SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 3/21/2020 1181267 Arizona Coyotes sign two players amid coronavirus- 1181293 Bridgestone, Ford Ice employees to be paid for time induced pause to missed because of coronavirus pandemic 1181268 Arizona Coyotes sign prospect F Ryan McGregor to 1181294 Predators sign University forward Patrick Harper to entry-level deal entry-level contract 1181295 Coaches Corner: The Predators’ defense under John Hynes versus 1181269 Hagg Bag: Busting out of quarantine to answer your Bruins questions Islanders 1181270 Bruins coach adjusting to ‘forced downtime’ 1181296 Anders Lee’s Islanders leadership began many at home captaincies ago 1181271 Sabres coach Ralph Krueger participating in coaching 1181297 Rangers sign college forward Austin Rueschhoff mentorship program 1181272 How Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s season compares to others Flyers who’ve taken the same route 1181298 Debating biggest surprise so far of 2019-20 Flyers season, good or bad 1181299 Take this quiz and we'll tell you which Travis Konecny 1181273 Flames sign pair of college free-agent defencemen insult you should use 1181274 Flames continue to take care of business with signings: 1181300 Best Flyers games to rewatch from 2019-20 season ‘We keep banging away’ that NHL.tv is free 1181275 Will the Hurricanes play again this season? There’s 1181301 Penguins had a common appeal to Drew O’Connor, Cam always hope Lee 1181276 The Hurricanes lost files: Uncovering the bloopers and 1181302 Mark Madden: Penguins legend Mario Lemieux was funny stories we missed snubbed 31 years ago, and it’s still hard to believe 1181303 Penguins partner with Giant Eagle, Primanti Bros. to aid Blackhawks arena, restaurant staffers 1181277 How coronavirus is impacting John Scott's family and 1181304 Drew O'Connor and Cam Lee are stuck in limbo but what's ahead for the NHL pumped to be Penguins 1181305 How 3 of Pittsburgh’s top institutions are teaming up in a time of crisis 1181278 The season that could have been for Alex Newhook now 1181306 Rewatching the Classics: Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley drives him even more Cup final 1181279 'Other guys' deliver to keep Blue Jackets in playoff race 1181307 Sharks broadcaster Randy Hahn endorses 1181280 ‘No frills’ defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov was worth the as coach beyond 2020 wait for Blue Jackets 1181308 looks back on OT winner vs. Vegas as Sharks' high 1181281 Stars roster review: Alexander Radulov’s roller-coaster St Louis Blues season mirrored team’s 1181309 Blues sign prospect McGing to two-year contract 1181310 Stoppage of play due to coronavirus could cost Blues millions in revenue 1181282 Detroit Red Wings GM in daily contact as 1181311 Gordo on the NHL: Signing Perunovich a top priority for coronavirus pandemic halts NHL Blues 1181283 Red Wings keep tabs on prospects, set up individually crafted workouts 1181284 Even Chris Terry bobbleheads affected by coronavirus 1181312 Anthony Cirelli’s subscriber Q&A: On hair product, cooking 1181285 Rewatching the Classics: Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley and the Selke Trophy Cup final Oilers 1181313 Salary cap issues could become greater problem for Leafs 1181286 TYCHKOWSKI: Fearless predictions for McDavid, Drake in wake of coronavirus and COVID-19 1181314 Creeping the exes: How recent former Maple Leafs have 1181287 Which former Oiler has the best argument to have his fared with their new teams jersey number retired? 1181329 ‘They always had my back’: How the Canucks earned Will 1181288 A part-time employee at the BB&T Center has tested Lockwood’s loyalty positive for COVID-19 1181289 BB&T Center employee tests positive for coronavirus after working March 8 concert date 1181290 Canadiens sign forward Alex Belzile to two-way contract 1181291 Alex Belzile’s impact in the Canadiens’ organization goes well beyond scoring 1181292 How the NHL stoppage could impact the Canadiens’ draft preparation World Leagues News 1181315 Golden Knights launch digital book club 1181349 Spring sports players, coaches facing tough reality thanks 1181316 Golden Knights to host virtual game against Red Wings to coronavirus 1181317 Nate Schmidt gets creative with free time during NHL’s 1181350 Sports Networks Scramble In A Sports-Scarce World: pause Or Poker, Anyone? 1181318 Soon you can watch Golden Knights’ ‘Valiant’ for free 1181351 Sports business staff grapple with coronavirus world 1181319 Golden Knights prospects: Where college and KHL 1181352 Sports Leagues Offer Free Streaming of Older Games players stand for next season Amid Coronavirus Shutdown 1181353 How the NFL is handling the coronavirus pandemic during its offseason 1181320 Wizards, Capitals to air video game simulations of 1181354 For the sports-entertainment business, coronavirus is postponed games taking a huge toll 1181321 With NHL season paused, a ranking of Capitals' best wins 1181355 European football aiming for mid-May resumption - La of 2019-20: No. 16 Liga president 1181322 Caps, Wizards game simulations coming to NBC Sports 1181356 Coronavirus Relief Fund Unites 100-Plus Athletes From Washington, Monumental Sports Network 20 Sports To Donate Memorabilia 1181323 NHL 20 Caps simulation: Ovechkin nets No. 50 in 1181357 F1 teams aim for coronavirus ventilator plan 'in next few blowout win over Blue Jackets days' 1181324 NBC Sports Washington will air simulated Wizards and 1181358 Four top-flight clubs announce 25% pay cuts as rugby Capitals games starts to feel pinch 1181325 Four ‘what ifs’ about the Capitals’ 2019-20 season that 1181359 BT Sport slammed for making it difficult to cancel might go unanswered subscriptions 1181360 'This hurts': What does a sports reporter do when Websites coronavirus takes games away? 1181330 The Athletic / Debut delayed: Rising women’s hockey star 1181361 Sport-by-sport look at the impact of the coronavirus goes from world stage to home alone outbreak 1181331 The Athletic / Wheeler’s 2020 NHL Prospect Awards: Alexis Lafreniere leads the way 1181332 The Athletic / Bourne notebook: If the NHL season SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 resumes, can a champion be fairly crowned? 1181333 The Athletic / Duhatschek Notebook: Playing in empty arenas, summertime hockey and free T-shirts 1181334 The Athletic / Rewatching the Classics: Game 7 of the 2009 final 1181335 The Athletic / LeBrun: Why NHL coaches are eager to give back and share their experiences 1181336 The Athletic / No hockey got you down? Check out these 14 ice affairs 1181337 The Athletic / Why Ohio’s governor kicked fans out of sporting events before the leagues did 1181338 The Athletic / 2019-20 NHL awards tracker: Could Connor Hellebuyck really win the Hart Trophy? 1181339 The Athletic / DGB Grab Bag: A league on pause, a CBA thought and 1980s montage perfection 1181340 .ca / Oilers' task of resolving Puljujarvi dilemma will resume when hockey returns 1181341 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher on being 'very isolated' at home 1181342 Sportsnet.ca / Analyzing Jets' off-season outlook if salary cap stays flat 1181343 Sportsnet.ca / Prospect Jack Rathbone pauses pro decision as Canucks rave of his talent 1181344 Sportsnet.ca / Additions of Mackey, Poolman have GM Treliving excited for Flames' future 1181345 Sportsnet.ca / The best Maple Leafs prospect no one is talking about 1181346 Sportsnet.ca / Jets players donate $100,000 to local food organization amid COVID-19 1181347 TSN.CA / Calgary Flames land two top NCAA free agents in Connor Mackey, Colton Poolman 1181348 TSN.CA / Edmonds' Top 5 Jack Adams candidates for a 'paused' NHL season 1181326 Province well represented in three top North American professional hockey leagues 1181327 Jets players score in the clutch, donate $100K to Harvest 1181328 Boldness revisited: How 10 bold preseason predictions are holding up in March 1181267 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes sign two players amid coronavirus-induced pause to season

Richard Morin

12:06 p.m. MT March 20, 2020

The Coyotes made their second entry-level signing in as many days when they inked Penn State forward Nate Sucese to a one-year deal on Friday.

The club also signed forward Ryan McGregor out of the (OHL) on Thursday.

Sucese, 23, is Penn State's all-time leading goal scorer with 61 tallies in 147 games. He was nearly a point-per-game player during his tenure with the Nittany Lions, registering 140 points in his collegiate career.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Sucese led Penn State in scoring this season, his senior campaign, with 11 goals and 38 points in 34 games.

Sucese's signing comes just one day after the Coyotes agreed to a three- year deal with McGregor on Thursday.

McGregor, 21, served as for the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and recorded 27 goals and 68 points in 52 games this season. During his first season with the Sting in 2015-16, he was a teammate of current Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

McGregor was originally drafted in 2017 by the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the sixth-round choice was not signed before the June 1, 2019 deadline and thus was free to sign with any club.

Regardless of whether the NHL or AHL will resume play this season, both McGregor and Sucese are likely ticketed to start their professional careers with the Tucson Roadrunners next season.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181268 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes sign prospect F Ryan McGregor to entry-level deal

MATT LAYMAN

MARCH 19, 2020 AT 12:05 PM

The Arizona Coyotes announced Thursday the signing of OHL forward Ryan McGregor to a three-year entry-level contract.

The 21-year-old played 52 games with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting last season, serving as the team’s captain for the second year in a row. He had 27 goals and 41 assists to go with 68 points and has 228 points in 286 career OHL games.

He’s 6 feet tall, 168 pounds and is from Burlington, Ont.

During the 2018-19 season, McGregor got in four games with the , the AHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs, who drafted McGregor in the sixth round of the 2017 Draft.

Per the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), 21 is the oldest age that a player can sign an entry-level contract for a three-year term. At age 22, ELCs become two years, and only one year at age 24. Players are ineligible for entry-level deals at age 25. They have an NHL limit of $925,000.

The signing comes as the NHL season is put on pause during the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported on Sunday that “any signing means the deal is dated July 1 and goes into effect next season.” July 1 is the date that the NHL, under normal circumstances anyway, allows free agents to sign with teams. LeBrun said that, in the meantime, current- year contracts aren’t allowed because the league isn’t sure what the rest of the year looks like.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181269 Boston Bruins Anyway, it was nice to just talk about hockey for a little while there.

If the rumors are true and they do cast John Krasinski and Emily Blunt as Reed Richards and Sue Storm, who do you want to see play the Thing Hagg Bag: Busting out of quarantine to answer your Bruins questions and Human Torch?

--Tyler (@TylerBrewsBeer)

Joe Haggerty JH: Great question. I honestly wouldn’t hate if they did some stunt March 20, 2020 10:28 PM casting and went with Michael Chiklis as the Thing after he did the Fox movies. He actually really nailed Ben Grimm’s character, IMHO. As for a younger actor to play him, how about Channing Tatum? I think Ryan Gosling would be a great Johnny Storm. But they need to do Krasinski It’s been a little more than a week without the NHL since the pause and Blunt as Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman. That isn’t up for button was hit on the regular season. One thing is clear beyond the discussion anymore. Did you know that Krasinski was one of the final coronavirus outbreak that’s dominating the world: We all miss hockey candidates for Captain America before it went to Chris Evans and Blunt right now. There are no sports at all and our usual escape from the turned down the role of the Black Widow? True story. troubles of the real world has been temporarily removed. Hopefully the season doesn’t get cancelled Haggs but it’s sure looking But the Hagg Bag still moves on. I hope everybody out there is staying that way healthy, safe and keeping a good frame of mind as we enter a few weeks of social distancing, work shutdowns and spending time operating out of --Brendan Hanrahan (via Facebook fan page) our homes. JH: I’m not there yet, man. We’ll see. I think the NHL could start a full Be kind. Be mindful of people at high risk and we’re all in this together. play two-month playoff that even started mid-May if they needed to do As always, these are real questions from real fans using the #HaggBag that. Sure, it might push next year’s regular season back by a few weeks hashtag on Twitter, real messages to my NBCS Facebook fan page and and it certainly would wreak havoc with both the draft and free agency emails to my @[email protected] email account. that’s supposed to start on July 1, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Any idea what's going on with @delawarenorth/@NHLBruins on paying their employees through all this?? Embarrassing and sad if they don't, Haggerty: With Brady gone, Bergeron is now the dean of Boston sports but haven't heard otherwise... Take comfort in this: Nobody has more experience with working around --Josh Boyle (@jb_SID) work stoppages than the NHL does, based on labor discord and working regular seasons around the Olympics pretty regularly the past 20 years. JH: If I had to guess, I would think there is a wait-and-see approach with They're pros at this. the emergency federal aid packages that are being passed this week. I also wonder if there is hesitation because covering the TD Garden Just an FYI. I would not be interested in signing Krug for $7m-8m a year. employees would mean Delaware North would be on the hook for Do you think that the B’s could better spend that money? everybody else in a massive company. In either instance, I’m not sure that it should matter. They should have stepped up and given their --Jeffrey Gold employees some assurances that they would be taken care of. JH: On what? Even with Charlie McAvoy stepping up his game and Matt Haggerty: Bruins need to step up, pay their employees Grzelcyk continually playing well each time Krug has missed time with injuries, there is nobody on that roster that’s going to replace his 10 goals It’s reached the point where the Massachusetts Attorney General Maura and 50 points when he’s gone. Healey felt the need to step in. That’s really not a great look at all for an organization in the Bruins that’s supposed to be one of the civic pillars in Krug’s shot is a major weapon that keeps PKs honest on the Bruins the Boston community. power play. McAvoy has a hard time hitting the net with his shot and Grzelcyk doesn’t have a shot that’s nearly as dangerous, even though he There’s a chance that the way they have acted during this crisis is going has clearly worked on it the past couple of seasons. Not to mention, Krug to have lasting negative impacts on how the community views them, and plays with the kind of swagger, attitude and toughness that sets the tone that’s a shame. The Bruins Foundation has done some great work over for everybody else. He’s one of the few guys on the Bruins roster that the years, and I think Charlie Jacobs has done a lot of really good things legitimately plays with a chip on his shoulder and they could use more of as the ownership presence in Boston over the past decade-plus. that, not less.

So, it really feels like what’s going on right now is a massive step The one issue in all of this is that the salary cap is going to take a big hit backward for them in the PR department. if they cancel regular-season games and thereby drop revenues across the NHL. So, none of this is a certainty like it might have been a few Hey Haggs, months ago. We’ll have to wait and see, but $7 million per season for I remember when you used to interact with us ...so answer me... What do Krug isn’t an outlandish ask by him at all. the Bruins have against [Trent] Frederic? He leads Providence in assists Hi Joe! & no one would run Pasta & Krug & get away with it. Instead they got, in [Mike] Milbury’s opinion, an out-of-shape Ritchie. You certainly know I’ve been one to speak out about the B’s needing a little more beef in the lineup! Will go one step further and say Sweeney --Smoke (@_Civil_Servant) needs to give brother Brett another shot... a line up with “Bros Ritchie” JH: I love it when somebody throws a shot at me at the beginning of a would be a price of a ticket while resting a couple guys. They can create mailbag question. It’s like that punch to the face at the start of the fight space for the others.... getting a little “Big Bad Bruins” attitude to start that really starts to get your juices flowing. Trent Frederic is too young to the Black & Gold journey to 16W!! be relied on to be the intimidating policeman for a team with Stanley Cup Ron hopes like the Bruins. At least that’s what the team believes. I think he could have made a big impact if they had brought him up around the JH: Give the Ritchie Brothers a few spins around the Garden ice. Why trade deadline. I remember Milan Lucic was already a Big, Bad Bruin at don’t we find a center with the first name Rich to drop between them and that age in Boston. we can have a real, live Ritchie Brothers Line that could play just like the Hanson Brothers from "Slapshot." Or maybe Brad Richardson would be But they opted instead for Nick Ritchie. I don’t think he’s as badly out of good enough? Either way, it puts a smile on my face thinking about it as shape as Milbury dinged him for. Bright side is that everybody is going to the Stanley Cup playoffs seem very, very far away right now. Stay be as out of shape as he might have been when we start playing hockey healthy out there everybody and take care of each other. again. But I liked what I’ve seen out of him. He’s big and strong, he can handle certainly intimidate when he needs to and he showed some pretty SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.21.2020 good hands and passing instincts for a big man. Certainly, he’s got better hockey sense than his older brother, Brett, who just didn’t impress in that area in his time in Boston. 1181270 Boston Bruins According to Julie, he’s been exercising and continues to rehab his surgically replaced knee from last summer’s operation. As a couple, and sometimes as a family, they enjoy a daily one-hour walk around the Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy adjusting to ‘forced downtime’ at home neighborhood. He’s been playing , , hockey and with Shannon, and their son, Cole, along with board games and musical bingo.

Joe McDonald Bruce’s biggest role, however, has been in the kitchen.

Mar 20, 2020 “He’s been cooking,” Julie said. “He has taken the lead.”

Since most people are heeding advice and limiting time spent shopping, the Cassidys and their neighbors have set up a schedule where the Bruins fans know Bruce Cassidy for his hockey intelligence, outgoing families are taking turns going to the grocery store for one another. But personality, quick wit and genuine persona. They see him either in a that schedule hasn’t boded well for Bruce’s culinary creations, especially custom-fitted suit behind the bench during a game or sporting his team’s when he’s in the mood for something but doesn’t have the proper workout clothes and warmups on the off-days. ingredients. So, what’s life like for Cassidy when he’s cooking, cleaning, teaching and He’ll get frustrated and Julie will tell him: “OK, we don’t have those exercising at home during a time when he’s normally at work or on the ingredients for your fancy. Look inside the fridge, look what you have and road? then plan. Other than every once in a while bringing him back down to It’s been one week since the NHL announced the suspension of the reality, he’s been doing all the cooking, mostly grilling, which has been season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of the pause, the amazing.” Bruins led the league with 100 points and were cruising toward another From a parental standpoint, moms always know best, right? Right. But playoff berth. things change a bit when dad is around more than usual, or at least it That’s been put on hold for the foreseeable future. Known for his ability to appears to. successfully coach the X’s and O’s, Cassidy has instead been honing his “Even though they know they can get daddy to say, ‘yes’ they look at him domestic skills. like, ‘go get a real yes (from mom),'” Julie explained. “Initially, I was like, ‘Oh, no. Bruce is here all week, all month.’ But, it’s Since most schools have now instituted virtual-learning programs, coming in handy because he keeps the house calm. It’s funny, it’s more parents will serve as de facto teachers, and Bruce is no different. calm when he’s here than when he’s not,” said Cassidy’s wife, Julie. “It’s so weird. I wish his players could see his persona at home versus his “Bruce is so patient where he’ll sit down even though he doesn’t persona at work.” understand it, and he will look at it over and over again, read the directions and figure it out, and then teach it to Shannon,” Julie When Julie first learned of the NHL hiatus, her reaction was similar to explained. “While I’m like, ‘Seriously? I don’t understand this.’ It’s most around the world, especially those families involved in professional completely different (from when we were younger).” sports. When Bruce isn’t walking, grilling, playing sports with his kids or helping “I was worried, first and foremost,” Julie said. “Just like everyone else, I them with schoolwork, he’s been catching up on his shows. And, to no was anxious. I was worried. I was scared. In particular, in regards to surprise, watching hockey has been a constant. Bruce being home, I was actually also worried about that.” “This is the one annoying part; I don’t know if I should even be telling you From the time Cassidy was a kid, he’s always been involved in the game. this: He was teaching our daughter today and they took a break and they He actually grew up a Bruins fan and wanted to one day become the were watching the 1978 Stanley Cup. Are you kidding me? The 1978 play-by-play announcer. It didn’t take long for his hockey skills to kick in Stanley Cup? I don’t care,” Julie said with a laugh. “He watched some and he was a first-round pick of the Blackhawks in 1983. After his playing other Stanley Cup yesterday. It’s constant hockey. I thought we would career, he began coaching and has known this game his entire life. take a break at night, but we watched the All-Star Game (on Since the game is on hiatus, it’s been an adjustment for Cassidy, Wednesday).” according to his wife. Since Bruce served as an All-Star coach, and the family attended the “It’s a huge part of his life,” Julie said. “His family is absolutely his festivities in St. Louis, Julie forgot to set the DVR before they left, so this passion, and so are his kids, but he has been doing this since he was a was actually the first time they watched it. 6-year-old when he picked up a hockey stick, or something related to it, “The kids got to see themselves on TV, which was spectacular,” Julie on a daily basis. It’s something that defines him to a certain extent — not said. “I was thinking less hockey, but he’s been watching more hockey. completely — but I was worried about how he was going to cope.” He loves it.” According to Julie, she “loved” the fact that Bruce was going to be home, As a native of Ottawa, Bruce grew up professionally as a player in but also understood that her husband doesn’t like the unknown. Like Chicago and lived there after his career was derailed by injuries. He’s most successful professional coaches, he is structured and regimented. fond of the city, its people, the sports teams and its television shows. From a mental aspect, his wife knew it would be a challenge for Bruce When he’s not watching hockey, he and Julie have been catching up on not knowing if the season would resume, or how he would communicate “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.” and “Chicago Med.” with his players. He always has a plan in place and likes to fix things, whether that’s on the ice or at home. “‘Chicago Fire’ is his favorite one,” Julie explained. “And, we have to watch them in a particular order.” “I was completely worried how he was going to handle it,” Julie said. Since the Bruins have been perennial Stanley Cup contenders under It helped that the day the NHL announced the hiatus on March 12 was Cassidy’s guidance, earning three consecutive 100-point seasons during also Shannon Cassidy’s 11th birthday. Unfortunately, Shannon had to his tenure behind the bench, the offseasons have been short. In order to cancel her birthday party with her friends, but she also knew that her dad accomplish everything they want during the summer, the Cassidys make would be home. a schedule of family and friends they want to see, events they want to Due to the Bruins schedule, Bruce, the other coaches, players, staff, and attend, or places they want to go. even members of the media normally miss plenty of family occasions. It can still be hectic and stressful. Even though he would prefer to be The one positive side to all of this is Bruce didn’t miss his daughter’s working right now, being home has had its advantages. birthday. “This is truly forced downtime,” Julie said. “Everybody’s in the same boat. “I’m going to cut my cake with daddy tonight,” Julie heard Shannon tell It’s not life is passing you by as you’re sitting at home. We don’t have a one of her friends while on FaceTime. list we have to check off. I don’t know if Bruce has had this much So, what is Bruce like when he’s at home, especially during a time like downtime.” this? While Cassidy has remained in contact with the players to some extent, Julie, along with the players’ wives and girlfriends, created a text chain to stay connected, too, since they’re all dealing with the same situation. It’s been good to have that network of people to lean on.

“We’ll check in on one another,” explained Julie. “Some will text longer, while others will have a one- or two-word response that everything is going OK. We just keep it open, so if someone does want to say something they can.”

Julie understands, as every spouse does in today’s world, household tension will likely change as this continues.

“It’s peaceful now,” Julie said with a laugh. “Call me in a week … or by Monday.”

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181271 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres coach Ralph Krueger participating in coaching mentorship program

Lance Lysowski

Fri, Mar 20, 2020

Suspension of play in the won't prevent Ralph Krueger from teaching the concepts he implemented during his first season as coach of the Buffalo Sabres.

The students and methods in which Krueger must use have changed, though.

Krueger will lead a webinar with more than 400 coaches from nine European ice hockedy federations as part of the NHL Coaches' Association Mentorship Program, an online initiative that began Friday. His talk will center around career development, specifically his path from coach of 's national team to the NHL, and will highlight the difference between coaching in Europe and North America.

“We have a responsibility to take a leadership role in the development of hockey coaches,” Krueger said in a news release. “We’re so fortunate to be coaching in the NHL, so sharing our knowledge and insights with the next generation of coaches is the least we can do.”

The NHLCA rolled out a pilot program this season to help further the development of hockey coaches in the NCAA, USHL, ECHL and AHL. A combined 200 coaches from those leagues participated in live webinars led by current NHL head coaches that included topics such as leadership, communication, career advancement and other advice for coaches looking to enhance their skillset.

Technology allows for live webinars in which an NHL coach provides a 30-minute presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session. The program was planned to be implemented on a larger scale in October, but the coaches' association moved up the launch in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The NCAA, ECHL and USHL have canceled their seasons, while the AHL and NHL schedules are suspended.

“Now more than ever, the hockey community needs to come together and support each other in these times of uncertainty,” Lindsay Artkin, president of the NHL Coaches’ Association said in a release. “Our NHL coaches have been tremendous in taking a leadership role in doing just that. They remain committed to helping in the continued development of all hockey coaches around the world, especially in these challenging times.”

The program will include more than 20 presentations from NHL head, assistant and goalie coaches over six weeks, with representation from nearly every NHL team. Topics will range from leadership, communication, networking, and career advancement strategies to advice about implementing systems, player development and opponent scouting tactics.

Following his time in Switzerland, Krueger spent three years on the ' staff, one as , before serving as chairman of Southampton FC, in the English Premier League. The Sabres are 30- 31-8 during Krueger's first season.

Buffalo News LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181272 Buffalo Sabres Manchester, but took over the Kings starting job where he’s won two Stanley Cups and remains to this day.

If Luukkonen has Quick’s trajectory in Buffalo they’ll retire his number the How Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s season compares to others who’ve taken day after the first Cup win and rename City Hall after him. I realize Quick the same route now isn’t what he was in 2012 and the contract that followed is a burden, but being a Vezina-level goalie with Stanley Cups and a is what every goalie wants to be. This would be the ultimate turn Joe Yerdon of events for Buffalo to draft and develop the next player to be mentioned in the same breath as Dominik Hasek and Ryan Miller. Mar 20, 2020 James Reimer 2008-2009

ECHL Reading/South Carolina: 28 GP 16-7-3 2.85 GAA .917 SV% After the cancellation of the ECHL season and the future of the AHL season looking bleaker due to the COVID-19 shutdown, it’s likely a fair AHL Toronto: 3 GP 1-2-0 3.28 GAA .880 SV% time to review how Sabres prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen handled his first professional season and compare his progress to others who have Reimer’s ECHL season was a Jekyll and Hyde situation. With Reading taken the same route to the NHL. he was OK with a .904 save percentage in 22 games. But with South Carolina he was a revelation, going 6-0-0 with two shutouts and a .961 The 21-year-old Finnish goalie of the future split the year between save percentage. Small sample sizes and all, but that’s damned good Rochester and Cincinnati and the results were pretty clear: just the same. Still, his brief showing in the AHL that season showed he needed time to get up to . The following season with the Marlies he ECHL Cincinnati: 23 GP 12-7-3 2.24 GAA 3 SO .912 SV% went 14-8-2 with a .925 save percentage and by 2010-2011 he was with AHL Rochester: 10 GP 3-4-3 3.15 GAA 0 SO .874 SV% the Maple Leafs seizing the starting job. That’s a rapid rise, although now at 32 years old he’s a backup goalie in Carolina. The plan, according to Sabres assistant Randy Sexton in mid-January, was to give Luukkonen occasional looks in Rochester If Luukkonen shines brightly early and becomes a fan sensation before while he got the bulk of his games and ice time in Cincinnati. When Linus winding up in a starter’s battle, like Reimer did with Jonathan Bernier in Ullmark was injured at the end of January and Jonas Johansson was Toronto, that’d be tough to see. If it became a situation down the road called up to Buffalo, Luukkonen was pressed into action in Rochester. It where it’s a 1A-1B plan of attack that works out… well, that’d be just fine. didn’t go great, but certainly functioned as a midterm exam to see how Mike Smith 2002-2003 he’s progressed. ECHL Lexington: 27 GP 11-10-4 2.55 GAA .910 SV% Luukkonen underwent double-hip surgery last spring and spent the year retraining his 6-foot-4, 220 pound frame to play goalie. His arrival in pro AHL Utah: 11 GP 5-5-0 3.23 GAA .906 SV% hockey came on the heels of Ullmark establishing himself in the NHL. Luukkonen will likely have a similar situation (albeit closer in age) when Smith’s career has been a slow burn of sorts. After his split season with 19-year-old 2019 third-round pick Erik Portillo follows suit in the years to the Men O’War in Lexington and the Grizzlies in Utah, he spent the next come. three seasons in the AHL putting up very good numbers. He didn’t make his NHL debut until 2006-2007 with the Stars. Since then he’s been a Twenty-four goalies who’ve played in the NHL this season have taken a steady NHL-level and a No. 1 since 2011-2012. He’s had tour or two through the ECHL. Comparing them to Luukkonen gives us success and been a member of Canada’s 2014 Olympic gold medal something to chew on while cycling through our streaming lists and winning team. He’s fiery, he’s intense, and he’s been a starter on a lot of ducking in and out of Zoom conferences. I realize not a lot of attention is average NHL teams and has a career .911 save percentage. paid to the ECHL but there are far more solid pro goalies than there are jobs to be had in the NHL or AHL. In Luukkonen’s case, he’s young and If Luukkonen’s career turns out like Smith’s, it’ll mean longevity and some coming off a brilliant season in the OHL. Jumping to pro hockey means seasons of brilliance. Smith’s play in the Arizona Coyotes’ run to the he needs reps, which is where the ECHL comes in handy. Western Conference final in 2012 was outdone by Quick’s greatness for Los Angeles. But Smith hasn’t gotten over that hump and his teams Seven NHL goalies who played in the ECHL had fewer than 10 games haven’t had a load of success with him. There have been occasional played there. Four others played fewer than 20. Three goalies stood out playoff appearances, but nothing long-term. The bar in Buffalo is so low based on games played and credentials: Jonathan Quick, James Reimer, that making the playoffs would be a marked improvement, but if and Mike Smith. Luukkonen’s career goes the way of Smith fans may not be too pleased.

Quick was a third-round pick by the in 2005 out of The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 Avon Old Farms and went on to play two seasons at UMass in the NCAA. Reimer was a fourth-round pick in 2006 by the Toronto Maple Leafs out of Red Deer in the WHL where he played four seasons. Smith was a fifth-round pick by the Dallas Stars in 2001 out of Sudbury in the OHL.

All three players spent their first season out of college or juniors splitting time in the ECHL and AHL to varying degrees of success. The key here is that all three goalies are at the NHL level, just in different roles. That’s what you have to keep in mind for Luukkonen because he’s still so young and a lot of things can happen along the way.

Jonathan Quick 2007-2008

ECHL (Reading): 38 GP 23-11-3 2.79 GAA .905 SV%

AHL (Manchester): 19 GP 11-8-0 2.32 GAA .922 SV%

NHL (Los Angeles): 3 GP 1-2-0 3.84 GAA .855 SV%

Quick got the grand tour his first pro season and thrived after an extended run in the ECHL. Three of his 11 wins with Manchester came via shutout as opposed to having just one shutout in Reading. His ECHL numbers were all right and his save percentage was eighth-best in the league. If he had the games to qualify, his .922 in Manchester would’ve placed him fifth in the AHL. Even though he struggled in three games in the NHL, that should’ve been expected given he was playing college hockey the year before. The following season he had a brief stint back in 1181273 Calgary Flames The hugs and handshakes, of course, will have to wait.

Same goes for their initial auditions at the pro level.

Flames sign pair of college free-agent defencemen “I think Connor is going to be a guy who can match up against top players,” Treliving said of Mackey, who hustled to complete a management degree in just three years. “He’s a big guy who skates well, Wes Gilbertson really mobile, can move the puck and can touch all parts of the game.”

March 20, 2020 5:44 PM MDT The Flames’ general manager projects Poolman as a “hard-rock defender” and a reliable -killer and added that he arrives with a terrific reputation.

This could spark a family feud. “Colton is a real character type guy,” Treliving said. “When you talk to the people at North Dakota, and those coaches have been there for a long Colton Poolman just signed with the Calgary Flames, one of a pair of time, they talk about him being right near the top of the list of of character free-agent defencemen inked Friday out of the NCAA ranks. people for their program over the last 15 years.” His older brother Tucker, already on an NHL payroll, was reportedly That’s especially meaningful when you consider the University of North hoping the puck-chasing siblings could reunite with his Winnipeg Jets. Dakota has pumped out NHLers — guys like , TJ Oshie, Sorry, bro. Brock Boeser and Tucker Poolman, now in his first full season with the Jets. “It could divide some lines in the house,” chuckled Colton, the captain of the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. “It obviously would have “It’s been invaluable just to watch him and talk to him every day and been cool to play with him again, but I did that in college. And I know he every week and just see what is going and how he’s adjusting to the life is just extremely happy for me. I think it will be a fun thing for our family to and the league and everything,” Colton Poolman said of his older brother. go back and forth with. “Any advice he has given me, I try to put it in the memory bank and try to carry that into my own game. Little tips here and there, it’s certainly been “It was nothing but congratulations (Friday). He was really happy for me a huge advantage to have him as a resource who is a couple years and excited to see some of my dreams come true.” ahead of me.

Although the games are currently paused due to the COVID-19 “Hopefully, I can try to take some of his lessons and apply them to pandemic, there was finally some excitement Friday for Flames fans, with myself.” both Poolman and Connor Mackey scribbling their names on one-year, entry-level contracts for the 2020-21 campaign. Friday’s signing, for both new guys, is an important starting point.

Mackey, a workhorse for the Minnesota State Mavericks, was one of the “It’s been a lifelong dream, trying to make it to the NHL,” Poolman said. most sought-after free agents in this latest college class. “Obviously, there’s still a lot more steps to be taken until that happens. But the first little steps have been taken anyways, so I’m just very excited “They’re both real good all-around players,” said Flames general and happy at the moment.” manager of the undrafted additions, both left-handed shots. “And these aren’t 19-year-old players. They’re physically mature. Echoed Mackey: “My mindset is already thinking ahead, so I’m excited to They’re socially mature. And they’re going to be pushing, sooner rather get after it. I obviously haven’t played a game of pro hockey yet — it just than later, to be NHL players.” makes me hungry. It’s hard to compare to where I’d be at with other people, but mentally I believe I’m ready, and I’m just excited to get Mackey, 23, notched seven goals, 17 assists and a team-best plus-23 going.” rating in 36 outings with the Mavericks this winter. The 6-foot-2, 205-lb. rearguard was named a first-team all-star in the Western Collegiate Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.21.2020 Hockey Association.

The 24-year-old Poolman checks in at 6-foot-1 and 198 lb. He scored four times and added 13 helpers in 31 appearances as a senior, wearing the ‘C’ for the second straight season for one of the NCAA’s most prestigious programs.

Like Poolman, Mackey has big-league bloodlines. His father, Dave, totalled 124 loggings on behalf of the , and St. Louis Blues.

Diehard fans might also recognize his name as a free-agent invitee to Flames’ development camp in 2017.

He’s been on their radar since. In fact, they were willing to offer him a contract last spring before he opted to return for a third season with the Mavericks.

“Honestly, their interest level in me has been so high for the past couple of years,” Mackey said. “I think building those relationships with the staff there throughout the past couple of years and the conversations we’ve had, it’s been great. It’s comforting to know that they’ve been there since Day 1, too. And ultimately, I think this is a great opportunity for me and it’s where I think I can be an NHL player and develop my game. When I chose to go back to school, the way they handled me was just so professional. They respected all my decisions and their interest never fluctuated.

“So I thought Calgary would be a great spot for me. I’ve been there before, I like the city and I just wanted to be a Flame. I wanted to be a part of that organization.”

It just so happens that when the Fighting Hawks and Mavericks faced off in mid-October, the Flames had two representatives — assistant general manager Craig Conroy and college scout Billy Powers — there to watch.

Both courtships were successfully completed Friday. 1181274 Calgary Flames Teams, including the Flames, had been keen to sign Mackey after his sophomore year with the Mavericks, but with a national championship on his mind, he committed to staying for a junior year.

Flames continue to take care of business with signings: ‘We keep During the winter, the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder collected 24 points as banging away’ Minnesota State piled up a 31-5-2 record.

“He was a guy that was heavily, heavily recruited by a lot of teams and Scott Cruickshank probably looked on as the top guy out there,” Treliving said. “I just think his game’s going to translate (to the NHL).” Mar 20, 2020 He pointed out that Mackey attended the Flames’ development camp in 2017. They’ve watched him closely since, impressed by his mobility and well-rounded style. There is hockey news, honest-to-goodness hockey news. “They’ve been super high on me for a couple years now, and I feel that A welcome distraction to the coronavirus pandemic or the smallest of I’ve built some good relationships with staff there,” Mackey said. “I potatoes given the crisis? That’s up to you to decide. thought Calgary would be a great spot for me, where I can grow into an Whatever your perspective, here goes: NHL player. I envisioned myself there. I wanted to be a Calgary Flame.”

The Calgary Flames signed a pair of college free agents — defencemen His dad, a hard-nosed winger, had been a member of the Chicago Connor Mackey (Minnesota State University) and Colton Poolman Blackhawks, Minnesota North Stars and St. Louis Blues. (University of North Dakota) — on Friday. “He’s been huge,” said Mackey. “He’s been at the highest level, so going “There’s business that we keep banging away at,” said Brad Treliving, through this process with him made it pretty easy. All his insights. He general manager of the Flames. “We understand in the big scheme of knows the game. He knows the business of it, too. He’s been a huge part things, this is not important, right? This really isn’t important. The of helping me through this process. He understands it all.” important thing is making sure everyone’s healthy. Asked what he knows of his dad’s career, which ended after the 1999- “We’re just trying to continue to get some stuff done. If people can read 2000 season with the IHL , Mackey laughed. about a couple of signings, a couple of good young players, hopefully “Everything,” he said. “We have old videos. We haven’t busted them out that helps. in a while, but obviously I know a lot about it — he had a great career.” “But we understand that there’s bigger things at play here than the A four-year player — and two-year captain — at UND, Poolman is a hockey team.” National Collegiate Hockey Conference finalist for defensive Which, on a day that should’ve been one of the happiest of their lives, of the year. was not lost on the newcomers. Reached on the phone, both were self- The biology major is also up for NCHC scholar-athlete of the year after isolating at their family homes. the team’s 26-5-4 season. “I’m just hunkered down, same as you are,” Poolman said from East “A really highly competitive, high-character guy,” Treliving said. “If you Grand Forks, Minn. “It is a very exciting and happy feeling for me, for talk to the coaches, if you call over to North Dakota, he’s in a very thin sure, but definitely the bigger story is trying to stay safe in the world. group of guys — you’re talking the last 10, 15 years in the program — in “Hockey’s definitely in the rearview.” terms of character. I think he’s going to be a real hard defender, taking care of his own end.” Mackey, keeping a low profile in Chicago, echoed that sentiment. No surprise, then, that there were offers from around the NHL. “Yeah, I mean, this is important stuff,” he said of the pandemic. “It’s real real-world stuff. You’ve got to think of that first, and being with family.” But Poolman said the Flames had been one of the teams talking to him the most. Hockey-wise, if you can wrap your head around the notion, these can be viewed as meaningful additions. The Flames, after all, have five “They’ve liked my game for a long time,” said the 6-1, 198-pounder, “so rearguards — Travis Hamonic, T.J. Brodie, Michael Stone, Derek Forbort definitely they were high on the list. I just thought it was the best fit for and Erik Gustafsson — on expiring contracts. me.”

Mackey and Poolman, both left-handed blueliners, signed identical one- So there wasn’t pressure from family members to sign elsewhere — year pacts: $92,500 signing bonus, with a $70,000 salary in the minors, “Like in Winnipeg?” Poolman said, with a laugh. “My brother, he was just $832,500 in the NHL. so happy for me. He wasn’t too bummed that it wasn’t Winnipeg. There’s These are mature players. Poolman is 24, while Mackey is 23. For no hard feelings.” perspective, that makes them older than Juuso Valimaki, Noah Hanifin, While an NHL showdown might one day take place, the siblings did meet Rasmus Andersson and Oliver Kylington. in the USHL — once. Tucker was in his last season with Omaha, 2013- “They’re not 18-year-old kids — they’re young men,” Treliving said. 14, while his young brother was an affiliate call-up with Fargo. “It was “They’re big guys, physically strong guys.” pretty weird,” Poolman said. “It was different seeing him on the opposing team, for sure.” For good measure, these are commodities that come with big-league bloodlines. Meanwhile, Treliving’s diligence, from his home office, continues.

Mackey’s father, Dave, drafted out of WHL Victoria, skated 15 seasons of The Flames brass and all of the amateur scouts are preparing for the pro, including 126 games in the NHL. NHL Draft, originally slated for June 26 and 27 in Montreal.

Poolman’s brother, Tucker, is a defender for the Winnipeg Jets. The And there’s another college player the boss has his eye on. There may boys’ dad? Mark, as a star wide receiver, captained UND’s football team even be news in a day or two if the team’s offer is accepted. once upon a time and currently serves as the hockey program’s strength “We don’t look at it as selling or pitching or anything else,” Treliving said. and conditioning coach. “We talk a lot about how we go about our business here. To me, you’ve Which, if nothing else, makes them interesting gets for the Flames. got to be honest with (young free agents) — ‘It’s about not only what we think you do well, but what things you’re going to have to improve upon “I feel bad announcing them on the same day … because they’re both to be an NHL player.’ We’ve spent a lot of time and energy and individuals that we think a lot of,” Treliving said. “I don’t want to take resources to come up with what I think is a really good development anything away from either one. program.

“These are high-profile guys. There was lots of competition for these “The proof is in the pudding. We’ve put a lot of guys in the NHL through guys, lots and lots. We’re certainly thankful.” our program the last five years.” Treliving, these days, is mindful of off-ice life.

He took a moment to reflect on the jarring nature of recent days. Barely a week ago, last Thursday, the Flames had been scheduled to host the , one of a dozen dates remaining on the team’s docket.

“Then, really, it went from zero to 60, just like that,” Treliving said. “We were preparing for a game — then it went from that to we’re not skating to, ‘Everybody go home.’ You’ve got your own family to look after, and you’ve got 50 players on two teams (including AHL Stockton) and staff and their families to look after. And then we have business going on.

“It’s not been normal, but we’ve kept ourselves busy. There’s so much uncertainty, but we have to keep finding ways to be better.”

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181275 Carolina Hurricanes “You just stay ready,” Canes owner Tom Dundon said when the NHL season was suspended on March 12. “We’re assuming at some point we’ll be back but you don’t know.”

Will the Hurricanes play again this season? There’s always hope News Observer LOADED: 03.21.2020

CHIP ALEXANDER

MARCH 20, 2020 09:20 AM

Everyone is hoping the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL will play hockey again this season, that at some point it’s safe enough to get back on the ice. Play games. Get back to normal.

That might be wishful thinking given the scope and the threat of the coronavirus pandemic. With so many every-day restrictions being enforced, in the U.S. and Canada, there may be no foreseeable way of resuming the 2019-20 season.

But there’s always hope ...

What if the COVID-19 crisis level eases to the point that games could be played, even initially without fans, by June or July and then the Stanley Cup playoffs held? And how might the Canes be affected?

The Canes would be back at full strength. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton, out since Jan. 16 with a broken fibula, should be back. Goalie James Reimer, injured Feb. 22, would be back and defenseman Sami Vatanen, on injured reserve when he was obtained in the Feb. 24 trade with , should be ready and available.

The Canes (38-25-5) won their last three games before the March 12 league suspension and held the first wild-card playoff spot in the East. They had just gotten a nice offensive boost from rookie forward Morgan Geekie, who had three goals and an assist in his first two NHL games, road wins over Pittsburgh and Detroit. Goalie Petr Mrazek had returned from injury and in the net against the Red Wings on March 10 in the 5-2 win at Little Caesars Arena.

Something like a two-game regular-season finish — a warm-up for the playoffs — would be interesting, especially if the 2019-20 schedule is followed. The Canes are scheduled to close with a home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, then a road game at Boston. Even a one- game warmup could create a scramble for playoff positions in the Eastern Conference.

Several scenarios have been mentioned in the past week, including one to immediately begin the playoffs, in some fashion, with no warmup games. A 24-team format has been suggested, the seedings based on points percentage and the top four seeds — two from each division — joined by the winners of four play-in series in each conference.

Canes president and general manager said Friday that the NHL had asked for tentative PNC Arena dates stretching through the end of July. The NHL has said meetings are being held daily to consider all options.

Under the 24-team format, the Canes, for example, could be matched up against, say, the Florida Panthers in a play-in series.

Another proposal, according to Frank Seravalli of TSN, would be the league blending the end of the 2019-20 season into the start of the 2020- 21 season. Play some warmup games and begin the 2020 playoffs in August. Then begin the 2020-21 season in November after a month-long break for the draft, free agency and training camps.

All that is speculative, especially with many in the U.S. on a lockdown to try and slow the spread of the virus. One decision the NHL has made is to allow players to return home, including those from outside North America, where a player’s quarantine is to continue through March 27. Some of the Canes players have done that.

Those who have remained are not allowed to use the team’s facilities for workouts or practices. The NHL has said its objective was to potentially open a training-camp period roughly 45 days into the 60-day period recommended by the CDC’s March 15 directive about canceling gatherings of 50 or more people.

The NHL noted “world developments” could change that. Commissioner Gary Bettman has said the season would resume when it’s “prudent and safe.” There’s still no timetable on how long it might be before we reach that prudent-and-safe point. 1181276 Carolina Hurricanes The Athletic: “Thought it was interesting Nino changed his stick and immediately scored, do you think that can make a difference sometimes?”

The Hurricanes lost files: Uncovering the bloopers and funny stories we Brind’Amour: “Oh, is that what happened?” (I wish there was a font to missed convey Brind’Amour’s brand of sarcasm.)

The Athletic: “I guess …”

Sara Civian Brind’Amour: “I think he’s changed it a hundred times already. I think Mar 20, 2020 what happens, I’ve been there where you’re trying everything. If it works you keep trying, you’re trying to shake any kind of monkey off your back. Players are superstitious, he is superstitious. You’ll probably see him doing that again, and again, and again, and again.” It’s not in the best of circumstances by any means, but many of us have more time on our hands these days than expected. (As an aside, he did do it again, and again, and again, and again. His teammates voted him most superstitious in our first player poll.) For me, that means looking for the next big writing project. I didn’t expect that the journey would become the destination, but sifting through all the Oct. 29: THE (first) LACROSSE GOAL interviews I did before the season’s pause, I realized I’d miss the stuff that comes before and after the “pucks in deep” talk the most, and the Dougie Hamilton: “Where’s Svech?” stuff that tended to break through the fourth wall. The Athletic: “He really did it … are you surprised?”

I also realized there was a lot of humor I just hadn’t fit into actual stories. Hamilton: “I’m not surprised at all. I think he’s the guy that would do it, I’m sure I’ve missed a bit, but as I’m emptying the contents of my Voice he’s capable of doing it and unreal to see that go in.” Memos, let’s relive (or experience for the first time) some lost gems from *Andrei Svechnikov walks into the locker room* the 2019-20 Hurricanes season. We don’t know if it’s paused or completely over yet, but there were good, little moments that deserve to Hamilton, in the middle of answering a question: “Svech is here, if you be remembered. guys want to go talk to him.”

I’m sure I (or someone else) used at least some of this in stories, but (Spoiler alert: We did.) here we go: Oct. 31: Halloween Sept. 23: Vanna White calls it quits The Athletic: “Hey, Sebastian, is there Halloween in Finland?” Oct. 3: Postgame, season opener Sebastian Aho: “Yes, but it’s not that … spooky.” The Athletic: “Do you maybe feel like Justin Faulk leaving has given you a better opportunity on the power play?” Brind’Amour being a dad: “We’ve got more than enough costumes (sigh). My gut says (Brooks, his son) will be Spiderman.” Dougie Hamilton: “Yeah, for sure. I think that’s obvious.” Nov. 1: Scooter gang The Athletic: “Do you think Faulk leaving gives (Hamilton) a better opportunity to maybe be himself?” The Athletic: “It seems like every time you and Svechnikov are on the ice, something happens. What’s the deal with that?” Rod Brind’Amour: “I don’t think that has any bearing.” Hamilton: “I just like him, and I hope he likes me.” You can see why I left this one alone at the time. Turns out everything worked out. Nov. 5, from Philly: One of the all-time greats on the faceoff dot gets real

Oct. 10: Failed story about pre-game rituals Flyers reporter: “The Flyers have two of the better faceoff guys in the league, what kind of concern is that for you?” The Athletic: “Hey guys, anyone have any pre-game rituals? Anyone do anything weird?” Brind’Amour: “Faceoffs are a huge part of it, and historically these guys have been two of the best in the league — always have been. It’s a Ryan Dzingel: “Not me, no. It’s too long of a season. Iced coffee.” challenge, every night faceoffs matter. But I do know that for about seven years, there, we were one of the best faceoff teams in the league and Teuvo Teravainen: “Play soccer. Normal. Have a nap.” didn’t make the playoffs, so … I think I’ll hang my hat on that a little The Athletic: “OK, do you know if anyone does anything weird?” because that’s not one of our strengths right now.”

Dzingel: “Ask Slavin or Haula. Haula’s pretty weird (joking).” Nov. 11: Mike Maniscalco returns

The Athletic: “What’s your pre-game ritual?” Brind’Amour, to Maniscalco: “It’s a long cry from L.A.” (Where we were when Maniscalco’s health started going south). Erik Haula: “I don’t really have one. Nothing exciting (laughs).” Maniscalco: “Oh God, you have no idea.” The Athletic: “None of you have anything good.” Brind’Amour: “You didn’t look so good, there. When I walked in on you Haula: “No.” there, like …”

~End scene~ Maniscalco: “You were the first one to notice, you were like ‘You look kind of sick.'” Oct. 19: Haydn Fleury’s first NHL goal Brind’Amour: “I’m glad you’re back.” Fleury, completely joking: “Well, I saw that I had the most games played without scoring a goal.” Maniscalco: “Good to be back.”

(He scored the goal less than 24 hours after he passed Victor Mete for And that was that. that distinction.) Nov. 11: Shania Twain — huge Caniac Fleury: “All the guys have been joking, saying ‘It’s coming, it’s coming’ … Pesce was probably more fired up than I was, the whole bench was, it The Athletic: “I heard you have the best postgame tune?” was really nice to see.” Joel Edmundson: “I sure do.”

Oct. 29, 2019: Nino Niederreiter’s many superstitions The Athletic: “What is it?”

Edmundson: “I got some Shania Twain — ‘Any Man of Mine.'” Nov. 11: Sebastian Aho ripping my question to shreds, as always Maniscalco: “Speaking of that guy (Commodore), if you could get him on the team today, how would he fit in with your coaching style?” This is going to be a common theme in this series, and I wanted to introduce it here. Sebastian Aho is NOT here for the stupid questions. Brind’Amour: “He would probably have a tough time, I’ve got to be honest with you. You know what, though? I think he’d find a way to battle The Athletic: “Do you think this was one of your most confident games?” through it — I think he’d figure it out. Not to get too serious, but I loved Aho: “Oh, I don’t know. Sure. If you want to say that.” the way he played. There’s something to be said about being a great teammate and coming to play every night. That’s kind of where it all Nov. 14, from Buffalo: Every Svechnikov interview is a blessing starts, and Mike never did that, but if he did he’d be fitting right in.”

The Athletic: “Do you think you’re better at scoring or passing?” Dec. 17, from Winnipeg: Aho’s got jokes

Svechnikov: “Oh, I don’t know. I think scoring. (Laughing.) I really don’t Sportsnet’s Sean Reynolds: “I think you and Patrik Laine are good know.” friends off the ice, have you watched him much this year? He seems to be a different player in the way he is suddenly an assist man instead of a The Athletic: “Maybe both.” goal-scorer.” Svechnikov: “Maybe. (Laughing.) I don’t know.” Aho: “Yeah, to be honest, I haven’t watched a lot of his games. But yeah Teuvo Teravainen (James Guillory / USA Today) that’s what I heard, he backchecks now (laughing). No, he always had that, I guess it’s better for them that he works both ways.” Nov. 14, from Buffalo: The first time this season Teuvo Teravainen talked about passing Dec. 17, from Winnipeg: Another Michigan

We will keep a tally, and if you’re doing a boozy quarantine take a shot If you’re in the mood to relive Svechnikov’s second Michigan goal … every time — not that he would. Dec. 21: Facts only Teravainen: “I’d rather pass it to someone.” Teravainen: “Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win.” Nov. 18, from Chicago: Cliche exposure Dec. 23, from Toronto: The 14-goal Nightmare before Christmas The Athletic: “How would you describe your game?” If you’re in the mood to relive this … Eetu Luostarinen: “Which game … ?” Early January: Grilling the Canes for Justin Williams stories Warren Foegele: *Laughing so hard it ruined the audio* Clearly a few days before Williams actually returned to the Hurricanes, it Dec. 7 was my strong sense that he’d return — and soon. I thought I’d go about it by doing a “Seven Anecdotes about Mr. Game 7 story” or something 1. Teravainen: “If I ever see someone open, I try to pass.” like that. Life had other plans.

(Drink) The Athletic: “Asking for no reason at all, what’s your best off-ice Justin Williams story?” 2. A Bromance Jordan Staal: “Nothing I can think of right now … that I can actually say.” The Athletic: “Have you ever had as much chemistry with a teammate before as you have had with each other (Teravainen and Aho)?” Brind’Amour: “That’s a good question, I’d have to think about that one. I’ll think about that one.” Aho: “I mean, we’ve been together so long now. It’s pretty awesome to have him here. It’s been my whole NHL career, to have him with me, it’s The next day … pretty special.” The Athletic: “You think of a Williams story yet?” Teravainen: “I don’t know, that’s a tough question. Maybe, I don’t know.” Brind’Amour: “I knew you were going to ask about this, and I did think Dec. 10, from Edmonton: The night James Reimer punched Zack about it. Nothing you would want to write about, that’s the thing. Nothing Kassian interesting.”

Reimer, unstrapping his gear and preparing for interview: “How’s it going, The Athletic: “Come on …” guys?” Brind’Amour: “For me, with Willy, it’s that he was the same. When I The Athletic: “Good, how are you?” played with him he was the same. He gives you everything he has. If I think of a moment, it’s Game 7 after we won in Washington. Him coming Reimer: “Oh, not too bad. Better after a W, eh? Gave the fans something into the locker room and you see a guy that’s giving you everything he to cheer for. That would’ve been a boring, 3-0 win.” has — no energy to even celebrate. He was just sitting down. That’s a (The Hurricanes blew a 3-0 lead but ultimately won.) moment to me I’ll never forget, it kinda epitomizes what he’s all about.”

The Athletic: “You and Mrazek clearly aren’t shy about defending the The Athletic: “I’ll take it.” crease …” Jan. 13, from Washington: Brind’Amour vs. officiating continues Reimer: “With Kassian you know you’re gonna (bumped or poked, audio Brind’Amour has some pretty close relationships with many referees not clear) all night, which is fine — it’s fun, it’s hockey. But I thought he around the league, and his bone to pick is not at all with them — it’s kinda came in late there, then I didn’t even know who it was, I just felt about the process and what these referees are mandated to do. That someone slash me. So I punched him. I looked up and it was him and I’m said, he certainly has a problem with it (as he should). like, ‘I probably could have picked someone who isn’t as tough as he is.’ But you don’t want to get whacked and you want to protect your area. The Athletic: “Just kinda watching that, at first they were calling Thankfully the boys stepped in so I didn’t get my face punched in.” everything then they weren’t calling anything. Is that tough to coach?”

Dec. 11: Aho’s two-goal, 100th goal game Brind’Amour: “That’s the league now, right? It kinda seems that way every night to be honest with you.” The web’s Mike Smith (@MSmithCanes): “Did you know that was your 100th goal?” Not to be one-upped by his take on goaltender interference:

Aho: “Yes.” “No one knows what it is.”

The Athletic: “Did you know the next was your 101st?” Jan. 15.: We’ll never know

Aho: “I did the math.” I was trying to interview Jake Gardiner, and I can barely hear a word because someone is screaming “OPA!” Dec. 13, from Calgary: Mike Commodore was scrum lurking Have to think it was either Jordan Martinook or Brett Pesce. I think it’s about the players who have to be out there playing. I mean, standing behind the bench it doesn’t really matter wherever you are. I Jan. 21, after Brett Pesce’s first NHL fight think the environment would be really cool, but I wish I would’ve had (that Maniscalco: “Who taught Pesce to throw those punches?” experience), I should put it.”

Teravainen: “Not me.” Maniscalco: “When you were a little kid were you a sun up to sun down pond hockey player when you got the chance?” Feb. 5, from Arizona: ‘Best practice hit ever’ Brind’Amour: “Where I grew up, it was never cold enough to play pond The practice following one of the Hurricanes’ worst losses of the season hockey on the ice. That’s the misnomer about Canada, everyone thinks to St. Louis was really something to behold. it’s freezing. The weather where I grew up was the exact same as it is here. We didn’t have outdoor skating rinks — I wish we would have. Put Relive the whole thing. it this way — I wish we would have had outdoor skating rinks, I would’ve Brock McGinn laid a monstrous hit on Martin Necas, but to be fair Necas been out there all day long.” had allegedly tried the Spin-O-Rama “one thousand times,” and McGinn Alexander: “It’s not even snowing in Antarctica these days …” had enough. Also, there was money on the line. Brind’Amour: “Well, there you go. And that’s a whole nother issue.” Haula: “Usually that starts an actual fight.” Feb. 18, from the Mom’s trip in Nashville: Justin Williams, man of the Aho, urging the media to interview McGinn: “Ask this guy why he hits his people own teammates.” AT THE END OF HIS SCRUM WILLIAMS JUST SAID “SARA, ARE YOU McGinn: “Because there was money on the line.” GOOD? YOU SEEM DISAPPOINTED IN MY ANSWERS” Aho, sarcastically: “Yeah, I need it.”

Feb. 6, from Arizona: ‘I mean, yeah’ SIR WE HAVE BEEN IN VEGAS AND NASHVILLE IN ONE WEEK I Svechnikov, after two goals and almost a hat trick: “What’s up, guys?” JUST NEED TO GO TO SLEEP

The Athletic: “How are ya?” — SARA CIV (@SARACIVIAN) FEBRUARY 19, 2020

Svechnikov: “Unbelievable, you?” Feb. 24 and 25, post-EBUG and trade deadline mayhem

The Athletic: “You, Aho and Teravainen really have some chemistry, The Athletic: “What are you thinking when an emergency backup goalie huh?” enters the net?”

Svechnikov: “I feel they are the best in the world of Finnish, it’s very Jake Gardiner, taking a deep breath: “Not a great sign …” enjoyable to play with those guys, and like you see we score a couple *** goals. It’s great for us.” Don Waddell, strolling into the media room after a very postponed trade Coyotes reporter: “Just to be clear, you said those two Finnish guys are deadline news conference: “I apologize on the behalf of the National the best?” Hockey League (laughing).” Svechnikov: “The best, yeah.” *** Coyotes reporter: “You said that, right?” The Athletic: “Thoughts on the Storm Surge?” Svechnikov: “I mean, yeah.” Brady Skjei: “Yeah, about to get involved with that. I like it. Obviously I’ve *** seen the highlights, I’ll definitely get involved.”

As a personal blooper, my huge hoop earring fell directly onto The Fan’s Adam Gold: “You know where to get good pizza around here?” Brind’Amour during the postgame interview in Arizona. I don’t know how Skjei: “I don’t.” it happened but I’m just happy he didn’t notice and it didn’t get on TV. Feb. 28: Teravainen after scoring two goals Feb. 15: Everything went off the rails “If I saw a good play I might still try to pass it.” Have you ever been to Raleigh Center Ice? If you’ve never had the pleasure, picture about 1,000 children packed in for Hurricanes practice Drink — they’d just played a tournament. I literally needed an escort to get to the locker room. March 7, from Long Island: First coronavirus-induced closed-locker room interview went well They were all screaming for Svechnikov to do the lacrosse goal as if he was a member of The Beatles. He did it and I assumed he’d heard them, *Very loud noises you’d expect as arena workers disassemble a hockey but maybe the best part of this story is that he didn’t — he just felt like rink* doing it. Williams: “Welp, I don’t think that’s going to stop …” Of course, all the kids (being the hockey-crazed kids that they are) March 10, from Detroit: Going out with a bang … wanted sticks. Some tried the absolutely classic “It’s my birthday” tactic. *”Mambo No. 5″ absolutely blaring in the background* One Hurricane, walking into the locker room: “Lotta birthdays today.” The Athletic: “Are you surprised Justin Williams is playing so well?” Mind you, this was right after the outdoor game was announced. Brind’Amour reminded us all he’s one of the best interviews in the Aho: “No” league. The Athletic: “…” To add to the chaos, Petr Mrazek is in the background of my audio screaming (cheerfully) on the phone in Czech. Aho: “Not surprised.”

Here we go. ***

The News & Observer’s Chip Alexander: “You’ve never been part of an The Athletic: “What are you thinking, seeing all those brawls?” outdoor game, have you wondered what it would be like — would you Brind’Amour: “Well, those aren’t really brawls (laughing) — they are for like to have the opportunity?” today’s game. But I don’t like them. I don’t want our guys to get hurt, we Brind’Amour: “Ehhhh (not the Canadian one). I never really thought about just can’t afford to get injuries. We’re in a little different spot than they it because we didn’t really have them when I was playing. Now coaching, are. We need our guys to play, these games matter. I don’t really like it this time of year.”

OK, so when hockey comes back — and it will — I have two major things to work on:

Give Aho an actual question, and don’t talk about “brawls” with Rod freakin’ Brind’Amour.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181277 Chicago Blackhawks a whole new round of draft picks coming up and you might not get your chance at all."

If the season isn't cancelled, but resumes with a 24-team playoff — How coronavirus is impacting John Scott's family and what's ahead for where a squad like the Blackhawks could make it in the mix — Scott the NHL believes it's anybody's game.

"If you have a hot goaltender, you can take down a number one seed no Scott King problem. It would be whatever team is the most prepared. Whatever team did the work when they were off, and who knows if they just jump March 20, 2020 9:19 AM right in the playoffs right now with the top eight and go from there.

"I would love to see a play-in game for the eighth, ninth seed if they're close enough or the tenth, eighth, ninth seed have a little three-game From the toughest enforcer on the ice during his 10-year NHL career, to tournament or something. Whoever is hot enough, whatever goalie is in unlikely and inspirational 2016 All-Star MVP, to family man, to an shape, I think that team kind of runs all the way to the Stanley Cup, if it entertaining and informative podcast host, John Scott always makes it comes to that point. How exciting though, that would be super fun to interesting. watch." When NBC Sports Chicago caught up with the member of the Scott also thinks any team could walk away with the Stanley Cup if they Blackhawks from 2010-2012 as he sat in a Costco parking lot, ready to league resumed from the pause this season and upheld the usual 16- grab supplies for his family’s home in Traverse City, Michigan, it was no team playoff. different. "Especially those top teams, guys who have older players, if they don't "I'm going to go in and tear the place down and take everything they have some kind of training before the playoffs or whatever they do, guys have," Scott joked. will get hurt," he said. "I know in training camp, when you're coming off a The once league-feared 6'8, 260 lb. scrapper — who scored five goals full summer of full-on training, you're feeling it. Your things, your legs, you and played in 286 NHL games — is concerned about his family and the need to take days off where you don't do anything, it's just so hard. uncertainty of the future with the COVID-19 pandemic, just like the rest of "You can't just jump right into a playoff stretch last week of the season. us. It's just, you have to take care of your body. And if you don't do that and For Scott, it may be a taller order with five daughters ranging from two- expect guys to play every other day, guys will get hurt, young legs will be eight, and his wife Danielle expecting another child. better, there will be massive upsets in the first round definitely, without a doubt." "I've just been doing everything I can to keep her from going crazy and just trying to put out fires left and right," Scott said. "Obviously, it's John's heard how hard it is for players to stay anywhere near game unchartered territory. If we talk in a month, I'm sure it'll be a completely shape during the pause. different conversation because I can still go inside right now and go to "It's still early," Scott said. "I think guys are just kind of at home, just stores, but if this thing blows up like it's expected to, I don't know, people taking care of their house things and it literally is whatever you have at are going to go crazy." home, you use. Some guys have home gyms and get some workouts in. John and Danielle have homeschooled their two oldest children for two "There are guys who don't do anything because they don't have anything years, so they were somewhat prepared in having kids at home for a long at home. They live in a condo building and you're not going to go to the stretch. Instead of getting out to go to the studio to record his Dropping community workout center right now. the Gloves podcast, Scott was going to use Zoom to record his latest episode from home Thursday. "I'm sure they'll do what the Nets did, they'll test the whole team and once the team's tested and they're negative, they'll have them come into "We were kind of naive to the whole thing," the Edmonton native said. their facility and workout there. If it extends longer than a month, I'm "We were like, 'Oh, it'll blow over, it'll blow over.' But now I think we're guessing that's what the plan will be. But right now, I don't think anybody being hit with it. It's going to last a long time for many months." is doing anything." As a player, John experienced a great deal of uncertainty when he was a Ultimately, John believes it may be best to cancel the remainder of this member of the Buffalo Sabres during the 2012-2013 NHL lockout, but the year's season. NHL pause caused by coronavirus is a different animal. "I think you would just start fresh at the beginning of the season [next "I had the reverse kind of thing where I thought the year was a wash with year]," Scott said. "It is what it is. You'd just say, 'Listen, it was an act of the lockout, then all of a sudden it was a scramble because the league's god, we lost that season. Let's start fresh in September and we'll go from starting. I can't imagine it being reversed where you're getting ready for there.' The free agents are free agents, the teams that signed and traded the playoffs and the rug's pulled from underneath you and you don't have for those guys, like Tampa Bay signed, what are you going to do? a league anymore. "It is what it is, but just start fresh. I don't think it would have a lasting "I talked to a few guys and they don't know what to do. There's no way to impression. It would hurt teams like Carolina and Tampa Bay who loaded train. There's nothing to do. up for the playoffs, but it's a casualty of business sometimes. "It'll be interesting if it starts back up, how out of shape guys will be "If I was an older guy and you're asking me to jump into the playoffs in because you can't sit around for a month or two and just expect guys to two months, I'd be very nervous. Especially not skating or training. It'd be be in shape, especially these young kids. People are going to get hurt if hard. It'd be really, really hard. There'd definitely be a risk. they don't give them at least a week or two to get back into shape because this is so weird." "I bet you if this lasts two, three, four weeks guys are just going to say, 'Listen, let's just call it. I don't want to keep training. I don't want to keep The former NHLer sees the pause or potential cancellation of the 2019- playing the 'what if' game. Let's just have a wash and we'll start fresh 2020 season making life difficult for players who are about to become next year." free agents that had a down year. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.21.2020 "Those guys are going to see more ice time at the end of the year because of trades and what not. Guys in the minor leagues get called up at the end of the year, the second rounders or third rounders, this is their time to kind of prove themselves the last 10 games, so it'll be a strange offseason.

"It's a crumby situation, everyone's dealing with it. It is what it is, man. If you didn't produce for the first half of the season, that's on you. It just stinks for those young kids who [should] get their chance and now there's 1181278 Colorado Avalanche the award means Newhook now joins Brian Gionta, Brian Leetch, Marty Reasoner and Colin White, among others.

At least he will have next season to see whether he can challenge some The season that could have been for Alex Newhook now drives him even of the school’s sophomore records while also being an early front-runner more for the Hobey Baker Award.

The fact Newhook ended the year with 19 goals, 42 points and the two- Ryan S. Clark way prowess not often seen in true freshmen led to talk about him being a dark horse for the highest individual honor in college hockey. It also led Mar 20, 2020 to external discussions regarding whether he would leave school early to sign with the Avalanche. Newhook’s original plan was to spend at least

two seasons at Boston College, which appears to be the case barring This feels like the right choice. At least it does for now. some unforeseen change.

