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Home , Bobby Schmautz, Bun Cook, Darren Dreger, Geoff Molson, Jay Bouwmeester, John Kordic

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 2/13/2020 1171501 Blues’ undergoes tests to learn why he 1171535 Blackhawks fire 49 shots but drop their 5th straight, 3-0 to suffered cardiac episode at the Canucks 1171502 Ducks’ Michael Del Zotto making most of playing time 1171536 Blackhawks’ dominant effort stonewalled by Jacob Markstrom in 5th straight loss 1171537 Blackhawks’ Matthew Highmore happy about speed of his 1171503 Coyotes unsure of timeline after Darcy Kuemper setback, adjustment to NHL Tocchet says 1171538 Pending free agent Erik Gustafsson tries to tune out trade 1171504 LeBrun: Taylor Hall’s future in Arizona and how Connor talk as deadline nears McDavid’s injury impacts Oilers’ deadline plans 1171540 Markstrom stops 49 shots, Canucks blank Blackhawks 3-0 1171541 What's up with tough start to trip for Chicago Blackhawks? 1171542 4 Takeaways: Despite strong effort, Blackhawks' playoff 1171505 It’s hats off for David Pastrnak in Bruins victory over chances take a hit in loss to Canucks Canadiens 1171543 Head coach Paul Maurice gets multi-year extension from 1171506 Observations from the Bruins’ ‘Pasta party’ vs. the Canadiens 1171544 Kris Versteeg joins Blackhawks All-Decade Team 1171507 Has the Bruins-Canadiens become a fading rivalry? 1171508 Brandon Carlo is grateful for Bruins’ support after personal tragedy 1171545 Blue Jackets want rookie Kevin Stenlund to shoot more 1171509 Bruins look to stay on top in Atlantic against 1171546 Zach Werenski takes mistake he made that led to Blue 1171510 How David Pastrnak scored his hat trick Jackets’ loss personally 1171511 David Pastrnak nets hat trick, reaches 41 goals in Bruins 1171547 for Blue Jackets: Score some win over Habs 1171548 Seth Jones injury will be toughest one for Blue Jackets to 1171512 Bruins notebook: With lead diminished, Bruins can only overcome focus on themselves 1171549 Josh Anderson talks shoulder injury, possible long-term 1171513 The Bruins and Canadiens enjoy a rivalry that gets better contract with Blue Jackets and being in trade rumors with age 1171514 Old fourth line gets another to establish itself 1171515 Bruins pregame notes: A duel with the Habs 1171550 Denis Gurianov is the best surprise of the season for the 1171516 Bruins-Canadiens Talking Points: David Pastrnak a Stars one-man gang 1171551 ‘Tyler’s time is coming for sure.’ Inside Seguin’s mental 1171517 : Bruins' Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak trio battle during a career-worst goal drought 'probably the best line' in NHL 1171518 Bruins star 's latest accomplishment highlights his stellar consistency 1171552 Detroit Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha has ambitious 1171519 Watch Bruins star David Pastrnak dominate Canadiens plan for rest of season with latest hat trick 1171553 Darren Helm trying to show young Red Wings better path 1171520 Watch Bruins' Brad Marchand set up David Pastrnak goal in tough season with unreal move 1171521 injury a huge blow to Canadiens ahead of Oilers NHL trade deadline 1171554 Oilers youngster Yamamoto has been a huge spark for 1171522 Bruins vs. Canadiens live stream: Watch NHL on NBC NHL leading scorer Draisaitl game online 1171555 Seeing is believing: can win without 1171523 Bruins-Canadiens rivalry 'isn't as passionate,' so how can McDavid it can be revived? 1171556 With Connor McDavid out, will so go the Edmonton 1171524 Boston Bruins vs. live stream: How to Oilers? watch NHL game online 1171525 Hat trick sends David Pastrnak smashing through the 40-goal threshold 1171557 Former Panther Jay Bouwmeester still in hospital after 1171526 Jay Bouwmeester’s episode brings back scary memories collapsing on bench for Bruins after Normand Leveille incident 1171558 As top line continues its cold spell, unexpected sources 1171527 In the long, long rivalry between Bruins and Canadiens, a help Panthers snap losing streak select few have lived on both sides 1171559 Kings snap losing streak with victory over Flames 1171528 Rasmus Dahlin finding his groove on both sides of puck 1171560 Kings find some scoring touch in gritty victory over Calgary for Sabres Flames 1171529 Carter Hutton stunned by collapse of former Blues 1171561 MCLELLAN, CALGARY POSTGAME QUOTES; QUICK teammate Jay Bouwmeester TABBED FOR STADIUM SERIES GAME 1171530 Sabres may get Victor Olofsson, Kyle Okposo back in the 1171562 GAME 58: LOS ANGELES VS CALGARY lineup Thursday night 1171563 PRE-GAME: MCLELLAN TALKS PETERSEN, FRK, 1171531 Sabres need to trade Rasmus Ristolainen before it's too “TONKA” GRUNDSTROM late 1171564 CHATTING WITH FRK, RECALLED TODAY; GRUNDSTROM TO ONT; LINEUP NOTES VS CGY 1171532 Lowly Kings have Flames' number 1171533 Bouwmeester’s scare brings back memories of Brodie’s collapse 1171534 ‘We definitely need to figure it out’: What, if anything, is ‘wrong’ with the Hurricanes? 1171565 Gameday preview: Wild vs. NY Rangers 1171596 Senators lose twice, but return home with a measure of 1171566 Alex Galchenyuk excited to join Wild — his fourth team in pride three years 1171597 GAME DAY: Coyotes at Senators 1171567 Wild defenseman Matt Dumba fined $5,000 by NHL for 1171598 TRADE DEADLINE: An in-depth look at 's slashing trade history with the Ottawa Senators 1171568 Wild's Dumba fined $5,000 for slashing Vegas' Reaves 1171599 Salvian and LeBrun: What should the Ottawa Senators do 1171569 Wild defenseman Matt Dumba fined $5,000 for below- with Jean-Gabriel Pageau? the-belt slash 1171570 Wild’s reclamation project: winger Alex Galchenyuk, a Flyers fixer-upper with potential 1171600 If the Flyers make the playoffs, they can thank the NHL’s silly points system | Mike Sielski Montreal Canadiens 1171601 Flyers bemoan defense not getting it done in the clutch vs. 1171571 Pastrnak’s hat trick too much for Canadiens as Bruins Islanders skate to 4-1 victory 1171602 Flyers try to rebound from devastating loss as Florida 1171572 Montreal Canadiens Shea Weber out four to six Panthers defenseman (sort of) guarantees win in rematch weeks with sprained ankle 1171603 With Travis Sanheim set to face again, 1171573 In the Habs' Room: 'We were not good enough to win,' here are other goalies the Flyers have tortured Julien says 1171604 Ex-Flyers center out at NBC over lewd 1171574 About Last Night: Shea Weber's injury overshadows Habs comments loss to Bruins 1171605 St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester undergoing 1171575 Bruins' Pastrnak scores hat trick as Canadiens' playoff tests after cardiac episode on bench hopes fade 1171606 Debating the NHL playoff format as Flyers fight for spot in 1171576 Habs game day: Weber out 4-6 weeks, Danault returns crowded standings 1171577 Canadiens at Bruins: Five things you should know 1171607 Flyers role in tight playoff race ‘feels different’ this year 1171578 Video Review: The Bruins remind the Canadiens what it takes to be a serious Cup contender Penguins 1171579 It is time for the Canadiens to learn the value of getting 1171608 Foundation Night of Assists sparkles ahead of the story when it comes to injuries with disco theme 1171580 The Canadiens’ top 3 prospects: Different leagues, unique 1171609 Minor league report: Pierre-Olivier Joseph leads Penguins paths and a common challenge past Wolf Pack 1171581 In the long, long rivalry between Bruins and Canadiens, a 1171610 In Jason Zucker deal, Penguins’ Jim Rutherford sticks to select few have lived on both sides trade tendency 1171611 Mark Madden: Trade for Jason Zucker proves Penguins again doing their best to win now 1171582 Predators Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Johansen play 1171612 on how legend of 1980 Olympic team Southwest employees for a day continues to thrive 1171613 Tim Benz: Sorting through Jason Zucker trade and his Devils Penguins debut 1171583 Why it’s time for the Devils to bring back 1171614 Taking stock of the Penguins' prospects after the Jason 1171584 Why the NJ Devils went with - and stuck with - Louis Zucker trade Domingue in 5-3 loss to Florida 1171615 Jason Zucker made no excuses after his debut. That will earn him points with the Penguins 1171585 Islanders’ Casey Cizikas will be out 3-4 weeks with leg injury 1171616 Sharks' future looking bleak with No. 25 ranked prospect 1171586 Islanders center Casey Cizikas will miss up to four weeks pool in NHL with leg laceration 1171617 Bob Boughner institutes ‘high-tempo’ practices in a 1171587 Another freak injury increases the Islanders urgency at the continued search for more Sharks offense trade deadline St Louis Blues 1171618 Blues regroup after Bouwmeester's 'shocking' and 1171588 Rangers’ faint postseason hopes ride on road clashes 'sobering' collapse 1171589 Chris Kreider putting Rangers in drastic cost-cut situation 1171619 Blues offer counseling for players after Bouwmeester's 1171590 Behind-the-scenes moment shows how Rangers are collapse dealing with trade noise 1171620 Preview: Blues at Vegas 1171591 NY Rangers prospect report: Young defensemen making 1171621 Bouwmeester hospitalized but 'alert' after suffering cardiac impact in NCAA, and Europe episode and collapsing on Blues' bench during gam 1171592 NY Rangers projected lineup: Pavel Buchnevich on the 1171622 Blues notebook: Schwartz-Schenn line attracts lots of upswing; Alex Georgiev to start visitors this season 1171593 With back-to-back on tap for Rangers, who plays in net if 1171623 Blues go Duck hunting for two points Igor Shesterkin sits? 1171624 ‘Things are looking very positive’: Jay Bouwmeester 1171594 Jacob Trouba gets what he expected: Mix of boos, cheers remains hospitalized after collapsing, but in good spirits greet former Jets NHL 1171625 The Lightning trio that got stuck on the ice, and saved the 1171595 Sellers have plenty of inventory ahead of NHL trade day deadline 1171626 Dan Girardi’s next chapter: Playing ‘Coach Dan’ with former Lightning star Vinny Lecavalier Maple Leafs Websites 1171627 How ‘lost soul’ Jack Campbell rediscovered his love of 1171667 The Athletic / ‘Things are looking very positive’: Jay hockey Bouwmeester remains hospitalized after collapsing, but 1171628 Leafs are facing Toronto’s scariest playoff inevitability 1171668 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: A guide to your GM’s since the Raptors’ annual dose of LeBronto favorite trading excuses (and which ones you should actua 1171629 Rasmus Sandin, battling Taylor Hall of the Coyotes in 1171669 .ca / Canucks' fete of Sedins highlights their Tuesday night’s game, has been taking a regular turn on impact on team's culture 1171630 Pierre Engvall has seven goals and seven assists in 35 1171670 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens leave Boston bruised, battered games with the Maple Leafs this season. with playoff hopes dwindling 1171631 NHL, players schedule more labour talks for next week 1171671 Sportsnet.ca / 31 Thoughts: Will NHL players suit up at 1171632 Game Day: Stars at Maple Leafs 2022 Winter Games? 1171633 Production from Hyman, Tavares should let Keefe 1171672 Sportsnet.ca / 'Same old story': Flames' turnover issues maintain Leafs' new Matthews trio rear their head in loss to Kings 1171634 Leafs reward Engvall's progress, sign forward to two-year 1171673 Sportsnet.ca / Sedin twins' ascension shaped by bond contract with former Canucks captains 1171635 Another night with ‘Phil The Thrill’: Reflections on Phil 1171674 Sportsnet.ca / Bouwmeester's 'scary' cardiac episode hits Kessel’s legacy with the Maple Leafs home for Flames' Ward, Brodie 1171636 Zach Hyman turned himself into one of the Maple Leafs’ 1171675 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens relieved Jay Bouwmeester has most important players — and best bargains 'stabilized' after cardiac episode 1171676 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs, Flames favourites on Canucks Thursday NHL odds 1171656 Sedins Post Game: Special thoughts on special night for 1171677 Sportsnet.ca / 25 NHL trade candidates you'll hear about special people before the deadline 1171657 Canucks 3, Blackhawks 0: Markstrom saves the day to 1171678 Sportsnet.ca / Timeline: Doughty and Tkachuk's war of cap memorable night words, elbows and slashes 1171658 Patrick Johnston: Sedins' retirement ceremony a perfect 1171679 TSN.CA / Five Takeaways: Canucks vs Blackhawks note to a near-perfect career 1171680 TSN.CA / Armstrong: Paramedics used defibrillator to 1171659 Recap: Canucks retire Henrik and 's jerseys ‘revive’ Bouwmeester 1171660 Ed Willes: Ex-Canucks star back, not in black 1171681 TSN.CA / Jim Little’s big task is filling the seats in Ottawa 1171661 Canucks at 50: There's no going back, but 1171682 TSN.CA / Examining former Daniel Pearson-winning Markus Naslund at peace Sedin and 's Hall of Fame credentials 1171662 Canucks at 50: When Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi 1171683 USA TODAY / Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester 'in played for each other good spirits' after needing to be revived by defibrillator 1171663 'Pleased and honoured': Mike Gillis looking forward to 1171684 USA TODAY / NBC says suspended hockey analyst paying tribute to Sedin twins Jeremy Roenick won't be returning 1171664 Canucks Game Day: Blackhawks a familiar foe for Sedins night Winnipeg Jets 1171665 The Armies: Henrik and Daniel Sedin Edition 1171650 Maurice remains right man for the job 1171666 How Henrik and Daniel see it: The Sedin twins watch 10 of 1171651 Jets extend Maurice's contract their greatest shifts and detail their unique chemis 1171652 Jets coach Maurice on the rise: Chipman 1171653 Jets' Maurice does just enough to get multi-year extension 1171654 The Jets have extended head coach Paul Maurice. Does 1171637 Golden Knights one of biggest losers for NHL bettors he deserve it? 1171638 Golden Knights’ AHL team to play at Orleans Arena 1171655 Jacob Trouba gets what he expected: Mix of boos, cheers 1171639 Blues’ medical episode brings back painful memories for greet former Jets defenceman Cody Eakin SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1171640 Peter DeBoer’s personality on display with Golden Knights 1171641 Matt Dumba fined for slashing Ryan Reaves 1171642 DeBoer says Golden Knights must be ‘hungrier, harder’ in crease 1171643 Golden Knights’ new minor league team to play at Orleans Arena 1171644 With AHL club in Vegas, Golden Knights’ prospects get an upgrade Capitals 1171645 Capitals embark on a three-game road trip out West looking for a reset 1171646 This story from the Capitals VIP Ticket Holder event will restore your faith in humanity 1171647 Evgeny Kuznetsov to miss game with upper-body injury 1171648 What's wrong with the Caps' defense? 1171649 on what makes Alex Ovechkin great, the evolution of goal scoring and how to catch Gretzky 1171501 Anaheim Ducks Typical Jay. I think it made us all feel a lot better today knowing we talked to him.

“Typical Jay is a very good Jay.” Blues’ Jay Bouwmeester undergoes tests to learn why he suffered cardiac episode at Honda Center of the Dallas Stars, in March 2014, and Jiri Fischer of the Detroit Red Wings, in November 2005, each suffered cardiac episodes while seated on their benches during NHL games and were treated By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | [email protected] | Orange County Register successfully. Neither played again in the NHL after their health scares, however. PUBLISHED: February 12, 2020 at 4:08 pm | UPDATED: February 12, 2020 at 4:12 PM The NHL mandates that doctors be situated within 50 feet of each bench during all games in order to react quickly should medical emergencies arise. Lifesaving practices are rehearsed before each season, and it was put to good use Tuesday at Honda Center. St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester remained hospitalized Wednesday at UC Irvine Medical Center, undergoing a battery of tests to “The doctors and the EMT, they were impressive to see them go into determine why he suffered a cardiac episode while seated on the action,” said Pietrangelo, who along with teammate Vince Dunn were players’ bench during Tuesday’s game against the Ducks at Honda among the first Blues players to alert Honda Center medical personnel Center. that Bouwmeester was in distress. “It’s hard to even explain. I mean, it happened so fast. It felt like it was an eternity for us. It’s not easy to see Bouwmeester, 36, collapsed during a television timeout with 7:50 anybody go through it, let alone your close friend and teammate that you remaining in the first period and was unresponsive before medical spend every day with.” personnel revived him using a defibrillator, Blues said during a news conference Wednesday in Las Vegas.

“Things are looking very positive,” Armstrong said. Orange County Register: LOADED: 02.13.2020 Armstrong said Bouwmeester regained consciousness “immediately” and was rushed to the hospital in Orange, roughly two miles from Honda Center. Bouwmeester was alert and had full use of all his extremities during the short ambulance ride.

“There is never a good time for something like this to take place, but there could not have been a better location than the Honda Center,” Armstrong said. “Thanks again to everyone involved at the Honda Center and the Ducks’ organization for their lifesaving efforts.”

Members of the Blues’ and Ducks’ medical staffs reached Bouwmeester within seconds of his collapse, as St. Louis players waved frantically for help. Players from both teams gathered at center in concern as Bouwmeester was revived and taken from the bench area on a stretcher.

The Ducks-Blues game was postponed with the teams tied 1-1 in the first period and no makeup date has been set. It’s likely to be replayed with a 1-1 score to start, Armstrong said. In addition, the Blues’ game Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights will be played as scheduled.

“Hockey gets pushed aside really quickly when you’re talking about something like this,” Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo said. “You play against each other and you battle against these guys, but we all have a lot of respect for each other. A lot of those guys (the Ducks) played with ‘Bo,’ have been around ‘Bo.’ A lot of them are friends. That’s just how the hockey community is.

“It’s a really tight group of people.”

Ducks defenseman Michael Del Zotto spent the latter portion of last season with the Blues after a Feb. 25 trade from Anaheim, and was a member of St. Louis’ first championship team. Ducks Ryan Miller played 19 games with the Blues in 2013-14.

Ducks team captain and Bouwmeester were teammates on Canada’s gold-medal winning teams at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Bouwmeester was a reserve in 2010 and on the roster in 2014.

The Ducks didn’t practice Wednesday and weren’t immediately available for comment. They play host to the Calgary Flames on Thursday at Honda Center. Several players walked down the corridor to embrace their Blues counterparts after it was agreed that Tuesday’s game wouldn’t continue.

Pietrangelo visited Bouwmeester at the hospital Tuesday night and used FaceTime so that their Blues teammates could see that Bouwmeester was well-cared for at UCI Medical Center. Bouwmeester’s father, Dan, also was at the hospital.

Dan Bouwmeester was among the Blues’ dads on a Fathers Trip to Anaheim and Las Vegas.

“I think it was important for everybody else to see him,” Pietrangelo said. “Everybody sent him their wishes. I think it made everybody feel a lot better to see that he was in good hands and in good spirits with us. 1171502 Anaheim Ducks

Orange County Register: LOADED: 02.13.2020

Ducks’ Michael Del Zotto making most of playing time

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | [email protected] | Orange County Register

PUBLISHED: February 12, 2020 at 12:00 pm | UPDATED: February 12, 2020 at 3:09 PM

ANAHEIM — Michael Del Zotto came and went so fast last season, it was difficult to know what to make of his 12-game stay with the Ducks. General manager Bob Murray acquired him Jan. 16 last year from the Vancouver Canucks and then traded him Feb. 25 to the St. Louis Blues.

Apparently, it was enough to convince Murray to re-sign the 29-year-old defenseman to a one-season, $750,000 contract July 16. Murray spent the summer trying and failing to bolster his defense corps, but it was a relatively minor move that appears to have paid big dividends.

It also could set up another trade before the NHL’s Feb. 24 deadline, perhaps to another Stanley Cup contender in exchange for prospects and/or draft picks. Del Zotto won the Cup last season with the Blues.

To be sure, Del Zotto’s statistics this season are modest. He has two goals and nine assists while averaging 18.01 minutes of ice time in 36 games. He’s been in and out of the Ducks’ lineup for most of the season, playing in a rotation at times with Korbinian Holzer, who has one goal and three assists in 42 games.

“We’ve been really transparent with ‘DZ.’ He’s going to be in and out of the lineup,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “He’s been highly competitive with that, trying to change our minds. He is textbook – if you’re not going to play every night – on how you go about your day.”

Del Zotto has made the most of many of his chances to play. For instance, he had an assist and was on the ice for four of the Ducks’ goals in a 7-4 victory Oct. 29 over the Winnipeg Jets. He also played a season- high 25:07 in a 4-1 win Nov. 16 over the St. Louis Blues.

More recently, he was on the ice for two goals in 4-3 loss Jan. 31 to the Tampa Bay Lightning, two more in a 3-1 victory Feb. 1 over the Kings and two again in a 3-2 win Sunday over the Buffalo Sabres. His outlet pass set up Sam Steel’s pass to Jakob Silfverberg for the first goal Sunday.

Del Zotto gets to the rink early and stays late, which aids his preparation, whether he’s in the lineup or out of it, according to Eakins. Del Zotto is a fixture in the weight room and often arrives when Eakins, a fitness fanatic, is starting his morning ride on a stationary bicycle.

Instead of Del Zotto feeling down over his lack of ice time, and dragging others down with him, Eakins said the 20th overall pick from the 2008 NHL draft has been “a real pleasure to have in your dressing room.” Del Zotto’s workout regimen has enabled Eakins to plug him into any situation this season.

“We’re allowed to do that because he allows us to do that,” Eakins said. “He’s the guy you would use as an example of commitment and discipline. It’s like, ‘I’m going to do all this work, so when my opportunity comes, I’m going to be great.’

“Here’s what happens: Guys turn into a ‘poor me’ or they’re feeling down or ‘this is (expletive).’ They don’t do the work and they come in, they get their opportunity and they don’t play well. ‘Well, I didn’t play well because I haven’t played.’ No, you didn’t play well because you didn’t do the work.

“’DZ’ is on it.”

Where does the commitment come from? Eakins said it comes from within.

“It’s choice. It’s choice,” Eakins said, repeating himself for emphasis. “Sometimes it does come from whatever you came from in your childhood or whatever has happened to you. ‘DZ’ has had to really dig in and make sure he’s still in the league and be counted. I think he’s still got a whole lot of game still in him. It does come from within, but the biggest thing to me is you’ve got to chose to do it.

“Or you chose not to do it.” 1171503 Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes unsure of timeline after Darcy Kuemper setback, Tocchet says

BY LOGAN NEWMAN

FEBRUARY 12, 2020 AT 11:54 AM

UPDATED: FEBRUARY 12, 2020 AT 12:11 PM

Arizona Coyotes star goalie Darcy Kuemper was scheduled to return from a lower body injury Monday but was reinjured during the morning skate.

The team is still uncertain of a timeline for his return, head coach Rick Tocchet said Wednesday on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Doug & Wolf.

“I honestly don’t know. It’s obviously not the next few days, I’ll put it that way,” Tocchet said. “Is it a week from now, two? I don’t know.”

With that said, Tocchet expressed one of optimism: Kuemper doesn’t have to start a rehab cycle for a new injury.

“It’s not like he’s starting from square one,” Tocchet said. “So that’s the positive news. We’ll see how it reacts. He’s not going to probably be on the ice for four or five days, and then we’ll go from there.”

The Coyotes need him back. They have just two wins over the last 10 games, and four of their next five games come against teams currently in a playoff position.

Kuemper was a frontrunner for the before initially suffering the injury Dec. 19. He has a save percentage of .929 and his goals against average is 2.17.

The struggles aren’t all due to Kuemper being out. Arizona has been sluggish over the last month. The Coyotes have struggled to find consistency on both sides of the ice, and Antti Raanta and Adin Hill are filling in at goalie adequately.

Tocchet thinks the team has played better since getting back from the All-Star break, especially at home, and believes the March schedule will be easier.

But getting Kuemper back sooner than later would be a boon.

“You can’t really dwell on it,” Tocchet said. “Darcy’s our best player, we all know that, and we’re going to have to pick up for him.”

Arizona Sports LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171504 Arizona Coyotes conditional, for example, on Edmonton reaching the Western Conference final. At that point, the price will have been justified, and the pick no higher than No. 28.

LeBrun: Taylor Hall’s future in Arizona and how Connor McDavid’s injury But one would surmise that if Ottawa doesn’t re-sign Pageau and trades impacts Oilers’ deadline plans him, they will want something better than that as a return.

Finally with the Oilers, there’s the matter of Jesse Puljujarvi. While the By Pierre LeBrun Oilers could dangle him before Feb. 24 to a non-playoff team looking to next year, I think the most likely plan right now is to wait until the June Feb 12, 2020 draft to include more teams in the bidding.

Carolina has two first-round picks in the June draft, its own plus Toronto’s, and according to sources has recently decided to put one in It would be quite a thing for star winger Taylor Hall to be traded twice in play if it means getting an impact blueliner. the same season. But the caveat here is that the Hurricanes would rather trade for a That is not the plan as far as the Arizona Coyotes are concerned, though. defenceman with term left on his deal, not a rental. So while the Canes Hall’s agent Darren Ferris had dinner Sunday night in Montreal with have kicked tires on pending UFAs Sami Vatanen and Brenden Dillon, Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo and GM John Chayka, by all accounts a for example, it sounds like they’d rather make a hockey deal instead. pleasant affair. Which represents what owner Tom Dundon believes in as far as his dislike of trading assets for a two-month rental. There was no discussion of a contract, as was agreed upon at the outset of the Dec. 16 trade, those talks will wait until after the season. But there The Canes have kicked tires on Matt Dumba, which would be a much is a clear desire from the Coyotes to continue their relationship with Hall larger deal. Dumba, 25, has three more years on his contract paying $6 past this season. million a season. The Wild just got multiple assets for winger Jason Zucker and would look to do even better in a Dumba deal. But the Canes So while it’s a legitimate question to ask what the Coyotes would do with do have the first-round pick in play, plus players/prospects that I think the Hall if they’re not in a playoff spot come Feb. 24, especially with the risk Wild have interest in. of him walking into free agency this summer and getting nothing for him, the sense right now is that the Coyotes plan to keep him in the fold and But there are other possibilities as well if Carolina looks to go the hockey use all those months ahead of July 1 trying to sell him on a long-term deal route: Brandon Montour or Rasmus Ristolainen in Buffalo, for future in Arizona. example. Or could Carolina entice New Jersey to listen on Damon Severson? That was the point of the trade, to get Hall for the long haul, a calibre of player they have struggled to draft or lure to their market over the years. Given that the Canes aren’t assured of making the postseason, they’re two points out as of Tuesday, a hockey deal makes more sense than a And Arizona has a carrot no other team can offer: an eight-year contract. rental deal for that reason alone. But as Pittsburgh showed Monday night, it requires more pieces to get it done. At worst, the Coyotes should be within shouting distance of a playoff spot in a tight Pacific Division two weeks from now, so it’s probably a moot Which is why Carolina is willing to include a first-round pick as part of a point for the most part. package for the right player.

If they find themselves 6-7 points out, it would be an uncomfortable I love those smaller deals that end up paying off come playoff time. I got position to be in not knowing if they can re-sign Hall. The first-round pick a feeling Derek Grant could be a great example this year if indeed the as part of the deal with New Jersey is at least top-three protected, which Ducks move him since he’s a pending UFA. at the time of the deal with Arizona in first place of the Pacific seemed like a bit much to worry about; now it’s proven to be quite prudent. Grant’s 13 goals are tied for third on the team with Rickard Rakell, one ahead of Ryan Getzlaf, and it’s a career high. He makes only $700,000, I would never say never at this time of year, but from what I’m being told, so there’s next to no cap hit for all those contenders with no cap room, you can forget Hall going anywhere before the trade deadline. and he’s a Swiss Army knife type of player that does a bit of everything.

Oilers plan affected by McDavid injury? “Unbelievable on faceoffs, extremely responsible, I bet you he’s got four breakaway goals this season, he’s really competitive and just a great guy No, would be the short answer in the here and now. in the room,” Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins told me recently about Oilers GM , according to sources, has spoken to a dozen Grant. “I’ve played him probably more minutes than he has in the past. teams in the past week alone to get a clearer picture of the market in the He’s a good killer. He’s a key cog for us.” hopes of finding a way to add a top-nine forward before the trade Grant has been on six NHL teams including now his second tour of duty deadline. with the Ducks. The 29-year-old from Abbotsford, B.C., has shown But the injury to superstar Connor McDavid isn’t going to push tremendous determination to stick with it. Holland into a rash decision in the conversations he’s having with teams. “Guys like that, I remember him from (AHL) Stockton when I was If and when he finds a fit for a trade, for a price he can live with, he will coaching (AHL) San Diego, just how well he played there,” said Eakins, pull the trigger. referencing Grant’s 27 goals in 36 AHL games in 2015-16 with Stockton. If anything, he probably will be more prudent now depending on how his “Those guys you see scrape and claw when everything they’ve got, he team survives the McDavid injury. I mean, if the Oilers barely win while had to find a way out of that league and then he had to just claw to just No. 97 is out, why spend an asset to make a trade at all if the team slips hang on in this league, and then he got himself established in a role. Now out of a playoff spot? you see him getting rewarded with a little bit of offence. Man, you cheer for those guys. And you highly respect them. He’s been one of the So the standings will dictate what the Oilers do ahead of Feb. 24, which brighter lights in our dressing room this year for sure.” in reality, was always going to be the case. Which is also why Anaheim really likes Grant and it wouldn’t surprise me This was always going to be a delicate dance for Holland at his first trade if they at least asked his agent closer to Feb. 24 what it would take to deadline with the Oilers. On the one hand he’d like to reward his group of extend him. players for having a positive season and throw them a bone; an important message to McDavid especially that the Oilers want to win as But if he is dealt, I think he’s a terrific bottom-six add for a contender. soon as possible. But on the other hand, this is a top-heavy organization I spoke with one NHL GM on Tuesday who didn’t tip his hand whether he that has many holes and he just can’t afford to straight-out trade his first- would call Anaheim on Grant but did make the point about the more round pick. Edmonton needs to keep adding good young assets. subtle trades sometimes being the best route. He said when you trade for I’ve speculated before regarding the Oilers’ interest in Ottawa centre a top-six forward or top-four D-man it can upset the balance of your Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and that interest remains, but not if the price is a team’s hierarchy in ways you didn’t anticipate with a player or two on straight-up first-round pick. As I’ve suggested, not unless that pick is your team having their role changed. Whereas adding a bottom-six forward like Grant essentially moves out a player that probably was on the bubble or should be in the AHL anyway. It’s the kind of move that ruffles fewer feathers.

I will say this: I’m hearing more about chemistry consideration from GMs this year than I ever have ahead of the trade deadline.

It’s been an honour for me to be on the selection committee for the Order of Hockey in Canada since it began in 2012.

The aim of the awards every year is to recognize that have impacted the game in different ways, not just great players, which we’ve honoured, but also people behind the scenes who have changed the game.

The class of 2020 announced Tuesday is a special one if you consider some of the issues in our game the last several years. Ken Dryden, Sheldon Kennedy and Dr. Charles Tator have all done the kind of advocacy work that will impact hockey for many years.

The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171505 Boston Bruins Weber will likely miss the rest of the regular season with a serious ankle sprain. It was a fast-paced game with some extracurricular stickwork, but during play, Boston was almost always a step ahead.

It’s hats off for David Pastrnak in Bruins victory over Canadiens Tuukka Rask, whose save percentage (.930) is best of any goalie with more than 30 starts, made 28 saves on 29 shots. Minutes after Pastrnak’s first goal, Rask made a remarkable save, exploding cross- By Matt Porter Globe Staff crease to deny a solo Nick Cousins a would-be tap-in.

February 12, 2020, 11:54 p.m. The Bruins put 37 pucks on Price before he departed in the final minutes. ’s empty-netter finished the job with 20 seconds left, and

gave Marchand his third assist. For a stylish fellow like David Pastrnak, a hat trick against the Before going down, 3-1, Montreal’s only extended push came with about Canadiens is appropriate wear for all seasons. It suited him well on five minutes left in the first. On their best chance, down by one goal, Max Wednesday. Domi whiffed on a bouncing puck at the doorstep. He also hit the pipe in The ever-voguish Bruin scored his 39th, 40th and 41st goals of the the second period. season, setting a career high and powering the Bruins to a 4-1 win over The Habs made it 2-1 less than a minute after Pastrnak’s second, on a their old rivals. Marco Scandella wrister from the point that pinballed past Rask at 4:52 of This was Pastrnak’s second hat trick against the Habs this season, the middle period. But they were not nearly sharp enough to match the something last done by a man named Gordie Howe in 1951-52. Bruins’ hard-charging style. Generations later, invoking the name “Howe” remains in fashion in NHL “We had some desperation in our game to keep the puck out of the net,” dressing rooms. Bruins coach said. “As much as Pasta was the star “An honor for me,” said a grateful Pastrnak, who thanked his teammates tonight, obviously, offensively, I thought a lot of our guys deserved credit several times after once again surging into the NHL goal lead. . . . that’s how you win.” Washington’s Alex Ovechkin and Toronto’s Auston Matthews had reached 40 while he was stuck on 38 the previous four games. Boston Globe LOADED: 02.13.2020 By the end of the second period, Pastrnak ended his dry spell, set a new career high (he had 38 last year) and became the Bruins’ first 40-goal man in 17 seasons. For those counting, Glen Murray was the last to do so with 44 in 2002-03.

What’s next? He could have the Black and Gold’s first 50-goal season since in ‘93-94. Can he hit 60? Not likely, unless he delivers a few more shipments of hats. But 50 is no minor accomplishment. Five Bruins — Phil Esposito, John Bucyk, Rick Middleton, Ken Hodge and Neely — have done it.

More Pasta helpings: he has 14 goals in 19 career games against the Habs, and he is the first Bruin with four hat tricks in a season since Phil Esposito in 1974-75.

With 24 games left before the postseason, he has plenty of time to add to his total.

At age 24, he has plenty of time to build his career numbers (173 goals in 378 games).

“Kind of scary to look at where his ceiling might be,” said linemate Brad Marchand (three assists). “The fact he’s able to continue to find ways to score when teams are zoning in on him, it’s very impressive. There are very few guys in the league that can do that . . . He’s going to be a hell of a player for a long time.”

Marchand, whose hands are once again magical, set up Pastrnak with a gorgeous play 6:59 in. Catching Montreal defenseman Jeff Petry flat- footed off a turnover, Marchand toe-dragged around and through Petry, who had little recourse but to drape himself on Marchand until support arrived. A deft feed to a streaking Pastrnak gave Boston the lead for good.

Worth a watch, if the highlight should appear on your social media feed.

“I gave up and stopped skating,” Pastrnak said. “I was like, ‘There’s no way he can make that play with two or three guys on his back.’ Easy play for me.”

Pastrnak made it 2-0 at 4:16 into the second, faking netminder Carey Price (34 saves) and roofing the puck to finish a play that started at the other end, when he and Sean Kuraly harassed Petry into a turnover. The hats flew at 15:49 of that period, when Pastrnak dunked Petry’s failed clearing attempt while on the power play. Pastrnak even helped the ice crew collect the chapeaus with a few careful swipes of his stick.

“I’m happy for [40],” said Pastrnak, who arrived for work wearing a black and white checkered overcoat and a black Fedora he purchased in Nashville. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. Big thanks come to them. Just keep it rolling.”

In a game with plenty of chippiness, the Bruins (35-11-12) matched the desperation of the Canadiens (27-25-7), who learned that captain Shea 1171506 Boston Bruins (Rangers, 1993-94), (Panthers, 1999-2000), each with 15, and , who scored 16 for the Blues in ‘91-92 and 19 in ‘90-91.

■ Minutes after Pastrnak’s first goal, Tuukka Rask made a remarkable Observations from the Bruins’ ‘Pasta party’ vs. the Canadiens save, exploding cross-crease to deny Nick Cousins at the doorstep. Cousins was all alone for a would-be tap-in after Nick Suzuki separated from John Moore behind the goal. The netminder stopped 18 of 19 shots By Matt Porter Globe Staff through 40 minutes, as the Bruins peppered Price with 26 pucks.

February 12, 2020, 10:16 p.m. ■ Before going down, 3-1, Montreal’s only extended push came with about five minutes left in the first. On their best chance, down by one

goal, Max Domi whiffed on a bouncing puck at the doorstep. He also hit For a stylish fellow like David Pastrnak, a hat trick against the Canadiens the pipe in the second period. is appropriate wear for all seasons. It suited him well on Wednesday. ■ The Habs made it 2-1 less than a minute after Pastrnak’s second, on The ever-voguish Bruin scored his 39th, 40th and 41st goals of the a Marco Scandella wrister from the point that pinballed past Rask at 4:52 season, powering the Bruins to a 4-1 win over their old rivals. of the middle period. But they were not sharp with the puck. The Bruins were a step ahead. With his second hat trick against the Habs this season, Pasta again surged into the NHL goal lead. ■ Tempers flared early and often. Marchand and Petry had an extended battle near the end of the first. After Petry ran Marchand into the end In a game with plenty of chippiness that was strongly tilted toward the boards, there was stick-grabbing, slashes and chops both ways before Black and Gold, Pastrnak became the first Bruin to score 40 goals in 17 the two dropped gloves and wrestled to the ground. They earned seasons, since Glen Murray’s 44 in 2002-03. roughing minors. Marchand, slightly the aggressor, was called for a slash, giving the Canadiens a power play (they were 0-2 on the man-up His first goal, which put Boston ahead for good 6:59 in and came off a through 40 minutes). gorgeous play from Brad Marchand, established a career high. Pastrnak put the Bruins up by a pair 4:16 into the second, and the hats flew at ■ After Danton Heinen was called for a slash, Zdeno Chara and 15:49 of that period. He even helped the ice crew clean them up with a Brendan Gallagher, who is a foot shorter, were also served after few careful swipes of his stick. exchanging cross-checks.

Tuukka Rask, with the best save percentage (.929 coming in) of any ■ The Bruins’ 4 on 3 power play, which produced Pastrnak’s hat trick, goalie with more than 30 starts, made 28 saves on 29 shots. The Bruins came after Chris Wagner and Drouin got in a shoving match and Joel put 37 pucks on Carey Price before he departed in the final minutes. Armia was tagged for roughing Torey Krug.

Patrice Bergeron’s empty-netter finished the job with 20 seconds left, and ■ Kuraly was shaken up near the end of the second period, and gave Marchand his third assist. departed for the dressing room, but returned to start the third.

Boston (35-11-12), dropping Montreal for the third time in four meetings, wouldn’t see them again until the playoffs. It doesn’t look like the visitors (27-25-7) will get there, particularly after the news that captain Shea Boston Globe LOADED: 02.13.2020 Weber will miss the rest of the regular season with a serious ankle sprain.

■ Pastrnak had a four-game goal drought entering Wednesday. That streak is no longer. He potted his 39th of the year at 6:59 off a gorgeous play by Brad Marchand, who deserves some shine on this Pasta-heavy night.

■ To make it 1-0, Marchand entered the zone after collecting a fat Jonathan Drouin giveaway, and put on a puck control clinic. He slipped through defenseman Jeff Petry (who had a brutal night) with a toe drag. He lowered his shoulder into Petry and shielded the biscuit from him and his partner, Brett Kulak. Out of options, Petry draped himself on the Bruins winger. With a delayed call coming, Marchand extended his reach and slipped a pass to Pastrnak, who separated from a backchecking Drouin. Worth a watch, if the highlight should appear on your social media feed.

■ Pastrnak and Sean Kuraly teamed up for the 2-0 goal, harassing Petry into a turnover in front of Tuukka Rask and breaking the other way. Kuraly, not known for his hands, expertly fed Pastrnak a lead pass. No. 88 faked Carey Price and roofed it.

■ Petry was around to watch the hats fly, too. With the Bruins on a 4 on 3 power play, Petry passed a clearing attempt to Pastrnak, who slammed it into an empty net at 15:45 of the second.

■ He now owns the 32nd 40-goal season in Bruins history, and the first since Glen Murray (44) in 2002-03. With 24 games left, he should have the first 50-goal year since Cam Neely in ‘93-94. Can he hit 60? Not likely, unless he delivers a few more shipments of hats. But 50 is no minor accomplishment. Five Bruins — Phil Esposito, John Bucyk, Rick Middleton, Ken Hodge and Neely — have done it.

■ More Pasta helpings: he has 14 goals in 19 career games against the Habs. According to Elias Sports Bureau, he is the first player with two hat tricks vs. the Canadiens in one season since Gordie Howe in 1951-52 (he had one in Montreal on Dec. 1). He is the first Bruin with four hat tricks in a season since Phil Esposito in 1974-75.

■ And there’s this: Only four times in the last 30 years has a player scored more game-opening goals than Pastrnak (14): Adam Graves 1171507 Boston Bruins The uninitiated should know: this goes back a long way.

Pleading the fourth

Has the Bruins-Canadiens become a fading rivalry? Shortly after taking over Boston’s bench three years ago last Friday, Cassidy placed trust in his fourth line.

It has rewarded him. Tim Schaller and Noel Acciari have departed, and By Matt Porter Globe Staff Chris Wagner and Joakim Nordstrom have arrived, and Sean Kuraly February 12, 2020, 8:40 p.m. remains. This season has been fits and starts for the No. 4 trio, which hasn’t consistently found the buzzsaw mode it engaged last year.

Last year’s Wagner-Kuraly-Acciari fourth line was outscored, 14-8, but Bruins forward Brad Marchand seemed to have no love lost for was a possession-driver, gaining 55 percent of the scoring chances and Montreal’s Jeff Petry in this dustup during the first period of Wednesday shots. night’s game at TD Garden. Swapping out Acciari (19 goals for Florida) for Nordstrom has been a net Charlie Coyle’s favorite Bruins-Canadiens memory: Game 6 of the 2008 negative, but that’s in large part to Nordstrom’s injury issues. He was playoffs. Remember that one? back on Wednesday, after missing four games with an allergic reaction.

The teams traded goals, and scored to give the Bruins a In nearly 220 minutes together, the line has been outscored, 12-3, and dramatic 5-4 win. A 16-year-old Coyle, who traveled from Weymouth with gained 42 percent of both shots and shot attempts while on the ice. friends and cousins to pound the old yellow seats at TD Garden, wasn’t They’ve had less than 37 percent of scoring chances. alone in thinking the Bruins, after a few down years, just might be back. Nordstrom wouldn’t go into detail about the allergy, but said it’s under “I was in one of the top rows up there, [the] nosebleeds,” Coyle said, control. standing in front of his locker before the puck drop of Wednesday night’s 4-1 win vs. Montreal. “Atmosphere was unbelievable. It was just so cool “It’s been an issue for me for a little more than half a season, sickness to be there watching. I always wondered what it would be like playing and an injury,” he said. “We want to be good. We want to be reliable. here . . . against them . . . for the Bruins. “There’s been stretches we’ve been playing really well. We’ve had some “It’s not always like that,” he added, switching focus to the game. “It’s two tough matchups and done a really good job. We want to be consistent on points. You can’t get caught up in it.” that part.”

For the last 96 years, the Bruins and Canadiens have combined for The line made an impact on Wednesday, Cassidy starting the trio as a dozens of games and moments worth savoring. In this context, the mere tone-setter and receiving nine hits in return. Nordstrom had a team-high mention of a calendar year can bring a warming grin (1988) or a smack 4 smacks. of the palm against a table (1979). As the last Boston-Montreal game of Better yet, Kuraly and David Pastrnak combined for the 2-0 goal with a the regular season arrived — the 750th edition of a rivalry first contested pretty lead feed from the former to his elite (temporary) linemate. in 1924 — it had all hit a bit of a lull. Line changes Wednesday night, however, tempers flared. In particular, Brad Marchand and Jeff Petry, and Zdeno Chara and Brendan Gallagher (a mismatch of To start the game, Cassidy moved Anders Bjork to the left side of the 12 inches in height) had some heat. It was nothing like the old days, third line, and played Danton Heinen on the right side. Bjork played in his though the go-go action was plenty entertaining on its own. 100th career game . . . Tuukka Rask, who lost as the surprise starter Sunday in Detroit, got the start and is expected to start Saturday’s The teams last met in the playoffs in 2014. These Habs arrived on matinee against the Red Wings. Jaroslav Halak, managing his lingering Causeway Street eight points out of the second wild card (held by upper body injury, is in line for Manhattan on Sunday . . . Defenseman Philadelphia), with Florida and Carolina in between. The Bruins had Connor Clifton (upper body) could return for this weekend’s back-to-back outscored them, 15-7, in three games this season. . . . Montreal entered with the best power play on the road (27 percent).

At puck drop, there weren’t as many red shirts in the audience as in the past. Boston Globe LOADED: 02.13.2020 “I don’t think it’s as passionate as it was in Mike’s day,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said pregame, nodding at NBC Sports broadcaster , the former B’s coach and defenseman who was sitting in the back of the room. In those days, of (Terry) O’Reilly and (Chris) Nilan and (Jay) Miller and (John) Kordic, players arrived ready for battle.

Growing up in Ottawa a fan of the Black and Gold, Cassidy loathed Les Habitants. He now considers himself a “big part” of the rivalry, and takes it upon himself to shed a little light for newcomers in the B’s dressing room. But he conceded that Toronto is the main rival around here these days. The Habs haven’t made the playoffs in two seasons.

“I miss it,” Cassidy said. “The next time there’s a playoff series, it’ll be reignited.”

Maybe the Habs hatred started here: when the Canadian Press triumphantly covered the defending world champions’ 4-3 win at Boston Arena on Dec. 8, 1924.

The lead of that article boasted that “5,000 hockey fans [got] the best exhibition of the Canadian game on record here.

“The ice was a little soft,” the article continued, “but in spite of that handicap the lightning-like Canadien forwards displayed their wares successfully. The game opened with what was probably the fastest exhibition of hockey ever seen by Boston fans.”

In the Globe, writer John J. Hallahan gave the visitors their due: “All the praises that have been sung . . . were justified,” he wrote, adding that “the Flying Frenchmen” gave Boston its first taste of big-league professional hockey. 1171508 Boston Bruins clunky or something like that — the stereotype of the bigger skater — but he might be the fastest guy on our team.

“When he’s on, our team is on.” Brandon Carlo is grateful for Bruins’ support after personal tragedy As Carlo sat at his locker Tuesday, teammate Jake DeBrusk sidled up next to him to make it a joint interview with reporters. The two were part By Tara Sullivan Globe Staff of the same draft class in 2015, when the Bruins had an unprecedented three consecutive first-round selections. It was DeBrusk who was among February 12, 2020, 6:15 p.m. the headliners, taken 14th overall (behind Jakub Zboril and ahead of Zach Senyshyn). Yet while those two players toil away in Providence, it is

Carlo, the seventh pick of the second round (37th overall) who has Brandon Carlo was in the Bruins lineup for Wednesday’s game against become a Boston mainstay. the Canadiens, just as he was Sunday in Detroit. The 23-year-old “Maybe the biggest steal of that draft,” said McAvoy, the Bruins’ first- defenseman is a vital piece of the Bruins puzzle, a 6-foot-5-inch, 212- round pick a year later. pound defenseman with brute strength and superior skill. Already with a career-high 17 points this season, Carlo has his career on In fact, Carlo was on the ice for the first 55 games this season, until last the right trajectory. But when family called, he answered, supported by Saturday, when he left the team for what was announced as a family personal faith and professional understanding. matter. And now, after heading to Wyoming to attend the funeral of his brother-in-law, Carlo will play the remainder of the schedule with a very “I think regardless of the circumstances, with him dying so young, it just special memory in his heart. puts everything in perspective,” Carlo said, “not only with hockey but life, to really enjoy each day, because you never know what’s going to In a quiet moment following practice Tuesday at Warrior Arena, Carlo happen. spoke about Levin Comly, the husband of his sister Jessica, who died tragically at the age of 35. Out of respect to his family, Carlo kept the “A lot of people say that, but going through that experience really kind of details private, but he was honored to describe a man who was always dug it deeper into me. There’s no real reason to go a full day of being smiling, made anyone in the room happier by his presence, and who will angry or sad; you just want to enjoy this life you’ve been blessed to be missed terribly by a tight-knit group of relatives. have.”

“That’s definitely the closest member or friend that I’ve been associated with that has passed away. It was a really hard situation,” Carlo said. “The news really shook me. It wasn’t anything that we were expecting. Boston Globe LOADED: 02.13.2020

“I’m very close with my family and I just wanted to be there for my sister mainly, but also kind of put things to rest and mentally get back on track with putting it all in perspective, being at the funeral and closing that chapter, trying to move on from there.”

It wasn’t easy, not as Carlo, the baby of four siblings (he has two older brothers along with Jessica) saw a Bruins hat in Comly’s casket and thought of how much his brother-in-law had supported and enjoyed his surging career.

“That really killed me,” he said.

But being part of the Bruins is also part of Carlo’s healing, something he felt the moment he rejoined the team Sunday in Detroit, ready to play, but also ready to feel the support of friends.

“It’s been fantastic to be around these guys, to see everybody here,” he said. “These are some of my best friends, a brother in a different aspect.

“It was nice because they just gave me a hug when I came back, accepted me back, and to have that to kind of get your mind off everything else is really, really good for you.”

If one of the best byproducts of an evolving professional sports landscape is the deeper understanding and support of an athlete’s decision to attend to such personal matters even at the expense of a game, one of the most longstanding aspects of being part of a team is the welcome that awaits upon return.

Bonds among teammates are some of the strongest we can build, as lives are intertwined not simply by the number of minutes, hours, and days spent together, but also by the dependence and trust built by relying on each other to win games.

That sort of trust extends beyond a locker room’s walls.

“It’s incredibly hard when you experience loss, and for him, the way he handled himself, there are things that are so much more important than hockey,” said teammate Charlie McAvoy. “At the end of the day, it’s just a game.

“It was great for the organization to allow him to go home to be with his family where he deserved to be and should have been. When he came back, it’s kind of hard, you don’t really know what to say. I just wanted to give him a big hug, tell him we were thinking about him and his family.”

The welcome was just as big on the ice, where, as McAvoy said, “We’re just a much better team when he’s out there. One, he defends so hard. He’s long, he’s big, he can skate. I think one of his most underrated things is just how good of a skater he is. People assume he would be 1171509 Boston Bruins

Bruins look to stay on top in Atlantic against Montreal

By Matt Porter Globe Staff

February 12, 2020, 12:30 p.m.

A few hard laps to get the legs moving before the Bruins, still tops in the NHL (80 points; 34-11-12) host the fading Canadiens (27-24-7) at TD Garden for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop:

■ Status check on the B’s: energized. After their bye break, the Bruins have outscored opponents, 19-8, and won five of six since the nine-day layoff. They ran into a hot goalie (Detroit’s , 39 saves), but have carried play.

■ They’re not alone. The Lightning, 2-1 winners over the Penguins on Tuesday, entered Wednesday one point behind in the Atlantic Division. Blistering hot, the Bolts are 20-2-1 in their last 23. A few things jump out:

■ They have win streaks of 10 and eight (current) in this run.

■ They have played 14 of these 23 games on the road (11-2-1).

■ They have gone scoreless on the power play in all but six of those 23 games (16.1 percent, 10 for 61).

■ This run began with a Dec. 21 loss at Washington, when they were unable to score on seven PP chances in a 3-1 loss. They won 10 in a row after. Incidentally, the Bruins’ longest win streak of the year (eight) came after losing to the Capitals on Nov. 16.

■ David Pastrnak has been stuck on 38 goals the last four games, one shy of his longest goal-less drought of the year (five games, Dec. 17-27). In that stretch, he had eight assists. He had three helpers in his last four games. Alex Ovechkin and Auston Matthews, both with 40 goals, are ahead of Pasta in the goal column.

■ Defenseman Connor Clifton (upper body), who practiced in full on Tuesday, could be available Wednesday. It is more likely he would return for a back-to-back this weekend, Saturday against Detroit and Sunday at the Rangers.

■ Tuukka Rask, who lost as the surprise starter Sunday in Detroit, is expected in net against the Habs. Jaro Halak, a late scratch that day, practiced Tuesday and is in line to start in Manhattan on Sunday.

■ Third-year pro Anders Bjork, after shoulder injuries wrecked his first two years out of Notre Dame, could play in his 100th game. Par Lindholm, if he suits up, would also join the century club. Lindholm, 28, was a point-a-game guy in Sweden before arriving in North America last season. He has carved out a role as a depth forward for a contending team. Not bad.

■ David Krejci is on track to play Game No. 900 on Saturday. Krejci is the Bruins’ leading scorer among European-born players (682 points). Zdeno Chara (480) is second. Sergei Samsonov (376) is third. They rank eighth, 18th and 30th on the Bruins’ all-time scoring list.

■ The Bruins have been in good hands since turfing Claude Julien, No. 1 in wins (419) by a Bruins coach, three years ago last Friday. At this rate, Bruce Cassidy (151-63-34) would pass Julien’s win total sometime in year eight. Cassidy entered Wednesday two wins from his 200th as an NHL coach (he won 47 games in Washington, 2002-03) and was a pair of ‘W’s shy of Harry Sinden (153) for sixth among Black and Gold bosses.

■ Julien is 188-163-10-44 as Montreal’s coach (2002-05; ‘17-present), sixth in wins and 18th in points percentage.

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How David Pastrnak scored his hat trick

By RICH THOMPSON | [email protected] | Boston Herald

PUBLISHED: February 13, 2020 at 12:21 am | UPDATED: February 13, 2020 at 12:48 am

Right wing David Pastrnak reached a career milestone that had historical significance.

Pastrnak scored three goals to power the Bruins to a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in a rivalry game on Wednesday night at the TD Garden.

Pastrnak’s fourth hat trick of the season and eighth of his career upped his total to 41 goals, making him the first Bruins player to eclipse 40 since Glenn Murry had 44 in the 2002-03.

Pastrnak became the first Bruin to have four hat tricks in a season since Phil Esposito in 1974-75 and the first player to have two hat tricks against the Canadiens in the same season since Gordie Howe in 1951-52.

“Obviously I’m happy for that (40 goals), it is something I hadn’t accomplished in my entire career,” said Pastrnak. “I’m personally excited but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates.

“Big things come from them and let keep it rolling.”

A phenomenal piece of stickwork by Brad Marchand set up Pastrnak’s initial tally at 6:59 of the first. Marchand forced a turnover in the neutral zone and advanced the puck into the Canadiens’ zone.

Marchand undressed Habs’ defenseman Jeff Petry with an inside move, forcing Brett Kulak to abandon Pastrnak and cover the front of the net. Marchand slipped the puck by Kulak to Pastrnak, who wristed it inside the near post.

“I thought there was no way he could get it to me because he had three guys on him,” said Pastrnak. “It was an unbelievable play by him and a great game for the team and two big points.

“Obviously we were playing Montreal, a big rivalry from the fans point and for the players it is always exciting to play these games.”

Sean Kuraly set in motion a 3-on-2 breakout that would produce Pastrnak’s 40th at 4:19 of the second. Kuraly forced a turnover in the Bruins end and led a surge down the left flank.

Kuraly drew the defense and dished to Pastrnak as he cut through the low slot. Pastrnak took the feed on the backhand, shifted to the forehand and lifted it over Carey Price.

“My first thought was to get it to my forehand to have a better chance to score,” said Pastrnak. “He made a nice play and a good pass and it was like a mini breakaway.”

Bruins’ fans showered the ice with assorted baseball caps and stocking hats when Pastrnak netted his third on the power play at 15:45 of the second.

Pastrnak was perched unattended on the left side of the Montreal cage awaiting either a pass or a rebound while not expecting a gift. Petry’s attempt to clear the crease went directly to Pastrnak, who tucked it inside the near post.

Boston Herald LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171511 Boston Bruins became the first Bruins skater to score four hat tricks in a season since Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito each did it in 1974-75.

Patrice Bergeron sealed it with an empty-net goal with 19 seconds left. David Pastrnak nets hat trick, reaches 41 goals in Bruins win over Habs The Bruins next host the Red Wings on Saturday afternoon, looking to defeat the worst team in the NHL for the first time this season.

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

PUBLISHED: February 12, 2020 at 10:14 pm | UPDATED: February 13, Boston Herald LOADED: 02.13.2020 2020 at 12:50 am

David Pastrnak did it again.

Another hat trick, another dominant offensive showing as he retook the NHL’s scoring lead, potting three goals in a 4-1 Bruins win over the Canadiens on Wednesday night at TD Garden.

In a rebound from a loss to the Red Wings on Sunday — their first in the seven games — the Bruins took a first-period lead and never relented, handing the Habs their second consecutive defeat.

“Obviously we want to see him continue to score; it helps us win games,” said Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. “So now he’s at 40 and who knows what’s next, right? There’s still a lot of hockey left. I think the way he started this year, we’d all thought he’d be in that area anyway, challenging for 50. That’ll be the next conversation I assume, and good for him. He deserves it.”

Pastrnak became the first Bruins skater to score 40 goals in a season since Glen Murray in 2002-03, and he and Brad Marchand each eclipsed 70 points. Marchand became the 10th player in Bruins history to reach the 70 point plateau in at least four consecutive seasons.

“It’s something I hadn’t accomplished yet in my career, so obviously excited,” Pastrnak said. “But I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. Big thanks come to them and just keep it rolling.”

Wednesday’s chippy affair involved a Marchand scrap, plenty of antics between Zdeno Chara and Brendan Gallagher and all sorts of feistiness expected when the Canadiens come to town. The Bruins took advantage with their one power-play goal, and nothing else got too far out of hand in what ended up being a start-to-finish solid effort.

“There should be some chippiness,” said Cassidy. “We talked about that this morning. It’s good to see it. I mean, we only play them four times; that’s another reason why you lose some of the rivalry. It used to be eight times at least, so you don’t see them as much to develop that hatred. You don’t get them in a back-to-back anymore; there probably was some of those games back in the day. I liked the way we handled it.”

The Bruins brought intensity early and it paid off with a goal that should be on the highlight reels for a while.

They didn’t score until 6:59 into the first despite some strong chances on Montreal goalie Carey Price, but the most impressive attempt found the back of the net. Marchand stole the puck at center ice and dangled through two Canadiens skaters, somehow flipping the puck to an open Pastrnak who easily deposited his 39th tally of the season.

Pastrnak struck again early in the second for his 40th. With 4:16 gone in the frame, Sean Kuraly found the B’s scorer on a 2-on-1 after Pastrnak stripped Jeff Petry of the puck for a 2-0 lead.

The two-goal advantage was short-lived, though.

Habs defenseman Marco Scandella fired a puck past Tuukka Rask from just inside the blue line 36 seconds later to make it a one-goal contest.

Pastrnak netted his third of the game with 4:45 left for his fourth hat trick of the season.

On his 41st goal, Pastrnak pushed the puck past Price on a 4-on-3 that came from Joel Armia hitting Torey Krug up high. It was 4-on-4 with Chris Wagner and Jonathan Drouin shoving each other in the corner until they were sent off, but Armia’s infraction gave the Bruins another man advantage with plenty of ice to work with.

Pastrnak made them pay and reclaimed the NHL lead in goals in the process.

His third goal also made him the first player to score two hat tricks against the Canadiens since 1951-52, when Gordie Howe did it. He also 1171512 Boston Bruins

Bruins notebook: With lead diminished, Bruins can only focus on themselves

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

PUBLISHED: February 12, 2020 at 6:51 pm | UPDATED: February 12, 2020 at 6:52 PM

It seems the Bruins insurmountable lead isn’t so insurmountable after all.

The Bruins entered Wednesday night’s game with the Canadiens just a single point ahead of Tampa Bay for first in the Atlantic, something that seemed near impossible just a couple of months ago.

Part of that has been the Lightning’s torrid play; they won eight in a row entering Wednesday night and found several ways to do it, with back-to- back wins in Columbus and Pittsburgh and sweeping a trip.

The Bruins haven’t played poorly out of the break, with six initial wins in a row. While teams are allowed a hiccup here and there, a loss like Sunday’s in Detroit is almost not affordable with how the Lightning are coming on.

They can’t worry about how the Lightning have righted the ship; they just have to beat the teams they’re supposed to and then some.

“We obviously recognize (what the lead is) because we have the standings in the locker room and we can see the teams climbing up, but overall we can’t focus on anybody’s game besides our own,” said Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo. “We’re just going to continue on our path. We had a good reset after the break and we just want to continue on that positive path.”

The Lightning had success in the regular season a year ago before being swept out of the first round by the Blue Jackets. This year, they’ve faced a bit of adversity and are chasing the Bruins.

“You can go back over the years and see which teams took advantage of that. Clearly, Tampa didn’t last year,” said Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. “I think every team would tell you they’d like to have home ice, but I don’t think any teams would tell you that they’re celebrating the President’s Trophy. … It just means you’ve had a successful regular season. Does that automatically translate in the playoffs? No. We’ve seen that because there’s too much parity.”

It’s not the end of the world if the Bruins don’t have that top seed in the postseason; after all, they didn’t a year ago and ended up with home ice throughout anyhow.

This time it might just be the loss of morale from losing such a large divisional lead.

Joakim Nordstrom has struggled to stay on the ice this season with numerous injuries but returned to the lineup on Wednesday against the Canadiens, reunited with his fourth-line mates.

“Stay healthy; that’s been an issue for me for more than half the season with the sickness and injury, so being healthy is a key point,” said Nordstrom. “We want to be good, we want to be reliable, solid defensively, playing with the puck and being strong on pucks down low in the O-zone.”

Nordstrom, who has four goals this season, missed the last three games with allergies and missed parts of earlier in the season with an infection issue in his elbow.

Jeremy Lauzon served the second game of his two-game suspension on Wednesday night after he was recalled once again from Providence.

John Moore, who also played Sunday in Detroit in Lauzon’s place, played with Matt Grzelcyk on the bottom pair. Lauzon was suspended following his match penalty for a high hit on Arizona’s Derek Stepan on Saturday.

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The Bruins and Canadiens enjoy a rivalry that gets better with age

By RICH THOMPSON | [email protected] | Boston Herald

PUBLISHED: February 12, 2020 at 2:00 pm | UPDATED: February 12, 2020 at 5:09 PM

Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo understands what makes the rivalry between Boston and Montreal an entity that transcends time and distance.

The Bruins and the Canadiens faced off for the fourth and final time this season on Wednesday night at the TD Garden with Boston up 2-1 in the series.

Carlo, 23, is from Colorado Springs, Colo., which makes him generationally and geographically removed from the Bruins vs. Canadiens battle that has existed for nearly a century.

Carlo didn’t need to be drafted 37th overall by Boston in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft to appreciate the unique place the rivalry holds in league history.

“I think if you know anything about hockey, you have an understanding of the rivalry,” said Carlo. “They are two teams, and that’s pretty special in itself, and there is so much history behind it.

“There were the big, bad Bruins back in the day, competing really hard and playing that style of game against Montreal, and typically they were a lot of fun to watch.”

Bruins second line left wing Jake DeBrusk, 23, is from Edmonton, Canada, an isolated metropolis with a rich and successful NHL heritage forged outside the scope of the Original Six.

The Bruins and the Canadiens have an all-encompassing vendetta that inflames their respective fan bases. DeBrusk became aware of that reality the day he put on the black and gold, and it carries to this day.

“The respect will be there,” said DeBrusk. “There is always an emotional side to things when Boston plays Montreal, especially at the Garden.

“I think it will be pretty intense, to be honest with you, and I’m looking forward to it.”

The Habs won the opener 5-4 in the Centre Bell on Nov. 5 and lost the rematch 8-1 on home ice on Nov. 26. The Bruins took the third encounter 3-1 at the Garden on Dec. 1. DeBrusk senses a demonstrative uptick in the house when the Habs are in town, and that vibe cuts both ways.

“When I played the two up there in the against them there is an energy that they have for their team that comes this way, as well,” said DeBrusk.

“These are Original Six teams and perhaps the biggest rivalry in hockey. It’s is the kind of atmosphere we love to play in, especially here at the Garden, and this is the last time we play them.”

The Bruins and the Canadiens went into the game with different agendas. The Bruins are in first place in the Atlantic Division and determined to maintain their lead over the resurgent Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Canadiens, under the stewardship of former Bruins coach Claude Julien, are in the middle of the pack and fighting for a playoff spot.

“Obviously we are on a pretty good streak, but I didn’t like our last game in Detroit,” said DeBrusk. “We are moving on to Montreal and it will be pretty emotional for both sides.

“We understand that teams are coming for us and they pretty much have all year. We had a pretty good start, so whether its measuring stick of just competitiveness, you always want to beat the best.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171514 Boston Bruins that did it, something unlocked for Kuraly and he is playing some of his best hockey. Now it has to translate to the fourth line

“I just have to keep playing like I’m playing, doing a lot of the same Old fourth line gets another shot to establish itself things. Hold the puck down low and skate and play hard and compete and it should be OK,” said Kuraly, who got banged up in a collision late in the second period but returned for the third. By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald Nordstrom (4-3-7 in 39 games) needs to stay healthy. And more PUBLISHED: February 12, 2020 at 2:49 pm | UPDATED: February 12, consistency is still needed from Wagner (4-4-8 in 55 games, well off his 2020 at 10:20 PM pace of 12 goals last year). But Kuraly, who picked up an assist on on Pastrnak’s second goal in the midst of a line change, would seem to be

the key. His re-insertion into the lineup in the midst of the Toronto series When this hockey season began back in September, there were some last year after suffering a broken bone in his hand at the end of the sure things about these Bruins — or so we thought. regular season helped turn that first-round series in the B’s favor. And he’s been a strong playoff performer since he came up from Providence Of course, we knew that the Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David three years ago. Pastrnak line would be back together and be one of the best lines in the league. We knew Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak would comprise one Well, the playoffs will be here before you know it. Now would be a good of the best goalie tandems as well. And we also thought the line of time for Kuraly and his linemates to start jelling again. Joakim Nordstrom, Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner would once again be far more of a force than their usual “fourth line” identification would indicate. Boston Herald LOADED: 02.13.2020 The first two assumptions have been spot-on. The third, however, has not always been on the mark. The grinding line has had some spurts during which it’s been a handful, forcing some of the opposition’s top forward units to play in their own end more than they’d like. But the threesome hasn’t really gained the kind of traction to the point where it could go on a long run together.

Part of the problem has been that Nordstrom has been in and out of the lineup with various injuries and ailments. He was set to make his return on Wednesday against the Canadiens after missing four games with allergy issues. But coach Bruce Cassidy, who reunited the line for a game against the Habs, felt the unit’s off-and-on struggles had to do with more than just Nordstrom’s intermittent availability.

Simply, the players have to play better, said Cassidy, who has given the healthy scratch treatment to each one of them at various points this season.

“I don’t think they’ve been as clean, execution-wise, whether it’s that first pass to get out of their zone clean to get through the neutral zone … or they haven’t made a play in the offensive zone to keep a puck alive. Then all of a sudden they’re chasing back. They’re typically playing against good players so they’re going to have to do some work to get it off good players when they’re playing in our end,” said Cassidy. “So I think it’s just a matter of them bearing down and them executing with the puck a little better, either to get out of trouble and get going the other way so they can establish a forecheck and puck or possession, or to keep it alive in their end.”

With the B’s playing game No. 58 on Wednesday, it is an important time for this line. At some point or another, Cassidy has to determine whether or not this group is going to be a reliable entity as it heads into the playoffs. The group had an up-and-down performance on Wednesday. It allowed some good chances against in the first period and, after the B’s took a 2-0 lead in the second, they were on the ice when the Habs got a quick goal back. But the goal against seemed to get the players going and they finished out they game reasonably well.

As he’s pointed out, that fourth line has been an important part of this team’s identity. Cassidy has seen enough in the past to believe in it. He just has to see it.

“I think they’d be the first to admit they have some more to give,” said Cassidy. “Sean’s had a look up on the third line. I think points-wise (5-14- 19), his year is good for his previous totals, but at the end of the day, for us to be the best team, I think he has to drive that fourth line. We’ve moved him around for our benefit, to see what it looks like and maybe give him a change of scenery, so to speak. But at the end of the day, that’s an important line for us, whoever’s been on it. It has been for the last two years, three years. So we expect a certain standard of play from them with who they’re playing against. We’d like them to get there. That’s stating the obvious, but that’s our goal and we’re going to keep looking at it until we find something better or we really believe it won’t happen. I still think there’s room for them to get where they were before.”

Kuraly was scratched for the Feb. 1 game in Minnesota and when he returned, he played several games with Charlie Coyle as the left wing. Whether it was the scratch, or the relative freedom of playing left wing 1171515 Boston Bruins

Bruins pregame notes: A duel with the Habs

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

February 12, 2020 at 1:32 PM

The Bruins and Canadiens rivalry might not be what it’s been, but it’s still enough to create more of a spark than a typical mid-February game.

The Habs aren’t on the same wavelength as the first-place — barely — Bruins this time around, and nothing seems to be going right with it now appearing defenseman Shea Weber is out for the season.

But still; Bruins – Canadiens still has meaning, and there’s already been hotly contested contests between the two teams this season.

“It’s fun to be a part of it,” said Charlie Coyle, who grew up as a Bruins fan watching the rivalry unfold in some of its better days earlier in the millennium. “It’s not hard to get up for these games.”

The Bruins have more motivation as well with their six-game winning streak snapped on Sunday afternoon in Detroit, their second loss to the worst team in the NHL this season.

They’re focused on far more than the floundering Habs now that they enter tonight with just a one-point lead on the relentless Lightning, but getting back on a run starts with one game, and they might be able to catch a down Canadiens squad.

Either way, there’s plenty to correct from Sunday’s debacle, and it’s not as easy as just taking down a team they’re supposed to beat when the opposing team is motivated to beat their rival.

Game notes

Tuukka Rask starts in net again after starting the previous two contests, including the back-to-back over the weekend with Jaroslav Halak’s injury.

Joakim Nordstrom slots back into the lineup in his usual fourth line role with Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner.

“(Have to) stay healthy,” he said after morning skate on Wednesday. “That’s been an issue for me for more than half the season with the sickness and injury, so being healthy is a key point.”

John Moore pairs with Matt Grzelcyk at defense while Jeremy Lauzon serves the second game of his suspension.

About the Canadiens

The Canadiens (27-24-7) lost their three-game winning streak with a loss to the Coyotes on Monday. Boston is the first game of a stretch where they’re on the road for five of their next six contests, which isn’t really a bad thing; they have a better record away from Bell Centre this season.

The Habs rank near the middle of the pack in almost every statistical category. They do have the most shots in the NHL with 1,995 on goal and an 8.8 shooting percentage that ranks as 22nd in the league. They’ve also allowed the 10th most 1,817 shots against with a .904 save percentage ranked smack in the middle of the league.

Tomas Tatar leads the Habs with 52 points while Phillip Danault has contributed 28 assists and Brendan Gallagher has 19 goals.

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Bruins-Canadiens Talking Points: David Pastrnak a one-man gang

By Joe Haggerty

February 13, 2020 12:14 AM

GOLD STAR: It’s got to be David Pastrnak, right? The 23-year-old winger had the Canadiens beat all by himself with his three goals: a tap-in after a great net drive by Brad Marchand, a transition play where Sean Kuraly fed him the puck on a 2-on-1 where he then made a nifty stick fake before dumping the puck in and a scramble in front of the net on a 4-on-3 power play that led to the final part of the scoring barrage.

Pastrnak has 41 goals for his first 40-goal season and is the first Bruin to reach that mark since Glen Murray in 2002-03. The best part is that Pastrnak is still going strong and has a pretty good chance to at least get to 50, if not 60. He's back in the NHL lead after falling behind Alex Ovechkin and Auston Matthews for a couple of weeks.

BLACK EYE: An absolute nothing night for Jonathan Drouin, who did nothing but negative things for the Canadiens.

The first misstep was a bad decision to pass the puck in the neutral zone in the first period that got intercepted by Marchand, which turned into Marchand driving the net before feeding it to Pastrnak for his first goal. Drouin ended with zero shots on net in 14:20 of ice time, was a minus-2 along with the colossally bad turnover, took a matching penalty with Chris Wagner when the two players were slashing at each other and brought nothing good to the table for Les Habitants.

He wasn’t the only one, but he was probably the worst one.

TURNING POINT: The Bruins built a solid one-goal lead after one period, but they really blew the Canadiens out of the water in the second. The Bruins poured on a couple more goals and outshot Montreal 15-9 in that second stanza and pushed their advantage to 3-1 heading into the final 20 minutes. Amazingly, the Canadiens didn’t provide much of a fight in the third period with their playoff lives on the line. The Bruins finished strong at both ends of the ice before getting an empty-netter to clinch things in the closing seconds.

HONORABLE MENTION: Marchand made statements early in the game against the Canadiens with the excellent all-around play where he stole a pass in the neutral zone, drove the net and then fed to a wide-open Pastrnak for the first goal.

Marchand finished with a pair of assists including the helper on the empty-net goal as well, and he fired up the physical side by getting into it with Jeff Petry in an exchange where they traded cross-checks, slashes and spearing. It ended up with the Canadiens getting a power play out of it largely because the refs don’t give No. 63 the benefit of the doubt, but it also set the tone physically for the rest of the game.

BY THE NUMBERS: 10 – The number of players in Bruins history that have logged at least four consecutive 70-point campaigns with both Pastrnak and Marchand joining that club this season. Marchand joined with his first assist on Wednesday night.

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Carey Price: Bruins' Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak trio 'probably the best line' in NHL

By Nick Goss

February 12, 2020 11:22 PM

BOSTON -- The Perfection Line lived up to its name Wednesday night as the Boston Bruins beat the Montreal Canadiens for the third time in four meetings this season.

David Pastrnak scored a hat trick, giving him eight goals against the Canadiens this season. Brad Marchand assisted on two of those Pastrnak goals and added another helper on Patrice Bergeron's empty- net tally late in the third period that sealed a 4-1 victory.

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Canadiens goaltender Carey Price faced 10 shots from this trio and gave up three goals. It's fair to say he came away quite impressed with Boston's top line.

"They made a couple of pretty good plays there, got fortunate on another one," Price said. "That's a pretty talented hockey line. They're probably the best line in hockey, I think."

Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher highlighted his team's sloppy play as a reason why the Bruins' top line was able to dominate the game.

"I guess it's just turnovers," Gallagher admitted. "Both of the goals came off sloppy plays from us where we turned the puck over and it ends up in the back of the net. The third one was a little unfortunate, guy goes to clear the puck and it goes right to him and an empty net."

The offensive numbers for Pastrnak, Marchand and Bergeron are quite staggering. Pastrnak leads the league with 41 goals. Marchand is sixth in scoring with 72 points, and Bergeron recently hit the 20-goal mark for the seventh consecutive season.

No line in hockey plays a better two-way game than the Marchand- Bergeron-Pastrnak trio. They are a nightmare to stop on most nights, especially when they play with the kind of speed and creativity displayed Wednesday night against the Canadiens.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171518 Boston Bruins every bit like a team ready to return to the Stanley Cup Final. Marchand's elite two-way play, highlighted by his consistent offensive production, is a huge reason why the Bruins are in a strong position as the final stretch of Bruins star Brad Marchand's latest accomplishment highlights his stellar the regular season gets underway. consistency

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.13.2020 By Nick Goss

February 12, 2020 11:08 PM

BOSTON -- It's easy to take Brad Marchand's scoring production for granted.

The Boston Bruins winger is one of the NHL's best offensive players, and his three assists in Wednesday night's 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens put him over the 70-point mark for the fourth consecutive season. Marchand is the ninth player in Bruins history to tally 70-plus points four seasons in a row.

He did it in style, too. Marchand's 70th point came in the first period when he dangled past a Canadiens player with a highlight-reel move before dishing the puck to linemate David Pastrnak for the game's first goal.

"At first, I drove really hard backdoor to make it 2-on-2, but at some point I kind of gave up driving and stopped skating," Pastrnak said of Marchand's incredible effort. "I was like, 'there's no way he can make that play' -- two or three guys on his back. Great play by him. It was an easy play for me. We all know how good of a player he is, and how good of a playmaker he's become."

"He had lots of initiative," Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said of Marchand. "The first goal, he did the majority of the work. (Pastrnak) went to the right place, of course, to finish, which he typically does. It’s like the other goal, Sean (Kuraly) did a lot of work — now, Pasta had great hands, allowed them to cut back, which we’ve seen lots of. But I agree with you, I think (Marchand) was dialed in today. Did a lot of things well, wanted to be a driver in the game for that line, and I thought he was."

Marchand entered the league as a pest playing a bottom-six role, and while being an agitator will always be a part of his game, his transformation into a consistent point-per-game scorer is quite impressive.

In 2016-17, he became the first Bruins player to tally more than 70 or more points in a season since 's 88 in the 2008-09 campaign. Marchand finished 2016-17 with a career-high 85 points in 80 games, then followed it up with another 85 points in only 68 games the following season. Last season, the veteran winger became the first B's player to hit the 100-point mark since in 2002-03.

Marchand now has 72 points (23 goals, 49 assists) in 58 games this season. This puts him in sixth place on the league's scoring leaderboard.

Here's a look at the league's top scorers since the beginning of the 2016- 17 season. Only four players have totaled more points than Marchand over that span.

1. Connor McDavid, Oilers: 405 points in 297 games

2. Nikita Kucherov, Lightning: 383 points in 292 games

3. Patrick Kane, Blackhawks: 344 points in 301 games

4. Brad Marchand, Bruins: 342 points in 295 games

5. Leon Draisaitl, Oilers: 341 points in 298 games

Marchand benefits from playing alongside two other really talented offensive players in Patrice Bergeron and Pastrnak. Bergeron has scored 20-plus goals seven years in a row, while Pastrnak currently leads the league in goals with 41. That said, Marchand's stats when he's not playing with Bergeron and Pastrnak are still pretty good. In 89:40 of ice time away from Pastrnak and 83:28 of ice time away from Bergeron at 5- on-5, Marchand has a goals-for percentage and a scoring chances-for percentage above 50, per Natural Stat Trick. So, the ice is tilted in Boston's favor regardless of who's on the ice with Marchand during 5-on- 5 action.

The Bruins are the sixth-highest scoring team in the league and have the best line in hockey. They also own the league's best record and look 1171519 Boston Bruins

Watch Bruins star David Pastrnak dominate Canadiens with latest hat trick

By Nick Goss

February 12, 2020 9:19 PM

BOSTON -- The Montreal Canadiens have had no answer for David Pastrnak this season.

The Boston Bruins winger entered Wednesday night's game against the Canadiens at TD Garden with five goals in his previous three games versus Montreal in the 2019-20 campaign, and he added three more through two periods.

Pastrnak got the scoring started in the first period when he finished off a tremendous pass by linemate Brad Marchand, who had dangled past a Canadiens defender just seconds before.

Pastrnak found the back of the net twice in the second period, beginning with a nice move to beat Canadiens goaltender Carey Price on a 2-on-1 scoring chance.

Pastrnak completed his hat trick with a power-play tally toward the end of the second frame.

The 23-year-old forward now leads the NHL with 41 goals scored this season, one ahead of center Auston Matthews and winger Alex Ovechkin. Pastrnak's latest hat trick is his ninth in the last 175 games. He's the first Bruin to have four hat tricks in a season since Phil Esposito in 1974-75.

He has a tremendous chance to become the Bruins' first 50-goal scorer since Cam Neely accomplished the feat in 1993-94.

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Watch Bruins' Brad Marchand set up David Pastrnak goal with unreal move

By Nick Goss

February 12, 2020 7:51 PM

BOSTON -- Brad Marchand showed off his elite two-way skill to set up the Boston Bruins' first goal of Wednesday night's rivalry game against the Montreal Canadiens at TD Garden.

Marchand stole possession of the puck at center ice and sped into the Canadiens' zone. He moved past multiple Canadiens defenders with a slick deke, then was able to deliver a great pass to linemate David Pastrnak, who found the open net for his 39th goal of the season.

Marchand's assist gives him a team-leading 47 for the season. The veteran forward entered Wednesday night with 69 points (23 goals, 46 assists) in 57 games, giving him an excellent chance to finish as a point- per-game (or better) scorer for the fourth consecutive season.

A victory for the Bruins on Wednesday night would give them three wins in their four-game season series versus the Canadiens.

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Shea Weber injury a huge blow to Canadiens ahead of NHL trade deadline

By Nick Goss

February 12, 2020 5:05 PM

The Montreal Canadiens suffered a huge blow to their Stanley Cup playoff hopes before Wednesday night's game against the rival Boston Bruins at TD Garden.

The team announced defenseman Shea Weber is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks to recover from an ankle sprain suffered Feb. 4 versus the . Six weeks from today brings us to the end of March, and the regular season ends April 4.

It's always difficult to lose one of your best players, especially a top- pairing defenseman of Weber's caliber, but the timing couldn't be more brutal for the Canadiens as we hit the final stretch of the regular season. The Canadiens enter Wednesday seven points out of a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division, and they're eight points behind the second wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference standings.

Weber leads the Canadiens with 24:18 of ice time per game, including a team-leading 3:19 of shorthanded ice time per game. He's also an important member of the team's power play. The 34-year-old defenseman has tallied 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) in 55 games for the Canadiens this season.

Montreal now has a decision to make ahead of the Feb. 24 trade deadline. Should they sell or look to add a defenseman and make a run for a postseason berth? Recently signed winger Ilya Kovalchuk has played very well for Montreal with a team-leading six goals since his Jan. 6 debut. Kovalchuk would be a solid pickup for any contending team trying to add secondary scoring for the playoffs. The Bruins are one of those teams in need of scoring depth.

The smart decision for the Canadiens at the trade deadline would be to sell or stand pat. The Canadiens have too many teams to climb over in the standings, and even if they earned a spot, it's hard to envision them making a deep playoff run without a vitally important piece of their blue line.

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Bruins vs. Canadiens live stream: Watch NHL on NBC game online

By Nick Goss

February 12, 2020 3:33 PM

The Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens will write the next chapter in the NHL's greatest rivalry Wednesday night at TD Garden.

The B's enter this matchup with the best record in the league at 34-11- 12, but they have little room for error in the race for the Atlantic Division crown. The Tampa Bay Lightning, who have won eight straight games, are just a single point behind the Bruins for first place in the division.

Boston has gotten the better of Montreal this season. The Bruins own a 2-1-0 record with a plus-8 goal differential versus the Canadiens. A win for the Bruins on Wednesday would clinch the season series.

The Canadiens are desperate for a win streak, and a statement victory against a rival on the road presents a great opportunity to spark a late- season push. Montreal is seven points out of a playoff spot in the division, and it's eight points behind the second wild card berth. It's now or never for the Canadiens if they're going to make a real run at securing a berth in the 2020 .

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171523 Boston Bruins One other underlying reason aside from the changing personnel in the game and a drought in playoff matchups: The lack of regular season meetings between the two Atlantic Division rivals.

Bruins-Canadiens rivalry 'isn't as passionate,' so how can it can be Ten years ago, the Bruins and the Canadiens would have played each revived? other eight times a year as divisional opponents, and those kinds of regular head-to-head meetings during the season would breed some healthy contempt on the ice. Nowadays the regular season schedule By Joe Haggerty allows for home and away dates against every NHL team, which means no more than a handful of games between divisional rivals. February 12, 2020 2:25 PM Are Bruins and Maple Leafs on track for another playoff matchup?

A change back to the former regular season schedule would be easier on BRIGHTON, Mass. – Charlie Coyle remembers being at TD Garden for the wear-and-tear to the players, and it would undoubtedly stoke those Game 6 of the Bruins' and Montreal Canadiens' first-round playoff series classic rivalries that have been going a little soft in recent seasons. The in 2008 that ushered in the modern era of Black and Gold relevance in Bruins still have a pretty good rivalry going with the Maple Leafs because Boston. they’ve met in the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, and Boston It was a nasty series full of big hits, fights and a Game 6 comeback win has dispatched Toronto in the first round three times in the last seven over the Canadiens on a Marco Sturm goal that nearly brought the years. building down in one of the new Garden’s loudest moments. Bruins-Habs That’s really where it’s at for the players inside the Bruins dressing room was the kind of heated rivalry that Coyle experienced first-hand as a fan - when it comes to re-developing a hatred for all things Montreal, and for - and made Coyle decide then and there he’d like to be a part of the those strong feelings transforming into captivating action on the ice. rivalry if he made it to the NHL. The Bruins and Canadiens haven’t met in the playoff since 2014 largely He’s already played in a couple of those games, and he’ll suit up for because Montreal hasn’t had their act together over the last five seasons, another Bruins-Canadiens tilt at TD Garden on Wednesday night. and there won’t be a return to true rivalry days until that fundamentally LIVE stream the Celtics all season and get the latest news and analysis changes. on all of your teams from NBC Sports Boston by downloading the My

Teams App. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.13.2020 “I grew up watching these [Bruins-Habs] games and it’s fun to be a part of it. It’s not hard to be a part of these games and it’s a big one for us too,” said Coyle. “I remember it was Game 6 of the playoffs here and I was in one of the top rows [in the balcony]. I was in the nosebleeds. The atmosphere was unbelievable with friends, cousins and my family and it was so cool to be there watching.

“I always wondered what it would be like playing against [Montreal] for the Bruins. There have been those crazy games that really make it a rivalry, but it’s not always like that. It’s two points and you can’t really lose your focus on that. Every point from here on out is crucial, so we’re focusing on the task at hand.”

Unfortunately for Coyle and the rest of the Bruins and Canadiens contingents, this storied rivalry simply hasn’t lived up to the hype for a good five-plus years.

It’s difficult to gauge exactly where it happened, but somewhere along the way of the Canadiens hammering the Bruins at Gillette Stadium and Milan Lucic and PK Subban departing from their original teams, the annual meetings between the Bruins and Habs have lost some of their mischievous “things have the potential to get out of hand” luster.

Bruce Cassidy admitted the rivalry “isn’t as passionate” as it was when he grew up watching Bruins-Canadiens games as a diehard B’s fan while having his heart broken by dominant Montreal teams on many occasions.

Haggerty: Bruins' disappearing division lead isn't the worst thing

Why is that exactly?

Cassidy laid out a few ahead of the teams' final meeting of the regular season.

"I think the change of personnel in the game has a lot to do with it because there were a lot of fisticuffs in the game back then, or players on the team that were comfortable with that,” said Cassidy. “You lose a bit of that when you don’t have those playoff series that continue the bad blood. We haven’t had those with Montreal in a while. It loses a bit of its appeal because of that. Our [rivalry] is becoming a little bit more with Toronto in recent years, so that’s probably why.

“I don’t know if the younger players have as much knowledge of the rivalry maybe as the previous generation. I miss it. I’m a Bruins fan. I read an article the other day where a guy said he cheers for both teams, and I said ‘How the hell does that happen?’ It’s like the Red Sox and the Yankees. You can’t cheer for both.

"I miss it and I’m a big part of it, so I try to create it in the room. But it’s up to the players to get out there [and create it] if there’s going to be a little fireworks. The next time there’s a playoff series then I think it will re-ignite a little bit.” 1171524 Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens live stream: How to watch NHL game online

By NBC Sports Boston Staff

February 12, 2020 3:00 AM

After a rather disappointing 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday, the Boston Bruins are set to take on their arch-rival Montreal Canadiens at TD Garden on Wednesday night.

The B's and Habs both have won four of their past five, and veteran Ilya Kovalchuk, a newcomer to the Canadiens, could cause some struggles on the back end for Boston.

LIVE stream the Celtics all season and get the latest news and analysis on all of your teams from NBC Sports Boston by downloading the My Teams App.

While Boston leads the Atlantic Division in points, the Tampa Bay Lightning are gaining ground. They trail the B's by just one point. A Boston victory over Montreal puts the B's that much closer to locking up first place in the Atlantic.

David Pastrnak, who has cooled off of late, will have the opportunity to reclaim the NHL scoring lead after losing it to now-40-goal scorers Auston Matthews and .

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171525 Boston Bruins As such, the three fourth-liners were reunited on Wednesday against Montreal for the first time since Jan. 19. Their assignment was to make life difficult for Montreal’s top line of Tomas Tatar, Philip Danault and Hat trick sends David Pastrnak smashing through the 40-goal threshold Brendan Gallagher. The key was Kuraly, critical as a two-way center because of how rapidly he can cover ice and close on opponents.

“For us to be the best team we can be, I think he has to drive that fourth By Fluto Shinzawa line,” Cassidy said. “We’ve moved him around for our benefit and to see what it looks like. Maybe to give him a change of scenery, so to speak. Feb 12, 2020 But at the end of the day, that’s an important line for us. It has been for two years, whoever’s been on it. Three years. We expect a certain standard of play from them with who they’re playing against. We’d like Appropriately, David Pastrnak did not stop putting pucks behind Carey them to get there.” Price when he scored his 40th goal of 2019-20. At 15:45 of Wednesday’s second period, once Price kicked out a Brad Marchand one-timer, Kuraly set up Pastrnak for his 40th goal. The No. 4 center, however, was Pastrnak jumped on the rebound to punch in his third goal of the night on the ice with his linemates for Marco Scandella’s long-distance goal and 41st of the season. that hit traffic in front.

Where Pastrnak ends up is anyone’s guess. “They definitely took a step forward,” Cassidy said. “Hopefully they keep taking some steps forward. We’ve talked about wanting to get that line “Kind of scary to look for where his ceiling might be,” Marchand said after together. That’s certainly one of the goals with the amount of games we the Bruins’ 4-1 win over Montreal at TD Garden. “He continues to push it. have left and make sure we try to build their game as much as possible.” He continues to get better. It’s fun to watch him. It’s fun to play with him. You always have to be on your toes because you never know what he’s Nobody has been satisfied with the line’s performance. For whatever going to do. I don’t think he even knows what he’s doing half the time. reason, it has chased play more than dictated pace. It shows in the unit’s Makes it very dangerous for other teams and other players when he’s so numbers: 20 percent five-on-five goal share (three goals for, 12 against), unpredictable. He continues to grow. I’m excited to see where he’s going 42.39 Corsi For percentage, 41.97 percent shot share (81 for, 112 to be in a couple years.” against) entering Wednesday night, according to Natural Stat Trick.

For this year, at least, Pastrnak’s terminus may not be limited to the next The quality of the opposition — usually a first or second line — must be way station, which would be 50 goals. Following his fourth hat trick of the factored into the results. But the bottom line is that they are not pretty. season, Pastrnak is on pace to conclude the season at 58 goals. It is “I don’t think they’ve been as clean execution-wise, whether it’s that first close enough to dream about the next threshold, which would be a pass to get out of their zone clean to get into the neutral zone,” Cassidy delightful milestone for any player to achieve. said. “Typically, they’re not going to spend a lot of time in the neutral So why not 60? zone. It’s in behind their D and go get it. Or they haven’t made a play in the offensive zone to keep the puck alive. All of a sudden, they’re “Now he’s at 40,” Bruce Cassidy said. “Who knows what’s next? There’s chasing back.” still a lot of hockey left. I think the way he started this year, we all thought he’d be in that area anyway, challenging for 50. That’ll be the next Cassidy will continue to give the Nordstrom-Kuraly-Wagner line looks conversation, I assume. Good for him. He deserves it. He’s done a lot of because of his belief in its ceiling. But he has options such as Blidh and things well. He goes to the right spots. He’s worked on his shot. He’s Lindholm. Cassidy will not be afraid to use them. worked on his strength to handle pucks. Let’s see him keep going.” Rivalry, decaffeinated Pastrnak opened the scoring at 6:59 of the first after Marchand dangled The Canadiens entered the night as the fifth-place team in the Atlantic through Jeff Petry and dished to his linemate before Brett Kulak could Division, seven points behind third-place Toronto. Their chances of close. The right wing got No. 40 at 4:16 in the second when he scurried postseason qualification, slim to begin with, took another hit with the away with Sean Kuraly for a two-on-one rush. The chance took place diagnosis of Shea Weber’s ankle sprain, which will put the strongman out only because Pastrnak, at the other end, stripped Petry of the puck to for four to six weeks. swing the play the other way. Assuming no deviation from their pace, Montreal will miss the playoffs for By netting his second goal, Pastrnak became the first Bruins player to the third straight season. It is no wonder, then, that Boston-Toronto, a score 40 since Glen Murray turned the trick in 2002-03. first-round possibility for the third consecutive year, has removed Bruins- “I’m happy for that,” Pastrnak said. “It’s something I haven’t Canadiens from its previous boil. The only flareups took place between accomplished yet in my career. I’m obviously excited. I couldn’t have Marchand and Petry and Zdeno Chara and Gallagher — JV stuff done it without my teammates. Big thanks to them. Just keep it rolling.” compared to the confrontations that once regularly took place.

Pastrnak’s stay at 40 lasted less than 12 minutes. During a four-on-three “I think change of personnel in the game has something to do with it,” power play, Pastrnak took his usual spot at the left elbow. Petry tried to Cassidy said. “There was a lot more fisticuffs back then. A lot more clear the puck, but Pastrnak stepped in front of it, rapidly got into a players on the team that were comfortable with that. You lose a bit of that shooting stance and fired his third of the night past Price. As the hats when you don’t have those playoff series that continue the bad blood. We rained down, Patrice Bergeron fished a yellow number off the ice with his haven’t for a while with Montreal. I think it loses a bit of its appeal stick and presented it to Pastrnak as a keepsake. because of that. Ours is starting to become a little bit more Toronto in recent years.” “He’s really become an elite player in the league,” Marchand said. “The fact that he’s able to continue and find ways to score when teams are Nordstrom back really zoning in on him, it’s very impressive. There’s very few guys in the Wednesday marked Nordstrom’s first game since Feb. 1. He was league that can do that. He consistently puts up with the abuse and guys unavailable for four games because of a reaction to allergies. The left shadowing him. With his ability to find ways to score in different wing declined to disclose the nature of his ailment. … The Bruins recalled situations, it’s very impressive. Even his defensive game is continuing to Jeremy Lauzon on Wednesday to fulfill his two-game suspension for come along. He cares about that aspect. He wants to win. He’s a great Derek Stepan in the head. The defenseman will be eligible to teammate. He’s going to be a hell of a player for a long time.” play on Saturday against Detroit. … Anders Bjork, formerly the No. 3 Fourth line reunites right wing, moved back to Charlie Coyle’s left side. Danton Heinen manned the right side. … Tuukka Rask made 28 saves, none better than Kuraly has played well as No. 3 left wing. Par Lindholm has been a a left-pad point-blank kickout on Nick Cousins. dependable fourth-line center. Anton Blidh has injected liveliness into his shifts as No. 4 left wing.

The Bruins’ preferred fourth-line formation, however, has Kuraly The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 centering Joakim Nordstrom and Chris Wagner. It is the trio that, because of their combined speed and three-zone dependability, the Bruins believe serves them best in matchup situations. 1171526 Boston Bruins Cunningham collapsed on the ice before an AHL game for the in November 2016 due to a cardiac event and also when Tulsa Oilers (ECHL) coach Rob Murray collapsed on the bench during a Jay Bouwmeester’s episode brings back scary memories for Bruins after game in November 2017. Normand Leveille incident “With Bouwmeester, I can understand them not wanting to play,” Milbury said. “But it was a different era, a different time and everything is handled a little differently these days.” By Joe McDonald During the 1982-83 season, the Bruins were in the midst of rebuilding the Feb 12, 2020 organization and the team consisted of an older core, along with a younger group of players. Pederson remembers the veterans helped the

younger players handle the situation. The mere mention of St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester “For a lot of us it was our first feel of mortality,” Pederson said. “In your collapsing during a game due to a cardiac episode Tuesday night early 20s you’re blessed with health, and your family, and you don’t have instantly brought back difficult memories for Mike Milbury. a lot of death come across your way. This was a distinct possibility. A former NHL player, coach and general manager, Milbury, now an “It was tough.” analyst for NBC, spent Wednesday morning at as the Bruins prepared to host the Montreal Canadiens at TD Garden. But he Pederson and Leveille were roommates in Boston. After a few weeks, could not get the events of Oct. 23, 1982, out of his mind. Pederson remembers Wayne Cashman, then in his last season with the Bruins, stepping in and telling the younger players to snap out of it. That was the day when the once-promising career of Bruins prospect Normand Leveille, then 19, came to an end when Leveille suffered a “The older guys were there for us to lean on,” Pederson said. “He said, brain aneurysm in the locker room during the first intermission of a game ‘Unfortunately this is life and athletics and we’ve got a job to do. We’ve against the Canucks in Vancouver. got to do it for Normand and use it as kind of a rallying cry and become even closer and not drift away.’ It was a moving life experience, “I remember the chaos,” Milbury recalled. “You’re going about your especially for the young guys. The game was secondary. We’ve got a business and all of a sudden it was like a five-alarm fire. People were friend and a brother here who’s in trouble.” running back and forth and nobody knew what was going on.” Unfortunately, Leveille’s NHL career came to an end that night. But after was 21, only two years older than Leveille when he was spending three weeks in a coma, he recovered the ability to walk, and stricken. Pederson recalls it being a surreal scene. went on to found the Centre Normand Leveille, a 200-acre recreational “Confused and scared,” Pederson remembers feeling that night. “Nobody camp for those with disabilities, in Drummondville, . He still really knew what was going on. As a professional athlete, of course you participates in the Bruins alumni events, including the annual golf try to stay focused. Injuries are part of the game and you’re one big, tournament every September. It’s tough to think of the what-ifs when it happy family, but at the same time you care about somebody and you’re comes to his career, but he had the ability to maybe one day become a trying to be professional about what you have in front of you.” superstar.

Since it was the first intermission, the Bruins still had two periods to play “When he first came up he was so young, but he could fly and at the time without knowing exactly what was happening with their teammate. of his issue he was beginning to understand the game,” Milbury said. “The best I can compare him to, and it’s hard to do because this guy’s a Milbury remembers that then-Bruins trainer Jim Kausek updated the Hall of Famer, but Yvan Cournoyer comes to mind. (Leveille) could scoot, players on Leveille’s condition as often as possible. Despite the severity he could go to the net, he had some finish. It looked like he was of the situation, the game continued. During the second period, the emerging as a dynamic asset for our team.” Bruins players gained a little more information. Pederson still has a picture hanging at his house with himself and “We then got some sense of the scope of things, that he had some sort Leveille at a charity event. of aneurysm. We were all in shock,” Milbury recalls. “We went back to the hotel and basically were on a death watch, for lack of a better phrase. It “It’s difficult. It’s he and I together smiling and when I look at it I always was really that touch-and-go. There was a point where somebody got shake my head, kind of what could have been and what should have word that he wasn’t going to make it.” been,” Pederson said. “He had so much potential.”

Added Pederson, “It went from an injury to a potential loss of life. It It’s times like these that remind us this is only a game. cascaded quickly.”

The Bruins lost the game, 3-2. It was during a time before charter flights The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 when teams traveled commercially and Los Angeles was the Bruins’ next stop on the road trip, with them slated to play the Kings the next day. Leveille remained at the hospital in Vancouver, where he underwent a seven-hour surgery to deal with the aneurysm, which was determined to be congenital.

“None of us really wanted (to play), but there was no choice,” Milbury said. “We didn’t know from one hour to the next, but the show must go on. We were all distracted. You give it your best shot, but there’s no doubt it was less than ideal conditions and it reflected in the performance of the team.”

Boston dropped a 5-4 decision to L.A. on Oct. 24.

“It was very numbing,” Pederson said of playing the next night. “It was testing your professionalism and almost to see if you weren’t human. We were there, but we really weren’t.”

Bouwmeester lost consciousness on the bench Tuesday, but regained it after the use of a defibrilator, Blues officials told reporters Wednesday. Bouwmeester remains hospitalized and is undergoing tests to determine the cause of the event, which took place during the first period of Tuesday’s game between the Blues and Anaheim Ducks. The game was postponed after Bouwmeester’s episode. Similar postponements occurred when Rich Peverley collapsed due to a cardiac event during a game in March 2014 while playing for the Dallas Stars, when Craig 1171527 Boston Bruins a fighter. They wanted me to be a hockey player and they worked with me. They wanted to see me improve and they helped me improve. I was fortunate to be drafted by them. It was awesome.

In the long, long rivalry between Bruins and Canadiens, a select few Going back to Boston, I remember my first night there was incredible. I have lived on both sides was nervous as all hell. I remember telling me, ‘Don’t worry; they’ll accept you.’ I was nervous. I thought they were going to boo me. Sure enough (fans) accepted me. It was late in (my career) and I By Joe McDonald was beat up. My body was beat up by the time I got back (to Boston) and things were a little more difficult. Feb 12, 2020 My first year I had fun playing for (Mike) Milbury; I like playing for Mike.

I’d go through a wall for him. I loved playing for him. I had great The Bruins and the Canadiens own one of the greatest and longest- teammates and it was a lot of fun. It was just weird for me when I left running rivalries in professional sports. Montreal. I’ll be honest with you, I was never quite the same. I never felt the same. Yeah, I stuck up for my teammates but the passion I had There’s no denying the hatred between the two Original Six teams, playing for the Canadiens, the love of the organization because of the sharpened over a long history dating to 1924. When puck drops opportunity they gave me, it almost broke me when I got traded. Wednesday night at TD Garden, it will be the 750th meeting between the franchises. Boston’s record is 283-353-103-10 against Montreal. The Thompson (BOS 2006-07, MTL 2018-20): It’s pretty special. I got my first Bruins, however, are 10-2-1 in their last 13 games against the taste during my first NHL exhibition game when I was with Boston in Canadiens. Montreal. It was just an exhibition game and I remember thinking, “Wow, this is only an exhibition game and this is crazy.” Now, playing in For nearly a century, there have been epic regular-season games, along Montreal, and being on the other side playing against the Bruins, and I with monumental playoff battles. The hate is real. The mutual respect is, know we play against the Leafs and that’s a big one too, but in my eyes too. As the NHL grew from six teams to now 31, one constant has been playing against the Bruins is a bigger rivalry just because it has more this rivalry. Yet the list of players to play for both organizations isn’t a history. long one. Leach (BOS 2005-06, MTL 2009-10): I’m very proud looking back at both Images of Tom Johnson, Chris “Knuckles” Nilan, , Joe of those. I grew up rooting for one because my uncle (Stephen Leach) Juneau, Michael Ryder, Hal Gill, Sergei Samsonov, P.J. Stock, Nate was part of the Bruins (1991-96) and I obviously have a strong allegiance Thompson, Jaroslav Halak and Jay Leach wearing both sweaters make to the Bruins. At the same time, (there’s) the lore of the Montreal fans cringe on each side of the rivalry. The most recent example, though Canadiens, and I grew up going to a few games. My mother’s from in a suit, not a jersey, is Claude Julien. He first coached the Canadiens, Canton, N.Y., so she was a Montreal fan, and my dad went to St. then eventually spent 10 season in Boston and led the Bruins to a Lawrence. I got to learn both sides of the train tracks and it was fun. I Stanley Cup championship in 2011. After he was fired and replaced by played seven games for them and it was a treat, I’ll be honest with you. Bruce Cassidy in 2017, Julien returned to Montreal and is coaching the It’s a special place with a very passionate fan base. You just feel this Canadiens once again. energy with the entire province behind you and that’s definitely unique. It was a lot of fun for me to be part of that. Nilan, who grew up in Boston, played 10 seasons for the Canadiens and won a Stanley Cup in 1986. He was loved and feared for his pugilistic Halak (BOS 2018-20, MTL 2006-10): I don’t think there’s a huge abilities in both cities. He eventually came back to Boston and played two difference. Both are Original Six teams, so the history is there on both seasons for the Bruins. sides. They play each other a lot and it’s a hated rivalry. It’s fun to play those games. It doesn’t matter if a player spent a decade with either team, or just a few games: The fact that they experienced this rivalry at both ends of the Stock (BOS 2001-04, MTL 2000-01): I don’t think rivalries are still in the spectrum makes them noteworthy. Current Canadiens forward Nate game as much as they used to be when it comes team-to-team. I think Thompson only played four games for the Bruins in 2006-07, but he’s the game has changed a lot, but this is one rivalry, when it wasn’t there, enjoyed an impressive NHL career with almost 800 games played. fans and the media helped build it back up every time. You didn’t hate Current coach Jay Leach grew up both a Canadiens them, but somehow you found a way to motivate yourself to play them, and Bruins fan and was fortunate enough to play for both organizations. because the media and the fans were so into it. There are so many Russians, and Swedes, and Finns, and Czechs, and Slovaks; they don’t Halak, Boston’s current backup goalie, spent four seasons with the understand so much about the rivalry. So, it takes that one moment in a Canadiens. When the Bruins signed him in the summer of 2018, it turned game to get the hair on your back up a little bit more and then that hatred out to be an important acquisition as he and starter Tuukka Rask manifests itself into, “Now I hate them and I want to beat them.” basically split the workload, resulting in success for both. What’s your favorite story about playing in Montreal? Stock, who first played for the Canadiens in 2000-01, became a cult hero in Boston for his ability to drop the gloves with zero fear over three Nilan: Just winning a Stanley Cup. That’s why we all play the game, seasons with the Bruins. His signature wave to the fans after every fight right? It was my greatest moment to be able to win a Stanley Cup with a at TD Garden was must-see entertainment. group of guys that we went through so many things together. It was awesome to win a Stanley Cup. So many guys retire from this game There have not been many, but they’ve experienced a lot. We brought without one. Think about Ray Bourque, who had to leave town to get them together to compare what it’s like to live on both sides of one of one. It would’ve been a goddamned shame if Raymond Bourque retired North America’s great sports rivalries. from the game without a Stanley Cup. To win it in his last game was What was it like playing for both organizations? pretty cool.

