SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 12/19/2019 Anaheim Ducks 1166788 Ducks cannot handle new-look Devils 1166816 Robin Lehner, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are in 1166789 Ducks start quickly, but fail to pad their early lead in loss to full support of Blackhawks assistant coach Marc Crawford: Devils 1166817 Brent Seabrook has been a healthy scratch before. But 1166790 Ducks’ Troy Terry out 10 weeks with broken leg; Derek this one could be the beginning of the end for the Black Grant also sidelined 1166818 Duncan Keith returns from a groin injury but can’t save the 1166791 If the Ducks are playing better, and having more fun, then Blackhawks from a 4-1 loss to the Avalanche why aren’t they winning? 1166819 Blackhawks get Duncan Keith back, scratch Brent Seabrook in loss to Avalanche Arizona Coyotes 1166820 Players excited that Blackhawks decided to retain coach 1166792 Taylor Hall trade grades, reaction: Arizona Coyotes Marc Crawford receive rave reviews for acquisition 1166821 Scouting report: Blackhawks vs. Avalanche 1166793 Christmas ‘break’: A fluky injury will keep NHL referee Tim 1166822 Keith sounds off on Seabrook scratch after Blackhawks Peel home for the holidays get rocked by Avalanche 1166823 Duncan Keith returns against Avalanche, Brent Seabrook Boston Bruins a healthy scratch 1166794 Brad Marchand misses practice but Bruins expect him to 1166824 Blackhawks must start playing with more emotion: 'We play Thursday need to get a little pissed off' 1166795 The Bruins picked up a , but it was nothing to be 1166825 3 Takeaways: Blackhawks can't keep up with Avalanche proud of 1166826 Powers: Marc Crawford’s reinstatement and the question 1166796 Capitals back in the first slot of Week 12 NHL Power of accountability Rankings 1166797 Zach Senyshyn hopes to pick up where he left off 1166798 With Kovalchuk available, should Bruins seek external 1166827 Avalanche bracing for tighter games against Blackhawks options? 1166828 Avalanche bounces back with win against Chicago 1166799 Bruins guilty as charged of playing down to the Blackhawks competition — again 1166829 This has been a year of development for Martin Kaut in 1166801 Santa or Charlie McAvoy? Bruins dress up, spread holiday more ways than one cheer in annual hospital visits 1166830 Down Goes Brown: The 10 players that no NHL fan can 1166802 A poor fit for Bruins? Ilya Kovalchuk’s defensive game hate (except for all the ones that do) sends up all kinds of red flags 1166831 Avalanche dominate the Blackhawks in Chicago 1166803 The serious but also not-entirely-serious hunt for the 1166832 MacKinnon on the Hart Trophy: “That stuff is out of my Bruins’ biggest butt control, I’ve lost it before.” 1166804 Down Goes Brown: The 10 players that no NHL fan can 1166833 Avs Game 34 Grades: Winning in the Windy City hate (except for all the ones that do) 1166834 Avalanche respond to tough St. Louis loss with an easy dismissal of Chicago 1166805 Mittelstadt goes scoreless in Amerks' debut, a loss to Columbus Blue Jackets Devils 1166835 Blue Jackets 5, Red Wings 3 | 3-2-1 postgame breakdown 1166806 Jeff Skinner's slide is a real head-scratcher for Sabres' offense Dallas Stars 1166807 If Jack Eichel gets a point Thursday, he'll tie Gilbert 1166836 NHL announces tailgating is allowed at the Cotton Bowl Perreault for franchise record for the Winter Classic 1166808 Why former Sabres teammate Matt Moulson deserves an 1166837 What makes Roope Hintz’s shot so dangerous? It’s assist on Jack Eichel’s current scoring streak unorthodox and deceiving, even to his Stars teammates 1166838 Netflix and cards (and homework, too): How the Stars kill time on a team plane without WiFi 1166809 Flames waive Austin Czarnik, hoping to send winger to minors 1166810 'We have hope': Flames assistant GM Chris Snow 1166839 Blashill: Detroit Red Wings 'kind of played' like children in diagnosed with ALS loss to Columbus 1166811 Ward owes 'everything' to Canadiens head coach Julien in 1166840 Red Wings waive Eric Comrie, with Jimmy Howard his start behind the bench nearing return 1166812 Dillon Dube earns his spot, Austin Czarnik hits waivers as 1166841 Red Wings' Adam Erne relieved to finally get on the board Flames juggle roster in 'best game' 1166842 Red Wings waive Eric Comrie as Jimmy Howard nears return 1166813 Carolina Hurricanes are not the only ones profiting from 1166843 Jeff Blashill: Red Wings needed more from top players their playoff run 1166844 Jimmy Howard solid as Griffins win shootout in San Diego 1166814 Civian: I hereby declare the lacrosse ‘The Svech,’ 1166845 Danny DeKeyser’s lost season is a double-whammy for and there will be no further comment at this time the Red Wings 1166815 Down Goes Brown: The 10 players that no NHL fan can hate (except for all the ones that do) Philadelphia Flyers 1166846 One-time Oilers forward is Blues offensive weapon right 1166878 Important stretch ahead for Flyers’ kill, which is now missing some key players 1166847 Edmonton Oilers Game Day: Facing defending Stanley 1166879 Flyers fans and players tell Oskar Lindblom ‘we’re in this Cup Champions together’ 1166848 Oilers still singing the Blues when they play Cup 1166880 With help from Jakub Voracek, Carter Hart got his bed, is champions comfortable and here to stay 1166849 Lowetide: The key missing element to the Oilers’ brilliant 1166881 Flyers try to press forward as Oskar Lindblom undergoes top line cancer testing 1166882 David Kase 'winner in my family' after first NHL goal in Flyers win 1166850 DECEMBER 18 – NO SKATE IN COLUMBUS, 1166883 ‘Every win for the rest of the season is going to be for him’ MCLELLAN ON CHANGES, CLAGUE, TOFFOLI, the mantra as Flyers honor Oskar Lindblom’s requ LIZOTTE 1166851 WAKING UP WITH THE KINGS: DECEMBER 18 1166852 PREVIEW – @ SAN JOSE, 12/18 1166884 Penguins prospect Pierre-Olivier Joseph rebounds from 1166853 REIGN ADD BYRON, GAGNE mononucleosis 1166854 GOOD MORNING, COLUMBUS 1166885 Penguins hit outdoor rink during Canada road trip 1166886 Penguins place forward Stefan Noesen on waivers Minnesota Wild 1166887 Minor league report: Penguins shut out by Bruins 1166855 Wild-Arizona gameday preview 1166889 A wild night in Calgary: Another injury, an unlikely spark 1166856 Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk likely will start against Coyotes and magical moments from Tristan Jarry and Evgeni M 1166857 After month-long absence, Devan Dubnyk to get back in 1166890 By the numbers: Inside Penguins forward Bryan Rust’s big goal for Wild breakout Montreal Canadiens 1166858 Canadiens Notebook: Carey Price regains his form with 1166891 Coyotes 3, Sharks 2: Takeaways from another gut-punch some help loss in December 1166859 Canadiens captain Shea Weber earning some high praise 1166892 Sharks' power play 'problem' bites them again in 3-2 loss for his play to Coyotes 1166860 Stu Cowan: Canadiens might have finally found a partner 1166893 Sharks takeaways: What we learned in San Jose's 3-2 for Shea Weber loss to Coyotes 1166861 Canadiens prospect report: After slipping behind the curve, Jacob Olofsson is back on track St Louis Blues 1166862 A ‘borderline’ call against, another massive goal and why 1166894 Perron and the puck proving to be a dangerous pairing for Tomas Tatar matters so much to the Canadiens Blues 1166895 Gordo: Surging conference rivals create playoff race Nashville Predators gauntlet for Blues 1166863 Is this a 'season-defining' road trip for the Predators? 1166896 Blues notebook: Stitches for Parayko, but he'll take that Some of them think so trade 1166864 Consecutive road wins are encouraging, but can these 1166897 Preview: Blues vs. Edmonton Predators be trusted? 1166898 A milestone and a day off for Blues' Binnington 1166899 Rare home start for Allen in goal as Binnington rests New Jersey Devils 1166865 Devils open post-Taylor Hall era with win over Ducks Tampa Bay Lightning 1166866 Devils’ lines, pairings vs. Ducks (12/18/19) | Jesper Bratt 1166900 A harsh message was delivered. Will the Lightning’s Nikita still in Taylor Hall’s spot on top line Kucherov listen? 1166867 What Taylor Hall trade meant to Devils players 1166901 Nikita Kucherov returns to the Lightning lineup but ends up 1166868 Devils usher in post-Taylor Hall era with a win sitting 1166869 ‘I don’t think it’s a rebuild 2.0’: Breaking down what Ray 1166902 How Anthony Cirelli became the Lightning’s ‘engine’ and Shero, Devils said in the aftermath of the Taylor H why that complicates their summer cap crunch Maple Leafs 1166870 Islanders looking ahead to Bruins, not behind to rout by 1166903 The Goat finds his way (and the net) in Leafs’ fourth-line Predators battle 1166871 Three things to forget and three to remember from a night 1166904 Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly, harassing the Sabres’ where the Islanders ‘couldn’t get a stop’ Rasmus Asplund during Tuesday’s game, says success comes New York Rangers 1166905 Defenceman Timothy Liljegren is back with the AHL’s 1166872 Rangers welcoming brief respite Marlies after a brief spin with the Leafs. 1166873 Rangers’ Kaapo Kakko fighting to escape rough patch 1166906 Following the Toronto Raptors last season gave Taylor 1166874 Jacob Trouba living up to top-pair defenseman role with Hall some insights about the NBA. “There is a real sense Rangers 1166907 Leafs D-men Rielly, Barrie getting accustomed to creative 1166875 Down Goes Brown: The 10 players that no NHL fan can roles in offensive zone hate (except for all the ones that do) Ottawa Senators 1166876 GAME DAY: Nashville Predators at Ottawa Senators 1166877 Chabot carrying the load on the battered Senators blueline 1166922 Patrick Johnston: Key to Canucks' revival lies in forechecking aggression 1166923 Canucks at 50: The spurt, and the hurt, of first Stanley Cup final run in 1982 1166924 Canucks at 50: Snepsts had no answer for Game 1 gaffe 1166925 Canucks at 50: Bad pass, great goal fuelled Isles' 1982 Cup final sweep 1166926 Boucher breaks Comets' scoring record in 4-3 win over Senators 1166927 ‘He wants to play for the Canucks’: Elite prospect Vasili Podkolzin has sights set on starring in Vancouver Vegas Golden Knights 1166908 Golden Knights defensemen starting to chip in offensively 1166909 Down Goes Brown: The 10 players that no NHL fan can hate (except for all the ones that do) Washington Capitals 1166910 Capitals’ fourth-line players know their roles. It’s a reason for their success. 1166911 Capital One Arena moving to digital-only ticketing in 2020 1166912 Capitals vs. Devils: Time, TV Channel, Live stream, how to watch 1166913 Oshie grateful to other Capitals dads for reaching out to 'Coach Osh' during mentors' trip 1166914 Braden Holtby reveals playlist, plus other must-know tidbits about Caps players in new 'W Magazine' 1166915 Capitals Mailbag: How can the Caps jump-start the third line? 1166916 Inside Capitals top prospect Martin Fehervary’s life in Hershey Websites 1166929 The Athletic / Christmas ‘break’: A fluky injury will keep NHL referee Tim Peel home for the holidays 1166930 The Athletic / Pronman: Auditing the grades for the 2016 NHL Draft 1166931 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: The 10 players that no NHL fan can hate (except for all the ones that do) 1166932 .ca / 31 Thoughts: Who's next on the NHL rental market? 1166933 Sportsnet.ca / Canucks hope to prove they have mental toughness to dig out of struggles 1166934 Sportsnet.ca / How the defending champion Blues have survived losing Tarasenko 1166935 Sportsnet.ca / NHL Rookie Notebook: How last year's world junior stars are faring in NHL 1166936 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs finally dazzle with jaw-dropping skill in win over Sabres 1166937 Sportsnet.ca / Canucks' faith being tested after another loss drops them down standings 1166938 Sportsnet.ca / Flames stymied by Penguins as questions emerge about newfound offence 1166939 Sportsnet.ca / Why ‘heart and soul’ Jack Eichel is building a case for MVP 1166940 TSN.CA / Canada’s Hofer, Daws out to prove they can handle pressure on world stage 1166941 TSN.CA / Beyak: So far, so good for the Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Jets 1166918 Copp to join Perreault in Jets' sick bay 1166919 Has the Dustin Byfuglien saga experienced a change of heart? 1166920 GAME DAY: Chicago Blackhawks at Winnipeg Jets 1166921 JETS NOTEBOOK: Copp week-to-week as injuries continue to pile up for Jets SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1166788 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks cannot handle new-look Devils

Staff Report

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

DEC. 18, 2019 6:50 PM

Nico Hischier and Kyle Palmeiri scored second-period goals in their first game since linemate Taylor Hall was traded and the New Jersey beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 on Wednesday night.

Sami Vatanen also scored and Mackenzie Blackwood made 26 saves as the Devils gave interim coach Alain Nasreddine his second straight win. It marked only the fourth time this season New Jersey has won consecutive games.

Adam Henrique scored against his former team for the Ducks, who squandered an early 1-0 lead in losing to New Jersey for the first time in four games. Ryan Miller had 17 saves as Anaheim lost its second straight on a four-game East Coast trip.

Anaheim defenseman Michael Del Zotto had a hand in the Devils’ goals. He had a giveaway on Hischier’s goal early in the second period and was in the penalty box for interference when Palmieri gave New Jersey a 2-1 lead at 11:29 of the second.

The journeyman defenseman lost a battle with No. 1 overall draft pick Jack Hughes in the corner early in the third period, leading to Vatenen’s goal and a 3-1 lead.

Henrique gave Anaheim the lead, capping a 2-on-none with Ondrej Kase 3:33 after the opening faceoff.

The tide changed early in the second period when Del Zotto misplayed a puck sent around the boards. It deflected toward the net, where Jesper Bratt got the puck and found Hischier for a shot low in the right circle at 1:28.

Palmieri got his 13th of the season in the closing seconds of the penalty against Del Zotto. He made a toe-drag move on defenseman Cam Fowler and beat the screened from the right circle.

Vatanen extended the margin to two goals with a tally against his former team, and Blackwood made the lead standing up, making 11 saves in the final 20 minutes in giving New Jersey its first home win since Nov. 23 against Detroit.

LA Times: LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166789 Anaheim Ducks confidence, then you’re going to have a big problem within our organization.”

Ducks start quickly, but fail to pad their early lead in loss to Devils Orange County Register: LOADED: 12.19.2019

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

PUBLISHED: December 18, 2019 at 6:53 pm | UPDATED: December 18, 2019 at 8:23 PM

NEWARK, N.J. — Once again, the shots on goal weren’t the problem. The Ducks had plenty of them.

The quality chances weren’t the problem either. They had quite of few of those, too.

It was the actual scoring of goals that was the issue. They couldn’t get more than one.

“It’s a little bit of a broken record,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said after a 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday at Prudential Center, after they failed to build on an early lead, after they failed to click on a late power play, after they didn’t have “that extra oomph.”

One night after they tried and failed to rally from a two-goal deficit in a 4- 1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Ducks got the start they wanted and the one they needed. The Ducks took a 1-0 lead before many in the crowd of 13,936 had come in from out of the snow.

Adam Henrique scored 3:33 into the game for the Ducks, converting on a two-on-none break with Ondrej Kase against his former team. As has become their custom this season, the Ducks failed to pad their lead and paid the price when the Devils scored three consecutive goals.

Nico Hischier scored the tying goal for the Devils 1:28 into the second period and former Ducks Kyle Palmieri (power play) and Sami Vatanen scored the go-ahead and insurance goals as New Jersey won its first game since trading former NHL MVP Taylor Hall to the Arizona Coyotes on Monday.

“You get a good start, you get the lead and go from there, we’ve got to find a way to go get that next one,” Henrique said. “It’s the key right now, it seems like. We’re having a hard time right now getting two and three and putting our foot on the throat of the other team.

“It’s an area that has to improve. We’re getting opportunities. It’s a matter of putting them away.”

The Ducks outshot the Devils by 27-20, after outshooting the Flyers 41- 31 on Tuesday in Philadelphia and the New York Rangers 42-33 on Saturday at Honda Center. Scoring chances are always subjective, but the Ducks had more than enough good ones to score more than once Wednesday.

“Honestly, I don’t know why,” left wing Max Jones said. “It’s not like we’re not getting chances. I even had some Grade-A chances. The other night we had a lot of Grade-A chances. It’s pretty crazy. It’s just not working out for us right now. It’s OK. We’ve just got to keep looking forward.”

The Ducks’ anger and frustration was obvious to Eakins, stationed behind their bench. Such emotions can be good motivation for struggling players. After all, if they weren’t angry and frustrated it might indicate they don’t care or weren’t invested.

So far, that’s not been the case with the Ducks.

At least, that was Eakins’ viewpoint after the Ducks’ second consecutive loss to start their four-game trip that leads into the Christmas break next week. Their trip concludes with games Saturday against the Islanders and Sunday against the Rangers, teams they’ve already beaten once this season.

“You see the emotion on their faces,” Eakins said. “They come back to the bench. They missed a Grade-A chance. They fired at the goalie’s glove. They’re coming to the bench and I don’t expect these guys to be zombies. We want emotion. We encourage these guys to be themselves.

“I’m a big believer that confidence is a choice. I’m a big believer that frustration is a choice. If you’re going to choose to be frustrated, if you’re going to choose to be negative, or if you’re going to choose to not have 1166790 Anaheim Ducks Grant had nine goals, three shy of his career high, and three assists in 34 games. He was the Ducks’ fourth-leading goal scorer. He had formed perhaps the Ducks’ most consistent line, joining Nicolas Deslauriers and Ducks’ Troy Terry out 10 weeks with broken leg; Derek Grant also Carter Rowney. Larsson had one goal and two assists in 26 games. sidelined

Orange County Register: LOADED: 12.19.2019 By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | [email protected] | Orange County Register

PUBLISHED: December 18, 2019 at 6:35 pm | UPDATED: December 18, 2019 at 6:35 PM

NEWARK, N.J. — The medical news was bad for the Ducks on not one count, not two counts, but three counts Wednesday.

For starters, right wing Troy Terry suffered a broken right fibula after a knee-on-knee hit by Nicolas Aube-Kubel of the Flyers during the Ducks’ game Tuesday at Philadelphia and could be sidelined for up to 10 weeks, general manager Bob Murray said.

What’s more, center Derek Grant sprained his shoulder in a collision with the Flyers’ Ivan Provorov late in the Ducks’ 4-1 loss. Murray said he expected Grant would be out for between four and six weeks after what was an awkward but clean shoulder-to-shoulder hit.

Finally, Murray said defenseman Jacob Larsson was considered day to day because of an unspecified upper-body injury after an unpenalized hit from Aube-Kubel in the first period. Larsson was scratched from the Ducks’ game Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils.

“It was a bad night,” Murray said.

The Ducks recalled left wing Max Jones and center Isac Lundestrom from their AHL team, the San Diego Gulls. Jones had three goals and two assists in 23 games earlier this season with the Ducks. Lundestrom was scoreless in three games with the Ducks. Both were in the lineup Wednesday.

Murray also said left wing Nick Ritchie is making good progress from a sprained knee and could be back in the lineup sooner than later. The original estimate was that Ritchie would be sidelined for up to 10 weeks after he was hit late and low Dec. 6 by the Washington Capitals’ Radko Gudas.

Ritchie could be back in closer to six weeks, Murray said.

It’s a small consolation, though.

“We’ve got two kids under the age of 25 with knee problems because of hits,” Murray said, referring questionable checks on Terry, 22, and Ritchie, 24. “You applaud the league in what we’re doing because of the head things. You applaud the efforts being made.

“We can’t think these things with the knees are OK because knees end guy’s careers. Experience talking here. Knees (injuries) are not good things. We’ve just got to be careful with some of these things. I think both hits were avoidable. We can’t forget about them.

“We’re doing good things with the head, but let’s not forget about the other parts.”

Asked about the consistency, or lack thereof, of the supplementary discipline on lower-body hits such as the ones on Terry and Ritchie, Murray said, “We’ve kind of put George (Parros, the NHL’s punishment czar and a former Ducks enforcer,) in a box here.

“Rightfully so, we’ve got to be worried about concussions. I just think we should be very aware that some other things are sneaking back into our game that aren’t nice either. We have to be more open minded on all things and not just worry about heads.”

Terry had only three goals and five assists in 33 games this season, but had picked up his play in recent games, showing more confidence. Terry broke his tibia blocking a shot in a game last March 29 against the Calgary Flames and sat out for the rest of the Ducks’ season, plus all of the AHL playoffs.

“For me, (he’s played) with way more confidence,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said of Terry. “It’s like going up a mountain. You just keep taking steps. At one point, he comes through with no shots on net and he was over-passing the puck. The other night he had six or seven shot attempts.” 1166791 Anaheim Ducks has had little margin fir error. Gibson hasn’t been as stellar as when he had to prop up and often carry a bad team last season, but the Ducks have averaged just 2.37 goals in his 26 starts, marking the third-lowest If the Ducks are playing better, and having more fun, then why aren’t they offensive support in the league for a team’s primary goalie. winning? There is still an inability to finish regularly. And those are from the shots taken. There are also opportunities that are passed up for extra passes that result in turnovers. Clean one-timers that are rarely executed. By Eric Stephens Rebounds that aren’t found before defenders clear them away. On Tuesday, Flyers goalie Carter Hart showed he’s the real deal with 40 Dec 18, 2019 saves.

But to the question of quality chances, Eakins said, “There was plenty PHILADELPHIA — The last time the Ducks visited Wells Fargo Center enough to come out with more goals than we had.” before their appearance Tuesday night, there was an air of finality to it. This defeat was compounded by the loss of second-year winger Troy Forgettable, but notable when it comes to moments in the evolving Terry to an apparent knee injury. Terry had to be assisted off the ice, timeline of a franchise. unable to put any weight on his right leg after Philadelphia’s Nicolas Last February, as part of its 25th anniversary season, Anaheim plunged Aube-Kubel stuck out his leg and buckled Terry. into what was arguably the lowest depth over those years of existence. This could be the third long-term knee injury that’s befallen the Ducks. There were teams with worse records than the 2018-19 edition. The Josh Manson missed six weeks with a sprained MCL. Nick Ritchie is out terrible 2000-01 and 2001-02 clubs, back in the days of ties, had awful until at least the middle of January with a similar injury after Washington’s stretches. One year contained a 3-16-2 run. The other had spells of 0-7-2 Radko Gudas caught him with a dicey hip check. Now they await word on and 1-10-1. The hardly-Mighty Ducks were bad enough that they felt it how serious it is for Terry, one of the many youngsters who hasn’t broken was worth trading Teemu Selanne. through yet. But the Ducks never had a stretch like last season, in which they won Eakins has center Sam Carrick up as an extra forward and indicated that only two games out of 21 they played. Those victories came back to he can play the wing position. But if it’s a long-term injury for Terry, does back, providing a brief interruption. One winless streak reached 12 this mean that Daniel Sprong gets his shot with Anaheim this season? games. The other was seven regulation losses by a 37-8 composite Sprong, who recently conveyed his struggles in handling his assignment score. By the end of that, they were barely playing. An embarrassment of to San Diego with The Athletic, scored his seventh goal for the Gulls on a road trip that began in early February with a 9-3 loss at Winnipeg was Tuesday night and is their points leader. Might they see him as a capped in Philadelphia, when a 6-2 defeat was decided by four Flyers possibility to inject a scorer into their lineup and, if nothing else, hope to goals in a sad opening 20 minutes. build his trade value if he isn’t viewed as a long-term fit? It was the final game Randy Carlyle coached. Recalling that horrific time, The Ducks can’t afford to have one area of their game be substandard Rickard Rakell wasn’t certain the most successful coach in Anaheim’s because they don’t have the talent level to overcome their deficiencies. history was about to pay the price. But the winger had the feeling that a At least not until some of the kids — those presumed to make up the next seismic move was going to be made as they headed back home. core — take the step forward and start to contribute more consistently “Anybody could be gone from the team at that point in time,” Rakell (the forwards) or grab hold of spots begging to be claimed and not reflected. “That was how bad it was. No one was really safe.” fumble them away (the defensemen).

Much has changed. New coach. Different players. Different members of Often, they’ve played better than their record indicates. Not on Tuesday. a larger support staff. Stretches of strong play were interspersed with unforced errors and pucks that were turned over. Those among the Ducks who spoke Has it gotten any better in terms of the standings? No. The Ducks ended afterward lamented that some were too much on their own against the last season with the third-worst mark in the Pacific Division and Western Flyers. Conference. They’ve fallen further. A 4-1 loss to the Flyers on Tuesday left them with a 14-16-4 record as they sank into the Pacific basement, “And it’s interesting because when we were playing together, we were with only Chicago as the buoy to keeping them out of the conference playing very well,” Eakins said. “We were getting our chances. We cellar. weren’t playing in our zone. And then we would turn. We’d turn the puck back or we would try to beat guys individually. And yet the Ducks don’t feel that their situation is as bad as it got to 10 months ago. Some things Dallas Eakins have tried have not worked. A “You can’t win in this league by yourself, that’s for sure. And nor can we. central theme in this season has involved turning their best young We don’t have the top two superstars in the league or something like prospects into everyday NHL players. All have struggled more than the that, that can go out and win a game by themselves. It’s a great reminder club anticipated. Tuesday’s example was the decision to recall Jacob for us.” Larsson from San Diego and send Josh Mahura back down. Larsson Ryan Getzlaf has been around long enough to witness three firings then had an ugly drop pass for Rakell inside the Flyers’ blue line that behind the bench, along with his general manager taking up residence sprung Jakub Voracek, who cashed in the turnover for a 3-1 lead in the there before shuffling back up to his box. His focus was on shifting the third period and thwarted Anaheim’s comeback. team’s mindset to its game Wednesday at New Jersey, the second stop But other things have worked. An emphasis on greater puck possession of a four-game swing that will take them into New York this weekend. and aggressive involvement from smooth-skating defensemen Cam What happened in their last visit to Philly is old news. Of situations past Fowler and Hampus Lindholm has resulted in more play in the offensive and present, the captain said, “It’s hard to even compare those two.” end. More shots and scoring chances. They had 41 shots Tuesday after There was dissatisfaction with their overall performance against the getting a season-high 42 on Saturday against the New York Rangers. Flyers. They haven’t won consecutive games since the start of November They’re starting to flip the shot chart in their favor, holding the edge in 13 and that has been discouraging. But the center, like his teammates and of their last 19 contests. And a once-dormant power play has delivered in coach, remain firm in their belief that they are laying the groundwork for four straight games, with Lindholm’s point shot in the second period future success. being tipped in by Rakell. “We’ve been playing good hockey as of late,” Getzlaf said. “This was kind Eakins is also getting more offense from his veteran leaders. No one is of a hiccup for us tonight. I was a little frustrated that we came out with a among the NHL’s top 70 scorers. But Rakell became the third Ducks response like this after we’ve been playing good hockey. The nice thing player to move his goal total into double figures before the season’s is we get to go back at it tomorrow. halfway point. Adam Henrique will join with his next score. He also has received an unexpected nine goals from fourth-liner Derek Grant. Fowler “That’s always the nice thing about back-to-backs in this league. We has six, already surpassing his total from last season. don’t have to dwell on it. We can get ready and go prove ourselves again tomorrow.” Still, their defeat Tuesday was much like others. Plenty of shots — 64 attempted in all — but not enough crossing the goal line. John Gibson It’s been a lot of the same in the column that truly matters. The jury is out on whether Eakins is the one who will lead the Ducks back to prominence. They’ll need better performances from their top players, most notably the franchise backbone that is Gibson. The kids eventually must start to make a difference. Bob Murray still needs to upgrade the roster in certain areas and can’t solely rely on the improvement to come from within.

But the Ducks are better. The standings don’t reflect it, but the atmosphere is infinitely better. They’re playing for this new coach after reaching a miserable end with the old one. They’ve enjoyed the more aggressive system that is in place. The quality of play has risen, even if little of that has reflected on the scoreboard.

It just takes a magnifying glass to see how much better it is.

“We still feel like we’re playing good,” Rakell said. “We’re having fun when we’re playing. And I think we’re still working towards something. We still feel like we’re putting in the work and not just beating ourselves.

“The right mentality is there for us to achieve good things. We just haven’t been able to put two and two together, I guess.”

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166792 Arizona Coyotes Ryan Lambert writes: "So now it falls to the Coyotes coaching staff to get out of Hall what New Jersey couldn’t, and what it seemingly can’t from Phil Kessel so far this year. But you gotta make the trade to win it, so Taylor Hall trade grades, reaction: Arizona Coyotes receive rave reviews they’re giving themselves the chance. Which is more than you can say for acquisition for anyone else who needed Hall just as much."

TSN: Coyotes land Taylor Hall in low-risk, high-reward trade with Devils

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic Frank Seravalli writes: "Monday’s move sent a clear signal to the rest of the NHL that Arizona is in it to win it. The window is open and the Published 8:35 a.m. MT Dec. 18, 2019 | Updated 8:36 a.m. MT Dec. 18, Coyotes are bounding through it. Arizona entered Monday’s action in first 2019 place in the Pacific Division after 35 games played for the first time since 2011-12. With Taylor ‘Howl’ in the fold, the case could even be made that

the Coyotes are the team to beat now in the Pacific. They are stingy The Arizona Coyotes made a huge splash earlier this week when they defensively, allowing the second-fewest goals against in the West, but acquired winger Taylor Hall from the New Jersey Devils in a deal that they needed help offensively. Bingo. They’ve added a potential game- also saw Arizona land Blake Speers. breaker now and that’s bad news for the Edmonton Oilers or Calgary Flames - or any team in the Pacific that might have been banking on the New Jersey received three prospects, a 2020 first-round pick (top-3 Coyotes coming up limp." protected) and a conditional third-round selection in 2021 in the trade.

NHL pundits loved the deal for the Coyotes. They raved about the acquisition of Taylor Hall in their grades and reaction to the trade. Arizona Republic LOADED: 12.19.2019

Check out the early reviews for Arizona's acquisition of the winger.

Steve Kournianos writes: "The Yotes can taste their first playoff berth since 2012. They sit in first place in the Pacific Division with 42 points and their 82 goals against is the second-lowest allowed in the Western Conference. Their attack has been more timely and opportunistic than it has been consistent, as they sit tied for 25th in shooting percentage (8.5 percent) and 5-on-5 scoring chances for (47.8 percent). Hall brings them a dimension they haven’t enjoyed in some time — an individual who can carry a line by himself while producing at close to a point-per-game rate. Arizona’s scoring by committee might work in the regular season but adding Hall ensures they have a bonafide star to lean on when the going gets tough. The fact that they were able to retain prized prospects Barrett Hayton and Victor Soderstrom, in addition to making New Jersey retain half of Hall’s remaining $6 million salary, makes the move even sweeter for Coyotes fans."

Dave Stevenson writes: "It’s about time the Coyotes give the state of Arizona something to rally behind. They’re a really fun team and I think this trade is going to do wonders for them both on and off the ice. Even if they can’t keep Hall around, it’s going to get people excited about the Coyotes."

Emily Kaplan writes: "The Arizona Coyotes land a huge prize in 2018 Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall, while the New Jersey Devils help restock for a rebuild."

Kent Somers writes: "So the praise the Coyotes and General Manager John Chayka are receiving for acquiring forward Taylor Hall in a trade on Monday is deserved. Hall, if he plays as a former league MVP is expected to, fills a need, which is better than the alternative of creating one. Rarely have Coyotes fans have been given this big a reason to be excited."

Arizona Coyotes left wing Taylor Hall (91) in action during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose.

Dan Falkenheim writes: "Through 36 games, the Darcy Kuemper–Antti Raanta tandem is tied for the league’s highest combined save percentage. No surprise there. With somewhat consistent offensive output, Arizona hasn’t fallen below .500 since Oct. 15. And with his first point in Tuesday's win, Taylor Hall is already fitting in."

NBC Sports: Trade for Taylor Hall a huge win for Arizona Coyotes

Adam Gretz writes: "This is a huge win for the Coyotes because it gives them the exact type of player they need at minimal cost. They have the defense and goaltending to compete right now, while the addition of Hall gives them the front-line scorer they desperately need. It also continues to show the Coyotes are all-in on trying to win right now. They made a huge splash over the summer by acquiring Phil Kessel from the Pittsburgh Penguins, and now picked up a former league MVP just a few months later. And they did so without having to give up a significant part of their future. None of the prospects involved are among the Coyotes’ top young players, while the condition on the first-round pick protects them in the event the miss the playoffs and land a top-three pick in the lottery." 1166793 Arizona Coyotes Peel’s right leg buckles underneath him and he drops to the ice. He lay there briefly, but then used his left leg to power himself up.

“I knew it wasn’t good, but at first I thought it was a high-ankle sprain Christmas ‘break’: A fluky injury will keep NHL referee Tim Peel home for because I didn’t hear anything snap or pop,” Peel said. “So I stood up the holidays and tried to put some pressure on the (right) foot, and I realized then that I was unable to. I was lucky enough that the bench was right there and I just hopped over the boards.” By Jeremy Rutherford On the Chicago radio broadcast, analyst Troy Murray, a former NHL Dec 18, 2019 center who played 15 years in the league, said on-air that it was the first time he had ever seen a referee jump over the boards like he was doing

a line change. Tim Peel has watched the replay and still can’t figure out how it On the Arizona bench, while play was carrying on, goalie Antti Raanta happened, how a sequence he’s skated thousands of times during his 22 and defenseman Alex Goligoski seemed surprised to see what was years as an NHL referee ended in a fractured ankle. happening and quickly cleared room. Making it even more painful for Peel is that it happened on the same day “They were kind of shocked to see me come over the boards,” Peel said. the league assigned him to the 2020 All-Star Game in his adopted “I don’t think they had any idea what was going on.” hometown of St. Louis, a dream that’s been ruled out after surgery. Coyotes assistant athletic trainer Don Fuller comes over to the end of the Peel will miss three to four months, and maybe the rest 2019-20 season, bench, and once he’s aware, he takes Peel back for an immediate X-ray. but because he had already agreed to work the 2020-21 season before retiring, this isn’t expected to be the end of his career. “The first thought that went through my mind was, ‘Am I going to be able to get back for the All-Star Game?'” he said. “So they did the X-ray and “It’s frustrating because it’s the first time that I’ve ever been out with an said I had a broken fibula and they’d like to operate now. I said, ‘How injury,” Peel said. “I broke a few ribs probably six or seven years ago in long is recovery?’ and they said, ‘Three months.’ I said, ‘I don’t want that L.A. Alec Martinez took a slap shot and broke a couple ribs, but I was because I’d like to work the All-Star Game in six weeks.'” able to work through that. I’ve had meniscus surgeries and things like that, but I’ve always had them in the summertime. So it’s the first time After Peel’s ankle was placed in a cast, Arizona coach Rick Tocchet and that I’ve ever been home during the season.” Ekman-Larsson walked into the room to check on him.

Peel would have worked the St. Louis-Edmonton game Wednesday, “I’ve known Timmy over the years and I respect Timmy – he’s a veteran followed up by Winnipeg-Minnesota game Dec. 21 and the New Jersey- guy,” Tocchet said. “You can bark at him, he’ll bark at you, but the next Chicago game Dec. 23. He’d like to be working, but if there’s a silver time you see him, it’s OK. I like those refs and that’s Tim Peel. He’s just lining, he’ll be home for the Christmas break and beyond with wife, an old-school ref. I told him, ‘Sorry, man. I feel horrible for you.’ He didn’t Tesha; son, Bronson, 10; and daughter, Brielle, 5. know if he was going to rehab it or have a plate put in it.”

“I’m a very lucky man,” Peel said. “Tesha is an amazing woman. She “I didn’t think it was that bad, but then I found out he broke his ankle,” runs the house while I’m gone eight months of the year and she never Ekman-Larsson said. “I went in to talk to him to see how he was feeling complains. She’s a phenomenal mother and wife, and she’s happy to and he was in good spirits. It sucked for him. I just said, ‘I wanted to have me home – not so much to help out, but we love spending time check up on you and you’re doing OK.’ He didn’t know he was going to together as a family. So it’s an opportunity, especially over the holidays, have surgery at that time.” to be home a lot more than I would have been if I had still been on the ice.” Still in shock, Peel said those visits left a strong impression with him.

On the morning of Dec. 12, Peel was in Arizona for a game against “It’s funny because we’ve all yelled and got mad at each other on the ice, Chicago. At 9 a.m., he received an email from NHL director of officiating but at the end of the day, we’re all in it together,” he said. Stephen Walkom, notifying Peel that he had been assigned to work the After the game, Peel was on crutches when he left the officials’ room All-Star Game at Enterprise Center on Jan. 26. headed toward a car that would take them back to their hotel. It was at “I was extremely happy,” Peel said. “Stephen is the best boss I’ve ever the same time, coincidentally, as Toews was leaving the Chicago had, so I wasn’t completely surprised that I got it since I live in St. Louis. dressing room. He’s really good that way, and he knew what it would mean to me to “He asked me what happened,” Peel said. “I said, ‘Well, unfortunately, work the game in front of my family and friends in my home city.” you fell on my ankle and broke my fibula.’ He felt terrible, of course, Peel immediately phoned his wife. because he’s a great guy. He didn’t even realize that he had done it. It was just one of those freak accidents.” “We were so excited,” Tesha said. “We had hoped he would get the All- Star Game so it would be an experience the kids would never forget.” Like the Arizona coach and captain, Toews didn’t let the nature of the referee-player relationship affect his concern. The excitement, however, lasted about 12 hours. “We’ve had our moments, him and I, but you respect a guy like that Arizona was leading Chicago, 4-1, in the third period when the who’s time and time again out there doing his job,” Toews said. “He’s one Blackhawks’ Dominik Kubalik backhanded a puck back into the offensive of the best to do it. It sounded like he was supposed to ref the All-Star zone and teammate Jonathan Toews dug it out of the corner. The Hawks Game in St. Louis, which was something he was really looking forward captain had the Coyotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson on his tail, and to.” as the two came up ice, Peel tried to step out of their way. Flying back to St. Louis to meet with Washington University orthopedic “I’ve watched the replay,” Peel said. “It was just a play that happens all surgeon Matt Matava, who is the Blues’ team physician, Peel was still the time, where they kind of bump up the wall, I went to bump out and I holding out hope that he could avoid surgery. don’t know if Toews got tripped or he just stumbled, but the next thing I know, he fell on my ankle.” “I’m thinking I’ll just rehab the heck out of it, and I’ll be fine,” he said. “But Dr. Matava took another X-ray and goes, ‘You need surgery. There’s no Toews couldn’t pinpoint how it happened, either. way you’re rehabbing a broken fibula.’ I probably asked him two or three times if there was anything else we could do, and he said, ‘Unfortunately, “I don’t really know,” he said. “I know (Peel) told me it was when I was no.’ I was extremely upset. I went home after the appointment, and the jamming, trying to get the puck out of his feet. But I don’t remember first person I saw when I pulled in the driveway was my wife. When I got making contact, twisting my stick in there. I’m not sure what happened out of the car, I broke down in tears because I was so disappointed that exactly.” my season might be over.” And all that Ekman-Larsson saw was the aftermath. “It was tough seeing him so upset about it,” Tesha said. “I didn’t even “Me and Toews got tangled up a little bit and it looked like Toews fell on have to see him. I knew it wasn’t good by his voice, and of course his leg,” he said. “(We) were in a battle and he kind of fell over Tim’s leg.” because he was hurting, I got choked up. He was really hoping to be off a while and rehab without surgery. When you surgery, it seems like a more serious issue.”

Peel had the surgery Saturday, during which a plate and seven screws were inserted into his right ankle. He’ll be in a cast for the next two weeks, and if everything is healing well at that point, he’ll be put in a boot for the following four weeks. It’ll be a minimum of 8-10 weeks before he can get back on the ice and three to four months before he could referee again.

“I don’t want my season to end like this,” Peel said. “If it’s three months, there’s a chance I can come back. If it’s four months, I’m going to miss the entire season. There’s no other way to say it except it would suck. I don’t want to be on the shelf for the rest of the season and not be out there with my teammates.”

Fortunately for Peel, who was planning to retire in 2020, the NHL approached him last December and asked him to come back in 2020-21. So whether he returns this season or not, barring any long-term effects from the injury, he should work again.

“I’m so thankful to (Walkom) and the because if it wasn’t for that, it would be a lot tougher to take right now than what it is,” Peel said. “This would probably be the end of my career, and that would be a really disappointing way to finish it, on a play like that, and not being able to skate on the ice one more time knowing it’s my last game.”

But while Peel is confident he’ll be back at some point, there’s incentive for him to come back before the end of the 2019-20 regular season. That’s because NHL referees aren’t allowed to participate in the postseason in their final year before retirement, which would be 2020-21 for him.

“If I’m unable to get back on the ice this season, it means last year will be the last time I’ll ever work the playoffs in the NHL again, which kind of makes me sad,” Peel said. “You just want to be one of those guys who gets selected for the playoffs because it’s the best hockey and the best time of the year. So hopefully I can get back to that – we’ll see.”

In the meantime, Peel is in St. Louis spending time with family.

“We never get him home for any length of time during the winter, so I’m looking forward to it and I know the kids are, too,” Tesha said. “He will be home for everything, including all the holiday get-togethers. He misses a lot of events, so this is going to be great!”

On Sunday, one day after surgery, Peel attended Bronson’s hockey game.

“I’ve missed out on pretty much all of his hockey this winter, so it will give me an opportunity to see him play, which will be fantastic,” he said. “And Brielle, she’s a big horseback rider, and I’ll be able to go to her horseback riding events and be able to go to school plays. When I get the cast off, hopefully I’ll be a bit more mobile and do some more stuff with the kids.”

Tim Peel lays in bed with son Bronson, 10, and daughter Brielle, 5. (Courtesy Peel family)

There’s one other event Peel will be able to attend – the All-Star Game.

“I’ll still go to the game and the events with my family,” he said. “I’ll just be watching it from the stands instead of the ice. Hopefully I can still be able to take my kids down and have some of the access that you have when you’re officiating the game. The kids are excited to go, and they just can’t wait to meet some of the All-Stars.”

The Athletic’s Scott Powers and Craig Morgan contributed information to this story.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166794 Boston Bruins “Sheet’s the same size everywhere, really. You want to say you’ve got an advantage at home, you like to think with your own fans there. But it’s tough to play anywhere in the NHL, no matter what sheet you’re on.”

Brad Marchand misses practice but Bruins expect him to play Thursday

Boston Globe LOADED: 12.19.2019 By Frank Dell’Apa Globe Correspondent

December 18, 2019, 2:02 p.m.

Coach Bruce Cassidy expects Brad Marchand to be available when the Bruins host the New York Islanders on Thursday night. But Cassidy worked on contingency plans as Marchand took a maintenance day while the team practiced at Warrior Ice Arena on Wednesday.

That included dropping Patrice Bergeron to the second line, though there is little chance he would play there on game day.

“I shouldn’t say no,” Cassidy said of Bergeron changing lines. “Marchy’s out, so someone has to go up there without messing up all the other lines, so we just plugged him in there. If Marchy can’t play people have got to move around.”

Cassidy talked about moving up Anders Bjork, Charlie Coyle, Danton Heinen, Par Lindholm, Brett Ritchie, or Chris Wagner.

“We’ve got some options,” Cassidy said. “I haven’t thought that far ahead because I assume Marchy will be ready to play. If not, we’ll have to look at it closer tomorrow.”

Marchand (18-33—51), who assisted on Heinen’s goal in the 4-3 loss to the Kings on Tuesday night, has not missed a game this season.

Zach Senyshyn returned to practice for the first time since going out with a lower-body injury Nov. 12, and has been activated by the team.

“It’s been a long time coming, definitely it’s been nice to finally be back with the guys and back on the ice,” Senyshyn said. “I’m feeling really good, and it’s been great to work with the coaches. I’m feeling better and better each day, so I’m getting excited.”

Senyshyn produced two assists in four games before being injured.

“It was definitely devastating to kind of . . . it’s my dream to play in the NHL and especially to put on that Spoked-B and to have that taken away is always tough, even though there’s really nothing you can do about it,” he said. “But again, just kind of add it to the motivation of just kind of setting me up for a big comeback here. And I’m excited about it.

“It’s just watching the other guys and just kind of being able to learn everything I can about the guys that are doing such great things in this organization. But again, remembering the things I was able to do well, as well, and earn coaches’ trust a little bit, and build off that. But again, just watching the other guys and soaking up as much as possible is what I’m focusing on at this point.”

Senyshyn has been rehabilitating in Providence, and will return to action there.

“My guess is because he hasn’t played that much at this level he’d probably need games to get ready,” Cassidy said. “It’s [been] all even- strength minutes and you can get lost in that role, as you’ve seen with Brett [Ritchie]. That’s where I saw [Senyshyn] did a decent job for us. For a young guy, if he doesn’t play, sometimes their mind wanders, they lose focus. But I thought he went out, stayed true to his game, got on pucks, protect in the O-zone. I thought he influenced the play well for us for the most part. So, too bad he got hurt, because I thought he was gaining a little confidence there and we could see what we had. So, he has to start over a little bit, but hopefully he picks up where he left off and gains a little confidence because there’s a role for him in this league.”

No place like it

The Bruins, 12-1-6 at home, will play six of their next eight games at TD Garden.

“We love playing at home, playing in front of our fans, using our own facilities, spend more time with each other,” Sean Kuraly said. “We’ll do our best to take advantage of it, play hard, and get the rest when we need it. 1166795 Boston Bruins The assist was No. 33 this season for Marchand, who began the night ranked fourth overall in the league for “helpers.” He now has picked up at least one assist in his last five games. Earlier this season, the Li’l Ball The Bruins picked up a point, but it was nothing to be proud of o’Hate went 12 straight games with at least one helper, collecting a total of 18 over that stretch.

Cassidy changed up his D pairings in the second, reuniting the Zdeno By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff Chara-Carlo duo from Carlo’s rookie year. That put the goal-less Charlie McAvoy with Torey Krug. It was a move made, in part, to try to buy December 17, 2019, 9:49 p.m. McAvoy some more shooting room.

“That was more [to defend] against Kopitar,” explained Cassidy. “And it Winter is almost here and the Bruins are now in the thick of the NHL frees Charlie up to be more on the attack. We will do that going forward. season. And with plenty of points (49) already in the bank, a playoff berth We’ve done that the last two weeks here and there . . . it allows Charlie all but a certainty, they’re also still trying to put their 60-minute game some shift that maybe he gets going on the offensive side. back in full working order. McAvoy remains without a goal, but he did land a team-high six shots on They almost got there Tuesday night, only to see a 3-2 lead early in the net. third period suddenly disappear and end up a 4-3 overtime loss to the LA The Kings moved to a 2-1 lead only 2:45 into the second with the help of Kings on Causeway St. a power play — the Boston power play. Working up front on the PK, Two points became 1, in large part because of spotty goaltending by Adrian Kempe broke in alone from the blue line, with David Pastrnak in Tuukka Rask (now 0-2-2 in his last four), some inconsistent puck pursuit, and he tucked a doorstep backhander through Rask’s five-hole management, and the lingering bugaboo of lack of finish around the net, for his fifth goal of the season. A bad giveaway by Pastrnak. on a night when the Bruins outshot the Kings, 40-27, and won nearly two- Bergeron pulled the Bruins even for a second time, 2-2, midway through thirds of the faceoffs. the second, connecting on a sweeping wrist shot at 10:44. Rare for Most nights, good enough to win, particularly if Rask’s netminding is on Bergeron to shoot from long-range (approx. 40 feet), likely an indication the mark. the bench was encouraging more shots and less playmaking.

“You’re out there, you’ve got to give your team a chance to win,” said Cassidy clearly wasn’t happy about the goaltending. Rask, who was nearly unbeatable through November. “You have to make “You expect certain key saves at the key times,” he said. “We didn’t get those timely saves — and I didn’t make any. That’s the result, you end up ’em, and then we didn’t extend the lead at key times. I look at both sides losing . . . but, moving on.” of it. We certainly did enough offensively to win the hockey game.” “I certainly thought we played well enough to win,” added coach Bruce

Cassidy, his club now scuffling along at 1-4-2 over the last seven games. “I’m not very happy getting only 1 point tonight — some nights you are Boston Globe LOADED: 12.19.2019 satisfied. But in terms of how we played the game, the process part of it, there were better things than there were two weeks ago.”

After Matt Roy’s goal pulled the Kings into a 3-3 tie late the third, Anze Kopitar scored with 1:37 remaining in overtime to cap the Kings’ comeback victory.

Roy ripped off a 58-foot one-time slapper with 2:01 remaining in regulation to force the OT. The strike came with ex-UMass tender Jonathan Quick out of the LA net in favor of an extra attacker.

Patrice Bergeron, Danton Heinen (goal, assist) and Brandon Carlo scored for the Bruins. Carlo’s goal, his third this season, broke a 2-2 tie early in the third period.

Carlo was helped on his goal by Roy, who blocked Quick’s vision on an otherwise clear, easy shot by the Bruins defender. Roy was unnecessarily parked too close to Quick and Carlo’s shot, meant simply to put a puck around the net, was in the net for the 3-2 lead with 1:24 gone in the third period.

Heinen assisted on the go-ahead goal, leaving him with 2 points for the night. He had but a lone assist over his previous 10 games.

The first shot of the night went in for the Kings, not long after the Bruins were charged with a penalty for too many men on the ice. Left open in the high slot on the power play, Jeff Carter snapped off a long wrister and Blake Lizotte provided the front porch redirect on Rask. Crowns, 1-0, with only 2:17 burned off the clock.

Not the start Rask wanted. He entered the might mired in a 0-2-1 losing streak. He needs to be sharper off the hop — even if he is facing a power play.

“It’s a team game,” noted Rask. “I’m expecting to make those saves every night. Sometimes they squeak by . . . even the tying goal [by Roy], it doesn’t matter if I don’t see it, I’m expected to make that save. Then overtime . . . there’s three timely saves you don’t make. Like I say, moving on . . . better next time.”

The Bruins needed nearly the remainder of the period to get even, 1-1, with a power-play strike of their own. Heinen provided the equalizer, with a clever right boot redirect of a Brad Marchand dish from the left wing circle. The refs first made certain, via video, that Heinen had not used a distinct kicking motion to guide the puck by Quick. After the forensic check, the goal stood, No. 6 this season for Heinen. 1166796 Boston Bruins 22. New York Rangers: They were close to coming out of their early season horror but then had a rough road trip carry over at MSG with a bad loss to the Preds.

Capitals back in the first slot of Week 12 NHL Power Rankings 23. San Jose Sharks: Speaking of disappointing, when are the Sharks going to play hockey games with a goalie?

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald 24. Montreal Canadiens: It feels like their awful slump in November may have sunk the Habs. December 18, 2019 at 5:55 am 25. Columbus Blue Jackets: They lost to the Senators, so any hope they might be okay probably isn’t there anymore. But hey, Anthony Duclair.

We know who the good teams are, and they’ll likely remain the better 26. Chicago Blackhawks: They have two really good goalies that would teams for the whole season. But the top of the rankings have been put some other teams over the edge, but there just isn’t enough in shuffled up yet again due to the general streaky nature of the National Chicago. Hockey League. 27. Anaheim Ducks: Winning hockey games would be a good start. 1. Washington Capitals: If they hadn’t lost to the Jackets last week, almost everything would be perfect in Capitals land. 28. Ottawa Senators: Once again, the Senators aren’t the most dreadful team in the league, which is a positive development, unless of course 2. Colorado Avalanche: Before falling to the Blues earlier in the week you’re invested in their draft positioning. they had a nine-game point streak, and they’re doing this with players dropping like flies. 29. Los Angeles Kings: Boy, Jonathan Quick really can’t play anymore.

3. New York Islanders: They still don’t give up goals and that’s good for a 30. New Jersey Devils: They don’t get a hall pass for trading Taylor Hall, team that doesn’t score goals. It’s enough to keep getting results. and made everything worse by causing Twitter to flood with Hall and ‘Yotes puns. 4. St. Louis Blues: Even without Vladimir Tarasenko the Blues have powered through even after a couple of rough patches. They appear 31. Detroit Red Wings: It’s December and they have nine wins and 23 back on track. losses and that is not, as the kids say, good.

5. Boston Bruins: It’s been a real rough stretch with a five-game losing streak snapped on Saturday in Florida, but they still have a long way to Boston Herald LOADED: 12.19.2019 go.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins: Tristan Jarry?

7. Carolina Hurricanes: When they score goals they’re excellent, their only losses in December have come when they can’t find the net, though.

8. Arizona Coyotes: They barely sent a haul for Taylor Hall and that’s plenty to howl about. A tailor made trade.

9. Winnipeg Jets: It might really be time to think about Connor Hellebuyck as an MVP candidate. What that team is doing is amazing and it’s thanks to their goalie.

10. Philadelphia Flyers: Still unsure if the Flyers are good, please hold.

11. Vegas Golden Knights: Maybe the Golden Knights are who we thought they were. They’ve won seven out of 10 heading into Tuesday night.

12. Dallas Stars: Sans Jim Montgomery at the helm, the Stars had a five- game point streak that just came to an end. They were playing well, and there’s no reason to think that would stop.

13. Minnesota Wild: The Minnesota turnaround has been, ahem, wild.

14. Florida Panthers: They have so many pieces to make up a good team, but just when Sergei Bobrovsky started playing well the offense went quiet. There has to be a way to put it all together.

15. : A solid Western Canada road trip has the Leafs likely feeling more positive than they have all season.

16. Calgary Flames: They won seven in a row so maybe the Flames are finally catching fire.

17. Buffalo Sabres: At least Jack Eichel is on an absolute tear.

18. Edmonton Oilers: It’s almost as if their lack of depth is coming back to bite them.

19. Vancouver Canucks: For such a talented and fun team it sure seems like they might still be a season or so away from being for real. November was rough.

20. Tampa Bay Lightning: It’s impossible to pinpoint just what has gone wrong in Tampa. It’s not like they’re bad, they just don’t seem to have recovered from their first round loss.

21. Nashville Predators: It’s kind of insane to think that goaltending is what’s sinking the Predators but overall they have to be one of the top three disappointments in the league this season. 1166797 Boston Bruins Karson Kuhlman (leg) and Anton Blidh (shoulder) continued to skate. …

Isles no slouches

Zach Senyshyn hopes to pick up where he left off The Islanders are not often mentioned among the league’s elite, but they’ve been impressive. With three games in hand on the B’s, they’ve won one more game (22) and have just one more regulation loss (8). The By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald Isles got pasted at home by the Predators, 8-3, and the B’s should expect them to be ready to atone on Thursday at the Garden. PUBLISHED: December 18, 2019 at 5:00 pm | UPDATED: December 18, 2019 at 7:26 PM

Boston Herald LOADED: 12.19.2019

Over four years have passed since the Bruins surprised most draft-niks by selecting Zach Senyshyn with the 15th overall pick in 2015 and it has been a long, slow climb for Senyshyn to make any kind of impact in meaningful NHL games. And once he did, don’t you know it, Senyshyn suffered a knee injury that has kept him out of the lineup for almost five weeks now.

But Senyshyn returned to skate with the Bruins for the first time since suffering the injury on Nov. 12 against Florida and, though coach Bruce Cassidy said he’d most likely have to go down to Providence to get his game going (it’s a long time to be out for someone with very little NHL experience), the coach was encouraged enough by Senyshyn’s play before he got hurt to believe he could help the club fill the hole on the right side that the coach now freely acknowledges.

Cassidy sees the right-shot Senyshyn as more of a third line player than a top six wing, but if he could play like he did before he got hurt that could free up an Anders Bjork and Danton Heinen to move up.

The coach liked Senyshyn’s focus in particular in the four games (two assists) he played.

“He did his job,” said Cassidy. “He’s one of those guys who hasn’t earned his way yet so we haven’t used him on the power play or penalty kill, it’s all even-strength minutes, so you can get lost some nights in that role. We’ve seen that with Brett (Ritchie) a little bit, getting that motor turned on when you’ve got to sit for extended periods. And that’s where I thought (Senyshyn) did a decent job for us when he didn’t play. As a young guy, sometimes the mind wanders. I thought he went out and stayed true to his game and got on pucks, protected them in the O-zone. I thought he influenced the play well for us. It’s too bad when he got hurt. He was starting to gain a little bit of confidence and we were starting to see what we had. So he has to start over a little bit. Hopefully he picks up where he left off, whether it’s here or Providence and gains a little bit of confidence knowing that there is a role for him in this league.”

Senyshyn hasn’t shown the scoring touch in the pros that he did in junior (he scored 87 goals in his last two season with the Soo Greyhounds) but his size (6-1, 192 pounds) and speed are still a coveted combo. Understandably, Senyshyn was crushed when he got injured.

“It was definitely devastating,” said Senyshyn. “It’s my dream to play in the National Hokey League and in particular to put on that spoked B. To get that taken away is always tough, even though there’s nothing you can do about it. But again, I just want to add it to the motivation and set me up for a big comeback here and I’m excited about it.”

When and if Senyshyn can get back into the Boston lineup — he’s not at the point where he can take that for granted — Cassidy is not inclined to use him with David Krejci, but he didn’t completely rule it out, either.

“Right now I wouldn’t put him in there because I haven’t seen the finish of a top six, but with our hole there where we’ve used different guys, so there’s nothing to say he wouldn’t get an opportunity there if and when that situation dictates itself,” said Cassidy. “But (he’s) probably more a third line guy that could compliment a guy like Charlie Coyle who hangs on to the puck. He can win some races. He’s not a guy who’s going to drive a line, we don’t expect that anyways. But he can support it with some good speed and he can get to the the net. And he did that with Charlie, so that was encouraging. Then we’d want to grow his role like we’ve done with Bjork on the penalty kill. That’s probably where he’d get a look because of his speed. He’ll just have to work on his angles and his stick like Anders has done.”

Injury updates

Brad Marchand stepped on the ice for a few minutes and took some shots but left before practice. Cassidy termed it a maintenance day and expects he’ll be available for Thursday’s game against the Islanders…. 1166798 Boston Bruins

With Kovalchuk available, should Bruins seek external options?

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

PUBLISHED: December 18, 2019 at 6:09 am | UPDATED: December 18, 2019 at 7:45 PM

The rotating door that is the second line right wing has not had a permanent resident in Boston for years.

Their internal options are yet to produce, and while the market isn’t fully developed — and now Taylor Hall isn’t a part of it — there are some guys out there who have been connected to the Bruins, either via trade or free agency — hello, Ilya Kovalchuk.

There’s a few months before the trade deadline and there shouldn’t be crazy urgency to make a move in December, but it’s never to early to think about it. So here are three players the Bruins should have their eyes on if they intend to make a move.

Ilya Kovalchuk

It seems Kovalchuk has been connected to the Bruins for a few years, and reports over the past two days have indicated his camp has spoken with the Bruins. He cleared waivers on Monday and became a free agent with his contract terminated by the Kings.

That means his lofty cap hit goes away, so that would be a reasonable incentive for the Bruins to sign the former superstar.

The 36-year-old is a right shot, something the Bruins need since Brett Ritchie hasn’t produced and David Backes’ better days are clearly behind him. He had nine points in 17 games with the Kings before he was out of the lineup, but would like to stay in North America.

He’d need to sign for the league minimum for it to work in Boston. In 2018, they had interest in Kovalchuk, but a lot has changed since then; just because their current options aren’t great doesn’t mean Kovalchuk can be a savior, even if he did sign for cheap.

His role might get confusing; he can score, and that’s great, but the Bruins like multi-dimensional players. They have some good chemistry in the lineup; forcing a square peg into a round hole might not be to their benefit.

Tyler Toffoli

The Bruins were connected to the Kings winger last season and they got a good look at him on Tuesday night in the Bruins loss.

The 27-year-old has nine goals and 20 points overall in 34 games this season. Nothing to overreact to, but better than how most of the right side has produced this season.

His career-high 58 points came in 2015-16, but he consistently posts double-digit goals, including 24 two years ago. The Bruins don’t need an elite scorer — they have that on their top line — just consistent production.

He brings a tougher cap hit at $4.6 million, but unlike Kovalchuk, they’d have to move assets to add Toffoli and can do some math to even that out. He’d be a pure rental as a free agent at the end of the season, similar to Marcus Johansson a year ago.

Kyle Palmieri

If the Devils are still dealing, Palmieri could be a nice fit. They’d have to move the cap around a bit with a $4.65 million hit this year, but like Charlie Coyle a year ago, he’s signed for next season as well.

Palmieri has a right shot and netted 27 goals last season. Seems like someone who’d be more of a fit to fill in a top six role than Kovalchuk.

Boston Herald LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166799 Boston Bruins

Bruins guilty as charged of playing down to the competition — again

By Joe Haggerty

December 18, 2019 5:29 PM

BOSTON — When something happens to a hockey team on multiple occasions during the regular season, it becomes more than a coincidence.

The Bruins are obviously one of the best teams in the NHL based on their record, their body of work, and their commanding 10-point lead in the Atlantic Division, but they are far from perfect. One of the team's worst team is their tendency to play down to the competition as they have done time and time again this season, and as they did in Tuesday night’s 4-3 overtime loss to the lowly L.A. Kings at TD Garden.

Just in the last couple of weeks the B's have dropped games to last-place teams in the Kings and Chicago Blackhawks and dropped a thoroughly disinterested game to the Ottawa Senators at the start of their last road trip. Earlier this season, they lost a completely uninspired game to the worst team in hockey when they dropped a 4-2 decision to the Red Wings in Detroit.

Bruce Cassidy said he was happy with the team's effort and wouldn’t put the loss in the same category as when the B’s dropped five in a row in their worst losing streak during his tenure coaching the team, and they certainly had plenty of chances to beat Los Angeles while throwing 40 shots on net.

“There are 82 of these [games]. I thought we certainly played well enough to win. Not very happy getting only one point tonight, some nights you’re satisfied [with that result],” said Cassidy, of the overtime loss to Los Angeles. “In terms of how we played the game, the process part of it, there was better things than, say, two weeks ago [headed into the losing streak].”

But commendable effort or not, it feels like the Bruins are taking the dregs of the NHL pretty lightly based on where they are in the standings and the different, higher level of execution and energy when playing teams like Washington and Tampa Bay. Patrice Bergeron hoped that wasn’t the case and paid tribute to the results proving that every team in the league is to be taken seriously, but the way the B’s play isn’t really a reflection of taking the league’s worst teams seriously.

“You hope not. [Looking past teams] is definitely the last thing you want to do. In this league there isn’t any team that you can take lightly,” said Bergeron, who scored his third goal in five games since coming back from a lower-body injury in the OT defeat. “You look at teams like Ottawa that are really hard to play against. This team plays hard. I don’t know their stats 5-on-5, but they are a really good 5-on-5 team and I think they showed that [in the loss].”

It doesn’t feel like these careless losses to the weak sisters of the NHL aren’t going to hurt the Bruins in the long run given how far ahead they currently are in the division. But losses to Ottawa, Detroit and now L.A. does show a lack of focus and concentration that could come back to bite the B's if they aren’t seriously challenged by anybody in the rest of the regular season.

More than anything else, though, it gives lousy teams hope that when they come to Boston they might catch the Bruins napping, and that doesn’t exactly make the B’s a hard team to play against, or the TD Garden a place to be feared by the handful of teams scraping the bottom of the barrel in the NHL.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166801 Boston Bruins

Santa or Charlie McAvoy? Bruins dress up, spread holiday cheer in annual hospital visits

By NBC Sports Boston Staff

December 18, 2019 3:22 PM

While the Boston Bruins fell to the Los Angeles Kings Tuesday night 4-3 in overtime, that certainly didn't put a damper on their very important Wednesday afternoon plans.

The B's made their annual hospital visits Wednesday to spread some holiday cheer, and their costumes did not disappoint. Check out some of the highlights from the event below.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166802 Boston Bruins • Against Vegas, Kovalchuk was again the deepest forward in the attacking zone. By the time Mark Stone scored at the other end, Kovalchuk had not retreated hard enough to help his teammates.

A poor fit for Bruins? Ilya Kovalchuk’s defensive game sends up all kinds • Also against the Golden Knights, Kovalchuk took an early step toward of red flags the offensive zone before the Kings could clear the puck. Moments later, Reilly Smith scored from between the circles.

By Fluto Shinzawa Defensive awareness (2)

Dec 18, 2019 • Against Carolina, Kovalchuk could have been mindful of Martin Necas, who was the high forward when the Hurricanes held the puck down low. Kovalchuk would have had a long way to go to defend Necas. But because he didn’t shoulder-check in time, Kovalchuk could only watch Ilya Kovalchuk can help put the puck in the net. He is a right-shot Necas cut to the net and score. forward. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Kovalchuk can still skate, shoot and hit. In 17 games this season, Kovalchuk notched three goals and six assists • Against Edmonton, Kovalchuk skated back hard enough to help defend for Los Angeles. the Oilers’ rush. But he didn’t identify Darnell Nurse as the primary threat. The defenseman had a free lane to skate to the slot, receive the puck The Bruins, of course, need right-shot goal-scoring assistance, and and score. they’ve expressed interest in Kovalchuk before. When Kovalchuk returned from a five-year sojourn playing in Russia’s KHL, Boston took a The Bruins have a way of lifting additions to their expected defensive run at the former No. 1 overall pick before he signed a three-year, $18.75 threshold. Teammates cannot help but follow the defensive lead of million deal with Los Angeles. Even though they have two one-time Patrice Bergeron, Krejci and Brad Marchand. power-play threats in David Pastrnak and David Krejci, it would not be harmful to add a third weaponized stick to the mix. But Kovalchuk has enough bad defensive habits to make any team think twice. This time around, the Bruins would not have to offer similar term to the 36-year-old, who was placed on unconditional waivers on Monday. They would have to cede nothing but dough to land the unrestricted free agent The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 for the rest of the season. So what’s the issue?

There’s more red on Kovalchuk’s dossier than WeWork’s balance sheet.

When Kovalchuk was on the ice, the Kings were outscored during 5-on-5 play by a 14-5 margin, according to Natural Stat Trick. This is not a good result.

Only 10 forwards with 200 or more 5-on-5 minutes have a worse goals- for share than Kovalchuk’s 26.32 percent standard. Six of those 10 forwards play for Detroit, underscoring the Red Wings’ team-wide feebleness. In comparison, the Bruins’ worst on-ice GF% forward is Chris Wagner at 42.31 percent (11 for, 15 against).

This is not a slam-dunk metric. As the Detroit example shows, players on bad teams can have lowly GF% results. It’s where the eye test has to be applied. In Kovalchuk’s case, the video does not lie.

Kovalchuk could not have done much to negate five of the 14 goals. But he could have influenced the remaining nine.

I’ve put them in three categories: weak stick play, cheating up the ice in search of offense and lack of defensive awareness.

Stick play (4)

• Against Ottawa, Kovalchuk (No. 17) tried to clear the puck behind his goal line. But instead of making a good pass to a teammate or clearing the puck hard out of danger, Kovalchuk turned the puck over in the far corner. Following the turnover, Kovalchuk did not cover Artem Anisimov well in front of the net.

• Against Chicago, Kovalchuk could have stepped up on Alex DeBrincat to challenge a cross-ice pass in the neutral zone. But Kovalchuk arrived a hair late and couldn’t get his stick on the puck or DeBrincat’s blade. DeBrincat shook off Kovalchuk’s late check and connected with Dylan Strome.

• Against Nashville, if Kovalchuk tried to go stick-on-puck against Craig Smith, he could have caused a turnover and allowed the Kings to escape the zone. Instead, Kovalchuk tried to throw a check on Smith. He missed. The Predators extended their cycle and ended it with a Colton Sissons strike.

• Against Vancouver, Kovalchuk was in position to take an outlet pass along the wall, then initiate a zone exit. But he could not control the puck. Brandon Sutter winged home a goal after the turnover.

Cheating (3)

• Against Buffalo, Kovalchuk did not do much to get back into defensive positioning. He was the first forward deep on the previous rush. Perhaps he was waiting for a turnover so he could go back on the attack. 1166803 Boston Bruins puck down low, initiated his reach and stretched his rear end out, it was practically like he was playing with a bodyguard. Defensemen were helpless.

The serious but also not-entirely-serious hunt for the Bruins’ biggest butt Perhaps hockey’s most famous rear end. (Robert Mayer / USA Today)

Jagr’s departure for his native Czech Republic has left the NHL down its By Fluto Shinzawa most notable butt. It is up to strongmen like Joe Thornton, Evgeni Malkin and Ryan Getzlaf to chase Jagr’s ass-out standard. Dec 18, 2019 “That’s kind of how you protect pucks, right? That’s kind of how you hold on,” the Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk said. “Probably the only guy on the ice where I’ve actually noticed it is Malkin in Pittsburgh. There was one time I Here’s the thing about asses. In some sports — baseball, cycling, long- tried to get the puck from him. He just reverse-hit me. He kind of stuck it distance running — they are practically useless appendages. out. I had no chance at getting the puck.” In hockey, they are critical body parts. A bolstered backside can signal a The 6-foot DeBrusk has neither the 6-foot-3 Malkin’s lengthy frame nor player’s explosiveness, top-end speed and puck-protection ability. It is an his impressive rear. But as the net-front presence on the No. 1 power- advantage, just like crisp vision, fast feet and strong hands. play unit, DeBrusk’s job, in part, is to create space for himself down low. Hence the phenomenon known as the hockey butt. In today’s game, compared with the days of Jagr’s mulleted prime, a “It’s a good thing,” strength-and-conditioning coach Mike Boyle, co- properly deployed butt can be an even greater weapon. Whereas founder of Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning, said of owning a hockey defensemen could jackhammer Jagr in the back, referees are now quick butt. to blow down any kind of obstructionary infraction. A forward who gets a low center of gravity and sticks out his butt can claim his territory and be I have been thinking a lot about asses. Read into that what you will. difficult to dislodge. The rule book has limited the toolboxes of strong- armed defensemen like Zdeno Chara and Brandon Carlo. In particular, I’ve been curious which Bruin has the biggest one — and, more important, what it means. “I try to use my ass in front of the net,” DeBrusk said. “Anytime I’m planted there, I try to use a little spin, kind of like back in the basketball This is not a particularly safe subject to explore anywhere. At home, days when guys would do a little (Hakeem) Olajuwon if I feel a little asking a spouse whether he or she has a significant ass is an invitation cross-check. I try to use it sometimes. When you first get there, you don’t to permanent couch residence, if not a fast track to divorce. just go right into the guy. You’ve got to protect yourself.” In a normal workplace, it would be an even more taboo topic. Such It is especially difficult for a small defenseman like Matt Grzelcyk to mark questions would bring human resources sprinting to the scene. a well-padded opponent. The 5-foot-9, 174-pound Grzelcyk will almost The process that would have promised the greatest accuracy would have never win such a matchup physically. Therefore, he has to be proactive been to grab a tape measure and ask each player to face the wall with and angle such a player away from the net and back up the wall. ankles in hand. This would not have gone well. We’re talking about “If they’re skating back up toward the blue line from down low, I’ll try to credential revocation, lawsuits and cross-checks to the teeth, and not skate, maybe take an extra step or two, toward the blue line to close that necessarily in that order. They would all be justifiable responses. off so that he has to spin back,” Grzelcyk said. “Just kind of contain him To execute the ass hunt, I would sacrifice acute methodology for reasons down low and hopefully push him back into the direction so that our low of liability and personal safety. Still, discretion would be required. center or the next (defenseman) can jump in and break up the play that way.” Especially in a sport where, yes, those pants make your butt look big. Malkin is one owner of an opposing and imposing ass. He is not the only At events such as the NHL Combine, tests like the high jump can give one. I was interested in uncovering the player in Black and Gold with the teams an indication of a young player’s potential as a skater. There is most similar build. Forward Chris Wagner acknowledged that he, like just also an unofficial test: a subtle peek at what’s in the back. about everyone else, owns a hockey butt.

“If you’re recruiting, you’re looking at rear ends,” Boyle said. “It tells you a As for the teammate with the biggest one, Wagner wasn’t biting. lot about the explosive power capacity of that person. It’s the simplest, most consistent thing to look for. It’s not like you want Kim Kardashian. “I think everybody,” Wagner answered with a nervous laugh. “I’m not But you don’t want somebody without glutes. There’s a real good chance staring at asses.” (the player’s) not going to go fast.” I’d have to inquire elsewhere. The gluteus maximus, medius and minimus serve as a hockey player’s Identifying the owner engine room. There is no package of muscles that contribute more to on- ice speed, power and explosiveness. In that way, a hockey player is like In journalism, there are wrong and right ways to ask questions. Querying a track-and-field sprinter: hips and knees in flexion, churning forward at flat out, in some cases, slams the door in your face. I thought deeply maximum speed. A lifetime of on-ice maximum efforts, combined with off- about how to pose the question so as not to risk denial, to say nothing of ice training, cannot help but enhance the glutes. a punch to the mouth.

“They’re basically sprinting in flexion,” Boyle said of a hockey player. So I framed it this way. “There’s a lot more glute work than the average person is going to get. If you look at marathoners, it’s no butts. Sprinters, it’s big butts. If you take “I have what sounds like a stupid question that’s actually serious,” I told somebody who’s going to sprint, relatively, in flexion most of the time, Grzelcyk. “Who’s got the biggest ass in the room?” you end up with pronounced glutes.” He seemed accepting. That gave me the green light to throw the fastball. During an all-out, end-to-end rush, a player digs one skate blade at a “Who’s got the biggest ass in the room?” I asked. “Someone in practice, time into the ice with knees bent. It’s why, in the offseason, trainers who just sticks it out there and you can’t get around him?” emphasize one-leg workouts. A one-leg squat not only isolates the muscles in question but also promotes good balance, which is critical “Charlie Coyle, I’d say,” Grzelcyk answered promptly. “He’s really good during on-ice play. Chiseled glutes are of little use if a player gets on his edges for a guy that big and powerful. Once he kind of gets you on knocked off his skates. his backside, he’s in control of the situation. He’s kind of dictating what he’s going to do next. It’s pretty scary for a defenseman. Unless you’re Some players can strengthen their backsides to the point that they (Chara) or (Carlo), you’re probably not going to get your reach on (the become impediments for opponents. In this regard, Jaromir Jagr has few puck). You’ve just got to steer him in the direction you want to go. You try peers. to close it off with your legs. But he’s probably the best at protecting the Whether it was genes, luck or ludicrous training (midnight skates wearing puck, for sure.” a weighted vest), Jagr built up his butt to the point where it required a This confirmed what Brian McDonough, founder and owner of Elite separate ZIP code from the rest of his body. When Jagr dragged the Performance Systems, told me earlier. McDonough is Coyle’s offseason trainer. At his home base in Foxboro, McDonough works with Coyle through explosive training to get him like he wants all his clients: like kangaroos more than oxen.

“Charlie Coyle comes to mind as somebody whose level of buy-in is off the charts. His compete level is off the charts,” McDonough said. “From a physiological standpoint, he’s very gifted. He’s worked at it. Pound for pound, he’s very strong. He’s one of those guys who has a lot of the tools, but he puts 100 percent effort into everything.”

I had my in. Now, I needed confirmation in the room. Multiple sources are always preferred.

“Biggest ass?” Carlo replied with puzzlement.

“Someone who just sticks it out there,” I said.

“Charlie Coyle,” Carlo responded. “He’s strong. He’s a strong man. Playing against him in practice isn’t really fun. He’s agile on his feet. But steady, too. He’s got a big ass.”

This meant I had to inquire with the ass’ owner. Coyle didn’t shut down the discussion.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Coyle is a powerful skater, a good puck protector and a physical forward. He plays well with his back turned to the net and the puck on his stick. Part of this is because of how he wields his butt.

“You reverse-check and initiate contact before they initiate contact on me in front of the net or in the corners, protecting the puck,” Coyle said. “You just kind of bend over and stick it out. You’re creating space. You’re using your assets …”

Then he laughed.

“That’s something I’ve found to work,” Coyle continued. “It just gives me more time to work with.”

Coyle has good genes. But he is also a workout animal.

Coyle’s first summer pursuit is strength to discourage injuries. He has played in every game this season. Coyle has yet to sit out once since arriving from Minnesota in a trade. But he also trains to maximize his advantages.

“You want to be stronger in all different areas,” Coyle said. “Legs, lower body, backside — a lot of one-leg stuff, which is huge. Because it’s all balance, right? That’s stuff I try to focus on. I think most hockey players do. I just try to put in the work. You build that up, you can use it more, you feel stronger out there, more powerful. You have confidence using what you have.”

In one way, it was a surprise that Coyle spoke about his ass so freely. In another way, it was a straightforward conversation about a hockey- specific strength.

“You’ve got to use your body in this game to get by and create space. That’s a big part of your body,” Coyle said. “If you have a bigger part of it, I guess, you might as well use it. It can help create so much space. Yeah, it is funny to talk about it. We use it so much. It’s not talked about a lot. But it’s a huge part of the game.”

Coyle was not offended by my questioning. He also wasn’t bothered that several of his teammates tagged him with the biggest butt on the team. It was a badge of honor.

“Not at all,” Coyle said with a laugh. “It must mean it’s working in practice.”

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166804 Boston Bruins the expansion Knights, but instead, he’s played some of the best hockey of his career while leaning hard into his likable personality to sell the game in a new market.

Down Goes Brown: The 10 players that no NHL fan can hate (except for The one group that still kind of hates him: Man, I’m not even sure. That all the ones that do) Sharks/Knights rivalry is pretty solid, so maybe you allow San Jose fans to sneer at him just a bit. Beyond that, his only natural enemy at this point are Canadians who still aren’t over how the 2004 World Juniors ended By Sean McIndoe and Hall of Fame sticklers who’ll be mad when he makes it in on the first ballot. Dec 18, 2019 Elias Pettersson

Why almost everyone loves him: Another member of the current cohort of We’re into holiday mode, where everything is supposed to be about great young players just hitting their prime, Pettersson is a wizard with peace and goodwill. Love thy neighbor and that sort of thing. the puck who ran away with the Calder last year. As a bonus, hockey That’s nice and all, but it can be tough for hockey fans, who are fans love rooting for smaller players. Pettersson isn’t actually small – he’s preconditioned to be mad at just about everything. Pretty soon we’ll hit 6-foot-2 – but for some reason, everyone outside of Vancouver has the Christmas trade freeze, meaning we can’t even sit around and decided to think that he is, so he gets that added boost. imagine that bum who’s clogging up our team’s salary cap being traded Also, we should all be feeling a pang of collective Canucks-related guilt for a ransom of picks and prospects. Now you want us to be nice to the for not appreciating or the Sedins enough. jerks on the other teams too? It’s a rough time of year when you’re a diehard hockey fan who hates everyone. The one group that still kind of hates him: Other players, apparently, since he’s already been injured controversially by Chris Kreider and Well, almost everyone. Because at any given time, there are always a Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Other than that, I’m not sure there’s anybody, apart few players who just about everyone seems to like. It’s been a rough few from the four head scouts who passed on him in 2017. years for that crowd, as we’ve said goodbye to guys like , Pavel Datsyuk, Teemu Selanne and Jarome Iginla. But that just creates Henrik Lundqvist some extra room on the nice list. Why almost everyone loves him: He’s the best goaltender of his era and Today, let’s get into the holiday spirit with a list of the ten players in the a sure-thing Hall-of-Famer as soon as he’s eligible. He’s also a part-time NHL that nobody can hate. (And then the reasons why maybe you can model, plays in a rock band and loves good dogs. hate them just a little.) To be honest, it’s almost too much, and at a certain point, you could Connor McDavid forgive fans if they turned on him. Like, we get it Henrik, you’re better than us at everything. But then you remember that he still hasn’t won a Why almost everyone loves him: First of all, he’s the best player in the Stanley Cup, which gives his story arc some vulnerability and lends a league, with maybe the most pure skill since Mario Lemieux. Even in a sense of urgency to the final stages of his career. Remember when he league with more dominant young talent than ever before, McDavid still dragged the Rangers to the final, only to give up the Cup-winner in occasionally does things that you’ve never seen, or ever thought overtime and then lay on the ice for roughly the entire offseason? You’d possible. He’s one of the rare players who’d be worth paying full price have to be a monster to hate a guy who’s been through that. just to watch on his own and brings back that pre-Dead Puck Era feeling of excitement you used to get whenever a star player had the puck on his The one group that still kind of hates him: Guys that aren’t supermodel stick. rock star athletes, I guess. I don’t know anyone like that, but it’s what I’ve heard. Second of all, he’s signed long-term in Edmonton, so the sympathy factor is off the charts. Phil Kessel

The one group that still kind of hates him: Flames fans get a pass, as Why almost everyone loves him: OK, I’m not sure everyone actually they do for any Oiler. Beyond that, nobody really dislikes him, although does. I’m projecting a little bit here since I’ve been on Team Phil for years you get the sense that there’s an undercurrent of aggravation from other and am still actively trying to get everyone else on the bandwagon. Good fan bases who keep waiting for him to stomp out of Edmonton and seats are still available. demand a trade. Come on, they’re terrible, and he looked vaguely sad at his draft lottery. Surely he wants to play somewhere else. Specifically, for Still, at this point, I’m not sure there are any good reasons left to dislike my favorite team. Come on Connor, blink twice if you want us to send in the guy. Sure, he was kind of awkward and weird when he first broke into a chopper to airlift you out. the league, which seemed to rub people the wrong way. He’s still awkward and weird, but he’s figured out how to lean into it just enough Patrick Marleau that he seems like he’s mostly in on the joke now. The dude ate hot dogs out of the Stanley Cup, I’m not sure what more you could want. Why almost everyone loves him: He’s been around forever, his speed means he’s been fun to watch over the years and he always seems Oh, he’s also a Masterton winner and cancer survivor, not to mention a disturbingly happy. He became the team father figure in Toronto – two-time Cup champion who has a shot at breaking the ironman record. literally – and then headed home to San Jose to finish out his career. Plus he’s still chasing that elusive Stanley Cup, and everybody loves a The one group that still kind of hates him: Most of his ex-coaches, a few good OGWAC story. Uh, please don’t check the standings to see how of his former GMs and team executives, a handful of ex-teammates and that quest is going for him. like 90 percent of the media. Also, probably a few Coyotes fans who were hoping for more than seven goals. But other than that very small The one group that still kind of hates him: Nobody right now, although niche group, everybody else loves the guy. we’ll save a spot for Leaf fans when they miss the playoffs and end up having to send the 11th overall pick to the Hurricanes for getting out of Justin Williams the last year of his contract. Also, it’s going to be kind of weird if he sticks Why almost everyone loves him: He’s Mr. Game Seven, which is pretty around next year and ends up breaking Gordie Howe’s all-time games much an irresistible narrative. Athletes who are “clutch” may or may not played record. See, you didn’t realize that was going to happen, and now be an actual thing, but it’s an undeniably fun concept, so fans want to you feel just a little conflicted, right? believe.

Marc-Andre Fleury Williams has bounced around the league long enough that there’s a good Why almost everyone loves him: He’s a former first overall pick who’s chance that he’s scored a crucial goal for your favorite team. He sounds smiled his way through a very good NHL career, without ever being so like a genuinely good guy and he had a big role in last year’s emergence dominating that you resented him. He was part of three Cup winners in of the Hurricanes as arguably the most entertaining franchise in the Pittsburgh, then handled what could have been a tricky Matt Murray league. Plus, there’s that ongoing team photo hair bit. situation and eventual exit with class and good humor. That was supposed to lead to him spending his last few years getting shelled for OK, yes, he’s not technically an active player right now, which in theory Why almost everyone loves him: We already said that Crosby should be should work against him. But since everyone assumes he’s coming back, on the list, so MacKinnon at least checks the Cole Harbour box. we’ll leave the door cracked open for him. Beyond that, he’s pretty much the ideal mass-approval superstar right The one group that still kind of hates him: Me, any time I write about the now; he’s undeniably among the very best in the game but started his Hall of Fame and have to explain why he’s not going to make it. (Also, career with just enough adversity that it doesn’t feel like this is all easy for Hurricanes fans if he makes his big late-season comeback with someone him. The Avalanche are a likable team and they’re good enough that it else, but we’re not supposed to mention that possibility out loud.) sure seems like they’ll be around for a while once the spring arrives. MacKinnon has kept his nose clean, he has just enough personality to But wait, what about … seem comfortable in the spotlight and he’s even done a bit of acting. Before we head down the home stretch, let’s hit a few guys who might Also, he is reasonably good at playing hockey. have a case for the list, but didn’t make the final cut. The one group that still kind of hates him: Any superstar player who has Sidney Crosby: He should be there. But for years, for whatever reason, to negotiate an extension and has to hear about how much MacKinnon he’s been a lightning rod for criticism and a complaint for fans outside of makes. Pittsburgh. He shouldn’t be, but nobody has ever accused hockey fans of Alexander Ovechkin being reasonable. Why almost everyone loves him: We’re here, right? Please tell me there Joe Thornton: I’ve included him on the list in the past and wanted to isn’t still some pocket of holdouts in the anti-Ovechkin club. Sure, early in squeeze him in here. But I’ve heard from enough Blues fans to know that his career he was a little too flashy for some tastes and over time he some of them still haven’t forgiven. evolved into one of those guys you could point to when you were Mikko Koivu: On the one hand, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who rambling on about how certain players put up big numbers but just can’t didn’t like him. On the other, he’s still got a ways to go to be the most win the big one. But ever since he won the Stanley Cup and then popular guy in his own family. Tough call here. celebrated by having more fun than just about anyone in the history of the world, even his harshest critic has to have thrown in the towel. Mitch Marner: He’s a happy-go-lucky kid playing for his hometown team and he’s all sorts of fun to watch. He’s also a Maple Leaf and it’s virtually At least I hope so because we’ve got a few more years to enjoy the guy impossible to get anyone from Toronto onto a universally beloved list. who might end up being considered the greatest pure goal scorer in the history of the sport. Let’s not let this be one of those Brett Hull things P.K. Subban: He’s got the personality, but he was never all that close to where we never quite appreciate a guy enough until he’s done. Ovechkin being universally loved when he was at the height of his game and these rules. days he isn’t. The one group that still kind of hates him: I don’t know, but I have a bad Johnny Gaudreau: Once he gets his game back to an elite level, he’ll be feeling I’m about to find out. right back in the running.