Alex Newhook has lived away from his parents in Newfoundland and Newhook said he remains in constant contact with Colorado’s Labrador for the last five years. The 19-year-old has continually made the development staff while adding he could not say enough about how often sort of mature decisions that have provided Shawn and Paula Newhook they communicate with him. a sense of ease when it comes to being away from their first-born child. “I think the development part has been great and I learned a lot this They saw it when he lived in the Greater Toronto Area and again when year,” Newhook said. “I have developed into a more complete player and he was on the other side of the nation while playing for the Victoria a more dynamic player. I think for me, the plan has not changed as of Grizzlies in the British Columbia Hockey League. now. … The Avs are a really strong team and they have a lot of depth. I Making those choices allowed Newhook to progress in his hockey career. am in a good spot at BC, and to be in a good spot like this and have this Those decisions are what eventually led to the Colorado Avalanche liking position of not being rushed and not being forced out of a good spot what they saw and opting to select him with the 16th pick in last makes my situation that much better.” summer’s NHL Draft. Even then, he is left to wonder what a full postseason campaign could Boston College is much closer. But some hesitancy does remain in this have done for his overall development. instance. Newhook’s freshman season at BC unexpectedly ended last BC ended the season with a 24-8-2 record and ranked No. 5 in the week when the new coronavirus or the disease it causes, COVID-19, USCHO.com rankings. It played games against ranked opponents such brought practically everything around the globe to a halt. Everything as the University of Denver, the , the University of Newhook and his teammates did to earn the status of being a national Massachusetts, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and title contender will remain just that as college hockey will not resume until Northeastern University. Knowing the postseason provides a harder level the 2020-21 campaign. of competition is something Newhook wanted to experience. Going back to St. John’s was an option. So was staying in Boston. That “It’s tough to evaluate on the regular season with your season’s judgment is the path Newhook chose. Campus is closed. The dorms are empty. being determined in the postseason,” Newhook said. “In terms of my first Remote learning is taking place but it just is not the same as actually year here, I really enjoyed it. I thought we had a really strong group and, being in Chestnut Hill. An effort was made by the entire team to be as the season progressed, I thought we were getting better all the time. together. But it lasted for a brief period because every player ended up For myself, I think having that progression was a big thing and I was going their separate ways. definitely growing a lot as a player throughout the season.” “We’re done. It’s canceled. I think that’s been clarified,” Newhook said. He says all this while remaining in Boston on the same afternoon the “It’s hard to wrap your head around it when you think you’re going to be Canadian prime minister urged all citizens living abroad to return home playing for another month. I don’t think it has settled in yet that our with the nation closing its borders to noncitizens. season is done and it’s the offseason now. It’s still really crazy to think about.” Newhook said he was not planning on spending too much time at home this offseason. But that was before a pandemic gripped the planet. Newhook’s goal was to aid one of college hockey’s blue bloods to its sixth national championship and its first since 2012. He also wanted to “I want to get home at some point this summer,” he said. “Myself and my have what could be viewed as one of the best freshman seasons in parents are waiting to take in all that information that is available. I know I Boston College’s illustrious history. Of course, this year’s Eagles will be am definitely not in a bad spot here, either.” left to wonder what could have been as it relates to trying to win a national title. Newhook is currently living with New York Rangers prospect forward Riley Hughes and his family. Hughes and Newhook became extremely Even Newhook’s personal objective provides some mystery but his close friends as they played together in Victoria for a season. Hughes, achievements are far more concrete. Newhook entered the program as who grew up in the southwest Boston suburbs, just completed his the 17th first-round draft pick in school history. He was two goals away freshman season at Northeastern. from equaling what Calgary Flames superstar winger Johnny Gaudreau did in his freshman year. Newhook’s 42 points fell seven shy of being Such a transition comes at an interesting time for the Newhook family. one of the top five all-time campaigns by a freshman. It’s likely possible His 16-year-old sister, Abby, who is also committed to BC, attends Tabor he would have added to those totals through the Academy and just happened to return home for spring break before the tournament and with the NCAA Tournament, considering he was on a coronavirus began spreading throughout North America. 12-game points streak. “It just happened that she was here and her school said it has closed Yet one could argue Newhook finished with one of the best freshman until April 14,” Paula Newhook said. “It was coincidental she was here seasons Boston College has enjoyed. Newhook was seventh in the and we’re thankful.” nation in points while also being tied for 11th in goals. His three short- Alex’s situation is different. Paula and Shawn respect the maturity their handed goals were tied for the most in the nation and his four game- son has developed. But there was still a family discussion. Alex told his winning goals were tied for 10th. And for those who value plus/minus, he parents he wanted to stay in Boston so he could be closer to his was third in that category with a plus-28 rating. teammates in the event they are allowed to skate together. That, and it Again, that is among all players in the nation. How did his numbers would be better for his studies to stay there rather than risk being compare among just freshmen? Newhook was tied for first in goals with distracted with all the things coming home entails. University of Wisconsin star forward and Montreal Canadiens prospect “We’re going day by day and we spoke to him two hours ago,” Paula Cole Caufield. He led all freshmen in goals per game, finished second in said. “For today, we’re still sticking with this.” points, second in points per game and was also tied for fourth in assists. Paula said their family knows the Hugheses. They stayed with them On Thursday, he was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year. earlier this season when they visited Abby and Alex for a weekend. But Newhook became the ninth Eagle to receive that honor. The only team there is also an understanding that there is a grand difference between with more recipients is crosstown rival Boston University with 10. Winning housing someone for a few days versus having another body in a home when everyone is being advised to remain indoors.

“This is a big commitment for their family too because taking him in for a week could be two weeks or two months,” Paula said. “I spoke with Riley’s mom on Saturday night and she said, ‘We feel like Alex is part of the family and we will put him on toilet paper rations like the rest of the kids.’”

Recalling such an anecdote makes Paula laugh when those light moments are welcomed with such a surging amount of uncertainty. Paula and Shawn know their son is the type of person who has a gear that drives him to always push for something greater. That is why they were not surprised he wanted to stay in Boston.

Fully understanding this dynamic means examining all sides of the prism. Paula and Shawn would absolutely love to have both of their children at home.

But, at the same time, they also understand and respect the decision made by Alex if it means he has a stronger chance of reaching his lifelong goal of someday being in the NHL. Especially coming from a place like Newfoundland and Labrador, where there is a harder path. There have been only 29 players who were born in the province to ever play in the NHL throughout the league’s entire history, according to QuantHockey.

Manitoba, by comparison, has had 31 players appear in at least one NHL game this season.

“I think he’s thankful. I think he’s quite resilient,” Paula said. “There have been a couple of ups and downs but overall, he just wants to be a better hockey player every single day and he’s going to do whatever that takes. It’s been super exciting and we are super proud of all the decisions that he has made since being away the last five years that has led to him being the mature young man he is today.”

That still does not mean Paula does not worry.

She works in the cancer center in a local St. John’s hospital. That’s where she spends eight hours of her day before serving as a personal trainer in the afternoons. The gym that she works at is taking every precautionary measure imaginable. They are constantly spraying down areas while following every protocol possible from washing hands to keeping every inch of that space sanitary.

Paula, like so many people around the planet, is constantly thinking about what it means to be safe. Her daily routine only provides further proof.

But what helps is knowing she has always been able to reach Alex no matter the time of day. She is openly thankful for the advent of FaceTime along with consistent phone calls and text messages with both of her children. Look at this past Monday alone. It was only 5:30 p.m. in St. John’s yet she had already exchanged several texts plus had two FaceTime sessions with Alex.

“I have people say to me, ‘Paula, you talk to Alex more than we do with our kids who live at home,’” she said. “There is something about that. Are there times when some of our phone calls are when he’s walking to the rink and he’s bored? I don’t care. Even though he knows Abby is home, my kids are always on the phone and half the time she is on the phone with Alex.

“The fact he is so easy to reach puts me at ease. I feel a lot more confident knowing I can get him at any time.”

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181279 Columbus Blue Jackets Jakob Lilja, forward

Stats: 37 games, two goals, three assists, 9:54 mins/game

'Other guys' deliver to keep Blue Jackets in playoff race Recalled: Lilja was assigned to Cleveland and recalled three times, the most recent time on Feb. 14.

Synopsis: Lilja is a useful fourth-line option who can play either wing. Brian Hedger He's still learning the North American game in his first season outside of Mar 20, 2020 at 6:01 AM , but the 26-year-old has shown the kind of grit needed to carve an NHL career.

Andrew Peeke, defenseman The Blue Jackets began the 2019-20 season with a lot to prove, but what they wound up proving wasn't what they'd envisioned. Stats: 22 games, one goal, two assists, 13:51 mins/game

It wasn't that the Jackets stayed in the Eastern Conference playoff Recalled: Peeke was recalled Dec. 2 and made his NHL debut Dec. 5. picture, holding the second wild card before the NHL froze the season for His most recent recall was Feb. 6. coronavirus concerns. Rather, it was how they did it that was stunning. Synopsis: Peeke had played his way into an everyday defenseman role Using lineups consisting of NHL veterans, unproven rookies and call-ups on the third pairing before the halt. It was the continuation of an from the , the Jackets overcame a slew of impressive rookie season that began with a strong preseason. He's still injuries that took out almost half of their usual lineup. learning, but could be a key puzzle piece going forward.

In fact, Columbus did it for two-plus months, going 19-2-5 in a 26-game Peeke is “playing more than we ever expected him to play and being put stretch that saved the season and then gaining points in the middle of a in situations that we didn't think he was going to be doing this year,” 2-6-6 tailspin leading into a break in the season that may not restart. Tortorella said.

The Jackets leaned on the “other guys” in the organizational depth chart Matiss Kivlenieks, goaltender — and they delivered in ways nobody expected. Not even the head Stats: Six games (four starts), 1-1-2 record, 2.95 goals-against average, coach. .898 save percentage

“It's been a great learning experience for me to see what a team can do Recalled: Kivlenieks was recalled and reassigned to Cleveland seven playing as a team versus free agents and star players and attitudes and times. entitlement and all that (stuff) that comes with it,” coach John Tortorella said before a Feb. 18 game in Philadelphia. Synopsis: It was one thing for the Jackets to start the season with two largely untested goalies. It was another level of uncertainty, however, “We are who we are and I think our guys have really understood that. I when Kivlenieks was forced into the main backup role on two occasions. give them a lot of credit.” He handled both stints well, recording his first victory in his NHL debut Tortorella should, because his shifting group banded to keep alive a Jan. 19 at Madison Square Garden. season that easily could have derailed numerous times. In all, the Blue Stefan Matteau, forward Jackets used 12 players recalled from the to get through injury voids, not to mention rookie Liam Foudy being pulled out Stats: Nine games, two goals, one assist, 12:22 mins/game of the junior ranks for two games. Arrived: Matteau started the season with an AHL-only contract, then Here's a closer look at what they did: signed a two-year, two-way deal Feb. 19 with the Blue Jackets. Matteau must clear waivers to be assigned back to Cleveland; the Jackets haven't Nathan Gerbe, forward risked it.

Stats: 30 games, four goals, six assists, 13:35 minutes per game Synopsis: Matteau became an everyday player for Tortorella before the Recalled: Gerbe was an emergency recall from Cleveland on Dec. 22. stoppage. His size, grit, versatility and some offensive production kept him in the lineup in a mostly bottom-six capacity. Synopsis: Gerbe arguably was the Jackets' most important fill-in. Two of his goals tied games in Los Angeles and Anaheim to spark comeback Ryan MacInnis, center victories and he routinely provided motivational lifts with a physical “in Stats: 10 games, one assist, 9:21 mins/game your face” style belying his 5-foot-4 frame. Recalled: MacInnis was recalled from Cleveland and re-assigned three “He's a big part of our organization, now with the National Hockey times, most recently on Feb. 29. League team, but (also) a big part (in Cleveland), as far as what it is to be a pro,” Tortorella said. Synopsis: The son of Hall-of-Fame defenseman Al MacInnis made his NHL debut and played on the fourth line. He doesn't have a lot to show Eric Robinson, forward for his time, statistically, but contributed in ways that don't show up on a Stats: 50 games, seven goals, five assists, 10:57 mins/game scoresheet.

Recalled: Robinson was recalled from Cleveland on Nov. 10 and wasn't Others who contributed include defenseman Gabriel Carlsson (six reassigned. games), as well as forwards Kole Sherwood (three games), Calvin Thurkauf (three games), Marko Dano (three games) and Foudy (two Synopsis: Robinson's elite speed flashed in previous NHL stints, but the games), a former first-round draft pick who was a rare emergency recall promising power forward started to show some scoring touch this from the London Knights. season. Robinson earned an everyday role in the Jackets' depleted lineup and his play likely cemented a spot on the NHL roster regardless. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.21.2020

Kevin Stenlund, forward

Stats: 32 games, six goals, four assists, 13:59 mins/game

Recalled: Stenlund was recalled twice from Cleveland, the last time on Feb. 6.

Synopsis: Stenlund made big contributions on the power play, scoring three goals and adding two assists on the man-advantage. His 5-on-5 play steadily improved, though, and he added three goals and two assists at even strength. Stenlund also centered the third line for a stretch, proving his versatility. 1181280 Columbus Blue Jackets as a slick-skating point-producer, but as a two-way, bedrock blueliner, the type every club needs.

Kekalainen believed he was close to being NHL-ready in 2017. By the ‘No frills’ defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov was worth the wait for Blue early stages of 2018, Kekalainen was convinced he was already a top- Jackets four defenseman in the NHL.

“If I had to put a percentage on him playing right away, I would have said Aaron Portzline 95 percent,” Kekalainen said.

Mar 20, 2020 And one of the reasons Gavrikov, now 24, moved so quickly past the awkwardness of the moment is because his hockey career has already provided him a lifetime worth of grown-up lessons, from grief and despair to heartbreak and embarrassment. COLUMBUS, Ohio — Vladislav Gavrikov traveled from Russia to meet his future Blue Jackets bosses, take a tour of Nationwide Arena, stroll the ‘The plane has crashed’ Short North and get a glimpse of a life in the NHL that was just a few pen strokes away. Gavrikov was raised in Yaroslavl, Russia, a city of about 600,000 located 160 miles northeast of Moscow, where the Volga and Kotorosl rivers It was June 26, 2017, and the promising young defenseman was torn meet. between returning to the KHL to continue his development or signing an entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets for a new life in North America. From the moment his parents, Andrei and Sveta, took him to see the Yaroslavl Lokomotiv play at age 6, he was hooked on hockey. Skating At least the Blue Jackets thought he was torn. lessons followed and by the time Gavrikov was 12 or 13 years old, he started to emerge as a talented player. “It’s a few hours before dinner,” Gavrikov remembers, shaking his head, “and then this news breaks.” On Sept. 7, 2011, Gavrikov, 15, and the rest of his Yaroslavl youth club were trudging back to the dressing room after practice when he noticed Gavrikov had signed a two-year deal with St. Petersburg SKA before he whispering and chaos and crying among coaches and adults in the halls began his travels to Columbus, but he didn’t think the contract would hit of the academy. the news back in Russia for at least a few days. “I heard one guy say, ‘It’s happened. The plane has crashed,'” Gavrikov The plan, he said, was to enjoy his visit, get some facetime with GM said. “Our coach … I could see that he was so sad and was crying. I just Jarmo Kekalainen, assistant GM Bill Zito, coach John Tortorella and couldn’t imagine what must have happened.” others, then let the Blue Jackets down easy with news of his Russian deal before he headed home. Yaroslavl Lokomotiv’s plane crashed shortly after takeoff on the way to Minsk, Belarus, to open the 2011-12 season. All but one of the 45 Instead, it was all over the hockey world by 2 p.m. passengers were killed, including the entire roster of Lokomotiv players “Can you imagine this?” Gavrikov said. “I was saying, ‘Oh, my God. It’s and four junior players. going to be awful, this dinner. They’re going to be so mad at me. So mad. Gavrikov, who was playing on Yaroslavl’s third-tier club, knew everybody “My agent (Dan Milstein) tells me we can cancel dinner if I want, but I on board, he said. Former NHL players Pavol Demitra, Karel Rachunek, said, ‘No, it’s best for me to meet them.’ I wanted to meet Torts. Jarmo, Ruslan Salei, Karlis Skrastins and Josef Vasicek died that day. too. I wanted to tell them about this, even though it would be difficult.” One of the crash’s youngest victims, 18-year-old defenseman Maxim SAFE TO SAY #CBJ WERE BLINDSIDED BY THE NEWS, Shuvalov, was Gavrikov’s good friend. ESPECIALLY SINCE GAVRIKOV ARRIVED IN COLUMBUS ON “It’s still a tough thing for me to talk about,” Gavrikov said. “I remember SUNDAY AND PLANNED TO VISIT FOR A FEW DAYS. the feelings that day, of course. It was all anybody was thinking about or — AARON PORTZLINE (@APORTZLINE) JUNE 26, 2017 talking about. There was so much media. It was all over TV. So I knew that this happened, right? And yet in my head and in my heart … it’s like I Before they gathered at Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse, the Blue Jackets still couldn’t realize it, you know? brass developed their own plan. “It was raining for three days in Yaroslavl after the crash. Three days, all They were angry, sure, but they felt a measure of sympathy for Gavrikov. rain, no sun. No music in the town. Just silence. Everybody was sad. The Jackets believed the KHL forced Gavrikov to re-up for two years as a Everybody was thinking, how is this possible?” contingent to playing for Russia in the 2018 Olympics. 3 YEARS AGO TODAY THE RUSSIAN HOCKEY TEAM LOKOMOTIV Further, the Jackets felt the timing of the announcement was a deliberate YAROSLAVL WAS LOST IN A PLANE CRASH attempt by the KHL to embarrass the Blue Jackets and the NHL. #RIPLOKOMOTIVYAROSLAVL PIC.TWITTER.COM/VTQU50H3I2

“We decided we weren’t going to say anything about it, just have a nice — TUMBLR HOCKEY (@TUMBLRHOCKEY_) SEPTEMBER 7, 2014 dinner and get to know him,” Kekalainen said. “And I’m pretty sure the kid felt awful already.” Gavrikov spent most of the next two weeks going to funerals, he said. But the crash is something he thinks about literally every day. Tortorella, never one to disguise his feelings, didn’t even keep the plan together long enough for the waiter to bring bread. One year later, investigators ruled pilot error as the reason for the crash, also revealing the two pilots falsified records saying they’d been trained “We get seated and, like, right away, Torts turns to my agent and says, to fly that type of aircraft. The ramifications for Gavrikov and his friends ‘Can I ask him something?'” Gavrikov said, grinning at the memory. “And were more immediate. Torts says (to me), ‘Why did we have to read this on Twitter?’ “The coaches told us that we had to grow up faster now because the “I said, ‘This is my responsibility. This is my mistake. I get it. I team needs us,” Gavrikov said. understand. I’m sorry.’ And after this, dinner was fine.” Gavrikov played eight games that season for Yaroslavl’s second-tier #CBJ TAKING THE HIGH ROAD, NOT SENDING HIM HOME ON THE club, then became a regular the following two seasons as a 16- and 17- NEXT FLIGHT. INSTEAD, FOLLOWING THROUGH ON PLANS FOR year-old. Now he was playing just one level below the KHL. VISIT, INCLUDING DINNER TONIGHT. In early February 2014, Lokomotiv made a coaching change, hiring — AARON PORTZLINE (@APORTZLINE) JUNE 26, 2017 legendary coach Dave King — yes, that Dave King, the Blue Jackets’ first-ever coach — to take over the program. One of the reasons the Blue Jackets were so understanding is because they were willing to wait on Gavrikov. “Vladdy was on our junior team, but he came up and played some games for us,” King said. “You could see he was a real steady, no-nonsense Soon after the Blue Jackets drafted him in the sixth round (No. 159 kind of player. You could see this young man was going places.” overall) in 2015, Gavrikov started showing serious NHL potential — not A long weekend An NHL debut is always nerve-wracking, but to step in during the second round? After two steady seasons (2012-13, 2013-14) with the Yaroslavl junior club and a spot on Russia’s entry in the IIHF World Under-18 Gavrikov knew only two players in the Blue Jackets’ dressing room, Championships, Gavrikov’s name was starting to percolate among NHL Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin, from international competition. He was scouts in Europe. used to playing on the larger ice surfaces in Europe. His spot in the lineup meant another player had to sit. In June 2014, Gavrikov flew to North America to have face-to-face interviews with at least two NHL clubs, convincing his advisers that “This is a very serious time, of course, very important,” Gavrikov said. “I Gavrikov was going to be drafted. (The Blue Jackets were not one of didn’t know how the other guys felt about me. them; Gavrikov was not yet on Columbus’ radar.) “You’re the new guy. You come in and practice, what, two times? What if The NHL Draft is perhaps the happiest date on the league’s calendar. I make a couple of big mistakes? What will they think of me then, if we Nobody loses at the draft, not on that weekend, anyway. As a player’s lose the game? No pressure on me, right?” name is announced — “With the 11th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, the Nashville Predators are proud to select … ” — a cluster of family and Gavrikov made his NHL debut in Game 5 versus Boston on May 4. He friends leap from their seats in the lower bowl. Mom cries. Hugs abound, also played in Game 6, when the Blue Jackets were eliminated. even among sisters and brothers. A few months later, Bobrovsky and Panarin left the Blue Jackets as free The player makes his way to the draft floor, where he’s met by the NHL agents, leaving Gavrikov as the only Russian in the dressing room. club’s public relations staffer who hands the player his first NHL sweater, “Vlad is a very genuine guy,” Kekalainen said. “He has a good mood, a newly minted with the player’s name already on the back. It’s a photo-op, positive attitude, and he’s a very competitive guy. Those are the things sure, but it’s the moment most players dream about, their first major that make you popular in a dressing room. Guys like that have no stamp of approval from the world’s top league. problem fitting in.”

There’s also the painful other side of this story: The prospect, likely Gavrikov was a healthy scratch in this season’s opener versus Toronto wearing the most expensive suit he’s ever owned, who sits … and sits … but played in every game the rest of the way. In 69 games, he has 5-13- and sits … and never hears his name called. It’s torture on a grand scale. 18 and a plus-1 rating, averaging a robust 18:59 in ice time.

And that, on June 27-28, 2014, was Vladislav Gavrikov. For most of the season, Tortorella has paired him on the left side of the “I sat there for seven rounds over two days,” Gavrikov said, nodding second unit with David Savard. It’s a shut-down pairing, certainly, but slowly. “Look, I knew I wasn’t going to go in the first round (Friday), but Gavrikov has shown offensive instincts beyond a typical stay-at-home the second day … it was awful. plugger, and the smaller rinks in North America have made his game even more effective. “Sitting. Sitting and waiting. By the fourth round I’m saying, ‘C’mon guys, let’s go.’ I couldn’t take it. I got out of my seat and walked to a restaurant “There’s no frills,” Tortorella said. “At times he’s ugly, but he finds a way (in Wells Fargo) and got two hot dogs to eat for lunch. The whole to be effective all the time. That’s what I appreciate about it. He’s very weekend, my name was never called.” dependable, just always there. I wanted to see his puck skills, and if you keep on watching they’re underrated. A few months later, Gavrikov was back in North America with a group of Russian junior all-stars, playing a series of games in Canada against top “(Defensively) he’s like an octopus. When he gets you, it’s tough to get major junior players from the OHL, WHL and QMJHL. away from him. He’s all arms. He’s strong. He’s ugly as sin at times, but he doesn’t get beat. He’s been a huge piece of the puzzle for us this “That was when (director of amateur scouting) Ville Siren first saw him,” year.” Kekalainen said. “Or first noticed him, I should say.” King spends his winters in Arizona now, but he still keeps a close eye on The Blue Jackets kept close tabs on Gavrikov that season, which he split the Blue Jackets. He’s been blown away, he said, by how Tortorella and between Yaroslavl’s top two teams, getting his first taste (16 games) in the Blue Jackets have continued to play amid free-agent losses and a the KHL. He also played in the IIHF World Junior Championships in relentless wave of injuries. Toronto. When he watches the Blue Jackets, he keeps a close eye on Gavrikov. At the 2015 draft, Gavrikov stayed on the board late in the day until the Nobody breaks down a player’s game quite like “Kinger.” Blue Jackets nabbed him in the sixth round. (The Jackets, it should be noted, also landed Zach Werenski (first round, No. 8 overall) and Markus “I see him delivering the game he should deliver,” King said. “He’s Nutivaara (seventh round, No. 189) in that year’s draft, or half of their defensively strong, moves the puck quick. He’s not a complicated player. defensive corps.) He’s such a dependable guy because he knows his game. He knows what he can do and what he can’t do. “This time I was just back home in Yaroslavl,” Gavrikov said. “I got a text from my agent saying I was drafted.” “Gavi’s a pretty mature kid. He’s a very confident guy, too, he never second-guesses himself. He plays the game very assertively, never The highlight of the day happened a few hours later. hesitating. And while he’s not a beautiful skater, he’s a good skater. He’s efficient.” “My phone rings with this number I do not recognize,” Gavrikov said. “The voice said ‘Hi, this is Sergei Bobrovsky of the Blue Jackets. I want Gavrikov is a restricted free agent this summer, but the Blue Jackets and to congratulate you on being drafted.’ I tried to be cool about this. I was Millstein have already started working on a long-term contract extension. like, ‘Oh, yeah, hey there Bob.’ The Blue Jackets waited long enough for Gavrikov; now they want to keep him. “I hung up and told my (then) girlfriend, ‘Sergei Bobrovsky … he’s got my number.’ My girl said that was pretty impressive.” As for Gavrikov, he’s immersed himself in central Ohio, too. He’s a big fan of Hocking Hills, the Columbus Zoo … he and his wife, Anastasia, Into the fire went to “the Ohio (State) football game” last fall, too.

Gavrikov played the next three seasons in Russia, including a gold medal “It was huge,” he said. “What, 110,000 people? I understand the rules. win at the 2018 Olympics. When his contract expired with Yaroslavl, he My wife, not so much. She was sitting with me saying, ‘They’re not even signed for two years in St. Petersburg. Then, last spring, Gavrikov’s playing! They play for one or two seconds and then they walk around?’ season with St. Petersburg ended while the Blue Jackets were still alive in the Stanley Cup playoffs, having swept Tampa Bay in the first round. “It’s a pretty nice city, Columbus. Not so big, not too small. It’s right for me. Anastasia is really happy here, too. She has good friends here. If They didn’t want to wait any longer. she’s happy, we’re happy.”

Gavrikov signed a contract and immediately flew to join the Blue Jackets, The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 who were preparing to play Boston in the second round. There are very few people who could grasp the pressure Gavrikov was facing. 1181281 Dallas Stars Radulov got an assist on the next Stars goal when he fired a shot from the right circle that ricocheted to Hintz, then scored the empty netter in the waning seconds to complete the hat trick and add a final dagger to Stars roster review: Alexander Radulov’s roller-coaster season mirrored the 6-3 win. It’s still numbing to think about how the season might have team’s unfolded had Radulov not shown up that night in the fashion that he did.

Other significant plays

Saad Yousuf Nov. 25th: If the Wild game is Radulov’s best, Nov. 25th’s 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights may be second on the list. Radulov had a Mar 20, 2020 three-point night, scoring the first and last goals while adding an assist. The first goal was a John Klingberg shot that found Radulov along the

way, but the real highlight from this one was the assist on Jason As we begin this weekly series looking at how the Stars’ roster has fared Dickinson’s goal. this season (so far?), I pondered which player should be the first we From making the play at Vegas’ blue line to force the turnover to leading examine. Plenty of names came to mind, but one particularly stood out the rush and stopping on a dime to set up a trailing Dickinson, Radulov because his season so closely resembled that of the entire team. pushed all the right buttons to give Dallas a 3-1 lead. If the Stars’ season is best described as a turbulent airplane ride, Dec. 7th: Radulov came into this one with some extra juice. He was Alexander Radulov is the pilot. Gauging his season by expectations essentially benched for the third period two games prior and then was a coming in is a tricky proposition. His primary role is to be an offensive healthy scratch for a Stars victory at home on Dec. 5th. In what threat and, spoiler alert, every player on this team not named Denis would be Montgomery’s final game as coach of the Stars, he inserted Gurianov – and perhaps Roope Hintz – was probably more offensive to Radulov back in the lineup, and the Russian made his presence felt on watch than genuinely intimidating on offense. the power play in the opening frame. Before the season abruptly came to a halt, Radulov was on pace to finish Radulov chased the puck back to the blue line and passed to Klingberg with easily his lowest scoring output in a Stars uniform. He scored 72 to reset the power play. He trailed behind, Klingberg fed him and Radulov points apiece in his first two seasons and had just 34 points through 60 sliced the puck through four bodies to score the goal. games played this year. He scored 27 and 29 goals, respectively, in the two years prior and was down to just 15 this season. His assists dipped Radulov later tallied an assist on a Gurianov goal in the second period in from 45 and 43 to just 19. Amidst all of that, the untimely offensive zone an eventual 3-1 Stars win. penalties continued to show up. Former head coach Jim Montgomery even made Radulov a healthy scratch in one of the final games prior to Jan. 1st: The Winter Classic looked to be turning from a dream his dismissal in December. opportunity into a nightmare very quick. Corey Perry got tossed from the game early, and the Predators served up two goals in the first eight One might think that leads to an easy “F” grade, but it’s not the case. It’s minutes to silence the large contingent of Stars fans at the Cotton Bowl. important to remember October 29th, the night Radulov essentially Things got better late in the second period when Blake Comeau got the rescued the Stars’ season with a performance Tyler Sugin dubbed “mildly Stars on the board in the final 90 seconds, a momentum shifter eerily psychotic.” Down 3-0 at home to the after one period, reminiscent of Radulov’s late second-period goal against the Wild on Oct. columns were being written about which Jim was more on the hot seat – 29th. Montgomery or Nill. The Stars were already lurking near the bottom of the NHL standings, and this seemed to be the game that could wreck After Mattias Janmark made it 2-2 in the opening minute of the third their season for good less than a month after it began. Instead, Radulov period, the Stars had a man advantage four minutes into the final frame. saved it – first with a momentum-shifting goal, then a hat trick that led to With the power play winding down, Klingberg found Radulov alone in the a 6-3 win and launched a 12-game points streak. right circle, and he blistered home the one-timer that would serve as the game-winning goal of the 2020 Winter Classic. Then there’s one of the biggest hockey games ever played in Texas: the NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day. With the entire hockey world So, where was Radulov’s season heading before the coronavirus (at the watching, Dallas fell behind 2-0 to Nashville in the opening minutes. After very least) paused the 2019-20 NHL season? He missed the last two the Stars evened things up at 2-2, it was Radulov who delivered the go- games due to an illness. Fortunately, Radulov ultimately tested negative ahead – and game-winning – goal in the third period. for COVID-19 and had been skating on his own recently. His return to the lineup was imminent, something the Stars badly needed. There’s also the matter of context. While this year didn’t match his previous standard, Radulov was still in Dallas’ top-five in both goals and Dallas went into the COVID-19 hiatus losing six consecutive games for points, with his 15 goals being fifth-best on the team while his 34 points the first time all season. When you think about the Stars’ impact players, were fourth-highest (and third-best among Stars forwards). That makes Radulov has competition near the top of the list. The goalies come to you question how much of the diminishing production was about Radulov mind, certainly. Young talents like Gurianov, Hintz and Miro Heiskanen and how much was a product of the system he found himself in, factor in. Of course, there’s Jamie Benn by virtue of being captain, and particularly after the coaching change to interim head coach Rick Seguin by way of his track record and his contract. But time and again, Bowness in December. when Radulov is on, this team and especially this offense rises to another level. His hockey skill is one thing, but the emotional lift Radulov Depending on perspective, you could argue for a grade ranging from a D brings, from his play to his celebrations, is unlike anybody else on the to maybe a B-. I’m going to give Radulov a C+ because the importance of roster. what he did on Oct. 29th can’t be understated. Let’s roll through some of the key plays that make up Radulov’s season to date On a personal note, Radulov also had the opportunity to prevent this from becoming an NHL career-worst season in a couple of areas. Right Most important play now, his 15 goals would mark his fewest when playing at least 60 games in a season. His 19 assists would be tied with his rookie year in 2006-07 This one is fairly easy. Let’s set the scene. for the worst of his career. A lot of unknowns lie ahead for Radulov, the On Oct. 26th, the Stars lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 on home ice NHL and the sports world overall. Whatever the case may be, Radulov’s to drop them to a brutal 4-8-1 on the season. Three days later, the Stars season has had its ups and downs – much like the Dallas Stars, as a fell behind 3-0 through 39 minutes of play at home against Minnesota. whole. Dallas entered the final minute in the offensive zone, and Seguin The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 unsuccessfully took a couple of cracks at getting the Stars on the board. Finally, Fedun shot a one-timer that was blocked. The puck slowly trickled near the goal with three Wild players there to make a play and get it out of harm’s way.

Instead, Radulov displayed his “mildly psychotic side.”

This wasn’t some superbly technical hockey play. It was heart and hustle, just Radulov being Radulov when he’s at his finest. 1181282 Detroit Red Wings knowledge of what exactly the restraints what do. The NHL knows better than I do on that.

“I’ve really tried hard not to speculate on what could happen because I Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman in daily contact as coronavirus just don’t believe in speculation. I can just tell you that my gut feel is that pandemic halts NHL there’s a lot of potential restraints that would make that proposal potentially not doable.”

Helene St. James With players limited to maintaining conditioning with home gyms or exercising outside, the Wings have offered guidelines to try to come up 1:51 a.m. ET March 21, 2020 with some sort of routine. But nothing is routine any more, and everything is uncertain.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.21.2020 There are daily texts with general manager Steve Yzerman and many others in the Detroit Red Wings organization, but little planning, because so much is unknown.

Like everyone else, the Wings are trying to navigate day-by-day in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. No Wings players have reported symptoms, and they have been told to use this week and into next week as down time, as players normally do when their season ends, before resuming workouts.

The NHL paused the 2019-20 season March 12, leaving the Wings to head home from Washington, where they had a game scheduled that night. The league postponed the season in hopes of resuming it (and a report this week said players may be willing to push the playoffs as late as September), even though on Monday the Centers for Disease Control advised against public gatherings of more than 50 people for at least eight weeks.

It’s moot for the Wings, who at 17-49-5 are guaranteed to finish in last place in the standings.

For now, everything is uncertain. Coach said daily exchanges with Yzerman and his circle of hockey operations personnel has focused on everyone’s well-being.

“Is there anybody that needs help, are our people taken care of, how do best utilize this time," Blashill said Thursday. “Life favors the prepared, so how can we be as prepared as possible for when we all come out of this?

“It’s so fluid that it’s impossible to plan weeks in advance. So daily contact is important, because everything kind of changes. We’re all trying to do the best we can.”

More from Blashill: Reliving the 'weird day' when the NHL season paused

The first few days after the shutdown were surreal. The Wings thought the end of their season — they have 11 games left — would be April 4. Instead, for now, it was March 12.

“This was exceptionally abrupt,” Blashill said. “And so those first couple days back coming back from Washington, D.C., I honestly just didn’t not know what to do. Now as we’ve moved into a week from the time our season has paused, now it’s moved to trying to be productive. Trying to figure out how we can best utilize this time from a work standpoint. Also how to best utilize this time from a personal standpoint, like trying to get things fixed around the house. And spending time with my kids that I would otherwise never get an opportunity to.

“We’re planning for anything to happen. We have to be prepared that if at some point the NHL says to us that we have to resume, we have to be prepared for that. So having a skeleton in place for how we would attack those days of a potential minicamp, we are doing that.”

Earlier this week, a report fromTSN’s Frank Seravalli described a scenario in which players would start a training camp in early July (for now, players have been told to stay away from arenas, and all gyms were ordered closed in Michigan on Monday), and segue into a truncated end to the regular season. Playoffs would start in August, and the Stanley Cup — normally awarded in June — would be awarded in September.

The draft, free agency and training camp leading into next season would happen in October, and the 2020-21 season would run November-June.

The report says the majority of players who have been presented with the proposal are in favor.

“I don’t know the sources of who Frank Seravalli talked to, I don’t which players. I don’t know if it was two or 10 or 100,” Blashill said. “I read the same headlines and thought, man, that’s late. I don’t have enough 1181283 Detroit Red Wings Currently, what these prospects are missing more than any sort of physical activity, are the actual games.

Similar to the NHL, some 80 to 90 percent of the minor-league, junior or Red Wings keep tabs on prospects, set up individually crafted workouts college schedules already have been completed.

But those remaining games were so hugely crucial.

Ted Kulfan Grand Rapids was in a nightly battle to make the American League 2:25 p.m. ET March 20, 2020 playoffs. College post-season tournaments were beginning. The junior leagues were in the final stages of the regular season, in tight races.

“Our players in the AHL (Grand Rapids), it’s unfortunate, because they’re Detroit — The hockey world — like much of the entire world — has come in a dogfight to make the playoffs,” Horcoff said. “Every game was a to a screeching halt. No games, practices, workouts or face-to-face playoff game, which is just great for development. You come to the rink meetings. every night expecting a battle, and us expecting them to be at their best.

That makes life a little trickier for Shawn Horcoff, the Red Wings’ director “Those are really good circumstances to grow your game.” of player development. In his role, Horcoff oversees and evaluates the Wings’ prospects playing at the junior or college level, as well as Europe. Coach Jeff Blashill said he feels even in this current pause in hockey, young players can learn and grow from what is going on around them. Horcoff, and his assistant Dan Cleary, are regularly in contact with the young players in the organization — players who are the Wings’ future. “Certainly, there’s some potential for development to have been stalled,” Normally those discussions are centered on hockey. But now, Horcoff Blashill said. “There was in (Grand Rapids) a potential playoff run, and and his staff are making sure everyone is safe and healthy because of there’s development involved in that. When you go through experiences the coronavirus threat. in life, you have the opportunity to grow. You don’t always. It’s up to you a little bit, but you have the opportunity to grow, both from good and bad “At this point we’re reaching out to all of them, finding out where they are experiences. and where they’re going to be,” Horcoff said. “Stay safe, stay self quarantined, and let this thing die down. Do your part, sort of thing.” “Right now there’s no day-to-day experience, period. So for kids in college, kids in pro, there isn’t that developmental opportunity.” Just like the players in the NHL, the Wings’ young prospects have scattered to all parts of the world, back home wherever home is, and “(But) out of this situation you can gain huge perspective. You should waiting for whatever the next step is. cherish the day, because you never know what tomorrow brings. Anybody, when you’re young, you never believe that. When you’ve lived Health and well-being is at the forefront right now, and keeping social through something like this, you might be more apt to believe it. You distance is crucial. But there will come a day when the hockey world might be more apt to have a greater perspective to enjoy the day, to awakes and gets going, and the Wings will need to be ready. maximize and win the day.”

Or, more specifically, the prospects in the organization that so much of The coronavirus outbreak has changed things, but not just for the Wings. the future is banked on. Every team is navigating through a scenario that never could have been envisioned back in October when the season began. Horcoff and his staff are advising the young players how to stay in hockey shape the best they can right now. “It’s the same for every team,” Horcoff said. “Everything is put on hold. It’s not like we’re in a disadvantage. Everyone is in the same boat, every “The NHL guys are more at an advantage because they’ll have league in the world (is shut down), it’s just not like Europe is going on equipment in their house, it’ll be a lot easier than for the guys who don’t and teams that have more European prospects are at an advantage. It’s have anything like that,” Horcoff said. “We have to be creative with (the just not the case. younger prospects). “It’s very fluid and things are changing as they go. We’re just following “If they don’t have home gyms (and most don’t) we’ll set them up with protocols and keeping our prospects safe and at the same time, we’re program to stay in shape, things they can do right at home and areas doing everything we can.” where they might be. Outside, or if there’s a track around them, maybe hills, anything, in any sort of safe environment, to stay in shape.” Detroit News LOADED: 03.21.2020 No one, obviously, knows how long this situation will last and how long the hockey industry — or many others for that matter — will be in a paused state.

The NHL, suspended until at least mid-May, has suggested that players will be allowed to work in small groups eventually — but no one knows when it’ll be safe to do so.

Not knowing what the immediate future holds, Horcoff is working with Mike Barwis, the Wings’ director of sports science and human performance, to individually craft a workout regimen for each prospect.

“We’re going to become very creative and really work at this to find out ways to train these kids to do what they normally would do in a regular off season,” Horcoff said. “That’s going to be easier for some (players) than others given what they have to work with. But we’lll work tirelessly to give these guys every opportunity to do what they can in order to be ready for (training) camp next season.

“Realistically, at this point, the guys who are really driven are going to find a way to stay in shape and train under safe conditions. It’s an opportunity for those kids with an inner drive.”

Horcoff is in charge of the development camp the Wings’ — and each NHL organization — hold days after the NHL Draft in late June.

Whether that camp takes place this summer is entirely unknown. So crafting how to make each prospect bigger, better and stronger is going to be necessary. 1181284 Detroit Red Wings

Even Chris Terry bobbleheads affected by coronavirus

Mar 20, 2020

Peter J. Wallner

There are a couple thousand bobbleheads that exist of ’ forward Chris Terry wearing a smile and celebrating with his arms outstretched, but don’t be fooled. It’s not real.

They're all sad.

The bobbleheads were supposed to be in the possession of fans by now, but instead they're sitting on a skid in a storage area beneath .

Turns out even bobbleheads can't escape the coronavirus.

The AHL team had planned a giveaway of its leading scorer last Saturday, but the game was canceled due to COVID-19 fears and the 2,500 figurines never got off the pallet - save for about 36 that Terry got ahead of time.

Terry, a five-time AHL all-star, has never had his own bobblehead. In the big picture of what’s going on in the world, Terry downplayed the importance of it all. Still, nothing can take away the kick of your own bobblehead.

"When I asked for another box they said, 'Oh, we have a lot of boxes here,'" said Terry, who had requests from family members. "My mom took about 10 of them home and my wife has been back to the east side of the state and handed them off to a couple family members. So, some have them. Some will be waiting for now, I guess."

For the record, Terry, the Griffins’ leader in goals (21) and points (57), is a fan of his mini-me.

"Yeah, kind of a funny pose there but I like it," he said. "I've heard everything from doesn't look anything like you to it's spot-on. But I like it."

The Griffins, meantime, will wait on a Terry bobblehead giveaway this season as the AHL holds out hope for a resumption of the season at some point. But if not, Brandon Nelson, the Griffins’ director of game presentation, said they could also do it next year as part of the Griffins’ 25th-anniversary celebration.

“We’ll get them out there eventually,” Nelson said.

Michigan Live LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181285 Detroit Red Wings Gentille: Most of my notes here are just “KRONWALL” with a bunch of exclamation points.

Whose career does this game change the most? Rewatching the Classics: Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup final Bultman: Is it a cop-out to say ? Obviously he won a Jack Adams a couple of years later but still…

Craig Custance, Max Bultman and Sean Gentille Custance: Max Talbot, for sure. What about Marc-Andre Fleury? Not only Mar 20, 2020 did he make that save on Nicklas Lidstrom at the end, he kept the Red Wings off the board with a number of high-end saves early on in this game. I forgot how good he was for most of this game.

It was one of the great finishes in recent Stanley Cup final history — a Gentille: Talbot again, but we can skip him. Jonathan Ericsson was Game 7 that came down to a save in the final moments. The 2009 really, really good. Probably set him down the path to his next two deals. Stanley Cup final between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Nobody can top Fleury here, though. This was the game (combined with Penguins was an instant classic and provided some necessary hockey his good-person status) that bought him not just hero-status in watching this week for three of our hockey writers: Craig Custance, Sean Pittsburgh, but unlimited rope. And you know what? That’s fair. Gentille and Max Bultman. Bultman: In my memory that shot by Lidstrom at the end was dicey as to We watched the game again and broke down our favorite moments (and whether it would have gone in. After the re-watch? Nope. Robbed blind. some we totally forgot about) into categories. It was equal parts fun and depressing. Enjoy! Custance: What about late-career ? Watching this, you can see why he gave those contracts to Ericsson, Helm, Danny Cleary etc. COMING SOON TO THE ATHLETIC They’re easier to stomach with back-to-back Cup wins. PIC.TWITTER.COM/ADGLB9YHCX Bultman: That’s a great one. Yeah one of my reactions watching this was — SEAN GENTILLE (@SEANGENTILLE) MARCH 19, 2020 that I totally understood the Helm deal.

Opening thoughts Gentille: In the first four minutes of this game, Darren Helm is the greatest hockey player alive. Craig Custance: The first thing I noticed was the arena. It made me nostalgic for Joe Louis Arena. Also, that scoreboard was tiny! How could What’s the best moment? any of us see any replays? I was at this game in the auxiliary press box and I remember being surprised at how many Penguins fans were at this Custance: It’s the save on Lidstrom in the final seconds. What an ending. game. Fairly early on in this re-watch, Doc Emrick made the same I’m not sure this is even up for debate. observation. They traveled well for this one. Gentille: It’s not the save itself, actually, but it’s save-adjacent. Early in Sean Gentille: “Ah, that’s right, Marian Hossa played for the Red Wings.” the Penguins’ celebration, right before the Cup is brought out, Fleury Personally, I was a year out of college and at the absolute end of my meets up with Malkin, hugs him, and then clearly pantomimes the save to rope as a capital-F fan (Another topic for another time), so I drove seven Malkin, Crosby and Craig Adams. That stuck with me: this huge, historic hours from Charlotte to watch with my friends in a Point Breeze career-making moment for a franchise and a city, and none of those guys basement. It was one of the last pure moments of my life. Game-wise? A actually knew how it went down. Because it had just happened. Like, weird combo of intense and uneventful, yes? seconds earlier.

Max Bultman: Yes. I actually didn’t remember much about this game, but Bultman: That’s such a great point. It was the save for me, which is just I feel like that’s how playoff hockey is. I did love how much Hall-of-Fame an all-timer, but I also loved Evgeni Malkin’s double fist pump on his way talent was all over the ice, and yet the goals were scored by Max Talbot to get the Conn Smythe. Dude was 22. Just a sweet moment. and Jonathan Ericsson. Both had good, long careers, but that’s so Custance: I loved that. “hockey.” Gentille: I’m all the way in the tank for any on-ice celebration stuff. Staal Custance: I want to hear more about Sean being a capital-F fan. And would not stop screaming. He might still be screaming. Also, no joke, yeah, it was jarring to see Marian Hossa in a Red Wings uniform. Fleury-Talbot-Malkin-Staal were at least 10-14 in the lap line.

Gentille: I grew up where I grew up, bro. I am honest, unlike many! Custance: I couldn’t believe how late they were! And why were the laps Custance: How old were you when this game was played, Max? Were so mini? Guys all skated within five feet of each other. I thought you’re you allowed to stay up and watch it? Age jokes! supposed to do a proper lap.

Bultman: Haha. I was 13 and I’m pretty sure we had one of my hockey Gentille: Yes! They were figure-skating twirls! I think Chris Minard got his coaches over at my house for the game. He wasn’t too pleased with the turn before Letang! result if I remember right. Custance: So, I watched closely to see when Sid joins the handshake Who is at their peak at this moment in time? line. It was really hard to tell. It looks like he got distracted congratulating the Pittsburgh coaches. He did have an exchange with Custance: We can debate a lot of players, but the guy who stood out to where Mike goes “That’s great leadership by you.” me was Niklas Kronwall. He was really good in this game. He was 28 when this game took place. This year was his first All-Star appearance Gentille: Yeah, I heard that too. and a few years later he started showing up in Norris Trophy voting Bultman: That was a great bite for NBC to pick up results. Another obvious answer is Max Talbot. But what about Jordan Staal? He was young at the time of this game (20) but he was Custance: Mike planting the seed for Team Canada. legitimately great in this game. Darren Helm too. Gentille: Another actual note: “That was the moment Crosby assumed Gentille: Staal was highly noticeable, and Helm was more fun to watch the Team Canada captaincy.” than anyone else, but Talbot is the obvious answer. You might say Peak Talbot would be the moment he signed for $8.75 million with the Flyers. Huge moment you forgot all about Wrong. With 8:14 left in the game, his team up 2-0 on his goals and on Custance: I remembered Sidney Crosby’s injury, in part because I national TV, he bobs along on the bench with some butt-rock arena song. watched this game with Dan Bylsma a few years ago for my book Prime. (shameless plug) “Behind the Bench.” So I knew it was coming. What I Bultman: Kronwall was great. He moved so well, was a physical beast, forgot was how early it happened. Crosby gets injured along the boards and had just an absolutely perfect defensive play early in the second to by Johan Franzen with 14:34 left in the second. For some reason, I end a cycle and take possession. But yeah, hard to go anywhere but thought this happened way later in the game. The Penguins won this Talbot. game and they did it mostly without the best player on the planet. Bultman: With about 2:15 left, Kronwall walked in from the point and rang REWATCHED GAME 7 OF THE 2009 SCF FOR A one off the crossbar. I mean we’re talking about literal centimeters from @THEATHLETICNHL PROJECT WITH @SEANGENTILLE & this game going to overtime. @M_BULTMAN AND THE BIG WINNER WAS MY GOOFBALL DOG BURLINGTON WHO LOVES WATCHING HOCKEY MORE THAN Gentille: Malkin had more to do with Talbot’s first goal than I’d ANYONE. PIC.TWITTER.COM/JUN04EC5RA remembered. The Kronwall crossbar somehow slipped from my memory. Also, though, there’s a two-minute surge by the Wings late in the second — CRAIG CUSTANCE (@CRAIGCUSTANCE) MARCH 19, 2020 that, like … I’m not sure how they didn’t score. It was mainly Jordan Staal, standing in the middle of the ice. Peak Doc Emrick

What from this game wouldn’t happen today? Custance: His call when Kronwall hit the crossbar was pretty great. Just yelling, “KRONWALL OFF THE CROSSBAR!!!” I’m all-in at that point. Custance: There’s a late hit from Kronwall that would have started a three-day Twitter debate. Also, Mario Lemieux granted an interview. That Gentille: Whole game might’ve been peak Doc. My favorite moment was may not happen today. But the most dated thing to me was all the a small one, which is usually the case with him. After showing promos. NBC and the NHL were clearly trying to find their way in the in the stands at the Joe (!!!), Doc launched into a story digital world with things like NBC2GO on Verizon Mobile and V-Cast and about Ali boxing Dave Semenko in the 80s, then cut himself off right as it NBC Sports Mobile, a promo that came with a fantastic shot of an old flip went from “cool story” to “OK, please stop,” territory. “Meanwhile, this is phone. And the promo that made me the saddest was the one for Conan laid back in by Talbot,” he said, “and the rest is for another time.” O’Brien and The Tonight Show. #TeamCoco Custance: I loved that.

Gentille: Alright, a word about that Verizon ad before my full answer. Bultman: That’s a way better one than mine. For me, there are two Custance: Haha, OK names I cannot read or hear without thinking of Doc Emrick. One is “Jarnkrok.” The other is “Orpik.” And any time I do hear him say one of Gentille: It was advertising the most 2009-era phone possible, some LG those names, it feels like playoff hockey. So, since Orpik played in this Sidekick rip-off thing — and Verizon was sponsoring an on-ice audio one, it’s any time Doc said his name. segment with Letang that was, basically, the worst of the genre, until Craig Adams dropped an audible F-bomb. Custance: I had no idea about Semenko.

Anyway, most of Kronwall’s game wouldn’t happen today. And I don’t say Gentille: Oh, I checked it on my phone as soon as he said it. that as a knock, either. It was visceral, riveting hockey from him — it’s Custance: The shot of Ali in a Red Wings jersey and both teams tapping largely just not legal anymore, or even seen all that often. Example: he the boards was unreal. clobbered Talbot near center ice with 8:41 left. The puck was never on his stick, and Kronwall left his feet. There was a penalty called on the Peak Pierre McGuire sequence … on Brad Stuart, for breaking Malkin’s stick. Custance: I’ll leave this to Sean but it’s going to be hard to top the Fred Bultman: I 100 percent thought that penalty was on Kronwall when the Shero story. I low-key loved how Pierre slipped in that Eddie O was whistle blew. Fleury’s first pro coach while asking Marc-Andre Fleury about the biggest save of his life after the win. But overall, this broadcast was rock solid. Custance: Also, I’m not sure Tomas Holmstrom could happen today. He Pierre was really good. wasn’t moving particularly quickly out there. I think he was hurt too. Gentille: An absolute tour de force from our guy after Babcock used his Gentille: At one point Holmstrom dragged down Hal Gill by his jersey in timeout with 1:17 left. “MIKE BABCOCK IS TELLING HIS TEAM WHAT the crease, and it was like Godzilla vs. King Kong. TO DO IF THEY WIN THE FACEOFF AND WHAT TO DO IF THEY Which coach from this game would you take for a Game 7 today? LOSE THE FACEOFF;” followed by “EDZO AND DOC THAT’S ” when Shero’s face (and name) were shown on camera; Bultman: I think it’s Babcock, but he hasn’t exactly had a ton of success followed by an anecdote about and the 1980 All-Star Game; in game 7s lately. I do feel like the Red Wings played a winning game followed by calling Bylsma “Danny.” Four-bagger. Grand slam. Said it in here, though. It’s not like the Penguins had a ton of chances or anything. like 11 seconds, too. They really just converted a couple of huge ones. Bultman: The Shero bit was perfection. I’ll also say, before the game Custance: So there are quite a few options here outside of Bylsma and even started NBC had Pierre and give mock pre-game Babcock. The Pittsburgh assistants were Tom Fitzgerald and Mike Yeo. speeches for each team, and that was pretty peak Pierre too. The line, Paul MacLean and one of my favorite coaches of all-time, Brad “Men, words don’t win game 7s, actions do,” was used, and then he McCrimmon, were Detroit’s assistants. Plenty of options but I agree on proceeded to list all the times the team has been great: playoffs, Babcock, in part because of his success in tight, close games, practices, regular season. (That’s all the time, for those keeping score.) internationally. Then he tells the fake players in the empty locker room that they wear the same sweater as the teams that won the cups in 1991 and ’92. The Gentille: This is a tough decision, and not as good of a problem to have ever-important trivia bit to bring it home. as it would’ve seemed a few years ago. From the head coaches, Toronto disaster aside, you’ve still got to go with Babcock. This was a career- Most important shift making win by Bylsma, and flags fly forever, but I’m still not sure how they pulled it off. Fitzgerald would make sense, too. Custance: I’m going to cheat and say the last two minutes of the second period. Detroit is just POURING it on. It’s crazy. I don’t know how they What changes about this game if the captains switch teams? didn’t score there and I think this game looks very different if they find a way to do it. Also, I completely forgot that Kronwall hit the crossbar with Bultman: It feels crazy to say this because Nicklas Lidstrom was 39, but 2:13 remaining in the game. Crazy how close this was to a different Pittsburgh probably wins going away if they swap. Crosby missed most ending. of the game and Lidstrom played nearly 28 minutes for Detroit. Bultman: I’ll second that about the end of the second period. Zetterberg Custance: Lidstrom was great in this game. He’s just constantly bombing had a look on the doorstep with just a few seconds left, and I think the shots from the point. Watching him again was one of the most enjoyable puck just bounced on him or something. Would have totally swung parts of this exercise. Considering Crosby’s injury, if you put Lidstrom on momentum going into intermission. the Penguins they still win. Maybe by more. Gentille: All the best individual moments, outside of two Penguins, Gentille: The Penguins win by more. Crosby wasn’t much of a factor; the belonged to Detroit. So, congratulations to Brad Stuart for his work on injury happened earlier than I remembered. His best chance probably Talbot’s first goal. came on a first-period power play. Lidstrom played for, I believe, 85 minutes. Just more of a factor, even before you think about the shot. How does history change if the Red Wings win?

Custance: What was his CF%? 85? Custance: Imagine for a moment if the Red Wings come back to win this game. And THEN after that, Zach Parise scores in overtime of the 2010 Gentille: It was actually 100 percent. People forget that. gold medal game vs. Canada as he nearly did. Now, people are wondering if Crosby can win the big game. The whole narrative around Sid is completely different.

Bultman: Sidney Crosby gets a “can he win the big one?” narrative for sure. I don’t know how much the Red Wings actually gain winning another one, but Crosby and the Penguins definitely had a TON to lose.

Custance: The Chris Osgood legacy changes the most to me. He probably wins the Conn Smythe if Detroit wins. He had a .930 save percentage in this postseason and it would have been his FOURTH Cup.

Bultman: Yeah he’s probably in the Hall if they win this.

Gentille: First off, Crosby never deals with the concussions in the first place. That is the Butterfly Effect and it is lab-tested. On a more tangible level though, how about this: Marian Hossa never signs with the Blackhawks, which straight-up alters the decade.

Custance: Oh man. Penguins lose and don’t get the outdoor game vs. the Capitals?

Gentille: Ding.

First star

Bultman: It’s Fleury. He stole this one.

Custance: It’s Max Talbot. C’mon.

Gentille: It’s Max Talbot. I’m tempted to say Fleury here, because … wow, he was better than I remembered. I’m tempted to say Brad Stuart, because I’m mean. But for real, how do you not give it to Talbot? If he only scored once maybe you have second thoughts, but let’s not overthink this.

Bultman: I can go either way with those two, but my thinking is that even though two Game 7 goals is a huge feat, I really don’t know if that should have been enough to win this game. So to me, that means Fleury is the MVP.

Gentille: He just gave $100,000 to arena workers in Vegas, so yeah, fine. I change my vote.

Final thoughts

Gentille: Not a ton. Just the fact that watching this on pseudo-quarantine, seeing how young all those guys looked and thinking about how far we are from 2009 was really depressing. Thanks Craig!

Bultman: My thoughts are just that I really hope we get playoff hockey this year. This was so fun to watch, and even knowing the ending just so intense.

Gentille: Ah yeah, that too.

Custance: That was it for me. Made me miss the playoffs even more. So, sorry about that.

Bultman: Anyway, Pandemic (the board game) just showed up on my doorstep so if you guys need me…

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181286 Edmonton Oilers

Winnipeg will cancel plans to build an airport.

TYCHKOWSKI: Fearless predictions for McDavid, Drake and COVID-19

When the Toronto Raptors are released from self isolation, fans will weep openly at the YouTube video of an uncontrollable Drake jumping all over Robert Tychkowski the emerging players like a dog whose owner just returned from March 20, 2020 2:11 PM MDT Afghanistan.

You can’t predict the future. Due to an unfortunate internet rumour regarding a possible vaccine, eating Tide pods will make a strong comeback.

We miss the games and would do almost anything to get them back — even sit through those disgusting toenail fungus commercials if it means Quebec will demand some of ’s bail out money. getting to watch a hockey fight — but there is simply no way to determine Even though there are no playoffs, the Oilers will raise playoff ticket how long this lockdown is going to last. prices by 40 per cent.

But, if you have a gift for it, and not much else to do at the moment, you Americans will be lulled into a false sense of security, believing COVID- can easily forecast how people are going to react. 19 only attacks Canadians because they woke up one morning and “they were all gone.”

So here are some fearless predictions for our spring without scoreboards: Cyclists will blame the virus on motorists, but Mayor Don Iveson will The World Health Organization will ask Taylor Hall to sign with COVID- grudgingly admit the safest place in the city is a bike lane because there 19, because his teams never make it past the first week of April. is never anyone there.

Connor McDavid will complete his 14-day quarantine in five days, With nothing to bet on, a compulsive and confused gambler will lose a especially remarkable given there were two LA Kings grabbing on to him fortune betting on Odessa Permian to beat Dallas Carter in the Texas the whole time. State championship because he “liked the way Billy Bob Thornton had them playing.”

The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to convince everyone that this pause impacts them more than anyone else. The Calgary Flames will still lose in the first round.

Fans in Florida, still unaware that the NHL is paused, continue not going to Panthers games. Analytics zealots will wonder what all the fuss is about — everyone COVID-19 will social distance itself from Eugene Melnyk. knows you don’t need games to see who’s better. They will hand out the Spreadsheet Cup in June as originally planned. A member of the Brazilian soccer team will catch COVID-19 and recover fully. There will be heavy bruising, of course, from clutching his ankle and writhing on the ground for 14 straight days. Even with no hockey and everyone in isolation, the will The Houston Astros will be totally cool with not allowing fans into MLB somehow find a way to out-crisis the crisis. They will hit for the cycle in a ball parks for a while. scandal that involves swearing at an Uber driver who was cyber bullied after unwanted touching. As he balances withdrawal and public service, Sportsnet host Gene Principe will walk around town dressed as a hot dog, telling people who still haven’t social distanced that it’s better “Iso-LATE” than never. Desperate shoppers will try and tear off pieces of the hot dog. In an effort to provide a sports fix, Sylvester Stallone will pump out another Rocky movie in which he and Clint Eastwood fight for the last In addition to not buying Corona beer because it obviously contains the ventilator in the prison. Stallone is the heavy underdog because there is virus, 33 per cent of Americans will demand that radio stations stop no hitting below the belt and Eastwood has his pants pulled up to his playing The Knack’s 1979 hit “My Sharona,” because it sounds armpits. suspiciously close, and one of the guys in the band kind of looks Chinese. Also, Winona Rider will be put “on a very short leash.” The NBA will handle this better than the NHL.

CBC will show Augusta National as originally scheduled. Not The , just panoramic shots of the empty course. And, quite honestly, Oilers owner , who’s been practising it for years, will become most fans will be good with that. the provincial spokesperson for social distancing.

When asked any questions about the impact of COVID-19, a terse New If Tom Brady sends out one $%!%& tweet about soldiering through 14 England Patriots coach Bill Belichick will only respond “We’re looking days of self isolation in a mansion with Gisele Bundchen, I will show up ahead to COVID-20.” his front door with a sanitized pitch fork.

There will be zombies walking the streets in search of brains and Japan Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.21.2020 will announce that things are still looking pretty good for the 2020 Olympics.

Amid accusations of hoarding, NHL Player Safety head George Parros will suspend Evander Kane, Zack Kassian and Tom Wilson for six games each. 1181287 Edmonton Oilers Esa Tikkanen – No. 10

The case for

Which former Oiler has the best argument to have his jersey number Tikkanen was such a wonderful agitator that some 30 years after the fact retired? it can be tempting to pigeonhole him as merely that. However, that would shortchange the skilled forward who excelled at both the offensive and defensive ends of the rink.

Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Jonathan Willis An Oiler for four of Edmonton’s five cup wins, Tikkanen’s best seasons Mar 20, 2020 came in Alberta. He scored 30 goals and topped 70 points three times. All four seasons in which he got All-Star votes were as an Oiler.

Yet it was his defensive game that really set Tikkanen apart on the The Oilers’ bar for retiring jersey numbers has always been sky high. famously offence-oriented Oilers. At the heart of his career, back-to-back 30-goal seasons in the late 1980s, he scored as many goals while killing Save for defenceman Al Hamilton, an original Oiler from the WHA days penalties (12) as he did as a secondary contributor to Edmonton’s potent who was forced to retire after 31 NHL games because of an eye injury, power play. Moreover, he was a Selke finalist on three occasions as an all numbers in the rafters of belong to members of the Oiler, coming closest to winning in 1991 when he was edged out by . veteran Blackhawk Dirk Graham. In addition to Hamilton’s No. 3, Paul Coffey (7), Glenn Anderson (9), Add in an elevated game in the postseason, where he scored 51 times in (11), Jari Kurri (17), Grant Fuhr (31) and 114 contests as an Oiler, and you have one of the most remarkable (99) make up the seven hallowed honourees. Removing their digits from players in team history. circulation has led to some tougher sweater number choices for the current crop of Oilers. The case against

But what if the bar was lowered just a smidge? Sure, seven is a Tikkanen is sixth in career points among Oilers from the 1980s and early reasonable total of retired numbers for team closing in on 41 years of 1990s, trailing Gretzky, Kurri, Messier, Anderson and Coffey. Defensive NHL history and nearing a half-century when dating to the Alberta Oilers. prowess aside, does someone with his stats – 436 points in 522 games, But there could always be more. in an era when scoring was in abundance – really deserve to have his number retired? If the Oilers decide to retire another jersey or to begin honouring individual players as other teams around the NHL do, they would start by Tikkanen’s resume is certainly respectable. Being a three-time Selke considering this list of eight candidates. With each player, one writer will finalist with the Oilers was especially important when a few of his presents the case for, while the other argues the case against. teammates were such massive offensive stars. But the fact is he was never among the league’s truly elite players – and you can only retire so Kevin Lowe – No. 4 many numbers from one era. The case for Since Gretzky, Kurri, Messier and Anderson are the forwards who Lowe’s name generally comes up first in this discussion. already have their numbers retired, Tikkanen is out of luck. He’d be one of the first players to be honoured in a Hall of Very Good or a Hall of The reliable defenceman played 1,037 games for the franchise, more Agitation. Unfortunately, that’s not what we’re talking about here. than any other player. Only one blueliner, Coffey, has more points. Jason Smith – No. 21 Lowe was a member of all five Stanley Cup teams, serving as an alternate captain for the last three. It was Lowe who succeeded Messier The case for as captain for the 1991-92 season before joining his former teammate in Quick trivia question: Which two Oilers have captained the team for the New York. (Lowe eventually returned to Edmonton to close out his most NHL seasons (five)? career.) Gretzky is the obvious first correct answer. The second one is Smith, The case for Lowe’s number to be retired, simply on merit, is a strong who likely would have surpassed The Great One with six seasons one. Still, there’s perhaps a greater indicator at play. wearing the ‘C’ had the 2004-05 campaign not been cancelled. Lowe wore a common, low digit number, popularized by some of the No one is going to confuse Smith for an offensive star. Instead, he was game’s greats like , Jean Beliveau and Red Kelly. Players the type of player who laid it all on the line for his team. Although hits should be fighting over the chance to get it next. That hasn’t been the have only been a recorded stat since 1997-98, Smith’s 1,291 leads the case, presumably out of respect for Lowe. franchise. The only other Oilers to don a No. 4 sweater are 2010 first pick Taylor The Oilers have had so many lean years dating back to their last Stanley Hall and current blueliner Kris Russell, who switched from No. 2 after Hall Cup in 1990. So much of that history isn’t worth celebrating. One of the was traded. few bright spots was the team’s 2006 playoff run to Game 7 of the final. The case against Smith may not have led the Oilers to their sixth title, but he became only Most teams certainly would already have memorialized Lowe. Play more the fourth player after Lee Fogolin, Gretzky and Messier to captain the than 1,000 games for one team and play them well and that outcome is team to a Campbell Bowl as conference champions. That shouldn’t go nearly inevitable. unnoticed.

The argument against him, the argument that allowed first Hall and then The case against Russell to take the No. 4 for themselves, basically comes down to him It’s interesting to contrast Smith with Tom Poti, his teammate for three full not making the Hall of Fame. He was a model of consistency in seasons. Smith’s blood-and-guts style made him beloved while Poti’s Edmonton, getting year-end All-Star votes in 10 of 11 seasons between positional approach to defending and frequent handling of the puck drove 1981 and 1992, but he never finished higher than fifth when the final fans mad. Yet in all three of those years, Poti averaged more minutes per totals were revealed. game than Smith, with both taking a backseat to Janne Niinimaa, and On most teams that wouldn’t matter, but most teams didn’t have a run of occasionally to others (Roman Hamrlik, Igor Ulanov and Eric Brewer). five Stanley Cups in seven seasons. Lowe has always been eclipsed by Smith was the No. 4 defenceman for most of the Edmonton teams for his flashier peers. which he played. In his greatest moment, the 2006 playoffs, he narrowly The other obstacle which long stood in his way was his polarizing role as stepped ahead of Steve Staios — whose Oilers career is a rather good first coach, then GM, then president of the team. The optics of retiring his match for Smith’s in terms of performance, role and duration — into the number while he ran hockey operations would have been difficult, and No. 3 slot on the blue line. afterward with the team mired in a long-running rebuild didn’t make it any In terms of toughness and time as captain, Smith is an all-time Oiler, but easier. by on-ice role, he was always more character actor than leading man. Charlie Huddy – No. 22 Between 1993 and 2001, Weight’s eight full seasons as a member of the Oilers, he played 575 games and scored 569 points. That ranks him 17th The case for among NHL forwards over those eight years.

Once – or if – Lowe gets his day in the sun, Huddy shouldn’t be too far Of the 16 players ahead of Weight, 14 are already in the Hall of Fame behind. There isn’t a ton separating the two players. and a 15th (Jaromir Jagr) is guaranteed entry. Six of the 10 players Lowe played 344 more games than Huddy for the Oilers. However, immediately behind him have been inducted, too. Huddy scored seven more goals and only trails Lowe by just 15 points on Not only were most of his 1,033 career points scored with Edmonton but the franchise list. He’s third in scoring by a defenceman. in his prime, Weight did something that no other post-dynasty Oilers Like Lowe, Huddy is one of seven players to win five Stanley Cups with would do until Connor McDavid managed it: he scored 100 points. His the Oilers. Four of them – Coffey, Anderson, Messier and Fuhr – have 104-point campaign in 1995-96 was the most of any Oilers since Mark already had their numbers retired. (The last player is depth defenceman Messier in 1989-90 and the most until McDavid hit 108 in 2017-18. .) Not recognizing the important contributions of Lowe and If any player is going to be remembered from the quarter-century Huddy could be viewed as an oversight. between the dynasty Oilers and the McDavid Oilers, Weight has a good It was Huddy who had 20 points in 18 playoff games in 1985 as the case as the one. Oilers won their second consecutive title. That work was overshadowed The case against by some signature performances by the team’s Hall of Famers, but perhaps it shouldn’t be. Close your eyes and think of Weight. What jersey is he wearing?