Nilan (BOS 1990-92; MTL 1978-88, ’92): Playing for the Habs, after Thompson: How passionate the fans are here and how knowledgeable growing up hating them, was hard for me at the beginning. I hated all they are at the same time. I’m not a guy who’s going to get on the score them guys because they beat the Bruins all the time. I was heartbroken sheet every night, but (for example) the other night against the Leafs I so many times. I was drafted in ’78 by them, and during the ’79 season had a good penalty kill. We killed off 30 seconds and I could hear the you know what happened – too many men on the ice (Bruins lost to the crowd give me an ovation. That doesn’t happen anywhere else where Canadiens in Stanley Cup semifinals) – and I’m fucking devastated fans know exactly what’s going on in the game. Sometimes during a again. I was still pulling for the Bruins. I fucking hated the Canadiens game (at Bell Centre) it’s quiet because they’re actually just sitting there because I still hadn’t been there yet. watching. I don’t think you can get that anywhere else in the league where fans really know what’s going on and they appreciate every guy on I went to training camp my first year and it felt a little weird because I the team. They love hockey here so much and they love the Canadiens. didn’t like any of these fucking people. Once I started doing my thing, But, at the same time they’re going to let you know when you’re doing fans took to me, and my teammates did and I loved my job and it was an well, and they’ll definitely let you know when you’re not doing well. It goes awesome atmosphere to play hockey. It was a great organization and both ways. maybe if I was with another organization maybe my career might not have went on the same trajectory. They wanted me to be more than just Leach: I don’t remember the exact dates, but I got picked up on waivers a pretty cool place.” Not only the organization, not only the Garden, but and drove up there that day. Let’s say it was a Friday, and the Saturday also the city with its passion, and then the rivalry. morning they have this thing called open practice at the Bell Centre. Essentially, it’s a practice and they do it for charity and they more of less I only played two games for the Bruins, but in my first game I fought sell out the Bell Centre to watch practice. So, I didn’t know anything (Penguins’) Ryan Malone on home ice and we won the game (6-3). Mario about it and we’re in the locker room and getting ready for practice. A (Lemieux) and Sidney (Crosby) played and it was great. It was cool. couple of guys I had known from the past – Brian Gionta and Scott Halak: I got my 50th career this season in a Bruins uniform, so Gomez – say, “Leachy, you can go on first.” I have no clue what’s going it’s kind of funny how it works out. on. So, I start walking out the doors and I get to the bench and the building is packed with 20,000 people. I’m on the ice and it’s just me for Stock: I fought Eric Boulton (Dec. 8, 2001) in the corner of the rink. Eric’s about 30 seconds until the other guys came out laughing. That was my a real tough guy and he beat me up. The fight ends and I’m skating down moment of “wow” to see the turnout for a Saturday morning practice. You center ice, and I don’t know why things happen, but I waved to the crowd felt the lore of the Montreal Canadiens right there. It was pretty cool. and the fans started cheering and clapping. Then, the next game at home I get into a fight again (versus the Capitals’ Stephen Peat on Jan. Also, the year I played (2009-10) was the 100th anniversary for the 5, 2002) and I did better in this fight and as I’m skating away I’m waiting Canadiens, so the sweaters had a commemorative patch. That summer I for the fans to clap and get into it, but everyone was calm. In my head I’m received a box and a letter, thanking me for participating in the 100th thinking, “Do I have to wave again?” So, I did and everyone in the anniversary of the Montreal Canadiens. They sent me three of my building got going again. Then I was like, “Shit, now I have to do it all the sweaters. They’re a first-class organization. They really do it right. time.” It was a great crowd, a great group of people who understood me Halak: My first shutout was against the Bruins at the Bell Centre. That and I understood them. was kind of unique and neat to get it done.

Stock: In Boston, so many things were going well. The team was doing The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 well, the players were doing well, guys were scoring, you’re happy on the ice and you’re happy off the ice. Montreal was the complete opposite. Everyone was hurt. Everyone was upset. Our team really wasn’t a team. We had French players hanging out with French players. English players hanging out with English players and we had Europeans hanging out with Europeans. We can all be blamed for that looking back at it, but it wasn’t really a team. You’re losing, guys aren’t hanging out and the coach (Alain Vigneault) gets fired and this is all in the first 20 games of the season. It wasn’t a great experience. I loved the guys I played with and I’m still pretty good friends with some of them, but hockey-wise, memory-wise, it’s not up there as one of the best experiences I ever had.

What’s your favorite story about playing in Boston?

Nilan: When Milbury named me to the (1991) All-Star team. It was just awesome. Am I an All-Star? No, I’m not, but I understood why he was doing it too. Mike recognized a couple of guys, myself included, and that’s back when a coach could name players, we were the type of guys he admired as far as getting to the NHL and playing the way we played. That was such an honor to be named to the All-Star team.

From a team standpoint, that last game against Hartford (March 31, 1991) before the playoffs. It was like that “fuck you” game. I had 10 penalties that night. It was insanity. I came off the bench and Bobby Holik was coming up the boards near the Bruins bench and I fucking elbowed him right in the nose and broke it. He went down in a heap and I got a five-minute major. Today, they would hang me up by the balls. It was crazy. That game I pulled the plugs out of Rob Brown’s head. He came in and punched me and then he turtled, so I pulled his hair and pulled the plugs out of his head. Our trainer taped them up on the wall in our room. We beat them in the playoffs but we eventually got spanked by the Penguins, but that was a fun series to play in.

I wanted to be a Bruin ever since I was a kid because Bobby Orr got me into hockey. I loved Bobby Orr and the Bruins. I got sidetracked for a few years in Montreal. Actually, my father didn’t want me to come back because of the way he felt the fans treated me. I kind of deserved it, didn’t I? I ended up coming back and that’s all she wrote.

Thompson: I only played a handful of games, but it jump-started my career. I learned how to become a pro playing in Providence and getting a cup of coffee in Boston. I always look back at it where it was such a cool experience being drafted by the Boston Bruins and still get to play in the organization. I have no regrets because it’s just the way things happened, but it’s one of those teams when I look back I wish I could’ve had at least a full season, or two seasons, with the Bruins. It was just the way it went with being on waivers. It didn’t work out there for whatever reason, but it was still a real fun place to be.

Leach: I remember when I fell in love with Boston. We’ll call it the Bruins, but it was the city and the fans. It was my uncle’s first year with the Bruins and they were playing the Canadiens in the playoffs (1991-92) and swept them in four games. It was 1-0 and I was sitting in Section 25 behind Montreal’s net with my dad and my brother. Teddy Donato breaks up a puck in the defensive zone and Peter Douris scored an empty-net goal on a breakaway to make it 2-0. The place, with the brooms, went berserk. It shook and I was like, “Wow.” That was my moment of, “This is 1171528 Buffalo Sabres "That simple mix between simplicity when the team needs it and brilliance when we need it," Krueger said. "Because he can really make a play when he has that space and time. It's exciting to watch him grow Rasmus Dahlin finding his groove on both sides of puck for Sabres week in and week out here. Who knows where that limit will be?"

By Mike Harrington Buffalo News LOADED: 02.13.2020

Published Wed, Feb 12, 2020|Updated Wed, Feb 12, 2020

The numbers are going to historic levels, but look even deeper and you can see this is some of the best hockey of Rasmus Dahlin's young career.

Even after missing 10 games due to a concussion and shoulder injury, Dahlin is up to 28 assists and 32 points for the season. His 76 points for his career are tied with former star Rick Hampton for third all-time among under-20 defenseman. Dahlin should soon pass Ray Bourque (79) and settle into second all-time behind Hall of Famer and former Sabres coach (132).

Over the last three games, Dahlin is running a 64.3% overall Corsi and a 60.5% rate at 5-on-5, both of which lead the club. He's been over 50% for four straight, including a 65.4 mark at 5-on-5 Feb. 1 against Columbus and a 73% clip Sunday against Anaheim.

As impressive as those figures are, it's without the puck that Dahlin is also making big strides. The 19-year-old is in better position defensively and using the wall more to keep onrushing opponents to the outside.

"We really like technically how he's attacking his one-on-ones right now and playing without the puck, which needs to happen for a defenseman of that caliber," coach Ralph Krueger said Wednesday. "And with it, he's just finding a really good balance."

Dahlin feels the difference, too.

"A lot better. I'm not thinking," he said. "I just go out there and play. You want to do everything to not get scored on, and not really focus on the offensive side. We've been playing a little better but I've been really confident."

Dahlin seems to be making one or two highlight reel plays a night, either a stickhandle around an opponent or a sublime pass to a teammate for a scoring opportunity. Tuesday's prime example was the drop pass he feathered to Marcus Johansson that the veteran converted for Buffalo's second goal in the 3-2 win over Detroit.

"The Swedish connection. I feel when there's a Swedish guy around me," Dahlin joked. "I came with a lot of speed there. I saw him coming behind me and he screamed for it and I just gave it to him."

"If we look earlier in the season in some of the hotter situations he would try to make plays, he's now being patient and waiting until those opportunities and openings are actually there," Krueger said. "It's simple play, simple play, boom, genius. Simple play, simple play, simple play, genius.

Dahlin said the team's tough finish to last year was a tremendous learning experience for him. He knows to let one game go and prepare for the next one, something that was difficult to do as a rookie.

"I need to stay patient and just shake it off," he said. "I've been more mature, grown a lot. Last year I learned so much. This situation we're in right now, we're never going to quit. I'm never going to quit. That's the biggest thing I've learned."

Krueger said he often reads players' eyes to get a gauge on their feelings and can tell when Dahlin is angry about the way something has gone. But that competitiveness has not overshadowed his game.

"He's learning how to manage that anger towards something that's not going the way he would like it to go, whether it's the team or himself. He's channeling that energy way better right now. Into his next shift. Into the next thing he can influence and change. That's what we like about him. There's a different rhythm all the time and he's finding that rhythm now that the great defensemen do.

Supremely confident with the puck since he was a youth, Dahlin said he's more comfortable in the physical nature of NHL play. And Krueger feels the all-around game blossoming. 1171529 Buffalo Sabres Their only goal in that game was a second-period tally by Oliver Bjorkstrand and that ended a string of 10 consecutive periods without an even-strength tally.

Carter Hutton stunned by collapse of former Blues teammate Jay The Blue Jackets have also been struggling for weeks on the power play. Bouwmeester They're last in the NHL since Dec. 1 at 12.5% and 26th for the season at 16.6%. Buffalo is 22nd at 18.8%.

By Mike Harrington Columbus is leading the Eastern Conference wild-card standings with 70 points and is one point ahead of Philadelphia, three ahead of Carolina Published Wed, Feb 12, 2020|Updated Wed, Feb 12, 2020 and four up on Florida. The Sabres, who are 12 points back, are actually closer to third place in the Atlantic Division as they are 10 points behind

Toronto. Sabres goaltender Carter Hutton was on his way home from KeyBank

Center Tuesday night when he got a text from defenseman Colin Miller asking if he had talked to anyone connected to the St. Louis Blues. Buffalo News LOADED: 02.13.2020 Hutton had no idea what Miller was talking about, so Miller had to provide Hutton with the news: Former teammate Jay Bouwmeester had collapsed on the bench in Anaheim and was taken from Honda Center on a stretcher to a hospital.

Hutton immediately texted Blues defenseman , who is Bouwmeester's defense partner. The Blues' game against the Anaheim Ducks had been postponed and players were awaiting word on Bouwmeester's condition.

"He filled me in a little bit and at that point they still didn't know," Hutton said of Parayko after practice Wednesday. "Colton was shook up at the time and that's all he had said. It was obviously pretty scary stuff."

Bouwmeester's issues came less than eight minutes into the game due to what the Blues termed a "cardiac event." Players scrambled to get attention of athletic trainers and doctors and the game was immediately stopped. It will be made up at a later date.

Bouwmeester, 36, is the senior member of the Blues. After captain Alex Pietrangelo hoisted the Stanley Cup following the Game 7 victory last June in Boston, the first player he handed the Cup to was Bouwmeester, who had played 1,184 regular-season games to that point.

"As a friend too, he's just the ultimate pro," said Hutton, who played two seasons with the Blues from 2016-18. "He takes unbelievable care of himself and obviously that shows. You see the guy getting the Cup first and that's kind of the ultimate respect in hockey."

This situation, of course, goes far beyond hockey.

"We spent time at their house with their kids," Hutton said. "He's got three little girls at home and we'd go over all the time for dinners and you start thinking the big picture, right? Hockey's just a sport and there's a lot more to life than that.

"Especially the way it happened. Right on the bench. There's nothing going on. It happened. It's obviously really, really scary stuff."

Thursday's game against Columbus will be 2000s Night, with the Sabres honoring alumni from the decade that included the 2006 and 2007 Eastern Conference finalists. Former owner Tom Golisano and managing partners Larry Quinn and Dan DiPofi will be on hand and the roster of players scheduled to appear in a pregame ceremony is highlighted by Daniel Briere, Tim Connolly, Jason Pominville, Brian Campbell and Paul Gaustad.

Gaustad was at practice Wednesday to see Hutton, his former teammate for three years in Nashville.

The Blue Jackets have dealt with a slew of injuries this season and they hit town dealing with two more big ones. All-Star defenseman Seth Jones is out for 8-10 weeks – certainly the rest of the regular season – and will need surgery for a sprain and hairline fracture in his ankle, and the team announced Wednesday morning that winger Cam Atkinson will miss two to three weeks due to a sprained ankle.

Jones, who led the team in ice time with an average of 25:17 per game, was injured in Saturday's game against Colorado after crashing into the side of the net. But he returned to the game and scored a power-play goal, as it turned out, while playing on the fractured ankle.

Columbus is 19-3-6 in its last 28 games, but its offense has struggled of late and its 2-1 overtime loss here on Feb. 1 was symptomatic of that. The Jackets have scored just one goal four times in their past six games, including Monday's 2-1 overtime loss to Tampa Bay. 1171530 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres may get Victor Olofsson, Kyle Okposo back in the lineup Thursday night

By Mike Harrington

Published Wed, Feb 12, 2020|Updated Wed, Feb 12, 2020

The Buffalo Sabres could be getting big reinforcements on the wing for Thursday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets as Victor Olofsson and Kyle Okposo both practiced on their lines Wednesday in KeyBank Center.

Olofsson, who has been out since Jan. 2 with a high-ankle sprain, returned to the ice Saturday. Okposo, who suffered an upper-body injury during the Jan. 30 loss to Montreal, joined the club for the morning skate on Tuesday.

As they have much of the season, Olofsson was with and Sam Reinhart in practice Wednesday while Okposo skated with Johan Larsson and .

"Victor Olofsson and Kyle Okposo showed good signs here today," coach Ralph Krueger said. "We're going to assess post-practice and take a final look in the morning but it looks like they're an option already for tomorrow. We'll make that final call again tomorrow."

"I didn't really know what to expect," Olofsson said. "I haven't been through one of these things before so I'm just trying to be really patient. Tomorrow is six weeks so that's kind of where we thought it would be. I feel like there's been good progress and we're where we want to be at."

Olofsson remains second in the NHL among rookies with 16 goals and has 35 points in 42 games. Okposo has five goals and seven assists

"You don't plan for anybody to be ready until they're actually skating with you in practice," Krueger said. "But what we like is just how good the rehab has worked here and how fit they feel within a couple of days. I've seen this multiple times this year so it's just a compliment to the work that's being done and the preparation for these players returning. We just like where they're at right now and it's looking good."

The Sabres could be without Marcus Johansson on Thursday as he sat out practice for maintenance of an upper-body injury.

"He's definitely in a day-to-day category again and we'll look at it tomorrow," Krueger said. "It's not a concern, long-term/big picture. If anything, it would be potentially one game."

Buffalo News LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171531 Buffalo Sabres But that isn’t the case when Rasmus Dahlin and Jack Eichel are playing together. And when Dahlin plays with Buffalo’s depth forwards, the numbers are slightly less than average. Compare that to Ristolainen, Sabres need to trade Rasmus Ristolainen before it's too late whose numbers scream draft lottery both with Eichel and away from Eichel:

There isn’t a single Sabres fan who is seriously interested in another By Travis Yost prolonged rebuild. How you avoid those prolonged rebuilds is making smart organizational decisions that benefit your team in the long run. We Published Wed, Feb 12, 2020|Updated Wed, Feb 12, 2020 know from the rumor mill over the years that teams around the league are vulturing players such as Ristolainen from the Sabres, believing that his development has been stunted by a bad organization and that his Travis Yost has been involved in the world of hockey analytics for a play would dramatically improve if playing with a contender. decade and is part of TSN's Hockey Analytics team. Prior to joining TSN, Yost was a contributor at the Ottawa Citizen, the Sporting News and NHL Buffalo has refused to take that bet, and teams are getting increasingly Numbers, and he has been a consultant for an NHL franchise. He will be smarter around the league. But if someone out there believes he is truly contributing breakdowns on the Buffalo Sabres for The Buffalo News this salvageable and a better player than what he has shown in Buffalo – season. Follow Yost on Twitter: @travisyost. well, it’s time for them to make that bet.

With the Buffalo Sabres’ playoff odds crashing by the day, attention in It’s not working in Buffalo, and getting assets for a player who is having Buffalo should be shifting to the Feb. 24 trade deadline. An aspiring front no impact on your team’s performance is always worth consideration. office – one that surely believed they would be in the midst of playoff contention by now – has to once again run through the roster and start putting together a three-year plan. Buffalo News LOADED: 02.13.2020 And depending on how bearish you are about the talent both on the active roster and in the pipeline, that three-year plan may seriously include yet another phase in a near-decade long rebuild.

Roster mismanagement excluded, rebuilds shouldn’t take particularly long. We have seen plenty of teams quickly stock the cupboards. Lest we forget, the Toronto Maple Leafs were once in the same position as the Sabres – they just happened to nail an impressive number of draft picks and parlayed some of their roster assets into pieces more suitable for long-term success.

And if you don’t like the cross-border rival, you can consider the , a team that engineered as quick and emphatic a rebuild as any team in the league. (The Avalanche had 48 points in the 2016-17 season; yes, 48!)

When it comes to the trade deadline, it’s imperative that your organizational personnel are ahead of competitors sniffing around your roster. We have seen a breathless number of one-sided trades and that will continue as long as human beings are making decisions.

In Buffalo, that situation is unfortunately difficult this season. This is one of the more top-heavy rosters in the league, and most of the team’s tradeable depth players have either been shaky for some time or are without any sort of resume or draft pedigree you could parlay into a bigger trade.

The one exception on the roster might be defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. His contract is significant enough for Buffalo to consider trading him, and yet friendly enough for teams around the league that believe the 25-year old is a victim of circumstances largely out of his control. He is owed $5.4 million per year through 2021-22 and then would be an unrestricted free agent.

And he has the individual skills that are attractive – he is a good skater for his size, and is a great puck mover on the power play.

But, as is the case with many defenders with “draft pedigree” over the years, teams tend to wait an awfully long time to understand what they have – it’s the ultimate low-risk, low-reward type of play. Ristolainen has played nearly 500 games and what we know is that the Sabres are aggressively out-chanced and out-scored with him on the ice, and the team’s results with him or without him on the ice are largely indiscernible from each other:

Buffalo’s underlying numbers have been poor with Ristolainen on the ice for years now and a lot of it is because the team is so ineffective at sustaining offensive zone pressure. One of the complicating factors here is that Buffalo’s top-heaviness doesn’t help matters for evaluating a first- pairing defender such as Ristolainen.

He gets ample ice time with the top line, but he also gets a significant amount of ice time with the team’s disastrous bottom six. And in those minutes, Buffalo is really just playing to survive – that’s certainly the case this season, and it’s just a carryover from what has plagued this team for a long time. 1171532 Calgary Flames The Flames had a golden opportunity to tie it up with a couple of Kings in the sin-bin for 63 seconds of five-on-three advantage. They managed just two shots.

Lowly Kings have Flames' number “We still had, by our count, four chances on the five-on-three,” Ward said. “But I thought we could have been crisper with it — and a little bit quicker.” Wes Gilbertson Jeff Carter notched the would-be game-winner with a blocker-side snipe February 13, 2020 12:23 AM MST before Lindholm scored his second of the evening from an awkward angle with 3:05 remaining.

Kings defenceman Sean Walker quashed any hope of a comeback with a LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings are the worst team in the late empty-netter. NHL’s Western Conference. “It’s the same old story — every time we don’t manage the puck well, it By a country mile. ends up in the back of our net and costing us hockey games,” Lucic said. They’ve now beaten the Calgary Flames three times. The Flames, who started this road-trip with convincing victories in In the jostle for playoff positions in the jam-packed Pacific Division, Vancouver and San Jose, will cap their travels with Thursday’s clash there’s really no excuse for a hat-trick of defeats against the same cellar- against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center (8 p.m., Sportsnet dweller. West/Sportsnet One).

Wednesday was a wasted opportunity for the Flames, who came out flat, “We have to forget about this one,” Lindholm said. “If we win (Thursday), committed too many turnovers and squandered a lengthy five-on-three it will be a good road-trip for us. We just have to be a little better.” power-play in the third period en route to a 5-3 gut-punch from the Kings HAMMER TIME? at Staples Center. Travis Hamonic’s upper-body injury is not a shoulder issue, as many “I think we made too many mistakes — we turned the puck over, and suspected. they capitalized,” said Flames right-winger Elias Lindholm, who potted a pair during a late push. “And obviously, we made their goalie pretty good, It’s not a concussion, either. too. We had a lot of shots, but a lot from the outside. We have to get out front and get some greasy ones.” Besides ruling those out, Flames general manager wasn’t sharing many details in a chat Wednesday with reporters in Los Angeles. If not for a solid showing by their own netminder, David Rittich, the final score could have been worse. “It’s not too serious — he doesn’t have to get surgery or anything like that,” Treliving said. “But it’s going to keep him out for a little.” While Lindholm tallied twice to boost his team-leading total to 24 goals this season, Mikael Backlund was the only other marksman for the crew For how long? from Calgary. Check back later.

Recent call-up Cal Peterson made 35 saves in the home crease. “I’m not trying to be coy with it, but we’re going to know more probably The good news is the Flames are now finished with their regular-season when we get home,” Treliving said of Hamonic, who was injured on a series against the Kings. They mustered just one win in four meetings. second-period collision during Saturday’s victory in Vancouver. “He’s going to miss some time, but I hate saying, ‘OK, he’s going to be out “For whatever reason, they have our number,” said Flames winger Milan three days’ and he’s out longer or saying ‘He’s going to be out two Lucic after a loss against one of his former squads. “Regardless of where weeks’ and he’s out less. I think we’ll get a better sense when we get they are in the standings, they still have some really top-end players on home. He’s going to miss a little time. What is that? I just don’t know. that team and systematically they played a pretty good game, as far as keeping it tight, making us work for our chances and all that type of stuff.” “I pledge to you have a better update when I get home Friday, or at least a little bit better timeline.” Heading into Wednesday’s date, the Kings had lost five in a row and owned an awful 2-12-1 record since the calendar flipped to 2020. FIRST CRACK

Even after their slump-buster, they are still seven points back of 14th In Alexander Yelesin’s case, the third time was the charm. place in the Western Conference. In the overall standings, they trail only The 24-year-old defenceman had been twice previously recalled from the the dreadful Detroit Red Wings. minors without logging his NHL debut. On Wednesday, he was finally in “There are no easy games in this league,” reminded Flames interim head the Flames’ lineup. coach Geoff Ward. “They’re a big team. They skate well. They play with “I worked for this moment,” he said prior to puck-drop. “I’m happy, and I good structure. And they have some skill that can hurt you if you let them should be ready, because it’s my chance.” make plays. I think they’re a better team on paper than what their record is showing right now, to be honest with you.” Yelesin’s resume includes three seasons in the KHL — he was an all-star for his hometown team, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, last winter — and 33 The Flames struck first Wednesday — Matthew Tkachuk picked off outings for the ’s . Peterson’s pass and fed Backlund before the Kings starter could scramble back into position — but the lead didn’t last long. He was healthy-scratched nine times by the Flames while waiting for his shot. Eighty-three seconds later, In fact, they were sizing up a 2-1 deficit. “What you’re going to see about him is he plays extremely hard,” Ward Tyler Toffoli, a could-be trade-deadline target for the Flames, tucked a after morning skate at Staples Center. “He’s going to bring some rebound for the tying tally. aggressiveness to the game. He’s not afraid to join the rush.

On the next shift, Austin Wagner buried on a breakaway. “We’re not talking about a guy coming out of a junior here. He’s a “When we score a goal, we have to be better than to let two goals in right seasoned pro player.He’s been here a couple times and not had the away,” Backlund said. “That just can’t happen at this time of the year.” opportunity to play, so I’m sure he’s going to be anxious to get out there and play at the NHL level.” Kurtis MacDermid, the rugged rearguard who traded haymakers with Lucic during the second period, picked a corner early in the third to pad Yelesin finished with two shots, two hits and an even rating in 10:59 of the lead, especially important since Derek Ryan slid a beautiful cross- icetime. crease pass to leave Lindholm with a gimme less than two minutes later.

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171533 Calgary Flames He had a battery of follow-up tests on his brain, his heart, etc., ultimately missing five games as doctors worked to rule out any significant health concerns.

Bouwmeester’s scare brings back memories of Brodie’s collapse While Fischer and Peverley were both forced to retire after their cardiac incidents, everyone is hoping Bouwmeester can eventually return to the ice. Wes Gilbertson After Brodie’s own scare in the fall, he vowed to try to enjoy the game a bit more. After all, when he was laying in that hospital bed, he wondered if he’d ever get to lace up his skates again. LOS ANGELES — TJ Brodie has been the NHL star lying in the hospital bed. “It puts things into perspective and how quickly things can change,” Brodie said. “Definitely just taking it day by day and trying to enjoy He understands what Jay Bouwmeester, his former Calgary Flames yourself, I think that’s big. teammate, is now going through after Tuesday’s cardiac episode. He knows his mind must be racing. “I feel like I’ve been better, and I think some of that is just relaxing and having fun. When you put too much pressure on yourself or care too “A lot goes through your head — you’re wondering if it’s something much, sometimes it goes the opposite way. Sometimes, it’s better to just bigger and then the thoughts of ‘Am I going to be able to continue playing be relaxed.” or is it something serious where you have to hang ’em up?’ ” Brodie said. “You have a lot of things to think about and a lot of questions, wondering why it happened or what caused it. I’m sure they’ll run all the tests (on Bouwmeester) and figure that out. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 02.13.2020

“But it’s definitely eye-opening how quick something can happen and change.”

Brodie’s collapse during a Nov. 14 practice — the 29-year-old blue-liner left the Saddledome in the back of an ambulance — was headline news.

Tuesday’s scary scene at Honda Center in Anaheim brought back memories of that day.

Bouwmeester, now skating for the St. Louis Blues, had just finished a shift when he slumped over on the visiting bench.

Medical personnel rushed to his aid, using a defibrillator to revive the 36- year-old.

“Anytime something like that happens, it’s shocking,” Brodie said. “Hopefully, it’s nothing serious and he’s alright. Hopefully, he’s back quick.”

Geoff Ward can relate, too.

The Flames’ interim skipper revealed after Wednesday’s morning skate in Los Angeles that he’s had a pair of cardiac scares due to an irregular heartbeat — one at home and one in the coaches’ office when he was on the New Jersey Devils’ bench staff.

“I’ve felt it and gone down from it, and it’s scary,” Ward said. “The same thing happened to me that happened to Bo. I don’t know if he went unconscious. I did.

“I woke up saying to the trainer, ‘Would you stop punching on my chest?’ ”

Ward had an ablation after that second incident, a procedure to burn tissue in the heart that is causing the irregular rhythm. He hasn’t had any troubles since.

The initial news on Bouwmeester is good. While he remained hospitalized as doctors tried to determine the cause of his collapse, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong released a statement Wednesday saying “things are looking very positive” for the father of three.

“How good the first-responders are, it never ceases to amaze me the job that they do,” Ward said prior the clash against the Kings in Los Angeles. “Not only (Tuesday) night, but with the Rich Peverley situation in Dallas and with Jiri Fischer a long time ago … These cardiac episodes do happen, and I don’t think the athletic community is excluded from it, obviously. So you never like to see this happen, but the fact that we can trust that the first-responders are there and they’re capable and they do a good job, it makes it a lot easier on the players knowing they have real good professionals there to help if there is a case like that.

“Our thoughts go out to Bo and his family and we wish him a quick recovery. I think it will be,” Ward continued. “Episodes like that are always scary. They’re not only scary for the individual, but scary for his teammates and the other team and the fans in the stands. You never, ever want to see a guy go through something like that.”

Brodie knows what it’s like. 1171534 Carolina Hurricanes This was originally going to be a story about how Petr Mrazek isn’t the issue, and for the record, he isn’t …

… but people keep asking me “what’s wrong” with the Canes as if they’re ‘We definitely need to figure it out’: What, if anything, is ‘wrong’ with the a middle school kid eating lunch alone in the bathroom. Hurricanes? To a degree, I think we all have an understandable recency bias. Consider the position the team is in, what they have to do to make the cut this postseason, the Dougie Hamilton injury and the upcoming slate By Sara Civian of in-division play the Canes haven’t seemed to master. That is all very scary and makes every last play seem do-or-die — and it sort of is. Feb 12, 2020 Zoom out for a second and remember your frustrations with last season

at times, though, then look at this (via Natural Stat Trick). DALLAS — It sucks when a player does something cool on an individual Having trouble finding a glaring difference? level but the overall team performance was so underwhelming that you have to ask him about that instead. Don’t get me wrong, there’s something that “feels different” in a bad way about this team right now compared to last season, but it isn’t the actual Sebastian Aho extended his goal streak to six during the Hurricanes’ 4-1 quality of the team. I think it’s that last season at this time they were the loss at Dallas. His 31st of the season eclipsed his previous goal record, best team in the league for a long stretch. just 55 games into 2019-20. He passed Connor McDavid to tie Jack Eichel’s current No. 6 spot on the goal-scoring leaderboard. It’s not like This season at this time they’ve allowed the first goal six times and their this means much, and it’s certainly not a knock on any of these players, primary identity — building from the blue line — is trending down while but that’s more than Artemi Panarin (28), Nikita Kucherov (27), Steven their Norris-caliber defenseman suffers a broken leg. Stamkos (26) and Patrick Kane (25) right now. The good news? This is pretty dang similar to last year’s team when you The lone Hurricanes scorer was aggravated as anyone else as the team consider the big picture, and that’s all you as a fan really need to didn’t have much in the tank Tuesday, collecting four of eight possible consider if you don’t want to torture yourself. points on the road trip that lasted forever. People who don’t interact with Aho every day might not see how truly competitive he is, but it comes The bad news? As Slavin said, the Canes are the ones who are through after every single post-loss press conference, no matter how well supposed to be hyper-focused on sweating the small stuff, and right now he played. they aren’t. It’s leading to defensive breakdowns that sting worse in context of everything else — every point counts, no Hamilton and decent- As it stands in a brutal race, the Hurricanes are two but-not-heroic-but-most-certainly-not-the-problem goaltending. Did I points out of a playoff spot. Although they have a better record than mention Hamilton? several playoff teams in the West, and although the current situation is not even remotely Aho’s fault, he isn’t here for these excuses. So “what’s wrong” with the Hurricanes? The “little lapses” Slavin cited and the mentality Aho mentioned have contributed to an alarming trend “We definitely need to figure it out,” he said. “It’s on players. It doesn’t that feels like a lost identity. But it’s only a trend, and if they can snap out matter what coaches (say), or where we play, home or on the road. All of it they’re still in good shape. those excuses and it’s like, every player has to be ready mentally and physically. It’s something we have to figure out as a team.”

The Canes seem to be giving up more high danger chances and shots in The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 general than is true to their identity (more on that later). Is that mental, too?

“I don’t even know what to say to that,” Aho said.

Carolina obviously couldn’t score past that first line Tuesday. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour, who was reluctant to put Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen together in the first place, was quick to point that out. At five-on-five the whole team had seven scoring chances in the first, six in the second and eight in the third.

But it’s just as bad that they gave up 14 in the first and another 14 in the second. The Hurricanes’ overall 3.39 xGA compared to their 1.7 xGF presents us with a little unsavory dilemma.

Is defense or offense the issue?

“In tonight’s game? Both,” Brind’Amour said. “We didn’t defend very well, we had one line that was really going and the rest were kind of just not a factor. In today’s game you gotta have everyone going.”

The game was a sort of microcosm of the losses that have been most hard to stomach this season — you can’t really point to either or, or one simple thing to fix, can you?

No, but a recent dip — no matter how slight — in the area this team has formed an identity around is particularly disconcerting, and might be the reason folks are slightly overreacting.

The Hurricanes allow the 10th highest high danger chances in the NHL in all situations with 650. While that isn’t some totally condemning stat, it just doesn’t feel like “them.” And while they still have the second-fewest shots allowed in the league, that has been trending in the wrong direction lately.

“It’s just little lapses here, little lapses there, little details in our game,” Jaccob Slavin said. “I think last year we were way more detailed and I think this year we’re finding that those chances are coming from not being as detailed, so we gotta clean that up. I think we’ve been saying the same thing all year, right? So now it’s now or never.” 1171535 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks fire 49 shots but drop their 5th straight, 3-0 to the Canucks

Staff Report

ASSOCIATED PRESS

FEB 13, 2020 | 1:01 AM

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

The Blackhawks outplayed the Canucks for most of the game Wednesday night, but Jacob Markstrom made a career-high 49 saves to lead his team past the Hawks 3-0 after the Canucks retired the numbers of former stars Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

Brandon Sutter had a goal and two assists, and and also scored to help the Canucks win their second straight after a four-game skid (0-3-1). Markstrom was marvelous in recording his second shutout of the season and fifth of his career.

Corey Crawford finished with 17 saves as the Hawks lost their season- high fifth straight (0-3-2).

There was an electric atmosphere in the building for the retirement ceremony. The sold-out crowd was on its feet cheering as Henrik Sedin's No. 33 and Daniel Sedin's No. 22 were raised to the rafters at Rogers Arena.

"To the people of Vancouver and British Columbia, we came here in 1999 and it felt like home from Day 1," Henrik Sedin said. "We want to thank you. To play in front of you has truly been an honor."

In their 17 years as Canucks the Sedins totaled 633 goals and 1,478 assists in 2,637 games. They are franchise leaders in seven major categories.

The Canucks were badly outplayed all night and needed big saves from Markstrom to stay in the game. In the second period he stopped Patrick Kane’s shot from the high slot after a giveaway by Quinn Hughes. In the first he also got a pad on a shot from an open Dominik Kubalik.

The Canucks led 1-0 after the first period despite being outshot 17-7. Horvat scored on a power play on a pretty three-way passing play with Sutter and J.T. Miller with 4 1/2 minutes left in the period.

The penalty came after the Hawks asked for a review of a referee’s decision to disallow a Hawks goal due to goaltender interference. The call stood and the Hawks were assessed a penalty for delay of game.

Gaudette made it 2-0 at 6:26 of the second. After Antoine Roussel found him alone at the side of the net, Gaudette beat Crawford for his 10th of the season.

[Most read in Sports] Jeremy Roenick ‘very disappointed and angry’ after being let go by NBC Sports for making sexual comments about his coworkers »

In the third period Gaudette, threw a couple of big punches in a fight with Hawks’ Connor Murphy.

Sutter capped the scoring with an empty-netter with 2:09 left.

The Blackhawks’ five-game road trip continues Saturday at Calgary.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171536 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks’ dominant effort stonewalled by Jacob Markstrom in 5th straight loss

By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

Feb 13, 2020, 1:31am CST

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Blackhawks’ model for climbing out of their current doldrums and back into the playoff race may be to follow the exact blueprint they outlined Wednesday.

There’s just one problem: that blueprint still resulted in a 3-0 loss against the Canucks, the Hawks’ fifth in a row.

“It’s tough to go in there after that kind of effort and another loss, but ultimately the only we’re going to get wins is by playing to a similar level,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “Kind of reinforces the lost opportunity of the last couple games where we weren’t at that level. All of a sudden, we play well and we don’t get the win, and we’re on a little bit of a slide.”

The Hawks attempted 78 shots, their second-most of the season, and got 49 of them on goal, a season high, against Vancouver goaltender Jacob Markstrom. On the other end of the rink, they allowed only 37 shot attempts and 20 shots on goal by the Canucks, both season bests.

In other words, they completely dominated every facet of the game. They won puck battles, cleanly moved the puck up the ice and found open men and juicy angles in the offensive zone. They did everything they’ve talked fruitlessly about doing since the All-Star Break.

And they got nothing for it.

“We’re just happy about getting our effort back to where it needs to be, and we’ll go from there,” said. “You can sit around and sulk about it for 20 minutes, and then you’ve got to make a decision on how you want to react and get ready for the next one. So that’s all we can do right now.”

Toews’ somewhat surprising optimism actually resonated throughout the postgame locker room, reflecting the character and resilience this sub- .500 team has — to their credit — maintained all year long.

Both Colliton and Toews mentioned how much hockey is left in the season, and 25 games is indeed a sizable chunk. But the trade deadline, now only five games away, provides an unofficial breaking point for when the organization might make some tough roster decisions based on the team’s present-day trajectory.

“Most guys try not to think about that,” Drake Caggiula said. “The trade deadline is something that’s out of our control, we have nothing to do with that. We’re just the moving pieces. But we’re doing everything we can to help this team win.”

On Wednesday, all four lines and three pairings did seem to be doing everything they could, and actually doing it well. Zack Smith suffered a hand injury in the second period — and will be “out for a little bit,” per Colliton — but even down to 11 forwards, the Hawks’ onslaught continued.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, though, they need far more than encouraging efforts at this time.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171537 Chicago Blackhawks required displacing Patrick Kane from his usual spot and shifting him to the left faceoff circle.

Colliton said Wednesday that he now doesn’t think that’s a “bad thing,” Blackhawks’ Matthew Highmore happy about speed of his adjustment to though. NHL

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 02.13.2020 By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

Feb 12, 2020, 4:37pm CST

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Entering this season’s training camp, Matthew Highmore was a professional hockey player who had not played much hockey in a while.

“I had only played four games in nine months, 10 months,” he said Tuesday. “So I didn’t really have much of a measuring stick, and I didn’t think I was quite where I wanted to be.”

Six months later, Highmore has played a lot of hockey — and most of it at the NHL level.

The soon-to-be 24-year-old wing has appeared in 23 games for the Hawks since his late November recall, bringing energy, grit and some deceptive speed to the fourth line.

Although he has tallied just one goal and two assists in those 23 games, he has become a valuable player in coach Jeremy Colliton’s eyes — so much so that, after Highmore was scratched for three consecutive games out of the bye week, Colliton scratched Alex Nylander in Winnipeg to get Highmore back into the lineup, then kept Highmore in while benching Dylan Strome in Edmonton.

“He’s been really good,” Colliton said Wednesday. “He’s another guy we watched the shifts with today and he played real well, and that’s great for our team. Competition and young players improving and pushing from underneath, so I expect him to continue to get better as he gets more and more comfortable with the league.”

Although Highmore was scratched Wednesday against the Canucks, there’s good evidence that having Highmore around makes the Hawks better: they’ve won 13 of the 23 games in which he has played, versus only 12 of the 33 he hasn’t (entering Wednesday).

“When I came here at the start of December, the team was really starting to find their groove,” he said. “So just to be a part of that has been exciting. I’ve been playing good hockey [but] I don’t think necessarily it’s been any of the reason.”

Highmore missed the vast majority of last season with a right shoulder injury, playing only nine games with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs in October 2018 and four in April 2019 on the two ends of his lengthy recovery.

After his aforementioned time in Hawks training camp, he returned to Rockford fully healthy and put up 12 points in 21 games, prompting his promotion.

Two and a half months later, he has become an NHL regular.

“I’m getting better,” he said. “It’s a bit of an adjustment, and I feel like I have made that adjustment as of now.

‘‘I’m starting to build on my game more and more and it’s certainly coming around. It’s been fun being a part of this. I hope I can continue to help any way

I can.”

He added that he’s hoping to develop his patience and creativity in the offensive zone so that he can chip in more scoring-wise.

But he now has plenty of leash and time to do so.

Kubalik on top power play

Dominik Kubalik slotted into the Hawks’ top power play this week, a long- awaited move that Colliton had resisted because of handedness concerns.

Kubalik, as a left-handed shot, only naturally fits on the right side of the formation, blasting one-timers. Putting the Czech rookie there, however, 1171538 Chicago Blackhawks

Pending free agent Erik Gustafsson tries to tune out trade talk as deadline nears

By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

Feb 12, 2020, 6:55am CST

EDMONTON, — Erik Gustafsson might be in the final days of his time with the Blackhawks.

Or he might not be.

The Swedish defenseman, who will turn 28 in March, has no way of knowing what his fate holds, even as the Blackhawks’ most likely player to be dealt before the NHL’s trade deadline Feb. 24. So he’s doing his best to keep the guessing game out of his mind.

“What happens, happens,” Gustafsson said Tuesday. “If I get traded or stay here, it’s something I have to deal with. But I want to stay here and help this team win.”

All the cards line up in such a way that make Gustafsson an obvious trade candidate, despite playing on a Hawks team that still fancies itself as a playoff contender.

His production is down this year, and 19-year-old Adam Boqvist may have already usurped him — and if not yet, soon will — as the team’s primary offensive defenseman. Between the holiday break and Boqvist’s minor injury last Wednesday, Boqvist had taken over the quarterback role on the top power-play unit and averaged 3:13 of power-play time per game. Gustafsson had averaged just 1:33.

Gustafsson is also set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. His cap hit is an affordable $1.2 million now, but he will probably command around $3 million-$4 million on his next contract, an amount the cap-space-lacking Hawks seem unlikely to be able to afford.

And indeed, Gustafsson’s agent Peter Wallen — who also represents Boqvist, prospect Lucas Carlsson and ex-IceHogs defenseman Philip Holm — confirmed that there have been “no talks at all” about an extension.

Still, there’s a significant chance Gustafsson remains part of coach Jeremy Colliton’s team through at least the rest of this season — if only because the trade deadline is almost always less busy than anticipated.

Thus, Colliton has advised Gustafsson to focus on only what he can control.

“There’s always outside things that can creep into your preparation, and the guys that have the most success are able to shut it out,” Colliton said. “Sometimes it’s [that] guys are worried about next year or their name coming up, and that’s a part of it. Other guys, it’s off-ice stuff, family, their own performance. It’s important that you focus on what’s most important: your next shift, and preparing. That’s how you get through it.”

For Gustafsson, that advice has taken the form of reminding himself of a few pointers before each time over the boards.

“I think [about] being stronger in front of the net and play tough and, on the power play, try to find my confidence a little bit more with the puck,” he said. “But it’s something I have done and I think I’ve been doing it better lately, and I just have to keep going. It’s just thinking about it a little bit before every shift [when] I go on the ice.”

That dedication to improvement will be beneficial no matter where his future lies.

But in the meantime, the wait until Feb. 24 is a complicated time.

“I try not to think about it,” he said.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171539 Chicago Blackhawks

Pending free agent Erik Gustafsson tries to tune out trade talk as deadline nears

By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

Feb 12, 2020, 6:55am CST

EDMONTON, Alberta — Erik Gustafsson might be in the final days of his time with the Blackhawks.

Or he might not be.

The Swedish defenseman, who will turn 28 in March, has no way of knowing what his fate holds, even as the Blackhawks’ most likely player to be dealt before the NHL’s trade deadline Feb. 24. So he’s doing his best to keep the guessing game out of his mind.

“What happens, happens,” Gustafsson said Tuesday. “If I get traded or stay here, it’s something I have to deal with. But I want to stay here and help this team win.”

All the cards line up in such a way that make Gustafsson an obvious trade candidate, despite playing on a Hawks team that still fancies itself as a playoff contender.

His production is down this year, and 19-year-old Adam Boqvist may have already usurped him — and if not yet, soon will — as the team’s primary offensive defenseman. Between the holiday break and Boqvist’s minor injury last Wednesday, Boqvist had taken over the quarterback role on the top power-play unit and averaged 3:13 of power-play time per game. Gustafsson had averaged just 1:33.

Gustafsson is also set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. His cap hit is an affordable $1.2 million now, but he will probably command around $3 million-$4 million on his next contract, an amount the cap-space-lacking Hawks seem unlikely to be able to afford.

And indeed, Gustafsson’s agent Peter Wallen — who also represents Boqvist, prospect Lucas Carlsson and ex-IceHogs defenseman Philip Holm — confirmed that there have been “no talks at all” about an extension.

Still, there’s a significant chance Gustafsson remains part of coach Jeremy Colliton’s team through at least the rest of this season — if only because the trade deadline is almost always less busy than anticipated.

Thus, Colliton has advised Gustafsson to focus on only what he can control.

“There’s always outside things that can creep into your preparation, and the guys that have the most success are able to shut it out,” Colliton said. “Sometimes it’s [that] guys are worried about next year or their name coming up, and that’s a part of it. Other guys, it’s off-ice stuff, family, their own performance. It’s important that you focus on what’s most important: your next shift, and preparing. That’s how you get through it.”

For Gustafsson, that advice has taken the form of reminding himself of a few pointers before each time over the boards.

“I think [about] being stronger in front of the net and play tough and, on the power play, try to find my confidence a little bit more with the puck,” he said. “But it’s something I have done and I think I’ve been doing it better lately, and I just have to keep going. It’s just thinking about it a little bit before every shift [when] I go on the ice.”

That dedication to improvement will be beneficial no matter where his future lies.

But in the meantime, the wait until Feb. 24 is a complicated time.

“I try not to think about it,” he said.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171540 Chicago Blackhawks

Markstrom stops 49 shots, Canucks blank Blackhawks 3-0

Staff Report

Associated Press

Posted

2/13/2020 7:00 AM

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Jacob Markstrom had a career-high 49 saves as Vancouver Canucks beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0 Wednesday night after retiring the numbers of retired stars Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

Brandon Sutter had a goal and two assists, and Bo Horvat and Adam Gaudette also scored to help the Canucks win their second straight after a four-game skid (0-3-1). Markstrom was marvelous in recording his second shutout of the season and fifth of his career.

Corey Crawford finished with 17 saves as Chicago lost its season-high fifth straight (0-3-2).

There was an electric atmosphere in the building for the retirement ceremony. The sold-out crowd was on its feet cheering as Henrik Sedin's No. 33 and Daniel Sedin's No. 22 were raised to the rafters at Rogers Arena.

'œTo the people of Vancouver and British Columbia, we came here in 1999 and it felt like home from Day 1,' Henrik Sedin said. 'œWe want to thank you. To play in front of you has truly been an honor.'•

In their 17 years as Canucks the Sedins totaled 633 goals and 1,478 assists in 2,637 games. They are franchise leaders in seven major categories.

Vancouver was badly outplayed all night and needed some big saves from Markstrom to stay in the game. In the second period he stopped Patrick Kane's shot from the high slot after a giveaway by Quinn Hughes. In the first he also got a pad on a shot from an open Dominik Kubalik.

The Canucks led 1-0 after the first period despite being outshot 17-7. Horvat scored on a power play on a pretty three-way passing play with Sutter and J.T. Miller with 4 1/2 minutes left in the period.

The penalty came after Chicago asked for a review of a referee's decision to disallow a Blackhawk goal due to goaltender interference. The call stood and the Blackhawks were assessed a penalty for delay of game.

Gaudette made it 2-0 at 6:26 of the second. After Antoine Roussel found him alone at the side of the net, Gaudette beat Crawford for his 10th of the season.

In the third period Gaudette threw a couple of big punches in a fight with Chicago's Connor Murphy.

Sutter capped the scoring with an empty-netter with 2:09 left.

Blackhawks: At Calgary on Saturday night before wrapping up a five- game trip at Winnipeg on Sunday.

Canucks: Host Anaheim on Sunday in the fourth game of a six-game homestand.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171541 Chicago Blackhawks for two more years at a $3.85 million hit, so a team would need to put together a fantastic package.

Q: Will Colliton ever yell at the refs for their shenanigans? Why is the What's up with tough start to trip for Chicago Blackhawks? power play powerless? How long will this losing streak last? Will Stan still stand pat and not make a move at the deadline this year, even though we're (probably) not making the playoffs?

John Dietz A: I usually only allow one question per customer, but I figured I'd attack these in rapid-fire fashion. Follow @johndietzdh 1. No Updated 2. Too many players are deferring to Patrick Kane / the Hawks took too 2/12/2020 7:00 PM long to realize, hey, that Dominik Kubalik guy's got a great shot.

3. It's at four games now. I say it hits 5 and then they beat Flames. Back-to-back losses to Winnipeg and Edmonton was certainly no way for 4. Bowman will sell. Erik Gustafsson for sure, but it's tough to say who the Blackhawks to begin a critical five-game road trip. else beyond that. Nobody should be off limits -- well, except Kane, of But that's what happened, which pretty much means the Hawks are course. approaching DEFCON 1.

So let's open things up to the fans, many of whom are going nuclear on Daily Herald Times LOADED: 02.13.2020 social media.

Q: When does Jeremy Colliton get fired?

@Lost_Sanity on Twitter

A: Not this season. Or at least 20 games into next season.

He's done a decent job during an injury-plagued campaign that's seen Duncan Keith, Brandon Saad, Dylan Strome, Drake Caggiula, Andrew Shaw, Calvin de Haan and Brent Seabrook all miss significant time. There's no way gives up on him just yet.

Q: What do the Blackhawks even get for Erik Gustafsson if he were to be traded? Value clearly won't be as high as it would have been in the past.

A: I was thinking about this Wednesday.

Gustafsson has 6 goals and 19 assists in 54 games.

This after a spectacular 17-goal campaign in 2018-19. Well, a spectacular offensive campaign.

Most playoff-caliber teams probably would want Gustafsson to be a third- pairing guy who could also quarterback one of the power-play units.

To me, that brings you a midlevel prospect and a sixth-round pick. Or maybe just a third-round pick.

I don't see a team parting with a first- or second-round selection, that's for sure.

Q: How long is Colliton going to have Dylan Strome play as a winger?

A: Since the 15th game of the season, Strome was consistently hitting the scoresheet until suffering an ankle injury in Game 44 against Calgary. Since returning, he has no points in four appearances and he was a healthy scratch during the Hawks' 5-3 loss Tuesday at Edmonton.

Colliton changed Kirby Dach's role coming out of the break, allowing the rookie to center Brandon Saad and Patrick Kane. That forced Strome to a wing because Jonathan Toews, David Kampf and Ryan Carpenter are all natural centers.

So unless Dach regresses or injuries hit, Strome figures to stay on the outside for the foreseeable future.

Q: What dark-horse candidate might get moved at the deadline?

A: If the Hawks keep losing, general manager Stan Bowman should listen to every offer that comes his way. The most likely dark-horse candidates are:

• Brandon Saad. He's a two-time Cup winner who knows what playoff hockey is all about. He carries a $6 million cap hit through next season.

• Corey Crawford and Robin Lehner. How are contract talks going with Lehner? If he's asking for too much maybe Bowman lets him go. And does Crawford want another chance to win a Cup? See if he'll waive his modified no-trade clause. Colorado seems to be the most obvious suitor for either goalie -- if both teams are OK with an intradivision deal.

• Connor Murphy. Hey, you asked for dark horses, right? This is a serious longshot, but Murphy could really bolster a team's back end. He's signed 1171542 Chicago Blackhawks

4 Takeaways: Despite strong effort, Blackhawks' playoff chances take a hit in loss to Canucks

By Scott King

February 12, 2020 12:30 AM

The Blackhawks lost 3-0 to the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. Here are four takeaways:

Duncan Keith said the Blackhawks wanted to focus on a strong start in Vancouver. It seemed to be the case as the Hawks put 13 shots on net in the first period before the Canucks registered their first 9:56 into the opening frame. Chicago ended up outshooting Vancouver 17-7 in the first.

At 13:58 of the first, Patrick Kane appeared to score the first goal of the game as Brandon Saad was called for goalie interference on Jacob Markstrom. Upon further inspection, Saad was pushed by Bo Horvat and tried to avoid contact with the goalie.

The Blackhawks challenged the call and lost, giving the Canucks a power play they scored on off of their first shot with the man advantage to finish the first 1-0 ahead of the Hawks.

Hockey isn't fair

The Hawks' poor fortune continued into the second and third period. Despite recording over 30 shots on goal through two periods (33) for the first time this season, Chicago left the second trailing 2-0.

The Canucks added an empty-net goal late in the third.

The Blackhawks recorded an astonishing 49 shots on goal in the game with zero to show for it. They held the Canucks to 20. Kane led Chicago with eight shots on net, Dominik Kubalik had seven and Jonathan Toews had five.

After losing five straight (0-3-2), the Blackhawks remain six points out of a playoff spot with four teams to jump. If the Hawks can't come up with wins in Calgary on Saturday and Winnipeg Sunday, time will quickly wind down to gain momentum on the other teams in the race.

Still powerless

Overall, the Blackhawks were generating more shots on goal on the power play Thursday than they had in prior games. Kubalik has helped get a lot of shots off for the first unit.

Despite an enhanced effort on the man advantage, the Hawks are still 1- for-21 on the power play in the month of February.

With signs of life against the Canucks, a personnel change to the units may not be required. noted during the broadcast: "It's just a matter of time for this power play."

Blackhawks forward Dylan Strome returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the first time with the Blackhawks on Tuesday in Edmonton. Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton said Strome got feedback from the Hawks coaching staff as a scratch and was receptive to it.

"I think he's going to be real good tonight," Colliton said before the game.

Strome had one shot on goal, blocked one shot and won 43% of his faceoffs in Vancouver.

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Head coach Paul Maurice gets multi-year extension from Winnipeg Jets

By Kelly Twardziak

February 12, 2020 7:38 PM

Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice has received a multi-year contract extension. While Maurice is unable to discuss the exact details of the contract until Thursday, the signing is a major vote of confidence from the organization after a less-than-stellar start to the 2019-20 season and NHL coaches getting the axe left and right.

Maurice joined the Jets in the middle of the 2013-14 season, has racked up a 264-183-53 record and has made the playoffs three times.

Many were speculating Maurice would be a tight spot this season after the Jets lost many strong defensive players over the offseason, but the Jets have managed to hang in there and are currently one point out of a Wild Card spot.

As of writing, the Jets are ranked fourth in the Central Division, three spots ahead of the Blackhawks. This season has been Maurice’s most difficult year with the team and he’s working with an understaffed defense, so imagine how strong the Jets will be if they’re able to rebuild their defense over the next few years of Maurice’s coaching tenure. Looks like the Central Division will be getting even more competitive.

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Kris Versteeg joins Blackhawks All-Decade Team

By Scott King

February 12, 2020 7:00 AM

A valuable contributor to two Stanley Cups and an aspiring rapper Chicago didn't know it had, Kris Versteeg was a special breed.

Before he spit verses and busted rhymes of his own at the Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup championship rally —⁠ and sang Macklemore's "And we danced" at the 2015 celebration with Joakim Nordstrom —⁠ the speedy winger had 44 points (20 goals, 24 assists) during the 2009-10 regular season. He tagged on an impressive 14 points (six goals, eight assists) to help the Hawks hoist the Cup in 2010.

Versteeg also had strong numbers the prior year with 53 points; 22 goals, 31 assists, the latter of which lead all rookies, in the regular season. He was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team for the 2008-09 season.

He had 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in the 2009 playoffs before Chicago was eliminated by the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Final.

The Lethbridge, Alberta, native was selected in the fifth round at No. 134 overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2004 NHL Draft. The Bruins traded Versteeg to the Hawks on Feb. 3, 2007, for forward Brandon Bochenski. Versteeg made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on Nov. 22, 2007, against the Calgary Flames.

Versteeg was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs three weeks after the Hawks won the Cup in 2010. He also played in Philadelphia again and spent parts of three seasons in Florida with the Panthers before being traded back to Chicago for Jimmy Hayes and Dylan Olsen on Nov. 15, 2013. He had 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) during the 2014-15 season and a goal and an assist in the 2015 playoffs.

After being traded to Carolina following the Hawks' 2015 championship, Versteeg also spent time with the LA Kings and Calgary Flames. He returned to the Chicago area this year to captain the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate the Rockford IceHogs for six games before asking to have his contract terminated.

The forward was honored with "One More Shift" before the Dec. 15 game against the Minnesota Wild this year.

Versteeg, now 33, is the only NHL player to score a goal at (Winter Classic on Jan. 1, 2009), Soldier Field (NHL Stadium Series vs. Pittsburgh Penguins on March 1, 2014) and the United Center, doing it all with the Blackhawks.

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Blue Jackets want rookie Kevin Stenlund to shoot more

Brian Hedger The Columbus Dispatch

Feb 12, 2020 at 7:38 PM

It’s not the way Kevin Stenlund envisioned earning a role with the Blue Jackets, but he’ll gladly take it.

A rash of injuries has prompted the Jackets to twice recall the 23-year- old rookie from the Cleveland Monsters, but all that matters to him is getting NHL opportunities.

“It was my goal before the season, so I’m enjoying it,” said Stenlund, a 6- foot-4, 209-pound forward who’s centering the Jackets’ third line going into a game Thursday night at the Buffalo Sabres. “I’m trying to take advantage of every opportunity I get.”

Stenlund is also trying to shoot a little more, since that’s his best tool. He’s used it to score four goals in 19 games, including three on power plays, but taking shots isn’t his natural inclination.

“I hear that a lot, especially during practice when I’m passing up a shot,” Stenlund said. “I’ve always liked to pass the puck. I’m trying to work on my shot even more, though, to be more accurate with it. I’ve probably got to shoot more, but ... I like to pass it.”

The Blue Jackets would just like him to help their struggling power play, whether it’s with shots or setup passes.

“That’s one of his strengths,” coach said. “I think he sees the ice and he’ll see some more time (on the power play). He has a good shot, and I think his vision is very underrated.”

Foudy’s return

The Blue Jackets announced Wednesday that Cam Atkinson will miss two to three weeks with an ankle injury, and only 11 forwards practiced.

Tortorella said rookie forward Liam Foudy, who made his NHL debut Monday in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, would also play at Buffalo. The 20-year-old was again recalled from the London Knights, his junior team, after first being recalled Sunday under the same circumstance.

The Blue Jackets’ first-round pick (No. 18) in the 2018 draft returned to London after the game and had an assist in a 3-1 loss to Guelph on Tuesday.

David Savard’s home has grown by one, but this time it’s not because Pierre-Luc Dubois is living with him.

Savard and his wife, Valerie, welcomed Zachary Felix Savard, their third child, on Tuesday. It was uncertain if Savard will play in Buffalo.

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Zach Werenski takes mistake he made that led to Blue Jackets’ loss personally

Brian Hedger The Columbus Dispatch

Feb 12, 2020 at 7:31 PM

He gave reporters what they needed, a blunt quote and sound bite, but Zach Werenski didn’t discuss his costly turnover Monday night with anybody else.

Not his family. Not his friends. Not his teammates.

“I just wanted to deal with it myself, internally,” said Werenski, who watched the Tampa Bay Lightning score the winning goal 31 seconds into overtime for a 2-1 victory — after Brayden Point took the puck off his stick behind the net.

“There’s nothing anyone can say to me that is going to change how I feel,” Werenski said. “I know I have a good supporting cast with my family, teammates and coaches. But something like that happens, you don’t really talk about it or think about it. You just want to deal with it yourself, so that’s how I dealt with it.”

Alone, in solitude.

A day later, after the sting had begun to wear off, Werenski talked about the play with a little better perspective. He’d already watched the video replay, worked through all the “could haves” and “should haves,” and was almost ready to move forward.

Almost.

“At the end of the day, it’s hockey and you’ve got to make your reads,” said Werenski, who normally thrives in 3-on-3 overtime situations. “I think my biggest regret is turning my back to him. I think if I face him, he doesn’t come at me, if I pivot, but it’s one of those plays that I made and I have to live with it now. Just got to move on.”

As their luck would have it, the Blue Jackets are now in the same situation.

Seth Jones, their top defenseman and a four-time All-Star, is out eight to 10 weeks after undergoing ankle surgery Tuesday.

They’re locked into a playoff race with about eight weeks left in the season, and there’s not time to rue their misfortune. They’ve just “got to move on,” like Werenski, who now has the spotlight shining on him in the wake of his defense partner’s absence.

Things didn’t get off to the greatest start in that regard with that play in overtime.

“It’s a tough one to swallow, especially with how well we played in that game,” Werenski said. “It sucks when you’re the guy it happens to, but it’s part of it.”

It’s also part of maturing, which Werenski has done quickly in just three- plus NHL seasons. His defense has improved immensely since his rookie season, and his offense is also growing quickly — with 17 goals to lead the league’s defensemen in that category.

“(Monday) night, it’s a glaring mistake by him, but let’s not forget what he does for this team,” coach John Tortorella said. “He was just as frustrated as anybody, but he’s a huge part of this here now, with Jonesy (out).”

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Goal for Blue Jackets: Score some

Brian Hedger The Columbus Dispatch

Feb 12, 2020 at 6:01 AM

It’s a conundrum they must figure out sooner rather than later.

The Blue Jackets are one of the NHL’s best defensive teams, if not the best, but their offensive struggles since returning from a mandated nine- day break are officially a problem.

They’ve scored only one goal four times in their past six games and went 10 straight periods without a 5-on-5 goal before the second period Monday, when Oliver Bjorkstrand tied the score 1-1 in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"We played a hell of a game last night," coach John Tortorella said Tuesday at Nationwide Arena. "Other than the first eight or nine minutes of that first period ... I liked a lot of things about our game. I liked a lot of things against the Colorado team (in a 2-1 loss Saturday). But (the) question is offense. We’ve got to find a way to score some goals, and we’ve got to try to find a way to get some sort of consistency with our power play."

Those two things often go hand-in-hand, so the Blue Jackets’ struggle to score shouldn’t be a surprise. Along with their emphasis on prioritizing defense — the prevention of goals — their power play has been largely powerless for two-plus months.

Since Dec. 1, the Jackets have scored just 10 power-play goals on 80 opportunities (12.5 percent), which ranks last in the league (31st). That includes 0 for 3 against the Lightning, 1 for 5 against Colorado and 1 for 16 — a frigid 6.3 percent success rate — since returning from their break on Feb. 1.

Remarkably, they’re 3-1-2 in those games and 19-3-6 in their past 28 games, but they also know their scoring needs to rise.

"It’s something we probably could’ve used all season long," said forward Gustav Nyquist, who is the Jackets’ second-leading scorer with 35 points (12 goals). "We’ve been in a lot of low-scoring games. One part of that is the power play still has to get way better. The guys who are on it have to be better at executing and finding an extra goal for the team."

That would provide a boost, but any kind of goals would be a welcome sight, as long as the Jackets score more than one.

"It’s a weird balance, because I’m disappointed that I haven’t been able to get on the score sheet as much — and I’ve had chances — but you don’t want to sacrifice what our team is built around right now," said captain Nick Foligno, who has six goals and 23 points. "I think if we keep believing that, more times than not, those chances are going to go in."

It also depends on the perspective you choose.

"You can say, ‘Oh, well, we’re having trouble scoring,’ or, ‘Man, we’re putting ourselves in every single game,’" Foligno said. "I choose to look at it as, we’re finding ways, with a roster that’s kind of lumped together a little bit. We’ve held the fort down and played some really good hockey."

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Seth Jones injury will be toughest one for Blue Jackets to overcome

Michael Arace The Columbus Dispatch

Feb 12, 2020 at 6:01 AM

See: Buried lede, below.

When the Blue Jackets lost Josh Anderson to a shoulder injury in mid- December, it was natural to wonder how big a dent it would put in their offense. Although Anderson wasn’t lighting things up (to put it gently) this season, he was the point of the spear when the Jackets slayed mighty Tampa Bay last spring. He was Tom Wilson or something.

Sonny Milano was lost to an upper-body injury around the same time as Anderson. And you might’ve thought, “Man, I never thought I’d say this, but the Jackets are really going to miss Frank. When he’s on the bench he looks like a man in a hot tub — faraway, relaxed and happy — but, dang, that puck hound makes plays.”

If you’re keeping track at home, Anderson is still out. Milano came back, went out again and came back again. It’s tough to keep track at home or, for that matter, on the road. Veteran sniper Cam Atkinson (lower body) was out and came back and now he’s out again.

The Jackets have lost 300 man-games to injury which, my quick survey says, leads the league. At one point, they had $33 million in salary on the shelf. Currently, they have seven players on injured reserve — not including No. 1 goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, who for six-plus weeks has been recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.

When defenseman Dean Kukan (knee) went on IR last month, you might have thought, “He’s no Ryan Murray — by the way, has anyone seen Ryan Murray (lower body)? — but, man, losing Kukan is going to sting. The kid was playing some fine hockey.”

When center Alexander Wennberg went down last week, you might’ve thought, “Didn’t he just reappear?”

Yet, the Jackets have sustained. They even went a spell without Zach Werenski, an elite offensive defenseman, and managed. They’re 19-3-6 in their past 28 games. They’re holding down a playoff spot.

Buried lede: Defenseman Seth Jones, one of four Jackets to play in each of the team’s first 56 games, went down Saturday. How big is this loss? Atkinson, who scored 41 goals last year, also got hurt Saturday, and it’s a back-burner issue.

If you are the Jackets, you don’t trade Jones for anybody — not John Carlson, not Erik Karlsson, not for every Carl’s Jr. (Carl’s sons) in the country. The dude eats huge minutes, plays in every situation and dictates games. He is a nascent Norris on the cusp of being a multiple trophy winner. Untouchable.

Jones suffered a fracture and a sprain in his right ankle and underwent surgery on Tuesday. The Jackets’ most irreplaceable player is out indefinitely. This is not a Wally Pipp situation.

The Jackets struggle to score; they win by maintaining a disciplined defensive posture in front of excellent . They have proved they can sustain injuries in wicked combinations and still pile up points. They now must prove that they can win without Jones.

The Jackets are on pace for 431 man-games lost by season’s end. They last led the league in this dubious category in 2014-15, when they had 502 man-games lost and finished 11th in the Eastern Conference.

The 2013-14 Detroit Red Wings lost 421 man-games and made the playoffs. The 1991-92 Boston Bruins lost 573 man-games and won two playoff rounds. The modern-day record for man-games lost is 629, suffered by the 2003-04 Los Angeles Kings — who might’ve made the playoffs if they didn’t lose the last 11 games of the regular season.

The bad news for the 2019-20 Jackets is they face a brutal stretch run: Among their last 10 games are three sets of back-to-backs and seven roadies. The good news is they’re deep and rich on defense. And they’re bound to get healthier. Right? 1171549 Columbus Blue Jackets It was impossible to watch Monday’s game between the Blue Jackets and Lightning — the first they’ve played since the playoff series — and not notice Anderson’s absence. The Lightning felt free to be more physical. Josh Anderson talks shoulder injury, possible long-term contract with Blue Jackets and being in trade rumors Most NHL execs put Anderson’s skill set in a class with only one other player in the entire NHL: Washington’s Tom Wilson.

Anderson might have better hands and better offensive instincts than By Aaron Portzline Wilson, but Wilson — who skates on the Capitals’ top line opposite Alex Ovechkin — plays a more violent, angry style. Both are game-changing Feb 12, 2020 players.

On the trade market, Anderson would draw many suitors. But there’s also COLUMBUS, Ohio — It was a few minutes after his fight with Ottawa’s enormous value to the Blue Jackets in keeping him, too. The Jackets Mark Borowiecki on Dec. 14 that Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson hold the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. first felt the wave of pain radiating through his right shoulder. For some, it’s almost inconceivable that the Blue Jackets would consider “I could feel it hurting in the penalty box,” Anderson said. “But the next trading Anderson. day when I woke up, I couldn’t even move it. It was way worse.” “It’s their decision,” Anderson said. “Either they want you or they’re going It was expected to be a four-to-six week injury, but Anderson hasn’t yet to move on from you. So, I guess we’ll just wait and see.” had a full practice with the Blue Jackets more than 8 1/2 weeks later. The focus now for Anderson is getting back in the lineup. It’s unclear if He’s been skating mostly on his own with assistant coach Jared Boll, he’ll join the Blue Jackets for practice on Wednesday, but they’ll almost trying to keep his lungs and lower body in shape while he waits for his certainly want him to go through contact drills before he returns to the upper body to heal. lineup.

“It’s been two months now,” Anderson said. “I’m just tired of it. It sucks. The Blue Jackets will only say that Anderson is “getting close” to making his return. Ferris said in a text message with The Athletic that Anderson “It’s been way longer than I expected. You don’t want to come back early will return “upon being cleared by our doctor.” because you don’t want to hurt it again. So you have to wait for it to heal, and sometimes they take longer than they’re supposed to.” “It’s been so frustrating, right from the start,” Anderson said. “Summer is the biggest part when you get ready for the season, and you work so As “contract” years go, Anderson’s 2019-20 is off the charts as an hard. Tough bounce in that first game and then you’re behind the eight- unmitigated disaster. ball.”

After scoring 27 goals last season, the 6-foot-3, 221-pound winger has Anderson complained before the start of training camp that a left just one goal in 26 games. He has missed 31 games because of shoulder injury, sustained in the second-round series vs. Boston, hadn’t shoulder injuries, first to his left (six games in October) and now his right completely healed. But he said on Monday that it was nothing that would (25 games and counting). keep him off the ice.

All the while, Anderson’s name has surfaced as a possible player on the “I saw a lot of (doctors) for it; I worked on it every day last summer,” move between now and the Feb. 24 trade deadline, an indication that Anderson said. “I didn’t come into camp not able to go. I felt fine. There many around the NHL aren’t sure if the Blue Jackets will be able to sign were some things with it that were kind of bugging me in the gym, but, on Anderson to a long-term deal this summer. the ice, I felt fine.

Anderson is a pending restricted free agent, but he could secure his path “I wouldn’t have played if I didn’t feel 100 percent, you know what I to unrestricted free agency after the 2020-21 season by accepting his mean?” qualifying offer or filing for arbitration this summer. In the first game of the season, Anderson absorbed a big hit by Toronto’s The Blue Jackets and Anderson’s agent, Darren Ferris, had a difficult Jake Muzzin on the same shoulder. He played the following night in negotiation almost three years ago when Anderson missed all of training Pittsburgh but then was out of the lineup for six games. camp. He signed a new contract just days before the 2016-17 season started. Anderson was back in the lineup beginning Oct. 21 in Toronto, but he wasn’t playing like the old Josh Anderson. He didn’t skate as powerfully Both the Blue Jackets and Ferris have said there are no lingering issues on the forecheck, didn’t finish checks, and he couldn’t buy a goal. from the previous negotiation, and Anderson echoed that on Monday. “Water under the bridge,” he said. “You’re kind of behind right away, and then when you do come back you’re not playing at 100 percent,” Anderson said. “It’s difficult to play my So, would he be willing to sign a long-term contract in Columbus? game and to be playing with an injury.”

“Absolutely, I love it here,” Anderson said. “I mean, why wouldn’t I? For On Dec. 14 in Ottawa, Borowiecki clobbered Blue Jackets forward Sonny sure I would (sign) if the numbers are right.” Milano with a thunderous check in the corner. At full speed, it looked like an egregious hit by Borowiecki, but replays show Milano losing his Getting the numbers right is always the tricky part, right? It’s only made balance and beginning to fall — thus, lowering his head — just before trickier by the season Anderson is having. Borowiecki arrived. Ferris and Anderson will no doubt want a mulligan for this season. They Even so, Anderson and Borowiecki tossed their gloves aside on the would argue that Anderson’s 2018-19 season (27 goals) is more ensuing faceoff, an early tilt in a matinee game. representative of the player. If the two sides swung a deal last summer, for instance, it’s probably a long-term contract worth around $6 million or There was no clear moment in the fight with Borowiecki where Anderson more per season. appeared to suffer an injury. He didn’t get twisted and he didn’t fall awkwardly underneath Borowiecki at the end of the fight. He looked fine The Blue Jackets can’t simply ignore this season, though. The injuries, as he skated away from the fight. the massive scoring drought … can that just be washed away at the negotiating table? Any offer the Blue Jackets make now would likely be But on Friday, it’ll be two months since he first felt that sharp pain while significantly less than they would have offered last summer. sitting in the penalty box in Ottawa. On Monday, it’ll be one week until the trade deadline. “This isn’t fun, obviously,” Anderson said. “You’d like to have a better year in one of the most important years of your career.” There are 25 games left in the regular season.

Anderson is a rare talent, a power forward who can keep pace with “Of course, I want to be back out there,” Anderson said. “But there’s no today’s NHL and can dramatically alter games. He was a driving force in sense coming back if you’re not fully healed, or you’ll just get hurt again.” the Blue Jackets’ first-round sweep of Tampa Bay last spring.

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Denis Gurianov is the best surprise of the season for the Stars

By Matthew DeFranks

9:39 PM on Feb 12, 2020

Denis Gurianov will not win the Calder Trophy.

He probably won’t even come close to being a finalist for the trophy annually given out to the league’s best rookie and voted on by hockey writers.

But for perhaps the biggest surprise of the Stars season this year, how does Gurianov stack up with other rookie forwards around the league?

Gurianov’s water bottle-popping rocket of a goal Tuesday night against Carolina was his 16th of the season, tying him with Buffalo’s Victor Olofsson for second-most goals among rookies in the league. Chicago’s Dominik Kubalik leads the league’s rookies with 22 goals.

“That was a rocket,” Stars interim head coach Rick Bowness said after the game. “That was like the [Colton] Parayko goal against us in St. Louis. No one’s stopping that. It’s a perfect shot and it’s a rocket.”

For Gurianov, it was the latest evidence that he’s become one of the Stars’ most dangerous players, both on the power play and at 5 on 5. He has three goals in the last four games and seven in the last 14. On the power play, he’s become a weapon in the right circle, bombing away one-timers on the second unit. At 5 on 5, he’s simply sped by defensemen on the rush.

“As you saw [Tuesday night], his shot, it’s pretty sick,” Stars captain said. “He can pick his spot. His speed, it’s tough to defend. You put those two together, that’s a heck of a hockey player.”

It’s been a winding road for Gurianov to this point in his career.

He was drafted No. 12 overall in the 2015 draft and watched as players from his draft class — Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Mathew Barza and Kyle Connor — ascended to stardom as he toiled in the AHL.

Even with his breakout his season, Gurianov still has both the fourth- fewest NHL games played and goals scored among the top 20 picks in 2015.

At times, he was labeled a bust, but his development path simply took longer than others. Now, at 22 years old, he is one of the most dynamic rookie scorers in the league.

Among rookies, Gurianov is also second in power-play goals (7) and 10th in points (22) despite ranking 22nd in total minutes played.

According to Natural Stat Trick, per 60 minutes at 5 on 5, Gurianov is among the top three rookies in goals, shots on goal, shot attempts, expected goals and scoring chances. Only Kubalik is ahead of Gurianov in all those categories, and the Chicago forward is 24 years old.

Gurianov will not be catching Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes or Colorado’s Cale Makar in the year-end Calder Trophy voting, as the defensemen continue to put up eye-popping numbers on high-flying teams. That shouldn’t be the measure of success for Gurianov’s season.

History has shown that Gurianov will likely be looked over or forgotten completely during Calder Trophy voting (just look at Miro Heiskanen finishing fourth last season), but perhaps he should garner votes down the ballot should he continue to not only be one of the Stars’ best players, but also one of the most dangerous rookies in the league.

Briefly: The Stars did not practice Wednesday, and instead flew to Toronto for Thursday’s game against the Maple Leafs.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171551 Dallas Stars “Has it been that long since he scored?” Radek Faksa said. “It’s been that long since I’ve scored, I think. You could write about how all of us aren’t goal-scoring this season.”

‘Tyler’s time is coming for sure.’ Inside Seguin’s mental battle during a True. But Seguin’s drought is the most concerning because of his stature career-worst goal drought and the expectation from the franchise. If not for the blowback from his comments last season, this type of drought could have led to a public comment or two from .

By Sean Shapiro Instead, the Stars are trying to be proactive in how they’re dealing with Seguin’s headspace when it comes to the drought. On Tuesday, for Feb 12, 2020 instance, Stars interim coach Rick Bowness went out of his way to bring up Seguin’s offensive production in response to a question about Jamie Benn. DALLAS — You don’t have to remind about his current goal drought. “He’s like Tyler. I get it, Tyler’s goals, but they’re doing a lot of things to help us win games,” Bowness said. “Both of them. We saw Jamie get He knows that the career-long streak reached 17 games on Tuesday rewarded tonight (with) his goals. Tyler’s goals are coming because he’s evening against the Carolina Hurricanes. He knows the last time he doing a lot of great — again, (he) help(s) us win games. The most scored was all the way back on Dec. 28 against the Colorado Avalanche. important points are the team two points, so it’s nice to see Jamie get rewarded. Tyler’s time is coming, for sure.” He knows about the close calls: the hit post in the Winter Classic, the sliding save by Henrik Lundqvist in New York when he didn’t elevate Earlier this month, snapped a career-long 24-game scoring enough. Each miss is emblazoned in the brain of Seguin, who has a drought, and after scoring he looked skyward almost in relief that somewhat photographic memory when it comes to goals and scoring something had finally gone in. The four games since that goal have been chances. some of Perry’s finest as a Star, and against the Hurricanes he had some of the best chances at even strength. Team success and overall play lessens the blow for Seguin. When the team is winning and he’s leading the team in points, that’s a good sign. “It really can be that one goal,” Perry said last week. “You could be doing But he’s a goal scorer, and when goal scorers aren’t scoring, something everything right, but since you aren’t getting that one goal, you question is missing. yourself. Once you get that one goal, you can just feel normal again.”

“I’m competing hard and kind of doing everything right now but having That’s Seguin’s aim as the Stars embarked for a three-game road trip on the puck go in the back of the net,” Seguin said. “Just stay with and do all Wednesday morning that starts in Toronto against the Maple Leafs on the right things. In the past when I’ve been doing all the right things, Thursday. Thursday morning, like most Toronto media availabilities, is those (goals) come, and you have to try not to think about it too much.” going to be a circus, and Seguin’s 17-game goal drought will likely be a key talking point. Here’s the thing: Seguin’s play isn’t indicative of a career-worst slump. If you look at the chances and shots during the dry spell, you’ll see 62 Even if Seguin wanted to forget about it, he couldn’t. shots on goal, many of them coming from prime areas. Based on shot location and selection alone, he should have five or six goals in the past “So just keep plugging away,” Seguin said. “Last couple of games, I’ve 17 games. been trying to get to the front of the net and be greasier than my game usually, is and something is going to hopefully go off my ass here sooner “At least that many,” Seguin corrected. or later.”

So what’s wrong?

“A lot of the chances I’ve found have been not getting the puck up,” The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 Seguin said. “I’m getting to those areas, and there have been numerous opportunities where I’ve been there by being in front and getting another whack at it and not getting up. Like there is a two-on-one against Lundqvist that when you are scoring you’ll cup that puck and get it up, but right now when you’re not scoring, you try to get it off quicker. So it’s really everything else and trying to believe the goals are going to come.”

Keeping a clear mind, however, can be tough. Especially when Seguin understands the pressure of his stature on the Stars. He’s the highest- paid player in franchise history, and the fact is that even a handful of goals could be the difference between Dallas holding third and first place in the Central Division right now.

“It’s human nature. There are tough times, and I’m not going to sit here and pretend that I don’t think about hockey at least 20 hours out of the 24-hour day,” Seguin said. “The other four hours I’m probably in a deep sleep. So I’m thinking about the game and how I want to keep improving. I just know my past, with how I’ve been in my career, when I’m not thinking about goals is when goals happen. In a slump like this, it’s hard to do that.”

Seguin knows the exact details of his slump; when I asked about 15 games on Tuesday morning, he corrected me to say 16. His teammates, however, haven’t been tracking how many games have passed since he scored.

This is a two-pronged development. First, most of the Stars are more concerned about their own lack of offensive production. Secondly, Seguin’s overall game features everything a goal scorer is supposed to do, in their minds.

“You look at his chances, and if you could copy the type of chances he had, you’d be really happy with yourself as a player,” said Jason Dickinson, who has three goals during Seguin’s drought. “It’s not like he’s not creating and not one of our biggest threats each game. If that was the case. I guess you could be concerned, but overall we know it’s coming.” 1171552 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha has ambitious plan for rest of season

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

Published 7:00 a.m. ET Feb. 12, 2020 | Updated 3:05 p.m. ET Feb. 12, 2020

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Anthony Mantha already has a jump on his goals as the Detroit Red Wings play out the remainder of their lost season.

He faces his second game since a long injury layoff Thursday at New Jersey having pocketed two points in his comeback. Mantha is a key figure in the rebuild, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound winger with power forward capabilities. He spent seven weeks recovering from a punctured lung and other injuries after a pre-Christmas fracas, and is determined to maximize the remaining eight weeks of the season.

“Play great hockey for 20-something games,” Mantha said Tuesday at KeyBank Center. “For me, maybe a goal would be a point-a-game until the end of the season. That’s personal. But getting a couple wins together for next year and things like that would be great.”

Mantha set up both of Darren Helm’s goal in the 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Mantha said he looked better than he felt, but was engaged physically and logged just short of 20 minutes of playing time.

“He played a great game,” said. “He’s a big body for us. He moves his feet really well. For a guy that’s missed that much time, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone come back and look like they haven’t missed a beat. You could tell the past seven weeks when he’s been out, he’s done everything to give him a chance and be ready for his first game back.”

Mantha, 25, is headed towards restricted free agency. He had a great opening weekend with five goals in two games, and had 12 goals and 12 assists when he was hurt Dec. 21. Mantha challenged Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin after he hit Wings defenseman Madison Bowey (who was unscathed) and ended up slew-footed and slammed to the ice.

Mantha was only four games into a comeback from a knee injury.

One punctured lung and multiple concussion tests later, Mantha looks like a beast.

“He came out with lots of energy and he was handling the puck and showed poise with it,” Helm said. “He’s a great player and this team needs him to be healthy to be successful. I’m excited to see what he can do the last few games we’ve got.”

Mantha finished off 2018-19 with eight goals and seven assists his last nine games. The Wings were out of the playoff race — as they soon will be this season — but his scoring mattered because it boosted his confidence. Mantha starred for Canada at the 2019 World Championship, pumping 14 points into nine games.

As he has matured, so has Mantha’s consistency. He played a strong game Tuesday, signaling his intention to have a strong finish.

“Right off the bat he was skating well, in on the forecheck, physical, good hands, ripping shots,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “I thought the line was really good. Darren Helm played really well. Larks played well. It was good to have Anthony back playing at that level. When he plays at that level, he’s one of the better players in the league. He’s really hard to handle. He’s got a real unique skill set of size, speed, hands, shooting, passing.

“If he can keep playing at that level, it makes us a way better hockey team.”

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171553 Detroit Red Wings “It feels good to get right in the mix,” Mantha said. “I played a lot of minutes, so hopefully it comes back quick.”

Hoping for a big finish in these final 24 games, Mantha said, both from a Darren Helm trying to show young Red Wings better path in tough team and individual aspect, would be a satisfying way to enter the season summer and into next training camp.

“Play great hockey for these 20-something games, maybe a goal would be a point-a-game until the end of the season,” Mantha said. “That’s Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News personal, but like I said (after Tuesday’s morning skate), getting some wins together for next (season), that would be great.” Published 6:11 p.m. ET Feb. 12, 2020 | Updated 6:11 p.m. ET Feb. 12, 2020 Blashill was excited about the way Mantha returned to the lineup, and what Mantha could provide the Wings these final two months of the

season. Newark, N.J. — This hasn’t been a satisfying season for Darren Helm in “It was good to have Anthony back playing at that level,” Blashill said. one big way. “When he plays at that level, he’s one of the better players in the league. That is, the Red Wings have been losing at a pace like no other during He’s hard to handle. He has a unique skill set of size, speed, hands, Helm’s 13-year career with the organization. shooting, passing.

Red Wings forward Darren Helm (43) celebrates his second goal of the “If he can keep playing at that level, it makes us a way better hockey game with forward Anthony Mantha (39) during the second period team.” Tuesday in Buffalo, New York. The Wings didn’t practice Wednesday, but there’s expected to be an This is a player who was a Red Wing during a Stanley Cup update on forward Brendan Perlini’s condition at Thursday’s morning championship, during successful seasons that produced long playoff skate. runs, when missing the playoffs seemed impossible. Perlini suffered a deep facial laceration around his nose and just under But the Wings are on their way to missing a fourth consecutive his eye during Tuesday’s first period against Buffalo when Sabres postseason, and this season are likely to have the NHL’s worst record. defenseman Henri Jokiharju’s skates brushed Perlini’s face during a collision along the boards. By a mile. Perlini declined to be interviewed after the game, but added he was “Compared to all the other ones (seasons), it’s got to be the worst one grateful the injury wasn’t worse and the skate missed his eyes. I’ve been part of,” Helm said after he scored both goals Tuesday in a 3-2 loss in Buffalo. “It's hard for everybody. Old guy, young guy, it’s not easy Blashill didn’t have a timeline on how long Perlini could be out of the to be in this situation.” lineup. But Blashill and Perlini’s teammates were thankful Perlini escaped something worse. But with all those losses — Tuesday’s was the Wings’ 40th in 58 games (14-40-4) — Helm still sees a positive trait that will help the organization “Anytime you see skates coming up, it’s scary,” Helm said. “That’s a risk going forward. we’re all taking. Everybody’s had a close call, or had something similar to that happen. You just have to find a way to shrug it off and keep going. “It’s a good thing that we’re still working pretty hard, we’re still coming out with some energy,” Helm said. “It doesn’t always go great for us, but “He’s a tough guy and hopefully he’ll be back soon.” we’re still competing hard.

"We know the situation we're in, but there's a lot of pride in putting on the Detroit News LOADED: 02.13.2020 jersey. Guys have respect for that jersey, the organization. Things aren't going great but guys are taking pride in wearing the winged wheel and we want to do the best we can."

Part of the reason is because Helm, one of the quiet leaders and veterans on this evolving roster, has shown the way with his performance on and off the ice.

Helm returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing two games with an undisclosed injury, and meshed well on a line with Anthony Mantha (who played his first game since Dec. 21) and Dylan Larkin.

“Our line had some energy and I was able to find a way to get some decent forechecks and couple of goals,” Helm said.

Helm has eight goals and six assists (14 points) in 55 games, with a minus-2 rating (best in the lineup). At age 33, Helm is having one of his best all-around seasons in recent years.

“Helm has a good year when you look at it,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “He scores his seventh and eighth goals, moved to minus-2, which on our team, when you get to comparisons, it’s a pretty good number.

“He works, he competes every night, he competes every shift, been more physical probably this year than the last couple of years. He creates offense out of his speed and compete and he’s good defensively because of that.

“He’s had a good year.”

Like Helm, Mantha returned with an impact.

Mantha hadn’t played since puncturing his lung Dec. 21, but stepped right into the fray with two assists — he set up Helm on both goals — and had four shots and was plus-2 in in just under 20 minutes (19:36) of ice time. 1171554 Edmonton Oilers Moscow, with a 14-game point streak. Edmonton still has his NHL rights and he’s another bottom-six possibility for next season at $1 million. Slepyshev feels he can be a third-line right-winger … If people are wondering why Jesse Puljujarvi wasn’t on Team Finland at the recent Oilers youngster Yamamoto has been a huge spark for NHL leading tournament in Sweden while a point-a-game player in Karpat, it’s scorer Draisaitl because most of the teams there sent B Teams, except for the host Swedes. “The Russians had four players who were on their world junior

team,” said Holland, still unsure whether to deal Puljujarvi’s rights at the Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal deadline or wait until the draft. Holland has three trade pieces right now: Puljujarvi, a second-round draft pick in June and a defence prospect. February 12, 2020 5:25 PM MST That is it. Holland has absolutely no interest in trading his first-round pick because he has to keep stocking the organization with forwards …

Holland was going to Sweden to watch 2019 first-rounder Philip Broberg If you pumped Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland full of in Skelleftea, but the McDavid injury put that off until next month. At 18, truth serum and asked about the value of Kailer Yamamoto, he would Broberg’s playing regularly but not on the power play or penalty kill. The probably say the kid has saved his club’s season. Oilers would have no trouble if Broberg wanted to stay in Sweden for another year rather than come to Bakersfield … One of reasons Holland After all, Yamamoto’s arrival from the farm in Bakersfield, Calif., gave is keen to re-sign guys like Joakim Nygard: The cupboard’s pretty bare of Edmonton another line to take the heat off Connor McDavid. surefire NHL forwards in Bakersfield. The organization is rife with And while former Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli had taken lots of shots, he defence prospects, but not forwards. obviously wasn’t wrong when Edmonton called out Yamamoto’s name at No. 22 overall in the 2017 draft. He might be 150 pounds, with gusts to 153, but it’s hard to measure heart and Yamamoto has no problem going Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 02.13.2020 to where goals get scored.

“He’s so feisty, so quick on pucks. He steals so many picks from players and creates turnovers. It really is contagious for our group,” said his centre, Leon Draisaitl, whose been part of an Oilers line, together with Yamamoto and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, combining for 64 points in 15 games.

That’s 29 for Draisaitl, 21 for Nugent-Hopkins and 14 for Yamamoto.

“I don’t think he’s surprising anybody now. Teams know he’s a good player. It’s going to get harder for him but he’s good enough to figure it out and he’ll get better,” said Draisaitl.

Yamamoto had two goals against Chicago and Robin Lehner robbed him of what would have been his first NHL hat-trick in the second period after a wonderful cross-ice pass from Ethan Bear.

“I thought I could maybe sneak one in there but he came across fast,” said Yamamoto, who hit Lehner in the shoulder. “You get two (early) and you’re thinking maybe three a little bit, but it didn’t happen. If the play’s there, I’ll take an assist.”

How does the power play change with no McDavid rushing the puck up ice?

“Even if he doesn’t have the puck, everybody’s still worried on the PK that he will get it,” said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who’ll either be tasked with carrying it into the other zone now, or Draisaitl. But they’re not McDavid.

“He weaves his way through people better than anybody,” Nugent- Hopkins said. “He makes one move and he’s past three guys.”

McDavid (quad) hasn’t gone on injured reserve, but James Neal (ankle) has retroactive to Jan. 30, so with just 12 healthy forwards, the Oilers are bringing back Tyler Benson from Bakersfield.

Benson played 15 minutes in his two-game audition against San Jose and Nashville, before being sent back to the farm. They could have added Markus Granlund because he can play centre or wing, but they’re looking for some offensive juice and Benson leads the AHL club with 36 points in 47 games. The best thing about Benson’s recall: The Oilers are seeing how he reacts in a playoff race and they’ll grade him accordingly. This isn’t October or November.

Silliest trade deadline idea: Some fans say the Oilers should deal Adam Larsson now for a forward. The Oilers have no young player who can replace Larsson with the style of game he plays. William Lagesson isn’t ready.

“You only trade a veteran when you know you have somebody who can take that guy’s place,” said former GM , who dealt Jason Smith on July 1, 2007, because he had Matt Greene to take the captain’s spot.

This ’n’ that: One rental player who might fit at the deadline: Ottawa’s unrestricted free-agent winger Tyler Ennis. He can skate and play a bottom-six role. He has 30 points in 56 games … As Holland mentioned in mid-December, he’s had talks in Russia with winger Anton Slepyshev about returning next season. He has 35 points in 48 games with CKSA 1171555 Edmonton Oilers With 89 points in 56 games and an 11 point lead on the next active player, he is the odds-on favourite to win the Art Ross Trophy. And if he does that, and helps get Edmonton into the playoffs without McDavid for two or three weeks, he will be a leading contender for the Hart, too. Seeing is believing: Edmonton Oilers can win without McDavid It reveals a lot about Kailer Yamamoto that his two best games of the season were the Battle of Alberta win in Calgary and the first game without McDavid. Robert Tychkowski That speaks volumes about the 21-year-old’s character, and bodes well February 12, 2020 4:07 PM MST for the Oilers’ future. Having a skilled player who rises up in big situations instead of shying away from them is huge for any team.

It’s one thing for the rest of the Edmonton Oilers to say they can win “He’s feisty and so quick on pucks,” said Draisaitl. “He steals so many without Connor McDavid. pucks and creates turnovers, it’s kind of contagious for the group. He’s done a great job. He’s really helped our team out.” They can even believe it. Yamamoto is like a little Ryan Smyth out there, always dogging the But until they see it for themselves, until they go out and do it, how do opposing puck carrier, refusing to quit on any play. Combine that with a they really know? willingness to hang around the tough areas of the net and you’ve got somebody who is able to produce without having all of the stereotypical Well, now they know. On Tuesday night at Rogers Place, they saw it for tools. themselves. They got the offence needed, the big saves they needed, the power-play goals and penalty kills they needed and the result was “He drags people into the fight,” said head coach Dave Tippett. “He one of the most satisfying victories of the season. keeps plays alive. He’s on pucks. He’s relentless. it’s great to see guys like that get rewarded. “Everyone contributed and our goalie was great again,” said Leon Draisaitl, who led the way with four points in the 5-3 win over Chicago. “He chases pucks down and finds opportunities. And the goals he’s “We were a little shaky at the beginning, they have some skill over there scoring aren’t from far out, he’s around the cage. he’s relentless to get too, but we stuck with it and battled.” there.”

In reacting to the McDavid injury news Tuesday morning, the Oilers admitted it would really help their cause if they could start off with a win, settle everyone down and boost their confidence a little going forward. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 02.13.2020

Beating Chicago checked all of the boxes. They proved they can be good on their own. And that’s a massive shot in the arm as they begin to navigate the next two or three weeks without their captain.

“It’s huge, absolutely,” said Draisaitl. “He’s the best player in the world. When he goes down, there’s not a team in the NHL that can compensate for that, but you try to find ways to get around it and I thought we did a good job of that.”

It wasn’t a masterpiece by any stretch, and it was far from the defensive clinic they were talking about before the puck dropped, but given the situation they’re in, and how important the points are, the motto has become: ‘By any means necessary.’

Whatever is working that night, they’re going to ride it hard.

“With him out we’re not going to score five goals every night, but you just have to find ways to win hockey games,” said Draisaitl. “Whether it’s 7-6, 5-3, 2-1, 1-0, whatever it is, you have to find a way to have two points in your bank after the game.

“With that said, our mindset is still to win 2-1, 1-0. We want to be a tight- checking group.”

Now, there is still a long way to go, starting with a nasty three-games-in- four-nights road trip through Tampa, Florida and Carolina. The Lightning are 9-0-1 in the last 10, Carolina is a tough place to win and if the Oilers survive that, they get Boston when they come home.

But they showed against Chicago, coming back from 2-1 and 3-2 deficits to win, that they’re not going to roll over until McDavid comes back. They’re going to fight for it.

“We should have confidence in this group, it doesn’t matter who comes in or out, and I think that showed,” said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who has no doubt they can get through McDavid’s absence without losing any ground.

“It’s going to be a tough road trip, three good teams we’re facing, but this created a little momentum heading into it.”

Drive his own line? How about driving his own team?

In the first game without McDavid, a lot of eyes were on Draisaitl, waiting to see how he would react with the weight of the Oilers now on his shoulders.

He reacted with a goal, three assists, took 26 face offs, played on the power play and penalty kill and made some passes that would have been plays of the year if the recipients had converted. 1171556 Edmonton Oilers other words, will it be Draisaitl-Nuge-Yamamoto and everybody else goes into the blender?

And what happens to the league’s best power play? There’s no Dynamic With Connor McDavid out, will so go the Edmonton Oilers? Duo with no McDavid.

Sure, James Neal is returning. But does he go back to being the highly ineffective player he was in Calgary last year? He’s cooled off Terry Jones considerably in the second half of the season and has been largely useless five-on-five. February 12, 2020 3:00 AM MST If the Oilers hadn’t totally dived into the toilet in December, they’d have

some wiggle room. But they have none. Connor McDavid is out. Will that mean the Oilers will be out? Going into Tuesday night, Edmonton, Vegas and Calgary each had 64 No question the plot just thickened in Edmonton, where it was already points and Winnipeg and Arizona 63 behind Pacific Division-leading thick enough with the Oilers in the middle of a frantic race attempting to Vancouver’s 67. avoid missing the playoffs for the 12th time in the last 13 years. At least one of those teams is going to end up on the outside looking in. Now the team is going to be without the best hockey player in the world. While McDavid spends the week back with his medical and rehab team McDavid and the team assured all (again) that nothing was wrong with in , the Oilers head out on the road to Tampa Bay, Florida and the captain. His knee-first collision into the boards Saturday against Carolina before heading home against Boston. Those aren’t gimme Nashville was nothing more than a bruise. The only question was games. whether he’d play Tuesday against Chicago or miss just the one game. And the way the Oilers tend to play down to their opposition, there aren’t But general manager Ken Holland, who was supposed to be on a plane any of those against Los Angeles and Anaheim on either side of trade headed to Sweden on a scouting mission, delivered the news in a pre- deadline day with playoff-race games against Vegas and Winnipeg to game skate media scrum. follow.

Quad injury. Out two to three weeks. Tippett said the great thing about being in this playoff race is how much there is to learn about his team. When Holland was asked if the injury would affect his plans when it came to making moves at or before the trade deadline, he called it a good That just got multiplied by, oh, 97. question.

Yes and no, he said. It’ll depend on the win-loss record. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 02.13.2020 Here’s the thing.

If McDavid is out of the line-up for 14 days, he’ll miss seven games. If he’s out 21 days, he’ll be out for 10 games. There will be the question of how he’ll play upon re-entry.

And then there’s also the question if the Oilers and McDavid are again understating the situation as they did during the summer that was so compellingly revealed in the Don Metz documentary, Whatever It Takes. McDavid is headed back to Ontario to the medical team that helped him make it back to the ice to start the season. Maybe the media should track Metz and his documentary team to see if they’re heading out with him.

The question is, if Leon Draisaitl and the rest of the Oilers can step up and maintain position in the playoff race during McDavid’s absence?

Mark Messier and the Oilers did that in the past when was injured. But that team had already achieved success. This one hasn’t.

The Oilers aren’t the only team to be going through a challenging situation with injuries.

The Calgary Flames are missing captain and Norris Trophy winner and defensive mates Travis Hominic and Juuso Valimaki.

Chicago was here Tuesday with forward Andrew Shaw and defencemen Brent Seabrook and Calvin deHaan on the injured list.

Arizona has been playing without forward Jason Demers and goaltender Darcy Kuemper.

Colorado has Nazem Kadri on the shelf.

Vancouver had five players — Tyler Graovac, Michael Ferland, Josh Leivo, Tyler Motte and Oscar Fantenberg — all on IR.

But none of the above can be confused with being a Connor McDavid.

The Oilers still have one of the hottest lines in the league right now in Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kailer Yamamoto that coach Dave Tippett put together back on New Year’s Eve. The Oilers have gone on a 9-3-2 run since.

How good will the Oilers be able to be now with no McDavid line to get the attention of the top defensive pairing on each team?

And there is no McDavid line without McDavid. Do Zack Kassian, Josh Archibald and Sam Gagner return to the third and fourth line mix? In 1171557 Florida Panthers have everyone positioned when something like this takes place,” Armstrong said.

Bouwmeester's father was at the game as part of the team's annual dads Former Panther Jay Bouwmeester still in hospital after collapsing on trip and accompanied his son to the hospital. bench The Blues and Ducks are talking with the league about making up the game Armstrong said a full 60 minutes will be played and it will resume with the game tied at 1. By JOE REEDY

ASSOCIATED PRESS Sun Sentinel LOADED: 02.13.2020 FEB 12, 2020 | 7:00 PM

ANAHEIM, CALIF.

St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester remained hospitalized and was undergoing tests Wednesday one day after suffering a cardiac episode and collapsing on the bench during a game in Anaheim.

Bouwmeester played his first six NHL seasons for the Florida Panthers after they selected him with the No. 3 pick in the 2002 draft.

Blues General manager Doug Armstrong said the 36-year old Bouwmeester was unresponsive after collapsing on the bench Tuesday night. A defibrillator was used and he regained consciousness immediately before being taken to an Anaheim hospital.

“He is doing very well and is currently undergoing a battery of tests. Things are looking very positive,” Armstrong said during a news conference in Las Vegas.

Teammates Vince Dunn and Alex Pietrangelo immediately called for help after Bouwmeester slumped over with 7:50 left in the first period. Emergency medical personnel rushed to the Blues bench. After a couple of minutes, Bouwmeester was taken out on a stretcher through a tunnel under the stands as players stood in shocked silence on the ice. The game was postponed.

Pieternagleo said he visited Bouwmeester in the hospital Tuesday night and the rest of team got to see him via FaceTime. The team stayed overnight in Southern California before taking a chartered flight to Las Vegas, where they will play the Golden Knights on Thursday.

