced to stop on the arena at Belmont Park will impact the resume timetable to open the team’s new building for 2021-22.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.03.2020

By Andrew Gross

The uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic has left Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello juggling many different plans for best positioning his team when the NHL season restarts.

That’s when, not if.

“I’m extremely optimistic that we will play at some time as far as this season,” Lamoriello told Newsday on Thursday. “Whether it’s in June, whether it’s in July, whether it’s in August, I’m not thinking about that. I’m just thinking, in my mind, knowing that we will play and using this time to get ready for that.

“But, prior to that, the most important thing is everyone staying safe and everyone doing the things in the best interest of their families because we’re in a different world today,” Lamoriello added.

On Tuesday, the NHL – which paused play on March 12 – extended its self-quarantine period for its players through April 15. President Trump has extended nationwide social-distancing guidelines through April 30.

Lamoriello said ’s coaching staff and the training staff has been in constant communication with the players to monitor their workouts.

“The other thing they have to work on is staying convinced that we’re going to play and keeping themselves motivated in a way that they don’t wait until the last minute,” Lamoriello said.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has repeated the league is willing to extend play deep into the summer but does not want to compromise playing a full 2020-21.

Lamoriello acknowledged, at some point, it may become too late to restart this season.

“Without question,” Lamoriello said. “But I think Gary Bettman and his complete staff and the hockey people certainly are aware of all of that. And all of that is talked about daily in many contingency plans. I’ll leave that up to them to do that. We all, individually, have our own idea of when and where the last day is. Right now, that’s not the thought process. Right now, the thought process is using this time as productively as possible to be as ready as possible.”

That’s unlikely to include signing restricted free agents Mathew Barzal and defensemen Ryan Pulock and Devon Toews to new deals before it’s officially the offseason.

“There are so many unknowns right now,” Lamoriello said. “ Should we not play – I don’t have that thought process in my mind, but you have to prepare for it – what will happen with the [salary] cap? What will happen with the payroll for next year? All those things have to be kept in your mind.

“We want them back and will do everything we can to get that done at the right time.”

The Islanders were on an 0-3-4 slide when the season was paused and had gone 2-7-4 since Feb. 11 to fall out of a playoff spot.

“We did lose our way there near the end,” Lamoriello said. “But I have total confidence in our coaching staff that we’re going to come back ready to go.”

The Islanders, like all NHL teams, are getting healthier during this stoppage.

Casey Cizikas and defenseman Johnny Boychuk, both cut by skate blades, are ready to return. Defenseman Adam Pelech (Achilles’ tendon), out since Jan. 2, is also improving.

“His recovery and rehab has come along fantastic,” Lamoriello said. “He has not, at this point, skated. But I do not believe it’s too far away that he 1182085 New York Islanders

Islanders' Jordan Eberle knows time is running out to resume NHL season

By Andrew Gross

Jordan Eberle was already flying back from Calgary to to be with his pregnant wife, Lauren, when he received news the NHL was pausing its season on March 12 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the time, Eberle, similar to his Islanders’ teammates and fellow players around the league, remained optimistic the season would resume. Three weeks later, Eberle is still hopeful but knows the NHL may come to a point where it must prioritize next season over this one.

“We stopped in Fargo to refuel and I got the text that the season was postponed,” Eberle said Thursday on a conference call set up by the Islanders. “I think, at that point, you’re optimistic it’s going to resume based on some of the information you’re getting. But you do think it’s going to be a month.

“I think the longer we go into this, the more we run out of time and, at some point, you have to come to a conclusion on what’s a final date to salvage going into next year,” added Eberle, whose daughter, Collins, was born on March 16. “We still have some time before that.”

On Tuesday, the NHL extended the self-quarantine period for its players through April 15 and President Donald Trump has extended social- distancing guidelines in the U.S. through April 30. The Ottawa Senators announced on Wednesday three more unidentified players have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total to seven players around the NHL.

“In a word, it’s just kind of been confusing,” Eberle said. “We’re just stuck in limbo and none of us really know what’s going on so you’ve just got to mentally keep your focus as much as you can and keep in shape as much as you can if the season does start.”

Eberle said his wife has not left their home and both his parents and his wife’s remain at their homes in Calgary. Other than FaceTime, the grandparents have not met their new grandchild yet.

“If there’s anything that’s more frustrating than anything is you go a bit stir crazy at home,” Eberle said. “My whole life, I’m used to doing some activities every day and burning energy every day and it seems like some days, I can’t sit still at home. I’m jittery. I’m running up and down the stairs. We have a gym in the basement so I’m trying to keep motivated to work out as much as I can. But when there’s no clear-cut date on when the season is starting, sometimes the focus can get lost.”

Eberle said he would have no problem if the NHL wound up playing through August, though he said he had no suggestions on whether the regular season should be completed or what the fairest playoff format would be. If the NHL opted to go straight into the playoffs, there’s a possibility some players' offseason could last around seven months while others might only have a month off before 2020-21 began.

“There’s going to be tons of stuff like that,” Eberle said. “We don’t have the guideline to when we’re starting so it’s just such a hard question to answer.”

Eberle was also asked which teammate he’d most want to be quarantined with — he said captain and fellow new dad — and who was on the opposite end of the spectrum.

“[Mathew] Barzal, for sure,” Eberle said. “He’s got a ton of energy. To have him cooped up for a while, I’d probably want to punch him out by the end of it.”

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182086 New York Islanders be in his good graces. If not, he’ll let you know and let you learn from your mistakes. But he was good for us.”

What’s it like to be in his good graces compared to when you’re not? Not everyone can be reached but Greg Cronin will certainly try “You definitely know when you’re not,” Nelson said. “You’ll have a couple meetings, have a couple (video) clips and get called out a little bit, but rightfully so sometimes.” By Ryan S. Clark Apr 2, 2020 Cronin is aware he can be considered an intimidating figure. Those who meet him immediately notice the intense and near stone-faced look of a man who does not appear to be flexible or capable of cracking a smile. Believe in the message. Some would argue he looks more like a drill sergeant than a hockey Greg Cronin was a first-year assistant with the New York Islanders when coach. His almost military-style haircut, plus the fact he spends hours in he learned that lesson in a harsh yet memorable way. He was doing a the gym or running every day, just adds to that image. presentation that required him to hold then-captain Trevor Linden He speaks with the knowledge one would expect from a coach with his accountable. Cronin admitted he was intimidated by the environment. resume. But he discusses hockey like a mad scientist whose latest After all, he was a young coach with a college hockey background in a experiment might sound strange at first but gets results when applied. He position to instruct some of the best professional players in the world. spends hours watching video of games and practices. It is why he can What he said to Linden and the rest of the team lacked conviction. Mike greatly detail a player’s flaws or the firmness he shows with certain Milbury noticed and it led to a long-lasting discussion. details. He can still do that with players he has not coached in several years, speaking about them as if they were on his team. “Mike pulled me aside and says, ‘Listen to me. These players don’t care what your background is. They are going to respond to a message that “He’s got a lot of energy and he’s passionate. Really passionate,” has conviction, believability and accountability,’” Cronin said. “He said, ‘If Mayfield said. “For me, he brought me mentally to another level. It’s you’re not going to coach with those qualities, you might as well go back tough those first couple of years when you’re back and forth trying to to Boston.’ I’ll never forget it. He was passionate about the way he said it. make it. He kind of talks about the grind mentally and what it takes to get There are certain intersections that you go through in coaching and your to the next level by having confidence. I think he likes that physical, old- life that promote growth and leadership. But that intersection might get a school defenseman style still and that helped me playing under him little bit uncomfortable.” because that’s the way I like to play. I learned a lot from him in the couple years I was with him.” The anecdote is older than some of the Colorado Avalanche prospects Cronin is charged with molding, yet it is the reason why he is in a position Cronin is always noticing something and can offer some sort of advice or to sculpt them. tip that can have a major impact.

Cronin has developed a multifaceted coaching style concentrated around Eagles goaltender Adam Werner played his entire career in Sweden the principle of getting players to believe in his message. It is an aside from a four-game stint with the San Antonio Rampage in 2017-18. approach that has served him as an NHL assistant and as a head coach Experiencing back-to-back games was something he did twice a year. at Northeastern University. The methods have helped countless players The last time Werner recalled playing both games of a back-to-back in such as Islanders forward Brock Nelson and defenseman Scott Mayfield Sweden was three or four years ago. That’s not the case in the AHL. The reach the NHL. It is why veteran Johnny Boychuk still speaks fondly of Eagles’ season-opening series was a back-to-back, and most of their him and the relationship they have. games were scheduled that way.

“For me, personally, it was very easy to get to know him,” Boychuk said. Ten of their 11 games in December were back-to-backs and having “I still talk to him to this day. I talked to him last night and maybe once Cronin around helped Werner adjust. every two months. I send him a message or he sends me one. I enjoyed “It was to not overthink,” Werner said. “If you have a good game that first the time I spent with him because he is a good person.” night, take the good feeling with you but at the same time, reset and go Getting someone with those credentials is why Avalanche general for the next one. If you have a tougher game or feel tired, try to put it manager Joe Sakic and his front office staff hired Cronin to become the away and find a way to be ready for the game. That was the biggest thing Colorado Eagles’ head coach nearly two years ago. Youth is at the I dealt with.” forefront of the organization’s plans of becoming a long-term Stanley Cup But the passion Cronin displays also comes with humanity. contender. He will crack jokes during a film session or on the bench during games to Some players, such as superstar center Nathan MacKinnon, were NHL- keep players relaxed. He makes the effort to ask every player how they, ready. their girlfriends or their wives are handling life. He likes to know if players Others, however, are not, which is why Cronin is so important. He and have moved into their new apartments or houses. his staff are responsible for developing the prospects whose futures Eagles defenseman Jacob MacDonald was in the New Jersey Devils and hinge upon how quickly and responsibly they learn the traits that could Florida Panthers organizations before signing a one-year deal to join the expedite their NHL careers. Just ask Avalanche defenseman Ryan Avalanche’s system. He has a reputation as a puck mover who made the Graves or goaltender Pavel Francouz. They went from being under Eagles a more well-rounded defensive unit. The Eagles allowed the Cronin’s supervision last season into becoming reliable players Jared fourth-fewest goals in the AHL before the season was placed on pause Bednar trusted this year before the NHL came to a standstill. because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having players who can operate in key roles on low contracts is more Cronin had moments when all seven defensemen deserved playing time vital than ever before. The Avalanche are trending in a direction that but did not want to sit any of them, so he decided to use MacDonald at could see them have success. But it comes with a price tag. Juggling forward. It was a surprise at first but MacDonald had fun with his new those higher-end deals with prospects at a cheaper cost is the reality assignment because he wanted to do whatever was best for the team on every legitimate title favorite manages at some point in its progression. top of the trust he established with Cronin. That is what makes a coach like Cronin even more valuable. His “It’s definitely been a good experience for me,” said MacDonald, who collegiate experience means he knows how to handle young talent recently signed a two-year extension. “He’s invested in you as a person coming out of school. The time spent as an AHL coach means he is and as a player. It’s not just you come to the rink and this is what you aware of what it takes to make the transition to the NHL. Being a former have to do to be better. … It’s on a much deeper level than just hockey. Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs assistant also means he is more than For that connection to exist from a coach to a player, it helps when you’re aware of what it takes to stay in the NHL or risk returning to the minor trying to teach something on the ice. You take that message a little more leagues. to heart with someone who is not just only invested in you but they are “Cro’s pretty black and white and cut and dry and he wants everything committed to you.” done the right way,” Nelson said. “If guys go out and do their job, they’ll Eagles forward Jayson Megna, who is also in his first season with the games with the Eagles into someone who looks like an NHL contributor organization, offered another perspective into what makes Cronin’s with three points over a nine-game cameo. methods effective. It is the continued growth forward Logan O’Connor has shown from That would be accountability. scoring more points in the AHL than he did in three years at the University of Denver while remaining a two-way presence. Or how Megna said Cronin treats every player the same, creating continuity and forward Shane Bowers, who also struggled at the start of the season, fairness. Say a player makes a mistake. He can be a first-round pick who “was dominating” opponents as of late, according to Cronin. There is also is still young or a journeyman with years of experience. It does not the work done with defenseman Conor Timmins, which further adds to matter. They will all be called out in the same way with the underlying the narrative of how 2020-21 could be the season the 2017 second- premise being everyone — regardless of their station — must work to get round pick becomes a full-time NHL player. better. “We knew his background was strong along with his body of work,” “He expects guys to bring it every single day,” Megna said. “Especially assistant general manager Craig Billington said about why the for the young guys, it’s such a great tool and motivator to have. That’s organization hired Cronin. “We knew he was direct, honest and huge for young guys coming into pro hockey for the first time. He gets passionate about what his vision was and what he would do. But, at the them out of their comfort zone. It’s even the same for veteran guys who same token, he was open to other ideas. He and I work very close have been other places. You may (have) previously had coaches who together along with our development staff. It’s exciting because we feed have let small details slide. He takes you back to the basics and checks off each other. I think the development staff and our American League you. I’ve really enjoyed this year because he is trying to make you better staff have done a great job integrating our whole program.” every day.” Billington said Cronin’s ability to develop and win games fed into what the What Cronin teaches is designed to do more than just make his players Avalanche wanted to achieve now that their AHL affiliate was an hour’s more effective in the AHL. It’s designed for them to become contributors drive away instead of a several-hour flight compared to previous years. of varying levels once they reach the NHL. Yet what the former NHL goaltender felt made Cronin so strong at his job Injuries became a constant theme for the Avalanche this season, which was he applies concepts such as compassion, honesty and transparency is why defenseman Samuel Girard and forward Matt Nieto were the only into what he does. skaters to play in every regular-season game. It led to the front office calling up 10 players from the Eagles who filled in for a combined 74 Cronin had been let go by the Islanders when the Avalanche were games. looking for an AHL coach. He said coaching can be a humbling profession because building a body of work does not mean it’s enough to Simply having healthy bodies, however, is not enough. Bednar and the rest on those previous achievements. Originally, he had no thoughts on Avalanche needed capable reinforcements who could be asked to serve returning to the AHL. How Billington, MacFarland and Sakic presented in a variety of roles if needed. their vision made Cronin excited about the possibilities.

It is another reason why the work Cronin and his coaching staff do “The fun part of this stuff is watching guys like Frankie, O’C and Gravy do matters. It’s about preparing players for the future knowing that time well,” Cronin said. “That’s the spirit of development. To see Bowers and could come at a moment’s notice. then have a guy like Erik Condra say, ‘I can’t believe how much better “The margin of error up there is so small that you have to rely on the Bowers got. Look at how much fun this is to watch,’ to be able to be a simplest of details,” Megna said. “When those are hammered on Day 1 of coach and do that and be an instrument of change? How much fun is the season, it provides a strong foundation for you and you have those this? … I am proud of our staff. Coaches build their own teams and foundational tools in the back of your mind, especially for young guys growth happens quicker when everything is more enjoyable. going up who are a little nervous and they have those details to fall back “If you ever come to a practice and don’t see me being passionate, tell on and I think that’s huge.” me and I will stop coaching.”

A lot of the work Cronin is known for is the defensive principles he The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 teaches to make defensemen more formidable while giving forwards another dimension. He credits his staff of Aaron Schneekloth, Ryan Tobler and goaltending coach Ryan Bach for buying into his philosophies. There is also the appreciation he shows for the commitment that has been shown by the development staff, which includes Brett Clark and Brian Willsie, among others.

Maybe the strongest example of Cronin’s need to concentrate on those details would be Graves. The former New York Rangers prospect went into Cronin’s office for what was deemed a “tough conversation” that proved to be a turning point. It led to the hulking Graves finding more consistency in his game and being called up to the NHL in a manner that led to Bednar altering the lineup to play him.

Graves made the Avalanche out of training camp and has turned into a first-pairing partner for rookie defenseman Cale Makar. He led the league with a plus-40 rating while scoring nine goals and 26 points in 69 games. Graves has played a significant part in why the Avs possessed one of the best defensive units this season, too.

The work Cronin and his staff did with Graves are experiences they recorded. That way, it allows them to have a database they can use as a teaching tool to help future players.

“You can say to a guy, ‘There are 20 things you can get better at,’ but if you do that, a guy is going to drown with what you are telling him,” Cronin said. “If you can drill it into saying they need to get better at these three things, then your game is going to get better. If you do these things, the game is going to slow down. If you don’t, then you’re just going to be surviving shifts.”

The work with Graves, while important, is just one example. Cronin and his staff helped Francouz transition from being a career European goaltender and into a 21-game winner in his first NHL season. They have helped 2018 first-round pick Martin Kaut go from scoreless in his first 10 1182087 New York Islanders This one is a two-defenseman race between Morrow and Ryan Pulock. Which, despite Pulock’s status as one of the current team’s top defensemen, means it’s a lock for Morrow, who is in the team’s Hall of Fame and has an argument for having this number retired. He had The best players to wear every jersey number in Islanders history perhaps the greatest five-year stretch of any hockey player in the last 50 years, and maybe ever: From a gold medal at Lake Placid with the

“” U.S. squad straight into the Islanders lineup in March of Arthur Staple Apr 2, 2020 1980, then straight into four consecutive Stanley Cups.

7: Stefan Persson

Some are obvious: Just remember the names and numbers you saw up Not a dynasty name that comes quickly to mind for all but the diehard Islander fans, Persson — with 369 points in nine seasons — was an in the rafters of the Coliseum the last time you were there. important No. 2 defenseman behind Potvin for the Cup era, even as he was slowed by injuries. A 14th-round (!!) pick by in 1974, too. Some are less obvious. But that’s why we’re here — to bring you the Shoutouts to Nos. 7 Scott Lachance, Trent Hunter and now Jordan most official, absolutely-the-last-word rulings on the best Islanders Eberle, but Persson is the easy call. players to wear each number. 8: Jeff Norton Given the dynasty history of this franchise, with four straight Stanley Cups from 1980-83, it would be simple to give every toss-up to a guy with Even though he toiled in the declining Isles era of the late 1980s and rings. But that’s not exactly fair to some terrific players who happened to early 1990s, Norton was a productive Islander defenseman in the first six share a number with one of the dynasty Islanders, so we’re weighing all years of a lengthy NHL career, twice cracking the 50-point mark. One considerations, as our national crew did in ranking the best players to day this may be an easy call for Noah Dobson, but for now it’s Norton wear each number league-wide. over early fan favorite Garry Howatt.

Only one Islander made that list, though it should have been two — Billy 9: Smith over Grant Fuhr for No. 31 is an easy call from here. Another easy call for one of the numbers enshrined in the rafters — also In any event, we’re going all the way from No. 1 to No. 96 on this list, so fun to remember that two players wore it after Gillies departed via let’s get started. in 1986. Dave Chyzowski was the second overall pick in 1989, but never could stay healthy; Kirk Muller, acquired in an ill-fated trade for 1: Glenn “Chico” Resch Pierre Turgeon at the 1994-95 deadline, never wanted the number or A pretty straightforward call among the 14 Islanders goalies who’ve worn anything to do with the Isles. Best to just remember Gillies. the number, right up to current wearer Thomas Greiss, whose Islander 10: Alan Kerr numbers compare pretty favorably to Resch: Chico has 89 more appearances, 56 more wins and similar save percentage (.911 for Chico, This one might have been the toughest call on the whole list. Do you .915 for Greiss) numbers. If Greiss’ Islander tenure is over with the choose the solid support player from the early years of the franchise premature end to the season, he can stand tall as the second-best No. 1 (Lorne Henning) who assisted on the signature goal in team history? The in team history. Roland Melanson, who took Resch’s spot as ’s late-80s power forward who posted a couple 20-goal, triple-digit PIM backup midway through the Cup era, gets the third spot. seasons (Kerr)? How about the hard-working center who toiled away on a couple of really awful teams (Richard Park)? Or even a journeyman 2: Nick Leddy NHLer who happened to score one of the bigger playoff goals in the last This is usually a prime number for a team’s top defenseman, but it 25 years (Alan Quine)? Well, we went with Kerr, who dropped the gloves bounced around quite a bit through the 1980s from Mike McEwen to with some major heavyweights of the 1980s and scored a bunch of goals Gord Dineen, after being original Islander Gerry Hart’s number through playing on Pat Lafontaine’s wing. And we spent a lot of time deliberating. the 1970s. The top two contenders are from the last decade, however. 11: Wayne Merrick Leddy, now in his sixth season, has put up good numbers and been a solid contributor; he was preceded by Mark Streit, who only spent five With apologies to Randy Wood, Darius Kasparaitis and Lubo Visnovsky, seasons on the Island (and missed one due to injury) but served as Merrick nudges them all out with those four Cup rings. With one or two of captain before and helped usher in a period of modest those, there’s an argument for Wood, who came in as an undrafted free franchise success. Close, but Leddy gets the call here. agent out of Yale and produced four solid seasons, or Kasparaitis, who had one of the more underrated rookie seasons in 1992-93. But Merrick 3: Tomas Jonsson was a four-Cup guy. Hard to beat that. One of the many understudies of the Cup era who put up impressive 12: Josh Bailey numbers: Jonsson’s 333 points in eight Islander seasons places him 19th all time, third among defensemen behind and Stefan Now, was also a four-Cup guy, so there’s a strong case for Persson. He was dealt to the Oilers near the 1988-89 trade deadline, him here. Mick Vukota was the Isles enforcer of the 1990s and his then headed back to Sweden to play another decade. Travis Hamonic, popularity is still strong, so there’s a case for him, too. Bailey has who wore this number for six of his seven Islander seasons, is a longevity on his side, as he’ll likely pass 900 games in an Islander sentimental favorite. And don’t sleep on Adrian Aucoin, who wore it for uniform next season. He’s had some big moments too. No Cups, of his three Islander seasons from 2001-04 and averaged 28:09 a game for course; the Cups can tilt some decisions, but not all. three playoff teams. 13: Mathew Barzal 4: Roman Hamrlik Claude Lapointe is a fondly remembered Islander from the late 1990s Aucoin’s defense partner for all that heavy lifting in the early 200s, and early 2000s and Colin McDonald had a few good moments in the Hamrlik only spent four of his 20 NHL seasons on the Island, but that early 2010s, but this is Barzal’s number — hopefully for Islander fans was good enough to get him top billing for No. 4. Jean Potvin wore it for until it goes into the rafters with the other greats. his first Isles stint, from 1973-78; Paul Boutillier had a few solid seasons in the mid-1980s in this sweater too, as did in the early 14: Bob Bourne 1990s. But Hamrlik gets the nod. He’s in the next tier of dynasty-era greats behind the big guys, with the 5: Denis Potvin Sutters and Morrow. If there’s a discussion about retiring more numbers in the future, Bourne probably has a strong case — top 10 in goals, One of the easy calls on the list. Surprising to see that four other players points and games in franchise history, those four Cups. For the moment, wore it during the inaugural 1972-73 season, including for a he’s the clear choice for this number — only Thomas Hickey wore it for hot minute. But once Potvin put this one on as a 19-year-old to start the more than a couple of seasons. 1973-74 season, no one else wore it again. 15: Billy Harris 6: Ken Morrow He was the first “star,” of sorts, the team’s first draft pick and a reliable The two Pats were going to be the bridge from the dynasty era into the scorer all through the 1970s. He may be best remembered for going the late 1980s, and Lafontaine and Flatley were a good forward combo. other way in the trade that brought in and ushered in the Flatley was never a flashy player in his 13 Islander seasons, but he was Cup era, but it shouldn’t diminish what he did as an Islander — six reliable. He gets the edge here over Matt Moulson. straight 20-goal seasons, a couple of those on historically bad teams. Apologies to runner-up Cal Clutterbuck, who has the number represented 27: well in the current era. Perhaps the most decorated number in team history, featuring two 16: Pat Lafontaine captains ( and Anders Lee) and two 200-goal scorers (Tonelli and Derek King), soon to be three with Lee 28 goals away. Speaking of Islanders whose numbers could be retired … Lafontaine’s Tonelli deserved to have his banner raised, but you can’t forget King, up-and-down relationship with the organization ever since he forced his who scored 108 goals in three seasons while playing with Pierre way out in 1991 has been well-documented and probably obscured the Turgeon. Peca was the right guy for the time in the early 2000s to restore fact that he was one of the two or three most talented Islanders in the some veteran leadership and Lee, the last Islander who’ll wear this one, post-dynasty era. Ziggy Palffy is another high-end talent who wore this carries the torch well. number for a spell, but this is Lafontaine’s number. 28: Anders Kallur 17: Matt Martin A three-time Cup winner and another unsung Swede that Torrey and his A remarkable 25 players have worn this number, most of any number in scouts uncovered in the 1970s, Kallur tailed off quickly due to injury but team history. It’s a two-man race between Shawn Bates, who scored the was a solid depth forward. The 22 players who’ve worn it since then biggest playoff goal of the 2000s, and Martin, who managed to have it haven’t distinguished the number much, though Zenon Konopka’s 2010- waiting for him when he returned after two years in Toronto. Martin hasn’t 11 will be fondly remembered as the most recent 300-penalty minute scored any signature goals, but he gets the edge. season in the NHL.

18: 29: Brock Nelson

The original captain, it’s easy to forget he was already a two-time Cup A difficult choice between Nelson, who has become a leader in recent champion with the Bruins when the Isles plucked him in the expansion seasons, and Kenny Jonsson, who helped bridge the gap between the draft. A steady hand through the 1970s, he doesn’t have much bottomless pit that was the late 1990s and the revival in the early 2000s. competition for this honor, beating out Marty McInnis and Ryan Strome. Nelson gets the nod with being a key player on some better teams.

19: Bryan Trottier 30:

Another no-brainer. Even though he left as a free agent to win two more He was the heir apparent to Billy Smith and had a couple of good Cups with the Penguins in 1991 and 1992, no one wore this one again. seasons in the late 1980s before being traded away to the Kings, where he had his biggest success. Of the 14 goalies who’ve worn this one, 20: Hrudey stands ahead of , Tommy Soderstrom and Garth His Islander career is best known for a pass to David Volek in overtime of Snow — the goalie, not the GM. Game 7 of the second round upset of the Penguins, but that was the 31: Billy Smith capper to a playoff scoring binge not seen around here often: Ferraro had 12 goals and 18 points through the first two rounds that spring. That As mentioned above, he’s the best with this number in league history too. alone gets him the nod here, edging out Evgeni Nabokov, whose tenure Never been another like him since. was short but very enjoyable early in the 2010s. 32: Steve Thomas 21: He only had 275 games in an Islander uniform, but Thomas is still among Another candidate for expanded banner raising. Sutter came along the top 30 scorers in franchise history. He and Turgeon were a forceful midway through the dynasty and was captain for five seasons in the late duo. Thomas gets this nod over Brad Lauer and Brendan Witt, who could 1980s. It’s a closer call than you’d think between Sutter and Kyle duke it out with current occupant Ross Johnston over who wore it Okposo, who came up in the dark days of the late 2000s and was a real tougher. leader as the Isles transitioned into a solid team. 33: Benoit Hogue 22: Mike Bossy Another short-time Islander who produced big numbers in the early Did you know Vic Teal wore this number for his one NHL game in 1973- 1990s — those were some high-scoring teams! Hogue played three full 74? Now you know. Other than that, it’s another easy call, as it was for seasons with the Islanders and scored 99 goals over that span. Gives the league-wide list. him the honor here over popular enforcer Eric Cairns.

23: Bob Nystrom 34: Wade Dubielewicz

Not much debate here, since it was taken out of the rotation when For a guy who made just 37 appearances in net over four seasons, this Nystrom’s number went to the rafters in 1994. Vladimir Malakhov had a may seem a bit too much. But the Islanders’ lone playoff appearance nice two-year run with it before then, however. between 2005-2013 came thanks to Dubie and one glorious week in April. He won four consecutive starts, the last one in a shootout over the 24: Mikko Makela Devils, to get the Isles into the 2007 postseason.

An underrated player for his brief Isles and NHL tenure, Makela put 35: together a couple of really strong seasons from 1986-88, then fell off the map. That was the heyday for this number, with Makela between Gord The Islanders of the early 1990s were offense-first, meaning their goalie Lane, another four-time Cup champ, and Ken Baumgartner, one of the had to be on call for a lot of work. Healy never posted big numbers in four toughest SOBs around. Radek Martinek also gets a shout out for Islander seasons from 1989-93, but he backstopped the miracle run in persevering through the 2000s as well as he did. the 1993 postseason, albeit with slightly different stats than we’re used to these days — an .887 save percentage and 3.19 goals against average. 25: David Volek But still an indelible memory. He beats out Tommy Salo here.

Still has the biggest goal of the post-dynasty era, his Game 7 OT winner 36: Travis Hamonic to slay the Penguins in 1992-93. Pretty good six seasons on the Island for a 10th-round pick. Only gives much competition for the Yes, he wore No. 3 for all but one season of his time on the Island. But honor here, though maybe we can revisit and see what Devon Toews is this has been more of a temporary number for the majority of the 21 up to in a few years. players who have worn it, so we’ll go with Hamonic to get him on the list.

26: Pat Flatley 37: Mark Parrish After our old podcast friend gave up No. 27 to Peca, he really broke out If things had gone differently in the summer of 2016 we’d likely be with the Isles, moving him ahead of Dennis Vaske to get the nod here. debating whether this sweater would ever hang in the rafters. One of the most quietly effective Islanders of the last three decades, his ultimate 38: Dave Scatchard decision to leave in free agency hurt the Isles and Nielsen as well, who Scatchard wasn’t a dynamic scorer, but he found a home in the top nine hasn’t been the same player in Detroit. on the early 2000s Isles and made it work, with a pair of 20-goal seasons 52: Ross Johnston during that run of modest team success. An easy choice here. If he’d been allowed to keep this one it would be an easier call, but 39: Rick DiPietro Johnston still gets it over Nathan Lawson, who wore it in the Year of Six Travis Green wore this unique number for his entire five-season Isles Goalies, 2010-11. career in the mid 1990s, but this is Ricky D’s number forever. All the ups 53: Casey Cizikas and downs with DiPietro in net and off the ice, he’s got a stronger following in the fan base than even he might suspect. Still see a handful If Cizikas stays beyond his current deal and the Islanders reach greater of these sweaters around. heights, here’s another number that we could debate about being retired. Outside of his BFF, Martin, there’s no Islander more popular than 40: Michael Grabner Cizikas.

Robin Lehner and Semyon Varlamov have gotten good notice with this 54: Kip Miller number each of the last two seasons, but Grabner gets the call here after being one of the better waiver claims in recent league memory. Deserved He wore three different numbers in his three different Islander stints — a better vote total for the 2010-11 Calder and a hernia slowed him down he was signed three different times, in fact — and Miller wore No. 11 for towards the end of his time on the Island, but his incredible speed and his surprising turn in the 2002 playoff series against the Leafs, when he defensive awareness made him a unique player. scored four times in the seven games. But we’re pretty light at No. 54, so here he is. 41: Jaroslav Halak 55: Johnny Boychuk Still one of the best goalies the Islanders have had in the last 30 years, despite how it ended for him here. Had 12 shutouts in 170 starts, not bad Maybe the closest call on the list between this JB and Jason Blake, who considering the Islanders did not have the defensive focus they do now, had a terrific run from 2000-2007. Blake’s arrival was one of a few prior just a few years later. to the 2001-02 season that heralded change for the Isles; Boychuk’s arrival, along with Leddy, signaled the same in 2014-15. Super close, but 42: Scott Mayfield Boychuk gets the decision.

Lou Lamoriello’s number rules meant Mayfield had to give up this one a 56: Tanner Fritz couple of years back, but he’s still the right call here. It’s a little-used number and Mayfield made it his own. Six players have worn this number, and none had more games or points than Fritz did in 2017-18. There you go. 43: Martin Biron 57: Blake Comeau No one wore this number for more than a season and it’s not like Biron’s one year with the Isles, 2009-10, was any great memory. But we’ll take it. He could never quite match the promise of his 24-goal season in 2010- 11, but Comeau is still an effective NHLer in his 14th year. He did leave 44: Calvin de Haan this number behind when he left the Island, however.

Todd Bertuzzi and Janne Niinimaa get some consideration, but de Haan 58: Bill Berg wins out for posting some very solid time on defense during his injury- plagued six seasons here. He wore this one for just the first seven of his 154 Islander games, back in 1988-89, but we’ll give this one to Berg over Jesse Joensuu. 45: Arron Asham 59: Micheal Haley

His third NHL game was one to remember, putting Haley on the map with Easy to forget he had 300 games with the Isles sandwiched around the this number. 2004-05 lockout year, but he had his best NHL seasons on the Island, where he still makes his home. 60: Kevin Poulin

46: Matt Donovan For a brief time in 2010-11, it looked like Poulin might be the Isles goalie of the future. Too many injuries derailed that, but he still gets on here Even with that 2014-15 season when he was The Human Healthy with his cool number choice. Scratch (70 of 82), Donovan gets the nod here for a little-used number. 62: 47: Rich Pilon He came in on one of ’s worst trades, with Palffy going to the He did switch to No. 2 for the last few seasons of his dozen years with Kings, then left on probably the worst, going to Florida with Roberto the Isles, but Pilon has to be in here somewhere. Not the most talented Luongo a year later. Had a decent career. defenseman, but he was willing to do whatever was needed. A narrow choice over Andrew MacDonald, with Marc-Andre Bergeron third. 63: Josef Vasicek

48: Claude Lapointe Wore this for his one Islander season, 2007-08, before heading to the KHL to be closer to home. Vasicek died in the 2011 plane crash that He wore this for a stretch before switching to No. 13, so we’ll get killed all members of the Lokomotiv squad. Lapointe on the list here. Not much competition. 64: Sven Butenschon 49: Eric Godard He wore it for one of his two Islander seasons, in 2002-03. The part-time He was an enforcer understudy to Cairns in the early 2000s, but Godard defenseman is the only one to wear it and we’ll likely have to wait until was no joke as a tough guy. the post-Lamoriello era until someone else considers it.

50: Adam Pelech 66: Josh Ho-Sang

He’s No. 3 now, but before the Lamoriello-enforced number changes for The Ho-Sang era is likely over with the Isles, but at least we’ve got those a few young guys, Pelech made his surprising rise to the NHL with this 21 games from 2017-18 when the entire hockey world thought he was unique number. insulting .

51: Frans Nielsen 68: Ziggy Palffy Like Jaromir Jagr, who made this number legendary, Palffy wore it his 94: Ryan Smyth first season up with the Isles during the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season. He came back with No. 16 the next year and took off. But good Snow’s bold deadline deal in 2006-07 brought in Smyth, a veteran who we can find room for one of the biggest talents ever to wear an Islander did help the Islanders scratch their way into the playoffs and have one uniform. player wear this number.

71: Dennis Vaske 96: Pierre-Marc Bouchard

He got thrown this one as a rookie call-up in 1990-91 before switching to He came in as a free agent after a productive decade in Minnesota, No. 37, but Vaske had a decent if injury-plagued eight seasons with the though a concussion ended his brief stay after 28 games. Isles throughout the 1990s. The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 72: Anthony Beauvillier

We won’t see him in this one again, at least for a while, but Beauvillier came straight from the draft and into the lineup in 2016-17 and is starting to find his footing as a top-six regular.

75: Brett Lindros

Concussions cut short his career after 51 games, so we’ll never know what could have been for the other Lindros.

77: Pierre Turgeon

No one in team history had a bigger impact in such a short span as Turgeon, who came in from the Sabres for Lafontaine and posted three otherworldly seasons before being shipped out in the Muller deal. The Dale Hunter playoff incident in 1993 left an unpleasant stain on Turgeon’s time with the Isles, but he’s a legend around here.

79:

Controversial? Sure. But Yashin was always a consummate pro and a very, very good player for his five seasons before being bought out. It’s not the highest standard, but his teams made the playoffs four times. Not many other Islanders of the last three decades can say that.

80:

The eminently likable NHL Network analyst had an eminently forgettable season on the Island in 1999-2000, except for this number.

81: Miroslav Satan

Great player, great number — really should be more jerseys of his around.

82: Martin Straka

He bounced through for 22 games in the 1995-96 season, coming in from the Senators and going out via waivers. Went on to have some good moments elsewhere.

84: Mikhail Grabovski

When healthy, he was a real contributor to a couple of very good teams from 2014-16. Concussions robbed him of his health, though, and forced him into retirement.

86: Nikolay Kulemin

A better Islander than you might think — it’s his fling toward the net that John Tavares deposits to tie Game 6 against the Panthers in 2016. Kulemin had a good three-year run before a shoulder injury ended things in 2017-18.

89: Mike Comrie

A good player on one not-so-good team in 2007-08, he led the Isles in scoring with just 49 points. Oh, Hilary Duff. We’ll remember him for that.

91: John Tavares

We know that it’s Goring whose name is on a banner over this number in the rafters. We know. But Tavares was an all-time Islander, even with the sting of how he left still fresh.

92: Vladimir Malakhov

He switched to this one when No. 23 was retired, prior to the 1994-95 season. Malakhov could have been a cornerstone Islanders defenseman, but he went to Montreal that season with Turgeon.

93: Doug Weight

His brief stay as a player wasn’t as memorable as his decade in the front office and behind the bench, where he did some good work. 1182088 New York Rangers In 2005-06, the Blueshirts’ pairs were Marek Malik and Michael Rozsival; Darius Kasparaitis and ; and Jason Strudwick and Tom Poti.

In 2011-12, the Blueshirts went with Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi as Ryan Lindgren’s emergence gives Rangers tantalizing pairing the first pair, Marc Staal and Anton Stralman as the second pair and Michael Del Zotto and Stu Bickel as the third tandem.

In 2013-14, it was McDonagh-Girardi, Staal-Stralman and John Moore By Larry Brooks April 2, 2020 | 11:01PM with Kevin Klein.

A year after that, it was McDonagh-Girardi, Staal-Klein and Keith Yandle with Dan Boyle. Part 12 of a series analyzing the New York Rangers. So, first, and there will be no grades based on the answer, which set of Ryan Lindgren should have made the Rangers out of training camp this six do you have? No substitutions allowed. year. Management might even have believed it at the time, before sending Lindgren, then 21 years old, to Hartford among the final cuts Second, would the 2019-20 Lindgren-Fox tandem bump any of the while instead keeping Libor Hajek, then also 21. aforementioned pairs? Well, Jason Strudwick and Tom Poti would be scratched out of 2005-06, Michael Del Zotto and Stu Bickel would be Lindgren and Hajek joined the organization within one day of each other. scratched out of 2011-12 and John Moore and Kevin Klein (even as On Feb. 25, 2018, the Blueshirts acquired Lindgren from Boston, which important as was No. 8) would be scratched out of 2013-14. And, given had drafted him 49th overall in 2016, as part of the package in return for their comparative season performances, and not their career résumés, Rick Nash. The following day, Hajek, who had been selected by Tampa Lindgren and Fox would have bumped Keith Yandle and Dan Boyle into Bay 37th overall in that same draft, was acquired from the Lightning as street clothes in 2014-15. part of the package for Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller. And maybe, just maybe, the Rangers might have won a Cup. The Rangers viewed Hajek as a slam-dunk, no-questions-asked, top-four left defenseman. They viewed Lindgren as a project with exceptional New York Post LOADED: 04.03.2020 leadership skills, though with mobility issues, who might become a six or seven guy.

Two years later, Hajek is more the project and Lindgren, well, he emerged from his freshman season as the Rangers’ top left defenseman and one-half of the irrepressible and inseparable rookie tandem featuring Adam Fox that emerged as the team’s matchup pair.

You tell me the last rookie pair in the NHL to have this kind of chemistry and success. You tell me the last Rangers defenseman who played with the pugnacious, won’t-back-down approach of Lindgren, who has added skill, elan, and increased mobility to his game, but whose larger value exists within the attitude and the chip on his shoulder he carries onto the ice on every shift.

If an opponent wants a piece of a Ranger, chances are at one point he is going to wind up having to go through Lindgren, all alleged 6-feet and 200 pounds of him. If a foe is vulnerable, dangling or with his head down while carrying the puck, chances are Lindgren will go through him.

You don’t want to become overly intoxicated with the Lindgren-Fox pair. Second years — and beyond — can be more daunting than rookie seasons. The Rangers and Brady Skjei have unfortunate shared recent experience with that. Opponents will adjust to the two 22-year-olds, who form a matched set on and off the ice. They will know what to expect.

So the responsibility will fall on Lindgren and Fox to adapt and add more to their games, the way Lindgren has added an offensive component to his game since leaving Minnesota following his sophomore season in college to turn pro after the Rangers acquired him during the post-Letter purge.

Of course, there is every reason to be confident the pair will adapt and adjust. There is every reason to believe this is only the start for the Lindgren-Fox pair that should form the blue-line bedrock for years. It does not take a leap of faith to arrive at that conclusion.

Lindgren was recalled from the AHL Wolf Pack on Oct. 28 and played the following night in Game 10. He was paired with Fox, his partner through multiple Team USA tournaments and events. Of course he was. Indeed, the Twins — hey, if Schwarzenegger and DeVito could be twins, why not Lindgren and Fox? — were together for all but (parts of) three games later in the season when David Quinn did some experimenting and shifted Lindgren onto Jacob Trouba’s left while Fox skated on Skjei’s right side. It didn’t take.

Lindgren played 836:19 at five-on-five (per Naturalstattrick.com). Fox was on the ice with him for 676:34, or 80.9 percent of the time. The pair was on for 34 Rangers goals and 25 against while facing a succession of top-six opponents. Lindgren himself was on for 46 goals scored and 31 allowed.

We can agree on Lindgren and Fox as a duo for the future. But where would it have fit onto the Rangers teams of the salary-cap era? Would the Rookie Pair have earned a spot on the team’s best editions of the past 15 seasons? 1182089 New York Rangers But that drive can also be detrimental. He was notoriously hard on himself when he wasn't producing points and had the tendency to sulk, especially in the first half of the season.

NY Rangers questions: Is Kaapo Kakko's development on track? Or has "This was all new to him," Quinn said. "He’s never been on a third line. it stalled? He’s never not been the top guy. He’s always been the guy that scored. It’s taken some time for him to realize that doesn’t happen (right away)."

Of course, there were flashes of Kakko's vast potential. Vincent Z. Mercogliano, NHL Writer Published 5:23 p.m. ET April 2, 2020 He had a solid run with the "Kids Line," which included him, Filip Chytil and Brett Howden, and he scored twice in the Rangers' second-to-last game before the NHL paused its season — a 4-2 win over the Dallas With the NHL season on pause due to the coronavirus, we'll be Stars on March 10. producing a series of stories about the 2019-20 New York Rangers. First we looked at what we learned, and now we'll examine questions that Kakko two for 2uesday baby!! #LGRpic.twitter.com/UhqL4GhaWx remain unanswered: — Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) March 11, 2020 The last two months have been dominated by talk of an unexpected playoff push, the trade deadline and now the coronavirus. Those glimpses provide optimism for the future and reason for pause before making any overarching judgments. You know whose name has been mentioned with surprising infrequency? Will Kakko be an all-star caliber player? That's a lingering question. But Kaapo Kakko. has his development stalled? That's a reach for a player who recently turned 19 and hasn't even completed a full season. The No. 2 overall selection in last year's NHL Draft was a focal point from June into 2020. New York Rangers fans inquired about him more than By the second half of the season, Kakko's understanding of the process any other player. seemed to be evolving. He was candid about his disappointment, but he began to speak about the value of experiencing tough times. But as the season wore on and other storylines emerged, Kakko drifted into the background. And when the topic of his development was The Rangers are hopeful those lessons will serve him well. broached, it was usually in hushed tones. “Now I’m thinking, ‘Just learn,’ ” Kakko told the USA TODAY Network in The preseason hype for the highly touted rookie from Finland reached a January. “We have () and Mika (Zibanejad) and (Artemi fever pitch. That comes with being a top draft pick, but that doesn't mean Panarin). I can watch what those guys are doing every day. Maybe next those expectations were reasonable. year, or in a couple more years, I can be one of the best players in the league.” Very few players jump straight from being drafted into the NHL, and those who do usually experience growing pains. Just look across the Bergen Record LOADED: 04.03.2020 Hudson River at No. 1 pick Jack Hughes, who struggled for the rival New Jersey Devils and finished with two points fewer than Kakko.

In hindsight, Rangers' brass might admit Kakko would have benefited from a little time with AHL Hartford. But fans were enamored with his potential and clamored for him to play in the top six. He was given a few chances, but he never gained any traction.

The Finnish teen obviously struggled with the speed and physicality of the NHL, with his tendency to hold the puck working against him. The time and space he was afforded while playing on larger rinks against lesser competition in Europe had evaporated.

It takes a certain level of skill and savvy to produce with that type of finesse style, and Kakko isn't there yet. Opponents took advantage by game planning to push him around.

Oct 17, 2019; Newark, NJ, USA; New York Rangers right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) is tripped by New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) during the second period at Prudential Center.

Not only was Kakko's offensive production underwhelming — he posted 23 points (10 goals and 13 assists) in 66 games — but he was largely a liability on defense.

It's telling that he produced the worst Goals Above Replacement (-9.6) and Wins Above Replacement (-1.7) on the team, according to Evolving Hockey, though the Rangers would tell you to take those analytics with a grain of salt.

"I like a lot more of what he’s done in the offensive zone," Rangers coach David Quinn said in early March. "It's just the defensive end that we've got to keep harping on."

Does that mean that Kakko's an over-hyped bust? Hardly — but he has a lot to work on.

Speed, strength and decisiveness are all on that list, and while no one is expecting him to grow into a defensive stalwart, a consistent commitment to backchecking and structural integrity would go a long way.

Here's the good news: His work ethic is unquestioned. He was almost always one of the last players to leave the ice after practice — often the last — and those around the team sense his desire to be great. 1182090 New York Rangers

Defense-minded forward Justin Richards signs free-agent deal with Rangers

By Colin Stephenson

The Rangers announced Thursday they have signed college free-agent center Justin Richards to an entry-level contract that begins in the 2020- 21 season. According to CapFriendly, it is a two-year deal that pays $925,000 per season at the NHL level.

Richards, 22, played three seasons for the University of Minnesota- Duluth, the two-time defending NCAA Tournament champions (2018 and 2019), and in 2019-20, he was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Best Defensive Forward for the second straight year.

A 5-11, 190-pound, righthanded shooter who was born in Orlando, Florida, and grew up in Columbus, Ohio, Richards had 26 goals and 40 assists for 66 points in his career at Minnesota Duluth, including a career-high 14 goals with 11 assists (25 points) in 34 games in 2019-20. An alternate captain for the Bulldogs, he was tied for the NCAA lead in shorthanded goals in 2019-20 with three, and he won 59% of his faceoffs. His 434 faceoffs won was fifth in the NCAA this season.

MSG to broadcast Rangers' 2014 series win over Montreal

MSG Network on Saturday will air each of the Rangers’ four victories over the Montreal Canadiens in the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, beginning at 2 p.m. with the 7-2 Game 1 win in Montreal and concluding at 8 p.m. with the series-clinching Game 6 at the Garden.

The broadcasts will be enhanced by present-day interviews conducted by MSG’s John Giannone with several players who took part in the series — Dan Girardi, Dominic Moore, Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis — which will be played during the broadcasts in 30- and 60-second bursts.

The broadcasts conclude the week of programming for MSG that featured re-broadcasts of select Rangers games during that 2013-14 season.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182091 New York Rangers The Hall of Famer and long-time captain wore it for 11 seasons including the franchise’s first two Stanley Cups on the Bread Line with brother Fred and Frank Boucher.

The best players to wear every jersey number in Rangers history Noteworthy: It hasn’t been worn since Dan Girardi. Mac Colville wore No. 5 during the 1940 Cup season, among others.

6: Fred “Bun” Cook Rick Carpiniello Apr 2, 2020 Like his brother, he wore No. 6 for two Cups.

Noteworthy: wore 6 when he played for . There aren’t many NHL teams, if any, that can check as many boxes on Personal favorites: , Darius Kasparaitis. their all-time uniform numbers list as the New York Rangers. 7: They’ve been around since 1926, but they also have players who have worn No. 00 and No. 99 – the latter of which just happened to be the Hall of Famer, Rangers all-time leading scorer, and lifetime Blueshirt; GOAT. Or, as we call him, TGO. also the first Rangers number ever retired.

As time has gone on and higher “football lineman” numbers have come in Noteworthy: I think the number most worthy to be retired, but not likely to vogue, the Rangers added uniform numbers like 67, 72 and 89 and 93, be after all these years, is that No. 7 of Frank Boucher, a Hall of Famer as well. and two-time Cup winner who would go on to coach the Rangers to a third Cup in 1940. Here’s our list of which Rangers wore what, and who wore it best (some numbers have been skipped because no one has worn them yet). 8: Steve Vickers

0: Andy Aitkenhead Key player on the 1970s Bulldog Line, and one tough son of a gun.

Noteworthy: Only three other players “officially” wore 0 for the Rangers, 9: Andy Bathgate but it’s believed none actually wore it. Aitkenhead was credited with it Apologies to my favorite person to ever play for the Rangers, Adam during the “dynasty” in ’33-34. Aitkenhead gave up his No. 1 so that Graves, whose 9 went up to the ceiling before the Hall of Famer Danny Cox could make his NHL debut wearing 1 in 1934. Aitkenhead Bathgate’s. wore a sweatshirt with no number on it, and was officially listed as 0. Similar events led to Harry Lumley, Joe Schaefer and Jack McCartan Noteworthy: Murray Murdoch, a relative of , wore it for the being credited with wearing 0. first two Rangers Cups. Rick Middleton wore 9 before the worst trade in franchise history. 00: John Davidson 10: Bill Fairbairn Current team president and the backbone of the ’78-79 team that reached the Stanley Cup final. Another great member of the Bulldog Line. Runners-up include Clint Smith, and Esa Tikkanen. Noteworthy: He was the only Ranger to ever wear double-zero, and he wore it during the unfortunate period in which the Rangers fashioned the Noteworthy: Did you know that Jean Ratelle and Andy Bathgate each Winnipeg Jets uniforms. Martin Biron of Buffalo was the only other NHL wore 10 for one season? And that wore it for his partial player to wear 00 (in the 1990s). season as a Ranger – after being elected into the Hall of Fame?

1: 11: Mark Messier

Will forever be remembered for the night he returned as a Detroit Red Again, not even a debate, with apologies to 50-goal scorer and GAG Line Wing days after being waived in 1975. left winger Vic Hadfield, whose 11 was also retired.

Noteworthy: Giacomin’s No. 1 is retired in the rafters and he’s a Hall of Noteworthy: We all know that Graves wore 11 for one game, before Famer, but a number of other notable greats wore it, too, including Cup- Messier was acquired, and that wore it, and the C, before that. winning goalies Aitkenhead (’28), Lorne Chabot (’33) and Dave Kerr Did you know that Bobby Carpenter was the last Rangers’ 11 before (’40), along with John Ross Roach, Chuck Rayner, Gump Worsley, Kisio? Johnny Bower, Jacques Plante, (briefly), . Also, Emile Francis wore it in his time as a Rangers goalie. 12: Bryan Hextall Sr. Doug Soetaert was the last Ranger to wear No. 1 (’86-87) before it was Another Hall of Famer from the early years, and a Cup champ in 1940. retired. Some personal faves: Don Maloney, , Eddie Olczyk, 2: 13: Sergei Nemchinov No questions asked here, though Tom Laidlaw still tells me his number hangs in the ceiling. He wore it just before Leetch, who was probably the There have only been eight Rangers to wear 13. Nemchinov is a fave, greatest player the Rangers ever drafted and developed. I think Brad but also one of the group of the first four Russians to have his name on Park’s 2 will also be next up there, but that’s a guess. the Cup.

3: Harry Howell 14:

If Park wasn’t the second-best defenseman in team history, it was Narrowly beats out Don Murdoch. Only a few players wore No. 14 for Howell, whose jersey is in the rafters, too. more than two seasons.

Noteworthy: Among the many to have worn No. 3 was Fred Shero, who Noteworthy: Craig MacTavish played 12 regular-season games as a later coached the Rangers to the Cup final. Personal favorites were Barry Ranger. But he won a fairly critical faceoff wearing 14 once upon a time. Beck and James Patrick (after Beck switched to No. 5). 15: Anders Hedberg 4: Ron Greschner Scored many goals, none bigger than his winner against the Islanders in Always a good debate whether his number should be retired. the Cup semifinals in 1979. Close call with Jim “Chief” Neilson.

Noteworthy: wore it proudly, with Greschner’s permission, on 16: Lester Patrick the ’94 Cup team. No. 4 hasn’t had a great run lately: Brad Brown, Mike Mottau, Greg de Vries, Erik Reitz, Michael Del Zotto, Raphael Diaz, Won six Stanley Cups as a coach and GM, and as a player, famously Michael Kostka and Adam Clendening. Good God. coming out of the stands in an emergency at age 44 to play goalie, and won Game 2 of the 1928 Cup final. That was one of only two NHL games 5: Bill Cook in which he played, and the first as a goalie. 17: Dean Prentice Legit first-line scorer traded away before his prime to get Matteau in ’94.

Played 11 of his 22 NHL seasons wearing No. 17 for the Rangers. 34:

18: Has as many Vezina trophies as Lundqvist and Richter combined.

Center of the Bulldog Line, a captain, and a great Ranger from ’67-81. 35: Mike Richter

Some faves: and Marc Staal. The only goalie to win a Stanley Cup for the Rangers in the last 80 years. Number is in the rafters. 19: Jean Ratelle Mats Zuccarello The GAG Line center and Hall of Famer whose number was retired two seasons ago. 36: Mats Zuccarello

Noteworthy: Jesper Fast was wearing 19 when Ratelle was honored, so Led the Rangers in scoring four times in five years, and won the Steven he switched to 17. McDonald Award in three of those seasons.

20: 37: Paul Broten

Drove Mario Lemieux up a tree by shadowing him. Perhaps Chris Kreider Tough call. The checking winger was the only player to wear 37 more can overtake him. than three years. George McPhee wore it for three.

21: Sergei Zubov 38: Jeff Bloemberg

Tough call. But a Hall of Famer who led the ’94 champs in scoring takes Unfortunately, always connected with the Rangers-Islanders playoff it, ahead of Derek Stepan, , Camille Henry. Personal brawl in 1990. Michael Sauer might be at the top of the list if not for the favorite: George McPhee. career-ending concussion in 2011-12.

22: 39: Doug Weight

Another HOF. Too bad forced him off the championship Like Amonte, traded in his youth (for Esa Tikkanen in ’93) as team. Nod to the People’s Champ, Nick Fotiu. built the ’94 Cup winner.

23: Jeff Beukeboom 40: Mark Pavelich

Just outside the Core Four of ’94: Leetch, Graves, Messier, Richter. One of the Miracle On Ice Olympians to later join with the Rangers, he once scored five goals in a game. Apologies to Steve Noteworthy: Current Rangers assistant GM and former captain Chris Valiquette. Drury wore 23. Was a huge Don Mattingly fan. 41: Jed Ortmeyer 24: Ryan Callahan The current director of player development beats out goalie Eddie Mio. The heart-and-soul captain was traded, in a contract hassle, before the 2014 Cup final run for Martin St. Louis. Noteworthy: Stu Bickel was 1.000 on faceoffs wearing 41.

25: John Ogrodnick 42: Artem Anisimov

Few wore it longer or produced as much as Johnny O. Best known for his “Rifleman” celly, was one of the key pieces (with Brandon Dubinsky) in the Rick Nash trade. 26: 43: Martin Biron Youngest captain in team history who led them to 1979 Cup final. Personal faves: Joey Kocur, Martin St. Louis. Toward the end of a long career, he was Lundqvist’s backup when the Rangers became competitive again in 2010. 27: Alexei Kovalev 44: Neal Pionk Borderline HOF and perhaps the most skilled player to ever wear the uniform, plus Cup champ in ‘94. Close behind: Ryan McDonagh and Traded in the deal that brought Jacob Trouba. I was going to go with Mike Rogers, who scored 100 points in ’81-82. Lindy Ruff to watch Twitter break.

28: Tomas Sandstrom Noteworthy: Ron Duguay wore 44 when he returned in ’86.

Great shot, good size and skating, was part of the trade (with Granato) 45: Arron Asham for Bernie Nicholls, which led to the Messier deal. Scored the Game 7 winning goal against Washington in 2013, and is the Noteworthy: Mikko Leinonen, who wore 28 in 1982, shares with Wayne only player to score a goal for every team in the old Atlantic Division. Gretzky the Stanley Cup playoff record of six assists in one game. A most unlikely feat. 46: Dan Girardi

29: Reijo Ruotsalainen Yes, he is best known as No. 5. But Girardi wore 46 as a rookie in ’06-07. The only others to wear it were Marek Hrivik and Rob O’Gara. Beck’s fast-skating, hard-shooting little partner who went on to win two Cups with Edmonton. 47: Rich Pilon

30: Henrik Lundqvist The former Islanders rugged D-man wore it for three seasons with the Rangers. Greatest goalie in Rangers history, owns all the records. Beat out Davidson, now his boss, and Gilles Villemure, among others. Glenn 48: Brendan Lemieux Healy says he can’t wait to see his uniform number in the rafters. The current Ranger, son of Claude, and Oscar Lindberg, are the only two 31: Dan Blackburn to wear that number.

Potentially a great career ruined by a terrible shoulder injury. 49:

32: Stephane Matteau Played 16 games for the Rangers. played six, Ilkka Heikkinen played seven. Scored two double-OT goals in the 1994 Eastern final, including the most famous goal in franchise history. 50: Lias Andersson

33: Tony Amonte Despite his controversial parting with the team … nobody else wore 50. 51: Fedor Tyutin He was the Rangers’ No. 1 goalie in ’05-06 when Henrik Lundqvist arrived as a seventh-round draft pick. Was a decent defenseman for parts of five seasons. 81: Marcel Hossa 53: Derek Morris Not quite the player his brother Marian was, but a better pick than Enver Was a stabilizing defenseman in his one partial season (’08-09). Lisin.

54: Brandon Dubinsky 82: Martin Straka

Wore 54 as a rookie in ’06-07. The former Penguin formed a formidable line with Jagr and Michael 55: Marty McSorley Nylander, scoring 65 goals and 187 points in three seasons.

One of the toughest ever, but he will soon be replaced here by Ryan 84: Corey Locke Lindgren … if he hasn’t already been. Played three of his nine NHL games with the Rangers.

56: Michael Sauer 86:

Mentioned earlier … he’s the only player to ever wear 56 for the He was given a shot to be Marion Gaborik’s linemate. But coach John Rangers. Tortorella “couldn’t get him out of the hot tub.”

58: John Gilmour 87:

The nimble defenseman played parts of two seasons for the Rangers. An all-time tough guy, Brashear was a bit past his prime when he arrived 61: Rick Nash in New York.

Scored 42 goals in 2014-15, during which the Rangers won the 88: Presidents’ Trophy. He never approached his Hall of Fame, Hart Trophy, Legion of Doom, 62: Carl Hagelin pre-concussion form, but was still plenty good after being acquired from Philadelphia. The lightning-quick winger played four seasons during the team’s glory years of the last decade. Noteworthy: Ken Hodge also wore 88 for two seasons, after coming over from Boston in the worst trade ever, for Rick Middleton. 63: Anthony Duclair 89: Pavel Buchnevich The current Ottawa Senator (at last check) is the only Ranger to wear 63. The only Ranger to wear 89., the winger has had flashes of really good 67: Benoit Pouliot hockey in the second half of each of the last two seasons.