The case against OK, maybe this isn’t the best exercise considering this is an audience of (presumably) Oilers fans. Sure, Weight played most of his time in Comparisons are inevitable in this sort of exercise, and in Huddy’s case, Edmonton, where he appeared in 588 contests, but that doesn’t even Lowe looms large. Despite Huddy’s apparent statistical superiority he account for half of his 1,238-game career. mostly wasn’t viewed as the better player by awards voters, who preferred Lowe in end-of-year All-Star and Norris polling. Weight was an Oilers star, no doubt. He led the team’s point list in seven of his eight full seasons. If Lowe has the edge in peak performance, it’s not even really necessary to get into longevity. Lowe played 1,037 games for Edmonton, while However, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think of him as a St. Louis Blue. Huddy played just 694. By both measures, he ranks a distant second. He was an effective offensive player with the Blues for 364 games after leaving Edmonton. The best argument in his favour essentially boils down to a desire to commemorate all of the important players on the 1980s dynasty teams, If championships matter to you, perhaps you’d even think of Weight as a but if that wasn’t a compelling argument over the first 30 years following Carolina Hurricane. He won his only Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in that last Cup win, it isn’t at all clear why it should be now. 2006 and had 16 points in 23 postseason games. And no one needs a reminder of which team Weight helped beat in the final. Bill Ranford – No. 30 Maybe that alone should disqualify him. The case for Ales Hemsky – No. 83 Just three players in the history of the Oilers have ever been named playoff MVP: Messier, Gretzky (twice) and Ranford. Ranford earned it The case for with a glorious run in the 1990 postseason, where his .912 save percentage matched Patrick Roy’s league-leading regular-season mark. There’s a doomed quality to Hemsky’s career, especially in hindsight. It was the high point of his Oilers’ career, and the timing of his arrival He was a brilliant talent on an underpowered team. The kind of player meant he really had very little chance to match predecessor Grant Fuhr’s who would have fit in beautifully as the second- or third-best forward on a impact. contending roster, Hemsky was instead asked to take the leading role on Yet Ranford’s name is all over Edmonton’s record books. He holds the a budget club. Outside of one glorious spring in 2006, his efforts were club’s all-time record for games played by a goalie with 449 – 26 more mostly spent in obscurity. than Fuhr. Between 1989 and 1995 he handled an incredible workload More than that, he never learned to let discretion be the better part of for the Oilers, leading the NHL in appearances with 361, most of them valour. Cursed with the combination of a 177-pound frame and a dogged behind a badly outmanned roster. determination to go to the highest-danger areas of the rink, his career In terms of both peak performance and long-term team impact, Ranford was repeatedly set back and finally undone by injury. When he missed holds one of the more significant places in Oilers team history. time he was deemed fragile; when he played through the pain his lack of production was criticized. The case against For six years between 2005 and 2011, Hemsky was a weapon, scoring There’s no denying Ranford has some of the best counting stats among 331 points in 360 games. The numbers don’t differ much from those in franchise history. posted by a young Patrick Kane or an old Patrik Elias over the same span, but unlike those two, Hemsky wasn’t able to maintain or build on No Oilers netminder has appeared in more games or played more that production. In his prime, though, he was a special player for the minutes. He’s tied for fifth with eight shutouts and his days in Edmonton Oilers and one who never got the recognition he deserved elsewhere. were mostly spent during a higher-scoring era. The 1990 Conn Smythe is a nice feather in his cap, too. The case against

Ranford, however, is a victim of largely playing after the Oilers’ glory OK, let’s give Hemsky a little credit here. He led or co-led the Oilers in days and his case suffers as a result. scoring in four seasons, doing so from 2006 to 2009. Only two players – Gretzky and Weight – can say they’ve done so more times. Ranford played 26 more games than Fuhr but has 59 fewer wins than the Hall of Famer. His of .403 is the second-lowest in The totals, however, were modest as Hemsky never hit the 80-point franchise history behind only Ron Tugnutt (minimum 25 decisions). threshold. Aside from the 2006 Cup run, he also played on some lousy teams that are mostly worth forgetting. Although he generally was one of There’s no question the Oilers faded from powerhouse to near obscurity the best of a sorry lot, there are others from the era who’d deserve following a run to the 1992 Campbell Conference final. Ranford shouldn’t recognition before him. bear much of those failings. When he was on his game, Hemsky’s offensive skill was sublime. He But all those losses hurt his place in the pantheon of the franchise greats. was a deft stickhandler and elite passer. He was also someone who’d Doug Weight – No. 39 routinely leave you wanting more. It didn’t help that his practice habits were renowned in Edmonton for being substandard, however much he The case for gutted it out in the actual games. Doesn’t exactly sound like the type of player you’d want to immortalize, does it?

Ryan Smyth – No. 94

The case for

The image of Smyth crying at the airport and vowing he’d bring a Stanley Cup back to Edmonton after a trade to the Islanders isn’t quite at Gretzky’s farewell press conference level. It’s up there though.

Smyth was Mr. Oiler for years and played 971 of his 1,270 NHL games in Edmonton. Only Lowe has suited up in more games for the franchise.

Smyth ranks fifth in goals (296) and sixth in points (631). Those totals don’t leap off the page, but he wasn’t blessed to play in the high-flying ’80s nor was he a member of those calibre of teams.

He never had the smoothest or fastest skating stride nor the hardest shot but made his mark in the corners and in front of the net. The evidence: Smith is tied for first with Anderson with 126 power-play goals, one ahead of Gretzky.

There’s no question Smyth is a franchise great. Besides, his number isn’t being offered anyway, according to former Oiler Joel Persson. Why not just send it to the rafters then?

The case against

At the risk of being the heartless monster who argues against one of the most beloved players in recent Oilers history, it’s fair to ask whether Smyth’s offensive performance clears the bar for immortalization.

Smyth’s first full season in Edmonton was 1996-97, and the last full year of his first stint with the team was 2005-06. Over those nine seasons, representing the heart of his career, he scored 485 points in 666 games. That ranks him 39th on the NHL scoring list over that span, just behind Jozef Stumpel, Glen Murray and Todd Bertuzzi.

At his very best, Smyth never finished higher than sixth in the end-of-year All-Star voting at left wing. He was never a serious contender for any year-end award. He tends to be more recognized in Canada thanks to his impressive international career, in which he was generally available to the national team both thanks to a willing spirit and a lack of playoff success.

It’s probable that none of those quibbles will matter if Edmonton ever relaxes the Hall of Fame standard for canonization. Smyth, like Weight and Lowe, is at the upper end of any list of most important Oilers whose jerseys are not yet retired.

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A part-time employee at the BB&T Center has tested positive for COVID- 19

JORDAN MCPHERSON

MARCH 20, 2020 03:11 PM

A part-time employee at the BB&T Center, which hosts concerts and Florida Panthers home games, tested positive for COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus. The employee’s most recent shift at the Sunrise arena was March 8, a MercyMe concert.

The announcement came Friday afternoon by the Panthers, who said in a release they were notified of the employee’s positive test by the Florida Department of Health. The employee is self-quarantined and is receiving medical care.

The Panthers, according to the release, reached out to all staff who may have come in close contact with the employee during their shift and told those staff members to observe all precautions and report any existing symptoms to the Broward Department of Health.

A Panthers spokesman said Friday the employee did not work the team’s game on March 7 against the Montreal Canadiens but had no additional information. The March 7 game completed a five-game homestand for the Panthers that also had games on Feb. 27, Feb. 29, March 1 and March 5.

“The health and well-being of BB&T Center staff, employees, fans, touring event personnel and our team is of the upmost importance to the organization,” the release said. “We continue to direct our staff to work remotely and observe all recommended precautions.”

As of the 11 a.m. Friday update from the Florida Department of Health, Broward County leads the state with 124 confirmed positive cases.

The Panthers have not played a game since March 12, when the National Hockey League put its season “on pause” due to the continued spread of the novel coronavirus. The league is tentatively targeting a mid-May return.

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BB&T Center employee tests positive for coronavirus after working March 8 concert date

WELLS DUSENBURY

MAR 20, 2020 | 3:09 PM

A part-time employee of the BB&T Center has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the Florida Panthers said in a statement on Friday.

The Sunrise arena across from Sawgrass Mills is Broward County’s biggest concert venue and home of NHL’s Florida Panthers.

The Florida Department of Health informed the team that an employee tested positive on March 15. The employee, who is self-quarantined and receiving medical care, last worked at the BB&T Center on March 8. The arena hosted a MercyMe concert on that date.

No information was given on what other dates the employee worked at the BB&T Center. The previous night, the Panthers hosted the Montreal Canadiens as the team retired the jersey of former goalie .

The Panthers say they’ve reached out to all staff who may have come in contact with the employee during their shift. Those employees have been asked to observe precautions and report any symptoms to the Broward Department of Health.

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Canadiens sign forward Alex Belzile to two-way contract

He was limited to 20 games this season with because of injuries, posting 7-7-14 totals.

STU COWAN

March 20, 2020

The Canadiens announced Friday that forward Alex Belzile has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the club for the 2020-21 season.

The 28-year-old Quebecer posted 7-7-14 totals in 20 games this season with the AHL’s Laval Rocket, missing 42 games because of injuries. He has never played a game in the NHL.

The contract will pay Belzile $225,000 in the AHL and $700,000 in the NHL.

“Since joining our organization, Alex has continued to impress us with his determination and work ethic,” Canadiens general manager said in a statement. “He’s a role model for the younger players we have developing in Laval. His on-ice skill-set combined with his leadership qualities will help him battle for a roster spot at training camp next season.”

Said Belzile: “It was important for me to take this opportunity that will allow me to pursue my career in the organization I grew up cheering for. Even as a 28-year-old, I still feel like I keep growing and improving as a hockey player. I hope to continue to help the Canadiens and the Rocket.”

Belzile has played 239 career games in the AHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs, and the Rocket, posting 54-78-132 totals.

The AHL announced on Monday that the indefinite suspension of play this season will not be lifted before May because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181291 Montreal Canadiens good odds Belzile would have made his NHL debut this season, which would have been quite a moment for a player that was once made a healthy scratch in the ECHL.

Alex Belzile’s impact in the Canadiens’ organization goes well beyond But regardless of his misfortunes this year, there’s very little downside to scoring keeping a player like Belzile in your ranks, and more than enough upside to justify a contract extension. Ideally, you can find a player that combines both leadership and excellent on-ice results. Marc Dumont If the path to NHL relevancy runs through the AHL, and for the Mar 20, 2020 Canadiens it almost assuredly does, players like Belzile will go a long way in not only teaching prospects how to score like a pro, but how to

behave like a pro. If there’s one thing abundantly clear in the AHL, it’s having the right That’s why the Canadiens wasted no time re-signing one of their most veterans in place makes a world of difference. The same can be said for valuable veterans. His impact goes well beyond what you see on the ice. the NHL, but in the AHL, attitudes can make or break a team, regardless of the talent in the lineup. The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 It’s one of those intangible differences that’s easily dismissed, overlooked, or even over-analyzed, but in 2019-20, the Laval Rocket locker room was the perfect case study for establishing the difference between good leaders and hired guns.

Which explains why the Canadiens decided to re-sign one of their key veterans on Friday afternoon.

And make no mistake, Alex Belzile isn’t just a key veteran from an AHL standpoint, he’s also a key veteran in the organization, full stop.

Even though his season ended in early December, Belzile was offered a one-year, two-way contract. At $700,000, his NHL salary remains the same as the previous contract, but he received a pay raise when playing in the AHL, going from $175,000 per season up to $225,000, guaranteeing him a healthy paycheque relative to most minor-league salaries.

Simply put, Belzile represents the type of veteran the Canadiens, and Rocket head coach Joël Bouchard, in particular, want to see surrounding the prospects that will continue to arrive in Laval by the truckload as the organization continues to stockpile draft picks.

While certain veterans provided a significant drag on the Rocket’s forward momentum this season, others insulated the young forwards when necessary, but also acquiesced to the realities of a developmental league, which dictate that certain prospects will receive more ice time, regardless of whether they earn it.

Belzile was definitely part of the latter group; leading the charge at times, but also taking a backseat and providing off-ice guidance to others. He kept an eye on the NHL, all the while conscientious that his primary role was acting like a lieutenant for his coach in Laval.

“That’s just how hockey works,” said Belzile. “It’s a business, and I think we’re all adults here, so I’m not going to complain if someone gets called up before I do, even if I am scoring more. I’m happy for them when that happens. I just want to help them be consistent, even when things aren’t going to so well in the offensive zone, we can work on defensive play. It’s all part of the job.”

We often hear that type of dialogue emerging from hockey locker rooms, but Belzile didn’t just talk about it — he served as an example.

“We have a lot of guys that are very young,” said Bouchard on Dec.4, “Getting players like Alex (Belzile) and Xavier (Ouellet) back is key.”

Belzile scored on Dec.4, which marked his return to play following an injury in late November, but it would be the last time he donned the Rocket jersey that season, after a Nathan Gerbe bodycheck knocked him out of the game, and consequently the season, after undergoing pectoral surgery.

“That’s one of the things with the AHL that people don’t understand,” said Bouchard that same day. “They have no idea about the factors involved in coaching at this level. They just see the scores and judge it positively or negatively. But when you lose key players like Alex, things become a lot more difficult.”

The Rocket would go on to lose six of their next eight games, which only highlighted Belzile’s importance on the ice, an aspect of his game that should not be overlooked. Since joining the Rocket, Belzile has scored 26 goals and 42 assists in 94 games, leading them in scoring his inaugural season with the club, which also led to an invitation to the 2018-19 All-Star Game. Not to mention, if Belzile hadn’t mirrored the Canadiens’ organization-wide bad luck in the injury department, there are 1181292 Montreal Canadiens Gretzky Cup in addition to the small sample from this season will be enough. But that complicates what is already a complicated projection.

So what can a team like the Canadiens do to maximize the sheer number How the NHL stoppage could impact the Canadiens’ draft preparation of picks they have in this year’s draft?

Like other teams, one would have to imagine they will turn to video to Marc Antoine Godin validate the impressions they already have based on their live viewings. Timmins and Churla normally watch nearly as many games on video as Mar 20, 2020 they watch live, but the proportion risks changing this year.

Furthermore, NHL teams receive a flood of statistical analysis on draft eligible players. It is a field that has increased in importance every year, What was considered to be one of the most important drafts in recent and the teams that have fallen behind in this area may pay the price this years for the Montreal Canadiens has taken an unexpected turn over the year more than other years. It is difficult to say to what extent the past week, one draped in uncertainty as to how the NHL will even hold it. Canadiens rely on this in their preparation for the draft, but considering There is, of course, the event itself, which the Canadiens are slated to their position, it would be unforgivable to have fallen behind the pack. host and which, in its regular form at least, is in peril. But there is also the Teams can still collect information by calling the coaches and trainers of strategic impact of having 14 picks in this draft, picks that would provide the prospects that interest them, work that is normally done face-to-face, the Canadiens with the opportunity of adding to an already overflowing but which can be just as efficient remotely. pool of prospects, but a pool that might be lacking one or two guaranteed talents. In the medium term, the NHL will have to determine what will happen with the scouting combine originally scheduled for the first week of June The halting of hockey around the world has forced the Canadiens’ in Buffalo. This is the other major piece of the puzzle that teams could be scouting staff to change the way they normally operate in the months lacking. leading up to the draft. If the combine is cancelled, what alternatives would be available to teams At this point in the schedule, Trevor Timmins and his staff have already to gather the information they would normally get at that event? held their mid-season meetings, they have already held at least one mock draft to evaluate where they see each prospect going and which In terms of the physical testing, one possible avenue would be to have round they could target the ones they covet. team representatives visit the prospects they are most interested in where they reside or play. That would give an advantage to teams with “The players dictate my travel,” Canadiens amateur scouting director the resources to accommodate the extra travel. But if the prospects were Shane Churla told us last year. “When we come out of those mid-term being asked to repeat the same tests repeatedly for multiple teams, the meetings, that’s my road map right there. I’ve got to see all those top results would obviously be impacted. players. Wherever they’re at, that’s where I got to go.” Could a league representative be sent to visit the prospects instead? Right now, there is nowhere to go. That wouldn’t be of much use if the specialists of each team couldn’t Over a normal second half of the season, Churla and Timmins would be observe the testing in person. updating their personal rankings of prospects on a daily basis. These lists Another option would be for some of the player agents to hold their own still exist, but they are not going to fluctuate nearly as much as normal combines for their clients. One of them from one of the bigger agencies because some determining factors will be missing this year. told us this was not something they were considering just yet. This agent The biggest factor every scouting department in the NHL will be missing felt physical testing simply wouldn’t happen prior to the draft this year. this year is the U-18 World Championships, which will not be held. Every The other, more important, part of the combine is the interviews, which year this tournament includes players who have been playing at the U-20 are more easily solved remotely. level all season and who managed to make their national world junior teams. But those players have now lost the opportunity to be judged Last year, the Canadiens began giving draft prospects personality tests against their peers at the U-18 worlds. This season that includes, among to fill out online over the course of the season. If certain personality traits others, top Swedish prospects Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz. – such as a lack of confidence in certain situations – came to light in the test, the Canadiens would seek to explore that during the interview. “I’ve likened the (U18) world championships to final exams,” Vegas Based on what we’ve been able to ascertain, the Canadiens have Golden Knights general manager Brad McCrimmon recently told The already collected all the results of their questionnaire and Dr. David Athletic’s Craig Custance. “They’re maybe worth 30 percent of your final Scott, their sports psychology consultant, shared his thoughts on the grade, they’re not worth your entire grade.” results at the midseason scouting meetings. The U18 worlds were slated to be held this year in Plymouth, Mich., This year, the final interviews could be held by teleconferencing. which means they surely would have been attended by more NHL GM’s than usual to get a snapshot of the players they are targeting. Lacking There are always changes made to a team’s draft list between March this tournament, Timmins and his team will probably have to prepare and the end of June, but no team completely flips it based solely on late- video packages for Marc Bergevin on the prospects they are most season performance. Having said that, lacking the “final exam” of the interested in – particularly those they are considering for their first-round U18 worlds and perhaps without CHL playoffs or the combine, there will pick – so he can form his opinion on the field. be information lacking. Might that lead the Canadiens to approach the draft with a different strategy? We can’t exclude the possibility right now that the will also be cancelled, but that would have less of an impact on the scouting Marc Bergevin has never hidden his disdain for bundling draft picks in community than the playoffs being cancelled in the Canadian junior order to move up in the first round. He generally prefers moving down to leagues. Memorial Cup teams are generally older, whereas the draft- collect more picks. But what if the particular circumstances of this season eligible players are more prevalent in the WHL, OHL and QMJHL playoffs could lead to more doubt on certain prospects? Would that lead the and can show scouts their ability to elevate their game when it matters Canadiens to reverse course and prioritize quality over quantity in order most. to get their hands on prospects they are more sure about? With 14 picks, they certainly have the ammunition to do something like that. The way things are going, this is another source of information that scouting departments around the league will be lacking when it comes On top of that, there are so many prospects in the Canadiens’ system time to make their final list. that they’re nearing a saturation point. They will soon be forced to make difficult decisions on who to offer an entry-level contract and who to cut Finally, the early suspension of the season means prospects who have loose. dealt with injuries – for example, Hendrix Lapierre of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens – won’t have a chance to prove themselves in front of Obviously, the ultimate draft strategy will depend on how the draft unfolds scouts down the stretch. Those players will need to hope their and which players are available. But if there was a year where Bergevin performance from last season and at high-profile events like the Hlinka- could switch his strategy and aim for quality over quantity, this would appear to be it. But if the information gathered to date and the video work proves Most years there are about 40 players who are 19 drafted by NHL teams, insufficient for the Canadiens when looking at players in their first year of but it would be fair to expect that number to rise this year. draft eligibility, maybe they will turn to older players. It is an avenue Timmins has often used over the last 10 years, particularly last year. But all of this is purely hypothetical given the uncertainty surrounding this draft. Decisions made beforehand will impact the draft order, and the Players older than 18 drafted dates of the draft lottery (April 9) and the draft itself (June 26 and 27) are likely to be changed. Arsen Khisamutdinov The only certainties scouting staffs can currently count upon is what LW they’ve already seen. And that will be counted upon more than ever.

2019 The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 21

6th

Rafael Harvey-Pinard

LW

2019

20

7th

Mattias Norlinder

DEF

2019

19

3rd

Lukas Vejdemo

C/LW

2015

19

3rd

Hayden Hawkey

G

2014

19

6th

Sven Andrighetto

LW

2013

20

3rd

Connor Crisp

LW

2013

19

3rd

Magnus Nygren

DEF

2011

21

4th

The advantage of drafting an older player is that the scouting staff has more of a sample size to work with. His development curve is better defined and that extra year can make the difference, particularly if it’s a European prospect or one playing in U.S. college who, at age 19, will often benefit from playing a more significant role on their team. This could also help goalies and the proverbial late bloomers. 1181293 Nashville Predators

Bridgestone, Ford Ice employees to be paid for time missed because of coronavirus pandemic

Paul Skrbina

1:07 a.m. CT March 21, 2020

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a pandemic. Reported illnesses range from very mild to severe, including death. Agencies anticipate widespread transmission will occur in the U.S. in coming months and recommend social distancing among other measures to slow the spread. Call your doctor and stay home if you are sick. Get more information at CDC.gov/coronavirus or contact the Tennessee Department of Health coronavirus information line at 877-857-2945 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT daily.

Employees who missed scheduled shifts at Bridgestone Arena and both Ford Ice Centers as a result of the venues being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic will be paid for those shifts, a Predators spokesperson said Friday.

Those scheduled to work the Predators' remaining six scheduled home games this season also will be paid for those shifts, even though no games have been canceled yet as the NHL, along with all other sports, is on hold.

Players, executives and team employees also will be paid.

People scheduled to work events that have been rescheduled will have the first right to sign up for those shifts. Several concerts scheduled for this spring have been moved to the fall.

The Predators said they are working with some vendors, who employ some people who work at Bridgestone, to ensure those people also are paid.

Many NHL teams also have said they will pay arena employees during the hiatus. Approximately 1,100 people work various events at Bridgestone.

"They really are the heroes of what we do each and every day," Predators president and CEO Sean Henry said last week. "They are the pulse of what we are. We just think it's the right thing to do. We want to make sure we try to do the right thing for all of them."

Henry also said last week refunds will be issued for any events, including the Predators' remaining home games, if those events are canceled.

Tennessean LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181294 Nashville Predators

Predators sign Boston University forward Patrick Harper to entry-level contract

Mike Organ

3:21 p.m. CT March 20, 2020

The Predators signed former Boston University forward Patrick Harper to a two-year, entry-level contract on Friday.

As a senior this past season the 5-foot-7, 150 pound, New Canaan, Connecticut native recorded 14 goals and 37 points on the way to earning Hockey East third team all-star honors.

His 37 points matched his career high he posted as a freshman and his 14 goals were a personal collegiate best.

“Patrick is a dynamic player and with his size excels in the way today’s game is played,” Predators director of player development Scott Nichol said. “He’s a fun player to watch — he likes having the puck on his stick, he likes to make plays and wants to score goals every game. He fits in well on the power play and uses his biggest on-ice attribute — his hockey sense — to his advantage.”

Harper, who was originally selected by the Predators in the fifth round (138th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft, said he has learned to use his size, or lack thereof, to his advantage.

"For the last little bit here during my college career I have spent time watching the smaller players in the NHL and I tried to pick up on little things they do that makes them successful," Harper said. "The way that the NHL is trending there is definitely a lot of room for smaller guys who play with a head on their shoulders and use their IQ to their advantage and that's something I pride myself on, that I try to think a couple of steps ahead of the rest of the players."

Harper finished the season ranked tied for 14th among all NCAA skaters in points per game (1.16), tied for 18th in points and tied for 25th in assists (23).

He was determined to finish his college career on a positive note after suffering a setback due to an injury in his junior season.

"I wanted to go out on the right note and I just felt that I had areas I could improve on going back for my senior year," he said. "Not just trying to be an offensive leader, but doing other things like play away from the puck and having a good stick and playing hard in the hard areas. So yeah, there's definitely a sense of satisfaction going out the right way, doing things the right was and sticking to the process."

Harper was an alternate captain for the Terriers this past season and second on the team in points trailing fellow Predators prospect David Farrance (2017 third-round selection). Harper was third in assists and tied for third in goals.

He recorded a career-best 12 multi-point games this past season, six of which came during his career-long eight-game point streak to open the season.

Internationally, Harper represented the U.S at the World Junior Championship twice, winning gold in the 2017 tournament and taking home a bronze medal the following year.

Tennessean LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181295 Nashville Predators In terms of expected goals, the Predators have surrendered 2.58 per 60 minutes at five-on-five under Hynes compared to 2.23 under Laviolette.

Goaltending Coaches Corner: The Predators’ defense under versus Peter Laviolette All Situations

88.92 (29th)

Adam Vingan 91.53 (8th)

Mar 20, 2020 Five-on-Five

91.53 (T-18th)

The Predators’ 16-11-1 record since John Hynes replaced Peter 92.39 (11th) Laviolette as coach put them in playoff position before the coronavirus forced the NHL to pause the season. (Of course, there might not be a Shorthanded postseason, but on the bright side, the Predators’ playoff streak would 80.4 (31st) remain intact.) 89.23 (8th) In Hynes’ time with the Predators, the offense has struggled and special teams have only slightly improved, so it must be the defense that has led For NHL coaches, there is a correlation between job security and bad to their upturn, right? goaltending. Laviolette was not immune. Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros’ combined save percentage at all strengths when the Predators fired This is the final part of a three-part analysis of Hynes and Laviolette. Laviolette was third-worst in the league, undermining their teammates’ Limiting Scoring Chances/OZ Possession Against strong defensive play.

ES Attempts From Slot Against Since then, the goaltending has steadily returned to above-average levels. Saros, in particular, has been outstanding, starting 15 of the 20.5 (8th) Predators’ final 21 games before the league went on hiatus and effectively supplanting Rinne as the No. 1 goaltender. 23.2 (24th) Juuse Saros' Expected vs. Actual GA ES Shots On Net From Slot Against All Situations 11.8 (8th) -4.54 (59th) 14.0 (25th) 17.6 (2nd) ES% of Opposition Shot Attempts Blocked Five-On-Five 28.7 (11th) -2.52 (58th) 30.3 (4th) 11.5 (3rd) ES Attempts From Slot Off Cycle Against Shorthanded 6.6 (7th) -2.06 (61st) 8.3 (21st) 3.2 (6th) ES Attempts From Slot Off Rush Against Under Hynes, Saros has saved 17.6 goals above expectation in all 6.22 (18th) situations, second only to Vezina Trophy favorite Connor Hellebuyck. 6.17 (17th) Saros’ 11.5 goals saved above expectation at five-on-five are third behind Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy. ES Attempts From Slot Off Forecheck Against Pekka Rinne's Expected vs. Actual GA 2.63 (10th) All Situations 2.89 (18th) -11.9 (76th) ES Odd Man Rushes Against -2.58 (58th) 4.47 (30th) Five-On-Five 3.66 (19th) 3.79 (21st) ES Opposition OZ Possession Time 5:55 (24th) -1.18 (56th) 6:25 (27th) Shorthanded Hynes arrived in Nashville with a reputation as a good defensive coach, and one of his first moves was to change how the Predators defend in -12.1 (78th) their own zone. He implemented a zone scheme that prioritized -0.9 (52nd) protecting the slot, where a vast majority of goals are scored. Rinne trails Saros by a significant margin in those categories, but his “Structurally, it’s a whole different system,” defenseman Dan Hamhuis numbers have mostly rebounded, especially when the Predators have said Feb. 29. “I don’t know the stats, but it feels like our high-quality been shorthanded. When Laviolette was behind the bench, Rinne was by scoring chances against are down. Going from a man-on-man to a zone far the worst goaltender in the league on the penalty kill; Jonathan Quick, defense, you really protect that slot area, that prime scoring chance area. who was second-worst through Jan. 5, had allowed 6.02 more goals than I think it’s defense-by-committee as opposed to so many one-on-ones. I expected. think it’s worked quite well for us.” It might sound like an oversimplification to say that the Predators’ At the risk of disappointing Hamhuis, the Predators’ slot defense at even improved record under Hynes is purely because of goaltending. But strength has not been as stout as it was under Laviolette. The team has based on their numbers over the past two months, that appears to be the cut down on the number of odd-man rushes it has ceded since the case. coaching change, but it is also spending more time in the defensive zone. The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181296 New York Islanders transferring in his junior year from a nearby private school. The kind who influenced the entire team, including upperclassmen, to pitch in and clean up the field following practice.

Anders Lee’s Islanders leadership began many captaincies ago “Nobody complained, because Anders is doing it, so it must be the right thing,” Nelson said.

Mollie Walker After Lee was unanimously voted captain of the football team as a junior, he was named captain of the hockey team the same year as well. He March 21, 2020 | 2:16am wore the “C” for both teams throughout his last two years of high school and very well could’ve been captain of the school’s baseball team too,

but he elected not to play his senior year to focus on football and hockey. Anders Lee said he still had to pinch himself whenever he saw the Nelson and Curt Giles, who has been the hockey coach at Edina High captain’s “C” embroidered on his jersey in the Islanders’ locker room. since 1999, both say they knew Lee was captain material from the very It doesn’t matter he has donned that “C” on four different jerseys first moment they met him. throughout his entire athletic career, serving as captain in two different “Anders was very personable,” Giles told The Post. “He had a magnetic sports and at three different levels. For Lee, it’s humbling every time. personality. He was big, he was strong, he was athletic, but he had this Those who have coached or competed alongside him contend being a look to him that every student in the high school and every kid that he leader comes naturally to Lee. Nothing is ever forced, everything is played with was attracted to him as a person. always genuine and in the toughest of times, Lee has continuously been “He wasn’t just an athlete, obviously a good athlete, he was a really good the guy everyone in the room looks to. person. He wasn’t a jock who thought he was better than everybody else As the sports world came to a crashing halt when the coronavirus and kind of pushed people away, he was one of those guys that brought pandemic postponed or canceled every professional sports league and people in. His personality, as much as anything, was as impressive as event, including the 2019-20 NHL season, Lee is doing what he always his athletic ability.” has done: Acting as a leader. In a way, Lee was the captain of Edina High. It was his welcoming In his second season as captain of the Islanders, who will have to fight demeanor that allowed him to easily connect with everyone he came in tooth-and-nail for playoff position should the NHL season resume, Lee contact with. He was approachable, but undoubtedly cared about was asked to lead in a way in which he never has before. As several whatever others had to say. To this day, Nelson’s wife, Shelly, says Lee prominent athletes around the country began to record encouraging was one of the first teenage football players to genuinely ask her about messages to fans in these trying times, the Islanders knew Lee would be herself. the one with all the right things to say. Notre Dame hockey coach Jeff Jackson recognized that maturity while Our captain @leeberr09 has a message for all the #Isles kids out there recruiting Lee during his senior year in high school. Jackson, who and hopes everyone is staying safe and healthy! coincidentally served as assistant coach for the Islanders in the 2003-04 pic.twitter.com/rVBdZrSD90 season, was enticed by Lee’s dual-captain reputation and trusted his recruiting coordinator and assistant coach Andy Slaggert to find a player — New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 19, 2020 with “the right fit.”

“Hey Islanders fans, I know there are a lot of kids out there that have had Lee’s leadership carried over to the collegiate level while playing for the their school years or youth sports put on hold and I know it might sound a Fighting Irish. Jackson was prepared to name him captain after his little bit confusing, but your teachers, your parents, your coaches, they all freshman season, something the 34-year hockey coach said he had want what’s best for you,” Lee said in a homemade video posted to the never done in his entire career. Lee, however, said he was concerned for Islanders’ official Twitter account on Thursday. “That’s your health and his teammates when Jackson approached him with the opportunity to be their health. I know this is a little bit of a tough time, probably stuck at captain. home but maybe go outside, go in the backyard, kick the ball around. Grab your brother or sister to play some catch or even shoot some pucks “He was so respectful of the upperclassman that he didn’t think that it in the driveway. was time yet,” Jackson said. “He was being respectful to the juniors and seniors that were coming back. I give him a lot of credit for that, because “Most importantly, stay healthy, stay safe. Keep washing your hands, I most kids wouldn’t have the maturity to be able to make that kind of a know that’s what we’re doing here. So, next time we’re ready to go when decision.” it’s time to get back on the ice. All the best, take care, stay healthy and go Isles.” Lee chose to serve as alternate captain his sophomore year before assuming the role of captain the following season, his last before making Sure, there may be higher stakes and more pressure involved in being a the jump to the NHL. spokesperson for the Islanders in the middle of a national pandemic than there was when he was a three-sport student athlete at Edina (Minn.) More than anything, Lee has always lived up to the cliché of “leading by High School or as a collegiate hockey player at Notre Dame. example.”

Lee is uniquely equipped to handle a captain’s responsibilities during this “You’re just in a position that people look toward you,” Lee told The Post. unprecedented time. He understands how much youth sports can shape “They look at you, they either look up to you or look to you in times of a person and what having them taken away must feel like. need or whatever it is. I really like being either there for someone or trying to get the boys going or rallying and keeping the group close.” “We lost to a perennial rival of ours in the finals of the district playoffs and it was not a close game, we were undefeated and they were undefeated, Lee has maintained his role-model tendencies through every team he but they beat us 36-6 or something,” former Edina football coach Kim has been a part of. Lee was a prominent rallying voice in the locker room Nelson told The Post in a recent phone call. “Anders was really active in for the Islanders, who were one spot below the playoff line when the the huddle [after the game] talking to his teammates and telling them it season was paused. was going to be OK and thanking the seniors, just he handled it really “He’s an easy guy to follow, I think everyone on this team would consider well. him a close personal friend,” said Josh Bailey, who is the longest-tenured “After that big loss, being undefeated and having all these expectations Islander. “We’ve had our [team] talks, here and there, and he’s the guy at playoff time and then to lose — he did all the right things after that kind we all look at. We follow his lead and he does a good job of being even- of a loss. Instead of just thinking about himself and how bad it felt for him, keeled and positive even when things aren’t going well. he always seems to turn to his teammates and worry about them first.” “When someone is positive it’s a lot easier to follow them and you find a That was just the kind of kid Lee was, according to Nelson, who now way to get out these things quicker that way.” serves as football coach of Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, S.D. Islanders head coach has had many captains in his 22-year He was the kind of kid who would begin organizing drills at the start of NHL coaching career, including Jason Arnott, Shea Weber and Alex practice despite it being his very first day on the football team after Ovechkin. To Trotz, a good captain keeps the pulse of his team and serves as an extension of both the coaching staff and players.

Trotz believes Lee embodies all of that. If you ask Lee for his evaluation of the Islanders’ seven-straight losses just before the season was suspended, the ideals he has seemingly followed his entire athletic career shine through.

“As of late, we’ve been thinking a lot,” Lee said of the team. “That thinking has slowed us down. Our mistakes have turned into two chances and goals against. Sometimes, when things are going well, your mistakes don’t hurt you. We’ve been caught a little bit and it’s slowed us down, mentally and physically.

“We have to be able to let go of all the tough things that’s gone on and just go play. That’s not easy to do in the position that we’re in because it’s a results-type business. But the one thing you can do every night is show up and play as hard as you can and do what you can for your teammates. We do that as a team, we’re always successful.”

New York Post LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181297 New York Rangers

Rangers sign college forward Austin Rueschhoff

Colin Stephenson

March 20, 2020 5:41 PM

While the games are on pause, the NHL and the Rangers are still doing business.

On Friday, the Rangers announced they have signed undrafted college free agent forward Austin Rueschhoff to an entry level contract. The contract, which begins in the 2020-21 season, is reportedly two years, with an NHL value of $925,000 per year, according to CapFriendly.

Rueschhoff, 22, played three seasons at Western Michigan University.

A 6-7, 230-pound right-handed shooting right wing, he played 105 career games , scoring 35 goals, with 35 assists and 100 penalty minutes. In his final season, he played in 36 games, scoring 12 goals, with 14 assists, with 24 penalty minutes.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181298 As the Flyers near the end of the regular season and have their sights set on the playoffs, they are in good hands with Hart and Elliott. If/when they do make the postseason, I see them leaning on one goaltender, but until then, the tandem lives on. Debating biggest surprise so far of 2019-20 Flyers season, good or bad Hatcher

My biggest surprise is Matt Niskanen — stick with me on this one. By Brooke Destra, Katie Emmer, Taryn Hatcher, Jordan Hall March 20, 2020 1:15 PM These days Niskanen is the “Steady Eddie” of the team. He brings a veteran calmness and accountability to the dressing room. He has also been credited universally by the Flyers’ coaching staff as a key component to Ivan Provorov’s success with the two blueliners paired An inside look at how Flyers have built 2019-20 turnaround together this season. With perspective from the players and head coach, let's take an inside But, if we rewind to that faithful June day, when made a look at how the Flyers have built their 2019-20 turnaround. By Jordan one-for-one swap that sent Radko Gudas to the Capitals in exchange for Hall Niskanen (and retaining some of Gudas’ salary), the reaction that Going End to End today are NBC Sports Philadelphia's Brooke Destra, followed was a bit less than optimistic. Phrases like “lateral move” and Katie Emmer, Taryn Hatcher and Jordan Hall. “past his prime” came up quite bit.

The topic: Debating the biggest surprise so far of the Flyers' 2019-20 Well, the 33-year-old has certainly iced those hot takes. Not only has he season, good or bad. been important in the development of Provorov’s game, he’s also a critical member of the Flyers’ special teams and is currently a plus-15 Destra with eight goals and 25 assists, putting him on track for his best season since 2013-14 if/when the Flyers play out the rest of their schedule. I’m not going to lie, I expected this season to play out pretty much the way it had been leading up to last week until everything was put on Pretty good for a guy “past his prime.” pause — that, I had no way of predicting. Hall However, one of the biggest surprises of the season (and I mean this in the best way possible) was when the Flyers visited Washington for the The Flyers had a lot of faces in the picture for bottom-six jobs entering first time. The biggest topic of conversation was how the “Great Eight,” the 2019-20 season. Mr. Alex Ovechkin, was just two goals shy of 700 for his career. It’s a The names included Joel Farabee, Morgan Frost, German Rubtsov, huge accomplishment that he eventually reached a few games later, but Carsen Twarynski, Connor Bunnaman, Chris Stewart, Mikhail Vorobyev, this game? This game became all about . Andy Andreoff, Kurtis Gabriel and Isaac Ratcliffe. Not only did the Flyers go into the barn of the best team in the Metro and While Nicolas Aube-Kubel was definitely in the mix, not many pinned him blow it away, Giroux collected his 800th career point. It was a nice as a lead candidate to win a job during the stretch run of the season. change of pace to see Giroux getting the recognition he rightfully deserves. On Dec. 15, Aube-Kubel was summoned by the banged-up Flyers out of sheer necessity. Many players were called up before him. Since his Emmer recall, the 23-year-old winger has played in 36 of the Flyers' 37 games, While there have been many surprises with this team for a lot of positive solidifying his role with an energetic and opportunistic style. reasons, the goalies have stunned me the most. This season, he has put up seven goals and eight assists in 11:17 Who knew the tandem of Carter Hart and Brian Elliott would work out so minutes per game, even earning power play time. Last season, he went well? Of course there were high expectations on Hart to be the solid scoreless in his nine-game stint with the big club, playing only 5:35 hope for the Flyers this season. There also came expectations for Brian minutes per night. Elliott, who entered 2019-20 battling back from an injury-prone season “Last year, I didn’t really get a good chance to show what I could do," last year. Aube-Kubel said last month. "I’m glad this year … even in my first game, Both have exceeded expectations. I got put in a good situation with good players and it worked out for me.

Flyers fans won’t forget the goalie scene last year when the orange and "I know I have to give 100 percent. I can’t have a bad game. Even if I was black started a record-setting eight goaltenders. Fortunately, that’s not on the second line, third line, fourth line, that’s my mindset — can’t have the case this season. The Flyers now find themselves in a position in an off game.” which it’s sometimes questioned who would be in net at different points The 2014 second-round draft pick has helped himself ahead of restricted of the schedule — both are that reliable. free agency this offseason. The way this tandem has made the biggest impact is when it started a Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.21.2020 home/away trend, which really came to fruition in the second half of the season.

That trend, explained in the numbers:

• Hart at home — 20-3-2, 1.63 GAA, .943 save percentage

• Elliott on road — 12-5-2, 3.04 GAA, .896 save percentage

Another positive was how Elliott took over the reins during the time Hart was out two to three weeks in mid-January with a right lower abdominal strain. Those are the times you really rely on your No. 2 — Elliott took care of business, going 5-1-1 during that time with a .916 save percentage.

The duo has worked out so well in the times the Flyers needed it most. Hart will tell you he doesn’t mind the healthy competition, he likes how Elliott makes him better, in practice and in games. Elliott also is an NHL veteran who brings a sense of leadership to the Flyers.

Both have significant roles in many different ways and they both have been a bright spot for the orange and black. 1181299 Philadelphia Flyers

Take this quiz and we'll tell you which Travis Konecny insult you should use

By Christina Daly March 20, 2020 11:07 AM

Ah, Travis Konecny.

The captain of insults, the champion of chirps, the destroyer of Penguins.

Whatever you choose to call him, you can't deny that he may have the best chirps in all of hockey, maybe even the world. If you need proof, just take a look at last year's Stadium Series trash talk and basically any time he speaks.

So, in the event you come across a Penguins fan, a mortal enemy or even if your roommates have driven you insane working from home, this quiz will determine how you can properly roast those who have offended you.

In the event you're feeling inspired, feel free to yell insults at the television while we re-air the Flyers' Stadium Series OT win against the Penguins tonight at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181300 Philadelphia Flyers Not only did Ovechkin go scoreless, but Giroux picked up his 800th NHL point and the Flyers continued to put their name on the radar for the season.

Best Flyers games to rewatch from 2019-20 season now that NHL.tv is Game essentials can be found here. free Feb. 18, 2020 — Flyers vs. Blue Jackets

The game that started their season-best nine-game winning streak. This By Brooke Destra March 20, 2020 9:00 AM win put the Flyers in third place in the division and they haven’t looked back since.

Outside of their last win during this streak against the Sabres, this was Let’s be honest, going this long without hockey and it not being the probably their worst game of the stretch. That being said, they still found offseason has been … difficult. The season was winding down, the a way to win — and knowing eight more wins are to follow after this one playoff seeding would’ve begun to officially take shape and now that is at definitely makes for this to be a great starting point in a binge-watch. a halt. Game essentials can be found here. Luckily, the NHL realized just how frustrating this has been for fans and has decided to make NHL.tv free for the time being. So this way, you can To have access to all NHL games from the current season, all you have at least go back and stream every game from the season. to do is create an account for NHL.com and then go to NHL.com/stream to enjoy. While there are, of course, a ton of games to view across the whole league — here are the top Flyers games of the season with which you Let’s do that hockey … kind of. might want to kick off your binge-watch. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.21.2020 Oct. 9, 2019 — Flyers home opener against the Devils

There was a lot of talk by the end of the offseason saying the Devils won the offseason from drafting to free agency signings and, well, that turned out to be false.

Carter Hart kicked off his 2019-20 Wells Fargo Center dominance with his first career NHL shutout.

Game essentials can be found here.

Nov. 2, 2019 — Flyers vs. Maple Leafs

After 65 minutes of hockey, we were able to witness a battle of the goaltenders that should probably go down as a top-five goalie moment of the season throughout the league.

Flyers fans were able to witness 11 rounds of a shootout and while this game resulted in a loss, boy was it a fun and thrilling game to watch. All with Brian Elliott in net for Philadelphia. It was an exciting game to root for Elliott, showcasing he still has it.

Game essentials can be found here.

Nov. 29, 2019 — Flyers vs. Red Wings

This was one of those games in which the Flyers needed to show off their talent against a poor club. The Red Wings were in a rut, the Flyers were on the verge of a three-game win streak — on paper, this is a game you want to see a blowout. Luckily, that’s just what the Flyers did.

Six different Flyers made their way on the scoreboard, with 12 different players registering at least one point. What’s difficult is trying to decide which is crazier — the fact six different players scored a goal and 12 registered at least a point … or the fact Claude Giroux didn’t have any of them.

Game essentials can be found here.

Jan. 21, 2020 — Flyers vs. Penguins

Who doesn’t love a quality win over a division rival? And what’s better than shutting out the Penguins? Not only did Elliott stop all 19 shots he faced, this was one of the better defensive performances from the blue line all season.

This was first time the Flyers shut out the Penguins since March 15, 2017, and this win added a ton of momentum heading into the All-Star break.

Game essentials can be found here.

Feb. 8, 2020 — Flyers at Capitals

This had "redemption game" written all over it. The Flyers just took a beating from the Devils in their previous game, losing, 5-0, and were now headed to the barn of the best team in the Metro. Not only that, but Washington captain Alex Ovechkin was on fire and inching closer to that 700-goal mark. 1181301 Pittsburgh Penguins Lee, 23, isn’t entirely new to the Penguins. He was a nonroster invitee to the team’s development camp last summer.

And, oh yeah. He has worked out in the offseason with a fellow Nova Penguins had a common appeal to Drew O’Connor, Cam Lee Scotian by the name of Sidney Crosby.

Ferguson hales from Fergusons Cove, across Halifax Harbour from Crosby’s town of Cole Harbour. SETH RORABAUGH | Friday, March 20, 2020 5:23 p.m. “He’s a hometown hero,” Lee said. “I skate with him in summers. I remember the first time, I was probably in high school. He’s an awesome guy. He did reach out to me after seeing I did sign with the Penguins. He Drew O’Connor was a long shot to get here. just said congratulations and said make sure you’re staying safe with (the Even he thought so. ongoing epidemic).”

At a modest 5-foot-9 — by his estimates — after graduation from high O’Connor and Lee are becoming professionals and joining the Penguins school, O’Connor’s prospects for playing Division I hockey were, like him, at an uncertain time. But one universal certainty is how they arrived here. small. The Penguins’ recent success with undrafted college free agents such as He thought he might have to settle for playing for a Division III school or forwards Conor Sheary and Zach Aston-Reese, or even college draftees even for a college’s club team. such as forward Bryan Rust and John Marino, was a major selling point.

But over the past three years, he grew to a stout 6-3, and today, he has “They’ve been good with college players and developing players,” Lee an NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. said. “That’s a big thing.

“I was pretty small until a little while I was a late bloomer for sure,” said “A big part of it, joining the Penguins, was the history with college free O’Connor, 21. “I did grow pretty late. I think its kind helped me. Growing agents and college players in general,” O’Connor said. “The success into my body has been helpful.” they’ve had with those players and how they’ve developed them, I think that was a main selling point for me for sure.” The Penguins signed O’Connor last week after the conclusion of his sophomore season at Dartmouth. Undrafted, O’Connor was the team’s Tribune Review LOADED: 03.21.2020 leading scorer with 33 points (21 goals, 12 assists). He also led the Big Green with 42 penalty minutes.

(Video courtesy Dartmouth University)

At 200 pounds, O’Connor, who signed a two-year entry-level contract which begins next season — whenever that might be — projects to be a power forward at the NHL level.

The native of Chatham, N.J., underwent a fairly rapid development in his two seasons at Dartmouth as well as one season with the Boston Junior Bruins of the National Collegiate Development Conference.

“My plan, what I always wanted to do, was obviously to play (Division I) hockey,” O’Connor said in a conference call with media Friday. “There was probably a certain point like around end of high school or the first year of playing out of high school, it didn’t seem like that opportunity was available. I just picked up where I can. I was able to get that opportunity. Dartmouth was a great place for me to go. They helped me a lot with my development. I was very fortunate to go to Dartmouth and play at a high level.”

“Drew was the best player on the ice every game we played this season,” said former Penguins defenseman Ben Lovejoy, a volunteer coach at Dartmouth, his alma mater, this season. “He’s fast, big, skates very well and can finish. Excellent skating through the neutral zone with the puck.”

When O’Connor actually plays at the next level remains to be seen. With the NHL on an indefinite pause because of the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down so many walks of life around the globe, O’Connor, like any hockey player on earth, is in a bit of a holding pattern.

He was expected to sign an amateur tryout agreement with Wilkes- Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League to finish this season, but that league is also on hold.

“It’s kind of crazy because it was only like a week ago that I was planning on getting ready to go to Wilkes-Barre,” O’Connor said. “For now, I’m just trying to do some stuff at home to try to try and stay in shape and keeping up with stuff like that is all I can do for now.”

Also in limbo is Cam Lee, a slick 6-foot, 183-pound waterbug of an offensive defenseman the Penguins signed to a two-year entry-level contract that begins next season.

His senior season at Western Michigan was cut short because of the ongoing crisis.

“It (stunk) that my senior year to end like that,” said Lee, also undrafted. “But obviously it’s for a good reason. Everyone needs to be safe and do as we’re told. It was a big roller-coaster. My final year as a Bronco, it’s emotional and all. But taking this next step is huge. I’m excited to get started with it.” 1181302 Pittsburgh Penguins Lemieux could have settled for 15-20% of the money he was owed, then come out of retirement to make $25 million playing one season for Montreal or the New York Rangers. Those offers were there.

Mark Madden: Penguins legend Mario Lemieux was snubbed 31 years If Lemieux does that, he basically breaks even financially and is clear of ago, and it’s still hard to believe the situation while experiencing minimal fuss. If he plays two seasons, he’s way ahead.

But then there’s no hockey team in Pittsburgh. Lemieux loses his jersey. MARK MADDEN | Friday, March 20, 2020 1:28 p.m. Stanley Cups and scoring titles duly noted, that’s when Lemieux was most valuable. He’s got my vote, anyway.

Thirty-one years later, it still stings. Tribune Review LOADED: 03.21.2020 The man himself might not feel it. His fans do. I do.

Accolades came thick and fast during Mario Lemieux’s storied career. But to this day, the one that got away still angers.

In 1988-89, Lemieux had 85 goals and 199 points. He won the NHL scoring title by 31 points over runner-up Wayne Gretzky of Los Angeles. Those 31 points were all goals.

Lemieux scored five goals, five ways on New Year’s Eve vs. New Jersey: even-strength, short-handed, power-play, penalty shot, empty-net. In 2017, that was crowned the NHL’s greatest moment on occasion of the league’s 100th season. No one will do that again.

Lemieux netted a record 13 short-handed goals. No one will do that again. (When the Penguins corralled the puck while short, they would fire slap shots at the opposing point men’s shin pads, and Lemieux would read the carom. That’s not in most playbooks.)

Lemieux had three eight-point games, a seven-point game, a six-point game and eight five-point games. That’s 77 points in 13 games. It seems impossible.

Lemieux was plus-41. The Penguins made the playoffs for the first time in his five-year Pittsburgh tenure, finishing second in the . Gretzky’s Kings came second in the Smythe Division, amassing a whopping four points more than the Penguins.

Every single fact and stat dictated that Lemieux should be MVP.

He didn’t come close.

The Hart Trophy for NHL MVP is determined by a vote of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Ballots are cast for first, second and third place.

Gretzky got 40 first-place votes, Lemieux 18. Gretzky got 267 total votes, Lemieux 187.

Detroit’s Steve Yzerman snaked five first-place votes. He was 44 points behind Lemieux.

This wasn’t a slight error in judgment. This was blatant thievery. It discredited those voting and discredited the credibility of the award. The injustice remains remarkable.

The prevailing “wisdom” was Gretzky had engineered a turnaround of the Kings during his first season in Los Angeles. The Kings made the playoffs but lost in the second round. The Penguins did exactly the same. Exactly how was Gretzky more valuable? Lemieux’s Penguins had a much rougher road to respectability than Gretzky’s Kings. Ultimately, Lemieux’s Penguins accomplished more.

Gretzky also was credited with popularizing hockey in Southern California after moving to the Kings that season from Edmonton.

That’s not remotely part of the criteria, but at least Gretzky isn’t French- Canadian. (BTW, the Penguins are playing to 100.8% of capacity at home this season. Los Angeles is at 92.8, Anaheim 92.3.)

The voters changed the rules on Lemieux. The Hart Trophy usually goes to the best player. Except that time. Absurd.

Lemieux once said he measured himself by Stanley Cups and scoring titles because “nobody votes on those.” Amen.

But Pittsburgh knows how valuable Lemieux is.

Lemieux acquired ownership of the Penguins out of bankruptcy in 1999, turning $32.5 million in deferred salary into equity worth $25 million.

He had options. 1181303 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins partner with Giant Eagle, Primanti Bros. to aid arena, restaurant staffers

TRIBUNE-REVIEW | Friday, March 20, 2020 1:15 p.m.

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced a partnership with Giant Eagle and Primanti Bros. to offer temporary employment opportunities to staffers at PPG Paints Arena and area restaurants impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

This partnership will allow those individuals to pursue employment with area Giant Eagle locations.

“Supermarkets, pharmacies and fuel stations are critical community resources right now,” Giant Eagle president and CEO Laura Shapira Karet said in a statement. “I continue to be amazed by the commitment and compassion of our Giant Eagle and GetGo Team Members, and thank the PPG Paints Arena workers and Primanti Bros. restaurant employees who have stepped up to help us get this important work done.”

“We have a well-trained, loyal and hard-working arena workforce, and we are happy to provide priority job opportunities to help them and their families during this time of need,” Penguins CEO David Morehouse said, also via statement. “We worked closely with our operations partners, ASM Global and Aramark, and our service workers union leaders to help provide these jobs to over 700 arena employees.”

According to a press release, Giant Eagle is seeking to hire hundreds of people across numerous areas of business, including in its stores, at its warehouse facilities and as truck drivers.

Tribune Review LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181304 Pittsburgh Penguins O’Connor was largely sold on the Penguins by director of player development Scott Young, a key recruiter when it comes to college free agents.

Drew O'Connor and Cam Lee are stuck in limbo but pumped to be “He came out to Dartmouth a few times. I met with him a little bit,” Penguins O’Connor said. “He was great in terms of explaining everything about the Penguins. ... In terms of me as a player, Scott was great about kind of telling me how I’ll be able to fit. I’ll be ready to fill any role that’s asked of me.” MATT VENSEL O’Connor said he was just 5-foot-9 during his senior year in high school. MAR 20, 2020 3:45 PM He blossomed at Dartmouth. Now listed at 6-3 and 200 pounds, he was recently named the Ivy League Men’s Hockey Co-Player of the Year for 2019-20 after leading Dartmouth with 21 goals and 33 points as a When Drew O’Connor decided to sign with the Penguins last Tuesday, sophomore. the Dartmouth standout expected to soon head to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to get his first taste of pro hockey on an amateur tryout agreement. As a result, he was viewed one of the top college free agents this spring.

For O’Connor, part of the allure of picking the Penguins over other NHL The Penguins under general manager Jim Rutherford have aggressively teams that wooed the undrafted college free agent was their track record targeted college free agents as a way to pump talent into a prospect pool developing college players. The big forward was excited to get to work. that is drained when they trade draft picks and prospects in win-now moves. Two days later, both the NHL and the American Hockey League suspended their seasons after the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic Among the college free agents they signed in recent years are Conor began to take hold in North America. Suddenly, O’Connor was rerouted Sheary, Carter Rowney, Zach Aston-Reese and Casey DeSmith. They back home to New Jersey, where, like the rest of us, he awaits word on have also had success drafting prospects who took the college route and what happens next. developing them into valuable players. Look at Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust. “It’s kind of crazy, because it was only a week or so ago that I was getting ready to go to Wilkes-Barre for the end of their season,” O’Connor “A big [selling] point of joining the Penguins was their history with college said Friday on a conference call with Pittsburgh media. “For now, I’ll just free agents and college players in general and kind of the success try to do a few things at home to try to stay in shape and keeping up with they’ve had with those players and how they develop them,” O’Connor stuff like that.” said.

Dartmouth's Drew O'Connor skates against Princeton in January 2019. Post Gazette LOADED: 03.21.2020

The 21-year-old added: “That’s just kind of all I can do for now, and just kind of [wait to see] what they end up deciding with the rest of the season.”

The disappointment is a little different for Western Michigan defenseman Cam Lee, another college player the Penguins signed in the past 10 days.

Dartmouth’s season ended two weeks ago, giving O’Connor the green light to jump to pro hockey. But Western Michigan still had hopes of a Frozen Four appearance when the NCAA canceled its remaining winter and spring sports March 12, the same day the NHL suspended play.

“It sucked that my senior year had to end like that,” Lee said. “But obviously it’s for a good reason. Everybody needs to be safe, do as we’re told here. It was a big roller coaster because it was my final year as a Bronco. It’s emotional. But taking this next step is huge, and I’m excited to get started with it.”

Lee, who signed with the Penguins on Tuesday, is still hunkered down in his dorm room at Western Michigan. The native, who is 23, hopes the AHL season will resume this spring, giving him a chance to skate in some games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. But he might have to wait for 2020-21.

Lee is pretty familiar with the Penguins, including a certain star center.

The 6-foot, 190-pound blue liner was invited to their prospect development camp last June, giving him a glimpse into how the Penguins operate. Lee put up 21 points in 26 games before his senior year abruptly ended. His experience here last summer was a major factor in signing with Pittsburgh.

The Penguins' Sidney Crosby, bottom, works against Los Angeles Kings' Kurtis MacDermid during the third period Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles.

One of the congratulatory text messages he has received this week came from Sidney Crosby. Lee grew up in Ferguson’s Cove, Nova Scotia, which is a half hour away from Cole Harbour, Crosby’s Canadian hometown.

“He’s a hometown hero,” Lee said Friday. “I grew up skating with him in the summers. The first time I was probably in high school. He’s just an awesome guy. He did reach out to me after seeing I signed with the Penguins and he just said congratulations and make sure you stay in shape.” 1181305 Pittsburgh Penguins The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020

How 3 of Pittsburgh’s top institutions are teaming up in a time of crisis

By Sean Gentille Mar 20, 2020

We should get this out of the way, off the jump — none of this should be happening. “None of this,” I say, as I gesture toward empty streets and sick people and scared children and the paranoid blur we’re all stuck in together, temporarily, hopefully.

Also, none of this: widespread acclaim for employers and corporations and institutions because they do the right thing — because they act, also temporarily, in a non-ghoulish fashion. They shouldn’t get credit for not being awful.

But hey. Strange times. Thank goodness for small mercies. Giant Eagle, the Penguins and Primanti Bros — top-10 Pittsburgh institutions, if we’re being honest — are teaming up to do something decent. If you’re not impressed, that’s fine. But the alternative is three hours north, and it’s ugly.

First, though, let’s talk about the deal; the hockey team and sandwich place have part-time employees with nowhere to work, due to the ban on public gatherings and sit-down restaurant service.

The grocery chain needs more labor, given the strain its supply chain will be under. It seems like a sensible match, and on Friday it was announced. PPG Paints Arena and Primantis workers who’ve been affected by the coronavirus can find temporary employment at Giant Eagle.

From Giant Eagle, Inc. President and CEO Laura Shapira Karet: “Supermarkets, pharmacies and fuel stations are critical community resources right now. I continue to be amazed by the commitment and compassion of our Giant Eagle and GetGo Team Members, and thank the PPG Paints Arena workers and Primanti Bros. restaurant employees who have stepped up to help us get this important work done.”

From Penguins CEO David Morehouse: “We have a well-trained, loyal and hard-working arena workforce, and we are happy to provide priority job opportunities to help them and their families during this time of need. We worked closely with our operations partners, ASM Global and Aramark, and our service workers union leaders to help provide these jobs to over 700 arena employees.”

As always, there’s reason for a certain amount of skepticism. Giant Eagle isn’t far removed from a contentious 2017 labor dispute, and good P.R. is P.R. all the same. But even when the bar for decency is low, credit can be due for those who clear it.

You’d think, in fact, that Friday’s announcement would be the very least any of the three parties could do. You’d be incorrect. Terry and Kim Pegula, owners of the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, and owners of a decent- sized chunk of Buffalo itself, laid off all the hospitality workers at their properties.

Distasteful, but understandable. Everything sucks right now, right? Right. But, ah, those hospitality jobs may not be waiting for the people who lost them whenever (if ever) the situation is a little less hopeless. Also, if they’re rehired, it might not be at the same rate. Also, the company isn’t paying out accrued PTO. Pegula Sports and Entertainment, folks. Let’s give ’em a hand.

“As a valuable asset to our hospitality family when business returns to normalcy, we encourage you to come back and apply for an open position. You will be amongst the first considered to re-join our teams,” Dominic Verni, the vice president of hospitality, wrote in the termination letter obtained by The Athletic Buffalo.

So, be happy about the Penguins/Primantis/Giant Eagle triple-team. Or be skeptical. If nothing else, though, you should be relieved that they’re not as terrible as they could be, in a time when things seem as terrible as possible.

Now, next step: getting all those new Giant Eagle employees designated as emergency employees. That’s another thing that needs to happen — and another hurdle that shouldn’t be necessary at all. 1181306 Pittsburgh Penguins Custance: Max Talbot, for sure. What about Marc-Andre Fleury? Not only did he make that save on Nicklas Lidstrom at the end, he kept the Red Wings off the board with a number of high-end saves early on in this game. I forgot how good he was for most of this game. Rewatching the Classics: Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup final Gentille: Talbot again, but we can skip him. Jonathan Ericsson was really, really good. Probably set him down the path to his next two deals. Nobody can top Fleury here, though. This was the game (combined with By Craig Custance, Max Bultman and Sean Gentille Mar 20, 2020 his good-person status) that bought him not just hero-status in Pittsburgh, but unlimited rope. And you know what? That’s fair.

It was one of the great finishes in recent Stanley Cup final history — a Bultman: In my memory that shot by Lidstrom at the end was dicey as to Game 7 that came down to a save in the final moments. The 2009 whether it would have gone in. After the re-watch? Nope. Robbed blind. Stanley Cup final between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Custance: What about late-career Ken Holland? Watching this, you can Penguins was an instant classic and provided some necessary hockey see why he gave those contracts to Ericsson, Helm, Danny Cleary etc. watching this week for three of our hockey writers: Craig Custance, Sean They’re easier to stomach with back-to-back Cup wins. Gentille and Max Bultman. Bultman: That’s a great one. Yeah one of my reactions watching this was We watched the game again and broke down our favorite moments (and that I totally understood the Helm deal. some we totally forgot about) into categories. It was equal parts fun and depressing. Enjoy! Gentille: In the first four minutes of this game, Darren Helm is the greatest hockey player alive. Opening thoughts What’s the best moment? Craig Custance: The first thing I noticed was the arena. It made me nostalgic for Joe Louis Arena. Also, that scoreboard was tiny! How could Custance: It’s the save on Lidstrom in the final seconds. What an ending. any of us see any replays? I was at this game in the auxiliary press box I’m not sure this is even up for debate. and I remember being surprised at how many Penguins fans were at this game. Fairly early on in this re-watch, Doc Emrick made the same Gentille: It’s not the save itself, actually, but it’s save-adjacent. Early in observation. They traveled well for this one. the Penguins’ celebration, right before the Cup is brought out, Fleury meets up with Malkin, hugs him, and then clearly pantomimes the save to Sean Gentille: “Ah, that’s right, Marian Hossa played for the Red Wings.” Malkin, Crosby and Craig Adams. That stuck with me: this huge, historic Personally, I was a year out of college and at the absolute end of my career-making moment for a franchise and a city, and none of those guys rope as a capital-F fan (Another topic for another time), so I drove seven actually knew how it went down. Because it had just happened. Like, hours from Charlotte to watch with my friends in a Point Breeze seconds earlier. basement. It was one of the last pure moments of my life. Game-wise? A weird combo of intense and uneventful, yes? Bultman: That’s such a great point. It was the save for me, which is just an all-timer, but I also loved Evgeni Malkin’s double fist pump on his way Max Bultman: Yes. I actually didn’t remember much about this game, but to get the Conn Smythe. Dude was 22. Just a sweet moment. I feel like that’s how playoff hockey is. I did love how much Hall-of-Fame talent was all over the ice, and yet the goals were scored by Max Talbot Custance: I loved that. and Jonathan Ericsson. Both had good, long careers, but that’s so Gentille: I’m all the way in the tank for any on-ice celebration stuff. Staal “hockey.” would not stop screaming. He might still be screaming. Also, no joke, Custance: I want to hear more about Sean being a capital-F fan. And Fleury-Talbot-Malkin-Staal were at least 10-14 in the lap line. yeah, it was jarring to see Marian Hossa in a Red Wings uniform. Custance: I couldn’t believe how late they were! And why were the laps Gentille: I grew up where I grew up, bro. I am honest, unlike many! so mini? Guys all skated within five feet of each other. I thought you’re supposed to do a proper lap. Custance: How old were you when this game was played, Max? Were you allowed to stay up and watch it? Age jokes! Gentille: Yes! They were figure-skating twirls! I think Chris Minard got his turn before Letang! Bultman: Haha. I was 13 and I’m pretty sure we had one of my hockey coaches over at my house for the game. He wasn’t too pleased with the Custance: So, I watched closely to see when Sid joins the handshake result if I remember right. line. It was really hard to tell. It looks like he got distracted congratulating the Pittsburgh coaches. He did have an exchange with Mike Babcock Who is at their peak at this moment in time? where Mike goes “That’s great leadership by you.”

Custance: We can debate a lot of players, but the guy who stood out to Gentille: Yeah, I heard that too. me was Niklas Kronwall. He was really good in this game. He was 28 when this game took place. This year was his first All-Star appearance Bultman: That was a great bite for NBC to pick up and a few years later he started showing up in Norris Trophy voting Custance: Mike planting the seed for Team Canada. results. Another obvious answer is Max Talbot. But what about Jordan Staal? He was young at the time of this game (20) but he was Gentille: Another actual note: “That was the moment Crosby assumed legitimately great in this game. Darren Helm too. the Team Canada captaincy.”

Gentille: Staal was highly noticeable, and Helm was more fun to watch Huge moment you forgot all about than anyone else, but Talbot is the obvious answer. You might say Peak Talbot would be the moment he signed for $8.75 million with the Flyers. Custance: I remembered Sidney Crosby’s injury, in part because I Wrong. With 8:14 left in the game, his team up 2-0 on his goals and on watched this game with Dan Bylsma a few years ago for my book national TV, he bobs along on the bench with some butt-rock arena song. (shameless plug) “Behind the Bench.” So I knew it was coming. What I Prime. forgot was how early it happened. Crosby gets injured along the boards by Johan Franzen with 14:34 left in the second. For some reason, I Bultman: Kronwall was great. He moved so well, was a physical beast, thought this happened way later in the game. The Penguins won this and had just an absolutely perfect defensive play early in the second to game and they did it mostly without the best player on the planet. end a cycle and take possession. But yeah, hard to go anywhere but Talbot. Bultman: With about 2:15 left, Kronwall walked in from the point and rang one off the crossbar. I mean we’re talking about literal centimeters from Gentille: Most of my notes here are just “KRONWALL” with a bunch of this game going to overtime. exclamation points. Gentille: Malkin had more to do with Talbot’s first goal than I’d Whose career does this game change the most? remembered. The Kronwall crossbar somehow slipped from my memory. Also, though, there’s a two-minute surge by the Wings late in the second Bultman: Is it a cop-out to say Dan Bylsma? Obviously he won a Jack Adams a couple of years later but still… that, like … I’m not sure how they didn’t score. It was mainly Jordan Muhammad Ali in the stands at the Joe (!!!), Doc launched into a story Staal, standing in the middle of the ice. about Ali boxing Dave Semenko in the 80s, then cut himself off right as it went from “cool story” to “OK, please stop,” territory. “Meanwhile, this is What from this game wouldn’t happen today? laid back in by Talbot,” he said, “and the rest is for another time.”

