SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 6/23/2021 Canadiens Continued 1189778 Steve Conroy’s 2020-21 Bruins report card 1189804 Canadiens at Golden Knights Game 5: Five things you 1189779 Why Bruins shouldn't pursue an Ekman-Larsson trade this should know offseason 1189805 , Nick Suzuki lead way as Canadiens move 1189780 Staying Or Going?: Boston Bruins Kuraly At A Crossroads one win away from Final: Playoffs plus/minus 1189806 LeBrun: Canadiens’ Corey Perry is ‘in the middle of everything’ — and making an impact in the playoffs 1189781 Rene Robert, Sabres 'French Connection' right winger, dies at 72 1189782 Do the Pegulas know how bad Sabres attendance will be? 1189807 makes NHL history with second straight The latest Satchel is full of Sabres angst GM award 1189808 Islanders vow to be ‘much different team’ in Game 6 1189809 , jersey-throwing fan save Islanders’ Game 5 1189783 Legendary post-season sniper Reggie Leach pulling for watch party 1189810 There is precedent for Islanders overcoming humiliating blowout 1189811 Mathew Barzal avoids suspension for crosscheck as 1189784 Hurricanes broadcaster Tripp Tracy re-signs on 2-year Islanders catch a break deal: Says team took ‘tangible steps’ forward after past 1189812 Islanders' Lou Lamoriello named NHL's top GM for second straight season 1189813 Islanders eager to take ice at for 1189785 ‘What we promise is what they get’: How the Blackhawks must-win Game 6 vs. Lightning became a leader in signing European players 1189814 Islanders' Mathew Barzal hit with $5G fine for cross-check on Jan Rutta in Game 5 loss 1189815 Islanders know what's at stake in Wednesday's Game 6 1189786 Thirsting for champagne, will Nikola Jokic or Nathan vs. Lightning MacKinnon bring next championship to Denver? 1189816 Islanders playoff ratings on NBC Sports up a bit this season 1189817 How the Islanders have fared when facing playoff 1189787 ‘A mind for art’: Meet Bri Robertson, the elimination under Shakespeare-loving rising jiu-jitsu star from a family of 1189818 Lou Lamoriello Wins Second Consecutive General NHL player Manager of the Year Award 1189819 Islanders Barry Trotz Isn’t Expecting League to Punish Mathew Barzal for Crosscheck to Rutta 1189788 How Adam Erne's 2nd chance in Detroit paid off for and Red Wings 1189789 In slim free-agent market, there are potential fits and 1189820 confronts win-now challenge as Rangers reunions for Red Wings coach 1189790 Former Red Wing Gerard Gallant confronts win-now 1189821 The one thing from Gerard Gallant’s Rangers intro that challenge as Rangers coach didn’t make sense 1189791 NHLPA poll: How players rated peers in various 1189822 Gerard Gallant makes his Rangers mission crystal clear categories 1189823 Gerard Gallant aims to make the Rangers the 'hardest 1189792 Red Wings draft: Could Mason McTavish be the pick at working team in the league' No. 6 and an answer at center? 1189824 Gerard Gallant outlines his plan to make the Rangers contenders — now he needs a roster that can execute it Oilers 1189793 Oil Kings Sebastian Cossa an option for Oilers in NHL Draft 1189825 ' coach Troy Mann agrees to a two-year 1189794 How the Oilers could make a Jack Eichel-level trade contract extension happen this offseason 1189826 Flyers, Penguins urge Congress to honor Willie O’Ree, 1189795 , architect of Panthers rebuild, misses out on NHL’s first Black player of the Year Award 1189827 Big summer ahead for Flyers GM and 1189796 Despite success with Florida Panthers, Bill Zito loses GM underachieving young players | On the Fly of the Year 1189828 As Selke Trophy winner is announced, Couturier has motivation in all directions Canadiens 1189797 Canadiens one win away from Stanley Cup Final after victory in Vegas 1189829 Penguins A to Z: Mark Friedman can provide some spark 1189798 In the Habs' Room: Caufield 'has got a ton of swagger' 1189830 Thoughts on Marc-Andre Fleury’s status for Game 5, rest 1189799 Canadiens' finishes second in GM award of NHL semifinals and any possible return to Pittsburg voting 1189800 Stu Cowan: Canadiens-Knights series is special for Montrealer in Vegas 1189831 Sharks re-sign veteran forward Nieto to two-year contract 1189801 Canadiens' Cole Caufield shows he has more arrows in 1189832 Is Kevin Labanc a First-Line Forward? his quiver 1189802 Canadiens Game Day: Yes, the Habs are only one win away from Cup final 1189833 Kraken’s toughest decisions: What options will Seattle 1189803 What the Puck: Underdog Canadiens playing with Vegas have in the expansion draft? house money St Louis Blues 1189834 Final report confirms St. Louis Blues great Plager died of cardiac event, not from crash 1189835 After rout of Islanders, Lightning expect a fight in Game 6 1189836 Islanders’ Mathew Barzal fined, not suspended for hit on Lightning’s Jan Rutta 1189837 There’s never any rust when Luke Schenn re-enters the Lightning lineup 1189838 Lightning-Islanders Game 5 report card: Getting up close and personal 1189839 Former Lightning forward JT Brown to become TV analyst for Seattle Kraken 1189840 French Connection winger and ex-Leaf Rene Robert dies 1189841 All you need to do is watch Final Four teams to see where Maple Leafs are lacking Canucks 1189861 Revisiting the good, bad and outright embarrassing from our 2021 Canucks predictions 1189842 Canadiens use youth, experience to overwhelm Golden Knights 1189843 It’s time for Mark Stone to step up for Golden Knights 1189844 Recapping Game 5 between Golden Knights, Canadiens 1189845 Golden Knights on brink of elimination after loss to Canadiens 1189846 Las Vegas became NHL city 5 years ago Tuesday 1189847 Pete DeBoer ‘not buying’ criticism of officiating in Habs series 1189848 Golden Knights-Canadiens Game 6 watch party at Las Vegas Ballpark 1189849 Golden Knights make goaltending change for Game 5 against Montreal 1189850 Golden Knights fall to Canadiens in Game 5, one game from elimination 1189852 Gerard Gallant confronts win-now challenge as Rangers coach 1189853 Golden Knights confident facing elimination despite lackluster effort in Game 5 loss 1189854 NHL Final 4: Canadiens Look To Close Out Semis Against Golden Knights In Montreal Thursday After 4-1 Win Over 1189855 Booed By Fans, Vegas Golden Knights on Brink of Elimination 1189856 Former Golden Knights Pick Nick Suzuki Shines for Habs in Win 1189857 Vegas Golden Knights Know Series Swings Tonight 1189858 Chandler Stephenson Could Return, Plus Potential VGK Lines 1189859 What will Alex Ovechkin’s next contract look like? 1189860 When does the clock hit 00:00 on the Caps' championship window? Websites 1189862 The Athletic / ‘What we promise is what they get’: How the Blackhawks became a leader in signing European play 1189863 The Athletic / The NHL meets Timbaland: Partnership with Beatclub aims to add a hip hop soundtrack to hockey 1189864 The Athletic / Wheeler: NHL Draft’s top 100 prospects — Michigan players top the 2021 ranking 1189865 The Athletic / LeBrun: Canadiens’ Corey Perry is ‘in the middle of everything’ — and making an impact in the p 1189866 .ca / Canadiens’ strength at centre has them on verge of first Cup Final since ’93 1189867 Sportsnet.ca / Why Sedins’ return should have genuine impact on Canucks organization 1189868 Grading the Canadiens’ keys to engineering an upset 1189869 USA TODAY / Former NHL forward JT Brown hired by Seattle Kraken as television analyst SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1189778 Boston Bruins Karson Kuhlman, C- — Kuhlman’s speed still jumps out at you, but it hasn’t led to a lot of production. He had two goals and no assists in 20 games. Kuhlman may get a better opportunity when his deal kicks into a Steve Conroy’s 2020-21 Bruins report card one-way contract in 2021-22.

Charlie Coyle, C- — It was a rough year for Coyle, who was apparently playing hurt for a good portion of it. Things got so bad at one point he By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald was moved to wing to get his game going, which it did to a certain extent. He was part of a kill that finished second in the league in the June 22, 2021 at 5:45 a.m. regular season, though it bottomed out in the second round. He was a minus-8 in 11 playoff games.

The grades are in and it appears it was a tough couple of semesters for a Chris Wagner, D — Wagner’s game had fallen way off since the 12- few Bruins. It is hard to imagine the B’s beating the likes of the Tampa campaign he had two seasons ago when he was part of a fourth line that Bay Lightning to get to win a Stanley Cup, especially with the positively impacted the fortunes of the team. After he lost his job for a questionable health on the back end, but it was still a disappointment that while, he did play a little better when re-inserted. Kudos to Wagner for this team did not get past the New York Islanders. being candid about the mental difficulties of playing under pandemic restrictions. It was a tough season for him. While GM did a good job of augmenting at the deadline, the B’s still wound up being a top-heavy team that did not get enough Sean Kuraly, D — Bouncing between wing and center, Kuraly was a help from the supporting cast members. The bottom-six was littered with team-low minus-10 and was never quite able to drive an effective fourth subpar performances from players who can be and have been better. line. The acquisition of Lazar stabilized the fourth line, but the occasional, timely goal was still missing. And Kuraly was not able to elevate his Here are the grades: offensive game in the postseason like we’ve seen him do before.

FORWARDS Jake DeBrusk, F — A 25-goal season, or at least a pace for that, is a reasonable expectation for DeBrusk. With five goals in 41 games, he fell Brad Marchand, A+ — The left wing should have been one of the three far short of that. Once he lost his spot on the left side after the acquisition finalists for the Hart Trophy. He was consistent throughout the season, of Hall, he was a bad fit on the right wing. DeBrusk is better than he was again deadly on the penalty kill (something the three Hart finalists showed this year. Folks tend to forget that the B’s made it to Game 7 of cannot say) and he extended his brilliance into the playoffs. the Stanley Cup Final with DeBrusk as the second-line left wing. He’s got Patrice Bergeron, A — He should have won his fifth Selke this year. In a lot of work to do to get back to that level. his first year as at the age of 35, Bergeron remained a model of Incomplete — Ondrej Kase, Par Lindholm, Zach Senyshyn, Oskar Steen, consistency and excellence as he centered arguably the NHL’s best line. Greg McKegg, Cameron Hughes, Anton Blidh. David Krejci, A — Not allowed the luxury of regular linemates until the DEFENSE trade deadline, Krejci still managed nearly a point-a-game pace (44 in 51 games) and he took off once Taylor Hall arrived. He loses a half-grade Charlie McAvoy, A+ — The BU product stepped out from under the with the second-round tail-off, but he had a very good season. departed Zdeno Chara’s shadow and became the true No. 1 defenseman he’s been expected to be. He kept the B’s D corps afloat when it was Craig Smith, A- — Signed ostensibly to be a third-line right wing, Smith ravaged with injuries. McAvoy is also developing his offensive and was given the opportunity to punch above his weight and he seized it by power-play game, taking over on the No. 1 PP. the throat. He started a little slowly, but once he found his footing, his motor never stopped. Perhaps the groin injury that kept him out of Game Matt Grzelcyk, B — Grzelcyk was hampered by injuries, limiting him to 37 2 against the Islanders influenced the overall effectiveness of the second games. But his season started to take off when paired with his fellow line. Terrier. He showed in the Washington series that his maneuverability can effectively counter size mismatches. But his two giveaways that led David Pastrnak, B — He started out on fire but went through a long directly to goals in the B’s elimination game on Long Island will no doubt stretch when his one-timer deserted him and he could not buy a goal, leave a bad taste in his mouth. though he still managed to accrue points. He rebounded, however, and had a very productive playoff. Unfortunately for him, his stunning miss of Mike Reilly, B — Reilly was a very good and necessary addition who, an empty net in Game 4 against the Islanders may be the lasting image unlike some of his new teammates, displayed a good knack for getting of this playoff run. his shots through to create loose pucks in front. He did have a couple of key missed assignments in the Islanders series, but Reilly would be a Taylor Hall, B+ — We’ll pick it up after he arrived here from his brief, worthy re-sign. disastrous stay in Buffalo. Hall flashed not only his high-end skill, but he played a 200-foot game that surprised a lot of us. He also scored a gritty Brandon Carlo, B — Carlo missed a good chunk of the regular season goal in Game 2 against Washington that extended it to OT and changed with two injuries (concussion, oblique) and then was knocked out of the the course of that series. Hall did, however, hit a wall in the Islanders playoffs with a second concussion. When he’s not there, it is clear the B’s series. dearly miss him.

Nick Ritchie, B- — The way the season started, it looked like the B’s Kevan Miller, B — Few expected Miller, after four knee surgeries, to have really had something in Ritchie. That still may be true. But his offensive much of an impact on the B’s season. He was excellent until mid- production slowed and his physical presence waned. Still, he got to the February, when the knee woes caught up to him. He returned and again front of the net consistently, a skill of which the B’s do not have an had a positive impact. Had he not suffered a concussion late in the abundance. Washington series, Miller might have made a difference in the Islanders series. Curtis Lazar, C+ — Upon his arrival from Buffalo, he brought some needed energy to the fourth line but, in the end, did not make it all that Connor Clifton, B — Because of injuries, Clifton probably played more much more effective. than expected (44 games) and, as usual, he made the most of his chances. Clifton finished as a plus-10 while playing more than 18 Trent Frederic, C — Frederic ran smack into a rookie wall, but he was a minutes a game. He had a couple of issues in the Islanders series, but spark plug early in the season and had a swagger for a while. He showed his play this year made him the prime candidate to be the B’s contribution no hesitancy to drop the gloves with the likes of Tom Wilson. Frederic will to the Seattle Kraken. have to figure out where things went off the rails for him, but there’s still promise here. Steven Kampfer, B — Kampfer, whose season ended with wrist surgery, played as well as could be expected when the team’s other injuries hit. Jack Studnicka, C- — The rookie looked more comfortable at center but He might have helped when Carlo and Miller went down in the playoffs. his opportunity was mostly at wing. He wasn’t able to grasp it. Studnicka played 20 games and managed only 1-2-3 totals. After he had a very Jarred Tinordi, B- — When picked up on waivers, Tinordi looked like the promising first full AHL season, this year created more questions than ultimate stop-gap measure for an injury-wracked D corps. But in limited answers about the highly regarded prospect. duty, the big man gave the B’s good journeyman service. The more he played, his performance would dip, but he had some good moments, including stepping up to fight Wilson after the Carlo hit and doing the job in the close-out game against Washington.

Jeremy Lauzon, C+ — His hand injury at Lake Tahoe disrupted what was shaping up as a decent season for him. Playing him on the top pairing with McAvoy was too ambitious, but his ruggedness and competitiveness should give Lauzon third-pair NHL work for years to come. The OT mistake in Game 2 against the Islanders was costly.

Jakub Zboril, C — At times, Zboril showed the mobility and good first pass that made him a first-round pick six years ago, but his first NHL season had its growing pains. When under duress, his decisions were not the best. It’s still uncertain just how high his ceiling is.

Incomplete — Urho Vaakanainen, John Moore, Jack Ahcan.

GOALIE

Tuukka Rask, B — It was the oddest of years for Rask, one in which he spent more time on the shelf than at any other point in his career. But despite a below average (for him) save percentage of .913, he went 15- 5-2 in the regular season and was good in the postseason — until he wasn’t. Whether or not he should have been playing every game does not fall on his plate.

Jeremy Swayman, A — The kid looks like the real deal. He allowed the game-winning goal in Game 5 against the Islanders, but he had not played in a month.

Jaroslav Halak, C+ — He finished with a .905 save percentage and lost his backup job to Swayman. He was partially a victim of circumstance — he missed crucial time because of COVID — but he just was not as effective as he had been in his first two seasons in Boston.

Incomplete — Daniel Vladar. More NHL data is needed on the likable prospect.

COACH

Bruce Cassidy, C+ — He helped keep the team afloat when all the injuries hit. Making the playoffs was not a small feat. But he had no answers for some pressing issues (i.e. DeBrusk’s struggles, lack of bottom-six production). And then there was the playoff goaltending decision. A playoff rotation would have been some out-of-the-box thinking, but Rask’s health may have required it.

GENERAL MANAGER

Don Sweeney, B — His season started with the strong signing of Smith and some gutsy decision-making in allowing Chara to walk. He didn’t get all the answers he’d hoped for in his young D, but conceded that with the Reilly acquisition. The Hall-Lazar pick-up at the deadline for a second- round pick and a player who wasn’t contributing (Anders Bjork) was a good get and could help them for years to come if Hall is re-signed. Sweeney presumably had a hand in the playoff goalie decision, which drops the grade a notch.

Boston Herald LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189779 Boston Bruins

Why Bruins shouldn't pursue an Ekman-Larsson trade this offseason

BY NICK GOSS

BRUINS

NHL trade rumors involving defenseman Oliver Ekman- Larsson are back, which isn't a huge surprise with the 2021 draft about a month away.

The rumor mill is heating up, with Buffalo Sabres superstar center Jack Eichel the most exciting player who could potentially be moved during the offseason.

The upcoming group of free agent defensemen is not amazing. Outside of Dougie Hamilton -- and to a lesser extent, Tyson Barrie -- there aren't any players contending teams should pursue for their top pairing.

So, if teams are looking for a top-four defenseman, Ekman-Larsson is an interesting player to consider pursuing via trade. But in the case of the Boston Bruins, it's not a fit.

Will Bruins run it back in 2021-22? Neely gives interesting take

First, here's the latest report on Ekman-Larsson, via Craig Morgan AZ Coyotes Insider. He writes that "the Coyotes intend to explore trade options for captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson again this summer, sources have confirmed. This time around, Ekman-Larsson appears to be more open to the possibility."

Bruins fans probably remember back in October when there were reports of Ekman-Larsson being willing to waive his no-movement clause only to join Boston or the . The Coyotes ultimately held on to their captain for the 2020-21 campaign, and a late-season collapse cost them a playoff spot.

Why should the Bruins pass on Ekman-Larsson?

The biggest reason is his contract. It has six years remaining with a $8.25 million salary cap hit. That would be the largest cap hit on the Bruins. It's also a lot of money for a 29-year-old player whose performance has already declined. As Morgan explained in-depth in his column, the Coyotes star did not play well this season.

Bergeron receives impressive honor in new NHLPA player poll

If the Bruins acquired all or most of Ekman-Larsson's cap hit, that would leave less money to re-sign two of the B's own free agents this summer -- Brandon Carlo (RFA) and Mike Reilly (UFA). The Bruins should only be paying $8 million or more per season for a defenseman if his name is Charlie McAvoy. He was one of the three-best defensemen in the league this season despite not being a Norris Trophy finalist, and his contract expires after next season. A large, long-term deal should go to McAvoy, not OEL. The 23-year-old McAvoy is much younger and much better.

The Bruins do need a left-sided defenseman for one of their top two pairings. So, on paper, Ekman-Larsson would seem like a fit. But the Coyotes captain's huge contract and disappointing performance this season are two of several reasons why the B's should stay clear of him this offseason.

The best trade target among defensemen for the Bruins to pursue is star Mattias Ekholm, not Ekman-Larsson.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189780 Boston Bruins just didn’t get it done to the level we needed to. Otherwise, we’d still be playing.

“So, we have to acknowledge the shortcomings, both at a player level Staying Or Going?: Boston Bruins Kuraly At A Crossroads and at a management level in terms of the roster composition, as you pointed out. We have to target some areas and expect some improvement in some players that they would admit, and did admit, they Published 8 hours ago on June 22, 2021 fell short in. We’ve been a very competitive team and we put ourselves in a position to compete at the Stanley Cup level. And we’ve just fallen By Joe Haggerty short. That’s where we want to do better.”

Given that youngsters like Trent Frederic, Karson Kuhlman, Anton Blidh This is the first in an intermittent offseason series of articles looking at and Jack Studnicka are pushing from the AHL level, there are going to be impending Boston Bruins free agents and whether they will be “staying or available, affordable bottom-6 options for the Bruins next season. It’s fair going” when it comes time for the B’s to make a decision. to assume there is going to be a notable amount of turnover on a B’s energy line that underachieved last season. With Kuraly due for a raise The Case: It’s been a largely successful run for Sean Kuraly as a fourth based on his UFA status and the numbers he’s posted over the last few liner in Boston over the last four seasons. years, that spells trouble for his long-term future in Black and Gold after a solid stint here. The 28-year-old was something of a throw-in with the San Jose Sharks’ 2016 first round pick sent to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Staying or Going: Going. Kuraly is a UFA due for a raise while coming off goaltender Martin Jones back at the 2015 NHL Draft weekend. But he a down year, and his fourth line really struggled at points this past gradually developed into a solid big-bodied bottom-6 center that provided season, including most importantly the playoffs. Perhaps, if things work occasional offense, good skating speed and solid two-way play over four out well for him, the Ohio-born Kuraly may end up going home to full NHL seasons with the Black and Gold. Columbus as a homegrown player for the Blue Jackets. It would be stunning, however, if he winds up sticking around with the Bruins. Kuraly isn’t a bruiser as a fourth liner and he was never going to be much more than that at the NHL level given his offensive limitations, but his skating speed, effort level and clutch play made him a valued piece. Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 06.23.2021 Kuraly averaged seven goals and 22 points from 2018-2020 with a cumulative plus-4 rating and had an impressive four goals and 10 points in the 2019 playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final while teaming with Chris Wagner/Joakim Nordstrom and Noel Acciari. He killed penalties, madly celebrated his occasional goals and generally was a net positive player on the B’s energy line. As such Kuraly is coming off a three-year, $3.825 million contract that paid him an average of $1.275 million during the last three seasons with the Boston Bruins.

Now an unrestricted free agent, Kuraly sure sounded like he was hoping to remain in Boston while speaking with the media for his exit interview on zoom last week.

“I love Boston. I love the city. I love the fans. I think the best part about this whole thing has been. this group [of players] that we’ve had in this locker room. The teammates I’ve had here, it’s all I’ve known,” said Kuraly. “I’ve only played here. I don’t know anywhere else. This is where I call my home in the NHL. There have been so many, just good guys and great hockey players that I’ve been lucky enough to be teammates with here in that locker room.

“I think that’s the most special thing is the group that’s been put together in that locker room. I’ve learned so many lessons from guys that are still in the locker room now, hockey-wise, and just navigating your way through this league. You’ve got countless guys that have come through, [David] Backes, [Zdeno] Chara, the guys we still have [in] Krejci, Bergeron, Marchand. The list seems to go on and on.”

Unfortunately, Kuraly didn’t have a great final year under contract for Boston this season. He was scratched at points and looked like his tank was on empty at the important end to the year for the Black and Gold. Kuraly finished with four goals and nine points along with a minus-10 in 47 regular season games, and then tossed up a goose egg along with a minus-3 rating during 11 games in the playoffs.

Not only that, but he was pushed off the fourth line center spot by the time the playoffs rolled around. The B’s traded for Buffalo center Curtis Lazar at the NHL trade deadline and he was an immediate, impactful upgrade over Kuraly when inserted into the lineup.

Lazar is already under contract for next season, giving the Bruins a ready-made Kuraly replacement while fully aware they have to revamp a fourth line that didn’t cut it during the playoffs. The need for a bottom-6 upgrade was clear in the second round series vs. the Islanders when they were going up against the NHL’s best fourth line in Cal Clutterbuck, Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin.

“We have some areas of depth that we’d like to continue to address. It showed up through the Islanders series, where we got dinged up and ran into some injuries,” said Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney. “I think the depth of the Islanders roster and their scoring ability showed up, and we 1189781 Buffalo Sabres Sabres' "Golden" team, the top 50 players in franchise history chosen by The News. It was released in 2019 in advance of the club's 50th anniversary season.

Rene Robert, Sabres 'French Connection' right winger, dies at 72 Perreault's iconic No. 11 was retired by the Sabres in 1990, while Robert's No. 14 and Martin's No. 7 were retired in a joint ceremony in 1995. A French Connection banner that flew in the Aud keeping the three Mike Harrington of them together was moved to then-Marine Midland Arena when it opened in 1996. The line was also honored with the unveiling of a bronze Jun 22, 2021 Updated 2 hrs ago statue on the arena's Alumni Plaza in 2012.

"The thing about Rene is he always had a swagger in a positive way," Rene Robert, the right winger on the Buffalo Sabres' famed "French teammate and longtime friend Danny Gare said Tuesday night. "He was Connection" line of the 1970s, died Tuesday after suffering a heart attack a guy in the room that didn't say a lot, but when he did, he went out and in Florida on June 15. He was 72. did it. I think he pushed Gilbert, I know he pushed 'Rico' (Martin). I think the puzzle, the final piece of the French Connection, was getting him Robert had been hospitalized in Port Charlotte, Fla., and underwent because he had that personality, that conviction, that strength and the multiple procedures since he was stricken. will to win by scoring big goals at big times."

Robert was an unknown 23-year-old when the Sabres acquired him from Robert was a clutch player for Buffalo in the playoffs, scoring 22 goals Pittsburgh on March 4, 1972, for the ultra-popular Eddie Shack, who was with 17 assists in 47 postseason games. Robert's Sabres career is most 35. Robert was eventually placed on a line with center Gilbert Perreault remembered for his three playoff goals and the most well- and left wing Rick Martin and they became the focal point of Buffalo's known in the hockey world was his game-winner in the famous "Fog unlikely 1973 playoff team and the 1975 Stanley Cup finalists. Game," Game 3 of the 1975 Stanley Cup Final in the overheated Memorial Auditorium against the Philadelphia Flyers. The French Connection, a name bestowed on the line that was a takeoff of the 1971 Gene Hackman thriller of the same title, became the NHL's With fog shrouding the ice, Perreault sent a dump-in off the corner dominant trio throughout the '70s as the Sabres made the playoffs six boards at the Terrace Street end of the Aud to the left of Flyers goalie times during the decade. Bernie Parent. Robert streaked into the zone to retrieve the puck and quickly fired a low through Parent at 18:29 of OT to give the Sabres Sabres legend Rene Robert talks about his memories at the Aud as a 5-4 victory and cut their series deficit to 2-1. Mayor Byron Brown looks on during an announcement by the mayor of the details of the transfer of the Memorial Auditorium to the Erie Canal "People say it was one of the greatest goals ever, but that was probably Harbor Development in 2007. one of the luckiest goals ever, too," Robert said in an 2019 oral history in The News, commemorating the game as the most memorable in Perreault, who turned 70 in November, is now the lone survivor of the franchise history heading into the 50th anniversary season. "You could line. Martin died in 2011 in a car accident after having a cardiac episode try that a thousand times over and it wouldn't go in. I didn't have a lot of while driving in Clarence. He was just 59. room. All I tried to do was hit the net and it happened to go in. We even "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of adored Sabres shot from the far blue line because the fog was so thick. Anything you alumnus Rene Robert," the team tweeted Tuesday night. "The entire kept low and put on net, you had a chance. That's what I tried to do. I Sabres organization and Western New York community are praying for kept it low and I was rewarded." the Robert family and cherishing the memories he created in Buffalo." "I just saw Rene going over the blue line and then you kind of lost the In a statement on Robert's death, the team said, "Rene was a puck," Gare remembered in the same story. "You knew if it came out to tremendous player, teammate and person and truly loved this him that he was going to shoot it from the circle. Bernie just stood there. organization." His accomplishments on the ice as a member of the Went right through him. I'm sure he couldn't see it. A great shot. Kept it French Connection speak for themselves, but his impact on the low, which is what you needed to do there. It was glorious after that. It community continued long past his playing days." got us back in the series."

HOCKEY Milt remembers: A night of high hockey drama in Montreal

Robert was a native of Trois-Rivieres, . He lived in Western New Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame member Milt Northrop has seen a lot York at least part-time since 1972, and had split most of his time in in his 52-year career at The Buffalo News and even before that. recent years between Williamsville and Punta Gorda, Fla. Occasionally he will share some of the events that have left a lasting impression on him. Today, it’s a memorable time in April 1973 when the Robert had joined his famous linemates in greeting with a Sabres were in their first Stanley Cup playoff surprise appearance on the ice prior to the new owner's first game in charge of the team in 2011, less than three weeks before Martin's death. Robert's other's iconic goal came in Game 5 of the first round in 1973 at the as he streaked through the faceoff circle and beat "Kim and I were saddened to hear the devastating news of Rene Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden at 9:18 of OT to give the Sabres a 3-2 Robert’s passing," Pegula said in a statement Tuesday on behalf of the win. The victory in the first overtime game in franchise history put Buffalo team and his wife, the club president. "When we first took over as on the national hockey map and got the Sabres within 3-2 in the series. It owners, the members of The French Connection were three of the first brought things back to the Aud, where Montreal wrapped up the series in people to welcome us to the organization. During our time with the team, Game 6 in the "Thank You, Sabres" game as the crowd saluted the team Rene has been one of the most active alumni and we’ve grown to know with a spontaneous chant as the clock ticked away. him well over the past 10 years. He was a friend to us and to the entire organization and will be missed dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are The Montreal goal and the Fog Game winner were chosen by The News with Rene’s family during this difficult time.” as Nos. 6 and 7, respectively, in 2019 on a list of the franchise's top 50 goals heading into the golden anniversary. The club changed the avatar on its official feed to Robert's No. 14 Tuesday night in honor of his passing. Robert's other playoff overtime winner came in Game 5 of the 1975 semifinals against Montreal in the Aud, a shot directly off a faceoff win Robert played eight of his 12 NHL seasons in Buffalo, collecting 222 from Perreault that gave the Sabres a 5-4 victory and a 3-2 lead in the goals, 330 assists and 552 points. He currently is ninth in franchise series. Buffalo won Game 6 in the Forum two nights later to clinch its first history in goals, fifth in assists and sixth in points. His best offensive trip to the Cup final. season was the '74-'75 campaign, when he collected career highs in goals (40), assists (60) and points (100). It was the first 100-point season Robert scored at least 21 goals in all seven of his full seasons with in franchise history and is one of just six in the club's 51 seasons. Buffalo and cracked the 30 mark five times. But his career with the team ended on Oct. 5, 1979, when new coach/GM quickly Rene Robert vs. New York Rangers in 1976. made his mark on the club by dealing Robert to the Colorado Rockies for defenseman John van Boxmeer, who helped the Sabres reach the Elected to the Sabres Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Greater Buffalo Stanley Cup semifinals in 1980. Sports Hall of Fame in 1994, Robert was listed No. 11 in a list of the Playing for former Boston coach and major Buffalo rival , Robert scored 28 goals for the Rockies in the 1979-80 season before getting traded to Toronto the next year. He finished his career in 1981- 82, scoring 13 goals for the Leafs. The 87-year-old Cherry, who spent nearly 40 years as icon on Canadian television, tweeted a picture of Robert in his Rockies sweater on Saturday, wishing "my good buddy Rene" all the best.

Rick Martin, Gil Perreault, and Rene Robert combined for 131 goals in the 1974-75 season.

In his retirement, Robert served a stint as president of the NHL Alumni Association and never shied away from speaking his mind about his former team. In recent years, he has been critical of the Sabres' struggles, but also expressed hope that young players like Jack Eichel and Rasmus Dahlin could help reverse the franchise's fortunes.

"It bothers me because I spent most of career there, in good times and bad, and I feel for the fans," Robert told The News at a Sabres Road Crew event in Las Vegas in February 2020. "I remember how good they were and I know how good they are. No better fans anywhere in sports than in Buffalo. I keep saying, 'Be patient, be patient' but I think this time I see the light around the corner. I really do.

"I sincerely believe that the Pegulas have the right personnel in place now like they do with the Bills. Let's watch the kids grow and you can see how a year can make a difference."

Rene Robert speaks to reporters at the Sabres Fan Fest event at KeyBank Center in August 2019.

Of course, Robert's hopes didn't pan out. The Sabres didn't make the playoffs in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and GM Jason Botterill was fired last June. And then in a cost-cutting move, the Pegulas didn't renew the team ambassador contracts of "Rafters Club" members Robert, Perreault, Gare and Dominik Hasek.

That decision infuriated Robert. Most alumni were not around the team during the pandemic season due to Covid-19 protocols, but Robert had been telling friends he did not intend to return to the arena for games during the 2021-22 season.

Even more than 40 years after his trade out of Buffalo, Robert remained a popular figure in Western New York. Fans gravitated to him when he appeared at Sabres Road Crew events or memorabilia shows and he was regularly seen on the airwaves as a commercial spokesman for local medical offices that specialized in dental implants or orthopedics to alleviate back pain.

Robert becomes the fifth deceased former player in the Sabres Hall. Others are Martin, Tim Horton, Roger Crozier and Dale Hawerchuk, who died of cancer last year.

When the Sabres held a memorial service on the floor of the arena a few days after Martin's death 10 years ago, Robert was one of the more memorable speakers as he reminisced about his linemate's omnipresent cigar on the golf course.

"This is for you, my friend," Robert said, lifting a Budweiser can and pulling an unlit cigar from his jacket pocket.

"I'm heartbroken over it. I'm a mess to be honest with you," Gare said Tuesday. "I haven't cried since my dad died, that's how special of a guy Rene was. I feel for his family so much."

Buffalo News LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189782 Buffalo Sabres Sabres optimism has not completely evaporated! Perhaps you’ll be in the sparse crowds at KeyBank Center next season, Daniel. That’s the life of a sports fan. You’re constantly seeking ways the mess can quickly work Do the Pegulas know how bad Sabres attendance will be? The latest itself out so you’ll be able to enjoy your team again. I hope it happens Satchel is full of Sabres angst soon.

Immediate competitiveness — and Adams’ fate — will depend on how the Jack Eichel situation plays out. We can’t forecast the Sabres’ future By Tim Graham until we know whether Eichel will be back or what assets they acquire in a trade. Jun 22, 2021 In your opinion, what is the best way to rebuild the Sabres: develop their

younger players or spend on free agents? Thx. I’ll hang up and listen. — Look no further than The Satchel to discover where a Buffalo sports fan’s Albert V. angst lies. If you’ll forgive my sidestep, Albert, I decided to bring in hockey analyst Nothing to sweat about the Bills as they prepare to defend their AFC East Kris Baker, @SabresProspects on Twitter. Baker knows what the Sabres title, so not many questions about them. have in their system better than any observer. He thinks they should build from within. The Sabres, however, remain a source of deep anxiety. “Good organizations find a way to do both,” Baker said, “but the best Let’s swim in it. organizations find a way to develop their own cores with proper drafting and development. At what point is the league concerned about the clown show running things for the Sabres? TV ratings tanking in one of the strongest U.S. “It’s easy to talk about cycling in talent to eventually replace those who markets. I guess that concern can be kicked down the road a bit til the leave. You always need to develop young players who can contribute on next TV contract, but unless is equal part personnel savant entry-level and second contracts. with a skeleton hockey staff and snake charmer to the owners, it’s not getting better anytime soon. Does ownership know how bad attendance “The Sabres can and should always try to selectively add via free will be? —Nick B. agency, but at the point they’re at as a franchise, and to really move the needle, they should continue leveraging the annual built-in mechanism to Oh, I think the Pegulas know attendance will remain an issue. build depth and control a large segment of their future rosters.”

Gary Bettman and his lieutenants already are worried about what has Is Owen Power’s return to NCAA hockey a damnation of the Sabres? At been happening with the Sabres because the NHL’s financial success is least it forces Kevyn Adams’ hand in selecting a forward! —Mark J. driven by the box office more than any other league. But there really isn’t much the NHL can do to intervene. I don’t see it that way, Mark. If Power is the best player, then the Sabres still should select him. I’ve received questions recently about whether the NHL would put the Sabres into some kind of conservatorship to save the Pegulas from The No. 1 overall draft choice doesn’t automatically need to begin his themselves, but that’s unrealistic. career in the NHL. Returning to Michigan might be the best thing for Power’s development. He would mature some more while delaying the Unless the Sabres reach the point where they can’t meet payroll or some start of his NHL clock by not playing out a season or two of his entry-level other such catastrophe, the NHL is going to leave them alone to figure contract on an awful squad. things out. But since I had Baker on the hook, I asked him about Power, too. How well in-touch would you say the Pegulas and Kevyn Adams are of fans’ dissatisfaction with the Sabres? I know a lot of fans loved KA’s line “Power returning to Michigan has long been an expected outcome about wanting players who are proud to put on a Sabres sweater. But regardless of who drafts him,” Baker said. “It offers him an opportunity to aside from a throwaway comment, saying “We all have to do better,” I felt play a lot, lead a team to a potential national title and enjoy college life he was absolving himself of any responsibility to make players proud to (arguably the best years of our lives) a fraction longer. wear blue and gold. —Matt S. “You’re developing not just hockey players but human beings as well. As referenced above, the Sabres’ front office is aware of fan anger and There is a lot to be gained by not rushing a player into the hardest league apathy, but the second part of your submission stoked curiosity: Is their in the world.” approach to rebuilding the organization too pie-in-the-sky? I am 56 years old. Two questions for you: When will the Sabres make the Adams’ comments about pride pander to the fans and overlook the playoffs? Will the Sabres win the Stanley Cup in my lifetime? Assume I challenge of recruiting players who want to wear the sweater of an live to 100. —Steve P. organization that hasn’t shown much direction or conviction. The Sabres Your lifespan projection is more cheerful than my Sabres forecast, but I must give the players a reason to be proud. The players want to see a hope you live at least that long, Steve. The playoffs shouldn’t be that commitment to win, not continual losing, a gutted scouting department tough of a task, really. I know tournament play feels like a long way off, and a GM learning on the job. but half of the NHL’s teams make it every year. If the drought lasts two or For an example of how players think, consider , a heart-and- three more years under Adams, then I think we’re looking at another GM soul player if ever there was one, a leader who made his teammates reset, which likely leads to a longer skid. better by challenging them in practice, in the weight room, over the But will the Sabres win the Stanley Cup before 2065? I guess so … offseason. Fans loved Drury’s laser-focused approach to pushing for the They’re already deep in the hole and a far howl from championship Stanley Cup. contention, but let’s say every team in the NHL has an equal chance And how was it that Drury departed? Drury didn’t believe the Sabres every year; the Sabres would have a 1-in-32 chance. That gives them 12 were committed to winning because they handled his contract extension long years to get respectable before having an honest shot down your sloppily and were willing to let Daniel Briere go in free agency. homestretch.

Few were as proud to wear the Sabres sweater as Drury was. Until he Then again, we see how much progress they’ve made over the past 12 wasn’t anymore. years. Pessimism seems the safer bet.

The Buffalo Sabres have removed my heart and beaten all love for How long until the Pegula children start getting positions at PSE? — hockey out of the sport. I swore I wouldn’t pay attention until they were a Steve W. playoff team. I can’t continue to subject myself to local radio, writing and Look, it’s going to happen. You’re probably not asking out of excitement, news on the Sabres. It’s an abusive relationship. I am constantly taken but private business owners often give jobs to their children. Consider the advantage of. I can’t live like this Tim! *checks twitter* Well, if they move Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, , Los Angeles Risto and protect Borgen … When is this team even the least bit Lakers and Boston Bruins/Delaware North. Bills founder Ralph Wilson competitive?! —Daniel L. handed his daughters front-office positions. The Pegulas already have established a penchant for hiring friends and you think having Jessie Pegula as the featured attraction on the women’s family (and friends’ family). Terry Pegula has said he bought the teams to side and perhaps a “name” up-and-coming men’s player or a grizzled keep them in his family, a major source of relief for Bills fans after Wilson veteran with a familiar name could result in some fannies in the seats for died. a unique Bills/Sabres offseason sporting event? —Daniel M.

So any Bills or Sabres fans out there who dread the next Pegula Pegula Sports and Entertainment has looked into hosting a tennis event generation better toughen up to the idea. here, but the pro leagues needed to overhaul their schedules from the pandemic. So you are wise to ask about 2022 and beyond because that’s What to make of UB Football this year? —Christopher R. the soonest an event could happen. The potential format hasn’t been UB should be favored to repeat as MAC East champs despite losing hammered out for the same reasons, but an exhibition is most likely. coach Lane Leipold to Kansas. Not only should the program still have Boxing is another sport PSE has explored. Tony Holden, who promoted momentum from what Leipold built, but new coach Maurice Linguist also local heavyweight Joe Mesi, is said to be a fan of Harborcenter as a seems like a strong hire with recruiting acumen. venue with the chance for ESPN broadcasts.

Yes, star running back Jaret Patterson went to the NFL, but Kevin Marks As a writer, what is one storyline you’d like to see play out for the Sabres Jr. is back. Despite being a backup, Marks has averaged 90 yards a and the Bills? What would be most exciting for you to write about? Are game over the past two seasons, while rushing for 14 touchdowns. The you hoping more for a Super Bowl appearance for the Bills, or a season top three quarterbacks remain. All-MAC linebacker James Patterson for the ages from and the offense? Would you rather write returns to lead the defense. about the Sabres trading away their stars in another rebuild, or having it After opening against I-AA Wagner, UB faces early tests at Nebraska somehow come back together for a surprise run at the playoffs? Could and versus Coastal Carolina. A vigorous showing there, and UB will be in be something else entirely, of course. —Brandon C. the top 25 conversation if it can dominate MAC opponents again. Among the tippity-top highlights of my career are covering the Bills’ sale I’m a Jays fan from Toronto. I have two questions: 1) What percentage of and the joy it brought Western New York when the Pegulas guaranteed baseball fans in Buffalo cheer for the Jays? 2) Would there be any the team wouldn’t move, and the Sabres’ rollicking runs in 2006 and chance of the Jays playing a series or two every year in Buffalo? The 2007. atmosphere has been great. —Prison M. About the only thing that could top either experience would be following It’s hard to peg a percentage because Buffalo is such a splintered market through with a world championship. If you’re making me pick one specific beyond its obvious affinity for the Yankees. The Bisons had a long storyline, then I would go with the Bills winning a Super Bowl, exorcising affiliation with the Indians, who play three hours west on I-90. They’ve those 1990s demons and letting the region bask in the greatest sports also been part of the Mets, Pirates and White Sox pipelines. And I think a glory. A Stanley Cup would be wonderful, of course, but there’s no bigger natural sports rivalry with Toronto fueled by hockey and the Bills playing North American sports prize than the Lombardi Trophy. “home” games there make it a little harder for Buffalo sports fans to embrace the Blue Jays. The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 As for the Blue Jays playing more regular-season games in Buffalo once things get back to normal, I don’t see it. They are too good to sacrifice true home-field advantage for even a few games. Besides, the logistics are quite problematic. The Blue Jays don’t want to lose the revenues by playing in another country if they have a choice. We see around Sahlen Field all the advertising and facility accommodations required. To make those changeovers on the fly while the Bisons also are playing there is an unnecessary headache.

Is Zach Ertz really worth $8.25 million of cap space? Even if Philly lowers their price and is willing to accept a fifth for him, I’m not sure I’d make that trade. —Philip M.

Ertz is worth the money. He was hurt last year, but before that he went to three straight Pro Bowls, averaging 93 catches for 968 yards and seven touchdowns over that span. Sign me up for even two-thirds of that production.

Where Ertz is too expensive for Buffalo is the cost it would take to acquire him. Philadelphia clearly wants top assets for Ertz; otherwise, he probably would have been traded by now.

What undrafted rookie free agent do you think has a good chance to make the roster this year? —Stephen E.

The reason Ertz remains a story in Buffalo is because tight end is one of the offense’s few question marks. Four Bills tight ends combined for 42 catches and 458 yards last year, but their nine touchdowns reflect how important Brian Daboll and Josh Allen view them in the red zone.

Tyler Kroft and Lee Smith are gone. The incumbents are , Reggie Gilliam, and , who’ve played a total of 48 games. Free agent might help some.

But there’s a juicy opportunity for Quintin Morris.

The 6-foot-2, 252-pound converted wideout from Bowling Green made a strong impression at voluntary workouts and minicamp. Morris was first- team All-MAC last year despite playing only five games. Over his sophomore and junior seasons he caught 97 passes for 1,165 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Tim, given the passion that some members of the Pegula family have for the sport of tennis, what do you think about the possibility of sometime in 2022 or beyond that KeyBank Center and/or HarborCenter be used in some capacity for a professional tennis tournament and/or exhibition? Do 1189783 Calgary Flames of Monday’s blowout victory in Tampa. “That’s what good goal-scorers do. They don’t hang around in one little spot. They’re always moving around and getting themselves to certain sections because teammates Legendary post-season sniper Reggie Leach pulling for Point are looking for him to shoot that puck.

“And for him, it’s harder because everybody knows he’s the hot hand and they’re going to watch him a bit more. They’re going to have the best Wes Gilbertson checker on him. I know when I played, my god, I had to go against the best checkers in the league at that time — and guys like Publishing date: Jun 22, 2021 that. But it was up to me to get myself into position and get away from these guys, and you don’t get away that often because these guys are the best checkers around. You have to make it count when you do have Reggie Leach has, over the years, watched several sharpshooters fall a a chance to score.” few games shy of equalling his record streak. Point, who tallied 14 times as the Lightning hoisted the Stanley Cup last He doesn’t expect Brayden Point — born and raised in Calgary and now summer, has quickly earned a reputation as a guy who makes ’em count starring for the Tampa Bay Lightning — to be stopped short. during these marquee moments.

The 25-year-old Point has already scored in eight straight, the second- That was Leach’s specialty too, although he’s most proud of his post- longest lamp-lighting spree in a single Stanley Cup playoff quest. puck accomplishments.

Leach, who set the standard with a 10-game spring scorcher en route to He’s been meeting with the NHL about addressing issues of diversity and a Trophy nod in 1976, figures hockey historians should racism in the sport. He works with kids at summer camps, teaching them have their erasers ready. both the finer points of picking corners but also the dangers of alcohol.

“I believe that he’s going to do it, which is going to be great,” Leach said “I loved scoring goals, but I didn’t know I was going to have that record Tuesday from his home on Manitoulin Island in . “I would be very for all these years,” Leach said. “It’s a good feeling to have it and for happy for the young man. It’s such a great record to hold over all these people like yourself to call. But I’m more proud of having these records years and it’s something that people don’t realize how hard it is to do — because of who I am. I’m a First Nations person. We don’t get scoring in 10 consecutive games, especially playoff games.” recognized in the that much. That’s what I’m really proud of — doing it for my heritage.” A proud member of the Berens River First Nation, Leach is now helping to educate and inspire the next generation of hockey players from Indigenous communities. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 06.23.2021 Although he’s been retired since long before Point was born, you’ve been hearing his name a lot lately. During his twine-tickling heyday with the Philadelphia Flyers, Leach became the only NHLer to ever extend a playoff goal streak into double digits.

The legendary likes of Jean Beliveau, , Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard and were all stymied after seven.

Wayne Gretzky, believe it or not, never managed to score in more than five straight dates in any of his post-season runs. Ditto for Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull and Jaromir Jagr.

Point, who ascended through Calgary’s minor-hockey ranks and is an alumnus of the Midget-AAA Buffaloes, has now left each of those icons in his rearview mirror.

The soft-spoken centre will be shooting to extend his streak to nine — and to clinch a return trip to the Stanley Cup final — in Wednesday’s Game 6 against the New York Islanders.

“For Brayden, I’ve been watching him and once you get into a streak as a goal-scorer, it’s amazing how you feel on the ice all the time,” said Leach, now 71. “There is nothing really stopping you because you know, sooner or later, you’re going to get one. And he’s on that streak right now, and I know how he feels going to the rink. It’s just a matter of when he is going to get it, what period and stuff like that. Because you have such a confidence in yourself and you pretty well have a feeling of where the puck is already going before you even get it.

“For me, to watch the games and to see this young gentleman perform … I know what he’s going through. I know what his thoughts are. The way I was, I used to leave the house and tell my wife, ‘I’ll get a goal tonight. Don’t worry about it.’ That’s how confident you are. I scored 80 goals that year, counting the playoffs, and that’s the way I was. That’s just how you felt.”

Whatever happens over the coming days, Leach will remain the owner of at least one post-season scoring mark.

He racked up a record 19 goals in just 16 appearances in 1976, winning MVP honours even though the Flyers couldn’t complete a three-peat bid. (Among the five Conn Smythe Trophy winners from losing squads, he is the only non-goaltender.)

In the same number of games this spring, Point has potted 13.

Still, ‘The Riverton Rifle’ is mighty impressed.

“He’s just amazing how he can get himself into areas,” Leach said of Point, who continued his tear with a power-play strike in the third period 1189784 Carolina Hurricanes

Hurricanes broadcaster Tripp Tracy re-signs on 2-year deal: Says team took ‘tangible steps’ forward after past cuts

By Sara Civian

Jun 22, 2021

The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed color commentator and longtime franchise ambassador Tripp Tracy to a two-year deal.

Tracy and Hurricanes general manager both confirmed the new agreement Tuesday.

“I’m honestly very pleased with the way it’s worked out,” Tracy told The Athletic. “The way Don went about the call was excellent. He took the lead. He made an extremely fair offer. I appreciated (the call) at the time, and I will always appreciate it.”

It’s no secret that Tracy and Rod Brind’Amour are close friends, and Brind’Amour confirmed when he signed his three-year extension Thursday that he wanted the rest of the staff taken care of. Tracy signed his deal after Brind’Amour but credits him and “special adviser” Justin Williams for advocating for him.

Tracy, who signed a one-year deal at a pay cut ahead of last season, confirmed the new deal is a raise in both term and salary. The pay cut stemmed from financial uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and lost revenue without fans in the building. Now that fans have returned, the Hurricanes made good on their word that the broadcasting salaries would improve, and there is no bad blood over the understandable previous cut.

“Don took tangible steps to appreciate the tough circumstances of this past year,” Tracy said.

“Tripp is very passionate about his work and knowledgeable about our team and the NHL,” Waddell said.

Coming off his first year in the role, play-by-play announcer Mike Maniscalco told The Athletic that while his negotiations haven’t started yet, he “feels something will get done.”

“What really impressed me were the three games at home in the Nashville series. The bigger the game, he really, really did a fine job of capturing those moments,” Tracy said of Maniscalco. “Jordan Staal’s overtime winner in Game 5 will be a clip that will be replayed forever in Hurricanes history, and I thought he did an excellent job with that. He really grabbed the moment in the postseason, and I hope that gives him a ton of confidence moving forward. As his partner, I really think he did an excellent job of elevating, just like a player wants to elevate in the postseason.”

First-year television host Abby Labar also confirmed to The Athletic that she will be back next year.

Tracy has truly appreciated the positive reaction to his podcast, “Digging In,” and all the support from Hurricanes fans this past year. It would be hard to picture the man who has been with the franchise since 1998-99 anywhere else, especially as he took on more of a senior role following the departure of play-by-play announcer John Forslund after the 2019-20 season.

“I’m a little more exposed to it now that I’ve been on social media for over a year. I didn’t think I’d enjoy that as much as I do,” he said. “I’ve certainly felt the Caniac Nation support to the ends of the earth, and that means more than anything to me.”

The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189785 Chicago Blackhawks That familiarity goes a long way. In the case of Panarin, the Blackhawks had watched him plenty in , but they also got Barry Smith, who had coached in the KHL, involved in Panarin’s recruitment. Smith, who ‘What we promise is what they get’: How the Blackhawks became a was then the Blackhawks director of player development, understood leader in signing European players exactly where Panarin was coming from and could communicate at a different level during the negotiations.

“Some teams use a Finn scout to cover Russia. Nothing against the Scott Powers Finns, but he’s not local,” said Lynn, who also previously worked in the ’s front office. “Other teams use a North American guy. Jun 22, 2021 Without naming names, I’m thinking of two. The guy goes over for extended periods each year. He’ll make five or six trips of two to three weeks, then a couple quick ones and watch some video. But that’s not Imagine Artemi Panarin starting his NHL career with the Calgary Flames, the same as being conversant of the local customs, culture, how the or Toronto Maple Leafs. hockey works and all that.

It wasn’t that far off from being a reality for any of those teams in 2015. “I think the Blackhawks having Barry Smith, who had coached there, and They were among the final contenders for Panarin as he was deciding on having their scouting staff really conversant with the situation there could an NHL destination after departing the KHL. In the end, he chose the see better than some other teams. That being said, there’s another half- Chicago Blackhawks. dozen teams in the same boat. They weren’t the only ones, but it helps.”

“I just remember Calgary and Toronto being mad at me, Montreal being The Blackhawks also want as many of their people as possible to know mad at me,” said Panarin’s former agent Tom Lynn, who negotiated about a player. The first step is allowing their scouts to do their jobs and Panarin’s first NHL contract. “Those were probably the three where the trust them. If Russia scout Andrei Nikolishin brings a player to Hallin’s GMs really put in a lot of time. I mean, some organizations send a scout attention, Hallin will get involved with the player. Hallin will loop in or even the assistant GM or director of player personnel, but the Stewart, who will do his homework, too. Blackhawks, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal really made an effort, like even sending guys to travel there to try to see him in person to talk to him.” Bowman is always aware of which players are being scouted, but his personal interaction depends on the stage. Sometimes he’s needed to Panarin’s decision came down to the Blackhawks’ history of signing get involved earlier than later. Eventually, Bowman will get coach Jeremy European free agents and giving them NHL opportunities, their ability to Colliton up to speed, too. surround him with other skilled players and their extensive knowledge of his game and where he came from. “I found that the earlier that I can get involved, the better,” Bowman said. “What I mean by that is some of these players need to feel the attention While the Blackhawks haven’t exactly been the same on the ice in recent more than just at the finish line. So you know, the identification of players years as when Panarin signed up six years ago, the Blackhawks have happens by our scouts in the field. And then, you know, their job is to continued to tap into Europe for talent. bring to the attention of their superior. Like, this is a player to watch. And then sometimes you watch them for a season, sometimes you watch The story of how they landed Panarin isn’t that much different than how them for half a season. And then as things move along, it gets escalated. they were able to sign Erik Gustafsson, Dominik Kahun, David Kampf, Dominik Kubalik, Kevin Lankinen, Michal Kempný, Jan Rutta, Pius Suter, “I’m brought into the process early on, basic level. Like, there’s this among others out of Europe, or Collin Delia, Tanner Kero, Wyatt player in college, in Canadian junior hockey, a kid in Czech Republic Kalynuk, Cam Morrison, Mike Hardman, among others out of college. who’s on our radar, this is what he’s like. And then I’ll usually just do kind Identifying, recruiting and signing European and college free agents has of on my own (homework). I’ll usually just go online and watch some film developed into one of the organization’s strengths while of the guy, so I can see.” has been general manager. From there, Bowman assesses if they want to continue to scout or move “The process is Stan trusts us and (assistant general manager) Ryan towards signing the player. Bowman will do whatever it takes to close a Stewart trusts us,” European scouting director Mats Hallin said. “Stan has deal — he’ll fly to Europe if he believes it’ll help his chances, as he did known me for 14 years. He kind of knows when we are pumped up, really with Kahun. excited for a player, and we know that he’s gonna do everything to give them a chance to play. We know what we’re looking for, too. Not only “I went to Germany and went to dinner with him and watched one of his good players, but we’re looking for maybe a special type of player or games, met his parents and his girlfriend,” Bowman said. “Sometimes the whatever.” obstacle for these players is envisioning their life in a different country. Like they’re concerned about their family or their wife or their girlfriend, Every NHL team scouts Europe, and there are very few diamonds in the like do they want to come over, too? And so, I think there has to be that rough to be found. A team might take a chance on a younger European connection, the personal touch. … Because you’re bringing them, player earlier than some competition in hopes of that player developing, European players, you’re bringing them across the country to a whole but most players are known to some extent. new culture, so they’ve got to want to do it in order for you to get them to commit to you.” Where the Blackhawks differentiate themselves is the depth of their knowledge of European teams and players. Hallin has always shared that opinion of recruiting. He certainly put in the time and effort to meet with Kempný after a Russia national team game Player agent Georges Müller anticipated Suter would have his fair share in 2016. Kempný would later sign with the Blackhawks. of NHL suitors after an MVP season in Switzerland during the 2019-20 season. As the two narrowed the field, Müller discovered that there were “You can do a lot of things over the video and see them and talk on the teams that really knew Suter and his game and others that knew just phone, but if you put the effort in and see them personally,” Hallin said. “I about his numbers. The Blackhawks were among the former. think that’s helped in that case, anyway. … So we stood outside for two hours and waited for him to come out because they lost the game and “We were sure that they know him as a player and not just like some they didn’t come out, but we stood there, and I remember my back pain other teams that knew he was the MVP of Switzerland,” Müller said. “It because I had surgery a month before. That was one of the most was obvious they knew him as a player, so a lot of videos and they had a memorable, and Michal Kempný said, I didn’t think they really wanted me lot of information about him. Of course, this was something also very that much, so that was a good feeling.” important. Personal meetings helped in signing goalies Lankinen and Antti Raanta “In my point of view, the Blackhawks have like the best scouting team in out of Finland. The pandemic changed how the Blackhawks were able to Switzerland. Because I had so many players in the past, including Pius, I pursue goalie Arvid Söderblom from this season, but their offered to the NHL, and very often no team was interested, also in Pius legwork still ended up giving them the edge. Söderblom’s agent said 18 several teams were not interested. Why? Because they didn’t know him NHL teams were interested in signing him. as a player. The Blackhawks I have a longer history with. They know. Like I had to offer Pius actively to a lot of other organizations, but with the “The team I signed for I really wanted to believe in me and had the right Blackhawks, they contacted me. And in the past, they contacted me also plan for me going forward, and Chicago had one when we talked and I about other players and invited them to camp.” got really, really great feelings from the start,” Söderblom said. “That was the important thing. They had looked at me a lot and really liked the way I not attractive to certain organizations. And then you start the recruiting played. They had that plan going forward in what they saw in me. Just process.” felt good.” The Blackhawks talked to Hardman after his freshman year and Pursuing college players is a little different. continued this past season. That history, along with the Blackhawks’ pitch, helped them win out. For one, the pool of potential NHL-caliber free agents is smaller. NHL teams also tend to have more of a long-term scouting book on a player “I think the Blackhawks were one of the first teams I met with during the simply because they have more North American amateur scouts. recruiting process my frosh year,” Hardman said. “They were one of the first teams, always been there, saw it was a good fit for me. It’s a young College free agents also usually aren’t as valuable as European ones, team, preparing for the future. My family and I thought it was the right fit. but there still is NHL talent to be found among college free agents, … Just a perfect situation, looking at the depth of the organization and especially with drafted players who choose not to sign with an NHL team. how they’re building for the future here. Also, it’s a storied franchise, The Blackhawks got burned with Kevin Hayes, who chose to become a team, it was hard to pass up on.” free agent in 2014, but they benefited with Wyatt Kalynuk, who had been drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers and signed with the Blackhawks before A contract offer is obviously the vital first piece for a European or college this season. free agent looking to play in the NHL, but then it’s all about the actual opportunity. Teams can talk about what they can provide, but they’re just The Blackhawks had scouted Kalynuk during his draft eligibility years and words until they take action. during his time at the University of Wisconsin. Blackhawks head U.S. scout Rob Facca had also happened to recruit Kalynuk while an assistant It’s not as if the Blackhawks have promised NHL ice time, but their track coach at Western Michigan, where Kalynuk had actually been committed record has proven that most players get an NHL opportunity. Part of that to originally. is identifying the player and determining how they fit into the team.

“So there was a relationship there,” Blackhawks director of player “I think where we’ve had some success is we don’t over-sign guys,” evaluation and recruitment Mike Doneghey said. “That process is if you Stewart said. “What we promise is what they get. When they come here, go into the rink and organizationally when we’re at a college game or they get opportunity. And there’s not five other guys sitting there, too, you CHL game or European game and there are drafted players by other know, all of a sudden, they’re kind of kicked aside. So we’ve been very organizations, we do reports on those players. One of the questions in selective on who we put our attention on. And oftentimes throughout the the report is, ‘Would you trade, draft or sign for this player?’ Obviously, year, we’ll back off certain players because we don’t want to become a Wyatt when he got to Wisconsin, he took a huge step. team that’s known for just grabbing them and not following through on those type of opportunities.” “You can’t talk to him because he’s with another organization, but you start hearing things, whether it’s through agents or other scouts talking at That was important to Lynn when he was seeking a team for Panarin. A the rink. This kid might not sign with Philadelphia, Philadelphia’s deep on European free agent’s worst nightmare is signing with an NHL team and defense and so on and so forth. And then you kind of wait the process not getting the opportunity he expected. That happened when Vadim out. He became a free agent, and then we went to work shortly Shipachyov signed with the Vegas Golden Knights and was back in the thereafter.” KHL that same season.