Any of this year’s rookies: Let’s see them put in at least a full season without enraging anyone. But some of these guys could be in the mix The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 soon, especially Cale Makar.

Jonathan Toews: Another name that’s shown up on these lists in recent years, but it feels like the league’s constant tire-pumping of Chicago players – remember that Top 100 fiasco? – has led to a Blackhawks backlash.

Steven Stamkos: He’s a great player who’s still chasing his Cup and after a few years any lingering bitterness should be fading over him not picking your favorite team when he was a free agent.

Taylor Hall: He’s an elite player who also seems to be fun off the ice, in that kind of quirky Kessel-like way. Let’s see how the dynamic plays out in Arizona.

Jack Eichel: Check back this time next year, especially if he can lead the Sabres on a solid playoff run.

Claude Giroux: Fun fact, if you write a post about star players and don’t mention Claude Giroux somewhere, Flyer fans will come to your house and pee down your chimney.

Pretty much any defensemen: You could make cases for a few guys, but in general it’s easy to find something to hate about a guy whose job it is to cross-check your favorite forward’s spine into paste.

The guy whose name you’re about to go post in the comments with a question mark on the end and nothing else: He was sixth eleventh.

Patrice Bergeron

Why almost everyone loves him: After years of being grouped in with Toews and Anze Kopitar, Bergeron’s recent offensive peak has made him the de facto name for fans who want to show that they appreciate a two-way forward. He’s a warrior, he’s mostly kept away from controversy and it’s pretty much impossible not to respect his game. You hate him when he’s shutting down your team’s star player, but otherwise, he’s the poster child for guys who play a 200-foot game. (At least until he passes that torch to Mark Stone.)

The one group that still kind of hates him: Anyone whose hatred radius for Brad Marchand extends far enough to fall on a guy who’s almost always right next to him.

Nathan MacKinnon 1166805 Buffalo Sabres

Mittelstadt goes scoreless in Amerks' debut, a loss to Devils

By Staff

Published Thu, Dec 19, 2019

Brett Seney scored his 12th goal of the season in the second period to give the Binghamton Devils a 2-1 victory over the Rochester Americans at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena on Wednesday night.

The game marked Casey Mittelstadt’s first game with Rochester after the 2018 first-round pick in the NHL Entry Draft was sent down by the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday.

Mittelstadt had no points and was on the ice when Seney scored the game winner, giving him a minus-1 rating. Mittelstadt had two shots on goal against Binghamton’s Cory Schneider, who had 23 saves. Andrew Hammond also had 23 for Rochester.

All the scoring in the game came on even strength goals in the second period as the Amerks’ win streak was ended at three games. The Amerks and Devils will meet again on Friday at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.

Rochester’s Brett Murray scored the game’s first goal at 16:53 of the second period, his fourth of the season. Tyler Randell assisted.

Sixty-one seconds later Joey Anderson tied it for the Devils with his eighth at 17:54. Michael Pallotta and Ben Street assisted on the goal.

Street added his 20th assist of the season on Seney’s goal. Julian Melchiori also had an assist on the winner.

After Friday’s return game with Binghamton, the Amerks will be home again on Saturday to face the Utica Comets in the annual Home for the Holidays Christmas celebration at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday.

Saturday’s game will include a visit by Santa Claus and feature prizes and giveaways throughout the night.

Buffalo News LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166806 Buffalo Sabres game is the only one of the last 25 he's hit the net in and that snapped a 19-game drought. Has one assist and is minus-6 in his last five games.

His ultimate indignity? Becoming highlight reel fodder forever on Auston Jeff Skinner's slide is a real head-scratcher for Sabres' offense Matthews' second goal Tuesday. Sheary played the puck so bad he was trolled as a "pylon" by the Leafs' intermission in-arena host reviewing highlights on the Jumbotron. Certainly unprofessional for a team By Mike Harrington employee to publicly embarrass another team's player that way, but she wasn't wrong. Published Wed, Dec 18, 2019|Updated Wed, Dec 18, 2019 Rodrigues (0-3-3 in 19 games): He has no goals in 27 games dating to

last season, no points in his last 10 games, one goal in his last 46 games PHILADELPHIA – Hey, didn't you used to be Jeff Skinner? and 10 goals in his last 100 games over three seasons. It would be hard to even say what he's doing well. Certainly Krueger can't use him as For all the talk swirling around Jack Eichel's historic point streak and Skinner's center anymore. If the Sabres had any depth up front, he Victor Olofsson's breakout rookie season, the Buffalo Sabres are again wouldn't even be on the team. tormented by an unbalanced attack. Johansson (5-9-14 in 28 games): He has one goal in 19 games overall Eichel's line is putting up goals in bunches. The trio of Zemgus and 1 in 11 since returning from the upper-body injury he brought home Girgenson-Johan Larsson-Kyle Okposo doesn't have much finish but is with him from Sweden. Was a season-worst minus-3 Tuesday in Toronto driving play in the offensive zone. and committed the grievous turnover during the 6-on-4 advantage that Leafs turned into their empty net goal. That leaves six other forwards giving them very little. No one is going to crucify rookie Rasmus Asplund, getting his first NHL look. But the other Jimmy Vesey (4-6-10 in 32 games): He had no goals in his first 20 five guys? We're talking veteran players here. games as a Sabre, scored in three in a row and now is back to one goal in the last nine. And he had observers shaking their heads when he And there's no bigger head-scratcher right now than what's going on with simply stopped skating during a second-period 2-on-1 break and left Skinner. Sheary to try to do it himself. The Sabres opted not to practice here Wednesday after arriving in the Asplund (1-2-3 in 17 games): The Sabres are bringing him along slowly, early-morning hours following Tuesday's 5-3 loss in Toronto. You would as he has gone past 13 minutes only three times thus far. Be responsible think the off day would provoke some soul-searching for those who are and don't make big mistakes is what they need from him. It's working. spectators to Eichel's brilliance and not contributing much on their own. There are limited expectations for Asplund, Rodrigues and even Sheary. The Sabres gave Skinner an eight-year, $72-million deal last spring after Vesey should be doing more in a contract year. But Johansson and he gave them a contract-year, 40-goal season. He has 11 goals this Skinner got $81 million of the Sabres' money over the summer and are season but seven of them came in October. For those scoring at home, taking up $13.5 million on their cap. that means just four goals in the last 22 games. Especially in the last couple of weeks, this has not been money well Things have really spiraled in Skinner's last seven games: No goals, one spent. Better change fast. assist and a minus-7 rating. He played just 11 minutes, 29 seconds Saturday on Long Island and only 13:37 Tuesday. Those are easily his two lowest ice-time totals of the season. He has one shot on goal – one – combined in his last three games. At times of late, it seems like he can Buffalo News LOADED: 12.19.2019 barely keep his feet when he's moving the puck.

Certainly, Skinner is suffering from not playing with Eichel. Coach Ralph Krueger has been adamant about keeping them apart so he could "balance" his lines and that theory hasn't worked a bit. Krueger is lucky Olofsson has blossomed.

Skinner needed to get away from Evan Rodrigues as his center and get back to Marcus Johansson, but it hasn't mattered much as both of them are struggling, too.

Still, for the kind of money Skinner is making, it's not acceptable to say, "He's not playing with good players." What happened to big-money guys making plays once in a while and elevating the play of those around them?

Of late, Skinner has been invisible on the ice. He's skating away from contact, not driving deep in the offensive zone. The Sabres need a legitimate No. 2 center and good luck to them in finding one, maybe not until they give No. 1 pick Dylan Cozens a chance to earn that job next year. But for $9 million, is Skinner incapable of driving any play himself?

Eichel's streak isn't going to last forever. He's going to need more help. It has to start with Skinner, but he's been so bad of late that Krueger isn't using him on the power play and, like Phil Housley, doesn't trust him enough defensively to use him much in overtime.

And the ultimate wake-up call for Skinner might have been the 6-on-4 they played late in the third period Tuesday looking for a tying tally. You think a coach would use a 40-goal player there, right? Skinner was nailed to the bench.

Skinner's no-shows seem to be spreading around the forward group. Here's a rundown of what's up elsewhere. And advance warning here: It's not pretty.

Conor Sheary (5-5-10 in 29 games): He had two goals in the season opener Oct. 3 in Pittsburgh, two in the destruction of pathetic New Jersey on Dec. 2 – and has one in his other 27 games this season. The Jersey 1166807 Buffalo Sabres During Tuesday's 4-1 win against Anaheim, the club's first home game since the news, the team did a video tribute for Lindblom and fans stood and cheered while holding "I Fight for Oskar" placards. He met with his If Jack Eichel gets a point Thursday, he'll tie Gilbert Perreault for teammates before and after the game. franchise record "It was awesome to see Oskar this morning,” said goalie Carter Hart, who made 40 saves. “It was good to see him and the positive attitude that he had. It kind of uplifted our group.” By Mike Harrington "His attitude is unbelievable," added captain Claude Giroux. "We wanted Published Wed, Dec 18, 2019|Updated Wed, Dec 18, 2019 to get this win for him. Every win for the rest of the season is going to be for him.”

• • • PHILADELPHIA – In the 50th anniversary season of the franchise, you have to go back nearly 50 years before you find a Buffalo Sabres player • The NHL did not issue any supplemental discipline to Sabres winger who has registered a point in 18 consecutive games. Kyle Okposo for his check on Toronto's Travis Dermott in the third period Tuesday in Scotiabank Arena. Okposo did not receive a penalty for Jack Eichel can join some pretty good company Thursday night. boarding. If Eichel gets a point in Buffalo's game against the Philadelphia Flyers in • The Sabres are 0-4-1 in their last five trips to Philly and have been Wells Fargo Center, he will equal the club record of 18 set by Hockey outscored 20-8 in those games. Their last win here was a 4-3 overtime Hall of Famer Gilbert Perreault from Oct. 24-Dec. 4, 1971, early in the triumph on Oct. 27, 2015, on a goal by Zemgus Girgensons. franchise's second season. • Former Sabres winger Matt Moulson was selected by AHL president Eichel has 16 goals, 15 assists and 31 points during his current 17-game David Andrews as a team captain for the AHL All-Star Classic to be held streak, which ties a pair of 17-gamers put up by Hall of Famer Dave Jan. 26-27 in Ontario, Calif. Moulson played for Ontario the last two Andreychuk during the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons. Perreault's totals years while on loan from the Sabres. Captains are selected for their were 10-21-31 during his 18-game run. leadership and service to the league. Entering play Wednesday, Eichel's 16 goals, 31 points and plus-17 rating Moulson signed a one-year AHL contract with Hershey in July. He has during the streak all led the NHL since the run began Nov. 16 against five goals and six assists for the Bears this season. Ottawa with his first career four-goal game. His 15 assists were one shy of the league lead during that stretch.

Eichel leads the NHL in scoring in December with 15 points (8-7) and Buffalo News LOADED: 12.19.2019 teammate Victor Olofsson is second with 12. After recording two points in each of Buffalo’s last four games Eichel is the first Sabre to do that since defenseman Andrej Sekera posted five consecutive multipoint games from Feb. 26-March 6, 2011.

The Buffalo captain is on a careerlong streak of four straight games with a goal, extended by his third-period power-play tally Tuesday night against Toronto. His 24 goals in the season are second to Boston's David Pastrnak, and he's on pace for 56 goals and 117 points this season.

At 24-26-50, Eichel became the first Buffalo player to reach 50 points in 35 or fewer games since 1992-93, when Pat LaFontaine and Alexander Mogilny both did it. He also joined the late Rick Martin as the only other player in franchise history to record at least 20 goals and 50 points in each of his first five NHL seasons.

Eichel has good history against the Flyers, with eight goals and 11 points in 11 career games against them. He has five goals and two assists in the last five meetings.

Sabres prospects went 1-1 on verdicts from USA Hockey on Wednesday, as defenseman Mattias Samuelsson made the cut for the Team USA roster that will play in the upcoming World Junior Championship while fellow blueliner Ryan Johnson did not.

Samuelsson, 19, was Buffalo's second-round pick in 2018. He's in his second season at Western Michigan. Johnson, in his freshman year at the University of Minnesota, was in his first WJC tryout camp at age 18. He was the Sabres' second first-round pick last June, taken at No. 31 with the choice acquired from St. Louis in the Ryan O'Reilly trade.

Also named to the team were Harvard's Jack Drury, a 2018 second- round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes and the nephew of former Sabres captain Chris Drury; Michigan State defenseman Christian Krygier, whose father, Todd, is a St. Francis graduate and played forward for nine NHL seasons with Hartford, Anaheim and Washington; 2019 first-round draft pick forwards Trevor Zegras (Anaheim), Alex Turcotte (Los Angeles) and Cole Caulfield (Montreal); and first-round goalie Spencer Knight (Florida).

Team USA opens the tournament in the Czech Republic Dec. 26 against Team Canada, whose lineup features Sabres 2019 first-round pick Dylan Cozens.

The Flyers are on an emotional roller coaster after the shock of last week's news that 23-year-old forward Oskar Lindblom has been diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. 1166808 Buffalo Sabres That was the plan, right? The Sabres banked their future on the 2015 draft pick, something Eichel talked about in-depth last month. He credits the Moulsons for guiding him through his first season – and, through a Why former Sabres teammate Matt Moulson deserves an assist on Jack text, his fifth. Eichel’s current scoring streak “It takes time for different guys,” Moulson said. “He puts a lot of pressure on himself to do well. He wants to be the best and does everything he can to be the best. Sometimes it takes a little time to get comfortable with By John Vogl being one of the best players in the world and being the captain of the team, trying to get the team to the playoffs, which they haven’t been in a Dec 18, 2019 while.

“A lot of coaching changes, as well, for a young kid that’s supposed to be HERSHEY, Pa. – Jack Eichel is rolling. a superstar in the league, getting told different things because there’s different coaches. It’s an adjustment process.” “Is he?” Matt Moulson asked straight-faced Wednesday. Ralph Krueger has reached Eichel and the Sabres in a way that coaches “I’m just kidding,” he added, breaking into a smile. Dan Bylsma and Phil Housley couldn’t, which also contributes to this hot streak. Moulson knows because he’s been watching. And of all Eichel’s goals during the past 17 games, the biggest assist belongs to Moulson. “It’s big for us to try and build an identity as a team,” said Eichel, who pointed to the playoff-bound Bills. “You can see their identity. I think Before the Sabres played Ottawa on Nov. 16, Moulson sent his former when you look at their group and you look at each guy through the roster, housemate and teammate a text to start shooting more. Eichel promptly it really stands out how much the team means to them. They’ve obviously scored four times against the Senators, starting this 17-game point streak identified their strengths, and they really play to them. Their defense is that features 16 goals and 31 points. tremendous. They take care of the football. They do all the little things “I say ‘shoot more’ and the guy gets four goals, so I’ll take credit even well and it adds up to wins. though it was not deserved,” Moulson said in Giant Center, home of his “We’re trying to build our identity as much as possible. I think we’ve Hershey Bears. identified what our strengths and weaknesses are, for us to be successful The left winger was smiling again, but he seriously deserves some credit in this league what we need to do on a night-in, night-out basis. It’s really for Eichel’s unreal run. important. Football, there’s a lot of similarities to hockey. You do the little things well and all the little details add up over the course of a game.” “Sometimes it’s weird how things happen like that, you know?” Buffalo’s captain said. Eichel’s points are certainly adding up.

Whenever the Bears aren’t playing, Moulson turns on his TV to either the “You start getting on a little bit of a run, you start building confidence and Maple Leafs or Sabres. Like any fan, he realized Victor Olofsson has an you like where your game’s at, then you just try and be as consistent as elite shot. But Moulson also noticed that Eichel was looking to set up his possible,” he said. linemate too often. His old friend, meanwhile, is finding his footing. Hershey has won six in a “It’s just a little thing I noticed,” Moulson said. “Obviously, Olofsson is an row to climb into third in the AHL’s Atlantic Division. Moulson has three unbelievable shooter. At the time, I just thought Jack was maybe looking goals in five games, bringing his season totals to eight goals and 16 for him too much and guys weren’t respecting his shot because he has, points in 28 games. arguably, one of the top three shots in the entire NHL, probably the As an added bonus, the 36-year-old will be captain of the Eastern world. So I just sent a little text about that, just that guys aren’t respecting Conference next month at the AHL All-Star Game, the league announced his shot because he’s looking to pass more. Wednesday. “I’m sure he probably thought of that already, so I don’t know much help “It’s my first All-Star Game ever, so it’s just a huge honor,” said Moulson, it gave him. But obviously he’s playing with a tremendous amount of who was ecstatic when Commissioner Dave Andrews called with the confidence and really showing the superstar that he is.” news. “I’ll be very excited to have the kids there and my family. It’ll be a The numbers are indeed staggering. During the 17-game run, which is lot of fun. It’s in Ontario (Calif.), so I get to go to the old stomping one short of the Sabres record set by Gilbert Perreault in 1971, Eichel grounds.” has 14 even-strength goals, 24 even-strength points, three game-winners Moulson played the last two seasons for the Ontario Reign after being and is plus-17. He’s also firing 3.94 shots per game, up from the 3.39 he assigned by the Sabres, which rekindled his love for everything. He was taking before Moulson’s text. became a free agent this summer and decided Hershey would be home, The text mattered because the person who sent it matters. partly because it reminded him of his old home in Buffalo.

“I love Matt and his wife, Alicia,” Eichel said. “They’re amazing people. “When I came to Hershey, I spent a little time in the summer looking for a His kids, they’ll always be family to me. He obviously knows me so well place, and it’s a lot smaller but it reminded me of the outskirts of Buffalo, and knows my personality, knows how I am off the ice, on the ice. When where it’s a very blue-collar, sports-frenzied type of town where everyone someone reaches out to you that knows you that well, it’s cool, right? loves their sports,” Moulson said. “Great people, blue collar, obviously everyone’s working at the Hershey factory, so it reminds me a little bit of “But it’s weird that I told you guys that he reached out. It wouldn’t be the it. It’s been awesome to be here. first time that he’s obviously reached out to me. Obviously, it just got out that he said that, ‘Start shooting more,’ and then all of a sudden things “I had a couple options and, I don’t know, I think you just feel when it’s start happening.” right. It just felt right talking to these guys. A championship has always escaped me, so I thought this would be a good chance to play for a great Things are happening at an unreal rate. Eichel is finding the net on 23.9 coaching staff and a great organization to try and win the championship percent of his shots during the streak. His wrist shot is connecting 26 in this last year.” percent of the time. His snap shot is at 25 percent. His slap shot is finding the net 16.7 percent of the time and his deflections are working at This is it for the 14-year pro. He’s set to play his 1,000th game soon – 50 percent. he’s at 983 after skating in 650 NHL games and 333 in the AHL – and the family awaits. His wife and kids are living in Connecticut. It’s not easy, It’s no wonder Eichel is second in the NHL with 24 goals and fifth with 50 but they see each other on the weekends because it’s only a three-hour points in just 35 games. drive to Hershey.

“It’s not only good to see, but it’s extremely fun to watch,” Moulson said. When Moulson is home alone, he watches hockey on television. Eichel “I feel like every time Jack touches the puck, something good is going to and the Sabres are thankful for that. It led to a season-changing text. happen.” “He’s one of the smartest guys I’ve ever played with,” Sabres forward Kyle Okposo said of Moulson. “He recognizes that Jack’s got superstar talent. He’s so strong. He’s got such a great shot. And a lot of times I think he was looking to just slow the game down and make the perfect play instead of just shoot.

“Obviously, Mouls can see the game and is able to look at it objectively. It’s a good thing he told him.”

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166809 Calgary Flames

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 12.19.2019

Flames waive Austin Czarnik, hoping to send winger to minors

Wes Gilbertson

December 18, 2019 6:06 PM MST

A week ago, Austin Czarnik capped a three-game conditioning stint in the minors with an end-to-end rush and a glove-side snipe for an overtime winner.

His next action will also come with the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat … unless he is snatched by another organization.

Czarnik was available Wednesday on the NHL waiver-wire, a necessary step for the 27-year-old right-winger — recently returned after a six-week layoff due to a high-ankle sprain — to be demoted to the farm club.

“He’s now ready to play and needs to play, that’s really it,” said Flames general manager Brad Treliving. “We made the decision here to put him on (waivers) and if he goes through, he’ll go down and play some games, which he needs to. He’s been off an awful long time. Those are difficult injuries to come back from.

“Quite frankly, we had a couple last year and they’re long and frustrating. So he needs to get back up to speed.”

One way or another, Czarnik will be on an outbound flight shortly after Thursday’s 10 a.m. MT waiver deadline.

There were reportedly 20-some teams showing interest when he signed with the Flames as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2018, so it wouldn’t be a shock if he was claimed by another club. His contract comes with a salary-cap hit of US$1.25-million.

The brass at the Saddledome would probably prefer to keep Czarnik, but he’s been leapfrogged by others on the forward depth chart. Interim head coach Geoff Ward confirmed as much prior to Tuesday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, telling reporters he had a meeting with No. 27 and explained, “he just has to be better than one of the 12 that are in.”

It’s certainly a good sign for the Flames, who cap a four-game homestand with Thursday’s matchup with the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m. MT, Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan), that there isn’t an obvious candidate to come out of their lineup.

Dillon Dube has made the most of this latest call-up, looking like a guy who is now in the big leagues to stay.

Michael Frolik just finished a three-game goal-scoring spurt, while fellow fourth-liners Mark Jankowski — scratched against the Penguins — and Tobias Rieder are valuable pieces on the penalty-kill.

Zac Rinaldo was reassigned Wednesday to the Heat, although Treliving hinted he could be back very soon.

Czarnik’s most recent outing in the Flaming C was back on Oct. 24 — he scored that evening, stretching his point-spree to three straight games.

After Tuesday’s morning skate, not quite 24 hours before he learned he had been placed on waivers, the undersized speedster admitted he was frustrated by his spare-part status but vowed to continue to push for another opportunity.

“I have to take every day and just work my hardest,” said Czarnik, who has three points — two goals and one helper — in eight appearances with the Flames this season and posted the same number in his hat-trick of twirls with the Heat during his conditioning stint. “I obviously wanted more when I came back but I’m just trying to be positive and do the right things every day. And when my time is called, I’m going to try to make the most of it. For now, I’m just getting good hard work in and making myself ready for whenever they need me.

“It’s just a waiting game now. All I can do is prepare the way I can and hopefully it sets me up to be successful whenever I’m back in.”

That waiting game could continue in Stockton.

Unless, that is, another club claims him instead. 1166810 Calgary Flames in the optimism expressed by doctors who have spent their careers studying this disease.

As our neurologist said after Chris received his first dose in the trial — 'We have hope': Flames assistant GM Chris Snow diagnosed with ALS “We’re here to make history.”

Staff Report Calgary Sun: LOADED: 12.19.2019 POSTMEDIA NEWS SERVICES

December 18, 2019 5:13 PM MST

Calgary Flames assistant general manager Chris Snow has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The club made that heart-wrenching announcement Wednesday by sharing a letter from his wife, Kelsie.

Snow, an analytics expert, has been on staff at the Saddledome since 2011. The 38-year-old father of two is now enrolled in a clinical trial to treat the disease.

A letter from Kelsie Snow …

Dear Hockey Family,

I’m here to share news we prayed so hard we’d never have.

Chris has been diagnosed with ALS.

ALS is a horrible disease, and when we went to Miami to see one of the best ALS doctors and researchers out there, we prayed hard. We believe there are miracles in the world and maybe, maybe we would get one.

And we did, just not the one we’d hoped for.

In the same breath as the doctor telling us that Chris was in the early stages of ALS, he also gave us hope. The next step, he said, was to enroll Chris in a clinical trial for the most encouraging ALS gene therapy treatment to come along. The drug targets a specific genetic mutation that has devastated Chris’ family. Just over one year ago Chris’ dad passed away from ALS. We have also lost both of Chris’ paternal uncles and his 28-year-old cousin to this disease.

In the simplest terms, this drug works by silencing the effects of the mutated gene, and in Miami we could see how hopeful the doctor felt. So hopeful that when I asked if he believes this drug could stop progression entirely, he said, “We don’t know, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility.”

And so we are leaning into that possibility, as hard as we can, working to stay positive and living with intention every single day. And now we believe we have results to lean into as well.

Chris has been in the trial for several months, and while we do not know whether he is on the actual drug or a placebo, the disease since that initial dose does not seem to have progressed. His right hand and forearm remain the only affected areas of his otherwise strong and healthy body.

Someone has to be the first person to live with ALS rather than die from it, and one thing I’ve always known about Chris is that he finds a way. No matter the obstacle, no matter how unprecedented the situation may be — he always, always finds a way.

We know that our hockey family will want to help, and we appreciate that so much. Here’s how you can do that.

Be positive and hopeful with us, pray for us in whatever way you pray, and don’t treat us — most especially Chris — differently than you always have. He is the same person today he was yesterday and he will be the same person tomorrow and in two months and beyond. Hug your family, wring all the joy from each moment of your life, play with your children, and be present — all things at which Chris has always been wonderful.

Continue to love us and love our kids. Of all the devastation this diagnosis brought, the idea of telling the two of them they were going to lose their dad was the most crushing. But now we have hope and, we believe, a different story.

The next most powerful thing you can do for us is to believe in this treatment. Our hope is rooted in the results we believe we are seeing and 1166811 Calgary Flames of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and were asked to coach Canada’s under-18 team at the then-Four Nations Tournament.

After that, the two developed a friendship. And Ward was the first person Ward owes 'everything' to Canadiens head coach Julien in his start Julien called when an opportunity opened in Hamilton at the AHL level. behind the bench “I was living in Guelph at the time,” “I was half an hour up the road. He called and said, ‘Listen, would you mind coming and just sitting up top Kristen Anderson, Postmedia and looking at our team from up-top. That’s how I really started. Edmonton paid me gas money and Claude got me some expenses … December 18, 2019 9:09 PM MST and, after that, he worked it into a full-time job for me.

“For me to be standing here, I owe him everything … it’s funny how it works.” Geoff Ward received the news on Jan. 17, 2003, that he was going to be guiding the Hamilton Bulldogs for the rest of the season as Claude Julien They parlayed that into a brief partnership at the AHL level and reunited was given the bump-up in the Montreal Canadiens organization as the in 2007-08 with the Boston Bruins when Julien was hired as the head head coach of the National Hockey League team. coach there.

The interview process was simple. “He had a great relationship with players,” Ward said. “I thought he was really good at that. He made it fun. But, at the same point, he was able to An hour-long dinner with then-general manager of the Canadiens, Andre make sure the guys didn’t get off track by having too much fun. He was a Savard. players’ coach but he was firm. So, the players knew exactly what they “After that, he was OK with it,” Ward recalls. needed to put in work-wise and structure-wise.

But, the main vote of confidence came — collectively — from the group “But he always had a good relationship with the players … what I that matters the most. admired most about him was he was able to stick to what he believed in. He didn’t waver on stuff. When he was sure that was the way it needed “I was fortunate — players from both organizations went to the general to be, and that’s the way he wanted it to be, he stayed with it — no managers of both American League teams and said, ‘Look it. I think he matter what the pressure was. can do the job for us,’ instead of bringing somebody else in,” he explains, on the eve of his 10th game as head coach of the Calgary Flames — his “And, ultimately, it resulted in a Stanley Cup.” first NHL gig. “The players kind of went to bat for me. In any profession, being a sponge is considered an asset; you take “And I don’t know what would have happened if the players would have pieces of those you admire in every role you are in. gone to bat for me, to be honest with you.” When asked about Julien’s impact on Ward, he responded: “Everything.” Of course it was a dream. The dream. Who wouldn’t want to further their Decisiveness, he said, is crucial as a head coach and Julien has that in coaching career and climb the ladder, in hopes of making the NHL some spades. day? “You can play with that a long time — if you think a decision is right or This was his chance to gain experience and, in a lot of ways, put what not,” Ward said. “At the end of the day, as you get more experienced, it he’d learned as an assistant coach under Julien into action. gets easier. But most of the time … there’s an art and a science to “I mean, you never know if you’re going to,” Ward said. “I wasn’t really coaching and sometimes, you have to go more with the art than the thinking about that. It was like, ‘All of a sudden, Claude’s called up and science.” he’s getting his opportunity, which is fantastic because he’s getting his opportunity in the NHL.’ But, in the meantime, what do we have to do to be ready on a regular basis? Calgary Sun: LOADED: 12.19.2019 “It’s almost really similar to what happened here.”

Ward took over from Bill Peters as the interim head coach, officially, 21 days ago. They’re 7-2-0 under his watch and just came off a seven-game win streak.

He’s been asked, repeatedly, what this journey means to him on a personal level and, each time, he deflects the praise back to the team; it’s all about player-empowerment.

Ward was asked, again, on Wednesday as his former mentor and coaching partner Julien was preparing his team to hit the ice at Scotiabank Saddledome. They’ll face each other, for the first time, as head coaches at the NHL level on Thursday (7 p.m., Sportsnet 960 The Fan, TSN 2, Sportsnet West) after winning a Stanley Cup together in 2011.

“His knowledge of the game, his interaction with the players,” Julien said on Wednesday. “He was well-respected when we worked together. Well- prepared. Worked hard. His demeanour and personality blends well with today’s players.

“I think he’s got a great opportunity and with a little bit of luck, he could have had (it) before this moment here. So, I’m happy for him. I think he’s proven to a lot of people that he can handle this job. It starts off 7-0, and even though they’ve lost a few here, he’s still doing a great job. His team is playing extremely well. I’m happy for him. It’s been a long road for him and he’s had a lot of patience in waiting for his turn. I’m sure he would have enjoyed having it in a better scenario.

“But a well-deserved opportunity for Geoff.”

When they first met, Ward was coaching with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers while Julien was with the Hull Olympiques 1166812 Calgary Flames Czarnik — in the final season of a two-year contract that pays him a $1.25 million salary — would tend to agree. He last skated in the NHL on Oct. 24, at which point he owned a modest three-game point streak.

Dillon Dube earns his spot, Austin Czarnik hits waivers as Flames juggle During his recent week-long conditioning stint in Stockton, he produced roster three points, including an overtime goal, in three appearances.

Now Czarnik’s future is uncertain.

By Scott Cruickshank “He’s ready to play and needs to play,” said Treliving. “He’s been off for a Dec 18, 2019 long time. And (high-ankle sprains) are difficult injuries to come back from.

“Quite frankly, we had a couple last year” — to Michael Frolik and Juuso With the Calgary Flames approaching near-perfect health, something Valimaki — “and they’re long and they’re frustrating. So he needs to get had to give with the roster. up to speed.”

Game-ready players on the premises had been on the verge of totalling Speaking of Valimaki — the youngster, who had required ACL surgery 24, including 15 forwards. before training camp and has been doing his rehabilitation at the Saddledome, returned to native Finland the other day for a holiday break NHL clubs can carry no more than 23 bodies — and cap-pinched clubs, with family. such as the Flames, often opt for 22 — so at least one chap had to leave Calgary. While Treliving did note that Valimaki is ahead of schedule, he was unable to provide a time frame for the prospect’s return. Staring at general manager Brad Treliving was one simple solution — tapping the shoulder of Dillon Dube, the only forward who doesn’t require “Not because I’m trying to keep anything secret — we just don’t know,” waivers for an AHL assignment, and flinging him toward Stockton. he said. “He’s doing really well. He’s been working really hard.”

But the Flames, to their credit, didn’t choose the path of least resistance. Last week the 21-year-old travelled with the team for the matches in Colorado and Arizona. “It was more of a mental break for him to be Dube, quite rightly, is staying. around the group,” said Treliving, “which he liked and they liked.” “You look at the people that have come up — they deserve to be here,” Near the tail end of Treliving’s debriefing, Taylor Hall’s name was brought said Treliving. “I look at Dillon Dube and how he’s played. It’s easy to up. look at a guy who’s waiver exempt (and resort to the obvious) … but he’s played well for us.” The Flames boss took the opportunity to rave about the 28-year-old forward, who, of course, moved this week from New Jersey to Arizona. The fallout: “He won the MVP a couple years ago and they usually don’t give those Austin Czarnik — fully recovered from a high-ankle sprain — comes off out to guys that aren’t doing well,” Treliving said. “A good team added a long-term injured reserve. real good top-end player. That’s a good add.” That transaction automatically shifts Czarnik to the Flames’ active roster, But when asked about reports of his own squad’s interest in Hall, he which is now in danger of overflowing. chuckled. Zac Rinaldo — somehow both hot-handed (three points in his last two “I haven’t seen those reports. I’m just worried about our team here.” appearances) and dry-docked (scratched for four of the past five contests) during his stay in Calgary — is immediately dispatched to Stockton. The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 Czarnik is placed on waivers.

If by the end of the waiver-claim period, 10 a.m. on Thursday, Czarnik is elsewhere — either in another NHL city or bound for the farm — Treliving said, “There’s a fairly good anticipation that Zac could be recalled.”

The moves add up to a vote of confidence for Dube, even if, post- practice Wednesday, he wasn’t terribly keen to dig into the development.

“I don’t look at it that way,” said the 21-year-old. “You can’t get comfortable. I’ve got to come out every game and put my best foot forward.”

Dube is establishing himself as an everyday NHLer.

In 14 dates this season, he’s collected seven points (while never receiving fewer than 10 minutes of ice time). And, operating on a line with 30-somethings Milan Lucic and Derek Ryan, he looks at home.

“He’s progressing real nicely for us,” said head coach Geoff Ward. “His time in the American League was well spent. The coaches and players down there did a good job of showing what it means to be a good pro. He’s come up here much better away from the puck, much more comfortable with it. So his progression with us right now is right on track. He’s played well.”

Last season, Dube managed to crack the opening night lineup. Then he was injured, then sent to the AHL to work on his game. He spent time in Stockton this year, too.

All part of the process, according to the 2016 second-rounder.

“It’s good. Second year around … it’s been more comfortable,” said Dube. “It’s a lot different than junior. It’s a job. You’ve got to be ready to play every night.

“You’re fighting for a spot every night.” 1166813 Carolina Hurricanes “There’s been no negotiations yet,” Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell said in an interview. “There has been discussions. We expect to be receiving something in the near future but there is no timetable. There hasn’t been any kind of proposal put back and forth yet.” Carolina Hurricanes are not the only ones profiting from their Stanley Cup playoff run Asked if the $60 million revenue threshold for an additional rent payment would be negotiated and changed, Waddell said, “We’ll see. I’m not going to negotiate in the media but I don’t like writing that check.

BY CHIP ALEXANDER “The only issue I will say about it is the lease is outdated because it had a threshold ... with no cost of living. So, yes, our revenues have gone up DECEMBER 18, 2019 05:00 AM but our expenses have gone up, too, and there’s no accounting for that. So the lease that was done back in ‘99 is great but is outdated at this point and needs to be reworked.” RALEIGH NC STATE, STANLEY CUP AND METALLICA The Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup playoff run last season proved to be very profitable for the team. N.C. State shares PNC Arena with the Hurricanes, who handle the arena operations through Gale Force, and has played its men’s basketball It also was profitable for the Centennial Authority, the PNC Arena games there since 1999, when the arena opened. The arena revenue landlord. figures show N.C. State receiving more than $369,000 in food and beverage revenue, about $110,000 in suite revenue and roughly $93,000 Under the arena lease arrangement with Gale Force Sports & in parking revenue in fiscal 2019. Entertainment, the Canes’ parent company, the Centennial Authority receives additional rent should Gale Force top a $60 million threshold in While the make a difference to the bottom line for gross arena revenues for the fiscal year. Gale Force, so did the Canes’ improved home attendance for 2018-19 -- an average of 14,322. That was an increase of 1,002 fans per game from The authority’s take for 2019: $781,569. 2017-18, when the Canes were 29th in the NHL (the Canes have Gale Force reported $86,052,297 in gross arena revenues subject to rent averaged 15,818 in 15 home games this season, ranking 24th). for fiscal 2019, which also takes into account a concert season that Authority officials said the concerts in 2019 at PNC Arena had a total included Sir Paul McCartney, Metallica, Elton John, KISS and other attendance of about 249,000, an increase from 190,000 in 2018. events. Financially, it was the perfect storm. Metallica set a one-day event attendance record of 20,052 in January. “We had a really good hockey team and a really good concert program,” PAYING OFF authority chairman Tom McCormick said. Additional arena rent paid by Gale Force Gale Force pays base annual rent of $2.45 million to the authority, then 3 percent of any total over $60 million in gross revenues after such 2003 -- $320,774 eliminations are made such as money owed to N.C. State, which shares the arena with the Canes. And in 2019, about $7.6 million to the NHL for 2004 -- 0 its cut of the playoff revenue, a first for the Canes since 2009. 2005 -- 0 Total rent paid for fiscal 2019: $3,231,569. 2006 -- $999,115 Only when the Canes won the Stanley Cup in 2006 has the team paid a 2007 -- $503,649 higher rent overage -- $999,115. That was on top of the annual net rent, at that time, of $2.7 million. The Canes had 14 home playoff games in 2008 -- $54,417 their run to the Cup in 2006. 2009 -- $426,205 The Canes, who are discussing a new arena lease with the authority, are no longer required to disclose all of their hockey-related revenues to the 2010 -- 0 authority, calling it proprietary trade secret information. NHL licensing 2011 -- 0 and NHL and local TV revenue are not included in the gross arena revenues. 2012 -- 0

Forbes magazine, in its 2019 valuations of NHL franchises, reported that 2013 -- 0 Carolina -- ranked 25th among the 31 NHL teams at $450 million -- had $128 million in annual revenue and $3.6 million in operating income. 2014 -- $55,654

A LEASE EXTENSION? 2015 -- 0

The Canes, in Rod Brind’Amour’s first season as head coach, reached 2016 -- 0 the playoffs last season for the first time since 2009 and advanced to the 2017 -- 0 Eastern Conference finals after series wins over the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders. While swept by the Boston Bruins in the 2018 -- $113,745 conference finals, the Canes played seven home playoff games. 2019 -- $781,569 Gale Force reported total admissions for fiscal 2019 of roughly $39.9 million, an increase of $15 million from 2018. The NHL took $7.63 million Source: Centennial Authority of that total as the league’s cut of the playoff revenue.

Gale Force’s gross arena revenues for fiscal 2019 had an increase of News Observer LOADED: 12.19.2019 more than $22 million from 2018, according to the authority’s special use report used to determine the rent. Food and beverage sales increased more than $5 million from 2018 and parking about $1.87 million, according to the authority figures.

While the current lease does not expire until 2024, a lease extension is being discussed. The authority has hired CAA Icon, a strategic management consulting firm, to confer with Gale Force on a new lease.

The authority on Dec. 5 had a three-hour closed session to be updated by CAA Icon officials. No details of a proposed lease have been released. 1166814 Carolina Hurricanes It didn’t take this Morning Skate admission to realize how confident and relaxed Aho’s been these days, though, or how much confidence affects his play.

Civian: I hereby declare the lacrosse goal ‘The Svech,’ and there will be For me, the tangible fearlessness first reared its head this season in how no further comment at this time Aho challenges the NHL’s best to foot races on the penalty kill — and wins.

But nothing convinced me Aho was feeling it feeling it Tuesday like some By Sara Civian pre-game chirping.

Dec 18, 2019 “To be honest I haven’t watched a lot of (Jets star Patrik Laine’s) games, but I heard he back checks now,” Aho laughed, poking fun at his good

friend and countryman’s tendency to focus on offense. “No, I’m kidding. WINNIPEG — Where do we even begin with this one? He always had that. I guess it’s better for them that he works both ways and obviously he can score some goals.” As the Hurricanes (21-11-2) were making the humans of the Bell MTS Place press box crack up in disbelief throughout a 6-3 win that was more Laine did score one — an equalizer in the second to match Aho’s first. fun than any regular-season game has much business being, it occurred He even backchecked like a champ. to me that this was a night of many “ledes”. While the Canes could’ve saved a few storylines for their next snoozefest, it was the kind of game But so did Aho, and he scored twice — and added an assist. that showed you what this team is capable of when Mercury is out of retrograde, the Hockey Gods are smiling, your skill players are your skill I have learned a lot about Sebastian Aho over this past year or so, but if I players and your grit players come through. know anything I know he would’ve never chirped if he wasn’t going to come out and do that. That’s including but not limited to Andrei Svechnikov pulling off the move nobody else in NHL history has for the second time in 49 days. The amount of not even mad, just very, very sad Blackhawks fans in my Twitter mentions every single night because of Turbo Where to begin? Where to end? What does it all mean? Believe me, I get it. In no particular order, a list of Things That Happened: I think I’ve asked Brind’Amour how underrated Teravainen is about 15 This game probably led the season in crazy-stuff-per-60. times since he signed his extension last season.

But somehow, even more than a friendly Finnish chirp fest, another I feel like at this point if you don’t know how good he is you aren’t paying lacrosse goal and the latest installment of 5D chess with Teuvo attention. Teravainen, Hurricanes players seemed happiest for the captain and his two run-of-the-mill goals. Return of ‘The Svech’

They count the same At The End Of The Day (Trademark: Nino It’d been 49 days since the first-ever lacrosse goal AKA “Michigan” Niederreiter), and Staal hadn’t found the back of the net since Nov. 14 at graced the National Hockey League. Buffalo. Our crops were withering. Our economy was in a state of emergency. “He’s the man, you know?” Sebastian Aho said. “I’m really happy for him. How did we make it this far? He just works so hard every night, it’s nice to see him get rewarded.” Rogue Joel Edmundson points streaks could only distract us for so long. The goal celebration hug was particularly electric for that one. For some Finally, Noted Teenager Andrei Svechnikov outdid a 49-day-younger reason, the aggressive head tap from three-apple Dougie and the rest of Andrei Svechnikov for the best NHL lacrosse goal of all time. the reactions drove home the point that there’s a reason Staal wears the “C”. Let’s leave that blatant missed tripping call up to The Athletic Winnipeg, because The Athletic Carolina just spent hours compiling a “It was a long time coming, hopefully they’ll start coming more often,” comprehensive, complete power ranking of the best lacrosse goals in Staal said. “… Honestly, if (the lacrosse goal) is the way you need to NHL history: score goals now, I’m jamming it into pads, and (Svechnikov) seems to be doing a lot better at it and finding ways to score goals.” Andrei Svechnikov, December 17, 2019

Staal is always good for some self-deprecating humor. Andrei Svechnikov, October 29, 2019

“He’s played so hard all year, he just hasn’t been fortunate. He’s gotten That’s it. That’s the list. zero bounces,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Hopefully that gets him on a roll.” Even the eye test and the advanced analytics are on the same page about this. Hours before “Oops! I did it again” by Britney Spears blared throughout the visitor’s dressing room and Hurricanes players groaned in unison The Athletic: You did it again! when someone shut it off, Aho opened up a bit. Svechnikov: “Yeah.”

“When you get the bounces you don’t try too hard to score,” he told me, “I think I got just lucky again. reflecting on his start to the season. “I feel like I didn’t get any bounces the first 10 games whatsoever, and now I’m getting those bounces. I “That’s a great try for me.” don’t think my game has changed that much but, just, I’ve relaxed a little bit. I think it’s just in the head, you know? You score a couple goals, you He was pressed harder … start feeling it then you almost kind of get those little bounces. I think “I got a lot of room there I just try to put it on the net as fast as I can… that’s what happened.” He was pressed once more (this is Canada after all, the place with the Aho has scored 17 goals in his previous 21 games, now has 20 team- Bright Lights and the Big, Bad Reporters) … leading goals and has three multi-point outings in his past five games. His 17 goals since Nov. 1 are tied with Buffalo’s Jack Eichel for the Reporter: “Andrei it’s never been done before, you’ve done it twice in 49 league lead in this span. days.”

Maybe it’ll happen for Staal now, or maybe it’s just the Finnish Hockey Svechnikov, smiling: “Yeah.” Gods who smile upon chill vibes. And finally … Maybe Aho is just an elite hockey player but young enough and competitive enough to forget that sometimes. “When I get room, I can score that move because I practice it a lot. If I start behind the net and I’ve got room I’m always going to try that. We’ll see, maybe I’m going to score next game.” There it is.

In the words of Tripp Tracy, “Special, special kid.”

With the power vested in me by Bradlee Pesce, I hereby declare the lacrosse goal “The Svech.”

(Yet another stick tap to Shayna Goldman for the videos. One of the many stars of the night.)

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166815 Carolina Hurricanes the expansion Knights, but instead, he’s played some of the best hockey of his career while leaning hard into his likable personality to sell the game in a new market.

Down Goes Brown: The 10 players that no NHL fan can hate (except for The one group that still kind of hates him: Man, I’m not even sure. That all the ones that do) Sharks/Knights rivalry is pretty solid, so maybe you allow San Jose fans to sneer at him just a bit. Beyond that, his only natural enemy at this point are Canadians who still aren’t over how the 2004 World Juniors ended and Hall of Fame sticklers who’ll be mad when he makes it in on the first By Sean McIndoe ballot. Dec 18, 2019 Elias Pettersson

Why almost everyone loves him: Another member of the current cohort of We’re into holiday mode, where everything is supposed to be about great young players just hitting their prime, Pettersson is a wizard with peace and goodwill. Love thy neighbor and that sort of thing. the puck who ran away with the Calder last year. As a bonus, hockey fans love rooting for smaller players. Pettersson isn’t actually small – he’s That’s nice and all, but it can be tough for hockey fans, who are 6-foot-2 – but for some reason, everyone outside of Vancouver has preconditioned to be mad at just about everything. Pretty soon we’ll hit decided to think that he is, so he gets that added boost. the Christmas trade freeze, meaning we can’t even sit around and imagine that bum who’s clogging up our team’s salary cap being traded Also, we should all be feeling a pang of collective Canucks-related guilt for a ransom of picks and prospects. Now you want us to be nice to the for not appreciating Pavel Bure or the Sedins enough. jerks on the other teams too? It’s a rough time of year when you’re a The one group that still kind of hates him: Other players, apparently, diehard hockey fan who hates everyone. since he’s already been injured controversially by Chris Kreider and Well, almost everyone. Because at any given time, there are always a Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Other than that, I’m not sure there’s anybody, apart few players who just about everyone seems to like. It’s been a rough few from the four head scouts who passed on him in 2017. years for that crowd, as we’ve said goodbye to guys like Roberto Luongo, Henrik Lundqvist Pavel Datsyuk, Teemu Selanne and Jarome Iginla. But that just creates some extra room on the nice list. Why almost everyone loves him: He’s the best goaltender of his era and a sure-thing Hall-of-Famer as soon as he’s eligible. He’s also a part-time Today, let’s get into the holiday spirit with a list of the ten players in the model, plays in a rock band and loves good dogs. NHL that nobody can hate. (And then the reasons why maybe you can hate them just a little.) To be honest, it’s almost too much, and at a certain point, you could forgive fans if they turned on him. Like, we get it Henrik, you’re better Connor McDavid than us at everything. But then you remember that he still hasn’t won a Why almost everyone loves him: First of all, he’s the best player in the Stanley Cup, which gives his story arc some vulnerability and lends a league, with maybe the most pure skill since Mario Lemieux. Even in a sense of urgency to the final stages of his career. Remember when he league with more dominant young talent than ever before, McDavid still dragged the Rangers to the final, only to give up the Cup-winner in occasionally does things that you’ve never seen, or ever thought overtime and then lay on the ice for roughly the entire offseason? You’d possible. He’s one of the rare players who’d be worth paying full price have to be a monster to hate a guy who’s been through that. just to watch on his own and brings back that pre-Dead Puck Era feeling The one group that still kind of hates him: Guys that aren’t supermodel of excitement you used to get whenever a star player had the puck on his rock star athletes, I guess. I don’t know anyone like that, but it’s what I’ve stick. heard. Second of all, he’s signed long-term in Edmonton, so the sympathy factor Phil Kessel is off the charts. Why almost everyone loves him: OK, I’m not sure everyone actually The one group that still kind of hates him: Flames fans get a pass, as does. I’m projecting a little bit here since I’ve been on Team Phil for years they do for any Oiler. Beyond that, nobody really dislikes him, although and am still actively trying to get everyone else on the bandwagon. Good you get the sense that there’s an undercurrent of aggravation from other seats are still available. fan bases who keep waiting for him to stomp out of Edmonton and demand a trade. Come on, they’re terrible, and he looked vaguely sad at Still, at this point, I’m not sure there are any good reasons left to dislike his draft lottery. Surely he wants to play somewhere else. Specifically, for the guy. Sure, he was kind of awkward and weird when he first broke into my favorite team. Come on Connor, blink twice if you want us to send in the league, which seemed to rub people the wrong way. He’s still a chopper to airlift you out. awkward and weird, but he’s figured out how to lean into it just enough that he seems like he’s mostly in on the joke now. The dude ate hot dogs Patrick Marleau out of the Stanley Cup, I’m not sure what more you could want. Why almost everyone loves him: He’s been around forever, his speed Oh, he’s also a Masterton winner and cancer survivor, not to mention a means he’s been fun to watch over the years and he always seems two-time Cup champion who has a shot at breaking the ironman record. disturbingly happy. He became the team father figure in Toronto – literally – and then headed home to San Jose to finish out his career. The one group that still kind of hates him: Most of his ex-coaches, a few Plus he’s still chasing that elusive Stanley Cup, and everybody loves a of his former GMs and team executives, a handful of ex-teammates and good OGWAC story. Uh, please don’t check the standings to see how like 90 percent of the media. Also, probably a few Coyotes fans who that quest is going for him. were hoping for more than seven goals. But other than that very small niche group, everybody else loves the guy. The one group that still kind of hates him: Nobody right now, although we’ll save a spot for Leaf fans when they miss the playoffs and end up Justin Williams having to send the 11th overall pick to the Hurricanes for getting out of the last year of his contract. Also, it’s going to be kind of weird if he sticks Why almost everyone loves him: He’s Mr. Game Seven, which is pretty around next year and ends up breaking Gordie Howe’s all-time games much an irresistible narrative. Athletes who are “clutch” may or may not played record. See, you didn’t realize that was going to happen, and now be an actual thing, but it’s an undeniably fun concept, so fans want to you feel just a little conflicted, right? believe.

Marc-Andre Fleury OK, yes, he’s not technically an active player right now, which in theory should work against him. But since everyone assumes he’s coming back, Why almost everyone loves him: He’s a former first overall pick who’s we’ll leave the door cracked open for him. smiled his way through a very good NHL career, without ever being so dominating that you resented him. He was part of three Cup winners in The one group that still kind of hates him: Me, any time I write about the Pittsburgh, then handled what could have been a tricky Matt Murray Hall of Fame and have to explain why he’s not going to make it. (Also, situation and eventual exit with class and good humor. That was Hurricanes fans if he makes his big late-season comeback with someone supposed to lead to him spending his last few years getting shelled for else, but we’re not supposed to mention that possibility out loud.) But wait, what about … seem comfortable in the spotlight and he’s even done a bit of acting. Also, he is reasonably good at playing hockey. Before we head down the home stretch, let’s hit a few guys who might have a case for the list, but didn’t make the final cut. The one group that still kind of hates him: Any superstar player who has to negotiate an extension and has to hear about how much MacKinnon Sidney Crosby: He should be there. But for years, for whatever reason, makes. he’s been a lightning rod for criticism and a complaint for fans outside of Pittsburgh. He shouldn’t be, but nobody has ever accused hockey fans of Alexander Ovechkin being reasonable. Why almost everyone loves him: We’re here, right? Please tell me there Joe Thornton: I’ve included him on the list in the past and wanted to isn’t still some pocket of holdouts in the anti-Ovechkin club. Sure, early in squeeze him in here. But I’ve heard from enough Blues fans to know that his career he was a little too flashy for some tastes and over time he some of them still haven’t forgiven. evolved into one of those guys you could point to when you were rambling on about how certain players put up big numbers but just can’t Mikko Koivu: On the one hand, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who win the big one. But ever since he won the Stanley Cup and then didn’t like him. On the other, he’s still got a ways to go to be the most celebrated by having more fun than just about anyone in the history of popular guy in his own family. Tough call here. the world, even his harshest critic has to have thrown in the towel.

Mitch Marner: He’s a happy-go-lucky kid playing for his hometown team At least I hope so because we’ve got a few more years to enjoy the guy and he’s all sorts of fun to watch. He’s also a Maple Leaf and it’s virtually who might end up being considered the greatest pure goal scorer in the impossible to get anyone from Toronto onto a universally beloved list. history of the sport. Let’s not let this be one of those Brett Hull things P.K. Subban: He’s got the personality, but he was never all that close to where we never quite appreciate a guy enough until he’s done. Ovechkin being universally loved when he was at the height of his game and these rules. days he isn’t. The one group that still kind of hates him: I don’t know, but I have a bad Johnny Gaudreau: Once he gets his game back to an elite level, he’ll be feeling I’m about to find out. right back in the running.

Any of this year’s rookies: Let’s see them put in at least a full season The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 without enraging anyone. But some of these guys could be in the mix soon, especially Cale Makar.

Jonathan Toews: Another name that’s shown up on these lists in recent years, but it feels like the league’s constant tire-pumping of Chicago players – remember that Top 100 fiasco? – has led to a Blackhawks backlash.

Steven Stamkos: He’s a great player who’s still chasing his Cup and after a few years any lingering bitterness should be fading over him not picking your favorite team when he was a free agent.

Taylor Hall: He’s an elite player who also seems to be fun off the ice, in that kind of quirky Kessel-like way. Let’s see how the dynamic plays out in Arizona.

Jack Eichel: Check back this time next year, especially if he can lead the Sabres on a solid playoff run.

Claude Giroux: Fun fact, if you write a post about star players and don’t mention Claude Giroux somewhere, Flyer fans will come to your house and pee down your chimney.

Pretty much any defensemen: You could make cases for a few guys, but in general it’s easy to find something to hate about a guy whose job it is to cross-check your favorite forward’s spine into paste.

The guy whose name you’re about to go post in the comments with a question mark on the end and nothing else: He was sixth eleventh.

Patrice Bergeron

Why almost everyone loves him: After years of being grouped in with Toews and Anze Kopitar, Bergeron’s recent offensive peak has made him the de facto name for fans who want to show that they appreciate a two-way forward. He’s a warrior, he’s mostly kept away from controversy and it’s pretty much impossible not to respect his game. You hate him when he’s shutting down your team’s star player, but otherwise, he’s the poster child for guys who play a 200-foot game. (At least until he passes that torch to Mark Stone.)

The one group that still kind of hates him: Anyone whose hatred radius for Brad Marchand extends far enough to fall on a guy who’s almost always right next to him.

Nathan MacKinnon

Why almost everyone loves him: We already said that Crosby should be on the list, so MacKinnon at least checks the Cole Harbour box.

Beyond that, he’s pretty much the ideal mass-approval superstar right now; he’s undeniably among the very best in the game but started his career with just enough adversity that it doesn’t feel like this is all easy for him. The Avalanche are a likable team and they’re good enough that it sure seems like they’ll be around for a while once the spring arrives. MacKinnon has kept his nose clean, he has just enough personality to 1166816 Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Tribune LOADED: 12.19.2019

Robin Lehner, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are in full support of Blackhawks assistant coach Marc Crawford: ‘We’re looking forward to getting him back in the locker room’

By JIMMY GREENFIELD

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

DEC 18, 2019 | 6:24 PM

The controversy surrounding Blackhawks assistant coach Marc Crawford is nearing a conclusion.

On Jan. 2, Crawford’s suspension will end and he’ll resume a career that was threatened by allegations he had physically and verbally abused former players more than a decade ago.

For veteran goaltender Robin Lehner and other Hawks, the only controversy is that Crawford ever was suspended.

“If the standard is what Marc Crawford did (requires rehabilitation) and an apology letter, I think a big, big portion of the league coaches, GMs, presidents, players better start typing,” Lehner said Wednesday. “Everyone (better) get ready for their apology letters because if that’s the standard from back in the day, a lot of people are guilty of it.”

The Hawks’ two-week investigation, which the team said in a statement released Monday was done in conjunction with an independent legal counsel, found that Crawford, 58, had been undergoing counseling since 2010 in an effort to “improve and become a better communicator, person and coach.”

"We believe that Marc has learned from his past actions and has committed to striving to reform himself and evolve personally and professionally over the last decade," the statement read. "We have experienced no incidents during Marc’s coaching tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks."

Recently, the NHL has undergone what some have described as a reckoning. Last month, Flames coach Bill Peters resigned after allegations of making racial slurs toward a former Blackhawks prospect.

Shortly after the Maple Leafs fired Mike Babcock on Nov. 20 for hockey reasons, accusations arose that he had mentally abused former players.

When the Hawks were in Europe on their season-opening trip, Lehner recalls Crawford addressing some of the issues that only recently have come up around the NHL.

“I remember when we were in Prague he was talking to the team about how happy he is that the culture has changed in the NHL,” Lehner said, "and that things are going about in a different way and more communication, more back and forth. Not like that dictatorship that it was around the whole league before. He’s talked a lot about that.

“He’s a good man. So I’m very happy he’s (coming) back.”

Patrick Kane said he didn’t encounter any issues with Crawford, adding that the team has missed his scouting reports of opponents, a duty Kane said Jeremy Colliton has assumed with Crawford away from the team.

“He’s been nothing but a first-class guy and just trying to help the team out any way he can,” Kane said of Crawford. “He’s obviously very passionate, and ever since he’s gone away, we’ve definitely missed him behind the bench. He’s a guy that can fire up players. He’s a guy that can teach players. Gives you a couple things before the game to think about.”

Jonathan Toews confirmed that Crawford, who is in his first season with the Hawks, had talked about his past behavior shortly after joining the team.

"Marc definitely made a point at the start of the year to talk about how the relationship between players and coaches has changed," Toews said. "And obviously he's trying to take strides in the right direction. So we have a lot of respect for him and his knowledge and his experience as he's adapting to a new league and a new culture.

“We’re looking forward to getting him back in the locker room.” 1166817 Chicago Blackhawks

Brent Seabrook has been a healthy scratch before. But this one could be the beginning of the end for the Blackhawks legend.

By JIMMY GREENFIELD

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

DEC 18, 2019 | 2:30 PM

Duncan Keith is in. Brent Seabrook is out.

And the Blackhawks appear to be embracing a youth movement in their efforts to return to prominence.

When coach Jeremy Colliton announced Keith would return Wednesday against the Avalanche after missing the last nine games with a groin injury, it wasn’t a huge surprise that he elected to keep rookie Adam Boqvist, the No. 8 pick last season, in the lineup.

But it was a surprise that both Boqvist and fellow rookie defenseman Dennis Gilbert would be playing while Seabrook was a healthy scratch.

Colliton could have said Seabrook was sitting out because Wednesday’s game was the first of back-to-back games against the Avalanche and Jets. Instead, he made it clear this was a coach’s decision to give chances to the organization’s young talent.

“Obviously, we’ve got to find a spot for Dunc and we have some young players who’ve played well,” Colliton said. “With where we are, we can’t expect to make improvements, turn this thing around, if we don’t give opportunity to young players.”

Boqvist, 19, and Gilbert, 23, have played a combined 21 NHL games in their brief careers. Seabrook, 34, trails only Stan Mikita on the Hawks’ all- time games-played list with 1,114.

Seabrook, who was benched for the first time in his career during the 2017-18 season, was also a healthy scratch for two games earlier this season. He has three goals and one assist in 32 games while averaging a career-low 18 minutes, 9 seconds of ice time.

Telling Seabrook he was the odd man out on Wednesday was difficult but necessary, Colliton said.

“Yeah, it’s not my favorite thing about doing the job,” he said. “But that’s part of what we have to do is give communication and feedback, and ultimately it’s what’s best for the team.”

The Hawks began the season with a clear veteran group of starting defensemen: Keith, Seabrook, Calvin de Haan, Erik Gustafsson, Connor Murphy and Olli Maatta. It’s not certain how long de Haan will be out for with a shoulder injury, but it will be for an extended period, which should provide a consistent spot in the lineup for Boqvist and Gilbert.

Keith’s return should give the Hawks a boost. They allowed at least three goals in eight of the nine games he was out, including a season-high seven to the Avalanche on Nov. 30, and have gone 3-5-1 in his absence.

He has led the team in ice time since his rookie season in 2005-06 and, despite playing a career-low 23:01 per game this season, is once again leading the team.

“It’s huge,” Jonathan Toews said. "He does a lot of different things for our team. Whether he goes out there and scores three points or whatever, it doesn’t really matter — he eases the burden on all our other defensemen and he’s on the (power play), (penalty kill), eating big minutes for us, doing a lot of little things.

“Definitely don’t realize sometimes what a guy brings to the team every night until he’s out.”

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166818 Chicago Blackhawks

Duncan Keith returns from a groin injury but can’t save the Blackhawks from a 4-1 loss to the Avalanche

By JIMMY GREENFIELD

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

DEC 18, 2019 | 9:46 PM

The last time Duncan Keith played before Wednesday was in a loss to the Avalanche at the United Center last month.

Keith’s return to the Blackhawks from a groin injury went fine, but the result was the same: a loss to the Avalanche at the United Center. Nathan MacKinnon and Andre Burakovsky scored second-period goals to lead the speedier Avs to a 4-1 victory.

Ryan Carpenter scored the lone goal for the Hawks, who dropped to 13- 16-6. The Avs beat the Hawks for the third time in less than three weeks and can complete a four-game season sweep Saturday in Denver.

Corey Crawford stopped 33 shots while losing his third straight start.

The Avs started the scoring when Ian Cole blew a slap shot past Crawford midway through the first period. The Hawks tied it a little over a minute later on Carpenter’s second goal of the season.

Alex DeBrincat picked up a turnover by the Avs’ Mark Barberio and passed to Carpenter, whose snipe sailed over the shoulder of goalie Pavel Francouz.

MacKinnon put the Avalanche back up with 12 minutes, 11 seconds remaining in the second period when he slipped past Keith and sent a quick wrist shot past Crawford for his 21st goal of the season.

Burakovsky, who was out with an injury for the first two games against the Hawks, scored less than three minutes later from nearly the same spot on a similar shot to give the Avs a two-goal lead.

DeBrincat appeared to escape injury late in the third period when a late hit by Sam Girard sent him flying into the end boards. No penalty was called, but Erik Gustafsson went after Girard and received two minutes for roughing.

Mikko Rantanen added an empty-net goal to complete the scoring.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166819 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks get Duncan Keith back, scratch Brent Seabrook in loss to Avalanche

By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

Dec 18, 2019, 9:40pm CST

The Blackhawks welcomed back one of their most experienced defensemen Wednesday and thus pushed out the other.

Duncan Keith’s return from a nine-game absence because of a groin strain equated to Brent Seabrook spending the night as a healthy scratch — for the third time this season — as the Hawks lost to the Avalanche 4- 1.

Showing the stock the Hawks have invested in their youth movement, rookie blue-liners Adam Boqvist and Dennis Gilbert remained in the lineup.

“We’ve got to find a spot for Dunc, and we have some young players who’ve played well,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “With where we are, we can’t expect to make improvements, turn this thing around, if we don’t give opportunity to young players.”

The Hawks did little to turn things around Wednesday. They suffered the seemingly inevitable fate in another matchup against the dominant Avs, who already had beaten the Hawks by three- and four-goal margins this month.

Colorado’s top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog again steamrolled the Hawks’ defense, scoring twice and generating a 12-4 advantage in scoring chances.

“We’ve gotta get a little more emotion,” Keith said. “It’s not going to just turn around, it’s not going to just happen. We need to make it happen. We need to get a little pissed off.”

Keith was on the ice for MacKinnon’s tiebreaking goal but otherwise played very well, registering a team-high 10 shot attempts in 23:16.

Colliton re-formed the Keith-Connor Murphy pairing that enjoyed success in October, creating a ripple effect that reduced the previously excessive workloads for most of the Hawks’ defensemen. Olli Maatta, for example, played fewer than 16 minutes; Boqvist played fewer than 13.

“Probably difficult [for Keith] to get back to his highest level, but he gave us some good shifts and he did have the puck a lot,” Colliton said. “He’s got a shot, so keep trying to get it through.”

Seabrook’s scratch is meaningful not only because of his well- documented massive contract, but also because of the intense frustration he vocalized when held out of the lineup for consecutive games in late October. There seemed to be a miscommunication between him and Colliton during that stretch that didn’t repeat itself.

Seabrook had struggled mightily in recent games. He was on the ice for 21 Hawks scoring chances versus 36 opponent scoring chances in his last four appearances. Keith, however, said he was frustrated to see a “good friend” benched in his stead.

“I thought [Seabrook] had been playing well,” Keith said. “When we’re in the ‘D’ zone a long time, we could break down every little play. Tough to pin it on one guy out there when there’s five guys.”

But the Hawks have lost 11 of their last 15 games, tumbling to last place in the Western Conference.

Colliton said he doesn’t expect trouble in the locker room from future lineup decisions because of the desperate need for a turnaround.

“We’ve got to do what’s best for the team,” he said. “The guys in the room, I believe they want to win, so they’ve got to believe that every decision we make is to help the team win, to have success short- and long-term.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166820 Chicago Blackhawks

Players excited that Blackhawks decided to retain coach Marc Crawford

John Dietz

Follow @johndietzdh

Updated

12/18/2019 5:44 PM

Good call.

That was the overwhelming sentiment in the Blackhawks dressing room on Monday's decision to retain assistant coach Marc Crawford, who was under investigation for verbal and physical abuse.

"He's definitely been missed and all of us will be excited to have him back," Patrick Kane said before the Hawks hosted Colorado on Wednesday.

Crawford will not resume his duties until Jan. 2 when the Hawks are at Vancouver. The Hawks released a statement Monday evening announcing the findings of an independent investigation. It included a four-paragraph apology by Crawford to former NHL players Sean Avery, Brent Sopel, Harold Druken and Patrick O'Sullivan.

"I got into coaching to help people, and to think that my actions in any way caused harm to even one player fills me with tremendous regret and disappointment in myself," Crawford said.

The 58-year-old coach, who was an assistant in Ottawa from 2016-19, was hired by the Hawks in the off-season. He has been in counseling since 2010 and talked to the team about how the league has changed over the past decade.

"Marc's done some stuff on his own the last handful of years trying to improve," said Hawks defenseman Brent Seabrook. "(Before the season opener) we had a meeting when we were over in Prague and he was talking about a lot of different things. ...

"He mentioned the league's changing and it's different and he's enjoying it. Even at the start of the year he was making comments like that.

"It's good to have him back. I've really enjoyed having him for the first part of the year."

Seabrook added he was happy the Hawks took their time with the investigation and that they talked "to a lot of different parties that were involved."

One of Crawford's primary jobs is to prescout the upcoming opponents. It's a task that head coach Jeremy Colliton has taken over.

"He was good at that," Kane said. "And just the finer details of the game he was always aware of -- whether it was faceoffs or how to enter cleanly in the other zone on a breakout. Different things like that."

Said Jonathan Toews: "He's just aware of little things that you can adapt to, and he's always got the right thing to say when you come off the ice. He's letting you know if there's something you didn't see or a mistake that you made.

"So he's done a great job of doing that in the most positive way possible."

Slap shots:

While the Blackhawks have been outscored 31-21 in the second period this season, Colorado has outscored its opponents 46-29. ... Going into Wednesday's games, the Avs were No. 1 in the league with 3.61 goals per game.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166821 Chicago Blackhawks

Scouting report: Blackhawks vs. Avalanche

John Dietz

Follow @johndietzdh

Posted

12/18/2019 5:30 AM

Blackhawks vs. Colorado Avalanche, 7 p.m. Wednesday at United Center

TV: NBCSN

Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: Colorado is 8-1-1 in its last 10 games, with 2 of those victories coming by a combined 12-5 score over the Hawks on Nov. 29 and 30. ... Colorado is missing forward Andre Burakovsky and defensemen Erik Johnson and Cale Makar due to injury. Makar, the fourth overall pick of the 2017 draft, has 8 goals and 20 assists. Burakovsky is third on the Avs with 12 goals. ... Nathan MacKinnon is third in the NHL with 51 points (20G, 31A). ... Mikko Rantanen, who missed 16 games, has 9 goals and 13 assists. He's scored three times in the last three contests. ... The Hawks have lost four of their last five against Colorado. ... The Hawks have 1 power-play goal in eight of the last 11 games, going 8-for-30 (26.7 percent) over that time. ... Jonathan Toews has 9 points (2 goals) in the last five games. ... Dylan Strome has at least 1 point in five of seven games since returning from a concussion. ... Brent Seabrook and Kirby Dach have no points in 12 and 13 straight contests, respectively.

Next: Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m. Thursday at Bell MTS Place

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166822 Chicago Blackhawks DeBrincat's skates and right to Burakovsky. The Avs' forward grabbed the puck, immediately went on the counterattack and fired home his 13th goal of the season.

Keith sounds off on Seabrook scratch after Blackhawks get rocked by The Hawks (13-16-6) are now off on a brief two-game road trip to play Avalanche Winnipeg on Thursday and Colorado on Saturday.

John Dietz Daily Herald Times LOADED: 12.19.2019

Follow @johndietzdh

Updated

12/18/2019 11:09 PM

Telling a proud veteran like Brent Seabrook that he's going to watch a game in street clothes has to be tough on any coach.

While Joel Quenneville did it once during the 2017-18 campaign, the 34- year-old Jeremy Colliton decided to have that conversation for a third time this season before the Hawks lost 4-1 to Colorado at the United Center on Wednesday.

"It's not my favorite thing about doing the job," Colliton said. "But that's part of what we have to do is give communication and feedback, and ultimately it's what's best for the team."

And for Colliton, who was able to reinsert Duncan Keith after a nine- game absence, that meant sitting Seabrook in favor of Dennis Gilbert and Adam Boqvist against a blazing-fast Colorado squad that is 9-1-1 in its last 11 games.

There's little doubt that Seabrook, who has 3 goals and just 1 assist in 32 games, has gone through some rough patches this season. But sitting an alternate captain with 1,114 games of experience for two rookies who now have appeared in a combined 23 games is going to rub some of the Hawks the wrong way.

And that goes double -- and maybe triple -- for Keith.

"Yeah it is," Keith said when asked if it's tough to see a leader like Seabrook get scratched. "I thought he had been playing well. When we're in the D-zone a long time, we could break down every little play. Tough to pin it on one guy out there when there's five guys."

As for possibly losing the team by sitting the three-time Stanley Cup champ, Colliton said he is only trying to help the Hawks have success in the short-term and the long-term. If that means having to sit Seabrook -- or other veterans -- then so be it.

When the losing-the-team question was posed to Keith, he responded by saying: "I don't know how to answer that. Myself, I have to focus on my game and being as best as I can out there.

"I don't like seeing my good friend -- obviously been with him a long time -- sitting out. As players, you have to focus on the job that you've got to do and you're in there and that's all you can do, is try to be at your best."

Seabrook casually chatted up Boqvist in the dressing room after exiting the ice later than normal in the morning. After a two-minute conversation with a reporter about the Hawks retaining assistant coach Marc Crawford, Seabrook then turned down another interview request.

About 10 minutes later, Colliton told reporters Seabrook would not face the Avs.

Seabrook still has four years remaining on an eight-year deal that carries a $6.875 million cap hit. Last season, Elliotte Friedman reported that GM Stan Bowman asked Seabrook to waive his no-movement clause. When questioned, Seabrook denied knowing anything about it, but Bowman later refused to answer the question.

As for Wednesday's game, the Hawks were outshot 19-6 in the first period yet managed to forge a 1-1 tie thanks to Ryan Carpenter's second goal of the season at 9:48.

The Avs (22-9-3) jumped ahead for good on Nathan MacKinnon's 21st goal at 7:49, then took a 3-1 lead at 10:08 when Andre Burakovsky zipped a wrister through Olli Maatta's legs and into the back of the net.

A few seconds earlier, Kirby Dach had a chance to get the Hawks out of trouble, but his pass to Alex DeBrincat in the neutral zone bounced off 1166823 Chicago Blackhawks

Duncan Keith returns against Avalanche, Brent Seabrook a healthy scratch

By Scott King

December 18, 2019 11:37 AM

Duncan Keith will return to the lineup Wednesday night after being out with a groin injury since Nov. 29.

"It feels good now," Keith said. "I'm going to focus on what I got to do out there and not worry about it."

The two-time Norris trophy winner missed nine games while sidelined with the injury. The Hawks recorded a 3-5-1 record during his absence.

"It was frustrating," Keith said. "[They] get on the road, miss the mother's trip, but at the same time try to take as many positives as I can out of it. I feel good energy-wise, I feel strong, ready to do whatever the team needs me to do."

The long wait also helped the veteran defenseman recharge his batteries.

"You got energy, you get that hunger," Keith said. "You get different perspectives sitting out there watching the games. When the team's on the road, watching the game from the living room. You get excited, there's an excitement level there to get back in."

The Blackhawks, who won their last game 5-3 at home against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, will be taking on the speedy and skilled Colorado Avalanche Wednesday, who are in second place in the Central division and Western Conference.

"It's huge," Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said of Keith's return. "He does a lot of different things for our team. Whether he goes out there and scores three points or whatever it doesn't really matter.

"He eases the burden on all our other defensemen and he's on the PP, PK, big minutes for us doing a lot of little things. Definitely don't realize sometimes what a guy like that brings to the team every night until he's [out]."

Chicago, 13-15-6, will lean on Keith to improve a defense that has struggled — but shown signs of improvement recently — and help them climb out of last place in the Central.

"He's a real good player obviously and we missed him," Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton said. "When you don't have him it certainly highlights what he does for us in all situations, makes the guys he's playing with better.

"So, excited he's healthy too because he was kind of battling it for a while. Back to 100 percent and should have a lot of energy."

Someone had to come out of the lineup to make room for Keith and it was Keith's former D partner Brent Seabrook. It will be the third time the blueliner has been a healthy scratch this season.

"Obviously we’ve got to find a spot for Dunc and we have some young players who’ve played well," Colliton said of scratching Seabrook. "With where we are, we can’t expect to make improvements, turn this thing around, if we don’t give opportunity to young players. Obviously, Seabrook comes out tonight."

As one would imagine, breaking the news to the longtime member of the Hawks leadership wasn't fun.

"Yeah, it’s not my favorite thing about doing the job," Colliton said. "But that’s part of what we have to do is give communication and feedback and ultimately it’s what’s best for the team."

Seabrook has three goals, one assist and a +/- rating of +1 in 32 games this season.

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Blackhawks must start playing with more emotion: 'We need to get a little pissed off'

By Charlie Roumeliotis

December 18, 2019 11:25 PM

Frustrated.

Angry.

Disappointed.

You name it, the Blackhawks are feeling it.

The Jekyll and Hyde season continues for the Blackhawks, who bounced back from their third-period collapse in St. Louis on Saturday with a 5-3 "character win" over the red-hot Minnesota Wild on Sunday but failed to build on it Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche, falling to their Central Division foes 4-1 at the United Center. It's their third regulation loss of the season against the Avalanche, who have outscored the Blackhawks 16-6 over that span.

The Blackhawks certainly missed the presence of Duncan Keith, who returned after missing nine games with a groin injury, but the team was struggling well before he got hurt. Every skater in the Blackhawks' locker room knows they have to look in the mirror and play with more fire.

"We've got to get a little more emotion," Keith said. "It's not going to just turn around. It's not going to just happen. We need to make it happen. We need to get a little pissed off. We can go over the Xs and Os and all this stuff, but I think everybody — myself included — let's play with a little more energy, a little more grit, being a little mean out there."

Following Wednesday's loss, the Blackhawks fell to 1-4-1 in their last six games and 4-9-2 over their last 15 after going 5-0-1 in their previous six. They've officially slipped to the basement of the Western Conference and it's not going to get any better if something doesn't change.

"It starts in here," Erik Gustafsson said. "There's no one else that's going to take care of it. It's us here, us players. ... We've got to stick together here. There's nothing else we can do."

Through Dec. 18 last season, the Blackhawks had 28 points through 36 games for a points percentage of .389, which was second-worst in the conference, and were 11 points out of the final wild card spot. They finished just six points shy of a playoff berth.

This season, the Blackhawks have 32 points through 35 games for a points percentage of .457 and remain only eight points out of a wild card spot.

But this feels like a bigger hill to climb mentally because of the expectations the Blackhawks had going into the season. And you wonder if this group has another second-half run in them.

"It’s frustrating," Keith said. "It’s been a long time where we’re like this. It’s not going to happen unless we do it, the guys in the room here. It’s up to us to figure it out and find a way."

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3 Takeaways: Blackhawks can't keep up with Avalanche

By Scott King

December 18, 2019 10:30 PM

The Blackhawks lost 4-1 to the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday in Duncan Keith's return to the lineup. Here are three takeaways:

Avalanche's speed and skill wears Hawks down

The razzle-dazzle of the Central Division and Western Conference's second-place team was too much for the Hawks to handle. Chicago was able to exit the opening frame 1-1 after Ryan Carpenter tied it up for the Hawks 1:07 after Ian Cole's goal, despite the Blackhawks being outshot 19-6 in the first period.

Then, the dam began to break in the second as Nathan MacKinnon scored his 21st goal of the season at 7:49 to make it 2-1, followed by Andre Burakovsky's marker at 10:08. MacKinnon has a goal in all three Colorado/Chicago games this season, in which the Blackhawks are 0-3- 0.

Mikko Rantanen scored an empty-net goal for the Avs. late in the third for the 4-1 final score.

"They play a fast hockey game out there," Blackhawks defenseman Erik Gustafsson said. "They're tough to play against. They go with three guys all the time too, we got a small amount of time where we got the puck in our own zone and make a play but I think we can do a much better job.

"We gotta stick together here. We play them again Saturday so we gotta step up."

DeBrincat takes a tough hit

Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat took a hit from Samuel Girard that seemed to happen after the whistle in the third period. DeBrincat was off balance and sent hard into the boards.

Gustafsson went after Girard and received a roughing minor following the hit, without Colorado receiving any penalties. DeBrincat remained on the bench and resumed playing shortly after the play.

"Well what I saw, kind of a late hit," Gustafsson said. "I felt like they blew the whistle and then he hit him after. That's what I saw and that's why I stepped in."

Gustafsson wasn't the only one rubbed the wrong way by the hit.

"I didn't like it, I thought it was boarding," Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton said. "It was late and he was in a dangerous spot, so seems like a boarding call to me."

Duncan Keith thought the hit was a result of the type of play the Hawks should be incorporating into their game.

"I thought he was finishing his hit," said Keith, who returned to the lineup Wednesday. "You don't like to see Alex take a hit like that, but they're playing hard too, right? That's the way we need to play."

Duncan Keith's return

Keith returned to the lineup after missing the last nine games in which the Blackhawks went 3-5-1 without him. He suffered the injury the last time the Hawks played the Avalanche at the United Center, November 29, in a 5-2 loss.

"Felt good," Keith said. "It was good to be back. Tried to have a good gap. I felt like I was able to break up a few plays there coming off the rush early in the game, but you know it's tough out there. I mean we're defending a lot and it's kind of the same story all year."

Keith leads the Hawks in shots on goal with six and had a +/- rating of -2 in 23:16.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166826 Chicago Blackhawks “We do not condone his previous behavior. Through our review, we confirmed that Marc proactively sought professional counseling to work to improve and become a better communicator, person and coach. We learned that Marc began counseling in 2010 and he has continued Powers: Marc Crawford’s reinstatement and the question of therapy on a regular basis since. We believe that Marc has learned from accountability his past actions and has committed to striving to reform himself and evolve personally and professionally over the last decade. We have

experienced no incidents during Marc’s coaching tenure with the Chicago By Scott Powers Blackhawks.”

Dec 18, 2019 Crawford also issued a statement:

“Thank you for the opportunity to share my comments. It was important for me to respect the process required by the Chicago Blackhawks and What’s enough? the ongoing, important discussions being had by players and the National Hockey League. This is why I am sharing my thoughts at this time. What level of accountability needs to be had for a coach to redeem himself from past wrongs? Some wrongs can’t be completely forgiven at “Recently, allegations have resurfaced about my conduct earlier in my least from a professional standing. Bill Peters may be allowed to coach coaching career. Players like Sean Avery, Harold Druken, Patrick again at some level after using the N-word in Akim Aliu’s presence, but O’Sullivan and Brent Sopel have had the strength to publicly come Peters definitely shouldn’t be permitted to coach in the NHL. There’s a forward and I am deeply sorry for hurting them. I offer my sincere minimum price that should be paid in today’s society, and that doesn’t apologies for my past behavior. always seem to be paid in hockey as it is in other professional sports. “I got into coaching to help people, and to think that my actions in any Marc Crawford’s situation is different in some ways, the same in the way caused harm to even one player fills me with tremendous regret and others. Crawford was accused of mentally and physically abusing players disappointment in myself. I used unacceptable language and conduct over the course of his coaching career. Some of the alleged incidents toward players in hopes of motivating them, and, sometimes went too far. have been public for years. Others have come to light more recently. As I deeply regret this behavior, I have worked hard over the last decade There’s no doubt he stepped over the line multiple times. What kind of to improve both myself and my coaching style. scrutiny should be placed on him? “I have made sincere efforts to address my inappropriate conduct with Do we factor in that the coaching culture was different then? What was the individuals involved as well as the team at large. I have regularly accepted then certainly isn’t accepted now. That said, what happened engaged in counseling over the last decade where I have faced how then was glossed over as old-school coaching tactics just as of a few traumatic my behavior was towards others. I learned new ways of months ago. Even Brent Sopel, who told stories of Crawford’s abusive expressing and managing my emotions. I take full responsibility for my coaching methods on the podcast Spittin’ Chiclets, recently tweeted in a actions. Moving forward, I will continue to improve myself, to listen to statement he only did so to entertain listers and wasn’t accusing those that I may have hurt, and learn from their experiences. My goal is Crawford or any organization of wrongdoing. to approach all players, past and present, with empathy and understanding. My hope, as a coach and a person, is to create The Blackhawks didn’t face questions or criticism about Crawford’s hiring environments of dignity and respect. last offseason. That’s on us as media. We joined in brushing it off. It’s likely the process Crawford went through to be hired by the Blackhawks “I sincerely want to help make our game better for everyone. I want to would be different now. There’s a responsibility factor for the Blackhawks encourage anyone who may have been impacted by me to reach out so too considering a lot of these allegations were public before. that we may continue this dialogue. There is an important discussion happening in hockey right now. I am and will continue to be a part of the “I think those types of things were the norm back in the day,” solution moving forward. These conversations will set the course for Blackhawks goalie Robin Lehner said Wednesday. “I still don’t think from future generations. I commit to being sensitive to the process, and most a lot of them at least there was an ill intent. I’ve seen it. I’ve been through of all, listening to individual perspectives and feelings.” it. I’ve seen it talked to a lot of people, maybe people have different opinions. That was how they thought they could get people going, also to I talked to Jonathan Toews and Lehner, two of the Blackhawks’ most see which guys could take the pressure and handle the challenge. They vocal players, about the statements and the suspension Wednesday. could be really hard on you and see if you crumbled or rose above it. It’s Both believed Crawford had expressed enough remorse for his actions. a high-pressured league and they try to test your mental strength that way. Whether that’s right or wrong, that’s what they thought. “I think so,” Toews said. “I think as players in the league you hear stories over the years about coaches who are tough on their players and what it “If the norm’s for (Crawford) for those these things, I think a lot, a lot of was like in the old school and how things have changed. Coming into this coaches have apologies to make and a lot and a lot of players have year, Marc definitely made a point even the start of the year to talk about apologies to make. If what Crawford has done deserves an apology and how the relationship between players and coaches have changed, that rehabilitation, I think a big portion of the league, players and coaches, obviously he’s trying to take strides in the right directions. Have a lot of better start writing their apology letters because they start coming from respect for him and his knowledge and his experience and adapting to a them too.” new league and a new culture. We’re looking forward to getting him back in the locker room.” I don’t know if I agree with all of that, but I get his point. There also still has to be some responsibility in how you treat people and toeing that line Lehner was open about believing Crawford deserved a second chance. if you plan to be an aggressive coach and play psychological games. In He feels Crawford’s words and actions prove that was the right idea. his 2015 book, Patrick O’Sullivan wrote about Crawford crossing the line with a purpose. “One hundred percent, it was a sincere apology,” Lehner said. “That’s not the first time he said what he said. He’s mentioned that to us before, Do we factor in that Crawford has apologized and taken ownership of happy the culture has changed in the league, you don’t necessarily have what he’s been accused of and sought help? It takes courage to to do it the old way anymore. Like I said before, I know he’s a good man, recognize an issue and ask for help, but it doesn’t wipe away the past. and he deserves to be back. We’re happy to have him back.