Custance: There’s a late hit from Kronwall that would have started a Custance: I loved that. three-day Twitter debate. Also, Mario Lemieux granted an interview. That may not happen today. But the most dated thing to me was all the Bultman: That’s a way better one than mine. For me, there are two promos. NBC and the NHL were clearly trying to find their way in the names I cannot read or hear without thinking of Doc Emrick. One is digital world with things like NBC2GO on Verizon Mobile and V-Cast and “Jarnkrok.” The other is “Orpik.” And any time I do hear him say one of NBC Sports Mobile, a promo that came with a fantastic shot of an old flip those names, it feels like playoff hockey. So, since Orpik played in this phone. And the promo that made me the saddest was the one for Conan one, it’s any time Doc said his name. O’Brien and The Tonight Show. #TeamCoco Custance: I had no idea about Semenko. Gentille: Alright, a word about that Verizon ad before my full answer. Gentille: Oh, I checked it on my phone as soon as he said it. Custance: Haha, OK Custance: The shot of Ali in a Red Wings jersey and both teams tapping Gentille: It was advertising the most 2009-era phone possible, some LG the boards was unreal. Sidekick rip-off thing — and Verizon was sponsoring an on-ice audio segment with Letang that was, basically, the worst of the genre, until Peak Pierre McGuire Craig Adams dropped an audible F-bomb. Custance: I’ll leave this to Sean but it’s going to be hard to top the Fred Anyway, most of Kronwall’s game wouldn’t happen today. And I don’t say Shero story. I low-key loved how Pierre slipped in that Eddie O was that as a knock, either. It was visceral, riveting hockey from him — it’s Fleury’s first pro coach while asking Marc-Andre Fleury about the biggest largely just not legal anymore, or even seen all that often. Example: he save of his life after the win. But overall, this broadcast was rock solid. clobbered Talbot near center ice with 8:41 left. The puck was never on Pierre was really good. his stick, and Kronwall left his feet. There was a penalty called on the Gentille: An absolute tour de force from our guy after Babcock used his sequence … on Brad Stuart, for breaking Malkin’s stick. timeout with 1:17 left. “MIKE BABCOCK IS TELLING HIS TEAM WHAT Bultman: I 100 percent thought that penalty was on Kronwall when the TO DO IF THEY WIN THE FACEOFF AND WHAT TO DO IF THEY whistle blew. LOSE THE FACEOFF;” followed by “EDZO AND DOC THAT’S RAY SHERO” when Shero’s face (and name) were shown on camera; Custance: Also, I’m not sure Tomas Holmstrom could happen today. He followed by an anecdote about Fred Shero and the 1980 All-Star Game; wasn’t moving particularly quickly out there. I think he was hurt too. followed by calling Bylsma “Danny.” Four-bagger. Grand slam. Said it in like 11 seconds, too. Gentille: At one point Holmstrom dragged down Hal Gill by his jersey in the crease, and it was like Godzilla vs. King Kong. Bultman: The Shero bit was perfection. I’ll also say, before the game even started NBC had Pierre and Mike Milbury give mock pre-game Which coach from this game would you take for a Game 7 today? speeches for each team, and that was pretty peak Pierre too. The line, Bultman: I think it’s Babcock, but he hasn’t exactly had a ton of success “Men, words don’t win game 7s, actions do,” was used, and then he in game 7s lately. I do feel like the Red Wings played a winning game proceeded to list all the times the team has been great: playoffs, here, though. It’s not like the Penguins had a ton of chances or anything. practices, regular season. (That’s all the time, for those keeping score.) They really just converted a couple of huge ones. Then he tells the fake players in the empty locker room that they wear the same sweater as the teams that won the cups in 1991 and ’92. The Custance: So there are quite a few options here outside of Bylsma and ever-important trivia bit to bring it home. Babcock. The Pittsburgh assistants were Tom Fitzgerald and Mike Yeo. Paul MacLean and one of my favorite coaches of all-time, Brad Most important shift McCrimmon, were Detroit’s assistants. Plenty of options but I agree on Custance: I’m going to cheat and say the last two minutes of the second Babcock, in part because of his success in tight, close games, period. Detroit is just POURING it on. It’s crazy. I don’t know how they internationally. didn’t score there and I think this game looks very different if they find a Gentille: This is a tough decision, and not as good of a problem to have way to do it. Also, I completely forgot that Kronwall hit the crossbar with as it would’ve seemed a few years ago. From the head coaches, Toronto 2:13 remaining in the game. Crazy how close this was to a different disaster aside, you’ve still got to go with Babcock. This was a career- ending. making win by Bylsma, and flags fly forever, but I’m still not sure how Bultman: I’ll second that about the end of the second period. Zetterberg they pulled it off. Fitzgerald would make sense, too. had a look on the doorstep with just a few seconds left, and I think the What changes about this game if the captains switch teams? puck just bounced on him or something. Would have totally swung momentum going into intermission. Bultman: It feels crazy to say this because Nicklas Lidstrom was 39, but Pittsburgh probably wins going away if they swap. Crosby missed most Gentille: All the best individual moments, outside of two Penguins, of the game and Lidstrom played nearly 28 minutes for Detroit. belonged to Detroit. So, congratulations to Brad Stuart for his work on Talbot’s first goal. Custance: Lidstrom was great in this game. He’s just constantly bombing shots from the point. Watching him again was one of the most enjoyable How does history change if the Red Wings win? parts of this exercise. Considering Crosby’s injury, if you put Lidstrom on Custance: Imagine for a moment if the Red Wings come back to win this the Penguins they still win. Maybe by more. game. And THEN after that, Zach Parise scores in overtime of the 2010 Gentille: The Penguins win by more. Crosby wasn’t much of a factor; the gold medal game vs. Canada as he nearly did. Now, people are injury happened earlier than I remembered. His best chance probably wondering if Crosby can win the big game. The whole narrative around came on a first-period power play. Lidstrom played for, I believe, 85 Sid is completely different. minutes. Just more of a factor, even before you think about the shot. Bultman: Sidney Crosby gets a “can he win the big one?” narrative for Custance: What was his CF%? 85? sure. I don’t know how much the Red Wings actually gain winning another one, but Crosby and the Penguins definitely had a TON to lose. Gentille: It was actually 100 percent. People forget that. Custance: The Chris Osgood legacy changes the most to me. He Peak Doc Emrick probably wins the Conn Smythe if Detroit wins. He had a .930 save percentage in this postseason and it would have been his FOURTH Cup. Custance: His call when Kronwall hit the crossbar was pretty great. Just yelling, “KRONWALL OFF THE CROSSBAR!!!” I’m all-in at that point. Bultman: Yeah he’s probably in the Hall if they win this.

Gentille: Whole game might’ve been peak Doc. My favorite moment was Gentille: First off, Crosby never deals with the concussions in the first a small one, which is usually the case with him. After showing place. That is the Butterfly Effect and it is lab-tested. On a more tangible level though, how about this: Marian Hossa never signs with the Blackhawks, which straight-up alters the decade.

Custance: Oh man. Penguins lose and don’t get the outdoor game vs. the Capitals?

Gentille: Ding.

First star

Bultman: It’s Fleury. He stole this one.

Custance: It’s Max Talbot. C’mon.

Gentille: It’s Max Talbot. I’m tempted to say Fleury here, because … wow, he was better than I remembered. I’m tempted to say Brad Stuart, because I’m mean. But for real, how do you not give it to Talbot? If he only scored once maybe you have second thoughts, but let’s not overthink this.

Bultman: I can go either way with those two, but my thinking is that even though two Game 7 goals is a huge feat, I really don’t know if that should have been enough to win this game. So to me, that means Fleury is the MVP.

Gentille: He just gave $100,000 to arena workers in Vegas, so yeah, fine. I change my vote.

Final thoughts

Gentille: Not a ton. Just the fact that watching this on pseudo-quarantine, seeing how young all those guys looked and thinking about how far we are from 2009 was really depressing. Thanks Craig!

Bultman: My thoughts are just that I really hope we get playoff hockey this year. This was so fun to watch, and even knowing the ending just so intense.

Gentille: Ah yeah, that too.

Custance: That was it for me. Made me miss the playoffs even more. So, sorry about that.

Bultman: Anyway, Pandemic (the board game) just showed up on my doorstep so if you guys need me…

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181307 San Jose Sharks

Sharks broadcaster Randy Hahn endorses Bob Boughner as coach beyond 2020

By Brodie Brazil March 20, 2020 4:23 PM

Sharks broadcaster Randy Hahn is a curator and purveyor of exquisite words. He always knows how to translate a game in real-time. But it’s difficult to describe what’s happening right now with the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s been so crazy in these initial stages of the last few days,” Hahn said from his home Thursday night. “That it hasn’t allowed maybe for that much time of reflection yet.”

“I’m very fearful that we’re headed into the heart of this, it’s the very beginning.”

Hahn, like all his South Bay neighbors, have been sheltering in place for the last several days. He’s taking every recommended precaution, and then some.

“It’s so hard to fight something you can’t see, right?,” Hahn said. “Forget about trying to see it, you’re not going to see it. Once you see it, it’s too late.”

“Our parents always told us to save some money for a rainy day. Well, guess what, it’s a rainy day.”

On a lighter note, Randy also has taken the time to reflect on what was a rough hockey season for the Sharks.

“Well, technically, it still is,” Hahn reminds us.

The biggest way he describes the 70 games San Jose has already played? Disappointment.

“That’s the predominant feeling from the top of the organization and Owner , right down to [Mascot] S.J. Sharkie,” Hahn said.

“The way last season ended, going to the third round, the amazing game sevens against Las Vegas and Colorado gave everyone a feeling the Sharks were right there.”

Goaltending continued to be a lightning-rod topic for the Sharks, who somehow carried one of the NHL’s best penalty kill despite struggling without the puck at even strength.

“It’s never just the goalie,” Hahn said. “It’s the players in front of the goalie and the system.

"The signs were already there last year, that they weren’t adhering to the kind of defensive system, and playing the way (coach) Pete DeBoer wanted them to play.”

And that trend didn’t immediately change under interim coach Bob Boughner, who also dealt with a lot more injury adversity to his team once the 2020 calendar year hit. Hahn would like to see Boughner take the helm with better circumstances next season.

“I dearly hope [Boughner] is hired as the Sharks head coach moving forward. Because I think he’s the right person for the job.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181308 San Jose Sharks

Logan Couture looks back on OT winner vs. Vegas as Sharks' high point

By Brian Witt March 20, 2020 3:42 PM

Programming note: Watch the re-air of Logan Couture's game-winning goal against the Vegas Golden Knights tonight at 8 p.m. PT on NBC Sports California.

While the NHL season is indefinitely paused due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Logan Couture's daily entertainment diet typically consists of a mix of comedy and seriousness. Usually, he would mix sports in with that regimen, but right now, that's not possible.

The Sharks' captain currently is watching the ninth season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and the second season of "The Wire." There are also daily showings of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

Tonight, however, there will be sports on TV. Specifically, a Sharks game in which San Jose pulled off a thrilling overtime win over an archrival -- and Couture played the role of the hero.

To help Sharks fans get through this unprecedented time, NBC Sports California is re-airing memorable games from San Jose lore. On Thursday night, they were treated to Tomas Hertl's coming-out party, in which he scored four goals in his third career NHL game. Friday's choice was put to a fan vote, and there was a definite theme to the available choices.

Hmm. Couture's overtime winner against the Vegas Golden Knights on Nov. 21, or Couture's OT winner against the New York Islanders ... two days later? As you can see, the rivalry won out.

So, tonight at 8 p.m. on NBC Sports California, you can watch the first of what turned out to be three consecutive overtime victories for San Jose. Of course, given the opponent, this one felt a little bit sweeter.

The game in question came in the middle of the Sharks' strongest stretch of play of the season, in which they won 11 of 13. It's difficult for Couture to evaluate the bright spot of the season, but that stretch in November would have to be it.

"It's tough to answer that question right now," Couture told NBC Sports California's Brodie Brazil, "because, to me, it still feels like we're in the middle of a season. We haven't ended. We haven't done the year-end meetings. We haven't played our last game at the Shark Tank where we give everyone our jerseys. We haven't talked to Doug [Wilson] about how the season went. Like, nothing has been finalized like a normal season is, so it's tough to reflect right now."

Nonetheless, Couture gave it the ol' college try.

"I think maybe November, we played pretty good," he said. "We won 11 games, I think of 13. That was a good time. We felt like we were back in the race. But the low points this year were lower than they've been in a long time, and we want to avoid that going forward."

Sharks fans have dealt with enough low points this season, and certainly are now. Hopefully, Couture's clutch goal at the high point of San Jose's season can bring them some cheer tonight.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181309 St Louis Blues

Blues sign prospect McGing to two-year contract

Jim Thomas 15 hrs ago

To say that Hugh McGing, the newest member of the Blues’ organization, plays bigger than his size would be understatement.

“He’s 5-9 and plays like he’s 9-5,” said , McGing’s coach at Western Michigan University. “He’s competitive, physical, a spark plug. Will block shots. Played in every situation. He’s a key guy in our power play. He was a key guy on our penalty kill. Can play wing or center ice, which is an advantage.”

McGing, 21, has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Blues, the team announced Friday.

He was a fifth-round selection, No. 138 overall, in the 2018 NHL draft by the Blues. At Western Michigan, McGing scored 46 goals with 71 assists in 147 career games over four seasons. This season, he had 13 goals, 22 assists and was plus-18 in 35 games.

He was team captain and was named first-team in the NCHC, arguably the top league in college hockey. He’s the first player in Western Michigan history to earn first-team honors.

“He’s quick and fast,” said Murray, who coached the Blues from 2006- 2010. “He just competes. Craig (Berube)’s gonna love that. Obviously there’s work to do in making the jump from college to the NHL, but the Blues don’t sign guys to play in the American (Hockey) League. When they sign players, and I know from being in the business, you sign guys to be NHLers.”

Murray knows Berube well, having coached him when Berube played for the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Blues tried to sign McGing a year ago, but McGing wanted to return for his senior season of college hockey and continue working towards his degree in biomedical science.

That’s right, biomedical science. McGing isn’t exactly, uh, skating through college.

“He’s taken courses that I can’t even pronounce,” Murray quipped. “He’s got a lot going for him.”

In any event, Murray said the Blues were professional and supportive with McGing’s decision to return for another year of college.

“There was no doubt in our mind that he was gonna sign with the Blues,” Murray said. “They treated him right and allowed him to stay another year.”

And kept an eye on him all the while. Murray joked that Blues amateur scout Keith Tkachuk probably saw McGing play more than his NHL sons, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.

“Keith sat beside my wife at a lot of games here,” Murray said.

Western Michigan’s season ended a week ago, just as the Broncos were getting ready to play St. Cloud State in the opening round of the NCHC playoffs. With the NCAA cancelling the remainder of the college hockey season due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Broncos finished the season with an 18-13-5 record and were ranked 16th nationally.

McGing headed back to his hometown of Chicago earlier this week and will complete the semester with on-line course work as the Western Michigan campus has been shut down due to the virus.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181310 St Louis Blues “That figure may be different in St. Louis,” Lawrence continued. “But if you get into the postseason, especially with a long run like the hockey playoffs, that does add to it.

Stoppage of play due to coronavirus could cost Blues millions in revenue “So yeah, it’s a hit either way. Obviously, the league’s hoping that there is a season and there is a playoff but that’s still TBD.”

If that’s the case, and the games are merely postponed and not Jim Thomas 17 hrs ago 0 canceled, those losses will go away.

Since the NHL’s “pause,” or suspension of play, the Blues have lost two home games: last Friday against San Jose and Sunday against Ottawa. The Blues could lose millions in revenue from the six regular-season home games that remained on their schedule when the NHL announced What would have been their final four home games of the regular season it was suspending play indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic. were scheduled from March 27 (against the Los Angeles Kings) through April 2 (Boston Bruins). How much depends on how you do the math. And of course whether any or all of the six games eventually are replayed, not to mention the Many teams have sent out information to their fans about adjusted ticket playoffs. policies, offering the option for fans to ask for refunds on canceled games or have that money pushed forward to the 2020-21 season. Jesse Lawrence, founder of Ticket IQ, a New York-based ticket market search engine, estimates the Blues’ lost revenue for those six games The Blues have yet to send out any such information to fans, perhaps would be $15.85 million dollars based on an average secondary market waiting until when or if the postponed regular-season games officially ticket price of $146, and assuming that every ticket is sold at Enterprise become canceled games. Center (capacity 18,096). In an email to season-ticket holders sent out last week, the Blues said: “There’s all sorts of impacts,” Lawrence said. “Ticket sales is one of “... we ask for your patience until we have further details to provide them. I don’t know what happens with media rights in a situation where regarding the remainder of the season. As a full season account holder games aren’t getting played, sponsorships, all that.” you will receive details as soon as the new schedule is determined.”

And of course, there are food, beverage and souvenir sales. Parking That is, if there is a new schedule. The NHL announced Monday that any revenue. resumption of play would not take place until mid-May at the earliest. Ongoing developments in the coronavirus pandemic could change that. Crunching data from the Team Marketing Report, Washington University’s Patrick Rishe came up with another set of numbers. Even if the regular-season games (or playoffs) are canceled, it’s possible the Blues have insurance against lost revenue for business interruption. Team Marketing Report’s Fan Cost Index for the Blues was $374.57 per game. The Fan Cost Index is the average cost of attending a game by a “The language of the contract, the language of the insurance clause is family of four. The figure includes the cost of four tickets, parking for one meaningful,” Rishe said. “Many of the insurance clauses, they may car, plus the least expensive price for two draft beers, four soft drinks, address things like hurricanes, earthquakes, but they may not four hot dogs and two adult-sized team caps. necessarily address things like global pandemic. So then the question becomes is there any kind of latitude?” Using the Fan Cost Index for a capacity crowd at Enterprise, Rishe calculated that the Blues were losing $1.7 million in revenue per game Even in the worst-case scenario — no games and no insurance — the and $10.2 million for the six remaining home games. Blues can ride this out.

“I think that’s a fair estimate of the lost revenue, both ticket and venue- “No one wants to see this happen,” Rishe said. “But do I anticipate related revenue from those six games,” said Rishe, director of the Sports they’re gonna be able to survive this, absolutely. Every team in the NHL Business Program at Washington University. “I think that puts a decent is gonna survive this. It’s just obviously trying and uncertain times for estimate on what the Blues are looking at, and probably very similar — everybody in the sports industry right now.” plus or minus $2 million or $3 million — for every team in the NHL.” Especially the part-time workers at arenas around the league. Or the The actual number is probably closer to Rishe’s than Lawrence’s parking lot attendants, or workers at restaurants and bars and to an because ticket prices on the secondary market — which Lawrence used extent hotels around the arena. for his calculations — can be much higher for a successful team that fills the building, than face-value ticket prices. “I think the folks that are getting hit are the hourly workers, and the folks that aren’t the big superstars and the owners,” Lawrence said. “It’s the But the actual number is probably higher than Rishe’s estimate because people that are relying on the team’s ecosystem to generate income for the Fan Cost Index uses the average price of nonpremium seats only for them, whether it’s ushers or bars around the stadium. I think that’s its ticket calculations. (For the Blues that average price was $62.38.) And probably the biggest immediate impact.” doesn’t factor in suite or club seat prices, which are much higher. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.21.2020 And, of course, it’s a bit of an apples to oranges comparison because Lawrence’s numbers do not include concessions and parking. But the basic point remains the same. The postponed games represent the potential for millions in lost revenue for the Blues in a sport much more dependent on ticket sales and in-game revenue than other major North American sports.

“There’s no question,” Rishe said. “That’s right on the head. Comparatively, ticket revenue is a larger share of hockey’s total revenue than is true for the other sports. So for them to lose gate is obviously difficult.”

That’s because the NHL gets significantly less television revenue than the NFL, or the NBA.

For the Blues, like other NHL teams, a long playoff run in games that have higher ticket prices than the regular season can be very beneficial to the bottom line.

“At Madison Square Garden here in New York, I know that a playoff game is worth a million bucks of profit for them,” Lawrence said.

(That’s “profit,” not “revenue.”) 1181311 St Louis Blues There will be ample motivation for the owners and players to resume the NHL in some fashion this season. The players are fretful about the salary cap, which was projected to climb notably for 2020-21. But that number is tied to revenue, so the league shutout could actually lower the cap for the Gordo on the NHL: Signing Perunovich a top priority for Blues next season if the owners and players can’t find a resolution.

A lower cap would greatly reduce the earning power of free agents like Alex Pietrangelo and handcuff teams trying to get new contracts under Jeff Gordon Mar 20, 2020 the cap.

Teams with multiple high-salary players — like the Chicago Blackhawks Defenseman Scott Perunovich turned down a Blues contract offer to and Toronto Maple Leafs — could face especially tough challenges next return to the University of Minnesota-Duluth this season and bid for a season. The Tampa Bay Lightning could also lose several veterans while third straight national title. trying to make the numbers work.

But the pandemic shut down college hockey and denied him that St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.21.2020 opportunity. Now he appears to be leaving after his junior season to play in the NHL.

So the Blues, who drafted him 45th overall in 2018, are on the clock. Perunovich will either sign with the Blues or test the free-agent marketplace after June 1 — or perhaps later if the NHL changes its operational calendar due to the shutdown.

(Perunovich gained the free agency option because he entered college hockey as a 20-year-old. Normally a college player must play all four years before gaining that right.)

“Forever grateful for the boys, the city, and the program that made it possible to call this place home for the last 3 years,” Peronovich recently wrote on Instagram. “The memories will last a lifetime! Love you forever Duluth . . .”

Since the Blues have spent high draft picks and good prospects to build their Cup contender, securing Perunovich will be a top priority for general manager .

Perunovich scored six goals and earned 34 assists in 34 games this season. He is a small defender (5-foot-9, 175 pounds) who added strength and toughness to the defensive side of his game.

He sees the ice well, anticipates plays, makes good outlet passes and operates as a playmaker in the offensive zone. A good comparison would be pint-sized puck mover Samuel Girard, who produced 34 points in 70 games with the Colorado Avalanche this season.

Elsewhere on the college scene, top Montreal Canadiens forward prospect Cole Caufield will return for his sophomore season at Wisconsin to continue his physical maturation.

Also, the New York Rangers signed 2018 draft pick K'Andre Miller away from the Badgers. He is a sturdy two-way defenseman who, like Perunovich, is missing an opportunity to get a head start on his pro career due to the shutdown.

TIE DOMI TAKES DOWN SCOTT STEVENS

Shout-out to former Blues winger Cam Janssen and Andy Strickland for getting good stuff from former NHL ruffian Tie “The Albanian Aggressor” Domi in their “Cam and Strick” podcast.

“Scott Stevens was the biggest phony I ever played against,” Domi told the podcast. “Honestly, I chased that guy for years. He was such a phony, it was a joke. Let me put that out there.”

Ouch. And there was more.

“That guy used to target all the best players on my teams and I always tried to fight him, and he would never fight. He never, ever, answered the bell.”

And . . .

“He was a good hitter, obviously, but he targeted the wrong guys at very vulnerable times and he never answered the bell.

“Scott Stevens, a tough guy? Give me a break.”

The undersized Domi was utterly fearless in his time, taking on the toughest fighters over and over and over again. Check out his wars with Bob Probert on YouTube to appreciate what enforcers were up against back in the day.

AROUND THE RINKS 1181312 Tampa Bay Lightning

Anthony Cirelli’s subscriber Q&A: On hair product, cooking and the Selke Trophy

By Joe Smith Mar 20, 2020

TAMPA, Fla. — It was around two weeks ago and Anthony Cirelli had just wrapped up a morning skate.

You know, in the days before the coronavirus shutdown.

The shaggy-haired, Lightning center threw on one of his custom- designed Lightning hats. Several players had worked with a local company to create their own, with Victor Hedman’s cap featuring his French bulldog, Harry. Cirelli’s cap, not surprisingly, was chill, a simple, baby-blue one that’s good for the beach. Also not surprising, Cirelli pledged proceeds from his hat sales to the Ryan Callahan Foundation, which benefits pediatric cancer patients and their families.

“I had no idea,” Callahan said. “But that’s the kind of guy he is.”

As Cirelli got ready for an interview on this morning, he was interrupted by teammate Ondrej Palat, who came over and asked if the 22-year-old could sign his hat.

“Why not?” Palat said, smiling.

“He’s kind of a big deal,” joked another teammate.

Cirelli certainly is. In just his second full NHL season, Cirelli has emerged as one of the league’s top shutdown forwards, earning himself strong consideration for the Selke Trophy, which goes to the league’s top defensive forward. There’s a reason coaches trust him in the toughest matchups against the likes of , Nathan MacKinnon, Mark Stone and Auston Matthews. The fact a national writer brought up Cirelli’s Selke candidacy in coach ’s pre-game scrum last week was pretty telling of how his reputation is growing.

“I kind of tune that stuff out,” Cirelli said. “I play my game and focus on our team. If it ends up happening, it happens.”

It’s been an improbable journey for Cirelli, who went from an undrafted walk-on in junior to Memorial Cup hero before getting plucked by the Lightning in the third round in 2015. The story of how Cirelli was cut from an Oshawa tryout, then called back the next day, is pretty remarkable.

Yet here Cirelli is, the “engine” of the Stanley Cup-contending Lightning team, due a hefty raise this summer as a restricted free agent. Before the league shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic, Cirelli took some time to answer some of your questions in our latest The Athletic subscriber Lightning Q&A. He follows the lead of other teammates who did this Q&A, including Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev and Alex Killorn.

Hopefully, we’ll have another player next month (if the team returns to the ice) or maybe try a Lightning alumnus or figure (so send me some suggestions in comments below for who you’d want!).

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181313 Toronto Maple Leafs General manager will have challenges if the cap remains at $81.5 million, or doesn’t rise as high as initially expected. And looking ahead, two integral players — Andersen and winger Zach Hyman — will be unrestricted in 2021. Salary cap issues could become greater problem for Leafs in wake of coronavirus The likelihood is that one of Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson or Alex Kerfoot, each of whom carries a cap hit of at least $3.2 million for multiple seasons, will be traded.

Terry Koshan The one positive is that we’re just speculating.

Published:March 20, 2020 But given the fears involving the spread of the coronavirus and the time it will take to flatten the curve before pro sports are part of our daily lives Updated:March 20, 2020 10:45 PM EDT again, the Leafs’ cap troubles would become real.

DUBAS’ VIDEO PLEA: STAY HOME! When the Maple Leafs skated off the ice 11 days ago — it seems more The Maple Leafs continue to send the right messages. like weeks — after beating the Tampa Bay Lightning at Scotiabank Arena, none might have thought they could have just finished their final After releasing videos earlier this week featuring defenceman Morgan game as a member of the organization. Rielly and winger Zach Hyman stressing the importance of being diligent to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, it was general manager Kyle Following a trip through California that resulted in one point out of six and Dubas’ turn on Friday. a mere three goals, the Leafs collectively were in a fine mood after knocking off the Lightning. Aided by his young son, Leo, Dubas spoke of the importance of strategizing as he sat in front of a table-top hockey game in the 27- Auston Matthews scored his 47th goal on a power play early in the third second video. period to break a 1-1 tie and, backed by the goaltending of Frederik Andersen, Toronto emerged with a 2-1 victory to regain a three-point “Just because our season is on pause, doesn’t mean that all of our lead on the Florida Panthers for third place in the Atlantic Division. hockey playing and strategizing has to end,” Dubas said. “However, for the immediate future, everything that you do should be done within the After five games the next night, the National Hockey League hit pause on confines of your own home. the regular season over concerns of the spread of the coronavirus. “We can’t stress enough how important it is for everybody just to stay For the Leafs headed for unrestricted free agency, a group that includes home. For the sake of those most vulnerable in the community and to forwards Jason Spezza and Kyle Clifford and defencemen Tyson Barrie prevent the spread of the coronavirus, we plead with you, please and Cody Ceci, that the game against Tampa concluded their respective everyone, just stay home with your immediate family for the foreseeable tenures with the Leafs is a clear possibility in the wake of the pandemic. future and spend time with your favourite little people and strategize With the future of the 2019-20 regular season up in the air — and with away.” the status of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs unclear — everything, as the In a video released on Thursday, Hyman spoke of the importance of saying goes, is on the table. social distancing. On Wednesday, it was Rielly giving a lesson on the There’s no telling yet what the salary cap for the 2020-21 season will importance of regular hand-washing. amount to once the NHL returns, whenever that may be. The $81.5- Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.21.2020 million US cap for this season was expected to rise to anywhere between $84 million and $88.2 million, based on numbers being projected at the conclusion of the general managers meetings in Florida two weeks ago.

Among the possibilities is that the cap could remain flat for next season, which could mean some trouble for the Leafs.

The Leafs have in the range of $77 million US committed to 17 players (including goalies Andersen and Jack Campbell) for ’20-21, using data from the web site capfriendly.com. Four restricted free agents with varying degrees of importance — forward Ilya Mikheyev, defenceman Travis Dermott and forwards Frederik Gauthier and Denis Malgin — are going to be looking for new contracts.

Mikheyev was working his way back from a lacerated wrist after starting the season strongly, Dermott was finding his footing following some inconsistencies that were rooted in missing the first 13 games as he recovered from off-season shoulder surgery, and Gauthier was his usual self, bringing a workhorse attitude to the fourth line each night. Malgin didn’t have a point in eight games after being acquired from Florida, which isn’t good considering he was given a shot on a line with captain John Tavares.

The expectation in the past several weeks was that the Leafs wouldn’t be including Barrie and Ceci in their future plans, and that was before there was any thought that the salary cap might not increase in ’20-21.

In a best-case scenario, the Leafs would find a way to re-sign Spezza and Clifford. At the age of 36, Spezza soaked up everything about playing in his home town after signing a one-year contract for the league minimum last summer and quickly became a popular teammate.

What’s more, Spezza found a niche on the fourth line and put everything he had into accepting the role.

The rugged Clifford provided an element of physicality the Leafs didn’t have and would benefit from in the future. The native of Ayr, Ont., was thrilled to pull on a Leafs sweater after being acquired from L.A. on Feb. 5. 1181314 Toronto Maple Leafs It remains to be seen whether Carrick will ever fully catch on as a full- time, indispensable NHL defenceman. His 5-on-5 xG% this season was 41.39 percent, the lowest of his career. Obviously a lot of that is due to the fact that he plays on the bottom-feeding Devils. Creeping the exes: How recent former Maple Leafs have fared with their new teams He has one more year on his two-year contract with a $1.5-million cap hit. With Carrick in and out of the Devils lineup, there were questions about whether he’d be dealt at the trade deadline in February.

By Joshua Kloke Mar 20, 2020 “You don’t really breathe fully for a least a week,” Carrick said of the deadline in February.

“As a player, you build dreams and relationships around the organization The lack of professional sports has been a cause for reflection across the that you’re with and those kind of die a sudden death,” Carrick added. board. And that’s no different in Toronto, where many wonder what will “When you get traded, it ain’t no summer camp. You’re there until you’re happen with the remainder of the NHL season and how — or even if — not. I was in Washington and had close friends and then boom, I haven’t the Maple Leafs will end their turbulent season. But while we can’t predict played a game with them since. You’re with these people every single the future, we can look back at the past. day and then not again. So I would say that’s the acceptance process.” Since taking over as Leafs general manager on May 11, 2018, Kyle In Toronto, Leivo was an overlooked and underplayed left-winger. He Dubas has drastically overhauled the Leafs roster. averaged 12:34 of ice time over 13 games in 2016-17, before his ice time And so, taking inspiration from Jays writer Kaitlyn McGrath, we can look dropped by two minutes in the next two seasons. Unable to find his place at how some recently departed Leafs have fared in their new NHL stops. under Mike Babcock, Dubas did right by Leivo and shipped the 26-year- old to Vancouver. Matt Martin “I was pissed off last year not being able to get the minutes over on the Jul. 3, 2018: Traded to the New York Islanders for goaltender Eamon other team,” Leivo told The Athletic in November. “When I got here, I McAdam knew there was an opportunity open.”

Martin is included here simply because he was one of the more Everything looked to be going Josh Leivo’s way early on with the polarizing figures since they began their rebuild. The 30-year-old left Canucks. He netted 18 points in 49 games in 2018-19 and then 19 points winger’s four-year, $10-million contract still doesn’t look great in in 36 games this season. He has averaged over 15 minutes a game hindsight, but there’s undoubtedly some Leafs fans who believe the since coming to Vancouver. His 1.99 5-on-5 points per 60 minutes is fifth Leafs miss his physical presence. Martin has continued his bruising style among the Canucks. of play, averaging 4.4 hits per game in 55 games, good for second in the NHL among players with 50 games played. He’s added eight points in 55 Unfortunately, Leivo sustained a fractured kneecap on Dec. 21, 2019 and games this season. was likely going to be out for a while.

Martin suffered a leg injury on October 25 and did not return until Leivo is on a one-year, $1.5-million deal. Given both his, and the November 21. Canucks’, upward trajectory, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him back in Vancouver next season. Injuries to Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas have meant the trio, which played together as a high-energy, physical line (Dubbed the “Identity Patrick Marleau Line” by Islanders coach Barry Trotz) for the Islanders from 2014 to Jun. 22, 2019: Traded to the Carolina Hurricanes with a conditional first- 2016, have seen limited action. round pick and a seventh-round pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft for a “It’s so easy (playing with Clutterbuck and Cizikas) because you just sixth-round pick in 2020. know the mindset and what we want to do,” Martin told The New York It’s been a strange run for Marleau since he, and his $6.25-million cap Post earlier this month. hit, were dealt to the Hurricanes at the 2019 draft. Martin has seen his ice time decrease from 11:26 per game to 10:25 this He was bought out by the Hurricanes five days later and then signed with season. He is in the last year of his contract. his team of 19 seasons, the San Jose Sharks, on a one-year, $700,000 But he isn’t fretting. contract on Oct. 9, 2019. Marleau was then traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins at this season’s trade deadline for a conditional 2021 third- “I haven’t really thought much about it,” Martin told Newsday in February. round pick. “I’ve just been focused on this season. Going through that process once, like anything, you get a better understanding of it. The unknowns of that It was yet another move in a short amount of time for the 40-year-old and whole experience are what took up your mind-space.” his wife and four children.

Connor Carrick “It’s difficult, especially when the family and kids are involved,” Marleau said ahead of his first game back in San Jose on Feb. 29. “You have to Oct. 1, 2018: Traded to the Dallas Stars for a seventh-round pick in the weigh (that) as well. My family is very supportive and they mean the 2019 NHL entry draft (defenceman Kalle Loponen) world to me. They wanted me to have a shot, and I was able to take it with their support.” Carrick was a favourite in the Leafs dressing room for his hockey mind and his healthy lifestyle off the ice. Even with the trade, there was some overlap with the Penguins and Leafs schedules in California in late February. Auston Matthews and He’s now one of the more active NHL players on Instagram, regularly Mitch Marner found time to visit the Marleau home for dinner. posting updates on his personal life, his love of coffee, his training habits and now, how he’s dealing with self-isolation because of COVID-19. He’s FAMILY REUNION! THE BOYS ALL ARE GETTING SO BIG. MISSING posted videos of him scaring his wife, Lexi, just for kicks, as well as calls CALEB, WHO WAS SOUND ASLEEP. out to assist others in need. PIC.TWITTER.COM/YWC7WPANX1

“With that said, can I be of help to you? If you think I can, let me know — CHRISTINA MARLEAU (@C_MARLEAU) MARCH 2, 2020 how, and I’ll do my best to make that happen,” Carrick posted in an Instagram story on Wednesday. Marleau might have had a chance to go on a deep playoff run with the Penguins, even if his on-ice production has severely decreased this On the ice, Carrick has since moved from the Stars to the New Jersey season. Devils. The 25-year-old has remained a bottom-pairing defenceman, logging six points in 29 games with an average of 14:25 per game, 10th He scored 1.37 5-on-5 points per 60 minutes this season, which is only among Devils defencemen. He’s on his fourth NHL team. the 10th highest of his 13 seasons listed at Evolving Hockey. He has a shooting percentage of just 9.4 percent this season, the second-lowest Carrick was sidelined from Oct. 14 with a broken finger but played in 27 total of his career. of the Devils 35 games since then. Perhaps the most noticeable decline for Marleau has been his time on “Of the four (ex-Maple Leafs) players we talked to today, I can tell you ice: he’s logged 15:35 this season, which is 18th in his 22 NHL seasons. both (Smith) and I can say that Connor Brown was probably the most (Note: His totals from his rookie season, 1997-98 were not available via excited to be here,” Dorion said on July 1. Hockey Reference) Brown is averaging over 20 minutes a night for the first time in his four Still, here’s hoping Marleau gets another chance not just to play in the full NHL seasons. His 20:07 average ice time is the highest of any NHL again, but to have a crack at the Stanley Cup he’s been chasing his Senators forward. He is in the final season of a contract that pays him entire career. Marleau has played 1723 NHL regular season games. $2.1-million per season. His success in Ottawa this season and his That’s fifth in league history and the most of any player not to have won a relationship with Smith means he’s very likely to stay in Ottawa. Stanley Cup. Had he played in Pittsburgh’s remaining 13 games this season, he would have moved into third on the all-time list. He remains Nazem Kadri 44 games back of Gordie Howe’s record of 1767 games played. Jul. 1, 2019: Traded to the Colorado Avalanche with defenceman Calle Ron Hainsey Rosen and a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft for defenceman Tyson Barrie, forward Alex Kerfoot and a sixth-round pick in the 2020 Jul. 1, 2019: Signed as a free agent with the Ottawa Senators NHL entry draft

There were certainly times this season when it seemed like the Leafs You could argue that no former Leaf has been missed this season as missed old uncle Ron on the blue line. Through a tumultuous season, the much as Kadri. The 2009 first-round draft pick was the longest-tenured 38-year-old’s veteran voice likely would have been welcome. Leaf and was both a fan and dressing room favourite, blending physicality and scoring. By many accounts, not much has changed with the oft-prickly but always honest Hainsey in Ottawa. He still doesn’t speak to the media that much, What was an otherwise successful first season for the 29-year-old Kadri but he is being leaned upon to provide veteran leadership on a young in Colorado was shortened by a lower-body injury sustained in a Feb. 9 team. win over the Minnesota Wild.

“On a daily basis, he deals with (23-year-old star Senators defenceman “I think that Kadri’s a big loss,” said Avalanche coach in a Thomas Chabot) and he’s got him playing really well,” said Senators radio appearance on Feb. 11. “You’ve got a face-off guy, you got a coach D.J. Smith earlier in March. “He’s teaching these guys and that’s power-play guy, you got a second-line centre down the middle that adds like having an extra coach.” some experience and, like you said, that grit and sandpaper.”

Statistically, Hainsey was on pace for just 14 points on the season, his Kadri was inching towards a return when the NHL season was lowest total since the 2014-15 season. But at 38, he logged big minutes suspended. for the Senators this season. His 1067 5-on-5 minutes this season are second only to Chabot. Kadri finds himself on an Avalanche team that looked destined to enjoy home-ice advantage in the playoffs, and he was a big reason for that Hainsey is on a one-year $3.5-million deal. If he wants to keep playing, success. He was producing at a 58-point pace for the season before the it’s hard not to see a young team signing him. injury. His career high was 61 points with the Leafs in 2016-17.

Nikita Zaitsev His 2.33 5-on-5 points per 60 minutes was second only to the 3.29 points per 60 minutes that he logged in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. Jul. 1, 2019: Traded to the Ottawa Senators with forward Connor Brown That’s good for 41st among all NHL forwards with at least 600 5-on-5 and forward Michael Carcone for defenceman Cody Ceci, defenceman minutes played. Ben Harpur, forward Aaron Luchuk and a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft It all adds up to Kadri appearing happy and more relaxed in his new surroundings. Zaitsev was always a man of few words in Toronto, and that hasn’t changed. I had a chance to catch up with the 28-year-old Zaitsev in “It’s awesome. I love it,” said Kadri in November. “It’s honestly just a February in Ottawa and asked him how things have been going with his breath of fresh air not having to walk outside and feel like everybody is new team. watching you being under the microscope, so it’s definitely a little more relaxing.” “Pretty good,” he said. Garret Sparks The numbers, however, tell a different story. Jul. 23, 2019: Traded to the Vegas Golden Knights for forward David Of the 124 NHL defencemen who have played 900 5-on-5 minutes this Clarkson and a fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft season, Zaitsev’s xG% of 45.37% is 114th. Of those 124 defencemen, he is one of six defencemen to not have scored once at 5-on-5. For years, the 2011 seventh-round draft pick looked like the backup goalie of the future for the Leafs. His 2018 and the Baz He’s still playing a fair bit: he’s averaged 22:09 of ice time this season. Bastien Memorial award as the AHL’s best goalie propelled him to beat Still, getting rid of Zaitsev and his $4.5-million cap hit was one of Dubas’ out Curtis McElhinney and Calvin Pickard as the backup to Frederik better moves as Leafs GM. His albatross of a contract may very well Andersen for the 2018-19 season, but it wasn’t meant to be. Sparks remain with the Senators until 2024. struggled, posting a .902 save percentage in 20 games. He eventually left the Leafs on a 10-day stint with goalie coaches Steve Briere and Jon Connor Brown Elkin.

Jul. 1, 2019: Traded to the Ottawa Senators with defenceman Nikita “We need him to get (his game) back,” then head coach Mike Babcock Zaitsev and forward Michael Carcone for defenceman Cody Ceci, said at the time. defenceman Ben Harpur, forward Aaron Luchuk and a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft Sparks never played for the Leafs again. In July, the 26-year-old spoke about his poor season, including sustaining a concussion after taking a When the Toronto media arrived in Ottawa for a Feb. 15 game between William Nylander shot to the head during a Jan. 3 practice. the Leafs and the Seantors, Brown found the spotlight. At the time, he as the Senators leading scorer. He now sits second with 43 points in 71 “I felt I was finally starting to build some momentum and get my chance,” games. he said. “I just felt like I got cut down, and it’s hard to regrow after you get your progress chopped off like that.” So, he was asked, what’s gone into his success this season? After being traded to the Golden Knights, he played just one game for “Just belief in me,” said Brown. “I think that (Head coach D.J. Smith) has them, coming on in relief and allowed two goals on 14 shots in an Oct. 25 given me every opportunity to succeed here and there’s belief in my 6-1 loss against the Colorado Avalanche. ability. That’s seeped into me being able to get back to what I felt I could do.” He’s spent the majority of his time with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves this season, posting a .908 save percentage through 26 games. He is in the The 26-year-old’s success in Ottawa is no real surprise. After the trade, final year of a one-year, $750,000 contract. Senators GM didn’t hold back when assessing the deal. Jake Gardiner Sept. 6, 2019: Signed as a free agent with the Carolina Hurricanes

One of the better Leafs defencemen in recent memory hasn’t exactly had a great start to his four-year, $16.2-million contract with the Hurricanes this season.

The 29-year-old Gardiner averaged just 16:40 of ice time in 68 games. That’s a far cry from the more than 21 minutes a night he was averaging over his last three seasons in Toronto.

And his 5-on-5 points per 60 (0.75) is down from his last three seasons in Toronto.

But as per usual, his underlying numbers are strong. His 5-on-5 xG% is 52.55%, which is 37th of 124 NHL defencemen with at least 900 minutes played.

Moving from one team that you’ve played for your entire career to a brand new team can be difficult, especially when you’re coming off a herniated disc injury.

“In your contract year, you’re trying to play through everything,” Gardiner told James Mirtle ahead of his return to Toronto in December. “Finally I just said, this is too painful. I had to take some time off. Luckily I didn’t have to do surgery or anything. That was probably one of the harder things to go through (in my career), especially in a contract year.”

You have to believe he will eventually find his stride with his new team. The affable, easy-going Gardiner still has to improve his chirping game, but it still sounds like he’s enjoying Carolina.

“It’s been great,” Gardiner said. “Team’s awesome. Weather is great. My wife likes it. Really good guys on the team. It’s been a pretty easy transition, to be honest.”

Trevor Moore

Feb. 5: Traded to the Los Angeles Kings with a 2020 third-round pick and a conditional 2021 third-round pick for forward Kyle Clifford and goaltender Jack Campbell

A change of scenery has certainly benefitted Trevor Moore.

The 24-year-old California native had an injury-riddled 2019-20 campaign with the Leafs, scoring five points in 27 games this season. Former coach Mike Babcock was a fan of Moore’s, but he was caught in a log jam of speedy wingers on the team. Playing higher up the lineup with the Kings, he has posted five points in 15 games.

His shooting percentage has jumped from 7.3 percent with the Leafs this season to 15.8 percent with the Kings. He’s obviously due for some regression next season. It will be interesting to see what kind of role he maintains with the rebuilding Kings.

But for now, Moore seems to have welcomed his new life in California. He grew up a Kings fan.

“I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t special, for sure,” said Moore. “It’s the team that I grew up watching, we had season seats, where I got my love of the game. To put this practice jersey on here today, to be a part of this, it’s surreal, it’s awesome.”

Michael Hutchinson

Feb. 24: Traded to the Colorado Avalanche for defenceman Calle Rosen

Quintessential nice guy Michael Hutchinson played just one game for the Avalanche since being moved at the trade deadline. On his 30th birthday, he stopped 17 of 18 shots in a Mar. 2, 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Hutchinson spent the majority of his short time with the Avalanche on the road and used the time to become acquainted with the team’s systems and personnel.

“It’s been a fun road trip getting to know the guys and just feeling more comfortable,” said Hutchinson after the win.

Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer sustained a lower-body injury on Feb. 15, which likely necessitated the trade for Hutchinson. Grubauer was inching closed to a return when the NHL season was suspended, so that one game might have been his only one with Colorado this season.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181315 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights launch digital book club

By Rochelle Richards

March 20, 2020 - 3:34 PM

Put on your reading glasses and join the Golden Knights in their new book club.

The Knights announced on Friday the launch of a digital #VGKBookClub.

“During these unprecedented times of isolation, the Golden Knights hope to create a sense of community through this initiative,” the team said in a release.

The first selection for the club is “The Game” by Ken Dryden, and fans are asked to begin reading the book on March 25.

The team will release a detailed reading timeline at a later date to help participants stay on track.

Fans interested in joining are invited to join the #VGKBookClub Facebook Group, and share their progress and thoughts on social media using #VGKBookClub.

Knights broadcasters Gary Lawless, Daren Millard and Stormy Buonantony will also be participating.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181316 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights to host virtual game against Red Wings

By Rochelle Richards

March 20, 2020 - 12:48 PM

It’s Knight time!

Well kind of.

The Golden Knights are hosting a virtual hockey game between the Knights and Detroit Red Wings Friday at 3 p.m., the team announced.

The “game” will go live on the team’s official Twitch channel (VGKTwitch) and will feature the matchup played on NHL ‘20.

In-arena host Big D will play as the Knights against a computer simulation of the Red Wings.

Fans will feel like they are at T-Mobile Arena with traditional Knights in- arena entertainment elements such as a warm-up video, teaser, starting line-up introductions, television timeout entertainment and unique intermission entertainment.

Knights broadcaster Daren Millard will provide commentary, play-by-play and viewer interaction.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181317 Vegas Golden Knights Schmidt noted there’s no easy solution with regular-season games remaining on the schedule and multiple teams on the postseason bubble.

The Knights have the advantage of being in first place in the Pacific Nate Schmidt gets creative with free time during NHL’s pause Division when the pause went into effect and also should be at full strength whenever play resumes.

“Personally, I hope that they give us a few skates and maybe a game or By David Schoen two before you hit the ground running for playoffs,” Schmidt said. “I don’t think it’s going to take long. You get actual practices, but it could be you March 20, 2020 - 12:45 PM have a shorter season and you’re racing and teams are jockeying for position. It’s going to be wild. It’s going to be pretty interesting how it all plays out.” Nate Schmidt is still trying to wrap his head around the chain of events that led the NHL to pause its season. In the meantime, Schmidt said he will continue to pick weeds outside and find things to power wash. The NHL Players’ Association and league The closest comparison the Golden Knights defenseman could make is encouraged players to continue interacting with fans, meaning Schmidt to playing with friends as a kid and being called inside by Mom or Dad. will be more active than usual on social media.

“A week ago we were doing this and that and playing,” Schmidt said. “For right now, the biggest part is saying, ‘Guys, we’re going to have to “And it’s like, ‘OK, you’re done. Stop. Time for dinner. You can’t play no be adaptable with this and whatever happens, happens,’” Schmidt said. more.’ ” “For us as players, you want to play.

Schmidt has stayed busy while the league is suspended indefinitely due ”The league wants to play and we want to play, but again, we’ve got to to the coronavirus pandemic, whether it’s through home improvement be smart about this health-wise.” projects or completing a jigsaw puzzle. He and his girlfriend also started watching “The Masked Singer.” LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.21.2020

To maintain his conditioning, Schmidt said he is doing whatever he can, whether it’s riding a stationary bike or lifting dumbbells at home. Last week included a pool workout.

‘Got to stay sharp’

But the uncertainty of when the season will resume makes it difficult for Schmidt to know how to treat the time off.

“That’s the tough part. You’re trying to figure out what to do, what shape to keep into,” Schmidt said. “I think you’ve got to stay sharp, not so much mentally, but physically. It’s kind of a week by week thing.

”You don’t want to be in your mid-summer workout and all of a sudden we’re back. Because then, all of a sudden you’re going to be slow.”

The Knights endured a whirlwind 36 hours starting when they boarded a plane for Minnesota on March 11 unsure whether the game against the Wild the next day would take place.

Schmidt said he expected to play before getting further direction from the league as concerns about the COVID-19 virus spread.

Instead, the game was postponed March 12 and the Knights boarded a plane home that night.

“We couldn’t believe how we went from two weeks ago, we were playing well, dealing with a couple injuries, but the team’s playing well and winning, and all of a sudden, everything changes,” Schmidt said. “We’ve done some FaceTime group calls just to keep in touch with everybody and it’s just like, ‘What happened a week ago?’

“It’s tough for us because you want to play and we’ve got a good team and you think you’re going to win. At the same time, the health and safety of everybody is more important than the game.”

The league said Monday it was hoping for a training camp period in 45 days before possibly resuming games when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended eight-week ban on gatherings of more than 50 people expires.

Several players and at least one NHL governor backed a proposal that called for training camp and the completion of the regular season in July, followed by the postseason in August and September, free agency and the draft in October and the start of the 2020-21 season in November.

Ready to play

Schmidt preferred to return as quickly as possible once it’s safe to play.

“You talk to other guys and everyone was talking, ‘What do you think we should do?’ And, ‘What do you think’s going to happen?’ Everyone’s got a new idea,” Schmidt said. “You’re going to have to find a way to do this thing, and however it’s going to play out, you’ve just got to be able to be ready for it. I’m really up for whatever. Whenever we can play again, I’m up for whatever.” 1181318 Vegas Golden Knights

Soon you can watch Golden Knights’ ‘Valiant’ for free

By Christopher Lawrence

March 20, 2020 - 10:24 am

Updated March 20, 2020 - 10:43 am

It’s going to be awhile before the Golden Knights are back on the ice, but you can relive that magical inaugural season when “Valiant” skates onto Amazon Prime.

On April 1, the documentary that chronicles the thrills and heartbreak of the 2017-18 season will be free to stream for all Amazon Prime members. In addition to the games, “Valiant” looks at how the Route 91 Harvest festival shooting affected Las Vegas and the team and brought the two together.

“Once we got out to Las Vegas and started making the movie, it became one of the most emotional experiences of my life,” producer Virgil Price said.

“Valiant” includes interviews and insight from players Marc-Andre Fleury, William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, Ryan Reaves, Nate Schmidt, Malcolm Subban and Alex Tuch. The film’s anchor, though, is Deryk Engelland.

“If Bill Foley and the city are the two main characters, he’s the third most important character in this whole thing,” writer-director Cruz Angeles said, “because he does become the glue that brings these two things together.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181319 Vegas Golden Knights Outlook for next season: Saville will return to Omaha for his sophomore year, looking to improve on a solid freshman season. He will also be competing for one of the top-two goalie spots on Team USA’s junior squad. Golden Knights prospects: Where college and KHL players stand for next season Layton Ahac, D, 19 (Ohio State University)

Third-round pick in 2019 (No. 86 overall)

By Jesse Granger Mar 20, 2020 Evaluating a true stay-at-home defenseman like Ahac without watching all (or the majority) of his games is extremely difficult, because his impact doesn’t show up in a box score and possession metrics aren’t readily available in college hockey. As we sit in hockey limbo, it’s a good time to look at how each of the Golden Knights prospects performed this season and where they’ll likely Ahac contributed almost no offense for the Buckeyes as a freshman, with play next season. no goals and three assists in 36 games. But his game is predicated much more around playing strong defensively, and he was much better in that Vegas has 26 total prospects to examine, so I’ve broken them into three aspect. He didn’t play top-pairing minutes for Ohio State, but he was a groups based on where they played this season. plus-10 while on the ice this season. • Canadian major junior hockey (OHL, WHL and QMJHL) Outlook for next season: It can be tough for freshmen to find ice time in • professional hockey (AHL and ECHL) college hockey, especially on a top-10 team like Ohio State. Ahac will return to Columbus for his sophomore year and should receive a larger • College hockey and overseas leagues (NCAA and KHL in Russia) role.

Over the past two days we’ve covered 17 prospects who played in Peter Diliberatore, D, 19 (Quinnipiac University) Canadian major junior hockey, the AHL or ECHL this past season. Now we’ll transition to the seven players who played their 2019-20 season in Sixth-round pick in 2018 (No. 180 overall) college, and two more who played in the KHL. Diliberatore has been a pleasant surprise since the Golden Knights Jack Dugan, F, 21 (Providence Friars) selected him late in the 2018 draft. The Halifax, Nova Scotia, native is one of the smoothest skating defensemen in Vegas’ system and Fifth-round pick in 2017 (No. 142 overall) surprisingly lasted until the final day of roster cuts for Team Canada’s World Junior team this past winter. The fifth-round of the 2017 NHL Draft is looking awfully fruitful for the Golden Knights. Vegas made two selections in that round. Lucas Elvenes He’s still young, not turning 20 until the end of this month, and has led the Chicago Wolves in scoring as a rookie, and Dugan led the entire already completed two solid seasons at Quinnipiac. As a freshman, NCAA in scoring. Diliberatore tallied 19 points on three goals and 16 assists. This season he doubled his goal output to six while maintaining 15 assists in four Dugan exploded this year for Providence and was the best offensive fewer games. He’s quickly rising up the Golden Knights’ prospect player in college hockey by a pretty wide margin. The 21-year-old winger ranking. led the country in points (52), points per game (1.53) and assists (42). He’s one of 10 nominees for the Hobey Baker Award given to the best “He’s elusive, he evades forecheckers really well and then he passes the player in college hockey. puck off to a forward and who knows where it goes from there,” said Kurt Colling, who coached and taught Diliberatore in high school. “And he Dugan was fantastic at rookie camp this summer, and when he left quarterbacked our power play but his ability to run the breakout is much Vegas to return to college, he said he told management “that my goals greater than his ability to run the power play. That contributed to him not this year were to dominate and be the best player in college hockey.” having huge, huge numbers. What contributed to him being a draft pick He’s certainly done that, using his unique size and playmaking ability to was his skating and his compete level.” create high-danger chances for his teammates at an alarming rate. At 6- Outlook for next season: Like most of the players on this list, Diliberatore foot-2, Dugan’s frame allows him to hold the puck in the offensive zone, is likely heading back to school this fall. Quinnipiac finished the season using his body to shield the puck while he finds the open man. 21-11-2, ranked 14th in the country, so he and his Bobcats teammates Outlook for next season: Dugan will certainly be competing for one of the will be looking to improve on that and make a run in the NCAA winger spots on the Golden Knights this upcoming season, if he chooses tournament. to. There’s also a chance he returns to Providence for his junior season. Brandon Kruse, F, 20 (Bowling Green State University) The Friars were just out of the top 20 when the college hockey season was halted, and it’s possible Dugan wants to make a run at the Frozen Fifth-round pick in 2018 (No. 135 overall) Four. Considering the number of young forwards Vegas has competing for a roster spot next camp (including Cody Glass and Elvenes), Dugan Kruse is one of the oldest Golden Knights’ prospects still in college. He might end up either back in Providence or in the AHL. finished another productive season at Bowling Green with 34 points in 38 games. That brings his three-season career totals in college to an Isaiah Saville, G, 19 (University of Nebraska-Omaha ) impressive 108 points in 120 games.

Fifth-round pick in 2019 (No. 135 overall) The only worry I have for Kruse when he eventually makes the step to the AHL or NHL is his size. At only 5-foot-9, 154 pounds, he’s one of the One of the biggest questions surrounding the Golden Knights since their smallest players on the ice. Many have proven you can succeed in the inception has been about life after Marc-Andre Fleury. He’s served as the NHL at that size, but does Kruse have the overwhelming skills to make backbone of the organization since the night of the expansion draft, but up for his lack of size? he’ll be 36 in November. It may be a while before that question is actually answered, but Saville’s play this season gives hope that he may be the Outlook for next season: Depending on how his rookie camp goes, I answer. could see Kruse going back to Bowling Green for his senior season or deciding to make the jump to professional hockey. If he does, it would Saville started 28 games for Omaha as a 19-year-old freshman and likely land him on Las Vegas’ AHL team playing out of The Orleans managed a .907 save percentage. His athletic style is similar to Fleury’s Arena. My guess is he’s back at Bowling Green next fall. and lends itself to plenty of spectacular highlight reel saves. Saville also represented Team USA in the World Junior Championships in the Czech Ryder Donovan, F, 19 (University of Wisconsin) Republic. He was the third goaltender on the roster and didn’t make an appearance, but it’s a fantastic sign for his development. Teams routinely Fourth-round pick in 2019 (No. 110 overall) use that spot for a goalie they expect to play the following year, allowing Donovan is a massive forward who moves like a much smaller player. them to experience the tournament in person first. Watching him in person during last summer’s rookie camp at City At only 19, it’s still tough to project a goalie, but it’s an extremely National Arena reminded me of a younger version of Alex Tuch. He has encouraging start for the “Mayor of Save-ville.” the body to get to the front of the net at will, and the speed to put himself in dangerous positions in transition.

Don’t get too excited. Donovan still has a lot of work to do before he’s at Tuch’s level, but the physical tools appear to be there. This season he was buried in the lineup on a talented Wisconsin team that included lottery picks Cole Caufield and Alex Turcotte.

Donovan played down in the lineup and as a result had only two goals and three assists in 32 games.

Outlook for next season: Donovan will continue playing with Wisconsin, looking for a larger role in the offense as a sophomore.

Nick Campoli, F, 21, (Clarkson University)

Sixth-round pick in 2017 (No. 158 overall)

As a late pick from Vegas’ inaugural draft class, Campoli may be running short on time to prove he’s a legitimate NHL prospect. He registered only two goals and six assists in 29 games with Clarkson this season.

Outlook for next season: Campoli will likely be returning to Potsdam, New York, for his junior season with Clarkson.

Ivan Morozov, F, 19 (SKA St. Petersburg)

Second-round pick in 2018 (No. 61 overall)

Morozov has yet to take the ice with the Golden Knights for a practice, rookie camp or training camp. However, he’s developing nicely from a distance in Russia. Vegas’ highest pick in the 2018 draft has quickly become one of the best young players in Russia, highlighted by his stellar showing in the World Junior Championship this past winter.

Morozov served as Russia’s top-line center, adding two goals and an assist to help win a silver medal. He also played well for SKA St. Petersburg, showing he can produce with adults in Russia. His vision allows him to make plays despite not being the fastest skater. He has potential to be a major contributor for Vegas down the road.

Outlook for next season: Morozov was so good this season, SKA St. Petersburg offered him a new two-year contract. That means he’ll remain in Russia for at least the next two seasons, continuing to develop his game.

Pavel Dorofeyev, F, 19 (Metallurg Magnitogorsk)

Third-round pick in 2019 (No. 79 overall)

During last summer’s rookie development camp, no one stood out on the ice more than Dorofeyev. That’s even more impressive considering it was his first camp with Vegas, just days after being selected in Vancouver. Dorofeyev’s smooth skating, controlled puck handling and flashy passes make him one of the most exciting prospects in Vegas’ pipeline.

He took the next step in his career this season, graduating from Russia’s minor league (the MHL) to the top professional league (KHL). Like most young players in the KHL, Dorofeyev didn’t receive a ton of playing time. Even in limited minutes he showed some offensive explosion, adding four goals and three assists.

He also scored three goals in seven games for Team Russia at the World Junior Championships. He may have the highest ceiling of any Vegas prospect outside of Peyton Krebs, but he’s not there yet.

Outlook for next season: Dorofeyev has one year remaining on his contract with Metallurg Magnitogorsk and has stated he wants to play a full season in the KHL after joining midseason this year. Expect him to continue progressing, and if all goes well he could be in Vegas by 2021- 22.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181320 Washington Capitals

Wizards, Capitals to air video game simulations of postponed games

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times - Friday, March 20, 2020

The NBA and NHL seasons is suspended by the coronavirus pandemic, but the Washington Wizards and Capitals may have found the next best thing.

NBC Sports Washington and Monumental Sports Network will air “NBA 2K20” simulations of previously scheduled Wizards games and “NHL 20” sims of Capitals games on live TV, starting Saturday night.

The experiment begins when the virtual Wizards take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Saturday at 7 p.m.

The Capitals’ first simulation Tuesday at 7 p.m. against the St. Louis Blues.

“The artificial intelligence (AI) gameplay will be presented in alignment with the teams’ remaining schedules of postponed regular-season games, including opponents and dates,” a press release said.

Further, the games will feature commentary from NBC Sports Washington’s normal Wizards and Capitals announcers and commentators.

“We know that fans are as disappointed as we are not to be able to watch our favorite teams on a nightly basis,” Zach Leonsis, Monumental’s senior vice president of strategic initiatives, said in a statement. “We hope that these fun and engaging video game simulations will entertain our fans and help provide a greater sense of normalcy during these challenging times. We hope that when people tune in and watch these simulated games, they will be able to enjoy some friendly competitive play from the comforts of their own home.”

Washington Times LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181321 Washington Capitals Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.21.2020

With NHL season paused, a ranking of Capitals' best wins of 2019-20: No. 16

By Mark Zaner March 20, 2020 1:41 PM

While we wait for the NHL to hopefully resume its season, NBC Sports Washington is looking back at the 20 best wins of the Capitals' season so far. Mark Zaner, producer for Caps Faceoff Live and Caps Overtime Live, has watched every game. His rankings continue with No. 16, a 3-2 shootout win against the Boston Bruins on Nov. 16 that featured another 6-on-5 goal, a filthy shootout attempt by Jakub Vrana and Jaroslav Halak giving Capitals fans more nightmares.

WHAT HAPPENED

It was a first period the Caps dominated everywhere but the scoreboard. Charlie Coyle gave Boston the lead by re-directing a gorgeous centering pass five-hole on Braden Holtby. Less than three minutes later, Travis Boyd’s slick deflection of a John Carlson shot evened the game. Boyd was called up from Hershey earlier in the day.

Washington threw 18 shots on net in the first, but Caps-killer Jaroslav Halak kept all but one out of the cage. He finished the game with 42 saves. For most of the night it looked like shades of 2010 for the Capitals against Halak.

Boston took advantage of a Michal Kempny turnover 3:30 into the second period. Charlie McAvoy’s shot went wide of the net, but bounced right to David Pastrnak. Pastrnak had an open net to shoot at and buried his 17th of the season.

It remained 2-1 until the final minute of regulation. With the goalie pulled, T.J. Oshie kept a Zdeno Chara clearing attempt in the zone. The puck went behind the net to Evgeny Kuznetsov, who fed it back to Oshie in the slot. Oshie blasted home the one-timer to send the game to overtime and eventually a shootout.

The shootout took five rounds. Jakub Vrana gave the Caps the 2-1 edge before Chris Wagner’s shot went under Holtby and harmlessly through the crease. Washington earned a hard fought two points on the road.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

I buried the lead here. That Vrana shootout goal was something else. Imitating penalty shot specialist Pavel Datsyuk, Vrana used a devastating toe drag to get Halak out of position. He had no problem finishing on an empty-net. While Datsyuk was known for his ability on penalty shots throughout his career, this goal for Vrana came on only his second career shootout attempt.

WHY IT WAS SIGNIFICANT

Even though it was November, this game had a playoff feel to it. There was a lot of physical play (the Caps had 28 hits, Boston was credited with 23). Both goaltenders had big games. The game was close throughout. But the notion that the Caps “stole” two points is incorrect. Washington outplayed the Bruins on the night. The Caps won 67% of faceoffs. They dominated in puck possession. Halak was forced to make twice as many saves as Holtby. It was encouraging to see the Caps play so well on the road against the best team in the East. When the season restarts, it’s worth remembering that the Caps have won 16 of their last 18 against Boston. You know, just in case the two teams see each other in the postseason.

Oshie’s goal was the fourth the Caps had scored 6-on-5 on the season. It was the second time that week the Capitals had done it (Oshie scored late in a loss to Arizona on Nov. 11). It’s a trend that’s continued throughout the season for Washington, most notably in a dramatic win against the Sharks in January.

The Capitals late comeback dwarfed the effort of Boyd. He spent the first two months of the season yo-yoing between Washington and Hershey. At the time, his goal against Boston gave him five points in seven games. But in typical Boyd fashion, not only was he overshadowed by Oshie and Vrana, but by his own daughter celebrating his first period goal on social media. 1181322 Washington Capitals

Caps, Wizards game simulations coming to NBC Sports Washington, Monumental Sports Network

By NBC Sports Washington March 20, 2020 8:14 AM

Take-Two Interactive’s NBA 2K20 and EA Sports’ NHL 20 one-hour game simulations following the existing Caps and Wizards schedule are coming to NBC Sports Washington beginning on Saturday.

The simulations kick off with the Wizards vs. the Bucks on Saturday at 7 PM and will include the same video and audio components of NBA 2K20 gameplay, along with contributions from NBCSW’s Wizards experts surrounding the coverage.

The first Caps simulation comes on Tuesday March 24 at 7 PM with a matchup of the last two Stanley Cup Champions, the Capitals vs. St. Louis. The presentations will also feature commentary from NBCSW’s Capitals announcers.

“We know that fans are as disappointed as we are to not be able to watch our favorite teams on a nightly basis. We hope that these fun and engaging video game simulations will entertain our fans and help provide a greater sense of normalcy during these challenging times” said Zach Leonsis, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Monumental Sports & Entertainment and General Manager of Monumental Sports Network. “We hope that when people tune in and watch these simulated games, they will be able to enjoy some friendly competitive play from the comforts of their own home.”

“We hope this content gives fans a welcome outlet for their passion and interest in the Capitals and Wizards,” said NBCSW Senior Vice President & General Manager Damon Phillips. “If the video game version of Bradley Beal and Alex Ovechkin live up to their real-life counterparts, fans should be in for a fun experience.”

Here’s how to watch the first two games:

WIZARDS VS BUCKS

When: Saturday, 7 PM

Where: NBC Sports Washington (channel finder) or our 24/7 authenticated streaming platforms, Monumental Sports Network via its website www.monumentalsportsnetwork.com or via any of its available apps on iOS, Android, , Apple TV, Fire TV, and Xbox.

CAPS VS ST LOUIS

When: Tuesday, 7 PM

Where: NBC Sports Washington (channel finder) or our 24/7 authenticated streaming platforms, Monumental Sports Network via its website www.monumentalsportsnetwork.com or via any of its available apps on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Xbox.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181323 Washington Capitals In total, the fourth line combined for two goals and five assists. 2. Tom Wilson's backbreaker

Washington obviously dominated the first period, but Columbus NHL 20 Caps simulation: Ovechkin nets goal No. 50 in blowout win over dominated the second. The Blue Jackets maintained possession of the Blue Jackets puck for long offensive shifts and had a number of good opportunities, but could not get one past Holtby.

By J.J. Regan March 20, 2020 6:00 AM Columbus caught the Caps on a bad line change with the first line trying to get off the ice while the Blue Jackets carried the puck into the offensive zone. What could have been a serious blunder quickly turned into the Caps' favor as Wilson grabbed the puck and started the The Capitals bounced back from a shutout loss to Edmonton with a breakout. With Dowd and Panik coming on, Washington suddenly had a blowout 6-1 victory on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-on-2 opportunity with Wilson finishing off the play. Thursday in the latest EA Sports NHL 20 simulation. The Blue Jackets were digging deep to try to get back into the game, but Lines one good rush opportunity for Washington saw a three-goal deficit turn With Campbell Oshie born and everyone healthy, T.J. Oshie got back into a four-goal deficit. into the lineup. With a back-to-back, and after the Caps got torched on 3. Special teams defense Monday, I decided to put Radko Gudas back in the lineup and take Nick Jensen out. There were not many games in which special teams favored the Caps over the past few weeks because they take too many penalties and the Alex Ovechkin - Evgeny Kuznetsov - Tom Wilson power play stinks. On Thursday, however, Washington took three Jakub Vrana - Nicklas Backstrom - T.J. Oshie penalties, killed off all three power plays and scored on both of their power play opportunities. Carl Hagelin - Lars Eller - Ilya Kovalchuk Other notes Richard Panik - Nic Dowd - Garnet Hathaway A real-life lesson Jonas Siegenthaler - John Carlson I take almost nothing from the video game as analysis on real hockey. Dmitry Orlov - Brenden Dillon That would be pretty ridiculous if I began to consider myself an expert in hockey because I just won the Stanley Cup in a video game. Having said Michal Kempny - Radko Gudas that, there is one lesson I took away from playing this game. Braden Holtby starts On a long offensive shift for Columbus, the Blue Jackets began to cycle The lineup for Columbus comes from Mark Scheig: the puck. The defense was in good position, but as they continued to cycle, it became increasingly difficult for the defense to keep up. It's like Alexandre Wennberg - Pierre-Luc Dubois - Cam Atkinson in football when the secondary has all the receivers covered, but the Guatav Nyquist - Boone Jenner - Nick Foligno defensive line can't get any pressure on the quarterback. The longer the play goes on, the harder it is to keep up. It's a good lesson in why the Kevin Stenlund - Riley Nash - Emil Bemstrom cycle is so effective. Over the course of a long shift in which the defense has to keep reacting to what the offense is doing, the offense is going to Stefan Matteau - Devin Shore - Eric Robinson be able to find a hole sooner or later.