On paper, the Blackhawks wouldn’t seem like an ideal spot for Kalynuk. “You might get promised everything by one guy, but the decision-makers They already had an assortment of young defensemen on their way. But aren’t necessarily there or they change along the way,” Lynn said. Chicago was able to sell him on how he was different than the players in “Nothing’s better than demonstrating. If a team has a demonstrated its pipeline and how there was a path to the NHL sooner than later. history of giving those guys a chance, there it is, that’s what you want.” Kalynuk’s 21 NHL games this season were proof of that, too. Kubalik wasn’t technically a free agent, but the Blackhawks still needed “I think in (Kalynuk’s) case, we do have a lot of young defensemen and to persuade him to sign after acquiring his rights from the Los Angeles we still do, but you know, the message is he’s gonna have competition Kings. Kubalik could have gone to the KHL if he didn’t envision NHL ice no matter what team he chooses,” Bowman said. “Everyone’s got time with the Blackhawks. Bowman said publicly he expected Kubalik to prospects. They all may be at different stages of development and it may be in the NHL. Kubalik, Kahun and Panarin, among others, have be a different style, but he’s gonna have competition where he goes. So European clauses in their contract to ensure they have an out if they’re it’s where does he think he’s gonna be able to excel? Like, does he not in the NHL. None of them had to use that option. believe in your vision for the team, your vision for his role? The coach has to be part of the process, too. put “Does he believe in the development model? Because these kids are Panarin with Patrick Kane and played plenty of college and European good players at college or junior or Europe, but they’re not superstars. free agents. Colliton will often get involved with the recruitment — he got They need to get better. And they know that they’re not at the end of the on the phone with Hardman before he signed this season. road, they’re not a finished product. So do they believe in your track record for helping these players get better? Because when players get “Certainly, you have to have them to be on board with it because if better, they do better, and when they do better, they make more money. they’re not going to support this idea and give your player a fair chance, And so it’s like, where am I gonna go to make myself the best version of then it’s gonna be really hard,” Bowman said. “Because at the end of the myself? And I think we’ve been able to paint that picture often enough day, I’m the manager, I’m not the coach. So I’m not deciding on the ice that they believe in it.” time, I’m not deciding on whether they play or don’t play. The coach has to have an affinity for the player, too; can’t just be the scouts and the Bowman sold that to Trevor van Riemsdyk when he was a college free manager. Because if that’s the case, it won’t work.” agent at New Hampshire. After van Riemsdyk broke his ankle and wasn’t playing, Bowman went to meet him and had breakfast with him off Players would like to remain with one team if possible, but NHL ice time campus. He later signed with the Blackhawks and is still in the NHL. is what they want and it’s what leads to great opportunities, longer NHL careers and eventually more money. For example, Kahun spent only one When Hardman was playing at , Doneghey had already season with the Blackhawks before he was traded, but if he didn’t get the been aware of him for many years through the Massachusetts hockey ice time and chance he received with the Blackhawks that one season, scene. Even though the Blackhawks, like every other team, passed on he might not still be in the NHL. Hardman in the draft, he got another chance to impress teams in college. “Kahun was another one where he got his opportunity and had a heck of “This is a guy that’s 6-3, he’s big, plays with two of the fastest and skills a year,” Stewart said. “Unfortunately, with the cap in different situations, guy in college hockey, and he’s not slowing them down,” Doneghey said. we weren’t able to bring him back, but he got his opportunity. He’s an “He plays in every situation. Maybe his game has evolved to where he’s NHL player now. So I just think operating in the right way with honesty under consideration for an NHL contract. You reach out to the adviser and integrity over time you got a track record for that trust. I believe that’ll and you start gathering thoughts, and most advisers will let you contact continue just based on affording the right players the right opportunity.” the kid directly. Most college coaches are pretty, I don’t want to say cool with it, but they’re understanding about it. And then, you begin the Not every player works out. Anton Wedin signed a one-year contract out recruiting process and trying to say we’re interested in you as a player, of Sweden for the 2019-20 season, and he’s back playing in Sweden this then the kid starts thinking about it, his adviser starts looking at depth season. The Blackhawks were hoping Lars Johansson would be another charts and where a kid may fit in the organization, what’s attractive and European goalie find for them, and he was back in Europe after one AHL season.

But more often than not, the Blackhawks’ signings stick in the NHL with them or another team. Kampf, Kubalik, Suter, Hardman and Kalynuk were in Chicago’s lineup late in the season. There were and are others in the now, although not everyone saw the ice. Kempný is with the Washington Capitals, Gustafsson with the Canadiens, Rutta with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Kahun with the .

The Blackhawks aren’t stopping, either. They were active again this offseason in adding Jakub Pour from the Czech Republic, in addition to Söderblom.

It’s been six years since Lynn went through Panarin’s recruiting process with the Blackhawks, but he still has clients and keeps tabs on how organizations operate — and still sees how the Blackhawks could be a good fit for those types of players.

“The Blackhawks have done a good job to position themselves to compete for European players in the past and going forward,” Lynn said.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189786 Colorado Avalanche stuff on the football field early in his career before getting trounced in the Super Bowl forced him to learn how to place more trust in lesser teammates.

Thirsting for champagne, will Nikola Jokic or Nathan MacKinnon bring Nothing delights Jokic more than making everybody in his sphere of next championship to Denver? influence happier and more productive. He does everything on the court with the patience of a man who never doubts the process. After a loss, no matter how many points, rebounds and assists are next to his name By MARK KISZLA | [email protected] | The Denver Post on the stat sheet, Joker takes full responsibility for the team’s failure to win. PUBLISHED: June 22, 2021 at 5:31 p.m. | UPDATED: June 22, 2021 at 5:36 p.m. MacKinnon is a diva on skates. Brilliant. Temperamental. He dares everyone in his world to keep up with him. Tends to push too hard when

things don’t go his way and pout while processing defeat, when the Avs Born 194 days and half the world apart, Nikola Jokic and Nathan tend to coddle him. Some guys want to win so badly and react so poorly MacKinnon are now the twin centers of our sports attention in Denver. when things don’t go their way that they never fully learn how to handle They share MVP skills, the same year of birth and championship dreams. adversity. So who wins a ring first? Joker or MacK? There’s a world of difference between Jokic and MacKinnon in leadership We can’t wait until next year, because we know the Nuggets and ability. Avalanche both could’ve won it all this year, if fate had only been kinder. Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Sombor, Serbia, are separated by more than Jokic and MacKinnon are entering what figure to be the prime years of 3,800 miles. Hall-of-Fame-worthy careers. The brightest superstars in Colorado will both be 26 years old the next time they suit up for a home game in Ball Sometime during his summer vacation, MacKinnon could do worse than Arena. cross the Atlantic Ocean, take a slow ride on a big horse alongside Jokic in Serbia and take notes on becoming a better teammate. But would you rather build a championship contender around MacKinnon or Jokic? If you’re the most skilled skater on the planet and haven’t won squat in eight NHL seasons, it might not be a hockey problem. It might be a you It’s not a trick question. For me, it’s not even especially difficult to problem. answer.

MacKinnon has magic in his genes, with other-worldly skills that made him the league’s No. 1 overall pick when the Avs drafted him out of Denver Post: LOADED: 06.23.2021 Canada in 2013. Defensemen backpedaled in shock and awe from the first time he touched the puck as a teenager on NHL ice.

Jokic was selected No. 41 overall by the Nuggets in 2014 out of Serbia; with far more assembly required in his skill set. Before becoming the most unlikely MVP in NBA history, Joker’s rise to the top entailed more crazy twists and turns than a Marble Genius maze.

But when picking a leader of my championship dream, I would take Joker over MacK in a heartbeat.

Why?

Although born a little more than six months apart in 1995, Jokic is a man in full, while there’s still remnants of a petulant child in MacKinnon.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) look up during the second period of Game 6 in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on June 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

While MacK would scowl at the suggestion with the same pouty mouth I witnessed in Las Vegas after he finished as runner-up for the Hart Trophy in 2018, dare I say there’s more fight in Joker? And I would have made this same case to the jury even before Jokic slapped Phoenix guard Cameron Payne silly and stared down Suns star Devin Booker as his final act during the Nuggets’ final game in this year’s playoffs.

“Nikola knows this: I love him and support him and believe in him and will go to war with him any day and anywhere,” Denver coach Michael Malone said after his team was eliminated by Phoenix. “Our challenge is to find a way as an organization to continue to help him and put players around him that can ultimately win a championship.”

After being bounced from the Stanley Cup chase by Vegas, MacKinnon sounded like a man tired of hearing patience is a virtue, uttering words that now define a superstar whose individual greatness hasn’t translated into a championship for his team: “I’m going into my ninth year next year and I haven’t won (squat).”

There are 101 shades of gray in every life. But maybe there’s some simple black-and-white truth in the fact Joker has endured the NBA version of fat kid jokes and sweated for every ounce of basketball respect. Rather than a leader naturally born, Jokic has worked on finding his voice in the locker room with the same persistence used to master every quirky detail of his Sombor Shuffle jump shot.

MacKinnon makes everything look so easy that sometimes he leans too hard on talent alone. Flustered by relentless defensive attention in the series against Vegas, MacK rushed into trouble rather than letting open ice find him. That’s no sin; John Elway went through some of the same 1189787 Dallas Stars lacrosse, and for a while, she seemed destined to play at the collegiate level.

“She pretty much would take it from one end to the next, because her ‘A mind for art’: Meet Bri Robertson, the Shakespeare-loving rising jiu- teammates couldn’t keep up with her,” her mother said with a chuckle. jitsu star from a family of NHL players “Which is great for her. It built her confidence in that regard.”

Her eldest brother, Michael, migrated from athletics toward academics. By Sean Fitz-Gerald He is an international business student currently living in Spain. Jason and Nick kept with the game, moving into the Greater Toronto Hockey Jun 22, 2021 League and then the before their names were called at the NHL Draft — Jason (39th overall, Dallas) in 2017, and Nick

(53rd, Toronto) two years later. Bri Robertson is the fourth of five children, sandwiched in age between Bri studied acting. And still, there would be another pull in another Jason, who is a finalist for the NHL’s rookie of the year award with the direction. Dallas Stars, and Nick, a forward who is regarded among the top prospects with the Toronto Maple Leafs. “I would say my journey is different from my brothers,” she said. “They knew, more or less, what they wanted to do ever since they were a baby. “Whatever my brothers say, it’s a lie,” she said. “I can definitely kick their I joke that they left the hospital after being born in an butts.” onesie. Growing up in Pasadena, Calif., and in Northville, Mich., the siblings were “I was a little bit — I wouldn’t say confused — but I didn’t really know always in competition, and not necessarily just in the sports they played. what I wanted to do.” They might have jostled for position on the couch and bumped a sibling or two off in the process, and they might have schemed to ride shotgun in In the video posted to YouTube, Bri Robertson has her right arm the family car — developing a race known to take place even now, in wrapped around a bearded man’s neck. From her position behind his adulthood. back, she closes her eyes and recites a line of poetry: “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun.” “Other than that, it’s all fun,” she said. “But it’s beneficial now, I tell you, knowing jiu-jitsu.” She snaps her fingers as the man tumbles to the side, ostensibly unconscious. “If it was prison rules, it’d be different,” said Nick. “If it was strictly jiu-jitsu, yeah, I’d say she’s definitely not someone to screw around with.” “Out like a light,” she says into the camera.

Nick and Jason play a contact sport, but Bri prefers combat. Robertson called it the “Shakespeare Naked Choke Hold.”

She competes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, fighting on stages across the United She spent a year studying at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, in New States with the goal of building a professional career. At 20, she has York City, and spent a semester at the London Academy of Music and already won a brown belt title in her weight class, even though she holds Dramatic Art. She still harbours ambitions in the field, but those are for a purple belt, which is one rung lower on the sport’s hierarchy. after her time in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Bri would like to get her black belt. She would like to reach a level where “I think one of my best attributes as a jiu-jitsu fighter — you can say my she is paid to travel and teach the martial art to students. She wants to athleticism, you can say my skills — but I have a very good ability to win a major tournament and to help build the sport from its modest handle nerves,” she said. “In fact, even in drama school, I was much professional grounding into something more. better than most people at handling my nerves. I actually put myself in very awkward, almost embarrassing situations, just so I can get used to “It’s very independent, which makes it scary for some,” she said. “But I’m the feeling of having eyes on me.” a little bit of an attention-grabber. So I kind of like having all eyes on me. I like the performative aspect of jiu-jitsu.” Mercedes moved to Michigan from California with the four youngest children for better opportunities in hockey. Hugh commuted from Los “Bri is really fearless,” said fight promoter Seth Daniels. Angeles, where he works as a lawyer. The children trained with Todd Her coach Ben Zhuang was clear: “She’s going to be the best female Allee, who is the co-owner of Mash Gym, in nearby Redford. grappler in the world.” They trained three days a week. Michael and Jason were taller, but Nick Mercedes and Hugh Robertson had three sons who fell deeply in love and Bri were still strong. with hockey, which can create a logistical challenge for any family, let “Nicky was always super-competitive,” said Allee. “He wanted to do more alone one living in Southern California, where the traffic makes arenas push-ups, pull-ups, run faster, because he knew he wasn’t as big. Bri seem further away than they might appear on the map. wanted to keep pace with him.” Their solution? They bought a mobile version of home: A 25-foot The gym offers classes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. And when Bri moved back to recreational vehicle. Los Angeles, she got more serious about the sport. It was white and beige, with maroon swirls. There was an awning on the There is a list of celebrities who train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Keanu Reeves passenger side that afforded a measure of cover from the elements when used it to prepare for his role in the “John Wick” franchise. Ed O’Neill, it was time to barbecue in a parking lot. Most important, it gave the family who starred in “Married With Children” and “Modern Family,” has an operating base for hockey practices. discussed his black belt with pride. Mercedes would gather the youngest children and park in front of the “It’s all UFC on the ground,” said Zhuang, Robertson’s coach in Los arena. One child would go in for practice, while the others might eat or do Angeles. “If the fight hits the ground in UFC, you’re doing Brazilian jiu- homework. The next would go inside, and the rotation would be set in jitsu.” motion again. There is no striking in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Competitors maneuver for Bri tried hockey. The Pasadena Maple Leafs were short a player one position and can submit opponents with holds and limb locks. Robertson season when she was six, and she stepped into the void, but the appeal has been praised for her aggressive style that pursues those tap-outs was fleeting. Instead, as her brothers filed in and out of the RV, she from opponents. would often be in the back, working on crafts. “She has a mind for art,” said Zhuang. “And art is really what “And let me tell you: She was such a trooper,” said Mercedes. “I tell these performance at the highest level is.” boys to this day that it wasn’t their own sacrifices. It was everybody, including their sister.” There is money to be made for winning at the highest level, but the purses are modest. Allee, the trainer in Michigan, said events could pay Bri dabbled in many sports. She tried fencing. She played basketball. Her competitors hundreds of dollars, and that some might collect $5,000 for mother remembered a competitive jump rope camp. She excelled in their efforts. “It’s a nice supplement to your training income,” he said, “but it’s not livable.” The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 Seth Daniels operates Fight 2 Win, which stages dozens of professional cards across the U.S. each year, including events in which Robertson has competed. He said women who compete at the top level could earn up to $10,000 per fight.

Robertson is the brown belt featherweight champion in his circuit. She holds a purple belt, but Daniels said he allowed her to challenge one rung higher “because she’s that good.”

“She’s not afraid to go for techniques that could put her in a compromising position,” he said. “Her technique is really, really solid. Fitness-wise, she’s in incredible shape.”

Robertson said she usually trains twice a day, six days a week, training with weights four days a week.

“Bri’s work ethic is beyond reproach,” said her father, Hugh. “This is someone who wins a tournament and then is working out in the gym at 1 a.m., after the tournament, because she wants to get ready for the next tournament.”

A simple rule governed the giant office calendar Mercedes Robertson used to organize the chaos of life with active children. It was populated, month-by-month, with hockey practices and power-skating, with stick- handling sessions and summer camps, and the rule was it all had to be written in pencil.

“God forbid anybody put any pen on there,” she said with a laugh, “because it was too permanent, and it wasn’t going to be easy for me to erase once things changed.”

Today, the calendar lives on Google, but it can only be populated two weeks at a time.

Michael was in Barcelona. Jason was in Riga, Latvia, playing in the world hockey championship after his season ended in Dallas. Nick was in Toronto, recovering from an injury. Bri had a competition in Miami, but returned home to Southern California to recover from an ankle injury.

As she thought about it, Mercedes did not think she had a family photo — with all the kids together in the same room — more recent than one taken three years ago.

“It’s a little sad,” she said. “But, you know, they’re onto bigger and better things.”

Mercedes and Hugh traveled extensively to watch Jason and Nick when they played in the OHL, and they were in the crowd when Bri fought in Miami earlier in the spring.

“It’s completely different than the boys,” said Mercedes. “It’s anticipation. And it’s knowing just how much she trains for it. You could be so strong in the first two-and-a-half minutes, and if you drop your guard in the last 20 seconds and put yourself in a compromising position … but Bri loves that.”

“I can tell you my heart races when she’s fighting,” said Hugh. “Not that she’s going to get hurt or anything, but because it’s one-on-one skill. There’s nobody in between. There’s no referees. There’s no team. You are doing it, and it’s quick.”

Nick has watched his sister’s fights online.

“When you’re playing on a hockey team, your team gets the recognition coming onto the ice,” he said. “She’s her own team. It’s way different for us, seeing how it’s an individual sport. She’s representing herself, and our family, she’s not representing a team or a city.”

Not long after the Leafs picked him in the draft, Nick went for breakfast with his family. On the way out of the restaurant, he angled his way toward the front passenger side door. He was going to win the race for shotgun.

Bri thought otherwise. She moved in and put him in a hold.

“She’s definitely slippery,” he said.

Mercedes, annoyed, told him to get in the backseat.

“When we’re all together, honestly? It’s us at the dinner table just talking so much trash on the other person, and then everyone else is just cheering each other on,” Bri said with a laugh. “And then, if it’s a really good slam, we’ll high-five.” 1189788 Detroit Red Wings Detroit Free Press LOADED: 06.23.2021

How Adam Erne's 2nd chance in Detroit paid off for Steve Yzerman and Red Wings

Helene St. James

Detroit Free Press

At the start of his career with the Detroit Red Wings, Adam Erne was in a unique position.

As the Wings gathered for training camp in the fall of 2019, he was one of the few players who had been brought in by Steve Yzerman, who had been named general manager that April. While Erne’s first year with Detroit disappointed, his second year has put him in a position that probably will lead to a longer-term stay.

Erne, 26, is a restricted free agent, but he's just one year from unrestricted status. Given that, Yzerman is likely to sign Erne to a multi- year contract.

“I think we got a real good player who is a little bit of a different dimension for us,” Yzerman said in May, a few days after the 2020-21 season ended for the Wings. “He’s a big, thick kid who’s got pretty good hands and can play a lot of different situations. I think there’s a lot more there. But I really like Adam’s determination and his drive.

“He’s really driven, he wants to be a good player in the NHL, he puts the time in, the work in. It was good to see he earned a bigger role on the team and thrived in it.”

Erne maximized the opportunity he got — especially on the power play — after Tyler Bertuzzi was lost to a back injury Jan. 30. Erne recorded a personal best 11 goals — nine more than he scored in 2019-20 — and nine assists in 56 games.

“We all feel good for him,” Yzerman said.

Yzerman drafted Erne in the second round, at No. 33 overall, in 2013 while GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Four months after taking the job in Detroit, Yzerman acquired Erne for a 2020 fourth-round draft pick. The Wings needed grit, and as Erne’s game has grown, he has more than validated Yzerman’s decision.

“Steve is a great guy,” Erne said. “He’s very honest. Doesn’t tell you what you want to hear; tells you what you need to hear. I respect that a lot. He doesn’t feed you anything that’s not true. I always take what he says to heart and just try to work to work on what he thinks I need to work on and always take his advice. He’s not over the top, either. He stays behind the scenes a lot, so when he does say something, you make sure you listen.”

Erne spent last year’s pandemic-prolonged offseason working on being better in front of the net and playing a 200-foot game.

“I just tried to build on areas of the game that I played the most,” Erne said. “I’ll try to bring that into next season, do that consistently throughout the year.”

Erne tied for the team lead in goals and tied Filip Zadina with six power play points. While other lines changed often because there were so many injuries, Erne spent most of the season on a line with Luke Glendening and Darren Helm.

“Those are two really hard-working guys,” Erne said. “A lot of nights we played against other teams’ top lines and we prided ourselves on not giving them much. We tried to keep it simple, get pucks behind their D, just kind of frustrate them, make them play in their zone.”

Teammates noticed.

“Him, Glenny and Helmer had an identity to their line,” team captain Dylan Larkin said. “They played hard, they were physical, they spent time in the O-zone by grinding it out and using each other. To see him have a good year, we were all happy for him.”

Erne looks like he can be a solid complementary piece in the rebuild. He’s in the same age-group as Larkin, Bertuzzi, Robby Fabbri and Jakub Vrana, and he fits nicely into Yzerman’s plan as a low-risk investment.

1189789 Detroit Red Wings and becomes available later in the summer. He's the type of defenseman who the Wings can then sign and flip at the trade deadline.

► Mattias Janmark, center, Vegas, (11 goals, 13 assists): A former In slim free-agent market, there are potential fits and reunions for Red Wings’ draft pick dealt to Dallas in 2015 in the Erik Cole trade, Janmark Wings has had a steady career and played very well in Vegas as a rental. Janmark, 28, might have earned himself a multi-year deal with his performance this season. TED KULFAN | The Detroit News ► Jon Merrill, defenseman, Detroit/Montreal, (no goals, five assists): The Wings signed the Grand Blanc native last summer, then dealt him to Montreal at the trade deadline for a fifth-round pick. Merrill did a fine job Detroit — It may not be a frenzy, but there will be intrigue when NHL with the Wings, and a reunion is very possible. unrestricted free agency begins on July 28. ► Ryan Murray, defenseman, (no goals, 14 assists): With the salary cap still flat at $81.5 million for next season, many teams Murray, 27, might be more of a reach and will likely be looking for some are again going to be cash-strapped with little room to navigate and add term on the contract, but he’s a talented left-shot defenseman who could players. Plus, many of the top potential unrestricted free agents have upgrade the lineup. been re-signed, shallowing this summer's available players. ► Patrik Nemeth, defenseman, Detroit/Colorado, (three goals, seven Gone are the days when the first day of free agency brought so much assists): Nemeth did his job with the Wings for two seasons as a sturdy anticipation for most teams looking to spend on stars. defensive defenseman who knew his role. He’ll have options, but a return The Red Wings used to be one of those teams in that situation. to Detroit wouldn’t be shocking.

But what about now? ► Tomas Nosek, center/left wing, Vegas (eight goals, 10 assists): The Wings lost Nosek, 28, in the expansion draft and he became a versatile, They’ll have wiggle room, with only 10 players under contract for productive player in Vegas. The cash-strapped Golden Knights might approximately $33.3 million. But there are several factors which will likely have difficulty keeping Nosek, who could certainly help the Wings’ lineup. keep general manager Steve Yzerman away from the high-priced, big- name aisle (although this summer’s crop of free agents isn’t going to ► Jordan Oesterle, defenseman, Arizona (one goal, 10 assists): Another excite most folks). local player (Dearborn Heights/Dearborn Divine Child/Western Michigan) who is a left-shot defenseman, Oesterle, 28, could be looking for an The Wings, though showing signs of improvement, simply aren’t ready to opportunity to showcase himself for a bigger deal down the line. add big-name, big-salary free agents at this stage of the rebuild. Nor would certain free agents want to be Wings, at this stage, instead for ► Jamie Oleksiak, defenseman, Dallas (six goals, eight assists): He's looking playoff-ready teams. probably out of the Wings’ price range, but there is a chance Oleksiak slips through unsigned the first couple weeks. He would add size (6-foot- Also, with the team's restricted free agents — forwards Tyler Bertuzzi, 7, 255 pounds) and big-game pedigree, and would be a bargaining chip Jakub Vrana, Adam Erne and Michael Rasmussen and defenseman Filip at the deadline. Hronek — all in need of new contracts, that’ll take a bite of the available money. ► Jaden Schwartz, left wing, St. Louis (eight goals, 13 assists): Schwartz, 28, has scored more than 20 goals in a season four times in And the Wings have several potential UFAs of their own they’d like to re- his career, but he slumped this year. He might be a nice fit as a guy who sign. is looking to re-establish himself.

Goaltender Jonathan Bernier and forward Luke Glendening are near ► Tomas Tatar, left wing, Montreal (10 goals, 20 assists): Tatar, 30, was certainties to return. Bernier has been arguably one of the Wings’ best a productive player with the Wings before being traded away in 2018. players over the last two seasons, and he forms a good tandem with There’s a chance the market may squeeze Tatar, who could be looking goaltender Thomas Greiss. for a contract past the first few days of free agency.

Glendening is a leader on the young team and is one of the best players ► Alex Wennberg, center, Florida (17 goals, 12 assists): He picked a in the face-off circle in the NHL. great time to have a career-best season, after signing a one-year, $2.25 million deal last summer. He'll get a better contract this time around, but Defenseman Marc Staal and forwards Sam Gagner, Darren Helm and can Wennberg, 27, duplicate that type of production? Bobby Ryan all are UFAs who would fill particular roles in the lineup. But not all are going to return, with Staal and Gagner the most likely to be extended new deals. Detroit News LOADED: 06.23.2021 The Wings are likely to, similar to last offseason, sign free agents on short-term contracts and have flexibility to make bigger moves in the future.

“My approach has been you look for opportunities, you wait for opportunities to come along,” Yzerman said during his end-of-season Zoom call with reporters. “When I have tried to force something and chase something, it hasn't really worked out. Along the way, I have never really tried to do something to make a splash. There has to be a reason for it, a good reason, thinking you're going to be a better team. I don't want it to just look good, it has to actually be good.

“Anything along the way that might make sense, I am not opposed to signing a free agent.”

Taking the Wings’ own UFAs out of the equation, here are some potential UFAs who could fit what the Wings will be looking for beginning July 28:

► Ian Cole, defenseman, Minnesota (one goal, seven assists in 2020- 21): The Ann Arbor native is 32 and coming off a good season with the Wild, but they’ll have only so much money left over to spend. Cole will likely look toward a contender first, but the left-shot defenseman would be a fit with the Wings.

► Alex Goligoski, defenseman, Arizona (three goals, 19 assists): Goligoski, 35, might be the type of veteran who slips through the cracks 1189790 Detroit Red Wings Detroit News LOADED: 06.23.2021

Former Red Wing Gerard Gallant confronts win-now challenge as Rangers coach

By Stephen Whyno | Associated Press

Gerard Gallant is taking over a young team with potential as coach of the New York Rangers, just like his three previous stops.

Unlike Columbus, Florida and expansion Vegas, Gallant will be expected to win quickly, if not right away. The 57-year-old — who played seven of his nine NHL seasons with the Detroit Red Wings — is embracing those high expectations in a big market, even if he insists he will handle this situation the same as his previous jobs.

“It’s a team that’s ready to take off, go to the next level and I’ll prepare the same way,” Gallant said Tuesday. “I feel very comfortable about what happened in the past, in the past six years with Florida and in Vegas and I’ll bring that forward to the New York Rangers and get to know their players, get to know their personnel. I think that’s really important, and I think that’s one of my strong points.”

Gallant was a target for new president and general manager Chris Drury because he was won pretty much everywhere. He won the in 2011 as the top Canadian junior team, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League titles in 2011 and 2012, and most recently coached Canada to the gold medal at the world championships after an 0-3 start.

Gallant’s best coaching job came in 2017-18 with Vegas, when the Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final in their first season with a roster built out of an expansion draft. That earned him the as NHL coach of the year.

After a first-round playoff exit in 2019 and some struggles the next season, Gallant was fired. It was even less time than his three seasons with the Panthers and one full season and parts of two others with the Blue Jackets.

“I still have a hard time going back and looking at it and saying, ‘Why did I get fired?’” Gallant said of Florida and Vegas, in particular. “I think I did a great job in both of those organizations. Things happen. It’s out of my hands.”

Gallant wants New York to be “the hardest-working team in the league.” That philosophy and Gallant’s experience undoubtedly was a selling point to Drury when choosing a successor for first-time NHL coach .

“I was looking to find a coach who had a proven track record and success at several levels,” Drury said. “‘Turk’ checked all these boxes.”

Owner James Dolan didn’t fire president John Davidson and GM Jeff Gorton and Drury didn’t send Quinn packing to keep the Rangers rebuild on a gradual track. Gallant will be expected to deliver.

“My goal and our hope is that we’re a playoff team next year,” Drury said. “It is a mandate? I don’t believe so. But I want everyone to come back and know that that’s where we want to be and with the talent on this team where we should be.”

The talent is certainly there and on paper exceeds what Gallant inherited in Vegas. Norris Trophy finalist defenseman Adam Fox, star winger Artemi Panarin, top-line center Mika Zibanejad, 2020 No. 1 pick Alexis Lafrenière, 2019 No. 2 pick Kaapo Kakko and goaltender of the present and future Igor Shesterkin make up a coach’s dream of a core.

Gallant’s task is to mold that group into a contender, first for the playoffs, then the franchise’s first Stanley Cup since 1994.

“I know we’re going to take a big step, and hopefully it’s a real big step,” Gallant said. “We’ll see what happens once training camp starts, but I know one thing is we’ve got an excellent roster there and we’re going to get down to work right away and make it the best it can be.”

Gallant played with the Red Wings from 1984-93, eclipsing 30 goals scored four times. Of his 211 career goals, 207 were scored with the Wings, to go along with 260 assists.

1189791 Detroit Red Wings

NHLPA poll: How players rated peers in various categories

Updated Jun 17, 2021; Posted Jun 17, 2021

By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

The Detroit Red Wings improved as a team this season, but their players did not leave much of an impression with their peers.

No Red Wing appeared on the NHL Players Association’s annual survey asking members to anonymously rate players in a variety of skills as well as some off-ice topics. That isn’t surprising, considering the Red Wings ranked second-to-last in the league in scoring, its leading scorer accumulating a paltry 26 points (Filip Hronek) and no player scored more than 11 goals (Adam Erne, Anthony Mantha).

A total of 490 players from each of the 31 teams participated in the survey in March and April.

Here are some of the highlights:

The Tampa Bay Lightning, seeking back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, dominated two categories: Victor Hedman was named best defenseman in a landslide (65 percent), and Andrei Vasilevskiy was rated the top goaltender by a huge margin (54 percent).

Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby and Boston’s Patrice Bergeron tied in the category of most complete player (24 percent).

Toronto’s ranked ahead of Washington’s Alex Ovechkin as the best goal-scorer (46 percent to 34 percent) but Ovechkin beat out Matthews for the best shot.

In off-ice categories, Boston’s David Pastrnak was deemed as having the most unique tape-job on his stick, Matthews the most fashionable and Crosby the most superstitious. Colorado had the best reverse retro jersey (29 percent), using the logo with the Avalanche’s colors.

Players overwhelmingly favored a return to the pre-COVID season divisional alignment (68 percent), which will happen. But 66 percent favored a series-style schedule in which teams played two games in each trip to a city to reduce travel.

Michigan Live LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189792 Detroit Red Wings smarts who would block shots and do whatever it took to help his team win. That excited the staff.

And then, when they got him onto the ice for practices and early games Red Wings draft: Could Mason McTavish be the pick at No. 6 and an with the U18 team, they started to feel he was the complete package. answer at center? “He became a player that I could put on the ice in any situation and I knew the job was going to get done — or really close to being done — By Max Bultman very well,” Barr said. “Offensively, defensively, penalty kill, power play; he did everything for us. Jun 22, 2021 “Played hard, strong. Strong on pucks, that’s one of the things that really impressed me. Reminds me of Ryan O’Reilly. He just knows how to win puck battles, and that’s an art. A lot of players don’t. He does.” The Red Wings are in a precarious position with the sixth pick in next month’s NHL Draft. Certainly, his size helps with that. At 6-foot-1, 207 pounds, McTavish has some inherent physical advantages to get the most out of his compete Two of the most costly pieces for an NHL team to acquire are top-pair level. But if the puck battle success is the granular example, the do-it-all defensemen and top-six centers. Detroit’s organizational depth chart also description of being able to play on both special teams and contribute makes clear these are two of the team’s biggest needs. And yet, picking offensively and defensively is the more big-picture bottom line for why outside the top five, there is simply no guarantee a top-tier center or McTavish could be a fit for the Red Wings. defenseman (especially on the left side, where the Red Wings are currently thinner) will make it to them — and even less guarantee such a Thus far, that fits with the identity the Red Wings have tried to create, player would be Detroit’s top available prospect at that spot, in a draft starting with Larkin, the team’s captain and top-line center. Barr also with multiple high-level wingers. described McTavish as “super easy to coach,” which is a bonus.

The Red Wings have picked in the top 10 four times thus far in their If you’re waiting for the catch or the reason a center with this kind of rebuild, beginning in 2017. Twice they’ve picked wingers (Filip Zadina reviews would even be a realistic possibility outside the top five, the main and Lucas Raymond), once they took a defenseman (Moritz Seider) and question mark with McTavish is skating. Pronman rated it below NHL in 2017 they selected center Michael Rasmussen. In many ways, Detroit average and wrote “he will be OK in the NHL in that regard but will has been justified in not fixating on any one position with their top picks; struggle to create separation.” Especially as a center, that’s noteworthy. the Red Wings really do need everything, and forcing one position to the top of the board is an easy way to end up with regrets. But Barr, who has spent more than a decade as an NHL assistant between the Avalanche, Wild, Devils, Sabres, Panthers and Sharks, was But strong center depth is also a huge piece of the NHL puzzle. Dom not particularly concerned with that aspect of his game. Luszczyszyn’s GSVA model indicates that the average Cup winner over the last decade has had two top-line caliber centers (including an elite “If you know where to go, and you’re strong and ready to compete when one). And considering how expensive it is to acquire one of those top you get there, you don’t have to be a great skater,” he said. “There’s centers on the trade or free-agent markets (if they get there at all) — as guys who are unbelievable skaters who don’t do anything in the playoffs. well as Detroit’s need at the position behind Dylan Larkin — the Red So it’s knowing where to go, how to win the battle when you get there, Wings would be well-served to take a swing on one sooner rather than how to be strong. Yes, you’d like him to be (Connor) McDavid, but he’s later while they’re still picking in the top 10. not, but I think his skating’s going to be fine anyways. I think it’ll be a non- issue. You won’t say he’s a good skater, you won’t say he’s a bad In the late-rising Mason McTavish, an opportunity might just be skater.” emerging. Barr added a vote of confidence that McTavish projects to play down the McTavish is a perfect case study for the effects of the pandemic on the middle as a pro, which is certainly reassuring from someone with that 2021 draft. He was a well-regarded prospect entering the season — he much NHL experience. ranked 18th on Corey Pronman’s preseason ranking last October — but didn’t get to play in the OHL after the league cancelled its 2020-21 The other question one could raise, looking at McTavish’s stat lines, season. Instead, he went to Switzerland, where he played in 17 games would revolve around the imbalance of goals to assists in his last two against men and racked up 18 points — including seven points in four years. He had just 13 helpers (relative to 29 goals) as an OHL rookie. In playoff games. his 13 regular-season games in Switzerland, he had nine goals to just two assists. Then, he returned to North America for the World U18s, where he turned in 11 points in seven games against his own age group and tied for fifth The more recent samples in the Swiss playoffs (five assists in four in tournament scoring. games) and U18s (six assists in seven games) help assuage that, though, and Barr felt like McTavish showed the key abilities when he Both datasets are small samples. But McTavish certainly made the most coached him. of those opportunities. Pronman reported earlier this month that McTavish is “being seriously discussed as a top 5-7 pick by teams after “He seemed, from what I saw — I think eight games total, including his great U18 World Championship, especially in a draft light on center exhibition — he looked like he could do everything,” Barr said. “He depth.” looked unselfish with the puck, he looked like he knew when to pass and when not to, when to shoot (and) when not to. He kind of did everything That’s right in the Red Wings’ range, and would potentially check off a well. He seems like a complete player to me. If you’re on his wing, you’re major box in the roster-building process down the middle. probably pretty happy because he’s going to be giving you the puck when you get open, and he’s capable of making nice plays.” “Mason was just a rock for us,” said Dave Barr, Canada’s coach at the U18s and a longtime NHL assistant coach. “I played the heck out of him. All of that adds up to a player who should have Detroit’s attention at No. I think I played him more than anybody, just because I could put him out 6 — if he gets there. NHL Central scouting ranked him second among in any situation. Good faceoff guy. I mean he’s going to be a very good North American skaters, and with center-needy Columbus picking one NHL player. I’m sure he’s going to keep working at his game, and … the spot ahead of the Red Wings, it’s conceivable the Blue Jackets snap him coaches (wherever he goes) will love him.” up before GM Steve Yzerman gets the chance.

For much of the last two seasons, goal scoring is what’s jumped off the That, of course, would allow another prospect to fall into Detroit’s range page from McTavish’s resume. He had 29 goals in 57 games as an OHL and open other doors as a result. rookie, and 11 in those 17 games in Switzerland. That’s a selling point, especially for the offensively deficient Red Wings. Pronman gave But with the premium nature of the center position, it stands out as one of McTavish’s shot an above-average grade, to go with NHL-average puck the Red Wings’ most important needs near the top of the draft. And skills and hockey sense and an above-average compete level. McTavish, if he’s available, has the potential to be Detroit’s answer.

These are many of the same things Barr saw on video as he got to know the roster after being named Canada’s coach. Watching video from The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 McTavish’s play in Switzerland, he saw a competitive player with skill and 1189793 Edmonton Oilers Since 2005, only 16 goalies have been taken in the first round, and they’ve run the gamut (home runs vs major strikeouts). In the same time frame, some playoff starters were taken much later. Philipp Grubauer in Oil Kings goaltender Sebastian Cossa an option for Oilers in NHL Draft Colorado was a fourth-round pick in 2010, Nashville’s Jusse Saros, also a fourth-rounder in 2013.

The flipside: The four teams still alive in the NHL playoffs—Montreal Jim Matheson • Edmonton Journal (Price), Tampa Vasilevskiy), New York Islanders (Semyon Varlamov) and Vegas (Marc-Andre Fleury) — all have starters picked in the first round, Publishing date: Jun 22, 2021 Fleury in 2003. Same with Boston (Tuukka Rask 2005, actually a Toronto pick), and Florida (Spencer Knight, 2019). Knight took over the net against Tampa in the Panthers series, supplanting the $10 million Sergei Conventional wisdom says taking a goalie in the first round of the NHL Bobrovsky. draft is like throwing darts at a board with the wrong hand and blind- folded — heavy on the risk — because you can find a starter in the fifth The most goalies to go in the first round since 2005 was four (Jonathan like Connor Hellebuyck or a third-rounder like Elvis Merzlikins just as Bernier, Irving, Varlamov and Irving) in 2006. There were two (McCollum easily. and Pickard) in 2008. Jack Campbell (Dallas) and Vesentin in 2010. Vasilevskiiy and Malcolm Subban (Boston) in 2012. Washington took Ilya “You need an awful lot of courage to take a goalie in the first because if Samsonov in 2015, Dallas grabbed Jake Oettinger in 2017. Nashville there’s a failure there, it’s so blatant,” said a long-time amateur scout. selected Yaroslav Askarov in 2020.

Their road to the NHL is also much longer than a forward or a If Cossa is gone by No. 19 and a forward they also like has also been defenceman unless you’re Carey Price (fifth overall in 2005). Usually four taken, there’s a good chance Holland could trade back and get an early years or more after being drafted, even in Round 1. See Dubnyk, Devin. second and a third-rounder. Their second belongs to Detroit for Andreas Athanasiou. Their third to Calgary as part of the James Neal for Milan The Edmonton Oilers took him 14th in 2004, while playing for the Lucic deal. Kamloops Blazers. They didn’t see him in the NHL until 2009, and not as a starter. He didn’t become one until he got to Minnesota 10 years after But Cossa would be a prize for the Oilers. his draft year. This ‘n that: A new public school in Keswick will be named after Joey Which brings us to the Oilers once again. They have the 19th pick in the Moss, which is terrific news. Now, change the generic Downtown July 23 draft. Should they take Sebastian Cossa, who is right in their Community Arena, attached to , to Joey Moss Arena. That backyard, playing for the Oil Kings when they don’t pick again until would be very fitting. midway through round four unless GM can snag a second or third-rounder somehow?

On every draft board, Cossa is a top 20 prospect: 38-7-4, .931 save Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 06.23.2021 percentage the past two seasons, which has something to do with his ability, also how strong his team is. He’s athletic with an easy-going demeanour, six-foot-six, a strong possibility to be Canada’s next world junior team starter. Plays deeper in his net than some goalies; stylistically he is like Ben Bishop, who is six-foot-eight. Not as highly thought of by some scouts as Swede Jesper Wallstedt this year, but a first-round talent all day long. His projection? NHL starter.

“I love Cossa. I would say he’s the best (first-round prospect) I’ve seen in the last 10 years, outside of (Andrei Vasilevskiy)” said the veteran amateur scout.

“There’s no loose limbs, nothing with Cossa. He’s big but not a blocker. Very athletic, very tight in the net. He finds shots (in traffic) where you say: ‘How did he see that?’ If he gives up a bad goal, he fights like hell to not give up another one. Really like his calmness. When he comes to the bench for a stoppage, he takes off his mask, has a drink of water, looking like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

“Cossa has very good net coverage in his stance or when he drops into the butterfly,” said former NHL goalie Al Jensen, in charge of looking at the netminders for Central Scouting.

The Oilers have Stuart Skinner, 22, (third-round pick) and Olivier Rodrigue, 20, (second) in Bakersfield already with Skinner getting his first NHL game (and win) against Ottawa in January. At present, he seems to be on the same trajectory as Laurent Brossoit, a good NHL backup, but maybe he can be a 1B goalie. He’s coming off a very good year (31 games, 2.38 average, .914 save percentage) on the farm. Also, they’ve just signed 2019 third-round Russian Ilya Konovalov, 23 next month. But, Cossa is much higher-rated in his draft year.

They don’t need defencemen in Round 1, even if the crop is deepest in blueliners. They’re overloaded with prospect D. They do need more forwards. If ex NHLer Mike Sillinger’s boy Cole (Sioux City centre, USHL), winger Isak Rosen, a Swedish Nikolaj Ehlers, or winger Matthew Coronato (Chicago USHL, 48 goals in 51 games and going to Harvard) were still there at No. 19, they would have to consider them, too.

There have been some loud swings and misses with goalies in the first round. Since 2005, we bring you Leland Irving (Calgary) and Riku Helenius (Tampa), both in 2006, Tom McCollum (Detroit) and Chet Pickard (Nashville) in 2008 and Mark Visentin (Coyotes in 2010). Pickard has never played an NHL game, Visentin and Helenius one, McCollum three, Irving 13. 1189794 Edmonton Oilers Is there enough there to get into the discussion? Here Vogl’s list of potential proposals comes in handy as a guide. One of his deals, in particular, stands out as a possible framework for the Oilers:

How the Oilers could make a Jack Eichel-level trade happen this • Los Angeles sends centers Alex Turcotte and Gabriel Vilardi, a offseason secondary prospect and goalie Jonathan Quick to the Sabres for Eichel.

One of the things that makes this a difficult match is that Buffalo likely By Jonathan Willis needs forwards more than defencemen. The Sabres already have a young blue line, headlined by Rasmus Dahlin, 21, and with Jacob Jun 22, 2021 Bryson, 23, and Henri Jokiharju, 22, playing important roles. That presumably would make it difficult for Broberg or Bouchard to be

centrepieces of a deal, and especially so if Buffalo takes Owen Power with the No. 1 pick this summer.

At first glance, Jack Eichel as a member of the Edmonton Oilers sounds Holloway lacks the same draft pedigree as Turcotte but had a absurd. Probably also on second glance. significantly better draft-plus-one season at the University of Wisconsin than his former college teammate had with the AHL’s Ontario Reign. It’s worth playing around with the idea anyway, though, because the truth Vilardi meanwhile doesn’t stand out as a significantly better NHL player is that it’s hard to get first-line players of any stripe, let alone a 24-year- than Yamamoto or Puljujarvi today, but he’s a big centre and that old right-shooting centre under long-term team control. certainly matters.

The objections to Eichel are of course obvious. My colleague Daniel A hypothetical package of Puljujarvi, Holloway and Edmonton’s 2021 Nugent-Bowman laid them out concisely last month: first-rounder compares somewhat well to Turcotte, Vilardi and an unnamed secondary prospect, though a quick glance at Scott Wheeler’s “With the NHL’s top-two scorers, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, midseason prospect rankings shows Turcotte and Vilardi a tier above usually taking up the Nos. 1 and 2 center spots — not to mention $21 Puljujarvi and Holloway. Using Wheeler’s rankings, we could fix that by million in annual cap space — it’s hard to envision how and where Eichel swapping in Bouchard for one of the forwards (as Bouchard ranks above would fit with the Oilers.” both Kings prospects) but only at the cost of making a defenceman the Perhaps no team in the NHL is less in need of a young impact centre centrepiece of the deal. Needless to say, prospect rankings differ from than the Oilers. Spending $10 million in cap space on that player seems person to person, so it’s hard to be definitive. crazy. Yet both the lineup and cap obstacles can be overcome. One PLUS: Edmonton wouldn’t have to dump two years of Quick’s $5.8 Let’s start with the lineup. If McDavid and Draisaitl were both full-time, million average-annual-value contract to make the money work. They’d dedicated centres, a la Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, this would be surely be happy to include the single year of Mikko Koskinen’s $4.5 a non-starter. They aren’t. Indeed, in three of the four games of million AAV contract in the deal, and just to keep things in the range, we Edmonton’s postseason sweep, the Oilers played their superstars might as well throw in Kyle Turris’ remaining year at $1.6 million. That together on the same line. combination is still less pain than the 35-year-old Quick’s contract, given that he’s just completed a third consecutive year battling with the .900 It was frustrating to watch , who had so successfully split the save percentage mark. pair only the previous season, suddenly revert to the Todd McLellan-era practice of overloading one line at the expense of his other three. I think it Is a package of Puljujarvi, Holloway, Koskinen, Turris and a 2021 first a was a mistake (though, full disclosure, I have never been named the reasonable idea? Arguably Buffalo’s getting too much of a grab-bag with NHL’s coach of the year; Tippett has), but it wasn’t an inexplicable move. no single player comparable to Eichel. On the other hand, Edmonton’s Subtract Draisaitl and the team’s next-best winger is Ryan Nugent- arguably gutting the future (especially up front) for a single $10 million Hopkins, who struggled next to McDavid all season. After that, it’s either forward with injury concerns on a roster that’s already top-heavy. Let’s Jesse Puljujarvi (unceremoniously booted from the top line midgame) or pretend for a moment that a deal in that general ballpark works for both Kailer Yamamoto (who had one goal in the season’s final 25 games). sides (even if it doesn’t), just so we can play with the cap ramifications.

The Oilers lack high-end support for their star centres. Usually, the Is it even possible for the Oilers to absorb Eichel’s cap hit without also suggested solution is that they go out and find great wingers. Trading for giving up all hope of improving the roster? Yes, just barely: Eichel would be a way of doing that, by bumping Draisaitl to the wing on LW C RW a more-or-less full-time basis. Leon Draisaitl In other words, do you enjoy the absurd firepower of a McDavid-Draisaitl line? Do you also enjoy the one-two punch created by a pair of franchise Connor McDavid centers? With an Eichel trade, the Oilers could have their cake and eat it too. Zack Kassian

Then there is the slight matter of paying for Eichel. It’s going to take $8,500,000 some very dear pieces to pry him out of Buffalo. After that, it’s also going $12,500,000 to take a lot of cap space to keep him in Edmonton. $3,200,000 On the trade side, neither McDavid nor Draisaitl is going the other way. The same is going to be true of Darnell Nurse; there’s simply no sense UFA LW making a trade to overload the forward corps at the cost of decimating the blue line. So what would go the other way? Jack Eichel

“Buffalo needs a true cornerstone to help fans weather the loss of the Kailer Yamamoto captain,” The Athletic’s John Vogl wrote in May. “It’d also be nice to get a $4,000,000 center and goalie since the Sabres lack the latter and will need the former once Eichel is gone.” $10,000,000

All of those are hurdles, and the biggest for the Oilers is the first one. $2,500,000 They lack impact forwards. The closest names on the current roster are Puljujarvi and Yamamoto, and neither comes close to matching Eichel’s Dominik Kahun on-ice impact. Ethan Bear, coming off a down season, is the closest non- Traded C Nurse name on the blue line. Josh Archibald The Oilers do have some good prospects worth discussing in this hypothetical. , and Philip Broberg are in $1,000,000 the upper tier; Ryan McLeod, Dmitri Samorukov and Raphael Lavoie fall $3,500,000 into the second. $1,500,000 regardless of whether the player is Eichel, some other trade candidate or a top free agent like Dougie Hamilton. Ryan McLeod All it requires is a lot of sacrifice, a willing partner (whether team or free Jujhar Khaira agent) and a certainty that the player coming back the other way is the Alex Chiasson piece that’s going to make the difference. Those, rather than cap space or lineup details, are the biggest stumbling blocks. $834,167

$1,250,000 The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 $800,000

Tyler Benson

Devin Shore

$750,000

$850,000

LD

RD

G

Darnell Nurse

Ethan Bear

UFA G

$5,600,000

$2,000,000

$5,000,000

Oscar Klefbom*

Adam Larsson

Mike Smith

$4,167,000

$4,000,000

$2,000,000

Kris Russell

Evan Bouchard

$1,250,000

$863,333

William Lagesson

$725,000

That depth chart accounts for just shy of $77 million against the cap, which is plenty of room until one considers the dead money. The Oilers are still paying retained money on Milan Lucic, a buyout to Andrej Sekera and bonus overages; to that money, we’ve added the cost of a James Neal buyout. The end result is that there is about $200,000 for Edmonton to play with here, though you can improve that number by dropping to 13 forwards or making Smith’s deal bonus-heavy or what have you.

Naturally, there are a bunch of assumptions just as a proof of concept of the roster. I had names in mind for the second-line left winger, third-line centre and starting goalie, but if you figure it could be $12.5 million for the lot, there’s room to do some things. There’s the further assumption that Oscar Klefbom will be healthy here; if he isn’t, that money would go to a free-agent defenceman. Finally, I penciled in as the Oilers’ expansion casualty since things seem to be trending in that direction.

In any event, the problems with a fantasyland exercise like this are myriad. We can pick apart the trade package (in both directions!), we can pick apart the cap assumptions and we can debate the very wisdom of spending $31 million on three forwards over the long term. There are so many ways this could go wrong, and naturally, it’s almost certain not to happen. I don’t even claim it’s necessarily a good idea.

What we can say is that it’s at least hypothetically possible. Edmonton could dig deep into its stock of futures and make a compelling offer; further, it could squeeze in a cap hit for a major player. This holds true 1189795 Florida Panthers

Bill Zito, architect of Panthers rebuild, misses out on General Manager of the Year Award

By David Wilson

June 22, 2021 08:59 PM

Bill Zito’s transformational performance at the helm of the Florida Panthers was not quite enough for him to become the first rookie general manager to win the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award.

Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders beat out Marc Bergevin of the Montreal Canadiens and Zito to win the Jim Gregory Award for the second straight year. Zito finished third in voting, which is conducted by all 31 GMs, plus additional executives and media members.

Bergevin and Lamoriello both likely benefited from the timeframe of voting for the Jim Gregory Award. Unlike most NHL awards, voting for the Jim Gregory is conducted after the second-round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Canadiens and Islanders are both still playing in the third round, while Zito’s Panthers bowed out in the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The turnaround Zito staged in his first year in Broward County, however, was nearly unparalleled in the NHL this season. Florida hadn’t been to the traditional 16-team Cup playoffs since 2016 and Zito immediately vaulted the Panthers from irrelevance to contention.

Zito, 56, spent nearly three decades in hockey before finally get his first GM job last year when Florida hired him to replace Tallon and the executive quickly established him as one of the sport’s best. Before taking over the Panthers, Zito spent nearly a decade as an assistant general manager for the and spent nearly two decades as an agent prior to joining the Blue Jackets.

Through a series of offseason moves, Zito overhauled nearly half the roster and Florida had eight newcomers in its opening-day lineup. The new-look Panthers opened the season on an eight-game points streak and were the last team to lose a game in regulation.

With Zito at the helm, Florida reached the traditional 16-team Cup playoffs for only the sixth time in franchise history. The Panthers also set new franchise record for points percentage, goals per game and shots on goal per game, and tied a club record for goal differential despite the shortened schedule. Florida had the fourth points in the regular season and finished second in the Central Division before falling to the defending-champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.

For their final game in the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Panthers used 13 players who didn’t play a game for them a year earlier, including a pair of trade-deadline acquisitions. Despite another first-round exit for Florida, Zito has the Panthers in position to contend year after year after making a slew of shrewd moves to retool the roster around his core of star center Aleksander Barkov, All-Star left wing Jonathan Huberdeau, and defensemen Aaron Ekblad and MacKenzie Weegar.

Right wing Patric Hornqvist, whom Zito acquired in a trade only a month after taking over as GM, led Florida in power-play goals. Carter Verhaeghe and Anthony Duclair, a pair of relatively unheralded free- agent acquisitions, ranked top two in plus-minus among Panthers forwards, and defenseman Gustav Forsling, a waiver-wire pickup in the days before the 2020-21 NHL season began, finished fourth on the team in the category.

Five of Florida’s top 11 goal-scorers in the regular season were acquired by Zito in his short tenure — Verhaeghe, Hornqvist, Duclair, and forwards Alex Wennberg and Sam Bennett — and Bennett, a trade-deadline acquisition, scored 15 points in just 10 games with the Panthers.

With about $9 million in cap space heading into the offseason, Zito will have a chance to continue making his mark in South Florida as he tries to guide the Panthers back to the for the first time since 1996.

Miami Herald LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189796 Florida Panthers

Despite success with Florida Panthers, Bill Zito loses GM of the Year

Published 7 hours ago on June 22, 2021

By George Richards

A rookie has never been named the GM of the Year in NHL and that run continued Tuesday. Despite a rousing first season, Bill Zito of the Florida Panthers finished third in the voting for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year.

Lou Lamoriello, GM of the New York Islanders, won the award for the second consecutive year.

Zito, hired by the Panthers in September after seven years working in the front office of the Columbus Blue Jackets, hit the ground running and helped put together one of the best teams in franchise history.

Yet, in voting for the GM of the Year, he only garnered four first-place votes. Lamoriello got 12, second-place finisher Marc Bergevin of Montreal got 13.

Lamoriello is the first two-time winner of an award that was first handed out in 2010 and is voted on by the NHL’s 31 general managers, five NHL executives and five media members.

Aside from Zito, the only other first-year GM to be a finalist for the award was Ottawa’s who also placed third in 2017.

The Panthers, thanks in part to Zito’s roster maneuverings, finished a point behind Carolina in the Central Division this season and ended the season 37-14-5 with 79 points.

Four of Florida’s top seven scorers this season (Carter Verhaeghe, Patric Hornqvist, Anthony Duclair and Alex Wennberg) were brought in by Zito either by trade or by free agency.

Zito also added defensemen Radko Gudas, Gus Forsling and Markus Nutivaara as well as Sam Bennett and Brandon Montour at the trade deadline.

Florida made the playoffs for the sixth time in franchise history but were eliminated in six games by the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

Zito being a finalist for the award was the latest honor for the Panthers this season.

On Friday, captain Sasha Barkov was named the team’s first recipient of the Frank J. Selke Trophy which goes to the top defensive forward in the NHL.

Joel Quenneville was a finalist for the league’s Coach of the Year award.

Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau could also be named to the All-NHL team later this month.

Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 06.23.2021

1189797 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens one win away from Stanley Cup Final after victory in Vegas

Game 5: Canadiens 4, Golden Knights 1

Pat Hickey Montreal Gazette Publishing date:Jun 23, 2021

The Canadiens are coming home with an opportunity to wrap up their Stanley Cup semifinal after beating the Vegas Golden Knights 4-1 Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena.

The victory, which was the Canadiens’ seventh in nine road games, gave Montreal a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series with Game 6 scheduled for the Thursday (8 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM).

The second period has been Vegas’s best period in the playoffs, but the Canadiens took control of the game as they scored twice to open a 3-0 lead.

The Golden Knights had Montreal penned in the defensive zone for nearly a minute when Phillip Danault, who was on the ice to take a defensive zone faceoff, cleared the puck. Nick Suzuki and Tyler Toffoli elected to extend their shift and led the way into the Vegas zone. Suzuki took the puck down low and set up Eric Staal, who was the third man in the zone after replacing Danault.

Montreal added a power-play goal later in the period after Mark Stone misplayed the puck in the neutral zone. Corey Perry led the rush the other way and he appeared to be running of steam when he dropped the puck to Cole Caufield, whose one-timer beat Marc-André Fleury high on the glove side.

The Canadiens’ transition game paid off after Montreal went 8:42 before they managed their first shot on goal. Paul Byron cleared the puck to Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who sent Josh Anderson off on a breakaway. Fleury made the save when Anderson went to his backhand but he left a generous rebound and an empty net. Kotkaniemi was trailing on the play and took advantage as he cut outside defenceman Nick Holden to reach the rebound and bury it for his fifth playoff goal. That matches his regular- season production.

Carey Price lost his shutout when Max Pacioretty scored at 4:09 of the third period for his first goal of the series. won an offensive zone faceoff against Danault and directed the puck back to Pacioretty. The former Canadiens captain fanned on his first attempt but he regained control and beat Price high on the blocker side.

Suzuki added an empty-net goal to cap a three-point night.

The Canadiens continued to have the best penalty-killing record in the playoffs. Vegas came up empty on two advantages and is 0-for-12 in the series. The Canadiens have killed 27 consecutive penalties, one short of the NHL record, and have not allowed a power-play in a playoff-record 12 games.

Fleury was back in the Vegas net two days after Robin Lehner made 27 saves to lead the Golden Knights to a 2-1 victory over the Canadiens in Game 4 at the Bell Centre Sunday. The loss left Fleury with a 4-7 playoff record against Montreal.

The Golden Knights were back at full strength with the return of centre Chandler Stephenson after he missed three games with an upper-body injury.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189798 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.23.2021

In the Habs' Room: Caufield 'has got a ton of swagger'

"All four lines were contributing and that's the way we have to play the next game": Suzuki

Pat Hickey Montreal Gazette

When Vegas goaltender Robin Lehner talked about stopping Cole Caufield on a breakaway in Game 4 Sunday, he said he was expecting the rookie to test him between the pads because the Golden Knights had done a good scouting job of of identifying Caufield’s tendencies.

But all the scouting in the world couldn’t help Marc-André Fleury Tuesday night as Caufield took a drop pass from Corey Perry and beat the veteran goaltender with a one-timer that found the top corner.

“Kid’s got a ton of swagger. He knows he’s a scorer,” said linemate Nick Suzuki. “Maybe they are trying to get in his head but he’s going to shoot any time it’s open, he’s been doing it his whole life.”

It should be noted that Suzuki, who had a goal and two assists, is 21 and “the kid” is 20.

The Caufield goal gave the Canadiens a 3-0 lead and they went on to beat the Golden Knights 4-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the best of-seven series. They have a chance to reach the Stanley Cup final Thursday at the Bell Centre (8 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM).

The Canadiens are doing their best to prolong the season long enough for Dominique Ducharme to return from his COVID-19 confinement, but acting head coach Luke Richardson said there’s still work to be done.

“We’re going in the right direction, but we’re not there yet so we just got to make sure that’s understood; how much work it took tonight to win that game and put us in this position,” said Richardson. “We have to take the next step to make sure we get to where we want to go.”