“It was important for us to see him. It made everyone feel a lot better that he was in good spirits,” Pietrangelo said.

The last player to collapse on an NHL bench before Bouwmeester was Dallas forward Rich Peverley in 2014. Peverley had an irregular heartbeat, and the quick response of emergency officials made sure he was OK. Detroit's Jiri Fischer had a similar episode in 2005.

The NHL has had standards in place to deal with potential life threatening cardiac problems for several seasons. They include having a team physician within 50 feet of the bench. An orthopedic surgeon and two other doctors are also nearby.

Defibrillators must also be in close range. The home team has one on its bench and the away team must have theirs no further away than their locker room. Each medical team regularly rehearses the evacuation of a severely injured player before the season and all players are screened for serious cardiac conditions.

“The Peverley and Fischer incidents and now Bouwmeester reminded us all how important it is to have team doctors close to players’ benches and defibrillators easily accessible in short notice,” said Edmonton Oilers general manger Ken Holland, who was with Detroit in 2005 when Fischer collapsed on the bench. “It has probably saved all their lives. Incredible job by league and team medical people."

Bouwmeester is in his 17th NHL season and his fitness and conditioning has always been a source of pride. He helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup last season and won an Olympic gold medal with Canada in 2014.

In 2002-03, Bouwmeester became the first Panthers rookie to play in 82 regular-season games.

On Tuesday, Bouwmeester was skating in his 57th game this season and the 1,241st of his NHL career. He had skated 1:20 in his last shift before collapsing and logged 5:34 of ice time as the game got going.

“His training and the way he takes care of himself, it crystallizes how things can quickly change. It is a testament to the NHL and teams to 1171558 Florida Panthers “I don’t know if I would call them a fourth line,” he said. “They were better than that.”

Said Vatrano: “Our fourth line — or our new first line — really came up As top line continues its cold spell, unexpected sources help Panthers big for us tonight.” snap losing streak Florida also got goals from Vatrano and Brett Connolly just one night after defenseman MacKenzie Weegar scored the team’s lone goal in Philly. By George Richards The Panthers’ struggles of late have started from the top down. Feb 12, 2020 Barkov got hurt in the first game back from the break Feb. 1 in Montreal and missed the next three games. He has one assist in his three games back. The Florida Panthers can finally exhale. Huberdeau scored a power-play goal in the wacky 5-3 win in Toronto on Maybe not celebrate, but at least take a deep breath. Feb. 3 (which, like Tuesday, came against a backup goalie carrying a These have not been the same Panthers we saw before the All-Star sub-.900 save percentage) and has just a goal and three points in his break: the high-flying, high-scoring team that worked its way into a past seven games. playoff spot with a six-game winning streak. Dadonov is also on a cold streak, recording just one assist in his past No, since its 10-day vacation, Florida has stumbled its way to just one seven games. win in six games. Three points in six games (1-4-1) isn’t going to get this While Acciari said Tuesday night that it takes all 20 players dressed each team to the postseason. night to contribute (backup goalie Sam Montembeault got the win), the Tuesday, though, the Panthers looked a little more like themselves. Five Panthers definitely need their stars to get going. And fast. goals in the first 26 minutes of play were enough as Florida snapped a On Thursday, Florida again faces Philadelphia, one of the teams it is four-game winless streak with a 5-3 victory at New Jersey. chasing in the playoff race. The goals came from all over the ice, with three of them coming from a The Panthers finished Tuesday still right in the thick of things. They are new fourth line. two points behind Toronto for third in the Atlantic and three behind the Florida’s usual offensive stars — Sasha Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Flyers in the wild card, but they cannot afford this scoring drought from Evgenii Dadonov among them — did not make the scoresheet. their biggest players to continue much longer. Mike Hoffman does have three goals and six points during this span. Instead, the three stars of the game were: 1. Mike Matheson; 2. Mark Pysyk; 3. Noel Acciari. Monday, all three of Florida’s top forwards had big-time scoring chances, but they just could not bury them. Quenneville figures they will get things Though Pysyk and Acciari have shown they can score, those are not the back in order. names you associate with starring offensive roles. “There’s nothing wrong with getting angry, (but) get angry in the right But as they say, a win is a win. And the Panthers sure needed one after way,” Quenneville said Monday. “We have to make sure we play with a a week in which they had been shut out twice, lost two home games in purpose, not be happy with what’s going on here and do something regulation and had been outscored 22-10. about it.”

“This is a big turning point,” said Frank Vatrano, who put Florida up 4-2 at Hello, Montembeault 4:59 of the second. “We don’t like the way we have been playing since the break … we just have to keep this thing going.” For the first time since giving up five goals in a loss to Buffalo on Nov. 24, Montembeault was back in as an NHL starter as Florida gave Sergei Coach Joel Quenneville shook things up a bit after Monday’s 4-1 loss in Bobrovsky the night off after nine consecutive starts. Philadelphia. Montembeault gave up the first goal of the night to Jack Hughes but He kept his high-scoring top line (which has been cold lately) intact but settled in and held the lead for much of the night. shuffled other lines. Acciari, who had been scoring at a rapid rate on the second line with Vincent Trocheck, was back to centering a new-look Florida led 2-1 going into the second, extended it to 5-3 in that period and fourth line that included two defensemen as wingers. held serve in the third.

About that. “He kept his composure as the night went along,” Quenneville said. “In the third period, he settled a number of key sequences in our own end. Pysyk has been playing forward for much of this season, so this was He handled the pressure, the emotion and did what he had to do.” nothing new. Matheson playing forward, however, is completely new. Scratched Monday in Philadelphia for the second time this season, With Chris Driedger out for at least a few more weeks with a groin injury, Matheson played forward in an NHL game for the first time in his career. Montembeault is the backup to Bobrovsky and will likely get a start or two more before Driedger returns. “He had a good attitude about it,” Quenneville said. Montembeault seemed happy to come away with his first NHL win since Quenneville said he wanted to get Matheson into the lineup and figured replacing Driedger in net against Los Angeles on Jan. 16, and he should that if the switch worked for Pysyk, why not? be.

Matheson scored Florida’s second goal, then fed Pysyk on the third with The Panthers have made no secret they are going to ride Bobrovsky a nice pass from the back wall. Matheson and Pysyk both ended up with down the stretch, but with as many games as they have left in such a three points. short time, they’re going to need Montembeault, too.

“(Matheson) does a lot of the same stuff Mark does. He is up in the play, “I was obviously nervous at the beginning,” said Montembeault, who has speed and has the puck a lot,” Quenneville said. “He knows how to made 25 saves to improve to 5-2-1 with the Panthers. “It was my first sustain and hang onto the puck in the offensive zone. … They really did start in the NHL since November and first start since the All-Star break set the tone for our team playing the right way. (in Springfield).

“Transitioning a defenseman from forward, you know they know how to “I just felt better as the game went on, and it is always easier as a goalie keep themselves in a play and are good in the puck areas. Keep it playing with a lead like that. That helped me.” simple.”

Acciari also scored, giving Florida production not often seen from a fourth line, as the trio combined for three goals and eight points. The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020

When asked about his new fourth line, Quenneville grinned. 1171559 Los Angeles Kings

Kings snap losing streak with victory over Flames

By JACK HARRIS STAFF WRITER

FEB. 12, 2020 10:45 PM

Moments before the Kings took the ice for warmups Wednesday night, Staples Center organist Dieter Ruehle sent the theme song from the 1970s’ sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter” thumping through the arena.

It was a fitting tune. The Kings had last played at home Feb. 1 and were returning from a four-game East Coast trip.

Their roster was changed. Familiar faces Kyle Clifford and Jack Campbell, traded last week to the Toronto Maple Leafs, were gone. Young goalie Cal Petersen made his second start this season. On the second line, minor league call-up Martin Frk slotted into a lineup likely to change some more before the NHL’s Feb. 24 trade deadline.

But there was another noticeable absence too: The Kings’ weeks-long scoring struggles finally subsided, as 12 players got on the scoresheet in a 5-3 victory over the Calgary Flames that ended the team’s losing streak at five games.

“We haven’t been winning games and getting the bounces we want,” said Austin Wagner, who ended his goal drought at 22 games with a second- period breakaway that put the Kings in front for good. “Tonight, it was nice to see us grind one out and play a solid game. As a team, we stuck with it and played really well. We’ve got to carry that into the [Stadium Series] outdoor game on Saturday.”

HOCKEY

Blues’ Jay Bouwmeester remains hospitalized after bench collapse

Wagner’s tally capped a rollicking seven-minute second-period stretch. At the 6-minute 23-second mark, Kings enforcer Kurtis MacDermid dropped the gloves with former Kings tough guy Milan Lucic for a center- ice scrap that shook the game awake.

Four minutes later, the Flames opened the scoring after Petersen, who made 35 saves, misplayed the puck behind the net, leading to Mikael Backlund’s 18th goal.

But within the next 90 seconds, the Kings surged in front behind Tyler Toffoli’s 15th goal and Wagner’s first since Dec. 14, which was sprung by Trevor Lewis’ defensive-zone poke check.

“For that one to go in, it was nice to see,” Wagner said, laughing. “Lewie was coming at me [during the celebrating] going, ‘Oh my god! Oh my god!’ I was just yelling, ‘I got one, finally.’ He was laughing. It was a funny moment between us two.”

Elias Lindholm’s two third-period goals weren’t enough for the Flames. Instead, a snipe from MacDermid and one-timer from Jeff Carter gave the Kings their first performance of more than three goals since Jan. 9, an 11-game rut in which they were 1-9-1.

In the closing seconds, defenseman Sean Walker scored an empty- netter.

“It’s been a long time since we were the ones celebrating after the puck rolled in an empty net,” said McLellan, whose team improved to 3-1-0 against the Flames.

“We’ve been on the road so much lately, and the reward hasn’t been there for some real good efforts. … Coming home here, to stick with it, it’s always a competitive game against that team. A lot of emotion. It was a good thing for us tonight.”

LA Times: LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171560 Los Angeles Kings Right wing Dustin Brown dashed in on Rittich just before the eight-minute mark of the second period. He transitioned to his backhand as he zoomed across the crease, but could not control it in front of a half-open net, letting a near-certain goal go by the wayside. Not long after that, left Kings find some scoring touch in gritty victory over Calgary Flames wing Alex Iafallo had a sterling chance of his own, pouncing on a juicy rebound, only to send the puck skyward off Rittich’s pad.

Petersen nonchalantly tried to stop the puck behind his net, only to find By ANDREW KNOLL Calgary’s forecheck closing in on him. He turned the puck over below the PUBLISHED: February 12, 2020 at 10:23 pm | UPDATED: February 12, goal line to right wing Matthew Tkachuk, who found Backlund for an 2020 at 11:17 PM uncontested goal as Petersen wobbled back into position. Petersen mishandled the puck again later in the frame and nearly ceded another goal to Backlund.

LOS ANGELES — Four days after Coach Todd McLellan called their “We’ll work on his puck play in and around the net,” McLellan said, offense vanilla, the Kings mixed some flavor into their attack. suggesting that the goal motivated the Kings to redouble their efforts. “I thought he was a big part of our win tonight … there was no panic in his The Kings earned a 5-3 victory over the Calgary Flames at Staples game.” Center on Wednesday night, weathering a second-period push, an extended third-period power play, and a late surge from the visitors, all The Kings struck twice in quick succession. First, center Anze Kopitar while threatening consistently on offense. tipped a shot on goal, and the loose puck came to Toffoli for his 15th goal of the season. It was the first of two assists for Kopitar. They got their second win in the past 12 games, having previously sandwiched a win between two five-game losing streaks. They also had Their first lead came when the Flames fumbled around in the Kings’ zone their first game of four goals or more in over a month. Their total likely and the puck found Wagner just beyond the blue line for a breakaway could have been even higher, as the team responded to calls for that he finished with a deft deke onto his forehand for a wrister that beat offensive creativity but did not manage to finish all its prime opportunities. Rittich. It was Wagner’s first goal in just shy of two months.

Right wing Tyler Toffoli, left wing Austin Wagner, defenseman Kurtis “We’re happy for him. He stuck with it and he didn’t lose his spirit at all,” MacDermid, center Jeff Carter and defenseman Sean Walker all scored McLellan said. for the Kings, who have taken three of four games from the Flames this season. Cal Petersen made his season home debut, stopping 35 of 38 At the 6:23 mark of the second period, a heavyweight bout broke out shots. between MacDermid and former Kings left wing Milan Lucic, both of whom are listed above 230 pounds. It was a rematch of a fight from the Center Mikael Backlund scored once and right wing Elias Lindholm tallied Kings’ second game of the season. MacDermid ended up on the ice, but twice for the Flames, while Calgary’s David Rittich had 28 saves. not before he bloodied the bridge of Lucic’s nose in a spirited scrap.

“It’s a team game and we needed a lit bit of everything from the team to “There’s maybe the two toughest guys in the get a win,” MacDermid said. playing on both teams,” McLellan said of Lucic and MacDermid, also stating that the Tkachuk- rivalry turned up emotions Walker scored a 190-foot, empty-net goal after a defensive-zone faceoff against Calgary. win in the closing seconds to seal the victory. The Kings carried a 13-8 advantage in shots into the first intermission, “It’s been a long time since we were the ones celebrating after the puck but neither team scored in a somewhat sloppy first period in which the rolled into an empty net,” McLellan said, adding that his team was more Kings carried most of the play. creative overall and alert around the net.

The Flames added some intrigue with 3:05 to play. Left wing Johnny Gaudreau’s shot was blocked and sent wide off the end boards by Orange County Register: LOADED: 02.13.2020 defenseman Alec Martinez. But the Flames, who were playing six-on- five, recovered the puck and Lindholm backhanded a sharp-angle shot past Petersen before he could fully turn to face the shot.

With 4:48 left, Carter put the game away. Having tapped his stick on the ice twice before on the same sequence, he got a short feed from left wing Adrian Kempe for a wrist shot that became his 17th goal of the season, which tied him for the team lead in goals.

The Kings spent the middle part of the final frame grittily killing a pair of penalties that left them facing more than a minute with a two-man disadvantage and nearly three minutes of total short-handed time.

“I didn’t have to worry about seam passes or backdoor (plays). I think that’s a credit to the guys. When there was a rebound, there were a lot of guys picking up (opponents’) sticks,” Petersen said. “I think it was a perfectly executed five-on-three.”

A two-goal, third-period lead had proven ephemeral for the Kings. A fast but even-man rush for the Flames brought them to within a goal. Center Derek Ryan set up the finish creatively, hanging onto the puck and sending it across the crease to Lindholm for a tap-in tally 1:43 after MacDermid’s goal for the Kings.

The Kings had cushioned their advantage 1:42 into the third period, when MacDermid trailed the rush, dragged the puck momentarily and ripped a wrist shot through a leaping screen by center Blake Lizotte.

After the Kings squandered a pair of A-plus chances, Petersen’s first miscue of the night cost the Kings and gave the Flames the game’s first goal 11:37 into the second period.

But the Kings tied the score 44 seconds later and took a lead 39 seconds after that, which Petersen said was “the turning point in the game.” 1171561 Los Angeles Kings No, I wouldn’t say that. They’re a pretty good team. That’s a big part of it, but there’s competitive guys in there. Maybe the two toughest guys in the National Hockey League are playing on each team. There seems to be a scrap every [inaudible] between them. Emotional players on both teams. MCLELLAN, CALGARY POSTGAME QUOTES; QUICK TABBED FOR The Tkachuk-Doughty rivalry, yes, it has something to do with it, but the STADIUM SERIES GAME teams play each other pretty hard. It’s fun hockey.

McLellan, on what he’ll want to accomplish in his outdoor practice:

JON ROSEN It’ll very much be that. If you’re coming to watch us practice and think we’re going to work on a system or anything like that, it’ll be an FEBRUARY 12, 2020 opportunity for us to get used to life at 7,000 feet and our environment, our surroundings. Tomorrow, the quick practice we have before we leave will get us somewhat prepared for a real, real good team in Colorado. Todd McLellan, on whether he was satisfied with the Kings’ performance in the 5-3 win: McLellan, on whether he’s picked out his wardrobe for the outdoor game:

Well, obviously satisfied with four goals and an empty-netter. It’s been a No, it’s going to be warm, I can tell you that. long time since we were the ones celebrating after a puck rolled in an McLellan, on whether he’s chosen a goalie for the outdoor game: empty net. We made some good plays around the net. Even right off the bat, the very first chance we had a nice drive wide and a touch in the No, we’ll probably talk about it here, but good chance it’ll be Quickie. paint. I thought we were a little more creative. We knew their back end He’s earned the opportunity through all his years that he’ll get that was banged up a little bit. We wanted to get after their D as much as we opportunity to play. could. I think we took advantage of that at times. Throughout the lineup everybody found a way – every line almost found a way – to get on the Geoff Ward, on the differences between the teams in Los Angeles’ win: scoresheet, so when you can do that and put four up you have a really Well, it’s probably puck management at critical times in the game. I good chance of winning in this league. thought we created some good chances. Didn’t cash [in], but we had McLellan, on Austin Wagner scoring on a breakaway: some good ones. I thought at the end of the day, I thought some of the turnovers and things in the neutral zone came back to haunt us. At this Just leave him alone. Don’t ask him any questions. Just leave him alone. time of year we need to make sure there’s nothing. We’ve got to get the No, we’re happy for him. He stuck with it. He didn’t lose his spirit at all. puck in behind and keep going. There were times where he was asking a lot of questions through a lot of people – whether it was us as coaches, I’m sure there were people at Milan Lucic, on the loss: home trying to help him, teammates. Sometimes you’ve just got to block We played well, and I think if you look at all four goals, it was our own it all out and go play, and he made a nice play on the breakaway tonight. doing as far as turning the puck over and they were able to pounce on it He’s had many of them. Maybe this is the beginning of something good to get a goal. Other than that we played a pretty good game. We created down the stretch for him. a lot of chances. Power-play was so good for us in the last two games, McLellan, on the team’s persistence: we weren’t able to get us one here tonight. And I think if you look at it, it was the difference here tonight. Strong. Not unexpected, though. We’ve had that in our game. We’ve been on the road so much lately and the reward hasn’t been there for Mikael Backlund, on whether Los Angeles had Calgary’s number this some really good efforts, some average ones, and you usually don’t get season: rewarded for that. Coming home here and to stick with it, it’s always a Yeah, they’ve done a good job against us. They’ve played a tight game competitive game against that team. A lot of emotion and it was a good against us and we haven’t found a way to beat them. Well, we have thing for us tonight. once, but not enough to get the result. It’s upon us to be better, but I think McLellan, on Matt Roy’s “low-key” effectiveness: they’ve done a good job against us as well.

I think you almost answered your question. Steady Eddie, positionally sound, good stick, outlet passes, physical. Not necessarily the big hits, LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 02.13.2020 but getting your body in position between loose pucks and the offensive player. Penalty kill was big, so he does that night in and night out. It’s very easy to talk about him and his play. Nothing flashy, but so, so valuable to our team.

McLellan, on Cal Petersen:

I thought he was really good, really solid. Has a calmness to him – a really relaxed, I don’t know, like I’m holding by breath sometimes. “Like, are you ready?’ and he just calmly makes the save, and I think that’s a really good thing. We’ll work on his puck play in and around the net. Obviously, the game’s a little bit quicker here than it is in the American league, so you’ve got to get it off your tape and make decisions quicker, but I thought he was a big part of our win tonight. Even down the stretch, there were some scrambles – 6-on-5, 5-on-3, there was no panic in his game, there wasn’t any flopping around, it was just calm, and then the third goal, there was some bad luck in it, too. A really good night. Need good goaltending to win games and he gave us that tonight.

McLellan, on Petersen’s “mental game” after bobbling a puck that led to a goal-against:

Yeah, and this may sound really strange, but that almost triggered us, too. We didn’t start the second period really well. They scored and then we got going. I think perhaps because he was in there, and part of the mistake – not the complete mistake, but part of the mistake – the guys dug in and played for him for a few minutes and found a way to come back. That’s a good sign when they can do that for him, a nd he in turn makes some pretty big games down the stretch.

McLellan, on whether the Calgary rivalry is influenced solely by Drew Doughty and Matthew Tkachuk: 1171562 Los Angeles Kings

GAME 58: LOS ANGELES VS CALGARY

JON ROSEN

FEBRUARY 12, 2020

Los Angeles Kings 5, Calgary Flames 3

Final

Preview

Box Score

Ice Tracker

NBCSN Live Stream (requires subscription)

SOG: LAK – 32; CGY – 38

PP: LAK – 0/1; CGY – 0/3

First Period

No scoring

Second Period

1) CGY – Mikael Backlund (8) (Matthew Tkachuk), 11:37

2) LAK – Tyler Toffoli (15) (Anze Kopitar, Alex Iafallo), 12:21

3) LAK – Austin Wagner (4) (Trevor Lewis), 13:00

Third Period

4) LAK – Kurtis MacDermid (3) (Dustin Brown, Blake Lizotte), 1:42

5) CGY – Elias Lindholm (23) (Derek Ryan, Johnny Gaudreau), 3:25

6) LAK – Jeff Carter (17) *Adrian Kempe, Martin Frk), 15:12

7) CGY – Elias Lindholm (24) (Johnny Gaudreau, Rasmus Andersson), 16:55

8) LAK ENG – Sean Walker (5) (Anze Kopitar), 19:57

Los Angeles Kings (19-33-5) vs Calgary Flames (29-22-6)

Wednesday, February 12, 2020, 7:00 p.m. PT

Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

Referees: #30 Kendrick Nicholson, #21 TJ Luxmore

Linesmen: #95 Jonny Murray, #78 Brian Mach

NBCSN, NBC Sports App, LA Kings Audio Network

LAK starters: G Cal Petersen, D Alec Martinez, D Sean Walker, LW Adrian Kempe, C Jeff Carter, RW Martin Frk

LAK scratches: D Joakim Ryan, D Ben Hutton, F Nikolai Prokhorkin

CGY starters: G David Rittich, D Noah Hanifin, D Rasmus Andersson, LW Matthew Tkachuk, C Mikael Backlund, RW Andrew Mangiapane

CGY scratches: D Brandon Davidson, F Buddy Robinson, F Sam Bennett

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171563 Los Angeles Kings

PRE-GAME: MCLELLAN TALKS PETERSEN, FRK, “TONKA” GRUNDSTROM

JON ROSEN

FEBRUARY 12, 2020

INSIDERS. One last set of notes and quotes before we kick off tonight’s 7:00 p.m. nationally televised game against Calgary. As shared earlier, Cal Petersen will start. “The plan is to play him tonight and we want him in a situation where he feels good. His first game was a good game. He got no run support at all,” Todd McLellan said.

McLellan also referenced Petersen getting heavy playing time earlier in the year in Ontario without much rest and that he’s capable of being worked into a regular rotation in the NHL. “Then we’ve got to keep Quickie alive, so there’ll be a bit of a balance. We want him confident as the year continues on, as much as we can,” McLellan said.

More from today’s pre-game media availability, and oh yeah, by the way, the players call Carl Grundstrom “Tonka” now. Add that to “Stick” and “Juice” among “interesting nicknames that aren’t simply an ‘s’ or ‘y’ added to the players last name.”

Todd McLellan, on Martin Frk’s recall and Carl Grundstrom’s assignment to Ontario:

Well, one’s put the puck in the net, and the other’s worked really hard, and we’ve got lots of hard workers right now. We need some scorers. Marty has continued to do it down there. We’ve got to look for somebody that can do that. He’ll get power play time, he’ll get top-six minute time, and let’s find out if he can do it consistently here.

McLellan, on whether Frk “fell off” after a promising start with L.A. earlier this season:

Yeah, he fell off a little bit. Timing for other reasons, too. Marty’s been with a couple organizations in the past and he’s never lost his shot and he’s never lost his ability to find the net, especially at the level below us. It’s got to translate consistently up in this area here, and we’re looking for him to do that now.

McLellan, on a message for Carl Grundstrom:

Well, work on your game. You’re effective at times, and there were other times where there’s not much going on. He’s more valuable there playing minutes than potentially sitting out. I think back to my time with the Red Wings and one of the guys over ripe in the minors, and if they were up here sitting, I’m not sure how good that is yet. We’ve got guys sitting here, but not everybody can go down. We need enough players to play up.

McLellan, on Carl Grundstrom’s production immediately after his recall last season:

I know that he scored four goals or something like that in five games, right off the bat, and that was his first series of NHL games and he was successful, he was confident. After that, it dried up a little bit. He became probably Carl that we know Carl right now. I don’t think that we should be looking for Carl Grundstrom to score our way into the playoffs. It’s unfair to him. It’s not what he’s here for, but he’s got to find a way to contribute a little bit, and there are some other things that he’s got to do well. He has the nickname Tonka for a reason, and he’s got to use that body and get involved and create opportunities for other players, too. So, I could see your train of thought. He was on fire, yeah. A lot of guys score in their first few games and then reality sets in.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171564 Los Angeles Kings To do so, he’ll rely on an innate ability to gravitate towards soft spots on the ice in the attacking zone where offense may develop, an intuition based on feel – and a challenge to transfer lucidly into conversation. “I don’t know,” Frk said. “It’s kind of hard, just because I haven’t been with CHATTING WITH FRK, RECALLED TODAY; GRUNDSTROM TO ONT; this team for a long time, so I don’t know what some guys do in the o- LINEUP NOTES VS CGY zone.”

“Most of the goals you score, it’s usually in front of the net or in the high slot, so that’s where I’m trying to hang out when I have a chance or, like, JON ROSEN if I’m in the corner and that’s where the guy’s probably going to be. FEBRUARY 12, 2020 Sometimes you’re guessing, but you also don’t want to just throw it there and the other team grabs it. So you want to always make sure you try to find your guys. It’s a tough league. Sometimes you’ve just got to go beat your guy quickly, and hopefully the paths go right there. That’s how most INSIDERS. A fine Wednesday afternoon to you. The LA Kings skated at of the goals are scored – you’ve just got to beat your guy right away, and 10:30 a.m. and offered some lineup suggestions in advance of their hopefully you score.” game tonight against Calgary (7:00 p.m. / NBCSN / NBC Sports App / LA Kings Audio Network): –That’s it for now, Insiders. I’ll join Steve Kouleas and Matthew Barnaby at 2:30 p.m. PT on SiriusXM NHL, synchronize your swatches. Tonight’s — The vitals: Cal Petersen left the ice first and is the presumed starter officials are referees Kendrick Nicholson and TJ Luxmore and linesmen versus the Flames, against whom he stopped 33 of 35 shots in a 4-1 loss Jonny Murray and Brian Mach. Carlos Loera will perform the national at the Saddledome in November, 2018 in his only career head-to-head anthem. More to come from downtown, Insiders. Talk soon. appearance. Joakim Ryan, Ben Hutton and Nikolai Prokhorkin remained on the ice for extra work and are not expected to play. Based on those rushes, don’t be surprised to see Iafallo-Kopitar-Toffoli, Kempe-Carter- Brown, Moore-Lizotte-Wagner and Frk-Amadio-Lewis up front with LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 02.13.2020 defensive pairings of Forbort-Doughty, Martinez-Walker and MacDermid- Roy. These lines and pairings are largely based on those used Sunday against New York, so there’s the potential there may be some additional mixing and matching from that template. Yes, Martin Frk is up. Carl Grundstrom is down. More on that in a moment.

— Their vitals: It’s Big Save Dave via Calgary radio play by play broadcaster Derek Wills, who also shared forward groups of Gaudreau- Monahan-Lindholm, Mangiapane-Backlund-Tkachuk, Lucic-Ryan-Dube and Rinaldo-Jankowski-Rieder with defensive pairs of Hanifin- Andersson, Brodie-Stone and Kylington-Yelesin. Rittich is 2-1-1 in four career games against Los Angeles with a 2.73 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage and a shutout. Defensemen Mark Giordano and Travis Hamonic are on injured reserve, Giordano with a hamstring injury and Hamonic with an upper-body injury. Both average upwards of 11 minutes per game; 24-year-old Yaroslavl native Alexander Yelesin, whose 33 games in Stockton represent his only North American experience, is projected to make his NHL debut. Calgary is 18-10-2 under interim head coach Geoff Ward and have won two straight since Ward cut into his players last Thursday after they’d lost their third straight in regulation.

— Buy a vowel: Marty Frk is back with the LA Kings. The roster move was announced this morning and corresponds with Carl Grundstrom’s assignment to AHL-Ontario. Frk leads Ontario with 36 points (23-13=36) in 37 games and has three goals on seven shots in a strong showing over four games with Los Angeles.

“I was playing with the good players around me. They make me look better,” Frk said. “I think I was just at the right spot at the right time, and the puck just kind of came to me, so I just wanted to make sure that I put it in, and I did that. I probably had some luck, too. It was good – the four games I played, I played well, and I got another chance today, so hopefully I can do well and pick up more goals or points.”

Grundstrom did not record a point in four games in his most recent recall and was whistled for two minor penalties in 9:56 of action in the loss at New Jersey on February 8. But the 22-year-old has four assists and a plus-two rating in 13 games with Los Angeles this season after posting five goals and six points in 15 games a season ago and, like Frk, should be expected to have an opportunity to widen his opportunity in Los Angeles after the trade deadline.

Back to Frk, who over the remaining 25 games will be vying to not just remain up with the team but to play his way towards an NHL contract for next season. Frk is an impending RFA and Los Angeles would have to qualify him in June to continue negotiating; we’re still a ways away from narrowing our gaze towards Frk and the RFAs, so let’s cross that bridge when we get there.

But the best way to leverage a new NHL contract would be to continue scoring at the rate he had done so in his earlier call-up. That won’t happen, because not even shoots 42.9%. But Frk has a cannon of a shot – one that set an AHL All-Star Classic record of 109.2 miles per hour two weekends ago – and will be asked to provide some punch for a scoring-challenged team. 1171565 Minnesota Wild

Gameday preview: Wild vs. NY Rangers

Sarah McLellan

7 p.m. vs. New York Rangers • FSN, 100.3-FM

Two hot teams collide at X

Preview: The Wild continues its four-game homestand by wrapping up its season series with the Rangers. New York won the first game, 3-2 in overtime, on Nov. 25. Overall, the Wild is 10-9-3 vs. the Eastern Conference. The team has won seven of its past 10 games.

Players to WATCH: Rangers LW Chris Kreider has four goals in his past four games. LW Artemi Panarin has 29 points over his past 18 contests. … Wild RW Kevin Fiala has five goals and five assists during a five-game point streak. G Alex Stalock is 10-2-1 this season at Xcel Energy Center.

Numbers: Stalock’s three this season are a career high. The Wild has scored 15 power-play goals over the past 11 games. … The Rangers have won five of their past seven games. They’re 12-11-2 on the road.

Injuries: Rangers C Micheal Haley (bilateral core muscle injury) is out.

Star Tribune LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171566 Minnesota Wild “That’s our job, to help build him back up and resurrect his career and find his scoring touch again,” Guerin said. “We’ll help him out as much as we can, and we believe in him and hopefully it works out.”

Alex Galchenyuk excited to join Wild — his fourth team in three years Star Tribune LOADED: 02.13.2020

Wild hopes that Galchenyuk can regain his scoring touch.

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune FEBRUARY 13, 2020 — 12:30AM

When he found out he was getting traded, forward Alex Galchenyuk had to temper his excitement.

The deal that sent him from the Penguins to the Wild happened Monday evening, and Galchenyuk wanted to try to sleep that night.

But the next day, he didn’t hold back.

“The second I woke up [Tuesday] morning there was a lot of adrenaline,” Galchenyuk said.

After arriving in the Twin Cities on Tuesday afternoon and swinging by his hotel, Galchenyuk reported to Xcel Energy Center for his Wild debut — a 4-0 win over the Golden Knights.

It was the beginning of his fourth fresh start in the past three seasons, a game of musical chairs that’s bounced Galchenyuk from Montreal, where he was drafted third overall in 2012, to Arizona, Pittsburgh and now Minnesota.

And while he’s with the Wild, the team plans to help Galchenyuk recalibrate, a process that continues Thursday when the team hosts the Rangers.

“Sometimes you need to make a few stops along the way before you find some place where you’re going to have success,” General Manager said. “Maybe it’s here.”

Aside from Galchenyuk, the Wild received prospect defenseman Calen Addison and a first-round pick from the Penguins for winger Jason Zucker, a haul that’s designed to benefit the Wild in the future.

Galchenyuk, who turned 26 on Wednesday, was born in Milwaukee while his father, Alexander, played in the International Hockey League for the . Alexander Galchenyuk was from Belarus, and the family returned to Europe for his pro career when Alex was 4 years old. Alex returned to North America to play junior hockey and helped the U.S. win the gold medal at the 2013 World Junior Championships in Russia. Two weeks later, the NHL lockout ended and he jumped from Sarnia of the Ontario Hockey League directly to the Canadiens.

Addison is still in junior, with Lethbridge of the . The Wild cleared cap space in swapping out Zucker’s contract (which carries a $5.5 million average annual value) for an expiring one belonging to Galchenyuk. And if the Wild doesn’t re-sign Galchenyuk, it also creates a roster spot that could be filled by Kirill Kaprizov when the highly hyped forward arrives from the Kontinental Hockey League.

In the meantime, though, Galchenyuk can impact the team with his play.

A former 30-goal scorer with the Canadiens, with whom he spent six seasons before being traded to the Coyotes in 2018, Galchenyuk had 19 goals in Arizona. But after another trade, this time to Pittsburgh last offseason, the winger’s production — and opportunity — tapered off.

In 45 games, he had just five goals and 17 points and his average ice time dropped by more than four minutes from the previous season.

“I expect that, scoring goals, out of myself,” said Galchenyuk, who said he could sense a trade was coming. “Obviously didn’t have that much to this point this season. But I still know I’ve done it for a few years, so I know I can put the puck in the net. It’s just about working on it and keep building my confidence and moving forward.”

It looks like he’ll get that chance with the Wild.

Not only did the team slot him on the second line in his first game, but it’s trying to support Galchenyuk as he vies to recapture his offensive groove. 1171567 Minnesota Wild

Wild defenseman Matt Dumba fined $5,000 by NHL for slashing

By Sarah McLellan FEBRUARY 12, 2020 — 2:02PM

The NHL Department of Player Safety fined Wild defenseman Matt Dumba the maximum $5,000 on Wednesday for slashing Vegas winger Ryan Reaves on Tuesday.

The slash went uncalled in the Wild's 4-0 victory at Xcel Energy Center but was pretty obvious on video.

Dumba hit Reaves below the belt as the Golden Knights winger came into the Wild zone. Reaves went down in pain briefly before returning to the bench; he had checked Dumba heavily earlier in the shift.

Reaves got a roughing penalty in the first period and a high-sticking minor in the third period.

Star Tribune LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171568 Minnesota Wild

Wild's Dumba fined $5,000 for slashing Vegas' Reaves

Associated Press FEBRUARY 12, 2020 — 1:30PM

NEW YORK — Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba was fined $5,000 by the NHL on Wednesday for slashing Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced the punishment, which is the maximum allowable amount under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The incident occurred in the first period of the Golden Knights-Wild game on Tuesday night, when Dumba hit Reaves with his stick in the midsection. Reaves was doubled over in pain for a bit before leaving the ice. Dumba had taken a big hit from Reaves along the boards just before the slash. Neither of those plays drew a penalty.

Reaves took two penalties in the game, roughing and high-sticking, for different incidents. The Wild beat the Golden Knights 4-0.

Star Tribune LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171569 Minnesota Wild

Wild defenseman Matt Dumba fined $5,000 for below-the-belt slash

By DANE MIZUTANI | PUBLISHED: February 12, 2020 at 1:15 pm | UPDATED: February 12, 2020 at 1:16 PM

Matt Dumba’s bank account is $5,000 lighter after a retaliatory two- handed slash to Vegas Golden Knights winger Ryan Reaves.

It’s the maximum fine that NHL Player Safety can dole out under the current CBA, and it came in response to Dumba whacking Reaves below the belt early Tuesday’s game.

Dumba’s slash came less than a minute after Reaves slammed him into the boards with a body check.

Ryan Reaves hits Matt Dumba, who then slashes Reaves in a bad area pic.twitter.com/de90xbUBtE

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) February 12, 2020

That wasn’t the only time Reaves was involved an altercation Tuesday. He spent seemingly every shift during the opening 20 minutes trying to pick a fight with Wild captain Mikko Koivu before gritty winger Ryan Hartman finally stepped in.

“He was cranky,” Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said. “You’ve got Ryan Hartman who’s half his size taking him on in the first shift. It builds our team’s morale up quite a lot. We know (Reaves) is a powerful force when he wants to be.”

After awhile, Reaves settled down and was rather ineffective the rest of the game.

Pioneer Press LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171570 Minnesota Wild The rest falls squarely on Galchenyuk’s shoulders. He is excited for the new beginning, and knows he has to make the most of it.

“It’s hard not to talk about it with me being on four teams in three Wild’s reclamation project: winger Alex Galchenyuk, a fixer-upper with seasons,” Galchenyuk said. “But I can’t be focusing on that. I have to potential stay positive. I know what kind of player I am, and what I can bring to a team, so it’s just about me going out there and showing that.”

Pioneer Press LOADED: 02.13.2020 By DANE MIZUTANI | PUBLISHED: February 12, 2020 at 12:52 pm | UPDATED: February 12, 2020 at 12:53 PM

Everything about winger Alex Galchenyuk screams fixer-upper, and the Wild are hoping they can do their best impression of HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines to get him back on track.

Taken with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, the polarizing 26-year-old showed flashes of emerging as a legitimate sniper in the league before his career hit an impasse.

He has vasty underachieved since producing 30 goals and 56 points for the Canadiens in 2015-16 at age 21, failing to come close to those kinds of numbers ever since, and getting traded off to the Arizona Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins and, on Monday, the Wild.

That’s where this reclamation project picks up for Wild general manager Bill Guerin.

“He’s one of these young kids that came into the league and instantly had a major impact,” Guerin said. “It’s our job to help built him back up and resurrect his career and find his scoring touch again.”

It was a rather unceremonious Wild debut for Galchenyuk on Tuesday night. He landed in the Twin Cities around 2 p.m. and had some time to drop his bags off at the hotel before putting on a suit and dashing over to the Xcel Energy Center for a game against the Vegas Golden Knights, which the Wild won 4-0.

There wasn’t much time to learn systems, so Galchenyuk treated it like he was a kid playing in the backyard, simply reacting to his surroundings instead of overthinking his every move.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Galchenyuk, who played on the second line alongside Luke Kunin and opposite Mats Zuccarello. “I think the adrenaline and the excitement helped. If there was none of that, it would have definitely been harder. Just looking forward to taking it easy (on Wednesday) and then getting back to work.”

As far as opportunity goes, Galchenyuk should garner more playing time with the Wild. He already is penciled into the top half of the lineup, a welcomed change considering he was buried in the bottom half of the lineup with the Penguins.

Adding to his urgency, Galchenyuk’s contract expires after this season, so he has 26 more games to prove to the Wild that he deserves to be a part of their future.

“I expect scoring goals out of myself,” Galchenyuk said. “Obviously, I don’t have that (many) to this point this season (five in 46 games). I’ve done it for a few seasons, so I know I can put the puck in the net. It’s just about working on it and building my confidence.”

There’s reason to believe Galchenyuk could rediscover himself as he begins playing for his fourth team in three seasons. He has 108 goals and 147 assists for his career. Still young — he turned 26 on Wednesday — he already has played 418 games in eight seasons, making an immediate impact in the NHL as an 18-yer-old rookie.

“He’s trying to do all the little things to get back to where he was before,” Guerin said. “You look at it and he’s the No. 3 overall pick and has had success in this league. Sometimes a guy needs to make a few stops along the way before he finds some place where he’s going to have success. Maybe it’s here.”

Asked specifically about Galchenyuk after the Wild’s win over the Golden Knights on Tuesday, coach Bruce Boudreau was optimistic about what he has seen so far.

“He’s a highly skilled player and highly touted player that hasn’t really found his way yet,” Boudreau said. “If we give him the opportunity, I think good things will happen for him.” 1171571 Montreal Canadiens Marchand’s shot in front of the crease and pushed it into the corner of the net.

Montreal has scored just three goals in its last two losses – something Pastrnak’s hat trick too much for Canadiens as Bruins skate to 4-1 victory that winger Brendon Gallagher said much change sooner rather than later.

“We haven’t really generated all that much for whatever reason,” KYLE HIGHTOWER Gallagher said. “It’s disappointing in a sense. But we’re the desperate team. We need to find a way to collect points.”

NOTES David Pastrnak has been one of the Bruins’ most reliable scorers this season. Boston’s Anders Bjork played in his 100th career NHL game. ... Bruins winger Joakim Nordstrom returned to action after missing four straight His latest big night came at the expense of one of Boston’s long-time games with an allergy condition. ... Montreal played without captain Shea rivals. Weber, who has been out since Feb. 4 with a lower-body injury. ... Pastrnak had his fourth hat trick of the season and the Bruins rolled to Canadiens centre Phillip Danault was back in the lineup after leaving their third straight win over the Montreal Canadiens, 4-1 on Wednesday Monday’s loss to Arizona when he was struck in the face by a puck. night. Globe And Mail LOADED: 02.13.2020 “Obviously playing Montreal, it’s a big rival,” Pastrnak said. “These games are always fun.”

And even bigger for a Boston team that has won seven of its past eight and took three of four in the season series with its northern nemesis. The Bruins outscored the Canadiens 15-3 over the final three meetings. Montreal has lost two straight as it tries to stay in the hunt for the playoffs.

Patrice Bergeron added an empty-net goal and Tuukka Rask had 28 saves for the Bruins to improve to 13-0-6 at home this season.

Marco Scandella scored Montreal’s lone goal. Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, who had allowed two or fewer goals in seven of his previous 11 starts, had 34 saves.

Pastrnak now has nine career regular-season hat tricks, all but one coming in the last two seasons. He is the first Bruins player with four hat tricks in a season since Phil Esposito during the 1974-75 season. The only player in Bruins history with more hat tricks in a single season was Esposito, who had seven in 1970-71. Pastrnak becomes the second player in the NHL this season with four hat tricks, joining Washington’s Alex Ovechkin.

With 41 goals on the season, Pastrnak also takes over the NHL lead for goals scored. Ovechkin and Toronto’s Auston Matthews both have 40. The Maple Leafs and Capitals were idle on Wednesday.

Pastrnak said he isn’t taking reaching 40 goals for the first time in his career for granted.

“It’s something I hadn’t accomplished yet in my career, so obviously excited,” he said. “But I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. Big thanks come to them and just keep it rolling.”

Pastrnak’s scoring barrage came on a night in which the intensity was at its usually high level between the long-time rivals. A total of 12 penalties were issued, including six for roughing.

The Bruins’ 23-year-old forward needed just seven minutes of the first period to post the game’s first goal.

Brad Marchand intercepted a pass at the red line and skated into Canadiens’ zone. From there he split defenders Jeff Petry and Brett Kulak, spun and passed to a cutting Pastrnak, who slipped a wrist shot past Price.

Marchand spent the final 1:12 of the first in the penalty box, along with Petry after getting into a brief wrestling match at centre ice that was quickly broken up by officials. The exchange started when Petry checked Marchand into the boards. Marchand responded by poking his stick at Petry. He returned the favour, leading both to drop their gloves.

The Bruins made it 2-0 early in the second period after Sean Kuraly took the puck away from Petry to start a 2-on-1 break with Pastrnak, who put a hard wrist shot past a diving Price.

Montreal got a little luck to go their way just 36 seconds later, getting on the board when Scandella’s long shot from just inside the blue line ricocheted past teammate Nick Suzuki and by Rask.

But after Joel Armia was sent to the penalty box for roughing Torey Krug with 4:46 left in the period, Pastrnak got his final goal of the night on the power play 31 seconds later when he cut off Petry’s clearance attempt of 1171572 Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens captain Shea Weber out four to six weeks with sprained ankle

MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA

The Montreal Canadiens say captain Shea Weber will be out four to six weeks with a sprained left ankle.

The defenceman suffered the injury during a game in New Jersey on Feb. 4.

Weber underwent a re-evaluation by orthopedic specialist Dr. Robert Anderson on Wednesday in Green Bay, Wis.

The Habs say the latest evaluation took place after the swelling in his ankle had decreased.

An all-star this season, Weber has 13 goals and 21 assists in 55 games.

The Habs will now have to try to make a playoff push without the 34- year-old native of Sicamous, B.C. Montreal entered Wednesday night’s play seven points out of a playoff spot.

Globe And Mail LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171573 Montreal Canadiens

In the Habs' Room: 'We were not good enough to win,' Julien says

Top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak dominated play, with Pastrnak scoring a hat trick in the Bruins' 4-1 win.

PAT HICKEY, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: February 12, 2020

BOSTON — The Bruins showed why they have the best record in the National Hockey League as they defeated the Canadiens 4-1 Wednesday night at TD Garden.

“Their best players were their best players,” coach Claude Julien said. “A lot of people say that it’s always the same line on this team that scores but if they do it every night, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Julien was referring to the line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. They accounted for all the Boston goals with Pastrnak taking over the NHL goal-scoring lead with a hat trick, boosting his season total to 41. Bergeron added an empty-netter and an assist, while Marchand had two assists.

“You have to limit their rush chances,” said defenceman Marco Scandella. “If you give them rush chances, especially that top line, they made us pay.”

Pastrnak’s first two goals came off the rush after the Canadiens turned the puck over and his third came on a power play.

Scandella said Pastrnak has the “total package.”

“He’s fast, he has a great shot, good hands,” Scandella said. “That line has a way of finding each other out there and we have to do a better job of containing them.”

While the Bruins top players were delivering, Julien suggested that he expected more from some of his players.

“We need guys to step up there and score some big goals for us,” Julien said. “We have guys who are supposed to be able to do that for us and they have to step up.”

The lone Montreal goal was credited to rookie Nick Suzuki after Scandella’s shot from the blue line glanced off his hip.

The Canadiens were outshot 38-29 and Julien said that was part of the problem.

“At times, I thought we were playing fairly well and we had chances to shoot at the net and we looked for other plays,” Julien said. “We need to shoot the puck a little bit more. We need to go to the net more and probably be a little hungrier in that part of it. As for the rest, we did some good things and we were competing hard, but we were not good enough to win.”

“The only way we’re going to get better is to continue to play hard,” Julien added. “There are certain things we have to get better at and we put the emphasis on them. Tonight, I don’t think it was from a lack of effort.”

“They made it tough on us,” Brendan Gallagher said. “We weren’t able to counter enough to be around their goalie and, once they scored the first goal, they’re comfortable in this building.”

Gallagher praised linemate Phillip Danault, who was in the lineup after taking a puck to the face in Monday’s loss to Arizona. He lost some teeth and had stitches below his lip, but he played in every situation and won 50 per cent of his faceoffs with many of his wins coming at the expense of Bergeron.

Earlier in the day, the Canadiens announced captain Shea Weber will miss four to six weeks with a left ankle sprain. The diagnosis was made by Dr. Robert Anderson, an orthopedic surgeon in Green Bay. Anderson performed surgery on Weber to repair his broken left foot in 2018.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171574 Montreal Canadiens If the Habs don’t finish this week strong, it also makes ’s job easier if he’s still undecided on whether or not to be a seller or buyer at the trade deadline.

About Last Night: Shea Weber's injury overshadows Habs loss to Bruins In a year where injuries plagued the Canadiens, Weber’s exclusion from the lineup could prove to be the team’s fatal blow. Pastrnak and the Bruins have their way with the Habs, but it's hard not to think about Shea Weber's injury Montreal Gazette LOADED: 02.13.2020

JULIAN MCKENZIE, SPECIAL TO THE MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: February 12, 2020

Wednesday wasn’t a fun day for anyone who was playing in, or cheering for, a bleu-blanc-rouge uniform.

Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak had his way with the Canadiens in a 4-1 victory Wednesday night. He scored a hat-trick, becoming the first player since Gordie Howe in 1951-52 to score two hat tricks against the Canadiens in one season.

Boston attempted to bully the Habs in scrums, with Brad Marchand leading the charge by spearing Petry in the first period. They created turnovers, leading to odd-man rushes and goals for Pastrnak. Boston’s two-goal lead was never in doubt once they entered the third period as they eventually got an empty net goal to preserve the victory, despite Brendan Gallagher’s best efforts to get Zdeno Chara off his game.

Zdeno Chara cross-checks Brendan Gallagher and then indicates he embellished pic.twitter.com/BbdOihDx0k— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) February 13, 2020

Zdeno Chara and Brendan Gallagher laugh each other off.

I actually respect Gallagher going at Chara all game. Not easy. pic.twitter.com/Xja4TIWSoq— Evan Marinofsky (@emarinofsky) February 13, 2020

The Bruins never trailed during their win, adding to their Atlantic Division lead while severely hampering their rivals’ slim chances at the playoffs. Montreal now sits seven points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for third in the Atlantic Division and eight points behind the for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Both Toronto and Philadelphia have two games in hand.

The loss to Boston served as one half of the double whammy served to Habs fans on this day, as it was announced that Shea Weber would be out for the next four-to-six weeks with an ankle sprain. The Canadiens weren’t going to have him for this week’s games, but there’s a chance his team’s playoff chances may be completely extinguished by the team he heals.

But, of course, some Habs players remain optimistic.

“It’s encouraging to know that he can be back,” Carey Price said after the loss to Boston. “He’s obviously a big part of our locker room. We’ve got to fight to keep our chances alive here. Hopefully, he’ll give us a boost when he gets back.”

Hours earlier, reports suggested his return wasn’t so certain. A tweet from former Sportsnet analyst caught fire when he suggested Weber’s season was over and his “future was in question”. Habs fans braced themselves for the worst when the team eventually said they’d provide an update on Weber by the end of the week. pic.twitter.com/XT9wMMFSXW— matt litwin (@mattlitwin) February 12, 2020

They only needed a few more hours before that update was provided. Kypreos says he still stands by his story.

To quote head coach Joel Bouchard, “let’s call a spade a spade”. The Montreal Canadiens needed Shea Weber to make any serious run at the playoffs.

They needed him Monday night when they couldn’t get any chances on the power play. They could’ve used his presence against the Bruins as they tried to impose themselves.

Having him miss the majority of their push could prove to be devastating to their hopes, bleak as they already are. If the Canadiens are out by the time he’s healthy, it’d do him some good to sit out the rest of the season. 1171575 Montreal Canadiens

Bruins' Pastrnak scores hat trick as Canadiens' playoff hopes fade

Boston soundly beats Montreal 4-1. Habs are now seven points out of a playoff position and all the teams they trail have games in hand.

PAT HICKEY, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: February 12, 2020

BOSTON — The Bruins dealt the Canadiens’ playoff hopes another blow Wednesday as they defeated Montreal 4-1 behind a three-goal performance by David Pastrnak.

The loss left the Canadiens seven points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs in the battle for third place in the Atlantic Division and the Leafs hold two games in hand. Montreal is eight points behind Philadelphia for the second wild-card spot and the Flyers also hold two games in hand.

The Bruins dominated the early going, putting pressure on Carey Price and keeping the play in the Canadiens’ zone.

A turnover in the neutral zone opened the door for the Bruins to take a 1- 0 lead. Brad Marchand intercepted a cross-ice pass from Artturi Lehkonen and showed some stick-handling magic as he weaved his way between Jeff Petry and Brett Kulak and drew a hooking penalty in the process. The call became moot when he found Pastrnak pinching on the right side and Pastrnak scored into an open net.

Pastrnak struck again early in the second period on an odd-man rush. Petry tried to find some extra room for a shot from inside the Boston blue line, but this his delay gave Sean Kuraly an opportunity to knock the puck off his stick. Pastrnak had a step on Phillip Danault and had an opening after Price committed on the rush.

The Canadiens responded to Pastrnak’s second goal 36 seconds later, when defenceman Marco Scandella’s shot from the blue line deflected off Nick Suzuki’s hip and into the net. The goal moved Suzuki into third place in the NHL rookie scoring race with 36 points.

It was another night of disappointment for the Canadiens’ special teams, which have been moving in opposite directions.

The Canadiens’ penalty-killing unit was a disaster for the first half of the season, and had the worst record in the league through November. The PK has steadily climbed to 18th, but it was no match for Pastrnak, who completed his hat trick late in the second period. He scored on the power play after the Canadiens failed to clear the pick out of the zone. It was Pastrnak’s 41st goal of the season and he moved into the NHL lead with a one-goal edge over Alex Ovechkin and Auston Matthews.

Patrice Bergeron scored into an empty net late in the third to complete the scoring.

The Montreal power play came into this game ranked No. 1 on the road, but as coach Claude Julien noted after the morning skate, the power play hasn’t been very good on the road or at home over the past month. The Canadiens failed to score on three opportunities and managed five shots on net. The power play had been ranked in the top 10 for the first half of the season, but has dropped to 20th. Over the past 13 games, the Canadiens have scored three power-play goals in 36 opportunities, a success rate of 8.3 per cent.

The Canadiens face another tough test Friday as they play the Penguins in Pittsburgh (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio) before coming home Saturday to play the Dallas Stars.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171576 Montreal Canadiens power play hasn’t been there. When we have full control, we seem to get some chances but, when we’re one and done, we’re not jumping on those loose pucks. We have to have a five-on-five mentality where we’re still winning battles.” Habs game day: Weber out 4-6 weeks, Danault returns Evans happy to be in Boston Weber's injury is related to the left foot that was surgically repaired in 2018 and it puts the blue-liner's career in jeopardy: Report Rookie Jake Evans is looking forward to playing at TD Garden and he’s hoping things go better than in his only visit to the arena.

“When I was at Notre Dame, we played UMass-Lowell here in the Big PAT HICKEY, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: February 12, 2020 East tournament and we lost 6-1,” said Evans.

Evans, who was called up from Laval last week, scored his first NHL goal Monday. This will be his fourth NHL game. BOSTON — Phil Danault will be in the lineup Wednesday when the Canadiens meet the Boston Bruins at TD Garden (7:30 p.m., SN, SN360, “I had no expectations when I got called up,” said Evans. “I didn’t even RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM). know if I was going to play, but I’m beyond nervous now and I want to stay here as long as I can.” Danault left Monday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes after he was struck in the face by a shot from teammate Tomas Tatar. Sticks are on the way

Danault was on the ice Wednesday as the Canadiens held a full morning The coronavirus epidemic has disrupted the production of high-end skate and head coach Claude Julien said he was cleared to play. He will hockey sticks in China, but Canadiens equipment manager Pierre be wearing a full cage to protect his face. Gervais said there shouldn’t be a problem for the team.

“I’m not surprised that he’s playing because I talked to him after “We just got word that the factories in China are reopening on Monday,” Monday’s game and he said he would be okay,” said linemate Brendan said Gervais. “We should be okay. There’s only one player on our team Gallagher. that’s getting low.”

Danault’s presence is important because he’s the Canadiens’ strongest Bauer and CCM, the two largest suppliers of NHL sticks, have factories defensive centre. He and his linemates will be tasked with stopping the in China. True sticks are made in the U.S., while Warrior makes its sticks Bruins’ high-powered line of David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Brad in Mexico. Marchand. Gervais said the situation was eased by the timing of the coronavirus. Weber injury “Things slow down for the Chinese New Year and the companies usually The Canadiens announced Wednesday afternoon that defenceman Shea encourage us to order extra sticks before the holiday, so we have a good Weber will miss four to six weeks with a sprained ankle. Weber supply on hand.” underwent a re-evaluation of his left ankle by orthopedic specialist Robert Anderson Wednesday in Green Bay, Wis. The club said the evaluation Montreal Gazette LOADED: 02.13.2020 took place after the swelling in his ankle had decreased and a full recovery is expected.

Earlier Wednesday, NHL journalist Nick Kypreos reported that Weber would probably miss the end of the season and that the injury was related to the left foot that was surgically repaired in 2018.

Last season, Weber missed the first 24 games after having two surgeries to repair tendons in his left foot and then a meniscal tear in his right knee.

Sources say Shea Weber injury has his season likely over and his future in question. Told injury is related to foot that was surgically repaired in 2018. While waiting for swelling to alleviate and further confirmation, surgery seemed unavoidable going into this week. @ #weber— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) February 12, 2020

In 55 games this season, Weber has 13-21-34 totals and is plus-8 while averaging a team-high 24:18 of ice time.

The 34-year-old captain has six seasons after this one remaining on his 14-year, US$110-million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $7.857 million.

Byron getting closer to return

Paul Byron, who has been out since November with a knee injury, participated in the morning skate on a fifth line with Dale Weise and Jordan Weal

“He’s been cleared for practice, but he hasn’t been cleared to play,” said Julien. “The medical staff want him to practice a little more to make sure he’s good to go because when he does play a game, you want to make sure he’s recovered to their satisfaction.

“He’s skating well and he feels good,” added Julien. “He probably doesn’t feel that he’s game-ready, but that could be another practice or two. He’s day-to-day because he gets re-evaluated after each practice.”

Power-play woes

The Canadiens have the best power play in the NHL on the road, but they rank 28th at home.

“For about a month, our power play — whether it’s at home or on the road — hasn’t been quite as good as it had been,” said Julien. “It’s going back to winning battles, the grinding stuff that you still have to do on a 1171577 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens at Bruins: Five things you should know

Habs almost had shot at getting Bruins' David Pastrnak at NHL Draft, but they passed over Patrice Bergeron twice and it was costly mistake.

STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: February 12, 2020

Here are five things you should know when the Canadiens (27-24-7) play the Bruins (34-11-2) Wednesday in Boston (7:30 p.m., SN, SN360, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM).

The goalies: June 17 will mark the 10th anniversary of former Canadiens GM trading Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues and giving the No. 1 job to Carey Price. Halak has a 14-6-6 record with the Bruins this season, along with a 2.36 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. Price has a 24-19-4 record with a 2.70 GAA and a .913 save percentage. Price will start against the Bruins but Halak — who was a late scratch for Sunday’s 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings because a nagging injury — is expected to back up Tuukka Rask, who has a 20-5-6 record with a 2.14 GAA and a .929 save percentage.

Injuries: Phillip Danault, who left early in the second period of Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes after getting hit in the mouth with a shot from linemate Tomas Tatar, will play against the Bruins while wearing a full facial cage after having some dental work done. Paul Byron, who hasn’t played since having knee surgery on Nov. 19, made the trip to Boston but won’t play. Coach Claude Julien said at Wednesday’s morning skate that Byron has been cleared by the medical team to practise but not to play. Captain Shea Weber remains on the injured- reserve list with a lower-body injury and didn’t make the trip.

Power plays: The Canadiens’ power play went 0-for-6 against the Coyotes and is 5-for-56 in the last 19 games for an 8.9 per cent success rate. After Monday’s game, the Canadiens ranked 22nd in the NHL on the power play with an 18.9 per cent success rate. Tomas Tatar leads the Canadiens with seven power-play goals, followed by rookie Nick Suzuki with five. The Bruins rank second in the NHL on the power play with a 26.3 per cent success rate. David Pastrnak leads the Bruins with 17 power-play goals, followed by Patrice Bergeron with 10.

Just missing Pastrnak: The Bruins selected Pastrnak with in the first round (25th overall) at the 2014 NHL Draft and he ranked third in league scoring through Monday’s games with 38-40-78 totals, trailing the Edmonton Oilers’ dynamic duo of Leon Draisaitl (31-54-85) and Connor McDavid (30-51-81). With the 26th overall pick at the 2014 NHL Draft the Canadiens selected Nikita Scherbak, who has 3-8-11 totals in 31 games this season split between two teams in the KHL.

Badly missing Bergeron: The Bruins selected Bergeron in the second round (45th overall) of the 2003 NHL Draft. While Pastrnak was drafted before the Canadiens had a shot at him, they had two chances to select Bergeron. Instead, the Canadiens took Andrei Kostitsyn in the first round (10th overall) and Cory Urquhart in the second round (40th overall) at the 2003 draft. Bergeron has 20-33-53 totals this season, while Kostitsyn has 13-15-28 totals in 53 games with Minsk Dynamo in the KHL and Urquhart never played a game in the NHL and has retired from hockey.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171578 Montreal Canadiens Take the shot! There’s nothing more annoying than those who immediately bellow

“shooooooooot” every time a player is in a half-decent shooting position. Video Review: The Bruins remind the Canadiens what it takes to be a OK, I lied. People who bang on the glass, or glassholes as I like to call serious Cup contender them, are definitely more annoying, but the “shooooooooot” crew isn’t too far behind.

However, once in a while, their angst is valid, as it was when Ilya By Marc Dumont Feb 12, 2020 Kovalchuk opted not to shoot from a prime scoring position.

I know Kovalchuk has taken more shots than I did while I was a university student, and that’s a rather impressive feat, but against a team While it’s true both teams are facing very different results once they finish like the Bruins, you need to take advantage of every possible scoring their regular season, if there’s one constant in the Montreal Canadiens- chance you have at your disposal. Boston Bruins rivalry, it’s that they put on a show almost every time they face each other. Both teams have won seven of their last 10 games, and Another perfect example of a situation that desperately calls for a shot is the starting goalies on Wednesday night, Carey Price and Tuukka Rask, when you’re a defenceman facing three players in the offensive zone. have maintained a save percentage above .940 in that time frame. At the very least, don’t attempt to dangle your way through the fray. The Canadiens, who announced captain Shea Weber would miss four to Lookin’ at you, Petry. six weeks with a sprained ankle, have won four games in a row on the road, whereas the Bruins have matched that record at home. In other Full marks to Phillip Danault’s strong effort on the backcheck, but keep words, something was bound to give, and seeing as it involved the Bruins an eye on how Pastrnak maintains stick position by lifting his own stick at and Canadiens, the potential for fireworks was quite high. the perfect time. That’s simply elite offensive instincts at work.

And though it was a spirited affair that typifies Canadiens-Bruins These hips don’t lie matchups as we all expected, the Bruins cruised to an easy 4-1 win. Marco Scandella defied the odds by actually taking a shot on net, but the Exactly like that, but the opposite bulk of the praise for the Canadiens’ only goal should be given to Joel Armia. To beat the Bruins, you must play a perfect game, or at the very least, mitigate the mistakes that could lead to scoring opportunities for one of Just kidding. It was Nick Suzuki who outhustled Zdeno Chara, outworked the best lines in the NHL. Charlie McAvoy and set up the shot that he ended up deflecting with his hips. But instead of mitigating the early chances for Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak, the Canadiens decided to help them out Suspension worthy by putting together an incredibly sloppy defensive sequence, even by I’m not one to harp on discipline issues, because no one knows how the their own standards. Department of Player Safety will react to certain dangerous plays. You can look at it two ways. But I have to say, I’m appalled by the play that took place on Wednesday The Bruins, particularly Marchand, made a great play and deserved to night. score the first goal. But this is Montreal, we don’t do giving credit to There’s regular hockey intensity, and then there are actions that cross Marchand here. the line, like when Chara and Brendan Gallagher exchanged pleasantries Instead, we’ll focus on what went wrong for the Canadiens, while keeping in the second period. in mind the Bruins did their fair share of the work prior to the goal. You know exactly what I’m talking about when I say it was a vicious, Max Domi lost the puck, which isn’t exactly a game-changing defensive reckless, barbaric act that should not go unpunished. miscue, but it still demonstrated a lack of concern for maintaining control I simply can’t believe Gallagher attacked Chara’s stick with his throat. of the play. In a vacuum, getting a little creative when you’re entering the Doesn’t he know those sticks cost upwards of $200? offensive zone is understandable. But when you give the puck away in the neutral zone, such as Jonathan Drouin did shortly after the first Thankfully, the referees penalized Gallagher for his brazen attack, but giveaway, things start to get more serious. And when you compound that that type of violent play simply cannot be left unpunished. mistake by forgoing your coverage of Pastrnak, one of the best goal scorers in the NHL, things can’t get much worse. Do your thing, George Parros.

I understand why Brett Kulak attempted to help out Jeff Petry. It’s never No one saw that coming fun to see your defensive partner getting turnstiled, but regardless of Remember when we discussed making life difficult on one of the best Petry’s struggles to contain Marchand, you simply can’t leave a guy like goal scorers in the NHL? Or rather, how it’s a pretty good idea to avoid Pastrnak in a prime scoring area. making life easier for him?

The result was an early goal against, not to mention thousands of Well, Petry definitely did not get the memo, as he set up Pastrnak for his Canadiens fans using a particular swear word that happens to rhyme third goal of the game, his 41st of the season. with Pastrnak. Final word Troll patrol At five-on-five, the teams had an even split when it came to shots, but the By now, we’re all aware that Marchand has the ability to drive every Bruins trounced the Canadiens in terms of generating high-danger shots. single NHL player off the edge, even those who generally demonstrate As for special teams, let’s just say the Canadiens were far from special. elite levels of patience, like Petry. We can spend a lot of time analyzing the minutiae of each play and every Marchand achieved the feat by spearing Petry then engaging in a fight decision, but when it comes down to it, there’s one very simple while the defenceman still had his gloves on, though it was clear at that explanation for the result: the Boston Bruins are a much better hockey point that Marchand was the one who was running hot. team than the Montreal Canadiens.

What set him off? The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 Well, Marchand is a rather proud player, and Petry had just denied him a prime scoring chance and then followed it up with a big hit behind the net.

That’s probably why Marchand was given the additional penalty. Two minutes for getting upset because his feelings were hurt. 1171579 Montreal Canadiens to see the specialist that operated on him two years ago to make absolutely sure it’s not related to his foot. Our hope is he won’t need surgery, but we’ll see.”

It is time for the Canadiens to learn the value of getting ahead of the Instead, speculation mounted. It got to the point where the rumours blew story when it comes to injuries up to significantly puffier proportions than Weber’s swollen ankle.

SOURCES SAY SHEA WEBER INJURY HAS HIS SEASON LIKELY OVER AND HIS FUTURE IN QUESTION. TOLD INJURY IS RELATED By Marc Antoine Godin Feb 12, 2020 TO FOOT THAT WAS SURGICALLY REPAIRED IN 2018. WHILE WAITING FOR SWELLING TO ALLEVIATE AND FURTHER

CONFIRMATION, SURGERY SEEMED UNAVOIDABLE GOING INTO BOSTON – At around lunch time on Tuesday, Edmonton Oilers GM Ken THIS WEEK. @NHL #WEBER Holland stepped in front of a gaggle of reporters to deliver an update on — NICK KYPREOS (@REALKYPER) FEBRUARY 12, 2020 the injury to superstar forward Connor McDavid. Again, it’s not up to the Canadiens to respond to erroneous or inaccurate In the space of just a few minutes, he covered all the bases. How long information propagated by people outside the team. In the end, the public McDavid will be out. The specific nature of the injury. He even went will judge what to believe based on who speaks the truth and who through the specific set of circumstances under which it was assessed. doesn’t. All this happened roughly 60 hours after McDavid was hurt. That said, there is a lesson here, and it’s one the Canadiens have #OILERS GM KEN HOLLAND TOUCHES ON CONNOR MCDAVID’S ignored for years. In a market where fans hungrily hoover up even the QUAD INJURY THAT’S EXPECTED TO SIDELINE HIM FOR 2-3 most inconsequential tidbit about their beloved team, saying nothing in WEEKS. PIC.TWITTER.COM/PKUUGUB6MD the interests of not feeding rash speculation ends up … feeding rash speculation. The Canadiens are trying to protect their players, and — TSN (@TSN_SPORTS) FEBRUARY 11, 2020 they’re doing so to such a lavish extent that it keeps blowing up in their face. Shea Weber was injured Feb. 4 in New Jersey. Eight days later, the Canadiens still weren’t in a position to deliver the straight and complete To use our contemporaneous example, the club probably shouldn’t have goods on the state of his ‘lower body’. Claude Julien was dispatched to left it up to TSN’s to break the news that Weber had gone the front lines to provide the latest on a day where he was preoccupied to see his foot doctor. with preparing his team for a game in Boston; it seems likely he didn’t have the benefit of full, up-to-date information. SHEA WEBER IS MEETING WITH A SPECIALIST IN NOW. Beyond that, it was radio silence from GM Marc Bergevin and, as people outside the club filled the information vacuum with anonymously-sourced — DARREN DREGER (@DARRENDREGER) FEBRUARY 12, 2020 speculation, only a perfunctory statement on social media from the club’s Was the team concerned that releasing that information would look like a vice-president of communications. disavowal of its own medical staff? It’s not like premature injury returns IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS REGARDING SHEA WEBER’S and imprecise diagnoses haven’t become a storyline over the years; HEALTH STATUS, AND AS MENTIONED BY HEAD COACH CLAUDE asking whether the players’ faith in the club’s doctors has been shaken JULIEN, THE MONTREAL CANADIENS SHOULD BE ABLE TO somewhat is not an outlandish question. PROVIDE AN UPDATE BY THE END OF THE WEEK. THERE WILL BE And yet, star NHL players regularly seek second opinions on injuries, if NO FURTHER COMMENTS AT THIS TIME not third and fourth opinions. It can happen that external specialists have — PAUL WILSON (@PRPWILSON) FEBRUARY 12, 2020 disagreements with team doctors, but they are almost never acrimonious. Pro athletes and the franchises employing them have access to the Three hours later: surprise! The hockey world was told what was actually world’s top medical talent; it’s a small community, generally the happening; Weber has a sprained left ankle and will miss four to six specialists know or have at least encountered one another and work in weeks. He is expected to make a full recovery. That last bit is the most collegiality. important; given the time he’s expected to miss it wouldn’t take much of a setback for his season to be over after 55 games. In July of 2018, Dr. David Mulder, the Canadiens’ longtime chief physician, illustrated that very point eloquently when he spoke to MEDICAL UPDATE: SHEA WEBER EXPECTED TO MISS 4 TO 6 reporters about the way the club managed Weber’s foot tendon injury. WEEKS WITH AN ANKLE SPRAIN. “First of all, it’s a very unusual (foot) injury,” he said. “No one has had a DETAILS » HTTPS://T.CO/4KUW1MVMLV . great deal of experience with it. I think if I was criticizing myself, I think we were a little bit slow to recognize the seriousness of the tendon injury. — CANADIENS MONTRÉAL (@CANADIENSMTL) FEBRUARY 12, And then once we recognized it, we sought a second opinion in Canada 2020 and the second opinion didn’t have any experience operating. They It was a startling turn of events from an organization that had stoutly referred us to Green Bay, to Dr. (Robert) Anderson. He’s done more (foot insisted for days that there would be no update of any kind before the surgeries) than anybody in North America.” end of the week. That the club reversed course on the same day Weber Players are not generally limited to dealing with the practitioners who are met with a renowned foot specialist merely reinforced the impression on the league’s approved list of specialists. In fact, teams generally that, when it comes to injuries, the Canadiens have a unique ability to get encourage them to find the person best suited to sorting out whatever in their own way. problem ails them. Basically every NHL hockey player has had a Let’s be clear: the team was and is under no obligation to offer up significant injury at some point, many have pre-existing relationships with incomplete information. But it may have been helpful to divulge what they doctors who dealt with their previous issues and feel comfortable did know about their captain’s health to fans and the general public. The returning to them. The NHL Players’ Association also has resources to fact Weber paid a visit to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson in offer, including its own medical team. Green Bay, Wisc., – the same physician who operated on his The logical explanation as to why the Canadiens waited to confirm the troublesome foot in March of 2018 – at least suggests the medical team diagnosis of Weber’s injury is they wanted to wait until he’d had a chance back in Montreal wasn’t completely satisfied the current injury isn’t to have the specialist take a gander. Hey, fair enough. But the team has related to his previous, much rarer one. little to gain by letting others fill in blanks, thus creating a brush fire of There must also have been a discussion about whether the defenceman speculation that management must then hustle to extinguish. needed surgery, otherwise it’s hard to imagine it would have taken a Two years ago, promised a brave new era of transparency. week to diagnose an ankle sprain. Anyway, the heaviest weather from Apparently it’s still a work in progress. the media storm that quickly gathered over the team could have been avoided by Bergevin pulling a Holland and saying something like, “Shea hurt his ankle in the game against New Jersey, he’s going to Wisconsin Weber missed an average of 28 games per season his first three years in Montreal, so the Canadiens have become accustomed to going into battle without their captain.

Prior to Wednesday’s game in Boston, the Canadiens had a record of 33- 35-17 when Weber isn’t in the lineup. That’s a .488 points percentage, which isn’t going to get it done when you’re a team that is trying to breathe a little life into its faltering hopes of returning to playoff contention.

“Some guys who before didn’t really have as big a role now have to play a bigger role obviously losing him, but we’ve done it before and I think if everyone kind of just steps up we’ll be okay,” said defenceman Victor Mete. “Obviously he’s a big part, especially on the ice he plays huge minutes, plays power play too. All over the ice, defensively and offensively, you just got to step up and try to almost replace. When you lose a big guy like that, everyone as a pack has to step up.”

The Canadiens swung a deal for Marco Scandella in January in order to release at least some of the pressure that has built on Weber, Ben Chiarot and Jeff Petry this season. Subtracting the team’s most-used defenceman (Weber has averaged 24:18 this season) takes it back to square one.

If the club decides to keep up the resuscitation efforts despite the dire postseason prognosis, will Weber’s absence act as an incentive to hang onto Scandella, who is an impending unrestricted free agent, rather than trade him by Feb. 24? If Scandella does end up getting traded to a playoff team, the Weber-less blue line could end up featuring a whole lot of Xavier Ouellet and Christian Folin between now and the end of the season.

That’s not tanking, per se, given the reality of injuries and the fact that every team is obligated to run down the list of its available players at some point. The point is there is no doubt losing Scandella would give the Canadiens a more fragile defence corps.

Losing Weber’s cannon shot won’t help the power play, although the extent to which it is truly an asset to this team’s set-up is certainly debatable. Unlike the previous occasions where the team was bereft of its Man Mountain, there is a replacement of sorts.

“Before we had Kovy, it was like, ‘we don’t have a right shooter’ kind of thing. I mean, we still have Kovalchuk, so it doesn’t change a whole lot, to be honest,” said centre Max Domi. “Obviously, any time you lose a guy like Webby it’s a big hole and, don’t get wrong, we’d love to have him on the power play, but we can still make do without him. So you just find ways to move around the set up a little bit and make it work.”

To extend that logic a little further, might Weber’s injury absence also prompt a re-think on how the team approaches its decision on Kovalchuk?

Unless you’re celebrating at the prospect of the Canadiens improving their draft position in June, there is no joy to be drawn from watching Weber go down in battle.

There is, however, some consolation in learning that, contrary to rumour, fans can look forward to a full recovery rather than lingering questions about the viability of his career.

The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171580 Montreal Canadiens was 19th. By Dec. 9, they were unranked, and haven’t gotten a vote in the weekly USCHO.com poll since.

So even though his own season has been excellent, from a team The Canadiens’ top 3 prospects: Different leagues, unique paths and a standpoint, it’s been difficult. There were expectations on this team, and common challenge they haven’t been met despite Caufield’s production as a freshman.

“From the expectations part of it, obviously from the team aspect we could have done a lot better and I think even the fans wanted a little bit By Arpon Basu Feb 12, 2020 more, but I think from my perspective I think I’ve done my part,” Caufield said last week. “I’m not satisfied with it, I want more, but I think the

coaches have been really good to me and I’ve stuck with it throughout The term “player development” gets used rather liberally in the NHL, the season. I think it’s gone pretty well for me and I just want to keep this particularly in cities that are in the throes of some form of a rebuild. up for the rest of the season.”

The simplified mission: Acquire young prospects. Make them better. Win In that interview last week, Caufield expressed extreme confidence and hockey games. If those players aren’t developed properly, the rebuild – placed a lot of importance on Wisconsin’s two games coming up at or retool or reset or whatever buzz term a particular team’s general Michigan. So if that answer makes it seem like he’s putting his own manager or public relations department wants to use – simply will not results ahead of the team’s, that’s not true. A few days after the work. interview, Caufield scored his 18th goal of the season, but Wisconsin lost both games at Michigan. So, “player development” is an important term in Montreal these days. The Canadiens are banking on a massive influx of prospects into the “I think going through something like this year for him is new, or different system over the last two years, many of whom are mid- or late-round than it has been the last few years for him,” Wisconsin coach Tony draft picks. They need this group to graduate to the NHL over the next Granato said. “That’s part of growth too. I’ve talked to lots of our players, two years. That will require proper development, something that falls when you go through things like this you learn a lot about yourself and under the responsibilities of director of player development Rob Ramage, you learn that it isn’t always perfect and it isn’t always exactly the way it’s player development coach Francis Bouillon and director of player planned. When you go through things like this, that’s part of your personnel . development. I think that’s the only way you can look at it.

But in a more direct way, that development is the responsibility of the “Our expectations were extremely high coming in, we had a good enough various coaches these prospects are playing under in various leagues at start to support the fact that those expectations should have been where various levels around the world. And though the Canadiens have added they were and since then, since early in the season, we haven’t been a lot of raw talent the last two years in terms of pure volume, it is the able to live up to it or perform up to the level we thought we were capable development at the top of the class that is of the utmost importance. of.”

Three of the organization’s most important young prospects are currently On top of the adversity Caufield had to overcome at Wisconsin, he had playing at three different levels of hockey under three different coaches. some more thrown on his plate at the world junior championships, where As a result, each player has his own development path, with a different he scored one goal in five games for the . The spotlight is coach providing the guidance. glaring at that tournament, where a slow start can snowball and the pressure can mount very quickly. This is a look at the journey along that path for Cole Caufield, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nick Suzuki. “It’s a big tournament and there’s a lot of pressure put on certain people, for certain people to do well,” Caufield said. “For me personally, I wanted Caufield has scored 18 goals in 28 games as a freshman at the to do better, but I can’t get down on myself for how that went. It was a University of Wisconsin. good experience, I learned a lot. I think the situation that a couple of us were put in maybe wasn’t the best fit for us, but again, you can’t control Context is important here. Those 18 goals are tied for third in NCAA that. We should have done more and given a little bit more. So I learned Division I hockey; the next-highest freshmen on the list are Shane Pinto a lot from it. It was a good experience, a good learning lesson and of the University of North Dakota, an Ottawa Senators prospect, and Alex teaching point for me in my career. Newhook of Boston College, taken one pick after Caufield by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Draft. Pinto and Newhook are tied “Just consistency and no matter where you’re playing, no matter who for 28th in the country with 13 goals apiece. you’re playing with, you need to take it as a challenge and you need to show up no matter what. That’s probably the biggest thing I took from it. For comparison’s sake, the two players drafted in the top-15 out of the Just sticking with it. There’s things you can control and can’t control. It U.S. National Team Development Program in 2018, Oliver Wahlstrom was obviously a tough way for us to go out losing in the quarters, but it’s (the No. 11 pick) and Joel Farabee (No. 14), scored eight and 17 goals, just consistency and bringing it every night.” respectively, in their freshman NCAA seasons. Clayton Keller of the Arizona Coyotes, drafted with the No. 7 pick out of the USNTDP in 2016, (David Stluka/UW Athletics) scored 21 goals in 31 games as a freshman at Boston University. That lesson, consistency, is what Caufield identified as his biggest So Caufield is having a strong freshman season, sitting 15th in the challenge this season, even though his production would suggest it was country in points with 32. From a development standpoint, it is often said not that big of issue for him. Caufield had a stretch of eight games this a top prospect should dominate at one level before moving on to the next season where he scored one goal. But if you put that dry spell aside, he level. Dominance is a bit of an abstract concept, so it can be argued that didn’t go more than two games without scoring in the seven games that what Caufield has done doesn’t necessarily apply. But when the wider preceded it or the 13 games since. context of Wisconsin’s season is taken into account, it’s difficult to see Caufield’s performance as anything less than dominant. “Well I don’t know, 17 goals at this point of the year is pretty damn good,” Granato said Friday when told of Caufield’s self-assessment. Caufield There have been challenges in Madison this season, challenges that are scored his 18th goal of the season later that day. pretty similar to what the Canadiens are trying to navigate in Montreal. Caufield has thrived in spite of those challenges which, again, from a “So I think he’s critiquing himself in a way that he’s trying to find ways player development standpoint, is a good thing. every game, when things aren’t going great, to get back on track and be an effective player,” Granato continued. “I think that’s a tremendous When The Athletic visited Madison in mid-October, Wisconsin swept their observation for a young player to understand that. So I think that was home-opening weekend series against Minnesota-Duluth, the defending well thought out, I think that shows that he’s thinking a lot about finding national champions, to run their record to 3-1. Caufield scored six goals ways to get better.” in his first three collegiate games. Everything was great. Back in October, Caufield was adamant that he wanted to finish this The Badgers began the season ranked 16th in the country and moved up season in Montreal. It was his goal and he wasn’t afraid to say so. It to No. 6 the week of Oct. 21 after that big weekend sweep of Minnesota- would also be a normal path for a forward drafted in the first round out of Duluth at home. By the time the Nov. 25 rankings came out, Wisconsin the USNTDP. From 2014 to 2018, there were four forwards taken in the top-15 of the NHL draft out of the program and each of them – Wahlstrom, Farabee, Keller and Dylan Larkin – turned pro after their consistency is a big part of what Kotkaniemi has been sent to the minors freshman season in the NCAA. to learn because the NHL is not a teaching league.

Now, in the midst of a difficult season, Caufield is not quite as bold in Kotkaniemi is the Laval Rocket’s first line centre, and what jumps out expressing his goal of making it to Montreal by the spring because his immediately when watching him play in the AHL is how much he has the focus is on helping Wisconsin finish strong. puck on his stick. This is when he is most comfortable, and lacking puck time in the NHL, the search for consistency became more difficult “Right now, I think I’m just trying to focus day by day on me getting better because that comfort wasn’t there. here and on our season and going as far as we can with it,” Caufield said. “Until that day comes, I think I’m just going to focus on being here. “Yeah it helps,” Kotkaniemi said last Wednesday after his second AHL Once the time comes, I think we’ll figure it out more than we are now. I’ve game. “I feel comfortable when I get the puck all the time. Like, you feel got goals in my mind, but I think what’s best for me right now is to take it that the game is in your hands, you know? I like that. A little pressure.” day by day and one step at a time and not get too far ahead of ourselves.” But there were other elements of Kotkaniemi’s game that changed. He was more physical, driving the net more often and battling to maintain When told his answer has changed from what he said in October, position once he arrived. That is just one example of what Rocket coach however, Caufield disagreed. His answer might have changed, but his Joël Bouchard will try to instill in Kotkaniemi, because he won’t have the goal has not. puck on his stick all the time in the NHL but there are other ways for him to be consistent with his game. “I don’t know, obviously I’m confident in myself and my abilities, and I think everyone should be,” he said. “But I don’t think my answer’s When asked how Kotkaniemi, or anyone, can become a consistent changed, it’s just focusing on day by day rather than just getting ahead of player, Bouchard said the word “habits” and repeated it 10 times in a row. yourself. There’s nothing you can control now about that. So it’s just focusing on yourself and getting better, proving to people that you belong “Guys that have good habits here, they’re not the most talented, but in the place you want to be.” they’re the most effective,” Bouchard said. “I can tell you four, five guys on our club that even if he has a bad game, I look back and he didn’t cost Wisconsin’s last regular season game is Feb. 29 and the first round of us anything. He cost us nothing, because he has good habits. The guys the Big 10 tournament is the weekend of March 6. Though Caufield that don’t have good habits, now they rely on talent, or feel, or having a hopes it’s not the case, it’s possible the place he wants to be will come good day. So it’s like rolling the dice. Now, if a guy has talent, and he has calling shortly thereafter. hockey sense, and he has good feel and he has habits, then we have a world-class player. Let’s call a spade a spade. The world-class player Caufield identifying consistency as the biggest challenge of his freshman has habits. year in college is a good sign, because that is likely to be his biggest challenge at the next level as well. “Habits means style of play, it means you want guys to – on certain aspects of the game – do the same thing all the time. So let’s say we Young players entering the NHL often struggle to adjust to the speed and play together, if I have good habits, then I’m pretty predictable with what physicality of the game. But the biggest struggle is often maintaining a I’m going to do, so it makes your job a lot easier. If I start turning around, consistent level of play because of how difficult that adjustment is. Their my stick up in the air, not being on my toes and being ready for every ability to establish a certain level of consistency determines how they are second and third and fourth action, then there’s a weak link in the chain. judged by NHL coaches, because that is the number one quality they So what happens is now we’re chasing, and we’re chasing and we’re seek in their players. The word predictability is often used by coaches in chasing. So with every player, if they all have really good habits, that’s the NHL, and a young player whose level of play varies wildly from game how you become a team that’s really tough to play against because you to game doesn’t provide that. don’t let the other team off the hook. So those habits are everything that But how does a player develop that consistency? Can it be learned? Can has to do without talent, meaning the way you position yourself, the way it be coached into them? And, more importantly, can it be coached into you approach a battle, the way you are in the battle, the way you come them before they reach the NHL? back in the play. It’s nothing to do with talent. Everybody can do it.”

Consistency is a concept that is central to player development, but it is The thing about habits is that you are expected to already have them also abstract because every player figures out how to perform on a when you reach the NHL. consistent basis in his own way. The demands of an NHL schedule, with Both Granato and Bouchard, when asked if consistency can be taught, limited practice time between games played at a ridiculously high pace replied in the affirmative. Julien, however, hedged because he is an NHL with and against the most skilled players in the world, doesn’t really allow coach. He expects consistency from his players because he has too for a young player to learn this on the fly. If he’s not consistent in the many other things to worry about to take the time to teach it. NHL, he simply won’t play. So learning how to do this before arriving has major value. “You can do some things with players, but what you guys have to remember is some of it falls on the player’s shoulders,” Julien said last Granato played 773 games in the NHL, so he knows the importance of week. “We try and do things as far as being consistent, game plan, tell consistency to a player’s success. them what they need to do and if they do those things, they’re consistent. “I don’t think it’s left up to the player,” he said. “I think the players have to They don’t always do it. That’s called preparation, it’s called a tough put in proper preparation and understanding of how to get themselves in schedule, some nights they’re tired playing three games in four nights or the mindset of being ready to play game after game. So I think that’s part four in six. As much as you’d like consistency in your team, it’s not of being a player, that’s what you’re trying to figure out. It’s the routine always a reality. So there’s a ton of reasons why there’s not always you put yourself into, it’s what you do during the week at practice to get consistency. There’s not a single team in this league and there’s not a yourself ready to play. That’s hopefully what we’re trying to get them to single coach in this league that’s going to tell you my team is so learn and understand. consistent night after night.

“There’s certain games you feel great, other games you don’t feel great. “That’s the challenge of this sport.” How do you get into the game when things aren’t perfect for you? Suzuki has established himself as Julien’s second line centre largely Sometimes you go on the ice and it seems easy. You feel the puck, because he’s demonstrated a remarkable level of consistency in his you’re seeing the game, you see everything that’s happening. Other game as a rookie. Julien basically admitted as much after watching games you get out there and you’re fighting it. The hands aren’t quite Suzuki at his best last Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. there, you don’t have the jump you had the night before. That’s the part that players need to train themselves on, what can I do to get into the “It doesn’t mean he always has good games,” Julien said. “In New game, because right now I’m not. That’s how you go about establishing Jersey, he wasn’t bad, but he was very ordinary. Tonight, he was very more consistent play.” good and that’s what you want to see from a young player, that he’s able to bounce back and give us good games at this time of year.” One of the reasons why Kotkaniemi finds himself playing in the AHL right now is that he was unable to find consistency in his game with the Suzuki admits it was difficult to maintain a high level of play earlier in the Canadiens. Injuries played a role in that, as did him having to properly season because his confidence was in a state of flux, varying based on manage the longest offseason of his life. But regardless, figuring out his performance in each game. Turning a puck over in a bad area of the ice resulted in Suzuki spending more time on the bench, for example. He first had to learn to avoid making those mistakes, but also to have the confidence to quickly shake them off once they happened.

“I try to be consistent every single night; I’ve been trying to do that since I was a kid,” Suzuki said. “Even if some nights the puck doesn’t go in, I might not be making as many plays, you can still be good defensively, making the right play. So just that consistent mindset of making the right play is always going to translate well to the games.

“I think it’s just player by player figuring themselves out. I think all the best players in the world are the best players because they’re real consistent in what they do, they’re always going to have an impact just because of their skill level, the way they see the game and make plays. Some guys, they look like they’re wavering in points, like they’ll have a hot streak and then go cold, but you can still play good during those periods and just not be on the scoresheet. You just have to tell within yourself how you’re playing.”

That is what Suzuki has succeeded in doing over the course of his rookie season, knowing within himself he is playing well and not allowing that belief to waver. It is something Kotkaniemi had as a rookie as well and lost in his second NHL season, resulting in him taking a step back in order to find it again.

And it is something Caufield will need when he arrives in Montreal. The Canadiens can only hope the lessons he’s learned at Wisconsin have properly prepared him to tackle the greatest challenge a young player faces in the NHL.

The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171581 Montreal Canadiens me. They wanted to see me improve and they helped me improve. I was fortunate to be drafted by them. It was awesome.

Going back to Boston, I remember my first night there was incredible. I In the long, long rivalry between Bruins and Canadiens, a select few was nervous as all hell. I remember Ray Bourque telling me, ‘Don’t have lived on both sides worry; they’ll accept you.’ I was nervous. I thought they were going to boo me. Sure enough (fans) accepted me. It was late in (my career) and I was beat up. My body was beat up by the time I got back (to Boston) and things were a little more difficult. By Joe McDonald Feb 12, 2020 My first year I had fun playing for (Mike) Milbury; I like playing for Mike.

I’d go through a wall for him. I loved playing for him. I had great The Bruins and the Canadiens own one of the greatest and longest- teammates and it was a lot of fun. It was just weird for me when I left running rivalries in professional sports. Montreal. I’ll be honest with you, I was never quite the same. I never felt the same. Yeah, I stuck up for my teammates but the passion I had There’s no denying the hatred between the two Original Six teams, playing for the Canadiens, the love of the organization because of the sharpened over a long history dating to 1924. When puck drops opportunity they gave me, it almost broke me when I got traded. Wednesday night at TD Garden, it will be the 750th meeting between the franchises. Boston’s record is 283-353-103-10 against Montreal. The Thompson (BOS 2006-07, MTL 2018-20): It’s pretty special. I got my first Bruins, however, are 10-2-1 in their last 13 games against the taste during my first NHL exhibition game when I was with Boston in Canadiens. Montreal. It was just an exhibition game and I remember thinking, “Wow, this is only an exhibition game and this is crazy.” Now, playing in For nearly a century, there have been epic regular-season games, along Montreal, and being on the other side playing against the Bruins, and I with monumental playoff battles. The hate is real. The mutual respect is, know we play against the Leafs and that’s a big one too, but in my eyes too. As the NHL grew from six teams to now 31, one constant has been playing against the Bruins is a bigger rivalry just because it has more this rivalry. Yet the list of players to play for both organizations isn’t a history. long one. Leach (BOS 2005-06, MTL 2009-10): I’m very proud looking back at both Images of Tom Johnson, Chris “Knuckles” Nilan, Mark Recchi, Joe of those. I grew up rooting for one because my uncle (Stephen Leach) Juneau, Michael Ryder, Hal Gill, Sergei Samsonov, P.J. Stock, Nate was part of the Bruins (1991-96) and I obviously have a strong allegiance Thompson, Jaroslav Halak and Jay Leach wearing both sweaters make to the Bruins. At the same time, (there’s) the lore of the Montreal fans cringe on each side of the rivalry. The most recent example, though Canadiens, and I grew up going to a few games. My mother’s from in a suit, not a jersey, is Claude Julien. He first coached the Canadiens, Canton, N.Y., so she was a Montreal fan, and my dad went to St. then eventually spent 10 season in Boston and led the Bruins to a Lawrence. I got to learn both sides of the train tracks and it was fun. I Stanley Cup championship in 2011. After he was fired and replaced by played seven games for them and it was a treat, I’ll be honest with you. Bruce Cassidy in 2017, Julien returned to Montreal and is coaching the It’s a special place with a very passionate fan base. You just feel this Canadiens once again. energy with the entire province behind you and that’s definitely unique. It was a lot of fun for me to be part of that. Nilan, who grew up in Boston, played 10 seasons for the Canadiens and won a Stanley Cup in 1986. He was loved and feared for his pugilistic Halak (BOS 2018-20, MTL 2006-10): I don’t think there’s a huge abilities in both cities. He eventually came back to Boston and played two difference. Both are Original Six teams, so the history is there on both seasons for the Bruins. sides. They play each other a lot and it’s a hated rivalry. It’s fun to play those games. It doesn’t matter if a player spent a decade with either team, or just a few games: The fact that they experienced this rivalry at both ends of the Stock (BOS 2001-04, MTL 2000-01): I don’t think rivalries are still in the spectrum makes them noteworthy. Current Canadiens forward Nate game as much as they used to be when it comes team-to-team. I think Thompson only played four games for the Bruins in 2006-07, but he’s the game has changed a lot, but this is one rivalry, when it wasn’t there, enjoyed an impressive NHL career with almost 800 games played. fans and the media helped build it back up every time. You didn’t hate Current Providence Bruins coach Jay Leach grew up both a Canadiens them, but somehow you found a way to motivate yourself to play them, and Bruins fan and was fortunate enough to play for both organizations. because the media and the fans were so into it. There are so many Russians, and Swedes, and Finns, and Czechs, and Slovaks; they don’t Halak, Boston’s current backup goalie, spent four seasons with the understand so much about the rivalry. So, it takes that one moment in a Canadiens. When the Bruins signed him in the summer of 2018, it turned game to get the hair on your back up a little bit more and then that hatred out to be an important acquisition as he and starter Tuukka Rask manifests itself into, “Now I hate them and I want to beat them.” basically split the workload, resulting in success for both. What’s your favorite story about playing in Montreal? Stock, who first played for the Canadiens in 2000-01, became a cult hero in Boston for his ability to drop the gloves with zero fear over three Nilan: Just winning a Stanley Cup. That’s why we all play the game, seasons with the Bruins. His signature wave to the fans after every fight right? It was my greatest moment to be able to win a Stanley Cup with a at TD Garden was must-see entertainment. group of guys that we went through so many things together. It was awesome to win a Stanley Cup. So many guys retire from this game There have not been many, but they’ve experienced a lot. We brought without one. Think about Ray Bourque, who had to leave town to get them together to compare what it’s like to live on both sides of one of one. It would’ve been a goddamned shame if Raymond Bourque retired North America’s great sports rivalries. from the game without a Stanley Cup. To win it in his last game was What was it like playing for both organizations? pretty cool.

Nilan (BOS 1990-92; MTL 1978-88, ’92): Playing for the Habs, after Thompson: How passionate the fans are here and how knowledgeable growing up hating them, was hard for me at the beginning. I hated all they are at the same time. I’m not a guy who’s going to get on the score them guys because they beat the Bruins all the time. I was heartbroken sheet every night, but (for example) the other night against the Leafs I so many times. I was drafted in ’78 by them, and during the ’79 season had a good penalty kill. We killed off 30 seconds and I could hear the you know what happened – too many men on the ice (Bruins lost to the crowd give me an ovation. That doesn’t happen anywhere else where Canadiens in Stanley Cup semifinals) – and I’m fucking devastated fans know exactly what’s going on in the game. Sometimes during a again. I was still pulling for the Bruins. I fucking hated the Canadiens game (at Bell Centre) it’s quiet because they’re actually just sitting there because I still hadn’t been there yet. watching. I don’t think you can get that anywhere else in the league where fans really know what’s going on and they appreciate every guy on I went to training camp my first year and it felt a little weird because I the team. They love hockey here so much and they love the Canadiens. didn’t like any of these fucking people. Once I started doing my thing, But, at the same time they’re going to let you know when you’re doing fans took to me, and my teammates did and I loved my job and it was an well, and they’ll definitely let you know when you’re not doing well. It goes awesome atmosphere to play hockey. It was a great organization and both ways. maybe if I was with another organization maybe my career might not have went on the same trajectory. They wanted me to be more than just Leach: I don’t remember the exact dates, but I got picked up on waivers a fighter. They wanted me to be a hockey player and they worked with and drove up there that day. Let’s say it was a Friday, and the Saturday morning they have this thing called open practice at the Bell Centre. I only played two games for the Bruins, but in my first game I fought Essentially, it’s a practice and they do it for charity and they more of less (Penguins’) Ryan Malone on home ice and we won the game (6-3). Mario sell out the Bell Centre to watch practice. So, I didn’t know anything (Lemieux) and Sidney (Crosby) played and it was great. It was cool. about it and we’re in the locker room and getting ready for practice. A couple of guys I had known from the past – Brian Gionta and Scott Jaroslav Halak Bruins Canadiens Gomez – say, “Leachy, you can go on first.” I have no clue what’s going Halak: I got my 50th career shutout this season in a Bruins uniform, so on. So, I start walking out the doors and I get to the bench and the it’s kind of funny how it works out. building is packed with 20,000 people. I’m on the ice and it’s just me for about 30 seconds until the other guys came out laughing. That was my Stock: I fought Eric Boulton (Dec. 8, 2001) in the corner of the rink. Eric’s moment of “wow” to see the turnout for a Saturday morning practice. You a real tough guy and he beat me up. The fight ends and I’m skating down felt the lore of the Montreal Canadiens right there. It was pretty cool. center ice, and I don’t know why things happen, but I waved to the crowd and the fans started cheering and clapping. Then, the next game at Also, the year I played (2009-10) was the 100th anniversary for the home I get into a fight again (versus the Capitals’ Stephen Peat on Jan. Canadiens, so the sweaters had a commemorative patch. That summer I 5, 2002) and I did better in this fight and as I’m skating away I’m waiting received a box and a letter, thanking me for participating in the 100th for the fans to clap and get into it, but everyone was calm. In my head I’m anniversary of the Montreal Canadiens. They sent me three of my thinking, “Do I have to wave again?” So, I did and everyone in the sweaters. They’re a first-class organization. They really do it right. building got going again. Then I was like, “Shit, now I have to do it all the Halak: My first shutout was against the Bruins at the Bell Centre. That time.” It was a great crowd, a great group of people who understood me was kind of unique and neat to get it done. and I understood them.

Stock: In Boston, so many things were going well. The team was doing The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 well, the players were doing well, guys were scoring, you’re happy on the ice and you’re happy off the ice. Montreal was the complete opposite. Everyone was hurt. Everyone was upset. Our team really wasn’t a team. We had French players hanging out with French players. English players hanging out with English players and we had Europeans hanging out with Europeans. We can all be blamed for that looking back at it, but it wasn’t really a team. You’re losing, guys aren’t hanging out and the coach (Alain Vigneault) gets fired and this is all in the first 20 games of the season. It wasn’t a great experience. I loved the guys I played with and I’m still pretty good friends with some of them, but hockey-wise, memory-wise, it’s not up there as one of the best experiences I ever had.

What’s your favorite story about playing in Boston?

Nilan: When Milbury named me to the (1991) All-Star team. It was just awesome. Am I an All-Star? No, I’m not, but I understood why he was doing it too. Mike recognized a couple of guys, myself included, and that’s back when a coach could name players, we were the type of guys he admired as far as getting to the NHL and playing the way we played. That was such an honor to be named to the All-Star team.

From a team standpoint, that last game against Hartford (March 31, 1991) before the playoffs. It was like that “fuck you” game. I had 10 penalties that night. It was insanity. I came off the bench and Bobby Holik was coming up the boards near the Bruins bench and I fucking elbowed him right in the nose and broke it. He went down in a heap and I got a five-minute major. Today, they would hang me up by the balls. It was crazy. That game I pulled the plugs out of Rob Brown’s head. He came in and punched me and then he turtled, so I pulled his hair and pulled the plugs out of his head. Our trainer taped them up on the wall in our room. We beat them in the playoffs but we eventually got spanked by the Penguins, but that was a fun series to play in.

I wanted to be a Bruin ever since I was a kid because Bobby Orr got me into hockey. I loved Bobby Orr and the Bruins. I got sidetracked for a few years in Montreal. Actually, my father didn’t want me to come back because of the way he felt the fans treated me. I kind of deserved it, didn’t I? I ended up coming back and that’s all she wrote.

Thompson: I only played a handful of games, but it jump-started my career. I learned how to become a pro playing in Providence and getting a cup of coffee in Boston. I always look back at it where it was such a cool experience being drafted by the Boston Bruins and still get to play in the organization. I have no regrets because it’s just the way things happened, but it’s one of those teams when I look back I wish I could’ve had at least a full season, or two seasons, with the Bruins. It was just the way it went with being on waivers. It didn’t work out there for whatever reason, but it was still a real fun place to be.

Leach: I remember when I fell in love with Boston. We’ll call it the Bruins, but it was the city and the fans. It was my uncle’s first year with the Bruins and they were playing the Canadiens in the playoffs (1991-92) and swept them in four games. It was 1-0 and I was sitting in Section 25 behind Montreal’s net with my dad and my brother. Teddy Donato breaks up a puck in the defensive zone and Peter Douris scored an empty-net goal on a breakaway to make it 2-0. The place, with the brooms, went berserk. It shook and I was like, “Wow.” That was my moment of, “This is a pretty cool place.” Not only the organization, not only the Garden, but also the city with its passion, and then the rivalry. 1171582 Nashville Predators

Predators Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Johansen play Southwest employees for a day

Paul Skrbina, The Tennessean Published 8:10 p.m. CT Feb. 12, 2020 | Updated 8:18 p.m. CT Feb. 12, 2020

NASHVILLE — Southwest Airlines' highest paid bag chucker/flight attendant/gate agent/ticket agent grabbed the microphone at Gate C4 on Wednesday and made a proclamation.

"All right, let's speed this up," Predators forward Ryan Johansen joked to the crowd of 143 people waiting to board a flight to Ft. Lauderdale at Nashville International Airport. "All the rich people (first).

"My colleague (Mattias Ekholm) doesn't speak any English, so don't ask him any questions."

Johansen and Ekholm spent part of the afternoon acting as Southwest employees as part of a promotion. The Predators and the airline recently signed a three-year deal that makes Southwest the first official airline of the team.

Johansen was joking when he said he wanted to expedite the boarding process. But he and Ekholm weren't there just signing autographs and posing for pictures after a particularly long and exhausting practice earlier Wednesday afternoon.

Ekholm, a neon yellow vest covering his gold Predators sweater, helped taxi in the plane when it arrived. After a little prearrival training, Ekholm did so without incident.

"We haven't broken anything so far," he joked.

"They're dialed in. They know what they're doing. A little nervous."

Then Johansen went to work, stuffing his 6-foot-3, 218-pound body into the cargo compartment to retrieve luggage, which he placed on a conveyor belt.

"I don't know what the height requirements are but it was a little uncomfortable down there; tight, actually," Johansen said. "I was surprised. It was hard to grab the bags and move around, especially the heavy ones."

Ekholm then placed the unloaded bags into a bin.

Then the two moved on to the aircraft, where they greeted passengers already on board.

"Any Blackhawks fans on this flight?" Johansen asked.

When someone replied yes, Ekholm chimed in: "Get him out of here."

When the laughs died down, the two then helped board more passengers.

Cellphones emerged to capture the two helping to scan boarding passes and greeting passengers, many of whom had Johansen bobbleheads.