Made some great music with Zuccarello and Derick Brassard in the Cup 90: Vlad Namestnikov final year of ’14. Was a darn good Ranger in his one full season with the team. Only 68: Jaromir Jagr Alexandar Georgiev has also worn 90.

Simply one of the greatest players ever, holds the club records with 54 91: Markus Naslund goals and 123 points in 2005-06. The one-time great Vancouver Canuck scored 24 goals then retired after 70: Mackenzie Skapski his only season in New York.

Goalie nicknamed “The Buffalo Killer” by coach , he beat 92: the Sabres 3-1 and 2-0 in his only two NHL starts (both in 2015). Had 49 goals and 162 points in 160 games as a Ranger riding shotgun 71: Mike Rupp with Jagr.

Known for his fists, he scored twice in the 2012 Winter Classic and did See Martin Straka. the Jagr Salute to the Flyers bench. Also was involved in Bickel’s “faceoff” win in ’11-12. 93: Mika Zibanejad

72: Filip Chytil Arguably the current Rangers’ most important and complete player and likely future captain. Still miles to go for the 20-year-old first-rounder. Noteworthy: Petr Nedved, who wore 93 in his second tenure with New 73: Brandon Pirri York and most of his career, was given No. 10 his first time around as the team frowned upon non-traditional numbers. Keith Yandle also later wore Spent one season with the Rangers. 93 for the Rangers. 74: Joel Bouchard 94: Same as Pirri above. Big tough guy played part of one season for the Rangers before his 75: Brandon Halverson unfortunate and tragic demise.

Goalie once thought to be a top prospect. 95: Vinni Lettieri

76: Brady Skjei He has been up and down from Hartford (AHL) the last three seasons. Was an AHL all-star this season. The recently-departed defenseman, traded for a first-rounder to Carolina at the deadline, never quite lived up to the bar he set his rookie season. 96: Emerson Etem

77: The bust of a return from the Carl Hagelin trade.

Espo came to the Rangers in the controversial trade (with Carol Vadnais) 97: Matt Gilroy from Boston for Ratelle, Park and Joe Zanussi in 1975 and was a big An undrafted defenseman from North Bellmore, N.Y. and a Hobey Baker piece in the ’79 Cup final run. Tony DeAngelo is going to have to settle award winner for Boston U. for second place. 99: 80: Kevin Weekes The Great One, the best to ever lace them up, literally hung up his skates for the final time on April 18, 1999 after three seasons with the Rangers. His number was retired league-wide that day. Gretzky holds virtually every scoring record in the NHL book. His 99 should be up in the Garden rafters.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020

1182092 Ottawa Senators Avalanche were in town Sunday before San Jose left on a what had been expected to be lengthy road trip.

The Sharks had been warned by the Santa Clara health commission not The Ottawa Senators are hopeful there are no more cases of COVID-19 to allow fans in the stands, but went ahead with games against the in their room Senators and Avs anyway. Neither the Sharks, Ducks or Kings have had any confirmed cases of COVID-19 among their players or staff.

Sharks president Jonathan Becher told the San Jose Mercury News in a Bruce Garrioch conference call Tuesday the club made its decision to go ahead with the games based on what it felt was right at the time. April 2, 2020 6:43 PM EDT “Early March felt a lot different than (where) we are today,” Becher told

the paper. “We were all making the best decision we could.” The Ottawa Senators hope the worst is behind them. Becher said there is no way to prove that any of the Senators or After confirming that three more players and a staff member had tested Avalanche contacted the virus while they were in San Jose and the positive for the novel coronavirus in a statement Wednesday afternoon, reality is they could have picked it up anywhere. the Senators are hopeful the organization won’t have any other positive “My first reaction is more human,” Becher said. “I never want that on tests. anybody, let alone a professional hockey player. And then, of course, A total of five unnamed players, a staff member and TSN 1200 your mind does wander: could it be related to having played those broadcaster Gord Wilson all had positive results for COVID-19 when they games? You’ll never really know. It’s impossible to trace things. People were tested by local health authorities. All seven were among the 52 went into grocery stores. They’re in Ubers, et cetera, they interact with people aboard the club’s Air Canada Jetz charter that returned from Los people.” Angeles on March 12 when the decision was made by the NHL to take a pause in the schedule. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.03.2020 The Senators stated eight people were tested for COVID-19 because they were showing symptoms, but that didn’t include Wilson, who was tested a day before the club announced on March 17 that an unnamed player was the first one in the NHL to be diagnosed with the virus.

As part of Wednesday’s announcement, the club confirmed that all four people diagnosed with COVID-19 have since recovered. At this point, nobody else in the organization has gone for testing. The league has stated players don’t need to be tested unless they’re showing symptoms.

“All test results have now been received, and all those who tested positive have recovered,” the Senators said Wednesday. “The Ottawa Senators’ medical team continues to monitor players and staff and are following all appropriate and professional guidelines to help ensure the health and safety of our employees and the greater community.”

Many people are wondering why the Senators haven’t released the names of the players and staff member who tested positive, but the club can’t because of privacy laws in the country.

Ottawa lawyer Eric Macramalla, a partner at Gowling WLG and a sports law analyst for TSN 1200 AM and Forbes Magazine, repeated Thursday that it would be up to the individual players to come forward.

“Individuals, including athletes, have an expectation of privacy with respect to their personal information. This extends to personal health information, which is generally considered the most confidential,” Macramalla said in an email. “At privacy law, it is also a key principle that an organization shall only collect, use, and disclose an individual’s personal information with that person’s consent.

“So an athlete’s personal information, which includes COVID-19 test results, cannot be disclosed without the player’s consent.”

Macramalla added the media should respect the players’ right to privacy.

“I would add that in cases where a team has elected not disclose the personal test results of its players (which again is the sound legal position), that election should be honoured and adhered to by third parties, including media,” said Macramalla. “Media members are also governed by ethical guidelines that would not support the disclosure of this type of information under the circumstances. By disclosing this information, media members risk running afoul of the guidelines.

“So the bottom line is that teams and journalists should not be sharing the positive test results of players with the public without the consent of those players.”

The Colorado Avalanche, who have had two cases of COVID-19, are the only other team that has been affected by the outbreak.

The Avalanche and Senators were both making their way through California in early March when it was considered a hotpsot for the coronavirus and a state of emergency had been declared in the area at the time. The Senators faced the Sharks on Saturday night and the 1182093 Ottawa Senators his shoulders as if he was the Stanley Cup, showing him off to the crowd. When a jeans-clad mechanic from with limited hockey skill attempted a spinerama move in a shootout attempt against Anderson and went down hard in the crease, the two shared a lengthy Revisiting the Ottawa Senators 'Northern Lights Dream Tour' of 2012 laugh in front of the crowd of 1,500.

Anderson, incidentally, experienced a temperature change of 93 degrees Fahrenheit on his two-day, 6,300-kilometre trip from his home in Fort Ken Warren Lauderdale to , with pitstops in Washington, D.C., Ottawa and April 2, 2020 3:35 PM EDT Edmonton.

“I’m excited to learn and see what the culture is all about and I would really like to do some dogsledding,” Anderson said at the time. “Part of it Looking back, I’m not sure whether it was the ride into or the welcome on is just going somewhere where I haven’t been before and having an the ground in the birthplace of hockey that was more spectacular. opportunity to see a part of the world that I will probably never see again.” Soaring through the skies of the amid the rattle and rumble of the Buffalo Airways Douglas DC-3 that also flew over From Yellowknife to Deline we went. It was anything but a routine 90- Normandy in 1944? Being greeted by the entire population of 600 in the minute flight northwest. The Douglas DC-3, built in 1942, is one of the fly-in only community of Deline and watching National Hockey League prize pieces among the Buffalo Airways collection of planes, well known players whisked away into a wintry wilderness on the backs of to fans of the Ice Pilots NWT television series. “The history behind it is so snowmobiles? It’s hard to pick a favourite moment from a thousand new cool,” said Neil. “When you fly in a plane like that, I think of the people sights and sounds. that came before, of the guys that might have been ready to jump out (during the war). It’s so different. And for them to open up their doors to Amid the suspension of the National Hockey League season for, well, us to take a look, sitting in the cockpit, what an incredible experience.” you know why, my Postmedia bosses have been welcome to suggestions for memorable hockey moments. Then came the wild, windy landing on the ice-covered tarmac and stepping off the plane into the fishing village that owns a legitimate claim No question, the Ottawa Senators’ franchise-returning victory over the to hockey history. In 1825, famed Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin wrote Montreal Canadiens in 1992, the Hamburglar run in 2015 and the that some of his fellow travellers “played hockey with sticks” on a patch of extended runs towards the Stanley Cup in 2003, 2007 and 2017 are right Great Bear Lake ice. up there— the Erik Karlsson to Mike Hoffman goal in Boston three years ago was the most spectacular goal in the organization’s history — but I’m “The elders who were here said that the white men—that’s what they going in a different direction here. And that direction is north. Way up called them then— seemed to be floating on the ice with sticks in their north. hands while hitting at a rock,” Chief Leonard Kenny told me. “They said the kids were watching from the shores with their rabbit skin blankets Let’s take you back to late November, 2012, when the NHL was last in wrapped around them.” limbo due to the lockout that ultimately shortened the regular season to 48 games. The pride of place remains. Outside of the shed that served as a terminal, the entire village was waiting, the snowmobiles ready to take NHL players were scattered here and there— some making a temporary the players to the 12-room fishing lodge. “One of the local kids offered home with European clubs, some taking part in informal workouts in their me a ride and I was on the back of a snowmobile and I think my face just hometowns — while waiting out the impasse that extended into January. about froze right off on my way,” said Methot. “He took me on a couple of Enter the restless John Chabot, the former NHL player and coach, who trails. Almost killed me on a couple of occasions. But it was the most had been helping out with the workouts in Ottawa and also champions interesting ride home I’ve ever had.” First Assist, a charity that helps expose northern First Nations youth to The following day, Anderson received his wish for a dogsled ride, Smith life in southern Canadian cities. went ice fishing and several Senators skated on Little Lake, within There were some hiccups and headaches along the way, but Chabot shouting distance of the spot where those earlier explorers may have encouraged a group of Senators players including Chris Phillips, Chris skated. Neil, Craig Anderson, Zack Smith, Marc Methot, Peter Regin and After eating fresh trout and caribou during a feast in the village Guillaume Latendresse to take part in a week-long trip full of fundraising community centre, the players were fully engaged in the traditional hand games and cultural adventure in the NWT and Yukon. Phillips took his games — a complicated gambling game — and the ear-shattering drum then nine-year-old son, Ben, along for the ride. Rankin Inlet’s Jordin dancing, circling the floor with the elders and children. We went into the Tootoo — the Wayne Gretzky of the north — and Ottawa native Grant night after being presented with “Birthplace of Hockey” jerseys and Clintsome, who then played with the Winnipeg Jets, also joined the trek. community radio host Michael Neyelle joked “this is the only place in the For Chabot, who has routinely gone up north to conduct smaller-scale world that has the Winter Classic right now.” hockey clinics, any exposure to a different way of life provides hope in an Clitsome thanked the village in a speech. “We’re all going to leave here isolated world where children are too often exposed to drug and alcohol raving about the generosity and hospitality of these people. This will stick abuse at an early age. Education is vital. “And to get them back to with us. I won’t forget it.” school, they need a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” said Chabot. “So, if the choose to go to work, if they choose to go to university, if they On the way to Inuvik, we made a pitstop in Normal Wells, a gas and oil choose to do whatever and it’s out of the community, it won’t be like it is depot, where the players visited a high school. Before playing a game at now, a deer in the headlights thing.” the 400-seat Ray (Sugloo) Ipana Memorial Arena in Inuvik, the Senators were again in the middle of the action during the traditional dances at the As Tootoo put it, “when you grow up in a small town, this is all you Midnight Sun Recreational Complex. know…sometimes, it’s all you want to know.” “To be able to show my son, too, to get right in there and playing the The arrival of NHL players was profound. At every stop along the way — games and singing and dancing, is amazing,” said Phillips. “That’s how Yellowknife, Deline, Norman Wells, Inuvik and Whitehorse — the players you learn what it’s all about, by immersing yourself right in it and getting were treated as heroes. But it was also a reciprocal relationship: the involved.” players fully engaged with the crowds before, during and after the games in the sold out small-town arenas and embraced the novel experience. The trek concluded with yet another game at the Takhini Arena in Whitehorse, where the minus 20 degree weather didn’t stop fans from After 10-year-old Dawson Bens was chosen to skate with the Senators lining up for hours to catch a glimpse of NHL players. After going head to before a game in Yellowknife, his mother, Toni, said, “he’s very thrilled, head against the big-leaguers for a period, 14-year-old Caleb March with his hockey stick in the kitchen and in the living room and in the stopped to sign autographs outside the dressing room. bedroom and in the bathroom and in the shower.” After all that — Anderson’s 24-hour trip home took him from Whitehorse When an apprentice carpenter named Patrick Osmond won himself a to Vancouver to Los Angeles to Florida— the players enjoyed a lengthy $30,000 car for shooting the puck into a tiny hole in the net from the sleep. It was a whirlwind experience for everyone. opposite end of the ice in Yellowknife, Latendresse lifted Osmond over “We travel so much, but all the cities are pretty much the same when we go to play (in the NHL),” said Regin. “This was a unique experience. It seems like we’ve traveled the world.”

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182094 Ottawa Senators With the exception of the Florida game, all of those would have been strong gates for the club.

Part-time employees will be paid for their scheduled shifts until the end of Ottawa Senators to make temporary staff reductions because of COVID- April as part of the plan. 19 crisis “The measures announced today are in addition to owner Eugene Melnyk’s previous personal pledge to pay the income for part-time and hourly arena staff of the Ottawa Senators and the AHL’s Belleville Bruce Garrioch Senators through to the end of their respective seasons,” the statement added. “Mr. Melnyk has today extended that commitment to pay part-time April 2, 2020 4:58 PM EDT and hourly arena workers what they would have earned for all scheduled event shifts through the month of April.”

The Ottawa Senators have been forced to reduce their work force No decision has been made on the employees of the because of the COVID-19 crisis. at this juncture.

The Senators confirmed Thursday there will be temporary layoffs and General manager and the club’s hockey operations staff some employees will be placed on furlough until the novel coronavirus have been working from home since the club returned from California crisis that has impacted the world is over and the business has returned after the league decided to pause the schedule on March 12. The club to normal. told all its employees to work from home on March 16 and the staff at the rink has been minimal since. The Senators are trying to help make sure the financial impact on the employees affected is minimized. “Our employees have continued to work with dedication during these difficult times,” said Melnyk in the statement. “We want to thank them for The decision was made because most of the events at the Canadian Tire their continued loyalty by providing support, as we all face extraordinary Centre in the next couple of months have either been postponed or challenges. Although the sports and entertainment industry is being cancelled. If they haven’t been already, they likely will be down the road. impacted severely, we will pull through by staying committed together. The reality is teams have been told by the league that players should be self-isolating at home until at least April 15 and the expectation is that “I look forward to the day when it is safe to reopen our doors and date will be extended, depending on local health rulings. welcome back employees, fans and community partners.”

“The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the Ontario government’s order to close all non-essential businesses have Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.03.2020 regrettably forced Capital Sports & Entertainment to take measures to ensure operational continuity, including temporary employee reduction,” the club said in a statement released Thursday morning.

“Effective April 5, which would have marked the end of the Ottawa Senators NHL season, our full-time workforce will be reduced, and the hours of some of the staff will be furloughed.”

The Senators will offer some financial support to those who are laid off by helping to top up their benefits from employment insurance. There’s also a group of employees that will be allowed to use their vacation time before being officially laid off by the organization. The club is trying to soften the financial blow and is hopeful this situation will be resolved sooner rather than later.

“To reduce the financial impact on those employees being temporarily laid off, Capital Sports has created an unemployment plan that will supplement employment insurance benefits until July 3, 2020, up to a minimum of 80 percent of base salary,” the statement added.

“The temporary layoffs of full-time employees will begin after all accumulated vacation days are used. For those not temporarily laid off, Capital Sports will place some employees on furlough while others will have their salaries reduced. Employee health benefits will continue uninterrupted until normal business operations resume. As federal and provincial government policy changes in ways that may benefit employees, we will evaluate how to best apply those changes to our organization.”

Although this decision doesn’t come as a surprise, it’s difficult for the employees affected because many of the people in the club’s offices are long-time employees .

The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames both announced reductions to their work force last week while the Montreal Canadiens had announced earlier in March they were temporarily laying off staff.

Once this situation is resolved, the Senators are expected to bring everybody back. The indications from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is he doesn’t expect life to return to normal before July, and all public events have been shut down in Toronto until June 30th so this isn’t going to end anytime soon.

The Senators had 11 games left on their schedule when the league decided to take the pause on March 12 — including four home games. The club was scheduled to host the Edmonton Oilers on March 18, the Florida Panthers March 24, the Toronto Maple Leafs March 28 and the Senators were supposed to close out the season Saturday night against the . 1182095 Philadelphia Flyers As for livening up the locker room this season, Hayes said the leadership group -- he mentioned Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, and Sean Couturier -- was intact when he joined the Flyers, and he was “cognizant of how loud to be or how much to talk. I didn’t want to step on any toes.” Flyers’ Kevin Hayes concerned that NHL season may not return but trying to stay positive and even learning to cook Hayes said he followed the veterans’ lead because “it’s been their team for a while.” After two weeks, his lively personality started to come out.

“They were probably annoyed with me in the beginning with how much I by Sam Carchidi talked and kind of joked around,” he said. “I think they kind of liked it. I still think they like it, so it’s working.”

He said it was an easy organization to join “and kind of feel great about With lots of free time, Flyers center Kevin Hayes has been working out at yourself” because the players, staff, and the behind-the-scenes workers home in Boston, has rediscovered his Xbox skills, and has started are so accommodating. cooking for the first time in his life -- making eggplant parmigiana, chicken tips, and a turkey with veggies. “Everyone is trying to get the best out of you,” he said, “and that’s what I try to do with the guys. I try to enter the arena every day pretty happy. But he misses hockey. Misses his teammates. Misses the adrenaline For me, it’s the best job in the whole entire world. I don’t know where I’d rush that the Flyers had provided by storming to nine wins in their last 10 be without hockey. I know my worst days are definitely not comparable to games before the coronavirus outbreak suspended the season March 12. everyone else’s worst days." “Just like everyone else has been saying, it’s obviously a lot bigger than hockey,” Hayes said in a conference call Thursday. “No matter how much anyone in the league says they miss the game, it’s a lot more important Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.03.2020 to figure out what’s going on in society right now and get that handled before we get back.

“It’s crazy. This situation has never happened before. I miss going to the rink every day and seeing the guys, seeing the coaches, playing against other teams and playing in front of our fans.”

The Flyers (41-21-7) had climbed to within one point of first-place Washington in the Metropolitan Division. Now, Hayes realizes, the season is in jeopardy.

“I think everyone is a little concerned about that,” he said when asked about the possibility of the season’s not resuming. “It sucks because you play this game, you build friendships, you build memories, you build moments where you want to go for the Stanley Cup. I felt our team had come together in a great way. We were really playing for one another and everybody was buying into the system.

“And now there’s a possibility that we’ll never see the outcome of that,” he added. “... I assume we’re going to be this good all the time, but who knows if we’ll have this feeling again?”

Brady program

Hayes, who has 23 goals in 69 games, has been working out with a Tom Brady program all season and said he has “felt a lot more pliable. I kind of set the groundwork this summer. It’s up to me as an athlete to stick with it, even though it might be tedious.”

He credited a time-consuming stretching program, eating the right things, and getting enough sleep with helping him play every game.

Asked if it would be difficult for the team to pick up the momentum it had built if the season resumes, Hayes said, “We were definitely feeling ourselves. We had some good swag, we had some good confidence. We weren’t overconfident. I thought our leadership set a standard.

"It’s a weird dynamic. I think everyone in our team brings a leadership into that locker room, whether it’s an older guy or a younger guy. I think everybody quietly bought into our system, and if in a couple months we go back to it and we have to jump into the playoffs, I’m pretty confident that we have some older veterans who will make sure everyone is back to business quickly.”

The 27-year-old center spent five seasons with the New York Rangers and said it was difficult to see the city become the epicenter of the coronavirus.

“I think people kind of took it lightly in the beginning and weren’t following the right procedures. It sucks to see,” he said.

Hayes called New York “one of the best places in the world. It’s horrible at what’s going on there."

The family’s 'queen’

His parents, who are both cancer survivors, are doing well, he said, along with his brother and pregnant sister. Hayes said that he lives within 15 minutes of all his family members and that his sister is “the queen of making sure everyone is doing the right thing. She’s not taking any risks.” 1182096 Philadelphia Flyers Eventually, Hayes plans to answer the Flyers' call again, perhaps this season, but maybe next.

“I think everyone’s a little bit concerned about that,” he said. “I mean it McCaffery: When Flyers return, Kevin Hayes will help answer the Call sucks because you play this game, you build friendships and you build memories. You build moments where you want to go for the Stanley Cup.

“I felt as if our team had come together in a great way. We were really By Jack McCaffery [email protected] @JackMcCaffery playing for one and another. Everyone was buying in to the system that AV put together. There’s a possibility that we’ll never see the outcome of

that. I assume we will be this good all the time, but who knows if we’ll One way or another this hockey season, Kevin Hayes was going to have this feeling again? It’s kind of sad that you can’t go to the rink every respond to a call to duty. It was just a matter of when. day. But everyone’s dealing with this. It's not just us.

Acquired by the Flyers in an offseason trade from Winnipeg and given a “I don’t know where I would be without hockey,” he added. “I do know my $50 million sweetener to stick around for seven years, Hayes was worst days are definitely not comparable to everyone else’s worst day.” destined to inject fresh leadership into a room turned stale. A favorite of He's 27 and wealthy. As soon as duty calls, he will continue to help Alain Vigneault, who had coached him with the Rangers, Hayes was a reshape a hockey team that needed his personality. It's just that matter of player whose contributions would not necessarily be reflected in his stat when. line. He would work. He would be versatile. He would excel at both ends of the ice. And eventually, his way with teammates would be welcome and vital. Delaware County Times LOADED: 04.03.2020 It was happening exactly that way in a surprisingly vibrant Flyers season, one breeding legitimate championship hopes. Hayes was at his best on the ice and in the room, providing big goals and fun nicknames for his teammates. Though Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek and Sean Couturier were still around for their own forms of guidance, it was clear: Day by day, Hayes was rising to the top of that chain.

“It’s always hard when you sign a big contract and go to a new team, especially one that wasn’t really in a full rebuild,” Hayes was saying Thursday, in a conference call with hockey writers. “They kind of had their leadership group for a while.

“I thought I was pretty lucky because I went right in with A.V. That was kind of a slow challenge for me. When I first got there, I wasn’t really nervous. I was just cognizant of how loud to be or how much to talk. I didn't want to step on any toes. Giroux, Voracek, Couturier. It’s kind of been their team for a while. I was just sitting on the end, to see how they acted and to follow their lead.

“It probably took about two weeks. They were probably annoyed with me in the beginning with how much I talked and kind of joked around. I think they kind of liked it. I still think they like it. So it’s working.”

It was working, anyway. The Flyers had won nine of their last 10 before coronavirus concerns stopped the regular season with 13 games left. During a nine-game winning streak, Hayes had supplied six goals, three points and an on-ice presence that the lagging franchise had lacked. To that, he was the personification of the talent-evaluation skills of Vigneault and general manager , virtual outsiders able to provide a fresh and welcome view for a franchise that could have gone either way.

“Yeah, he’s a beauty,” Fletcher said. “I think we all knew he had a strong personality, but he's had a very positive impact on our franchise. He’s played very well. He plays a very important role on our team in that second-line center spot as well as power play, penalty kill, even strength, three on three and even shootouts.

“He’s had an impact in every area that a player can have an impact in. He’s a good teammate. He’s a really good human being. He cares about winning. He cares about the people in the organization. He cares about the fans. You can’t make that stuff up. His personality is who he is. He’s a real fine human being.”

As a hockey player, Hayes did his part to boost the Flyers. As a human being, he is doing what he can to blunt the spread of the virus, remaining as isolated as possible in his Boston home, minutes away from his large, supportive family. He's found that he enjoys cooking and apparently can whip up a tasty eggplant parmigiana. Daily, he checks in with teammates. Even if he has a secret motive, it's what captains or captains-elect will do. That motive?

“I see if they want to play Xbox,” he said. “I’ll hit up (Joel) Farabee for Call of Duty.”

Call of Duty is Hayes' game of choice, the title appropriate, given how he accepts any assignment on a hockey team.

“The only positive out of this for me is I became a gamer again,” he said. “I haven’t played Xbox in three years. Now I am fully addicted to playing Call of Duty.” 1182097 Philadelphia Flyers “When I first got there, I wasn’t really nervous, I was just cognizant of how loud to be, how much to talk because I didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes," Hayes said. "Giroux, Voracek, Couturier, it’s been there team for a while. … I just wanted to feel how they acted and follow their Kevin Hayes offers the quarantine goods — and misses what Flyers had lead, but I would say it took about two weeks until they were probably cooking before 2019-20 NHL stoppage annoyed with me at the beginning with how much I talked and how much I joked around, but I think they kind of liked it and I still think they like it,

so I think it’s working.” By Jordan Hall Hayes and the Flyers have something working in Philly. Even if it's on April 02, 2020 4:00 PM hold for now.

"People were telling me that the fans are hard and the fans are tough on you," Hayes said, "but they're just as passionate as we are. With perspective from the players and head coach, let's take an inside look at how the Flyers have built their 2019-20 turnaround. By Jordan "The fans have been through the good and the bad times with the Flyers. Hall And hopefully good times in the future."

With the 2019-20 NHL season on pause because of the coronavirus outbreak, Kevin Hayes has returned home like most of his Flyers Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020 teammates.

Hayes is around his family in Boston. One of his three sisters is pregnant, "so she's kind of the queen of making sure everyone is doing the right things," Hayes said on a conference call Thursday.

Always upbeat and optimistic, the 27-year-old center is trying to find positives during this unexpected time for not only the hockey community, but also the entire world.

“No matter how much anyone in the league says they miss the game, it’s a lot more important to figure out what’s going with our society right now," Hayes said.

“It’s crazy, this situation has never happened before. I miss going to the rink every day, seeing the guys, seeing the coaches, being able to go out and play against other teams and play in front of our fans.”

Some good things for Hayes during this stoppage:

He has a peloton bike and can also work out at the gym in the nearby living unit of his good friend.

He enjoyed a "hilarious" picture on Snapchat from Michael Raffl in which the 31-year-old Austrian showed off his freshly shaved head.

"We've been kind of giving it to him, but I don't think he's too concerned because he lives in Austria," Hayes said, "he's not going to see anyone for a couple of months."

And Hayes also picked up an old and new hobby.

"I became a gamer again," Hayes said. "I hadn't played Xbox in three years and now I'm slowly addicted to playing 'Call of Duty,' so that's somewhat of a positive and I started cooking for the first time in my life."

What the Flyers had cooking in his first season of a seven-year, $50 million deal, has made his new hobby bittersweet. With 13 games left on their 2019-20 schedule, the Flyers are one point behind the Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals and hold the NHL's sixth-most points at 89. Last season, before Hayes' arrival, the Flyers endured a tumultuous year and finished with 82 points, their fewest over a full season since 2006-07.

In Year 1 with Hayes and head coach Alain Vigneault, the Flyers were rolling before the league was forced to suspend the season on March 12.

The new-look Flyers don't know if they'll be able to finish what they started.

“It sucks because you play this game, you build friendships, you build memories, you build moments where you want to go for the Stanley Cup," Hayes said. "I think our team had come together in a great way and we were really playing for one another and everyone was buying into the system that A.V. put together. And now there’s a possibility that we’ll never see the outcome of that. … I assume that we’re going to be this good all the time, but who knows if we’re going to have this feeling again.

“We were definitely feeling ourselves for a little bit, we had some good swagger, we had some good confidence. We weren’t overconfident, but I thought our leadership group set a standard. … Everyone on our team brings their own leadership into that locker room.”

Hayes has become one of the club's leaders. With time and winning, he endeared himself to the leadership group of Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek and Sean Couturier. 1182098 Philadelphia Flyers

Gritty all over the place, funny Penguins moments as Flyers roll their rival in NHL 20

By Jordan Hall

April 02, 2020 8:20 PM

Because of the coronavirus outbreak, which has suspended the 2019-20 NHL season, the Flyers did not get a chance to beat the Penguins last Sunday in Philadelphia.

They did, however, dominate them on NHL 20 Thursday night as NBC Sports Philadelphia aired a simulation with the great trio of Jim Jackson, and Taryn Hatcher on the call.

The Flyers never trailed in beating Pittsburgh, 6-4, at the Wells Fargo Center.

Michael Raffl led the way with a pair of first-period goals. Kevin Hayes (one goal, one assist), James van Riemsdyk (one goal, one assist), Matt Niskanen (two assists), Travis Sanheim (two assists) and Nate Thompson (two assists) all had multi-point games.

Oh, and Gritty enjoyed the win. So did Claude Giroux.

Raffl's goals were massive in setting the tone during the opening 20 minutes. Despite allowing four markers, Carter Hart made a ton of timely saves, especially in the first period.

On Raffl's first goal, Penguins forward Conor Sheary got stuck right in the middle of the Flyers' celebration. Poor guy.

On Raffl's second goal, Penguins forward tripped right over his goalie Matt Murray as the Flyers were celebrating.

This simulation sure loves Michael Raffl.

A big storyline in the Flyers' win was Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin being held to no goals.

As you can see, there were some daring Penguins fans in attendance. We have a strong feeling they were welcomed kindly by Flyers fans.

Just like in real life, the Flyers were very defensive of the 21-year-old Hart. Get close to the kid, you've got problems.

Tyler Pitlick added clutch secondary scoring during the second period to give the Flyers a 3-1 edge.

Gritty, with the neck of an owl, enjoyed his view in the middle stanza.

"He's always got a good spot," Jackson said.

"He's usually got some popcorn to dump on a Penguins fan's head," Jones said.

Unfortunately, that did not happen (let's be real, it probably did).

Tyler Pitlick, have a (virtual) goal! pic.twitter.com/ahkHeH9KDV

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 2, 2020

Justin Braun, Hayes and van Riemsdyk (empty-netter) tallied goals in the final stanza to seal the Flyers' win.

The Penguins' goals came from Brandon Tanev, Patric Hornqvist, Teddy Blueger and Marcus Pettersson.

That's not going to do it against this 2019-20 Flyers team, which has dominated in Philadelphia.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182099 Philadelphia Flyers

Bernie Parent making gnocchi will be the best thing you see all day

By Brooke Destra

April 02, 2020 11:20 AM

This might just fall under the category of, "Things you didn’t know you needed until it happened."

Actually, that’s exactly what this is.

Flyers legend Bernie Parent was making homemade gnocchi — not only decked out in a chef’s hat and apron, but also representing the Eagles.

It’s wholesome, it’s heartwarming and will leave you with a smile on your face.

The Hall of Famer will be celebrating his 75th birthday on Friday — hopefully spending it happy and filled with gnocchi.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182100 Philadelphia Flyers Hayes has brought a level of eccentricity with him to Philadelphia and made the Flyers, a team that had been painfully mediocre for a long time, fun to watch.

Xbox and eggplant parm: how Kevin Hayes has been coping in Boston Last month Yards Brewing Co. revealed the Big Hayes-y, a double IPA named after the Flyer. All season he’s brought the entertainment when he’s been mic’d up in the hallway as players walk out of the locker room and onto the ice. He seems to have a nickname for everyone. Dave Isaac, NHL Writer “A lot of it just came right the top of my head,” he said. “Usually a lot of it Published 3:00 p.m. ET April 2, 2020 comes from last names. Some are inside jokes. It’s funny. It’s a way to kind of show respect for one another and let them know they’re part of the team. A lot of it’s joking around but I think it’s bringing the team Kevin Hayes moved back to his native Boston shortly after the NHL together.” paused its season. He's had plenty of time to ponder his first season with the Flyers. In his first season, Hayes has been an open book. The only thing he won’t delve into, is one nickname in particular. It was a quick exodus from Philadelphia when the NHL paused its season due to COVID-19 last month. For Kevin Hayes that meant driving It is believed that “Steadzo Glensky” is Matt Niskanen, but where the up to his native Boston and signing the closing agreement on the heck did that one come from? apartment in the Seaport neighborhood he bought last summer, that he “I think that one has to stay under wraps,” Hayes said with a laugh. “Too wasn’t planning to move into until this June. many people have tried to figure out what it means. I don’t even know if He was only able to get in there about a week and a half ago. Before people know who it’s about. That one’s gonna have to stay within this that, he was staying with family. team.”

“I’ve been living in a new apartment with very little stuff because everything’s backordered by like six months,” he said Thursday. Courier-Post LOADED: 04.03.2020 The essentials include an Xbox, which is something he hadn’t played in three years but now is “slowly addicted” to playing against Joel Farabee and Scott Laughton in Call of Duty.

Hayes started cooking for the first time, too. He made eggplant parmesan with chicken tips Wednesday night and turkey with veggies earlier in the week.

No, this is nothing what he planned for his April to look like.

Thursday the Flyers were supposed to play the in their penultimate regular-season game. They might’ve even caught the Washington Capitals for first place by now. Instead, Hayes and his teammates haven’t skated since March 11, the day before they left for Tampa to play the Lightning, a game that never happened.

It’s been hard for Hayes, in his first year with the Flyers, to come to terms with the fact that what seems like a magical season to him may not end properly.

“I felt as if our team had come together in a great way and we were really playing for each other and everyone was really playing into the system that (head coach Alain Vigneault) put together and now there’s a possibility that we could never see the outcome of that,” Hayes said. “I mean, I assume we’re gonna be this good all the time, but who knows if we’re ever gonna have this feeling again? It’s kind of sad that you can’t go to the rink everyday but everyone’s dealing with this. It’s not just us.”

The prospect of an NHL comeback seems unlikely until at least July and even that is very much in question. No one knows when COVID-19 will stop wreaking havoc on North America like it has in China, Italy and South Korea.

Having all this time alone with furniture that hasn’t arrived yet gives Hayes an opportunity to take stock of all that’s happened since he signed a seven-year, $50 million contract with the Flyers last summer. He has quickly turned the narrative from his expensive contract to being a key cog in the Flyers’ locker room and quickly becoming a fan favorite.

“The only person I knew was James van Riemsdyk,” Hayes said. “I met Giroux once at a summer camp in Florida but we weren’t really that tight. I don’t think he liked me, actually, because I was playing for the Rangers, but that’s another topic. I don’t really realize if teams are stiff or not personality-wise. I kind of have my personality and I think I’m a very positive guy that makes people feel good about themselves. I remember when I talked to Chuck (Fletcher, the Flyers’ general manager and president) when I signed he wanted me to be myself. He, this isn’t the exact words, but ‘We invested in you. We would like you to invest in us.’ It’s been easy. It’s an unbelievable group.”

“He’s a beauty,” Fletcher said the other day. “I think we all knew he had a strong personality, but he’s had a very positive impact on our franchise.” 1182101 Philadelphia Flyers But the choice is the fantastically named Goodenough, who won a Stanley Cup with the Flyers in 1975 and scored 18 points in 21 playoff games with the Orange & Black as a defenseman.

The best player to wear each jersey number in Flyers history 6:

Maybe one day, Travis Sanheim will be the answer. But for now, this boiled down to a simple either/or question: Therien or André “Moose” Charlie O'Connor Dupont from the Bullies era? Both are worthy, but let’s go with the defenseman who played the fifth-most games in team history. Apr 2, 2020 7:

A member of the , the Flyers Hall of Fame and even For years, a telling slogan displayed on the far end of the Philadelphia The Athletic’s new, totally made-up Philadelphia Hall of Fame, Barber is Flyers’ locker room at the Wells Fargo Center: “You play for the crest on a franchise legend and the only viable choice for No. 7. the front, not the name on the back.” 8: Mark Recchi But what about the number on the sleeves (and the back)? It’s tough to leave Dave “The Hammer” Schultz off the list, and Brad Over its 53-year history, the Flyers organization has had its fair share of Marsh, the president of the Flyers Alumni Association, has a sleeper iconic numbers. ’s No. 16 was the standard for fans case as well. But even if he earned his Cups elsewhere, it’s impossible to throughout the 1970s and ’80s; Eric Lindros’ No. 88 held a similar status ignore Recchi’s 627 points in 602 games over 10 seasons with in the ’90s for a legion of young fans. Sometimes, a number transcends Philadelphia. He’s never really been honored by the organization — he’s the team, and even the sport, in the cases of the true greats. not in the team’s Hall of Fame and his number isn’t retired, even though Of course, not every Flyers number has the history of 16 and 88. Which he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017 — likely because numbers are still reserved for the obscure? And which numbers might he doesn’t feel like a Flyer first and foremost, despite spending more inspire fierce bar debates (once they reopen) about the best player in years in an Orange & Black jersey than any other. He’ll have to settle for franchise history to ever wear it? “Best No. 8 in team history” for now.

We embark on that exercise today — with the invaluable help of 9: Bob Kelly HockeyReference.com, we looked at all 80 numbers that have been worn Three players from different eras have cases for this slot. Pelle Eklund by at least one Flyers player in a regular-season game, and picked the was one of the great role players of the late ’80s and early ’90s, and Ivan best Flyer who owned it. Provorov is developing into one of the Flyers’ most talented and Some ground rules: complete defensemen of all time. In 10 years, there’s a good chance Provorov has comfortably secured this spot. But it’s impossible to tell the Only time with the Flyers was considered. In some cases, the best tale of the Broad Street Bullies without mentioning “The Hound,” and overall player wasn’t picked, because he did little in Philadelphia. even though Kelly wasn’t as talented as Eklund or Provorov, he gets the nod — for now. Whenever possible, the player’s most iconic number was considered, even if he wore multiple numbers with the team. However, in some cases 10: John LeClair — when a player’s temporary usage of a number was the only time it was issued by the organization, or if all other players who donned the number , Brad McCrimmon, and Brayden Schenn are made little impact — secondary or “one-time” numbers were recognized. worthy candidates. But along with Eric Lindros, LeClair defined ’90s Flyers hockey, and he scored 333 goals with Philadelphia despite playing Franchise impact was judged subjectively, not according to points scored in the heart of the neutral-zone trap era. In fact, accounting for his low- or calculated by some mathematical formula. scoring era, a legitimate case can be made that he was the best goal scorer in team history, even though he actually ranks fifth. There was no rule against a player appearing twice on the list if he wore multiple numbers during his Flyers career. 11: Travis Konecny

Let’s get to the numbers. A bit premature? Maybe, and Don “Big Bird” Saleski and Kevin Dineen have cases for this spot. But Konecny already is a fan favorite, and he 1: Bernie Parent emerged this season as a first-line-caliber winger. The 23-year-old Not Parent’s only number as a Flyer — more on that later — but certainly already has more points as a Flyer than Dineen, and sits just 50 behind his most iconic, and the one he wore during his best years. Considering Saleski despite playing in 177 fewer games. A couple more seasons like the organization retired No. 1 for Parent, this was a no-brainer. 2019-20, and the best No. 11 in Flyers history will no longer be a debate.

2: Mark Howe 12: Tim Kerr

Another retired number! Howe isn’t the franchise’s only great is in the Flyers Hall of Fame, and Simon Gagné will defenseman to don No. 2 — Ed Van Impe deserves a mention as a key likely earn that honor someday. But this had to go to Kerr, who was member of the Broad Street Bullies — but he owned the ’80s and earned essentially the John LeClair of the 1980s Flyers. a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011. Apologies to Van Impe, but 13: Kevin Hayes this has to go to Howe. The Flyers’ latest free-agency success story snatches the No. 13 crown 3: Joe Watson away from Dan Carcillo. It’s not a number players usually like to wear, Watson wore No. 3 in only his first two seasons in Philadelphia, but but Hayes is showing no ill-effects from the supposed “bad luck” of the competition for his more well-known No. 14 was fierce, and Watson dreaded 13. deserves a place on this list. Not only was he a steadying presence for Sean Couturier scores a shootout goal in December. (Marc DesRosiers / the Bullies, but he also remains a fixture in the organization and the USA Today) Flyers community. No one is more competitive at Flyers alumni games than the 76-year-old Watson. 14: Sean Couturier

4: Barry Ashbee Largely a battle between Couturier and Joe Watson (with Ken Linseman in the mix as well), Couturier gets the nod in large part because Watson Ashbee’s memory lives on in his retired No. 4, and the trophy that bears already earned a spot on the list at No. 3. The Flyers’ current No. 14 his name, given each season to the best Flyers defenseman. ranks an appropriate 14th in games played in franchise history, and he’s 5: Larry Goodenough now in the third season of a peak in which he’s established himself as one of the premier two-way forwards in hockey. Reggie Leach briefly wore No. 5, but he’s better known for another number. Kim Johnsson and Braydon Coburn were worthy candidates. 15: Bill Clement No number has been worn by more Flyers players (37) than No. 15, and The third-highest scorer in franchise history, Propp was the constant for there’s a reason for that — no one has really made it his own. We’ll give the Flyers throughout the entire ’80s, and when he was traded to Boston the nod to Clement, the most well-known Flyer to don the number in February 1990, it signified the end of an era. (briefly), even if he’s far more associated with the No. 10. 27: Reggie Leach 16: Bobby Clarke It’s extremely tough to leave Hextall off the list, and against 99.9 percent The best player in franchise history, and one of only two Flyers to wear of potential opponents, he’d be the easy choice. But the “Riverton Rifle” No. 16. For good reason. is in that 0.1 percent, claiming a Cup with the Flyers in 1975 and then standing as one of the rare Conn Smythe winners to earn the award on 17: Rod Brind’Amour the losing team in the final. Nineteen goals in 16 games in the 1976 A number stocked with familiar names. There’s a future Flyers general playoffs will do that for a guy. manager (), a future Flyers head coach (Craig Berube) 28: Claude Giroux and a future Flyers scout (Simon Nolet). And that’s without mentioning Jeff Carter and Wayne Simmonds from the post-2000s era. But it’s Unlike most players on this list, Giroux’s Flyers story is still being written. Brind’Amour who gets the nod on the strength of 633 games for the He is a franchise legend, defining the 2010s as Clarke did the ’70s, organization. It’s easy to forget that Brind’Amour was more than a two- Propp the ’80s and Lindros the ’90s. Giroux will likely finish behind only way stalwart with the Flyers; he posted six seasons of 70 points or more, Clarke in most all-time statistical categories. The only thing missing from including a 1993-94 campaign in which he racked up 97 points. He was his legacy is a Cup, and with the Flyers trending upward, it looks like he’ll one of the best Flyers of the ’90s. have at least a few chances to nab one.

18: Mike Richards 29: Joel Otto

Maybe Richards’ Flyers career didn’t end how anyone anticipated after A useful cog on the Legion of Doom-era clubs, Otto earned Selke votes he was named the 17th captain in club history at 23. But he became a in his first two seasons with the Flyers after a long and solid career with fan favorite during his six seasons in Philadelphia, with his best moments the Calgary Flames. coming in the surprise 2010 run to the Cup final. “The Shift,” anyone? 30: Bernie Parent 19: Rick MacLeish Parent earns the honor of two places on our list — his retired No. 1 and If 697 points in 741 games as a Flyer aren’t enough for you, how about the No. 30 he wore during his first stint with the club. Parent hadn’t that MacLeish scored the only goal in the game that clinched reached his ceiling during this stretch, but a 0.922 save percentage (far Philadelphia’s first Stanley Cup? Yep, that’ll do it. better than league average at the time) isn’t too shabby, either.

20: 31:

A very difficult choice between two Flyers Hall of Famers in Poulin and No. 31 isn’t officially retired by the organization, but it’s impossible to Jimmy Watson. Watson has the edge in games played and, obviously, imagine another player in Lindbergh’s 3-1. Tragedy has struck the Flyers titles won. But Poulin’s two-way prowess — he had 394 points in 467 community on many occasions, but it was never as crushing as the games with the club and won a Selke Trophy — gives him the slimmest shocking news that Lindbergh — in the process of establishing himself as of edges here. one of the league’s best netminders and at just 26 years old — had died in a car accident after a team party in November 1985. The nature of the 21: crash — Lindbergh’s blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal The hockey gods were kind enough to give Flyers fans a season and a limit — makes it a difficult subject to this day, but two truths are half of Forsberg before cruelly tearing him away again. But at least they uncontested: Lindbergh was one of the most talented netminders in team got a glimpse of the player whom the organization drafted sixth overall in history and he died far too soon. 1991, before including him as a key piece in the trade for Eric Lindros. 32: Forsberg was past his prime at that point, and battling foot issues. But he was still one of the best pure playmakers to ever don a Flyers jersey. Roman Cechmanek had some strong regular seasons in No. 32, and Mark Streit’s Flyers career is already underrated a few years after it 22: Rick Tocchet ended. But Craven’s work in a supporting role in the second half of the Tocchet was the quintessential Flyer in his first go-round in Philadelphia, 1980s earns him the spot with relative ease. equally likely to win a fight as score a hat trick on a given night. OK, 33: Pete Peeters maybe he was more likely to win a fight, given his 1,681 penalty minutes from 1984-85 through 1991-92. But he also delivered two 40-plus goal No. 33 is a number typically reserved for goalies, so it’s appropriate that campaigns and a 96-point season. this came down to Peeters and , both of whom started their careers in Philadelphia and returned as grizzled vets after extended 23: Ilkka Sinisalo absences. Boosh had some legendary moments, particularly during the Younger fans might not be as familiar with Sinisalo as other ’80s Flyers 2000 and 2010 playoff runs, but Peeters was the superior goaltender in stars such as Brian Propp, Kerr and . But the Finnish winger Orange & Black by the numbers, consistently outplaying his peers, while was a significant middle-of-the-lineup contributor on those contending Boucher — outside of his unreal rookie campaign — was usually slightly teams, scoring over 400 points in 526 games with the club. worse than league average.

24: Matt Read 34: John Vanbiesbrouck

Rather than try to fit Dornhoefer into this spot — his true number with the A surprisingly underwhelming number in Flyers history — Poulin wore it Flyers was 12, after all, though he did wear 24 briefly — let’s go with briefly to start his career in Philadelphia before switching to No. 20, but Read, who played 437 games for the club while serving in a variety of that’s about it for game-changers, unless early-career Craig Berube roles. This also slightly makes up for Read being left off my “best free- counts. So we’ll go with the Beezer, who had two decent seasons as the agent signings” article this week, too. team’s primary netminder to close out the millennium.

25: Keith Primeau 35:

Primeau probably doesn’t beat out for this spot without his Another goalie-heavy number, and Froese, Wayne Stephenson and Herculean effort during the Flyers’ 2004 playoff run; he wasn’t universally Steve Mason all make strong cases. But only Froese earned hardware — beloved by the fan base in the lead-up to that postseason. But for 18 a 1985-86 Jennings Trophy, shared with (29 games), games that spring, Primeau did everything he could to carry an injury- Lindbergh (8) and Glenn Resch (5) — during his 51 games of strong play ravaged Flyers team to the Cup final, coming up just one game short that season, which gives him a slight edge over his rivals. against the Tampa Bay Lightning. 36: T.J. Gorence 26: Brian Propp No Flyer has truly made No. 36 his own — no, Zac Rinaldo doesn’t coaches took too long to realize he was best deployed as a third-pair count. So we’ll give the nod to Gorence, who posted five solid seasons defenseman, not a top-half-of-the-depth-chart blueliner. for the club from 1978-79 through 1982-83. 48: Daniel Brière 37: Eric Desjardins No. 48 was an irrelevant number in Flyers history until Briere came The epitome of a do-the-little-things-right defenseman, Desjardins was along, and turned it into one of the most-purchased jerseys of his time. the quiet rock behind all of those great Flyers forwards in the late ’90s Skilled, clutch and just a tad vicious at times with his stick, Brière may and early ’00s. He was a well-deserved inductee into the Flyers Hall of have tailed off a bit at the end of his Flyers career, but he produced so Fame in 2015. many memorable moments that he stands as a legend of the era.

38: Derek Grant 49:

An afterthought of a number in Flyers history — according to Hockey- Maybe Joel Farabee takes this mantle in the coming years if he chooses Reference, just seven players have worn it even once, and never for an to stick with No. 49, which is unlikely. But even though Leighton’s Flyers extended stretch of games. With no clear winner, let’s go with the recent career is most remembered for the ugly Cup-clinching goal allowed to acquisition, Grant, who has posted a stellar 0.71 point-per-game rate as Patrick Kane, the Flyers never get that far — and likely don’t even make a Flyer, and reminisce about his ridiculous kick-pass to set up a Hayes the playoffs — without Leighton’s work during the rest of 2009-10. His goal last month. sublime play in the Montreal series helped carry Philadelphia to that Cup final in the first place. 39: Marty Murray 50: Ruslan Fedotenko Without a ton of options for No. 39, the choice is Murray, who was a solid bottom-six center with the Flyers for two seasons in the early 2000s. Fedotenko eventually made No. 26 his own in Philadelphia, but in his first After all, he’s a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame! NHL game he wore No. 50, before quickly making the switch. Considering that his only competition is Scott Sandelin (now of 40: Vinny Prospal Minnesota-Duluth coaching fame), Samuel Morin and German Rubtsov, During his second go-round in Philadelphia, Prospal donned No. 40 that’s enough to earn him the nod. instead of the No. 45 from his early days with the club. Prospal was a 51: Valtteri Filppula shrewd trade deadline acquisition from the Lightning, as he scored 14 points in 18 games to close out the 2007-08 season, and another 13 Filppula is the only feasible choice unless you give it to Patrick Sharp, points in 17 games in the playoffs, as the Flyers made a surprise run to who wore No. 51 in his first NHL game. And while he was far from an the Eastern Conference final. analytics darling, Filppula did score 41 points in 101 games with the Flyers. 41: Andrej Meszaros 52: That’s Barry Ashbee Trophy winner Andrej Meszaros to you. It came down to Fedoruk — who wore No. 52 during his first 10 games 42: before switching to No. 29 — and Nick Cousins, who kept it for 53 One-hit wonder was considered, but Esche is the obvious games. So what’s the tiebreaker? This video — after all, no one liked choice. He teamed with Cechmanek to win the Jennings award in 2002- . 03, and delivered a strong showing as the primary starter in 2003-04, 53: Shayne Gostisbehere backstopping the Flyers all the way to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final. He even represented the United States at the 2006 Olympic “If I’m given a number, I’m given it for a reason. I’ll make that number my Games. own.” That’s exactly what Gostisbehere did with his development camp No. 53 during his rookie season, racking up 46 points in 64 games and 43: Martin Biron finishing second in the Calder Trophy voting. Ghost’s play has dipped in Biron is largely remembered as one of the many veteran stopgaps in goal recent years, but even if he never rediscovers his former glory, fans will during the long period between Lindbergh/Hextall and (hopefully, for always remember that magical rookie year and his even-better 2017-18 fans) Carter Hart. But his two and a half seasons in Philadelphia actually campaign. went quite well — a 0.915 save percentage over 133 appearances, along 54: Oskar Lindblom with 11 playoff victories — as Biron helped the Flyers shake off the abysmal 2006-07 season and quickly return to relevancy. Lindblom wore No. 54 for only 27 games before switching to his familiar No. 23 at the start of the 2018-19 season. Still, it feels right to include 44. Kimmo Timonen Lindblom, who was on the verge of a breakout offensive season before If Timonen isn’t a franchise legend, he qualifies at least as a major folk being diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in December. hero. No one laid his body on the line for his team more often, which lent 55: Chris Gratton added weight to the few times a year when Timonen would call out his team in the locker room after an embarrassing loss. Oh, and he could Was Gratton mostly a bust in Philadelphia? Yes. But his best season by play as well, functioning as an above-average top-pair defenseman for far — a 62-point campaign in 1997-98 — came in No. 55, while he could his entire tenure in Philadelphia. Timonen was so popular that many fans manage only eight points in 26 games wearing No. 77 the following even rooted for the hated Chicago Blackhawks to win the Cup in 2015, season before being traded back to his former team, the Lightning. hoping he would end his career with a ring. Clearly, he should have stuck with 55.

45: Arron Asham 56: Claude Giroux

Rather than re-use Prospal — who wore No. 45 during his first stint with Giroux’s back! While he’ll be remembered as the best No. 28 in team the Flyers — let’s go with Asham, a useful bottom-sixer during history, Giroux sported No. 56 during a two-game emergency call-up in Philadelphia’s magical 2010 run to the Cup final. He even served as a 2007-08, and even got a chance to show off his moves in a shootout in regular linemate with Giroux during that postseason. his NHL debut.

46: Al Conroy 58: Taylor Leier

The agitating Conroy spent three seasons in Philadelphia in the early Leier never quite found his place with the Flyers, and was shipped out for ’90s before closing out his career in the Japan League. Justin Bailey in January 2019 as new GM Chuck Fletcher continued to put his stamp on the organization. But Leier did briefly find a groove as a 47: Andrew MacDonald member of the “Honey Bees” fourth line to start 2017-18, and finished his Someone just sneered. Yes, MacDonald was far from Mr. Popularity in Flyers career with seven points in 55 games. Philadelphia during his six-year Flyers tenure. But unless you want to 59: Mark Friedman give the honor to Eric Wellwood, MacDonald is the only viable choice for No. 47, and it wasn’t his fault that Holmgren overpaid him and that the Unlike Leier, there’s a real sense that Friedman’s story with the Flyers is Look, he’s the only No. 76 in team history, OK? just beginning. But until he earns a roster spot out of camp, he’ll likely keep his current No. 59 when called up to the NHL — the only No. 59 in 77: team history. A battle between two slam-dunk Hall of Famers who had brief stints in 60: Nate Raduns Philadelphia. Coffey spent more time here and was more impactful than Adam Oates. Speaking of standard-bearers for odd numbers, does anyone remember Raduns? He appeared in just one game during the 2008-09 season — a 78: Pierre-Édouard Bellemare 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 6. His linemates? Boyd Kane A low-key 2010 Flyers “what-if” game wonders how good Bellemare and Scottie Upshall. could have been in Philadelphia had he not been joined at the hip to 61: Justin Braun VandeVelde for three straight seasons. After all, he’s currently serving as the third-line center at 35 for the Avalanche, a Stanley Cup favorite if the Philippe Myers wore No. 61 for 21 games in 2018-19, but Braun is the season ever restarts. better choice here, even if he ends up spending just a season in Philadelphia. He’s lived up to all reasonable expectations in 2019-20, 79: Carter Hart helping to stabilize the penalty kill and even re-establishing himself as a As the only No. 79 in franchise history, Hart has this number on lockdown legitimate play-driving defenseman at even strength. Along with Matt for the purposes of this list. The exciting part for fans, however, is that if Niskanen, Braun has been the ideal veteran presence on the back end Hart continues along his current development path, 79 could become one for a young Flyers blue line. of the iconic Flyers numbers, and that doesn’t feel like an overstatement 62: Nicolas Aubé-Kubel in the slightest.

Aubé-Kubel likely would have been a slam-dunk choice even if he 81: Carsen Twarynski weren’t the only player in Flyers history to wear No. 62 in a meaningful Twarynski was a surprise Game 1 starter for the Flyers this season, and game. Prior to the season’s pause, NAK was becoming a fan favorite due could end up with a long-term role as a fourth-liner on the current to his stellar forechecking and deceptive skill with the puck. incarnation of the club.

65: Nate Guenin 82: Evgeny Medvedev

It was either Guenin or Kyle Greentree, and Guenin played 10 more It’s either Medvedev or Connor Bunnaman, and the selection here is the games for the Flyers, so he gets the nod. He even carved out a few Russian blueliner who posted strong advanced metrics for the Flyers but decent seasons for himself with the Colorado Avalanche from 2013-14 couldn’t earn the trust of Dave Hakstol and the coaching staff, an early through 2015-16, years after his Flyers days. warning sign of the evaluation missteps that would generate so much 66: Yanick Dupré frustration in the fan base.

Dupré’s life was cut short after a battle with leukemia, but his legacy lives 87: Donald Brashear on through multiple awards that bear his name — the “Class Guy” award, The only No. 87 in team history, Brashear is a worthy addition to the list given annually to the Flyer who best illustrates character, dignity and — a feared fighter who chipped in with some offense here and there. respect for the sport on and off the ice, and the AHL’s Dupré Memorial Was Brashear Philadelphia’s last great heavyweight before the game Award, which honors community service. And due to his one-game started to move away from those types? With apologies to Fedoruk and appearance in 1991-92 wearing No. 66, he earns a spot on our list as Jody Shelley, probably. well. 88: Eric Lindros 68: Jaromir Jagr No Flyers player wore No. 88 before Lindros, and none will ever again, Arguably the Flyers’ best free-agent signing of the last 10 years, Jagr as it hangs in the rafters at the Wells Fargo Center. A franchise legend transitioned from hero to villain faster than any player in team history, who thankfully made his peace with the organization and now can be quickly becoming a fan favorite as he helped new linemate Giroux reach appropriately honored. his ceiling as a player. Suddenly, that post-goal salute wasn’t so irritating anymore. 89: Sam Gagner

70: Danick Martel A salary-cap dump more than anything else for Arizona in the trade that sent ’s contract to the Coyotes, Gagner finally earned a full- Called up to the big club after a ridiculous hot streak to start the 2017-18 time spot in the Philadelphia lineup during the second half of 2015-16, season — 14 goals in his first 14 games for the and actually was one of the team’s more effective forwards in its six- — Martel’s luck didn’t carry over to the Flyers. He generated nine high- game playoff loss to the Washington Capitals that season. danger chances and 0.87 expected goals (per Natural Stat Trick), but multiple posts and big stops kept him off the scoreboard during his four- 92: Rick Tocchet game NHL stint. Martel was claimed off waivers by the Lightning during A second appearance on the list for Tocchet, who joins Parent and training camp in 2018. Giroux as the only double mentions. While he’s more associated with No. 72: Rob Zepp 22, upon his return to the club in 1999, Luke Richardson held the number, so Tocchet went with No. 92, which he’d worn at times with the Ah, Rob Zepp, the 33-year-old rookie netminder. During a miserable Penguins, Capitals and Coyotes. He’d wear it until his retirement in 2002. 2014-15 season, Zepp’s his first NHL victory after years of plying his trade in Germany — an overtime triumph over the Winnipeg Jets — was 93: Jakub Voracek one of the few heartwarming moments for the Flyers. Originally, Voracek was given No. 9 to begin his Flyers career, because 74: Mike Vecchione had bad memories of the frustrating Nikolay Zherdev. But before his first regular-season game, the Flyers relented, and Voracek Remember when signing Mike Vecchione out of Union College as an made No. 93 his own. In fact, Voracek is probably just one season away undrafted free agent felt like a coup by then-GM Hextall? Well, at least he from cracking the franchise’s all-time top 10 in total points. played two NHL games to go down in history as the first Flyers player to wear No. 74. 97:

75: Hal Gill A fan favorite and team leader during the final pre-lockout years, Roenick’s scoring ability and gregarious personality stand out most about Another “only one to wear the number” player. Some analytically inclined his three-season tenure in Philadelphia. Befitting his huge personality, no Flyers fans still seethe about Gill jumping into the lineup to replace Flyers player has ever worn a number larger than No. 97. Nicklas Grossmann for Game 5 of the 2013-14 playoff series against the New York Rangers, instead of internet favorite Erik Gustafsson.