It was the third goal in the playoffs for Caufield, who has also collected five assists.

“(Caufield) has been playing great hockey,” added Suzuki. “He was a little disappointed that he didn’t get to start against the Leafs but he’s handled that well. He’s played a big role for us and he got rewarded with that goal.”

Suzuki assisted on what proved to be the game-winning goal, setting up 36-year-old Eric Staal. The young centre was at the end of a long shift but he decided to push the play rather than dump the puck in and head for the bench.

“I thought I had good speed down the wall and I drew two guys toward me,” said Suzuki. “I thought when I got down in the corner someone was going to be coming late and (Staal) was in a great spot and he made a great shot, too.”

Suzuki’s fifth goal of the playoffs went into an empty net, but it was significant because it was his first goal against the team that drafted him in 2017.

“I thought we played a great 60 minutes,” said Suzuki. “Even after they scored their goal, we responded well. We stayed under control. They had their chances but we played a great team game. All four lines were contributing and that’s the way we have to play the next game.”

“Nick is sneaky strong and sly,” said Richardson. “He’s a big body; he’s a lot bigger than you think.”

Suzuki and Caufield weren’t the only youngsters to step up. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who is a three-year veteran at age 20, opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the playoffs. Kotkaniemi is the third centre to score nine playoff goals before his 21st birthday. The other two players to accomplish that feat are Sidney Crosby and .

Richardson began his post-game remarks by paying tribute to Tom Kurvers, who died this week at age 58. Richardson and Kurvers were teammates with the Maple Leafs and Kurvers was part of the Canadiens Stanley Cup team in 1986. 1189799 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens' Marc Bergevin finishes second in GM award voting

New York Islanders' Lou Lamoriello becomes first GM to win the award in back-to-back seasons.

Stu Cowan Montreal Gazette

The Canadiens’ Marc Bergevin finished second in voting for the Jim Gregory Award as the top general manager in the NHL this season.

The New York Islanders’ Lou Lamoriello was announced as the winner Tuesday night, becoming the first GM to win the award in back-to-back seasons since it was first presented in 2009-10. No Canadiens GM has ever won the award.

NHL general managers and a panel of NHL executives, print and broadcast media vote for the Jim Gregory Award at the conclusion of the second round of the playoffs with the top three vote-getters being named finalists. The Florida Panthers’ Bill Zito was the third finalist this year.

The Canadiens had a 24-21-11 record in the regular season, finishing fourth in the North Division before beating the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games in the first round of the playoffs and then sweeping the in the second round. The Canadiens and Golden Knights were tied 2-2 heading into Game 5 of their Stanley Cup semifinal series Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

The Islanders had a 32-17-7 record, finishing fourth in the East Division before beating the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games in the first round of the playoffs and the Boston Bruins in six games in the second round. The Islanders are trailing the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in their semifinal series heading into Game 6 Wednesday night.

Lamoriello has been an NHL general manager for 34 seasons with the Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs and . He won three Stanley Cups with the Devils and his teams have reached the playoffs 26 times. Lamoriello was inducted into the in the builders’ category in 2009.

This marked the third time Bergevin has been a finalist for the Jim Gregory Award since taking over as GM of the Canadiens in 2012. Bergevin actually received more first-place votes this year than Lamoriello, but finished well behind when second- and third-place votes were tallied.

Lamoriello had 12 first-place votes, 13 second-place votes and five third- place votes for 104 points. Bergevin had 13 first-place votes, four second-place votes and two third-place votes for 79 points.

“I’ve known Marc a long time,” Canadiens assistant coach Luke Richardson said about Bergevin on Tuesday morning. “I think he’s always been a passionate player, in management when he was with Chicago and the same here with Montreal. He’s very passionate on the players that he brings in, he believes in them, he talks to the players and lets them know he believes in them and I think it’s a really good feeling in the organization right from top to bottom that it’s a family and I think it’s coming through in our play right now and it starts at the top. It always does in an organization and it’s top of the line here.

“I’m just fortunate enough to be a part of it and to really experience this great feeling,” Richardson added. “Marc’s right at the top with (owner/president) … it’s first-class everything, right down to the little nitty grittys that really don’t get noticed, but they’re done in our organization. So there’s nothing to worry about for the players … it’s just to go out there and perform.”

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189800 Montreal Canadiens “As horrible as 115 degrees (Fahrenheit) is — and we get that quite a few times in the summer months — the 45- to 50-degree temperatures in the winter are nice,” he said. “What’s really nice also about Vegas is that you have all the acts, all the entertainers you could possibly want — and Stu Cowan: Canadiens-Knights series is special for Montrealer in Vegas then some — here constantly. There’s just a whole lot of stuff to do here. It’s a small town, though. It’s only about 2 million people, but every Les Krifaton used to work in Montreal radio at CFCF, FM96 and CHOM weekend there are hundreds of thousands of people who come in here. before becoming a meteorologist and moving to Las Vegas 18 years ago. “I don’t know if I would call this my permanent home because I do miss

Canada a lot,” he added. “I’ve been trying to get back now for a year and Stu Cowan Montreal Gazette a half and I can’t (because of COVID-19). I do miss the multiculturalism of Montreal. You can’t get good bagels here. You can’t get Schwartz’s or poutine or steamed hot dogs … the typical Montreal stuff. But it’s a good city.” Les Krifaton says he is both loving and hating this Stanley Cup semifinal series between the Canadiens and Las Vegas Golden Knights because Rather than cheering for the Canadiens or the Golden Knights in this he’s a fan of both teams. series, Krifaton finds himself feeling bad for the team that loses each game. Krifaton is a Montrealer who used to work in radio at CFCF, FM96 and CHOM before joining The Weather Network. Eighteen years ago, he took “For me, the Canadiens beating the Maple Leafs amounted to winning a job at the FOX affiliate in Las Vegas and he has been there ever since, the (Stanley) Cup,” he said. “I miss Montreal and can’t wait to go home working as a meteorologist. once these lockdowns end.

When he first arrived in Las Vegas, Krifaton became a fan of the ECHL’s “I will always be a Montrealer.” Las Vegas Wranglers, saying they would attract about 4,000 fans for regular-season games and 8,000 in the playoffs. The Wranglers folded in Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.23.2021 2015, one year before the NHL granted an to Las Vegas.

“I was thrilled,” Krifaton said over the phone Monday night when asked about his initial reaction to Las Vegas getting an NHL team. “This is a city that loves sports and people are betting on them. Hockey, everybody thought it could never work in the dessert. We got the team and Bill Foley is an incredible owner — look at what he’s done in four years here. He has put together a great organization. A lot of people were shocked at first when we got a team, but as things evolved you could see what a great team he has put together.”

The Golden Knights have made the playoffs in each of their first four seasons, advancing to the Stanley Cup final in their first year before losing to the Washington Capitals.

Krifaton said the Golden Knights were able to capture the hearts of people in Las Vegas before they played their first game because of the way they responded to a tragedy. On Oct. 1, 2017 — five days before the Golden Knights’ first game in the NHL — a man on the 32nd floor of a hotel opened fire on a crowd attending a country-music festival on the Las Vegas Strip, killing 58 people and wounding more than 800. It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

“The players and the organization showed that they cared,” Krifaton said. “They stepped up and toured around Vegas in support of our community. Even those who had no clue about hockey were taken by their efforts. The way the players went around to the different hospitals and talked to people won over people’s hearts.”

Krifaton lives in Henderson, Nev., about a 15-minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip. During the Golden Knights’ inaugural season he shared season tickets with some work colleagues and was excited about introducing friends who knew very little about hockey to the game.

“I’m not surprised by the success of hockey here,” he said. “Really, the speed of the game is what blew them away. It’s totally different watching it live in an arena versus on TV. To be there, to hear the puck hitting the glass or somebody getting slammed into the boards or just the vibe inside the building. … The fact that Vegas is all about glitz and glamour, even those who knew nothing about hockey knew going to a game would be fun — and it is.

Temperature of the concrete outside T Mobile as fans start arriving for game one between VGK and The Montreal Canadians. @FOX5Vegas pic.twitter.com/tlyllF3MXr

— Les Krifaton (@lvweatherguy) June 14, 2021

“Last Monday I was working outside T-Mobile Arena (before Game 1) covering the heat — I had a heat gun and it was 146 degrees (Fahrenheit) on the concrete,” Krifaton added. “Two of my friends that I took to hockey games that first year I saw going to the game and they had shelled out big bucks for it. When I hear people say: ‘Las Vegas, hockey? What the heck!’ They have no idea. These guys are now real passionate fans. Long story short, Las Vegas loves hockey.”

The thing Krifaton loves most about living in Las Vegas is the weather. 1189801 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens' Cole Caufield shows he has more arrows in his quiver

"I think just proving people wrong is something that I’m just going to continue to do," the 20-year-old rookie says.

Stu Cowan Montreal Gazette

Canadiens rookie Cole Caufield has shown during the playoffs that he’s much more than just a goal-scorer.

Heading into Game 5 of the Stanley Cup semifinal series against the Golden Knights Tuesday night in Las Vegas, Caufield had only two goals, but had added five assists in 13 playoff games. He had also earned the trust of the coaching staff with his two-way play and was averaging 15:33 of ice time per game to rank fourth among Canadiens forwards in the lineup for Game 5, trailing Phillip Danault (19:15), Nick Suzuki (18:49) and Tyler Toffoli (18:01).

“I think some people kind of put some labels on me early on that I’m just kind of a goal-scorer and there’s a lot more to my game than that,” Caufield said after the Canadiens’ morning skate Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena. “I think just proving people wrong is something that I’m just going to continue to do.”

The Canadiens selected the 5-foot-7 Caufield in the first round (15th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft after he scored 72 goals in 64 games with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s U-18 team.

Both of Caufield’s playoff goals with the Canadiens have come against the Golden Knights, in Games 1 and 3 of this semifinal series. He had a great chance to score his third goal in the third period of Game 4 with the Canadiens leading 1-0, but was stopped by Robin Lehner as he tried to beat the Vegas goalie through the five-hole on a breakaway. The Canadiens ended up losing 2-1 in overtime.

After the game, Lehner said the scouting report he was given on Caufield said he would either shoot high or go five-hole on a breakaway.

“It just looked like he was going five-hole, so I closed my legs,” the goalie added.

When Caufield was asked about Lehner’s comment on Tuesday morning, the 20-year-old right-winger said: “I think that’s a good thing that he’s thinking about what I’m going to do. So I’m just kind of taking that into the next game. It’s good that he’s kind of opening his mouth. You know what he’s thinking now, so I can kind of go off that and create new things to do and new things to look at.”

Wait for it... #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/hy1A0ciou2

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 22, 2021

After the morning skate, Caufield was seen talking with Sean Burke, the Canadiens’ director of goaltending.

“He just kind of threw out some ideas for me,” Caufield said. “We talked about whatever goalie we’re facing, the different kind of structure that they play and how to beat them. So just some ideas he threw at me and I look forward to using them tonight.”

Caufield was joined by Danault for his video conference with the media on Tuesday morning. Danault is one of the best defensive centres in the NHL and finished sixth this season in voting for the Frank Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL. Florida Panthers centre Aleksander Barkov won the award.

“What I’ve learned from him is just how much pride he does take in the defensive side of the game and I think what’s equally as important as putting the puck in the net is keeping it out,” Caufield said about Danault. “So the detail that he puts in and how hard he works to keep the puck out of our net against those great players that he plays against, it’s something that our team really feeds off of and we create a lot of energy from it.”

After his comment, Danault gave Caufield a fist bump and smiled.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189802 Montreal Canadiens game. We’re a really confident team right now and that’s really helpful during the playoffs.”

Incredible but true: The Canadiens are one win away from the Stanley Canadiens Game Day: Yes, the Habs are only one win away from Cup Cup final. final THE @CanadiensMTL ARE ONE WIN AWAY FROM THE #StanleyCup "We’re definitely excited in what we’re doing right now, but we don’t want FINAL! pic.twitter.com/n5k23fYygt to get ahead of ourselves," coach Luke Richardson says. — NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) June 23, 2021

Goal Caufield Stu Cowan Montreal Gazette Caufield’s goal at 9:49 of the second period that gave the Canadiens a 3- 0 lead came on the power play after a perfect pass from Corey Perry. Caufield was 2 years old when the Anaheim Ducks selected Perry in the The Canadiens are one win away from the Stanley Cup final. first round (28th overall) of the 2003 NHL Draft.

Montreal fans might want to repeat that again very slowly to let it sink in: “Cole’s a young guy,” Richardson said. “He’s fun to watch. You see that The … Canadiens … are … one … win … away … from … the … big smile … everybody loves him. He’s got a lot of energy. You watched Stanley … Cup … final. him in the world juniors, I watched him play (university hockey) in Wisconsin … he plays the same way, with energy. When he scores it’s It’s a position the Canadiens haven’t been in since 1993, the last time like his first goal ever, he’s so excited. When other guys do things he’s they went to the final and also the last time they won the Stanley Cup. jumping up and down saying: ‘Great block! Great hit!’ He’s a real hockey 1993 is also the year the Canadiens’ Phillip Danault, Joel Armia and Joel player and I don’t think anything’s going to faze that guy. I’m sure he’s Edmundson were born. It was eight years before Cole Caufield, was been told his whole life he’s too small to play and he’s proved everybody born. wrong up until now. And now he’s in the third round of the Stanley Cup Yes, the Canadiens are one win away from the Stanley Cup final after playoffs, not just competing but contributing every night in different ways, beating the Golden Knights 4-1 Tuesday night in Game 5 of their especially on the scoresheet.” semifinal series in Las Vegas. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Eric Staal, Caufield The 5-foot-7 Caufield now has 3-5-8 totals in 14 playoff games. and Nick Suzuki (empty net) scored for the Canadiens, while former Montreal captain Max Pacioretty scored his first goal of the series for the “The kid’s got a ton of swagger,” Suzuki said. “He knows he’s a scorer.” Golden Knights. .@taikinajalka gets the @CanadiensMTL on the board first in Game 5! Carey Price stopped 26 of the 27 shots he faced, improving his playoff #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/i0FEtroRvT record to 11-5 with a 2.02 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage. Marc-André Fleury was in goal for the Golden Knights, — NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) June 23, 2021 allowing three goals on 25 shots. Special teams a key The Canadiens are now 7-2 on the road in the playoffs and can advance The Canadiens went 1-for-2 on the power play, while the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup final with a victory over the Golden Knights in Game 6 went 0-for-2. Thursday at the Bell Centre (8 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM). That’s also Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day in Quebec. The Canadiens are now 2-for-8 on the power play in this series, while the Golden Knights are 0-for-13. The Canadiens have killed off 28 straight “We’re definitely excited in what we’re doing right now, but we don’t want power plays over the last 12 games and have a 93.2 per cent success to get ahead of ourselves,” Canadiens assistant coach Luke Richardson rate during the playoffs. said after the Game 5 win. “We have the good experience in the dressing room like we’ve talked about many times and they say the right things. “I think (special teams) played a big part in the game,” Richardson said. We finish off games the right way. We’re going to go into the next game “But I think our speed and our relentless stick-on-puck mentality was and it’s one game to win. That’s what we need to do … that’s what we’re probably the biggest difference of the game. But the special teams were going to focus on. huge and they always are in the playoffs, so that just adds to us building momentum in a game.” “Our leadership really leads this team in the right direction and the coaching staff and the management we just support that,” added Staal makes it a 2-0 @CanadiensMTL lead! #StanleyCup Richardson, who has a 2-1 record since filling in for head coach pic.twitter.com/mrH63iF2kr Dominique Ducharme following his positive COVID-19 test. “We’re going in the right direction, but we’re not there yet. So we just got to make sure — NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) June 23, 2021 that that’s understood how much work it took tonight to win that game to Three-point night for Suzuki put us in that position. We have to take the next step to make sure that we get to where we want to go.” Suzuki’s empty-net goal completed a three-point night for him, including two assists and an absolutely beautiful setup on Staal’s goal. It’s hard to believe this Canadiens team that was facing elimination in Game 5 of their first-round series against the Maple Leafs before winning Suzuki now has 5-8-13 totals in 16 playoff games to rank second in team back-to-back games in overtime and then taking Game 7 in Toronto is in scoring behind Tyler Toffoli, who picked up two assists in Game 5 and the position they are now. now has 5-9-14 totals.

“I think we’ve been through a lot of adversity this year,” said Danault, who “On that play, not only was Nick’s pass phenomenal and a great look to was 3 months old when the Canadiens won their last Stanley Cup. “The me, but Phil (Danault) earlier in the shift took a big hit to make a play to whole year … even the first playoff series against Toronto we were down get it out of our end and then change and I was the beneficiary of being 3-1 and we came back. So I think that shows the character we got and in the right spot,” Staal said about his goal. “All those little plays add up the dedication of every single guy in the room. Pricey, too, helps us big- and they’re huge and you love to see that kind of stuff as a group time to come back there. because it just keeps building our guys closer together.

“We kept building and we’re taking advantage of this and it’s just a great “I think he’s super competitive,” Staal added about Suzuki. “I think like a feeling,” Danault added. “Everyone is pumped to play that way every lot of the guys on our team the compete level is really, really high. game and it’s just a great feeling in the room overall.” Obviously, the skill set is there and the intelligence is there, but you need to have that extra compete and that level of competitiveness in order to Suzuki said people were already counting the Canadiens out before the make difference like he has been. That’s the No. 1 thing I love about him playoffs started and especially when they were down 3-1 to the Leafs. and all these guys is our compete and our willingness to do whatever it “I think just the belief in this group, we were put together very well by takes.” (GM Marc Bergevin) in the offseason and the guys that we brought in Richardson was asked about the Golden Knights trying to play physical really gave us a huge boost,” Suzuki said. “The experience that we have, against Suzuki to take him off his game. us young guys can really lean on them and just go out there and play our “Nick is definitely a great player, great young player and a really update on his return. It’s frustrating for him and we all feel for him, but I important centre for us,” the coach said. “I’m sure it’s important for their think we try and keep in contact with him as much as we can and he’s team to play physical on him, just as we would on their good players. But been a big part of our Zoom meetings and our preparation for each Nick is sneaky strong and physical in his game. Everybody thinks he’s game. So we’re hoping for the best and the quickest solution, but I think kind of a sly and smart playmaker, which he is. But if you really watch a that goes through NHL protocol and government protocol. So it’s really game live and you get to watch him play the whole game he competes out of our hards.” and he’s competitive and he’s sneaky physical as well. So I’m sure he irritates the other team during the game and draws some attention to Une journée c’est de la dans les dispos médias, l’autre jour c’est des himself. But he’s a big body … he’s a lot bigger than you would think and ? he can absorb that. So it’s great for him to add that to his game, being able to take hits and being able to play physical along with his great Is it pizza or fist bumps during media ops now? We can't keep up vision and hands out there. So it’s a good skill set to add together.” anymore.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/y3utb8jrYg — Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 23, 2021 MAKE IT 3-0! @colecaufield #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/SDeKINPp2s Some stats

— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) June 23, 2021 Jeff Petry led the Canadiens with 25:28 of ice time, followed by Joel Edmundson with 25:20, Ben Chiarot with 24:02 and with Richardson in the spotlight 23:43. Suzuki led the forwards with 18:29, followed by Danault with 18:26 Richardson has handled himself extremely well both behind the bench and Artturi Lehkonen with 17:52. and while dealing with the media since Ducharme tested positive for Toffoli had a team-high four shots, while Weber had three. The only two COVID-19 last Friday. Canadiens who didn’t get a shot on goal were Lehkonen and Jon Merrill. “The Montreal Canadiens are definitely a historic franchise in sports, not Chiarot led the Canadiens with seven hits, while Petry had five and just hockey,” Richardson said after Tuesday’s morning skate. “It’s Brendan Gallagher and Toffoli had four each. definitely an honour just to work for them, let alone to run the bench as a head coach interim-for-interim type of thing right now. It doesn’t really The Golden Knights won 58 per cent of the faceoffs in the game. For the matter, it’s just being a part of this organization has been a thrill and to try Canadiens, Kotkaniemi went 7-5 (58 per cent), Danault went 12-12 (50 and help them succeed in the playoffs like this it’s a lifetime dream for per cent), Staal went 4-7 (36 per cent) and Suzuki went 2-7 (22 per cent). anybody in hockey, whether you’re a player or a coach. So just fortunate enough to have this opportunity.” The schedule

Richardson said he won’t change who he is while temporarily making the Here’s the rest of the schedule for this series: move from assistant coach to head coach. Game 6: Thursday, June 24, at Montreal, 8 p.m.

“I believe I’ve always just conducted my way that way whether I was a x-Game 7: Saturday, June 26, at Las Vegas, 8 p.m. player, a coach in the minors, which you have a lot of communication with young players and a few veteran players,” he said. “I think you have x-if necessary to treat everybody the same all the time. I always believe that we got to have discussions, whether they’re hard discussions or just regular Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.23.2021 discussions, and we got to be OK with it. Just because I’m a coach and I’m coaching you doesn’t mean that the next day we can’t just have casual conversation. If you’re upset, that’s just pro sports and you got to get over that. I’m not upset, maybe even if I have to be upset about one decision that you made in a game as a player and have to acknowledge that in a game, or after a game, it doesn’t mean that the next day we (don’t) move on and we’re getting better and that’s the way I’ve always been.

“I think being direct and honest, but being consistent as a coach, is probably the No. 1 thing and that’s what I try to do.”

Quelqu'un va bientôt nous devoir une nouvelle caméra.

Someone's going to owe us a new camera soon.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/SpugfjiF57

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 23, 2021

Help from Ducharme

While Ducharme remained isolated at home in Montreal for Game 5, he was still involved with his coaching staff and the players.

“We have our meetings every morning since Dom took over at 8 o’clock and the coaching staff gets together with the video and we kind of make a plan for that day, whether it be the team and individually,” Richardson said. “Unfortunately Dom is not with us, but he’s been great. We’ve had some Zoom meetings with the players that Dom has been running. Business as usual, basically, for us as a team. Individually, Dom has spoken to Alex (Burrows), myself and Sean (Burke) and we’ve discussed things individually with players. I think Dom feels that individually it’s better face-to-face, even if it’s in a mask. But that’s just the way of the world nowadays.

“We’ve had a lot of great communication,” Richardson added. “We have been communicating in between periods and Dom’s just like he is when he’s there. He’s short and to the point. Two or three points that are going to help our team get better in the next period and that’s what we focus on.”

When asked about Ducharme’s current health status and when he might be able to rejoin the team, Richardson said: “I don’t think there’s any 1189803 Montreal Canadiens Cole Caufield have played significant roles in this run, providing 10 of the Habs’ 36 goals heading into Tuesday’s Game 5 of the Vegas series, as my friend, Mathias Brunet of La Presse, recently pointed out.

What the Puck: Underdog Canadiens playing with Vegas house money This is a nutty out-of-left-field Stanley Cup sprint, but a more expected Cup run should come in about three years, if Bergevin makes the right The Montreal Canadiens weren't expected to be in the semifinal, which is moves to surround the trio with the requisite pieces. And these three kids why they're playing with no pressure. will have, at the very least, made it deep into the semifinals. That’s the icing on the cake.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.23.2021 Brendan Kelly Montreal Gazette Publishing date:Jun 22, 2021

The Canadiens are playing with house money. So it’s all good, no matter what happens.

It was a tough loss on Sunday night when the Vegas Golden Knights beat the good guys 2-1 in overtime in a game that the Habs should’ve and could’ve won. But it was karma. On Friday night, with interim head coach Dominique Ducharme on the sidelines, Montreal played arguably its worst game of the playoffs.

There is no way they should’ve won Friday, but they did. It all started with a totally crazy, boneheaded move on the part of Vegas netminder Marc- André Fleury, who misplayed the puck behind the net with less than two minutes to go when Josh Anderson, who had been in a huge slump since Game 1 of the playoffs, sauntered over and popped the puck into an empty net to tie the game.

Then came the overtime and all of a sudden Montreal found new life and Anderson did it again, scoring the winner. But karma paid the Habs back Sunday. They were the better team, but Vegas ended up winning in part thanks to a rare misstep from Carey Price.

That shot from Vegas villain Brayden McNabb was totally stoppable yet it somehow made it to the back of the net, oddly sneaking in under Saint Carey’s left arm. Without Price’s heroics, Montreal is not in the semifinal, but that doesn’t make it a good goal.

But my point is it’s all good. This is going to be a long series. We all knew that. Did you really think the Canadiens were going to take it in five? I said Habs in seven prior to the series and I’m sticking to my prediction.

Even if Vegas prevails, as the oddsmakers think they will, we’ll go home satisfied as Habs fans. When Montreal was down 3-1 in the Toronto Maple Leafs series, it looked like this was going to be a mighty short playoff run and it appeared the pundits had it right about the Leafs dominating the Habs.

Then the magic started and Montreal won three straight against Toronto. It underlined that the Leafs don’t do this playoff thing well, but give full credit to Montreal. Every last player was going all-in, just like their general manager, Marc Bergevin. Then the same pundits, who aren’t looking so bright these days, suggested the Jets would crush the fragile Canadiens.

They were about as right as all the political pundits who shouted from every media soap box that Donald Trump could never be elected president. This is not a good era for pundits, in sports or politics. Result: Habs 4, Jets the big doughnut.

Brendan Gallagher nailed it in his comments prior to Game 5 of this series.

“Since that Game 5 against Toronto, we’ve just been kind of playing that same way, nothing to lose, leave it all on the line,” said Gally. “And game after game come with the same effort and energy.”

Added Gallagher: “There’s certain expectations on their side and the longer the series goes, the more the pressure falls on them. As the series goes on, we get more and more comfortable in these situations and we’re looking forward to it.”

Exactly. There’s no pressure on Les Boys. They weren’t supposed to win Round 1 or 2 and especially not Round 3.

Habs fans and the entire city of Montreal have already won something big. I was out talking to fans near the Bell Centre during the weekend and people were just so excited and so happy. No one expected this.

I still believe the ultimate prize could be won this spring but, if it isn’t, it will have been an invaluable experience for the three young players who are the core of the team’s future. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Nick Suzuki and 1189804 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens at Golden Knights Game 5: Five things you should know

Vegas is the tallest and heaviest team in the NHL, but Montreal has had more hits in each of the first four games of this playoff series.

Pat Hickey Montreal Gazette

Here are five things you should know about Game 5 of the Canadiens- Golden Knights Stanley Cup semifinal series at T-Mobile Arena Tuesday (9 p.m., SN, TVA Sports, TSN-690 Radio, 98.5 FM).

Advantage Vegas? The Golden Knights regained the home-ice advantage with their 2-1 overtime win at the Bell Centre Sunday night, but the first four games have shown that playing at home is no guarantee of success. The teams split the first two games in Las Vegas and also split the two games in Montreal to leave the best-of-seven series tied at two games apiece. Game 6 will be back at the Bell Centre on Thursday and, if a deciding seventh game is necessary, it will be played Saturday in Las Vegas.

Lehner provides large challenge: The Canadiens will have to deal with goaltender Robin Lehner’s imposing frame again after the Swede made 27 saves in the Vegas win Sunday. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Lehner isn’t as mobile as Marc-André Fleury, but he is two inches taller and 65 pounds heavier, which means he covers a lot of the net. Montreal will have to figure out a way to get Lehner moving in the crease if they hope to beat him. Carey Price will continue to be in goal for the Canadiens. He has a 2.08 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.

Size doesn’t matter: The Golden Knights are the tallest and heaviest team in the NHL. Going into this series, there were concerns the Canadiens wouldn’t be able to handle the challenge of playing a physical game. Those fears have been unfunded because the Canadiens have outhit the Golden Knights in each of the four games. Montreal had a 40- 24 edge in hits in Game 4 Sunday and some of the individual numbers were interesting. Josh Anderson, a physical forward, led the Canadiens with 10 hits and defenceman Ben Chiarot had five, which is to be expected. But it was surprising that Nick Suzuki had seven hits and Arturri Lehkonen had four. They are each 5-foot-11.

Killer defence: The Montreal penalty kill failed to distinguish itself during the regular season, ranking 23rd with a success rate of 78.5 per cent. But it has been a different story in the playoffs. The Golden Knights failed to score on their only power play Sunday night, as the Canadiens set an NHL playoff record by not allowing a power-play goal for an 11th consecutive game. Despite offensive threats like Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty and Alex Pietrangelo, the Golden Knights were not very good on the power play in the regular season and have converted only 10.3 per cent of their chances in the playoffs. They are 0-for-11 in four games against Montreal.

Habs need more offence: The shutdown line of Phil Danault, Brendan Gallagher and Lehkonen has done an outstanding job of keeping Vegas’s top scorers, Stone and Pacioretty, from scoring, but they have unable to make a contribution at the other end of the ice. All three players have been shut out in this series and Gallagher has only two goals in the playoffs, Lehkonen has one and Danault has been limited to a pair of assists. The line has had its chances, but three goals on 87 shots translates to a 3.44 per cent shooting percentage.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189805 Montreal Canadiens Knights’ forwards since. In Game 5, he had one blemish. It’s hard to picture him being fallible in Game 6 at home, or Game 7 if necessary.

Also, if The Iron Sheik is tweeting about Carey Price, that’s enough to Carey Price, Nick Suzuki lead way as Canadiens move one win away give him a plus. from Stanley Cup Final: Playoffs plus/minus THE CAREY PRICE NO JABRONI #HABSVSKNIGHTS

— THE IRON SHEIK (@THE_IRONSHEIK) JUNE 23, 2021 By Julian McKenzie Jun 23, 2021 Josh Anderson: I think more and more people are realizing that, despite not scoring goals in bunches, Anderson is still creating offence (or at least wreaking havoc in some fashion) through his skating, hitting (he It took one period for the Golden Knights’ heads to begin looking had 10 in Game 4), and forechecking. His drive to the net in the first skyward, or shaking, in frustration. period of Game 5 was stopped by Fleury, but it led to our next plus cleaning up afterward. I’ll add this, though: Fleury’s positioning on the Specifically, the heads of Mark Stone and Jonathan Marchessault: two rebound helped the Canadiens here. forwards who have yet to score in this series. NOW I'M NOT A GOALTENDING EXPERT, BUT THIS FEELS SUB- Carey Price and the Canadiens were zoned in against Vegas on OPTIMAL PIC.TWITTER.COM/RXAOPNCLE7 Tuesday night, putting forth their best effort of the series — and maybe even the playoffs. Save for a goal from Max Pacioretty, the Canadiens — SCOTT MATLA (@SCOTTMATLA) JUNE 23, 2021 refused to give the Golden Knights’ forwards any space in the middle of the ice and Price just had to be Price in a 26-save performance en route Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Jesperi Kotkaniemi has scored nine playoff goals to a 4-1 win. before the age of 21. Here’s a list of players who have done the same: Pierre Turgeon, Mike Modano, Patrick Kane, Patrick Flatley, Rod In the second period, the Knights needed more than looks to the skies to Brind’Amour, Brian Bellows, Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky. He got show their frustration. When Stone tried to exit his defensive zone with himself a goal and helped out defensively (one play that sticks out: using the puck near the end of his shift, clearly lagging and gassed, he turned his stick to keep Alex Pietrangelo from getting a shot on net). Kotkaniemi the puck over. The play led to a Cole Caufield power-play goal to make it was also the Canadiens’ best faceoff man at 58 percent. 3-0. Stone skated by his bench and whacked his stick along the boards. Paul Byron: Byron was the third essential component of the Canadiens’ The Golden Knights’ power play, meanwhile, continued to be ineffective most dangerous line offensively. Each member of the Byron-Kotkaniemi- with two failed opportunities. Near the end of the second period, Anderson line picked up at least one point in the victory. exasperated Golden Knights fans booed the man advantage unit. Artturi Lehkonen: Even if he and his linemates, Phillip Danault and In the third, minutes after Vegas scored its first goal of the game, Reilly Brendan Gallagher, have yet to pick up a point in this series, Lehkonen is Smith had a golden opportunity to cut the deficit to one. But he mishit his doing the little things that keep him in the lineup: forechecking and shot from in close after taking a pass from Pacioretty, firing it into Price’s creating turnovers. blocker instead of elevating the puck into the net. Eric Staal: Staal played a good game, scoring a goal and helping out on Nick Suzuki eventually iced the game with an empty-net goal. Moments defence. He also had three hits. later, Pacioretty shook his head on the Golden Knights’ bench. The minuses Vegas lost battles all night long. It led to penalties out of anger, such as Nicolas Roy’s needless high-sticking call. Marc-Andre Fleury made some Defending faceoff plays: The few times Montreal has looked vulnerable in key saves, but it wasn’t enough. the series seem to have come off defensive-zone faceoffs. The Golden Knights have scored from those situations at numerous points in the Oh, and if Game 4 wasn’t enough of an indicator, Vegas’s issue isn’t in series. Tuesday night saw Pacioretty take advantage, as he became his its goaltending. team’s third forward to score a goal in the series.

SAY IT WITH ME. Using Celine Dion as a motivator through a photoshopped image:

IT'S. THOUGHT SHE’D BE A HABS FAN! PIC.TWITTER.COM/OTQ4U7N2FL

NOT. — CHRIS CUTHBERT (@CCPXPSN) JUNE 23, 2021

THE. Sheesh, the Montreal Gazette even called her ‘‘a traitor” in the headline for their story. Surely, in jest. GOALIES. HTTPS://T.CO/JUZGM4BJPD Hat tip to Quebec-based journalist Camille Lopez for pointing out that the — JESSE GRANGER (@JESSEGRANGER_) JUNE 23, 2021 Celine Dion photo used at T-Mobile Arena is a photoshop based off an The Canadiens, meanwhile, are one win away from the Stanley Cup old Celine photo. The following tweet, however, remains an appropriate Final. And they can win the series on St. Jean Baptiste Day, a holiday reaction: across Quebec. But even the support of a province, and other parts of PIC.TWITTER.COM/PRAIEMGNIK the country, can’t compare to the immense pressure to be felt by the Golden Knights entering Game 6. And possibly a Game 7 if they get that — CRAIG SILVERMAN (@CRAIGSILVERMAN) JUNE 23, 2021 far. The Canadiens have been playing with house money, as many pegged them to be eliminated in Round 3. Not to mention Rounds 1 and The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 2.

Those predictions look pretty shaky right now.

Let’s get to the good and bad.

The pluses

Nick Suzuki: Suzuki had himself a game at both ends of the ice. He set up Eric Staal with a nice feed from the corner to make it 2-0. He created the Stone turnover leading to Caufield’s 3-0 goal. Despite a paltry faceoff mark, Suzuki played a solid game. An empty-netter capped off a three- point night for the young centre in his best game of the playoffs.

Carey Price: Remember when Price winked at Stone during Game 1 of this series? Price has seemingly held a mental advantage on the Golden 1189806 Montreal Canadiens that forever, it’s just personality to get in the middle of things and pay a price to help his team.

“That hasn’t changed one bit since the day he first stepped on the ice in LeBrun: Canadiens’ Corey Perry is ‘in the middle of everything’ — and Anaheim,” added Niedermayer, who won the Cup with Perry in Anaheim making an impact in the playoffs in 2007. “And here he is however many more years later doing the same thing.”

Indeed, 16 years later, Perry is still Perry. By Pierre LeBrun Jun 22, 2021 Well, not the Hart Trophy version of 10 years ago when he put up 98 points including 50 goals at the height of his career.

Corey Perry had never been on waivers before. So he asked his agent He was bought out by the Ducks two years ago, a tough pill to swallow Pat Morris what exactly it entailed. for the proud Cup winner and two-time Olympic gold medallist. But also a wake-up call that incentivized him to still provide value elsewhere. Because the veteran winger started the season on the taxi squad, there were cap gymnastics and waivers and things going on this year not just “The way he handled the situation at the end in Anaheim, you kind of for the Montreal Canadiens but for all the teams in this unique season. have to tip your hat to him for that,” said Niedermayer. “That could’ve gone the other way, but he just said, ‘I’ll just get back to work and Perry wasn’t the only brand name that was put on waivers. But once he continue to compete and play hockey.'” understood what was going on, he made it clear to his veteran agent he didn’t want to go anywhere. At 36, Perry is still finding a way to be impactful, putting up nine goals and 12 assists in mostly bottom-six duty in 49 games during the regular “So I did call three teams that looked like they would have the need for season with the Habs and then stepping up even more in the postseason him, to ask them not to pick him up on waivers,” Morris told The Athletic with eight points (3-5) in 15 games. over the weekend. “It wasn’t a threat to retire or anything, but basically ‘can you adhere to who Corey Perry is. If your thought is to pick him up And the offence only speaks to a part of it, of course. on waivers, please don’t.’ It’s his insatiable drive to will his team into the fight. That’s what is so “Two of the teams said, ‘We were going to put in a claim until this call. apparent again in these playoffs. We’ll respect his career.'” “In games and in playoff series, there’s certain times when things are Thankfully for Perry and the Canadiens, the waiver claim never going to go either left or right, it might be a great moment to get out of it happened. or it’s going to sink your team,” said Nill. “Those guys rise to the occasion. When the train is off the track, those guys step up. They’ve Can you imagine, for a moment, this Habs playoff run without its Corey been through it enough. They know how to will people through it and Perry moments? that’s what they do.” You just know there’s probably another Perry moment coming Tuesday Nill, looking back, now acknowledges he wished he had kept him after night in Las Vegas, in the lion’s den, with so much on the line as the Perry became UFA last fall. But between salary cap issues and wanting Habs and Golden Knights play again in their Stanley Cup semifinal series to make room for youngsters such as impressive rookie Jason tied at two games apiece. Robertson, the Stars made the difficult decision to let Perry go to market. would be the least surprised person that Perry has ended up “But if hindsight was 20/20, with the all injuries we ended up having, we having this kind of an impact on Montreal’s season and playoffs. should have signed him,” said Nill. “But at the moment you don’t know He saw firsthand last summer in the bubble when his Dallas Stars went you’re going to get all those injuries. But we were tight up against the to the Stanley Cup Final, Perry doing his playoff warrior thing. cap.”

“One of my all-time favourite players,” Nill’s first words when we spoke Except, well, the phone didn’t ring off the hook despite his playoff revival over the weekend about Perry. in Dallas.

Nill has been part of a lot of winning going back to his Red Wings Which was a bit odd given his pedigree and the fact he wasn’t going to management days and around some big-time leaders. He has Perry right cost a whole lot. in that group. “It was a bit of a surprise, yet it’s not as if the phone didn’t ring both ways; “I’ve been lucky, I’ve had a lot of guys who really made an impact in a I was calling teams and teams were calling me expressing interest,” said certain way, Corey is one of them,” said Nill. “He does things the way you Morris. “But nobody got to the point of pulling the trigger until a call I think want players to do things. He just does it the right way. He’s professional it was on a Sunday night from Marc Bergevin.” about it. He’s a good teammate and he’s all about winning.” That call came on the evening of Dec. 27, less than a week before “The ultimate competitor !!!!,” his longtime GM in Anaheim, Bob Murray, training camps were set to open around the league. texted me Sunday. Perry was still sitting there. There was Perry after Friday night’s Game 3 OT win, greeting his According to Morris, Claude Julien played a role in the Habs signing teammates coming off the ice, his face still bloodied from a high-stick that Perry. went undetected, but making sure he was there to celebrate. “Marc (Bergevin) said: ‘My coach and Corey have played well together in That image screams Corey Perry. international events and he’s always been intrigued throughout the “He’s in the middle of everything, which is classic Pears for sure,” Hockey offseason in Corey,'” recalled Morris. Hall of Fame blueliner Scott Niedermayer said over the phone Sunday. Bergevin made it clear that because of roster/cap issues, Perry would “He’s stirring it up.” have to start the season on the taxi squad but the GM was confident, Niedermayer said that with a chuckle in his voice. The former Ducks according to Morris, that Perry wouldn’t last long on there. captain arrived in Anaheim in 2005-06 from New Jersey just as a 20- “I went to Corey and we circled around with the other various teams who year-old Perry was beginning his NHL career. had expressed interest, and they had other priorities,” said Morris. “Corey Niedermayer sees the same passion all these years later. said, ‘Let’s move forward with Montreal. I’m not going to exist on a taxi squad very long.'” “He’s still a kid to me,” laughed Niedermayer, calling from his home in Penticton, B.C. There was no doubt in that.

“I’ve been enjoying (the playoffs) all the way along, watching Pears do So he signed on Dec. 28 for one year and $750,000, the NHL’s version his thing,” said Niedermayer. “No surprise, really. He probably would do of peanuts. And then went out and proved again he’s not done. “Corey’s a competitor that loves being on the ice, loves playing the game,” reiterated Niedermayer. “I’m not surprised at all at what he’s doing.”

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Lou Lamoriello makes NHL history with second straight GM award

By Mollie Walker June 22, 2021 | 10:40PM

Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello made NHL history Tuesday night when he was named the Jim Gregory GM of the Year for the second straight season, becoming the first two-time winner.

Voted on by a panel of NHL general managers, executives and media members, the award, which was renamed in 2019 after the death of former NHL executive Jim Gregory, is presented to the GM who best excelled at his role during the regular season.

Lamoriello’s Islanders are facing elimination Wednesday night in their second consecutive Stanley Cup semifinal series appearance against the Lightning.

The 78-year-old was named on 30 of 41 ballots, garnering 12 first-place votes for a total of 104 points. Marc Bergevin of the Canadiens was second with 79 points and was the top selection on the most ballots (13).

After the Isles reached the third round for the first time since 1993 during last season’s bubble playoffs, Lamoriello earned the honor for the first time in his 33 years as an NHL general manager. Since he became president and GM of the Islanders in 2018, the team has qualified for the playoffs in all three seasons.

Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello

Lamoriello, a three-time Stanley Cup winner as GM of the Devils, has compiled a career regular-season record of 1,326-921-179-166 and a lifetime Stanley Cup playoff record of 166-142. Lamoriello surpassed for second on the NHL’s all-time wins list as a general manager, behind only the Predators’ (1,428), when he earned his 1,320th regular-season win in early April when the Isles defeated the Flyers.

“I think you look at his track record, it speaks for itself,” said , whom Lamoriello acquired along with Kyle Palmieri from the Devils at the trade deadline to add depth for the Isles’ playoff run. “I think when you look at Lou, he’s always one step ahead of everything else that’s going on, so credit to him. I think he’s got a lot of belief in how he does things and it trickles down to the staff and to the players.”

Lamoriello also brought in Jean-Gabriel Pageau and veteran defenseman at last season’s trade deadline.

Before joining the Isles, Lamoriello ran the Devils from 1987-2015 and then served as GM of the Maple Leafs for three seasons. When he arrived on Long Island, his first move was hiring coach Barry Trotz, who had just led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018.

“He’s a Hall of Fame GM,” Trotz said recently. “A lot of it is because of his detail.”

The Islanders have won 27 postseason games since the Lamoriello-Trotz tandem took over the organization. The Lightning are the only team with more playoffs wins over that time (27).

New York Post LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189808 New York Islanders

Islanders vow to be ‘much different team’ in Game 6

By Mollie Walker June 22, 2021 | 10:26PM

To the Islanders, Monday night’s 8-0 thrashing at the hands of the Lightning was just another loss they have to overcome, no matter the fashion it came in.

The Isles looked like a shell of themselves in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup semifinal series, borderline a different team than they’ve been throughout the entire playoffs. There was no structure, minimal discipline and zero offensive drive, which resulted in the Islanders’ most lopsided loss in franchise playoff history — and easily the worst defeat of the Barry Trotz era.

But Trotz has been preaching to his players that the journey to something as rewarding as a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup doesn’t always happen the way you envision it. It’s how the team reacts to facing elimination in Game 6 on Wednesday night at Nassau Coliseum that counts.

While nothing seemed to go right for the Islanders and there was absolutely no puck luck on their side Monday, the team was given a break Tuesday. After Mathew Barzal was ejected from Game 5 at the end of the second period for cross-checking Lightning defenseman Jan Rutta, the Isles star center was only charged with a $5,000 fine instead of a suspension.

Casey Cizikas said he is confident the Islanders will be a different team in Game 6.

“You wake up in the morning and it’s a new day,” Casey Cizikas said Tuesday. “That’s the beauty of the playoffs. You’re going to see a much different team [Wednesday] night.”

The Islanders know it’s going to take a heck of a lot more than the spiritless performance they had in Game 5. The lack of restraint was the most glaring part of the loss. Staying out of the penalty box has been the Isles’ No. 1 rule against the Lightning this series, considering Tampa Bay owns one of the deadliest power plays in the NHL. Still, the Islanders allowed their frustrations to get the better of them and the Lightning capitalized on three of six man-advantage opportunities.

“If we were in the backyard with all the guys having a cold one, you would hear them all say the same thing: That wasn’t us, that wasn’t our game, we’re better than that,” Trotz said.

The last time the Lightning posted back-to-back losses in the playoffs was two years ago when they were swept by the Blue Jackets in the first round. Yes, Tampa Bay didn’t drop two games in a row once on their way to its Stanley Cup title in the bubble playoffs last season. And the streak has continued this postseason.

So the Islanders have no choice but to be the first NHL team in two years to hand the defending champions two consecutive losses if they want to keep their season alive and reach their first cup final since 1984.

The Lightning will be looking to close out the series and the Islanders’ days at the Coliseum, the team’s home since 1972 (though there were also a few seasons at ). The Isles hope to not only force a Game 7, but overcompensate for a very uncharacteristic loss in Game 5.

“Whatever we have left,” Trotz said, “they’ll get our best.”

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Denis Potvin, jersey-throwing fan save Islanders’ Game 5 watch party

By David Lazar June 22, 2021 | 6:30pm | Updated

The Islanders hosted a watch party during Game 5 of their NHL semifinal series against the Lightning. While there was not much worth watching — the Islanders were stomped by the Lightning 8-0 — there were some highlights.

As the Lightning piled on the goals, one Islanders fan went viral for their over-the-top reactions. First, they threw their hat to the ground in frustration and belted out a scream after a Lightning goal. Moments later, their No. 44 Jean-Gabriel Pageau jersey became the next casualty, as they tore it off and dropped it to the ground, as well. With their possessions sitting on the Nassau Coliseum stairwell, the fan stormed off.

However, they made a return shortly after. Unfortunately, the Islanders offense did not, and the Lightning continued their onslaught. So, like before, they ripped off their jersey in an encore performance.

But the evening wasn’t entirely lost. Franchise legend Denis Potvin, in town to attend Games 3, 4 and 6 of the series, decided to attend the watch party, too. John Tonelli — a left wing on the Stanley Cup teams Potvin captained — joined him at the storied Coliseum.

“The building means so much,” Potvin said. “Yeah, there’s so many changes, but I did a walk-through and the things that were coming out of my mind — I was standing right here when John Ziegler handed me the [Stanley] Cup, and Bobby Nystrom was in the corner, and [Tonelli] was all over the place.”

Potvin retired after the 1987-88 season and became a color commentator. He started with the Senators, before joining the Panthers for two decades. He retired from his second profession in 2019.

New York Post LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189810 New York Islanders cameras caught Bill Parcells laughing on the sidelines during the game, taken by the absurdity of it all. And it featured an all-time quote from Parcells’ personal reserve that feels especially relevant right now:

There is precedent for Islanders overcoming humiliating blowout “I’m not having fun, but what are you gonna do? My father told me it doesn’t cost any more in this life to be happy. You can go around being miserable, but for the same price you may as well smile.”

By Mike Vaccaro June 22, 2021 | 6:18pm | Updated That might not be bad advice for Trotz to borrow and dispense between now and when the puck drops at Nassau Coliseum at 8 p.m.

Wednesday. The Islanders can also benefit from studying their own Let’s empty the thesaurus for this one: history: In 1980, the Flyers (every bit the Isles’ physical masters as the Lightning seem to be now) crushed them 8-3 in Game 2 of the Cup The Islanders were blown out Monday night. They were dusted. They Finals. were drubbed. They were dragged. They were squashed, quashed and crushed. They were hammered and humbled and humiliated. They were Nine days later, Bobby Nystrom took a pass from John Tonelli 7:11 into bludgeoned, battered, bloodied, bashed, blasted, bombed, buried … OT in Game 6. The Islanders had officially parked Game 2.

“A loss is a loss,” Kyle Palmieri said. (In the interest of fairness, we should also point out that the first three of the Dynasty Isles’ four straight titles began with epic playoff-opening Still — oh, man — what a loss. blowouts of the Kings (8-1 in ’80), Maple Leafs (9-2 in ’81) and Penguins (8-1 in ’82). Those teams never quite recovered and the Islanders skated It ended Lightning 8, Islanders 0. It felt like Lightning 18, Islanders 0. over their grease spots all the way to the Cup …) Tampa Bay had one of those nights when it looked like they were on the power play — and a five-on-three one at that — even when both teams Hey, we didn’t say it was a guarantee. We’re simply paraphrasing Lloyd were full strength. It was a mismatch. It was a mauling. It was a in “Dumb and Dumber”: We’re telling you there’s a chance. mangling. It was a massacre. New York Post LOADED: 06.23.2021 “We just have to park it,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said.

And here’s the thing about playoff series: It isn’t just idle talk when you opt for the short-memory strategy — or at least it doesn’t have to be. The Lightning sure seem a lot better than the Islanders right now, but they still have to win one more game, and don’t get to borrow against those eight goals. It may not seem likely. But it is possible.

We learned that very lesson around here the past two weeks. The Nets beat the Bucks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals by 39 points, 125-86, to go up 2-0 in the series. Yes, Kyrie Irving got hurt in Game 4. Yes, James Harden was hobbled. But when the Nets led Game 2 by 123- 74 — that’s 49 points if you don’t have a calculator handy — it sure seemed the Nets could finish the Bucks by letting Foots Walker run the show — and ol’ Foots just turned 70 last month.

But the Nets didn’t finish the Bucks.

The Islanders react as they take an 8-0, Game 5 loss to the Lightning on June 21, 2021.

The Celtics didn’t finish the Lakers after the most famous blowout in NBA history, the Memorial Day Massacre of May 27, 1985, when Boston, defending champs (and, at that moment, a perfect 8-0 against LA in the Finals), stomped Showtime 148-114. The parade route was already mapped out — but the Lakers won the series in six.

The Braves didn’t finish the Yankees in the 1996 World Series, despite filleting the Bombers 12-1 in Game 1 of the ’96 Series (and following that up nicely with a 4-0 tap-out in Game 2). Then Joe Torre famously declared, “ is my town!” to a nervous George Steinbrenner and the Yankees never lost again.

The Yankees, actually, are a wonderful case study for the Islanders right now. It is impossible to forget that when the Yankees went up 3-0 in the 2004 ALCS, the game that got them there was a 19-8 annihilation of the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Game 3; the Yanks could have used a few of those runs in Games 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Then there was the 1960 World Series, which Bill Mazeroski famously won for the Pirates in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7, but which featured Yankees victories of 16-3 (Game 2), 10-0 (Game 3) and 12-0 (Game 6). The Yanks outscored the Bucs 45-26, but that didn’t keep Mickey Mantle from weeping in his locker after Game 7.

Bill Mazeroski of the Pirates (center) runs home after hitting a walk-off home run against the Yankees in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.

Football is a bit harder to figure because of the one-and-done nature of the playoffs. But the Jets did beat the Patriots in Foxboro in the 2010 playoffs 28-21 exactly 41 days after getting pulverized 45-3 in the same stadium. And notable for a different reason: The Giants did smear the 49ers 49-3 in the 1986 playoffs before getting hammered in Week 4 the next year, 41-21.

That one does come with an asterisk since it was the first week of Scab Football. But it is notable because ABC’s “Monday Night Football” 1189811 New York Islanders

Mathew Barzal avoids suspension for crosscheck as Islanders catch a break

By David Lazar and Mollie Walker June 22, 2021 | 4:22pm | Updated

When Islanders star Mathew Barzal cross-checked Lightning defenseman Jan Rutta in the face as the second period of Monday’s Game 5 concluded, all focus immediately shifted to his pending Game 6 availability.

Now, Barzal and the Islanders can take a deep breath.

The NHL Department of Player Safety on Tuesday fined Barzal $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, meaning he will avoid a suspension.

The speedy forward will have his spot atop the Islanders depth chart. The team will need him — down 3-2 in the series, they face a do-or-die Game 6 on Wednesday.

Islanders coach Barry Trotz — who has been tough on Barzal in the past — was “disappointed” in Barzal for digging his team into a deeper hole. However, the franchise center’s teammates sympathized with the context of the situation.

The Islanders will have Mathew Barzal available for Game 6 with their season on the line.

“Emotions are running high out there,” Islanders forward Jordan Eberle said of the incident. “Sometimes things get heated and they escalate. He and the rest of the group will respond with the home crowd behind us.”

Rookie Ilya Sorokin made 21 saves on 26 shots in 44:33 of ice time in Game 5 after starter Semyon Varlamov allowed three goals on 15 shots in the first period.

Trotz confirmed Tuesday that the decision to swap wasn’t about Varlamov’s play, but more to send a message to the team.

“You look at the dirty pucks that they were rallying around, there’s not a goalie coach who could tell you or anybody who could say those were bad goals or not,” he said. “Those are sort of fortunate bounces, nothing you can do. That was changing, sending a message to the other guys, [saying] ‘Let’s help this guy out.’

“[Varlamov] has been a backbone, our goaltenders have been. I give a lot of credit to Ilya as well, because he went into a real tough situation, he knew I wasn’t going to pull him no matter what the score rolled up to. He battled through that. He got hurt with a high slapper, I think it was in the second period, and he didn’t want to come out. He said ‘I’m going to battle for the guys.’ ”

Lightning coach didn’t have an update on Rutta, who missed the entire third period Monday after getting cross-checked by Barzal, or Erik Cernak, who sat out of Game 5 after taking a hard hit into the boards from Matt Martin in Game 4.

New York Post LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189812 New York Islanders

Islanders' Lou Lamoriello named NHL's top GM for second straight season

By Andrew Gross

Lou Lamoriello’s entire NHL career has been built on creating team success, not individual success.

Yet the Islanders president and general manager received a huge personal accolade on Tuesday as he won the Jim Gregory Award as the NHL’s top GM for the second straight season. He became the first two- time recipient of the award, which was inaugurated in 2010 and renamed in 2019 for Gregory, the late Maple Leafs GM and NHL executive.

The Canadiens’ Marc Bergevin - a former Islander - and the Panthers’ Bill Zito were the other finalists.

Lamoriello joined the Islanders in 2018 after running the Devils from 1987-2015 and then serving as the Maple Leafs’ GM for three seasons.

One of his first acts as Islanders boss was to hire coach Barry Trotz, who had just led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup. Trotz won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach in the first season of his partnership with Lamoriello.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189813 New York Islanders big line (of Ondrej Palat, Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov), and you can't take penalties,'’’ he said. "And really, you think about that, we didn't do any of that [Monday] night.’’

Islanders eager to take ice at Nassau Coliseum for must-win Game 6 vs. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.23.2021 Lightning

By Colin Stephenson

There wasn’t much the Islanders could say Tuesday, a day after the 8-0 thrashing they suffered at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday at Amalie Arena that pushed them to the brink of elimination in the NHL semifinals.

Really, the only thing they could say after what was the worst playoff loss in team history, was that they have no doubt they will be better in Game 6 Wednesday at Nassau Coliseum than they were on Monday in Tampa.

"You’ll get our best,’’ coach Barry Trotz said, with the Islanders back on Long Island and licking their wounds. "Whatever we’ve got left, you’re going to get our best tomorrow.’’

"You kind of think about the game last night, and what you could have done better as a group, and as an individual, and you move forward,’’ forward Casey Cizikas said. "You wake up this morning, and today's a new day. That's the beauty of playoffs; it's a seven-game series, it's not just one game. So, you're gonna see a different team tomorrow night, and we're excited to get back out there and prove that we are a better team.’’

Island Ice Ep. 102: Isles vs. Lightning Game 5 analysis

Andrew Gross is joined by Neil Best and Colin Stephenson to discuss the Isles' 8-0 loss to Tampa Bay in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup semifinals and then look ahead to Game 6 at Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday.

Trailing 3-2 in the series, the Islanders will need to win Wednesday to stave off elimination and extend the series to the seven-game limit. They will have an ally in the cause, though: Venerable Nassau Coliseum, potentially hosting its final NHL playoff game, with the team set to move into brand-new UBS Arena next season, will give them comfort. And the nearly 13,000 fans inside the building will serve as a seventh man, at times.

"Especially after a game like [Monday] night, it's nice to be coming home, in front of the fans,’’ Jordan Eberle said. "They've been unbelievable. I mean the end of the season, and then obviously throughout the playoffs, you get a little bit of an extra boost when they're cheering you on. And our record shows for itself how well we've played there. In a must-win game, it's awesome that we get to start off at the Coliseum, and get [the fans’] energy behind you. It gives you a little extra.’’

The Islanders will also have the benefit of having their most dynamic offensive player, Mathew Barzal in the lineup. Barzal, the Isles’ leading scorer in the regular season, had faced possible suspension after he was given a major penalty for cross-checking Tampa Bay defenseman Jan Rutta at the end of the second period Monday. The league announced Tuesday that Barzal was fined the maximum $5,000 for the incident, but not suspended.

Eberle, Barzal’s linemate, described Barzal’s actions Monday as "out of character’’ for the 24-year-old, and after Trotz had expressed disappointment in Barzal after the game, Eberle said he expected Barzal to play well Wednesday.

"I know Barzy, I know the character that he has, and you know I think, like him, and the rest of the group, we'll definitely respond tomorrow,’’ he said.

As for the details of what the Islanders will need to do better to give themselves a chance, Trotz said many of the things they did so poorly Monday are fixable for Wednesday.

"Obviously, Tampa's going to feel really good about their game, and we don't feel really good about our game,’’ Trotz said. "But the stuff that we did last night was very, very correctable. I mean, it was turnovers. And hopefully it's only a 24-hour thing, just like a 24-hour flu. We can get over it, move on.

"When you ask me, ‘How are you gonna have success against Tampa Bay?’ I say 'you gotta stay outta the penalty box; you got to control their 1189814 New York Islanders

Islanders' Mathew Barzal hit with $5G fine for cross-check on Jan Rutta in Game 5 loss

By Colin Stephenson

Islanders forward Mathew Barzal was fined the maximum $5,000 Tuesday for his cross-check of Tampa Bay defenseman Jan Rutta in Monday night’s 8-0 loss in Game 5 of the semifinal series.

Barzal was given a major penalty and a game misconduct at the end of the second period for his hit on Rutta. Tampa Bay scored its seventh goal (by Brayden Point, extending his playoff goal scoring streak to eight games) on the ensuing power play.

There had been concern that Barzal might be suspended for the incident, but as a first-time offender, he was punished with the fine only.

Trotz tried motivation

Barry Trotz said pulling starting goaltender Semyon Varlamov late in the first period Monday had nothing to do with how Varlamov was playing, but was simply an attempt to shock the team into playing better.

"There's not a goalie coach who would tell you that… 'Hey, those are bad goals,’ ’’ Trotz said. "They're not. Those are sort of fortunate, fortunate bounces… That was [just] sending a message to the other guys of, ‘Let's help this guy out.’ ’’

Trotz had admiration for backup goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who came on in relief of Varlamov at 15:27 of the first period, after Alex Killorn’s first of two goals put Tampa Bay up, 3-0. According to Trotz, Sorokin knew whatever happened the rest of the way, however bad the score got out of control, he was going to have to finish. He ended up allowing five goals, on 26 shots, in 44:33.

"He battled through that,’’ Trotz said of Sorokin. "He got hurt with the high slapper [by Nikita Kucherov], I think it was in the second period, and he didn't want to come out. And he said, ‘I'm going to battle for the guys.’ And it just tells me the kind of character that our goalies have.’’

Isles files

The Islanders did not practice Tuesday… LW Oliver Wahlstrom remains a possibility to return to the lineup. He has not played since suffering a lower body injury in Game 5 of the first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Wahlstrom has one goal and two assists in five games. Travis Zajac, who took his spot in the lineup, has one goal and one assist in 12 games.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189815 New York Islanders This is the last crack for the Coliseum, which has been a subplot of the Islanders’ franchise story for . . . well, forever, it seems.