After helping some people check their bags at the Southwest counter, the two posed for some photos and were on their way.

"It's something fun, something different," Johansen said. "You never see this side of the workers, their jobs and what they do. That was cool to see. Flying is not always the most exciting thing, so maybe just put a few more smiles on faces as their boarding."

Both players said helping board the passengers was their favorite part of the experience. And neither is considering a career change.

"We fly all the time ... but to see all these guys who make it happen, to make us be able to get a city and out of a city pretty quick and painless, you have to respect up for them," Ekholm said.

Tennessean LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171583 New Jersey Devils Star Ledger LOADED: 02.13.2020

Why it’s time for the Devils to bring back Cory Schneider

By Chris Ryan

Outside of a brief three-game call-up when Mackenzie Blackwood was injured in January, Cory Schneider has been stuck in the AHL.

After being waived and sent to Binghamton by the Devils in November, the veteran goalie has stayed in the minor leagues for the vast majority of the time, with the purpose of rebuilding his game and confidence back to an NHL-caliber level.

His numbers in the AHL haven’t been overwhelming, going 5-6-0 with a 2.91 GAA and .897 save percentage in 11 games, but they have been steadily improving since a slow start in Bingo. Schneider has been a big part of the resurgence in Binghamton over the past six weeks, when he won those five games.

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And there’s the case to be made to keep Schneider there to help Binghamton continue a push to climb back into the AHL playoff race. But the Devils have bigger fish to fry in their long-term outlook.

Unless the team is already committed to forever moving on from Schneider at the NHL level, the Devils need to see if he can bring anything to the table down the stretch.

The NHL team currently has Blackwood and Louis Domingue splitting goalie duties. The have every reason to keep playing Blackwood and pushing his development. But what are they gaining by playing Domingue?

Domingue is an unrestricted free agent after the season, and he’s posted underwhelming numbers so far in New Jersey. In 14 games this season, he’s 3-6-2 with a 3.74 GAA and .882 save percentage. He had the best season of his career in 2018-19, winning 21 games as a backup on a historically great Tampa Bay Lightning team.

But over the course of his career, Domingue has a 3.03 GAA and .905 save percentage. At 27 years old and going on 28 in May, this is what he is. Domingue allowed five goals (on the first 15 shots he faced) in Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers at Prudential Center in Newark.

“Louis, I don’t think it was his best obviously, so I’m he’d be the first one to tell you, but it’s a team game," Devils interim coach Alain Nasreddine said of Domingue’s outing on Tuesday. "It’s easy to blame the goalie, but I’m not ever going to blame everything on one guy, but our defense around our net was not good, and you get a lot of goalies would have let some of those goals in because you can’t leave guys unattended at the net front, getting shots, getting right in the blue paint, so that’s on the guys that were defending down low.”

The Devils have struggled with defensive issues all season, but goalie has been a problem as well. They know they need to upgrade the position alongside Blackwood, and nothing Domingue has shown has given reason to believe he’s a long-term solution, even as a backup. Now they need to loop back to Schneider.

Giving him another long-term NHL run over the final two months of the season can allow the Devils to make one final evaluation heading into the offseason. At this point, they don’t have much to lose in the standings if Schneider struggles again.

And if the Devils see it’s time to move on during the summer, it could bring a buyout and some finality to the table in the offseason. Schneider is owed $6 million per year over the next two seasons. Buying him out would put a $2 million cap hit on the Devils’ books for the next four seasons, according to CapFriendly, saving them $4 million in 2020-21 and 2021-22, but costing them $2 million in cap space in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

That could be the most logical move for the Devils in the offseason. But before they get there, Schneider should get one more chance to make his case. 1171584 New Jersey Devils Domingue got the start over Blackwood, leaving many fans confused as to why the Devils would sit a goalie who hasn't allowed a goal in 135:03. This team has had myriad problems with goaltending since left for St. Louis and while Blackwood has emerged as the most Why the NJ Devils went with - and stuck with - Louis Domingue in 5-3 successful goalie of the group over the past year and change, the team is loss to Florida being cautious with his workload.

His numbers weren't great in October (.871 save percentage in six games) and November (.908 save percentage in 12 games), and with Abbey Mastracco, NHL Writer Published 5:16 a.m. ET Feb. 12, 2020 Cory Schneider struggling at the time he was being overused.

He turned it on in December but when Domingue was injured he NEWARK — Brian Boyle did not make his triumphant return to New struggled again in January. The team has studied the numbers and Jersey on Tuesday night. The former New Jersey Devils’ center was left talked to Blackwood and discovered that he's been ineffective when he's down in South Florida with an upper-body injury and he wasn’t the only overworked and overplayed. Florida Panther out with an injury. Devils' defenseman P.K. Subban tours the NHL Black History Museum The Panthers’ roster was so decimated they were forced to dress eight and talks about the league's efforts to grow the game for minorities. NHL defensemen and Noel Acciari centered a line with two of them on his writer wings. "Not that it was a mistake early on, but when we played Blackie a lot we Maybe they were on to something. The Panthers defeated the Devils 5-3 saw his numbers dip a little bit," Nasreddine said before the game. "We at Prudential Center and New Jersey’s six-game point streak came to an don't want to get that going again. For us, it's important that we have two end. goalies that are ready to go."

Jack Hughes scored a power play goal to reach 20 points on the season, Blackwood did not protest. He has honest earlier in the season when he Kevin Rooney and Kyle Palmieri each scored goals and Louis Domingue said he was struggling to adjust to the workload and he's been vocal as stopped 28 of 33 shots faced. of late about embracing this split and the benefits of extra practice time.

Feb 11, 2020; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils In today's NHL, it's not smart for a goalie to make 80-90 percent of the defenseman P.K. Subban (76) greets some youth hockey players on the starts, especially a young goalie like Blackwood. While many fans would way to the ice before the start of the first period against the Florida like to see him play every game unless it's a back-to-back, the Devils Panthers at Prudential Center. don't see it that way. They don't see a need to burn the guy they're counting on next season and beyond in a season in which the playoffs "They didn't look like defensemen out there to me," Palmieri said. are out of reach. "Obviously that's their position, but they played well. They were hard on the pucks and the offense they generated was the way you want to The deal with Domingue generate offense -- they were cycling the puck, getting them up to the Feb 11, 2020; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Florida Panthers right wing point man and they were going to the net hard." Brett Connolly (10) (not shown) scores a goal on New Jersey Devils Black History Night: NJ Devils' P.K. Subban, Wayne Simmonds share goaltender Louis Domingue (70) during the first period at Prudential powerful words Center.

How they lost Nasreddine considered replacing Domingue with Blackwood after Florida's fourth goal. Despite the play in front of him, Domingue had not Four defensemen and Noel Acciari beat the Devils, but you could say been sharp through the first half of the game. Ultimately, the coaches they beat themselves with their inability to get the puck out of their zone. gave him a chance to turn it around, which he did, choosing to let Blackwood rest as fans chanted his name. Hughes snapped a 12-game scoreless streak with a power play goal 3:15 into the game but a few minutes later the ice tilted and the Devils With the next three games in four nights this weekend, the team felt it found themselves chasing the game from there on out. best to stick to their plan of balancing Blackwood's workload.

"I think we needed to be a little bit more engaged," captain Andy Greene "I don't think it was his best," Nasreddine said. "But it's a team game and said. "We were at times, but other times we were just playing. Not bad, it's easy to blame a goalie. I'm never going to blame everything on one not good, we just needed a little bit more emotion and a little bit more guy. Our defense around our net was not good and a lot of goalies would energy from everyone tonight." have let some of those goals in because you can't let guys walk in unattended and get shots and bear down right in the blue paint." After Brett Connolly netted the equalizer at 11:50 in the first, a long shift by that makeshift fourth line resulted in Mike Matheson burying a Bergen Record LOADED: 02.13.2020 rebound to make it 2-1. That same line scored again 2:43 into the second. Rooney pulled the Devils back to within one less than two minutes later but things devolved quickly and Frank Vatarano and Acciari scored within 39 seconds of one another.

Will Butcher sent a stretch pass up to Palmieri to make 5-3 at 14:30 in the second. Hughes nearly made it 5-4 on his next shift with an amazing move to split his defenders and get to the net, but the damage was done.

A line made up of two forwards and a fourth-line center was responsible for three of Florida’s five goals. The offense generated in the third wasn’t enough to make up lost ground.

“All three of their goals was guys just going to the net and picking opportunities right in and around our net,” Palmieri said. “That’s something as a team that we need to do better with.”

Interim coach Alain Nasreddine would say that's an understatement.

"We were a no-show at the net-front," the coach said. "That's where the puck is going to go, we want to go there offensively, they did and we didn't do a good job of defending the most dangerous area.

Why Blackwood didn't start 1171585 New York Islanders

Islanders’ Casey Cizikas will be out 3-4 weeks with leg injury

By Mollie Walker February 13, 2020 | 3:53am

Casey Cizikas will miss the next three to four weeks after suffering a laceration on his left leg, the Islanders announced Wednesday.

The veteran center sustained the injury in the first period of Tuesday’s 5- 3 win over the Flyers at Barclays Center when he collided with Philadelphia defenseman Ivan Provarov and took a blade to the leg. The 28-year-old Cizikas couldn’t put any weight on his left leg. Islanders’ medical staff helped him off the ice and straight to the locker room and did not return.

The Islanders subsequently recalled Cole Bardreau from AHL Bridgeport. Bardreau, 26, made his NHL debut Oct. 10 and recorded his first NHL point Oct. 27 against the Flyers.

New York Post LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171586 New York Islanders

Islanders center Casey Cizikas will miss up to four weeks with leg laceration

By Andrew Gross

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Islanders’ latest road trip started with some unwelcome, though not unexpected, news.

Sparkplug center Casey Cizikas, last seen being helped off the ice without being able to put weight on his left leg, will miss three to four weeks after suffering a laceration early in the first period of Tuesday night’s 5-3 win over the Flyers at Barclays Center. Center Cole Bardreau was recalled from the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.

The Islanders, who did not practice on Wednesday after also winning 5-3 at Washington on Monday night, open at four-game Western trip against the Predators on Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena. The Islanders are in third place in the Metropolitan Division, two points ahead of the Blue Jackets and two behind the Penguins.

New York Islanders right wing Leo Komarov (47) New York Islanders right wing Leo Komarov (47)

New York Islanders right wing Leo Komarov (47) and left wing Matt Martin (17) help Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) off the ice after Cizikas was injured during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. Credit: AP/Kathy Willens

The Predators are the lone opponent on this trip, which also includes Vegas, Arizona and Colorado, not in a playoff position.

“We’ve got to have more success against the Western teams,” said coach Barry Trotz with the Islanders 8-6-3 in inter-conference games. “We’re just going to have to play our game. Hopefully, not chase games but, instead, lock things down.”

That will be a tougher task without Cizikas, who has 10 goals and four assists in 48 games as part of the identity-setting fourth line. He is also one of the Islanders’ top penalty killers.

It’s just the latest injury to deplete the Islanders’ core.

Cizikas had to be helped from the ice at 3:23 of the first period on Tuesday night after defenseman Ivan Provorov’s skate cut into his left leg near his knee as the two collided along the boards.

The Islanders’ fourth line has been without Cal Clutterbuck, skating on his own but still out indefinitely, since his left wrist was slashed by Patrice Bergeron’s skate on Dec. 19 at Boston. Clutterbuck underwent surgery the next day for tendon repair.

Top-pair defenseman Adam Pelech has been out since suffering a season-ending Achilles’ tendon injury during off-ice, pregame warmups on Jan. 2.

All of which increases the pressure on president and general manager to make a move before the Feb. 24 trade deadline. Help could be used both up front and on the back end.

Bardreau, 26, had a goal and an assist in a nine-game stint with the Islanders from Oct. 19-Nov. 9. It was the first NHL stint for the undrafted free agent out of Cornell, who spent the past five seasons in the Flyers’ organization.

But Trotz knows he can trust Bardreau to be a physical forechecker who can assume some of Cizikas’ role.

The Islanders lost to Predators, 8-3, at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on Dec. 17, though they beat the trip’s other three opponents in their visits to New York.

“No game is going to be easy,” said right wing Leo Komarov, likely to play on Bardreau’s line along with Matt Martin. “It’s a fun road trip. We just have to play the way we can play. Nothing fancy. Just keep going.”

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Another freak injury increases the Islanders urgency at the trade deadline

By Arthur Staple Feb 12, 2020

The Islanders are up to three major freak injuries to key regulars with news on Wednesday that Casey Cizikas will be out 3-4 weeks with a skate cut to his left leg, suffered early in Tuesday’s win over the Flyers.

For the short term, Lou Lamoriello made a simple move — calling up Cole Bardreau, who had some success filling in as a bottom-six center early this season when Cizikas and Leo Komarov missed time at the start of the team’s 15-0-2 run. Bardreau, 26, had two points in nine NHL games before going down to Bridgeport, where he was promptly injured and struggled to get his game going once he returned. Bardreau has just three points in 29 games with the Sound Tigers, but he’s a familiar face for Barry Trotz, one he can presumably trust with some of Cizikas’ many responsibilities.

Whether Trotz can cobble together a defense-first lineup that was already without Cal Clutterbuck, out since before Christmas with a skate cut to his wrist that required surgery, and Adam Pelech, who suffered an Achilles injury during a game of soccer two-touch during warmups just after Christmas, is a bigger question. Cizikas and Clutterbuck were Trotz’s top penalty-killing forward pair and his preferred checking duo. Trotz has already been giving limited minutes to Kieffer Bellows and Michael Dal Colle on the third line, and it’s hard to see where a Matt Martin-Bardreau-Komarov line can maintain a high checking pace like Cizikas could.

“Everybody thinks, well, anybody can kill penalties,” Trotz said after Tuesday’s win. “There’s an art to it. There’s either good penalty killers or bad penalty killers. Guys are learning on the fly a little bit.”

There are 12 days until the trade deadline, however, and lots of options for depth rentals who can play center and possibly help out on the PK. Jean-Gabriel Pageau is the most prominent of those, but as our Pierre LeBrun has reported, the Senators may still take a run at signing Pageau, which means unless the Islanders (or another team) is ready to pony up a first-round pick, Pageau won’t move until closer to Feb. 24. If he moves at all.

Among cheaper options, the Ducks’ Derek Grant has become a more common name to hear. The 29-year-old has bounced around the league for nearly a decade and has a career-high 13 goals this season. He’s generally known as a physical fourth-liner who wins faceoffs and he leads Anaheim forwards with an average of 2:31 of PK time per game. He’s making the league minimum and would be a bargain pickup, even with his relatively big production this season.

Travis Zajac isn’t cheap contract-wise with one more year after this one at a $5.75 million cap hit, but he’s a Lamoriello favorite. There’s been some uncertainty as to whether Zajac, who has a full no-trade clause, has already rejected a possible move; regardless, interim Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald could present Zajac with another option now.

Among other teams already confirmed as sellers, there are the Kings’ Trevor Lewis (more wing than center, but a veteran PK presence) and the Red Wings’ Luke Glendening (tough sell with another year on his deal after this one). Neither would cost much in assets nor would add much beyond being another seasoned pro in the depleted lineup.

Whatever Lamoriello’s sense of urgency to make a deal was before Tuesday, it’s certainly higher now. The Isles headed off with Bardreau to Nashville on Wednesday, the start of a four-game swing through the Western Conference. The deadline may still be 12 days off, but the Islanders need solutions now, with yet another heart-and-soul regular on the shelf.

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Rangers’ faint postseason hopes ride on road clashes

By Brett Cyrgalis February 12, 2020 | 11:49PM

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Unlike a lot of coaches, David Quinn doesn’t deny his Rangers play differently on the road. And as he preaches that simpler, more straightforward game, the schedule might be in his favor.

Quinn and his squad started a stretch of eight out of 10 games away from the Garden with Tuesday night’s 4-1 win at Winnipeg. That took them to the NHL’s version of being over .500 on the road for the season (12-11-2), and their faint postseason hopes rest on continued improvement.

“This isn’t like when we go on the road we go, ‘Oh, no,’ ” Quinn said as his team got the day off Wednesday before the road trip continues against the Wild on Thursday night. “We’re a confident group, and I don’t think the venue matters to us right now. We think we can win hockey games regardless of if we’re at home or on the road.”

This particular trip will end with a seemingly important game, at Columbus in the second leg of a back-to-back Friday night.

With John Tortorella’s team managing to hold a wild-card spot despite a rash of injuries, the Rangers certainly would benefit from making up some ground.

After Sunday’s Garden matinee against the Bruins, the Rangers go back out for games at Chicago and Carolina. Then, after a stop back at the Garden against the Sharks — followed by the all-important Feb. 24 trade deadline — the Blueshirts travel to face the Islanders, Canadiens and Flyers to finish off the month.

Kaapo Kakko didn’t have a great game on Tuesday, and after he was denied on a scoring chance at the right post midway through the second period, he barely stopped himself from smacking his stick against the boards. The 18-year-old didn’t seem too interested in being consoled by coaches on the bench.

He then took a hooking penalty in the third period that led to the Jets’ only goal. Kakko finished the game with 11:21 of ice time, his least since Dec. 28.

After Tuesday, when Jacob Trouba and Brendan Lemieux returned to play their former team and Brett Howden returned to his childhood home, Thursday will be a homecoming for two Minnesota boys — defensemen Brady Skjei, from Lakeville, and Ryan Lindgren, from Burnsville.

Lindgren elebrated his 22nd birthday on Tuesday.

New York Post LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171589 New York Rangers New York Post LOADED: 02.13.2020

Chris Kreider putting Rangers in drastic cost-cut situation

By Brett Cyrgalis February 12, 2020 | 7:35PM

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The screws are tightening, from both directions. And soon, the Rangers are going to have to make a critical decision for the future — a decision that is seemingly being made for them.

It’s getting increasingly difficult to see how the Rangers could trade Chris Kreider and expect any return that is even remotely commensurate with his value to their young club. Set to be an unrestricted free agent, and long considered the top (possible) rental on the trade market in the lead- up to the Feb. 24 deadline, the 28-year-old Kreider is arguably playing the best hockey of his career.

After scoring two goals in the team’s 4-1 win in Winnipeg on Tuesday night, starting on the right foot for this three-game road trip that continues against the Wild on Thursday night, Kreider now has at least one point in six of his past seven games (six goals, three assists) and 20 of his past 26 games (16 goals, 11 assists). With 155 career goals, he is now 24th on the Rangers all-time goals list, passing Fred “Bun” Cook.

But this was never about wanting to get rid of the blue-blooded Blueshirt, but more about what his new deal would cost, and how it fit under the salary cap. As negotiations between general manager and Kreider’s agent Matt Keator have started in earnest, the ballpark of a deal is in the five- or six-year range, around $7 million per.

To make that work, there has to be some cost-cutting. That could include trading Tony DeAngelo, the offensively dynamic defenseman set for a big payday as a restricted free agent. Or there is the possibility of moving Brady Skjei, or Pavel Buchnevich, or even — gulp! — the possibility of finding an amicable way to part with the final year of Henrik Lundqvist’s deal.

It is going to be tricky, but if the Rangers aren’t planning on going all Sabres on everyone and rebuilding in perpetuity, then there needs to be some semblance of veteran leadership.

So above all the stats Kreider is compiling, he has also been a prime example for the younger players with how you focus amid abundant distraction. After the win over the Jets — as tight a defensive performance this team has had all season, despite Igor Shesterkin stopping 42 shots (and Lundqvist one) — the team’s crack social media team caught the players coming off the ice after the victory. Buchnevich pointed at the camera and said, “No. 12,” referencing his placement on the TSN Trade Bait list. He then pointed to Kreider behind him and said, “No. 1.”

Kreider then quietly, jokingly, reprimanded the 24-year-old winger, saying in Russian, “Shut up.”

The Rangers’ biggest flaw this season has been their inconsistency, which is almost expected considering they’re the youngest team in the league. They have struggled to maintain focus over different stretches of time, whether that be within periods or over a week. They haven’t won three in a row since Thanksgiving, and that’s why their postseason hopes remain on life support.

But Kreider is a stabilizing factor, someone who can explain what is happening, and why. After he waited for the media so he could lambast himself following a 3-2 loss to the Sabres on Friday night, he was quick to respond on Tuesday to a question about guys on his team getting the message about playing better defense.

“Don’t you think so?” he said to two New York reporters. “Don’t you see a difference in our ‘D’ zone, in the way we come back and the way we protect the middle? … We had guys doing the right things, getting on the right side of the puck, talking, communicating, staying swivel-headed, and not puck-watching. It’s a good recipe to protect your net.”

It is not an easy business operating in the salary-cap NHL, and sometimes the lure of the future can be difficult to resist. But the way Kreider is playing is forcing the Rangers to realize there can be immense value in what they already have. Finding a way to financially make it work is seemingly getting closer to a necessity than an option. 1171590 New York Rangers

Behind-the-scenes moment shows how Rangers are dealing with trade noise

By Mollie Walker February 12, 2020 | 12:02PM

With the NHL trade deadline looming, sometimes a light-hearted joke is in order.

Following a 4-1 win over the Jets in Winnipeg Tuesday, the Chris Kreider- Mika Zibenajed-Pavel Buchnevich line was caught on camera having a laugh as they made their way to the visiting locker room.

Buchnevich must’ve seen that he was listed at No. 12 on TSN’s “Trade Bait” list, which means he also saw that his linemate Kreider was posted at the very top at No. 1. Once the Russian winger saw the camera in the tunnel, he promptly pointed to himself and declared himself as “number 12,” before turning around and motioning toward Kreider and saying “number one.”

Kreider, who speaks five different languages, smiled and told Buch to “shut up” in Russian, according to The Athletic, while Zibanejad giggled as well.

I guess Buch found out he was #12 on TSNs latest trade list..

He immediately points back to Kreider and says "Number one" before Kreider tells him be quiet in Russian lol

No matter what happens, the KZB line has been an absolute joy to watch. pic.twitter.com/OgSGdX03wz

— Ryan Mead Church Of Kakko Founder (@OhRyanMead) February 12, 2020

It made for a hilarious moment with a somewhat sad undertone, considering Buchnevich, Kreider and Zibanejad have been teammates in New York for the past four years. It’s yet to be seen what the Rangers brass intends to do in the next 12 days, but it’ll be tough to forget the ‘KZB’ line should they be separated by a trade.

New York Post LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171591 New York Rangers Nico Gross, a 2018 fourth-round pick (No. 101 overall), has registered 23 points (nine goals and 14 assists) in 41 OHL games with Oshawa this season. The 20-year-old has established OHL career-highs in goals and points this season (he notched three goals and 20 points in 56 games NY Rangers prospect report: Young defensemen making impact in with Oshawa last season). NCAA, Canada and Europe And the third and final defenseman selected in 2019, fourth-round pick Hunter Skinner (No. 112 overall), has been heating up lately with six points (two goals and four assists) in his last eight games with OHL Vincent Z. Mercogliano, NHL Writer Published 3:11 p.m. ET Feb. 12, London. The 18-year-old righty has 30 points (five goals and 25 assists) 2020 | Updated 3:55 p.m. ET Feb. 12, 2020 in 50 games played this season.

Robertson has already signed his entry-level contract and will have a One year after taking six defensemen in the 2018 NHL Draft — including chance to vie for an NHL or AHL roster spot next season. It’s worth two in the first round — the New York Rangers added three more in wondering whether prospects like Miller and Lundkvist will follow suit, 2019. which would add to an already crowded group of young defensemen.

The result has been an influx of depth and talent in the Rangers’ IGOR SHESTERKIN: Rookie showing unique skill set and knack for prospect pool. They have exciting defensive prospects scattered in winning Europe, Canada, the AHL and the NCAA, headlined by 2018 first- KRIS KNOBLAUCH: AHL Hartford coach balancing wins with rounders K’Andre Miller and Nils Lundkvist, as well as AHL all-star Joey development Keane. Around the campus Hunter Skinner defends Zachary Jones during the New York Rangers prospect development camp scrimmage June 27, 2019 at Chelsea Piers The Rangers’ top forward prospect in the NCAA is Cornell junior Morgan in Stamford, Conn. Barron.

Another name to remember is Zac Jones. The 2017 sixth-round pick (No. 174 overall) posted three points over the weekend, including two goals in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Colgate. He’s up The 2019 third-rounder (68th overall) is producing a high rate as a true to 25 points (11 goals and 14 assists) and a plus-14 rating in 23 games freshman for the University of Massachusetts. The left-handed shooter this season, helping the Big Red to a 17-2-4 record. recorded four assists in two wins over the weekend, earning co-rookie of the week honors from the Hockey East Association. Jones notched an Morgan Barron's second PPG of the night and his 11th goal of the assist in Friday’s 3-1 win over Providence, then collected a career-high season has upped @CUBigRedHockey's lead at Colgate to 4-1! three in a 5-1 win over the same opponent Saturday. #YellCornell Watch on ESPN+: https://t.co/DyDGs3fbdopic.twitter.com/Vqgis2Ajfi The 19-year-old has registered 18 points (three goals and 15 assists) in 27 games this season, which ties him for third among NCAA freshmen — Cornell Video (@CornellVideo) February 9, 2020 defensemen in assists and fourth in total points. The 21-year-old winger leads Cornell in several categories this season, Meanwhile, another lefty D-man from the 2018 draft is having a strong including goals, points and shots on goal (83), while ranking second in sophomore campaign with the University of Wisconsin. assists. In addition, Barron is tied for fifth among players in ECAC Hockey in goals per game (0.48) and ranks sixth among players in ECAC Miller scored a goal in Saturday’s 5-3 loss to Michigan, which tied him for Hockey in points per game (1.09) this season. sixth among NCAA defensemen in goals this season with seven. Since the start of last season, he's registered more points than any other NCAA Another potential late-round steal could be Eric Ciccolini, who was defenseman as a U-20 player or younger (37), and his 12 goals since selected in the seventh round (No. 205 overall) of this past draft. The true 2018-19 are tied for the second-most among NCAA defensemen who are freshman for Michigan collected three assists in two recent wins over in their U-20 season or younger over the span. Miller’s Wisconsin team and has recorded seven points (one goal and six assists) in his last 11 games. #NTDP Alumni Update. K'Andre Miller tallies his 7th of the season to bring the Badgers to within one late in the 3rd period. And in goal, Rangers’ prospect Tyler Wall continues a season that has elevated his prospect status. The 2016 sixth-round pick (No. 174 overall) He takes the Cole Caufield feed and buries the wrister from inside the picked up two more wins last week to earn Hockey East Association blue line to make it a 4-3 game. defensive player of the week honors for the sixth time this season. #Badgers#NYRpic.twitter.com/Mz3AsUkxBn Another HUGE save by Tyler Wall with 47.4 seconds left in regulation! — Stars n’ Stripes Hockey (@StarsStripesHKY) February 9, 2020 pic.twitter.com/G0ndlB0L09

Lundkvist is also in the midst of a standout season, except he’s doing it — UMass Lowell Hockey (@RiverHawkHockey) February 8, 2020 overseas. In doing so, the U-Mass Lowell senior boosted his season record to 15-5- The 19-year-old righty is up to 24 points (six goals and 18 assists) 5, along with a 2.09 goals against average, a .932 save percentage and through 33 games with Lulea in the SHL, which gives him the second- two shutouts this season. The 22-year-old is tied for fifth in the NCAA in highest points and assists total by a defenseman in his U-20 season or SV% and appears well-positioned to compete for a starting role with AHL younger in league history. Hartford next season.

Lundkvist also made his debut with Sweden’s Men’s National Team Emerging from the (Wolf) Pack during the Beijer Hockey Games this past week, recording his first assist on Saturday against Russia. Guess who’s picking up his game in Hartford? Top forward prospect Vitali Kravtsov. And in Canada, a trio of defensemen prospects are having notable seasons. Entering Wednesday night’s game against Wilkes-Barre Scranton, the 2018 first-round pick (No. 9 overall) had registered four assists and 10 Matthew Robertson, a 2019 second-round pick (No. 49 overall), is riding shots on goal in his last five games and six points (two goals and four a hot streak for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL with a four-game assists) in his last 10 games. point streak. He’s scored one goal and five assists in that span, along with 10 points (three goals and seven assists) in his last seven games. 's Vitali Kravtsov (91) practicing with his team at the For the season, the 18-year-old lefty has notched 35 points (11 goals and Champion Skating Center in Cromwell, CT Jan. 22, 2020. The Wolf Pack 24 assists) in 48 games. He ranks third in goals and was tied for third in are the New York Rangers' minor-league affiliate in the American Hockey points among WHL defensemen in their U-19 season or younger. League.

New York Rangers selection Matthew Robertson, center, shakes hands The season totals aren’t at the level to match the preseason hype — with an official during the second round of the NHL draft at Rogers Arena Kravtsov has 10 points (four goals and six assists) through 26 AHL in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 22, 2019. games — but the recent uptick is encouraging. The 20-year-old had a tumultuous first-half of the season, which included a second-guessed decision to return to Russia’s KHL for a month-plus, but he’s been settling in since his mid-December return.

“Now that he's back with us, he’s very happy, confident and is enjoying being at the rink and playing hockey,” Hartford coach Kris Knoblauch told the USA TODAY Network last month. “Every day he’s coming to the rink, wanting to learn and get better.”

One of Kravtsov’s teammates who has also been heating up is Keane.

The 20-year-old righty defenseman has notched five points (two goals and three assists) in his last five games, increasing his season total to 28 points (eight goals and 20 assists) to led all AHL rookie defensemen in goals while ranking fourth in points.

Keane started the season with six goals in his first 11 games, then went 31 games without a goal. He ended the drought with a goal and two assists in a Jan. 31 win over Springfield, then added another goal in Saturday’s 4-3 loss to Charlotte.

Fellow rookie defenseman, Yegor Rykov, also scored in the loss to Charlotte, upping his total to 10 points (two goals and eight assists) in 24 games this season. The 22-year-old ranks third among Wolf Pack defensemen in points per game with 0.42.

Fellow lefty D-man Libor Hájek hasn’t produced at the same rate since joining Hartford in mid-January. He has two assists in 10 games with a minus-five rating and 10 penalty minutes. Shortly after Hájek was demoted, Knoblauch said he viewed the 22-year-old as slightly ahead of Rykov due to his NHL experience.

The leading scorer for Hartford remains Vinni Lettieri. The recently-turned 25-year-old picked two goals on eight shots in a Feb. 5 win over Springfield, lifting his season total to 39 points (21 goals and 18 assists). He’s averaging 0.8 points per game and has now recorded 20 or more goals in each of his three full seasons in the AHL. He is two goals away from tying his career-high of 23 goals, which he reached in both 2017-18 and 2018-19.

Bergen Record LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171592 New York Rangers "He’s still only 24 years old," he added. "I think sometimes because we are so young people lose sight of the fact that we've got guys that are 23 and 24 that people kind of treat like cagey veterans. He's come a long way." NY Rangers projected lineup: Pavel Buchnevich on the upswing; Alex Georgiev to start Projected lineup: Feb. 7 vs. Buffalo Sabres

NOTE: This lineup is based on Friday's morning skate and could be subject to change. Vincent Z. Mercogliano, NHL writer Published 12:49 p.m. ET Feb. 7, 2020 | Updated 6:55 p.m. ET Feb. 7, 2020 Forwards

First line → Chris Kreider (LW) – Mika Zibanejad (C) – Pavel Buchnevich (RW) Vincent Mercogliano previews the second half of the NY Rangers' season as the trade deadline approaches Rockland/Westchester Journal Second line → Artemi Panarin (LW) – Ryan Strome (C) – Jesper Fast News (RW)

NEW YORK - Pavel Buchnevich is realizing the benefits of a short Third line → Brendan Lemieux (LW) – Filip Chytil (C) – Phil Di memory. Giuseppe (RW)

The 24-year-old forward has had his ups-and-downs this season — Fourth line → Brett Howden (LW) – Greg McKegg (C) – Kaapo Kakko Rangers coach David Quinn recently likened him to an "amusement (RW) park" — but he's been on the ascension of late. Defense He was benched during the third period of Monday's loss to the Dallas First pair → Brady Skjei (L) and Jacob Trouba (R) Stars and followed it up with one of his best games of the season in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Second pair → Ryan Lindgren (L) and (R)

"We talked about it, and you just try to forget that game," Buchnevich Third pair → Marc Staal (L) and Tony DeAngelo (R) said about the Dallas loss. "When you have a good game, you try to forget it. You don’t want to think about that game anymore. (Quinn) Goalies showed me some clips where I have to do better. We laughed, and it was Starter → Alexandar Georgiev fine." Backup → Henrik Lundqvist The relationship between player and coach is unique. Healthy scratches: Micheal Haley, Igor Shesterkin and Brendan Smith Quinn has been hard on Buchnevich at times, unafraid to bench him or criticize him publicly. But he's also shown faith in the talented winger by Game notes sticking with him on the top line for most of the season. How to watch/listen: 7 p.m. ET — TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 "Sometimes guys just need a little jolt," Quinn said. "He knows that we FM believe in him. You’re not going to play 82 great games, but we've talked about the things he has to do when things aren’t going well." All-time series: 77-77-25-5 (43-30-15-3 at home; 34-47-10-2 on the road)

After a 13-game stretch in which Buchnevich scored once, he's netted a Previous meeting: The Rangers beat the Sabres at home, 6-2, on Oct. 24 goal in four of his last five. That included three points on Wednesday, to snap a five-game losing streak. The Rangers enter the contest with a which tied his career high and upped his season total to 31 points (11 three-game winning streak against Buffalo and have outscored the goals and 20 assists) in 52 games. He also ranks first on the team in Sabres, 15-5, in the three games. Expected Goals For (xG) at 52.94% and third in Corsi For (CF) at Georgie: In two career starts against Buffalo, Alexandar Gerogiev is 2-0 50.37%, according to Evolving Hockey. with a 1.50 GAA and a .961 SV%. Georgiev has made at least 30 saves But Buchnevich insists it isn't just about producing points. Quinn has and has allowed two goals or fewer in each of his two career harped on him improving his all-around game, which he believes he's appearances, with 74 saves on 77 shots. done. Home sweet home: The Rangers have won seven of their last 10 home "I just try to play a simple game," he said. "I think this season I’ve played games, dating back to Dec. 22 at Anaheim (7-3-0 record), and have better defensively than before." outscored their opponents, 42-28, in the 10 contests. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 13 of their last 20 home games (12-7-1 TONY DEANGELO: Defenseman 'pretty confident' he won't be traded record).

POSTGAME ANALYSIS: Chris Kreider returns to spark win over Leafs Bergen Record LOADED: 02.13.2020

The top line of Buchnevich, Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider has been the Rangers' best in recent games, combining for seven points and 17 shots on goal in the win over the Leafs.

Quinn has largely kept them together — a decision which is paying dividends — and said he plans to stick with the same lineup for Friday's 7 p.m. home game against the Buffalo Sabres. The only change will be Alexandar Georgiev starting in goal.

The players seem to appreciate that continuity.

"He knows I play well with Mika and (Kreider)," Buchnevich said. "I just think he wants to keep that line. Earlier in the season, he changed the lines a lot. But now he tries to keep everybody together and play on the same lines for a long time, which I think helps."

The Rangers are still looking for more consistency out of Buchnevich, but Zibanejad noted that his attitude when dealing with adversity has noticeably improved.

"When things are not going (well) for him, I think it's night and day," he said.

Quinn called it, "the evolution of a young player." 1171593 New York Rangers

With back-to-back on tap for Rangers, who plays in net if Igor Shesterkin sits?

By Colin Stephenson

ST. PAUL, Minn. — After Igor Shesterkin’s 42-save performance in Sunday’s 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, Rangers coach David Quinn said he was done trying to figure out how best to rotate the three goalies on his roster to try and keep everyone sharp. From that point on, Quinn said, the best goalie was going to play.

Well, the best goalie without a doubt has been Shesterkin, who has won six of his first seven NHL starts (6-1) and posted a 2.18 goals-against average and .941 save percentage since his initial recall Jan. 6 from AHL Hartford. According to NHL Stats and Information, Shesterkin is the first goaltender, since saves were first tracked in 1955-56, to post three 40- save wins in his first seven career appearances (he had 42 in Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Winnipeg).

Now comes another test for both Shesterkin and Quinn. The Rangers (28-23-4, 60 points) close this three-game road trip with a back-to-back set, Thursday against Minnesota and Friday in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. And unless Quinn decides to start Shesterkin in both games, then he is going to have to make a decision as to which goaltender — Henrik Lundqvist or Alexandar Georgiev — will get to play for the first time since Shesterkin took over as the undeclared (but obvious) No. 1.

The Rangers canceled practice Wednesday, so there was no chance to ask the coach what his thoughts are regarding his goaltender for Thursday and Friday. But if one wanted to guess, there are some tidbits to consider:

Shesterkin tweaked his left ankle in Tuesday’s game when he was bumped by Winnipeg’s Andrew Copp (who was pushed by defenseman Tony DeAngelo) midway through the first period. That was the hit that prompted the NHL’s concussion spotter to require Shesterkin to leave the game for the last 6:04 of the period to undergo concussion testing.

Although the 24-year-old Russian returned to start the second period and was able to finish the game, the Rangers will want to see how his ankle responded Wednesday before making a decision on Thursday’s starter. It might make sense to give Shesterkin the night off Thursday and hold him back until Friday, when the Rangers face the Metropolitan Division rival Blue Jackets, who held the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference — and a 10-point lead over the Rangers — entering play Wednesday.

And if that is the call, then who will start Thursday? Will it be Georgiev, who started last Friday and was, in Quinn’s words, “solid’’ in a terrible 3-2 home loss to Buffalo? Or will it be Lundqvist, who was pulled after two periods in his last start Feb. 3 (in a 5-3 loss to Dallas). Lundqvist entered the game Tuesday when Shesterkin had to leave, and immediately was called on to make a sharp pad save to keep the score 0-0.

Assuming Quinn doesn’t start Shesterkin in both games, then is whoever starts the other game the new No. 2? And what would that mean, in terms of ice time, for No. 3? Georgiev, who turned 24 on Monday, has been a backup most of his NHL career and is more familiar with the irregularity of work that comes with being a No. 2. So he may be better suited to the role.

But the other guy is Henrik Lundqvist.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171594 New York Rangers shot, he could make a play but he had a physicality to his game. He would catch guys up the middle every once in a while. He was a strong, strong man in the corner. Occasionally, the elbows would get up.

Jacob Trouba gets what he expected: Mix of boos, cheers greet former “He was an old-school, hard player with a powerful offensive game. Not Jets defenceman necessarily a finesse offensive game, but power. He would turn that corner, get (the puck) up the ice, he could get it off the wall, he could shoot it hard, he could make a play, but he’s not toe-dragging anybody to do it.” By Ken Wiebe Feb 12, 2020 Some folks always felt Trouba had been playing with one foot out the

door for quite some time, even before he publicly requested a trade Jacob Trouba heard you loud and clear. during the 2016 .

Well, if he’s being totally honest, Trouba actually expected a little more At the time, Trouba cited a desire to play on the right side (the Jets had vitriol from the hometown faithful during what was an emotional return. Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers ahead of him on the depth chart, so he was likely going to be on his off side if he wanted the ice time of a An occasionally vocal reception was only part of the story as the former second-pairing blueliner) and there was also some discussion about not Winnipeg Jets blueliner played for the first time in Manitoba since last be happy his projected role, since there wasn’t much power-play time summer’s blockbuster deal sent him to the New York Rangers. available to him back then.

“It was good. It was what I expected,” Trouba said after the Rangers Trouba believed he should be treated like a frontline defender and wasn’t defeated the Jets 4-1 to snap their three-game winning streak and push shy about saying so or taking action. them back outside the playoff line in the Western Conference. “I appreciated the boos at the start. It got quieter as it went on. I was He also wasn’t going to put his season in jeopardy, so the contract hoping it would be a little stronger, a little louder.” stalemate ended in early November.

In fact, Trouba wasn’t the least bit offended by the booing, which started Trouba took a two-year bridge deal worth $6 million and went back to the first time he touched the puck on the opening shift of the game. work.

“I would be upset if I didn’t get the boos,” said Trouba. He calmly reiterated his position and understood some fans saw his actions as selfish. This fan base used to boo Wayne Gretzky back in the day, so Trouba took it as a badge of honour and knew what he was in for — even if he Trouba knew it would take time to try and win some of them over, but he wasn’t letting on when he spoke to reporters following the optional knew his teammates understood this was a business decision and they morning skate. had his back.

“I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know,” said Trouba. “Obviously, I get a Despite what could have easily been a major distraction, Trouba always couple of pokes from former teammates on what’s going to happen, but showed a propensity for being able to separate the business side of the I’m not making any assumptions.” game and kept his focus on playing hockey.

The ninth overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft also appreciated the tribute Not even a trip to arbitration in the summer of 2018, one that ended with video and the fans who either cheered or rose to their feet during a a one-year award for $5.5 million, would change that. stoppage in play late in the first period. As long as he was a member of the Jets, Trouba managed to play at a “It was nice. Those were some good memories, especially seeing the high level, especially last season when he recorded a career-high 50 pictures and some of the videos of the goals,” said Trouba. “The goal points, including 18 on the power play. against Nashville here is one of my favourite goals. It was probably the With Trouba one year away from unrestricted free agency, most of the loudest I’ve heard a rink, so that’s always a fun one to see.” signs pointed to him being dealt by the Jets during the summer. Does Trouba consider the page officially turned, now that his first road On the Monday before the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver, the Jets traded game against the Jets is in the rear-view mirror? Trouba to the Rangers for defenceman Neal Pionk and a 2019 first- Not exactly. rounder that originally belonged to Winnipeg and ultimately became Ville Heinola. “I know there will be something different about coming here. Next time I’m sure it will be special as well,” said Trouba, who has seven goals and We live in an instant gratification society, so it was no surprise the 23 points in 55 games with the Rangers this season. “It’s always going to reaction was mixed after the deal was announced. be fun coming back here and playing. It’s always fun playing against a Some people were happy to see the situation come to a somewhat jersey you wore in the past. I’m sure every time I come here it will be expected conclusion, while others only felt disappointment that Trouba fun.” was being set free. Under the current schedule format, the Jets and Rangers only meet twice Some said goodbye and good luck, others said good riddance. a season, with only one of those games to be played at Bell MTS Place. There was minimal middle ground. Over the course of time, some of the emotional feelings are likely to subside, both for Trouba and the Jets fan base. With Trouba, things were usually complex and the chances of him living happily ever after with the Jets and signing a long-term deal was always However, Trouba’s tenure with the Jets is always going to be viewed going to be a longshot. through a somewhat complicated lens. Yes, he enjoyed his team in Winnipeg and with the Jets organization. As the second first-round pick by the 2.0 edition of the Jets franchise (Mark Scheifele was the first in 2011), Trouba quickly became a fan At the same time, Trouba was also ready to move on and preferred to favourite, basically from the time he stepped on the ice for the first time at play south of the border. development camp. That’s not a direct shot at our fair city, even though some folks were When Trouba left the University of Michigan Wolverines program after his quick to interpret it as one. freshman season to sign with the Jets, the anticipation of his arrival was already in full swing. “I feel like I grew up as a person a lot here. Those were six valuable years of your life, from 19 to 25,” said Trouba. “Just thinking of myself Scoring 10 goals and producing 29 points in 65 games as a rookie only when I got here at 19 to now, being gone and how much I’ve changed boosted his stock, especially when you consider the physical element he and grown as a person, as a hockey player and the different things and had in his arsenal. the different people I’ve met here and come across. It’s a big part of your life and they are memories that you’ll always have.” “An all-around somewhat old school defenceman,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice, who had Trouba for four-and-a-half seasons. “A real solid But it wasn’t just fans who were torn about how to feel when the trade went down on June 19.

“I was on the driving range when I saw the notification on my phone and I immediately texted him and called him,” said Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey. “It was a weird moment because I was so happy for him, in the sense that I knew he wanted to have a chance to play in the (United) States and be in a situation that was better for his family and what not.

“Consequently, I was sad to see him go and not have one of my best friends around, my D partner and all of those things. A range of emotions, but I was happy for him overall and happy to see him get that opportunity.”

With the benefit of hindsight, the early returns show that this ended up being a smart deal for both teams.

There doesn’t have to be a winner and a loser. Sometimes, trades can turn out to be win-win.

“It seems like it,” said Jets forward Andrew Copp, a childhood friend and frequent teammate of Trouba’s from minor hockey to the NHL. “Pionk has been fantastic for us. Ville (Heinola) should be a good player for us for a long time. Obviously, Jacob is in a good situation in New York and got the contract that he deserved. It worked out for both parties.”

Copp is correct, Pionk has fit in incredibly well with the Jets.

He’s already set a career high with 37 points in 58 games and has a team-high 21 points with the man-advantage, playing the top on the first unit once occupied by Trouba and Byfuglien before him.

Pionk now finds himself on a pairing with Morrissey, but he never felt any additional burden to fill the skates of Trouba.

“No. No pressure for me,” said Pionk. “Obviously, I knew he was a great player, but I don’t think you can look at it that way. You can’t try to be somebody else on the ice.”

Trouba admits it’s been an adjustment going to the Big Apple and playing for a new team.

Like Morrissey, he needed time to get used to a new partner and while the security of signing a long-term deal was nice, there is an inherent pressure that comes with trying to live up with the contract.

That, too, will pass with time.

At the end of the day, Winnipeg is always going to hold a special place in Trouba’s heart, even if he chose to move on to greener pastures and made a lot of money by doing so.

The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171595 NHL The Flyers fell flat last week in a 5-0 loss to the Devils before bouncing back to beat the Capitals 7-2.

“It’s just important to stick together and get game after game the same Sellers have plenty of inventory ahead of NHL trade deadline kind of efforts,” center said. “You look at our lineup, we have some depth. I think we can match up with anyone in the league. It’s just a matter of doing it night after night.”

By STEPHEN WHYNO GAME OF THE WEEK

The Kings and Colorado Avalanche take it outside for what should be a pageantry-filled outdoor game at the Air Force Academy near Colorado Chris Kreider watched teammates Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes Springs on Saturday night. handle all the speculation before getting traded a year ago and saw others do the same in previous seasons. LEADERS

With the New York Rangers still in the process of transitioning to Goals: Alex Ovechkin (Washington) and Auston Matthews (Toronto), 40; contender status, it is Kreider’s turn, and he’s dealing with it his way. Assists: Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton), 57; Points: Draisaitl, 89; Ice time: Thomas Chabot (Ottawa), 26:06; Wins: Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay), “I think I’d be disingenuous to try to embody how someone else went 30; Goals-against average: Tuukka Rask (Boston), 2.14; Save about this situation, so I’m just trying to be myself every day,” Kreider percentage: Elvis Merzlikins (Columbus), .930. said. “I feel like my name’s been out there for the last seven years. It’s just the nature of the beast.” Times LOADED: 02.13.2020

Kreider may be bracing for a trade that seems inevitable. The NHL standings suggest the Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings are clear sellers ahead of the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

While Kreider is the biggest name likely on the move, there is no shortage of talent available. New Jersey’s Sami Vatanen and Wayne Simmonds, Ottawa’s Jean-Gabriel Pageau and , Detroit’s Mike Green and Trevor Daley, and Los Angeles’ Tyler Toffoli and Trevor Lewis are all pending free agents.

There is also Senators forward Anthony Duclair who can be a restricted free agent, and Kings defenseman Alec Martinez is drawing interest with a year left on his contract. The Kings have already traded goaltender Jack Campbell and forward Kyle Clifford to Toronto and made no secret they are open for business.

“We all signed up for the plan,” first-year Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “We know where we’re going with the team and what we want to do with it. So, none of this approach to the deadline has been a shocker to us as a coaching staff.”

Duclair was traded three times his first five NHL seasons, so his approach hasn’t changed despite being in the midst of an impressive comeback year.

“I’ve been through it for a couple of years in a row now,” Duclair said. “I just try to focus on the team and I just try to win, help the team win as many games as possible and we’ll go from there.”

A Massachusetts native who played at Boston College, Kreider has been linked to the Bruins and the Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues, who have more than stayed afloat amid significant forward injuries.

He said last month at All-Star weekend that the Rangers winning games would go a long way to keeping the group together. Despite five victories in seven games after the break, New York is still nine points back of a playoff position and Kreider is almost certainly gone unless he signs an extension.

The same goes for Lewis, who might be the perfect kind of low-risk deadline pickup that has proven to be the blueprint for recent Cup winners. Kings general manager is attempting to quickly rebuild, but players are in wait-and-see mode.

“I talk to my agent quite a bit, but it’s kind of up to them with what they want to do,” Lewis said. “Obviously when you play your whole career somewhere, I’m sure they know you’d like to stay. We’ll see what happens.”

GIANT-KILLING FLYERS

The Flyers are on the playoff bubble and have had their share of inconsistencies. But Philadelphia has shined against the top four teams in the Eastern Conference, picking up 12 of a possible 18 points against Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington and Pittsburgh.

“We’re a tough team to play against,” winger Jakub Voracek said. “It can give us a lot of confidence that against the top teams in the league that we really perform very well. Playing good defense, the goalie shows up every time we play the big teams and we just play a good overall game.” 1171596 Ottawa Senators “Nick Paul has played really hard for us,” said Smith. “He’s a guy who has been up and down through the minors and he’s living and dying by a goal here, or a goal there to try and scratch and claw and be in the league. So, it hurts when he certainly thought it went in.” Senators lose twice, but return home with a measure of pride Smith was holding up Paul as an example for how the Senators need to play in order to be narrow the gap on the NHL’s best teams.

Ken Warren “At the start of the year, it was all about how much better we’re going to be, how hard you have to play to get out of this and to be better for next

year,” he said. “If we keep doing that, we’re going to be a good hockey DENVER — Sometimes, the bumps and bruises become badges of team.” honour that pay off in immediate victory. While Smith has recently alternated goaltending starts between Marcus As for Dylan DeMelo, Nick Paul and the rest of the Ottawa Senators, they Hogberg and Craig Anderson, don’t be surprised if the rookie Hogberg can only hope the battle scars will eventually mean something, gets the call against the Coyotes. somewhere down the road. “He played like our team did and that was hard,” said the coach. “He In terms of the current NHL standings, their latest trip — including a well- gave us every chance to win.” played, entertaining 3-0 defeat to the loaded Colorado Avalanche late Ottawa Sun LOADED: 02.13.2020 Tuesday, on the heels of Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets — does nothing more than improve the Senators odds for the entry draft lottery and the promise of the young skill they desperately need.

Indeed, from Patrick Laine’s power play hat trick in Winnipeg to Mikko Rantanen’s dipsy-doodle around the Senators defence in Denver, the Senators were ultimately tamed by too much opposition talent.

At the same time, though, they firmly believed they took something tangible back after taking the long way home. After plane troubles kept them in Colorado overnight, the Senators instead flew home Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the six-game homestand which begins Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes.

They couldn’t solve Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer, but they didn’t give up the fight, either.

“We want to get some wins along the way for sure, but it’s also about playing the right way, about building the foundation for how we want to play as we continue to improve,” said DeMelo. “There will be lots of eyes towards us down the stretch and it’s about how we respond to being down in a game or pinned in. You really see what kind of team you have when you’re facing adversity like that.”

DeMelo spent much of the night fending off irate Avalanche players and verbal abuse from their fans.

The feistiness began early when DeMelo slowed down Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon with a borderline hit at the blueline. It was the type of play that often draws an interference penalty, but when the officials let it go uncalled, Avalanche captain rained down punches on DeMelo after the whistle.

“When you’re going against top players, you’re trying to make it hard on them and not give any freebies,” said DeMelo, who understood why the Avalanche retaliated the way they did. “If they’re going to try and dance around you at the blueline, you’re going to at least try to get a body on them or something. They’re very good players and they can make you look silly.

“We take a lot of pride in playing hard against top players and top lines. If the hit is there, I’ve got to take it, definitely.”

Senators coach D.J. Smith praised DeMelo for his physical efforts and also singled out Nikita Zaitsev for his work in limiting the damage from MacKinnon, who ended up with a pair of assists.

On a different night, with a different officiating crew, the Senators might have been deadlocked with the Avalanche heading into the third period, rather than trailing 1-0. After Grubauer made a save off Paul on a partial breakaway late in the second period, Landeskog went to work again. He crosschecked Paul, pushing the puck and his own goaltender into the net. There was no official off-ice video review, because the on-ice referees had deemed the play dead and there was no punishment for the Avalanche captain.

When Paul used some choice words to bark his displeasure, he earned himself an unsportsmanlike penalty call. Smith, who hinted that Senators general manager Pierre Dorion might put in a call to the league about how it all played out, understood Paul’s frustrations.

Colorado Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer makes a save on a shot from Ottawa Senators winger Nick Paul during their game last week. USA TODAY SPORTS 1171597 Ottawa Senators Brady Tkachuk – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Connor Brown Vladislav Namestnikov – Chris Tierney – Drake Batherson

Nick Paul – Artem Anisimov – Anthony Duclair GAME DAY: Coyotes at Senators Tyler Ennis – Colin White – Mikkel Boedker

Defence Bruce Garrioch Thomas Chabot – Dylan DeMelo

Ron Hainsey – Cody Goloubef Ottawa Sun Sports Hockey Ottawa Senators Mike Reilly – Nikita Zaitsev Arizona (28-23-8) at Ottawa (18-27-11) Goaltending Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Canadian Tire Centre, TSN5, RDS2, TSN 1200 AM, Unique 94.5 FM Marcus Hogberg

SPECIAL TEAMS Craig Anderson

OTT: PP 14.5% (29th); PK 78.8% (20th) Coyotes Gameday Lines

ARI: PP 18.8% (21st); PK 82.8% (7th) Taylor Hall – Christian Dvorak – Conor Garland

THE BIG MATCHUP Lawson Crouse – Derek Stepan –

Brady Tkachuk vs. Taylor Hall Clayton Keller – Nick Schmaltz – Vinnie Hinostroza

The reality Tkachuk is a factor most nights for the Senators because he Carl Soderberg – Brad Richardson – Christian Fischer isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty and makes the plays necessary to help the club create offence. Defence

He always makes an impact and has become a force for this team most Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Ilya Lyubushkin nights. Jakob Chychrun – Alex Goligoski

Since being dealt to the Coyotes by the New Jersey Devils earlier this Jordan Oesterle – Niklas Hjalmarsson season, Hall has eight goals and 20 points in 24 games. The Senators need to make sure he’s held off the board if they’re going to have an Goaltending opportunity at success. Antti Raanta FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME Adin Hill 1. Stop the skid SICK BAY Coming off a 3-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche Tuesday on the road, the Senators have now lost six straight and have just two wins in their OTT: G Anders Nilsson last 18 games. The Senators will open a six-game homestand and need ARI: G Darcy Kuemper, D Jason Demers, D Oliver Ekman-Larsson to get back on track. There’s no question Ottawa had a strong effort against the Avs but, in the end they were just beaten by a better team. ALSO IN SPORTS

2. Stick with Hogberg Senators scoring slump continues in shutout loss to Avalanche

The Senators didn’t win Tuesday in Colorado, but allowed only two goals Back with a bang: Return of pro soccer to Ottawa headed by powerful on 35 shots against the Avs and deserves the opportunity to stay in the Spanish brand net. Coach D.J. Smith has stated several times this about developing young players and if that’s the case then Hogberg should be the starter WARREN’S PIECE: Hainsey’s advice to young Senators, comparing until Anders Nilsson returns. Let’s see what Hogberg can do carrying the Chabot and Makar, fond memories for Smith and counting calories ball here. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 02.13.2020 3. Where has all the offence gone?

The Senators struggle to score goals has been well-documented but they need some players to get out of their slumps and start contributing. While Anthony Duclair has gone 18 games without a goal, he’s hardly alone on that front. Connor Brown and Colin White haven’t scored in eight games while centre Chris Tienrey has gone six without a goal. All get the chance to create offence.

4. Ignore the noise

We’ve heard enough about the trade deadline being a distraction with 10 unrestricted free agents. The reality is a lot of these players may still be here after the deadline Feb. 24 because there may not be a landing spot for them on the market. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Dylan DeMelo have both drawn a lot of interest but we’ll see what happens with the rest of the players involved.

5. In a battle

The Coyotes are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Leafs Tuesday night in Toronto and had a day off in Ottawa Wednesday. Arizona had a goal called back before the Leafs scored the winner. The Coyotes are in a battle for the final wild card spot in the West and need every point the club can get. This is a big game for Arizona and Ottawa can play the role of spoiler.

Senators Gameday Lines 1171598 Ottawa Senators Why they made the trade: Playoff experience and a feisty defensive presence.

The end result: Burrows had a modest impact, scoring six goals and five TRADE DEADLINE: An in-depth look at Pierre Dorion's trade history with assists with the Senators in the run to the post-season and five assists in the Ottawa Senators the playoffs. The bigger issue was that the Senators gave him a two- year, $5 million contract extension, ultimately resulting in a buy-out.

Dahlen, meanwhile, has had a checkered start to his pro career. Ken Warren Unhappy playing in Utica of the AHL, he reportedly asked for a trade from the Canucks last season and was widely criticized by Canucks fans.

He got his wish by being moved to the San Jose Sharks. In 2019-20 When the late Bryan Murray officially stepped away from his job as Dahlen has been loaned to Timra, a second division team in Sweden, Ottawa Senators general manager in April, 2016, Pierre Dorion stepped where he has scored 25 goals and 38 assists in 43 games. up from his assistant general manager’s post to take on the role. Win, lose or draw: Draw, but if Dahlen becomes a quality NHL player, it It has been a rollercoaster ride for Dorion ever since. will become a loss.

With the Feb. 24 trade deadline fast approaching and with any number of Feb. 28, 2017: Acquired Viktor Stalberg from the Carolina Hurricanes for current Senators potentially on the move to continue the club’s rebuilding a third-round pick in 2017 draft (Evan Barratt). effort, Postmedia takes a step back to look at Dorion’s trade history. Why they made the trade: Speed and experience. June 24, 2016: Acquired 11th overall draft pick from New Jersey, in The end result: Stalberg’s offensive numbers weren’t great (two goals, exchange for 12th and 80th overall draft picks in the 2016 draft. two assists in 18 regular season games and two assists in 17 playoff Why they made the trade: Moving up in the first round was about games), but his blistering speed had an impact, especially while killing selecting 6-6 centre Logan Brown, with the hopes he could one day be a penalties. first-line pivot. Win, Lose or Draw: Win, but keep an eye on Barratt when he leaves The end result? Brown carries the promise of a being a standout power NCAA hockey. play presence, but the question is whether he has the speed to be a March 1, 2017: Acquired defenceman Jyrkki Jokipakka and a second- dominant NHL centre. Brown showed some flashes earlier this season, round draft pick in 2017 (Alex Formenton) for centre and scoring one goal and seven assists in 23 games. Now back in Belleville, defenceman Michael Kostka. he has seven goals and 21 assists in 23 AHL games. Why they made the trade: Rushed into full-time NHL duty years earlier, The Devils used the picks for centres Michael McLeod and Brandon former first round pick Lazar never earned the trust of new coach Guy Gignac, both playing with Binghamton in the AHL. McLeod has no goals Boucher, prompting a deal to get a tangible asset. and five assists in 26 NHL games. Gignac had no points in his lone NHL game. The end result: The prized return for the Senators was getting the speedy, edgy Formenton with a second-round selection. Formenton is in Win, Lose or Draw? Win…if Brown becomes an impact centre with the the midst of an outstanding rookie season with Belleville (22 goals and Senators. 20 assists in 48 games) and carries the promise of being a third line July 18th, 2016: Acquired centre Derick Brassard and a 2018 seventh- winger and penalty killing presence in the NHL. Lazar is trying to kick- round draft pick from New York Rangers (Luke Loheit) for Mika Zibanejad start his NHL career after bouncing between the NHL and AHL for the and a 2018 second-round draft pick (Jonatan Berggren). past two seasons.

Why they made the trade: Veteran experience at centre. Brassard Win, Lose or Draw: Win…if Formenton has a decent NHL career with brought with him decent offensive numbers and an impressive playoff Ottawa. pedigree at a modest salary. Zibanejad failed to take hold of the number November 5, 2017: Acquired Matt Duchene from the Colorado Avalanche one centre spot in 2015-16 and the Senators lost patience waiting for for Andrew Hammond, Kyle Turris, Shane Bowers, Senators conditional consistency to develop – especially with a bigger payday awaiting him. first-round pick (Bowen Byram) and a third-round selection in 2019 The end result: Brassard scored 32 goals and 45 assists in 139 regular (Matthew Stienburg). season games with Ottawa and he was pivotal in helping the Senators to Why they made the trade: Dreaming of another extended playoff run by the 2019 Eastern Conference final, scoring four goals and seven assists adding an offensive star, while also getting rid of Turris’ contract dispute in 19 playoff games. At first, Zibanejad’s inconsistencies followed him to and offloading Hammond’s contract. the Big Apple, but he has since evolved into a true number one centre. In 2018-19, he had 30 goals and 44 assists. Since returning from an early- The end result: A bad gamble that ultimately paved the way for the season concussion this season, he’s again delivering big numbers. The Senators current colossal rebuilding effort. The chemistry didn’t work. sleeper in the deal might be Berggren, who was drafted by the Red Duchene delivered numbers as a first line centre, but not nearly enough Wings after the Rangers flipped the second-round draft pick. victories. They slumped, falling well out of the playoff race in both 2017- 18 and 2018-19. Win, Lose or Draw?: Win. Zibanejad is a now a star, but would the Senators have made the playoffs in 2017 without Brassard? Colorado, which flipped Turris to Nashville for Samuel Girard, won the day. They’ve yet to reap all the benefits. Bowers, now with Colorado in November 2nd, 2016: Acquired goaltender Mike Condon from Pittsburgh the AHL, remains a prospect. Byram, currently with Vancouver of the for a 2017 fifth-round draft pick (Jan Drozg). WHL (26 goals, 45 assists in 2018-19), was taken with the fourth overall Why they made the trade: Goaltending emergency. Craig Anderson was selection in the 2019 draft and should be an impact NHL defenceman. on personal leave, helping his wife, Nicholle, in her battle with throat Win, Lose or Draw: Lose. The consolation? The Senators had the option cancer. Andrew Hammond was battling injuries and inconsistency and of giving their 2018 fourth overall choice to Colorado instead of the 2019 prospect Chris Driedger struggled in the spotlight. selection. They opted to keep the 2018 pick, taking Brady Tkachuk. The end result?: As Condon stopped puck after puck, he saved the Feb. 13, 2017: Acquired Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore from the Los season. He went 19-14-6 record, with 2.50 goals against average and Angeles Kings for Dion Phaneuf and Nate Thompson. .914 save percentage, keeping the Senators in a playoff position until Anderson returned. Why they made the trade: Salary dump. The Senators made the rare move of keeping 25 per cent of Phaneuf’s existing contract and taking on The following summer, Condon was rewarded with a three-year, $7.2 Gaborik’s contract to help the Kings with their salary cap issues. million extension. The end result: Gaborik still isn’t officially retired but while he remains on Win, Lose or Draw: Win…but the contract extension backfired due to the long-term injured list, he has helped the Senators stay about the Condon’s severe hip injuries. salary cap floor. Insurance covers 80 per cent of his salary. Phaneuf was Win, Lose or Draw: Win. Nilsson is a solid bridge to the next wave of bought out by the Kings last summer. younger netminders.

Win, Lose or Draw: Draw. Feb. 22, 2019: Acquired Vitaly Abramov, Jonathan Davidsson and a first- round pick (Lassi Thomson) from Columbus for Matt Duchene and Julius Feb 23, 2018: Acquired goaltender Filip Gustavsson, Ian Cole, 2018 first- Bergman. round draft pick, 2019 third-round draft pick from Pittsburgh Penguins, in exchange for Derick Brassard, Vincent Dunn and a 2018 third-round draft Why they made the trade: Duchene, a pending unrestricted free agent, pick. (Three days later, Senators traded Cole and to Columbus Blue didn’t fit into the rebuild and the Senators needed to recoup the first- Jackets for a 2020 third-round draft pick). round draft pick lost to Colorado in the previous Duchene deal.

Why they made the trade: Brassard didn’t factor into an extended rebuild The end result: It will take years to determine how much of an NHL and the Senators hope that Gustavsson can one day become a number impact Thomson and/or Abramov can have, but if Thomson grows into a one NHL goaltender. top four defenceman (see Bernard-Docker, above) and Abramov can score some goals in the NHL, the original Duchene deal might not look The end result? After a bumpy start to his AHL career last season and quite so disappointing. Duchene won a playoff round with Columbus last this, Gustavsson is gradually finding his game with Belleville. He was the season, but after signing a colossal contract with Nashville, he’s in AHL goaltender of the month in January and is currently battling Joey danger of missing the post season yet again. Daccord for playing time. Win, Lose or Draw: Draw. Like so many other recent trades, it’s all about Win, Lose or Draw? Win. The extra first-round draft pick allowed the whether there’s a future star in the package. Senators to choose defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker, a Canadian world junior star who could turn pro as soon as this summer. It will Feb. 23, 2019: Acquired Anthony Duclair, the Columbus for Blue Jackets’ become a bigger win if Gustavsson evolves into an NHL goaltender. second-round draft pick in 2020 and a second-round draft pick in 2021 for Ryan Dzingel and a seventh-round pick in 2019 (Tyler Angle). Clockwise: Erik Karlsson, Monika Caryk, Mike Hoffman and Melinda Karlsson. Postmedia Why they made the trade: Attempts to re-sign pending UFA Dzingel failed. June 19, 2018: Acquired Mikkel Boedker and Julius Bergman from San Jose for Mike Hoffman and Cody Donaghy. The end result: Duclair’s current scoring slump notwithstanding, it couldn’t have worked out better for the Senators. Duclair, given more Why they made the trade: Desperation. The bizarre cyber-bullying freedom with a new squad, made it to the All-Star Game. Dzingel, who scandal involving Hoffman’s girlfriend and Erik Karlsson’s wife meant ultimately signed a contract extension with Carolina, has been a recent there was no chance Hoffman could return. healthy scratch.

The end result?: The Senators were hoping to squeeze some offence out Win, Lose or Draw: Win. Once the additional draft picks are added in, the of Boedker, but his best days were behind him and he has been a Senators come out quite nicely. healthy scratch most of the season. Ultimately, the swap was about San Jose dumping Boedker’s remaining contract in return for Hoffman. In Feb. 26, 2019: Acquired Erik Brannstrom, Oscar Lindberg and a second- turn, the Sharks flipped Hoffman to the Florida Panthers for second, round pick in 2020 for and Tobias Lindberg. fourth and fifth-round picks in 2019. It raised questions about why the Senators couldn’t have made the same deal with Florida. Why they made the trade: Unable to sign Stone, a pending UFA, to a contract extension. Win, Lose or Draw: Lose. This was a no-win situation. The end result: It’s impossible to replace Stone, whose career in Ottawa Sept. 13, 2018: Acquired Rudolfs Balcers, Dylan DeMelo, Chris Tierney, should have included a stint as captain because of the talent, Josh Norris, a first-round draft selection in 2020 and a second-round pick commitment and leadership abilities that made everyone around him a in 2019 for Erik Karlsson and Francis Perron. better player. The Senators’ rebuild would be in a better place if they could have convinced Stone to stay around to lead it. Why they made the trade: A lingering Cold War between Karlsson and Senators ownership, coupled with Karlsson’s belief he could secure a Brannstrom struggled defensively and did little offensively after being better contract elsewhere and play for a Stanley Cup contender. pushed into the NHL too soon by the Senators earlier this season but he still carries the promise of being a flashy big-league defenceman. At The end result: At first, almost universal bitterness from the Senators fan times, he dominates with Belleville in the AHL, but the Senators are now base at not finding a way to keep the best player in franchise history. As wisely exercising patience with him. time goes on, though, the deal is looking better for Ottawa. DeMelo has established himself as a solid top four defenceman and Tierney as a third Win, Lose or Draw: Lose. Stone is irreplaceable. line centre and solid penalty killer. Balcers and Norris are part of the deep prospect pool in Belleville. Norris leads all AHL rookies in scoring. July 1, 2019: Acquired Connor Brown, Nikita Zaitsev and Michael Perhaps most significant of all is the pending first-round pick coming from Carcone from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Cody Ceci, Ben Harpur, Aaron slumping San Jose – with Ottawa in position to potentially land two top Luchuk and a third-round pick in 2020. five picks in the 2020 draft. Why they made the trade: The Senators couldn’t pay pending free agent Win, Lose or Draw: Lose. Trading away the two-time Norris Trophy Ceci and incoming coach D.J. Smith wanted familiar faces in the lineup. winner turned countless fans away from the organization. But it will be The end result: Zaitsev has hardly been spectacular but he has been worth re-visiting in years to come. The prospects received in return look better in his role than Ceci was. Brown would love to score more but his brighter by the day and the money saved by not signing Karlsson to a steady every game presence has made him the ideal role model for long-term deal helped secure Thomas Chabot and, possibly, the next Smith to sell his message. wave of young stars. Win, Lose or Draw: Win. Ceci had no future in Ottawa. Brown does. Jan 2, 2019: Acquired Anders Nilsson and Darren Archibald from Vancouver Canucks for Mike McKenna, Tom Pyatt and the Senators’ July 1, 2019: Acquired Artem Anisimov from Chicago Blackhawks for sixth-round pick in 2019 (Arturs Silovs). Zack Smith:

Why they made the trade: Desperate need for a proven NHL goaltender Why they made the trade: Salary swap. and to dump Pyatt’s salary. The end result: Anisimov struggled with injuries early but has since been The end result?: Nilsson, who had struggled in Vancouver, found his used to fill a void at centre. In an ideal world, he would be a fourth line groove with the Senators, providing stability with Craig Anderson and centre but has been moved up the lineup at times partly due to Colin Mike Condon injured. Nilsson was so solid, in fact, that the Senators White’s struggles. If the Senators could somehow find a taker at the trade secured him to a two-year contract extension last summer. If Nilsson deadline, they would jump at the chance. The Senators lost a popular recovers from his concussion, he and Marcus Hogberg will be the voice in the dressing room with the departure of Smith. Senators tandem in 2020-21. Win, Lose or Draw?: Draw. July 30, 2019: Acquired Ryan Callahan and a fifth-round pick in 2020 from Tampa Bay Lightning for Mike Condon and the Senators sixth-round pick in 2020.

Why they made the trade: To dump Condon’s remaining salary.

The end result: Callahan’s career is over due to injuries but by taking on his remaining salary (again, insurance covers most of that while he’s on long-term disability), the Lightning took Condon’s contract off the Senators’ hands. Condon, who has battled severe hip problems for the better part of two years, is currently with Syracuse in the AHL.

Win, lose or draw?: Draw.

October 7, 2019: Acquired Vladislav Namestnikov from New York Rangers for Nick Ebert.

Why they made the deal: After major early-season struggles, the Senators were desperate for NHL experience at forward.

The end result: Namestnikov had instant success with the Senators but has since settled into a serviceable role on the second and third lines, without flash. If any NHL team is offering up any kind of draft pick for him at the trade deadline, the Senators should jump at the chance.

Win, Lose or Draw: Win. The Senators filled a temporary hole in the lineup.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171599 Ottawa Senators Pageau’s playoff performance when Ottawa went to the conference final three years ago spoke to the player he is.

What teams could benefit from a player like that, or have already shown Salvian and LeBrun: What should the Ottawa Senators do with Jean- interest? Gabriel Pageau? Salvian: Any team that is hoping to contend for a Stanley Cup and needs to add some depth through the middle, or add a player who can contribute at even strength or even short-handed. Of his 21 goals this By Hailey Salvian and Pierre LeBrun Feb 12, 2020 21 season, 16 have come at 5-on-5, and 3 short-handed. Pageau makes an impact in all three zones and can be relied on to play up and down the

lineup. I believe there will be no shortage of interest in him. Pierre, what As the NHL season moves on into February, the Ottawa Senators are teams do you think would be a match? starting to get closer to a crucial time in the organization. And it’s not the Lebrun: The Oilers and the Islanders are teams who I believe have Stanley Cup playoffs. interest but they’re hardly alone. The Bruins and Flames covet a right- The Senators own two first-round picks (their own plus San Jose’s) in the shot, top-six forward although a winger would fit better. The Flyers are June Draft, along with three second-round picks and a high third-rounder. looking for forward help and could be a player if they feel centre Nolan If they play their cards right – and the ping pong balls land in their favour Patrick won’t be a factor this season due to an injury, although he’s – the draft could dramatically change the team’s trajectory. skating of late so that might be a good sign, we’ll see.

More picks could be on the way too with ten pending unrestricted free Edmonton won’t overspend on a rental. There’s zero chance the Oilers agents like Craig Anderson, Ron Hainsey, Dylan DeMelo, Mark would hand over a straight-up first-round pick for Pageau if that’s indeed Borowiecki and more. what Sens GM Pierre Dorion ends up asking for. Oilers GM Ken Holland can’t do that. Now if you make the first-round pick conditional on However, the most coveted and intriguing UFA is Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Edmonton reaching the Western Conference final, for example, meaning the pick wouldn’t be higher than No. 28, well now you’re talking about a Pageau is in the midst of a career-year with the Senators, setting a new realistic possibility from Edmonton’s point of view, except that Ottawa milestone with 21 goals through 54 games, and 34 points, nine shy of his wouldn’t likely bite on that. The Senators would want a firmer return. former career-high. The rental market isn’t deep at the centre position, which places Pageau pretty high on the list of the most sought-after I know that in the wake of the Connor McDavid injury news, people on players on the market. Up there, or even on par with the New York Twitter were quick to point to Edmonton’s rumoured interest in Pageau, Rangers’ Chris Kreider. but if anything the injury to No. 97 would make Holland more cautious and prudent in making a trade because he needs to see if his team will The word has been that the Senators’ preference is to re-sign Pageau, hang in there without McDavid before he decides whether or not he can however, if they can get that done remains to be seen. There are many be a buyer. different ways this situation will play out as the trade deadline quickly approaches (in two weeks!). The Isles make all kinds of sense fit-wise, although I bet that GM Lou Lamoriello would prefer a hockey deal for a centre with term. For To discuss the Senators’ options, The Athletic NHL’s Pierre LeBrun and example, should a centre like Adam Henrique become available in The Athletic Ottawa’s Hailey Salvian got together for a mini-roundtable to Anaheim, a player Lamoriello knows from his New Jersey days, that analyze what Ottawa could and should do with Pageau. would probably appeal to him. At the end of the day, Dorion is going to Have you heard anything new about a contract extension for Pageau? have to evaluate his best possible trade offer versus what it’s going to cost to re-sign Pageau. Just like the Rangers will have to figure that out Pierre LeBrun: As of Tuesday afternoon, I was told that there still had not with fellow pending UFA Chris Kreider. been a veritable contract offer for Pageau to look at. It appears this is going to go down to the wire. This is how it played out on Mark Stone a Salvian: Your point about the McDavid injury is interesting and important. year ago. A contract offer was eventually made, which was rejected, I think there has been some speculation now too with Nazem Kadri going leading to the trade with Vegas. What’s interesting is that the same down in Colorado that they could also be a trade target. However, Kadri agency, Newport Sports, represents both Stone and Pageau as well as should be back in a few weeks, and while he is an important piece in Erik Karlsson. Don Meehan’s group has some recent and relevant history Colorado, I don’t believe he would unravel their playoff hopes in the with the Senators on this type of situation. Which, by the way, should not same way McDavid’s injury could in Edmonton. I don’t expect the be discounted. Avalanche to rush into anything or overpay for another depth centre.

Hailey Salvian: Last month, our colleague Chris Stevenson was co- What could the Senators get in return for Pageau? hosting on TSN1200 radio, and asked Senators GM Pierre Dorion about LeBrun: You saw what the Penguins gave up for Jason Zucker on the state of negotiations. Dorion replied that he would talk with some Monday night but the key there is that the winger is signed for another UFAs, and that “you can do contracts fairly quickly.” With just two weeks three years after this season. Penguins GM Jim Rutherford wasn’t giving until the deadline, if Dorion does want to sign Pageau, he’s putting that up a first-round pick and a top prospect for a rental player. Only two first- timeline to the test. round picks were traded for pending UFAs in the one month leading up to What does Pageau bring to the table? trade deadline last year: in the Kevin Hayes and Matt Duchene deals. Like Pageau, Hayes is a centre and the Rangers did well in getting a Salvian: Pageau is the type of player any team hoping to make a first-round pick plus Brendan Lemieux. So it’s not unrealistic for the postseason run should covet. He’s a right-handed centre who’s already Senators to at least ask for a first-round pick, or perhaps a second-round scored 21 goals this season – with only two of them coming on the power pick plus a prospect. I mean, Dorion did really well in flipping pending play. He plays hard in every zone and is a fixture on both the Senators’ UFA winger Ryan Dzingel to Columbus at the deadline last year for two penalty kill and power play. second-round picks plus reclamation project Anthony Duclair. In theory, He’s averaging almost 19 minutes a game in all situations, wins around he should do as well, if not better for Pageau based on the fact he’s a 53 percent of his faceoffs and contributes timely goals (four game- centre. winners this year). He often matches up against opponents’ top lines and Salvian: I’m curious to see what Dorion does if he cannot get a first-round is very responsible in his own zone. Pageau would be an excellent depth pick for Pageau. If, as you say, teams aren’t as willing to part with first- centre for a team hoping to add at the deadline and make a run for a rounders, perhaps Pageau is more valuable to the Senators than Stanley Cup. whatever they could get in return. Head coach D.J. Smith has called the LeBrun: I spoke with a GM on Tuesday who said he felt Pageau’s career- 27-year-old centre “arguably our best player.” And, when he missed two best offensive numbers this season were misleading because he games before the All-Star break in January, he was visibly missed. After wouldn’t be able to duplicate that on most contenders because he’d be a 4-2 loss to the Golden Knights, one of the games Pageau missed, slotted in the 3C role. I’ve had a few team executives make that point to Connor Brown called his linemate “the heart and soul, the glue of this me on Pageau. But the GM in question very much liked the player’s club.” Do you give someone like that up for less than a first-round pick? compete level, felt he played bigger than his size and liked his versatility. Maybe not. If the Senators were to re-sign Pageau, what would a fair contract extension be?

LeBrun: Term will be key. Pageau is 27. This is his most important contract. You don’t want to come back up around 30 looking for a new deal. Teams are hammering away on age regression. If I’m Pageau’s camp, I’m keying hard on five years in length at least. His expiring deal carries a $3.1-million AAV although his actual salary is $3.4 million. He’s got 21 goals on one of the bottom-ranked teams in the league. He may even get some Selke votes. Obviously, he’s due for a raise. But in exchange for term, you have to be reasonable as to how big that raise will be. Does five years at a $4.5-million cap hit get it done? I think that’s a fair deal.

Salvian: I think that is a fair deal, too. However, the concern with a five- year term would be with the young centres coming up in the organization. Four, even three years from now, the Senators could realistically have Colin White, Josh Norris, Shane Pinto and Logan Brown ready up the middle. Potentially add Chris Tierney – who is an RFA this summer – and maybe another prospect from the draft to the mix and where is the space for Pageau? The Senators don’t want to be in a position where a 30- year-old Pageau is taking a roster spot from a prospect. Therefore, signing him to a long-term deal may not be conducive to their rebuilding plan. At the same time though, having a veteran like Pageau would be good for the prospects to learn the ropes.

I’d probably opt for more of a bridge deal at three years, where Pageau could provide some insolation while the younger players start to hit their stride at the NHL level. But as you mentioned Pierre, Pageau doesn’t want to be 30 and looking for another contract. Term will likely be where the two sides bump heads.

To conclude, what should Ottawa do with Pageau?

LeBrun: As I said earlier, what you do is run this whole thing on parallel tracks: you push on the contract on one side and continue to evaluate the trade offers on the other. Then you determine which scenario most benefits the team. If the Senators can fetch a low first-round pick and a prospect, I’m trading Pageau. If the best possible trade offer falls below that, I’m grinding away at getting the extension done.

Salvian: I spoke to a few weeks back and he said, the general manager’s “master has to be the good of the organization.” If Dorion and the Senators are offered something that is a significant uptick in the team’s benefit, then the move may be to trade Pageau. But if the market isn’t going to offer up something that makes the deal worth it, get the extension done for the local-product and fan favourite.

If he re-signs, he is going to be a good middle-six veteran who can play in all situations and could teach young prospects a lot. If he does get traded, we should assume it’s for a solid return. It’s hard to imagine the Senators lose either way.

The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171600 Philadelphia Flyers “Since I’ve been in the league, it’s been that way,” said Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen, who is in his 13th NHL season. “There’s not a defined minute in the third period when you start doing that. It might be different for each team, depending on where you’re at. But there’s a If the Flyers make the playoffs, they can thank the NHL’s silly points point, for sure, that your mindset switches. ‘We’ll take an offensive system | Mike Sielski chance, but …’ ”

The result has been a predictable trend: It’s no longer unusual for 20- 25% of a team’s games to be decided in either 3-on-3 overtime or by Mike Sielski shootouts, and those artifices — neither of which is used in the postseason — are often the determining factors in whether a team qualifies for the postseason. If the Flyers’ coaches and players took Tuesday night’s loss to the Islanders harder than they do most losses, if their quotes were a little Look at the Eastern Conference standings. Entering Wednesday night’s more somber and serious, their faces all hangdogs, there was a good slate of games, six teams were clustered between 66 and 72 points, and reason. each of them had played between 11 and 17 games that ended after regulation. When defenseman Ryan Pulock stepped into a slap shot and ripped the puck over the right shoulder of Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott for the “Our players right now are looking at the standings,” Flyers coach Alain winning goal, with 41 seconds left in regulation, in the Islanders’ 5-3 Vigneault said. “They know it’s a battle. It’s a battle every night for victory, it cost the Flyers more than a chance to beat an intradivisional points.” rival. It cost them a commodity so valuable that it drives teams’ thinking So teams become more homogenous and conservative in their styles of and strategy throughout the NHL. play in the name of chasing those all-important points. The overall It cost them a point in the standings. One point. strengths and weaknesses that might separate teams over a full season are de-emphasized because so many clubs are content to have their By winning the game in regulation, the Islanders picked up two points fates determined largely by processes and outcomes that often come and, more importantly, kept the Flyers from picking up any. That might down to randomness, a couple of skilled players, and luck. not sound like much, but in the NHL, it’s everything — or, at least, teams treat it like it’s everything. The Carolina Hurricanes, for instance, who have 67 points, have won 10 of their 13 games that have ended tied in regulation. Those 10 extra The Islanders now have 72 points this season and are in third place in points, from overtime and shootout wins, are keeping the ‘Canes in the the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers have 69 points, are in fifth place in playoff race. The Flyers, who have a notoriously lousy history in the Metropolitan, and are clinging to the second of the Eastern shootouts, have reversed that fortune some this season: They’ve won Conference’s two wild-card berths. Three points doesn’t sound like much. nine of their 16 OT/shootout games. Those nine victories matter a lot, but But in the NHL, three points is huge. Three points can be an ocean. what matters more is that the Flyers have gotten points in all 16 of those games. Islanders center Mathew Barzal reacting after teammate Ryan Pulock scored with 41 seconds left in regulation Tuesday night, lifting New York The system has served them well this season. They were 41 seconds to a 5-3 win over the Flyers. away Tuesday night from getting another point. It might not have seemed like much. They know better. Three points doesn’t look or feel like an ocean to anyone perusing the standings, of course. But it is, and players and coaches around the Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 02.13.2020 league know it. The NHL’s system for determining how teams collect points and earn spots in its postseason tournament is so cockamamie, geared toward artificially propping up teams and ginning up and maintaining interest in the regular season and early rounds of the playoffs, that it warps both the standings themselves and the manner in which teams play.

It’s strained. It’s silly. And it might just get the Flyers into the postseason.

Let’s go back in time a bit to explain. After the 1999-2000 season, the NHL adopted a new rule: If a game was tied at the end of regulation, each team was guaranteed a point. The teams would play a 4-on-4 overtime period. If the game was still deadlocked, it ended in a tie. If one team won in OT, it earned two points, but the losing team still earned one.

Then, coming out of the lockout that wiped out the 2004-05 season, the league tweaked the formula again, eliminating ties altogether. If tied after 60 minutes, the two teams would play a five-minute, 3-on-3 overtime period. If neither scored during overtime, a shootout would determine which team won the game and earned the all-important second point.

On the surface, all has been well. A 3-on-3 overtime period can make for thrilling hockey — all that open space, so many scoring chances — and fans seem to love the shootout. But as often happens with radical change in any large institution, there have been some unintended consequences to this new system.

Over time, teams began to direct themselves toward achieving one goal: assuring themselves of at least one point in any game. If the score is tied late in the third period, why push to score the winning goal in regulation when, in doing so, you might open yourself up to an odd-man rush, lose the game before overtime, and get nothing for your trouble?

The NHL's point system has encouraged teams to become more conservative. "Since I've been in the league," Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen said, "it's been that way."

The NHL's point system has encouraged teams to become more conservative. "Since I've been in the league," Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen said, "it's been that way." 1171601 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers bemoan defense not getting it done in the clutch vs. Islanders

by Ed Barkowitz,

NEW YORK — Maybe James van Riemsdyk should have blocked it. Maybe Brian Elliott should have saved it. The laser that Ryan Pulock blew past everybody was worth one game-winning goal on the stat sheet and two very important points in the standings.

Blocked shots played big parts in the Flyers’ most recent wins. On Tuesday night, that big defensive play when they needed it never materialized.

The Flyers nearly were run out of the Barclays Center with a sloppy first period that saw the Islanders jump to a 3-0 lead, thanks to several defensive breakdowns. The most-glaring was Phil Myers and Travis Sanheim being caught on a rush that resulted in Scott Laughton being the only defender on a two-on-one.

The result was as predictable as the wide-open net into which Matt Martin scored.

It took the Flyers until 92 seconds remained to finally get it tied. It would have been a terrific point to get, even had they lost in overtime or a shootout.

“The first period probably cost us the game,” said Sean Couturier, whose goal in the waning minutes tied it.

“Heck of an effort battling back,” defenseman Matt Niskanen said. “We had a pretty awful first, a pretty darn good second two periods, then we just [dribbled] one down our leg at the end.”

Colorful metaphors aside, this was the third game in the last four in which the Flyers have given up the first goal. It’s been a problem in spurts during this otherwise resurgent season. Philadelphia entered Tuesday’s games minus-14 in first-period goal differential, last in the league.

Their third-period differential was plus-21, tops in the league. Go figure.

“We didn’t come ready to play,” Travis Konecny said. “[But] the bench was pretty confident the whole game ... trusting that the process and system would pay off in the end, which it almost did there.”

They just could have used one more play.

“Unfortunately they got that fourth goal where we need either a save or a blocked shot,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “I talked about the importance [Monday] of blocked shots. We had an opportunity to get one there and we didn’t. We lost a big point tonight.”

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171602 Philadelphia Flyers Metropolitan Division if they had recorded a regulation win over the Islanders.

Instead, they suffered one of their most painful losses of the season. Flyers try to rebound from devastating loss as Florida Panthers “We just have to forget about the outcome of this game,” Konecny said. defenseman (sort of) guarantees win in rematch But can they? Will they?

Stay tuned. by Sam Carchidi, Breakaways

Hart has a 1.65 goals-against average and .941 save percentage at SUNRISE, Fla. — After it was over, after a stunning ending had negated home. His road numbers: a 4.01 GAA and an .850 save percentage. … the Flyers’ hard-working, three-goal comeback, you could hear the Konecny leads the Flyers with 19 goals, while Couturier paces the team anguish in the players’ voices. with 50 points and a plus-20 rating. ... The Flyers’ power play is a “It’s a tough one to swallow right now,” right winger Travis Konecny said combined 0-for-7 over the last two games. “We’re getting good looks and a few minutes after Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders in creating momentum even when we don’t score,” Konecny said. ... Claude Brooklyn. Giroux has totaled six points over his last three games. …The Flyers are tied for eighth in the NHL with a 51.6 percent Corsi rating (even-strength The Flyers had pulled their goalie for an extra attacker and tied the score shot differential), while Florida is 16th (49.6 percent). at 3-3 on Sean Couturier’s goal with 92 seconds left only to lose on defenseman Ryan Pulock’s long tracer that sailed past goalie Brian Elliott Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 02.13.2020 with 41 seconds remaining.

“The first period,” Couturier said, “cost us the game.”

The Flyers, their defense abandoning Elliott, fell into a 3-0 hole in the opening period. They entered Wednesday with a minus-14 goal differential in the first period this season, tied with New Jersey and Ottawa for the worst in the NHL. (Conversely, the Flyers’ plus-21 goal differential in the third period is tops in the league.)

Islanders left wing (27) and right wing Jordan Eberle (7) react as Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott watches the puck roll out of the crease after Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (not shown) scored the go- ahead goal during the third period on Tuesday.

Still, they soundly outplayed the Isles over most of the second and third periods and appeared on their way to picking up a much-needed point, or two, before a dominating Islanders shift at the end.

“I didn’t pick it up in time,” Elliott said of Pulock’s game-winner. “It’s frustrating. The guys battled back to at least secure an extra point. For it to end like that ...”

Elliott slams his stick in disgust

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) February 12, 2020

“We have to quickly forget this one and move on,” Couturier said. “There’s still a lot of hockey left.”

Twenty five games to be exact. The next two games, tough road matchups against Florida and surging Tampa Bay, will show the Flyers’ mettle as they try to rebound from a devastating defeat.

Goalie Carter Hart, who has been dominating at home (14-2-2 record) and awful on the road (2-9-1) figures to start at least one of the next two road games.

On Thursday, the Flyers will be facing a Florida team that lost, 4-1, Monday at the Wells Fargo Center. Hart, in his return after missing nine games because of an abdominal strain, made 30 saves in that win and outplayed Sergei Bobrovsky.

After that game, Florida defenseman MacKenzie Weegar sort of guaranteed the Panthers would win the rematch.

“We can say we didn’t bear down on our chances,” Weegar, 26, said about Monday’s loss, “but it’s good to see them in a few days, and we’ll take back our two points.”

Sean Couturier (14) scores a game-tying goal against New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (40) during the third period on Tuesday.

KATHY WILLENS / AP

Sean Couturier (14) scores a game-tying goal against New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (40) during the third period on Tuesday.

The Flyers hold the second wild-card spot in the crowded Eastern Conference playoff race. They could have moved into third place in the 1171603 Philadelphia Flyers

With Travis Sanheim set to face Sergei Bobrovsky again, here are other goalies the Flyers have tortured

by Ed Barkowitz,

What is it with you and Sergei Bobrovsky?

Sanheim has played in 188 games in his three seasons and has scored 19 goals. Six of those goals have come against Bobrovsky in eight career games. Sure, it’s too small of a sample size to make any sweeping conclusions, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.

“I wish I knew,” the 23-year-old defenseman said on Monday, following his latest goal against Bobrovsky, a former Flyer in his first season with the Florida Panthers after seven with Columbus.

The 11 goalies Sanheim has beaten for his 19 goals include three Vezina winners (Bobrovsky, Henrik Lundqvist, Tuukka Rask), three Jennings winners for fewest goals allowed in a season (Frederik Andersen, Jaroslav Halak, Robin Lehner), and two-time Stanley Cup winner Matt Murray.

When Sanheim scored on Monday, it was the first time he’d done so against Bobrovsky in a game the Flyers had won. They previously were 0-4-3 when both played. Given how tight the playoff chase is, the Flyers need the victory more than the continuation of this odd trend when they play at Florida on Thursday (7 p.m., NBCSP).

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171604 Philadelphia Flyers

Ex-Flyers center Jeremy Roenick out at NBC over lewd comments

by Rob Tornoe,

Former Flyers center Jeremy Roenick is out at NBC Sports following lewd comments he made on a Barstool Sports podcast.

Roenick, who had been suspended from the network over the remarks since December, said in a video posted on Twitter Tuesday afternoon he was “disappointed and angry” that he won’t return to his role at NBC Sports as an NHL analyst on the network’s pre- and postgame shows. Along with the video, Roenick added, “What a Joke!!”

“Though I’m disappointed, I am also grateful I’ve had the opportunity to share my love, my passion, my knowledge of the game with million of people, millions of fans,” Roenick said. “Even though I’m leaving NBC, I won’t be gone for long. I’ll be back better and more motivated to bring you the best entertainment and the best that I have for the game of hockey.”

What a Joke!! pic.twitter.com/Evis1XR2cD

— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) February 12, 2020

An NBC spokesperson confirmed Roenick would not be returning to the network, but declined to say if he was fired. Roenick did not respond to a request for comment.

Roenick was suspended in December after an appearance on the Barstool Sports podcast Spittin’ Chiclets, where he suggested he would be open to sleeping with NBC Sports studio host after the two went on a summer vacation in Portugal with Roenick’s wife, Tracy. Roenick said he was approached by at least one person who asked if the trio were together.

He also described Tappen and his wife as “blond bombshells” and added, “If you’re gonna go with two blondes, go someplace in the summer where the pool is out.” But Roenick also praised Tappen as one of “the most professional sports personalities” he has ever worked with.

“While Jeremy and I continue to be good friends, what he said was unacceptable, especially among workplace colleagues. I do not condone his comments," Tappen said in a statement at the time.

Roenick apologized for making the comments, saying in a video message shared on Twitter last month he didn’t mean to offend and “definitely went too far."

“I’ve called everybody involved and I’m so thankful for their loving and gracious acceptance of my apology, and that includes my family and friends," Roenick said. “I will make sure, in the future, that I’m mindful of people’s feelings, the sensitivities of my coworkers and of all you, my loving fans. I hope to see you on air soon. I hope you can accept my apologies."

Roenick retired in 2009 after 20 seasons in the NHL, three with the Flyers. Since then, he has worked as a TV analyst, and had been with NBC Sports since 2010.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171605 Philadelphia Flyers Bouwmeester held one of the longest ironman streaks in NHL history with 737 consecutive regular-season games played until a lower-body injury in 2014. He missed time in 2015-16 with a concussion, and a hip injury ended his 2017-18 season. St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester undergoing tests after cardiac episode on bench He played all but four games last year and hadn’t missed a game this season.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 02.13.2020 by Joe Reedy, Associated Press,

ANAHEIM, Calif. — St. Louis defenseman Jay Bouwmeester was hospitalized and undergoing tests early Wednesday after suffering a cardiac episode and collapsing on the bench during the first period of the Blues’ game against the Ducks.

The team said in a statement late Tuesday night that the 36-year-old Bouwmeester was conscious and alert. Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said Bouwmeester was awake, alert and moving his arms and legs as he was transported from the arena.

The Blues were supposed to fly to Las Vegas, where they are scheduled to play Thursday, but remained in Southern California over night. The team is expected to provide an update on Bouwmeester's condition Wednesday morning.

“Thankfully, with the quick response of our medical trainers, Anaheim medical trainers and their team physicians, they were able to stabilize Jay,” Armstrong said.

The hockey community sent tweets of support as word of the episode spread throughout the NHL.

Washington Capitals forward and former teammate T.J. Oshie wrote “Praying for Bo!” while teams around the league sent out best wishes.

Teammates Vince Dunn and Alex Pietrangelo immediately called for help after Bouwmeester slumped over with 7:50 left in the first period. After a couple of minutes, Bouwmeester was taken out on a stretcher through a tunnel next to the Blues bench and transported to an Orange County hospital.

Wow. Here’s the video of Bouwmeester fainting on the bench.. wishing him the best. #STLBlues pic.twitter.com/hCVP0IcyJC

— STLSportsCentral (@stlsportscntrl) February 12, 2020

Bouwmeester appeared to be grabbing a drink of water when he began to slowly fall. Emergency medical personnel rushed to the Blues bench. Bouwmeester was skating in his 57th game this season and the 1,241st of his NHL career. He skated 1:20 in his last shift before collapsing and logged 5:34 of ice time in the game.

St. Louis’ radio announcer Chris Kerber said during an interview with the team’s station that a defibrillator was used.

Bouwmeester's father was at the game as part of the team's annual Dads Trip. He went with his son to the hospital while teammates and their fathers remained at the arena awaiting updates.

Ducks and Blues players gathered to see what was wrong before Bouwmeester was taken away. The teams then went to their dressing rooms, and the game was called off a few minutes later tied at 1.

Players from both teams met for hugs and well-wishes after changing out of their gear. The game will be made up at a later date.

The last player to collapse on an NHL bench was Dallas forward Rich Peverley in 2014. Peverley had an irregular heartbeat, and the quick response of emergency officials made sure he was OK.

The NHL has pages of emergency medical standards that spell out in specific detail that at least two doctors must be in attendance for every game and one must be within 50 feet of the bench. A defibrillator, which was used when Detroit’s Jiri Fischer collapsed in 2005, must be available, along with a triage room and ambulances.

Bouwmeester is in his 17th NHL season and has for that time been known for his strong skating and conditioning. He helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup last season and won an Olympic gold medal with Canada in 2014.

The Blues signed the veteran defenseman to a $3.25 million, one-year deal for this season. 1171606 Philadelphia Flyers they take care of business the rest of the way and continue to play well against the division (10-4-4 vs. the Metro), they'll be fine.

“You’ve got to win to make the playoffs. It doesn’t matter who you play, Debating the NHL playoff format as Flyers fight for spot in crowded you’ve got to win," Jakub Voracek said this week. "I kind of miss that standings format — 1-8, 2-7, 3-6, I don’t know how many years ago it was, but I kind of enjoyed that format a little bit more. I understand the league’s perspective, they want to have rivalries in the playoffs. Pittsburgh against Washington, they’ve played each other how many times over the past By Brooke Destra, Katie Emmer, Jordan Hall February 12, 2020 9:40 PM few years? I don’t know about the other guys, but I prefer one through eight. It is what it is. Like I said, you’ve got to win to make the playoffs.”

Going End to End today are NBC Sports Philadelphia's Brooke Destra, The format of the top three teams in each division along with two wild- Katie Emmer and Jordan Hall. card teams is fine. But then, the second- and third-place teams of each division shouldn't have to square off in the first round. Instead, go by The topic: Debating the NHL playoff format as the Flyers fight for a spot point totals for the seeds. It would avoid top-heavy second-round in a crowded standings. matchups, would give the best seeds the most favorable chances and would reward regular-season work. Destra The parity, drama and intensity will always be there in the Stanley Cup No matter which way you look at it, there’s always going to be some sort Playoffs. of divide when it comes to opinions on a playoff format. And regardless, not one way will ever be deemed as perfect. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.13.2020 Now, it seems like the current structure isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t flaws within it.

There was nothing wrong with the old format and it should’ve stayed the same when the number of divisions condensed from six to four prior to the start of the 2013-14 season. The idea of having the best team from each division followed by the six best remaining in the conference — regardless of their division — making the playoffs makes an unbelievable amount of sense.

But since I have absolutely no pull whatsoever, I’ve come to accept the current structure. Maybe this season is just a little more frustrating given the talent in the East and half of the top 10 teams in the league are currently in the Metro.

Emmer

Since the wild-card concept was added in the 2013-14 season, I’ve really enjoyed the way the NHL playoffs have played out (pun intended).

At the end of each regular season, the wild card is a benefit to teams that aren’t in the top three of their respective division. It’s not the most glamorous circumstance for the WC teams to take on the top team in their decided division for the first round, but it still makes for some entertaining hockey.

Going back to last season for example, all four wild-card teams (East WC1 Carolina, East WC2 Columbus, West WC1 Dallas, West WC2 Colorado) beat the top teams in their designated division to make it on to the second round. The craziest series was Tampa Bay-Columbus. The Lightning had the most points in the league last season (128) and ended up getting blanked in four games to the Blue Jackets to end their season.

Anything is possible in the playoffs and the wild card only accentuates that.

Now specifically for the Flyers this year, the wild card is obviously a good thing and very well could benefit them at the end of the regular season.

We all know how skilled and competitive the Metropolitan Division has been in 2019-20. For example, teams like the Capitals, who are on pace for around 109 to 110 points, Penguins, Islanders and Blue Jackets are all tough teams to compete with this season. That being said, the Flyers have the biggest chance at making it to the postseason with a wild-card spot.

In hopes that they get there, the wild card could also grant them an opportunity at making an upset like those teams were able to pull off last year, but I won’t get too far ahead of myself.

Hall

At the All-Star break, the Flyers were in sixth place of the Metropolitan Division but would have been in first place of the Pacific Division.

Such is life with four divisions. There's a chance one could be loaded and another not so much. There should be no problem with that.

Unfortunately for the Flyers, the Metropolitan Division happens to be the deepest in hockey this season. The Flyers are projected to finish with around 98 points and could be on the outside looking in at the playoffs. If 1171607 Philadelphia Flyers Between the Flyers, Blue Jackets, Islanders, Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs there are only spots for four of them in either the wild card or third place in their respective divisions.

Flyers role in tight playoff race ‘feels different’ this year That means the margin of error is still slim for the Flyers, but it’s not as dire a situation as it has been in recent years…even after losing a gut- wrenching game to the Islanders.

Dave Isaac, NHL WriterPublished 2:50 p.m. ET Feb. 12, 2020 “It’s unfortunate we at least lose a point and come out of here with no points,” Sean Couturier said Tuesday night. “We need to quickly forget

this one and move on. This time of year, you can’t really sit back and NEW YORK — For the past several years it was a frantic rush just to regret on these games. You gotta just move on and win the next game.” give themselves a sliver of a shot. The Flyers’ “playoffs” usually began in Courier-Post LOADED: 02.13.2020 January because they dug a hole so deep that they had to go on a few win streaks and catch fire just to climb out of the hole and sneak into one of the last legitimate postseason spots in three of the last six seasons.

“It feels different (this year),” Travis Konecny said. “We’re definitely right there and there is that different energy in the locker room right now. It’s not like we believe…we know we belong in there and it’s just a matter of doing everything we’re told each and every night and buying in. We’ve got the group to do that.”

Even after losing a heartbreaker to the New York Islanders Tuesday night, the Flyers remain in the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Head coach Alain Vigneault, in his first season with the Flyers, has vowed for a while now that his team will have its postseason ticket punched when the regular season ends on April 4.

“I think our players right now, just like we’re doing and just like you’re doing, are looking at the standings,” Vigneault said the other day. “They know that it’s a battle and it’s a battle every night for points.”

Joel Quenneville recognizes that battle as well, the coach who the Flyers courted heavily last season and some in the organization were convinced he had agreed to come behind their bench last December. Quenneville ultimately said no and joined the Florida Panthers last April.

The former Blackhawks coach, who won three Stanley Cups in parts of 11 seasons in Chicago, hadn’t coached an Eastern Conference team until this year, when the threshold to get into the playoffs seems higher than ever.

Never in the NHL has a team that’s gotten 100 points not qualified for the playoffs, a statistic that’s in jeopardy this year. After their regulation loss to the Islanders, the Flyers are on pace for 99.26 points by the time the season ends, a total they haven’t reached since they racked up 103 in 2011-12.

“The East is as good as it’s been in a long time,” Quenneville said. “In Chicago we felt we were in the toughest division in the conference for a long time there. I think the it’s (trending), it’s starting to be at least balanced or over weighted to the East because the West had their turn. The East has probably had its strongest year in a while. You look at the numbers and what it’s gonna take to get in, it’ll probably be as high as we’ve seen and that’s what we have to strive for.”