Zach Werenski - Ryan Murray 50 goals for Ovechkin

Vladislav Gavrikov - David Savard Ovechkin scored in the third period, his second goal since I began Markus Nutivaara - Andrew Peeke simming the games, giving him 50 on the season. Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy are the only two players in the history of the game with nine Elivs Merzlikins starts 50-goal seasons. Ovechkin was two goals away from joining them when the season was put on pause. I was happy for digital Ovechkin, but it Result: Caps 6, Blue Jackets 1 made me pause and think about how unfortunate this entire situation is. 1st period Obviously the health of everyone out there is what is most important and 1-0 Caps goal: Nic Dowd from Richard Panik and Garnet Hathaway I hope everyone out there is doing OK and staying safe. But my job is to talk hockey, specifically Caps hockey, and what a shame it would be if 2-0 Caps goal: Richard Panik from Nic Dowd and Jonas Siegenthaler Ovechkin was robbed of history by all of this.

3-0 Caps goal (power play): John Carlson from Nicklas Backstrom and Digital Ovechkin, however, was pumped. Alex Ovechkin Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.21.2020 2nd period

4-0 Caps goal: Tom Wilson from Nic Dowd and Richard Panik

3rd period

4-1 Blue Jackets goal: Cam Atkinson from Pierre-Luc Dubois and Zach Werenski

5-1 Caps goal (power play): Nicklas Backstrom from Tom Wilson and John Carlson

6-1 Caps goal: Alex Ovechkin from Tom Wilson and Brenden Dillon

How the Caps won

1. The fourth line

The fourth line had itself a game. Panik beat out an icing call and set up Nic Dowd for an early goal just 1:56 into the game. Panik was rewarded with his own goals soon after, wristing a mean shot to the top corner to beat Merzlikins glove-side. In the middle of a line change in the second period, Dowd and Panik teamed up to set up Wilson. 1181324 Washington Capitals

NBC Sports Washington will air simulated Wizards and Capitals games

By Fred Katz Mar 20, 2020

NBC Sports Washington and Monumental Sports Network are using a break in the sports calendar because of the COVID-19 pandemic to lean hard into video games.

NBCSW, in conjunction with Monumental, will use video games as replacement programming for Capitals and Wizards games, sources tell The Athletic. NBCSW will run one-hour video-game simulations on “NBA 2K20” and “NHL 20” to fill in for previously scheduled matchups. The endeavor begins Saturday night, when the real Washington Wizards were originally scheduled to play the real Milwaukee Bucks. Now, instead of seeing Giannis Antetokounmpo versus Bradley Beal, viewers will get a look at the stars’ avatars. NBCSW will run a one-hour computer- simulated “NBA 2K” game of Washington playing Milwaukee. The first “NHL 20” simulation will run Tuesday and will pit the Capitals against the St. Louis Blues.

Wizards studio host and sideline reporter Chris Miller will record an introduction explaining the concept before the fantasy Wizards/Bucks game tips off Saturday, sources said. The concept is still at work, but the longer-term plan could be to have Miller splice in with commentary here or there during breaks. In-game announcers for “NBA 2K20” and “NHL 20” will be the regular video-game commentary. Simulations are all prerecorded, not live, so the network can put in post-production work. Miller, meanwhile, will contribute via Zoom from his office at home, not from a studio. The goal is to fill halftimes and intermissions with NBCSW talent.

Capitals play-by-play broadcaster Joe Beninati and/or color analyst Craig Laughlin are expected to contribute to the “NHL 20” sims. NBCSW has discussed the possibility of them doing postgame content, sources said.

The intent, for now, is to continue this project throughout the rest of the would-be regular season, though plans are fluid. That would mean 13 simulated games for the Wizards and seven for the Capitals.

Wizards simulations will have eight-minute quarters, a source said. NBCSW hasn’t decided yet how long its periods will be for the Capitals.

NBCSW is still going after classic games and will build around theme nights, a source said. The Athletic previously reported the network was trying to acquire the rights to the Capitals’ Stanley Cup games so it could run them on air along with older games, as well.

NBCSW plans on packaging the simulations along with more Wizards and Capitals content. Following Saturday’s Wizards sim, it will air an encore of a real game from November 2016, when John Wall set the franchise record for most assists in a game. After Monday’s Wizards sim (which will come against the simulated Celtics), it will air a game from one month later, when Wall set his career high of 52 points.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181325 Washington Capitals Murphy’s franchise record for points by defenseman in a season (81 in 1986-87).

With 13 games left to play, it sure looked like a slam dunk that Carlson Four ‘what ifs’ about the Capitals’ 2019-20 season that might go would get a couple of assists to pass Stevens and seven points to unanswered surpass Murphy’ mark.

3. Would Braden Holtby hold off Ilya Samsonov to get the postseason nod for Game 1? By Tarik El-Bashir Mar 20, 2020 Samsonov spent December and January making a strong argument for himself. Then he struggled against the Islanders on Feb. 10, allowing five goals on 20 shots before getting pulled. The Caps lost that game 5-3. With every passing day, it seems more and more unlikely that the NHL Samsonov, meantime, lost the momentum he’d gained, while a turning will be able to complete the 2019-20 regular season. point in the competition had been established. Of course, that’s not the biggest uncertainty we’re all facing during these Including the loss to the Isles, Samsonov was 0-3-1 with a 4.66 goals- unsettling and unprecedented times. But that doesn’t make it any easier against average and a .866 save percentage in four starts prior to the for the Capitals, who were clinging to the lead with pause. Holtby, on the other hand, went 5-3-2 with a 2.75 goals-against about a month to go; or their fans, who were tracking Alex Ovechkin’s average and .911 save percentage in that span. Given the disparity in pursuit of history and starting to look ahead to potential first round performance and, more importantly, the goalies’ workloads, it had matchups. become pretty clear which direction coach Todd Reirden had begun to An abbreviated regular season is possible. So is a campaign that picks lean. up in the playoffs, even if the tournament takes a different form than “I’m just trying to get better every day,” Holtby said March 11, asked if usual. We just don’t know right now. All we know for sure is this: Pausing he’d turned a corner. “Just trying to give the team a chance to win.” the hockey season a week ago left everyone hanging … right at the good part. Although Holtby declined to elaborate on the much-improved state of his own game just before the stoppage, he really didn’t need to say much; And it got us wondering what are the Capitals’ biggest ‘what ifs’ that we the numbers spoke loud and clear. If and when the season resumes, it’s may never get the answer to should the final 13 games get scrubbed. Holtby’s net. Here’s what we came up with: Per Reirden, Holtby would have started against Detroit, the first game 1. How many goals would Alex Ovechkin have scored? affected by the pause. That would have been Holtby’s third consecutive After a brief cold spell in mid-February, Ovechkin had begun to heat up start, fifth in six games and seventh in nine contests. again when the season was put on pause. He’d scored eight goals in the “It’s important to (have) Braden back in there,” Reirden said a day before 10 games prior to the shutdown, bringing his season total to 48 goals and the Detroit game was postponed. “We’re talking about getting ourselves moving him into a tie with Boston’s David Pastrnak for the league lead. ready for playoff hockey, and the accountability within, and the work ethic With 13 games remaining, it’s virtually a lock that Ovechkin would have that’s needed, and the focus that you have to have, and the shift-to-shift clinched a ninth 50-goal season (and second such campaign in a row). (urgency), and at this point, Braden is the right guy for us to go with for And with one more game remaining than Pastrnak, it wouldn’t have been (the Detroit) game.” a stretch to envision Ovi pushing past the Bruins’ sniper to claim a ninth 4. Would the Caps have held on to claim their fifth straight Metropolitan Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophy. Division crown? The burning question, though, is where exactly Ovechkin would have By fighting back to earn a point in Buffalo on March 9, the Caps entered ended up? There’s no way to know for sure, of course. But recent history the pause with a one-point lead on the Flyers and a four-point lead on the suggests he would have finished strong. Consider: Penguins. The remaining slate featured five teams that were in a playoff spot and All three teams had 13 games left to play – and, in true Metro tradition, it eight teams that were not. probably would have been a scrap to the finish. Some notes: Among the eight teams on the outside looking in were the league-worst Washington had the slightly easier route, at least on paper. In addition to Red Wings (against whom Ovi had already recorded a hat trick this having eight games at home, it also had just five opponents who season) and the second-worst Senators (Ovi had four goals in two currently held a playoff spot. Three of its remaining games were against games versus Ottawa). the bottom-feeding Red Wings (twice) and Senators. Ovechkin and Co. Over the previous five seasons, Ovechkin scored an average of 6.8 goals were 3-0 against the Wings and Sens in previous meetings this season, in the final 13 games. winning by a combined score of 16-6.

Again, there’s no way to know. But even if we went relatively Philadelphia was slated to finish with seven road games and six at home. conservative and, say, gave him seven goals, he’d finish with 55. That The Flyers had been red-hot, too, having won nine in a row. Until, that is, total would have marked his highest since he potted 56 in 2008-09 – in they blew their chance to leapfrog Washington on March 10, courtesy of his age 23 season. a 2-0 loss to the Bruins on home ice. Of Philly’s remaining 13 games, six were against opponents currently in playoff position. 2. How many points would John Carlson have finished with? Like Philly, the Penguins were also scheduled to wrap up with seven The Caps’ No. 1 defenseman had a historic regular season from an road games. Unlike Philly, though, the Pens were struggling, having gone offensive standpoint, even if his pursuit of triple-digits seemed likely to 3-8 in 11 games prior to the pause. They, too, had a mixed bag of come up short. remaining opponents, with six sitting in playoff position.

His 75 points (15 goals, 60 assists) were a new career-high and had him In all likelihood, the race would have come down to Washington and on pace for 89. (Carlson’s previous high for points was 70, which he Philadelphia. And it’s possible the Caps would have held off the Flyers. posted a year ago.) But that would assume the Caps a) took advantage of home ice and a slightly softer schedule and b) the Flyers cooled a bit. And that would be His point total was 10 more than the Predators’ Roman Josi and assuming a lot considering the most consistent aspect of the Caps’ Carlson’s assist total was fourth-best among all skaters. overall game in the second half was how they couldn’t find any. In fact, He surpassed Calle Johansson for most points by a defenseman in they were 15-14-3 dating to Dec. 23. franchise history when Carlson recorded his 475th point versus the As things stand now, though, the point the Caps managed to steal in Penguins on Feb. 23. (He’s up to 478 points now.) Buffalo may be all they needed to keep their crown. But the stoppage has left a couple of franchise records he probably won’t The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 get the chance to break. The first was Scott Steven’s single-season mark for assists (61 in 1988-89). The other is much more significant: Larry 1181326 Winnipeg Jets ECHL: 61 GP, 11 G, 27 A, 38 PTS The undrafted blue-liner, who played four years at Bemidji State

University, was putting up plenty of points in his first pro season. Province well represented in three top North American professional D Madison Bowey, 24 hockey leagues Winnipeg

Detroit Red Wings NHL: 53 GP, 3 G, 14 A, 17 PTS Mike McIntyre Grand Rapids Griffins AHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS Posted: 03/20/2020 11:00 PM The 2013 second-round pick of the Washington Capitals was getting

plenty of opportunity with a sad-sack Red Wings squad this season, Three-time Stanley Cup champion and Winnipegger, Chicago already eclipsing a career-high in NHL games played in a season. Blackhawks centre Jonathan Toews, middle, is probably the most D Josh Brook, 20 notable name on a long list of Manitobans playing professional hockey in North America. Roblin

Three-time Stanley Cup champion and Winnipegger, Chicago Laval Rocket AHL: 60 GP, 4 G, 9 A, 13 PTS Blackhawks centre Jonathan Toews, middle, is probably the most notable name on a long list of Manitobans playing professional hockey in Solid first pro season for the 2017 second-round pick of the Montreal North America. Canadiens.

It’s not exactly a state secret that Manitobans have a love affair with F Adam Brooks, 23 hockey. Winnipeg

We tend to eat, breathe and sleep the sport that seems to be a part of Toronto Maple Leafs NHL: 7 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 PTS our collective DNA, from the highest levels right on down to the grassroots. Our little corner of the world also produces quality players Toronto Marlies AHL: 29 GP, 9 G, 11 A, 20 PTS every year to feed various leagues around the globe. The 2016 fourth-rounder, now in his third pro season, got his first taste of Quite frankly, it can be hard to keep track of everyone. NHL action earlier this year and continues to be a very strong player at the minor-league level. With that in mind, I’ve spent this past week tracking the progress of every locally born and raised player who this season laced up their skates in Colorado Avalanche left wing Matt Calvert. the NHL, AHL or ECHL, the three main North American professional leagues. Colorado Avalanche left wing Matt Calvert.

With hockey on indefinite pause due to COVID-19, I figured this was a F Matt Calvert, 30 great time to take stock, get us all up to speed and perhaps start an Brandon annual tradition in these pages. Colorado Avalanche NHL: 50 GP, 12 G, 13 A, 25 PTS What follows is a quick synopsis of what I found. The 2008 fifth-rounder was on the verge of eclipsing a career high in There are 64 players who fit the bill, including 37 forwards, 22 points (26, set last year) at the time of the NHL suspension. He’s a defencemen and five goaltenders. Of those, 20 have played exclusively valuable part of the bottom-six on a stacked Avalanche squad. in the NHL, 11 both the NHL and AHL, 13 exclusively in the AHL, eight in both the AHL and ECHL and 12 exclusively in the ECHL (or a lower-level F Colt Conrad, 22 league). Brandon A total of 22 communities are represented. Not surprisingly, Winnipeg leads the way with 30 players. Brandon is next with 12, while Winkler and Toronto Marlies AHL: 3 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS Swan River each have a pair. Beausejour, Binscarth, Cross Lake, Newfoundland Growlers ECHL: 42 GP, 6 G, 32 A, 38 PTS Dauphin, Elkhorn, LaBroquerie, Lorette, Minnedosa, Morweena, Oakbank, Pilot Mound, Portage la Prairie, Roblin, St. Andrews, St. Malo, The undrafted graduate of Western Michigan University was having a big Steinbach, Strathclair and The Pas are each home to one. offensive pro debut at the ECHL level.

All told, those 64 Manitobans appeared in 2,981 games this year — F Tyler Coulter, 23 1,373 in the NHL, 880 in the AHL and 728 in the ECHL. Brandon The 59 forwards and defencemen have scored 434 goals (174 in the Rapid City Rush ECHL: 47 GP, 24 G, 15 A, 39 PTS NHL, 110 in the AHL, 150 in the ECHL), 797 assists (337 in the NHL, 183 in the AHL and 277 in the ECHL) and 1,230 points (511 in the NHL, 292 The undrafted former Brandon Wheat King was close to a point-per- in the AHL, 427 in the ECHL). game player in the ECHL after previously playing with the University of Calgary. And the five goaltenders have combined for 58 wins (21 in the NHL, 23 in the AHL and 14 in the AHL). F Connor Dewar, 20

There’s no shortage of great stories out there, too: kids such as Morgan The Pas Geekie, Keegan Kolesar and Adam Brooks making their big-league debuts; cagey veterans Cody McLeod and Ryan White hanging on in the Iowa Wild AHL: 52 GP, 6 G, 13 A, 19 PTS minors; established stars Alex Steen and Duncan Keith hitting The 2018 third-round pick of the Minnesota Wild was skating in his first milestones; Chris Driedger and Zach Whitecloud seemingly coming out pro season after finishing up an impressive WHL career with the Everett of nowhere; drafted and undrafted players trying to move up to the next Silvertips. level; and all kinds of MJHL and Bisons alumni you probably lost track of years ago. Montreal Canadiens' Max Domi.

So take a bow, hockey communities. You’ve done well. To THE CANADIAN PRESS/GRAHAM HUGHES celebrate, here’s a snapshot of all 64 players (in alphabetical order) and what they’ve been up to this season. Montreal Canadiens' Max Domi.

D Justin Baudry, 23 F Max Domi, 24

LaBroquerie Winnipeg Montreal Canadiens NHL: 71 GP, 17 G, 27 A, 44 PTS Talk about making a splash. The 2017 third-round pick of the Hurricanes put up four points in his first two NHL games after being called up from The 12th overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft and son of former Jets the minors. enforcer Tie Domi was having a bit of a down year offensively in his second season with the Habs after being traded from Arizona. F Cody Glass, 20

G Chris Driedger, 25 Winnipeg

Winnipeg Vegas Golden Knights NHL: 39 GP, 5 G, 7 A, 12 PTS

Florida Panthers NHL: 12 GP, 7-2-1, 2.05 goal-against average, .938 Chicago Wolves AHL: 2 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 PTS save percentage The first-ever pick, sixth overall, of the expansion Golden Knights is still AHL: 15 GP 6-9-0, 2.29 GAA, .932 SP trying to find his way in Sin City, most recently dispatched to the minors after a prolonged stretch as a healthy scratch on a deep Vegas team. The 2012 third-round pick of Ottawa was a big part of Florida’s push for a playoff spot after being summoned earlier in the season from the minors. D Travis Hamonic, 29

F Cody Eakin, 28 St. Malo

Winnipeg Calgary Flames NHL: 50 GP, 3 G, 9 A, 12 PTS

Winnipeg Jets/Vegas Golden Knights NHL: 49 GP, 5 G, 10 A, 15 PTS The veteran defenceman has battled injuries but continues to be an important part of Calgary’s blue line. He’s a pending unrestricted free The hometown boy had been skating on the second line with Patrik Laine agent this summer. and Nikolaj Ehlers and put up five points in his first eight games since coming over in a trade from Vegas. F Brendan Harms, 25

D Josh Elmes, 26 Steinbach

Brandon Cincinnati Cyclones ECHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS

Rapid City Rush AHL: 53 GP, 0 G, 5 A, 5PTS The undrafted Bemidji State University grad was in his third pro season, all in the ECHL. The undrafted former University of Manitoba Bison was in his third full season in the ECHL. D Chase Harrison, 23

F Zach Franko, 27 Winnipeg

Winnipeg Jacksonville Icemen ECHL: 37 GP, 3 G, 5 A, 8 PTS

Norfolk Admirals ECHL: 8 GP, 5 G, 2 A, 7 PTS The undrafted alumnus was in his third pro season on his third ECHL team. Like Elmes, another Bison alumnus who was in his second pro season in the ECHL. Also played a handful of games this year in the lower-tiered Detroit Red Wings' Darren Helm. Southern Professional Hockey League. TRIBUNE MEDIA MCT F Byran Froese, 29 Detroit Red Wings' Darren Helm. Winkler F Darren Helm, 32 Stockton Heat AHL: 46 GP, 19 G, 23 A, 42 PTS St. Andrews The 2009 fourth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, who has 110 NHL games under his belt but none since the 2017-18 season, has Detroit Red Wings NHL: 68 GP, 9 G, 7 A, 16 PTS matched a career high in points at the AHL level as a member of the The veteran of 697 NHL games has spent his entire career in Motor City Calgary Flames organization. and remains a consistent part of their bottom six in what has been a Joel Edmundson with the St. Louis Blues during their run to the Stanley nightmarish season for the franchise. Cup win last season. D Adam Henry, 25

Joel Edmundson with the St. Louis Blues during their run to the Stanley Winnipeg Cup win last season. ECHL: 7 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS D Joel Edmundson, 26 After playing in the followed by five seasons Brandon with the University of Manitoba Bisons, the undrafted Henry was just Carolina Hurricanes NHL: 68 GP, 7 G, 13 A, 20 PTS getting his feet wet with his first taste of pro hockey.

The Stanley Cup champion has set a career high in points this year after F James Henry, 29 a trade to Carolina. Winnipeg

F Micheal Ferland, 27 Adirondack Thunder ECHL: 50 GP, 8 G, 24 A, 32 PTS

Swan River Another WHL and Bison alumnus who went undrafted, he’s now in his Vancouver Canucks NHL: 14 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 PTS seventh season of pro hockey, all in the ECHL. He put up a career-high 69 points last season with the Thunder. Utica Comets AHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS F Nicholas Henry, 20 The former Wheat Kings sniper is at a career crossroads after suffering a setback while on a conditioning assignment in the AHL to work his way Portage La Prairie back from yet another concussion. AHL: 42 GP, 3 G, 6 A, 9 PTS

F Morgan Geekie, 21 ECHL: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS

Strathclair The former Portage Terrier, who was the 2017 fourth-round pick of Carolina Hurricanes NHL: 2 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 4 PTS Colorado, spent the majority of his first pro season with their AHL affiliate. AHL: 55 GP, 22 G, 20 A, 42 PTS New York Rangers' Brett Howden, left. Swan River

New York Rangers' Brett Howden, left. AHL: 9 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS

F Brett Howden, 21 Orlando Solar Bears ECHL: 45 GP, 13 G, 24 A, 37 PTS

Oakbank Undrafted former Moose Jaw Warrior split his first pro season between the AHL and ECHL. New York Rangers NHL: 70 GP, 9 G, 10 A, 19 PTS Former Canucks left-winger Brendan Leipsic now plays for the The 27th overall pick in the 2016 draft was in his second full NHL Washington Capitals. season, surpassing the six goals he scored in his rookie season. Former Canucks left-winger Brendan Leipsic now plays for the D Tanner Jago, 25 Washington Capitals.

Brandon F Brendan Leipsic, 25

Texas Stars AHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS Winnipeg

Idaho Steelheads ECHL: 49 GP, 1 G, 7 A, 8 PTS Washington Capitals NHL: 61 GP, 3 G, 8 A, 11 PTS

The undrafted MJHL grad (Portage and Winkler) was in his first pro The 2012 third-rounder is on his fifth NHL club but was a regular fixture season after playing four years at Bentley University. He got a one-game on the fourth line with a deep Capitals team. taste of AHL action and scored his first pro goal with Idaho. D Brett Lernout, 24 D Garrett Johnston, 24 Winnipeg Winnipeg Chicago Wolves AHL: 38 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS Toronto Marlies AHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS The 2014 third-rounder, with 21 NHL games with Montreal on his Newfoundland Growlers ECHL: 57 GP, 3 G, 23 A, 26 PTS resumé, is now with the Vegas organization.

Another former MJHLer (Swan Valley) who had stops in the QMJHL and F Ty Lewis, 21 with the Bisons, he was in his second pro season and having a strong one with Toronto’s ECHL affiliate. Brandon

F Tanner Kaspick, 21 Colorado Eagles AHL: 12 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS

Brandon Utah Grizzlies ECHL: 44 GP, 25 G, 26 A, 51 PTS

San Antonio Rampage AHL: 59 GP, 6 G, 18 A, 24 PTS Undrafted former Wheat Kings star put up big numbers in his second pro season in the ECHL, while also getting some AHL action. The former Wheat Kings star, selected in the fourth round of the 2016 draft by the St. Louis Blues, was in his second full pro season with their G Austin Lotz, 24 AHL affiliate. Winnipeg D Brady Keeper, 23 Kalamazoo Wings ECHL: 1 GP 0-1-0, 5.01 GAA, .783 SP Cross Lake The undrafted Lotz was in his fourth pro season, but his ECHL struggles Springfield Thunderbirds AHL: 61 GP, 6 G, 12 A, 18 PTS landed him in the Southern Professional Hockey League.

His terrific story is well-documented, from the OCN Blizzard of the MJHL F Jonathon Martin, 24 to the University of Maine to a contract with the Florida Panthers and his NHL debut late last season. The undrafted Keeper from the remote Winnipeg Manitoba First Nation community was learning the pro game this year Tucson Roadrunners AHL: 56 GP, 12 G, 6 A, 18 PTS with their AHL affiliate. Now in his fourth pro season, the undrafted Martin has set a career-high G Cole Kehler, 22 for goals in the AHL.

Winkler F Jordan Martinook, 27

Ontario Reign AHL: 1 GP, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 SP Brandon

Fort Wayne Komets ECHL: 31 GP, 14-10-4, 3.05 GAA, .901 SP Carolina Hurricanes NHL: 45 GP, 2 G, 11 A, 13 PTS

The undrafted former Western Hockey Leaguer is in his second full Just surpassed the 100-point milestone in the fifth year of his NHL season in the ECHL and got eight minutes of AHL action earlier this career. season. F Stelio Mattheos, 20 D Duncan Keith, 36 Winnipeg Winnipeg Charlotte Checkers AHL: 16 GP, 3 G, 3 A, 6 PTS Chicago Blackhawks NHL: 61 GP, 3 G, 24 A, 27 PTS Third-round pick in the 2017 NHL draft was in his first full pro season The Kenora-born, Winnipeg-raised Keith, who has spent his entire NHL after a stellar WHL career in Brandon. career in the Windy City, passed the 100-goal and 600-point milestones this season. F Cody McLeod, 35

F Keegan Kolesar, 22 Binscarth

Winnipeg Iowa Wild AHL: 21 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 PTS

Vegas Golden Knights NHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0PTS Undrafted veteran of 776 NHL games spent the whole year with Minnesota’s as he tries to keep his pro career going. Chicago Wolves AHL: 33 GP, 3 G, 15 A, 18 PTS D Dylan McIlrath, 27 The 2015 third-rounder made his NHL debut earlier this season. Winnipeg F Tristan Langan, 21 Detroit Red Wings NHL: 16 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS Undrafted forward with 10 career NHL games struggled offensively in the AHL this season. Grand Rapids Griffins AHL: 44 GP, 0 G, 8 A, 8 PTS D Travis Sanheim, 23 The 10th overall pick of the 2010 NHL draft has played only 66 career NHL games, spending most of his career in the AHL. Elkhorn

F Shaquille Merasty, 28 Philadelphia Flyers NHL: 69 GP, 8 G, 17 A, 25PTS

Minnedosa The 17th-overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft hit the 200-game mark for his career. //Fort Wayne Komets ECHL: 31 GP, 4 G, 5 A, 9 PTS D Damon Severson, 25

Undrafted veteran forward has spent the past three years in the ECHL Brandon after three years with the Bisons. NHL: 69 GP, 8 G, 23 A, 31 PTS D Joel Messner, 26 Now in his sixth season with the Devils, Severson was closing in on a Lorette career high in offensive production.

Atlanta Gladiators ECHL: 59 GP, 8 G, 29 A, 37 PTS F Alex Steen, 35

After splitting last season between the AHL and ECHL, the undrafted Winnipeg blue-liner has spent this whole season in the lower league. St. Louis Blues NHL: 55 GP, 7 G, 10 A, 17 PTS F Kamerin Nault, 24 Stanley Cup champion got to play in his 1,000th career game earlier this Winnipeg season in Winnipeg.

Charlotte Checkers AHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS F Mark Stone, 27

Greenville Swamp Rabbits ECHL: 40 GP, 16 G, 16 A, 32 PTS Winnipeg

Undrafted alumnus, who had a goal and assist in one Vegas Golden Knights NHL: 65 GP, 21 G, 42 A, 63 PTS game with the last season, has primary been in the ECHL this season. Having a stellar first full season in Vegas after signing a big free-agent deal. G Calvin Pickard, 27 D Michael Stone, 29 Winnipeg Winnipeg Detroit Red Wings NHL: 3 GP, 0-2-0, 5.46 GAA, .797 SP Calgary Flames NHL: 33 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 PTS Grand Rapids Griffins AHL: 33 GP, 17-12-4, 1 A, 2.86 GAA, .903 SP Solid depth defenceman in Calgary who is a pending UFA. Veteran of 107 NHL games now seems relegated to an AHL role. D Peter Stoykewych, 27 F Adam Pleskach, 31 Winnipeg Beausejour Manitoba Moose AHL: 12 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS Tulsa Oilers ECHL: 63 GP, 21 G, 28 A, 49 PTS Captain of the Moose spent most of this season sidelined with injury. Undrafted Selkirk Steelers alumnus has proven to be a big scorer at the ECHL level. F Jonathan Toews, 31

D Ryan Pulock, 25 Winnipeg

Dauphin Chicago Blackhawks NHL: 70 GP, 18 G, 42 A, 60 PTS

New York Islanders NHL: 68 GP, 10 G, 25 A, 35 PTS Captain Serious was having another strong two-way season on a struggling Blackhawks team. The 15th-overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft is on the cusp of setting new career highs for goals, assists and points. F Dale Weise, 31

F Ryan Reaves, 32 Winnipeg

Winnipeg Montreal Canadiens NHL: 23 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 PTS

Vegas Golden Knights NHL: 71 GP, 8 G, 7 A, 15 PTS Laval Rocket AHL: 27 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 PTS

Power forward having another strong season in Sin City. Veteran forward bounced between the NHL and AHL this season.

James Reimer. D Riley Weselowski, 35

James Reimer. Pilot Mound

G James Reimer, 31 Wichita Thunder ECHL: 53 GP, 2 G, 13 A, 15 PTS

Morweena The undrafted former MJHLer (Neepawa), in his 12th pro season, has been a fixture in the ECHL in that time. Carolina Hurricanes NHL: 25 GP, 14-6-2, 2.66 GAA, .914 SP F Ryan White, 31 He was having a strong first season in Carolina after being traded by the Florida Panthers, but recently went down with injury. Brandon

F Jack Rodewald, 25 Manitoba Moose AHL: 21 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 PTS

Winnipeg Veteran of 313 NHL games battled injuries this season as a depth forward with the Moose. Springfield Thunderbirds/Belleville Bulls AHL: 49 GP, 5 G, 11 A, 16 PTS D Zach Whitecloud, 23 Brandon

Vegas Golden Knights NHL: 16 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS

Chicago Wolves AHL: 35 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 PTS

Undrafted free agent signing was getting an extended look with the big club and recorded his first NHL point.

F Travis Zajac, 34

Winnipeg

New Jersey Devils NHL: 69 GP, 9 G, 16 A, 25 PTS

Just nine games away from hitting the 1,000 mark, all with the Devils. Whether the 20th-overall pick in the 2004 draft gets there this season remains to be seen.

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 03.21.2020 1181327 Winnipeg Jets

Jets players score in the clutch, donate $100K to Harvest

Scott Billeck

Published:March 20, 2020

Updated:March 20, 2020 9:02 PM CDT

Winning on the ice may be on hold at the moment for the Winnipeg Jets, but that’s not stopping them from doing so off of it.

While the National Hockey League hit the pause button on the 2019-20 regular season last week thanks to the coronavirus, Jets players came together to deliver a big win for Winnipeg Harvest on Friday.

A donation of $100,000 was made to the food bank, which feeds roughly 70,000 Manitobans each month.

“We know times are difficult right now,” read a tweet that was sent out by Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler and other players on Friday. “We know there are people in the community struggling.

“With classrooms closed, where kids rely on school meals to be fed, and so many businesses shut, leaving people out of work – there’s a lot of uncertainty where members of our community will get their next meal from.

The donation comes at a time when Harvest is struggling with volunteer and donation shortages due to COVID-19. Many of the food banks volunteers are seniors, who are among those most vulnerable to the virus.

“Winnipeg Harvest and its partner organizations are front line responders during this coronavirus crisis,” a post on the non-profit’s website said. “With schools and businesses closing, job and wages losses, vulnerable and isolated adults, the demand for food in local communities across the province is steadily increasing, and our capacity to respond decreasing. We are continuing to operate as best as possible to ensure our neighbours have enough food to eat during this uncertain time.”

Harvest says a $25 donation provides a hamper of emergency for that feeds one family for three days.

The Jets have been off since earning a 4-2 victory against the Edmonton Oilers last Wednesday, a win that vaulted them back into a playoff spot.

The next day, and after an NBA player tested positive for the coronavirus leading that league to suspend play, the NHL followed suit.

The province declared a state of emergency on Friday, tightening restrictions gatherings and on businesses, who have been greatly affected by the virus outbreak.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 03.21.2020 1181328 Winnipeg Jets exactly fair to do but, if you take the Wheeler/Scheifele/Laine/Byfuglien/Connor goal scoring rate and apply it to this season’s Jets, Winnipeg comes out nine goals ahead. That’s a major difference. Boldness revisited: How 10 bold preseason predictions are holding up in March I don’t buy the argument that Winnipeg’s power play became predictable. It was already predictable in 2017-18 and stayed predictable in 2018-19 but kept scoring anyway. Numbers wise, the Jets top unit shot as often as it did the year before, but I’d argue the quality of Laine’s shot takes a By Ken Wiebe and Murat Ates Mar 20, 2020 hit when the pass comes across without heat on it – slower passes buy goalies time to get across the ice.

With the Winnipeg Jets facing an uncertain future with the NHL season A little more demonstrable: the location of Winnipeg’s shots changed. on pause until at least May, it’s time to revisit our look into the crystal ball 2018-19: from back in October to see just how cloudy things were. 2019-20: That’s when colleague Murat Ates and I did our best to make 10 bold predictions about how things could unfold for the Jets this season. Hands up if you’d prefer Wheeler and Pionk to take shots instead of Laine and Scheifele. Nobody? Good. Upon further review, several of these suggestions were on or close to the mark, while others haven’t quite come to fruition. There might be other factors at play and certainly part of this will be the power play taking what it’s given. Still, I’m tempted to believe that But that’s the beauty of the prediction game, most of the time they’re Winnipeg’s 1-3-1 dominance was more a result of the players it had on it educated guesses meant to spark discussion and debate. than magic inherent to the 1-3-1 itself. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at where things stand, through I was right about the Jets 22nd ranked penalty kill, which was the NHL’s 71 games of what could either be a shortened version of the season or, if worst early in the season but got a lot better starting in January. a player proposal is adopted, could continue as late as August: Wiebe No. 3: Mark Scheifele will hit 100 points for the first time Wiebe No. 1: Patrik Laine will win the Rocket Richard Trophy Alright, so the safer play would have been to suggest the Jets No. 1 Missing all of training camp while working out his new two-year bridge centre was going to hit 85 or 90 points for the first time, but where’s the deal was not exactly a recipe for success on this front. fun in that? But this is where I decided to go bold, knowing that Laine had plenty of After Scheifele put up career highs for goals (38) and points (84), I motivation to put up big numbers after betting on himself (and why figured the next jump would be straight to the century mark. wouldn’t he after scoring 110 goals during his first three seasons). It was not to be, though Scheifele was well on his way to another Laine might only be third on the Jets in goals (behind Kyle Connor’s 38 productive campaign (29 goals, 73 points in 71 games) and a fourth and Mark Scheifele’s 29), but the larger development for the Finnish consecutive season as a point-per-game player. sniper is the evolution of his overall game. Scheifele is second in scoring on the Jets and probably would have Not only did Laine spend a good chunk of the season on the top line with eclipsed 90 points had the Jets power play not endured some Scheifele and Connor, but he continues to blossom into a power forward, unexpected early-season struggles. using his physical tools with more regularity while raising his level of engagement and showcasing remarkable consistency. I’m sticking with my original premise that it’s only a matter of time before Scheifele hits 100 points in a season. Laine’s playmaking ability has also been on display, as he’s set career highs in assists (35) and was closing in on his mark for points (70, set in Ates No. 4: Tällä kaudella Suomi valtaa Winnipegin 2017-18) with 63 in 68 games. Translation: This is the season that Finland takes over Winnipeg. With 28 goals, Laine was well on his way to 30-plus campaign for a fourth consecutive season and he’s currently tied with Brad Marchand for Ville Heinola made his NHL debut, scoring five points in eight games. 22nd in the NHL, so it’s not like he’s forgotten how to dent the twine. Joona Luoto made his NHL debut, unable to drive results in 16 games on Winnipeg’s fourth line. Most importantly, Laine took a massive step The only surprise is that just eight of those markers came with the man- forward this year, just as Ken outlined above, and is young enough to get advantage, which represents a sharp dropoff from the 15 he had last better still. year and 20 he had on the power play the year before. But, I wonder. Does this feel like a Finnish “takeover?” The overall growth in Laine’s game was one of the biggest developments for the Jets this season and I still suspect there’s going to be more than For me, a true takeover would have included Sami Niku playing one Rocket Richard Trophy in his not-so-distant future. substantial minutes (and staying healthy) and Kristian Vesalainen scoring better than half a point per game in the AHL (and earning a call-up.) But Ates No. 2: Winnipeg’s PP will continue to excel; its PK will continue to maybe I need to show some sisu. Laine and Heinola shone brightly and get shelled Winnipeg’s special relationship with the nation of Finland continues to grow. In the before-times, before pandemic talks and social distance walks, Winnipeg had a top-tier power play. Before the season started, that still Wiebe No. 5: Connor Hellebuyck will start fewer than 60 games (and appeared to be the case, considering that our preseason that’s OK) prognostications still imagined Dustin Byfuglien at the point. He’s the favourite to win the Vezina Trophy and he’s the biggest reason If you’ve followed the Jets for any length of time, you know the drill: Blake the Jets found a way to remain in the thick of the playoff race this Wheeler on the half-wall. Three right-handed shooters to choose from. season. Goals. Winnipeg’s 1-3-1 was so good at doing exactly what everyone knew it would try to do that the Jets power play was top-five in back-to- My original thought came with the assumption backup Laurent Brossoit back seasons before this one. would play at the level he was at before suffering a groin injury last March that shortened his breakout season. Winnipeg’s power play is ranked 15th this season, running at 20.5 percent efficiency instead of the 24.1 percent it had averaged over the When Brossoit started the second and third games of the season after two prior seasons. It’s difficult to call that excellence so it seems I was a Helllebuyck’s rocky season debut against the New York Rangers, some bit off. heads were turned (including mine).

Why? But Helllebuyck responded well to the early challenge and put together an outstanding stretch, relishing the role of the workhorse. Byfuglien’s absence plays a role. His shot is more of a cannon than Neal Pionk’s and so too were his passes to Laine across the top. It’s not Meanwhile, Brossoit had a couple of rough outings in the crease that put Having said that, I wasn’t as sure Pionk would be as productive as he’s a serious dent in his traditional numbers – inflating his goals-against been (career-high 45 points, including a team-high 22 points on the average and dropping his save percentage. power play) or defended as well as he has either.

A late-season surge couldn’t save the numbers but was enough for Ates No. 8: will coach the full season Brossoit to salvage some confidence. Ding! I got one. But with the way the schedule was spread out for the Jets – with four two-day blocks between games in March and April – and just one set of It might be tough to remember at this point but, back in September, Paul games on consecutive days to come before the end of the regular Maurice was voted “the first coach to be fired” in The Athletic’s season, Brossoit was going to mostly be reduced to the role of spectator preseason poll (I voted for Bruce Boudreau and was wrong about that. during the stretch run. Boudreau was eighth.)

Hellebuyck has already made 56 starts and 58 appearances this year, so Not only has Maurice stayed on as Winnipeg’s head coach but he signed he would have easily eclipsed 60 had the season not stopped abruptly. an extension in February. Now, in speaking to colleagues around the league, it seems as though he’ll get votes for the Jack Adams as the Any thoughts of load management for Hellebuyck is on hold until at least league’s top coach. next season. Even if you’re less rapturous in your acclaim for Maurice’s work this How long is “a good, long while” exactly? season – and there are available critiques, including the suggestion that Hellebuyck covered up many of Winnipeg’s issues this season – there My argument in favour of a Byfuglien return was built on the premise that are simple truths which lead to his contract extension. the longer he stayed away from the NHL, the more it would tug at his heartstrings. I argued that he was a top-pairing calibre defenceman as He has good relationships with key people in an organization that place recently as last season and, when he’s enjoying himself, no one looks tremendous value on loyalty and character. Wheeler called his work like he’s having more fun. “refreshing,” saying players never get sick of his message. And then there’s that playoff spot – as precarious as it is, given that points Then came surgery and the NHLPA’s grievance of Byfuglien’s percentage would bump Winnipeg to the outside. suspension on his behalf. That grievance was never heard by an arbitrator. Byfuglien never started training for a return to hockey. Even All in all, I don’t think it was a difficult call to make but I’ll take the points the mutual termination of Byfuglien’s contract that we expected before and run – especially after doubling down on Byfuglien. the trade deadline never took place. Wiebe No. 9: The Jets will face the Dallas Stars in the first round Where does that leave things? Well, the match-up isn’t likely going to happen – no matter what potential The Jets and Byfuglien could still agree to end his contract, setting him playoff format is instituted (provided the NHL resumes action after the free as a UFA. He could retire outright. It’s even possible that Winnipeg coronavirus is under control) – but that has more to do with the Stars could trade him – but for what, it’s tough to be sure. The resolution we slipping down the stretch. expected doesn’t appear to be finalized and doesn’t appear to be on the immediate horizon. At the time the season was paused, the Jets had pulled to within two points of the Stars for third place in the Central Division (though the Stars With all of this in mind, I’m going to triple-down on this prediction until the have two games in hand). day it becomes impossible. My premise going into the campaign was that the Stars would win the Quarantine brain? Yes. Let me have this. Central and the Jets would likely earn one of the two available wild-card berths in the West. This point is debatable since many thought it could be an unmitigated disaster on the back end this season. A number of permutations and combinations have been suggested, should the NHL choose to go right into the playoffs rather than complete Perhaps I should have emphasized the defence corps would be slightly the regular season. better than most people think. With a 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 71, the Jets moved The massive overhaul on the blue line through trade (Jacob Trouba), free back into the first wild-card spot. agency (Tyler Myers) and an unexpected departure (Byfuglien) took an obvious toll and the challenges throughout the season were plentiful. Under normal circumstances, that would mean a first-round date with the Vegas Golden Knights in what would provide a juicy rematch from the And that was before Niku’s injury-plagued campaign, which included 2018 Western Conference final. being involved in a car crash during training camp, and Nathan Beaulieu suffered the first of several broken bones during the final period of the However, there’s plenty of talk about the NHL possibly using points last preseason game. percentage as a way to sort things out – and that would push the Jets to ninth place in the West. Instead of having an embarrassment of riches (especially on the right side with the aforementioned trio), the Jets relied on waiver-wire But the potential for expansion of the number of teams qualifying means additions (Luca Sbisa and Carl Dahlstrom) and guys with limited NHL this prediction of the Jets making the playoffs remains alive – though it experience (Tucker Poolman, Anthony Bitetto) to round out the edges of could look a bit different than originally anticipated. the roster. Ates No. 10: The Jets won’t make the playoffs (but if they do, they’re When a team uses 11 defencemen, including seven blueliners that make winning at least one round) $1 million or less (and recalls two others in that category in Nelson Nogier and Cam Schilling who don’t suit up for a game), it’s impossible to So you’re going to tell me that a team which lost Byfuglien to the abyss, believe the quality of play won’t suffer. Little to a freak injury, Appleton to touch football, Niku to a soccer warm- up, all of Copp, Lowry and Perreault to a variety of ailments, Letestu to a The Jets probably did the best they could with a patchwork defence heart virus and patched together a bargain-bin D-corps which won corps, though they were aided by the brilliant play of Hellebuyck. anyway while a Vezina calibre goaltender got shelled night after night is outside the playoffs? Because of points percentage? The addition of Dylan DeMelo before the trade deadline bolstered the group immensely and provided an experienced alternative on the top Nope, I’m not going to claim this one on a technicality. pairing with Josh Morrissey – who had settled in during the stretch run after adjusting to a variety pack of different partners throughout the And as much as I believe that good hockey wins games more than season. intangibles do, I can’t imagine a team starting the TBD playoffs feeling like it’s overcome more of a clusterpuck than the Jets have this season. And Pionk, the key piece acquired in the trade with the Rangers for So if there is a postseason, and if that postseason includes play-in Trouba, definitely made a bigger contribution than most anticipated. games as I expect that it would, watch out for Winnipeg.

Pionk wasn’t as big a surprise to me, given the intel I received on him As this entire season has proved, anything – absolutely fricken’ anything from outside the organization after the trade was made. – can happen to this team. The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181329 Vancouver Canucks “I’m just fortunate enough to have guys like that in the organization that put their faith in me, care about me and I’m grateful for that.”

Every organization has the personnel to keep tabs on its prospects, but ‘They always had my back’: How the Canucks earned Will Lockwood’s where the Canucks deserve credit is the non-invasive way they loyalty approached Lockwood’s development.

“Every college or major junior kid, you have your own coaches and they want you to play a certain way. I think what Vancouver does a really By Harman Dayal Mar 20, 2020 good job of is it was never a systematic ’Hey, this is how we think you should play’ or ‘This is how we want it done as a Vancouver Canuck,’ it

was more just small details of the game,” Hunwick said. It was April 2019 when first asked Will Lockwood to turn pro. “Whether it was taking a puck off the wall or whatever it might be, a lot of Back and forth, the then 20-year-old wrestled with the dilemma of signing it was just small things that they were trying to pass along that might get with Vancouver or returning for his senior year of college. About to be overlooked by a coaching staff.” named captain and wanting to follow his father Joe’s footsteps, who Vancouver gave Lockwood every resource they had, stuck with him played all four years for the University of Michigan, Will felt he had through injuries and in the end, that patience and commitment served unfinished business in Ann Arbour. crucial in building loyalty that ensured he’d stick with the team that His decision made, Lockwood called Benning back with the news that he drafted him, rather than exploring the free-agent market. wanted to return for one final year as a Michigan Wolverine. “At the end of the day, it’s a business, but it feels pretty personal with Benning offered his full support but with the former third-round pick free- Vancouver,” Lockwood said. agent eligible next summer, he wanted to know that Lockwood wouldn’t “It’s a pretty special connection that we have and it’s something that I’m sign with another team. excited to get started.” That’s when Lockwood made his promise. What should the Canucks expect from Lockwood? “I told Mr. Benning ‘There’s just no way, with the support you’ve given me Lockwood’s game flashes tools that could lend itself well to an NHL over the years (that I’d sign elsewhere),” said Lockwood. bottom-six one day. And so the Canucks took a step back, never once pushing back or His high-end speed, endless motor and disruptive stick combine to make expressing displeasure with his decision. him an absolute handful to deal with on the forecheck and his ability to “I don’t think the Canucks were as worried with Will because of the also lay thunderous bodychecks ensures defenders will always need to person that he is and the relationship they held,” Lockwood’s agent, keep their head up. Shawn Hunwick said. “I think they wanted to get him in pro hockey Note the distance he’s able to cover against the defender to win a loose because they thought he was ready for it, but deep down, I don’t think puck in the clip below, for example. their concern was that his plan was to walk away and play somewhere else. The concern with Lockwood is how limited his offensive value might be at the next level. He scored a respectable 16 goals and 31 points in 36 “And for Will, that was never the case. He’s a loyal kid and his loyalty NCAA games as a junior but followed it up with just nine goals and 23 was to the Canucks.” points in 33 contests in his most recent campaign. That loyalty was built on a relationship that felt more personal than strictly For context, as colleague Thomas Drance pointed out, Lockwood’s professional, especially as Lockwood navigated an NCAA career that NCAA resume (85 points in 115 NCAA games) falls well short of Tyler provided a “different journey” than he expected. Motte’s (107 points in 105 career games). Major injuries – his left shoulder requiring surgery once in his freshman Jeremy Davis’ Prospect Graduation Probabilities System(pGPS) model season and then again in his sophomore campaign – posed challenges brings back about 1350 historical comparables for Lockwood based on and through it all, the Canucks never lost faith. Instead, they went above his scoring rate and size. Among that cohort, just two percent went on to and beyond to do whatever they could to help Lockwood bounce back. become full-time NHL players. “The journey hasn’t been the smoothest thing in the world and yeah, it’s Lockwood’s hard-nosed, two-way game and penalty kill experience could been a little wacky with injuries here and there but they supported (me) make him a useful bottom-six contributor, but he could also end up when I got hurt,” Lockwood said. resembling a more limited version of Motte. Expectations should be “They offered me medical advice and things that they could do to help adjusted accordingly. and obviously ran into some issues with the NCAA and what they can do, Another concern that some have expressed is whether Lockwood can but they always had my back.” play the same abrasive physical style with the injuries he’s already Still recovering from his first shoulder surgery, the Canucks flew endured. It’s a fair question, particularly when one considers that he’s Lockwood out for development camp in the summer of 2017. They only 5-foot-11, but don’t expect him to be any less fearless than he’s brought him to Vancouver to rehab with the team’s trainers despite shown in his college. knowing that he’d be unable to participate in any on-ice activities. It’s “I think I played a little more reckless in my freshman year after I was gestures like that which set the foundation for a strong connection. drafted,” Lockwood said. “I think I felt a little bit invincible, but I still play a “They were always there to see if he needed a second opinion,” Hunwick , hard-nosed game and I’ll never lose that. said. “A lot of kids would have probably skipped that player development “I was told by a couple of people to take it easier after my injuries, but camp but Will felt very comfortable with them. that’s just not in my DNA.” “The Canucks made Will feel like he’s more than just a hockey player to With how excited Lockwood is to sign the dotted line and make the pro them. Obviously, it’s a business, but Will felt like they always had his best leap, you know that he’ll be nothing short of an Energizer Bunny when he interests at heart.” steps on the ice next season. On the ice, Lockwood, Hunwick and Benning all singled Ryan Johnson “I couldn’t be more excited. It’s been a long time coming, I feel like,” and his player development staff out for the help they gave. Lockwood said. “It’s been a different journey than I expected, but to “Chris (Higgins), Ryan (Johnson), they’d send me clips of my games, tell finally get here, it’s the start of something new. me what to work on,” Lockwood said. “For me, we’ve always had that “It’s just the beginning of something that I think will be pretty special. It’s great relationship and I’d like to think of myself as someone who’s very just a dream come true.” approachable and everything those guys say, I try to soak up as much as possible. The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181330 Websites four seasons at BU and scored 39 goals and 67 points in 33 games her senior year.

“Growing up a lot of people told me, ‘I don’t think you’re going to make it The Athletic / Debut delayed: Rising women’s hockey star goes from anywhere in hockey. You’re too small. You’re not going to adjust to the world stage to home alone NCAA level,’” Bach said. “I always used that as motivation to prove people wrong.”

In 2018, Bach was cut from the Four roster but was called By Hailey Salvian Mar 21, 2020 up after an injury. She made her Team Canada debut on Nov. 6, 2019 against Sweden. She played four games in a minimal role and did not

register any points. Two weeks ago, Victoria Bach was gearing up for her international “I got the chance to help them and be there for the team, but I didn’t hockey debut with Team Canada. Now, she’s in self-isolation at her really get a chance to play much,” Bach said. “So, (worlds) would have home in Burlington, Ont. been my first real shot at getting to play with the national team.” The 23-year-old forward was named to her first women’s world “She’s been at all of our events so far this year and this would have been championship roster earlier this month, only to see the tournament her debut at the international stage, from an IIHF standpoint, so a pretty cancelled days later amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic. big deal for her,” Kingsbury said. “We’re heartbroken for all of our It’s another loss in what’s been a difficult year for the women’s game at athletes, but certainly for those it would have been their first time it’s the national team and professional levels. unfortunate that it happened the way it did.”

At the end of March last year, the Canadian Women’s Hockey League It took a lot for Bach to go from a last-minute addition to playing for folded after more than a decade. Shortly after, approximately 200 of the Canada at a major tournament. In fact, being cut from Four Nations in top women’s players, including Bach and her Team Canada teammates, 2018 helped give Bach the push she felt she needed. announced they would boycott all professional leagues in North America. “I think that was a reality check for me where I stepped back and realized In September, the Four Nations tournament, a major tournament on the I needed to work harder and push myself every day,” she said. “I think for national team schedule, was cancelled because Sweden’s top players me it was great to play in the CWHL for a year because I got to play were boycotting the national team over a funding dispute. against the best of the best every day and when you look at the teams Bach has kept her perspective though. She knows missing a hockey and there’s all those players you’re competing against, U.S. national tournament pales in comparison to what many people are going through players, Team Canada, every game was a battle.” with the pandemic. But for an athlete who has dreamed of representing That season in the CWHL, Bach – the first-overall draft pick – led all their country for years, it’s still difficult. rookies in scoring and won rookie of the year. “I was disappointed, but I think for me, health and safety comes first,” she has always seen an impressive offensive ability in Bach, said. “The severity of this virus is the priority right now.” but sometimes the transition from NCAA to the national level is tough. It’s In the absence of a professional season, Hockey Canada invested more fast and hard hitting. It takes some time. But Kingsbury said Hockey than ever in the women’s program to give them ample training Canada has been happy with the progression they’ve seen from Bach. opportunities. They hosted five week-long “mini-camps” at various “She’s certainly coming into her own now in terms of being more of a locations, a sixth and final camp was cancelled along with the world complete player and can play both the defensive game and still be very championships. effective offensively,” Kingsbury said. “She’s had an incredible season “(Our athletes) have worked tremendously hard this year, probably this year with us, has done very well at every event that we’ve brought harder than they’ve ever worked,” said Gina Kingsbury, the director of her and, you know, she’s continuing to grow into the player she’s Canada’s women’s national team programs. “All in preparation and the becoming so I think the future is very promising for Victoria.” hope of being able to win a gold medal.” The women’s world championships is the final event on the national team As well as Bach, Sarah Fillier and Claire Thompson would have made calendar. And with everything on hiatus, Bach’s season is over sooner their world championship debuts. than expected.

Many of the Team Canada athletes also took part in showcase events She says she will take a week off from training and use the extended with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association. They also offseason to get better. had access to practice ice throughout the week. “For me, this is an opportunity to just keep working hard,” she said. “I Bach played in four showcase events and estimates she trained on the need to keep getting stronger, I’ll go hard in the gym and take the chance ice four times a week and spent five days a week in the gym all season. to get on the ice earlier than I would have been able to last year.” With no league championships, all the training was in preparation for the Typically, Bach trains at a gym in Oakville. But with Ontario calling a world championships. state of emergency and closing all non-essential businesses, she will be “As a group we’ve worked super hard this year and that’s why it was so training from home for the time being. Her trainer set her up with disappointing to have our world championships cancelled,” she said. “It equipment and a workout plan she can do solo in the lead up to Hockey would have been amazing to win on home soil (in Halifax and Truro).” Canada’s main strength and conditioning camp presently scheduled for May. Like many female players of her generation, Bach got hooked on hockey watching the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. It was the gold-medal Bach is taking everything in stride. She knows she isn’t the only athlete in game at the height of the Canada-USA rivalry that gave the Canadian this situation. Athletic careers, from high school to college to pro, are women their first-ever Olympic gold medal. being disrupted and cut short.

“They really inspired me,” she said. “I wanted to be just like them.” The NHL, NBA and MLB seasons are on pause. The CHL has cancelled its regular season. Most European hockey leagues are cancelled. And Bach was a late bloomer by hockey standards. She didn’t make her first there are serious concerns that the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo will be travel team until she was eight years old but caught on quick. In her affected. senior year of high school, she played for Canada’s U18 team. Then she spent four impressive years at Boston University while playing in “To see all that, and I have a lot of friends who were at university at Canada’s development program where players tend to stay until they are Boston University and they’re about to graduate and their season and ready for the senior national team. everything’s cancelled, and I feel for them,” she said. “I remember my last two months of university when I was at Boston was the best time of Listed as 5-foot-4, and 123 pounds, Bach is one of the smallest players my life … I think everyone’s kind of in the same boat right now.” on Team Canada. But she is fast and has a deceptive release that makes her a dangerous goal scorer. She scored at least 20 goals in all The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181331 Websites When he’s on, he’s a nightmare for opposing defenders because he can shoot off both feet, he’s strong on his skates for his size and he can make something out of nothing from just about anywhere in the offensive zone. On a CSKA team with loads of talent (from Anton Slepyshev to The Athletic / Wheeler’s 2020 NHL Prospect Awards: Alexis Lafreniere Mikhail Grigorenko), Kaprizov had 14 more points than the next guy. I leads the way truly believe he could step into the NHL today and score 30 goals.

D Nils Lundkvist: SHL (Luleå HF/New York Rangers)*

By Scott Wheeler Mar 21, 2020 Lundkvist didn’t just have the best year of any D prospect, he had one of the better years by any player outside the NHL. He’s in a completely

different echelon as a prospect today than he did a year ago at this time. The hockey season as we know it is basically over. That’s particularly His 31 points in 45 games shattered the SHL’s under-20 D scoring record true at the junior, college and pro levels below the NHL, where several set by Tim Erixon (and Victor Hedman before him). His 42 points 57 leagues have already shut their doors. games across all competition (he posted 11 points in 12 Champions Hockey League games) combined to lead Luleå in scoring. Wedged in In an effort to review the season and provide continued analysis, I between, he helped Sweden to a bronze medal at the world juniors with decided to create a set of year-end NHL prospects awards. The idea is eight points in seven games, good for third in the tournament in points by simple: What would happen if there were some kind of worldwide awards a defenceman. He averaged more than 20 minutes a night as a teenaged for NHL prospects, if the honours handed out by individual leagues didn’t defenceman on the best team in the world’s third-best pro league. And account for borders or leagues? Think the NHL awards, but for everyone he got better as the season progressed, scoring in each of his last four that meets my criteria as a prospect (under-23 non-NHL skaters, under- games. All four were from the exact same spot, with half wind-ups, as he 24 non-NHL goaltenders). begins to get more aggressive and attack off the offensive zone blue line:

What would an All-Prospects Team look like, if I could choose from D Moritz Seider: AHL (Grand Rapids Griffins/Detroit Red Wings) across the SHL, , MHL, DEL, NCAA, CHL, USHL and so on? Who is the MVP (Most Valuable Prospect) and who else would be on the ballot? You can probably count on one hand the number of 18-year-old Which forward, defenceman or goaltender had the best 2019-20 season defencemen who’ve ever played 25-30 minutes a night in the AHL. In as a prospect? Who is the MIP (Most Improved Prospect)? recent memory, it is a list of two: Seider and Leafs prospect Rasmus Sandin. Kings prospect Tobias Bjornfot wasn’t far off, I’ve been told, but These awards are less about projection or who is going to become the the other high-end young D prospects who’ve recently played in the AHL best NHL player and more about the 2019-20 season. They forced me to never got there — at least not at that age. Not Oliver Kylington, Timothy contextualize and evaluate these players in different ways than I’m used Liljegren or Hampus Lindholm. Seider played big minutes on a middle-of- to. It was a lot of fun, mind-numbingly difficult and, most of all, a the-road AHL team effectively and captained Team Germany out of fascinating exercise — one I intend to turn into an annual column. relegation at the world juniors. He has so far proven that the Red Wings’ decision to take him sixth overall in 2019 wasn’t a mistake. The First All-Prospects Team G Jeremy Swayman: NCAA (University of Maine/Boston Bruins)* The most outstanding seasons by prospects (accounting for their age, position, and league). Swayman just turned one of the better NCAA goalie performances in recent memory into an entry-level contract with the Bruins after his junior F Alexis Lafreniere: QMJHL (Rimouski Oceanic/2020 NHL Draft)* year. He played in every Black Bears game and he still maintained a .939 This shouldn’t need much explanation. Lafreniere was the best player in save percentage. This, after he gave up seven goals in his first start of junior hockey, he did it while playing most of the year with a nagging the year (on 59 shots, granted). In the process, he helped a Maine team ankle injury and he hasn’t even been drafted yet. I’m convinced he that has struggled for the better part of head coach Red Gendron’s post- would’ve been the best player in college hockey. He probably could’ve 2013 tenure to an 18-11-5 season and fourth place in the competitive 11- dominated many of Europe’s pro leagues as well. In 52 QMJHL games, team Hockey East (12-9-3). He was, deservedly, Hockey East’s only Lafreniere had four or more points in 11 (!) of them, including an almost- unanimous First-Team All-Star. unbelievable seven-point night against the on Feb. 16. *Denotes the forward, defenceman and goaltender of the year. Between the world juniors and his season in Rimouski, Lafreniere racked up 122 points in just 57 games. His 10 points in five games (a little more The Second All-Prospects Team than four, really, given he only played 7:25 before he went down with a knee injury against the Russians) at the world juniors actually brought his F Jack Dugan: NCAA (Providence College/Vegas Golden Knights) point per game pace on the season down. When the QMJHL season After an excellent, near point-per-game freshman year, Dugan led ended, Lafreniere was playing to a 68-game pace of 146 points, good for college hockey in scoring as a sophomore and he did it by a seven-point 32 points better than the league’s nearest under-19 player (Penguins margin. His 1.24 assists per game tied J.T. Compher (who played with first-round pick Samuel Poulin) across a full season. All told, it was the Kyle Connor), for the highest clip by any college player in the last best draft-eligible season by a QMJHL player since Sidney Crosby, 15 decade. His 52 points meant that he contributed on 51 percent of years ago. There were moments where he would decide he was just Providence’s 102 goals on the season … going to go at opposing teams and beat them 1-on-4 or 1-on-5: F Tim Stützle: DEL (Adler Mannheim/2020 NHL Draft) F Marco Rossi: OHL (Ottawa 67’s/2020 NHL Draft) Stützle’s production slowed down in the back half of the year, particularly Marco Rossi had a more productive draft year than the following players after he returned to Mannheim with an illness that sidelined him for the in the last two decades: Jason Spezza (second overall, 2001), John end of the world juniors, but he played a little over 16 minutes a night in a Tavares (first overall, 2009), Taylor Hall (first overall, 2010) and Mitch top-six role on a good pro team as a 17-year-old. Part of the slow-down Marner (fourth overall, 2015). The list of first-year draft-eligible OHL was also a byproduct of poor on-ice luck. Stützle converted on just seven players who’ve outproduced Rossi’s 2.14 points per game of this year of his 132 shots on the year (5.3 percent) and he still led all under-26 since the turn of the century is just three: Connor McDavid, Patrick Kane players in the league in points per game (0.83). All told, it was the most- and (who played with Patrick Kane). Even accounting for productive under-18 DEL season ever, besting a pair of past German the fact that Rossi is one of the oldest players in this draft and was nearly first-round picks, Marcel Goc and Marco Sturm. Despite several posts eligible for last year’s class and that his 67’s are arguably the best team and a couple of robberies, Stützle also had five points in five games at in junior hockey, that’s crazy company. If Lafreniere was the best player the world juniors. His season was so strong it put him in the conversation in junior hockey, Rossi wasn’t far behind. And he did it while playing the for third overall in the 2020 draft. toughest defensive minutes and winning more than 58 percent of his faceoffs. He put on a masterclass every night in the OHL. F : AHL (/Ottawa Senators)

F Kirill Kaprizov: KHL (CSKA Moskva/Minnesota Wild) If he hadn’t been called up to the NHL on several occasions, Batherson might have led the AHL in scoring. Before the pause, he was sixth He just keeps getting better. The 22-year-old led the second-best pro despite having the fewest games played of anyone in the top 20. There league in the world in goals (33 in 57 games) and points per game (1.09). were nights where he made it look easy on his way to one of the better He’s probably the best forward (player?) outside of the NHL at this point. under-22 seasons in the AHL in recent memory (the best since Frank Ballot: D Antti Tuomisto: Jr. A SM-liiga (Ässät U20/Detroit Red Wings) Vatrano scored a goal per game in 2016). He had multi-point games once every three times out (15 in 44). When Batherson was in the lineup, It’s admittedly hard for a European junior-level player to work his way into the BSens were one of the best teams in the AHL with a record of 27-14- the MVP conversation because the best players in those leagues tend to 3 (.648). move up to the pro level (where they can’t have an MVP-level impact) or they split their time between the leagues and their effect on their junior D Scott Perunovich: NCAA (University of Minnesota-Duluth/St. Louis team is muted as a result. Tuomisto’s season played out differently Blues) because his commitment to the University of Denver next fall meant that Ässät couldn’t promote him to the pro level. So he spent the entire year Perunovich was a force this year — in loud, playmaking ways and in all playing for their U20 team, led the league’s defencemen in points by 12, of the more subtle ones. His 40 points finished tied for 10th among all led his team in scoring and took an otherwise weak roster to a 31-16-5 NCAA players. Among all under-22 NCAA players, he moved up to sixth record. On the season, he averaged 26:18 a night. When he was on the in scoring. He was one of a handful of college defencemen to lead his ice at even strength, Ässät outscored their opponents 42-23 (65 GF%). team in scoring. He was the best player on one of the best teams in When he was off the ice, they were outscored 47-46 (49 GF%). Not college hockey and the second-best team in the NCHC. Everything UMD including the nearly 400 shifts he took on special teams, Tuomisto took did ran through him and nobody was surprised when he was one of the more than 1,200 even strength shifts across 48 games. He did everything 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker. He’s the best prospect in the Blues for them. system and was arguably the best defenceman in college hockey. Ballot: G Dustin Wolf: WHL (Everett Silvertips/Calgary Flames) D David Farrance: NCAA (Boston University/Nashville Predators) Everett was the Rimouski of the WHL. They’re the team you look at on Farrance was the only defenceman in college hockey to outscore paper and wonder, “How on earth did they have the second-best record Perunovich, though I would argue he did it surrounded with more in the WHL? How did that team go 46-14-4?” Then you look at the goals offensive weapons while playing an inferior game without the puck. Still, against column, you learn that they gave up the fewest goals against per as a 20-year-old junior, Farrance had a season for the ages. The list of game in the CHL by a wide margin (2.25). One step later, you’re looking under-21 NCAA defencemen to best Farrance’s 43 points in 34 games in at their goalie’s numbers to make sure it’s not just a “they’re good the last decade is a small one: Cale Makar, Adam Fox, Justin Schultz. defensively” thing and you quickly realize they’ve got the best goalie in When you factor in points per game, only Fox remains. The talent was Canadian junior hockey. Wolf keeps their numbers low, that’s how they’re always there but he was unleashed this season and looked as confident that good. He should be the CHL Goaltender of the Year and I still can’t as I’ve ever seen him with the puck. It was fun to watch. believe the fact that he’s 6-foot (on a good day) made him fall to the G Justus Annunen: Liiga (Kärpät/Colorado Avalanche) seventh round. In the 46 games Wolf played for the Silvertips, he picked up nine shutouts. In the 22 they played without him, the other two goalies Annunen spent the entire season as a 19-year-old goalie in a top pro managed one. And though there’s definitely truth to the fact that the league (he turned 20 as coronavirus hit). He excelled in Liiga competition Silvertips are one of the better defensive teams in the CHL (and have (his .929 save percentage led all Liiga goaltenders) and his two games in been for some time now), Wolf was their best player and it wasn’t the Champions Hockey League. He also mixed in a stellar performance particularly close. at the world juniors, where he was rightly named one of Finland’s top three players. All told, Annunen had about as good a season as a goalie Ballot: G Jeremy Swayman (University of Maine/Boston Bruins) prospect can have. There were some good goalies taken in the 2018 I mean, he made 1,099 saves (the most in college hockey) in 34 games draft, including at least a half a dozen others with legitimate NHL upside, (32 saves per game). His 782 saves within Hockey East’s 24-game and he might be at the top of the list in terms of upside these days. schedule are the most by a goalie since 2011. He picked up three Most Valuable Prospect (MVP) shutouts in the Black Bears’ final six games of the season. He made 40 saves five times. He backstopped a team with just three other NHL The most valuable prospect to his team during the 2019-20 season prospects (all taken in the sixth round or later) to 15th on USCHO’s year- (accounting for linemates and opponents). end national poll — and 16th on USA Today’s. All of the praise he has received is earned. When considering his value, look no further to when Winner: F Alexis Lafreniere: QMJHL (Rimouski Oceanic/2020 NHL Draft) his backup, Canucks prospect Matthew Thiessen, got into a game in Sometimes you don’t have to overthink things. This is one of those times. October and gave up three goals on six shots in the only 7:02 he played Before the QMJHL cancelled the rest of its regular season, Lafreniere all season. Swayman was the backbone to everything the Black Bears had 24 more points than his nearest teammate, in 12 fewer games! A did and they’re going to be in tough without him next year. year after helping linemate Jimmy Huntington get an NHL contract MVP honourable mentions: (Huntington followed it up with three points in 33 games in his first season in the AHL …), Lafreniere had a similar impact on a new set of F Jack Dugan (Providence College/Vegas Golden Knights) linemates. By year’s end, there were four top teams in the QMJHL: Moncton and their nine NHL-drafted prospects; Chicoutimi and their six; F Mikhail Abramov (Victoriaville Tigers/Toronto Maple Leafs) Cape Breton with their four (as well as Team Russia world juniors F Tuukka Tieksola (Kärpät U20/Carolina Hurricanes) standout and soon-to-be-drafted overager Egor Sokolov); and Rimouski with three. On talent, the Oceanic didn’t belong in that group or in the F Veeti Miettinen (Kiekko-Espoo U20/2020 NHL Draft) conversation for the QMJHL title. But they had Lafreniere and as long as he was on their team, they had a chance. That’s what an MVP is. F Jonathan Dahlen (Timrå IK/San Jose Sharks)

Ballot: F Morgan Barron: NCAA (Cornell University/New York Rangers) F Dmitri Sheshin (Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk/2020 NHL Draft)

Cornell was the No. 1 team in college hockey this year. They were 18-2-2 D Scott Perunovich (University of Minnesota-Duluth/St. Louis Blues) in ECAC play and 5-0-2 out of conference. They closed the season atop G Spencer Knight (Boston College/Florida Panthers) the national polls on a nine-game win streak. From the outside looking in, though, that might surprise people. They weren’t one of the older teams Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson. (Allison Farrand / For The in college hockey, normally an indicator of success. In fact, they were Athletic) one of the younger teams in Division I and ranked 50th with an average Most Improved Prospect (MIP) age just over 21. They didn’t have any of the big-name prospects or a single first- or second-round pick. But they had good goaltending, they The prospect whose game improved most year-over-year. played within themselves, and they had Barron, the would-be ECAC Player of the Year and one of the best forwards in the country. From the Winner: F Nick Robertson: OHL (Peterborough Petes/Toronto Maple outside looking in, his numbers don’t pop either. He led the team in Leafs) scoring with 32 points in 29 games but that 1.10 points per game rate Part of Robertson’s meteoric progression should have been predictable. only ranked 21st in the NCAA. But you didn’t have to look far when He was really good and he was one of the youngest players in his draft. watching Cornell to understand just how important Barron was to their Of course he was going to improve at a higher rate than his peers. After Cinderella season, whether that was through his role as captain or with watching him at the world junior summer showcase and then in Traverse his on-ice play at both ends. He did everything for the Big Red. City last summer, his on-ice play suggested he was going to have a remarkable season. But 55 goals in 46 games and the runaway lead in When he says “screw it, I’m just going to go” he’s as fun as any prospect the CHL scoring race? Even Robertson’s biggest believers were too low in hockey. He blew me away several times this season and I don’t think on him. He’s got star power now. the NHL is that far off for him at this point.