Should he allowed to remain an assistant with the Blackhawks? Should “As I said, it’s only my opinion, it doesn’t make it right or wrong, it’s my he lose his job? You want accountability, you want change, you want a opinion, I’m encouraged he’s working on himself and he’s changed. He’s penance. Does being called out, facing public backlash and going adapted with the culture change that’s happened over time. If you want to through an investigation count as a penance? stay around in the league, you have to adapt — players, coaches, everyone. To adapt to it, you need to be adaptable.” What’s enough? It would be great if the media would be given the chance to talk to I’ve been trying to ask myself that over the last few days, and I haven’t Crawford when he returns. There are still questions. But we’ll see if that come to a definitive conclusion. happens. The Blackhawks conducted their own investigation along with an independent legal counsel. They came away with this statement: From what players and sources have said, Crawford has adapted. He’s reportedly treated everyone with respect and been nothing but a professional coach during his time with the Blackhawks.

Crawford will be return to the team on Jan. 2. The Blackhawks announced he will also continue counseling, and that aspect is important too.

The question is it all enough for Crawford to be held accountable? The Blackhawks decided it was. I don’t know the absolute answer.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166827 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche bracing for tighter games against Blackhawks

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

December 18, 2019 at 1:06 PM

CHICAGO — The Avalanche is expecting more of a fight from the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night at the United Center.

The Avs, who also host Chicago on Saturday at the Pepsi Center, pounded the Blackhawks by 5-2 and 7-3 scores late last month. Those games were also a home-and-home set, but in a consecutive-night stretch.

“We understand there is going to be some push back,” Avs center Nazem Kadri said of the Blackhawks after Wednesday’s morning skate at the UC. “They’re proud guys over there. They’re going to want that revenge with a win. We want to maximize that work ethic on the road and hopefully get it done.”

Colorado saw its nine-game points streak (8-0-1) end in Monday’s 5-2 loss at St. Louis, which began the Avs’ stretch of four games in six nights. They host the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday in Denver.

“We’re not really future-tripping when looking at what’s ahead. We just want to worry about this game,” Kadri said. “It’s going to be a good Chicago team. They’re youthful with a lot of energy. They haven’t got the results they wanted this year but you can’t take them lightly.”

Defenseman Anton Lindholm will play his first NHL game of the season, replacing Calle Rosen. Lindholm was recalled from the American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles on Sunday.

Lindholm, who has a goal and two points in 23 games with the Eagles, will become the ninth defenseman to see action for the Avs this season.

“Looking at the depth chart, it’s a tough spot to come into,” he said Wednesday morning. “Good timing now, for me to play a game. I think I’ve been playing well all year, and I want to maintain that game when I get my chance here.”

Footnote. Avs coach Jared Bednar doesn’t expect injured rookie defenseman Cale Makar to return Thursday against the Hurricanes. Makar will miss his fifth straight game with a shoulder injury Wednesday. But Bednar said defenseman Erik Johnson, who will miss his 11th game with an upper-body injury Wednesday, is a candidate to play against Carolina.

Denver Post: LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166828 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche bounces back with win against Chicago Blackhawks

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

PUBLISHED: December 18, 2019 at 8:48 pm | UPDATED: December 18, 2019 at 9:32 PM

CHICAGO — Two games into what could be its busiest week of the NHL season, the Avalanche is 1-1 and coming home.

The Avs, who saw their nine-game points streak end Monday at St. Louis, bounced back nicely Wednesday night with a 4-1 triumph against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.

Colorado, which hosts Carolina on Thursday and the Blackhawks again on Saturday, improved to 9-1-1 in its last 11 games and 22-9-3 overall. The latest win wouldn’t have been possible without forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Andre Burakovsky, who both used their wicked wrist shots from the right circle to score within a 2:19 stretch of the second period to give the Avs a 3-1 lead.

“Unreal shot,” MacKinnon said of Burakovsky’s effort from the same angle on goalie Corey Crawford. “Probably even better (than mine) — through the D’s legs. What a shot by Burky.”

MacKinnon scored his team-high 21st goal and Burakovsky got his 13th, just four shy of his career-high.

Defenseman Ian Cole and winger Mikko Rantanen (empty net) also scored to fuel Colorado’s Western Conference-high 22nd victory. It came a day after the Avs checked into their Chicago hotel at 5:45 a.m. because of the delays getting out of snowy St. Louis following Monday’s 5-2 loss.

“That was crazy. We de-iced from like 10:30 (p.m.) to 5 (a.m.) in St. Louis,” MacKinnon said. “But we played a great game tonight, though. Guys actually felt pretty good (Tuesday), surprisingly. It’s going to be a grind, the next three games before Christmas. It’s a grind.”

Goalie Pavel Francouz, making his sixth appearance in seven games, improved to 10-2-1 and tied regular starter Philipp Grubauer at a team- high 10 victories.

The Avs are 3-0 against Chicago (13-16-6) this season, with the four- game annual series ending Saturday in Denver.

It was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes when Colorado outshot Chicago 19-6. Both Cole and Ryan Carpenter collected their second goals of the season. Cole used a big slap shot from the high slot. And Carpenter, the Blackhawks forward, beat Francouz with a sharp wrist shot from the right circle.

“Really good first period. I thought we were stingy defensively. We weren’t making some of the mistakes we’ve been making lately. We were committed to our defensive details,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “Second period, they started to rack up some shots and put a little pressure on us but MacKinnon comes up with a big goal. We made a couple plays there. And then from there, pretty good third period, too.”

Footnotes. Avs defensemen Erik Johnson and Cale Makar are not on the trip, but both are nearing a return to the lineup. Johnson, who has missed 11 games with an upper-body injury, could play Thursday against the Hurricanes, Bednar said. Makar, out the last five games, is doubtful Thursday but might play Saturday in a rematch with Chicago. … The Avs’ healthy scratches were forward Vladislav Kamenev and defenseman Calle Rosen. Rosen was replaced by Anton Lindholm, who made his season debut with the Avs after being recalled from the Colorado Eagles on Sunday.

Denver Post: LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166829 Colorado Avalanche that he’s got to try — and Joe framed it in a way — he’s got to try and push yourself, drive yourself into a role that is fundamentally based upon your pace and your compete level and just stay with that.”

This has been a year of development for Martin Kaut in more ways than Sakic and his front office staff have constructed a roster that is playing one like one that continues to legitimize why they started the season as Stanley Cup contenders. They have a top-six forward corps featuring Andre Burakovsky, Joonas Donskoi, Nazem Kadri, Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. By Ryan S. Clark All of them are on pace to score more than 25 goals this season which Dec 18, 2019 means — barring an injury — breaking into a top-six role will be a challenge for anyone on the outside.

LOVELAND, Colo. — Attempting to recover from a concussion only But it does leave the bottom-six group as a possibility. It is an area where added to what was an already trying season for Martin Kaut. fourth-year coach Jared Bednar has shown a willingness to trust players in those situations. That is how Matt Nieto went from being on waivers Kaut used the offseason to add more muscle while also working out with with the San Jose Sharks and into a player who has carved a role in the Boston Bruins star right winger and fellow Czech David Pastrnak in the lineup. hopes he would make the Colorado Avalanche’s roster out of preseason camp. Instead, he was among the final cuts who would begin the season It’s why the moves to acquire Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Calvert and with the club’s AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, where he spent last Valeri Nichushkin are another set of decisions that have also greatly season. impacted the team’s success while adding more depth beyond the top six. Seven straight games without a point was not the start Kaut was seeking. Then, the concussion happened. Competition for any place on the Avalanche’s lineup is difficult. But the bottom-six grouping is setting up to be Kaut’s strongest option because “I slept for 10 hours every day,” Kaut said about the concussion. “I still of the landscape. Nieto and Wilson, who is currently on injured reserve, felt some pressure in my head. It sucks that you can’t play and you’re just will both be unrestricted free agents this offseason. watching guys. It sucks but it’s hockey. Right now, I can play and I’m just having fun and trying to improve every day.” The Avalanche could save $2.6 million by not returning Wilson or $1.975 million by letting Nieto depart should they feel Kaut is a suitable Recovering from the concussion was only one obstacle. Kaut was replacement for either. checking Twitter and that’s when he read the speculation that he could be one of the assets the Avalanche could have used in a potential Taylor “When I talk to Kauter, I think he’s a pretty smart kid,” Cronin said. “We Hall trade. The team’s 2018 first-round pick kept reading how he, forward always ask the players, and it’s important, that they try to model Tyson Jost and defenseman Conor Timmins may have been possibly themselves after other players. It’s a lot easier to model yourself after moved so the team could acquire the former Hart Trophy winner. players in the organization because you can see them, skate with them in training camp, see them on TV and I think he sees himself trying to be That did not happen with Hall being traded Monday to the Arizona like a Colin Wilson or a (J.T.) Compher. That type of a player who has Coyotes. pace and an edginess to them that would promote a third-line mentality. They have to start there. Still, seeing the trade rumors “scared” Kaut until someone from the Avalanche’s front office drove to Loveland and had a talk with the 20- “Where they grow from that platform? That’s going to be a reflection of year-old winger about his place within the organization. their maturity and their confidence.”

And who was the front-office staff member that met with Kaut? It was Cronin said Kaut showed last season he was capable of playing a only Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic. responsible game away from the puck that Cronin views as a sign of maturity in Kaut’s game. “He told me, ‘I believe in you. You are a young guy. You still have time but we need you to be a third- or fourth-line guy.’ So, that’s my goal,” On-ice situations, however, are one avenue the Avalanche will use to Kaut said. “I really appreciated him (coming to Loveland). It’s a great assess Kaut’s growth. Another is seeing how he continues to develop feeling if you know a guy like Joe Sakic trusts you. … I was really scared away from the rink. but Joe told me, ‘Don’t worry. We need you.’ That was a moment that I really appreciated.” Last season was the first time Kaut has ever lived away from the Czech Republic of his family. Having goaltender and countryman Pavel Meeting with Sakic appears to have created a new set of guidelines for Francouz on the Eagles aided in his transition to the United States. Kaut to follow when it comes to reaching the NHL. Francouz and his wife, Karolina, lived in a condo close enough to Kaut for him to join them to have dinner or spend time together. Kaut spoke with honesty about his chances and what needs to be done in getting there. He admitted how he did not play with effort as a teenager Cronin said Kaut’s situation is unique to the point it cannot be compared in the Czech Extraliga while understanding he must perform with intensity to a college student studying abroad in another nation. and quickness in a more difficult league like the AHL. “There’s more boundaries there because you have teachers, you’re Or else? He simply won’t have a chance of making the Avalanche’s going to classes and you’re constantly being trained to learn a language, roster whether it be this season or in the future. to learn a culture,” Cronin said.”There’s a discipline within that. Kaut is fine within the discipline of hockey. You get here at 8:30 a.m. and leave “If you look at my statistics, I don’t have any points but that doesn’t at 12:30 p.m. But he’s not going back to a dorm with students that are matter. I just want to play the right way,” Kaut said. “If I am going to play speaking the same language or sharing the same culture. He’s going to a in the NHL, I need to play like (Colin) Wilson, (Matt) Calvert and those condo. I can’t make him live with other players. I’m not and the guys. If you look at the Avs’ roster and the first two lines, I don’t have a organization is not going to force guys to do things. chance. It’s just about playing physical and being a two-way forward.” “Last year, I know it was easier for him because Frankie was here A few minutes later, Kaut jokingly admitted he needed to score a “shit because they shared the same history and Czech culture. I know goal” in the hopes of creating some offensive production. Frankie’s wife was a big influence for him as well. … I think that made Eagles second-year coach Greg Cronin is giving Kaut that opportunity. him feel less homesick, less isolated and less vulnerable.” He worked with Kaut last year to make him a forward who plays with Kaut is one of the more quiet personalities on the team who usually more pace in his game. That has not changed. Cronin has continued to speaks with European teammates such as defenseman Anton Lindholm place faster forwards with Kaut on the top line with the idea those factors or goaltender Adam Werner, Cronin said. But Cronin has encouraged can further aid him in his development. Kaut to start speaking with his English-speaking teammates as well. “He’s worked hard. First of all, he’s only played what, nine games? And Cronin said he and his staff do check in with the rest of the team to get a the team has played 24. He’s missed a lot of games,” said Cronin hours feel for how Kaut is assimilating. A number of players on the team have before the Eagles’ 5-3 win against the . “He’s very aware told them that Kaut is always at team functions and he is liked by many. He’s just still rather quiet and does not say much.

“It’s the human development. How is he developing and how is he maturing as a person,” Cronin said. “Because that’s going to be a factor in development as a hockey player.”

Gauging that development is more critical compared to last season considering Kaut is on his own.

Martin Kaut, left, has a special bond with fellow Czech Pavel Francouz. The two were in Loveland together last season, but Francouz is now playing with the Avs. (Ryan S. Clark / The Athletic)

Francouz went from being with the Eagles last season to being the Avalanche’s backup goaltender. He and his family now have a home in Denver, which is a little more than an hour away from Kaut.

But there have been times when Kaut was able to drive down to spend time with Francouz, Karolina and their baby daughter.

“We are in touch almost every day. We are texting and sometimes calling when I am on my way to the rink,” Francouz said. “I’m trying to be in touch with him to see how he is doing. He comes over sometimes to hang out. Obviously, it’s different than last year but I think it’s good for him too that he can hang out with his teammates and be with the team.”

Kaut said he thinks it is good for personal growth that Francouz is not around because it forces him to speak English with many of his teammates in the dressing room.

“But it’s also my goal to be with Frankie in the NHL, too,” Kaut said with a smile. “I’m really happy for him and he’s doing really well. He’s a good guy and a good goalie.”

That said, Kaut admitted it is tough to be without Francouz or his family nearby. He said he lives alone in a downtown apartment and has had moments when the isolation has become noticeable.

“When I had a bad game and I come to my place, I am so sad because I can’t do anything like talk to my roommates and say, ‘It was a bad game but let’s go out and grab dinner.’” Kaut said. “But it’s my life and I am still learning from this.”

One of the areas where Kaut has worked to further aid in his transition is by learning more English. He took lessons before being drafted by the Avalanche and showed a command of the language when speaking with reporters. Kaut apologized at the time for not being the smoothest speaker but was still charismatic and excited to answer any question he faced.

Kaut did interviews last year that usually lasted about three or four minutes with most of the discussions staying around his on-ice performance or relationship with Francouz.

This most recent interview went more than eight minutes covering a variety of subjects such as how he is working with an English tutor in nearby Fort Collins who has been in the United States for 10 years after being born and raised in Prague.

“My English is much better,” Kaut said. “Or, at least I think so!”

Kaut is hoping that a turnaround is coming and he can begin building upon what he achieved last season when he scored 12 goals and 26 points in 63 games as a rookie.

He returned to the lineup Dec. 13 and has since recorded five shots but with no goals in three games. For him, the plan is building off each game with the idea his struggles can materialize into success.

And if that happens over the few weeks, it will be an added bonus because Kaut’s father and mother flew over to spend time with their son.

“There’s an expression I heard many years ago: You’re really not going to maximize your development until you do something that you’ve never done before,” Cronin said. “If you don’t step up outside of your comfort zone to do something you have never done before like learn another language, learn another skill on the ice; you’re not broadening your scope of life.”

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166830 Colorado Avalanche the expansion Knights, but instead, he’s played some of the best hockey of his career while leaning hard into his likable personality to sell the game in a new market.

Down Goes Brown: The 10 players that no NHL fan can hate (except for The one group that still kind of hates him: Man, I’m not even sure. That all the ones that do) Sharks/Knights rivalry is pretty solid, so maybe you allow San Jose fans to sneer at him just a bit. Beyond that, his only natural enemy at this point are Canadians who still aren’t over how the 2004 World Juniors ended and Hall of Fame sticklers who’ll be mad when he makes it in on the first By Sean McIndoe ballot. Dec 18, 2019 Elias Pettersson

Why almost everyone loves him: Another member of the current cohort of We’re into holiday mode, where everything is supposed to be about great young players just hitting their prime, Pettersson is a wizard with peace and goodwill. Love thy neighbor and that sort of thing. the puck who ran away with the Calder last year. As a bonus, hockey fans love rooting for smaller players. Pettersson isn’t actually small – he’s That’s nice and all, but it can be tough for hockey fans, who are 6-foot-2 – but for some reason, everyone outside of Vancouver has preconditioned to be mad at just about everything. Pretty soon we’ll hit decided to think that he is, so he gets that added boost. the Christmas trade freeze, meaning we can’t even sit around and imagine that bum who’s clogging up our team’s salary cap being traded Also, we should all be feeling a pang of collective Canucks-related guilt for a ransom of picks and prospects. Now you want us to be nice to the for not appreciating Pavel Bure or the Sedins enough. jerks on the other teams too? It’s a rough time of year when you’re a The one group that still kind of hates him: Other players, apparently, diehard hockey fan who hates everyone. since he’s already been injured controversially by Chris Kreider and Well, almost everyone. Because at any given time, there are always a Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Other than that, I’m not sure there’s anybody, apart few players who just about everyone seems to like. It’s been a rough few from the four head scouts who passed on him in 2017. years for that crowd, as we’ve said goodbye to guys like Roberto Luongo, Henrik Lundqvist Pavel Datsyuk, Teemu Selanne and Jarome Iginla. But that just creates some extra room on the nice list. Why almost everyone loves him: He’s the best goaltender of his era and a sure-thing Hall-of-Famer as soon as he’s eligible. He’s also a part-time Today, let’s get into the holiday spirit with a list of the ten players in the model, plays in a rock band and loves good dogs. NHL that nobody can hate. (And then the reasons why maybe you can hate them just a little.) To be honest, it’s almost too much, and at a certain point, you could forgive fans if they turned on him. Like, we get it Henrik, you’re better Connor McDavid than us at everything. But then you remember that he still hasn’t won a Why almost everyone loves him: First of all, he’s the best player in the Stanley Cup, which gives his story arc some vulnerability and lends a league, with maybe the most pure skill since Mario Lemieux. Even in a sense of urgency to the final stages of his career. Remember when he league with more dominant young talent than ever before, McDavid still dragged the Rangers to the final, only to give up the Cup-winner in occasionally does things that you’ve never seen, or ever thought overtime and then lay on the ice for roughly the entire offseason? You’d possible. He’s one of the rare players who’d be worth paying full price have to be a monster to hate a guy who’s been through that. just to watch on his own and brings back that pre-Dead Puck Era feeling The one group that still kind of hates him: Guys that aren’t supermodel of excitement you used to get whenever a star player had the puck on his rock star athletes, I guess. I don’t know anyone like that, but it’s what I’ve stick. heard. Second of all, he’s signed long-term in Edmonton, so the sympathy factor Phil Kessel is off the charts. Why almost everyone loves him: OK, I’m not sure everyone actually The one group that still kind of hates him: Flames fans get a pass, as does. I’m projecting a little bit here since I’ve been on Team Phil for years they do for any Oiler. Beyond that, nobody really dislikes him, although and am still actively trying to get everyone else on the bandwagon. Good you get the sense that there’s an undercurrent of aggravation from other seats are still available. fan bases who keep waiting for him to stomp out of Edmonton and demand a trade. Come on, they’re terrible, and he looked vaguely sad at Still, at this point, I’m not sure there are any good reasons left to dislike his draft lottery. Surely he wants to play somewhere else. Specifically, for the guy. Sure, he was kind of awkward and weird when he first broke into my favorite team. Come on Connor, blink twice if you want us to send in the league, which seemed to rub people the wrong way. He’s still a chopper to airlift you out. awkward and weird, but he’s figured out how to lean into it just enough that he seems like he’s mostly in on the joke now. The dude ate hot dogs Patrick Marleau out of the Stanley Cup, I’m not sure what more you could want. Why almost everyone loves him: He’s been around forever, his speed Oh, he’s also a Masterton winner and cancer survivor, not to mention a means he’s been fun to watch over the years and he always seems two-time Cup champion who has a shot at breaking the ironman record. disturbingly happy. He became the team father figure in Toronto – literally – and then headed home to San Jose to finish out his career. The one group that still kind of hates him: Most of his ex-coaches, a few Plus he’s still chasing that elusive Stanley Cup, and everybody loves a of his former GMs and team executives, a handful of ex-teammates and good OGWAC story. Uh, please don’t check the standings to see how like 90 percent of the media. Also, probably a few Coyotes fans who that quest is going for him. were hoping for more than seven goals. But other than that very small niche group, everybody else loves the guy. The one group that still kind of hates him: Nobody right now, although we’ll save a spot for Leaf fans when they miss the playoffs and end up Justin Williams having to send the 11th overall pick to the Hurricanes for getting out of the last year of his contract. Also, it’s going to be kind of weird if he sticks Why almost everyone loves him: He’s Mr. Game Seven, which is pretty around next year and ends up breaking Gordie Howe’s all-time games much an irresistible narrative. Athletes who are “clutch” may or may not played record. See, you didn’t realize that was going to happen, and now be an actual thing, but it’s an undeniably fun concept, so fans want to you feel just a little conflicted, right? believe.

Marc-Andre Fleury Williams has bounced around the league long enough that there’s a good chance that he’s scored a crucial goal for your favorite team. He sounds Why almost everyone loves him: He’s a former first overall pick who’s like a genuinely good guy and he had a big role in last year’s emergence smiled his way through a very good NHL career, without ever being so of the Hurricanes as arguably the most entertaining franchise in the dominating that you resented him. He was part of three Cup winners in league. Plus, there’s that ongoing team photo hair bit. Pittsburgh, then handled what could have been a tricky Matt Murray situation and eventual exit with class and good humor. That was supposed to lead to him spending his last few years getting shelled for OK, yes, he’s not technically an active player right now, which in theory Why almost everyone loves him: We already said that Crosby should be should work against him. But since everyone assumes he’s coming back, on the list, so MacKinnon at least checks the Cole Harbour box. we’ll leave the door cracked open for him. Beyond that, he’s pretty much the ideal mass-approval superstar right The one group that still kind of hates him: Me, any time I write about the now; he’s undeniably among the very best in the game but started his Hall of Fame and have to explain why he’s not going to make it. (Also, career with just enough adversity that it doesn’t feel like this is all easy for Hurricanes fans if he makes his big late-season comeback with someone him. The Avalanche are a likable team and they’re good enough that it else, but we’re not supposed to mention that possibility out loud.) sure seems like they’ll be around for a while once the spring arrives. MacKinnon has kept his nose clean, he has just enough personality to But wait, what about … seem comfortable in the spotlight and he’s even done a bit of acting. Before we head down the home stretch, let’s hit a few guys who might Also, he is reasonably good at playing hockey. have a case for the list, but didn’t make the final cut. The one group that still kind of hates him: Any superstar player who has Sidney Crosby: He should be there. But for years, for whatever reason, to negotiate an extension and has to hear about how much MacKinnon he’s been a lightning rod for criticism and a complaint for fans outside of makes. Pittsburgh. He shouldn’t be, but nobody has ever accused hockey fans of Alexander Ovechkin being reasonable. Why almost everyone loves him: We’re here, right? Please tell me there Joe Thornton: I’ve included him on the list in the past and wanted to isn’t still some pocket of holdouts in the anti-Ovechkin club. Sure, early in squeeze him in here. But I’ve heard from enough Blues fans to know that his career he was a little too flashy for some tastes and over time he some of them still haven’t forgiven. evolved into one of those guys you could point to when you were Mikko Koivu: On the one hand, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who rambling on about how certain players put up big numbers but just can’t didn’t like him. On the other, he’s still got a ways to go to be the most win the big one. But ever since he won the Stanley Cup and then popular guy in his own family. Tough call here. celebrated by having more fun than just about anyone in the history of the world, even his harshest critic has to have thrown in the towel. Mitch Marner: He’s a happy-go-lucky kid playing for his hometown team and he’s all sorts of fun to watch. He’s also a Maple Leaf and it’s virtually At least I hope so because we’ve got a few more years to enjoy the guy impossible to get anyone from Toronto onto a universally beloved list. who might end up being considered the greatest pure goal scorer in the history of the sport. Let’s not let this be one of those Brett Hull things P.K. Subban: He’s got the personality, but he was never all that close to where we never quite appreciate a guy enough until he’s done. Ovechkin being universally loved when he was at the height of his game and these rules. days he isn’t. The one group that still kind of hates him: I don’t know, but I have a bad Johnny Gaudreau: Once he gets his game back to an elite level, he’ll be feeling I’m about to find out. right back in the running.

Any of this year’s rookies: Let’s see them put in at least a full season without enraging anyone. But some of these guys could be in the mix The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 soon, especially Cale Makar.

Jonathan Toews: Another name that’s shown up on these lists in recent years, but it feels like the league’s constant tire-pumping of Chicago players – remember that Top 100 fiasco? – has led to a Blackhawks backlash.

Steven Stamkos: He’s a great player who’s still chasing his Cup and after a few years any lingering bitterness should be fading over him not picking your favorite team when he was a free agent.

Taylor Hall: He’s an elite player who also seems to be fun off the ice, in that kind of quirky Kessel-like way. Let’s see how the dynamic plays out in Arizona.

Jack Eichel: Check back this time next year, especially if he can lead the Sabres on a solid playoff run.

Claude Giroux: Fun fact, if you write a post about star players and don’t mention Claude Giroux somewhere, Flyer fans will come to your house and pee down your chimney.

Pretty much any defensemen: You could make cases for a few guys, but in general it’s easy to find something to hate about a guy whose job it is to cross-check your favorite forward’s spine into paste.

The guy whose name you’re about to go post in the comments with a question mark on the end and nothing else: He was sixth eleventh.

Patrice Bergeron

Why almost everyone loves him: After years of being grouped in with Toews and Anze Kopitar, Bergeron’s recent offensive peak has made him the de facto name for fans who want to show that they appreciate a two-way forward. He’s a warrior, he’s mostly kept away from controversy and it’s pretty much impossible not to respect his game. You hate him when he’s shutting down your team’s star player, but otherwise, he’s the poster child for guys who play a 200-foot game. (At least until he passes that torch to Mark Stone.)

The one group that still kind of hates him: Anyone whose hatred radius for Brad Marchand extends far enough to fall on a guy who’s almost always right next to him.

Nathan MacKinnon 1166831 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche dominate the Blackhawks in Chicago

By Aarif Deen

December 18, 2019

When the Chicago Blackhawks were a perennial Stanley Cup contender, the Avalanche used to upset them at the United Center at least once a year. The difference this time around is, Colorado is no longer upsetting the Blackhawks—they’re dominating them.

Colorado outshot Chicago 19-6 in the first period, defeating the Blackhawks 4-1 to improve to 3-0 against their division rival on Wednesday night.

The Avalanche (21-9-3) improve to 6-5 in games against the Central Division.

Throughout the first period, the Blackhawks relied on Corey Crawford to keep them in the game. Colorado got the first goal on a shot Crawford would probably like to have back. Defenseman Ian Cole scored from the blue line off a slapshot, giving the Avs a 1-0 lead. The lead didn’t last long as Chicago answered back just over a minute later, as forward Ryan Carpenter scored from a sharp angle to beat Avs goaltender Pavel Francouz.

The game remained tied, despite the shot discrepancy, until almost midway through the second.

Center Nathan MacKinnon put the Avs back ahead almost eight minutes into the second after taking a pass from winger Mikko Rantanen and wristing it past Crawford top shelf to give the Avalanche a 2-1 lead.

Moments later, winger Andre Burakovsky did nearly the exact same thing, scoring on a wrist shot into the top corner to give Colorado a two- goal lead.

Rantanen added an empty-netter late in the third to seal the victory for the Avalanche.

Takeaways

Francouz continues his hot streak. Although there is an argument to be made that Francouz’s play is not a hot streak, but rather who he is on a consistent basis. After starting the season 2-2, albeit a small sample size, Francouz has now gone 8-0-1 in his last nine decisions.

He continues to lead the Avalanche in all goaltending categories as well as climb the NHL rankings. His .934 save percentage is third in the league and his 2.16 goals-against average ranks fourth.

MacKinnon adds another goal. Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak and Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel are the only two players with more goals than MacKinnon. His 21 is tied for third in the league.

MacKinnon is the only player to rank in the top three in both goals and points, trailing only behind Edmonton Oilers forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draistaitl for the Art Ross Trophy.

The top line was reunited, and each finished plus-3. Speaking of MacKinnon, Avs coach Jared Bednar decided it was time to put him back with both of his regular wingers in Gabe Landeskog and Rantanen. MacKinnon’s goal was assisted by Rantanen, Rantanen’s goal was assisted by Landeskog and the captain also set up the first goal from Cole.

Each of them finished +3, along with Cole and defenseman Nikita Zadorov to lead the way.

1166832 Colorado Avalanche Bednar has had the opportunity to fiddle with his top six because Colorado has depth throughout its four lines for the first time in his tenure as coach. On the third line, Newcomer Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and winger Matt Calvert have provided the Avs with solid offensive scoring, MacKinnon on the Hart Trophy: “That stuff is out of my control, I’ve lost it paired with former first-round pick Valeri Nichushkin. Nichushkin has before.” scored six goals over the last 11 games after going scoreless in 91.

Colorado’s fourth line is made up of J.T. Compher, Tyson Jost and Matt Nieto. By Aarif Deen “Even if they don’t score, we got two or three lines that are going to hem December 18, 2019 teams in and create momentum for us,” MacKinnon told me. “We had some help at times in the past but now every game one of those are lines are buzzing and they help us so much with momentum and zone time. Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon is not here for your Hart Trophy They get the other team tired and on their heels and then we come out vote. He’s not losing sleep about winning the Art Ross Trophy either. and we score. So they don’t always get the credit but they create space for us. It’s awesome to have that.” That time has passed. Colorado ranks second in the NHL in goals with 119, trailing three behind In a season where MacKinnon and the Avalanche have a legitimate shot the Washington Capitals. The Avalanche’s 3.61 goals per game is tops in at making some noise in the playoffs, his mind is set on one task: the league. Winning the Stanley Cup. Despite falling to the St. Louis Blues on Monday, the Avs still have their “That stuff is out of my control,” MacKinnon told me. “I’ve lost it before, I eyes set on first in the Central Division. Colorado trails St. Louis by three definitely was more caught up with it back then. I really wanted to win it points but has two games in hand. that year but since then I don’t really care and I realize that you can’t really control some voters and who they vote for. I’m just focused on An opportunity to have home-ice advantage through at least the first two helping this team win the Stanley Cup.” rounds is crucial for a team that fell in Game 7 of their second-round series against the San Jose Sharks last season. MacKinnon was a finalist for the Hart at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season. He played a large role in turning the franchise around and “Our division is tough and so tight but we feel like we’re in the mix, single-handedly willed the Avalanche to their first playoff appearance in especially when we have everyone healthy,” MacKinnon said. “If we get four years. In the end, the Hart Trophy went home with former New Cale (Makar) and EJ back and finally have a healthy roster we’re going to Jersey Devils forward Taylor Hall. be a tough team to beat. Even if we don’t get that first place spot, we’re going to be a tough out for sure.” “I try to remember that not all the best players have won the Hart Trophy,” MacKinnon said. “I think Sid (Crosby) only has two and he’s “We have a chance to win it all. This is the first time I’ve ever been on a been the best player for 15 years. My focus is to win as many Cups as I team like this in like seven years, it doesn’t happen often and hopefully can.” for the rest of my career, it does. But home-ice is key. If we had home ice against San Jose last year we have a far better chance so hopefully that MacKinnon has certainly strung together an MVP-type of season through happens this season.” the first 33 games. The three-time Avs leading point producer has scored 20 goals and recorded 51 points. He is on pace to shatter his career-high of 99 points and is ranked third in the NHL behind Oilers forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for the NHL scoring title. This all milehighsports.com LOADED: 12.19.2019 comes despite MacKinnon playing with what seems like different wingers every game.

“I don’t know if I’ll catch the Edmonton guys in points, they’re pretty amazing players,” he told me. “But obviously the team we have is so deep, we can mix things around and be successful.”

And that’s exactly what Avs coach Jared Bednar has done. With his forward core finally healthy, outside of the forgotten Colin Wilson, who is out long-term, Bednar has continuously flipped the forwards in the top six, searching for the perfect lines to move forward with.

MacKinnon’s regular wingers Mikko Rantanen and Gabe Landeskog each missed 16 games due to injury. When they returned, they were paired with MacKinnon before Bednar flipped his top two centermen and played the two wingers with center Nazem Kadri.

The other two wingers that round out the top six, Andre Burakovsky and Joonas Donskoi, were paired with MacKinnon—something they were used to when the Avalanche were dealing with injuries.

Now, Bednar has made one more move, bringing Rantanen back to MacKinnon’s wing and dropping Donskoi onto a line with Landeskog and Kadri.

Burakovsky and Rantanen have both played with MacKinnon at times this season but never together. So it’s only fair to expect that the trio can provide the Avalanche with a formidable scoring unit.

“A lot of speed and puck control and clean entries,” MacKinnon said, describing the new line. “Burky is one of the best players in the league in controlled entries and he’s so good at carrying the puck into the zone. He’s such a smooth skater with great vision. In the offensive zone, he holds onto the puck pretty nicely. Same with Mikko, his play speaks for itself. He is one of the best passers in the league. We try to be aggressive and make some plays—it’s a good mix. We just got to play good defensively. None of us are up for a Selke that’s for sure but I think the offense will come.” 1166833 Colorado Avalanche because of it. He gets a little too fancy, especially along the offensive blue line, and that’s a risky place to give it up.

Tyson Jost – C Avs Game 34 Grades: Winning in the Windy City Jost was elevated to the second line tonight, which is a huge opportunity for him. It’s disappointing that he only registered one shot attempt in that time up there after generating quite a few of late. The production just has BY EVAN RAWAL to start coming soon.

DECEMBER 18, 2019 Gabriel Landeskog – A

I felt like this was Landy’s best game with the puck on his stick since returning. He’s had issues with it of late, but not tonight, and picked up a Mark Barberio – D few assists to go with it. The top line was dominant in the first and set the Not a good start for Barberio, as he and Lindholm spent a lot of time tone. pinned in their own end in the first period. He tried to reverse the puck on Anton Lindholm – C the only Blackhawks goal, but just put too much on it and it ended up costing the Avs. I did think he settled down after that. I never expected to see him again in the regular season, but here we are. His first two shifts were rough but he seemed to settle down after that. Pierre Edouard Bellemare – B Lindholm points, no matter what league he’s playing in, are extremely The fourth line was reunited and they kept the play pinned down low a rare, so for him to get an assist in his first game shows what kind of year lot. Like the rest of the team, they spent some time in their own end it’s been for the Avs. defensively in the third but it never felt very dangerous. Nathan MacKinnon – A+ Andre Burakovsky – B+ There aren’t many guys that can cause two defenders to just topple over That shot is ridiculous. I don’t know what else to say. Burakovsky has each other in the neutral zone, but MacK is one of them. That goal in the been driving me nuts lately, particularly exiting the defensive zone, as second period was an absurd shot, and he was shot out of a cannon he’s been sloppy, but there’s no defending that release on his goal. Once every time he was on the ice in the opening period. again, he creates a goal out of basically nothing, something the Avs Valeri Nichushkin – C didn’t have from their secondary scoring last year. No shot attempts is pretty rare from Nuke of late, and he got frustrated Matt Calvert – B enough in the third period to take his first minor penalty since 2015. Calvert must be reading his stat line with trying to overpass in the third Smith must have done something to piss him off. period on that nice rush. You’d love to see him shoot it there. Had a nice Matt Nieto – B breakout tip to Nieto for a two on one in the second period. Nieto is back in his safe place, playing on a line with two guys who play Ian Cole – A exactly the same as him, and they just continue to be a super-effective Cole was a bull tonight. He had a couple of iffy moments with the puck, line at even strength. Had a nice chance on a two on one in the second but really liked his game overall, and he’s cleaned up the penalties big period but was stopped by Crawford. time. He doesn’t score a ton of goals but that was a great shot, and he’s Mikko Rantanen – A picking up secondary assists like it’s nobodies business this season. Mikko has used his big butt to his advantage a lot more the last two J.T. Compher – C games, and when he does that, there’s no defender in the league that That line spent more time in their end than the rest and was out for the can handle him. He feasted on empty nets last season and picked up only goal. I don’t really put blame on Compher, as the pass was just off to one in this one. him on that one. I don’t think that he was bad at all, though, just an Nikita Zadorov – B average game. He’s usually a lock for multiple points in Chicago but not tonight. A nice bounce-back game from Z. I thought he got a little sloppy with the puck in the third but played really well overall. He, once again, played the Joonas Donskoi – D most minutes against Patrick Kane, and Kane was kept off the I thought Donskoi was sloppy tonight, especially with a turnover leaving scoresheet. Picked up his first point in a very long time, and I liked him his own end in the first period that was pretty blatant. He did recover being active in the offensive zone. relatively well on the play, though.

Pavel Francouz – A- BSN DENVER LOADED: 12.19.2019 I wasn’t a huge fan of the only goal against, but with the turnover happening so quickly, it didn’t look like he was completely set for the shot, and gave up too much room far side. I don’t know what was going on with the penalty either, but he played well other than that, and now I think it’s Grubauer’s turn to bounce back.

Samuel Girard – A

I don’t really know what he’s got against DeBrincat, but there’s no love lost there. The hit may have been a tad late but I’m not even positive on that. Other than a few miscues on the power play, missing MacKinnon on some plays, I liked his game a lot tonight.

Ryan Graves – B+

A solid, steady game from him. He is not afraid to shoot the puck, no matter where he is on the ice, and registered another five shot attempts in this one.

Nazem Kadri – C

Kadri generated a lot of shots on net in this one, but it was one of those games where he overhanded the puck too much and turned it over 1166834 Colorado Avalanche Nathan MacKinnon is seriously on another level this season. The production is obviously elite but his process is incredible to watch. Duncan Keith is headed to the Hall of Fame someday and he got the best of MacKinnon a time or two tonight but MacKinnon also had several Avalanche respond to tough St. Louis loss with an easy dismissal of moments where he chewed Keith up and disregarded his existence. Chicago That’s the stuff that stands out as so special from 29. His goal was pure hockey porn, from bouncing the puck off his skate at top speed in the

neutral zone to the placement of the shot. It was such a laser, I had to BY AJ HAEFELE wait for a replay to see exactly what had happened.

DECEMBER 18, 2019 Burakovsky’s goal was similar and it was really a backbreaker for the Blackhawks. Avs fans should be very familiar with the kind of game they saw tonight; it’s just the Avs used to be on the other end all the time, especially against Chicago. The Blackhawks got great goaltending to Responding to adversity is one of those things that separates the good keep them in it and eventually Colorado’s skill level won them the game from the elite in the NHL. It’s why the Avalanche has been showered with with enough chances and eventually the pushback from the underdog positive accolades so far this season. withered away and the better team took two points. Burakovsky’s goal let Few teams have faced the kind of injury issues, especially to key players, the air out of the United Center and there was no real looking back from like Colorado did early on and it shows. that point.

When Colorado lost to St. Louis two days ago, it could have been the Cole’s goal certainly was a nice shot from the point that found its way thing to put them in an emotional spiral. In previous years, it definitely past a screened Crawford but it was that Cole shot it at all that was good. would have. Quietly, he’s played with a lot more confidence on offense than we saw from him last year and tonight’s goal was a good example. At times last But quietly this team has become battle-tested. Three rounds of playoff year, Cole would have rimmed that puck or intentionally shot it a foot action in two years will teach a team about momentum and how to wide of the net in hopes of the perfect deflection. Instead, he just threw it respond to a tough loss. at the net and forced the goaltender to do something about it. Crawford While the loss to the Blues was no doubt a bitter disappointment, the failed to do so and the Avs got their second goal of the season from world moves on. The sun came up again today and the schedule Cole. He added an assist later and is up to 14 points on the year, good presented the Avs another opportunity to get back on the right side of the for second-best on the team. That’s obviously a major surprise but also win column. very encouraging. It takes a village to replace star production and without Cale Makar, we’ve seen Cole and Ryan Graves step it up offensively. That the schedule gave them the last-place Chicago Blackhawks was a small gift from the NHL schedule-makers. Hell, Anton Lindholm had an assist tonight in his first game of the season. Lindholm also played some physical defense in the neutral zone The Avs took care of business and didn’t mess around with a bad and the eye test didn’t see anything wrong with Lindholm’s play on the Blackhawks team in a pretty easy 4-1 win that spent plenty of time in whole. If they get Erik Johnson back this week, that’s great for the Avs. If doubt on the scoreboard but was dominated by one team throughout. this ends up being Lindholm’s only appearance of the season, he certainly did not embarrass himself. Colorado rocked out to a 19-6 shot advantage in the first period but only got a goal from Ian Cole and watched Ryan Carpenter tie it minutes later. Francouz – another night, another excellent showing. I’m still saying there’s no goalie controversy yet because Francouz has enjoyed a strong That level of domination and to be tied after the period is certainly a run of form against some teams that aren’t very good (Chicago twice, disappointment but through seven periods against Chicago, there’s been New Jersey, Columbus) and he did well in relief in Boston but only faced no doubt about which is the better team. 16 shots in nearly a full game’s worth of work. This isn’t to say Francouz In the second period, that better team put up the results it was trying so has had it ‘easy’ as he’s beaten some good teams, too, (Philadelphia, hard for in the first and while Colorado’s process wasn’t as special, Montreal, Tampa Bay) but he’s also gotten excellent goal support along Nathan MacKinnon and Andre Burakovsky flexed the “special shot” the way. All of this is just to say – Frankie might be one of the five best muscles to give the Avs a 3-1 lead. backups in the NHL right now and that’s a major weapon for the Avs. They are okay where they are for now and until Grubauer REALLY Both shots were perfect snipes and utterly deflating for a Chicago team falters, I don’t think the temptation to swap places is quite there yet. But being propped up by the excellent goaltending of Corey Crawford. we talk about it every game so clearly it’s getting closer.

With a two-goal lead in the third period, Colorado put the clamps on a Chicago comeback attempt and the only cause for concern was a Dylan Strome shot that deflected off Cole and then hit Pavel Francouz and the BSN DENVER LOADED: 12.19.2019 post before bouncing away.

Things got chippy when Sam Girard laid out Alex DeBrincat with a borderline hit that caused DeBrincat to go hard into the boards and stay down for a minute. Girard then took an angry retaliation hit from Erik Gustafsson after the whistle, drawing a penalty and continuing the world’s smallest rivalry (Girard v. DeBrincat).

A Mikko Rantanen empty-net goal right after Crawford had been pulled iced the game and gave the Avs a relatively simple 4-1 win.

It’s the kind of win you expect a top-tier team to put up against a bottom- feeder but Colorado hasn’t been considered that long enough to know how they’d react in these spots.

So far this year, the Avs are 4-1 in games against the teams currently in the bottom five of the league. The only loss was to Anaheim, who weirdly still seem to have their number.

Colorado finishes the season series against Chicago on Saturday night and has a chance to sweep the Blackhawks.

GAME TAKEAWAYS

This was one of those games where things were mostly as you expected. The top line helped generate three goals, the depth chewed up Chicago’s depth, and Francouz shut the door. 1166835 Columbus Blue Jackets “I have to monitor (the workload), but we have to watch it in the way of, ‘Can he handle it?’ too,” Tortorella said. “We think he has progressed well, but we’ve got to see if he can play the games. As a starter, you’re looking at 53 to 60 games, in that area there. We’ve got to see if he can Blue Jackets 5, Red Wings 3 | 3-2-1 postgame breakdown do that.”

Korpisalo passed the test in Detroit and may get another nod Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings at Nationwide Arena. Brian Hedger The Columbus Dispatch 2) Welcome back, ‘Gus’ Dec 18, 2019 at 6:06 AM This was a homecoming for Gustav Nyquist, who spent the first eight

years of his NHL career with the Red Wings. He was traded to the San Despite some lapses, the Jackets got what they needed from their only Jose Sharks at the deadline last season and then signed with the Blue trip to Detroit this season: two points. Jackets on July 1 as free agent.

DETROIT – It wasn’t as impressive as their dispatching of the The Red Wings paid tribute to his time in Detroit with a video montage in Washington Capitals, but the Blue Jackets’ 5-3 victory against the Detroit the first period and then Nyquist reminded them of the talent they dealt Red Wings on Tuesday, a day later, was just as big. away. He finished with a goal, assist and two points – including a great reverse feed on his backhand to Oliver Bjorkstrand for a goal that put the They outshot the hapless Red Wings 39-21, including 27-10 through the Jackets up 2-1 at 12:06 of the first period. first two periods, but the Jackets’ domination in shots was overshadowed until they found a way to break a 3-3 tie starting the third period to win Nyquist’s goal was scored into an empty net with 6.4 seconds left in the consecutive games for the first time since late November. third, after getting a pass from Bjorkstrand in the neutral zone. He now has 22 points on eight goals and 15 assists, is 2-0-0 against his former “We played well away from the puck until the end,” coach John Tortorella team since signing with Columbus. said. “I think in the third period we stopped skating a little bit, but (Joonas Korpisalo) made some big saves there toward the end. Throughout most “It’s something I’ll remember for sure,” Nyquist said. “It’s cool, with the of the game, I thought we played well.” video in the first period. This place is always going to be close to my heart after being here for so many years, but real nice to get a win By the time Pierre-Luc Dubois ripped a wrist shot into the top right corner today.” to end the 3-3 tie 1:19 into the third, the Jackets had already fallen behind 1-0 early in the first, responded with two of their own to lead 2-1, 3) Werenski returns allowed two more goals to trail 3-2 and tied it up again in the second – all His name didn’t jump off the scoresheet for goals and assists, but the fact against a Red Wings team that is dead last in the NHL with just nine wins Zach Werenski was on the scoresheet at all was impressive. (9-24-4). The 22-year old defenseman showed once again that he’s a fast healer There was plenty for the Blue Jackets to like, such as five different goal– after returning more than a week early from a sprained SC joint in his left scorers and five players finishing with two points each, but there were shoulder. Werenski’s original timeline was four weeks, but he missed also points to quibble about – such as allowing two goals in the first only seven games while out 17 days. period against Detroit’s fourth line, both scored by Adam Erne for his first goals and points in 28 games. “He’s a guy that doesn’t like waiting around,” Tortorella said. “As we saw a couple years ago, he played through a lot of things with his shoulder After frustrating the Capitals on Monday for the second time in a week, and hung in there. That’s the sign of a really good pro.” downing the NHL’s top team both times, the Jackets survived in Detroit. Their victory was functional, more than anything, but also needed. It didn’t hurt that Werenski saw this game ahead on the schedule. He’s from the Detroit suburb of Grosse Pointe, Mich., and was a Red Wings It was another two points in the standings, which is all that matters. Here fan growing up. Werenski, who played 23:46 and had no restrictions, also is a 3-2-1 look back at it … three takeaways, two questions and one has a close friend, Dylan Larkin, who plays for the Red Wings. more thing to know: “When (the injury) happened, this was kind of my goal,” he said. Three takeaways “Obviously, it’s my hometown, so it’s always fun. I didn’t want to rush 1) Korpisalo tested back and reinjure it, so I took my time with it. I made sure on the ice I felt comfortable enough to battle and to protect myself from hits and stuff like Under normal circumstances, the Jackets’ starting goalie would’ve been that.” Elvis Merzlikins. Two questions The Latvian rookie is seeking his first NHL victory, the Red Wings have the worst record in the league and it was the conclusion of a back-to- 1) Is the offense beginning to unthaw? back that started with the victory Monday against the Capitals – which It didn’t look like that way last Thursday in Pittsburgh, when the Blue Joonas Korpisalo won with a 30-save shutout. Jackets were shutout 1-0 in an overtime loss by a team missing stars These are not normal times for the Blue Jackets, though. They’re stuck in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin among others. seventh place of the Metropolitan Division, need to bank as many points Since that game, however, the Blue Jackets have shown encouraging as possible and couldn’t risk Merzlikins having a shaky start like his one- signs. They’ve scored 11 goals combined the past three games, period affair Saturday in Ottawa. including their fourth five-goal game. It should be noted that two of those Instead, Tortorella went with his No. 1 guy, Korpisalo, who responded five-goal games were against Detroit, the NHL’s worst team, but all goals with an 18-save victory in which he saved his best work for the end. count the same at this point for the scuffling Blue Jackets.

“I was hoping to get Elvis a little bit more work here,” Tortorella said. “I Cam Atkinson scored again, finishing with a goal and assist, while was hoping the other (day) we could go with him, but I’ve got to balance Bjorkstrand’s goal was his second game in a row scoring one. that with trying to find a way to win games. I can’t wait and develop a Bjorkstrand has scored three goals combined in those games for his first goalie and live through some of the struggles with it. I answer to the goal streak this season, while Atkinson has scored goals in five of the team. I have to make decisions towards the team, as far as trying to get past seven games. back in this race.” Atkinson now has nine goals and Bjorkstrand’s was his 10th –making him This was Korpisalo’s 27th appearance and 25th start, which puts him on the second Blue Jackets player to reach double-figures thus far. Dubois pace for 60 starts and 65 appearances. That’s a lot of work for a guy is the other and his 11th goal was his first since Nov. 23 in Winnipeg. getting his first opportunity to handle a starter’s role in the NHL, but the Atkinson (goal, assist), Bjorkstrand (goal, assist), Dubois (goal, assist), Blue Jackets need victories and Tortorella needs to test Korpisalo’s Nyquist (goal, assist) and Seth Jones (two assists) were the five Blue limits. Jackets who had two-point games.

2) How many injuries can the Blue Jackets endure? After going through the first month with a fairly clean bill of health, the Blue Jackets are suddenly in crisis mode.

They have five players on injured reserve plus Ryan Murray (lower body) and Sonny Milano (upper body) who have missed the past two games without being placed on IR. Murray is out “week-to-week,” and Milano is day-to-day.

Werenski’s return was a morale booster, but two more players left early against Detroit. Rookie defenseman Andrew Peeke blocked a slap shot in the first period with his right hand and played just one period and center Alexander Wennberg left at 7:29 of the third after getting hit in the face with a stick.

Wennberg’s status is unknown, but Tortorella said Peeke could be out “a while,” with a possible fractured hand. Peeke, who was struck in the mouth by the puck on Monday, will be the eighth guy out if nobody returns Thursday against the Kings.

“We don’t spend a lot of time talking or thinking about the injuries,” Tortorella said. “It just gives other guys more opportunities in situations that maybe they wouldn’t be put in. As I’ve always said ... when you have the amount of injuries that we have right now, your team’s going to be better when people start coming back healthy. I think your team is going to be better in the big picture because of the opportunities these guys have been given through the injuries.”

Rookie Kevin Stenlund’s power-play goal in the second was a big one, tying it 3-3 after Tyler Bertuzzi put Detroit up 3-2 early in the period with a power-play tally of his own.

Stenlund, who was recalled Sunday from the Cleveland Monsters along with forward Marko Dano on an emergency basis, scored while attempting a pass to Wennberg in front of the net. The puck hit a Red Wing player’s stick and deflected past goalie Jonathan Bernier.

“That’s his strength,” Tortorella said of Stenlund on the power play. “He has a great shot coming off the wall there. I think he’s making the right play. He gets a fortunate goal, but I think he’s making the right play to Wenny.”

The goal was Stenlund’s first in the NHL and first NHL point in his sixth game. He plans to give the puck to his mom back in Sweden.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166836 Dallas Stars

NHL announces tailgating is allowed at the Cotton Bowl for the Winter Classic

By Matthew DeFranks

11:12 PM on Dec 18, 2019

Texans, you can tailgate.

After initially barring tailgating at the Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, the NHL announced Wednesday afternoon that tailgating would be allowed in pre-purchased lots before the Stars host the Predators in the southernmost outdoor game in league history.

“We heard the fans, have worked with the venue & will now allow tailgating at Fair Park and Cotton Bowl Stadium in pre-purchase parking lots only for the 2020 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic,” the league announced in a tweet.

Lots 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 and the Parry Ave. Lot will allow tailgating beginning at 9 a.m., when parking lots open ahead of the 1 p.m. start time. Tailgating is not allowed during the game or after it. Parking can be purchased here, and only fans with a ticket to the game will be allowed into the lots.

The NHL will be hosting its own pregame fan festival at the Truly Hard Seltzer NHL PreGame, which will open the State Fair’s Midway for free rides and other activities.

Here are some of the league’s guidelines for tailgating:

Alcohol Consumption: Excessive or underage consumption of alcohol will not be tolerated. Drinking games or any other activity that is linked to competitive or binge drinking are not permitted. Games or activities determined by security staff to be unsafe or which could cause harm to other fans will not be allowed.

Grills: Natural gas or propane grills are permitted, however, charcoal grills and oil fryers are not permitted.

Food and Beverages: Fans are limited to preparing/ providing food and beverages for their family and friends only. Private catering companies or the sale of food or beverage items to other fans is not permitted.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Unmanned aircraft systems (i.e. drones, radio controlled model aircraft, etc.) are prohibited. Possession or operation of such devices will result in immediate ejection from the area and law enforcement intervention.

Audio Equipment: Portable public address systems are not permitted and large portable radios and sound systems inside vehicles cannot be used at excessive volume levels or play music not suitable for a public setting (i.e. profanity in lyrics) as determined by parking lot or security team member.

Generators: Small portable electric generators (6500W or less) are allowed, however, electrical cords cannot be placed across parking area drive aisles, any sidewalk or create a trip hazard for other fans.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166837 Dallas Stars “Strong players can do that,” Andrew Cogliano said. “When you’re that big and strong like that, guys like that can shoot in that type of way when it’s hard for others, to be honest. I think he’s moving fast a lot of the time, so his speed and his strength, puts some good torque in his stick.” What makes Roope Hintz’s shot so dangerous? It’s unorthodox and deceiving, even to his Stars teammates Hintz’s stick also allows him to shoot uniquely.

His stick has a low lie, which means that the stick is most on the ice when his arms are stretched out. When he pulls the stick closer to his By Matthew DeFranks body, less of the blade is on the ice and it’s harder to get a shot off that way. Cogliano said he and Hintz uses similar curves on their stick, but 4:00 PM on Dec 18, 2019 different lies.

“I know that it’s a straighter curve a lot of his blade is on the ice when In the first half of the Stars season, the scene has unfolded often on the he’s reached out forward,” Cogliano said. “So pulling it really far in would ice: Roope Hintz speeds through the neutral zone, leaving defenders in be a little tougher than shooting out far. Goalies, they don’t know where the wake of his blonde hair, prepare for runaway train No. you’re shooting. They think you’re passing still.” 24, and then, in a flash, the puck is in the back of the net. Especially on the rush, Hintz’s shot is dangerous. He’s shown this The formula is simple enough for Hintz. Skate fast. Shoot hard. Score season the ability to shoot from far away or in close, plus add in the fact goals. And he’s done so 12 times this season to pace Dallas’ offense, that he gets on top of the crease quickly with his speed, and it’s a despite missing seven games due to injury. It’s been a welcome injection package that can be difficult to handle. of instant offense for the defensively minded Stars, one that Hintz Plus, Hintz likes to change up where he aims. previewed during a breakout postseason in the spring and has continued into his first full season in the NHL. “He’s one of those players who likes to change up where he shoots the puck,” Bishop said. “It doesn’t always go high blocker, high glove. He Hintz’s toolbox is overflowing with obvious talents. He is arguably the goes five hole, blocker, glove, high glove. It’s hard to read, and it gets on fastest skater on the team (Miro Heiskanen and Denis Gurianov are also you quick.” in the conversation). He is the biggest forward the Stars employ, at 6-3 and 220 pounds. And his shot is unorthodox and deceiving, even to his Bishop said the way Hintz carries the puck reminded him of Alex teammates. Ovechkin or Nikita Kucherov, both prolific goal-scorers. Perry mentioned Ovechkin and Anaheim’s Rickard Rakell. But to do exactly what Hintz “It’s hard to explain,” Corey Perry said. “He’s so big and strong that he does? shoots it pretty hard. It’s almost like he whips it, kind of, but more snap. I don’t know. It’s very deceiving to me.” “The way he does it?” Perry said. “Not really. That’s pretty unique.”

Among players with at least 55 shots on goal this season, Hintz’s 21.8% shooting percentage ranks second in the league. In the last five seasons, among players that shoot the puck as often nightly (1.96 shots per game) Dallas Morning News LOADED: 12.19.2019 and yearly (55 shots) as Hintz this season, only two players have higher shooting percentages: William Karlsson’s 43-goal season in 2017-18 and T.J. Oshie’s 33-goal season in 2016-17. Hintz is just above Leon Draisaitl’s 50-goal season and Brayden Point’s 41-goal season, both last year.

Albeit in a small sample size of 28 games, Hintz is beating goalies at an elite level this season. While shooting percentage can often revert to the league average (it’s 9.4% this season), Hintz’s shooting ability may keep him as an above-average finisher in the regular season.

Why? Goalies can’t tell what he’s going to do next.

Hintz carries the puck away from his body, which is where he passes pucks from, dangles from and shoots from. It creates a confusing read for goalies, including Dallas’ own.

“When he comes in, he has it behind him and it’s cocked and ready to go,” Ben Bishop said. “Get in that position, a lot of guys will have it in front of them and take it there. He comes in with it already in that position, so he can kind of fling it at any point.”

Anton Khudobin said: “He has a quick release, he has a really quick release and it’s a really close shot. You can’t tell if he’s going to deke or shoot. That’s all.”

“You’re going to post that and then everybody will pick it up and everybody will know what’s going on with his shot,” he said. “He’s having success, I can’t tell you.”)

Where Hintz shoots from is the unique part about his shot. He barely has to pull the puck closer to him to get a shot off, and instead can release it when it is simply beside him instead of pulled to his feet. That allows for a quicker release, and more deception since he also passes from that same position.

“I think I get good power from that,” Hintz said. “I think that’s just the way I shoot.”

Hintz said he hasn’t used a shooting coach since he turned pro, though he used them when he was developing in Finland, where they put an added emphasis on individual skill development for young players. The way he shoots is simply natural, he said. 1166838 Dallas Stars “Also some Finnish series too,” Lindell said. “There is some difference between Finnish Netflix and US Netflix, so it’s good that I have both.”

Radek Faksa is currently finishing the last season of The Blacklist. Netflix and cards (and homework, too): How the Stars kill time on a team “The first season was just OK, now it’s getting better and better,” Faksa plane without WiFi said. “It’s crazy how much money they have to make on Netflix. I’m paying what 12 bucks, 13 bucks a month? And how many subscribers they must have, it’s crazy.” By Sean Shapiro There aren’t too many readers on the Stars, but when he’s not doing Dec 18, 2019 crosswords, Andrej Sekera is reading about technology.

“Most of the books I read are about IT stuff, especially now with how everything is moving forward with computers and technology,” Sekera The Dallas Stars don’t have WiFi on their team plane. That puts the onus said. “So I try to catch up on that. And a little bit of history and a on everyone from players to coaches to find ways to pass countless biography is never bad.” hours of travel without depending on their phones. Only nonfiction? “I love it,” Ben Bishop said. “I’ve always been a card player and when guys are looking on their phones while we are trying to play cards, I kind “Yeah,” Sekera said. “It’s a little bit more realistic.” of get upset. So I like it; I think it’s also really good for the team to be able to disconnect from that.” While Stars players often find time to relax on the plane, that trip and the lead-up to it are the most frantic part of the evening for video coach Kelly “It just makes the flights goes by a lot faster,” Bishop added. “It’s just fun Forbes and assistant video coach Matt Rodell, especially in a back-to- hanging out with the guys and being able to joke and mess around, it’s back situation like the Stars have this week, starting Thursday in Tampa. good camaraderie.” “That might be our busiest mad rush of any point of the game day,” “I think that’s good just to be away from your phone,” Tyler Seguin said. Forbes said. “Right after the game and getting each coach their video “Like the game, I’m away from my phone from 4 to 10:30, that’s really and downloading it locally onto their computers and getting the things nice. I kind of think about that sometimes in the summer and miss it. The onto the iPads for the players. Then the mad rush is breaking everything same goes when we are on the plane; you get to hang out with the other down and getting to the plane on time.” guys more, and you aren’t plugged in.” The back-to-back condenses everything. Evaluation from one game and Bishop and Seguin are two of the more frequent participants in the card prep for the other are squeezed into the same time frame, game plans games alongside Mattias Janmark, Joe Pavelski and John Klingberg. are adjusted and video is broken down to best prepare the team for the next night in the front half of the team plane. “We’ve got four or five regulars. Then there are always a couple stragglers that join in,” Bishop said. “Jamie (Benn), Creep (Blake “I joke, but it’s true: My most efficient time is when players and coaches Comeau), (Jason) Dickinson will play, but it’s always really that core of are on the ice or when we’re on the plane,” Forbes said. “Because that’s Klinger, Janny, Pavelski and I that are always playing.” when I buckle down and get all the work done. I don’t sleep on the plane. It’s a time to work.” The game of choice is often Seven Up or Shnarps, a game that is rather popular across the NHL on road trips. Rodell said working during the game to get things ready for the flight is crucial. During the intermissions and stoppages in play, he’ll get things “We usually have two tables going,” Janmark said. “It’s fun, and it’s a lined up so that the transfer, which happens on a local network, gets good way to kill time.” done successfully after the final buzzer. “Ask Pavs, he’s the commissioner now,” Klingberg said. “We’ve got about In the back half of the plane, some players are also going through similar six or seven guys playing, and I lost a lot of money last trip.” evaluation and prep work as the coaches. The Stars travel with seven “I’m not the commissioner, someone’s pulling your chain,” Pavelski said. iPads that will be loaded with every player’s shifts, while other players “I just collect.” have the software on their own iPad.

Pavelski said this season has been about studying his competition at the Those communal iPads follows a traditional pecking order: veterans first. card tables after competing with the San Jose Sharks for so long. He’s About half the players will watch all of their shifts from that evening on definitely noticed Seguin, who is on a pretty good run. the flight before re-setting for the next opponent.

“I think I’m up the most this year, for sure,” Seguin said. “But with cards “Everyone just watches their shifts. (Anton Khudobin) is the only one with this many guys, I feel like you even out. You are going to win and where we have something different,” Forbes said. “He wants to see the lose. Win your per-diem money, lose your per-diem money. That’s just chances against and goalie handles right away, so that goes right onto kind of how it goes.” the iPads. Sometimes, other players will ask for something different, like all their chances. But most of the time, other guys are just watching their For those who don’t take part in the card game, the lack of WiFi requires shifts.” some advanced planning. “You can’t see yourself from the side of it while you are playing,” Dickinson used to travel with his laptop, but now travels with an iPad. Khudobin said. “When you watch the video you see yourself after as Why? scout or coach or whatever, and you know already what was in your brain while you were doing it. And when you see video, it tells your brain “You can’t download a show or movie onto your computer, you have to what you need to fix.” have a tablet or phone,” Dickinson said. “That’s actually why I bought the iPad.” Khudobin said that step is important to take right after the game because it keeps the events sharp in his mind. That study session will give him EditOr’s note: I discovered during a recent trip to Europe that it is better perspective for when he later views video with Stars goalie coach possible to download Netflix videos onto a PC through Netflix’s Windows Jeff Reese. app. As one of my traveling companions discovered, however, there is no Netflix app for Apple computers. Point: PC! Once he’s done watching the scoring chances against him, Khudobin will pick a movie or show he’s already downloaded onto the iPad. Dickinson has recently been re-watching Breaking Bad since the El Camino movie came out back in October. “I like history things,” Khudobin said. “And I like the things based on true stories. This would be my favorite type of show.” “I haven’t seen the movie yet so I want to refresh myself on the show,” Dickinson said. “This way I can properly enjoy the movie.”

Roope Hintz said he was looking for a new show to watch on Netflix, and The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 he likes shows with a lot of action. Esa Lindell has been catching up on El Dragón and Riverdale on Netflix. 1166839 Detroit Red Wings “We thought we played well for two games there, then a tough back-to- back with some circumstances. We need to get back to that hockey. We need to find a way to have more positives.”

Blashill: Detroit Red Wings 'kind of played' like children in loss to Detroit Free Press LOADED: 12.19.2019 Columbus

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Published 6:55 a.m. ET Dec. 18, 2019 | Updated 7:16 a.m. ET Dec. 18, 2019

Jeff Blashill drew comparisons to his 9-year-old son and resorted to colorful language as he explained yet another loss.

The Detroit Red Wings have until Saturday’s game at Toronto to stew over their latest letdown, hoping to show there’s more to them than a 31st-place finish. There’s frustration over the 9-24-3 record and over the struggle to build upon the rare times they have played fast and cohesive. They did that twice in the past week, but were back to looking fragile and unsure of themselves in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to Columbus at Little Caesars Arena.

“My 9-year-old plays hockey and he’s allergic to the puck sometimes — he gets rid of it as fast as he can,” Blashill said. “That’s kind of the way we played, and that’s confidence and moxie. But we’re the only ones that can give us that. We have a whole bunch of guys that are good hockey players in that room that aren’t playing as good as they can. So we have to pick it up and find ways to play way better hockey than that.”

The Wings put together a handful of good shifts to start the game and were rewarded with a lead when Adam Erne scored at 5:11. But then they didn’t get another shot on net until he scored again at 17:17. It was 2-2 after the first period, but shots were 13-4. It was 3-3 after the second period, but shots were 27-10.

“We didn’t make it about us enough,” Wings forward Dylan Larkin said. “We didn’t work enough for each other out there, and that’s what we did so much in Montreal — we were supporting each other and playing fast.”

The Wings ended a 12-game losing streak Thursday at home against Winnipeg, then went into Montreal and won Saturday. They lost at home Sunday to the Kings, but Blashill revealed Monday that half the team was infected by flu, some enough to need IVs. He chafed when asked if that was a factor against the Blue Jackets, calling it BS.

“Guys felt better,” he said. “Sunday we had no energy.”

What exasperated Tuesday was the Wings coming out of the first period with two goals from their fourth line. Erne didn’t have a point coming into the game. He and linemates Frans Nielsen and Brendan Perlini had a combined two points. The three least productive skaters in the lineup provided offense — and the Wings still lost.

"It’s frustrating for sure,” Blashill said. “We said after the last game, too, we don’t want this thing to snowball, so we better show up on Saturday against Toronto. We better have a great effort. Some of our best players have to be way better. We have some guys in our room that have been really good players for us this year, they have to rise their game up.”

Filip Zadina and Filip Hronek lead the team with six points in seven games since the start of December. Larkin and Robby Fabbri each have six. But Valtteri Filppula has one assist in that span, Andreas Athanasiou has one assist the last five games, and Mike Green has a goal and an assist.

Tyler Bertuzzi picked up his 12th goal of the season when he deflected Hronek’s shot on a power play but also passed on an open scoring chance late in the third period. Both the power-play goal and Erne’s second goal, when he tapped in Madison’s Bowey’s shot after the puck deflected off Luke Glendening, showed the Wings good things can happen when they put the puck on net.

“All over the ice we need to simplify a little more,” Larkin said. “Just shooting the puck more, putting it on net, like we did on Adam Erne’s second goal, our power play goal. Just throw it to the net and there’s guys around and there’ll be rebounds or it will go in right away. We need to funnel more pucks to the net. We need to get he second and third chances. 1166840 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings waive Eric Comrie, with Jimmy Howard nearing return

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News Published 12:59 p.m. ET Dec. 18, 2019 | Updated 1:29 p.m. ET Dec. 18, 2019

Detroit – The Red Wings waived goaltender Eric Comrie Wednesday, after Jimmy Howard played in a minor league rehab start Tuesday and looked ready to rejoin the Detroit lineup.

Howard stopped 30 shots for Grand Rapids in a 3-2 shootout victory over San Diego.

Jimmy Howard

Howard is expected to rejoin the Wings in time for Thursday’s practice, and likely play one of the two games this weekend – Saturday in Toronto, or Sunday at home against Arizona.

Howard, 35, hasn’t played since being injured Nov. 27, during a 6-0 loss to Toronto. In 14 games this season, Howard, who can be an unrestricted free agent after this season, is 2-11-1 with a 3.94 goals- against average and .887 save percentage.

Comrie was acquired from Arizona in a trade for Grand Rapids defenseman Vili Saarijarvi, essentially replacing Howard and providing depth in the organization at the goaltending position.

Comrie made two starts, both losses, with a 4.28 goals-against average and .864 save percentage. Rebound control was a noticeable area that Comrie needed to work on, especially in Sunday’s loss to Los Angeles.

If Comrie, 24, clears waivers by noon Thursday, he’ll be assigned to Grand Rapids.

Detroit News LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166841 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings' Adam Erne relieved to finally get on the board in 'best game'

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News Published 1:21 p.m. ET Dec. 18, 2019 | Updated 1:22 p.m. ET Dec. 18, 2019

Detroit – The joy and relief on Adam Erne’s face pretty much said it all.

When Erne scored his first goal of Tuesday’s game against Columbus – he would get two before the night was done – the smile was large and the sigh of relief understandable.

Through 27 games, Erne had no goals, no points.

Detroit left wing Adam Erne and center Luke Glendening celebrate after Erne scored his second goal of the game in the first period.

After Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Blue Jackets, Erne had finally gotten on the scoresheet.

“It took a while but I’m just happy to get it,” Erne said. “’I’m disappointed we couldn’t come away with the win.”

The points haven’t come for Erne – just as they haven’t for many Red Wings on a regular basis – but he’s been able to be a useful grinder, and agitating presence.

“Adam Erne had his best game as a Red Wing,” said coach Jeff Blashill of Tuesday’s performance. “Beyond scoring, he was impactful. He had a good game.”

Erne has looked for other ways to contribute this season while the offense disappeared.

“Everybody wants to score, but at the same time, if I wasn’t scoring I was trying to contribute in whatever way that I could,” Erne said. “Whether that was being physical or just being a leader on the bench and keeping guys positive.

“But hopefully, they’ll (goals) start going in.”

Forward Dylan Larkin could sense the relief for Erne after scoring on a one-timer off Frans Nielsen’s pass.

“I feel really good for him, he was one of our best players (Tuesday) and provided a spark,” Larkin said. “You could see with the celebration on his first goal that was a big relief for him – and rightfully so. It was a great shot and great play on both of them (Erne’s goals).

“He was the spark we needed and he brought it.”

Wings need 'moxie, swagger'

While Erne and others from the bottom six forwards – Nielsen, Brendan Perlini, Luke Glendening – provided secondary scoring with points, the Wings’ forwards looked upon for offense were largely silent.

Tyler Bertuzzi scored his 12th goal, on a power play (Larkin assisted), but otherwise, Blashill wasn’t impressed with the overall performance.

“You have guys that really good players that didn’t play good,” Blashill said. “Your best players have to play way better than that.

More: Jeff Blashill vents frustration after Red Wings' loss to Blue Jackets

“I don’t want to single out one guy, I just think as a group you have to have moxie and confidence and you have to be way better than that.”

Blashill referred to his son’s youth hockey team – how his son is “allergic” to the puck occasionally – and compared Tuesday’s Wings’ game to what happens with the kids’ team.

“He gets rid of it as fast as he can and that’s kind of the way we played,” Blashill said. “That’s confidence, moxie and swagger, but we’re the only ones that can give us that. We have a whole bunch of guys that are good hockey players in that room that aren’t playing as good as they can.”

Added Larkin: “Not enough guys were going. We didn’t work enough for each other.”

Detroit News LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166842 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings waive Eric Comrie as Jimmy Howard nears return

By Ansar Khan

The Detroit Red Wings placed goaltender Eric Comrie on waivers today. If he clears at noon Thursday he likely will be assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Jimmy Howard is close to returning from a groin injury suffered on Nov. 27. He stopped 30-of-32 shots and all three shootouts attempts in a 3-2 victory for the Griffins at San Diego Tuesday during a conditioning stint. Howard is expected to return to the Red Wings for practice on Thursday and play one of the games this weekend -- Saturday at Toronto or Sunday at home vs. Arizona.

Comrie (0-2, 4.28 goals-against average, .864 save percentage) has made two starts for the Red Wings, losing 5-1 at Winnipeg and 4-2 at home to Los Angeles.

The Red Wings acquired Comrie from Arizona on Nov. 30 for defense prospect Vili Saarijarvi.

Michigan Live LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166843 Detroit Red Wings “I don’t think we spent enough time in their zone,” Bernier said. “They’re a heavy team and they like to grind down low and we spent a lot of time in our zone defending.

Jeff Blashill: Red Wings needed more from top players “I think I’ve got to find a way to make that fourth save and stay in the game 3-3 there.”

Michigan Live LOADED: 12.19.2019 By Ansar Khan

DETROIT – On a night the Detroit Red Wings received a rare spark from their fourth line, getting a pair of goals from Adam Erne, their top forwards weren’t nearly good enough.

The point was hammered home by coach Jeff Blashill Tuesday following a 5-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Little Caesars Arena.

After victories against Winnipeg and Montreal, performances the Red Wings claimed were “repeatable,” they have played two sloppy games at home, losing both.

A flu-stricken roster contributed to Sunday’s setback against Los Angeles. No such excuse on this night, Blashill said. His team was outshot 39-21 and had difficulty getting the puck out of its zone.

Blashill said his 9-year-old son plays hockey and is “allergic to the puck sometimes.” That’s how his players looked at times on this night.

“He gets rid of it as fast as he can and that’s kind of the way we played,” Blashill said. “That’s confidence and moxie and swagger, but we’re the only ones that can give us that. We got a whole bunch of guys that are good hockey players in that room that aren’t playing as good as they can.”

He added, “You got guys that are really good players that didn’t play good. Your best players got to play way better than that. I don’t want to single out one guy, I just think as a group you got to have moxie, got to have confidence and you got to be way better than that.”

It was a particularly tough night for the top line of Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi, who scored his team’s third goal, on the power play, when Filip Hronek’s shot deflected in off his leg.

“I don’t think they were alone,” Blashill said. “I thought there were a number of guys that weren’t nearly good enough. Certainly, the guys that get lots of ice time, they got to be way better.”

Larkin said, “Not enough guys were going.”

“We didn’t work enough for each other,” Larkin said. “I think that’s what we did so well in Montreal (Saturday). We were supporting each and playing fast. There just wasn’t enough of that tonight, working for each other.”

Andreas Athanasiou continues to struggle through his worst season. He has gone 12 games without a goal (five assists).

“I thought some guys worked hard but not nearly good enough,” Blashill said. “Some of our best players got to be way better than they were.”

It might have been another lopsided loss if not for Erne, who blasted in a one-timer at 5:11 of the first period to open the scoring and tied it at 2-2 by firing in a rebound at 17:17 of the first. He had good opportunities for a third goal.

He began the night with no points in 27 games.

“It took a while but I’m just happy to get it,” Erne said. “Disappointed we couldn’t come away with a win.

“Everybody wants to score. At the same time, if I wasn’t scoring, I was trying to contribute in whatever way that I could, whether that was being physical or just being a leader on the bench and keeping the guys positive. But hopefully they’ll start going in.”

Blashill said Erne, who general manager Steve Yzerman acquired from his former team, Tampa Bay, for a fourth-round pick in August, made his presence felt in several ways.

“Beyond scoring, I thought he was impactful,” Blashill said. “We got some guys in our room that have been really good players for us this year, they got to raise their game up, we got to be way better.”

Pierre-Luc Dubois snapped a 3-3 tie at 1:19 of the third period, beating Jonathan Bernier with a shot from the slot area off the rush. 1166844 Detroit Red Wings

Jimmy Howard solid as Griffins win shootout in San Diego

By Peter J. Wallner

Jimmy Howard was impressive for the Grand Rapids Griffins in his first action since November.

The Detroit Red Wings goaltender stopped 30 of 32 shots and thwarted all three attempts in a shootout to give the Griffins a 3-2 victory Tuesday at San Diego.

The Gulls scored once in the second and again with 6:33 remaining in the third to tie it against Howard, playing for the first time since a groin injury November 27. He stopped four shots in overtime.

Howard last appeared with the Griffins on a conditioning assignment on March 7, 2017, when he posted 21 saves in a 3-0 win at San Antonio.

He began his professional career in Grand Rapids and played for the Griffins from 2005-09.

Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill did not say he many games Howard might play with the Griffins, who are at Iowa on Friday and Saturday as part of a six-game road trip.

"… This gives him a chance to go down and really face that live action," Blashill said before Tuesday's game. "And for goaltenders especially again, we can ease (a skater) into a game. We can’t ease a goalie into the game. If (a skater) makes a mistake, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s in your net. If a goalie makes a mistake, it’s in your net. To me, it’s a great solution for him.”

Taro Hirose scored the lone goal in the shootout as the Grand Rapids Griffins who got goals in regulation from Eric Tangradi and Evgeny Svechnikov on 43 shots.

Michigan Live LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166845 Detroit Red Wings league, at that specific component of the game. Offense certainly matters, and Nemeth won’t be a stand-in for DeKeyser in that sense, but Nemeth is one of the few players who has shown he can consistently help the Red Wings end plays defensively. That’s what he was brought in Danny DeKeyser’s lost season is a double-whammy for the Red Wings to do, and he’s done it.

Now, with no more help coming, the Red Wings will desperately need him to maintain that if they’re going to improve defensively. Detroit, in last By Max Bultman Dec 18, 2019 place, doesn’t have any playoff hopes on the line. But that doesn’t mean the scope of DeKeyser’s injury is substantially lowered.

Danny DeKeyser has been out of the Red Wings’ lineup since late A potentially season-ending back injury to the only defenseman Detroit October, so the impact of Tuesday’s news that the defenseman would has signed beyond next season creates uncertainty. There are still RFAs have potentially season-ending back surgery may not have properly (including Hronek) and AHL players who have to be factored in, of registered. course, but DeKeyser should have been the most clear-cut piece of the puzzle. This now marks the third straight season he has missed at least It’s sometimes easy to forget the significance of someone who hasn’t 15 games, though, after missing 17 in 2017-18 and 30 last year. That’s been right before your eyes, but make no mistake: DeKeyser’s injury is not a good trend. one of the biggest the Red Wings could have suffered this season. In an ideal world, Hronek blossoming in Detroit, and Dennis Cholowski “It has a huge impact on your team because he’s our top defenseman,” and Moritz Seider developing in Grand Rapids, DeKeyser would be the coach Jeff Blashill said. “I think he’s a super-underrated player in the central stabilizing veteran presence as the young defensemen solidified league. I think he’s one of the better defenders in the league, one of the their NHL footings over the next couple seasons. But he has to be on the better guys at moving a puck and being efficient, and the things that I ice to do that. think that the really good defensemen do. … Not having him is the reality of our situation, so we have to face the reality head on, which means that In the short term, then, not much will noticeably change for the Red the other guys have to step up and play really good hockey.” Wings. But in the big picture and the longer term, Tuesday’s injury announcement is a deep blow on many levels. The development has major ripple effects. The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 First and foremost, the injury means this will truly be a lost season for DeKeyser. Blashill said last week DeKeyser was “getting closer” and skating with less pain, for longer durations. That was encouraging after the injury had dragged on for nearly two months.

But then the 6-foot-3 defenseman suffered a setback that ultimately sent him into surgery, and now the 29 year old will likely finish the season with just eight games played.

That’s going to sting personally for DeKeyser, who was looking to build off a strong 2018-19 season. In position to be the clear leader and a tough-minutes eater on defense for Detroit, he’ll instead have to just focus on recovering.

More immediately, it means no more significant help is on the way for a Red Wings defense that has been a revolving door this season due to injuries, AHL assignments and more. For the most part, no combination has worked for a sustained period since mid-November, when Detroit earned a point in five straight games while giving up three or fewer goals (not counting shootouts) in each. Overall, the picture has been bleak: The Red Wings have given up five or more goals in 17 of their 36 games this season.

Tuesday night, they struggled significantly to just get out of their defense zone cleanly — and while that certainly includes forwards as well as defensemen, DeKeyser was one of the few players who the Red Wings might have been able to trust to help survive those situations.

Last season, research by Tyler Dellow, then of The Athletic, showed DeKeyser playing easily the toughest set of matchups on the team, with close to half of his 5-on-5 minutes coming against opponents’ top lines. That was noticeably more than even Detroit’s next-closest defensemen: the since-departed Nick Jensen, and Filip Hronek.

In fact, Hronek and DeKeyser had developed into an intriguing pairing for the Red Wings, one that could be relied on in the defensive zone but also add offense with DeKeyser’s skating and Hronek’s shot and offensive- zone decision-making. As two of the only three Red Wings defensemen (excluding Tuesday call-up Brian Lashoff) signed for next season, along with Patrik Nemeth, that pair was in line to be one of the few positives on the back end in 2019-20.

Much of the talk Tuesday was about the bigger role Hronek would have to take on. He has probably been Detroit’s best overall defenseman this season, even while taking on a larger role than the Red Wings might prefer at this early stage of his career.

But DeKeyser’s extended absence might add the biggest burden to Nemeth — an offseason acquisition who now looks indispensable in the defensive zone. He’s lost ground to Hronek in the other facets of the game, but Nemeth’s even strength defense has been worth about 4.5 goals above replacement this season, according to Evolving Hockey. That’s easily the best on the Red Wings, and also among the best in the 1166846 Edmonton Oilers Harvard playing behind current Ranger Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren, they knew he could be UFA in August, 2019.

They were in full-court press to sign him with head of player development One-time Oilers forward is Blues offensive weapon right now Scott Howson his biggest booster and then VP of hockey ops Craig MacTavish having a face-to-face sit-down with the kid, but he dragged his feet. After Ken Holland came on board in May, he wanted to talk to the player, too, but it was no dice. The kicker: Marino was drafted by GM Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal Peter Chiarelli. Marino is from Boston and he had a good rapport with Chiarelli, then he got fired. So that life-line was gone.

St. Louis — Hockey’s a game of mistakes on the ice, and off it, too. The Oilers tried to get a much better pick than sixth for Marino but couldn’t. In the end, the Penguins’ GM offered the sixth, and they took it Just ask Blues’ GM Doug Armstrong who left winger David Perron and ran because it was better than the kid going to UFA. available in the 2017 Vegas expansion draft and decided to protect Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka and Ryan Reaves in his list of seven CLOCK TICKING ON PIETRANGELO forwards, along with Vlad Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, Alex Steen and The Blues have very little wiggle room on the salary cap next season but Paul Stastny. have to find a way to keep their UFA captain Alex Pietrangelo. Maybe But, there are always do-overs, chances at fixing a wrong, and the same Bouwmeester, 36, ($3.25 million) retires or plays for less, but they have a Armstrong packaged Berglund and Sobotka to Buffalo to get 2019 Conn money crunch. Smythe winner Ryan O’Reilly, sent Reaves to Pittsburgh because they “I don’t know if there’s many defencemen as good or better at both ends wanted a body-guard for Sidney Crosby for Oskar Sundqvist, who lined of the ice than Pietrangelo. He’s one of the best break-out passers, he up on the wing with O’Reilly against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday, closes plays down, he’s got a great stick defending, and he has a knack and retrieved Perron in free-agency in 2018 for $16 million over four of getting up the ice. He’s an instinctive player who finds open ice, years when Vegas didn’t have the money to sign him. creates offence,” said Berube. Now, Perron is leading them in goals and points. He’s 31 now, six years Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.19.2019 removed from joining the Oilers in that Magnus Paajarvi trade in 2013, six years from what might have been his most complete offensive season with 28 goals (a career high), 29 assists and 57 points.

With 33 now, he might get 70 points this year.

“He’s always been a skilled guy … you could see his hands,” said Blues’ defenceman Jay Bouwmeester, “but he’s shooting more and putting himself in situations to be the shooter. Playing with O’Reilly, who’s really good at distributing the pucks, helps. So many teams have a right-shot shooter, a triggerman. Like (David) Pastrnak, (Patrik) Laine and (Mark) Scheifele in Winnipeg. He’s definitely figured it out, credit to him. He’s not a young guy.”

“When we lost Vladdie (shoulder surgery), you’re looking around and wondering where his 30 goals are going to come from. If you want to point at one guy who’s picked up the slack it’s him.”

“He’s a competitive guy with such a heavy stick and wins puck battles in the offensive zone. He’s very dangerous that way and his shot, something he’s using this year, is lethal,” said coach Craig Berube.

Perron, who’s had several concussions, missing 25 games last year, might make the all-star game as a Blues rep at this rate. Much has been made of him changing the flex on his stick, using Jonathan Marchessault’s model while in Vegas, which has allowed him to pull it closer to his body, changing the angle.

But, the fact is, Perron is just a really good player.

“I’ve had some good seasons, the lockout year, and the first year I came back from a concussion and then the first year in Edmonton. I’ve had times where it went well, but maybe not as consistent as this. Again, I think the confidence that (Berube) has given me, the chance to play with O’Reilly, it’s working well,” said Perron in The Athletic.