The Flyers beat the Panthers Monday at home and will face them again Thursday in Florida. Then it’s a date with the surging Tampa Bay Lightning, winners of eight straight, on Saturday.

While that’s a tall order, the Flyers don’t have to live and die by every result these days. At least not yet. They were scoreboard watching this time last year hoping that multiple teams fell out of the race just to give them a shot. These days they can look up at the out-of-town scoreboard from the bench with a little less panic.

“I probably check it more (when we’re winning),” Scott Laughton said. “When you lose, you don’t look at the NHL site after that game. It’s so tight right now. The Metro(polytan Divison) is so good, it’s tough to pick up points and gain ground. If we continue at this pace, something’s got to give.”

It might be the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team the Flyers have a home- and-home with after they return from Florida next week. The Blue Jackets were already down All-Star goalie Joonas Korpisalo and veteran center Brandon Dubinsky for a while. This week they lost their No. 1 defenseman, Seth Jones, for eight to 10 weeks after surgery to repair a broken ankle and Wednesday it was announced that winger Cam Atkinson will miss two or three weeks with a sprained ankle. 1171608 Pittsburgh Penguins “This is an amazing night, probably one of the most unique events of all the fundraisers,” he said. “It is about celebrating with the Penguins do in the community. It’s a commitment with our partners and our fans, which is really, really exciting.” Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation Night of Assists sparkles with disco theme In the crowd, we spotted Penguins chief executive officer, , emcee Dan Potash of AT&T Sportsnet, Bob and Lisa Pompeani, Alby Oxenreiter, Trib Total Media president and CEO Jennifer Bertetto with husband Keith, Jeff Buss and Anthony Braun. JOANNE KLIMOVICH HARROP | Thursday, February 13, 2020 12:14 a.m. Live painter Kait Schoeb, formerly of Baldwin, who lives in Seattle, Wash., auctioned off four pieces, including one of hoisting

the Stanley Cup. Instead of Saturday Night Fever, it was Wednesday Night Fever at PPG Tribune Review LOADED: 02.13.2020 Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation hosted its third annual “Night of Assists” on Wednesday.

This year’s theme? “The Pens Disco.”

Presented by Highmark, the arena was transformed to the 1970s, complete with disco balls and neon lights.

More than 850 guests turned back the fashion clock to the days of bell bottoms, mini skirts, hot pants, headbands, platform footwear, wide collars, glitter and satin.

The event featured a wide variety of entertainment that captured the essence of a 1970s disco. It included a 1970s band, dance troupe and a disco-themed photo destination.

It gave patrons an opportunity to play casino games with the Penguins players, who wore sparkly shirts as they dealt blackjack, challenged guests at roulette and craps and hosted a variety of themed experiences.

Songs played included “Freak Out,” “Dancing Queen,” “Car Wash,” and “Funky Town” and, of course, “We are Family.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit the foundation’s youth initiatives and special needs programs that assist children throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.

To date, Night of Assists has generated $900,000 for the Penguins Foundation.

On the menu was crab and barbecue chicken sliders, ice cream, and pasta as well as signature cocktails.

Auction items included a flight with the team to an away game in 2020- 21; breakfast in the Penguins’ locker room for you and 23 guests, which includes a tour of PPG Paints Arena; a chance to watch a Pens game from the Penguins Party Deck in 2020-21; and players jerseys from the 1970s.

Two guests won a trip to Las Vegas and .

Trib Total Media’s TribLIVE.com sponsored an earlier VIP reception.

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, with wife Kate, said the foundation does such a great job putting the event together.

“It is one of the best events we do, and it’s a unique event,” Sullivan said. “Being here we get to see how passionate our fan base is. And the players enjoy it.”

They do, said .

“It is so cool to meet our fans,” he said. “I loved the music and the dress code. I just might wear this sparkly shirt again.”

Being able to interact with the fans is fun, said Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford, who attended with wife, Leslie. She was dressed in a sparkly dress.

“I have clothes from the 70s, but they only fit halfway around me,” Rutherford said. “I am enjoying listening to all the old songs. They bring back memories from the past. The players like it, too.

“This is important for us to do because we should support our fans and help raise money for the Penguins Foundation which helps so many. It’s our responsibility.”

Dave Soltesz, president of the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, sported a wig he bought on Amazon, wide sunglasses, a fake mustache, and white suit — complete with matching shoes. 1171609 Pittsburgh Penguins

Minor league report: Pierre-Olivier Joseph leads Penguins past Wolf Pack

SETH RORABAUGH | Wednesday, February 12, 2020 11:22 p.m.

Two goals by defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph led the Wilkes- Barre/Scranton Penguins to a 2-1 road win against the Hartford Wolf Pack at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. on Wednesday.

Goaltender Casey DeSmith made 25 saves for the Penguins (25-18-3-5).

Highlights:

The Penguins’ next game is on the road against the Providence Bruins at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. on Friday, 7:05 p.m.

Tribune Review LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171610 Pittsburgh Penguins The contract: Hagelin was in the first year of a four-year contract with a salary-cap hit of $4 million.

The result: Hagelin helped transform the Penguins into, arguably, the In Jason Zucker deal, Penguins’ Jim Rutherford sticks to trade tendency fastest team in the NHL as a key component of the famed HBK Line.

Derick Brassard

SETH RORABAUGH | Wednesday, February 12, 2020 5:31 p.m. Date: Feb. 23, 2018

The trade: The Penguins acquired forward Brassard, defenseman Vincent Dunn and a 2018 third-round draft pick from the Ottawa Senators Jim Rutherford wasn’t simply being optimistic. He was outright boastful. in exchange for defenseman Ian Cole, goaltender Filip Gustavsson, a 2018 first-round draft pick and a 2019 third-round draft pick. Additionally, The Pittsburgh Penguins general manager suggested his midseason the Penguins acquired forward Tobias Lindberg from the Vegas Golden acquisition could be a member of the franchise for more than half a Knights, who took on 40% of Brassard’s salary cap hit while also decade. acquiring Reaves and a 2018 fourth-round draft pick from the Penguins. “He’s coming into the prime of his career,” Rutherford said. “As long as The contract: Brassard was in Year 4 of a five-year contract with a the contract works out longterm and he fits here, he could be a good salary-cap hit of $5 million. player here for a good six, seven years.” The result: With designs of re-establishing the center depth that allowed Jason Zucker? No. the team to win consecutive Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and ’17, the David Perron. Penguins hoped Brassard would be the perfect No. 3 center behind Sidney Crosby and . He showed flashes of that while After acquiring Perron, a top-six winger, on Jan. 2, 2015, Rutherford playing on a line with Phil Kessel, putting up eight points in 14 games. spoke with reporters the next day and weighed the ramification of dealing But a groin injury hobbled him late in the 2017-18 season. Entering 2018- the 2015 first-round draft pick to the Edmonton Oilers for a winger who 19, he never seemed to embrace the prospect of playing an entire was only 26 at the time. season as the third center and was moved in a multiplayer trade by February 2019. As it turned out, Perron barely lasted one year when he was dealt Jan. 16, 2016, to the Anaheim Ducks in a deal that brought in forward Carl Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann Hagelin, a player who was a major component in the franchise’s back-to- back Stanley Cup championships of 2016 and ’17. Date: Feb. 1, 2019

But the Perron trade established a pattern for Rutherford that he The trade: The Penguins acquired forwards Bjugstad and McCann from maintained Monday when he acquired Zucker, another top-six winger, for the Florida Panthers in exchange for Brassard, a 2019 second-round a 2020 first-rounder and defensive prospect Calen Addison (to say draft pick and two 2019 fourth-round draft picks. nothing of disappointing forward Alex Galchenyuk). The contracts: Bjugstad was in the fourth year of a six-year contract with Rutherford generally avoids true rental players when beefing up his a salary-cap hit of $4.1 million. McCann was in the first year of a two-year roster as the trade deadline approaches. He more often will go after contract with a salary-cap hit of $1.25 million. He is a pending restricted players who have time left on their contract or a pending restricted free free agent this offseason. agent before pursuing a player who is scheduled to become an The result: McCann has been by far the most successful, and, not unrestricted free agent in a handful of months. coincidentally, healthiest of the two. Blessed with versatility, he has been Sure, he’s gone after the likes of forward Daniel Winnik or defenseman a left winger for Crosby and a second- or third-line center depending on Ron Hainsey, players who had cups of coffee in Penguins jerseys before other players’ well-being. This season, he is fifth on the team with 31 leaving via free agency. And the 2017 offseason deal to bring in pending points (14 goals, 17 assists) in 53 games. Bjugstad showed some unrestricted free agent enforcer Ryan Reaves from the St. Louis Blues in promise last season with 14 points, including nine goals, in 32 games exchange for promising center and a 2017 first-round with the Penguins while serving as the No. 3 center. But injuries have pick could be labeled as nothing but a failure. limited him to 10 games and one goal this season. His recovery from a core muscle injury he suffered Nov. 15 seemingly has regressed as he But more often than not, when Rutherford deals a prospect or draft pick, has not skated for several weeks. he targets a player over whom he will have contract control. Erik Gudbranson There have been varying degrees of success with this approach. But Rutherford has been consistent with this modus operandi when it comes Date: Feb. 25, 2019 to deals in advance of the trade deadline. The trade: The Penguins acquired defenseman Gudbranson from the Here’s a brief history of those trades: Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Tanner Pearson.

David Perron The contract: Gudbranson was in the first year of a three-year contract with a salary-cap hit of $4 million. Date: Jan. 2, 2015 The result: Gudbranson mainly was brought in because he was healthy, The trade: The Penguins acquired forward Perron from the Edmonton and the team was missing several defenseman at that time. A large Oilers in exchange for forward Rob Klinkhammer and a 2015 first-round presence at 6-foot-5, 217 pounds, he formed a third defensive pairing draft pick. with Marcus Pettersson in the final months of 2018-19. With the emergence of rookie defenseman John Marino, the Penguins traded The contract: Perron was in the third year of a four-year contract with a Gudbranson on Oct. 25 in order to become salary-cap compliant. salary-cap hit of $3,812,500 million. Jason Zucker The result: Perron showed some early flashes of his skilled brilliance with a respectable 22 points in 43 games with the Penguins in 2014-15. He Date: Jan. 10, 2020 never found any traction in 2015-16. Falling out of favor with new coach Mike Sullivan, he was dealt to the Ducks for Hagelin. The trade: The Penguins acquired Zucker from the Wild in exchange for Addison, Galchenyuk and a conditional 2020 first-round draft pick that Carl Hagelin can be deferred to 2021 if the Penguins miss the playoffs this season.

Date: Jan. 16, 2016 The contract: Zucker is in Year 2 of a five-year contract with a salary-cap hit of $5.5 million. The trade: The Penguins acquired Hagelin from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Perron and defenseman Adam Clendening. The result: Zucker made his Penguins debut Tuesday in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Primarily playing on a line with Crosby, Zucker logged 15 minutes, 26 seconds on 20 shifts and recorded five shots on five attempts.

Tribune Review LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171611 Pittsburgh Penguins Zucker played little on special teams Tuesday, skating one minute with the man advantage. But that needs practiced. Zucker isn’t a prototypical net-front presence like Hornqvist, but he has got good touch near the blue paint and could usurp Hornqvist on the power play by way of Mark Madden: Trade for Jason Zucker proves Penguins again doing their justifying the trade. (Things like that matter.) best to win now Getting Zucker also will affect a trickledown come the offseason. Zucker carries a $5.5 million cap figure. Jake Guentzel’s $6 million hit returns next season. Rutherford has several restricted free agents to sign, MARK MADDEN | Wednesday, February 12, 2020 12:58 p.m. including McCann, Kahun, Simon and goaltenders Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry.

Jason Zucker seems a good fit for the Penguins, and for Sidney Crosby’s Having Zucker could impact the goaltending, especially if Murray wants line. big money and long term. (He’s rumored to want eight years at $8 million per. He won’t get it.) His speed and skill generate odd-man breaks. He’s adept at attacking off the rush. Zucker isn’t having a banner season (14 goals in 46 games) but The acquisition of Zucker spawns many variables. he has topped 20 goals four times since 2014-15, peaking at 33 in 2017- But one thing remains constant: Organizationally, the Penguins always 18. do their best to win. Zucker is a legit top-six contributor. He’s relentless, like the Penguins. Tribune Review LOADED: 02.13.2020 He’s signed through 2023. He’s likely the best winger that general manager Jim Rutherford could have acquired.

The Penguins never cheat their fans when it comes to trying to win. If the window is open, they try to maximize.

Ron Francis in 1991. Rick Tocchet in 1992. Marian Hossa in 2008. Bill Guerin in 2009. Jarome Iginla in 2013. Now Zucker.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But if the Stanley Cup is within reach, the Penguins try to strengthen their grasp.

Compare that to the Pirates, who build for a future that never comes. When the Pirates went for it in 2018 by trading for Chris Archer, it failed miserably.

Zucker made his Penguins debut in Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime loss to visiting Tampa Bay. He played like somebody who traveled all day to get to the game. He will do better.

Whether Zucker plays with Crosby, as planned, seems at question. When asked about Zucker post-game, Crosby praised his quality, “whoever he plays with.”

Hossa, James Neal, Iginla and Phil Kessel were all acquired to play on Crosby’s line. Only Hossa did.

Tuesday’s game started with Zucker and Patric Hornqvist flanking Crosby. But, after two periods, Dominik Simon replaced Hornqvist. It was like a swallow returning to Capistrano. Crosby loves skating with Simon. (Simon had an excellent third period.)

Rutherford paid a heavy price for Zucker: A first-round pick and Calen Addison, who was the Penguins’ top prospect on defense. Minnesota also took Alex Galchenyuk off the Penguins’ hands, leaving Rutherford salary cap space to pursue a rental.

It’s easy to criticize selling out the future, even in the logical pursuit of winning now. Zucker is an excellent player. But he offers no guarantees.

But draft picks and prospects offer even fewer guarantees.

The first-round pick surrendered for Iginla in ‘13 turned out to be winger Morgan Klimchuk. He has played one NHL game.

When the Penguins got Hossa in ‘08, they traded that year’s first-round selection to Atlanta along with their first-round choice from ’07, Angelo Esposito. Neither Esposito nor that pick in ’08 (Daultan Leveille) ever played a game in the NHL.

But when the Penguins traded their first-round pick to Edmonton in ’15 to get David Perron, that choice ultimately went to the New York Islanders and became Mathew Barzal, the NHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2017-18.

Win some, lose some.

But the gamble is worth it if your team is close to a championship.

The Penguins are. So the Zucker trade is a good one.

The trickledown of acquiring Zucker will be significant. Jared McCann was Evgeni Malkin’s left wing Tuesday. But when winger Dominik Kahun returns from being concussed, McCann’s biggest value looks to be playing third-line center. 1171612 Pittsburgh Penguins That was uplifting to hear. Because the older and dustier people my age (and older) get, the importance of that game should never fade.

That’s why it’s so encouraging to see Eruzione still making appearances Mike Eruzione on how legend of 1980 Olympic team continues to thrive like this one to make the moment tangible and prominent. He is still writing about it, in his new book “The Making of a Miracle.”

And he’s still spreading the message of why it is important. TIM BENZ | Wednesday, February 12, 2020 6:45 a.m. “This moment captured the spirit of a country,” Eruzione said.

You can hear all of Eruzione’s comments in Wednesday’s podcast. He I’ve gotta be on the cusp. Don’t I? relives his memories of that game, eventually winning the gold medal, his teammates, the influences of Brooks and Patrick, his friendship with Completely on the outer edge of the age range. Mario Lemieux, and what he plans to do with his gold medal. I mean, if you are even a few months younger than me you probably Tribune Review LOADED: 02.13.2020 don’t remember. Right?

At 45 years old, my earliest sports memories were largely constructed in those few months between October 1979 and February 1980.

I can’t remember any games from 1979 against the Baltimore Orioles. But I do remember showing off my Pirates jacket on the school bus the morning after they won the World Series.

I don’t remember all of Super Bowl XIV in January 1980. But I do remember jumping up and down after Terry Bradshaw hit John Stallworth.

And I don’t remember much of the “Miracle on Ice.” But I do remember my father bursting through the door and yelling, “We’ve got to put on the Olympics! We’re about to beat the Russians in hockey!”

Did he catch word before the tape delay started? Did he run into the house between periods?

That’s the stuff I don’t remember.

What I do remember thinking is that I was about to become an orphan because obviously my father had lost his mind. Because every adult I knew and all the older kids at school — you know, the wise second graders — said there was no way Team USA was going to beat the Russians.

And there you had it. At a little over six years old. My first sports shocker.

And it was one the rest of the country will never forget either.

But if you are even slightly younger than me, you never even saw it to forget it. You were likely too young to remember it, if you experienced it all.

The Miracle on Ice turns 40 on Feb. 22. That’s the date when America’s hockey team beat the vaunted Russian “Red Army” 4-3 in the medal round of the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y.

The Penguins honored that moment Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena by inviting team captain Mike Eruzione to drop the opening puck along with former team general manager Craig Patrick.

Mike Eruzione and Craig Patrick drop their pucks during a pre-game ceremony at PPG Paints Arena on Feb. 11, 2020. @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/VYL1bAn6uw

— Nate Smallwood (@nsmallwoodphoto) February 12, 2020

Patrick was an assistant coach on that Olympic team.

Eruzione spoke with media members before the event Tuesday afternoon. I asked him if he ever notices the magic of that event aging out. Does he see younger generations who may not have lived it actually still appreciating it?

“Oh! Eight-, nine-year-old kids who saw the movie ‘Miracle,’” Eruzione exclaimed. “That’s where they got it from.

“Because of the movie, it’s created a new fan and new generation.”

Eruzione was referencing the 2004 Disney film about the team, starring Kurt Russell. He portrayed , who coached the 1980 club before eventually running the Penguins bench in 1999-2000.

“The letters I get from kids who watch the movie and want an autographed picture,” Eruzione added. “The kids who have gone to Lake Placid and gone to some of those fantasy camps up there. It’s great to see the legs that it has.” 1171613 Pittsburgh Penguins • I like that Zucker’s best attribute is that he could heighten what the Penguins already do well.

Adding Zucker’s straight-ahead speed and tenacity to this roster that Tim Benz: Sorting through Jason Zucker trade and his Penguins debut already has those attributes feels like when Rutherford added the likes of Carl Hagelin, Trevor Daley and Justin Schultz to a team that could already skate.

Tim Benz “I think it’s similar,” said Rust. “Anytime you can add another threat, it just makes our team that much more dangerous.

“I think he is going to fit in nicely.” For almost two days now, I’ve been trying to find my bottom-line stance on the Penguins’ decision to acquire Minnesota Wild winger Jason • I’m not going to believe that he’ll be a perfect fit with Crosby just Zucker. because I’m told, conceptually, that it should work.

And after seeing him in black and gold for about 62 minutes Tuesday I’ve heard that one too many times. We all thought Jarome Iginla, James night in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, I’m still right Neal and Phil Kessel were brought here to play with Crosby, too. where I was when the news broke Monday night. Until they didn’t. There isn’t a bottom line to be found. But after one game, Zucker seems optimistic. But there are a bunch of bullet points that paint the bigger picture. “He’s an unbelievable player,” Zucker said of Crosby. “A humble guy on • I like the player. I don’t love him. the bench. Talking through some things. Tonight was a bit of a whirlwind. Just trying to play the game. I think it’ll be a little bit better next game.” Zucker is said to be fast and has an assertive demeanor with vision enough to be a solid offensive player. • OK, maybe now that I’ve talked myself through it.

And a positive locker room guy. What the Penguins did made sense. Zucker is a good fit.

Zucker totaled 33 goals in a 2017 contract year. Then the total dipped to Rutherford and Sullivan just better be right about the actual player. 21 last season and 14 in 45 games this year — just two since Dec. 14, thanks in part to injury. The theory of Zucker has been good for six months. The reality of the player better be just as good for the next four. “He’s got a ton of speed,” captain Sidney Crosby said after the game. “I think he fits the way we play as a group. Tribune Review LOADED: 02.13.2020

“He creates a lot of loose pucks. The more he gets comfortable, the better it is going to be.”

General manager Jim Rutherford seems to love Zucker. He tried acquiring him last summer for Phil Kessel. So let’s hope this isn’t simply the culmination of confirmation bias on his part.

In other words, we may need to question if Rutherford is still seeing all the good in Zucker from July, despite a season which, at times, featured him on the fourth line of a poor Minnesota team.

• I wasn’t thrilled with giving up prospect defenseman Calen Addison and a first-round pick. But I’m never opposed to the Penguins going for it all while the Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin window is open.

“It’s huge,” defenseman Kris Letang said Tuesday. “Our management did a big push to get him. He’s a really good player to have on our side.”

• I don’t think acquiring Zucker makes the Penguins better than the Lightning, Washington Capitals or Boston Bruins. But it gets them closer.

Zucker isn’t going to make up for the loss of Jake Guentzel. But it’ll soften the blow and offset any natural regression or injury surrounding Bryan Rust.

“He brings a speed game,” head coach Mike Sullivan said before the game. “He brings an offensive dimension. He has a defensive conscience as well. He’s a versatile player. He’s a competitive guy. So we think he has a lot of the attributes that we value in our players to help us become the team we are trying to become.”

• The safest bet of the deal is that the Penguins are thrilled to be free of Alex Galchenyuk’s $4.9 million contract.

• The best part of the deal could be that Zucker is under contract for three years to come. The worst part of the deal, well, could be that Zucker is under contract for three years to come.

At a cap hit of $5.5 million, if he blends well with the team, that contract could be good value for a top-six winger.

If he doesn’t, it’ll be an albatross and hard to move unless someone on his approved trade list wants him or Seattle will take him in the expansion draft.

I know everybody loves to heap praise on Rutherford for his ability to get out from under acquisitions he regretted.

It’d just be nice if he didn’t have to keep reminding us how good he is at doing it. 1171614 Pittsburgh Penguins Right behind Poulin are, in order, forwards Nathan Legare and Filip Hallander.

Peters raved about Legare’s “elite” release and his ability to fire pucks Taking stock of the Penguins' prospects after the Jason Zucker trade through traffic. The 19-year-old winger has 82 goals in 178 career QMJHL games. His skating remains a question mark. Hallander is a “highly skilled, creative player” who has missed most of his season due to injury. MATT VENSEL Peters mentioned Sam Miletic, Jordy Bellerive, Valtteri Puustinen and

Justin Almeida as prospects with a chance to become NHLers. The The Penguins, looking to solidify themselves as Stanley Cup contenders problem is they’re all forwards. here and now, got their man Monday in Jason Zucker, a solid two-way He is not thrilled about any of the Penguins’ blue-line prospects. He “has winger with wheels, a good shot and a chance at his fifth 20-goal season never been a huge fan of Pierre-Olivier Joseph” and isn’t sure about his in six years. future. To acquire Zucker from the Minnesota Wild, they sacrificed two of their “I don’t want to say that the Penguins have nothing,” Peters said. top five future assets in blue-line prospect Calen Addison and a first- “Because those first three guys are players that I am pretty fond of and I round pick. think that all three can be impact prospects down the line depending on Some talking heads questioned whether general manager Jim Rutherford how they pan out.” gave up too much to get Zucker. Chris Peters, an NHL draft and prospect He also noted that the Penguins have a strong track record of finding analyst for ESPN, was not among them. He believes it was “a good trade gems in the later rounds of the NHL draft and slowly polishing them over for both sides.” time. Look no further than Cup winners Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust and Peters feels Zucker will be a good fit and pointed to the fact that he is Matt Murray. under contract at a reasonable salary through 2022-23 to argue that Peters said trading away another first-round pick, like giving up Addison, Zucker was worth the Penguins giving up multiple assets. He would not does sting a bit. But he didn’t think it is a “huge loss” for the Penguins have felt the same way had they done that for a rental such as Chris either. Kreider of the New York Rangers. Barring a late-season collapse that keeps them out of the playoffs, the “When you get a guy who has a 30-goal season in his back pocket with Penguins will send the Wild this year’s first-round pick. It’s a star-studded term on his contract, that’s the kind of move a win-now team should be class led by Alexis Lafreniere. But Peters said it’s not as deep as last making,” Peters said Wednesday. “And the Penguins are in their year, when he felt there were quality prospects still on the board between perpetual win-now mode.” picks 20 and 50. While it’s tough to question Rutherford’s desire to do whatever it takes to “It’s still early. A lot can happen and opinions can change. But my sense win as many Cups as possible while Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is that if you’re not in the lottery, you’re not getting a high-end prospect,” are still in their prime, one can also acknowledge it will cost the Penguins he said. down the road. Pittsburgh doesn’t have a second-round pick in 2020. It was traded to They already had one of the NHL’s shallowest prospect pools prior to the Vegas to ensure that Vegas claimed Marc-Andre Fleury in the 2017 trade. They are low on assets if they want to add another forward or expansion draft. make a move to help out their banged-up blue-line corps before the Feb. 24 trade deadline. These win-now moves might leave little behind whenever Crosby and Malkin hang up their skates. But that’s the price the Penguins are Peters was among the many who felt Addison, an offensive-minded understandably willing to pay to win another Stanley Cup. Going forward, defenseman currently playing in the Western Hockey League, was their those two superstars may not get a better chance than the one staring top prospect. them in the face. Addison did not make Peters’ list of the top 100 NHL prospects last “They’ve only had two first-round picks in the last eight drafts including summer. But Peters said he has risen these past few months with a 2020, so it’s really hard to build a [deep prospect pool],” Peters said. strong showing for Canada in the World Junior Championships and “But, at the same time, how many teams have two of the best players in improved decision-making and defense at the WHL level, though he said the world?” Addison still has a ways to go. Post Gazette LOADED: 02.13.2020 “He is a guy who has a chance to be a pretty good offensive defenseman in the NHL,” Peters said. “He still has some development time ahead of him. I don’t think he’ll play in the NHL next season. But he’s a guy that I think has NHL skill. So that’s a tough loss, but it’s one you don’t necessarily mind too much.”

With Addison gone, Peters says Samuel Poulin is now Pittsburgh’s top prospect.

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin celebrates with Bryan Rust and Patric Hornqvist after scoring against the Lightning in the first period, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, at the PPG Paints Arena Uptown.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PODCAST: Do Penguins now have all the pieces for Stanley Cup run?

The Penguins got the 18-year-old with the 21st overall pick last summer. At that time, Peters pegged Poulin as a second-rounder, questioning his hockey IQ and motor. In 39 games this season, the 6-foot-2 winger has put up 30 goals and 38 assists for Sherbrooke of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

“He’s had a really strong season,” Peters said. “I saw him earlier in the year at the [CHL Canada-Russia Series]. Some of the things that I didn’t love about his game were still evident there. But you look at the production, and he’s an offensive leader. He definitely has skill. I think I underrated his skill last year.” 1171615 Pittsburgh Penguins Hornqvist on the top line in the third period, and he looked to be a much better fit with Zucker and Crosby.

Simon has his critics because he does not capitalize on most of the Jason Zucker made no excuses after his debut. That will earn him points opportunities he creates. He does create them, though. He is strong on with the Penguins the puck, usually makes the right reads and — most important — can keep up with a couple of speedsters such as Zucker and Crosby.

For all of his strengths, Hornqvist is not blessed with top-level speed. By Rob Rossi Feb 12, 2020 78 That lack of speed is enough reason for Sullivan to think twice before again trying him with Zucker and Crosby. Unless general manager Jim

Rutherford acquires another winger for Crosby’s line before the trade The Penguins are going to like Jason Zucker. deadline on Feb. 24, Simon seems like the best candidate on this roster to be The Other Guy on the top line. That’s not just a guess, either. Trade talk Being your own harshest critic goes a long way in a room run by captain Sidney Crosby, who is harder on himself than any all-time great probably Rutherford is trying to land another winger but not for a top-six role. He is should be. So, when Crosby finds out what Zucker had to say after the monitoring the market with hopes of bolstering the Penguins’ forward Penguins’ 2-1 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday depth. His intention is to land a winger who could play among the bottom night, he will recognize a familiar trait in his new winger. six.

“I don’t think I played very well,” Zucker said of his 20 shifts, which An unorthodox fourth line resulted in five shots but no goals or points. “I thought my hands were Speaking of the bottom six, don’t expect the fourth line to take on the terrible. I mishandled pretty much every puck I touched.” look of a traditional, defensive-minded role once (or if) the Penguins get Credit Zucker for not making excuses, even if they existed. as close to full health as possible. When he is cleared to play again, Dominik Kahun is likely to get consideration to be the left winger opposite He took the ice in Pittsburgh about 24 hours after taking a call from Bryan Rust on Evgeni Malkin’s line. Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, who informed Zucker of his trade to the Penguins on Monday night. Leaving his family behind Malkin said he believes Kahun’s style complements his strengths, and Tuesday morning, Zucker arrived in Pittsburgh in the afternoon — only a coaches believe Kahun’s experience playing with skilled players while in few hours before making his Penguins debut against the Lightning, which Chicago makes him a potential fit for Malkin and Rust on the second line. had earned 37 of 42 points since the NHL’s Christmas break. That slot was occupied by Jared McCann on Tuesday night. And even though Sullivan still likes McCann’s speed on the wing, there is a growing Sure, Zucker had gone from being on the Wild’s fourth line to one of sense in the organization that McCann is most impactful when playing hockey’s prized spots, skating next to Crosby for the Penguins, a center, his natural position. perennial title contender. But with that role comes the pressure to produce, and producing against the Lightning is not easy lately even if Sullivan prefers not to go with set lines, but rather to establish duos. The the best player of a generation is your center. exception is the third line that consists of Teddy Blueger and wingers Zach Aston-Reese and Brandon Tanev. That line, which Sullivan trusts to Zucker might have been the most exhausted player on the ice Tuesday play in critical defensive situations, especially when the Penguins are night. That’s saying something because the Lighting had won an ahead in the third period, is unlikely to be broken up for any reason other overtime game in Columbus on Monday night. than injuries.

At least Tampa Bay’s players knew they would be arriving in Pittsburgh Otherwise, the duos Sullivan favors are Zucker/Crosby and Rust/Malkin. early Tuesday morning, sleeping in at a hotel and preparing for a second game in as many nights. Though his name had first been linked to the A fourth line centered by McCann that also features Hornqvist on the Penguins last summer, Zucker sat down to dinner Monday night with no right wing could prove advantageous for the Penguins in short reason to believe his next game wouldn’t be for the Wild. postseason series. They go about it in different ways, but McCann and Hornqvist are dependable goal-scorers. On a fourth line, they could Instead, he experienced one of those wild 24-hour periods that no provide offense that potential playoff opponents would struggle to match players prefer to live through in the weeks before the NHL trade deadline. with their fourth lines.

By flatly refusing to say he was physically tired, emotionally drained or During training camp, McCann and Hornqvist were paired as wingers on mentally overwhelmed, and instead offering an honest — if unfairly harsh a line that was centered by Nick Bjugstad. Would the Penguins go back — assessment of his first performance with the Penguins, Zucker surely to that combination? Perhaps. Maybe even probably. caught the attention of team leaders such as Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Bjugstad has played only 10 games this season and remains out while recovering from sports hernia surgery. Rutherford said recently he was None of those guys make excuses, even when they could. not willing to guess how Bjugstad would fit into the lineup — or if he would at all — when he does get clearance to play. None of these Penguins do, even though they’ve spent the entirety of this season watching one another go down with injuries. As Letang has said Rolling out four lines on several occasions, “Nobody cares who we don’t have, they’re not going to take it easy on us because some good players are hurt.” It’s probably worth mentioning that Sullivan really doesn’t designate the lines by numbers. He has often said, “that’s something you guys do.” The implication: The Penguins have won the Stanley Cup three times He’s not wrong. We in the media tend to obsess over assigning first since 2009 and made the playoffs each of the last 13 seasons; they’re through fourth status to specific lines, but that’s not how Sullivan plays it. the last club that will elicit sympathy from opponents. This is not to suggest Crosby and Malkin could ever be thought of as To a man, they see no use in looking for any. anything other than the Penguins’ Nos. 1 and 2 centers. It’s just that Sullivan is no more likely to declare Crosby’s line the top one than he And there was no use in the new guy coming in looking for sympathy, would be to say McCann and Hornqvist would be playing on the fourth either. Zucker didn’t Tuesday night, which might be why the new guy line. already sounded like a player who has been part of the Penguins’ culture for a while. When it comes to lines, the one thing Sullivan would probably agree upon with the media is the Penguins are better off with fewer games like “I just tried to skate, tried to create some opportunities,” Zucker said. “I the one against Tampa Bay. In their loss to the Lighting, the Penguins think I’ll be better next game.” rolled only three lines for all but a few shifts during 5-on-5 situations in Hornqvist’s future role the final period of regulation.

Through two periods against the Lightning, Zucker was joined on Crosby’s line by winger Patric Hornqvist. But Dominik Simon replaced That wasn’t a recipe for success Tuesday night. That won’t work for the final third of the regular season or in the playoffs, at least not if history is any indicator.

The Penguins relied on four lines regularly on their 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup runs.

Murray’s strong play continues

Matt Murray again was really strong for the Penguins. He didn’t allow a 5- on-5 goal to the Lightning, and his 17 saves in the opening period prevented Tampa Bay from running the Penguins out of their own building early.

Murray has posted a .923 save percentage and 2.52 goals-against average over his past eight starts. His continued progression toward consistently making himself bigger in the crease, challenging shooters and tracking pucks better is an encouraging sign — and perhaps one that nobody should find surprising.

Last season, Murray was at his best after November. He’s been that way this season, too.

The difference, of course, is that Tristan Jarry hadn’t emerged as one of the NHL’s best goalies as he has this season.

The Penguins have 27 games remaining before the playoffs. At this point, it sure seems as though Jarry will start 14 and Murray 13, mostly because each goalie is performing at a level that would make it tough for Sullivan to stray from a rotation.

Miracle celebration

As they have for the past couple of decades, the Penguins reminded their fans of the franchise’s special connection to the 1980 United States men’s Olympic hockey team that won a gold medal. Former GM Craig Patrick, the lone assistant to late coach Herb Brooks on that 1980 squad, was joined by USA Hockey legend Mike Eruzione for a ceremonial faceoff Tuesday night. Also, Mark Johnson — a former Penguins player and the son of late “Badger” Bob Johnson, who coached the Penguins to their first title in 1991 — sent his well wishes in a video message.

All of this was part of several events Tuesday that celebrated the 40th anniversary of the “Miracle On Ice.” Tom McMillan, the Penguins longtime vice president of communications, played a big role in helping coordinate the events. But even he wasn’t privy to a conversation regarding the on-ice ceremony between Crosby and defenseman Jack Johnson before the game.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, CRAIG PATRICK AND MIKE ERUZIONE! PIC.TWITTER.COM/IOUI102VZY

— PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (@PENGUINS) FEBRUARY 12, 2020

Crosby is traditionally the player to participate in ceremonial faceoffs. However, he felt strongly that an American player should represent the Penguins when Patrick and Eruzione were at center ice. Johnson said Crosby approached him not long before the game against Tampa Bay and asked him to do the honors.

“First thing is, he doesn’t need to do that,” Johnson said. “I mean, with everything he’s meant here, I don’t think anybody in Pittsburgh would have thought Sid couldn’t be part of that just because he’s Canadian.

“But he came to me and said he thought it should be an American player. He said it should especially be an American since I played in the Olympics. I didn’t expect it. But I wasn’t going to say no, either. Because that’s a special team for those of us who are American players. If you’re lucky enough to have played for our country in the Olympics, that 1980 team is actually the gold standard.

“So, I was really happy to be there for that faceoff with Craig and Mike. It’s one of those moments I won’t forget.”

The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171616 San Jose Sharks "Another group of six players with legitimate NHL hopes." Tier 4: Nicolas Meloche, Jayden Halbgewachs, Vladislav Kotkov, Karlis

Cukste, Timur Ibragimov and Dillon Hamaliuk Sharks' future looking bleak with No. 25 ranked prospect pool in NHL "A final group of prospects that all have intriguing NHL qualities and an outside chance." By Brian Witt While Wheeler's prospect pool rankings paint a somewhat bleak picture for the Sharks, it could get considerably brighter soon, depending on February 12, 2020 6:52 PM what happens at the upcoming trade deadline and in the 2020 entry draft. With the playoffs all but out of the picture, San Jose has every reason to see what it can get in return for anyone who could provide more value to It wasn't that long ago that the Sharks had a talent advantage over just the organization elsewhere than if they remained with it. about every other team in the NHL. However, due to a combination of The Sharks don't have a first-round pick right now, but there's a decent departures, injuries and the general passage of time, that advantage has chance they could acquire one, or at least add some more selections or been significantly diminished, if not evaporated altogether. prospects to their arsenal. If the near future is going to be brighter for And, barring some one-sided trades, it's unlikely to be built up again in San Jose than the present, the Sharks will not only need some of their short order. current prospects to quickly take steps forward but also acquire new ones that will raise the overall talent level in the system. In addition to the fact that San Jose has an aging roster, it doesn't have many obvious solutions waiting on deck. The Sharks don't have a first- round pick in the upcoming 2020 draft, and their minor-league system Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.13.2020 lacks a stable of sure-fire future NHLers. If that wasn't frightening enough, their prospect pool pales in comparison to almost all of their current division rivals, according to The Athletic's Scott Wheeler. Wheeler has been unveiling his 2020 NHL prospect pool rankings over the last month, and while he is generally higher on the Sharks' prospects than most other evaluators, that assessment is relative. Of the 31 teams in the league, Wheeler ranked San Jose's prospect pool No. 25 overall. Of all the Pacific Division teams, only the Calgary Flames' prospect pool was ranked worse (No. 26). Now for the scary part. The Los Angeles Kings were ranked No. 1 overall, while the Anaheim Ducks (No. 6) and Vegas Golden Knights (No. 10) also fell in the top 10. The Vancouver Canucks came in at No. 13, and the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars were ranked No. 15 and No. 18, respectively. Yikes. Most other teams in the division have caught up to San Jose this season, and based on the prospect pool rankings, they're well situated to shoot right on past the Sharks in the near future. Wheeler's rankings are based on both volume and quality, but projected skill level is paramount. That's where San Jose gets dinged. To be eligible for Wheeler's prospect pool rankings, a player must meet three criteria: Be younger than 23 years old (for goalies, under 24) Not currently in the NHL (with rare exceptions) Either signed to an NHL contract or selected in the entry draft, without the expiration of either of those rights For each team, Wheeler ranked a minimum of 15 prospects and a maximum of 20, all of which he believes have "even a remote chance at the NHL." Starting at the bottom with the No. 31-ranked Columbus Blue Jackets and moving upward, the Sharks were the first team listed with more than the minimum 15 prospects (they have 18). Wheeler is impressed by the depth in San Jose's system, but admits he's "not in love with many of the guys near the top." "The result is a lot of interest, without a ton of fascination," Wheeler summarized. "A lot of players who have tools that might help them into depth roles but overall very few I’d bank on as top-of-the-lineup options." In addition to ranking the prospect pools across the league, Wheeler also broke down each team's respective prospect pool into tiers. San Jose was split into four, with a description of each: Tier 1: Ryan Merkley "On talent and upside alone, Merkley is the clear No. 1, with the ability to play higher in the lineup and make more of an impact offensively than any other prospect in the organization." Tier 2: Joachim Blichfeld, Jonathan Dahlen, Sash Chmelevski, Artemi Knyazev and Noah Gregor "A really strong group of five prospects who I think have a chance at being middle six contributors." Tier 3: Alexander True, Lean Bergmann, Jeremy Roy, Ivan Chekhovich, Yegor Spiridonov and John Leonard 1171617 San Jose Sharks drill, doing it at a high tempo so you’re executing at a high pace, replicating the speed that you’re going to go in a game.”

Meier said: “With Pete, he really wanted to hammer in the details. When Bob Boughner institutes ‘high-tempo’ practices in a continued search for we were on the ice, he wanted to have a detailed practice. Maybe now more Sharks offense it’s a little bit more of a work practice than it was before.” Boughner has made it a priority to get the puck to more dangerous areas of the ice. He’s frequently uttered the phrase “using the back of the net” By Kevin Kurz while the team is set up in the offensive zone, which, without getting too technical, essentially means creating more confusion and mismatches for Feb 12, 2020 the opposition while the puck is down low. “When they are in the zone, I think what he’s looking for is for them to be The newest frequent participant in Sharks team practices stands about 6 less predictable,” Baker said. “As good as Burns and Karlsson are at feet tall, wears an old, black practice sweater featuring the team’s original getting pucks to the net, I think he wants to see them be more active. logo, a Reebok helmet with the number 18 on the back, isn’t very mobile, “One of the things that you see in the offensive zone is the third forward and stares blankly into the abyss through a pair of dark green eyes. is a little bit higher. Not all the time, but he is a little bit higher and that Actually, his whole head and body are a dark shade of green, too. And if allows the D to be a little more aggressive down the wall. You’re seeing this was a Stephen King novel, he’d probably awaken when the lights Burns activate, and he’s a beast. So when he goes down and pinches or were turned off and stroll around the Sharks’ practice facility in the middle when he picks up the puck along the wall and starts to go behind the net, of the night and help himself to the various energy drinks and protein he’s got speed, he’s got size, he’s got reach. He’s tough to handle. So bars that are scattered about, while plotting his revenge on assistant you’re seeing him more down low. You’re seeing the D be a little more coach Mike Ricci for frequently stationing him in front of the net where he active.” routinely gets abused by sticks and frozen rubber pucks. Boughner gives the forwards more options, too. Unfortunately, this green guy doesn’t have a name — we checked with “The other thing is attack angles,” Baker said. “So it’s not just a shot from Timo Meier, who then asked Ricci, and neither had an answer. the point where you’re trying to tip it home. You’re seeing guys try and “We’ll have to figure one out,” Meier said. attack the net from different areas. Go back to (Kevin) Labanc’s goal a couple games ago where he came up the sideboards with a nice In the meantime, green guy will continue to be utilized by the Sharks’ backhand. That’s an attack angle. As opposed to passing it to the coaching staff. On Sunday, Ricci set him up in the faceoff circle as the defenseman, it’s exploiting a hole. And that’s from the cycle and from forwards shot through or around his stationary legs before charging the movement.” net and looking for a potential rebound. While there have been some encouraging signs, including the Sharks The players were having fun with it, too. When Melker Karlsson whipped scoring nine goals in wins over Edmonton and Calgary on the road last a wrist shot through the green guy and goalie Martin Jones, everyone week, they’ve still been inconsistent overall. and Tomas watching erupted in a boisterous cheer. Same for Joe Thornton when he Hertl are both still out of the lineup, Hertl for the rest of the season with found space inside the near post. Evander Kane didn’t score — opting to torn ligaments in his left knee, so it’s unrealistic to think the Sharks are run over the poor thing instead, who did his job by separating Kane from going to pile up goals regularly, no matter the system. Even with those the puck. top two centers healthy, the team simply lacks the horses up front to contend. It’s become clear that the biggest problem for this team hasn’t “Kane almost killed it today,” Ricci said after practice. been its coach, but the construction of its roster. According to Ricci, the green guy was built late in his stint in Worcester, While Boughner’s defensive changes have resulted in better play, Mass., home of the Sharks’ primarily AHL affiliate before the Barracuda bolstered by a resurgent Aaron Dell in goal, the offense still hasn’t really was born in 2015. That makes it at least six years old. been there. The Sharks averaged 2.64 goals under DeBoer, and are “It’s more or less just a prop,” Ricci said. “(Before that) we were abusing averaging 2.52 with Boughner at the helm. Looking at the advanced chairs left and right. They have fun with it. They start scoring, and guys stats, at the time DeBoer got fired the Sharks were 15th in the NHL in will pick up that ‘hey, this works’, and get a shot (on goal). Just gives expected goals at 5-on-5 (56.45); since Boughner took over they are 18th them more chances to score.” (44.98), per Natural Stat Trick. It was built by a friend of former Sharks assistant general manager Monday’s game against Calgary in which the Sharks got two goals — Wayne Thomas. from Karlsson off the rush, and a slap shot by Burns through traffic — was evidence that this is still far from a finished product. “Just watching NHL Network and seeing how many goals were being scored shooting through defensemen, listening to guys talk how they try “I didn’t like it last night and we talked about that this morning,” Boughner to use the D-men as a screen — we all talked about it, and then they built said Tuesday of the offense. “We showed a lot of video on it. (There are) that thing,” Ricci said. “It’s actually lived a long life.” games that we’ve had success on it, and seen some of the ones we haven’t. … I think it’s coming. It’s a work in progress, and I think the Is there a reason it looks like the stuff of nightmares? players have bought into it, as well.” “I’d like to say we made it that way, but it just turned out that way,” Ricci Dell has had a unique perspective as the goalie who takes part in said. “It used to have hair and stuff, but it’s taken a little bit of a beating. Boughner’s practices. It’s been repaired a few times.” “Everything with Pete was really through the D, and I think teams were If nothing else, the green guy’s frequent usage serves as a reminder that starting to key on that a little bit and it was getting hard to generate since Bob Boughner took over as the Sharks’ interim coach, practices anything,” Dell said. “We still have a lot through there, but I think just have been a bit different than they were under former coach Pete having more options has made teams play us a little more honest all the DeBoer, who was fired on Dec. 11. way around.” That’s mainly because Boughner’s offensive system has some He continued: “Most of the guys here have been here for a few years and differences when compared with DeBoer’s, as the Sharks’ primary way to we’ve been drilling away the systems from the past. Sometimes you even generate offense under their former coach was to get the puck to the forget, it’s been just so instilled into us for that long that you kind of just points and Norris Trophy-winning defensemen Brent Burns and, as of revert back to that once in a while. It’s one of those things you kind of last season, Erik Karlsson. The results under DeBoer were steady have to break the old habit to start the new habit. It takes time.” through his first four seasons, including 2018-19 when the Sharks were tied for second in the NHL in goals, but this season it’s been a real It won’t be fixed in time to make a serious playoff run. But that’s not going struggle to create offense. That, and porous goaltending, eventually led to stop Boughner from keeping at it. to DeBoer’s dismissal. “I’m working a lot more probably on the offensive part of the game,” he Positive game results begin with good practices, of course, and said. “I’m trying to get these guys (to) see a different offensive approach, Boughner’s sessions have been more frequent — there are fewer coming from behind the net and attacking in the scoring areas and not optional skates on game days — and up-tempo, too. relying so much on the low to high pass to our D. That’s all.” “One thing he’s trying to do is get them going 200 feet, from one end to the other,” said Sharks analyst . “And also, even if it’s a skill The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171618 St Louis Blues Bouw had his opportunity to kind of see everybody. Everybody sent him their wishes.

“I’m not gonna speak for everybody but I think it made everybody feel a Blues regroup after Bouwmeester's 'shocking' and 'sobering' collapse lot better knowing he was in good hands. He was in good spirits with us last night. Typical Jay.”

And typical Jay is a good Jay, right? Jim Thomas “Typical Jay is a very good Jay, yeah,” Pietrangelo replied.

The sight of Pietrangelo and fellow defenseman Vince Dunn frantically LAS VEGAS — Veteran defenseman Jay Bouwmeester is doing “very calling for help once Bouwmeester collapsed on the bench is something well” following a cardiac episode Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks that will be indelibly seared into the minds of those who saw it happen, or according to Blues general manager Doug Armstrong. watched the television replays. “Jay is currently undergoing a battery of testing to determine the how and “It’s hard to even explain,” Pietrangelo said. “It happened so fast. It felt why of what happened last night and things are looking very positive,” like it was an eternity for us. But we just really reacted as fast as we Armstrong told reporters during a press conference at the Waldorf could. Everybody seemed like they wanted to help and do something. Astoria hotel Wednesday afternoon. But once we handed it over to Ray and the doctors, the EMT, they were impressive — to see them go into action and what they were doing. Armstrong thanked Blues athletic trainer Ray Barile and his staff, as well as the Ducks’ medical staff, trainers and physicians for their quick “But it’s not easy to see anyone go through it, let alone a close friend, a response after Bouwmeester collapsed while sitting on the Blues’ bench teammate. We’re a tight group in our locker room, if you’ve been around shortly after completing a shift in the first period at the Honda Center in us you know how close we are. Certainly we’re lucky to have each other Anaheim. any time we’re going through something like this.” “Jay became unresponsive and the medical personnel used a defibrillator The Blues and the fathers were scheduled to fly out of Anaheim after the to revive him. Jay regained consciousness immediately,” Armstrong said. Ducks game, but they stayed overnight, flying instead to Las Vegas late “There is never a good time for something like this to take place but there Wednesday morning. Pietrangelo said the team didn’t feel comfortable could not have been a better location than the Honda Center. Thanks to leaving California without knowing that Bouwmeester was OK. everyone at the Honda Center and the Ducks’ organization for their life- saving efforts.” “But knowing, one, that he has his dad there, and two, that Devon’s at home. Our wives are all reaching out. I know Steener’s wife went by last With most of the Blues players sitting in the front rows of a meeting room night. It’s just how our group is. We take care of each other.” at the Waldorf, Armstrong was flanked at the podium by coach , captain Alex Pietrangelo and alternate captains Armstrong took a 6:50 a.m. flight Wednesday morning out of St. Louis and Ryan O’Reilly at the press conference. and arrived in Las Vegas ahead of the team’s flight from Anaheim. He will stay through the Vegas game on Thursday. Armstrong said he and NHL commissioner , NHL executive vice president Colin Campbell, and Anaheim general manager Bob Armstrong said the Blues have arranged transportation to get Murray moved quickly to postpone Tuesday’s game after Bouwmeester Bouwmeester back to St. Louis once he has been cleared to leave by collapsed. doctors at UC Irvine. The game will be made up at some point in the future, Armstrong said, “Obviously he wants to get home as quick as possible and we’ve with the teams playing a full 60 minutes. arranged transportation to get him home whenever that time is, whether it’s tomorrow or the next day or whenever,” Armstrong said. “There’s no He also reiterated that the Blues will play the Vegas Golden Knights timeline on it, because his health is paramount.” game scheduled for Thursday. If that seems like stating the obvious, consider the fact the Blues almost saw a teammate die in front of their eyes in the middle of a hockey game. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 02.13.2020 “Shocking” was the word used by Armstrong, who after that press conference said: “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who it is. This is sobering.” Armstrong didn’t accompany the Blues on this trip. He just returned last Monday night from a scouting trip to the Czech Republic for the U18 Five Nations Tournament. He was watching the Blues-Ducks game from St. Louis when he learned what happened. It has been a blur since then. “I reached out to Devon (Bouwmeester’s wife) immediately,” Armstrong said, recapping the events of Tuesday night. “Fortunately she wasn’t watching the game, so I was able to explain to her what was happening. Made her as comfortable as possible that he was getting the best medical care. “Our father’s trip is going on, that’s something you may know. So having Jay’s father (Dan) there was obviously difficult for him but good for Devon to have someone to talk to.” Armstrong also talked with Bouwmeester and his father on Tuesday night, but basically left them alone on Wednesday. “(Wednesday) is a busy day for him getting all those tests, so I was just gonna let things lay down,” Armstrong said “But I’m constantly getting communication on what’s going on. He’s alert, in good spirits, back to ‘quote-unquote’ normal — whatever normal is after a situation like that. He’s talking. He’s not hooked up to machines or anything like that. “Right now, I think we’re in the spot of how and why. So we make sure we can address that it doesn’t happen again.” On Tuesday night, with the team still in Anaheim, Pietrangelo, his father Joe and Barile visited Bouwmeester at the hospital. “I think it was important for me just to see him and for everybody else to see him,” Pietrangelo said. “So we FaceTimed (with the rest of the team). 1171619 St Louis Blues Armstrong said the Ducks game will be made up at a later date, and will be replayed from the start. Because the NHL schedule is so condensed this time of year, he said a game or two may have to be moved by the Blues and/or the Ducks to fit it in. Blues offer counseling for players after Bouwmeester's collapse Mikkola recalled

Defenseman Niko Mikkola has been recalled from San Antonio to take Jim Thomas Bouwmeester’s spot on the roster.

LAS VEGAS — Just before general manager Doug Armstrong updated St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 02.13.2020 the media on the Jay Bouwmeester situation, meeting room doors opened Wednesday at the Waldorf Astoria hotel and out walked Blues players, coaches, training and equipment staff, and nearly two dozen fathers (and a friend or two) who accompanied the team on the annual Dads’ Trip. Minutes earlier behind closed doors they heard head athletic trainer Ray Barile walk them through exactly what happened to Bouwmeester the night before in Anaheim. Armstrong explained to them from an organizational perspective on how the team would deal with the situation. And there was one other thing. “We brought in a support counselor that I got through George McPhee (Tuesday) night, somebody that had worked with the Knights when they went through their tragedy on Oct. 1, just to make sure that the players know there’s someone to talk to,” Armstrong said. McPhee is the general manager of the Vegas Golden Knights, whom the Blues play Thursday at 9 p.m. Central. The reference to “Oct. 1” was the mass shooting that occurred on Oct. 1, 2017, at a music festival in Las Vegas. Armstrong said the counselor was excellent. “She gave the players some signs to watch for in the next 24 or 48 hours, and the next three weeks. I thought it was good in the context that we’re trying to let the guys know that there’s help out there if needed.” Bouwmeester collapsed on the bench in the first period of Tuesday’s game between the Blues and the Anaheim Ducks. A defibrillator was used to revive the veteran defenseman, who is doing “very well” according to Armstrong but remained hospitalized Wednesday at the UC Irvine Medical Center in Anaheim. As emotional and scary as the events of Tuesday were for the Blues, they have a hockey game to play Thursday and a hockey season to finish as defending Stanley Cup champions. “It’s obviously going to be difficult,” team captain Alex Pietrangelo said. “But we talked to Jay. He’s in good spirits. And when you see how he’s doing it certainly makes us feel a lot better.” The Blues are a tight-knit group, and that bond will help them get through this. “Yeah, I think so,” Armstrong said. “That’s the part of seeing how close this team has become over the last 18 months. You deal with the highs together and you deal with the lows together. “This is a low, but I have no question they’re gonna lean on each other and keep aware if someone’s personality is changing for whatever reason. And we’ll work with them to make sure that we support everyone.” Armstrong says it helps to have the fathers along on this trip — giving the players someone close to talk to, and vice versa. “This touches everyone,” Armstrong said. “The broadcasters, the trainers, media. It’s not normal. I told the players, there’s no playbook on how we should react to this. So don’t think that anything you’re feeling is wrong. There is no right or wrong in this situation.” Getting back on the ice Thursday for the morning skate and then the Vegas game will be a return to normalcy. “I think today is a good day to digest, to exhale,” Armstrong said following Wednesday’s press conference. “And then tomorrow, we’ll get information on Jay. I think it’s going to be positive. “We’re never going to forget what happened, but what makes these guys great athletes is they can for a short period of time put everything in its own compartment. And I’m comfortable that they’re gonna do whatever they can do to put their best foot forward.” Makeup game 1171620 St Louis Blues

Preview: Blues at Vegas Jim Thomas 1 hr ago 0

Stone, Fleury lift Golden Knights over Panthers 7-2 When, where: 9 p.m. Thursday, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas TV, radio: FSM, WXOS (101.1 FM) About the Golden Knights Although still in playoff position in the Western Conference, the Knights (28-22-8) have been treading water lately. They are 4-4-2 in their last 10 games and were shut out 4-0 Tuesday in Minnesota with goalie Marc Andre-Fleury pulled for only the second time the season. Vegas is excellent at home on the power play with a 27.8 percent efficiency rate that ranks fourth in the NHL; but they’re poor at T-Mobile on the penalty kill (75.6 percent, 28th). The Knights put a lot of shots on net with their 34.2 shots on goal per game, ranking second in the league. All-Star Max Pacioretty, with 24 goals, leads a trio of three 20-goal scorers for Vegas. has 21, Mark Stone has 20, and Jonathan Marchessault isn’t far off the pace with 18. This will be the Blues’ first game against Vegas since former San Jose coach Peter DeBoer replaced the fired .

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171621 St Louis Blues "We join the hockey community and the St. Louis Blues in sending our thoughts and prayers to Jay Bouwmeester and his family," the Pittsburgh Penguins tweeted. Bouwmeester hospitalized but 'alert' after suffering cardiac episode and At 36 years, 4 months, Bouwmeester is the oldest member of the Blues. collapsing on Blues' bench during game His career looked in doubt after a poor start to last season, but his game rebounded and he was playing so well at the end that the Blues renewed his contract for this season. Jim Thomas He told the Post-Dispatch last week that he wanted to play again next season, but that there had been no discussions with the Blues. "They've got more important players to worry about," he said, a reference no doubt ANAHEIM, Calif. — Veteran Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester was to Pietrangelo, who is a free agent after this season. conscious and alert in an Orange, Calif., hospital after suffering a cardiac The soft-spoken Bouwmeester is held in high regard in the Blues episode and collapsing as he sat on the bench during the first period of dressing room and across the NHL because of his experience, wisdom the team's game with the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night. and skill. Bouwmeester had just completed a shift with the game tied 1-1 at Honda When Pietrangelo received the Stanley Cup last season after the Blues Center. As Blues players skated to the bench during a TV timeout, victory in Boston, the first player he handed the Cup to was Bouwmeester collapsed. Bouwmeester, who had played 1,184 games in the league before • Wednesday afternoon update: Armstrong says Bouwmeester still winning it. undergoing tests but doing 'very well' On the international stage, he has represented Canada on gold-medal Teammates Vince Dunn and Alex Pietrangelo were near Bouwmeester at teams in the Olympics, World Championships and World Cup. the time and when they saw what happened they started waving Not sure how the topic came up, but several Blues players only half- frantically for medical help. jokingly said last season that if they had to be stranded on a desert island Players from both teams watched from the ice as Blues medical trainers with one teammate, it would be Bouwmeester because of his survival and Anaheim trainers and physicians rushed to Bouwmeester's aid. skills. Bouwmeester was rushed to a nearby hospital with his father Dan by his The Edmonton native had an ironman streak of 737 games end early in side. It was the team's Dads' Trip, so 21 fathers (or in a couple of cases the 2014-15 season. It's the ninth-longest in NHL history. friends or relatives) accompanied the players on this two-game road trip. A defense-first defenseman, Bouwmeester has usually been teamed with A couple of hours later, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong issued a Colton Parayko on the Blues' shutdown pairing, going up against the statement released by the team: other team's top scoring line. "With 7:50 remaining in the first period of our game tonight, Jay Tuesday's incident was reminiscent of one on May 11, 1998, when Bouwmeester suffered a cardiac episode and collapsed on our bench Blues defenseman was hit in the chest by a puck shot by after completing his shift. Thankfully, with the quick response of our Dmitri Mironov of Detroit. Pronger fell down, covered up the puck, then medical trainers, Anaheim medical trainers and their team physicians, got up, took two strides and collapsed. He was unconscious for about 20 they were able to stabilize Jay. seconds. "He was alert and moving all of his extremities as he was transported to The puck had caused Pronger's heart to skip a beat. He spent the night UC Irvine Medical Center. Currently, Jay is conscious and alert as he at a hospital in Detroit and was back in action four days later. undergoes further testing by Anaheim's physicians. We will update Jay's While a member of the Detroit Red Wings last March, Blues forward condition on Wednesday morning." Jacob de la Rose left a game against the New York Rangers because of (Update: Armstrong will talk to media about Bouwmeester's situation at an accelerated heart rate, was hospitalized overnight in New York, and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Las Vegas, where the Blues will play Thursday underwent surgery in April. night.) “I’ve had no issues since I had the surgery or the operation there,” de la Shortly after Bouwmeester was put on a stretcher near the visiting team Rose told the Post-Dispatch after coming to St. Louis in the Robby Fabbri tunnel and wheeled away, players from both teams left the ice. About 15 trade in early November. “That was obviously scary when it happened, minutes later, the game was postponed, with the NHL stating "a decision but I had a good summer and I haven’t felt it ever since.” on when the game will be played will be made in the near future." De la Rose was cleared for play this season and appeared in the first 16 The Blues, and all the Dads (who are traveling on the team charter) games for Detroit prior to the trade. originally were scheduled to fly out of Anaheim following the game for “I just rested a few weeks after the surgery and I was able to start Las Vegas, where they play the Golden Knights on Thursday. But the working out and kind of ramp it up as the summer went on,” he said. “I team decided to stay in Orange County overnight once they learned of don’t even think about it anymore.” Bouwmeester's condition. In Tuesday's game, Adam Henrique put Anaheim ahead on a redirection The wait obviously was excruciating for all involved. With curtains set up of a shot by Hampus Lindholm 5:29 into the first. The puck appeared to in what normally is an open hallway leading into the visiting team locker deflect off the skate of Blues defenseman Justin Faulk and past goal room at Honda Center, security made sure no one who wasn't supposed Jake Allen. to be there entered the area. Ivan Barbashev evened the score on the first goal by a forward in two- Fathers stood silently in the hallway, occasionally speaking in whispered plus games. Jordan Kyrou, back in the lineup after being a healthy tones — all wearing their son's Blues jersey, as is the custom for game scratch against Dallas, snagged a loose puck as Anaheim tried to get it nights on the Dads Trip. out of their zone. Blues players milled about the locker room area in shorts and T-shirts, He passed to Barbashev, who was behind the Anaheim defense and some on the phone, as was coach Craig Berube for a while. flipped it high past goalie John Gibson for his eighth goal of the season. Janitors arriving for their nightly cleanup detail in the area were politely Barbashev had gone nine games without a goal and the assists was shooed away by security. "Not now," they were told. Kyrou's first point since Dec. 29. After a while, the team equipment staff began its normal chore of packing up sticks, padding, helmets, skates and uniforms and wheeling them in St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 02.13.2020 carts out to the team buses. Once the news came that Bouwmeester was OK, the area quickly cleared and the team (and Dads) headed back to the hotel. Armstrong is expected to provide an update after the team arrives in Vegas early Wednesday afternoon. The hockey community rallied around Bouwmeester, with teams around the league tweeting words of support. 1171622 St Louis Blues among them Anders de la Rose, father of forward Jacob de la Rose. It’s probably hard to get much beach time in Sweden this time of year.

Blues notebook: Schwartz-Schenn line attracts lots of visitors this season St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 02.13.2020

Jim Thomas

ANAHEIM, CALIF. — For most — not all, but most — of Brayden Schenn’s two-plus seasons with the Blues he has skated with Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko as his wingmen. But in Game 10 of this season, way back on Oct. 24, Tarasenko went down with a shoulder injury that required surgery. Since then, it has been a hockey version of speed dating for Schwartz and Schenn. They have had many partners, sometimes on short notice. “Everyone brings something different definitely to the lineup,” Schenn said. “For us, we just try and find chemistry with whoever’s on the line that night. “It’s been a rotation. Nothing you can do about it. You go out there, you work hard and you try and create chances and be good on both ends of the ice.” Schwartz and Schenn have had eight different skaters round out their line this season. (That’s not including the two games that Schwartz and Schenn were on different lines.) How many of the eight can you name? Tarasenko, 10 games; Jordan Kyrou, 14 games; Robert Thomas, 12 games; Oskar Sundqvist, five; Sammy Blais and Tyler Bozak four apiece. . . . OK, time’s up. The remaining two linemates: Nathan Walker, three games; Ivan Barbashev, two games. We figured Walker, the Aussie who was with the team for nearly three weeks in late November and early December, might be the stumper. On Tuesday at Honda Center, it was back to Blais for the first time since Nov. 16 against — Anaheim! The Blues lost 4-1 that night at Enterprise Center, and for the next game, Bozak came out with Schwartz and Schenn with Blais joining Ryan O’Reilly and David Perron. “He’s highly-skilled,” Schenn said of Blais. “Big body. Goes to the net. Physical. Creates room. This is another chance for us to try and get something going here. . . . At the end of the day it’s all about two points and that’s all that really matters.” The chemistry between Schwartz and Schenn is strong, forged by dozens and dozens of games on the ice together. “You just try and read off each other,” Schenn said. “Obviously, you don’t know where each other is at all times. But I think you kind of know the tendencies of his game. I’m sure he knows some of mine. “The thing is communication. We talk a lot — good plays, bad plays, what we can do better. I think you’re always finding ways to try and be better and not be satisfied. We’ve played a lot of hockey together and hopefully many more.” As for Blais, he has been a true accordion player this year — up and down the lineup, and all points in between. After missing 2 ½ months this season following wrist surgery, Tuesday marked Blais’ 27th game. In that time, he has played on eight different line combinations, and on lines No. 1 through 4. Of the 14 other forwards currently with the club, Blais has opened a game on a line with everyone but Kyrou, Sundqvist and Zach Sanford. BLUE NOTES • Thomas did not take part in Tuesday’s morning skate, which was optional. He left the Honda Center early because he was under the weather, but was in the lineup against the Ducks. • Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo played in his 745th regular-season game for the Blues, moving him into fifth place on the franchise career list, ahead of Brett Hull. • Sundqvist remains on the injured reserve list with a lower-body injury and missed his seventh consecutive game Tuesday; but he accompanied the team on the trip and took part in the optional skate Tuesday. • This is the Blues’ annual Dads’ Trip, and about 21 fathers (or in a couple of cases, friends/relatives) accompanied the team to California. Some of the dads blew off the morning skate to head to the beach, 1171623 St Louis Blues skate. But he’s expected to play tonight. Thomas has a career-best six- game point streak (one goal, five assists) going.

GAME NOTES Blues go Duck hunting for two points Oscar Sundqvist hasn’t played since Jan. 27 because of a lower-body injury -- and will miss his seventh consecutive game tonight. But he did accompany the team on this trip, and was among 16 players participating Jim Thomas in an optional skate Tuesday. Berube said he’s not yet ready for game action. Feb 11, 2020 • Alex Pietgrangelo will play in his 745th regular-season game for the Blues tonight, moving him past Brett Hull and into fifth place on the ANAHEIM, Calif. • There are five teams in the NHL currently below .500 team’s career list. Pietrangelo leads the Blues in overall ice time (24:14 in regulation games this season. The Blues are 7-1 so far this season per game) and power play time (3:12) this season. against those clubs, with the only loss against ... Anaheim, tonight’s • The Blues have won their last three in Anaheim, outscoring the Ducks opponent at the Honda Center in a 9 p.m. start Central time. 14-7 in those games. Currently in 13th place in the Western Conference, the Ducks (23-26-7) • The Ducks rank second in the league with 10 shorthanded goals, which are alive in name only when it comes to earning a playoff berth. But ties a franchise record. They have scored four shorties in their last 10 they’ve been playing well lately: 6-2-2 in their last 10 games They are games. working young, hungry players into the lineup and appear to be playing relaxed, energetic hockey. • Defenseman Justin Faulk had no shot attempts Saturday against Dallas, only the third time that’s happened this season. And they know they can beat the Blues, having done so by a 4-1 score on Nov. 16 at Enterprise Center on the strength of Derek Grant's first • Ryan Getzlaf has 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) in 43 career games career NHL hat trick. against St. Louis. “They’re a team right now, you kind of see this towards the end of the year, teams that are just playing loose and having fun, and working hard,” forward Brayden Schenn said. “I think that’s what they’re doing St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 02.13.2020 right now. They’re winning hockey games. “So we gotta be ready for a solid challenge tonight. They’re a good team with a ton of good players, good goalie. So you can look at the standings and say it’s gonna be an easy one, but it’s definitely not. You can’t take ‘em lightly and you gotta be ready.” At this stretch of the season, with a 2-5-2 record over their past nine games, the Blues can’t afford to take anyone lightly. “They got a lot of young guys they’re using,” coach Craig Berube said of the Ducks. “I find that they’re giving them the ball a little bit, their young players. They got a lot to prove -- young guys trying to prove themselves as individuals and prove that they belong here. “So it’s gonna be a hard game. Our guys gotta be prepared for that. We gotta make sure we’re doing the right things right from the get-go and play a 60-minute hockey game.” To that end, Berube wants the Blues to dictate their style of play, and do so from the opening puck drop. Take away the empty-net goals and every regulation (and, of course, overtime) loss during the 2-5-2 lull has been a one-goal game. So the Blues simply need to get a little bit of their edge back. “That’s what we gotta get back to,” Zach Sanford said. “Last year we were always winning those one-goal games. This year, this last stretch a little bit, it’s kinda been the opposite.” More than anything, Berube thinks it boils down to defense. “We’re letting too many goals in lately, for sure,” Berube said. “And that’s on everybody, not just the goaltender. That’s the whole team. So we gotta tighten that up for sure. "We play good defense and we try to keep the goals-against down. If we can get back to that mindset, I think we’ll be OK. We’re gonna score enough goals.” QUESTION FOR THE COACH In the middle of his media session following the team’s morning skate, Berube got a question from a new member of the media corps: “I know Tyler Bozak’s really been playing well lately, I’m just wondering if there’s any chance of increased ice time for him?” Somehow (wink, wink) Mitch Bozak, the father of the Blues veteran forward, had commandeered a microphone as well as the Blues’ social media camera. In any event, Berube didn’t miss a beat. “Well, I got his minutes up last game and I still didn’t get any results,” Berube said, laughing. “I was looking back at his goals this year and his stats. Like 12 to 13 minutes, that’s when he scores all the time.” UNDER THE WEATHER Second-year forward Robert Thomas was under the weather and left early from Honda Center, where the Blues were holding their morning 1171624 St Louis Blues Armstrong said. “Thanks to everyone at the Honda Center and the Ducks’ organization for their lifesaving efforts.”

It was also noted how Anaheim players came together to support the ‘Things are looking very positive’: Jay Bouwmeester remains hospitalized Blues during a difficult time. after collapsing, but in good spirits “Hockey gets pushed aside really quickly when you’re talking about something like this,” Pietrangelo said. “You play against each other and you battle against these guys, but we all have enough respect for each By Jeremy Rutherford other. A lot of those guys have played with Bouw. I know (Ryan) Getzlaf, I’ve played with him, he knows Bouw a lot just from playing from over the Feb 12, 2020 years in international tournaments, and he reached out right away. The hockey community, a lot of people started reaching out, that’s just how the hockey community is.” LAS VEGAS — Alex Pietrangelo handed Jay Bouwmeester the Stanley Cup and watched his teammate raise it with both arms. Another NHL star who has played with Bouwmeester internationally sent his well-wishes Wednesday. Eight months later, nearly to the day, Pietrangelo just wanted to see Bouwmeester raise one arm. “I just hope he’s OK,” said Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, who was teammates with Bouwmeester on Team Canada at the Olympics. The veteran defensemen had played 5,814 minutes together in St. Louis, “Immediately, you think it’s so scary, and you can see by the reaction and lying unconscious on the floor of the Blues’ bench Tuesday night at how quickly it happened and how unexpected it was. He’s in such great the Honda Center in Anaheim, Bouwmeester may not have had another shape, and he’s a guy that has been in so many different situations (with) minute left. so much experience, to see that happen so quick like that — I’m just happy that he’s OK.” “It’s hard to even explain,” Pietrangelo said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon from the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Las Vegas. “It The Blues will play Thursday in Vegas, as scheduled, but it won’t be happened so fast. It felt like it was an eternity for us.” easy. Armstrong said Golden Knights president George McPhee made accommodations for counselors Wednesday if any of the Blues players If not for the quick reaction time of players such as Pietrangelo near the needed them. bench and the medical attention provided by Blues athletic trainer Ray Barile and Anaheim’s staff, it could have ended much differently. “It’s obviously going to be difficult, but again, we talked to Jay and he’s in good spirits and when you see how he’s doing, it certainly makes us feel After saying in a statement late Tuesday night that Bouwmeester a lot better,” Pietrangelo said. “We stayed (in Anaheim) last night, we experienced a cardiac episode, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong didn’t feel comfortable leaving without knowing how he was doing. But confirmed Wednesday the 36-year-old “became unresponsive and the like I said, when Jay-bo is being Jay-bo, I think it makes everybody feel a medical personnel used a defibrillator to revive him.” Bouwmeester lot better.” immediately regained consciousness and was in stable condition at UC Irvine Medical Center, where he remained Wednesday. Arguably the fittest player on the Blues’ roster, Bouwmeester continued to undergo a battery of tests to determine what led to the cardiac episode. While that The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 will be determined in the days ahead, family, friends and fans received the news they had been hoping to hear. “Things are looking very positive,” Armstrong said. The Blues’ GM had just returned from Europe when he settled in to watch his team’s game against Anaheim from St. Louis, and with 7:50 remaining in the first period, he saw what everyone else saw: play halted because a player was down on the bench. When it was determined who it was, Armstrong immediately reached out to Bouwmeester’s wife, Devon. “Fortunately she wasn’t watching the game, so I was able to explain to her what was happening, made her as comfortable as possible that he was getting the best medical care,” Armstrong said. “Our fathers trip is going on … so having Jay’s father (Dan) there was obviously difficult for him, but good for Devon to have someone to talk to. Our wives are all reaching out. I know (Alexander Steen’s wife Josefine) went by last night. It’s just how our group is. We take care of each other.” Meanwhile, in Anaheim, once the Blues-Ducks game was postponed, Pietrangelo and his father, Joe, went to the hospital to be with Bouwmeester and his dad. “He was in good spirits with us — typical Jay — so I think it certainly made us all feel a lot better today, knowing we had the opportunity to talk to him,” Pietrangelo said. But they didn’t just talk to Bouwmeester; Pietrangelo FaceTimed a connection with him and the rest of the team. “I think it was important for me just to see him and for everybody else to see him,” Pietrangelo said. “Bouw had his opportunity to kind of see everybody (and) everybody sent him their wishes. I’m not going to speak for everybody, but I think it made everybody feel a lot better knowing he was in good hands. He was in good spirits with us. “It’s not easy to see anyone go through it, let alone a close friend, a teammate that you spend every day with. We’re a tight group in our locker room; if you’ve been around us, you know how close we are. We’re lucky to have each other any time you’re going through something like this.” Speaking of lucky, Armstrong said something Wednesday that many were thinking: If a situation like this had to happen, it was best that it was at the arena, not at dinner or a hotel. “There is never a good time for something like this to take place, but there could not have been a better location than the Honda Center,” 1171625 Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning trio that got stuck on the ice, and saved the day

By Diana C. Nearhos Published Yesterday Updated Yesterday

TAMPA — As the Lightning bench emptied and gathered around Yanni Gourde to celebrate his drought-breaking, game-winning overtime goal Tuesday night in Pittsburgh, two players stayed behind. Ondrej Palat and Mikhail Sergachev were still bent over, gasping for air after finishing a two-minute shift of three-on-three hockey only seconds before. Gourde was the hero in the 2-1 win over Pittsburgh, but the goal doesn’t happen without Palat, Sergachev and Mitchell Stephens getting through that shift. “That was definitely a M.A.S.H. unit tonight,” coach Jon Cooper said. “It seemed like a six-minute shift that Stevie, Sergy and Pally were on for. They gut it out and we got rewarded in the end.” The average shift in hockey spans 30 seconds to a minute depending on the player. Defensemen generally play longer shifts, but in three-on-three they typically stay close 30 seconds or less. The overtime started with a 23-second shift for Victor Hedman, Alex Killorn and Tyler Johnson. At the first whistle, they headed for the bench. Palat, Stephens and Sergachev came on for the next shift and couldn’t get out of their own zone, which was at the opposite end of the ice from the Lightning bench. A two-minute overtime shift doesn’t exist in a bubble. The Lightning were playing their second overtime in as many nights. They had played two periods without Anthony Cirelli and the third without Nikita Kucherov. This team was tired going into the overtime. Sergachev played an 84-second shift to finish out regulation; Stephens 54 seconds. Then came the five-minute mini-intermission that’s long enough to catch your breath and not enough to recover. Even early in the overtime shift, exhaustion showed on Stephens’ face as he prepared to take a faceoff. What made the shift most impressive, however, was as much it’s effectiveness as the length. The Lightning trio faced the Penguins’ most potent offensive threats and, even as they started lagging, did not yield. Sidney Crosby (who averages 1.5 points per game), Jared McCann and Kris Letang had a minute of zone time and without a shot on goal. They were forced to continually cycle without a lane to the net. Sergachev stayed with Crosby, further evidence of the trust coaches have in the 21-year-old defenseman, and disrupted a pass from McCann as Crosby tried to crash the net. The Penguins changed lines and brought out Evgeni Malkin (1.4 points per game), Bryan Rust (1.1) and Justin Schultz. That combination managed one shot: Malkin put the puck on Andrei Vasilevskiy while Sergachev tied up Rust, so he couldn’t go after the rebound. As the shift dragged on, Lightning skaters slowed considerably and stayed closer to the net, clogging lanes and conserving energy. They started doing more gliding than skating. Then, just as Fox Sports Sun color analyst commented that Sergachev had nothing left to give, the defenseman took the puck away from Malkin to spring himself and Palat. In the clearest evidence of exhaustion, Sergachev forfeited the two-on- one chance. He gave Palat the puck and went to the bench. Palat passed to the now fresh Hedman while Stephens changed for Brayden Point and then headed off the ice himself. Enter Gourde, who scored 10 seconds later. Sergachev, Stephens and Palat don’t show up on the scoresheet, but deserve just as much credit for setting up the game-winning goal.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171626 Tampa Bay Lightning Girardi figured the toughest part of retired life would be filling the time, so he jumped right in. Pamela said her husband’s first week at home was spent doing some housework, including changing every lightbulb in the house. Dan Girardi’s next chapter: Playing ‘Coach Dan’ with former Lightning star Vinny Lecavalier “Even the lightbulbs that still worked!” she said. Girardi loved the fact he could attend all of his 6-year-old daughter Shaye’s dances and school plays, not to mention Landon’s games. But By Joe Smith Pamela said Girardi got the coaching “itch” when helping out with Landon’s team after the Lightning’s stunning early playoff loss. Girardi Feb 12, 2020 reached out to Lecavalier and offered to help full-time, joining two other assistant coaches, Jace Anders and Kyle Fruetel. “If you want me to coach the ‘D,’ open the door, let me know,” Girardi told Lecavalier. BRANDON, Fla. — If there was any time for Dylan Coleman to be intimidated, this was it. Now, the two former NHLers are trading texts each day on practice plans and tournament schedules. The 9-year-old goalie was in the middle of practice at the old Ice Sports Forum in mid-December, and his two head coaches were coming in on a “You try to think of practice plans, drills you’d use in the game,” Girardi two-on-zero. The rest of his 9-year-old Brandon Bulls “mites” teammates said. “It’s a half-ice practice, that’s the beauty of Florida (with limited rinks were on one knee at mid-ice, watching. and increasing demand). You’ve got to be creative with the drills. You can’t do re-groups — they’re only 9 years old. You want to keep them The coaches? None other than former NHL All-Stars Dan Girardi and always moving. You try to work on skill stuff.” Vinny Lecavalier. The first task on this day was the team photo, which — eventually — Gulp. turned out great. As the kids skated around and warmed up, Girardi and Lecavalier hung out in the corner and chatted. Not only do their sons Girardi carried the puck down the left boards, with Lecavalier — once a both play on the team, but Jonny Cooper, son of Lightning coach Jon Rocket Richard Trophy winner as the league’s top goal scorer — picking Cooper, is also on the team. up speed on his right side. Girardi, 35, got to the left circle and sent a cross-zone feed to Lecavalier, 39, as Coleman slid over with a double- A few years ago, for the team’s Christmas party, Lecavalier brought one pad stack. Lecavalier wound up for a one-timer but instead tried to flip it special surprise for the kids. They were at a parent’s Palma Ceia home, over the youngster. playing video games and eating lunch. When Lecavalier brought the group into the living room for a talk, one parent joked that he was going Denied. to recite, “The Night Before Christmas.” Instead, Lecavalier recalled how His teammates gave Coleman props by slapping their sticks on the ice. he used to tell his father he wanted to play in the NHL, how he’d one day hoist the Stanley Cup. “Woahhhhhh!” He led the group to the driveway, where the Cup sat on a table. Some heckled their coach, who had a big smile as he skated back. “That’s one of the benefits of having a Stanley Cup champion as your “Hey,” Lecavalier said. “He made a good save.” head coach,” the elder Cooper said. “It’s like hitting the coaching lottery.” Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a youth hockey team. But Jonny is working with the forwards along the boards, zig-zagging around to the kids, the former pros are just “Coach Vinny” and “Coach Dan.” cones for a drill. Lecavalier first simulates, then stops and corrects if Lecavalier has been coaching the Bulls for three years — his 8-year-old need be. The focus in this skating drill is on timing. “Kids don’t want to go son, Gabriel, is a rising star. Girardi’s son, Landon, has been on the team offsides so they’ll just stop completely,” he said. “We want them to keep for a couple of years, and with the former Rangers and Lightning their speed.” defenseman retiring in September, he jumped at the opportunity to join Lecavalier on the bench. ‘They’re just regular guys’ Watching Girardi, in his black Bulls sweatsuit and hat, parents joke he Sean Godonis and Eric Gill are just outside the glass where the drill is may be having more fun than the kids. going on, both sipping on some draft beer from the arena bar. They’re right. When your kids are on a travel team like this, you become tight as a group. The Bulls leave Florida once a month for tournaments in places “I honestly didn’t know what to expect coming in,” Girardi said. “But it’s like Minnesota and North Carolina. Godonis, who played his youth been really fun. I love it.” hockey in Philadelphia, is struck by how down to earth and thoughtful the two former NHLers are. Dan Girardi at a Bulls practice. (Joe Smith / The Athletic) Lecavalier and Girardi will tailgate with the parents at away tournaments, ‘Hitting the coaching lottery’ and they treat the kids as if they were their own sons. Pamela Girardi sat in the stands with a few other moms as their kids tried “Having Danny and Vinny coaching is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” to line up for a team picture. said Godonis, whose son, Sander, plays for the Bulls. “(The kids) don’t treat them like they’re star-struck, and neither do we. When Danny and Turns out, getting more than a dozen 9-year-olds to assemble in rows is Vinny are standing next to each other and some people go right up to quite a challenge. One kid messed with another’s hair. A couple of others Vinny and don’t even talk to Dan, maybe don’t realize who he is, we just battled over who sat next to whom. laugh about it. They’re just regular guys.” Meanwhile, Lecavalier and Girardi, whose team practices Tuesdays and Gill points out that Lecavalier is probably harder on his son than anyone Thursdays in Brandon, were setting up cones on the ice for that night’s else, often speaking to him in French. He laughed recalling when Gabriel session. Girardi has a small notebook he usually carries in his pocket, was told to do push-ups by his dad and immediately threw off his gloves which is filled with practice plans he’s thought of, his players’ statistics and stick and elaborately did a bunch. Can’t blame the kid for having a bit and who plays with whom. of flair, just like his father. “He takes this very seriously,” Pamela said, laughing. Godonis said he’ll never forget when one referee went up to Lecavalier Those who played with Girardi had plenty of stories of him being both during a game and told him to “read a rulebook.” As if the man with fearless and funny, but they also ribbed him for how much he planned 1,200-plus NHL games and his No. 4 in the rafters at Amalie Arena ahead. He’d be the guy asking for a ride to the rink two weeks in needed some help understanding the sport. advance. Lecavalier chuckled when remembering that moment: “Yeah, he gave it Girardi wasn’t afraid to think big, either, as Pamela fondly recalled how to me pretty good.” he proposed in a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park. So when Girardi As for Girardi, it’s often hard to keep his intensity in check during games. decided to retire in September, it meant not only missing out on all the Just look at the cracks in his Bauer dry-erase coaching board. good times but also losing that year-round structure. Of course, there’s a story with that. “It was the toughest decision he’s had to make,” Pamela said. “We were at a Palm Beach tournament in the finals against the Florida Junior Panthers, a team we always play in the finals,” Girardi said. “We were up 2-1 or 3-2 in the final minute. With a few seconds to go, they had “He’s funny,” Gabriel said. “Really funny.” two guys in front and slid the puck into an open net. I just took the board and hit the wall with it. I tried to bend it in half, and it got a little out of Lecavalier chimed in: “Who’s funnier, Coach Dan or Coach Dad?” hand. The kids are like, ‘What’s wrong with this coach?’ Gabriel wasted no time: “Dan.” “So I’m with the team in Lakeland, and we played our best game, won by Gabriel laughed. So did Lecavalier. a lot. We gave up a goal and I walk in the room and hit the board on the bench and it explodes. ‘Why did you let that goal in?!’ They look at me “Of course.” like I’m crazy — again. I was joking, but now the board, which is already cracked, looks like it has a shark tooth on it.” Growing the game The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 The Lightning hold a Learn to Play Jamboree on the team’s annual “Hockey Day in Tampa Bay.” (Courtesy of the Tampa Bay Lightning) Lecavalier, from near Montreal, Quebec, and Girardi, from Welland, Ontario, know what youth hockey hotbeds look like. And just as Tampa has become a “hockey town” — with 226 consecutive sellouts at Amalie Arena and the Lightning a perennial contender — the youth hockey scene has exploded over the last five years. Girardi said he notices it in the quality of play in tournaments the Bulls participate in. It’s been part of the Lightning’s plan since they began the “Build the Thunder” program five years ago. Where once the community hockey program was a one-person job, the club now has former general manager Jay Feaster running a department with a staff of 10. They’ve visited 503 schools around the state, giving out 120,000 sticks to kids (and teaching them how to play in clinics) to help fuel the sport’s growth. The goal was to increase the amount of youth hockey players registered through USA Hockey by 1,000 in the first five years. They’re already at 1,500 through four years, including a slowly growing girls program. The high school hockey league in Tampa has 600 kids (18 teams drawn from 53 schools), up from 325 players in the last 3-4 years. The Lightning have two travel teams in an elite development program, an 18-and-under group coached by former Tampa Bay player Adam Hall and a 16-and- under team coached by Filip Kuba. Each year, the Lightning want to showcase the game locally with a “Hockey Day in Tampa Bay,” which involves clinics and games. This year, they’re taking it to a whole new level with a nine-day “Hockey Week,” which began Sunday. There will be grand openings of three new outdoor street hockey rinks this week, not to mention showcase games and clinics. On Sunday, Martin St. Louis and the Hall of Famer’s youth travel team, the Junior Rangers, played against the Florida Alliance at Amalie. Afterward, there was a skills competition with former Lightning players, including St. Louis, Dave Andreychuk, Ruslan Fedotenko and Lecavalier, who participated in events testing the fastest skater and shooting accuracy. (All proceeds from the event went to “Because We Love the Game” to support disabled hockey programs in the state.) St. Louis stopped by the new rink in Wesley Chapel (AdventHealth Center Ice) Saturday morning and was struck by the fact that all four sheets were filled with players. “I think the growth is a reflection of the organization,” St. Louis said. “The success we had (winning the Stanley Cup in 2004), it creates interest for kids to play hockey. I’m not surprised. The biggest job is (to) just keep growing it.” The Lightning sponsor two girls’ rec teams, two girls’ travel teams, a girls’ JV team and a girls’ “elite” travel team. (Courtesy of the Tampa Bay Lightning) Girardi is bummed he’ll have to miss it. He plans to move back to the Ontario area this year to be closer to his family. He still hopes to coach Landon up there, having enjoyed this experience very much. Their season ends on March 1. “The kids probably have no idea who I am. Vinny is the more prominent figure in Florida than myself,” Girardi said. “But I’m glad we’re able to work together. We’ve got a great little team. The kids are really good and we’re enjoying the year. It’s flying by.” Alden Corral, a 9-year-old Bulls forward, said he had heard of Lecavalier a little, but his father filled him in. He said it’s “pretty cool” to have NHLers like Lecavalier and Girardi on their bench. “They’re really nice,” Corral said. “But they’re kind of strict on the ice to help us get better.” After this December practice finished, kids headed to the locker room to get changed and ready to go home. They said goodbye to Coach Dan and Coach Vinny before meeting their parents in the much-warmer lobby. Gabriel Lecavalier came up to his dad just outside the locker room to ask him to help untie a knot in his skate laces. “What’s it like to play for Coach Dan?” he was asked. 1171627 Toronto Maple Leafs “Once we got to know each other, he opened up to me.” As strange as it sounds in an era when many goalies don’t become full-

time NHLers until their mid-20s, Campbell was crestfallen when he didn’t How ‘lost soul’ Jack Campbell rediscovered his love of hockey make the Stars as an 18-year-old. “It shook me,” he said. “I’d always accomplished everything, at that point, that I wanted. It was tough, it was frustrating. JOSHUA CLIPPERTON “It went downhill from there.” THE CANADIAN PRESS Wanting to succeed at basically any cost, Campbell would push himself PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 12, 2020 in drills to the point where he’d be close to passing out. UPDATED FEBRUARY 12, 2020 “It looked like his face was going to explode,” Imoo said. “It was insane. Soupy (Campbell’s nickname) would go so hard he would stop breathing ... we needed to harness it the right way.” Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell makes a save against “No comment,” Campbell said with a smile when asked about that the Montreal Canadiens during a game in Montreal on Feb. 8, 2020. oxygen-related detail. Jack Campbell wasn’t in a good place. Acquired in another trade with the Kings last season, Leafs defenceman Billed as the next Jonathan Quick or Ryan Miller – the next great Jake Muzzin can attest to the drive of a player he calls “the hardest- American goalie – the former first-round pick had made just one NHL working guy I’ve ever seen in hockey.” appearance, and his highly-touted game was in tatters, when the Dallas “We’re not making this up,” Muzzin said. “This is a real thing.” Stars traded him to the Los Angeles Kings in June 2016. Muzzin has also seen Campbell, who credits his father, Jack Sr., with Campbell was miserable. He’d fallen out of love with hockey bouncing instilling that work ethic, creep back into old habits of self-doubt, but it’s a between the AHL and the third-tier ECHL with no light at the end of a lot better than before. tunnel that seemed to be leading nowhere. “He puts a lot of pressure on himself,” said the blueliner. “He hates letting And he didn’t have any answers. the team down or himself down ... but a lot the time, he’s not.” “It was bad,” Campbell recalled. “It just wasn’t fun anymore. It really took Imoo eventually helped Campbell relax and see the bigger picture. a toll on my mental state. “I just have more fun,” he said. “It’s a game at the end of the day, but it “I felt like I was on an island.” means the world to me. But he would soon find a lifeline on the West Coast – Dusty Imoo, head “I’d beat myself up pretty hard.” of goaltending development with the Kings. Campbell played once for the Kings in 2016-17, five more times the “He was a lost soul,” Imoo said. “He was really beaten down and a lot of following season and became the team’s backup in 2018-19 – including a it was self-abuse. He had beaten himself up. He put so much pressure .928 save percentage – before signing a two-year, US$3.3-million on himself early and quickly. contract extension through 2021-22 in September. “Any failure, he took it very personally ... he felt he was a failure as a While Imoo was instrumental early, two-time Stanley Cup winner and person.” Kings goalie coach Bill Ranford continued the work once he got to L.A. That’s when Campbell, subsequently acquired by the Toronto Maple “Dusty was a mentor (and) there every second for me,” Campbell said. Leafs from the Kings last week with No. 1 netminder Frederik Andersen “Bill gave me my space and allowed me to grow. He let me figure things nursing a neck injury, and Imoo put their heads together. out, but when it was time to work he always had great points.” Working mostly with the AHL’s as the club’s de facto Campbell’s first three starts for the Leafs – the 59th, 60th and 61st goalie coach, Imoo isn’t one to force a style on a player. It’s about finding appearances of his NHL career – have seen him pick up five of a the best fit. possible six points, with the two victories coming in overtime, including Campbell, however, was a unique challenge. Tuesday’s 35-save performance in a 3-2 overtime win over Arizona. “He had no idea who he was,” Imoo, now goalie coach with Kulun Red Imoo is convinced Campbell still has the ability to be a No. 1 goalie in the Star of Russia’s KHL, said in a phone interview. “We wanted to build it league. It won’t happen in Toronto, at least not any time soon with a from scratch and redefine him.” healthy and present Andersen. It started by tearing his technique down to the studs. But the potential remains. “I didn’t even know really how to stand in the net anymore,” said the 28- It’s also a blessing for both the team and player his time in the spotlight year-old Campbell, who backstopped the U.S. to gold at the 2010 world comes now. junior hockey championship. “We laugh about it now, but it was crazy.” “It would not have been a good situation five years ago,” Imoo said with a Imoo also wanted Campbell, the 11th overall pick in the NHL draft in chuckle. “Hopefully the fans embrace him. I know it’s a tough market, but 2010, to reflect on what his life was like when hockey was fun. I think they’re gonna be happy with what they got.” “I just asked, ‘When you were your best what was it like? What was it like Campbell and Imoo still chat a few times a month. It’s more difficult with when you felt good about yourself?” said Imoo, a 49-year-old from New the latter now in the KHL, but the bond remains strong. Westminster, B.C. “He shared he was an athletic goalie and used his “It means world to me,” Campbell said of their relationship. “He took me reflexes. from having no self esteem off the ice or on the ice to just chilling out “We built from there.” completely and believing in myself again.” Things started to change shortly after the six-foot-two, 197-pound No matter how things play out from here, that feels like his biggest win of Campbell got to the city of Ontario, Calif., located about 60 kilometres all. east of Los Angeles. He was soon back enjoying the game and his numbers were improving. Globe And Mail LOADED: 02.13.2020 The happy, polite native of Port Huron, Mich., on display since the trade that brought him to Toronto along with winger Kyle Clifford was starting to surface. “He was really disappointed with himself,” said Imoo, who played 15 years as a pro and was Japan’s starting goalie at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. “I told him over and over, ‘You gotta learn to love yourself first before you can love all the other crap – the game. You’ve got to be happy with yourself as a person.’ 1171628 Toronto Maple Leafs manager has been trying to build — only they’re better. Since the calendar turned to 2020, you’ve scrounged out eight wins — they’ve stacked up a league-best 16, against just three losses, and they’ve been the second-best defensive team in the NHL over that span. Perhaps on Leafs are facing Toronto’s scariest playoff inevitability since the Raptors’ account of their gutting experience last spring, wherein they parlayed a annual dose of LeBronto 128-point masterpiece of a Presidents’ Trophy run into a four-game, first- round faceplant against the Blue Jackets, they’re a desperate, driven unit. By Dave Feschuk Sports Columnist So maybe the Capitals would be your better bet. After winning the Cup in Wed., Feb. 12, 2020 2018 they lost in the first round last year, too. And thanks to Braden Holtby’s struggles, they’re the only team among the NHL’s top four with a five-on-five team save percentage that’s worse than yours. Still, they were champions for a reason. Alex Ovechkin isn’t slowing down any time Congratulations, Toronto Maple Leafs! After recently spending some soon. And their heavy-hitting approach, if it didn’t beat you, would dicey moments outside the playoff picture — an alarming period of time certainly leave bruises. we’ll call the Michael Hutchinson era — you’re now comfortably on pace for your fourth straight post-season berth. So it’s possible the Penguins would be the lesser of four evils. The Penguins were also a Round 1 out a year ago. This season has seen 32- Your playoff probability resides around .751. As long as your new backup year-old Sidney Crosby miss more than two months recovering from goaltender’s save percentage stays sufficiently north of that figure, you’re hernia surgery. Their back-to-back titles are nearly three years in the virtual shoo-ins for another try at running the Stanley Cup gauntlet. distance. Then again, 33-year-old Evgeni Malkin, in a bounce-back Sustained respectability is within your grasp. season for the ages, ranks fourth in the league in points per game. And But don’t get too giddy. We both know your season was never going to the Penguins were tied for the third-most points since Jan. 1 heading into be judged on merely making the playoffs. It’s never been a secret your Wednesday. one and only real measure of success this season comes down to the Can an argument be made the Bruins are the team you’re best equipped answer to a simple question: Can you win the franchise’s first playoff to beat? The same Bruins who’ve defeated you in three separate first- series since 2004? round Game 7s going back to 2013? The same Bruins who own vast So that’s the good news. The bar couldn’t possibly be much lower. tracks of real estate in your collective psyche? Maybe there is. After all, the players whose Boston-related scars run the deepest have left town. But here’s the less-good news. Thanks to the NHL’s absurd post-season So Jake Gardiner won’t be toting around the baggage of his infamous format, your four most likely first-round playoff opponents happen to be minus-5. And Nazem Kadri won’t be baited into adding to a rap sheet that the top four teams in the entire league. Yes, that’s correct, even if it includes two suspensions totalling eight of your most recent 14 playoff doesn’t seem right. Heading into Wednesday’s games your Atlantic games against Boston. At least, that’s one theory. Division nemesis from Boston ranked first among the 31 teams. The Lightning were a point back of the Bruins in second overall. Which means Welcome back into the playoff picture, Maple Leafs. It’s daunting. But that, as the third-place team in the Atlantic, you’d be heading to Tampa don’t think you’ve got it too tough. If the playoffs began today, the two Bay for Game 1 if the playoffs began today. best teams in the league would be set to face each other in the second round. Ditto Nos. 3 and 4 overall. The NFL gives its top teams first-round In other words, here’s your supposed reward for maintaining your lead on byes. The NHL gives theirs early-round hell. Re-seeding, one supposes, the Panthers, who sat two points in your rear-view mirror with a game in is only for intelligently run leagues that sensibly reward regular-season hand: It’ll be Boston or Tampa in the opening round. achievements. And complaining is for losers. And let’s say the Panthers pass you between now and the finish line — So finish that marathon strong, and get ready to be underdogs in a hardly unfathomable considering you have to play them two more times murderous sprint. and they’ve already beat you twice by a combined score of 13-7. Then you’ll be hoping for one of two wild-card spots, which would open up the possibility, albeit a longer-odds one, of playing the No. 1 seed from the Toronto Star LOADED: 02.13.2020 Metropolitan Division. The Metro winner figures to be either the Washington Capitals, who were leading that race as of Wednesday morning, or the Pittsburgh Penguins, who sat three points back with a game in hand. Washington and Pittsburgh were sitting third and fourth overall in the NHL. It’s a pick-your-poison scenario if there ever was one. Boston or Tampa. Washington or Pittsburgh. It’s Toronto’s scariest playoff inevitability since the Raptors faced an annual dose of LeBronto. Call it Gary Bettman’s karmic revenge for your capologist hollowing out the CBA with umpteen Joffrey Loopholes. Any way you slice it, qualifying for the playoffs will seem a bit like finishing a marathon, and then immediately being asked to face peak Usain Bolt in a 100-metre sprint for your survival. Okay, we’re exaggerating. None of those teams has been as dominant as peak Usain Bolt. But none of them qualifies as a one-season fluke job, either. Go back to 2016-17, the first time you made the playoffs after missing out in 10 of your previous 11 seasons, and add up the cumulative points in the NHL standings from then until now. The ranking goes Tampa Bay, Washington, Boston, Pittsburgh. They’re not just the four best teams this season. They’ve consistently been the four best teams in hockey over a quadrennial. You’re trying for sustained respectability. Those teams have achieved sustained excellence. If you think too hard about just how good these teams have been, it’ll mess with your self-worth more than a mind game. And they haven’t just been good in the regular season. Add up the number of playoff games going back to 2016-17. Nobody’s played more than the Capitals, who’ve tallied 44. All three of the Capitals, Bruins (42) and Penguins (41) have played in more than twice as many as Toronto (20). Tampa Bay has played in 21. So maybe, by that measure, Tampa Bay ought to be considered your preferred opponent. Sure, the Lightning made the Stanley Cup final in 2015. But since that high point, there hasn’t been a team in the league that’s more consistently under-delivered on its vast potential. On the other hand, the Globetrotter-ing Lightning are everything your general 1171629 Toronto Maple Leafs

Rasmus Sandin, battling Taylor Hall of the Coyotes in Tuesday night’s game, has been taking a regular turn on the Leafs’ blue line at 19.

By Mark Zwolinski Sports Reporter Wed., Feb. 12, 2020

Rookie defencemen Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin have built-in confidence that is serving them well as the Maple Leafs push for a playoff spot. Despite just 21 games of NHL experience combined, they’ve been thrust into full-time duty as the third pair on the blue line while veterans Morgan Rielly and Cody Ceci recover from long-term injuries. At 19, Sandin has already seen power-play and penalty-killing duty in two stints with the big club. The 2018 first-round draft pick is well ahead of his development schedule. “They both have experience with long playoff runs,” said Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe, referring to the American Hockey League Marlies — who won the with Keefe as coach in 2018 — and junior hockey. “They’ve been through a lot of playoff hockey, a lot of competitive hockey at critical times of the year. We like to think those types of things build them up for success here.” Liljegren, 20, was a key member of the Marlies’ Calder Cup winner and has played 125 games over three AHL seasons. Sandin, meanwhile, starred for Sweden in the past two world junior championships, and with the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds in their 2018 playoff run. Rielly suffered a broken foot on Jan. 13 and was expected to miss eight weeks. He’s scheduled for an update assessment on Friday, roughly the midpoint of that time frame. Ceci is out with an ankle injury and expected to be re-evaluated in about a month. General manager might look to add defence depth by the Feb. 24 trade deadline, but the progress of Liljegren and Sandin will play a role in that decision. The Leafs have been linked to trade talk involving several hard-rock defencemen — including Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild and Josh Manson of the Anaheim Ducks — and have young assets to offer, but the salary cap remains a concern. According to the website Cap Friendly, they have about $6.5 million (U.S.) in room with Rielly and Ceci on long- term injured reserve. They’ll need to leave space open, however, with both expected back before the playoffs. Moves or no moves, finding out now whether Liljegren and Sandin are up to the challenge will go a long way — now and for the future. If the pressure’s getting to them, it hasn’t shown. They’re among six Swedes on the roster, and that off-ice friendship has played a role. “We go out to dinner and have fun,” Sandin said. “That helps a lot.” If the Leafs hope to make the playoffs and make some noise, the defence could use improvements in three areas: playmaking, grit and depth — at least eight NHL-worthy blue-liners. If they can get Rielly and Ceci back to full health and up to game speed, they would have nine (barring trades or other injuries): Rielly, Ceci, Liljegren, Sandin, Jake Muzzin, Tyson Barrie, Justin Holl, Travis Dermott and Martin Marincin. Liljegren understands the challenge. He’s faced it before as a pro and says he can handle it.

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Pierre Engvall has seven goals and seven assists in 35 games with the Maple Leafs this season.

Staff Report

By The Canadian Press Wed., Feb. 12, 2020

The Maple Leafs have signed forward Pierre Engvall to a two-year, US$2.5-million extension. The 23-year-old native of Sweden has seven goals and seven assists in 35 games with the Leafs this season. Engvall also has 30 goals and 26 assists in 94 career American Hockey League regular-season games for the . Engvall has added four goals and 11 assists in 34 career AHL playoff games with Toronto, helping the Marlies capture the Calder Cup in 2018. The Maple Leafs took Engvall in the seventh round (188th overall) of the 2014 NHL draft.