76: Chris VandeVelde The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182102 Pittsburgh Penguins basis to make sure they’re ready. He’s the standard-bearer for our group.”

Mike Sullivan appreciates time at home, balances keeping Penguins Tribune Review LOADED: 04.03.2020 engaged

CHRIS ADAMSKI

Thursday, April 2, 2020 9:55 a.m.

Mike Sullivan has spent more time working on his pickleball game than Sidney Crosby has on the ice. There’s a much better chance Sullivan is lost in a hardcover novel these days than he’s finding himself immersed in an opponent’s detailed scouting report.

As in most of the rest of the world, work in the NHL is on hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic. So, Sullivan spends evenings in his home’s basement playing billiards against his son, Matthew. During a nicer day, some combination of the Pittsburgh Penguins coach’s wife, two daughters or Matthew might take him outside into the driveway to show him the finer points of the hybrid of tennis and ping-pong that is pickleball.

“We try to stay busy and stay together,” Sullivan said, of his family, during a video call with media early this week, “and have fun through the process.”

Sullivan referred to the additional time with his family as “a silver lining in this,” the “this” being the covid-19 fears that have left most people confined to their homes and the sports world suspended.

This time of year, typically, Sullivan wouldn’t have much quality time with his wife and kids because he’d be so focused on the task at hand of guiding the Penguins to peak for a postseason that was scheduled to begin next week.

Instead, the only time Sullivan is spending with Penguins players, assistant coaches or general manager Jim Rutherford is over video calls. At least, Sullivan maintains, he’s “in constant contact” with all of them.

For management, that means almost daily calls. To players, Sullivan reaches out a couple times per week. The strength and conditioning staff, Sullivan said, are in touch with players “almost daily” to deliver personalized workout regimens designed with each player’s custom needs and resources in mind.

“We’re trying to control what we can to keep ourselves ready and keep ourselves engaged in the process,” Sullivan said.

“We’ve had certain discussions as a coaching staff, trying to think through all of the possible scenarios,” Sullivan said. “We have taken this time to try and improve ourselves as a coaching staff. As a head coach, I’ve tried to take some time to self reflect and do some reading and maybe look across other endeavors and other walks of life to see how I can improve as a coach.”

For Sullivan, the method best available — perhaps the only method currently available — for seeking improvement as a hockey coach is through books.

“I enjoy reading, a lot, so I have been doing a lot of it,” Sullivan said. “During the season it’s difficult with the demands on our time as coaches to have the opportunity to do that, so I am trying to maximize it now.”

Probably the most important player Sullivan has to lean on — and vice versa — is his captain and best player, Crosby. According to Sullivan, Crosby has kept in constant touch with his teammates as well as with him.

“When I look at our team and how it operates, Sid sets the standard on and off the ice with his work ethic and his approach to the game,” Sullivan said. “Those of us who have the opportunity to watch him every day, we see how hard he works and how invested he is in helping the Penguins win games. We gain a whole other appreciation for him in circumstances like this.

“Sid sets the standard for us with his work ethic, his example, just staying ready. It’s no different in this circumstance. I know how hard he’s working to keep himself ready. He’s talking to his teammates on a consistent 1182103 Pittsburgh Penguins resumes this year or in the distant future, the Penguins will have some decisions to make. Zucker is signed through 2022-23 and Guentzel through 2023-24. The most likely scenario is Guentzel rejoins Crosby. But with as effective as Guentzel and Malkin were together, Sullivan Penguins on pause: Will Jake Guentzel get to resume his All-Star might want to at least experiment with that combination from time to time. season?

Post Gazette LOADED: 04.03.2020 Staff Report

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

The timing might have been the cruelest part.

Just hours after Jake Guentzel was named an All-Star for the first time in his career, he collided violently into the boards. The Penguins’ 25-year- old winger had just scored a dazzling goal on what very well might be his last touch on a puck in the 2019-20 regular season. But the goal horn that echoed through PPG Paints Arena was quickly turned off, as the whole building sat stunned and silent.

Before the injury, Guentzel was on pace for his second consecutive 40- goal season. There’s an argument to be made — and a pretty good one — that he was the Penguins’ best player through the first 39 games. He led the Penguins in in points (43) and goals (20) at the time of the injury on Dec. 30.

That moment, in some ways, was also the turning point in the Penguins season. The Penguins were 24-11-4 before Guentzel’s shoulder surgery. They went just 16-12-2 after.

During a season in which so many significant players missed so much time, Guentzel was one of the few constants keeping a rapidly evolving team photo in focus. When Evgeni Malkin went down with an injury just days into the season, Guentzel and Sidney Crosby helped carry the Penguins. Guentzel tallied 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in the 17 games with the captain. Then, when Crosby went down, Guentzel somehow was even better with Malkin. He posted 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in the 21 games without Crosby.

The chemistry Guentzel, Malkin and Bryan Rust found was almost instantaneous. And why wouldn’t it be? A 40-goal scorer in Guentzel. A former Hart Trophy winner in Malkin. Rust in the middle of his career year. Yeah, that should work.

When Guentzel underwent shoulder surgery in the hours after the collision, the Penguins estimated he’d miss four to six months. With the NHL season now paused, the extra couple months of recovery might be the difference between Guentzel finishing his season in the press box and him contributing to a Stanley Cup run.

Of course, that assumes the NHL returns this summer. At this point, that might be a big assumption.

DEFINING MOMENT: Midway through the third period of the Penguins’ 5-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, Rust zipped a pass to Malkin on the left side of the goal mouth. Malkin creatively fed the puck across the crease. Racing at full speed, Guentzel tipped the puck in with the skill of a 40-goal scorer. But as he extended his stick, Guentzel tripped over Thomas Chabot and flew into the wall.

STAT THAT STANDS OUT: In the 21 games without Crosby, Guentzel tallied 12 goals and 17 assists to lead the Penguins to a 14-5-3 record.

IF THE SEASON RESUMES: Might Guentzel’s season resume along with it? Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford and coach Mike Sullivan both seem confident Guentzel will be back at some point during a postseason run. The Penguins initially estimated he’d miss four to six months, which means he could be health enough to play as soon as the end of April. The NHL plans to abide by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations to limit mass gatherings until at least the middle of May. At this point, it’s probably time to stop worrying if Guentzel will return and instead wonder if the season will.

LONG-TERM OUTLOOK: Rutherford is always aggressive in the trade market. But Guentzel’s injury added even more reason to go out and get Jason Zucker from Minnesota. When the season was postponed, Zucker was playing alongside Crosby on the top line. Whether the season 1182104 Pittsburgh Penguins “I was selling radio time for years,” Steigerwald explained. “We worked with some of the same people.”

At this time, the Penguins’ staff was about as small as was the The man, the myth, the legend: On Paul Steigerwald’s Penguins’ franchise’s championship aspirations. There were a couple of people in odyssey the ticketing department, a couple in the marketing department. That was about it.

“When the Penguins made the playoffs, they had to print the tickets and By Josh Yohe mail them to people in time for the game,” Steigerwald said. “And about two people were in charge of the whole thing. That’s just how it was Apr 2, 2020 then.”

Lerose informed Steigerwald that there was an opening to work under It was late afternoon in the summer of 1984 and Paul Steigerwald, then him in the marketing department and, just like that, Steigerwald was a the Penguins’ 29-year-old marketing director, was preparing to leave his Pittsburgh Penguins employee. While marketing would mark his start office for the day. Paul Martha, the Penguins president at the with the Penguins, Steigerwald always knew being behind the time, then asked Steigerwald a question that didn’t require much time to microphone was his mission. answer. “My first day on the job, Don took me into Paul Martha’s office,” “Hey Paul,” Martha said. “Mario’s coming to town. We’re sending a limo Steigerwald said. “When I walked in, I took a tape recorder for them to to the airport to get him. Do you want to be the person who picks him hear my play-by-play.” up?” Then came a swerve that temporarily pushed Steigerwald higher into the It was only fitting that Steigerwald would be the man to introduce the marketing ranks. Penguins’ savior to Pittsburgh. This season marks 40 years of marriage “Two weeks later, Don Larose takes a job as GM of the Meadows between Steigerwald and the Penguins and, through those four decades, Racetrack,” Steigerwald said. “I couldn’t believe it. So he left the he has navigated his way through bankruptcies, five Stanley Cup Penguins abruptly. He sat down with a legal pad, showing me every championships, superstars, icons on the ice and in the broadcast booth, aspect of being marketing director. Sponsorships. Tickets. The radio incompetent front offices in the 1970s and one of the most sophisticated deal. TV deal. Sponsors. We had three big ones: Pepsi, Budweiser and organizations in all of sports in today’s era. He has been a part of Dollar Bank. I had to learn it all pretty quickly.” everything, a bridge between the Penguins and a city that has gradually fallen in love with hockey. The early 1980s marked rough times for the Penguins, as the team became a laughingstock from 1982-84. They were the worst team in “If you had beamed me into the future from 40 years ago to now, young hockey and played before an average of 6,800 fans per game. At that Paul Steigerwald would have been blown away,” Steigerwald said. “I’ve time, it was hard for Steigerwald to imagine his life’s work being with the enjoyed the ride so much.” Penguins. Early mornings at South Park Then, along came Lemieux. Growing up in the 1960s in Pittsburgh South Hills, Steigerwald developed ‘He knew he would save the franchise’ an immediate affection for hockey during a time when Roberto Clemente and the Pirates ruled Pittsburgh. Lemieux’s start with the Penguins wasn’t ideal. He was involved in a contract dispute with the team and refused to wear a Penguins sweater His older brother, John, himself a big name in Pittsburgh media for many at the 1984 NHL Draft in Montreal. Still, the city was excited to see decades, recalls vividly young Paul’s penchant for the sport that Lemieux, who scouts believed to be perhaps the most gifted 18-year-old possessed a cult following in those days. in history. “He had a rare love for the game,” John Steigerwald said. “I would be Steigerwald sat in the passenger seat of a town car waiting for him to coming home at 4 in the morning from a night of bar hopping, and he arrive. would be sitting on the end of his bed, putting his goalie gear on for a 5 a.m. game at South Park’s outdoor rink.” “We were sitting in the circular driveway at the old Pittsburgh airport,” Steigerwald said. “Then, there he was.” There are three generations of hockey supporters in Pittsburgh: The Sidney Crosby boom, the Mario Lemieux boom, and those who were Lemieux arrived with his father, Jean-Guy, and his agent at the time, Bob there from the very beginning. Steigerwald is a charter member of the Perno. original group of Penguins’ people, the group of sports fans who appreciated the Steelers’ meteoric rise and the Pirates’ tradition, but still “Mario’s dad didn’t speak a word of English,” Steigerwald said. “Bob was found hockey and the brand new franchise playing at Civic Arena to be doing all of the talking. Mario was just quiet. So quiet. You could see that the most appealing of the three. he was taking it all in.”

As the Penguins were entering the NHL in 1967, Steigerwald was They traveled on the parkway toward the Fort Pitt Tunnel. Steigerwald already grooming himself for his future. sensed it was a big moment, as Lemieux would finally be witness to the city that would become his new home. “I used to listen to him doing play-by-play on his table-top hockey game when he was 11 or 12 years old,” John Steigerwald said. “How many “I turned around and said, ‘Mario, wait until we go through the tunnel. guys do you know who knew exactly what they wanted to be when they You’re going to see the whole city. It’s pretty cool,'” Steigerwald said. were 11 or 12 and ended up doing exactly that?” “And then, we went through the tunnel. Mario didn’t say anything, but he gave me this look. And it was clear that he was impressed. It was a look The ultimate crash course of approval.”

After graduating from Kent State, Steigerwald was hopeful to begin a That the stoic Lemieux was immediately introduced to Steigerwald was hockey play-by-play career. He sent tapes of himself around the hockey perfect. Lemieux spoke limited English and is naturally shy. Steigerwald world and managed to land a job in Johnstown calling games for the Red is the ultimate extrovert. Wings’ Eastern Hockey League affiliate. It wasn’t the dream job, but it was a start. “Of all the people I’ve come across in my 11 years working for the Penguins, nobody has proven to be as entertaining as Steigy,” Penguins Steigerwald was living in Johnstown during the 1979-80 season when traveling secretary Jason Seidling said. “He is a one-of-a-kind character connections merged to direct him back to Pittsburgh. who ranks as one of the most influential hockey personalities ever here in Pittsburgh.” Don Lerose was the Penguins marketing director at this time and, by all accounts, was a good one. Lerose had crossed paths with Steigerwald Lemieux has always been fiercely loyal. From the broadcast booth, to the previously. front office, to the coaching staff, many of Lemieux’s former teammates and associates have jobs with the Penguins. His affection for Steigerwald is well known and, from the very beginning, the young marketing director Lange and Steigerwald remained primary pieces in the Penguins’ sensed the Penguins’ fortunes were about to change. growing media empire through the turn of the century. Former players who happened to be gifted behind the microphone — namely Phil Marketing of the Penguins was about to become the marketing of Mario. Bourque, Bob Errey and Eddie Olczyk — became fixtures on Penguins’ Even to this day, in some ways, he remains a larger than life figure who broadcasts, but Steigerwald remained integral and ultimately found is bigger than the franchise, bigger than the game. Lemieux and himself living his play-by-play dream on the radio side while Lange Steigerwald were a perfect match from the very beginning, and a remained the television broadcaster for Fox Sports Net. necessary one. “I liked doing radio,” Steigerwald said. “I would have been OK doing it “Mario went along with it all,” Steigerwald said. “I think he enjoyed the forever.” idea of being the guy even though he isn’t the type to seek any kind of attention. He knew right from the time he got to Pittsburgh innately that However, following Sidney Crosby’s rookie season, an opportunity he was the savior, the future. He knew he would save the franchise. He opened for Steigerwald. Lange found himself in a contract dispute with just knew. He had a real sense of his future greatness. He took Wayne Fox Sports Net, and Steigerwald was offered his job as lead television Gretzky’s number and turned it upside down, after all. He had that utter play-by-play man. confidence. It was there immediately, from Day 1. He knew he was there to save us. And he was willing to do whatever we needed from a He took it. Some in the fan base have never forgiven him, as some marketing standpoint. He was shy. But he went with it. He liked portrayed it as disloyalty to Lange. Steigerwald explained the situation Pittsburgh from the start.” and his mindset.

And so it began “They decided to go with me on TV,” he said. “Sometimes decisions are made above you that you go along with. Everybody has a boss. In that Still the marketing director, Steigerwald was slowly receiving case, it was a decision that had been made. I was offered the job and I opportunities in broadcasting. He would interview players for between- took it. I knew it wasn’t going to be the easiest thing. But at that point in period programming and for pregame shows. my career and with the amount of money I was going to make, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I was essentially told that if I didn’t take the job, While still maintaining his marketing work — the staff was augmented by someone else would, that Mike wouldn’t be the guy either way. It was the likes of Tom Rooney and Bill Strong, giving the Penguins a trio of very awkward for everyone, myself included.” marketers who developed the memorable Boys of Winter slogan, among many other tidbits that became household names in the 80s — Steigerwald speaks of Lange with the same adoration as he does when Steigerwald was becoming a name brand to Penguins fans. he speaks of Lemieux.

Then came the 1983-84 season, which produced one of the worst “Working with Mike all of those years was an incredible experience,” he hockey teams in history, a team so bad that it gave the Penguins the said. “He’s the greatest. A genius.” opportunity to draft Lemieux. Steigerwald was the TV play-by-play man for 11 seasons for Root Sports In the early days of ’s career, he was a one-man show in the and worked alongside Errey, which wasn’t all that coincidental. During radio booth. Penguins games in those days were rarely televised. Steigerwald’s early foray into working on television, in the 1985-86 season, he was forced into play-by-play duty for one night on television. “And he did it well,” Steigerwald said of Lange. “His genius was on Lange was working for ESPN on Dec. 31, 1985, which forced display.” Steigerwald into the play-by-play role during a win in St. Louis that In the early 80s, Lange’s broadcast partner on TV was Terry Schiffhauer. featured a Lemieux four-goal game. Steigerwald needed someone to join However, Schiffhauer abruptly resigned in the middle of the season and him for the telecast, so he invited a 20-year-old Errey onto the broadcast told Steigerwald he was the best man for the job. as his color man. Errey was a scratch that game.

“And that was that,” Steigerwald said. “They just put me on the air. That’s “Bobby was so good,” said Steigerwald. how it was then. No process at all.” Years later, Steigerwald pushed for Errey to get hired as a color Steigerwald broadcasted a handful of games with Lange. Starting in the commentator after his 2001 comeback bid attempt as a player failed in 1985-86 season, he became Lange’s full-time partner. training camp.

Long an admirer of Lange’s talent, Steigerwald listened to the master’s The two remain close even as Errey now works with Steve Mears, who advice. was hired to replace Steigerwald in 2017.

“We developed a good chemistry,” Steigerwald said. “It took us a while. “I don’t have enough good things to say about Steigy,” Errey said. “He Mike told me it would take five years for me to get good. It took me 10 should be in the Hall of Fame. He has 40 years with the Penguins and years. There are probably those who will say I was never good.” has more passion than I have ever seen a person have for the game. And for the Penguins. He always asked the tough questions. Tried to get Steigerwald was one of a handful of color analysts who didn’t play in the the answers. He cultivated some great conversation and always made NHL. It was a reality that made insecurity a given. you think. He made me better. And is a good friend. He was a good partner.” “I felt a little miscast,” he explained. “As I was getting entrenched, the guys who were doing what I was doing were former players. There were It’s no secret in Penguins circles that the relationship between Lange and a couple around the league but not very many. I was the last of a dying Steigerwald became strained by the 2006 decision to offer Steigerwald breed. So I felt miscast and I was working with a legend. We all knew the TV job. Steigerwald prefers to focus on the positives. how great he was. I never totally felt comfortable in that role. I was doing my best. But it was not comfortable for me. But what was I going to do? “It all worked out in the long run, in a sense,” he said. “If you look at the Say no? I enjoyed doing the job. But I often would feel inadequate.” way the landscape has changed, local TV guys only do the playoffs through the first round. Mike never would have been on the air in 2009, Still, Steigerwald’s knowledge of the game became quite evident during 2016 or 2017 during those Cup runs if not for him being on radio. I’m glad his run as Lange’s color commentator. The duo called the 1991 and 1992 he had the opportunity. It wouldn’t have been the same for Penguins fans Stanley Cup runs together during Lemieux’s prime, a cherished era for if they didn’t get to hear Mike call those Cup wins. He’s become a bigger Penguins fans. Steigerwald used two of his greatest qualities during this legend through the years and a new generation of Penguins fans has time: his knowledge of the game and his likability. had the chance to enjoy him. I’m happy about that.”

“What impressed me was when I watched him work on the road when I The future was covering the Penguins’ first Cup run,” John Steigerwald said. “He would go into the opponent’s locker room and those players would say, Steigerwald was removed from TV in 2017 but retains a job in the ‘Hey Steigy.’ He worked those locker rooms and would get great nuggets organization as a communications specialist. The job seems secondary to use during the telecast. Nobody in the Pittsburgh media knows the to his persona, though. He could receive money just to play the character game better than he does. And nobody in Pittsburgh likes hockey more of Steigy and no one would complain. than he does.” So long as Steigerwald is in the locker room, at the rink, and around The controversy everyone who is involved with the Penguins, all seems right with the world. No one could crack a joke, make a keen observation about the game, say whatever everyone is thinking and then ask you to lunch quite like Steigerwald. Hockey is a game of characters and people, and few characters are quite like the man known as Steigy.

“Steigy is a true renaissance man with many passions in life, but without question, his biggest passion is his love for the Penguins,” Seidling said. “Over the past 40 years, Steigy has enjoyed a front-row seat for the many ups and downs that the franchise has experienced. Thanks to his unique style of storytelling that seems to endear him to everyone, he has ensured these memories will pass down to future generations of Penguins fans courtesy of all the stories he has shared throughout the years with those of us who have had the fortune of working with him at the rink every day .”

“One thing I’ve always loved about hockey is that there are a lot of old- timers in the game,” he said. “They’re considered an institution. Guys like . I’d see Red Fisher in Montreal. I like to think of myself as a lifer. I looked like I was 16 when I started with the Penguins. I’ve always looked younger than my years, even though I’ve lost my hair. I think I have a youthful persona. My passion for hockey burns just as strong now as it did in 1980. I want to continue to do it.”

Growing up in the Penguins organization has taught Steigerwald much about life and dealing with adversity, something that’s coming in handy in today’s climate.

“It does get darkest before the dawn,” he said. “That’s true in life and it’s been true with the Penguins. When you live through the specter of bankruptcies and all the things this franchise has been through, you learn to be optimistic about the future. These are difficult times for all of us. But I just want people to remember that times like this are always followed by great times, and I hope that’s the case. And I think it will be the case this time.”

When hockey resumes once again, Steigerwald plans on being part of the show, just as he has for four decades.

“I owe everything I am and everything I have to the Penguins,” he said. “I want to work for them for another 20 years. Well, maybe not that long. But maybe I do. I’m not riding into the sunset yet.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182105 Pittsburgh Penguins The late Dan Rooney said in 2014, at the time of Greene’s impending number retirement ceremony, that the Steelers “probably wouldn’t do another player” because “we had too many great players and won’t have enough numbers.” Pressed, Rooney said that if another Steeler was to How well do you know Pittsburgh’s famous numbers? receive the Stautner/Greene treatment, “I’d say it should be Franco.”

That would be Franco Harris, who has had to settle for having a statue of his likeness appearing next to one honoring George Washington — yes, Rob Rossi that Washington — greeting arriving passengers at the Pittsburgh Apr 2, 2020 International Airport.

Harris is the last player to wear No. 32 for the Steelers. He is one of a select few all-time Steelers whose number is not retired but also hasn’t No Pittsburgh children were harmed for the writing of this article. But a been worn since he last played in Pittsburgh. few were asked to name a local athlete who wore the following numbers: 21, 66 and 75. Non-Retired Numbers Not Used By Steelers

It was No. 75 that stumped them.

Still, at least their parents quickly informed that No. 75 was “Mean Joe’s 12 number.” And when the kids looked upon their folks with indifference, one 1983 father said, “He’s like the Mario and Clemente of the Steelers.” Terry Nofsinger At that point, that father’s daughter revealed an a-ha expression. Franco Harris A novel coronavirus pandemic has forced families inside their homes, pushed parents to find creative ways to entertain children — many of 32 whom would have otherwise been switching from winter to spring sports. So, it wasn’t all that weird of a request to have friends make games out of 1983 identifying which popular athletes by the numbers they wore while Hubie Bryant playing for Pittsburgh’s professional teams. Jerome Bettis Try it. Should be a good time. 36 Of course, anybody reading this should have an easy time with any number of, well, numbers. 2005

Take 66. It is and forever will be Mario Lemieux’s number. In hockey. In Fred Foggie any sport. Troy Polamalu The degree to which 66 and Lemieux are symbiotic in Pittsburgh is such that a lot of people believed Alan Faneca, a Steelers guard whose on- 43 field excellence has brought him to the doorstep of the Pro Football Hall 2014 of Fame, should wear another number. As if the Penguins and Steelers have anything to do with one another. George Jones

Thing is, they do. Mike Webster

In Pittsburgh, the three pro teams all wear the city’s colors: black and 52 gold. (Our gold is your yellow, just so everybody is on the same page.) 1989 It isn’t this way in other cities. Pittsburgh isn’t like other cities in a lot of ways. Still, the teams all wearing the city’s colors has created this Jim O’Shea strange dynamic in which, say, seeing Roberto Clemente’s No. 21 worn Jack Lambert by any local athlete has probably caused every native to at one point think, “Why would that guy want Roberto’s number?” 58

Well, 24 other players have donned No. 21 in Pittsburgh. It’s actually 1984 been retired by another franchise. Read Stephen Nesbitt’s deep dive into Michel Brière, please and thank you. Chuck Allen

It’s a twisted truth that only 20 months separated the shocking deaths of Dermontti Dawson Brière and Clemente. It’s also probably a good thing that none of the 22 63 Steelers to wear No. 21 have ever threatened to make that number their own in Pittsburgh. 2000

Who could? Also, what can be made of this next nugget? Robert Washington

The first of 14 Pirates to wear No. 21 before Clemente was Arky Hines Ward Vaughan. He had it for eight summers, starting in 1932. For one of those 86 summers’ ensuing winters (1935), John Vaughan became the first Steeler with No. 21. 2011

Small world. Or city, anyway. John Farquhar

Back to Joe Greene. His No. 75 is one of only two retired by the Steelers. Legends who are out of luck: Jack Ham, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth The other is ’s No. 70. and Rod Woodson.

By the way, only five other Pittsburgh pro athletes have worn No. 70. Todd Seabaugh — yes, that Seabaugh (wait, who?) — wore Ham’s No. Darwin Horn before Stautner, and Jared Hughes, George Kontos, Yefry 59 in 1984. Wisely, the Steelers have since never offered it to another Ramirez and Tyler Lyons with the Pirates. player.

The Pirates have retired nine numbers (excluding Jackie Robinson’s No. There have been 22 players to wear either Stallworth’s No. 82 or 42, which is retired by ). The Steelers and Swann’s No. 88. The notable 82s include a wide receiver who caught Penguins have each retired two numbers. (Yancey Thigpen) and threw (Antwaan Randel El) touchdown passes in a Super Bowl. As for 88s, uh, Andre Hastings and Emmanuel Sanders didn’t look bad in a Steelers uniform. The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 Probably, some fans would have liked to see Sanders again in a Steelers uniform.

Alas, he said that Ben Roethlisberger wouldn’t have been cool with that development. If accurate, it would explain why a reunion didn’t happen.

Ask a local Pittsburgh kid what number Big Ben wears and they know. His No. 7 won’t be worn again by a Steeler, and Roethlisberger has probably ruined the number for any Pittsburgh athlete.

A Pirates player hasn’t worn No. 7 since 2013, when it was donned by Alex Presley. Kevin Czuczman had it with the Penguins before the NHL paused its season, but most of the great days for hockey in Pittsburgh were when No. 7 belonged to Matt Cullen or Joey Mullen.

All due respect, of course, to Paul Martin. A fine No. 7 he was for the Penguins. The Pirates have their own challenges with the number. More on those later. Jack Kemp (1957) and Pete Gonzalez (1998-99) are names most Pittsburghers probably know — just not for their days as Steelers quarterbacks who were No. 7.

Nope, 7 in Pittsburgh will forever belong to Roethlisberger.

Sorta.

The numeral is also unmistakably associated with the Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin era for the Penguins. Their Nos. 87 and 71, respectively, will one day hang from the rafters at PPG Paints Arena. No less an authority than Lemieux has mandated as much.

Crosby deserves to be the only Penguin to wear No. 87. Given how beloved he is, the other Pittsburgh teams might want to scrap plans to put 87 on the back of future football and baseball players. Even if those players might “do for the (insert team here) what Crosby did for the Penguins," as some reporter at some point might write about some prospect headed to Pittsburgh.

Don't be that reporter.

Like, who would want the burden of transforming a franchise, getting a new stadium funded and becoming the player of a generation?

Nobody.

Malkin might have been up for the task, but his historic partnership with Crosby means nobody will ever know what he could have done on his own. No. 71 has been so superb as a No. 2, it might not be known by many people now that Jiri Slegr and Konstantin Koltsov wore No. 71 before Malkin.

Geno, like Sid, gets last dibs for his number. As will Jaromir Jagr, who recently told Phil Bourque he will be back in Pittsburgh to see his No. 68 — not worn by a Penguin before or since Jagr’s 11 unforgettable seasons — retired.

Bourque wore No. 29. He is one of 14 who had it for the Penguins, and the group includes current general manager Jim Rutherford.

As a player, Bourque was called many things. The most affectionate moniker was “29’er.”

Then Marc-Andre Fleury became the No. 1 overall pick in 2003. Within months, the prodigious goalie had taken No. 29 from Brooks Orpik, who along with former 40-goal winger Rob Brown is one of the most prominent nine No. 44s for the Penguins.

Fleury also forced Bourque to adjust his nickname. He is now “the ol’ 29’er,” which is easier to say than write.

Orpik isn’t alone among Pittsburgh pro athletes who had another number before putting on the one for which they will be remembered. was No. 9 when he joined the Penguins, but No. 10 for all but the first run of a tenure that lasted parts of eight seasons. Barry Bonds broke in wearing No. 7 with the Pirates but won his two MVPs in No. 24.

Look, it happens.

Oh, and if making a game of all this, ask this question: Who is the best Pittsburgh athlete to wear No. 13?

Good luck doing better than Marino, a local boy, and the No. 13 in Pittsburgh.

But do you know what number Clemente originally wore with the Pirates? 1182106 San Jose Sharks enough groundwork to be able to start training camp — whenever that might be — on the right foot.

Before the coaching change, the Sharks were last in the league in Sharks GM says Bob Boughner has “upper hand” to be coach next allowing 5-on-5 goals against — 88 in just 33 games. They were also, season according to Boughner, 30th in the NHL is allowing odd man rushes.

In 37 games under Boughner, the Sharks allowed 74 goals at 5-on-5 — seventh best in the NHL in that time. They were also eighth in odd man By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay rushes against, Boughner said. Area News Group “You can’t constantly be 30th against the rush and 30th in the high PUBLISHED: April 2, 2020 at 3:40 p.m. | UPDATED: April 2, 2020 at scoring areas against. I don’t care who you have in net,” Boughner said 10:04 p.m. Thursday. “Those were changes that needed to be made.”

Injury updates

General manager Doug Wilson on Thursday didn’t name Bob Boughner Wilson said Hertl is “well ahead of schedule” in his rehabilitation from torn the Sharks’ head coach for next season and beyond. But he also made it anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee. clear he liked the job Boughner did after he took over for Pete DeBoer, “Everything is going extremely well,” Wilson said, “and there should be who was fired Dec. 11. no doubts with him being ready when next season starts, too.”

“I was pleased to see some of the overall play improve over the last half Wilson said both Couture (concussion) and Karlsson are close to being of the year,” Wilson said on a conference call with reporters. “There were fully healthy, leaving the door open for each of them to return should the times more often than not that we were playing the game the right way.” NHL resume its regular season. Couture’s injury took place March 8 in a game against the Colorado Avalanche and Karlsson had surgery shortly The NHL paused it season March 12 over growing concerns over the after his Feb. 14 injury. spread of the coronavirus, which has killed thousands across the U.S. There is no timeline yet for when or if the NHL might resume play. “Logan is feeling really good. I talked to him quite a few times the last little while. He’s used the time really well,’ Wilson said. Wilson said once the Sharks’ season is complete, he will sit down with members of the coaching staff and the players to do a full review.

A number of high-profile coaches with more NHL experience behind the San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.03.2020 bench than Boughner are without work, including , and Gerard Gallant, who were all let go by their respective former teams earlier this season.

However, Wilson noted that Boughner, starting with his first stint with the Sharks as an assistant coach from 2015-2017, is the one most familiar with the team’s personnel.

Boughner left the Sharks in 2017 to be the head coach of the Florida Panthers. He was 80-62-22 in two playoff-less seasons and was fired in April 2019. He returned to the Sharks to be a part of DeBoer’s staff less than two months later.

“We just have to be very thorough through the process because we have this time and opportunity,” Wilson said. “Does Bob know our group and have the upper hand in the process? Absolutely. But I think you have to be thorough in this process.”

After DeBoer and assistants , Dave Barr and Johan Hedberg were let go, Boughner’s staff was rounded out by Roy Sommer, Mike Ricci and Evgeni Nabokov.

“I think (Boughner) and his staff did a lot of good things,” Wilson said. “They were certainly hamstrung with a lot of our top players out at times and going with a patchwork lineup. But the things we were looking for, I thought were addressed.”

The Sharks (29-36-5) had a 14-20-3 record this season under Boughner. At the time of the stoppage, they were in 15th and last place in the Western Conference.

The Sharks were 4-4-2 with Boughner from Dec. 12 to Jan. 5 before injuries began to take their toll, as center Logan Couture suffered a fractured ankle Jan. 7 and Tomas Hertl (knee) and Erik Karlsson (thumb) had their injuries in late January and mid-February, respectively.

In that three-plus week stretch with their top players available, the Sharks allowed an average of 3.09 goals per game, which ranked 15th in the NHL.

Before the coaching change, the Sharks allowed 3.42 goals per game, 29th in the 31-team NHL.

“(We’ve) talked a lot about how we want to play, and ultimately getting your team to commit to playing the right way for longer periods of time, irregardless of your talent level,” Wilson said.

The injuries, and the arrival of the trade deadline that saw Brenden Dillon, Patrick Marleau and Barclay Goodrow all shipped out, mainly for draft picks, sealed the Sharks’ fate as team that would miss the postseason. If Boughner returns, though, he hopes he’s been able to lay 1182107 San Jose Sharks Kopitar, Jeff Carter and Kris Versteeg, all in under a nine-minute span, tied the game 3-3.

“The building is lit up and you can feel the atmosphere,” Boughner said. Bob Boughner: Series-clinching win vs. Kings was “launching pad” to “Thank god the period ended when it did. It felt like the ice was tilted Stanley Cup final there for a bit.”

The mood in the Sharks’ locker room wasn’t one of panic, though, as DeBoer relayed a clear message: We’re right where we want to be. By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group “For me, being in my first year in San Jose, you can feel the room and look around. You had (Joe Thornton) and Marleau and Pavelski, Paul April 2, 2020 at 12:43 p.m. Martin, Joel Ward,” Boughner said. “Older guys, and you didn’t see a lot of panic there. It wasn’t a very emotional room. You could tell that the

guys were fine, and they were going to go out and play our game. Over the next few weeks, NBC Sports California will be re-airing several “We’ve got to win a period to win a series.” classic Sharks games on nights they were scheduled to play before the NHL paused its season indefinitely amid the coronavirus pandemic. This Donskoi scored his second of the game at the 3:58 mark of the third week, Sharks interim coach Bob Boughner spoke with Bay Area News period off assists from Burns and Couture to break the tie and settle Group about his memories from the team’s game with the Los Angeles down the capacity crowd. Pavelski scored his first of the game and fifth of Kings on April 22, 2016, Game 5 of their first round series. the series with less than eight minutes left in regulation time. Melker Karlsson scored an empty netter with 22 seconds left to seal the win, and The Sharks were a confident group to start the 2016 NHL playoffs. They clinch the series. had gone 28-12-4 during the second half of the regular season to finish third in the Pacific Division, earning a postseason spot after missing out The Sharks also took just one penalty in the game, and allowed just 22 the year before. shots.

But it wouldn’t mean much without playoff success, and the Sharks had “The way we won that series really set up a good run for us,” Boughner to start things off with the team that handed them crushing postseason said, as the Sharks would go on to beat Nashville in seven games and losses in 2013 and 2014 — the . St. Louis in six games to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time. “That was a huge motivating factor for our players,” Boughner, then an assistant under first-year coach Pete DeBoer, said. “From our standpoint “We felt really good about our game. We came out of it good and healthy. as a staff, being a new staff, we didn’t have that emotional tie to that. That sort of sling-shotted us into the second round and built some momentum. I thought it did wonders for the team’s confidence.” “Second half, we were playing so well that no matter who the matchup was for us as a staff, we were just concentrating on getting through the It also gave the Sharks a bit of rest between rounds. Game 5 against the first round with this team.” Kings was on April 22. Game 1 of their series with the Predators was April 29. The Sharks had gone 3-1-1 against the Kings in the regular season, which included two victories at Staples Center. That would be their last extended break. By the time the Sharks won the Western Conference Final on May 25, they had played 18 games in 42 Even though the first four games of the playoff series were all decided by days, including three overtime games. one goal, that success continued as the Sharks took a 3-1 series lead. They won the first two games in Los Angeles. In San Jose, they lost 2-1 “Everybody knows our travel schedule and who we played in the second in overtime in Game 3 rebounded to capture Game 4 — scoring three and third round and the travel that we had, with St. Louis and Nashville, times on the power play in a 3-2 win. basically flying cross country,” Boughner said. “I think that attributed (to losing) in the final to Pittsburgh, We lost some guys to injury. We were Such a commanding lead in a series against the Kings only evoked beat up, traveling across the country basically for the next three rounds memories of 2014, though. After losing the first three games, Los after L.A. Angeles came back to win the final four, move onto the second round and later win the Stanley Cup. “But to win that round against L.A. was a little bit of redemption, exorcised the demons and really put us in a launching pad.” “Going into Game 5 and obviously knowing that’s sort of a make-or-break game for you,” Boughner said. “It’s a huge momentum game. Either ending the series or giving the other team life.” San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.03.2020 This was a different Sharks team, though, with a new goalie in Martin Jones and a first-year captain in Joe Pavelski. Ten players had at least one point in the first four games, with Pavelski and Brent Burns collecting five points each.

That trend of getting production from a variety of sources would continue early in Game 5.

Joonas Donskoi scored early in the first period, Chris Tierney scored midway through the first, and Matt Nieto gave the Sharks a 3-0 at the 4:05 mark of the second.

The goals were examples of what the Sharks wanted to do against Kings goalie : Get to the net.

“One of the things we were talking about was getting traffic on Quick,” Boughner said. “He wasn’t a very big goalie. We wanted to crash the net hard on him. Our first three goals were all the same. (Logan Couture) was in the goalie’s eyes on the first one, (Tommy) Wingels on the second one. Nieto scored on a jam play in the blue paint, but you’ve got (Joel) Ward in front of the goalie.

“We knew what we wanted to accomplish in that game was really attack. Quick’s aggressive and he pushes so far out. We wanted to be in tight around the blue and all three goals happened that way.”

Patrick Marleau missed a penalty shot attempt at the 5:31 mark of the second period, and that seemed to wake up the Kings. Goals by Anze 1182108 San Jose Sharks “That was huge for me. That just showed that they truly do care about their players.”

Pasichnuk also liked how the AHL and NHL teams were in the same city, Can Brinson Pasichnuk go straight from Arizona State to the NHL? “I allowing he and his wife to find a place to live right away. think he’s ready” “It’s definitely a huge advantage to make sure we’re in the same city no matter what happens,” Pasichnuk said.

By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay The Sharks already have several left shot defensemen with at least some Area News Group NHL experience, including mainstays Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Radim Simek and now-rookie Mario Ferraro. The Sharks did play four left shot PUBLISHED: April 2, 2020 at 5:01 a.m. | UPDATED: April 2, 2020 at defensemen for most of the season, with Ferraro often playing on the 5:37 a.m. right side.

If the Sharks stay with four left shot defensemen, that would at least open the door for Pasichnuk to play in the NHL at some point this or next Greg Powers might be a bit biased. But the Arizona State hockey coach season. Otherwise he will probably be better served spending time in the didn’t hesitate Wednesday when asked how close defenseman Brinson AHL with the Barracuda. Pasichnuk might be to playing in the NHL. “You have to look at their depth chart, left shot d-men and right shot d- “I think he’s ready,” Powers said of Pasichnuk, 22, who earlier this week men. Future draft picks and all of that stuff,” Pasichnuk said. “At the end agreed to terms with the Sharks. of the day, it was just (about) how much character San Jose had. I really “Seeing kids that we played against that are playing at that level on an feel like there’s a great opportunity there to hopefully get some NHL everyday basis that in my opinion didn’t have half the impact in college experience.” hockey that he did for us.” “I think he’s physically ready,” Powers said. “He’s going to be able to There’s no question Pasichnuk made a lasting mark in Tempe, helping skate at that level and I believe defend at that level because of his what was a fledgling Division I program in 2016 become one that finished compete level and just the natural physical ability that he has.” this year ranked 13th in the country.

Now it’s a matter of what kind of impact he’ll have as a professional. He’s San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.03.2020 thickly built at 5-foot-10 and just over 200 pounds, so size isn’t necessarily an issue, and Powers noted Pasichnuk’s compete level and defensive awareness, as he played 28 to 30 minutes per game at ASU.

Still, there appears to be some question about his skating, and how that might hinder how he plays with the puck on his stick when he has less time and space to operate.

“It’s a huge step to the pro level,” Pasichnuk said. “I am a confident guy but by no means a cocky guy. I hope I can bring my style of game to their organization.

“But it is a big jump, so it’s going to take some adjusting. Learning how to be more sound defensively and you do have less time to make decisions. I really hope I can continue to get better on defense and being a great first pass defenseman and still being confident on the offensive blue line to do the odd spin-o-rama.”

Pasichnuk is waiting to see how the rest of the NHL season unfolds before he officially signs a two-year entry level contract.

If the league is able to resume the 2019-2020 regular season, he’ll sign then to burn a year off his deal. If the NHL, which paused its season March 12, is not able to resume, he’ll sign once that decision by the league becomes official.

Pasichnuk, who attended San Jose’s 2019 development camp and has had a relationship with the team for about 14 months, said the Sharks offered him a contract last year.

He said, though, he wanted to return to the Sun Devils to be with his new wife, Halle — who also attended ASU — finish his degree, continue to play with his brother, Steenn, and make a run at an NCAA title.

“They gave me their word that they weren’t going anywhere even if I was going back for my senior year,” Pasichnuk said of the Sharks. “They truly showed they treated me with the utmost respect. When me, my wife and my family made the decision to go to San Jose, it was one of the most exciting days of our lives.”

Pasichnuk said the Sharks made a positive impression on him, as he met members of the team’s front office and then-assistant coach Bob Boughner.

Pasichnuk said there were other teams in the mix for his services, including the New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers. But the Sharks were always among the front runners.

“The biggest thing that really drew me to San Jose was just the character of their management and their coaches,” Pasichnuk said. “They’re truly unbelievable human beings and they really got to know me away from the rink, not just at the rink. 1182109 San Jose Sharks Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020

Doug Wilson admits Bob Boughner has 'upper hand' to stay Sharks' coach

By Brian Witt

April 02, 2020 7:22 PM

Throughout his lengthy tenure as Sharks general manager, Doug Wilson had never made a mid-season coaching change prior to firing Peter DeBoer on Dec. 11 and promoting Bob Boughner to interim head coach. While no decision has been made on whether or not Boughner will be retained moving forward, it sure sounds like Wilson is heavily leaning in that direction.

Wilson provided an update Thursday in a conference call with reporters on how the Sharks currently area proceeding given the indefinite pause of the NHL season due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and spoke very highly of the job Boughner did in an interim capacity.

"We know we've got some work to be ready for next season, whenever that may be," Wilson said, "but while our results for the year aren't where we needed them to be or want them to be, I was pleased to see some of the overall play improved over the last half of the year. I thought more often than not we were playing the game the right way ... I thought we played as a team with identity and structure more so in the second part of the year."

The coaching change didn't produce immediate improvement, but San Jose eventually found a more consistent game with Boughner at the helm. The Sharks went 14-20-3 after the coaching switch, and they likely would have been even more competitive if not for severe injuries to several key players.

"I think Bougie and his staff did a lot of good things," Wilson continued. "They were certainly hamstrung with many of our top players out at times, it was almost like a patchwork lineup. But the things we were looking for, I thought were addressed. Bougie and I have talked a lot about just clarifying how we want to play, and ultimately, getting your team to commit to playing the right way for longer periods of time, regardless of your talent level.

"So, he and I will go through this process. We'll keep those discussions in private, but I think there's no doubt the things that I talked about that improved as the year went on ... Bougie and his staff deserve a lot of credit."

That would seem to be an odd amount of praise for someone Wilson doesn't plan to bring back -- if that indeed is that case. Wilson went as far as to admit Boughner has a significant advantage over other potential candidates.

"Does Bob know our group and have the upper hand in this process? Absolutely," he said. "But I think you have to be thorough in this process."

Indeed, it sounds like Boughner already has a leg up on the potential competition. Still, Wilson knows he wouldn't be doing his job if he was limiting the scope in any way.

"You're always looking for ways to improve your hockey team," Wilson explained. "Whether it be player-wise, staff-wise ... our list of things that we need to address is pretty extensive. You use this time wisely, and you have to explore those things.

"My responsibility is to put the best group together to help us get to the next level, but there's no doubt that those guys are all valuable people to this organization. But are we excluding adding other people? Absolutely not. ... Missing the playoffs is not something we take lightly, and we will explore every area -- players, coaching staff, additional people -- to make this a better hockey team."

It's going to be an extremely important -- albeit unprecedented -- offseason for San Jose.

There is a lot of work to be done to get the Sharks back to a level of contention, and deciding on who will be behind the bench certainly ranks near the top of the list. 1182110 San Jose Sharks Wilson insisted that all Sharks players and personnel are adhering to government recommendations and social distancing, but Hertl still has access to the team's training facility as he goes about his rehab. Wilson believes that access, combined with Hertl's previous knee injuries, has Sharks' injured stars expected to make full recovery by training camp expedited his recovery this time around.

"He has been able to go to the facility and rehab with [head athletic trainer] Ray Tufts," Wilson explained. "He has got full flexibility and By Brian Witt extension of his knee. I think what has happened, too, is he has the April 02, 2020 4:52 PM benefit -- we say that now; not a benefit at the time but it certainly is now -- he knows the process to go through. This is not an unknown for him.

"And talking to him yesterday, he just sounded outstanding. He's healed It has been nearly three full months since the last time Logan Couture, up, he's rested, he has got full extension. He has got some strengthening Tomas Hertl and Erik Karlsson all played in the same game for the to do, but he said he even feels that he's well ahead of where he thought Sharks. he would be, and that's been confirmed by our training staff and Ray Tufts, also." Couture scored with precisely one minute remaining in regulation on Jan. 5 to give San Jose a commanding two-goal lead on the road against the We don't know when the next NHL season will begin. Heck, we don't Washington Capitals. In what would turn out to be arguably the most even know if the current one will continue. crushing loss of their season, the Sharks proceeded to give up two goals over the final minute before losing 5-4 in overtime. But whenever the Sharks next take the ice with a legitimate chance to contend for the postseason, it appears they'll have all three of Couture, That was the insult. Next came the injury. Hertl and Karlsson in tow, which will be a huge help.

In the second period of San Jose's next game on Jan. 7 against the St. If San Jose is going to emerge from the recent darkness, those three Louis Blues, Couture took an awkward fall into the end boards and likely will need to lead the way. emerged with a fractured ankle. He would miss the next 17 games while recovering. By the time he returned to the lineup on Feb. 25, both Hertl and Karlsson's seasons had already ended. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020 Hertl tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee in a 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 29. Just over two weeks later, Karlsson was placed on season-ending injured reserve after breaking his left thumb against the Winnipeg Jets on Feb. 14.

While the Sharks certainly experienced their fair share of struggles earlier in the season, the severe injuries endured by arguably their three best players were always going to be too much to overcome. San Jose wasn't anywhere near playoff position when the NHL season was indefinitely paused on March 12 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Though it remains to be seen if and when it will resume, it's safe to assume the franchise's postseason streak has come to an end.

Yep, the last few months have been pretty dark for the Sharks. Not being able to play games isn't helping, but the clouds might be parting.

In addition to restocking their draft cupboard at the trade deadline, the Sharks had two collegiate standouts -- John Leonard and Brinson Pasichnuk -- officially agree to join the organization Wednesday. On a conference call with reporters on Thursday, San Jose general manager Doug Wilson hinted that some more signings might be coming down the pipe in short order.

The most promising update Wilson provided, however, was how Couture, Hertl and Karlsson are progressing from their respective injuries.

In Couture's seventh game back in the lineup, he took a puck to the face -- the guy has the worst luck -- and was placed in concussion protocol as a precautionary measure on March 8. That was San Jose's penultimate game before the season was indefinitely paused, and he has been symptom-free ever since. The only thing preventing Couture from hopping back out on the ice -- if that were a possibility right now -- likely is his conditioning level, something he recently took steps to address.

"Logan is feeling really good," Wilson told reporters. "I've talked to him quite a few times over the last little while. He has used the time really well. Sounds good, he got himself a Peloton, so he's riding every day. He's just about all the way back."

Like Couture, Karlsson's recovery hasn't been set back by the coronavirus pandemic.

"Erik is close to being all the way back," Wilson said, "and will be 100 percent for next season."

Though Hertl's injury was far more serious than the other two, his injury update was the most promising of the three.

"We got great news on Tomas Hertl," Wilson informed. "Talked to him yesterday. He's well ahead of schedule. Everything is going extremely well, and there should be no doubts with him being ready when next season starts, too." 1182111 San Jose Sharks

Ever wonder where Sharks' giant head came from? It involves Disney

By NBC Sports Bay Area staff

April 02, 2020 9:45 AM

The Sharks have one of the most memorable entrances in all of sports. Skating through the giant shark head at SAP Center is right up there with "Enter Sandman" at Lane Stadium for Virginia Tech football and the run down the hill at Clemson.

But did you ever find yourself wondering where that huge shark head came from?

NBC Sports Bay Area has you covered on that front as Brodie Brazil explains where that massive shark head came from in the second episode of the "Ever Wonder" series.

During their first few years, the Sharks were looking for a way to give their team an epic entrance. They eventually found it, and, of course, Disney was involved.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182112 San Jose Sharks Sommer and Evgeni Nabokov served as Boughner’s assistants, and except for Sommer’s one season in the NHL under Darryl Sutter in the 1990s, all were new to the league as coaches.

Doug Wilson suggests Bob Boughner is likely to return as Sharks coach Could Sommer, perhaps, go back behind the AHL Barracuda bench? in 2020-21 Nabokov didn’t go on every road trip after the change. Would he rather stay close to San Jose and work with the goalies rather than jet all across North America? Would it be more fair to Boughner to let him put together a staff how he sees fit? These are all questions that the Wilson and By Kevin Kurz Boughner, assuming he stays, will have to figure out in the coming Apr 2, 2020 months.

“You’re always looking for ways to improve your hockey team, whether it be player-wise or staff-wise. Our list of things that we need to address is Two weeks ago, Sharks interim head coach Bob Boughner said in an pretty extensive,” Wilson said. “You use this time wisely. You have to interview with The Athletic that he was planning on being back next explore those things. For Boogie to come in halfway through the year — season, whenever that may be. it’s the first time I (made a midseason coaching change) as general manager, and it’s very difficult. What Roy and (Ricci) and Nabby did tells On Thursday, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson suggested that’s the you how loyal they are and the type of work that they brought to the table likeliest outcome, too, although he stopped short of making any sort of at a difficult time. official announcement. After all, the NHL has yet to officially cancel the rest of the 2019-20 regular season. “There’s no doubt those guys are all valuable people to this organization. But are we excluding adding other people? Absolutely not. Our goal is to “Does Bob know our group and have the upper hand in this process? get this team back to where it needs to be when training camp starts to Absolutely,” Wilson said. “But I think you have to be thorough in this be successful. Missing the playoffs is not something that we take lightly. process.” We will explore every area — players, coaching staff and additional Wilson made it clear that despite the Sharks’ record — they were 14-20-3 people to come in to make us a better hockey team.” after Boughner took over from Pete DeBoer and currently sit in last place Wilson offered an encouraging update on Hertl, who tore the ACL and in the Western Conference — he was content with the team’s structure MCL in his left knee on Jan. 29, ending his season prematurely. and the way it was playing on many nights under Boughner’s watch, despite what the GM called a “patchwork lineup” due to significant “We got great news on Tomas Hertl, talked to him yesterday. He’s well injuries to Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl and Erik Karlsson, among others. ahead of schedule, everything is going extremely well and there should be no doubts for him being ready for when next season starts, too,” “While our results for the year aren’t where we needed them or wanted to Wilson said. be, I was pleased with how some of the overall play improved over the last half of the year,” Wilson said. “I thought there were some times Although Hertl still has to build strength in the knee, “he has got full certainly that more often than not we were playing the game the right flexibility and extension,” according to Wilson. Hertl is still in the Bay way. … I thought in many cases, in many games, the high-danger Area, and as an injured player he is permitted to go to the team’s practice scoring chances (against) went way down.” facility to work with the training staff.

He continued: “I thought we played with a team identity and structure Wilson also touched on pending unrestricted free agent Stefan Noesen, more so in the second half of the year.” who added some depth at forward after he was claimed off of waivers in December. A complete lack of cohesion among the group both on and off the ice was one of the biggest issues that the organization didn’t foresee this “He stepped in and did a really good job for us. Quality guy, very good season after captain Joe Pavelski departed and a new leadership teammate,” Wilson said of the 27-year-old, who had six goals and eight structure was put in place. The Sharks lost games early as they rarely points in 34 games with the Sharks. “He made a very positive impression played like a five-man unit on the ice and there were several indications on and off the ice. He’s a quality guy.” that the players themselves weren’t seeing eye to eye, either. Bickering among players on the bench between whistles was commonplace, Wilson has been in touch with Joe Thornton, saying he speaks with the according to multiple sources, so it’s fair to assume that it was happening future Hall of Fame center and pending free agent “every two days.” behind closed doors, too. “Like every other player, we’ll sit down with him and we’ll do the Boughner made it a priority of his to try and remedy that, saying on evaluation at the end of the year,” Wilson said. “I think you all know how March 19 that he didn’t think “the room was cohesive as it could have we feel about him. The conversations that he and I have will stay been” when he took over. between he and I.”

Wilson knows that in order for the Sharks to be competitive next season, It will likely remain uncertain whether Thornton returns to the Sharks or he’ll have to make some alterations to the roster, including through free signs elsewhere until after the free-agency period begins. agency. But he’ll also have to ensure that the team is much more together early in camp, because that wasn’t the case last September. The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 In that regard, it probably makes sense to keep Boughner, who was the head coach of the Florida Panthers in 2017-18 and 2018-19, behind the bench. He’s well liked by the players and they did seem to buy into his systems and appeared more willing to play for one another than before he replaced DeBoer on Dec. 11.

“One of the keys, I think, is getting everybody on the same page right from Day 1. That’s a priority,” Wilson said. “The one thing we didn’t do this year is get off to a good start. I don’t think we had a great training camp, and as a West Coast team, I think that really comes back to being a difficult thing to overcome.”

Wilson continued: “Boogie and I have talked a lot about just clarifying about how we want to play, and ultimately about getting your team to commit to playing the right way for longer periods of time, regardless of your talent level. … There’s no doubt that the things that I talked about that improved as the year we on, Boogie and his staff deserve a lot of credit.”

While Boughner’s job could be safe, Wilson left open the possibility that there could be some changes or additions to the staff. Mike Ricci, Roy 1182113 St Louis Blues Not all were taking a hard line. “It’s a business and we don’t work, we don’t get paid,” one said. “I

understand that completely.” From big names in the booth to behind-the-scenes-help: Many Fox But he added, “I know Sinclair always is looking to save money.” Sports Midwest workers not being paid Many of those impacted at FSM are union members, represented by

Local 4 unit of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Dan Caesar 1 hr ago 0 Michael Pendergast, its business manager, declined comment.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees represents some of those who provide work for about a dozen Sinclair-owned Millions of people are out of a job across the country because of the regional sports networks and Leslie Fitzsimmons, vice president of the coronavirus crisis, and many who work on Fox Sports Midwest’s Blues Milwaukee unit, blasted the policy. and Cardinals telecasts are suffering that financial pain. “We refuse to believe this is the best it can do,” Fitzsimmons said in a The list of those not being paid stretches from big names in the statement posted this week on IATSE’s website. “Sinclair reported an 80- broadcast booth through those in the production truck to the relatively plus percent year-over-year increase (fourth quarter 2018 to 2019), anonymous folks who put the sights and sounds of the games on the air. Sinclair’s CEO made $7.5 million last year. We’ve lost all our income. We That’s just about everybody associated with FSM’s home-game need help.” telecasts, those outside its office staff. The statement added that “many networks, including Fox, ESPN, Turner, There are only a few exceptions as the vast majority of FSM’s game-day CBS, and NBC have committed to paying production crews hired for the workers are freelancers/independent contractors who are paid by the now-cancelled NCAA basketball tournaments, several PGA events, contest, an average of about 35 such workers for Blues and Cardinals and/or regional sports which were scheduled for the near future. Many of home games. Many work both sports. (On the road, people from those these companies are paying cancelled shows through the middle of April. cities are hired to do most of the behind-the-scenes duties. But the Sinclair Broadcast Group decided to do things differently.” announcers and some key off-camera personnel travel with the clubs.) However, a St. Louisan who likely would have worked on the TV The lack of pay has created angst for numerous people who work productions of the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, which piecemeal for Fox Sports Midwest, with their frustrations pointed at would have been played in St. Louis, said he and colleagues were not Sinclair Broadcast Group. That’s the television behemoth that owns Fox paid for that because they are not in a “core crew” that regularly covers Sports Midwest as well as 20 other U.S. regional sports television college basketball for a major network. networks and has part of two others. It’s a company that committed $9.6 billion last summer to buy those outlets, as well as Fox College Sports, “We fall into the stragglers” category, he said. “If they need to fill spots from . Sinclair owns or has a hand in 191 they give us a call.” television stations in 89 U.S. markets, more than any other company in There is a common bond among many union and nonunion people doing the country. Its holdings include KDNL (Channel 30) in St. Louis. work for Fox Sports Midwest, those interviewed said. Sinclair’s approach differs starkly from the way the Cardinals' and Blues’ There are no sick days. radio crew members are affected. They work for the team and are being paid, multiple people said. “That’s why you have people showing up when they shouldn’t, even announcers, exposing others to their illness because if we don’t work we Sinclair, meanwhile, has offered a $2,500 interest-free loan to many of its don’t get paid,” one said. workers who are impacted, and a source said that applies to people who work at least 60% of the telecasts. There is no company-provided health insurance, dental coverage, etc.

“This is an unprecedented time for the world and the media, but few in “I don’t think people understand the life of a freelancer,” one affected our industry are feeling the impacts of the coronavirus more than those person said, pointing out that those working on Cardinals telecasts for who work in sports,” Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley said in a recent FSM “have booked out the next six months to be working for you. Now all statement. “Across the nation, these nearly 1,000 freelancers work of a sudden that this has happened, you just bail? That’s what’s tirelessly season after season to bring fans the best in live sports. As we (bothering) people.” face this extraordinary event, we are hoping that this fund will provide integral assistance to our key team members.” The coronavirus crisis has hit business worldwide with a punch that hasn’t been felt before in the lifetime of most people. One Sinclair source One behind-the-scenes person said he was pleasantly surprised recently pointed out that no Blues or Cards games that affect those workers have to have 20 hours of extra pay deposited into his bank account, something been canceled yet, that at least some of the work could be there he said others on the “home crew” for FSM’s Blues crew also received. eventually.