It is possible the Islanders will be back for one last farewell this autumn, Islanders know what's at stake in Wednesday's Game 6 vs. Lightning depending on when UBS Arena is ready to open and how long of a season-opening West Coast trip the NHL is willing to put the players through in October.

By Neil Best But this is it for the playoffs. The players owe it to themselves and their fans to make it count.

"You’ll get our best," Trotz said. "Whatever we’ve got left, you’re going to All professional athletes have deep wells of pride, or they would not be get our best." professional athletes. But there are times those wells must be plumbed more deeply than others. Nothing less will do.

This is one of those times for the Islanders. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.23.2021 Look, the odds are against them beating the Lightning twice in a row to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Tampa Bay has not lost consecutive playoff games since a first-round sweep by the Blue Jackets in 2019.

While it is not an impossible task, it is a formidable one. But there will be time for that discussion before a potential Game 7 on Friday.

Island Ice Ep. 102: Isles vs. Lightning Game 5 analysis

Andrew Gross is joined by Neil Best and Colin Stephenson to discuss the Isles' 8-0 loss to Tampa Bay in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup semifinals and then look ahead to Game 6 at Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday.

The matter at hand is Wednesday night and only Wednesday night, when the Islanders must have a victory in Game 6 of their Stanley Cup semifinal to extend their season.

But it is about more than that. This proud, veteran group, which has produced the second-best three-season run in franchise history, cannot go out with anything like the mess they made in an 8-0 loss in Game 5 on Monday.

Not with the stakes this high, and not in what could be the final playoff game in the history of Nassau Coliseum. Fans would love to see a victory, but at minimum they deserve to see the spirited effort that Game 5 lacked.

There was some good news toward that end on Tuesday when the NHL fined but did not suspend Mathew Barzal, the team’s biggest star, for his cross-check of Jan Rutta on Monday.

That was the right call by the league, but you never know given the vagaries of its player safety policies.

So Barzal will be back, but it is unclear who his linemates will be or whether coach Barry Trotz will shake up a lineup that has gotten a little stale.

Specifically, it is time for him to give 21-year-old Oliver Wahlstrom a shot in hopes of a late spark.

But the biggest challenge for the Islanders in overcoming the embarrassment that was Game 5 will be psychological.

Trotz, Casey Cizikas and Jordan Eberle spoke to reporters about that on Tuesday after returning from Tampa and promised that there would be no issues in that area.

"You’re going to see a different team tomorrow night," Cizikas said, "and we’re excited to get back out there and prove we are a better team."

Cizikas balked at the notion – confirmed by oddsmakers – that the Islanders are the underdog in the series, now more than ever.

"We know we’re a good team," he said. "It doesn’t matter what anybody in the outside world says. We know we’re a good team and we believe in each other more than anybody."

Trotz sought to put the situation in perspective this way:

"If I would have said back before the season started we’d be down three games to two in a conference final, ‘Anybody in for that?’ Everybody would put up their hand," he said.

He added, "It’s, how much do you want to commit to have one shot to go to the Stanley Cup Final? How much are you willing to commit tomorrow?

"That’s really the message: ‘Go after it guys, because you only get so many cracks at this.’" 1189816 New York Islanders

Islanders playoff ratings on NBC Sports up a bit this season

By Neil Best

The Islanders never have been a big ratings draw compared with most other New York-area pro teams, but their recent postseason success has them trending in a positive direction.

Not counting games in which they faced the Rangers, the seven highest- rated Islanders games in the New York market on NBC’s cable channels have come during their runs to the past two Stanley Cup semifinals.

Their lone game on NBC during their current series with the Lightning averaged 2.27% of New York-area homes, up 49% over the teams’ one conference final game on NBC last year.

The four games that have been shown on NBCSN or USA Network have averaged 1.91% of area homes, up slightly from 1.78 when the teams met last year in this round.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189817 New York Islanders

How the Islanders have fared when facing playoff elimination under Barry Trotz

By Nick Klopsis

The Islanders will try to keep their season alive on Wednesday night when they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final at Nassau Coliseum.

The Isles — coming off an 8-0 loss in Game 5 — have faced playoff elimination four times in the Barry Trotz era, including three times in last season’s bubble. They are 2-2 in those games.

May 3, 2019: Second round, Game 4 at Carolina

The series situation: Islanders trailed, 3-0

Game 4 result: Hurricanes 5, Islanders 2

Island Ice Ep. 102: Isles vs. Lightning Game 5 analysis

Andrew Gross is joined by Neil Best and Colin Stephenson to discuss the Isles' 8-0 loss to Tampa Bay in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup semifinals and then look ahead to Game 6 at Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday.

Despite opening the scoring 2:30 into the game, the Isles were unable to avoid the sweep, allowing five consecutive goals (including three in the second period) to fall to the Hurricanes. Robin Lehner, who stopped eight shots, was pulled after allowing the third Carolina goal at 3:17 of the second period. His replacement, Thomas Greiss, also made eight saves and allowed two goals. Hurricanes goalie Curtis McElhinney stopped 26 shots.

Sept. 5, 2020: Second round, Game 7 vs. Philadelphia (in Toronto)

The series situation: Series tied, 3-3

Game 7 result: Islanders 4, Flyers 0

Greiss got the start in net after Semyon Varlamov allowed nine combined goals in Games 5 and 6. The decision paid off handsomely. Greiss stopped all 16 Flyers shots for his first career playoff shutout. Scott Mayfield, Andy Greene and Brock Nelson scored for the Isles, with Anthony Beauvillier adding an empty-netter.

Sept. 15, 2020: Conference final, Game 5 vs. Tampa Bay (in Edmonton)

The series situation: Islanders trailed, 3-1

Game 5 result: Islanders 2, Lightning 1 (OT)

The Islanders kept their season alive after Jordan Eberle scored at 12:30 of overtime. Ryan Pulock’s goal at 15:41 of the first period gave the Isles an early lead, but Victor Hedman scored at 4:00 of the second period to tie it for Tampa Bay. Varlamov stopped 36 of 37 shots, then the usually stoic goalie did a headfirst slide into a pile of his celebrating teammates once the game ended.

Sept. 17, 2020: Conference final, Game 6 vs. Tampa Bay (in Edmonton)

The series situation: Islanders trailed, 3-2

Game 6 result: Lightning 2, Islanders 1 (OT)

Anthony Cirelli scored at 13:18 of the extra period on a shot that ricocheted off Varlamov’s skate and into the net. Both teams traded goals within a nearly two-minute span in the first period: Devon Toews scored for the Isles at 4:15, then Hedman for the Lightning at 6:28. Varlamov made 46 saves — including 42 in regulation — while Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 26 shots for the Lightning.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189818 New York Islanders

Lou Lamoriello Wins Second Consecutive General Manager of the Year Award

By Christian Arnold

Lou Lamoriello became the first general manager to win the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award twice in NHL history.

Lamoriello was the recipient of the award in 2020 after the New York Islanders reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1993. The Hall of Fame executive is in his third season with the Islanders after joining the organization from Toronto.

Montreal Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin and Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito were the other two finalists for the award. Voting for the award was conducted after the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by NHL GMs and a panel of league executives and print and broadcast media.

“Winning an award such as this is very humbling,” Lou Lamoriello told NHL.com. “It’s very difficult because it shouldn’t be one person being recognized. It’s an award that really embraces what the organization has accomplished throughout the year. I accept humbly on behalf of our owner, Scott Malkin, and his partners, who have given us over the past three years, every tool necessary to have success; our coaching staff, led by Barry Trotz; our players, led by our captain, ; our entire hockey operations, led by and Steve Pellegrini.”

The Islanders have qualified for the postseason in all three years that Lamoriello has run the team and the team’s 27 playoff wins are second- most only to the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have 29 in that same timespan. Lamoriello’s 41 playoff series wins are the second most for a general manager in the NHL, only behind Glen Sather, and he has won three championships over the course of his career during his time in New Jersey.

Lamoriello’s first move when he arrived on Long Island was to bring aboard Barry Trotz as head coach. He has added Travis Zajac, Andy Greene, Kyle Palmieri and Jean-Gabriel Pageau via trade.

“When you look at his track record it speaks for itself,” Zajac said when Lou Lamoriello was named a finalist for the award last Thursday. “I think when you look at Lou he’s always one step ahead of everything else that is going on. Credit to him. I think he’s got a lot of belief in how he does things and it trickles down to the staff and then the players.”

The Islanders currently trail Tampa Bay 3-2 in the Stanley Cup Semifinals.

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189819 New York Islanders

Islanders Barry Trotz Isn’t Expecting League to Punish Mathew Barzal for Crosscheck to Rutta

By Christian Arnold

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal escaped any major supplementary discipline from the NHL for his crosscheck to the face of Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jan Rutta. He was assessed only a $5,000, which is the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement

Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said that he hadn’t heard anything from the league when he addressed reporters Tuesday afternoon. Trotz indicated that the NHL Department of Player Safety would usually give the team a heads up if any punishment was going to be handed down or if they were looking at the play.

“I don’t anticipate anything,” Trotz said. “But like I say it’s not what I think, it’s really what they think.”

Barzal was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct after Rutta and Barzal exchanged crosschecks in front of the team benches at the end of the second period of Game 5. Barzal hit the Tampa defenseman in the face with his stick sending him to the ice.

OH MY#Isles Mathew Barzal cross-checks #GoBolts Jan Rutta up high.

Under review

@NHLonNBCSports pic.twitter.com/3fPbIn6Lpa

— BobbyLotsOfNumbers (@TheReplayGuy) June 22, 2021

The Islanders dropped Game 5 in ugly fashion 8-0 and trail the best-of- seven series 3-2.

Barzal has had a habit of taking undisciplined penalties before, but it had seemed his growth and maturity had eliminated that from his game during the Islanders’ postseason run. Prior to Monday night, Barzal had just four penalty minutes in 16 playoff games this season with the Islanders.

Teammate Jordan Eberle called the play out of character for Barzal.

“Emotions are running high when a game is like that,” Eberle said. “It’s out of character, but things are physical out there sometimes. Things get heated and escalated. I know Barzy and the character that he has. I think him and the rest of the group we will definitely respond tomorrow.”

Tampa head coach Jon Cooper told reporters on Tuesday morning that he did not have any update on Rutta.

This was the first time the Islanders have found themselves in this spot during the postseason, while they watched Boston receive fines on several occasions during their Second Round Series with the Bruins. The Islanders registered 57 minutes in penalties in Game 5.

On Monday night, New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said he was “disappointed” in the position Barzal put his teammates in. “It wasn’t going well and he just sort of dug it a little deeper for the guys,” Trotz said.

Game 6 is scheduled to take place on Wednesday at the Nassau Coliseum. The Islanders’ season and time at the Coliseum would come to an end with a loss to Tamp Bay.

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Gerard Gallant confronts win-now challenge as Rangers coach

By STEPHEN WHYNO ASSOCIATED PRESS |JUN 22, 2021 AT 12:41 PM

Gerard Gallant is taking over a young team with potential as coach of the New York Rangers, just like his three previous stops.

Unlike Columbus, Florida and expansion Vegas, Gallant will be expected to win quickly, if not right away. The 57-year-old is embracing those high expectations in a big market, even if he insists he will handle this situation the same as his previous jobs.

“It’s a team that’s ready to take off, go to the next level and I’ll prepare the same way,” Gallant said Tuesday. “I feel very comfortable about what happened in the past, in the past six years with Florida and in Vegas and I’ll bring that forward to the New York Rangers and get to know their players, get to know their personnel. I think that’s really important, and I think that’s one of my strong points.”

Gallant was a target for new president and general manager Chris Drury because he was won pretty much everywhere. He won the Memorial Cup in 2011 as the top Canadian junior team, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League titles in 2011 and 2012, and most recently coached Canada to the gold medal at the world championships after an 0-3 start.

Gallant’s best coaching job came in 2017-18 with Vegas, when the Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final in their first season with a roster built out of an expansion draft. That earned him the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year.

After a first-round playoff exit in 2019 and some struggles the next season, Gallant was fired. It was even less time than his three seasons with the Panthers and one full season and parts of two others with the Blue Jackets.

“I still have a hard time going back and looking at it and saying, ‘Why did I get fired?’” Gallant said of Florida and Vegas, in particular. “I think I did a great job in both of those organizations. Things happen. It’s out of my hands.”

Gallant wants New York to be “the hardest working team in the league.” That philosophy and Gallant’s experience undoubtedly was a selling point to Drury when choosing a successor for first-time NHL coach David Quinn.

“I was looking to find a coach who had a proven track record and success at several levels,” Drury said. “‘Turk’ checked all these boxes.”

Owner James Dolan didn’t fire president John Davidson and GM Jeff Gorton and Drury didn’t send Quinn packing to keep the Rangers rebuild on a gradual track. Gallant will be expected to deliver.

“My goal and our hope is that we’re a playoff team next year,” Drury said. “It is a mandate? I don’t believe so. But I want everyone to come back and know that that’s where we want to be and with the talent on this team where we should be.”

The talent is certainly there and on paper exceeds what Gallant inherited in Vegas. Norris Trophy finalist defenseman Adam Fox, star winger Artemi Panarin, top-line center Mika Zibanejad, 2020 No. 1 pick Alexis Lafrenière, 2019 No. 2 pick Kaapo Kakko and goaltender of the present and future Igor Shesterkin make up a coach’s dream of a core.

Gallant’s task is to mold that group into a contender, first for the playoffs, then the franchise’s first Stanley Cup since 1994.

“I know we’re going to take a big step, and hopefully it’s a real big step,” Gallant said. “We’ll see what happens once training camp starts, but I know one thing is we’ve got an excellent roster there and we’re going to get down to work right away and make it the best it can be.”

New York Daily News LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189821 New York Rangers 3. It may be an ancillary benefit, and perhaps not one even considered by Drury when he reached the decision to dismiss Quinn following the season, but the players no longer will have the crutch of blaming “a college coach” for their deficiencies The one thing from Gerard Gallant’s Rangers intro that didn’t make sense “As far as David, I just think it was time for a new voice, a new coach and new leadership in the room,” Drury said. “I’m very confident that Gerard is the person for that job.“At the start of this process I was looking to find a coach with a proven track record of success at several levels. I think he By Larry Brooks June 22, 2021 | 3:36pm | Updated captures the room whatever room he walks into. At the end of the day I think he is the perfect fit for what we’re trying to accomplish as an organization.” Regarding the Chris Drury-Gerard Gallant Rangers: 4. Drury, whose next tasks will be to complete the coaching staff and fill 1. The one thing that I don’t quite get from Gallant’s introductory press out the front office, player personnel and scouting departments, was conference Tuesday was when the incoming coach cited the Rangers’ careful to say that he does not believe there is a “mandate” to make the next-game response to the Tom Wilson incident as evidence of their playoffs. He instead said it was “a goal and a hope.” leadership, toughness and ability to compete against the league’s brawniest teams. Maybe Drury was attempting to allay irrational fears that arose in the wake of the firings of president John Davidson and GM Jeff Gorton that Yes, it was admirable that the Blueshirts didn’t shrivel and turn tail 48 there would be another round of dismissals if the team fails to qualify for hours later, but I interpreted their reaction as completely disconnected the playoffs for what would be the fifth straight season. from hockey and that did nothing to address the club’s lack of players with the smash-mouth mentality that is required for success in this NHL Maybe he was attempting to assuage those who think that there would playoff era. be pressure from the owner’s suite to trade, say, a Kaapo Kakko for a Pat Maroon at next season’s deadline if the playoffs are in reach. We’ve been over this before. The Rangers don’t need to add third-line and fourth-line enforcers to act as a deterrent to the Wilsons of the world, But rest assured that the slow-walk has ended. Next year won’t be about because that doesn’t even exist. No one questions the Bruins’ team how young the Rangers are. It will be about where they are in the toughness, but that did not deter Wilson from running Brandon Carlo standings. from behind. The guy is an equal-opportunity menace. New York Post LOADED: 06.23.2021 The Rangers need a change at the top of the lineup, and if not a change in personnel, then a change in attitude. But probably a change in personnel, too.

They need top-sixers who consistently get to the inside, rather than play on the perimeter, who have more to offer than sheer skill, and who will take as much pride in scoring from the dirty areas of the ice as in creating a highlight reel of pretty goals.

Rangers coach Gerard Gallant

2. The Blueshirts have not had a Stanley Cup winner on the roster since Adam McQuaid in 2018-19. They have not had a prominent Cup winner in the lineup since Dan Boyle in 2015-16. They have not had a Cup winner who created a positive influence both in the room and on the ice since Martin St. Louis in 2014-15.

Bulking up on leadership should be as much a priority for president- general manager Drury as bulking up on the ice. Naming a captain must be a priority for this club, which has gone without one since Ryan McDonagh was swept out in the Deadline Purge of 2018.

“I think if we can continue moving that forward, a big piece of that for me would be getting a captain,” said Drury, who captained the Rangers and Sabres after winning the Cup with the 2000-01 Avalanche. “For me it’s a priority, but at the end of the day it’s got to be the right person.

“I’m not interested in just giving it to somebody to say we have a captain, but I think we have a lot of leaders in our room and leaders that have taken big steps the last couple of years including the second half of last season.

“So I’m looking forward to talking to Gerard further about that after we talked about it a little bit during the interview process,” Drury said. “I’ll see how it shakes out this summer and then in training camp.”

Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury during Tuesday’s Gerard Gallant press conference.

NY Rangers

The last regime, of which Drury was a part, but on which he did not have decision-making power, obviously did not believe that either Mika Zibanejad or Chris Kreider, the two most logical candidates, had the necessities. It is doubtful Drury would now reverse that call.

The leading in-house contenders are Jacob Trouba, whose leadership qualities were extolled throughout last season by former coach David Quinn, and Ryan Lindgren.

But the concept of trading for a captain should not be ignored. 1189822 New York Rangers The Panthers, in particular, had a core of exceptional young talent under Gallant, featuring Aleksandar Barkov, Aaron Ekblad and Jonathan Huberdeau. The Rangers are loaded with young and precocious talent, including 2020 first-overall pick Alexis Lafreniere and 2019 second- Gerard Gallant makes his Rangers mission crystal clear overall pick Kaapo Kakko.

“You give [young players] the opportunity and hopefully they take the opportunity and ice time they get and excel with it,” Gallant said. “I don’t By Larry Brooks June 22, 2021 | 11:59am | Updated think young players can sit on the fourth line and get a lot out of that.

“You’ve got to give them the opportunity to play. We know we’ve got We know the template Gerard Gallant will establish when he steps some very talented young hockey players who are going to get every behind the bench next year as the head coach of a Rangers team whose opportunity to play, but they have got to fit into our program. They’ve got lone identity last year was being young. to make sure they’re playing every night and are deserving of ice time.

“I want us to be the hardest-working team in the league. I want us to “It’s a fine line for coaches. You want to develop players, but you also compete hard, to battle hard, to make teams say, ‘You know what, that want to win every night. That’s where we’re at right now, so we’re going team works hard and competes for 60 minutes,’ ” Gallant said Tuesday to try to win a hockey game and hope that those young players are going morning during his introductory press briefing. “We can do a lot of good to be part of our team winning hockey games every night.” things. We can be skilled, we can be talented, but if the work doesn’t New York Post LOADED: 06.23.2021 come first, all the skill and talent doesn’t get you too far down the road.

“You start at 7 o’clock, you start at 7 o’clock. You’ve got 82 games to play, you get ready for every one. I want to make sure we work hard every night and compete every night.”

There is skill and there is talent, some of it exceptional, on the Rangers. Tampa Bay long had exceptional skill and talent, but did not win anything until the Lightning became much harder to play against. They did that by acquiring players with size, stiffness and sandpaper.

Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury shared a split screen with his coach during the virtual event. It will be his responsibility to remake the Rangers in the image of teams that have had success in the postseason, not only this year, but through this era of playoff hockey in which brawn has become at least equally important as skill.

Gerard Gallant was formally introduced as the Rangers’ new head coach Tuesday morning.

“It’s hard to watch these playoffs and not notice the physicality, the energy, the effort and the intensity it takes to win and succeed,” Drury said. “We’re certainly going to need to play that way to have success in the regular season and the playoffs.

“We’re always looking at ways to improve the lineup and add different pieces, just like every team in the league, and every team in the league is watching these playoffs. … We all want harder players to play against and we’re no different.”

Gallant is 57 years old. He had success with Florida, taking the woebegone Panthers to the playoffs, and he had success with Vegas, taking the first-year Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup final. But he was kicked to the curb 22 games into his third year with Florida and was gone 49 games into his third season with Vegas.

“I still have a hard time going back and looking at it and saying, ‘Why did I get fired?’ ” Gallant said. “I think I did a great job for both those organizations, [but] things happen, it’s out of my hands.

“I come to the rink every day with a smile on my face, I’ve got a great job, great opportunities and you work hard and do the best that you can. When you get fired, I try to move on as quick as possible. I’m not going to live in the past, … I’m going to move forward and look forward to my next opportunity with the Rangers.”

Gallant’s teams play four-line, puck-pressure hockey with emphasis on an aggressive forecheck and neutral-zone forecheck with a defensive posture, meant to produce turnovers and trigger transition counterattacks.

Gerard Gallant coaching the Golden Knights in 2018.

“I hate talking about the past, but when I was in Vegas we went to training camp with a plan, put our systems in place and we expected everybody to play a 200-foot game with everybody good defensively and everybody good offensively. Everybody has to have a role on your hockey team,” Gallant said. “It’s not going to take 15 guys to win, it’s going to take 23 players on the roster to win games every night. I try to make every player important to our hockey team, everybody has a role to play and the expectation is, ‘Do your role, play your role and we’ll win hockey games.’ ” 1189823 New York Rangers

Gerard Gallant aims to make the Rangers the 'hardest working team in the league'

By Colin Stephenson

The Rangers introduced Gerard Gallant on Tuesday as the 36th coach in franchise history. Nobody said he better guide the team to the playoffs next season, but the implication was there.

"My goal and our hope is that we're a playoff team next year,’’ Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury said as he presented Gallant to the media. "Is it a mandate? I don't believe so, but I want everyone to come back and know that that's where we want to be. And, with the talent on this team, where we should be.’’

The desire to take the next step — from young, rebuilding team to playoff team — was the reason Drury fired former coach David Quinn after the season, and the reason Drury himself was promoted after the late- season firings of John Davidson and Jeff Gorton. It was why Gallant was at the top of Drury’s wish list from the minute he let Quinn go.

"Gerard was a guy that I targeted right from Day 1," Drury said. "I just think, at the end of the day, he was a perfect fit for what we're trying to accomplish here.’’

Gallant, 57, is coming off coaching Canada to a gold-medal performance in the World Championships despite the Canadians having lost their first three games in the tournament. Before that, he guided the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season in 2017-18, earning Coach of the Year honors for his efforts. And before that, he coached a young Florida Panthers team to a club-record 47 wins and a 103-point season in 2015-16.

And he likes what he sees in the Rangers’ roster.

"I think they've got a real good lineup,’’ Gallant said of the Blueshirts. "Obviously, when you look at their team, you see the young players, you see the veteran talent they've got, they're just a team ready to take the [next] step.’’

Gallant, who was fired by the Golden Knights during the 2019-20 season, was eager to get back in the game, he said.

"I'm very fortunate to get this opportunity,’’ he said. "I'd like to thank Jim [Dolan, the owner of the Rangers, the Knicks and ] and Chris for the opportunity to be the next Rangers head coach. It’s a very exciting time for me and my family. I'm looking forward to going to New York to get settled, get my staff together, and get right down to work.’’

Gallant said he believes the Rangers can play the same style Vegas did when he coached there.

"Definitely,’’ he said. "When I was in Vegas — I hate talking about the past — we went to training camp with a plan. We put our systems in place, and we expected everybody to play a 200-foot game — everybody good defensively, everybody good offensively, everybody to have a role on the hockey team.

"I want [the Rangers] to be the hardest working team in the league,’’ he said. "We can do a lot of good things, we can be skilled, and we can be talented. But if the work doesn't come first, the skill and talent doesn't get too far down the road."

Gallant said he will give opportunities to the Rangers’ young players, including 19-year-old Alexis Lafreniere and 20-year-old Kaapo Kakko, who he praised as having "high-end talent, high-end skill.’’ But he conceded there is a balance he’ll have to strike.

"It's a fine line for the coaches,’’ he said. "You want to develop players, but you also want to win every night . . . So we're going to try to win a hockey game, and hopefully those young players are a big part of our team winning those games every night.’’

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189824 New York Rangers So we wait and see. The time for patience may be gone because the guy who signs the check

has lost his. Patience is arguably the No. 1 attribute needed to see Gerard Gallant outlines his plan to make the Rangers contenders — now through a rebuilding project such as this — and this one was a he needs a roster that can execute it foundation-to-roof job — and now the patience is gone out the door with the previous administration, coaching staff and several others from the executive suite. Drury didn’t sound too impatient, though.

By Rick Carpiniello Jun 22, 2021 “I think you saw from the exit-meetings interviews that my goal, my hope, is that we’re a playoff team next year,” Drury said. “Is it a mandate? I

don’t believe so. But I want everybody to come back and know that’s Hiring Gerard Gallant as head coach was Step 1 for Rangers president where we want to be and, with the talent on this team, where we should and general manager Chris Drury. Two other steps must now follow: be.”

First, Drury has to get Gallant some players who are built to play the way Drury, like all of us, has watched the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs and their Gallant’s previous teams, most notably Vegas, played. ferocity. Not all of the teams that are and were involved knock over opponents like bowling pins, but some of them sure do, including at least Second, and more importantly, Gallant has to get the current Rangers three of the last four. players to change their stripes. That could be the more difficult of the two tasks. “It’s hard not to watch these playoffs and notice the physicality, the energy, the effort, the intensity that it takes to succeed, and we’re We know that Gallant has had some success, including a remarkable run certainly going to need to play that way to have success in the regular to the Stanley Cup Final in the expansion Golden Knights’ first season. season and in the playoffs,” Drury said. “We’re always looking at ways to improve the lineup and add pieces, just like every team in the league. Look, Tampa Bay won the Stanley Cup last year and has a more than And every team in the league is watching these playoffs. We all want decent chance of winning it this year because it has the most skilled harder players to play against, and we’re no different.” players. Yes, the Bolts got over the top in 2020 with the gritty guys like Alex Killorn and Pat Maroon and Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow Much easier said than done, but with cap space and assets to trade, it’s — depth players that most contending teams would covet — but the doable. Drury noted that Gallant went to that Cup final, won two division Lightning’s top players also get bloody and dirty and bruised as they go titles, won at the major-junior and international levels. He said he through the playoff wars of attrition. identified Gallant right away as his guy.

The Rangers have, at least in future-theory, the skill part down. Now they “I want it to be the hardest-working team in the league,” Gallant said. “I have to add not only to the roster but to the DNA of the existing players. want us to compete hard, to battle hard, to make teams say, ‘You know what? That team works hard every night. They compete hard for 60 They could add Tom Wilson and the Islanders’ fourth line and, yes, that minutes, and that’s why they’re winning hockey games every night.’ We would greatly change their look. But when push comes to shove, it is can do a lot of good things. We can be skilled. We can be talented. But if going to be up to Artemi Panarin, Pavel Buchnevich, Alexis Lafrenière, the work doesn’t come first, the skill and talent doesn’t get too far down Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil and everyone else to push and shove. It is up the road.” to those skill guys to get a puck deep rather than turn it over in the neutral zone. It is up to them to reach the necessary combat level of Gallant’s expiration date at three stops (Columbus, Florida and Vegas) playoff-type hockey, the way a player like Mika Zibanejad does. has been, give or take, three seasons, the same as Quinn’s was with the Rangers. It is up to Gallant to create an atmosphere in which those skill players want to play that way, and for heaven’s sake, want to actually shoot Sitting at home during 16 months of non-coaching after his surprising pucks and score dirty goals and spend significant time with the puck in firing by Vegas, he watched the drama around Wilson’s assaults of the offensive zone instead of one-and-done forays over the blue line. For Buchnevich and Panarin, and he was impressed by the Rangers’ three years, a young, inexperienced and somewhat soft group wouldn’t, response the next game. or couldn’t, do those things regularly enough for David Quinn. “There’s no doubt about it,” Gallant said. “I had nothing to do with the “I think (the Rangers have) got a real good lineup, obviously,” said New York Rangers when I watched that game against the Washington Gallant, 57, upon being introduced Tuesday as the man who will replace Capitals, when they stood up for themselves. Like I said to somebody Quinn. “When you look at their team and you see the young players and before, I watched that game from home, and after the incident, the next you see the veteran talent they’ve got, they’re just a team ready to take game, they had the five-on-five brawl, and I think the players set a another step. And I’m just going from teams that I’ve coached in the past standard right there that. ‘You know what? We’re proud of this team. … you put your systems in place, you get the team ready to play every We’re proud of this group of guys. And we’re going to stand up and take night. care of that stuff.’ So any time you get an opportunity like that and leadership like that from your team, I think that goes a long way with your “We’re going to see what happens. I’m not going to worry about what players. I had nothing to do with any organization at that time, and I happened in the past with the team. We’re turning the page, we’re thought it was an important step for the Rangers to take that night.” moving forward, and when … I got the opportunity to be named the head coach of this team, I was really excited to see our roster. And I know Speaking of leadership, Drury, a former Rangers captain, said he would we’re going to take a big step, and hopefully it’s a real big step.” like the team to name a captain. They didn’t have one during Quinn’s tenure and haven’t since Ryan McDonagh was traded in 2018. I asked Gallant, though, if this team, as assembled, is equipped to play the Vegas style. The man known as Turk — who over 11 NHL seasons “I think if we can move this thing forward, a big piece of that for me would racked up 1,674 penalty minutes and 211 goals, including four straight be getting a captain,” Drury said. “For me, it’s a priority, but at the end of seasons with 34 or more, providing grit, toughness and skill while playing the day, it’s got to be the right person. I’m not interested in just giving it to alongside the likes of Steve Yzerman — answered quickly. somebody to say we have a captain. But I think we have a lot of leaders in our room and leaders that have taken big steps in the last couple of “Definitely,” Gallant said. “When I was in Vegas — and I hate to talk years, including the second half of last season, so I’m looking forward to about the past — but we went to training camp with a plan, we put our talking to Gerard further about that. We talked a little bit about it during systems in place and we expected everybody to play a 200-foot game, the interview process, so we’ll see how it shakes out.” everybody good defensively, everybody good offensively, everybody to have a role on the hockey team. That’s what’s important for me. It’s not That addendum about the second half of last season sure made it sound, going to take 15 guys to win. It’s going to take 23 guys on your roster to to me, like the job could belong to Jacob Trouba. win games every night. Drury still needs to name an assistant GM, and some scouts, after an “We try and make every player important to our hockey team and organizational house-cleaning that may still be ongoing. He and Gallant everybody has a role to play, and that’s what we expect. That’s what the must fill out a vacant coaching staff and a few names are likely on the list expectations are going to be. Do your role. Play your role well and we’ll of candidates, if not slam dunks: has been his assistant in win hockey games.” Florida and Vegas. Gord Murphy, currently an assistant (hired by Drury) in Hartford, assisted Gallant in Columbus.

But they must make some changes on the roster, and Gallant must make some changes to the way the current guys play. Gallant praised Lafrenière and Kakko, said they remind him of a young group he had in Florida that included Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau and Aaron Ekblad.

“Both young, talented players, obviously,” Gallant said. “High-end talent, high-end skill, you know — let’s take it to the next level. They’ve both got to work hard. They’ve both got to compete hard and try every day to get better.

“They need the opportunities to take advantage of it and take a step. You can’t rush them too much, but you give them the opportunity to take the step, and when they deserve more, you give them more.”

Fans on Twitter celebrated when Gallant said he doesn’t think skilled youngsters get anything out of playing on the fourth line, as Quinn’s kids sometimes did. But Quinn also rewarded players when they deserved it, which is widely ignored. Everything has to be earned, and Gallant is known as a coach who demands that.

“You’ve got to give them the opportunity to play,” he said. “We know we’ve got some very talented young hockey players on our team. They’re going to get every opportunity to play. They’ve got to fit in with our program. They’ve got to make sure they’re playing every night. They’ve got to make sure they’re deserving of ice time. I look at our lineup and I see a talented hockey team, so you’ve got to make sure you’re worthy of that ice time you’re getting that night. It’s a fine line as a coach. You want to develop players, but you also want to win every night. That’s where we’re at right now.”

Drury, speaking for the first time since firing Quinn and his staff (not to mention a bunch of other people recently) said, “I just think it was time for a new voice, a new coach, new leadership in the room. I’m very confident that Gerard is the person for that job.

“I’m excited to see what he does with our group.”

Gallant’s excitement level is at least equal, though that has been true at the start for pretty much all of the 35 men who preceded him. Yeah, it all sounds great at the introductory presser, the platitudes and the optimism.

Again, we’ll see, because the rebuild can’t be over, but the building part needs to take a bit of a different direction now that the owner has spoken.

“I’m really excited,” Gallant said. “The main thing is we’ve got a hell of a hockey team and if we can move forward, we can be a good team for a long time — if we do the right things and if we play the right way.”

Now his job is to make it happen.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189825 Ottawa Senators His brother, Marcus Davidsson, also signed with HV71 so it will allow the two to play together.

“Two extremely exciting players who enjoy playing together and have Belleville Senators' coach Troy Mann agrees to a two-year contract previously been reliable scorers in the SHL,” said HV71 GM Johan Hult. extension “Modern hockey players with strong skating combined with fine club technique.”

Defenceman Olle Alsing also signed overseas along with winger Vitaly Bruce Garrioch Abramov. All three players spent time in Belleville last season, but the club has lots of good prospects in the organization and the club won’t

have an issue helping the club form a roster. Troy Mann will return to his role behind the bench with the Belleville The Senators will also pick up more potential players in the NHL draft Senators next season. that will be held virtually July 23-24. As Postmedia reported first Tuesday, the coach of the Ottawa Senators’ There’s still plenty of work on the table in the next couple of months. The AHL affiliate has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the expectation is if they haven’t already, then discussions will begin in organization and will return for his fourth straight season in 2021-22. earnest with winger Brady Tkachuk and Batherson, who are both With his contract set to expire June 30, general manager Pierre Dorion restricted free agents, while work also takes place on putting together the and assistant Peter MacTavish were focused on keeping the 51-year-old protection list for the Seattle expansion draft set for July 21. Mann in the fold because he’s done a good job with the club’s prospects. Getting Mann signed to a new deal is another task that Dorion can check “When we hired Troy three summers ago, we knew we were getting off his “To Do” list as the NHL off-season continues. someone who had a strong track record in developing players,” said Ottawa Sun LOADED: 06.23.2021 Dorion. “With where we were as an organization at that time, and with all that has transpired with regards to stockpiling prospects since, the timing could not have been better.

“Troy has played a vital role in helping with both the development and preparation of countless players, many of whom have recently assumed important roles in Ottawa. We’re pleased to reach an agreement with Troy to see him return to Belleville.”

Sure, Mann could have shopped himself around on the open market, but the Senators didn’t want him going anywhere and the negotiations to get a new contract in place weren’t that difficult. Both sides were motivated to get a deal done and really it was more about making sure all the i’s were dotted and t’s were crossed to get this extension completed.

You have to think there would be NHL teams who would be interested in having Mann as an assistant on their staff, but he’s better to run his own program with the Senators until he makes the next step.

In his three years with Belleville, Mann, who spent four seasons as the head coach of the AHL’s and won a , has helped the right players reach the next level. Centre Josh Norris, along with wingers Drake Batherson and Alex Formenton, who have all made the next step to the NHL, are among those who praise the development work they’ve done with Mann and his staff.

Norris, Batherson and Formenton were all named AHL all-stars. Formenton was brought up at the end of last season and coach D.J. Smith stated at the end of the year he believed the speedy winger had established himself as a full-time NHL player. Mann also helped winger Nick Paul make the next step to this level.

The Senators finished the year with an 18-16-1 record while playing out of the Canadian Tire Centre because the organization couldn’t get clearance to play at the CAA Arena in Belleville. Next year will be played under more normal circumstances, which means Mann, his staff and the players won’t be based out of the Brookstreet Hotel or the Bell Sensplex.

Before the AHL went on pause because of COVID-19 in March 2020, Belleville was on the verge of winning its division and making the playoffs for the first time since the organization moved its club there. In three seasons, Mann has a 93-67-14 record, but the key is his ability to work with prospects and help them make the next step to the Senators.

Mann has good communication skills and has helped graduate players to the next level. As noted earlier, some of the club’s top players have spent time with Belleville while goalies Filip Gustavsson and Joey Daccord have also spent time developing there to push for a spot here.

Naturally, Belleville will have a different roster next season.

Winger , who has spent parts of the past two years with Belleville after being brought to Ottawa from the Columbus Blue Jackets as part of the Matt Duchene deal at the deadline in February 2019, signed with HVZI in the Swedish league Tuesday. He had a tough time staying healthy with the Senators and only played 24 games over two years. 1189826 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers, Penguins urge Congress to honor Willie O’Ree, NHL’s first Black player

The Flyers and Penguins are bitter rivals on the ice. Off it, they have united to support a movement to honor "the Jackie Robinson of hockey," Willie O'Ree.

Sam Carchidi

The Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins organizations urged all members of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation Tuesday to support the bipartisan Willie O’Ree Gold Medal Act.

O’Ree became the NHL’s first Black player in 1958, when he played for the Boston Bruins, and he is now a diversity ambassador for the league. He is often referred to as “the Jackie Robinson of hockey.”

For more than 200 years, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions.

The Willie O’Ree Congressional Gold Medal Act was introduced on February 25, 2021, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions and commitment to hockey, inclusion, and recreational opportunity. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D- Mich.) and Timothy Scott (R-S.C.), and Representatives Tom Emmer (R- Minn.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.), and John Katko (R- N.Y.).

In 1998, O’Ree was named the NHL’s first diversity ambassador, helping to develop the Hockey is for Everyone youth organizations, which have served more than 130,000 boys and girls at over 26 programs across 40 locations in North America.

Over the years, O’Ree, 85, has made countless visits to schools, community centers, and hockey rinks across the country, including Philadelphia. In 2018, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in recognition of his efforts to grow the game and for paving the way for Blacks to play in the NHL.

“He had an effect on every single player of color coming into this league,” former Flyer Wayne Simmonds, who is Black, once told The Inquirer. “Without him, we wouldn’t even be in this league ... so there’s a lot of respect I have for Mr. O’Ree. He’s the reason I’m here.

“He is my Jackie Robinson.”

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189827 Philadelphia Flyers At the head of the list, of course, is Hart, 22, who in one year saw his goals-against average balloon from 2.42 to 3.67, and his save percentage drop from .914 to .877.

Big summer ahead for Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher and underachieving The list also includes defensemen Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, and young players | On the Fly Phil Myers, and forwards Nolan Patrick, Travis Konency, Oskar Lindblom, and Nic Aube-Kubel. (Lindblom, of course, gets a pass Besides their obvious needed upgrades on defense, the Flyers must because of his medical condition.) have their underachieving younger players take major steps. That starts with productive offseason work in the gym and on the ice. “Frankly, for us to take a step forward, we’re going to need that group of players to take on a bigger role, play better, and help us win games,” said Fletcher, whose team might get a boost from promising rookies such as Cam York, Wade Allison, and Morgan Frost. “We’re going to have to look by Sam Carchidi outside the organization, but certainly it’s difficult to replace the whole team. You’re going to need your young players to take a step and be better.” Good morning, folks. Here at On the Fly headquarters, I’m not sure what was more frustrating: watching the Sixers’ postseason meltdown, or the This is a key offseason for many Flyers, a chance to put in rigorous fact that the Flyers weren’t good enough to even make the playoffs. workouts and prove that last year was a fluke in their development.

OK, at least the Sixers gave fans (false) hope that they could bring home “They have a big summer ahead of them,” Fletcher said. “Hopefully, as a championship this year, which is much more than you can say about things normalize this offseason, it’s easier for many of these young their stumbling Wells Fargo Center buddies. players to skate, train, and prepare more normally than maybe they were able to do last offseason. We’re hopeful we see an energized group of So where do the Flyers go from here? players come training camp” in September.

Well, if you look at the NHL’s Final Four, you can understand why GM Flyers rookie center Morgan Frost will have a chance to earn a roster Chuck Fletcher has such a pivotal summer ahead of him. Defense and spot in September. goaltending have been the key for the four semifinalists: Tampa Bay, the Islanders, Vegas, and Montreal. Things to know

And guess what parts of the Flyers’ game were the most dysfunctional Lindblom: “I want to be the player I was before I got sick.” The story this year? Yep, defense and goaltending. about the Bill Masterton winner.

You’re signed up to get this newsletter in your inbox once a week during The surprising Canadiens are comfortable heading into Game 5 in the offseason. If you like what you’re reading, tell your friends it’s free to Vegas on Tuesday. The series is tied at two wins apiece. sign up here. I want to know what you think, what we should add, and Tampa Bay even got a goal from ex-Flyers defenseman Luke what you want to read, so send me feedback by email Schenn, of all people, as it whipped the Islanders on Monday, 8-0, and ([email protected]) or on Twitter (@broadstbull). Thank you for took a 3-2 lead in the series. reading. Former Flyers defenseman Luke Richardson is 1-1 filling in as head — Sam Carchidi ([email protected]) coach of the Canadiens since Dominique Ducharme tested positive for Flyers’ shopping list COVID-19 last Friday.

In the regular season, Vegas (2.18 goals per game) and the Islanders Trivia (2.23) were the NHL’s stingiest teams. Colorado (2.36 ) was No. 3, and Tampa Bay’s Brayden Point is the second player in NHL history to score the Avs are out of the playoffs only because they had the misfortune of goals in eight straight playoff games. Can you name the former Flyer who facing the Golden Knights. holds the record? Tampa Bay was ranked sixth, allowing 2.59 goals a game. Montreal If you said Reggie Leach, take a bow. The right winger scored in 10 (2.95), a stunning semifinalist, was 18th in the regular season, but the straight playoff games in 1976, and he finished that postseason with 19 Canadiens have tightened up things in the playoffs, surrendering just goals in 16 games. Including the regular season, he had 80 goals. 2.27 goals per game, the third-fewest goals permitted among the 16 Eighty. teams that have competed in this year’s tournament. The Flyers’ top four right wingers — Joel Farabee (20 goals), who also As the adage goes, offense sells tickets, and defense wins games. played the left side; Jake Voracek (9); Travis Konecny (11); and Nic Which brings us to the Flyers. They were last in the NHL as they allowed Aube-Kubel (3) — combined for 43 goals in 56 games this year. 3.52 goals per game in the regular season, explaining why they missed Important dates the playoffs for the fifth time in nine years. They allowed almost 1½ goals per game more than Vegas. Think about that. Tuesday: Montreal at Vegas in Game 5 at 9 p.m., NBCSN.

That’s why Fletcher has a long list of defensemen on his radar, including Wednesday: Tampa Bay at Islanders in Game 6 at 8 p.m., NBCSN. Seth Jones, Dougie Hamilton, Ryan Ellis, Matt Dumba, and . It’s also why pending unrestricted-free-agent goalies such as Thursday: Vegas at Montreal in Game 6 at 8 p.m., USA Network. Linus Ullmark, Frederik Andersen, Jonathan Bernier, Philipp Grubauer, Friday (if necessary): Islanders at Tampa Bay in Game 7 at 8 p.m., Jonathan Bernier, and Anders Nilsson should be considered as the 1B to NBCSN. Carter Hart’s 1A status. Saturday (if necessary): Montreal at Vegas in Game 7 at 8 p.m., NBCSN. “I think we have quite a few priorities,” Fletcher said when the Flyers’ sad season ended. “Looking outside the organization, certainly we could July 17: Deadline for clubs to submit protection lists for expansion draft, 5 upgrade everywhere — up front, defense. Certainly we’re going to have p.m. to look at our situation in goal, which has kind of been a constant struggle here for years.” July 21: Seattle expansion draft

In case you need a history lesson, here is CliffsNotes version: Compared July 23: NHL draft, Round 1 to the rest of the NHL, the Flyers have had average or way-below- July 24: NHL draft, Rounds 2-7 average defensive stats in seven of the last eight seasons. July 28: Free-agent signings permitted, noon And, so, yes, Fletcher needs to be active in the trade market and in free agency when it opens July 28. From the mailbag

“We have different areas we have to look at,” he said. “We also need a lot of our young players to be better.” How much of the Flyers’ issues last year can be attributed to coaching? Specifically, PK, slow starts, and regression of younger players? — David Reading (@DavidJReading) on Twitter

Answer: Thanks for the question, Dave, and it’s a good one.

To me, it’s a shared blame, though the coaches are more responsible for the last category. I truly believe the loss of Matt Niskanen was a big reason for the PK problems, and his veteran presence and leadership also affected the slow starts. Fletcher needs to get someone — whether it’s on defense on another position — who is not only a good player but also has a championship on his resume and knows what it takes to win.

That confidence, that swagger, has a way of permeating through the locker room. We saw it with Chris Pronger and we saw it with Niskanen, two players who won Stanley Cups with other teams.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189828 Philadelphia Flyers next season, it will only mean good things for the Flyers' hopes of returning to contention.

If the Flyers' pockets tighten, so be it. The organization knows his value As Selke Trophy winner is announced, Couturier has motivation in all by now. directions Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.23.2021

BY JORDAN HALL

The NHL is set to announce the 2020-21 winner of the award given out annually to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. In a landslide last season, Couturier took home the honor for his first-ever Selke victory.

This season, the finalists are Aleksander Barkov (Panthers), Patrice Bergeron (Bruins) and Mark Stone (Golden Knights). Couturier did not make the cut to defend his crown. In the shortened, 56-game regular season, the Flyers' do-it-all center missed 11 games because of injuries and finished as a minus player for just the second time in his career. Couturier was a minus-4 as the Flyers allowed a staggering 3.52 goals per game, the most in hockey.

In the second game of the season, Couturier suffered a costochondral separation and was forced to miss the next 10 games. He also dealt with a previous nagging hip issue, which forced him to miss a game in March against the Islanders and had lingering effects. Considering the circumstances, Couturier still had a pretty solid season. He won his third straight Bobby Clarke Trophy as team MVP, led Flyers forwards with 19:20 minutes per game, finished second on the club in goals (18) and fourth in points (41).

Sean Couturier received a third-place vote, two fourth-place votes and a fifth-place vote for this season's Selke Trophy. The Panthers' Aleksander Barkov took home the honor. pic.twitter.com/0WAv0EGXGn— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) June 19, 2021

"It was a grind," Couturier said at his end-of-the-season press conference in May. "I only played 45 and it was a grind. Especially when I missed that game there in the Island and I came back, took me probably seven to 10 days to kind of get my legs going again and I wasn't feeling as good as before that injury. But yeah, it was tough to recover from any sort of little injuries, so it was a grind. But every team went through that schedule. It might have been a little tougher because COVID hit us, but we needed to be better and we weren't good enough."

A reason why Couturier steadily developed from a defensively sound center into a Selke Trophy winner has been because of his internal drive. But if Couturier needed any extra motivation this offseason, he'll have it. The Flyers have a ton to prove after missing the playoffs this season, a year in which Couturier had noted they were too easy to play against at times. Added fuel will come in the form of a contract year. Couturier can hit unrestricted free agency after the 2021-22 season, the final year of his six-year, $26 million contract. Couturier is due for a payday, even in this flat-cap climate, as his $4.333 million average annual value has turned into a bargain.

"I mean, I obviously love it here in Philly, it's a great city, the organization's been awesome to me since I've gotten here, so obviously I'd love to stay," the 10-year Flyer said. "But it's part of the game, part of the business and we'll see what happens. I still have another year to play, so we'll see."

After the Flyers had mentioned how some of their younger Canadian players experienced difficulty with training last offseason amid the tight COVID-19 restrictions, the 28-year-old Couturier was asked if he had to make adjustments.

"There were limitations," he said. "I had to rent the ice by myself two, three times a week, so it wasn't easy, it was tough to kind of motivate myself to do it, but found a way. I have a gym at home, so there was no excuse for me. I felt good, I felt in pretty great shape actually, no distractions from outside the world. All I had to do was with pretty much train and recover; you couldn't really do much else."

Next season won't have the unheard-of nature the NHL experienced in 2020-21. The Flyers are banking on the benefit of normalcy and should know what to expect in 2021-22. With Couturier, they always know what to expect. The Flyers won't mind if their first-line center ups his value with a slam-dunk contract year. If Couturier returns to the Selke conversation 1189829 Pittsburgh Penguins unrestricted free agent this offseason, potentially sign elsewhere, fellow righties Chad Ruhwedel and Friedman figure to be candidates to man the starboard side of the blue line.

Penguins A to Z: Mark Friedman can provide some spark With regards to next month’s expansion draft, Friedman will likely not be protected by the Penguins and the Seattle Kraken would likely not select him.

SETH RORABAUGH | Tuesday, June 22, 2021 8:01 a.m. It’ll be interesting to see what Friedman can offer in games against teams other than the Flyers. Four of his five games with the Penguins came

against their cross-state rivals and for reasons that are only apparent to In five games with the Penguins this past season, defenseman Mark the parties directly involved, there appears to be a personal conflict Friedman had three points (two goals, one assist). between Friedman and his former teammates.

With the Penguins in the midst of their offseason, the Tribune-Review is In a limited sample size, Friedman has shown he has the base elements looking at all 49 players currently under NHL contracts to the required to play with the Penguins in terms of his skating and ability to be organization in alphabetical order, from mid-level prospect Niclas Almari a fourth attacker on the rush. And for a team whose management — i.e. to top-six winger Jason Zucker. Hextall and president of hockey operations — has professed a desire to add toughness, Friedman has certainly been willing to mix it Mark Friedman up, albeit as a smaller, scrappier entity.

Position: Defenseman He might not be among the team’s six best defensemen next season, but Friedman can provide some spark for the Penguins in the right situations. Shoots: Right Tribune Review LOADED: 06.23.2021 Age: 25

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 185 pounds

2020-21 NHL statistics: Nine games, three points (two goals, one assist)

Contract: First year of a two-year contract with a salary cap hit of $725,000. Pending unrestricted free agent in 2022.

Acquired: Claimed off waivers, Feb. 24

2020-21 season: Just when the novelty of , one of the ultimate Philadelphia Flyers of all-time, being the general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins was starting to lose some of its luster, Hextall did something to remind all of us how strange this is.

He added a member of the Flyers to the Penguins’ roster.

Just over two weeks after being named the Penguins general manager on Feb. 9, Hextall’s first transaction in his new position was to claim Friedman off of waivers from the Flyers.

Having overseen Friedman’s selection in the third round of the 2014 draft and development with the Flyers as that franchise’s general manager, Hextall jumped on the chance to add him at a time when the Penguins’ defense was still dealing with a handful of early-season injuries.

After four unremarkable games with no points as a member of the Flyers through January and February, Friedman made his Penguins debut March 2 against the Flyers, of all teams. In a 5-2 home win, he recorded his first point of the season, a secondary assist.

Two nights later, Friedman really showed the impact he could make. During a 4-3 home loss to the Flyers, Friedman scored his first career goal.

Additionally, Friedman appeared to draw the ire of his ex-teammates as he was injured twice on hits by Flyers forward Nolan Patrick.

The second hit concussed Friedman and led to being assigned to injured reserve and missing 22 games.

Friedman returned to the lineup by May 3, against — guess who — the Flyers, in a 7-2 road loss. Two nights later, in a 7-3 road win against the Flyers, Friedman got into his first career fight with Flyers forward Joel Farabee.

In the late stages of that game, Friedman scored an empty-net goal then was dumped into the end boards on a cross-check by Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.

Overall, Friedman played in five games for the Penguins and recorded three points (two goals, one assist) while primarily being deployed on the left side as a right-handed shot.

He was a scratch for all six of their postseason games.

The future: Given Hextall’s history with him, it’s safe to assume Friedman will get a legitimate look to be in the lineup on a more regular basis next season. Should right-handed defenseman Cody Ceci, a pending 1189830 Pittsburgh Penguins Granger said that the Knights only have about $2 million dollars in salary cap space projected for next year, and they have some unrestricted free agents that they’d like to sign. So dealing with either Fleury’s $7 million contract (through 2022) or Lehner’s $5 million contract (through 2025) is Thoughts on Marc-Andre Fleury’s status for Game 5, rest of NHL an option, but they both have modified no-trade clauses. semifinals and any possible return to Pittsburgh Sentimentality may come into play as well.

“I don’t believe Marc-Andre Fleury will be traded,” Granger said. “Owner TIM BENZ | Tuesday, June 22, 2021 6:37 a.m. Bill Foley loves Marc-Andre Fleury. He has told Marc-Andre Fleury he will retire as a Golden Knight. I don’t know if he will overrule the front office.

But I do think the general consensus among the front office and the Pittsburgh Penguins fans who have tracked Marc-Andre Fleury’s ownership is that, in a perfect world, Marc-Andre Fleury finishes his goaltending career have seen this before. contract in Vegas. To be honest, I could even see him signing another contract at a lower cap hit after that.” • In 2013, he was replaced in the playoffs by Tomas Vokoun after going 23-8 in the regular season. Granger wouldn’t call that a sure thing but says it is a possibility.

• In 2016, he lost his job due to injury to Matt Murray before the playoffs So for those in Pittsburgh having visions of Fleury perhaps coming back began after having his best statistical season to date (.921 save to rejoin the Penguins, don’t hold your breath. Not only may the Golden percentage, 2.29 goals against average). Knights want to keep him, but the Pens would also have a tough time talking Vegas into retaining much of his salary. • In 2017, he started the playoffs brilliantly, claiming the team’s first nine postseason victories before yielding the net back to Murray, who Something the Penguins would likely need in order to swing such a deal eventually finished off the team’s second consecutive Stanley Cup run. unless someone of a similar cap number went out the door in exchange.

• In 2020, Fleury won 27 regular-season games, but only got four of 20 Also in our podcast, Granger tells us about how well Fleury had played starts for the Vegas Golden Knights as head coach Peter DeBoer turned up until that Game 3 mishap in Montreal, his off-ice relationship with to Robin Lehner for the majority of playoff games. Lehner and how neither goalie has gotten much support from a forward group that has gone ice cold against the Canadiens. This year, the same thing may be happening to Fleury. After a Vezina Trophy nomination for his regular-season performance and a fine start Tribune Review LOADED: 06.23.2021 through the first two rounds of the playoffs, DeBoer decided to turn back to Lehner again in Game 4 of the team’s semifinal against the Montreal Canadiens.

That’s despite Fleury’s 9-6 postseason record, along with a 1.97 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.

Lehner came through this time. After being called upon to start Game 1 of the team’s second-round series against the Colorado Avalanche, Lehner was drilled 7-0. But he bounced back to best the Canadiens 2-1 in overtime Sunday.

So what does this mean moving forward for Fleury? DeBoer has always tried to balance out the starts between the two goalies. He attempted to make it sound as if his decision to bench Fleury wasn’t because of his late-game gaffe that cost the Golden Knights Game 3 of the series Friday, claiming it was more about Fleury’s 15 starts in the playoffs.

C'EST L'ÉGALITÉ!

THE EQUALIZER!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Ig9IIbaawP

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 19, 2021

C’mon. After that, who is he kidding?

And now Jesse Granger, who covers the Golden Knights for The Athletic, isn’t sure which direction DeBoer will go.

“The fact that DeBoer said it was related to Marc-Andre Fleury’s fatigue, or that he wanted to get him a rest, kind of leads you to believe that maybe it will be back to Fleury in Game 5 in Vegas. But, at the same time, the way Rob Lehner played, I wouldn’t fault (DeBoer) for sticking with him either,” Granger said on Tuesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast.

DeBoer isn’t expected to announce which goaltender will start until game time on Tuesday. Lehner was good in Game 4, stopping 27 of 28 Montreal shots. Also, as Granger pointed out, Natural Stat Trick tracked the Canadiens as having a whopping 17-0 advantage when it came to high-danger chances through the end of regulation. So Lehner was good when times were tough as well.

After Lehner took center stage last year, there was much thought that Vegas may move Fleury in the offseason. General manager Jim Rutherford admitted to calling Vegas G.M. Kelly McCrimmon about a potential deal. But the Knights kept their combination together, and they ended up winning the Jennings Trophy as the goaltenders who allowed the fewest goals in a season.

So that move paid off, as did starting Lehner in Game 5. But if Lehner should get the call moving forward as the team’s starter throughout this round and into a potential Cup Final, then what? 1189831 San Jose Sharks

Sharks re-sign veteran forward Nieto to two-year contract

BY ALEX DIDION

Matt Nieto's second stint with the Sharks will continue into next season, as the organization announced it has re-signed the forward to a two-year contract. “Matt brings a consistent, veteran presence to our line-up, and his speed and defensive awareness have made him a valuable part of our penalty killing unit,” said Sharks general manager of Nieto. “Additionally, his ability to chip in offensively gives our coaching staff a versatile option in crafting our line-up from night to night.” Nieto played in 28 games for the Sharks in 2021, scoring five goals and adding two assists. Initially a second-round draft pick of the Sharks in 2011, Nieto signed with the team in free agency back in October 2020, after four seasons with the Colorado Avalanche. Over 500 career games in the NHL, Nieto has amassed 158 points. The 28-year-old also has played in 55 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, including 16 during the Sharks' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016. Nieto has eight goals and 13 assists over his postseason career. After injuries brought his 2021 season to an end, the forward will be hoping to re-establish himself next season and get back to being the 20- point player he's proven to be in recent full seasons. The Sharks clearly have confidence in Nieto by giving him a two-year contract, and he'll have a chance to back up that belief next season.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189832 San Jose Sharks

Is Kevin Labanc a First-Line Forward?

Published 17 hours ago on June 22, 2021 By JD Young

Kyle, Erik, and JD try and decide what Kevin Labanc actually is. We look at his stats and debate if he’s actually a first-line forward as his underlying stats suggest or if his counting stats tell a different story for the San Jose Sharks. We compare Labanc to other first-line forwards around the league (11:30) and if his contract is actually good or bad (17:00). We finish by trying to figure out what his role actually is and what we expect from Labanc going forward for the San Jose Sharks (26:00).