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NHL, players schedule more labour talks for next week

By John WawrowThe Associated Press Wed., Feb. 12, 2020

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have scheduled another round of labour talks next week after concluding two days of negotiations in Toronto on Wednesday. In an email to The Associated Press, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly wrote he wasn’t prepared to comment on what was discussed and whether the additional meetings reflect any signs of progress being made. “I’m not sure the fact that we scheduled additional meetings reflects anything more than we have a lot of topic areas to discuss,” Daly wrote. “We look forward to resuming discussions with the league next week.” the NHLPA said in a statement to The AP. The current labour agreement runs through September 2022, after both sides last year elected not to use an opt-out clause that would have terminated the CBA this September. There remains a sense of urgency in reaching an agreement to extend the current deal through either 2025 or 2026, which would mark the league’s longest period of labour peace in decades. The NHL has had seasons disrupted by lockouts in each of the past three decades, most recently in 2012-13, when the regular season was shortened from 82 to 48 games. One of the more pressing issues, however, is whether the NHL elects to send players to compete in the 2022 Beijing Games after not participating in the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. The league participated in the five previous Olympics. The NHL continues to be reluctant to reverse course, despite Olympic officials providing assurances of being ready to lift various major stumbling blocks during a meeting that included NHLPA representatives. On Monday, Daly called the meeting “positive,” but said the league continues to have “valid reservations” over how Olympic participation disrupts its schedule by having to shut down the regular season for two weeks once every four years. “We aren’t there yet. In fact, we aren’t even close to being there,” Daly said. “At this point in time, we continue to believe that the negatives outweigh the positives.” He raised another concern by suggesting the issue of Olympic participation might be resolved easier if it were tied to a labour agreement. A person familiar with discussions told The AP that the subject of the 2022 Games was not discussed this week, and not expected to be brought up in talks next week. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the negotiations are private. The NHLPA is in favour of going to China especially after the assurances provided by International Federation chief Rene’ Fasel last week. NHLPA executive director Don Fehr questioned why the NHL can’t address the Beijing Games separately, rather than fold it into labour talks. “I can’t figure out why anybody would not want to go and take advantage of this opportunity because it doesn’t come around every day,” Fehr said “We think and have always thought that a matter like this should be addressed on its own merits, and it seems to us that the merits on this one are crystal clear.”

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Game Day: Stars at Maple Leafs

Terry Koshan February 12, 2020 11:24 PM EST

THE BIG MATCHUP Corey Perry vs. Jake Muzzin In a time not so long ago, Corey Perry, then with the Anaheim Ducks, and Jake Muzzin, then with the Los Angeles Kings, were integral pieces in the Battle of Southern California. Perry’s best days are behind him, though he can still be a handful, and has 16 points in 16 career games against Toronto. If Perry and Muzzin, the physical presence on the Leafs blue line, happen to meet in the corner or along the boards, we wouldn’t expect either wily veteran to give an inch. FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME 1. Return of Andersen? It’s possible that Frederik Andersen is healthy enough to start after missing the past four games with a neck injury, but there’s no urgency on the Leafs’ part thanks to the goaltending that Jack Campbell has been providing. Campbell would love to start against the Stars, who drafted him 11th overall in 2010, but if Andersen is ready, he should play. Either way, the Leafs won’t lack for confidence in their goalie. 2. Taking a shot Auston Matthews had nine shots on goal in his past two games, but none of them found the back of the net. Not since early December has Matthews, sitting on 40 goals, gone three games without scoring. That could change on Thursday, as Matthews has five goals in five career games against Dallas. We figure the chance of Matthews scoring increases if Mitch Marner William Nylander remain his wingers. 3. Get the jump While the Leafs’ starts generally have been much better since Sheldon Keefe replaced Mike Babcock as coach, an early cushion might have a greater chance of being achieved with some diligence. Dallas has scored just 39 goals in the first period this season, more than only NHL basement-dwellers Ottawa and Detroit. After a day off on Wednesday, the Leafs will have no reason for a slow start. 4. Starry night Just a couple of weeks ago, the Leafs beat the Stars 5-3 in Dallas, with all eight of the goals coming at even-strength. Since, the Stars are 4-1-1 and are coming off what interim coach Rick Bowness called “one of our better games for 60 minutes, for sure,” a 4-1 win against Carolina on Tuesday. The Leafs should expect a similar effort from a Stars team that has designs on first place in the Central Division. 5. Seguin’s struggles Tyler Seguin, against the Hurricanes, registered his 288th assist in a Dallas uniform, moving him into the top 10 in franchise history. A nice milestone to be sure, but we can bet the native of Brampton, Ont., will be inspired to end a goal slump. Seguin has not scored since Dec. 28, a 17- game span. Still, he could be a concern for the Leafs, against whom he has 32 points (with 14 goals) in 29 career games.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171633 Toronto Maple Leafs The admiration for new goaltender Jack Campbell is obvious, and the Leafs haven’t had to fall back on hollow platitudes to describe what they think of the man they call Soup. Production from Hyman, Tavares should let Keefe maintain Leafs' new In three games since being acquired from the Los Angeles Kings, Matthews trio Campbell has a .918 save percentage and a tidy 2-0-1 record. “This is allowing him to get some momentum and get comfortable,” Keefe said of Campbell’s workload. “He has done his job here. It’s bought us a Terry Koshan little bit of time, allowed Fred (Andersen) proper time to get himself back up and ready to go.” February 12, 2020 6:33 PM EST Andersen, who has missed the past four games with a neck injury, could be ready to return against Dallas. If not, there is absolutely zero concern The pressure is on, Zach Hyman. in turning to Campbell again. We mean that in a positive way. There is one area of Campbell’s game that is taking some adjustment for his Leafs teammates — his enthusiasm in playing the puck. The Maple Leafs winger has been producing at a rate he has never enjoyed in the National Hockey League, putting up 27 points in his past “We’re still trying to get a feel for that in terms of its impact, but I like his 28 games, including a pair of goals in the Leafs’ overtime win against confidence to go out and get it,” Keefe said. “It’s a positive thing for the Arizona on Tuesday. team to have. I know when we face goalies that can handle the puck well, get out of the net and break up forechecks, it’s challenging.” That offence from a somewhat unusual source — Hyman has scored 16 goals despite playing in just 38 games after missing the first six weeks as It comes naturally for Campbell, who played forward and defence until he he finished recovering from knee surgery, and presumably would long was nine or 10. His favourite goalie growing up was , who ago have blown past his career-high of 21 goals had he been healthy — excelled at handling the puck. allowed Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe to go down an intriguing path “I’ve always enjoyed shooting pucks in the summer,” Campbell said. against the Coyotes. “Playing the puck, I try to work on it each day.” Leafs Nation got in a tizzy, and rightfully so, when Keefe had William When Kasperi Kapanen capped a breakaway by going backhand to Nylander and Mitch Marner flanking Auston Matthews, a meshing of forehand and then bar-down to beat Coyotes goalie Adin Hill in overtime talent that has no ceiling in potential. The line wasn’t great against the on Tuesday, it marked just Kapanen’s 11th goal of the season and his Coyotes, something Keefe acknowledged afterward, but we would be first in 14 games. fine with the idea that the trio gets another shot together when the Dallas Stars are the visitors on Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena. Since he was a healthy scratch on Feb. 1 against Ottawa, a team- imposed one-game benching for sleeping in, Kapanen has one goal and Keefe, providing proof on a daily basis that he is the anti-Mike Babcock, three assists in five games. was curious to see what that new Matthews line could accomplish, but also had no interest in breaking up the Alex Kerfoot-- For Keefe, it should be a start of something bigger for the talented, Hyman threesome. speedy winger. Since Hyman has proven he can produce at a consistent rate — and “He has done well in terms of how he is working and all the things that Tavares has eight points in his past five games — it’s on Keefe to let we expect of him,” Keefe said. “I think he is overthinking it a little bit Matthews and his similarly well-paid pals have another go. Trying to find offensively. We have met about that. proper balance among his forwards won’t be an issue if the Tavares- Hyman combo continues at its pace. “He is not challenging the net or shooting as much as we would like him to, as much as he would like to. We still think he can get more happening As for Hyman, his confidence should only increase. toward the net. He had the puck on his stick a fair bit (against Arizona) and it was really good to see him break free like that. I’ve come to expect “I think I’m doing the same thing I did in years past (in regard to his work that finishing move for him to score.” ethic, which never lacks),” Hyman said. “I think I’m just being more patient and more confident with the puck and going to spots where you The Leafs know what they have in winger Kyle Clifford — a rambunctious can score. forward who finishes his checks and will go through people to retrieve the puck — but Keefe continues to try to find a proper role for the 29-year- “Just being open and trying to create space for myself and when you get old. it, put it in.” We don’t expect it to be a problem in the long term, considering the Leafs What has Tavares noticed in Hyman this season? don’t have a similar player among their forwards. “He seems to have a lot of poise with the puck,” Tavares said. “He has “His best game for us was his first game in terms of his energy and always been so good around the net, but a lot of plays in open ice that presence and impact,” Keefe said. “It’s not as much him finding his way, he’s making, whether it’s scoring goals, shooting the puck or finding the we’re also trying to find our way with our fourth line. open man, drawing people to them and reading off what the defenders are giving him, he continues to get better.” “Clifford’s arrival will help us have a good line there, but we’re just trying to find the right mix. It’s going to be a good role for him once we find the Pierre Engvall didn’t completely have the day off on Wednesday, unlike right people around him.” his Leafs teammates, but we imagine he didn’t mind. Clifford was on the left side with Engvall in the middle and Pontus Aberg As the Leafs rested following their victory against the Coyotes, Engvall against Arizona, though Keefe didn’t sound married to the trio. put his signature on a two-year contract with Toronto, signing through the 2021-22 season. One bit of nitpicking with Clifford — his positioning has to improve. In two of his three games with Toronto since being acquired from Los Angeles, The annual average value on the deal is $1.25-million US, certainly not a Clifford has taken a minor for holding the stick, each time in the third bad payday for a player the Leafs chose in the seventh round, 188th period. overall, in the 2014 National Hockey League draft. That can’t continue. The 23-year-old Engvall has 14 points (seven goals and seven assists) in 35 games this season, developing into a solid bottom-six contributor While the healthy Leafs regulars didn’t practise on Wednesday, a few among the Leafs’ forward group. players were on the ice at the Ford Performance Centre, including winger Ilya Mikheyev, who was lightly shooting orange pucks in a video posted The Engvall signing leaves the Leafs with five restricted free agents — to Twitter by his agent, Dan Milstein. It’s another progressive step for forwards Ilya Mikheyev, Pontus Aberg, Dmytro Timashov and Frederik Mikheyev, who has not played since suffering a cut artery and tendons in Gauthier and defenceman Travis Dermott. Among the RFAs playing for his right wrist on Dec. 27 against New Jersey … The win against Arizona the Toronto Marlies include Jeremy Bracco, Mason Marchment, Adam was the first time in five games the Leafs did not allow a goal in the third Brooks and Teemu Kivihalme. period. The Leafs improved to 3-12-4 this season when trailing after two There’s no such thing as perfection in hockey, and while the Leafs would periods … needs five assists to reach 600 in his career. have loved to have had six points in their past three games, five points fit fine. Toronto Sun LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171634 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs reward Engvall's progress, sign forward to two-year contract

Terry Koshan February 12, 2020 1:18 PM EST

Pierre Engvall didn’t completely have the day off on Wednesday, unlike his Maple Leafs teammates, but we imagine he didn’t mind. As the Leafs rested following their overtime win against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday night, Engvall put his signature on a two-year contract with Toronto, signing through the 2021-22 season. The annual average value on the deal is US$1.25 million, certainly not a bad payday for a player the Leafs chose in the seventh round, 188th overall, in the 2014 National Hockey League draft. The 23-year-old Engvall has 14 points (seven goals and seven assists) in 35 games this season, developing into a solid bottom-six contributor among the Leafs’ forward group. The Engvall signing leaves the Leafs with five restricted free agents — forwards Ilya Mikheyev, Pontus Aberg, Dmytro Timashov and Frederik Gauthier and defenceman Travis Dermott. Among the RFAs playing for the Toronto Marlies include Jeremy Bracco, Mason Marchment, Adam Brooks and Teemu Kivihalme. The Leafs are back on the ice on Thursday night when they play host to the Dallas Stars at Scotiabank Arena.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171635 Toronto Maple Leafs “He loved that condo,” Fulton said. “When he signed his extension here, everybody was like, ‘oh, he’s going to move.’ I was like, ‘no, he’s not going to move from that condo — you can’t get better.’ And he didn’t move, until they traded him.” Another night with ‘Phil The Thrill’: Reflections on Phil Kessel’s legacy with the Maple Leafs Fulton described Kessel as generally quiet, and that “the people he’s close with, he’s close with.”

That personality, he said, might not be one compatible with the public life By Sean Fitz-Gerald of a Leafs player. Feb 12, 2020 “It might get tiring for a guy like that,” Fulton said. “I remember watching when he was coming into Boston, and the reporters there were like, ‘oh, you’re back in Boston.’ He’s like, ‘it was four years ago.’ Just outside the Platinum Club, a few feet from a coat check for the “And really, think of how many planes he’s traveled on in that time. Four Scotiabank Arena elite, Mary-Belle Fulton pulled up a stool to talk about years, to him, that’s forever in the past. So I think that maybe he didn’t Phil Kessel. She owned several Leafs jerseys, but she had made a point have patience with those types of people — and rightly so, because his of wearing the one with No. 81 down to the game. job is just to put the puck in the net.” “We loved to watch him streak down the ice: Phil the Thrill,” she said. “He Kessel took a tripping penalty in the third period on Tuesday night, when goes from one end to the other, and it’s just so exciting. We miss him.” his stick got caught in Tyson Barrie’s skate. The realization led to one of Fulton motioned across the small table to her 48-year-old son, Geoffrey. the loudest cheers to that point in the night, as Kessel tried to plead his He was the realtor who helped the winger sell his downtown case to the officials. condominium after Toronto shipped him off in a trade that still echoes in He was not on the ice when Kasperi Kapanen scored the winner in the city — and on the books, with the Leafs retaining $1.2-million of his overtime. Kapanen was one of the players the Leafs acquired in a July salary — five years later. 2015 trade with the Penguins. Kessel went the other way. “He put the puck in the net, right? And that’s what we paid him to do,” Geoffrey said. “It’s kind of fun that we’re going to pay him tonight to put the puck in the net. I think I’m going to enjoy that.” The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 Kessel did not put a puck into the net against his old team on Tuesday night. He did not even get a puck toward the net, held without a shot as his Arizona Coyotes fell 3-2 in overtime. There were flickers — a brief open look in the offensive zone; a dash up the ice in overtime — but they were fleeting. Kessel has scored at least 20 goals in each of his last 11 seasons, but he is now on pace to finish with 17 this year. Only four of his goals have been scored at even strength. “He’s not too slow, because when he skates, he skates,” said TSN analyst . “He’s fast enough. There was no will to make an impact on the game.” Kessel turned 32 in October. “Lots of guys are 32,” Ferraro said quickly. “It’s like, ‘skate, get going, be dangerous.’” Kessel maintained another streak, though, appearing in his 833rd consecutive regular-season NHL game, which is the sixth-longest unbroken run in league history. He has two years left on his contract, which he signed in Toronto. Kessel was with the Leafs during one of the darkest on-ice stretches of team history. Toronto made it to the playoffs only once in his six seasons in uniform — in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season — and churned through more bizarre storylines than a scripted wrestling show. He was on the ice when a fan tossed a box of waffles from the stands in protest. (“Who brings waffles to a hockey game?” forward Colby Armstrong asked, correctly.) Kessel was also in uniform four years later when fans began tossing jerseys to the ice. (“I think that’s pretty classless,” he told reporters.) There were stories questioning his relationship with coaches. There was even, famously, another story that questioned his relationship with hot dogs. Oliver Yoannis wore a Leafs jersey featuring Kessel’s name and number on Tuesday night. “I think the hot dog story was kind of a microcosm of how he was treated his whole time here,” he said. “Something small that was completely overblown, and then the big thing that matters — his performance on the ice — doesn’t get any attention. “He played for some really bad Leafs teams, and that’s not his fault.” “The press here, they rode him so hard,” said Mary-Belle Fulton. “They did not understand that he was a fantastic hockey player.” “He actually loved Toronto,” said her son, Geoffrey. Kessel lived in a condo at College Park, in the heart of downtown Toronto. He bought it for more than $3 million in 2009, and had it equipped with a pool table, a surround-sound entertainment system and a master bathroom that was built like a spa. 1171636 Toronto Maple Leafs listen to the media — but it was like, ‘Why is he playing with those guys type of thing?’ He had my back, obviously.”

“I can’t say enough good things about him and how much he helped me,” Zach Hyman turned himself into one of the Maple Leafs’ most important Hyman concluded. players — and best bargains What’s interesting is that even now, with Babcock gone, Hyman is still chewing up big minutes for Sheldon Keefe on one of the Leafs’ top two lines. He’s spent the season putting in work alongside either Matthews or By Jonas Siegel Tavares, including a bit of right wing the last couple games with Tavares and Alex Kerfoot. Last season, no line was better for the Leafs than the Feb 12, 2020 one that featured Hyman, Tavares and Marner. And whether it was only partly because of Hyman, Tavares and Marner When we talked last week, Zach Hyman had a neat row of blue stitches struggled out of the gate in the fall absent their usual puck-hunting left under his left eye, which was black and blue. It was leftover damage from winger. a late-game dust-up with Jacob Trouba a couple of days earlier in New The most remarkable change, of course, when it comes to Hyman is all York. that scoring. He nibbled around the edges with 10 goals in 82 games as The aftereffects — the red scratches especially — were still there after a rookie and mostly looked uncomfortable and in a hurry anytime he got Hyman popped a pair of goals over 21 minutes Tuesday night in a crucial the puck around the net. But ask Hyman about it and he’ll remind you he Leafs win against Arizona. That gives Hyman, the 27-year-old who spent tends to take a bit of time getting comfortable at every level. Go back to the earliest days of his NHL career trying to prove to everyone but Mike Michigan, he says. Babcock that he belonged, 27 points in the last 28 games. “First two years, I didn’t score at all,” Hyman said. “And then third year, I He’s got 14 goals in that more-than-two-month stretch — the same didn’t score at all until halfway through the year and then I scored a number as Jack Eichel, Leon Draisaitl and William Nylander, and one bunch. And then my last year I scored a lot.” more than David Pastrnak, Mark Scheifele and John Tavares. From two goals in 41 games as a freshman with the Wolverines to 22 in Somewhere, Babcock, the former Leafs coach, is nodding knowingly. 37 as a senior. Hyman has become one of the Leafs’ most important players and very He’s made similar strides in the NHL — from 10 goals to 15 to a career- best bargains, with one year still to go on a four-year contract that carries high 21 last year, and now, 16 through 39 games this season. There’s a modest $2.25 million cap hit. some shooting luck, certainly, but Hyman looks considerably more patient and in control when he’s shooting these days. He’s the eighth highest-paid forward in Toronto. He spent all kinds of time in past offseasons working on his touch around “He’s very underrated,” said Kasperi Kapanen, who scored the overtime the net, but he also attributes the uptick in goal scoring to comfort. winner in a 3-2 victory against the Coyotes on Tuesday. “People don’t give him enough credit. He works his bag off every night and gets the “Just the longer you spend in the league, the more you pick up,” he said. puck to his linemates who are making plays, and sets himself up in front “You know when you have a little bit more time. You don’t just jump the of the net, and he scores lots of goals. He’s a big part of this team.” gun and throw it at the net. You try to score. Sure, Hyman is shooting a fiery 25 percent over that 28-game span, so “And it may be the exact same amount of time, but you’re able to shoot to there’s that, but he’s nonetheless on pace for a 27-goal, 50-point season score rather than just throw it on net type of thing, where you just throw it over 62 games (his 82-game pace: 35 goals and 65 points), and doing it blindly.” not long after a grueling six-month recovery from a torn ACL. There’s an authority to his shooting now that was lacking in the early Hyman, remember, played the last three games of the postseason last days: spring with a torn ACL. He was injured late in Game 4 against the Bruins. “You always want to build your game without losing who you are,” “Yeah, it’s pretty crazy,” Mitch Marner recalled not long ago. “I remember Hyman said of his own development. just him walking around with a limp and asking him what’s wrong. He “Like I said before, it takes me a little bit of time. I like to just get in there said he’s not doing an MRI until after the playoffs were done.” and just do things that I know I’m really good at — forecheck, get the That, of course, fits with the persona Hyman has built for himself over puck back, go to the net, penalty kill, all those things. Just build your nearly five years in Toronto. The workhorse. The “best forechecker in the base to make you an NHL player and then you can expand your game league,” as Babcock said often enough. The guy who gets the puck back. and do things that maybe you don’t feel comfortable doing, or you don’t want to make a mistake (with) early in your career. And you can kind of He was also the guy who couldn’t finish around the net early in his build (off) it.” career, which led to those questions about his fit alongside the Leafs’ top players — namely, Auston Matthews and Nylander in those first two Hyman remains a staple on the Leafs’ No. 1 penalty-killing unit, and seasons. interestingly (and notably) as of late, after Babcock was fired, Hyman has joined the power play — and scored three times. Babcock insisted the doubters were wrong. Dug his heels in that Hyman was legit, that he was making a difference — even if it wasn’t always On Tuesday night, he got some run with the first unit with Nylander obvious. struggling after a bout with illness. Hyman remembers seeing Babcock at his games for the University of Hyman boasts consistently strong underlying numbers, including a hearty Michigan all the time before he got to the NHL. Formerly the head coach 53 percent expected goals mark so far this season. of the Detroit Red Wings, Babcock was there to watch top Red Wings What seems notable in light of what looks to be a career year is that prospect Dylan Larkin, who was playing on the same line as Hyman. Hyman probably isn’t all the way back physically. “And he probably saw me go get the puck for Larks,” Hyman said. “I was pretty offensive in my last year (at Michigan), making plays down low It was late December when we spoke in detail about the recovery below the hash mark and things like that. I don’t know if all those process from his torn ACL. “I still am rehabbing it now,” he said then. “It’s playmaking abilities translated right away into the NHL, but I guess he not like it just gets better overnight. Six months go by and then all of a saw that I was able to do that at that level and maybe it would transfer sudden, the light bulb goes off and my knee’s like, ‘Hey, I’m back!’ It’s a over with time.” full year-long thing. Once, hopefully, June rolls around and we’re still playing, after that, I can properly do stuff with it.” Babcock believed in him from the start with the Leafs and that meant a lot, especially for Hyman, a kid playing under the spotlight at home in That is, do more to get it back to full and total strength. Toronto. He was wearing a brace at the time. “I’m obviously grateful for everything that he’s done for my career,” Hyman said of the former Leafs coach, who was dismissed in late “It’s just a new normal type of thing and you just manage it and just go November. “He’s probably one of the most influential people in my from there,” Hyman said. career. I have a lot of respect for him and everything he’s accomplished. Hyman tried to downplay Marner’s memory, that he brushed off how he For me, he was great. He helped me. I was playing with really, really hurt he was when the Leafs were still alive. good players right from the start. I think early in my career — I try not to “It was really painful when it happened,” he recalled of the skirmish with Brad Marchand that led to the injury. “But then I got back to the bench and was able to (put weight on it), so I didn’t think it was too serious. I got it checked out after the game by the docs and everything. The next step was to get an MRI, obviously. But I didn’t think it was necessary to get it right then and there — if my knee would’ve swollen up then we would’ve gotten it. “But the next day I was asymptomatic in a sense. So anyways, in the playoffs, you play every other day, so it was kind of just go and then at the end of the series we were gonna get an MRI. Either way, we were gonna get an MRI, so I’d have to make a decision (after the series) either way. We thought it was just hyper-extended, and obviously at the end of the series we got the MRI and it was a little bit more.” Hyman described the pain he played through as “manageable.” He opted not to wear a brace in Games 5 and 6 — again, with his ACL torn — but strapped one on for Game 7, in which he played over 18 minutes. “Honestly, it was way more painful after the surgery than it was (before),” Hyman said. “After the surgery, it was miserable for a couple weeks there, just lying in bed and not doing anything. “It’s just the worst.” He had surgery on April 29 and returned to make his debut on Nov. 13. It’s drive that really defines Hyman. It’s what Babcock adored and what Keefe seems to be learning to love himself. “When you work the way that he does and have the confidence that he does and as much as we’re using him, he’ll find a way for great things to happen,” the Leafs coach said after the win over the Coyotes, which included a late tripping penalty by Hyman that resulted in a goal by Arizona that was called back on goaltender interference. Hyman said the work ethic was always just in him. It was the five boys in his family competing and wrestling and playing tennis tournaments on vacation. “The way I grew up, I guess, you always wanted to compete,” he said. It maybe didn’t hurt either that he wasn’t overflowing with talent. He had to earn what he got. “Growing up,” Hyman said, “I wasn’t I always the best player on my team. I wasn’t like a superstar growing up or anything like that. I always had to work and then I’d get better. It’s crazy, when you grow up, you see all the best players on your team and most of them don’t make it. And you just kind of keep going and then you look back and you’re like, ‘Whoa, they were so good back in the day, what happened?’ “You just put your head down and you keep working.” “I’m lucky,” he added. “I was blessed with stuff as well, but I have to just work and work and work and then you can become really good at what you do. You just keep working and keep developing and keep building and keep going.”

The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020

1171637 Vegas Golden Knights “But they’re definitely going to be a tough out.” Colorado is one of the top money winners for bettors, behind the

Islanders, Rangers, Capitals, Oilers and Penguins. Golden Knights one of biggest losers for NHL bettors Trends The Lightning are riding an 11-3-1 under streak, and Washington is on a By Todd Dewey Las Vegas Review-Journal 7-0-2 over run. Arizona has lost 11 of its last 14 games without injured goalie Darcy Kuemper, second in the league in GAA (2.17) to Boston’s Tuukka Rask (2.14). With less than a third of the NHL regular season remaining, all four The Knights have a 36-22 over-under record in the first period, including division races are extremely tight. And so are the division odds at the 20-8 at home, according to handicapper Alex B. Smith, who added that Westgate sportsbook. Anaheim is riding a 16-4 first-period over streak. “I’ve never seen four divisions closer, as far as the odds to win the “The Ducks’ defense is sloppy at times,” said Smith (Axsmithsports.com). division,” Westgate vice president of risk Ed Salmons said. “But they also find ways to score early, so it’s a good combo to look for when playing that angle.” The Westgate has been offering NHL division odds during the day Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays before the games start, and on Tuesday LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 02.13.2020 the biggest favorite was 4-5. Entering Wednesday’s games, one point separated the top two teams in the Pacific, Central and Atlantic divisions, while the Capitals led the Penguins by three points in the Metropolitan Division. “Tampa and Boston are almost identical. Washington is playing awful lately, and Pittsburgh is catching up to them,” Salmons said. “Colorado is catching St. Louis, and the Knights are one of five teams within three points of first. “It is wide open.” Ride the Lightning The streaking Lightning, who have won eight straight games and 20 of 23, are the 5-1 favorites to win the Stanley Cup. The Bruins, Blues and Avalanche are each 8-1, and the Penguins and Golden Knights are each 10-1. “The Knights are always going to be undervalued here because we always take liability on them,” Salmons said. “We lose six figures on the Knights if they win the Stanley Cup.” Vegas was at 8-1 before its 4-0 loss at Minnesota on Tuesday that ended a stretch of nine of 10 games on the road. Biggest losers Two years removed from a magical run to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season, the Knights (28-22-8) have been one of the biggest losers this season for NHL bettors. According to Covers.com, a bettor who wagered $100 on Vegas in every game would be down $994. Only the Red Wings (14-40-4, -$2,015), Kings (19-33-5, -$1,371) and Senators (18-27-11, -$1,340) have cost their backers more. “Analyticswise, the Knights are a top-five team in the league, but their goaltending has been bad,” Salmons said. “I hate to say that about (Marc-Andre) Fleury. He’s a fan favorite. But he has not been good this year.” Fleury is tied for 30th in the NHL in goals-against average (2.87) and tied for 35th in save percentage (.904). Vegas, which entered Wednesday tied for third place in the Pacific, starts a crucial stretch of nine of 10 games at home Thursday when it hosts the Blues. “This is going to be their season right now. They’re going to have to start winning some home games,” Salmons said. “They’re definitely in a battle to make the playoffs. “But the one thing about hockey is the regular season and playoffs, they don’t add up. Once you get in, anything can happen. Especially if the Knights play in their division. That’s, by far, the easier route to the Western Conference Final.” Rising Avalanche Salmons said the Avalanche, who have won five straight games and eight of nine, lead the Westgate’s Western Conference power ratings, followed by the Blues, Knights and Stars. “Their goal differential is (28) goals higher than the next team in the West. I think they’ll eventually overtake St. Louis to win their division,” he said. “The only problem is they’re a young team. I don’t know if they’re experienced enough to go through three rounds of the playoffs to go to the Stanley Cup Final. 1171638 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ AHL team to play at Orleans Arena

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Golden Knights’ new minor league affiliate plans to play its home games at Orleans Arena, team president Kerry Bubolz announced Wednesday. The team will begin play for the 2020-21 season, pending approval from the American Hockey League Board of Governors. “We look forward to working with our partners at Boyd Gaming to create a memorable, best-in-class fan experience in one of the leading multipurpose sports and entertainment facilities in the nation,” Bubolz said in a statement. “Additional updates regarding the Vegas Golden Knights AHL affiliate and subsequent plans will be communicated when appropriate.” The Knights announced Feb. 6 they purchased the of the AHL and planned to relocate the franchise to the Las Vegas Valley. Majority owner Bill Foley confirmed last week the team planned to play at Orleans Arena and will be headquartered at the under- construction Lifeguard Arena in Henderson. Foley submitted a trademark application to name the minor league team the Silver Knights and also has considered team names based on local reptiles and predatory birds. The Knights’ current affiliation with the is set to end after the season, according to Wolves chairman Don Levin. Orleans Arena was the home of the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL from 2003 to 2014. “We are excited and honored to partner with the Vegas Golden Knights in bringing AHL hockey to the Orleans Arena next season,” said Keith Smith, Boyd Gaming president and CEO. “The arrival of AHL hockey is great news for our entire community, and we look forward to helping the Golden Knights organization further expand professional hockey in southern Nevada.” Season tickets for the AHL team can be purchased for a $50 per-seat refundable deposit at http://vgk.io/ahl-vegas. The Knights confirmed that more than 4,000 deposits have already been put down. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171639 Vegas Golden Knights

Blues’ medical episode brings back painful memories for Cody Eakin

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

Seeing the video of Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester collapse on the bench during Tuesday’s game at Anaheim brought back painful memories for Cody Eakin. The Golden Knights forward was playing for Dallas on March 10, 2014, when Stars forward Rich Peverly suffered a career-ending cardiac event on the bench. “It was scary all around. It was very difficult,” Eakin recalled. “We’re all happy to see how (Bouwmeester is) doing and thankful for everyone supporting the players in difficult times like that.” Bouwmeester remained hospitalized in Southern California on Wednesday after a cardiac episode with 7:50 remaining in the first period. The game was postponed and will be resumed at a later date. St. Louis general manager Doug Armstrong said during a news conference Wednesday at the Waldorf Astoria that Bouwmeester lost consciousness and had to be revived by medical personnel with a defibrillator. Bouwmeester was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center for treatment and is undergoing tests to determine the cause of the medical episode. “But things are looking positive,” Armstrong said. The Blues stayed overnight in Southern California and traveled to Las Vegas on Wednesday. Armstrong said the game against the Knights will take place as scheduled at 7 p.m. Thursday at T-Mobile Arena. “It’s a testament to the NHLPA and the NHL that make sure the teams do all the proper work behind the scenes to have the people in the right spots to help the guys if anything happens,” Armstrong said. Bouwmeester is in his eighth season with St. Louis and helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019. He has nine points (one goals, eight assists) in 56 games this season. The 36-year-old has appeared in 1,241 NHL games after he was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2002 draft by Florida. “Thankfully from everything I’ve heard he’s in a good place,” said Knights coach Peter DeBoer, who coached Bouwmeester for one season in Florida. “But that’s a scary incident. That’s alarming, and it puts a lot of things in perspective for you.” Home cooking After traveling through three time zones the past six days, the Knights canceled practice Wednesday to help regulate their circadian rhythm. They begin an important five-game homestand Thursday against teams with a combined .655 points percentage. Nine of the next 10 games are at T-Mobile Arena, and the Knights can’t afford to fall behind in the tight Pacific Division. The Knights are 14-10-4 at home. “This is an important stretch for us. It’s crunch time,” defenseman Brayden McNabb said. “Good teams, playoff teams coming in here, and it’s going to be a good test for our group.” Dumba fined for slash Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba was fined $5,000 Wednesday for slashing Golden Knights right wing Ryan Reaves. The incident occurred in the first period of the Knights’ 4-0 loss at Xcel Energy Center after Reaves crunched Dumba in the corner. Dumba retaliated later in the shift by whacking Reaves below the belt away from the play. The fine was the maximum amount allowed under the collective bargaining agreement. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171640 Vegas Golden Knights The following season, he was promoted to head coach when Paul Maurice left to become an assistant for the NHL’s .

“I fell in love with it,” DeBoer said. “You’ve got to convince people to go Peter DeBoer’s personality on display with Golden Knights and do things that they’re uncomfortable doing. You use video, and you use analytics and you use statistics. You use personal connections to try to get people to go to those places. That’s all stuff and skills that I learned in law school.” By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal DeBoer coached 13 seasons in the OHL until he was hired as head coach by the Florida Panthers in 2008. The strands that make up Peter DeBoer’s coaching DNA were formed He guided the New Jersey Devils to the Stanley Cup Final in his first during two events in his life. season in 2012 using a grind-it-out style and reached the Final again with The attention to detail, careful game planning for each opponent and time San Jose in 2016 by blending a stingy defense with a skilled offensive management that are his hallmarks all come from his law school days. attack. DeBoer’s personal touch, meanwhile, is rooted in something else DeBoer went 198-129-34 with the Sharks before he was fired Dec. 11 entirely. after four-plus seasons and is 419-332-113 overall in 12 seasons with Florida, New Jersey, San Jose and the Knights. As a player, DeBoer suffered from Crohn’s disease, which provided the Golden Knights coach with a unique outlook he’s carried throughout his “He knew what he was doing, and guys really liked him,” Sharks forward career. Tomas Hertl said at the All-Star Game last month. “He always told us what he wants and what he wants back. He just wanted guys to work “It’s something that I think has really given me a sympathetic ear to really hard. He had a great system.” people with all kinds of disabilities,” DeBoer said. “I’ve got a cousin with (multiple sclerosis). You don’t know what people are dealing with out Outside perspective there until you get to know them. There’s a lot of stuff out there that isn’t Any coach who followed Gallant would have had a difficult job winning easy. over the fan base after the Knights’ sentimental run to the Stanley Cup “Thankfully it’s come a long way, the treatment of (Crohn’s disease). It’s Final during their inaugural season. something I don’t wish I ever got, but I learned a lot from getting it and But DeBoer’s hiring came with an added layer of tension. dealing with it.” The Sharks. The rivalry. The five-minute major penalty in Game 7 to DeBoer was diagnosed with the inflammatory bowel disease as a Cody Eakin, which DeBoer has since admitted several times wasn’t a teenager, he said, and spent close to a week in the hospital before major. doctors correctly identified the issue. “I knew there was going to be some emotion on the fans’ part and on the According to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation website, symptoms of players’ part with what went on,” DeBoer said. “I knew that would be a the disease include abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss piece of it, but nothing that (I) ever considered not taking it. Just too good and malnutrition, and it can lead to life-threatening complications. an opportunity.” “It didn’t keep me from the NHL,” DeBoer said with a self-deprecating DeBoer signed a two-year contract extension through the 2022-23 laugh. “I wasn’t going to play in the NHL no matter what.” season when he was hired, according to a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte The 51-year-old has long been in remission from the disease but remains Friedman. affected by it nonetheless. And in true attorney fashion, he hasn’t shied away from being brutally The Knights have been exposed to DeBoer’s hard-driving, demanding honest about what needs to change with his new club. personality throughout his first month on the job. They’ve also seen a After Tuesday’s 4-0 clunker at Minnesota, DeBoer described the Knights softer side that has helped make for a seamless transition since he was as “way too soft” around their own net. That came on the heels of hired to replace Gerard Gallant on Jan. 15. DeBoer pointing out an overall lack of commitment to blocking shots. “He’s getting along with the guys right away,” right wing Ryan Reaves DeBoer also has made tough decisions to the lineup, notably scratching said. “You never really know what kind of chemistry you’re going to have defenseman Deryk Engelland in favor of rookie Zach Whitecloud. with a new coach coming in. Sometimes it takes a little longer than you’d like. But this one was real quick. “It’s been good to have a little different voice in the room,” goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury said. “He’s very professional. You can see that, and I “He’s one of those approachable player-coaches, and you can talk to think guys respect him. Any coach you have, you all want to win. At the him. You’re not going to have any issues. Any time you get a so-called end, it’s all very similar, but he’s made a good first impression on our player’s coach coming in, I think it makes it a little easier.” team.” Eye-opening experience The Knights are 4-3-2 under DeBoer entering Thursday’s game at T- Despite the occasional flare-up associated with Crohn’s disease, DeBoer Mobile Arena against the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis was a 12th-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1988 and produced Blues. solid numbers in the International Hockey League. He had 27 goals and The penalty killing remains an issue, as does the goaltending and the 61 points in 82 games during his second full professional season with the Knights’ ability to finish scoring chances. Milwaukee Admirals. With 24 games remaining, DeBoer must formulate a convincing closing But in the summer of 1991, DeBoer abruptly retired when he was argument to keep the Knights from missing the postseason. accepted into the joint law school program of the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy. “In the hockey world, you don’t meet a lot of bad people, but he’s definitely on the good side of it,” forward Jonathan Marchessault said. After growing up in the farming town of Dunnville, Ontario, about an hour “He fits well in our organization. He’s been good for us, and he’s a good from Buffalo, New York, it turned out to be a life-changing decision. guy off and on the ice, and he has the best interest in our team and we’re “The best part about law school is I had grown up and lived only in a all jumping in the boat here.” hockey world. Athletes. Games,” DeBoer said. “It was such a small piece LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 02.13.2020 of what the real world was, and when I went to law school, it really opened my eyes to all kinds of different issues and genres and people. It was a fantastic experience.” DeBoer initially thought he would use his law degrees working with the NHL Players’ Association or as an agent. He spent a summer interning at software company Compuware in Detroit writing legal disclaimers that went on boxes of floppy disks. All the while, DeBoer was a volunteer coach with the Detroit Junior Red Wings and was hired as a full-time assistant by the Ontario Hockey League club in 1994. 1171641 Vegas Golden Knights

Matt Dumba fined for slashing Ryan Reaves

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal February 12, 2020 - 11:14 am

Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba was fined $5,000 Wednesday for slashing Golden Knights right wing Ryan Reaves. Dumba slashed Reaves in the first period of the Knights’ 4-0 loss to the Wild at Xcel Energy Center after Reaves crunched him in the corner. Dumba responded by whacking Reaves across his lower body away from the play. Hopefully Ryan Reaves wasn't planning on having any more children beyond tonight. pic.twitter.com/FU59mFkuFs — Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) February 12, 2020 Dumba was fined the maximum amount allowed under the collective bargaining agreement. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171642 Vegas Golden Knights DeBoer, not including 24 playoff games, and the Knights’ coach still remembers them fondly.

“One of my favorite players that I’ve coached,” DeBoer said. “He was our DeBoer says Golden Knights must be ‘hungrier, harder’ in crease captain there, we went to a Stanley Cup Final. Like Mark Stone, like Joe Pavelski, he walks the walk. He shows up and does everything the right way, from his preparation to his practice to his game habits.” By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal February 12, 2020 - 6:29 am LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 02.13.2020

Marc-Andre Fleury was pulled from the Golden Knights net for only the second time this season Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild, but make no mistake: It wasn’t his fault. Fleury didn’t let in four goals on 20 shots because he was poor. He did so because the Knights failed to win battles around the net in front of him, which resulted in easy goals for the Wild in Minnesota’s 4-0 win at Xcel Energy Center. “We lost the net-front battles at both ends,” coach Peter DeBoer said. “We didn’t make it tough enough on (Minnesota goaltender Alex) Stalock and three of their four goals were in the crease. They were just hungrier than we were around our net.” Right wing Mark Stone said the Knights weren’t “boxing out” in front of their net to prevent scoring opportunities off rebounds. That was evident on the Wild’s final three goals, which traveled a total of about 3 feet. Minnesota’s second goal, which came on the power play, started when right wing Kevin Fiala fired a shot on net from below the right circle. Fiala was behind defensemen Jon Merrill and Nick Holden so he collected his own rebound and threw the puck back in the crease. Holden swiped at the puck but couldn’t clear it; defenseman knocked it into the net. The Wild’s third goal was similar. Defenseman Nate Schmidt went to one knee to try to block a shot by defenseman Jonas Brodin but missed. That left Holden 3-on-1 against the Wild in the crease. Holden couldn’t clear the rebounds from Brodin’s shot or a follow-up by left wing Zach Parise, and Fiala pounced for his fifth goal in five games. “They’re banging away,” DeBoer said. “Three, four opportunities are in the crease and we’re not clearing pucks or people out of there. We’ve got to be hungrier and harder in that area.” The Wild’s final goal came on a simple tap-in in front of the crease. Parise got enough position on Schmidt on the power play that he was able to one-time a pass from center into the net. Those are goals the Knights, even on the power play, have to be able to prevent. That means either getting tough in front of their net, or perhaps looking outside the organization for someone before the Feb. 24 trade deadline. “They were just throwing pucks at the net and creating battles,” Schmidt said. “We didn’t win them on the PK and they were winning them on the power play.” Rough day for Reaves Lost in the game’s aftermath was its chippy beginning. Minnesota right wing Ryan Hartman took umbrage with a Ryan Reaves hit on Wild captain Mikko Koivu just 30 seconds into the game. Hartman was given a double roughing minor and Reaves was given a single one. After that there was plenty of hitting and trash talking early. Reaves was at the center of most of it, which resulted in him receiving a painful slash from defenseman Matt Dumba. Reaves crunched Dumba in the corner, so the defenseman retaliated away from the play by whacking Reaves in his lower body. No penalty was called. Hopefully Ryan Reaves wasn't planning on having any more children beyond tonight. pic.twitter.com/FU59mFkuFs — Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) February 12, 2020 The play raised plenty of alarms that a fight was coming but it never materialized. Reaves jawed at Koivu his next shift, presumably asking the captain to control his teammates, but nothing more happened. Praise for Parise Parise also recorded an assist Tuesday, the 400th of his career. The 35-year-old recently hit a major milestone by playing his 1,000th game Friday against the Dallas Stars. He played 82 of them under 1171643 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ new minor league team to play at Orleans Arena

By Justin Emerson Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 | 5:45 p.m.

The Golden Knights’ new minor league team has a home. The Golden Knights announced Wednesday that the new American Hockey League team set to come to town next season will play its home games at Orleans Arena, the former home of Vegas’ former minor league team. “We are excited and honored to partner with the Vegas Golden Knights in bringing AHL hockey to the Orleans Arena next season,” said Keith Smith, Boyd Gaming president and CEO, in a statement. “The arrival of AHL hockey is great news for our entire community, and we look forward to helping the Golden Knights organization further expand professional hockey in Southern Nevada.” The Golden Knights announced the purchase and relocation of an AHL team last week with details still to be announced. The team will play at Orleans Arena and practice at the new Lifeguard Arena in Henderson, currently under construction downtown. The name, logo, color scheme, etc., will be announced at a later date. The purchase and relocation still need approval from the AHL Board of Governors, but that is expected to be a formality. Orleans Arena is a familiar home for minor league hockey in Las Vegas, as the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL played there from 2003 to 2014. The arena has also hosted other hockey events in the recent past, including a college hockey game between Minnesota and North Dakota in October 2018. LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171644 Vegas Golden Knights transfers and staffing,” president of hockey operations George McPhee said.

When their number is eventually called, AHL players will simply make With AHL club in Vegas, Golden Knights’ prospects get an upgrade their morning drive to a different rink that day, rather than hopping on a flight from Chicago.

“I think it’s fantastic,” said Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer, who By Jesse Granger Feb 12, 2020 experienced first-hand what it’s like to have an NHL and AHL club in the same city in San Jose. “It’s invaluable, both for the NHL staff and people keeping an eye on the heartbeat of what’s going on there on a daily Three seasons ago, when he was still a member of the Anaheim Ducks basis. But also to give the kids a fair chance when they come up. You organization, defenseman Shea Theodore logged a lot of miles up and call the kid up and he flies across the country, changes flights twice, and down the California coast in his GMC Yukon. shows up at the rink and is expected to play in an NHL game and give you what he’s got, and it’s tough.” The roughly 100-mile trek from Anaheim to San Diego takes about an hour and a half, most of which is spent on Interstate 5. The scenic It’s hard enough for players on the bubble of the roster to prove they highway flanks the Pacific Ocean for most of the trip, and Theodore belong in the NHL. To do it after sleeping uncomfortably on an airplane, remembers those long drives in his SUV well. and traveling through two or three time zones, can be a tremendously difficult task. He drove it 17 times during the 2016-17 season, as the Ducks shuttled the 21-year-old back and forth to their American Hockey League affiliate, “This gives them a real chance to come in here fresh, and ready, and the San Diego Gulls. make an impact with the opportunity that they’re given,” DeBoer said. “There are a ton of trickle-down effects of having your team in town.” “I had just bought that car the summer before,” Theodore remembered. “I’d throw all my stuff in it, and hit the road. When you’re driving up and Among those benefits are NHL coaches and scouts watching their AHL down the coast of California it’s nice, but at the same time it was a lot prospects in person a lot more regularly. The Orleans Arena is only a different with the high of going up to the NHL. You’re thinking, ‘I’m going couple miles down the street from T-Mobile Arena, so team personnel up, I’m going up!’” will be much more connected than previous years in Chicago. Driving north on Interstate 5 inspired feelings of excitement and Another often-overlooked benefit is added comfortability and quality of optimism. The thought of proving himself in the NHL, and finally sticking life for the players. on the big club, made for an easy drive. But the same drive, heading Roy, for example, has slept in a hotel room every night this season. south, fostered the opposite mood. Because he never knows which city he’ll be playing in tomorrow, he’s “It was a quiet drive going south,” Theodore said. “It is what it is. I know staying in a hotel in both Chicago and Las Vegas. exactly what (Nicolas) Roy is going through. I don’t think many guys can “In Chicago I’m staying at a hotel with a kitchen at least,” Roy said with a understand it to that extent. It’s definitely tough, but that’s what happens chuckle. “Here (in Las Vegas) the hotel is really nice, so I’m back and when you’re on a good team and you’re cap crunched.” forth between those two. I didn’t really have time to decide whether or not Much like the Golden Knights this season, Anaheim was a contender in to get a place. Many guys go through it, and I have to go through it. So the Western Conference that year, and was tight against the salary cap. I’m enjoying it.” Every chance the Ducks got to send Theodore down, and relieve some Don’t misunderstand, it’s not as if Roy is suffering. He’s staying in the of his cap hit, they did. luxurious Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, with a collection Vegas has done the same thing with Roy this season, sending him back of fantastic restaurant options downstairs for him to choose from. He said and forth from the NHL to AHL a whopping 21 times in the last four the best part of living out of a hotel is eating out, and not having to do his months. Only for Roy it’s not a quick drive down the Pacific Coast. The dishes. rookie center is instead racking up heaps of airline miles, as he regularly “What is the worst part? Probably living out of my bags,” Roy said. flies from Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport to Chicago’s O’Hare. “There’s always my bag of clothes on the ground, in the hotel room, and “Of course I’ve traveled a lot, but it’s part of the game,” Roy said. “There it’s kind of a mess.” are a lot of guys in the league doing the same thing. It can be pretty hard, And while eating out can be great for stretches, the players do miss but you have to manage the fatigue, and sleep on the plane. Like I said being able to cook for themselves without leaving home. With an AHL it’s been going well so far, and I’m playing hockey so it’s fun.” and NHL team in the same city, it allows players to purchase or rent a Roy, 23, has managed the travel and sleep deprivation well, tallying three home, knowing they won’t have to move based on which club they’re goals and three assists in 19 appearances for the Golden Knights, and playing for on that particular day. seven goals and 14 assists in 26 games with the Wolves. “I’ll never forget the one time I was walking around and I actually found a But would he be playing even better if not for the outside circumstances? little griddle thing,” Theodore said, reminiscing about his long stays at the If this were next year, he’d be able to. DoubleTree Hotel in Anaheim. “I would put an English muffin on the top and bottom. Then I’d crack an egg into the middle of it, then put a little The Golden Knights announced Thursday that the organization, and piece of sausage. Then it would cook it all together on top of my little owner Bill Foley, purchased the San Antonio Rampage with the intent of hotel mini-fridge. You slide the one part out, and the egg would drop relocating the franchise to Las Vegas. Sources told The Athletic the plan down onto the sandwich. is for the team to play the next two seasons – beginning in October — at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. After that, the hope is to have a new “Little tricks like that were important, because when you’re in a hotel arena built in suburban Henderson, and for the team to be called the you’re eating out so much. So just to be able to have some ingredients Henderson Silver Knights. and make some kind of food was a big deal.” According to a source close to the situation, Foley and the Golden A somber 100-mile drive down the Pacific Coast after being sent down to Knights paid $10 million for the acquisition. But they believe it will be the minors. Or a giddy, 21-year-old Theodore beaming with pride after worth every penny for a multitude of reasons. cooking a homemade breakfast sandwich on top of his hotel mini fridge. Both are fantastic anecdotes for what life is like early in the professional “By every relevant metric, the growth of the game here the last few years career of NHL players. at all levels has been remarkable,” Foley said in a release. “We could not be more proud to bring a second professional hockey club to the valley to Happier, better-rested players in the AHL leads to better showings in the accelerate this growth even further.” NHL. That can only lead to good things for the players, and for the Golden Knights. The AHL team will provide fans with a cheaper option to watch live hockey. T-Mobile Arena has sold out for every Golden Knights game in The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 franchise history and tickets can be expensive and hard to come by. But more than that, moving the AHL affiliate in-town will provide the Golden Knights’ hockey operations department with a bevy of advantages. “This move will effectively centralize our hockey operations and streamline our processes in terms of player development, scouting, 1171645 Washington Capitals “It’s a little easier to keep it simple at the start going into the other team’s barn and trying to go at them a little bit,” Oshie said. “We’ve been on our heels a little bit lately, so I think going on the road might help us.” Capitals embark on a three-game road trip out West looking for a reset Washington has won its past three road games. This season, the Capitals have outscored opponents 100-82 on the road and are tied for The Washington Capitals will look to reset as they go out West on their second in the NHL in road goals. three-game road trip. “Basically we stick together out there,” captain Alex Ovechkin said. “We spend more time together off the ice, lots of reasons. We just like to be on the road. . . . I don’t think we have struggles at home. I just think we Samantha Pell February 12, 2020 at 3:40 PM EST play a little differently at home than on the road.” Washington Post LOADED: 02.13.2020 The Washington Capitals are hitting the road Thursday for the start of a three-game trip they hope will serve as a reset after lopsided losses in consecutive home games. The Capitals will head west with just 12 healthy forwards and six defensemen to face the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, then travel to play the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday and the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday. Center Evgeny Kuznetsov will miss the Colorado game after not practicing the past two days because of an upper-body injury, but will travel with the team in hopes he can play against the Coyotes or Golden Knights. Center Lars Eller is expected to take Kuznetsov’s place as the second line center against the Avalanche. Kuznetsov “keeps making steps in the right direction, so we will keep him in the same program that we have him on now with hopes to get him on the ice as soon as possible,” Capitals Coach Todd Reirden said. Capitals’ Evgeny Kuznetsov is day-to-day with an upper-body injury The team has carried seven defensemen the past three games, with Martin Fehervary called up from the team’s American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey, Pa. However, he was not recalled for the road trip. The defensive pairings will revert to what they have been for the majority of the season, with Michal Kempny and John Carlson on the top pairing, Dmitry Orlov and Nick Jensen on the second and Jonas Siegenthaler and Radko Gudas on the third. Injuries and personnel changes aside, the Capitals are looking to address “fixable errors” that have plagued the team the past two outings. They gave up 12 goals combined in those two games and are 1-4-0 in their past five at home. Team defense has been a problem, and the players have taken responsibility for their lack of execution in the defensive zone. “I think it’s just mental mistakes and not being simple or not making plays that we can read off easily,” forward T.J. Oshie said. “They are happening all over the ice, which is very uncharacteristic for us, but you know, we’ll get some video and try to clean up. Maybe the forwards can get back for our ‘D’ a little bit better. Maybe our ‘D’ can make different reads. We are kind of hanging our goalies out to dry here.” Defenseman Nick Jensen said the struggles are a reminder that an erosion of good habits starts slowly and can spiral until “it starts to fall deeper and deeper out of control." “I just think we can play better as a five-man unit all over the ice,” Reirden said. “I think that mistakes are going to happen. . . . If you are playing in a five-man unit, then when mistakes happen you are able to provide a layer of support.” The Capitals must stop thinking about milestones and start thinking about winning The Capitals hope that getting away after their four-game homestand will help the team rediscover its identity. Washington showed flashes of its physical style late against the New York Islanders on Monday and against the Pittsburgh Penguins a week earlier. Now, the team needs to string it together for an entire game. Reirden said he expected the team to face some sort of adversity this season. “It happens,” but in the end, he believes it will only benefit the group, he said. “It’s not going to all of a sudden get better for 60 straight minutes against Colorado. It’s something that is a work in progress, and we will continue to analyze it properly.” The road has been especially good for Washington this season; is it 20- 6-1 away from home with the most road wins in the NHL. The team has executed some of its more thrilling comebacks on the road, including in Vancouver in October and at the Islanders before the all-star break. 1171646 Washington Capitals

This story from the Capitals VIP Ticket Holder event will restore your faith in humanity

By Ethan Cadeaux February 12, 2020 2:59 PM

Imagine being in line waiting for a signature from Capitals star Alex Ovechkin. A million things are racing through your mind. Will he sign just one piece of clothing? Or multiple? Will I be able to take a picture with him, too? Will I ever get to meet Ovi in person again? The Capitals held a VIP Ticket Holder event at MGM on Tuesday, and one fan whose Twitter name is "Sandy" was in attendance. The event required a ticket, and while waiting in line for Ovechkin's signature, Sandy could not find her ticket. At the event, the Capitals were raffling off prizes, but in order to be eligible, Sandy needed her ticket. After looking around for the ticket for quite some time, a fan came up to her that noticed she dropped it and returned the ticket to Sandy. Then, the Capitals read off the winning raffle number, and it was Sandy's ticket that was the winner. Do you know the guy at the Caps VIP Ticket Holder event who gave me back my ticket last night? If so, I would love to buy him a beer. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/cM8XIOFrZL — Sandy (@capsfansince83) February 12, 2020 Sandy also mentioned that last year, Dave, who she always attends the event with, won a stick from winger T.J. Oshie. Two years ago, Sandy's nephew won a stick from Lars Eller. Sandy would like to reward the man who returned her ticket to her but was unable to catch his name. She told NBC Sports Washington that all she remembers was that "he had dark hair." If anyone is able to identify that fan, Sandy said she would "really like to buy him dinner and a beer." Good deeds go a long way, and this is a great act of humanity. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171647 Washington Capitals

Evgeny Kuznetsov to miss game with upper-body injury

By Caroline Brandt February 12, 2020 12:12 PM

After an awkward hit into the boards during Monday's game against the New York Islanders, Evgeny Kuznetsov exited the game and was listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. He will miss Thursday's game against the Colorado Avalanche, head coach Todd Reirden said Wednesday. Kuznetsov will not play tomorrow but will travel with the team for the three-game road trip, per Reirden — JJ Regan (@JJReganNBCS) February 12, 2020 However, Kuznetsov will still travel with the Caps for a three-game road trip out West, so it's possible he may return for Saturday's game against the Arizona Coyotes and/or Monday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights. As previously reported, Lars Eller is expected to take over at center for Kuzy on the second line, moving Travis Boyd to the third. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171648 Washington Capitals “Before we were getting away with some wins," he added, "And when I answered these same questions I said we weren't a finished product despite our record and knew we weren't. And that's why it's important to properly evaluate every game after, win or lose.” What's wrong with the Caps' defense? The early success this season gets to the heart of why the team suddenly seems to be struggling so badly. By J.J. Regan February 12, 2020 6:00 AM There is no question that Washington’s strength is its offense. While the Caps rank 17th in the league in goals against per game with 3.04, they rank second in goals for per game with 3.55. Winning is always ARLINGTON, Va. -- You don’t have to be an expert analyst to realize the preferable to losing, but sometimes too much success can breed bad Capitals are not playing very well. Since returning from the all-star break, habits. the team is just 3-4-0 and just wrapped up a four-game homestand in The Caps, and in recent games Alex Ovechkin specifically, have been which it lost three times. The biggest culprit is obvious, the defense. outscoring their problems for much of the season allowing the defensive In the last two games, the Caps have lost each by a combined score of structure to continue to decline. You can’t always rely on Ovechkin to get 12-5. Braden Holtby and Ilya Samsonov each started one game and both a hat trick in the final six minutes of a game to win, but when you get were pulled. used to those kinds of things happening, suddenly you are not as careful with the puck or with your play in the defensive zone. Defense has been the weakness of this team this season, but not to this degree. So why has the defense suddenly deteriorated so rapidly? But there is a silver lining. “We are making lot of mistakes,” Michal Kempny said after practice on Bad turnovers, bad puck management, defending the rush, net-front Tuesday. “Team like this can't give up that too much goals every game.” presence, missed assignments are all correctable issues. In that sense, it is good to go through these struggles now and recognize them as issues “I think we just got to play as a five-man unit,” Nick Jensen. “I think we than in say, April in the playoffs when those mistakes lead to the end of just get a little too spread out and that creates holes in our defense and the season. teams are exploiting that a little bit.” “Maybe it's good just happen now,” Orlov said. “We can refocus and try If those seem like rather simplistic explanations, that’s because they are. to play simpler and I think it's going to help us in the future.” But they’re not wrong. Bad turnovers, bad puck management, defending the rush, net-front presence, missed assignments, all of these were “It's not time to hit the panic button or anything,” Jensen said. major issues in the team’s recent losses. As with every team, the Caps are not as bad as this current slump, nor “There's a number of reasons that go into why your team struggles are they as good as they were when they were dominating the league in defending,” Todd Reirden said. “Some of it's your management with the the first half of the season. The answer lies somewhere in between. puck, some of it's the detail that you have in your game and we're The ultimate question that Reirden and general manager Brian working through that process right now.” MacLellan have to answer is whether or not the defense is good enough One detail that seems to be particularly egregious right now is defending to win once it does rebound from this current slump. the rush. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.13.2020 As Jensen mentioned the team is getting spread out, which often happens on turnovers that lead to rushes for the opposing team. Suddenly, teams are coming in on an odd-man rush in between the Caps' offense and defense. The defense misplays the rush and the offense can’t recover on the backcheck. “Defense starts from offense, you know?” Dmitry Orlov said. “When you lose a puck sometimes in offensive zone, it's quick transition. We need to just be better in all three zones, don't make a lot of turnover, try to play smart with the puck.” One example was the New York Islanders’ first goal on Monday. Kempny and John Carlson defended a 3-on-2 and Carlson went after Josh Bailey along the boards. That forced Bailey to pass to Brock Nelson. Kempny took the blame for the play on Tuesday saying he was too slow to react to come over and cover Nelson allowing him to drop the puck back off to Bailey. “Two goals was mine last night,” Kempny said. “I was late with the squeeze first goal. If I'd done those two situations differently, we might win the game.” Kempny alone was not at fault, however, because once he did come over to challenge, the backcheck has to cover Kempny’s side. But Anthony Beauvillier was left wide-open thanks to the late backcheck and New York scored. When a team is making too many mistakes, things can quickly spiral and that was evident in the rest of Monday’s game. Defensive structure was seemingly abandoned as the defense chased after every puck, allowing themselves to be drawn out of position and easily exploited by quick passes. Orlov admitted frustration from Saturday’s 7-2 loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers played a factor in Monday’s game. “We was not happy with our game,” he said. “Maybe we kind of try to do a little bit too much [on Monday].” But the team’s defensive struggles have hardly been limited to just the past two games. Reirden said he saw play deteriorating long before the current skid. “Our team defense needs to improve,” he said. “That's something that has been something we've discussed. I think it's pretty clear to see that in the last 15 games, it's certainly is not where it needed to be.” 1171649 Washington Capitals I sometimes get kind of aggravated with North Americans because they take it for granted when they score. They don’t show that excitement and passion as much as Alex does, and I think that’s why Alex is going to score another probably 150 goals — maybe more — before he retires. Phil Esposito on what makes Alex Ovechkin great, the evolution of goal And he’s got a chance to catch Wayne, there’s no doubt about that. And scoring and how to catch Gretzky rightly so. But it’s his passion to score. It’s his passion to win. And I like that, I like that a lot.

What does Alex need to do in order to catch Wayne? By Tarik El-Bashir Feb 12, 2020 Stay with the Washington Capitals. (Laughter). Stay with a good team. Trust me, I went through that, when I got traded from Boston to New While the focus in Washington is on the Capitals’ concerning recent York, New York was a bad team and I certainly didn’t score like I did in stretch of uneven play, the broader hockey world remains fascinated by Boston, which was a great team. You don’t do it alone in the NHL. You Alex Ovechkin’s historic pursuit of goals No. 699 and 700, a quest that don’t. You better have good teammates with you if you’re going to be a will resume Thursday night in Colorado. good scorer. Last week, Mike Gartner, who is No. 7 on the all-time goals list, praised In 1970-71 you set an NHL record for shots in a season with 550. Were Ovechkin’s remarkable shot and durability in a Q&A with The Athletic DC. you being fed the puck by your teammates and should the Caps be doing This week, Phil Esposito, No. 6 with 717 goals, gushed about Ovechkin’s the same with Ovechkin given his ability to score? passion for the game, toughness and pinpoint accuracy. Well, I don’t know if they were feeding me. I would get myself in a The following is a transcript of an interview that Esposito, who turns 78 position, no doubt about it. I see Alex on the power play, he goes to the later this month, conducted with a handful of media outlets, including The top of the face-off circle to the dot. You watch , who does Athletic. the same thing (in Tampa Bay’s scheme), but he goes from the dot to the bottom of the face-off circle, which I don’t understand. But Alex goes to Why is Alex Ovechkin such a great goal scorer? the top of that face-off circle and moves around, and it gives him a better angle, and everything else. Well, the team around him number one. Number two, his positioning, and his ability to get the puck and put it on the net, on time. If you go back in Bobby Hull taught me one thing: He said “Phil, when you get to the top of history, the guys that scored 700, they usually hit the middle, and I think that circle, to the dot, to the net is a funnel. Think shoot first, pass Alex is one of those guys that puts it on the net and puts the onus on the second.” And that’s what Ovechkin does for the most part. But the way goaltender. And that’s what I tried to do in my career, is always put the the game is played nowadays and the way the guys get in the lanes to onus on the goaltender. Maybe it’s because playing against my brother block the shots, sometimes you’ve got pass it. Man, I venture to say that (Hall of Fame goalie Tony Esposito) when we were kids and I always without the blocked shots and everything else, like it was in the 70s, Alex wanted to beat him. would get more than 550 shots on net…and probably score 75-80 goals. But my opinion is that’s one of the things that makes him a great goal- What do you make of Ovechkin’s durability despite the physical game scorer. The other thing is his size (and) his reach. And sometimes his that he has played throughout his career? wrist shot is as hard as his slap shot. I remember way back when I was a rookie, Bobby Hull took a slap shot, and they timed it. It was maybe the Well there’s two things as far as I’m concerned, and one is his first time ever being timed — this was in the early 60s — and then he constitution. He’s a monster and he’s very strong. And secondly, he’s took his wrist shot and it was about the same. There wasn’t very much played with some pains, I’ll guarantee you that. And that’s another thing: difference. I’ve thought about that over the years. I see all these guys He plays with the pains. He doesn’t complain about it. He’ll go through with the one-timers and all that — the game has changed in that respect, and play. That’s just the way it is for anybody that plays in a lot of games. no doubt about that — but a quick release has always been the best. I prided myself on not missing too many games myself, and I’ve played with a lot of soreness. I remember I hurt my shoulder — it was dislocated Because of the evolution and advancement of goaltending, do you think or separated. I played with a strap around my chest and a chain and a it’s harder to score goals now than it was in your era? strap around my arm so I could lift my arm a certain way. In fact, I played probably five or six games like that. And I got some goals. But you do It’s only harder because everybody blocks shots because the equipment that. Nowadays it’s not like that, but some guys just don’t talk, and Alex is is so much better, the goaltending equipment is so much better, the one of those guys. He’ll just play. He wants to play. He loves it! He still forward and defense equipment is so much better, there’s way more loves it! And I don’t care who you are, you’ve got to like and respect padding and protection. In my day, you didn’t block as many shots. There somebody that loves to do this job. were a few guys who would block shots (and) the others would get in the way by accident and block the shot. But nowadays it’s by force and you’ll Is Alex the best goal scorer of all-time? see these guys going down with broken ankles or…well, we never know what the hell it is any more because they say, “Lower body, upper body” I’m not going to say he’s the best of all time, Wayne is. Wayne is No. 1. it makes me laugh, for crying out loud, like somebody’s going to target That’s simple, when I retired I was No. 2, Gordie (Howe) was the best. something. I never understood that. And so, if you didn’t beat the best you’re not the best. Period. But I think the difference is the fact that the goalies are bigger, too. And You see the composite sticks guys use today and the flex of these things. the equipment is so much lighter. The other day I was in my brother’s Some of guys can go through a half dozen sticks a game. The 2×4 that house and I picked up the goal pads that he retired with. They were so you used back in your day, how many sticks did you go through? freaking heavy I couldn’t believe it. And the one time I picked up (Andrei) I used to use the same stick for probably five or six games. Same stick. Vasilevskiy’s (pads) in the Lightning locker room and they were so light But I used one of the heaviest hockey sticks in the game. When you play compared to my brother’s pads, and I think that makes a huge, huge with Bobby Hull, who passed the puck almost 100 miles an hour, and difference. Huge difference. Kenny Hodge, who did the same thing, you better have a heavy stick or But never underestimate people that are blocking the shots nowadays as you’d be breaking your stick all the time and it bounces off your stick all compared to with my day. the time. So I did. To me, it didn’t matter how quick or how hard I shot the puck, it’s where I put it. If I put it in a location going 50 miles an hour, the Ovechkin rarely misses games, is rarely injured, and at 34 years old is on goalie couldn’t move his feet fast enough to stop it. I remember one pace for potentially a 60 goal season. Is modern conditioning and particular (Artemi) Panarin shot on Carey Price in Montreal. It was just Ovechkin’s endurance an important part of how he’s been able to reach outside the face-off circle to the left of Carey Price, he banked it right off 700 so fast? the goal post into the net. I don’t give a shit who the goalie is, he ain’t going to stop that. He ain’t. And it doesn’t matter how quick it was going, Well let me put it this way: I don’t give a shit what era it would be, Alex there’s no way you’re going to stop that puck if it hits the spot. Ovechkin would be still scoring goals. In any era, anywhere. I remember 1972 when we were over (in Moscow) — we beat them in Russia (in the And by the way, Ovechkin can hit those spots when he has that extra Summit Series) — and Boris Kulagin who was one of their second. But if he doesn’t have that extra second he just makes sure he coaches…said, “Until we match the passion of the North Americans, we gets it on the net, and then it’s a key of scoring goals, putting it on the won’t beat them.” Well guess what? Alex Ovechkin, when he first came net. in, I loved him. You know why? When he scored — and he still does it today — he loves it! He jumps up and down, a couple of times I thought The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 he was going to jump over the glass! I mean, I like that. I like somebody that shows passion in doing something that he loves to do. 1171650 Winnipeg Jets More recently, we've seen Sami Niku playing on the second defensive pairing and even getting power-play time, even while more experienced blue-liners such as Luca Sbisa and Anthony Bitetto have sat out. Mason Appleton is currently on the second line. Jansen Harkins is on the third Maurice remains right man for the job line. Jack Roslovic has played a much bigger role this season, including power-play time. Jets in good hands with veteran coach There also appears to be a greater reliance on advanced statistics in his coaching philosophy, as Maurice now routinely refers to analytics when By: Mike McIntyre | Posted: 02/12/2020 7:00 PM discussing various moves. In that sense, he's gotten with the times. There's no question Maurice took a gamble by heading into this season without an extension, essentially betting on himself. After two straight Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice has his devotees and playoff appearances, there was the potential this could all go south in a detractors. Now, the debate on his suitability to guide the NHL squad hurry. Following a 6-7-0 October, you weren't alone in wondering what through an uneven 2019-20 NHL campaign and beyond will continue to the future held. rage. Now 29-25-4 and with 24 regular-season games remaining, the Jets are Maurice isn't going anywhere, agreeing to a multi-year contract just one point out of the final Western Conference wild-card playoff spot. extension, the NHL organization confirmed Wednesday morning. No Perhaps that's why the extension was announced on Wednesday at the contract terms were released. team's Hall of Fame luncheon, with the Jets on a 4-1-1 run. Well, bless his consistent heart, but "Mo" isn't going anywhere after I have no doubt it was going to happen eventually, given the overall body signing a multi-year extension with the organization on Wednesday. And of work, but it may have been a tougher sell to the public if it happened a a big reason for that is that, contrary to what my frustrated follower (and few weeks earlier, as the Jets were stumbling through a dreadful others like him out there on social media) may think, Maurice has not, in January. fact, lost the room despite already being the second-longest tenured head coach in the NHL. There will still be critics, no doubt, who believe Maurice has worn out his welcome around here and a new voice is needed. And yet, in the areas Quite the opposite, actually. that matter most, there is no evidence that those closest to the situation feel that way. Change for the sake of change is rarely a good idea. If you've spent any time watching the Jets this season, you'll see an extremely tight-knit group of players who have adopted "staying in the Maurice was the right man for the job when he took over for Claude Noel fight" as their unofficial motto and have rolled with a flurry of punches that in January 2014, with the Jets about to undergo what would be a slow have come their way since training camp. and rather painful rebuild and youth movement. Whether it was the Dustin Byfuglien bombshell, the Patrik Laine and Kyle And now, more than six years later, Maurice remains the right man for Connor contract situations, the massive makeover of the blue line, the job, with the Jets coming off their two best seasons in franchise injuries to key players such as Bryan Little, Adam Lowry and Mathieu history, currently in the running for a third straight playoff appearance, Perreault, off-ice health scares to a beloved trainer and veteran forward and with a solid core of players to build around and all kinds of salary cap Mark Letestu, or just the usual ups and downs that come with the long flexibility coming this summer to bolster the roster. grind of a season, the Jets have managed to avoid veering off course and crashing and burning, which is something many pundits predicted With Maurice at the helm, the Jets remain in good hands for the was going to happen. foreseeable future. And behind the wheel is a well-respected head coach these players Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 02.13.2020 genuinely enjoy going to battle for, one whose message has definitely not grown stale. I wrote in early October how the charismatic Maurice put on a clinic in crisis management in how he calmly worked through all the obvious distractions and never gave his group an excuse to feel sorry for themselves. Instead, it seems to have become a season-long rallying point. is on record as saying he'd "go through a wall" for Maurice, which is certainly a ringing endorsement. And the way this group has responded to adversity, while very much staying in the hunt for a playoff spot, suggests the captain isn't alone. Sure, a huge factor has been the play of . In speaking with Dale Hawerchuk about his cancer fight the other day, he shared a funny story about a fired head coach who was asked what, if anything, he'd change about his time behind the bench: "My starting goalie," the ex-coach replied. As the old saying goes, show me a great coach and I'll show you a great netminder. And Maurice has been blessed this season with mostly stellar play from Hellebuyck, which has definitely masked some of the obvious faults with the lineup as currently constructed. To be fair to Maurice, he can only play the cards that are dealt to him. And in this case, he wasn't responsible for the off-season exodus of key defencemen in Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot, which have played a big role in why Hellebuyck has been so busy on many nights. Does Maurice have his faults? Of course. He's often stubborn to a fault, and perhaps overly loyal to veteran depth players. He can be extremely tough on young players, although I'd suggest we've seen a shift in that department this season. How else to explain teenagers David Gustafsson and Ville Heinola both cracking the opening-night roster? In Heinola's case, I can tell you Maurice didn't want him to go anywhere, with general manager ultimately deciding it would be best for the 18-year-old's long-term development to send him back to Finland for the duration of this season. 1171651 Winnipeg Jets

Jets extend Maurice's contract

By: Jason Bell

Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice has his devotees and detractors. Now, the debate on his suitability to guide the NHL squad through an uneven 2019-20 NHL campaign and beyond will continue to rage. Maurice isn't going anywhere, agreeing to a multi-year contract extension, the NHL organization confirmed Wednesday morning. No contract terms were released. The 53-year-old bench boss won't be available to the media until after Thursday's morning practice at Bell MTS Place. The Jets (29-24-5), a point below the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, host the San Jose Sharks on Friday night. In a story on the team website, Maurice said reaching a new deal to remain with the organization was an uncomplicated matter. "We had met in the summer and it was the direction we all wanted to go. We were excited about it," said Maurice. "Then as we all know, a whole bunch of things happened. It was kind of on the backburner and eventually we all knew it would be taken care of and it has recently. "Priority one is you have a family and you want them to enjoy their lives as well. Winnipeg has given us so much more than we've given the city," added Maurice. "For my kids, their friends, my wife as well, this is truly our home now. Being able to stay and work — I think we were staying one way or another — but being able to stay and work for the Winnipeg Jets is perfect." Winnipeg was dumped 4-1 by the visiting New York Rangers on Tuesday night to halt a three-game winning streak. The Jets had a horrible month of January (3-8-1), winning just once during an eight-game stretch, but are 4-1-0 this month to vault back into the playoff picture. Overall, Maurice has a 264-186-53 record with the Jets since taking over the bench midway through the 2013-14 season. The team has made the playoffs three times, including a run to the conference final in 2018. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., product also guided the Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs during his 22-year NHL coaching career. Maurice and Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff were initially given extensions in September 2017. Maurice, who replaced Claude Noel behind the bench on Jan. 12, 2014, earned his 700th NHL coaching victory earlier this season — a 1-0 shootout win over the visiting Edmonton Oilers. He is sixth in NHL history for games coached (1,587) and seventh for wins (724) but also first for defeats (643). Now with 502 games with the Jets, Maurice is the second-longest- serving active coach, trailing only Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper (565). "You want to enjoy your professional life. Over the course of the hours of the day, it's where you spend all your time. I love working here," said Maurice. "There are lots of challenges that come with a young team, but that keeps you moving and growing as a coach and getting better." Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 02.13.2020 1171652 Winnipeg Jets

Jets coach Maurice on the rise: Chipman

Paul Friesen

How Jets brass feels about head coach Paul Maurice can be summed up in a comment from co-owner/chairman Mark Chipman. Announcing Maurice’s contract extension at the Jets Hall of Fame luncheon on Wednesday, Chipman pointed out Maurice ranks seventh in NHL history for victories, with 724. “He’s got a way to go to catch ,” Chipman told the crowd. “But the next two spots are really quite within his range.” In other words, Maurice, 53, isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. In his 22nd NHL season behind the bench, his sixth full season with the Jets, Maurice ranks first in NHL history in losses, with 643, while sitting at No. 6 on the all-time list for games coached, with 1,587. In an interview with Jets TV, he attributed his longevity in part to his willingness to change the way he deals with young players. He pointed to injuries as the biggest challenge the Jets have faced this season. “We’re going into games in this last block with eight guys out of our lineup,” he said. “So we thought if we could get to the trade deadline in the fight, that we would have a real good chance. We have three of our top-nine forwards out of our lineup right now. We’re hopeful we can have them back by that time, for that last five-week push. “I’m not sure we felt like it’s a fair fight up to this, but with the guys we’ve had out, if we can get to that point then we’ve got a real good fair fight on our hands.” The Jets, 29-24-5 and one point out of a wildcard playoff spot, continue a six-game home stand against San Jose, Friday. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 02.13.2020 1171653 Winnipeg Jets The Jets were sitting pretty at 20-11-2 in mid-December. Why not do it then?

A recent tailspin certainly wasn’t a good time, and the end of the season Jets' Maurice does just enough to get multi-year extension wouldn’t be, either, if the Jets miss the post-season party. So they chose a feel-good gathering celebrating the accomplishments of Kitty and the Swedish Goon from Jets 1.0. Paul Friesen It was an off day for the team, so neither Maurice nor Chipman or Cheveldayoff were available for questions from the working press So after nosediving in the second half of last season and a crash-and- The answers would have been predictable enough. burn in the playoffs, Winnipeg Jets brass thought head coach Paul Maurice deserved another contract. The impact of the decision, far less so. That’s what Maurice told the Jets’ in-house communications staff after Winnipeg Sun LOADED 02.13.2020 signing what the team is calling a “multi-year” extension, reportedly for three years. “We had met in the summer and it was the direction we all wanted to go,” Maurice said. “Then as we all know, a whole bunch of things happened. It was kind of on the back burner and eventually we all knew it would be taken care of and it has recently.” Jets uber-boss Mark Chipman made the announcement on Wednesday during the team’s Hall of Fame luncheon honouring Thomas Steen and Randy Carlyle. We presume Chipman already has Maurice’s place in his Hall reserved as well. He and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff obviously worship the ground their coach walks on: of all NHL bench bosses, only Jon Cooper in Tampa Bay has been with his current team longer than Maurice. It sure wasn’t in the summer, when the Jets were coming off a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the St. Louis Blues, which came on the heels of a stretch, dating back to Jan. 1, when they won just half their games. That the Blues were the NHL’s hottest team in the second half and went on to claim Lord Stanley’s Mug shouldn’t have got Maurice off the hook. His job, after all, was to put the Jets in that position, and he failed. That set Maurice up to enter the final year of his contract with something to prove: that he could still get the most out of his lineup, which is really the bottom-line evaluation of any head coach. But a funny thing happened – a “whole bunch of things,” as Maurice put it — on the way to his redemption tour. For starters, defencemen Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot bolted Winnipeg for richer deals elsewhere. And while Cheveldayoff was preoccupied with contract squabbles with Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor, Dustin Byfuglien dropped his training- camp bomb, trading in his big stick for a fishing pole. That insult was compounded by an unhealthy dose of injuries this season, leaving a defence corps held together with low-grade duct tape and a set of forwards more shallow than the Kardashians. In some ways the mass defection on the blue line and the rash of injuries up front are the best things that could have happened to Maurice. Had the same Jets lineup returned and remained healthy this season, expectations would have been through the roof for them to vanquish last year’s first-round playoff exit. Instead, simply hanging in as a potential playoff team has been good enough. Despite the adversity, the Jets haven’t cratered, which tells us a dressing room that showed signs of dissension last season remains interested in what Maurice is selling. That’s where you look when deciding a coach’s fate, along with the standings and the mood of the paying customer. Chipman’s and Cheveldayoff’s first hire, Claude Noel, was losing the battle on all three fronts when he was shown the door. Maurice is treading water in the standings, and so far the boo birds haven’t been swooping in to release their droppings on his head. So it’s no surprise his bosses have tossed him a life-preserver, even as other NHL higher-ups have tossed their head coaches to the sharks. Chipman and Cheveldayoff look for reasons to be loyal, and Maurice, with his commitment to the city, his skills in front of the cameras and his record, has given them just enough. As for the timing of the announcement, it’s a little curious. 1171654 Winnipeg Jets backstopped by a career .908 goaltender. It’s blaming a pitcher for a lack of hits or a penalty kill for the power play failing to score. If Maurice is a bottom-10 coach because of bottom-10 shot metrics today, then two years ago, he was a top-10 coach for those very same reasons. If The Jets have extended head coach Paul Maurice. Does he deserve it? Maurice is a top-10 coach because Hellebuyck is having an incredible season, then last season, he was a bottom-10 coach because Hellebuyck posted a .913 SV%. By Murat Ates Feb 12, 2020 In the quest to properly evaluate a coach, nearly every angle is fraught with confounding variables and noise. Is Patrik Laine a more complete two-way player today because Maurice limited his minutes last season or Paul Maurice keeps his home in Winnipeg. He keeps his cabin at Lake of in spite of it? Winnipeg is getting beat at 5-on-5 but would an offence-first the Woods. system have yielded different results? The Jets lean heavily on a man-to- man defence that often looks exposed but a better group of defencemen Now, with Winnipeg one point out of a playoff spot, he’s keeping his job playing a similar man-to-man system led Vegas to the Stanley Cup final as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets. Mark Chipman officially announced two years ago over an improved version of these same Jets. Maurice’s “multi-year” extension at the Jets Hall of Fame luncheon on Wednesday afternoon. Its exact length is unknown but Maurice’s status No, the best case for a Maurice extension is not in the 5-on-5 shot as the NHL’s second longest-tenured head coach has been protected in metrics. When Mark Chipman stepped up to the podium Wednesday, ink. misty-eyed and full of heart, his emotion likely had more to do with the quality of Maurice as a human being as it did with X’s and O’s. “Winnipeg has given us so much more than we have given the city,” Maurice told Mitch Clinton of Jets TV. “For my kids, and their friends and It speaks to Maurice’s relationships with key people — whether that’s family, and my wife as well. This truly is our home now. I think we were Chipman himself or key members of Winnipeg’s on-ice leadership group staying one way or the other but being able to stay and work for the like Blake Wheeler. Winnipeg Jets is perfect.” The amity between Wheeler and Maurice goes back to Maurice’s 2014 If Maurice’s homecoming — home-staying, rather — is an idyllic story for arrival in Winnipeg. Maurice has cited Wheeler’s leadership and work him and his family, the circumstances he’s coaching under this season ethic many times in their six years together. are anything but. In speaking to Jets TV, Maurice went back to that well of mutual respect. Winnipeg’s defence has been dismantled by UFA departures, Dustin Byfuglien’s absence and then a host of injuries. Eight of the 11 “Your job as the head coach is to make the team play to its max (and) to defencemen who have dressed for Winnipeg this season earn $1 million get as much as you can out of the individual,” Maurice said. “And then, or less in raw salary, including three of the top six. Byfuglien was everyone once in a while, you’ll come across a rare player that makes supposed to be part of the top four and then he wasn’t and now it looks you a better coach and challenges you to be a better coach in their daily like he’s played his last game as a Jet. drive.” Maurice’s biggest shift in an effort to cope with his dismantled D corps There are many ways to evaluate a coach — lineup deployment, systems has been to dial back on Winnipeg’s offence. Gone are the consistent, play, special teams and bench management within a game all come to aggressive pinches by Jets defencemen in the offensive zone. Gone are mind — but a uniquely important metric in Winnipeg is the quality of the long stretches of zone time with all three Jets forwards below the interpersonal relationships that coach is able to maintain. hashmarks or below the goal line. Winnipeg is looking for offence on Recall Kevin Cheveldayoff’s words when Wheeler signed his own counterattacks, off the rush and from point shots through traffic. extension in September 2018. It’s kept a forward high enough to backcheck hard. It’s allowed Winnipeg “One thing that I’m extremely excited about and proud about is to see a to play transition defence with numbers at its own blue line. player like Blake Wheeler, who was part of this organization from Day 1 – But it hasn’t stemmed the tide of offence directed at Connor Hellebuyck to see where he has come from, from that Day 1 to now,” Cheveldayoff and Laurent Brossoit. We’ve discussed the numbers — the Jets are said then. “To see the leader that he’s become. To see the father that bottom 10 in 5-on-5 shot attempts and shots. They’re ranked last in 5-on- he’s become. To see the community man that he’s become. This is 5 expected goals percentage, suggesting that the shots Winnipeg has Winnipeg. This is what it’s all about and this is what our franchise is.” gotten have been from too far away. Their special teams are middling to Winnipeg does more than bet on results. It bets on people. poor — the power play ranked 17th, their penalty kill 29th. The Jets are an organization built upon trust, communication and loyalty. That Winnipeg has played 58 games and stayed in the playoff race is as Their successes and failures as an organization will be dictated by the much a testament to its goaltending as it is to its head coach. performance of those people. In the long tenure of Cheveldayoff and A look at the heat maps: Maurice, you can see what the Jets prioritize. Winnipeg gets far more shots than average from the points and high slot Wheeler prioritizes winning above all else. He believes in Maurice as his and far fewer shots than average from the very best places to score. You coach. can’t look at this and tell what the traffic is like. You can’t see the pass “Players never tune him out, never get sick of his message,” Wheeler that came before it or where each player was on the ice. But it is clear said after Maurice’s 700th win in October. “He’s able to keep it fresh and that the Jets don’t get their chances from prime real estate — and it’s by refreshing. I think when you see teams fall off and start struggling big design. Players have called point shots a point of emphasis. time, it’s because players stop buying into the coach’s message and On the other side of the ice, the opposite is true. Winnipeg’s opponents that’s not even close to what’s happening here.” have been able to get their chances from the most dangerous parts of The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 the ice. This is what a defence in which seven out of 10 players earn less than a million dollars will get you. Recall that, when the season began, we projected the Jets to fight for a wild card spot — and that was with Byfuglien playing. Without him? Colleague Dom Luszczyszyn estimated that Winnipeg would be an 87- point team with a 33 percent chance to make the playoffs. The team is clearly further ahead than that. Should Maurice get the credit? This is where honest, objective attempts to evaluate coaching often fall short. Any attempt to fairly evaluate a coach should go deeper than just the results. It should include a comparison of those results — and the process which led to them — to reasonable expectations based on the game at hand. To fault Maurice for the quality of his defence strikes me as the equivalent of blaming him for his coaching record in Carolina while 1171655 Winnipeg Jets “He was an old-school, hard player with a powerful offensive game. Not necessarily a finesse offensive game, but power. He would turn that corner, get (the puck) up the ice, he could get it off the wall, he could shoot it hard, he could make a play, but he’s not toe-dragging anybody to Jacob Trouba gets what he expected: Mix of boos, cheers greet former do it.” Jets defenceman Some folks always felt Trouba had been playing with one foot out the door for quite some time, even before he publicly requested a trade during the . By Ken Wiebe Feb 12, 2020 At the time, Trouba cited a desire to play on the right side (the Jets had Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers ahead of him on the depth chart, so he Jacob Trouba heard you loud and clear. was likely going to be on his off side if he wanted the ice time of a second-pairing blueliner) and there was also some discussion about not Well, if he’s being totally honest, Trouba actually expected a little more be happy his projected role, since there wasn’t much power-play time vitriol from the hometown faithful during what was an emotional return. available to him back then. An occasionally vocal reception was only part of the story as the former Trouba believed he should be treated like a frontline defender and wasn’t Winnipeg Jets blueliner played for the first time in Manitoba since last shy about saying so or taking action. summer’s blockbuster deal sent him to the New York Rangers. He also wasn’t going to put his season in jeopardy, so the contract “It was good. It was what I expected,” Trouba said after the Rangers stalemate ended in early November. defeated the Jets 4-1 to snap their three-game winning streak and push them back outside the playoff line in the Western Conference. “I Trouba took a two-year bridge deal worth $6 million and went back to appreciated the boos at the start. It got quieter as it went on. I was work. hoping it would be a little stronger, a little louder.” He calmly reiterated his position and understood some fans saw his In fact, Trouba wasn’t the least bit offended by the booing, which started actions as selfish. the first time he touched the puck on the opening shift of the game. Trouba knew it would take time to try and win some of them over, but he “I would be upset if I didn’t get the boos,” said Trouba. knew his teammates understood this was a business decision and they had his back. This fan base used to boo Wayne Gretzky back in the day, so Trouba took it as a badge of honour and knew what he was in for — even if he Despite what could have easily been a major distraction, Trouba always wasn’t letting on when he spoke to reporters following the optional showed a propensity for being able to separate the business side of the morning skate. game and kept his focus on playing hockey. “I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know,” said Trouba. “Obviously, I get a Not even a trip to arbitration in the summer of 2018, one that ended with couple of pokes from former teammates on what’s going to happen, but a one-year award for $5.5 million, would change that. I’m not making any assumptions.” As long as he was a member of the Jets, Trouba managed to play at a The ninth overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft also appreciated the tribute high level, especially last season when he recorded a career-high 50 video and the fans who either cheered or rose to their feet during a points, including 18 on the power play. stoppage in play late in the first period. With Trouba one year away from unrestricted free agency, most of the “It was nice. Those were some good memories, especially seeing the signs pointed to him being dealt by the Jets during the summer. pictures and some of the videos of the goals,” said Trouba. “The goal On the Monday before the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver, the Jets traded against Nashville here is one of my favourite goals. It was probably the Trouba to the Rangers for defenceman Neal Pionk and a 2019 first- loudest I’ve heard a rink, so that’s always a fun one to see.” rounder that originally belonged to Winnipeg and ultimately became Ville Does Trouba consider the page officially turned, now that his first road Heinola. game against the Jets is in the rear-view mirror? We live in an instant gratification society, so it was no surprise the Not exactly. reaction was mixed after the deal was announced. “I know there will be something different about coming here. Next time Some people were happy to see the situation come to a somewhat I’m sure it will be special as well,” said Trouba, who has seven goals and expected conclusion, while others only felt disappointment that Trouba 23 points in 55 games with the Rangers this season. “It’s always going to was being set free. be fun coming back here and playing. It’s always fun playing against a Some said goodbye and good luck, others said good riddance. jersey you wore in the past. I’m sure every time I come here it will be fun.” There was minimal middle ground. Under the current schedule format, the Jets and Rangers only meet twice With Trouba, things were usually complex and the chances of him living a season, with only one of those games to be played at Bell MTS Place. happily ever after with the Jets and signing a long-term deal was always going to be a longshot. Over the course of time, some of the emotional feelings are likely to subside, both for Trouba and the Jets fan base. Yes, he enjoyed his team in Winnipeg and with the Jets organization. However, Trouba’s tenure with the Jets is always going to be viewed At the same time, Trouba was also ready to move on and preferred to through a somewhat complicated lens. play south of the border. As the second first-round pick by the 2.0 edition of the Jets franchise That’s not a direct shot at our fair city, even though some folks were (Mark Scheifele was the first in 2011), Trouba quickly became a fan quick to interpret it as one. favourite, basically from the time he stepped on the ice for the first time at development camp. “I feel like I grew up as a person a lot here. Those were six valuable years of your life, from 19 to 25,” said Trouba. “Just thinking of myself When Trouba left the University of Michigan Wolverines program after his when I got here at 19 to now, being gone and how much I’ve changed freshman season to sign with the Jets, the anticipation of his arrival was and grown as a person, as a hockey player and the different things and already in full swing. the different people I’ve met here and come across. It’s a big part of your life and they are memories that you’ll always have.” Scoring 10 goals and producing 29 points in 65 games as a rookie only boosted his stock, especially when you consider the physical element he But it wasn’t just fans who were torn about how to feel when the trade had in his arsenal. went down on June 19. “An all-around somewhat old school defenceman,” said Jets head coach “I was on the driving range when I saw the notification on my phone and I Paul Maurice, who had Trouba for four-and-a-half seasons. “A real solid immediately texted him and called him,” said Jets defenceman Josh shot, he could make a play but he had a physicality to his game. He Morrissey. “It was a weird moment because I was so happy for him, in would catch guys up the middle every once in a while. He was a strong, the sense that I knew he wanted to have a chance to play in the (United) strong man in the corner. Occasionally, the elbows would get up. States and be in a situation that was better for his family and what not. “Consequently, I was sad to see him go and not have one of my best friends around, my D partner and all of those things. A range of emotions, but I was happy for him overall and happy to see him get that opportunity.” With the benefit of hindsight, the early returns show that this ended up being a smart deal for both teams. There doesn’t have to be a winner and a loser. Sometimes, trades can turn out to be win-win. “It seems like it,” said Jets forward Andrew Copp, a childhood friend and frequent teammate of Trouba’s from minor hockey to the NHL. “Pionk has been fantastic for us. Ville (Heinola) should be a good player for us for a long time. Obviously, Jacob is in a good situation in New York and got the contract that he deserved. It worked out for both parties.” Copp is correct, Pionk has fit in incredibly well with the Jets. He’s already set a career high with 37 points in 58 games and has a team-high 21 points with the man-advantage, playing the top on the first unit once occupied by Trouba and Byfuglien before him. Pionk now finds himself on a pairing with Morrissey, but he never felt any additional burden to fill the skates of Trouba. “No. No pressure for me,” said Pionk. “Obviously, I knew he was a great player, but I don’t think you can look at it that way. You can’t try to be somebody else on the ice.” Trouba admits it’s been an adjustment going to the Big Apple and playing for a new team. Like Morrissey, he needed time to get used to a new partner and while the security of signing a long-term deal was nice, there is an inherent pressure that comes with trying to live up with the contract. That, too, will pass with time. At the end of the day, Winnipeg is always going to hold a special place in Trouba’s heart, even if he chose to move on to greener pastures and made a lot of money by doing so. The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171656 Vancouver Canucks in average ice time at 15:33 and 15:16 respectively and didn’t demand more. They knew their place.

Eriksson, Tanev, Markstrom, Benn & Pettersson talk Sedins. Sedins Post Game: Special thoughts on special night for special people #ThankYouSedins pic.twitter.com/NgfG8gEJ0l— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) February 13, 2020

“I feel very fortunate and lucky that I got to coach them and how they Ben Kuzma were toward me. It could have been a lot harder situation if they weren’t the people that they are. They had nights when they didn’t play a lot and

some where they played 22 minutes.” Points to ponder during an incredible day in which Henrik and Daniel And they could still cycle and tip pucks and execute the slap-pass. Sedin had their numbers retired and raised to the rafters before the Canucks authored a fitting tribute with a 3-0 victory over the Blackhawks “Their creativity was off the charts,” added Green. “It’s probably on Wednesday: something we’re never going to see again in the game. And from a team standpoint, you couldn’t have two better ambassadors.” Simply the best. #ThankYouSedins pic.twitter.com/CKevP0ureY— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) February 13, 2020 HALL OF FAME CITIZENS: ‘We did everything we could to be the best we could and hopefully inspire with what we did outside of hockey’ CHEERS FOR LUONGO, KESLER: ‘Just being part of a night like tonight, I’m very grateful for it. To hear the loud cheers means a lot to me’ As great as the Sedins were in 17 NHL seasons to establish franchise records for goals (Daniel 393), assists (Henrik 830) and points (Henrik There was Lou-ing and not booing . And they were 1,070) — their league-wide impact was immense. In 2010, Henrik cheering and not jeering Ryan Kesler. Call it The Sedins Effect. captured the Art Ross Trophy as scoring leader with 112 points (29-83) On what turned into a gigantic and fitting love-in, the twins were rightfully and the Hart Trophy as most valuable player. In 2011, Daniel won the Art saluted — including an often hilarious tribute by Kevin Bieksa — and it Ross Trophy with 104 points (41-63) and the Award as most was even somewhat safe to assume former standout franchise outstanding performer as voted by the players. performers will also have their day. Henrik was also honoured with the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for Kesler went to great lengths in a Sunday Q&A in The Province to re- leadership in 2015-16 and the twins shared the award in 2017-18. connect with the Canucks and cement his place as a great player. They’re in the B.C and the B.C. Sports Hall of Luongo got the roars and the departure of the two seemed like ancient Fame. The Hockey Hall of Fame is waiting. history because everybody seemed so enamoured to have so many And so is recognition for being champions of the charitable community, significant former players in attendance. including touching visits to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Nobody brought up trade requests or cap recapture. Everybody brought “Trying to be the best people we could be,” said Henrik. “Fans can think up the the good times. what they want of us as players — some are going to like us and some “It was awesome — I’m really happy they (Sedins) asked me to come,” aren’t — but if you can be remembered as a good person, that’s No. 1.” said Luongo. “And I’m really happy that I came. It (ceremony) was Added Daniel: “We did everything we could to be the best we could and beautiful from start to finish and too bad I couldn’t hear Kevin’s jokes, but hopefully that can inspire people and inspire them with what we did other than that it was great.” outside of hockey.” And the cheers? Nordstrom, Zibanejad, Hornqvist, Lundqvist, Karlsson, Hedman, “It give me chills every time,” said Luongo. “Great feelings and emotions Nylander, Karlsson & Backstrom talk Sedins. #ThankYouSedins to be recognized by the fans. We’re so happy to be here for the twins. I pic.twitter.com/qYJOl1j0Dm— Vancouver #Canucks knew they were talented players and getting to know them as people. (@Canucks) February 13, 2020 What impressed me is they care so much about others and putting others before themselves. That’s what I love most about them.” In March of 2010, the Sedins were afforded widespread adulation for a combined family donation of $1.5 million to help construct a new BC Which brings up the obvious question. What would it mean to Luongo if Children’s Hospital. As citizens for 10 years, the incredible gift was done he is recognized by the organization in some way some day? in support the hospital’s Campaign for BC Children, and specifically the Intensive Care Unit and Diagnostics and Imaging area. “Of course, it’s always an honour, he said. “Just being part of a night like tonight, I’m very grateful for it. Obviously, it (honour) is not in my hands They also started the Sedin Family Foundation that works with schools, but to hear the loud cheers, means a lot to me. Anything else would be community groups and social service agencies to make a difference in great.” the lives of challenged children and families. "I'm really happy they asked me to come. It was beautiful from start to THE BROTHERLY LOVE:‘We did a lot of talking to get through the tough finish. The cheers gave me chills." – Roberto Luongo times. And we got better slowly, together. We wouldn’t be here without pic.twitter.com/A6DOUluraI— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) each other’ February 13, 2020 They made it look easy. And, of course, it wasn’t. TRUE BLUE TO GREEN: ‘From a team standpoint, you couldn’t have two better ambassadors’ Daniel had 20 goals in his rookie season but the twins would find that the glow of the spotlight also brought a tremendous amount of heat. They Travis Green knew coaching exceptional players and people was going would struggle with criticism that they didn’t skate well enough or weren’t to make his job somewhat easier. strong enough on pucks. Even in their final NHL season — and the first for Green as bench boss “A lot of people believed in us early on who were part of this — there was never a problem with the Sedins understanding their place. organization,” said Henrik. “If we would have listened to a lot of voices Time moves fast. The kids were coming. Ice time would waver but not outside this room, it would have been easy to trade us. their resolve to be 50-point contributors before hanging up the skates. “We didn’t live up to the hype that we came with. We wanted to show we What did Green learn in that brief but impressionable season? could play and get better every day from Day 1.” “Just an appreciation,” he said. “You look for certain types of Added Daniel: “We had Markus (Naslund) and Matthias (Ohlund) and relationships with players and they’re hard to find. They were just so Trevor (Linden) came along, but Henrik and me were pretty much the smart and professional. Even when I talked to them about the power play only young guys. It was tough early on. Fans and media were hard on us or the team game or their game, they were already there. but it made us stronger mentally. It made going through tough times easier.” “They thought like coaches by the time I got here — a strong understanding of what goes into it and to step outside of their own skin. Which, or course, begs the question: Could have the made it on their That’s hard to find. It would have been a lot harder for me in their first own? year if they weren’t wired that way.” “I doubt it,” said Daniel. “We helped each other since we were little kids Daniel still had plenty of pop in his final season. The winger had 23 goals and inspiring each other by competing and pushing ourselves because and 55 points to tie Brock Boeser for the club scoring lead. Henrik had 47 even the first few years over here, we did a lot of talking to get through assist and 50 points. However, Henrik and Daniel were eighth and 10th the tough times. And we got better slowly, together. We wouldn’t be here “That (winner) topped everything,” said Henrik. “When we got the power without each other.” play, it felt like something good was going to happen, even though we were dead tired. We asked Greener for a time-out and he gave it to us. Congrats on your jersey retirements Daniel and Henrik Sedin! “Still, I could barely stand up in overtime. The emotions throughout the Tonight the #Blackhawks will be wearing these decals in support of the day and the game really got to us. You’ve got 15 seconds to get some Sedins' big night. #ThankYouSedins pic.twitter.com/fzA520TplK— (timeout) energy and you’re done. We tried to keep the shifts short.” Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 13, 2020 Added Daniel: “We needed that timeout. It was huge. I’ve got to thank Added Henrik: “I doubt it. If we could have got through the first couple of Greener. He played us a lot tonight (Daniel 21:12 and Henrik 21:36) and years, maybe we would have taken these steps ourselves. But to get as the team gets better, it’s going to show how good a coach he is. through that to where we are, it would have been tough. We came in different from young players now. We were not ready to play right away “The brand of hockey he wants to play is a lot of fun.” and spent one or two summers in the gym when we came over.” This is gold! Congrats to the sedins on jersey retirement, it was an honor THE GAME OF THRONES:‘I’ll never forget hearing the crowd erupt. I’ve to play against you guys and what a speech juice @kbieksa3 never heard the building that loud’ https://t.co/CET4NAzQXw— David Perron (@DP_57) February 13, 2020 Bo Horvat had quite the view for one of the most memorable goals in THE GAME OF THRONES 4.0: ‘It was amazing, you couldn’t dream of a franchise history. better ending for sure. The whole night was just special’ On April 5, 2018, the Sedins were at their playmaking best in their home- Welcome back to the playoffs. ice finale. They had just enough left in the tank in overtime when Henrik fed Daniel for a one-timer power-play slapper and his second goal at That’s how Daniel felt throughout the game and especially in the third 2:33. It completed a raucous rally in an unforgettable 4-3 triumph over period and overtime. He was running on adrenalin and wanted his last the Arizona Coyotes. outing in Rogers Arena to read like a fairy tale. It couldn’t have been scripted better. The power play sequence started with a key win in the offensive zone. “It was amazing — you couldn’t dream of a better ending for sure,” Daniel Former Canucks centre Brad Richardson got waived out of the circle and said of his winner. “I turned around and saw Marky (Jacob Markstrom) Oliver Edman-Larsson was no match for Horvat. coming from the other end and he’s such a happy guy and saw him smile through his mask. The whole night was just special and the fans treated “I won the draw and didn’t touch the puck the rest of the time,” Horvat us nice and I hope they went home with a smile on their face, too, recalled Wednesday morning. “The puck went back and forth between because it was a good game. the twins and Eagle (Alex Edler) and I just kind of stood there and watched it all play out. I’ll never forget hearing the crowd erupt. I’ve never “A lot of guys were tired, But when you have this crowd, it keeps you heard the building that loud.” going. The fans showed up and we did, too. And I hope the fans show up and support this team next year, they way they supported us through the NOISE NOTICE: Loud noises expected as the @Canucks jersey years.” ceremony for the Sedins takes off tonight from Vancouver. Operations are normal but you may see passengers unexpectedly cheering and Daniel said nothing needed to be said in the second intermission with the perhaps crying in and around YVR. #ThankYouSedins Canucks trailing 3-1. And, really, what was there to be said. The twins pic.twitter.com/KXQ9gUu0rp— Vancouver International Airport were about to play their final period on home ice and their teammates (@yvrairport) February 12, 2020 weren’t about to let them down. THE GAME OF THRONES 2.0: ‘It’s tough to put into words, just a “It was pretty quiet,” said Daniel. “We said we came back last game and special night we’ll remember for ever’ do it again and let’s finish this off the right way. I’m proud of the guys. We have a lot of good leaders in this room.” There was The Viking Clap. The chants of ‘Go, Sedins, Go’ and ‘Hall of Fame’ and even ‘One More There was the deafening roar every time a Sedin touched the puck. Year’ meant a lot to the twins because after some down time following It was going to be a gigantic Love-In regardless of the result or who the season finale in Edmonton on Saturday, they’re going to have that showed up on the scoresheet. But when Henrik rang a shot off the post competitive itch to scratch. on his first shift. you knew the Sedins were dialled in. They are not only “It’s going to sink in when September comes and that’s going to be the going out on their own terms, they wanted to back the faithful. They did it tough part,” admitted Daniel. in spades. THE GAME OF THRONES 5.0: ‘I was pretty sure we were going to get Daniel had 10 shots and none were blocked or missed the mark. Henrik their best, they emptied the tank had two shots and six attempts. And when Daniel connected in overtime, you thought the roof was going to come off the arena. Travis Green was laughing a lot in his post-game address. “It’s tough to put into words,” admitted Henrik. “A special moment from The Canucks coach, like the rest of us, couldn’t quite grasp what we warm-up on and just a special night that we’ll remember forever. We were seeing. The Sedins were in vintage form. They ate up minutes. couldn’t have asked for more. Nice play by Eddie (Alex Edler) on the first They tried their patented plays. They combined for four points and Henrik (Daniel) goal and a guy who has meant so much to us. And overtime, set up Daniel for the winner. Good times. Danny showed what he’s good at again. “There were some moments where you can’t help but listen to the fans “It was like Tuesday. Once we got the first goal in the third period, the and look at what’s going on. It was a hell of a night — unbelievable. I was crowd just carried us. We tried to stay focussed but it was tough. It pretty sure we were going to get their best tonight and they emptied the seemed like every time we stepped on the ice, they (fans) were on their tank, that’s for sure. They were on.” feet. It was nice how things ended. A night like that and a chance to go through it, it’s once in a lifetime and you can’t describe it the feelings. It wasn’t just good for the Sedins and the fans. It was good for younger players to embrace the atmosphere and see first hand how future Hall of “It was the whole day. When I woke up this morning, I just knew it was Fame players leave it all on the ice. going to be a big day and we just tried to enjoy every minute of it.” “To experience that was special for me and the players,” added Green. THE GAME OF THRONES 3.0: ‘I could barely stand up in overtime. The “They (Sedins) are leaving a legacy behind in how you be a good pro.” emotions throughout the day and game really got to us’ Former #Canucks GM Brian Burke wasn’t leaving the 1999 @NHL Entry The best play in overtime came from Travis Green. Draft without both Sedins. Here’s how he made it happen. He could tell the twins were gassed. When Richard Panik was called for #ThankYouSedins pic.twitter.com/9k8txttkYH— Vancouver a hook on Michael Del Zotto’s one-handed attempt to get the puck past #Canucks (@Canucks) February 13, 2020 Darcy Kuemper, the sense of anticipation was obvious. So were the BURKE’S FINEST MOMENT: ‘That was the hardest deal I’ve ever made gasping twins. and the most work I’ve ever put into a trade’ But when Daniel pulled the trigger from the high slot and bolted down the Brian Burke’s brash, bully-like bravado allowed the Canucks general ice like Usain Bolt in celebration before being mobbed by his teammates, manager to complete a complicated scenario to secure the second and everybody could finally catch their breath. third overall picks to land Daniel and Henrik Sedin in 1999. It seems fitting on retirement night to re-visit a seminal moment in franchise history. “That was the hardest deal I’ve ever made and the most work I’ve ever put into a trade,” he started. “I know they told us they weren’t coming unless we got them both.” Here’s how it all went down: 1. WINDY CITY CALL: The Canucks had the third overall pick, but quietly got the fourth from Chicago GM Bob Murray. “We got it from Chicago a week before the draft, but we didn’t tell anybody,” said Burke. “I didn’t file the trade with the league until the following Friday before the draft. “The deal was a first-round pick (Pavel Vorobiev in 2000) — the extra pick we got in the Bure deal — so we felt we could spring for a first and then [trade] Bryan McCabe. It was a very expensive trade, but we felt the twins were worth it.” 2. DUDLEY DO-RIGHT: Tampa Bay held the first overall pick, which meant Burke had to convince GM Rick Dudley to part with it. It was tough. “I had some difficult and profane conversations with him that night,” said Burke. “I told him: ‘Nobody is leaving with these kids except me.’ And finally I told him we had two of the top-four picks [third and fourth overall] and he said that hadn’t come across yet. “I said it was registered a couple of hours ago.” 3. SLEEPLESS IN BEANTOWN: Despite his pleas, Burke didn’t have the pieces in place the night before the draft to swing the Sedins deal. “I went to bed that night and didn’t have the deal,” he said. ‘It was 2:30 in the morning and we both swore at each other and hung up.” 4. THE MORNING GLORY: Burke pacing the floor is an entry draft fixture. Before the first-overall pick was announced, Burke’s persistence put the deal in place. The Lightning gave the Canucks the first and third overall picks in exchange for the fourth, 75th and 88th picks. “Now we had No. 1 and No. 3 and I didn’t want to go up there [podium] twice,” said Burke. “I said to Atlanta [GM ]: ‘You’re a brand new team and do you want to draft first overall? Go up there first and be the stars of the show, but you’ve got to give me your pick.’ “We got the pick.” The Thrashers would later select Patrik Stefan first overall. A MAD SCRAMBLE: Burke had his picks, but assistant GM Dave Nonis had to complete them before the draft because there are no timeouts in the first round. It was a tense time before Burke announced that the Canucks would claim Daniel second overall and Henrik third overall. “It was like: ‘Davey, you’ve got to get these deals done,’” recalled Burke. “He did and I went up and told the twins you’re coming to Vancouver. “They walked up on the stage and I didn’t know which one was which. I held out the sweaters and Danny took his. That’s why they wear 22 and 33 — they were second and third overall. They wanted higher numbers, but I don’t want my players to wear high numbers.” Vancouver Province: LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171657 Vancouver Canucks didn’t know he had set a franchise record. “I feel good and confident and records don’t come easy in this organization or this league — I’ll take it.”