But in the big picture, the offer of a loan has not appeased some of those A worker-generated idea is for Sinclair to pay them half their rate for impacted — especially when several other sports telecasters are either games missed, on normal paydays, then when work resumes to pay paying their personnel or taking other measures to help bridge the gap. them just half of what they would have made for the equal number of games. A common theme among numerous FSM workers contacted by the Post- Dispatch was that there has not been much communication from the “Then you are even at the end,” he said, with at least some money company. There also was the prevailing sentiment, “this could go on for coming in now. months, how am I supposed to live on $2,500?” Sinclair, like so many other companies, never has experienced such a crisis. It also is new to the regional sports TV business.

Said one person on the technical side: “Of all the guys on my crew I Michael Padovano, a spokesman for Sinclair — which also has had NBA talked to, it was like “(the heck with) that, a loan is not going to do us any games impacted in many of its markets — indicated that a final decision good when baseball kicks back up and they want to take $250 out” of our regarding pay has not been made. checks per game for the first 10 worked. “We appreciate the offer, but no thanks.” “We are closely monitoring the situation and will update our plans as necessary,” he said in a statement. ”As of now, we are treating this as a He said none of the colleagues he talked to is taking the loan. postponement and expect live sports to return this year.”

"It may help now, but it will hurt us come June, July,” he said. But that is not setting well with the union officials in Milwaukee, where Fox Sports Wisconsin is replaying old games involving the local teams — Those who were interviewed, from high-profile figures to behind-the- as Fox Sports Midwest is doing in St. Louis. scenes personnel, all spoke to the Post-Dispatch with the condition their name would not be used for obvious reasons. “Workers understand that for Sinclair to pay for games that have only been postponed and not officially cancelled could be an expensive bill,” that local’s business agent, Erik West, said in the IATSE statement. “However, (regional sports networks) like Fox Sports Wisconsin have been re-airing previously-played games and promoting those re-airs. That means that FS Wisconsin, which continues to collect subscribers’ fees from cable companies, can put sports on their networks without having to pay for production in this case. That’s a nice chunk of revenue — and we get offered a loan.”

‘Getting thin’

Hardest hit in St. Louis, at least for now, are those involved in FSM’s Cardinals broadcasts. The bulk of the hockey season already had been played when the stoppage hit. But the Cardinals’ home games were supposed to start this week and under normal circumstances there are twice as many home baseball games as hockey contests. So this is a major jab.

“A lot of us are lean,” one behind-the-scenes person said. “The nuts we saved up all summer long, come March we are getting thin. Then this happens.”

Now nobody knows when, of if, the Cards’ home opener will be played this year.

“We’re left high and dry,” one affected person said. “You don’t have an end point. ... There’s a lot of uncertainty with it, a lot of nervousness.”

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182114 St Louis Blues

Other stations join KMOX's St. Louis sports championship party

Dan Caesar

No live sports to listen to or watch? No problem, at least for those who want to bask in the afterglow of St. Louis teams’ two miraculous recent championship runs.

Last week, KMOX (1120 AM) began a nearly two-month run of re-airing the Cardinals’ final 32 regular-season games of the 2011 season, in which the Redbirds were 10½-games out of a wild-card playoff spot with only about a month to go, which will be followed by their postseason spree. They amazingly surged to win the World Series.

Next week, Fox Sports Midwest joins the party by replaying the four World Series contests the Cards won that season. Game 1 is on Monday, Game 3 on Tuesday, Game 6 on Wednesday and Game 7 on Thursday. All those replays, which begin at 7 p.m., are 3 or 3½ versions of Fox Sports’ telecasts. Joe Buck does the play-by-play and Tim McCarver provides commentary.

Meanwhile, WXOS (101.1 FM) on Thursday began a lengthy run of replaying key Blues games from last season, when the team rose from having the fewest points in the NHL in early January to astonishingly winning the Stanley Cup. The broadcasts air at 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, through June 5. A pregame show begins at 6 o’clock those nights.

Friday’s game comes from Jan. 7, when the Blues’ Jordan Binnington recorded a in first NHL start.

Other highlights of the series and dates the broadcasts are to air:

April 17: The Blues score three goals in the third period, overcoming a 2- 0 deficit, to win Game 5 of a first-round playoff series against Winnipeg that had been tied.

April 23: In the next game of that series, Jaden Schwartz’s hat trick helps eliminate the Jets.

May 1: The Blues beat Dallas 4-1 in Game 6 of a second-round playoff series to set up a winner-take-all showdown.

May 7: Pat Maroon scores in the second overtime period, vaulting the Blues to the Western Conference finals.

May 14: San Jose wins Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, taking a 2-1 series lead, with the infamous “hand pass” goal in overtime.

May 22: The Blues rout the Sharks 5-1 in Game 6 to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1970.

May 28: Carl Gunnarsson’s goal in overtime of Game 2 gives the Blues their first victory in a Stanley Cup Final contest They had been 0-13.

June 5: The Blues roll to a 4-1 victory in Game 7, in Boston. That prompts play-by-play broadcaster Chris Kerber to aptly sum it up:

“They did it! It’s over! The game is over! The series is over! The wait is over! And the St Louis Blues are the Stanley Cup champions for the first time in franchise history!”

Fox Sports Midwest also plans to re-televise Blues playoff games during that magical run, beginning the week of April 12. That schedule has not been finalized.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182115 Tampa Bay Lightning Longoria quickly became a star in 2008, winning AL Rookie of the Year honors and opening his career with three straight All-Star nods. He has the Rays’ career home run mark by nearly 100 (261 to Carlos Peña’s 163) and is responsible for the franchise’s most iconic moment — “162,” The best players to wear each jersey number in Tampa Bay sports a walk-off home run in the 12th inning to complete a wild comeback in history the final game of the 2011 season to put the Rays in the playoffs.

Honorable mention: Bucs’ Jameis Winston.

Greg Auman 4: Vincent Lecavalier, Lightning

Apr 2, 2020 Lecavalier is one of just two Lightning players to have his jersey retired. He arrived at age 18 as a No. 1 overall draft pick and ended up playing

14 seasons in Tampa, winning a Stanley Cup along the way. Lecavalier TAMPA, Fla. — As professional sports markets go, we’re still relatively has the franchise record for games played and still ranks second in both young. goals and assists, helping take the Lightning from a team that couldn’t win 20 games to NHL champions. As much as Lecavalier is a no-brainer As the NFL celebrates 100 years, the NHL continues its second century here, the Rays’ Blake Snell, coming off a Cy Young in 2018, is one of the of play and baseball pushes past 150 years, Tampa Bay is still a new best active players not honored. arrival on the national sporting scene. Fifty years ago, there were no pro teams in Tampa Bay — and even 30 years ago, there was only one. Honorable mention: Snell.

We’re reminded of this in assembling The Athletic’s Tampa Bay Sports 5: Rocco Baldelli, Rays Hall of Fame, as we did last week, and in trying to complete another fun, His playing career was cut short by a rare muscular disorder that stuck-at-home sports challenge: figuring out the best major-sports pro sidelined him after only two seasons, but he fought back and pushed athlete from Tampa Bay to wear each jersey number, from 1 to 99. through persistent injuries before retiring in 2010. Baldelli stayed with the (Sorry, there will be no players from the Rowdies or Mutiny, no college Rays off the field, spending five years on their major-league staff before athletes from USF and none from the Arena League’s Storm or the other leaving to become the Twins’ manager last year. At 38, he was the minor-league teams that have at times called Tampa/St. Pete home.) youngest ever to be named AL Manager of the Year.

Still, the Buccaneers, Lightning and Rays have combined to produce a Honorable mention: Bucs’ , Lightning’s Jassen Cullimore long line of players now immediately synonymous with their numbers — and Dan Girardi. most Tampa Bay sports fans know that wore 55 and 6: Anton Stralman, Lightning 99 (both are now retired) and can appreciate that so many of the Lightning’s biggest stars from the past decade have rather high For five years from 2014-19, Stralman was a steady veteran presence on numbers. So many of the Rays’ brightest stars wind up finishing their the Lightning defense, getting more ice time and providing more scoring careers elsewhere, but as we picture the biggest moments in Tampa help than at his three previous NHL stops. He moved on to the Panthers Bay’s baseball history, those numbers are easy to remember as well. this season, but his blue-line reliability was part of the Lightning’s run to the Stanley Cup final in 2015. Is it worse to be guilty here of nostalgia or recency bias? Is it more worthy to have a good eight years here, or a great two or three? Is an Honorable mention: Rays’ John Flaherty. obscure role player from a championship team more memorable than a multiyear captain from a losing era? There are no definitive correct 7: Jeff Garcia, Buccaneers answers when you’re comparing athletes at different positions from Tough call here, but Garcia is still the last quarterback to lead the Bucs to different sports in different eras, but here we are. the playoffs, making the Pro Bowl in 2007, the first of his two years in So join us on a numerical journey through Tampa Bay sports history, Tampa. The sentimental choice would be kicker , some numbers more iconic than others. Jersey-numbering in baseball whose six-year run in Tampa included a Super Bowl win. And don’t forget doesn’t lend itself to a lot of high numbers and neither does hockey, so the Lightning’s Rob Zamuner, who had 200-plus points in his seven making this list is often an uneven honor. The third honorable mention at years here in the 1990s. one low number might dwarf the name recognition of the very best at an Honorable mention: Gramática, Zamuner, Rays’ Logan Morrison. obscure lineman’s number. 8: Steve Young, Buccaneers But please, tag along as we go, and be sure to let us know in the comments where the most egregious injustices have taken place. His two years in Tampa were forgettable — with a 3-16 record as the starter and 11 touchdowns against 21 interceptions. It seems impossible 1: Willy Adames, Rays he would go on to seven straight Pro Bowls and MVP honors in a Super Seems crazy that the list can open with a player who’s only been with the Bowl win in 1994. He’s in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Lightning Rays two years, but Adames has shown promise, hit 20 home runs last also had a Hall of Famer wear No. 8 in Mark Recchi, for part of one year and looks to be a star in the making as the team’s everyday season in 1998-99. shortstop at 24. As you’ll learn here, some numbers just have limited Honorable mention: Recchi, Rays’ Desmond Jennings. options — the Lightning can offer goalie Sean Burke for one season near the end of an 18-year career, and the Bucs have kicker Donald 9: Tyler Johnson, Lightning Igwebuike, who spent five years in Tampa but didn’t hit 80 percent of his field-goal attempts in any of them. Undersized but never underappreciated, Johnson has been a fan favorite and a consistent secondary scorer for the last eight seasons, stepping up Honorable mention: Burke, Igwebuike, Rays’ Aki Iwamura. when needed. When the Lightning went to the Stanley Cup final in 2015, Johnson was electric, leading the team with 13 goals and 23 points. 2: B.J. Upton, Rays 10: Shaun King, Buccaneers Upton never made an All-Star team, but he ranks fourth all-time among Rays in hits and home runs, a No. 2 overall draft pick who made his King had a short run as the Bucs’ starting quarterback, but Tampa Bay’s debut at 19 in 2004 and stayed as a regular for six years from 2007-12. It defense was strong enough that he made the playoffs twice. One more was a big loss when he signed with the Braves for five years and $75 controversial catch and the Bucs might have edged the Rams and made million, but he hit just .184 and .208 in two years in Atlanta, so it showed a Super Bowl after the 1999 season. King went 10-6 as the starter the the Rays could be right in letting a familiar name move on. next year but would start only one more game in three remaining seasons. Honorable mention: Bucs’ Chris Simms, Rays’ Randy Winn, Lightning’s Eric Brewer. Honorable mention: Lightning’s Brenden Morrow and J.T. Miller, Bucs’ Connor Barth. Former Rays third baseman Evan Longoria. (Kim Klement / USA Today) 11: Brian Boyle, Lightning 3: Evan Longoria, Rays Another key addition who was central in the Lightning’s run to the 2015 seasons in Tampa, leaving him in the franchise’s top five all-time for Cup final, he spent only three years in Tampa but was a fan favorite, assists and points. even as he has bounced to four other teams in three years since. Honorable mention: Rays’ Scott Kazmir and Aubrey Huff, Lightning’s Honorable mention: Bucs’ DeSean Jackson, Lightning’s Chris Dingman. Brian Bradley, Bucs’ .

12: Doug Williams, Buccaneers 20: , Buccaneers

It’s hard not to choose Wade Boggs, whose No. 12 jersey was retired by Barber is in the Bucs’ Ring of Honor and is still hopeful of making the Pro the Rays after he finished a Hall of Fame career with two years in St. Football Hall of Fame in coming years. His pick-six of Donovan McNabb Petersburg. But Williams helped put the Bucs on the map, bringing an in the 2002 NFC Championship Game, clinching the Bucs’ trip to the offensive spark and leadership to a tough defense that made the NFC Super Bowl, remains the franchise’s most iconic moment. No player in Championship Game in the franchise’s fourth season. “When Doug came NFL history has his combination of 40-plus interceptions and 25-plus on, we said, ‘Here he is. Here’s that leader. Here’s what we needed,'” sacks, a versatile weapon that redefined the nickelback as a key part of a linebacker Dave Lewis said in our oral history of the 1979 Buccaneers. modern defense. Williams had a difficult exit from Tampa, of course, and won a Super Bowl with the Redskins. This number gets another contender in a big Honorable mention: Lightning’s Vinny Prospal. way with Tom Brady’s arrival this year. 21: Brayden Point, Lightning

Honorable mention: Boggs, Lightning’s John Cullen, Ryan Malone. He has had a phenomenal first four seasons in Tampa, already with 116 13: Carl Crawford, Rays goals before his 24th birthday, including 41 with 51 assists in 2018-19. As the Lightning work to keep their nucleus intact, he’s a playmaker who His speed and success on the basepaths may never be matched — four is a central part of the team’s long-term future plans. years leading the American League with at least 50 steals, helping him to four All-Star appearances. His final year in St. Petersburg (2010) was his Honorable mention: Bucs’ Donnie Abraham, Lightning’s Cory Sarich. peak, hitting .307 with 19 home runs and 90 RBIs to go with a league- 22: Doug Martin, Buccaneers best 13 triples. His 409 steals and 105 triples are likely safe as team records for a long time. He didn’t live up to his $142 million deal with the This might be the toughest call of all 99 numbers — Martin or former Red Sox, but his time with the Rays is enough to trump Bucs wideout Rays pitcher Chris Archer? Martin had two Pro Bowl seasons where he Mike Evans, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the team’s most rushed for more than 1,400 yards, ranking second in the NFL in an All- consistent top-tier players. Pro season in 2015. Injuries limited him in three other seasons, and he was cut in the spring of 2018, signing with the Raiders. Archer was a two- Honorable mention: Evans, Lightning’s Pavel Kubina. time All-Star who topped 200 strikeouts in three straight years from 2015- 14: David Price, Rays 17 before he was traded to the Pirates for Meadows and pitcher Tyler Glasnow. A No. 1 overall draft pick who made an auspicious debut at the end of 2008, Price was a legitimate ace, winning a Cy Young Award in 2012 and Honorable mention: Archer, Lightning’s Dan Boyle. earning four All-Star nods. Dealt away at the 2014 trade deadline, he’s 23: Carlos Peña, Rays made just one All-Star team in his five seasons post-Rays and is now on his fourth team in six years. Pena has the two greatest home run seasons in Rays history, hitting 46 in 2007 and 39 as an All-Star in 2009, and he ranks second in career Honorable mention: Bucs’ Brad Johnson. home runs for the franchise despite only playing five seasons in St. 15: Paul Ysebaert, Lightning Petersburg. He also is the only Rays player with three 100-RBI seasons, including a team-record 121 in 2007. Not much competition here, but Ysebaert was a captain in Tampa during a five-year stint from 1995-99. A good player on bad teams, he went from Honorable mention: Rays’ Jake Odorizzi. a stellar plus-44 in his best Red Wings season to a minus-43 with the 24: Ryan Callahan, Lightning Lightning in 1997-98. Acquired from the Rangers for Martin St. Louis in 2014, he re-signed with 16: Teddy Purcell, Lightning Tampa and was a core player in the run to the Stanley Cup final in 2015, Purcell scored 64 goals in a four-year span from 2010-14, including 24 getting 24 goals and 30 assists. Callahan pushed through several goals in 2011-12. He stepped up with six goals and 11 assists in the injuries, but a degenerative back condition forced him into retirement last 2011 postseason as the Lightning reached the Eastern Conference final. year.

Honorable mention: Rays’ Travis Lee. Honorable mention: Bucs’ Cadillac Williams.

17: Alex Killorn, Lightning 25: Dave Andreychuk, Lightning

A year from now, this might shift to the Rays’ Austin Meadows, but for Andreychuk was 38 when he came to Tampa Bay in 2001, 19 years into now, we go with Killorn, who was enjoying a breakout season before the his NHL career. Still, he had three straight 20-goal seasons, bringing a coronavirus suspension. After totaling between 14 and 19 goals for six veteran leadership that helped the Lightning to their lone championship in straight years, the Harvard graduate has 26 this year, including seven 2004. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017 and has game-winners. stayed active with the team as an ambassador for its community efforts.

Honorable mention: Meadows, Bucs’ Steve DeBerg. Honorable mention: Bucs’ .

18: Ben Zobrist, Rays 26: Martin St. Louis, Lightning

As versatile a player as you’ll find, Zobrist did everything but pitch and The first player in Lightning history to have his jersey retired, St. Louis catch in his first All-Star season in 2009. He’s one of three players with won the in 2004 as the league MVP in leading the 1,000-plus hits with the Rays and ranks in the top five in career home Lightning to a Stanley Cup title. He won the Ross Trophy as the league’s runs and RBIs as well. His nine-year run in St. Petersburg ended in 2014, top scorer that same year and is still the Lightning’s career leader in but he brought a rare combination of power and speed, and his coaches assists and points (and game-winning goals with 64) while sitting second were confident in his glove nearly anywhere on the field. in overall goals.

Honorable mention: Lightning’s Ondrej Palat. 27: Ryan McDonagh, Lightning

19: Brad Richards, Lightning The top three 27s all are from the Lightning. McDonagh has been a big addition defensively, joining at the deadline in 2017 as Tampa Bay made One of the deepest numbers in this exercise, but Richards gets the nod its run to the Eastern Conference final, and he has stayed a fixture on the here, having won the as playoff MVP when the blue line the last two seasons. In a long pipeline of players going from the Lightning won a Stanley Cup in 2004. He scored 150 goals in seven Rangers to Tampa, he has made some of the biggest contributions. Honorable mention: Lightning’s Jonathan Drouin and Tim Taylor. old after scoring 25 goals in his first full season. Gourde followed with 22 goals in 2018-19 and had 10 when this season was suspended. 28: , Buccaneers Honorable mention: Rays’ Alex Colomé. Dunn made the Pro Bowl twice and topped 1,000 rushing yards twice as part of a memorable 1-2 punch with . They paired nicely with 38: Lance Carter, Rays a dominant defense in the Tony Dungy era. He ended up with better stats in Atlanta after spending the second half of his career with the Falcons, Carter was an All-Star in 2003, finishing with 26 saves as the Rays’ and his legacy in Tampa continues with some of more than 170 homes closer. His career ERA in 165 games with Tampa Bay is a respectable nationally that his charity has lined up for single mothers. 3.92, and he was back in Tampa in 2013-14 as the pitching coach at the University of South Florida. 29: Fred McGriff, Rays Honorable mention: Bucs’ Dashon Goldson. The Tampa native returned home at age 36 and spent five of his final seven seasons with the Rays, topping 100 RBIs in 1999 and 2000 and 39: Kevin Kiermaier, Rays making the All-Star team the latter year. He came back for a second stint Here’s an easy one — Kiermaier has won three Gold Gloves as one of in 2004, retiring at 40 just shy of 500 career home runs (493). the best defensive center fielders in baseball over the last five years. Honorable mention: Bucs’ Ricky Reynolds. Some of that aggressiveness has translated to injuries that have limited him, and his career batting average is .249, but he has stayed with the 30: Ben Bishop, Lightning Rays longer than most stars and is on a six-year, $53 million contract that runs through the 2022 season. Tireless in goal for Tampa Bay from 2013-16, he won at least 35 games three years in a row, leading the NHL in goals-against average in 2016 40: Mike Alstott, Buccaneers and finishing as runner-up for the as the league’s top goaltender. He eventually gave way to Andrei Vasilevskiy, but he still One of the most popular players in Bucs history, the fullback was a six- ranks second in team history in wins, shutouts and total saves. time Pro Bowl selection and is now in the Bucs’ Ring of Honor. Alstott remains Tampa Bay’s career leader with 58 rushing touchdowns, 21 31: Jonny Gomes, Rays more than the next-closest players, and his 5,088 career rushing yards are second only to Wilder. Slim pickings at this number, but Gomes finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2005 to start a four-year run as a regular contributor in Honorable mention: Bucs’ Mike Washington. the Rays outfield. His stats dropped off after 21 home runs that first season, and he finished his career with six other teams in seven seasons 41: Mike Smith, Lightning after leaving St. Pete. Smith spent four seasons with Tampa Bay, going 13-6-1 in his final year Honorable mention: Bucs’ Philip Buchanon. in 2011-12. His best years came elsewhere in a 14-year NHL career, totaling 262 wins and 39 shutouts with six different teams. 32: James Wilder, Buccaneers 42: Ricky Bell, Buccaneers An absolute workhorse for Tampa Bay in the early 1980s. His 1984 season saw 407 carries and 85 catches as he piled up 2,229 yards of Bell played for Bucs coach John McKay at USC and was the No. 1 total offense, falling short of the NFL record despite his coach’s overall pick in the 1977 draft. His best year came in 1979, when he overwhelming efforts in the season finale. Thirty years after his rushed for 1,263 yards as the Bucs reached the NFC Championship retirement, he remains the Bucs’ career leading rusher and is second on Game. After five years in Tampa, he played briefly with the Chargers, the team’s all-time receptions list. and he died at age 29 due to problems stemming from dermatomyositis.

Honorable mention: Bucs’ Michael Pittman. 43: Kyle Farnsworth, Rays

33: James Shields, Rays Farnsworth played for nine teams in a 16-year major-league career, but his best season might have been 2011, when he went 5-1 with 25 saves “Big Game James” was at his best in 2011, making the All-Star Game and carried a 2.18 ERA as the Rays’ closer. He went 8-7 in three and throwing 11 complete games while posting a sub-3 ERA. He remains seasons with the Rays, the only stop of his career where he left with a the franchise’s career leader with 87 wins and 1,250 strikeouts. His eight winning record. shutouts are more than double any other Rays pitcher. 44: Roman Hamrlik, Lightning Honorable mention: Bucs’ Mark Cotney, Lightning’s Fredrik Modin. The No. 1 overall pick in the Lightning’s first draft in 1992, he made his 34: Cedric Brown, Buccaneers NHL debut at age 18, spending his first six seasons with the Lightning. He peaked there with 16 goals and 49 assists in 1995-96 and ended up Brown was a six-year starter at corner from 1977-82 and is still third in staying 20 seasons in the NHL, playing for seven different teams. franchise history with 29 career interceptions, including nine in 1981. He finished his career with exactly 100 games with the Bucs. 45: Jeris White, Buccaneers

Honorable mention: Bucs’ . Tough call here — White played just three years for the Bucs from 1977- 79, but he had 12 interceptions in those seasons. He gets the nod over 35: Nikolai Khabibulin, Lightning another short-term defensive back, Wayne Haddix, who played just two “The Bulin Wall” was a big part of Tampa Bay’s Stanley Cup seasons in Tampa but made the Pro Bowl in 1990, getting seven championship in 2004, with five shutouts among his 16 postseason wins. interceptions and returning three of them for touchdowns. Khabibulin played for five NHL teams in his career but had his best years Honorable mention: Haddix. with Tampa, including a 2.39 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. 46: José Alvarado, Rays

36: Tanard Jackson, Buccaneers How does a pitcher with a 2-15 record make the list? There aren’t a ton of 46s to compete with Alvarado, who has 15 saves in the last two Not much to this number, but Jackson was a four-year starter who had seasons and a career 3.27 ERA that should yield a better record than 10 interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns in 2009. His he’s had. career was derailed by suspensions for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, so he played his last game at age 26 in 2011. 47: John Lynch, Buccaneers

Honorable mention: Lightning’s Andre Roy. Lynch has been on the cusp of the Pro Football Hall of Fame for years as a perpetual semifinalist who has yet to make the final cut. But he’s in the 37: Yanni Gourde, Lightning Bucs’ Ring of Honor, and he’s remembered as a feared hitter on the back Gourde has been a surprise star for Tampa Bay the last three seasons, a end of Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl defense. He had five of his nine Pro late bloomer who finished sixth in Calder voting in 2017-18 as a 26-year- Bowls in Tampa before finishing his career in Denver, and he has found a second chapter as general manager of the 49ers, helping them to the Honorable mention: Bucs’ Cecil Johnson. Super Bowl this past season. 57: Jake McGee, Rays 48: Ryan Yarbrough, Rays We’ll break up the linebacker dominance with McGee, who spent five Yarbrough has quietly pulled off 27 wins over the last two seasons with years in the Rays bullpen from 2011-15. His best year was 2014, when the Rays, with a sub-1 WHIP this past season, working effectively as a he carried a 1.89 ERA in 73 games, including 19 saves. You could make starter and reliever. He finished fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting in a case for Bucs linebacker Dave Lewis, a four-year starter from 1977-80, 2018 and should fill a key role for the Rays again in 2020. who made the Pro Bowl in 1980.

49: Tommy Hunter, Rays Honorable mention: Lewis.

There will be tougher numbers to fill before we’re done — Hunter played 58: Kwon Alexander, Buccaneers a single season with the Rays, but carried a 2.61 ERA in 61 appearances in 2017, earning a nice $18 million contract from the Phillies. Who did he Alexander started parts of four seasons in Tampa from 2015-18, piling up beat out? Bucs linebacker Riley Bullough had 16 tackles in 2017-18, and 145 tackles in 2016 and making the Pro Bowl in 2017. His final year was the Lightning got 13 games in 1993-95 from , who is cut short by a knee injury, and he landed with the 49ers as a free agent, Wayne’s brother. getting to the Super Bowl in his first year there.

50: Charlie Morton, Rays Honorable mention: Rays’ Jeremy Hellickson.

Here’s another one-year wonder. Morton was dominant last year in his 59: Mason Foster, Buccaneers Rays debut, earning All-Star honors after going 16-6 with 3.05 ERA. He The end of the linebacker line is Foster, who immediately preceded finished third in the AL Cy Young voting and can solidify his spot here Alexander as a four-year starter from 2011-14. He maxed out with 106 with a sold return in 2020. tackles and 13 tackles for loss in 2012, getting two pick-sixes in 2013 Honorable mention: Bucs’ Steve Wilson. before leaving to play for the Redskins.

51: Barrett Ruud, Buccaneers 60: Randy Grimes, Buccaneers

Close call here between Ruud and the Lightning’s Valtteri Filppula. Ruud Grimes started more than 100 games at center for the Bucs from 1983- was a four-year starter at middle linebacker from 2007-10, topping 100 90. No Lightning player has ever worn No. 60, and the Rays have had tackles in all four seasons, so he gets the nod over Filppula, who spent just five guys wear it, most notably Victor Zambrano in 2001-02. four years with the Lightning from 2013-17, getting 25 goals and 33 61: Tony Mayberry, Buccaneers assists in 2014. Mayberry started every game at center for nine years in the 1990s, Honorable mention: Filppula. earning spots in three Pro Bowls along the way in his final three years 52: Scot Brantley, Buccaneers from 1997-99.

The former Gators linebacker was a five-year starter for Tampa Bay from 62: , Buccaneers 1982-86, though he is known to another generation as a sports talk-radio Christy started every game at center in the Bucs’ Super Bowl run in 2002 host in Tampa. He gets the nod over Rays reliever Chaz Roe, who has and went to the Pro Bowl in 2000, so he gets the nod here over Bolts pitched in 132 games over the last two seasons. defenseman Andrej Sustr, who played here six seasons from 2012-18.

Honorable mention: Roe. Honorable mention: Sustr.

53: , Buccaneers 63: , Buccaneers

There’s a run of Bucs linebackers dominating the 50s, and the closest to The first player drafted in Bucs history, he is revered as the team’s first breaking up the streak was Rays pitcher Alex Cobb, who won at least 10 Hall of Famer and is part of the team’s Ring of Honor. His jersey is games four times from 2012-17, unappreciated in the shadow of other retired, and his legacy is all over the Tampa Bay area, with a statue in pitchers. We’ll go with Quarles, who was an eight-year starter and earned downtown Tampa and a toll road across town that bears his name. He Pro Bowl honors in the Bucs’ Super Bowl season of 2002, getting 113 stayed active in the Tampa community, helping USF launch its football tackles alongside Derrick Brooks on a spectacular championship program in 1997 during his time as athletic director and later as a key defense. fundraiser for the Bulls.

Honorable mention: Cobb, Bucs’ Hugh Green. 64: Randall McDaniel, Buccaneers

54: Lavonte David, Buccaneers McDaniel spent most of his remarkable career with the Vikings — 11 David is already an eight-year starter, and if Demar Dotson doesn’t straight Pro Bowls and seven first-team All-Pro selections — but he return, he’ll be the longest-tenured player in the Bucs locker room as he finished his NFL career with two years in Tampa. He made one last Pro seeks his first playoff game in 2020. He is already third in Bucs history in Bowl in 2000 and started all 16 games both seasons, giving him 220 career tackles and second in forced fumbles with 21, trailing only Brooks. starts in a 14-year career.

Honorable mention: Bucs’ Richard “Batman” Wood. 65: Jeremy Trueblood, Buccaneers

55: Derrick Brooks, Buccaneers Trueblood spent seven years in Tampa and had 84 starts — nothing overwhelming, but it’s enough to beat out reliever Casey Sadler as the One of three numbers retired by the Bucs, Brooks was a first-ballot Hall only Rays player to wear 65. The Lightning’s best offering is Gourde, of Famer and an easy choice for the team’s Ring of Honor. In 14 already on the list with another number. seasons, he piled up 1,300 tackles, 24 interceptions and 25 forced fumbles, making the Pro Bowl 11 times from 1997-08. He’s staying busy 66: Don Zimmer, Rays in retirement, working with Lightning president Jeff Vinik, handling fine This is meant to be a players-only list, but we’ll make an exception for appeals for the NFL and working in the community, including with the Zimmer. No Rays player has worn 66, which the team retired in honor of charter high school that bears his name. the beloved longtime assistant, who died at age 83 in 2014 after a life full Honorable mention: Rays’ Ryne Stanek, Lightning’s Braydon Coburn. of baseball.

56: , Buccaneers Honorable mention: Bucs’ Ryan Jensen.

Nickerson was a key defensive leader from the Bucs’ pre-Super Bowl 67: , Buccaneers era, reaching five Pro Bowls from 1993-99. Could he be the next player Do we really have to do one for every number? Walker, in fairness, was a inducted into the Bucs’ Ring of Honor after longtime assistant Monte five-year starter at tackle from 2001-05, including the Bucs’ Super Bowl Kiffin goes in this fall? season in 2002. 68: George Yarno, Buccaneers Honorable mention: Bucs’ Lawrence Dawsey.

Yarno made 60 career starts between 1979-87 as an offensive lineman, 81: Erik Cernak, Lightning but he’s best remembered for a shorter stint as the Bucs’ kicker. He went 1-for-1 on extra points in a 1983 loss to the Lions after McKay grew He has only played two seasons, but the 22-year-old defenseman has frustrated with his kicker after two misses in the game. shown promise with a plus-25 as a rookie last year and mixing in five goals and 11 assists. He had another five goals in this suspended 69: Demar Dotson, Buccaneers season.

At the end of the 2019 season, Dotson was the longest-tenured player on Honorable mention: Bucs’ Jacquez Green. the Bucs roster, a seven-year starter at right tackle. Dotson played college basketball at Southern Miss and played one year of college 82: Ron Hall, Buccaneers football, making the Bucs as an undrafted rookie and sticking around for Hall played seven seasons for Tampa Bay from 1987-93, finishing with more than a decade. 230 catches and 10 touchdowns.

70: Donald Penn, Buccaneers 83: Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers

Penn was another long-shot success story, signed by the Bucs as an Jackson came to Tampa on a five-year, $55 million contract in 2012, and undrafted rookie in 2006. He started 108 games in seven years, catching he topped 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons. He caught 20 a pair of big-man touchdown passes along the way. He’s still going at touchdown passes while in Tampa Bay and was honored as the team’s age 36, playing last year for the Redskins after five years with Oakland. man of the year four years in a row from 2013-16 for his work supporting 71: Anthony Cirelli, Lightning military families.

Cirelli, 22, is the Lightning’s shutdown center, entrusted with the Honorable mention: Bucs’ Dave Moore. responsibility of stopping other team’s top lines. He’s one of the best in 84: Joey Galloway, Buccaneers the league at it, too, and should get consideration for the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward. Acquired straight up from Dallas for Keyshawn Johnson, Galloway resurrected his NFL career in Tampa, topping 1,000 receiving yards in Honorable mention: Bucs’ Jerry Wunsch. three straight seasons from 2005-07. Galloway caught 28 touchdown 72: Chidi Ahanotu, Buccaneers passes in four years in Tampa, still fourth-most in franchise history.

Ahanotu had 34 sacks in eight seasons in Tampa, starting on the 1999 85: Petr Klima, Lightning team that reached the NFC Championship Game. Klima spent three seasons in Tampa, getting 28 goals and 27 assists in 73: Brad Culpepper, Buccaneers 1993-94 and finishing with 63 goals over three seasons.

Culpepper wore 73 and 77 during his stay with the Bucs, but it’s easier to Honorable mention: Bucs’ and Courtney Hawkins. work him in here with his creamsicle number. He had 33 sacks as part of 86: Nikita Kucherov, Lightning the pre-Super Bowl defense from 1994-99. Kucherov is one of the best players in the NHL and is coming off a 74: Paul Gruber, Buccaneers season in which he won the Hart Trophy (league MVP), the Gruber is in the Bucs’ Ring of Honor, starting an impressive 183 games Award (most outstanding player as voted on by players) and the Art Ross over 12 seasons from 1988-99. With quick instincts, he recovered nine of Trophy (led NHL in points). His 128 points last season were a franchise his teammates’ fumbles along the way. record.

Honorable mention: Bucs’ Ali Marpet. Honorable mention: Bucs’ .

75: , Buccaneers 87: Keenan McCardell, Buccaneers

A first-round pick, Joseph was a starting offensive guard for seven years McCardell joined the Bucs in their Super Bowl season in 2002 and had from 2006-13, making two Pro Bowls while with the Bucs. two touchdowns in the championship win over the Raiders. He followed with one of the best years of his career, making the Pro Bowl in 2003 76: Dave Logan, Buccaneers after getting 84 catches for 1,174 yards and eight touchdowns.

You could go with current left tackle Donovan Smith, entering his sixth 88: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning year at a key position, but we’ll go back to Logan, a seven-year starter at defensive tackle from 1980-86, who scored three defensive touchdowns Still only 25 years old, Vasilevskiy has led the NHL in victories in each of in that span. the last three seasons, including a stellar 2018-19 campaign in which he won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goalie after a 2.40 goals- Honorable mention: Smith. against average and six shutouts. He’s already the franchise’s career leader in wins, saves and shutouts after just six seasons. 77: Victor Hedman, Lightning Honorable mention: Bucs’ Jimmie Giles and Mark Carrier. Hedman is the only Norris Trophy winner in franchise history, having become a pillar on the blue line since getting drafted No. 2 overall in 89: Kevin House, Buccaneers 2009. Hedman has been voted the league’s top defenseman the last two years in an anonymous poll of 600 players by the NHLPA. House played for Tampa Bay from 1980-86, and despite playing in an era with far less passing, he remains third on the team’s career list in 78: Marcus Jones, Buccaneers both touchdowns and receiving yards.

A first-round pick in 1996, Jones barely made an impact as a backup on Honorable mention: Lightning’s Cory Conacher. a strong defensive line early in his career, but he stepped up with seven sacks in 1999 and then 13 in a breakout season in 2000, dabbling in 90: Jason Pierre-Paul, Buccaneers mixed martial arts after he retired from football. He has played only two seasons in Tampa Bay but had 12.5 sacks in 79: Reuben Davis, Buccaneers 2018 to become the first Bucs player to reach double-digits in the stat since 2005. Pierre-Paul suffered a fractured neck in a car accident last Davis was a four-year starter at defensive end from 1988-91, getting a May, but he recovered fully enough to get 8.5 sacks in 10 games last fall. pick-six and 10.5 sacks before finishing his career in San Diego. He’ll be back for two more years after signing a $25 million contract last month. 80: Michael Clayton, Buccaneers Honorable mention: Lightning’s Vladislav Namestnikov. A first-round pick in 2004, Clayton had a monster rookie year — 80 catches for 1,193 yards and seven touchdowns — but then managed just 91: Steven Stamkos, Lightning three touchdowns total over his next five seasons with the Bucs. The Lightning captain is the franchise’s leading goal scorer, a two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner and just turned 30 years old. Stamkos will likely have most of the team’s scoring records by the time he’s through, and his No. 91 will no doubt hang next to Martin St. Louis’ No. 26 and Vinny Lecavalier’s No. 4 in the Amalie Arena rafters.

92: Anthony McFarland, Buccaneers

McFarland started alongside Warren Sapp in the buildup to and after the Super Bowl, later getting a second ring with Tony Dungy and the Colts. He made a quick leap from local sports radio to “Monday Night Football” and is now enjoying a successful second career in broadcasting.

93: Gerald McCoy, Buccaneers

Went to six straight Pro Bowls from 2012-17 and had a long run as a captain and defensive leader as the Bucs struggled to win consistently under several head coaches. He deserved a kinder exit than he had last spring, but he is now in Dallas after playing last season with the Panthers.

94: , Buccaneers

A starting defensive end on the Bucs’ Super Bowl team and five more seasons from 2002-07, he finished with 26 sacks in Tampa.

95: Chris Hovan, Buccaneers

The veteran defensive tackle started all but one game over a five-year span from 2005-09, notching 21 tackles for loss among his 220 total tackles.

96: , Buccaneers

No Rays or Lightning player has ever worn 96, so we go with Wyms, who had a career-best 5.5 sacks in 2002 during the Bucs’ Super Bowl season, getting another sack in the championship win over the Raiders.

97: , Buccaneers

Rice isn’t in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and still isn’t in the Bucs’ Ring of Honor, but he had double-digit sack totals five years in a row in Tampa Bay, including 15.5 to earn first-team All-Pro honors in the Super Bowl season in 2002. His 69.5 sacks with the Bucs are second behind only Sapp.

98: Mikhail Sergachev, Lightning

Sergachev, still just 21 years old, has grown into a two-way force on the blue line. The Russian, acquired in the Jonathan Drouin blockbuster in June 2017, was trusted in all situations in the second half of this season and looks like he’ll turn into a top-tier defenseman in the coming years.

99: Warren Sapp, Buccaneers

A first-ballot Hall of Fame selection and a member of the Bucs’ Ring of Honor, Sapp was one of the most dominant defensive tackles ever, going to seven straight Pro Bowls and earning first-team All-Pro honors in four seasons. He finished his career with four years in Oakland, but his best years were in Tampa, where his 99 is a worthy finish to this list.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182116 Tampa Bay Lightning Marchessault is one of those players who, when you watch him play, there’s no one discernible skill that really pops. But after torching through the QMJHL and spending years as a dominant forward in the AHL, he worked his way up the lineup in Florida before emerging as a borderline Polling the experts to find NHL comparables for 10 top Lightning (maybe not even borderline, frankly) first-line forward in Vegas in the last prospects few years. Like Marchessault, Barre-Boulet just gets it. He recognizes when to hang onto the puck or when to make the first available play. He

knows how to get open when he doesn’t have it and use his size in By Joe Smith creative ways to win it back when the other team does. And I could see him posting 50-plus points in a second-line NHL role in the not-too- Apr 2, 2020 distant future.

Craig Button: Calle Jarnkrok, Nashville

When NHL brass and scouts watch potential prospects and put together He’s really smart, and I think Calle learned how to move in and out of their draft boards, they often try to compare the young player to one spots and not get caught up. Some players, when they’re on the move up they’ve already seen in the league. the pro ranks, they’re not as big but they’re able to move into a bunch of spots without any impactions. But I think he’s learned that he’s quicker, “Always,” former NHL GM Craig Button said. and he wants to play in and around the net. He wants to play hard and he It’s not necessarily projecting that a 17-year-old kid will turn into Auston can produce offensively. I don’t think he’ll be a high-end producer in the Matthews or Patrice Bergeron. It’s more about finding a reference point in NHL. But Calle is quick, he can make plays with the puck and he can certain characteristics. produce offense, he can kill penalties. I’ve watched (Barre-Boulet) from junior to what he’s done, and his career in Syracuse, he’s learning and “A lot of times what you’re trying to do is paint a picture of a player in getting better. I think he’s going to play in the NHL. He’s a very, very terms of style and trying to get a visual picture and visual image: ‘OK, I smart player that might force his way into the discussion. can see that in this player,”’ Button said. “It’s a really valuable exercise to try to use comparable types when describing.” Alexander Volkov, RW, Syracuse (AHL)

We figured we’d try that exercise ourselves when it comes to the Scott Wheeler: Craig Smith, Nashville Lightning’s top prospects, following the lead of colleague Max Bultman, There’s a lot to like about Volkov’s game when he’s on. He can play who did the same with the Red Wings. heavy and physical, he can surprise defenders with the odd play and he With Tampa Bay heading into its toughest summer cap crunch in years, can get to the net to contribute with a dangerous shot. And while he has there will be a need for younger (and cheaper) prospects to fill in some never really been a line-driver, he’s got the tools to be a powerful roster spots next season. Will defenseman Cal Foote finally be ready? complementary player on a middle-six line. When he’s on, his game Will Alex Volkov show that desired consistency? looks a lot like Smith’s, who has become a 40ish-point player doing a variety of things well at even strength. And though I want to see that We’ve already done a 360-degree breakdown of the Lightning prospect more consistently out of Volkov, who can come and go a bit too much, pool with some help from NHL scouts. But this exercise will allow some there’s that kind of player in there somewhere. It doesn’t hurt that they’re experts to give an NHL comparable to 10 Tampa Bay prospects. The both 6-foot-1 and roughly the same weight, too. He should be looking to Athletic’s Scott Wheeler agreed to lead our panel alongside Button, who Smith as a model. is TSN’s director of scouting. Craig Button: James Neal, Edmonton It bears noting that, by definition, most of these names are aspirational. So when the panelists give a name of a prominent NHLer next to a I’m going with the highest level. If (Volkov) is going to play in the NHL, prospect, it shouldn’t be read as a prediction of who they will turn into but and I say this is an “if,” he’s got to find a game like James Neal did. More more so a reflection of the kind of traits they possess (or need to have). of a scorer than a playmaker. He’s got to find a way to be prolific. He’s got to be that guy that can be counted on for X amount of goals, that’s Here’s what our panelists think: Volkov’s game. We all know what James Neal is. Volkov, he’s got Cal Foote, RHD, Syracuse (AHL) scoring ability, if he can find that level of consistency and find ways to score goals like James Neal did, (he’ll make it). If he doesn’t, I don’t think Scott Wheeler: Brent Seabrook, Chicago he’s going to play. He’s had some good stretches in Syracuse in being productive. He’s got to lengthen those out. Though time has caught up with him, Seabrook made a career out of being big, heavy and a little slow-moving. He found other ways to use his Taylor Raddysh, RW, Syracuse (AHL) size, right-shot handedness, length and strength to his advantage. He plays a sound two-way game that is physical in the neutral and defensive Scott Wheeler: Joel Armia, Montreal zones and strong in the offensive zone as a steady presence across the At this point, when you consider where Raddysh is at, you’re probably line who can run a second power play and power low shots through looking at a third-line right-wing projection as his ceiling. Someone who traffic to contribute as a scoring threat. Foote’s never going to be a true can contribute as a shot generator at even strength and can score 15-20 No. 1 (which you could argue Seabrook was in his prime), but he could goals in a year leveraging size and decent puck skill to mid-level be that kind of all-situations player in second-pairing role. production. Armia has learned to do that effectively in time and has Craig Button: Connor Murphy, Chicago begun to come into his own at 26.

I think Connor Murphy is a really smart player. He’s got good size and Craig Button: Wayne Simmonds, Buffalo good range with his mobility, and he’s not a guy that’s going to go up and Back when Wayne was a really productive player, he was hard to play down the ice, but he’s got a really good, sharp hockey mind and he’s got against, he was smart, he was strong along the boards and strong to the a really good understanding of how to play the position. He’s not going to net. He could score. And can Taylor find that? I always thought he could. overpower you or bump you or pound you. But he’s a hard player to play He might end up being more of a Marcus Foligno type. Marcus is a smart against. I don’t think Cal will be a flashy player, but he’ll be a solid, smart, player, but he doesn’t score as much. But he’s got some of those hard defenseman that can move the puck up and defend well. You’re not competitive edges. One of the (musts) for Taylor is asserting himself. going to be able to gain space on him. A lot of people look at players like, Assert yourself and say, “That is where I’m going and you try to stop me.” “He doesn’t do this, he doesn’t do that.” But what he does, he does well. It’s about him getting to the net, getting the puck and winning those Connor is a competitor, and it isn’t about running around thumping battles. Get there and engage, be assertive. That’s what made Wayne people. It’s about saying, “I’m going to make it really hard on you to gain such a good player. an advantage on me.” Boris Katchouk, LW, Syracuse (AHL) Alex Barre-Boulet, RW, Syracuse (AHL) Scott Wheeler: Tanner Pearson, Vancouver Scott Wheeler: Jonathan Marchessault, Vegas Pearson’s a hell of a player, so this is probably a bit of a stretch. But after a better sophomore year, Katchouk was starting to regain some of the notoriety he’d built toward the end of his junior career. Both are similar in consistent, relied-upon NHL goalie. I could see Alnefelt following a similar size and position, but they’re also stylistically quite alike. They’re at their trajectory before eventually finding his way. best when they’re playing engaged physically with the puck and rotating off of checks into open space as a shot threat without it. If Katchouk Craig Button: Matt Murray, Pittsburgh makes it, it will be in that kind of mold, though maybe slightly less I love Hugo. He reminds me a lot of Matt Murray. Matt was very, very productive — (30-40 points instead of 40-50). economical with his movements, very controlled. Matt’s technical game Craig Button: Boone Jenner, Columbus was better at an earlier age than the physical game, but as his physical game came along, the power and the strength gave him the ability to play I think Boris right now is caught in between. Boris was always a really more for longer stretches. Hugo has the same elements. He reads the good offensive player. I don’t think he is going to be that in the NHL. I play exceptionally well. He gets himself in good position and doesn’t think Boris has to accept that he’s not going to be an offensive producer, overplay. This is a real good goaltender. but he can create offensive advantages for his team and chip in. But he’ll have to reverse his mindset from thinking he has to produce offensively. Gabriel Fortier, LW, Moncton (QMJHL) He’s got to be hard to play against on the puck, a hard player on the Scott Wheeler: Jean-Gabriel Pageau, New York Islanders boards, gain advantages for his team and carve out space, and then the offense will come. He’s always been a really good boards guy; he could Fortier is one of those players who will just will himself into a third-line play in tight spaces and be able to operate. But when you score and get role at the next level. He and Pageau share almost all of the same offensive production, your mindset is what has to change. I think he has qualities. Both play with a lot of speed and use that speed effectively to to put (scoring) second and be more like a Boone Jenner, knowing he’s hunt the puck, apply pressure up ice in all situations (including on the never going to score a lot. If Boris skated a little better, I might say he penalty kill) and win races. Both also share that lead-by-example quality could be like Warren Fogel in Carolina. But he doesn’t skate as well. that coaches covet as well as just enough skill to both start and finish plays. This was the easiest comparable of the bunch. Maxim Cajkovic, RW, Saint John (QMJHL) Craig Button: J.T. Compher, Colorado Scott Wheeler: Sonny Milano, Anaheim Gabriel is an excellent skater. He’s smart, he’s tenacious, he’s in the This one was tough because I don’t think there’s an obvious choice for battle. He can kill penalties, he can chip in scoring. He plays hard and Cajkovic. Milano eventually came to mind just because he’s not the can move throughout your lineup. I love Gabriel Fortier. I still think that’s fastest player on the ice, but he’s got excellent puck skill, he can try to do a great pick by the Lightning. J.T. Compher, look what he does on that too much, and he can frustrate you with his shift-to-shift and game-to- line with Gabriel Landeskog. J.T. is one of those straws that stirs the game inconsistency. With both, you’re often left wanting — or expecting drink, and I think Gabe is the same way. Gabe has been a really good, — more given the obvious talent. I suspect both become middle-six competitive player. He’s smart, he knows what he has to do depending wingers who never quite reach their full potential. on the situation. I think he’s invaluable.

Craig Button: Nikolay Goldobin, Vancouver Ross Colton, F, Syracuse (AHL)

He’s an offensive player, a power-play guy. I’ll be straight up. I worry he’ll Scott Wheeler: Dustin Brown, Los Angeles be like Nikolay Goldobin, a former first-round pick by the San Jose Sharks who got traded. He’s got very good hands, but he’s never been Heavy on the puck, finishes all of his checks, fearless, 6-foot, roughly able to get his pace of play high enough to get to the next level. For 210 pounds, can play up and down a lineup, deceptive goal-scoring skill Maxim, he’s going to have to find a way to do that. His pace of play is not and a willingness to play in the so-called dirty areas? Yep, sounds about anywhere near high enough. He’s not dynamic, not speedy. He’s really right on all eight fronts for both players. good when they’re on the power play and when they have space, but Craig Button: Lucas Wallmark, Florida he’s going to have some real challenges if he doesn’t find a way to get quicker and faster. Ross has made some good strides. With Ross, you try to think of a different player, and I thought of Lucas Wallmark. I’ve always liked Sammy Walker, RW, University of Minnesota (NCAA) Lucas. But Lucas is a player that, when he’s on the ice, you know that Scott Wheeler: Gustav Nyquist, Columbus things are going to happen that are positive for your team. It’s not going to be negative. He’s going to chip in with a goal or win a key faceoff. Chip Walker is one of those players who is always going to get the absolute in with the right play that creates an advantage. I’ll be straightforward. I most out of himself. He’s not the most talented player on the ice and he’s was skeptical — really skeptical — when he left school after his not the strongest on the puck, but he can make plays, he’s fearless and sophomore year. I’m thinking, “You haven’t dominated college hockey.” he has sapped every available bit of skill out of his game. Nyquist has He was a good player at Cedar Rapids and had a good coach. But now I made a career out of doing the same. I don’t think it’s within him, from a watch him and go, “Jeez, he did pretty good in the AHL and continues to talent perspective, to be more than a 40-50 point player. But he just build on that progression.” You look at players that I think have legitimate wrapped up his seventh consecutive season of doing just that after an chances to be in the NHL, and he’s another one. excellent collegiate career.

Craig Button: Teddy Blueger, Pittsburgh The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 Sammy is quick, he moves in and out, he’s competitive. Teddy has been a pretty good offensive player but is not real big. When I watch Walker play, I see a player more like him. Teddy Blueger found his spot in Pittsburgh — he can chip in up the lineup when needed. He stepped up when they had injuries, and he can play a third-line role. But he has that offensive background. Sammy has the smarts, he has the skill set. But he’s not top end. Teddy Blueger is an NHL player, and you talk about the Lightning’s salary cap scenarios, I think a player like Sammy Walker will become really important.

Hugo Alnefelt, G, HV71 Jonkoping (SweHL)

Scott Wheeler: Joonas Korpisalo, Columbus

Goalies are extremely tough to come up with comparables for, in part because I’m not a goalie expert and have never played the position but also because of the volatility in the position from a projection standpoint. I think Korpisalo makes a lot of sense vis-à-vis Alnefelt though. He has always had the size and the athleticism and he can steal games, but it has taken him some time to build out the consistency on the lower- percentage saves that turns an occasional game-stealer into a 1182117 Toronto Maple Leafs “We are both kind of in it together,” Rielly said when asked about his paramour. He let on that they have barbecue steak and chicken dinners, but little else. “We are trying to keep each other sane. I don’t want to say too much about it, but … I’m glad in a time like this that I’m not alone. We Morgan Rielly and Tessa Virtue are the pandemic love story we need all need somebody to talk to.” right now He was watching basketball at home in Toronto on March 11 when the news broke that the NBA was suspending games. He and other players reported to the next day for a morning skate. MARTY KLINKENBERG Instead, they were all sent home. By mid-afternoon, the NHL and virtually TORONTO all remaining professional leagues had followed the NBA’s lead. PUBLISHED APRIL 2, 2020 “Things became very real,” Rielly says. UPDATED APRIL 2, 2020 He says his perspective has changed.

“You go for groceries in the morning and realize you have to get there A season interrupted by injury has given Morgan Rielly perspective on early enough to be able to pick something up,” he says. "Every week hockey. The global pandemic has provided him with perspective on life. there is a new experience. You go to the grocery now and there is a line out the door. The Maple Leafs defenceman and alternate captain is in North Vancouver during this pause to hockey, all other sports and normal life. "It’s scary, but we have to remember we are all in this together. Just being inside for this long is new territory for all of us. You have to do what “There is no escaping it,” Rielly said Thursday on a conference call with you can do to keep yourself in a good state of mind.” journalists arranged by the team. “It has been challenging at times when it comes to coping, but it is the same for everybody. We are all dealing He hopes to play hockey again soon with it. We all have our own ways.” “A point comes where it is not in our control,” he says. "I can tell you the The 26-year-old returned to Toronto’s lineup on March 10 after missing players miss playing and want to play. It is strange not being out there. two months with a broken foot. Two days later, the NHL joined the NBA Hopefully, the time comes where it will happen.” in suspending games to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the illness that causes COVID-19. Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.03.2020 “As eight weeks go by, you work really hard to come back,” he said. “Then you play one game, and there is a pause. It is not really ideal, but I think I’d be going crazy if I hadn’t played since early January [at this point]."

He has had considerable time to mull the Maple Leafs’ topsy-turvy season. A poor start led to Mike Babcock being fired as head coach. There was a short rally under the newly appointed . They held down a playoff spot when games were halted. But the only thing they have been consistent at is inconsistency throughout.

“During a pause like this, there is lots of time to process what’s happened this year," Rielly said. "As a team, it is important that we use this down time to take a look in the mirror. When play resumes, we have to be better.

"Deep inside, you have to take it personally and have to help the team be more consistent.”

He is in quarantine in British Columbia with his girlfriend, Tessa Virtue. He and the Olympic-champion ice dancer have dated quietly for a while.

On Jan. 8, they came out together to attend Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment’s annual blue and white gala at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York.

It created a Canada-wide buzz. Who needs Harry and Meghan when we’ve got such an appealing couple? Both universally liked athletes. Fans of both approve.

In February, Virtue left a heart-eyes emoji on an Instagram post of Rielly looking dapper in a suit. A while later, Rielly’s teammate, , addressed the blossoming romance on the popular Barstool Sports podcast Spittin Chiclets. It seems Auston’s nose was getting a bit out of joint as his buddy, Mo, continuously dodged him.

“I was pretty upset with him for a while,” Matthews said then. “He kind of kept it quiet. He didn’t really come out and say [anything]. I got kind of rattled at him. Then I met her and she is an absolute sweetheart so I told him, ‘All right, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.’”

A little more than a week ago, Virtue did an interview on Instagram Live posted by Arkells frontman Max Kerman. At one point, Rielly ducked in over her shoulder to say hi, and then later sat beside her and wrapped one arm around her.

They let on that they were working out together, had done core training on FaceTime with a trainer from Toronto, and were enjoying long walks and hikes and things at home.

This is pleasing and fun in a world where we are all social distancing. 1182118 Toronto Maple Leafs pretty good teams.” Too often, though, the bell rang and Leafs failed to bring the expected fight.

“I can’t really put my finger on it. I think if you look at what Kyle talked Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly has had time for reflection, and he about when he did media, I think that he was open about it — that he hasn’t always liked what he’s seen didn’t have an answer, either,” Rielly said. “I think as a team it’s important that we use this down time to really take a look in the mirror. As players we all have to be better. If you look at the ups and the downs, that’s obviously not how you want your year to be described.” By Dave Feschuk Sports Columnist Until this season, Rielly had been the most reliable of Maple Leafs, Thu., April 2, 2020 playing in about 97 per cent of available games in his opening six NHL campaigns. Year Seven was an outlier. He still played in 47 of Toronto’s 70 games. But he clearly wasn’t himself. He was demoted from the first For all the downside of Morgan Rielly missing about two months of the power-play unit in favour of Tyson Barrie. A year after scoring 20 goals Maple Leafs’ season while recovering from a fractured foot, there was an and racking up a career-high 72 points in 82 games, this year, even if obvious silver lining to his absence. A little more than three weeks ago, he’d played all 82, he was only on pace to put up just five goals and 47 with his injury woes apparently behind him, the club’s No. 1 defenceman points. That’s hardly what you would expect from a top defenceman of an looked to be on track for an intriguing ramp-up to the playoffs. allegedly high-flying offensive juggernaut.

His eight-week rehab from that foot injury, which kept him out from early “There were times where I was good. And there were times when I felt January until early March, helpfully coincided with some much-needed that I could have been better,” he said. “I think that’s a bit how we as a healing time for other undisclosed lower-body ailments that clearly team look back at the year and the games that we did play.” plagued him during an inconsistent season. So when he played nearly 22 minutes in an impressive 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on While Rielly spent Thursday refusing to use his various injuries as an March 10, there was renewed hope that Rielly, a little less than a month excuse, he said his involuntary escape from the on-ice grind has clearly removed from the start of the playoffs, was returning at exactly the right been good for his health. Now, he and the Leafs and the rest of the moment. known sporting universe are hoping we’ll eventually arrive at a moment when sports-related health isn’t wholly overshadowed by matters of Alas, Rielly’s first game back turned out to be the last time the Leafs public health. played. “(What) I’m trying to do right now at home is to make sure that when the “To come back and play one game is certainly not ideal. In that same time comes to start playing again that I’ll be ready,” he said. “And I know breath, I think if I hadn’t come back and played one game and I still the rest of my teammates are doing the same … As players we all have hadn’t played since January 12th, I think it would make it worse,” Rielly to be better.” said Thursday, speaking on a conference call with reporters from his home in North Vancouver. “I think I’d be going crazy if I haven’t played since early January.” Toronto Star LOADED: 04.03.2020 If staying of sound mind and body is a challenge for all of us at the moment, Rielly sounds like he’s as well-prepared as anyone. In this moment of self isolation, he acknowledged he has frequent company — specifically his new girlfriend, Tessa Virtue, the Olympic figure-skating icon.

“We’re both just kind of in it together and we’re trying to keep each other sane,” he said. “I won’t talk about (the relationship) too much … I’ll just say I’m glad I’m not alone. That would be challenging.”

Rielly said he’s mostly sticking to a daily routine — a home workout in the morning followed by phone calls with family and teammates followed by time spent reading, which he prefers over movies and TV. He said he recently enjoyed “Shoe Dog,” the autobiography of Nike founder Phil Knight, not to mention “Educated,” the bestselling memoir by Tara Westover. He’s also had his nose in a tome about mental health, the title of which he preferred to keep private but that he acknowledged was tossed his way by , the Maple Leafs general manager and resident literary tastemaker.