Ballot: F Egor Sokolov: QMJHL (/2020 NHL Draft) Ballot: F Zion Nybeck (HV71/2020 NHL Draft)

Sokolov’s strong showing at the world juniors aside, he has gone from My favourite 5-foot-8 wizard on skates. undrafted as a first-year eligible with major question marks about his weight and his skating to third in the QMJHL in points and first in goals, Ballot: F Trevor Zegras (Boston University/) with such strong puck protection and net-front skills that you can almost Zip. forget about the rest. The size will always make (or potentially break him). He’s huge, not just in height (6-foot-4) but weight (240 pounds). If That’s the sound defenders hear when a Zegras backdoor pass flies past he played in the NHL tomorrow, he’d be one of the heaviest players. As them. he gets older, he’s going to have to make sure that doesn’t get out of Ballot: D (JYP/Carolina Hurricanes) hand. But the progression in his skill, particularly in his willingness to hold onto the puck and to make plays as a passer, has been stunning. Honka’s going to make a lot of people look silly.

Ballot: F Adam Beckman: WHL (Spokane Chiefs/Minnesota Wild) SFP Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: F Vitali Abramov (Belleville Senators/Ottawa Senators) I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: I didn’t think Beckman would ever lead the WHL in scoring, especially not as an 18-year-old. I like his Bless this little Russian ball of puck-carrying magic, forever and always. game but I didn’t see that kind of skill. I was wrong. He added 16 goals and 45 points to his totals from a year ago and he still had five more The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 games to grow that number. Though he’s always had goal scoring touch, the development in Beckman’s passing (both in degree of difficulty and in the sheer volume he looked to make a play to his linemates) really impressed me.

Ballot: D Joey Keane: AHL (Charlotte Checkers/Carolina Hurricanes)

Keane was one of those players who always had athleticism going for him. He was always one of the fastest skaters on the ice and one of the more physical presences. But questions lingered about whether he had enough puck skill to continue to produce at the pro level. He holds his stick weird, he’s got a bit of a hunch to his stride that can scare off evaluators and he didn’t look natural in traffic as a handler. Then, as a 20-year-old rookie at the pro level, his play removed many of those questions and he finished second among all rookie defencemen in the AHL with 37 points in 59 games, behind only 24-year-old Brogan Rafferty and ahead of two other top prospects in Evan Bouchard and Chase Priskie. I saw Keane make a lot of plays this year and though he was never going to fall behind in terms of foot speed, he never looked out of place in terms of pace of play and decision-making either.

Ballot: F Jan Jenik: OHL (Hamilton Bulldogs/Arizona Coyotes)

It’s a shame Jenik blew out his knee at the world juniors because if he’d stayed healthy and was able to keep it up, he’d probably have given Robertson a run for his money for this (completely made up) award. After an up-and-down two seasons pushed him from top prospect to mid-level prospect, Jenik was back to looking like the player many thought he might become. He dominated the OHL in the first half. And I mean dominated. He scored every game. He made plays to his teammates for goals every game. He was the most competitive player on the ice. He was unstoppable, really. Here’s hoping the lost half-season doesn’t derail that because he’s fun to watch, his skill has really come along and he never gets outworked.

MIP honourable mentions:

F Elmer Soderblom (Frölunda HC/Detroit Red Wings)

F Arvid Costmar (Linköping HC/Vancouver Canucks)

F Josh Norris (Belleville Senators/Ottawa Senators)

F Connor McMichael (London Knights/Washington Capitals)

F Alexei Protas (/Washington Capitals)

G Nico Daws (Guelph Storm/2020 NHL Draft)

Scott’s Favourite Prospects (SFP) Award

Awarded to the prospects I most enjoyed watching this season, accounting for fun, fascination and absolutely nothing else.

Winner: D Egor Zamula (Calgary Hitmen/Philadelphia Flyers)

It was the year of Zamula before back surgery ended it. I was here for every second of it. He is gone for now but not forgotten.

Ballot: D Thomas Harley (Mississauga Steelheads/Dallas Stars) 1181332 Websites all the games. That just eliminates the California teams, which I think is fair, and asks for two best-of-three series to be played in the lead-up to fairly normal playoffs. Time depending, the first round, or even the first two, could be best-of-fives. The Athletic / Bourne notebook: If the NHL season resumes, can a champion be fairly crowned? In the Eastern Conference, the NHL would have to do the same, which just leaves one complication: It lets Montreal participate in the tournament despite almost no case that it could’ve made the playoffs. But we have to make some decisions. In such a format, the Canadiens catch By Justin Bourne Mar 20, 2020 a break.

It would help some teams, wouldn’t it? I figured with no major topics outside The Major Topic these days, it I did mention Montreal, yes. But also consider all the teams that were would be worthwhile to hit on what’s piqued my interest in the days since headed toward the playoffs with injuries. What would Columbus or the NHL and sports as a whole took a step back. Let’s get to it. Carolina, when healthier, look like? Tampa Bay would get Steven First, the elephant-in-the-room question we should actually talk about Stamkos back. Colorado would get a ton of big names back. The longer here: the shutdown lasts, the more certain teams gain.

Will the season resume at some point? And finally, as terrible as the pandemic is — and make no mistake, it is almost entirely, universally terrible — there is at least something vaguely Pure opinion, obviously, since that’s all anyone has at this point: I don’t uniting to it. Sports don’t matter now, not really, but there are lessons we think it will. can take from sports. Just as importantly, there are valuable reminders of just why we love sports the way we do in the first place. What are the It’s just really tough to imagine. To create a scenario in which it does, you lessons we can take in our present time of need, and what can we take have to imagine that the teams would come back to having no fans in the from all of this when we get back to whatever our next normal comes to arenas. There’s no chance that with where we’re at in late March — with look like? the size of gatherings limited around North America and restrictions tightening each day — groups of 19,000 people will be approved by June The useful lessons of hockey and sports fandom or July. You’d also need zero players/staff/officials to contract the disease in a world in which, according to most scientific analysis, it’ll be Do your job pretty tough for large swaths of people to avoid entirely. Even just getting It was Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots who really made that all the required people approved on 16 to 24 teams, with all good to go at saying a staple, but it’s extremely useful in hockey, and it’s basically what the same time without pivotal people requiring separate quarantines, our fight against COVID-19 comes down to. What is it that’s been asked again, I find it tough to imagine. Further, if play returns, to imagine it of you? Because whatever it is, you have to put yourself in a place where playing all the way out without needing to be turfed again, you get where you’re able to do it. You have to do those things because all that matters I’m coming from. (And lord knows the NHL doesn’t want that scenario to to everyone else is that you do your part. play out.) For those on the front lines of health care, that’s obviously a big ask, but Is it impossible for hockey to return and a Stanley Cup to be doled out? it’s unfortunately one we have to make as a society. For most of us, No. Could things happen at or ahead of schedule and the league still has though, it’s just “please, for the love of all that is good, stay home unless a playoff and awards the Stanley Cup? Absolutely. But to just answer the you absolutely need to go out.” It’s not a time for “well” or “but” excuses. question of whether I think it’ll happen, I don’t. As everyone says after It’s just time to do your job. giving a bleak opinion early in the development of events, I hope I’m wrong. What else can you do to help?

REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU SEE IT ALL PLAYING OUT, A SIMPLE If you’re doing your job on a hockey team but your job is not complicated QUESTION: DO YOU THINK THE NHL WILL BE ABLE TO AWARD — maybe you’re a fourth-line dump-and-chase player who plays 10 THE 2020 STANLEY CUP? minutes a night — the question becomes, “What else can you do to help the team?” Can you kill penalties, be a good teammate or, hell, fill the — JUSTIN BOURNE (@JTBOURNE) MARCH 21, 2020 metaphorical water bottles? That fourth-line role, by the way, is the “just None of that is hockey analysis, though. Let’s just say it happens, stay at home” of roles. If you do it well, nobody really needs more from because dammit, we need something to fantasize about. you. You’re good. But if you can do more, whether it’s helping to raise money or running errands for those who can’t help themselves or even Do you care if next season is congested or not? comforting someone who is struggling — obviously, The Team appreciates the hell out of that. (We all have our issues — I’m finding as No, I really don’t. If teams played until September and had some a parent that doing more than just staying afloat hasn’t yet been an combination of September and October off and restarted in November — option, but I certainly hope to soon. In the meantime, pucks in deep.) which is only a few weeks late — I’d have no problem with that. I’m sure there might be players who would read that as uncaring about their Stay focused health, but that’s not the point. A slightly more challenging 2020-21 schedule for the possibility of not losing a season that was already 85 We’re not in this and doing the right thing until it gets hard or percent complete would seem worthwhile, not to mention the financial inconvenient. It’s going to get hard, and it’s going to get inconvenient. gains to be made by completing one season and fitting in a full one next You need to be mentally prepared for that before you feel it. That’s when year. I think they’d like that. it’s important to be committed and when real gains stand to be made. That’s when it’s time to double down and keep doing the right things, or, What would be the perfect playoff? as they say in sports so often anymore, “Trust the process.” Stick to the plan. We’ve all heard a million different theories so far, but it’s tough to go too deep into any of them until we have a date. Let’s just say we’re ready to And when we finally get back to something like normal, it’ll be important go in a couple of months with some team-quarantined version of it all. to remember we’re a community

My theory: Take the four divisions and lock in the top three seeds via I know that’s kind of corny, but those in hockey have earned a reputation points percentage. Boom. Congrats to the 12 lucky teams. We’ve had to of picking each other up when the chips are down, even when the make some decisions, and you guys are the benefactors. colours worn by those in need are that of an opposing team. The hockey world united after the tragedy, as it has done in Looking at the Western Conference, Chicago is the last team that could smaller ways for countless groups and individuals. This is one of those conceivably make a case it would have made the playoffs. Taking the events that offers some clear perspective on what’s important. It reminds two teams in the wild-card spots and the four teams that have a case on me how the people who root passionately for opposing teams are often the outside, there would be a six-team tournament for the two wild-card more alike than they’d like to admit. And that we need one another for the spots, with the top two teams having a bye in the six-team tournament. whole thing to be fun and interesting, and that “sports hate” is. Who The other four teams could be paired top to bottom, with the middle two knows when we get through it? And when we do, who knows how long seeds playing each other. The top team in both cases gets “home ice” in we’ll be able to hang on to that context? It’ll probably be for like 20 minutes after the puck drops, when someone calls William Nylander a diva on Twitter or something, but hey, let’s try to keep the picture big for as long as we can upon return. It’s just a game, but it sure does mean an awful lot to an awful lot of us.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181333 Websites Dadswell would agree with that latter sentiment. “It’s kind of how my career went,” Dadswell added, with a rueful laugh. “It

was a bad start – and it just got worse.” The Athletic / Duhatschek Notebook: Playing in empty arenas, Dadswell had been playing for the Flames’ AHL affiliate in Moncton when summertime hockey and free T-shirts he was called up. was coaching the team at the time, and they were on the road in New Haven. The key members of the Flames front-office staff, general manager Cliff Fletcher and assistants Al By Eric Duhatschek Mar 20, 2020 MacNeil and Al Coates were all in New Haven at the time. And so, when Dadswell got the call, he made the trip in the same van as the three team

executives. What if they played an NHL game and nobody came? “I had missed practice the day before with the flu,” Dadswell said. “I was Even if it seems like an eternity ago now, that almost happened eight still very sick when I went in to see Terry Crisp that morning. He said, ‘the days ago, or just before the NHL “paused” play in the 2019-20 season Flames are calling you up to play in New Jersey tonight.’ I said, ‘well, because of the coronavirus outbreak. geez, I’ve got the flu.’ He said ‘if I was you, I’d just say I was fine.’ So that’s what I did. I took his advice and said ‘sure.’ At that juncture, when it still looked to the NHL as if half measures would be OK to control the virus spread, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the “So that night, there’s this big snowstorm, but we get on the bus and we Columbus Blue Jackets were scheduled to play a game before a crowd get to the rink on time. We get dressed – but the other team doesn’t of zero people – only essential personnel permitted. show up.

Eight days ago? “I’m a nervous wreck as it is because it’s my first game and I’ve got the flu. I keep thinking to myself, ‘well, they’re not going to put me in. They’re It feels as if eight years have passed. going to put Vernie (Mike Vernon) in.’ But no, they put me in. The game is delayed two hours and I get out there and there are 300 people in the But this week, in conversation with Pierre LeBrun and Scott Burnside, as stands. It was really surreal. It was like a practice almost. We lost. I part of the possible resumption-of-play scenarios being discussed played pretty average. It was just a very strange experience.” internally, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly did not rule out playing games in empty buildings. It’d be the professional hockey equivalent of So why didn’t the Flames switch to Vernon from Dadswell at the 11th taping a television program in front of a small, live studio audience. hour? Vernon was only about a year into his own NHL career, but he did have far more experience at that juncture. According to Vernon, the As it happens, the NHL already did play one game just like that. It possibility did come up. happened on Jan. 22, 1987, between the visiting Calgary Flames and the hometown New Jersey Devils at the Meadowlands. That night, a massive “We were out there for warm-up and (assistant coach) Pierre Page came snowstorm made roads around the Brendan Byrne Arena virtually down to me and said, ‘we’re thinking of putting you in,’” explained impassable, resulting in an official turnstile count of 334. The game Vernon. “And I said, ‘leave the fucking kid alone. He’s going to be fine.’ I almost certainly should have been postponed and under today’s NHL thought it would probably be better for him, playing in front of 300 people leadership, it probably would have been. than 20,000. But they knew the storm was coming in the morning. In hindsight, they should have changed it then. But immediate decision-making was not a strong suit of the pre-Gary Bettman NHL and thus the select few that braved the weather to get to “You don’t come to me in warm-up and say that. I thought, ‘you’re going the arena, watched the game scattered throughout a mostly empty to crush this kid if you don’t play him.’ When I got thrown in my first house. Officially, the Devils prevailed by a 7-5 score in a silent, almost game, I gave up four goals in about 11 minutes. I think my goals-against surreal atmosphere, unlike anything that the players had ever seen average that year (1983-84) was something like 22.22 (actually 21.82).” before. By the time the Devils finally assembled a full complement of players, the Or anyone not named Lanny McDonald, that is. Flames had been at the arena for almost five hours. Whatever energy they might have had in the early afternoon wasn’t there at puck drop. “You forget,” McDonald said, with a twinkle. “I played for the Colorado Rockies. A lot of nights, we were lucky to get 2,000 people in the “It was like a pick-up game – like the alumni plays today,” McDonald said. building.” “No one believed this game was going to happen. We kept going out of the dressing room to the corners of the rink and saw no one in the Still, 2,000 is more than 344 and 344 is more than zero. building. We knew full well there was a big storm outside. So, we Unofficially, the crowd in New Jersey that night is the smallest in NHL thought, ‘there’s just no way.’ Mentally, you just weren’t into it at all. You history. The game was scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. Puck drop came weren’t ready to play – and then all of a sudden, holy shit, we are almost two hours later, so that the Devils could get a full complement of playing. NHL players together. “My sympathies were with the goaltenders, who were appreciative of the The game marked the NHL debut of Flames’ rookie goaltender Doug defensive effort – which was non-existent.” Dadswell and it was a memorable night because of the circumstances, if According to McDonald, it will be a massive psychological adjustment for not for the results. Dadswell gave up six goals – and didn’t get much help any NHL player asked to play a game in front of an empty building. from his teammates. “It’s because of the energy you get out of the crowd,” McDonald said. “At “Poor Dougie Dadswell,” Flames forward Colin Patterson said. “This was home, the crowd can pick you out of the doldrums. You can be down 2-0 a big game for him. This was his NHL debut. But it was just so bizarre. in the game and all of a sudden, you have a flurry of activity and now the We warmed up three different times – and we were in and out of the crowd gets right back in it. Now you’re on a roll. dressing room three times. By the third time, we were all just telling stories and laughing. Then we had to go and play, and it was like we “Without a crowd, you wouldn’t have that. And so, you’d have to be were scrimmaging and we were horrible. Just horrible. They’d score a unbelievably mentally tough to plough through that – and find a way to goal and it be just like you were playing a game of shinny: ‘Oh, OK, let’s get up. I understand why Lebron James said what he did – that he didn’t go back to center ice for the faceoff.’ want to play in an empty building – because he feeds off that. That’s what everyone does – at home, and even on the road. Whenever we “Sometimes, you’d score or they’d score and you’d go, ‘that was in, went up to in Edmonton and the crowd is all over you, absolutely you get right?’ You didn’t know for sure, because no one was yelling or up for that too. It helps kickstart you. The more they yell, the more you’re cheering. You could hear guys talking on the ice and you could hear into it.” them talking on the bench. There was no noise, no excitement – and nobody was too concerned about running a guy, or taking a guy out. For his part, Dadswell believes the modern-day NHL player would be OK with playing in front of an empty building, after a short adjustment period. “For a player, it was hard to play a game like that. “I think guys when they get to that level, they can pretty much overcome “For a goalie, it was just a nightmare.” anything,” Dadswell said. “That’s a pretty weird situation – to play in front of no fans, but you kinda do it all the time in practice and in training-camp Moreover, nowadays, most of the young players coming through the scrimmages, where you’ve got to perform when nobody’s watching ranks have attended international tryout camps during the summer except the scouts. I would think for the younger guys, it might be a little months as part of the selection process for world junior age-group teams. easier to get pumped up. Some of the (older) NHLers might have a tougher time without the fans there, but they are professionals and I think That got me to thinking about another idea, relating to possible NHL maybe after the first few games, they would get used to it – and it would Olympic participation. be no deal. Could playing Stanley Cup playoff games in the summer act as a “I mean, they’d still be playing in front of like, two million people, on TV, possible trial balloon for moving hockey into the Summer (as opposed to right? The only thing missing would be the roar of the crowd.” the Winter) Olympic games. If you’ve followed hockey for any length of time, you know this is an idea that had briefly been discussed and The 334 Club rejected in the past. But if you haven’t, the argument had usually been framed this way: A funny post-script to that unusual night in New Jersey occurred before the puck was even dropped. The NBA is a winter professional sports league, but it competes in the Summer Olympic Games, so why not the NHL as well? The major benefit Unlike most buildings, the press area in the Brendan Byrne Arena was would be, no disruption to its regular season. The NHL’s longest-standing located in the middle of the seating bowl, just above the first tier of seats, issue with participating in the Olympics is just that: The way it can disrupt making it was an excellent place to watch (and cover) a hockey game its regular season in so many different ways (injuries, fatigue, etc.). Thus, from. Also, the broadcasters were seated only a few feet away, rather if you played the hockey tournament in the Summer Olympics, you’d than segregated in a private booth, which meant you could hear the call solve the problem. of the game in your ears. Easy, right? Peter Maher was the radio voice of the Flames in those days and said he soon realized that his usual pregame show was going to have to stretch Except it goes again the grain of everything we think of when it comes to on and on. Accordingly, he and his broadcasting partner Doug Barkley – it’s a winter sport. Recreational basketball can be played began recruiting guests wherever they could find them. But with so few outdoors on community courts around the world, in shorts, in balmy people in the building, they didn’t have a lot of options. weather. The only way you can do that for hockey is to take it to the streets or play it on rollerblades. So … not the same sporting experience Ultimately, Maher invited Martha Johnson, wife of Flames’ coach Bob at all. Johnson, to join him on the air as one of his emergency guests. Generally, the coach’s wives do not travel with the team, but Martha But if they happen to play playoff games in the summer months, then the Johnson was an exception and joined the team once or twice a year. In NHL and the players association could digest the experience and decide this particular instance, she had an extra reason to be in the building – if it might have any real appeal down the road. It’s a muddy situation right her son, Mark Johnson, played for the Devils. now because the last (2016) was played before the start of NHL training camps and didn’t draw all that well, even in Toronto. The It was during the time Martha Johnson was on the air with Maher when league insisted that the event was, overall, a (financial) success – but an announcement came over the arena loudspeaker. when they talk about implementing a new, permanent international “Every time that happened, we would stop our broadcast and listen in hockey schedule as part of the next collective bargaining agreement, one because we wanted to get the latest news about what was going on, just of the things you hear is that the World Cup should be played in like everybody else,” Maher said. February, instead of the All-Star Game, in the heart of the season.

This time, the public address system had an invitation for the spectators. Like most people, you hope the NHL and the players association can Anyone who’d made it to the building was invited to meet at a particular safely find a way of salvaging something from the 2019-20 NHL season. gate so that the Devils’ staff could take down their names and addresses If it means playing playoff games – and then deciding a champion – in and send them a thank-you gift for their perseverance and dedication. September, so be it. Eventually, that group became The 334 Club, a fan club like no other. In And it might just have a secondary benefit: Of demonstrating just what the end, every one of the 334 attendees who fought the elements to get the appetite for playing a winter sport in the heart of summer really is. to the game was rewarded with a gift and a commemorative T-shirt. According to Maher, when Martha Johnson heard the announcement, If there’s collective indifference to it, well, then you probably have your that was it. She was off like a shot. Olympic answer as well.

“Right away,” Maher marvelled, “right in the middle of the interview, Caveat emptor, 2020 NHL trade deadline version Martha took the headset off, and she was gone. She really wanted that T-shirt.” One of my traditional themes sometime after the NHL trade deadline passes is to assess buyer regret, because I’m of the opinion that most To the best of knowledge, even after providing her name and details, deals made at the deadline tend to benefit the seller rather than the Martha Johnson’s commemorative T-shirt never arrived. buyer; and that’s especially true when it comes to pure rentals.

Summer hockey on the way? Under normal circumstances, rentals usually get into about 20 regular- season games before the playoffs begin. Once in awhile, they’ll even One of the hypothetical scenarios to save some part of the current NHL make a major contribution to a team’s Stanley Cup push. season would involve spilling the playoffs into August and even September. Mostly, however, as the arithmetic suggests, it almost always goes the other way. Half the playoff field is pared two weeks into the postseason In theory, that could give the world enough time to return to some level of and is sliced in half again in the following two weeks. The net result is: 12 normalcy. Even if the playoffs were held in a unique format – say, in a teams are out after the first month and most of the time, in hindsight, round-robin tournament, played in a single city, just in front of the those teams soon come to regret the draft choices they ponied up for television cameras – there would be some final resolution to the 2019-20 rentals that didn’t appreciably contribute to a long Stanley Cup run. season. Complicating matters this year is the fact that the trade deadline fell on Even if there were an asterisk assigned to a championship season that Feb. 24 and the final games of the regular season before the league’s didn’t include a fully played schedule, that hasn’t stopped teams in New “pause” came on Mar. 11. Jersey (1995) or Chicago (2013) from celebrating Stanley Cup victories that occurred in shortened seasons. You don’t see players – or fans – If this is it – and it could easily be it – that’s 16 days that rentals got to treat those titles any differently than others the clubs had previously won. play for their new teams. Barely enough time to get out of the hotel. The vast majority of players who moved to new teams managed to get into And while there hasn’t been a lot of summer hockey played in the past, only six, seven or eight games. sometimes, training camps and even Canada Cup exhibition games have taken place in August. There are lots of different teams whose plight we could isolate here, but let’s focus on Calgary because there’s an extra wrinkle at work here.

This year, the Flames made two deals at the deadline. In one, they sent a conditional 2021 fourth-rounder to the Los Angeles Kings for defenceman Derek Forbort. The traded pick will be upgraded to a third if the Flames get to the conference final and Forbort played in 50 percent of their games or if they sign him to a contract extension in the offseason. The reason L.A. took a 2021 fourth-rounder from Calgary for Forbort is the Kings already own Calgary’s 2020 fourth-rounder. That was traded by the Flames last year to rent Oscar Fantenberg for 15 games. There were conditions attached to the Fantenberg pick as well, but they went unmet when Calgary lost in the opening round to the Colorado Avalanche.

The Flames completed one other deal at this year’s deadline, sending a conditional 2020 third-rounder to the Chicago Blackhawks for defenceman Erik Gustafsson. The condition on that deal is that Chicago gets to pick the higher (or better) of two possible Calgary third-rounders – their own or the one they thought they were getting from Edmonton in the James Neal-Milan Lucic deal.

In Neal-for-Lucic, Calgary was going to receive a third-rounder if Neal scored 21 or more goals and also outscored Lucic by 10.

By Jan. 1, Neal had 19 goals already and Lucic had just three – so it seemed almost certain the condition would be met and Calgary would land a third from Edmonton. That, in turn, made it a little easier for the Flames to flip a third to Chicago for Gustafsson – because it almost seemed as if they had it in the bag.

But then Neal went into a slump and then he got hurt. Neal eventually did start to play again before the suspension of play, but he hasn’t scored a goal in the calendar year 2020 and if they do not resume regular-season play, he will finish the season at 19.

Condition not met, in other words, and Edmonton retains a pick that – back in the first half of the season – they were resigned to losing. For Calgary, the net effect of the “pause” means the Flames gets seven games out of Gustafsson (three assists) and seven games out of Forbort (no points). That could well be the end of the line for either or both with the Flames too.

Hindsight is of course 20/20, but it also reinforces my long-standing belief that all the machinations and speculation that lead up to the trading deadline often ends this way: With the teams that did get hyper-active coming to regret those decisions – usually sooner rather than later.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181334 Websites Bultman: Is it a cop-out to say Dan Bylsma? Obviously he won a Jack Adams a couple of years later but still…

Custance: Max Talbot, for sure. What about Marc-Andre Fleury? Not only The Athletic / Rewatching the Classics: Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup did he make that save on Nicklas Lidstrom at the end, he kept the Red final Wings off the board with a number of high-end saves early on in this game. I forgot how good he was for most of this game.

Gentille: Talbot again, but we can skip him. Jonathan Ericsson was By Craig Custance, Max Bultman and Sean Gentille Mar 20, 2020 really, really good. Probably set him down the path to his next two deals. Nobody can top Fleury here, though. This was the game (combined with

his good-person status) that bought him not just hero-status in It was one of the great finishes in recent Stanley Cup final history — a Pittsburgh, but unlimited rope. And you know what? That’s fair. Game 7 that came down to a save in the final moments. The 2009 Bultman: In my memory that shot by Lidstrom at the end was dicey as to Stanley Cup final between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh whether it would have gone in. After the re-watch? Nope. Robbed blind. Penguins was an instant classic and provided some necessary hockey watching this week for three of our hockey writers: Craig Custance, Sean Custance: What about late-career Ken Holland? Watching this, you can Gentille and Max Bultman. see why he gave those contracts to Ericsson, Helm, Danny Cleary etc. They’re easier to stomach with back-to-back Cup wins. We watched the game again and broke down our favorite moments (and some we totally forgot about) into categories. It was equal parts fun and Bultman: That’s a great one. Yeah one of my reactions watching this was depressing. Enjoy! that I totally understood the Helm deal.

Opening thoughts Gentille: In the first four minutes of this game, Darren Helm is the greatest hockey player alive. Craig Custance: The first thing I noticed was the arena. It made me nostalgic for Joe Louis Arena. Also, that scoreboard was tiny! How could What’s the best moment? any of us see any replays? I was at this game in the auxiliary press box and I remember being surprised at how many Penguins fans were at this Custance: It’s the save on Lidstrom in the final seconds. What an ending. game. Fairly early on in this re-watch, Doc Emrick made the same I’m not sure this is even up for debate. observation. They traveled well for this one. Gentille: It’s not the save itself, actually, but it’s save-adjacent. Early in Sean Gentille: “Ah, that’s right, Marian Hossa played for the Red Wings.” the Penguins’ celebration, right before the Cup is brought out, Fleury Personally, I was a year out of college and at the absolute end of my meets up with Malkin, hugs him, and then clearly pantomimes the save to rope as a capital-F fan (Another topic for another time), so I drove seven Malkin, Crosby and Craig Adams. That stuck with me: this huge, historic hours from Charlotte to watch with my friends in a Point Breeze career-making moment for a franchise and a city, and none of those guys basement. It was one of the last pure moments of my life. Game-wise? A actually knew how it went down. Because it had just happened. Like, weird combo of intense and uneventful, yes? seconds earlier.

Max Bultman: Yes. I actually didn’t remember much about this game, but Bultman: That’s such a great point. It was the save for me, which is just I feel like that’s how playoff hockey is. I did love how much Hall-of-Fame an all-timer, but I also loved Evgeni Malkin’s double fist pump on his way talent was all over the ice, and yet the goals were scored by Max Talbot to get the Conn Smythe. Dude was 22. Just a sweet moment. and Jonathan Ericsson. Both had good, long careers, but that’s so Custance: I loved that. “hockey.” Gentille: I’m all the way in the tank for any on-ice celebration stuff. Staal Custance: I want to hear more about Sean being a capital-F fan. And would not stop screaming. He might still be screaming. Also, no joke, yeah, it was jarring to see Marian Hossa in a Red Wings uniform. Fleury-Talbot-Malkin-Staal were at least 10-14 in the lap line. Gentille: I grew up where I grew up, bro. I am honest, unlike many! Custance: I couldn’t believe how late they were! And why were the laps Custance: How old were you when this game was played, Max? Were so mini? Guys all skated within five feet of each other. I thought you’re you allowed to stay up and watch it? Age jokes! supposed to do a proper lap.

Bultman: Haha. I was 13 and I’m pretty sure we had one of my hockey Gentille: Yes! They were figure-skating twirls! I think Chris Minard got his coaches over at my house for the game. He wasn’t too pleased with the turn before Letang! result if I remember right. Custance: So, I watched closely to see when Sid joins the handshake Who is at their peak at this moment in time? line. It was really hard to tell. It looks like he got distracted congratulating the Pittsburgh coaches. He did have an exchange with Mike Babcock Custance: We can debate a lot of players, but the guy who stood out to where Mike goes “That’s great leadership by you.” me was Niklas Kronwall. He was really good in this game. He was 28 when this game took place. This year was his first All-Star appearance Gentille: Yeah, I heard that too. and a few years later he started showing up in Norris Trophy voting Bultman: That was a great bite for NBC to pick up results. Another obvious answer is Max Talbot. But what about Jordan Staal? He was young at the time of this game (20) but he was Custance: Mike planting the seed for Team Canada. legitimately great in this game. Darren Helm too. Gentille: Another actual note: “That was the moment Crosby assumed Gentille: Staal was highly noticeable, and Helm was more fun to watch the Team Canada captaincy.” than anyone else, but Talbot is the obvious answer. You might say Peak Talbot would be the moment he signed for $8.75 million with the Flyers. Huge moment you forgot all about Wrong. With 8:14 left in the game, his team up 2-0 on his goals and on Custance: I remembered Sidney Crosby’s injury, in part because I national TV, he bobs along on the bench with some butt-rock arena song. watched this game with Dan Bylsma a few years ago for my book Prime. (shameless plug) “Behind the Bench.” So I knew it was coming. What I Bultman: Kronwall was great. He moved so well, was a physical beast, forgot was how early it happened. Crosby gets injured along the boards and had just an absolutely perfect defensive play early in the second to by Johan Franzen with 14:34 left in the second. For some reason, I end a cycle and take possession. But yeah, hard to go anywhere but thought this happened way later in the game. The Penguins won this Talbot. game and they did it mostly without the best player on the planet.

Gentille: Most of my notes here are just “KRONWALL” with a bunch of Bultman: With about 2:15 left, Kronwall walked in from the point and rang exclamation points. one off the crossbar. I mean we’re talking about literal centimeters from this game going to overtime. Whose career does this game change the most? Gentille: Malkin had more to do with Talbot’s first goal than I’d remembered. The Kronwall crossbar somehow slipped from my memory. Also, though, there’s a two-minute surge by the Wings late in the second Gentille: Whole game might’ve been peak Doc. My favorite moment was that, like … I’m not sure how they didn’t score. It was mainly Jordan a small one, which is usually the case with him. After showing Staal, standing in the middle of the ice. Muhammad Ali in the stands at the Joe (!!!), Doc launched into a story about Ali boxing Dave Semenko in the 80s, then cut himself off right as it What from this game wouldn’t happen today? went from “cool story” to “OK, please stop,” territory. “Meanwhile, this is Custance: There’s a late hit from Kronwall that would have started a laid back in by Talbot,” he said, “and the rest is for another time.” three-day Twitter debate. Also, Mario Lemieux granted an interview. That Custance: I loved that. may not happen today. But the most dated thing to me was all the promos. NBC and the NHL were clearly trying to find their way in the Bultman: That’s a way better one than mine. For me, there are two digital world with things like NBC2GO on Verizon Mobile and V-Cast and names I cannot read or hear without thinking of Doc Emrick. One is NBC Sports Mobile, a promo that came with a fantastic shot of an old flip “Jarnkrok.” The other is “Orpik.” And any time I do hear him say one of phone. And the promo that made me the saddest was the one for Conan those names, it feels like playoff hockey. So, since Orpik played in this O’Brien and The Tonight Show. #TeamCoco one, it’s any time Doc said his name.

Gentille: Alright, a word about that Verizon ad before my full answer. Custance: I had no idea about Semenko.

Custance: Haha, OK Gentille: Oh, I checked it on my phone as soon as he said it.

Gentille: It was advertising the most 2009-era phone possible, some LG Custance: The shot of Ali in a Red Wings jersey and both teams tapping Sidekick rip-off thing — and Verizon was sponsoring an on-ice audio the boards was unreal. segment with Letang that was, basically, the worst of the genre, until Craig Adams dropped an audible F-bomb. Peak Pierre McGuire

Anyway, most of Kronwall’s game wouldn’t happen today. And I don’t say Custance: I’ll leave this to Sean but it’s going to be hard to top the Fred that as a knock, either. It was visceral, riveting hockey from him — it’s Shero story. I low-key loved how Pierre slipped in that Eddie O was largely just not legal anymore, or even seen all that often. Example: he Fleury’s first pro coach while asking Marc-Andre Fleury about the biggest clobbered Talbot near center ice with 8:41 left. The puck was never on save of his life after the win. But overall, this broadcast was rock solid. his stick, and Kronwall left his feet. There was a penalty called on the Pierre was really good. sequence … on Brad Stuart, for breaking Malkin’s stick. Gentille: An absolute tour de force from our guy after Babcock used his Bultman: I 100 percent thought that penalty was on Kronwall when the timeout with 1:17 left. “MIKE BABCOCK IS TELLING HIS TEAM WHAT whistle blew. TO DO IF THEY WIN THE FACEOFF AND WHAT TO DO IF THEY LOSE THE FACEOFF;” followed by “EDZO AND DOC THAT’S RAY Custance: Also, I’m not sure Tomas Holmstrom could happen today. He SHERO” when Shero’s face (and name) were shown on camera; wasn’t moving particularly quickly out there. I think he was hurt too. followed by an anecdote about Fred Shero and the 1980 All-Star Game; followed by calling Bylsma “Danny.” Four-bagger. Grand slam. Said it in Gentille: At one point Holmstrom dragged down Hal Gill by his jersey in like 11 seconds, too. the crease, and it was like Godzilla vs. King Kong. Bultman: The Shero bit was perfection. I’ll also say, before the game Which coach from this game would you take for a Game 7 today? even started NBC had Pierre and Mike Milbury give mock pre-game Bultman: I think it’s Babcock, but he hasn’t exactly had a ton of success speeches for each team, and that was pretty peak Pierre too. The line, in game 7s lately. I do feel like the Red Wings played a winning game “Men, words don’t win game 7s, actions do,” was used, and then he here, though. It’s not like the Penguins had a ton of chances or anything. proceeded to list all the times the team has been great: playoffs, They really just converted a couple of huge ones. practices, regular season. (That’s all the time, for those keeping score.) Then he tells the fake players in the empty locker room that they wear Custance: So there are quite a few options here outside of Bylsma and the same sweater as the teams that won the cups in 1991 and ’92. The Babcock. The Pittsburgh assistants were Tom Fitzgerald and Mike Yeo. ever-important trivia bit to bring it home. Paul MacLean and one of my favorite coaches of all-time, Brad McCrimmon, were Detroit’s assistants. Plenty of options but I agree on Most important shift Babcock, in part because of his success in tight, close games, Custance: I’m going to cheat and say the last two minutes of the second internationally. period. Detroit is just POURING it on. It’s crazy. I don’t know how they Gentille: This is a tough decision, and not as good of a problem to have didn’t score there and I think this game looks very different if they find a as it would’ve seemed a few years ago. From the head coaches, Toronto way to do it. Also, I completely forgot that Kronwall hit the crossbar with disaster aside, you’ve still got to go with Babcock. This was a career- 2:13 remaining in the game. Crazy how close this was to a different making win by Bylsma, and flags fly forever, but I’m still not sure how ending. they pulled it off. Fitzgerald would make sense, too. Bultman: I’ll second that about the end of the second period. Zetterberg What changes about this game if the captains switch teams? had a look on the doorstep with just a few seconds left, and I think the puck just bounced on him or something. Would have totally swung Bultman: It feels crazy to say this because Nicklas Lidstrom was 39, but momentum going into intermission. Pittsburgh probably wins going away if they swap. Crosby missed most of the game and Lidstrom played nearly 28 minutes for Detroit. Gentille: All the best individual moments, outside of two Penguins, belonged to Detroit. So, congratulations to Brad Stuart for his work on Custance: Lidstrom was great in this game. He’s just constantly bombing Talbot’s first goal. shots from the point. Watching him again was one of the most enjoyable parts of this exercise. Considering Crosby’s injury, if you put Lidstrom on How does history change if the Red Wings win? the Penguins they still win. Maybe by more. Custance: Imagine for a moment if the Red Wings come back to win this Gentille: The Penguins win by more. Crosby wasn’t much of a factor; the game. And THEN after that, Zach Parise scores in overtime of the 2010 injury happened earlier than I remembered. His best chance probably gold medal game vs. Canada as he nearly did. Now, people are came on a first-period power play. Lidstrom played for, I believe, 85 wondering if Crosby can win the big game. The whole narrative around minutes. Just more of a factor, even before you think about the shot. Sid is completely different.

Custance: What was his CF%? 85? Bultman: Sidney Crosby gets a “can he win the big one?” narrative for sure. I don’t know how much the Red Wings actually gain winning Gentille: It was actually 100 percent. People forget that. another one, but Crosby and the Penguins definitely had a TON to lose.

Peak Doc Emrick Custance: The Chris Osgood legacy changes the most to me. He probably wins the Conn Smythe if Detroit wins. He had a .930 save Custance: His call when Kronwall hit the crossbar was pretty great. Just percentage in this postseason and it would have been his FOURTH Cup. yelling, “KRONWALL OFF THE CROSSBAR!!!” I’m all-in at that point. Bultman: Yeah he’s probably in the Hall if they win this. Gentille: First off, Crosby never deals with the concussions in the first place. That is the Butterfly Effect and it is lab-tested. On a more tangible level though, how about this: Marian Hossa never signs with the Blackhawks, which straight-up alters the decade.

Custance: Oh man. Penguins lose and don’t get the outdoor game vs. the Capitals?

Gentille: Ding.

First star

Bultman: It’s Fleury. He stole this one.

Custance: It’s Max Talbot. C’mon.

Gentille: It’s Max Talbot. I’m tempted to say Fleury here, because … wow, he was better than I remembered. I’m tempted to say Brad Stuart, because I’m mean. But for real, how do you not give it to Talbot? If he only scored once maybe you have second thoughts, but let’s not overthink this.

Bultman: I can go either way with those two, but my thinking is that even though two Game 7 goals is a huge feat, I really don’t know if that should have been enough to win this game. So to me, that means Fleury is the MVP.

Gentille: He just gave $100,000 to arena workers in Vegas, so yeah, fine. I change my vote.

Final thoughts

Gentille: Not a ton. Just the fact that watching this on pseudo-quarantine, seeing how young all those guys looked and thinking about how far we are from 2009 was really depressing. Thanks Craig!

Bultman: My thoughts are just that I really hope we get playoff hockey this year. This was so fun to watch, and even knowing the ending just so intense.

Gentille: Ah yeah, that too.

Custance: That was it for me. Made me miss the playoffs even more. So, sorry about that.

Bultman: Anyway, Pandemic (the board game) just showed up on my doorstep so if you guys need me…

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181335 Websites Boudreau. I was in Jacksonville and he was with Mississippi. Pete Laviolette was coaching in the league at the time, Jimmy Playfair, so some guys used to get out of that league.”

The Athletic / LeBrun: Why NHL coaches are eager to give back and Part of what Cassidy talked about with those ECHL coaches last month share their experiences was trying to find a clearer path to the NHL, because things have changed since his time coaching there.

“Back then there was more of a path, more of an opportunity out of that By Pierre LeBrun Mar 20, 2020 league, it seems a lot tougher now,” said Cassidy. “So that was one of the things we discussed. With so many more assistant coaches now (in

NHL and AHL), it’s harder.” Last June during draft week in Vancouver, I was invited by the NHL Years ago, Cassidy had an opportunity to move up from the ECHL to be Coaches’ Association at their annual Coaches Clinic conference to an assistant in AHL, but the advice he got from a couple of NHL guys moderate a panel featuring , and Terry was: “If you want to be a head coach, stay a head coach.” Crisp. “So that was a bit of my message now with all the assistant coaches It was spectacular. Them, not me. getting promoted (in NHL and AHL), that advice may have to change But as I stood on stage directing traffic for that amazing panel, I kept now,” said Cassidy. “Maybe get in with the assistants. So that advice has scanning the large conference room and the sheer number of coaches probably changed in the last 20 years.” on hand from all kinds of levels of hockey. Krueger’s planned message to those 400-plus European coaches next It really hit home for me in that instant the kind of fraternity the coaching week? world is, not just at the NHL level, and the desire to help out coaches “My theme primarily will be the challenges for a European player from all kinds of leagues and walks of life. adapting to the National Hockey League game and what they need to It’s been an important motivation in recent years from the NHLCA to have learn already at younger ages and the kind of practice or training you NHL coaches give back and help those aspiring to be in such roles one could do even though the ice surface is larger to help them get ready for day, which is at the root of why the organization introduced the pilot what’s quite a different game,” the former Swiss national team head Mentorship Program last month, which consisted of four livestream coach said. “webinar” events featuring four NHL head coaches: “I often called it a different sport. It changes dramatically. … There’s so Feb. 10, Jared Bednar from the Colorado Avalanche presented to AHL much less time and space, so what they can do for drills and tactical coaches. adjustments to even make the game in Europe more exciting and bring the game a lot more between the dots than it falls right now; for the good Feb. 13, Bruce Cassidy of the Boston Bruins spoke to ECHL coaches. of the game and for the good of the players.”

Feb. 24, David Quinn from the New York Rangers spoke to NCAA In the meantime, life goes on in a completely different manner for these coaches. two NHL head coaches, who are not used to downtime.

March 9, Jeff Blashill of the Detroit Red Wings did his webinar for USHL “When we get back to a normal world, we will all enjoy it that much more coaches. again,” said Krueger. “I mean the appreciation of what we had and how for granted we took it. I think for every human being right now, the The original plan was to wait until next season to fully roll out the awareness is going to be so magnified. The vehicle of sport will be one of Mentorship Program, but given the real-life circumstances we all find the best-feeling vehicles out there once we’re allowed to do it again. ourselves in with the COVID-19 crisis, the NHLCA decided it wanted to help during a difficult time and thus bumped up the full launch starting “I’m just excited for when that day comes, knowing that it might still be a Friday with 20-plus, livestream webinar sessions taking place over the while,” he added. “I know that sports is going to play a big, big role in next six weeks and featuring more NHL head coaches. getting people to acclimatize back to trying to be normal again after this shock, you know?” Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger, for example, will do a webinar next Wednesday for more than 400 coaches from nine European hockey The Sabres won’t have much of a role, if any, if the NHL is able to federations: Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, Czech Republic, resume the season later this year, given where they are in the standings. Slovakia, Hungary, Denmark and Great Britain. But for the Bruins, this really hits home. They’re first in the NHL and have another realistic shot at going all the way after losing in Game 7 of the “I think it has always been important. I mean, I went through it a couple of Cup final a year ago. decades being more on the international stage where you naturally end up educating and passing on your experiences really without holding Cassidy, bunkered down with family in suburban Winchester, Mass., was back,” Krueger told The Athletic on Thursday. “It’s something in my new quick to stress that nothing is more important than making sure society at role now back as a head coach in the NHL, I really embrace the large stays healthy and gets over this crisis, that sports are secondary. opportunity to give these experiences to coaches — not only in North America but for me also to be responsible in spreading the word to But, yes, he’s not going lie, if there’s no resumption of season, it’s going Europe and helping them to understand at the top of the game. to hurt for a Bruins team that has what it takes to win it all.

“For me, an international webinar with 400 coaches next week, that’s “For us, yeah, it would be unfortunate considering everything, we’re a very exciting. And under these circumstances, all the more an team that’s close, we were close last year, we have some unfinished opportunity to pass on what’s still important, the development of players business, and we’ve tried to take care of that since Day 1 this year,” he at the grassroots level and what they can learn about what’s needed in said. “Until the playoffs come, we can’t celebrate anything. That’s the the final product in the NHL.” tough part for us. We feel we were that close last year and we’re going to get it this year.” It’s a crazy, competitive world in coaching, but Krueger’s philosophy is to share it all. Everyone is wondering how players are going to be if they wait three-plus months to play again. At least when it comes to that concern, Cassidy is “I’m 60 now, I just flow pretty freely, I don’t hold anything back in these confident in his veteran core. kinds of things,” said Krueger. “You put it all out there. Because in the end, it’s up to them to put the whole package together. It’s going to be “One thing is, we’ve got a really professional group,” said Cassidy. “I’m fun.” not worried about our guys’ conditioning and that part of it. I think they’re going to be ready and focused. It’s just, are we going to get to do that? It was a no-brainer for Cassidy to say yes when the NHLCA reached out That’s the big unknown. Are we going to get that chance?” to him about doing a webinar for about 40 ECHL coaches. Nobody knows right now. “I started there,” Cassidy told The Athletic on Thursday. “I was happy to do it. There aren’t that many guys anymore from the ECHL (who make it as a coach in the NHL). The first game I ever coached was against Bruce Krueger, who is back home in Switzerland and self-isolating with family, looks forward to getting through the worst of this and using sports as a way to lift people.

“For me, I see a huge responsibility, we’re trying to stay quiet right now and not be too vocal, but I think our voices are going to be heard and be very important once we get through this initial phase of paralysis in the world,” said Krueger. “When we start activating again, everybody who’s got leadership responsibilities in sport need to help cure the people from what they’re going through, this adversity. Which is so shocking for us all.

“The world will need coaches who can help people,” he added. “The people from sports have experience with adversity in ways that are not comparable to this but at least give us the tools to help people through adversity, and I think we need to activate those.”

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181336 Websites Seems like a long time since both the Rangers and Devils have been relevant at the same time, but this epic conference final series is a reminder of a time when both teams were annual Cup contenders. Many fans might have felt the spring of 1994 would be the Devils time in the The Athletic / No hockey got you down? Check out these 14 classic ice sun, as they would win their first Stanley Cup the following spring. The affairs Devils had taken a 3-2 series lead with an emphatic 4-1 win in Game 5, but the Rangers forced Game 7 with a gutsy performance on the road

following Mark Messier’s guarantee of a Game 6 win. Game 7 went to By Scott Burnside Mar 20, 2020 double-overtime and featured stand-on-your-head goaltending from Mike Richter and Martin Brodeur, and a star turn for Stephane Matteau as the Rangers were bound for what would be their first Stanley Cup since 1940. So you’re tired of Netflixing yourself into a coma. You’re starved for some hockey. Well, how about a trip through the wayback machine to catch up Detroit Red Wings at Montreal Canadiens (Dec. 2, 1995) on some classic hockey moments of yore? Nothing much artistic about this 11-1 drubbing the talented Red Wings Many of these you might have seen. Some you’ve seen in movie form. put on the Canadiens on this night, but it remains one of the most But trust me, they’re all worth revisiting in at least some form. noteworthy games in franchise history as it was the last game in which Patrick Roy appeared in a Montreal jersey. The decision to leave Roy in In fact, so enthralling was this exercise that I started out looking for a list the game long after things had gotten out of hand – he allowed nine of 10 and ended up with 14 games well worth revisiting as we soldier goals on 26 shots before being replaced by Pat Jablonski – would through the current pause in the world of ice and pucks. change the fortunes of both the Canadiens, who have not won a Stanley Canada vs. Russia, Game 8 (September 28, 1972) Cup or even been to a Stanley Cup final since, and the Colorado Avalanche to whom Roy was traded the next day. The Avs went on to For me, there are two games that transcend time and sport, and stand win Cups that spring and again in 2001 to cement Roy’s status as one of above all others in the pantheon of games that you absolutely must the game’s greatest and most important figures in – wait for it – watch. I’ve put the ’72 Summit Series finale first because it happened Avalanche history. eight years before the game. Also, it’s the one I remember most vividly, watching it in an elementary school classroom in Ajax, Los Angeles Kings at Montreal Canadiens, Game 2 of Stanley Cup final Ontario, as an entire country stopped in the middle of their day (the game (June 3, 1993) held in Moscow, so it started early in the afternoon Eastern Time in North I already sense Kings fans fleeing at the thought of reliving this moment. America) to see if good would prevail over evil. Because that’s how the The 1993 playoff season featured a handful of controversial, franchise- narrative of this epic eight-game set played out. It was the first time NHL changing moments, including referee Kerry Fraser’s non-call on Wayne players would be put to the test on the international stage against the Gretzky’s high stick on Doug Gilmour in Game 6 of the Western best the rest of the world had to offer in the skilled, disciplined Russians. Conference final between Toronto (yes, they were a Western Conference Their world versus ours. Our game versus theirs. The conceit going in team) and Los Angeles. The Kings won Game 6 and then Game 7 to was that Canada, led by icons , Ken Dryden, Bob Clarke, et advance to their first Stanley Cup final, so maybe it was karma coming al, would dominate. It didn’t work that way and it would change the way back to bite the Kings, who looked poised to take control of the final Canadians viewed the game and their place in it. Until the gold medal series. Less than two minutes from taking a 2-0 series lead with back-to- game in Vancouver, it was the most-watched sporting event in Canadian back wins at the iconic , Marty McSorley was called for television history. And the bonus of listening to the legendary Foster an illegal stick; the measurement provided by Fraser, just to close the Hewitt call “the goal” by Paul Henderson never, ever grows old. fateful circle. Spoiler alert. The Habs tied the game on the ensuing power Team USA vs. Russia, Lake Placid Olympics (Feb. 22, 1980) play, won Game 2 early in overtime and then went on to win three straight to win the Stanley Cup. The Kings would win Cups in 2012 and Purists will point out that the Summit Series was an exhibition so it 2014, but suffered through a long fallow period after this crushing loss. doesn’t really count compared to an actual formal competition like the Olympics. I disagree, but I get the point. And of course, eight years after Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings, Game 3 of Smythe Division many of the top NHLers had eked out a victory over the Russians, what semifinal (April 10, 1982) Team USA accomplished at the 1980 Olympics is on many levels far This will make Kings fans feel a bit better and, really, the Miracle on more dramatic, far more improbable. There were no NHLers on this Manchester deserves to be seen over and over as the Kings somehow squad coached by Hall of Fame coach ; just a bunch of erased a 5-0 third-period deficit against an Edmonton team chock full of mostly college kids from Minnesota and the Northeast. Their win over the future Hall of Famers and stunned the Oilers with a 6-5 overtime win. mighty Russians, the subject of not one but two Hollywood feature films, Come for the incredible comeback and stay for the equally exuberant wasn’t even broadcast live in the U.S. It was an event that would change postgame celebration by long-time Kings color analyst Daryl Evans, then hockey forever in the United States, and when you talk to some of the a rookie with the Kings who drilled home the OT winner. The improbable greatest U.S. players of all time (see below), they almost all harken back win would be a catalyst to an even more improbable series victory in five to the 1980 Miracle on Ice as the moment they became hockey fans games against the Oilers, and it still stands as the largest comeback in and/or players. And of course, watching this game allows us all to close Stanley Cup playoff history. our eyes in anticipation of Al Michaels’ timeless question: “Do you believe in miracles?” And the answer, an emphatic yes. Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers, Game 7 of Smythe Division final (April 30, 1986) Montreal Canadiens vs. Russian Red Army (Dec. 31, 1975) You want to talk about history-changing and in some ways career- Not sure this game, which ended in a 3-3 tie, is the greatest game of all defining, this game had a little bit of both those elements as the Oilers time as some will suggest, but this is a pretty good game and it speaks to saw their dynastic march through the NHL temporarily derailed. The the evolving world of hockey at the time. Part of a series of games powerful Oil had won Stanley Cups the two previous years and there was between two top Russian clubs and various NHL teams, this game no reason to doubt Wayne Gretzky et al would win a third straight in the marked a confrontation between two of the best teams in the world at the spring of 1986. They might have were it not for fate and an errant pass time. Montreal was headed to the first of four straight Stanley Cups later from Edmonton defenseman Steve Smith that ended up sliding past in the spring of 1976, while the Russian Red Army team (CSKA) was Grant Fuhr for what would be the series-deciding goal early in the third considered the best team outside the NHL. Hall of Fame Russian period of a 3-2 Calgary win. Smith went on to a distinguished NHL career netminder Vladislav Tretiak was under siege for most of the night but as a player, and then as a scout and assistant coach. Perry Berezan was held strong as the Russians were outshot 38-13. This game is the credited with the goal for all you trivia buffs. antithesis of another famous game during this series between the Red Army squad and the defending Stanley Cup champion Philadelphia Belarus vs. Sweden, Salt Lake City Olympics (Feb. 20, 2002) Flyers, which saw the Russians leave the ice at one point during the ultra-physical exhibition game. This quarterfinal game ranks as one of the greatest upsets in international hockey history and sent a ripple through the hockey world New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers, Game 7 of Eastern Conference that in some ways led directly to Canada ending its 50-year gold medal final (May 27, 1994) drought. The Swedes were the team to beat at this tournament, the second Olympics in which NHL players participated. They had mauled Canada in the preliminary round and should have mauled their quarterfinal opponent from Belarus. Instead, Vladimir Kopat’s long-range slapper eluded netminder Tommy Salo (it actually bounced in off his head) and Belarus hung on for the win. Swedish newspapers ran mugshot style pictures of the talented Swedish players and their NHL salaries the next day as the country lamented its team’s ignoble exit from the tournament. As a postscript, Canada easily handled Belarus in the semifinal and then beat Team USA in the gold medal game.

Canada vs. Russia, Game 3 of Canada Cup (Sept. 15, 1987)

Maybe the greatest back-to-back-to-back games in the history of the game, pitting two of the most talented teams ever constructed. Hyperbolic? Watch the three-game final in the 1887 Canada Cup and tell me I’m wrong. All three games finished 6-5, including the finale, which created the age-old question: What if Gretzky had passed to Larry Murphy instead of Mario Lemieux?

Team USA vs. Canada, Game 3 of (Sept. 14, 1996)

You could watch the Miracle on Ice game and then this one back-to-back as a perfect illustration of one generation handing the torch off to the next in terms of American hockey greatness. This series probably doesn’t get the respect it deserves likely because the Americans beat one of the greatest Canadian teams ever put together, but maybe that’s quibbling. This was a breathtaking combination of hard-nosed, edgy hockey and superlative skill that ended up with the little brother from the south giving the big boys from north of the border a good shot in the proverbial nose. I remember talking to about walking to the arena before Game 3 and almost getting into a fight with Canadian fans. Also, Mike Richter’s performance in this deciding game is all-world.

Team USA vs. Canada, 2014 Sochi Olympics (Feb. 20, 2014)

You could really pick any Olympic game played between these two women’s hockey powers since 1998 and you couldn’t go wrong, but this one might have been the most dramatic of a series of clashes that all ooze drama. I won’t spoil the end for you, but on a personal note, I happened to watch this game on the only free night we had at the Sochi Games in a restaurant near the Black Sea with fellow scribes Pierre LeBrun, Stephen Whyno, Bruce Arthur and Cam Cole, and let’s just say there were some wagers made and I ended up being the angry American of the lot.

Boston Bruins at Montreal Canadiens, Game 7 of Stanley Cup semifinals (May 10, 1979)

Most of these games are ones that had wide-ranging implications for the game as a whole or franchises involved. Although he would go on to become an iconic broadcaster – one who would resign in 2019 for his xenophobic remarks about immigrants – Don Cherry’s entire coaching career in the NHL is summed up in this one game and specifically the too many men on the ice penalty that changed the course of this game. Did it change the course of hockey history? It’s not overstating it to suggest that was exactly what transpired on this night.

Team North America vs. Team Sweden, World Cup of Hockey (Sept. 21, 2016)

You should read Craig Custance’s fine oral history of this game after you re-watch one of the fastest, most deliriously exciting games I’ve had the pleasure of watching live or anywhere for that matter. Team North America needed to win this game in regulation to guarantee a berth in the World Cup of Hockey playoffs, and maybe they didn’t realize that would become just a tiny postscript to what was a tantalizing look at the future of hockey.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181337 Websites “At some point, we were making a distinction based on what people were telling us between outdoors and indoors, but the further we went on this thing, the experts were saying, ‘No, it’s more the gathering of people together.’” The Athletic / Why Ohio’s governor kicked fans out of sporting events before the leagues did It’s unclear what information DeWine was privy to that the leagues were not, or if it was just that he was willing to make the hard choice of excluding fans before they were.

By Joe Vardon Mar 20, 2020 DeWine said he was exchanging information with the Castellini family, which owns the Cincinnati Reds, and with the Dolans, who own the

Cleveland Indians. He also said he consulted with Ohio’s minor-league Mike DeWine is Ohio’s governor and the owner of a minor-league baseball franchises. baseball team in Asheville, North Carolina. He also is the politician who The DeWine administration held conversations with the Cavs, Blue realized before many others in the United States the seriousness of the Jackets and colleges, if for no other reason than to let them know what deadly global pandemic that has ground so much of daily life to a halt. was coming. There was a back and forth of shared information and Much has changed since March 10, the day DeWine first recommended questions, sources said, and on March 11, when DeWine’s that NCAA tournament games, NHL, NBA and MLS games be held in recommendations turned into orders forbidding public gatherings of more Ohio without fans. It all seems so obvious now, kicking fans out of than 1,000 people, outdoor sports were included. The Cavs and Blue sporting events and then just shutting them down altogether to try to limit Jackets supported DeWine’s orders. community spread of a virus that’s killed more than 160 people in the That same day, by order of the city of San Francisco, the Golden State U.S., and counting. Every major professional and collegiate sporting Warriors learned they would be hosting the Nets in a game event in the country has either been postponed or canceled in the last without fans on March 12. And a few hours later, news broke that the week, as Americans prepare for the possibility of weeks or potentially Utah Jazz’ Rudy Gobert had tested positive for the virus, which set off a months of stay-at-home orders. cascade of season suspensions and tournament cancellations across the DeWine, who has been in politics for 40 years, has been praised for his U.S. administration’s aggressive, proactive response to the virus, emerging as Even with the delay of 24 hours to include outdoor sports, DeWine was one of the first governors to close schools, limit public gatherings, shut still ahead of much of the country when it came to excluding fans from sit-down service for bars and restaurants, and so on. games. His decision to recommend fans not attend games was made with the “One of the things I’ve learned, the mistakes I’ve made have generally knowledge it would hurt his family financially. The Asheville Tourists, the been when I didn’t have enough facts and I didn’t drill down on the facts,” minor-league baseball team DeWine’s family has owned for about 12 DeWine said. “And I didn’t ask enough questions and I didn’t ask the right years – which is operated by DeWine’s son, Brian – doesn’t have a people. And so the other times I’ve made mistakes are when I didn’t trust lucrative TV contract. Minor-league teams make their money off of butts my instincts, my gut, and got persuaded where most everybody is going in seats and beers sold at concession stands. one way, I must be wrong if I’m going this way. Those are kind of the two “None of these decisions are easy because we know we are impacting things I’ve used to approach this. I’ve got a good team … I really spent a people’s lives, we’re impacting, in regards to sports, people’s dreams,” lot of time drilling down on what the facts were.” DeWine told The Athletic. “As governor, my responsibility is to protect DeWine’s appointed health director, Dr. Amy Acton, has also received people in Ohio and protect anybody who’s in Ohio, whether they’re a acclaim for her role in Ohio’s response, and she has chiefly advised the citizen or not a citizen. That’s where we made the decision. We felt these governor on the coronavirus for more than a month. Their decision to were life-and-death decisions as we were dealing with a very difficult limit public gatherings started not with the NCAA Tournament, but with virus that was very, very dangerous. the Arnold Sports Festival, a weightlifting and bodybuilding expo that “Our primary concern was saving lives.” attracts 60,000 people to Columbus over a four-day session in early March. DeWine’s first set of recommendations with regards to pro and college sports actually excluded baseball. The exclusion lasted for one day. On There was one confirmed case of coronavirus in Ohio at the time, March 10, DeWine recommended all indoor high school, college and pro DeWine said, and testing was not available. But he said Acton and a sporting events in the state be held without fans. team of 14 doctors advising him knew the virus had likely already spread in his state. He said his advisers knew the coronavirus was “twice as His actions were of particular interest because the “First Four” of the contagious as the flu and 20 times more deadly,” and that “letting 60,000 NCAA men’s college basketball tournament is held each year in Dayton, people gather in one building over four days was going to be an absolute and later NCAA Tournament games were to be held in Cleveland. The disaster.” DeWine ultimately chose to allow the event to continue, without Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL had two home games scheduled for fans. last week, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, while embarking on a six-game road trip, were going to have minor-league hockey, the Mid-American The DeWine family’s baseball team, the Tourists, are a Single-A affiliate Conference basketball tournament and NCAA Tournament games in of the Colorado Rockies. The governor said his son Brian has “made their arena. money” in each season of the family’s ownership, but the margins are small. The Blue Jackets and Cavaliers both respectfully objected to DeWine’s initial recommendations. Both clubs cited their “state of the art” air “In minor-league baseball, your revenue stream is advertising, it is the cleaning and ventilation systems inside their arenas, and the information tickets, and it is the food you sell and the beer you sell,” DeWine said. they were receiving from their respective leagues (NHL, NBA) and health “Well, we’re not going to be selling any beer and we’re not going to be experts as reasons to continue to allow fans to attend. selling any food and we’re not going to be selling any tickets. Look, it is what it is. I don’t know about other teams, but when you cut off your DeWine said “we took that (the air systems) and asked experts and they revenue, it’s not a great thing for any small business.” said, ‘No, that’s not helpful.’ You’ve got just a lot of people coming in contact with each other. And people coughing on each other.” But there DeWine thinks the spread of the disease will peak in Ohio “around May was another, initial objection the hockey and basketball teams raised. 1, and it’s going to take a while after that for it to be safe for people to Why were outdoor events, such as baseball, not included in DeWine’s come back together.” recommendation to exclude fans? “If we’re playing baseball in July, that will be good,” DeWine said. “But I “Even the experts are trying to work their way through this stuff,” DeWine don’t know when we’ll be playing baseball.” said. “We’re literally taking it decision by decision and working our way Assume the same for the rest of the country, including in Asheville, through it. And so there was some indication early that outside was where DeWine’s son won’t be selling beer to baseball fans for a while. different than inside. And to some extent that’s true. If you’re in a crowded area, the real question is, can you create space? Can you The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 control your space? 1181338 Websites 4.13 0.33

C The Athletic / 2019-20 NHL awards tracker: Could Connor Hellebuyck really win the Hart Trophy? COL

69

By Dom Luszczyszyn Mar 20, 2020 21.2

35

Every Friday I’ll be breaking down the numbers behind the race for each 58 major player award: the Hart, the Norris, the Calder, the Selke, the Vezina, the Art Ross and the Rocket Richard. Numbers of course aren’t 93 everything, but they add much needed context to the awards race and 27 can help shine a light on players deserving of more recognition while adding caveats to other players that may have some warts. This post will 31 present the top 10 for each category based on a set criteria of guidelines. -116 Two weeks ago, colleague Craig Custance asked me if I could track each player’s award aptitude on a weekly basis. That conversation feels like it 17 happened two years ago with how the world has changed since. With the 4 season now in jeopardy of even being completed, the award races now look like they’ve come to an unceremonious end. Rather than track 3 progress, it looks like we’re at the finish line much earlier than expected. Based on their numbers this season, here’s a look at which players lead 18 the way in terms of value. 1

Hart Trophy 1.13

Given to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. David Pastrnak

Criteria: Skaters ranked by Game Score Value Added and goaltenders 4.11 ranked by Wins Above Replacement courtesy of Evolving Hockey. 0.04 Hart Trophy R Connor Hellebuyck BOS 4.63 70 0.53 19.0 G 48 WPG 47 58 95 Artemi Panarin 26 4.13 22 0.02 -4 L 6 NYR 1 69 3 20.6 16 32 6 63 1.45 95 Brad Marchand 20 3.97 18 0.07 0 L 6 BOS 4 70 1 19.5 25 28 10 59 2.26 87 Nathan MacKinnon 23 19 -0.06

-7 C

9 EDM

4 71

5 22.6

21 43

2 67

1.29 110

Auston Matthews 30

3.92 19

0.02 53

C 11

TOR 4

70 -6

21.0 15

47 -8

33 1.26

80 Nikita Kucherov

30 3.58

60 0.09

92 R

10 T.B

6 68

4 18.9

8 33

10 52

1.29 85

Roman Josi 22

3.63 19

0.15 -1

D 1

NSH 6

69 3

25.8 14

16 7

49 0.71

65

14 3.41

108 0.11

0 G

-3 BOS

3 41

2 The last awards tracker showed a tight race at the top but since that post one player looks as if he’s pulled ahead and that’s Jets goaltender 16 Connor Hellebuyck. While Artemi Panarin and David Pastrnak were 10 mostly quiet, Hellebuyck posted three straight wins with a .962 save percentage. It was enough for him to create a half-win gap between him 1.25 and the field as the “wild card” has now become the leader in terms of total value. Goalies don’t generally get much Hart love but what Leon Draisaitl Hellebuyck has done is worthy of consideration to at least be a finalist, if 3.62 not win it all. The consensus favourite by most outlets is still probably Leon Draisaitl 4 due to his lead in the scoring race but he was held off the scoresheet in three straight since the last post and is the only player in the top 10 to 3 lose value over the last week of action. 14

Outside of Hellebuyck, the biggest surge belongs to Nathan MacKinnon, 8 who posted five points in three games while absolutely dominating at 5- on-5 with a 72 percent expected goals rate. That’s while much of the 2.26 team around him was injured (and before he himself got hurt, missing the Alex Pietrangelo final game before the league suspended the season), something that really strengthens his MVP resume. He’d be a very worthy finalist, as 2.84 he's two points behind Panarin and Pastrnak but with stronger play- driving numbers. 0.27

The Hart Trophy race looks wide open this year and it’ll be a tough D decision to make from this field of worthy contenders. Hellebuyck has STL been sensational in net, Panarin, MacKinnon and Pastrnak have the right blend of scoring and play-driving ability and Draisaitl has those gaudy 70 scoring numbers. Even Brad Marchand and Auston Matthews have a claim to some hype of their own thanks to very strong 5-on-5 play. 24.1

Norris Trophy 16

Given to the defenceman who demonstrates throughout the season the 36 greatest all-round ability in the position. 52 Criteria: Defencemen that play top pairing minutes with above average 13 usage ranked by Game Score Value Added. 89 Norris Trophy 0 Roman Josi 4 3.63 3 0.15 12 D -3 NSH 2.36 69 Charlie McAvoy 25.8 2.81 16 0.21 49 D 65 BOS 14 67 108 23.2 -3 5 3 27 2 32 16 6 10 131 1.25 4 Victor Hedman 3 3.32 7 0.00 8 D 6 T.B 4.16 66 Dougie Hamilton 24.0 2.80 11 0.00 44 D 55 CAR 9 47 98 23.3 -4 14 2.39

26 -0.04

40 D

11 DAL

63 68

-11 23.7

6 8

3 27

6 35

10 11

0.49 84

Jared Spurgeon 6

2.53 1

0.11 5

D -4

MIN 14

62 2.78

22.6 Jaccob Slavin

12 2.37

20 0.06

32 D

8 CAR

102 68

-2 23.4

3 6

7 30

8 36

4 6

0.91 107

Cale Makar 7

2.45 6

0.15 2

D 12

COL 4

57 0.69

21.0 John Carlson

12 2.33

38 0.04

50 D

9 WSH

47 69

2 24.6

2 15

2 60

16 75

0 11

0.51 108

Miro Heiskanen -5 2 0.51

-5 Adam Fox

12 2.45

-9 0.16

2.93 D

This should still be Roman Josi’s award to lose and he bridged the gap NYR further over a sidelined Victor Hedman in the final week. Josi is just 10 points behind John Carlson and that’s simply not large enough of a gap 70 to ignore the rest of Josi's advantages. Mostly, it’s Josi’s play at 5-on-5 18.9 that should make him the favourite as the player who best encapsulates the spirit of the award, which is all-around ability. At 5-on-5, Josi has a 8 larger impact than Carlson in both expected goals and actual goals at 34 both ends of the ice. On offence the difference is modest but it still leans Josi (suggesting all those points Carlson has scored hasn’t changed the 42 bottom line as much as Josi has). 8 The big difference though remains on defence where Josi has had a very strong positive impact while Carlson has not only been negative, he’s 92 been among the league’s worst. What good are all those points if he 0 gives them right back? Carlson’s season has been strong and he still lands in the top 10 among top pairing defenders but he’s a long way from -6 the value Josi and others have provided due to his one-dimensional play this season. 6

After Josi and Hedman, the two next strongest defenders appear to be 1 Alex Pietrangelo and Charlie McAvoy, two players who had very strong 15 weeks before the suspension. In Pietrangelo, the Blues have a player creating a similar impact to Hedman with similar usage but who's just 4 getting a bit unlucky with pucks going in against him. He’s been a two- way force. McAvoy isn’t getting nearly as much buzz for his play this year 1.80 but he has one of the strongest defensive impacts in the league and MacKenzie Blackwood faces the toughest minutes among defenders in the top 10. The only thing stopping him from a Norris Trophy-calibre campaign is his point 2.18 total, and that’s not really fair to him when Torey Krug is eating up prime power play minutes. What McAvoy provides on defence more than -0.42 makes up for it, anyway. G

Calder Trophy N.J

Given to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of 47 competition in the NHL. Quinn Hughes Criteria: Rookie skaters ranked by Game Score Value Added and rookie goaltenders ranked by Wins Above Replacement courtesy of Evolving 2.05 Hockey. -0.04 Calder Trophy D Cale Makar VAN 2.45 68 0.15 21.9 D 8 COL 45 57 53 21.0 6 12 46 38 0 50 4 9 5 47 -1 0 9 2 -6 2 2.21 2 Elvis Merzlikins 16 2.04 0 0.14 G 30

CBJ 16

32 46

Matt Roy 20

1.77 17

0.10 -7

D 0

L.A 7

70 -4

18.1 15

4 -12

14 1.04

18 Ilya Samsonov

3 1.18

100 -0.02

0 G

-1 WSH

4 26

6 Victor Olofsson

5 1.14

8 0.12

0.01 L

John Marino BUF

1.71 54

0.10 18.3

D 20

PIT 22

56 42

20.2 13

6 16

20 0

26 2

4 -5

77 0

0 2

2 3

-1 1.10

7 The last edition had a surprising name at the top of the list in MacKenzie Blackwood but a couple of subpar games has really dropped his standing 5 here as he’s lost 0.42 wins of value since. In my mind, this race is 4 between him and the three defencemen that are proving to be top pairing calibre in their first year of service, an incredibly rare feat. 0.53 Cale Makar looks to be the best of the bunch and was excellent in his Dominik Kubalik one game last week, posting a Game Score of 2.97 off a three-point night. He's tied for the most value despite playing 13 fewer games than 1.37 Adam Fox. Makar is just three points behind Quinn Hughes but has -0.01 played 11 fewer games. The case for Makar is that he’s been the most efficient scorer, a player that really looks like he can drive offence to an L elite degree. He has the strongest impact on expected goals against among the three defenders but he does play the easiest minutes. CHI Hughes plays the toughest minutes and is right there with Makar across 68 the board. He drives expected offence a bit better but that hasn’t shown 14.4 up on the scoresheet as much. The biggest thing driving Hughes’ value down is his defence. By expected goals against, he trails both Makar and 44.1 Fox and actual goals against have not been kind to him. That’s probably not his fault, though, and if that’s subtracted from the calculation, he and Alex Killorn Fox (who benefits from it) are much closer. 11.5

Fox doesn’t get the minutes Makar or Hughes do, nor does he get the 0.0 power play usage, which makes his scoring all the more impressive. Of the three he has the strongest play-driving impact and though he doesn’t C play as many minutes, his assignments aren’t exactly easy – not when T.B his most common partner is Ryan Lindgren. 68 The debate between the three defenders has been very tribal but the answer to which one has been better hasn’t been obvious. Any choice 17.9 here is a fine one. Add Blackwood to that list and it becomes a very difficult Calder vote. 3

Selke Trophy 12

Given to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the 87% game. 40.0 Criteria: Forwards who play over 17 minutes per game, receive 30 Phillip Danault percent of their team’s shorthanded minutes and face the top 30 percentile of forward competition on average, ranked by their ability to 9.1 suppress expected and actual goals. 0.3 Selke Trophy C Anthony Cirelli MTL 16.2 71 0.5 18.8 C 4 T.B 4 68 99% 18.5 50.1 6 Anze Kopitar 14 9.1 85% 0.1 51.1 C Nick Foligno L.A 16.2 70 1.4 21.0 L 3 CBJ 10 67 95% 18.7 39.4 7 Brad Marchand 10 9.0 96% 0.7 36.4 L Ryan O'Reilly BOS 13.9 70 0.2 19.5 C 5 STL 2 71 96% 20.6 30.6 6 Patrice Bergeron 8 8.9 92% 0.3 C Criteria: Goaltenders that have played half of their team’s games or more ranked by Wins Above Replacement courtesy of Evolving Hockey. BOS Vezina Trophy 61 Connor Hellebuyck 18.7 4.63 5 0.53 2 G 94% WPG 31.8 58 Sean Couturier 0.922 7.3 0.910 -0.3 0.012 C Tuukka Rask PHI 3.41 69 0.11 19.8 G 2 BOS 7 41 94% 0.929 40.4 0.922 Mark Stone 0.007 6.5 Semyon Varlamov -0.2 2.82 R -0.08 VGK G 65 NYI 19.4 45 3 0.914 2 0.913 74% 0.001 36.9 Ben Bishop Last time around I made the argument that Anthony Cirelli should be the front-runner for this award as his defensive impacts are well above other 2.62 favourites like Sean Couturier, Patrice Bergeron and Ryan O’Reilly. Cirelli doesn’t have the reputation the other three have but if this were an -0.08 award based on merit, he should be the leader with his ability to G suppress offence. In that regard, the usual suspects haven’t been on his level this year, though last year’s winner has certainly been the closest. DAL

The biggest surprise on this list was Nick Foligno and he continues that 44 with a very strong week that sees him pull neck-and-neck with Cirelli for 0.920 top position. In his last two games, Columbus allowed only 0.38 expected goals against with Foligno on the ice which equates to just 0.78 per 60. 0.916 That was enough for him to bridge the gap. Columbus has only allowed 1.95 expected goals against per 60 with Foligno on the ice, a seriously 0.004 impressive number given his usage. If you’re wondering how Columbus Corey Crawford has managed to survive the exodus of their once superstar goalie for a couple of no names, the answer is a commitment to defence. Foligno, 2.46 their captain, has been the strongest embodiment of that. 0.16 Phillip Danault is generally on the outskirts of the Selke conversation but he should be firmly entrenched this season. On average, Danault has G faced the most difficult collection of opponents of any forward and is one CHI of just two forwards on this list (Cirelli being the other) to play over half of his team’s penalty kill minutes. That, plus the very strong defensive 40 impacts should give him some merit in the Selke running. 0.917 Vezina Trophy 0.911 Given to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position. 0.006 Jonathan Bernier there with Hellebuyck on a per game basis but volume matters here and that Hellebuyck has consistently held up his immense value over a large 2.24 workload is very impressive. After those two there’s a much larger debate 0.24 over who the other finalist should be. A lack of games played for a lot of goalies makes it a tough decision but I would consider either Ben Bishop G or Corey Crawford, the two goalies with the next largest difference between their save percentage and their expected save percentage. DET The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 46

0.907

0.907

0.000

Jordan Binnington

2.24

-0.06

G

STL

50

0.912

0.910

0.002

Philipp Grubauer

2.18

-0.12

G

COL

36

0.916

0.917

-0.001

Mackenzie Blackwood

2.18

-0.42

G

N.J

47

0.915

0.915

0.000

Juuse Saros

2.13

0.46

G

NSH

40

0.914

0.913

0.001

If there’s a goalie who’s leading the pack for the Hart Trophy, how could he not be the clear-cut Vezina favourite? Hellebuyck has a 1.2 WAR edge over Tuukka Rask and that’s a wide enough gap to offer little doubt about who the best goalie in the league was this season. Rask is right 1181339 Websites The third star: The Hanson Brothers – Let everyone else hoard toilet paper. These guys have other priorities.