MORE ON TAYLOR HALL

While the Oilers wouldn’t budge on giving up a first-rounder in June, no strings attached, for Hall, they likely pitched Jesse Puljujarvi’s rights because he’s not a prospect. Under no terms were defencemen Evan Bouchard or Philip Broberg ever in the picture. As one NHL executive said “at worst Puljujarvi is a third-line NHL player right now” but the Devils had Arizona on the hook and were offering more pieces for Hall. If you add up Nick Merkley, Nathan Schnarr and defenceman Kevin Bahl, the three prospects Devils got for Hall, are they as much of a sure thing as Puljujarvi? The Oilers were out of it on Hall long before he was traded.

SO ABOUT JOHN MARINO

With the Penguins in Edmonton Friday, the one-time Oilers draft defenceman has 15 points and is plus 12 and playing 20 minutes a game in their top four. The Oilers got a sixth-round pick in 2021 for Marino, which is where they took him in 2015 before he went to Harvard. The Oilers knew how good he was, that he was flying under the radar at 1166847 Edmonton Oilers SPECIAL TEAMS Oilers: PP 34-108 31.4, per cent, first. PK 92-109, 84.4 per cent, fifth

Blues: PP 24-105 22.8 per cent, fifth PK 84-100 84.0 per cent, sixth Edmonton Oilers Game Day: Facing defending Stanley Cup Champions SICK BAY

Oilers: Matt Benning Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal Blues: Vlad Tarasenko, Sammy Blais, Ivan Barbashev

Game Day Lines Edmonton Oilers at St. Louis Blues OILERS (PROJECTED) WEDNESDAY, 6:30 P.M., ENTERPRISE CENTER Joakim Nygard-Connor McDavid-Zack Kassian TV: SPORTSNET. RADIO 630 CHED James Neal-Leon Draisaitl-Sam Gagner The big matchup Jujhar Khaira-Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-Alex Chiasson CONNOR MCDAVID VS RYAN O’REILLY Riley Sheahan-Gaetan Haas-Josh Archibald O’Reilly should be the Selke award winner as the NHL’s best two-way forward. Entering play Tuesday, the dogged centre has taken the Darnell Nurse-Ethan Bear second-most draws (748) to Bo Horvat and he’s winning 56.5% of the faceoffs. On top of his terrific defensive game, he also has 31 points, Oscar Klefbom-Adam Larsson which puts him 30th in league scoring. He has a -2 rating because he Kris Russell-Caleb Jones goes against the best centres every night. And tonight, that’s McDavid, who now has 59 points to lead the league, two points clear of Leon Mikko Koskinen Draisaitl. Because the game is in St. Louis, Craig Berube can get O’Reilly out at will against McDavid. This is a real chess match. Mike Smith

Five keys to the game BLUES (PROJECTED)

1. ALL-STAR PERRON? Oskar Sundqvist-Ryan O’Reilly-David Perron

One-time Oilers winger David Perron, who also made stops in Pittsburgh, Jaden Schwartz-Brayden Schenn-Jordan Kyrou Vegas and Anaheim, is in his third whirl with the Blues. He has 15 goals Alex Steen-Tyler Bozak-Robert Thomas and 33 points this season. A few years ago, his foot speed looked a little suspect in the racehorse NHL game, but he has adapted. He’s changed Mackenzie MacEachern-Jacob de la Rose-Zach Sanford sticks to get more flex, and he’s getting more shots on net with more mustard on them. Perron had a hat trick against Colorado on Monday Alex Pietrangelo-Justin Faulk night. Hard to believe he was an expansion pick-up by Vegas a few years Jay Bouwmeester-Colton Parayko back. Vince Dunn-Robert Bortuzzo 2. THREE-PACK IN THE MIDDLE Jordan Binnington The Oilers experimented with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins centring the one through three lines in Dallas on Jake Allen Monday, and it seemed a reach that RNH would get enough even- Comments strength time. His 5-on-5 work was cut back to 10:15, two minutes short of McDavid, and a minute less than Draisaitl, but because of all the Share your thoughts special teams action, he got another 13 minutes. Because the Blues roll four lines, and their third line with Tyler Bozak and Robert Thomas is a Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.19.2019 threat, the Oilers will do it again.

3. CAN OILERS OUTWORK BLUES?

No. But they’ll have to match it to win because as Andrew Cogliano, the Dallas centre, says, if you’re prepared to do that from the opening faceoff until the end, you have a chance. If you want to play your own game (trying for offence, gambling), you’re done. It’s hard to fathom how the Blues can play this style that worked so terrifically in their Cup playoff run through another 82 league games, but they seem to thrive on it, and the Oilers got schooled by their start-to-finish heavy play at Rogers Place in November.

4. BIG LOCAL BOYS ON DEFENCE

Jay Bouwmeester and Colton Parayko, the Blues’ towers on the back- end, usually draw the assignment to check the other’s best player. Edmonton-born Bouwmeester and St. Albert’s Parayko are the NHL’s best big defence pairing. Bouwmeester, 6-foot-4, has gained a second wind after fighting hip issues, and Parayko, 6-foot-6, has size and long reach, plus the ability to get up ice. They are the best left-right defensive combo in the league.

5. LET’S GET PHYSICAL

Playing the Blues means playing the body, hit or be hit, which will shine the light on Darnell Nurse and Zack Kassian, with a side dish of Jujhar Khaira, and Adam Larsson on the back-end. You absolutely have to match heaviness with the Blues or they will run you over. Lots of work along the boards when you play St. Louis. If you lose these battles, you’re paying a big price most nights. Against most teams but especially the Blues. 1166848 Edmonton Oilers REACHING A MILESTONE Kassian played his 500th NHL game and wore the villain’s hat in the first

period with a ripping hard shoulder hit on Oskar Sundqvist that the Oilers still singing the Blues when they play Cup champions Swede tried to go Hollywood on and threw his head back.

“It’s great to to see guys who’ve had challenges along the way hit the 500-game mark and there’s lots and lots of good career ahead of Zack,” Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal said Tippett. “He brings a lot of energy to our group, he’s underrated in the skill and skating department and he’s found a nice niche with Connor

and Leon when he’s there.” ST. LOUIS — If the first time the Edmonton Oilers played the Stanley Kassian tried to downplay the achievement saying, “there’s lots of guys in Cup champions six weeks ago at Rogers Place was a yardstick game, the room who keep track of stats and stuff and will let you know” but they got their knuckles rapped, handed a hard lesson in how the game’s admitted it was “pretty cool” to hit the 500. He’s turned his life around the played by the St. Louis Blues. last few years after Peter Chiarelli gambled on him and traded Ben If you don’t keep up to their sweat equity, your chances of winning are Scrivens to get him from Montreal. often bankrupt. ROAD KILL The Oilers did offer up lots of try Wednesday, especially goalie Mikko No surprise the Oilers killed off a 5-on-3 for 90 seconds in the middle Koskinen who was again outstanding facing 34 shots over the first 40 period with Oscar Klefbom off for shooting puck over the glass and Kris minutes when his teammates kept winding their way to the penalty box, Russell for bowling over Jaden Schwartz. They held the Blues to just one but in the end the Blues outlasted the Oilers 2-1. shot in that 1:30; of course the Blues haven’t scored on a two-man James Neal scored late after Zack Kassian bumped into Blues’ goalie advantage since 2016 which was about three coaches ago. The Oilers Jake Allen which went to a coach’s challenge by Craig Berube with the have an absolutely suffocating road PK, coming into the game allowing NHL’s War Room deciding Allen was in the white ice, so hittable, not in five PP goals in 58 tries in 19 road games. They killed off another five the blue-paint. Then Leon Draisaitl crashed one off iron on the ensuing here. At home, they’ve given up 12 goals in 51 attempts. So, go figure. power play because Berube lost the debate, but as Kassian said “you “We didn’t do much wrong. We had 12 shots on our power plays. If we don’t get half a point for hitting the post.” get one or two, that makes a big difference,” said Berube. You don’t get any style points either for Koskinen’s dramatics, keeping TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE the Oilers only down one on Brayden Schenn’s breakaway (399th career point) in the second shortly after they killed off a 5-on-3, or just down two After Klefbom’s long clear sailed over the glass early in the second, Ryan after Mackenzie MacEachern took Ryan O’Reilly’s pass and he roofed Nugent-Hopkins batted a puck out of the air in front of Koskinen and it hit one early in the third. the netting, so two penalties for clearing the puck out of play.

“Koskinen? Fantastic. He was lights out for me,” applauded Berube after “On second thought I probably shouldn’t swung at it … and I hit it cleanly his 42 save night. (lots of wood),” said Nugent-Hopkins. They killed both off with Adam Larsson stopping a sure rebound goal by Justin Faulk with a leg save, “Our kill kept us in it and Mikko too and we clawed back and we hit the just before Faulk hit Koskinen in the face knocking his mask off. Faulk post but they don’t count those,” said Kassian. “I thought it was a had nine shots on the night, eight in the first 40. winnable game … I have to take a look at their second goal. I think we had four guys back and he somehow gets it in with a clean look and a This ’n that: In case you’re wondering, the Oilers have no interest in Ilya grade A shot. Frustrating.” Kovalchuk even at the NHL minimum $700,000. Too old, too set in his ways, and would he work hard enough? … Blues third-line centre/winger “We were on our heels in the second with all the penalties (four) and we Tyler Bozak was a late scratch with the flu and Troy Brouwer took his gave them that play (Schenn taking Vince Dunn’s feed) to get the lead spot. and chased the game … I wish we could have done more for Koskinen. When your goalie’s that good you’d like to manufacture more (offence) in Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.19.2019 front of him,” said Oilers coach Dave Tippett, clearly upset by the MacEachern goal.

“We turned the puck at the offensive blueline, it worked back behind our net, we miss our check (O’Reilly spinning away from Ethan Bear), and then Draisaitl should have stopped in front, Kassian could have stopped there too and (Connor) McDavid came all the way back from the other end and was late. You protect the net front and you’re fine. We didn’t do it,” said Tippett.

This was the flip side of the 2-1 win in Dallas with Oilers leading by two and Tyler Seguin scoring with Ben Bishop on the bench and Koskinen making a Hail Mary blocker stop on Corey Perry to save it with nine seconds left. This time, Neal scores with 110 seconds left and Draisaitl’s eighth shot of the night clangs off the post.

RISKY BUSINESS

Berube gambled and lost when he thought Kassian had interfered with Allen before Neal’s goal. We he lost the challenge the league’s best power play went to work. “It’s always risky. The rules kind of vary all the time … it’s always a tough decision but I was hoping to keep it 2-0. Our guys killed it off, whatever,” said Berube.

PULLING PLUG ON POWER PLAY

The Oilers’ run of eight straight games with a PP goal ended (10 goals in 30 tries), one short of the nine the team had from Dec. 11-29, 1993 when Shayne Corson had 11 goals, Jason Arnott 10 and the illustrious Brent Grieve four. The Oiler team record is 21 in ’82-83 which is also an NHL record, in case you’re wondering. “I’d like to have seen us shoot the puck a bit more but our power play’s been pretty good (31.5 percent). Some nights they go in, some they don’t,” said Tippett. 1166849 Edmonton Oilers What would a button-down third forward look like? When Jari Kurri arrived in the NHL, he took a period of time to adjust to

the game. Very quickly, within two years, Kurri had established himself Lowetide: The key missing element to the Oilers’ brilliant top line as a quality two-way winger even though he was both an impact scorer and a young player. Oilers assistant coach Bill Harris was trumpeting Kurri’s 200-foot game by the spring of 1982, before Kurri had completed two seasons with Edmonton. By Allan Mitchell Dec 18, 2019 Kurri’s brilliance in a two-way role was a key element in the success of

the Oilers top line during the glory days of the 1980s. The Edmonton Oilers are blessed with two of the best young impact kept the puck in the opposition end most of the time, but if there were players in the game in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. They are the leaks Kurri was the defensive conscience of the trio. top two scorers in the NHL and have flip-flopped the lead several times McDavid and Draisaitl aren’t consistent 200-foot players currently, but since the beginning of October. Headlines jump between “McDavid and may get there over time (there’s clearly a desire on the part of both to Draisaitl lead Oilers to victory” and “Oilers big guns denied in a loss” improve). Ideally, the Oilers will be able to identify a quality forward who depending on the outcome. As goes McDavid-Draisaitl, so goes the can play a complementary offensive role and do the defensive work for Oilers. Edmonton’s top trio. As gifted as both men are, the top line (usually completed with fast, Who would be the ideal candidate? rambunctious winger Zack Kassian) has some issues, often in moments spent without the puck. Edmonton’s long run of gifted first-round picks From the modern era, I’ll point to power forward Marian Hossa as being have mostly been offensive juggernauts without much in the way of two- the perfect match for McDavid-Draisaitl. His shots against and goals way ability (Ryan Nugent-Hopkins being the exception). against rates at 5-on-5 were brilliant from the moment he arrived in Pittsburgh to his final shift in Chicago. One of the things Edmonton may have to look at in the future is a designated defensive conscience for the trio. What would that look like? How many player-types who fit the definition are there in the NHL? Who would be the ideal candidate? How many player-types who fit are there in the NHL? Are any of these ideal solutions on the Oilers roster at There are several players who fit a loose definition of the two-way winger this time? Let’s have a look. we’re discussing here. Below I’m using Puck IQ for percentage of time spent against elites and NST for shots and goals against per 60. Shot and goal suppression Rickard Rakell of the Anaheim Ducks is a nice match for what we’re If you’re looking for a good two-way forward to use as an ideal, Patrice looking for, his shots against (27.22) is strong and his goals against per Bergeron of the Boston Bruins is a good choice. His NHL career shows 60 (2.68) is rock solid considering he spends 38.6 percent of his 5-on-5 just how important a player who can play a 200-foot game can be to time against elites. success. According to Natural Stat Trick, Bergeron has been a splendid two-way centre since 2007-08 (NST’s numbers don’t go back to Teuvo Teravainen of the Carolina Hurricanes is another good fit, he plays Bergeron’s rookie season). 43.5 percent of his time against elites and his shots against (25.75) and goals against (2.03) are quality. At 5-on-5, Bergeron’s shots against per 60 has exceeded 30 just once, while being under 25 three times. His goals against per 60 at 5-on-5 has Marcus Foligno of the Minnesota Wild plays 30 percent of his 5-on-5 time exceeded 2.50 just once, while that number has been below 2.00 a total against elites, and his shots against per 60 (24.55) and goals against per of six times. 60 (1.52) are in the range. His emergence as this player type didn’t occur until he arrived in Minnesota and he is not a big offensive producer. That’s a difficult set of numbers to reach but it gives us an idea about the top end. Here are five forwards who are generally regarded as quality J.T. Miller of the Vancouver Canucks has a somewhat inconsistent track two-way forwards and their shots against and goals against numbers (per record but there’s no doubt he can play a two-way role. His shots against 60) so far this year at 5-on-5 (sorted by shots against): (27.09) and goals against (2.01) per 60 comes while playing against elites 33.3 percent of his 5-on-5 time. Anze Kopitar, 25.57 (2.26) Alex Killorn of the Tampa Bay Lightning is an effective player in this role Sean Couturier, 26.02 (2.08) and has been for many years. He is playing 37.1 of his 5-on-5 time against elites this season and suppressing shots to a 29.19 per 60 rate Patrice Bergeron, 28.56 (2.95) and his goals against per 60 is 2.23. Brad Marchand, 28.81 (2.55) The Lightning often offload a veteran due to oncoming quality that needs Aleksander Barkov, 32.75 (2.98) to be signed; Killorn might be a solid option at some point. He has a contract that delivers a cap hit of $4.45 million through 2022-23. The There are all kinds of forces that cause these numbers to slide up and issue with the other players listed is availability, with only Foligno being a down during a season. These include playing on mediocre teams and player who is deployed outside a feature role for his team. with lesser linemates. It’s also true that a button-down team style can aid these numbers. The names above don’t represent anything more than a Are any ideal solutions on the Oilers roster at this time? sample of effective two-way forwards. Now, let’s have a look at the The short answer is no, although Nugent-Hopkins has served as current Oilers top performers in each category, sorted by shots against McDavid’s defensive conscience at times since 2015. For most of this per 60: decade Edmonton has been drafting top-end offensive talent with the top Nugent-Hopkins, 31.79 (2.16) picks and the only player with a defensive resume was Nugent-Hopkins.

McDavid, 35.55 (3.09) The final piece for the perfect fit

Draisaitl, 36.91 (3.49) McDavid and Draisaitl are getting better at reading plays and identifying danger, but neither man is going to be a checker for the next 15 years (if The numbers here suggest that Nugent-Hopkins is the most reliable ever). Kassian has proven to be an effective addition to the group and is defensively among the ‘big three’ forwards currently employed in scoring at a terrific rate this year. Chances are Edmonton will need to Edmonton, especially considering the quality of linemates. McDavid and draft and develop the long-term solution. Among the team’s top Draisaitl, brilliant young offensive players, suppress a lot of opposition prospects, Tyler Benson likely has the greatest range of skills. offence with their outstanding skill. However, they are also playing much of the game at 5-on-5 against the opposition’s best. As they mature, both If the Oilers are going to tighten up defensively, the No. 1 line will McDavid and Draisaitl will improve these numbers with better reads and eventually need to be more successful at shot and goal suppression. The by learning more about recognizing danger early. Considering the game names mentioned in this article are attractive (Rakell would be an states the two men are currently performing in, these numbers are astounding plug and play addition) but that dream is unlikely to become reasonable but could be improved. It’s a process. Now let’s answer those reality. questions from earlier. A two-way winger for the top line isn’t the No. 1 roster priority for Ken Holland, as Kassian is doing a fine job with McDavid and Draisaitl. Once this team starts winning a playoff berth each spring, it’s likely we see new attention paid to what is being given up along with what is being delivered.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166850 Los Angeles Kings – I chatted with Tyler Toffoli a bit about his transition to left wing, where he’s played as of late alongside Michael Amadio and Nikolai Prokhorkin/Matt Luff. The 27-year-old winger discussed the challenges of an adjustment in his own end, but perhaps some of the benefits of DECEMBER 18 – NO SKATE IN COLUMBUS, MCLELLAN ON switching to his off-wing offensively. His Head Coach was asked if the CHANGES, CLAGUE, TOFFOLI, LIZOTTE change to left wing was a reason behind his production of late, and

“I think it’s too early to tell, but he has been hot, he’s been around the net a little bit more, closer to the garbage in the blue paint,” McLellan said. ZACH DOOLEY DECEMBER 18, 2019 “Perhaps, playing that left side allows him to get closer a little bit quicker and be in the right spots. I think it’s still a little too early to tell if that’s the change that’s doing it, or if he’s just a step quicker and more involved in NOTEBOOKS the play.”

The Kings called an audible today and did not skate in Columbus. The More to come on Toffoli before tomorrow’s game, which he will enter on team gathered at Nationwide Arena this morning for an off-ice workout in a five-game scoring streak. advance of tomorrow’s game against the Blue Jackets. LA is expected to skate tomorrow morning as scheduled, at 11:30 AM Local Time, and take – Forward Blake Lizotte posted his second multi-point on Columbus tomorrow at 7 PM Local Time, 4 PM Pacific. “He’s become an all situations player, rapidly,” McLellan said. “Power So, About Tomorrow….. play, penalty kill, overtime, faceoffs, 5-on-5, he’s been able to accomplish that in 35 games. One that speaks to the stage we are in as an Coming off of a victory, are there any changes expected for tomorrow organization, trying to find players that can do that and handing off the night’s game? To be determined, but from the sounds of Todd McLellan’s roles to them, but also to him as an individial, how he’s been able to post-workout media availability, it doesn’t sound like that would be the adapt. His tenacity is contageous, it rubs off, certainly on his linemates case. but also on his teammates I believe.”

“It’s an interesting issue that we deal with,” McLellan said this morning. Ontario Notes “One of the first things we did today was we walked in and said ‘okay, what’s our lineup going to look like tomorrow?’ We take into The latest edition of In The Pipeline features Ontario Reign defenseman consideration the health of the team first of all, secondly the performance Mikey Anderson. Watch the full feature on the rookie blueliner below – of players, individually and collectively, but also the emotional level of a The Reign made a pair of roster moves today at the AHL level. Read win streak or a big win. Our plan was to likely flip some people around, more about the newest Ontario players, Blaine Byron and Gabriel Gagne, but that was a pretty good team comeback and a pretty good team win. here. The Reign are back in action tonight at 7 PM Pacific in San Jose. There’s times when you take players out for no other reason than to get somebody else in…as far as tomorrow goes, I’m too sure that this is the Kings pack on the ice tomorrow for morning skate in Columbus! game, after that type of effort.” LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.19.2019 McLellan went on to elaborate a bit on younger players getting their NHL opportunities, but also being sure to put in heavy minutes in the AHL to remain engaged in all situations.

“That’s why you see players…right now we’re at a 22-man roster. We could have brought somebody in, but it’s more important that they play somewhere. That’s why Luff, Grundstrom, Prokhorkin, Clague, Bjornfot, LaDue, they’re up and down. It doesn’t mean they can’t play here, it just means they aren’t playing here enough, they need to go and play big minutes in real critical situations so they maintain their level of play.”

If tomorrow leads to similar thoughts as today, it would appear that the 18-man group of skaters from yesterday’s win would remain untouched, which would leave Matt Luff and Kale Clague on the outside looking in.

Clague was recalled from Ontario on Monday, after a strong start to the AHL season which saw him ranked tied for second leaguewide in goals by a defenseman, at the time of his recall. While tomorrow might not mark Clague’s debut, McLellan has seen and heard good things about his newest blueliner, who has shown terrific versatility in his time with the Reign, playing on both sides of the ice and in all situations.

“The versatility part is nice,” McLellan said. “I think in today’s NHL, you’re seeing more and more of those types of players, just because it’s hard to find lefty-righty all the time. I think he’s a cerebral, legs type player that can create offense. I know they’re pushing hard for him down there to grasp and hold onto the importance of defending and figuring out how to defend at his size and his strength level. It’s probably more positioning and more hockey sense than it is brawn and he’s improved in those areas and he’s got his opportunity to get called up.”

Ontario Reign Head Coach Mike Stothers stressed similar points about Clague earlier this month, after the defender collected three points in a 5- 4 win over San Jose, one of Clague’s best performances as a professional.

“He was real good,” Stothers said following that game. “He was skating and he was assertive with the puck. He was showing all the signs that we were expecting of him coming out of juniors. I would agree with you that this was one of his better performances as part of being a defender, and that’s where he’s still lacking. I think it’s been presented to him in a number of different ways, so hopefully he’s applying it.”

Notes – 1166851 Los Angeles Kings

WAKING UP WITH THE KINGS: DECEMBER 18

ZACH DOOLEY DECEMBER 18, 2019

One, two, three four…..five! Five consecutive games with a point for the LA Kings, four of them wins and a 3-0-1 record in their last four games played on the road. While the team has had a habit of controlling the shot disparity as of late, last night’s game was a different kind of win that said something different about this team.

As of late, the Kings have won, or earned a point, by doing similar things – The Kings jumped out to a 2-0 lead in each of the first four games on their five-game point streak, and were able to either expand their lead, hold onto their lead, or play a whacky game in which they blew the lead and then came back. But last night wasn’t the same old story.

The Kings were out shot and outchanced, especially in the third period, and fought tooth and nail just to stay in the game down the stretch. Though the goals against that got them to that point weren’t necessarily a bad reflection on the Kings, with one being a potential kicking motion and a second being a terribly unlucky bounce, the team relied heavily on Jonathan Quick in the third period and the veteran netminder turned in save after save to keep his team within striking distance. All the Kings needed was a goal and they got it from defenseman Matt Roy, who fired from the right point, evading all traffic in front of Rask, and finding the back of the net to force overtime. Once in 3-on-3, Quick was again huge in keeping the puck out and allowing Kopitar the opportunity to win the game. The captain delivered for the second straight game as the Kings kept things rolling on the road.

Everyone who spoke after the game talked about the importance that Quick had on last night’s victory. “You need to come up with some saves and some plays and Quickie did that for us and he’s done that all year,” Blake Lizotte said after the game. “He’s been great for us, especially these last five, six, seven games, he’s been great.” McLellan added that the resilient comeback in the third all starts with goaltending and added that Quick was “tremendous” in the victory. The third period felt like big- time save after big-time save from a big-time goaltender. It wasn’t the flashy, jaw-dropping, SportsCenter save he made on Saturday in Pittsburgh, but it was a slew of saves that you desperately need your goaltender to make down the stretch when you’re struggling to create and Quick gave them what they needed. Deservedly, for Quick and the Kings, the team rewarded him with a victory.

What yesterday’s win showed is that the Kings can win that kind of game. They can give up more opportunities than they generate but they can put in the hard-nosed work, in a difficult away building against a very difficult opponent and find success. “The fact that we have developed some resiliency within the locker room that’s a real good sign, but it doesn’t surprise me that it’s in there,” Todd McLellan said after the game. “It’s a trait that’s been a part of this organization for a long time and every now and then it rears its head.” Kopitar said similar things after the game, about how no one got discouraged when the ice began to tilt in Boston’s favor, that they just dug in and “kept playing, kept plugging away” and it worked out in the end. It wasn’t the pretty win that the Kings picked up on say Sunday in Detroit, but it was pretty damn impressive.

There are still two games remaining on this six-game road trip, which means two more opportunities for this team to make a statement and continue to claw back. LA plays tomorrow evening in Columbus and ends things off with a Saturday afternoon matinee in Buffalo, a breakfast tilt for those in Los Angeles! Looking forward to seeing the continued response from this group tomorrow.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166852 Los Angeles Kings

PREVIEW – ONTARIO @ SAN JOSE, 12/18

ZACH DOOLEY DECEMBER 18, 2019

GAME PREVIEWONTARIO REIGN

WHO: Ontario Reign (12-11-3-1) @ San Jose Barracuda (9-13-0-2)

WHAT: AHL REGULAR-SEASON GAME

WHEN: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 – 7:00 PM

WHERE: SAP Center – San Jose, CA

HOW TO FOLLOW: Video: AHLTV – AUDIO – Away Feed – TWITTER: @ontarioreign & @reigninsider

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: The Reign hit the road for the first of three games before the Holiday Break. Ontario enters tonight’s action coming off of a three-point weekend against Iowa, including a come-from-behind, 4-3 victory on Sunday afternoon.

THE COMEBACK KIDS: The Reign have now overturned a three-goal deficit into a victory twice in their last four games. After turning 3-0 down into a 5-4 shootout win over San Jose on December 7, Ontario once against found itself down 3-0 on Sunday against Iowa, but scored four unanswered goals to earn a 4-3 victory. The three-goal victories are Ontario’s largest comeback wins of the season.

EYSS OF SPADES: Ontario forward Mikey Eyssimont capped the comeback late in the third period on Sunday, as he scored the game- winning goal with 2:59 remaining in regulation. Eyssimont’s tally snapped a six-game goalless streak and marked the third time in his last six games with a point. Eyssimont has now totaled ten points (4-6-10) and a +1 rating from 26 games played this season and is tied for third with 42 penalty minutes.

V IS FOR VILLALTA: Reign goaltender Matthew Villalta earned his first career AHL win on Sunday, as he made 30 saves on 33 shots to turn aside the Wild, including the final 18 shots he faced in the game. Villalta is now 1-2-0 in the AHL this season with Ontario and has a 4-3-1 record with the ECHL’s . Villalta is 1-1-0 in his two starts with the Reign, to go along with a .915 save percentage.

D-MAN SHUFFLE: Ontario and Los Angeles swapped a pair of defensemen earlier this week, with Kale Clague earning the recall to the Kings and Paul LaDue returning to Ontario. Clague leads all Reign blueliners with 15 points (6-9-15) at the time of his recall and his six goals are tied for second in the AHL amongst defensemen. LaDue returns to Ontario with one assist from two NHL games and six points (1-5-6) and a +5 rating from 18 games with the Reign.

MAKING MOVES: Ontario added a pair of forwards to its roster today in Blaine Byron and Gabriel Gagne. Byron was acquired from the Springfield Thunderbirds via trade, in exchange for future considerations, while Gagne signed a PTO with Ontario from the ECHL’s Allen Americans. Byron has tallied 13 points (5-8-13) from 24 games with Springfield, while Gagne has amassed 26 points (15-11-26) from 25 games with Allen and is tied for second in the ECHL in goals.

PICK SIX: Reign forward Martin Frk has gone multiple games without a goal for just the second time this season, but nonetheless carries a six- game point streak into tonight’s contest with San Jose. Frk has at least one point in every Reign game played in December, totaling nine points (4-5-9) over that stretch. Frk’s six-game scoring streak is the Reign’s longest of the season and is tied for the sixth longest active streak in the AHL.

SCOUTING THE BARRACUDA: Former Ontario Reign forward Jonny Brodzinski has scored at nearly a point-per-game pace with San Jose, as he’s amassed 13 points (5-8-13) from 14 games played with the Barracuda. San Jose is led on the blueline by defenseman Thomas Gregoire, who has 18 points (3-15-18) from 22 games played. Gregoire ranks tied for sixth in the AHL in assists by a defenseman and is tied for seventh in points.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166853 Los Angeles Kings

REIGN ADD BYRON, GAGNE

ZACH DOOLEYDECEMBER 18, 2019

ONTARIO REIGN ROSTER MOVES

The Ontario Reign are wheeling and dealing!

The Reign announced a pair of roster moves this morning – The team has acquired forward Blaine Byron from the Springfield Thunderbirds, in exchange for future considerations, and signed forward Gabriel Gagne to a PTO.

Both players have had some success in their AHL careers. Byron is on an AHL contract, and has spent the last three seasons as a member of the Springfield organization. Byron has amassed 51 points (24-27-51) from 107 career AHL games with the Thunderbirds.

Gagne has lit up the ECHL this season to the tune of 15 goals and 26 points from 25 games played with the Allen Americans. Gagne has played in 164 career AHL games with three different teams (Binghamton, Belleville and Toronto) and led the Belleville Senators with 20 goals during the 2017-18 season.

More from the team below –

ONTARIO, CA – The Ontario Reign, proud AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, have acquired forward Blaine Byron from the Springfield Thunderbirds, in exchange for future considerations. Ontario also announced today that it has signed forward Gabriel Gagne to a professional try out (PTO).

Byron, 24, was acquired via trade from Springfield, where he signed an AHL contract with the Thunderbirds in June. Byron has tallied 13 points (5-8=13) from 24 games played with Springfield this season. A sixth- round selection by Pittsburgh in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Byron has appeared in 107 career AHL games with the Thunderbirds and has amassed 51 points (24-27=51).

Gagne, 23, joins the Reign from the ECHL’s Allen Americans. Gagne currently ranks tied for second in the ECHL in goals (15) and has tallied 26 points (15-11=26) from 25 games played this season. Gagne has amassed 47 career points (28-19=47) from 164 career AHL games with Binghamton, Belleville and Toronto and led the Belleville Senators with 20 goals during the 2017-18 season.

The Ontario Reign are underway in the 2019-20 season, their fifth as members of the American Hockey League. For more information on the upcoming season, as well as the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic, to be held in Ontario, visit www.ontarioreign.com, and to secure your seats with a Reign ticket plan, call 909.941.7825.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166854 Los Angeles Kings

GOOD MORNING, COLUMBUS

ZACH DOOLEY DECEMBER 18, 2019

Welcome to Columbus, what a view!

O-H-I-O – Home of the state and university that whips the University of Michigan once a year in football. Also home of certainly the most unique, and possibly the best plate of chicken parmesan in the NHL (at least in the 6 cities I’ve been fortunate enough to work in). Also, much further from Boston than I thought it was….a two-hour flight and a late arrival makes for a tired morning. After a change of pace by adding Boston into the mix (and from last year a change of pace by adding a win into the mix), the Zach Dooley trip around the East Coast has resumed as we are back on course in Columbus.

I for one am excited to pay the Columbus Cannon a visit, though it would be nice if it shut up for a change. Spouted its loud rhetoric four times on the Kings last visit to Columbus and would be nice to see that not happen again. I remember a Columbus writer came in and pulled a pretty great prank on our media booth last season, by telling us that the cannon was out of commission, day-to-day, and not functioning that night. The loud blast right before the game made sure to emphatically let us know what was not true. We have a love-hate relationship, the cannon and I – I think the cannon is one of the most unique and cool features in an arena around the league, but it also signifies a Kings goal against. A real Catch 22.

Expect the Kings back in action for practice later today in Columbus at 1 PM local time, before LA and Columbus square off tomorrow evening at Nationwide Arena. Lots more to come today – Waking up with the Kings returns, plus it’s an Ontario Reign Game Day in San Jose, so we’ll preview that plus a couple of Reign-centric roster moves are incoming.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166855 Minnesota Wild

Wild-Arizona gameday preview

Sarah McLellan DECEMBER 18, 2019 — 8:22PM

8:30 p.m. at Arizona Coyotes • Gila River Arena • FSN, 100.3 FM

Road trip ends in Arizona

Preview: The Wild wraps up a three-game road trip in Arizona, where it already has won this season, edging the Coyotes 4-3 on Nov. 9. Arizona also lost the rematch 3-2 in Minnesota on Nov. 14. D Jared Spurgeon, who’s been sidelined since suffering a hand injury Dec. 3, has a 50-50 chance to play, coach Bruce Boudreau said. The Wild also assigned RW Gerald Mayhew back to the American Hockey League.

Players to WATCH: LW Taylor Hall assisted on the Coyotes’ winning goal Tuesday against the Sharks in his Arizona debut after being acquired in a trade from New Jersey on Monday. RW Vinnie Hinostroza has five assists during a three-game point streak. … Wild G Devan Dubnyk is 9-8-4 in 21 career starts vs. the Coyotes. LW Zach Parise has nine points in his past 12 games.

Numbers: The Wild is 11-4-1 in its past 16 trips to Arizona. D Ryan Suter has six assists over his past four games. In 23 career games vs. the Wild, Hall has 16 points.

Injuries: Coyotes D Niklas Hjalmarsson (fractured fibula) and D Jason Demers (lower body) are out. … Wild D Greg Pateryn (lower body), C Mikko Koivu (lower body), C Joel Eriksson Ek (upper body) and LW Jason Zucker (lower body) are also out.

Star Tribune LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166856 Minnesota Wild — the first time it has lost back-to-back games in regulation since Oct. 29-30.

Dubnyk recognizes the opportunity to come in and steady the situation, Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk likely will start against Coyotes but he also realizes he can’t try to do too much.

Wild goalie returns to ice, mindful of wife's health. “You always want to be the guy that’s relied upon to come in and win a game whatever time of the season that is, if we’ve won a bunch and need to keep it going [or] if we’ve lost a bunch and need a win,” he said. “Whatever it is, I want to be looked at as that guy and feel like that. [But] I By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune DECEMBER 18, 2019 also have to be careful not to go out there and chase it because being a goalie is a reactive position.”

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Since he left home for this road trip, the first one he’s Goaltending is also what Dubnyk knows, a constant he enjoys. By been on in nearly a month, Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk’s mind has kept embracing that, perhaps he’ll help himself and the Wild. circling back to his wife, Jenn, and their three children. “It’s been fun to be here and feel back a part of it,” he said. “It certainly He wonders how they’re doing, and the worry that comes with being would’ve been nice to feel a win [Tuesday] night. All the more reason to away from them is tough to silence. go get one [Thursday]. That’s the best part of being around everything, the winning.” “It’s definitely a different feeling than normal,” he said. Star Tribune LOADED: 12.19.2019 But as he continues to readjust to his routine, and likely to start Thursday against the Coyotes when the Wild wraps up a three-game road trip, the 33-year-old doesn’t want hockey to be an escape from his wife’s serious medical situation.

“You don’t want to forget about it,” he said. “It’s good to be conscious about it.”

What the game is, though, is comfortable, and that can take care of Dubnyk during this challenging time.

Dubnyk

“It’s nice to be here,” he said. “I love the guys in the room, and the whole organization. It’s a good feeling to be around here.”

Dubnyk has been mostly absent from the Wild since returning from a Nov. 19 game in Buffalo, participating in practice only occasionally and missing two road trips.

Before suiting up Tuesday to back up Alex Stalock in a 3-2 loss in Las Vegas, Dubnyk was out of the lineup for 13 games and inactive longer than that. His last start was Nov. 16, a 4-3 overtime loss to Carolina at Xcel Energy Center.

The past week, however, has been busier.

After getting on the ice last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dubnyk practiced Monday and took part in Tuesday’s morning skate before getting in another session Wednesday at Gila River Arena.

“It feels good,” Dubnyk said. “It’s good to get out and take full reps in practice to make sure I’m checking back into the things I need to be sharp on. But there’s really no way to replicate playing a game. You just have to get back in there.

“It usually takes about three or four minutes where it feels a little weird, like the first game of the year. After that, I’ve played enough games to settle in.”

While Dubnyk has been gone, the Wild has played its best hockey — compiling most of that recent 11-game point streak without him. His play to open the season, much like the team’s, was uneven, and he has a 4-8- 2 record with a .893 save percentage and 3.35 goals-against average. But coach Bruce Boudreau looks at Dubnyk’s reemergence as a clean slate.

“He knows he hasn’t had the greatest of starts, and this is like a new lease on life and let’s get started again,” Boudreau said. “Let’s go from here. That’s how I would take it if I was him, so that’s how I’m hoping he takes it.”

This return by Dubnyk comes at a time when the Wild could use veteran stability. Three regulars are back in the Twin Cities with injuries after winger Jason Zucker left the trip to join captain Mikko Koivu (lower body) and Joel Eriksson Ek (upper body). Zucker is out week-to-week because of a lower-body injury.

Defenseman Jared Spurgeon, however, has a 50-50 chance to play Thursday, Boudreau said. Spurgeon has been out since Dec. 3 because of a hand injury.

Although Boudreau has made it clear injuries won’t be used as an excuse for the team’s performance, the Wild is winless on this trip at 0-2 1166857 Minnesota Wild Pioneer Press LOADED: 12.19.2019

After month-long absence, Devan Dubnyk to get back in goal for Wild

By DANE MIZUTANI | PUBLISHED: December 18, 2019 at 5:36 pm | UPDATED: December 18, 2019 at 5:36 PM

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Sports are an escape for many. But that’s not how veteran goaltender Devan Dubnyk is looking at his return to the Wild net Thursday night.

Dubnyk, 33, has been away from the ice for the past month as he and his wife Jenn search for answers regarding a serious medical issue she has been dealing with. And he isn’t about to forget her situation.

“It’s not really something I want to escape from,” he said. “You don’t want to forget about it. It’s good to be conscious about it. But I’m not going to be thinking about it in the middle of a game or something like that.”

Dubnyk hasn’t played in a game since a Nov. 16 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, leaving the Wild a few days later to be with his wife and three small children, and watching backup goaltenders Alex Stalock and Kaapo Kahkonen play solidly enough in his absence to turn the team’s prospects around.

Dubnyk has still practiced intermittently with the teammates whenever they’ve been in the Twin Cities, and after making the current road trip, it sounds like coach Bruce Boudreau is ready to throw him back into the lineup Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes.

“He’s been our No. 1 since I got here, and I don’t think just because his wife (has gotten) sick that he should lose that job,” the coach said. “If anything, it’s going to put a little pressure on him to get back to where he should be or where we expect him to be.”

As much as Dubnyk claims to be feeling 100 percent, he knows there’s a big difference between practice and a game.

“There’s really no way to replicate playing a game,” Dubnyk said. “You just have to get back in there. It usually takes a few minutes where it feels a little weird, like the first game of the season. After that, I’ve played enough games to being able settle in.”

The key to success, according to Dubnyk, is making sure not to chase the puck around the ice.

“It’s a reactive position,” he said. “You know, the pucks that are brought to me, and the plays that are brought to me, that’s all I can control. If I start going out and chasing pucks, and wanting shots to come, usually it doesn’t help. Just try to settle in. If I get 10 shots, try to stop all 10. If I get 50 shots, try to stop all 50.”

The elephant in the room, of course, is that Dubnyk was struggling long before this month-long absence. He is 4-8-2 this season with a 3.35 goals-against average and a .893 save percentage, some of his worst numbers in his six seasons with the Wild.

“He knows he hasn’t had the greatest of starts, and this is like a new lease on life,” Boudreau said. “Let’s get started again. Let’s go from here. That’s how I would take it if I was him. That’s how I’m hoping he takes it.”

Talking to Dubnyk, it sounds like that’s exactly how he’s approaching it. He knows he hasn’t been at his best this season, and he wants to get back to his old self.

“You always want to be the guy that’s relied upon to come in and win a game,” he said. “If we’ve won a bunch and need to keep it going. If we’ve lost a bunch and need a win. No matter what it is, I want to be looked at as that guy.”

Admittedly, this road trip has been difficult for Dubnyk, though he takes some solace in the fact that his wife Jenn is doing well back home. And he can’t wait to get back to help.

“I don’t mind having a little more responsibilities as far as taking care of everyone else at home,” Dubnyk said. “That’s usually her job, and she still does it. She’s usually the one making sure the house isn’t falling down. If I’ve got to get leaned on for one extra pickup for the kids or something like that, it’s not the end of the world.” 1166858 Montreal Canadiens totals. Tatar is on pace for a career-high 31 goals, which would top the 29 he scored with the Detroit Red Wings in 2014-15.

Tatar has scored at least 20 goals in each of the last five seasons. Canadiens Notebook: Carey Price regains his form with some help “To be honest, I would describe myself more as a playmaker,” Tatar said "We needed to help him more than he needed to help us and I think after Wednesday’s practice. “I would say Gally (Brendan Gallagher) is a we’ve done a better job of that in the last few weeks," Claude Julien says. pure goal-scorer.”

Tatar said there are times he passes the puck when he probably should shoot. STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: December 18, 2019 “It’s kind of hard to find the balance,” he said. “I think I do kind of both.”

When asked if the 20-goal mark is a target for him each season, Tatar CALGARY — The Canadiens have done a very nice job of bouncing said: “It’s always nice. It’s like the cherry on top at the end of a season. back from their eight-game winless streak when they went 0-5-3 from Obviously, I would put the team success way more ahead of this. I would Nov. 16 until Dec. 1. trade a few of these goals for the playoffs or maybe score more goals to get into the playoffs. That’s the main goal this year to try everything we The Canadiens are 5-2-0 since then and have allowed only 12 goals can to be there at the end and battle for that spot, so I’m more focused during that seven-game span. Carey Price has allowed only seven goals on that.” in the last five games, improving his record to 14-10-3 with a 2.85 goals- against average and a .908 save percentage. Price made 38 saves and The boys heard you last night.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/QvXL81lbrS— was named the first star in the Canadiens’ 3-1 win over the Canucks Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 18, 2019 Tuesday night in Vancouver. Penalty problems “Extremely good,” coach Claude Julien said when asked to rate Price’s recent play after practice Wednesday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Tatar also leads the Canadiens with 28 penalty minutes, including four “Couldn’t ask for better. He’s been solid. Even yesterday he keeps us in against the Canucks on Tuesday. the game until we get on the board. He’s been solid. I think that stretch The Canucks’ Adam Gaudette scored a power-play goal after Tatar took where maybe people were second-guessing his play was a lot of our own a tripping penalty at 17:22 of the first period to open the scoring. Tatar fault in front of him. We were so sloppy. There were some empty-net was penalized for tripping again at 13:31 of the third period. Tatar had 34 goals from cross passes where a goaltender doesn’t have a chance. So penalty minutes all of last season. we needed to help him more than he needed to help us and I think we’ve done a better job of that in the last few weeks of tightening up defensively “I kind of laid off,” said Tatar, who had only two penalty minutes in seven and allowing him to do his job properly.” games before facing the Canucks. “I had a good stretch without (penalties). The last couple of games there were some again. You just Price will be back in goal Thursday against the Flames (9 p.m., TSN2, have to be careful. I think the rules, to be honest, changed a little bit even RDS, TSN 690 Radio) and is also expected to start the last two games in compared to last year. I feel like every stick battle it’s kind of on the edge. this Western Canada road trip in Edmonton and Winnipeg before the I just have to work smarter. I have to find a way to, I guess, hide a little Christmas break. more.” Julien is obviously pleased with his team’s defensive play recently. While outdated by today’s NHL standards, Calgary’s Saddledome is still “I think we got really, really sloppy there for the longest of time and then a cool looking building #Habs #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/8crGxoIpx9— Stu we were making bad decisions and we weren’t taking care of our end Cowan (@StuCowan1) December 18, 2019 and because of that we were losing leads,” the coach said about the What’s next? eight-game slump. “But there’s other times where I though we were playing decently, but sometimes you can out-chance, you can outshoot, The Canadiens will have a morning skate at 11:30 a.m. local time outplay a team, but if you don’t get the pucks past the goaltenders it’s Wednesday at the Saddledome before facing the Flames (9 p.m., TSN2, hard to win hockey games. So we were challenged at times, I think, in RDS, TSN 690 Radio). The Canadiens will fly to Edmonton after the scoring and it seems to be a little bit more at home than it is on the road. game and play the Oilers Saturday (7 p.m., CITY, SNE, TVA Sports). But, nonetheless, that’s something we’re looking to correct.” The Canadiens will then wrap up their Western Canada road trip against Winnipeg Jets on Monday (8 p.m., TSN2, TSN3, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). The Canadiens have an 8-4-3 record on the road, but are only 8-8-3 at home. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 12.19.2019 Le voyage se poursuit. Journée d'entraînement à Calgary.

The road trip keeps rolling. Practice day in Calgary.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/WyUiGWFl50— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 18, 2019

Therapy day for Gallagher, Danault

Brendan Gallagher and Phillip Danault took a therapy day Wednesday and didn’t take part in the Canadiens’ practice.

Victor Mete, who has missed the last eight games with an ankle injury, practised with his teammates for the third straight day while wearing a non-contact jersey. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who has missed the last five games with a concussion, didn’t take part in the practice. Kotkaniemi did skate after practice was finished with Mete and a member of the team’s training staff. Kotkaniemi was also wearing a non-contact jersey.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Victor Mete on ice with member of team’s training staff after #Habs practice ended at Calgary’s Saddledome #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/9hHThhOLTP— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) December 18, 2019

Mr. Consistency

Tomas Tatar scored a goal in his fourth straight game Tuesday night against the Canucks and leads the Canadiens in scoring with 13-17-30 1166859 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens captain Shea Weber earning some high praise for his play

"Does he deserve to be in those discussions for the Norris (Trophy) right now? Absolutely," coach Claude Julien says.

STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: December 18, 2019

CALGARY — Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber is deservedly earning some very high praise for his play this season.

How high?

“Does he deserve to be in those discussions for the Norris right now? Absolutely,” Canadiens coach Claude Julien said after the team practised Wednesday afternoon at the Scotiabank Saddledome in preparation for Thursday’s game against the Flames (9 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). “I mean the amount of time he spends on the ice per game, his point production, his plus/minus, what he’s done for this hockey club and his leadership, there’s no doubt he should definitely be in those discussions.”

Weber has never won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman, but he is playing some of the best hockey of his career at age 34 after recovering from foot and knee surgeries that sidelined him for the first 24 games last season. Weber has 11-17-28 totals in 34 games this season and is on pace for 26 goals and 67 points, which would both be career highs. He is also a team-best plus-11 and leads the Canadiens with an average of 24:07 of ice time per game.

After scoring a power-play goal in Tuesday night’s 3-1 win over the Canucks in Vancouver, Weber ranked fifth among NHL defencemen in points and third in goals, trailing the Washington Capitals’ John Carlson and the Carolina Hurricanes’ Dougie Hamilton, who had 12 each.

Jordie Benn was Weber’s teammate for more than two seasons with the Canadiens before signing with the Vancouver Canucks as a free agent last summer.

“It’s a man amongst boys when he’s playing the way he is,” Benn said after the Canucks’ morning skate Tuesday in Vancouver. “He’s an elite defenceman. He’s a big man, he’s got a heavy shot. So when he’s playing this way, he can take over a game real quick. So it’s cool to watch.”

Ben Chiarot has become Weber’s regular defence partner with the Canadiens since Victor Mete went down with an ankle injury on Nov. 30 and has been impressed with the captain’s leadership as much as his play.

“He’s a funny guy every day in the room,” Chiarot said. “He’s a good leader. Kind of quiet in the room until he says something and everyone pays attention and listens. So he’s been great for us.”

Weber has earned the nickname Dad with his younger teammates.

“I’ve never called him Dad, but some of the young guys call him Dad,” the 28-year-old Chiarot said. “It’s fitting, just because everyone looks up to him and he’s a veteran guy, an older guy in the room, and he’s been around a long time. He’s got a lot of experiences that he shares with the young guys on how to do things the right way. So maybe that’s where the Dad nickname comes from.”

When asked if there’s something about Weber that might surprise people who don’t know him, Chiarot said: “He can absolutely spin a football or baseball. He can absolutely rifle a ball. He played baseball growing up and if you see him throw a football or a baseball it’s a pretty impressive arm. He can rip it. And he can do it all day, too. Usually guys throw a couple and their shoulder gets sore. He can just keep on spinning it. He’s a good athlete.”

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166860 Montreal Canadiens Weber is on pace for 26 goals and 67 points, which would break his career highs of 23 and 56. While Chiarot is more of a stay-at-home defenceman and can provide some offensive freedom for Weber, he won’t take any credit for the captain’s offensive explosion this season. Stu Cowan: Canadiens might have finally found a partner for Shea Weber “No,” Chiarot said while shaking his head. “You know what? He’s been doing that his whole career. He’s got a great eye for when to jump into Ben Chiarot believes he's the guy and the twin towers have definitely the play and, obviously, his shot has been one of the most lethal been looking good together in recent games. weapons in the league for a long time. He’s great offensively, has a great eye for when to jump in. So that’s all him. That’s got nothing to do with

me.” STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: December 18, 2019 Chiarot didn’t know Weber well when he arrived in Montreal after spending the last five seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. But they have now developed a good bond both on and off the ice. CALGARY — Have the Canadiens finally found a partner for Shea Weber? “He’s great,” Chiarot said. “Obviously, with whether it be media or people that he’s not too familiar with he’s a pretty reserved guy. With us, though, It’s starting to look that way and his name is Ben Chiarot. he’s an easygoing, fun guy. Guys love him in the room. A great leader. Everyone looks up to him and he’s a fun guy to be around.” Ever since GM Marc Bergevin acquired Weber from the Nashville Predators three years ago, the Canadiens have been trying to find a He’s also a fun guy to play beside. defence partner for him. Victor Mete surprised people when he made the Canadiens as a 19-year-old two years ago and played better than Montreal Gazette LOADED: 12.19.2019 anyone could expect from a fourth-round draft pick as Weber’s partner. But it wasn’t an ideal situation.

When Bergevin signed Chiarot as a free agent this summer the plan was for him to play mostly with Jeff Petry and take Mete’s spot beside Weber when the Canadiens played against a team with a big top line, like the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals. But since Mete went down with an ankle injury on Nov. 30, Chiarot has become Weber’s regular partner and they have looked very good together.

In the eight games since Mete was injured, Weber has 3-4-7 totals and is plus-3, while Chiarot has one goal and is plus-5. Weber has logged more than 25 minutes of ice time in five of those eight games with a high of 29:49 in a 4-2 win over the New York Islanders. Chiarot has logged more than 25 minutes in seven of those eight games with a high of 30:47 in the win over the Islanders. In Tuesday night’s 3-1 win over the Canucks in Vancouver, Weber played 29:26 and Chiarot 25:53.

Weber also scored a goal against the Canucks, giving him 11-17-28 totals in 34 games with a team-best plus-11 for the season. Chiarot has 4-7-11 totals and is plus-8. The Canadiens have a 5-3-0 record since Mete was injured and are 4-1-0 in the last five games.

So, does Chiarot believe he’s the guy?

“Yeah, I do,” he said after the Canadiens practised Wednesday at the Scotiabank Saddledome in preparation for Thursday’s game against the Flames (9 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). “It’s been great for the last month or two months. It seems to be going well, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t keep going.”

Weber is 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds and Chiarot is 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, so they make an imposing pair as twin towers on the blue line. They aren’t the fastest skaters, but Chiarot said they can work around that.

“Because we’re bigger guys, we’re not going to look like a (Bruins’ Brad) Marchand buzzing around out there,” Chiarot said. “But I think we’re both pretty powerful skaters and get around pretty well. We use our stick to defend. So I think we both move well enough to play against anybody.”

Coach Claude Julien agrees.

“There was never a question about whether they could not play against certain people,” Julien said. “I think it was more about we were balancing things at one point.”

Mete practised with his teammates for the third straight day Wednesday, but is still wearing a non-contact jersey. When Mete eventually returns to the lineup, the Canadiens could look pretty good with their top six defence: Chiarot with Weber; Mete with Petry and Brett Kulak, who has regained his form from last season, with Cale Fleury.

When asked what he likes about being Weber’s partner, Chiarot said: “He’s just easy to play with. He’s predictable. I know what he’s going to do with the puck. Defensively he kills plays and gets it going the other way and I think that we both kind of do that similarly and we both are pretty quick at stopping the play in our own end. With that, I think we spend a lot less time in our own end because we’re both good at killing plays.” 1166861 Montreal Canadiens I’ve billed Olofsson as a dual-threat attacker but he has yet to live up to that promise in his year-and-a-half in the SHL. This season, the playmaking has accelerated way ahead of the shooting ability, but he’s shown some promise there, too. Canadiens prospect report: After slipping behind the curve, Jacob Olofsson is back on track The quickness and dexterity of Olofsson’s release pops now. He’s starting to shoot from tricky positions without surrendering power or precision.

By Mitch Brown Dec 18, 2019 There’s still plenty of room for Olofsson to improve as a shooter. His shot doesn’t have any deceptive components. Olofsson often struggles to turn

imperfect passes into shots. Not only is he not much of a one-timer Following a forgettable rookie season in the SHL, Jacob Olofsson is back threat, but his catch-and-release shots aren’t much better. on track. The Canadiens’ 2018 second-round pick has already equalled The primary issue with Olofsson’s lack of shooting ability has less to do last year’s point total of nine in just 22 games – 12 fewer than last with the shot itself – it’s above-average by a fair margin – it’s that he’s not season. Before suffering an upper-body injury that will keep him out of a particularly instinctual offensive player. The flip-flopping between centre the upcoming world junior championships, Olofsson was scorching hot, and wing certainly hasn’t improved Olofsson’s route-finding. Too often, with all nine of his points coming in his last 11 games. he follows directly behind his other off-puck forward, shrinking the In the offseason, Olofsson left his long-time organization Timrå IK for amount of space the puck carrier has available. He doesn’t use the width Skellefteå AIK. His even-strength time on ice has dropped from 13:42 per of the ice to his advantage, often occupying his teammate’s ice, which game (third among Timrå IK forwards) to 11:29 (ninth among Skellefteå kills both players as a passing option because defenders flock to them. AIK forwards). He’s switching back and forth between centre and wing Mediocre timing and offensive feel mean that Olofsson is often moving regularly. into areas too slowly, too quickly, or without any purpose at all. While more ice time and positional-certainty generally benefit young While both off-puck routes and timing can be improved, I’m not sure how players, it’s been the opposite for Olofsson. He’s less important to the much they can improve. It’s an issue that affected Olofsson’s game for success of his team, which allows him to focus more on his strengths. years. It’s also the simplest explanation for why Olofsson, despite so The most impressive element of Olofsson’s game – playmaking – was clearly having above-average puck skills, probably isn’t a top-six player in also the most frustrating. On the power play, Olofsson’s vision for cross- the NHL. slot and deflection opportunities was driven by constant movement and a That’s why I still think Olofsson is a third-line centre at best in the NHL dash of creativity. But at 5-on-5, his playmaking evaporated. It wasn’t (provided he makes it), even after the improvements. But there’s tricky to figure out why; his decision-making was poor and he was too absolutely nothing wrong with that. Nabbing a player at the end of the stationary. second round which plays a few hundred games in an important role is That’s changing, and it’s breathed new life into the future of a prospect great value. Especially one who has the ability to set-up teammates, play who was starting to slip behind the curve. wing or centre, and play the back part of both special teams.

Instead of only making the easy, short-range outlet or trying to finesse his Now, whether or not Olofsson gets to the NHL remains to be seen. But way through traffic with limited success, he’s relying on his vision to after falling behind the curve last season, he’s back right where he create dangerous looks in transition. He’s attempting – and completing – should be. cross-ice lasers to find a teammate in stride, often for an easy zone The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 entry.

While Olofsson’s decision-making in transition needs continued refinement, it’s positive that he’s moving away from style for more substance. Here’s an example: Olofsson makes a quick stop with hands in unison, then fires a pass under a stick for the entry. Previously, he would often try to beat that defender one-on-one on the outside lane.

The enhanced decision-making in transition has allowed him to unlock more options as a passer. The high-skill passes – the cross-slot and pressured passes – have increased in volume, while also finding their target more often. He looks like a different passer at 5-on-5; it’s a striking improvement.

One of the better plays Olofsson’s made this season combines the transition decision-making with his passing skill. Here, instead of stickhandling through the neutral zone, he chips the puck into space, which allows him to use his separation gear to retrieve the puck. Now, with time and space, he’s able to locate an open teammate cross-slot. With a target in mind, he maneuvers around one defender, then sends the pass through the skates of another.

Undoubtedly effective in puck battles, Olofsson’s historically been unable to turn victories into offence. Now, he’s starting to be more assertive with his frame, gaining body positioning, putting the defender on his back, then separating with speed, reach, and skill. His vision has benefited the most, as now he’s making passes I’ve never seen him try at any level before. As a forehand-dependent passer, having that extra space to switch to the forehand has been key to his success. (In the clip below, I’m not sure if he’s trying to hit the teammate in the middle or across the slot, but either way, it’s impressive vision.)

While Olofsson’s certainly isn’t as effective as Nick Suzuki or Ryan Poehling as a backhand passer, he seems so much more comfortable this season. This is important – sometimes, a player doesn’t have the time or space to switch to the forehand. It allows him to not only be more effective when on the off-wing, but increased comfort on the backhand also makes him more dangerous overall. 1166862 Montreal Canadiens It’s been somewhat lost in the dominant narrative around Tatar, but this is a player who makes a habit of scoring important or at least propitiously timed goals.

A ‘borderline’ call against, another massive goal and why Tomas Tatar Of the 13 he’s potted this season, nine have come in either the first or matters so much to the Canadiens last five minutes of a period (as have six of his 17 assists).

“Those goals always give you an extra lift,” Tatar said, “but I think it’s mostly coincidence.” By Sean Gordon Dec 18, 2019 Except it’s not. The available evidence suggests it’s at least partly by design.

VANCOUVER – There was 2:48 to play in the first period at Rogers Tatar, Danault and Gallagher are the Canadiens’ top forward unit; as Arena when Tomas Tatar in white swooped in to challenge Vancouver’s such, they start almost every period on the ice and are usually out there Jake Virtanen as he lugged the puck near the Canadiens’ blue line. at or near the end as well. And they do a lot, if not most, of their best work during those stretches. The trouble started when Tatar leaned into a tight right-hand turn and extended his stick into Virtanen’s path. Of the 34 goals they’ve scored this season as a group, 22 have come before the 5:00 mark of a period or with less than five minutes to play. What happened next was entirely predictable given the way the Slovak Danault has scored all but one of his seven goals in that situation. The sniper’s season has gone: slight-ish contact, Virtanen tumbled to the ice, same can be said about seven of Gallagher’s team-leading 14. the official’s arm shot up, Tatar looked to the heavens and Vancouver scored a power-play goal 59 seconds later – yet another tally yielded in Coincidence can only account for so much. the dying embers of a period by Montreal this year. “We do talk on the bench, when we start games we’re always excited, It was, in Claude Julien’s words, a “borderline” call. That’s true. But it was the last couple of minutes before the period usually someone says ‘let’s also of a piece with a broader phenomenon, what The Athletic’s Arpon try to get one, try to get one,'” Gallagher said earlier this week. “I mean, Basu aptly (and accurately) described as Tatar’s “terrible, exceptional you’re always trying, but there is a little bit of talk about it.” season” last month. As is customary, the Danault group started the third period against The Slovak is an essential cog in the Canadiens’ offence, he’s a savant Vancouver and promptly turned the puck over to provide a half-chance to in the neutral zone and on the forecheck, he’s a guy who has now scored Pettersson. It was a rare lapse, though they lost the possession and in four straight and is on a 30-goal pace. shot-share battle on the night, the Canadiens’ top unit managed to hold Pettersson, Brock Boeser, et. al. to zero points. Also, he is among the league’s 50 most-penalized players, a club to which he’s not accustomed to paying annual dues having never The Canadiens would eventually get the puck back after Shea Weber got accumulated more than 34 minutes in penalties in a single season. his stick on Pettersson’s shot, whereupon Danault, Gallagher and Tatar would exchange a series of quick passes. It was Tatar’s offload to Tatar leads Montreal in scoring, having recorded his 30th point in 34 Danault in the middle that ultimately led to Virtanen taking a slashing games Tuesday in a crucial 3-1 win over the Canucks; curiously, the total penalty at the 0:22 mark: that almost exactly mirrors the number of penalty minutes he’s accrued (28). That figure includes the Virtanen incident and a tripping call on Elias Tatar would score 1:29 later. Pettersson with Vancouver pressing in the third period. (The Julien verdict on that one: “it’s a trip.”) Stylistically it was a much prettier goal than the last one he scored with the ice still fresh from the Zamboni. For that one, you have to go all the The hell of it is he’s largely gotten over his early-season bout with chronic way back to … Dec. 11. It happened just 29 seconds into the third period penalty-itis in the last four or five weeks. against Ottawa.

“He’s scoring goals, he scored the winner tonight and he’s really helping And it’s not like the goal against the Senators was anything close to the us offensively,” Julien said. “The other part that he needs to work on is most dramatic one he’s notched this year. easily corrected.” Remember this at 19:19 of the third on Nov. 12? In this instance, he atoned in the form of a big goal. It wasn’t the only one he’s scored this year. More on that in a bit. Not to belabour the point, that was also a game in which Tatar took a bad penalty that led to a demoralizing opposition goal. Anyway, it’s important With Montreal on a power play of its own in the first minute of the third not to lose sight of the fact there has been an ample supply of good to go period, Brendan Gallagher scooped up a puck on the right-hand boards with the not-so-good this season. and then this happened: Tatar, who is on track to break the career-best points mark he set last It was his first game-winner of the year and, in the context of how his season, scored the Canadiens’ (and the game’s) opening goal in a 6-3 season has unfolded to this point, a gigantic goal. drubbing of St. Louis on Oct. 12.

There were multiple bits of genius involved, including Gallagher keeping He keyed a third-period comeback in Las Vegas with a goal on Oct. 31. himself onside to set up the spinning pass to Phillip Danault, followed by On Nov. 5, he scored a go-ahead marker against Boston, an instant the latter’s faintly outrageous pass to Tatar from the seat of his pants. riposte to a David Pastrnak goal. Montreal would go on to win.

“Why not?” Danault laughed. “I saw (Tatar) was over on that side, He also potted the tying goal on the power play in Pittsburgh on Dec. 10, Gallagher made a good play to get me the puck and when I got tripped I setting the stage for a 4-1 win in the front half of a tough back-to-back. just tried to send it toward him. He’s always in the right spot. Scorers, eh?” Gallagher is the engine that drives the Canadiens’ top line, a legitimate, elite scoring winger. Danault is the two-way centre of gravity. But the unit Yeah, scorers. Take a look at that finish again. really only reaches peak efficiency when Tatar is right.

Not that Tatar is a boastful type. In fact, he gave all the credit to his When that’s the case, it looks a lot like what was on display in linemates afterward and said the move he originally intended to make Vancouver. Aggressive and incisive on the forecheck, combative in the didn’t quite come off “so I was fortunate to put it in.” neutral zone, providing close support at both the defensive and offensive ends. The goal was more than fortuitous, but let us not get bogged down in picayune arguments. Against the Canucks, Tatar did more of what he’s already done a lot this season, adding four minutes in stick fouls to his permanent record. Tatar has seven goals in his last nine games in Vancouver (“Do I? I didn’t even know that,” he said.) His most recent propelled the Canadiens to More importantly, he also did what he does best. the best possible start on a road swing that may well determine whether they make the playoffs. The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166863 Nashville Predators

Is this a 'season-defining' road trip for the Predators? Some of them think so

Paul Skrbina Nashville Tennessean Published 6:26 a.m. CT Dec. 18, 2019

NEW YORK — As far as the Predators are concerned, the four-game road trip they're on is the definition of defining.

At least as far as their season is concerned.

That it comes on the heels of what Pekka Rinne and Austin Watson described as an embarrassing loss to the Stars on Saturday is no coincidence.

The Predators made good in the first two games of the trip, topping the Rangers and Islanders on back-to-back nights before heading to Ottawa to face the Senators on Thursday.

The New York sweep was a step in the right direction for a team that seemed to take one step forward and two steps back after taking two steps forward and one step back.

"We talked about it, this is a big week," Nick Bonino said after Tuesday's 8-3 victory against the Islanders. "A season-defining week, maybe. You take the first two of four; we'd love to get all four, but just to start with two is big.

"It's tough not to look at the standings right now. We have some games in hand, so these back-to-backs are always huge when you're banging two out at once. It's good to get four. Now we go to Ottawa."

And don't think for a second the Predators aren't looking at the standings. When they looked after Tuesday night's game, they saw themselves three points out of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. They also saw themselves tied for fifth in the Central Division.

What they saw is a close race that could hinge on a point or two come April, when final playoff fates are decided.

Predators coach Peter Laviolette didn't go so far as to say this trip could define his team's season. But he didn't go so far as to say it wouldn't.

"It's a yearlong battle," he said after Tuesday's win, the second game on the trip. "There's definitely things that can be lost on a road trip, that's for sure. ... There's things that can go wrong and you can lose ground and take steps in the wrong direction.

"We can move up in the standings and continue to climb. The games in hand are really important."

The Predators had at least one game in hand on every team in front of them in the standings after Tuesday.

"In our business everyone looks at the standings every single day," Rocco Grimaldi said. "It matters where you are right now, but it doesn't, either. There's so many things that can happen. All we're trying to do is control what we can control — that's our effort; that's our attitude. ... We keep putting together good efforts like (Tuesday) and we're going to start climbing back up in thee standings.

"This could be the road trip to make our year or break our year."

But Grimaldi warned the Predators can't be too up about wins or too down about losses, echoing what Craig Smith said about staying even- keeled.

"I think it's huge," Smith said. "I also think we need to be a little bit even- keeled. At times a loss can really bring us down and a win can really bring us up. Everybody kept moving forward, moving forward — that next-play mentality. That's how you're successful in this league."

Tennessean LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166864 Nashville Predators The Predators have been riding an inflated shooting percentage through most of the season, and it rose from 9.5 percent to 10.02 percent after they scored six goals on 17 shots at five-on-five Tuesday. Juuse Saros was sensational Monday, and Pekka Rinne, who already had the highest Consecutive road wins are encouraging, but can these Predators be goal support in the league before Tuesday’s blowout, was adequate trusted? enough against the Islanders, but goaltending remains a concern, as evidenced by the discrepancy between expected goals (1.98) and actual

goals (2.51) against per 60 minutes, among other things. By Adam Vingan Dec 18, 2019 This team has not handled good fortune well lately, so its remaining three games before Christmas carry significant meaning.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The ass-kicking came out of nowhere. “This could be the road trip to make our year or break our year,” Grimaldi said. “I thought we did a great job to start the road trip off well.” The Predators’ 1-0 lead against the New York Islanders on Tuesday had become a 3-1 deficit in the second period, seemingly setting the stage for The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 another letdown. But then came seven unanswered goals at the expense of one of the NHL’s stingiest teams as the Predators started their four- game road trip with consecutive wins.

“This is a big week, a season-defining week, maybe,” said Predators center Nick Bonino, one of eight players to record multiple points Tuesday. “You take two of the first four. We’d love to get all four, obviously. But just to start with two is big.”

Not to diminish the impressiveness of the Predators’ decisive victory on the scoreboard, but this season, just like Tuesday’s win, has been such a roller coaster that it’s impossible to tell which direction it will lead them. (The Predators’ expected goal share, as shown in the chart below, resembles an actual roller coaster, perhaps “Enron’s Ride of Broken Dreams.”)

Source: MoneyPuck.com

After enduring a 1-6-2 slump, the Predators have won seven of their past 12 games and collected points in nine of them, but it doesn’t feel that way. Other than the Islanders game, there have been no dominant performances during that stretch. Their 5-2 win against the New York Rangers on Monday, when they were opportunistic and overcame an average-at-best effort, was a more accurate representation of their recent play.

Defenseman Ryan Ellis said Monday that the Predators “had to do a bit of soul-searching” after losing to the Dallas Stars on Saturday, a game that coach Peter Laviolette said encapsulated “the story of the season — chances to win hockey games and move up the standings and unable to get it done.”

“I think we were embarrassed,” Predators forward Rocco Grimaldi said, “I mean, that’s the team that knocked us out of the playoffs, so you’re going to be hungry to play them again. It was in our building on a Saturday night, and they came in and they whooped us. They dominated us for just about the whole game. It was an ugly game for us. We weren’t happy about it.”

To their credit, the Predators, who wilted against the Stars, didn’t fold when the Islanders punched back Tuesday. They also scored a season- high five high-danger goals at five-on-five, which is no small feat for a team that struggles to generate quality shot attempts, perhaps as a result of an outdated system.

“We’ve had trouble battling back from (deficits),” Bonino said. “I thought our response when we went down 3-1 was awesome. … We scored four unanswered in the second to take that lead, and then (we) don’t take our foot off the gas in the third. It’s something we’ve been searching for for a lot of this year.”

Something else that the Predators have been looking for is a winning streak to propel them back up the standings. The last time the Predators appeared to have turned a corner, when they defeated the St. Louis Blues in consecutive games last month, they followed it up by going winless in three of the next four games.

Despite their failure to launch, the Predators are not in a bad spot. They are three points out of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, held by the Calgary Flames, with three games in hand. Dom Luszczyszyn’s model gives the Predators a 75 percent of making the playoffs.

“We can move up the standings and continue to climb,” Laviolette said. “I think the games in hand are really important.”

Of course, those extra games only matter if the Predators take advantage of them, and there are reasons to be skeptical. 1166865 New Jersey Devils

Devils open post-Taylor Hall era with win over Ducks

By Chris Ryan

The Devils played their first official game of the post-Taylor Hall era on Wednesday — even though he sat out two games before being traded Monday — and they got two points to show for it.

After allowing a two-on-none breakaway goal in the first period, goalie Mackenzie Blackwood shut down the Anaheim Ducks, making 26 saves in a 3-1 Devils win at Prudential Center in Newark.

That goal came off the stick of former Devil Adam Henrique, was traded to Anaheim in November of 2017. It also started a theme for night, with two Devils scoring against their former team.

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Kyle Palmieri, who was dealt from the Ducks in June of 2015, gave the Devils a 2-1 lead at 11:29 of the second period, netting his team-leading 13th goal at the tail end of a power play. He took a Nikita Gusev pass at the blue line and drove to the right circle, where he snapped a shot through a screen and past Ducks goalie Ryan Miller.

Sami Vatanen, who arrived in New Jersey in the trade that sent Henrique to Anaheim, made it a 3-1 game at 1:00 of the third period. He took a pass from Jack Hughes before his shot from the point deflected off a Ducks defender and past Miller.

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The Devils tied the game in the second period on a goal from Nico Hischier. Jesper Bratt jumped on a turnover in the Ducks’ zone and fed Hischier in the slot, where he buried his sixth goal of the season at 1

Bratt has played on the top line with Hischier and Palmieri for the past three games with Hall absent. That will likely be Bratt’s spot for the short term and possibly longer, and with Hall gone, he realizes the opportunity for him and other players.

“It opens up some spots for other guys to take a step, and right now, for me, playing their with Nico and Palms is something that I’ve done before, so I kind of know them as guys, and it makes me want to take the next step, too," Bratt said. "I feel a little more responsibility and that’s something that I like. I love the role they have me in right now and I want to keep developing and be a better player myself.”

Next up

The Devils will play one more game at home before two road games take them to the NHL Christmas break.

They will host the Washington Capitals at 7 p.m. on Friday before heading to Columbus to play the Blue Jackets at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Nationwide Arena. They will end that trip against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.

Star Ledger LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166866 New Jersey Devils

Devils’ lines, pairings vs. Ducks (12/18/19) | Jesper Bratt still in Taylor Hall’s spot on top line

By Chris Ryan

While the Devils played their last two games without Taylor Hall, Wednesday will mark the first game following his trade when they host the Adam Henrique and the Anaheim Ducks at 7 p.m. at Prudential Center in Newark.

The Devils will use the same lineup as the past two games without Hall, with Jesper Bratt still on the top line with Nico Hischier and Kyle Palmieri.

Mackenzie Blackwood will make his second straight start in goal.

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Here’s how the Devils will line up against the Ducks:

FORWARDS

Jesper Bratt - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri

Blake Coleman - Travis Zajac - Nikita Gusev

Pavel Zacha - Jack Hughes - Wayne Simmonds

Miles Wood - Michael McLeod - Jesper Boqvist

DEFENSEMEN

Andy Greene - P.K. Subban

Will Butcher - Sami Vatanen

Mirco Mueller - Damon Severson

GOALIES

Starter: Mackenzie Blackwood

Backup: Gilles Senn

SCRATCHES

F: Kevin Rooney, John Hayden

On IR: D Connor Carrick (broken pinky, expected to be activated Wednesday, but won’t play); D Matt Tennyson (upper body)

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Here are game notes via the Devils:

Tonight marks the first of two contests between New Jersey and Anaheim. The Ducks defeated the Devils in the 2018-19 regular season series, 2-0-0 (4PTS). New Jersey was 1-7 on the man advantage, and 2- 3 on the penalty kill in the two games played. The Ducks outscored the Devils, 9-7.

Jesper Bratt (1G-3A) led the Devils in points, tallying four in two games played. Kyle Palmieri (2G) led New Jersey in goals, notching two in the 2018-19 season series.

Mackenzie Blackwood allowed three goals in 56 minutes of action against Anaheim. Blackwood is a career 0-1-0, posting a 3.20 GAA.

Ondrej Kase (1G-2A) led the Ducks in scoring in the season series, tallying three points in one game played against New Jersey. Four Ducks tallied one goal against the Devils in the regular season series.

John Gibson saw the majority of the workload in the two games played. Gibson played in 78 minutes allowing three goals posting a 2.31 GAA and 2-0-0 record.

The Devils are 0-0-0 at Prudential Center and 0-0-0 overall against the Ducks since the 2015-16 season. New Jersey will face-off against Anaheim, Mar. 1 @ Honda Center.

Star Ledger LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166867 New Jersey Devils

What Taylor Hall trade meant to Devils players

By Chris Ryan

The Devils returned to practice on Tuesday at their home rink for the first time in nearly two weeks, skating for 50 minutes and handling their business as usual.

Within the locker room, an empty stall loomed in the middle of the wall of forwards, now vacant following Taylor Hall’s trade to the Arizona Coyotes.

Kyle Palmieri sat in his stall, which now lacked a neighbor to his right. For months, Palmieri saw hordes of media gather around Hall, asking the left winger about his contract and his future. But even with Hall’s future up in the air, Palmieri never doubted his focus on helping the Devils.

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“It is human nature. There’s a lot going on, articles that get written. It’s something that I think he prepared himself for, but at the same time I think he was very professional in the way he handled himself and the things he said," Palmieri said. "And at the end of the day, guys playing in their last year of their contract obviously as a star player like he is, it’s a little bit bigger deal than it kind of used to be.

"Obviously with the (John) Tavares situation, that kind of kind of set the stage for I think what Hallsy was expecting. But I think at the same time, he showed up every day and he cared about this locker room and what was going on in this locker room and obviously it wasn’t the start to the season we wanted, but I give him kudos for his professionalism and the way he handled himself.”

Tuesday was the official start of the post-Hall era for the Devils, with Palmieri and Nico Hischier skating without their frequent line mate, and the rest of the room needing to adapt to the reality that the team’s best playmaker was gone.

The Devils have already played two games without Hall, with the winger sitting out the final two contests before the deal went through. Monday just confirmed what everyone knew was coming.

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“I wouldn’t say it was hanging over us or distraction by any means. It’s out there and you knew something was going to happen eventually," Devils captain Andy Greene said. "But same time, I mean it’s unfortunate. It’s another kind of chapter that closes and a new one opens up here again now and gives some opportunities to some guys here to play.”

And unlike other midseason trades similar to Hall’s, where players are dealt at the trade deadline with a team clearly looking beyond the current season, the Devils still have 50 games to play in 2019-20.

With more than half the schedule still left, the Devils aren’t ready to punt on the season, even with their best player gone and further changes still possible.

“The focus is now win some games. Not looking too much ahead. I know it’s a lot of games left, but try to take it game-by-game, or segments of games, and try to be decent, try to get points out of these segments and try to build on them.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166868 New Jersey Devils

Devils usher in post-Taylor Hall era with a win

By Associated Press December 18, 2019 | 9:54pm | Updated

The New Jersey Devils’ decision to trade 2018 MVP Taylor Hall to Arizona has put pressure on other players to step up and lead the team.

In their first game since Monday’s trade, Hall’s former linemates Nico Hischier and Kyle Palmieri answered the call.

Hischier and Palmeiri scored second-period goals and the Devils beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 on Wednesday night, giving them consecutive wins for only the fourth time this disappointing season.

“I think it’s for the young guys coming up, it’s those close games and finding ways to win or finding ways to close them out,” Palmieri said. “Tonight, finding a way to come from behind and find a lead going into the third and come out there and keep playing on our toes. They had a couple looks but we held the fort.”

Sami Vatanen also scored and Mackenzie Blackwood made 26 saves as the Devils gave interim coach Alain Nasreddine his second straight win.

Adam Henrique scored against his former team for the Ducks, who squandered an early 1-0 lead in losing to New Jersey for the first time in four games. Ryan Miller had 17 saves as Anaheim lost its second straight on a four-game East Coast trip.

“Obviously you get a good start and get a lead and go from there,” Henrique saud. “We have to find a way to get that next one. That’s the key right now. We are having a hard time to get two and three and put out foot on the throat of the other team. That’s an area that has to improve.”

Anaheim defenseman Michael Del Zotto had a hand in the Devils’ goals. He had a giveaway on Hischier’s goal early in the second period and was in the penalty box for interference when Palmieri gave New Jersey a 2-1 lead at 11:29 of the second.

The journeyman defenseman lost a battle with No. 1 overall draft pick Jack Hughes in the corner early in the third period, leading to Vatenen’s goal and a 3-1 lead.

Henrique gave Anaheim the lead, capping a 2-on-none with Ondrej Kase 3:33 after the opening faceoff.

The tide changed early in the second period when Del Zotto misplayed a puck sent around the boards. It deflected toward the net, where Jesper Bratt got the puck and found Hischier for a shot low in the right circle at 1:28.

Bratt is Hall’s replacement at left wing on the line center by Hischier. Palmieri is on the right side.

“I feel comfortable playing with (Bratt),” Hischier said. “I came in with him in this league and have played a lot of games already with him. He’s a great playmaker who can score, so it’s a lot of fun to play with him.”

Palmieri got his 13th of the season in the closing seconds of the penalty against Del Zotto. He made a toe-drag move on defenseman Cam Fowler and beat the screened goaltender from the right circle.

Vatanen extended the margin to two goals with a tally against his former team, and Blackwood made the lead standing up, making 11 saves in the final 20 minutes in giving New Jersey its first home win since Nov. 23 against Detroit.

“We were OK in the first,”Miller said. “We were getting the puck deep and I felt that’s how we should play the game. In the second period we didn’t do any of that and fed into what they wanted to be doing. We didn’t have a whole lot of energy until that last little push.”

Blackwood negated the effort.

New York Post LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166869 New Jersey Devils ready to consider a new contract by Dec. 17. Shero indicated, because of several factors including the team’s play, that making the trade was the best decision for the franchise right now.

‘I don’t think it’s a rebuild 2.0’: Breaking down what Ray Shero, Devils He also said that Hall’s legacy in New Jersey was important, particularly said in the aftermath of the Taylor Hall trade to Shero. So each side parts amicably and neither has to be the villain who told the other “no thanks.”

3. The Devils’ lack of success this season clearly played a big role in By Corey Masisak Dec 18, 2019 Shero’s push to complete the trade now. He said it might have been a tougher decision if the club was 3-5 points out of a playoff spot now or

closer to the deadline. Life without Taylor Hall began Tuesday for the Devils with a practice at “For us, it was the right time,” Shero said. “To wait until the deadline, I’m RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House, before the team broke up into not really sure what that accomplishes. If we weren’t happy with what the groups and visited local hospitals bearing the same name. return was going to be, teams drop out of the race, teams have injuries or General manager Ray Shero spent nearly the entire workout addressing things happen.” the media for the first time since trading the 2018 Hart Trophy winner the LeBrun reported Tuesday that at least seven other teams expressed day before. Hall went to the Arizona Coyotes for three prospects — interest in Hall. Two of those teams, Florida and San Jose, were not in a defenseman Kevin Bahl, wing Nick Merkley and center Nate Schnarr — playoff position by Wednesday morning. Another two, Calgary and and two draft picks, one that will be a first-round pick and one that will Montreal, have the eighth-most points in their conference right now. It’s either be a third, second or first-rounder based on two conditions (the fair to think that some of these teams might have had less interest as the Coyotes winning one round in the playoffs and Hall signing a contract season progressed, and we don’t know how many more suitors would with Arizona; if one happens, it becomes a second-round choice, and if have emerged. both occur, it upgrades to a first). 4. It was also reported that Ferris and Hall had decided they were waiting It was a long chat with the typically verbose Shero. He covered a lot of until July 1 to sign. That would have forced the Devils to ride it out (like ground, some of it directly and some less so. the Islanders did with John Tavares) or trade Hall. Shero mentioned July Let’s work through it, plus some other notes and observations from a 1 a couple of times, but said he never heard that from Hall’s team. weird, but expected day for the organization. “I can’t speculate on people saying the agent always wants to go to July 1. First, let’s lay out the full timeline with some new information: 1,” Shero said. “I have no clue. But he’s been traded to Arizona, and obviously it looks like Taylor is going to wait and play for a while. I just Hall and Shero addressed the media at the end of last season (April 8). think the evaluation of the team and where we are, instead of just Both said Hall would focus on his recovery and Shero would focus on jumping in there, I think that was the most important thing. adding more talent. Hall was not eligible to sign an extension until July 1. “Taylor Hall never asked for a trade. He never turned anything down. I There was a report in early June that Hall wasn’t ready to sign a contract never turned anything down. I think his legacy in New Jersey is on July 1, which left him confused about why this was news. He and his important. It’s important to me. He was all in for this team. It was agent, Darren Ferris, stressed patience. obviously disappointing, the season so far, even on his end.”

Hall said Sept. 12 that Ferris talked with Shero on July 1, but that both 5. Hall said Monday after the trade that some of the reporting was “off” sides were OK with going through camp and into the season without a and that he was open-minded about a new contract before July 1, and contract extension. remains so. Hall didn’t name a team specifically, including Arizona. Hall can technically sign with any team before July 1, if that team acquires his Shero and Ferris met near the end of training camp. negotiating rights after the season is over. Shero and Ferris met in Calgary on Nov. 7. Shero was asked about the idea of pursuing Hall again if he does make it Shero met with Ferris and Hall in Montreal on Nov. 27. The GM said to July 1 and becomes an unrestricted free agent. He’s not allowed to Tuesday that he informed them of his plan to make a recommendation to talk about other team’s players due to tampering rules. He could have managing partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer that the Devils pursue a offered a direction, but he played it straight and went back to discussing trade. how important their relationship is to him in the future.