San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189833 Seattle Kraken Florida Panthers winger Anthony Duclair could also be an option. The fact Duclair, 25, is a pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights offers some cost certainty in that the Kraken could sign him to a cap- friendly term considering he earned $1.7 million last season. But that Kraken’s toughest decisions: What options will Seattle have in the might not matter if the Kraken think goaltender Chris Driedger, a pending expansion draft? UFA, could fill a greater need in net. So where do Washington natives Tyler Johnson and T.J. Oshie fit into this conversation? Johnson could still be a potential option. The 30-year- By Ryan S. Clark old Spokane native carries a $5 million cap hit over the next three Jun 22, 2021 seasons. He averaged 0.40 points this season, which is below his 0.61 career average. Johnson has served a number of roles for the Tampa Bay Lightning while enduring quite a bit in what has been an inconsistent season. It’s possible the Kraken believe Johnson will return to the player Executives around the league continue making the joke — or who helped make the Lightning so dominant should he return home. assessment, depending upon the source — that the Seattle Kraken did not just pay a $650 million entrance fee to field a struggling team in their The Kraken could go a different path when selecting from the Lightning first year. by taking another potential top-six option in Alex Killorn. The former Harvard star winger is a year older than Johnson but costs $4.45 million Nobody knows what team the Kraken will ice until the expansion draft on and has one less year remaining on his contract. Killorn has amassed July 21 and then when they start playing games. As for figuring out the some of his strongest seasons in recent years, setting a career high in category of player who could be on the roster, a bit more clarity exists goals and points in 2019-20, and averaging 0.59 points per game this beyond the Kraken simply drafting 9 defensemen, 14 forwards and three year. goaltenders. What are the odds of the Kraken finding top-six forwards in the expansion draft? Who will they select among a steady supply of top- Oshie, who is from Mount Vernon, Wash., said he wants to remain with four defensemen? Is it possible they could also find two solid goalies at a the Capitals. That declaration would take a consistent 20-goal scorer who time when the NHL is all about tandems? What are potentially the most can create for himself and others off the board. Yet that would allow the difficult choices they have to make? Kraken to save $5.75 million annually for the next four seasons. Here is a look at some of the possibilities that could be made available to Looking ahead to free agency, Mikael Granlund, Taylor Hall, Zach the Kraken. Hyman, Mike Hoffman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Kyle Palmieri and Jaden Schwartz are potential top-six forwards who could reach the open Top-six forward options market. Interest in that crop of players depends upon how the Kraken Remaining financially flexible is everything in the flat salary-cap manage the cap in the expansion draft. Carefully manicuring the cap was landscape. Yet building a top-six forward group through the expansion one of Francis’ trademarks when he oversaw the Carolina Hurricanes for draft potentially provides the greatest challenge when it comes to how four seasons. Applying that same approach, coupled with the notion that the Kraken will manage their money. That becomes even more evident the Kraken’s ownership is willing to spend money, could result in the when assessing some of the plausible options that could be available. Kraken becoming a significant presence in the free-agent market. One example is their options with the Philadelphia Flyers. Kraken general Top-four defenseman options manager could always go to the cheaper route by taking The situation for top-four defensemen is very similar. Certain names are Nicolas Aubé-Kubel and his $1.075 million cap hit for one more season. going to be available. It just comes with the loss of cap space. Say the Or he could go with one of two players who could immediately slide into Kraken want to add a Norris Trophy winner to their team. They could their top six in wingers James van Riemsdyk and Jakub Voracek. make it happen by picking Brent Burns, Mark Giordano or P.K. Subban. Going with either player instantly gives the Kraken a proven veteran Selecting Burns means paying the 36-year-old star $8 million annually forward with a history of producing. It just comes with a few caveats. Van over the next four years. Giordano and Subban, by comparison, only Riemsdyk has hit the 20-goal mark six times in his career and was on have one season left on their deals. The 37-year-old Giordano costs pace to finish this season with what would have been a career-high 63 $6.75 million, while Subban, 32, will earn $9 million. points over an 82-game regular season. But the 32-year-old will earn $7 Or view it this way: The Kraken could select Calvin De Haan and Ryan million annually over the next two years. Voracek also has hit the 20-goal Graves for less than what Burns or Subban would cost alone. Both plateau six times and was on pace for a 67-point campaign over an 82- defensemen are expected to be available during the expansion draft. game season this year. But again, taking the 31-year-old Voracek carries They could hypothetically be used to create a top-four pairing. A De an $8.25 million annual price tag with three years left on his contract. It’s Haan-Graves partnership would cost a combined $7.71 million in cap possible the Kraken could see if the Flyers are willing to retain some space. Together, they would be nearly $1 million more expensive than salary should they select van Riemsdyk or Voracek. There is just no Giordano while still being cheaper as a duo compared to Burns and guaranteeing the Flyers would go that route. Subban on their own. Again, economics are everything, especially if the Front offices are going to use the expansion draft as an attempt to offload Kraken want to remain flexible for free agency. salary, retool their roster or both. So it’s possible more top-six options Anaheim Ducks defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and New York Islanders might be available. But at what cost? The Nashville Predators could be defenseman Nick Leddy are among the puck movers who could be tempted to expose Matt Duchene or Ryan Johansen. A seven-time 20- available. Shattenkirk, 32, would provide the Kraken with a right-handed goal scorer, Duchene possesses several qualities teams have coveted in shot with a Stanley Cup on his resume for the price of $3.9 million over the past. It’s just that his time in Nashville has not generated what is the next two years; whereas the 30-year-old, left-handed Leddy has one expected of a player who signed a seven-year contract carrying an $8 more year remaining at $5.5 million. Another name expected to be million annual cap hit. available is Capitals defensemen Brenden Dillon. The 30-year-old could Duchene, who has five years remaining on his deal, is averaging 0.55 help anchor a penalty kill and offer size all while costing $3.9 million over points per game since signing with the Predators — below his 0.73 the next three seasons. career average. Johansen, who has four years remaining on his contract Another element to consider is the Kraken are expected to have multiple worth $8 million annually, is averaging 0.50 points per game over the last defensive options on the same team, which is the case with the Boston two years, which is also below his career average of 0.66 points. They Bruins and St. Louis Blues. each found consistency in the playoffs. But is a six-game display enough to be included in the Kraken’s plans? Especially if Calle Jarnkrok, who is Bruins defensemen Connor Clifton, Jeremy Lauzon and Jakub Zboril are averaging 0.55 points per game in the last two seasons, offers more all expected to be exposed. It’s a trio where all have played in less than versatility and costs $2 million with only one year left on his contract, 100 NHL regular-season games but also possess team-friendly cap hits. could be available? Clifton only costs $1 million annually over the next two years. Lauzon has one year remaining at $850,000, while Zboril has a single season left on It also stands to reason there will be forwards on cheaper contracts his deal worth $725,000. available. The expectation is the Pittsburgh Penguins could overhaul portions of their roster and expose players like Jason Zucker. A veteran The Blues offer a bit more variety in Robert Bortuzzo, Vince Dunn, Niko winger, the 29-year-old has hit the 20-goal mark five times in his career. Mikkola and Marco Scandella. Bortuzzo and Scandella are more Zucker has two more years remaining on his contract worth $5.5 million, experienced players with both having played in more than 400 games. which the Kraken could view as a more manageable cap hit compared to Taking the 32-year-old Bortuzzo means taking on a one-year contract others. worth $1.375 million, while the 31-year-old Scandella is owed $3.25 million over the next three seasons. Going with Dunn and Mikkola means taking younger players with cheaper deals. The 24-year-old Dunn is a Oilers protect pending UFA Mike Smith? If so, the Kraken could take a 6- pending RFA, while Mikkola, 25, has one year left at $787, 000. foot-3 goalie who won 20 games in the AHL and bolster a farm system that is still a work in progress. Free agency could also be another avenue to pursue at least one top- four defenseman. It’s possible Dougie Hamilton could be among those Then there is the Minnesota Wild. It’s possible the Kraken could have options if he does not get traded before hitting the open market or re-sign another option in net with Cam Talbot. But they could also determine that with the Hurricanes. Should Hamilton be part of a sign-and-trade choosing a defenseman could be a better decision. But which elsewhere, it would leave Tyson Barrie as the most prolific defenseman defensemen? Matt Dumba or Carson Soucy? Talbot has two more years on the market. Barrie would give his future team a right-handed shooting, on his contract worth $3.66 million, which would allow the Kraken to puck mover who can operate a first-team power-play unit. Brandon create a tandem at a reasonable price. But the trade-off is passing on a Montour is another potential top-four defenseman who is expected to hit top-four defenseman such as Dumba or a top-six option like Soucy. free agency, along with Ian Cole, Alec Martinez and David Savard. Dumba would give the Kraken a potential top-pairing defenseman, but his $6 million over the next two years might be an item that the Kraken Goaltending options would need to think about despite the fact Dumba is still 26. Especially Several names have been mentioned over the years among the Kraken’s when Soucy could join instead and only costing the Kraken $2.75 million options in net. It’s a list that has included Jake Allen and Anton Khudobin in cap space over the next two years. for several reasons. One of them being the price point they provide. Last Allen could still be the player the Kraken take from the Montreal year, Allen signed a two-year extension with a rather team-friendly cap Canadiens. But what would prevent the Kraken from possibly looking at hit at $2.875 million, while Khudobin was one of the reasons why the taking forward instead? Drouin is a 26-year-old top-six Dallas Stars reached the Stanley Cup Final. Pairing them together meant forward who would earn $5.5 million annually over the next two seasons. the Kraken could have an experienced tandem that would cost a Selecting Drouin, however, comes at the expense of moving on from combined $6.02 million in cap space. Allen and his alluring cap hit. The possibility of that cost-effective Allen-Khudobin partnership could still Meanwhile, the Kraken could have another decision to make when it exist. It’s also not the only cap-friendly tandem option. Goaltenders such comes to who they take from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Could they as Columbus’ Matiss Kivlenieks, Chicago’s Malcolm Subban, choose to take a facilitator like Alexander Kerfoot or would they look at Washington’s Vitek Vanecek and Florida’s Driedger are low-cost options. adding to their defense by selecting Travis Dermott? Kerfoot would give Driedger is proven and the Kraken could speak to the pending UFA the Kraken a top-nine center for the price of $3.5 million over the next during the negotiating window to agree to a deal. Kivlenieks, Malcolm three years, while Dermott is a pending RFA who should be cheaper by Subban and Vanicek go for less than $900,000 in cap space. Yet those comparison. are goaltenders also come with their own concerns. Would Kivlenieks be more useful as a No. 3 option considering he has less than 10 games of Perhaps one of the more interesting decisions facing the Kraken is with NHL experience? Although Malcolm Subban is experienced, are there the Winnipeg Jets. Mason Appleton is another power forward who better options than someone who has a career .899 save percentage provides size and offensive production on the wing. But what about over 82 games? Is Vanecek’s lone season enough to believe he could Logan Stanley? The 23-year-old defenseman added size and could start parlay that into future success knowing he might have stayed in the AHL in the top six en route to pushing for time in the top four. Appleton has if Henrik Lundqvist had played this season? one year left on his deal worth $900,000, while Stanley is a pending RFA who will have multiple years of team control. More experienced options are expected to arise. Braden Holtby has one year remaining at a $4.3 million cap hit, but he struggled for consistency in Vancouver and finished a second straight season with a save percentage below .900. It’s also possible the Penguins could make a 25- The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 game winner in Tristan Jarry available given how he faced challenges in the postseason. Jarry has two years remaining at $3.5 million per year on his current deal, which could be deemed a manageable cap hit. And the need to protect promising goaltender Filip Gustavsson could force the Ottawa Senators to make Matt Murray and his $6.25 million cap hit over the next three years available for selection just a year into the deal. Francis and his staff must pick three goaltenders in the expansion draft. Although they could find a way to get goaltenders through alternative methods. Semyon Varlamov has the Islanders within striking distance of the Stanley Cup Final. But the Islanders are also a team that CapFriendly projects will be over the cap limit once next season starts. Clearing cap space will be a priority and Varlamov has two years remaining at $5 million per. Free agency is another path the Kraken could pursue, knowing that Frederik Andersen, Petr Mrazek, Antti Raanta, James Reimer and Driedger could all reach the open market. Toughest decisions Certain names were not listed in the previous sections for a reason. A number of teams could create a bit of a problem for the Kraken in that they have multiple players at different positions who could fill a need. Nothing is preventing the Kraken from potentially working out a side deal should they really want two players from the same team. One example would be whoever becomes the pick from the Colorado Avalanche. Graves could be a top-four option. But the Kraken could potentially find a top-six forward in Joonas Donskoi. Donskoi would give the Kraken a two-way skater who was on pace for consecutive 20-goal campaigns in a full 82-game schedule. It is also possible that the forward or a defenseman dilemma could be in play with the Hurricanes with defenseman Jake Bean and forward Warren Foegele. The 23-year-old Bean is a pending RFA who could play right away at a low cost given he just completed his first full season. Going with Bean means they would lose out on a 25-year-old Foegele who would give them a power forward capable of adding size on the edges. Foegele is also a pending RFA, having earned $2.15 million in 2020-21. Another decision the Kraken must consider is what they do with the Edmonton Oilers. The expectation is the Oilers are going to part with one of their young defensemen such as Caleb Jones or William Lagesson. Could the Kraken be best served by taking one of them or by making a play for the future by snagging goaltender Stuart Skinner instead, if the 1189834 St Louis Blues

Final report confirms St. Louis Blues great Plager died of cardiac event, not from crash

Kim Bell

ST. LOUIS — The city medical examiner has determined that St. Louis Blues hockey great died of a cardiac event before crashing his SUV in March. Plager's death was not a result of the crash itself, Dr. Michael Graham said Tuesday. Graham said the final results match his preliminary findings back in March. The cause of death was cardiac dysrhythmia and the manner of death was listed as natural, according to the medical examiner's office. The office had waited for routine toxicology tests before Plager's death certificate was certified this week. Plager, 78, was pronounced dead at a hospital March 24 after his SUV crashed on eastbound Highway 40 (Interstate 64) near Tower Grove Avenue. Plager played 11 years and 615 games with the Blues and became a face of the franchise through decades of continued work with the organization.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189835 Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mathew Barzal at the end of the second period, for Game 6 are uncertain. Cooper said he would provide an update following Wednesday’s morning skate. After rout of Islanders, Lightning expect a fight in Game 6 Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.23.2021 By Eduardo A. Encina Published Yesterday Updated Yesterday

TAMPA — The Lightning are a team that stays even-keeled. They never get too high or too low, regardless of the outcome of games. They’re lodged in the process, and they trust their game plans and ability to execute them. Coming off a remarkable Game 5 performance in which they dismantled the Islanders 8-0 to move within one win of advancing to the Stanley Cup Final again, this group is confident it won’t be looking ahead Wednesday night at Nassau Coliseum. They know the fourth win of a playoff series can be the toughest to earn. “That’s the only thing we’re really worried about,” defenseman Victor Hedman said Tuesday. “(Monday’s) game, it’s a big win for us obviously and 8-0, 2-1, 3-1, it’s still one game. We’re going into a building where we’ve won one, lost one. ... We’re sure we’re going to get their best, so we’ve got to raise our game to another level once again, and we’re super excited to be in this situation.” The Lightning split their first two games of the series at Nassau Coliseum, and the crowd will certainly be booming for potentially the final Islanders game in the 49-year-old venue. “This is an extremely tough building to play in and they play great there,” defenseman Luke Schenn said. “They’re going to look to rebound and we’ve got to look to match that play. They had a great game there against us last time in Game 4 (a 3-2 New York win), but it’s gonna be a tough atmosphere. It’s always tough to try to close out a series and it’s going to be hard-fought (Wednesday night) for sure.” These semifinals have been about making game-to-game adjustments. In Game 5, the Lightning pushed the pace from the start, veering away from the methodical chess match the Islanders prefer to play. They pressured the puck in the neutral zone, created turnovers and utilized their speed to play a quick north-south game for which the Islanders were clearly unprepared. “When you have guys skating, wingers flooding across the ice, breaking out of the zone, their forwards have to go with you,” said Lightning forward Alex Killorn, who scored two goals in Game 5. “They know you’re going and they have to come with you so it just makes it a more full game for them. And I think that’s when we’re playing our best. ... “In our defensive zone when we could chip blocks and win those battles, win those foot races, we’re usually in a good spot.” Playing an up-tempo game, the Lightning were quicker to pucks — winning most of the battles — dominated zone play and created odd-man rushes from Islanders turnovers. The Lightning also constantly created chaos in front of the net. They took advantage of six power-play opportunities, scoring on three, after netting just two power-play goals in the first four games of the series. “We earned everything we got (Monday) because we played the right way,” Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said. “We had a game plan and we stuck to it. We didn’t do that in Game 4 for stretches so that’s how the game works, and now we expect their push just like we had our push. It’s going to be a great game.” One advantage of being on the right side of a lopsided win is giving players rest down the stretch, and even without defensemen Erik Cernak and Jan Rutta in the third period, the Lightning’s biggest minute eaters received light work. Hedman played just 4:27 in the third, and a majority of his ice time came on the power play. “You never sit here and say a team’s out of a game but when there’s 10 minutes left in the third period, I think everybody knew that with the way the game was going,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said.” So anytime this time of the year when you can give the guys a little bit of a break, you have to. And it doesn’t come around that often. I don’t anticipate there being a game like last night but you get a break.” The status of Cernak, who missed the game with an upper-body injury, and Rutta, who left the game after getting hit in the head by Islanders 1189836 Tampa Bay Lightning

Islanders’ Mathew Barzal fined, not suspended for hit on Lightning’s Jan Rutta

By Mari Faiello Published Yesterday Updated Yesterday

TAMPA — Islanders coach Barry Trotz was not anticipating a suspension for forward Mathew Barzal as a result of the cross-check he made on Lightning defenseman Jan Rutta in Game 5 of the semifinals Monday night. Trotz’s hunch was right. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety assessed a $5,000 fine to Barzal, the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement. He will not face a suspension for the hit to the head. On Monday night, the players jawed back and forth at each other before Barzal cross-checked Rutta’s left shoulder. Rutta responded with a shove before Barzal checked the defenseman in the head. Rutta stayed down on the ice for a few minutes after getting tended to by head athletic trainer Tom Mulligan. Barzal was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct at the end of the second period. Rutta never returned. “I don’t (have an update),” coach Jon Cooper said Tuesday. “I’ll have an update (Wednesday) morning.” After the game, Trotz was displeased with Barzal’s actions, saying, “it just sort of dug it a little deeper for the guys.” The Islanders were down 6- 0 at the time, going on to lose 8-0. This is Barzal’s second offense of the 2020-21 season after he was assessed a diving/embellishment fine of $2,000 on April 29. Tampa Bay holds a 3-2 series lead with Game 6 in New York on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189837 Tampa Bay Lightning “It’s no different than last year,” coach Jon Cooper said. “He was a huge reason we beat the Islanders last year, when he stepped in and played minutes for us when he was needed. He did a hell of a job for us.” There’s never any rust when Luke Schenn re-enters the Lightning lineup And Cooper thinks Schenn sets a pretty clear example for younger players, understanding his role with a strong desire to win and contribute but having that willingness to put the team first when it matters. By Mari Faiello “He treats his career like every day is going to be his last day,” Cooper said. “For him to not be down, to keep working, to understand his time is Published Yesterday coming and then to have him thrust in the limelight and perform the way Updated Yesterday he did, it’s a lesson. It’s a lesson that people should watch and admire.”

TAMPA — Lightning defenseman Luke Schenn doesn’t always know Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.23.2021 when his number will be called upon, but he stays ready. His work ethic is never questioned. He’s on the ice before and after morning skates and practices with strength and conditioning coach Mark Lambert and other assistant coaches, rarely taking a day off. It’s the work behind the scenes that keeps him prepared. During pre-game warmups Monday night, Schenn wasn’t sure where he would be watching Game 5: right in the action with a front-row seat on the team bench or from the locker room. When fellow blueliner Erik Cernak wasn’t able to go, battling an upper- body-injury, Schenn was. And the defenseman, who hadn’t been in the lineup since June 3 at Carolina, made an impactful return to play in the Lightning’s 8-0 win over the Islanders. Playing just over 15 minutes, getting into a fight with Islanders forward Matt Martin and scoring his first goal of this postseason, Schenn was hard to ignore. When the team lost Jan Rutta at the end of the second period, the group’s depth on the blue line was further emphasized. “Schenner jumped in and played unbelievable,” captain Steven Stamkos said. “...(His night was) kind of the hockey gods. That’s how they work. You play great, you earn your bounces.” Schenn played in 38 regular-season games, with two goals and two assists. This postseason, he has made an appearance in seven contests. He’s gotten good at jumping in at a moment’s notice. On March 25, Cernak was banged up with a lower-body injury. Schenn shuffled into the lineup for his first game in nearly two weeks. That night, he logged 10:26 on ice and six hits. He was a consistent face on the ice from then on, playing in 21 of the team’s remaining 23 games as he filled in for injured defensemen and took on the role of an extra when the group went with an adjusted 11 forwards, seven defensemen lineup. “No one’s going to babysit you to make sure that you’re ready to go. It’s on you as a pro to be ready,” Schenn said soon after the start. The extra work Schenn had put in since his last game made it more of a “seamless transition” as he tried to catch up to the speed of the game. On Monday, he felt prepared. “You just kind of stay patient and try to work and be supportive of all the guys, cheering them on for wins,” Schenn said. “It’s tough to stay out of the playoffs; you just have to be supportive of the guys and stay the course.” Schenn’s teammates and coaches will tell you he’s the definition of team- first player. Said Norris Trophy finalist Victor Hedman: “He always stays ready for when he’s going to get into the lineup and (Monday) was a good example. I thought he was very crisp in what he was doing, great passes, he plays physical. He’s not afraid to get involved physically ... he just brings that energy to our team.” And added Lambert: “This is where you have to tip your hat off to him. A lot of guys (in his position) would be checked out, would have checked out a long time ago. And for him, that’s the kind of professional he is. He knows he needs to be ready and he knows that he needs to do whatever it is that he needs to do to play.” Schenn isn’t a stranger to the big games, either. The 13-year-veteran has played in 30 playoff games from four postseason runs. Last year, he played in 11 — notching two assists — en route to the Lightning hoisting the Stanley Cup. 1189838 Tampa Bay Lightning Mathew Barzal’s actions as the second period came to a close fall into the latter category.

With his team down a half-dozen goals, the Islanders star cross-checked Lightning-Islanders Game 5 report card: Getting up close and personal Lightning defenseman Jan Rutta in the face, and Rutta was down on the ice for several minutes before leaving for the locker room.

Barzal received a five-minute major and game misconduct and could By Frank Pastor face more discipline from the league after Rutta did not return for the third period. Published Yesterday Barzal would be fortunate to get off with a fine. Updated Yesterday Grade: D, for dude, seriously?

Just reward One goal went in off his stick, the other off his backside. Defenseman Luke Schenn played a strong game as a last-minute Both were scored from the goaltenders’ laps. replacement for Erik Cernak, who was injured while being checked hard Welcome to Alex Killorn’s office. into the end boards by Matt Martin in the third period of Game 4. Steven Stamkos does most of his damage from the left faceoff circle. Schenn was rewarded for his efforts with his first goal — and point — of Killorn on Monday did his from his right ... cheek? the playoffs. His shot from just inside the blue line deflected off Pulock’s right skate and into the net, ballooning the Lightning’s lead to 8-0 with Together the two, along with linemate Anthony Cirelli, helped push the just under eight minutes to play. Islanders to the brink of elimination and the Lightning to within one win of returning to the Stanley Cup final. Right defensemen are usually known more for their defensive contributions, but Schenn (goal), Savard (two assists) and Rutta After contributing just two assists in the first four games of the semifinal combined for three points in the game. series, Tampa Bay’s second line came alive in Game 5, accumulating four goals and seven points in an 8-0 win. Killorn and Stamkos had two Grade: A goals and three points apiece, while Cirelli repeatedly drove to the net Can’t fool him twice and added an assist. Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy improved to 12-0 following a Stamkos, who was bumped to the third line in the final period of Game 4, playoff loss since the start of the 2020 playoffs. set the tone by scoring 45 seconds into the game, placing the puck into an empty net after Killorn’s shot from the slot deflected off New York He didn’t have a lot of work to do, finishing with 21 saves, but made a defenseman Adam Pelech to Stamkos low in the left circle. Killorn started couple of big stops on point-blank opportunities early in the second the rush by winning a puck battle in the neutral zone. period to help preserve his fourth career playoff shutout and third this postseason. Later in the period, the line was back at it again. Vasilevskiy shut out Dallas in last season’s Cup-clinching win and kept Stamkos forced a Pelech giveaway in the neutral zone and forwarded the Florida and Carolina off the scoresheet in wrapping up series victories puck to Killorn as he entered the offensive zone. Killorn’s shot from the earlier this postseason. left circle was stopped by goaltender Semyon Varlamov, but Ryan Pulock’s clearing attempt went right to David Savard above the right Right along with his puck-tracking, positioning and athleticism, circle. Vasilevskiy’s competitiveness is among the best parts of his game. Whether he has anything to do with a loss or not, he always seems to Killorn didn’t stop battling after his initial shot was stopped. He went to elevate his game the next time out, and Monday was no different. the net, jabbing for a rebound, then held his ground while surrounded by three Islanders. Which is how his backside happened to be in the path of Grade: A-plus Savard’s shot, redirecting it off Varlamov’s back and into the net.

Not done yet, Stamkos, on a one-timer from the left circle, and Killorn on a deflection from the slot, added power-play goals in the second period. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.23.2021 Moments after retrieving a puck in the right corner, Killorn settled into a spot in front of the net between defenseman Scott Mayfield and goaltender Ilya Sorokin and redirected Victor Hedman’s shot from the point. Sorokin had no chance. And on this night, neither did the Islanders. With 34 career playoff goals, Killorn moved ahead of Hall-of-Famer Marty St. Louis into fourth place on the Lightning’s all-time list. Grade: A-plus Here’s how we graded the rest of the Lightning’s performance in Game 5: Pointedly, unstoppable Brayden Point became only the second player in NHL history to score in eight or more consecutive playoff games with a third-period power-play goal. Point has a knack for finding the high-scoring areas on the ice, the toughness to fight for that space and the skill to make plays in small spaces. He scored his league-leading 13th goal of the playoffs from — where else? — the slot after a feed from Nikita Kucherov from the right circle. Only the Flyers’ Reggie Leach, who scored in 10 straight postseason games in 1976, has had a longer playoff goal streak. Too early to talk Conn Smythe? Grade: A-plus Costly penalty There’s frustration, and then there’s foolishness. 1189839 Tampa Bay Lightning

Former Lightning forward JT Brown to become TV analyst for Seattle Kraken

By Eduardo A. Encina Published Yesterday Updated Yesterday

TAMPA — Former Lightning forward JT Brown is hanging up his skates for a new career in broadcasting. Brown announced his retirement from playing Monday afternoon and will begin a new career as the expansion Seattle Kraken’s first TV color analyst. Brown began his NHL career with the Lightning, playing parts of six seasons with Tampa Bay from 2011-12 to 2017-18. He played in 37 postseason games for the Lightning, including 24 during their run to the Stanley Cup final in 2014-15. His best season came in 2015-16 with the Lightning, when he had eight goals and 22 points while posting a plus-16 in 78 games. Brown’s last stint in the NHL came in 2018-19 with Minnesota, where the Burnsville, Minn., native had three goals and five assists in 56 games for his home-state team. Most recently, he spent the past season playing in Sweden. The Kraken made the announcement on their official social media accounts on Monday. Brown will join former longtime Carolina Hurricanes and former NBC Sports play-by-play broadcaster John Forslund to make up the Kraken’s in-booth broadcast team for ROOT Sports. “It was a really big decision to hang up the skates and retire from the only thing I’ve known for about the last 25 years,” Brown said. “But the city of Seattle, the Kraken organization and getting to work with the legendary John Forslund made it a no-brainer. I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of, and I’m excited for this next chapter. I have new goals and a lot more memories to make.”

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189840 Toronto Maple Leafs

French Connection winger and ex-Leaf Rene Robert dies

Lance Hornby Publishing date: Jun 22, 2021

Former Buffalo Sabres player Rene Robert, part of the team's iconic French Connection line, has passed away at age 72. Article content Rene Robert, a member of the Buffalo Sabres famed French Connection line in the 1970s, who began and ended his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, has died at age 72. Robert passed Tuesday in Port Charlotte, Fla., after being on life support followinga heart attack there last week. In 794 NHL regular season and playoff games, he had 743 points, mostly produced between 1972-79 as right winger with Gilbert Perreault and Rick Martin on Buffalo’s top line. The all-Quebec born Connection lost Martin 10 years ago at age 59. Robert twice had 40-goal seasons and also played for the Leafs, Pittsburgh and the Colorado Rockies. Robert was an NHL second-team all-star pick in 1974-75, the year the Sabres made their first Stanley Cup final after just five years in the NHL, losing to the Philadelphia Flyers. Robert played junior on the Trois- Rivieres Maple Leafs of the QMJHL in 1967-68, scoring a then-record 69 goals in 49 games and ironically winding up in Toronto for five games as a rookie in 1970-71, before being claimed by Pittsburgh. Moved to Buffalo the next season, he became part of the memorable forward line, their nickname based on the popular book and movie of the time. The trio had 1,681 points over 1,536 games from 1972–79. “Rene was a tremendous player, teammate and person and truly loved this organization,” the Sabres said in a release. “His accomplishments on the ice as a member of the French Connection speak for themselves, but his impact in the community continued long past his playing career.” When Buffalo general manager Punch Imlach came back to run the Leafs a second time, he traded for Robert from Colorado. In his last NHL season as a Leaf, Robert had 37 points in 55 games. In retirement, Robert spent time as president of the NHL Alumni.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189841 Toronto Maple Leafs Montreal had played 15 playoff games entering Tuesday and in that time the Habs faced Matthews, Marner, Mark Scheifele for one game, Nik Ehlers, Blake Wheeler, Kyle Connor, Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty — all of them big-time NHL scorers — and allowed just two goals in total to All you need to do is watch Final Four teams to see where Maple Leafs them. are lacking That’s not just Carey Price, great as he has been. That’s the team. That’s the style they play. The Staal-Armia-Perry line had nine goals and 23 points in 15 games, some of them coming from special teams situations. Steve Simmons The Leafs need to thicken out. It isn’t just about finding players who used Publishing date: Jun 22, 2021 to be something or finding good people — if they’re that good in the room, let them stay in the room. They need better players for bigger moments, and they don’t have much to spend and they do have lots of There was no Paul Byron on the Maple Leafs in the opening round of the shopping to do. This won’t in any way be easy. Stanley Cup playoffs. There was no Nicolas Roy. There was no Yanni Gourde or Casey Cizikas. Vegas needed to clear some cap space a year ago and so they traded Erik Haula to Carolina and got a throwaway in return named Nicolas Roy. Nobody aside from the multi-talented and often ubiquitous William Roy scored the overtime winner in Game 4 in Montreal, his fourth goal of Nylander surprised anyone. the playoffs. His second game-winner. This close to the Stanley Cup final — and still no sense on where the Sometimes you have to be smart or lucky — or both — to succeed in the Maple Leafs are headed in another enormous off-season — it isn’t Stanley Cup playoffs. difficult to understand why the Leafs were eliminated and why the four teams remaining are still alive. All you have to do is watch them play. Toronto Sun LOADED: 06.23.2021 It’s easy and convenient to say the Leafs lost because Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner didn’t score more. More than one goal, that is. That’s true and certainly part of the challenge. The two top scorers on the Tampa Bay Lightning, Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, have combined for 40 points, 18 goals, in 16 playoff points. That’s what superstars on championship teams are supposed to do. Vegas has struggled with Montreal — as every opponent has since Game 4 against the Leafs — because Mark Stone had no points in the series heading into Tuesday night’s game and Max Pacioretty had yet to score. Stone, normally the leading scorer, is tied for eighth in team playoff scoring for the Golden Knights. He has been doing the Matthews and Marner thing when the Knights need him to be more Kucherov or Point. It’s obvious the old hockey cliché, how you need your best players to be your best players, plays into any playoff success but almost as significant is to discover surprises, to get goals from the third and fourth lines, to have players come up huge at huge moments the way Byron has for the Canadiens. He scored a spectacular shorthanded game-winning goal against the Leafs in Game 1 in Toronto. He forced a Travis Dermott turnover in Game 6, passing the puck to Jesperi Kotkaniemi for the overtime winner. In the series against the Golden Knights, all Byron has done is score the game winner in Game 2 and beautifully set up the overtime winner by Josh Anderson in Game 3. That’s Byron: Anyone could have had him on waivers. And he made four game-changing plays from a bottom or middle of the roster placing. The Leafs got no points from Ilya Mikheyev, one point apiece from Zach Hyman, Wayne Simmonds, Joe Thornton, Pierre Engvall and the injured Nick Foligno. The Islanders, for example, have seven goals from their plucky fourth line of Cikizas, Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin. They have 11 goals — or so — from their ever-changing third line. Outside of Jason Spezza, who scored three times against Montreal, no bottom half player contributed much of anything for the Leafs. The big guys didn’t score. The little guys didn’t either. And now GM probably has to say goodbye to Hyman and probably Foligno, because they can’t afford them, goodbye to Simmonds, goodbye to Thornton, because they didn’t play well enough to keep, and maybe goodbye, through expansion, to Alex Kerfoot, who chipped in reasonably well with captain out of the lineup. Dubas and team president have been steadfast in their belief they can build a winner around Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares — the $40-million Four — with the NHL’s salary cap barely moving at all. But they sure need to insulate their talent up top with stronger supporting staff. Montreal can put out a fourth line that is difficult to play against, with Eric Staal centring Corey Perry and Joel Armia. The Islanders have that buzz saw fourth line and Pageau centring their third line. Tampa has a terrific third line with Gourde centring Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow. The Leafs weren’t difficult enough to play against or defensively smothering enough the way the Canadiens have been. 1189842 Vegas Golden Knights

Canadiens use youth, experience to overwhelm Golden Knights

By Adam Hill Las Vegas Review-Journal June 22, 2021 - 10:25 PM

The talented young core of the Canadiens has been on full display during their unexpected NHL playoff run, and Tuesday night was no exception in a 4-1 win over the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Montreal’s veterans also have made their presence felt, as youth and experience have combined to give the Canadiens a 3-2 lead in the best- of-seven Stanley Cup semifinals. Cole Caufield and Jesperi Kotkaniemi became the sixth teammates 20 or younger to both score in a Stanley Cup semifinal game and the first since Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008. Former Knights’ draft pick Nick Suzuki, 21, added an empty-net goal and two assists. “They’re so composed as young people, but they’re competitive on the ice,” assistant coach Luke Richardson said of the three. “I think you surround them with the (Shea) Webers, the (Corey) Perrys and the (Eric) Staals, plus the big corps of defensemen out there to help them in our (defensive) zone. It’s a really good mix. The speed and grit and the youth and experience all together is a great combination for this time of year.” Staal, the older brother of Jordan, scored what proved to be the winning goal in the second period off a sensational feed from Suzuki. His shot beat Marc-Andre Fleury, the first pick of the 2003 NHL draft. Staal, acquired for the stretch run in March from Buffalo, went second in 2003. Staal has combined with the other veterans to provide a strong support system for Montreal’s young players. “It’s huge for us, obviously,” Suzuki said. “They’ve been doing it for a while. Staal was a great addition, and learning from Phil (Danault) the last few years has been unreal. We rely heavily on those guys, and they’ve been special to play with.” That dynamic, combined with the presence of one of the league’s top goaltenders in Carey Price, has the Canadiens within one game of the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1993. They have two chances to secure that invitation, starting with Game 6 on Thursday in Montreal. Richardson, 2-1 filling in for interim coach Dominique Ducharme, said the coaching staff will continue relying on the veterans to make sure the team is ready. “We’re definitely excited by what we’re doing, but we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves,” Richardson said. “We have good experience in the room, and they say the right things. Our leadership really leads this team in the right direction, and the coaching staff and management just support that.” One of the keys Tuesday was not to panic after Sunday’s Game 4 when the Canadiens controlled the action but lost 2-1 in overtime. Now, they must not get too high. “Our mindset this whole playoff has been doing what we do regardless of what happens,” Staal said. “We don’t change much. We do what we do every single shift, every opportunity we have to try to make a difference for our team. Oldest cliche in hockey, but the fourth one is going to be the hardest.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189843 Vegas Golden Knights Now, this is playoff hockey. Things change with the wind. A world-class player like Stone could show up on the road Thursday and be the central reason the Knights win and return to Las Vegas for Game 7. It’s time for Mark Stone to step up for Golden Knights I don’t know if he needs to be that big a difference, but he better be some level of one. Time is ticking.

As the final seconds counted down Tuesday, two different sounds By Ed Graney Las Vegas Review-Journal emanated throughout the arena. On one hand, Canadiens fans serenaded their team with a traditional Olé, Olé, Olé chant that has been June 22, 2021 - 10:13 PM synonymous with the franchise since the late 1970s. Updated June 22, 2021 - 11:27 PM On the other, more boos rained down from the hometown faithful. Yeah. It’s nervous time for the Knights and their fan base. Someone It was seven games ago. needs to step up and lead. It seems like, well, forever with Mark Stone. Who better than a captain? The Golden Knights are one loss from elimination in the NHL playoffs, meaning it might be a good time for their captain to join the fray. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.23.2021 Montreal had little issue skating into T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday night and leaving with a 4-1 victory before 17,969 in Game 5 of the best-of- seven Stanley Cup semifinal. The series returns to Montreal on Thursday for Game 6. Should he register a point, it would be Stone’s first of the series. Frustration set in Sports are a roller coaster of emotion and performance and outcomes. It was Stone who scored that dramatic overtime goal in Game 5 against Colorado of the previous series, lifting the Knights to a critical road victory on his only shot of the night. Now, the team’s best player hasn’t in any way delivered like that against Montreal. “We have to find a way, you know?” Knights coach Pete DeBoer said of the lack of scoring from his top lines. “You have to find ways this time of year against good teams and against pressure and against attention and against a good goalie. You have to find a way. Those are the teams that end up standing at the end of the day. “They’re a good team, and they’re doing some good things, but we have to find some answers. The good news is, we’re still alive. We have to go and win a game and get this back to Game 7.” It begins with Stone, who was not among those players made available for a postgame media Zoom session. He is everything a captain should be — a consistent but unpretentious leader, incredibly driven to win, deferential to teammates at the first mention of his individual success. But frustration has set in. That’s more obvious than the loud boos that greeted the Knights at different times Tuesday. Example: It was Stone who turned the puck over at the blue line while the Knights were trying to kill a penalty midway through the second period and down 2-0. As the Canadiens rushed forward, Stone coasted behind, not back-checking with any level of authority. His was more a casual stroll through the neighborhood. Just an alarming lack of effort. For it, Stone never reached Montreal rookie Cole Caufield, who hammered a one-timer past Marc-Andre Fleury off a terrific drop pass from Corey Perry. “This isn’t a night where we’re going to pile on people,” DeBoer said. “We’ve been on a long playoff road, and we’ve had a lot of unbelievable efforts. It was an off night by everybody. Everybody is in the boat, not just Mark Stone.” He has that right. We are five games into a semifinal series, and the Knights have one goal from their top six forwards plus Alex Tuch. Montreal center Nick Suzuki — remember him, Golden Knights fans? — has more points (five) than Stone and fellow front-liner Max Pacioretty combined (three). In five games, Stone has registered six shots and played to a minus-3. Nearly invisible. Things could change 1189844 Vegas Golden Knights

Recapping Game 5 between Golden Knights, Canadiens

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal June 22, 2021 - 9:37 PM

GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS. CANADIENS AT A GLANCE Series recap Montreal leads 3-2 Game 1 — Knights 4, Canadiens 1 Game 2 — Canadiens 3, Knights 2 Game 3 — Canadiens 3, Knights 2 (OT) Game 4 — Knights 2, Canadiens 1 (OT) Game 5 — Canadiens 4, Knights 1 Game 6 — 5 p.m. Thursday, Bell Centre, USA Game 7 — 5 p.m. Saturday, T-Mobile Arena, NBCSN* * If necessary RJ’s 3. Canadiens goaltender Carey Price — He made 26 saves for his 11th win of the playoffs. He has allowed seven goals in his past four games. 2. Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield — He scored his third goal of the series on the power play in the second period. He has one fewer goal than all the Knights’ forwards combined. 1. Canadiens center Nick Suzuki — The Knights’ draft pick had an empty-net goal and two assists. He has a series-high five points. Key play Canadiens center Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s goal. The Knights started the game well. They had the first three shots on goal and got an early power play when left wing Paul Bryon was called for cross-checking defenseman Zach Whitecloud. Kotkaniemi’s goal shifted the momentum and put the Knights on their heels. Right wing Josh Anderson made a power move toward the net, and the puck was left sitting near the crease after goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made the save. Kotkaniemi got to it first when defenseman Nick Holden lost him on the backcheck. The goal was important because Montreal entered Tuesday 9-2 when scoring first in the playoffs. Key stat Three — The number of points Suzuki, whom the Knights selected 13th overall in the 2017 draft, had. He was traded to the Canadiens with forward Tomas Tatar and a second-round pick for left wing Max Pacioretty in 2018. Pacioretty has three points in the series. Habs quotable “They’ve been huge, along with every guy in our lineup, every game. They both had big games for us tonight. Big goal by (Kotkaniemi) to get it started, then Nick all night long on both sides of the puck. These kids are great players and huge parts of our team.” — Center Eric Staal, on Kotkaniemi and Suzuki.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189845 Vegas Golden Knights Josh Anderson leaked out of the zone early and got a step on defenseman Zach Whitecloud before his backhand was stopped by Fleury. Golden Knights on brink of elimination after loss to Canadiens But the rebound sat just outside the crease, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi beat defenseman Nick Holden to the loose puck for his first goal of the series and fifth of the postseason at 8:45 of the first period. By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal Suzuki set up the Canadiens’ second goal when he shielded the puck along the wall and found Eric Staal on the weak side for a 2-0 lead at June 22, 2021 - 8:46 PM 6:32 of the second period, leaving the crowd in stunned silence. Updated June 22, 2021 - 10:09 PM “We played right into their game,” McNabb said. “We didn’t play our game at all. We know what we need to fix. We know we can win in their building, and we’re going to go and do that.” Pete DeBoer didn’t have many answers Tuesday.

With the stage set for the Golden Knights to move one step closer to playing for the Stanley Cup, they instead turned in one of their worst LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.23.2021 performances of the postseason and left their coach searching for what happened. “Hard to explain,” DeBoer said. The Knights were pushed to the brink of elimination in the Stanley Cup semifinals, losing 4-1 to Montreal in Game 5 at T-Mobile Arena. The Canadiens, who finished fourth in the North Division and were the lowest-seeded team in the playoffs, are one victory from playing for the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1993. Game 6 of the best-of-seven series is Thursday at Bell Centre in Montreal, as the Knights look to avoid crashing out in the final four for the second straight season. “We’ve got to find a way,” DeBoer said. “That’s our job to try to turn over every stone here. Are there some X’s and O’s answers? I’m sure there’s some things we can talk about and do a little bit differently. “I don’t have a clear answer for you other than we’ve been in this type of spot before. We’ve had adversity before, and we’ve responded the right way every time with this group. I’m confident we’ll be ready to go in Game 6.” Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury earned the start after sitting out the Game 4 victory, and center Chandler Stephenson returned after missing three games with an upper-body injury, as the Knights were at full strength for the first time in the playoffs. But Montreal stifled the Knights’ offense for the first 40 minutes, and the announced crowd of 17,969 booed the home team after the second period when it was trailing 3-0. “We weren’t playing very well, so maybe we deserved it,” defenseman Brayden McNabb said. “We got outworked from puck drop. It is what it is. The fans are great. We love our fans. I’m sure they were frustrated as were we.” Max Pacioretty scored in the third period against his former club, the first goal by a top-six forward in the series for the Knights. DeBoer switched his forward lines in the second period hoping to spark the offense, with Pacioretty joining and . Jonathan Marchessault skated with Stephenson and Mark Stone, to little effect. The Knights’ power play finished 0-for-2 and hasn’t scored in its past 16 tries since the second-round series against Colorado. “We’ve got to play better. We know we can,” forward Nicolas Roy said. “When we play our best, we have four lines, six Ds and everyone’s going, going hard. One line right after the other. I don’t think we did that tonight, so we’ll refocus and get ready for the next game.” Former Knights draft pick Nick Suzuki scored an empty-net goal and added two assists for the Canadiens. His backcheck on Mark Stone forced the Knights’ captain into a turnover that led to Cole Caufield’s second-period goal and a 3-0 Montreal lead. Canadiens goalie Carey Price finished with 26 stops and has limited the Knights to seven goals in the past four games while posting a .944 save percentage. Montreal improved to 7-2 on the road in the playoffs. “Obviously, not where we want to be. But I don’t think there’s any panic,” Fleury said. “We all wanted to do better tonight. It’s disappointing.” The Knights continued their slow starts, allowing the first goal for the third time in the series and the 12th time in 18 postseason games. They fell to 6-6 when the opponent scores first. 1189846 Vegas Golden Knights

Las Vegas became NHL city 5 years ago Tuesday

By Mark Anderson Las Vegas Review-Journal June 22, 2021 - 5:54 PM

Las Vegas businessman Bill Foley, left, and NHL Commissioner at the announcement of the new NHL team in Las Vegas, Wednesday, June 22, 2016. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal) The Golden Knights turned 5 on Tuesday. They have accomplished a lot in that short amount of time, making the Stanley Cup Final their first season and the playoffs all four years. That was hardly the expectation when the NHL awarded Las Vegas a franchise on June 22, 2016. Owner Bill Foley paid a $500 million expansion fee to get into what is now a 31-team club beginning in the 2017-18 season. The NHL’s executive committee recommended a week earlier that the Board of Governors vote to add Las Vegas. That vote was 30-0 in favor of expansion. The news was met with cheers in Las Vegas, an indication of what Golden Knights games would become like at T-Mobile Arena. Foley became a local hero for being the first to bring a major professional sports team to Southern Nevada.

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Pete DeBoer ‘not buying’ criticism of officiating in Habs series

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal June 22, 2021 - 2:22 PM Updated June 22, 2021 - 9:00 PM

Golden Knights coach Pete DeBoer wasn’t surprised by the disparity in penalties through the first four games of the Stanley Cup semifinals. While the referees in the series, particularly Chris Lee and Dan O’Rourke, are under heavy criticism for their inconsistent standard of officiating, DeBoer isn’t joining the angry mob. “The whole power play/penalties narrative that’s coming out, I’m not buying that,” DeBoer said Tuesday. Entering Game 5 against Montreal at T-Mobile Arena, the Knights had a plus-five net penalty differential (12-7) and had 11 power plays to six for the Canadiens. That translated to 20:03 of power-play time for the Knights in the series compared with 8:35 for Montreal. Those numbers are consistent with the identities of both teams, according to DeBoer. “We were one of the least penalized teams in the league during the regular season, and Montreal was one of the most,” DeBoer said. “If there’s a disparity there because they’re calling it looser or tight, I think that disparity is the same as it was during the regular season. That’s what we both are.” The Knights were one of the NHL’s better teams at drawing penalties, ranking ninth during the regular season. They tied with Toronto for the fourth-fewest times short-handed. Montreal ranked tied for 23rd in times short-handed despite being in the middle of the pack in total penalties taken (14th overall). Mind games Robin Lehner made a key stop against Canadiens rookie Cole Caufield on a breakaway in the third period of Game 4. Afterward, the goalie revealed the scouting report on the NCAA’s leading goal scorer was he goes high or through the five-hole between the legs. Caufield was seen working with Montreal goaltending director Sean Burke after the morning skate Tuesday and was asked about Lehner’s comments. “I think that’s a good thing that he’s thinking about what I’m going to do, so I’m just taking that into next game,” Caufield said. “It’s good that he’s kind of opening his mouth. You know what he’s thinking now, so I can kind of go off that and create new things to do and new things to look at.” Small screen Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and his family are featured in a TV ad for Honda that has run throughout the postseason. Nick Holden has seen the commercial and couldn’t help but poke fun at his skills in front of the camera. “I’m sure glad he chose hockey,” Holden said with a grin. “His acting looks pretty forced.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189848 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights-Canadiens Game 6 watch party at Las Vegas Ballpark

By Mark Anderson Las Vegas Review-Journal June 22, 2021 - 12:25 PM

The Las Vegas Ballpark before a Las Vegas Aviators game against the Sacramento River Cats on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt The Golden Knights will host a watch party at Las Vegas Ballpark for Game 6 of their Stanley Cup semifinals series against the Montreal Canadiens. The game begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, and the party starts at 4. Admission is $5 plus fees, with proceeds going to the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation. Children 2 and younger get in for free. All seating is general admission, and fans will be allowed to sit on the field provided they bring towels, blankets or pillows. No chairs will be allowed. Some concessions will be open.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189849 Vegas Golden Knights LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.23.2021

Golden Knights make goaltending change for Game 5 against Montreal

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal June 22, 2021 - 10:31 am Updated June 22, 2021 - 5:56 PM

Wild left wing Jordan Greenway (18) shoves Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) during the second period of an NHL playoff game at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt The Golden Knights switched goaltenders for the second straight game Tuesday. Marc-Andre Fleury will start Game 5 of the Knights’ semifinal series against the Montreal Canadiens at T-Mobile Arena. Robin Lehner played in Game 4 on Sunday and was sensational, making 27 saves in a 2-1 overtime win. Fleury had made eight straight starts before Sunday. Coach Pete DeBoer said he made the change for Game 4 because he thought Fleury was fatigued. The 36-year-old will tie Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy and Montreal’s Carey Price for the most starts in the playoffs with 16. “We wouldn’t be here without (Fleury) and how he’s played for us, but it’s a lot of hockey,” DeBoer said. “For me, knowing (Lehner), knowing how hard he’s worked and knowing the goalie he is, the gamble to play him having not played a lot lately was no bigger than the gamble of playing a fatigued, in my mind, goalie with no rest really on the horizon.” Now, the Knights are turning back to Fleury after he got extra rest. The Vezina Trophy finalist is 9-6 with a 1.97 goals-against average and .921 save percentage this postseason. He stopped 44 of the 50 shots he faced in Games 2 and 3 against the Canadiens, both losses. Fleury misplayed a puck in the third period of Game 3 that led to a game-tying goal with 1:55 remaining in regulation. DeBoer said the play had “nothing to do” with his decision to start Lehner in Game 4. Lehner’s impressive performance also didn’t deter the Knights from going back to Fleury. The two goaltenders had fun with the questions surrounding who was going to start Game 5 on Tuesday morning. Rookie Logan Thompson, the ’s goaltender of the year, was actually the first one off the ice. Normally that would mean he was the expected starter. Lehner tweeted that he told Thompson to go off first. I told Logan to go off first:) The scene was a window into how loosely Fleury and Lehner approached the situation. The two, especially Lehner, have been praised by teammates for always being willing to support and help the other one no matter who is playing. The two won the Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals in the NHL in the regular season. “They created a pretty good bond,” defenseman Nick Holden said. “A partnership where they’re helping each other out when the other guy’s not in. Helping with shooters, tendencies and stuff like that. Throughout the year, they’ve relied on each other to push each other.” Also, center Chandler Stephenson returned to the lineup after missing three consecutive games with an upper-body injury. Stephenson has six assists in 14 playoff games. The team’s top line has struggled in his absence. Right wing Mark Stone has no points against the Canadiens, and left wing Max Pacioretty has two assists. Alex Tuch returned to third-line right wing as a result, and Keegan Kolesar moved down to fourth-line right wing. Forward Patrick Brown was a healthy scratch. Tuesday marks the first time the Knights have had a fully healthy lineup this postseason. “Chandler is a tremendous player,” Kolesar said. “He does everything for us. First line, power play, (penalty kill). Plays a lot of heavy minutes for us.” 1189850 Vegas Golden Knights The good news is Vegas had went 6-5 when allowing the first goal entering the night. The bad news is Montreal is 9-2 when scoring first.

The Golden Knights had a power play just past the two-minute mark of Golden Knights fall to Canadiens in Game 5, one game from elimination the period, but did not score. It dropped them to 0-for-12 in the series, and 4-for-40 in the postseason, an even 10% success rate that ranked as the worst among the 16 teams to qualify for the playoffs. By Justin Emerson (contact) The Golden Knights allowed just six shots on goal, but two of the game on the sequence that led to the goal. Vegas also only had shots itself. Published Tuesday, June 22, 2021 | 3 p.m. The Golden Knights would rather not trail in Game 5 against the Updated Tuesday, June 22, 2021 | 8:47 p.m. Canadiens tonight, but if they do, at least they know they can come back. Vegas has trailed in all three series of this postseason and has a winning The Golden Knights are in trouble. That much is clear after a Game 5 record (6-5) these playoffs when allowing the first goal. The Golden loss to the Montreal Canadiens on home ice. Knights' ability to come back has been their calling card this postseason, and they've proven that even if they don't get out to an early lead in Vegas was blanked through two periods on Tuesday, and by the time the Game 5 at 6 p.m. today at T-Mobile Arena, it's far from over. puck went in the Montreal net it was too big of a deficit to overcome. The Golden Knights lost 4-1 at T-Mobile Arena, falling to 3-2 in the series. "We did a good job of battling back and tying this up, and now we just take care of tonight," forward Keegan Kolesar said. "This is a big game, Game 6, an elimination game for the Golden Knights, is scheduled for 5 and we'll worry just about this one right now." p.m. Thursday in Montreal. The Golden Knights have allowed the first goal more times they've The Golden Knights finally got on the board at the 4:09 mark of the third, scored it themselves and have trailed at some point in 14 of their 17 a nifty Max Pacioretty wrister from the slot off a faceoff win from Nicolas games this postseason. Roy, but the Canadiens had already built a three-goal lead by that point. The crowd, which booed Vegas during a power play in the second period It's a contrast to the Canadiens, who seldom cough up a lead. They are then again at the end of the frame, re-engaged as Vegas started its push 9-2 this postseason when they score the first goal, but one of those to tie it. losses came in Game 4 in Montreal. The Canadiens controlled play through regulation on Sunday, but Vegas found the game-tying goal in But the Canadiens made sure they couldn't get out of their seats again. the back half of the third period and won in overtime. Just another The Golden Knights had a few looks, notably a Reilly Smith chance from comeback win for the Golden Knights. the doorstep that he shot into Carey Price, who didn't allow Vegas a second goal, much less the third needed to tie it. Once Nick Suzuki put "I don't think too many guys are focused on the score or what the series the puck into an empty net with 1:06 to play, it was over. is," defenseman Nick Holden said. "For the most part, I think it's just consistency in our game that is our biggest focus." The Canadiens opened the scoring off a Jesperi Kotkaniemi rebound that Josh Anderson created off a breakaway chance. They scored twice in the The Golden Knights could also enter Game 5 fully healthy for the first second, on an Eric Stall snap from the slot and on a Cole Caufield time this postseason. Forward Chandler Stephenson took part in morning power-play tally, the rookie's third goal in the series. skate after missing the last three games. Vegas has missed at least one of its regulars since the playoffs began, including Max Pacioretty, Tomas Vegas is 2-3 all-time in elimination games, including a Game 7 victory Nosek, Brayden McNabb, Mattias Janmark and Ryan Reaves, all of against the Wild in the first round. whom have missed multiple games at different points. The Golden Knights hoped the energy of coming back to T-Mobile Arena Stephenson's return would help stabilize a top line that has yet to score would give them a boost in the series. They're going to need a big third this postseason but has also prevented the Canadiens' top line of Phillip period, otherwise they'll be in serious trouble. Danault, Brendan Gallagher and Artturi Lehkonen from scoring as well. Vegas Coach Pete DeBoer listed Stephenson, who is tied for fifth on the The Canadiens extended their lead in the second, scoring twice and team with six assists this postseason, as a game-time decision. putting the Golden Knights on their heels heading to the third period, with a 3-0 deficit at T-Mobile Arena. "It slots us like you want it to be slotted, where we have depth and scoring in all four lines and we can create some mismatches," DeBoer Montreal used a nice blend of youth and experience to score twice in the said. "The games we had a full lineup like that, I feel that we're a different second peruid. The first goal was set up by Nick Suzuki, 21, in the corner team. We'll make that decision at game time. His absence is missed, like finding an open Eric Staal, 36, for the finish. The next one was on the Pacioretty's absence in the first round against Minnesota for six games power-play, where congestion at the blue line let Corey Perry, 36, enter was missed. We found a way to keep competing here, and we're in a the zone and feed Cole Caufield, 20, for his third goal of the series, tying good spot." all Vegas forwards. Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to return to the net for Game 5 following The Golden Knights, in an effort to spark the goalless-this-series top-six, Robin Lehner's strong outing in Game 4 but not before the goalies had swapped the left wingers to start the second. The reuinted top line of Max some fun with the assembled media at morning skate. Lehner made sure Pacioretty, Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone lasted one period, as to tell rookie Logan Thompson, who has never started an NHL game, to Jonathan Marchessault took Pacioretty's place on the opening draw of go to the locker room first, as the first goalie to leave the ice is typically the second, and Pacioretty shifted to playing with William Karlsson and that night's starter. Reilly Smith. Obviously the Golden Knights wouldn't turn to Thompson with Fleury and It didn't provide the jump the Golden Knights wanted, as they continued Lehner healthy and available, so the reveal came when Fleury left and to flounder offensively. The power play squandered another chance, as Lehner remained to work with that night's scratches. T-Mobile Arena showered the home team with a round of boos as they left the ice. The extras were forward Ryan Reaves and Patrick Brown and defensemen Nicolas Hague and Dylan Coghlan. That's an indicator Montreal led 17-15 in shots on goal after two periods. Reaves and Brown will be scratched and that the Golden Knights feel The Golden Knights have conceded the first goal in 11 of their first 17 good about Stephenson's chances of playing today. playoff games, and Montreal made it 12 of 18 on Tuesday. The The Golden Knights have only ever played one Game 5 with the series 2- Canadiens scored the only goal of the opening period in Game 5, and put 2 and defeated the Colorado Avalanche last round before winning the the Golden Knights in an early 1-0 hole at T-Mobile Arena. series in six games. They are 4-5 all-time in Game 5. It was a slow-paced first period with not too many chances, but Montreal worked itself an early one and capitalized. LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 06.23.2021 Nick Holden's aggressive pinch allowed Josh Anderson to sneak behind him and off Anderson went. He charged the net with Zach Whitecloud on his tail, getting off a backhand that Marc-Andre Fleury had to stretch to the far right of the crease to block. The rebound spat to the center of the ice, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi was there to whack it home at 8:45. 1189851 Vegas Golden Knights the far right of the crease to block. The rebound spat to the center of the ice, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi was there to whack it home at 8:45.