"If you've played long enough for Kyle, he's probably given you a book at one point or another,” Rielly said. “I think he just likes it when you’re reading something.”

Rielly, too, said he is cooking more than he does in Toronto, where the team generally feeds players a good chunk of their diet. For now he’s mostly grilling chicken and steaks on the barbecue, with a serving of pasta tossed into the mix for good measure. Though he’s a West Coast kid residing not far from the Pacific Ocean, he hasn’t yet developed the “confidence” to prepare fish.

“I don’t want to undercook it and then we’ve got a whole other situation on our hands,” Rielly said.

As for hitting on a viable recipe for more on-ice consistency for his Maple Leafs, a squad Dubas labelled as “Jekyll and Hyde” not long before play was paused, Rielly said it is a work in progress. For all their health- related issues — Rielly was among a long list of prominent players who missed significant time — there’s an undeniable feeling that Toronto’s highly skilled parts ought to have added up to something greater than a team residing on the post-season bubble on pace for a 95-point campaign. Not that there weren’t positives; Rielly spoke of being proud that his team “answered the bell at times when we had to against some 1182119 Toronto Maple Leafs Shore is clearing the puck, Blair intercepts. Doraty is dashing in for the front of the net, Blair passes, Doraty takes it … He shoots, he scores!”

So ended the longest NHL game at the time. Looking back at the longest game in Leafs history “I think Tiny was so tired he couldn’t lift his stick to stop it,” Clancy would recall.

Lance Hornby Ross, who had numerous wars with the Leafs before and after this game, was magnanimous in defeat. April 2, 2020 10:05 PM EDT “All the boys showed wonderful stamina, the were brilliant,” Ross told reporters. “A tough series to lose, but we congratulate Toronto”. Overtime playoff hockey has only been a tease for Toronto the past 15 years. The Leafs changed quickly for a train to New York from Union Station that departed around 3:30 a.m., arriving at 4:30 that afternoon. The Given that the Maple Leafs went through nearly a decade without even bedraggled Leafs lost 5-1 and never recovered momentum, losing the qualifying for post-season play — and lost all four of their series since best- of-five in four games, though Doraty had five of their total 14 playoff 2013 — they’ve seen barely 51 minutes of sudden-death drama since the goals. last time they won a set in ’04. Most of that time was taken up by the 2017 double-OT game decided by Kasperi Kapanen against the Capitals. Doraty didn’t hold his place in NHL lore very long. Less than three years later, Detroit rookie Modere (Mud) Bruneteau scored at 16:30 of the sixth So, just imagine six extra periods in one go. The longest game in overtime against the in Game 1 of their best-of-five. franchise history was played 87 years ago on Friday night and actually Chabot was in net for Montreal. dragged into April 4 before Kenny Doraty ended it at 104:46. Doraty did have one more rendezvous with NHL overtime history in 1934. “It’s one of the greatest victories I was ever in,” defenceman King Clancy Just before the league did away with a rule that extra periods would last wrote decades later. “But we didn’t do any celebrating that night because for 10 minutes regardless of how many goals were scored, Doraty had a we were too tired to move.” natural hat trick against Ottawa in a 7-4 victory. Setting the stage, the defending-champion Leafs were playing Boston in a best-of-five semifinal, both hoping to meet the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup. The Rangers had swept the Red Wings and were waiting at Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.03.2020 home, but Toronto-Boston went the distance, three of the previous four games to OT and all but one match kept to three combined goals or less.

Higher in the standings, the Leafs were home for the final three games and 14,530 were in the Gardens for Game 5, a building that had opened only 17 months before.

Goaltenders Lorne Chabot of the Leafs and Cecil (Tiny) Thompson of Boston were once more in fine form and for the second time in the series, it was 0-0 after 60 minutes of regulation. A Boston goal had been called back in the third period, while Clancy thought he’d won it in the fourth extra period, only to have that rescinded by the referee, too.

As the teams battled on the ice, above them an increasingly hoarse Foster Hewitt tried to keep up with the marathon. Already a broadcast legend across the far-flung country from the Leafs’ early days at Mutual St. Arena, Hewitt was so vital to the organization he was allowed to choose where his famous ‘gondola’ would hang on Carlton St. He’d gone to a neighbouring Eaton’s department store and climbed the stairs, all the while looking down at the main floor to assure he could still distinguish faces. When they became fuzzy, the gondola was duly hung at 54 feet.

Hewitt was said to have lost eight pounds that night and reduced to mumbling as he nearly fainted.

Foster Hewitt nearly passed out calling the nine-period game from the gondola in the Gardens. Postmedia files.

After the fifth period, Leafs manager Conn Smythe and Boston’s Art Ross consulted NHL president Frank Calder to ask if the game could be continued or re-started next day. But a circus was scheduled for in New York and April 4 was already in stone as the only home game the Rangers could accommodate.

Ross then suggested a coin flip to decide the series and though the weary Leafs initially agreed, the announcement of the plan sparked so much outrage from spectators who’d stayed around, that play went to a sixth period. Calder urged removing Chabot and Thompson, which was also rejected by the proud goalies and their teams.

Enter Doraty, one of the lightest players on record in the NHL, a reputed 128 pounds, from Stittsville, Ont., near Ottawa. After working his way from the west with the Portland Rosebuds, Doraty was briefly a Chicago Blackhawk. An injury to winger Ace Bailey earlier in the year saw him join the Leafs for 38 games.

At 4:46, around 1 a.m., real time, Hewitt perked up, sensing opportunity unfolding.

“There’s Eddie Shore going for the puck in the corner beside the Boston net … Andy Blair is on for the Leafs now … he’s moving in on Shore … 1182120 Toronto Maple Leafs go early in the morning so you can actually pick something. Each day there’s a news update and then you go to the store and there’s a lineup outside. It’s scary, but we’re all in this together and we have to do our part. Keep yourself at home. That’s all I can do.” Leafs' Rielly hopes comeback wasn't for just one game As the pandemic rages, the new theory is the league could wait until deep into the summer to start up, finish the 2019-20 season in some manner and move right into a full ’20-21 campaign. Lance Hornby But how late is too late? April 2, 2020 9:55 PM EDT “Good question, that’s what we’re all wondering right now,” Rielly said.

“The quick answer is I don’t know. We do have calls as a team and as It took eight weeks of hard slogging in the gym and on the ice before players around the league and we can talk about those sorts of things. Morgan Rielly finally made it back from a broken foot — to play just one But a point really comes when that’s not really in our control. game. “As players, we want a chance in the playoffs, but health comes first. Now it could be much longer down time than that before putting on his We’re in a holding pattern, trying to do what’s best for people Maple Leafs sweater again. everywhere. I can only say it feels strange not being out there.

But holed up in his North Vancouver house, Rielly does not consider the “We want it to be normal times again, but when that will happen, I’m not recovery period or the unplanned hiatus that’s followed as wasted sure.” energy. Morgan Rielly is not alone in trying to ride out the the long days of “Yes, it was terribly long trying to heal, to keep yourself in shape,” he said isolation. Thursday on a conference call with Toronto media. “Eight weeks goes by The past few weeks saw the Leafs defenceman’s relationship with figure and to come back and play one (game) is certainly not ideal. When skater Tessa Virtue become widely known and they’re seeing more of you’re training at the gym and trying to get back to play, you’re picturing each other during the COVID-19 lockdown. 12, 13 games and playoffs, not taking a pause again. Rielly was asked Thursday what it has been like having someone nearby “But in that same breath, if I hadn’t came back and still hadn’t played in these times, who shares his passion for sports, particularly skating, since Jan. 12, I think it would’ve made things worse. and is also used to life in the public eye. “You have to take the positives. I came back, played and we won (2-1 “Not too much to change there, to be honest,” Rielly said. “We’re in this against the Tampa Bay Lightning, just before COVID-19 put the NHL on together, trying to keep each other sane. We’re doing what we can to do hold). Look at the big picture, you have to be happy you got one game in. our part and just quarantine. I’d be going crazy if I hadn’t played since early January.” “I really won’t talk about it too much, just say I’m glad I’m not alone. That The 26-year-old defenceman, the rest of the players and team would be challenging. It’s important to keep in touch with those people management have slowly de-escalated, respecting that what’s going on you know in your life that are alone now.” around them is far more serious than sports, yet totally out of their element at home this time of year. It was teammate Auston Matthews who first talked openly about how well Rielly and Virtue were getting along, though at his expense as Rielly’s “For me, it’s important to have a routine, try and create a schedule,” said companion attending sports events. Virtue, the Olympic gold-medallist Rielly, who is with his girlfriend, retired figure skater Tessa Virtue. ice dancer, recently shared that she and Rielly were working out When his home workout is done, he’s moved on to new pursuits such as together, an Instagram which Rielly popped into the background of. cooking, reading, while staying in touch with friends and relatives.

“We’ve been cooking every meal when normally I eat at the rink or go out Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.03.2020 for dinner on the road,” Rielly said. “My specialty is (barbecuing) chicken steaks and doing some pasta. The only thing I don’t have the confidence for is fish. I don’t want to undercook it and then have a whole other situation on our hands.”

While not ready to build a chicken coop as did the industrious Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks, the Leafs alternate captain’s book shelf is growing.

“I just (finished) Shoe Dog which I liked a lot (about the founding of the Nike footwear empire). I’m on one right now about mental health that I think a few members of the team got. Given the times, it changes your perspective a little bit. I read one not too long ago called Educated that I really liked as well.”

The Leafs get such recommended material from general manager Kyle Dubas.

“If you’ve played for Kyle long enough, he’s probably given you a book, whether it’s Christmas or the end of the year. It was different for each guy. I won’t give the title (of his), because it was personal, but it’s nothing too serious. He just likes it when you’re reading something.

“It’s a good way to keep your mind stimulated, Given all this down time, it’s important to try and make use of it. Working, reading, movies (Rielly liked the 2019 film Queen and Slim), TV shows — all that stuff can help. It’s certainly a strange time and that’s what I find has been helpful for me. We’re all doing stuff that’s new to us.”

Thursday marked three weeks since the Leafs showed up to play the Nashville Predators at Scotiabank Arena and were told to go home.

“The Wednesday night, I was home getting treatment and watching basketball,” he recounted. “The news broke that night (and) it became pretty real next morning. You go out for groceries and realize you have to 1182121 Toronto Maple Leafs

More Maple Leafs help public deal with COVID-19 crisis

Lance Hornby

April 2, 2020 7:22 PM EDT

The COVID-19 containment crisis has not stopped the Maple Leafs from their long tradition of comforting patients at Toronto’ Hospital For Sick Children.

On Wednesday, star centre Auston Matthews had a ‘virtual video visit’ from his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., with the kids inside, who peppered him with questions about hockey and what he’s doing off the ice with the National Hockey League postponed.

“My favourite thing to do is play hockey,” Matthews replied to one youngster, the alternate captain still sporting his thick in-season moustache. “But in times like this, I’ve been spending quite a bit of time with my family and just kind of enjoying the down time as much as I can. And try to stay as active as I can as well.”

Matthews took a few patients’ calls, on a chat co-hosted by one youngster who had previously written a speech on his favourite player. Matthews’ exchange was broadcast via closed circuit television to all patient rooms in the hospital.

Matthews was also quizzed on his favourite food — the Mexican dishes his mother prepares from recipes in her native country — but he said he likes Italian cuisine as well.

The star wished another patient named Brodie, who is recovering from open-heart surgery and couldn’t be on the chat, a speedy recovery.

Teammate William Nylander also posted online “a big thank you to doctors, nurses and those in essential services helping us staying safe and healthy. Now it’s important that we do our part by staying home and practicing our social distancing.”

Earlier, alternate captain Morgan Rielly, winger Zach Hyman and general manager Kyle Dubas posted messages ranging from reminders to frequently wash hands to tips keeping apart.

“When you need to go out, go for the essentials, stay six feet away from people,” Hyman said in his spot last week. “That doesn’t mean we can’t talk to each other. video games, have FaceTime, go on our phones, talk to our friends.”

Rielly said the Leafs and other NHLers recognize they can be positive role models in a time when the government is having trouble getting some people to take COVID-19 precautions seriously.

“You have to be a bit careful, you don’t want to make (the story about you) being on social media,” Rielly said. “Really the best thing you can do is lead by example. Keep yourself inside, being true to the quarantine, lead on that front.

“You understand playing hockey in Toronto, you do have an opportunity to be a leader in your community.”

Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182122 Toronto Maple Leafs Moore. His skating improved and he was able to create more space in the offensive zone.

“I don’t see him stuck as a fourth-line guy,” said Moore. Toronto Marlies Report: 2019-20 final player grades Moore isn’t always the most effusive or talkative coach, but he didn’t hesitate to laud Elynuik’s play.

By Joshua Kloke “The hockey world and the perception of where their name is slotted on a lineup. For the most part, we can always talk top six, bottom six. But if Apr 2, 2020 anybody’s been watching our last few games, they would have noticed that (Elynuik’s) line was the best line on our team and the most effective

line on our team,” said Moore. While the AHL season has not officially been cancelled, the pause still As a result, Moore began giving Elynuik more offensive zone starts. provides us with an opportunity to look back on the season as a whole. “I thought, personally, since I have joined the team, (he was) our most At first glance, it was a frustrating one for the Toronto Marlies. Their improved forward in that time,” said Moore. “He definitely has the tools to roster had largely been overhauled from the previous season and Greg climb up the ladder.” Moore took over as head coach in December for his first AHL coaching job. The team struggled to put winning streaks together and looked Grade: B+ ineffective for long stretches. Mac Hollowell: 21, RHD, 34 GP, 3 G, 9 A, 12 PTS The Marlies were in seventh place in the AHL’s North Division with 63 points in 61 games. They were nine points out of the playoffs with 15 The smooth-skating defenceman took some time to develop the games remaining. confidence necessary to play at the AHL level after transitioning from the ECHL. He was getting beat in puck battles and was sometimes caught But beyond the wins and losses, how did the team’s players develop this out of position. But his attributes were evident and his passing and season? decision-making improved. The organization was happy with Hollowell’s evolution and how he developed the confidence to understand how, The Athletic assessed every Marlies player on the current roster, with according to Pellerin, he’s going to “have success at the AHL level and input from head coach Greg Moore and Leafs senior director of player then eventually, as we see it, as an important part of our organization in development . the NHL.” Kenny Agostino: 27, LW, 53 GP, 27 G, 22 A, 49 PTS Grade: B During the Marlies’ worst games, Agostino often looked like he was the Kristians Rubins: 22, LHD, 47 GP, 2 G, 12 A, 14 PTS only player giving a noticeable effort. He displayed consistent, high-end skill while leading the team in scoring, his two-way game excelled and he The organization is clearly very high on the rookie Marlies defenceman, set a positive example for younger players with his upbeat attitude. as evidenced by the two-year entry-level deal he signed Wednesday. He spent last season as a rookie with the ECHL’s . “I was really impressed with how competitive he is and how much he demands to be the go-to guy all the time,” said Moore. “(Sheldon Keefe) told me to keep my eye on him and that he was really impressed with what he was as a defenceman,” said Moore. Understanding the likelihood of Agostino getting claimed by another team prohibited him from getting called up, it sure felt like he deserved a look Rubins was quite mobile for a 6-foot-4, 221-pound rookie and didn’t get with the Leafs. At a $737,500 cap hit next season, I’d pencil him in for a caught out of position all that much. His skating and footwork improved spot in the Leafs’ lineup. throughout the season.

Grade: A Playing the second-most games among Marlies defencemen speaks to the team’s faith in him and their belief that more ice time and more : 20, RHD, 40 GP, 5 G, 25 A, 30 PTS confidence could lead to greater opportunities. While Liljegren didn’t look very convincing in his 11 NHL games, with the Grade: B Marlies he was the durable and standout defenceman he was expected to be. Pontus Aberg: 26, RW, 55 GP, 20 G, 24 A, 44 PTS

He logged big minutes in different situations, generated offence and Aberg might be the most skilled player on the Marlies roster, but there dictated play like very few AHL defencemen. were times when he drifted in and out of games. He scored in bunches, particularly early in the season. When he was on his game, the way he In February, Pellerin praised his decision-making. moved the puck was outstanding. But when he wasn’t, his lack of “There are times when he can change the game,” Pellerin told The defensive engagement hurt the team. Athletic. “We’re very happy with the trajectory he’s on right now.” At 26, Aberg might be one of those players who has more than enough Of course, what matters is how he performs with the Leafs. It seemed skill at the AHL level but can’t always make it work at the NHL level. He like a given he’d be in their lineup next season. He’s proven he’s a great didn’t overly impress in his five games with the Leafs, but I’d like to see AHL defenceman. Now he has to prove he’s more than that. what he’d do with a longer shot given that his approach fits with the Leafs’ style of play. Grade: A- Grade: B- Nic Petan: 25, C, 25 GP, 10 G, 21 A, 31 PTS Adam Brooks: 23, C, 29 GP, 9 G, 11 A, 20 PTS Petan finished third in the AHL in points per game. (1.24) The playmaker made things look easy at times. He suffered a shoulder injury and missed It was a tale of two seasons for Brooks. In 20 games with the Marlies nearly a month late this season which didn’t help his chances of getting before making his NHL debut on Dec. 28, Brooks had 16 points. But another look with the Leafs. once he returned he had just four points in nine games. He was sidelined with a concussion on Feb. 15 and did not play again. Petan is under contract next season with a cap hit of $775,000. Given how well he played with the Marlies, he could be in the discussion for a Still, his skating and offensive instincts made him one of the Marlies’ spot in the Leafs’ lineup to start next season. better players.

Grade: A- Brooks will likely play more regularly for the Leafs in the future. But there’s still more consistency needed in many facets of his game, and the Hudson Elynuik: 22, C, 53 GP, 5 G, 8 A, 13 PTS lack of games down the stretch didn’t help him.

Elynuik led Marlies rookies in games played. Though he started the Grade: B- season as a prototypical checking centre, his progression impressed : 22, RHD, 23 GP, 3 G, 15 A, 18 PTS year of his contract and it wouldn’t be surprising if he doesn’t return next season. Duszak looked comfortable carrying and distributing the puck after being called up from the Growlers. Like Hollowell, Duszak was sometimes Grade: C+ lacking in his defensive responsibilities. Moore wants to see his defensive game tighten up and for him become more consistent and bulk Tanner MacMaster: 24, LW, 56 GP, 11 G, 19 A, 30 PTS up in the weight room to be more imposing in his own end. In his first full season with the Marlies, MacMaster showed he’s an “He’s definitely improved since he first came on with us,” said Moore. underrated distributor and can see the ice well. But what made “We need to rely on him. And there’s games where he definitely controls MacMaster such an infallible part of the Marlies lineup was the energy he the pace and controls the game and adds a lot to our play. We just have brought. He’s one of the loudest players on the team and displayed a to keep building consistency with him.” good work rate.

Grade: B- He might not have enough skill to make the jump to the next level but he made a difference on the Marlies. Teemu Kivihalme: 24, LHD, 55 GP, 4 G, 14 A, 18 PTS “Anytime you have someone who has the energy on the bench and is In his first North American pro season, Kivihalme displayed an ability to bringing enthusiasm and has an element of bringing the team together, make clean zone exits, regroup and defend against opposition rushes. it’s always a positive,” said Moore. His skating is clearly strong and it was positive to see him adapt as well as he did to the smaller ice after two seasons in Finland. He took Grade: C+ unnecessary penalties, however, leading Marlies defencemen with 26 Greg Moore penalty minutes. It was never going to be an easy transition for Moore in his first AHL Grade: B- season. He took over a largely overhauled Marlies roster midseason and Egor Korshkov: 23, LW, 44 GP, 16 G, 9 A, 25 PTS replaced a well-liked coach in Sheldon Keefe. Moore clearly has a strong understanding of the way the Leafs organization wants to tactically There is little question about Korshkov’s skill level. I liked his ability to be approach the game but, based on my observations, spent most of the aggressive with the puck, particularly close to the goal. season adapting to life in the AHL and didn’t connect to players the way Keefe was noted for. What held him back in his first full professional season in North America was his lack of consistency. It’s not all on him, but the Marlies looked lethargic many nights in a stretch which saw them win just three of 15 games. “Within his shifts at times, I wouldn’t say he stopped playing, but he wasn’t moving on to the next option. Like how was he supporting his Moore said as the season went on, he learned to trust himself and his teammate? Or how was he going to get the puck back or help the team decisions more. He deserves a full season with the Marlies to showcase get the puck back? Where was he sprinting to help defend?” said Moore. more of his tactical acumen. “So for him, it’s just managing his shift and the intensity in his shift and building consistency in it.” Grade: C+

Grade: B- Tyler Gaudet: 26, C, 58 GP, 4 G, 17 A, 21 PTS

Scott Pooley: 26, RW, 30 GP, 8 G, 4 A, 12 PTS No Marlie played more games than Gaudet. He largely flew under the radar, but still set an example with his work ethic on and off the ice. He Moore liked a lot about Pooley’s first full season with the Marlies, one in was on a one-year deal and given his ties to the organization, having which he successfully graduated from the Growlers. played for Sheldon Keefe and Kyle Dubas previously in the OHL, it wouldn’t surprise me if he returns. I don’t expect him to be in the His shot made him dangerous on the rush as did his ability to separate conversation for a Leafs lineup spot, though. himself from defenders with his skating. He was defensively suspect at times, and at 26, he’s probably hit his ceiling as a player. But he was a Grade: C boon for the Growlers-Marlies pipeline and it’s a positive to see players moving up in the organization. Matt Read: 33, RW, 48 GP, 13 G, 12 A, 25 PTS

Grade: B- Read brought 449 games of NHL experience to the Marlies, and young forwards often noted how he showed them the ropes in professional Rich Clune: 32, LW, 16 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 4 PTS hockey. He has strong hockey IQ. Still, his lack of speed didn’t exactly fit in with the Marlies’ possession-heavy style. Clune battled injuries and was in and out of the lineup. The Marlies aren’t overly reliant on his physicality, but he’s still held in high regard by the Grade: C- organization for his mentorship qualities. Joseph Woll: 21, G, 32 GP, 3.75 GAA, .880 SV% So, would Clune eventually make a good coach? Moore believes he has the assets and qualities to do it. It was a tough rookie season for Woll after making the jump from the NCAA. His reads need to improve and he struggled with the pace of play “He definitely has an element of being kind of a player-coach in the and how deceptive AHL shooters can be. Woll took over the starter’s job sense that he has so much experience,” said Moore. “He sets the after Kaskisuo’s injury. standard, holds the standard and holds people accountable.” But regardless of how bad the AHL rookie’s stats look (his save Grade: C+ percentage ranked 48th of 49 regular AHL goalies), the organization believes in Woll’s ability to become an NHL goalie. Kevin Gravel: 28, LHD, 23 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 PTS “His work ethic, his character and his drive are all unique,” Pellerin said. After a spell of games early in the season, the depth defenceman missed “We believe in him. We’re prepared to support him. We’ve been really close to three months as he struggled with Crohn’s disease. It’s worth happy with all those intangibles, that are elite.” reading James Mirtle’s story on Gravel to get a better understanding of his road to recovery. Grade: C-

Grade: C+ Garrett Wilson: 29, LW, 51 GP, 10 G, 10 A, 20 PTS

Kasimir Kaskisuo: 26, G, 27 GP, 2.79 GAA, .909 SV% Moore praised the Wilson-Elynuik-Pooley line for their efforts late in the season, but that was a rare highlight for Wilson. The veteran checking A hand injury had kept Kaskisuo out of the lineup since Feb. 17. While winger didn’t often change the dynamic of games and his 81 penalty playing behind a young blue line is likely going to lead to more chances minutes led the Marlies. against, Kaskisuo still finished 20th in the AHL in save percentage. He didn’t show nearly enough stability to warrant a longer call-up to the Grade: D Leafs during their backup goaltending shuffle, though. He’s in the final Jesper Lindgren: 22, RHD, 31 GP, 1 G, 8 A, 9 PTS Lindgren’s first full season with the Marlies was frustrating. Given his ability to skate with the puck, he did not produce enough offence. He was deployed in more of a shutdown role at times, looked anxious on the ice and missed 19 games with a high-ankle sprain.

Grade: D-

Jeremy Bracco: 23, RW, 44 GP, 4 G, 30 A, 34 PTS

It feels wrong to assess a letter grade to Bracco’s season given that he left the team for personal reasons in February and the top priority for the player and the club is making sure he’s healthy. He had returned to the Marlies just before the season was paused and Moore said he was moving in the right direction for a return this season. There were exciting glimpses from the playmaking winger, but there were long stretches when he had no impact on games. He’s an RFA at the end of this season and it will be fascinating to see how Dubas approaches the situation.

Grade: N/A

Kalle Kossila: 26, C, 12 GP, 3 G, 3 A, 6 PTS

Like Bracco, it’s unfair to assess Kossila. He showed flashes of the elite skill that made him such an intriguing signing and he has one more year at a $700,000 cap hit. After dealing with persistent migraines, you hope he can stay healthy heading into next season’s training camp.

“He can get attack space really well. He plays with his head up and sees the ice and has all the tools needed to play at this level and being a really effective player for us,” said Moore.

Grade: N/A

Miikka Salomaki: 27, LW, 8 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 PTS

Acquired in a trade from the Nashville Predators for defenceman Ben Harpur, what sticks out is the sandpaper Salomaki has in his game.

“I don’t want to change my own game, but obviously I’d like to play the right way inside the systems,” said Salomaki.

Moore called Salomaki a “very smart, dependable guy. You can trust him in all scenarios.”

Grade: N/A

Matt Lorito: 29, RW, 8 GP, 0 G, 5 A, 5 PTS

Another veteran acquired via trade late in the season, Lorito quickly slotted onto the second line. But at 29 and in the final year of his contract, I don’t see the Leafs bringing him back.

Grade: N/A

Riley Woods: 21, C/LW, 8 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PT

After being used mostly on the wing in junior, Woods got called up late in the season from the Growlers and was deployed as a second-line centre. He’s on a one-year deal but his 37 points in 43 games with the Growlers might warrant another look.

Grade: N/A

Max Veronneau: 24, RW, 3 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PT

He has 16 games of NHL experience over the past two seasons with the Ottawa Senators.

Grade: N/A

Parker Gahagen: 26, G, 2 GP, 3.56 GAA, .865 SV%

His two games as a call-up came after posting an impressive .939 save percentage in 15 games with the Growlers.

Grade: N/A

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182123 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights prospect misses Hobey Baker Award top-3

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal

April 2, 2020 - 9:57 am

Updated April 2, 2020 - 10:54 am

Golden Knights prospect Jack Dugan was not named one of the three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, which goes to the best player in college hockey, Tuesday.

The 22-year-old Providence wing was named one of 10 finalists for the award March 18. Dugan led all skaters in points (52), assists (42) and power play points and averaged a Division I-leading 1.53 points per game.

The 2017 fifth-round pick also impressed at his potential future home rink, T-Mobile Arena, by scoring the championship winning shootout goal of the Fortress Invitational in January.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182124 Washington Capitals

T.J. Oshie invites fan to Caps game after he made every NHL team's logo out of dominos

By Jackie Walsh

April 02, 2020 7:00 PM

A young Caps fan who has spent the last week making all 31 NHL team logos out of dominos got a shoutout on Twitter and an invite to a game from his favorite player, T.J. Oshie.

Alex, the 12-year-old behind this project, created a Youtube video which shows all of the domino creations in action.

The video ends with Alex decked out in a Caps jersey talking about the hard work required to accomplish this feat.

He also explains that Oshie is his favorite player and that he planned to see the Capitals play at home this season, but the pause on the NHL season caused a change in plans.

Not only did Oshie respond to Alex’s brother's tweet with praise, but invited the brothers to a Caps game when the season resumed.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182125 Washington Capitals

Alex Ovechkin on the last time he cried and how his video game habit ticks his wife off

By Quinton Mayo

April 02, 2020 6:01 PM

Future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin joined the people over at Men's Journal recently for a very candid interview regarding his life off of the ice.

Of the many topics discussed, one that made Ovi smirk a tad was "What do you do that drives your wife crazy?"

"I think the thing my wife Nastasiya hates the most about me is how much I play games on my phone," Ovechkin said. "Clash of Clans, Candy Crush, all of those games. Even before I go to bed I play them."

While this may seem like an addiction to most, Ovi promises it's not -- just some good fun.

"I'm not addicted, I just like video games," Ovechkin said. "Every time we're away on a road trip I try to get my Xbox with me just to play video games."

While Ovechkin's gaming habits may irritate Nastasiya, he finds time for movie nights (and sometimes cries, sort of).

"The last time I cried is when we watched the movie, 'The Notebook,'" Ovechkin said. "I wasn't crying-crying, but I look over at my wife and she's crying so I tried to hold it together and think of something else."

Whatever you say Ovi, whatever you say.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182126 Washington Capitals It all came down to a decisive Game 7. After losing three straight, the Caps forced Game 7 in Tampa with a 3-0 Game 6 win in Washington. Just 1:02 into the first period, Alex Ovechkin got the Caps on the board. In the second, Andre Burakovsky extended the Caps' lead to 2 and then How to watch Capitals vs. Lightning Eastern Conference Final 2018 AGAIN minutes later to make it 3-0. Tampa pulled the goalie with a couple of minutes to go in the third and Nicklas Backstrom capitalized on

the opportunity, scoring the fourth and final goal for the Caps to defeat By Caroline Brandt the Lightning 4-0 and advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 20-years. Braden Holtby secured two shutouts in row for Games 6 and April 02, 2020 12:37 PM 7, a feat only accomplished by four other goalies in NHL history.

After the Capitals finally "exorcised the demons" and advanced past Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020 Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by beating the Pittsburgh Penguins, they moved on to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in franchise history since 1998.

Capitals fans waited for 20-years to see their team advance past the second round and the Caps were not going to make the wait for a Cup any longer.

Saturday, April 4, NBC Sports Washington will be airing Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 of the Eastern Conference Final between the Capitals and Lightning. Here's how to tune in.

When: Saturday, April 4, 10:30 a.m.

Where:

NBC Sports Washington (channel finder)

What happened in the 2018 Eastern Conference Final, Capitals vs. Lightning?

Game 1:

Coming off a high from beating the Penguins to advance to the ECF, the Capitals came out strong, Michal Kempny netting the first goal of the game to put the Caps up 1-0 over the Lightning eight minutes into the first period. With seconds to go, the Lightning took the puck down the ice and scored off of a wild play, but the goal was called back thanks to a too many men on the ice penalty. The Caps took the power play and with only seven seconds left in the first, Alex Ovechkin scored right off the face off to put the Caps up 2-0 heading into the second. Just under three minutes into the second period, Jay Beagle got a lucky bounce putting the Caps up 3 goals over the Lightning. A few minutes later, the Caps got their fourth and final goal of the game, Lars Eller getting the rebound off of an Ovi shot. The Lightning finally got something going in the third period, scoring two goals but it wasn't enough to beat the hot Caps.

Game 2:

The Caps kept their hot streak going into Game 2, this time laying it on with a 6-2 victory. The Caps got on the board first once again, with a shot from Matt Niskanen tipping off the stick of Tom Wilson and past Andrei Vasilevskiy who didn't stand a chance. But minutes later, Brayden Point put the Lightning on the board during a power play, tying the game at 1. The Lightning got on the board again to take the 2-1 lead thanks to another Caps penalty. But little did the Bolts know that would be their final two goals of the game. Early in the second period, a snipe from Devante Smith-Pelly tied the game at 2. With a minute to go in the second, Lars Eller broke the tie to put the Caps up 3-2 and with a mere two seconds left, Evgeny Kuznetsov put the Caps up 4-2 heading into the third. Two more goals followed from Alex Ovechkin and Brett Connolly to beat the Lightning 6-2.

Game 6:

After losing THREE straight games in a row, the Caps headed into a do- or-die Game 6 on the brink of elimination. In the first period, Vasilevskiy stood on his head for the Lightning, denying the Caps on multiple chances with superb goaltending. Finally, T.J. Oshie put the Caps on the board in the second period with a beautiful, one-timer snipe off of a Nicklas Backstrom assist. The Caps got their second goal of the game in the third period thanks to a great hustle by Jay Beagle and Chandler Stephenson to avoid the icing call and a pass to Smith-Pelly in front of the net who made it 2-0 Caps. With just under a minute to play, Nicklas Backstrom got his second assist of the game, passing to Oshie who got his second goal of the game with the empty-netter to secure the 3-0 win and force a decisive Game 7.

Game 7: 1182127 Washington Capitals

How to watch Capitals at Panthers NHL 20 simulation and Capitals at Lightning Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Game 7

Staff Report

By NBC Sports Washington

April 01, 2020 10:24 PM

The Capitals’ simulated season continues on Saturday night when they visit the Florida Panthers in NHL 20, aired on NBC Sports Washington. Real-life and will be on the call.

In a partnership with Monumental Sports Network, NBCSW is airing all Wizards and Capitals games in simulated NBA 2K20 and NHL 20 games, taking place on the dates and times according to each team's regular- season schedule with commentary from NBCSW's experts surrounding the coverage.

After the game wraps up, NBCSW will reair the Caps’ spectacular 2018 Stanley Cup Game 7 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Alex Ovechkin, Nick Backstrom, and André Burakovsky helped secure the win.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182128 Winnipeg Jets Canucks, including goalie , defenceman and forwards like and Burrows.

The circumstances that opened the door for him would soon pass, but One-on-one with Jason Jaffray: On retirement and the call that changed Heisinger delivered some good news for Jaffray, who was told to jump on his career the flight with the team.

“From there, it just kind of worked out for me,” said Jaffray. “I was there for another six years. It was incredible how it ended up happening.” By Ken Wiebe During the course of that season, Jaffray played more of a Apr 2, 2020 complementary role, but that would change soon enough.

He remains one of the most popular players in Moose history and he’s also the franchise leader in goals (157) and points (400). The timing couldn’t have been worse for a snafu involving Jason Jaffray’s work visa. Jaffray eventually blossomed into a top-line player and would earn his first NHL contract, inking his entry-level deal with the Vancouver Canucks After toiling in the ECHL for two seasons and change, the undrafted in the summer of 2007 after producing 35 goals and 81 points in 77 forward finally had an opportunity to prove himself at the American games with the Moose. Hockey League level. Of the 33 games he suited up for with the Canucks, none was more Not only had he earned a 25-game pro tryout offer from the Cleveland memorable than his NHL debut, when he scored the game-winning goal Barons in December 2004, but his ice time was on the rise and so was and added an assist in a victory over the Anaheim Ducks. his production. Jaffray spent part of one season in the Calgary Flames organization and Playing for the farm club of the San Jose Sharks, Jaffray found himself signed with the Winnipeg Jets in the summer of 2011 to provide on the top line with prospects Marcel Goc and . organizational depth. Imagine his surprise when Barons general manager Mike Mudd called Although he spent the bulk of his time with the St. John’s IceCaps, him into the office one morning in February. Jaffray suited up in the final 13 NHL games in his career in 2011-12, There was no way for Jaffray to prepare for the news Mudd would chipping in an assist against the Boston Bruins. deliver. The Barons had accidentally overlooked renewing his visa, and There were also two trips to the final, falling in six games to because of that, Jaffray was being released. the with the Moose in 2009 and in five games to the If that news wasn’t devastating enough, the paperwork issue meant that with the IceCaps in 2014. he couldn’t return to his ECHL team in Wheeling, W. Va., or find work After spending the past five seasons in Germany with EHC Red Bull with another team in the U.S. Munich, Jaffray recently announced he would be retiring from hockey “This was the first time I got a break in the AHL and I literally thought my once the post-season had concluded. career was over,” Jaffray said during a recent telephone conversation. Unfortunately for Jaffray, the DEL cancelled the playoffs a few days later. “We might have been the worst teams in the league that year, but I was playing and was contributing. After this meeting, I thought I was being Retirement arrived earlier than expected and Jaffray had to rush to get pranked. out of the country as the world was dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. “When you’re playing on the first line, you’re on the first power play and doing everything that is expected of you, it was tough to take. I remember Jaffray didn’t even have time to say farewell to some of his teammates as leaving the arena in tears wondering, ‘What am I going to do now?’” he hustled back to Canada.

As Jaffray was sorting out his next step, he returned to Wheeling to “We were in first place in the DEL. The hope was that I was going to be gather up his belongings for the long ride back to his home in Alberta. able to have another long playoff run and know when it was my last game and to be able to skate off with that trophy in my hands,” said On a stretch of highway roughly two hours outside of Wheeling, Jaffray’s Jaffray, who ended up playing 49 NHL games with the Jets, Canucks and cellphone rang; on the other end of the line was GM Calgary Flames. “That was all brought to an immediate halt. It was just Craig Heisinger. an all-around very weird situation that nobody could have predicted.” The Moose were in a bind, as forwards Nathan Smith and Tim Smith had As frustrating as it was to not have the opportunity to chase a fourth DEL both come down with the flu and were unable to play that night at Copps championship in his final season, Jaffray has come to terms with the Coliseum against the Hamilton Bulldogs. abrupt end to his career and has spent a lot of time reminiscing about Not wanting to jeopardize his opportunity, Jaffray simply said yes, he some of the many highlights. could make it, and didn’t bother telling Heisinger that it was going to be “After playing professionally for 18 or 19 years, you kind of want that virtually impossible for him to arrive in time for the game. send-off,” said Jaffray. “I’ve come to grips with it a little bit more over the “It was around 2 o’clock and I punched Hamilton into my GPS and it said past couple of weeks. Over the past couple of months, I’ve had a lot of it was a seven-hour drive,” said Jaffray, noting the game was scheduled time for reflection about my career, where I got to, how I got there and to start at 7:30 pm. the cities that helped me grow into becoming the player I ended up being. I wouldn’t change my route for anything.” Jaffray quickly pulled a U-turn, and his determination — and heavy foot — allowed him to realize his goal. Jaffray recently called Heisinger, now the assistant GM of the Jets, to say thanks for taking a chance on him back in February of 2005. Since he was tight for time, Jaffray didn’t even have time to put a suit on as he scrambled inside the arena just after 7:15 p.m. Here’s a condensed version of the rest of our conversation, which touched on his NHL debut, his decision to head overseas and what his “The team was coming off the ice after the pre-game warm-up and I future might look like. remember Lee Goren writing up a $100 fine up on the board because he said I was late for the game and had no tie,” said Jaffray. “I just threw on How would you describe your NHL debut, given the long road to get my stuff and went out for the game.” there?

Dress code violation aside, Jaffray’s Moose debut was memorable — he On my first shift, I remember taking three strides before my feet even hit scored the lone goal (a backdoor tap-in set up by Alexandre Burrows) in the ice. I was so excited to be out there. Being very nervous going for the a 3-1 loss to the Bulldogs. pre-game skate, but I was lucky enough to know some of the guys who were on the team at that point, guys I had played with the previous few Jaffray had made a positive first impression, but this was the year of the years. NHL lockout and the roster was filled with a number of future Vancouver I was on a line with Markus Naslund and Mason Raymond. Being able to set up Raymond for his first NHL goal in the first period and scoring my first NHL goal against J-S Giguere in the second period … I still remember it to this day, Mattias Ohlund meeting me in the slot (after the goal) and him giving me a big hug. Just getting back to the bench and thinking, ‘This is surreal. Is this really happening right now?’

A couple of nights later, we were in Edmonton and I’ve got 50 family members in the stands and the game is on . My parents and sister were interviewed in the stands and I’m interviewed between periods. It happened so fast and it was so incredible. It makes the hair stand up on your arms even thinking about it.

What was it like to get into those 13 games with the Jets in 2011?

Being able to get called up to play for the Jets during their inaugural season was incredible. To grow up in that arena and then come back and play for the Jets was a very cool and humbling scenario. To play in front of those same fans on a larger stage was a great experience for me and my family.

Given how it worked out, is it safe to say you don’t have any regrets about the decision to head to Munich in 2015?

I don’t regret anything about how my career panned out. The situation in Europe was very unknown to me. I had never travelled to Europe and I had never seen a European hockey game, even on TV. I didn’t know what to expect. I was lucky enough to go to a situation like Red Bull Munich. First off, I’m in a very international city where you can get by speaking English. And winning the first three years over there, whenever you’re winning, you’re having fun.

How did you know it was time to move on to the next chapter and retire?

Last March, I ended up having hip surgery. I was 37 years old and I only had two goals and two assists in 17 games because I was dealing with the hip issue from the start of the season. I had one more year left on my contract — I was the oldest player in the league. So I came into the season knowing this was going to be my last year, but the funny thing is that when I got back to playing on Nov. 1, it felt so good to be back to 100 percent healthy and producing. Right away, I started scoring again and putting up points. Hockey was enjoyable for me again and I had spent a year or a year and a half without it being enjoyable because of the hip pain.

I got on a little bit of a streak and felt like the old Jason Jaffray and there were thoughts in the back of my mind that I could do this for a couple of more years. Then, February hit and being 38 years old, getting out of bed the day after a hockey game was not easy. It wasn’t that it was one part of my body, it was my whole body that was sore. It’s an everyday battle to get the body back to where it needs to be in order to perform at the top level. I wanted to go out on my own terms. I didn’t want a GM or a coach to tell me that I wasn’t good enough anymore.

Would staying involved in hockey be something that interests you?

Yeah, I’m kind of dealing with that right now. Whether it’s scouting or coaching or player development, something like that, I would love to be able to stay within the game at some point. But at this time, my kids are 9 and 13, so I’m going to spend some time with them and when my wife (Michelle) kicks me out of the house because she’s sick of me, then I’ll find a job within hockey hopefully and then go from there.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182129 Vancouver Canucks It’s why they had a level of interest in finding a replacement by renting Wayne Simmonds at the trade deadline to see if he could bring some missing moxie. But the Canucks backed off to save cap space with the expected return of Brock Boeser from injury. Ben Kuzma: Canucks planning for healthy return of Ferland if season is salvaged The only certainty with Ferland is uncertainty until he returns to the ice and plays with the fire and desire that made him attractive to the Canucks. Sven Baertschi has endured five career concussions and returned this season to compile 46 points (13-33) in 43 games with the BEN KUZMA Comets and even draw some trade deadline interest. He was limited to April 2, 2020 2:51 PM PDT 26 NHL games last season.

“I’ve been in the business long enough and with other organizations where we’ve had players miss a year with a concussion and come back Michael Ferland of the Vancouver Canucks bangs Dustin Brown of the and do really well,” stressed Benning. “With Micheal, what I’m hearing is Los Angeles Kings into the boards during an NHL game in Vancouver on that once he has healed, he’ll be where he was before he got hurt Oct. 9, 2019. (Utica).”

"It’s a big loss for us. We were counting on (Micheal) to play with good And that was a good place. players, get 20 goals and 40 or 50 points and bring some intangibles you need to be successful in the playoffs" Ferland was buoyed by concussion knowledge and how he was feeling.

Four days before his final foray into the unknown this season, Micheal “I’ve met with a lot of specialists,” he said before being dispatched to Ferland was feeling upbeat. Utica. “I can honestly say that I’ve learned so much over the last 1½ to two years about concussions. I’d be lying if I said I’m not thinking about Educated on the complex vestibular sensory system that controls motion that kind of stuff (long-term effects), but I asked a lot of questions and and motor functions, and excited about how well he was competing in I’ve talked to a lot of people. contact practices, the Canucks winger had reason to believe he could be relieved of concussion concerns. “I’ve had a few of them (concussions) and the style of game I play, that doesn’t help. But I’m not really worried about it. Once I fix this, I think I That hope came Feb. 10 in Vancouver. Reality struck Feb. 14 in Utica, can go back to being the player I was in junior and not having little things N.Y. like this that bump my system off. l’ll be able to hit guys and play my style and not worry about being hurt. Ferland lasted one period in his only outing with the AHL Comets after suffering concussion-like symptoms and he stayed on the competitive “I think I’m close.” sidelines. It was the third concussion-related episode this season, restricting him to 14 NHL games and raise more career concerns. And even if Ferland isn’t sound should the season resume — and there’s another prolonged absence and uncertainty — Benning isn’t about to pull If a season put on pause, because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, is the plug on his investment with a buyout. salvaged in some manner the Canucks should ice a healthier roster with the return of Jacob Markstrom, Chris Tanev and Jay Beagle from injury. “It’s too early to even go down that road — that’s not what we’re The return of Ferland would be another wait-and-see proposition. thinking,” said the GM.

Aside from being symptom free by following a five-step recovery protocol, it won’t be until his heart rate is ramped up by pace and aggressiveness Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.03.2020 in a game to see how he reacts.

The vestibular system provides the brain with information about motion, head position and orientation. It also affects motor functions for balance and stability of the head and body. And because concussions can be caused by a blow or whiplash, the very nature of the game Ferland must play to be effective — strong on pucks and the opposition — will be tested again.

Ferland suffered a concussion in a fight with Kyle Clifford on Oct. 30 in Los Angeles and was sidelined for 17 games. In his second game back, he delivered a heavy hit in a Dec. 10 game against Toronto and missed another 27 games before playing in Utica.

Ferland is working out in Brandon, Man. to prepare for training camp, whether it’s in June or July, or September if the season doesn’t resume. He turns 28 on April 20.

“I’ve been told he should be ready to go and be able to do the things he’s always done,” Canucks’ general manager said Thursday. “We’re going to plan accordingly that he’s going to be healthy.”

Ferland was acquired July 10 and signed a four-year, US$14 million free- agent deal. The $3.5 million cap hit was palatable because the 6-1, 217- pound winger was expected to at least replicate the 40 points (17-23) he had with the Carolina Hurricanes last season and 41 points (21-20) with the Calgary Flames in 2017-18.

“It’s unfortunate and a big loss for us,” added Benning. “We were counting on him to play with good players, get 20 goals and 40 or 50 points and bring some intangibles you need to be successful in the playoffs. Even as you go through the season, the last 20 games get harder and more physical.

“He would have been a guy who could play different styles — rough and physical or handling the puck and make plays 5-on-5.”

With 17 of his 23 assists in Carolina last season of the primary variety, the Canucks were banking on a big body who could bang and produce. 1182130 Vancouver Canucks Before we get started with the simulation, here’s the ground rules we used:

Dom’s model doesn’t project the score of the games, just the results. To The Sedin Cup, Drance vs. Harman: Which team wins a 7-game series? manufacture some drama into the simulation, we’ve all agreed that the winner of each game gets to dictate the narrative of how that particular contest unfolded.

By Thomas Drance, Harman Dayal, and Dom Luszczyszyn The first game of the series has to be played by the original lineup as set following the draft. After that, both Drancer and Boy Genius are permitted Apr 2, 2020 to make a few roster changes, according to the following rules: ice time can be adjusted but must be realistic within reason, the losing team can make two lineup changes, the winning team can only make one lineup In the absence of real hockey, the Boy Genius and Drancer have built change. juggernaut Vancouver Canucks teams constructed from the best seasons by Canucks players of the past 15 years. In the event of a Game 7, both teams can make an unlimited number of roster changes. Now that the teams have been selected, Harman and Drance’s Canucks will compete against one another in a tournament and the winner will be And with that, let the Sedin Cup challenge series begin! awarded the fictional Sedin Cup. Drance: The city of Vancouver is buzzing, Game 1 of the Sedin Cup is Thanks to the ingenuity of The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn, we can here with Harman’s offensive juggernaut the prohibitive favourite … actually rate the teams Dayal and Drance constructed and have them Dom: Game 1 play against one another in a simulated seven-game series. Using Dom’s model, we’ll project how these teams would have performed if you’d Harman (Home): 57.9% subbed them in for the actual 2019-20 Canucks roster in NHL play this season. Drance (Away): 42.1%

Once we’ve determined a projected point totals for both teams, the team Chance of overtime: 23.5% that fares better will get home-ice advantage. And then the fun starts, as Harman, how are you feeling about your chances here? these two teams will battle in an epic seven-game series for the right to hoist the Sedin Cup. Harman: Favourites never win, so I’m fully expecting a loss here.

You can read about the selection draft, the makeup of both teams and Drance: Classic Canucks. the rules of team composition here. Essentially these teams are built of the best single-season Canucks performances over the past 15 years, Dom: That is exactly false, but let’s not allow the Boy Genius any mind with the caveat that both rosters have to be cap compliant. game trickery – clearly he’s working at the reverse jinx here.

Here’s how the teams stack up: All right, time to play!

Before we get to how these teams would project over the course of an Various computer bleeps and bloops. 82-game season, here’s the methodology behind Dom’s model and some Drance: Fans ooh and aah as two absolute juggernauts go toe to toe! of the estimates we’ve made: Harman: Insert playoff grit and physicality! Basically, I used the Game Score Value Added (GSVA) for each player’s respective season. For example, was worth 5.0 wins in Drance: Twitter explodes because of a borderline Raffi Torres hit! 2009-10, the best season by a Canuck in the salary cap era thanks to his strong point production and play-driving ability. GSVA is just Game Score Dom: Harman wins Game 1 in regulation. (a combination of box score metrics) translated to a win value above Drance: Damn. replacement level. For players selected before 2007-08 (before the NHL started collecting real-time stats), we used their point production from the Harman: Really tight defensive game, not a lot of space for both teams given year and merged it with their play-driving metrics from 2007-08. It’s and a real goalie’s duel. It’s a 2-1 win in the end as J.T. Miller scores off not ideal, but it’s what we had to do as a workaround. a tip goal and then Markus Naslund scores the game-winner.

Each game was “played” in the same way the current season is being Drance: Postgame dressing room quote: “Wow. Good game, that’s a simulated in this post: just once, using the win probability for each game good team over there. Liked the way we played, but obviously, at this based on the strength of each team. In order to squeeze every player time of year, all that matters is the win and we didn’t get it tonight.” into a realistic lineup, we used their per-minute win rate and applied it to an ice time estimate based on each player’s slot in the lineup for that Changes to my lineup for Game 2 are coming in the form of Mike particular game. Santorelli moving to the second line to play right wing. moves to the left wing. Tanner Pearson bumped to the fourth line, while You’ll notice that Drance’s Canucks have more “total wins” by GVSA than Raffi Torres will be scratched in Game 2. Dayal’s do, but because Drance has superior depth outside of the 19 players that can dress every night, that may not hold up over the course Harman: No lineup changes for my team. of an 82 game – particularly assuming full health for both rosters, which Dom: Game 2 we’re doing to keep things simple. Harman (Home): 55.9% And, in fact, Dayal’s Canucks outperform Drance’s by a narrow margin based on the regular season projection. Drance (Away): 44.1%

The model projects that Dayal’s Canucks would amass a preposterous Chance of overtime: 23.9% 125.9 points over an 82-game season, a point total that would exceed Drance: Big swing game here! any managed by every NHL team in history save for five: the late 1970s Montreal Canadiens on three occasions, the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings Dom: Some good changes made with the underrated Santorelli coming and the 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning. into the lineup, will it be enough?

The model projects that Drance’s Canucks would amass a still Computer makes a thinking face. preposterous, but not quite as good 123.9 points over an 82-game season. That point total would represent the seventh-highest points total Dom: Drance wins Game 2 in regulation. in the history of the NHL. Drance: Wild, physical game ends 5-3. Critical moment in the series as So Dayal’s Canucks get home-ice advantage and enter the Sedin Cup an iffy Antoine Roussel hit on Elias Pettersson prompts an over-the-top challenge series as the prohibitive favourite, with Dom’s model giving response from Jason Garrison. Garrison received a five-minute major, them a 56 percent chance of emerging as the victor. and news comes down after the game that he’s been suspended for two additional games in the series – a move that’s heavily criticized in chance in a couple of days. We just have to focus on the next one, make Vancouver. Two big power play goals from Quinn Hughes on the ensuing sure we head back on the road with the series level.” major penalty ice the game. Harman: Bertuzzi after the game: “I wouldn’t buy tickets to Game 6 if I (There was a long pause as Dom and the Boy Genius tried to process was a Drance fan.” Drance’s previously undiscussed abuse of the winner’s narrative power to suspend a player on Harman’s team.) Drance: It’s a controversial reversal to be sure. The irony of a favourable disciplinary decision taking Aaron Rome out of the lineup again in a I’m crying laughing here … crucial series is widely noted in a fiery Tony Gallagher column, filed as a special to The Athletic. Harman: You just suspended my highest rated defenceman! No lineup changes for my team, as the coach seems to be happy with Dom: Wait, can he suspend Harman’s player? the way they controlled the game despite the result.

Drance: I only went two games, but yeah, dick move. Harman: Garrison slots back in for Rome and is bumped up to the Dom: Harman, appeal the suspension! second pair while is relegated to third pair duties after making a crucial turnover that led to the game-tying goal. Drance: The suspension could be overturned when Harman next wins a game and he gets the winner’s narrative power … Dom: Harman’s changes after the stunning and frankly unprecedented reversal of Garrison’s suspension bring the two teams to very even Harman: Vancouver fans curse the league for an unfair suspension. footing for a crucial Game 4. Roussel’s social media is full of toxic fans threatening him for having dared to touch Petey. Game 4

Postgame quote: “High energy game, but we got to learn to keep our Drance (Home): 56.7% emotions in check. We want to protect our guys, but we can’t give their Harman (Away): 43.3% PP any life.” Chance of overtime: 23.8% Drance: Though he’s not in any way involved in disciplinary decisions in this series, since it’s taking place outside the scope of NHL play, Computer fans turn on as it starts heating up from calculating such a Vancouver fans are still very mad at Colin Campbell for some reason. tense series.

Harman: Lineup changes: Rome obviously in for Garrison. That third pair Drance: In a widely shared rant on TSN 1040, Matt Sekeres comments is going to play like 10 minutes. Up front, we’re going to break up the “on the Garrison reversal file” suggesting that this “pejorative decision is West Coast Express so the team is tighter defensively. Naslund and an affront twice over and the overreaction both ways casts a pall on an Toffoli swap. Bertuzzi and Raymond swap. otherwise remarkable tournament.”

Drance: No changes on my end. Dom: Harman wins Game 4 in regulation.

Now this series has some feeling. The public adores Harman’s high- Drance: Oh man … Getting grim for my team. flying squad, criticizes my team at length for their dirty tricks. A sportswriter in Alberta says that my all-time Canucks team is an affront to Harman: J.T. Miller retains his status as public enemy No. 1 with another the sport and that the style of hockey they play is better described as physical game. Reddit goes wild with Jonathan Tonathan memes. “Irish football rather than hockey.” Everyone gets in on the action in a 5-2 pummeling on the road

Lots of speculation about how Aaron Rome will hold up on the third pair Postgame quote: “Look, momentum changes so quickly in this series. as the series shifts to my team’s home ice. Some chatter suggests that We can’t let our foot off the gas. We need to bury this one on home ice, my Canucks have better depth, and that may make the difference in the can’t let it get back on the road.” series! Drance: Postgame quotes from my head coach: “I like the way we Dom: Game 3 played. We’re in the mix every game. It’s a hard league to win in. The score reads 5-2, but I think we played better in that game and in the OT Drance (Home): 59.4% loss at home then we did in the game we won.”

Harman (Away): 40.6% Team Drance coaches bump up Jovanovski to the second pair and vow to ride the top pair for 30 minutes in Game 5. Chance of overtime: 23.3% Harman: @Taj1944: “6/1 odds on Drance’s team to win the series. Rome Drance: Let’s goooo! is out of the lineup, you know what to do #easymoney.”

Pregame tweet from @taj1944 is read on the Sportsnet broadcast: No lineup changes for my team. “Jason Garrison is a hero. Taking one for the team to get Aaron Rome into the lineup. True leadership. #easymoney.” Dom: Game 5

Dom: Drance’s chances increase heavily with home-ice advantage, plus Harman (Home): 54.2% the absolutely selfish hit from Jason Garrison that takes him out of the lineup. The gap between Garrison and seventh defender Aaron Rome is Drance (Away): 45.8% large. Will it have an effect on Game 3? Chance of overtime: 24.3%

Computer makes noises as aggressive as Garrison’s hit in Game 2! Computer heat begins to intensify as if it too had to be on the ice for 30 Dom: Harman wins Game 3 in overtime! minutes.

Drance: Crucial win, damn. Drance: Crucial do or die game, and the atmosphere in Vancouver is electric. There’s massive riot prevention preparations ongoing in the Dom: (Prepares for Harman’s narrative vengeance.) downtown core, as the city braces for a potential Cup deciding game.

Harman: J.T. Miller is the OT hero in a 4-3 game where he finishes with Dom: Drance wins Game 5 in overtime. one goal, two assists and a crushing hit on Quinn Hughes for which Miller was booed for the rest of the game whenever he touched the puck. Drance: PHEW! Bertuzzi was headhunting Roussel all game, but Roussel didn’t want to Clutch. Henrik Sedin comes up big with two assists and the game- dance until Jannik Hansen jumped in and they squared off. Jason winning triple-overtime goal in a breathless, 3-2 victory to stave off Garrison’s suspension is cut to one game. elimination and extend the series. Quinn Hughes logs 58 minutes, but is Drance: Postgame quote: “That’s disappointing. We had the game right joking around in the dressing room postgame. It’s noted by opposition there. The good thing about playoff hockey is that you get another defender Chris Tanev that Hughes didn’t appear to break a sweat. Some concern in both dressing rooms after a pair of injuries. On Henrik Sedin with an epic, decisive performance. Shifting between Drance’s side, Sami Salo was hit in the balls by a shot that deflected up various lines, he sets up the only goal in the game in the back half of the into the netting, off the jumbotron, pin-balled off multiple dashers, and third period. After controlling play all game and being unable to beat with seeing eyes, walloped the stalwart defender right between the legs. Schneider – who puts in a heroic 43-save performance – the Canucks He’ll miss one game, the team announces. finally break through when Henrik sends a cross-seam pass to Tanner Pearson for the game-winner with 8:54 to play. Meanwhile, on the other side, Cory Schneider left the game with an undisclosed injury and appears to be a game-time decision for Game 6. Drance: Do I get bonus points for not injuring or suspending all of Harman’s team this time? (Side note to Dom: Can you randomize something with 50-50 odds for whether Harman gets Schneider in Game 6 or not?) Dom: You tried to take out his best player!!!!

Harman: I hate you. Harman: After already taking out my best D-man!

Drance: I left it to chance at least! Drance: I left it to chance!

Dom: OK I’m going to flip a coin … Harman: Jeff Paterson implores my team to “doooo something.”

Harman: A 3-2 series lead in the final after being up two games earlier. Drance: Kevin Bieksa postgame refers to J.T. Miller as “Jonathan What could possibly go wrong? Tonathan or whatever his name is.”

Drance: Yikes! Canucks Twitter is an absolute sewer in the wake of a Asked for his response, Elias Pettersson asks “Who is Bieksa?” triple-overtime classic. Lots of concern for Schneider, as the media awaits an update on his status. Harman: @Taj1944 tweets: “Time to double down. Like I said, #easymoney.” Postmedia’s Patrick Johnston is looking over the medicals for a Canucks goaltender and is expected to break the news shortly … Game 7 lineup changes: Mitchell up to the second pair, Edler down to the bottom pair. Ice time distribution for D can be 27/27/8. Up front F Dom: Which will it be for Cory Schneider? distribution can be 22/20/15/5.