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic and TSN reported on Nov. 30 that Shero Which could maybe lead to a reunion … right? was listening to offers for Hall from other teams. It is very rare for a player to get traded as a pending UFA and return to Shero fired coach John Hynes on Dec. 3, hours before the team’s game his previous team. The Blues traded Doug Weight to the Hurricanes on against Vegas. Jan. 30, 2006; he won the Stanley Cup with Carolina and then returned to St. Louis as a free agent in the offseason. That’s the most famous Shero said there was traction in trade talks, with it picking up in the two recent example. days before the team played in Denver on Dec. 13. 6. So what does this mean moving forward for the Devils? Here’s what Hall took part in warmups that day at Pepsi Center, but was a late Shero said about the timeline: scratch for cautionary reasons against Colorado. “In terms of the timeline, I don’t have a timeline,” he said. “I know that we He was scratched again the following night in Arizona and returned to are in a lot better spot than we were five years, a lot better than we were New Jersey with the team. three years ago when we made the playoffs even in terms of our pool of Shero said the trade was completed on Monday, the day it was players, our assets. The way it is in the NHL, it’s different than other announced. sports. It’s not about one player. It’s got to be about a team. With Merkley and Schnarr in the deal, they’re young guys. It’s a former first-round pick, 2. The biggest news from Tuesday was Shero saying that Hall never third-round pick. It’s depth. That’s what you need, and competition. I just turned down an offer, and Shero never dismissed one from Hall’s camp. feel with where we are with some of the young kids that we are very well He also confirmed that Hall never asked for a trade and never said he aware of. If you look back at September, nobody knew about (Jesper) didn’t want to play for the Devils. Hall confirmed that New Jersey also Boqvist, if he’d be here or not. There’s a lot of good to look forward to. It had never offered a contract when he met with the media in San Jose was nice to see Mikey McLeod come up and play. later Tuesday before helping the Coyotes beat the Sharks in his first game with the club. “It’s transitioning into … I don’t think it’s a rebuild 2.0. I think it is still part of that, ‘We’re (almost) there.’ Taylor Hall was always going to be a How does that happen? After months of speculation, the two sides parted critical decision. If I was standing here announcing an eight-year ways without ever doing any actual negotiating. extension, it would be, ‘Hey, that’s great,’ or ‘Why did he do that?’ I’m not trying to win that game. In terms of where we are, I like where we are, not The best explanation is that the lack of decisiveness by either side was, in the end, the decisive factor. Hall’s team had not indicated they were in the standings, but to really build something that is important. That’s Palmieri, Travis Zajac and Blake Coleman are going to have to weigh what we’ve always said. I didn’t ever put a timeline on it. how successful they expect the team to be in the near future when they are in the final year of their contracts next season. “There are certain moves, even this year in the summertime, we would have been in a really bad spot. We didn’t max out to the cap. We didn’t “Obviously you’re thinking about that some. I think guys would be lying to sign guys to eight-year contracts and then say, ‘Oh my god, it’s not you if they said they weren’t,” Severson said. “For me, I’ve got three working.’ There’s still flexibility, which is good. You’ve seen that before. more years. It would have been great to have (Hall) back, but this was You go all in and it’s not what you expect and you’re forever trying to get the year we were supposed to be more of a contender with the additions out of it. I think we’re still in a really good spot that, but we’ve got some that we made and unfortunately it didn’t go the way we wanted to early work to do for sure. This gives us a lot more clarity.” on. We still have really good players. We just have to get their confidence up, get them another year of experience and we’ll go from there. We lose I agree with Shero about the organization being in a better place than it our MVP from two years ago, but that’s not something we can control. It’s was five years ago. As for three years ago, that team had Taylor Hall, an a weird situation, but we’re going to do everything we can and I think elite player at the peak of his powers. Comparing the current Devils to management is going to do everything they can to be in a situation where that team, they are essentially replacing Hall with Jack Hughes as the we can be a contending team and not in the basement every year.” franchise cornerstone next to Nico Hischier. That is a good trade to make a few years from now, but all three players would make for a better 12. Shero was asked about managing partner Josh Harris’ comments chance of competing or making a deep playoff run. about Hall before the start of the 2018-19 season. Hall, fresh off his MVP campaign, had two years left on his contract. Harris called Hall a critical 7. Shero said this won’t be a “rebuild 2.0,” but he also said “where we are part of the team’s future and he looked forward to working with him for a as a team” on several occasions. If the Devils weren’t ready to commit to long time. a long-term contract with Hall, part of the rationale could be that Hall’s aging curve/timeline for remaining an elite player doesn’t line up with “I think that was two years ago after he won the MVP obviously and … when Hischier, Hughes and other key young players will be at their peak. timing is everything in terms of the contract,” Shero said. “You make a decision with the information that you have. I think where we are now, it 8. The Devils do have other big decisions to make regarding potential makes more sense for us now (to trade Hall) than it did two years ago. … UFAs. Sami Vatanen, Wayne Simmonds, Andy Greene and Kevin A lot has changed over the last 12-15 months or whatever it is.” Rooney are all in the final year of their contracts. Shero said he hasn’t yet talked about a contract with Vatanen or his agent. It seems like, from that response, the Devils would have been happy to sign Hall to a long-term contract in the summer of 2018. They weren’t “I think just evaluating everything going forward, this is not a ‘everything allowed to, of course, because the collective bargaining agreement says is on the table’ type of thing,” Shero said. “We have good pieces and we extensions can’t be signed until 12 months before a player’s current deal need to build around that. We do have some good veteran players here expires. When Hall reached that point, he was recovering from a major that are certainly important with where we’re going, but again, whether injury and each side delayed contract discussions. it’s a veteran player or anybody else, if there is an opportunity to improve our team, we have a clearer picture of where we are now and certainly Could a future change to the CBA allow teams to sign certain players cap-space wise where we are. I don’t think it’s just unrestricted free earlier? The 12-month rule has been in place for a long time, and the agents. That’s an easy one to look at. But I think there’s anything that will league nor players’ association has ever moved to change it. improve your hockey team, then you’re going to do that.” But what if there were certain accomplishments, like winning a major 9. None of the six players I’ve heard from since the team arrived in trophy, that could give players and teams the option to negotiate a new Denver said Hall’s situation was a distraction for the team, or in the deal earlier? It would be similar to how the NBA has requirements for a locker room, this season. “super max” contract.

“It wasn’t really his call, in a sense,” Damon Severson said. If Hall and the Devils had agreed to an eight-year, $80-plus million “Management must have had the conversation and said, ‘Look, we don’t contract in the summer of 2018, Hall would have at least $8 million more think he’s going to re-sign in season and we don’t want to risk it.’ It’s like in his bank account by the end of this season and the Devils would have the (John) Tavares thing, right? Why risk it? Maybe they take a shot at his services for the next six seasons. Some of the concerns about his him again in the summer? I don’t know. It’s not up to me. I had a lot of aging curve are lessened in a six-year deal than the seven- or eight-year fun playing with him. He was a great player for here for a few years and pact he’s likely to sign between now and the first few days of July. he’s hopefully onto better things for himself. Maybe this was a unique situation where the timing didn’t work out for “Obviously everyone is kind of excited for him to get another opportunity. either side. That was a theme in what Shero had to say one day after the Whatever was the case with the contract stuff, he was a pretty private trade. guy and he kept that pretty quiet, left management and his agent to handle it. There were a lot of guys in the room getting texts from friends The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 around the league, asking what was going on. It was a little awkward for a few days, but it is over now. Hopefully he can move on and we can move on.”

10. The Devils are clearly going to miss him. Hughes and Kyle Palmieri sat next to Hall in the locker room this season; on Tuesday, there was a space between them with the nameplate missing.

“It is tough to see a teammate go,” Palmieri said. “He’s obviously a great hockey player, but I think as a guy I’ve gotten close to the last few years it’s tough to lose him in the locker room. And obviously we know the impact that he makes on the ice. As a team, he was looked to as a leader, both with how he played and how he carried himself, things like that. It’s tough to see any teammate, but especially a guy who was here for a while and had such an impact on us both on and off the ice.”

“He was obviously kind of a mentor for me,” Hughes said. “He helped me out a lot. He was great for me the first couple months. It would have been great to play with him for longer, but that’s not the case.

“It was a lot of things (that I learned from him). He was really good with me on a day-to-day basis. Sitting beside him and spending a lot of time with him on the road, he really helped me out a lot in my first few months in the league.”

11. Severson has three more years left on his contract after this one, so he’s obviously invested in the Devils’ direction. Other players like 1166870 New York Islanders

Islanders looking ahead to Bruins, not behind to rout by Predators

By Brian Heyman

Semyon Varlamov had the cure for Tuesday night’s 8-3 loss to Nashville following the Islanders’ practice in East Meadow Wednesday — amnesia.

“At this point, today’s a new day,” said the Russian goalie, who allowed three goals in relief of Thomas Greiss. “Things happen. We play a lot of games in the NHL. It’s not always going to be our way. The game (Tuesday) night, it’s just one of those days where every puck goes in. So we already forget about this game and we move on.”

So they moved on to Boston. The Islanders have the third-most points in the East and still have the least goals allowed in the NHL after yielding the most in a game since Barry Trotz took over before last season. They will try to rebound on the road against the Bruins, who own the second- most points in the conference.

The 2019 Stanley Cup finalists have been sliding, going 1-4-2 in their last seven. But the Islanders haven’t beaten them in nearly three years, dropping seven straight since Greiss blanked them, 4-0, at TD Garden on Jan. 16, 2017.

“There’s always a first for everything, so maybe (Thursday’s) the first,” Trotz said with a smile. “… They’re going through some hard times, and they’re a very good team. They’ve got everybody back.”

After the Islanders won the first two against Boston in 2016-17, they took a 2-1 loss. They fell by scores of 3-1, 5-1 and 5-2 in 2017-18, then 2-1 in a shootout, 3-1 and 5-0 last season.

“They have great veterans,” Anders Lee said. “… It’s a great hockey team over there. We’ve just had trouble finding the way. But (Thursday) is a new opportunity. It’s a new season, and I think we’re looking forward to that challenge.”

The captain indicated there wasn’t total amnesia over the Nashville debacle, saying the Islanders “found those details that we need to correct.” Then they moved on. “It’s a bad loss,” Lee said, “but we can’t dwell on it. It’s a long season.”

Trotz didn’t seem to be dwelling on it, either.

“We weren’t great,” he said, “but we weren’t as bad as 8-3 sounds.”

Still, it was so uncharacteristic of them to allow so many goals, and on just 24 shots.

“We’re not going to give up eight goals — let alone three or four goals — very often,” defenseman Devon Toews said. “So we’ll just take it in stride and go into Boston and try to win there.”

Notes & quotes: Trotz said Michael Dal Colle (upper body) is “definitely out” for the second straight game. Trotz said the forward skated and is day-to-day.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166871 New York Islanders from Roman Josi; it also highlighted the silliness of Mayfield driving Smith’s head into the ice after a whistle, but in the end, character won out.

Three things to forget and three to remember from a night where the The efforts also brought the remaining Isles fans at the Coliseum to their Islanders ‘couldn’t get a stop’ feet and prompted a “Let’s Go Islanders” chant in the final minute. That’s some character, too — Isles fans have an image around the league thanks to a few social media posts as worrywarts who feel the team gets no respect. Great to see and hear the ones who made it through a pretty By Arthur Staple Dec 18, 2019 ugly game stand up and recognize their team is actually good and is worth their support.

A former Islander, after a particularly lousy game where he was a minus- 2. Barzal’s frustration 4 and seemingly couldn’t make a two-foot pass, once gave this eloquent Mathew Barzal has three points and 10 penalty minutes in his last five take. It sticks out after games like the Islanders had on Tuesday night. games. Opponents have scored on the last three power plays Barzal has “Everyone’s gotta eat a shit burger once in a while. Tonight was my turn.” given them, including his reactionary roughing penalty in the closing minutes of Saturday’s game against the Sabres that led to a tying goal. The funny thing about the 8-3 loss to the Predators is that it wasn’t really that lopsided of a game. The Isles didn’t allow many scoring chances in Barzal’s feisty streak is not new — his holding penalty as part of the first two periods. Natural Stat Trick credited the Preds with nine high- matching minors in a brief tussle with his good childhood friend, Dante danger chances in the first two periods, but that doesn’t feel right, without Fabbro, on Tuesday gives Barzal 100 PIM for his career. But the reviewing the video. Every halfway decent chance outside of Craig frustration is. It won’t last long, but he’s in danger of losing minutes if he Smith’s breakaway early in the second went in — including for the loses focus because it’s clearly on his coach’s radar. Islanders, who beat Pekka Rinne stick side three times in a 5:16 span “At times, yeah, at times,” Trotz said. “But you have to work through it. and clanked three shots off the iron. You have to find a way to work through every situation that’s presented. But the Isles ate the ol’ s-burger on Tuesday, a rare night when their top If they’re keying on him, trying to get him off his game, the best way to goalie tandem couldn’t make a save and a good defensive team (combat) that is to play your best and don’t let them do it. You’ve got to seemingly was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. play above it.”

“Just take what you can from it and forget the rest after tonight,” Casey 3. A shaky PK Cizikas said. Nashville’s onslaught included two power-play goals, marking the third That’s mostly true, but we’ll hang onto it for a little longer and break down game in the last five in which the Isles have surrendered two PPGs three things you’re not likely to see again from Barry Trotz’s Islanders (though Jack Eichel’s late tying goal Saturday was a 6-on-4). The Isles and three to file away. are at an 80 percent efficiency on the PK, 17th in the league — not awful, but needs to be better. Things to forget Cizikas produced a shorthanded goal on Tuesday, the team’s fifth of the 1. A .667 save percentage season, but it was quickly followed by Filip Forsberg snapping one cleanly past Greiss. A kill there would have been huge to keep the score “We couldn’t get a stop,” Trotz said rather simply after a game in which 3-1, but Greiss’ rare off night didn’t help. Thomas Greiss, the NHL’s even-strength save percentage leader since the start of the 2018-19 season, gave up four even-strength goals on 14 Oh, and next up? The Bruins and the league’s third-best power play on shots. Semyon Varlamov, who hadn’t allowed more than two goals in any Thursday. It’s a big test. of his last five appearances, came on for the third and gave up two more even-strength goals on five shots. The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019

Feels a bit like an anomaly.

2. Devon Toews and Scott Mayfield’s lousy night

Close on the heels of some reporter singing the Isles’ second defensive pair’s praises, particularly in how few 5v5 goals Toews and Mayfield have been on the ice for, they faltered Tuesday night. Toews was on for three against at 5v5 and Mayfield two, starting with uncharacteristic mistakes by both of them to allow Nick Bonino’s setup for Smith on Nashville’s opening goal.

As we noted Monday, these two have been the most consistent Isles pair for a while now. Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock have the heaviest minutes and assignments and the Nick Leddy-Johnny Boychuk pair has been up and down. So the Toews-Mayfield pair could have been due for an off night, but it’s unlikely to spiral.

3. Isles losing their cool

Guess the end of an 8-3 game is a decent time to let your frustrations out, as Ross Johnston and Mayfield did in the last five minutes. Both got misconducts after unnecessary minors, leaving the Isles to kill an 87- second five-on-three. Cizikas and Boychuk were on for the entire kill and got the job done, along with Varlamov, but that’s putting your teammates in a vulnerable spot late in a blowout.

Atypical for a very cool-under-fire Islanders team, Trotz certainly won’t let it happen again.

Things to remember

1. Speaking of that five-on-three…

Trotz praised Cizikas and Boychuk for blocking big shots during that kill. “That shows the character we have,” he said. It would have been a real kick in the teeth if Cizikas had gotten hurt blocking one of those blasts 1166872 New York Rangers

Rangers welcoming brief respite

By Brett Cyrgalis December 19, 2019 | 1:43am

It’s a short breather in the schedule, but the Rangers will take it.

Following a day off Tuesday, the Blueshirts returned to the ice for a light practice Wednesday with five players taking maintenance days — defensemen Marc Staal and Tony DeAngelo, and forwards Ryan Strome, Artemi Panarin, and Pavel Buchnevich. Coach David Quinn said he expected a full practice Thursday and didn’t think any of those players would miss Friday night’s Garden match against the Maple Leafs.

“It’s been a long stretch,” Quinn said. “We’ve played a lot of hockey in a short period of time.”

The Rangers rolled into December having played eight games in 11 days, the final one being what some might dub a “schedule loss,” a 4-1 defeat to the visiting Golden Knights on Dec. 2. They then had a back-to- back, in Columbus and at home against the Canadiens, before leaving on the weeklong four-game trip out west.

That went from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, then north to San Jose, and back south to Anaheim for a Saturday matinee. After their semi-red-eye, they were greeted at home with the Predators in the Garden on Monday, when they actually had some legs and played well but lost, 5-2.

That gave them this little three-day respite, which was much needed.

Staal had blocked a shot with his surgically repaired right ankle in San Jose, and didn’t miss a game. DeAngelo has taken a couple maintenance days, as have Strome and Panarin. Buchnevich had gone through concussion protocol but returned Monday night — when he took a brutal elbow to the head from Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis, inexplicably resulting in just a two-minute minor.

But so it goes in the NHL, when few teams are healthy at this time of year.

Of course, Friday is followed by a back-to-back, a Sunday matinee at home against the Ducks and in Philadelphia Monday night, leading into the league-wide three-day dark period for Christmas. The Blueshirts come out of that with another back-to-back, Friday at home against the Hurricanes then in Toronto on Saturday, which leads right into their New Year’s trip, this time going through western Canada starting in Edmonton as 2019 turns to 2020.

New York Post LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166873 New York Rangers “It’s learning how to play at this level,” Quinn said, “learning how to be productive at this level.”

Just like everyone else. Rangers’ Kaapo Kakko fighting to escape rough patch New York Post LOADED: 12.19.2019

By Brett Cyrgalis December 18, 2019 | 11:03pm | Updated

The things Kaapo Kakko are going through aren’t unique to a teenager, although the fact the man-sized Finn the Rangers took with the No. 2 pick in June doesn’t turn 19 until Feb. 13 only exacerbates the situation. So for Kakko to now have gone 15 games without a goal, to have spent some time on the fourth line, and to have gone through his team’s first long trip out west this past week is trying.

But he doesn’t think he’s worn down more than anyone else.

“I think the same as every guy,” Kakko told The Post after the team’s light practice on Wednesday in Westchester as the Rangers prepare for the Maple Leafs to come into the Garden on Friday night. “It was a long week, but I think same as everybody.”

The Rangers had a four-game swing from Vegas and then up and down California — from Los Angeles to San Jose, then back to Anaheim — with hardly any time to catch their breath before the heavy Predators came into the Garden on Monday night and handed them a 5-2 loss. Despite having gone 2-1-1 on the trip and playing well against Nashville, the Rangers knew that a day off on Tuesday was necessary, and five players took maintenance days Wednesday.

But Kakko was out there working late, as usual. He is a grinder, spending countless hours on the ice whether any of his teammates want to join him or not. He lives with a billet family in Westchester, close to the practice rink. He has a car for local trips only — “no driving into the city,” he said with a shake of the head — so carpools down to the games with Brendan Smith and Micheal Haley.

It’s really hockey all the time, and even if there are ups and downs, he’s not complaining about life in the NHL.

“I know before the season, so much traveling, so many games,” Kakko said. “But not bad. I like playing hockey, so that’s good we have so many games.”

Coach David Quinn has been doing what he can to get Kaako going again, as he was playing his best hockey with five goals in eight games before he missed the Florida trip in mid-November with the flu — after which his goalless streak started. Quinn gave him a role in the top six and moved him around in hopes of finding some chemistry, and there were some good games in there, including the 5-0 win in Las Vegas that started the road trip when Kakko had eight shots on net in 10 attempts while playing with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome.

“So many chances,” Kakko remembered. “Maybe [could have had] a couple goals.”

But Kakko went down to the fourth line at the end of the trip’s finale in Anaheim, and started there again against the visiting Predators. Quinn reiterated that the line juggling “isn’t just about one player. This is about other guys, too.” And this is about trying to find the right way to spark Kakko’s game.

“There are different ways to put people in a position to do well,” Quinn said. “Sometimes you have to give him more opportunity, sometimes you have to maybe take a little bit of an opportunity away from him and wake him up that way.”

It was made clear early on that Kakko is a player who likes to hold onto the puck, and his first highlight with a Rangers sweater on was the overtime goal in the Traverse City prospects tournament before training camp when he circled the net three times.

“I think that’s my game. I don’t think it’s bad just because I hold the puck,” Kakko said. “But sometimes you have to shoot, too.”

Quinn is trying to get his team as a whole to shoot more — and the 41 shots against the Predators were a start. But if he can get Kakko going again like he was earlier in the season, then suddenly the lineup gets a lot deeper. 1166874 New York Rangers

Jacob Trouba living up to top-pair defenseman role with Rangers

By Denis Gorman

GREENBURGH, N.Y. —The minutes. The matchups. Being on the ice in all situations. The responsibility built into the role of a top-pair defenseman.

It was a challenge Jacob Trouba needed. Longed for, really.

So far, he has passed every test in the estimation of a person who knows him as well as anybody.

“Everyone wants to be that guy that (plays) all situations,” said Brady Skjei following Rangers' practice Wednesday. Skjei and Trouba are longtime friends, having first met while on the U.S. National Development Team. “I think he (wanted that) in Winnipeg when he was there, but I’ve seen more of (that) role for him here now and we’re lucky to have him.”

For a team that is experiencing growing pains as it transitions from rebuilding into what is hoped to be a Stanley Cup contender, Trouba has been worth the price GM Jeff Gorton paid in order to acquire the 25-year old away from the Jets.

Gorton packaged the No. 20 overall pick in last June’s draft and Neal Pionk in the trade for Trouba on June 18, then subsequently signed the defenseman to a seven-year, $56 million contract on July 19.

Paired with Skjei as the top two defensemen, Trouba has played in all 33 games this season and has compiled a 5-12-17 slashline while averaging a team high 22:53 of ice time per game. He ranks seventh in the league in goals, 15th in points and 32nd in average ice time per game among all defensemen.

He had a goal and two assists in the 6-4 win over the Jets on opening night which also doubled as his Madison Square Garden debut along with Artemi Panarin, Kaapo Kakko and Adam Fox. Five games later, he played 28:22 against the Caps, the most minutes he has played against any team so far.

All of which has earned him praise from David Quinn.

“I like his game a lot,” said Quinn. “I do. I think he’s skating better. I think his physicality has given us an awful lot back there on the blue line. When you play as many minutes as he does against top players, there are going to be mistakes. I think people tend to focus on those things. But he does an awful lot for us.”

What has been pleasant revelations for Quinn are qualities that are both intangible and tangible.

“I mentioned this earlier in the year, the thing that’s kind of surprised me — I knew he was a really good player; there’s an awful lot to his game — but the thing I like about him is that he’s smart. The thing I like is that he can really pass the puck. His outlet passes are really good.

“That element to his game surprised me a little bit.”

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166875 New York Rangers of his career while leaning hard into his likable personality to sell the game in a new market.

The one group that still kind of hates him: Man, I’m not even sure. That Down Goes Brown: The 10 players that no NHL fan can hate (except for Sharks/Knights rivalry is pretty solid, so maybe you allow San Jose fans all the ones that do) to sneer at him just a bit. Beyond that, his only natural enemy at this point are Canadians who still aren’t over how the 2004 World Juniors ended and Hall of Fame sticklers who’ll be mad when he makes it in on the first ballot. By Sean McIndoe Dec 18, 2019 Elias Pettersson

Why almost everyone loves him: Another member of the current cohort of We’re into holiday mode, where everything is supposed to be about great young players just hitting their prime, Pettersson is a wizard with peace and goodwill. Love thy neighbor and that sort of thing. the puck who ran away with the Calder last year. As a bonus, hockey That’s nice and all, but it can be tough for hockey fans, who are fans love rooting for smaller players. Pettersson isn’t actually small – he’s preconditioned to be mad at just about everything. Pretty soon we’ll hit 6-foot-2 – but for some reason, everyone outside of Vancouver has the Christmas trade freeze, meaning we can’t even sit around and decided to think that he is, so he gets that added boost. imagine that bum who’s clogging up our team’s salary cap being traded Also, we should all be feeling a pang of collective Canucks-related guilt for a ransom of picks and prospects. Now you want us to be nice to the for not appreciating Pavel Bure or the Sedins enough. jerks on the other teams too? It’s a rough time of year when you’re a diehard hockey fan who hates everyone. The one group that still kind of hates him: Other players, apparently, since he’s already been injured controversially by Chris Kreider and Well, almost everyone. Because at any given time, there are always a Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Other than that, I’m not sure there’s anybody, apart few players who just about everyone seems to like. It’s been a rough few from the four head scouts who passed on him in 2017. years for that crowd, as we’ve said goodbye to guys like Roberto Luongo, Pavel Datsyuk, Teemu Selanne and Jarome Iginla. But that just creates Henrik Lundqvist some extra room on the nice list. Why almost everyone loves him: He’s the best goaltender of his era and Today, let’s get into the holiday spirit with a list of the ten players in the a sure-thing Hall-of-Famer as soon as he’s eligible. He’s also a part-time NHL that nobody can hate. (And then the reasons why maybe you can model, plays in a rock band and loves good dogs. hate them just a little.) To be honest, it’s almost too much, and at a certain point, you could Connor McDavid forgive fans if they turned on him. Like, we get it Henrik, you’re better than us at everything. But then you remember that he still hasn’t won a Why almost everyone loves him: First of all, he’s the best player in the Stanley Cup, which gives his story arc some vulnerability and lends a league, with maybe the most pure skill since Mario Lemieux. Even in a sense of urgency to the final stages of his career. Remember when he league with more dominant young talent than ever before, McDavid still dragged the Rangers to the final, only to give up the Cup-winner in occasionally does things that you’ve never seen, or ever thought overtime and then lay on the ice for roughly the entire offseason? You’d possible. He’s one of the rare players who’d be worth paying full price have to be a monster to hate a guy who’s been through that. just to watch on his own and brings back that pre-Dead Puck Era feeling of excitement you used to get whenever a star player had the puck on his The one group that still kind of hates him: Guys that aren’t supermodel stick. rock star athletes, I guess. I don’t know anyone like that, but it’s what I’ve heard. Second of all, he’s signed long-term in Edmonton, so the sympathy factor is off the charts. Phil Kessel

The one group that still kind of hates him: Flames fans get a pass, as Why almost everyone loves him: OK, I’m not sure everyone actually they do for any Oiler. Beyond that, nobody really dislikes him, although does. I’m projecting a little bit here since I’ve been on Team Phil for years you get the sense that there’s an undercurrent of aggravation from other and am still actively trying to get everyone else on the bandwagon. Good fan bases who keep waiting for him to stomp out of Edmonton and seats are still available. demand a trade. Come on, they’re terrible, and he looked vaguely sad at his draft lottery. Surely he wants to play somewhere else. Specifically, for Still, at this point, I’m not sure there are any good reasons left to dislike my favorite team. Come on Connor, blink twice if you want us to send in the guy. Sure, he was kind of awkward and weird when he first broke into a chopper to airlift you out. the league, which seemed to rub people the wrong way. He’s still awkward and weird, but he’s figured out how to lean into it just enough Patrick Marleau that he seems like he’s mostly in on the joke now. The dude ate hot dogs out of the Stanley Cup, I’m not sure what more you could want. Why almost everyone loves him: He’s been around forever, his speed means he’s been fun to watch over the years and he always seems Oh, he’s also a Masterton winner and cancer survivor, not to mention a disturbingly happy. He became the team father figure in Toronto – two-time Cup champion who has a shot at breaking the ironman record. literally – and then headed home to San Jose to finish out his career. Plus he’s still chasing that elusive Stanley Cup, and everybody loves a The one group that still kind of hates him: Most of his ex-coaches, a few good OGWAC story. Uh, please don’t check the standings to see how of his former GMs and team executives, a handful of ex-teammates and that quest is going for him. like 90 percent of the media. Also, probably a few Coyotes fans who were hoping for more than seven goals. But other than that very small The one group that still kind of hates him: Nobody right now, although niche group, everybody else loves the guy. we’ll save a spot for Leaf fans when they miss the playoffs and end up having to send the 11th overall pick to the Hurricanes for getting out of Justin Williams the last year of his contract. Also, it’s going to be kind of weird if he sticks Why almost everyone loves him: He’s Mr. Game Seven, which is pretty around next year and ends up breaking Gordie Howe’s all-time games much an irresistible narrative. Athletes who are “clutch” may or may not played record. See, you didn’t realize that was going to happen, and now be an actual thing, but it’s an undeniably fun concept, so fans want to you feel just a little conflicted, right? believe. Marc-Andre Fleury Williams has bounced around the league long enough that there’s a good Why almost everyone loves him: He’s a former first overall pick who’s chance that he’s scored a crucial goal for your favorite team. He sounds smiled his way through a very good NHL career, without ever being so like a genuinely good guy and he had a big role in last year’s emergence dominating that you resented him. He was part of three Cup winners in of the Hurricanes as arguably the most entertaining franchise in the Pittsburgh, then handled what could have been a tricky Matt Murray league. Plus, there’s that ongoing team photo hair bit. situation and eventual exit with class and good humor. That was OK, yes, he’s not technically an active player right now, which in theory supposed to lead to him spending his last few years getting shelled for should work against him. But since everyone assumes he’s coming back, the expansion Knights, but instead, he’s played some of the best hockey we’ll leave the door cracked open for him. The one group that still kind of hates him: Me, any time I write about the Beyond that, he’s pretty much the ideal mass-approval superstar right Hall of Fame and have to explain why he’s not going to make it. (Also, now; he’s undeniably among the very best in the game but started his Hurricanes fans if he makes his big late-season comeback with someone career with just enough adversity that it doesn’t feel like this is all easy for else, but we’re not supposed to mention that possibility out loud.) him. The Avalanche are a likable team and they’re good enough that it sure seems like they’ll be around for a while once the spring arrives. But wait, what about … MacKinnon has kept his nose clean, he has just enough personality to Before we head down the home stretch, let’s hit a few guys who might seem comfortable in the spotlight and he’s even done a bit of acting. have a case for the list, but didn’t make the final cut. Also, he is reasonably good at playing hockey.

Sidney Crosby: He should be there. But for years, for whatever reason, The one group that still kind of hates him: Any superstar player who has he’s been a lightning rod for criticism and a complaint for fans outside of to negotiate an extension and has to hear about how much MacKinnon Pittsburgh. He shouldn’t be, but nobody has ever accused hockey fans of makes. being reasonable. Alexander Ovechkin

Joe Thornton: I’ve included him on the list in the past and wanted to Why almost everyone loves him: We’re here, right? Please tell me there squeeze him in here. But I’ve heard from enough Blues fans to know that isn’t still some pocket of holdouts in the anti-Ovechkin club. Sure, early in some of them still haven’t forgiven. his career he was a little too flashy for some tastes and over time he Mikko Koivu: On the one hand, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who evolved into one of those guys you could point to when you were didn’t like him. On the other, he’s still got a ways to go to be the most rambling on about how certain players put up big numbers but just can’t popular guy in his own family. Tough call here. win the big one. But ever since he won the Stanley Cup and then celebrated by having more fun than just about anyone in the history of Mitch Marner: He’s a happy-go-lucky kid playing for his hometown team the world, even his harshest critic has to have thrown in the towel. and he’s all sorts of fun to watch. He’s also a Maple Leaf and it’s virtually impossible to get anyone from Toronto onto a universally beloved list. At least I hope so because we’ve got a few more years to enjoy the guy who might end up being considered the greatest pure goal scorer in the P.K. Subban: He’s got the personality, but he was never all that close to history of the sport. Let’s not let this be one of those Brett Hull things being universally loved when he was at the height of his game and these where we never quite appreciate a guy enough until he’s done. Ovechkin days he isn’t. rules.

Johnny Gaudreau: Once he gets his game back to an elite level, he’ll be The one group that still kind of hates him: I don’t know, but I have a bad right back in the running. feeling I’m about to find out.

Any of this year’s rookies: Let’s see them put in at least a full season Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.19.2019 without enraging anyone. But some of these guys could be in the mix soon, especially Cale Makar.

Jonathan Toews: Another name that’s shown up on these lists in recent years, but it feels like the league’s constant tire-pumping of Chicago players – remember that Top 100 fiasco? – has led to a Blackhawks backlash.

Steven Stamkos: He’s a great player who’s still chasing his Cup and after a few years any lingering bitterness should be fading over him not picking your favorite team when he was a free agent.

Taylor Hall: He’s an elite player who also seems to be fun off the ice, in that kind of quirky Kessel-like way. Let’s see how the dynamic plays out in Arizona.

Jack Eichel: Check back this time next year, especially if he can lead the Sabres on a solid playoff run.

Claude Giroux: Fun fact, if you write a post about star players and don’t mention Claude Giroux somewhere, Flyer fans will come to your house and pee down your chimney.

Pretty much any defensemen: You could make cases for a few guys, but in general it’s easy to find something to hate about a guy whose job it is to cross-check your favorite forward’s spine into paste.

The guy whose name you’re about to go post in the comments with a question mark on the end and nothing else: He was sixth eleventh.

Patrice Bergeron

Why almost everyone loves him: After years of being grouped in with Toews and Anze Kopitar, Bergeron’s recent offensive peak has made him the de facto name for fans who want to show that they appreciate a two-way forward. He’s a warrior, he’s mostly kept away from controversy and it’s pretty much impossible not to respect his game. You hate him when he’s shutting down your team’s star player, but otherwise, he’s the poster child for guys who play a 200-foot game. (At least until he passes that torch to Mark Stone.)

The one group that still kind of hates him: Anyone whose hatred radius for Brad Marchand extends far enough to fall on a guy who’s almost always right next to him.

Nathan MacKinnon

Why almost everyone loves him: We already said that Crosby should be on the list, so MacKinnon at least checks the Cole Harbour box. 1166876 Ottawa Senators Thomas Chabot- Ron Hainsey Mark Borowiecki -Cody Goloubef

Andreas Englund-Erik Brannstrom GAME DAY: Nashville Predators at Ottawa Senators GOALTENDERS

Anders Nilsson Bruce Garrioch Marcus Hoberg

PREDATORS GAMEDAY LINES Nashville Predators (16-12-5) at Ottawa Senators (14-18-3) Yakov Trenin-Ryan Johansen-Calle Jarnkrok Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Canadian Tire Centre, TSN5, RDS, TSN 1200 AM, Unique 94.5 FM Filip Forsberg-Matt Duchene-Rocco Grimaldi

SPECIAL TEAMS Colin Blackwell-Kyle Turris-Craig Smith

OTT: PP 10% (31st); PK 82.6% (11th) Colton Sissons-Nick Bonino-Austin Watson

NAS: PP 15.5% (26th); PK 77.8% (24th) DEFENCE

THE BIG MATCHUP Roman Josi-Ryan Ellis

Jean-Gabriel Pageau vs. Matt Duchene Mattias Ekholm-Dante Fabbro

After a November he’ll never forget, Pageau’s pace has slowed a little bit Dan Hamhuis-Yannick Weber in December, but he’s one of the club’s most reliable players. In eight games this month, Pageau has 2-2-4 points and has been a solid GOALTENDERS performer at both ends of the ice. Signed as a UFA in the summer, Pekka Rinne Duchene has eight goals and 21 points as he prepares to face his former teammates. He has been solid performer for the club. Juuse Saros

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME INJURIES

1. Back to Anders Nilsson OTT: Craig Anderson, Dylan DeMelo, Christian Wolanin, Nikita Zaitsev

The Senators had Wednesday off after arriving in the wee hours of the NAS: Viktor Arvdisson, Mikael Granlund morning from the Sunshine State. Nilsson wasn’t very good in the club’s loss to the Florida Panthers Monday night and there really hasn’t been Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.19.2019 much in-between with him this season. If he gets the chance here, and he should, he needs to step up with a strong effort.

2. Welcome home

The road has been long and hard for the Senators in the last six weeks but the club won’t travel much in the next six weeks. This club has played some good hockey at home and has a 9-5-0 record at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators are coming back from a road trip and need to set the tone early in this one.

3. Thin blueline for Senators

The club isn’t going to have defenceman Nikita Zaitsev for awhile along with Dylan DeMelo and that’s made life difficult for the Senators. The club can’t make any changes with Max Lajoie sent down Wednesday. Thomas Chabot played 37:50 against the Bolts Tuesday night and ideally the club would like to spread out the ice time.

4. Shut down Ryan Ellis

The Senators have had a hard time stopping the Predators’ blueliner. Ellis has 4-7-11 in 13 career games against Ottawa _ including four goals and eight points in the last seven games between the two teams. Ottawa has to find a way to shut Ellis down if they’re going to have any success this evening.

5. Tough battle ahead

The Predators are coming off a 8-3 victory over the New York Islanders Tuesday night on the road. Nashville has a 7-6-1 record on the road this season, but this club is ranked sixth in the league in shots with average of just over 33 per-game. That means the Predators are going to be firing the puck from everywhere.

ROSTERS

SENS GAMEDAY LINES

Brady Tkachuk-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Connor Brown

Vladislav Namestnikov-Chris Tierney-Anthony Duclair

Nick Paul-Artem Anisimov-Tyler Ennis

Logan Brown-J.C. Beaudin -Colin White

DEFENCE 1166877 Ottawa Senators and Ottawa native Marc Methot has been working out on his own for the past few weeks.

For now, though, what you see is what you get. Chabot carrying the load on the battered Senators blueline As impressive as Chabot’s night in Tampa was, would he have been more effective on the four-minute power play late in the third period—with a chance to break the 3-3 tie — if he hadn’t been forced into playing an Ken Warren average shift length of 1:15?

BACK TO BRANNSTROM: Brannstrom has nothing but positives to say about his venture back to the AHL. With a full day off Wednesday, we assume Thomas Chabot will have his breath back in time to face the Nashville Predators Thursday. “I felt it was good for me to get to Belleville and play four games and get my confidence up and get some points,” he said after facing Tampa Bay. The Ottawa Senators defenceman was nowhere to be seen or heard “I feel like can do some things with the puck (against Tampa), I did show around the dressing room in the moments immediately after Tuesday’s 4- I can do something with the puck. I felt good out there.” 3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Whether it was the product of receiving more ice time, there was Perhaps he was strapped to an oxygen tank, recovering from seeing definitely less hesitation in Brannstrom’s game, more of a willingness to 37:50 of ice time? That’s only 15 seconds shy of the regular season support the offence. record set by Calgary’s Dennis Wideman in January, 2014. His assist on Brown’s goal in the second period was a case in point. So, Maybe he was getting a few stitches after taking an unpenalized high too, was his third period sprint and deke at the Lightning blueline that had stick to the face in the third period? him in prime scoring position before being checked. If he could do it all In the end, though, it was one of those nights where Chabot probably over again, he says he would have taken a shot. didn’t need words to explain his actions. “It’s fun to play a lot more minutes,” he said. “I want to be out there.” From a broader viewpoint, there are a number of ways to analyze all of The other twist is that Brannstrom was playing primarily on the right side the above. while in Florida, the side he grew up playing. The Senators, however, The first is to marvel at Chabot’s stamina — he had five shifts that lasted have designs on him being a long-term presence on the left side. That’s more than two minutes, including one that topped out at 2:32 — where he was before being shipped back to Belleville. especially considering that the Senators were only 24 hours removed “A guy with his skill is better on the left side because there are more from their 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. options, but he has played on the right his whole life,” said Smith. “I knew he was playing a lot, but not quite to the extent he ended up While Brannstrom began the season with Hainsey as his partner, he saw playing,” said winger Connor Brown, whose 22:18 of ice looks like a regular duty with Borowiecki in Florida. The way Smith sees it, relative skate in the park compared to Chabot’s work. “But it still looked Borowiecki’s edge has created more room for Brannstrom. like he had some juice in the end. He does a good job of conserving energy. He’s very efficient.” “It’s all about making him the best possible player in a couple of years, whether it’s playing games here or in Belleville,” said Smith. “He’s going Senators coach D.J. Smith knew Chabot was closing in on the 23-minute to get the minutes here now.” mark after two periods alone, but in a 3-3 game, he kept throwing him out on the ice again and again. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.19.2019 “It’s not ideal in the long run, but sometimes when you get in competitive games…we wanted a point or better and we got it. He was great.”

Good on Chabot for taking all the extra ice time in stride, but one of the “not ideal” reasons for the situation is how thin the Senators depth is with fellow right side defencemen Dylan DeMelo and Nikita Zaitsev out with injuries. Neither is expected back until after Christmas and the Senators have three games remaining – Thursday against Nashville, Saturday versus the Philadelphia Flyers and Monday against Buffalo Sabres – before their holiday break.

Rookie Erik Brannstrom, recalled from Belleville of the American Hockey League on Sunday, certainly relished the increased opportunity (18:12 in ice time) with the best game of his young career against the Lightning.

More on Brannstrom later, but with fellow Belleville call-up Andreas Englund (10 shifts and 7:27) and Cody Goloubef (14 shifts and 10:09) seeing such limited duty, there are other questions to consider here.

Can the Senators also continue to stretch the minutes of 38-year-old Ron Hainsey? He has topped 24 minutes in each of the past three games, including 26:12 versus Tampa.

One option is give some time to left side defenceman Max Lajoie, who was returned to Belleville for Wednesday’s game against Utica.

Lajoie, however, was a healthy scratch against both the Panthers and Lightning. After an early giveaway last Saturday against Columbus, he didn’t hit the four-minute mark.

Christian Jaros, the only other defenceman in North America who owns an NHL contract with the Senators, is currently recovering from an injury of his own in Belleville. Nick Ebert, who began the year as a depth option, was traded to the New York Rangers in the deal for Vladislav Namestnikov.

Down the road, maybe general manager Pierre Dorion looks at trading for or signing a seasoned veteran. For what it’s worth, former Senator 1166878 Philadelphia Flyers “Our PK’s been going pretty well for a while now, and that definitely makes it easier for new guys to step in,” Provorov said. “We play with a structure.”

Important stretch ahead for Flyers’ penalty kill, which is missing some Breakaways key players Carter Hart, who is 9-1-2 with a 1.57 goals-against average and .944 save percentage in home games, will face visiting Buffalo (16-12-7). … Joel Farabee, who will serve the second game of his three-game by Sam Carchidi, suspension Thursday, practiced with the team. Farabee said he didn’t think he would be suspended for three games, “but I’m the type of player

who respects the game and respects their ruling. You can’t obsess about As the season inches toward the halfway mark, the Flyers are 18-11-5 it now. You just have to accept it and move on.” Farabee said he “felt and in a wild-card spot. They have 41 points — nine more than at a really bad” that Winnipeg’s Mathieu Perreault suffered a concussion on corresponding point last season, when they were 14-16-4. the hit Sunday. “I hope the best for him,” he said. … Raffl has started to take shots and should be ready to play in Anaheim on Dec. 29, the first A lot of that improvement can be traced to the strides made by the day he is eligible to return from his long-term injured-reserve stint. ... The penalty kill. Sabres are 6-9-4 on the road.

The next couple of weeks, then, are important. The penalty kill needs Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.19.2019 others to step in until injured forwards Scott Laughton (groin injury) and Michael Raffl (broken pinky) return to the unit.

“It’s a next-man-up mentality,” Kevin Hayes, one of the Flyers’ best penalty killers, said after Wednesday’s practice in Voorhees. “And we have some good faceoff guys, and that helps a lot. If you can win a faceoff right away, it takes away 20 seconds, and one of the things we’ve been harping on is the wingers helping the centers on the PK faceoffs.”

In addition to Laughton and Raffl, the PK has been missing injured forwards Oskar Lindblom (Ewing’s sarcoma) and Tyler Pitlick (sinus/head ailment), along with suspended forward Joel Farabee, who had been playing occasionally while the Flyers were shorthanded.

“It’s been a challenge,” coach Alain Vigneault said. A good way to keep the PK fresh and effective, he said, is to “make sure if you do take penalties, they’re good penalties and not penalties that are 200 feet from your net.”

Considering they were without five forwards who have been spending time on the penalty kill lately, the Flyers did a solid job defending Anaheim’s power play in Tuesday’s 4-1 win over the Ducks.

Anaheim did manage one power-play goal on a double deflection, but the Flyers’ altered PK units allowed a total of only two other shots while being shorthanded for 8 minutes, 37 seconds.

It should be noted that penalty killers Claude Giroux, Nic Aube-Kubel, Matt Niskanen, and Hayes spent some time in the penalty box and weren’t available for some of the five attempted kills.

Sean Couturier (4:29 of penalty-kill time), Mikhail Vorobyev (4:04), Hayes (3:24) and Giroux (3:04) were the heavy lifters among forwards on the PK. Aube-Kubel (2:03 on PK) and Vorobyev are among the many players recently recalled from the Phantoms.

Ivan Provorov (4:46 on the PK), Justin Braun (3:51), Travis Sanheim (3:46) and Matt Niskanen (3:33) were the key defensemen on the penalty kill.

“One of the things we say when we’re killing penalties is that, ‘If one goes, four go,’ which means if one guy is pressuring, four guys have to pressure at the same time,” Vigneault said. “Otherwise, there’s some open spots. Sometimes it takes guys time to realize that — guys that are new to the way we’re doing things here now. It’s been challenging, but at the same time, it’s given great opportunities to other guys to see if they can handle the extra workload.”

The good news is that one of the penalty killers, Pitlick, is expected to return to the lineup Thursday against visiting Buffalo, which features high-scoring Jack Eichel (24 goals, six on the power play) and rookie Victor Olofson (14 goals, eight on the power play) and has the league’s 15th-best power play.

Tyler Pitlick is expected to return to the lineup Thursday against the visiting Sabres.

The Flyers’ PK, which had a rare poor game and allowed three goals Sunday in Winnipeg before rebounding Tuesday, is eighth in the 31-team NHL.

“I thought against Winnipeg we gave too many shooting lanes,” Couturier said. “We did a better job [against Anaheim] of taking those lanes away.” 1166879 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers fans and players tell Oskar Lindblom ‘we’re in this together’

by Ed Barkowitz,

There was much more than a hockey game going on at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday night. It was more like a group hug between Oskar Lindblom and 15,000 or so of his closest friends.

The players warmed up in purple jerseys, just as they had three weeks ago for Hockey Fights Cancer night. Except this time it was personal. Public address announcer Lou Nolan asked the fans to wave their “Oskar Strong” signs in the first period after a video tribute to the Flyers forward.

The message from the fans and Lindblom’s teammates is unanimous.

"You have the heart of a warrior and I know you can beat this. We are all here for you.

- Justin (on fans' get-well card to Oskar Lindblom)

“You’re Flyers’ family and you got this," fan Kevin Steinman wrote on a get-well card out on the concourse. "Philly is behind you. You’re not fighting alone.”

Lindblom was in the middle of a breakout season when he received the news last week that he has Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone cancer that likely has ended his season. A course for his treatment is still being mapped out, so he was able to attend Tuesday night’s 4-1 win over Anaheim.

Lindblom declined to speak to the media, but met his teammates before and after the game. The ebullient 23-year-old had a message for his teammates as well: “Let’s win this game.”

“It was awesome to see Oskar this morning,” said Carter Hart, who made 40 saves and was the game’s first star. “It was good to see him and the positive attitude that he had. It kind of uplifted our group.” video tribute for Oskar Lindblom from Tuesday night. “He’s a strong guy. He’ll find a way to beat it.” - Jake Voracek pic.twitter.com/VGtsfmlEcJ

— ed barkowitz (@edbarkowitz) December 18, 2019

The Flyers set out a pair of 6-foot-high cardboard signs for fans to leave their thoughts. The sight of two youngsters, who couldn’t have been more than 9 years old, using Sharpies to leave Lindblom a couple of good-luck wishes was particularly poignant.

“[Tuesday] morning was really the first time we spent time with him since we heard what was really going on," Claude Giroux said. "His attitude is unbelievable. ... We wanted to get this win for him. Every win for the rest of the season is going to be for him.”

Flyers Charities set up a table of 500 purple shirts with #OskarStrong that they were selling for $20 apiece. All proceeds went to Ewing’s sarcoma research at the Sarcoma Foundation of America. The shirts were sold out before the first period ended.

“We’re alongside him for this fight every step of the way,” Hart said. “It’s pretty cool to see how involved [fans] get and how much they care. Hockey is one big family and it’s cool to see how much support he’s getting not only from us, but from people all around the league and all around the world.” a couple of youngsters sign one of the cards for ⁦@NHLFlyers⁩ Oskar Lindblom pic.twitter.com/6ABZIKaAIq

— ed barkowitz (@edbarkowitz) December 18, 2019

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166880 Philadelphia Flyers “Thank God he charged me nothing,” Hart said. “He’s an awesome guy and it was a really nice place, too, it was huge. It was just myself in there. Unfortunately he’s selling it this year and I couldn’t even afford it anyways. But no, it was a really nice place. With help from Jakub Voracek, Carter Hart got his bed, is comfortable and here to stay “Really thankful that he let me stay there last year.”

Voracek was happy to set up Hart in Year 1. It meant the goalie of the future was beginning the present. By Jordan Hall December 18, 2019 5:45 PM “He’s still young, he’s playing unreal since he got here,” Voracek said. “Obviously some ups and downs, but there are a lot more ups than downs. It’s scary to think that he can be way, way better.” VOORHEES, N.J. — It didn’t take long for Carter Hart to prove his early jump to the NHL was not just a temporary leap. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.19.2019 He won his first two starts with the Flyers.

Not long after, he ripped off eight straight victories to match Jocelyn Thibault's NHL record of most consecutive wins by a goalie before his 21st birthday.

And he went 13-6-1 with a 2.53 goals-against average and .924 save percentage over his first 20 starts, sparking hope in a lost 2018-19 season.

Today, Dec. 18, marks the one-year anniversary of Hart’s NHL debut in which he beat the Red Wings, 3-2, at the Wells Fargo Center. In a year, the 2016 second-round pick has become the Flyers’ No. 1 between the pipes, playing like the goalie of the future the franchise has desired for quite some time.

“I’m comfortable here, this is my home away from home,” Hart said Wednesday. “I love playing here and living here in Philly.”

Around mid-February, Hart was told to seek permanent residence.

“That was a pretty cool moment for me,” he said. “It’s kind of like, ‘Alright, you’re here to stay.’”

Oh, and need to find a place … and a bed.

Good thing for Jakub Voracek.

“When he realized he was going to be staying, you don’t want a kid that didn’t make much money to spend so much money on rent,” Voracek said. “I had a free apartment in Old City and nobody was using it, so I just told him to get cable and everything else was there. I went to buy a bed with him. He was a little worried about the price tag, but I was like, ‘That’s the best investment you can make.’ So we went and bought a bed and that was all he needed.”

Voracek made sure they got the bed.

“Well, f---, if it were up to him, he would sleep on the sofa,” Voracek said. “I had to really talk him into it. Like, listen, if you want to spend the money, that’s good money to spend.”

The bed purchase was all part of Hart’s transition to the NHL at 20 years old. He came into professional hockey with impressive preparation and work habits.

But he’s always looking to learn and improve. After all, he’s only 21.

“It’s really important that you manage yourself and your time really wisely with getting enough sleep, eating the right things, staying on top of your physical shape, condition,” Hart said. “I think that’s been a really important part of my game.”

Since Hart’s arrival (or actually since he was drafted), the fans have embraced him.

He has grown to love the tough love.

“Sure, they get on us when we’re not playing well, but as an athlete in a big sports market, what more could you ask for?” Hart said. “They’re loyal and they’re passionate.”

And as much as he has stood out in the crease, Hart has also shined within the community.

“I have a lot of fun doing that, I’m sure a lot of other guys do as well,” he said. “We have the chance to be role models, people look up to us, especially younger kids, the next generation. I think it’s important that you set a good example for the leaders of tomorrow.”

What did Voracek, one of the Flyers’ leaders, charge the humble rookie? 1166881 Philadelphia Flyers A post shared by Oskar Lindblom (@oskarlindblom) on Oct 30, 2019 at 4:31pm PDT

“It’s tough, but he seems positive so it’s hard not to be positive as well,” Flyers try to press forward as Oskar Lindblom undergoes cancer testing Hägg said. “If he can be positive, why shouldn’t everyone else be positive?

“Even if you want to grieve, you don’t have to grieve because he’s so Dave Isaac, NHL writer Published 5:39 p.m. ET Dec. 18, 2019 positive the whole time. Have fun with him instead. Just be normal.

“He wants everyone to act normal. He’s feeling fine. Life shouldn’t change just because someone told him, ‘Hey, you’re sick.’ It’s Fans hold up signs in support of Oskar Lindblom #23 of the Philadelphia complicated but you just have to do it.” Flyers who was recently diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Courier-Post LOADED: 12.19.2019 VOORHEES — Oskar Lindblom’s set of practice equipment has been untouched for more than a week now. Everything from his helmet to his skates sits in his stall waiting to be used again and it could be a long time, if ever, that he puts that armor back on.

His game gear has traveled more than he has since last Tuesday when doctors told him he has Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in his upper body. The equipment has gone from Denver to St. Paul to Winnipeg and Philadelphia, where it was set up in a stall for every game as if he were playing.

He's not, though.

And his teammates are trying to juggle worrying about their friend and doing their jobs. They’re finding it impossible to separate the two.

“I mean, you can’t,” Robert Hägg said. “It’s so much more important than hockey. It’s life. You go through things and whether you want to or not, you still have to go through it. I think everybody has their own way of handling it and I don’t think anything is right or wrong. You have to find a way to keep going. You have to play games. We have to win games, especially now.”

“We’re so used to being in a bubble,” James van Riemsdyk said. “You go to the rink, you practice, you play. You do all the stuff and you’re very much in your bubble when you’re here. It’s almost like you’re…I don’t want to say invincible, but you almost have that sense where you take that stuff for granted. That could easily just be anyone else in here, too. In that sense as well it’s definitely shocking and for someone like Oskar, he’s such a great human and a great teammate and all that stuff too. It’s an emotional thing.”

This week Lindblom, 23, will undergo testing at the University of Pennsylvania to map out a treatment plan for his recent diagnosis. His mother and father have flown from Sweden to Philadelphia to support their son and his teammates are wondering how they can offer their own support.

According to head coach Alain Vigneault, Lindblom ordered his teammates to win Tuesday when he appeared at the morning skate. They delivered with a 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks.

That emotional exchange can’t simply be repeated 48 more times until the Flyers have exhausted their regular-season schedule.

The team sits in the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference in the deepest division in the league (no other division besides the Metropolitan has five teams with at least 40 points). So how do they go about improving that record when a teammate’s long-term health is at risk? At one point on the road trip, the players met by themselves to discuss it.

“We weren’t thinking, ‘How can we use this to better our success on the ice?’ First and foremost, the only thing anyone was talking about was, ‘What can we do to help Oskar? How can we be there for Oskar?’ Stuff like that,” van Riemsdyk said. “Hockey, at that point, is secondary to be honest when someone is dealing with something like that. Our only focus at that point, when we found out the news, was how we can support him the best we can. What can we do to be there for him as a friend?”

As Lindblom’s life has been turned upside down, his countryman and neighbor says he’s been overwhelmingly positive. Hägg, Lindblom, Michael Raffl and Scott Laughton all live in the same Philadelphia apartment building so they’re a tight group. That’s especially true of Hägg and Lindblom. The countrymen dressed up as ABBA for Halloween along with their significant others.

View this post on Instagram 1166882 Philadelphia Flyers That’s a pretty crucial point in the season and a pretty big emotional moment to have a personal accomplishment and that wasn’t lost on Kase.

David Kase 'winner in my family' after first NHL goal in Flyers win He won the “player of the game” helmet for his goal and thanked teammates for helping him score and said they had to win next game, too.

Dave Isaac, NHL writer Published 10:56 p.m. ET Dec. 17, 2019 “That line was very effective,” Vigneault said of Kase’s unit. “I thought Morgan (Frost) played one of his best two-way games since he’s been

here. I thought Jake was a real good leader on that line. He kept talking PHILADELPHIA — David Kase didn’t have a locker stall. He was to those kids throughout the game both offensively and defensively, relegated a folding chair. That’s a sign of how far into their depth the especially since he can talk to David in his own language. That’s Flyers have had to dig recently. obviously helping the young man. I think tonight we got the better of the two brothers. That was a real positive.” The call-up would have sat on the floor if he had to. He was in the NHL for his first home game morning skate, and this was more storybook than “I’m very happy that we won tonight,” Kase said. “All guys worked so any childhood dream ever was. The Flyers were playing the Anaheim hard and we needed, after those games, a win and we played very good, Ducks, the team for which his brother, Ondrej, plays. very hard. We have two points and it’s important for us. We have to be ready for next game.” He said he wanted his line to score two goals and for the Flyers to win. Courier-Post LOADED: 12.19.2019 Then it happened and Kase had the winner in the Flyers’ 4-1 victory.

“It was a big moment for me, first goal in NHL,” he said. “We win tonight and it was against my brother. That was special, too. I feel so nice right now. It’s first goal and I have to shoot more next game.

“On a faceoff he said, ‘Congrats.’ He just focused on his team and I just focused on my team. I’m happy we win tonight against him. I’m winner in my family.”

First-career @NHL goal with the entire Kase fam in Philly. #ANAvsPHIpic.twitter.com/5evvYyY2sa

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 18, 2019

His mom, Kamila, donned a Flyers jersey and his father, Robert, repped the Ducks as they posed for a family photo postgame, Ondrej included.

Kase’s linemate for the night was Jake Voracek, one of the Flyers’ most senior players and also a legend in their native land, the Czech Republic.

“It would have been nice to celebrate with him,” Voracek said of Kase’s goal. “I went to get the puck (for him to have as a keepsake) and he was already going down the bench. I was high-fiving with the referees in the middle of the ice. Hopefully next time he’ll wait for me. I told him he’d get one. I’m glad he did. Game-winning goal, it’s good.”

“Any time somebody scores their first NHL goal, it’s very special,” Claude Giroux added. “For him to play with Jake tonight is probably something he’s always gonna remember. I was in Czech this year, we all have been, so we know what Jake is in the Czech Republic. For them to play together I think is special and he enjoyed it.”

That, and a win to end a three-game slide, was a nice reprieve for a Flyers team that has had a miserable week.

Last Tuesday they learned that Oskar Lindblom had been diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that the left winger has in his upper body. They lost all three games on the road trip.

“The only thing we talked about before the game was that this was a must-win for us and we needed to do whatever it took to find a way to win this game and that’s what I think we did as a group,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “It wasn’t our prettiest game. We obviously made some mistakes out there and when we did we got some big saves from Carter (Hart, who made 40 stops) and we got some timely goals.”

Lindblom, according to Vigneault, told each of his teammates individually at the morning skate, “need a win tonight.” pic.twitter.com/WZzOMXY5zh

— Dave Isaac (@davegisaac) December 18, 2019

They delivered and the whole building was thinking about Lindblom with 20,000 “I fight for Oskar” signs on every seat in the house and a video tribute to the #OskarStrong movement that has taken over hockey since the diagnosis.

“We wanted to get this win for him and every win for the rest of the season is gonna be for him,” Giroux said. 1166883 Philadelphia Flyers Travis Konecny and his teammates wore “Hockey Fights Cancer” jerseys during the pregame skate. (Courtesy of Kate Frese)

This wasn’t just Game 34 of the season. It meant more. ‘Every win for the rest of the season is going to be for him’ the mantra as Shortly after puck drop, it became clear that Vigneault and Fletcher were Flyers honor Oskar Lindblom’s request correct about the team’s increased energy after hearing from Lindblom. Nicolas Aubé-Kubel delivered a massive hit on Jacob Larsson four minutes into the game. Travis Konecny, back in the lineup after missing By Charlie O'Connor Dec 18, 2019 the road trip with a concussion, flew around the ice with such pace he had trouble staying on his skates. Chris Stewart pummeled the NHL’s

most frequent fighter, Nicolas Deslauriers. When Oskar Lindblom met with his teammates on Tuesday morning, just Just before the seven-minute mark of the first period, the fans had their hours before puck drop for the Philadelphia Flyers’ first home game since opportunity to send a direct message to Lindblom, and send it they did, the 23-year-old was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, he relayed one rising and raising their signs in unison throughout the arena during an principal message. extended stoppage of play. “Gotta win tonight, guys. Gotta win tonight, guys,” Alain Vigneault said Flyers fans hold up their signs in a show of support for Oskar Lindblom. Lindblom told the group, as a soft smile crept across the head coach’s (Courtesy of Kate Frese) face. “I’ve been here for 11, 12 years now, and I kinda know the fans,” Giroux Lindblom’s teammates found a way to oblige. said after the game. “When something happens, they’re great fans. They “We wanted to get this win for him, and every win for the rest of the support their players. What they did there was pretty great for him.” season is going to be for him,” captain Claude Giroux promised after the Carter Hart and Travis Konecny praised the crowd for delivering such a Flyers’ 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. touching moment. But Jakub Voracek thoughtfully noted the internal The Flyers’ bench celebrates after a goal against the Ducks. (Courtesy of conflict that all of the players surely felt watching the Philly faithful’s Kate Frese) tribute. After all, such a moment would never have occurred had Lindblom been in his usual place on the Philadelphia bench, waiting for Since Lindblom’s diagnosis, the outcomes of games paled in importance his next shift. compared to the health of a young winger who’d earned the respect of teammates and the broader hockey community over three NHL seasons. “I would say (it was) bittersweet,” Voracek said. “Great to see the support That the Flyers lost three consecutive games on the recent road trip from everybody, all those tweets, all those signs, all those players. On mattered to a degree — success on the ice is, after all, the players’ job — the other hand, it is what it is. It’s bittersweet.” but it was understandable for the club to be shell-shocked given the Voracek cut to a key truth: Tuesday wasn’t going to be a traditionally crushing nature of the news, which the team announced last Friday. uplifting night, simply because of what had preceded it. However, a hockey season doesn’t halt in response to events, no matter And the events of the evening seemed to reflect that conflict. The how cruel and unfair they seem. synchronized sign holding was beautiful, but primarily due to poor But it does provide opportunities for a reset, and a full day off at home on weather and traffic, many of the placards remained taped to unfilled Monday following the brutal trip functioned as Step 1 in that process. seats rather than held aloft by fans. The Flyers crackled with on-ice After Vigneault texted back and forth with Lindblom during the off day, energy throughout the night, but were far from their sharpest selves, plans were set in motion for Lindblom to rejoin his teammates on allowing a season-high (for a regulation-only game) 41 shots to the lowly Tuesday morning at the Wells Fargo Center, in what became a cathartic Ducks. This wasn’t their prettiest game, as Vigneault later acknowledged. Step 2 for all involved. But when the final buzzer sounded, the Flyers had fulfilled Lindblom’s “I fight for Oskar.” (Courtesy of Kate Frese) morning request. That was what mattered most.

“I think, for him, it was great,” Vigneault said after Tuesday’s practice. “I One win won’t wipe away the complex emotions Flyers players are know for me, and I know for the team, it was the best thing that could feeling in the wake of Lindblom’s diagnosis. It doesn’t change the fact happen for us. In the last week since Denver, since we found out the day that their teammate faces a demanding treatment process and an we arrived in Denver (last Tuesday), this was the best day — internally, uncertain professional future, at the very least. As Fletcher said on how we feel, to see him, to see him smiling.” Tuesday morning, this transcends hockey.

Suddenly, the energy in the room cranked up a notch, according to But there’s a reason Lindblom challenged his teammates to halt the Vigneault and general manager Chuck Fletcher. Lindblom was no longer three-game skid. And there’s a reason Lindblom celebrated with them hundreds of miles away, facing the diagnosis without the help of his after the game in the private section of the locker room. Hockey is still teammates. He was right back where he belonged. what unites Lindblom with his teammates, and the Flyers with their fans and the city at large. It’s why these connections exist in the first place. “I felt that it was important for him, and especially important for his teammates to see him,” Vigneault said. “He’s got a tremendous amount Public address announcer Lou Nolan pays tribute to Lindblom. (Courtesy of support obviously from his family, but (also) from his extended family of Kate Frese) — the Flyers, the Flyers’ players, their wives, and their coaches and their And it’s why the best way for the Flyers to show their support for wives, and the great fans that we have here in Philly and obviously Lindblom on this night was to do exactly what they did — win. across the states that are going to support him.” “We went through a very challenging and personal situation that we’re A few hours later, those fans would have an opportunity to reconnect with going to go through here, for the next month (and more),” Vigneault said Lindblom in their own way, too. after practice. “In that, though, we have jobs to do. We have work to do. The arena, with “I fight for Oskar” signs affixed to each seat, before the And it’s important that we all do it. I really believe Oskar would want us to doors opened. (Courtesy of Kate Frese) do our jobs the right way, and that’s what we’re gonna do.

Even before the opening whistle, it was evident this was no normal game “This is a good group, it’s a tight group. We’re being challenged, we’re in South Philadelphia. being tested, but we’re together.”

Each seat in the arena displayed a sign — “I FIGHT FOR OSKAR.” The Tuesday’s events — from morning all the way until night — confirmed as Flyers hit the ice for the pregame skate wearing their purple “Hockey much. Fights Cancer” practice jerseys in a show of support for their teammate. Nine more observations from Flyers-Ducks Fans brought homemade signs — usually reserved for humorous messages and requests for pucks — expressing their affection for Storybook outcome aside, the Flyers almost certainly don’t win the game Lindblom, and pressed them against the glass at ice level for the players without a stellar performance by Carter Hart, who stopped a whopping 40 to see as they prepared for the opening faceoff. shots. In fact, by advanced metrics, this was Hart’s best game of the season, as he prevented 2.33 more goals than “expected” given the the type of person that Oskar is — when he got back here (after learning quality of chances he faced. Voracek said afterward that Hart “stood on of his diagnosis), with everything that’s going on, he texted TK to find out his head,” and Vigneault effusively praised the 21-year-old. “I definitely how his head was doing because of the concussion. That’s just the type knew we needed some saves,” Vigneault said. “We got some saves.” of young man that we have.”

Hart had to play great, because the Flyers didn’t carry play, particularly at All statistics courtesy of Natural Stat Trick or Evolving Hockey. 5-on-5. Anaheim won the shot-attempts and expected-goals battles in each period, and posted rates of 57.96 percent and 68.55 percent rates, The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 respectively, on the night. This was a much-needed win for a team desperate for positives after one of the toughest weeks in recent Flyers history. But it didn’t follow a replicable formula for success, and Vigneault seemed aware of that truth. “It wasn’t our prettiest game,” he said.

Carter Hart covers the puck during the first period. (Eric Hartline / USA Today)

With Konecny back in the lineup, Vigneault reunited Giroux, Konecny and Sean Couturier, a line that dominated in the second half of 2017-18 and was nearly as productive in limited minutes together in 2018-19. They hooked up for the first goal of the game via a brilliant passing sequence that involved all three forwards. Defensively, the trio wasn’t exactly its old rock-solid self — allowing eight scoring chances — but the offensive chemistry was undeniable.

The Flyers must have felt some reassurance in seeing Giroux light the lamp at 5-on-5, because his scoring in the situation has dipped this season. After two straight seasons of elite points/60 rates at 5-on-5 (2.81 in 2017-18, 2.44 in 2018-19), Giroux entered last night’s game at 1.45 — mid-third liner levels. His skill level doesn’t appear diminished, and he’s still driving play with ease, so it seems premature for the team to worry. Perhaps the reunion with Couturier and Konecny will spark a 5-on-5 scoring surge for Giroux — it’s certainly happened before.

After Tuesday’s practice, David Kaše made what could be called a prediction, but really it was more of a dream scenario for how his night might play out. “I hope our line will do so good on the ice tonight, and score a couple goals, and we win tonight,” he said. That’s exactly what happened: Kaše scored his first NHL goal, and Voracek, his countryman and new linemate, added a second later, helping to secure the victory. The pair, alongside center Morgan Frost, formed Philadelphia’s most consistently impactful line.

A wonderful night for the Kaše family nearly turned ugly, however. Kaše’s parents were in town to watch both of their sons play; David’s brother, Ondrej, is a Ducks forward. But early in the third period, Matt Niskanen — in an attempt to pin Ondrej against the glass — made contact with him while he was hunched over, sending the Anaheim forward head-first into the boards. Ondrej missed extensive time with a concussion in 2018-19, so the moments he spent in clear discomfort on the ice Tuesday must have been especially agonizing for his parents. Fortunately, he returned to the game after missing only a few shifts, and looked no worse for the wear.

When the Flyers announced the recall of Andy Andreoff on Tuesday morning, they notably sent down forward Carsen Twarynski to accommodate him, not Nicolas Aubé-Kubel, who just a few weeks ago appeared far down the organizational depth chart. However, a strong showing on Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets, including a primary assist, apparently allowed Aubé-Kubel to at least temporarily jump Twarynski in the pecking order. Aubé-Kubel’s energy didn’t flag on Tuesday, his second NHL game this season — in fact, he was one of Philadelphia’s more active players. Among Flyers forwards, Aubé-Kubel also ranked second in 5-on-5 Corsi For Percentage and first in xG For Percentage.

Asked about Joel Farabee’s three-game suspension on Tuesday morning, Vigneault came armed with facts to support his position that the league had punished the 19-year-old too harshly. Said Vigneault: “Initially, on that play, if you watch it and you listen to the explanation of the NHL, they say he was pushed from behind. He was cross-checked from behind. It should have been a penalty, we should have been going on the power play. The time between the puck being passed and the hit (by Farabee), I think was 1.34 seconds, which is late. But TK’s one (when Konecny was hit by Ottawa’s Mark Borowiecki), just a few days before that, was 1.04. There’s 0.3-something seconds difference. One is nothing; one is a three-game suspension, to a young man who has no history. Sometimes, things are hard to figure out. You’ve just got to roll with it and deal with it.”

I’ll leave you with a brief aside, relayed by Vigneault at the end of his post-practice availability, that illuminates why Lindblom has inspired such support from his teammates and the Flyers organization. “Just to tell you 1166884 Pittsburgh Penguins Joseph isn’t a neophyte to the professional experience. His older brother, Mathieu, 22, is in his second professional season with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Penguins prospect Pierre-Olivier Joseph rebounds from mononucleosis “I feel like it’s been 20 years that I’ve been looking (up) to him,” Joseph said. “We pretty much talk every day or Facetime every now and then. He’s a big part of my life. I’m happy to have him in my life and to show me the way.” SETH RORABAUGH | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 5:54 p.m. That way might be easier to navigate with an little extra muscle.

“To me, weight and strength are two different things,” Vellucci said. WILKES-BARRE — Summer is a time when many people want to shed a “Everybody goes, ‘Oh, he’s light.’ But you can be wiry strong. There’s lots few inches on the waistline, slim down those love handles and have a of guys that are strong that aren’t really heavy. As long as he works on trim beach body. his strength, weight doesn’t bother me.” Penguins defensive prospect Pierre-Olivier Joseph went the opposite Regardless of his dimensions, Joseph appears to enjoy the fit he has direction. found with the Penguins organization after being surprised by his He tried to add pounds. Ten, to be precise. offseason trade.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 161 pounds, Joseph has the build of a coat rack, “It was a little bit of a shock I would say,” Joseph said. “I didn’t expect it provided that coat rack has a tapeworm. after a week there (with the Coyotes) in the development camp. The (practices) went great, and to hear the news on my way home, it was So he hit the gym this summer. But he also hit the kitchen. A lot. kind of a shock. I didn’t really believe it at first, then I just had time to swallow it and move forward from it. “Eating every three hours, eating as much as I can,” 20-year-old Joseph said. “It was a pretty good deal.” “But I’m really happy to be here. The second I got traded, it was call after call and welcome after welcome from players in the NHL to coaches and He gained that 10 pounds and entered his first professional season with stuff. So I was really happy. I’m more than happy right now to be in this the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins seemingly prepared for any and all organization.” physical rigors. Tribune Review LOADED: 12.19.2019 Except for one.

Mononucleosis.

The illness, which causes extreme fatigue, forced Joseph to miss more than a month of from late October to late November.

“It was pretty frustrating after the big summer I had,” Joseph said. “I did get the 10 pounds this summer that I wanted. Now, to just come here and lose it, it is a bit of a shock.”

In the 11 games Joseph, who politely suggests using his nickname, “P.O.,” has played since returning from the illness, he has two points (one goal, one assist) and seemingly has pleased management beyond his base numbers.

“He’s been outstanding,” Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach and general manager Mike Vellucci said. “I didn’t expect this much off the illness just because it takes so much out of you. He had put that 10 pounds on this summer. His game has been really, really good. Being away from the game made him feel how much he wants to be involved and play. Making a lot of first-year mistakes but getting better. Since he’s been back, he could arguably be one of our top defensemen any given night.”

The Penguins have high hopes for Joseph. That’s why they insisted he be included in the offseason trade that sent all-star forward Phil Kessel to the Arizona Coyotes. A first-round pick (No. 23 overall) by the Coyotes in 2017, Joseph is one of the top prospects in the Penguins system.

But there still are rough edges to buff.

“What he can work on is just playing a little bit faster,” Vellucci said. “Playing against men, you have to compete for every shift. You can’t take a breath, you can’t let up for a second or it’s in the back of your net. Make a better first pass. But he’s doing a lot of good things. He’s got a great stick. He’s learning to angle better as a defensemen and get his gap control. Rely on feet and his brain a little bit more. Little things like that of being a pro.

“But I don’t see any glaring holes whatsoever. I see a guy that has all the tools and is putting it together.”

Just getting acclimated to the professional lifestyle has been a challenge for Joseph.

“It’s all about preparation,” said Joseph, who has three points (one goal, two assists) in 17 games this season entering Wednesday. “I’ve heard a lot in the locker room this year there’s a lot of games. It’s a long season. It’s a lot of taking care of your body and sleeping, eating, drinking (water) way more than I used to to stay in shape and to stay ready to play. Now, I feel like this is my job now, so I take it more seriously than I ever did. I’m happy to learn from a great locker room of guys. It’s just going to go forward from there.” 1166885 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins hit outdoor rink during Canada road trip

ZACH BRENDZA | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 4:32 p.m.

While on the road, the Pittsburgh Penguins look to be having a good time.

The team headed outdoors near Calgary on Wednesday for a scrimmage after a 4-1 victory over the Flames on Tuesday night.

#Pens are taking it outside for a scrimmage today at a rink about 20 mins outside of Calgary. As cool as it looks pic.twitter.com/zgk5HEzkaf

— Josh Getzoff (@PensJG) December 18, 2019

LeBron.

Letang.

Le-swoosh.

Attn: @KingJames pic.twitter.com/pvTY3dXxcv

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 18, 2019

Hockey in its purest form. pic.twitter.com/v7h16tYMxj

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 18, 2019

The calm blue sky.

The cold, crisp air.

Youthful exuberance.

Teammates that become best friends.

Whether you've played one or 1,000 games, there's always something special about moments like this. pic.twitter.com/K4TNRlTXUA

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 18, 2019

The Penguins continue on their road trip in Canada on Friday when they visit the Edmonton Oilers. They head to Vancouver to take on the Canucks to end the trip Saturday.

Zach Brendza is a Tribune-Review digital producer. You can contact Zach at 724-850-1288, [email protected] or via Twitter .

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Penguins place forward Stefan Noesen on waivers

SETH RORABAUGH | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 1:26 p.m.

The Penguins have placed forward Stefan Noesen on waivers little more than two weeks after signing him to a one-year, two-way contract.

Noesen, who was signed Dec. 2, has appeared in six games and has one goal since joining the Penguins. After scoring a goal in his first game Dec. 4, Noesen, 26, has seen his playing time decline until the point he was a healthy scratch during Tuesday’s 4-1 road win against the Calgary Flames.

If Noesen clears by noon Thursday, the Penguins could return him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. In 22 AHL games this season, Noesen has 22 points (14 goals, eight assists).

The NHL has a holiday roster freeze which begins at midnight Thursday and runs through Dec. 27. The freeze prohibits teams from assigning or recalling players outside of emergency conditions.

The Penguins’ next game is on the road Friday against the Edmonton Oilers.

Follow the Penguins all season long.

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Minor league report: Penguins shut out by Bruins

SETH RORABAUGH | Thursday, December 19, 2019 1:02 a.m.

Goaltender Casey DeSmith made 21 saves for the Wilkes- Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 6-0 loss to the Providence Bruins at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

It marked the second time in three game the Penguins (14-11-3-1) have been shut out and it was their sixth loss in their past seven contests.

Highlights:

The Penguins’ next game is at home against the Bruins on Friday, 7:05 p.m.

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Penguins place forward Stefan Noesen on waivers

SETH RORABAUGH | Wednesday, December 18, 2019 1:26 p.m.

The Penguins have placed forward Stefan Noesen on waivers little more than two weeks after signing him to a one-year, two-way contract.

Noesen, who was signed Dec. 2, has appeared in six games and has one goal since joining the Penguins. After scoring a goal in his first game Dec. 4, Noesen, 26, has seen his playing time decline until the point he was a healthy scratch during Tuesday’s 4-1 road win against the Calgary Flames.

If Noesen clears by noon Thursday, the Penguins could return him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. In 22 AHL games this season, Noesen has 22 points (14 goals, eight assists).

The NHL has a holiday roster freeze which begins at midnight Thursday and runs through Dec. 27. The freeze prohibits teams from assigning or recalling players outside of emergency conditions.

The Penguins’ next game is on the road Friday against the Edmonton Oilers.

Post Gazette LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166889 Pittsburgh Penguins ✔

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A wild night in Calgary: Another injury, an unlikely spark and magical 2-on-0? moments from Tristan Jarry and Evgeni Malkin No problem.@tjarry35's got it.

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By Rob Rossi Dec 18, 2019 1,770

10:50 PM - Dec 17, 2019

CALGARY, Alberta — Evgeni Malkin scored his 400th goal. Tristan Jarry Twitter Ads info and privacy stopped a two-on-none. And the Penguins played with only five defensemen for all but one shift. 268 people are talking about this

A lot happened at Scotiabank Saddledome in a 4-1 victory over the Jarry’s denial of the tying goal was crucial for the Penguins to earn their Calgary Flames that lit the fuse for the Penguins on a three-game trek latest two points. through Western Canada. That is not to suggest his best save against the Flames was any more Still, coach Mike Sullivan knew better than to overlook a singular shift important than the 16 he made in the opening period. Those kept the early in the second period, when his Penguins somehow trailed only 1-0 Penguins close enough to make the necessary adjustments against despite playing what “quite honestly might have been our worst period of Calgary. the year.” Wait, they did make adjustments, right? Quite honestly, the Penguins had no business being down by only a goal “Well, there wasn’t a whole lot of tactics talk after the first period,” after 20 minutes. They surrendered 13 scoring chances to the Flames, Sullivan said. “It’s more about a mindset. It’s about attention to detail and who forced Jarry to make six high-danger saves — a game’s worth, things of that sort.” basically. Sullivan described his players’ response as “tremendous.” Even though that first period ended with the Penguins on a power play and even though it carried over into the second, they had not exactly He just as well could have called it “typical.” The Penguins’ eight wins threatened to put a decent shot on Flames goalie Cam Talbot, let alone when allowing the first goal are tied for third in the NHL. They are 8-8-2 chanced putting one behind him by as the game approached its 22nd when opponents open the scoring, a .444 winning percentage that minute. actually is below the high standard they have set for such situations over the past four seasons. That’s when forward Jared McCann, flanked by wingers Dominik Kahun and Zach Aston-Reese, stepped over the boards and sustained some It might be realistic to believe the Penguins could do even better when actual pressure in the offensive zone. It was during the next 52 seconds allowing the first goal once any — or, dare they dream, all — of their that all the bad the Penguins had done previously seemed to melt away injured players return to the lineup. Of course, the reinsertion of captain as though it had been exposed to the flames that shoot out of the Sidney Crosby might in and of itself be enough to keep the Penguins scoreboard in Calgary. from giving up the first goal all that often.

“When they went out and had an extended shift in the offensive zone — Crosby is the Penguins’ best offensive player, their best defensive they had some high-quality chances. I thought that really turned the forward and their captain. momentum for us,” Sullivan said. “That was huge.” Whether any of that is enough to persuade Sullivan to break up the top On that shift: line that has emerged in Crosby’s absence is a topic for another story. However, the Penguins could do worse than to build their top scoring • Kahun rushed in and fired a shot from around 20 feet. lines around the duos of Crosby and Jake Guentzel, and Malkin and • Aston-Reese helped the Penguins keep possession with a hit near the Rust. boards on Sean Monahan. A few seconds later, he tipped a shot from As for Malkin, his 400th goal was scored into an empty net in a building near-atop the circle and then backhanded a rebound attempt on Talbot. he has rarely played in — but who cares? He is only the 99th player to • Defenseman Jack Johnson fired a shot from about 60 feet. score 400 goals. And though he had told The Athletic weeks ago that 500 was the number he had an eye on, Malkin made sure to keep the puck • McCann was involved in ways more difficult to measure, but his speed from his latest achievement. in the surroundings caused a real problem for the Flames. The Athletic Pittsburgh The shift didn’t produce a goal for the Penguins. But when it ended, the game had a feel of being there for the taking. ✔

Approximately 11 minutes after that shift, goals by defenseman John @TheAthleticPGH Marino and winger Bryan Rust — the latter who spent the previous day quarantined at the team hotel — pulled the Penguins even and then Evgeni Malkin is approaching a significant milestone. But he is in no staked them a 2-1 lead. By that point, Jarry had already shown signs he mood to celebrate it. was probably not going to give up anything else. "Why we do interview for 400 goals? Let’s wait, maybe, for 500. ... That He didn’t. be a good Geno story for you to write."

Not even late in the second, when Dillon Dube and Milan Lucic of the From @Real_RobRossi: https://theathletic.com/1420012/2019/11/29/on- Flames broke in on a breakaway. Dube probably should have shot, but his-way-to-400-evgeni-malkin-admits-scoring-goals-not-easy- instead did what players do when going against the hottest goalie in anymore/?source=twittered … hockey: overthink. On his way to 400, Evgeni Malkin admits scoring goals 'not...

Dube passed across to Lucic. Penguins star Evgeni Malkin recalls his favorite goals as he approached Jarry, whose athleticism is increasingly becoming a momentum- becoming the 99th NHL player with 400. generating attribute for the Penguins, shuffled across to put himself in theathletic.com position for a save. As he was shooting the puck, Lucic appeared to be surprised Jarry had beaten him to the spot where he was aiming the 38 puck. 1:30 PM - Nov 30, 2019 Pittsburgh Penguins Twitter Ads info and privacy See The Athletic Pittsburgh's other Tweets

After finally scoring his 400th goal, Malkin joked that longtime friend and former teammate Sergei Gonchar can “go home now.” Gonchar, the Penguins’ defensemen coach who splits his time between being with the team and working from his home in Dallas, was in Pittsburgh last week and joined the trip to Western Canada.

General manager Jim Rutherford might want to confirm that Gonchar has officially filed his retirement papers. The Penguins might need him to play the way their season is going.

Justin Schultz skated only one shift against the Flames, leaving the game Tuesday night after a collision with center Mikael Backlund. Schultz appeared to injure his knee and was still being evaluated after the game, Sullivan said.

The Penguins played the Flames without four players who combined to count $22.2 million against their salary cap. If Schultz is unable to play in Edmonton and Vancouver on Friday and Saturday nights, that would place the Penguins down five players who count $27.7 million in cap space — or about 34.3 percent of what they are committed to in payroll for the season.

That total doesn’t include Matt Murray, whose $3.75 million cap hit — not to mention his two championships — positioned him as the No. 1 goalie until Jarry’s recent run of excellence. Murray has started only three games over the past month, and Jarry’s performances are making it all the more unlikely he’ll be handing over the crease any time soon.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166890 Pittsburgh Penguins to him becoming a strong finisher. He has obviously benefitted from playing with great players and the extra space afforded to him, but the opportunity has made him a better and more consistent player in his own right. By the numbers: Inside Penguins forward Bryan Rust’s big breakout The biggest difference by far are the chances that Rust has generated this season. Rust already has 71 shots this season, a near 300-shot pace that trails only 13 other players. The 3.55 shots per game are about By Dom Luszczyszyn Dec 18, 2019 twice as many as he’s fired in each of the past four seasons. While some of that is due to his big jump in ice time, it shows up in his per 60 numbers too where he’s taking four more shots per 60 this year, jumping It was Game 7 of the 2016 Eastern Conference final when Bryan Rust from 7.4 last year to 11.4 this year. stormed into the hockey world’s collective conscience, scoring both goals in a 2-1 Pittsburgh win to send the Penguins to the Stanley Cup final. That increase in volume hasn’t been at the cost of shot quality either as After witnessing that performance, I had just one thought: who the hell is he’s getting some quality looks. At 5-on-5 Rust has immensely increased Bryan Rust? Literally. his individual expected goals per 60, earning 1.21 this season which is good for fifth in the league prior to last night’s game. That increase is Every season it feels like Pittsburgh faces injuries to key players and pretty directly correlated with his increase in goal production where he’s every season it feels like it doesn’t matter because the next man up finishing just as often as he was last year relative to his expected rate. usually becomes a decent contributor. In 2016, Rust was a 22-year-old His assist rate likely comes down as his linemates cool off, but as long as third-rounder without a strong history. Even in the minors he wasn’t Rust keeps getting his own scoring chances while playing with talented scoring so it was difficult to imagine him as an impact NHLer – most linemates, his 5-on-5 goal scoring rate should persist. It looks legit. Being players at his level at that age don’t go far. His first season wasn’t a consistent fixture in the top six certainly helps as Rust often would anything to write home about, but the flashes were there and that Game bounce around the lineup on either wing. This year he’s been glued to 7 where he became a Pittsburgh hero was his coming out party. Malkin’s right side and the two have found great chemistry together.