The second star: One of the Marleau children – They didn’t say which The Athletic / DGB Grab Bag: A league on pause, a CBA thought and one it was but based on the maturity level I’m going to go ahead and 1980s montage perfection assume it was Mitch Marner.

The first star: Senators fans – Even in times of crisis, you have to stick to your core values. By Sean McIndoe Mar 20, 2020 Be It Resolved

I think there’s a small nugget of good news for NHL fans buried in all of There was no Grab Bag last week; it was a scheduled week off because I this, and I haven’t seen it mentioned anywhere. It’s relatively minor in the had a few days of vacation booked and was travelling with my family. big picture, just like everything sports-related is right now, but I feel like You can probably imagine how that went. we could all use a bit of positivity, so I’m going to put it out there in the world. Now we’re all back, and so is the column, and I’m not all that sure what to do with it. Can you still make dumb hockey jokes in the middle of an When all of this is over, we’re definitely getting a new CBA without any international crisis? Should you? Should we even do any of this at all? kind of lockout, right?

I’m not really sure. And if you’re not in the mood for obscure players and The NHL is currently shut down for at least a month, and almost certainly YouTube music montages right now, I get it. But if you’re sitting at home more. We’re all holding out hope that we’ll get some sort of playoffs, and looking for some empty calories to take your mind off things for a although there’s at least a decent chance that won’t be possible and the while, I guess there’s value in that too. So let’s keep this thing going, and season will end without a Stanley Cup winner. And if some of the most at least try to have some fun. pessimistic forecasts turn out to be true, a full 2020-21 season may be in jeopardy. From the headlines But at some point, sports will return and things will go back to something So yeah, there’s no more hockey and we’re all doing the social approaching business as usual. For the NHL, that business is going to distancing thing as best we can. But how are fans around the league include a new CBA. Hockey fans know how that usually goes: Lots of spending their time in a world without hockey? My network of DGB spies posturing, a ton of bad faith talking points, and dire warnings that we may are all working from home because that’s the responsible thing to do, but have no choice but to lock the doors and lose half a season or more. they got together on a conference call and then filed a report. We’ve been through this three times in the Gary Bettman era, and each Toronto: Remaining at least six feet away from any other person at all time has followed that same script. We’ve lost the equivalent of two full times no matter what or, as it’s known among Maple Leafs fans, seasons to lockouts, plus a full postseason. And each stoppage was “defensive zone coverage.” accompanied by threats that there was even more where that came from, Tampa Bay: Trying to figure out how they’d maintain ice quality in a warm right up until they make a deal, paint “thanks fans” on the ice, and raise environment for an entire Lightning playoff run that started in the first ticket prices. The whole routine is exhausting. week of July and ran all the way to the second week of July. And we were all set to go through it again, even as this round of Arizona: Scouring the internet to see if anyone has made any hilarious negotiations had initially seemed to feature more optimism. But now … I “playing in an empty arena” jokes about the Coyotes because there were mean, there’s no way, right? If we lose a month, or a Stanley Cup, or probably one or two people who thought of that one. maybe much more, there’s just no possible scenario where anyone in the NHL would think of threatening us with even more in a year or two. Vancouver: Feeling angry that whenever the Canucks season eventually resumes it will probably be three hours earlier than it should because of I’m as cynical about Bettman and his owners as anyone, but even I can’t Eastern media bias. envision them going there. They’re greedy and often tone-deaf, but they’re not dumb. I guess it’s possible that somebody could slip up and Chicago: Becoming the first people in modern NHL history to wear a fall back on old habits and let out a stray soundbite, but surely that guy Blackhawks jersey for several days in a row without being offered the will be immediately dragged into a backroom and duct-taped to a wall for chance to go outdoors. the rest of the negotiation.

New York: Trying to figure out how the entire league has been shut down Everyone else can focus on doing what every other sports league in for over a week and the Islanders have still managed to lose three more North America manages to do: Get a deal done without missing time. It’s points in the playoff race. not going to be easy – this pandemic is going wreak economic havoc on absolutely everything, including the NHL. All sorts of challenges are Los Angeles: Remembering that a cancelled season could result in a about to be introduced into the league’s ecosystem that nobody had leaguewide draft lottery that would award the top picks completely at imagined before. They’re going to have to work hard to figure all this out. random, meaning the Kings could wind up having a shot at whichever top prospects the Penguins decide not to take first overall. But they’ll do it without threats of a lockout. They have to. And for hockey fans looking for some good news to cling to, maybe that’s something. Carolina: Trying to come up with a way to mark the upcoming one-year anniversary of that time a Zamboni driver played net for us and we still … Obscure former player of the week wait, really? Less than a month? That can’t possibly be right. Oh man. Everyone who cracks the NHL wants to be the best player from their Montreal: Binge-watching games from the glory days, remembering the draft. Failing that, you’d like to be the best player from your round. great old dynasties and telling stories about the legendary players of Sometimes, that’s a matter for debate – Alex DeBrincat vs. Carter Hart, days gone by, so come to think of it really no different from every other who you got? But sometimes, at least by the simplest metrics, it’s pretty week of the last few decades easy. Such as when a player is the only one from his entire round to ever score an NHL goal. New Jersey: Enjoying watching the Devils have basically their most successful weeks of the season. A few active players can make that claim, at least for now, including Winnipeg’s David Gustafsson (second round, 2018) and Sebastian “No Boston: Reminding themselves that as bad as things get at least they the other one” Aho of the Islanders (fifth round, 2017). Then there are the know that Boston will always have Tom Brady, before taking a big sip of old-timers who are probably more permanent members of the club, like water and seeing what else is happening in the sports world. Brian Noonan (ninth round, 1983) or Filip Kuba (eighth round, 1995). St. Louis: Really wishing they’d been more specific when they used that But this week’s obscure player might have all of them beat. Because this cursed monkey paw to wish that the Blues would stay champions for week’s player ended up being the only player to score an NHL goal from another year. his draft round, or from the four rounds after it, or from the six rounds The week’s three stars of comedy before that. Eleven straight rounds of donuts, plus this guy. This week’s obscure player is winger Warren Miller. Miller made his name in college at Minnesota in the 1970s, and longtime OK, they give us a partial Mark Howe breakaway and then slow the clip readers will immediately see where this is going. Miller was drafted by down right as Kenny sings “I’m moving in slow motion.” At this point the Rangers in 1974. But that was back in the day when the draft didn’t they’re just showing off. It’s at the point where I’m disappointed that the have a set length – instead, it kept going as long as there were still teams stuttered “knock-knock-knocking on wood” features a Cam Neely hit and that wanted to keep picking. In 1974, the Rangers, Islanders and not this guy. expansion Capitals apparently didn’t have anywhere to be, so they kept things going until round 25. The later rounds of that epic draft included We get more highlights, plus a reminder that was the coach some great names, like a winger named Willie Wing and a goalie named of this team back when he still had a full head of hair. They also match Johnny Bower. But it didn’t include many guys who made the NHL. The up the anthem singer to the background vocals because at this point Islanders grabbed defenseman Stefan Persson in the 14th round, and he these montage guys are 1993 Mario Lemieux and they’re just toying with played 622 games. But in the 11 rounds that followed, only three more us. future NHLers were found: Jim Mayer, Jim Warner, and our friend We continue along with the standard montage fare – weird-looking fans, Warren Miller. miscellaneous highlights that have to feature at least one angry goalie, Miller didn’t seem destined for the NHL either at first; he finished his four and a solid collection of “I remember that guy!” cameos including Tim years in Minnesota, then headed to the WHA, where he played regularly Kerr, Kjell Samuelsson and Brad Marsh. until the league’s demise in 1979. The Rangers reclaimed him, and he Hey look, it’s a goalie fight, which needless to say is perfectly timed with rewarded them with five goals in 1979-80. They sold him to the Whalers the “People get hurt” lyric. In this case, those people are Alain Chevrier, that summer, where he’d ring up a 22-goal season and make Team USA who gets pummeled by Hextall, then immediately goes home to his for the 1981 Canada Cup before wrapping up his pro career in 1983. secret laboratory to develop a specially engineered bio-weapon that will (And no, he’s not the skiing movie guy.) avenge him a decade later.

In all, Miller managed 40 goals in 262 NHL games. Not great, but 40 More highlights, and yeah, I’m thoroughly enjoying this. Also, for all you more than Warner or Mayer, or anyone else from the last 11 rounds of “we can never even consider making the nets bigger” fanatics, this is that 1974 draft. your regularly scheduled reminder of what forwards were shooting at a Classic YouTube clip breakdown generation ago:

While every fan base is pretty miserable these days, that’s probably The rest of the clip is pretty standard stuff, although it’s done beautifully. especially true for Flyers fans. That’s because they’re always miserable It seems to be mostly playoff highlights, including Hextall scooping up a the Flyers were emerging as one of the best teams in the league before winning puck to a lyric about chasing sunsets. We also get a great shot everything paused. So for today’s YouTube clip, let’s remember some of the Flyers bringing the conference championship trophy home at the happier times for the orange and black. airport, including Hextall in all of his 1987 “you don’t have to be sweet to be good” glory. By the way, I was going to be mad that they left out his So it’s … well, it’s some time in 1987. I’m not exactly sure when this goal, but that came a year later. I’m sorry I ever doubted you, WGBS video was made, but it’s a tribute to the Flyers’ 1986-87 season, which montage guys. saw them finish first in the Patrick with 100 points and then play an NHL record 26 playoff games before losing the Stanley Cup to the Oilers. And that’s it for our clip. We get a melancholy goodbye from Gene, who has a philosophy he wants to share but that gets immediately cut off. A reminder, as always: Sports montages are a unique art form that is to Presumably because it doesn’t sync up with a Kenny Loggins lyric. be respected. We’re looking for a strong song choice, lots of well-chosen highlights, and at least a few moments where the action matches up with The Athletic LOADED: 03.21.2020 the song lyrics. Let’s see how our friends at WGBS did.

We’re welcomed by the friendly face and beard of Gene Hart, who’s in mid-sentence as our clip begins. He introduces the clip and our song choice – an inspired pick in Kenny Loggins’ “Playing With the Boys” from the Top Gun soundtrack – and then pauses while the montage flies out of his ear and takes over our screen. Give him a break, we’d just learned how to do that effect in 1987 and still thought it was cool.

We start with a hit and a goal, and then a little stutter-step to match the music. It’s subtle, but any fan of the genre will recognize that it’s the montage guys way of immediately letting you know they mean business.

We also see . We’re going to see a lot of him in this clip, because he’s had a rookie season for the ages. Hextall debuted by winning the Vezina, Conn Smythe and first-team all-star honors, and even finished in the top 10 in Hart voting. Somewhat weirdly, he didn’t win the Calder, which went to 45-goal man Luc Robitaille in a narrow vote. Yeah, I know, but don’t worry, it’s only the Calder. It’s probably the second most overrated thing those two guys ever competed for.

If you had “22 seconds” in the “How long until we see Dave Brown try to crosscheck a goalie in the face?” pool, you win.

We get a shot of Hextall stoning Robitaille on a breakaway – eat that, Calder voters – followed by a weirdly boring shot of the Flyers and Oilers lining up for an opening faceoff. But wait! It’s a classic lyrics matchup, coming just as Kenny sings “It’s time to play.” These montage guys are amazing.

They keep flexing in the next shot, where “bodies working overtime” is an open-ice hit, albeit one that sends Ed Hospodar flying. I’m not sure what’s up with the shot of Ron Sutter sitting on the bench; he missed half the year with a back injury so maybe it’s a reference to that? Not sure, but at this point I’m not doubting our montage makers.

If you had “52 seconds” in the “How long until we see Dave Brown try to crosscheck another goalie in the face?” pool, you win, although this guy is ready for him. Historical fun fact: This is the only known instance of a 1980s NHL goalie ever being prepared for anything a forward tried to do. 1181340 Websites knows one thing for sure: Holland would rather not watch the Jesse Puljujarvi experiment play out on someone else’s roster.

“Two years ago, his picture was on the cover of The Hockey News as Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' task of resolving Puljujarvi dilemma will resume being the prospect in hockey outside the NHL,” said Holland. “Certainly when hockey returns his stock has dropped, but when you’re 21 years old and you’ve gone back and accomplished what he’s accomplished this year, it’s hard not to believe that he’s still a pretty good prospect.

Mark Spector | March 20, 2020, 5:08 PM “What’s the calibre of play (in the Liiga)? I don’t know, but it’s still a professional league. Many of the players in that league are men — they’re 26, 27, 28 years of age. They’re pros. He’s 21,” he said. “As our EDMONTON — Ken Holland sat down for his first press conference as industry gets back up and running, whenever that might be, certainly that the Edmonton Oilers general manager on May 7, 2019. It was Jesse is one of things that I need to sort out. Now is not the time.” Puljujarvi’s 21st birthday. Holland had planned to attend a tournament in the Czech Republic that Holland inherited the Puljujarvi file from deposed GM Peter Chiarelli, a helps European teams settle on their rosters for the May World No. 4 overall draft pick so poorly handled by an organization that knew Championship, and then NHL GMs and scouts would converge on nothing other than thrusting its 18-year-old saviours onto its National Switzerland to scout the Worlds. That tournament has not been called off Hockey League roster. It was just one more mistake in a multi-year yet, but it’s a good bet that it will be, which means that the viewings of rebuild that landed Holland in Edmonton. Puljujarvi have likely ceased for the 2019-20 season.

“There is always this pressure, internally and externally, to get young If so, those games in the Liiga will have to do, and because of the players on to NHL teams. It’s exciting. It’s somebody new,” the veteran competition, that will not help Puljujarvi’s trade value. GM told Sportsnet on Friday. “But for every success story, I can give you multiple stories where it wasn’t in the player’s best interest.” There is some irony that a GM who has inherited this problem now has his and others’ vision impaired by all the world is going through right now. After a stellar 2019-20 season in Finland’s Liiga, where he led first-place Again, not Holland’s fault. Only his problem. Oulun Karpat in scoring, Puljujarvi still captures Oilers fans. “Probably, this year has been very good for him. He’s probably got his Instead of spending his 18-year-old season back home in Finland — the confidence back,” Holland surmised. “He’s on the powerplay. He’s getting way Oilers 2019 draft pick Philip Broberg is doing in Sweden now — points, competing for the league scoring title. He played on his national Puljujarvi returned to Karpat only last fall, disgruntled, walking away from team… an Oilers organization from which he and agent Markus Lehto have stated they would prefer to divorce. “This year, when you look back 10 years from now, I’d like to think it is going to be a really good year for him. Enter Holland, who walked in the door moments after Puljujarvi had walked out. He barely knows the player, or has a relationship with Lehto, “Where does it go from here?” he asks. “We’ll find out.” a relatively new agent. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.21.2020 The Puljujarvi situation is not Holland’s fault, but it is his problem. And after a stellar season in Finland — scoring 24-29-53 in 56 games to rank fourth in Liiga scoring, fifth in goals — Karpat head coach Mikko Manner described a player who the Oilers likely won’t want to give up on.

“He played almost a perfect season,” Manner said on a podcast for Oulu newspaper Kaleva. “Jesse made the perfectly right decision when he decided to return to the familiar club, and got a big role (on the team).”

The quotes are translated on Google Translate, but they paint the picture of a coach who was quite happy with his player.

“This season certainly restored him with the joy of play, self-confidence and the feeling that he was important,” Manner said. “The next step is to develop the details and skills to strengthen his mental, tactical and technical footprint.

“If I could decide, he would still play next year in (the Liiga). I think it would be the right place for him to continue to develop.”

As he watched the lanky Puljujarvi cut through the Liiga competition through his computer screen in Palm Springs, Oilers advisor wasn’t sure what he was seeing. “It was hard to judge because there’s just so much room, and he is so far ahead of people there,” he said.

But Hitchcock had Puljujarvi for the final 62 games of the 2018-19 season, when he took over the Oilers coaching reins from Todd McLellan. He championed Puljujarvi then, and still does today, sequestered inside his desert home.

“I know this about Puljujarvi, when I coached him I saw a young guy who could already play on the third line. Which is substantial for a guy who was 20 years old,” Hitchcock said. “Guys work one of two ways: Some come in with all the skill in the world, but they can’t adapt to the NHL as far as being a trusted player. They go from the second line, to the fourth line, to a healthy scratch, to whatever. But I saw Puljujarvi as a guy who, already at 20, was a third-line player. You could trust him. Whether he would become a guy who could play on the powerplay or play a Top 6 role? I can’t tell you how that will go.”

Holland isn’t sure either, but when he looks at a six-foot-four, 201-pound right-winger with above average skating ability and an excellent shot, he 1181341 Websites go for a walk, but it was still cold, so it was usually short. And then I’d go back and take care of some stuff around the house, find some chores I would otherwise never get around to doing, find ways to kill time that way.” Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher on being 'very isolated' at home Now that he’s home in Tsawwassen, Gallagher intends on being slightly more productive.

He left his Playstation in Montreal because, as he said, “I was so bad at Eric Engels | March 20, 2020, 10:54 AM Call of Duty the guys are better off without me.” And he intends to get into summer-training mode with his dad (and personal trainer), Ian, as

soon as he’s been secluded long enough to not put anyone else at risk. MONTREAL—If you’ve ever watched Brendan Gallagher cook eggs (and Regarding his teammates and their significant others, he said Carey and I implore you to), then you know he’d have been in a desperate situation Angela Price have gone to Tri-Cities, Wash., where Angela’s family lives, before long had he been alone and confined to his Montreal condo for that Jeff and Julie Petry left for Michigan, and that Shea Weber and his weeks on end, waiting for the COVID-19 virus to dissipate and for the family are still in the Montreal area for the moment. National Hockey League to announce it was resuming the 2019-20 season. Gallagher admitted he was slightly concerned for the Europeans, who might have a harder time getting home. Let’s just say I wasn’t too surprised to learn that Gallagher was quick to book himself a plane ticket back to British Columbia after NHL teams told “Lehky (Artturi Lehkonen) is considering going back home to Finland players they were clear to leave their NHL cities to return home. with Armie (Joel Armia). I know their borders are kind of shut down, so it On Wednesday, from his fully stocked house in Tsawwassen, Gallagher might be a challenge,” he said. “Tuna (Tomas Tatar) isn’t going home took time out of his busy schedule of re-watching Friday Night Lights in (Slovakia has closed its major airports in Bratislava, Kosice and its entirety on to chat with Sportsnet about his experience Poprad).” traveling, his teammates and what they’ve been up to, his family, and a And Gallagher added it didn’t make much sense for Jordan Weal to head few other things I’ll get to in some pieces planned for next week. back to North Vancouver with the virus spreading at a faster rate in B.C. Regarding that flight home on Tuesday, which Gallagher paid over $900 than in any other province in Canada. CAD for, the Edmonton native said it was a pretty unique experience. The two-time 30-goal scorer is keeping tabs on everyone through the team’s group chat, which he said is pretty active, and he mentioned we “I was pretty cautious,” the 27-year-old started. “I didn’t bring this stuff, shouldn’t be too concerned for him in Tsawwassen, where he’s “very but everyone around me had masks and were wiping everything down. I isolated.” asked some people to borrow a Lysol wipe so I could wipe down my seat. Everyone was really cautious. You kept your distance. Nobody was The good news is, he’s not alone. sitting in any of the middle seats. Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it “When I landed here in Vancouver, they had masks, so I grabbed one 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, of those because you don’t want to give this to anyone if you are carrying they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover it. I wore the mask until I got home. It’s one of those things where you Canada’s most beloved game. just have to assume the worst; you assume you’re carrying it and that you don’t want to give it to anyone else if you are. You take those After our 30-minute conversation, Gallagher drove to collect his 18-year- precautions.” old sister, Bree, from the airport. She’ll stay in quarantine with him for a couple of weeks before returning to their parents. Preach! Meanwhile, Gallagher said his 21-year-old brother Nolan is training to be Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey a fireman in Point Roberts, Wash., and he shared that his 29-year-old world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what sister, Erin, is doing her part for the greater good in more ways than just they think about it. staying at home.

Roughly 40 minutes later, Gallagher was home, enjoying the familiar “She works at a stem cell company here in Vancouver, so she’s got a views of the golf course he lives on and basking in the bounty of toilet unique job. She’s working from home and their company is basically—if I paper his mom, Della, filled the house with. understand this right— they’re basically sending off samples to companies trying to come up with a vaccine for COVID. She’s playing a “Pretty much everything I need, she took care of,” Gallagher said. “She little bit of a role in this thing, so every day I text her and tell her to get her cleaned everything in my place, wiped everything down, came in and act together and figure this thing out.” stocked my fridge. I pretty much have everything I need to have here.” He’s also staying in regular contact with his parents, with his mom It was fairly obvious from his tone that this was a welcome change from recovering from a back injury and his dad “going insane” as a result of having to fend for himself in Montreal. feeling restless.

Reflecting on the days leading up to his departure, Gallagher couldn’t Gallagher wanted Canadiens fans to know he misses them, too, and also help but laugh. wanted to share an important message: “ It was pretty weird. Bizarre, in fact,” he said regarding last Thursday’s “There are things that are more important right now than hockey,” he events, when the NHL paused its season, and those that followed. “I said. “I think this is something that the world is coming together on right think it was the night before when the (NBA) basketball player, Rudy now, and you can see there’s places where it’s bad. There’s also places Gobert (of the Utah Jazz), tested positive for the COVID virus. Just like Wuhan, (China), where it started, where it’s starting to get better. So reading on Twitter that night, you figured some announcement was you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. coming from the NHL. So we showed up at the rink the next day and kind of wondered what was going on, but they made it real quick. We got “We just have to go through the steps, go through the process and take there and had a meeting basically telling us to go home. At that point, the care of each other. Make sure you listen to the medical professionals and NHL had just canceled pre-game skates. So we went home and we were before you know it we’ll get back to doing what we love. But for the time still getting ready to play the game (against the Buffalo Sabres) not really being, you just need to be smart and selfless and do the things that knowing if we were going to play the game. We got the news a little later they’re asking us to do.” that day and from there on it was, ‘Nobody come to the rink, nobody do anything.’ Gallagher is doing his part and, thankfully, he’s left the home cooking to his much more qualified mother. “It’s our job now to lay low and stay at home, so we all went and got supplies that we needed for our houses. I think we all picked up Call of Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.21.2020 Duty or downloaded it. We started playing it together online and each day was kind of the same thing—you wake up, you don’t do a whole lot. I’d 1181342 Websites Jets trade deadline deals of the past have been made knowing incoming players were often rentals. Cheveldayoff has made it clear that’s not the case with the two newest Jets. He says there’s an intent to keep them in the fold should both sides find it a fit. While their time together has been Sportsnet.ca / Analyzing Winnipeg Jets' off-season outlook if salary cap cut short, both looked to have hit the ground running with the team. stays flat Eakin is a Winnipeg native, which may give the Jets an inside track on re-signing him. With a current contract of $3.85 million the Jets probably wouldn’t need to spend much more, and maybe even less to keep him. Sean Reynolds March 20, 2020, 1:32 PM DeMelo is a different story. Of all the current Jets, he is likely due the

biggest raise. By the time the NHL shut down, he was playing in the top Not long ago the Jets were a team that, more than anything, needed cap pairing alongside Morrissey and earned his share of credit for the strong room. defensive play the team had achieved.

Winnipeg came into the 2019-20 season right up against it. That all The Jets want to keep DeMelo and trading for him was a way of showing changed when Dustin Byfuglien walked away, eventually freeing up his that interest while giving DeMelo a sneak peak at a future in Winnipeg. $7.6 million cap hit in the process. Although Byfuglien remains under While playing to sentiment is never a bad strategy I still think the Jets will contract to the Winnipeg Jets it’s clear the team intends to move him if he have to put forth near the best, if not the best, financial offer to keep him. decides to return to the ice, clearing plenty of cap space. DeMelo will be 27 next year and he’s never had a million dollar contract or higher in his career. This will be the best and maybe only chance to Given the likely departure of Dmitri Kulikov, or at the very least his $4.3 set himself up financially through hockey. million cap hit, and the Jets will have plenty of space to address other needs. Yes, Cheveldayoff has a knack for getting his players to sign bargain contracts, but my guess is this one will be dictated by the market and not Those other needs are far more peripheral than most NHL teams. The so much the GM’s magic. Jets’ core is bought and paid for with Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Nik Ehlers, Bryan Little, Josh Morrissey and Connor Defensive help Hellebuyck all locked up until the end of the 2023-24 season. As has been the case since the mass exodus on the Winnipeg blue line So while there will be much to do this off-season, the Jets should have last summer, the Jets’ biggest hole remains on the back end. The team plenty of space to solve each of the problems listed below. desperately needs a right shooting defenceman capable of quarterbacking a power play that went from one of the league’s most Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey dangerous to stale and predictable this season. Currently the Jets lack a world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what true shooter from the back end, allowing defenders to abandon the point they think about it. and collapse on the Jets’ dangerous front four.

RFAs Should Winnipeg be able to land a player with the ability to log big The Jets do have a list of roster players hitting restricted free agency. minutes and defend, Winnipeg’s fortunes could swing sharply on such an The list includes Jack Roslovic, Mason Appleton, Jansen Harkins and acquisition. Of course, players like that tend to chew up a lot of cap Sami Niku. All those players spend the bulk of their ice time in bottom space. If Byfuglien retires, the Jets will have it. roles and the latter three are still fighting to establish themselves at the Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.21.2020 NHL level. Their compensation going forward will reflect that. I would expect short-term bridge deals for all of them with the Jets spending roughly $2-3 million above their total current compensation to address all four players.

UFAs

The Jets also have a long list of UFAs at season’s end, although many earned near or below the $1 million mark. The likes of Nathan Beaulieu, Anthony Bitetto, Luca Sbisa, Nick Shore, , Mark Letestu and Gabriel Bourque can be re-signed or replaced at a similar cost meaning little to no extra expenditure.

There is reason to be concerned with depth scoring on this team. The Jets are the only team with four players in the top 30 in NHL scoring, yet sit 16th in scoring as a team. Should Cheveldayoff decide to add scoring punch on the back end, he has the room to do so, although that money would likely be better spent finding scoring up front.

The back up situation

Timing is everything and unfortunately it hasn’t worked out for the Jets back up goaltender Laurent Brossoit.

His breakout season in 2018-19 had him looking like a starter-in-waiting as he went 13-6-2 in relief of Hellebuyck. Had Brossoit been a UFA a big payday may have been waiting for him. Instead he was handcuffed as an RFA, re-upped with the Jets, and was set to prove to the league he’s worth starter’s money. It hasn’t worked out that way, though. Brossoit has struggled this season, posting a losing 6-7-1 record. The contrast between his play and the Vezina-calibre season produced by Hellebuyck strikes home the difference between an elite-level goalie and one still trying to make his mark in an NHL crease.

Still, the Jets like Brossoit and he and Hellebuyck have a great working relationship. Should both sides be interested in continuing to move forward together, the Jets have the money to do so and it shouldn’t take much of a raise above his current $1.225 million to keep him.

Dylan DeMelo and Cody Eakin 1181343 Websites “We’ve really liked his development since we drafted him,” Canucks general manager Jim Benning says. “We think he’s going to be an exciting, young defenceman for us. He can move the puck up ice and join the rush. His defensive awareness is something he’s still working on, but Sportsnet.ca / Prospect Jack Rathbone pauses pro decision as Canucks he’s got a high hockey IQ. He’ll figure it out.” rave of his talent “He reminds me a lot of Adam Gaudette,” Johnson says, referring to the

fifth-round pick who played his way on to the Canucks from Northeastern Iain MacIntyre | March 20, 2020, 5:43 PM University. “He looks you in the eyes and takes in information, and he’s going to do everything and anything he can to be an NHL player. He’s just a hockey player through and through.”

VANCOUVER – When you ask Jack Rathbone about his season at Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey Harvard, the 20-year-old defenceman spends two minutes talking about world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what his team and how the Crimson started well, then struggled, but had great they think about it. leadership and culture and eventually grew stronger from the adversity. Rathbone grew up a Boston Bruins fan, and the player he resembles in And when you try to clarify and ask about “his” season, Rathbone starts build, grit and style is Bruins defenceman Torey Krug. talking about the Harvard coaching staff and how much they’ve helped. “Love him,” Rathbone, who is five-foot-11 and 190 pounds, says. “Love Then you ask Vancouver Canucks player-development director Ryan watching Torey Krug. I’ve heard that comparison. He’s an incredible Johnson about Rathbone and it all makes sense. player. Anytime the Bruins are on, I’m keying in on him. He’s a fun player to watch and someone I definitely model my game after.” “I’ve developed a great relationship with Jack,” Johnson says. “He’s got a tonne of hockey tools. But what really stands out is his character.” Rathbone is a role model, too. The best thing about staying home is spending time with Teddy, who is 11. The boys have a sister, Jayne, 18, That has been apparent since the Canucks selected the Boston-area who graduates this spring from the Dexter School, the preparatory player in the fourth round of the 2017 draft and Rathbone chose to spend academy Jack attended. an extra season playing high school hockey, so he could be near home and his autistic brother, Teddy, rather than upgrading to the United “He’s doing great,” Rathbone says of his little brother. “He’s making States Hockey League before enrolling at Harvard in 2018. awesome progress, loving school. But he is excited that school is off for a It’s Rathbone’s character, in combination with his dynamic offensive little bit. He’s my best friend.” skills, that has elevated the defenceman’s standing within the Canucks’ Three years ago, just before he was drafted, Jack told the Boston Herald: prospects pool the last couple of years and has the National Hockey “I hope to be a role model for him, but I don’t think he can learn any more League team eager to sign him this spring. from me than I learn from him. His personality and the attitude that he Back home in West Roxbury, Mass., Rathbone told Sportsnet on Friday brings to everyday life, he gives me a new perspective. He’s what drives that he and his parents, Jason and Beth, have decided to wait until the me every day to be able to chase the dream of playing in the NHL one coronavirus pandemic eases so the family has a clearer outlook before day because I know that he can’t.” deciding whether Jack should turn pro or return to Harvard next fall for That dream may be closer than anyone thinks. his third year of university. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.21.2020 Rathbone’s hockey season, as well as all in-class instruction leading him towards a degree in psychology, abruptly ended last week due to COVID-19.

“It sucks, to be blunt,” he says. “You feel like you have more in the tank and you’re about to play some of your best, most exciting hockey of the year. And then for it to shut down like that, it’s brutal. You feel for the seniors the most — guys that want one last shot at making a run and they have that stripped from them. It hits hard for life just to kind of come to a halt. It’s something you’ve never experienced before. . . . but you know it’s the right thing to do.

“The Canucks have expressed interest (in having me turn pro) and that’s something I’m really excited about because it means I’m taking the right steps. But honestly, with everything going and how chaotic things are, and school stopping and hockey coming to an abrupt end like it has, my family and I just didn’t feel this is the right time to make that decision. It just didn’t feel right. We’re going to make that decision later on.”

Rathbone emphasizes that this doesn’t mean he’s returning to Harvard next fall, only that now is not the time for a life-changing decision.

“The dream I’ve had ever since I started playing hockey is to play in the NHL,” he says. “I think going to a school like Harvard, that decision, it allows me the option to do whatever I want to do. That is why I chose to go there. But it definitely shouldn’t be understated how much I want to be an NHL player.”

As a freshman last season, Rathbone had 22 points in 33 games, but benefitted by playing alongside Hobey Baker Award runner-up Adam Fox. This season, while Fox was amassing 42 points in 70 games as a 21-year-old NHL rookie with the New York Rangers, Rathbone was partnered mainly by freshman Ryan Siedem — and improved to 31 points in 28 games.

Rathbone is outstanding in transition, moving the puck on breakouts and skating to join the attack. Like Vancouver’s Calder Trophy candidate, Quinn Hughes, Rathbone’s skating allows him to recover defensively. 1181344 Websites with the season ending, we’ve been keeping at our business. This doesn’t preclude us from doing anything.”

It was the end of a bittersweet couple of weeks for Mackey, who chose Sportsnet.ca / Additions of Mackey, Poolman have GM Treliving excited not to turn pro last year as he wanted one last shot at a national for Flames' future championship. Minnesota State University was the third-ranked school in the U.S. on March 9 with more wins than any other team, at 31-5-2.

“We had a good team, so for the season to come to an end had Eric Francis | March 20, 2020, 6:48 PM everyone super bummed out,” said Mackey.

“But turning the page to the NHL, it was a crazy few days. I’m super- CALGARY – Well, at least someone has something to celebrate these pumped I chose Calgary.” days. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.21.2020 While the bulk of the world is holed up at home, tackling puzzles, Sudoku and maybe even home schooling, the Calgary Flames pulled off a little business Friday.

General manager Brad Treliving had a little bounce in his step after adding two highly-touted U.S. College defencemen, including one who is widely considered the most sought-after unsigned collegian this year.

The Flames inked Minnesota State University Mankato’s Connor Mackey and North Dakota’s Colton Poolman to one-year, entry-level contracts starting next season.

“I really do think these two kids have a chance, and we think Connor is close to playing,” said Treliving of the two left-handed rearguards.

“Mackey is a big kid who can skate – very mobile. We’ve been tracking both for awhile.”

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Mackey cited his lengthy relationship with the Flames for making his decision easy to sign with the Flames despite being pursued by most teams in the league.

He attended the Flames development camp in 2017 and has maintained a relationship with Flames collegiate point man Billy Powers as well as assistant GM Craig Conroy.

“The interest they’ve had for me was pretty high and it never changed over the years,” said Mackey, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound native who was named to the WCHA first all-star team this past season and was USHL Defenceman of the Year in 2017.

“I also thought it was the best fit for me to grow as an NHL player. I’ve been to the city before and I wanted to be a Calgary Flame.”

The 23-year-old had seven goals and 24 points in 36 games as a junior and is touted as a two-way, puck-moving defenceman who considers his skating and hockey IQ to be two of his biggest assets.

His father, David, is a former Medicine Hat Tiger who played 126 NHL games for the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Minnesota North Stars.

Pinder & Steinberg

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Poolman’s bloodlines also played a role in his success, as his brother, Tucker, plays for the Winnipeg Jets. Their father is the longtime strength and conditioning coach for the UND hockey program where both brothers played.

“Thick, strong body – he can’t bluff that,” chuckled Treliving of the 6- foot-1, 198-pound 24-year-old, who was a two-time captain at UND, where assistant GM Brad Pascall attended.

“Highly competitive and a high character guy. Intangibles through the roof. He’s got a little more bite in him. He’s going to be a hard matchup defender.”

Treliving said the moves had nothing to do with the fact the five of the Flames nine rostered defencemen (TJ Brodie, Travis Hamonic, Derek Forbort, Erik Gustafsson and Michael Stone) are pending UFAs and another (Oliver Kylington) is an RFA.

“This is routine business – two guys we’ve been looking at for a long time,” said Treliving. “Our staff has been working on this for a long time and now is the time you look to sign them. As unique a situation as this is 1181345 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / The best Maple Leafs prospect no one is talking about

Luke Fox | March 20, 2020, 8:08 AM

Nick Robertson is not the only Toronto Maple Leafs prospect who seemingly scored at will in the junior ranks this season.

Mikhail Abramov: Remember the name.

Maybe it’s because the Moscow-born Abramov didn’t migrate west until last season. Maybe it’s because the baby-faced 18-year-old is undersized (5-foot-11, 162 pounds) and still adjusting to English and North American rink dimensions. Or maybe it’s because he wasn’t selected until the fourth round (115th overall) of the 2019 draft.

Whatever the reason, the playmaking, net-filling Russian centreman could just be the best Maple Leafs prospect you haven’t heard of.

With the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announcing an early end to its regular season this week, Abramov goes into the books as the ’ 2019-20 leading scorer — by a landslide.

Pulling the junior version of a Nathan MacKinnon, Abramov’s 35 goals and 41 assists (76 points) over 63 games gave him a 16-goal, 35-point cushion over the Tigres’ next-most-productive player, defenceman Jerome Gravel (41 points).

And good reason for Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas to jump and ink Abramov to his three-year, entry-level contract 10 days ago. (Among the Leafs’ 2019 draft class, Robertson is the only other player to have put pen to paper.)

Regarded by amateur scouts as an intelligent playmaker with elite vision and a pass-first reputation, Abramov improved his shot and began flipping the script this season, his second on this side of the pond.

In his 2018-19 freshaman campaign in the Q, Abramov registered more than twice as many assists (38) as goals (16), prompting Tigres coach Louis Robitaille to — in conversation with The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler — compare Abramov to a developing Nicklas Backstrom.

“He’s always going to be a guy with more assists than goals,” Robitaille said.

Abramov was named to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team in 2018-19 and starred for bronze-medal-winning Russia at the 2018 .

But confidence and accuracy in his shot catapulted to another level over the winter. Abramov’s shooting percentage leapt from 9.6 in 2018-19 to 14.3 in 2019-20, and he pulled the trigger 77 more times. Further, only eight of the kid’s 35 goals came on the power-play.

Yes, Abramov’s weaknesses fall into the same category of so many Dubas picks. He’ll need to pack on some muscle and strengthen his two- way game.

But the innate talent is there, the shot is coming around, and Abramov will celebrate his 19th birthday next week. There’s time to grow.

Whenever hockey returns, Mikhail Abramov is one to keep an eye on.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181346 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Jets players donate $100,000 to local food organization amid COVID-19

Ryan McKenna | March 20, 2020, 7:54 PM

Players from the Winnipeg Jets are donating $100,000 to a local food organization which helps people in need have something to eat.

Forward Mark Scheifele posted about the initiative Friday on Twitter, saying he felt the need to donate to Winnipeg Harvest Inc., after the support shown by the city and its fans.

Scheifele, currently in his ninth season with the Jets, says he and his teammates understand it’s currently a difficult time for many and that there’s a lot of people struggling.

“With classrooms closed, where kids rely on school meals to be fed, and so many businesses shut, leaving people out of work – there’s a lot of uncertainty where members of our community will get their next meal from,” Scheifele’s post said.

The economic impacts of COVID-19, a global pandemic which has halted the NHL season indefinitely, has hit Canadians hard with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing earlier Tuesday that over 500,000 people have applied for employment insurance over the past week.

Winnipeg Harvest Inc., recently posted on its website that any donations were greatly appreciated in the midst of the novel coronavirus.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181347 Websites But given the uncertainty with their own UFAs and their lack of organizational defensive depth, convincing Mackey and Poolman to come to Calgary made for a big win.

TSN.CA / Calgary Flames land two top NCAA free agents in Connor TSN.CA LOADED: 03.21.2020 Mackey, Colton Poolman

Frank Seravalli

There’s a new Connor poised to join the .

The Calgary Flames bolstered their blueline depth in a big way on Friday by signing two highly sought after undrafted college free agents in Connor Mackey and Colton Poolman. Both one-year, entry-level contracts will kick in for the 2020-21 season.

Mackey, 23, was the prized catch, the No. 1 NCAA free agent available this spring. Friday marked the culmination of a two-year plus pursuit by Calgary.

The dual-citizen Illinois native, whose father David Mackey is a British Columbia native who played 126 games in the NHL, left contract offers on the table last year to take one more run at a national championship this season at Minnesota State (Mankato).

Exactly 28 of the NHL’s 31 teams expressed interest in Mackey while at Mankato. Mackey narrowed it down to six suitors on Tuesday before choosing the Flames; every team was willing to offer him the chance to step into an NHL lineup this season before the COVID-19 pandemic put the season on pause and barred teams from signing players to contracts that began in 2019-20.

For Mackey, it was the combination of trust-level with the Flames’ scouting and coaching staff, the opportunity to play in the NHL quickly, and the ability to learn from a mentor like fellow left-shooting defenceman and Norris Trophy winner Mark Giordano that won him over.

Mackey previously attended the Flames’ development camp. Calgary has been tracking and kept in touch with Mackey since before his quiet 19- year-old season in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers.

The Flames view Mackey as a defenceman with top-four potential who is already close to stepping into their lineup.

Given the in-flux nature of their blueline – with five pending UFAs (T.J. Brodie, Travis Hamonic, Derek Forbort, Erik Gustafsson and Michael Stone) and no other prospect knocking on the door – it’s not hard to envision Mackey in Calgary’s opening night lineup next season.

Mackey will have to earn it. He is what many would call a “prototypical late bloomer,” a key cog on one of the best college teams in the country, going three-for-three in WCHA regular season titles during his time at Mankato. Mackey posted seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points this season, a first-team WCHA selection on the edge of posting a new career-high before his college career was cut short.

He is seen as a solid two-way player who has a hard shot, some offensive flair, enough size, and a defensive-minded approach that makes him a well-rounded signee.

While Mackey is the headline acquisition, there is no reason to sleep on Poolman –another player who generated other NHL interest as a staple in the North Dakota program. It’s possible that both Poolman and Mackey see action with the Flames next season.

Poolman, 24, is the younger brother of Winnipeg Jets defenceman Tucker Poolman. Their father, Mark, has been the strength and conditioning coach at North Dakota for 25 years. Tucker was a fifth-round pick of the Jets and left after three seasons, but Poolman – who skated on the top defensive pairing with his brother in 2016-17 – wanted to play all four years in Grand Forks.

Poolman doesn’t have the offensive touch of Mackey, but he is a stout defender with shutdown capability and he oozes character. Poolman is on a short list of players who have served as two-year captains at storied North Dakota.

Undrafted NCAA free agents have found hit-or-miss success in the NHL. There are probably more misses than hits. 1181348 Websites awareness and physicality. In doing so, he’s allowed one of the league’s brightest talents, David Pastrnak, to flourish in producing a career year in goals (48) and points (95) and the potential for a Hart Trophy. He is also partly responsible for the league’s oldest player, Zdeno Chara at 43, TSN.CA / Edmonds' Top 5 Jack Adams candidates for a 'paused' NHL playing like he’s 10 years younger with a chip on his shoulder the size of season Boston Harbor.

Paul Maurice, Winnipeg Jets – At the start of the season no one truly knew what the expectations were for the Jets, including most in the Paul Edmonds Winnipeg market. The losses on the blue line piled up like snow banks on Portage Avenue in January. Gone were Tyler Myers, Ben Chiarot and Jacob Trouba in the off-season. Then Dustin Byfuglien bowed out just At this point a return to the ice for the National Hockey League seems before training camp, undecided whether hunting geese or shooting distant. pucks was more important. Left to sift through it all was Maurice, 53, who has produced some excellent Jets’ seasons since taking over seven The prudent and responsible procedure is to hunker down at home, stay years ago, but didn’t receive any Jack Adams consideration, including in safe, hygienic and let this COVID-19 pandemic dissipate in time. 2017-18 when the franchise produced its best-ever season by 10 Life as we know it – or remember it more currently – will return, but not furlongs. What Maurice has done this season is remarkable considering until the World Health Organization (WHO), medical professionals, his blue line at one point had two waiver wire claims (Luca Sbisa and scientists and government officials sound the all clear. Carl Dahlstrom) playing on it, coupled with other such staples as Tucker Poolman, Sami Niku, Anthony Bitetto and Neal Pionk, who combined for In the interim, the NHL season remains in limbo with two plausible less than 300 NHL games played prior to this season starting. Add in the options: a return to the 2019-20 season at some point this spring/summer 320-plus man-games lost to injury this season, his team’s overall age and thus to a Stanley Cup conclusion; or the season’s cancelation being 17 months younger than the league average, a few eclectic entirely and a fresh start-up in September. personalities and a volatile roster turnover because of the above And truthfully, it could be months before a decision is made either way. aforementioned factors and you have a challenging season for any coach. However, Maurice has soldiered on to push his club into the top So, regardless of the league’s path moving ahead, it doesn’t hurt via this wild card in the Western Conference. Based on the adversity of the space to examine the potential candidates for The , season, one might arguably consider this year to be Maurice’s best in the emblematic of the NHL’s Coach of Year winner. NHL, which is saying something for a coach of 1,600 games. Finally, his continuing work in developing stars Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine into After all, whether the league’s awards are handed out or not, some bona fide two-way players should also resonate with voters. recognition for the job performed by any of these individuals deserves a level of acknowledgement and consideration, especially since the season John Tortorella, Columbus Blue Jackets - "Torts" has his team sitting in a was only weeks away from completion. playoff spot this season even after losing his starting goaltender (Sergei Bobrovsky) and top scorer (Artemi Panarin) from last year to other teams And as one of the many broadcasters in the league, I have the privilege via free agency. The fact Columbus is even in the conversation for a of casting a vote for the award (colleagues Dennis Beyak and Brian post-season berth is remarkable even though they tenuously occupy a Munz also get a vote locally). The criteria we’re asked to use in wild card spot in the East. Tortorella has navigated his team through submitting our selection is based on the individual "adjudged to have injury troubles that have the Blue Jackets leading the league in man- contributed the most to his team's success." games lost at 411 entering their last game in Vancouver before the As a requirement, each broadcaster is asked to forward three names on COVID-19 abeyance. And it’s not like Tortorella hasn’t worked through their ballot. From there, the numbers are totaled and a winner is adversity before as a coach, or been recognized for those contributions determined. either. He’s won the Jack Adams Award twice before, including three years ago with the Blue Jackets and previous to that in 2003-04 when he In understanding the season isn’t concluded - and this list is purely guided Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup. And while he’s mellowed subjective - I have created a Top 5 list below in order to include more somewhat in his coaching personality as he’s advanced into his early debate and discussion. 60s, he still demands a certain style of play from all his players while at the same time understanding the make-up of his team. Those that play Here is my list in no particular order: for him enjoy doing so and the results are exemplary, especially this , St. Louis Blues - Proving last year’s run to the Stanley Cup season. He might not be a front-runner for the award in 2020, but he was no flash-in-the-plan after he was handed the team’s reigns should at least receive some consideration for the job he’s performed. November 20, 2018, the former NHL enforcer has his team at the top of Jared Bednar, Colorado Avalanche – The youngest coach on our list has the Western Conference standings and holding down the second-best had his team trending in the right direction for the last couple of years, record in the entire NHL at the time of the league’s shutdown. This has but the turnaround is still impressive when you consider they were the been accomplished despite having his top offensive player and scoring worst team in the league – the worst! – only three season ago. Last year, threat, Vladimir Tarasenko, for only 10 games this season. And those 10 the Avs earned a wild card berth on the second last game of the regular outings were all in October. Berube, 54, guided the Blues through 63 season by defeating the Jets at home. This season the 48-year-old has regular season games last season to produce a .651 points percentage. his club residing in second place in the Central Division and pushing the This season, he’s improved on that by 11 points to .662 and his team St. Louis Blues for first overall in the West. The Avs boast the best road boasts a stellar home record of 23-7-5, second only to Philadelphia. The record in the league at 24-11-2 and a Western Conference best plus-46 Blues are certainly an older group with championship goaltending, but goal differential. The team’s upward trajectory continues in large part to a Berube continues to push the right buttons, allows them to play creatively coach who has recently worked his way up from the ECHL and AHL to and understands mixing in younger players to maintain speed and advance to one of hockey’s 31 pinnacle coaching positions. And it’s not freshness, as Robert Thomas and Zach Sanford have flourished under been accomplished easily despite the fact that superstar Nathan his tutelage. He’s a player’s coach with an excellent grasp of the game’s MacKinnon resides on the roster. In 2016-17, Colorado finished last in changing nuances. the league by 21 points. It was Bednar’s first season behind the Avs Bruce Cassidy, Boston Bruins - His team is the NHL’s top point producer bench after his predecessor Patrick Roy shockingly quit just prior to the with 100 when the "pause" to the season occurred. A President’s Trophy season starting. That dismal first campaign could set a different course was shaping up to be seemingly a lock, despite the fact that his Bruins for Bednar, but instead he maneuvered through that and his team’s were 0-7 in games decided in a shootout this season. But who needs buy-in to his message is clearly evident, especially this season. those extra points when your team is the best in regulation time with a Reclamation project Valeri Nichuskin and Calder candidate Cale Makar 38-14-18 record for a .671 points percentage. Cassidy, 54, guided are two of his finest illustrations of developing players while crafting a Boston to 49 wins and a Stanley Cup final appearance last year, losing in contending team. a seventh and deciding game to St. Louis. This year, they were on pace Other notables include: , Edmonton; , to surpass that win total and undoubtedly appear as a front-runner to Philadelphia; Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh and David Quinn, New York finding their way back to hockey in mid-June. Cassidy understands his Rangers. team and has created an environment that balances scoring, defensive Stay safe and healthy everyone!

TSN.CA LOADED: 03.21.2020

1181349 World Leagues News Another activity that may be in serious doubt even if school returns to session in April is spring football.

“If I had to guess right now, we wouldn’t have any kind of spring football,” Spring sports players, coaches facing tough reality thanks to coronavirus Fossett said. “There are a lot of different takes on that.

“Some coaches don’t care about doing spring football anyway. One of the proposals this year is to rid yourself of spring football in order to start LaVonte Young a week early in the summer … With us being a small school, I am one of those guys that will almost be for that. I think I would rather start a week

early in the summer than have spring ball.” TALLADEGA COUNTY -- The decision to suspend school and sports has The Anniston Star LOADED: 03.21.2020 created a tough reality for both spring coaches and players to deal with.

The suspension began Wednesday and is set to last through April 6, when the Alabama High School Athletic Association will re-evaluate and make a final decision on the status of spring sports.

B.B. Comer athletic director Adam Fossett thinks the COVID-19 outbreak hit faster than anyone expected. Fossett said this is something everyone should take seriously.

“I have talked to numerous coaches, ADs (athletic directors) across the state and in other states. It has been an eye-opening experience,” Fossett said. “You have concerns for the kids, and I think everyone has to understand that this is bigger than sports.

“We are not happy that our seniors couldn’t finish spring sports. I am the track coach, and we didn’t get one track meet. We had 40 kids running track, boys and girls combined, that worked hard and had done everything they could to get better to prepare for track season. They did not get a chance to run at all, they didn’t get a chance to compete at all.

“It is so much bigger than sports. I hope that it is a lesson for the kids and everyone involved.”

Munford baseball coach Jamie Burgess feels suspending spring sports, for the time being, was a necessary decision, but he can’t help but feel for his three seniors.

“It is something that you can’t control, and the worst thing is for the high school seniors,” Burgess said. “They don’t get that back. Even if we get the championship games in, they still lost half of their season.

“It is different going through it … You are trying to find a positive outlook. You are trying to figure out if you are going to come back or not. You don’t know if you are or not. If you are, during this three-week break, what are you doing to prepare for that without putting yourself at risk? It is definitely a challenge.”

Gov. Kay Ivey announced state schools would be closed beginning Thursday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The AHSAA released a statement saying it would follow those guidelines and likewise close all athletic events, including contests and practices.

Burgess didn’t provide his players with a workout plan to follow for the break, but he is confident they are doing what it takes for them to be successful if they are allowed to play again this season.

“I can’t tell them that they have to do anything,” Burgess said. “If you want to do anything, your parents are going to have to say it is OK for you to go do whatever you want to do.

“As far as our guys know, it is certain routines they go through. The only deal is that they don’t have someone there to make them do it right or help them do it better.

“For pitchers, the biggest thing, in my opinion, if they are throwing, they still need to be throwing off the mound. I told (the players) for our culture and what we do in Munford is have a player-type thing year-round where the guys lead themselves. They work out by themselves, and I am just the facilitator. I know my guys can get done what they need to get done.”

Lincoln High School’s head softball coach, Chad Mullinax, doesn’t want to take the time off, but he knows it is necessary to keep people safe. Mullinax hopes the Lady Golden Bears will be able to continue with the season.

“We hope that this is not it,” Mullinax said. “I hope we can come back in April like they were saying and get back ready. Hopefully, we can have an area tournament and playoffs -- that’s what we hope. But if we don’t, we understand. If the season ends now, we went out as six-time (county) champions. Hopefully, it doesn’t happen, but if it does, we went out with a bang.” 1181350 World Leagues News Boxing Championship, college basketball, and (Vince McMahon’s) XFL, along with documentaries and docuseries like Magnify.

ESPN’s Burke Magnus, EVP Programming Acquisitions and Scheduling, Sports Networks Scramble In A Sports-Scarce World: Bowling Or Poker, was one of the few executives to discuss the mad scramble, and he did it Anyone? on a blog post this week. The sports-media giant is tapping into a mix of SportsCenter, talk shows, documentaries and, potentially, previously scheduled original programming.

Jill Goldsmith “Thursday, March 12, 2020 is a day none of us will soon forget,” he wrote. “Coming off the NBA’s decision to suspend play the night before, March 20, 2020 6:54PM so many leagues and properties had to make really challenging decisions about their seasons or events. As those decisions were made, the downstream effects began to unravel the ESPN programming schedule Sports networks grappling with widespread cancellations and across our networks and we had to adjust accordingly.” postponements of not just games but entire seasons used this past week to frenetically prep schedules leaning heavily on new or expanded studio “We have two simultaneous goals,” he added. “One is the immediate talk shows, rebroadcasts of earlier matchups and library content, if future in terms of how we can be as relevant as possible through news they’re lucky enough to have to have it. Networks and leagues said and live studio programming in order to frame for sports fans the impact they’re deep in discussions about rights to air older games and about that these unprecedented circumstances are having on the sports world. developing new programming for this coronavirus moment, but just how Since this week coincidentally is the beginning of the NFL league they’ll be filing airtime is extremely fluid. calendar and free agency, we’ve built our schedules with an eye toward that being a major topic of conversation.” Take the Tennis Channel, which Thursday announced a live studio show daily from 12-3 PM (with 8 PM and 11 PM repeats) starting Monday, and Goal two “is aimed at looking ahead to entertain fans through fun, rebroadcasts of 2019 matches and tournaments in the slots where the compelling archival content and/or themed and stunt event programming 2020 ones should be. Tennis was a harbinger when the 2020 BNP that will provide a diversion at a time that there are virtually no other live Paribas Open in Indian Wells, CA, was among the first sporting events to sports to watch.” shutter this month. That was March 8, and those in the know knew it was “We need to replicate that dynamic 24 hours a day, seven days a week fifth most important tennis event in the world. across multiple network,” he said (tinge of hysteria there?). “That’s what “Indian Wells was the first big-time sports event in the U.S. to be is in front of us in terms of long-range planning.” canceled, and people everywhere took notice,” Tennis Channel Magnus noted that re-airing full-game presentations “is not a right that we spokesman Eric Abner said. or other media companies typically have at our disposal at all times. The channel at first developed a new live show to run for five days from Each one of these circumstances requires individual conversations with 1-2 PM anchoring replays of the 2019 Paribas Open, and was banking the specific league or property to determine what’s possible” and the on 60 hours of live matches from the ATP Challenger event in Phoenix, a network is exploring that for events and content where it doesn’t have re- kind of minor league that it wouldn’t normally air. Then that was canceled air rights already. too. “The lines of communication have been constantly open between ESPN Its new plan – built around that extended three-hour edition of Tennis and our league partners,” he said. Channel Live, “will serve as a central tennis news and conversation An NBA official said the league is discussing a variety of content plans platform with updates from the sport’s leaders, social media interaction for this hiatus period with its broadcast partners. While plans will likely with players and fans, and other topical information during this include airing classic games, they are also looking at ways to be creative unprecedented shutdown,” the network said. The show will have two through the development of additional programming opportunities. There hosts at its Los Angeles studio and two at home and will explore five are a ton of moving parts right now, the official said. themes over five weeks: Greatest of All Time, History, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and U.S. tennis. An MLB official said the league owns the rights to the library of past games and is taking the approach to make our content available to our Abner said the channel’s multiyear agreements with the men’s and partners. women’s tours give it the rights to rebroadcast most tournaments the following year. A spokesman for the Fox Sports RSNs, which are owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and span the country, said the leagues have approved Likewise, the is relying on re-air/encore telecasts of telecasting of archived games and waived the license fees. Each league previous year’s tournaments, its archive of original programming and golf is also making available classic games and events including World instruction plus more episodes of in-studio interview show Feherty. Host Series games, finals, and all-star games. The RSNs have the rights to 42 David Feherty talked last week to basketball Hall of Famers Bobby MLB, NBA and NHL teams – 45 including YES and Marquee. They are Knight, Charles Barkley, Stephen Curry, Bill Russell and Doc Rivers. working with team and league partners to expand options for April and PGA Tour – The Cut, features golfers Hale Irwin and Tyler McCumber beyond. and PGA Tour schedule updates. And the channel has been airing the PGA Tour’s 2018 Valspar Championship, and the LPGA Founders Cup Meanwhile, networks have started airing classic games from this season and Volvik Championship in lieu of the 2020 events. and preview seasons from professional, collegiate and high school libraries as well as programming professional bowling and World Poker This will be the model for the short term through early April, said a Golf Tour. They’re exploring shared programming initiatives with other Sinclair Channel spokesman. Happily, the 2020 edition of the annual Ace entities like Stadium and Tennis Channel. Shootout Celebrity Skills Challenge, which will air Sunday, had finished filming in Hawaii on February 1. Notable examples classic games and concepts include Opening Day on Opening Day: On what would have been MLB opening day on March 26, The channel belongs to NBCUniversal, and NBC Sports/Golf Channel Fox Sports Wisconsin is replaying the Milwaukee Brewers’ 2019 has the rights to re-airs of all PGA Tour and LPGA Tour events as the opening-day win (which ended dramatically with center fielder Lorenzo exclusive cable home to both. The network and the tours decide together Cain leaping to rob a home run). Fox Sports North (Minnesota Twins) which events make the most sense to air and when. and Fox Sports Arizona (Arizona Diamondbacks) will also show last At Fox, it’s a fluid situation with multiple updates each day. Fox just year’s opening-day game. brought back two live shows on Fox Sports 1 this week: The Herd and will show star rookie Ja Undisputed. It aired the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals Morant’s first career triple-double. will air the this week plus a live Q&A with superstar Carli Lloyd. It will still have some Carolina Hurricanes’ February 22 win with emergency backup goalie live sports without fans and spectators, from WWE’s SmackDown (in an David Ayers in net. SportsTime Ohio will show the Cleveland Cavaliers’ empty arena) to professional bowling, NASCAR iRacing announced championship celebration and parade from 2016. Thursday and horse racing announced Friday. Fox Sports can also draw on a library of evergreen programming from MLB, NASCAR, Premier Fox Sports Prime Ticket over several nights will show Clippers wins from earlier this season versus the same opponent they were scheduled to play that night; for example, tonight the Clippers were scheduled to play Phoenix, and Prime Ticket showed the Clippers’ win vs. Phoenix from December. 17. Fox Sports Wisconsin aired Marquette Madness all day during what would have been first two games of NCAA men’s basketball tournament on March 19-20.

In New York, YES Network aired Knicks vs. Nets on October 25, 2019 (Kyrie Irving: 26 points) on Thursday, and Bulls vs. Nets from January 31, 2020 (Irving: 54 points) on Friday.

“Until games are resumed, we will be evaluating our programming options. In the meantime, we will continue simulcasting The Michael Kay Show while also drawing upon our extensive library of award- winning original programming,” YES said in statement.

Amy Loesch, SVP Marketing at digital company FloSports, said the platform, which started with wrestling and track but now has a range of event verticals, is drawing on its original programming, studio shows and podcasting – taking its wrestling podcast daily.