The good news is Vegas had went 6-5 when allowing the first goal Golden Knights fall to Canadiens in Game 5, one game from elimination entering the night. The bad news is Montreal is 9-2 when scoring first. The Golden Knights had a power play just past the two-minute mark of the period, but did not score. It dropped them to 0-for-12 in the series, By Justin Emerson (contact) and 4-for-40 in the postseason, an even 10% success rate that ranked as the worst among the 16 teams to qualify for the playoffs. Published Tuesday, June 22, 2021 | 3 p.m. The Golden Knights allowed just six shots on goal, but two of the game Updated Tuesday, June 22, 2021 | 8:47 p.m. on the sequence that led to the goal. Vegas also only had shots itself. Golden Knights riding comeback mentality into Game 5 with Canadiens The Golden Knights are in trouble. That much is clear after a Game 5 The Golden Knights would rather not trail in Game 5 against the loss to the Montreal Canadiens on home ice. Canadiens tonight, but if they do, at least they know they can come back. Vegas was blanked through two periods on Tuesday, and by the time the Vegas has trailed in all three series of this postseason and has a winning puck went in the Montreal net it was too big of a deficit to overcome. The record (6-5) these playoffs when allowing the first goal. The Golden Golden Knights lost 4-1 at T-Mobile Arena, falling to 3-2 in the series. Knights' ability to come back has been their calling card this postseason, Game 6, an elimination game for the Golden Knights, is scheduled for 5 and they've proven that even if they don't get out to an early lead in p.m. Thursday in Montreal. Game 5 at 6 p.m. today at T-Mobile Arena, it's far from over. The Golden Knights finally got on the board at the 4:09 mark of the third, "We did a good job of battling back and tying this up, and now we just a nifty Max Pacioretty wrister from the slot off a faceoff win from Nicolas take care of tonight," forward Keegan Kolesar said. "This is a big game, Roy, but the Canadiens had already built a three-goal lead by that point. and we'll worry just about this one right now." The crowd, which booed Vegas during a power play in the second period The Golden Knights have allowed the first goal more times they've then again at the end of the frame, re-engaged as Vegas started its push scored it themselves and have trailed at some point in 14 of their 17 to tie it. games this postseason. But the Canadiens made sure they couldn't get out of their seats again. It's a contrast to the Canadiens, who seldom cough up a lead. They are The Golden Knights had a few looks, notably a Reilly Smith chance from 9-2 this postseason when they score the first goal, but one of those the doorstep that he shot into Carey Price, who didn't allow Vegas a losses came in Game 4 in Montreal. The Canadiens controlled play second goal, much less the third needed to tie it. Once Nick Suzuki put through regulation on Sunday, but Vegas found the game-tying goal in the puck into an empty net with 1:06 to play, it was over. the back half of the third period and won in overtime. Just another The Canadiens opened the scoring off a Jesperi Kotkaniemi rebound that comeback win for the Golden Knights. Josh Anderson created off a breakaway chance. They scored twice in the "I don't think too many guys are focused on the score or what the series second, on an Eric Stall snap from the slot and on a Cole Caufield is," defenseman Nick Holden said. "For the most part, I think it's just power-play tally, the rookie's third goal in the series. consistency in our game that is our biggest focus." Vegas is 2-3 all-time in elimination games, including a Game 7 victory The Golden Knights could also enter Game 5 fully healthy for the first against the Wild in the first round. time this postseason. Forward Chandler Stephenson took part in morning Golden Knights deficit against Canadiens grows in second period skate after missing the last three games. Vegas has missed at least one of its regulars since the playoffs began, including Max Pacioretty, Tomas The Golden Knights hoped the energy of coming back to T-Mobile Arena Nosek, Brayden McNabb, Mattias Janmark and Ryan Reaves, all of would give them a boost in the series. They're going to need a big third whom have missed multiple games at different points. period, otherwise they'll be in serious trouble. Stephenson's return would help stabilize a top line that has yet to score The Canadiens extended their lead in the second, scoring twice and this postseason but has also prevented the Canadiens' top line of Phillip putting the Golden Knights on their heels heading to the third period, with Danault, Brendan Gallagher and Artturi Lehkonen from scoring as well. a 3-0 deficit at T-Mobile Arena. Vegas Coach Pete DeBoer listed Stephenson, who is tied for fifth on the team with six assists this postseason, as a game-time decision. Montreal used a nice blend of youth and experience to score twice in the second peruid. The first goal was set up by Nick Suzuki, 21, in the corner "It slots us like you want it to be slotted, where we have depth and finding an open Eric Staal, 36, for the finish. The next one was on the scoring in all four lines and we can create some mismatches," DeBoer power-play, where congestion at the blue line let Corey Perry, 36, enter said. "The games we had a full lineup like that, I feel that we're a different the zone and feed Cole Caufield, 20, for his third goal of the series, tying team. We'll make that decision at game time. His absence is missed, like all Vegas forwards. Pacioretty's absence in the first round against Minnesota for six games was missed. We found a way to keep competing here, and we're in a The Golden Knights, in an effort to spark the goalless-this-series top-six, good spot." swapped the left wingers to start the second. The reuinted top line of Max Pacioretty, Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone lasted one period, as Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to return to the net for Game 5 following Jonathan Marchessault took Pacioretty's place on the opening draw of Robin Lehner's strong outing in Game 4 but not before the goalies had the second, and Pacioretty shifted to playing with William Karlsson and some fun with the assembled media at morning skate. Lehner made sure Reilly Smith. to tell rookie Logan Thompson, who has never started an NHL game, to go to the locker room first, as the first goalie to leave the ice is typically It didn't provide the jump the Golden Knights wanted, as they continued that night's starter. to flounder offensively. The power play squandered another chance, as T-Mobile Arena showered the home team with a round of boos as they Obviously the Golden Knights wouldn't turn to Thompson with Fleury and left the ice. Lehner healthy and available, so the reveal came when Fleury left and Lehner remained to work with that night's scratches. Montreal led 17-15 in shots on goal after two periods. The extras were forward Ryan Reaves and Patrick Brown and Slow-moving first period has Golden Knights in early hole defensemen Nicolas Hague and Dylan Coghlan. That's an indicator The Golden Knights have conceded the first goal in 11 of their first 17 Reaves and Brown will be scratched and that the Golden Knights feel playoff games, and Montreal made it 12 of 18 on Tuesday. The good about Stephenson's chances of playing today. Canadiens scored the only goal of the opening period in Game 5, and put The Golden Knights have only ever played one Game 5 with the series 2- the Golden Knights in an early 1-0 hole at T-Mobile Arena. 2 and defeated the Colorado Avalanche last round before winning the It was a slow-paced first period with not too many chances, but Montreal series in six games. They are 4-5 all-time in Game 5. worked itself an early one and capitalized. Nick Holden's aggressive pinch allowed Josh Anderson to sneak behind LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 06.23.2021 him and off Anderson went. He charged the net with Zach Whitecloud on his tail, getting off a backhand that Marc-Andre Fleury had to stretch to 1189852 Vegas Golden Knights

Gerard Gallant confronts win-now challenge as Rangers coach

By Stephen Whyno, Associated Press Tuesday, June 22, 2021 | 11:12 a.m.

Gerard Gallant is taking over a young team with potential as coach of the New York Rangers, just like his three previous stops. Unlike Columbus, Florida and expansion Vegas, Gallant will be expected to win quickly, if not right away. The 57-year-old is embracing those high expectations in a big market, even if he insists he will handle this situation the same as his previous jobs. “It’s a team that’s ready to take off, go to the next level and I’ll prepare the same way,” Gallant said Tuesday. "I feel very comfortable about what happened in the past, in the past six years with Florida and in Vegas and I’ll bring that forward to the New York Rangers and get to know their players, get to know their personnel. I think that’s really important, and I think that’s one of my strong points.” Gallant was a target for new president and general manager Chris Drury because he was won pretty much everywhere. He won the Memorial Cup in 2011 as the top Canadian junior team, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League titles in 2011 and 2012, and most recently coached Canada to the gold medal at the world championships after an 0-3 start. Gallant's best coaching job came in 2017-18 with Vegas, when the Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final in their first season with a roster built out of an expansion draft. That earned him the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year. After a first-round playoff exit in 2019 and some struggles the next season, Gallant was fired. It was even less time than his three seasons with the Panthers and one full season and parts of two others with the Blue Jackets. “I still have a hard time going back and looking at it and saying, ‘Why did I get fired?’” Gallant said of Florida and Vegas, in particular. “I think I did a great job in both of those organizations. Things happen. It’s out of my hands.” Gallant wants New York to be “the hardest working team in the league.” That philosophy and Gallant's experience undoubtedly was a selling point to Drury when choosing a successor for first-time NHL coach David Quinn. “I was looking to find a coach who had a proven track record and success at several levels,” Drury said. “‘Turk’ checked all these boxes.” Owner James Dolan didn't fire president John Davidson and GM Jeff Gorton and Drury didn't send Quinn packing to keep the Rangers rebuild on a gradual track. Gallant will be expected to deliver. “My goal and our hope is that we’re a playoff team next year,” Drury said. “It is a mandate? I don’t believe so. But I want everyone to come back and know that that’s where we want to be and with the talent on this team where we should be.” The talent is certainly there and on paper exceeds what Gallant inherited in Vegas. Norris Trophy finalist defenseman Adam Fox, star winger Artemi Panarin, top-line center Mika Zibanejad, 2020 No. 1 pick Alexis Lafrenière, 2019 No. 2 pick Kaapo Kakko and goaltender of the present and future Igor Shesterkin make up a coach's dream of a core. Gallant's task is to mold that group into a contender, first for the playoffs, then the franchise's first Stanley Cup since 1994. “I know we’re going to take a big step, and hopefully it’s a real big step,” Gallant said. "We’ll see what happens once training camp starts, but I know one thing is we’ve got an excellent roster there and we’re going to get down to work right away and make it the best it can be.”

LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189853 Vegas Golden Knights some guys and look at some different combinations,” he said. “It didn’t have much of an effect, but that’s one of the things we tried to do.”

Vegas has now been thoroughly outplayed over the past six periods of Golden Knights confident facing elimination despite lackluster effort in this series, and now faces elimination. Game 5 loss “We’re searching for those answers,” DeBoer said. “That’s our job to try and turn over every stone here. Are there some X’s and O’s answers? I’m sure there are some things we can talk about and do a little bit By Jesse Granger differently.” Jun 23, 2021 The Golden Knights have played five games while facing elimination in franchise history, going 2-3. However, three of those games were Game 7, so while they are technically facing elimination they are also playing At this stage of the season, every game is the biggest game of the year. with a chance to close the series out themselves. It’s not the same scenario they’ll face in Montreal on Thursday. Tuesday night’s pivotal Game 5 was no different. Knotted at two games apiece with the Montreal Canadiens, the Golden Knights returned home In games where only the Golden Knights face elimination, they are 0-2 in front of a capacity crowd and laid an egg. all-time. Vegas played 60 minutes of uninspired hockey, lost puck battles with And while Tuesday night’s performance inspires little confidence, the regularity and turned the puck over in the neutral zone far more than any players in the room still have a strong belief in their ability to dig out of team can with an expectation of winning. The Canadiens were faster, this hole. more physical, and executed better in their scoring chances to run away “It’s the best of seven for a reason,” defenseman Brayden McNabb said. with a 4-1 win to claim a 3-2 series lead. Now they return to Montreal with “We didn’t play good at all today. We played right into their game and a chance to close out the Golden Knights and punch their ticket to the didn’t play our game at all. We know what we need to fix, and we know Stanley Cup Final. we can win in their building and we’re going to go and do that.” In a game with so much on the line, the Golden Knights’ lackluster effort It’s not blind confidence. There’s plenty of reason for it. While they was shocking, leaving even coach Pete DeBoer at a loss for words. haven’t faced elimination, the Golden Knights have had several pivotal “It’s hard to explain,” DeBoer said. “We just didn’t have great legs, didn’t games in this postseason where they showed up when needed. have execution. You have to give them credit, I thought they played a It started in Game 7 of the first round where Vegas ended Minnesota’s real good road game.” comeback bid with a dominant 6-2 win. In the second round, the Golden What led to the lack of energy and, more importantly, execution? Knights lost the first two games against Colorado and needed a win in Game 3 in the worst way, and they pulled it off. Even in this series, “I don’t know,” DeBoer said, puzzled by the loss. “You can point to a lot Vegas had to have Game 4 in Montreal to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole, of things. But they traveled just like we did, so there shouldn’t be any and found a way to pull it off. fatigue excuses. We just weren’t sharp in our execution, in our decisions, and it cost us.” “The good news is we’re still alive,” DeBoer said. “We’ve got to go and win a game and get this back to Game 7. We’ve faced adversity before in The Canadiens are very well structured in the neutral zone, packing the the playoffs. We’ve faced elimination before and responded, so I know middle of the ice with all five skaters when defending to limit passing we’re going to be better than we were tonight.” lanes for the Golden Knights as they try to enter the zone. Well-timed passes can break that defense, but they must be precise. The Golden The room for error has been eliminated. Vegas must win the next two Knights threw pass after pass behind their intended target, into their games to extend its season. It won’t be easy against a confident teammates’ skates or over the blade of their stick. Everything in their Canadiens squad playing its best hockey at the right time of the year, but offensive attack just seemed off by a foot or two, which makes all the the Golden Knights aren’t done yet. difference in a tight, defensive game like this one. Look no further than the start of the last series to know you shouldn’t “I think it’s mostly execution,” defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. “There count this team out. are plays there that we have to make. This time of year you’re not going “Sometimes things don’t go the way you plan, but I’ve said it all series to get a fresh sheet of ice with the way the temperatures are. It’s not easy long — you play seven games for a reason,” Pietrangelo said. “So you to play. They missed some passes, too. It’s something that we have to be guys can sit there and pick it apart all you want, but we’re going to go to a little more patient with, and certainly understand when there’s a chance Montreal, we have a job to do. We need to refocus tomorrow, get on a to make a clean play, and understand when there’s not. It’s on us. A little plane and get the job done.” bit on the ice. A little bit about what they’re doing. It’s something we can talk about and look at.” Vegas had 14 giveaways compared to only four for Montreal. The Golden The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 Knights continually tried to force plays that weren’t available and missed on opportunities that did present themselves. Reilly Smith’s backdoor one-timer midway through the third period sticks out as a potential turning point in the game. Vegas had just scored its first goal to generate some momentum when Max Pacioretty fed a pass through the heart of Montreal’s defense to Smith on the backside. Smith had a wide-open net at point-blank range but fired his shot back into goaltender Carey Price, who actually made the save with his blocker — on the opposite side of the net as Smith. Meanwhile, when the Canadiens got opportunities, they cashed in. Nick Suzuki found Eric Staal wide open in the slot in the second period, and Staal wired a shot perfectly into the top corner of the net. Later in the period, Corey Perry found Cole Caufield with a similar pass and Caufield executed another perfectly-placed shot to give Montreal a 3-0 lead. The Golden Knights received their first goal of the series from a top-six forward when Pacioretty scored in the third period, but the production from their top forwards has been non-existent. Captain Mark Stone, who was phenomenal against the Avalanche, has been held without a point in this series. The impotent offensive attack led to DeBoer throwing his forward line combinations into a blender in Tuesday’s game, swapping players throughout, looking for some sort of spark. “I think with the way the game was going, and with the lack of success some of our lines have had so far in the series, we tried to jump-start 1189854 Vegas Golden Knights

NHL Final 4: Canadiens Look To Close Out Semis Against Golden Knights In Montreal Thursday After 4-1 Win Over VGK Before 17,969 Tonight

June 22, 2021 by Alan Snel

The Golden Knights’ arena has the ear-splitting noise, lots of whiz-bang light technology and the celebrities cranking the siren to start hockey periods. But it was the Montreal Canadiens that brought the goals at T-Mobile Arena, where Montreal smothered the Golden Knights, 4-1, at T-Mobile Arena Tuesday night. The Knights announced attendance at 17,969 for this pivotal game five. The semifinals return to Montreal for game 6 Thursday when the Habs look to close out the series and end the Knights’ season. After reaching the playoffs with only 24 wins in 56 regular season games, the Canadiens won three in a row to close out Toronto, 4-3, in the first round and then swept Winnipeg, 4-0, to reach the NHL Final 4 against Vegas. The Golden Knights were a big favorite over Montreal after knocking out Minnesota and Colorado in the first two rounds. But the Canadiens took a 3-2 series lead and look to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Final with a win against the VGK Thursday. The Knights scored clutch goals against Colorado to win in six games, but there were no timely goals against Montreal Tuesday. Montreal enjoyed nice breakouts against the VGK forecheckers and were opportunistic in taking advantage of the Golden Knights’ defensive lapses. And they killed 13 straight power plays against the VGK. Jesperi Kotkaniemi opened the scoring for Montreal in the first period by swatting in a rebound into an unguarded VGK net after Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made a nice save on the initial Montreal shot. Then in period two, Montreal veteran Eric Staal and newcomer Cole Caufield notched goals thanks to some weak VGK defense and the Canadiens led, 3-0, after two periods. The Golden Knights mustered only 13 shots on goal after two periods, even with Chandler Stephenson back in the lineup centering between Mark Stone and former Canadien Max Pacioretty. The Knights’ power play was abysmal, and there were boos heard in the arena after a man advantage fizzled toward the end of the second period. Pacioretty snapped a wrist shot past Price 4:09 into the third period and the Knights had cut the Montreal lead t 3-1. With about six minutes left in period three, Pacioretty fed Reilly Smith at the right post but Price stuffed Smith at the goal doorstep. It was still 3-1, Montreal after that crucial save by Price. Former VGKer Nick Suzuki of Montreal put in an empty-net goal with about a minute to go in the final period and finalized the score: 4-1.

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Booed By Fans, Vegas Golden Knights on Brink of Elimination

Published 4 hours ago on June 22, 2021 By Tom Callahan

The Montreal Canadiens took a big win on the road at T-Mobile Arena, frustrating the Vegas Golden Knights and pushing the team to the brink of elimination in a 4-1 win Tuesday night. Montreal was smothering from the opening puck drop, negating the Vegas forecheck and preventing the Golden Knights from generating much on the offensive side of the puck. “We didn’t play our game at all, we played right into their game,” said defenseman Brayden McNabb. Nicolas Roy echoed those sentiments, noting that the forecheck was unable to get things going across the board. “We’ve got to be way better,” said Roy. “We know we can. I don’t think we did that tonight. We will refocus and be ready for the next game.” Alex Pietrangelo was clearly frustrated after the loss, logging a team- leading 26:06 TOI with four shots and four takeaways. He bristled at the very first question regarding the loss and jumped ahead to Game Six in Montreal. “You guys (the media) can say what you want… I’ve said it all series long, you play seven games for a reason. We’re going to Montreal… we’ve got a job to do and we’re going to get it done in a couple of days.” The Golden Knights fans were certainly upset, booing the team at the end of the second period. “Maybe we deserved it,” said McNabb of the booing. “We got out-worked from puck drop. Our fans are great and we love our fans. They were as frustrated as we were. They (Montreal) clogged the middle, clogged the neutral zone… we’ve got to do a better job getting pucks in. We need to do more of that.” Marc-Andre Fleury finished with 22 saves in the loss while Carey Price stopped 26 for the win. “Obviously we’re not where we want to be,” said Fleury. “I don’t think there’s any panic. We all wanted to do better tonight. Tomorrow is a new day and we’ll get the next one in Montreal.” After the game head coach Pete DeBoer acknowledged the team played poorly and made no excuses. “You can point to a lot of things but they traveled just like we did,” said DeBoer. “There shouldn’t be any fatigue, any excuses. We weren’t sharp in execution, in our decisions and it costs us.” When asked about Max Pacioretty finally netting his first goal of the series while Mark Stone remains pointless, DeBoer said he expects his team to get through it and make it work. “We’ve gotta find a way this time of year against good teams and against pressure and against attention and against a good goalie. Those are the teams that end up standing at the end of the day.” And when it comes to Montreal frustrating the Golden Knights? “They’re a good team doing some good things. We’ve gotta find some answers. It was an off night by everybody.”

Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189856 Vegas Golden Knights

Former Golden Knights Pick Nick Suzuki Shines for Habs in Win

Published 4 hours ago on June 22, 2021 By Tom Callahan

Former Vegas Golden Knights top draft pick Nick Suzuki led the Montreal Canadiens to a big 4-1 win in Game Five to push the VGK to the brink of elimination. Suzuki scored an empty-net goal and added a pair of assists as the Canadiens took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and have a chance to move on to the Stanley Cup Final with a win on Thursday night. The former Golden Knights prospect, who was sent to Montreal as part of the Max Pacioretty deal, had by far his best game of the series Tuesday night. Suzuki also netted a plus-2 rating. Interestingly it was Pacioretty who scored his first goal of the series to make it a 3-1 game at 4:09 of the third period. His performance was emblematic of the way Montreal shut down the Golden Knights once again through hard work, tight checking, and clogging up the neutral zone. When Vegas couldn’t penetrate the offensive zone or turned the puck over, the Canadiens were able to capitalize off of chances and odd-man rushes. “I thought we did a great job of killing plays through the neutral zone,” said Suzuki. “We had great back pressure, great sticks, turning a lot of pucks over and not letting them gain the blue line. Even when they did get into our zone, we had solid play all around… blocking shots. We just need to keep that up.” Indeed this is a Montreal team that wasn’t supposed to be here. The majority of the hockey world never even gave them a chance, let alone thought they’d be one win away from the Stanley Cup Final. They’ve done it with a blue-collar work ethic and a stranglehold on the middle of the ice, with a solid mix of veterans and young players like Nick Suzuki leading the way. “At the start of the playoffs, I think there were a lot of people who counted us out,” said Suzuki. “We’re a really confident team right now.” No one is doubting that. The Vegas Golden Knights are also a confident team, believing in their ability to bounce back in any series, any situation. Right now they face one of the toughest tests in the history of the young franchise. Will they be able to bounce back and win Game Six on the road? We will see Thursday night. They have until then to figure out the team that is quickly turning into this year’s Cinderella.

Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189857 Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas Golden Knights Know Series Swings Tonight

Published 8 hours ago on June 22, 2021 By Tom Callahan

The Vegas Golden Knights battled back for a key overtime win in Game Four against the Canadiens in Montreal on Sunday, and now with home- ice advantage back on their side look to claim a massive victory in Game Five tonight at T-Mobile Arena. This year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs have presented a challenge unlike any other, as Vegas has played 17 games in 36 days – unheard of in the worst of times pre-pandemic. Because the Golden Knights went seven games against Minnesota and six against Colorado, the team has had only one real day off since the playoffs began. Now they are going deeper into a series against a Montreal team that had the benefit of sweeping its opponent in the last round and resting before this one. Plus, consider that Vegas has now had to travel back and forth to the Eastern Time Zone, returning home now to Pacific Time. Does it make a difference? “There’s no escaping the fact that the time zones and the travel get to you, but both teams are in the same situation,” said head coach Pete DeBoer. “You have to manage it better than the other team. We put a lot of thought into how we travel and when we travel. It’s a great problem to have, to still be playing this time of year.” DeBoer also says by this time in a series, familiarity with the other team becomes more apparent but the VGK approach stays the same. “I think that (familiarity) gets dialed in a little more, the detail of what you want to do or fix. I don’t think your mindset changes… we win a game tonight, we put ourselves in a good spot to finish this series off.” There’s no denying that the games have been incredibly close. Goaltending on both sides is a difference-maker every night. Montreal is as-advertised, a shut-down defensive team that limits scoring chances and capitalizes on mistakes. They took out a Toronto team that had some high-flying goal scorers, and with Winnipeg they never let the Jets get anything in gear offensively. With Chandler Stephenson a possibility to return tonight the Vegas Golden Knights may get a shot in the arm to its top line. Along with Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty, Stephenson helped form one of the best lines in the NHL this year when they were on. While I would caution against expecting Stephenson to be 100%, just his return to the lineup means balancing out the scoring more across the lines and makes Montreal have to respect his speed on the forecheck. The other major factor that Vegas has simply not done in this series is win the special teams battle. The VGK do not have a power-play goal since June 6 against the Colorado Avalanche. That’s six straight games without a man-advantage marker. Maybe they’re due. Or overdue. “The mindset right now is to worry about one game – right now,” said Keegan Kolesar. “We did a good job in battling back and tying this up. Now we just take care of tonight.”

Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189858 Vegas Golden Knights

Chandler Stephenson Could Return, Plus Potential VGK Lines

Published 9 hours ago on June 22, 2021 By Tom Callahan

It seems a potential return to the Vegas Golden Knights lineup for Chandler Stephenson was tipped off by VGK head coach Pete DeBoer when he said yesterday his return was “on the horizon”. Today at the morning skate, DeBoer said he would consider Stephenson a game-time decision. As we’ve come to learn with DeBoer, when he says day-to-day it means not today, but when he says game-time decision odds are good you’ll see that player. If Stephenson does come back tonight, it’s possible the Golden Knights lines revert to something like this: Max Pacioretty – Chandler Stephenson – Mark Stone Jonathan Marchessault – William Karlsson – Reilly Smith Mattias Janmark – Nicolas Roy – Alex Tuch Will Carrier – Tomas Nosek – Keegan Kolesar Stephenson has yet to score a goal in this year’s playoffs but has six assists to go with a plus-9 rating, tied for the best on the team in the playoffs with Karlsson. The line of Stephenson, Stone and Pacioretty has been one of Vegas’ most successful combos this year and when they’re clicking they can control a game. “We have depth in scoring in all four lines and we can create some mismatches (with Stephenson back),” said DeBoer. “The few games that we’ve had a full lineup I feel we’re a different team.” The unstated hope is that Stephenson’s return also somehow sparks the power play, which has been absent for most of the playoffs. Coming into tonight’s game, Vegas is 4-for-39 on the power play, or just a 10.3% conversion rate. Conversely, the Montreal Canadiens penalty-killing unit is ranked as the best in the playoffs at 92.9 percent. Puck drop is slated for 6 pm PT at T-Mobile Arena.

Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189859 Washington Capitals

What will Alex Ovechkin’s next contract look like?

BY J.J. REGAN & ANDREW GILLIS

CAPITALS With a flat salary cap, some expiring contracts and the Seattle expansion draft, this is going to be a busy offseason for the Capitals. To get you ready, Capitals writers Andrew Gillis and JJ Regan are breaking down the biggest offseason questions with their thoughts. Today's question: What will Alex Ovechkin’s next contract look like? Andrew: The short answer is, “Whatever Alex Ovechkin wants it to be.” The long answer isn’t much more complicated than that. Ovechkin will certainly make more money than he did on his last deal, but he’ll be 36 years old on Sept. 17. The contract should be a good indication of how long Ovechkin thinks he wants to play in the NHL, since he’s said he doesn’t want to play for any team other than the Capitals in the NHL. My expectation is that he’ll sign a three- or four-year deal worth $11 million. I can’t see him getting more than Connor McDavid ($12.5 million), and an $11 million deal would put him on the same level as John Tavares and Drew Doughty as tied for the fifth-highest paying contract in the NHL. But no matter what contract Ovechkin signs, he’ll certainly have earned whatever the Capitals sign him to. JJ: Let's get a couple of key points out of the way. First, I fully expect Ovechkin will re-sign. There is no reason to doubt that based on what he has said and what the team has said. Second, he's going to get a raise. I really hate the expectation many fans get that any player somehow owes it to a team to take far less than his market value, especially a guy like Ovechkin who has meant more to Washington than whatever his next contract ends up paying. Yes, the higher Ovechkin's cap hit, the less cap space for the rest of the team. That's understood, but if you think Ovechkin is going to sign for $8 or $9 million, you're kidding yourself. My best guess would be Ovechkin re-signs for three or four years somewhere between $10 and $11 million. Ovechkin will turn 36 next season, but he was still the team's best scorer last year and remains the team's best player. When that ceases to be the case, the championship window will be closed and it won't much matter what his cap hit is then anyway. Considering what he means to the franchise, whatever Ovechkin gets in his new contract will be earned and it's going to be in the double digits. That may put a squeeze on the team's cap situation, but the fact is they need some kind of a shakeup anyway if they want to continue to compete.

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When does the clock hit 00:00 on the Caps' championship window?

BY J.J. REGAN & ANDREW GILLIS

CAPITALS * With a flat salary cap, some expiring contracts and the Seattle expansion draft, this is going to be a busy offseason for the Capitals. To get you ready, Capitals writers Andrew Gillis and JJ Regan are breaking down the biggest offseason questions with their thoughts. Today's question: When does the clock hit 00:00 on the championship window? Andrew: There’s not a set date for when this happens, but it will happen the second Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson begin to regress. You can’t win a Stanley Cup in the NHL without your superstars playing like superstars, as the Capitals just saw against the Bruins. Heck, they didn’t get most of their top six to play at their level of play for the latter half of that series. And while they’ve still got a good roster, it is undeniably aging and there’s not a clear-cut next generation of players coming to take the place of Ovechkin and Backstrom. Unless Ilya Samsonov turns into Andrei Vasilevskiy and carries the team to a Cup, you need top-end talent to advance in the playoffs. You can survive (as evidenced by these particular playoffs) without a top-flight player like Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews but you need to have top players that can contribute at a level on-par with your opponents. If the Capitals don’t have their best (and most expensive) players playing like it, the run is likely over. As for when, that’s up to them. JJ: This is the most important offseason question because the answer determines everything Brian MacLellan will do. What worries many Caps fans is the thought that the window may have already closed. What's clear, however, is that MacLellan does not believe that to be the case and he said as much after the season ended. But they are living on borrowed time. Andrew is right, when the stars begin to decline, it's over. Connor McMichael, Ilya Samsonov and Martin Fehervary are not enough to bridge the gap from this generation to the next without a major drop-off. The team's best players are all on the wrong side of 30 as Nicklas Backstrom is 33, John Carlson is 31, Lars Eller is 31, T.J. Oshie is 34 and Alex Ovechkin will turn 36 in September. But, if you are MacLellan, you can't tear it down after a season in which Ovechkin scored 24 goals in 45 games, Backstrom scored 53 points, Oshie had 43 points and Carlson finished tied for fifth among all defensemen in points. You can't start a rebuild in anticipation of your best players declining, but you also have to make a serious overhaul because the team has been ousted in the first round for three straight seasons. Making any major moves will be difficult considering how tight the Caps are against the cap, but that may be a blessing in disguise as it will not allow MacLellan to just make minor changes around the edges and otherwise keep the team much the same. Any major move the team makes is going to have to include shedding salary and thus shaking up the roster. You have to give a (relatively) normal offseason with a full training camp and preseason to work with and you have to give your veteran leaders another year because they are still playing like top players. But if you are going to go for it, you also have to make significant changes as well. Otherwise, you are just delaying the inevitable with a roster that has shown it is not good enough to make a deep run as it is currently constructed.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189861 Vancouver Canucks picked up his one assist on the nine Vancouver power-play goals he was on the ice for and didn’t score himself.

Even if there was something tactical behind Pettersson’s declining Revisiting the good, bad and outright embarrassing from our 2021 power-play assist rate, we’d expect some significant regression to the Canucks predictions mean for Pettersson in this particular area. So we missed on this prediction, but it was a near miss. Pettersson had the profile of a point-per-game forward this past season and it seems to By Thomas Drance and Harman Dayal mostly be random distribution and a matter of a few inches on a bunch of shots that found iron instead of twine that caused our prediction to Jun 22, 2021 narrowly miss. Or hit the post, as you prefer. Big things were expected from Quinn Hughes in his second NHL season, The VIPs demand accountability. but his impact was diminished in comparison with what he managed in his rookie year and with our lofty expectations. Your average hardcore Vancouver Canucks fan is as passionate and critical as they are long-suffering. And there’s no group of Canucks fans Our logic in making this prediction was that Hughes’ exposure in the more hardcore than the VIPs. most-watched division in the sport, and the likelihood that he’d produce huge numbers would give him the inside track so long as he maintained In Vancouver, hockey fans insist that the hard questions get asked. They his rookie year form or even improved modestly. Instead, the PHWA expect the media to hold Canucks players, management and coaches decided to re-weight awards voting to blunt the usual impact of the accountable. And hockey fans certainly make sure to hold the media Central Canadian voting bloc and Hughes’ defensive and offensive accountable when they don’t. impact fell significantly from what he accomplished as a rookie: So, it’s time for our Vancouver bureau to hold ourselves accountable. On (Courtesy JFreshHockey) the eve of the 2021 season, we unveiled 10 bold (and not so bold) predictions and now it’s time to look back and conduct an after-action Honestly, this was probably our biggest miss of the bunch. Hughes review. What did we nail (not much), what did we get wrong (an awful lot) garnered three Norris Trophy votes in his rookie season. It would be a and what did we get embarrassingly wrong (even more)? huge surprise — and this time around, awards voters will have been wrong in their assessment — if he gathered even that many votes this And more importantly: why did we miss on our predictions, and do our year. misses tell us anything about what we — and Canucks fans — can expect from this club going into next season? Coming into 2021, Brock Boeser’s stock was dipping. His goal and point production rates had slipped in consecutive seasons on a per-82-games We’ll dive into it, going prediction by prediction to evaluate precisely what rate. There was concern in the market about the velocity of his shot, his we got wrong and why. We’ll also assign a result and an emoji grade for inability to stay healthy and whether he was riding the coattails of Elias every pick. Once we’ve licked our wounds and eaten some humble pie, Pettersson and J.T. Miller to some extent. we’ll regroup and commit to doing better next season. Everyone still recognized his value as a top-six player, but many Vancouver’s most important player had an uncharacteristic run of form in wondered whether he was really the same electrifying goal-scoring force his first few games of the 2021 campaign, recording just two points in his that we saw in his rookie season. first eight games. More troubling, however, was that the 22-year-old centre just wasn’t driving play the way he usually does in the early part of Boeser’s underlying profile, however, suggested that his 2019-20 decline the season. was largely driven by bad luck. Therefore, our theory was that his shooting percentage would bounce back and that he should From there, Pettersson figured it out. Over his last 17 games before consequentially breach the 20-goal mark in 56 games. Here’s the sustaining a season-ending wrist injury, Pettersson managed 18 points. explanation from January: The play driving returned, even if it wasn’t quite at the dynamic level that it was in the 2019-20 season. Brock Boeser is a career 12.9 percent shooter at the NHL level who converted on just 9.5 percent of his shots last season. And so we got this one wrong. Pettersson played in 26 games and finished with 21 points. If Boeser had simply converted on shots at his career rate last season, he would’ve had 22 goals in 57 games and there would’ve been none of While Pettersson didn’t offer linear progression over what he the trade rumours or the handwringing about his shot velocity in the accomplished offensively in his first two seasons, there’s nothing Vancouver market this summer. troubling in his overall offensive profile. He’s still reliant on efficiency and didn’t significantly up his shot rate — except on the power play — but as Sure enough, Boeser finished the abbreviated 2020-21 season with 23 he continues to defy gravity in an expanding sample of NHL minutes, he goals. What’s fascinating is that he accomplished this despite registering actually increases our confidence that he’s just a percentage driving shots at a career-low rate — the goal-scoring came from elite finishing piece. rather than high shot volume. And that’s both extremely rare and extremely valuable. It bears mentioning that despite the dip in overall shot rate, his ability to generate chances from the inside never wavered. In fact, it’s interesting By most relevant underlying indicators, Pettersson was every bit as to note that Boeser’s high-danger chance generation has slowly dangerous as an offensive piece in his 26 games in 2021 as he was the improved every season since he entered the league per Natural Stat previous season. Two things really held back his production this year, Trick. however. This tells us that he was getting just as many quality looks this year First off, Pettersson hit a dizzying number of posts. Even though despite shooting less overall — he was simply being a little bit more Pettersson played in only 26 games, only three players in the league hit selective. the post more often than he did (eight times) over the course of the full season — Nathan MacKinnon, Leon Draisaitl and Kyle Connor. That effect was felt most prominently on the power play, where his high- danger chance output exploded, more than doubling compared with Pettersson also had only one power-play assist in 112 minutes of ice 2019-20, despite his overall shot rate falling by a decent margin. A big time with the man advantage in 2021. It’s difficult to figure out precisely reason for that is the versatility he showed in excelling from the net-front what happened to his playmaking without watching a ton of video, a position which coupled with his success from the left flank allowed him to project for August perhaps, though one wonders if it’s related to him score eight power-play goals, the highest since his rookie year. being primarily used as a decoy to spread out opposing penalty kills with the bulk of the playmaking responsibilities running through J.T. Miller on Boeser’s shooting percentage ultimately bounced back the way we the other flank. There’s also reason to believe that Pettersson’s anemic expected, though we probably won’t see him maintain it in the 16 percent assist rate with the man advantage was just a percentage-driven mirage, range long term. The last time he reached the 16 percent range was his one likely to prove ephemeral and regress. rookie season and we all know how his conversion rate dipped from there. However, if Boeser goes back to shooting with the frequency he Pettersson for his career has picked up points on over 60 percent of showed earlier in his career, he could offset any modest regression we Vancouver’s power-play goals that he’s been on the ice for, including see in his finishing efficiency. assists on 54 percent of Vancouver’s power-play goals that he’s been on the ice for that he didn’t score personally. This past season, his individual Nate Schmidt’s first Canucks season didn’t exactly go according to plan. point percentage on the power play fell below 40 percent overall and he The veteran puck-mover was still a useful offensive contributor — even Juolevi, on the other hand, fell more in line with what we projected. He though some tough bounces early in the season and a lack of power-play was competent but unspectacular in 23 games as a No. 6/7 defenceman. production disguised it — but his defensive impact fell off from the levels he’d managed with the Vegas Golden Knights over the past few years. We’ll still mark this down as an accurate prediction, but Höglander was good enough to make it interesting. Our prediction here, however, was based on the following logic about the pecking order of defencemen in the All-Canadian Division: It’s an L for your team at The Athletic Vancouver here, as was ultimately outscored by four goals by a resurgent Brock Boeser in the The bet on Schmidt would be that one of Shea Weber or Thomas Chabot 2021 season. regresses (or maybe even 37-year-old Mark Giordano) and that Schmidt can then outperform Jake Muzzin and Jeff Petry to become the fifth-most Our original prediction for Horvat was predicated on two major factors. valuable defensive piece in Canada once the 2021 campaign is said and The first was that Horvat’s mastery in the bumper spot would continue done. throughout the season, as a result of teams keying in on Pettersson’s big, lethal shot from the right flank. Instead, Pettersson was misfiring As it turns out, the 2021 season produced some relatively surprising early on in the year, opposing penalty killers started cheating into the results for individual defenders in the North Division. Darnell Nurse came middle where Horvat was stationed, and then Pettersson missed the final out of nowhere to be probably the best defender in the division, although 30 games entirely. good arguments can be made for Jeff Petry and Chris Tanev. Rounding out the top five is probably some combination of T.J. Brodie, Adam Once Pettersson was out of the lineup, opposing penalty killers just went Larsson and Giordano. skinny, taking away Horvat as the primary option for Vancouver’s power play. The whole foundation was compromised and the club didn’t rotate The players we would’ve expected to be among the best defencemen in enough to engineer enough solutions with the man advantage. Canada — Hughes, Shea Weber, Josh Morrissey, Morgan Rielly and Schmidt — uniformly underwhelmed in terms of their two-way form and Secondly, we expected Pettersson to be Vancouver’s first-choice impact. The best defenders in the nation turned out to be the quietly matchup centre and be deployed straight up on a more regular basis. effective defencemen, all of them non-star level players who performed That would, we figured, free Horvat up to play a more normal second-line like world-beaters in a shortened 2021 campaign. centre role as opposed to being fed to the wolves matchup-wise, as has become a tradition for the Canucks. As for Schmidt bouncing back, there isn’t a ton to hang your hat on in terms of hoping that his first Canucks season was a mirage. He wasn’t That assumption actually came to pass in the early going, and overall particularly unlucky by the bounces and the club’s defensive results with Horvat’s deployment was far more normal than it has been in the past. Schmidt on the ice simply weren’t very good. They were under more That is until Pettersson’s season-ending injury. Thereafter, Horvat was duress from their opponents when Schmidt was on than they permitted back on his usual grind, facing some of the toughest competition in the otherwise: NHL aside from top-five scorers like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. (Courtesy HockeyViz) In fact, if you graph his quality of competition relative to his ice time, you It was a tough season to break into a new club, and a ton of new addition can make out where he stands — an outlier versus the rest of the struggled across the NHL. Schmidt is still a very good player and showed forwards in the NHL in the top right — a testament to the persistence of that in spurts with the Canucks, but the club needs to get more out of the the burden Horvat carries for this club: expensive transitional defender in his own end next season. This is another one of our wrong predictions where our process and When the Canucks first took the ice, Braden Holtby got the nod for the player evaluation was mostly right, even if the result was off because of season opener. Pettersson’s bad injury luck. Vancouver didn’t have a clear-cut starter and many expected a platoon Yikes. This is a strong contender with our Hughes will be a Norris finalist with a relatively even split of games. prediction for our biggest miss. We figured things would take a different turn, though, that Demko would Here’s what we predicted back in January: take the reins as the 1A goalie by midseason: We expect the Canucks to accomplish this on the back of their first It feels like the two are trending in opposite directions. Holtby’s already power-play unit, too. Because while Vancouver’s level of offensive talent done it all in his career with a Stanley Cup, Vezina Trophy and five All- on PP2 is well above average when they have a full complement of Star appearances, but he’s pitched just a .906 save percentage over the forwards, we don’t really expect Vancouver’s PP2 to convert on shots at last three years and is coming off the worst season of his career. quite the same insane rate that they managed in 2019-20. Escaping Washington’s brutal defensive environment and working under Ian Clark should both help — a bounce-back could very well be in the So we knew that Vancouver’s PP2 was likely to come back to earth, but cards — but Demko is younger, on an upward trajectory and has more we probably didn’t expect it to be as dramatic as it was. The Canucks’ time under his belt with Clark. Adam Gaudette and Jake Virtanen-powered second power-play unit produced a whopping 17 goals in 68 games in 2019-20. That’s a goal In the end, that’s the trend that carried forward into this past season. every four games. Both goalies had a tumultuous start but from the end of February onward, While we expected some regression from that unit, what we didn’t expect Demko went on a massive tear. The 25-year-old posted a .925 save was all second power-play unit production to just fall so dramatically off a percentage in his final 22 starts. A .925 save percentage is impressive cliff in 2021. Over the course of 56 games, Vancouver received only enough, but to manage it behind one of the most permissive defences in three goals from PP2 last season, or a goal every 18 games. Ouch. the NHL? You’re talking about one of the best stretches of goaltending any goaltender had this season and he was rewarded in the end for it While the fecklessness of PP2 was a massive part of Vancouver’s lack of with a handsome five-year extension. power-play success, the first unit similarly struggled, although it should probably be noted that the underlying profile was really strong before Holtby, on the other hand, played in just 11 of the final 33 games. Pettersson’s injury. Thereafter — and especially after the COVID-19 outbreak — Vancouver’s first unit really struggled to generate shot Chalk it up as one of our few dubs for this year’s predictions. attempts and shots at quite the same rate. And PP1 was significantly less In January, we projected that Höglander’s year one ceiling was likely as efficient with the man advantage, too, even as the underlying profile “an average everyday middle-six forward” and that Juolevi’s high end looked more or less unchanged from the year prior throughout the was as a “modestly below-average third-pair defender.” The point was season. that neither Höglander nor Juolevi would be able to author the kind of There’s a lot to like about Vancouver’s personnel at five-on-four going star-level performances that Boeser, Pettersson and Quinn Hughes forward, still reason to believe that this core group of players will pose a managed. lethal threat over the long term when opponents take penalties. It just Sure enough, Vancouver’s run of three consecutive Calder finalists came didn’t come together this year, which is probably in part why it will be run to a halt in 2021. by a new assistant coach — second-year NHL assistant Jason King — in 2021-22. Even with that being true, there’s no question that Höglander exceeded all reasonable expectations, including ours. The 20-year-old Swede led We were somehow right and wrong with this prediction at the same time. the club with 26 five-on-five points, made tremendous strides as a play We were correct in thinking that Virtanen would be unable to score at a driver and earned the coaching staff’s trust to play high leverage minutes 20-goal pace after clipping at a 21 goal rate in 2019-20, but we didn’t because of his impact as a puck retriever and transition force. expect that the bottom would completely fall out on his production. From January: Jake Virtanen will have to score 14 goals in 56 games to maintain a 20- goal pace. We think he’ll come quite close to that mark but ultimately fall short. Our logic was that Virtanen’s production would depreciate due to a combination of shooting percentage regression and less ice time. Those two things came true, but we still figured that he’d come somewhat close to the benchmark of 14 goals in 56 games; instead, he ended his campaign with just five goals in 38 games before he was placed on leave from the team following allegations of sexual misconduct. We agonized about this one at the time, going back and forth in the wake of the news that Miller would miss a run of games to begin the season as a COVID-19 close contact. Ultimately, we thought the Canucks would be in the mix despite the obvious reasons to expect some level of regression. Those reasons weren’t just apparent, but they were plentiful. The Canucks lost every single one of their key UFAs, after all. And they were overly reliant on their power play to mask even-strength warts. On an individual basis, it felt like almost every player had played to the absolute peak of their potential the year prior, which typically isn’t something you can count on. Even with those factors baked in, we thought the Canucks would be able to muster just enough to cross the playoff line threshold in the pedestrian Canadian division. This was our reasoning: The Canucks’ explosive top-end remains intact, Nate Schmidt will provide a monumental boost to the top-four and elevate the Lotto line and some of the action that’s unfolded since the start of training camp is quite encouraging. Travis Hamonic’s addition is crucial because it ensures the Canucks aren’t one top-four injury away from trouble while upgrading their flexibility and range of backend options. Nils Höglander’s standout performance in training camp could be a significant boost for Vancouver’s top six (or middle six). And the question mark around Olli Juolevi’s name could be fading after a steady showing at camp. The biggest letdown for this prediction was that the explosive top end … wasn’t explosive. We all knew that the Canucks’ depth was a major issue, but what we didn’t know is that the top players would take a step back. Pettersson endured a woeful slump in January, Hughes never found his footing defensively and Miller saw his elite two-way form from 2019-20 fade. In 2019-20 the Canucks outscored opponents by 17 goals when Pettersson and Hughes took the ice together at five-on-five. They were one of the most dominant centre/defencemen duos in the NHL. That edge was all but erased in 2021, as Vancouver finished minus-two during Pettersson and Hughes’ shared five-on-five minutes. Vancouver’s power play which led the league in goal differential in 2019- 20 tumbled all the way to 25th by power-play percentage. The Canucks’ top players still performed overall, but they didn’t reach the rarefied heights that they did the year prior. That drop-off combined with Nate Schmidt’s poor fit on the back end left the soft underbelly of a flawed supporting cast completely exposed. We whiffed.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189862 Websites exactly where Panarin was coming from and could communicate at a different level during the negotiations.

“Some teams use a Finn scout to cover Russia. Nothing against the The Athletic / ‘What we promise is what they get’: How the Blackhawks Finns, but he’s not local,” said Lynn, who also previously worked in the became a leader in signing European players Minnesota Wild’s front office. “Other teams use a North American guy. Without naming names, I’m thinking of two. The guy goes over for extended periods each year. He’ll make five or six trips of two to three weeks, then a couple quick ones and watch some video. But that’s not Scott Powers the same as being conversant of the local customs, culture, how the Jun 22, 2021 hockey works and all that. “I think the Blackhawks having Barry Smith, who had coached there, and having their scouting staff really conversant with the situation there could Imagine Artemi Panarin starting his NHL career with the Calgary Flames, see better than some other teams. That being said, there’s another half- Montreal Canadiens or Toronto Maple Leafs. dozen teams in the same boat. They weren’t the only ones, but it helps.” It wasn’t that far off from being a reality for any of those teams in 2015. The Blackhawks also want as many of their people as possible to know They were among the final contenders for Panarin as he was deciding on about a player. The first step is allowing their scouts to do their jobs and an NHL destination after departing the KHL. In the end, he chose the trust them. If Russia scout Andrei Nikolishin brings a player to Hallin’s Chicago Blackhawks. attention, Hallin will get involved with the player. Hallin will loop in Stewart, who will do his homework, too. “I just remember Calgary and Toronto being mad at me, Montreal being mad at me,” said Panarin’s former agent Tom Lynn, who negotiated Bowman is always aware of which players are being scouted, but his Panarin’s first NHL contract. “Those were probably the three where the personal interaction depends on the stage. Sometimes he’s needed to GMs really put in a lot of time. I mean, some organizations send a scout get involved earlier than later. Eventually, Bowman will get coach Jeremy or even the assistant GM or director of player personnel, but the Colliton up to speed, too. Blackhawks, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal really made an effort, like even sending guys to travel there to try to see him in person to talk to him.” “I found that the earlier that I can get involved, the better,” Bowman said. “What I mean by that is some of these players need to feel the attention Panarin’s decision came down to the Blackhawks’ history of signing more than just at the finish line. So you know, the identification of players European free agents and giving them NHL opportunities, their ability to happens by our scouts in the field. And then, you know, their job is to surround him with other skilled players and their extensive knowledge of bring to the attention of their superior. Like, this is a player to watch. And his game and where he came from. then sometimes you watch them for a season, sometimes you watch them for half a season. And then as things move along, it gets escalated. While the Blackhawks haven’t exactly been the same on the ice in recent years as when Panarin signed up six years ago, the Blackhawks have “I’m brought into the process early on, basic level. Like, there’s this continued to tap into Europe for talent. player in college, in Canadian junior hockey, a kid in Czech Republic who’s on our radar, this is what he’s like. And then I’ll usually just do kind The story of how they landed Panarin isn’t that much different than how of on my own (homework). I’ll usually just go online and watch some film they were able to sign Erik Gustafsson, Dominik Kahun, David Kampf, of the guy, so I can see.” Dominik Kubalik, Kevin Lankinen, Michal Kempný, Jan Rutta, Pius Suter, among others out of Europe, or Collin Delia, Tanner Kero, Wyatt From there, Bowman assesses if they want to continue to scout or move Kalynuk, Cam Morrison, Mike Hardman, among others out of college. towards signing the player. Bowman will do whatever it takes to close a Identifying, recruiting and signing European and college free agents has deal — he’ll fly to Europe if he believes it’ll help his chances, as he did developed into one of the organization’s strengths while Stan Bowman with Kahun. has been general manager. “I went to Germany and went to dinner with him and watched one of his “The process is Stan trusts us and (assistant general manager) Ryan games, met his parents and his girlfriend,” Bowman said. “Sometimes the Stewart trusts us,” European scouting director Mats Hallin said. “Stan has obstacle for these players is envisioning their life in a different country. known me for 14 years. He kind of knows when we are pumped up, really Like they’re concerned about their family or their wife or their girlfriend, excited for a player, and we know that he’s gonna do everything to give like do they want to come over, too? And so, I think there has to be that them a chance to play. We know what we’re looking for, too. Not only connection, the personal touch. … Because you’re bringing them, good players, but we’re looking for maybe a special type of player or European players, you’re bringing them across the country to a whole whatever.” new culture, so they’ve got to want to do it in order for you to get them to commit to you.” Every NHL team scouts Europe, and there are very few diamonds in the rough to be found. A team might take a chance on a younger European Hallin has always shared that opinion of recruiting. He certainly put in the player earlier than some competition in hopes of that player developing, time and effort to meet with Kempný after a Russia national team game but most players are known to some extent. in 2016. Kempný would later sign with the Blackhawks. Where the Blackhawks differentiate themselves is the depth of their “You can do a lot of things over the video and see them and talk on the knowledge of European teams and players. phone, but if you put the effort in and see them personally,” Hallin said. “I think that’s helped in that case, anyway. … So we stood outside for two Player agent Georges Müller anticipated Suter would have his fair share hours and waited for him to come out because they lost the game and of NHL suitors after an MVP season in Switzerland during the 2019-20 they didn’t come out, but we stood there, and I remember my back pain season. As the two narrowed the field, Müller discovered that there were because I had surgery a month before. That was one of the most teams that really knew Suter and his game and others that knew just memorable, and Michal Kempný said, I didn’t think they really wanted me about his numbers. The Blackhawks were among the former. that much, so that was a good feeling.” “We were sure that they know him as a player and not just like some Personal meetings helped in signing goalies Lankinen and Antti Raanta other teams that knew he was the MVP of Switzerland,” Müller said. “It out of Finland. The pandemic changed how the Blackhawks were able to was obvious they knew him as a player, so a lot of videos and they had a pursue goalie Arvid Söderblom from Sweden this season, but their lot of information about him. Of course, this was something also very legwork still ended up giving them the edge. Söderblom’s agent said 18 important. NHL teams were interested in signing him. “In my point of view, the Blackhawks have like the best scouting team in “The team I signed for I really wanted to believe in me and had the right Switzerland. Because I had so many players in the past, including Pius, I plan for me going forward, and Chicago had one when we talked and I offered to the NHL, and very often no team was interested, also in Pius got really, really great feelings from the start,” Söderblom said. “That was several teams were not interested. Why? Because they didn’t know him the important thing. They had looked at me a lot and really liked the way I as a player. The Blackhawks I have a longer history with. They know. played. They had that plan going forward in what they saw in me. Just Like I had to offer Pius actively to a lot of other organizations, but with the felt good.” Blackhawks, they contacted me. And in the past, they contacted me also about other players and invited them to camp.” Pursuing college players is a little different. That familiarity goes a long way. In the case of Panarin, the Blackhawks For one, the pool of potential NHL-caliber free agents is smaller. NHL had watched him plenty in Russia, but they also got Barry Smith, who teams also tend to have more of a long-term scouting book on a player had coached in the KHL, involved in Panarin’s recruitment. Smith, who simply because they have more North American amateur scouts. was then the Blackhawks director of player development, understood College free agents also usually aren’t as valuable as European ones, A contract offer is obviously the vital first piece for a European or college but there still is NHL talent to be found among college free agents, free agent looking to play in the NHL, but then it’s all about the actual especially with drafted players who choose not to sign with an NHL team. opportunity. Teams can talk about what they can provide, but they’re just The Blackhawks got burned with Kevin Hayes, who chose to become a words until they take action. free agent in 2014, but they benefited with Wyatt Kalynuk, who had been drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers and signed with the Blackhawks before It’s not as if the Blackhawks have promised NHL ice time, but their track this season. record has proven that most players get an NHL opportunity. Part of that is identifying the player and determining how they fit into the team. The Blackhawks had scouted Kalynuk during his draft eligibility years and during his time at the University of Wisconsin. Blackhawks head U.S. “I think where we’ve had some success is we don’t over-sign guys,” scout Rob Facca had also happened to recruit Kalynuk while an assistant Stewart said. “What we promise is what they get. When they come here, coach at Western Michigan, where Kalynuk had actually been committed they get opportunity. And there’s not five other guys sitting there, too, you to originally. know, all of a sudden, they’re kind of kicked aside. So we’ve been very selective on who we put our attention on. And oftentimes throughout the “So there was a relationship there,” Blackhawks director of player year, we’ll back off certain players because we don’t want to become a evaluation and recruitment Mike Doneghey said. “That process is if you team that’s known for just grabbing them and not following through on go into the rink and organizationally when we’re at a college game or those type of opportunities.” CHL game or European game and there are drafted players by other organizations, we do reports on those players. One of the questions in That was important to Lynn when he was seeking a team for Panarin. A the report is, ‘Would you trade, draft or sign for this player?’ Obviously, European free agent’s worst nightmare is signing with an NHL team and Wyatt when he got to Wisconsin, he took a huge step. not getting the opportunity he expected. That happened when Vadim Shipachyov signed with the Vegas Golden Knights and was back in the “You can’t talk to him because he’s with another organization, but you KHL that same season. start hearing things, whether it’s through agents or other scouts talking at the rink. This kid might not sign with Philadelphia, Philadelphia’s deep on “You might get promised everything by one guy, but the decision-makers defense and so on and so forth. And then you kind of wait the process aren’t necessarily there or they change along the way,” Lynn said. out. He became a free agent, and then we went to work shortly “Nothing’s better than demonstrating. If a team has a demonstrated thereafter.” history of giving those guys a chance, there it is, that’s what you want.” On paper, the Blackhawks wouldn’t seem like an ideal spot for Kalynuk. Kubalik wasn’t technically a free agent, but the Blackhawks still needed They already had an assortment of young defensemen on their way. But to persuade him to sign after acquiring his rights from the Los Angeles Chicago was able to sell him on how he was different than the players in Kings. Kubalik could have gone to the KHL if he didn’t envision NHL ice its pipeline and how there was a path to the NHL sooner than later. time with the Blackhawks. Bowman said publicly he expected Kubalik to Kalynuk’s 21 NHL games this season were proof of that, too. be in the NHL. Kubalik, Kahun and Panarin, among others, have European clauses in their contract to ensure they have an out if they’re “I think in (Kalynuk’s) case, we do have a lot of young defensemen and not in the NHL. None of them had to use that option. we still do, but you know, the message is he’s gonna have competition no matter what team he chooses,” Bowman said. “Everyone’s got The coach has to be part of the process, too. Joel Quenneville put prospects. They all may be at different stages of development and it may Panarin with Patrick Kane and played plenty of college and European be a different style, but he’s gonna have competition where he goes. So free agents. Colliton will often get involved with the recruitment — he got it’s where does he think he’s gonna be able to excel? Like, does he on the phone with Hardman before he signed this season. believe in your vision for the team, your vision for his role? “Certainly, you have to have them to be on board with it because if “Does he believe in the development model? Because these kids are they’re not going to support this idea and give your player a fair chance, good players at college or junior or Europe, but they’re not superstars. then it’s gonna be really hard,” Bowman said. “Because at the end of the They need to get better. And they know that they’re not at the end of the day, I’m the manager, I’m not the coach. So I’m not deciding on the ice road, they’re not a finished product. So do they believe in your track time, I’m not deciding on whether they play or don’t play. The coach has record for helping these players get better? Because when players get to have an affinity for the player, too; can’t just be the scouts and the better, they do better, and when they do better, they make more money. manager. Because if that’s the case, it won’t work.” And so it’s like, where am I gonna go to make myself the best version of Players would like to remain with one team if possible, but NHL ice time myself? And I think we’ve been able to paint that picture often enough is what they want and it’s what leads to great opportunities, longer NHL that they believe in it.” careers and eventually more money. For example, Kahun spent only one Bowman sold that to Trevor van Riemsdyk when he was a college free season with the Blackhawks before he was traded, but if he didn’t get the agent at New Hampshire. After van Riemsdyk broke his ankle and wasn’t ice time and chance he received with the Blackhawks that one season, playing, Bowman went to meet him and had breakfast with him off he might not still be in the NHL. campus. He later signed with the Blackhawks and is still in the NHL. “Kahun was another one where he got his opportunity and had a heck of When Hardman was playing at Boston College, Doneghey had already a year,” Stewart said. “Unfortunately, with the cap in different situations, been aware of him for many years through the Massachusetts hockey we weren’t able to bring him back, but he got his opportunity. He’s an scene. Even though the Blackhawks, like every other team, passed on NHL player now. So I just think operating in the right way with honesty Hardman in the draft, he got another chance to impress teams in college. and integrity over time you got a track record for that trust. I believe that’ll continue just based on affording the right players the right opportunity.” “This is a guy that’s 6-3, he’s big, plays with two of the fastest and skills guy in college hockey, and he’s not slowing them down,” Doneghey said. Not every player works out. Anton Wedin signed a one-year contract out “He plays in every situation. Maybe his game has evolved to where he’s of Sweden for the 2019-20 season, and he’s back playing in Sweden this under consideration for an NHL contract. You reach out to the adviser season. The Blackhawks were hoping Lars Johansson would be another and you start gathering thoughts, and most advisers will let you contact European goalie find for them, and he was back in Europe after one AHL the kid directly. Most college coaches are pretty, I don’t want to say cool season. with it, but they’re understanding about it. And then, you begin the But more often than not, the Blackhawks’ signings stick in the NHL with recruiting process and trying to say we’re interested in you as a player, them or another team. Kampf, Kubalik, Suter, Hardman and Kalynuk then the kid starts thinking about it, his adviser starts looking at depth were in Chicago’s lineup late in the season. There were and are others in charts and where a kid may fit in the organization, what’s attractive and the Stanley Cup playoffs now, although not everyone saw the ice. not attractive to certain organizations. And then you start the recruiting Kempný is with the Washington Capitals, Gustafsson with the process.” Canadiens, Rutta with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Kahun with the The Blackhawks talked to Hardman after his freshman year and Edmonton Oilers. continued this past season. That history, along with the Blackhawks’ The Blackhawks aren’t stopping, either. They were active again this pitch, helped them win out. offseason in adding Jakub Pour from the Czech Republic, in addition to “I think the Blackhawks were one of the first teams I met with during the Söderblom. recruiting process my frosh year,” Hardman said. “They were one of the It’s been six years since Lynn went through Panarin’s recruiting process first teams, always been there, saw it was a good fit for me. It’s a young with the Blackhawks, but he still has clients and keeps tabs on how team, preparing for the future. My family and I thought it was the right fit. organizations operate — and still sees how the Blackhawks could be a … Just a perfect situation, looking at the depth of the organization and good fit for those types of players. how they’re building for the future here. Also, it’s a storied franchise, Original Six team, it was hard to pass up on.” “The Blackhawks have done a good job to position themselves to compete for European players in the past and going forward,” Lynn said.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 1189863 Websites “This can also grow the game, I truly believe that,” Mayer said. “It’s little by little, but my definition of success is that one of Timabaland’s fans or a hip hop fan watches a highlight and says, ‘That is so cool,’ and that night turns on one of the Stanley Cup Final games and says, ‘Wow, I love this The Athletic / The NHL meets Timbaland: Partnership with Beatclub aims sport.’ That’s the goal.” to add a hip hop soundtrack to hockey

The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 By Sean Shapiro Jun 22, 2021