Since then, Rust has worked hard to entrench himself as a very capable That brings us to the power play where Rust has earned himself a spot middle-six forward, one who can fit anywhere around the lineup. He does on the top unit thanks to his terrific play and the opportunity brought the little things right, using his terrific speed to get to pucks first and chips about by injuries. Prior to this season, Rust had averaged 22 seconds in a few goals along the way. From 2016-2017 to 2018-19 he scored at a per game on the power play. This season he’s at 1:44, with usage 40-45 point pace while being an average possession driver. There were particularly ramping up since Nov. 16 when he was moved to the top unit. stretches where he showed those flashes of being able to do more but Prior to that, Rust was only at 2:41 of total power play time. Since then also stretches where he sort of faded; the inconsistency that’s to be Rust been a permanent fixture on the top unit, averaging 2:40 of ice time expected at times from a forward of his stature. Rust was a guy – nothing per game. more, nothing less. He’s made it count so far and while Rust won’t convert on 44 percent of This season, though, Rust has been entirely different and has gone from his chances for much longer, the way he’s earning scoring chances with just a guy to one of The Guys in Pittsburgh. “I give Rusty a lot of credit,” the man advantage too suggests he can still be a high impact player on coach Mike Sullivan said. “I think he came into camp in great shape, he’s the power play. It’s a very small sample size at just 30 minutes, but he’s worked extremely hard, he’s been arguably one of our most consistent earning 3.21 expected goals per 60 himself, the sixth-best mark in the players from Day 1 of training camp.” league and especially impressive considering he’s usually in the bumper rather than the net-front. He’s exceptional at finding space for himself From a crowded depth chart up front, Rust has risen above the rest, and has a wicked shot, a potent combo that works very well with the emerging as a crucial member of the team’s attack up front and has other personnel Pittsburgh has available. received a big jump in usage as a result. Rust has gone from a 16-minute forward to one that’s getting 18:38 this season – and rising. With the The Penguins’ power play has struggled for most of the season ranking Penguins still plagued by injuries, that minutes bump has been increased 24th with a 16.3 percent efficiency, but once fully healthy Rust can be the even further over the last 11 games where Rust’s lowest ice time was missing piece to join a dangerous foursome of Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel 19:33, one of just two times he played fewer than 20 minutes. He’s and Letang – a big improvement over Patric Hornqvist whose finishing averaging 21:11 over that stretch which is fewer than just eight other ability has waned drastically over the last couple season. With Rust, the forwards. And he’s earning those minutes. Penguins have scored 12.9 goals per 60 off 8.9 expected goals per 60. Without him those numbers drop to 5.9 and 7.2, respectively. And keep This season is bringing back that same feeling from the 2016 playoffs, in mind Rust has only played 37 seconds on the man advantage with where again I have to ask who is this guy and how is he doing this, only Crosby. this time Rust is doing it on a near-nightly basis. Put it all together and Rust’s individual expected goals per 60 in all Through 20 games Rust has been on absolute fire turning into a lethal situations this year is 1.57, the second best mark in the league behind finisher by scoring 13 goals, good for a blistering 53-goal pace while only Brady Tkachuk and a 73 percent improvement over last season adding 11 assists for a 98-point pace. Since 2007-08, only eight players thanks in large part to his new role on the power play (it’s a 44 percent have had a 40-point pace jump and the biggest year-to-year jump in point jump at 5-on-5). Since 2007-08, only 10 players have topped that pace is 55 points by Nathan MacKinnon in 2017-18, going from 53 to showing how exceptional he’s been this season at not only converting 108. Rust – if he can somehow, someway, manage to keep this up – chances, but earning them too. He’s got a real nose for the net that’s could join that company. been taken to a new level this season, elevated further by his ability to Somehow and someway are the important caveats in that last sentence. finish those chances. He may not be this good at creating chances and When a player comes out of nowhere like this there is always reason for finishing them going forward, but it’s clear he’s taken his game in those healthy skepticism that the current performance is just a hot streak and departments to a new level this season. He’s looking like a premier goal nothing more. Rust has the tools to be a lethal goal scorer with his scorer. blazing speed, dogged puck pursuit, accurate shot and his innate ability While that’s already a terrific bonus, there’s an added cherry on top of to find space – but some of his numbers still look too good to be true. that by way of his sterling play-driving ability this season. With Rust on This may be a legitimate breakout in some respects, but that doesn’t the ice, the Penguins own the puck and have an elite 61.5 percent mean there isn’t room for regression. expected goals rate at 5-on-5 that’s led to earning 64.5 percent of the Rust’s on-ice shooting percentage at 5-on-5 is a ridiculously high 13.8 goals share. Both are among the league’s best numbers. percent at 5-on-5 and on the power play he has four goals on just nine Rust has been a huge difference maker and a big reason why Pittsburgh shots. With Rust only earning a point on 56 percent of goals scored while has been able to survive the league’s worst injury luck this season. He’s on the ice at evens, there’s an argument to be made that his totals are a stepped up in a way few could have ever imagined, especially byproduct of spending a lot of time with two of Pittsburgh’s best offensive considering he looked like he might be expendable before the season players, Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel. started. While those are valid points, it does a disservice to how much Rust’s Instead, he’s been not just one of the team’s best players, but one of the game has changed this season (even if he won’t admit it) and what’s led league’s best. By average Game Score, Rust’s 1.73 is behind only one other player, his frequent linemate Malkin who is at 1.79. By GAR he’s eighth, but has played 10 fewer games than every player above him.

What Rust has done so far this season has been seriously impressive and worthy of recognition. He’s gone from middle-six option to an elite force in his own right. It’s tempting to give all the credit to his linemates given their illustrious history and how easy a couple of his goals have been, but he’s never posted numbers close to this in previous stints with Crosby or Malkin. This year he actually has a higher points per 60 without Malkin and his underlying numbers still look strong away from him too.

In any sense, he’s relishing in the extra offensive opportunity he’s earned this year and gaining confidence with the comfortability of that situation. While it all may not last to this degree, it’s a strong enough stint that forces us to reassess just how good Rust is: a legit top-line forward doesn’t look out of the question.

So, who the hell is Bryan Rust? By the looks of it and given the little fanfare his excellent play has received this season, he might be one of the league’s best-kept secrets.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166891 San Jose Sharks In 4 minutes an 59 seconds of power play time Tuesday, the Sharks managed three shots on goal as they are now a dismal, inexcusable 1 for 38 with the man advantage over their last 15 games.

Coyotes 3, Sharks 2: Takeaways from another gut-punch loss in The Sharks are now 5 for 63 (7.9 percent) with the man advantage since December Nov. 1, last in the NHL during that span.

All too often, the Sharks look slow in setting up. When the Sharks haven’t been predictable with the man advantage, they seem hesitant to shoot. By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay When they shoot, there’s usually not much traffic in front. Area News Group “Got to give (Arizona) some credit, too. They read what we wanted to PUBLISHED: December 18, 2019 at 5:02 am | UPDATED: December 18, do,” Karlsson said. “We wanted to get a shot to (Logan Couture) and 2019 at 11:35 am (Brent Burns) and they just posted two guys there. Couldn’t really do much. You’ve got to be able to adapt.”

The Sharks have the day off Wednesday, then come back for two SAN JOSE — On the day that Bob Boughner was introduced as the practices before the Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues visit San Sharks’ interim coach, general manager Doug Wilson was asked if this Jose on Saturday and the Vegas Golden Knights come by Sunday. was simply a season in which his team had to take a step back. Finding a formula that works with the man advantage is job No. 1. After all, teams such as the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and even the Chicago Blackhawks, all recent former Western Conference “We’re at home, we’ve got to get some momentum off our power play powers, are now in the process of regrouping or rebuilding. Why are the and we’re not getting that right now,” Boughner said. Sharks immune? 3. One line show: Hertl’s line with Joe Thornton and Kevin Labanc has “I don’t think you have to take a step back,” Wilson said Dec. 12. “We been the Sharks best since Boughner took over. Unfortunately for San have the bones of a really good team.” Jose, there really hasn’t been a close second.

The Sharks better start showing that soon.. With Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to Couture and Evander Kane both had a goal and an assist Saturday the Arizona Coyotes, the Sharks fell to 1-6-1 in December and 16-18-2 against Vancouver, but both goals came with the Canucks’ net empty. on the year. The Sharks are also getting next to nothing in terms of offense from their third and fourth lines. The Sharks are now 36 games into a 82-game schedule and entering Wednesday, were 10 points back of first place in the Pacific Division and Hertl now has 14 goals this season, tied with Kane for the team lead. six points out of a Western Conference playoff spot. Again, it’s not early in the season. Whether Sharks upper management It’s not early anymore. Maybe this is just who the Sharks are this season. wants to admit it or not, this team is just deep enough as currently constructed. Having only one line going has been a season-long issue. “I think we all know the situation we’re in,” Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson said. “We’re going to have to string a few (wins) together and “Get some offense from some other lines going a little bit here,” get that feeling back in here. But we felt like this was a game we should Boughner said. “That’s line’s been carrying our offense for the most part have won.” the last three games So, we’ve got to spread that out.”

Takeaways from Tuesday Labanc was hurt early in the second period after a hit along the boards by Lawson Crouse. Labanc came back late in the second to take three 1. Burned late: The Sharks gave themselves a chance to at least pick up more shifts, but did not play in the third period. Boughner did not have a at least a point Tuesday, as they held the Coyotes to 11 shots on goal in health update on Labanc after the game. the first two periods and killed three penalties. Tomas Hertl continued his strong play of late with two goals, giving him four in the last three games. The Sharks also played Tuesday without standout rookie defenseman Mario Ferraro, who is considered day-to-day with a minor upper body But Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s goal with 2:37 left in the third period proved injury. to be the difference. 4. Dell’s night: Dell wasn’t poor Tuesday night, as seven of his 16 saves Taylor Hall won a race to the corner and battle with Brenden Dillon for came in the third period. One of those was a big stop on a Michael the puck behind the Sharks net and was later able to backhand a pass to Grabner’s shorthanded breakaway attempt with just seven minutes to go an open Ekman-Larsson, whose shot hit a body in front and bounced in regulation. past goalie Aaron Dell. How Boughner handles his goalies for this weekend’s games remains to It was just the latest gut-punch loss, an opportunity blown to make up be seen. But Dell’s play right now is not a major concern. some ground on some other Pacific Division teams. That includes the Coyotes, who lead the division with 44 points.

“We’re all guilty of looking at the scoreboard and there’s some teams San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 12.19.2019 ahead of us that lost tonight,” said Bob Boughner, who is 1-2-0 as interim coach. “It would have nice to get those points, especially in a division game.

“But it’s not for lack of effort. We’re competing hard. We’re getting buy-in from everybody. It just that we have to execute a little better offensively.”

Despite 28 shots on net, Tuesday marked the sixth time in eight games the Sharks have been held to two goals or less.

“We’ve got to get a little dirtier in front of the net, create our own bounces off some legs, off some shin pads ” Boughner said. “We’re getting one chance, but we’re not getting that second and third and sticking around.”

2. Another power play outage: The Sharks enjoyed a rare 6 on 3 for the final 43.8 seconds of regulation time after both Ilya Lyubushkin and Brad Richardson were called for cross checking in the final minute.

With double the amount of skaters on the ice, the Sharks still could not get a shot on net, as a Logan Couture desperation try from a sharp angle came after the horn had sounded. 1166892 San Jose Sharks

Sharks' power play 'problem' bites them again in 3-2 loss to Coyotes

By Chelena Goldman

December 17, 2019 11:15 PM

SAN JOSE -- The Sharks' power play is a big topic of discussion right now, and not for the reasons the team wants.

San Jose is 1-for-36 on the man advantage in their last 15 games. Through the first 36 games of the 2019-20 season, the Sharks have gone 16-for-108 -- a lousy 14.8-percent success rating, good for 27th overall in the NHL.

And in Tuesday night's contest against the division-leading Arizona Coyotes at SAP Center, they were down 3-2 with less than a minute left to play and were gifted with a 6-on-3 opportunity that they could have used to force overtime.

They did not. To put it simply, that effort on the rare three-man advantage summed up how much the Sharks' power play needs to improve.

"It's been a problem and we've got to fix it," interim head coach Bob Boughner said after the 3-2 loss, pinpointing the power play as the main factor in Tuesday's game. "We're at home. We've got to get some momentum off of our power play and we're not getting that right now. It's something we've got to look at."

In all fairness, the Sharks played pretty well for the majority of the third period, shutting down the Coyotes' power play with less than five minutes to go in a 2-2 game. Even after Oliver Ekman-Larsson put the Desert Dogs on top 3-2 with less than three minutes to go in regulation, the Sharks caught a break when Ilya Lyubushkin got penalized for playing without a helmet and Brad Richardson got dinged for cross-checking -- all within the last minute of the third frame. San Jose then pulled netminder Aaron Dell for the extra skater.

But even with a three-skater advantage, the Sharks didn't generate any decent chances. The puck was bobbled and the Coyotes had no trouble getting in shooting lanes and blocking shots.

"Wasn't good enough, obviously," Logan Couture said of the six-on-three in the last seconds of the game. "We've got to do a better job of at least getting a shot on net there.

"That's been the case for the majority of the year. There are plays to be made and we didn't make them. We had our shots blocked too many times. I had a few blocked. We've got to find a way to get it through and get an ugly one right now."

The captain is right. Even an ugly power play goal could make a positive impact. As Tomas Hertl aptly pointed out, that power play was easily the difference in Tuesday's loss.

"If we score on the power play, maybe we win the game," Hertl said. "I think we need to start to play more simple. Get a shot through, crash the net, get some rebounds."

The Sharks don't play again until Saturday night, which means they have a couple of extra days of practice. There's no doubt the power play is going to be a focal point, especially after it couldn't break through at an important point in Tuesday's game.

"It's something that, hopefully, we can learn from and get better at moving forward," Erik Karlsson said. "Being the players that we are we have to, in moments like that, make some reads and make decisions out there to create something for each other. We failed to do that in a critical moment of the game."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166893 San Jose Sharks

Sharks takeaways: What we learned in San Jose's 3-2 loss to Coyotes

By Chelena Goldman

December 17, 2019 10:05 PM

SAN JOSE -- The Sharks came from behind twice in Tuesday's battle against the Coyotes. But in the end, it just wasn't enough.

San Jose (16-18-2) had the opportunity to tie things up in the final minute of play thanks to a two-man advantage. But a late-game goal from Arizona (20-12-4) was enough to sink them as the Sharks fell 3-2.

Here are three takeaways from Team Teal's loss at SAP Center.

Dell did his best

Despite giving up the first goal of the game at the 4:57 mark of the first period, Aaron Dell did a pretty good job in his first back-to-back start of the season. And really, he didn't have much help on Arizona's second goal of the evening as San Jose's fourth line was in the midst of a rough shift in front of him.

Dell was especially good in the third frame with the game tied up 2-2 and some grade-A scoring chances for Arizona coming right at him.

If Oliver Ekman-Larsson's shot hadn't banked off of Brenden Dillon's skate, Dell might've been able to hold the Coyotes to two goals.

Defense still a work in progress

Although San Jose's defensive effort had its fair share of gaffes throughout the night, their overall effort appears to be improving with every game they play under interim head coach Bob Boughner. Even with a couple of untimely turnovers during the contest, the effort was good enough against a visiting Arizona team that entered Tuesday's game with a 11-4-3 road record.

That being said, that effort still needs to be better. The Sharks are set to host two tough opponents in the St. Louis Blues and the Vegas Golden Knights in this upcoming weekend's back-to-back. If San Jose doesn't want to get heavily outscored, they are going to have to cut down on some of their mistakes.

On a positive note...

Hertl's healthy

It took No. 48 a few games to rebound after missing time due to an ankle injury. But boy, has he found his groove again. Tomas Hertl not only extended his current goal streak to three games, but he also notched his 129th and 130th career goals to Tuesday night, moving him past Marco Sturm into sole possession of ninth on San Jose's all-time goals list.

It should also be noted that Hertl has been playing well since being moved to Joe Thornton's wing. It's entirely possible that Boughner will move him back to center at some point, particularly if the o-lines need to be shaken up. (Which could happen soon if Kevin Labanc is severely injured from that hit he took in the second period.) For the meantime, however, Hertl is in a place where he can thrive -- which is huge for a Sharks' team that needs as much production from their top-six forwards as possible.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166894 St Louis Blues “I had the hole,” Perron said. “I was surprised. I shot the puck and I didn’t really look at the net.”

Perron’s 23 goals last season were the most he had in any of his eight Perron and the puck proving to be a dangerous pairing for Blues seasons with the Blues (he had 28 with Edmonton in 2013-14), and eclipsing that number certainly looks possible this season. And that’s something the Blues need in the absence of Tarasenko, whose run of five consecutive 30-goal seasons will come to an end as he misses most Tom Timmermann of the season because of a shoulder injury.

Along with Perron’s goals being up, his shots are up. On a team that It is easy to sing the praises of forward David Perron’s shot, of his ability often seems predisposed to make one more pass rather than take a shot, to find an opening, quickly get off a shot and score. Perron’s 82 shots on goal are the most by any forward on the team and second to Pietrangelo overall. Perron very easily could have more shots Perron has done that a team-high 15 times this season, on a pace that on goal than any season in his career except for the one in Edmonton. would surpass his career high of 28. With Vladimir Tarasenko out of the That’s a trend that Berube likes a lot. lineup, Perron’s 38 goals combined from last season and this one are the most on the team. “David’s got a great shot and he’s using it this year,” he said. “His shot is lethal.” “When he gets time and space to let that release go, he’s fooling goalies with how he pulls in and drags it and how he’s releasing it,” said center Though coming off a hat trick gives Perron’s numbers a boost, his 15 Brayden Schenn, whose 14 goals on the team are second to Perron after goals in 35 games leave open the possibility of him being the first Blue Perron’s hat trick Monday against Colorado. not named Tarasenko to score 30 goals since Alexander Steen had 33 in 2013-14. And while O’Reilly is having trouble scoring, right now there’s But there’s another thing that has made Perron dangerous: his ability to nothing wrong with him setting up Perron as much as he can. win the puck and then keep it. Once he gets the puck in the offensive zone, it seems to follow Perron around, attached to his stick, even if the “Exactly,” O’Reilly said. “He’s got that kind of shot, I’m going to get him attacking zone looks like Highway 40 at rush hour. Possession time such the puck as much as I can.” as that allows the Blues to set up camp in their opponent’s end, which is one of the easy ways to tell whether the Blues are on of off their game. This is not a team that’s going to be feasting on breakaways and odd- St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.19.2019 man rushes. The Blues thrive on zone time.

And that’s what has made Perron, in his third go-round with the team, such a valuable commodity. He treats the puck like it’s his and his alone.

“He’s a competitive guy,” coach Craig Berube said. “He’s got such a heavy stick and he wins puck battles, especially in the offensive zone. I don’t know if I know too many players who can win as many puck battles as him and keep the puck and hang on to it. He’s very dangerous that way.”

Perron is not the biggest guy on the team by any means. Depending on where you look, he’s listed as being 6 feet tall and weighing 193 to 200 pounds. But when he has the puck, it’s like he’s become Colton Parayko.

“He’s not a very big guy,” said linemate Ryan O’Reilly, who has assisted on nine of Perron’s 15 goals this season, including two on Monday in a 5- 2 victory over Colorado. “But you can see how on-balance he is and always shifting, making little movements that keep him on balance and make it tough where defenders can’t get the puck off him. It’s a really unique skill that very few guys have.

“He’s very durable with it but he’s always on balance. You see the way he handles the puck. He keeps it real close to his body at times. Everything’s in tight and he’s always got full control of it so it’s extremely tough to play against.”

Perron’s hat trick on Monday was the fifth of his career and fourth with the Blues, tying him with Red Berenson, Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz for seventh on the franchise list, with Jorgen Pettersson and Brendan Shanahan just ahead with five. (The franchise record of 27, by Brett Hull, is safe unless Perron keeps at his current pace and plays till he’s 75 years old.)

“It just seems like he’s always in the right spot, right time,” said Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, who got his first taste of the NHL one season after Perron broke in. “Obviously the chemistry he has with ‘O’Ry’ is pretty special. They find each other in places that other guys can’t find.”

That was clear on Perron’s first goal against Colorado. O’Reilly threaded a puck through traffic cross ice and found Perron, who was alone at the back post and, having slipped unnoticed behind goalie Philipp Grubauer, had an open net to shoot at.

“He does a great job,” O’Reilly said. “He gets to that dangerous area and gets lost. That’s half the battle. With the way teams defend, a lot of times the guys that score goals are the ones that separate themselves and get away and get lost and, especially on that one-timer side, a guy that can one-time anything, it’s a great play. He hides behind there and pops when I get full control and if I throw it anywhere near him, he’s going to put it in the net.” 1166895 St Louis Blues Then Minnesota went on a 13-4-3 run to move within range of the last playoff slot. Veterans Eric Staal, Ryan Suter and Zach Parise somehow have rolled back their odometers.

Gordo: Surging conference rivals create playoff race gauntlet for Blues Other teams currently outside of the Western Conference playoffs include the Nashville Predators, who played for the Cup in 2016, and the San Jose Sharks, who reached the Finals in ‘17. Both of those teams are loaded with veteran talent. Jeff Gordon Sharks general manager Doug Wilson fired coach Peter DeBoer, looking

to trigger a Blues-like turnaround. Predators GM David Poile figures to The Blues have oozed championship grit and resilience this season. make changes of some sort before the season gets away. Their 5-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night was an The Pacific Division doesn’t seem ready to concede the wild-card playoff impressive show of force. slot to the Central this season. Like the Coyotes and Oilers, The Although they lead the Western Conference, the Blues will need a huge Vancouver Canucks are climbing. push again this season just to get back into the playoff bracket, given the Elite youngsters Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser and Quinn Hughes intensifying competition in the West. forming the new team nucleus. The Anaheim Ducks are trying to follow “It’s a long process,” Blues center Brayden Schenn observed Tuesday. the same course after moving on from battered veterans Corey Perry and “You can’t think about winning a Stanley Cup in December. You have Ryan Kesler. keep on grinding, keep on improving.” The bottom-feeding Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings still Over in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey employ key proud veterans from their Cup-winning teams. Guys such as Devils and Ottawa Senators already are eyeing the draft lottery. The Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Dustin Keith, Brent Seabrook, Anze Senators have been in tank-and-rebuild mode for a while now and the Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick, Dustin Brown and Jeff Carter hapless Red Wings and Devils are racing in that direction. don’t enjoy losing.

But there are no terrible teams on the other side of the league, no soft These conference rivals refuse to get out of the way. To get another shot spots in the conference schedule. at the Cup, the Blues will have to keep digging deep in this playoff race.

“That’s exactly what the league wanted, they wanted parity in the league and they definitely got it,” Schenn said. “There are no nights off.” St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.19.2019 Look at the long-suffering Arizona Coyotes. They surged to the Pacific Division lead after missing the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons — then added Hart Trophy-winning winger Taylor Hall in a blockbuster trade with the Devils.

That’s a big-time scorer Blues fans were drooling over.

“I think we’re changing the narrative here,” Coyotes general manager John Chayka told reporters after acquiring Hall. “For a long time, it was about existential issues. We were trying to survive. And I think now everyone understands we’re trying to thrive here. We’re trying to be sustainable for the long term and contend for a Stanley Cup.”

Look at the Edmonton Oilers, who are in town to face the Blues on Wednesday night. They have finally reemerged under first-year coach Dave Tippett, giving Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent- Hopkins their chance to play meaningful games again. The Oilers bring an 11-7-1 road record into this game. Tippett is succeeding where former Blues coach Ken Hitchcock fell short.

Look at the Avalanche. Owner Stan Kroenke’s icemen have absorbed a series of big injuries hits, losing key players Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog, Erik Johnson, Cale Makar and Philipp Grubauer for various lengths of time.

Yet the ‘Lanche kept winning. Since a five-game winless streak in late October and early November, they went 13-3-1 in their next 17 games. If only they could beat the Blues . . .

Look at the Dallas Stars. After nearly knocking off the Blues in last spring’s playoffs, they started the season 1-7-1 before reversing course with a remarkable 14-1-1 surge. Along the way they fired successful coach Jim Montgomery for an off-ice indiscretion of some sort. And yet they kept rolling.

Look at the Winnipeg Jets. After their first-round playoff exit to the Blues last spring, their blue line got decimated. Restricted free agent Jacob Trouba forced his trade, Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot left as free agents and Dustin Byfuglien walked away from the team before undergoing ankle surgery.

Yet the Jets have overcome those hits — as well as center Bryan Little’s long-term injury — to remain in the chase. After starting the season 6-7- 0, they went 14-4-2 in their next 20 games behind Connor Hellebuyck’s excellent goaltending.

Look at the Minnesota Wild. That’s a team many experts figured would fall out of the playoff hunt this season. Indeed, the Wild fell to 4-9-1 after back-to-back losses to the Blues. All eyes turned to new general manager Bill Guerin and the potential for a midseason fire sale. 1166896 St Louis Blues

Blues notebook: Stitches for Parayko, but he'll take that trade

Tom Timmermann

The equation for Colton Parayko was simple: five stitches equals two goals. He’ll take that every time.

“One hundred percent,” he said.

Parayko took a high stick from Colorado’s Nazem Kadri to the chin in the second period on Monday and when the hit drew blood, it meant that the Blues benefited from a double-minor — two two-minute penalties instead of one. And that meant that even after David Perron scored to make it 2- 2 with 1:13 to go in the period, the Blues had another two minutes with a man advantage to try to take the lead. Thirty-six seconds later, they did when Vince Dunn scored with 37 seconds to go in the period to help the Blues win 5-2.

Parayko said he originally didn’t feel any blood from his chin — “I thought he hit me square maybe, like just a good hard hit,” — but when he checked a second time, there was some blood. He went to show it to the referees to get the extra two minutes, but said by then they had seen it.

Parayko needed five stitches on his chin, which he said brings to 20 the number of stitches Parayko has gotten this month after an earlier cut to his upper lip. That came against Toronto on Dec. 7.

“A couple more scars for the kids maybe when I’m older,” he said.

Berube impressed

Blues coach Craig Berube admitted that on a few occasions Monday night, Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon really got his attention.

“On a couple plays, I turned to one of the coaches on the bench (and said), ‘Are you kidding me? This guy’s pretty fast,’” Berube said Tuesday. “It’s the same thing with (Edmonton’s Connor) McDavid and these guys. They’re outstanding players. It’s so great for the league to have guys with the speed and the skill and hard work. It’s unbelievable to watch.”

So if Berube were still a player, how would he stop them?

“I don’t know,” he said. “I wouldn’t have been out there. I would have been watching from the bench.”

Tuesday was Berube’s 54th birthday.

Blunotes

Jordan Binnington didn’t take part in Tuesday’s practice. “He’s played a lot,” coach Craig Berube said. “Give him a day off the ice. He’s fine.”

Binnington’s win on Monday was the 40th of his career, making him one of seven NHL goalies to reach that total in 60 games or fewer. He’s tied with Ken Dryden and Frederik Andersen at 59 and trails Bill Durnan (who was the quickest in 53 games), Frank Brimsek (56) and Pete Peeters (58).

• Ivan Barbashev (upper body injury) didn’t skate and will miss his second game in a row.

• Jordan Kyrou was back with Brayden Schenn and Jaden Schwartz in practice Tuesday.

• The win Monday was the Blues’ league-best 13th this season in which they came from behind.

• Jordan Nolan picked up a game misconduct for spearing with the Blues’ San Antonio AHL team on Tuesday. He’s the second member of the Rampage to get a game misconduct for spearing in three games; Klim Kostin got one Friday.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166897 St Louis Blues

Preview: Blues vs. Edmonton

Jim Thomas

BLUES VS. OILERS

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Enterprise Center.

TV, radio: FSM, WXOS (101.1 FM).

About the Oilers: Edmonton (19-13-4) has been at or near the top of the Pacific Division much of the season, but is slumping lately. Before their 2- 1 victory Monday in Dallas, the Oilers had won only two of their previous nine games (2-6-1). Defense was the problem, with Edmonton allowing four or more goals in all six of those losses.

Connor McDavid (20 goals, 39 assists) and Leon Draisaitl (21 goals, 36 assists) are first and second in the NHL in points. But overall, the Oilers rank a pedestrian 19th in scoring (2.94 goals a game). By comparison, the Blues are 15th (3.06 goals per game). Secondary scoring remains an issue: the Oilers have only six players with more than four goals.

The Oilers are excellent on special teams, with the NHL’s best power play (31.5 percent) and fifth-best penalty-killing unit (84.4 percent). They have scored a power play goal in eight straight games, their longest streak since 1999.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166898 St Louis Blues

A milestone and a day off for Blues' Binnington

Tom Timmermann

Dec 17, 2019

Blues goalie Jordan Binnington, already in some elite company with his rookie season, moved into some more with his win over Colorado on Monday.

On Tuesday, he got the day off.

Binnington became just the sixth goalie in NHL history to get his 40th win prior to his 60th career game. Binnington got there in 59 games, matching the total needed by Ken Dryden and Frederik Anderson. Bill Durnan of Montreal did it the quickest, needing only 53 games after starting in 1943-44. Frank Brimsek of Boston, who broke in 1938-39, did it in 56 and Pete Peeters of Philadelphia, who got his first win in 1978-79, did it in 58. Tiny Thompson, who broke in with Boston in 1928-29, did it in 60 games. He was 5-10, by the way. Darren Pang, for comparison purposes, is 5-5.

Binnington was the only Blue who played Monday who wasn't on the ice for Tuesday's practice at Enterprise Center. Coach Craig Berube said it was a maintenance day and everything was fine.

"He's played a lot," Berube, on his 54th birthday, said. "Give him a day off the ice. He's fine."

Emergency goalie Tyler Stewart helped out at practice. Asked how Stewart, a former college goalie who is on call in case of an emergency, Berube said, "I really didn't watch, so I don't know. He probably did all right."

Ivan Barbashev will miss his second game in a row with an upper-body injury. He wasn't on the ice for the team's practice on Tuesday at Enterprise Center.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166899 St Louis Blues McDavid and Draisaitl are the NHL’s top two scorers, with 59 and 57 points respectively. The Oilers have a lethal power play, including 10 power play goals by James Neal, which is second best in the league.

Rare home start for Allen in goal as Binnington rests “Every game is different but last time we played Edmonton I thought we did a good job,” Berube said.

The Oilers enter tonight’s game having scored a power play goal in eight Jim Thomas consecutive games. McDavid had a power play goal to open the scoring in that Nov. 6 contest.

“Their power play is lethal,” Berube said. “We've got to be disciplined The Blues “road goalie” is coming home. tonight and when we get penalties, we really have to bear down on the It’s a rare home start for goalie Jake Allen tonight as the Blues close out PK.” a four-game homestand with a 7:30 p.m. contest _ that’s a half-hour later INJURY UPDATE than normal _ against the Edmonton Oilers at Enterprise Center. Ivan Barbashev (upper-body injury) will miss his second straight game To be exact, it will be only the third home start for Allen in nearly a tonight, but skated early in the day Wednesday prior to the Blues’ calendar year. He started on Jan. 8 against Dallas in a 3-1 loss, the night optional team skate. after Jordan Binnington registered a shutout victory in Philadelphia in his first NHL start. “Barbashev did better today, so that's a good sign,” Berube said.

Allen didn’t make his next home start until Oct. 19 of this season, a 5-2 As for Gunnarrson, who has a left arm injury and is on injured reserve, Blues loss to Montreal that included one empty-net goal by the Berube said, “It's sort of a waiting period with him right now.” Canadiens. When asked if Gunnarssson was considered day-to-day or week-to- Allen also relieved Binnington at home in two games over that span: week, Berube paused and said: “Uh, probably day-to-day, I guess. Again, it's a waiting thing with him. He's got to see how everything goes. That's _ Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final against Boston last season, with Allen hard for me to tell.” pulled midway through the second period of a 7-2 loss after allowing five goals.

_ A Dec. 7 game against Toronto this season, in which Binnington was St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.19.2019 pulled (for the first time in his NHL career in a regular-season game) after allowing four goals on 11 shots in the first 12:57.

All told, 20 of Allen’s last 21 starts have come on the road entering tonight’s games. One of those starts came the last time the Blues played the Oilers. He stopped 32 of 34 shots in a 5-2 Blues victory Nov. 6 in Edmonton. It was a much closer game than the final score indicated, with the Blues getting two empty-net goals in the final 59 seconds.

Allen has played well this season, particularly over his last seven starts (1.96 goals-against average, .941 save percentage.

Overall, he’s 5-2-2 for the season, with a slightly better GAA (2.33 to 2.44) and save percentage (.925 to .920) than Binnington.

As for Binnington? He took a maintenance day Tuesday, when the Blues had a full-squad practice. And had what might be termed a “quasi- maintenance” day during an optional skate Wednesday, taking the ice a little late and then leaving early.

Usually the term “maintenance day” implies a rest day for a player, who may be a little sore or has tweaked something.

“It's just more rest for him than anything right now,” coach Craig Berube said. “He's played a lot of hockey this year, even going back to last year. We're just trying to be cautious with him.”

Binnington has started 26 games this season, including five over the previous 13 days. Only three goalies have started more in the NHL: Toronto’s Frederick Andersen (28), Montreal’s Carey Price (27), and Calgary’s David Rittich (27).

And none of them started 26 playoff games last season, as was the case with Binnington in leading the Blues to the Stanley Cup. Montreal didn’t make the playoffs; Calgary and Toronto were eliminated in the first round.

Tyler Stewart, a Blues season-ticket holder and the team’s emergency goalie for three seasons, has helped the Blues in practice Tuesday and Wednesday.

“It gives guys confidence too, shooting on him,” Berube quipped. “But he loves it, he loves coming out there.”

After defeating Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 on Monday, the Blues face a similar challenge tonight against Edmonton in terms of dealing with high-end talent.

“With the high-end talent, for sure,” Berube said. “They play different games, styles, the teams, but when you've got (Leon) Draisaitl and (Connor) McDavid, you've got to be on your toes and checking, all five guys out there have to be aware out there.” 1166900 Tampa Bay Lightning “Our effort is there. We’ve just got to find a way now to close out games," Cooper said after Monday’s practice. “Just take the (last two) Washington games. We have a 3-1 lead in the third, we only come out with one point. We have a 1-1 tie in the third, we come out with zero points. That’s A harsh message was delivered. Will the Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov where we have to take that next step. Making sure when games are listen? within reach or we have command, that we get points out of these."

Cooper said as little as possible about the situation after Tuesday night’s game. And both he and general manager Julien BriseBois declined to By John Romano comment Wednesday. Published Yesterday And that’s fine. Whether they acknowledge it or not, a message was Updated Yesterday delivered. Even better, it was reinforced during overtime.

Anthony Cirelli, who typifies the end-to-end, grind-it-out type of play the Lightning sometimes lack, forced a turnover in front of the Lightning goal, TAMPA — When you think about it, his is the face of the Tampa Bay split two defenders near mid-ice and went the distance for the winner Lightning. with 19 seconds remaining.

A player with skill, allure and a touch of hubris. A player with records, It was a fascinating contrast to what happened earlier. Now it’s up to awards and a noticeable hole in his resume. Kucherov and the rest of the team to decide how to interpret it all.

That’s who this team has been for several years now. A Norris Trophy winner over here and a league scoring champion over there. A Vezina Trophy winner in this corner and a franchise icon sitting in the middle. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 12.19.2019 More skill than imaginable, and more playoff disappointments than reasonable.

So, yes, it’s fair to say Nikita Kucherov is symbolic of the current version of the Lightning. And, yes, it’s also fair to say your league MVP deserved his third-period benching Tuesday night.

Just to be clear, in no way is Kucherov solely responsible for Tampa Bay’s sluggish start this season. Just as he was not the only reason the Lightning were swept in the first round of the playoffs eight months ago.

But he is representative of what this team has failed to understand, and he had the misfortune of drawing attention to that fact at the exact moment Lightning coach Jon Cooper had apparently reached the limit of his patience.

With Tampa Bay clinging to a 3-2 lead in the second period against Ottawa, Kucherov, 26, brazenly tried to maneuver his way through a pair of defenders near the blue line. The puck was stolen by Anthony Duclair and easily turned into a tying, breakaway goal.

This is exactly what Cooper has been talking about since the start of training camp. Those brain cramps, letdowns and unnecessary risks that can ruin an otherwise great effort.

Sometimes, they are inadvertent or just unlucky. Such as Jan Rutta colliding with Ondrej Palat while he’s emerging from behind the goal causing the puck to land right in front of the net, just as it did against Washington on Saturday night.

But Kucherov’s misdeed was completely different. This was a lack of awareness of his surroundings, and of the game situation. And it’s inexcusable for a player with Kucherov’s experience and hockey acumen. Particularly when Cooper has been talking incessantly about this very thing.

So the coach sat him down for most of the third period, and the entire overtime. It was a bold decision, and it was entirely justified.

If the Lightning are ever going to evolve into the kind of team that values defense as much as scoring records, then the rules have to apply to everyone. That includes Kucherov. For that matter, it includes Steven Stamkos and every other scorer.

And that message just got a much-needed exclamation point.

It’s not just that the Lightning are 27th in the NHL in goals-against average — although that’s bad enough on its own — it’s the way they are giving up goals. There are too many careless turnovers. Too many odd- man rushes. Too many easy scoring opportunities.

It’s been especially bad late in games. League-wide, teams have been scoring on roughly 9.4 percent of their shots this season. Yet the Lightning, in the third period, have been giving up a score on 14 percent of opposing shots. That suggests there have been way too many uncontested shots and mental lapses.

Barely 24 hours before the Kucherov turnover, Cooper had talked about the need to tighten up with a lead. 1166901 Tampa Bay Lightning

Nikita Kucherov returns to the Lightning lineup but ends up sitting

Staff Report

Published Yesterday

Updated Yesterday

TAMPA — Nikita Kucherov started Tuesday’s game high and ended it low. He was back in the lineup only three days after getting hurt blocking a shot. But by the end, he was sitting on the bench.

He helped the Lightning give up the lead in the second period with lazy play on defense and a turnover. He also scored first. It was the best of Kucherov and the worst of Kucherov.

This after he made a quick return to play after hobbling to the dressing room with little weight on his right foot three days prior. Kucherov scored the first goal of the win over Ottawa in the first period. He stole a clear attempt from the Senators and put the puck right back on net.

Kucherov only played two shifts in the third period and not at all in overtime. Coach Jon Cooper said it was a hard decision, given how big a part of the team Kucherov is.

“As a coach, you make decisions on what was best for us to win tonight,” Cooper said. “He’s a huge part of our team. It could be anyone. As a group, we wanted to put ourselves in the position to win this game.”

In the second period, the team pressed for goals when it needed to protect the lead, an old problem resurfacing.

The Lightning gave up a goal to Connor Brown 29 seconds after Brayden Point scored. Kucherov trailed behind the play, and turned back toward the offensive zone without ever engaging defensively, just before the goal was scored.

Later in the period, Kucherov turned over the puck while cycling, which turned into a tying goal for Anthony Duclair.

Kucherov is known for his skill and makes incredible plays, often seeing things before they happen. But his 32 recorded giveaways leads the Lightning, and turnovers have been an issue for the team as a whole.

It seemed like a bonus to even have Kucherov in the lineup. He blocked a shot from John Carlson on Saturday vs. the Capitals.

A blocked shot to the foot, ankle or lower shin can become a fracture or even break. The amount of pain Kucherov showed in the moment made everyone fear this could be an issue. But he missed just one practice on Monday.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166902 Tampa Bay Lightning during a tryout. And on Tuesday, as Cirelli forced his way through two Senators defenders and thrust himself (and the puck) into the net for the winning goal, there had to be a little part of Smith that was proud.

How Anthony Cirelli became the Lightning’s ‘engine’ and why that “You know, he plays the same way as he did then,” Smith said. “He stays complicates their summer cap crunch on every puck. He outworks people. He drags you into the battle and never takes a game off. He’s made the NHL by doing that every single game. When you watch him now, he’s just gotten bigger and stronger, but he comes to work every single day. By Joe Smith “He outworked everybody (in Oshawa). We had other guys on our team Dec 18, 2019 that were drafted and were high-end prospects. He didn’t think about that, he just outworked them every single day in practice. Every day he got a little better, little better. Unfortunately for some of those other guys, TAMPA, Fla. — When Kevin Shattenkirk decided to sign with the they’re not in the NHL. He and Josh Brown are the only ones. It’s a Lightning in early August, the veteran defenseman had several testament that if you stay on it, you want something bad enough, you can conversations with his good friend and former Rangers teammate, Ryan get it done.” McDonagh. Tampa Bay forward Anthony Cirelli scores the game-winning goal in They talked about the city, the team. Anthony Cirelli’s name came up. overtime on Ottawa goaltender Marcus Hogberg on Tuesday night at Amalie Arena. (Kim Klement / USA Today) McDonagh beamed. When Joe Washkurak saw Cirelli’s goal Tuesday night, a few thoughts “He told me (Cirelli) was one of the most underrated players on the team came to mind. in terms of what he brings and how important he is,” Shattenkirk said. “That’s high praise coming from a guy like him. And it’s deserved.” “I taught him that very move,” he joked. “The funny thing is that I think he went around (Senators forward) Nick Paul, who also played for me.” Shattenkirk thought back to that McDonagh praise Tuesday night, minutes after Cirelli delivered his latest heroics. In a game the Lightning Cirelli didn’t play at the highest youth level in the Toronto area growing absolutely had to have, and with Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov up, preferring to play with his friends. It’s partly why he went largely benched, Cirelli, 22, put the team on his back in overtime. The relentless unnoticed by scouts. Cirelli went unselected in back-to-back OHL drafts, center went end-to-end in the final minute, stripping Senators though 600 other players’ names were called. “One of the dumbest defenseman Thomas Chabot of the puck in the defensive zone before things I’ve done,” Windsor GM Warren Rychel once told me. To be fair, splitting two Ottawa players and driving to the net to score the winner. Cirelli was undersized at 5-foot-7, maybe 135 pounds. He was playing on a bad Double-A team. Cirelli willed the team to a win, and Shattenkirk pointed out that’s the type of play he makes nearly every game. But Washkurak, a youth coach in the area and a scout for Oshawa, saw something in Cirelli. The puck seemed to follow him. He made plays he “He reminds me a little bit of (Bruins star) Patrice Bergeron,” Shattenkirk shouldn’t be able to make. said. “He’s got the speed, too, that sets him apart from (Bergeron). But there’s no one I’ve played with, a guy that young that wins that many “Bring this kid in,” Washkurak told the Oshawa brass. “I think he’s going puck battles, the little things he does — those are qualities you can’t to be a player.” teach. And he seems to have them, which is amazing.” The story has been told before, but it’s so crazy, it’s worth repeating. Shattenkirk isn’t the first to make the Bergeron comparison, which is a Cirelli was invited for a walk-on tryout with Oshawa and was cut, but he lofty one. Coach Jon Cooper believes Cirelli could eventually be in “the was brought back the next day. He had impressed in camp, but GM same breath” as Bergeron, a perennial Selke Award favorite and Roger Hunt felt that with a veteran team, Cirelli would be better off with arguably the league’s top two-way center. another year at Tier II.

It’s amazing when you consider Cirelli’s path: The third-round pick had to Hunt was so torn that night, thinking about it on his screened-in porch, he walk on to his junior team in Oshawa before he became a Memorial Cup told Smith he had a “bad feeling.” A few phone calls later, Cirelli was a hero. General.

Now you can argue that, on a Lightning team full of stars, Cirelli is one of “I told him, ‘Hand in your books and get your butt back to Oshawa,'” Hunt the most important players. Cirelli (18:39 TOI) averages more minutes recalled. “I never would have forecasted what was about to happen.” than Kucherov (18:33) and captain Steven Stamkos (18:09) and trails only Brayden Point among forwards. He’s the first player over the boards Cirelli ended up having a storybook season, racking up 36 points in 68 on a key penalty kill or to protect the lead, and now Cirelli has found his games for the Generals and scoring the game-winning goal in the offensive confidence. He had 19 goals last year with no power-play time, Memorial Cup championship. and Cirelli already has seven in 31 games this season. But this is also where Cirelli’s non-stop motor, his relentless work ethic “He’s our engine,” one teammate said. and his identity on the ice were forged.

The problem for the Lightning is that they will soon have to pay him like “Through junior and stuff, the only reason I made the team is because of one. how hard I worked,” Cirelli said. “That’s been my mentality since I started playing hockey. That’s what got me here. It’s how I’m going to stay here. Cirelli will be a restricted free agent this summer along with Mikhail Sergachev, Erik Cernak and Mathieu Joseph. Tampa Bay has only three “If I’m not working, I’m not really useful at all.” defensemen under contract next year (Victor Hedman, McDonagh and As Cirelli was growing up, his favorite player was Blackhawks captain Braydon Coburn, currently on IR). With Tampa Bay having already Jonathan Toews, another top two-way center. “Loved the way he played: committed $71 million to just 12 players and the cap likely not going up hard-working, 200-foot game, good offense,” Cirelli said. “If there was much from the current $81.5 million, GM Julien BriseBois admits this will one guy I looked up to, it was him.” be the team’s toughest summer yet. The shutdown-center role is not an easy one, and it’s unlikely to land you In the middle of that is Cirelli, who CapFriendly projects will ink a four- on the cover of a video game, but it’s an important one. And it’s one year deal with an annual cap hit of between $4.1 million and $4.5 million. Cirelli relishes, taking on players like Auston Matthews and Nathan His agent, Don Meehan, said no contract talks with the Lightning have MacKinnon. begun. “Lots of time for that,” he said. But you have to imagine the price will only go up. “Obviously, everyone wants to score, to be that guy,” Cirelli said. “But I understood going through juniors, and my coach did a good job saying, McDonagh may be right that Cirelli was one of the most underrated ‘You need a role player, you need guys to do other things.’ So I took that players on the team, but he’s no longer a secret to opposing coaches. to heart and tried to be really good on the defensive side. The one who is least surprised is D.J. Smith of the Senators, who coached Cirelli in junior with Oshawa. Cirelli forced his way onto the team “(Smith) said, ‘If you’re not going to be good defensively, then you’re not Lalonde. They’ll go over shifts, clips on the penalty kill, plays he missed. going to play. So I wanted to be a two-way guy, be a good defensive Cirelli works on his faceoffs, one area where he wants to improve (he is player while also chip in offensively.” currently at 47.1 percent).

When Dan Noble caught the highlights of Cirelli’s game-winner Tuesday, “He does drive us,” Lalonde said. “He draws us into the fight. He’s non- he thought back to all their drills at his Woodbridge, Ontario, training stop compete. He’s helped us in any situation, even getting some facility. (power-play) time. We trust him in every situation. … He drives everyone into the fight, and has been a huge part of our success.” “It’s just training with that purpose, that intensity, (that) allows a guy to be a difference-maker,” Noble said. “Never settle. You watched him explode If you look at Evolving-Hockey’s goals above replacement, Cirelli trails — that’s what we train for. We want to see him take the neutral zone and only Point, Shattenkirk, Alex Killorn and Hedman on the Lightning. then get a step on guys, that shows me we’ve done our job. He’s fast, powerful, resilient, can change directions. To have control of your body “It’s another reason why Tampa has been so good every single year, and be able to take things to another level when games matter, not sitting guys like (Cirelli) are providing that depth,” Toews said. “You go down the on the bench trying to catch your breath.” list: him, (Yanni) Gourde, (Ondrej) Palat. Guys that can skate and make plays with the puck, maybe aren’t getting the recognition as the guys Cirelli has worked out at Noble Sports Performance for seven years, scoring all the points, but they’re a big part of it.” since his Double-A minor hockey days. He has always been a hockey nerd, as Noble describes it, asking for the entrance code at the gym on And you’d have to think Cirelli is a big part of the Lightning’s future. long summer weekends when it’s supposed to be closed. After working Tampa Bay will have to make some tough decisions this summer, with out, Cirelli then would go home and take 200 shots at his backyard BriseBois acknowledging that there comes a time when they can’t keep shooting range. everyone (as the cap-related J.T. Miller trade last June showed). Besides “Nothing was really given and everything was earned,” Noble said. “It Cirelli, you have Sergachev, who has taken big steps commanding the helps put things in perspective. This year, going into camp with the defensive zone, as another RFA. According to CapFriendly, they project Lightning, he was nervous he was going to get sent down. It’s something a six-year deal at roughly 7.4 percent of the cap (so, on an $81.5 million that plays into who he is. He trains like someone is trying to take his job.” cap, an AAV somewhere between $6 million and $6.1 million. That means, if those projections are close, it’d cost $10 million or more to Cirelli trains with Leafs star Mitch Marner, Lightning prospect Taylor keep both Cirelli and Sergachev, and that doesn’t include raises for Raddysh and the Islanders’ Michael Dal Colle, who was taken fifth overall Cernak and Joseph. a year before Cirelli. Noble said Cirelli has gained a lot from working out with Marner. The Lightning have a roster full of no-trade clauses. Alex Killorn’s deal moves to a modified no-trade next summer, but he’s having a career “They’re very similar,” Noble said. “They have a very similar mindset. season. Shattenkirk will have likely priced himself out of staying after his Both hate to be outworked, both hyper-competitive. The biggest thing we bounce-back season. Former first-round pick Cal Foote could be ready to worked on with Anthony was his shot. He has the effort, the vision, the make the jump on the cheap (still on his entry-level deal), but Tampa Bay skating, so if we could add to his skill set, it could only help. will have some holes to fill and not a lot of money to work with.

“He’s your modern-day power forward. He’ll hit you, he’ll fight you, but he Cirelli will be a priority. How can he not be? But if Cirelli keeps up this can score 20-30 goals.” progression and scores, say, 25-30 goals, it’ll make for an interesting summer squeeze. What struck Noble about Cirelli is how humble he is. He’ll walk in with Marner, and the Leafs star will get mobbed. Cirelli will laugh because he “He’s a top-notch player,” said Capitals coach Todd Reirden. “He can slide into the background. “I feel that’s changing pretty quickly,” continues to get better every year. For a little while, you’d see every Noble said. game he was really making gains. He was initially pretty solid defensively and not all that fun to play against. Now he’s rounding into being able to They work out 2 1/2-3 hours a day, focusing on power and speed. add that offense … while still having that defensive side to him as well. There’s the physical resilience that allows them to make plays in tight spaces, change directions and be difficult to catch. “He plays a tough “Tampa is lucky to have him.” game,” Noble said, “and has to train to reflect that.”

The power is what sticks out to Lightning assistant Jeff Halpern, a longtime NHL center. The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019

“He was always relentless on the forecheck and got a lot of offense out of it, his compete and how quickly he could get on top of guys,” Halpern said. “But the power he has with it has changed his impact on games. The biggest thing I’ve noticed is his stick skills and puck plays, he’s had a ton of growth.

“He’s becoming an elite player in those areas. You can compare him to other guys in the league that drive the play and drive through bodies, and their hands are still good enough to make plays in those tight areas. He’s willing to go to those spots. He’s willing to rip through the middle and can still make plays, where other guys will skate through those areas and pucks will bounce off their sticks and (they won’t) be able to control those plays. He’s able to do it and is getting better and better.”

Look how close to the net Cirelli’s scoring chances and goals are:

Which other NHL players come to mind for Halpern when he sees Cirelli skating through the tough areas?

“The best (comparison) is probably Sidney Crosby in how powerful he is in the middle of the ice,” Halpern said. “Different guys like (Anze) Kopitar and Bergeron, as defensively sound as they are, but they’re still able to create offensive output out of heavier plays and going through some of those areas. Those are the elite players in that category, but the way (Cirelli) does it, a guy as tenacious as he is, as hard on the forecheck as he is, (what stands out is) how heavy he is on pucks now and how quick he gets to those.”

Cirelli is always one of the last guys on the ice after practice, and he consistently reviews video with Halpern or fellow assistant Derek 1166903 Toronto Maple Leafs “So that was good, but more importantly those guys have been giving us really good shifts. The goals are great of course, but they’ve been given us shifts that you’d expect from a fourth line.”

The Goat finds his way (and the net) in Leafs’ fourth-line battle

Toronto Star LOADED: 12.19.2019

By Kevin McGran

Sports Reporter

Wed., Dec. 18, 2019

When Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe made him a healthy scratch for a run of four games, Frédérik Gauthier admits he was frustrated.

But he wasn’t worried.

“I was gonna get my chance eventually,” said Gauthier. “It’s never fun not to be in, no matter for what reason. For myself I needed to work harder, and whenever I get my chance just solidify my role and keep going.

“At first you’re frustrated. I think it’s understandable. Everybody wants to play. Just got to get back working, working harder, and wait for your chance to rise again. And then when you get your chance, play well.”

Gauthier has done that. Since returning to the lineup, he’s scored twice. He’s at a career-high four goals and even had a two-point game in the Leafs’ 5-3 win Tuesday over Buffalo.

It’s not that scoring is his forte. He’s a defence-first player. Coach Mike Babcock liked that and grew to trust him. But just how he’ll fit on a Leafs team that values puck possession, skill and passing under Keefe remains to be seen.

For now, Keefe seems to be using the fourth line as an experiment, seeing what works and what doesn’t by moving players in and out of the lineup. Trevor Moore, when he comes back, will find a spot there. Pierre Engvall catapulted further up the lineup having started there. Neither Nic Petan nor Pontus Aberg could hold a spot and are now back with the Marlies — where new coach Greg Moore will make his debut Saturday, after an indoctrination under Keefe.

“It’s nice to have some competition,” said Keefe. “For those spots, we’re moving guys in and out and guys are hungry coming back in.”

Jason Spezza, who was buried by Babcock, is now the only constant on the fourth line.

“We’re just trying to get an identity as a fourth line, figuring out what a good fourth line looks like every night,” said Spezza. “Every night it’s not going to be goals … for us it’s creating momentum shifts.

“Keefe has been great talking to me about helping our line out and making sure that we’re all on the same page, and what we want from the fourth line. Sometimes you go long periods in the game without playing, and then you have to come out and try to create momentum for the group. We’ve had great communication.”

The fourth line is the Leafs’ cheapest: Gauthier earns $675,000 (all dollars U.S.), Spezza $700,000 and Dmytro Timashov $694,000. On Tuesday, they contributed as many goals as the other three lines combined.

Gauthier opened the scoring to give the Leafs a significant advantage (the team that scores first wins about two-thirds of the time). Timashov scored what turned out to be the winner in the third period.

All four lines are supposed to contribute offensively, not just the top two. It’ll be a stretch for Gauthier, who has never scored more than eight goals in a season as a pro (seven with the Marlies in 2017-18, one with the Leafs that same year).

But he’s at four now and the fourth was a beauty. A Sabres giveaway left Gauthier alone in the slot and his wrist shot didn’t miss. The Leafs will take whatever they get offensively.

“You just get a little bit fortunate. Puck lands on a guy’s stick and he makes good on it,” said Keefe. “I’ve said before, the game works in funny ways … He played 20 games before that and the puck doesn’t come to him in those spots, and then it just happens to fall to him in those spots. 1166904 Toronto Maple Leafs now, because there’s more of a premium being put on decision making in Keefe’s system — because “dump it and go” isn’t the go-to mantra — more discipline in the way the Leafs think the game is required, too. Keefe’s encouraging skill to come out. But it’ll need to be consistently Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly, harassing the Sabres’ Rasmus accompanied by some sweat and some smarts, too. For more than a Asplund during Tuesday’s game, says success comes down to “how couple of key members of the roster, the part about “consistently” has hard you compete” under any coach. already been a problem.

“There’s a lot of areas where we’ve got to be a little more purposeful and a little more intelligent with what we do with the puck,” Keefe said By Dave FeschukSports Columnist Tuesday, after the Leafs turned a 3-0 lead into a one-goal nailbiter down Wed., Dec. 18, 2019 the stretch. “I think we have real potential to really control the game in those periods of time, but we’re not there yet.”

Which might be part of the reason why, even after the Leafs secured It’ll be a month on Friday since Mike Babcock was fired as head coach of their fourth win in five games, Rielly was relatively reserved in his the Maple Leafs. That’s 12 games and eight wins from which to sort out assessment of his team’s recent reversal of competitive form. the differences between the way the team played in four-plus seasons under their old coach and the way it’s changing under Sheldon Keefe. “I think we’re playing a bit better now. I think we’re a bit more comfortable (with Keefe’s style),” Rielly said. “If you watch the first two The surface observations are promising, for sure. The Leafs are starting periods (against the Sabres), there are times when that’s how we want to on time, scoring first in nine of 12 games under Keefe. They’re much play. But there’s areas of the games we still have to improve on. We’re improved on special teams, ranking first in power-play success rate and working at it. It’s a work in progress.” seventh in penalty-killing percentage under Keefe in the wake of Tuesday’s 5-3 win over the Sabres. And if we’re looking beyond the numbers, they’re certainly a lot more fun to watch. Toronto Star LOADED: 12.19.2019 Standing in the victorious locker room on Tuesday night, Morgan Rielly was asked if they’re more fun to play for, too.

“If we’re doing a good job, it’s fun. If we’re not, it’s not very fun,” Rielly said. “It’s just a matter if we’re able to manage the puck, to balance (offence and defence) a little bit better. It was a lot of fun (in Tuesday’s win over Buffalo). If you look back at games that we’ve lost, it’s not a lot of fun. It’s all based on your work ethic, how hard you compete and how well you execute with the puck, regardless of the structure.”

That’s typical Rielly, offering a common-sense view of the situation. Certainly what he was saying was worth hearing, because it speaks to the crux of the coaching change: That is, as much as the voice is different, and as much as the front office and coach are suddenly aligned after months of passive-aggressive public jostling between Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas — and as much as those things are important — the fundamental truths of the sport remains the same. Whether or not you win, and whether or not you can class any given outing as “fun,” still comes down to how hard you’re willing to work.

If that sounds Babcock-ian, certainly it is. Keefe’s predecessor was a staunch adherent to the gospel of hard work. “Dig in” was Babcock’s solution to every setback. Variations on “work” and “work harder” and “get back to work” sometimes seemed like the entirety of his motivational repertoire. Listening to Babcock, you could have easily gleaned the idea that hockey wasn’t so much coaching a skill game as supervising an assembly line in the time before labour laws. When Keefe was hired, then, you could understand why more than a few players reacted as though they were being released from a life of sweatshop toil to pursue their true passion as abstract painters.

Defence-first New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz sometimes criticizes his players for getting too fancy with the puck by accusing them of “painting a Picasso instead of just painting the barn.” And the Leafs, in hiring Keefe, seemed to be encouraging the Leafs to use the whole gamut of the palette, all 64 crayons in the proverbial box of Crayolas. The players, in turn, talked of being overjoyed to play for a coach who was willing to allow the players to “let their skill come out.”

There’s some truth in all of that. The style Keefe is peddling puts a lot more faith in the on-ice artistry of players, for sure. Instead of promptly dumping and chasing or dumping and changing, for instance, Keefe is encouraging players to use their best tricks with the puck and the processing power of their brains to make plays that prioritize possession. Don’t chase the puck when you can carry it. Don’t throw it away when you can pass it to a teammate.

But that doesn’t change the fact that hockey is still a game of unpredictable bounces that lead to 50/50 puck battles, or that defence is still as much a measure of one’s smarts as one’s willingness to do the job, or that the best players in the sport generally exhibit tireless internal engines.

Keefe isn’t grinding his players down in the Babcock way. But as Rielly was saying Tuesday, hard grinding is still required, especially when you’ve built a lead, especially when the opposition is pushing late. And 1166905 Toronto Maple Leafs

Defenceman Timothy Liljegren is back with the AHL’s Marlies after a brief spin with the Leafs.

By Kevin McGranSports Reporter

Wed., Dec. 18, 2019

For centre Adam Brooks and defenceman Timothy Liljegren, it’s the thought that counts.

The Maple Leafs prospects learned just how highly regarded they are by the team when they were recalled from the AHL’s Marlies on an emergency basis this week. Brooks was called up when the Leafs decided to sit Trevor Moore, after he suffered a hit Monday.

“It definitely was a little bit of a feather in the cap for all the hard work that I feel like I put in,” Brooks said. “It’s definitely been a long road for me to hear that. They obviously think you’re doing something right. I just want to keep working and hopefully one day get into a game.”

Liljegren was called up when Tyson Barrie looked iffy after Saturday’s game.

“It’s always positive to be the guy that gets called up,” said Liljegren.

Neither got into Tuesday’s game. Barrie was good to go, and Dmytro Timashov filled in for Moore. So both Brooks and Liljegren were back with the Marlies on Wednesday, still waiting to play their first NHL game.

Of the two, Brooks has put in more time. He’s 23 and in his third full season with the Marlies after five seasons with the WHL’s . The Leafs drafted him in the third round in 2016.

“Just going to keep working and see what happens,” said Brooks, a five- foot-10 centre with seven goals and seven assists in 18 games.

Liljegren, 20, is more of a can’t-miss prospect, a first-round pick in 2017 and also in his third season with the Marlies. He has two goals and 11 assists.

The right-handed defenceman started the season on the Leafs roster, but that had more to do with salary cap manipulation than anything he’d done in training camp. He admitted at the time that his camp performance was poor, but he’s elevated his game to the point where the Leafs felt comfortable allowing fellow defenceman Rasmus Sandin to join Sweden for the world juniors.

“I’ve been getting a lot of responsibilities from the coaches and I’ve played a lot of big minutes, so that makes me gain confidence and makes it easier to play,” said Liljegren.

Toronto Star LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166906 Toronto Maple Leafs “There’s plenty of room for improvement,” he said. “Not just in one specific area, but I think there are lots of things you can look at what other leagues are doing and we’re not.”

Following the Toronto Raptors last season gave Taylor Hall some The NHL’s revenues have increased drastically over the last 25 years, insights about the NBA. “There is a real sense of bravado and and the league has been trying to grow its brand more recently with showmanship that you don’t see in other sports.” games in Europe and China. Any substantial growth globally would, of course, mean more money for owners and players.

“We’re on our way and I think the game and product we can offer in the By Joshua Clipperton long term is going to pay off,” Subban said. “I’ve seen improvements since I’ve been in the league. I’m happy with the way things are going. The Canadian Press “We just have to continue to move it in the right direction.” Wed., Dec. 18, 2019

Toronto Star LOADED: 12.19.2019 This week’s Taylor Hall trade made waves across the NHL.

A star moving from a bottom-feeder to a contender is always big news.

But the winger also pushed the needle last spring long after another frustrating season as he watched the Toronto Raptors march towards the franchise’s first title.

“Following the NBA more closely with this Raptors run has really opened my eyes to how great a league it is,” Hall tweeted on May 31. “There is a real sense of bravado and showmanship that you don’t see in other sports.

“The stars are on display every night and it’s impressive.”

Basketball has some inherent advantages over a game like hockey when it comes to exposure. There are fewer players on each team, the big names are in the action the majority of the time and, perhaps most important of all, no helmets mean their faces are visible to fans.

It also doesn’t hurt that basically anyone with access to a ball and a net can play.

But Hall, who was dealt from the New Jersey Devils to the Arizona Coyotes on Monday, believes hockey can make inroads if more players are willing to put themselves in the spotlight.

“I think the NHL is getting there with players getting more involved, not only in contract talks, but with just putting themselves out there in the community,” he said in an interview. “You see hockey players tend to be pretty good guys. The speed of our game, it’s only getting faster, quicker, and there’s more scoring.

“I think we’re on the up and up.”

But there’s still no doubt a long way to go.

New Jersey defenceman P.K. Subban is the NHL’s leader in self- promotion via social media, personal appearances, charity work and his own reality show, while younger stars like Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews seem more willing to share their interests away from the rink than past generations.

They remain, however, the exception rather than the rule in hockey.

“We’re all different. Everybody is going to do things different,” Subban said. “People just have different comfort levels.

“One thing we all have in common is that we all feel comfortable on the ice.”

The league and its players pride themselves on the selfless, team-first aspects of hockey, but Subban said there’s always room to grow — especially when looking at the dollars thrown around in other leagues.

“I don’t know what it’s like in other locker rooms in other sports, but I can tell you there are certain issues we don’t have in hockey that other sports have, and we’re happy about that,” Subban said. “But at the same time, we do have to look at the other sports where players are getting paid hundreds of millions of dollars off the court, and some of that is more than just marketing.

“They’re doing something right.”

Matthews put himself out there at the beginning of last season with a series of photo shoots for fashion magazines. He said the NHL and its players have to be open to trying new things. 1166907 Toronto Maple Leafs When the Leafs had one power play against the Sabres, it marked the seventh time in Keefe’s 12 games that Toronto did not have more than one power play.

Leafs D-men Rielly, Barrie getting accustomed to creative roles in The situation has become worse than it was under Mike Babcock. In 23 offensive zone games before he was fired, the Leafs had at least two power plays in 20 of them.

Through 35 games, the injured Andreas Johnsson leads the club in Terry Koshan penalties drawn with 11, while John Tavares and Jake Muzzin have drawn nine each. December 18, 2019 6:30 PM EST Between them, Mitch Marner (five) and Matthews (four) have drawn nine.

Through games on Tuesday, the NHL leader in penalties drawn was Morgan Rielly has no interest in racking up roaming charges. Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators, who managed to get opponents Still, the Maple Leafs defenceman knows, along with partner Tyson sent to the box on 21 occasions. Barrie, that coach Sheldon Keefe has all the confidence that each will LOOSE LEAFS make the right call when they venture deep into the offensive zone. Marner and Matthews found themselves among the league leaders in Keefe has been preaching many new strategies since taking over behind takeaways, with Marner fourth at 36 and Matthews seventh at 35. Mark the Leafs bench 12 games ago, and one is giving the green light for Stone of Vegas was atop the NHL with 50 … With two days between defencemen, especially the gifted Rielly and Barrie, to get creative once games — the Leafs had Wednesday off and will practice on Thursday the Leafs get the puck over the opposing blue line. before flying to New York to face the Rangers on Friday — defencemen “I don’t think your mindset changes, you just play to the different Timothy Liljegren and Martin Marincin and forward Adam Brooks were structure,” Rielly said after the Leafs beat the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday loaned to the Toronto Marlies … No penalty for Sabres forward Kyle night. “You want to be moving a bit more and he wants more activity. Okposo for his late hit on Leafs defenceman Travis Dermott on Tuesday Tyson and I are both more than willing to do that.” and no supplementary discipline from the NHL either. Referees Marc Joannette and Peter MacDougall erred when they didn’t assess what Keefe trusts that Rielly and Barrie can recover if plans go awry, and that should have been a boarding minor and the NHL’s Department of Player they are getting the proper support from the forwards on the ice. Having Safety must not have had enough concern for Dermott’s well-being to defencemen on the move in the offensive zone, in turn, can cause conclude there was nothing wrong with the hit … Leafs prospect Nick confusion for the opposing defenders. Robertson has made it to the United States’ 26-player preliminary roster for the 2020 world junior in the Czech Republic. No surprise, considering “If we’re doing a good job it’s fun, if we’re not, it’s not very fun,” Rielly Robertson’s fine start with the Peterborough Petes this season, which said. “It’s based on your work ethic, how hard you compete and how well includes 23 goals in 22 games. you execute with the puck, regardless of the structure.

“We’re working on it, but as players we are motivated to get better and nail this thing.” Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.19.2019

With eight wins under Keefe, the Leafs appear to be turning a corner while simultaneously absorbing new concepts.

“It’s just a testament to the team,” Rielly said. “We’ve done good things and we’ve got guys are playing well. It’s important that we bear down and keep working hard.”

If Dmytro Timashov is scratched when Trevor Moore is ready to play — and that would have happened on Tuesday had Moore not taken a bump in practice a day earlier — he will have every right to be disappointed.

Timashov’s hustle against the Sabres created a Frederik Gauthier goal for the second game in a row, and Timashov followed that with a pretty goal himself, scoring the winner on a breakaway early in the third period.

At 5-foot-10 and 192 pounds, Timashov might not bowl over many opponents, but he is physical nonetheless, sitting second on the club with 60 hits despite playing in just 23 of the Leafs’ first 35 games.

Coupled with his offensive flair, Timashov deserves to stay in the lineup.

The play of fourth line as a whole, including Gauthier and Jason Spezza, in recent games has pleased Keefe.

“It’s nice to have some competition for those spots, we’re moving guys in and out and guys are hungry coming back in,” Keefe said. “I thought those guys have been giving us really good shifts. The goals are great, of course, but they’ve been given us good shifts that you’d expect from the fourth line.”

Said Auston Matthews of the fourth line’s impact on the club: “They have been playing great lately. Freddy, two big goals, that’s awesome. We try to pride ourselves on depth, being a full complete team and when guys like that are contributing, it’s great to see and it makes it hard on the other team.”

LACK OF CHANCES

While the Leafs have made in-roads in getting accustomed to playing for a new coach, one area that remains a concern is the ability, or lack thereof, to draw penalties. 1166908 Vegas Golden Knights LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 12.19.2019

Golden Knights defensemen starting to chip in offensively

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal

December 18, 2019 - 5:58 am

Updated December 18, 2019 - 1:47 PM

The Golden Knights’ blue line, dormant to start the season, has suddenly come alive.

The Knights’ defensemen are starting to contribute more offensively as the team climbs the Pacific Division standings. The points have become dangerous areas for the team, and its transition game is flowing more smoothly.

It’s in part because of the Knights’ recent defensive zone system “tweak,” in part because of the forwards helping out more and in part because of some players just getting hot. All have been welcome changes for the team, which wants to make sure it keeps getting those contributions when it plays at the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.

“I think we’ve gotten up in the play a lot more,” defenseman Nate Schmidt said. “It shows you how much more our forwards have opportunities when our defensemen stay up in the play.”

Of course, staying up in the play is only a good thing if the Knights aren’t giving up quality chances the other way. They haven’t been much lately. In the 11 games since they altered their defensive zone system to play more zone coverage rather than man-to-man, they’re allowing 2.55 goals per game. That’s below their season average of 2.84.

Added offense

So the Knights’ defensemen have added much-needed offense without sacrificing defense. Before the system change, they had a combined 37 points in 26 games, tied for third-fewest in the NHL. Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson had 36 points in that span.

Things have been different since the Knights switched things up. Since the system tweak debuted Nov. 27, they rank 13th in points by defensemen with 20. It’s not great, but it’s a lot better.

“I think it’s big,” defenseman Shea Theodore said. “We’re a good puck- moving group back there. I think we kind of had some bad luck and bad bounces. I thought we were playing solid, but it wasn’t resulting on the scoresheet. But it seems like we’re really sticking to things.”

The Knights’ defensemen have had more energy to move the puck in transition because they’re now spending less time roaming around the defensive zone. Rather than skating with an opposing player in the zone, players are now packing into the middle of the ice to prevent high-danger scoring chances.

That allows defensemen to save their legs to make plays on the rush or pinch aggressively after loose pucks in the offensive zone. And the forwards are doing a better job of recognizing when those plays are available and covering for their defensemen to prevent odd-man rushes the other way.

Playing aggressive

“It’s a matter of just making sure the forwards are supporting the D and allowing them to play aggressive,” left wing Max Pacioretty said. “If they play aggressive and we’re not supporting them, then we’re going let up a lot of chances.”

Getting forwards opportunities off the rush or in the zone has helped Schmidt record five assists in his last 11 games. Theodore also has become a major contributor with six points (one goal, five assists) in his last three games.

If those two and the rest of the defensemen keep that up, it would be a major boost to an offense that ranks 18th in goals per game (2.94). It would provide the Knights with a dimension they’ve been missing most of the season.

1166909 Vegas Golden Knights The one group that still kind of hates him: Man, I’m not even sure. That Sharks/Knights rivalry is pretty solid, so maybe you allow San Jose fans to sneer at him just a bit. Beyond that, his only natural enemy at this point Down Goes Brown: The 10 players that no NHL fan can hate (except for are Canadians who still aren’t over how the 2004 World Juniors ended all the ones that do) and Hall of Fame sticklers who’ll be mad when he makes it in on the first ballot.

Elias Pettersson By Sean McIndoe Why almost everyone loves him: Another member of the current cohort of Dec 18, 2019 great young players just hitting their prime, Pettersson is a wizard with the puck who ran away with the Calder last year. As a bonus, hockey

fans love rooting for smaller players. Pettersson isn’t actually small – he’s We’re into holiday mode, where everything is supposed to be about 6-foot-2 – but for some reason, everyone outside of Vancouver has peace and goodwill. Love thy neighbor and that sort of thing. decided to think that he is, so he gets that added boost.

That’s nice and all, but it can be tough for hockey fans, who are Also, we should all be feeling a pang of collective Canucks-related guilt preconditioned to be mad at just about everything. Pretty soon we’ll hit for not appreciating Pavel Bure or the Sedins enough. the Christmas trade freeze, meaning we can’t even sit around and The one group that still kind of hates him: Other players, apparently, imagine that bum who’s clogging up our team’s salary cap being traded since he’s already been injured controversially by Chris Kreider and for a ransom of picks and prospects. Now you want us to be nice to the Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Other than that, I’m not sure there’s anybody, apart jerks on the other teams too? It’s a rough time of year when you’re a from the four head scouts who passed on him in 2017. diehard hockey fan who hates everyone. Henrik Lundqvist Well, almost everyone. Because at any given time, there are always a few players who just about everyone seems to like. It’s been a rough few Why almost everyone loves him: He’s the best goaltender of his era and years for that crowd, as we’ve said goodbye to guys like Roberto Luongo, a sure-thing Hall-of-Famer as soon as he’s eligible. He’s also a part-time Pavel Datsyuk, Teemu Selanne and Jarome Iginla. But that just creates model, plays in a rock band and loves good dogs. some extra room on the nice list. To be honest, it’s almost too much, and at a certain point, you could Connor McDavid forgive fans if they turned on him. Like, we get it Henrik, you’re better than us at everything. But then you remember that he still hasn’t won a Why almost everyone loves him: First of all, he’s the best player in the Stanley Cup, which gives his story arc some vulnerability and lends a league, with maybe the most pure skill since Mario Lemieux. Even in a sense of urgency to the final stages of his career. Remember when he league with more dominant young talent than ever before, McDavid still dragged the Rangers to the final, only to give up the Cup-winner in occasionally does things that you’ve never seen, or ever thought overtime and then lay on the ice for roughly the entire offseason? You’d possible. He’s one of the rare players who’d be worth paying full price have to be a monster to hate a guy who’s been through that. just to watch on his own and brings back that pre-Dead Puck Era feeling of excitement you used to get whenever a star player had the puck on his The one group that still kind of hates him: Guys that aren’t supermodel stick. rock star athletes, I guess. I don’t know anyone like that, but it’s what I’ve heard. Second of all, he’s signed long-term in Edmonton, so the sympathy factor is off the charts. Phil Kessel

The one group that still kind of hates him: Flames fans get a pass, as Why almost everyone loves him: OK, I’m not sure everyone actually they do for any Oiler. Beyond that, nobody really dislikes him, although does. I’m projecting a little bit here since I’ve been on Team Phil for years you get the sense that there’s an undercurrent of aggravation from other and am still actively trying to get everyone else on the bandwagon. Good fan bases who keep waiting for him to stomp out of Edmonton and seats are still available. demand a trade. Come on, they’re terrible, and he looked vaguely sad at his draft lottery. Surely he wants to play somewhere else. Specifically, for Still, at this point, I’m not sure there are any good reasons left to dislike my favorite team. Come on Connor, blink twice if you want us to send in the guy. Sure, he was kind of awkward and weird when he first broke into a chopper to airlift you out. the league, which seemed to rub people the wrong way. He’s still awkward and weird, but he’s figured out how to lean into it just enough Patrick Marleau that he seems like he’s mostly in on the joke now. The dude ate hot dogs out of the Stanley Cup, I’m not sure what more you could want. Why almost everyone loves him: He’s been around forever, his speed means he’s been fun to watch over the years and he always seems Oh, he’s also a Masterton winner and cancer survivor, not to mention a disturbingly happy. He became the team father figure in Toronto – two-time Cup champion who has a shot at breaking the ironman record. literally – and then headed home to San Jose to finish out his career. Plus he’s still chasing that elusive Stanley Cup, and everybody loves a The one group that still kind of hates him: Most of his ex-coaches, a few good OGWAC story. Uh, please don’t check the standings to see how of his former GMs and team executives, a handful of ex-teammates and that quest is going for him. like 90 percent of the media. Also, probably a few Coyotes fans who were hoping for more than seven goals. But other than that very small The one group that still kind of hates him: Nobody right now, although niche group, everybody else loves the guy. we’ll save a spot for Leaf fans when they miss the playoffs and end up having to send the 11th overall pick to the Hurricanes for getting out of Justin Williams the last year of his contract. Also, it’s going to be kind of weird if he sticks Why almost everyone loves him: He’s Mr. Game Seven, which is pretty around next year and ends up breaking Gordie Howe’s all-time games much an irresistible narrative. Athletes who are “clutch” may or may not played record. See, you didn’t realize that was going to happen, and now be an actual thing, but it’s an undeniably fun concept, so fans want to you feel just a little conflicted, right? believe.

Marc-Andre Fleury OK, yes, he’s not technically an active player right now, which in theory Why almost everyone loves him: He’s a former first overall pick who’s should work against him. But since everyone assumes he’s coming back, smiled his way through a very good NHL career, without ever being so we’ll leave the door cracked open for him. dominating that you resented him. He was part of three Cup winners in The one group that still kind of hates him: Me, any time I write about the Pittsburgh, then handled what could have been a tricky Matt Murray Hall of Fame and have to explain why he’s not going to make it. (Also, situation and eventual exit with class and good humor. That was Hurricanes fans if he makes his big late-season comeback with someone supposed to lead to him spending his last few years getting shelled for else, but we’re not supposed to mention that possibility out loud.) the expansion Knights, but instead, he’s played some of the best hockey of his career while leaning hard into his likable personality to sell the But wait, what about … game in a new market. Before we head down the home stretch, let’s hit a few guys who might The one group that still kind of hates him: Any superstar player who has have a case for the list, but didn’t make the final cut. to negotiate an extension and has to hear about how much MacKinnon makes. Sidney Crosby: He should be there. But for years, for whatever reason, he’s been a lightning rod for criticism and a complaint for fans outside of Alexander Ovechkin Pittsburgh. He shouldn’t be, but nobody has ever accused hockey fans of being reasonable. Why almost everyone loves him: We’re here, right? Please tell me there isn’t still some pocket of holdouts in the anti-Ovechkin club. Sure, early in Joe Thornton: I’ve included him on the list in the past and wanted to his career he was a little too flashy for some tastes and over time he squeeze him in here. But I’ve heard from enough Blues fans to know that evolved into one of those guys you could point to when you were some of them still haven’t forgiven. rambling on about how certain players put up big numbers but just can’t win the big one. But ever since he won the Stanley Cup and then Mikko Koivu: On the one hand, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who celebrated by having more fun than just about anyone in the history of didn’t like him. On the other, he’s still got a ways to go to be the most the world, even his harshest critic has to have thrown in the towel. popular guy in his own family. Tough call here. At least I hope so because we’ve got a few more years to enjoy the guy Mitch Marner: He’s a happy-go-lucky kid playing for his hometown team who might end up being considered the greatest pure goal scorer in the and he’s all sorts of fun to watch. He’s also a Maple Leaf and it’s virtually history of the sport. Let’s not let this be one of those Brett Hull things impossible to get anyone from Toronto onto a universally beloved list. where we never quite appreciate a guy enough until he’s done. Ovechkin P.K. Subban: He’s got the personality, but he was never all that close to rules. being universally loved when he was at the height of his game and these The one group that still kind of hates him: I don’t know, but I have a bad days he isn’t. feeling I’m about to find out.

Johnny Gaudreau: Once he gets his game back to an elite level, he’ll be right back in the running. The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 Any of this year’s rookies: Let’s see them put in at least a full season without enraging anyone. But some of these guys could be in the mix soon, especially Cale Makar.

Jonathan Toews: Another name that’s shown up on these lists in recent years, but it feels like the league’s constant tire-pumping of Chicago players – remember that Top 100 fiasco? – has led to a Blackhawks backlash.

Steven Stamkos: He’s a great player who’s still chasing his Cup and after a few years any lingering bitterness should be fading over him not picking your favorite team when he was a free agent.

Taylor Hall: He’s an elite player who also seems to be fun off the ice, in that kind of quirky Kessel-like way. Let’s see how the dynamic plays out in Arizona.

Jack Eichel: Check back this time next year, especially if he can lead the Sabres on a solid playoff run.

Claude Giroux: Fun fact, if you write a post about star players and don’t mention Claude Giroux somewhere, Flyer fans will come to your house and pee down your chimney.

Pretty much any defensemen: You could make cases for a few guys, but in general it’s easy to find something to hate about a guy whose job it is to cross-check your favorite forward’s spine into paste.

The guy whose name you’re about to go post in the comments with a question mark on the end and nothing else: He was sixth eleventh.

Patrice Bergeron

Why almost everyone loves him: After years of being grouped in with Toews and Anze Kopitar, Bergeron’s recent offensive peak has made him the de facto name for fans who want to show that they appreciate a two-way forward. He’s a warrior, he’s mostly kept away from controversy and it’s pretty much impossible not to respect his game. You hate him when he’s shutting down your team’s star player, but otherwise, he’s the poster child for guys who play a 200-foot game. (At least until he passes that torch to Mark Stone.)

The one group that still kind of hates him: Anyone whose hatred radius for Brad Marchand extends far enough to fall on a guy who’s almost always right next to him.

Nathan MacKinnon

Why almost everyone loves him: We already said that Crosby should be on the list, so MacKinnon at least checks the Cole Harbour box.

Beyond that, he’s pretty much the ideal mass-approval superstar right now; he’s undeniably among the very best in the game but started his career with just enough adversity that it doesn’t feel like this is all easy for him. The Avalanche are a likable team and they’re good enough that it sure seems like they’ll be around for a while once the spring arrives. MacKinnon has kept his nose clean, he has just enough personality to seem comfortable in the spotlight and he’s even done a bit of acting. Also, he is reasonably good at playing hockey. 1166910 Washington Capitals basically be able to play under different circumstances,” Hathaway said. “It was a lot of building off of watching video and watching other guys play and just that firsthand experience of seeing what worked and what Capitals’ fourth-line players know their roles. It’s a reason for their didn’t.” success. Hathaway has five goals and five assists in 32 games this season. He had 11 goals and eight assists with Calgary last season. Hathaway spent his first four seasons with Calgary and looked to Mark Giordano — an Samantha Pell undrafted player “who has made everything in his career” — as a model for his own development. December 18, 2019 at 8:44 PM EST Leipsic said he didn’t watch any particular players in trying to mold his

game. The year after he was drafted by Nashville in 2012, he tied for the Washington Capitals center Nic Dowd knew what he had to do to make it Western Hockey League lead with 120 points for the Portland Winter in the NHL — same with Garnet Hathaway and Brendan Leipsic. All of Hawks (49 goals, 71 assists). them flashed their strong suits in college and/or the minors, up until they But even he knows his offensive capabilities aren’t unique to the NHL. reached hockey’s biggest stage. On his fifth NHL team since the 2015-16 season, he entered the season, But making it into the league is one thing; staying in it when you’re no at 25 years old, “still trying to prove myself as an NHL player.” So far, he longer a team’s biggest star is another. And all three players have had to has used his speed to his advantage, taking pride in being an “energy tweak their games to fit in at various stops around the NHL. player” and doing the gritty work on a team full of offensive firepower. Leipsic has three goals and six assists in 35 games. Since they arrived in Washington over the past year and a half, the three members of the Capitals’ fourth line have established a natural chemistry “Kind of just have to be workers and chip in offensively like I can,” on and off the ice, built on a shared hockey IQ and an understanding of Leipsic said. “I’ve been in the lineup every night, and I’m hoping it can how to carve out their roles in the NHL. stay that way and just keep contributing the way you can.”

“I had a coach in college that said, ‘Realize what you’re good at and do As Hathaway puts it, “You just have to find out what works and what that the best, and you’ll continue to get better at the other stuff because doesn’t.” people can build a role in the NHL,’ ” Hathaway said. Read more on the Washington Capitals: The “DHL line,” as some have begun calling the unit — because “they Capitals owner Ted Leonsis on a possible NHL game in Russia: ‘We are deliver” — has impressed teammates and coaches alike with Dowd’s all in on this’ defensive prowess and ability on faceoffs, Hathaway’s physical presence and forechecking ability and Leipsic’s speed and quick-twitch movements Some NHL defensemen bristle at being called ‘offensive,’ but what does up ice. it even mean?

When those players are on the ice together, the Capitals have scored six goals and allowed four, according to Natural Stat Trick. The line is enjoying a 49-30 advantage in even-strength scoring chances over more Washington Post LOADED: 12.19.2019 than 100 minutes of ice time this season.

The trio is even creating offense for other lines, such as in the Capitals’ 5-2 win Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The fourth line settled the game down in an early shift that opened the door for Washington to capitalize on Tampa Bay’s first true mistake of the night: a turnover that Nicklas Backstrom corralled at the front of the net for the game’s opening goal.

Each fourth-line player has forged his own path to success. Dowd said it really took him until last season — his first with the Capitals and fourth in the NHL — to understand what his role should be.

“It’s not like I didn’t know that is what I needed to do,” Dowd said, “but I think there was a little resistance in myself wanting to change from what I was: a point guy … to a guy that plays lower minutes and is relied upon in different situations other than what I was used to my whole life.”

During his first couple of seasons in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings, the center “found out pretty quickly” that he needed to change his game to have a chance to stay in the league. He focused on being more responsible defensively, concentrating more on faceoffs and being an asset on the penalty kill.

This season, Dowd has been part of the reason the Capitals are fourth in the NHL on the penalty kill at 85.4 percent.

“I think it took some maturing,” said Dowd, who has two goals and four assists in 23 games this season. “When I was in Los Angeles in my first organization, I kind of worked my way up from the American League, made my way up and earned at least an opportunity to play in the NHL. At the AHL level I was a player that did a little bit of everything, and I was relied upon in big situations and played a lot of minutes and was relied upon to score and produce.”

Capitals’ annual fathers’ trip brings fond memories, rare bonding time

Hathaway has built his game on his abilities to be physical and use his body to create chances for others. He wasn’t a big scorer in college the way Dowd was, but during his time in the minors he learned to adjust to different situations before reaching the NHL level.

“I was fortunate enough to have the same coach in the minors the entire time, and he helped me earn more responsibility and time on the ice and 1166911 Washington Capitals

Capital One Arena moving to digital-only ticketing in 2020

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

If you’re headed to Capital One Arena next year, chances are you won’t need to print anything out before you go.