Markstrom’s best save of the first frame came off Kubalik, who was wide Canucks 3, Blackhawks 0: Markstrom saves the day to cap memorable open when he took a cross-ice feed in the slot and was denied by the night calm and collected stopper. It would only got better for Markstrom and worse for the Blackhawks. Kane and Kubalik had six shots apiece after two periods and nothing to Ben Kuzma show for it. The Blackhawks couldn’t connect on the power play and their 28th- ranked unit could keep them from the postseason. Markstrom stopped The build-up to the magnitude of the moment was must-see TV. Kirby Dach on a down-low power play chance and then got a glove on a In coffee shops, bars and restaurants, the epic final home game for Kane rocket. Henrik and Daniel Sedin was playing on an endless loop. Patrons When Adam Gaudette provided a two-goal advantage in the second paused. They were engaged and entertained. period — he finished off a tic-tac-toe play that started with Brandon Imagine what the Vancouver Canucks were thinking as they prepared for Sutter finding Roussel and the winger finding a wide open Gaudette — the jersey raising ceremony of two franchise icons before eventually Markstrom could finally exhale while Gaudette celebrated. facing the Chicago Blackhawks? “It was a great play all around,” said Gaudette, who’s up to 10 goals. There was bound to be anticipation. And angst. “(Jordie) Benn pinching down and keeping that puck alive and Roussel made a nice pass with some deception and an easy tap-in,” said “They made me the player I am today,” said captain Bo Horvat. “There’s Gaudette. going to be a buzz in the crowd. We should have butterflies in our stomachs to get up for a game like this. And I know we will.” The Canucks could have made it 3-0, but J.T. Miller was thwarted on a sweeping move to the net and Elias Pettersson was denied on a The butterflies were real as they were outshot 13-0 in the opening nine breakaway in trying to go five-hole. Gaudette then fought Connor Murphy minutes. Quinn Hughes directed the first shot from the slot at 9:56. and needed an assist for the Gordie Howe Hat-Trick. The Hawks would hold 17-7 and 33-15 shot advantages through the first “Just sticking up for myself,” said Gaudette. “I thought it was a high hit two periods, but the Canucks would make it a memorable night on all and I didn’t even have the puck and he lunged a bit. I kind of got ticked fronts with a 3-0 victory. Jacob Markstrom made a career-high 49 saves off a bit and it happened.” for his second shutout of the season and set a franchise record for most stops in blanking the opposition. Said Green: “He gives you an honest effort every night and wants to be a player and a good player. I like him a lot.” “We’ll take that one,” Horvat would say post game. “Sometimes, your goalie has to come up clutch for you and he was outstanding. Without The Blackhawks thought they had opened scoring. him, it’s a different story and we’ve owed him a lot this year. It was such When Markstrom stopped a hot Kane shot, the winger directed the a special night for two amazing people and it wasn’t a typical start. rebound with Brandon Saad tied up with the goalie. And even though the “We were a little rusty but we found a way to get it done. But we’ve got to puck trickled across the line, the goal was waved off. The Blackhawks tighten up. We can’t give Marky that much work on a daily basis. He’s a challenged goalie interference, but a video review confirmed Saad was brick wall back there and it’s nice to have, but we have to clean it up a guilty and Chicago was assessed a bench minor for the unsuccessful bit.” challenge. Maybe Travis Green added to the pressure when he said what the Power play finds new way Sedins meant and still mean to the NHL club. Everybody has a solution on how to man up with the man advantage. “It’s a special night that we’re all lucky to be part of,” said the Canucks With Brock Boeser possibly back Sunday from an upper-body injury, the coach. “It’s a story that will probably never be written again — boys to first unit deployed a new bumper and down low options and it paid off men to Hall of Famers. “Even to this day, I grab coffee with them with the opening goal. (Sedins) to talk because they’ve got great insight. They want the organization to do well.” Sutter was on the goal-line when he spotted Horvat in the slot and a quick snapper beat Corey Crawford to the glove side at 15:33. It was When the dust settled, Green was happy and somewhat relieved with the Horvat’s first power play goal since Nov. 21 when he connected in a five- final outcome. He called the retirement ceremony “great, awesome and goal power play outburst during a 6-3 win at Nashville. unreal” and there was going to be pressure to deliver. Miller started the power play sequence Wednesday and the helper “We didn’t create much and weren’t great with the puck,” he said. “But we moved the winger into a tie for the club scoring lead with 57 points. gutted out a big win. We gave up eight scoring chances in the first 10 minutes and we looked a little stagnant. Sometimes you just have to find “It was a great play by Miller and Sutter,” said Horvat. “There were just a way to win. the two of us and Miller put it right on my tape.” “Sometimes, I wonder where the goals are going to come from but we Sutter had a three-point night and is making an impact on several levels. scratch and claw.” He’s on the improving penalty kill that had a perfect 5-for-5 night. Here’s what else we learned as the Canucks strengthened their lead atop “I never look too much at points,” said Sutter, who’s up to 15 points. the Pacific Division: Green went one better. Markstrom measured in hurry “He can play in any spot and we lose Boeser on the power play and he With the Blackhawks six points shy of the final Western Conference wild- plays net front and doesn’t miss a beat and sets up a nice goal,” said the card spot, and Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane amped up to play coach. “Kills penalties and a little bit underrated in his time here and he’s spoiler, Markstrom was in a first-period shooting gallery. always pegged in that hard matchup role. He’s doing a lot of good things.” “I was more nervous than I usually am,” admitted Markstrom when asked about the retirement ceremony for his countrymen. “The first two or three Roussel hit in wallet, by Dach minutes, I toe-picked and Toews shot and it bounced off my glove and outside the net. I didn’t have my best start and then I got hit in the head It has been a rough few days for Antoine Roussel. and it woke me up.” On Monday, the Canucks winger was fined $5,000 for slashing Nashville Toews tested him on the opening shift and again on his second. Kane defenceman Yannick Weber on Sunday. On Wednesday he was rammed and Calder Trophy consideration Dominik Kubalik also had two early into the end boards by Dach. The winger was slow to get up and made shots and the first TV time-out couldn’t come soon enough for the his way to the bench and was obviously winded. Canucks. As for the fine, Roussel received slashing and cross-checking minors and “They were throwing a lot of pucks from bad angles and from everywhere a 10-minute misconduct at 18:14 in the the third period Sunday. Jarred and they have a lot of skill, but being up 2-0 was huge and there’s Tinordi also got a misconduct. nothing I like better than to battle for 60 minutes,” said Markstrom, who “When you look at the clip, you just see me cross-checking, but you don’t look at the full length of the shift,” said Roussel. “I was cross-checked two times in the ribs and another one before that point. It’s a 6-2 game and I wasn’t playing to get anybody hurt. To come after me at that point sucks.” Vancouver Province: LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171658 Vancouver Canucks After the ceremony, the Sedins were beaming. “We know the Canucks are always doing a great job so we were very

excited to see what they were going to come up with tonight and it was Patrick Johnston: Sedins' retirement ceremony a perfect note to a near- great to see,” Henrik said. perfect career Setting the list was a challenge, Henrik admitted, but at the end of the day everyone who was sitting with them at centre ice, whether it was the Aquilini family and current GM or their former teammates Patrick Johnston and managers and their family — their parents and their brothers as well as their wives and children were there — all had meaning.

“Everyone we asked, they told us right away that they were going to be More than one person at Rogers Arena Wednesday night was surely here and that’s something we’ll always remember,” Henrik said. pondering if they could just get the band back together. Of Bieksa, whose speech kept everyone in stitches, the twins were In a touch-perfect 45-minute long ceremony, the Vancouver Canucks especially thankful. There was no doubt in their minds that he was the hoisted two more numbers to the rafters, as the Sedin twins’ numbers guy to give the keynote address. were retired. “He’s a great friend and that’s what he was like his whole career. He kept There were already four legendary names hanging in the rafters — Stan things loose when things were hard and we admire him for that.” Smyl, Trevor Linden, Markus Naslund and Pavel Bure — but there’s no doubt that the two greatest Canucks are Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 02.13.2020 Wednesday’s ceremony featured nothing but highs. There were roars for every popular face who strode out. The loudest were reserved for Linden, Naslund, and Roberto Luongo. There was raucous appreciation for the executives who worked behind the scenes during the Sedins’ thrilling careers: Brian Burke, Dave Nonis and Mike Gillis. “I’m really happy they asked me to come. It was beautiful from start to finish. The cheers gave me chills,” Luongo said. There was the customary round of boos for Gary Bettman. Kevin Bieksa brought the house down more than once with a roast of every former player in attendance. But he also made sure to praise his old teammates for their all-around greatness and their legacy. “There’s Sedin culture to this organization and it’s been absorbed by guys like Edler, Tanev, Markstrom and our new captain Bo,” he said. “And I’ve already seen them pass it along to Petey and Quinn and Brock and they’ll pass it along to the next generation of players and in 20 years, there will still be a Sedin flavour to this organization and the Sedin culture in that dressing room. That will transcend any on-ice statistics that they have.” With so many faces from the brilliant 2011 team, which came so close to glory, you could be forgiven you if you got a bit weepy. Not just because the team did deserve more than a pair of participation trophies, but because the team was so great whether they were handed official accolades or not. And then the Sedins took centre stage. They recognized everyone who was at centre ice with them, plus a handful of others who weren’t, like Alex Edler and Bo Horvat, who were watching from the home bench along with their teammates. They recognized their former coaches. First was Marc Crawford, now Chicago’s assistant coach, who was watching the ceremony from the visitor’s bench. “Without your guidance we couldn’t have gotten this far,” the said. Then, of course, Alain Vigneault: “You trusted us to be the players we knew we could be.” Of John Tortorella, they said they enjoyed working with him and the style of play he had asked of them. “We’re not surprised you had so much success over the years, we really enjoyed working with you,” they said. Markus Naslund is introduced before Henrik and Daniel Sedin have their jerseys retired before the Vancouver Canucks play the Chicago Blackhawks in NHL league play at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, February 12, 2020. Arlen Redekop / PNG Willie Desjardins may not have had much success in the end with the team, but was praised as a leader: “A great man who made it fun coming to the rink every day.” And they had a special message for current Canucks head coach Travis Green. “We enjoy watching this team play hockey the way hockey was meant to be played,” they told him. 1171659 Vancouver Canucks This isn't a roast, but it's totally a roast! Well done @kbieksa3 #ThankYouSedins pic.twitter.com/Bsj4z4oIXD— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) February 13, 2020 Recap: Canucks retire Henrik and Daniel Sedin's jerseys 6:26 p.m. — Now the Canucks owners are giving the Sedins a gift: a trip to the Kentucky Derby.

I don’t care at all about horse racing and would be very annoyed if Harrison Mooney someone gave that to me. Kentucky? Yeah, no thanks. If you must send me to America, make it a state that isn’t landlocked. But one imagines

the Sedins feel differently, so congratulations to them, I guess. The Chicago Blackhawks are in town tonight, but let’s be honest — no 6:30 p.m. — Quiet. The Sedins are talking. Show some respect. Even one cares a whit about that. More important is that Daniel and Henrik Brian Burke’s tie is tied. Sedin will be in the building for this one — and forever after in spirit, as their numbers are hoisted to the Rogers Arena rafters, where they I think the big news of this ceremony is that Brian Burke's tie is properly belong. fashioned— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) February 13, 2020 At the risk of hocking a loogie at the legacies of the other legendary 6:40 p.m. — The Sedins are now listing and thanking all their coaches. Canucks to see their numbers retired, no two guys deserve this as much Incredibly, they even listed the ones that nobody liked. Class acts, these as Henrik and Daniel Sedin. The identical twin brothers did it all for two. Vancouver, retiring as the franchise leaders in pretty much everything. Now they’re thanking their teammates. Ryan Kesler gets a mention and On Wednesday, the Canuck greats see their numbers retired and their another big cheer, proving that literally begging Vancouver not to boo you incredible careers celebrated in front of teammates, friends and family — is a winning strategy. I’m just gonna file that away for later. also the Chicago Blackhawks, who are absolutely forbidden from winning the relatively meaningless hockey game scheduled for afterward. They Best lines in the Sedins' speeches: are here solely to be sacrificed before the gods of the old world. To Jannik Hansen – we didn't always understand your jokes but we are 6 p.m. — The ceremony has begun. Play-by-play guy John Shorthouse, sure they were funny who called pretty well every game the Sedins played, is kicking us off by repeating a very common refrain about the Sedins: they’re even better To Juice: We were quiet guys who kept to ourselves. You were not. people off the ice. Awesome speeches, awesome ceremony. #Sedins— Omar A.R. Honestly, I don’t buy it. They’re incredible people and all, but after two (@omarcanuck) February 13, 2020 decades of pigging out on Sedinery, I’m convinced that no one can be as The Sedins burned a lot of defencemen in their careers, but since they’re good off the ice as they were on it. brothers, they never miss an opportunity to burn one another. To wit: Anyway. This is already cool. Daniel Sedin on Burrows: All the feels.#SedinWeek #Canucks pic.twitter.com/eBxfi4TsX9— "The three of us couldn't skate very fast, none of us had a good shot supeRsonicNerd (@SupersonicNerd) February 13, 2020 (especially not this guy)," he says gesturing at his brother Henrik. 6:05 p.m. — Here come the Canuck captains and legends. Stan Smyl is This is pretty incredible.— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) February here. Trevor Linden enters to a standing ovation. Markus Naslund is 13, 2020 here. is mercifully not here, but you’re invited to picture him when Gary Bettman comes out, if it helps you boo harder. 6:48 p.m. — Now the Sedins are telling their families how much they love them. BORING. Bring out more former players. Oh my my my! pic.twitter.com/jwFE7R50wz— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) February 13, 2020 6:50 p.m. Wait wait now they’re thanking ME! Well, us. But that includes me, so. Mattias Ohlund is here. Jannik Hansen is here. Popular podcasters Kevin Bieksa and Ryan Kesler are here, and both have been greeted with big “To play in front of you was truly an honour and nothing we’ve ever cheers. Kesler recently expressed anxiety that he might get booed, so taken for granted,” said Daniel. I’m genuinely touched. I’m sure he’s very relieved. 6:51 p.m. — And now the moment we’ve all been waiting for. There they Alex flippin’ Burrows is here, because wherever the Sedins go, so goes go. Burr. And Roberto Luongo is here, greeted with a chorus of Looooooos, because that’s what he’s been known for ever since he went to the Forever immortal. #SedinWeek pic.twitter.com/ywW1qj9XS8— Dan bathroom during a 2007 playoff game. (Is that why we did that? I don’t Riccio (@DanRiccio650) February 13, 2020 remember.) That concludes a nearly pitch-perfect pregame ceremony. The only thing 6:12 p.m. — Blues legend Jim Byrnes is singing Forever Young during it was missing, in my opinion, was a live reenactment of Daniel and an emotional montage. That’s only fitting. The Sedins may have owned Henrik’s legendary Swedish twins commercial. the Blues in the 2009 playoffs, but Jim Byrnes has owned the blues for My only other complaint, really, is that the Sedins aren’t still playing decades. Also there’s the Vancouver connection. hockey. Here’s to an incredible career full of moments Vancouver hockey nice touch having local bluesman Jim Byrnes and his band sing Forever fans will never forget, on the night that Daniel and Henrik gave us one Young while Sedins career highlight reel plays on jumbotron— Jeff more. Paterson (@patersonjeff) February 13, 2020 Vancouver Province: LOADED: 02.13.2020 6:15 p.m. — OMG ITS THE SEDINS!!!!!1! 6:20 p.m. — Kevin Bieksa is giving a speech, and since it’s Kevin Bieksa, it’s a roast. “You know how you come to your first training camp in pretty good shape? Well, Hank never got that memo,” he says. A Juice speech will ALWAYS be a good speech. #Canucks #SedinNight #Sedinery— g | 慧慧 (@gloomybb) February 13, 2020

The zingers are coming fast and furious. This is a very good advertisement for his podcast with Kesler. Juice is on Fire #Canucks.— realMightyChin (@chin_mighty) February 13, 2020 Can't yet confirm if Kevin Bieksa is available for weddings and bar mitzvahs.— Patrick Johnston (@risingaction) February 13, 2020 6:25 p.m. — Well. Kevin Bieksa just did a tight five. It was compelling. Here’s the speech in its entirety. 1171660 Vancouver Canucks There’s no doubt in my mind that injury cost the Canucks the Stanley Cup and Kesler the Trophy. You can also make the case it cost him a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Ed Willes: Ex-Canucks star Ryan Kesler back, not in black He came back and played three more seasons in Vancouver before asking out prior to the 2014 trade deadline. There was a lot of background noise at the time and it was another situation Kesler could have handled better. But it was allowed to fester and when he was dealt Ed Willes to Anaheim in the off-season, the well was poisoned in Vancouver. Kesler, of course, didn’t help things in subsequent visits with the Ducks Opinion: Returning former Canucks standout centre who doesn't want to and seemed to thrive on his image as a heel. But somewhere along the be remembered as a bad guy should be celebrated in Vancouver and by line, all that animosity just becomes wearying for all concerned. the organization That seemed to be the point at which Kesler arrived on Wednesday For the first four seasons of his National Hockey League career, Bo night. He was tired of wearing black. He wanted to be remembered, not Horvat watched Henrik Sedin conduct a master class in imaging and as a bad guy, but a player who bled for this franchise, who was an branding. indispensable part of the best Canucks team ever. Henrik, like his brother Daniel, wouldn’t phrase it that way and that was Yes, he could have made things easier on himself and everyone else if never the intent of the message he conveyed. But from the moment he he’d seen the light before this week. But that doesn’t seem terribly was named Vancouver Canucks captain, Henrik stood up on a daily relevant now. It’s time to remember what Kesler meant to this franchise. basis and answered questions simply and honestly, usually in a way that After all those years, that other stuff seems easy to forget. reflected well on the organization and his teammates. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 02.13.2020 This exercise usually took about five minutes. On Wednesday, the night the Sedins jerseys were retired, Horvat stood up for just under five minutes in the Canucks’ dressing room and answered questions simply and honestly, which reflected well on the Canucks and his teammates. Horvat, age 24 and in his first season as the team’s captain, was asked about what he learned from Henrik over those four years.

“His positivity was the biggest thing,” Horvat said. “Win or lose, he was always ready to face the media. I think that’s the thing I respect about him most. He never came to the rink and had a bad day.” Which brings us, in a roundabout way, to our topic du jour: Ryan Kesler. Kesler, the estranged former Canucks’ star, took part in the ceremony on Wednesday at the invitation of the twins and was warmly received by the sellout crowd. His appearance at the Sedins’ big night also followed a concerted effort on Kesler’s part to rehabilitate his relationship with the faithful, a relationship that was fractured when he was traded away nearly six years ago at his request. All seems forgiven now. Look, we all love the story of a reformed sinner and, as part of his penance, Kesler conducted a series of interviews in which he was honest, introspective and, in the end, very human. Those interviews weren’t exactly consistent with the popular image of Kesler, who seemed to make surliness a point of pride during his years with the Canucks, but he isn’t the first athlete to wake up one morning and realize he should have handled his business differently. You just wonder why it takes some of them so long. As Horvat learned from Henrik — and as we learned from watching figures like Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby over the years — an image can be built on five minutes and a few well-chosen bromides. None of these stars is especially quotable. They certainly aren’t controversial. But they became venerated figures in the game largely because they’re so damned pleasant. Kesler, sadly, never learned that lesson until it was too late. Now he’s trying to make up for lost time and you hope the goodwill tour has the desired effect because Kesler, the player, should be celebrated in this town and honoured by the franchise. Here’s a reminder. In their 50-year history, the Canucks have never had a player like the 2009 to 2011 version of Kesler: A size-and-skill centre with a physical edge who played Selke-calibre defence while scoring 41 goals in his best season. Come to think of it, few teams have ever had a player like that. It is one of the great misfortunes in Canucks history, in fact, that we only saw that player for two seasons. At the absolute peak of his powers, Kesler got tangled up with San Jose defenceman Dan Boyle during Game 5 of the 2011 Western Conference final and tore the labrum in his hip. He actually returned and scored the tying goal with 13 seconds left in the win that sent the Canucks to the Stanley Cup Final — did we mention he tore his labrum? Kesler then gutted it out in the final with the aid of cortisone shots, but he was a shadow of the player who had dominated the playoffs. 1171661 Vancouver Canucks “Actually hardly never,” Naslund smiled, asked if Forsberg ever mentions it. “Peter is not the type of person who brags about his achievements.” Canucks at 50: There's no going back, but Pearson-winning Markus The Canucks rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to beat the Blues in the first Naslund at peace round, but blew their own 3-1 lead the next series against Minnesota, despite Naslund’s career playoff best 14 points in 14 games.

And while the Art Ross went to his fellow Swede, Naslund’s 48 goals and J.J. Adams 56 assists — making him just the third Canuck to crack triple digits in points at the time — was recognized by his peers as he won the player-

voted MVP trophy, the Lester B. Pearson Award (now named after Ted One game. That's all that separated Markus Naslund and Valhalla. The Lindsay). Canucks legend lost the scoring title and a division title on the same day, “The Pearson means more to me and is more flattering as it’s voted on but was named the league's MVP by the players. by my peers,” said Naslund. “Although I respect that the Hart is probably Looking back at his NHL career, there’s not much Markus Naslund would a more correct MVP award as you guys in the media weigh all the change. aspects of the game in your decision.” He was a star, he won accolades from fans, players and media alike, his Not all media agreed. The influential Hockey News named Naslund as body of work getting the recognition it deserved by being slung from the their MVP that year, and he took home the second of his three Viking rafters of Rogers Arena with six other Vancouver Canucks. Awards — the prize given to the top Swede in the NHL — over his hometown compatriot. But there’s one moment, a fleeting choice of words, he’d like to have back. The Choke Speech. It represented Naslund’s high-water mark with the team, the halcyon days of the famed West Coast Express line with Brendan Morrison “I didn’t realize that the word ‘choke’ was such a strong word,” he said centring wingers Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi, with the trio responsible for this week. I “would’ve definitely used different words to describe how I 45 per cent of the team’s total goals that season. felt, if I got a chance to do it all over again.” All three had career highs playing together, with Bertuzzi notching 97 The moment was one of brutal honesty. It became a definitive moment of points (46 goals, 51 assists), and Morrison 71 (25 goals, 46 assists), with Naslund’s career. none of them coming close to matching those single-season totals again. And it wasn’t even supposed to happen. Naslund, his sideboard wrist shot finding seemingly non-existent windows to squeeze through, was an offensive juggernaut. He had a hat April 6, 2003, was supposed to be a day of triumph, the long-awaited trick in a single period against San Jose, a four-goal game against the validation of years of hard work and perseverance. It was supposed to be Edmonton Oilers — he and Bobby Schmautz are the only Canucks to the Canucks’ first division title in a decade. It was supposed to be do it twice — and a six-point night against the , a total Naslund’s coronation as the goal-scoring and points king of the NHL. It only exceeded by Patrik Sundstrom. was supposed to be the glorious ignition of a run to the Stanley Cup. “There were many fun games that year,” he said. “I remember that What it wasn’t supposed to be was a 2-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, a season as a playful one where the points and goals came without us team long eliminated from playoff contention, and the team the Canucks having to fight for them, as we were a competitive trio that pushed one had thumped 5-1 just a week before. another. The Canucks needed a single point to clinch the division, after letting slip “ a chance in their previous game. A 3-1 lead against Phoenix — another We had a great chemistry as a line, we got to play all the key moments team pulling their golf clubs from the closet — turned into a 3-3 tie. of the game and we were in our prime, age-wise. I think the combination of those three things was the difference.” But the Canucks, a team that had set a team record with 104 points, didn’t look like a championship side against the Kings. They played tight. The labels he was slapped with in his playing days, that of a choker and Skittish. On six power plays, they mustered eight shots. They made playoff underperformer — 13 goals in 45 career postseason games with uncharacteristic mistakes, like Brent Sopel’s giveaway in his own end, Vancouver — have been eroded by the passage of time, and his that resulted in Mikko Eloranta’s game-sealing goal and dropped a lead undeniable legacy. The player who is third all time on the Canucks blanket of hush on the arena. scoring list (346 goals, 410 assists) had a mob of fans outside his box after Monday’s game, a group he willingly obliged with autographs and “We choked,” Naslund told media after the game. pictures.

“We had this game in our hands to take care of it. Just get a point. One My face while #Naslund signed my hat I literally did the face when point and we would have won our division. I don’t want to call it a choke, he took my hat #Canucks #Blessed pic.twitter.com/wae19rRupC— but if you don’t take advantage of two chances in a row to finish it off, Add your name (@FlossYourTooth) February 11, 2020 then I don’t know if you deserve to win it.” He joked Monday that his daughters thought it was an ego boost for him Canucks captain Markus Naslund is marked by Minnesota Wild’s Antti to return to Vancouver and its legions of Canucks fans because he’s Laaksonen during Game 2 of the second-round NHL Stanley Cup settled easily into post-playing life as a real estate developer and — more playoffs at GM Place on April 27, 2003. Vancouver would lose in seven important — an active, present father to his three children, Alex, Rebecca games, blowing a 3-1 series lead. Ric Ernst / PNG files and Isabella. Now, nearly 17 years later, Naslund still isn’t sure what happened. “Life in Sweden is totally different from the time we spent in Vancouver. They’d been atop the Northwest Division for nearly four months, and had We miss a lot of the things you take for granted while living in Vancouver, their best shot at knocking Colorado off their perch atop the division for but don’t regret moving back to Örnsköldsvik to raise our kids,” said eight straight years and two Stanley Cups. Naslund, who’s developing a 38-unit waterfront tower.

“It was one of those games where we couldn’t find a way to get out of “I think it gave us more quality time as a family and which was important the funk and get some energy going,” he said. “Tough to describe, but it to us.” happens for some reason once in a while. We had winning our division as a goal for a few years, and wanted to beat Colorado, who’d reigned There is just one other thing he wishes he could change, however. the division for a long time.” “I’m generally pretty hard on myself, and what frustrates me the most While Naslund and the Canucks were getting shut out by the Kings, the looking back at my career is the fact that I never won a Stanley Cup,” he Avs were on their way to demolishing the St. Louis Blues 5-2, with Peter said. “Being part of a championship bonds you forever with your Forsberg leading the way with three points. That clinched the Art Ross teammates, and that’s something I would’ve loved to been a part of.” for Forsberg, while teammate Milan Hejduk had snatched the goal- scoring title away from Naslund by scoring twice over the previous two Vancouver Province: LOADED: 02.13.2020 games. Naslund’s lifelong friendship with Forsberg — they were both born in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, just like the Sedins — was never affected by it. 1171662 Vancouver Canucks “I think in friendships, people look for someone who’s going to be honest with them,” said Morrison. “That carries over onto the ice with those guys. If things aren’t going well, they don’t sugarcoat it. But they don’t hold grudges. Canucks at 50: When Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi played for each other “I just fit in wherever I can. They have a closer relationship together than I have with either one of them but, when we come to the rink, we’re all here for the same thing.” STAFF REPORTER Beyond the common cause, though, they share other things. Both are devoted family men. Naslund doesn’t strike you as a cut-up but, like Bertuzzi, has a wickedly dry sense of humour. Bertuzzi isn’t exactly Alan While individually gifted and different in temperament, the Canucks Alda on the sensitivity meter, but he has a depth and intelligence he linemates' real impact came from how they played together and put their takes great pains to hide. team first “I know, I know,” said Bertuzzi, with his trademark sarcasm. “He’s quiet Even though the Vancouver Canucks crashed out of the playoffs in 2003 and soft and gentle and I’m just the complete opposite. We’re not as in the second round, blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Minnesota different as what people think.” Wild, you can’t diminish that season in Canucks lore. At the top of the list was team captain Markus Naslund, who won the Lester Pearson Award But their greatest bond is that they understand their success means for his season. That award, voted on by his peers as the best player in nothing unless it’s accompanied by group success. That comes from a the NHL, was a real feather in Naslund’s cap, despite the season ending place deep inside both players. In hockey, you hear that sentiment a lot. in unfulfilled promise. Prior to the NHL awards, The Province columnist You just don’t see it practised with the purity with which Naslund and Ed Willes wrote: Bertuzzi practise it. The last time the Vancouver Canucks had two players the calibre of “That’s what’s so neat about it,” said Klatt. “It’s nothing I can tell them or Markus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi was in the late 1990s, when a coach can tell them. It has to come from within themselves. That’s why and Pavel Bure toiled for the Orcans. it’s so genuine.” Think about that for a moment. Mogilny and Bure were brilliant And why it should be appreciated. individualists, but they were oil and water within the team and, in the end, managed to diminish the Canucks despite their breathtaking talent. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 02.13.2020 Now think of what Naslund and Bertuzzi have accomplished this season. Think of how they play the game. Think of how they play for each other. And think of how their production has occurred without disturbing the team framework. Great players are sometimes like Gretzky and Kurri or Lemieux and Jagr — unstoppable forces whose whole is even greater than the sum of their staggering parts. As often as not, however, they’re like Mogilny and Bure. Naslund and Bertuzzi aren’t Gretzky and Kurri yet, but they’re pretty darn close. And in an era when professional athletes aren’t freely associated with concepts like selflessness, their relationship bears some examination. “What they do filters right down through the whole team,” said Trent Klatt as the Canucks’ unprecedented regular season wound down. “I don’t mean to downplay the team we had in Philly (the Eric Lindros-led squad of the mid-’90s) and say those guys were selfish. But there’s a difference.

“This team doesn’t have that. There is no Todd. There is no Markus. There’s just the team. It’s the only thing that matters.” So how did this come to be? How did these two men form such a union? One is European. The other is North American. One’s game is built on finesse and nuance. The other’s is as subtle as heavy metal. One is thoughtful and considerate. The other can be gruff and curt. When you run down the list of personalities on the Canucks, you couldn’t find two more disparate characters. Yet, on and off the ice, they fit together like Anna Kournikova and Lycra. How can you explain this? Let’s start with the hockey aspect of their relationship. According to both, the simplest explanation for their success is that their differences complement each other, and they’re more similar than you might think. Naslund and Bertuzzi appear to be night and day on the ice but, like all great partnerships, they share an eerie extra-sensory connection. More important, they’re also smart enough to read off each other and talented enough to exploit the space they create for each other.

“As much as people think our games are different, they’re kind of the same,” said Bertuzzi. “We think the same way on offence. We see the same things and he can see what I’m trying to do ahead of time.” Off the ice, meanwhile, it’s a similar story where the surface differences between the stoic Swede and the blustery Canadian aren’t as pronounced as they appear. Brendan Morrison, who doesn’t get enough credit for fitting his game and personality between the team’s two alpha males, says there’s an element of the old married couple to Naslund’s and Bertuzzi’s friendship. They argue. They bicker. At times it gets heated. But nothing lingers and, as a result, nothing festers. 1171663 Vancouver Canucks paid. We spent a lot of time trying to figure out how we could do that, how we could treat them fairly. And at the end of the day, we came to the conclusion that the only way to do it was to impress upon them that we were going to do absolutely everything to win a Stanley Cup, where it 'Pleased and honoured': Mike Gillis looking forward to paying tribute to was science, whether it was the daily training environment. We were Sedin twins going to make mistakes, but the mistakes weren’t going to be born out of laziness or omission. We were going to try and do everything and if they wanted to be part of that journey, here’s how we were going to do it. And PATRICK JOHNSTON we made a commitment to them that we would we would be a cap team.” On the ice, in building the team, he doesn’t see any mistakes. Off the ice, there were missteps, like the poor drafting record or his approach with Mike Gillis is one of many important faces from the Sedins' past who will the media, which he’s acknowledged in the past. be on hand at Rogers Arena on Wednesday night. But when it came to the Sedins, there’s no apparent doubt in his mind To be invited to attend the Sedins’ jersey retirement was a true honour, that he did them right. Mike Gillis says. “They had to trust us that we were going to do our absolute best and “I was very pleased and honoured that they would include me in this. they did … I don’t think we did anything incorrectly with them in particular It’s a huge night for them. It’s one that lives on in infamy. So yeah, I was but there’s other elements that you wish that you could have done extremely pleased,” the former Canucks general manager said Tuesday differently around the team,” he said. “I think the timing was perfect for from Swartz Bay ferry terminal, as he waited to take a midday ferry from where they wanted to go with their careers and how they viewed Vancouver Island back to the city where we worked with the Sedins for themselves as players and the stuff we brought to the table. I think it six years. meshed perfectly, the timing was right. They bought in to where we were trying to go and trusted us and we bought into them being elite level “I think you have a sort of unstated understanding with everyone and players … it was just the combination of really good timing, really they know how much I respected them and how much I respected their committed people on both sides and this burning desire to win.” work with the team but more importantly their time in the community and everything that they did and stood for. When you’re when you’re put in Over the years, they improved their skating. They became fitness and a position where you have to defend people who you truly respect, you nutrition obsessives. The examples they set for their teammates still know, sometimes from unwarranted attack, I think everyone comes to carries on in the memories of young former teammates like Bo Horvat, understand how much you really think about them. Brock Boeser and Troy Stecher. Now-veterans like Alex Edler and Chris Tanev point as well to the influence the Sedins had on them in “I don’t think that you can point to any two players of their calibre in the approaching the game. league who received similar treatment.” As for how he might be received Wednesday night, Gillis insisted that he There are many players who define a manager’s career. In Gillis’ case has no trepidation, he’s just looking forward to seeing the old gang again. the whole 2011 cast played a role, he said. But clearly, none played a bigger role in his stint as the team’s general manager. “No, I don’t. I mean, you can’t operate that way. We did our best and tried our hardest and at some point in the whole thing, there is a little bit It was something of a coin toss in choosing which twin would be adorned of luck that goes along with it. If we had not gone in 100 per cent or the with the captain’s C ahead of the 2010 season, but in Gillis’ mind they team hadn’t gone in 100 per cent I thin criticism would be deserved, but were inseparable. Their success lay in the challenges they overcame we did everything we possibly could to win a Stanley Cup and that’s all early in their careers, when many doubted their skating, or their you can do,” he said. physique. “We tried our hardest with the group we had. They rose to the occasion. “They developed great leadership skills over their time being under the They did everything they could. And I think from a management gun and being challenged for a lot of the early part of their careers,” he perspective, our management group tried everything we could. And, you said. “They’re all-around really exceptional people. And I think that made know, sometimes people forget that our mandate was to win. It wasn’t to them exceptional players.” build for 2025, it was to win and do everything we could with the group that we had, and through additions and through using different “Going throughout your entire career playing with your twin brother, technology and analytics to do everything we possibly could to win and predominantly on the same line, I think you need to be very special that was what we were asked to do by ownership and that’s what we people that keep it all in perspective and understand roles and went about trying to do.” responsibilities and they were perfectly prepared and willing to do that.” As 22 and 33 ascend to the heights of Rogers Arena Wednesday Coming into the Canucks’ fold in 2008, Gillis acknowledged the doubts evening, Gillis said he’d be thinking of a lot of things. he’d heard. The Sedins had just wrapped their eighth NHL season. They were without a doubt the team’s leaders, but still just point-per-game “I’m going to be extremely proud of them and their accomplishments players. They seemed good, but not great players. and having the opportunity to work with them towards a common goal. I think people will be respectful of the effort that was put forward by that “There were lots of people that questioned whether you could ever entire team. I hope they are. And it was the most entertaining time in formulate a winning team with them being frontline players,” he said. “I hockey, I think, in Vancouver and certainly captivated the city. And so I’m know there were a lot more questions from people than there were just going to be very proud of the accomplishments and honoured to be support at different times. When we got to know them, and got the part of it.” chance to talk to them and work with them every day we realized how competitive they truly were and how much they wanted to succeed both Vancouver Province: LOADED: 02.13.2020 in a team setting and individually and that, I think, allowed us to make our own decisions about them in their character and their ability. We then had to figure out how you fit your two best players in a hard cap system — and then have a competitive team.

“The first consideration that was confirmed was they were great people and really competitive and really wanted to win.” Just a year later, Gillis and assistant general manager Laurence Gilman were on the Sedins’ doorstep ahead of the opening of free agency, ready to sign the twins to the contract that would define the rest of Gillis’ time in charge of Vancouver’s team. It was a decision born from his experience as a player agent, he acknowledged. Having the GM show up in person would have great impact, he hoped. The challenge was to pay them well but also build a team around them

“That’s not an easy thing in a hard cap system. Once you allocate scarce resources on long-term contracts, they don’t disappear, like you don’t get a chance to walk away from them without a huge penalty being 1171664 Vancouver Canucks BLACKHAWKS’ PROJECTED LINEUP Forwards

Dominik Kubalik — Jonathan Toews — Drake Caggiula Canucks Game Day: Blackhawks a familiar foe for Sedins night Brandon Saad — Kirby Dach — Patrick Kane

Alex DeBrincat — David Kampf — Alex Nylander PATRICK JOHNSTON Zack Smith — Ryan Carpenter — Matthew Highmore

Defence NEXT GAME Duncan Keith — Erik Gustafsson Wednesday Nick Seeler — Connor Murphy Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks Slater Koekkoek — Olli Maatta 7:30 p.m., Rogers Arena, TV: Sportsnet; Radio: Sportsnet 650 AM Goaltenders: Robin Lehner, Corey Crawford THE BIG MATCHUP SICK BAY Daniel Sedin vs. Henrik Sedin Blackhawks: Brent Seabrook (shoulder, hips), Calvin De Haan The pre-game ceremony, which begins at 6 p.m., will see two banners (shoulder), Andrew Shaw (concussion). race to the rafters. There was some debate about who finished first in the half-marathon the twins ran on Sunday, but there’s no doubt their Canucks: RW Brock Boeser (upper-body), LW Micheal Ferland (post- numbers will climb at the same rate. The twins will have all the attention concussion symptoms), C Tyler Graovac (foot), RW Josh Leivo (fractured in the early going. kneecap), LW Tyler Motte (shoulder) FIVE THINGS TO WATCH SPECIAL TEAMS 1. Defence, defence, defence POWER PLAY It’s a familiar story by now, but the truth is the Canucks have been doing Blackhawks: 15.0 per cent (25-for-167, 28th) two things pretty well for most of the season — scoring goals and getting great goaltending — while struggling to defend. The Hawks aren’t the Canucks: 23.4 per cent (48-for-205, seventh). offensive juggernaut they once were, but still have plenty of scoring pop. PENALTY KILL 2. Travel time Blackhawks: 83.0 per cent (seventh) The Blackhawks were in Edmonton Tuesday and while the post-game Canucks: 80.5 per cent (15th). flight isn’t long, it’s still never easy to be the travelling team in the second game of a back-to-back. The Canucks are coming into Wednesday’s Vancouver Province: LOADED: 02.13.2020 contest on the double high of their 6-2 hammering of the Predators on Monday plus the whole buzz of Sedin week. Can they catch the Hawks hoping for sleep? 3. The depth boys Both Justin Bailey and Zack MacEwen brought exactly the kind of energy Travis Green was hoping they would to Monday’s game. You can never go home again, the cliché goes. Does that apply to players looking to bring what they first brought? MacEwen seems to have found his confidence in his last two appearances. Can Bailey progress in similar fashion? 4. Chasing history Quinn Hughes now has 44 points on the season. The Canucks’ team rookie defenceman scoring record is held by , who put up 56 points in his rookie season with the Canucks, which was also Vancouver’s inaugural season. The most points by a Canucks defenceman, period, is held by Doug Lidster, who tallied 63 points in 1986-87. The team rookie scoring record is held by Elias Pettersson, who tallied 66 points just a year ago. 5. Dylan Strome For the first time in his Blackhawks career, the big centre was a healthy scratch Tuesday in Edmonton. In theory he’s supposed to be the second- line centre. Will he return? CANUCKS’ PROJECTED LINEUP Forwards J.T. Miller — Elias Pettersson — Jake Virtanen Tanner Pearson — Bo Horvat — Zack MacEwen Antoine Roussel — Adam Gaudette — Brandon Sutter Justin Bailey — Jay Beagle — Loui Eriksson Defence Alex Edler — Troy Stecher Quinn Hughes — Chris Tanev Jordie Benn — Tyler Myers Goaltenders: Jacob Markstrom, Thatcher Demko 1171665 Vancouver Canucks new charity initiative on this night, by the way. The untold stories of the compassion these two have given to the less fortunate far outweighs their formidable dominance on the ice, which is truly saying something. The Armies: Henrik and Daniel Sedin Edition The Sedins even thanked John Tortorella, and in one of the more amusing moments of the night, that was met with a bunch of awkward laughter from the crowd before the polite clapping resumed. By Wyatt Arndt Feb 13, 2020 But despite their best efforts, the Sedins could only delay the love and adulation so long, as their time to shine was forced upon them.

With their families gathered around them, the twins who have meant On a night that was meant to be all about the Sedins, leave it up to more to this town than they’ll probably ever know watched their numbers Daniel and Henrik to do everything in their power to put the spotlight on rise into the air. others. And in true Sedin-like fashion, they worked tirelessly to make sure to thank everyone who 22. played a part in their careers. 33. It felt like a family reunion of sorts, as players from the past were each Raised together, to sit together, in the rafters of Rogers Arena forever. given their moment to shine by the twins. From Trevor Linden to Jannik Hansen to family members, all the way to the equipment guys, the Where they belong. Sedins gave a chance for the fans to pay their respects to anyone but Best summary Hank or Dank. YOU’VE REACHED VANCOUVER. WE’RE BUSY UGLY CRYING And it was hard not to get caught in nostalgia as you saw this group of ABOUT THE SEDINS’ JERSEY RETIREMENT CEREMONY. LEAVE A people who played such a huge part of so many Canucks fans lives MESSAGE AFTER THE BEEP! #SEDINS #CANUCKS gather together on the ice. — ALISON TEDFORD (@ALLIESPINS) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 Kevin Bieksa opened up the night with a stand-up routine that absolutely killed. He was roasting players left, right and center and hitting on a Best celebration bunch of jokes that fans who have lived and died with this team ate up. How is Bieksa not on TV full time covering hockey, let alone this team? #33 CONGRATULATIONS #22 TO HENRIK AND DANIEL SEDIN ON THEIR JERSEY RETIREMENT TONIGHT, AND THE Alex Burrows, who Jim Benning went out of his way to make sure the CELEBRATION OF A REMARKABLE CAREER IN VANCOUVER! Montreal Canadiens let him attend, was met with the kind of cheer one normally saves for a slayer of dragons. HAD TO DIG OUT THE DUSTY OL’ BLENDER FOR THIS ONE  #CANUCKS #SEDINWEEK PIC.TWITTER.COM/GAOUYXONCA No word on if Chris Campoli felt a cold shudder go through his body at that exact moment. — TOMMY THE TRACTOR GUY (@TOMMYKIPPES) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 We saw old No. 17 return to Rogers Arena, and give Ryan Kesler credit, his apology tour worked magic to repair his reputation in this town. Best wait there was a game tonight? Instead of boos he was met with boisterous cheers, as many fans chose ARE THE #CANUCKS WAITING FOR DANIEL AND HENRIK TO JUMP to remember the good times instead of the bad. Like when he tormented ON FOR A SHIFT? the city of Nashville and made it illegal to name your child “Ryan” after 2011. — TONY FERRARI (@THETONYFERRARI) FEBRUARY 13, 2020

Want to know if Trevor Linden is still a king in this town? What some people may have seen as passive play, I saw as a tribute to IN CASE YOU THOUGHT TREVOR LINDEN'S TENURE AS Henrik Sedin. Why shoot when you can pass? #CANUCKS PRESIDENT – AND THE MESSY WAY IT ENDED – And the Canucks took this to heart as they steadfastly refused to shoot CHANGED THAT THIS IS VANCOUVER AND THAT HE'S, WELL, for most of the game. But much like the Hank, when they did shoot, they TREVOR LINDEN, THINK AGAIN: PIC.TWITTER.COM/BJXSMHFACZ made sure it counted, gutting out a 3-0 win despite being outshot 49-20. — THOMAS DRANCE (@THOMASDRANCE) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 It was yet another night in which Jacob Markstrom’s future contract kept growing in mythical size, as he set a franchise record for the most saves TL still runs this town. in a shutout. Roberto Luongo was met with a resounding “LUUUUUUUUUUUU” that It was yet another night in which you wonder how far can the Canucks brought you right back to Game Six of the Finals in 2011. (We don’t talk keep pushing this style of play where they give up so many shots about Game Seven.) against. Mike Gillis (who moved on from a solidarity beard to a more wizard-like beard), Dave Nonis, Brian Burke and Jim Benning all got cheered, with For Brandon Sutter, who has seen many a special night from Markstrom Benning suitably seated as amicably far away from Linden as possible. this season, this one might have been the most impressive. “ Gillis, it should be noted, was wearing pins for Luc Bourdon, Pavol Definitely would not have been a three nothing win or a win at all if it Demitra and our dear friend Jason Botchford. In his own words he wasn’t for him. Can’t say enough about how he played tonight. That was “wanted to honour people that were very impactful to (him) personally, as pretty special.” well as the Canucks, and was grateful to have an opportunity to show Best visualization (his) respect.” THAT WAS THE MOST OBVIOUS GOALIE INTERFERENCE I'VE At one point Markus Naslund was thanked by the twins and the crowd EVER SEEN, WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE HAWKS started chanting ‘Nazzy, Nazzy, Nazzy!’ only for the former Canucks CHALLENGING?#CANUCKS captain to point to the twins to let the crowd know not to forget whose night it was. Part of you wondered if we were about to enter an infinity — DAVE (@TONYTANTI1) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 loop of the twins pointing to Naslund to get the crowd to cheer for him, then Naslund pointing back at them to volley the cheers right back, in an Either Chicago was hoping they could use “The Secret” to get this goalie endless polite Swedish standoff. interference call overturned, or Marc Crawford did one last favour for the twins on their night by telling Chicago to go for it. If you wanted more proof of what good humans the Sedins are, they even went out of their way to thank Willie Desjardins for making coming It’s hard to see what exactly Chicago was hoping would happen here, but to the rink fun. People clapped for this because it’s what the Sedins it was one of the rare moments in the game where a call didn’t go their would want you to do. way. It was also the last time Chicago would experience a puck entering into the Canucks net. Always elevate, never tear down. It also led to a power play for the Canucks which led to … The twins are a symbol of humanity that raised their profile so far above sports that it’s impossible not to be proud to have watched these two Best PP strategy: Call Baton Rouge young men grow up in front of our very eyes. The Sedins announced a WHY IS SUTTER IN THE PP? #CANUCKS And as we all know, when you get the puck down low in Sutter’s office, he’s going to make you pay. All of a sudden it’s a Sedin-like tic-tac-toe — ALIEN PETEY (@ALIENPETE40) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 play, and Gaudette has the Canucks up 2-0. #CANUCKS FINALLY GET THE PP BUMPER TO SCORE. Queue the fist pump celebration that Gaudette has perfected. SUTTER WAS ALWAYS THE SOLUTION. But back to Benn — while nobody on the night had great Corsi stats for the Canucks, Benn was one of the better ones. And it was on plays like — MICHAEL PAWESKA (@MRPAWESKA) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 this where it looked like he was getting his game back on track: And after giving their non-shooting tribute to Hank, the Canucks gave He just casually stuffs Jonathan Toews and exposes him for what he their tribute to Daniel Sedin by scoring on the 22nd shot of the game. really is: A sad man who just lost 3-0. Made even more special by the fact they found a way to get their malfunctioning power play to work. Best closers The key? Brandon Sutter. LOUI IS FURIOUS… #CANUCKS Mere moments after the internet readied up their “Brandon Sutter on the — JONO (@NUCKMYLIFE88) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 PP” jokes, we had ourselves a bumper goal on the power play. Sutter was in place of Loui Eriksson, and while it’s hard to see the It was a nice pass from Sutter, but the real key on this play is J.T. Miller Insurance Line split up, it just goes to show the skills of Special Ops who once again showcases his hockey smarts by controlling the play Tanner Pearson that he can spot for anyone. You just know he was until he finds the set up he wants. His fake shot and spinning back into whispering “left, five degrees, wind bearing of 2 kilometers from your the slot grabs the attention of the Chicago defenders and they get right.” hypnotized by him. They move off Sutter and Horvat and try and double team Miller, which when you’re penalty killing usually isn’t a smart move. Best performance As a result, when he finds Sutter down low with the pass, Horvat only has MIKE GILLIS MUST BE SMILING WATCHING JACOB MARKSTROM one defender on him, who decides to moonwalk into obscurity instead of STEAL THIS GAME defending him. — HARMAN DAYAL (@HARMANDAYAL2) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 Miller is now tied for the team lead in points with Elias Pettersson and it’s IF MARKSTROM WASN’T IN THE VEZINA CONVERSATION B4, HE’S because of stuff like this. GOTA BE IN IT NOW . #CANUCKS50 #CANUCKS Queue the Miller trade truthers: — GURTAJ PANNU (@GURTAJPANNU17) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 AND WITH THAT ASSIST J.T HAS A NEW CAREER HIGH (57) In what is becoming an Armies tradition, here’s the part of the article @THESTANCHION @THOMASDRANCE @HARMANDAYAL2 where we showcase all the insane saves Markstrom made on the night. #ARMIES #CANUCKS @SATIARSHAH MY BEST TAKE I’LL EVER HAVE HTTPS://T.CO/GO5MTTC3MB Up first it was the Canucks politely letting Marky know what kind of night he was in for, giving up a dangerous shot in the slot: — RYAN MCQUARY (@CANADIANRYEGUY) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 Next we have Kirby Dach almost doing too many moves, as he looked to It’s your moment to shine, Ryan! have Markstrom on the rebound, before he decided to cut back toward Just to showcase Miller a little bit more, he remains one of the best guys Markstrom: on this team at knocking down pucks and controlling bouncing pucks, Remember soft glove side goals? Neither do we: then turning them into deft zone entries: Even when Chicago got the puck moving through the slot and got to the It feels like every other game a puck looks like it’s just about to get away rebounds, Markstrom was there time and time again: from Miller and then all of a sudden there’s he is charging to the net, dekeing guys out, and getting dangerous shots off. After the game, the Scrum Lord was in perhaps the happiest mood I’ve ever seen him in. His eyes were brimming with a shining happiness I He looks like the guy who shows up at Planet Ice and scores four goals haven’t seen in a while, and he joyfully bantered with not just a giant without trying and then you later find out he was a guy who was a former Swedish contingent, but the regular press pool as well. He was cracking third-round draft pick. jokes! He talked for longer than a minute! It was insanity. Best vintage Henrik As for Markstrom, he was just happy he could get the win on such a PETTERSON WITH BREAKAWAY TRIBUTE TO THE SEDINS… special night. “You always want to win, especially when they got all their family here — JONO604 (@JONO604) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 and their friends and people flown in from Sweden, and all these alumnis Speaking of Sedin tributes, Pettersson did his best Sedin breakaway that have meant a lot for this city … it’s great to see those guys and you tribute by shooting the puck and not scoring. want to play good in front of them.” Full credit to Jake Virtanen for making this seeing-eye pass that sprung Best pushback EP in for the breakaway, however. This was the Canucks offensive push in the third period. Best Celly Gaud They never see the shorthanded bomb from deep in your own zone. REMEMBER WHEN GAUDETTE USED TO GET SENT DOWN TO If Pearson is on the ice, he could have directed Edler’s accuracy better. UTICA? #CANUCKS Just food for thought. — JOSH THE ZAMBONI GUY (@JOSHZAMBONIGUY) FEBRUARY 13, Best Jake Fight Club update 2020 #CANUCKS ARE STARTING TO FIGHT BACK NOW EVER SINCE THE NO POINT ON THE PLAY, BUT 76% OF THAT SCORING PLAY IS PETTERSSON HIT. ATTRIBUTED TO MAH BOY JORDIE BENN! — STUFFRADIO (@STUFFRADIO) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 — J.BOWMAN (@JBOWMANCOUVER) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 Connor Murphy is 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds. “Great play by Benner to pinch down the wall, and great plays by Sutsy and Roo to get that puck to me,” explained Adam Gaudette after the Adam Gaudette is 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds. game, agreeing with Bowman’s assessment of giving due credit to Jordie Benn. But numbers mean nothing when you’re the celly god. Gaudette isn’t fist- pumping after goals, he’s practicing his right cross. And it’s a great play by the bearded Benn. His aggressive body check that seemingly caused Drake Caggiula’s spirit to leave his body kept the It seems like ever since Pettersson was hurt in Boston, the Canucks are puck in the Blackhawks zone. taking it upon themselves to drop the gloves. So when Murphy threw a late high hit on Gaudette, he responded with a Doesn’t it make sense to #bluetheseats? slash. When Murphy didn’t respond, Gaudette gave him another one, just to let him know the first tap was no mistake. Look at the responses to that thread. It’s near-unanimous. And then Gaudette beat up Murphy. A fresh new core deserves a fresh new look. Virtanen founded the club. Pearson entered it tonight. Bring in the new hotness. Bring in the blue. And now Gaudette. Dress for the job you want, Vancouver. Is there something to this recent surge of fighting? Gaudette denies Dress like an aspiring Stanley Cup champion. there’s a club (as per rule number one), but admits the team is enjoying Best return of the King standing up for themselves. .@SATIARSHAH: WHERE IS THE RELATIONSHIP WITH JIM “I think it just kind of happens, giving us a little more spunk. You know BENNING? it’s getting the boys jacked up a little bit and it’s going well, and it’s also fun out there for the guys out there too, sticking up for each other, LINDEN: I HAVEN'T TALKED TO JIM sticking up for ourselves. It’s something we talk about a lot.” SAT: IS IT JUST BECAUSE OF NOT A LOT OF TIME IN BETWEEN? When the ultimate hype man Travis Green was asked about the existence of Jake Fight Club, he was quick to downplay it. LINDEN: HE'S BUSY AND GOT STUFF GOING ON AND I DO TOO – LETS JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT. “Nope. Just competing. Good, hard hockey.” — SPORTSNET 650 (@SPORTSNET650) FEBRUARY 12, 2020 Who will join the Jake Fight Club next? Look, we all know this was Botch’s wheelhouse. He would have been in Best rule number one his element reporting on all the things said, and unsaid, on Linden’s return. DO NOT TALK ABOUT THIS #FIRSTRULE And while it’s not really my strength to dive into this, I do want to touch — MYLES HARRIS (@MILLIONSOFMYLES) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 upon this as a child of divorced parents; Linden was talking all week like my parents did when discussing why their marriage fell apart. Best Hughes your daddy They might talk about everything is fine and how you get two Since it feels weird to have an Armies without Quinn Hughes doing Christmases now, but you could cut the tension with a knife when they something dope, here’s Quinn Hughes doing something dope: talk about their relationship with each other. Not only does he backcheck and steal the puck, he drew a penalty on the It was more about what wasn’t said than what was said during Linden’s play as well. As someone pointed out online, Hughes’s work in the rounds of interviews this week. Shade was being thrown in that passive- defensive zone doesn’t get enough attention due to the fact he’s so aggressive way that only people in a really bad relationship can do. dominant in the offensive zone. Super amicable breakup. Best Troy From Richmond Tight, like amicable playoffs. If anyone knows the importance of the Sedins in this town, it’s the kid who loved that disgusting original Orca jersey, Troy Stecher. Best clapback Stecher, who is known amongst media members as one of, if not the, DID YOU EVER ACCIDENTALLY LEAVE THE SEDINS BEHIND AT best guy to get quotes from, was money again. THE VANCOUVER AQUARIUM? #JUSTME HTTPS://T.CO/RW8HE8TZYR “I don’t think I’ll ever get over that fact (that I played with the Sedins). I’m sure at the end of my career I’ll probably pinch myself that I played — MOLLY BURKE (@MOLLYSBURKE) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 with Petey and Quinn. They (Sedins) were legends and there’s legends in this room being made right now too.” To be fair, we always knew Brian Burke’s specialty was driving people to the airport, not necessarily picking them up. Best outcome Best jersey Botch LET'S HOPE ROUSSEL JUST GOT THE WIND KNOCKED OUT OF HIM. #CANUCKS DON'T KNOW WHO'S ON ARMIES DUTY TONIGHT, BUT I SPOTTED THIS RYPIEN SWEATER OUTSIDE ROGERS — JABO VANCOUVER (@JABO_VANCOUVER) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 ARENA @THOMASDRANCE @THESTANCHION @HARMANDAYAL2 PIC.TWITTER.COM/X2R85WHHMV In one of the scarier moments of the game, Antoine Roussel was involved in a collision in which he couldn’t get back to his feet for a few — KEVIN Z (@KEVIN_ZEKE) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 seconds afterward. The Armies always has time for Rick Rypien jerseys, ESPECIALLY It’s the kind of hit where you’re trying to see which body part doesn’t work Manitoba Moose versions. any longer so you can assess the damage, but Roussel is a tough one, and he didn’t miss a shift. This can’t be real. I refuse to believe this is real. Best Botch tribute @THESTANCHION @HARMANDAYAL2 I FIND IT ADORABLE THAT THIS BLACKHAWKS TEAM THINKS EVEN OSSI VAANENEN DOESN'T HAVE THIS…. THEY'RE STILL GOOD. PIC.TWITTER.COM/84C0JGJTSK

— THOMAS DRANCE (@THOMASDRANCE) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 — FRANCIS (@GUCCANUCK) FEBRUARY 13, 2020

DAMN, IT MUST BE THEN MARK. YOU WOULD KNOW. He played three games for Vancouver. This might be the ultimate rare jersey sighting. This might even BE Ossi Vaananen. — THOMAS DRANCE (@THOMASDRANCE) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 @THESTANCHION THIS ONE TAKES THE CAKE. We haven’t seen a dunk this big since, well, since Bieksa roasted PIC.TWITTER.COM/RYYC3USDU4 everyone from 2011 earlier in the night. — PHIL FIGUEIREDO (@PHILFIGS) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 Botch would be proud of the media on media crime, though. I am going to assume this guy’s name is Jeff Booyah. Best renovation @THESTANCHION PIC.TWITTER.COM/5YEQLUCJ6L W W! PIC.TWITTER.COM/OWAMZBW1LP — CLAY (@PAAKS) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 — VANCOUVER #CANUCKS (@CANUCKS) FEBRUARY 12, 2020 That is dedication to branding. Tommy might need to go this route. Don’t the seats look really good in blue? @THESTANCHION TELL ME YOU’VE SEEN A HELMER JERSEY And, if we’re being honest here, that beer is expensive, I wanted to enjoy SUBMITTED FOR THE ARMIES. PIC.TWITTER.COM/OOHQYGDIVQ it too, I wasn’t thinking about speed.

— MARKSTROM’S CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS “I am actually a fan of the beer lids, but next time I catch a stick in the (@THEONLYSTOWIE) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 stands at a National Hockey League game, that guzzle governing lid is going to be ripped off faster than a Pettersson one-timer.” Cam Barker and Bryan Helmer on one night. Everyone came out for Sedin night! Best two-touch legends LOTS OF SEDIN JERSEYS OUT THERE TONIGHT. NOT A LOT OF Thomas Drance, who has been working overtime on the Ryan Kesler SEDIN ALL STAR JERSEYS OUT THERE THOUGH! Apology Tour, talking to everyone the Sedins have ever known (who @THOMASDRANCE @THESTANCHION @HARMANDAYAL2 knew their mailman from Ornskoldsvik would have so much insight into PIC.TWITTER.COM/6YBX60OGPP their half-wall plays?), and even watching hockey with the Sedins (and I assume some Netflix later — “Line of Duty” is really good, guys), realized — KATHERINE PELLETIER (@ERASEDTRUTHS) FEBRUARY 13, 2020 tonight was huge for The Armies. Which is why he provided bonus content on a night he’s not even on Armies duty. Perfect. I’m not going to lie, Drance is my lead vote-getter in MVP for Sedin Best follow up Week. ANTOINE ROUSSEL TOSSES JARRED TINORDI'S STICK INTO THE So anytime someone asks you “Who loves the VIPs?” you answer: “The CROWD. LUCKY FAN THEN CHUGS HIS BEER Athletic does, baby!” PIC.TWITTER.COM/VGUFLSIOJY Here’s Drance on the Sedins being “two-touch legends”: — BRADY TRETTENERO (@BRADYTRETT) FEBRUARY 11, 2020 According to Daniel Sedin, two-touch soccer — or sewer ball — became During the last game, a man was seen catching a stick tossed into the a classic Canucks warmup during the West Coast Express era when crowd by Antoine Roussel and then chugging a beer with it in his hand, Marc Crawford brought a ball to a team meeting during a slump, threw it as one does. on the ground and told the guys to just have fun and play soccer This was just the beginning. pregame. The stick’s journey became surrounded by rumours. Rumours of the stick It’s a hallmark for all NHL teams nowadays, but in Canucks lore anyway, being taken away by security, then given back, then later breaking, then the twins’ two-touch skills are just about legendary (for more on sewer being given away to another fan were flying around everywhere. ball, read Justin Bourne’s primer here). Since The Armies is a vehicle of the people, we knew we had to reach “It seemed like every game they played they were in the finals out and find out more about this situation. The man in question? Andrew together,” said Alex Burrows. “They could juggle for hours.” Holmes. So what exactly happened? “They were unreal at it, probably the reason I stopped playing actually,” “Well, Wyatt, there’s a little more to it than what’s in the clip. The story said Bo Horvat. “Just way too good for me. I’m a terrible soccer player to really starts at Joey Bentall at about 6 p.m. after dinner when I looked at begin with, but it probably snowballed for me from there.” my friend and said “**** it I’m betting Tony to bury one tonight.” Easily my “Yeah, they were the best at two-touch, by a lot,” Markus Naslund favourite guy to watch out there. So when time was running out I was on my feet cheering him on trying to get him going. Next thing I know, he recalled. “I can’t rank them one or two, I don’t know. They were one and throws a stick at my head. I thought that was pretty nice of him so I two, but I don’t know which one was one and, which was two!” caught it. I saw I had about half my beer left and figured it should If the Sedins were the best, Bieksa was the guy most frequently called probably go away. out for being willing to scam his way to the final.

“At first I thought it was Tony’s stick that came over the glass, so I was “Bieksa was not up there, he was the guy cheating the most,” Mikael really fired up. Quickly realized it wasn’t his but whatever. I haven’t Samuelsson said. bought a new stick for beer league in a while and it was a lefty so pretty big pick-up right? It had some damage midway down that I noticed This is a charge that Daniel concurred with immediately when the immediately. Then, well, yeah the security came over and ask for the anecdote was relayed to him Monday morning at Rogers Arena. stick, like four of them. Me having had a few beers agreed it’s probably not a good idea to be wielding a club in my hands so I handed it off — “Mikael is right,” Daniel said. “No more comment needed. You cheat they immediately said I could claim it at customer service, so no problem. when you’re not good and that’s Bieksa.”

“This leads us into the fact I’ve been drinking those delicious 24 oz. “Usually the Swedes are good at soccer, so I guess all the other guys pilsners from the Wine Zone, and really had to piss. My buddy, whose have to try and cheat pretty much to have a chance,” added Alex Edler. season tickets we were sitting in, suggested we go so I don’t piss myself Edler apparently was pretty good too, albeit not quite at the level of the and Canucks staff ended up giving me ‘a stick’ halfway up the stairs, twins. where I gave the faithful in 116 and 115, who were chanting for them to give me the stick back, a salute. That’s easily the most amount of people “I didn’t play a lot of two-touch, but when I passed them in the hallway, I I’ve ever heard cheering in my direction. Pretty awesome. could tell they were often the last two,” said Jannik Hansen, before “I then literally ran to the men’s and took part in a few, inappropriately adding, “Then again, it’s sewer ball, so there’s a lot of other factors that decided who would win.” timed I may say, selfies with other grown men and the stick. Then made a joke about using it at hockey. I flexed it, she snapped. I was pretty Among those factors: being willing to pass on gettable balls, and sending bummed out about that, but it got the boys laughing pretty hard so it was hard volleys at opponents’ feet and heads to try to win. worth it.” Obviously the twins, who always conducted themselves with class, Were the rumours about Andrew giving his trophy away to a fellow fan struggled with that side of the game, to hear some tell it. true? “They were too nice,” Samuelsson said. “There’s a lot of arguments in “I’m not one for hanging broken sticks on the wall or anything, so when two-touch. They had the raw skills, but they were too nice.” a gentleman came up to me in the concourse with such genuine happiness for my moment, I asked him if he wanted it. He said yes; I This is a charge that Daniel agrees with too, by the way. gave it to him. The stick wasn’t in two parts or anything, so it could be a nice collector’s item for someone.” “We were the two best players, that’s not even a question,” Daniel said. “We worked extremely hard to keep the ball up in the air, saving other And for the people who questioned Andrew on his slow chugging players.” technique in a world in which Shotgun Jake enthusiasts demand speed in their beer consumption, he wants you to know, he hears you. Among elite athletes, competitive streaks die hard. Edler, for what it’s worth, was the only guy The Armies spoke with who wasn’t prepared to “Well, you know, Wyatt, watching the game film this morning, I am a concede to Henrik and Daniel’s sewer ball mastery. little ashamed of myself — I too would probably criticize my effort. It could have been quicker, it could have been fancier, but the important “I was better, but they were pretty good too,” he insisted. thing to remember is that it happened, and the boys got 2 points at home. Best legacy It’s with good reason the Sedins’ lasting legacy on the ice is only It’s about being good people. overshadowed by what amazing human beings they are. Even if they had won multiple Stanley Cups, you get the feeling that stories of their And that’s a hell of a legacy to have. kindness and generosity would still be leading the charge on their The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 biography. You could fill multiple books with stories people have of the Sedins’ goodwill that have never been publicized or talked about, because for the twins, it was never about PR. For them, being good people was simply a way of life. And it speaks volumes about the twins that they were able to do this in a town like Vancouver. I don’t say this to disparage this fine city, but I think we can all agree, this is not an easy hockey market to play in. It’s even harder when you have the pressure of being top-three picks hanging over your head, and your career starts a bit slower than the enormously high expectations that had been placed upon you dictated things would go. You see, to forget the Sedins’ earlier years in Vancouver would be to do a disservice to their legacy. Oftentimes the worst things said about the twins came directly from their home-team fans, and not the opponents. It may seem hard to believe, but early in their careers there were long and hard debates in the city about head coach Marc Crawford babying the Sedins too much. For giving them power-play time when they didn’t deserve it. About how it was ludicrous they weren’t being made healthy scratches to “teach them a lesson” about playing hard. How they fell down too much and had to find a way to toughen up. It was not an easy environment to grow up in, let alone learn how to become an NHL superstar in a foreign country. The reason I bring this up is only to point out that throughout it all, the Sedins never changed who they were. They didn’t lash out at the fans. They didn’t sulk about their treatment or get jaded about being a professional athlete. They never ran away from the media. They simply did what would become a staple of their career; they would persevere and would find a way to succeed. In one of life’s biggest ironies, the two people who have had their toughness questioned the most are two of the toughest people you’ll ever meet. They now stand as two of, if not the most, beloved hockey players of all time in this city. If a single bad word is uttered about the twins, you will see Canucks fans all around the world rally together to defend them. Ask Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin or Dave Bolland about playing fast and loose with the Sedins’ reputation. If you fight Henrik or Daniel, you fight all of Canucks Nation. It is the way. They are without a doubt true Vancouverites. Seeing them around town is like seeing the Lions Gate Bridge or the Gastown Steam Clock, in that they have become true staples of the city. Tourism Vancouver should have pamphlets talking about “Things to do in Vancouver: Have a Sedin help you get across the street safely” as something you need to experience. We saw them grow up before our very eyes, red-cheeked cherubic- looking twins who looked like they were in need of a good meal. We saw them learn to grind with Trent Klatt. We saw them learn to elevate those around them with Jason King. We saw them learn to fly with . We saw them find a third twin in Alex Burrows. We saw them take the reigns from the West Coast Express and lead this team on the most successful run the franchise has ever seen. We saw them become All-Stars with Drake. We saw them capture two Presidents’ Trophies. We saw them win scoring titles. We saw them battle dragons. We saw them break themselves and fall just short of the ultimate prize against Boston. We saw them leave the game on their own terms, not overstaying their welcome, handing the team over to the new core. We saw them teach the next wave of players how to not just be good on the ice, but also off it. We saw them grow up before our very eyes into two of the best ambassadors for this sport and this city that hockey has ever seen. So while we will always muse about “What if…” in 2011, that almost seems secondary when talking about the Sedins. A Stanley Cup victory, if it ever happens, will be the stuff of legend in this town: But the legacy of the twins is about something bigger than hockey. 1171666 Vancouver Canucks Before numbers 22 and 33 are raised permanently to the rafters of Rogers Arena — the banners will rise together, of course, in a pregame ceremony at Rogers Arena on Wednesday night — Henrik and Daniel take us inside their hockey hive mind. How Henrik and Daniel see it: The Sedin twins watch 10 of their greatest shifts and detail their unique chemistry Henrik and Daniel’s comments have been edited for clarity and length. Shift No. 1: The 4-on-4 Shift Thomas Drance Feb 12, 2020 I press play on the very first shift and a relatively low res image of the Sedin twins in 1970s Canucks throwbacks comes on. It’s a shift from a regular season game against the Detroit Red Wings and it immediately becomes apparent that Henrik and Daniel are going to remember Henrik and Daniel Sedin are sitting in the video room adjacent to the everything. coach’s office in the bowels of Rogers Arena. “That’s the 4-on-4 shift,” Daniel says to Henrik immediately. Projected onto the big screen at the far end of the room is video footage of 10 representative shifts from their careers, curated by The Athletic. “Yep, I remember this clip,” Henrik responds. “I think this was our first They agreed back in November to spend nearly an hour breaking down highlight reel long cycle shift. And it was against one of the top teams in game tape with me, and I’ve tried to find shifts that speak to their unique the league so it felt good afterwards.” skills and the evolution of their playing style. Henrik: This shift might be when we started to use behind the net, and It’s a Canucks game day, but down the hall and removed from the day- realized how good an option it was for us. to-day urgency of NHL competition, this is a casual environment in a familiar setting for Henrik and Daniel. The footage rolls and as we watch, The reason I wanted to highlight this shift was that it contrasts with some the twins laugh and chirp one another. They never denigrate an of what we’ll see a bit later in your careers, just in how much you’re both opponent, no matter how silly he might look after a 110-second defensive skating and more actively coming to the puck. shift. They praise their teammates at great length and insist on their own luck, all but ignoring that the repetition of their excellence undermines Daniel: Our goal has always been to tire the other teams out by moving any humble claim of good fortune. the puck around a lot, getting them running around. They get tired, and now we’re at that point in the shift. You can start to tell they’re struggling. Intermittently, a rising seriousness cycles to the surface. Their tone changes a bit as they shift from casually breaking down game tape to Henrik: Opposing teams changed the way they played us too. So we had discussing how the plays we’re watching relate to a few key concepts to make adjustments. that powered them to Hall of Fame calibre careers: edge work, stamina, Daniel: When you’re standing still, you get checked and you’re done. We withering persistence, work rate and the sacrifices of their teammates are were always moving our feet, and it always gave us a chance to get the frequent themes. puck back. Their core hockey value, though, the one both Sedin twins dwell on as The first time Hasek comes out of the net, Daniel, do you register that we watch footage of them pulling another puck off of the wall and and keep it in mind for later in the shift? sending a perfect backhand saucer pass through coverage, is that chemistry is everything. And when the conversation turns in that Daniel: I think so, for sure, Hasek was a special goalie, he did some direction, their excitement and energy levels spike. really, uh… “Did you see the Washington-Arizona game yesterday?” Daniel asks Strange? me at one point, while the video is paused. Daniel: (laughs) Yeah, strange things, but that’s what made him great I hadn’t, I admit sheepishly, a bit astonished that these all-time greats too! seem to spend more time watching out-of-market games than an NHL Live junkie like myself. More than that though, after Hasek comes out, I’m looking to put the puck back behind the net. That was something we started using a lot, it “After the game, (Coyotes coach) Rick Tocchet said that Washington became our trademark. You see Lukas Krajiceck (No. 5), he’s in a pretty makes plays to open areas where they know that guys are going to skate good spot, but I’m not even looking for him here. I’m thinking we have onto,” Daniel continues. “And he said that because they’ve played them if we keep it down low. together for a long time, you can tell they’re a well-oiled machine.” I also wanted to highlight this because of the play along the wall. I mean, “That goes back to our point,” Henrik chimes in, his voice dropping a bit that’s prime Johan Franzen (No. 95) and Nicklas Lidstrom (No. 5) and as he makes sure to emphasize something that matters to him. you win that battle cleanly on the wall … “Washington has been together for a long time: Ovechkin, Backstrom, Henrik: Yeah, it’s also a pick. People call it interference sometimes, but Kuznetsov, Oshie and Carlson. Those guys, they have a good we always used it to our advantage. You watch our shifts and there’s a understanding of how together to be successful. That’s why lot of them. Tocchet sees it in their game.” Henrik: When I watch games now, there’s things I think that people For the uninitiated, Henrik and Daniel Sedin are identical twins from the should use more that they’re not really using because they haven’t hockey hotbed of Ornskoldsvik in northern Sweden. They grew up played with each other for long enough. Because we played with each playing keep-away on outdoor rinks, were linemates as junior players, other for, I mean, all of the time, we talked, we looked at footage, and we linemates in the Swedish Elite League and linemates at the World Junior think, “OK, let’s maybe use a pick here,” or do this here. Because there Championship. Through a dizzying series of draft-floor machinations, will be open space over there. That’s something we began to use more they were selected back-to-back by the same NHL team in 1999, and so and more. they were linemates throughout their NHL careers. Daniel: At this point, I knew I had Hasek beat, I think I tried to wrap it, but They won back-to-back Art Ross Trophies as linemates, played in a I miss it, right? Stanley Cup final as linemates and they won an Olympic gold medal as linemates. Daniel: (laughing) I remember the miss really well too… In the history of the sport, it’s probable that no other two individuals have Shift No. 2: The Quadruple OT Winner played as much hockey with one another as Henrik and Daniel have. It was Game 1 of Vancouver’s first-round series against Dallas and it This familiarity, a miracle in its own right, resulted in a wholly original went to quadruple overtime before Henrik scored the game-winner in the style. They mastered the geometry of the cycle game, could play blind longest game in Canucks history. with passes that mimicked telepathy and controlled shifts at such length that they seemed to forcibly remove the air from opponents’ lungs. Beyond the passing precision and the superhuman chemistry, which allowed Henrik and Daniel to function like beacons, their stamina set Cerebral and humble, the Sedin twins sat down with The Athletic a few them apart — particularly on 90-second shifts, or in the 138th minute of a months ago for nearly an hour to watch these 10 representative shifts marathon playoff overtime game. from their storied careers and break down some of what made the style of hockey they played so joyful and memorable for the Canucks fans Henrik: I remember that last period was when we felt our best, by far. We privileged to watch it for nearly 20 years. were sluggish the entire game, then this period we actually felt really good. I don’t know why, honestly. One of the main reasons I wanted to look at this goal was the edge work Henrik: (interrupting excitedly) These were our favourite plays: When we on the inside move on the entry by Daniel. enter the zone, I give it back to Daniel and he gives it back to me. And I’m turning up right away because I know Willie (Willie Mitchell No. 33) is You change directions twice, really quickly, really smoothly, with the puck going to come to me hard. at the end of a really long game. Having the four edges to make these plays at the speed you did it, despite the jokes you often made about Henrik: So I know it looks tight there, but I see the possibilities. Usually your speed, what work went into that behind the scenes? Daniel goes through there and if he does and Greene gets a little confused and goes to me, I can put it between my legs or to an open Daniel: Our skating got a lot better, we worked extremely hard at it over a area where Daniel is going to skate onto it and it’ll be a two-on-one in few summers. This was the first or second season where we felt like we front. could keep up with everyone and make these moves. I also think scoring on the rush became something we could do. We didn’t do it a lot early on If Daniel goes through and Greene comes with Daniel, I can use them as in our careers, but as we became better skaters, and as Henrik got better a screen to get away from Willie. at moving the puck up the ice, holding onto the puck and making plays, it became a strength of our game. For me, it looks like it’s tight, but it was automatic, I knew exactly what was going to happen. I had two decent areas and I could just fake to Henrik: We weren’t cycling as much anymore, but we were scoring more. whatever is open. In this case, if I remember though, Greene goes back to the net, so I did something a bit different. And as the play goes back down low, here’s another pick… Yep… Henrik: It took us a few years, because early on we weren’t able to hold onto pucks as long in the offensive zone as we wanted to. So then there’s this pop pass play, almost like an inverted overlap in soccer. We understood early on how to set a pick so that it was totally different than interference. We were always part of the play somehow, like right Henrik: The pop pass, same thing. I know what Daniel is thinking and there, he was open for a bit, so the ref didn’t see it as setting a pick or we’re on the power play, so we want to use the middle of the rink. interference, it was more like he’s part of the play. Daniel, at this point you have a clear pass to Hammer (Dan Hamhuis No. Now as you slingshot here back to the net front, do you have a good 2) for the one timer, and I’m sure you’re aware of it. sense at this point that there’s going to be a play for you if you can beat your check? Daniel: I’m either looking to shoot it or put it back to Hammer. I wanted to have the option to shoot it too, but I think Greene takes it away so I put it Henrik: Oh, yeah. Even though I haven’t seen Daniel, I know he’s behind to Hammer, I think. Is that right? the net, so I know if I can beat my guy he’s going to use the net to wraparound or come the other way, and I’ll have an open shot for sure. I Well, first you make a move. actually know it’s coming even before Mattias Ohlund passes the puck. And I need to know. The pass to Hamhuis, is this a move for Jonathan We’re lucky that it’s a good pass out front, because it’s a half wraparound Quick’s benefit? that he lets go. It could’ve gone over to my backhand and it wouldn’t Daniel: For sure it is, if I make a forehand pass to Hamhuis there, Quick have been a goal. is going to know that it’s coming and it’s an easy save. Shift No. 3: Pulling Pucks Off the Wall Henrik: Nice pass, better finish. Now we get into the prime Sedin years, a five-year stretch from 2008- Daniel: Yeah, it’s always good to be lucky! 2013 during which Henrik and Daniel reached the absolute pinnacle of their powers: Shift No. 5: The Shift Obviously you’re pretty well scouted by this point. And what I notice is This is ‘The Shift,’ so this is a 2-minute clip. that Pittsburgh is passive, even though you have that heavy touch along the half wall after Burrows’ chance. They’re not coming at you anymore. What’s funny about this in rewatching it and some of the other ones, I feel like this is the one Vancouver fans remember you the most fondly Daniel: I think that’s what teams started to do, which we kind of liked. It for, but this is also the one where your teammates sort of stand out to me gave us more time. more than some of the others because of the work they did on retrievals. Henrik: Teams stopped coming hard to us, but also they were still spread Henrik: Yeah, for sure. Mattias Ohlund and are on here, out. Later on in our career, I think the whole league changed. Teams they save the puck a bunch of times. started to defend in their own end with five guys. So look at James Neal (No. 18) here… Daniel: It could’ve been over on so many plays. Daniel: Exactly, nowadays Neal would be right on me. You watch the league now and say you think guys haven’t played enough to do some of the things you’re talking about. Henrik: Definitely, the last two or three years we played he would’ve been way over there — protecting Daniel. But 10 years ago, there was a lot of Henrik: Haven’t played together enough. room in that middle area that you could use. I don’t think you’d know to Right, haven’t played together enough. What did I say? use that area instead of just putting the puck deep or passing it up top to a D-man if you didn’t play a lot together though. Henrik and Daniel: (in unison) Haven’t played enough! This is a pretty classic sequence, Henrik, where you pull the puck off the Oh wow, yeah, excuse me. Haven’t played together enough to do some wall, there’s pressure coming, you feel it, protect the puck, then send a of the passing things you’re talking about. But you talk to coaches and backhand saucer through coverage. I’ve talked to NHL players who everyone and it’s shot, shots, like it’s a shooting league now. always mention the way you picked pucks off the wall under pressure as something that blew them away. Henrik: We were criticized for that too, but on a 2-on-1 my mentality was I’d rather pass it every time and make the pass eight times out of 10, and Henrik: I think that’s just from us playing keep-away as kids. A lot of if you make the pass eight times out of 10, he’s going to score on seven players asked us about that in our last few years, but for us it was a weird of those. Instead of shooting for a rebound, which maybe ends up in the question. It was just something we’ve always done somehow. I don’t net or in a rebound goal four times out of 10. That was my thinking, but know if it comes from our cycle game, but all the way from when we were not everyone always agreed! little, we’d throw the puck around along the wall. Maybe other players had done it a thousand times, we’d done it a million. You start to get a Daniel: You just watch this shift. A lot of times, we maybe made a few too feel for where the pressure is going to come from if you do it enough. many passes on the outside, but we knew the longer we could keep the puck the more tired they would get. That was our mentality and it’s the Shift No. 4: ‘Automatic’ same here, you can see us making a lot of unnecessary passes early on. Maybe we could’ve taken a shot or taken it to the net, but in the end it So let’s do this one in pieces, so I can get your thoughts as we go. paid off. 2012 playoffs, this is a slick entry and then Matt Greene (No. 2) throws a Back to the video, to this point in the clip they’ve actually defended it hit on Daniel. Henrik gets the puck, and I’m curious Henrik — when pretty well. Here’s where you get Sheldon Souray (No. 44) to chase you you’re going up the half wall here, you know Greene is going to go back up the half wall Henrik, and when your back is turned that can be a to the front of the net, but what’s your… trigger for defenders, but this pass back low to Daniel is where they start to really be in trouble. Henrik: But we loved that when they came after our backs. Playing with Daniel: Hard to do. They’re the only two! Daniel so much, I knew exactly where he was going to be all the time, so for me it didn’t matter if I had my back turned to him. That’s what Shift No. 8: The Niemi Nutmeg happens when you play with someone for so long, same with So a lot of your goals are described as “passing the puck into the net.” I Washington now. They can make these plays. picked this one because it’s the ultimate example of that: Yeah, and then it happens again with a pop pass right before Kraijcek Daniel, I want to start with the pass up to Henrik because, as far as I can hits the post … tell from the video, you never shoulder check. Henrik: As we got stronger and our balance got better we were really Daniel: Yeah, I remember, I didn’t. I just think I realized that San Jose confident playing that way, getting guys on our back. We had a were pushing three guys. This is something me, Henrik and Burr talked calmness. We knew we could still make the play even if they were on us. about a lot. Burr would take off down the middle, Henrik would go the far And then, Daniel, by the end-game of this shift, the amount of time you’re side and I knew if I threw it far across. able to take with the shot, it’s just cruel. Henrik: Someone would be there. Daniel: Yeah, and we’ve been on the receiving end of those long shifts Daniel: Yeah, that I’d hit somebody. Either Burr or Hank. too. It doesn’t matter how good you are, at that point in a shift, you’re going to make mistakes in that situation. It worked to our advantage on Because, I mean, it hits his tape. this shift for sure. Daniel: Sure, but I missed a lot of those too! Shift No. 6: The Loui Shift (Note: I relayed this anecdote to Jannik Hansen, who laughed and said, Here’s another long shift, this one with Loui, which I included because — “Maybe he was just lucky making blind passes tape-to-tape for 15 in contrast with the 4-on-4 shift we saw earlier — it’s good example of the years.”) more stationary type of cycle you leaned on later in your careers. Now, Henrik, I mean, you essentially nutmeg Niemi… Daniel: It’s not just us though, look at the coverage. You can see how different it is from the clip with James Neal. Here, all five Calgary guys Henrik: Yeah, I ran out of room. are so tight together in the middle. Did you really? So it wasn’t just an age-related adjustment. Henrik: Yeah. Dan Boyle (No. 22) played this great, I mean, he took the Henrik: No, I don’t think so. I think it was the way teams defended. pass and I think he knows I’m not a shooter. So he takes Burr away, and Teams now, and you can see the Flames here, they allow more plays on then he slides, runs a bit into Niemi. I don’t know. Honestly, I had nothing the outside, but don’t let you into the dangerous area. else. If Niemi stops the puck, it’s the worst play you can ever make. I was lucky, Boyle played this really well. We’ve talked a lot about the chemistry between the two of you, but this is a shift where you’re on with Loui, Edler and Tanev — all of whom you’ve So you fake the shot and now you’re running out of options. Is that where played with for a long time. you’re at? Really? Daniel: Yeah, even there, Tanny knew exactly where to put the puck. If Henrik: I’m still looking for a pass to Burr, but Boyle is right there. There’s that’s a younger player, they maybe hold onto the puck or go back up nothing really there either, I could go around Niemi maybe … but … high or try to make a different play and all of a sudden we’re out of Daniel: You can tell with Burr too, a lot of wingers would just skate, position. It’s a different thing. And there you can see he makes the same expecting Henrik to shoot it. But he knows Hank is going to make the play again there! pass. He’s ready the whole way. Shift No. 7: The AV Game Plan He always stopped at the net. Now here’s a shift where you’re at 5-on-5, but with four forwards: Radim Henrik: Always stopped. Vrbata, Alex Burrows and then Luca Sbisa on defence who, weirdly, I think you had really good chemistry with? And then right through the five hole. So you, in your mind, when you look back at that you think you didn’t play it that well and you were fortunate. Henrik: Yeah! Henrik: No, I remember at the time too. I’m like “oh I’m running out of Daniel: Yeah, I think you’re right! time, I’m running out of time, I’m running out of room here!” Henrik: Luca always seemed to be involved in some, uh, good things we San Jose, they were so great, and Boyle was unbelievable. I actually did. He’s a smart player though, one of the smartest players I think we remember getting the 2-on-1 and wishing it was someone else playing played with. Mostly his timing. A lot of the time, like, if you’re too this. offensive, you might creep in too fast and if you’re not offensive thinking at all, I think you just sit back. He had great timing and everything. Really! Look at it there, I’m looking for a pass, looking for a pass, there’s just nothing. Yeah. I got lucky. So what I like about this shift is you sustain a ton of pressure, but score after the puck is cleared with a quick up. I wonder if you can tell this Shift No. 9: The 60-Foot Pass Rangers team is coached by Alain Vigneault. I think he’d seen you sustain pressure for too long against too many opponents, so he gave I’ll be interested to know if you remember this one, because it’s not one you that respect of a quick change! that’s among your better known. Henrik: You can tell that’s an AV coached team, in my opinion, already. Daniel: I remember it. Should’ve been a penalty. For hooking. You can see the D are cheating there, behind the net! Henrik: On Daniel! Daniel: Yeah, they’re leaning behind the net. (laughing) Daniel: No! Henrik: At this point too, they’re starting to scramble. This is where you can take advantage. Henrik: Yes! On Kesler, no? So right here, it’s cleared and they change and you quick up: Henrik: They’ve been out for over a minute, so I understand why they Obviously it’s a good shot and a nice one-timer, taking advantage of changed. some chaos. This is your prime persistence, overall. I don’t know, it crosses the red line, but just. I don’t think your average (Rewinds highlight) team changes. But Henrik, this is what I want to ask you about, with the goalie in this Henrik: Yeah, maybe you’re right. I don’t know if they realized we’d just position and the puck there … pulled the goalie. (Daniel starts laughing) So then kind of a drop version of your pop pass. That is the last moment when you look at the goalie. Henrik: Yeah, and a little pick! Henrik: I’m not going to get it on my backhand! Didn’t realize I picked two Henrik rebound goals for the 10 clips. So you go to Daniel 60-feet away. Daniel: I think we were at our peak, we felt really good about our game. When your confidence is low, you’re going to take a shot with your backhand, rolling puck and you’re going to miss it. Henrik: I remember the puck was spinning like crazy! It came off and it was just spinning. Even when I got it, I just took the puck and I still didn’t have it under control. So you get the puck, Howard is out and you process in that split second that your best option is to get it to Daniel? Henrik: I knew he was there, so yeah. Honestly! It’s tough to score there with the puck bouncing like that and Brad Stuart coming at me. Shift No. 10: Wild Two Minutes Daniel: I remember this. Henrik: I think this was the best shift of my career. For real? Henrik: I think so, yes. Man, it should’ve been a goal. I wanted to end on a play where you were a bit younger because of the distance you cover overall. How do you think playing with you changed things for a teammate like Sami Salo, who knew how to be in soft areas for you. Henrik: Everything clicked for us around this time. We were stronger. We could play these long shifts, take hits to make plays. Daniel: You mentioned we had teammates who were willing to play a style that we wanted. Like Sami. Right there off the top, look at that. Henrik: Exactly. He had a chance to shoot and he liked to shoot, but he knew where we wanted it so he passed off a chance because he knew we liked to keep cycling. Did it take guys some time? Daniel: For sure it takes time. Even for young guys coming up. When we gave the puck up to our Ds, it wasn’t to shoot it, it was to release their team from playing low to get high, then we want the puck back to keep going. If we hadn’t played for a guy as long as we’d played for Sami here. They’d shoot it and the play would be over. Who was the best in terms of quickly figuring out how to play with you? Daniel: As a D-man, I think Mattias Ohlund. Henrik: Ohllie first, and then when Alex Edler came in. Daniel: I think Ohllie talked to Edler. Henrik: Yeah, Mattias was really good. And as a forward? Henrik: Oh, come on, Burr for sure. Daniel: I think he came onto our line and we all took a step at the same time. He came in at the right time for us. Such a smart player. Henrik: He had seen us too for a year and a half. Daniel: Yeah, he’s a student of the game. Henrik: He watched our shifts, paid attention to how we wanted to play. It was seamless. The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171667 Websites Speaking of lucky, Armstrong said something Wednesday that many were thinking: If a situation like this had to happen, it was best that it was at the arena, not at dinner or a hotel. The Athletic / ‘Things are looking very positive’: Jay Bouwmeester “There is never a good time for something like this to take place, but remains hospitalized after collapsing, but in good spirits there could not have been a better location than the Honda Center,” Armstrong said. “Thanks to everyone at the Honda Center and the Ducks’ organization for their lifesaving efforts.” By Jeremy Rutherford Feb 12, 2020 It was also noted how Anaheim players came together to support the Blues during a difficult time.

“Hockey gets pushed aside really quickly when you’re talking about LAS VEGAS — Alex Pietrangelo handed Jay Bouwmeester the Stanley Cup and watched his teammate raise it with both arms. something like this,” Pietrangelo said. “You play against each other and you battle against these guys, but we all have enough respect for each Eight months later, nearly to the day, Pietrangelo just wanted to see other. A lot of those guys have played with Bouw. I know (Ryan) Getzlaf, Bouwmeester raise one arm. I’ve played with him, he knows Bouw a lot just from playing from over the years in international tournaments, and he reached out right away. The The veteran defensemen had played 5,814 minutes together in St. Louis, hockey community, a lot of people started reaching out, that’s just how and lying unconscious on the floor of the Blues’ bench Tuesday night at the hockey community is.” the Honda Center in Anaheim, Bouwmeester may not have had another minute left. Another NHL star who has played with Bouwmeester internationally sent his well-wishes Wednesday. “It’s hard to even explain,” Pietrangelo said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon from the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Las Vegas. “It “I just hope he’s OK,” said Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, who was happened so fast. It felt like it was an eternity for us.” teammates with Bouwmeester on Team Canada at the Olympics. “Immediately, you think it’s so scary, and you can see by the reaction If not for the quick reaction time of players such as Pietrangelo near the how quickly it happened and how unexpected it was. He’s in such great bench and the medical attention provided by Blues athletic trainer Ray shape, and he’s a guy that has been in so many different situations (with) Barile and Anaheim’s staff, it could have ended much differently. so much experience, to see that happen so quick like that — I’m just happy that he’s OK.” After saying in a statement late Tuesday night that Bouwmeester experienced a cardiac episode, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong The Blues will play Thursday in Vegas, as scheduled, but it won’t be confirmed Wednesday the 36-year-old “became unresponsive and the easy. Armstrong said Golden Knights president George McPhee made medical personnel used a defibrillator to revive him.” Bouwmeester accommodations for counselors Wednesday if any of the Blues players immediately regained consciousness and was in stable condition at UC needed them. Irvine Medical Center, where he remained Wednesday. Arguably the fittest player on the Blues’ roster, Bouwmeester continued to undergo a “It’s obviously going to be difficult, but again, we talked to Jay and he’s battery of tests to determine what led to the cardiac episode. While that in good spirits and when you see how he’s doing, it certainly makes us will be determined in the days ahead, family, friends and fans received feel a lot better,” Pietrangelo said. “We stayed (in Anaheim) last night, we the news they had been hoping to hear. didn’t feel comfortable leaving without knowing how he was doing. But like I said, when Jay-bo is being Jay-bo, I think it makes everybody feel a “Things are looking very positive,” Armstrong said. lot better.” WATCH LIVE: BLUES GM DOUG ARMSTRONG PROVIDES AN The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 UPDATE ON JAY BOUWMEESTER'S CONDITION. #STLBLUES HTTPS://T.CO/A2PNGPUEIF

— ST. LOUIS BLUES (@STLOUISBLUES) FEBRUARY 12, 2020

The Blues’ GM had just returned from Europe when he settled in to watch his team’s game against Anaheim from St. Louis, and with 7:50 remaining in the first period, he saw what everyone else saw: play halted because a player was down on the bench. When it was determined who it was, Armstrong immediately reached out to Bouwmeester’s wife, Devon.

“Fortunately she wasn’t watching the game, so I was able to explain to her what was happening, made her as comfortable as possible that he was getting the best medical care,” Armstrong said. “Our fathers trip is going on … so having Jay’s father (Dan) there was obviously difficult for him, but good for Devon to have someone to talk to. Our wives are all reaching out. I know (Alexander Steen’s wife Josefine) went by last night. It’s just how our group is. We take care of each other.” Meanwhile, in Anaheim, once the Blues-Ducks game was postponed, Pietrangelo and his father, Joe, went to the hospital to be with Bouwmeester and his dad.

“He was in good spirits with us — typical Jay — so I think it certainly made us all feel a lot better today, knowing we had the opportunity to talk to him,” Pietrangelo said. But they didn’t just talk to Bouwmeester; Pietrangelo FaceTimed a connection with him and the rest of the team. “I think it was important for me just to see him and for everybody else to see him,” Pietrangelo said. “Bouw had his opportunity to kind of see everybody (and) everybody sent him their wishes. I’m not going to speak for everybody, but I think it made everybody feel a lot better knowing he was in good hands. He was in good spirits with us.

“It’s not easy to see anyone go through it, let alone a close friend, a teammate that you spend every day with. We’re a tight group in our locker room; if you’ve been around us, you know how close we are. We’re lucky to have each other any time you’re going through something like this.” 1171668 Websites the deadline, then sure, you probably want more time to mull over the options before you rush into a mistake.