Harman: Lineup changes for my team: Daniel onto the first line, swapped Drance: I’m going to flip Vrbata onto the second line with Santorelli, who with Miller. Evenly distributed increase in ice time so 4L only plays eight moves to line three, and put Sami Salo back into the lineup. minutes. Edler and Hamhuis swap pairs. I also am going to shift Burrows with the fourth line, so match him and Drance: As Canucks Twitter waits for a Schneider update with bated Henrik’s TOI. breath, @WholeGrainne unveils a new T-shirt design of Henrik Sedin’s OT winner, with proceeds benefitting the BC Children’s Hospital. Henrik Harman Wait … Pettersson is going to double shift for Morrison and and Daniel love the design and buy 18,000 shirts to be provided free to match Henrik’s ice time. Kesler double shifting for Richardson all fans attending Game 6. They make an additional $500,000 donation Drance: Harman’s lineup indecisiveness results in another “Dooooo to the hospital too, because Henrik and Daniel are the best. something” from JPat! Harman: Daniel is mocked by Eastern media for buying a shirt that As Game 7 nears, the stakes for a titanic, decisive Sedin Cup clash are celebrates his team’s loss. set. On one side, the offensive wizardry of Harman’s Canucks. On the Dom: Here’s the Schneider update: other, the cynical, hard-scrabble approach of Drance’s. It’s a matchup of speed vs. grit, skill vs. tactical nous. The future of hockey in Vancouver Drance: Wow! hangs in the balance.

Tweet from @RisingAction: Hearing that Cory Schneider has avoided the Dom: Game 7 worst of it. And will play in Game 6. Harman (Home): 58.2% At least 80,000 Vancouver hockey fans reply to PJ’s tweet with jokes about knowing that he’ll play, he’ll play on crutches if he has to. Drance (Away): 41.8%

Lineup change on my end, Yannick Weber in for Sami Salo. Chance of overtime: 23.5%

Dom: Are you still pushing 30 minutes on your top pair? Chance of riot: 99.9%

Drance: Oh most definitely. Drance: 99.9 percent chance of riot .

Also, Canucks coaches vow to play Henrik Sedin every possible minute. Harman: Dayal vows to sell the team to Canucks Twitter if they blow the Expect him to log 27 minutes 3-1 series lead.

He’ll double shift with the fourth line too, so his linemates don’t need to Tank commander Uncle Laleet would be new GM, according to reports. play more. Computer heat reaches 1800 degrees kelvin, the same temperature of a Dom: Beautiful, so four minutes for Malhotra? burning car.

Drance: Yep! Drance: As puck drop approaches, Garrett in Maple Ridge texts into TSN 1040’s inbox: “I can’t even wertch, crezy suspense. Sry texint in with Dom: Game 6 voice to tax.” Drance (Home): 60.1% Dom: Harman (Away): 39.9% And the winner is … Chance of overtime: 23.1% Drance’s Canucks! (In regulation)! Drance: Huuuge game. Drance: Yes! What a comeback! Computer heat continues to rise, matching the fiery red locks of A scintillating matchup concludes with big games from Quinn Hughes Schneider, who feels he owes it to his team and city to play tonight. (1G, 2A), Bo Horvat (1 G), Nick Bonino (1G, 1A) and a Christian Ehrhoff Dom: Drance wins Game 6 in regulation. game-winner. It’s a 4-0 regulation victory, as both sides celebrate with a respectful handshake line. Henrik Sedin is named tournament MVP. Drance: Yes! Harman: The favourites go up by two games and are then up 3-2 only to We’re getting Game 7, baby, single-game elimination! The best. lose 4-0 on home ice. Who could have seen that coming? Drance: The more skilled favourites that play a more appealing brand of hockey too. This was a very Canucks series.

Harman: Henrik tells Daniel to kiss the ring. Bieksa asks Kesler if he wants to start a “Juice and Cupless” podcast. runs over Cory Schneider with a golf cart.

Uncle Laleet assumes control of the Harman Canucks and trades Tyler Myers in his first move as GM.

Drance: “Canucks defeat Canucks, Vancouver celebrates peacefully,” reads newspaper headline.

Dom: “Dom’s model wrong again, predicting 99.9 percent chance of riot,” reads The Athletic comments section.

Harman: Multiple variations of “Canucks defeat shows why analytics will never work” articles run all over the national media sphere.

Drance: The Armies headline: Henrik Sedin – the ultimate champion, Luongo’s recaptured magic and the Uncle Laleet thing.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182131 Websites The movie was released on Jan. 31, 1986. Renowned film critic Roger Ebert gave it two stars. “‘Youngblood is not a bad movie, and indeed has moments of real conviction,” he wrote. “But it is doomed by its plot.” He called the too-formulaic storyline just another example of “Climb from The Athletic / While not without its faults, ‘Youngblood’ is a damn fun Despair to Victory.” movie Ebert’s right. “Youngblood” isn’t exactly Oscar-worthy. But the hockey scenes are generally strong – and certainly memorable.

By Daniel Nugent-Bowman A couple of them involve Richmond.

Apr 2, 2020 Racki sets off a brawl when he checks Mustangs goalie Heaver, played by young Canadian actor Keanu Reeves in only his second movie.

(Reeves was a high school goalie. “He was all right – and a good guy. While the storyline and the on-ice action in “Youngblood” are far from Shy and quiet,” Richmond said.) perfect, there’s a reason why the movie has become a cult classic. During that scene, Swayze squares off against Richmond in the fracas. “It’s about hockey, but it just skims the surface of it,” James Richmond Before he ad-libbed kissing a linesman, Swayze caught Richmond off said. “It’s a fun movie where you can look at the screen ahead and don’t guard. have to think too much.” “He’s punching and it’s all choreographed. But the one time, he actually Richmond should know. Not only has he seen the 1980s junior hockey hit me,” Richmond said. “And we were hanging out together.” film starring Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze countless times, but he also The two became friends during the filming. Swayze visited Richmond’s appears in it. parents’ house in the northwest end of Toronto for barbecues and swims Richmond plays Stordahl, the captain of the Thunder Bay Bombers – the in the family pool. rival team of a Hamilton Mustangs team featuring Dean Youngblood “He was like, ‘Oh my god. I’m so sorry,’” Richmond recalled Swayze (Lowe) and Derek Sutton (Swayze). He was one of several collegiate or saying. Not that he was too shaken up. “It’s no problem,” Richmond junior players to serve as extras or play supporting roles in the film, a replied. sign director Peter Merkle and his writing partner John Whitman attempted to make the hockey scenes authentic. Richmond is also sent flying seconds into the final game when he was hip-checked by a Mustangs defenceman. Subsequent takes required a Future NHLers Steve Thomas and Peter Zezel were Hamilton forwards. revised wardrobe. Current Kings assistant GM Mike Futa, who later played for York University, plus as a professional in Denmark and Germany, tried out for “The first time, they didn’t tell me what he was gonna do,” Richmond the Mustangs in one of the opening scenes. said. “I did a full (flip). I almost landed on my skates again.

George Finn, the Thunder Bay pugilist Carl Racki, spent parts of four “I almost blew my knees out. We did it a few more times. They put some seasons as a tough guy in the OHL. padding in my back because that’s not normal.”

Eric Nesterenko – a veteran of 1,219 NHL games for Toronto and Again, “Youngblood” is far from a flawless film – and that includes the Chicago – played Blane Youngblood, Dean’s dad, and served as the hockey action. Beyond the plot, a few of the inconsistencies and flaws movie’s hockey consultant. are too noticeable to gloss over.

“There are a couple of pieces where I can see guys that shouldn’t have The opening sequence, featuring home videos of Youngblood during been in the shot,” Richmond said. “If they were filming at one end, childhood, shows him shooting left. However, he’s a right shot when sometimes guys would be at the other end firing pucks around. Lowe depicts him.

“It’s neat to see how they pieced it all together. Rob Lowe wasn’t a very The Mustangs hold a tryout to bring in a new player before their semifinal good skater. When he had to get into a fight, he was standing on a piece playoff series. Racki misses out on that spot with Hamilton, losing to of wood. He wasn’t even on his skates. Patrick Swayze really worked his Youngblood, and eventually joins the Bombers. butt off to be a better skater.” A tryout in the middle of the postseason seems outlandish – although the Richmond, now the coach and GM of the OHL’s Mississauga WHL once permitted Memorial Cup-bound teams to add a player from a Steelheads, was then between his sophomore and junior seasons at the defeated club. That’s how Calgary Wranglers goaltender and future University of New Hampshire in the summer of 1984 when the movie was Flame Mike Vernon appeared in the Mem Cup with the Portland Winter filmed. Hawks in 1982 and 1983.

Shooting took place at three rinks in Toronto – Ted Reeve, St. Mike’s and Perhaps the movie gets a bit of a pass here. Scarborough Gardens – and Nesterenko wanted the action to look as legitimate as possible. He scoured local arenas looking for competent The scene when Thomas does leg presses while in the bottom half of his hockey players and spotted Richmond at Westwood Arena. hockey equipment is always worth a chuckle. Who does that?

Nesterenko called him over and asked if he wanted to be in a movie. At one point, Sutton says, “I made 91 goals last year.” Hands up if you’ve Richmond looked at him, puzzled. ever heard a hockey player say he made goals.

“I’m not an actor,” he told him. “And I’m right in the middle of my workout Even if offending players were afforded more leeway in the ’80s, it’s hard here.” to believe Racki’s dirty slew foot wouldn’t have resulted in some sort of suspension considering Sutton ended up in the hospital with a cracked Nesterenko reiterated his pitch and gave Richmond his card. Richmond skull. (Of course, banning Racki doesn’t really work with the ending.) left it on the bench, thinking little of it, and went back to his solo drills. Finally, Youngblood is shown training on the outdoor rink at the family “I called him a couple of days later.” farm before he returns to the Mustangs. Based on the hockey season, this must occur well into April at the earliest. Regardless of how cold the “It was a fun summer job,” he added, noting a reshooting of a scene winter was, there’s no way the ice would be frozen at that time of year. forced him to drive back from New Hampshire for four days in September. “I got to be on the ice every day.” None of the errors are so egregious that they take away from the enjoyment of the film, which includes Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe “Youngblood” tells the story of Dean Youngblood, a 17-year-old farm boy Bowen has a radio announcer. from rural New York state, hoping to catch on with the Mustangs amid their playoff run. Youngblood must carefully navigate his new “Slap Shot,” “Miracle” and “Goon” get more recognition as better hockey surroundings – his teammates, landlady, coach and even a love interest movies. Richmond notes his Steelheads players, the oldest of which this with the coach’s daughter – as he tries to make his mark on the ice. But season were born in 1999, are mostly interested in watching “The Mighty when Racki knocks out Sutton, Youngblood is not only forced into a Ducks” series on bus rides. bigger offensive role but he must also learn how to use his fists. But once a season, they’ll throw on “Youngblood” and to watch what they call “Coach’s movie” – featuring coach’s mullet. “They get a good chuckle out of that,” he said.

Richmond gets a goal and an assist in the decisive game, which – spoiler alert – the Bombers lose to the Mustangs thanks to Youngblood’s hat trick. Richmond’s performance as a background actor landed him a similar role in the short-lived CTV series “Power Play” from 1998 to 2000.

He gave away his Stordahl Bombers jersey to a teammate in Denmark a few years later. Richmond said the movie was a cult classic there, so it was a coveted item.

He retired from playing competitively 15 years ago and coached the Junior A Georgetown Raiders. He had a Mustangs jersey that he’d allow a player, as picked by his teammates, to wear at practice. At the end of one year, he didn’t get it back.

That doesn’t matter to him though.

“It’s about sharing that kind of stuff,” he said. “I have the memories of it.”

Hockey fans should have good memories of it, too. Because even if it’s not perfect, “Youngblood” is a damn fun movie.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182132 Websites the market this season and went to Arizona via a December trade. In spite of additional time to get acclimatized with the Coyotes, Hall’s impact was far less than most anticipated. In fact, when the league paused, Hall had collected just two more points playing in five more games for Arizona Another day another moment that slips away in what would have been than he did with a woeful New Jersey team. So, what does the market the 2019-20 NHL season. look like for a dynamic winger who was the first-overall pick in 2010 who has played in just five playoff games in his career? Arizona GM John

Chayka and Hall’s agent Darren Ferris have had preliminary talks during By Scott Burnside the pause about an extension, but Chayka has to be very cautious about how he proceeds given the early returns. Teams are still going to line up Apr 2, 2020 for a chance to sign the 28-year-old, including possibly Hall’s hometown Calgary Flames. Buffalo and Montreal need help up front, although both

have more pressing needs down the middle. Assuming a full seven-year League officials and players’ union representatives are in constant term, what does Hall’s number look like? A number of scouts don’t think contact about what lies ahead with both sides taking their cues from Hall is a game-changer on his own, that he is a more complimentary medical officials, hoping for a signal at some point that players can start player and doesn’t drive play on his own. The fact he’s a winger and not talking about returning to gyms and rinks, and fans can start to imagine a a center will also blunt the dollar amount. At this stage, how much more return to the game itself. valuable is Hall than Chris Kreider, who signed a seven-year, $6.5 million annual cap hit before the trade deadline? Certainly Hall is a lot closer But at some point, the league will move on and the normal offseason now in terms of marketability to Kreider than say Artemi Panarin, who situations will play out. Hopefully these storylines play out after a Stanley signed a seven-year deal last summer as an unrestricted free agent with Cup champion is awarded, and if that’s the case, the answers to some of an $11.6 million annual cap hit. The one mitigating factor is, if not Hall, these questions may be altered. who else will be on the free agent market for teams looking to beef up So let’s look into the future at the 12 pivotal storylines to watch before the offense? Mike Hoffman, who actually out-pointed Hall at the time of the 2020-21 season. pause? Mikael Granlund, who actually had more goals than Hall this season? Still, if a $10 million windfall for Hall seemed possible at the start 1. Whither Alexis Lafreniere? of this season, that thinking has changed dramatically even without taking into account all of the uncertainty regarding the salary cap that has The NHL Draft scheduled for June in Montreal has been postponed. We come with the pandemic. remain eternally optimistic that there will be a playoff at some point and it’s possible, if not likely, that the playoff grid is expanded to include 4. What of Henrik Lundqvist? possibly 10 teams per conference instead of eight. Or maybe it’s 12 teams per side. Would those additional teams at the bottom end of the The pause in the NHL’s season also pauses one of the most difficult playoff ladder automatically be excluded from the draft lottery? decisions for the New York Rangers: What to do with one of the greatest Presumably. That would leave 11 or seven teams in the hunt for the players in franchise history in netminder Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist elusive No. 1 pick instead of the normal 15 teams. Obviously Detroit, with went from the third wheel in an uncomfortable three-goalie rotation to a its embarrassing minus-122 goal differential in 71 games, is the most spare tire this season. His last win was on Feb. 1. He started just one of deserving of talented forward Alexis Lafreniere – if you believe that the Rangers’ last 19 games, appearing in relief in two other games. Igor ghastly hockey should be rewarded. But deserving and getting have Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev both displayed the skills that speak often been mutually exclusive when it comes to the draft lottery. Since to franchise netminding and were among the main reasons the Rangers 2015 the last-place club has earned the No. 1 pick twice or 40 percent of are ahead of their evolutionary curve. In short, the play of the two young the time. Even if Lafreniere ends up in Detroit, the Red Wings are still a netminders meant there was simply no room for Lundqvist on this million miles away from relevancy. But it’s possible that literally any other emerging team. Georgiev is a restricted free agent and there was talk he team that lands Lafreniere might be able to parlay that into immediate could be moved at the trade deadline but that didn’t happen. Could it playoff results, including but not limited to San Jose, Anaheim, Los happen before the 2020 draft? Not unless there is a premium return Angeles and New Jersey. Ottawa with Lafreniere is still likely a year or coming back, although there are teams looking for goaltending stability two away, but already there are positive signs in the Canadian capital like San Jose, Detroit, Buffalo and Edmonton. Lundqvist, whose name and Lafreniere could be a key piece. That’s how good the young man also surfaced, at least peripherally at the deadline, has one more year from Saint-Eustache, , is. But, what if the entire season is left on his current deal at $8.5 million with full trade protection. Certainly canceled and there is a lottery process not unlike the lottery to determine no one wants a repeat of what transpired this season. The Rangers could who landed Sidney Crosby after the 2004-05 lockout? Even with a buy Lundqvist out of the final year of his deal or maybe there’s a trade to similarly weighted lottery based on recent playoff appearances and be made with Lundqvist’s blessing plus the Rangers eating a chunk of his recent No. 1 draft picks acquired would throw open at least the possibility salary. The buyout is much more likely than a trade given the moving that any NHL team could end up with Lafreniere. parts. But then what? Lundqvist is 38. His line this year: 10-12-3, 3.16 goals-against average and .905 save percentage. In a perfect world, the 2. Scouting issues in Arizona Rangers are part of an expanded playoff grid and Lundqvist gets a chance to prove he’s not done at the NHL level even if the sands have Also unknown is how the league is going to rule in its investigation into run out on his time in New York. But those are long odds. Could a team the possibility that the Arizona Coyotes violated league rules that prohibit like Colorado use Lundqvist on a one-year deal? Buffalo? San Jose? teams from doing any physical testing of draft-eligible players outside the Great story for the romantic in all of us but not a narrative that appears to draft combine, which has also been postponed. Sources told The be based in reality. Athletic’s Craig Morgan that the Coyotes do not believe they went afoul of the rules. If they did it could cost the team millions of dollars as each 5. The Braden Holtby conundrum violation brings with it a fine of not less than $250,000. That’s potentially a huge hit for a team that, while under the new ownership of billionaire It’s not quite the same situation that Pittsburgh found itself in heading into Alex Meruelo, remains 28th in the league in home attendance based on the Vegas , but Washington is facing its own tough, tough percentage of seats sold. One longtime amateur scout suggested that, if choice. Vegas, of course, ended up with Marc-Andre Fleury as the Pens the Coyotes were working outside the rules, they might now have an moved forward with Matt Murray after the duo had split time during back- unfair advantage over other teams vis a vis data collected given that to-back Cup runs in 2016 and 2017. The Capitals have veteran junior hockey and college hockey seasons were canceled. The NHL has netminder Pheonix Copley under contract and can expose him in the no timeline for when its investigation will be completed and when a Seattle draft should they choose to while protecting the future in goal Ilya resolution made public, although one assumes it will be before the draft Samsonov. But where does that leave Braden Holtby as he comes to the for the sake of transparency. end of his contract after this season? Holtby is a former Vezina Trophy winner, a Cup winner and the most important goaltender in franchise 3. Whither Taylor Hall? history. He just is. But he’s also a goaltender whose numbers have been in a state of flux the past three seasons – even when he ran the table in There’s still a chance that with an expanded playoff grid Taylor Hall and the 2018 postseason after Washington fell behind to Columbus in the the Coyotes qualify for the 2020 playoffs and Hall gets a chance to opening round after Holtby had been relegated to backup status behind rewrite the narrative surrounding him as he heads toward unrestricted Philipp Grubauer. What if Holtby guides the Caps on another late- free agency. The former Hart Trophy winner was the marquee rental on summer Cup run? Or at least deep into the playoffs? What is his value on the open market? Is there any way he stays in Washington on a short- map. GM was curiously allowed to deal Hall to Arizona a few term, lower-dollar deal? It does feel like the die is cast and Holtby will be weeks after firing coach John Hynes before being fired himself. on the move, but if so, where? Buffalo needs goaltending stability. Dysfunction? Lack of direction? Meddling owners? Pick your poison. Still, Calgary perhaps. Edmonton’s long-term goaltending picture is far from since that time interim GM Tom Fitzgerald has done an admirable job. set. San Jose? The Sharks definitely need help. Either way it does Fitzgerald handled the trade deadline with aplomb, getting good to great appear that this stands as a long, slow goodbye for a franchise return on Blake Coleman, Sami Vatanen, Andy Greene and Wayne netminder. Simmonds. So, does Fitzgerald stay? Or is there someone else waiting in the wings? Former Vancouver GM has been linked to the 6. Veterans nearing end of their career Devils. Dan MacKinnon, who is the Devils senior VP and assistant GM, If the NHL does get a playoff in later this summer and the start of the and Laurence Gilman, the former assistant GM in Vancouver and now 2020-21 season is pushed back into, let’s say early November for with Toronto, are also possibilities. This is a huge decision for an argument’s sake, what does that mean for veteran players who are organization that has a lot going for it in terms of on-ice potential but has hoping to extend their careers? A guy like Joe Thornton, who told The just as many questions about what the plan is from the top on down. Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun that he hopes to return for another season at age What amplifies the importance of making the right call is the uncertainty 41, will have been more than seven months between games. We know of how the offseason will unfold. If there are playoffs, a new GM and San Jose GM Doug Wilson has handled these situations with emotional management team could be looking at an extremely short window to detachment, so if there’s no room in San Jose next season, is there a prepare for a draft and free agency, and potential buyouts – especially if place elsewhere for Thornton, who was hoping to land with a playoff the team dithers on making the call on this. There’s also the likelihood of team at the trade deadline? It would have to be a very specific fit with a yet another top-end draft pick, as the team played its way into first-overall young team that covets a future Hall of Famer. , 39, will also picks in two of the past three years. have been away from game action a long time and was a nice fit with 10. Bad time in Buffalo rookie head coach D.J. Smith in Ottawa. Is he still a fit after this? Patrick Marleau may get a shot at some playoff action with Pittsburgh this Speaking of chaos … hello, Buffalo. Unless the NHL reverts to the most summer and that may open the door to another year for Marleau, who generous of playoff formats, i.e. even the junk teams get in, the Sabres will turn 41 in September. Mike Smith is 38 and could still figure into are going to miss the playoffs for the ninth straight season – the longest Edmonton’s playoff plans, but if the season is canceled, it’s hard to current playoff drought in the NHL. They haven’t won a playoff series imagine the Oilers don’t go in a different direction. Dan Hamhuis, 37; since 2007. This season with veteran international coach Ralph Krueger Corey Perry, 34; and Justin Williams, 38, all have potential playoff runs in behind the bench there was, yet again, optimism that this was the year them with Nashville, Dallas and Carolina, respectively. But it’s also the Sabres would make good on the potential of young captain Jack possible we have seen the last of those three veteran difference-makers. Eichel, 2018 No. 1 pick Rasmus Dahlin and other shiny baubles to reward long-suffering Sabres fans. Nope. In fact, by the time the NHL 7. Coaching carousel was forced to pause the season, the Sabres had lurched their way into Never have so many experienced, top-end coaches been available at chaos and fans were in open revolt. The pressure is squarely on GM one time on the coaching market. Even if we don’t know if Mike Babcock to fill the many holes in this lineup, including goaltending, is interested in returning to coaching or whether he is still too radioactive defensive depth and depth down the middle – assuming he gets another to be hired (I think there is a place for him in the right situation and with chance at rebuilding this flawed roster. Ownership has to share in the the right manner of transparency), there are still former Cup winners and blame and move to repair the damage with its fan base, a relationship Jack Adams Trophy winners like , Gerard Gallant and exacerbated by the less than sparkling response to the COVID-19 Peter Laviolette available. John Stevens, , are pandemic. Owners Terry and Kim Pegula donated more than $1 million all former head coaches who have enjoyed successful turns as to an area fund to help those hit hardest by the pandemic but laid off assistants or associates in Dallas and Philadelphia, respectively. And it’s employees in their organization and balked at paying staff affected by the not as though these coaches will be fighting over one or two openings. suspension of the NHL season. In short, no easy answers and many, San Jose, Dallas, Minnesota, Detroit, New Jersey and Calgary could all many more questions for the Sabres whenever hockey gets back to realistically be looking for new bench bosses, even if Alain Nasreddine in business. Jersey and Dean Evason in Minnesota have made strong cases for 11. Cup finalists with big issues themselves. And if there is a playoff and Washington and/or Tampa are early casualties, does that change things for Todd Reirden or Jon The two Cup finalists from 2019 have some big-time decisions coming up Cooper? Throw in the fact that, at some point, GM Ron Francis is going this offseason as it relates to anchor pieces of the blue line. Both St. to hire a head coach for the Seattle expansion franchise, and you’re Louis captain Alex Pietrangelo and Boston offensive sparkplug Torey potentially looking at a summer of unprecedented shifts in the coaching Krug are headed to unrestricted free agency, barring some sort of world. extension being worked out for either. Two very different types of players but both who will command a king’s ransom if they hit the open market. 8. The Seattle ???? Pietrangelo is 30 and a big-bodied leader with a Stanley Cup under his Speaking of Seattle, this offseason will be the final draft and free agent belt. The right-hand shot will be coveted by teams like Toronto and Las signing period for the NHL’s current 31 clubs before the Seattle Vegas if the Blues can’t find a way to make it work. Krug is slighter of expansion draft, which is set for June 2021 (pending when next season stature but still plays a big game and has the kind of offensive tools and finishes, of course). What lessons were learned by teams heading into skating ability that is worth its weight in gold in the brand of game favored the Vegas expansion draft? Many. Mostly, don’t overthink it. Don’t get by so many NHL teams. A left-hand shot, Krug, like Pietrangelo, has tied up in protecting one player and send out more assets than you need been a one-team player thus far. Given Boston GM Don Sweeney’s track to, as was the case with Minnesota, Florida and Columbus, among record, it’s entirely conceivable he’ll find a way to keep Krug in the fold. others. You’re going to lose a player. Come to grips with it. Still, that Pietrangelo is a little less certain to remain a Blue given the addition at won’t make the decisions for 30 other NHL GMs (Vegas is exempt from the start of the season of Justin Faulk, another right-hand shot defender, having to give up a player to Seattle, which in hindsight was a bit of an and the plethora of defensive depth already under contract in St. Louis. oversight on the part of the league given Vegas’ instant success) who 12. What about all those RFAs? must plot for how they might keep their most important assets in house. And then there’s the Seattle team itself. Plans to unveil a name, logo and We don’t know what the salary cap will look like, but it’s almost certainly jersey colors sometime around the start of the 2020 playoffs have going to be nowhere near what expectations were before March. So, obviously been pushed into the background. The team, working closely what does that mean for a flock of high-end players who will become with the league, will need to find a good time to make that reveal – restricted free agents? Last summer we saw a lame attempt at an offer perhaps once the league begins preparing for a later than normal playoff sheet by the Montreal Canadiens on then RFA Sebastian Aho, but that season. And there is the issue of when Francis might be ready to hire his was quickly matched by Carolina and it turns out the Habs likely did the head coach. There’s no urgency, of course, but with so many high profile Canes a huge favor, helping them lock down an emerging superstar at a coaches available, is there be a better time to get the right one? palatable number. So, could we see more offer sheets this summer with teams trying to take advantage of the chaos and having less wiggle 9. New Jersey and other places of chaos room? Core pieces Mathew Barzal, Max Domi, Anthony DeAngelo, Never a dull moment with the Devils, a team that in the fall looked to be Pierre-Luc Dubois and Mikhail Sergachev, among others are all set to on track for a playoff spot this season before falling completely off the become RFAs. Every year we speculate whether this will be the time the offer sheet will be used and it never happens. Still, the amount of young talent that needs to be brought under contract is going to create some interesting and not entirely pleasant situations, especially for teams like Detroit (with seven forwards set to be RFAs), Chicago and Buffalo (which may have five or six RFAs pending the direction the team goes).

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182133 Websites “You still do get a feel for a level of maturity,” he said. “A lot of the questions are focused and directed to the player, and sometimes you get players who are very good and answer all the questions, but you do still get players who have their parents speaking for them more often.” The Athletic / What the hockey world’s shutdown looks like from inside an OHL franchise His staff has been meeting online, too. They have been holding more meetings than normal, but that is because those meetings are shorter: Working from home means there is a greater chance of a meeting being interrupted by an impatient child. By Sean Fitz-Gerald McNamara is also general manager of Canadian Ice Academy, in Apr 2, 2020 Mississauga, and it has also closed its doors in reaction to the pandemic. There has been a upside: It has given him more time to watch games a second and third time on his computer at home, which has helped his Dave Pogue is president of the , the oldest scouting. continuously operating franchise in the OHL. It is a volunteer position, and the team is a not-for-profit, but Pogue is quick to point out that does “I’m not trying to remember the last time I saw a guy, seven or eight not mean money is unimportant. weeks ago,” he said. “As opposed to yesterday morning on my couch.”

The team strives to make money, he said, in part to save for a rainy day. Burton Lee, executive director, business operations

“I would say that this is clearly a rainy day right now,” he said. “And many As head of business operations, Lee oversees a staff of 10 full-time rainy days to come.” employees and a platoon of a half-dozen interns. They are working from home — the Petes provide all employees with a subsidy to help with cell With the season officially cancelled, the Petes are left to plan for the phone costs — and he hopes to keep it that way. unknown. Executives have to chart a path toward a season that may or may not begin on time. Hockey operations personnel have a draft to The Petes have not laid anyone off. conduct without the usual access to players. And players, meanwhile, “I, personally, don’t think it’s right to ask so much of these employees all have gone from chasing a playoff spot to a strange summer vacation year long and then, the minute our season ends, say, ‘Thanks, but you’re almost overnight. done,’” said Lee. “There’s lots of work to be done in the offseason … with Here, The Athletic looks at the shutdown from six different perspectives: that being said, we also have to be cognizant of finances.” From the president, the general manager, the head scout, the business Peterborough had to cancel its final three regular season home games, executive, the team captain and the leading scorer. and like all teams bound for the postseason, it has lost out on playoff Mike Oke, general manager revenue. Money that was earned last summer, when fans bought their season tickets, will have to be refunded or credited for future games. When the CHL announced it was placing its season on pause, the Petes sat third in the OHL’s Eastern Conference standings, having won seven Front office workers will take their vacation time, and they will take their of their previous 10 games. They had a 55-goal-scorer (Nick Robertson), lieu time, Lee said. They will try their best to operate like they would a goaltender en route to signing an NHL contract (Hunter Jones) and the during a normal offseason. forward who scored the tournament-winning goal for Canada at the world “We’re going to plan as if our home-opener is Sept. 24, 2020,” he said. junior championship (Akil Thomas). “We think we’re going to have 34 games. We’re going to plan a ‘Pink in Oke had been following the news from Europe. He read about COVID- the Rink,’ and we’re going to plan the 33 other events that we do.” 19, and how it was laying waste to the healthcare system in northern Zach Gallant, captain Italy. For weeks, he had an inkling something would happen closer to home, but an inkling is not quite the same as a realization. That arrived About an hour before Gallant settled in for his pre-game nap on March on March 23, when the entire season was officially cancelled. 12, the Petes captain wondered whether they would actually get into uniform that night. The NBA had cancelled its season only hours earlier, “It did hurt,” he said. turning the sports world on its axis. It has also forced the hockey operations department to adjust on the fly. He fell asleep. And when he woke up: “I’d gotten three calls while I was Exit meetings with players will have to be held online, rather than in- napping.” person. Oke has been working from home, and has been speaking with the coaches and his scouting staff staff via Zoom, the online Gallant, 21, was in his fifth season with the Petes. All told, he dressed in conferencing service. 254 regular-season games and another two dozen in the playoffs. He had no way of knowing at the time, but he played the final game of his The team was planning to hold its annual orientation camp for draft picks junior hockey career on March 8 — scoring two goals and adding three and other prospects at the end of April, but that will no longer be assists in a 12-1 blowout win over Niagara. possible. Management will have to find another way to distribute the information — about life in junior hockey, the team and its expectations He signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks last summer. — to players and their parents. Without access to ice or a gym, he has been trying to stay in shape with a makeshift gym at his family’s home in Oakville, Ont., staying six feet Oke is disappointed for the overage players whose junior hockey career clear of passersby when he goes outside for a run or a bicycle ride. ended with a news release. But he has been watching the same news reports as everyone else in Canada while working from home, and he The Petes players, meanwhile, keep in touch over group chats and social understands: “We’re living in history.” media.

Chris McNamara, director of scouting “I think it’s going to take a while to get over it,” Gallant said. “We really thought we had a shot at doing something special this year.” What does a scout do when there are no games to scout? Nick Robertson, forward Some of the last stops on the road to the OHL draft were canceled in the wake of COVID-19, including the OHL Cup, an annual showcase of the After becoming the first Peterborough player in three decades to score top 20 minor midget AAA teams from Ontario and the United States. It 50 goals in a season, Robertson has been spending his mornings in a was a place where scouts could get a last look at how prospects fared garage. Every morning since he returned to his family’s home in Sierra against top opposition. Madre, Calif., the 18-year-old forward has been working out with his brother inside a makeshift gym: “Roll the garage doors up and just work McNamara usually spends this time meeting with players, too, setting up out, play some music.” at kitchen tables to interview the teenagers and their parents. Those conversations have migrated to video conferences, with some of them He goes swimming in the family pool. He sprints up the hill behind the lasting for close to an hour. It has worked out better than he expected. family home. He spends at least a half-hour on stickhandling every day, just to stay loose. One thing he avoids, though, is inline skating. “I don’t want to screw up anything with my stride,” Robertson said. “If I’m going to skate, it’s going to be on the ice.”

It is not clear when that might happen. Robertson had 55 goals through 46 games when the season was called off. He has an entry-level contract with the Leafs — who drafted him 53rd overall last spring — and has his eyes set on making the team out of training camp this fall.

That assumes, of course, training camp actually begins this fall. Robertson had not expected to be in Southern California for long, thinking there was still a chance the season in Peterborough could be saved.

“I packed pretty light because I thought it wasn’t going to be very long,” he said with a chuckle. “I should have packed for a little longer.”

Dave Pogue, president

Attendance was up 11 percent this season, and the Petes were hoping a deep run in the playoffs would boost their financial reserves. Pogue has designs on building a new facility to replace the 64-year-old Memorial Centre, and he said money the team sets aside now could help with that later.

A consultant on the new arena project was expected to present to city council this spring, but that has been rescheduled. The city owns the Memorial Centre, and the Petes have a lease through 2023.

“We’re going to need to go and lean on them,” Pogue said, “and try to figure out how we can create some relief to get us through the summer, and what it looks like in the fall.”

Pogue said the board of directors will continue to meet every month, planning as best as they can.

“When we come through this, are people going to be, the very next day, running out and hugging each other and shaking hands?” he said. “Are they going to, three or four months from now, take a look at, ‘Do I want to sit four inches from somebody?’

“I don’t know. I hate to even say that kind of thing out loud. But these are all the things that we need to take into account.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182134 Websites And though he was not called upon to play the game against North York that night, his goaltending partner struggled, which left McNiven, and his coach, in an awkward position. Walters was aware of McNiven’s situation, but also wanted to give him the chance to work through his The Athletic / In his goal crease, Canadiens prospect Michael McNiven feelings on the ice if he chose to do so. found a sanctuary from pain “He looked at me and asked if I wanted to get in,” McNiven said. “And I immediately said yes.”

By Marc Dumont With his team losing 3-0, a simple nod was all it took for McNiven to be placed in the heat of the action. He couldn’t control what was going on Apr 2, 2020 with his grandfather, but he could control how many pucks he turned aside.

It was a text message that changed everything. “He was very strong-willed,” said Walters. “We obviously wouldn’t start him in a situation like that, but he wanted to play for his grandfather.” A 16-year-old Michael McNiven was on the road to the rink for a Junior A game between his Georgetown Raiders and the North York Rangers, his McNiven didn’t allow a goal, leading Georgetown to a 4-3 overtime win. grandmother at the wheel. McNiven and his dad were passengers. Little did he know it, but McNiven was establishing a pattern that would Had his father brought his reading glasses with him, perhaps the young persist: relying on his second family — his hockey team — when things netminder could have avoided the devastating news. But it was McNiven went wrong at home. who was tasked with reading the message from his grandfather, who had “Michael has gone through more than most,” said Walters. “And on top of been diagnosed with thyroid cancer three years earlier. that, there’s all the regular stuff teenagers have to deal with. But when “They told me I’d have to do this again,” read the message. “If I have to they get onto the ice all they think about is hockey. It takes their mind off do it again, I’m done.” other things in life that aren’t going as smoothly as possible. It’s a way for them to find success, have some fun with their teammates. It’s a release The teenager could not hold back his tears. His grandfather’s recovery for these kids. had seemed to be going well. That one text cleared a smokescreen that had been set up to spare his feelings. “When I think of Michael I think of how strong he’s been, what he’s had to overcome in his life. If there’s one person who can fight through it, it will Now, he feared he was about to lose the most important person in his be Michael. Tough, tough kid. It’s remarkable that he’s still staying on life. course. I don’t know how many players would have been able to go through what he did.” “He’d go to every practice, everything he could make,” recalled McNiven in an interview. “Obviously when he was diagnosed with an illness it was McNiven spent much of his childhood on the soccer fields and hockey a little tougher. But when he wasn’t in the hospital, he was always rinks in the municipality of Halton, Ont., less than an hour west of around.” Mississauga.

McNiven’s grandparents — Jim and Christine — were the main influence At age 4, he donned goalie equipment for the first time. It was love at first in the young man’s life, taking over for his parents, whose personal glove save. struggles made for a sporadic and fractured relationship with their son. His mother was a part of his life only until he was 4 years old. His father Hockey would go on to play a crucial role in his life, giving him was around at times, but never consistently. consistency, something his childhood otherwise lacked.

McNiven, now a 22-year-old AHL goaltender and prospect for the He did not know his mother. McNiven has faint memories of spending Montreal Canadiens, doesn’t like to talk about his parents’ difficulties in weekends in Toronto, including recollections of time at the Canadian great detail. He asked that the specific issues they encountered not be National Exhibition, one of the few good moments he keeps from his revealed in this story. experience with his mom.

By age 16, McNiven had risen to the ranks of legitimate hockey prospect “I remember going to Toronto. We did stuff together,” he said. “But I don’t while playing with the OJHL’s Georgetown Raiders, a team that struggled remember much about it.” to win until he arrived in 2013. When you’re only 4, you’re not expected to remember much, if anything, There were three netminders on the team. McNiven was just 16, and beyond your favourite colour and perhaps a fond memory of a dusty road players his age had trouble getting on the ice in this league dominated by trip. But those memories are usually the result of an endless stream of 20-year-olds. But he was also the best goaltender the Raiders had. activities that tend to fuse together. The details get lost with time, but the fondness remains. Georgetown was not expected to make the playoffs, something their head coach Greg Walters admitted to McNiven once the season Except, for McNiven, there wasn’t an endless stream of activities. His concluded. And though his team finished second in the OJHL’s West mother would pick him up in Georgetown, spend a little time with him in division, Walters had good reason to doubt his team’s potential. Prior to Toronto, and then drop him off in Georgetown. McNiven’s arrival, the team had won just two of their first dozen games, His father was around, at times. He did come to his games on occasion, on pace for nine wins in a 53-game season. but he wasn’t around enough to provide much in the way of guidance or Thanks largely to McNiven, the Raiders finished the season with a 31-20- leadership. Despite attempts by McNiven, his father has yet to 0-2 record. McNiven was in goal for 21 of those 31 wins and 10 of the 20 reintegrate himself into his life. losses. He had a .915 save percentage. Georgetown not only made the “He’s around somewhere,” said McNiven. “But not around me. I told him playoffs, but also swept division-rivals Milton in the first round and beat this year, ‘If you want to be a dad, buckle up and be one.'” the division-leading Buffalo Jr Sabres in five games in the second round before falling to the eventual league champions, the Toronto Lakeshore McNiven never received an answer. Patriots, in the conference finals. “I don’t understand why people can be like that,” he said. “The shame is “He definitely played extremely, extremely well,” said Walters. “He’s probably why he doesn’t want to talk to me. But at the same time, put never short of confidence, and you need that as a goaltender. And let’s your 50-year-old boots on and apologize.” not forget, playing as a 16-year-old in the OJHL and becoming a No.1 goalie shows how strong his mindset is.” A parent deciding they’d rather not be a part of your life is a tough pill to swallow, no matter your age. But it was not the first time McNiven dealt The OJHL generally has an age range of 17-20, with the elite players with that experience. cracking the roster at 17. McNiven didn’t just crack the roster at age 16, he became a starter. After dropping off her 4-year-old son in Georgetown one morning, his mother returned to Toronto, as she usually did. But the news of his grandfather’s failing health weighed heavily. It was the last time McNiven saw her. With his mother not picking up the phone and his father disappearing “Everyone gravitated to him,” said McNiven. “Everyone liked him. He from his life for months at a time, it was up to McNiven’s paternal commanded respect. I try to be the same person he was.” grandparents to do much of the child-rearing. The loss of his grandfather spurred McNiven to reach out to his mother Both his grandfather and his grandmother were factory workers, on Facebook. His grandmother helped him find her. spending over 40 years working difficult hours while trying to provide for their three sons. At times, they would work from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. Other “I must have seen her profile 100 times,” said McNiven. “But, I didn’t times they worked the morning shift, or any other shift available. And know it was her.” while the circumstance would have justified some form of frustration, it He eventually struck up a conversation. At first, the communication lines never surfaced. seemed relatively stable, but as the days turned into months, the replies “We had the greenest lawn in the neighborhood, too,” McNiven said. from his mother were few and far between. They did make plans to meet, but those plans, predictably, fell through. The perfectly manicured front yard was a result of his grandfather waking up at dawn to water grass or shovel snow. It was a practice that instilled “She would pop up for an hour,” said McNiven. “And then she wouldn’t a sense of work ethic and responsibility in McNiven that, he says, fuels answer for two weeks. Then she’d pop on for two hours and disappear.” his approach to life today. The situation eventually wore thin for the young goaltender, who stopped The McNivens had always been a sports-orientated family. One of Jim responding to his mother’s sporadic messages. and Christine’s sons, Gary, was drafted by the London Knights in the Less than two years later, he attended her funeral in Winnipeg. 16th round of the 1995 OHL draft. Christine preferred summer months, whereas Jim preferred the winter, though it had less to do with the It was a surreal feeling, he recalled, of not really knowing the person in weather and more to do with the sports seasons. She wanted her the casket while waves of conflicting emotions washed over him. He was children to play soccer, enjoying the time she spent watching them in aware he had three stepsisters, but beyond that, mystery shrouded her various parks near Halton Hills. He preferred hockey, carting kids to and life and their relationship, or lack thereof. from the rinks with the same stoicism that would come to define his time “When I got to the funeral, I didn’t really know how I felt about it,” with Michael. McNiven said. “I didn’t know her. I talked to her maybe four times on the “He wasn’t a crazy hockey parent by any means,” McNiven said of his phone.” grandfather. “He couldn’t stand people like that. He would never be Once again, hockey came to the rescue. around people like that. He wouldn’t yell at me, ever. He just wanted me to love the game for myself. You can’t force someone to love something.” Sitting with his family, many of whom he had just met, he received a call from Team Canada to inform him he’d be joining fellow Canadiens That played a big part in McNiven’s future, as he would eventually prospects Noah Juulsen and Victor Mete at the world junior team choose to ditch soccer, a sport in which he excelled, for hockey, a sport selection camp in Boisbriand, Que. that he loved. He didn’t make the team, but the invite alone was recognition of his His grandmother couldn’t stand to watch him, at least not for a full 60 potential as a goaltender. minutes. Once warmups were over she could handle, perhaps, 20 minutes of her grandson being peppered with shots — but not a minute The path as an undrafted pro goaltender has not been smooth. more. She would sequester herself in the family car for the second and third periods. An early cut at Canadiens training camp this season, McNiven was eventually loaned to the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL. The Still, when Jim fell ill again in 2013, McNiven’s sports-related activities fell Canadiens, who do not have an ECHL affiliate, were unable to influence squarely on her shoulders. But much like her husband, Christine did not the Thunder’s goaltending decisions, leading to just four games for complain. McNiven. He was then loaned to the Jacksonville Icemen, where he started 10 games, but was ultimately sidelined once more due to an Jim was the kind of person who wouldn’t want to burden others with his overcrowded crease. own issues, so he attempted to keep his health situation a secret. But the visits to the hospital started to happen with more frequency, and with His final ECHL assignment came with the Norfolk Admirals, where he more urgency. played eight games for the worst team in the league before finally getting called up to the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate in Laval in early January — with December was a difficult month for Jim, as he battled pneumonia and four teams, two leagues and 22 starts already under his belt in 2019-20. went in and out of the hospital. “I didn’t really read too much into the situation,” said McNiven. “I just Slowly, yet surely, the situation became critical. wanted to play hockey. At some point, it feels like the organization is Just three days after Jim was released from the hospital, McNiven was trying to play head games with you, but at the end of the day, you have to awakened by his grandmother in the middle of the night. keep working and trust the process.

“Grandpa is not feeling well,” she said. “We’re going to the hospital in “Everything that’s happened this season is nothing compared to my Toronto. past,” he added.

“But he’s fine,” she specified. On Feb. 5, McNiven was given his first AHL start of the season. Laval won. Jim and Michael McNiven. Credit: Christine McNiven. “I’m happy,” McNiven said that night. “I’m back home, I’m getting Reassured, McNiven went to school, just like any other day. opportunities, I’m working hard. It’s paying off.”

At about noon, he received a phone call. This was not any other day. But with the season now suspended indefinitely, McNiven will likely be The 16-year-old made his way to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in left with only three starts and a .919 save percentage in the AHL. Toronto to say goodbye. Impressive, yet unsurprising numbers from the 2016-17 CHL goaltender “It was a shock,” said McNiven. “Because when I saw him at four in the of the year. morning he was fine. By the time I made it to the hospital he was holding “He’s a guy that dealt with a lot of adversity,” said Laval Rocket head on with the help of a ventilator.” coach Joël Bouchard. “We had a meeting two years ago, and since then, The man who sacrificed so much to guide his grandson toward a better I have nothing to say about his work ethic and the way he acts. He’s a life took his last breath on Dec. 16, 2013. professional through and through. He’s matured so much in the last few years, it’s incredible. As was the case when he first read the somber text message meant for his father, McNiven turned to hockey for comfort. “At the moment, he’s reaping the fruits of his labour. When you do your homework, you work hard and have a great attitude, you’ll reap the He posted back-to-back shutouts in the games following his grandfather’s benefits. Because of that, he’s now receiving starts in the AHL, but most funeral, which took place on Dec. 20, his grandmother’s birthday. importantly, he’s playing well in those starts because he followed the right process.”

And while the season might have ended prematurely, McNiven did enough to remind the organization that his potential at age 22 is not to be ignored.

“There could be a lot of doubters out there,” McNiven said. “But I know I can play at this level or higher.”

His former coach agrees.

“A kid like that?” said Walters. “Just give him the opportunity and he’ll do it. I really believe in him.”

For now, things are relatively normal in McNiven’s life. He is currently living with his girlfriend, Maude, who has been a pillar of support since they started dating two years ago.

“That’s where she comes into play,” he said. “Regardless of the situation, she’s been there for me. Everything’s been sunshine and rainbows. It’s been huge. Just being home with Maude and my dog is one of the best feelings ever.”

A man, his better half and his dog. A simple, yet efficient recipe for happiness.

But McNiven still has his eyes set on the ultimate prize.

“When I get my chance at the NHL level,” he said, “I’m going to be ready for it.”

Notice the use of the word when, not if. It speaks to a confidence level he’s built over years of disappointments and perseverance.

“It’s been interesting,” he said. “Very interesting. It’s something you don’t want to go through, but my family extends to hockey now. Just growing up in hockey, I’ve met so many good people. Whether it’s in pro, junior, or wherever I go, it becomes an extended family.”

It’s the same sense of belonging his grandfather provided when he needed it most.

“I wish he could be here,” said McNiven before a smile took over his face. “But he’d be proud of how I reacted to everything I’ve been through.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182135 Websites Background: This is a spicy meatball. There are notable trade conditions in last

summer’s Milan Lucic-for-James Neal swap and the J.T. Miller deal to Sportsnet.ca / 10 critical unanswered questions brought on by NHL's Vancouver, but what about the trades made before the deadline? The pause Canucks gave up future assets for Tyler Toffoli and only got 10 (productive) games out of him. The Carolina Hurricanes traded a conditional draft pick for Sami Vatanen and didn’t see him play one. Even the Arizona Coyotes, with their December acquisition of Taylor Hall, have Chris Johnston | @reporterchris to feel burned by not getting to lean on the former Hart Trophy winner April 2, 2020, 8:46 AM during the stretch drive and playoffs. The list goes on and on, too.

The most interesting cases for me are the clubs that gave up significant assets in a trade for a player on an expiring contract intended for a Talk about opening Pandora’s Box. playoff run. The league can’t give that player back or revert the trade if the season is cancelled because he’s on an expiring contract. Is it ‘too Amid the uncertainty brought on by a paused NHL season, I thought it bad so sad’ in those cases? As for trade conditions, in deals where it’s would be helpful to call on a salary cap expert to address the most critical the higher of whichever pick, my guess is that the league will have to use unanswered questions facing the league while navigating this new whatever they decide on for the draft lottery and the final standings order. frontier. A tricky case will be how to deal with conditions that revolve around a The founder of CapFriendly.com, Dominik, was more than happy to team making the playoffs, or the player needing to play a certain number oblige the request, but little did I realize how deep the questions ran: He of games with his new club. We will have to wait and see what is decided came up with more than 80 of them spanning 36 different topics. for those.

For the sake of brevity, I’ve boiled those down into 10 identifiable issues Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey brought on by the paused season and provided some thoughts from world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what CapFriendly on why each is significant. they think about it.

Consider it a window into the variables every front office is dealing with Injuries right now. The NHL has conducted a series of calls with team owners, Questions: presidents and general managers since the novel coronavirus halted play on March 12, but it hasn’t yet been able to provide much clarity on many What status will players who are injured during the pause be given when of the issues raised here: the league resumes?

Salary Cap Background:

Questions: At issue in the dispute between the Winnipeg Jets and Dustin Byfuglien this season was where and when he was hurt. Byfuglien was given a How will the pause affect the 2020-21 cap? How will a possible lost clean bill of health by the team during the year-end physical last spring season and playoffs affect the 2020-21 cap? When did the NHL stop its and then didn’t report to training camp before having ankle surgery in the cap counting process for 2019-20 and what happens to that if play fall. The Jets ultimately didn’t have to pay him because teams aren’t on doesn’t resume? the hook to honour a contract for injuries that don’t occur on their watch. Background: While the current pause is a different situation entirely, it could raise similar questions: Players are technically still in-season and almost Top league officials have already indicated that the cap can be set at any certainly weren’t given physicals before spreading out across North number in conjunction with the NHL Players’ Association, so there’s no America and Europe. What if someone gets injured during the time reason to expect a year-over-year drop. But the league is facing a loss of away? revenues ranging from $1 billion to $1.2 billion if this season is completely lost. And how the books get closed on 2019-20 — or Recently I watched a video on social media of an NHL player running reopened, if play resumes — is still an open question. with his daughter up a hill: What would happen if he rolls his ankle and breaks it? The Byfuglien situation from the beginning of this season If the NHL halts the cap counting as of March 12, which is the day that crossed my mind. When the NHL returns and he’s injured, what status the season was paused, or as of March 16, when the rosters were will the league deem him as, since he was injured in a non-hockey frozen, this will have an impact on the team’s final cap hit number. This related incident at a time that there was no hockey. From a club final number will dictate a series of other components that affect the perspective, are they within their right not to pay him? following year’s salary cap. One such example is performance bonus overage penalties. Those are incurred when the performance bonuses Draft/Draft Lottery earned by players result in the team exceeding the upper limit. The Questions: amount that exceeds the limit is applied against the club as a penalty in the following season. Another impact will be how clubs calculate the Will the league use points percentage to establish the draft order if the reduced rate for players on two-way contracts who start next season on season isn’t completed? Will the draft lottery be expanded to all clubs? IR. Would the league consider extending the ‘must-sign-by dates’ for the 2020 draft class to give teams more time to evaluate their prospects? On the note of performance bonuses, we have to wonder how a shortened season would impact performance bonuses that are game Background: related. For example, certain bonuses only qualify if the player plays in 42 NHL games. What occurs if the player was at 39, but was on the The last time every team had a chance at the No. 1 overall pick was team’s roster and would have met the bonus thresholds if the season following the cancellation of the 2004-05 season due to a lockout, and wasn’t halted? the prize that year was Sidney Crosby. How the Alexis Lafreniere draft lottery looks in 2020 won’t be determined until the NHL knows if it will be Also, if clubs stopped counting, will that impact a teams’ ability to recall able to conduct a playoffs or not. In the meantime, teams are now left to players if there is a shortened end to the season? If they decide to start finalize their draft lists without the benefit of being able to scout playoff counting again just for those few days, how much cap space is the games or get a final look at players of interest. league going to give them and will it hinder a team’s ability to make roster adjustments or activate players off LTIR? Development can change rapidly with prospects. A team may have intended to further scout a player that they had on their scouting draft Trades board at No. 70 in January or February but didn’t get the opportunity to go back and get a final look in March or April – something that will surely Questions: challenge their final draft order. For that reason I wonder if the league How will a lost season impact a club that dealt for a player on an expiring might consider changing the “must-sign-by dates.” Teams have a lot of contract at the deadline? How will a shortened or lost season impact a data and information, but will the league offer them any concessions by trade that has conditions or clauses in it? giving them a little more time to evaluate a player drafted in 2020 before When the 2012-13 regular season was shortened to 48 games because they have to make a decision on whether or not to sign him? of the lockout, most of these things wound up getting calculated on a prorated basis. While it’s reasonable to assume that a similar approach Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it would be taken again, it could come with some unintended 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover consequences. Canada’s most beloved game. The one that will be most interesting is the slide-eligible players. The Expiring Contracts entry-level system allows a contract to be delayed by one or two years for 18- and 19-year-olds, respectively, if they play in nine or less NHL Questions: games during the season. This process is known as an entry-level slide. If the season extends into the summer, how will player contracts be There are clubs who didn’t want to have one of their prospects burn a handled? What assurances can be given to those on expiring deals? year and therefore sent them down to the AHL after they played nine games. Background: Now, let’s say the NHL implements a prorated system based on, for The NHL’s new fiscal year starts July 1 so any contracts due to expire example, 70 games: Does that nine games now become the equivalent after this season currently only run through June 30. But if the playoffs of 10 or 11? Examples include Martin Kaut in Colorado and Oliver are held in July and August … Wahlstrom in Long Island. All of a sudden the early end to the season might mean they burn a year off their entry-level contract, even though Let’s say a player has five years left on his deal, in that situation he likely the club had no plans to do so. doesn’t care about the July 1 situation because he’s under contract well past that date. However, for players on an expiring contract, if I were in Scheduling their shoes the first question I’d want to know is if I’m still insured, and what happens if I’m involved in a career-ending injury? Could we get a Question: situation where a player tells the club ‘I’m not playing the shortened What will the critical dates calendar look like? How much can it be season and I’m not playing these playoffs until such time as I have a new compressed if needed? contract and the assurances that come with it’? Background: NMC/NTC There’s a prescribed set of rules and deadlines built into the off-season Question: that will all likely have to be shuffled because of the pause, which could How will the league handle players with trade clauses in their contracts be challenging if this season resumes. that either begin or change on July 1, 2020 if the season extends beyond @CapFriendly’s two cents: Let’s say they have a post-season that goes that point? into August, how do you squeeze what normally takes about two and a Background: half months of off-season activity into maybe a month while training camps are going on? There are a number of guys who fall into this category. Some quick examples: Alex Killorn is scheduled to see his full no-trade clause revert The off-season typically includes: to a 16-team no-trade list, Alexander Radulov will have his no-movement -Entry Draft (late June) clause turn into a 15-team no-trade list and Sean Monahan is set to gain a 10-team no-trade list. Would those changes still go into effect before -Buyout period (begins June 15) the start of the coming off-season? -Free agency (begins July 1) Tampa was a club that jumped out at me because it’s going to be another off-season where it will again have to make some tough -Arbitration (July and August) decisions and possibility part ways with players such as Killorn in order to -Rookie camps (July and August) free up the cap space needed to sign restricted free agents Mikhail Sergachev and Anthony Cirelli. But what happens if the league extends -Training camp (September) the 2019-20 season into August or early September? Will clauses like the It will be a challenge to fit all of these aspects of the off-season into the one in Killorn’s contract get extended as well? If so, will that give Tampa calendar if the playoffs extend through the summer. enough time or flexibility to make the moves needed to be cap-compliant come October? Seattle Expansion

Performance Bonuses Questions:

Questions: How will a shortened or lost 2019-20 season impact a player’s pro seasons calculation for expansion? How will a shortened or lost season How will the league handle games-played bonuses for a shortened or impact the “played in 70 or more NHL games in the last two seasons” lost season? How will the league handle “Schedule A” and “Schedule B” requirement minimum for players being exposed? bonuses in entry-level contracts? How will the league address players who were on pace to spend 100 days on injured reserve? Background:

Background: A quick refresher on the expansion rules. Teams must expose at least two forwards and one defenceman to Seattle who are under contract for The “Schedule A” bonuses carry specific targets, such as 20 goals, 35 2021-22 and played at least 40 NHL games in 2020-21 or 70 NHL games assists or 60 points for forwards. Those are worth $212,500 apiece to total since the start of 2019-20 — our paused season. players who have them included in their entry-level deals. I haven’t had much time to investigate this matter as it relates to the @CapFriendly’s two cents: stoppage in depth, but I’m starting to spend more time on it now. First off, I’m assuming they’d have no choice but to prorate the totals, but that is Seattle must select 30 players whose total cap hit value don’t exceed the simply a guess. However, if they don’t and a player who would have upper and lower limits of the 2020-21 season. Will a lost season, and the almost definitely hit a threshold or two were to just fall short, that would possibility of a lower than expected cap in 2020-21, change Seattle’s be tough. plans and who they end up selecting? Will it result in even less side deals like the ones we saw with the Vegas expansion draft? Questions: Another interesting case is the minimum exposure requirement of 70 or How will a shortened season impact whether a player earns an accrued more NHL games played within two seasons. How will a shortened or season? Or his waiver eligibility? Or his arbitration status? Or whether his cancelled season impact that threshold and the number of players that entry-level contract kicks in or slides another year? Seattle will have to choose from? Will the games played threshold be Background: prorated for the 2019-20 season? Or what about situations like Juuso Valimaki in Calgary, who’s been on IR all season but had resumed skating. All he needs is one pro game this season to be expansion draft eligible in 2021.

If the season gets cancelled, that’s one less player Calgary will need to worry about protecting, and one less player Seattle might have available to pick from.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182136 Websites Durzi, 21, signed with the Kings and jumped to the AHL after five OHL seasons.