The arena will transition to exclusively digital ticketing for all sporting events and concerts, Monumental Sports and Entertainment announced Wednesday.

Washington Wizards and Capitals season tickets will be fully digital starting with the 2020 playoffs, per a news release. All concerts announced after Jan. 1 will use only digital ticketing.

Maxine Waters: 'I believe' Trump-Putin conspiracy 'even though I don't have the facts to prove it'

Kirstie Alley blasts democratic socialists: It's like calling yourself 'gentle Nazi'

“At Monumental, we have had a very strong mobile presence for the past four years with the vast majority of our fans currently taking advantage of the benefits of utilizing digital tickets for entry into Capitals and Wizards games at Capital One Arena,” Monumental President of Business Operations Jim Van Stone said in a statement. “We are focused on making our entire ticketing process as streamlined as possible while ensuring our fans are fully educated and prepared for how to best manage their tickets.”

Capital One Arena will use Ticketmaster Presence for fan entry into the venue. Fans will access digital tickets on their phones on Ticketmaster.com or in the Ticketmaster mobile app.

Washington Times LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166912 Washington Capitals

Capitals vs. Devils: Time, TV Channel, Live stream, how to watch

By NBC Sports Washington

December 18, 2019 12:56 PM

The New Jersey Devils finally traded Taylor Hall, and the league-best Washington Capitals won't face any of their return in this matchup: two draft picks and three prospects.

With Hall in the desert, the Caps will look to stay hot, winning eight of their last 10.

If this matchup is in your Friday night plans, keep reading to know where to tune in.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166913 Washington Capitals

Oshie grateful to other Capitals dads for reaching out to 'Coach Osh' during mentors' trip

By J.J. Regan

December 18, 2019 12:53 PM

ARLINGTON, Va. -- For this year’s mentor’s trip, T.J. Oshie brought along his father-in-law, Dave Cosgrove with him. His father, Tim, was not able to make the trip, but was still included as the other dads FaceTimed him during Monday’s game in Columbus.

Oshie said Wednesday the gesture was a total surprise, but very much appreciated.

“I had no idea,” Oshie said. “I saw it on social media after the game. I didn't even know. Dave didn't even tell me after the game so I just had to see it when I got on my phone, but really cool moment for Coach Osh and happy that the dads took the time to give him a call and thank the Caps for trying to include him the best way we can.”

Tim Oshie suffers from Alzheimer’s disease which makes traveling difficult. Oshie said there were initial plans for him to come on the trip, but those were ultimately scrapped.

“We were going to try to make it work and try to get him out there, but we decided to let him be comfortable and stay at home so I'm sure he appreciated all the dads getting the call there,” he said.

Oshie has been with the Capitals since 2015 when the team acquired him in the offseason via a trade with the St. Louis Blues. Now in his fifth season with the team, Oshie and his father are certainly familiar to the other regulars on the trip making “Coach Osh’s” absence a notable one among the other dads.

That seems to have been the impetus for the dads reaching out on Monday.

“A lot of the dads that have been here for a while were asking me if coach Osh was coming,” Oshie said, “And they all said that they missed him and to send their best so it was nice for them to be able to say hi in person.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166914 Washington Capitals

Braden Holtby reveals playlist, plus other must-know tidbits about Caps players in new 'W Magazine'

By Caroline Brandt

December 18, 2019 11:28 AM

The perfect holiday gift for the diehard Capitals fan is here. W Magazine, a lifestyle magazine featuring exclusive photos, interviews and other content about your favorite players, hits shelves Wednesday at the team stores in Capital One Arena and MedStar Capitals Ice Plex.

Everything you've ever wanted to know about the personal lives of your favorite players such as Braden Holtby's Spotify playlist (available for download here), Nick Jensen's passion for fishing, Michal Kempny's fashion sense and John Carlson's love of golf, can be found within the glossy pages of this GQ-esque publication.

Most notably, each player's feature includes photos from their individualized photoshoots, which will make you second guess that these guys aren't also professional models.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166915 Washington Capitals have to re-sign him. Then I could see the team try to move Jensen as part of a package to bring in another righty or move him in the offseason.

Daniel Robinson writes: If Richard Panik and Jensen continue to struggle Capitals Mailbag: How can the Caps jump-start the third line? throughout the season, do you think a change of scenery is coming for either? If not, then how do the Caps fix the third line?

By J.J. Regan Panik and Jensen have not played up to expectations, but that does not mean trading them away is the simple solution. I know a lot of fans would December 18, 2019 6:00 AM like to see one or both moved at this point regardless of what you get back, but the fact that they are both in the first year of a four-year deal

complicates things. Getting rid of either may not just be as simple as Kathy Graninger writes: How come Carl Hagelin hasn’t scored a goal yet accepting whatever teams are willing to give up, it may actually require this season? I know he was out for a while with an injury, but it still giving up an asset as well. seems like he should have scored at least one by now, right? I assume most of you have watched a fair number of Caps games this Hagelin hasn't scored yet because he's not a great goal scorer. He never year. Let's pretend your a scout for another team and your general has been. I got into this argument a lot over the offseason because manager comes to you and asks if he should trade for either player. people thought Hagelin would simply step onto the third line and simply What would you say? What would you be willing to give up to take on become a 20-goal scorer. OK, except he has never scored 20 goals in either player and either contract? I don't know about you, but I would any season of his career. He had five goals total in 58 games last season want another asset tacked onto the deal from the Caps before a took on and only 10 goals the season before that. That's not why MacLellan 3+ years. With that in mind, for all you people clogging up my Twitter traded for him or re-signed him. saying to trade both players, would you still make that deal if you had to package them with a draft pick or a prospect? Now yes, at this point he should have at least managed to sneak one by the goalie. He's had opportunities, he's just a bit snakebitten. The team It's really not as simple as saying trade them for whatever and move on. certainly needs more offensive production from its third line, but when it Jensen has more value as pretty much every team could use more right comes to Hagelin we need to adjust expectations. The two players who defensemen, but you don't trade him without someone who could replace were really supposed to carry more of the offensive load on the third line him. are Lars Eller and Richard Panik. Hubert Cheung writes: You've mentioned that you think the Caps need a Nick Kabatsky writes: What will get the third line to start scoring? top-4 right-shot defenseman. What do you think about Mike Green fulfilling that role? What do you think would it take to get him? What I have been very patient with the third line this season because the would the Caps have to give up? Hagelin, Eller, Panik trio has really barely played together. Having said that, it is starting to get a bit concerning. On Monday, the fourth line got I don't see Mike Green as a top-four defenseman and haven't for some more even-strength time than the third. If that happens one or two games time. The fact that his cap hit is $5.375 million is also a non-starter. He is here and there, not a big deal. You can't have that happen too long. not the solution.

Why not? If the fourth line is playing well, keep playing them! Yes, except Kathy Graninger writes: I know there’s a lot of talk right now about then you've turned a really good fourth line into a mediocre third while Braden Holtby/Ilya Samsonov/Seattle but my concern is that if Holtby giving Hagelin, Eller and Panik even less ice time to produce. You are doesn’t end up staying (which sadly, he probably won’t), it seems really basically mitigating the effectiveness of your entire bottom six. The goal risky to let a young goalie with only a year’s experience in the NHL be the is to get more production out of the third line, not bury it and become a starting goalie. Samsonov is good, but it worries me that he won’t be three-line team. good enough to be a starting goalie by next year. What do you think? Is this a valid concern? If so, what can the Caps do to try to give Samsonov At this point, the Caps have enough room in the standings that I would the best chance of competing with (and winning against) other, more continue trying to play the third line and hope those players can develop experienced goalies and players? some chemistry with more time together. If not, I start giving Travis Boyd playing time. He has been productive in every position he has been put in It is definitely a concern to turn the keys over to a goalie with only 20-30 this season. Perhaps a Hagelin, Eller, Boyd trio can find some offense. games of NHL experience, for sure. That's why I think the Caps will look to sign an experienced backup in the offseason, someone who could be Thomas Seamon writes: I would like to hear your opinion of Nick expected to play 30-35 games next season and go with more of a goalie Jensen's play so far this year and what it could mean moving forward into tandem. Yes, the team has Pheonix Copley and Vitek Vanecek, but that's the playoffs. not what I'm talking about. I am looking at goalies like Jaroslav Halak or Jimmy Howard, guys on the final year of their contracts who could come Bill Bridges writes: What's your impression of Jensen so far? With the in and play significant time at a high level. young D in Hershey could you see MacLellan moving him this off-season or is it just that he needs more time to adjust to the Caps defensive Nick Kabatsky writes: Will we see Samsonov get more starts during the structure? second half of the season so that Holtby will be prepared for the playoffs? Jensen has not played up to the level expected when he was acquired from Detroit. I don't think anyone could dispute that at this point. That's We should. I was never in the camp that Samsonov should take over as not to say he's been terrible, it's just easy to think that way when you the No. 1 when Holtby was struggling at the start of the season, but I am think you are getting a top-four defenseman and he turns out to be a surprised Todd Reirden has leaned on Holtby as much as he has. Holtby bottom-pair guy. That's what I see him as at this point, a bottom-pair has played in 25 games this year and while Samsonov has just 11. defenseman. The problem is that the Caps already have a right third-pair defenseman in Radko Gudas and so second pair right defenseman is Don't get me wrong, Holtby has been playing very well, but he is on pace now a hole for this defense. Both Jensen and Gudas have played there for about 58 games this year which is more than I expected. If the team is at points and both have been serviceable, but neither has been able to playing just as well in front of Samsonov, why not get him a few more really cement themselves in that position. You can get away with that in starts? the regular season, but probably not the playoffs. Now this makes sense from the outside looking in, but let's remember the The team's prospects are not really going to impact Jensen's future on coaches also have to manage the players themselves. Holtby knows the the team because there are now right-shot defensemen in the system I implication of getting Samsonov more playing time so perhaps the could see taking his place. Martin Fehervary is a lefty, but Brian coaches have to manage him a bit to make sure he knows that, MacLellan has said he could play on the right. Otherwise, the cupboard is regardless of what happens next year, he is still the No. 1 right now and pretty bare in terms of right defensemen. maybe that means limiting Samsonov's starts. But as long as they can get Holtby in a place where he is comfortable mentally and playing well, I am not sure what Jensen's future might be, but I think it may have a lot then they should try to get Samsonov as many starts as possible. to do with Gudas. Like I said, the team has two bottom-pair right defensemen. I don't see that being the case next season. The question is which one would they rather keep? If the answer is Gudas, they would Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166916 Washington Capitals Asked what a couple of 20-year-olds do with themselves after practices and games, the ever ebullient Alexeyev laughed and shrugged.

Fehervary interjected from across the dressing room: “Don’t tell the Inside Capitals top prospect Martin Fehervary’s life in Hershey truth!”

“Usually we’re sleeping,” Alexeyev cracked. “We like to nap.”

By Tarik El-Bashir The conversation quickly turned to Fehervary’s video game skills.

Dec 18, 2019 “He’s brutal at FIFA,” Alexeyev said, shaking his head.

“Thanks, Al!,” Fehervary responded as he prepared a defense.

HERSHEY, Pa. – Martin Fehervary has been so impressive in the “I never used to play the video games; I wasn’t that kind of kid,” he American Hockey League that the Hershey Bears are resigned to the fact explained. “I never had a PlayStation or Xbox. I never did it. So obviously that their top pair defenseman probably won’t finish the season with I’m terrible. I’d rather watch a good movie than play FIFA.” them. The pair splits daily responsibilities. They don’t know when the call will come – the Capitals are tight up against the salary cap and an everyday defenseman hasn’t been needed Alexeyev has a car, so he drives everywhere. in Washington to this point – but Bears vice president Bryan Helmer suspects it’s only a matter of when, not if, particularly with the Caps “He’s my personal taxi driver,” Fehervary chuckled. rostering just six blueliners. Fehervary, meanwhile, is the resident chef.

“Every day that goes by we’re lucky that we still have Marty down here, Asked what was on the previous night’s menu, Fehervary said: “Teriyaki to be honest with you,” Helmer told The Athletic this week. “He’s an elite chicken with rice and veggies. Simple, but it tastes pretty good and it’s player down here, even though it’s his first year.” healthy for us.”

Fehervary, a second round selection in 2018, earned a spot on the The hardest part is agreeing on what to make. Capitals’ opening night roster, made his NHL debut on Stanley Cup banner night in St. Louis and skated in Washington’s next two games. “I’m always asking what he wants but we can’t always decide,” Fehervary His first stint in the big leagues, though, was a short one. When Evgeny said. “It’s really tough.” Kuznetsov returned from suspension on Oct. 6, Fehervary was demoted. Told that it seems like he’s getting off light, Alexeyev smiled. It was all part of the Caps’ plan for Fehervary, and he understood what was going on. “I just eat. But, hey, I help with the dishes sometimes,” he said.

“There wasn’t any space for me on the salary cap and they didn’t want to They’ve become close friends and are good for one another, even if keep me as a seventh D,” he said. “I’m a young guy and I want to play.” they’re essentially battling for the same role in the organization.

The smooth-skating 20-year-old Slovak quickly readjusted his focus. And “At the beginning there was a little bit of concern because it’s two young it wasn’t long before everyone in Hershey was mesmerized by what players and also two guys who are kind of in the same spot competing Washington’s staff had already witnessed. for the same thing,” Carbery said. “How is that dynamic going to work out? But it’s been phenomenal. They get along great. They’re always “He’s been exceptional,” Bears coach Spencer Carbery said. “The best together. I see them on off days when they come in and get a hot tub. way to describe Marty is, he’s so mature beyond his years. It’s difficult They have a great relationship.” stepping right into the American League. It’s even more difficult as a defenseman. Fehervary’s professionalism has rubbed off on Alexeyev.

“Just the little reads, the puck decisions, the coverage stuff, he’s so far “He played pro in Sweden for a long time,” Alexeyev said. “So that’s a ahead. You can probably chalk a lot of that up to him playing against guy I can look up to, what he’s doing after games, off the ice, and learn men” in Sweden’s top professional league as a teen. some stuff from him. That’s good.”

Since arriving in Hershey, Fehervary has solidified his spot atop the As for the internal competition, Alexeyev said it doesn’t get in the way of Caps’ internal depth chart for prospects. He plays on the top pair with their friendship. veteran Christian Djoos, is relied upon in all situations and boasts a team-best plus/minus of plus-8. He has also used his potent left-handed “It’s a good thing,” he said. “Even though we’re competing for the same shot to produce offensively, racking up three goals and seven assists in spot, that makes it fun. We’re doing the thing that we love. The decision 25 games. is made up there (in Washington), who is going to go up or who is going to stay. We just love playing hockey. We just have fun.” What really sets him apart, though, is his skating and his approach to the day-to-day grind of being a pro athlete. Fehervary is the more complete package at the moment, but he’s not a finished product. Helmer wants to see him make decisions with the puck “He’ll be leading the rush because he’s so much faster than everybody,” a smidge quicker, while Carbery wants to see more offense. Helmer said. “The forwards are trying to catch up. But then if it breaks down, he’s the first guy back. As a defenseman – especially if you’re a “If there’s anything he can work on, it’s his touches,” Helmer said, adding defenseman that has that offensive ability like he does – it’s nice to be that he’d be surprised if Fehervary isn’t named an AHL all-star. “His puck able to jump up into the play and recover back.” decisions and moving the puck a little bit quicker. Obviously, coming from the bigger ice surface in Europe to North America’s smaller ice surface, Added Carbery: “It’s quick twitch. He’s able to close quickly and get in the everything happens quicker. That’s what he needs to work on. And the rush with those first three strides that are so explosive and so quick.” only place you’re going to get better at that is in the games.”

Fehervary is also routinely one of the last players to leave the rink. He Said Carbery: “The big thing where he has room for growth is his lifts, trains, gets treatment, stretches. offensive game. It’s never going to be his bread and butter. But he can improve on getting his shot through at the offensive blue, be able to “His game is very mature for his age but so is his day-to-day approach,” make a few more plays when he gets the puck off the rush, maybe find Carbery said. “It’s so beyond his years. He always stays late. Does another option or pick a corner. But he does get himself into a lot of good stretching stuff on his own. No one tells him; that’s him on his own. He’s spots offensively because of the speed. Now it’s can he make that last the last guy to leave the rink because he’s paying attention to his body, play? Or find that last shot that ends up in the back of the net?” because he’s doing extra work. When it comes to the preparation part of being a pro outside of the game, he’s checking all of the boxes.” Of course, Fehervary wants to be back in Washington. Everyone in Hershey wants to be in the NHL. But he also knows that it’s not entirely Away from the rink is a little more of an adventure for Fehervary. His up to him. So, for now, he’s focused on being the best AHL defenseman roommate is Alex Alexeyev, a fellow blue line prospect that the Caps that he can be. drafted in the first round in 2018, just 15 spots ahead of Fehervary. And, he said, enjoying the Bears’ six-game winning streak. “We’ll see,” he said. “I’m focused on my own performance and what I am doing here, how I’m playing, how I’m training, how I’m sleeping. That part’s up to me. Whatever happens in Washington, I will be ready.”

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166917 Washington Capitals the expansion Knights, but instead, he’s played some of the best hockey of his career while leaning hard into his likable personality to sell the game in a new market.

Down Goes Brown: The 10 players that no NHL fan can hate (except for The one group that still kind of hates him: Man, I’m not even sure. That all the ones that do) Sharks/Knights rivalry is pretty solid, so maybe you allow San Jose fans to sneer at him just a bit. Beyond that, his only natural enemy at this point are Canadians who still aren’t over how the 2004 World Juniors ended By Sean McIndoe and Hall of Fame sticklers who’ll be mad when he makes it in on the first ballot. Dec 18, 2019 Elias Pettersson

Why almost everyone loves him: Another member of the current cohort of We’re into holiday mode, where everything is supposed to be about great young players just hitting their prime, Pettersson is a wizard with peace and goodwill. Love thy neighbor and that sort of thing. the puck who ran away with the Calder last year. As a bonus, hockey That’s nice and all, but it can be tough for hockey fans, who are fans love rooting for smaller players. Pettersson isn’t actually small – he’s preconditioned to be mad at just about everything. Pretty soon we’ll hit 6-foot-2 – but for some reason, everyone outside of Vancouver has the Christmas trade freeze, meaning we can’t even sit around and decided to think that he is, so he gets that added boost. imagine that bum who’s clogging up our team’s salary cap being traded Also, we should all be feeling a pang of collective Canucks-related guilt for a ransom of picks and prospects. Now you want us to be nice to the for not appreciating Pavel Bure or the Sedins enough. jerks on the other teams too? It’s a rough time of year when you’re a diehard hockey fan who hates everyone. The one group that still kind of hates him: Other players, apparently, since he’s already been injured controversially by Chris Kreider and Well, almost everyone. Because at any given time, there are always a Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Other than that, I’m not sure there’s anybody, apart few players who just about everyone seems to like. It’s been a rough few from the four head scouts who passed on him in 2017. years for that crowd, as we’ve said goodbye to guys like Roberto Luongo, Pavel Datsyuk, Teemu Selanne and Jarome Iginla. But that just creates Henrik Lundqvist some extra room on the nice list. Why almost everyone loves him: He’s the best goaltender of his era and Today, let’s get into the holiday spirit with a list of the ten players in the a sure-thing Hall-of-Famer as soon as he’s eligible. He’s also a part-time NHL that nobody can hate. (And then the reasons why maybe you can model, plays in a rock band and loves good dogs. hate them just a little.) To be honest, it’s almost too much, and at a certain point, you could Connor McDavid forgive fans if they turned on him. Like, we get it Henrik, you’re better than us at everything. But then you remember that he still hasn’t won a Why almost everyone loves him: First of all, he’s the best player in the Stanley Cup, which gives his story arc some vulnerability and lends a league, with maybe the most pure skill since Mario Lemieux. Even in a sense of urgency to the final stages of his career. Remember when he league with more dominant young talent than ever before, McDavid still dragged the Rangers to the final, only to give up the Cup-winner in occasionally does things that you’ve never seen, or ever thought overtime and then lay on the ice for roughly the entire offseason? You’d possible. He’s one of the rare players who’d be worth paying full price have to be a monster to hate a guy who’s been through that. just to watch on his own and brings back that pre-Dead Puck Era feeling of excitement you used to get whenever a star player had the puck on his The one group that still kind of hates him: Guys that aren’t supermodel stick. rock star athletes, I guess. I don’t know anyone like that, but it’s what I’ve heard. Second of all, he’s signed long-term in Edmonton, so the sympathy factor is off the charts. Phil Kessel

The one group that still kind of hates him: Flames fans get a pass, as Why almost everyone loves him: OK, I’m not sure everyone actually they do for any Oiler. Beyond that, nobody really dislikes him, although does. I’m projecting a little bit here since I’ve been on Team Phil for years you get the sense that there’s an undercurrent of aggravation from other and am still actively trying to get everyone else on the bandwagon. Good fan bases who keep waiting for him to stomp out of Edmonton and seats are still available. demand a trade. Come on, they’re terrible, and he looked vaguely sad at his draft lottery. Surely he wants to play somewhere else. Specifically, for Still, at this point, I’m not sure there are any good reasons left to dislike my favorite team. Come on Connor, blink twice if you want us to send in the guy. Sure, he was kind of awkward and weird when he first broke into a chopper to airlift you out. the league, which seemed to rub people the wrong way. He’s still awkward and weird, but he’s figured out how to lean into it just enough Patrick Marleau that he seems like he’s mostly in on the joke now. The dude ate hot dogs out of the Stanley Cup, I’m not sure what more you could want. Why almost everyone loves him: He’s been around forever, his speed means he’s been fun to watch over the years and he always seems Oh, he’s also a Masterton winner and cancer survivor, not to mention a disturbingly happy. He became the team father figure in Toronto – two-time Cup champion who has a shot at breaking the ironman record. literally – and then headed home to San Jose to finish out his career. Plus he’s still chasing that elusive Stanley Cup, and everybody loves a The one group that still kind of hates him: Most of his ex-coaches, a few good OGWAC story. Uh, please don’t check the standings to see how of his former GMs and team executives, a handful of ex-teammates and that quest is going for him. like 90 percent of the media. Also, probably a few Coyotes fans who were hoping for more than seven goals. But other than that very small The one group that still kind of hates him: Nobody right now, although niche group, everybody else loves the guy. we’ll save a spot for Leaf fans when they miss the playoffs and end up having to send the 11th overall pick to the Hurricanes for getting out of Justin Williams the last year of his contract. Also, it’s going to be kind of weird if he sticks Why almost everyone loves him: He’s Mr. Game Seven, which is pretty around next year and ends up breaking Gordie Howe’s all-time games much an irresistible narrative. Athletes who are “clutch” may or may not played record. See, you didn’t realize that was going to happen, and now be an actual thing, but it’s an undeniably fun concept, so fans want to you feel just a little conflicted, right? believe.

Marc-Andre Fleury OK, yes, he’s not technically an active player right now, which in theory Why almost everyone loves him: He’s a former first overall pick who’s should work against him. But since everyone assumes he’s coming back, smiled his way through a very good NHL career, without ever being so we’ll leave the door cracked open for him. dominating that you resented him. He was part of three Cup winners in The one group that still kind of hates him: Me, any time I write about the Pittsburgh, then handled what could have been a tricky Matt Murray Hall of Fame and have to explain why he’s not going to make it. (Also, situation and eventual exit with class and good humor. That was Hurricanes fans if he makes his big late-season comeback with someone supposed to lead to him spending his last few years getting shelled for else, but we’re not supposed to mention that possibility out loud.) But wait, what about … seem comfortable in the spotlight and he’s even done a bit of acting. Also, he is reasonably good at playing hockey. Before we head down the home stretch, let’s hit a few guys who might have a case for the list, but didn’t make the final cut. The one group that still kind of hates him: Any superstar player who has to negotiate an extension and has to hear about how much MacKinnon Sidney Crosby: He should be there. But for years, for whatever reason, makes. he’s been a lightning rod for criticism and a complaint for fans outside of Pittsburgh. He shouldn’t be, but nobody has ever accused hockey fans of Alexander Ovechkin being reasonable. Why almost everyone loves him: We’re here, right? Please tell me there Joe Thornton: I’ve included him on the list in the past and wanted to isn’t still some pocket of holdouts in the anti-Ovechkin club. Sure, early in squeeze him in here. But I’ve heard from enough Blues fans to know that his career he was a little too flashy for some tastes and over time he some of them still haven’t forgiven. evolved into one of those guys you could point to when you were rambling on about how certain players put up big numbers but just can’t Mikko Koivu: On the one hand, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who win the big one. But ever since he won the Stanley Cup and then didn’t like him. On the other, he’s still got a ways to go to be the most celebrated by having more fun than just about anyone in the history of popular guy in his own family. Tough call here. the world, even his harshest critic has to have thrown in the towel.

Mitch Marner: He’s a happy-go-lucky kid playing for his hometown team At least I hope so because we’ve got a few more years to enjoy the guy and he’s all sorts of fun to watch. He’s also a Maple Leaf and it’s virtually who might end up being considered the greatest pure goal scorer in the impossible to get anyone from Toronto onto a universally beloved list. history of the sport. Let’s not let this be one of those Brett Hull things P.K. Subban: He’s got the personality, but he was never all that close to where we never quite appreciate a guy enough until he’s done. Ovechkin being universally loved when he was at the height of his game and these rules. days he isn’t. The one group that still kind of hates him: I don’t know, but I have a bad Johnny Gaudreau: Once he gets his game back to an elite level, he’ll be feeling I’m about to find out. right back in the running.

Any of this year’s rookies: Let’s see them put in at least a full season The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 without enraging anyone. But some of these guys could be in the mix soon, especially Cale Makar.

Jonathan Toews: Another name that’s shown up on these lists in recent years, but it feels like the league’s constant tire-pumping of Chicago players – remember that Top 100 fiasco? – has led to a Blackhawks backlash.

Steven Stamkos: He’s a great player who’s still chasing his Cup and after a few years any lingering bitterness should be fading over him not picking your favorite team when he was a free agent.

Taylor Hall: He’s an elite player who also seems to be fun off the ice, in that kind of quirky Kessel-like way. Let’s see how the dynamic plays out in Arizona.

Jack Eichel: Check back this time next year, especially if he can lead the Sabres on a solid playoff run.

Claude Giroux: Fun fact, if you write a post about star players and don’t mention Claude Giroux somewhere, Flyer fans will come to your house and pee down your chimney.

Pretty much any defensemen: You could make cases for a few guys, but in general it’s easy to find something to hate about a guy whose job it is to cross-check your favorite forward’s spine into paste.

The guy whose name you’re about to go post in the comments with a question mark on the end and nothing else: He was sixth eleventh.

Patrice Bergeron

Why almost everyone loves him: After years of being grouped in with Toews and Anze Kopitar, Bergeron’s recent offensive peak has made him the de facto name for fans who want to show that they appreciate a two-way forward. He’s a warrior, he’s mostly kept away from controversy and it’s pretty much impossible not to respect his game. You hate him when he’s shutting down your team’s star player, but otherwise, he’s the poster child for guys who play a 200-foot game. (At least until he passes that torch to Mark Stone.)

The one group that still kind of hates him: Anyone whose hatred radius for Brad Marchand extends far enough to fall on a guy who’s almost always right next to him.

Nathan MacKinnon

Why almost everyone loves him: We already said that Crosby should be on the list, so MacKinnon at least checks the Cole Harbour box.

Beyond that, he’s pretty much the ideal mass-approval superstar right now; he’s undeniably among the very best in the game but started his career with just enough adversity that it doesn’t feel like this is all easy for him. The Avalanche are a likable team and they’re good enough that it sure seems like they’ll be around for a while once the spring arrives. MacKinnon has kept his nose clean, he has just enough personality to 1166918 Winnipeg Jets contests, it would be tough to ask the first line to take their game to another level to make up for the holes in the lineup.

"I think it's just the whole team. We got pretty good depth in the Copp to join Perreault in Jets' sick bay organization," Connor said. "It's almost next man up so when they plug them in, they gotta be ready to play. I don't think there's any added pressure to anybody." By: Taylor Allen With a pair of division matchups up next on the schedule, starting with Posted: 12/18/2019 9:39 PM tonight's homestand finale against the Chicago Blackhawks and then Saturday's trip to Minnesota to take on the Wild, it will be important for

the Jets to quickly figure out how their new-look third-line can replicate Losing two key forwards wasn't exactly what the Winnipeg Jets had in the success of the old one. mind for this week's three-game homestand. "These are a couple big games. The standings are so tight," Morrissey One game after losing veteran forward Mathieu Perreault to a high hit in said. "We need to come out with our best effort in the next few." Sunday's 7-3 win over Philadelphia, the Jets would see another one of their forwards go down. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 12.19.2019 In the second period of Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, Andrew Copp attempted to hit into the boards. But Staal stood tall and it was Copp who would take most of the damage as the Jets forward would fall awkwardly. Copp immediately went to the bench and was favouring his head and neck area before leaving the game for good.

The Jets cancelled Wednesday's practice at Bell MTS Place at the last minute, but Copp wouldn't have been out on the ice regardless as head coach Paul Maurice said the fifth-year player is week-to-week with an upper-body injury and will not return before Christmas. Maurice made it clear that Copp does not have a concussion.

Centre Adam Lowry now finds himself as the last man standing on the Jets' reliable third line. Perreault, 31, has six goals and six assists in 33 games this season. Copp contributed five goals and nine assists in 34 games while averaging a career-high of 17-minutes of ice time per game.

"They bring something really different than the other two lines and (they're) in different roles than the other two lines play," said Maurice during Wednesday's media availability. "We're in the process of kind of making an assessment of what we'll need. We'll have to bring in at least one player, maybe two, in and we'll do that today."

Hours later the team officially put Perreault, who remains in concussion protocol, and Copp on injured reserve and called forwards Jansen Harkins and Mason Appleton up from the Manitoba Moose. It's a well- deserved promotion for Harkins, who has yet to pull on an NHL sweater in a regular-season game, as the 22-year-old has been a force for the Moose this season. Harkins, a second-round pick by the Jets in 2015, has the third-most points in the AHL as he's notched seven goals and 24 assists in 31 games. Appleton returns to the Jets after a four-game conditioning stint with the Moose where he picked up one assist. He broke a bone in his foot while throwing the football around with teammates at Mosaic Stadium in Regina prior to the Heritage Classic in October. The 23-year-old Appleton, who was chosen four rounds after Harkins was back in 2015, had two penalty minutes in nine games with the Jets to start the year.

"We'll always say there is no threshold, next guy up, all that. But you get into (Bryan) Little, Perreault and Copp out of your lineup now, those top nine guys, and you've been fairly healthy and structured up front so it's allowed you to kind of work with a back end," Maurice added. "Our forwards have had a big impact on our defences ability to survive and play well. But we've got NHL players that can fill that role and I've run more of a top nine. I'm not gonna have to push a lot of people into bigger minutes than they've been already getting."

Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey was asked what the loss of Perreault and Copp means for the team.

"Obviously, it's tough to lose guys like that. I thought that both of them have had really strong seasons and I think both of them lately have been playing great hockey for us," he said. "It's tough, but, I guess that's the harsh reality of the NHL. You're going to have injuries and there's going to be times where the lineup shifts and guys have to come in and step up in other guys absences. That's going to be big for us to try to get to Christmas here and have guys step up."

Even with the injuries piling up, forward Kyle Connor said it shouldn't change how the top-six play. With Mark Scheifele on a team-leading seven-game point streak, Patrik Laine finding the back of the net in three out of the past four games and Connor having 10 points in the last seven 1166919 Winnipeg Jets They’re all plausible. But Door No. 3 seems to be the driving force behind the sudden change of heart. It’s hard to see him winning any case in arbitration, so instead he should shift to focusing his energy on repairing Has the Dustin Byfuglien saga experienced a change of heart? the damage done with the club.

Meanwhile, Byfuglien hasn’t packed up and left Winnipeg. He’s been spotted at a bar, at a Cabela’s store, and at a fishing lodge. Scott Billeck Is the situation irreparable? Hardly. Remember, hockey is a business of December 18, 2019 8:46 PM CST winning. A healthy and engaged Byfuglien makes the Jets a better team.

And if they’re going to make inroads in the playoffs, the big defenceman is a huge piece that would essentially be a trade-deadline acquisition It’s funny how a small morsel of information can change the complexion they have to pay nothing to get. of an otherwise complicated situation. Can the fanbase forgive? He did sort of screw the team, which shed its Now, it’s not as if the Winnipeg Jets and Dustin Byfuglien have kissed entire right side on the blue line over the summer, effectively and made up after what has appeared to be a rather strained hamstringing Cheveldayoff and any attempts at replacing him with his relationship. charade. But a report on Tuesday may have shifted the narrative. It might be touch and go at first. But the first time Byfuglien ragdolls Not because the hulking defenceman is in the early stages of a rehab someone, sends them into the shadow realm with a massive hit or bulges program following his self-elected ankle surgery back in October. That’s the twine and public address announcer Jay Richardson lets out that just standard fare when it comes to the healing process. signature call: “Winnipeg Jets goal scored by No. 33 Dus-Tin BUFF- LEN,” all will likely be forgiven not long after. But it’s the bit that said that, despite Byfuglien’s rehabilitation process being guided by an independent medical staff, there’s at least some At the end of the day, Byfuglien brings a presence to the ice that few can communication, reportedly ongoing, about his overall treatment. match. Assuming the Jets don’t completely off a cliff between now and April, they seem destined for some sort of playoff berth. A morsel, perhaps. But a juicy one. And that’s where the latest development in his peculiar ordeal gets rather interesting. In the interim, the Jets could be on the verge of adding an important piece back into their lineup. A fan favourite who lost his way for a time. Byfuglien’s story is well-documented at this point. He showed up a week Truth be told, we still don’t know the full story. prior to training camp’s opening and skated informally with some teammates but failed to show up for the first day of camp. And Byfuglien is, simply, an enigma who marches to the beat of his own drum. The notes don’t always make sense, but that’s what you get with At first, we were told he needed some time to think some things over. the 34-year-old. The truth is, we may never know what was going through his head when he decided to quit on the team. Then we found out that Byfuglien was contemplating his future, perhaps even retirement from the game after 14 seasons. The saga is far from over, but that glimpse of light in the distance could herald a positive conclusion to what’s been an unusual series of events. This was followed by the revelation that, unbeknownst to the Jets, Byfuglien had walked into a surgeon’s office in Minnesota in late-October and had his troublesome ankle — which caused two separate stints on the sidelines last season — repaired. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 12.19.2019

Byfuglien had already signed off on a clean bill of health following end-of- season medicals after the Jets were bounced from the Stanley Cup playoffs in the first round, so the team wouldn’t have suspected anything.

News of Byfuglien’s surgery was followed by an awkward interview with general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff while the team was on the road in California. When pressed on the matter, Cheveldayoff said nothing of substance because the NHL had muzzled the organization after assuming the reins with a pending grievance looming from the NHLPA.

That grievance was eventually filed, with Byfuglien looking to recoup the $8 million he is owed this season, money set forth in his contract that was frozen after the Jets suspended him without pay for not showing up to camp.

An arbitrator was supposed to hand down a verdict at some point. That hearing, as far as we know, hasn’t yet happened and, perhaps, now never will.

The sudden communication between the Byfuglien’s camp and the team is most quizzical.

There are a few reasons why this might be the case:

1. Byfuglien wants to play hockey again, as early as this season — the end of February or early March based on the timeline to recover fully from his surgery.

2. He wants to get paid. This is the penultimate year of his five-year, $38- million deal. He’s owed $6 million next year and could still cash in on that, in Winnipeg, or elsewhere. And perhaps showing interest in rehabbing helps his arbitration case.

3. He is increasingly less confident that he has a foot to stand on

(no pun intended) in front of an arbitrator because, at the end of the day, he had previously declared himself to be healthy on his season-ending medical report. With that finally sinking in, Byfuglien is ready to cut his losses and salvage what he can. 1166920 Winnipeg Jets

GAME DAY: Chicago Blackhawks at Winnipeg Jets

Scott Billeck

December 18, 2019 7:59 PM CST

THE BIG MATCHUP

Scheifele line vs. Next in line to stop them

Mark Scheifele is currently riding a seven-game point streak, one that includes seven goals and 12 points. Patrik Laine brings with him a four- game point streak, including three goals, and points in six of his past seven games. Kyle Connor saw a six-game point streak end on Tuesday, but you can see the trend here. Winnipeg’s top line has found their stride and are combining for points seemingly at will, even in big losses such as their 6-3 defeat on Tuesday at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes. The Blackhawks allow the most shots per game at an average of 36, but will have Duncan Keith back in the lineup after an extended absence. Perhaps he can help stymie Scheifele and Co.

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Rebound opportunity

The Jets endured a hellacious night thanks to the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, who pounded them for six goals against in a game that also saw the Jets lose Andrew Copp for the foreseeable future. Winnipeg isn’t a team to string losses together this season, with only two straight defeats occurring once thus far. They face a Blackhawks team tied for the worst record in the Western Conference entering Wednesday (they played the Colorado Avalanche in the first of a back-to-back on Wednesday night.) Simply, the Jets need a better effort than the one put forth on Tuesday, and they have an excellent opportunity against a team that will be playing their second game in as many nights.

2. Third line decimated

The loss of Mathieu Perreault to a suspected concussion was tough in its own right on Sunday. Lossing Copp was just a slap in the face two nights later. And with both out of the lineup indefinitely, the Jets have lost two- thirds of their oft-dominant third line, one tasked, often, with shutting down the other team’s best. Copp, in particular, ranks third on the Jets in shot share (CF%) and third in expected goals (xGF%). For a team that struggles in both departments, losing one of their best in both categories isn’t easily replaced.

3. Porous penalty kill

It had gotten better. Then it all started to fall apart. The Jets have allowed at least one power-play goal against in their past three games, an ugly streak that’s dropped them down to 30th spot in the NHL operating at 73.4%.

4. Wheeler one point away

Blake Wheeler has hit a couple of milestones this season, but when he records his next point he will pull into a tie with Ilya Kovalchuk for the franchise record in points. Wheeler is sitting on 614 points with the Jets at the moment, one shy of Kovalchuk’s 615. Wheeler has 597 points in a Jets sweater and another 17 with the Atlanta Thrashers prior to their move back in 2011.

5. Powered up power play

While the penalty kill has veered south, Winnipeg’s time on the man- advantage has been plentiful recently. They’ve scored on six of their past 17 power-play opportunities over their past five games, a success rate of 35.3%. That number has propelled the Jets out of the bottom third and into 17th in the NHL operating at 18.2%. Mark Scheifele leads the way with six power-play goals on the season.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 12.19.2019 1166921 Winnipeg Jets But between the final whistle on Tuesday and when players stepped in front of the cameras on Wednesday, something has to transpire to “flush it,” as it were.

JETS NOTEBOOK: Copp week-to-week as injuries continue to pile up for “It depends on the situation,” Morrissey said. “A lot of times, you’re kind Jets of mad after the game, frustrated and things like that. You get home and you get back into your routine, you wake up the next day and it’s kind of… we play too many games to sort of dwell on the night before or the Scott Billeck game prior.

December 18, 2019 6:56 PM CST “On the flip side, you know that you’re going to have an opportunity within a day or two, usually, to come back out and have another crack at it and

have a better performance.” When it rains, it pours. As a coach, Maurice said he assesses the awareness that his players Hours after confirming the loss of Mathieu Perreault due to a suspected have of such a game, what needs to be addressed and what doesn’t. concussion, the Winnipeg Jets are now going to have to trudge along “It’s different for the environment you’re in, how you think your team is with another key piece in Andrew Copp. playing, what you got coming up,” he said. Copp will be out week-to-week with an undisclosed upper-body injury, If you pour over the game sheet from Tuesday’s game, you’ll see an head coach Paul Maurice revealed on Wednesday. even-strength goal by Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho in the second “Identity. They bring something really different than the other two lines period nestled in between a barrage of other lamplighters in the game. and in different roles than the other two lines play,” Maurice said when If you look closer, specifically to the column that shows who was on the asked to assess the loss of Copp. ice for the Jets at the time of the goal, you’ll see a list of four skates and Copp was injured in the second period of Tuesday’s 6-3 blowout loss to a goalie. the Carolina Hurricanes after he tried to throw a hit on ‘Canes forward It wasn’t a mistake by the NHL’s stats guys. The Jets were playing Jordan Staal. Copp initially left the game after heading to the bench in shorthanded when they didn’t need to. some discomfort. He would return for a shift but then made the walk back down the tunnel immediately after and didn’t emerge for the third period. “It was a miscommunication, off a line change,” Maurice said, who didn’t have much of an explanation for it other than that. Maurice confirmed the injury was not a concussion, something that has plagued Copp in the past.

Winnipeg’s often-dominant and always dependable third line has been Winnipeg Sun LOADED 12.19.2019 decimated with the losses of Perreault and Copp. The pairing of Copp and centre Adam Lowry has been relied upon for the past few years with shutting down the other teams’ best and, despite the designation of being the third line on the depth chart, has often been thrown over the boards as the second.

Maurice said he doesn’t know the threshold of the impact that losing Copp and Perreault will have on his team. He said it’s a next-man-up scenario, but conceded that there’s some real talent missing from his side at the moment.

“You get into (Bryan) Little, Perreault and Copp out of your lineup now, top-nine guys, and you’ve been fairly healthy and structured up front so it’s allowed you to kind of work with the backend and our forwards have had a big impact on our defence’s ability to survive and play well,” Maurice said. “But we’ve got NHL players that can fill that role… we’re not going to have to push a lot of people into bigger minutes than they’ve already been getting.”

The Jets recalled Mason Appleton and Jansen Harkins from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League on Wednesday afternoon.

Appleton likely slots into the lineup right away and could move right to the third line with Lowry and Bourque. Harkins could suit up Thursday, too. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to sit a guy running in the vein of form he is presently in the AHL.

The latter has been a revelation in the AHL this season. He’s currently third in AHL scoring with 31 points and leads the league with 24 assists.

Appleton has played a few games with the Moose after returning from a six-week stint on the sidelines with a busted ankle, one he broke just prior to the Heritage Classic in Regina.

“It’s tough to lose guys like that,” defenceman Josh Morrissey said. “That’s the harsh reality of the NHL, you’re going to have injuries. There are going to be times where the lineup shifts and guys are going to have to come in and step up in other guys’ absences. That’s going to be big for us to try and get to Christmas here.”

Both Perreault and Copp were placed on injured reserve to accommodate the moves.

Getting stomped 6-3 in a game where they were clearly the second- fastest team can elicit a wide range of emotions for an NHLer.

The Jets spoke of the usual need to turn the page and flush Tuesday’s loss and look ahead to Thursday’s opportunity to right some wrongs. 1166922 Vancouver Canucks “The game we played (against Montreal), the game we played in San Jose, we had a lot of those games at the beginning of the year that we won. And that’s reality.

Patrick Johnston: Key to Canucks' revival lies in forechecking aggression “I try to always be honest with the assessment of our group. If these last three games were all like the Vegas game, I’d have a different take in the room today,” he said. PATRICK JOHNSTON “But, you know, the reality is, we can be sitting here and we’ve won three December 18, 2019 6:37 PM PST of our last four. And we’re talking about a different situation … we’ve had some ups and downs with our scoring. And that’s to be expected a little

bit with a group like ours, I think.” When the Vancouver Canucks' have found success this season, it's been for pretty simple reasons: they have the puck more than the opposition. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.19.2019 When the Canucks roared out to their impressive start in October, there were so many things the Vancouver players were doing well.

But the thing that stood out for most NHL onlookers was how little time the Canucks were spending in their own end and how much time they were playing in the opposition’s.

They were successful in disrupting the opposition’s breakouts, which created neutral zone turnovers and the Canucks being able to go on the counterattack.

The men in green and blue were making hockey a half-court game and they were doing it very well.

But as the opposition became tougher and Vancouver started dealing with injuries to depth forwards and a more recent one to a key defenceman, the fine edge the Canucks had been skating along snapped.

“When our game’s on, we’re doing that stuff and creating our own turnovers,” Tanner Pearson said Wednesday after his team practised at Rogers Arena, a day ahead of hosting the Vegas Golden Knights, a team that had its way last Sunday in Nevada against the Canucks. Vegas recorded 46 shots on goal in a 6-3 win.

“When we’re not doing that, I don’t want to say we look like a slow team, but it’s easier to break out.”

Canucks coach Travis Green said the team’s struggles of late — which he downplayed by saying he was pleased with his team’s play for the most part — weren’t just about the players’ forecheck lacking aggression, but also about an overall lack of sync to their game.

“If your D breaks the puck out clean, you don’t spend as much time in your D zone coverage. And when you do get the puck out you’re not as tired.

“If you’re half a step ahead of the other team and you’re on your toes and you break it out clean, our pass through the neutral zone is usually a little bit ahead of them,” Green said Wednesday. “If you are off, which now results in you being a little ahead of the play off the forecheck … it’s like a circle, it’s all connected.”

The Canucks have played a lot of hockey with not much time to rest over the past six weeks.

“It’s kind of getting into the grunt of the season, guys are getting a bit tired right now. It’s not an excuse but it’s just the reality,” defenceman Troy Stecher said. He figured that was partly to blame for being out of sync.

The pace they need to play at means that a step off the pace can bring a cascade of problems.

“I know when we don’t have the puck we want our forwards coming back just as hard as they would be attacking if they did have the puck,” Stecher said of the pace the team’s system demands.

A return to that October energy level, as much as anything, will result in great success, Pearson said.

“It’s a hard way to play but it’s a good way to play. When you see the game that we play at that level we usually win. We just got to, you know, can’t let the foot come off the gas pedal for those 10 minutes.”

Green remains philosophical even with the fans starting to voice their displeasure. The coach insists he’s “mostly pleased” with how his team is playing, saying it’s just not getting much puck luck. 1166923 Vancouver Canucks But hang on, the story gets better.

In an optional skate at Britannia Arena a day before the playoffs, a playful wrestling match between Kevin McCarthy and Curt Fraser resulted in Canucks at 50: The spurt, and the hurt, of first Stanley Cup final run in McCarthy breaking his ankle. It meant the captaincy would transfer to 1982 Smyl and that the club’s three top blueliners — Rick Lanz, Jiri Bubla and McCarthy — were sporting leg casts.

BEN KUZMA Fans welcome Vancouver Canucks players home on May 12, 1982, after they had narrowly lost the first two games of the Stanley Cup final series December 17, 2019 11:17 AM PST against the two-time defending champion New York Islanders. Dan Scott / PNG files

“I was at the Pacific Coliseum doing an off-ice workout,” recalled Smyl. Canucks wingers (left) and Darcy Rota jam the net while “All I heard was that he (McCarthy) was on the way to the hospital.” Islanders captain Denis Potvin and goalie hold the fort during Game 3 of the 1982 Stanley Cup final. The Canucks lost this game 3-0 It was an ominous entry into the post-season, but the Canucks swept the and the series in four straight after a remarkable run. Calgary Flames and then watched the Los Angeles Kings stun the heavily favoured Oilers. Suddenly, there was an unlikely path to post- Canucks wingers Stan Smyl (left) and Darcy Rota jam the net while season promise. The Canucks breezed by the Kings in five games and Islanders captain Denis Potvin and goalie Billy Smith hold the fort during did the same to the Chicago Blackhawks. Game 3 of the 1982 Stanley Cup final. The Canucks lost this game 3-0 and the series in four straight after a remarkable run. Wayne Leidenfrost / Then came the Islanders and all the drama that surrounded Game 1 and PNG files 2 at Uniondale, N.Y. The Canucks couldn’t get a hotel close to the rink and couldn’t catch a break. They were up 5-4 in the third period and lost 'If you were going to go to war, you would want to go with our guys. You the opener 6-5 in overtime. And in Game 2, they had a 4-3 lead in the knew what everyone was going to give every night' third period and lost 6-4. “It hurts because it’s so hard to get there.” Imagine if they won one of those first two games? Thirty-seven years after the upstart and odds-defying Vancouver Goaltender ‘King Richard’ Brodeur of the Vancouver Canucks looks Canucks advanced to the 1982 Stanley Cup final — only to be swept by towards the crowd of white towel-waving fans during the fourth and final the super-skilled, super-deep and defending champion New York game of the Stanley Cup final at the Pacific Coliseum on May 16, 1982. Islanders — that summation from Stan Smyl is significant of the long slog PNG files to hockey’s Holy Grail. “You never know going back home,” said Smyl. “You think they’ve got the “You think after that, I’ve still got about another eight years and I’ll get momentum, but either way, if we would have split it would have been there,” he added. “So it does hurt. Were we good enough to beat them? interesting — that’s for sure.” Well, we were good enough to get there. And that was in our minds, so let’s give it a shot.” What it became was an emotional roller-coaster ride. The Canucks were greeted by a mob scene at the airport when they returned to Vancouver It was thought to be a shot in the dark. and it took them two hours to snake through autograph-seekers and well- The Islanders had not only topped the NHL with a 54-16-10 record, they wishers. had of trio trigger-happy snipers in Mike Bossy (64 goals), Bryan Trottier “I still have great memories of that,” said Smyl. “But in hindsight, the Isles (50) and John Tonelli (35). The Canucks countered with Thomas Gradin flew in behind us after and we were still at the airport and they went to (37), Smyl (34) and Ivan Boldirev (33). The Islanders had a Vezina the drop-off level at departures. Their bus was waiting up top and they Trophy winner in Billy Smith and the Canucks had the unheralded were gone. And we were still there.” Richard Brodeur. The adulation was amazing and it also applied immense pressure to “They had everything,” admitted Smyl. “But I remember one of their make it a series in Game 3. After all, the Canucks were so close in players telling me after the fact and after he had retired, that they wrote Uniondale. on their wall: ‘Be Ready To Work Against This Team.’ Their experience beat us in the end. They had been there and done that. They knew what “We were right there,” said Smyl. “The first game was kind of feeling out it took and their skill was better all the way down the lineup. and to see where we fit in with that group. We knew we could match them in the work ethic, but the talent was that much different. We just “But if you were going to go to war, you would want to go with our guys. didn’t have it.” You knew what everyone was going to give every night and they weren’t going to change the way they played. A lunch-bucket type of team and It showed in Game 3, a revealing 3-0 loss. that’s what people looked at. We had skill, we just didn’t have enough.” “We didn’t touch the puck very much — they were that good,” recalled Islanders winger Bob Nystrom is about to shoot — and score — on Smyl. “They had a game plan and we were all caught up in the moment. Canucks goalie Richard Brodeur during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final It wears you down. You never think about being tired and you never want on May 16, 1982 at the Pacific Coliseum. Wayne Leidenfrost / PNG files to use that. But we were tired physically and mentally. And they (Islanders) knew that.“ However, the Canucks found some well-timed moxie when it mattered most. The Canucks dropped Game 4 by a 3-1 count as the Islanders claimed their third straight championship. They would win a fourth in 1983, but the They were nothing special to start the remarkable season. They finished Canucks won something else in that wild 1982 run — respect. second to the powerhouse Edmonton Oilers in the Smythe Division, but their mediocre 30-33-17 record masked a series of events that would propel that club into legendary franchise status. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.19.2019 An improbable 7-0-2 run to finish the regular season started with a stunning 4-2 win in Montreal. It was followed the next game by coach Harry Neale being slapped with a 10-game suspension for leaving the bench to confront a fan. The overzealous patron didn’t have to negotiate a barrier to take a swing at Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams, who had been pinned against the boards by Wilf Paiement.

The suspension elevated assistant coach Roger Nielsen to head-coach status. His passion for video instruction and structure helped the Canucks outscore the opposition 47-25 in that nine-game stretch and also blank teams twice. It was a recipe for post-season readiness. 1166924 Vancouver Canucks What is most encouraging from the Canucks standpoint was the way they didn’t quit when Denis Potvin made it 4-2 early in the second period with the third power play goal of the game.

Canucks at 50: Snepsts had no answer for Game 1 gaffe Smyl got one back on the power play on some great work by Gradin and then Ivan Boldirev split the defence of Potvin and Gordie Lane to tie the score 4-4 midway through the game. STAFF REPORTER The third period went according to Vancouver coach ’s December 17, 2019 11:16 AM PST master plan and appeared to be working to perfection when Jim Nill vaulted the Canucks into a lead. Dave Williams rushed Bossy, pushing

the puck to Minor who put Nill in with a delicate pass. After a Cinderella run to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance, it’s But as the Islanders were lucky to escape defeat by Pittsburgh in round easy to look at the Canucks losing in four straight to the New York one, they pulled a magic act again at 15:14 when Brodeur misplayed a Islanders, smack in the middle of a dynastic four-Cup run, and figure the bouncing puck and Snepsts and Boldirev both failed to clear it. Tonelli bubble burst and they were overmatched. But if not for Mike Bossy kicked ahead to Bossy who was standing alone near the crease. intercepting a pass in overtime, or the Islanders overcoming a third-period Canucks lead in Game 2, the local heroes The tying goal didn’t rattle the Canucks in the slightest. In fact, they could have come home with a 2-0 advantage over the defending steadied and made Billy Smith make a fine save off Darcy Rota before champs. At the time Province beat writer Tony Gallagher wrote: the game went into overtime.

“It would have taken tear gas to dislodge Harold Snepsts from the Gradin had two first-period goals for the Canucks to bring his playoff total Vancouver Canucks medical room Saturday night. But it wouldn’t have to eight while Clark Gillies and Potvin, with a second, scored the others been necessary to bring tears. for New York.

Anybody who watched the New York Islanders 6-5 overtime victory over “It was a hard-hitting game which we could have won or lost,” said Vancouver Canucks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final could share his Neilson. “In overtime the team felt confident on the bench.” pain. So distraught was the man who passed away Vancouver’s chances with just two seconds remaining in the first period of overtime, he couldn’t “We could have played until June 2,” said Smith. “We all felt strong, and even face his mates, let alone the press. we’ll be back. I Honestly don’t think this is going to bother us too much.”

Bossy, who scored 64 goals for the Islanders during the regular season, As the Canucks celebrate their 50th season, we’re looking back at the intercepted Snepsts’ pass, which was intended for Canuck Gerry Minor, moments that stand out as the biggest in franchise history on the ice and and quickly fired a shot over goalie Richard Brodeur’s glove hand. off, good, and a few bad. We’re highlighting the top moments from the 1970s through November, the ’80s in December, the ’90s in January, the “He stopped that puck on his backhand, go it to his forehand and shot it ’00s in February and the ’10s in March. in milliseconds,” explained Vancouver assistant coach Ron Smith of Bossy’s winning goal. If you have any great memories of where you were when your favourite moments happened, or what they meant to you, send them to “I yelled Snepstsy,” said Minor, trying in some way to accept some of the [email protected] blame. “I thought Bossy was taking away the boards and I was open. But he was right on me and I skated past him when the puck came.”

And while there may be an enormous psychological price to pay, the Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.19.2019 Canucks were more enthused by their performance than anything else.

“It was anybody’s game to win or lose and coming back from a two-goal deficit was a real big lift for us,” said Stan Smyl. “I don’t think it will be that much of a problem for us. We’ve come too far to let that bother us.”

New York Islanders star Mike Bossy raises his hands in jubilation after scoring the winning goal with two seconds left in the first overtime period for a 6-5 victory over Richard Brodeur (right) and the Vancouver Canucks in Game 1 of the 1982 Stanley Cup final in Uniondale, N.Y. HASSE PERSSON/UPI / PNG files

There were chances for Vancouver to win of course. There always are in almost 20 minutes of overtime. But the Canucks couldn’t put away their shots, and Richard Brodeur kept giving them more opportunities. The best Vancouver chances belonged to Thomas Gradin, who fired consecutive shots at a prone Billy Smith in the Islander goal.

“I had the first one on the backhand and he stopped that one, and then I got it on my forehand just slid it along the goal line and outside the post,” Gradin recounted. “I thought it was going to go in, but not quite.”

Brodeur stopped Wayne Merrick, Bob Nystrom, John Tonelli and Bossy before the winner went in.

“He shot it right off the post and in,” said Brodeur, who was so upset as he left the ice that he swung his glove at a television camera. “He had the puck before I knew what was happening. I came out but it was too late.”

The Islanders were not thankful for their victory, getting out of a close call. Instead they spend much of their time berating the officiating of Wally Harris, claiming clutch-and-grab tactics made the game boring.

“It was like a game of Irish rugby out there,” said Isles coach Al Arbour. “I have no control over the way the officials are calling the game, but the infractions are right in front of the referee and he’s got to call them.

“We have a lot of work to do. We made a lot of mistakes and eventually capitalized on one of theirs. They certainly capitalized on a lot of ours.” 1166925 Vancouver Canucks

Canucks at 50: Bad pass, great goal fuelled Isles' 1982 Cup final sweep

BEN KUZMA

December 17, 2019 11:15 AM PST

Everybody knew where they were.

Whether crowded around the television at home or in a boisterous bar, there was reason to believe something special was unfolding at the Nassau County Coliseum on May 8, 1982.

The Canucks were not only going stride for stride with the defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders in Game 1 of the league championship, they looked poised to produce an upset.

Thomas Gradin had scored twice while Stan Smyl, Ivan Boldirev and James Nill also beat goalie Billy Smith to stake the Canucks to an improbable 5-4 lead against the league’s top team with 6:54 remaining in regulation time.

Then Mike Bossy took over.

The hot-shot winger struck at 15:14 to send the game into overtime and then made it a hat-trick night with the winner at 19:58 of the extra session. It came off an errant Harold Snepsts outlet pass that ranks as one of the great gaffes in franchise history.

And while Bossy scored seven goals in the four-game sweep, the decider in Game 1 was simply deflating. Snepsts had circled back behind the net to gather the puck and as he pivoted to his left to make a pass up the slot, Bossy intercepted it and put a laser past the glove of Richard Brodeur.

Game over.

“All I know is that I was on the right side (of the ice) and everything stopped,” recalled Smyl when asked to explain how that fateful play unfolded and who was supposed to get the pass. “I think it was for Thomas or Boldirev and I was just moving ahead and took three steps outside the blue line.

“The system we played, you never left that zone until the puck was out. We weren’t a stretch (pass) team and all I saw was Harold stepping out on the other side. And, all I could hear was ‘Oooooh.’ ”

Part of that was the goal, part was how quickly Bossy got his shot away.

“His accuracy of where he wanted to put the puck and the quick release was so far advanced over a lot of players,” stressed Smyl. “It’s nothing you teach. It’s just something he had.”

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166926 Vancouver Canucks

Boucher breaks Comets' scoring record in 4-3 win over Senators

December 18, 2019 8:54 PM PST

By Joe Roberts, Utica Comets

Belleville, ON – Reid Boucher set the mark for most career goals as a Utica Comet, and Carter Camper earned his 400th career pro point as they led their team to a 4-3 victory over the Belleville Senators on Wednesday night at CAA Arena.

After controlling much of the first period’s pace of play, the Comets’ continued attack broke through at the 17:01 mark of the period, generating the only goal of the frame. Carter Camper hurried the puck through centre before throwing a seeing-eye pass across the ice to Zack MacEwen, who cut in towards the goal and lifted a backhand over the sliding pads of Joey Daccord for his fourth of the year.

Former Comet Michael Carcone got Belleville on the board at 1:53 of the second, as he spotted a loose puck in front of the goal and pushed it over the line for his fourth of the year.

About five minutes later and on a power play, Utica regained their two- goal lead as Reid Boucher launched a shot from the right circle that flew into the net, earning his 76th career goal in a Utica Comets jersey, marking the most in franchise history.

Continuing to pad their lead late in the period, Kole Lind stabbed a rebound home from the low slot area while on a power play, registering his eighth of the year. The three-goal second period allowed the Comets to go into the second intermission holding a 4-1 advantage.

The Senators threw everything they had at the Comets, as Vitaly Abramov scored twice in the final period, but Zane McIntyre and Utica slammed the door shut in the waning moments on their way to a 4-3 divisional win.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166927 Vancouver Canucks hands, they have a goalie coach, they have everything for players to develop your skills. For Vasili, it’s harder because he’s always gone (to play) for the national team, but it was a help.”

‘He wants to play for the Canucks’: Elite prospect Vasili Podkolzin has “I’m playing with men, and that changes a lot,” Podkolzin told The Athletic sights set on starring in Vancouver via Eronko, who acted as translator. “Adult league, no one will forgive you for any mistake you do. As I see it, I’m going forward to the (competition) level I have to be at. I know I only played some seconds in By Harman Dayal the KHL, but I practised with them. And that’s quite a team, it’s very useful.” Dec 18, 2019 During this time, Podkolzin has made a concerted effort to improve and

master his already-mature two-way game. Vasili Podkolzin has had little come easy since being drafted 10th overall “He’s been saying he wants to be the best defensive forward for Team by the Vancouver Canucks. Russia,” Eronko said. The 18-year-old Russian phenom, who blends skill and power like few For a closer look at Podkolzin’s play, The Athletic contributor Mitch prospects and remains one of the most talented players in his age group, Brown has watched nearly every second of KHL action where Podkolzin has struggled to get a chance to shine this season. His KHL stat line played more than three minutes. Brown had him ranked 10th going into shows a disappointing zero points in 14 games, but the circumstances the 2019 draft. surrounding his opportunity shed light on why that’s the case. “Overall, I’d say he’s been good,” Brown said. “His play is right where I’d Podkolzin has averaged under six minutes of ice time per game on a expect given his physical maturity and skill level. I think his play is powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg team and has bounced among all three deserving of more ice time — he’s shown more in fewer minutes than Russian leagues. It’s rare for a player to be glad about a demotion, but many of the players who play above him in SKA’s bottom six.” getting sent down to the second-tier VHL league in October, where Podkolzin has since notched eight points in 16 games, at least gave him The attention Podkolzin has paid to his defensive game has stood out to an opportunity to play. Brown: “He’s been way better defensively than I expected — and I thought highly of that part of his game. He’s strong defensively already. “He was furious about it,” KHL insider Igor Eronko said of Podkolzin’s High activity rate. He’s a disrupter; cuts off the top and pressures shots reaction to the lack of opportunity in the top league. Consider Eronko the with purpose. Wins battles consistently with strength, understanding of Pierre LeBrun of Russian hockey — he has contacts with all the top body positioning and pure effort. Once he gains body positioning, it’s players and is among the most reputable sources in Europe. Eronko has nearly impossible for a player to recover because he cuts off their hands, known Podkolzin since the player was 16 and has followed his situation widens his stance and swats away any attempt for the defender to get his closely over the past couple of years. free hand in front again.” “He’s coming to a KHL game and he’s sitting, and then when maybe the Aside from his defensive game, Podkolzin said that he’s used his time score is 5-2 or something like that, then only he’ll have a chance to get with the coaches in the KHL to work on his skating and his hands. Those on the ice and show some of his skills,” Eronko said. “That was bad for two skills are the ones Podkolzin needs to improve the most, according him, and he didn’t like it.” to Brown. It’s easy to understand Podkolzin’s frustration. He started the season in “Two skill-based concerns have hindered Podkolzin’s KHL play and the KHL and featured in 10 games during September, though he played provide NHL projection concerns,” Brown said. “At this point, his skating fewer than three minutes in five of them. He got a lot more reps in the has been debated enough. There’s a really noticeable heel kick that lower leagues when he was sent down in October, including four assists results in a short, inefficient stride.” in two games in the junior MHL league. Here’s a clip that Corey Pronman highlighted in reference to Podkolzin’s Podkolzin was recalled to the KHL for three games in late November and choppy stride and heel kick. played more than 10 minutes in two of them. Since then, however, he’s been sent back down to the VHL, where he continues to earn meaningful “He generates so much power that he’s able to offset this, but it’s minutes, averaging 15:30 there this year. particularly problematic in SKA’s North American-sized rink,” Brown said. “That speed that allows him to gain the outside lane is easily defended The past few months certainly haven’t been ideal for his development, because of the (lack of) width of the ice, and I haven’t seen much but it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise given SKA St. Petersburg’s adaptability from him here yet – if he’s not forcing a drive, he’s carelessly reputation. SKA is a very rich club and is regarded as Vladimir Putin’s dumping the puck in.” team, but the development of young players is lacking and it’s evident in how little homegrown talent is featured on the roster. Improvement in this area will be imperative for Podkolzin if he wants to create plays when there’s less space for which to exploit. His hands, “There are no real players out of St. Petersburg that were developed meanwhile, feature a technical flaw in how he stickhandles the puck. through SKA if we exclude Alexander Barabanov,” Eronko said. “Barabanov is just one young player they’ve properly developed.” “The second skill-based concern is the way that Podkolzin handles the puck,” Brown said. “Podkolzin handles the puck by waving his stick over Vancouver has little control over Podkolzin’s situation. Director of player it, back and forth, with exaggeration motions. This makes it tricky to development Ryan Johnson maintained in an interview with The Athletic protect the puck while handling. The over-the-top back-and-forth in late October that there’s really nothing the Canucks can do to change increases the amount of time that the puck isn’t cradled by the stick — the circumstances. increasing the likelihood of being dispossessed. His top hand is often “The issues in Russia are no different than other European leagues, locked to his hip, which limits his ability to move the puck across and especially the Swedish Elite League,” said one league source who has around — increasing the predictability of his maneuvers. experience developing Russian prospects from the team side. “Older “While neither the skating or stickhandling concerns are enough alone to players play, and it’s tough for kids to get ice time. That does make it sink Podkolzin, combined they present a real challenge. I think it’s one challenging from a developmental control perspective, but I can’t that he’ll overcome. However, in transition, he’s easily thwarted because emphasize enough that it’s not exclusively a KHL issue. It extends to he’s driven to the outside, then his rigid handling prevents him from every league outside of the AHL — NCAA, KHL, SHL, on and on.” problem-solving back into open ice. Powerful rushes with possession are If there’s a silver lining for Podkolzin’s time in the KHL, it’s that he at least often easily removed from his stick, despite him being a monster without had the opportunity to train with a top-class organization. SKA has possession.” among the best facilities and resources for its players, and Eronko notes Brown noted that Podkolzin has still managed to create lots of offensive that the veterans did a great job of pointing him in the right direction with chances even if he’s experienced some poor finishing luck. advice. “Off-puck offence is how he’s getting scoring chances,” Brown said. “SKA is the most modern team for all of its players,” Eronko said. “They “Podkolzin uses that same battle-winning technique while supporting the have development coaches, a skating coach, a coach to work on players’ rush to gain body positioning. From centre-lane drives to supporting puck battles, he always understands where to be on the ice when his team has possession. Always in motion, always driving to the slot.

“When he’s not a passing threat, he removes his defender by tying up his stick or feigning a powerful drive to create space behind him. Highly advanced off-puck player — regardless of age.

“He’s getting quality looks and there’s no real pattern for his misses — suggesting that the issue will fix itself in time.”

Podkolzin’s production might not look underwhelming in the KHL and only decent in the VHL, but his play doesn’t suggest anything is wrong.

“It’s way too early to be concerned about him,” said the league source. “You can’t lose sight of the fact he’s still 18 and playing with and against men. He’s a kid and a damn talented one at that. If he doesn’t pan out it won’t be because of his first season following his draft year. There will be far bigger issues beyond that (if he doesn’t succeed)

“He’s got a lot of upside, I wouldn’t worry about him.”

The contract situation and why he wants to come to North America

Podkolzin has another year left on his contract, meaning that the earliest he can come to North America is his draft-plus-three season. As one person told The Athletic contributor Rick Dhaliwal, “Podkolzin has a better chance to become the prime minister of Canada than getting out of his contract.”

Podkolzin’s contractual situation definitely had a hand in influencing his draft stock. According to a source, Peyton Krebs would have gone in the top 10 if not for a gruesome Achilles injury (he ended up going 17th), so it wasn’t a surprise for Podkolzin to fall outside of the top 10 for reasons including his contract status.

So why did Podkolzin sign with a club that probably doesn’t have his development as its top priority? Per Eronko, every 17-year-old in Russia is obligated to sign a standard three-year deal; it’s not possible to sign a one- or two-year agreement. Podkolzin’s current deal reportedly pays him about 300,000 rubles per year, roughly the equivalent of $4,800 USD.

Podkolzin wasn’t drafted by SKA St. Petersburg; the club paid the school he attended to buy out his rights. You can understand that between having his rights owned by SKA and then being forced into a standard three-year deal that Podkolzin didn’t have much say in the matter.

What’s certain, however, is that Podkolzin has expressed his desire to come to North America once his current deal expires. According to Eronko, 30 minutes before the NHL Draft in June, Podkolzin was offered a very lucrative five-year extension. However, Podkolzin reportedly rejected it and told the Russian club that he’s going to play out his standard contract and then go overseas.

“He doesn’t want to sign any extension, he wants to play for the Canucks,” Eronko said. “He’s excited to play with Elias Pettersson, but he knows he has to earn it to play with him. He knows a lot about the team.”

Podkolzin and his family had dinner with Jim Benning and the Aquilini family following the draft. The meeting reportedly went really well — Podkolzin left with a positive impression of the team and city.

“It was my second time in Vancouver at the time of the draft,” Podkolzin said. “I was nervous, but I liked the city a lot from the first time. When I came to the draft I knew where to go, what to see. Cool city. It’s not a calm city, it’s a business one, but I liked to see that movement inside.

“We walked through it with my family and a lot of times we were kind of caught with the fans and they knew who I am. I was a bit amazed that I’m asked to take a photo with someone, but that’s OK, it’s fun.”

The long wait isn’t ideal, and it’ll be tough to get a read on Podkolzin’s development until he comes over to North America. But that risk comes with an unbelievably high ceiling — one that, if fulfilled, will be realized and cherished right here in Vancouver.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166929 Websites Peel’s right leg buckles underneath him and he drops to the ice. He lay there briefly, but then used his left leg to power himself up.

“I knew it wasn’t good, but at first I thought it was a high-ankle sprain The Athletic / Christmas ‘break’: A fluky injury will keep NHL referee Tim because I didn’t hear anything snap or pop,” Peel said. “So I stood up Peel home for the holidays and tried to put some pressure on the (right) foot, and I realized then that I was unable to. I was lucky enough that the bench was right there and I just hopped over the boards.” By Jeremy Rutherford On the Chicago radio broadcast, analyst Troy Murray, a former NHL Dec 18, 2019 center who played 15 years in the league, said on-air that it was the first time he had ever seen a referee jump over the boards like he was doing

a line change. Tim Peel has watched the replay and still can’t figure out how it On the Arizona bench, while play was carrying on, goalie Antti Raanta happened, how a sequence he’s skated thousands of times during his 22 and defenseman Alex Goligoski seemed surprised to see what was years as an NHL referee ended in a fractured ankle. happening and quickly cleared room. Making it even more painful for Peel is that it happened on the same day “They were kind of shocked to see me come over the boards,” Peel said. the league assigned him to the 2020 All-Star Game in his adopted “I don’t think they had any idea what was going on.” hometown of St. Louis, a dream that’s been ruled out after surgery. Coyotes assistant athletic trainer Don Fuller comes over to the end of the Peel will miss three to four months, and maybe the rest 2019-20 season, bench, and once he’s aware, he takes Peel back for an immediate X-ray. but because he had already agreed to work the 2020-21 season before retiring, this isn’t expected to be the end of his career. “The first thought that went through my mind was, ‘Am I going to be able to get back for the All-Star Game?'” he said. “So they did the X-ray and “It’s frustrating because it’s the first time that I’ve ever been out with an said I had a broken fibula and they’d like to operate now. I said, ‘How injury,” Peel said. “I broke a few ribs probably six or seven years ago in long is recovery?’ and they said, ‘Three months.’ I said, ‘I don’t want that L.A. Alec Martinez took a slap shot and broke a couple ribs, but I was because I’d like to work the All-Star Game in six weeks.'” able to work through that. I’ve had meniscus surgeries and things like that, but I’ve always had them in the summertime. So it’s the first time After Peel’s ankle was placed in a cast, Arizona coach Rick Tocchet and that I’ve ever been home during the season.” Ekman-Larsson walked into the room to check on him.

Peel would have worked the St. Louis-Edmonton game Wednesday, “I’ve known Timmy over the years and I respect Timmy – he’s a veteran followed up by Winnipeg-Minnesota game Dec. 21 and the New Jersey- guy,” Tocchet said. “You can bark at him, he’ll bark at you, but the next Chicago game Dec. 23. He’d like to be working, but if there’s a silver time you see him, it’s OK. I like those refs and that’s Tim Peel. He’s just lining, he’ll be home for the Christmas break and beyond with wife, an old-school ref. I told him, ‘Sorry, man. I feel horrible for you.’ He didn’t Tesha; son, Bronson, 10; and daughter, Brielle, 5. know if he was going to rehab it or have a plate put in it.”

“I’m a very lucky man,” Peel said. “Tesha is an amazing woman. She “I didn’t think it was that bad, but then I found out he broke his ankle,” runs the house while I’m gone eight months of the year and she never Ekman-Larsson said. “I went in to talk to him to see how he was feeling complains. She’s a phenomenal mother and wife, and she’s happy to and he was in good spirits. It sucked for him. I just said, ‘I wanted to have me home – not so much to help out, but we love spending time check up on you and you’re doing OK.’ He didn’t know he was going to together as a family. So it’s an opportunity, especially over the holidays, have surgery at that time.” to be home a lot more than I would have been if I had still been on the ice.” Still in shock, Peel said those visits left a strong impression with him.

On the morning of Dec. 12, Peel was in Arizona for a game against “It’s funny because we’ve all yelled and got mad at each other on the ice, Chicago. At 9 a.m., he received an email from NHL director of officiating but at the end of the day, we’re all in it together,” he said. Stephen Walkom, notifying Peel that he had been assigned to work the After the game, Peel was on crutches when he left the officials’ room All-Star Game at Enterprise Center on Jan. 26. headed toward a car that would take them back to their hotel. It was at “I was extremely happy,” Peel said. “Stephen is the best boss I’ve ever the same time, coincidentally, as Toews was leaving the Chicago had, so I wasn’t completely surprised that I got it since I live in St. Louis. dressing room. He’s really good that way, and he knew what it would mean to me to “He asked me what happened,” Peel said. “I said, ‘Well, unfortunately, work the game in front of my family and friends in my home city.” you fell on my ankle and broke my fibula.’ He felt terrible, of course, Peel immediately phoned his wife. because he’s a great guy. He didn’t even realize that he had done it. It was just one of those freak accidents.” “We were so excited,” Tesha said. “We had hoped he would get the All- Star Game so it would be an experience the kids would never forget.” Like the Arizona coach and captain, Toews didn’t let the nature of the referee-player relationship affect his concern. The excitement, however, lasted about 12 hours. “We’ve had our moments, him and I, but you respect a guy like that Arizona was leading Chicago, 4-1, in the third period when the who’s time and time again out there doing his job,” Toews said. “He’s one Blackhawks’ Dominik Kubalik backhanded a puck back into the offensive of the best to do it. It sounded like he was supposed to ref the All-Star zone and teammate Jonathan Toews dug it out of the corner. The Hawks Game in St. Louis, which was something he was really looking forward captain had the Coyotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson on his tail, and to.” as the two came up ice, Peel tried to step out of their way. Flying back to St. Louis to meet with Washington University orthopedic “I’ve watched the replay,” Peel said. “It was just a play that happens all surgeon Matt Matava, who is the Blues’ team physician, Peel was still the time, where they kind of bump up the wall, I went to bump out and I holding out hope that he could avoid surgery. don’t know if Toews got tripped or he just stumbled, but the next thing I know, he fell on my ankle.” “I’m thinking I’ll just rehab the heck out of it, and I’ll be fine,” he said. “But Dr. Matava took another X-ray and goes, ‘You need surgery. There’s no Toews couldn’t pinpoint how it happened, either. way you’re rehabbing a broken fibula.’ I probably asked him two or three times if there was anything else we could do, and he said, ‘Unfortunately, “I don’t really know,” he said. “I know (Peel) told me it was when I was no.’ I was extremely upset. I went home after the appointment, and the jamming, trying to get the puck out of his feet. But I don’t remember first person I saw when I pulled in the driveway was my wife. When I got making contact, twisting my stick in there. I’m not sure what happened out of the car, I broke down in tears because I was so disappointed that exactly.” my season might be over.” And all that Ekman-Larsson saw was the aftermath. “It was tough seeing him so upset about it,” Tesha said. “I didn’t even “Me and Toews got tangled up a little bit and it looked like Toews fell on have to see him. I knew it wasn’t good by his voice, and of course his leg,” he said. “(We) were in a battle and he kind of fell over Tim’s leg.” because he was hurting, I got choked up. He was really hoping to be off a while and rehab without surgery. When you surgery, it seems like a more serious issue.”

Peel had the surgery Saturday, during which a plate and seven screws were inserted into his right ankle. He’ll be in a cast for the next two weeks, and if everything is healing well at that point, he’ll be put in a boot for the following four weeks. It’ll be a minimum of 8-10 weeks before he can get back on the ice and three to four months before he could referee again.

“I don’t want my season to end like this,” Peel said. “If it’s three months, there’s a chance I can come back. If it’s four months, I’m going to miss the entire season. There’s no other way to say it except it would suck. I don’t want to be on the shelf for the rest of the season and not be out there with my teammates.”

Fortunately for Peel, who was planning to retire in 2020, the NHL approached him last December and asked him to come back in 2020-21. So whether he returns this season or not, barring any long-term effects from the injury, he should work again.

“I’m so thankful to (Walkom) and the National Hockey League because if it wasn’t for that, it would be a lot tougher to take right now than what it is,” Peel said. “This would probably be the end of my career, and that would be a really disappointing way to finish it, on a play like that, and not being able to skate on the ice one more time knowing it’s my last game.”

NHL referee Tim Peel had a plate and seven screws put in his ankle during surgery. (Courtesy of Tim Peel)

But while Peel is confident he’ll be back at some point, there’s incentive for him to come back before the end of the 2019-20 regular season. That’s because NHL referees aren’t allowed to participate in the postseason in their final year before retirement, which would be 2020-21 for him.

“If I’m unable to get back on the ice this season, it means last year will be the last time I’ll ever work the playoffs in the NHL again, which kind of makes me sad,” Peel said. “You just want to be one of those guys who gets selected for the playoffs because it’s the best hockey and the best time of the year. So hopefully I can get back to that – we’ll see.”

In the meantime, Peel is in St. Louis spending time with family.

“We never get him home for any length of time during the winter, so I’m looking forward to it and I know the kids are, too,” Tesha said. “He will be home for everything, including all the holiday get-togethers. He misses a lot of events, so this is going to be great!”

On Sunday, one day after surgery, Peel attended Bronson’s hockey game.

“I’ve missed out on pretty much all of his hockey this winter, so it will give me an opportunity to see him play, which will be fantastic,” he said. “And Brielle, she’s a big horseback rider, and I’ll be able to go to her horseback riding events and be able to go to school plays. When I get the cast off, hopefully I’ll be a bit more mobile and do some more stuff with the kids.”

Tim Peel lays in bed with son Bronson, 10, and daughter Brielle, 5. (Courtesy Peel family)

There’s one other event Peel will be able to attend – the All-Star Game.

“I’ll still go to the game and the events with my family,” he said. “I’ll just be watching it from the stands instead of the ice. Hopefully I can still be able to take my kids down and have some of the access that you have when you’re officiating the game. The kids are excited to go, and they just can’t wait to meet some of the All-Stars.”

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166930 Websites been good in the A as well, albeit with Chicago. Defenseman Casey Fitzgerald has a chance, too, but is likely more an AHL depth guy.

CALGARY FLAMES The Athletic / Pronman: Auditing the grades for the 2016 NHL Draft Grade: A

2018 Grade: A-minus By Corey Pronman 2016 Grade: A-minus Dec 18, 2019 Calgary’s 2016 draft was simply awesome. At sixth overall they selected Matthew Tkachuk, a highly skilled and competitive player with an elite Continuing with last week’s series, today I will be auditing my grades hockey brain who has become a star in the league. Adam Fox, now with from the 2016 NHL Draft. This is my second time auditing this draft, and the Rangers, projects as a long-time top-four defenseman. Dillon Dube is all three grades for each team are mentioned below. I grade based on an NHL player. Forward Matthew Phillips has had an excellent season total talent acquired, not relative to draft slot. and, while not a top-end prospect, looks like he could be an NHLer. And fellow Stockton winger Eetu Tuulola has looked promising as well. The Along with team grades and a discussion of each team’s haul is a 54th-overall pick, Tyler Parsons, looks like a minor leaguer, but overall ranking of the 31 players I feel have distinguished themselves from this this class produced a star forward, at the very least two other NHL class. The number 31 is a coincidence, not because of the current length players and the possibility for one more, which is a huge haul. of the first round. CAROLINA HURRICANES ANAHEIM DUCKS Grade: B-minus Grade: B 2018 Grade: C-plus 2018 Grade: B-minus 2016 Grade: B 2016 Grade: B Carolina’s draft primarily comes down to its two first-round picks, Jake The Ducks had two late first-round picks that they used on two forwards. Bean and Julien Gauthier, and its second-round pick, Janne Kuokkanen. I’m a fan of Sam Steel. I think he’s a super smart and skilled forward who Bean and Gauthier are very good prospects who I think could be middle is going to be a quality top-six forward for a while. Max Jones has been of the lineup players one day. Kuokkanen’s star has faded a bit since his up and down the past few years. I love his toolkit, and I do think he’s a great 19-year-old season, but I still think he has a solid chance to play big leaguer. Defenseman Josh Mahura has grown on me and I now think games. I don’t mind forward Matt Filipe at Northeastern either, but he’s he sticks. I don’t think he’s more than a third-pair defender, but he skates probably more of a depth piece. very well and has enough skill and hockey sense to hold his own in the NHL. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

ARIZONA COYOTES Grade: A-minus

Grade: A-minus 2018 Grade: B-plus

2018 Grade: A-minus 2016 Grade: B-plus

2016 Grade: A-minus Chicago’s draft features one of the best picks of the past few years in Alex DeBrincat at 39th overall. DeBrincat has emerged as an impact Arizona had two first-round picks in winger Clayton Keller and forward and an elite scorer in the league. This class also featured one of defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who it traded up to acquire. Both have the more confusing picks of the last decade in Wouter Peeters at 83rd emerged as legitimate upper half of the lineup players in the NHL. Keller overall. Peeters was a Belgian goalie out of Austria’s junior league who is a high-end playmaker, and Chychrun plays heavy minutes. never came close to relevance after being picked. Chicago’s two other Defensemen Cam Dineen and Dean Stewart are OK prospects, but the second-round picks, winger Artur Kayumov and defenseman Chad Krys, Coyotes’ draft comes down to their first-round picks. are both OK prospects. Kayumov has a better chance to play but is still in the KHL. Defenseman Lucas Carlsson is the second-best prospect from BOSTON BRUINS that class, but he’s no lock to play. Grade: B-plus COLORADO AVALANCHE 2018 Grade: B-plus Grade: C-plus 2016 Grade: B 2018 Grade: C The Charlie McAvoy pick looks like a value pick even at 14th overall. 2016 Grade: B He’s been a big part of why Boston is a top team of late as a well- rounded defenseman who can skate and think the game at a high level. Colorado’s draft largely hinges on how good Tyson Jost will be. On the Trent Frederic and Ryan Lindgren have played NHL games, the latter one hand, he hasn’t shown a ton of progression in the two-and-a-half with the Rangers. I wouldn’t say either excites me, but both are useful years he’s been in the league. On the other hand, he’s a player with all pieces that could chip in at the bottom of a roster. Forward Oskar Steen the tools at only 21 and, despite not showing a ton of progression, has is a solid prospect who has a chance to play. still been a useful player. I think he will get better, I believe in the player and think he could be a solid middle of the lineup player. Goalie Adam BUFFALO SABRES Werner is intriguing. He could play games and be a useful backup, while Grade: B forward Cam Morrison is OK, as well.

2018 Grade: C-plus COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

2016 Grade: B Grade: B-plus

Writing about Alexander Nylander typically elicits opinions, but I do think 2018 Grade: B-plus he’s a very good young player who has been a fine, albeit unspectacular, 2016 Grade: B-plus NHL player for Chicago this season. I’ve been lukewarm on Rasmus Asplund in recent years, but he’s looked solid this season and looks like After being the third-overall pick by Columbus, Pierre-Luc Dubois has an NHLer, even if it’s as a bottom half of the roster type. Forward Brett developed into a very good NHL center. I don’t think he’s No. 3 in a Murray has been one of the bigger surprises in the minors, going from redraft due to a lack of truly elite skill, but he’s not far off and has a lot of the USHL to a very productive AHL player. Forward Brandon Hagel has the elements you look for in a top NHL forward. Defenseman Andrew Peeke has been a lot better as a pro than I thought he’d be and looks like an NHL player right now, even if I’m unsure if he’s more than a third- 2018 Grade: C pairing type. Forward Vitaly Abramov has been much improved as a second year pro and looks like he will play, albeit in the Ottawa 2016 Grade: B-minus organization. The Kings didn’t pick until 51st overall where they selected Kale Clague DALLAS STARS with one of their four picks. He was up and down as a rookie pro, but has been a top player for Ontario this season and looks on track to play in the Grade: C-minus middle of an NHL lineup. I had all but written off defenseman Jacob Moverare, but he’s been solid in Sweden this season and, at the least, is 2018 Grade: C intriguing again.