One of the lasting legacies of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs will be a shift in how the league views and uses different genres of music, particularly rap and hip hop. Bubbled up in Toronto and Edmonton, league officials spent more time around the players and in tighter proximity. While the league has always had team access, this was the first time players and league officials were truly living under the same roof on a daily basis. And league officials started to notice the players’ choices in music weren’t actively reflecting the typical classic rock playlist that commonly plays in arenas and on highlight videos. “We were the only ones around and whether they were exercising in the hallway or the music was just blasting from the locker room, or from the player lounges, everywhere you went you heard music,” Steve Mayer, the NHL’s chief content officer, said. “And one of the things I noticed is it was a lot of hip hop and it was very different than I thought it would be, but it was consistent (across the teams). Absolutely a shift change and in my mind, it clicked of, ‘This is what the guys want to hear.'” One of the early products of this realization is a new partnership announced Tuesday morning with Beatclub, a music marketplace launched by musician and record producer Timbaland. Beatclub launched in early 2021 and has a roster of artists and producers, including Mike WiLL Made-It, Mike Dean, Tainy, J. Cole, and Rance of 1500. Through the partnership with Beatclub, the NHL will have a license to use music in broadcasts, in-arena and on social and digital platforms. It’s Beatclub’s first partnership with a professional sports league. “The collaboration no one saw coming!” Timbaland said in a release. “I’ve always loved the speed and passion of NHL action and we at Beatclub are ready to bring a whole new level of excitement with the music we have planned for the League and its teams.” Eric Dwyer, the NHL’s senior manager of broadcasting, pitched the idea of working with Beatclub, with whom he had a mutual connection. Beatclub had been looking to dive into the professional sports space, while the NHL wanted to build on that idea of updating its music after the bubble experience. “I will be honest, this was one of our goals,” said Gary Marella, Beatclub’s CEO and co-founder. “We’ve been strategically dropping these partnerships with TV and film companies … and because of our creators that we’ve signed on. That’s what has driven the interest, and having a place like the NHL to work with was always part of the long-term goal.” “Music and the NHL, that connection is super important,” Mayer said. “To be able to bring that audience to us, and in many ways, we found from their side we could bring some of our audience to them. It was a win- win.” The combination of hockey and hip hop in highlights, particularly intrigued Mayer, who said he felt the sport and the music meshed well. “The hip hop music works unbelievably well with us,” Mayer said. “So we’ve got some original cuts that are being done for us and we are gonna start putting them out there and you are gonna hear them in the Final. I’m excited. It’s just another association where music helps drive an audience.” Before the start of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, the NHL collaborated with BIA for a reimagined version of her song, “Skate,” for use in promos, highlights, and broadcasts. The league is also hoping the track will be used in user-generated content that celebrates the sport. Mayer looks at partnerships like this as a chance to grab a wider audience for the NHL. In the past, musical acts at NHL main events have typically fallen into the rock or country genre. Mayer said he’s hopeful that will change, and as the NHL opens up to larger fan events — hopefully for the 2021-22 season — performances by rap and hip hop artists will become more common. 1189864 Websites those debates were manufactured)? No, there are a handful of players who could make their case long-term. But I still feel pretty strongly about slotting him here and any internal debates I had with myself about other players were usually short-lived, especially after his stellar performance The Athletic / Wheeler: NHL Draft’s top 100 prospects — Michigan at the world championships where as his ice time grew, Canada’s play players top the 2021 ranking improved. Power’s late birthday (Nov. 22, 2002) and towering frame prompt questions about the role both of those things may or may not have Scott Wheeler Jun 22, 2021 played in his dominance at a young age at lower levels (though more so in minor hockey and the USHL than college). And there are some other minor kinks he still needs to improve upon (funneling play to the outside Welcome to my 2021 NHL Draft board! with proper timing, smoothing out his pivots, and needing to be a little more aggressive in front of his own net). But there’s nothing about his This top 100 ranking (plus its 70 honourable mentions) is my final list for game that looks prohibitive, and he moves beautifully for a player who is this draft class and follows September’s preseason top 32, December’s now listed by NHL Central Scouting at 6-foot-6. He’s mobile across the preliminary top 64, and March’s midseason top 64. blue line through his footwork and his ability to open up his stride onto his As always, this project includes exhaustive player evaluations for every inside edges. He’s got superb cross-ice vision, which allows him to break ranked prospect and quotes from industry sources on many. It will be down the offensive zone east-west as a seam passer. He’s got uncanny followed this week by scouting reports on 10 prospects who missed the skill for a player with his length and does a wonderful job adjusting cut and a live Q&A to answer any outstanding questions you may have. around the first layer (though he could learn to attack past multiple waves of pressure a little more consistently because when he does he can get Getting here has been more arduous than in any of the eight previous to the slot or the crease) or controlling the puck on exits and entries. And years I’ve done this. In place of spending much of the hockey season on maybe most of all, he really understands how to operate on the ice, the road, I have spent almost all of it, excluding my trip to Edmonton for consistently reading play effectively, processing at high speeds when the 2021 world juniors, quarantined in Toronto (which also included pace ratchets up, and picking his spots to attack or simplify. I wouldn’t missing U18 worlds for the birth of my son). bet against him becoming an all-situations, big-minutes first-pairing defenceman and his floor probably positions him as a top-four blueliner. All told, though, I’m really comfortable with where I’m at on this draft class. Less time on the road meant a lot more time on the phone or 2. Kent Johnson — C, University of Michigan, 6-foot-1 watching tape. And while most leagues dealt with some form of delay or cancellation — or in the OHL’s case a full-season shutdown — almost I’ve tried to be careful in evaluating Johnson because he’s unequivocally every player ranked here (except for Connor Lockhart and Ty Voit!) the flashiest player in the draft and his blend of skating and touch can played hockey this season, and the vast majority played close to a full really grab your attention. But the more I’ve watched him over the last schedule. two years, first in the BCHL and then in college, the fonder I’ve grown of his ability to consistently make difficult plays at high speeds, the kind of My draft board this year is composed of 64 forwards, 34 defencemen and plays that eventually separate dynamic top-line NHL players from two goalies, which represents the largest share of defencemen in my top contributing middle-of-the-roster ones. Johnson’s going to play on a 100 in the four years that my rankings have been released publicly at power play at every level he ever plays, so the big question with his The Athletic. projection is about five-on-five and whether or not the flashes will be consistent enough to create scoring chances at a high enough clip that For a better sense of where this year’s top 100 prospects come from, I some of the other concerns about his game (including his wiry frame and have broken down the list by nationality below, including a weighted look his propensity to try to do too much) are muted. The reality is, though, at the strength of each country’s players across several tiers. that the top of this draft class is filled with players who possess unique skill sets inside flawed packages (see: Brandt Clarke and Simon The 2021 draft represents a bounce-back year of sorts for USA Hockey, Edvinsson) and Johnson excites me in ways that none of the other which more than doubled its weighted score year-over-year to return to forwards do. His ability to play a finesse game with a feathered pass or their usual spot as the world’s second-highest producer of NHL draft quick pull through his feet is rare. His hands also flow effortlessly with his picks, with eight more players in my top 100 this year than last, as well as feet — he does an incredible job adjusting at high speeds to cut or leap three in my top 10 to last year’s zero. Canada’s output looks nearly past pressure — helping him make plays in transition or pull defenders identical to last year’s, with one fewer in its total number to drop it from into him. There’s just an airiness to his game that allows him to breeze 44 to 43. The other three hockey giants of Sweden, Finland and Russia around the ice making plays through layers and underneath coverage. (in that order) look about the same as they usually do. If you’re a loyal reader of my work, you’ll notice that three countries that produced Here’s Wolverines associate head coach Bill Muckalt on Johnson: “It’s prospects in 2020 (Germany, Slovakia and Austria) are absent, while hard for me to give an honest assessment of the other players but I Belarus makes two rare appearances. would have a hard time believing there’s anybody more skilled offensively than Kent Johnson in this draft. The shit he does offensively, Though this class is a little weaker than we’re used to on the whole, it you only see it once every four or five years. But he’s physically the least has grown on me, with 12 prospects that I’m excited about (a number mature of our freshmen as far as our strength and he’s playing against which is a couple more than most scouts are), a handful of others with guys some nights that are seven-to-eight years older, so it makes it enough potential to join them if they’re developed properly, 45 players I difficult on him. But he does highlight-reel stuff. Where (Matt) Beniers has consider worthwhile picks in the first two rounds, and 81 total players I’d this motor that is just 200 feet, Kent is more artistic and creative, and feel comfortable drafting. more high-risk. But he’s going to be like an (Elias) Pettersson or a Note 1: While I consult scouts, coaches, managers and agents (Patrick) Kane … Kent’s elusive. He’s special. He’s really slippery. And if throughout the year on many of these players, these rankings represent we let him on the ice for 10 hours a day, he’d be on the ice for 10 hours a my evaluations of each of the prospects listed. My board will vary widely day.” from that of most NHL teams and this list does not attempt to predict the 3. Brandt Clarke — RHD, Barrie Colts/HC Nove Zamky, 6-foot-2 draft, nor does it account for team preference. For more information on how I evaluate, the things I look for and my process, please consult the I often refer to Clarke as a bit of a unicorn in this draft in that he doesn’t 2021 update of my guide to scouting. look or play anything like most defencemen these days. He’s gangly, he doesn’t really look like an athlete, and there’s some knee-knocking in his Note 2: All listed heights, weights and positions are according to NHL forward and backward skating stride. All of these issues can make a Central Scouting (with heights rounded up or down according to their scout a little queasy. But he has worked diligently to build more power decimal and positions adjusted occasionally where I can confirm into his lower body (progress which will need to continue) and the actual otherwise). talent just oozes out of him. Clarke plays a free-flowing, fearless, 1. Owen Power — LHD, University of Michigan, 6-foot-6 aggressive roving style that keeps opposing players guessing. He looks, at all times, completely unbothered by the stage or the pressure of If you’ve followed this draft closely, you’ve probably read ad nauseam opposing players. That looseness blends with impressive side-to-side about there being no clear-cut No. 1 prospect. If you’ve followed my work puckhandling skill and mobility which allow him to effortlessly step past closely this year, though, you’ll also know that Owen Power has led the coverage in all three zones. He also walks the line as effortlessly as way from start to finish on my boards. He was No. 1 on my preliminary anyone in the draft, constantly maneuvering and changing looks. And list. He was No. 1 on my midseason list. And he remains No. 1 here. Is while he’s not afraid to try things and that can scare a coach, his ability to he the top prospect in the same way that an Auston Matthews or a execute on the spin-pass or flip-pass that he sees that few others do (or Connor McDavid were, where it was clear on draft day who was going to at least that few others are willing to try) is remarkable. It can be difficult be the best player in their class (sorry Patrik Laine and Jack Eichel, but to project a player like Clarke, who doesn’t play a pro-style game and isn’t necessarily going to mesh with every coach he encounters, but I a brilliant skater and arguably the draft’s best transition defender as a love the assertiveness and the skill. When he’s out there, you can’t take result. His ability to take the puck from A to B in straight lines is also your eyes off of him. He’s also an above-average defender who does a matched by deft edgework which allows him to circle the offensive zone good job disrupting play and transitioning back the other way — and who to draw eyeballs once he gets there. He has a lot of room to grow (he still should only improve in his own end as he continues to get stronger. needs to fill out his frame and get stronger, which will help him use his length a little more effectively without the puck and his shot as well) and Here’s an anonymous junior coach on Clarke: “I think that’s the best D there have been times when he has left me wanting more, but he has I’ve coached against. He’s special.” time to round out his game and build upon a thrilling package. 4. Matthew Beniers — C, University of Michigan, 6-foot-2 I thought this quote from teammate Red Savage was to the point: “It all Beniers is probably going to be selected a pick or two higher than this starts with his speed. His size and speed, it’s crazy. He can take two and it’ll be a good selection, so I wouldn’t read into the actual number strides and I have to take eight strides to catch up with him and he’s here too much. In a draft class full of players who don’t necessarily play already in the zone flying around.” pro-style games, Beniers is built for the next level. He’s a plus-level 8. Chaz Lucius — C, U.S. NTDP, 6-foot-1 skater who gallops around the ice, plays on the inside (which opens up his effective cutbacks), pushes tempo in transition, and drives Lucius couldn’t catch a break this season. After undergoing surgery to possession with his ability to win the game’s 10-foot races. He can gain repair a bone lesion in his knee, Lucius spent the first two-thirds of his inside body positioning on engagements, and get up and under sticks in season rehabbing at home in Minnesota while the national program 50-50 board battles. He pushes through contact by keeping his feet played on without him in Plymouth, Michigan. Then, after filling the net moving, draws a lot of penalties, and keeps cycles alive. While he with 13 goals in 13 games from late February into early April, he wasn’t doesn’t have the hands or feel that a Johnson has, nor the finishing touch able to go to Texas for U18 worlds when he fell ill with a fever before just of a Chaz Lucius or a Cole Sillinger, nor the heaviness of a Mason before the deadline. McTavish, he’s got enough skill across the board to take pucks to the net, facilitate to his linemates off the cycle, and finish in tight. And though Still, the games he did play reaffirmed what he showed a year ago, which his offensive numbers may not pop at his ceiling, he’s going to drive a is that he’s one of the best goal scorers in the draft. He’s not an explosive line, lead exits and entries, get pucks to whoever he’s playing with, and skater, which leads to apprehension among some scouts as to how his pull his team into the fight. Beniers is the best two-way player in the draft. finishing ability will translate at higher paces. But he’s an underrated playmaker and passer who understands how to play pucks into space 5. William Eklund — C/LW, Djurgårdens IF, 5-foot-10 when he draws pressure. He can find pockets inside the offensive zone to get open into when he doesn’t have the puck, and uses opposing Eklund faced his fair share of obstacles in his draft year, including a bout defenders as decoys when he does. with COVID-19 and an appendectomy. But he emerged with an outstanding age-adjusted season in arguably the world’s third-best pro One source put it to me like this: “A lot of kids can shoot the puck hard league (the SHL), with 25 points in 43 combined regular season and but he can shoot the puck in traffic, and through sticks and feet, and playoff games. That 0.58 points-per-game rate bested both Lucas consistently get the shot off and through. That’s one of those skills that Raymond (0.53) and teammate/frequent linemate Alexander Holtz (0.51), the elite goal scorers have.” who are seven and nine months older respectively. 9. Cole Sillinger — C/LW, Medicine Hat Tigers/Sioux Falls Stampede, Eklund is a well-rounded three-zone player who can do a little bit of six-feet everything offensively (he’s strong and agile below the goal line, he’s a capable transporter, and he’s an above-average finisher, handler and Sillinger’s one of the players I’m higher on than most in this draft. His passer) and defensively (he supports the play well, takes smart routes to biggest asset is that he’s got some of the best hands in the draft and he’s pucks and pinches along the wall, and engages effectively in battles to strong over pucks. So he can beat defenders one-on-one without ever win more than you might expect when you glance at his height). Eklund’s getting touched and then when they do bump him, he’s able to shed past biggest strength, though, is the way he navigates on the ice. He slides in and maintain control too. Those skills also complement a wrist shot that and out of space to get open for his shot (a shot which has improved to pops off of his blade in line with the two other best shooters in the draft make him a real mid-range threat) and play the give-and-go game (Lucius and McTavish). Where Lucius’ goal-scoring ability is about his effectively. He makes a lot of small-area plays around the net to attack release point and his accuracy, and McTavish’s is about how hard he the slot or play a puck into it, with proper timing, for a teammate. He’s shoots it, Sillinger is somewhere in the middle. He’s always engaged in just a crafty problem-solver who knows his game and how to play within the play, he can outmuscle his man along the wall to win back pucks, his himself to make something happen from shift-to-shift. head is always up and identifying his options, and the skill is there. He needs to continue to get a little quicker from a standstill (he’s powerful 6. Dylan Guenther — LW/RW, Edmonton Oil Kings/Sherwood Park once he gets going) but he’s a lot to handle offensively and he’s going to Crusaders, 6-foot-2 be a good player off of the puck because of his work ethic and his strength. Guenther has a multi-faceted offensive package off the flank. Inside the offensive zone, his ability to handle the puck in traffic, play pucks into Here’s a source on Sillinger: “I’d say Sillinger is ahead of Guenther. He’s space, and shape and hide his shot all impress. In transition, he creates more dynamic. He can take over a game by himself. Guenther’s very off the rush using quick crossovers to build speed and weave through good, really good, but Sillinger is scary. He’s a freak. Sillinger’s a stud.” neutral ice as a primary carrier. So he’s not only capable of transporting the puck and leading the rush, but he then has the offensive acumen to 10. Mason McTavish — C/W, Peterborough Petes/EHC Olten, 6-foot-1 make things happen once the play slows down inside the offensive zone. There are players in every draft class who really grab the limelight as the Add in a dangerous mid-range wrist shot, good control of his inside and year progresses. In 2020, it was Jake Sanderson, Jack Quinn and Seth outside edges, the ability to shoot from a variety of stances and there’s a Jarvis. In 2019, it was Moritz Seider. And while McTavish was a top lot to like. Though I don’t think he’s going to be a go-to defensive player prospect in his own right growing up and into his rookie season in the at the next level, he also does a good job applying pressure up ice and OHL last year, he did a lot in a short amount of time to become that tracking to support his teammates so that he’s a factor without the puck. player in this draft. It really crescendoed in a big performance at U18 Believe it or not, though, despite his eye-popping numbers in the WHL worlds, but I would argue that McTavish’s best hockey of this season (24 points in 12 games in 2020-21), there were some times this season came in the final games of the regular season and into the Swiss League in the AJHL (where he was outshone by Matthew Savoie), WHL, and at playoffs with Olten. After a slow start, he became a force in Switzerland’s U18s when I felt like there was some kind of star quality missing from second-tier pro league, overwhelming players sometimes twice his age Guenther’s game. I wonder whether he projects more as a second-line with his size and his heaviness. It can be hard to spot “competitiveness” creator who can play PP1 than a first-line talent at his ceiling. in players and I think we can think we see it and then place too much 7. Luke Hughes — LHD, U.S. NTDP, 6-foot-2 emphasis on it when we do, but McTavish is a competitive, heavyset player with an NHL shot and a middle-lane approach. He’s going to need Ask five different people from Hughes’ trajectory to this point about him to work to stay in top shape throughout his career and there are still and you’ll get five different trains of thought. I’ve spoken with people who times when I think he can tunnel-vision, but he’s got a real case to be played or coached against him in the GTHL who are shocked by how far taken in the draft’s first half-dozen picks and I doubt he’s still available at he’s come and confess that he wasn’t one of the talked-about top this ranking. prospects of the time. And I’ve spoken to others more recently within the U.S. NTDP, the University of Michigan, and among some NHL clubs who 11. Simon Edvinsson — LHD, Frölunda HC/Västerås IK, 6-foot-4 salivate over what he’s become and what still might be ahead. He’s one Edvinsson’s a contradiction and my constant 180s in terms of where I’m of the youngest players in the 2021 draft class, he underwent a growth at on him relative to the rest of this draft’s top prospects are contradicting spurt last summer which changed the way he could play into his draft too. He’s just impossible to get a true pulse on. I fell in love with him late year, and then he lacerated a tendon in his foot in March which ended his last year and then he wowed me enough in a couple of preseason SHL season and kept him from showcasing himself at U18 worlds. Hughes is viewings for me to rank him No. 2 at the start of the year. He’s a huge It’s tough to evaluate how Lambos is trending because he played one of defenceman with superb hands and confidence that you can’t teach. the smaller sample sizes among the better prospects in this draft due to That’s enough to get any scout really, really excited. He tries things, he the WHL’s delays and an injury, which eventually pulled him out of the usually pulls them off, and he’s more comfortable handling the puck league’s Regina hub. I liked what I saw of him at Finland’s junior level, under pressure than just about any 6-foot-4 teenaged defenceman I’ve where he was dominant, but he only played a total of 14:22 in Liiga, so ever watched not named Rasmus Dahlin. But there’s also a lot about his there’s not a lot to unravel there. Lambos was stellar for the Ice a year game that makes projecting him forward difficult, including the fact that ago and there’s a lot to like (and very little to dislike) about his game. he’s got a weak point shot and his forward skating stride can look a little He’s athletic, he’s confident on the attack, he puts himself in a lot of wonky and gangly, splaying from the knees and dragging the toe of his transition sequences, he’s sturdy in engagements, his point shot pops, boots. I love his raw tools and traits. I love his aggressiveness (not just and he’s a heady playmaker who is capable of beating the first layer of with the puck but without it, where he closes gaps quickly and steps up to pressure to make something happen. He doesn’t have any one dynamic play physically against the rush). But I worry about the results and some quality that mirrors the defencemen ranked in front of him but it’s not hard of the kinks. If he can put it all together, he’s going to be a unique to imagine him becoming a relied-upon all-situations defender. The risk, defenceman who will warrant his inevitably high pick. If he doesn’t, obviously, is that this year slows his trajectory. though, his development may run into some barriers you don’t typically expect a top prospect will face. 16. Aatu Räty — C, Kärpät, 6-foot-2 12. Jesper Wallstedt — G, Luleå HF, 6-foot-3 There’s a lot to unpack in terms of the how and why of Räty’s rollercoaster progression to this point (which I delve into in the story Wallstedt finally showed signs that he was human late in the SHL hyperlinked below). A lot of his tools are assets that should serve him season, surrendering 13 goals on the 70 shots he faced across his final well within the North American game if/when he comes over, which helps four appearances of the year (a .814 save percentage). Before that, with some of the challenges of projecting him forward today. He’s got a though, he had only ever looked like a manufactured goaltending robot, pro frame, quick hands, and a hard wrist shot (though he does tend to the kind who checked every single box. I had nitpicks about recent first- rattle a few too many of them off of the boards). His skating continues to round goalies Spencer Knight and Yaroslav Askarov that I just don’t be a focus for him as he works to build a little more agility into his power, really have about Wallstedt. The only areas where his game doesn’t get which is already decent. When he’s engaged and active, he can be an an A grade is probably in his lateral explosiveness and agility on his feet effective forechecker who wins back possession and then makes plays (which are the strengths of Askarov’s game, as well as Marc-Andre off of the wall to the interior. When he’s playing with confidence with the Fleury’s and Jonathan Quick’s). There’s power in his pushes and he’s puck, he’s also got the tools needed to create high-danger attempts for quick enough on his feet (he’s certainly not slow) but Wallstedt’s game is himself. I do worry about his decision-making, though, and there will built on the foundations of most other NHL goalies today: He fills the net, continue to be ceiling and floor questions if his trajectory doesn’t begin to he plays sharp angles, he swallows his rebounds, his movement is follow a steeper incline sooner rather than later. The parts are there, compact, and he reads a shooter and his options so well that he rarely though, and I expect a big showing at next year’s world juniors could help has to scramble. him rebuild some of the confidence he’s lost. When he’s on his game, he’s still fun to watch. 13. Fabian Lysell — LW/RW, Frölunda HC/Luleå HF, 5-foot-11 17. Matthew Coronato — LW/RW, Chicago Steel, 5-foot-10 If you were to create a highlight pack for each of the draft’s top forwards, Lysell’s would probably be the most impressive. He’s the only player who There’s no questioning Coronato’s effort level or his ability to make flairs like Johnson, and he’s not a one-trick pony, either. He can dance a something happen in the home-plate area. He’s a determined, feisty defender by pulling pucks through his wide stance and across his body to player with the small-area skill package needed to play that kind of game. beat them with a lateral cut/leap. He can dance defenders to the outside He’s also got rare spatial awareness which helps him understand where with his high-end top speed or a quick change of pace (both of which he is in relation to pressure and play off of it. And then he’s got a hard, grade out at or near the top of this draft. He’s got cuts, and stops and quick release which rattles off of the heel of his blade and great feel starts, and directional changes. His shot has started to pop more, as well. around the net. The 57 goals in 59 games (in the USHL regular season He’s also a puck thief who has impressed me with his diligence on and playoffs) are one thing. That earned him USHL Forward of the Year backpressure and his ability to jump into seams to intercept passes. I do and thrust him into the conversation as a potential front half of the first- think he can come and go in games and try to do too much, though, and I round pick. But his game is also about detail, his forechecking presence, worry that his effectiveness may wane against pros as his ability to flash and his knack for getting to the right place at the right time. He’s also and dash is diminished. There’s no question his skating will translate. He comfortable on both wings, which will serve him well up levels. comes at you in waves and his pace can catch defenders sleeping. But there are times when he can look like he’s playing a little too much on Here’s a USHL source on Coronato: “I think he’s a first-round draft pick. I instinct and I’d like him to be more inventive (he’s got plenty of creativity thought he should have been an A-rated player before. Coronato’s a when he slows down!). He’s also going to need to learn to operate a little great skater but his separating trait is his compete level and work ethic. If differently to be effective at higher levels and his production (three points you look at NHL team rosters, how many first-round draft picks are on an in 26 SHL games in 2020-21) doesn’t align with the “wow” factor of the NHL roster and aren’t even in the top-six? Now, I think he can be a top- moments. six player, but at worst he’s playing for you.” 14. Sasha Pastujov — LW, U.S. NTDP, six-feet 18. Logan Stankoven — LW/RW, Kamloops Blazers, 5-foot-8 I think Pastujov’s a little misunderstood. Some scouts see mediocre I had one source describe Stankoven as “superhuman” inside the acceleration and top speed and worry about his ceiling. I see an inventive offensive zone and when you hear that again and again in different ways playmaker who can do a lot with the puck and produced at an extremely from different people, and then you watch him fill the net on the ice, the high rate as the program’s most dangerous offensive player when Lucius size thing of him being 5-foot-8 begins to dissipate. From the top of the was out. He’s got excellent touch, regularly pulling pucks through feet faceoff circles in, Stankoven’s a threatening creator who can crack a and sticks and into space. But he also mixes in fakes and stutter-steps to game open in a split second and who is even more dangerous the closer create transition separation or go inside-out on defenders. You seldom he gets to the hashmarks. He’s got a lethal release, he’s strong on his see players who did what Pastujov did this year run into any trouble feet for his size, which helps him keep a surprising number of plays alive. becoming top college players. He can run a power play, he’s dangerous He can break down defenders in traffic, he’s a sneaky-good facilitator, around the net because of his ability in tight spaces, and he’s a superb and he plays with a ton of energy. It’s not hard to imagine him building passer through bodies who can slow the play down and dictate with his towards a career as a top-six winger in the NHL. poise or speed it up with his ability to quickly react to openings in 19. Sebastian Cossa — G, Edmonton Oil Kings, 6-foot-6 coverage. Two goalies in my first round!? I know, I know, I know, sacrilegious. For Here’s U.S. NTDP head coach Dan Muse on Pastujov: “All he does is someone who admits to being cautious about his ability to evaluate score and put up points. He’s a guy that has the great shot but he’s also goalies and rank them accordingly, and who professes to being wary got the playmaking ability. I love the fact that he wants the puck in key about the ability of NHL clubs to do the same, I’m really high on both of situations and moments in the game. Everybody will say that they want it, the goalies in this draft (though I think there’s still a chance each could be but he shows it time and time again. … And then his overall game has picked higher than where I have them slotted). I think Cossa has come a long way. If you look back over our last six-to-eight games, I can benefitted in the last two years from playing behind Oil Kings teams guarantee you’ll find a big shot block in every one of them from him. That which have done a good job in supporting him, but you don’t post a .928 says a lot about the work he has put in away from the puck. I wasn’t save percentage across 52 games spanning two seasons by accident seeing as much of that earlier in the year. He has been dedicated to and you’ve got my attention when you do it as his size. Bigger goalies making those contributions all over the ice.” often struggle with their movements and their recoveries but neither are 15. Carson Lambos — LHD, Winnipeg Ice/JYP, 6-foot-1 an issue for Cossa. His size, positioning (he does a really good job holding his outside edges to be patient on shots) and reflexes help him block and grab a lot of pucks, but it’s his ability to bounce back into his be a little suspect at times (and resulted in a brief benching during his stance or change directions with passes that separates him. otherwise impressive U18 worlds), he’s diligent without the puck and projects as a centre long-term. 20. Oskar Olausson — LW/RW, HV71, 6-foot-1 25. Isak Rosén — LW/RW, Leksands IF, 5-foot-11 Olausson’s an athletic, fast-in-straight-lines winger with hands like a much smaller player and an NHL wrist shot. He’s also a very confident Rosén’s a slippery goal-scoring winger who just looks talented in player, so he’ll go right through a defender on one sequence and burn possession. On the attack, he’s a crafty handler who sneaks through them to the perimeter on the next. He was overwhelmingly good against traffic to navigate in and out of space in control, drawing attention as he his peers when he played at the junior level this year but I was also goes. A lot of the tools he hones are also the ones required of smaller impressed with his comfort level on the attack professionally in both the players in today’s game. He’s inventive. He’s a light, fluid skater who SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan. His ability to hang onto the puck under changes directions in an instant and beats defenders off of cuts. And his pressure for a rangier player, or split through traffic to handle underneath ability as a marksman really can’t be overstated. His shot is pinpoint sticks really is impressive. accurate (both his one-timer and especially his wrister) and he makes a ton of quick adjustments before he releases the puck to catch goalies Here’s HV71’s J20 assistant coach Tom Jankovic: “His skating is out of and defenders off guard. Though his mentality is to look to attack the slot the ordinary and he’s very straight to the goal with his aggressive skating. to score, he’s also got great touch with the puck when play breaks down He’s also a sniper. The thing he needs to work on is his play without the and he has to improvise or make a play to a linemate. He’s going to have puck and his ability to use his teammates and not do everything else. … to learn to play a little differently to build towards a scoring role at pro He has a very good possibility to reach the NHL some day.” levels and there were times this season in the SHL where he looked a 21. Xavier Bourgault — C, , six-feet little overwhelmed and timid (which differs starkly from what he’s like against his peers), but if the right team is willing to be patient with him, Due to his October 2002 birthday, Bourgault has the rare advantage of the payoff could be worth it. having just completed his third QMJHL season. In the last two of those seasons, he’s had an impressive run, with a combined 53 goals and 115 26. Sean Behrens — LHD, U.S. NTDP, 5-foot-10 points in 97 regular-season and playoff games. He was Shawinigan’s Behrens was one of USA Hockey’s most consistent players from start to second-most productive player in both of those seasons behind Stars finish this season — and one of the lone bright spots at U18s when the first-round pick Mavrik Bourque. Bourgault’s game doesn’t leap off the ice program was hit by injuries and tournament COVID-19 protocols. He’s a at you but he’s dangerous in a variety of ways, with a deceptive release mobile, active-in-all-three-zones defender who can control a game with that comes off of his blade early in his shooting motion and stance to his ability to exit his own zone, navigate through the neutral zone, lead surprise goalies (off of either foot or from awkward postures, too) and entries, and then manage offensive-zone sequences with his calculated good playmaking instincts inside the offensive zone. He’s also an able aggression and quick reads. He’s also got a silky first touch and does a carrier who adjusts to pressure and plays through contact consistently great job identifying his next play before the puck has arrived on his stick. thanks in part to good core balance over a wide skating stance — a And though his ability to create time and space and then attack is the stance which can create a bit of an A-frame and limit his speed, though hallmark of his game, he’s also a sound defender for his size who is I’d still qualify him as an above-average skater. He’s also a serviceable always engaged, plays a tight gap, and rarely has bad night. I love how defensive player — though I wouldn’t say it’s a focal point of his game — fearless he is attacking with his feet off of the line because he can break who does a good job staying above pucks and working to win back down structure. possession. I like the overall package as a late first-round pick with a legitimate middle-six projection. Here’s Muse on Behrens: “Sean does a great job of taking away space. (He) hasn’t gotten the memo yet on how big he is. He plays like he just 22. Corson Ceulemans — RHD, Brooks Bandits, 6-foot-2 doesn’t know. That’s part of who he is as a player. That’s what makes There’s a lot to like about Ceulemans’ package. He’s right-handed. He’s him him. He does a great job using his feet to kill plays and he combines big, and sturdy, and athletic and he uses his heaviness to play a rugged that with great instincts. He’s able to anticipate, he’s able to be a step style against the rush and in his own zone along the wall (though he can ahead, and he’s got really good stick detail. And then he’s so quick to also settle into lackadaisical defensive posture a little too often and get transition out of it.” caught puck-watching). He’s also capable offensively, with an attacking 27. Mackie Samoskevich — RW, Chicago Steel, 5-foot-11 style which is complemented by a hard point shot (off of his snap shot and his low slap shot) and quick offensive-zone instincts through holes A year ago, after the Chicago Steel’s record-breaking 2019-20 season as they open. I do have some reservations about his game, though, was abruptly ended by the COVID-19 pandemic, the team’s general including a propensity for mistakes and turnovers and some trouble with manager, Ryan Hardy, told me Samoskevitch — who was only his team’s his gaps getting caught flatfooted. A strong performance at U18 worlds eighth-leading scorer — was his most purely-gifted player. This year, in a did help to massage some of those worries because he did a really good more prominent role, Samoskevitch’s season was marked by some highs job playing within himself while remaining aggressive, but a bet on and lows as he tried to put it all together and take over. His ability with Ceulemans is a bet on his raw pro tools. If he can put it all together, he’ll the puck and the speed with which he’s able to execute both rank among be a very good pro defenceman. the very best in this draft. His feet and hands can both keep up with one another, turning defenders on their heels (and sometimes inside out). 23. Brennan Othmann — LW, Flint Firebirds/EHC Olten, six-feet There’s a genius to his game that allows him to see plays through layers A year ago, Othmann was good in Flint (good enough to be first-team all- that others don’t, and then he’s got the finesse needed to feather saucer rookie in the OHL) without really living up to his — or most scouts’ — passes off of his forehand and backhand and execute them. I love the expectations. And this year has felt like more of the same. He played well way he moves inside the offensive zone and the high tempo he plays in Switzerland, contributing in a top-nine role in the country’s second-tier with. And while he’s not a big player, I wouldn’t categorize him as small pro league and helping to turn around a struggling team. He had his or weak, with decent strength through the base of his stride that allows moments at U18 worlds, too (including a between-the-legs goal at the him to keep sequences alive. I’d like to see him look to attack underneath crease). But for a player with his offensive gifts, he still often leaves me to the inside a little more and his numbers don’t pop as much as his skill wanting more. There’s legitimate high-end skill to his game, including level does, but he’s still a first-round talent. Samoskevich will join impressive touch with the puck, a goal scorer’s touch in the way he Michigan in the fall. masks his release with his footwork (it’s an accurate, deceptive shot Here’s Michigan head coach Mel Pearson on Samoskevitch: “He’s got more than a hard one), and heady spatial awareness inside the offensive good skating ability, really good skill, really good hockey IQ, and he zone. makes people around him better. He’s got to play with a little more Here’s a source on Othmann: “He still needs to work on his skating but sandpaper but that’ll come with time.” he has time to develop it. His hockey IQ, his vision, his skill level, his 28. Nikita Chibrikov — C/W, SKA St. Petersburg, 5-foot-10 ability to score, his ability to work with really good players in a top-six role, I think he’s the real deal there 100 percent.” Where many gifted young prospects play loose, flowing games that rely on hanging onto the puck and often playing away from pressure until the 24. Francesco Pinelli — C, /HDD Jesenice, six-feet right play opens up, Chibrikov plays a direct, more intentional game. Pinelli’s game is archetypal of the way the game is trending. He’s a slick, Against his peers, that game allows him to attack at and through creative puckhandler and facilitator who manipulates set structures to pressure, create his own chances, and drive play to the inside when he create lanes for himself, slicing pucks through and around feet and has the puck. When there isn’t the same space to attack into or the same sticks. He’s also light and airy on his blades, with skating mechanics openings in coverage against men, his game can really quiet. When he’s around quick cuts and adjustable edges more than straight-line power. engaged in the fight and keeping his feet moving, there’s a lot to like He’s an entertaining, puck-dominant east-west player who thrives when about his ability to impact a shift (both by ramping up the pace with his he gets a lot of touches. And while his decision-making with the puck can skating or slowing the game down to play a little more calculating) in a variety of ways. But I’ve also come away from some viewings feeling like he wasn’t nearly as active or present as he needed to be. He’s a bit of an times (though some of that has to do with some bad habits creeping in at enigma. A strong performance at U18 worlds definitely helped him a level that was beneath him, I think), there’s serious upside to Morrow’s solidify his stock as a first-rounder, though. game. 29. Samu Salminen — C/LW, Jokerit, 6-foot-2 Ben Umhoefer, coached Morrow at Shattuck: “There’s no doubt in my mind he’s a first-round talent. I’ve coached Jackson Lacombe, I’ve Here’s the thing about Samu Salminen: He’s got one of the best shots in coached Cam York, two of my favourite players, and from a talent the draft. Here’s the other thing about Samu Salminen: He’s an awkward, perspective Scott has more talent than both of those guys. The thing that clumsy skater through his forward pushes. Juxtaposing those things can always kind of held Scott back was his skating. His agility and mobility be difficult because the list of natural scorers at lower levels who don’t has always been exceptional but his power, he has worked extremely pan out because of skating issues is a long one. But the more I’ve hard on it.” watched Salminen, the more convinced I’ve become that with the right development he’ll be just fine. The shot is the shot. He’s going to be able 34. Joshua Roy — C, Sherbrooke Phoenix, six-feet to beat goalies with it when he gets to his spots and it gives him legitimate power-play upside. It comes off heavy (with a lot of spin) and Roy’s one of my favourites in this draft class and not for the reasons I’m he places it under the bar at a very high rate without missing the net a lot. usually fond of a player. He’s going to be available deeper into the draft But there’s more to Salminen’s game than that. He’s also a deft than he probably should be, too. There are a couple of reasons for that. stickhandler, which blends well with his length to make him an excellent One is his midseason trade from Saint John to Sherbrooke (which he puck protector, helping him get to his spots with control against reaching requested in part to be closer to family when COVID-19 restrictions defenders when the play slows down inside the offensive zone. And he’s meant that they couldn’t visit), which comes with all sorts of also a conscientious player without the puck. So not only does he win his complications in a draft. These include different scouts in the building, a fair share of board battles but he then has the tools required to take the new head coach, new linemates, and usually a different role. Another is play off of the wall to the interior. the overexposure that can follow prospects like Roy, who every Eastern Canada scout has been watching since he was 14 and working towards 30. Simon Robertsson — LW/RW, Skellefteå AIK, six-feet his No. 1 selection in the QMJHL draft. Another is his game, which doesn’t really grab you. He doesn’t play the evasive, puck-dominant style Robertsson is a play-driving, versatile winger with a standout wrist shot, that I and so many others are now drawn to. But there’s real substance to who pushes tempo through neutral ice with a compact stride. He makes his game, which I believe has several translatable pro qualities, not the a lot of smart, aggressive plays inside the offensive zone, and can least of which is his exemplary puck-protection skill. He does an excellent process the game at speed. When he gets the puck, he’s looking to take job leaning on defenders and controlling the puck in the middle of the ice it at defenders and attack the inside. But there’s also variety to his game to get to his spot and create chances. And then when he doesn’t have it, and when the play to the middle isn’t there, he has demonstrated a knack his timing and routes help him get open or pounce on rebounds to remain for being unpredictable, so there is a creative flair to his game. Recent opportunistic. He’s hard on pucks, he’s got good hands in tight and viewings (both before and into U18s) did leave me feeling like he was around the net, and he scores a lot of weak-side goals. He’s not going to missing the defining skill needed to turn a B-plus prospect you take in the find a lot of highlight reels but I like his odds at becoming a 20s-40s into the A-minus one you’d consider in the teens, though. complementary top-nine player who can drive shot attempts. He’s also a 31. Ayrton Martino — LW, Omaha Lancers, 5-foot-11 much better passer than his 23 goals to 16 assists (he finished with 39 points in 38 games) skew this year indicates, which was necessitated by Martino’s one of the oldest players on this list (born Sept. 28, 2002) but his linemates on both teams. he’s got a three-year track record of strong age-adjusted results at two different junior levels. Stylistically, he’s one of the very best problem- 35. Zachary Bolduc — C/W, Rimouski Océanic, 6-foot-1 solvers in this draft class. He never really looks like he’s in trouble After thriving on a stacked Rimouski team a year ago, where he scored because he’s constantly surveilling his options, he pivots into and out of 30 goals and won the QMJHL’s rookie of the year award, Bolduc faced traffic effortlessly, and he finds teammates on the backside of coverage completely different circumstances this year on a rebuilding Rimouski incredibly well. I watched him make dozens of small-area plays through team that won just 13 of 39 games. From an evaluation standpoint, I four or five bodies from a standstill to set up a teammate for a high- actually find it helps to see a player in both of those situations. This year, danger chance in my viewings this year. He’s not the fastest skater, nor as the team’s primary offensive creator, Bolduc had to make things the strongest player, nor the hardest shooter, but there’s a poise and happen for himself — and did so successfully. A year ago, there were understanding of spacing to his game that makes him hard for defenders more cookies but he also showcased his ability to play off of his to disrupt. I’d like to see him engage himself in the play a little more linemates as more of a give-and-go shooter than an individual creator. without the puck but it’s his ability to slip in and out of pockets of space Both of those experiences have made him a better hockey player and and make soft skill plays all over the ice (including off of his backhand) should serve him well into next season with the Québec Remparts, that will carry him. who’ve acquired him via trade. Mix in an appendectomy, which caused 32. Dylan Duke — C/LW, U.S. NTDP, 5-foot-10 him to miss a month of hockey during a pivotal development period, and there’s a lot to consider with how Bolduc’s career has played out to this Duke’s a stocky player with a nose for the net who plays bigger than his point before you even get to the skill set. As far as the skill set goes, size, stays on top of pucks when he’s being leaned on, and always though, I think Bolduc has been a little miscast as a scorer. He’s seems to be open. There are mixed opinions on how his game will confident attacking off the flank to the slot, and he gets his wrister off in a translate, though. I’ve had at least one source say they prefer Duke to hurry (though it’s not overpowering), but I think he sees the ice at an Pastujov, and another say they wouldn’t take Duke in the draft’s first two advanced level and plays with good speed as well. Without the puck, rounds due to worries about his average footspeed. I’m a big believer, he’s also a responsible, no-cheat player who understands his role within though. He plays an impressive 200-foot game, he’s tenacious, he loves a system. He has also played all three forward positions in his young to drive the crease and make plays into bodies, he regularly outmuscles career. I expect he’ll be picked in the first round. My only reservation in bigger opponents, and he’s got quick hands and a wrist shot that can ranking him there is about his ceiling, which I think tops out as a second- cleanly beat goalies from mid-range. He’s not going to be a one-and- line player if all goes well. done, or even two-and-done player in college (especially with the depth the Wolverines have, which may mean it takes him some time to get 36. Fedor Svechkov — LW/C, Lada Togliatti, six-feet opportunities atop the lineup), but I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes It has taken me some time to come to terms with Svechkov’s game. I one of the NCAA’s top forwards as an upperclassman. If he can improve don’t like his stride, which extends back through his toes, hunching him upon his acceleration, that’ll go a long way. over his feet, instead of back and out through the arches of his feet. He’s 33. Scott Morrow — RHD, Shattuck St. Mary’s, 6-foot-2 also not a particularly dynamic offensive presence. He’s not scary when he’s out there. What he is, though, is one of the most complete hockey This season, Morrow dominated the prep school circuit more than just players in the draft. He’s an excellent defensive player who has a knack about any player I’ve watched and tracked in recent years. He’s an for disrupting and lifting pucks, is always in sound position, and supports excellent transition defender who transports pucks confidently, plays the play low before he even thinks about going the other way. The latter boldly inside the offensive zone, and possesses impressive handling skill tool helps him be available for his linemates and involve through the for a defenceman. At Shattuck, he was an exit/entry machine who carved neutral zone without needing to be fast. He also does a good job creating teams up through the neutral zone with head fakes, side-steps and cuts separation with his go-to stop-up to force defenders off of him and allow (his skating really impresses on its edges, even if he’s not explosive). him to attack back into the space they’ve left behind. He has also When he’s on the ice, he wants to take over and direct play in managed to produce at a consistently high level against his peers despite possession and does so by guiding opposing players out of his way. I lacking that high-end quality that most first-round forwards possess. He’s didn’t think he looked quite like himself in his six games with the USHL’s able to do that for some of the same reasons he’s so effective without the Fargo Force but he was jumping into a new team (which already had puck: A lot of quick, smart plays and his understanding of spacing. I don’t three established top defenders) and a new league during the playoffs. want this to position him as unskilled, either, because he’s not. He’s With some fine-tuning defensively, where he can be a little wayward at plenty capable of carrying the puck and making plays in the offensive zone. In fact, against his peers, those tools can sometimes really shine. dynamic quality that says, “that’s going to carry him to the NHL,” but he He made progress in the VHL once he began playing a little less passive plays a modern, possession-driving game backed by making simple there, too. But the real strength of his game is in its details. plays consistently well in all three zones. Across the offensive-zone blue line, he’s a careful manager who uses good footwork and tracking to 37. Jack Peart — LHD, Fargo Force/Grand Rapids High, 5-foot-11 place pucks through lanes to the net for a shot or to a teammate for a Peart just looked better and better with each new viewing this season, scoring chance. Inside his own zone, he does a good job navigating vaulting from outside my preliminary list to 48th at midseason and now away from danger to start exits with little bump passes or that split 37th here. After starting the year in the USHL, he chose to leave the second of poise required for a teammate to get open for a headman. He Force to play his high school season from January through March, reads the play correctly much more often than incorrectly with and winning Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey in the process. When he returned to the without the puck. There’s some quiet deception to his game, and he’s Force at the start of April for the remainder of the regular season and into just as comfortable running the offence with the puck on his stick as he is the playoffs, it was clear that he felt like he could be more assertive, too playing deferentially to his teammates depending on the situation. I — and finished the year with 11 points in his final 13 games. He’s a wouldn’t bet against him making a strong case for himself as a second- heady transition defenceman who excels at breaking the puck out of his pairing NHLer in the prime of his career. own zone and starting the rush through neutral ice. But it’s evident that Here’s what Muse said on Hreschuk: “For me, it’s his two-way game that he also prides himself on working to be active and disruptive defensively, really stands out. He’s making contributions at both ends of the ice all of even if he’s not overtly physical (physicality should not be confused with the time. He’s a real competitor. You just watch the way he engages in work ethic!), and he does a really good job breaking up plays as a result. puck battles, 50-50 pucks. He’s a guy that as a coach when he goes into Peart excites me. It feels like he’s just scratching the surface and I can’t puck battles he’s going to give himself the edge just because of the wait to see what he looks like when he eventually develops the natural compete level he plays with. He makes a great first pass, he confidence he had in high school hockey when he starts at St. Cloud transitions the puck well, he can get up in the play, he can add to the State next season. offence, and he’s a guy that’s extremely trusted in all situations.” Here’s an anonymous USHL coach on Peart: “He is going to make 42. William Strömgren — LW, /Örnsköldsvik HF, 6-foot-3 somebody look really smart. Elite brain. One of those kids that grows on you the more you watch him. The IQ side of the game comes so naturally I’ve talked to a number of scouts who have Strömgren as a first-round to him.” talent in this draft, and I debated him as high as 27th or 28th (I think he’d probably be a reach for me in front of any of the players 26-and-up on my And here’s Peart’s former coach, Billy Hengen: “We had a saying about board) throughout this process. Though the gut instinct with a player his Peart: ‘With Peart, we win every tournament. Without Peart, sometimes height is to expect them to play a power game, Strömgren is more of a we lose a tournament.’ He’s a winner, man. He’s an incredible talent and skill type. He’ll beat you with a quick backhand-to-forehand cut into a he’s got that Northern Minnesota ‘not-going-to-get-beat’ mentality.” scoring chance, but he doesn’t play a power/physical game and he still 38. Zach Dean — C, , six-feet has some room on his frame to get a little stronger so that he can play a more forceful style. He’s very comfortable with the puck on his stick for a It’s impossible to dislike the way Dean plays hockey. He works his tail off, player his size, which helps him carry the puck over the line and make he’s always applying pressure without the puck defensively, he’s always plays in transition with his decent speed. After dominating the junior level, in motion with or without the puck offensively, he plays on the inside of he didn’t look out of place in Sweden’s second or third-tier pro levels this the ice, and he can be trusted in all situations. That’s his foundation. year either. I don’t think he’s ever going to be the primary driver on an Then on top of that, he’s got fast hands, he’s one of the better puck NHL line, which kept him out of a first-round ranking, but he’s got a transporters through the neutral zone in the draft, he’s a fluid skater, and chance to be a complementary scorer and I’ve been impressed by his he likes to drive a line. I’m not sure how high his ceiling is but he makes ability to find teammates through layers as a passer. things happen and there are a lot of people in the sport who think he’s going to be a good NHLer. 43. Ville Koivunen — RW/LW, Kärpät, 5-foot-11 39. Samu Tuomaala — RW/LW, Kärpät, 5-foot-10 Koivunen is a delight to watch with the puck on his stick. He’s a crafty problem-solver whose game tilts towards offence (he’s got work to do to I really don’t love using comparables but Tuomaala gives me Eeli become a more reliable player defensively). He can manufacture offence Tolvanen vibes, for good and bad reasons. I was too high on Tolvanen in in a lot of ways off of the perimeter, whether that’s playing pucks into his draft year and beyond and I’ve tried to re-evaluate why ever since. space with the perfect weight or baiting defenders into reaches so that he They’re different players, but Tuomaala, like Tolvanen, is a 5-foot-10 can cut past them. He’s going to need to get stronger to carve the ice up shooter who doesn’t score as much as he should. Both are players the same way at pro levels as he does in his age group but his June blessed with natural gifts who’ve always seemed to produce at rates birthday suggests he’ll be able to play catch-up in the gym and the three- lower than they ought to. He’s a better skater than Tolvanen was at the year contract he recently signed with Kärpät will give him the time he same age, which should help him run into fewer obstacles as he needs to do that. progresses up levels, but Tolvanen was also more dynamic with the puck. Tuomaala’s a plus-level skater who has good hands and a 44. Anton Olsson — LHD, Malmö Redhawks, six-feet dangerous mid-range shot that allows him to score some pretty goals, Olsson has taken a bit of an advanced path to this point in his career but there are times when I think he forces his looks and takes too many relative to most of the other Swedish draft eligibles considered here. He low-percentage shots from the outside. When he plays an up-tempo, played 41 games in the SHL this season and after playing limited energizing game, he’s very effective. His skill makes him a lot of fun to minutes through the first two-thirds of those games, he never played less watch when he’s surrounded by talented players, too (as was the case at than 10:31 in his final 12 games of the regular season (which included U18s). But I do have concerns about his ability to make things happen eight games over 15 minutes and two over 19) plus two playoff games. himself and his processing power (ie. his choices with the puck under Though he started U18 worlds on Sweden’s top pairing and top power- duress). play unit, he didn’t meet my expectations. I like the way he transitions 40. Zachary L’Heureux — LW, , 5-foot-11 pucks through neutral ice with his feet (he’s quite comfortable with the puck moving in all four directions). He does a good job beating the first L’Heureux’s a lot to handle. He’s difficult to knock off balance. When he layer of pressure off of the point to walk into more dangerous spots, as leans into his shot (which he does often), it whips off of his stick. When well. And he’s a tactical player on zone exits who does a beautiful job he’s ramped up and engaged, he’s a pesky, physical, powerful winger starting rushes with small, little escapes and a lot of plays off of his who can barrel at, or through, opponents to the middle-third of the ice. He backhand. I wouldn’t call him a threatening offensive player but he reads can really impose himself on the game. But I’ve also seen him play the sheet in front of him effectively and he does a good job walking the games where he has a negative impact on play. I’ve been warned by two line to lace shots through. Defensively, he handles himself well in sources about his attitude — he was suspended this year for spitting on engagements, doesn’t back down physically (though he doesn’t look for it an opponent — and he’s got a short temper that puts him in the penalty per se either), and plays a sound positional game inside his own zone. I box too much for my liking. He’s going to need to learn to play within thought he struggled with the rush a little at worlds but that hasn’t been a himself and stay on the right side of a fine line. And while he possesses a common feeling I’ve had. lot of the tools teams look for in “hard to play against” middle-six scorers with skill, buyer beware. He’s going to be picked higher than this but I 45. Tristan Broz — LW, Fargo Force, six-feet can’t seem to wrap my head around some of his actions. Broz is an October 2002 and his production in the USHL (62 points in 63 41. Aidan Hreschuk — LHD, U.S. NTDP, 5-foot-11 games) is good without being particularly impressive in that context. He was Fargo’s most consistent forward this year, though, and led the team Hreschuk’s disappointing showing at U18 worlds left a bit of a sour taste in scoring rate (0.98 points per game compared to gifted Sabres prospect in my mouth (it was really the first run of play in two years where he has Aaron Huglen’s 0.90). I thought he was excellent in the USHL playoffs, struggled) but he’s still a kid I’m higher on than most. He lacks that one where he drew a lot of attention, didn’t shy away from it, and made a lot happen when he was on the ice. He’s more than comfortable with the and is comfortable enough with the puck at the offensive-zone blue line physical side of the game in contested areas but there are times when he that the Russians have used him on power-play units when he has can play too passively defensively (he can factor in in a variety of ways played with his age group (though that’s not saying a lot given the state when he keeps his feet moving). Offensively, he’s a patient creator who of the 2002 and 2003 birth years of Russian defencemen). I do find that utilizes space extremely well, finds openings, and understands how to his long stick can hinder him at the point, where his wrist shots come off pull defenders in so that he can make a play through them into the gaps of his stick softly because of a high grip and a stilted posture, but he’s in coverage they’ve left behind. He can drift to the perimeter in control a decently mobile side-to-side, he gets his shots through consistently, and little too much but he works so well cross-ice from there that he’s able to he takes away a lot of space inside his own zone as well as defending put a lot of pucks through to the backdoor. I like his one-timer from the the rush (though I have seen speedier players burn him wide and his flank on the power play as well (he’s a better goal scorer than his 22 pivots still need some work). While I understand the appeal of a long goals this season indicate). I don’t think there’s star power to his game defenceman who possesses a mature defensive game and isn’t devoid but there’s no question he’s gifted with the puck. of talent, and he’ll definitely be gone before the 47th pick, I don’t think there’s quite enough skill to the package to warrant a first-round 46. Aleksandr Kisakov — LW, MHK Dynamo Moskva, 5-foot-10 selection. Kisakov has this spin move that he uses one-on-one with defenders on 50. Kirill Kirsanov — LHD, SKA St. Petersburg, 6-foot-1 the perimeter that is somewhere between a cut-back and a pirouette that he has absolutely mastered as a way to create separation for himself. He Kirsanov was one of the lone bright spots on a Russian blue line that is one of the more fun players to watch in the draft because he’s never couldn’t move the puck at the world juniors and I really liked what I saw actually in trouble with the puck on his stick, and regularly pulls and out of him at all three of his domestic levels this year. He transports the drags it through feet to beat the same defender twice (which will get puck really efficiently, using his feet to lead zone exits and walk the harder against better defenders but is a sure sign of skill and comfort). offensive-zone blue line. His lateral agility is particularly impressive, He’s also got a silky-smooth first touch, which helps him catch and weaving past pressure with ease through little mid-stride sidesteps and release pucks quickly (to shoot or give it back). His ability to change fakes (despite the fact that he’s a pretty heavyset player at 198 pounds directions, adjust on his edges in control to hang onto the puck under already). He was nearly eligible for last year’s draft and his production pressure, and flurry around the offensive zone to wreak havoc make him doesn’t really pop, but he’s more of an A-to-B guy who plays a low-fuss a first-round talent. My concern is with his size. He’s now listed at 150 defensive game and makes a lot of the small plays that don’t necessarily pounds by NHL Central Scouting and he’s a November 2002 so he’s on lead to points from the back end. He did not look out of place whatsoever the older side of this draft class. Even as the NHL game changes, it’s on one of the giants of European hockey this season, even in games very hard for players as small as Kisakov to break through and impact where he was tasked to play 20-plus minutes for SKA (which he did five play the same way they tend to at lower levels. Florida’s Aleski times in 35 appearances with the top club, including once in the playoffs). Heponiemi has found that out the hard way. There’s a boom or bust He’s just a good hockey player who is aware at all times of where his element to a Kisakov selection as a result. He’s magic out there, though. linemates are and does an excellent job diffusing pressure to play the puck to safety. 47. Olen Zellweger — LHD, Everett Silvertips, 5-foot-9 51. Conner Roulette — LW, Seattle Thunderbirds/Selkirk Steelers, 5- Zellweger had quite the coming-out party this year both in the WHL and foot-11 U18 worlds, where he was one of the tournament’s most noticeable defenders game-to-game. He’s an effortless four-way skater who uses There’s a cleverness to Roulette’s game that has always drawn me to his feet to be in constant motion with and without the puck offensively, as him whenever he’s on the ice. He’s one of the better passers in the draft, well as to swallow up carriers in the neutral zone with tight gaps, virtually with a sixth sense for finding teammates in positions to score. But he’s gluing himself to the hips of opposing players. He’s on the smaller side also a confident neutral-zone puck carrier who can lead transitions and for a defenceman and he’s not a natural finisher or individual creator so then create upon entry for himself and make a play around the home- much as he’s a roving distributor, but he’s also less than a week away plate area to score by sliding into a pocket, or attacking into traffic to pick from being eligible for the 2022 draft and he has followed one of the his spot in the net and deliver his shot with precision accuracy. And steeper progressions in the draft as is. The runway he has, with the rate though he’s not some kind of defensive specialist or offensive dynamo, I with which he’s improving, is really exciting and makes him worth a swing really like his game away from the puck — he keeps his feet moving to in the first two rounds. He’s tremendous on his edges, he’s an escape maintain a high work rate — and he’s got NHL hands and touch. I expect artist, and I love his approach. him to break out in the WHL next season as one of the league’s best forwards. Here’s Team Canada U18 head coach Dave Barr on Zellweger: “You do not have to ask him to skate. It’s a lot easier to pull reins on a horse than 52. Dmitri Kostenko — RHD, Lada Togliatti, 6-foot-1 to kick them in the ass all the time. He’s a very active player. And he’s willing to block shots and take hits to make plays. He can think the game Kostenko turned me into a huge fan of his game a year ago, so much so fast and he can also play the game fast. He’s got good hands. He’s got that when this season started I considered ranking him in the first round. great feet. He’s an Energizer Bunny out there. And he’ll go into the tough And though he continued to progress nicely this year, I wouldn’t say he areas and take hits to make plays. He’s got that uncanny ability to get the took a huge step forward considering his September 2002 birthday. He job done.” was a good VHL defenceman this year and a dominant all-situations one when he played in the MHL, dictating play in all three zones and really 48. Stanislav Svozil — LHD, HC Kometa Brno, 6-foot-1 breaking teams down off of the point inside the offensive zone with his ability to open up structure and facilitate east-to-west. He also grew an I have mixed feelings about Svozil, who helped his stock at U20s only to inch and added nearly 20 pounds in the last year which filled out his disappoint me at U18s (with stagnant progression domestically in the frame and helped him in engagements defensively. He’s got power-play Czech Republic in between). When he attacks and plays with confidence, upside and a polished defensive game. There’s really nothing about he can look like an entry machine who dictates play when he’s on the ice. where he’s at that worries me. Now it’s just about seeing him in KHL I really enjoy watching him play when he’s activating to join the rush into action, which he’ll get next season after signing with Spartak. the high slot and looking to involve himself in the offensive zone. He’s got good hands and mobility, particularly moving forward (I think he can 53. Brett Harrison — C, /KOOVEE, 6-foot-2 struggle with his gaps at times when he’s on his heels). But there have been too many times where I’ve watched him play and he has looked like Harrison was among the OHLers to go abroad to play this season and he he’s either forcing the issue or he’s sitting back much too much. And managed to get into eight games in Finland (seven at the junior level and when a player’s games exist at those two polar ends of the spectrum all one in the second-tier Mestis). He looked dangerous at the junior level, the time, it’s a sign to me that he doesn’t yet know who he is or how he generating four shot attempts per game and routinely getting underneath can be most effective. That worries me for a kid who may be selected in defenders to drop a shoulder and drive the net. He’s got a multi- the first round. There are some tools to like there and he’s got a pro dimensional shot, with the ability to score with his one-timer, lean into a frame to grow into but I’m just not convinced his defensive game or his slap shot, generate power off of his backhand (goalies struggle to control offensive game are strong enough to become more than a third-pairing rebounds from his backhand because it comes off with a lot of spin), rip guy. the curl-and-drag, or use his frame to lean into his snap shot. He’s also got feel around the net and does a good job getting to the centre of the 49. Daniil Chayka — LHD, CSKA/Zvezda/Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, 6- ice to tip and redirect pucks. His stride can look choppy and occasionally foot-3 breaks down, but he generates decent power, does a good job keeping his feet moving, and makes it hard for defenders to take back possession I was impressed by Chayka in several viewings this year in the MHL, with his ability to protect the puck out wide to his body. KHL and at the Karjala Cup, but I also watched him play some ugly games in the VHL and at the world juniors, where he struggled early on 54. Prokhor Poltapov — RW/LW, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, six-feet with the big role he was given and was eventually scratched. He’s a long defender whose active stick breaks up a lot of plays in the neutral zone Poltapov plays a tenacious, driven style that complements a decent skill package. He can take the play at the opposition and attack the slot and was the driver and leading scorer on his MHL team this year and looked for percentage) with him on the ice at evens while being outscored 52-88 good at U18s. He plays fast (he’s a strong, balanced skater and he (37.1 goals-for percentage) with him off the ice at evens. Those are makes decisions quickly), works hard off the puck to get open and apply pretty stunning results. There’s restraint to Johnson’s game where he pressure defensively, thrives in the guts of the ice and has enough skill to doesn’t attempt to force plays or try to do too much, so you won’t often get to the net and fight through traffic with control to score around the see him try to take over on his own or make a “pull-you-out-of-your seat” home-plate area. He can also involve his linemates and is the kind of play but he’s comfortable with the puck on his stick and he’s elusive and player who is always in the mix and making something happen when he’s poised under pressure. Sound footwork helps him get out of trouble and on the ice. But his skill doesn’t “wow” me and I’ve often told people that I advance play in the right direction, and I like his stick detail defensively a usually come away from watching him play thinking “he’s good, but?” I lot. Once he gets a little more assertive and builds some power into his like his odds at becoming a contributing pro forward, though. game, there should be another level for him to reach in college at North Dakota. 55. Wyatt Johnston — C/RW, Windsor Spitfires, 6-foot-1 Here’s Sioux Falls assistant coach Brett Skinner on Johnson: “I believe in Johnston’s a talented, versatile, Jack-of-all-trades-type who is always on him as a pro player and I believe he fits into what NHL teams are trying the right side of the puck, moulds his game to his linemates, excels in the to do now in terms of playing fast. As a defenceman now, you can’t just faceoff circle, and plays with pace. He didn’t play this year other than be a defensive defenceman, you can’t just be an offensive defenceman, U18s but I’ve had multiple people around the OHL reach out to me and he kind of fits that mould with the way the game is going and should unprompted to pump his tires and tell me to keep an eye on him moving be going.” forward. There were people in Windsor who thought he was their best player some nights late last season and they were excited to see him 60. Justin Robidas — C/W, Val-d’Or Foreurs, 5-foot-8 take a step this year. He’s not going to break a defender’s ankles one-on- one but he’s a diligent, up-tempo player with a well-rounded offensive Robidas is a little guy with sneaky strength who does a little bit of toolbox and a standout two-way game. everything. On the puck, he’s got the soft hands and playmaking acumen you’d hope for out of a diminutive player plus the mid-range wrister you One OHL scout told me this: “He’s filled out a little from all I’ve seen and don’t always expect. Off of it, he knows the value of playing without the heard and I think his goal-scoring/passing skills set him up to project at puck and makes sure he’s not a liability with his positioning, activity, and least as a solid middle-six forward.” reads. He has turned a lot of people in the scouting community and the QMJHL into believers with the honesty of his high-skill game. Here’s Barr on Johnston: “He’s always a guy that I don’t have any problem putting on the ice in any situation. I know he can distribute pucks 61. Ryan Winterton — RW, Hamilton Bulldogs, 6-foot-2 and I know he can play defence. He knows how to work down low in the defensive zone and he’s a good draw guy. He’s a guy who just doesn’t Winterton’s another name I’ve had people in OHL circles tell me not to make very many mistakes.” sleep on despite his lack of games outside of U18 worlds. He’s a straight lines player who boasts a strong north-south stride, a dangerous release 56. Riley Kidney — C, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 5-foot-11 in motion, a strong give-and-go game, and instincts around the offensive zone that help him pounce on rebounds and time his routes in and out of One of the biggest risers of this draft class, Kidney got better as the year space to get open. He’s also a superb defensive player who stays above went on and into a sensational playoffs where he registered 17 points in the puck when he needs to, tracks the play at a high level, and regularly nine games while shooting just 7.7 percent (two goals on 26 shots). takes back possession with lifts and steals. Kidney’s a fabulous pass-first playmaking pivot who breezes around the ice and thrives with the puck on his stick, picking teams apart with delays 62. Aleksi Heimosalmi — RHD, Ässät, 5-foot-11 and just the right amount of patience. He’ll need to get stronger to finish more of those chances he does such a good job of creating for himself Footwork, pivots, inside edges, and standout overall four-way mobility and build in more of a scoring element to his game but his are the name of Heimosalmi’s game. He’s the kind of player who’s more underdeveloped physique doesn’t prevent him from being disruptive and likely to carry than pass if there’s open space available to him. He works involved without the puck. He does a wonderful job transitioning play up the blue line effortlessly, navigating across and off of it to change looks, ice so that he can spend his shifts on the offensive half. put opposing teams into scrambles, and open up his options. His ability to make opposing players behave like he wants them to really stands out 57. Ryder Korczak — C, Moose Jaw Warriors, 5-foot-11 and allows him to escape pressure, create entries, and then manage play inside the offensive zone. His skating also helps him play a stick-on- Korczak is a hardworking puck transporter and distributor who leads his puck, disruptive style defensively. Though Heimosalmi’s not the biggest linemates into the offensive zone and then gives them the puck in their or the most powerful defender, there are increasingly a lot of NHL wheelhouse with perfect timing and weight. Though he’s a first-year defencemen that look like him. eligible player, he’s also got parts of four seasons in the WHL under his belt. In the last two years with a rebuilding Moose Jaw program, he has 63. Tyler Boucher — RW, U.S. NTDP, 6-foot-1 racked up 83 points (21 goals and an impressive 62 assists) in 79 games. He plays a fast, on-the-puck game, is capable of running a power A knee injury suffered in January ended Boucher’s already-shortened play, and thrives under pressure inside the offensive zone at making slick season early, but the BU commit was having a strong start to the year small-area plays through layers. I’d like to see him score more given his when he got hurt and his absence was felt at the program. Boucher’s a talent level but that’s just not really his style. He’ll have to build some physical, heavy forward who takes space and plays kind of a modern, more strength to take that next step too. hybrid skill and power game. He finishes his checks, he goes to the net, and he’s a lot to handle off the cycle when he wants to muscle his way to 58. Liam Dower Nilsson — C, Frölunda HC/Hanhals IF, six-feet the front of the net, but he can also go backhand to forehand to put a hard shot post-and-in off the rush. When he’s at his best, he’s an After a solid year in Sweden, Dower Nilsson wore the “C” for the national imposing presence who can be the puck retrieval guy for skilled team at U18s and I found myself wondering whether he was trying to do linemates. too much in the role. He didn’t impress me in his final showings before the draft at the tournament, often chasing hits or attempting plays that 64. Jack Bar — RHD, Chicago Steel, 6-foot-3 weren’t there. There are a lot of pro qualities in Dower Nilsson’s game worth liking when he plays within himself, though. He’s hard on pucks, he The first time I saw Bar play was four years ago with the York Simcoe forechecks diligently to apply pressure, force turnovers and jump into Express while I was working on a story on a young Quinton Byfield. Back gaps to intercept pucks. And then when he has the puck, his ability to then, he was a talked-about top minor hockey player in the province who quickly identify targets and correctly read the offensive zone is normally a towered over his peers and actively joined the rush. In the two years strength of his game. I do worry because his skill isn’t particularly since, after he decided against playing in the OHL in favour of a dynamic that he ends up on a role-player trajectory. commitment to play for Harvard, I made the trip from Toronto to my hometown of Aurora to watch him a few more times with St. Andrew’s 59. Brent Johnson — RHD, Sioux Falls Stampede, 5-foot-11 College, where he emerged as a top defenceman on the prep school circuit. This year, he was meant to play in the BCHL with the Penticton Johnson was a superb even-strength defender in the USHL this year, Vees before he eventually joined the Chicago Steel in the USHL. With driving results in all areas and visibly impacting the game in all three the Steel, he was asked to play a bit of a different role than he was used zones as a first-year player who logged big minutes. His 0.40 primary to but he handled it well. Bar’s boots can look a little heavy out there but points per game ranked third among all USHL defencemen behind only he’s actually an impressive skater for his size who is willing and eager to 20-year-old Bruins 2020 second-round pick and defenceman of the year join the rush when his leash allows and can really shoot the puck. His winner Mason Lohrei and 20-year-old Ducks 2019 fourth-round pick size (which he uses to play a stout style defensively), handedness and Henry Thrun, who was a standout defenceman at Harvard a year ago overall talent level are definite draws for NHL clubs, even if he’s a bit of a and was playing in the USHL because the Ivy League schools put their project. He’s not the most aware player out there but the raw package is programs on pause. Johnson was also a hugely effective defensive there and he can make the available play in all three zones. player with the Stampede, outscoring the opposition 64-44 (59.3 goals- 65. Olivier Nadeau — RW, Shawinigan Cataractes, 6-foot-2 release off of either foot as well). There are times when I think he can tunnel-vision and try to do too much, but that tunnel-visioning normally Nadeau’s a big, strong, puck-protection winger who controls the puck happens while trying to make a play to the interior instead of drifting to well, understands how to use his linemates, and has surprising finesse to the outside, so it’s a lot easier to live with. Add in quick acceleration and his game. I like the way he works from the outside in, whether that’s a buzzing approach that keeps his feet constantly in motion and he’s a taking the puck off the wall to the inside or waiting for a seam to open so very likable player. that he can make a play through the centre of the ice from the perimeter. His acceleration from a standstill needs some work if he’s going to win 70. Isaac Belliveau — LHD, Gatineau Olympiques, 6-foot-2 the 10-foot races that are so common at the pro level and create like he did this year in junior, but he’s a better prospect than his NHL Central Belliveau was a top player in a top minor hockey program with Magog Scouting ranking (101st among North American skaters). while growing up, appearing in two Telus Cups (the national midget championship) and starring in the second of them after leading Magog to 66. Cole Huckins — C/LW, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 6-foot-3 Quebec’s midget AAA crown in 2019. He followed up that run, which included 15 points in 15 playoff games and seven more points in seven Huckins is a versatile forward who has had success playing both centre games at the Telus Cup, with a QMJHL All-Rookie Team season in and wing in the QMJHL through two seasons. He’s an aggressive 2019-20. That year, he finished second among all QMJHL defencemen in forechecker who extends through his pushes to elongate his stride and points with 53 in 62 games. This year, though, after struggling out of the push up ice. Moving forward, he’s an above-average skater for his size, gate with a Rimouski team that was a shell of what it was a year ago, he though, that can break down when he has to change directions or stop was dealt to Gatineau and continued through some highs (a five-game and start. He finishes his checks, stays on top of opposing players to point streak to finish the regular season) and lows (a four-game first- apply pressure and force board battles, and then excels at taking round sweep to the Armada where he struggled). Belliveau’s got a pro possession from the wall and making a play, primarily as a passer. I frame alongside above-average overall skill. He sees through pressure would have liked to have seen him produce a little more consistently this well when he looks to move the puck, and makes sound, calculated season, given all of the attributes he has and his ability to overwhelm his choices in distribution. His backward skating and reads off of the puck peers when he’s feeling himself, but Huckins has definite pro attributes to can get him into trouble defending the rush, though, and his forward build upon. He’s a dexterous player for his size too, regularly catching acceleration (he moves well laterally) limited his ability to impact a game tough passes and getting his stick onto point shots (which he needs to do offensively like he should have this year when he didn’t have the toys of because he’s not a natural finisher from distance). last year’s Rimouski team. 67. Chase Stillman — RW, Sudbury Wolves/Esbjerg U20, 6-foot-1 71. Peter Reynolds — C, , 5-foot-10 After a good rookie season playing for a Wolves team that was coached Reynolds has taken an unconventional path to this point. After attending by his dad a year ago, I was looking forward to tracking Stillman’s Shattuck St. Mary’s and committing to Boston College, he played his progression in the OHL without his dad at the helm this year to see if he 2019-2020 season for the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs, posting 47 points in could take a step offensively and build upon his strong foundation of pro 53 games as the team’s second-leading scorer at ages 16 and 17. But tools. When the OHL didn’t return, he went one of the more then the Sea Dogs selected him No. 21 (he would have been a top-five unconventional routes and played junior hockey in Denmark, a level pick had he not had the commitment hanging over him) in the 2019 which is virtually impossible to evaluate. After posting two points per QMJHL draft. Then when the pandemic shrouded over the college game in a short stint in a league that didn’t have a single other hockey schedule, he opted to forgo his commitment and play in Saint noteworthy prospect, I did think Stillman was really effective in his role for John, closer to his family (he was born an hour away in Fredericton). As Canada at U18s, though. He was physical on the forecheck, he was a rookie in the league in his draft year, he became one of the team’s top always in the mix and my only real complaint was that he was too forwards (alongside Brady Burns, Vladislav Kotkov, and Ryan Francis, deferential with the puck (he’s got great hands and could hang onto it particularly after the team traded fellow 2021 prospect Joshua Roy), more than he does). I still want to watch him more to come to a firmer scoring 12 points in his final eight games of the regular season and 31 in determination on his skill level but he does a lot of things well and he 33 on the year. I like his ability to absorb pressure, quickly decide plays an endearing style. whether to play through or away from it, and then maneuver out of 68. Dmitry Kuzmin — LHD, Dinamo-Molodechno, 5-foot-9 trouble with whichever decision he has made with his skill in control. That’s an ability that is hard to identify but definitely present in his game Kuzmin, who has been developed entirely in Belarus and played 52 and it helps him get to scoring spots to create chances for himself or hit games in its Extraleague A (the country’s top pro league is divided into A his teammates with a pass into them. A little more strength and pace will and B tiers), has been a focus of mine of late. I’ve now watched him play go a long way, if he can develop them. five full games at the top pro level as well as all six games he played with the U18 team (five in tournament and one exhibition), totalling 11 72. Evan Nause — LHD, Québec Remparts, 6-foot-2 viewings and 231:44 in ice time (or 22:16 per game with the national Nause prompts different opinions from whoever you ask. He’s an athletic, team and 19:38 with his club team, Molodechno). The conclusion I came pro-framed defenceman with impressive balance, strong control of his to: Even in a league that’s difficult to evaluate, it’s hard not to be forward and backward pushes, and an ability to quickly read what’s in impressed by the way Kuzmin handled himself as a 17-year-old for the front of him that allows him to consistently hit teammates in stride with entire year. He played the left and right sides. He played on the power little bump plays or headmans. He’s also mobile moving across the line, play and the penalty kill. When the season was on the line, he was sent aggressively crossing over or opening up to create lanes or pull opposing over the boards in the final minute to make something happen (I players away from his linemates. But there’s also some panic to his documented a bunch of tape from his final playoff game here). Kuzmin game where when there isn’t a play that’s immediately available after plays with rare confidence with the puck on his stick. When pressure he’s stepped past a first layer, he can struggle to identify other options comes, he’s looking at ways he can step around it instead of ways he and try to force something or throw the puck away. And while I think he’s can get rid of it. There are times when this puts him into tough spots and capable of becoming a trustworthy defensive defenceman who has a he tries one too many moves to beat the second layer of pressure that good package of tools going the other way, his game without the puck follows, but he’s got the side-to-side mobility (he’s really agile on his still needs some tightening up (both defending the rush, where he can be edges without being explosive moving forward), the inventiveness and a little lackadaisical) and within his own zone (where he can get caught the hands to problem-solve and attack through traffic. I’m also fond of the puck-watching). There’s two-way upside there and enough pro pieces way he plays his gaps, which includes tight spacing and constant stick- that a team’s going to take him inside the first two rounds, but he makes to-stick disruption. His lacrosse goal at U18s is fun to talk about, but it’s mistakes often enough that I’m a little worried about how he’s going to the fearlessness that goes into that play (and all of the others he tries) process the game at higher tempos. And though he’s comfortable with that will carry him at his height with his skill level. The Flint Firebirds have the puck on his stick (particularly out wide to his body going side to side), his CHL rights, so here’s hoping we can see him shake his way around he seems to bobble it his fair share when pucks end up in his feet. Some the ice in a better context next year. of those concerns kept him from the early 50s on my board, which is as 69. Oliver Kapanen — C, JoKP/KalPa, six-feet high as I considered ranking him, but he’d be a fine pick in that range. Kapanen, who won’t turn 18 until a week after the draft, had an excellent 73. Jeremy Wilmer — C/LW, U.S. NTDP, 5-foot-6 draft year for a 17-year-old at Finland’s junior level and in five games at Yes, that’s actually his listed height according to NHL Central Scouting. the second-tier Mestis. Though he finished U18s scoreless in four There’s risk involved in taking Wilmer, a BU commit who was the U.S. games, he got lucky to avoid a serious injury after he was stretchered off NTDP’s third-most productive player (0.97 points per game) this season the ice following an awkward collision into the boards in Finland’s opener. behind Pastujov (1.59) and Duke (0.98). The thing about Wilmer is that I Kapanen’s a highly-involved, gifted individual creator who executes never felt like he played his size this year. He is 5-foot-6 but he never difficult escapes under pressure, knifes through holes with his ability to looked it, even in games against NCAA opponents. He plays bigger than burst across his outside edges, and always seems to be around the net he is, he doesn’t shy away from contact, and he’s one of the younger to finish off plays (though he can score from mid-range with a quick players in the draft (August 16, 2003 birthday) but he also plays a very mature, conscientious game. He’s a playmaker who knifes in and out of hands and a hard shot (though I also think he could work on getting it off traffic, slides behind coverage, spins off of checks along the cycle, and a little quicker and mixing in some more variety to his shooting sees the ice beautifully, regularly making soft-area plays under pressure stance/footwork). that his teammates can’t. He’s a project and a long shot, but so are most of the other players in this range and I wouldn’t hesitate taking him late in 78. Jackson Blake — RW, Chicago Steel/Eden Prairie High, 5-foot-10 the draft. Give him four years in college to develop into a dominant player As one source aptly summed up Blake’s game: “He works his ass off.” there and you might have something when it’s over. Blake has tormented the Minnesota high school circuit with his energy- Here’s Muse on Wilmer: “Jeremy’s a guy who is really quick. He’s got skill package and fit in nicely to what the Steel were doing this year really good vision on the ice, really good feel for the guys who are around because of it. He’s got an underdeveloped build, so getting stronger will him. He’s a guy who uses his quickness when his team has the puck but be a big part of his progression, and he still doesn’t have a ton of he can also use that quickness when he doesn’t have the puck to be able experience at high levels, but he’s also a long-term project with an to strip guys and be able to keep pucks alive. A lot of offence that he has August 2003 birthday who will have plenty of time to develop at the created has come in quick-transition situations and that’s what makes University of North Dakota. I love his approach, which looks to attack the him him. He stays on pucks even though he’s not the biggest guy. That’s inside and make plays. There’s no backing down to his game, even as a his version of compete, to be able to stay in battles and combine smaller player, and I’ve seen him make difficult plays out of nothing with outworking a guy and out-quicking a guy on those 50-50 pucks so that he the puck on his stick. There’s a lot of runway for him to turn into can then quickly transition into offence.” something really interesting. 74. Samuel Helenius — C/LW, JYP, 6-foot-6 79. Connor Lockhart — C/W, Erie Otters, 5-foot-9 There are things about Helenius’ game that you expect out of a player as As mentioned off the top, Lockhart didn’t play organized hockey this big as he is. There’s the negative: Lots of arm movement and a torso that season so I’m not going to pretend like I have a ton of relevant present bounces aggressively through his stride plus boots that can stomp info to provide you, or like his past play last year was meaningful (16- through his recoveries. And there’s the positive: Good puck-control skill, year-old seasons in the CHL are very much transitional years). So what a hard shot. Then there are the things you don’t usually expect, including follows is more stylistic than projection. Lockhart was a top name in the chief among them — good hesitation and hands for a player his size. I’ve Eastern Ontario hockey scene growing up and the Otters had big seen him make a lot of delay plays I didn’t expect him to. He’s also a expectations for him coming back. He’s an A-level stickhandler, and coach’s favourite who is by all accounts a good teammate, a leader, and nobody who’s ever watched him play has any concern about his some coaches feel they can trust him to win battles and play reliably playmaking or his effort. The question with Lockhart has always been defensively. But just as the odds are long for a player as small as Wilmer, about his size and the role it plays in his ability to get to the inside so that the same is true for players as big as Helenius. There aren’t many NHL he can use his skill to score instead of ending up on the perimeter as a forwards who look like him and they’re usually depth players. So he’s up playmaker. This is the point in the ranking where I felt like the talent level against it. But there’s enough skill there to make him worth a mid-to-late of the prospects I was surer about dropped off enough that I’d take a round gamble. gamble on a player like Lockhart, whose talent level shines more than the players that follow. 75. Matthew Knies — LW, Tri-City Storm, 6-foot-3 80. Ty Voit — LW/RW, Sarnia Sting, 5-foot-9 After an excellent rookie season in the USHL a year ago thrust Knies into the top-50 conversation at the start of the year, he had a good follow-up Voit’s in the same boat as Lockhart as a similarly-composed player who season as one of Tri-City’s best players (he followed up a 45 points in 44 also didn’t get into action this year, only with a little more cleverness and games season with 46 points in 47 games) this year but left some scouts a little less willingness to go to the dirty areas. Loved what I saw of his wanting a little more out of his progression. Knies, who is on the older sense and feel out there. I don’t like using either of those words (sense side of this draft class (Oct. 17, 2002 birthday), plays an honest pro-style and feel) in evaluation because they’re ambiguous, but he’s just got this game with a lot of B and B-plus tools to fall back on. He’s going to be a cerebral nature to him that allows him to softly move around the ice, good college player at the University of Minnesota right away and I making plays. wouldn’t bet against him becoming a good pro one (even if that tops out 81. Trevor Wong — C/LW, Kelowna Rockets, 5-foot-8 as more of a complementary piece than a driver), either. He’s comfortable in control, he’s got great touch and underrated goal-scoring Wong’s another player, like Lockhart, who was nightmare fuel on the instincts around the net. He’s always working to keep himself in the play minor hockey circuit (I’ve been hearing his name for years). Only he got off of the puck, and he understands how to play off of crowds to facilitate. to play this year and actually show that he could take steps towards getting to that level in junior, posting 16 points in as many games as 76. Ryan Ufko — RHD, Chicago Steel, 5-foot-10 Kelowna’s leading scorer in their shortened season in the WHL. Wong’s Don’t let the height fool you, Ufko plays bigger than he looks, with a a dexterous player who always seems to re-find the puck when it’s briefly sturdy frame and a willingness to play the body or engage in bumped off of him or sticks crowd in. He also plays hard, flies around the bumps/physical engagements (an element that wasn’t a big feature in the sheet, and loves to be in the fight in the guts of the ice. The talent pool rest of the Steel lineup). He broke out in a more prominent role in his really starts to tail off around here for me, so he’s close to the couple second season in the USHL, taking charge of the Steel power play and dozen of prospects ranked in front of him than those that follow. playing a more aggressive style with the puck to impose himself as a 82. Ethan Cardwell — C/RW, Surahammars IF/Barrie Colts, 5-foot-11 trailing shot threat. Ufko’s not a super-dynamic on-puck player or flashy skater despite his high point totals (his 39 points in 53 games were third- A favourite of mine in last year’s draft, Cardwell was passed over in his most among USHL defencemen this season) but he’s talented and first year of eligibility due to a combination of a midseason trade, his raw effective. His puck-moving starts with the quick decisions he makes to frame (which could be attributed in part to him being a couple of weeks advance play up ice and play fast without being fast. He’s a lead-by- away from being eligible for this year’s draft, and to which he has since example type who manages the puck efficiently and plays a reliable added some needed muscle), and a lack of exposure driven by time defensive game. He made a lot of progress this year, developing his spent at the Jr. A level in his 16-year-old season a year earlier. After confidence so that his hurry-up game was intentional rather than rushed, finishing the 2019-2020 season strongly in Barrie, I had big expectations which has me intrigued as to what three or four years at UMass could do for Cardwell’s ability to return to the OHL and have the kind of 80- or 90- for him. point season that would establish him as a worthwhile overager across a full, uninterrupted season with his new club. When the OHL didn’t return, 77. Colton Dach — C/LW, Saskatoon Blades, 6-foot-4 though, he didn’t get that opportunity. Instead, he signed to play for Two years after the Blades drafted Kirby Dach No. 2 in the 2016 WHL Surahammars in , Sweden’s third-rung pro league. With bantam draft, they took Colton No. 6 in 2018. And though Colton has Surahammaers, where he was joined by two drafted OHLers, Blake never developed the skating or handling ability that kept his big brother Murray and Jack Thompson, Cardwell looked like the best of the bunch as a top prospect from his WHL draft day to his NHL one, I’ve slowly in my viewings, manufacturing plays to dangerous areas with relative begun to come around on him. I didn’t love Colton’s composition a year ease. He’s a crafty playmaker who knows his way around the ice, plays ago. He was a good everyday player in his first season in the WHL, fast, and works hard to win his races, gain the inside lane, and come which makes him a worthwhile draft prospect to follow, but I always felt away from the wall with the puck to make something happen. He may like he was just that: good but uninspiring. He’s got his brother’s size (I well go undrafted again, but I’d consider taking a late-round flier. actually think he’s going to carry a little more weight around if he makes 83. Danila Klimovich — C/W, Minsky Zubry/Dinamo Molodechno, 6-foot- it) and defensive instincts, but there were times when he looked timid 2 with the puck and sluggish through his stride. This year, some more assertiveness started to develop and he looked a step quicker from a Klimovich, the second Belarussian to appear on my board, is one of standstill than I expected (though more work still needs to be done those players where when his shot misses the net and bangs off of the there). Dach plays an impressive give-and-go game with above-average board, it sounds like it should have put a hole through the wall. It just explodes off of his stick. Add in a pro frame and a tenacious, “go-get-the- Switzerland’s top professional level, this year while frequently looking like puck” disposition and there’s enough there to warrant getting him into a one of the league’s better defencemen (in a league that featured its fair program (and a better league) to work with him to round out the rest. He, share of past and future NHLers this season). His 30 points in 48 games like Kuzmin, was also selected in the CHL Import Draft, by Rouyn- were good for seventh among all NL defencemen in scoring and first Noranda, so he has an option if he wants to come over to North America among all under-21 players regardless of position. His 21:24 ice time per — or the NHL club that takes him does. game was also 10th in the NL and first among his age bracket. He was extremely effective in those minutes, too, driving results at both ends and 84. Shai Buium — LHD, Sioux City Musketeers, 6-foot-3 outscoring the opposition by a margin of 31-14 (an incredible 69 per cent Buium plays a reliable, well-rounded three-zone game that is built upon a goals-for percentage) at even-strength across all 50 games he played. strong foundation of tools, an understanding of the game, and a 209- He did it while playing a leading role on the power play and the top pound frame. He made the jump from Shattuck St. Mary’s to his first full penalty-killing unit. And he followed all of that up with a strong season in the USHL seamlessly this year, posting 29 points in 53 games. performance for Switzerland at men’s worlds, where he finished plus-5 He’s got work to do to improve his shot, develop his quickness, and add (second on the team) to help Switzerland to second in Group B and sixth a bit more of a physical element, but he’s a strong outlet passer who place overall after a quarterfinal defeat to Germany. He scored some plays a calculating game on both sides of the puck. I think there will be highlight-reel goals and made some highlight-reel plays along the way, more defensive value to his game long-term than offensive value (he too. He’s got a short, compact stride that relies on his balance over his swallows up the neutral zone and breaks up a lot of plays inside his own edges to weave up the ice, a hard wrist shot, good instincts in control on zone without needing to be physical) but there’s enough skill to his game little things like cut-backs once he has entered the zone, a sturdy frame to contribute at both ends. that allows him to hold his own along the wall, and extremely sound spatial sense/positioning relative to the puck defensively. Though there’s 85. Red Savage — C, U.S. NTDP, 5-foot-11 not a ton of runway left for him to take giant leaps forward from where he’s at today, he could play in an AHL team’s top-four tomorrow and One of the best two-way players in this draft, Savage is a dominant challenge for a promotion within a couple of years, even if he likely tops faceoff man who loves taking tough assignments, staying on top of the out as more of a depth piece in the NHL. I debated ranking him as high opposition’s top players, and driving play through the middle-third of the as the late 70s. ice to attack the net and finish off plays. He’s also a natural athlete with a strong, balanced stride that helps him stay on top of the forecheck, and 90. Liam Gilmartin — LW, U.S. NTDP, 6-foot-2 get up and under sticks to take back possession. There’s more to him than the role-playing penalty-killer type, too. He plays the give-and-go Gilmartin’s an honest, straight-lines, push-and-pop player with sneaky game effectively, he does a good job driving the net off the cycle, and puck skill and a feisty disposition. I’ve had a couple of people in my ear he’s got some quiet skill around the slot. He was also one of the more about him all year and it’s not hard to see why. He’s an engaged productive players on this year’s U18 team, despite the difficult matchups forechecker and physical presence who attacks the interior and regularly he was often tasked with. gets there because of his hands and his tenacious try-again approach. He’s not a natural playmaker and he shouldn’t be the focal point of his 86. Cameron Whynot — LHD, Halifax Mooseheads, 6-foot-1 line, but he has complementary “go-get-it” type written all over him. After two years with USA Hockey, he’ll join the London Knights next year. Whynot’s game is all about the way he sees the ice in front of him. He’s an incredibly aware player whose head is always on a swivel, identifying 91. Jimi Suomi — LHD, Jokerit, 5-foot-9 gaps in coverage that he needs to fill or areas that he can move pucks into. And while I’m lower on his skill level than most, believing he Suomi’s a diminutive, puck-carrying defenceman who thrives under probably tops out as a third-pairing guy at the NHL level if all goes well, pressure, escapes out of his own zone with ease to start breakouts, and he plays an efficient game and produced very strong relative goal can lead a rush through neutral ice with his feet or run a power play with differential results when he was on the ice for the Mooseheads this year. his mobility and shiftiness across the line. His lack of strength limits him He’s not going to break down the opposition off the line but he’ll execute defensively (as well as his point shot), though, and he’s still figuring out the available play, advance the puck from A to B, and make life difficult how to compensate with his feet and stick without being taken advantage on opposing players with his active stick, tight gaps, and physicality of. He’s a long shot but he’s worth consideration late in the draft. (without making a lot of the mistakes that usually come with that style). 92. Topias Vilén — LHD, Pelicans/Peliitat, 6-foot-1 87. Kalle Ervasti — RHD, Lukko, six-feet Vilén’s game exists at the other end of the spectrum relative to Suomi’s. Ervasti fascinates me as a kid who has not once come up in any His mature defensive presence and heads-up simplicity pushed him up conversation I’ve had with NHL scouts this year and who was ranked levels quickly and he didn’t play a single game at the junior level this 107th among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting, both of which year, spending 35 games in Liiga and another six in the second-tier indicate to me that he may not be picked (or will be a late-round selection Mestis. He didn’t look out of place at either, and then played a big role if he is). I really like what he offers, though. His age-adjusted production with Finland at U18s, where he wore an “A,” took on tough minutes, and is really strong across each of the last two seasons and he was also a still posted four points in seven games in the tournament (as well as one plus-level defender who began to take over at both ends at Finland’s U20 more in their lone exhibition game against Canada, as well). His level as the year went on. The strengths of his game are the way he sees offensive game is a little limited but he’s capable of making the available through pressure as a passer, his comfort level on the attack, and his play, he’s got a good first pass, and he gets his shots through (a lot of his timing on his decisions to activate (in my viewings, he almost always assists come from rebounds off of his shots through traffic) with a low, pushed when there was a play to be made and rarely jumped the gun to hard half windup slapper that he uses and a wrister that whips off of his pull himself out of position), but he’s also a hard man-to-man defender long stick. And while he’s got good posture through his skating who closes early and transition pucks the other way. He hasn’t yet played mechanics, which helps him generate power once he gets going and a single game professionally and will start next season in junior again, defend the rush effectively when he’s got time to gap up, he lacks but I think there might be something there if the right team can be patient. acceleration from a standstill. I’d qualify him as a low-ceiling guy even with his advanced experience to this point. 88. Sean Tschigerl — LW, Calgary Hitmen, six-feet 93. Ty Gallagher — RHD, U.S. NTDP, six-feet Tschigerl developed as rapidly as any player in the draft this year, going from someone I felt lacked pro tools a year ago to someone who looked Gallagher’s a sturdy, aggressive defender whose eyes light up when he like a legitimate NHL prospect in the second half of the 21 games he gets the puck in the high slot and wants to make himself available as a played in the WHL, which included a 12-game point streak (11 goals, 7 tertiary scoring threat into the offensive zone. But while his shot rips off of assists, 18 points), this season. Tschigerl buzzes around the ice, his stick, there are a lot of question marks about other areas of his game, stopping and starting to chase down loose pucks, take his man into the including his narrow vision and propensity for mistiming his close-outs wall, lift sticks, and then spin away from the wall to attack the slot. He defensively. I like his frame, his handedness, his strength and his shot, doesn’t have a dynamic skill package but he plays between the dots, but his ability to refine the rest in college will determine his upside. Plus, handles the puck in bursts (he’s not going to hang onto it and pick you he needs to learn to survey the ice before going after the first play that he apart), and has touch around the slot (though I am a little wary of his 20.3 sees (with and without the puck). shooting percentage this year). He’s interesting for his give-and-go 94. James Malatesta — C, Québec Remparts, 5-foot-9 game, his decent skill, and the significant steps he took this season. I’m not ready to get too carried away by his late surge but I’ll be tracking him Malatesta was excellent at U17s last year and even better when I made a closely moving forward. trip to Quebec City. In the two games I saw live, he looked like a potential second-round pick who had a chance to come back for his draft year and 89. Janis Jérôme Moser — LHD, EHC Bel-Bienne, six-feet really fill the net given his ability to manufacture offence on his own, play The oldest player on my list by more than a year, Moser, who turned 21 fast, and fight through contact to stay on pucks (he’s stronger than he at the start of June, captained Bel-Bienne in the National League, looks) as a first-year player. He never really took that next step this year, though. He’s got quick hands, a dangerous mid-range release, and a smooth stride. But I have started to question whether he tries to do a little by his poise with the puck, his deception in control to slide past pressure, too much. I wouldn’t go as far as calling him selfish, but he can put his ability to manage the point inside the offensive zone, and his himself in tough spots trying to make something happen. physically engaged presence defensively. Concerns about his skating and his pivots (especially considering he’s not the biggest player and 95. Victor Stjernborg — C/LW, Växjö Lakers, 5-foot-11 those things should have come a little more naturally at his size) kept him Stjernborg’s one of those players who is never going to be more than a from being selected a year ago, but I saw some real progress in his role player at the pro level, but he has all of the makings needed to mobility this year and he’s got a pro frame and a lot of the other tools you become good at what he does well. He’s a 200-foot player who’s heavy, look for in an effective, modern, two-way bottom-pairing defender who forechecks, wins his battles, backchecks his tail off, never stops moving, can play with a variety of partners. and fights for his ice to drive to the crease and make something happen The top 100 on offence. He still has enough skill through his hands and his release to will plays into existence even if there are times when you’d prefer he play For a better understanding of how closely ranked many of these players with a little more patience. are, the complete top 100 has been broken down into tiers of tightly- grouped players below. Those tiers are: 1-4, 5-12, 13-16, 17-45, 46-81 96. Francesco Arcuri — C, Kingston Frontenacs/Steel Wings Linz, 6-foot- (this is where depth of the draft really drops off for me), 82-100 and 2 beyond. Arcuri’s the one player from the talked-about 2003 Don Mills Flyers team that staff who worked with those kids will tell you flew under the radar (and is still flying under the radar to this day). After a good season in a The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 depth role in Kingston last year, he played for Linz, the worst team in the Alps HL (a professional league that operates out of Austria, Slovenia and ) this year and led the team in scoring as its youngest player, out- producing Dallas Stars 2018 fourth-round pick, Curtis Douglas, in the process. Arcuri’s got a pro frame and skating, which are complemented by good overall skill. Questions of his consistency have followed him in his young career but when he’s engaged, he’s a lot to handle. And here are a number of attributes present in his toolbox that the right development staff could do a lot with. 97. Luke Mittelstadt — LHD, Eden Prairie High/Lincoln Stars, 5-foot-11 Mittelstadt’s a gifted offensive defenceman who actually declined joining USA Hockey’s national development program in favour of playing at home (he’ll stay close to home at the University of Minnesota next year as well). He’s got a silky first touch and regularly broke ankles off of the point in the Minnesota high school circuit. And while I don’t have any issues with his effort level in front of the net or along the wall and I like his edges crossing over or opening up (which allows him to escape pressure inside his own zone to start a lot of rushes), I do have concerns about his acceleration, his athleticism, and his decision-making. Here’s a source on Mittelstadt: “His talent is off the charts. Just on God- given talent, he’s above Peart. He’s way too good for high school hockey and it hurt his draft stock but there’s no way he should slip past the fourth round and any Minnesota scout that watches him closely will know that. He’s that talented. He’s a true skill guy.” 98. Guillaume Richard — LHD, Tri-City Storm, 6-foot-2 Richard was a top minor hockey player all the way up in Quebec and could have been a top QMJHL draft pick had he not elected to go the college hockey route, committing to play for . He’s an excellent transition defender who uses a long, fluid stride to funnel opposing carriers to the outside and then close on them as soon as the opportunity presents itself. He’s also an excellent in-zone defender who understands how to use his length to position himself relative to the flow of play and uses an active stick to break up passes or force opposing players into actions they don’t want to take. And while he played a reserved, almost cautious, game with the puck in the USHL this year, I actually like the way he handles and distributes it. He gets the puck going in the right direction and there’s some untapped potential there that could really blossom as he gets more comfortable and confident at each next level. 99. Vincent Iorio — RHD, Brandon Wheat Kings, 6-foot-3 Iorio’s a name prospect who will likely be selected higher than where I have him slotted here because of that reputation. It’s easy to understand why he has always drawn interest from NHL scouts: He’s a long, athletic righty who skates well, owns the neutral zone against the rush, and has learned to play an efficient, “turn-and-move-it” style. His game lacks creativity and finesse, though, limiting his upside. The team that takes him will be hoping for a reliable, complementary depth defenceman at the next level. 100. Ruben Rafkin — RHD, TPS, 5-foot-11 Rafkin, like Cardwell, makes a return appearance to the tail end of my list. After developing in the United States and going undrafted out of the OHL last year, Rafkin signed in Finland and made the jump to the pro level, where he took on a regular role on an excellent TPS team that made a run all the way to the league final. As a rookie in the league, he led all under-20 defencemen in points with 16 in 48 games. His underlying results held their own too, with TPS outscoring the opposition 29-19 (a 60 percent goals for percentage) and outshooting them 508-470 (a 52 percent Corsi For percentage) at five-on-five with Rafkin on the ice across an average of 17:23 (sixth on the team). Rafkin’s game is defined 1189865 Websites in 2007. “And here he is however many more years later doing the same thing.”