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Luke Fox | @lukefoxjukebox 8. Flipping a scratched forward into a stud prospect

April 2, 2020, 12:07 PM To Toronto: 2019 fourth-round pick (Nick Abruzzese)

To St. Louis: Nikita Soshnikov

In sifting through the long list of Toronto Maple Leafs trades processed Feb. 16, 2018 over the past 10 years, a few things stand out. Soshnikov, 26, was the type of energetic, feisty forward whose value For one, as much as fans and critics fawn over these team-to-team likely got trumped up by plying his trade in hockey’s busiest media transactions — some not-so-shocking news: nothing does page views on market. Toronto didn’t have enough ice time for all its depth wingers in Sportsnet.ca like trade stories do — the vast majority of trades have little 2018, so Lou Lamoriello traded the Russian for a fourth. Hampered by to no consequence on the success of either team. Salary dumps; low- injuries, “Sosh” played all of 17 NHL games and scored just once over risk, low-payoff rentals; and minor leaguers crowd trade histories. two seasons with the Blues before tearing up the KHL with Salavat Yulayev this season. (I recall ’s 2016 midseason trade from Toronto to Ottawa doing silly traffic on our site. Nine pieces were involved! Sports talk and Toronto’s delayed fourth-rounder, however, was used by Dubas to blog fodder for days! Yet outside of Phaneuf’s contributions to the Sens’ secure what appears to be a steal. Abruzzese, a centreman, wowed in remarkable 2017 playoff run, the total impact of all the players involved to his rookie year with Harvard and is on our radar as one of the most their new teams was minimal.) talented prospects in the Leafs’ pipeline.

Secondly, we are reminded how rare it is to win a trade when dealing 7. Burkie in a blowout within your own conference. Seven of our top 10 Leafs deals of the To Toronto: Cody Franson, Matthew Lombardi 2010s were consummated with a Western Conference team. To Nashville: Brett Lebda, Robert Slaney, 2013 fourth-round pick Finally, as hard as it is to knock a one-for-one hockey trade out the park, (Zachary Pochiro) those are the ones that can really soar — or sting. And it’s a pair of intra- conference, one-for-one trades that take silver and gold in these July 3, 2011 rankings. An edgy right-shot defender, Franson would devote the bulk of his four Here is a list of the best deals, from the Leafs’ point of view, Toronto has most productive NHL campaigns to the Maple Leafs, logging significant made since 2010. minutes and chipping in 21 to 33 assists in each of his seasons in Canada. The Leafs also got a year of service out of depth forward Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it Lombardi. 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover , who was looking for futures from Brian Burke, watched Canada’s most beloved game. Lebda, Slaney and Pochiro combine for a grand total of zero games played in Nashville. 10. Dubas stacks up by trading down Worse for the Preds? Poile rented Franson (plus Mike Santorelli) back To Toronto: 2018 first-round pick (Rasmus Sandin), 2018 third-round pick from tank-job Toronto at the 2015 deadline in exchange for a first-round (Semyon Der-Arguchintsev) pick, Brenden Leipsic and Olli Jokinen. (Nashville’s playoff hopes were To St. Louis: 2018 first-round pick (25, Dominik Bokk) quickly extinguished in six games by the eventual champion Blackhawks.) June 22, 2018 6. Two draft picks are greater than one Who knows? Maybe Bokk — a 20-year-old prospect since traded by the Blues to Carolina — will eventually move to North America and light it up, To Columbus: 2015 first-round pick (Gabriel Carlsson) but right now the German is putting up modest numbers in the Swedish June 26, 2015 league. Another great example of Toronto trading down in the draft and doubling The Leafs, on the other hand, have already begun reaping the rewards of its chances of uncovering a real player. trading down in the first round of the 2018 draft. Dubas exchanged the 25th-overall pick for the 29th and 76th. Sandin, 20, made the big club out While 23-year-old Columbus defence prospect Carlsson has of camp in ’19 and already looks destined for Toronto’s top four, while the underwhelmed for a first-rounder — three NHL assists scattered over 23 diminutive Der-Arguchintsev put up a silly-good 75 points in 55 games games in four seasons — last time we saw the Leafs, second-rounder with the Peterborough Petes this season and is begging for a greater Dermott logged more ice time than anyone else in an important March 10 challenge. victory over Tampa Bay. Dzierkals, 22, didn’t stick on this side of the pond and is playing in the Finnish Elite League, but the slick-skating, 9. Somebody to hit somebody puck-moving Dermott (a pending RFA) still has a chance to be a top-four To Toronto: Jake Muzzin fixture in Toronto for years to come.

Jan. 28, 2019 5. The cross-country blockbuster

While it’s impossible to fully evaluate this 2019 pre-deadline swap until To Toronto: Dion Phaneuf, , Fredrik Sjostrom the three Kings develop to their full potential, Muzzin is far and away the To Calgary: , , , most valuable piece of the deal right now. The fact that string-puller Kyle Dubas re-signed Muzzin for four seasons beyond his year-and-half rental Jan. 31, 2010 period has underscored how well the trade has paid off for the Leafs, who secured a pure shutdown defender with leadership, sandpaper and Should Phaneuf have been named captain so quick? Probably not. Did a booming shot. he end up getting overpaid at the end of his Toronto tenure? Sure. But that doesn’t subtract from the fact the Leafs got the best player in their Bjornfot, 18, was actually having a lovely AHL rookie campaign, putting 2010, nine-player blockbuster with Calgary. The hard-nosed defenceman up 19 points and a plus-13 rating in 44 games on the Ontario Reign’s played huge minutes for six seasons. back end and earning a brief NHL call-up. Power forward Grundstrom, 22, remains an excellent AHLer who has yet to carve an NHL niche. And Toronto also sold high on Hagman. After two 20-goal showings with Toronto, he never scored more than 11 Calgary. Of the trade’s other components, Stajan was easily the most enduring Paul Holmgren plotted a one-for-one deal to unite the Schenn brothers in figure, lasting in Calgary through 2017-18 and becoming a regraded Philadelphia. leader in the room. While defenceman Luke did play three-and-a-half decent seasons in 4. Fred-die! Fred-die! Philly, Toronto got James van Riemsdyk’s prime scoring years. The silky- handed left winger thrived alongside elite righties like Kessel and, later, To Toronto: Frederik Andersen Mitch Marner. JVR finished off power plays with ease, hitting the 30-goal To Anaheim: 2016 first-round pick (Sam Steel), 2017 conditional second- and 60-point marks twice each before walking back to Philadelphia as a round pick (Maxime Comtois) free agent in 2018.

June 20, 2016

Easily the biggest win-win Maple Leafs deal of the decade. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.03.2020

Thanks to Lamoriello’s work here, the Maple Leafs secured their best goaltender in a decade (previously, Ed Belfour) and a much-needed security blanket for a young squad’s defensive woes. The workhorse Andersen set a new franchise record for regular-season wins (38) in 2017-18 and became the fastest European-born goalie to reach 200 wins earlier this season.

Meanwhile, in Disneyland, Andersen’s departure allowed John Gibson to thrive in a No. 1 role, and both Steel and Comtois have a fantastic shot at being core Ducks forwards for years to come.

3. Getting younger and faster

To Toronto: Joffrey Lupul, Jake Gardiner, 2013 fourth-round pick (Fredrik Bergvik)

To Anaheim: Francois Beauchemin

Feb. 9, 2011

The Ducks would get four-and-half more great years out of respected, stay-at-home, veteran d-man Beauchemin in his Anaheim return, including a stellar plus-62 run from 2012 to 2015 that included two deep post-season runs.

But in Lupul and Gardiner, Burke brought in two young, key pieces that would transcend to top-line essentials at their peak. (Prospect Bergvik never left the Swedish pro circuit.) Forever playing injury-shortened seasons, Lupul hit a career-high 67 points in 2011-12, earned a trip to the all-star game and thrived with Phil Kessel.

Before a bad back got the better of him, Gardiner skated eight seasons with the Leafs, reaching a high of 52 points and helping turn a turbulent roster into a playoff team.

2. He gets the puck

To Toronto: Zach Hyman

To Florida: Gregg McKegg

June 19, 2015

Absolutely, McKegg would use Florida has a destination to establish himself as an NHL-calibre depth centre, and the 27-year-old has now carved a nice veteran niche for himself down the Rangers’ lineup.

But the still-improving Hyman, also 27, has been a fixture in a Maple Leafs’ top six that was on the brink of driving his hometown organization to a fourth consecutive playoff appearance. Even though he’s paid to forecheck and kill penalties, Hyman has posted back-to-back 21-goal campaigns and draws the best out of elite centremen Auston Matthews and John Tavares.

At the time of the deal — which was sealed during Brendan Shanahan’s three-month transitional period between firing general manager and hiring Lamoriello — Florida threw in a conditional 2017 seventh-round draft pick if Hyman refused to sign in Toronto.

Yeah, Hyman’s probably better than the pick.

1. Burke’s parting gift to Leafs Nation

To Toronto: James van Riemsdyk

To Philadelphia: Luke Schenn

June 23, 2012

The last NHL Draft Brian Burke worked as Toronto’s GM was one of his best. Not only did he surprise with the excellent selection of defenceman Morgan Rielly higher than anticipated (No. 5) but he and then-Flyers GM 1182137 Websites Defensively speaking, an NHL executive we know often asks, “Why would you even draft a winger?” His point being, draft only centremen, and then like a Team Canada, simply shift some to the wing — a far easier adjustment than trying to make a centreman out of a lifelong Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' Nugent-Hopkins hit stride as a winger and leader in winger. 2019-20 “When you’re centre, you’ve always got to make sure you’re coming back and playing deep in your own zone. You’re kind of catching up to the rush more so coming out of the defensive zone, transitioning to offence,” Mark Spector | @sportsnetspec he explained. “Whereas a winger, you’re usually the one leading with the April 2, 2020, 5:04 PM puck or at least supporting the guy who’s leading with the puck. So it’s kind of, as soon as we get it, we have that offensive mindset.

“I got to play with obviously Leo and Yamo (Kailer Yamamoto) and we EDMONTON — It was back in October, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — got some chemistry going right away. It was definitely a lot of fun and I the longest-serving member of the Edmonton Oilers — was breaking in think it did kind of open up things more offensively for me,” Nugent- yet another head coach, while engaging a couple of reporters on an Hopkins said. impromptu quiz surrounding his time as an Oiler. Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it “What’s ? Coach number… Eight? Nine?” we asked him. 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover Nugent-Hopkins looked skyward, opened up the ol’ memory bank, and Canada’s most beloved game. began: “. . Todd Nelson… I still count MacT (Craig MacTavish.) He stepped in there. Todd McLellan, Hitch (Ken It’s funny: Just as Nugent-Hopkins’ career finally intersects with a GM in Hitchcock), Tipp…” Ken Holland who appears to have a viable plan to put the Oilers back on the map, Nugent-Hopkins looks in the mirror and sees a guy who turns Questioner — “Did you miss one?” 27 in 10 days, and is ready to help lead a team somewhere. RNH — “Ralph (Krueger). Maybe there is eight?” It’s a far better recipe than handing everything to a bunch of 18- and 19- Now he’s counting on his fingers. year-olds, the game plan they invoked here when Nugent-Hopkins walked in the door as a teenager. RNH — “Tom, Ralph, Dallas. Then Dallas got fired and MacT stepped in. Then Todd Nelson. Then Todd McLellan replaced him. Then Hitch. Then “Having older guys coming in who can speak up in the room goes a long Tipp. So it’s eight.” way,” he said of the veterans brought in this year, like Riley Sheahan, Mike Smith and Tyler Ennis. “And having fresh faces who have played on Q — “And three general managers?” winning teams before (James Neal) changes the mentality too. For guys RNH — “Well, if you count Keith (Gretzky) last year, then it’s four. Tambo who’ve been here as long as I have, nice to have some positive energy (), MacT, Keith (Gretzky), Holl… No, this is five.” coming in after some off years.”

Q — “Yes, Peter Chiarelli also. Now, what about captains?” And like him, others are starting to morph into leaders. For years they tried to import leadership here, like when Ference or Milan Lucic arrived. RNH — “Not so many captains. Three, I guess. Horc (Shawn Horcoff). Now, leadership is coming from within from players like Nugent-Hopkins (Andrew) Ference is the next one. Then Connor (McDavid). And Smytty and Darnell Nurse. (Ryan Smyth) for one game!” “I’ve seen it, especially the last couple of years,” Nugent-Hopkins said, Q — “Only three captains then.” specifically referring to Nurse. “He has really stepped up as a voice in the room, as a guy we look to to get us going. He’s reliable in any situation “I think so.” on the ice (23:27 per night), and off the ice he’s been a leader for us. Q “What about assistants?” Definitely a player who younger guys can look to every day. Definitely a guy who, over the last couple of years, we’re hearing more from him.” “Aw, that would be a tough one…” Like ex-teammates Hall and Jordan Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins signed one Hey, you’d be confused too. When Nugent-Hopkins showed up here as of those $6 million AAV deals for their contract, for him a seven-year pact an 18-year-old kid, fresh off being selected first overall in the 2011 draft, that expires after next season. he was going to be Taylor Hall’s centreman into perpetuity. Having been here through so many lean years, and having finally found a If not, certainly Jordan Eberle’s. place where his talents can help an actual contending team contend, surely he’ll find a way to stay around. Well, nine seasons and more than 500 games later, Nugent-Hopkins rode herd on Leon Draisatl’s left side for the majority of this season. Next It would be a shame if this team finally won, and they were all gone. season he’ll remain there — unless he gets moved up to play on Connor McDavid’s wing. I mean, who else could remember all those coaches?

Either way, having been on pace for a career-high 70 points in his first full season as a winger, it doesn’t look like Nugent-Hopkins will play Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.03.2020 much centre as long as he remains an Oiler. Which will last through next season, when he becomes a UFA in the summer of 2021.

“I think it changes your game a little bit. I did have some experience in the past couple of years going on the wing so it kind of helped me adjust, but I think overall, it does open up a little more offensively for you,” he said in a conference call on Thursday.

Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what they think about it.

Nugent-Hopkins is smart and uber-skilled. He can be the shooter on any play — he was on his way to his fourth 24-goal season in nine years — and as a natural centreman he can distribute the puck. The same can be said for McDavid, and certainly for the 50-goal, 100-point man Draisaitl, making for a troika of Top 6 players who can trade pucks, and who are all entering their prime. 1182138 Websites Hughes: (Laughs) Yeah. Usually it’s one of our friends, but under these circumstances, we put Jimmy in there. He’s been a great player. There’s not a lot of dads who can do that, so it’s fun.

Sportsnet.ca / Q&A: Quinn Hughes on self-isolating with his brothers, SN: Is the hoop in the driveway? Calder race and more Hughes: Yeah, we’ve got a nice court for basketball and a backyard, so it’s pretty good. But it’s a pretty quiet neighborhood, too, so we can walk around the block a bit. Iain MacIntyre | @imacSportsnet SN: A lot of NHL players, especially young, single guys, don’t have the April 2, 2020, 5:39 PM benefit of being with family these days. Do you feel fortunate in that way?

Hughes: I was happy to be home rather than in my apartment by myself doing nothing, having to worry about food. It’s nice to be home. In my Even before the National Hockey League shut down along with much of apartment, I’m taking four or five steps to get from my couch to my the world, this was an extraordinary year for Quinn Hughes. kitchen to my bed. You’re not doing a lot. Here at least we’re playing The Vancouver Canucks rookie, who turned 20 two weeks into the basketball and doing things and getting through the days. regular season, had eight goals and 53 points in 68 games, and in the I wasn’t excited about coming home under these circumstances. But like two months before play was halted on March 12 led all NHL defencemen everyone says, this is bigger than hockey and you’ve just got to take care in scoring with 23 points in 25 games while averaging 22:47 of ice time. of yourself. The first couple of days I was in Vancouver by myself, those The 5-foot-10 dynamo led Vancouver defencemen in ice time after Nov. were the longest days. I’m pumped to be home with these guys. 1, which is about when he started seeing the opposition’s best forwards SN: Tell us about those first couple of days, after you had a shootout win on a “shutdown” pairing with veteran blue-liner Chris Tanev. at home against the New York Islanders on March 10, then flew to Even with 13 games left on the regular-season schedule, Hughes’ 53 Phoenix for what was supposed to be an important road trip. points are the most by a Canucks defenceman since Jyrki Lumme — Hughes: It was really strange. We flew to Arizona and news came out who finished with 54 over 80 games in 1995-96 — and his 45 assists are (late on March 11) that one NBA player had the coronavirus. And we the most since set up 50 in 1988-89. were, like: ‘Oh, my God, that’s crazy.’ And an hour or two later, the NBA And don’t be duped by the minus-10 rating the NHL lists for Hughes, that was shut down. ‘Holy, if the NBA is shut down, what’s going to happen to deficit is covered just by empty-net-goals allowed. Every front-line us?’ We share stadiums. Canucks player — their top six forwards and top two right-side We found out the next morning our game was cancelled. We didn’t really defencemen — had dramatically better possession numbers at even know what was happening; we had as much information as anyone else. strength when Hughes was on the ice with him. We were trying to get updates, trying to figure out if we could go home, The Michigan resident — by way of Toronto — had an excellent chance whether the borders were going to shut down. Once we found out the to break ’s franchise record of 63 points by a Canucks league was going to be down until April (at least), I was able to fly home. defenceman (set in 1987) as well as ’ record of 55 assists SN: Airplanes aren’t desirable places to be during this pandemic. What (1987). was the journey to Michigan from Vancouver like? And then everything stopped. After a lonely few days in his Vancouver Hughes: I usually don’t fly first class because I don’t mind sitting in the apartment, Hughes was able to fly home to Canton, Mich., to live in the back and putting on my headphones and going to sleep. But I got in first family home with his parents, Ellen and Jim, and hockey-playing brothers class because I didn’t want be crowded. Some people were wearing Jack and Luke. Jack Hughes, 18, was the New Jersey Devils’ first-overall masks. I flew home with Motter [teammate Tyler Motte], so it was nice to pick last June, while Luke, 16, is part of the United States National have someone there, too. But it was just weird, something neither of us Development Team program and one of the top prospects for the 2021 had ever seen before. We went Vancouver-Minnesota, then Minnesota- NHL draft. Detroit. In his first interview since the NHL shut down, Quinn talked to us about SN: Besides basketball and table tennis, how are you staying in shape? his remarkable season, competing with his brothers, binging on the television show Billions, and how COVID-19 puts the Calder Trophy race Hughes: Our trainer from the [U.S.] national team brought over some and everything else into perspective. equipment for us, which was really nice. We’ve got a gym in our garage now. Everyone is pushing each other. If we’re doing a plank or Quinn Hughes: We play chess a lot. We play Fortnite, we play NHL on something, I don’t want to drop before Jack does. Same thing with Jack. Xbox, we play ping pong, we play basketball. We work out, we shoot But it’s more everyone’s doing their own thing, just trying to get stronger. pucks. And we’re going through Billions on TV. We’ve been doing a lot, but we get bored. The first four or five days, we played ping pong non- Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes skates during the second period of stop, and now we haven’t played in four or five days. We’ve gone on to an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche in Vancouver, on chess and basketball. Saturday November 16, 2019. (Darryl Dyck/CP)

SN: So the Hughes boys are still competitive? SN: The Canucks are tied for the final playoff spot and you are going to be a Calder Trophy finalist. How disappointed are you that the season Hughes: I think it’s even more competitive now, for sure. Jack beat me might end this way? three Game 7s in a row in table tennis. I took it to Game 7 and lost three times, and the last series I won. The basketball is really competitive, Hughes: It sucks. We have a good team, we had a good chance to make chess…it’s all competitive, actually. the playoffs. But I haven’t looked at it like it stinks because this [pandemic] is bigger than that. You can’t really worry about hockey. SN: You and Jack are both 5-foot-10, but your little brother, Luke, is six People are dying, crazy stuff is going on. It’s a real-life problem. feet tall and still growing. Does he have the advantage in basketball? SN: Have you reflected on your own season? Hughes: Everyone has their day. If we’re playing basketball, if we’re playing one-on-one, Luke is the best. But if we’re playing two-on-two, Hughes: It’s too early to think about it because I’m still hopeful the he’s the worst. He’s way bigger than us, so he just plays bully ball. season willstart back up and they’ll figure something out. As of right now, I think it was a really good season for me, a really good season for our SN: We’re picturing Luke backing you guys up under the hoop until he team. If you look at [J.T.] Miller, look at Petey [Elias Pettersson], having a has a lay up. great years. The addition of Tyler Toffoli, Marky [Jacob Markstrom] Hughes: Seriously. He just takes us to the rim and the only way we stop having an absolutely tremendous year, I think a lot of guys are having him is with a foul. One-on-one, he’s better. But two-on-two, we double great years. It was fun. team him and he’s got nothing. SN: Where the Canucks sit, do you consider them to be a playoff team? SN: Is there another brother we don’t know about, or does your Dad, Jim, who is a professional-development coach in hockey, also play hoops? Hughes: I honestly haven’t looked at the standings since the season ended, so I don’t really know what’s going on. I haven’t thought about it that much.

SN: There will be NHL awards whenever the season ends. What does the Calder Trophy mean to you?

Hughes: It’s a very prestigious award, and obviously it was one of the things coming into the year that I wanted to do. One of my goals, I would say. It would mean a lot. I think it’s naïve to say it wouldn’t mean a lot. But right now, that’s not what’s important.

SN: Thank you. Stay safe.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182139 Websites playing in L.A., St. Louis and New York. According to The Great One, there’s just something different about claiming it for a smaller city.

Gretzky: “In Edmonton, it just seems like… it’s hockey and church and Sportsnet.ca / Oilers greats McDavid, Gretzky open up in 'epic the Oilers, and that’s what goes on in Edmonton. And that’s a good thing conversation' when you’re winning. And when you’re not winning, it’s really hard to leave your apartment, as you know.”

McDavid: “Well, what’s it like to win there?” Sportsnet Staff | @Sportsnet Gretzky: “Oh wow. … We were talking about this with a friend who was April 2, 2020, 7:10 PM playing in a big city, and they said that people who have season tickets go to about 10 per cent of the games. In Edmonton, I could look across

the stands and see the same people every single night, and know that so For NHL clubs, greatness seems to come in bunches. Just as was the and so’s in that corner, and they’re in this corner, and they’re there. And case in Pittsburgh with their parade of Hall of Famers, highlighted by you knew around Christmastime that they were going to go to Hawaii or Nos. 66 and 87, Edmonton’s been gifted two of the greatest to ever play Florida or Palm Springs and somebody else would be in those seats. But the game in Nos. 99 and 97. every other game, those people were there.

And similar to the mentorship Sidney Crosby received from his Penguins “…So I think the biggest difference about winning in Edmonton versus predecessor in Mario Lemieux, Connor McDavid‘s had the chance to bigger cities is that everybody, when you win, you’ve seen them every learn from The Great One through his first few illustrious years in the night, so you know that they’re as excited about it as you are, and they NHL, with Wayne Gretzky returning to the organization in 2016 as vice- feel that they’ve done as much to win that Stanley Cup as you did as a chairman of Oilers Entertainment Group. player. So when you guys do win, and you will win a Stanley Cup, the feeling is just over the top. And you work your whole life to do that … The generational pair recently sat down for a lengthy discussion for GQ When you actually lift the Cup, it’s pretty special. And you will lift it one Sports, released to the world Thursday while McDavid’s 2019-20 day. You’re too good.” campaign remains on hiatus, awaiting the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. 3. Through all that the two Oilers greats have accomplished, they still cherish the memories of their earliest days in the NHL Here are a few highlights from the conversation between the two all-time Oilers greats: It’s fair to assume it would be tough to pin down the top moments from a career that included nine Hart trophies, 10 scoring titles, four Cups and 1. Gretzky thinks McDavid’s faced far more pressure than he did in his two Conn Smythe nods. But in fact, two come immediately to mind for younger days Gretzky. And though McDavid’s first five years in the league have looked like a half-decade-long highlight reel, his first meeting with his childhood There’s no question Gretzky faced immense pressure to perform as he idol remains his marquee memory. rose to become the most prolific scorer the game had ever seen, especially in an era that allowed far more physicality inflicted upon Gretzky: “Two things I remember most — my first faceoff was against superstar talents. But even so, it doesn’t compare to what McDavid’s Stan Mikita. Stan Mikita was one of my dad’s favourite players. And all I dealt with from his youngest days in the sport, says Gretzky — here was remember thinking was, ‘Wow.’ He beat me on the faceoff. And then their exchange on the subject: lifting the Stanley Cup was something that you just can’t describe, and I know one day you’re going to get that feeling.” Gretzky: “The one thing I can relate to is I understood, and understand, the pressure that you’re under, and the microscope. And you probably McDavid: “… Kind of like Wayne said about Stan Mikita, when I first even had more of a microscope than I did because in this day and age played Sid, that was really exciting for me. My first year, I got hurt and it’s a smaller world, and there’s more media attention. And the reality missed both games against Sid. So my second year I got to go into was, although there was a lot of focus on me, you were a can’t-miss No. Pittsburgh and play Sid. Again, we took the opening draw — the whole 1 pick at 16 — at 16 and 17, I still had half the hockey world saying, time I was watching him during the anthem, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, that’s ‘Well, I’m not sure if he can play. He might be too small. He might be too Sidney Crosby over there. I’m about to play against him.’ And then same slow.’ So, my path, my journey was a little bit different than yours thing, the faceoff, I don’t even think my stick touched the ice, he swept it because you had so much pressure from the age of probably eight, nine, back so fast. But it was a special moment for sure.” that, ‘Okay, this guy’s probably going to be the first pick overall.’ And each and every year, you got better and obviously delivered. Gretzky: “You know, it’s so quick it happens, beacuse when I was like you at that age — you’re looking across at Sid, I was looking across at “… I was under a microscope, but I still had so many people saying, ‘Well guys like Bryan Trottier. Everybody’s comparing you and then all of a we’re not sure. You know, he’s a good player but wait til he gets to the sudden it’s like that, that they’re going, ‘Okay, is this guy the next next level’ or ‘wait til he gets to junior hockey’ or ‘wait til he gets to pro Connor?’ Before you know it, you’re going to be hunted down, it happens hockey.’ So I had these doubters that really fuelled my fire, really pushed really fast.” me to go to another level. Your pressure came from within, having to be successful and live up to the expectations because people would say every night, ‘Is this guy any good? I’ve got to see this kid play at 15 or 16’ Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.03.2020 and each and every year, you’ve gotten better and delivered.

“I don’t think people realize the pressure and the microscope that guys like you and Sidney Crosby and Mario (Lemieux), when they come into the league, it’s a lot harder than people think. And you know that better than anybody.”

McDavid: “Yeah, I mean, there’s so much pressure. Especially in Edmonton, you know what that’s like — going through what they went through over the last decade and whatever. You know, you’ve got to win.”

2. There’s a distinct difference between winning titles for a bigger city vs. a smaller one like Edmonton, and No. 99 would know

Though McDavid’s already amassed two Art Ross trophies, two Hart trophies and a Lester B. Pearson Award, his half-decade in the league has brought just 13 playoff games so far. So, what would it feel like to lift the Cup in a city like Edmonton? Gretzky has a better idea than anyone else, having done it four times in Edmonton before getting a taste of 1182140 Websites was a practice after the (selection) camp. It was the first practice after they made the cuts for the team and we were on the ice and just doing a warm-up drill and he really impressed me, I'll just say that (smiles). It was really impressive so definitely Laffy and Hayts were probably two of the TSN.CA / Projected to be first d-man drafted in 2020, Jamie Drysdale guys that I was like, 'Wow,' when I watched them play. And then when it aims to emulate Cale Makar comes to guys I played against I went with (Team USA forward Trevor) Zegras. I liked how crafty that guy was. His creativity and the poise he

had with the puck, he was a pretty fun guy to watch." Mark Masters Which current NHL player is most like you?

"I don't know if I could give you one right now. I think there's definitely Jamie Drysdale had a realization the other day as he looked at his Team guys I really like to watch and take things from. Morgan Rielly, I'm a Canada sweater and World Junior gold medal in his room. Leafs guy, love the Leafs, and he's a guy I watch a lot and love the way he plays and definitely try to take things, any little thing I can, from his "I told my parents, I was like, 'OK, this is pretty cool. We got to get this game and try to put into mine. Another recent guy who I think is just framed or something.' But these days we're not going out and getting that pretty lights out is (Cale) Makar. He's a young stud and just how he made done so right now it's just hanging in a safe spot." an impact in his first full year was pretty unbelievable. How he had the poise to make plays on the blue line with confidence, that's another guy The medal is a symbol of how far Drysdale has come this season. In that I want to emulate." December, he became just the seventh 17-year-old defenceman to play for Team Canada at the World Juniors since 1991. The other names on Do you remember watching him at the World Juniors? He was the that list: Aaron Ekblad, Ryan Ellis, Jay Boumeester, Chris Phillips, Wade seventh defenceman, like you, who found ways to contribute. Redden and . "He was the seventh defenceman, but he lit it up. I remember he had "Coming into the year if you told me I would be on the team, I don't know three or four goals. I remember one of his goals, I'm not sure who it was if I would've believed you," Drysdale admits. "Getting a spot on that roster against, but he walked the blueline off the right side, stopped, kind of was a really big stepping stone for me." faked the guy out, went around him right at the blueline (even though) he was the last man back and then sniped bar down. I remember the Drysdale served as Team Canada's seventh defenceman until the commentator saying, 'That takes confidence, that's a skilled play,' and semifinal game against Finland when Bowen Byram got sick and couldn't that's just something I want to be able to do, just have the confidence to play. The Erie Otter was thrust into a top-four role, responding with a goal make a play. If you see a play and you're confident in it then go ahead while logging more than 20 minutes. and make it so that's something that definitely left an imprint on me." The experience in Ostrava, Czech Republic gave Drysdale a boost of During the World Juniors a lot of your teammates gushed about your confidence and also insight on how to take the next step. skating. Ty Dellandrea called it "deceptive" noting that you take long "A lot of it was just watching and observing the players and staff and how strides, "but every stride is so powerful and smooth." How did you everyone was," he said of his biggest takeaway, "how they conducted develop into a great skater at such a young age? themselves on and off the ice. It was little details and how attentive they "Skating has always been a strong suit of mine. The first time I remember were to those, even something as simple as the eating habits pre-game." skating was when my dad made us a backyard rink and so he would Drysdale marvelled at how a prospect of Byram's pedigree kept pushing teach me and my brother out there and that was when we were really himself. young. My brother is still a really good skater now. We'd just push each other and mess around. He doesn't play hockey anymore, but up until "We all wore heart-rate monitors in practice and it measured a bunch of probably two or three years ago I would tell you he would beat me in a different things and he was the highest in them so he joked around about race. So, it was a matter of competition and, as I got to higher and higher how he was the hardest worker and working harder then everyone. Just levels, it was getting into the skating coaches and doing anything you went to show that as good as he is, he still works that hard. You want to could to get that edge. Once you find a strong suit in hockey you want it be the hardest worker and that's something I picked up." to continue to be a strong suit and continue to develop it so that's what The Colorado Avalanche selected Byram fourth overall in last year's NHL I've been doing, looking for any edge I can." draft making him the top defenceman taken. Drysdale, who posted 47 How are you staying in shape right now? points in 49 Ontario Hockey League games this season, is poised to follow in his footsteps. The Toronto native ranks fifth on TSN director of "We kind of turned our living room into a gym. We moved all of our stuff scouting Craig Button's latest list, which came out this week. The next from the basement so you get the sunlight and get everything in there. highest defenceman is Jake Sanderson at No. 12. My parents ordered me a bunch of new equipment. Me and my dad and my bother have been doing one or two workouts every day and just TSN spoke to Drysdale via Skype on Thursday. The following is an staying busy and staying active and making sure you're still in shape. I edited transcript of the interview. think this is a good opportunity, you're at home and have nothing better What would it mean to be the top defenceman drafted? to do so you can work on your body and get stronger and develop everything. I have a good set-up in the backyard for shooting pucks as "It would obviously be something really cool and just show that all the well so just doing anything you can to focus on getting better and building work I put in paid off. It'd be a stepping stone in the right direction. If that yourself up." happens I know the work has just begun. It would just make me bury my head and get to work even harder." Any specific area you want to improve in the summer?

What's the toughest question you've been asked when you do interviews "Right now, with what I have, it's about putting on size and muscle. It's no with NHL teams? secret I'm not the biggest guy (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) so becoming a bigger, stronger player will only help me. That's the biggest thing, building "Toughest question, hmmm. There's been a couple. 'Who's the size and strength." toughest player you played against at the World Juniors?' That's one and that was definitely tough, because there were so many great players. You'll celebrate your 18th birthday next week. Obviously, these are And then, 'Who's the toughest player you played against in the OHL?' So, strange times we live in with the COVID-19 pandemic keeping us all those are two questions that kind of stumped me, because there's a ton inside as much as possible. How do you think you'll celebrate? of great players you go up against depending on the night. That was one "What am I going to do? I have no idea. I cannot see it being any I had to think about a bit. It was almost like you're thinking, 'Who left the different than what I've doing these days. Probably get a couple workouts biggest impression?' That one was pretty hard." in, feel good, have some family time, there's not really much you can do. So, who did you end up saying was the toughest player you faced at the Maybe call some buddies. Just have a good day doing whatever you can World Juniors? do. I don't really know what else to do. Maybe do a puzzle. It should be a fun day though." "I had a couple. First, I said playing with (Alexis) Lafreniere and (Barrett) Hayton. Funny story, so the first time I ever was on the ice with Laffy it And, in a normal situation, how would you mark the occasion? "If I wasn't here, well, we'd still be in Erie with the playoffs. So, if I could spend my birthday in Erie that would obviously be the goal, because last year that wasn't the case. So, spending it in Erie with my team is definitely what I'd want to do if all this wasn't going on."

Playing in Erie, do you ever hear any stories about Connor McDavid and the legacy he left?

"You definitely hear stories whether it's at the local breakfast spot or anywhere else, you just hear people talking about him. It's pretty cool. He definitely left a big impact on that city and that town with how he did it and how good he is now, considered the best if not one of the best. The people still talk about him. He's still a big part of that franchise."

Any stories stand out?

"One, my trainer told me. Guys get stretched before the games and have their routines and he told me McDavid was a pretty quiet guy, wouldn't come up and ask for stuff unless he was injured or something. He'd ask for (something) probably twice in the full year and that would've been his first year. He kind of went around doing his own business, knew what he had to do and just did it. You never really needed to talk to him. You never really needed to do anything. He did everything he needed to do and went about his business and it's obviously paid off for him.

"And we have our local breakfast spot that all the boys go to pre-game and you alway hear guys talking about McDavid. It's just, ‘We remember when he was on the team and put up five points a night,' so just little things like that where you're just like, 'Yeah, he's the real deal.'"

TSN.CA LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182141 Websites 3. Inconsistency issues everywhere A year ago, Rielly was firmly in discussions as a potential Norris Trophy

contender, putting up a career-high 72 points (20 goals, 52 assists) in 82 TSN.CA / Toronto Maple Leafs' Morgan Rielly keeping busy, doing 'some games over the 2018-19 season. His numbers took a dip in 2019-20, to reflecting' during NHL pause where he sits with 27 points (three goals, 24 assists) in 47 games to date.

In many ways, Rielly’s own ups and downs have mirrored those of the Kristen Shilton Leafs, a team that went through a November coaching change, and slid in and out of the playoff picture before taking a firmer hold of third place

in the Atlantic Division before the NHL’s pause. Settled back in his hometown of North Vancouver, Toronto Maple Leafs “I think that there were times where I was good and I think that there are defenceman Morgan Rielly is still searching for a new normal amid the times where I felt that I could have been better,” Rielly said. “And I think global COVID-19 pandemic that forced the NHL to pause its 2019-20 that's a bit how we as a team look back at the year and the games that season three weeks ago. we did play. Both [I] and the team would like to be more consistent and I “There's no escaping it and it's a strange time for everyone,” Rielly said think that's a goal for us both moving forward. I think that's my job as an on a conference call with reporters on Thursday. “It’s been challenging at individual to be prepared and be consistent and, as a group, we want to times [to cope] but I know that we're all experiencing that, we’re all in it be more consistent than we were this year. together and nobody is really prepared to do the quarantine and "With the bad is always good [though]. I thought that we answered the experience this much alone time and downtime if you will.” bell at times when we had to against some pretty good teams. And then In the wide-ranging media session, Rielly touched on everything from his the downs were the games where you're supposed to win or you really current hobbies and advancements in the kitchen, to the Leafs’ expect a good team to be able to win and we weren't able to execute inconsistencies this year and his own recovery from a broken foot that that. But I can't really put my finger on [why]. But I think you have to keep stole eight weeks of his season. in mind that there were positives over the course of the season. And when hockey does resume, I think we know that we have to be better Those topics and more are below in five takeaways from Rielly’s and we have to be more consistent and I think that this time [off] is conference call. important for the players to really think about that.”

1. No easy answers for NHL’s return 4. Cooking it up, in good company

When the NHL halted operations on March 12, the league did so with no Rielly has been holed up at home in Vancouver with his girlfriend – firm idea of when or if the 2019-20 campaign would start up again, either Canadian Olympic figure skating champion Tessa Virtue, a relationship to finish out the regular season or even jump right into the playoffs. he’s reluctant to talk about but one that has helped get him through this There’s been little clarity on the matter in weeks since, although public unexpected stretch. health and safety are obviously top concerns for the league and its teams in making a decision. “We're both in it together, we're trying to keep each other sane and we're doing what we can to do our part and just quarantine,” Rielly said. “I Like everyone else around the NHL, Rielly has theorized about what a really won't talk about it too much, I'll just say that I'm glad I'm not alone resumption might look like but hasn’t landed on any good answers. because I think that can be challenging.”

“I think that's what we're all kind of wondering right now,” Rielly said. “I Staying indoors has meant a lot more home cooking for Rielly, who isn’t don't know. But I can tell you that we do have calls as a team and as used to preparing quite so much of his own food but he's found the players around the league, and we talk about those sorts of things. A process enjoyable. point comes where it's not really in our control. But I guess the question is how late is too late? I don't know. I know as players, we all want to “We've been cooking every meal and that's new to me; normally you'd play, and have a chance to play in playoffs, but health comes first, there's eat at the rink or you go out for dinner if you're on the road,” he said. no question about that. So, we're kind of in a holding pattern because “We've been barbecuing chicken and steak and then doing some pasta we're trying to do what's best for general health, for people everywhere. and stuff. The only thing I haven't gotten to that I don't have the It's obviously much bigger than hockey. I can tell you that the players confidence yet for is fish. I don't want to undercook it and then we've got miss playing, want to play, and it's certainly strange not being out there. a whole other situation on our hands.” But at this point, I think we have to do what's best for the general health in the big picture.” When he’s not in the kitchen, Rielly’s been passing his time with movies, puzzles and books, including one on mental health gifted to him by Leafs 2. Foot healed just in time – for another pause general manager Kyle Dubas. When Rielly blocked a shot in the first period of Toronto’s game against “If you've played for Kyle for long enough, he's probably given you a Florida on Jan.12, he ended up with a broken foot that took eight weeks book, whether it's at Christmas or at the end of the year or something like to heal. When the blueliner returned to action, it was on March 10, in a 2- that,” Rielly said. “I probably won't give the name of it, just because it was 1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning at home. personal, but it's not anything that's too serious. I'm pretty much open to The NHL hit pause two nights later, an especially frustrating development just about anything. I just read 'Shoe Dog’ [by Nike creator Phil Knight] for Rielly after two long months of rehabbing. But he’s determined to see which I liked a lot. And then I just read a book not too long ago called the positive in how that situation played out. ‘Educated' [by Tara Westover] which I really liked as well.”

“I'm happy I played one [game], because I think I'd be going crazy if I 5. Pause to reflect hadn't played since early January,” Rielly said. “That was truly a long If Rielly had his way, he and the Leafs would be finishing out the regular process of trying to heal and trying to keep yourself in shape. Eight season and gearing up for the playoffs this week. Instead, he’s searching weeks go by and you're really working hard to get back and then to play for a new routine that suits self-isolation and taking advantage of the one game, it's certainly not ideal. When you're training in the gym and opportunity to look back on what was – and what could still be ahead. trying to get back to play, you're picturing playing 12 or 13 games, and then playoffs, not taking a pause again. But in that same breath, if I “I've just been trying to keep in touch with teammates and friends and hadn't come back and played one game, it would make it worse. family and do some home workouts and just try to keep your mind busy,” Rielly said. “It's been important just to have a routine and try to create a “When I look back at the injured foot, that's one of those things where schedule to keep yourself on pace to maintain a little bit of fitness. I'm still you don't have complete control over it, it’s a bump in the road over the working at it, I certainly think that I can do a better job of maintaining my course of a long year. It's obviously not what you want when you prepare schedule but I’ve just been trying to keep myself on track, and that’s for a season and you try to stay healthy, you try to do what you can to been home workouts in the morning, make some phone calls, read keep yourself in the lineup and obviously I wasn't expecting to miss eight something and spend some time at home. weeks. That was a bit out of my control so you do your best to rehab and try to get healthy and I think I did that.” "During a pause like this, you have lots of time to process what happened over the course of the year so far. And you look back and you reflect and you picture things going differently, what you liked, what you didn't like, and this is a really good opportunity for players to do some thinking about that kind of stuff. It’s hard not to do, especially when you get in touch with people from the team, or friends, you talk about the year. But you're also focused on trying to keep yourself in shape in the event the year resumes. So I think it's a mix of trying to keep yourself focused and also do some reflecting.”

TSN.CA LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182142 Websites TSN.CA LOADED: 04.03.2020

TSN.CA / History suggests NHL Awards for 2019-20 season will be distributed

Frank Seravalli

In any normal season, ballots for the NHL Awards would have arrived in the inboxes of voters from the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

They would typically be due next Wednesday, before puck drop on what was to be the opening night of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

But the puck won’t be dropping on the playoffs on Wednesday - and not in the foreseeable future - with the NHL season on pause since March 12 with the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.

You can add how to handle the Awards to the long list of items the NHL and NHL Players’ Association must sort out. But it’s understandably not near the top of anyone’s priority list at the moment, given all that’s going on the world.

“I have not even begun to consider it at this point in time,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told NHL.com a few days ago. “So I can’t tell you one way or the other on that.”

In a perfect world, the NHL would find the right moment to hand out hockey’s most prestigious individual honours, just like they have with the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke and Vezina trophies annually - some of them for nearly 100 years.

But a decision on the Awards will likely have to wait until one is first made on the balance of the regular season schedule.

Enough hockey has likely been played to determine the winners. More than 85 per cent of the 1,271-game schedule has been completed, a tidy average of 70 games for each of the 31 teams.

The Awards have twice been handed out with less than the full slate completed, the two 48-game, lockout-shortened seasons of 1994-95 and 2012-13. In 1995, they produced a memorable Hart acceptance speech from an emotional Eric Lindros. In 2013, the Awards were handed out over two nights in mid-June during the Stanley Cup Final in Chicago.

Those seasons were shortened but still played to their scheduled completion. This is a different beast.

Perhaps the only true comparable, if one even exists, is the 1994 Major League Baseball season that abruptly ended the season on Aug. 12 - wiping out the World Series for the first time since 1904.

Even in that season, the Baseball Writers' Association of America still decided to hand out their hardware.

Then-BBWAA national president Rick Hummel relayed on Thursday that he called for a vote with association members at the 1994 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh. They knew a strike was on the horizon and wanted to chart a path forward.

The BBWAA voted to go-ahead with their honours, even though there was dissent. The prevailing wisdom was that each team had played approximately 115 games; the BBWAA still handed out all of their major awards in 1981, when only 105 had been played (70 per cent of the season) and the season was split into two halves.

In other words, history suggests that the NHL Awards will not go by the wayside for the 2019-20 season. Enough games have been played to fairly determine winners - with maybe more still to come. But ballots cannot be distributed until it's known whether games will be played or not.

Until then, we’ll have plenty of time to research and wrestle with our ballots.

We’ve gone ahead and assembled a blue-ribbon panel of TSN analysts to give you their thoughts on where the Awards stand with the NHL on pause:

1182143 Websites Mikko Koskinen’s Herculean 49-save effort – combined with the Oilers beating Carter Hart and Brian Elliott six times on just 22 shots – tells the story. But expected goals in this game were 6.5 – 1.9 in favour of Philadelphia. Why? Just look at what Koskinen faced that night from just TSN.CA / A look at 10 ‘stolen’ games from the 2019-20 season outside of the crease!

The Oilers’ offence has bailed Edmonton out a number of times this season, but none greater than on that night. To that end, I’d say the Travis Yost biggest steal of the season is hereby awarded to Koskinen and the Oilers.

“Frederik Andersen makes 16 saves in return from injury, Maple Leafs To win a game where you barely have the puck by a score of 6-3 is, in fall to Stars.” one word, unlikely. But the points count all the same.

That was the NHL.com headline after Toronto’s disappointing home-ice loss to the Dallas Stars in early February. Read that headline once and TSN.CA LOADED: 04.03.2020 you would think that Andersen and the Maple Leafs’ defence were bleeding goals all night long.

But the box score (3-2 Dallas, in regulation) doesn’t exactly reflect that. In fact, the goals from Denis Gurianov, Radek Faksa and Tyler Seguin were really the only compelling offence Dallas generated all night.

The bigger story was the performance from the Stars in the defensive end. The Stars were out-attempted 72 to 35 on the night, but of those 72 attempts, only 31 made it to the net.

The Stars – who had very little of the puck all night – did a great job pushing Toronto into tougher shooting lanes and blocking shots as a last resort. Of the 31 shots that made it to goaltender Ben Bishop, only Zach Hyman and Auston Matthews managed to score.

If you look at Toronto’s shot map (via HockeyViz), you see two things: a flurry of offensive zone activity, and a degree of difficulty in turning shot attempts into shots on goal:

While I think Dallas coach Rick Bowness would be pleased with the stick- to-itiveness of his team, it’s also fair to say that this game was stolen. The Stars barely had the puck, and even conceding their defensive structure and off-puck play was sound, were still outshot and outchanced on a 2-to-1 basis.

Quantifying stolen games can be a bit difficult, especially since there is such a considerable impact from goaltenders.

A goalie standing on his head, so to speak, can turn a grim differential on shots or scoring chances into a victory; a goaltender on a bad night can turn an otherwise fantastic team performance into dust. The reality is you usually need a little bit of both to truly steal a game.

With a pause in the regular season, I wanted to come up with a quick way to segment or quantify stolen games and see just how disparate real performance versus win/loss outcome can actually be.

To isolate on these games, I focused on shot differential and expected goals (adjusting shots for quality). The average team took about 57 shot attempts per game in the 2019-20 season, with an expected goal rate of 2.72.

To make sure the see-saw was tilted appropriately, I looked at any game in which the prevailing team was at least one standard deviation below expected offensive production and the losing team was one standard deviation above expected offensive production. (I also subset to games decided in regulation.)

Ten games hit our radar:

It’s an interesting mix of undisputed blowouts – that 7-1 victory by the Buffalo Sabres over the New Jersey Devils was an early train wreck – and competitive games that were played at one end of the ice.

Vegas, for example, is the only team here that had two games stolen from them, based on our logic. The first was a 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh back in January in which the Golden Knights attempted 40 more shots at the net and, on average, would have won that game by about two goals. Two months later, they could not find an answer for Los Angeles depth goaltender Cal Petersen, who stopped 42 of 43 shots for the Kings at T- Mobile Arena.

In both scenarios Vegas played most of the game in the offensive zone, and in the rare chance they had to defend the run of play, the puck beat Marc-Andre Fleury.

The most lopsided game of the season probably belongs to that Oct. 16 matchup between Edmonton and Philadelphia. 1182144 Websites

USA TODAY / Day 22 without sports : How would NHL playoff race look heading into season's final weekend?

Chris Bumbaca

USA TODAY

When the coronavirus forced the NHL to suspend its regular season March 12, fans lost out on the final 3½ weeks of the regular season that would have culminated this weekend.

In the games that were supposed to have been played between that date and now, every point would have mattered, with almost every team in both the Metropolitan (East) and Central (West) Divisions positioning themselves for playoff runs.

About the only "known" when play stopped was that the Boston Bruins were likely taking home the Presidents' Trophy; they were six points ahead of the St. Louis Blues with a game in hand.

But in the Metropolitan, how far would the New York Islanders, who were one point out of playoff spot, fall during the seven-game winless streak that took them into the stoppage? What about the wild card-leading Carolina Hurricanes, who had the least games played (along with the Islanders) and won three in a row?

In total, four Metropolitan teams sat within two points and two games of one another — all fighting for wild card spots. The Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins would have battled for first place down the stretch.

The various scenarios would have made the final three days of the regular season all the more intense. Instead, the questions are unanswerable.

In the West, the battle for first in the Central between St. Louis and Colorado could have gone down to the wire, as would have Vegas and Edmonton in the Pacific.

Thirteen games were on the docket for Thursday, with just two on Friday and 13 more on Saturday. The playoffs were set to begin April 8.

The best story out of the NHL this season was emergency goaltender David Ayres coming off the bench to help the Carolina Hurricanes to victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

What to watch

College football

The 2005 Rose Bowl, Texas vs. USC, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

NFL

This day in sports history: April 2

1984: John Thompson Jr. becomes the first black coach to win the national championship when his Georgetown team, led by Patrick Ewing, defeat Houston.

1990: UNLV, led by coach Jerry Tarkanian, deny Mike Krzyzewski and Duke the title by blasting them by 30 in the championship game.

1995: Connecticut wins its first women's basketball title, the first of 11 championships over the last 25 years from coach Geno Auriemma and the Huskies.

1995: The Major League Baseball strike, the longest in American major sports history, ends at 232 days. The strike resulted in the cancellation of the 1994 World Series, the first time no World Series was played since 1904.

2007: The Florida Gators repeat as men's basketball champions.

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1182145 World Leagues News

Coronavirus: Gambling ‘plummets’ as pandemic halts sport

By Mike Henson

BBC Sport

Gambling in the United Kingdom has “plummeted” as sports events have been cancelled or postponed because of coronavirus, say bookmakers.

Football and horse racing make up 75% of the UK sports betting market, but both are currently suspended.

“Levels of gambling have plummeted not just because of betting shop closures but because of the absence of sport, which is fundamental to online betting,” said Michael Dugher, chief executive of industry body the Betting and Gaming Council.

Sports betting in the United Kingdom earned bookmakers £1.4bn in the year ending March 2019 and several prominent players in the industry have warned that this year’s profits will be significantly dented by actions taken to limit the coronavirus outbreak.

GVC Holdings, owners of Ladbrokes, and William Hill Shares in Flutter, the owner of Paddy Power, fell 35% earlier this month as the supply of live sport dried up.

There are about 50,000 people employed in UK betting outlets, with another 10,000 involved in the online sector.

The government has extended the offer of a business rates holiday to the betting and gaming industry, which is usually excluded from such schemes.

The search for live sport

UK bookmakers are running markets on the few remaining sports events still going ahead, with the most prominent football offering most.

Another aspect of the gambling industry that continues unaffected are virtual sports events – computer animations showing fictitious races or matches that customers can place bets on.

Saturday’s Grand National is being replaced on television by a sophisticated CGI version of the race.

These virtual events, along with various lottery games, made up about 13% of UK bookmakers’ betting profits last year.

Over the pond

The legal sports betting market in America is far smaller, with a federal ban on sports betting in most states.

Previously Nevada was the only part of the USA in which conventional sports betting was legal.

Twenty-one states have since legalised sports betting, the most recent being Washington in March.

Casey Clark, the senior vice president of the American Gaming Association, believes that the coronavirus outbreak could accelerate rather than hamper the growth of the sports betting industry stateside.

“Given the budget shortfalls we’re going to see from the existing gaming industry essentially shutting down here in the United States, I think that there might be even more appetite to look for opportunities to bring sports betting to Americans,” he told BBC Sport.

“There is a revenue loss that states are going to have to try to balance when we get past this.

BBC Sport LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182146 World Leagues News finished 45-11-3-4 (97 points, .770), just ahead of the 46-13-3-1 (96, .762).

Now what? Friday coronavirus sports update Training camps typicaly open in mid-August. The season ordinarily begins in the latter half of September.

Steve Brandon Friday, April 03, 2020 Hops: Hillsboro's Class A baseball team is scheduled to open June 17 at the Spokane Indians. The Hops' home opener is June 22 against the Eugene Emeralds. The start of minor-league baseball is various levels is Cases in point: the NBA and MLB. being delayed, however.

The NBA by now must realize it has to hope for a best-case scenario of a Pickles: Portland is part of the West Coast League, which still hopes to shortened postseason. Owners will have to fight over how many teams have its 16th season of college wood-bat baseball, but that is up in the make the playoffs — assuming the coronavirus pandemic lessens by air. The plan for now is still for the Pickles' home slate at Walker Stadium summer, and then stays at a low level. The league also has to plot to kick off June 3 with a nonleague game against the San Francisco options for sites, possibly staging games without fans in attendance and Seals. for TV only. Perhaps all playoff games can take place in one arena; that would make it easier for all involved in the playing and the production. Or : The Oregon and Oregon State spring games set for maybe there can be one western and one eastern site. April 18 were called due to the pandemic. Portland State got in most of its spring football workouts but had to cancel its 15th and final session Major league baseball, meanwhile, is not going to get in all of its 162 along with its March 14 spring game. regular-season games per team this season. Depending on when baseball games can begin, MLB will have to decide how late in the Pac-12: On March 14, the conference canceled all sports competition calendar it can go with a postseason. through the end of the 2019-20 academic year. All team-related activities are suspended until at least March 29, when that decision will be Minor league baseball is in even more jeopardy, with its generaly more revisited. condensed seasons and heavy reliance on revenue from in-the-ballpark fans. On top of that, MLB leadership has not been looking kindly on the Big Sky: On March 18, the league, which includes Portland State, minor leagues; even before COVID-19, 42 minor-league teams were on canceled all spring sports competitions and championships and the chopping blocks. suspended practices and workouts.

Most every other sport and league also will have to figure out the look of West Coast Conference: On March 14, the WCC canceled all spring its reduced year of competition, letting go of many events — again, sports for the University of Portland and its other members, including assuming competition is safe and feasible. organized practices, for the 2019-20 academic year.

If — and that IF — the sports world can get back to business, the second GNAC: The NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference, half of 2020 is likely to be filled with action with teams, leagues and which includes Concordia and Western Oregon, has canceled all spring organization attempting to salvage revenue from games and events. sports, and suspended all athletics-related activities through June 30.

These cheery but frank thoughts lead us into today's update: The turn of events cut short the final season of Concordia athletics, as the school announced earlier this year that it will close after this NBA/Trail Blazers: The NBA remains shut down indefinitely, with lots of academic year and that the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and talk about how to go straight to the playoffs, how many teams should Lutheran Church Extension Fund are likely to put up the Northeast take part and how many games there might be. Oh, and where and how Portland school property for sale. to play them. A lot depends on the next few weeks of quarantines, socially distancing, scientific research, business production and more. NWC: The NCAA Division III Northwest Conference, which includes Lewis & Clark, Pacific University, George Fox, Linfield and Willamette, on MLS/Timbers: The MLS season is off until at least mid-May. The Timbers March 12 canceled spring sports competition and championships. have had nine of 34 regular-season matches postponed, through their May 9 game at . They and other teams are not allowed to NAIA: The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has canceled train at this point, a moratorium that on Thursday was extended at least all spring sports, which wiped out track and field and golf for Multnomah through April 24. and track and field, golf and softball for Warner Pacific of the Cascade Collegiate Conference. The Timbers (1-1-0) are scheduled to return to the pitch on Sunday, May 17 at home against the Seattle Sounders. NWAC: The junior college Northwest Athletic Conference (which includes Portland Community College and Clackamas Community College) The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup also has been suspended, for 30 days. canceled spring competitions and championships. That delays the first three rounds, which were set for March 24 through April 23. Portland will join the competition in the fourth round (of 32), on Preps: The Oregon School Activities Association has suspended spring May 19 or 20. practices and contests through April 28, per the closure of schools statewide by Gov. Kate Brown. Timbers 2: The United Soccer League team has suspended play until May 10. That wipes out Portland's home opener, set for Sunday against The OSAA Executive Board will meet on April 15 and reevaluate further Colorado Springs. Also gone are T2 matches versus Reno 1868, San options. It met on Wednesday online and showed little interest in having Antonio FC, Real Monarchs SLC, OKC Energy FC, San Diego Loyal SC, sports in the summer. FC Tulsa and Sacramento Republic FC. From May 16 through Oct. 17. The OSAA has been working with its chief medical advisor, Dr. Mick Timbers 2 still have 24 league games, including 11 at Hillsboro Stadium Koester, to develop guidelines by which sports could be resumed, with and one at Providence Park. an emphasis on student safety, if schools are able to reopen this spring.

A USL training moratorium is in effect through Sunday, April 19. The board would want a seven-day period with practices only, limited to Thorns: The National Women's Soccer League has canceled all one per day of no more than three hours and no more than six preseason matches — including the Thorns' tournament that was to be consecutive days, with heat warnings and baseball pitch count played between last Sunday and this Saturday at Providence Park. limitations. It also then would want to limit the number of contests allowed Teams are prohibited from training till further notice. in a week to numbers to be determined by sport, emphasizing late- afternoon starts and weekend games when possible to limit the loss of The Thorns' season opener is April 18 at Providence Park against the class time. Utah Royals. The 24-game regular season goes through Oct. 18. • The annual Oregon All-Star Series in baseball has been canceled. It Winterhawks: The Western Hockey League canceled what was left of its was set for June 20-21 at Goss Stadium. The sponsoring Oregon High regular-season and the playoffs. Portland was declared the regular- School Baseball Coaches Association said "there is too much COVID-19- season champion based on winning percentage. The Winterhawks related uncertainty to effectively plan for and execute this celebratory event." • The Oregon High School Lacrosse Association (boys) and Oregon Girls The Mariners were to have opened their season with a home series Lacrosse Association have suspended practices and games as well. against Texas, March 26-29.

Little League baseball/softball: Little League International, which has A June 13-14 series at London between the St. Louis Cardinals and more than 6,5000 programs in more than 84 countries, has has been canceled. recommended that all leagues suspend or delay all activities until at least May 11. The All-Star game is set for July 14, with the Los Angeles Dodgers serving as host. Nike Hoop Summit: The annual clash at Moda Center between top young players from the U.S. and world, which was set for April 10, has been WNBA: The league will go forward with its April 17 draft, in which Oregon canceled by USA Basketball. Ducks stars Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally and Ruthy Hebard are expected to be high selections. Players will not be on site, and no fans Women's football: The Portland Fighting Shockwave's start of the will attend. It will be on ESPN, starting at 4 p.m. PT. Women's Football Alliance season has been pushed back four weeks, to May 2. Training camps remain booked to start April 26, with the regular season to begin on May 15. But, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said "the health Roller derby: All Rose City Rollers skating programs are canceled. Bouts and safety of players and employees — with our teams and at the league are postponed through April 18. level — is of the utmost importance."

Skiing: Mt. Hood Meadows, Hoodoo Ski Area and Willamette Pass Ski The first four picks in the draft belong to, in order, the New York Liberty, Area suspended operations for the season. the Dallas Wings, the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream.

Timberline, Mt. Hood Skibowl and Mount Bachelor are closed indefinitely. Olympics: The Tokyo Summer Games, which were slated for July 24- Aug. 9, have been rescheduled for 2021, from July 23 through Aug. 8. Portland Parks & Recreation: All indoor facilities, including community centers, pools and indoor courts, are closed at least through April 14. The Paralympics will take place Aug. 24 through Sept. 5 in 2021.