But that essentially never happens. Instead, we hear this excuse trotted The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: A guide to your GM’s favorite trading out for some third-line winger who’d probably fetch a mid-round draft excuses (and which ones you should actually believe) pick. That seems like the sort of thing that could come together quickly, no? Not according to some GMs, who insist that it’s just too complicated a concept to work without months of lead time. By Sean McIndoe Feb 12, 2020 Meanwhile, NBA GMs are routinely doing stuff like this: ESPN SOURCES: 4-TEAM TRADE AGREEMENT: HOUSTON: ROBERT COVINGTON; ATLANTA: CLINT CAPELA AND NENE; We’re down to an even dozen days to go before the trade deadline, MINNESOTA: MALIK BEASLEY, JUANCHO HERNANGOMEZ, EVAN which means every GM across the NHL is hard at work, burning up the TURNER, ATL 1ST ROUND PICK VIA NETS; DENVER: GERALD phone lines as they engage in what they clearly view as the single most GREEN, HOUSTON FRP. important part of their job. &MDASH; ADRIAN WOJNAROWSKI (@WOJESPN) FEBRUARY 5, No, not making trades. Come on, is this your first day here? 2020 As any longtime fan knows, this is the time of year when most GMs are I don’t know, I guess those guys are just smarter. focused on something far more important: Condescending lectures about why they won’t be making trades of any significance. It’s all about The excuse: “I’m new here.” managing expectations. Specifically, your expectations, and those of your fellow fans. And those expectations should not, under any OK, most GMs don’t quite phrase it that way. But when a new GM takes circumstances, include the GM of your favorite team actually doing all over, there’s often an implied message to fans that they can’t be that much. expected to start making changes right away. Instead, there’s an expectation that the new guy will need some time, maybe even a full That’s where the excuses come in. Most NHL GMs have a trusty list of season, to really get a sense of what he’s working with. Only then, the go-to talking points for those pesky fans who seem to think they should thinking goes, can we realistically expect them to start making significant do their jobs, and this is the time of year when they break them out. And changes. if we’re being fair, some of them are reasonable. But only some. Should we buy it?: Not remotely, although for some reason we usually Today, let’s get ready for the final countdown to deadline day by going do. When a new player is acquired, he’s expected to produce right away. through some of the most common NHL GM excuses for taking the next When a new coach is hired, we expect to see at least some level of few weeks off, and figure out which ones should have us rolling our eyes improvement within the first few weeks. But the big boss gets a year off and which ones might make some sense. before he’s expected to start doing the tough work he was hired for? Must be nice. The excuse: “The salary cap makes trading too hard.” Is there a learning curve for any new GM, especially one joining a new We’ll start with what’s become, by far, the best-known of NHL GM organization? Of course, and it’s fair to assume that nobody can arrive excuses. The salary cap ruined everything, you guys. Your favorite and immediately start working miracles on Day One. But nobody comes team’s GM would love to swing for the fences on a big, bold move. But into a new job completely blind. In an NHL where windows open and he can’t, because there’s a cap, and it just can’t work. close quickly and assets can shift in value rapidly, no team should be Should we buy it?: Yes and no. It’s certainly true that the salary cap has hitting the snooze button while the new guy figures out what he’s working an impact, and some trades would otherwise make sense but it would be with. There’s just too much to be done. difficult to fit under the tight cap situation that several teams are operating The excuse: “Only one team wins the Stanley Cup every year.” under. Sometimes, you just don’t have room to add the player you want. This one tends to come up when the talk turns to rentals. Some team will Of course, working under a budget is nothing new. GMs have always had emerge as a contender, or at least close enough to get their fan base to do that, dating back to the league’s earliest days. But back then, you excited about the possibility of deadline-day reinforcements arriving. But could occasionally squeeze some extra room with a phone call to the then the GM tries to lower expectations by reminding us that only one owner. And more importantly, contracts weren’t fully guaranteed to the team is going to win. same extent, and they were almost never for the kind of long-term commitment the cap world sees today. Should we buy it?: Unlike a few of the lines on this list, this one at least has the benefit of being true. I asked our analytics guys to crunch the So yes, there’s some validity to this one, and maybe even a lot. But it’s numbers, and the math checks out. Only one team does indeed win the also worth remembering that, compared to other pro leagues, the NHL’s Cup every year. In Gary Bettman’s NHL, sometimes not even that many. system is basically baby’s first salary cap. It’s about as simple as a hard But definitely not more than one. cap can get. There are no rules about balancing cap hits on trades as the NBA has. A trade doesn’t accelerate a player’s future cap hit to the Great. So what? current year, the way they can in the NFL. Instead, NHL GMs just have to stay under a number. There are even loopholes like LTIR, that can make The implication here is that any team that tries to get better and doesn’t manipulating the cap easier. win the Cup has failed. Any trade that doesn’t involve the eventual Cup winner was a waste of time, and nobody should have bothered. Mix in the ability retain salary and the fact that the prorated system means late-season trades have far less impact on that year’s cap That’s an awful way to view success. For one thing, it’s depressing; who number, and there’s a lot more room to work with than most fans have would ever want to invest emotionally in a league where 97 percent of been led to believe. Over half the league has more than $5 million in the teams are going to be failures ever year? Luckily, that’s not how most prorated cap space to work with right now, including several contenders. of us see things because we realize that there are different degrees of success and failure. Yes, winning the Cup is the ultimate goal. But it can’t So does the cap make trading hard? Sure. But too hard? We should think be the only one. twice before we accept that. Maybe a GM trades away future assets for short-term help, only to see The excuse: “This sort of trade is too complicated to get done in the time his team go out in the second round. That doesn’t necessarily mean the we have left.” run was a failure, and it doesn’t mean that the trade wasn’t worth doing. There’s something to be said for gaining some playoff experience. The Usually, “the time we have left” means the days until the trade deadline. owner will probably appreciate a few extra home gates. And maybe most For some GMs, I’m pretty sure it’s a reference to the sun eventually importantly of all, you’re giving your fan base – you know, the whole exploding. Either way, this is the cousin of the salary cap excuse, and it’s reason this league exists in the first place – a few weeks of postseason something we often hear filtered through friendly members of the media. memories to hang their loyalty on. That has value, even if you don’t get a Some late-season development will push a new name into the rumor mill, ring for it. and fans will get their hopes up that a deal could happen. Not so fast, we’re told – a trade might make sense, but there’s just not enough time The excuse: “Making a trade doesn’t guarantee anything.” to get something done with only weeks or days left before the deadline. In a way, this is the continuation of the last entry. Only one team wins the Should we buy it?: Every once in a great while, this one makes sense, at Cup, and no trade we make is going to guarantee that it will be us. The least in theory. If the franchise player demands a trade on the morning of bottom line, in both cases: Why even try? Should we buy it?: No, although again, it’s pretty much true. There’s no “not interested in making the playoffs and getting our asses kicked in the trade a GM can make that guarantees anything at all. You could find a first round” and his teams certainly succeeded in avoiding that scenario. magic lamp and wish for Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, But these days, it’s getting tougher to rule any playoff team out as a all in their prime, and you could still run into a hot goalie in April and be quasi-contender. All sixteen teams don’t start on equal footing, but we’re done. That’s hockey. a long way past the day when teams would crack the postseason and then face a guaranteed sweep against a team that finished 50 points But nobody’s looking for guarantees, and fans aren’t simpletons. They ahead of them. If you’ve got a chip and a chair, you have a chance. understand that any trade can only move the needle so much. But they still expect you to try to move that needle because it’s your whole job. In So yeah, we can allow this one for teams that are still in it. But only if today’s NHL, the margins between winning and losing are thinner than they’re actually still in it. Part of a GM’s job is to be a realist, not a wishful ever. A move that makes a small difference might end up making all the thinker. And it’s worth remembering that Doug Armstrong and the Blues difference. Or it might not. There’s only one way to find out. sold key pieces at the deadline in both 2017 and 2018 even though they were still in the race. I’m not sure what happened in 2019, but I hear that By the way, you hear the “no guarantees” excuse a lot from GMs who guy is OK at his job. don’t want to part with future assets. Why move a pick or a prospect for a short-term asset that isn’t even guaranteed to help? But do you know The excuse: “We don’t want to disrupt our chemistry.” what else isn’t guaranteed? Picks and prospects! Lots of them never even make the NHL at all. Others do, but barely make an impact. And If that last one was the go-to of potential sellers, this one is a favorite of others turn into franchise players. Nothing’s guaranteed. It’s a GM’s job teams that are in positions to be buyers. Could they improve the roster at to weigh the odds and make the best decision for his franchise. At some the deadline? Sure they could. But should they? Apparently, that’s a point, that means you have to take the bat off your shoulder. trickier question than you’d think. The excuse: “We can’t trade our players because they have no-trade Should we buy it?: Chemistry matters. Being an NHL player is like any clauses.” other job; if you like and respect the people you’re working with, then chances are good that you’ll be more productive. That’s especially true if Etiquette note: It’s considered bad form to immediately ask the follow-up that job involves being around those people virtually every hour of the question: “And who signed the contracts that gave them that?” day for long stretches. Some guys are good in the room (and the practice rink, and the plane and the hotel bar), and that has value. Should we buy it?: A player with a full no-trade (or no-movement) clause controls his own destiny, and even a limited clause can derail some So yes, there’s some truth here. But let’s be careful about taking it too possible deals. That’s all indisputably true. far. Because man, this feels like a convenient excuse for a GM who didn’t have the nerve to pull off a deal. It’s always struck me as being kind of But it’s also true that players can choose to waive a no-trade clause, and weird that we spend 11 months of the year treating hockey players as in fact do so all the time. Not always, of course, and that’s the way it battle-hardened warriors who’d crawl through broken glass to win a should be – a player who has negotiated a no-trade clause has championship, and then spend February worrying that they’ll be too sad presumably given up dollars to gain control, and he has a right to use it. to play anymore if one of their friends gets traded. And some GMs even But that control might include a willingness to move under the right pull this one out when it comes to adding a player without giving up circumstances. It’s part of a GM’s job to find out, and maybe even to anyone off the current roster. push a little if it’s in the team’s best interest. If the player still says no, then no harm is done. The bottom line is that chemistry is worth considering. But if a team’s internal chemistry is so fragile that adding or subtracting one or two If a GM acknowledges that a no-trade clause is making his job more players is going to blow the whole thing up, maybe it’s not that good in complicated, he’s probably painting an accurate picture. But if he claims the first place? that he can’t – or won’t – even consider approaching his players about waiving, and there isn’t some sort of extraordinary circumstances in play, That covers all the ones we usually hear at this time of year. But just for then fans have a right to wonder why. fun, let’s close this out with one more … The excuse: “We’re not going to make a trade just for the sake of making The excuse: “While trading is supposed to be a key part of my role, a trade.” making an aggressive move that could have an immediate impact on my team’s fortunes would expose me to criticism and I am far more Fun fact: If at least one GM doesn’t say this every day in the lead-up to interested in avoiding risk and preserving my own job security than in the deadline, the league folds. It’s in the CBA. actually doing what’s best for my team.” Should we buy it?: No. And if you hear your GM break this one out, you Whoops, sorry, my mistake. Nobody ever says that one out loud. should get worried, because it means they’re not listening to you. Should we buy it?: It would be a nice dose of honesty, wouldn’t it? Nobody wants their team to make a trade solely for the sake of making a trade. That isn’t a thing. Even the most wild-eyed hot stove wannabe The Athletic LOADED: 02.13.2020 waiting on hold for the local talk radio station or frantically pounding out “who says no?” proposals on hfboards doesn’t want any of those moves made just for the sake of making them. No, fans want you to make a trade for the sake of making the team better. Which is, again, your entire job description. And yet this one has almost become a GM’s mantra over the years. Fans and media should respond to this excuse in the same way they’d respond to a GM saying “We’re not going to make a trade just because it rained in Madrid on Wednesday.” By saying “Great, absolutely nobody is saying you should. So what are you actually going to do?” The excuse: “We can’t sell because we’re still in the race.” This one’s straightforward. If you’re still in the hunt, you certainly don’t want to make a move that makes you worse in the short-term, even if it would pay off down the line. Should we buy it?: This one depends on how true it is. Sometimes, the GMs who are spouting this line are already solidly in the need-a-miracle territory and are peddling false hope to their fans (and their owner). If you’re 11 points out with 30 games to play, you’re not yet mathematically out of it. But no reasonable person thinks you’re actually in. But if a team is close? Sure, maybe you decide to take a shot at a wild- card chase. We just finished saying that there’s value in giving your fans an extra playoff round or two to remember, and to a lesser extent that can apply to meaningful March hockey too, even if you come up short. There’s also the question of whether just making the playoffs should be a team’s goal. Brian Burke once memorably said that his Maple Leafs were 1171669 Websites It was ridiculous how good Markstrom was as he upped his Vezina Trophy-calibre season yet another level.

Vancouver was outshot 49-20 and won by three. Sportsnet.ca / Canucks' fete of Sedins highlights their impact on team's The Canucks’ first two goals were deliciously Sedin-like: crisp, pretty culture passing plays that left Bo Horvat with an open shot from the low slot to make it 1-0 on a power play at 15:33 of the first period, and Adam Gaudette with a largely open net in the second after Vancouver Iain MacIntyre February 13, 2020, 2:28 AM defenceman Jordie Benn steamrolled Drake Caggiula from behind to create a turnover and sudden 3-on-2 in front of Crawford.

Brandon Sutter swept the puck into an empty net from 150 feet to make it VANCOUVER – On the night of their lives, Henrik and Daniel Sedin 3-0 with 2:09 remaining. began the ceremony to retire their numbers by sending their best wishes to Jay Bouwmeester and his family. But before he did, Markstrom made terrific saves against Dominik Kubalik, Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. And if you knew nothing about the Sedins’ Hall of Fame careers with the Vancouver Canucks, those five seconds would largely explain why the Toews and Patrick Kane combined for 13 shots and 44 minutes of ice identical twins from Sweden are so admired and beloved here, and why time, and Markstrom gave them nothing. the retirement of their numbers, 22 and 33, on Wednesday was one of the great nights for a franchise that has had little to cheer about the last It’s like the outcome was preordained in honour of the Sedins, who few years. finished playing nearly two years ago, but avidly follow the Canucks from their homes in Vancouver while devoting themselves to their kids and Bouwmeester, an old rival and admirer of the Sedins, collapsed Tuesday families. during a game for the St. Louis Blues, but was reported by the club to be doing “very well” after a cardiac incident. “You know why the Sedins have had such a smooth transition to civilian life?” Linden said. “They were husbands and fathers and friends, good Henrik Sedin begins his speech by giving his best to Jay people first, and hockey players second. A lot of guys identify as hockey Bouwmeester and his family.#ThankYouSedins players, and they find it difficult to transition when they aren’t hockey pic.twitter.com/ALPW09IthZ players anymore. Daniel and Henrik always had their priorities straight.” — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 13, 2020 In his retirement address to the twins, made on behalf of teammates, Bieksa noted that the Sedins’ impact on the Canucks organization will far You can choreograph ceremony, but you can not manufacture emotion, outlive their playing careers, which lasted 18 years. let alone the love that poured down from the stands at Rogers Arena — which was full 100 minutes before the Canucks somehow beat the “There’s Sedin culture to this organization,” Bieksa said, noting the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0 — and washed over Daniel, Henrik and guests, brothers’ values and standards have been passed on to team leaders, which included virtually all of their most famous and revered teammates. such as Markstrom, Horvat, Alex Edler and Chris Tanev. Trevor Linden, muscled out as president two years ago, drew a “And I’ve already seen them pass it along to Petey (Elias Pettersson) deafening roar far bigger than the criticism he endured while helping lead and Quinn and Brock (Boeser). And they’ll pass it along to the next the transformation of the Canucks into the young, dynamic, playoff- generation of players and in 20 years, there will still be a Sedin flavour to contending team that has emerged this season as surprise leaders of the this organization and the Sedin culture in that dressing room. That will National Hockey League’s Pacific Division. transcend any on-ice statistics that they have.” Home of the Canucks Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.13.2020 Stream all 82 Canucks games this season with Sportsnet NOW. Get over 500 NHL games, -free, including , all outdoor games, the All-Star Game, 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. But the most poignant moment was Ryan Kesler’s introduction and the huge cheer he received after spending the last six years – since he forced, then lied about, his trade from Vancouver to the Anaheim Ducks — despised in Canucks Nation.

“It was amazing,” Kesler said. “I was nervous before and to get that ovation … it gave me goosebumps. I almost started tearing up. To have the fans stand up and cheer like they used to was a pretty special feeling I’ll never forget.” After all this emotion, the Canucks had to play a game. They looked early on like a team that prepared to play by sitting at the bench for 45 minutes riding the waves of emotions generated by the Sedins’ jerseys retirement. The Blackhawks outshot them 13-0 before Quinn Hughes tumbled a muffin into Chicago goalie Corey Crawford at the 10-minute mark. It seemed like the best Vancouver player might be Kevin Bieksa, the retired Canuck who owned the room when he brilliantly spoke with humour and obvious fondness – also without notes – about the Sedins and other former teammates during the pre-game ceremony.

“Every time I mentioned (Alex) Burrows, people just started laughing,” Bieksa said later. Actually, he was only the second-best Canuck because Vancouver’s active goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, was better than anyone should be at the NHL level. The inside scoop on Sedinery. What a speech by @kbieksa3. #ThankYouSedins pic.twitter.com/x7qyqHe0OP — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 13, 2020 He finished with 49 saves, breaking Kirk McLean’s 28-year-old franchise record for most saves without allowing a goal. 1171670 Websites And on Wednesday, against a Bruins team that played what hat-trick scorer David Pastrnak referred to as “one of our best games of the season, for sure,” the pain throbbed for the Canadiens. Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens leave Boston bruised, battered with playoff It was Marchand taking advantage of a Drouin turnover in the neutral hopes dwindling zone and splicing his way through Petry and Brett Kulak to give Pastrnak what might have been the easiest of his 41 goals on the season to open the scoring. Eric Engels | February 13, 2020, 12:18 AM From there, the Czech sniper picked the Canadiens apart. And it’s not like the Montreal side didn’t fight.

BOSTON— Bruised, battered and beat down by the Bruins is how the “They came hard,” said Pastrnak. “They’re fighting for playoffs.” Montreal Canadiens are leaving Boston. The Canadiens won’t stop. It was a decisive loss for Montreal on Wednesday, another nail in the coffin for their playoff hopes, and it must have felt about as good as “We’ve taken a lot of punches,” said Danault. “It’s hard, but nobody’s Zdeno Chara’s second-period crosscheck to Brendan Gallagher’s throat going to give up here. We’re a hard-working team, we’ve got a good work did, which is to say not good at all. ethic, we practise hard, (and) we got some pride here. Everyone. Sometimes it’s hard, but that’s where you see the real guts, so we’re Still, somehow, the Canadiens have not abandoned their battle, nor going to pushing to the end.” hope, in the wake of yet another crushing defeat. Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it Stream NHL games on Sportsnet NOW 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, Stream over 500 NHL games blackout-free, including the Flames, Oilers, they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover Leafs and Canucks. Plus Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown Canada’s most beloved game. Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey and more. But the plucky centreman and his teammates are under no illusions about where they stand, nor do they deny how much better they need to “The only way we’re going to get better is to continue to compete hard,” play in order to conjure up something bordering on magical over their said Canadiens coach Claude Julien after the 4-1 loss. final 23 games. Easier said than done when a recent 8-3-0 run only allowed the team to At the very least, the Canadiens need a power play that scores on more pick up just two points in the playoff race and consecutive losses that than nine per cent of its opportunities, which hasn’t been the case since followed pushed them right back to seven points out of third place in the Jan. 1. Atlantic Division and eight points out of the second wild-card position in the Eastern Conference. “It’s something we’ve got to improve here,” said Gallagher. “We don’t It’s the kind of devastation this group has grown accustomed to. seem to be getting any second chances, (they’re) one and done. We’re a little bit slow, a little bit predictable, which has kind of been our tendency What does it say about this Canadiens season that the three players we when we’ve been struggling. We’ve fallen back into that trap, so we’ve spoke to following their 4-1 loss to their archrivals on Wednesday got to get back to doing things quick and execution and knowing where classified captain Shea Weber’s four-to-six week absence with a left- guys are so we can open up some holes on the penalty kill.” ankle sprain as good news? And Julien said they need to shoot the puck when they have the “It’s awesome,” said Phillip Danault, albeit in a measured tone. opportunity instead of looking for plays that aren’t there, which is something they did much of against Boston and it contributed to them not Because this was Danault, who could barely open his mouth to speak generating more than five scoring chance from the high-danger zone after a shot in Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes hit him in the (according to www.naturalstattrick.com). face and caused major dental damage that made it impossible for him to have a solid meal before Wednesday’s game. Even with those things resolved, new problems are likely to pop up. Because that’s the way it’s been for this hobbled, down-on-its-luck group, But yeah, Weber’s possible return to action as a rallying point feels moot which is already having a hard enough time trying to suspend its doomed at this stage to those outside the Canadiens room. reality. Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.13.2020 world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what they think about it. Not to diminish the fact that there were obvious concerns (both inside and outside of the organization) in the time between Weber’s injury and his diagnosis that his season could be through and surgery might be only his only recovery option and that after consulting with orthopedic specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in Wisconsin earlier in the day those concerns were alleviated. That is certainly good news. It’s just that it was painfully clear before the Canadiens were dominated by the Bruins that the task to conquer the odds and make the playoffs was monumental, and now it’s undeniable that it’s only grown larger without Weber for the next month to month-and-a-half. They missed him in this game. They missed him against Arizona, when they gave up a power-play goal with exactly one minute left in regulation. They’re going to be missing him against the fourth-best team in the league (the Pittsburgh Penguins) on Friday, against the third-best team in the Western Conference (the Dallas Stars) on Saturday, and for multiple games to follow—with time running out to make a push. And it hurts, even if the Canadiens continue to put on a brave face. It hurts like Gallagher’s throat hurt. It hurts like Jeff Petry’s midsection probably hurts after taking a spear from Brad Marchand in the first period. It hurts like Danault’s mouth hurts. It hurts like Tomas Tatar’s fingers must hurt, with the Canadiens’ leading scorer making his way out of TD Garden with a splint on his hand. The pain of this season has proven insurmountable for this group, with Jonathan Drouin (wrist), Paul Byron (knee), Joel Armia (hand), Gallagher (concussion) missing significant game-action and with several others playing through illness and injury at different points. 1171671 Websites believe it gets worked out. Another is that the players signalled last September they are not anxious for a fight when they voted not to re- open the CBA. Sportsnet.ca / 31 Thoughts: Will NHL players suit up at 2022 Winter Both spent Monday and Tuesday in bargaining sessions, with more Games? scheduled for next week. At All-Star Weekend, Commissioner Gary Bettman was asked about a deadline for announcing participation.

“I’ll know it when I see it, when we get there,” he answered. “Obviously Elliotte Friedman | February 12, 2020, 2:21 PM first and foremost it has to do with releasing a schedule, right? That’s the game-changer one way or the other.”

For this season, the schedule was released on June 25, 2019. • IOC, IIHF clearing roadblocks for NHL involvement at 2022 Games 31 THOUGHTS • Leafs play waiting game with defencemen 1. Ultimately, credit goes to the players, who have gutted it out and put • Buffalo may make moves around the periphery the Jets in playoff contention during a challenging season, led by Connor Hellebuyck. But here’s why I’m a Paul Maurice truther: It would have Before we really get into the meat of this blog: If it hadn’t been for the been easy for the vibe around Winnipeg to be toxic with everything that great work by Anaheim’s training staff, St. Louis’s training staff, and happened at the start of the year. Maurice would not let that occur. The Anaheim’s doctor and paramedics, there would be an awful feeling coach sets the tone. The players take it from there. Well-deserved around the sport on Wednesday. There aren’t enough superlatives to extension. describe this performance under pressure. All the best to Jay Bouwmeester and his family. 2. When it comes to Shea Weber, sounds like Montreal’s philosophy is, “Hope for the best, brace yourself for the worst.” The Canadiens await a There is a saying I love: “The surest predictor of future behaviour is… clear timeline. past behaviour.” And when it comes to the NHL’s Olympic participation, that behaviour is all about peace. 3. In Ottawa, most of the trade talk surrounds Jean-Gabriel Pageau, but if there’s an increased presence around AHL Belleville this weekend, The NHLers first went to the Games in 1998. Prior to that, both the there’s a logical explanation. Max Veronneau is expected to return from league and the NHLPA agreed to waive rights to re-open the CBA to injury, and he is available. A year ago, he was a heavily recruited NCAA ensure no disruption. free agent. The Senators have a large prospect pool, and it is not easy to The last opportunity was 2018. Yes, there was the fight over travel costs, carve your place. insurance, hospitality and marketing rights, but, 15 months beforehand, 4. Edmonton made it clear in the Taylor Hall sweepstakes they weren’t the NHL made it clear it would agree to Olympic participation in interested in moving their first-rounder for a rental. I’m not convinced exchange for a CBA extension. The proposal was not accepted, and the they’d want to move Jesse Puljujarvi for one. They don’t want to touch league passed. (Both sides must sign off on going.) their top defence prospects. I don’t think any of that changes with Connor Last week, the International Olympic Committee and the International Ice McDavid injured. The only way I’d see any of that changing is if a Hockey Federation threw a Trevor Bauer curveball into NHL/NHLPA difference-maker with term or team control is in the picture. haggling over the 2022 Beijing Games. According to a couple of sources, 5. Talks are underway between the Rangers and Chris Kreider, although it was made clear there was a commitment to coverage of charters, New York continues to do its due diligence on his trade value. hosting, hotels, etc. There were also opportunities presented for use of the Beijing Olympic logo and event highlights across NHL/NHLPA 6. In Buffalo, there’s a lot of talk about what major moves the Sabres can platforms, a breakthrough both wanted. The IOC is notoriously stingy make, although there’s a decent chance they make moves around the about access for non-rightsholders. Think of a mother bear protecting her periphery of their lineup. Among those who’d garner interest: recently cub. acquired Michael Frolik, Johan Larsson (playoff nastiness written all over him), Evan Rodrigues and . “These discussions were encouraging and there were some proposals put forth on the issues,” IIHF Communications Manager Adam Steiss 7. Minnesota GM Bill Guerin’s first words to Calen Addison after the trade wrote in an email. “However nothing was confirmed by any of the parties from Pittsburgh: “Did you miss me?” involved, and more work needs to be done to get the NHL players back to the Olympic Games.” Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what Translation: Both sides know what’s on the table; we need a written they think about it. agreement. Oh, and the league/players have to get to the altar. 8. Guerin told the Star-Tribune’s Sarah McLellan, “If there is quit, there The proposals came as a surprise, since, as recently as October, the will be more trades,” but the Wild told him not to worry with a 4–0 shutout IOC/IIHF weren’t indicating this level of co-operation. What changed of Vegas. What he’s hoping for is the the Ryan Donatos, Jordan things? There are lots of theories, from the IOC feeling the hockey Greenways and Luke Kunins take advantage of Jason Zucker’s move to tournament isn’t as good to Olympic/NHL rightsholder NBC demanding it Pittsburgh. (Left unsaid is that it also creates a 2020–21 opening for Kirill to China itself being determined to put on the best show to improve its Kaprizov.) international reputation. Whatever the case, with compromise imminent, the NHL shifted the focus, moving from costs and marketing to labour. “Don’t assume more is coming,” the GM said. “That’s not necessarily That irritated the players, especially since the current CBA is now locked the case.” in until at least Sept. 15, 2022 — almost seven months after the Beijing Guerin wouldn’t discuss specifics, but, according to industry buzz, the Olympics conclude. most asked-about player on his roster is Jonas Brodin, followed by There’s zero reason to consider playing any further regular-season or Mathew Dumba. (I’d bet there’s a bit for Marcus Foligno, too.) I don’t get exhibition games in China if this opportunity disappears. It’s a waste. the sense he’s inclined to do anything with either, unless it involves an elite centre, or maybe a No. 2 centre, providing that includes something As one source pointed out, there’s technically no end date to the CBA. extra — like a couple of first-rounders or something along those lines. According to Article 3, Section 3.1, “This Agreement… shall remain in full force and effect until midnight New York time on September 15, 2022, Whatever the case, Guerin could have made several moves already, but and shall remain in effect from year-to-year thereafter unless and until showed patience. The biggest beneficiary may be the Wild itself, either party shall deliver to the other a written notice of termination of this because it would have been easy to give up on Kevin Fiala, now on a Agreement at least 120 days prior to September 15, 2022 or not less tear. than a like period in any year thereafter.” “Big difference,” Guerin said. “He’s driven.” Both sides could choose to keep going on a year-to-year basis as long as they wish. Clearly, the NHL wants more of a guarantee than that. (I 9. I once had a conversation with Kevin Lowe about trading with Glen suspect keeping the peace into the next U.S. television deal is a Sather after the latter left for Manhattan. Lowe talked about the various significant factor.) emotions you go through making your first major trades, especially if it is with a friend/mentor. I asked Guerin if he was concerned about making a When the league cancelled on South Korea, there was disappointment, deal with Rutherford, his former boss. but I also heard from plenty of people who understood the reasoning from a business/financial point of view. Eliminating that concern puts the “No,” he answered. “I know that with Jim, you’re going to get a fair NHL in position for public flogging, which is one reason I’m inclined to shake.” 10. What is it with Florida defencemen who score as forwards? Mark president Jake Reynolds, who was promoted to that position in Pysyk had a career night last week in Toronto, with a hat trick in a critical September. We talked at length about the ups and downs of the last win. Michael Matheson had a goal and two assists in another huge eight months, and how the organization navigates this challenge, instead victory, Tuesday against the Devils. Matheson has six more years to go of running away from it. on a contract with a $4.875-million AAV, but the cash goes up towards the end. The Panthers have explored the market for him, and I think “The night of the lottery, we had 75 employees watching together,” there are teams that do like him. But the contract complicates it. Reynolds said. “They went nuts when we won. There were 9,000 RSVPs for our draft party.” 11. Toronto will likely wait until an upcoming doctor’s appointment for Morgan Rielly before deciding what to do with any cap room due to long- Several times during our conversation, Reynolds referenced how loyal term injury. They probably won’t have clarity on Cody Ceci until after the the hard-core Devils fan base is, and how excited they were about Jack deadline. And they continue to negotiate with Jake Muzzin. Hughes. 12. I don’t think Anaheim is particularly interested in moving their key “That night, I was driving back to Philadelphia (the team’s owners also pieces — from Josh Manson, to Cam Fowler, to Hampus Lindholm, to own the NBA’s 76ers) and I got a call from (CEO) Scott O’Neil. He said, Jakob Silfverberg, to Rickard Rakell. You’re really going to have to move ‘Get ready.’ I was wondering what else could be happening. He said, the needle. Ondrej Kase is a possibility, and there are teams who like ‘We’re making a move for P.K. Subban.’” him — although he has missed two straight games after being hit by Muzzin. I could see contenders eying Derek Grant. He’s had a strong 22. There was enormous optimism for 2019-20. From June to December year and doesn’t come at an enormous cost. 2018, the team’s website ranged from 26th to 31st in the NHL with regards to unique visits, time spent, articles read and video watches. 13. Last week, I mentioned the Devils looking at “hockey trades,” not just From June to December 2019, it jumped to between eighth and 14th. rentals. I think they are looking for young players, maybe guys who would Prior to the draft, the Devils’ all-time record for video starts in one day get more of an opportunity there than in their current situation. Players was 13,117. Since June, that number’s been beaten 38 times, with a new who can grow with and Jack Hughes. high of 41,504. 14. Nashville’s going to have an interesting decision with Mikael An example of something that worked well was Hughes’s first “goal” as a Granlund. Just as they play themselves into a playoff spot, they play Devil: themselves out of it. Granlund had a shift in Calgary that was as good as any I saw this season. He’s only increased his value to them, or to *technically* Jack’s first goal at The Rock someone else. He stopped by the #NJDevils sales floor to fire some shots 15. The Winnipeg Free Press’s Mike McIntyre had a trade rumour last pic.twitter.com/gM3OaPYhPF week involving Kyle Connor and Bowan Byram. (The actual one I heard — New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) June 25, 2019 was Connor for Byram and Vladeslav Kamenev.) There were multiple denials when I looked into it. I do think Kamenev wants more of an (Weak glove hand, there.) opportunity to play. As everyone now knows, this season did not unfold as hoped, or 16. Had some feedback last week on the Dustin Byfuglien grievance. expected. But Reynolds, who joined the 76ers as they began their From what I understand, if he’d returned to play, the NHLPA felt he had a descent into “The Process,” is calmly confident in the proper path. (A good chance to win. Since he decided against playing this season, their primer: After a 34-48 2012–13, the 76ers didn’t just demolish their confidence level decreased. (The NHL was going to fight it with every foundation — they fired it into the sun. Over the next three seasons, they fibre of its being.) went 47-199, including 10-72 in 2015-16, second-worst in NBA history.)

17. Wanted to mention a fun 10 minutes Tuesday after Arizona’s skate in Let’s be honest: The 76ers are not the Raptors ( ), but they are Toronto. The Coyotes were in Montreal the night before, so it was just chasing a third-straight 50-win season and lead the NBA in attendance. head coach Rick Tocchet, goalie coach Corey Schwab, defenceman In 2014–15, they were dead last. Aaron Ness and forward Michael Grabner. Tocchet was into it. He was on the ice, battling away. Ness had to readjust his helmet a couple of 23. Reynolds’s background is in sales, and he took responsibility for that times after some board battles with him. department as the 76ers began their teardown.

“It’s just good to get on the ice,” Tocchet said after. “I was talking with “In Philadelphia, we had a saying: ‘Are we 50-win ready?’ When Paul Coffey, and we were saying how coaching is so stressful, it’s good everything on the court is right, will we be prepared on the business to go out there and compete.” side? Now, we are asking the same questions in New Jersey. Are we 100-point ready?” You could tell the players, in particular, enjoyed having their coach see up close how much they wanted to be in the lineup. One of the things the 76ers did was grow the ticket sales and service team “from 23 people to a peak of 115. The Devils have a 101-person 18. It was also interesting to see Grabner and Tocchet discuss practice sales team,” which Reynolds says is largest in the NHL. Every philosophies. In the west, it is harder to find practice time, so they shared conversation between an associate an a prospective buyer includes a ideas on how you can get things done. Grabner talked about Boston minimum of 15 to 20 questions, and it is not unusual for a season-ticket always making sure there was time to work on face-off plays, because buyer to get into a double-digit number of calls before committing. That’s the Bruins scored on one days earlier against the Coyotes. And they not only a grind for the buyer, but also for the seller. thought about different ways to use the pre-game warmup. Unexpected bonus of lucking into the right spot. Really interesting. “When you’re selling hope and championships, do you do things the right way?” Reynolds asked. “You have to create a positive environment 19. Looking forward to Daniel and Henrik Sedin’s sweater retirement on for your employees. Do you want to have a career in this business? Well, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey. The thing I remember most from we have to make than fun for you.” the 1999 draft is Brian Burke walking onto the floor, and media members swarming to see if he’d pulled it off. Hughes showing up at the office and blowing shots by an employee is a small thing in one sense, but a big thing in another. Reynolds gives a lot You had to see Daniel and Henrik in-person to truly appreciate their of credit to current players and alumni for their willingness to help. Martin games. Their subtle genius didn’t always translate on television. Initially, I Brodeur, for example, agreed to be present when the team’s Stanley Cup didn’t think they should have played in Edmonton on the final night of banners were lowered, so fans could take photos with him and the year their careers, because I thought they should have finished in Vancouver. of their choice. Nice to have three options. But seeing Oilers fans send them off with such an ovation was a truly excellent epilogue to their careers, an understanding the greatness is 24. Interesting note: If a season ticket goes unused two games in a row, recognized everywhere. It takes thick skin to play 20 years in Canada. the organization reaches out to learn why. It wants those tickets used, They took a lot of abuse on and off the ice, but kept on ticking. That is whether for personal, business or donation purposes. true toughness. 25. One of our final topics was complimentary tickets. I’ve mentioned 20. Chris Johnston reported last weekend on Headlines that Ilya before that New Jersey leads the NHL in comps. Obviously, they’d like to Mikheyev’s gruesome skate-cut injury on Dec. 27 renewed calls for lower that total, but Reynolds said even the 76ers — who, as mentioned, making added wrist protection mandatory. Four prototypes are being lead the NBA in attendance — make sure to use them. researched, with selected players being asked to try the different versions. As an aside, good to see Mikheyev skate this week. “We are reaching people who have never experienced hockey before, and without [comp tickets], never will. It gives people exposure to the 21. It’s taken me a few weeks to finish working on this, but, during All- sport and grows a younger fan base.” Star Weekend, I spent a little over an hour with New Jersey Devils He referenced Subban’s outstanding Blueline Buddies initiative, which “He told me he’s not ‘going to wave a magic wand,’” Barone said. “But it has followed the defenceman from Nashville. was a good conversation, where I’m going to get a chance. And that’s all I can ask for.” Police Officers Crystal Corbett and Samuel Okerchiri with Lincoln Elementary School Students Aerial Rodriguez and TaQuill Harris. My Reached Tuesday, Walkom said that he’d never seen Barone work, but, #Bluelinebuddies #blackhistorymonth pic.twitter.com/MDn7fyfklV “I gave him the same advice I give anyone who wants to officiate. The game needs people who want to do it. Don’t be discouraged if things — P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) February 12, 2020 don’t go right the first time around.” (The NHL also brought Barone to “That’s important for us. Each employee commits to 76 hours of Toronto one evening to spend time in its situation room.) community service. Once a quarter, the offices shut down for a service Walkom didn’t say it, but if Barone applies to this summer’s officiating project. It matters. It’s a great way to get people involved.” combine, he’d be seen by several different leagues. They’re always I enjoyed the conversation. It is easy to sell winning. You plan, God looking for talent. laughs. How do you deal with that? “I don’t want special treatment,” Barone says. “I’m only 30. I want to do 26. Also at All-Star Weekend, NHL Senior Vice-President and Director of this. And I’m not giving up without a fight.” Officiating Stephen Walkom met with Andrea Barone. Barone was in his Good luck. fifth season as an ECHL referee in 2018-19, when, after a negative mid- season performance review, he decided he’d had enough and resigned. 30. If you’ve walked through the media entrance at Canadiens’ games, On two occasions, reporter Jason Buckland has profiled Barone — you’ve gotten your game-day credential from (or checked in with) Andre October 2016 in the Hockey News and April 2018 in the New York Lemoyne. Friendly and orderly, Andre manned the media desk. The Times. In the second of those articles, Buckland wrote, “Barone is sure of Score did not have wide distribution in Quebec, so Andre didn’t know two things about himself: He is a hockey man, and he is a gay man.” who I was until I started working at Hockey Night In Canada. I showed up once for a game, and he said, “Finally, I’ve seen your work.” I told him 27. Kim Davis, the NHL’s Executive Vice President, Social Impact, that I bet he was disappointed. He laughed at that, and we’d always joke Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs, saw the latter profile and reached about it whenever we saw each other. Sorry to hear of his passing last out. Barone met with Davis and Jessica Berman (who has since left the week. Very, very nice man. NHL to become Deputy Commissioner of the National Lacrosse League). 31. Early in my career, a reporter pointed out Christie Blatchford to me. “It was a general conversation, with them asking, ‘What can we learn He said, “Watch how she does her job. She never takes no for an from you?’” Barone said Tuesday during a phone interview. They learned answer. We could all learn from that.” Barone was proud to be a role model for those who felt trapped in their own skin, afraid to come out to friends or loved ones. When Alan Eagleson was headed to court in 1998, Blatchford was one of many journalists waiting outside before the room opened. She was “No one has to feel as alone as I once did,” he says. among the first to arrive. Several who came later jumped the queue when the doors opened, and boy did she just unload on them. They all ran They also learned he wanted to be an NHL referee. That dream hit a behind her. Blatchford died Wednesday morning at age 68. What an roadblock last season. Barone said he walked away from the ECHL absolute force of nature. because of “too much bulls— off the ice. I was not getting (to officiate) AHL games. I was being ignored. I knew I was good enough, but nothing Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.13.2020 was going on with my career.” The final straw was the aforementioned mid-season review, featuring critiques he’d never heard before. “I’d had enough.” 28. Barone said he didn’t think his career stalled because of homophobia.

“I didn’t feel discriminated against. No one was ever homophobic or thought less of me because I’m gay.” ECHL Senior Vice-President Joe Ernst, who spent 16 seasons as a referee himself, said Wednesday, “I hired Andrea. He told me he was gay, and I said, ‘I don’t care — can you referee?’” Ernst acknowledged the review from the league’s manager of officiating, Stephen Thomson, but felt it included fair criticism, and wasn’t intended to damage Barone’s morale.

“We told him, ‘When you’re dialled in, you’re one of the best referees in the league, but you’re not there right now.’ I do think our officials — not just him — worry too much about AHL assignments.” Barone did feel the attitude towards him changed after publication of the Times story. That article detailed a specific incident of a slur directed at Barone. That resulted in a fine, not a suspension — Barone believes that was because the offending coach’s team faced playoff elimination. (Around Christmas 2018, another coach used a derogatory term towards a linesman, with Barone in the vicinity. That coach was suspended.)

“I don’t think (the league) understood why it was so important for me to spread my story. It’s not for notoriety. But I need to do it. After the Hockey News article, I had so many responses from people saying it gave them courage to come out to their parents, or their teammates. Or they were not ready to face themselves,” but his story provided comfort. During his time away, he has worked for You Can Play, and, always a fitness buff, as a high-performance trainer. And he has realized another important truth.

“I still have that drive.”

He misses it and wants to try again. 29. Davis connected him to Walkom and they had a 45-minute conversation in November before meeting in St. Louis. 1171672 Websites The loss ended the momentum that had been building with back-to-back, six-goal efforts that saw the club score plenty of greasy goals in tight.

On this night, the team reverted back to being more of a perimeter Sportsnet.ca / 'Same old story': Flames' turnover issues rear their head in squad, unable to penetrate the middle of the ice dominated by a Kings loss to Kings club that somehow has the Flames’ number this year. In a race this tight, you have to wonder if coughing up six of a possible eight points against the West’s bottom-feeder could really haunt the Eric Francis | February 13, 2020, 3:00 AM Flames by game 82. The Flames’ best player on the night was Rittich, whose 13 saves in the first period included a breakaway stop and several five-bellers. LOS ANGELES – A glimpse of blood leaking down the ever-battered beak of Milan Lucic in the Staples Center penalty box was cause for Alas, his efforts couldn’t overcome an evening that saw Noah Nanifin and Jumbotron operators to show the crowd. Rasmus Andersson caught in too deep on Wagner’s breakaway goal, followed by a neutral-zone giveaway by Oliver Kylington that eventually They ate it up, roaring with approval over the sight of the former King led to a rare MacDermid snipe early in the third. banged up. The Flames took solace in the possibility of returning home from their Alas, it appeared minutes later as though ol’ Looch would have the last four-game trip with a win Thursday night in Anaheim where Cam Talbot laugh. is sure to get the start. Early in the second period of a listless effort that had the Calgary Flames Just prior to puck drop, Flames GM Brad Treliving spoke for the first time being outplayed by the host Los Angeles Kings in a scoreless draw, the about the injury that sent Travis Hamonic home after Saturday’s game veteran tough guy organized a set-to with behemoth Kurtis MacDermid. and now has him on the injured reserve until at least Sunday. Big boy tilt.https://t.co/blcLwGFrFO “We’ll know more when we get home (Friday),” said Treliving of an — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 13, 2020 upper-body injury he insisted was not to the shoulder or a concussion. Shortly after 464 pounds of beef finished trading some bombs, the “He’s going to miss some time. How much? I just don’t know.” Flames responded with a Mikael Backlund goal that appeared to turn the tide. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.13.2020 For 44 seconds, anyway. A Tyler Toffoli goal snapped a string of brilliance by David Rittich, which was followed up 39 seconds later by an Austin Wagner breakaway conversion that made Lucic’s move moot. Suddenly down 2-1, the Flames would play chase the rest of the night in vain, falling for the third time in four outings against the West’s worst, 5-3, on Wednesday.

“Second period we score a goal and we have to be better than that than to let two goals in right away,” said Backlund.

“Looch did a great job stepping up for us and creating momentum, but we set ourselves back by letting two goals in right after that. You can’t do that this time of year.” Home of the Flames Stream all 82 Flames games this season with Sportsnet NOW. Get over 500 NHL games, blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, all outdoor games, the All-Star Game, 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. Backlund saw the three goals in 83 seconds as the turning point in a game that was rife with the type of neutral-zone turnovers that have plagued the Flames far too often this season.

“Same old story — every time we don’t manage the puck well it ends up in the back of our nets and costs us hockey games,” said Lucic following his club’s first loss on this three-game roadie.

“We played well, and then I think if you look at all four goals, it’s our own doing in terms of turning the puck over and them pounding on it to score a goal. Other than that, we played a good game, had some good chances. Our power play was so good for us the last couple of games and it wasn’t able to get one tonight, and that was the difference. We just kept hitting the goalie here.” The Flames’ best chance at tying the game came while trailing 3-2 with 11 minutes left in the third period when the Flames were handed a 5-on-3 powerplay for just over a minute. The two shots on goal generated were both stopped by Calvin Petersen, opening the door for Jeff Carter to extend the lead before Elias Lindholm’s second goal of the game, this time with the goalie pulled, made the final few minutes interesting.

“Probably puck management at critical times of the game,” said Flames coach Geoff Ward when asked about the difference in the game.

“At the end of the day, some of the turnovers in the neutral zone came back to haunt us. The two power plays in the third period when we get the 5-on-3, we’ve got to be a little more efficient there and make that work for us. We were just too slow (on the two-man advantage) – too deliberate.” 1171673 Websites something in us. That’s what we thought. And when you have that (belief) from someone like him, you want to prove that he’s right.”

Like the Sedins, Naslund was a first-round pick from the Jarvet area of Sportsnet.ca / Sedin twins' ascension shaped by bond with former Ornskoldsvik who floundered early in his NHL career. He demanded a Canucks captains trade in his third season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, then asked for another when things weren’t going well initially with the Canucks. Former GMs Pat Quinn and Brian Burke refused to trade him, and Naslund went on to become the first Canuck to win the Ted Lindsay Award. Iain MacIntyre | February 12, 2020, 2:47 PM “I went through the same struggles (the Sedins did) when I came over,”

Naslund said. “The easy way out would have been to sign back home VANCOUVER – For those old enough to understand what they were where you are comfortable and know what you’re getting into. You go seeing, there was a beautiful and linear line of ascension on Monday back and everything is set up for you. You could live a comfortable life, when former Vancouver Canucks captains Stan Smyl, Trevor Linden and but I think you’d regret it the rest of your life. Maybe I told them that, but I Markus Naslund stood shoulder to shoulder at centre ice. don’t remember. You only get this one chance. The line pointed directly to Henrik and Daniel Sedin, whose jersey “I felt this extra bond because they were from the same small club team numbers will be retired by the Canucks before Wednesday night’s game I came from. I knew their family, I played with their older brother. I knew against the Chicago Blackhawks. The numbers for Smyl, Linden and the type of people they were, and I wanted them to do well.” Naslund are already hanging from the heavens at Rogers Arena. The Sedins did so much more than that. But it wasn’t that. And it wasn’t that Smyl held the National Hockey League franchise’s career scoring record before he was passed by Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.13.2020 Linden, who in turn was eclipsed by Naslund before the Sedin twins blew everyone away. It was that Smyl was the captain who mentored Linden upon Linden’s arrival in 1988. And that Linden was captain when Naslund was acquired by trade in 1996, four years before the Swede was named captain in Stockholm at the end of the Daniel and Henrik’s first training camp with the Canucks. It was Linden and Naslund, among others, who encouraged the Sedins and convinced them they could become great NHL players when the twins struggled in their early years amid a relentless and largely unfair barrage of criticism and even ridicule. At times, Henrik and Daniel considered moving back to Sweden, and it took an extraordinary summer meeting in London in 2004 with former general manager Dave Nonis and coach Marc Crawford to assure them that they had a future with the Canucks, and that better play would be rewarded with greater roles in Vancouver. The Sedins became the best players in franchise history.

“You know, nobody is fooling anybody in the locker room,” Linden, who has returned to Rogers Arena for Sedins Week, told Sportsnet on Tuesday. “You spend enough time in there and you learn what’s inside everyone. That was the biggest thing about these guys.

“You could just see what was inside of them: their character and determination. The biggest misconception about Danny and Hank was that because they were polite and respectful and Swedish, people thought they were soft. That was ridiculous. That was the furthest thing from the truth.

“Those guys aren’t quitters. I know there was talk that they might go back to Sweden, but I don’t know how realistic that was because of their incredible desire to be the best.” Henrik Sedin didn’t say how seriously — if at all — he and his brother were about returning to Sweden, but admitted they were frustrated initially with their play and then with their limited roles before the 2004-05 lockout, and that if they’d had a different coach or even different teammates their career paths may have been dramatically altered.

“I think Markus had a direct impact on us because he came from the same hometown and went through the exact same stuff we did growing up,” Sedin said. “He played for MoDo and was drafted, he came over and he struggled the same as we did. When we got to Vancouver, he really took off. For us to see that and understand his journey, and that he could make it from the same little neighbourhood outdoor rink that we played on, it was really something for us to look at. Home of the Canucks Stream all 82 Canucks games this season with Sportsnet NOW. Get over 500 NHL games, blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, all outdoor games, the All-Star Game, 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more.

“Trevor, I still remember him walking into the dressing room in Minnesota when he got traded back (in November, 2001). I didn’t know him, but I knew what he’d done in Vancouver and how big he was. That first meeting, he came up to us and just seemed so happy to meet us. I don’t know why. If things were rough for us for a few games, he was there. He just said the little things that helped. He must have seen 1171674 Websites my episodes came after long flights. Talking to the doctors, they say alcohol can play a factor in it. He actually told me it’s amazing how many college kids now will have it because they’ll go out on drinking binges on the weekend. They’ll see a lot of A-fib situations from college kids Sportsnet.ca / Bouwmeester's 'scary' cardiac episode hits home for because they drink too much.” Flames' Ward, Brodie Home of the Flames

Stream all 82 Flames games this season with Sportsnet NOW. Get over Eric Francis | February 12, 2020, 7:41 PM 500 NHL games, blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, all outdoor games, the All-Star Game, 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more.

Ward has since undergone cardiac ablation, a procedure on tissue in the LOS ANGELES – Geoff Ward still vividly remembers when he came to heart that sends electrical signals causing abnormal heart rhythm. He after lying unconscious on the arena floor following a collapse from an hasn’t had an episode since. irregular heartbeat. Brodie said his experience was so eye-opening that it’s affected the way “I woke up, saying to the trainer, ‘would you stop punching on my he looks at life and the game of hockey, allowing him not to sweat the chest?’” recalls the Calgary Flames interim coach of his most recent little things as much. episode of cardiac arrest, just three years back. “I feel like I’ve been better, and I think some of that is just relaxing and “Same thing happened to me that happened to Bo (Jay Bouwmeester). having fun,” said Brodie of his improved play. It was after practice in (New) Jersey and I was sitting in the coaches’ office and I felt it flip. So I went to see the trainer and told him, ‘my heart “Sometimes when you put too much pressure on yourself or you care just flipped and I’m not feeling very good.’ He said, ‘come on, I’ll put ya too much, sometimes it goes the opposite way. Sometimes, it’s better to on the table,’ and when I got up, I went down.” just be relaxed out there.” And down he stayed for several terrifying minutes while Devils trainer Asked what the final diagnosis was on what triggered his episode, Brodie Kevin Morley worked feverishly to revive the then 54-year-old. shrugged. Ward and the rest of the hockey world watched an eerily similar moment “They said just a combination of different things — low blood sugar, low unfold during the first period of the St. Louis Blues-Anaheim Ducks game blood-pressure … just a fluke thing, I guess,” he said. Tuesday night when Bouwmeester collapsed on the bench while reaching for his water bottle following a lengthy shift. “It’s almost like fainting and when that happens, sometimes I guess you seize. Hopefully, it was a one-off and it doesn’t happen again.” First responders used a defibrillator to help the 36-year-old regain consciousness before he was taken to hospital. The game was Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.13.2020 postponed. Bouwmeester remained at UC Irvine Medical Center on Wednesday, where he underwent tests to try to determine why he experienced the cardiac episode. “Episodes like that are always scary,” said Ward, who was quick to send his thoughts and prayers to Bouwmeester and his family. “Not only scary for the individual, but scary for his teammates, and the other team and the fans in the stands. You never, ever want to see a guy go through something like that. But you can trust the first responders are there and they do a good job and make it a lot easier on the players knowing they have real good professionals there to help if there is a case like that.” If anyone else in the Flames organization knows what it feels like to be lying in a hospital bed, piecing together your memory of a traumatic episode while various tests are being run, it’s TJ Brodie. Brodie collapsed and started convulsing during a Flames practice on Nov. 14, prompting team medical staff to race onto the ice to stabilize him while teammates looked on in horror.

“A lot goes through your head — you’re wondering if it’s something bigger, and then the thoughts of, ‘Am I going to be able to continue playing? Or not? Or is it something serious where you have to hang ’em up?’” said the 29-year-old Brodie on Wednesday, following the Flames’ morning skate at Staples Center.

“It puts things into perspective and how quickly things can change.”

Brodie spent parts of three seasons playing alongside Bouwmeester in Calgary and learned of his episode when he woke up Wednesday.

“I don’t really know what the cause is or if it’s similar or not, but it’s always scary when something like that happens.” said Brodie, who was discharged from hospital later in the day of his incident, returning to the lineup almost two weeks later.

“I hope it’s nothing serious and I wish him all the best.”

Ward said his two cardiac episodes opened his eyes to how many other people around the league are affected by similar problems.

“My first one, I had (five years ago), my heart just flipped and it was in arrhythmia for a long period of time, so they had to put me under and paddle me to get my heart rate back to normal,” said Ward, who got a hospital several hours after recognizing symptoms. “You can feel it, like a compression on your chest. I had just flown back from Germany. My triggers are when I’m dehydrated or if I’m tired. Both 1171675 Websites calibre he’s been his whole career, but similar playing style. He’s always been a really good skater and that’s kind of my strength.

“What happened last night is a reminder you can’t take for granted your Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens relieved Jay Bouwmeester has 'stabilized' after health every day. It’s a blessing we’re able to play hockey and do cardiac episode something we love.” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.13.2020 Eric Engels | February 12, 2020, 1:51 PM

BOSTON — The Montreal Canadiens may have been thousands of miles away from Anaheim when St. Louis Blues defenceman Jay Bouwmeester collapsed on the bench in Tuesday’s game between his team and the Anaheim Ducks, but the situation affected them just the same as it would if they were in the rink. This is every player’s nightmare. This is every NHL family’s nightmare. So you can imagine the Canadiens were just as relieved as anybody to hear that Bouwmeester is reportedly doing alright after being rushed to the hospital in response to his cardiac episode, which led to the postponement of the Blues-Ducks game.

“To see that happen last night was really scary, to be honest,” said Paul Byron, who played a few games alongside Bouwmeester when the two were members of the Calgary Flames in 2013. “To be honest, I don’t know him all that well. I was just a young guy getting called up. The lockout year was the year I believe he got traded to St. Louis. I was only around him maybe one or two games that year and he’s a quieter guy and I’m a quiet guy. I didn’t really get to know him too much, but being around him, he was a really good teammate, worked extremely hard in the gym, took care of himself really well. There’s a reason he had that ironman streak for really long.” Bouwmeester’s also a player who’s always carried a reputation of being among the best-conditioned athletes in the NHL. He’s a veteran of 1,241 NHL games, a Stanley Cup winner, an Olympic gold medallist and a world champion. What happened to him is a reminder that anything can happen to anybody at any time.

“It’s concerning,” said Canadiens coach Claude Julien. “I’ve known Jay since he was 16 years old, when he played for me for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship. But I also know him from the (2014) Olympics and the World Cup in Toronto in 2016. He’s a good person. He’s a person that’s also very quiet, a person who keeps to himself. These things, we’ve seen them with (Rich) Peverley, we’ve seen it with Jiri Fischer — these are athletes in excellent shape and it guarantees absolutely nothing. Things like this happen and what I like about these unfortunate situations is that at least there’s people around who are ready to jump into action. Those people deserve a lot of credit.” Canadiens forward Nate Thompson lauded the Ducks’ medical staff in addition to the Blues’ trainers and he said that their colleagues around the league are among the unsung heroes of the sport.

“They’re just as important as the players,” said Thompson, who’s been playing against Bouwmeester since he was a member of the WHL’s and Bouwmeester was on the . “Those people don’t get enough credit. They practise these scenarios all the time, they have their own protocols, and I know in every building, with every team, they all have modes of communication.” Byron said it’s a comfort knowing that the Canadiens have built close relationships with all members of the team’s medical staff and that a loved one can reach them at any point if need be.

“Not being able to be there would be a terrible feeling,” Byron said.

It had to be particularly helpless feeling for Bouwmeester’s wife and his three daughters, who weren’t in attendance. And it had to be frightening for Bouwmeester’s father, Dan, who did accompany the team to Anaheim with the rest of the Blues’ fathers.

“You know that’s tough, but it’s almost a blessing at the same time that his dad was there with him,” said Thompson. Blues GM Doug Armstrong’s update in the early hours of Wednesday morning that Bouwmeester is in stable condition and that he was “alert and moving all of his extremities as he was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center.” That was a comfort to the Canadiens, especially defenceman Brett Kulak, who grew up admiring his fellow Edmonton native.

“He’s always been a player I’ve looked up to and tried to model my game after,” said the 26-year-old Kulak. “Don’t think I could be quite the 1171676 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs, Flames favourites on Thursday NHL odds

OddsShark Staff February 12, 2020, 10:56 PM

After pulling out a victory in overtime on Tuesday night the Toronto Maple Leafs will be back in action on Thursday night as minus-140 home betting favourites on the NHL odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com against the Dallas Stars. The Maple Leafs got an overtime marker from Kasperi Kapanen on Tuesday night to give the team a 3-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes as minus-200 betting favourites in an UNDER result on the totals. Zach Hyman scored twice for Toronto in regulation time on Tuesday, while Jack Campbell stopped 35 of 37 Coyotes shots to pick up the victory. Toronto has now alternated wins and losses over its past four games, and has won eight of 16 games since the beginning of January to sit in a battle with the Florida Panthers for third place in the Atlantic Division standings. The UNDER has paid off in two straight games for Toronto, but the OVER is 11-5 in its last 16 outings. The Maple Leafs and Stars just met on January 29, with Toronto winning 5-3 on the road at minus-110 on the moneyline at online sports betting sites. Hyman, Auston Matthews, Tyson Barrie, Willian Nylander, and Andreas Johnsson had the goals for Toronto that night, with Frederik Andersen making 31 saves. Alexander Radulov had a pair of goals for Dallas in the loss. Also on Thursday night, the Edmonton Oilers are on the road at Tampa Bay to face the Lightning as plus-175 underdogs, while the Calgary Flames are minus-125 road favourites against the Anaheim Ducks, and the Ottawa Senators are plus-120 home underdogs against the Coyotes. The Oilers have won two games in a row, but the Lightning have won eight straight games and have only lost three times in their last 23 outings. A quad injury will keep Edmonton captain Connor McDavid sidelined for the next two to three weeks, while Tampa Bay has each of Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, and Anthony Cirelli nursing lower- body injuries. The Flames have also won two straight games after losing five of their previous six outings. Calgary edged Anaheim 2-1 as plus-120 road underdogs in the first meeting of the season between the teams back on October 20, the ninth UNDER result in their past 10 matchups. The Senators have lost six games in a row and 16 of their last 18 outings. The Coyotes, however, haven’t fared much better lately with just three victories in their last 14 contests. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171677 Websites The 27-year-old pending UFA struggled through a low shooting percentage season in 2018-19 and returned a disappointing 13 goals, but he really is good to reach 20 most years — including this one. Toffoli is a fit for anyone hoping to add short-term scoring help on their second line, Sportsnet.ca / 25 NHL trade candidates you'll hear about before the or to bolster a first line in a complementary role. deadline On Headlines, Johnston mentioned the Calgary Flames were interested in Toffoli. The Penguins were also linked to him, but have since acquired Jason Zucker. Rory Boylen February 12, 2020, 11:27 AM Nick Bonino, Nashville Predators

Bonino will be a great indicator as to the Predators’ deadline intentions. Less than two weeks before the trade deadline, and we’re starting to see He’s having a terrific season (his 54.95 SF% at 5-on-5 is top 30 in the some deals come in. Toronto acquired Jack Campbell and Kyle Clifford league, but falling) and is signed for another season at $4.1 million. He’s last week, while the Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild swapped Nashville’s top penalty killer, is excellent on the draw, has plenty of Alex Galchenyuk and Jason Zucker this week — two players who were playoff experience and brings a good amount of offence, on pace for over on our top 25 list. 20 goals. He’s a perfect third line centre for a contender, but the cost of It’s crunch time, and teams are now settling in as buyers or sellers. acquisition should also be relatively high for where he lands on a depth Injuries are also going to influence team needs and those are starting to chart. pile up around the league. Craig Smith, Nashville Predators So this list will keep changing and we’ll keep updating who the top Another Predator who could be had, Smith is generally a 20-goal, 40- candidates are to move. Here is our latest collection of 25 players you’re point player and while he could be a top-six player for some team, he’s going to hear about in the run up to the NHL’s Feb. 24 trade deadline. currently on Nashville’s third unit. Making $4.25 million against the cap as Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Ottawa Senators a pending UFA, Smith would seem like a candidate to move even if Nashville doesn’t go all-in as a seller. He’s having a career year, sure, but after a very strong November it’s worth mentioning he’s come back to earth with four goals in his past 17 Ilya Kovalchuk, Montreal Canadiens games. Pageau brings other intangibles though. Look, any contender already could have had Kovalchuk without giving up He’s an excellent penalty-killer and face-off man so he’d ideally fit into a anything after the Kings terminated his contract to make him a free agent third line centre role anyway. The question is what can the Senators earlier this season. He ultimately landed in Montreal for a $700,000 cap recoup for him in trade? Given he plays a valuable position with special hit, but as the Canadiens struggle to stay in the playoff race they could teams capabilities, they’ll likely be seeking a first-round pick. Whether it move Kovalchuk for a third-round pick at least — maybe even a second- gets there or not, we’ll see. But, there should be plenty of teams in the rounder the way he’s going. However, he’s been averaging more than 19 market for this type of player. minutes a night with Montreal and has gotten over 20 minutes in a game multiple times. He’s fit in tremendously well to this situation, but would On the most recent edition of Hockey Night in Canada’s Headlines the magic continue on a contender that would likely cut back his ice segment, Chris Johnston reported that no extension talks had yet begun time? between the Sens and Pageau, indicating the inevitability of this trade. Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators Chris Kreider, New York Rangers At 38, Anderson is clearly past his peak and his .899 save percentage There is still a chance Kreider and the Rangers come to terms on an this season isn’t going to get any buyer excited. However, the idea is that extension, but the rebuilding Blueshirts would rather move him as a Anderson would be acquired as a backup and security blanket rather rental than risk losing him for nothing to the UFA market this summer. than a relied-upon starter. Anderson is most likely to walk to UFA this summer with Anders Nilsson and Marcus Hogberg pushing, so Ottawa “The talks are now set to begin with the Rangers and Chris Kreider’s may want to get back whatever it can. It’s worth noting that Anderson’s representation at least to explore if there’s any traction there for a numbers are probably hurt by the rebuild in front of him and that his .929 contract extension for him,” Johnston said on Headlines. career save percentage in his post-season career — including .922 in Ottawa’s run to the conference final in 2017 — make him a more steady A first line left winger in New York, Kreider would fit any team that needs backup than his numbers make it appear. a top-six flanker. He brings size (six-foot-three, 217 pounds) and is tough around the net, which should lend itself to playoff hockey (though he had Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks three goals and four points in 12 post-season games the last time he made it there in 2017). And he doesn’t lack for speed either. This section should really be committed to “a Chicago goalie” as they have two pending UFAs manning the crease. But Robin Lehner has Mikael Granlund, Nashville Predators bucked the idea he found success with the Islanders last year because of Barry Trotz’s system by following with another good season behind a Moved at last year’s deadline to Nashville from Minnesota for Kevin porous defensive team in Chicago. Between the two, the Hawks should Fiala, Granlund could again be made available as he heads towards UFA be trying to keep Lehner. That leaves Crawford, who hasn’t been his status this summer. In his last two full seasons with the Wild Granlund same high-level self in two years now. Much like Anderson, the thinking posted 69 and 67 points and looked to be turning a corner in his career, is some team could come after Crawford to get his experience as an but in 65 games with Nashville he has only 27 points. insurance marker in net, and probably not for a hefty cost. This may be a player who just needs a change of scenery, and that he’s Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey heating up a bit with seven points in his past 10 games will grab attention world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what on the trade market. But it’s not yet clear what the Predators’ deadline they think about it. plan is and they may not sell at all, given they’re four points back with two games in hand. At the start of this month, GM indicated his Alexandar Georgiev, NY Rangers direction would be influenced by an upcoming road trip. Henrik Lundqvist is still signed through next season and we shouldn’t “It’s the time of year where we are going to be active like everyone else expect him to be traded. And the Igor Shestyorkin era has begun as the in terms of talking to different teams as a seller and as a buyer,” Poile highly regarded 24-year-old has played six games swith a .933 save told NHL.com. “The trip will help alter which way we go. The market too. percentage. As a result, Georgiev is the third man out for now. Maybe there’s a hockey trade out there to be made.” “It’s tough. You don’t want to be sitting in the lounge watching the guys The Press went 2-2 on that trip, so it continues to be muddy. The bottom play,” Georgiev told the New York Post. “It’s not a fun part of hockey.” line on Granlund is that he’s making $5.75 million against the cap and, if Poile looks to make a move, this player would be a top candidate to go. He was terrific in 33 games last season (.914, 2.91, 14-13-4) and though his numbers haven’t been as strong in 2019-20, he’s still a young (23) Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it NHL netminder. 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover There’s no guarantee he’ll get moved right now, though, and the Rangers Canada’s most beloved game. don’t have to rush it. What if Lundqvist decides to hang up his skates this summer? In that case, the Rangers would need to move ahead with Tyler Toffoli, Los Angeles Kings Georgiev. Meantime, the Jack Campbell trade started to set the trade market for goalies and it’s nothing particularly special. Brandon Saad, Chicago Blackhawks So that Dubas did not deal Kasperi Kapanen (or Andreas Johnston for that matter) in that trade with the Kings means he has his best active Friedman noted in a recent 31 Thoughts column that “there will be player trade chips still in hand. The Leafs are very much in “wait and see” interest” in Saad, who has been a second-unit PK player for the Hawks mode right now as they figure out how much time Ceci and Rielly will this season and a regular in the top six at even strength. In seven games miss and what cap space they have available. If they figure these injuries back from injury, Saad has six points. open up more opportunities, someone like Kapanen could be put out Jesse Puljujarvi, Edmonton Oilers there. Though seemingly topped out as a third-line winger on the Leafs, Kapanen is a 20-goal guy with 50-point upside and could be a top-six We’re all wondering what the Edmonton Oilers will do, or if they do player in certain situations. anything. They’re within striking distance of the division title, but a previous need for scoring wingers has been alleviated somewhat by Tomas Tatar, Montreal Canadiens Kailer Yamamoto’s emergence. But at the same time, they’re not really in With one more season beyond this left on his contract, Tatar has been a a position to go all-in, so floating their first-round pick or top prospect great pickup for Montreal and leads them in scoring as a near point-per- Evan Bouchard in a trade doesn’t seem like a likely path for GM Ken game player. But again, GM Marc Bergevin has to decide what to move Holland. Especially now that Connor McDavid will be out of the lineup, forward with next season. He was a sort of throw-in with Nick Suzuki in perhaps up until the deadline. the Max Pacioretty trade, so if Bergevin decided to trade Tatar by this But Puljujarvi? While he’s been a disappointing fourth overall pick to this year’s deadline he’d come out way ahead. But the real question is, if point there is still value there. If Holland wants to pull off a trade without Bergevin trades Tatar, can he bring back more than Vegas gave up to giving up a first or a top prospect, Puljujarvi could be the piece that helps get him in the first place (a first, second and third)? get one done. Just don’t expect it to be for a rental. Brenden Dillon, San Jose Sharks Zach Bogosian, Buffalo Sabres A 29-year-old pending UFA, Dillon won’t put up flashy point totals, but for December brought reports that Bogosian had requested a trade out of any team looking to acquire a traditional “stay at home” defencemen to Buffalo, but the next defenceman who was dealt was Marco Scandella complement a more freelancing style, Dillon is the guy. With the Sharks (to Montreal). Since that was revealed, Bogosian’s played more than 16 well off the playoff pace and needing to re-adjust in hopes of a bounce minutes in a game just twice. Past his peak, injuries have limited him to back next season, it’s all but certain Dillon will be shipped off by the just 19 games this season, and his shots for percentage at 5-on-5 is deadline — and there’s all sorts of teams that will be after him. second-worst among Sabres defencemen, ahead of just Colin Miller. Josh Manson, Anaheim Ducks Bogosian is a pending UFA and, especially if the Sabres retain some of his salary for the remainder of the season, is a decent depth defender It’s not that the Ducks are hunting for a trade here, but for the second good for at least emergency injury situations in the post-season. year in a row they won’t even sniff the post-season so you’d think just about anything could be on the table. Celebrated in the analytics Mathew Dumba, Minnesota Wild community for years, Manson is excellent in his own end, defending the Dumba led all defencemen in goals last year when an injury ended his line and is a big-minute eater on Anaheim’s PK. He has a $4.1 million season 32 games in, but he hasn’t been able to get anywhere close to cap hit for another two years beyond this one, so it would take a pretty that level of offence in 2019-20. With just four goals and 18 points in 55 substantial deal to pry him out of California. But term and value is what games Dumba is tracking towards his worst season in five years. That every team is after these days, so while the Ducks need to start thinking may mean GM Bill Guerin would be selling low, but we wouldn’t assume about how they get out of the mess they’re in, GM Bob Murray may have that a Dumba trade would happen in-season unless Minnesota got a to consider what he could get for this 28-year-old. substantial return. He’s a right-shot, 25-year-old with another three years Alec Martinez, Los Angeles Kings beyond this one on his contract at a $6 million cap hit. Regardless of being in a down season, he’s the type of player many teams would covet As the Kings struggle through another season, Martinez is being and chase if he were to become available. mentioned in the rumour mill more and more. Los Angeles would be wise to trade him now and move him to a team that would pay up for two runs Guerin has already pulled off one trade with an eye towards the future with Martinez. Second on the Kings in even strength, shorthanded and and changing the core. The coming days will decide if he leans into this power play time, Martinez is valued in every situation and though a new idea even more. team may depend on him a little less in some areas, he’s still a solid top- four just about anywhere. “If there is quit, there will be more trades,” Guerin said. “I wholeheartedly expect this team to compete for a playoff spot. We’re On Headlines, Johnston reported that the Vegas Golden Knights and right there and if there’s any signs of anyone taking their foot off the gas, Winnipeg Jets heavily scouted a recent Kings game and are believed to that will be an indication.” be two of the teams in on Martinez. Jonas Brodin, Minnesota Wild Kyle Palmieri, New Jersey Devils Speaking of Minnesota defencemen with term, Brodin is another name After making a change behind the bench and then ousting GM Ray local reporters have mentioned could be available. A strong-skating, left Shero, this team first needs to figure out how it wants to proceed from shot blueliner, Brodin won’t be an offensive upgrade anywhere, but he’s here. In Palmieri the Devils have a consistent goal scorer who can a strong defender who plays heavy PK minutes and is second to just approach or reach 30 in a given year, and is under contract for another Ryan Suter on Minnesota in even strength ice time per game. Brodin season. He’s also a valuable trade asset who could bring back a decent makes $4.1 million against the cap this season and next before haul of futures — the problem is that it also could set the team back becoming UFA eligible. If Guerin decides to blow this thing up now, he some more in 2020-21. could move both Brodin and Dumba, but perhaps it’s more likely that only one goes by Feb. 24 — if the right deal is found. Erik Gustafsson, Chicago Blackhawks Jeff Petry, Montreal Canadiens A pending UFA defenceman, Gustafsson is a wild card in more ways than one. First, he’s also a pending UFA and it’s hard to measure what Another talented, right shot defenceman the Habs have a decision to his next AAV could be. Second, he’s best used as a modern day rover, make on Petry. He has another season beyond this left on his contract, not afraid to pinch in from the blue line or jump up into a rush. the 60 but will be 33 at the time of a potential extension. Montreal, meantime, points he had last year may end up being the most of his career, but he’s will have to weigh the value of extending a player in his mid-30s against still on about a 40-point pace now and would at least be an interesting what he could bring back in a trade right now. Think first-round pick, AHL power play addition for a contender. prospect and a junior-aged player, similar to what Toronto gave up for Jake Muzzin a year ago. But Petry brings even more than Muzzin does, Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks so maybe we should expect a bigger return, if a deal is to be had. On a cheap, one-year deal with full no-move protection, if Thornton goes Kasperi Kapanen, Toronto Maple Leafs somewhere it’s because he signed off on it. No longer a peak player, Thornton is nonetheless a smart, experienced player with elite passing The Maple Leafs are still on the edge of the playoffs (on the right side of ability and vision. On a contender, he’d more likely than not slot in as a the ledge for now) but the feeling is GM Kyle Dubas isn’t done dealing. third-line centre. He’s been with the Sharks for the past 14 years, but at He’s already taken care of his backup goalie spot and added much- age 40 if he wants to chase a Stanley Cup again, he may have to do it needed sandpaper, but the needs on the blue line are still obvious. The elsewhere. team needed a right shot defender already, but injuries to Cody Ceci and Morgan Rielly has made the team even thinner on the back end. Sam Bennett, Calgary Flames If the Flames can no longer move Brodie or another defenceman, but still want to get something done, Bennett is the sort of bottom-six, grit option teams crave around the deadline. He alone wouldn’t bring back a major return, but at the very least could potentially be used to get blue line depth, or in a package for a forward upgrade. It’s not that the Flames are especially interested in moving him, but that he could be a means to an end. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171678 Websites minutes were doled out by the dozens. The second period saw Tkachuk take a dangerous run at Doughty, lining the rearguard up for an open-ice hit that Doughty just barely managed to dodge: Sportsnet.ca / Timeline: Doughty and Tkachuk's war of words, elbows “There was good energy in the building,” Tkachuk said after the game, and slashes a 4-1 loss that saw the Flames fizzled out in the third. “We obviously wanted to be better and, you know, you tip your hat to them. They played good tonight. [The elbow] is something that happened in the past, it’s done with and you move forward.” Emily Sadler | February 12, 2020, 9:30 AM Ah, but it was really only just the beginning…

Oct. 11, 2017: [just a bunch of expletives] It started with an elbow. Feelings didn’t exactly cool off over the off-season. In the first Flames- Early in a March 2017 matchup between the Los Angeles Kings and Kings matchup of 2019-20, Tkachuk found himself in the penalty box Calgary Flames, then-rookie Matthew Tkachuk sent defenceman Drew after a late-game skirmish — that actually didn’t involve Doughty — but Doughty to the ice with an elbow to the face. look who was there to greet him and welcome him to the sin bin: The incident resulted in a two-game suspension for Tkachuk, and Jan. 24, 2018: Hate’s a strong word, but… sparked a rivalry between a decorated NHL veteran at the top of his game and a feisty rookie just finding his footing in the league and taking It took all of 30 seconds for Tkachuk to get his pest on during the teams’ his first steps as one of the game’s best pests. third meeting of the season. As unlikely as it may have been to start, it is in so many ways the perfect Thorn, meet side: player rivalry, really: two highly-skilled Pacific Division players unafraid to stir the pot and more than capable of calling their shots — and dishing Doughty didn’t hold back with his post-game comments. When asked if ’em out, too. Tkachuk might be the most-hated player in the league, Doughty told Sportsnet’s Eric Francis this: Looking around the league, there aren’t a lot of true player-versus-player rivalries today, which explains our love affair with this one. Ryan Reaves “I’m pretty sure he might be,” said the Kings defenceman. “I have lots of and Evander Kane make every meeting between the San Jose Sharks friends on other teams and they don’t love him either. But whatever, and Vegas Golden Knights a lot more interesting, while Brad Marchand that’s how he plays. All it does is fire guys up and guys take over games and Tom Wilson pride themselves on getting under the skin of just about when that happens. Like tonight.” everyone who goes up against them — especially if they’re sporting a certain blue-and-white sweater. The Kings won this one in overtime, and Doughty was, uh, pretty fired up about silencing the home crowd: “To be honest, I think that stuff is fun for the game – people stay interested in that kind of rivalry,” Reaves said back in October, via March 25, 2019: “No respect for him, none.” Sportsnet’s Eric Francis. “You can ask Evander, but I’m sure he likes the At this point, almost a full season has passed without any more big little rivalry we have, too. I definitely enjoy it. I think some healthy hatred blowups between the two. Just a healthy rivalry, eh, Doughty? is good for any sport.” From Francis: “Oh no,” Doughty said before the game. “No respect for Doughty and Tkachuk have met 11 times since the elbow that started it him, none. I respect everyone else. I’ll never talk to him off the ice.” all, including three times this season as we head into the fourth and final matchup of 2019-20 Wednesday night. And while not every meeting over “I’m used to it and know how to deal with it,” Doughty added. “He’s the past few years has been notable, the ones that were have kept us entertaining for you guys, but he’s not respected by most of the people in wanting more. the league, it’s not just me — that’s just a fact.” Here’s a timeline of the war of words — and the jabs, hits, penalties and Tkachuk challenged those words on the ice, drawing a sneaky slashing obscenities — that have made this head-to-head so much fun to watch. penalty against Doughty:

March 19, 2017: “He’s a pretty dirty player, that kid.” “No reaction, it doesn’t bother me at all — in one ear and out the other with that stuff,” Tkachuk told reporters after the game, when asked his While the elbow sparked the dislike, Doughty’s post-game interview response to Doughty’s pre-game jabs. following that game brought the fire: “Doesn’t really surprise me or not surprise me — it’s just another day. “He’s a pretty dirty player, that kid,” Doughty told Kings insider Jon I’ll sleep like a baby tonight, I’m not worried about that type of stuff, I’ll tell Rosen, also shedding a little light on what was, at that point, a budding ya’ that.” mutual dislike between the two. “To be a rookie and play like that is a little surprising.” Oct. 8, 2019: “Drew Doughty… does not like you.” The Flames issued a statement accepting the suspension, but a media New season, same bad blood. availability following the two-game ban showed Tkachuk wasn’t exactly remorseful for his actions. He doubled down on his sandpaper playing When asked prior to the season for his thoughts on Tkachuk, Doughty style, telling reporters upon his return from suspension, “I’m not changing described the Flames forward as, “a guy that kinda thinks he’s really my game at all.” good but isn’t.” Fans hungry for another round of this budding rivalry had to wait just 10 Drew Doughty: Still not a big Matthew Tkachuk fan days for their next dose… and boy, was it a big one. pic.twitter.com/CSN2UHuWEA March 29, 2017: “I expected more from him, honestly.” — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 9, 2019 Tkachuk got this one started a day early with a few pre-game chirps (and In the wise words of Hockey Night in Canada’s Scott Oake, when talking maybe a little compliment buried in there?) during practice a day before to Tkachuk during an After Hours interview on Hockey Night in Canada the game: following the Flames’ game against the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 5: “Drew Doughty… does not like you.” “I expected more from him, honestly, than to go right to the media and start complaining after a loss,” Tkachuk told Postmedia’s Wes Gilbertson Tkachuk told Oake it “goes right in one ear, out the other. I’m really the day before the grudge match, responding to Doughty calling him a looking forward to Tuesday’s game.” dirty player. “But he’s a good player. He’s a good enough player where (So were we.) he doesn’t have to worry about any of that stuff. He’s a skilled guy and everything like that, and he’s won a couple of Cups.” Oake: “But has it ever crossed your mind that maybe you should show a Norris Trophy winner and a Stanley Cup champion more respect?” “(Doughty) is a good player, so I don’t think his focus will be too much on me,” Tkachuk said. “My focus isn’t on him. My focus is on the Tkachuk: “I show Gio respect, he’s a Norris Trophy winner.” playoffs.” Doughty responded the next day: The game that followed featured just about everything you could ask of a good old fashioned grudge match — tensions were high, warmup words were exchanged, gloves were dropped early and often, and penalty “We both know who the better player is, so, if he wants to compliment me first I’ll give him one back,” Doughty told reporters before the Oct. 8 matchup. As much as the two players have both, at times, attempted to put the war of words to rest, it’s clear they both thrive off this stuff — and we’re all the better for it. “I’ve had individual rivalries with guys on every team,” Doughty told reporters.

“You’ve got to pick someone on that team that gets you up for a game. If I come into a barn and don’t feel I have a rivalry with a team or with any player — like, say we go into Florida or something — I’m not the same player. I need to kind of have that to get myself going. If I’m not emotionally invested I’m not going to play well — that’s the bottom line.” With all eyes on Doughty and Tkachuk come game time, the two did not disappoint. Tkachuk tied the game late with a gorgeous goal and Doughty one-upped his nemesis with the overtime winner. His celebration that followed was… quite something:

“As much as I love getting booed every time I touch the puck, you kind of want to shove it in their faces,” Doughty said after the game. Drew Doughty has done basically everything there is to do in hockey. But I’ve rarely seen him as excited as he was when he scored that game- winner in Calgary. — Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) October 9, 2019 “Because my home country fans were booing me the entire game.” – Drew Doughty when asked why he addressed the crowd in his OT goal celebration in Calgary two weeks ago — Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) October 18, 2019 Doughty also said he’s looking to close the book on this head-to-head.

“I want to put that to rest — it’s over,” said Doughty.

Meanwhile, in the Flames’ dressing room:

“I’m excited for Round 2 in two weeks in L.A,” said Tkachuk.

Which brings us to Round 2 of 2019-20… Oct. 19, 2019: Game on, again. After so much build up leading up to the game — even Doughty’s mom got involved (“She was not happy with me, especially after the celebration there,” Doughty said of his mom’s reaction to the events of Oct. 8.) — all was quiet on the rivalry front for most of this game. Until midway through the final frame, when all hell broke loose. With the Kings up 4-0, Tkachuk was skating the puck into Doughty’s territory when the Kings defenceman went low on Tkachuk. It wasn’t a hard hit, but it was enough to knock the Flames forward off his feet and bring Doughty down with him. Tkachuk then cross-checked Doughty as he tried to get back on his feet, leading to a full-on line brawl as players from both sides piled on. Five penalties were dished out, with Tkachuk taking three (tripping, roughing and a game misconduct) and Doughty leaving the scuffle scot-free and smiling. Doughty joined After Hours following the game, a 4-1 win to go 2-0 on the season series versus Calgary, telling Scott Oake that the win was what mattered — and the rivalry is “just whatever.”

“When it comes to me and him, it’s just whatever. We won the game that’s all that matters. We gotta catch them in the standings, so right now they kind of still have bragging rights even though we spanked them tonight. But yeah, whatever,” Doughty said.

“I thought it was pretty quiet until that last play, I’m not going to not hit him, he’s right there with the puck. Make a hockey play. He waits till the whistle goes and kind of starts some stuff. It’s just the way she goes. We’re both just trying to win games. The game was out of hand, so kinda expected that to happen,” he said. Dec. 7, 2019: Round 3 After October’s fireworks, this game was pretty tame in terms of any Doughty-Tkachuk drama. Perhaps it’s a rivalry that’s run its course. Perhaps we’ll find out in Round 4 Wednesday night. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171679 Websites made a nice one-touch pass to set up Bo Horvat’s power play goal. He found Antoine Roussel alone in front of the net on the Canucks second goal by Adam Gaudette and then sealed the deal with the empty netter with 2:09 to play. On the night, Sutter trailed only JT Miller and Bo Horvat TSN.CA / Five Takeaways: Canucks vs Blackhawks in ice time among Canuck forwards playing a season-high 19:02 including 3:28 on the power play and 3:50 on the penalty kill.

5) The Canucks have now won back to back games on home ice and 11 Jeff Paterson of their last 12. Since December 2nd, they are 14-3 at Rogers Arena and lead the NHL in home ice wins with 14 and points with 28. The consecutive wins – and the remarkable home ice record -- have allowed TAKEAWAYS the Canucks to solidify their hold atop the Pacific Division and extend their lead to six points over Winnipeg – the team currently just below the 1) From start to finish, it’s hard to imagine Wednesday could have gone playoff bar in the West. Beyond the Jets, though, the Canucks are nine in much better for the Vancouver Canucks. Oh sure, the team may have front of Minnesota, 10 up on Nashville and now a full 11 points ahead of wanted to offer up a little more resistance against the Chicago the Blackhawks. At this time of year, those are nearly insurmountable Blackhawks, but with Jacob Markstrom in the zone that seems like a deficits for the Wild, Preds and Hawks. It remains my firm belief that nine minor detail in the big picture. The more significant aspects of the day (or more) teams in the West will not reach 94 points this season. With were that the organization absolutely nailed the pregame ceremony for that in mind, the Canucks are back on a 97 point pace while a team like Daniel and Henrik Sedin. The team on the ice then went out, scored once the Jets is on pace for 89 points. The playoffs are not a guarantee yet for in each period and rode the remarkable netminding of Markstrom to beat the Canucks, but they continue to give every indication that they will be the Blackhawks 3-0. This 50th anniversary season has featured a among the teams that qualify for the post-season this spring. handful of terrific theme nights – the home opener, Alex Burrows added to the Ring of Honour, Monday’s Legends Night – but all paled in size TSN.CA LOADED: 02.13.2020 and scope to honouring the Sedins for their two decades of excellence. The Canucks did it up in style and checked every box imaginable from the video highlights, to the guest list to giving Kevin Bieksa free rein at the microphone. The ceremony was touching, it was funny and it was heartfelt. And it brought back the roars that accompanied the greatest era in Vancouver Canucks history. While the Sedins playing careers spanned nearly twenty years, Wednesday very much felt like a 2011 reunion with Bieksa, Roberto Luongo, Alex Burrows, Jannik Hansen and Ryan Kesler hand-picked by the twins to join them on the ice for the ceremony. Kudos to the Canucks game presentation staff for such a fitting tribute to the two best players in franchise history. 2) Markstrom has had a number of incredible individual performances this season, but Wednesday’s was his best. He stopped all 43 shots he faced in a 1-0 overtime win against Carolina in early December and then stopped 49 shots in a 3-2 win over Los Angeles in the game out of the Christmas break. Those nights he seemed locked in and on top of his game, but this felt like a next level performance. Not only did he set the Canuck franchise record for saves in a shutout (49), but set the mark for saves by a Swedish goalie in an NHL shutout. Markstrom stopped 17 shots in the first period, 16 more in each of the second and third. He was forced to make 13 saves before his team registered its first shot of the night at the other end of the ice. And his best save was likely one off the Blackhawks best player. With the Canucks up 1-0 five minutes into the second period, Patrick Kane took the puck off right wing and moved uncontested into the slot. At that point, it became a match-up of Markstrom against one of the best players in the league over the past decade. Kane unleashed a wrist shot that Markstrom took up high, but was able to stop. It seemed to signal to the entire Chicago team that if their best player couldn’t beat Markstrom, no one was going to on the night. 3) With Tyler Motte injured and Tim Schaller a healthy scratch, the Canucks penalty kill had struggled in recent games using new personnel and giving up five goals in the past four outings. But on Wednesday, backed by Markstrom’s brilliance, the Canucks penalty kill was perfect holding the Hawks at bay on all five attempts. While Chicago registered 10 shots on its power play, it couldn’t solve Markstrom with perhaps the best chance coming late on a second period power play when rookie Kirby Dach had the Canucks netminder down, but he clearly wasn’t out. Dach tried to pull the puck around Markstrom who was somehow able to hold his ground to make a sprawling save. With Tyler Myers taking an early hooking penalty just 2:21 into the game, the Canucks penalty kill was forced to get to work early. That was a key point in the hockey game since the Canucks were off to such a sluggish start. A Hawks goal with the man-advantage could have changed the complexion of the hockey game, but the Canucks penalty killers came through there and on all four other occasions over the course of the night helping the Canucks win their second straight game after four consecutive setbacks (0-3-1). 4) JT Miller and Quinn Hughes lead the Vancouver Canucks in scoring since the All Star break. That’s not a huge surprise. But the fact that Brandon Sutter is third on the list would likely catch many off guard. Sutter had a goal and two helpers on Wednesday giving him 3+4=7 in his last eight games. With his empty net goal against the Hawks, Sutter has now scored in back to back games. This is a player that has primarily been tasked with defensive assignments when healthy this season. But with Brock Boeser out of the line-up, Sutter has been added to the Canucks top power play unit and has found himself in more offensive situations than usual. Prior to this run of offence, Sutter had gone 11 games without a point and you wondered if he’d pick up another one the rest of the way this season. But suddenly he’s swimming in offense. He 1171680 Websites TSN.CA LOADED: 02.13.2020

TSN.CA / Armstrong: Paramedics used defibrillator to ‘revive’ Bouwmeester

Frank Seravalli

St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong said defenceman Jay Bouwmeester is doing “very well” in a Southern California hospital after suffering a “cardiac episode” during Tuesday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks. Armstrong revealed that Bouwmeester became “unresponsive” on the bench during the episode and said “medical personnel used a defibrillator to revive him.”

“Jay regained consciousness immediately and was transported directly to the UCI Irvine Medical Center,” Armstrong told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. Armstrong said Bouwmeester, 36, is still undergoing a battery of tests in hospital to determine how and why the cardiac episode happened.

“There is never a good time for something like this to take place, but there could not have been a better location than the Honda Center,” Armstrong said. “Thanks again to everyone uninvolved at the Honda Center and the Ducks organization for their life saving efforts.” The Ducks-Blues game was postponed with 7:50 remaining in the first period. No makeup date has been announced; Armstrong said the condensed schedules with the bye week have complicated rescheduling the game. He said the replayed game will start with a 1-1 tied score, but the game will be a full 60 minutes.

“But that’s secondary to where we are right now, I know they’re working on it and we will play the game,” Armstrong said. Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo said he went to go visit Bouwmeester at the hospital with his dad after contest was postponed. The Blues were on their Father’s Trip, with most of the team’s dads in attendance for the game, including Bouwmeester’s father, Dan. Pietrangelo used FaceTime with Bouwmeester, who was one of the NHL's best ironmen over his 17-season career, once racking up a streak of 737 consecutive games played, to communicate with the rest of the team.

“I think it was important for everybody else to see him,” Pietrangelo said. “Everybody sent him their wishes. I think it made everybody feel a lot better to see that he was in good hands and in good spirits with us. Typical Jay. I think it made us all feel a lot better today knowing we talked to him.

“Typical Jay is a very good Jay.”

Pietrangelo was right near the Blues’ bench and helped, along with teammate Vince Dunn, flag down the medical staff immediately after Bouwmeester collapsed. Their swift reaction, along with the heroic work of the Blues and Ducks’ athletic trainers, doctors and arena paramedics likely saved Bouwmeester’s life. The situation played out according to the NHL’s Emergency Medical Standards plan, which is rehearsed at each team's home arena and home practice rink prior to the first exhibition game of every season. It has helped prevent catastrophic results in other critical medical situations, including the career-ending cardiac episodes suffered by Detroit's Jiri Fischer and Dallas' Rich Peverley, as well as other skate cuts that have resulted in significant blood loss.

“The doctors and the EMT, they were impressive to see them go into action,” Pietrangelo said. “It’s hard to even explain, I mean, it happened so fast. It felt like it was an eternity for us. It’s not easy to see anybody go through it, let alone your close friend and teammate that you spend every day with.” The Ducks’ players also huddled around Bouwmeester’s concerned Blues’ teammates, then Pietrangelo said they all spent time together after the game was postponed.

“Hockey gets pushed aside really quickly when you’re talking about something like this,” Pietrangelo said. “You play against each other and you battle against these guys, but we all have a lot of respect for each other. A lot of those guys played with ‘Bo’ have been around ‘Bo,’ a lot of them are friends. That’s just how the hockey community is – it’s a really tight group of people.” 1171681 Websites Perhaps Little’s toughest challenge will be to bridge the chasm between a skeptical business community, a restless fan base and team owner Eugene Melnyk. Many have pointed the finger directly at the owner, placing sole responsibility on his shoulders for the disastrous run the club TSN.CA / Jim Little’s big task is filling the seats in Ottawa has been enduring for the past couple of seasons. Little said he’s had several private dinners with Melnyk, where the owner has indicated that he wants to rebuild the faith within the fan base. Ian Mendes “He is a passionate guy. He’s a successful business guy who is

impatient with failure. He’s asked me to come between that story and the When the Ottawa Senators host the Arizona Coyotes at Canadian Tire city and reconnect,” Little said of Melnyk. “The owner has asked me to do Centre on Thursday night, there will be plenty of attendance-related jokes a specific job. He knows where we are. We know what we’ve done to put on social media wondering if the game is being played in a Canadian us in this situation and we’re going to rebuild it.” market or at the Coyotes’ home rink in Glendale, Ariz. Little described the senior management structure with the Senators as a The Senators have plummeted to the bottom of the league in attendance triangle – where he is in charge of the business side of the organization during the 2019-20 campaign, averaging just over 12,000 fans per game. and Pierre Dorion oversees the hockey operations – with both men Thursday’s contest against the Coyotes will struggle to crack the 10,000 reporting directly to Melnyk. mark. He currently schedules a weekly meeting with Dorion to ensure the two The sparsely attended games in Ottawa have led to the Senators being a are constantly on the same page. punchline for many hockey fans who used to save those attendance- “We have agreed to never be disconnected,” Little said of his related zingers for franchises like the Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers. relationship with the general manager. With the spectre of another poorly attended game on the horizon, the It’s interesting to note the Senators have hired PJ Loyello to serve as the club’s new CEO, Jim Little, made his first public appearances on club’s senior vice-president of communications, in an effort to improve Wednesday, granting interviews to Bell Media properties in Ottawa. relations with the local media and broadcast partners. Little – who has officially been on the job since Jan. 10 – is well aware of Loyello worked directly for Jeffrey Loria with the Montreal Expos and the stigma surrounding the franchise. Florida Marlins for almost two decades, giving him an intimate knowledge of working in challenging situations. “As I’ve said to the owner, it’s a small business that has a big brand With two seasoned communications professionals in Little and Loyello, problem. It’s not that complicated. The fix is right in front of us and it’s the Senators appear to be poised to unveil a polished and targeted going to be a lot of hard work to fix,” Little told TSN 1200. “The one big fix marketing plan in the months ahead. we have to make, is our season ticket base is very low. We’re amongst the lowest in the league. Number one, over time, we have to get the fan “To be a little self-critical, we really haven’t had a plan. We’ve been base back. And that’s not a quick fix.” fighting fires and been kind of running around,” says Little. “Brands and If it were a quick fix in Ottawa, one of Little’s predecessors from the past business and marketing come from planning.” couple of seasons – either Nicolas Ruszkowski or Tom Anselmi – would To that end, much of the Sens new marketing campaign will be rolled out still hold their senior management position. Instead, instability has been a in the summer – with the 2020 NHL Draft playing a significant role in the common theme in the Senators front office as they continue to seek ways direction. If the club should happen to land Alexis Lafreniere with the No. to re-engage the fan base. 1 overall pick, it stands to reason that a significant portion of the As a private company, the Senators aren’t compelled to release their marketing will revolve around him. internal revenue information, but a conservative estimate would place There is talk of the club re-introducing the old 2-D logo from the 1990s in their season ticket base in the neighbourhood of 4,000. That means, on a an effort to reconnect with millennial fans who grew up with an affinity for nightly basis, the Senators need to move an inventory of roughly 14,000 that look on the sweater. The Sens will also try and reduce beer prices at single-game tickets – a tall order for a small-market team. the concession stands and have more themed nights inside the The concern in Ottawa is that the rage and anger that was palpable in Canadian Tire Centre in an effort to liven up a stale atmosphere. the marketplace 12 months ago has evaporated into apathy. It’s Little’s For an organization that has endured a number of controversies over the job to resuscitate interest in a franchise that has alienated a large portion past two seasons, Little is trying to rekindle the passion for pure hockey of its fan base. in this market – remembering that fans are not interested in soap-opera storylines that extend beyond the ice. “You need to understand the fan base, the customer base and where we’re falling short,” said Little. “Frankly, over the last few years there “They don’t want drama. They want an on-ice product that makes them have been some areas where – as every company goes through – you excited,” Little says of Sens fans. “We have to remember that people go lose sight of the customer. My first and foremost job is to get the to work and then want us to be as their after-work release. They want it customer back.” to be pure fun.” The business community in Ottawa has clearly lost faith in the direction Over the past couple of seasons, the Senators have bandied about a of the organization, with the decreased season ticket numbers serving as number of marketing slogans and taglines that have been met with tangible evidence of the disconnect. skepticism in the marketplace – whether it was ‘Ottawa Rising’, Many local retailers and shops have shied away from renewing or ‘Unparalleled Success’ or ‘The Kids Are Alright.’ purchasing season tickets, not wanting to align themselves with a Little, however, didn’t want to tip his hand for a future tagline or slogan for distressed entity that has languished near the bottom of the league the hockey club in the fall of 2020. standings in each of the past three seasons. He said the top priority was to re-establish a healthy dialogue and trust “It’s the local corporate community that has kind of put us on pause, vis- with the fan base. à-vis the season tickets,” Little admitted. “We need to go out and get that business community back.” “And then we’ll come up with a tagline,” he said. To that end, Little is going to be pounding the pavement himself, shaking TSN.CA LOADED: 02.13.2020 hands and trying to close deals with reluctant corporate leaders. With a wealth of experience for RBC and Shaw Communications, Little prides himself on being an honest, communicative dealmaker. While he’s worked his magic on a national level on Bay Street in Toronto, the questions linger over whether he can duplicate that success on Bank Street in Ottawa.

“I will become the face of the franchise. It’s not a role that I’m seeking, but it’s a role that I’m told is required,” he admitted. 1171682 Websites acknowledged this week that “we weren’t as strong as we needed to be” when they began their careers as teenagers from the legendary hockey town of Ornskoldsvik. TSN.CA / Examining former Vancouver Canucks Daniel Sedin and The Sedins averaged just 38 points per season over their first four years. Henrik Sedin's Hall of Fame credentials Coupled with an average of 54 points over their final six seasons, that’s 10 of their 17 seasons played below what most would consider Hall of Fame-calibre production. Frank Seravalli Their most unfavourable statistical comparison is fellow Swede . Both of the Sedins fall short of the long-time Senators captain in nearly every category: goals, points, points-per-game and postseason Banners with Nos. 22 and 33 have been popping up around Vancouver points-per-game. Like Alfredsson, the best the Sedins could do was one in the days leading up to Sedin Week, an entire homestand devoted to trip to the Stanley Cup Final. celebrating Henrik and Daniel Sedin. “It’s something we’ll regret for the rest of our lives,” Henrik said of losing What a scene it will be on Wednesday night as those numbers are raised to Boston in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. “But that’s part of hockey.” to the rafters – the twins forever inseparable, as they were their entire Alfredsson and the Sedins did help Sweden win gold at the 2006 careers. Olympics in Torino. Even with all of that on his resume, Alfredsson has It’s an honour the Sedins said they never could’ve imagined, given their been passed over by the Hall in each of his first two seasons of eligibility. start with the Canucks. The second and third-overall picks that GM Brian That isn’t to say Alfredsson won’t eventually be selected; it just illustrates Burke orchestrated in 1999 were labelled busts, criticized as too small the rightfully high bar that has been set. and too soft. The Sedins are arguably first-line members of Sweden’s all-time NHL “ Not at all,” Henrik Sedin said this week in an interview with TSN’s team. They are Hall of Fame people. They might not be Hall of Fame Farhan Lalji. “After the first few years, we didn’t really know what was players. going to happen. I think it’s pretty amazing that we’re sitting here today talking about our jersey retirement.” And they seem to be perfectly comfortable with that. The resounding ovation they will receive as they are feted in Vancouver this week is more The Sedins are Hall of Fame people. Their leadership, dedication to than they ever could have hoped for. community and charity and belief in standing up and being accountable – even in the face of criticism – makes them first-ballot entries in that class. “We feel that we’ve done the best we can with our talent and our careers,” Henrik said. “We worked hard. We can’t say that we could’ve But were the Sedins Hockey Hall of Fame-worthy players? done anything more – training-wise or the preparation. That’s all we can That debate will officially begin in 2021, their first year of eligibility. do. What other people say about us, that’s up to them. They have to Unofficially, the debate is already underway, and their merits seem to decide what they think of us. That’s how we think about it.” place them squarely on the borderline, their case as unique as their TSN.CA LOADED: 02.13.2020 symbiotic careers. Even they don’t know what to make of their candidacies.

“Honestly, we haven’t thought about that,” said Daniel. “We’ll take this week and then we’ll see what happens. For us, the players that are in the Hall of Fame are so great. We don’t really see ourselves that way. We’ll see what happens.” No set of twins has ever been inducted into the Hall at the same time. That’s the way it would have to be for Daniel and Henrik. There is no separating them. Their resumes are nearly identical: Both have more than 1,300 games played, both have more than 1,000 points, both individually won an Art Ross trophy as the league’s leading scorer. Henrik has a Hart Trophy (2009-10) as the league’s most valuable player; Daniel has a Ted Lindsay Award (2010-11) as the league’s most outstanding player voted by his fellow players. They even finished with the exact same points-per-game ratio of 0.80. It’s incredible. That joint entry might work against the Sedins in the eyes of the committee. A maximum of four players are allowed entry in each class; the Sedins would essentially need double the number of votes. That uniqueness also might be their best argument. They seemed to share one brain on the ice, connecting on blind backhand passes with ease and grinding opponents with a cycle game that operated in perfect harmony. They partially changed the way the game was played with the high-slot tip they made en vogue. “There’s no rocket science behind it,” Henrik said.

“We were on the same line since we were 12 years old,” Daniel said. “Not a lot of guys in the NHL have played together since they were 12 years old.” The Sedins dominated the NHL for a period of time, and they did it together. Henrik led the league in assists for three straight seasons during the stretch where they won those back-to-back scoring titles. They each had five seasons at a point-per-game or better, while Henrik collected two first-team All-Star votes and Daniel nabbed one first and one second- team selection. But the best argument against the Sedins’ selection for the Hall of Fame might be that their run of dominance was fleeting. The Swedish Twins, as termed in that memorable NHL commercial that still makes them blush, 1171683 Websites

USA TODAY / Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester 'in good spirits' after needing to be revived by defibrillator

Mike Brehm USA TODAY

Medical personnel had to use a defibrillator to revive St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester after he had a cardiac episode and became unresponsive on the bench during Tuesday night's game. Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said at a Wednesday news conference in Las Vegas that the defenseman "regained consciousness immediately" and is "doing very well" at UC-Irvine Medical Center in Orange, California. Captain Alex Pietrangelo said Bouwmeester was "in good spirits." Said Armstrong: "He is currently undergoing a battery of tests to determine the how and why of what happened last night, but things are looking very positive." The Blues gave an update on the 36-year-old and 17-year veteran after he collapsed with 7:50 left in the first period of the game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. "It happened so fast," Pietrangelo said. "It felt like it was an eternity for us, but we really just reacted as fast as we could. Everybody seemed like they wanted to help." The team stayed in the Los Angeles area after the game to make sure he was fine before heading to Las Vegas Wednesday. "It made everyone feel a lot better to know he was in good hands," said Pietrangelo, who had visited him at the hospital. "He was in good spirits last night with us and typical Jay, so it made us all feel a lot better today." Armstrong, who was not at the game, said he called Bouwmeester's wife, Devon, and she had not been watching. The defenseman's father, Dan, was at the game, though, as part of the team's dads' trip. "Having Jay’s father there was difficult for Dan but very good for Devon to have somebody to talk to," Armstrong said. The Blues' game against the Vegas Golden Knights Thursday night is still on. Tuesday night's game will be rescheduled at some point, and the full 60 minutes will be played. Armstrong said it was his understanding that the game will start with a 1-1 score. Armstrong said he sought advice from Dallas Stars general manager , who dealt with the collapse of Rich Peverley during a 2014 game, and Golden Knights president George McPhee had given him the name of counselors. The Blues placed Bouwmeester on the injured list Wednesday and recalled defenseman Niko Mikkola. The incident was shocking because of Bouwmeester's reputation for physical fitness.

“Jay is at the top of his profession as far as training and taking care of himself," Armstrong said. "It crystallizes how quickly things can change.” USA TODAY LOADED: 02.13.2020 1171684 Websites

USA TODAY / NBC says suspended hockey analyst Jeremy Roenick won't be returning

Mike Brehm USA TODAY

Jeremy Roenick, who was suspended by NBC Sports in December for making inappropriate remarks about his co-workers during a podcast, is no longer with the network. "He won’t be returning to NBC Sports. We have no further comment," an NBC Sports spokesperson told USA TODAY Sports in an email. Roenick also confirmed the news in a video message on his Twitter account. "I'm very disappointed and angry today," he said. "I will not be returning to NBC. Though disappointed, I'm also grateful that I had the opportunity to share my love, my passion, my knowledge of the game with millions of people, millions of fans and for that, I thank you." Roenick had been with NBC Sports since 2010 and played for 20 years in the NHL. He issued a public apology on Twitter last month for the "insensitive comments" he had made about Kathryn Tappen, and Anson Carter during an appearance on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast. Roenick thanked the fans who sent him messages of support. "Even though I am leaving NBC, I will not be gone long," he said. "I will be back better and more motivated to bring you the best entertainment and the best that I have for the game of hockey." USA TODAY LOADED: 02.13.2020