Indeed, 16 years later, Perry is still Perry. The Athletic / LeBrun: Canadiens’ Corey Perry is ‘in the middle of Well, not the Hart Trophy version of 10 years ago when he put up 98 everything’ — and making an impact in the playoffs points including 50 goals at the height of his career. He was bought out by the Ducks two years ago, a tough pill to swallow By Pierre LeBrun for the proud Cup winner and two-time Olympic gold medallist. But also a wake-up call that incentivized him to still provide value elsewhere. Jun 22, 2021 “The way he handled the situation at the end in Anaheim, you kind of have to tip your hat to him for that,” said Niedermayer. “That could’ve gone the other way, but he just said, ‘I’ll just get back to work and Corey Perry had never been on waivers before. So he asked his agent continue to compete and play hockey.'” Pat Morris what exactly it entailed. At 36, Perry is still finding a way to be impactful, putting up nine goals Because the veteran winger started the season on the taxi squad, there and 12 assists in mostly bottom-six duty in 49 games during the regular were cap gymnastics and waivers and things going on this year not just season with the Habs and then stepping up even more in the postseason for the Montreal Canadiens but for all the teams in this unique season. with eight points (3-5) in 15 games. Perry wasn’t the only brand name that was put on waivers. But once he And the offence only speaks to a part of it, of course. understood what was going on, he made it clear to his veteran agent he didn’t want to go anywhere. It’s his insatiable drive to will his team into the fight. That’s what is so apparent again in these playoffs. “So I did call three teams that looked like they would have the need for him, to ask them not to pick him up on waivers,” Morris told The Athletic “In games and in playoff series, there’s certain times when things are over the weekend. “It wasn’t a threat to retire or anything, but basically going to go either left or right, it might be a great moment to get out of it ‘can you adhere to who Corey Perry is. If your thought is to pick him up or it’s going to sink your team,” said Nill. “Those guys rise to the on waivers, please don’t.’ occasion. When the train is off the track, those guys step up. They’ve been through it enough. They know how to will people through it and “Two of the teams said, ‘We were going to put in a claim until this call. that’s what they do.” We’ll respect his career.'” Nill, looking back, now acknowledges he wished he had kept him after Thankfully for Perry and the Canadiens, the waiver claim never Perry became UFA last fall. But between salary cap issues and wanting happened. to make room for youngsters such as impressive rookie Jason Can you imagine, for a moment, this Habs playoff run without its Corey Robertson, the Stars made the difficult decision to let Perry go to market. Perry moments? “But if hindsight was 20/20, with the all injuries we ended up having, we You just know there’s probably another Perry moment coming Tuesday should have signed him,” said Nill. “But at the moment you don’t know night in Las Vegas, in the lion’s den, with so much on the line as the you’re going to get all those injuries. But we were tight up against the Habs and Golden Knights play again in their Stanley Cup semifinal series cap.” tied at two games apiece. Except, well, the phone didn’t ring off the hook despite his playoff revival Jim Nill would be the least surprised person that Perry has ended up in Dallas. having this kind of an impact on Montreal’s season and playoffs. Which was a bit odd given his pedigree and the fact he wasn’t going to He saw firsthand last summer in the bubble when his Dallas Stars went cost a whole lot. to the Stanley Cup Final, Perry doing his playoff warrior thing. “It was a bit of a surprise, yet it’s not as if the phone didn’t ring both ways; “One of my all-time favourite players,” Nill’s first words when we spoke I was calling teams and teams were calling me expressing interest,” said over the weekend about Perry. Morris. “But nobody got to the point of pulling the trigger until a call I think it was on a Sunday night from Marc Bergevin.” Nill has been part of a lot of winning going back to his Red Wings management days and around some big-time leaders. He has Perry right That call came on the evening of Dec. 27, less than a week before in that group. training camps were set to open around the league. “I’ve been lucky, I’ve had a lot of guys who really made an impact in a Perry was still sitting there. certain way, Corey is one of them,” said Nill. “He does things the way you According to Morris, Claude Julien played a role in the Habs signing want players to do things. He just does it the right way. He’s professional Perry. about it. He’s a good teammate and he’s all about winning.” “Marc (Bergevin) said: ‘My coach and Corey have played well together in “The ultimate competitor !!!!,” his longtime GM in Anaheim, Bob Murray, international events and he’s always been intrigued throughout the texted me Sunday. offseason in Corey,'” recalled Morris. There was Perry after Friday night’s Game 3 OT win, greeting his Bergevin made it clear that because of roster/cap issues, Perry would teammates coming off the ice, his face still bloodied from a high-stick that have to start the season on the taxi squad but the GM was confident, went undetected, but making sure he was there to celebrate. according to Morris, that Perry wouldn’t last long on there. That image screams Corey Perry. “I went to Corey and we circled around with the other various teams who “He’s in the middle of everything, which is classic Pears for sure,” Hockey had expressed interest, and they had other priorities,” said Morris. “Corey Hall of Fame blueliner Scott Niedermayer said over the phone Sunday. said, ‘Let’s move forward with Montreal. I’m not going to exist on a taxi “He’s stirring it up.” squad very long.'” Niedermayer said that with a chuckle in his voice. The former Ducks There was no doubt in that. captain arrived in Anaheim in 2005-06 from New Jersey just as a 20- So he signed on Dec. 28 for one year and $750,000, the NHL’s version year-old Perry was beginning his NHL career. of peanuts. Niedermayer sees the same passion all these years later. And then went out and proved again he’s not done. “He’s still a kid to me,” laughed Niedermayer, calling from his home in “Corey’s a competitor that loves being on the ice, loves playing the Penticton, B.C. game,” reiterated Niedermayer. “I’m not surprised at all at what he’s “I’ve been enjoying (the playoffs) all the way along, watching Pears do doing.” his thing,” said Niedermayer. “No surprise, really. He probably would do that forever, it’s just personality to get in the middle of things and pay a price to help his team. The Athletic LOADED: 06.23.2021 “That hasn’t changed one bit since the day he first stepped on the ice in Anaheim,” added Niedermayer, who won the Cup with Perry in Anaheim 1189866 Websites Bouchard’s AHL school for centres, is well on his way to becoming an excellent two-way pivot.

Ryan Poehling, who’s in his sophomore season at Bouchard University, Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens’ strength at centre has them on verge of first isn’t far behind. Cup Final since ’93 That he’s down the pecking order, though, has everything to do with Suzuki and Kotkaniemi progressing as fast as they have. Eric Engels @EricEngels The Finn, drafted third overall in 2018 before debuting as the youngest player in the NHL, is proving he’s as resilient as he is skilled. He had an June 23, 2021, 2:06 AM impressive first year, with 11 goals and 34 points in a sheltered role, and lost his confidence in Year 2 before regaining it in Laval and showing up as a much better player in the Toronto bubble. This party started in the bubble 11 months ago with Jesperi Kotkaniemi Kotkaniemi didn’t let the ups and downs of this season get to him, either. and Nick Suzuki putting in a playoff performance Marc Bergevin said would make them pieces he could build the Montreal Canadiens around He may have only had five goals and 20 points in 56 games, been for 10 to 15 years. scratched to start the playoffs and in a tough position on the winning goal by Roy in Game 4 to send this series back to Vegas tied 2-2, but he This party is now getting out of hand thanks to those two kids and a started and finished the play that got the Canadiens a 1-0 lead in Game couple of veteran centres who have filled a decades-long gap the 5. It was his fifth goal of these playoffs. Canadiens have had at the position. “He’s been playing great hockey,” said Suzuki, with Kotkaniemi sitting The greatest evidence of it came in Game 5 of this Stanley Cup semifinal right beside him. “He was a little disappointed he didn’t get to start the with Kotkaniemi opening the scoring, and Suzuki closing it out to secure playoffs against the Leafs, but the way he’s handled that has been great. a 4-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights and send the Canadiens back Playing a big role for us, so it’s nice that he gets rewarded with that goal to the Bell Centre within one win of their first Final since 1993. It was for us. So, I know he’s going to keep going.” Kotkaniemi’s ninth goal in his 25th playoff game and Suzuki finished with points 18, 19 and 20 in his 26th. No question Suzuki will, too. They are 20 and 21 years old, respectively, but they are wise beyond Bergevin labelled him the key piece in the deal that also brought Tomas their years. Tatar and a 2019 second-round pick to Montreal from Vegas when Max Pacioretty was traded to the Golden Knights in the fall of 2018. He’s done “I think last year everyone made comments of, ‘Are we too inexperienced nothing but prove it ever since, with 28 goals and 82 points over his first in the middle?’ and I think they proved them wrong then,” said Canadiens 127 regular-season games in the NHL and nine goals and 11 assists in stand-in coach Luke Richardson, “and now they’re a year older with that his limited playoff time. experience from last year’s bubble playing in the playoffs to this year — I think it’s really showing. “I think he’s super competitive,” said Staal. “Like a lot of the guys on our team, it’s the compete level that is really, really high. Obviously, the “I know they’re young, but they had that first-time experience winning a skillset is there, the intelligence is there, but you need to have that extra short series and then (they were) really competitive against a good, compete and that level of competitiveness to make differences like he strong Philadelphia team. So, this year I think it’s translated. They’re a has been. So that’s the No. 1 thing I love about him and all these guys is year older, they’re competitive guys, they’re used to winning coming from our compete and our willingness to do whatever it takes.” their junior teams, so they have that fire. And they’re showing some real good maturity.” That’s obvious throughout the Canadiens’ lineup, but most evident up the gut of it. But this isn’t a two-man show. This is just as much about what Phillip Danault is doing in these playoffs, and just as much about 36-year-old The kids have done their part, Danault has been an incarnation of Eric Staal turning back the clock to when he was an elite centreman Carbonneau and Staal has been so much better than the Canadiens raising the Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes. could’ve hoped he’d be when they traded a couple of middling picks to pluck him out of Buffalo ahead of this year’s trade deadline. He’s been a On Tuesday, Danault was on the ice for just his second goal against at 5- completely different player from the one who had three goals and 10 on-5 since Game 4 of the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He points with the Sabres before withering with two goals and three points in has matched up against Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, against the his first 21 games with the Canadiens. Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Schiefele, Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyler Connor and Blake Wheeler, and he has dismantled Golden Knights centres Chandler Meanwhile, Staal wouldn’t be here if Bergevin hadn’t recognized what he Stephenson, William Karlsson, Nicolas Roy and Alex Tuch. He’s also a had in Kotkaniemi and Suzuki during last year’s playoffs. Neither would key piece on the Canadiens’ penalty kill, which in successfully eliminating Jake Allen, Joel Edmundson, Tyler Toffoli, Josh Anderson, Corey Perry, two Vegas opportunities in Game 5 has now gone 28 consecutive times Jon Merrill and Erik Gustaffson. The GM finished second in the voting for without surrendering a goal. the Jim Gregory Award for GM of the Year, but he if he got the most first- place votes, it might have been for that realization alone. This game was iced with Staal jumping off the bench, wriggling his way to the high slot and burying a perfect pass from Suzuki to make it 2-0 And the Canadiens are hoping to celebrate Quebec’s Saint-Jean Baptiste 6:32 into the second period. And if you want a sense for how this centre Day by booking their trip to the Final, and they’ll be depending on line has helped vault these Canadiens back to prominence, look no Danault and Staal once again, and leaning heavily on Kotkaniemi and further than what Staal said about that play when he was asked about Suzuki. how Suzuki set it up. “These kids are great players and huge parts of our group and our team,” “Not only was Nick’s pass phenomenal and a great look to me, but Phil said Staal. “Hopefully they can follow it up with a big one in Game 6 at earlier in the shift took a big hit to make a play to get it out of our end and home.” then changed, and I was the beneficiary of being in the right spot,” he said of his eighth point of these playoffs. “All those little plays add up, they’re huge, and you love to see that kind of stuff as a group because it Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.23.2021 keeps building our guys closer together.” Three centres producing the biggest goal the Canadiens have scored in these playoffs… If you’re a lifelong fan who’s old enough to remember when , Guy Carbonneau and helped the team win its 24th Cup, the lack of depth at centre is at the heart of why it’s taken so long for the team to get back here. Look at what the Canadiens have there now. Don’t forget that Jake Evans, who was among Montreal’s most effective forwards before Scheifele charged and concussed him in Game 1 of the second round, is working his way back to health. The former seventh- round pick, who spent four years at Notre Dame and then went to Joel 1189867 Websites Messaging inside and outside the organization has suffered since Trevor Linden was pushed out as president of hockey operations not long after the Sedins retired. Players like Chris Tanev and Troy Stecher said after they left the Canucks as unrestricted free agents last fall that they heard Sportsnet.ca / Why Sedins’ return should have genuine impact on little from management. Canucks organization That shouldn’t be the case with the Sedins, who have the respect and moral authority to talk to anyone in hockey. Over time, they should be able to bridge any gaps within the organization. Iain MacIntyre @imacSportsnet As player-leaders, the Sedins were all about professionalism and June 22, 2021, 7:07 PM inclusiveness. Yes, they were great on the ice, but they set the culture and expectations in the dressing room for a decade. Talk to any player who came to the Canucks on the Sedins’ watch and he’ll tell you how VANCOUVER — The most immediate benefit the Vancouver Canucks influential they were. reap by repatriating Henrik and Daniel Sedin is the integrity and goodwill carried by the iconic former players. They could be again. But the twins’ intelligence, keen understanding about team dynamics and “Henrik and Daniel’s hockey intellect and experience is exceptional,” culture, their selflessness and ability to connect and communicate within Benning said in the press release. “We’ve had an open line of the organization should lead to genuine impact as the Sedins learn on communication since they retired as players. They are students of the the job as special advisors to Canucks general manager . game, eager to learn, who will make valuable contributions and strengthen our staff. We are very pleased to add their knowledge and Months of discussions between the National Hockey League team and passion for the game and have them begin the next stage of their careers the Sedins, who retired three years ago as the greatest players in with us.” franchise history, culminated in Tuesday’s announcement that the transplanted Swedes were joining the Canucks’ hockey-operations department, working with Benning and assistant GMs Chris Gear and Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.23.2021 John Weisbrod. The public-relations benefit to their hiring is inescapable. The Canucks just staggered through their most disappointing season since the 1990s when everything from their performance, health, messaging and management was suspect. But the beloved Sedins’ return to the team they’ve devoted their adult lives to was always going to be a positive story regardless of circumstance. And anyone who thinks Daniel and Henrik would allow themselves to be used as tokens or a marketing ploy, or accept anything less than meaningful roles, was not paying attention to their 18-year careers as players when they became as respected and lauded for their character as for their Hall-of-Fame-worthy skills. When judging the short-term motives for these hirings, remember two things: the Sedins said when they retired that they felt they would have something to offer the organization after taking some time for themselves and their families; and the months-long discussions about their roles primarily involved Benning, not managing owner . The challenge is defining roles for them that would provide the Sedins real input in hockey-ops while allowing them to learn about NHL management. Self-aware, they know what they don’t know. The forty-year-olds were never going to come in – as some fans were hoping – as Canucks president or general manager or director of hockey operations. They want to learn, just like Chris Drury did with the New York Rangers before he became their general manager this spring. Just like every former player who has built a successful second career in management needed to learn. “When we retired, we always thought we’d like to be involved in the business side of hockey one day,” Daniel said in the Canucks’ press release. “There’s a lot to learn, but we are excited and ready for the opportunity.” Maybe the Sedins will grow into powerful roles and run the Canuck or another NHL team one day. Or maybe the marathon hours management demands, the 12-month season and precious time away from their kids and families will prove too onerous. Maybe they won’t feel valued, or maybe they’ll discover that there is no substitute to the thrill of playing. But if you treated the 2017-18 Canucks media guide like a high school yearbook, the twins not only would have been co-valedictorians but voted most likely to succeed – at whatever they did. What will they do for the Canucks? The Sedins will tell us when they address the media on Wednesday, but we’re guessing they’ll start by doing a little of everything. They’ll have contact with players, at both the NHL and development levels. They’ll be part of the inner circle in hockey ops, sitting in on everything from scouting, to free agency and the trade deadline, to roster construction and season planning, to the Canucks’ minor-league operation in Abbotsford. They won’t arrive like rodeo bulls from a bucking chute, but the Sedins should have a voice. This is vitally important. 1189868 Websites Turnover tracking in the NHL’s Real-Time Scoring System data can be a bit of a mess when it comes to data integrity, but if you use it for relative analysis only, you can draw two conclusions: most of the giveaways are coming from the Montreal blueline and most of those giveaways are Grading the Canadiens’ keys to engineering an upset happening in the defensive zone. That’s indicative of pressure. And whereas you might expect a heavy puck handler like Jeff Petry to have more giveaways than the average By Travis Yost defenceman, that shouldn’t be the case for players like Ben Chiarot or Shea Weber – a pairing that has struggled on this front and, through four games, owns 27 per cent of the recorded Montreal giveaways in this Breathe, Canadiens fans. series. That is the best piece of advice I can give after what’s been a roller If there is one area the Canadiens organization is a bit leery on over the coaster of a series against the Vegas Golden Knights. first four games, this is probably it. Goal-scoring sequences for the Golden Knights have been impossible to come by, but they have been The series is tied two games apiece – that in and of itself is an able to pressure Montreal’s skaters into turning the puck over. Lest we accomplishment, particularly when you consider the betting markets gave forget in Game 3: Marc-Andre Fleury’s all-time puckhandling gaffe was Montreal very little chance. Not only have the Canadiens split the first preceded by a brutal turnover from Eric Staal, gifting Nicolas Roy a goal. four games, they’ve been competitive in the process, even outplaying the Golden Knights in their 2-1 overtime loss in Game 4 on Sunday night. Carey Price providing a decisive goaltending advantage Before the puck dropped on this series, I figured Montreal had a chance Grade: TBD to engineer an upset, but it was contingent on three crucial factors. As a refresher: I know, I know. There is no doubt that Price has outplayed Fleury over the course of this series – Price has stopped 92.1 per cent of shots faced 1. Minimizing the impact of the Golden Knights top line against Vegas, allowing 10 goals. Adjusting those shots for quality, Price should have already conceded 13 goals. I don’t need to remind you that 2. Slowing down Vegas’ lethal forecheck three goals over four games is the definition of difference maker. He’s 3. Carey Price providing a decisive goaltending advantage been sensational, full stop. Let’s grade out how the Canadiens have performed on each of these And while Fleury hasn’t been bad (91.1 per cent stop rate), his blow-up to fronts, and what it might mean for their upset potential over the end Game 3 forced head coach Peter DeBoer to make a difficult remainder of the series. decision. Minimizing the impact of the Golden Knights top line The decision to use Robin Lehner was criticized by some as a panic move heading into Game 4. Then Lehner outplayed Price, thwarting 27 Grade: A+ shots and possibly stealing the starter’s job going forward. Mark Stone has zero points. Max Pacioretty, two lonely assists. Chandler Price is the reason Montreal is two games away from the Stanley Cup Stephenson is injured. Not only has Vegas’ top line been wholly final. But this grade will be dictated by how this fascinating new ineffective against a very capable defensive team in Montreal, they are at goaltending matchup plays out. the heart of their team’s power play woes, too – a power play that’s converting on just 10 per cent of their opportunities this postseason. Slowing this line is no small task. This line was three goals better than TSN.CA LOADED: 06.23.2021 their opponents for every 60 minutes of even play during the regular season, driven largely by outstanding offensive production (5.2 goals scored per 60 minutes). You never expect that level of scoring to carry over to the postseason, but what Montreal’s checking lines have done to slow this group down is nothing short of extraordinary. And their efficacy has been compounded with the loss of Stephenson. Tested replacements like Alex Tuch, Tomas Nosek and Keegan Kolesar have shown far less productive in the first-line centre role. Montreal hasn’t generated much offence against them either – head-to- head scoring, Montreal is up just 3-2. But look at how much more time the Stone line is playing outside of the offensive zone, where they can forecheck and cycle teams to death. We will use expected goals here to neutralize the impacts of goaltending for the time being: Much like the Stone line shadowed the Nathan MacKinnon line in Vegas’ prior series, Montreal has followed suit, using the indefatigable Philip Danault (54 per cent head-to-head usage) to slow down the best Golden Knights unit. Danault has already proven capable of shutting down all- world attackers in the past – his work against Auston Matthews in the first round is still front of mind for the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. In this case, not only has Montreal turned off the scoring from Vegas’ top line, they have also forced them to play considerably more defence than they are accustomed to. That’s a big accomplishment. It will be interesting to see if Montreal can sustain this dominance over the rest of the series, particularly with Stephenson’s return “on the horizon.” That’s a speed element Montreal hasn’t dealt with much in this series, and will certainly increase the difficulty of the task at hand. Slowing down Vegas’ lethal forecheck This is a bit of a mixed bag – Vegas’ forwards are having a whale of a time scoring, and Carey Price (more on him in a moment) has been the ultimate eraser. But Vegas’ forecheck has been able to force turnovers in the offensive zone, applying relentless pressure on a stable of Canadiens blueliners who tend to be more comfortable defending the run of play than carrying the puck and sequencing the transition. 1189869 Websites

USA TODAY / Former NHL forward JT Brown hired by Seattle Kraken as television analyst

Scooby Axson USA TODAY

Former NHL forward JT Brown was named a television analyst for the league's newest franchise in Seattle, the team announced Monday. Brown will join play-by-play announcer John Forslund in calling games on ROOT Sports Northwest for the Seattle Kraken's first season in 2021-22. "What better way to retire, to stay in hockey, to go to a new, great organization and what they're trying to do," Brown said. "I believe they want to be a leader in diversity, whether that's racial diversity or gender diversity, on and off the ice with their hiring. That's something I really want to be part of. For me, I think all the stars have aligned and this is something that I was meant to do." The Kraken named Everett Fitzhugh as their radio play-by-play announcer in 2020, making him the NHL's first Black team broadcaster. Brown became the first NHL player to protest during the national anthem when he raised a fist in 2017 to protest police brutality and racism. In a career that spanned 365 games from 2011-2019, Brown had 23 goals and 49 assists, while skating for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild. The 30-year-old Brown said he will bring his knowledge and his personality to broadcasts. "That's why they hired me," he said. USA TODAY LOADED: 06.23.2021