FloSports has over 300,000 active subscriber. Loesch said it will be releasing three new full-length films starting with the just-finished documentary Bad Cut, about weight cutting in wrestling and grappling. It has two other documentaries in the final states of post-production.

It’s planning a tour of NASCAR driver Tony Stewart’s house. It may put on its own live events in wrestling, grappling and dirt track racing. And it’s packaging archives of past events.

“Every network has a different library and a different set of resources,” noted one sports media executive. They’re hoping the general public will stick it out “as long as the content is good and relevant.”

Penske Business Media LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181351 World Leagues News “If it was me, especially here in the Silicon Valley, I would want to have a group of the smartest people around with sort of a brainstorming session of ‘OK, here’s what we have. We don't know all the answers. We're going to be out of playing any games for a long time. What can we do to Sports business staff grapple with coronavirus world engage, more than we're doing now?'" Dolich said. "Whether it's virtual reality, augmented reality, et cetera. ... How can we do that, and I think

there will be some breakthroughs, because people will push that.” JAY COHEN Like pretty much every sports organization, the Twins are working on their social media plans. St. Peter said they likely will hold some town hall-style chats with team leadership and season-ticket holders or CHICAGO — The idea came together while Dan Migala was working on sponsors. proper hand-washing techniques with his 5 1/2-year-old son, William. “It's not easy, but I also think there's some small things you can do that I William is a big NBA fan, so they talked about how he needed to wash think can allow a fan to feel like they're still connected,” he said. his hands for 24 seconds like the shot clock in pro basketball. Dan then asked William about how they could teach more kids how to wash their Asked about what sports properties can do right now while the calendar hands, and William suggested getting a mascot involved. is empty, Migala focused on five areas: unite the community, create smiles and remove fear, make valuable digital inventory, embrace new Dan Migala, a longtime sports marketing executive, knew almost media and technology, and prepare for the return of games and events. immediately it was an idea worth pursuing amid the coronavirus pandemic. He called his basketball clients, and an NBA team made plans “I think you're seeing teams put a lot of focus and energy on being part of to put together a video of its mascot washing its hands for its social the broader solution and maybe even for a moment in time be media channels. teammates with their community,” Migala, the co-founder of 4FRONT, a sports marketing firm, said, “but then also being really ready when that With the sports calendar in question more than ever before — the NBA bounce back does occur and the return back to normal, that they're there and NHL have suspended their seasons, golf, tennis and auto racing are for them.” taking a break, and Major League Baseball isn't sure when it will get started — the sports business world is confronting several challenging LOADED: 03.21.2020 issues beyond the potentially considerable loss of ticket, advertising and other forms of revenue.

It is searching for ways to stay engaged with fans without its traditional content sources. It is looking for opportunities to help its communities during traumatic times. It is preparing for what might be a completely different world whenever the games resume.

“We've never seen anything like this. Nobody has seen anything like this,” Minnesota Twins president Dave St. Peter said Friday in a telephone interview with the AP. "You know, sports isn't the most important thing in the world. We certainly recognize that life can go on without it. There's things that are much more important that our country, our world is dealing with.

“But I do think sports leaves a void for people and I think it'll play a really critical role in helping the world heal, but certainly in America, I think baseball will play a role in helping this country heal.”

There are very few places to look for guidance. The 1989 World Series was delayed after an earthquake hit the Bay Area in Northern California. Sports hit the pause button after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Hurricane Katrina had a dramatic effect on sports in Louisiana for years after it flooded New Orleans in 2005.

Andy Dolich was the vice president of business operations for Oakland at the time of the 1989 earthquake. Asked about what lessons from that disaster might be applicable today, he emphasized the importance of coordination, communication and leadership.

“I'd also say, where you can, and I'm also starting to see it in just individuals, what can you do?” he said. “I mean life isn't normal, but we still have our televisions, we still have ability to communicate."

Sports properties have more ways to communicate with internal and external audiences than ever before, and they are using them in a variety of ways.

The Boston Red Sox posted coloring sheets for fans to print out for their kids to work on at home. The Carolina Hurricanes tweeted warm messages at other NHL teams. The Charlotte Hornets shared video of center Cody Zeller learning how to play guitar. The University of Nebraska started a Husker Homework series for kids, with the first entry focusing on Eric Crouch's playing career at the school.

“From an external side of things, we've looked at it as two elements,” said Garrett Klassy, a senior deputy athletic director at Nebraska. “One is how do we give back to the community during these times, and then No. 2, without sports, how do we keep everyone engaged?”

The 73-year-old Dolich, who has his own consulting firm and teaches in Stanford's school of continuing studies, said engagement is an important focus in the absence of sporting events. 1181352 World Leagues News automatically charged to renew a subscription once the free period ends, Mr. Jurenka said.

Access to email information could give the NFL the opportunity to market Sports Leagues Offer Free Streaming of Older Games Amid Coronavirus to users who might be willing to pay for Game Pass down the road. Shutdown That wasn’t top-of-mind when the NFL decided to open up access to The NFL and the NBA have removed paywalls for their own subscription Game Pass, according to Mr. Jurenka. “Let’s see if people are actually services using it and for how long they are engaging,” he said.

The Wall Street Journal LOADED: 03.21.2020

Sahil Patel

March 18, 2020 9:03 pm ET

The and the National Basketball Association have an answer for sports fans in the U.S. who have run out of options to watch new live games: Try re-watching older games.

The NFL said it’s making every game since 2009 available for free streaming on its direct-to-consumer service NFL Game Pass. The subscription service, which costs $99 for a full season of access, will be available for free in the U.S. until May 31, the league announced on Wednesday.

The NBA and Turner Sports on Wednesday also removed the paywall for the League Pass subscription service until April 22. The service, which has multiple subscription tiers, offers full-length and condensed replay of all games from the current NBA season, as well as an archive of classic games and other programming.

Last week, the NBA suspended its regular season after a player tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Soon after, every major sports league in the U.S. either suspended or delayed their seasons.

The NFL, which is currently in its off-season, made its decision to remove the paywall over the last few days, said David Jurenka, senior vice president of media for the NFL.

“Given that there is less sports programming than people are certainly used to at this time of year, we thought this was a good idea and timely,” he said. “It did not need to be overanalyzed.”

In the U.S., Game Pass offers full broadcast replays of preseason, regular-season and playoff games without commercials. Condensed versions of the games, running for roughly 45 minutes each, are also available. Additional programming includes past seasons of shows such as “Hard Knocks” and “A Football Life.”

In the three hours after making the free offering available on Wednesday, the NFL saw 500 times the average number of daily sign-ups for Game Pass, according to a league spokeswoman.

The NFL’s decision comes as sports TV networks including ESPN and Fox Sports are scrambling to fill programming time originally slated for live games. Some are seeking to license past games.

Mr. Jurenka said he doesn’t believe making games available for free through Game Pass would affect discussions with league partners, or prevent audiences from watching older games on other networks and platforms.

“I think we have proved over the years that offering games on mobile doesn’t have a cannibalistic effect on traditional broadcast,” he said. “I don’t think making games available on our platforms will be detrimental to growing the consumption pie if we choose to do something with partners.”

Game Pass typically costs $99 for a full season, though the NFL offers discounted rates over the course of the league year. It’s available online, on mobile devices and on internet-connected TV platforms from Amazon.com Inc., Apple Inc. and Roku Inc., among others.

Mr. Jurenka declined to reveal the number of paying subscribers for Game Pass. It’s becoming an increasingly important piece of the NFL’s own media plans, he said, supplementing the league’s deals with ad- supported media partners including broadcast and cable networks and social platforms.

Users will need to sign up for Game Pass using their email addresses. They won’t have to supply credit-card information and won’t be 1181353 World Leagues News “If you look at our league offices … we only have essential personnel who are present on a day-to-day basis, and everyone else is working remotely,” Sills said. “We’ve switched all our meetings over 10 people to virtual or phone meetings. That’s the behavior we’re taking from a league How the NFL is handling the coronavirus pandemic during its offseason standpoint, and that’s what we’re asking all our clubs as well.”

The NFL and NFL Players Association announced Monday that team facilities currently are closed to players for at least two weeks, except Brent Schrotenboer those who have medical needs. The league and NFLPA receive updated guidelines on hygiene and other preventive measures from the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON), based in North Carolina. Unlike the NBA and other major sports, the most popular league in America hasn’t yet needed to face tough decisions about whether to ►Offseason events. Offseason team workouts scheduled for next month postpone games or cancel the rest of its season. have been postponed indefinitely. After the draft, the next big NFL team events are mini-camps in May. Training camps start in mid-July. The NFL instead has moved through its offseason without much disruption, nearly six months from the start of games in September. Sills said no determination has been made about postponing those.

But it’s not exactly business as usual for the NFL in the age of COVID- “What’s really key for us right is to have what I would call a balanced 19. And the league doesn’t consider itself lucky because of the timing of approached,” Sills said. “We should remain calm. We have to remain the outbreak in U.S., said Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer. educated with the facts from reputable sources. And we ask everyone to ask the same questions we’re asking of ourselves: What’s our part here? “This is a global health crisis, and we in the NFL, as a major part of the What can we do to reduce the spread of the virus and make sure that fabric of American life, are extremely concerned about this,” Sills said. we’re using healthcare services in the most appropriate manner?” “We take very seriously our responsibility in these times.” USA TODAY LOADED: 03.21.2020 That includes how it will conduct the NFL draft, how it recommends tests for the coronavirus and how business is conducted in the offseason. After other winter and spring sports postponed or canceled games to help slow the viral spread, Sills addressed the league’s own efforts in an interview with USA TODAY Sports:

►The NFL draft in Las Vegas April 23-25. The league has said the draft will be televised but with no “public events” or crowd as usual. But will players be there to take the stage as they normally are when they are chosen by NFL teams? Sills said those details are still being worked out.

“We realize it will be an extremely heavily viewed event, and we will have the opportunity to use our platform to reinforce what the appropriate measures are,” Sills said.

That means the league will be abiding by the recommendations of public health authorities. The federal government currently recommends against discretionary travel and gatherings of more than 10 people.

“We believe we have an important obligation, responsibility and opportunity to really model what the best behavior is,” Sills said.

►Testing for the virus. Amid a national shortage of tests, the NBA has received criticism because several teams have undergone testing for the coronavirus, including players who aren’t showing symptoms. This has led to the perception that the famous and wealthy have access to testing when others who need it don’t.

The NFL’s position is to test according to certain criteria and to follow the recommendations of public health authorities.

“We believe that only players who are symptomatic or have a high degree of exposure should be tested,” Sills said. “Those are the principles that are guiding our testing at this time.”

Sills declined to say how many NFL players or personnel have been tested or if anybody tested positive. New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton revealed Thursday he tested positive for COVID-19 after not feeling well recently, becoming the first confirmed NFL case.

Payton urged others to follow social distancing guidelines and other expert recommendations to help keep the spread of the disease from spiking beyond the capacity of the U.S. healthcare system.

“Take a minute to understand what the experts are saying,” Payton told ESPN. “It's not complicated to do what they're asking of us. Just that type of small investment by every one of us will have a dramatic impact."

Even though NFL teams typically screen draft prospects and free agents for health concerns, Sills said teams are not testing them for the virus unless there is a medical reason for it.

“Our testing is completely being driven by medical indications as given by public health authorities currently,” he said.

►Offseason business. Much of the NFL is having employees work from home like other businesses to help minimize the spread of the virus. 1181354 World Leagues News look at Duke,” citing a small top-tier academic school that has become far more well-known thanks to its run of five men’s basketball titles under coach Mike Krzyzewski. (Actual payouts come in the form of nearly $2 million per tournament win, paid to the conference to which the team For the sports-entertainment business, coronavirus is taking a huge toll belongs.)

“March Madness benefits a lot of parties,” Rishe said. “So when it doesn’t happen it costs a lot of parties.” Steven Zeitchik Also lost: the opportunity for advertisers to promote their brands. A slew March 20, 2020 at 6:06 PM EDT of companies — they include Capital One, Coke and Turner parent AT&T — sell products during the tournament.

For years, U.S. television networks have spent increasing amounts of That lost promotional impact would be felt no place more than at NBC if money on “sports packages," paying billions of dollars for the rights to the Summer Olympic Games fall victim to the pandemic. So far, the show baseball, basketball and other games exclusively. The high fees Olympics remain on, despite widespread calls for their postponement. A were justified because live contests offered a unique asset — cancellation could be disastrous for NBC. unskippable, real-time drama in the age of DVR. NBC is already taking a hit with the postponement or cancellation of But that immediacy is now proving to be a great weakness. As the U.S. many of its spring events, including the Kentucky Derby, Stanley Cup shuts down events and entire cities, the sports-entertainment hierarchy is finals and French Open. toppling at a scale experts say they have never seen before. Experts say Yet it is the Olympics that are massively essential to NBC, which paid the depth of the destruction is so vast and so uncertain that in many about $1.1 billion for the U.S. broadcast rights to this summer’s Tokyo ways it is incalculable, even as many are trying to calculate it. Games. That’s in part because the high viewership means high ad rates “This is unprecedented,” said Neal Pilson, the longtime head of CBS — an average of well over 25 million people were watching many nights Sports who now works as a consultant. “Sept. 11 comes closest, but I’m four years ago, plus many more on streaming, pushing ad rates up. not sure how close it really comes. There’s going to have to be an But it’s NBC’s ability to promote off the Games that truly makes them so adjustment to the very economic base of sports.” valuable. The company not only plans to publicize its upcoming shows Part of the reason for that is that broadcasters have become part of a there, as it does off every Summer and Winter Games, it is launching a highly interdependent ecosystem. The fees that networks pay strengthen new business off it: The Olympics are the kickoff event for Peacock, the leagues, which health then attracts viewers and advertisers, which in turn new streaming service executives hope can compete with Netflix, Disney bolsters the networks, which can then turn around and pay even higher Plus and HBO Max. fees. Disruptions at any point affect the whole chain. Only the NFL, At an investor presentation in January, the company said that it will televised sports’ biggest cash cow, has been spared — for now. exclusively feature opening and closing ceremonies live on the platform “Sports broadcasting rights are the mother’s milk of sports in the United along with three daily Olympics shows. Its TV viewership would also States,” said Marc Ganis a longtime sports consultant and adviser to provide the kind of launchpad to attract subscribers that other streaming numerous teams. “And a lot people need to drink from it.” services only dream about.

Perhaps nowhere is that more evident, Ganis and other experts say, than Asked to discuss the impact, an NBC Sports spokesperson said only that March Madness, the men’s and women’s Division I basketball “The safety of our employees is always our top priority, but our tournaments that were supposed to start this week. preparations continue full steam ahead for the Tokyo Olympics on July 24” and referred to recent comments by Brian Roberts, the chief of Sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter to track the outbreak. All NBC’s Comcast parent, calling the Games “just the rallying moment for stories linked in the newsletter are free to access. our country to enjoy."

CBS and Turner together pay the NCAA $785 million a year to broadcast ABC/ESPN and Turner also are likely to suffer if the NBA’s current the men’s tournament, a stunning $330,000 per minute of game action, suspension of its season becomes a cancellation. While much of the not including overtime. (Turner includes TNT, TBS and TruTV.) season had been played before NBA players were discovered infected with the coronavirus, it’s the postseason when the networks recoup their Now that the tournament is canceled, the networks won’t get a cash $300 million annual payment. Last year’s finals between the Raptors and refund, however. More likely is they’ll negotiate an extension of the deal Warriors saw average viewership top 18 million for the last two games. at no additional cost. But that means the networks will see an interruption Not having those games this year would heavily damage ad revenue for in cash flow, paying hundreds of millions of dollars without the parent companies Disney and AT&T. corresponding ad revenue to show for it. “The linchpin for keeping people engaged in linear television is news and “It may not hit them later. But it will hit them now,” said Neil Begley, a sports," he said. "This black-swan event may be a boon for one but it’s a senior vice president at Moody’s who this week released a report serious threat to another.” headlined, “Sports Cancellations, Delays Over Coronavirus Are Credit Negative for Media Companies." The NHL suspension of its season just weeks before postseason play was to begin on April 6 will impact an unlikely player: the so-called And that ad revenue is significant — the take for the men’s tournament regional sports networks that are the sports’ primary broadcast vehicles. topped $1 billion for the first time two years ago. A 30-second spot in last NBC pays just $200 million per year for broadcast rights. But ratings in year’s men’s final between Virginia and Texas Tech — watched by an many local markets are strong, and the suspension of the stretch run as average of nearly 20 million viewers — cost about $1.5 million. While teams jostle for playoffs and positioning would impact the companies with some of that inventory is sold (itself to be refunded in the form of free- holdings there. commercial “make goods”), not all of it is. CBS and Turner did not comment for this story. That includes Sinclair’s Diamond Sports Group, which comprises the nearly two dozen sports networks that Disney sold to Sinclair because Meanwhile, the NCAA and the schools that the revenues support could regulators didn’t allow the company to keep them when Disney acquired be in straits, too. Some 72 percent of the NCAA’s annual revenue comes Fox. Diamond has networks with rights in several key NHL cities, from the CBS-Turner deal. including defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis, currently vying for a Patrick Rishe, director of the sports business program at Washington top seed in the Western Conference. University’s Olin Business School in St. Louis, said that one of the The company also has local baseball rights for the coming season in the greatest impacts will be on smaller schools that typically get a major majority of MLB markets — a season now very much in jeopardy. MLB income boost from the tournament — like the University of Dayton, a could lose months of its 2020 campaign with its late-March Opening Day small Roman Catholic school of 8,700 undergraduates that was heading delayed indefinitely, according to Commissioner Rob Manfred, and a to a No. 1 seed this year. hard-stop in November when colder weather arrives in many markets. “You can’t pooh-pooh what that means for schools,” Rishe said. “You lose marketing value, you lose exposure value,” he said, adding, “Just “Diamond is exposed because there are no games, and they’re exposed because they need the cash-flow to pay down their debt,” Ganis said. The company bought the regional sports networks for $10.6 billion.

Such losses for regional networks could also affect team revenues and player salaries, since many clubs rely on that money to stay solvent.

Fox hardly escapes unscathed. The company’s national sports division paid $500 million for the 2020 rights to many MLB games, including the World Series. And even though much of those fees will come back for games that aren’t played, the ad revenue won’t.

That revenue could have been significant — last year’s Game 7 of the World Series between the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros was the highest-rated non-football broadcast of the year with 23 million total viewers.

Experts say that compounds the hit that Fox takes from the suspension of the NASCAR season. Fox did not provide comment for this piece.

Perhaps most imperiled of all, however, are niche leagues for whom the lack of games to be broadcast is an existential threat.

“I think the bigger leagues like the NBA and MLB in the long-term will be fine,” Rishe said. “But what about the XFL, which was doing well in its renaissance? Or the National Women’s Soccer League, which had momentum after the Women’s World Cup last year?” he said.

“What happens to them after all the lost revenue? It’s sometimes the little guy you have to worry about," he said.

Washington post LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181355 World Leagues News

European football aiming for mid-May resumption - La Liga president

Javier Tebas

La Liga president Javier Tebas says Europe's top leagues and competitions are planning to resume in mid-May following Euro 2020's postponement.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to the suspension of all club football.

The European Championship's move to next summer means there is more time to complete domestic league seasons.

"There are 30 affected leagues, 30 cup tournaments, and we have to co- ordinate each schedule at both a national and international level," said Tebas.

"In mid-May we should be back with all European competitions. If circumstances permit, we could bring that forward.

"We need to work together."

On Thursday, English and Scottish football extended their suspensions until 30 April. The Football Association said the current season can be "extended indefinitely".

LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181356 World Leagues News

Coronavirus Relief Fund Unites 100-Plus Athletes From 20 Sports To Donate Memorabilia

Kurt Badenhausen

The coronavirus pandemic has rallied millions of people around the world to step up and help those in need. Many companies, billionaires and everyday people are doing their part.

Sports often act as an outlet during crises, but not this time, so athletes have pitched in with their wallets and their time. NBA stars Zion Williamson, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and Giannis Antetokounmpo each pledged $100,000 to help arena workers who were suddenly out of work during the sports world shutdown. NBA players testing positive for the coronavirus put a face to the disease for many young sports fans. By speaking publicly, they helped change the narrative about who gets the COVID-19 disease.

More than 100 athletes have donated memorabilia to the “Athletes For COVID-19 Relief” fund, which benefits the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s COVID-19 Response Fund. It was launched by the sports agency Octagon and has attracted athletes from 20 sports so far offering signed memorabilia. Stephen Curry, David Ortiz, Elena Delle Donne, Jimmie Johnson, Chris Paul and Simone Biles have contributed items that fans have a chance to win with a minimum donation of $25.

Social media has changed the way that celebrities connect with fans, and many athletes have massive platforms at their disposal. Take Nathan Adrian, a five-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming who counts nearly 500,000 followers between his Instagram and Twitter accounts. Adrian posted his donation of a Speedo racing suit to the athletes fund on Thursday. The donation had a two-fold effect. The racing suit quickly garnered bids worth $1,500 but also got the attention of fellow Olympians, who offered up donations of their own in the comments of Adrian’s Instagram post. Gold medalists Natalie Coughlin, Ryan Murphy and Maggie Stefens all pledged items.

“About 10% of the items are ones where athletes saw posts in other people’s Twitter and Instagram feeds and asked to partake,” says longtime Octagon executive David Schwab.

Schwab says the idea for the fund stemmed from watching athletes who gave money to local communities but who wanted to do something together as an additive program. In addition to mainstream U.S. sports, athletes from water polo, and running donated items for auction. Non-athletes have pitched in as well. ESPN fantasy guru Field Yates offers a 30-minute fantasy consultation to help you win your league while Shark Tank and Dallas Mavericks fans can win a signed dollar bill from Mark Cuban.

Forbes LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181357 World Leagues News

F1 teams aim for coronavirus ventilator plan 'in next few days'

Andrew Benson

Formula 1 teams are aiming to work out a plan to increase the supply of medical equipment to fight coronavirus within a few days.

F1 and the teams are working with the UK government and health authorities to produce more ventilators, which are needed in intensive care units.

F1 teams have engineering capabilities that could speed up the production of the units, which are in short supply.

The aerospace and automotive sectors are also engaged in the discussions.

Ventilators are devices used to help supply more air to patients with breathing difficulties, one of the effects of severe coronavirus symptoms.

F1 said it was hoped there would be "a tangible outcome in the next few days".

Chequered Flag podcast: What coronavirus means for the F1 season

A statement from F1 said: "A collective of UK-based Formula 1 teams, engine manufactures and their respective technology arms is evaluating support for the manufacture of respiratory devices in response to the UK government's call for assistance.

"The teams are working in collaboration with F1, the UK government and other organisations to establish the feasibility of the teams producing, or supporting, the production of medical devices to help in the treatment of coronavirus patients.

"All the teams have expert design, technology and production capabilities, and specialise in rapid prototyping and high-value manufacturing, which is hoped can be applied to the critical needs set out by government.

"Working with Innovate UK, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult team and University College London and UCL hospitals, the teams are evaluating a number of routes to support in conjunction with existing manufacturers and organisations from the aerospace and automotive sectors.

"It is hoped this work, which is being rapidly progressed, will produce a tangible outcome in the next few days."

A number of teams have applied-technologies divisions that could directly feed into the national production capacity of ventilators in the UK, particularly McLaren, Red Bull, Williams and Mercedes.

But all teams have advanced manufacturing capability that could potentially be used to make complex devices such as this, and as many will help as can.

The idea is to increase the supply of the existing design of ventilators rather than try to come up with a new approach.

The UK is estimated to need an extra 20,000 ventilators to deal with the crisis as it develops over the coming months.

It is hoped that an approach can be agreed within the next week that will help teams feed into capacity as quickly as possible, to boost the capability of health services to deal with increasing numbers of patients with breathing difficulties.

The Agnelli family, which controls Ferrari and Fiat, donated 10m euro to the Italian government to help deal with the coronavirus emergency at a national level, as well as buying 150 extra ventilators and providing a fleet of cars to distribute food and medicine.

BBC LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181358 World Leagues News matches are postponed,” said the club in a statement. “That clearly presents challenges for the running of the business, in particular cash- flow. It is important to make decisions now to ensure that when we emerge from this dreadful crisis we still have a sustainable rugby club trio Four top-flight clubs announce 25% pay cuts as rugby starts to feel pinch serve as the heart of our local community.”

Like Wasps, Worcester will not be cutting the wages of the lowest paid at the club. “We have offered as much support as we can to any member of Paul Rees and Robert Kitson staff who may suffer particular hardship as a result,” continued the Fri 20 Mar 2020 07.53 statement.

“We appreciate this is not an ideal situation for anyone but we hope that with the support of our loyal and dedicated staff in these challenging Premiership clubs are weighing up the financial implications of the league times we can manage our way through this period.” shutdown. The Gloucester chief executive, Luke Bradley, said Kingsholm and the Saracens, Wasps, Worcester and Gloucester on Friday became the first conference and events facilities there would be closed until 20 April. “We top-flight clubs to agree 25% pay cuts with their players and staff from have also implemented a 25% salary reduction across everyone at the next month owing to the suspension of the Premiership for at least club to see us through this incredibly challenging time,” he added. This is another month because of the coronavirus pandemic. a fast-moving situation but we would like to repeat that the next four [Premiership] rounds have been postponed only.” Seven of the other nine are expected to join them with leaders Exeter the exception in a response not just to a lack of matchday income and the The decision of the RFU to cancel the season below Premiership level use of grounds for functions but because Premiership Rugby is stopping means Newcastle will have to wait until the middle of next month to learn central funding as significant revenue streams come under threat. whether they will be promoted. They had an 18-point lead at the top of the Championship and a panel has been set up to determine the finishing It leaves the clubs, 11 of which recorded losses in the last financial year positions in all the leagues run by the union. with Exeter again the exception, needing to take immediate and drastic action with sport, because of the government’s social gathering policy, Guardian News LOADED: 03.21.2020 not likely to resume before a paying crowd until the middle of June at the earliest. They, and the Championship leaders Newcastle, each enjoyed a windfall of £12.5m last year when the private equity firm CVC took a 27% stake in the Premiership, but most used the money to pay off overdrafts, reimburse benefactors and for ground improvements.

There is not much left and with CVC now taking 27% of the league’s profits, Premiership Rugby is stopping central funding, which makes up between 25-33% of a club’s turnover, more for those who do not own their grounds.

“We have also made difficult decisions to ensure we can collectively emerge stronger,” said its chief executive, Darren Childs. Even if the season resumes in the summer, the play-offs are unlikely to take place and broadcasters BT are worried about customers suspending subscriptions because there is no live action. With this campaign’s European under threat, there would be no income from that tournament. The shortfall would mean that what it had paid the clubs so far would probably be the limit of its income.

The four clubs revealed their pay cuts on the day when the Rugby Football Union said it was ending the season at all levels below the top flight, with the Welsh following a few hours later. In a statement, it said it was in active discussion with the Premiership but that came as news to the clubs who were not warned about the announcement in advance.

A reason the Premiership did not suspend the tournament beyond 24 April was a concern raised at a meeting last week that BT would lose subscriptions if viewers felt they would not see any action until next season and may look to seek a rebate, but the worry now is that there will be no resumption until next season, putting some clubs in a parlous financial position.

Not least Wasps who, while generating the greatest turnover in the Premiership,are heavily reliant on income from the Ricoh Arena, which had dropped significantly because of the restrictions on socialising. The club is due to repay a £35m bond in 2022 but lost nearly £10m in 2017- 18 and that would have increased to £12m last year but for the CVC payout.

“As a club and a business, we are having to make difficult decisions to navigate uncharted waters,” said the Wasps chief executive, Stephen Vaughan. “Businesses throughout the world are being impacted and we are no different. We need to take significant action to reduce costs immediately and the impact of these decisions will be felt across the whole business. I could not be more proud of the response of the players or their understanding and determination to help the club in such testing times. These are extraordinary times which call for extraordinary and robust measures.”

Worcester are another club that has been grappling with significant losses. “Among the measures we have put in place is a temporary lockdown of Sixways during the five-week period that Premiership 1181359 World Leagues News The London Marathon, which had been scheduled to take place on April 26, has been postponed until October 4. Over 40,000 runners were due to take part.

BT Sport slammed for making it difficult to cancel subscriptions The Barcelona marathon scheduled for March 15 has been postponed until October.

BOXING Max Winters Olympic boxing qualifiers to be staged in Wuhan were cancelled by the International Olympic Committee, but went ahead in Amman from March 3-11. 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES The IBF title fight between Daniele Scardina and Andrew Francillette in The Olympic torch relay in Greece was cancelled on Friday March 13 - Milan on February 28 was postponed by Matchroom due to restrictions in just a day after the flame was lit in Olympia. Italy following the outbreak. Large crowds mobbed Hollywood actor Gerard Butler as he lit the The Japanese boxing commission cancelled all fight cards scheduled for cauldron in the Greek city of Sparta despite repeated warnings for March on government advice to suspend all pending sporting fixtures. spectators not to attend because of coronavirus. They will not be rescheduled. That forced the decision by the Greek Olympic Committee to halt the The British Boxing Board of Control announced on Tuesday March 17 torch relay on Greek soil on just the second day of its scheduled eight- that all boxing events under their jurisdiction for March will be postponed day journey. It is the only the third time that a relay to Athens for the due to the coronavirus. summer Games has not been completed. That decision has lead to the heavyweight clash between Daniel Dubois The Olympic flame will still be handed over to the Tokyo 2020 organising and Joe Joyce being postponed. That fight, which had been penciled in committee at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on Thursday March 19, for April 11, has been rescheduled for July 11 at the O2 Arena. but without fans present. The start of the Japanese relay, in Fukushima, will take place without fans, and local governments are cancelling their Matchroom Boxing has also postponed all events scheduled for March welcoming ceremonies. and April, including Josh Kelly's European title fight against Russia's David Avanesyan (scheduled for March 28). The scale of the outbreak in Japan saw senior International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound describe the disease as 'the new war' The European Olympic boxing qualification tournament in London has threatening Tokyo 2020 and he warned the Games may have to be been suspended. It was due to secure qualification for Tokyo 2020 for 77 cancelled if the virus was still around by May. male and female boxers, with 322 taking part.

The Japanese government later insisted Pound's comments were not the Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn has said Anthony Joshua's IOC's official stance but there remains doubts over whether the summer heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev, which is scheduled for showcase can still go ahead with health concerns. June 20, could be rearranged for July. All Matchroom promoted fights in March and April have been postponed. Athletes have been told to keep training and the plan remains to hold the Games in Japan as planned but training for around 80,000 volunteers Canelo Alvarez vs Billy Joe Saunders, earmarked for May in Las Vegas, has been delayed for at least until May - it was due to begin on February was postponed before even being announced, however the Mexican is 22. reportedly still planning to make the bout happen in June.

On Friday March 13 US president Donald Trump's suggestion to CRICKET postpone the Tokyo Olympics for a year because of the coronavirus was immediately shot down by Japan's Olympic minister. England's tour of Sri Lanka was postponed on March 13, with the England and Wales Cricket Board citing 'completely unprecedented 'The IOC and the organising committee are not considering cancellation times'. or a postponement - absolutely not at all,' Seiko Hashimoto, an Olympic bronze medalist, told a news conference in Tokyo. The decision was confirmed while Joe Root's side were in the field at Colombo's P Sara Oval, contesting a warm-up game for a two-Test On Tuesday March 17, Kozo Tashima, one of the Japanese Olympic series. Committee's vice presidents and president of the Japanese Football Association, tested positive for coronavirus. On March 18, the West Indies offered to host England's upcoming home Tests against them in the Caribbean instead of in the UK - should the The International Olympic Committee and Tokyo organisers have stayed coronavirus outbreak not have improved by then. England are due to on message since the viral outbreak in China three months ago spread face the Windies in a a three-Test series, which is due to start at the Oval across Asia and then the globe: The games will open as scheduled on on June 4 but could be delayed until September. If playing the series in July 24. England proves unworkable, CWI have offered to step in for this series, and also for England's three Tests against Pakistan, due to start on July Tokyo 2020 organisers received the Olympic flame in a scaled-down 30. Although there are Covid-19 cases in the Caribbean, its impact there handover ceremony in the Greek capital on March 19. has been limited so far. World Athletics chief Lord Coe claimed it is too early to cancel this The start of the season has also been delayed summer's Tokyo Olympics but has warned it could be done if necessary until April 15. The 2020 campaign had been set to start on March 29. The on March 19. IPL franchises are also ready to quarantine their foreign players for a ATHLETICS period of 14 days, if travel restrictions are lifted to allow them to arrive.

The World Athletics Indoor Championships, which was due to be held On March 13, India's ongoing one-day international series against South from March 13-15 in Nanjing, is postponed until March 2021. Africa was postponed, while Australia's one-day internationals against New Zealand will be played behind closed doors. North Korea cancelled the Pyongyang Marathon scheduled for April after imposing a border lockdown due to the level of outbreak in , Scotland's one-day series against the United States and UAE have been where the Seoul Marathon is cancelled in a bid to protect runners. postponed. The games were scheduled to be played in Florida in April.

The Paris half-marathon is cancelled and the French government also England’s cricketers would not play any rescheduled Test series against decided to ban all public gatherings of more than 100 people, before West Indies in the Caribbean until December at the earliest, it emerged ordering people to stay at home from March 15 for at least 15 days. The on March 19. race involving some 44,000 competitors was scheduled for Sunday CYCLING March 1. Organisers said the race will be postponed to a date yet to be determined. Cycling's Giro d'Italia has been called off, with the race scheduled to start in Hungary in May. The final two stages of the UAE Tour were cancelled after two members On March 13, the FA announced that all of England's games scheduled of staff on the race were suspected of having the disease. for the month would be postponed, including those of development teams. It means that England's friendlies with Italy and Denmark have The Tour de France is under threat of cancellation, with the scheduled been called off. start in Nice taking place in just over three months, on June 27. With British and French governments anticipating that the pandemic will last Euro 2020 play-off matches due to be held on March 26, including until the summer, race organizers are studying alternative scheduling. Scotland v Israel have been put off until June.

The Paris-Roubaix cycling race, another major event on the French Manchester United clash at Austrian side Lask was behind closed doors, sports calendar, was postponed due to the pandemic, while the April 5 with United handing out £350 to each fan to help with travel and Tour of Flanders, only previously cancelled during World War I, was also accommodation after they sold 900 tickets for the Europa League game. postponed in a further sign that Le Tour is under grave threat. Newcastle United banned their players from shaking hands with each FOOTBALL other amid coronavirus fears.

This summer's Euro 2020 tournament has been moved to next summer Cristiano Ronaldo went into isolation in Madeira after it emerged that his (2021) following a UEFA conference held on March 17. The Juventus team-mate, Daniele Rugani, has coronavirus. Blaise Matuidi of postponement provides a chance for European club competitions to be Juventus also tested positive for coronavirus. completed. Elsewhere in Italy, Fiorentina striker Patrick Cutrone, who is on loan from All football in England is suspended until at least April 30 - but the 2019- Wolverhampton Wanderers, tested positive for coronavirus. 20 season should eventually be completed after the FA bend their own rules to extend the campaign INDEFINITELY after holding crisis talks on In Spain, 35% of Valencia's squad staff tested positive for coronavirus, March 19. with all cases being asymptomatic.

The decisions to suspend follows players and staff becoming affected by Real Madrid's first-team squad were in quarantine after a member of the the virus, or individuals self-isolating as a precaution after reporting basketball team tested positive for Covid-19. The two teams share the symptoms consistent with Covid-19. same training facility.

The Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal, Liverpool have announced a charity match between a Reds Legends scheduled for March 11, had already been postponed as a 'precautionary side and Barcelona Legends, due to be played at Anfield on March 28, measure' after Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos has been postponed. Marinakis tested positive for coronavirus weeks after watching his Greek FIFA says it will postpone South American World Cup qualifying matches team play at the Emirates Stadium. due to take place in March.

On March 13, UEFA announced all Champions League and Europa Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for coronavirus on March League fixtures scheduled are postponed, as well as the quarter-final 12 with the entire first-team squad being put into isolation. The Gunners' draws for both competitions. UEFA hope to conclude the competitions in game against Brighton, scheduled for Saturday March 14, has been the summer but no dates are yet set. postponed.

All Chinese domestic fixtures at all levels were postponed and the In the early hours of Friday, March 13, Chelsea announced that winger season pushed back, the first football to be affected by the outbreak in Callum Hudson-Odoi had been diagnosed with the illness. the country of its origin. However, reports suggest that the league could resume on April 18 as China gets to grip with the virus. The club's first team went into self-isolation, while two buildings at their training ground in Cobham were closed. Asian Champions League matches involving Guangzhou Evergrande, Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai SIPG are postponed until April. Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Manchester City, have sent players home to train alone following the British The start of the Korean K-League season is postponed. The four teams government's increasing crackdown on mass gatherings and in the AFC Champions League are playing their matches behind closed unnecessary social contact. doors. West Ham chief Karren Brady called for the season to be null and void Japan's J-League postponed all domestic games until the middle of while Aston Villa believe no team should be relegated. In this situation March, but further delays are inevitable. Liverpool, the runaway league leaders, could face the horror of being Italy, the country worst hit by the virus outside China, suffered a spate of denied the title despite being on the brink of securing their first league cancellations before the government put the population on lockdown. All trophy in nearly 30 years. sport, including Serie A games, were suspended until at least April 3 to Reports suggest football bodies across England and the rest of Europe contain the virus. are bracing themselves for a reported total shutdown of every league In France, it was announced on Friday 13 March that there will be no top- until September. flight football in France for the immediate future after their governing Top-level English and Scottish football was initially suspended until April body postponed all matches. 3 at the earliest. The Football Association, the Premier League, the In Spain, April 18's Copa del Rey final between between Athletic Bilbao English Football League, FA Women's Super League and FA Women's and Real Sociedad has been postponed. LaLiga is also postponed until Championship all agreed to call a halt to competitive action with the end of March at least. immediate effect.

Germany's Bundesliga, the other major European league, is also suspended until April 3 at least. The season-opening Australian Grand Prix was called off after a The Dutch Eredivisie and Portugal's Primeira Liga are also suspended. McLaren team member came down with Covid-19, leading to the British team pulling out prior to a decision being made on whether the race The Football Association of Ireland announced that all football under its would still go ahead. jurisdiction will cease until March 29. The announcement came hours after Lewis Hamilton said it was has been suspended for 30 days until mid-April 'shocking' that the race was going ahead. with David Beckham's first Inter Miami home game delayed. The Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on April 19 was the first race to be The South Confederation postponed this year's Copa postponed, with no decision over whether it will be reinserted into the America, due to take place from 12 June to 12 July, until 2021. 2020 calendar for later in the season.

FIFA said that the newly-expanded Club World Cup, originally scheduled The Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for March 20-22, is also called off, as to take place in China in June 2021, will be postponed and a new date is the inaugural Vietnam Grand Prix, which was scheduled to take place announced when 'there is more clarity on the situation'. in Hanoi on April 5. It is hoped that the Dutch Grand Prix on May 3 will be the first race of the The French Open, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, is new season but there are increasing fears that a large chunk of the postponed until September amid a wide lockdown in France. Formula One calendar will be missed due to Covid-19. The clay-court major was scheduled for May 24 to June 7, but that has The iconic Monaco Grand Prix on May 24 still looks under threat. shifted to September 20 to October 4, after the US Open, which was due to be the final major of the year. GOLF Players have been quick to criticise the move, which has created a On March 13, the Masters was postponed. In a statement released conflict with the Laver Cup men’s team event spearheaded by Roger online, Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, Federer, and a women’s tournament in China. emphasised that the decision makers hope to hold the championship 'at some later date'. The first men's major of the year was due to begin on All events on the ATP Tour have been suspended for six weeks. April 9. The BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in California, set to start on The US PGA Championship, the second major of the year, has now March 9, was postponed at the eleventh hour. It came after a confirmed joined the Masters in being postponed. It had been due to take place at case of the coronavirus in the nearby Coachella Valley. TPC Harding Park in San Francisco from May 11-17, but has been rescheduled for later this summer. The final of an ATP Challenger event in Bergamo, Italy, between Enzo Couacaud and Illya Marchenko of Ukraine was cancelled. Both players After deciding to play with no spectators from the second round of the received ranking points and prize money for getting to the final. They Players Championship onwards, the PGA Tour cancelled the event were denied the opportunity to play behind closed doors. entirely after the first round on March 12. China forfeited a Davis Cup tie because the men's team were unable to They also scrapped the following three events leading up to the Masters, travel to Romania for the March 6-7 play-off. but after that was cancelled four further events in April and May – the RBC Heritage, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the Wells Fargo WTA events have also been cancelled. The WTA announced they are Championship and the AT&T Byron Nelson - also bit the dust. It is hoped assessing their schedule with a number of events set for China in the that the season can be resumed in late May. second half of the season.

The European Tour have cancelled all tournaments until the popular The International Tennis Federation has announced that the Fed Cup Made in Denmark event on May 21. Many of them were due to be held in finals have been postponed. The event was due to be held in Budapest China or east Asia in countries badly hit by the outbreak. in April and the competition's play-offs, which were set to take place in eight different locations, have also been placed on hold. The women's game has also been hit by postponements and cancellations, with the year's first major, the ANA Inspiration, the highest The WTA also announced no tournaments will be staged for at least five profile casualty. weeks.

Lorenzo Gagli and Edoardo Molinari were withdrawn from the Oman OTHER SPORTS Open on medical grounds after Gagli showed symptoms of the virus. He The NBA has been suspended indefinitely after two Utah Jazz players shared a hotel room with Molinari and he was told to self-isolate. They contracted the virus. On March 17 Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant were later reinstated to the tournament after testing negative for the confirmed he had tested positive for the virus alongside three unnamed virus. team-mates.

HORSE RACING In an aid to decrease risks of exposure to the virus, the NBA had told The Grand National was called off following new British government players to avoid taking items such as pens, markers, balls and jerseys restrictions to fight the spread of coronavirus made it impossible to stage from autograph seekers. the Aintree showpiece on April 4. The Cheltenham Festival went ahead The NHL has announced it has paused the 2019-20 season with no date amid some criticism before the social distancing measures were confirmed for when it will resume. tightened. The UFC has cancelled its next three events, although president Dana The Japan Racing Association revealed that 'government-sanctioned White is still pushing ahead for the highly-anticipated lightweight title fight races' will go ahead behind closed doors. between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.

Racing in Ireland is to take place behind closed doors starting until March MotoGP have cancelled their first two races of the season in Qatar and 29. Thailand.

The Dubai World Cup meeting will go ahead on March 28 'without paid South Korea's baseball league cancelled all 50 pre-season game which hospitality spectators'. were slated to take place from March 14-24. It is the first time since the RUGBY leagues inception in 1982 that an entire set of exhibition matches are off.

This year's Six Nations will have to wait for its conclusion with all The first-stage draw for the Table Tennis World Championships, remaining games postponed. scheduled for South Korea from March 22-29, is postponed.

England's game with Italy and Ireland's trip to France had already been A beach tournament, due to be held in Yangzhou from April 22- called off with Wales and Scotland leaving it until the day before before 26, is postponed until after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. calling off their game. World Short track speed skating championship in Seoul is cancelled.

Saturday, 31 October is a possible date for the final weekend of matches. The event in Abu Dhabi was postponed as a The Women's Six Nations has also been hit by postponements. precautionary measure.

The RFU has suspended all levels of rugby in England until April 14, with The Women's World Ice Hockey Championships in Canada have been the announcement coming shortly after the Premiership was halted for cancelled. five weeks. In badminton, the German Open (March 3-8), Vietnam Open (March 24- The quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup 29) and Polish Open (March 26-29), all Olympic qualifying events, are have also been postponed. Those games were scheduled for April 3, 4 cancelled due to 'strict health protection'. and 5. The Japanese professional baseball league made the decision to play The RFL and rugby league's Super League have now followed suit and their 72 pre-season games behind closed doors until March 15. Baseball postponed all fixtures for at least three weeks. Eight Leeds Rhinos is among the most popular sports in Japan. players had been confirmed to be self-isolating. Doubts remain as the Asian weightlifting championships, scheduled for TENNIS March, are relocated from Kazakhstan to neighbouring Uzbekistan. They could still be postponed. Daily Mail LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181360 World Leagues News

'This hurts': What does a sports reporter do when coronavirus takes games away?

Dominique Yates

1:53 a.m. ET March 21, 2020

This was not how March was supposed to be.

Brackets were filled. Analysis and predictions were made. Basketball fans and media members were going to be sleep-deprived. While Thursday was planned to be filled with the first- and second-round games of the NCAA Tournament, instead The Courier Journal sports reporters sat in an empty office and wondered what could've been.

The questions have been repeated so many times, from wondering if the Louisville and Kentucky basketball teams would get a good draw in the NCAA Tournament for a potential postseason run, to wanting to know if U of L baseball had the pieces to win a long awaited national championship. Even on the high school level, could the city of Louisville have a boys and girls Sweet 16 state champion?

Those are questions that will never have answers.

As we wait for the health and safety to improve for everyone during this coronoavirus pandemic, our reporters are using this time to tell different sports stories, assist our news reporters in their fantastic coverage, and outside of work, a few of us are growing facial hair.

Read this: Vince Tyra on coronavirus America: 'We’re trying to conduct business in a new way'

There are no games to cover, but the work doesn't end. The Courier Journal sports staff encourages our readers to contact us if they know of good stories to tell.

We strive to make sure voices are heard and that will never change.

Louisville Courier Journal LOADED: 03.21.2020 1181361 World Leagues News – UEFA announced all Champions League and Europa League fixtures scheduled for the week commencing March 16 were postponed, as well as the quarter-final draws for both competitions.

Sport-by-sport look at the impact of the coronavirus outbreak – FIFA relaxed rules on clubs having to release players for forthcoming international fixtures and also recommended that “all international matches previously scheduled to take place in March and April should now be postponed until such time that they can take place in a safe and Press Association secure environment”. 20/03/2020, 11:06 am – Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson- Odoi tested positive for coronavirus.

The coronavirus outbreak has decimated the sporting schedule and – Everton’s entire first-team squad and coaching staff undertook a period affected some of 2020’s biggest events. of self-isolation after a first-team player reported symptoms consistent with coronavirus while three Leicester players showed symptoms and A range of sports have had to take action to prevent the spread of the were kept away from the rest of the squad. virus, with Euro 2020 put on hold for 12 months and domestic football in England and Scotland suspended until at least the end of April. – Bournemouth announced five of their employees, including goalkeeper Artur Boruc, were self-isolating having displayed symptoms consistent Formula One has seen the Monaco Grand Prix cancelled, golf has with the virus. postponed two of its major championships and the Guinness Six Nations, London Marathon, Boat Race and World Snooker Championship have all Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is feeling better after contracting been affected. coronavirus

With the Olympics also on the horizon this summer, the PA news agency Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is feeling better after contracting takes a sport-by-sport look at the impact of the coronavirus. coronavirus (John Walton/PA)

Football – The Vanarama National League suspended all fixtures until at least April 3 on March 16. UEFA today announced the postponement of UEFA EURO 2020. – Juventus duo Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi tested positive, as did A working group has been set up with the participation of leagues and Fiorentina striker Patrick Cutrone, on loan from Wolves, and team-mate club representatives to examine calendar solutions that would allow for German Pezzella and club physio Stefano Danielli. the completion of the current season… – Ezequiel Garay became the first LaLiga player to announce that he had Full statement: tested positive for coronavirus, with Valencia later confirming five positive tests among players and staff. — UEFA (@UEFA) March 17, 2020 – Real Madrid players were told to go into quarantine after a member of – UEFA postponed Euro 2020 until the summer of 2021, with new dates the club’s basketball team tested positive. LaLiga suspended “at least the of June 11 to July 11 next year proposed. The official announcement next two rounds of matches” as a result of the quarantine in place at from European football’s governing body also confirmed that the Euro Real. 2020 play-offs, due to be played later this month, will now take place in the June 2020 international break. – Barcelona suspended all first-team activity after taking advice from their medical staff. – The 2021 Nations League finals, UEFA Under-21 European Championship and the Women’s Euro 2021 were also postponed. — FC Barcelona (from ) (@FCBarcelona) March 13, 2020

– The 2020 Copa America is to move to 2021 to give South American – All domestic sporting action in Italy – including Serie A matches – was players based in Europe the opportunity to finish their league campaigns. suspended until April 3.

The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together – Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, the top two divisions in France, were suspended with the PFA and LMA are committed to finding ways of resuming the until further notice. 2019/20 football season as soon as it is safe and possible to do so – The German Football League suspended games in the Bundesliga and Full statement: https://t.co/kr0sJk8JHp pic.twitter.com/K1OBzBbKfc 2. Bundesliga until at least April 3, with a review to be undertaken on March 30. — Premier League (@premierleague) March 19, 2020 – Major League Soccer announced the suspension of matches with no – The Premier League, EFL and Football Association announced that set date for the competition to restart. professional football in England would not resume until April 30 at the earliest, but the season would be extended indefinitely. – The South American (CONMEBOL) World Cup qualifiers scheduled for March 23-31 were postponed to a later date. – All Scottish football was suspended with immediate effect, with the Scottish Football Association confirming it will not resume until April 30 at – The Northern Premier League announced all fixtures were suspended the earliest. until further notice.

– The Football Association of Wales suspended all domestic football until La #Libertadores, suspendida al menos hasta el 5 de mayo. April 30 and indefinitely extended the season for all national leagues, national cup competitions and the FAW Futsal League. Más información: https://t.co/yphd2acS0t pic.twitter.com/Rqrada5h5x

– The Irish Football Association suspended the current season in — CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) March 19, 2020 Northern Ireland until at least April 4. The Football Association of Ireland announced all football activity under its jurisdiction was suspended until – The Scottish Professional Football League postponed all games March 29. ‘pending any Government order and/or further direction from the Scottish FA’. – England’s two friendlies later this month at Wembley against Italy and Denmark were cancelled, and were followed by the friendlies with Austria – The Football Association announced it was “advising that all grassroots and Romania in June. Wales’ international matches with Austria and the football in England is postponed for the foreseeable future”. United States at the end of March were also called off. – The Professional Footballers’ Association announced it had postponed – The Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship were this year’s awards ceremony, which had been due to take place on April also postponed by the FA. 26. – The final Hillsborough memorial service, which was due to take place at Anfield on April 15, was postponed. – CONMEBOL confirmed that the Copa Libertadores and Copa – The World Rugby U20 Championship due to take place in Italy over the Sudamericana would be suspended until at least May 5. summer was cancelled.

– Major League Soccer announced an extension to its postponement of – The Welsh Rugby Union cancelled all league and cup competitions for matches, confirming a target date of May 10 for a return to action. the 2019-20 season. The decision applied to all competitions currently underway, as well as matches between Welsh and Scottish clubs due to – Rotherham boss Paul Warne confirmed two of his players – Freddie take place in April. Ladapo and Lewis Price – are self-isolating after contracting symptoms. – The Irish Rugby Football Union, Connacht, Leinster, Munster and – The Turkish Football Federation announced it was suspending all Ulster agreed a payment deferral model on an equitable sliding scale for football activities until further notice. all employees in agreement and partnership with Rugby Players Ireland.

Olympics and Paralympics – The Scottish Rugby Union scrapped the remainder of the 2019-20 IOC Statement on the Greek leg of the Olympic Torch Relay domestic season. Murrayfield chiefs have now decided it is “not a https://t.co/EJedJwLabW reasonable prospect in a safe and practical time frame” to resume the current campaign. — IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) March 13, 2020 Motorsport – The International Olympic Committee remains fully committed to staging the Tokyo 2020 Games as scheduled this summer, despite 2020 season now expected to start at end of May Japan’s Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto suggesting it could be MORE INFO https://t.co/njF4oelwoq postponed until later in the year. — Formula 1 (@F1) March 13, 2020 – The British Olympic Association said it will not “endanger the health” of athletes by encouraging them to prepare for Tokyo 2020 if it is not safe to – The season-opening Australian Grand Prix was called off, with the do so. races in Bahrain, Vietnam and China postponed.

– The Greek leg of the Olympic Torch Relay was cancelled the day after – McLaren had already withdrawn from the Australian race earlier on the first flame-lighting ceremony since 1984 to take place without Thursday after a member of staff tested positive for the illness. It is spectators. understood the team member reported symptoms associated with the virus in the Albert Park paddock on Wednesday morning. – The Olympic boxing qualifier in London was cancelled having initially moved the tournament behind closed doors. – temporarily suspended its season.

– The Artistic Gymnastics All-Around World Cup event scheduled to take – Nascar postponed its race events in Atlanta (March 15) and Miami place in Tokyo next month has been cancelled. The competition had (March 22). All races were postponed until May 3. been due to serve as an Olympic test event. – Formula One’s governing body approved a revised shutdown period – Rugby Union which had been reserved for August – to enable the possibility for racing throughout the summer. Team factories will be ordered to close for three Statement: Wales v Scotland Match Postponedhttps://t.co/nhUkvOuTRm consecutive weeks at an elected time between now and the end of April. — Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 13, 2020 – The Le Mans 24 hour race in June was postponed, with a provisional – The Six Nations game between Wales and Scotland in Cardiff was new date of September. postponed, joining the matches between France and Ireland and Italy – The FIA announced that the Dutch, Spanish and Monaco Grands Prix against England. had been postponed. The 2020 Monaco Grand Prix was later cancelled. – The RFU ended the season for all league, cup and county rugby in – Formula One replaced races postponed or cancelled due to England, with the Gallagher Premiership – which was in a five-week coronavirus with an Esports Virtual Grand Prix series that will see current suspension – the only exception. drivers battle it out online. – The Guinness PRO14 was suspended indefinitely. Motorcycling – The Premiership Rugby Cup final between Sale and Harlequins was – The opening four races of the MotoGP season in Qatar, Thailand, the originally given the go-ahead, only to be postponed two days prior United States and Argentina were called off. The Qatar race was following an individual on staff developing symptoms consistent with cancelled, while the other three have been moved to later in the season, coronavirus. which is now due to get under way in Spain on May 3. – The Super Rugby season was suspended after the decision of the New Golf Zealand government to quarantine people entering the country for 14 days. Statement from Chairman Ridley:

– Rugby Australia closed its Sydney headquarters for an “intensive "Considering the latest information and expert analysis, we have decided clean” after two members of its Australian Sevens program showed signs at this time to postpone @TheMasters, @anwagolf and @DriveChipPutt and symptoms associated with coronavirus. National Finals."

– South Africa Rugby suspended all competitive matches until April 25 at Full details at https://t.co/FX2AN1MLsY pic.twitter.com/Z2DjS5TYdG the earliest and called off all national team training camps and business travel. — The Masters (@TheMasters) March 13, 2020

– The Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarter-finals were – The Masters at Augusta, traditionally regarded as the sport’s blue postponed. riband event, became the first golf major to be postponed. The US PGA was postponed to a date later in the summer. – The Melrose Sevens, scheduled for April 9-12, was postponed, while the Rugby Players’ Association awards were put back from May until – The Players Championship was cancelled along with all PGA Tour September. events for the next three weeks. The PGA also cancelled four other events in April and May – the RBC Heritage, the Zurich Classic of New – Wasps were the first club to impose reductions of 25 per cent to player Orleans, the Wells Fargo Championship and the AT&T Byron Nelson. wages to offset the slump in revenue caused by the suspension of the Gallagher Premiership, with many more following suit. – Six European Tour tournaments were postponed. The Kenya Open has been joined by April’s Hero , Maybank Championship and – The men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments in London . The Andalucia Masters, from April 30-May 3, was also and Paris, the women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament postponed along with August’s Czech Masters. in Langford and the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series event were all postponed. – The Ladies European Tour’s Aramco Saudi Ladies International was – The Pakistan Super League announced on March 17 – the day the postponed with a view to it being rescheduled later in the year. semi-finals were due to take place – that the competition had been postponed. – Africa’s Sunshine Tour suspended all activities and will review the situation on April 20 “or as the situation demands”. An update on my situation, stay safe everyone pic.twitter.com/8mDPOBGmI8 – The entire PGA EuroPro Tour schedule, due to run from May to October and covering 15 events in total, has been cancelled. — Alex Hales (@AlexHales1) March 17, 2020

– The USGA cancelled first stage qualifying for the US Open and US – England opener Alex Hales revealed he is in self-isolation after Women’s Open. developing coronavirus symptoms.

– The European Tour cancelled the GolfSixes Cascais event, with the – The England and Wales Cricket Board recommended all forms of Made in Denmark tournament postponed. European Tour chief executive recreational cricket be suspended. Keith Pelley said: “We will continue to monitor this global situation in relation to Coronavirus and evaluate its impact on all our tournaments, Basketball with public health and well-being our absolute priority.” pic.twitter.com/x2DBDluqZg

Statement: An update on the current situation with the COVID-19 virus — Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) March 12, 2020 https://t.co/z1rxiMr70D pic.twitter.com/HQoWTJp4XV – The NBA season was suspended “until further notice” after Utah Jazz — The Open (@TheOpen) March 19, 2020 player Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus.

– The R&A says it is undertaking a “comprehensive evaluation” of its – The Brooklyn Nets placed their entire extended staff under self- plans to stage The Open Championship and AIG Women’s . isolation after four players, including Kevin Durant, were diagnosed with Covid-19. – The in Hawaii (April 15-18), the HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open in Los Angeles (April 23-26) and the LPGA – Basketball England cancelled the remainder of its 2019/2020 season MEDIHEAL Championship in California (April 30-May 3) on the LPGA on March 17. Tour were postponed. Cycling – The first ladies major championship of the season – the ANA Inspiration – was moved from April 2-5 to September 10-13. – The Giro d’Italia, cycling’s first Grand Tour of the season which was due to start on May 9 in Budapest, was postponed. The Strade Bianchi, Cricket Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo and the Giro di Sicilia races in Italy have been called off. – England’s Test series against Sri Lanka was postponed with the touring players returning home. – Fears of two cases of coronavirus at the UAE Tour saw the race cancelled with two stages left. – The England and Wales Cricket Board announced there would be no professional domestic cricket until May 28. – Team INEOS were among a host of teams who withdrew from all racing until the Volta a Catalunya on March 23. – The start of the Indian Premier League was postponed from March 29 to April 15 as a precautionary measure. – Cycling’s Women’s Tour, the UK’s WorldTour stage race, was postponed almost three months before it was scheduled to begin in – The annual Champion County match, regarded as the curtain-raiser to Oxfordshire on June 8. the domestic season, due to be played between the MCC and Essex between March 24-27 at Galle was called off, as was the MCC World – The UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) announced the suspension of Cricket Committee meeting in Colombo scheduled for March 28 and 29. its calendar until at least April 3.

– Surrey, Lancashire, Worcestershire, Hampshire, Essex, Glamorgan, – The Tour De Romandie – scheduled to take place from April 27 to May Gloucestershire, Kent, Yorkshire, Somerset, Sussex, Derbyshire, 3 – was cancelled outright. Durham and Warwickshire cancelled or decided to return early from pre- season trips. – Three more major events – the Paris-Roubaix, the Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege – were postponed on March 17. – The final two one-day internationals between India and South Africa will be rescheduled following an agreement between the countries’ governing As part of the fight against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID19), bodies, while the remaining two ODIs between Australia and New Welcome to Yorkshire and Amaury Sport Organisation, co-organizers of Zealand were called off. @letouryorkshire, have decided to postpone the upcoming sixth edition of the annual cycle race. – Australia Women’s limited-overs tour of South Africa, consisting of three ODIs and as many T20s and due to start on March 22, will not take Full statement https://t.co/F2cLFBx2Qd#TDY place. pic.twitter.com/JHMOyslHHh

“Our absolute priority right now is to safeguard the health and well-being — Tour de Yorkshire (@letouryorkshire) March 17, 2020 of our staff, our players, our wider cricket family – and everyone else connected to the game in New Zealand.” – NZC CEO David – The Tour de Yorkshire, set to be staged on April 30-May 3, was also White#cricketnation #PlunketShieldhttps://t.co/J7E6vsjLpI postponed.

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 16, 2020 – British Cycling suspended all sanctioned activities until at least April 30.

– New Zealand Cricket cancelled the last two rounds of its domestic first- Tennis class competition after taking advice from medical experts. Wellington Joint Announcement: ATP & @WTA extend suspension of tours. Firebirds, who finished the truncated season 26 points ahead of Central Stags, were awarded the 2019-20 Plunket Shield. Due to the continuing outbreak of COVID-19, all ATP and WTA tournaments in the Spring clay-court swing will not be held as scheduled. – Pakistan announced the third leg of Bangladesh’s visit, comprising of one Test and a one-day international, next month will be put back to a — ATP Tour (@atptour) March 18, 2020 later date. – The high-profile BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, where the likes of – Cricket South Africa cancelled all forms of cricket for the next 60 days. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were due to compete, was called off.

– Ireland’s limited-overs tour of Zimbabwe next month was postponed. – The Miami Open tennis tournament, due to start on March 23, was cancelled after a ban on mass gatherings in Miami-Dade County. – Surrey sent six players home from training to self-isolate. Not all six reported symptoms but had been in close proximity to others who had. – The Volvo Car Open in Charleston (April 4-12) was also called off. Next month’s Fed Cup finals in Budapest and Fed Cup play-offs, due to be held in eight different locations, were postponed, while China’s Xi’an – Canadian club Toronto Wolfpack stood down their entire UK-based Open (April 13-19) and Kunming Open (April 27-May 3) were cancelled. playing staff after four players presented with “mild possible” coronavirus symptoms and were put into self-isolation. – The French Open moved from its scheduled spring slot to September. – Dewsbury Rams announced their Betfred Championship match against – The ATP and WTA announced the tennis season was suspended until Toulouse was postponed. June 7. – All rugby league fixtures, from the Betfred Super League to “the Racing community game”, were suspended until at least April 3.

– Racing in Ireland was closed to the public until March 29. – England coach Shaun Wane’s first get-together with his new squad, set – The British Horseracing Authority initially confirmed all meetings would for Old Trafford on March 23, was postponed. be staged behind closed doors, but then announced that all racing in – The Oceania Cup matches scheduled for June 20 between the Kiwis Britain would be suspended until the end of April. Racing in France was and the Tonga Invitational XIII, as well as Samoa’s clash with the Cook suspended until April 15. Islands, were postponed.

– The Grand National, due to take place on April 4, was cancelled. Boxing

Athletics – Top Rank announced the postponement of its shows at Madison New dates agreed for World Indoor Championships in Nanjing. Square Garden on March 14 and 17. Belfast featherweight Michael Conlan’s bout against Colombian fighter Belmar Preciado at the — World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) March 12, 2020 Theater on St Patrick’s Day was therefore scrapped.

– The London Marathon was postponed. The 40th edition of the race, – All events scheduled for March in Japan were cancelled. due to take place on April 26, will be held on October 4. British Athletics will stage an Olympic trial at a closed location in April. – The British Boxing Board of Control announced on Tuesday that “all public tournaments” under its jurisdiction have been cancelled, and the – The Manchester Marathon, due to take place on April 5 with 26,000 position will be reviewed in early April. Matchroom Boxing postponed all runners, was postponed, with a new date to be set in due course. of its events in March and April.

– The Paris Marathon, which was due to take place on April 5, was Snooker postponed until October 18 and the Rome Marathon, scheduled for March 29, as well as the Boston Marathon, slated for April 20, were The 2020 @Betfred World Championship has been postponed due to the cancelled. coronavirus outbreak.

– The World Indoor Championships, which had been due to take place in We intend to host the final stages at the Crucible on rescheduled dates in Nanjing in China this month, were rearranged for March 2021. July or August.

Due to the ongoing challenges presented by the global spread of COVID- Full statement: https://t.co/UTIqxNGRfs pic.twitter.com/BKmLAaOEtX 19, the first three meetings of the Wanda #DiamondLeague will be — World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) March 20, 2020 suspended. – The Betfred World Snooker Championship was postponed, with the More https://t.co/wpq7yGDLly pic.twitter.com/EFQseM1eK4 World Snooker Tour saying in a statement it intends to host the tournament at the Crucible in July or August. — Wanda (@Diamond_League) March 17, 2020 – The £1million China Open, scheduled to start in Beijing at the end of – The first three Diamond League meetings of the season – scheduled March, was cancelled. The was played behind closed for April 17, in Qatar, and May 9 and 16, in China – have been doors, with some players forced to referee their own games. postponed, likely until after the Olympics. – The Coral Tour Championship in Llandudno was postponed as a – All athletics activity within the UK, including competitions and leagues, precaution against the spread of the virus. member clubs, running groups and races, was suspended until the end of April, the Home Country Athletics Federations announced on March 17 Swimming/Diving in cooperation with UK Athletics. In light of #COVID19 developments within the UK, British Swimming can – All parkrun events in the UK were suspended until the end of March. provide the following update on our upcoming events Triathlon https://t.co/SECz9hKa9f

– The International Triathlon Union moved the 2020 ITU Paratriathlon — British Swimming (@britishswimming) March 17, 2020 World Championships, planned for May 2, from Milan to Montreal. It later – British Swimming confirmed that the Diving World Series event announced that all activities would be suspended until April 30. scheduled for London later this month was postponed.

– The Leeds round of the World Triathlon Series, due to take place on – The British Swimming Championships and the British Para-Swimming June 6 and 7, was postponed. International Meet – both scheduled for April – were cancelled.

Rugby League – The European Aquatics Championships, due to be held from May 11- A member of the Leeds Rhinos squad has self-isolated after showing 24 in Budapest, were postponed, with proposed new dates of August 17- symptoms of possible coronavirus leading to the decision not to fly out 30. President of the governing body LEN Paolo Barelli said that the this morning for Saturday's @superleague game at Perpignan. Visit situation would be reviewed in late May or early June, and if things did not get back to normal in the coming months, LEN should consider here for more information https://t.co/FeF7ZBtSQX staging the championships in 2021. pic.twitter.com/94ZiBjL9aF Equestrian — Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) March 13, 2020 – British Eventing suspended all fixtures with immediate effect, just a – The Betfred Super League match between Catalans Dragons and fortnight after the scheduled eight-month season began. Leeds in Perpignan was postponed after one of the Rhinos’ players was put into self-isolation after showing symptoms of coronavirus. The club – The Land Rover Kentucky Horse Trials in the United States – due to be announced on March 17 that eight members of the club’s first-team held from April 23-26 – was cancelled for the first time in its 42-year squad and backroom staff had gone into self-isolation. history.

– The Coral Challenge Cup fixture between York City Knights and – The Royal Windsor Horse Show, which was due to run from May 13- Rochdale Hornets was switched to the Millennium Stadium in 17, was cancelled. The event, which is one of British equestrian sport’s Featherstone after York City cancelled the availability of Bootham Crescent. most prestigious shows, incorporates showjumping, dressage, endurance, showing and driving, in addition to an Edwardian pageant.

– The Badminton Horse trials – due to take place May 6-10 – was cancelled.

Ice skating

– The World Short Track Speed Skating Championships, scheduled for March 13-15, were called off. The World Figure Skating Championships in Quebec, planned for March 16-22, were also cancelled.

Judo

– The International Judo Federation cancelled all Olympic qualification events on the calendar until April 30.

Darts

The Premier League double-header @rotterdamahoy planned for March 25-26 has been postponed following restrictions put in place in the Netherlands.

We are working to secure new dates and further details will be confirmed once available.

Full story: https://t.co/Ty8ZoVHuDK pic.twitter.com/GYNCEJ0DwM

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 12, 2020

– The Professional Darts Corporation postponed the Premier League double-header in Rotterdam and night seven in Newcastle, rescheduling for September 9-10 and October 1 respectively.

– The European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen and the European Darts Open in Leverkusen, which were all scheduled for later this month, plus next month’s German Darts Grand Prix in Munich were postponed.

– The Players Championship double-headers, European Tour qualifiers and the PDC Unicorn events planned for April were all postponed, with the PDC saying that rescheduled dates for those events will be confirmed in due course.

Ice hockey

– The NHL was paused with 189 regular-season games remaining. The Stanley Cup play-offs were due to start the week of April 6. Britain’s Elite League cancelled the rest of its season.

– Great Britain’s ice hockey matches against Hungary in April cancelled.

Netball

– The Superleague announced that its competition would be postponed with immediate effect and the future of the 2020 season would be discussed at a board meeting on Tuesday.

American football

Update on the 2020 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/zeibQdPgWu

— NFL (@NFL) March 16, 2020

– Public events around the NFL Draft were cancelled, with the league saying it is working on a new format for the event which takes place in April.

– New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton confirmed he has tested positive – the first case reported associated with the NFL.

Rowing

– The Boat Race, scheduled to take place on March 29, was cancelled.

– GB Rowing closed down the National Training Centre at Caversham and transitioned their athletes to home-based training programmes.

Baseball

– Major League Baseball announced the start of the 2020 season would be delayed for eight weeks.

LOADED: 03.21.2020