Bowling: Grand Central and KingPins in Southeast Portland and Track and field: The Pac-12 championships that were set Corvallis (multi- Milwaukie Bowl have shut down for now. events, May 9 and 10) and for the still-under-rebuilding Hayward Field (May 16 and 17) have been canceled. NFL/: The draft is still on for April 23-25, but fans will not be allowed to attend in Las Vegas, Nevada. USA Track & Field also called off the Olympic Trials, which awere booked for Hayward Field from June 19-28. Offseason workouts won't start as planned in April 6. Another Hayward favorite, the annual Nike Prefontaine Classic, is slated Team facilities have been closed to players, other than to those for June 7, but ticket sales have been suspended for nearly three weeks. undergoing medically supervised rehab. The biggest events in Portland — the Portland Track Festival and Post-draft rookie mini-camps are on, at this point, for May 1-4 and 8-11. Stumptown Twilight -- are scheduled for June 4 and 5, and June 12, The NFL's spring meeting is May 19-20 at Marina Del Ray, California. respectively, at Lewis & Clark College. The PTF Youth Festival, set for May 30-31, has been canceled. Preseason camps are slated to start in July. The USATF Under-20 championships are June 12-14 at Miramar, The regular-season schedule generally is released in mid-April. Florida.

XFL/Seattle Dragons: The first-year, eight-team league called off the final The annual Hershey UASTF National Youth Indoor Championship, which five rounds of its 10-game regular-season and playoffs. Players with the was set for March 20-22 at Staten Island, New York, has been canceled. Seattle Dragons and other teams will receive their base pay and benefits, and the league said it intends to return in 2021. The Drake Relays (April 25, Des Moines, Iowa) have been canceled. The Penn Relays (April 25, Philadelphia) have been canceled, though officials CFL: The Canadian Football League preseason is set to start on May 24, said they will try to have a substitute track meet in late May or early June. and Week 1 of the regular season has games on June 11 and 12. Marathons: The Portland Marathon is not until Oct. 4. The Boston But the CFL postponed its annual global draft from April 16 to April 30, Marathon, however, was postponed last week for five months and now is which would coincide with the start of training camps. set for Sept. 14.

NHL: The league suspended play indefinitely with about three weeks left IndyCar: IndyCar canceled the first four events on its 2020 calendar, in its regular season. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said because each races in St. Petersburg, Florida, Birmingham, Alabama, Long Beach, team has played at least 68 games, "we have had a meaningful regular California and Austin, Texas. season in terms of separating potential playoff teams from non-playoff teams." That shows the NHL is mostly contemplating what kind of playoff Thirteen events remain, but so far two have been rescheduled: the May 9 tournament it could hold in a shortened time period, even if the format GRM Grand Prix on a 14-turn road course at Indianapolis Motor calls for single-elimination matchups. Speedway and the Indianapolis 500 on the IMS' 2.5-mile oval. The GRM Grand Prix has moved from May 9 to July 4. The Indy 500 has been Also up in the air are the NHL scouting combine, June 1-6 at Buffalo, and switched from May 24 to Aug. 23. the NHL draft, June 26-27 at Montreal. The Grand Prix of Portland had to be moved back one week and is now Minor-league hockey: The American Hockey League and East Coast scheduled for Sept. 11-13 at Portland International Raceway. Hockey League, which also include several former Winterhawks, have gone dark. The AHL suspended play indefinitely, and the ECHL has The next lives races are slated for Detroit on May 30 and 31. canceled the remainder of its season. PIR has canceled events until the last week in April.

MLB/Seattle Mariners: The major leagues called off the rest of spring NASCAR: The stock car governing body has canceled races through training, postponed opening day until at least May and might wind up not May 3. In the Nascar Cup Series, seven events lost at least for now are starting until around Memorial Day, if then. The 2020 season was now listed as TBD: The Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor scheduled to begin on March 26. Speedway, the Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the Owners and have players have agreed to talk about how and when to O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, the Food City 500 at start, and how to pay players and credit them for service if it never does. Bristol (Tennessee) Motor Speedway, the Toyota Owners 400 at Both sides said they would play beyond the typical end of the World Richmond (Virginia) Raceway, the Gico 500 at Talladega (Florida) Series, if necessary. Superspeedway and the NASCAR Cup Series Race at Dover (Delaware) International Speedway. The Seattle Mariners and all other teams still have been allowed to make roster moves, cut players from spring rosters and reassign or option Next on tap in the series is the Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at players to minor-league teams. Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Drag racing: The 32nd annual Hot Rod Nationals at Woodburn Dragstrip The Pacific Northwest Senior PGA this week postponed indefinitely its are Aug. 7-9. Players Championship, which had been set for April 14-15 at Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Washington. Still on is the May 18-20 PGA Tour: The tour has canceled eight events through the AT&T Byron Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open at Kent, Wash. Nelson, which was to end on May 10. Tennis: Wimbledon is off for the first time since during World War II in The Masters, which was scheduled for April 9-12, has been postponed, 1945, the All England Club announced on Wednesday — and for the first with no new date announced. time in peacetime since it began in 1877. It had been scheduled for June The PGA Championship, the second of four majors on the 2020 men's 29 through July 12. The 2021 Wimbledon Championships are set for calendar, has been postponed from May 14-17 at TPC Harding Park in June 28 through July 11. San Francisco to dates to be determined. The ATP men's and WTA women's pro tours have extended their The U.S. Open is expected to be delayed from June 18-21 at Winged suspension of tournaments another six weeks, through July 13. Foot Golf Club in Westchester County, New York. Softball: National Pro Fastpitch has postponed its March 30 draft and The next PGA Tour event on the calendar is May 21-24, the Charles canceled opening day and opening series events set for April 10-19. The Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. league said it would announce revised scheduling plans on May 1.

Men's golf: Phil Mickelson indicates he is working on some kind of show Major League Rugby: The third-year, 12-team league, which includes the for television during the quarantine, perhaps even a rematch of his two-time champion Seattle Seawolves, has canceled the rest of its November 2018, made-for-TV match with Tiger Woods. But even that season. appears iffy. Each team had played five games. The regular season was supposed to LPGA Tour: The ladies tour has postponed nine events and shifted have ended on May 31. others. Horse racing: The has been postponed from May 2 to Events are postponed through the LPGA Mediheal Championship April Sept. 5. The other Triple Crown races are still on: the Preakness on May 30-May 3 in Daly City, Calif. 16, and the on June 6. But both are considering a shift to September or October. Next up is the May 14-17 Pelican Women's Championship at Belleair, Florida. Grants Pass Downs has canceled its Racing on the Rogue meet, which was set for Sundays and Mondays from May 10 through June 8. A The first scheduled major event is the U.S. Women's Open, June 4-7 at summer meet, with racing on Saturdays and Sundays, is still on for June Houston. 20 through July 12, with a fall meet Sept. 20 through Nov. 9.

The Evian Championship in France has moved from late July to Aug. 6-9. International basketball: The EuroLeague has suspended all games, and The ANA Inspiration, which was supposed to be the first of the five the National Basketball League in Australia canceled its finals after three majors, has been pushed back from the first week of April to Sept. 10-13. games of a best-of-five series.

The Cambia Portland Classic thus will be played one week later than And the Chinese Basketball Association has reversed course and per planned; it is now set for Sept. 17-20 at Columbia Edgewater Country government order has had to delay its planned April 15 return to acton. Club. Various U.S. players, including veteran point guard Pooh Jeter from the From Portland, the top women golfers in the world will go to the University of Portland, had returned to compete. The league now is said Volunteers of America Classic at The Colony, Texas, for an Oct. 1-4 to be thinking of playing into July or August, if possible. tournament. Fencing: In addition to the postponed by one year of the Tokyo Olympics, Other women's golf: The Symetra Tour, a supporting circuit, has various World Cup events have been postponed in Hungary, Argentina, postponed multiple events and rescheduled two others. The tournaments Belgium and Uzbekistan, along with the Junior world championships postponed carried through June 14, and include the Windsor Golf originally set for April 3-11 at Salt Lake City. Classic, which won't be played until 2021. The IOA Invitational has been rescheduled from May 7-9 to Aug. 21-23, and the Four Winds Invitational Volleyball: The VIVB Volleyball Nations League has been postponed. has moved to July 31-Aug. 2. The U.S. men were scheduled to play host to Brazil, Canada and Argentina May 22-24 in Pittsburgh, and the U.S. women, who are two- The LPGA and Symetra Tour qualifying tournament won't be Aug. 20-23 time defending champions, were slated to play host to Japan, Turkey and as scheduled but will take place Oct. 12-15, and move from California to Belgium June 9-11 at Wichita State University in Kansas. Florida. Portland Tribune LOADED: 04.03.2020 The Ladies European Tour is idle unil the May 7-9 Jabra Ladies Open at Evian, France.

The Japan LPGA Tour and the Asian Tour each canceled three tournaments in March. The Asian Tour rescheduled one event for May 8- 10 in Hong Kong.

European Tour: The tour has postponed five events and canceled two others. Next on the docket is the May 28-31 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in Kilkenny, Ireland. Tourneys postponed were in Nairobi, Kenya; New Delhi, India; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Shenzhun, China; Sotogrande, Spain; Farso, Denmark. Canceled was an event in Cascais,Portugal.

Korn Ferry Tour: The second-level circuit under the PGA Tour umbrella has canceled six events through the April 30-May 3 Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation at Nashville, Tennessee. Two other events were postponed, the latest the Visit Knoxville Open, May 14-17.

As of now, the tour is set to resume May 21-24, with the Evans Scholars Invitational at Glenview, .

The annual WinCo Foods Portland Open at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club is Aug. 6-9.

Local golf: The Oregon Golf Association has canceled all April events. Next is the PNGA Cup Matches, May 6-8 at Kamloops, British Columbia. 1182147 World Leagues News -- In France, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 and women's football have been suspended indefinitely.

-- Outside Europe, most top leagues have been affected, with the start of How the coronavirus has hit global sport the J-League delayed, Major League Soccer in the United States and China's top-flight Super League put on hold.

Wimbledon on Wednesday joined the list of sports events cancelled or RUGBY UNION postponed in the face of the coronavirus pandemic signalling that the -- The Six Nations tournament was disrupted with four matches, including standstill in global sports could extend deep into the summer. all of the final-round games scheduled to be played in March, put back Here, AFP Sport looks at the events impacted by the virus which has until October. killed more than 43,000 people around the world, according to a tally -- France's Top 14, the English Premiership and the Southern compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT Wednesday. Hemisphere's Super Rugby are all suspended while the European TENNIS Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals and finals have been postponed. The finals of the two competitions were due to have been -- Wimbledon organisers on Wednesday scrapped the grasscourt Grand played on the weekend of May 22/23 in the French city of Marseille. Slam for the first time since World War II. MOTOR RACING The two-week event was due to start on June 29. The cancellation of the only grasscourt major leaves the season in disarray, with no tennis due -- The first eight races of the season have been either to be played until mid-July. scrapped or postponed with the season opener now put back until at least June 14 with the Canada Grand Prix in Montreal. -- US Tennis Association responded to the announcement by saying that they still plan to host the US Open starting August 31 in New York. -- US autoracing's famed Indianapolis 500 was moved from May 24 to August 23. -- The French Open has been postponed from its May 24-June 7 slot to September 20-October 4. -- In motorcycling, the first five rounds of the world championships have been postponed. The season is due to open with the French Grand Prix -- The finals of the Fed Cup, scheduled for Budapest from April 14-19, at Le Mans on May 17. postponed indefinitely. GOLF TOKYO OLYMPICS -- The Masters (April 9-12) and the PGA Championship (May 14-17) -- The Tokyo Games, originally scheduled to start on July 24, have been have been put back to unspecified dates while the USPGA Tour is put back almost exactly one year and will instead open on July 23, 2021. effectively suspended until May 21. The US LPGA Tour is on hold until May 14. The Paralympics will be held from August 24 to September 5. -- The European Tour has put events on hold until June 4. ATHLETICS CRICKET -- The postponement of the Olympics had a knock-on effect with World Athletics putting back their world championships, scheduled for Eugene, -- All major international cricket series cancelled. Oregon, from August 6-15 2021, to 2022 to accommodate the re- arranged Tokyo Games. -- The start of India's IPL, originally scheduled for March 29, was delayed until at least April 15. -- The World Indoor Championships, scheduled for Nanjing from March 13-15, were postponed for a year. -- A swathe of qualifiers due to take place before July for the Twenty20 World Cup and the 2023 50-over World Cup postponed. -- Boston Marathon moved from April 20 to September 14. CYCLING -- London Marathon switched from April 26 to October 4. -- The International Cycling Union announced on Wednesday that it was FOOTBALL extending the suspension of all events until at least June 1.

Internationals -- The French Sports Minister has raised the possibility that fans could be banned from the roadside in the Tour de France, which is due to start on -- UEFA, which had already postponed Euro 2020 until 2021, on June 27. Wednesday axed all other international games scheduled for June to give suspended club competitions a chance to finish. UEFA said it was -- The three week Giro d'Italia in May and the spring classics have been determined they should finish by June 30. called off, but the postponement of the opens a summer and Autumn window in the schedule and which could allow the Tour de -- To make way for the Euros next summer, the women's Euro scheduled France to run in August, the Vuelta in September and the Giro in for July 7 to August 1, 2021, will be postponed along with the Nations October. League final stages. BASEBALL -- The Copa America has been moved from June 12-July 12 2020 in Argentina and Colombia to summer 2021. -- Major League Baseball cancelled Opening Day on March 12 and has not set a date for a start of the season. The June series in London Clubs between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinal has been cancelled. -- UEFA has postponed the Champions League, Europa League and BASKETBALL women's Champions League finals, originally scheduled for May but has given no new dates. -- The NBA has been on hold indefinitely since March 11 for an initial period of one month. -- In Italy, where more than 12,000 people have died, all matches -- as well as all major sports events -- have been suspended. Administrators ICE HOCKEY say they are not expecting a resumption before May 2 at the earliest. -- The National Hockey League halted on March 12, three weeks before -- The English Premier League has been suspended until April 30. the end of the regular season.

-- In Germany, the Bundesliga suspension has been extended to April -- International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships scheduled 30. for Switzerland in May cancelled.

-- In Spain, all professional football has been suspended indefinitely. ALPINE SKIING -- The season-closing World Cup Finals in Cortina d'Ampezzo were scrapped.

LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182148 World Leagues News "We have a 900 meter (2,950 feet) by 60 meter (195 feet) grass airstrip -- the average length of a football rugby league pitch is about 120-odd meters (390 feet) so you probably have five pitches back to back," James One of Australia's most popular professional sports could relocate to a said. tropical island during the coronavirus pandemic All visitors would be subject to temperature checks and tests for Covid- 19.

Hilary Whiteman, CNN • Published 3rd April 2020 "No one can get into the resort, it's a lockdown facility -- it's our boats in, our boats out," James said.

"If we could do this, it would be one of the greatest advertisements of (CNN) — Players of one of Australia's most popular professional sports Queensland and Australian ingenuity." could be quarantined on a luxury island under an audacious plan being considered to get them back on the field -- and back on TV -- during the Cable News Network LOADED: 04.03.2020 coronavirus crisis.

Like most sports, the National Rugby League (NRL) was forced to cancel its entire season due to the spread of the coronavirus, which made it impossible to keep players safe. The cancellation threw the sport into a financial tailspin, and on April 3 the NRL announced that it had reached an agreement with players to forgo five months of their annual salary if the competition is unable to resume.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said he is "hellbent" on getting players back on the field, and the innovation committee — codenamed Project Apollo — was considering the island proposal, along with others.

Hosting the players on a tropical getaway is the brainchild of Tangalooma Island Resort manager David James.

The resort, on Moreton Island off the coast of Queensland, typically houses up to 1,500 guests who toboggan down sand dunes, ride catamarans and queue up each night to feed dolphins.

Under James' proposal, hundreds of players from the 16 NRL teams would live on the island and be ferried back and forth for games in empty stadiums to be broadcast worldwide.

"It's rugby league's version of 'Love Island' by the sound of it," Greenberg joked on Australia's 'Wide World of Sports' radio show on April 3. "We might be able to get additional TV rights with a reality TV show. We're up for any proposal."

Earlier this week, Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V'landys said he hoped the season would resume on July 1, a date considered optimistic by some as the number of coronavirus cases is still rising in the country.

As of Friday, April 3, there were more than 5,000 confirmed cases and 26 people had died.

"There are literally thousands of people that earn a living on the back of rugby league and the quicker we can unlock it and put it back on the field, our fans will enjoy it but also the industry and the economy will need it as well," Greenberg said.

Hit hard by coronavirus

James said that his Tangalooma resort could be ready to take players in four to six weeks, assuming the number of national coronavirus cases has stabilized or slowed and that health authorities supported the plan.

Right now, the resort is empty, save for 30 to 35 employees who are monitoring security and feeding the dolphins each night.

The business has been hit by a sharp downturn in global tourism, with 300 staffers being furloughed in recent weeks.

"It's been devastating. We're a family-owned business. A lot of our staff have been with us anywhere from 10 to 20 years," James said.

Hosting rugby league players could be a financial lifeline for the resort and many other local businesses.

"We'd have 560 hungry, big males to feed at the resort so that really protects some of the suppliers that we use already," James said. "We've had probably 15 companies from different fields and industries contacting us already that would all benefit out of this going ahead."

Hotel staff would be subject to the same quarantine measures as the players, and buses, boats and stadium change rooms would be sterilized before and after to ensure their safety.

All training would be done on the island -- on the beach and in the water. The island's runway could be converted into a temporary field. 1182149 World Leagues News know that a lot of fans they’ve counted on over the years will be unable to afford tickets or flat-out won’t be interested in being part of large crowds inside a football stadium.

Opinion: Cutting college coaches' pay during coronavirus crisis is the For most athletic departments, the financial losses are likely to be steep. right call And in this climate, expecting that money to be made up with some type of government bailout or increased student fee would be naive beyond belief. Dan Wolken USA TODAY "I’d hope overall athletic directors and presidents would say, ‘We can Published 7:47 PM EDT Apr 2, 2020 operate more on a have-to instead of want-to basis,'” said David Ridpath, an associate professor of sports management at Ohio University.

“They’ve never as an industry really had to face the scrutiny that a Iowa State’s Jamie Pollard is not one of the biggest names in college college of business does or a college of fine arts does, but that may sports, nor does he lead an athletic program that generates a lot of change.” national attention. But when Pollard speaks, his colleagues across the It will have to, if for no other reason than it would be both illogical and country generally listen because of his pragmatism, his track record of morally bankrupt for a university to be cutting everywhere except within sound coaching hires and his fiscal savvy. the somewhat artificial market for coaching salaries that was created And on Thursday, Pollard spoke in a way that should reverberate all mostly by their lack of collective backbone. across a business that is starting to come to grips with what the After years of agents running up the score on athletics directors in coronavirus disruption could mean to its future. In discussing why Iowa coaching contract negotiations, it may be time for some uncomfortable State became the first major conference school to install pay cuts to conversations. Nobody likes to give or ask for money back, and for athletic department officials — including the highly paid, high-profile schools that have robust reserves, it may be too early to sound that coaches in football and basketball — it seems both inevitable and alarm. appropriate that others will follow. But in conversations with several athletics directors this week, the “We have a $27 million payroll and out of 200 employees, 50 of them consensus is that cutting salaries or asking coaches to perhaps defer make up 75% of that payroll,” Pollard said. “So approaching this by some of their pay to future years would be preferable to cutting sports. saying well, we won’t fill open positions or we’ll lay off people who are That’s the right ordering of priorities. unessential, that isn’t going to work for the athletics department, because the only way to do that is to drop four or five sports or eliminate every On the other hand, contracts with high-profile coaches are complicated administrative person in the department, including units that support our and structured so that most of their pay comes from a private foundation coaches. attached to the athletic department. Agents are also involved, and allowing clients to give back money is a precedent they won’t be eager to “And if we did that, they’d go on unemployment and that would add to the set. It would take a total change in what the mentality of the business has state’s problems, so all I’d be doing is passing the burden on to been — more, more more for coaches — to suddenly ask them to taxpayers. We felt like we needed a different solution.” sacrifice anything for the greater good. In other words, by getting his coaches to agree to roughly a 10-percent Don't want to be the coach who doesn't help pay cut this year and a suspension of their potential bonus money, Pollard is going to immediately address a $5 million shortfall in Iowa But strictly from a public relations standpoint, it would be the smart thing State’s budget that was created by the cancellation of the Big 12 and to do. As Pollard explained Thursday, the pay reduction will allow Iowa NCAA basketball tournaments. State to make decisions that are consistent with its normal budget and not have to suffer death by 1,000 tiny cuts. For football coach Matt Campbell, that means potentially making closer to $3.15 million than $3.5 million. For basketball coach Steve Prohm, it’s “Some of our coaches have said, ‘Let me do more,’” Pollard said. “I just a couple hundred thousand less than the $2.375 million in his contract. said, let’s keep some of the powder dry because we don’t know what else is around the corner for us.” There may be more financial hardships and painful decisions down the road that Pollard may have to address, but for now, his actions constitute Pollard was careful to note that he didn’t want to sound preachy or judge bold leadership in an industry that has done nothing over the last decade what other programs are doing, but he knows his colleagues around the to help curb the exponential growth of coaching salaries. country are worried about what the future looks like and what unknown factors may complicate things even further. Now that runaway train is likely headed back to the station. It’s unclear how many schools will follow Iowa State and ask their There’s a lot we don’t know about what the world is going to look like coaches to give up money to help finance the department, but you can when we get to the other side of the pandemic, but a couple of things be sure others will follow. seem pretty clear. One, higher education is going to be in pretty significant trouble. Two, a country where few people are going to be “If this catches fire,” Ridpath said, “you wouldn’t want to be the coach doing better economically than they were before isn’t exactly going to be who doesn’t do something.” in the mood to cheerlead for college football coaches like Jimbo Fisher getting a $75 million guarantee. USA TODAY LOADED: 04.03.2020

Not to pick on Fisher, as he’s merely one of dozens in his field who used their leverage to make insane amounts of money. But his 10-year contract with Texas A&M can in many ways be held up as the embodiment of a broken system, where schools simultaneously argued that sharing the wealth with amateur athletes would bankrupt them while doling out blatantly irresponsible contracts to coaches.

Fans, of course, didn’t really care as long as the revenue rolled in and the athletics director had a few rich donors in his back pocket willing to bankroll a buyout after a couple of 7-5 seasons. As long as the money spigot flowed, the escalation of salaries didn’t seem to matter at all.

COACHES SALARIES: College football | Men's college basketball

Financial losses likely to be steep

But the outlook for college athletics has changed a lot in three weeks. The lost revenue from the NCAA is one thing, but now the conversations have turned to preserving the football season in some way, some form. Even in the best-case scenario for this fall, though, athletics directors 1182150 World Leagues News

Wimbledon chief says tennis may not return until 2021 due to coronavirus

Kevin Mitchell

Richard Lewis, the outgoing chief executive of Wimbledon, hopes tennis can be “off and running again” by August, when the US Open is scheduled to begin, although he admits there may be “no more tennis this year”.

Speaking the day after the All England Club finally cancelled the championships for the first time since the second world war, Lewis acknowledged that uncertainty has gripped tennis because of the continued spread of coronavirus.

“Who knows what will happen over that period?” he said on Thursday of the summer to come. “It’s a challenge for everybody. Let’s hope the US Open and Roland Garros [rescheduled to start a week after the conclusion of the US Open] can take place. It would be genuinely wonderful if the sport was off and running again.

“The optimist in me – and I am often not optimistic – still hopes the American hard-court season, the big tournaments, the Masters and the Premiers, will take place: Montreal, Toronto and then Cincinnati. But we all know that’s probably tenuous at the moment.

“I don’t think it’s unrealistic to say that there may be no more tennis this year. But I would like to think that things will settle down so that tournaments can be played sooner rather than later.”

Richard Lewis, the outgoing chief executive of Wimbledon, says unlike the other three majors, the tournament has insurance for pandemics.

Lewis, who quits at the end of July after running the tournament for eight years to make way for Sally Bolton, also hopes the former champions Roger Federer and Serena Williams, who hold 15 Wimbledon titles between them, can play when the championships resume in the summer of 2021.

“We’d love to see both of them back. It’s something to look forward to, and we’ll hopefully enjoy it all the more, a silver lining to come out of it.”

When news broke that the 134th edition of the championships would have to be abandoned, the former British No 1 Annabel Croft described the dilemma for Federer and Williams as “a nightmare”. The Swiss, recovering from knee surgery, is on a record 20 majors, one ahead of Rafael Nadal and three in front of Novak Djokovic, while Williams remains one short of Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 grand slam titles. Both are 38 years old and their chances of returning to the game after an extended absence depend on their fitness and continued enthusiasm.

Also unknown is how much of a hole cancellation will put in an estimated £250m revenue at Wimbledon. “We’re fortunate to have the insurance and it helps,” Lewis said. “The insurers, the brokers and everybody involved have been excellent to work with so far, but there’s still a lot of work to do.”

He said the annual windfall from that which goes to the Lawn Tennis Association, estimated at more than £40m, should be safe. “The insurance will help protect the surplus to a large extent. The details and the figure probably won’t be known for months.”

These are all daunting challenges for Bolton, the first woman to hold the club’s chief executive job, although Nora Cleather was the acting secretary during the second world war. The surreal atmosphere and circumstances in the year of the virus might well feel like those of 1939- 45 for Bolton, a widely respected sports administrator for more than 25 years, having worked in both rugby codes, athletics, and as head of corporate affairs at the All England Club since 2016.

Guardian News LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182151 World Leagues News and Australia and saying, ‘Look, we’re a country that thinks differently,’” James said.

“We know the big sporting events are all closed around the world, yet NRL Island: Queensland resort manager reveals plan to rescue we’re going to do it and we’re going to do it safely in a secure, isolated coronavirus-hit season location. So I think it’s a terrific advertisement for Australian ingenuity.”

Guardian News LOADED: 04.03.2020 Mike Hytner

It may sound like a desperate pitch for a bad reality TV show, but the NRL season may yet be saved after an audacious plan was outlined to house all 16 teams at a luxury island resort near Brisbane, with a view to playing the entire competition in Queensland.

David James, the manager of the Tangalooma Island Resort, told League Life on Fox Sports on Wednesday night that the complex on Moreton Island could fit up to 1,500 guests – more than enough for the estimated 500 or so players and staff.

The sprawling grounds, including a grassy airstrip, would be adapted to accommodate training sessions under the proposal, while players would be ferried to the mainland on private boats and then on buses to and from locked-down stadiums on match days.

The ambitious plan, which would be subject to strict safety measures in light of the latest government advice on reducing the spread of the coronavirus, has been handed to the NRL, according to James, and the ball is “now in their court”.

“The greatest thing is we can isolate the place,” James said. “We can lock it down. We started talking about it a few weeks ago and we put together a plan logistically about how we can isolate players into the resort itself.

“We’re off the coast of Brisbane and we want to go through a process with the NRL and the Queensland government – and the NSW government for that matter – whereby we’re testing players before they come into an isolated, clean, Covid-free environment.

“From there, we do the training and then we can ship them back into and out of Brisbane to the Gold Coast and to Redcliffe to play their games and then back into the isolated area.

“We’ve got a fleet of high-speed ferries and catamarans ... bus charters would be organised from our wharf in the mouth of the Brisbane River that would take people straight into the stadiums.”

All those involved in the plan, from coaches and players to hotel staff and bus drivers, would be subject to coronavirus testing before arriving at the resort. James said the general unavailability of testing equipment would not be an issue.

“We’ve actually been in contact with one of the companies in Brisbane that are saying they are going to produce 500,000 15-minute Covid-19 tests by this Friday that the government will have access to,” he said.

The resort has housed rugby league, union and cricket teams in the past, along with Roger Federer when he featured at the Brisbane International tennis tournament five years ago, and James said he was confident that the existing facilities, as well as some modified features, could comfortably cope with the demands of a sizeable cohort of NRL players and staff.

“We’ve got some great features – the waterways, the sand dunes,” he said. “Then we’ve got a 900-metre-long, 60-metre-wide grass airstrip that we can repurpose for training fields and we’ve a lot of lawn areas and grass areas around the resort – probably another four areas along with the beach.

“We’ve got about 300 rooms that we directly manage, and another 300 that private property owners own. We have been in touch with a lot of them and they have been in touch with us, and they love the idea. We can sleep about 1,500 people when we are full.”

Increasingly desperate to play some form of the season after play was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic – plunging the game into an unprecedented financial crisis – the NRL is exploring its options within the changing framework of government and health officials’ advice.

“[There’s an] opportunity worldwide for getting the great game of rugby league out there in the American markets and advertising Queensland 1182152 World Leagues News brands and leagues and companies are reinventing themselves, it’s important to stay true to your mission. And our mission is to put smiles on people’s faces. We’re a fan-first company, we always want to provide an How WWE Is Dealing With Coronavirus Threat at WrestleMania experience that is worthy of our fans’ passion. We’re constantly looking at what other leagues are doing, what other providers are doing, assessing the landscape–can we make it as safe as possible? Where can we shoot the content? All of these different factors have come into Justin Barrasso play. We’re working with local, regional, and global agencies, we’re putting in the best possible testing measures that we can [and] all of the safety precautions that we’re taking to take this very seriously. WWE’s decision to continue its live programming into the build to WrestleMania is a highly debated decision. Nearly all of the world’s major “This is not something where we’re just being bullheaded and moving sports leagues have halted operations due to concerns about the forward. This is a concerted, very thought-through effort to entertain our coronavirus. While television entertainment and news programs still fans with our biggest show of the year. It won’t feel and look like our operate, the WWE product is unique considering that its talent physically biggest show of the year, but certainly from a content standpoint and a engage with one another in the confines of a wrestling ring. match standpoint, we’re trying to deliver.”

Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon spoke with Sports Illustrated to A report surfaced last week that Roman Reigns (cancer survivor Joe provide explanation of how WWE has worked to keep on-screen talent Anoa’i) chose to opt out of his high-profile WrestleMania title match and production staff safe and healthy, despite concerns over the virus. against Goldberg, which Reigns confirmed in an Instagram video earlier this week. McMahon was asked if Reigns’ decision to not take part in “In terms of safety measures and protocols, first and foremost, every WrestleMania was the result of a series of discussions between him, performance is voluntary for our performers and crew,” McMahon says. WWE officials, and their medical team—and if there is support toward “That is a really important note to highlight. Also, the Performance Center him for his decision. itself is a closed set. We’re shooting in waves. No one person, regardless of who they are, is allowed to enter if they have a temperature of over “With all of our superstars, it really is a voluntary basis,” said McMahon. 100.4, or if they have been out of the country or been in touch with “It’s not my place to give his personal situation, but we support our someone who has been out of the country. superstars. We support their personal opinions and concerns, and again, this is all voluntary. Especially when you have a talent or a performer with “We also do pandemic-level cleaning, which includes fogging and pre-existing conditions, or whatever the reason might be. If someone is ultraviolet light, in the facility every single night. That could be overkill, uncomfortable, we will absolutely honor that. quite frankly, but we really are trying to put in the best safety practices that we possibly can given the circumstances. Those are some of the “We want our talent to perform at WrestleMania, but only if they’re measures we are taking, and it is as comprehensive as it can possibly comfortable. Regardless of their reasons, they have to be comfortable. It be. We also changed some of the format for WrestleMania. We’re not has to be something they want to do. We absolutely support all of our holding the men’s or women’s battle royal—that’s just too many people in superstars and their decision of whether or not to perform, especially at the ring at one time.” this time.”

There is no doubt that media consumers exasperated by the lack of new There have been rumors and reports of other WWE performers taken off content on television and the void that pro sports has left are in need of a the WrestleMania card due to high temperatures or because they were diversion. Assuming it is done safely and properly, many people will feeling unwell. McMahon was asked if absences will be explained or welcome being able to watch something fresh during this weekend’s addressed on this Friday’s SmackDown, which is WWE’s final television WrestleMania, as well as the enjoyment brought by a temporary feeling show before WrestleMania. of a return normalcy. “Those are questions you’re going to have to wait and see how we The biggest risk for WWE is if someone was infected and spread it to the handle creatively,” answered McMahon. rest of the locker room, which includes Roman Reigns, who has twice WrestleMania 36 will mark the first time McMahon has ever missed a won his battle with leukemia, , who has an autoimmune WrestleMania, as she explained that she was not considered essential disease, which his wife Bri Bella revealed on her podcast, and The personnel to the show. With the world in a tenuous, uncertain place, and Undertaker and Bill Goldberg, who are both over the age of 50. A person wrestling no different, McMahon touched on what she believes will be the spreading the virus would instantly become the story, overshadowing the lasting image of this year’s WrestleMania. cultural milestone that is WrestleMania. “What I think is going to stand out most is how this incredible group of McMahon was asked why it was the right decision in the face of such risk people have come together,” said McMahon. “To put on a show in some to continue to move forward with WrestleMania. of the most trying of circumstances, to do the best that they can to “We consider it a privilege and, in some regards, a responsibility to be provide some entertainment and relief to an audience that needs it.” able to provide this entertainment value for our fans,” said McMahon. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED LOADED: 04.03.2020 “And again, this is all voluntary, and our superstars have said the same. Of course, we don’t want anyone to get the virus, whatsoever. This is an unprecedented time in our world, and we’re taking every possible precautionary measure that we can and doing everything we can to provide an entertainment experience for our fans.

“Our goal is to provide entertainment that will help you forget what you’re going through for a few hours. It’s a different experience. There aren’t fans in the audience. Some will be critical of the content because of that, but we’re doing the best that we can to provide that outlet for our fans during this time.”

Stephanie’s father, WWE CEO Vince McMahon, has a history of running his shows, no matter the circumstances. SmackDown ran only two days after 9/11 in 2001. WWE called upon the SmackDown talent to work Monday Night Raw in 2010 after a volcanic eruption in Iceland prevented the Raw roster from returning in time from Europe, Raw ran amidst a blizzard in 2015, and, more recently, WWE found a way to run SmackDown this past November after the majority of the roster was stuck far longer than planned in Saudi Arabia. But, given the current circumstances, the fate of this year’s WrestleMania was in doubt.

“It was, actually, because this is an unprecedented time,” said McMahon. “We all have been day-to-day really looking at all of this. Ultimately, as 1182153 World Leagues News

BBC to broadcast summer of sport nostalgia during coronavirus crisis

Paul MacInnes

The BBC is preparing to unleash the power of nostalgia in a bid to help self-isolating fans through a summer of no sport.

In plans announced by the national broadcaster, some of the biggest hits in British sporting history are to be screened again on BBC One in the coming months, filling gaps where cancelled events would otherwise have been.

In July the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics is to be replayed alongside highlights from the rest of the London Games and Rio 2016, replacing coverage of the postponed Tokyo 2020.

Danny Boyle’s coup de theatre, Isles of Wonder, has subsequently acquired a totemic status amongst parts of British society and will not be shown in full as the entrance of many of the 204 competing nations will be edited out. But viewers can still expect to gorge on two and a half hours of highlights from the night of Friday 27 July 2012.

Instead of the Euro 2020 football tournament, which has also been pushed back by a year, the BBC will show matches from Euro 96 and other European championships as live, alongside highlight packages. There will also be classic Wimbledon contests on our screens during the July fortnight normally turned over to tennis.

All of this is being done in the hope that reliving great moments of old will not only help struggling BBC schedulers left with hundreds of empty hours to fill, but distract the rest of Britain from ongoing lockdown.

The BBC’s director of sport, Barbara Slater, said there was “something for everyone” in the package. “In these unprecedented and difficult times we are delighted to bring some of the most incredible sporting events from years gone by to our audiences over the next few months,” she said. “From glorious moments at the Olympics including the magic of London 2012, thrilling Euro 96 matches, wonderful Wimbledon moments and the best of World Championship snooker, there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

Alongside big replayed events, the BBC has other tricks up its sleeve. Match of the Day will become Match of their Day as pundits pick their favourite matches in Premier League history and analyse the highlights. In cricket, with England’s summer series against Sri Lanka postponed, Test Match Special is to curate 40 of the best “From the Boundary” features where celebrities discuss their relationship with the game. There will also be an expanded range of podcasts, including the venerable Question of Sport, which is to move to the radio for the first time, to be broadcast on Radio 5 Live.

Guardian News LOADED: 04.03.2020 1182154 World Leagues News Andrews get the 149th playing? Minuscule questions in the face of a pandemic, of course, but the effects of this clearly will be felt for many years both in and out of the sports world.

R&A has not made decision despite report 2020 British Open is set to be Kyle Porter canceled due to coronavirus CBS Sports LOADED: 04.03.2020

Kyle Porter

Despite other golf majors preceding it currently being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Open Championship is on the verge of being outright canceled, according to Golf Digest, which said late Wednesday that a decision could be announced by the R&A as early as Thursday.

On Thursday morning, the R&A disputed this report in a statement from chief executive Martin Slumbers: "We are continuing to work through our options for The Open this year, including postponement. Due to a range of external factors, that process is taking some time to resolve. We are well aware of the importance of being able to give clear guidance to fans, players and everyone involved and are working to resolve this as soon as we can. We will give a further update as soon as we are in a position to do so and thank everyone for their support and understanding in this challenging situation."

Scheduled to begin on July 16, The Open is fourth in the annual major rotation, contested after the Masters in April, PGA Championship in May and U.S. Open in June. The Masters and PGA Championship have been postponed, and it has previously been reported that the U.S. Open would be as well, though the USGA has not made an official announcement.

Wimbledon, which was scheduled to begin on June 29, was canceled by the All England Club on Wednesday. A similar cancellation would result in The Open not being played for the first time since World War II in 1945.

If the report is true, it would seem as if the R&A is trying to get out ahead of what is beginning to become more clear, that sporting events are not likely to be played by this summer because of the danger the coronavirus poses on all fronts, even in a sport like golf that could technically be played while following social distancing guidelines. The other interesting part of this is that, like Wimbledon, the R&A has insurance to think about, according to Golf Digest.

Part of the reason the championship is being canceled rather than postponed like the Masters and PGA Championship has to do with insurance, a source says. Similar to Wimbledon, the R&A has a policy that shields against a global pandemic, and a source indicated the Open would have to cancel by a certain date in order to collect on its insurance premium.

"The R&A is the most [insured] of all the tournaments," a source said. "They have complete cancellation insurance. I just don't see any golf [being played] before August."

The big question is what this would do to the rest of the majors if the R&A does eventually cancel The Open. There had previously been talk of simply inverting the major slate and starting the major season with the Open in July followed by the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Masters later in the fall.

Would golf's governing bodies hold three majors without the fourth? Is this a signal that golf in 2020 is pretty much over?

The United Kingdom has already seen several thousand deaths due to COVID-19, and with just over 100 days until the Open was to begin this summer, the R&A could decide there isn't enough time to hold out hope that things would settle or even to postpone the event until later in the year.

The problem with a postponement is that, because of where it sits on the map, The Open often has the least sunlight of the four majors. It's an event that sends everyone off the first tee, and with big fields and waning time as the year moves on, it would be difficult to host beyond the summer.

One question as it relates to that event is what happens to Royal St. George's as a host if the R&A cancels this year. The 150th Open in 2021 is slated for St. Andrews, but now the 2021 Open will no longer be the 150th. So does St. George's get another run at it next year, or does St. 1182155 World Leagues News The gate is still hugely important to sports institutions. If college and pro football were to be postponed or canceled, not sure how that money would be made up. If it were possible to safely play those games, with Sports could return in some form later this summer, but will fans? That’s cameras on hand, beaming the action to starved audiences in this highly questionable. country and others, at least a portion of that money could be generated.

As for the thousands of employees at arenas and stadiums, workers who make attending a live game so enjoyable, the ones who aren’t being By Gordon Monson compensated by the generosity of players and owners, their fates hang in the balance — along with the fates of fans who much prefer watching

their sports in person, being there as a part of the competition, as a part As the coronavirus continues its arc through the American and of the experience. international landscapes, its effects form a two-stage rocket that have Gathering some 60,000 of them in one place, as of right now, seems huge ramifications for sports, here and abroad. The virus is creating the unlikely and unimaginable, short of virus numbers doing what they have possibility for the realization of a futuristic state of near-dystopia, one in yet to do in this country: plummet. which television cameras rule the day. Salt Lake Tribune LOADED: 04.03.2020 The longer COVID-19 holds its grip, the more likely the realization of such unfortunate — even if temporary — change.

Wimbledon is the latest major sports event that has been canceled for the safety of the players and the masses, the first time that has happened since World War II. The significance of that is this: It was scheduled for the end of June through the middle of July.

That’s halfway through the summer. If premier events are done for in July, what does that say for baseball and, particularly, for football?

At some point over the summer, it’s imaginable that life in the United States might begin to find some bits of normalcy. People might begin to feel more comfortable going out to eat or going to a movie or gathering with a few friends who are feeling well or going into the office to get some work done. And government officials might feel more at ease allowing them to do so.

What a relief that would be.

That’s stage 1.

Stage 2 is a different beast. It entails gaining enough comfort to load into a stadium with 60,000 strangers to watch a game, to yell and scream for the home team to win. Anybody think that seems a good idea? Without the protection of medical gear, rubber suits, gloves, goggles?

At this stage in the arc, that’s difficult to see happening.

Imagine sitting next to the guy who’s had season tickets alongside you for the past 20 years, and he’s scarfing a hot dog, wiping mustard off his face, letting loose with an occasional cough and a big-old sneeze. How you going to react to that?

Is the person with allergies, unable to hold in his droplets, going to be viewed as the devil himself?

It makes you wonder if the fate of some retail stores, befallen by online orders and delivery, will extend to teams and sports and leagues with large arenas and stadiums, venues that could remain empty because people don’t want to take the chance to attend, at least not until this virus is eradicated.

Fifty years ago, golfer Lee Trevino looked around at the television cameras following him as he was contending for a golf championship in some warm-weather location and, paraphrasing here, he said those cameras were the future of the sport. That’s where the money would be. It wasn’t in and from the people in Polo shirts and Bermudas lining the fairways and surrounding the greens, the paying customers in the gallery. It was the people looking in from their TV dens in Cleveland and Rochester and Seattle and Minneapolis and Baltimore and Salt Lake City.

It conjured, all the way back then, the idea that sports competitions, especially those at the highest levels, might one day be played in empty stadiums, on empty courses, in empty buildings, with almost nobody in attendance. That, naturally, was an exaggeration. The ambience of any kind of sports event was, is and always will be enhanced by a crowd. It affects the play on the floor, court and diamond in ways that go beyond aesthetics. Fans in the stands are more than a backdrop for television.

But in a strange circumstance like the one that plagues the world now, maybe the whole thing has edged closer to enjoying sports from a distance, through a camera and a TV, phone, tablet, laptop or whatever. It’s always been handy to watch a game at home, with friends, with the refrigerator nearby, particularly now that the information that’s available that way brings a constant flow of details. 1182156 World Leagues News Toronto, says of the NHL. “I applaud them for taking that stance. The message that one group gets special treatment is really not helpful.”

But with MLB pitchers continuing to undergo Tommy John surgery, the The NHL's Big Test: Inside the League's Pandemic Response type of elective procedure many states have halted and the U.S. surgeon The NBA is usually portrayed as forward-thinking and the NHL as its general has requested to stop, two of the three (normally) in-season bumbling little brother. But in recent weeks, those roles have reversed. major professional leagues have sent that very message.

So why has only the NHL not?

Alex Prewitt On March 13, after a day of coordinating with NHLPA representatives, Bettman’s office issued a leaguewide memo titled CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) MARCH 13, 2020 UPDATE: PAUSE OF SEASON, summarizing the details of the hiatus. Training facilities were On March 12, the day after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive closed, though an exception was made for injury rehab. Players and for COVID-19 and the NBA postponed its season, the NHL Board of coaches were directed to self-quarantine, not to skate or practice until Governors held an emergency conference call to determine the league’s further notice. A dash of hope was included, as the NHL expressed full course of action. The most urgent business was completed without intentions to resume its season and award the ’19-20 Stanley Cup in the debate: After offering his recommendation that the NHL promptly future … although exactly when that would happen was, and continues to suspend games too, commissioner Gary Bettman opened the floor for be, unknown. objections. The memo also included the no-mass-testing recommendations that “There wasn’t a peep,” one governor says. “It was silent.” league officials had spelled out on the Board of Governors call. This was That was the easy part. The hard part involved all of the questions that not, however, the NHL’s first communication on the subject: At least two came next: What were the financial implications of freezing a billion-dollar earlier COVID-19-related memos had been issued to teams in the two business? When would the 2019–20 regular season and Stanley Cup weeks before the annual GM meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, in early playoffs resume, if ever? And, perhaps most pressingly, what should March, says Daly, outlining best preventative practices according to the teams do if a player came down with symptoms of or tested positive for CDC and Health Canada. the novel coronavirus? “None of this is rocket science,” Daly says. “Everybody preaches the same thing: Testing should only be pursued when it’s medically indicated. For us, it was as simple as following the directions we were No one in NHL circles had been diagnosed at the time, but that was getting from the health authorities.” viewed by league officials as all but certain to change, in large part due to the frequent arena overlap among NHL and NBA teams. The previous To help with its decisions, the NHL has relied on the expertise of chief night, Jazz players had been directed by the Oklahoma State Health medical officer Dr. Willem Meeuwisse; a COVID-19-specific task force of Department to be tested for the virus in the visiting locker room at some 15 representatives from different league departments, including Chesapeake Energy Arena; their opponent, the Thunder, were now being hockey operations and club services, which meets for regular calls; and a instructed to do the same. With the nation facing a testing shortage, one previously existing infectious disease subcommittee chaired by Dr. Gary NHL owner on the call wondered whether their team should consider Dorshimer, the Flyers’ team physician. Not long after the season was obtaining them en masse for its players and personnel as a precaution. officially paused on March 12, the league also enlisted an infectious disease specialist from Long Island named Dr. Bruce Farber, who “It was more in the form of a question,” deputy commissioner Bill Daly continues to provide updates to the Board of Governors on a semiregular says. “As in, ‘Should we be pursuing that? Is that a way to address this basis. issue?’ We said, very definitively, that our medical experts, including governing health authorities, aren’t recommending mass testing—in part The consensus: With teams self-quarantining anyway during the hiatus, because the resources aren’t available, in part because it’s of limited testing even mildly symptomatic players is ill-advised. “For the average utility at this point.” person who’s just sitting at home anyway, and professional athletes should be doing that like everybody else, it’s not that important,” says Dr. As the case count skyrocketed in the United States over the ensuing Shira Doron, hospital epidemiologist at Boston’s Tufts Medical Center. weeks, and thousands of Americans were killed by the virus, the topic of “Now, back at that time, [tests] did give useful information that allowed pro athletes and testing became a nationwide controversy. The the NBA to make decisions about canceling the season. But if it’s already government had advised the general population to seek tests only if canceled, there’s really no use for testing an asymptomatic person. … symptoms emerged in an effort to conserve kits, but at least eight NBA We need tests for people who are hospitalized, so we know how to treat teams ended up testing their full squads, many through private labs, them when they’re really sick.” resulting in positive results for asymptomatic players like the Celtics’ Marcus Smart, the Nets’ Kevin Durant, and two unnamed Lakers. At least two NHL players—Coyotes defenseman Aaron Ness and Stars winger Alexander Radulov—tested negative after taking ill with The backlash—from fans and reporters, medical professionals and public coronavirus-like symptoms, though that number is likely larger. According officials alike—was swift: “An entire NBA team should NOT get tested for to Daly, the NHL keeps a “master list” of tests obtained by anyone COVID-19 while there are critically ill patients waiting to be tested,” New “associated with the league or our clubs,” players included, “but that’s not York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio tweeted about the Nets on March 17. something we would ever share publicly.” Teams are also asked to alert “Tests should not be for the wealthy, but for the sick.” The matter was the league if any staffer becomes symptomatic, making it unlikely that even raised at a White House coronavirus press briefing: "Perhaps that's any player has been tested, say, at a private lab in secret without the the story of life,” President Donald Trump shrugged. NHL’s knowledge.

As waves of backlash hit the NBA—recasting a supposedly forward- Though Daly says the NHL made its initial call against mass-testing thinking, progressive outfit as one of many prominent examples of the before the NBA began receiving blowback, league officials quickly rich and famous receiving superior treatment amid the pandemic—the noticed the criticism facing their basketball counterparts. On March 18, NHL has skated by virtually unnoticed. Seven hockey players had been the day after the Senators announced the NHL’s first case, a portion of diagnosed with COVID-19 through Wednesday, though five of those an update memo sent to teams referenced the Nets’ three asymptomatic were members of the Senators and received tests at the direction of the positive tests. Specifically, the memo noted how Brooklyn’s teamwide Canadian health care system. The other two play for the Avalanche, who private testing had “once again raised questions publicly” about the went through “two different public health agencies” and waited more than usefulness of testing. The memo went on to emphasize that neither a week before obtaining results, Daly says. leaguewide nor clubwide testing of players was “recommended or encouraged.” In a league of 700-plus players and hundreds more coaches, equipment managers, athletic trainers, and other gameday staffers, more individuals “Look, I think we knew what was being said in the media occasionally almost certainly have contracted the virus but not been tested. “Right with respect to some of the NBA team experiences,” Daly says. “But I now, they’re doing the right thing in saying they’re not going to test in any can’t say really that was at all pertinent to the decision we were making, way different than what’s recommended,” Dr. Natasha Crowcroft, director because I think we were aligned from the start.” of the Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases at the University of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is used to being booed, but he's not all, a reminder is included about the recommendation against mass received little flak for how he's navigated his league through the testing. coronavirus crisis so far. As Daly says, “That’s been hammered home very frequently.” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is used to being booed, but he's received little flak for how he's navigated his league through the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED LOADED: 04.03.2020 coronavirus crisis so far.

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Even so, teams explored contingency plans. One high-ranking NHL team official recounts contacting a private lab about the possibility of ordering mass tests in the event that a player became symptomatic. “Our question was: Do we have access? What is the turnaround time like?” the official says. “That was first and foremost. Then, when it became clear they did have testing availability, it was: What’s the moral and social concern with knowing that a lot of people need those tests and are extremely symptomatic, but they’re not available to the public?”

The tests were marked at $300 apiece, a rounding error in the budget of a major league franchise. But the team official recalls the lab growing “evasive” when probed about its business model. If their team decided not to buy these tests, the official wondered, would they simply be sold to the next person with deep enough pockets? What about if local hospitals were facing a shortage? Would the lab reduce its price to help needy people then? “They weren’t exactly transparent about what the process would be,” the official says. “They didn’t have a fair answer.”

The team eventually cut off talks, contacted the CDC and local health officials, and received assurance that tests were available should they ever become necessary, as the case count in that particular state was still low. Still, the official acknowledges the business side to mass testing in this economically—not to mention epidemiologically—uncertain time. It is in a team’s interest to test its players, even if it is not in society’s. “If you were faced with a player who was symptomatic and you didn’t have access to public testing, or it was going to take a long period of time,” the team official says, “it would be a difficult decision to make.”

If the NBA has an official policy on teamwide testing, the league has not shared it with fans or media. But the decision by teams to go ahead with testing their full rosters has been publicly explained in a variety of ways. Both NBA spokesman Mike Bass and NBPA director Michele Roberts expressed concern in statements about players becoming “super spreaders” as frequent travelers. But that rationale went bunk once the season was postponed and players were largely confined, like the rest of us, to their homes. Bass also leaned on the idea that, by making its test results public, the league had done a social service.

In a statement to SI, an NBA spokesman said: “Team physicians and infectious disease specialists, in consultation with public health officials, made individual determinations on testing of players and staff based on their symptoms, exposure to others who have tested positive or exhibited symptoms consistent with COVID-19, and unique workplace circumstances of professional sports and the related risk of further spreading the virus.”

“I think it’s a fair comment to say they’ve managed to raise awareness in showing who’s positive,” says Crowcroft, the University of Toronto disease specialist. “But I don't think that argument is needed anymore. We’re in crisis mode.”

Indeed, as doctors and nurses report to the front lines of the coronavirus fight in understaffed, under-equipped hospitals across the country, athletes are simply tasked with staying home. The NHL recently extended its players’ self-quarantine period through April 15. The scouting combine and draft, originally scheduled for June 1–6 and June 26–27, respectively, have also been postponed.

In another Board of Governors call on Monday, March 23, Farber, the infectious disease consultant, came on the line for a coronavirus briefing. Discussing the likely health measures that the NHL would have to enact before resuming play, Farber brought up the need for widespread point- of-care testing units in the U.S., which can provide rapid, accurate results. (Promising versions have in recent days been approved by the FDA.) “He went on to say there’s just not enough of them at this point,” Daly recalls. “But he thought that POC tests could be very helpful potentially for parties like NHL teams who may want to screen players.”

And so, for now, the mandate is status quo. Each day Daly sends a coronavirus-related memo that one team official likened to a newsletter, full of everything from CBA-related issues to medical information to updates on other hockey leagues around the world. In most of them, if 1182157 World Leagues News A UK Sport spokesperson told the Guardian: “The current situation caused by coronavirus and the cancellation of the sporting calendar for the foreseeable future has created some immediate and significant future British sports bodies fear financial ruin because of coronavirus pandemic financial challenges for several national governing bodies.

“In response, we are actively engaging with all Olympic and Paralympic sports to better understand their unique circumstance and remain in Exclusive by Sean Ingle active dialogue with government to explore options to support those organisations most at risk.

“We are also conscious of the wider environment and the fact that Some British sporting bodies, including those sending athletes to next essential government services, especially healthcare, must be prioritised. year’s Olympics, fear they could go under because of the coronavirus However, we recognise the risk to NGBs and are committed to doing pandemic, the Guardian can reveal. everything in our power to support them.” A handful of national governing bodies have privately told UK Sport that Guardian News LOADED: 04.03.2020 they face an existential threat because of the crisis, while at least a dozen more say they are facing a severe financial hit with events being cancelled and other sources of revenue being slashed.

UKA urged to gift Tokyo Anniversary Games to ease tension with West Ham

One chief executive admitted that his sport would lose more than £1m in the next six months if the shutdown continues, and said his situation was not unique.

Last month UK Sport sent a spreadsheet to every Olympic sport to find out the likely financial damage to medal programmes from Covid-19, and to identify which bodies are in distress or could face an insolvency risk in the next three months.

Each organisation was asked to use a traffic light system to conduct a financial health check to assess the scale of the problem – with red being on the brink of going bust, amber having a significant financial impact on the organisation, and green meaning they were fairly sustainable.

Sports bodies were also asked what the implications might be if the crisis lasted for six months, and to outline what financial help they would require. It was also emphasised that UK Sport wanted to ensure that they were still able to support medal-winning performances in Tokyo.

UK Sport’s approach appears to have been widely welcomed, with one chief executive praising them for taking a “proactive approach in these absolutely unprecedented times”. However, he also admitted: “There are a lot of concerns in the sector that income is being turned off.”

Another senior figure said that sports face a delicate balancing act, on the one hand trying to stay alive while also not wanting to appear in any way demanding given the stress the NHS and economy is under.

“There is an incredible sensitivity around this issue,” he added. “Clearly funding for the NHS and getting through this as a nation is far more important. But at the same time, if we don’t get support, then sports like ours will find it very difficult to recover.”

Bodies who get most of their funding from UK Sport, which has given Olympic and Paralympic sport £374m over the past four years, are not thought to be under great threat. However, sports with more diverse income streams, such as athletics, cycling and badminton, face being hit much harder because they rely on a combination of TV money, hosting events, membership fees, and sponsorship, much of which will not kick in if sport remains on lockdown.

One chief executive said he expected that sport would not get back to normal until September at the earliest and said there was added pressure because “the sponsorship market for Olympic and Paralympic sports is not strong right now”.

Other organisations, such as England Athletics and Scotland Athletics, are said to be concerned about a drop in membership fees from runners unable to use facilities or coaching at their local clubs for the foreseeable future. Another source said it was still unclear whether sporting bodies in receipt of government money would be able to furlough staff if the financial crisis worsens.

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“The one thing I would add is that Sport England, UK Sport and the DCMS are doing an amazing job,” he added. “They are genuinely looking at helping governing bodies as well as the grassroots. The Sport England funding will be a lifeline for many community sports, for instance. But this is a really significant challenge for all of us.” 1182158 World Leagues News Netflix by then. But the pandemic is going to leave a huge scar on our collective psyche that will make a lot of people hesitant to be a mask-less face in the crowd.

Coronavirus pandemic will eventually end, but it might change the way Can’t blame anyone for that. This has already been a life-changing event we view our favorite sports | COMMENTARY and, sadly, it’s far from over. The loss of life is beyond tragic and far outweighs any concern about how and when we will again be able to enjoy our favorite diversions. By PETER SCHMUCK Still, it is the prospect of that eventual return to normalcy that will help us BALTIMORE SUN | get through the difficult months ahead, even if it takes much longer than that for fans to feel comfortable in their seats. APR 02, 2020 | 5:00 AM BALTIMORE SUN LOADED: 04.03.2020

No one knows how long the coronavirus pandemic will last, but it should be obvious by now that — no matter when we’re told it’s safe to go back to our normal routines — real life might never be quite the same.

Following the Great Depression, an entire generation of Americans pinched their pennies and saved slivers of bar soap for decades … just in case.

Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, enhanced security at airports and large public events became the norm and a greater degree of government intrusion into our lives has been accepted grudgingly.

The virus that has caused most businesses to suspend operations and prompted home confinement orders throughout the nation will not fade simply into memory once it is contained. The fear and caution that it has bred in all of us will change the way we live for a long time.

The same goes for the way we enjoy major spectator sports, which does not bode well for a swift rebound in attendance and revenue for the professional sports leagues that have had to suspend or delay their seasons. That even includes the NFL, which might be able to resume operations without missing a regular-season game.

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Think about it. We’re still — at best — months away from a relaxation of national social-distancing requirements, which are becoming second nature to most of us as the scary COVID-19 statistics play across our television screens 24 hours a day.

The true scope of the pandemic remains a matter of dire speculation and medical experts project that even if it subsides this summer, it might re- emerge next winter if an effective vaccine has not been developed and mass produced by then.

Though it’s likely that the country will go back to work well before that, it remains to be seen just how comfortable sports fans will feel about going back to stadiums, arenas and ballparks while there is any possibility of catching the virus.

Don’t know about you, but I’m having a hard time imagining a bare- handed stadium vendor dressing up a hot dog for me at my seat. Precautions will be taken, of course, but after you’ve spent months swabbing your doorstep-delivered groceries with disinfectant wipes, busy concession stands and open-air snacks are going to be a tough sell for quite a while.

It was said that after the disastrous Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-19, fans flocked back to professional baseball in surprising numbers even as the major leagues braced for a dramatic downturn in attendance. There is no doubt that there will be a pent-up hunger to watch games again when our favorite athletes return to action regardless of the sport, but we live in a much different world now and no one has to go to a stadium or arena to enjoy the show.

The affordability of massive flat-screen televisions and the fact that virtually every game played by every major sports team can be watched at home was having an effect on in-house attendance well before the pandemic.

The Orioles already were in the midst of a severe attendance decline because of several other factors, most recently a competitive downturn that has made them the losingest team in baseball over the past two seasons. This is not going to help.

For many of us, there is no substitute for being there in person and a trip to the ballpark will be an attractive proposition after months of being cooped up at home switching between CNN and whatever’s left on