2016 Grade: C MINNESOTA WILD

Forwards Nicholas Caamano and Rhett Gardner have looked solid as Grade: C pros, both earning some NHL games. Gardner has looked better than I thought he would, and both players look like they can help the bottom of 2018 Grade: C-minus Dallas’ roster. Dallas picked Riley Tufte at 25th overall, and while I do still think he has a chance, it’s hard to be optimistic about his development. 2016 Grade: C-plus Defenseman Jakob Stenqvist is having a decent season in Finland even Luke Kunin has become a very solid center for the Wild, averaging over if his defensive game remains a question. I think a lot of the Stars’ picks 16 minutes per game as of this writing. He’s not a dynamic offensive have a chance at the least to play, but there’s not much to be excited type, but I think he’s going to be a good all situations player for a while about. and will post good but not spectacular offensive numbers. Forwards DETROIT RED WINGS Brandon Duhaime and Dmitri Sokolov are OK minor league depth, but the Wild’s 2016 class goes with Kunin. Grade: B-plus MONTREAL CANADIENS 2018 Grade: B-minus Grade: B 2016 Grade: B-minus 2018 Grade: B Not a lot has gone well for Detroit lately, but this draft is one of its brighter moments of the past few years. It’s not due to 20th-overall pick Dennis 2016 Grade: B Cholowski, who I do think will be a quality NHL defenseman, albeit not a Montreal had the ninth-overall pick where they selected Mikhail top one. At 53, they picked Filip Hronek, who has looked simply great the Sergachev, now with Tampa Bay. Sergachev has come along steadily, past few years and has emerged as one of the top defensemen from this but he’s picked up of late, playing more minutes and showing his draft. Forward Givani Smith, who a year ago I thought was heading dynamic skating and offensive ability. The Habs got Victor Mete at No. toward permanent minor league status, has looked back on track this 100, which has proven to be one of the best picks of the draft. He’s no season. Goalie Filip Larsson has a chance, but his pro career has gotten world-killer, but he’s a legitimate NHL player, which is great value in the off to a rocky start. fourth round. Will Bitten, now with Minnesota, is an OK depth player, as EDMONTON OILERS well.

Grade: B-minus NASHVILLE PREDATORS

2018 Grade: C-plus Grade: B-plus

2016 Grade: A-minus 2018 Grade: B

There has been no more divisive player from this draft than Jesse 2016 Grade: B-plus Puljujarvi. Playing overseason this season, he’s been closely scouted to Nashville drafted two NHL caliber defensemen in Dante Fabbro and mixed reviews. I still think he’s going to be a good player. His elite Samuel Girard, now with Colorado. Girard has shown he can be a top- combination of size, skating, hands and shot is too much for him to not four defenseman on a good team and has way outperformed his 47th- be an NHL player. He’s rated a lot lower than his fourth-overall slot, but I overall draft slot. Forward Rem Pitclick was a good college player, has do still see a middle of the lineup player, even if he’s a bit soft and not a been solid as a pro and is on the radar. Fellow college forward Patrick great playmaker. From watching his play in Finland, I still think he has Harper has been better this season and he has a chance to play, as well. good hockey sense, just not elite. NEW JERSEY DEVILS Tyler Benson’s development has gone better of late after injuries derailed his time in junior. He’s not a good enough skater, but with his skill and Grade: B hockey sense, I think he will become a quality NHL player with time. The 2018 Grade: B rest of Edmonton’s draft has several guys who are fine players but nobody else who has shown true NHL potential. The two Boston College 2016 Grade: B forwards Aapeli Rasanen and Graham McPhee have been better this season, though. The Devils had nine picks in this draft, and the results are a mixed bag. the 12th-overall pick, Michael McLeod, hasn’t looked overly impressive, FLORIDA PANTHERS and while he can play, I think he tops out as a bottom-six player. On the other hand, New Jersey picked a legit middle-six forward in Jesper Bratt Grade: C at NNo. 162. Joey Anderson has been sent back to the minors but I 2018 Grade: B-plus certainly think he can be back at some point. Defensemen Jeremy Davies, now with Nashville, and Yegor Rykov, now with the Rangers, 2016 Grade: B-minus aren’t top prospects but both have chances to play.

Florida’s first-round pick Henrik Borgstrom has yet to stick in the NHL, NEW YORK ISLANDERS but I still think he’s a very good prospect. At 6-foot-3, with high-end skill, there’s too much talent there for him not to make it. I’ve come down on Grade: C-minus him due to his struggles with the pro pace, but I still think he will be a 2018 Grade: C-plus quality NHL player. Adam Mascherin, now in Dallas after Florida didn’t sign him, has been fine as a pro but may lack the speed and size to be 2016 Grade: B-plus an NHLer. Defenseman Riley Stillman has played some games and is a fine depth piece. Kieffer Bellows was picked 19th overall, and has been up and down since that selection. I still think there are enough components to his LOS ANGELES KINGS game between his size, sense and shot to be a player, but maybe not the top-six guy I once envisioned. This draft is saved a bit by Otto Koivula, Grade: C who the Islanders picked at No. 120. I don’t think he’s a top-end prospect, but he looks like he could be an NHL player, which would be The Blues selected Tage Thompson with their first-round pick, now with nice value at that slot. Forwards Anatoli Golyshev in Russia and Collin Buffalo. He’s been just OK in the NHL, but has looked great in the AHL Adams in college are intriguing enough to be worth a mention as depth this season. I think he is tracking to become a middle of the lineup NHL guys. player. At No. 35 they picked Jordan Kyrou, who has emerged as a high- end NHL prospect and has looked great since turning pro at the AHL NEW YORK RANGERS level. Forwards Nolan Stevens and Tanner Kaspick have been OK in the Grade: D AHL, and I think Stevens still has a chance to play games.

2018 Grade: D SAN JOSE SHARKS

2016 Grade: B-plus Grade: C-plus

The Rangers didn’t pick until No. 81 in this draft, so expectations weren’t 2018 Grade: C that high. A few years later, there still isn’t one player who is clearly on 2016 Grade: C-plus the NHL track. Forward Tim Gettinger is the closest, having earned a few brief call-ups with bottom-six potential. Defenseman Tarmo Reunanen The Sharks didn’t pick until 60th overall, but still selected three players and forward Gabriel Fontaine have a chance to play. Goaltender Tyler who have played games for them this season in forwards Dylan Wall is having a great season in college and at the least is on the radar. Gambrell, Noah Gregor and Joachim Blichfeld. Blichfeld was the last pick The future of their 81st pick, Sean Day, is a bit of a mystery now, having at No. 210, but he’s arguably as good as Gambrell at No. 60 and has been sent down to the ECHL again, though he is the most talented player looked great in the AHL. The Sharks drafted three players who have solid of this crop. chances to be NHL regulars, which is a nice haul given their picks.

OTTAWA SENATORS TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Grade: C-plus Grade: B-minus

2018 Grade: B 2018 Grade: B-minus

2016 Grade: B 2016 Grade: B

Ottawa picked Logan Brown at 12th overall and he remains a very good Tampa had 10 picks this draft. Its first pick was Brett Howden at No. 27. prospect. In the NHL this season he’s been just OK, but he has so much He’s become a full-time NHL player for the Rangers. I think he’s a fine talent I think he will become a quality player over the long-term. Forward long-term third-line center, but I don’t see offensive upside to be a real Jonathan Dahlen has been tearing up the Swedish second division this scorer. Defenseman Libor Hajek is in the NHL with the Rangers, season. Now with the Sharks, he’s still a bubble prospect until he gets it although I’m less bullish on him, seeing a more bottom end of the roster done at a higher level, but he’s on the radar. Max Lajoie made Ottawa type with the limitations in his game. In Syracuse, forwards Taylor last season but has been in the minors most of this season. He’s a Raddysh, Ross Colton, Otto Somppi and Boris Katchouk have all had talented puck-mover who isn’t the best defensively, but I think he could their moments. None of them are NHL locks but all have chances to play still get back to the big leagues, giving Ottawa two players from this class games for Tampa. Goaltender Connor Ingram is a tough case, but since who project to make it. being traded he’s been thriving with Nashville’s AHL club and looks like an NHL goalie. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS Grade: B Grade: A-plus 2018 Grade: C-plus 2018 Grade: A-plus 2016 Grade: B-plus 2016 Grade: A The Flyers had 10 picks in this draft, and the best one so far has been goaltender Carter Hart, picked at No. 48. Hart looks like he will be a very People will roll their eyes at this grade, but I grade on total talent quality starting goalie in the league, although I’m hesitant to tab him as a acquired, not relative to draft slot, and Auston Matthews is a legitimate future top-tier goalie. There aren’t any other picks from this crop that I get star No. 1 center, and the clear best player from this draft class. To go overly excited about. Their first-round selection, German Rubtsov, is a with Matthews, the Leafs also picked forward Carl Grundstrom, who I fine player. He’s been OK this season and could be a bottom-six forward, think will be a bottom-six forward for the Kings; goalie Joe Woll, who I but he’s not a lock. Some scouts think Wade Allison is a lock to play, but think is an NHL goalie; and forwards Yegor Korshkov and Adam Brooks, his college career has been bumpy. Forwards Connor Bunnaman and who I think have quality chances to play games even if not locks. If they Carsen Twaynski have played games this season. Both are bubble to get a star plus one or two more players, that’s an excellent class. stick but they have developed better than I expected. Tanner Laczynski has been a great college player who has a chance to make it. Winger VANCOUVER CANUCKS Pascal Laberge and defenseman Linus Hogberg are worth mentioning, Grade: C too, even if longshots. 2018 Grade: C-minus PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 2016 Grade: B-plus Grade: D Vancouver picked Olli Juolevi at fifth overall. He obviously hasn’t lived up 2018 Grade: C-minus to that billing, being ranked in the 20’s on my 2016 board a few years 2016 Grade: C-plus later, but I still think he’s a good player who will become a quality NHL player. He may never live up to his draft slot, but he’s got a lot of tools There’s not a lot to be excited about from the Penguins’ 2016 crop. Their and has been good this season when healthy. Forward Will Lockwood is top pick, goaltender Filip Gustavsson, now with Ottawa, has had a rough the only other player of note from this class, and while he has an NHL go at it since coming to North America. Forward Kasper Bjorkqvist has toolkit, he needs to be more consistent to show he’s on the NHL track. the best chance to be a player and keep the class from being a wash, but he’s not a lock due to a question on his offensive upside. He could be a WASHINGTON CAPITALS grinding fourth-line type. Defenseman Ryan Jones and Niclas Almari are Grade: D OK depth types, too. 2018 Grade: C ST. LOUIS BLUES 2016 Grade: C-minus Grade: B Washington’s 2016 class has a bunch of fine prospects, but there isn’t 2018 Grade: B-minus one guy in this group who I think will for sure be an NHL player. Forward 2016 Grade: B-minus Garrett Pilon has been solid in the AHL. Beck Malenstyn has some elements that are interesting and played a few games this season but lacks offensive skill. Axel Jonsson-Fjallby also has some intriguing tools but lacks offense. First-round pick Lucas Johansen is a decent prospect, but he’s on the bubble to be an NHLer. Defenseman Chase Priskie, now with Carolina, is also just a fine prospect with good skill but may lack the two-way game for the NHL.

WINNIPEG JETS

Grade: A

2018 Grade: A

2016 Grade: A

With the second pick, Winnipeg got Patrik Laine, who has turned into a true impact forward for the Jets. At No. 18, they picked defenseman Logan Stanley, who has been fine but not great in the AHL; and while I think he makes it, I don’t see a ton of upside in his game. Goaltender Mikhail Berdin has been promising as a pro and projects as an NHL goalie. Defenseman Luke Green is OK and has missed a lot of time but has enough skill to be noted.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166931 Websites the expansion Knights, but instead, he’s played some of the best hockey of his career while leaning hard into his likable personality to sell the game in a new market.

The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: The 10 players that no NHL fan can The one group that still kind of hates him: Man, I’m not even sure. That hate (except for all the ones that do) Sharks/Knights rivalry is pretty solid, so maybe you allow San Jose fans to sneer at him just a bit. Beyond that, his only natural enemy at this point are Canadians who still aren’t over how the 2004 World Juniors ended By Sean McIndoe and Hall of Fame sticklers who’ll be mad when he makes it in on the first ballot. Dec 18, 2019 Elias Pettersson

Why almost everyone loves him: Another member of the current cohort of We’re into holiday mode, where everything is supposed to be about great young players just hitting their prime, Pettersson is a wizard with peace and goodwill. Love thy neighbor and that sort of thing. the puck who ran away with the Calder last year. As a bonus, hockey That’s nice and all, but it can be tough for hockey fans, who are fans love rooting for smaller players. Pettersson isn’t actually small – he’s preconditioned to be mad at just about everything. Pretty soon we’ll hit 6-foot-2 – but for some reason, everyone outside of Vancouver has the Christmas trade freeze, meaning we can’t even sit around and decided to think that he is, so he gets that added boost. imagine that bum who’s clogging up our team’s salary cap being traded Also, we should all be feeling a pang of collective Canucks-related guilt for a ransom of picks and prospects. Now you want us to be nice to the for not appreciating Pavel Bure or the Sedins enough. jerks on the other teams too? It’s a rough time of year when you’re a diehard hockey fan who hates everyone. The one group that still kind of hates him: Other players, apparently, since he’s already been injured controversially by Chris Kreider and Well, almost everyone. Because at any given time, there are always a Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Other than that, I’m not sure there’s anybody, apart few players who just about everyone seems to like. It’s been a rough few from the four head scouts who passed on him in 2017. years for that crowd, as we’ve said goodbye to guys like Roberto Luongo, Pavel Datsyuk, Teemu Selanne and Jarome Iginla. But that just creates Henrik Lundqvist some extra room on the nice list. Why almost everyone loves him: He’s the best goaltender of his era and Today, let’s get into the holiday spirit with a list of the ten players in the a sure-thing Hall-of-Famer as soon as he’s eligible. He’s also a part-time NHL that nobody can hate. (And then the reasons why maybe you can model, plays in a rock band and loves good dogs. hate them just a little.) To be honest, it’s almost too much, and at a certain point, you could Connor McDavid forgive fans if they turned on him. Like, we get it Henrik, you’re better than us at everything. But then you remember that he still hasn’t won a Why almost everyone loves him: First of all, he’s the best player in the Stanley Cup, which gives his story arc some vulnerability and lends a league, with maybe the most pure skill since Mario Lemieux. Even in a sense of urgency to the final stages of his career. Remember when he league with more dominant young talent than ever before, McDavid still dragged the Rangers to the final, only to give up the Cup-winner in occasionally does things that you’ve never seen, or ever thought overtime and then lay on the ice for roughly the entire offseason? You’d possible. He’s one of the rare players who’d be worth paying full price have to be a monster to hate a guy who’s been through that. just to watch on his own and brings back that pre-Dead Puck Era feeling of excitement you used to get whenever a star player had the puck on his The one group that still kind of hates him: Guys that aren’t supermodel stick. rock star athletes, I guess. I don’t know anyone like that, but it’s what I’ve heard. Second of all, he’s signed long-term in Edmonton, so the sympathy factor is off the charts. Phil Kessel

The one group that still kind of hates him: Flames fans get a pass, as Why almost everyone loves him: OK, I’m not sure everyone actually they do for any Oiler. Beyond that, nobody really dislikes him, although does. I’m projecting a little bit here since I’ve been on Team Phil for years you get the sense that there’s an undercurrent of aggravation from other and am still actively trying to get everyone else on the bandwagon. Good fan bases who keep waiting for him to stomp out of Edmonton and seats are still available. demand a trade. Come on, they’re terrible, and he looked vaguely sad at his draft lottery. Surely he wants to play somewhere else. Specifically, for Still, at this point, I’m not sure there are any good reasons left to dislike my favorite team. Come on Connor, blink twice if you want us to send in the guy. Sure, he was kind of awkward and weird when he first broke into a chopper to airlift you out. the league, which seemed to rub people the wrong way. He’s still awkward and weird, but he’s figured out how to lean into it just enough Patrick Marleau that he seems like he’s mostly in on the joke now. The dude ate hot dogs out of the Stanley Cup, I’m not sure what more you could want. Why almost everyone loves him: He’s been around forever, his speed means he’s been fun to watch over the years and he always seems Oh, he’s also a Masterton winner and cancer survivor, not to mention a disturbingly happy. He became the team father figure in Toronto – two-time Cup champion who has a shot at breaking the ironman record. literally – and then headed home to San Jose to finish out his career. Plus he’s still chasing that elusive Stanley Cup, and everybody loves a The one group that still kind of hates him: Most of his ex-coaches, a few good OGWAC story. Uh, please don’t check the standings to see how of his former GMs and team executives, a handful of ex-teammates and that quest is going for him. like 90 percent of the media. Also, probably a few Coyotes fans who were hoping for more than seven goals. But other than that very small The one group that still kind of hates him: Nobody right now, although niche group, everybody else loves the guy. we’ll save a spot for Leaf fans when they miss the playoffs and end up having to send the 11th overall pick to the Hurricanes for getting out of Justin Williams the last year of his contract. Also, it’s going to be kind of weird if he sticks Why almost everyone loves him: He’s Mr. Game Seven, which is pretty around next year and ends up breaking Gordie Howe’s all-time games much an irresistible narrative. Athletes who are “clutch” may or may not played record. See, you didn’t realize that was going to happen, and now be an actual thing, but it’s an undeniably fun concept, so fans want to you feel just a little conflicted, right? believe.

Marc-Andre Fleury OK, yes, he’s not technically an active player right now, which in theory Why almost everyone loves him: He’s a former first overall pick who’s should work against him. But since everyone assumes he’s coming back, smiled his way through a very good NHL career, without ever being so we’ll leave the door cracked open for him. dominating that you resented him. He was part of three Cup winners in The one group that still kind of hates him: Me, any time I write about the Pittsburgh, then handled what could have been a tricky Matt Murray Hall of Fame and have to explain why he’s not going to make it. (Also, situation and eventual exit with class and good humor. That was Hurricanes fans if he makes his big late-season comeback with someone supposed to lead to him spending his last few years getting shelled for else, but we’re not supposed to mention that possibility out loud.) But wait, what about … seem comfortable in the spotlight and he’s even done a bit of acting. Also, he is reasonably good at playing hockey. Before we head down the home stretch, let’s hit a few guys who might have a case for the list, but didn’t make the final cut. The one group that still kind of hates him: Any superstar player who has to negotiate an extension and has to hear about how much MacKinnon Sidney Crosby: He should be there. But for years, for whatever reason, makes. he’s been a lightning rod for criticism and a complaint for fans outside of Pittsburgh. He shouldn’t be, but nobody has ever accused hockey fans of Alexander Ovechkin being reasonable. Why almost everyone loves him: We’re here, right? Please tell me there Joe Thornton: I’ve included him on the list in the past and wanted to isn’t still some pocket of holdouts in the anti-Ovechkin club. Sure, early in squeeze him in here. But I’ve heard from enough Blues fans to know that his career he was a little too flashy for some tastes and over time he some of them still haven’t forgiven. evolved into one of those guys you could point to when you were rambling on about how certain players put up big numbers but just can’t Mikko Koivu: On the one hand, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who win the big one. But ever since he won the Stanley Cup and then didn’t like him. On the other, he’s still got a ways to go to be the most celebrated by having more fun than just about anyone in the history of popular guy in his own family. Tough call here. the world, even his harshest critic has to have thrown in the towel.

Mitch Marner: He’s a happy-go-lucky kid playing for his hometown team At least I hope so because we’ve got a few more years to enjoy the guy and he’s all sorts of fun to watch. He’s also a Maple Leaf and it’s virtually who might end up being considered the greatest pure goal scorer in the impossible to get anyone from Toronto onto a universally beloved list. history of the sport. Let’s not let this be one of those Brett Hull things P.K. Subban: He’s got the personality, but he was never all that close to where we never quite appreciate a guy enough until he’s done. Ovechkin being universally loved when he was at the height of his game and these rules. days he isn’t. The one group that still kind of hates him: I don’t know, but I have a bad Johnny Gaudreau: Once he gets his game back to an elite level, he’ll be feeling I’m about to find out. right back in the running.

Any of this year’s rookies: Let’s see them put in at least a full season The Athletic LOADED: 12.19.2019 without enraging anyone. But some of these guys could be in the mix soon, especially Cale Makar.

Jonathan Toews: Another name that’s shown up on these lists in recent years, but it feels like the league’s constant tire-pumping of Chicago players – remember that Top 100 fiasco? – has led to a Blackhawks backlash.

Steven Stamkos: He’s a great player who’s still chasing his Cup and after a few years any lingering bitterness should be fading over him not picking your favorite team when he was a free agent.

Taylor Hall: He’s an elite player who also seems to be fun off the ice, in that kind of quirky Kessel-like way. Let’s see how the dynamic plays out in Arizona.

Jack Eichel: Check back this time next year, especially if he can lead the Sabres on a solid playoff run.

Claude Giroux: Fun fact, if you write a post about star players and don’t mention Claude Giroux somewhere, Flyer fans will come to your house and pee down your chimney.

Pretty much any defensemen: You could make cases for a few guys, but in general it’s easy to find something to hate about a guy whose job it is to cross-check your favorite forward’s spine into paste.

The guy whose name you’re about to go post in the comments with a question mark on the end and nothing else: He was sixth eleventh.

Patrice Bergeron

Why almost everyone loves him: After years of being grouped in with Toews and Anze Kopitar, Bergeron’s recent offensive peak has made him the de facto name for fans who want to show that they appreciate a two-way forward. He’s a warrior, he’s mostly kept away from controversy and it’s pretty much impossible not to respect his game. You hate him when he’s shutting down your team’s star player, but otherwise, he’s the poster child for guys who play a 200-foot game. (At least until he passes that torch to Mark Stone.)

The one group that still kind of hates him: Anyone whose hatred radius for Brad Marchand extends far enough to fall on a guy who’s almost always right next to him.

Nathan MacKinnon

Why almost everyone loves him: We already said that Crosby should be on the list, so MacKinnon at least checks the Cole Harbour box.

Beyond that, he’s pretty much the ideal mass-approval superstar right now; he’s undeniably among the very best in the game but started his career with just enough adversity that it doesn’t feel like this is all easy for him. The Avalanche are a likable team and they’re good enough that it sure seems like they’ll be around for a while once the spring arrives. MacKinnon has kept his nose clean, he has just enough personality to 1166932 Websites while the Hall process continued. We’ll see where it goes as things continue. One of the reasons Arizona won the bidding for Hall is that defence prospects were important to New Jersey. That was a big Sportsnet.ca / 31 Thoughts: Who's next on the NHL rental market? stumbling block for Edmonton (along with the first-rounder) and St. Louis, which doesn’t really have that in their arsenal. (Someone reported Vince Dunn may have been offered, but that would surprise me.) Shero said they liked Kevin Bahl when he was drafted, and like him more now. They Elliotte Friedman have big difficulties down low in their zone, and while Bahl needs AHL December 18, 2019, 1:35 PM time to develop, they wanted someone in their organization to address that.

2. The Devils are going to have to keep some veterans. You need good New Jersey GM Ray Shero bent over backward to be gracious to Taylor people to show your kids the way. I don’t think Wayne Simmonds Hall after the 2018 Hart Trophy winner was dealt to Arizona. He pointed enjoyed being a rental and wouldn’t be surprised if he wished to be part out that the winger never asked for a trade, never rejected any contract of New Jersey’s solution. offers and never made any demands. 3. Calgary definitely tried something that wasn’t futures-related. But they Shero opened a window into the organization’s thinking when he pointed wanted assurance re-signing Hall was a possibility, and weren’t allowed out Hall “only played 33 games last year.” That’s why the Devils sat him to explore it. Florida desired similar. Not that we’re ever going to find out, out twice last weekend and pushed to get a deal done. Hall played 82, 72 but I heard the Islanders tried more of a “hockey deal,” too. and 76 games the three prior seasons, so he’s not made of peanut brittle, but there’s always a worry. 4. As all of this was flying around last Saturday, there were reports Florida scratched two of their top prospects at AHL Springfield: Henrik So, what’s next on the rental market? Or, who’s next? Borgstrom and Aleksi Heponiemi. That caused mass hysteria. Borgstrom actually was injured. Heponiemi was a healthy scratch, but word is they The obvious name is the Rangers’ Chris Kreider. The best predictor of are not trying to trade him. He’s 20, talented and in his first AHL season. future behaviour is past behaviour. Last season, the Rangers attempted There are speed bumps along the way. to negotiate extensions with both Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello right up until the deadline, with both getting dealt in the final days and hours. I 5. Arizona GM John Chayka made it clear in his various media don’t sense any rush there. And, the later in the year, the easier it is from availabilities on Tuesday that the Coyotes will take a run at re-signing a cap perspective. Hall. But it won’t be until after the season. They handed out some big extensions to young players, but several of their veterans have contracts Same goes for Ottawa. They have a hot-shooting centre in Jean-Gabriel expiring in the next two years. Pageau. And I’d bet there would be interest in Mark Borowiecki, not only for his on-ice acumen but also his ability to decrease crime rates in 6. As St. Louis marched to the Stanley Cup last year, one Blue metropolitan areas. The Senators are doing a much better job of mentioned that he heard Al MacInnis would always ask, “How will this preventing a public circus, to the dismay of nosy reporters. I don’t sense play in our room if we do it?” I thought of that with the Coyotes. There are any rush there, either. times you have to take a chance. Nine of their key players are 28 or older. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2012. Before the deal, they If there’s a motivated team, it’s Los Angeles. The Kings have Trevor were first in the Pacific Division, and had a goal differential of plus-13 Lewis and Tyler Toffoli out there, among others. They are both UFAs, even though their top scorer (Clayton Keller) ranks 93rd in the NHL. They and L.A. is looking to bolster its stable of picks and prospects. It’s not a didn’t give up anyone off their roster and got the best available forward. secret what they are willing to do. Same with Buffalo, sitting a pair of How can that not play well in their room? No excuses. You also have to NHL-level defenders a night. They have two unrestricteds — Zach reward your fans, give them reason to believe they have a chance. It’s Bogosian and Marco Scandella. why I supported what Columbus did last year. There comes a time where What’s interesting is how many potential rentals play for teams who are you just have to say, “What the heck. I’m throwing in my chips. All in.” trying to win, which eliminates their availability. At this time, that includes 7. Big moment in Tampa Bay Tuesday night as Jon Cooper benched major names: Nicklas Backstrom and Braden Holtby (Washington), Torey Nikita Kucherov. We’ve seen enough of these to know the next few Krug (Boston) and Alex Pietrangelo (St. Louis). Even if they remain games will tell where this is going. That period begins Thursday at home unsigned, those teams are going for the Stanley Cup. They’ll deal with against Dallas. Kucherov has a lot of pride. Cooper is pushing his the fallout later. buttons. This used to be a coach’s league. Now, it’s a players’ league. Here are some other situations to WATCH: Let’s see how Kucherov responds and how Cooper uses him.

First, Vancouver. There’s mass panic around the Lions Gate Bridge now 8. Make no mistake: Ilya Kovalchuk wants another shot. There’s quite a that the Canucks are four points behind second-wild card Calgary. On my bit of tire-kicking, but I think there’s a lot of factors here. Most of it’s fit — weekly Sportsnet 650 radio hit, I was asked if head coach Travis Green which is very important. is in any trouble, which is insane. They’re not out of it and they’re not 9. Markstrom’s negotiations are going to have a major ripple effect on giving up. We’ll see what happens from now until February, and how Vancouver’s future. Also on the radar: The Canucks continue to gauge negotiations go — but there will be interest in Josh Leivo and Chris Nikita Tryamkin’s interest in returning for next year. The big defender Tanev. I’d include Jacob Markstrom, but goalies are tricky. Some teams went back to KHL Ekaterinburg after the 2016-17 season, and his current hate doing that at the deadline, believing that it’s too difficult a position to contract is up after this one. He cannot sign until July 1, but his intentions integrate. And many of the contenders seem good in net. will be clear before that. Overall, though, the Canucks are going for the post-season and will 10. I don’t believe anyone is ruling out Micheal Ferland for the season, as probably stick with the current roster if in the race. has been rumoured in British Columbia. But I do believe no one’s going Second, Chicago. If he does not re-sign in-season, there could easily be to be rushing him back into the lineup. a market for defenceman Erik Gustafsson. 11. Speaking of Ferland, I wonder if his four-year, $3.5-million contract is The other one I’d mention is San Jose’s Brenden Dillon. The playoffs going to be the benchmark for Zack Kassian in Edmonton. The Oilers aren’t for the faint of heart, and Dillon’s not scared of anything. But that’s and Kassian’s agent, Rick Curran, got together this week. Kassian a later call, depending on where the Sharks stand. scored his 12th of the season Monday night in the Oilers’ 2-1 victory in Dallas. He’s got 23 points in 33 games, a very nice complementary piece Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The big winger will be an world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what unrestricted free agent. But he likes Edmonton, the organization likes him they think about it. — and he’s been through a lot, understanding the value of a good situation. So there’s reason for optimism, but nothing is done until it’s 31 THOUGHTS done. It’s hard to get players to come there, and one thing the 1. In his availability, Shero said this wasn’t the start of a fire sale for the organization weighs is how to factor that into contract talks. Kassian and Devils. He’s also got two useful UFA defenders — captain Andy Greene Darnell Nurse (who will be restricted) want to be part of the solution. If and Sami Vatanen. Word is that at least one team asked about Vatanen you lose them, how will you replace them? 12. Nurse’s situation is trickier than Kassian’s. He’s two years from being 20. If Peter DeBoer wants to coach again this season, he will have the unrestricted, and the Oilers need that time to clean up their cap situation. opportunity. But the situation has to make sense. This will take some creativity. 21. Trivia question: Name the three current NHL goalies listed under six 13. He is eligible for arbitration, which could solve things as a last resort. feet. But, make no mistake, NHL teams are sending out signals about how much they despise this process. I wrote earlier this year about how Anton 22. Sportsnet’s draft guru, Sam Cosentino, said this year’s Canadian Forsberg getting a one-way deal without any NHL games last season World Junior training camp was, by far, the most heavily scouted he’s ruined several GM’s August barbecues. I’ve heard from a couple of seen from an NHL perspective. The reason: This one featured eight first- agents that clubs are threatening not to qualify players rather than go year draft eligibles; the last five camps had a combined six. That doesn’t through arbitration. With a fairly tight cap situation, it’s a legit concern and include OHL Guelph’s Nico Daws, who was passed over in 2019 and is a high-stakes game of poker. taking out his anger on the rest of the league. Daws lost 25 pounds last summer, and Sam’s sources indicate he could go in the second round of 14. A couple of my Russian contacts reached out after last week’s note the 2020 draft. By the way, Cosentino is the smartest person on the about Islanders goaltending prospect Ilya Sorokin — who is considering planet, because he’s not on social media. an extension in the KHL. They think he’s trying to force a trade from New York to someplace with a clearer path to start. There would be interest — 23. The NHL is down six officials with long-term injuries. Tim Peel he’s very talented. We’ll see where this goes. suffered a fractured tibia last week, putting him out three months. He joins fellow referees Jon McIsaac and Eric Furlatt, and linesmen Michel 15. Thomas Chabot’s whopping 37:50 of ice time in Monday’s 4-3 Cormier, Steve Miller and Vaughan Rody. Peel was injured during an overtime loss to Tampa Bay was not only the second-highest regular- Arizona/Chicago game, and Coyotes players were amazed at how he got season total since the official stat started being kept in 1997-98, it also up, limped to the bench, casually hopped over the boards and exited featured 33:00 at even strength. No one is playing more at even strength down the tunnel. They were talking about it after the game, saying they in 2019-20 than Chabot, averaging 21:42 per game, 1:20 more than couldn’t remember seeing a referee exit as play continued. Florida’s Aaron Ekblad. That pace would be 11th-most all-time, with Ryan Suter setting the record at 23:17 in 2013-14. (Suter actually has the 24. NHL Alumni Executive Director Glenn Healy is keeping the specific two highest totals, and former Senator Erik Karlsson owns three in the details quiet, but, on Dec. 7, there was a lengthy meeting at the NHL’s top eight.) It’s interesting to see how much the game changed after 2004- Toronto offices with 15-plus alumni. With them were the organization’s 05. The only player in the top 88 from beforehand is Derian Hatcher, top doctors in neurology, pain management, psychology and overall ranked 36th at 20:44 for Dallas in 2001-02. There was apparently a game player health. There is a lot of debate and discussion about post-playing- in QMJHL Shawinigan where, with the Cataractes down to five career care for those who need it. This kind of get-together is going to be defencemen, he played 40 minutes. Chabot also played 43:53 in the critical to making sure things get better. 2017 World Junior Gold Medal game, a 5-4 shootout loss to the United 25. Another hot topic is accessibility — making the sport open and safe States. His ice time in the four period — 11:08, 11:30, 10:09, and 11:06. to anyone who wants to participate. At its Board of Governors meeting His superpower obviously is lung capacity. last week, the NHL unveiled its plan to attack racial, physical and 16. Chandler Stephenson has points in four straight games after scoring emotional abuse. A separate, but important, issue is cost, which can be a his sixth of the year in Vegas’s 3–2 win over Minnesota on Tuesday barrier for many families. Last month, one program, the NHLPA’s Goals night. Word is that when it became clear Stephenson could be the odd & Dreams Foundation, celebrated its 20th anniversary. Hall of Famer man out in Washington, Capitals GM Brian MacLellan made it clear he’d Mike Gartner started up this initiative in November 1999. It has donated do his best to make sure the forward went to a good situation. Players new sets of equipment to more than 80,000 kids. Gartner left the union in talk about this stuff. 2007, disillusioned with the controversies surrounding former executive director’s Bob Goodenow’s replacement, Ted Saskin. 17. It was overshadowed by the Taylor Hall trade, but Chicago’s announcement that Marc Crawford would return to the bench on Jan. 2 At this year’s inductions, Devin Smith, hired to help was actually a more stunning story. I don’t know anyone who suspected launch Goals and Dreams, asked if Gartner wanted to return for one trip. that, in this climate, Crawford — absent since Dec. 2 pending an “Maybe I do,” he responded. investigation into his behaviour — would be given another chance. The Blackhawks handled the investigation and are not commenting. That trip was last weekend, to Faro, Yukon — four hours north of Whitehorse. As I write this, it’s been barely 24 hours since his re-instatement was revealed, so there’s not a ton of information. But, this is a surprising “That was the most enjoyable part of my (NHLPA) job, and this was a development, so I wanted to pass on what I could gather. In his written reminder,” Gartner said Tuesday. comments, Crawford said, “I have regularly engaged in counselling over Thirty-five years ago, Faro was home to a huge open-pit mine that drove the last decade where I have faced how traumatic my behaviour was the local economy and brought population up above 2,000. But it closed, towards others. I learned new ways of expressing and managing my and Gartner said the current number is closer to 400. He helped donate emotions. I take full responsibility for my actions.” 27 new sets of equipment, but the highlight was a five-hour snowmobile I understand this was critical to his position, and that Chicago verified ride through the region’s mountain area. How cold was it? he’d been seeing a therapist. All of the public accusations — Sean Avery, “Minus-26,” he answered. Harold Druken, Patrick O’Sullivan and Brent Sopel (Avery felt it didn’t merit an investigation and Sopel walked it back) — were more than a I hope the rink where they did the clinic wasn’t outdoors. decade old, and Crawford certainly had a rep back then for being as harsh as they came. The Blackhawks, who had discussed this to some “It wasn’t, but it felt like it was,” he laughed. degree when Crawford was hired, did a deeper dive, reaching out to Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it players and executives who were with him in Dallas, Switzerland and 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, Ottawa, looking to see if there was anything new. They were satisfied they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover with what they heard. Canada’s most beloved game. I wondered then, why was Crawford not allowed to immediately return? 26. On our phone call, we discussed the cost issue. Gartner and partner I’m told that it was felt that there should still be some kind of penalty, and Wes Jarvis (who played 237 NHL games with Washington, Minnesota, it would also serve as a warning that there is zero room for any future Los Angeles and Toronto) own three National Training Rinks facilities. violations. If he’s learned and is making amends, he deserves the They are based in Barrie, Newmarket and Richmond Hill, Ont. opportunity to show it. “We see what’s going on in minor hockey all the time,” he said. “The 18. John Hynes is very much on Team USA’s radar for the world biggest barrier to entry is not cost — it’s the lack of adaptation to championships, if he’s so inclined. changing times. There are no local papers anymore, but all you had to do 19. Five coaching changes this year. NHL record: 11 in 2002-03. That for years was put an ad in them saying, ‘Registration for next season seems absurd. begins April 1.’ New Canadians want to participate. They want to be involved. Where we live, for example, there is a large Asian community. We put ads in Mandarin-speaking newspapers. We made sure we had staff members who speak Mandarin and Cantonese. It’s thriving. You The two ran into each other at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. have to reach out to the community.” Tsyplakov played for Belarus, which upset Sweden in the quarterfinals.

Gartner points to women’s hockey as a perfect example. Young girls “We were walking towards each other down the street, when this huge wanted to play, and Canada did a great job of making the sport smile came across his face,” Humphrey said. “Gave me the biggest bear accessible to them. hug, and tells his teammate, ‘This is the guy who taught me to kick your ass in pool!’ He was one of the very best. Always happy, smiling, wanting “Now, you have so many strong role models. Just look at Hayley to learn, mostly about hockey and life in North America.” Belarus’s Wickenheiser’s Hall of Fame speech,” he said. “We have to reach out to Hockey Federation announced his death last week at age 50. different communities the same way. You can play hockey at a fairly reasonable cost. Eighty (to) eighty-five per cent of us can find great 30. Your trivia answer: Jaroslav Halak, Anton Khudobin and Juuse second-hand equipment and skate a couple of times per week. It’s the Saros. elite programs that get crazy, with $300 sticks, $1,000 skates and tournaments every weekend. We have to get the message out there that 31. Through the magic of the internet, I met Aric John Sy Cua, a reporter you can join for a reasonable price.” from the Manila Times. He’s based in Quezon City, Philippines. Thanks to him, I learned there is a Southeast Asian Games hockey tournament, 27. This was a very tough week. The 2012–13 World Under-17 Hockey and it was held earlier this month in Manila. The defending-champion Challenge in Quebec featured McDavid, Sam Bennett, Kasperi Kapanen, host country was upset 4–3 by Singapore in the semifinal, and took it out Dylan Larkin, William Nylander and Mikko Rantanen. But the leading on Malaysia, 17–1 for the Bronze. Thailand won its first-ever gold medal, scorer, with 13 points in six games, was Sweden’s Oskar Lindblom. If 8–0 over Singapore. there was a knock on him, it was his skating. There were times at major international events where he did look a step behind, and it affected his draft status. But Lindblom had a champion — one Joakim Grundberg. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.19.2019 Hired by Philadelphia in 2013, Grundberg had already worked for Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund for MoDo in the Swedish League. He’d seen a lot of Lindblom, and liked the overall package. The story I heard was that Grundberg talked up the young winger; eventually then-director of scouting Chris Pryor and longtime scout Dennis Patterson came to Sweden — and Lindblom scored a hat trick while they were watching. Pryor, who now works with Nashville, was sold, and made a plan to draft him. The Flyers had no fourth-round selection in 2014, but were confident he’d be there in round five, which he was, 138th overall. By 2016-17, Lindblom was the best winger in Sweden’s top league. There are a lot of people rooting for him who believe that special character, drive, will and determination will help him in his battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma.

28. Scot and Kurt Kleinendorst were born 350 days apart (Jan. 16 and Dec. 31, 1960) in Grand Rapids, Minn. The were both drafted by the Rangers in 1980 — Kurt 77th and Scot 98th.

“Scotty and I were raised in the same town, by the same parents, and we played for the same coaches,” Kurt texted on Tuesday. “But we were night-and-day different in many ways. I use it as an example all the time about why coaches need to get to know their players. You could yell at Scotty and he would get so mad that you wouldn’t want to be lined up against him on your next shift. He would drive you through the wall. Me, on the other hand — polar opposite. [Lou Lamoriello, their head coach at NCAA Providence] yelled at me once early in my freshman year, and I didn’t talk to him again until Christmas.”

Kurt said Lamoriello reached out, constantly communicating after hearing of the industrial accident that injured his older brother last week. Sadly, Scot didn’t recover, and died at age 59. He had 12 goals, 58 points and 452 penalty minutes in 281 NHL games for the Rangers, Hartford and Washington from 1982-90. There is a story about one of his trainers yelling at another team’s tough guy, “Hey, so-and-so, you better settle down or we’ll send Kleinendorst out after you!” With a smile, Scot turned to the trainer and shouted back, “Hey, shut the (bleep) up” as his teammates fell over laughing. All the best to the Kleinendorst families.

29. Back in my first year at Western University, I covered the men’s hockey team for the student newspaper. On that team was a winger named Todd Humphrey. I lost track of him after he graduated until a) he showed up in an article about the mid-1990s Flint Generals in Esquire magazine, then b) the Seattle expansion team hired him as Senior Vice President of Digital, Fan Experience. Humphrey reached out Tuesday to discuss arriving up at training camp in 1992–93 for the Colonial League’s Detroit Falcons. He was given a new roommate, 23-year-old Vladimir Tsyplakov, fresh from Dynamo Minsk.

“I guess they thought a college grad could help him more than some others,” Humphrey said. “[Vladimir] spoke very little English, with his three most understood/used words being: hockey, vodka, girls. One day I took him to our favourite watering hole. He had never played pool before. So I got a couple of beers and two cues. He looks at me, heads back to the bar, returns and says, ‘You teach me to shoot pool; I teach you how to shoot vodka,’ as he puts four shots on the table.”

Humphrey would be traded to the St. Thomas Wildcats. Tsyplakov was an offensive force at that level, the start of a North American career that featured 170 points in 331 NHL games with Los Angeles and Buffalo. 1166933 Websites “Of course, you’re upset when you go through times like this,” Hughes, who was with Team USA at the world juniors this time last year, said one day after logging 28:04 of ice time against the Canadiens.

Sportsnet.ca / Canucks hope to prove they have mental toughness to dig “At the same time, you’ve got to train your mind when the game is over out of struggles … to just get ready for the next day. Maybe you fall asleep an hour or two later because you’re disappointed about the game and your head is on it, but you can’t let it affect you. Iain MacIntyre | @imacSportsnet “You expect so much of yourself, and when things don’t go your way it’s December 18, 2019, 8:01 PM easy to get down on yourself. I’m just trying to stay level-headed. Just stay the same way. That’s something I came into this year trying to work

on, and I think I’ve had success with it so far.” VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Canucks’ journey toward respectability Pettersson is harder on himself than anybody. is difficult to view from the brace position to which their fans have become accustomed. “I’ve always been like this,” he said. “I’ve always had a high standard, a high expectation, of myself. That’s always been with me and I feel that’s There have been so many disillusioning, desolate spells the last four taken me where I am today. I’m stubborn. I always want to work hard and years that the instinctive reaction to a three-game losing streak is to get better.” duck, then log onto Twitter before the oxygen masks fall from the ceiling. Still gainfully employed ahead of Thursday’s daunting home game This survival technique is entirely understandable given the staggering against the Vegas Golden Knights, Green said communicating with his sum of disappointments amassed over 50 years in the National Hockey young players is crucial at a time like this. League without a Stanley Cup. Even when things are good, that gnawing sense of doom is never too far away, ready to bloom into a mushroom- Stream all 82 Canucks games this season with Sportsnet NOW. Get over like toxic cloud when the losing resumes. 500 NHL games, blackout-free, including , all outdoor games, the All-Star Game, 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. The rebuilt Canucks – new-and-improved, nearly everyone thought – began this season 9-3-3 with underlying statistical evidence that it was “Sometimes if you lose, you can get a different feeling for how you played not a fluke. and how you’re doing and how you’re contributing,” he explained. “It’s not just the young guys. I think that goes throughout your whole team. And since Nov. 7, when the Canucks swaggered into Chicago unprepared to play and were slapped 5-2 by the old fireless dragon, “When you talk about young players, I don’t think it’s the same for every Vancouver is 7-12-1 and has been outscored 72-56. Separate the power- one of them. Brock probably feels pressure to score right now, but he’s play goals, and the Canucks are minus-17 in scoring over those 20 wired a little different than Petey is. Quinn is wired differently than the games. other two. Individually, if they’re competing and they’re playing well, good things will happen.” Hello darkness, my old friend. That message also transcends age and experience. Green has been “This year, we feel like we have a group that can get out of tough times,” trying to reinforce positive aspects of the Canucks’ play, which saw them 10-year Canuck Chris Tanev said Wednesday. “A couple of years ago, outshoot and outchance the San Jose Sharks during Saturday’s 4-2 road maybe in the past, if we had a few injuries and were going through a loss, and was good enough against the Canadiens to win on a lot of tough time, it was tough not to dig a deeper hole. But we feel we really do nights. Like nearly any night back in October. have a really good group here.” “It’s a different group for sure,” Markstrom said of the team, which spent Now would be a good time to prove it. millions in the summer adding players. “We’ve got new faces and I feel After a 1-5-1 dip in November that was partially and reasonably attributed like everybody’s better. You’re playing a good, hard game but you’re to a critical mass of injuries and games, the Canucks appeared to be losing. Yeah, (the process) is good, but you can only say that so long. It’s excavating themselves from trouble by winning five times in eight about getting points and not losing in regulation. That’s what kills you in contests. the end.”

The injured guys were returning and the team started scoring again. The Asked is he trying to ignore the angry “noise” in the market he is worst seemed over. But Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens experiencing for the first time, Hughes said: “I’m a hockey player and was the Canucks’ fourth setback in five games – all in regulation time. want to play in a hockey market, so this is perfect.” And in the only game Vancouver won, 1-0 in OT one week ago against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Canucks surrendered 43 shots and needed a goaltending performance for the ages from Jacob Markstrom. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.19.2019 On Wednesday, radio polls failed to conclusively provide the Canucks a solution. Fans couldn’t decide whether to fire general manager Jim Benning or coach Travis Green, or just do the fair thing and get rid of both.

“It’s tough, especially at this level, with the coverage of media every day,” Markstrom said. “When you’re winning, it’s such a good feeling. And when you’re losing, everybody knows about it. It’s out in the open. You’ve got 18,000 people watching here and a lot more watching it on TV. You can’t hide from it. You’ve got to face it, got to deal with it.

“It’s tough when you haven’t been through it. But that’s why you have 23 guys or 25 guys (on the team), and that’s why you have the coaching staff. We’ve got to help each other deal with it.”

Every experienced Canucks player who was asked Wednesday told Sportsnet that managing emotions is imperative when the team is losing. But most, including Markstrom, also conceded that this mental toughness, focus, is an acquired skill in the NHL.

The Canucks, however, are driven by three players just starting their careers: Elias Pettersson, 21, Brock Boeser, 22, and defenceman Quinn Hughes, 20. 1166934 Websites Binnington has shone in particular, showing he’s not falling back to earth just yet. The 26-year-old has the third-best save percentage in the league (.920) among netminders who’ve carried the most mail for their teams so Sportsnet.ca / How the defending champion Blues have survived losing far (i.e. those who have appeared in at least 25 games thus far). Tarasenko Backup Allen has been no less impressive, however. While he’s only gotten into 10 games so far, the 29-year-old has a sterling .925 save percentage to his name, along with a shutout over the Blackhawks. Sonny Sachdeva | @sachdevasonny There’s no question the season has been a grind for the club offensively December 18, 2019, 11:46 AM since Tarasenko went down. But the club’s made due, calling on young guns like Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou to check in and begin

building their names in St. Louis, while the team as a whole has worked The Blues’ 2018-19 story is a league-wide folk tale at this point. The to remind the league why they earned those Stanley Cup rings. particulars are well-trodden and the impact well-established. But six Much like their 2018-19 season as a whole, the Blues have remained months after climbing back from the league basement, St. Louis is kings of the comeback — of their 21 wins so far this season, a league- midway through writing a new story of resilience. leading 13 of them have been comeback affairs. With the first third of the season in the books, the Blues’ 2019-20 While the team ranks among the middle of the pack in first- and second- campaign has on the surface seemed the opposite of last season’s start, period goals, they have the eighth-most third-period tallies so far, along with the club currently ranking as the best in the Western Conference. with the second-most overtime goals. Meanwhile, they rank among the But there’s one specific aspect of that dominant opening segment that best in the league at clamping down in the third period, allowing the underlines just how impressive that start’s really been — they’ve done it seventh-fewest third-period goals among all clubs so far. all without Vladimir Tarasenko. That feat’s even more impressive given they don’t have their most potent The veteran sniper has been sidelined since October, when it was offensive weapon at their disposal. But with Tarasenko sidelined, announced an injury suffered against the Los Angeles Kings would Perron’s carried the load in regards to the comeback efforts. He sits tied require shoulder surgery, leaving Tarasenko out of the mix for five for the league lead with three overtime markers on the season already, months. and five game-winners as a whole — already a career-high. Two months in, the club seems no worse for wear. Aside from Perron, the Blues have shared the game-winning load evenly, Surviving without the focal point of your offence is no small feat — and as O’Reilly, Jaden Schwartz, Alex Pietrangelo, and Thomas all have two make no mistake, that is Tarasenko’s role in St. Louis. While Jordan apiece. Binnington‘s made waves in the cage and the team’s blue-line stalwarts The Blues will get a stiff test to their conservative approach Wednesday have held down the fort, No. 91 has led the team in goals for the past five when they meet Edmonton at the Enterprise Center, confronting the seasons. The last time he didn’t, in 2013-14, he missed 18 games with a game’s most dominant offensive duo at the moment in Connor McDavid hand injury. and Leon Draisaitl. St. Louis earned a 5-2 win over the Oilers when the It’s for that reason that his $7.5 million cap hit ranks as the highest on the clubs faced each other in early November (though with two empty-netters team, tied with Ryan O’Reilly, whose own cap number was determined in the final minute, it was essentially a 3-2 victory). by Buffalo when he signed the deal in 2015 while still with the Sabres. Perron and Co. enter Wednesday night riding a three-game win streak, So how has St. Louis made due without their star winger? It’s not as if while No. 97 and the Oilers come to town with just one win in their past they have the option Pittsburgh does in Sidney Crosby’s absence, with five. no Evgeni Malkin taking the ice in blue and yellow. A few factors have contributed: Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.19.2019 At this point, it seems David Perron’s in a full-on career renaissance.

A quick recap: Following his banner year in Edmonton back in 2013-14 — a 28-goal, 47-point effort — Perron saw his play dip during stints in Pittsburgh, Anaheim and a brief second trip back to St. Louis. Then came a whirlwind season in Vegas — added to the Golden Knights via the 2017 Expansion Draft, Perron posted a career-high 66 points, playing a pivotal role during the club’s march to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season.

He returned to the Blues last year for stint No. 3 in St. Louis, posting an impressive 23 goals and 46 points through just 57 games — a pace that equates to 33 goals and 66 points over a full 82-game season.

And yet, impressive as that production has been, Perron’s hit an even higher level so far in 2019-20, scoring at a career-best pace while the Blues need it most. Through 35 games, the 31-year-old’s scored at nearly a point-per-game clip, amassing a team-leading 33 points to go along with his team-high 15 goals.

For context, that sum leaves Perron tied with Alex Ovechkin for 20th in league scoring, while his 15 tallies are good for 15th in the league.

The Blues have made their name as one of the toughest defensive teams in the league, consistently clamping down on the opposition. Over the past decade, only two clubs have allowed fewer goals-against per game than the Blues, while only one has allowed fewer shots-against per game.

They’ve been no different in 2019-20 — through 35 games the club’s among the top 10 teams in the league in terms of limiting shots-against per game, while netminders Jordan Binnington and Jake Allen have helped the club rank sixth-best league-wide in terms of limiting goals- against per game. 1166935 Websites that stood out most and saw him top off the tournament with an all-star nod.

Now 23 games into his rookie season, Brannstrom is slowly finding his Sportsnet.ca / NHL Rookie Notebook: How last year's world junior stars footing in the big leagues. A short stint in the AHL seems to have helped are faring in NHL boost his confidence, especially when it comes to driving play from the blue line and jumping into the rush, and the Senators are surely hoping to see much more offence from the young rearguard going forward as he Emily Sadler | @EmmySadler continues to develop into a special player.

December 18, 2019, 3:23 PM Morgan Frost, C, Philadelphia Flyers | Team Canada

2019 WJC stats: 4G, 4A, 8Pts (5GP)

‘Tis the season for watching the world’s best young hockey stars on the Between Frost and Team USA’s Joel Farabee (3G, 8Pts), Flyers fans international stage: the world juniors. had plenty to cheer about at last year’s world juniors.

As we prepare for the tournament ahead, here’s a look back at some of Frost’s eight-point campaign saw him finish the tournament as Canada’s the brightest young stars from last year’s edition who are finding rookie scoring leader in what was otherwise a disappointing team outing, and success in the NHL. landed him in the top five in scoring among all skaters.

Max Comtois (C), LW, Anaheim Ducks | Team Canada Now almost a year later, he’s proving he’s a playmaker at the NHL level, too. 2019 WJC stats: 5G, 1A, 6Pts (5GP) That Morgan Frost vision though pic.twitter.com/Kum2MOifE6 Comtois led Team Canada in goals and tied for second-most goals tournament-wide — an especially impressive accomplishment — Brandon Murphy (@2Murphy8) December 15, 2019 considering he’d played through a separated shoulder. He also led by example, serving as team captain and the only returning member from After just barely missing the cut out of training camp, Frost’s strong AHL the 2018 team, and admirably taking a stand against cyberbullying after showing (five goals and 12 points in 16 games with the Phantoms) being harassed on social media following Canada’s loss to Finland in the earned him a call up to the big club in November and his solid quarterfinals. performance since has many Flyers fans hoping he sticks around. The 20-year-old scored in his first two games upon being recalled and now Comtois’ NHL career got off to a great start last year with a successful has six points through 14 NHL games. 10-game stint to start 2018-19 after making the Ducks out of training camp. The Longueuil, Que. native scored in his first two career NHL Kaapo Kakko, RW, New York Rangers | Team Finland games and added five assists in the eight games that followed but was 2019 WJC stats: 2G, 3A, 5Pts (7GP) returned to his junior club, the QMJHL’s Drummondville Voltigeurs, after being sidelined by a lower-body injury. As one of the best prospects of the 2019 draft class, all eyes were on Kakko every time Team Finland hit the ice during the 2019 world juniors This year hasn’t brought quite the same level of production from Comtois — and he didn’t disappoint. The then-17-year-old scored the game- but the foundation and chemistry is there with young linemates Sam winner in the gold medal game against Team USA, solidifying his status Steel and Troy Terry at the core of the Ducks’ youth movement under as a top-two pick. head coach Dallas Eakins. The 2017 second-rounder has a pair of goals and six points through 17 games so far, and is already setting Hockey By the time his name was called at No. 2 by the New York Rangers, he’d Twitter ablaze with moves like this: already become the youngest player in IIHF history to win gold at the U18 world championship, world juniors, and men’s world championship. Ryan Poehling, C, Montreal Canadiens | Team USA While we’ve seen flashes of brilliance, Kakko has struggled at times 2019 WJC stats: 5G, 3A, 8Pts (7GP) throughout his rookie NHL campaign. He has excelled on the power play, All eyes were on Jack Hughes in the 2019 tournament, and while the with two of his six goals and nine of his 14 points coming with the man eventual No. 1-overall pick had a strong tournament despite dealing with advantage, but has been hot-and-cold on the stats sheet and has been an undisclosed injury throughout, it was another first-rounder who really shuffled throughout the lineup in an effort to spark more offence. shone this time around. Cayden Primeau, G, Montreal Canadiens | Team USA

After tallying four points at the 2018 world juniors to help propel Team 2019 WJC stats: 936. SV%, 1.61 GAA (5GP) USA to a bronze medal one year earlier, Poehling (drafted 25th overall in 2017) was a powerhouse at the 2019 tournament. His five goals and Backstopping your national team in the gold medal game of the world eight points led the U.S. in both categories, and his clutch play juniors has got to be an incredibly nerve-wracking experience, but then throughout the tournament — including a third-period hat trick to force again so does making your NHL debut in le bleu, blanc et rouge at the overtime against Sweden in preliminary play — helped lead the U.S. to a Bell Centre. silver medal. He was voted tournament MVP by the media, named Best Forward by the IIHF directorate and made the tournament’s All-Star Primeau, 20, has shown he’s well-equipped to handle the spotlight in Team. both.

His much-anticipated NHL debut last April saw him score a hat trick, but The young netminder (and yes, he is Keith Primeau’s son) posted a 1.61 his first full pro season has not landed him on the NHL scoresheet goals against average and a .936 save percentage as USA took home through seven games so far. Poehling, who has five goals and 12 points the silver medal and earned some high praise from his teammates along in 26 AHL games with the Rocket, got off to a slow start in Laval after the way: suffering a concussion in camp but looks like he’s hitting his stride. “(Primeau’s) a pretty quiet guy, but he’s a stone-cold killer!” Team U.S. Poehling’s latest call-up to the big club has seen him suit up for the defenceman Phil Kemp said after the semifinal last January, via the Canadiens’ past three games and it feels like it’s only a matter of time Montreal Gazette. “He’s seeing beach balls out there, and we’re grateful before he heats up there, too. to have him in the cage.”

Erik Brannstrom (C), D, Ottawa Senators | Team Sweden Primeau’s NHL debut earlier this month was a losing effort that was considered a developmental victory for Primeau, who stopped 32 of the 2019 WJC stats: 4G, 0A, 4Pts (5GP) 35 shots fired his way by the powerful Colorado Avalanche. His first career win, a 35-save effort over the Ottawa Senators, earned him some Though they didn’t make it to the medal rounds, Team Sweden had more high praise. several strong performances — Columbus’ Emil Bemström led his teammates in points and Toronto’s Rasmus Sandin was good on the blue “He’s definitely got a quiet demeanor about himself, and he works hard,” line — but Brannstrom’s campaign as Tre kronor captain was the one said starter Carey Price after Primeau’s first win on Dec. 11. “He definitely reminds me a bit of my younger self.” He’s back in the AHL for the time being in order to get more reps, but it’s safe to say it won’t be too long before the 20-year-old will be back at the Bell Centre for more.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.19.2019 1166936 Websites Keefe is unafraid to let his horses run, mixing and matching lines in an effort to load up at key moments. Against Buffalo, he saw Matthews jump on the ice with Marner and Tavares moments before scoring his first Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs finally dazzle with jaw-dropping skill in win goal. over Sabres His second goal — No. 21 on the season — will play on loop during "Sportsnet Central."

Chris Johnston | @reporterchris First William Nylander stretched to keep the play onside at Buffalo’s blue line and then Matthews took a pass as the late man on the rush. He beat December 17, 2019, 9:40 PM a reaching Conor Sheary, deked around Linus Ullmark and lifted the puck over both the Sabres goalie and defenceman Rasmus Dahlin, who

dropped into the butterfly in the crease behind him. TORONTO — That’s a little more like it. "The goals were elite and that’s what you come to expect when he has This incarnation of the Toronto Maple Leafs is built to be a glamour team, those opportunities like that — the finish — and he made no mistake and with multiple eight-figure paycheques and jaw-dropping skill splashed that really put us in a position to win the game," Keefe said of Matthews. across every forward line and defensive pair. "So he did his job."

It took until a Tuesday in mid-December for the beautiful game to finally It was pretty damn entertaining, all around. grace Scotiabank Arena — at least for 30 tantalizing minutes or so. What This looked like the Leafs team everyone was expecting. Far from became a 5-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres was not notable because of perfect, yes, but with enough offensive weapons to damage the team at the final result, or the fact the visitors mounted a late push, but how the other end of the ice. Sheldon Keefe’s squad unleashed the fury. "I think it just speaks to the potential of the team because we’re still That looked like real progress under a new head coach who has built an nowhere near what I think we can look like and what we’re capable of," 8-4-0 record since replacing Mike Babcock. said Keefe. "I’d say that’s pretty ideal," said Auston Matthews. "I thought we had a good middle presence in the offensive zone. We had guys rolling around — whether it was a forward or a ‘D’ — and we were getting really good Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.19.2019 looks and really good opportunities."

"It’s a lot of fun, too," added Tyson Barrie. "I think it suits our team well."

This group was brought together on a belief that you can out-skill opponents. That if you compile as much talent as possible and maximize the amount of time you spend handling the puck you’re going to find success.

Only that hasn’t yet been the case for a Leafs team that actually has more total losses (18) than victories (17) almost halfway through the season, which explains in part how Keefe wound up with his first NHL head coaching gig last month.

He’s encouraging his offensively minded players to trust their instincts. He must have loved seeing Barrie and Morgan Rielly get so active in the offensive zone against the Sabres that the distinction between "defenceman" and "forward" basically disappeared.

"He’s actually showed clips where I’ll dive in and end up in front of the net and he’s like ‘I love that — do more of that,"’ Barrie said of Keefe. "I haven’t had that often from a coach."

No one knows for sure if it’ll work.

The Leafs still haven’t done it for something approximating an entire night — although they basically pushed Tuesday’s visit by Buffalo out of reach by building a 3-0 lead before the second intermission.

There were two highlight-reel goals from Matthews — both tucked up under the bar — and long stretches of O-zone control. Mitch Marner danced through defenders, John Tavares hunted pucks, Barrie jumped into the play and generated six shots, and even fourth-line centre Frederik Gauthier put a gorgeous finish on a Sabres turnover to open the scoring.

The Sabres boast their own elite talent — Jack Eichel stretched his league-best points streak to 17 games with a goal and an assist — but Toronto’s depth was too much to handle.

At least until the third period when Buffalo roared back to life and made this a game. There’s no way to completely gloss over the late speed wobble from the Leafs perspective, but they believe it’s only a matter of time before those disappear, too.

"We’re showing where the next phase is for us as a team," said Keefe. "There’s a lot of areas there we’ve got to be a little more purposeful and a little more intelligent with what we do with the puck. I think we have real potential to really control the game in those periods of time, but we’re not there yet."

The Leafs have played nine of 12 games under the new coach away from home and still outscored their opposition 16-3 in the first period since he was hired. They’ve consistently built leads and exerted their will. 1166937 Websites would win Sunday in Las Vegas – Vancouver lost Tuesday another winnable game to start the homestand that will take them to the NHL’s holiday break and determine how far back in the standings the team will Sportsnet.ca / Canucks' faith being tested after another loss drops them start the New Year. down standings Adam Gaudette scored the only Canuck goal with a meteor into the top corner on Price that made it 1-0 during a power play at 18:21 of the first period. Iain MacIntyre | @imacSportsnet Soon after Price stuffed Miller on a second-period breakaway, the December 18, 2019, 2:10 AM Canadiens tied it at 8:05 when Domi beautifully finessed a pass through Canuck defenceman Oscar Fantenberg to set up Nick Cousins on a

three-on-two rush that began with Antoine Roussel’s turnover inside the VANCOUVER – Every coach’s go-to sermon includes “the process” and Montreal blue line. “playing the right way.” It’s almost like the results don’t matter, right up “When you get the looks, you’ve got to find a way to bury one,” Miller said until the coach is fired. after his team-leading five shots on net. “In a game like that, there’s not But for players, it’s tough to trust the process when the National Hockey too many . . . in Grade-A areas. It puts the onus on myself to get those in League standings keep whispering doubt into their ears. the back of the net if I can on some of those good looks.

The Vancouver Canucks played well Tuesday against the Montreal “I thought we grinded it out, played north-south. Not all bad, but obviously Canadiens and lost 3-1. The Canadiens were pretty good, too, and special teams was the key tonight.” crushed the Canucks with two power-play goals in 94 seconds early in Canuck penalty-killing, one of the engines that drove Vancouver’s 9-3-3 the third period at Rogers Arena. start to the season, has been scorched twice in four of their last 10 The Canadiens believe. They’ve won five of their last seven games. games and has operated at just 73 per cent since the team’s peak on Nov. 5. The Canucks say they believe, but their faith is being tested with four losses in five games in which Vancouver has outperformed its results. No wonder the Canucks are again playing catch-up in the standings. Will they keep believing? They’re four points out of the last wild-card “Obviously, we know where we’re at,” Sutter said. “You’re going to go playoff spot in the Western Conference, suddenly six points adrift of third through funks throughout the year. It’s the team that finds a way to place in a Pacific Division that seems to be picking up speed while the regroup from them on go on a run in the second half, that’s what it’s all Canucks falter. about. That’s how you get in.” “It sucks losing, but if you play the right way, the team knows,” veteran To the playoffs. winger J.T. Miller, fervent in his belief, said after Vancouver managed one goal on 39 shots against Carey Price. “We’ve got an awesome leadership group in here that keeps the group accountable that way. Lately, I think we’re having more good periods than not. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.19.2019

“Sometimes (the offence) dries up. Earlier in the year, we were scoring a bunch – five goals a game it seemed like. Now we’re working our butt off to try to get two. It just kind of goes like that.”

Miller knows this because he’s been in the NHL for seven years. But the Canucks’ best forward, Elias Pettersson, is in his second season, Brock Boeser his third. Defenceman Quinn Hughes, who logged 28:04 of ice time on Tuesday, is a pure rookie.

“When you’re a young guy in the league, that’s the biggest thing, to learn that it’s such a long year and you’re going to go through tough spots,” another Canucks veteran, Brandon Sutter, said. “These last three games are probably the toughest we’ve been in so far. How do we respond? We’ve got three more games here until there’s a (Christmas) break. Just kind of look at yourself and try to raise your game individually, and as a team everything else will fall into place. Just stay positive.”

That’s not a problem right now for the Canadiens, who two weeks ago survived their own test of faith: an eight-game losing streak (0-5-3) in which they surrendered 38 goals. In the seven-game resurgence since then, they’ve allowed 12.

They won Tuesday because their power play went 2-for-2 while the Canucks were 1-for-4.

Tomas Tatar beat Vancouver goalie Jacob Markstrom with a power-play deke to break a 1-1 tie at 1:51 of the third period, converting Phillip Danault’s pass after the Canadien was tripped to ice by Tanner Pearson.

Back on the power play, Shea Weber was unchecked at the back of the slot to score into a semi-open goal at 3:25 on a broken play that included the puck bouncing off Canadien Joel Armia before getting knocked straight to Weber by Canuck defenceman Jordie Benn, the ex-Hab.

“That’s a gutsy, character win for sure on the road,” Montreal centre Max Domi said. “That’s a good hockey team over there. . . a young team with a lot of skill, a lot of speed, well-coached. We capitalized on our power play. I think overall it was a gutsy effort and we grinded it out. It’s a great way to start a road trip.”

And a terrible way for the Canucks to start a homestand.

After losing twice on the road in less than 24 hours on the weekend – not winning Saturday in San Jose made it even more unlikely the Canucks 1166938 Websites The question that may start to loom is whether the Flames’ potent offence during their recent seven–game win streak was an anomaly or more indicative of what they’re capable of moving forward.

Sportsnet.ca / Flames stymied by Penguins as questions emerge about After all, goals have been extremely hard to come by for the Flames this newfound offence year, just one season after finishing second in the league.

One positive sign on that front is the play of Gaudreau, whose tenth of Eric Francis | @EricFrancis the season late in the first was symbolic of his improved play of late.

December 18, 2019, 1:19 AM Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what they think about it.

It’s never a good sign when the opposing netminder comes close to tying It was a banner shift as Gaudreau and Joseph Blandisi exchanged your entire team’s offensive output. slashes at the Penguins blue line, prompting an agitated Gaudreau to follow the forward all the way back to the Flames goalie crease where he On a night when Tristan Jarry’s first-period heroics set the stage for a 4-1 made a great defensive stop before turning up ice. Penguins win on Tuesday, it was the Pittsburgh goalie who almost topped it off with an empty-netter of his own. Moments later, Gaudreau converted a pretty passing play from Mikael Backlund and Tobias Rieder to open the scoring. While its unclear if Jarry’s wrister at an open net was indeed on target in the dying minutes, Matthew Tkachuk dove to stop it, preventing any On his way back to the high-five line, he appeared to pass along chance Jarry might have scored as many goals as the Calgary Flames season’s greetings to Blandisi on the bench. have combined for in their last two. Rare fire from the frustrated Flames winger. And so it goes once again for the Flames, whose offensive rebirth during their seven-game win streak has been stymied two games in a row. “That kind of sums up exactly what we’re talking about,” said Ward of the attention to detail at both ends. Two days after their best first period of the year turned into a 4-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Flames found a way to lose a game in which “We make a good play defensively and catch them in a vulnerable they outclassed and outshot the Penguins 17-6 during the first 20 position and we’re able to make a play and score a goal. We have to stay minutes. with that. That represents what our game should look like.”

In the midst of an opening period in which the Flames hit the iron and just The Flames will try to snap their two-game drought Thursday when the about every part of Jarry’s body, they were rewarded this time with a Montreal Canadiens come to town. pretty play finished by Johnny Gaudreau.

However, the second-period adjustments by the Sidney Crosby-less Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.19.2019 visitors prompted the Flames to get into penalty trouble, as well as puck management issues that plagued them the first two dozen games.

“It’s a frustrating game there – we come out flying in the first and I thought we played a great period,” said Sean Monahan.

“We sat back a little in the second, turned the puck over and obviously took a few penalties and they capitalized. We’ve got to find a way to score goals. We’ve had a lot of looks lately. At this time of the year, where we are and where we want to be, we have to bear down and bury those.”

The most glaring missed opportunity came late in the second period, down 2-1, when Dillon Dube found himself in alone with Milan Lucic. Three passes were made before Lucic was unable to lift his shot over Jarry’s pad.

Unlike the Flames’ well-documented scoring woes the first couple dozen games of the year, the club’s two-game losing skid is filled with Grade-A chances that are being stopped by red-hot goalies.

“We’ve generated 43 scoring chances the last two hockey games, so were generating enough offensively,” said interim head coach Geoff Ward.

“The thing we have to remember from this game is it’s not what you make all the time, it’s what you leave. We left a little bit out there. For us it’s about game management. When we get into situations when its crunch time we have to stay composed and have to manage the game a little bit better.”

The Penguins tied the game midway through the evening, mere seconds after the Flames killed a penalty called when TJ Brodie tried to climb back over the boards after his teammate decided to stay on the ice last second.

Just over a minute after John Marino beat Cam Talbot, Bryan Rust’s shot found a way to squeeze past the Flames backup to set the stage for a tight third.

Huge stops by Talbot on Jake Guentzel and Brandon Tanev kept the comeback alive in a result no one could fault on goaltending.

The Flames sent eight of their 34 shots on Jarry in the third before Evgeni Malkin’s 400th found the empty net, followed by a 200-foot freebie by Kris Letang. 1166939 Websites Eichel begins to say something about his increased confidence, but he uses the phrase “your confidence,” not “my confidence.”

Then he stops on a dime and switches directions. Sportsnet.ca / Why ‘heart and soul’ Jack Eichel is building a case for MVP He instead talks about a save Linus Ullmark made and how the power play has turned around and how his wingers, rookie Victor Olofsson and bestie Sam Reinhart, are making him look good.

Luke Fox | @lukefoxjukebox Time and again, he mentions the team at large. Playoffs are the goal.

December 18, 2019, 12:12 AM “We’re still developing our identity every day, and I think we’ve started to figure out what we’re going to be as a team and what’s going to make us successful,” Eichel says. “We’ve battled through some adversity, and I TORONTO – If the Buffalo Sabres finally put an end to the longest think it’s made us a better team and it started to make us realize what playoff drought in the National Hockey League, it will be because Jack type of team we have to be. Eichel threw the franchise on his back and tugged it across the finish line. “The way the city responded to the Bills getting into playoffs a few years Sure, it’s a Herculean task, one quietly being picked away at under the ago and then, obviously, the other night making the playoffs again, it’s twin shadows of the Super Bowl–aspiring Buffalo Bills in town and the super cool. The fans are so passionate about them. And we definitely headline-hording Toronto Maple Leafs down the QEW. want to start getting that same type of attention for our group and proving we’re going to be a competitive team every night.” But if any one athlete can lead the Sabres out of the doldrums, it is this matured, team-first, 200-foot threat we’ll dub Jack Eichel 5.0, the hottest We turn to a Harvard grad to help us understand what’s driving the player in hockey. captain.

Four seasons of chronic losing can break a man. Or make one. “Last year was bittersweet with that good start, but he wants to be in the playoffs. You might use the word frustration, but knowing Jack for a Buffalo flew out of the gates last season a wagon on fire, surprisingly while, he’s just a competitor. He’s the captain of the team. He was leaping into the playoff picture as Eichel and then-linemate Jeff Skinner lit drafted second overall, and he wants to be the best,” says teammate up lamps en route to a 10-game win streak and a double date at all-star Jimmy Vesey. weekend. There was joy in Mudville. “He’s a specimen of an athlete. That maybe shows more true in the gym Then everything slid off the rails. Between Dec. 15, 2018 and April 2, the — not a lot of guys can keep up with what he does in the gym. His Sabres couldn’t rub two wins together — literally. The coach got canned. weights are off the chart, but it’s his athleticism. His running and his Players were shed. Another reset around an $80-million franchise player jumping is on par with a lot of guys in other sports, and we play on who’s only known resets. skates. He’s a world-class athlete.” “The pain from last year was a big test of where his career was going to Eichel is also a student of the game. He devours outside-market games go, and he has processed it like a winner,” says new coach Ralph like a junkie, keeping an eye on Draisaitl and McDavid in Edmonton. Krueger, who connected with his captain from their first pre-camp chat. Kucherov in Tampa. The other night Eichel was hanging out with Dahlin, “In that adversity, he grew. so he let the Swede choose Elias Pettersson in Vancouver. “The conversations we were having showed that winner within him, and But his favourite contemporary to observe now might be the top he’s made a lot of really good decisions here. He’s like all of us: we’re candidate to steal his Hart: Nathan MacKinnon. keeping our picture really small, we’re working day to day, and not so worried and all the white noise that always tracks you in the National Like MacKinnon, Eichel has consciously put fresh emphasis on his Hockey League. Keeping that outside of our inner space has been defensive game, taking pride in elite matchups and responsible own- important not only for Jack but for the whole group.” zone play. He says it’s paid off at the fun end of the rink.

So, on Tuesday night, with the highway-rival Toronto Maple Leafs seizing Eichel gets it. a 3-0 stranglehold through two periods and Eichel’s league-leading point streak in jeopardy, there is a lot of talk inside the Sabres room about “The discrepancy between the best player and the bottom-line , it’s not what is needed, but it is a calm discussion. crazy,” Eichel says. “The little details really add up. I think all the best players do it, and I’m just trying to do it myself.” “It’s controlled,” says Krueger. “We don’t have to speak a lot. We need to be ready when we’re out there and communicate within the game, and I Entering this season, Eichel was a career minus-65 player. This season think we’re doing that a lot. Jack leads the way there.” he’s a plus-14 on pace for 56 goals and 117 points — totals that would destroy previous bests. Within a 14-minute span, Eichel sets up a Rasmus Dahlin power-play goal, zips a high-blocker laser past Frederik Andersen off the rush, draws “You know, there’s very few players in the league that are a threat one- a holding penalty on Zach Hyman by churning through the slot, then on-one, and he’s definitely at the top of the pile,” Krueger says. “And he’s beckons his mates to huddle about the power-play strategy. having a lot of fun, which is I think an important element to his success.

He is willing Buffalo back into a game it didn’t show up for, and giving, as “Is he one of the best players in the league? He always has been for me always, hope for hockey in Western New York. since Game 1. Let everybody else decide [Hart favourites] right now. We just want to build a season here. We want to keep that picture really “Jack scores a big goal there,” teammate Kyle Okposo says. “Then we small, and if any of those things come at this team after the season, I’ll start to believe.” be the loudest cheerer in the room.”

On the night Eichel reaches 50 points, jumps to fourth in the Art Ross race, and extends this NHL season’s longest point streak to 17 games (16 goals, 15 assists), he takes 18 draws, fires five shots and skates a Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.19.2019 game-high 23:48 (yes, that includes defencemen).

Afterward, the captain quietly slips on his flip-flops, pulls a teammate aside to whisper-chat about a play gone wrong, and sits dutifully in his stall to address a 5-3 loss with reporters.

Eichel is lobbed a series of questions about his individual performance of late, the highlights that make Auston Matthews rave that he’s “on fire,” John Tavares note that he’s “really imposing himself on the game,” and Okposo say that “he’s coming into his own and becoming a superstar.”

Hovering over the visiting room’s hockey-glove odour is the (wholly correct) notion that he’s a Christmas contender for the Hart Trophy. 1166940 Websites Hlinka Memorial Cup when he backstopped Canada to gold at the summer event. Rodrigue also played at the 2018 under-18 World Championship in Russia so he is familiar with the bigger ice surface in TSN.CA / Canada’s Hofer, Daws out to prove they can handle pressure Europe. on world stage "I've been in those situations and situations of stress so I think that can advantage me," Rodrigue said. "At the end of the day, the ice is a little bit wider, but there's one puck and you always have to track that little black Mark Masters thing."

With Rodrigue waiting in the wings, Team Canada’s staff is being careful to not officially designate anyone the No. 3 goalie just yet. TSN reporter Mark Masters checks in daily with news and notes on Team Canada, which practised at Albert Schultz Eishalle in Vienna on "We're still working through that process," assistant coach Mitch Love Wednesday. said. "We got these two pre-competition games along with a few more practices so it's still in the middle of that evaluation process." Guelph's Nico Daws and Portland's Joel Hofer will split Thursday's pre- tournament game. It's not just a chance for them to show they deserve to Hofer, Daws out to prove they can handle the pressure in international be Team Canada's starter on Boxing Day, but also a long-awaited debuts opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf in international competition. Guelph’s Nico Daws and Portland’s Joel Hofer will split the start on "It's unbelievable," said Hofer. "It's going to be a special moment." Thursday when Canada plays its first of two pre-tournament games in the lead-up to the World Juniors. Goaltending is a big question mark, "A dream come true," said Daws. because while Daws and Hofer both have great numbers this season, You hear that phrase a lot when it comes to playing in the actual World neither has ever played internationally before. Meanwhile, Moncton's Juniors, but not as much when it comes to the tune-up tests. Olivier Rodrigue, the third goalie, has worse numbers, but has played for Canada. It's a sign of how far both goalies have come in such a short period of time. Neither was invited to Canada’s summer camp or any other Team Canada players hand in their phones before heading to their previous Hockey Canada event as they struggled to establish themselves rooms at the end of each day. This rule is meant to encourage more as go-to starters with their club teams. communication between players and also allow the teenagers to get to bed without distraction. So, when news of the Taylor Hall trade broke just Both goalies have been excellent so far this season – Daws is 13-3-4 before 11 p.m. local time, Kevin Bahl had no idea his rights had been with a .939 save percentage in the OHL while Hofer is 20-4-2 with a .937 sent to New Jersey. He only found out the next morning. save percentage in the WHL – but their lack of international experience is the one big question mark hanging over Canada's crease. The pressure "I got my phone and it was just blowing up from all types of people," the of playing for Canada at a major competition is hard to replicate, but Ottawa 67s defenceman said. "Didn’t really matter. It was inevitable, if it Daws and Hofer are quick to point out there's a lot of pressure associated already happened it didn't really matter how I found out. It's awesome with just trying to make the national team. how they handle it here. It's good to be in a bit of a bubble and just not have to worry about those things." Despite strong starts to the year, both felt they needed a stellar performance in the Russia series to earn a spot at selection camp. And But even inside the bubble, people get to talking. When Ty Smith arrived both refer to these starts as the biggest in their career to date. downstairs for breakfast at the team hotel he noticed a buzz around the room. Daws stopped all 13 shots faced in just over 30 minutes of action in a Team OHL win on Nov. 7 in Kitchener. "I asked what exactly it was and everyone said, 'Bahler's going to Jersey,' so it was kind of strange," the Spokane defenceman said. "Such short notice," Daws recalled. "I got notified two days before the game that I was going to be playing and then going in, nationally But the move wasn't a huge surprise to Bahl, a second-round pick in televised, it was definitely a big change for me. I've never really done 2018, who had spent the summer training in Arizona. anything like that and I'm sure tomorrow will be a much bigger game." "There were already rumours floating around and I already talked to my Hofer played a full game plus overtime for Team WHL stopping 29 of 32 agent and stuff so I knew there was a chance of it happening so I just shots on Nov. 14 in Prince Albert before falling in a shootout. But then he kind of took my mind off it," he said. "Obviously, I'm here and I got a goal held his nerve in the series-deciding shootout held that same night. I'm headed towards, so tried to put it in the back of my head and not really think about it." "Pressure is a privilege, really," Hofer said, referencing the legendary quote from tennis icon Billie Jean King. "Any time you're in a pressure Will getting traded motivate him moving forward? situation just take deep breaths and just go back to the basics, you're "Yeah, of course, there's that burning desire, especially when you get there for a reason so if you just go back to those moments and don’t traded." overthink it, I think you'll be all right." Processing the development was made a bit easier thanks to Smith’s But this is unfamiliar terrain for Hofer on and off the ice. He had never presence. Smith was picked by the Devils in the first round of the 2018 been to Europe before this trip. And the World Junior format is tricky with draft. seven games in 11 days for any country that makes the medal round. "He's pretty excited," said Bahl. "I've known him for four, five years now "It's definitely a really quick tournament," Daws observed, "everything and we're pretty good friends and it's cool to know him. He's such a guy, happens really fast and you got to kind of take it easy, just don’t get too the way he’s talked to me about the organization and stuff it was really worked up, when you get too worked up it’s just going to fly by even cool." faster so you got to really relax." "He's asked me what it’s like," noted Smith, "and how the guys are there, Things can go sideways in a hurry at this level where mistakes tend to and how those AHL guys are, the younger guys, and he’s been pretty come in bunches. good about the whole thing." "I just try to stay in the moment," says Daws, who didn't get picked in At six-foot-seven, 240 pounds Bahl is sometimes typecast as a physical, June's NHL draft. "I got a couple breathing routines that I do and really it one-dimensional defender, but Smith has noticed a change of late. just grounds me. And then, just take in where I am, I'm here at the World Juniors, it's a pretty special experience." "He's obviously a pretty big rig," Smith said, "but he can move very well for a big guy, handles the puck well, makes plays. He's turning into a bit While Daws and Hofer play Thursday against Team Switzerland, of a two-way guy as opposed to a defensive guy. He can move very well Moncton's Olivier Rodrigue will watch from the sidelines. The Oilers so it’s impressive.” prospect doesn't have the same sterling numbers – just a .907 save percentage in the QMJHL – but he does have international experience. So far in practice Bahl has been lining up beside Senators prospect Rodrigue says the biggest game he's ever played was at the 2017 Ivan Jacob Bernard-Docker on what is expected to be the shutdown pair. "He uses his body really well to fend off forechecks," noted Love, "and there’s a whole bunch of tradition with this event, but at the end of the he’s a guy who will play a lot minutes for us against key players in this day the puck drops and it’s just a game and just to be able to find that tournament." balance with these kids, because they’re feeling the pressure and they put enough pressure on themselves." ''Big-rig'' Bahl: ''There’s that burning desire, especially when you get traded'' Watch the full interview with Cameron below as he talks about life in Vienna and coaching against Dale Hunter in the OHL. The shockwaves from Monday's blockbuster Taylor Hall deal were felt over in Europe where the top prospect acquired by the Devils, Ottawa Dave Cameron on key message at World Juniors: ''It's still just a game'' 67s defenceman Kevin Bahl, is getting set for the World Juniors with Team Canada. Getting traded is never easy and is a possible distraction Former Senators coach Dave Cameron is currently running the bench of when you're preparing for the biggest tournament of your life, but Bahl is the Vienna Capitals in the Austrian league. The 61-year-old spoke with processing the news with the help of a fellow New Jersey defensive TSN on Wednesday opening up about what it takes to have success as a prospect in Ty Smith. coach at the World Juniors, what he learned from being on Pat Quinn's staff, facing Dale Hunter in the OHL and why coming to Europe was the At least year’s World Juniors, Canada’s power play converted on only right move for him. three of 18 chances and that 17-per-cent success rate ranked ninth in the 10-team field ahead of only Denmark, the country that was relegated. After missing the selection camp with a left hand injury, Owen Sound forward Aidan Dudas is good to go for Thursday's game. With so much high-end talent, there’s no way that should happen. So, what’s the key to better results this year? "He’s had a couple days of good practices with us and seems like he's caught up to speed with the systems and the pace with his conditioning," "Simplicity," said Love, who has been working with the power-play group. Love said. "These guys tend to want to over-pass and make life harder on themselves than they have to. You know, get pucks to the net, get puck recoveries, get to your spots and be simple with your plays." TSN.CA LOADED: 12.19.2019 The top unit at practice has featured Calen Addison, Alexis Lafrenière, Connor McMichael, Barrett Hayton and Dylan Cozens. When Joe Veleno arrives from the AHL, he may join this group.

It's Addison, who is quarterbacking things from the point. The Lethbridge Hurricane has racked up 17 of his 29 points on the power play this season.

"He's probably more of a pass-first guy," Love observed. "I'd like to see him shoot the puck a little bit more, which we’re going to work through here as the tournament goes on, but his ability to find people, he’s real sharp at."

Canada Ice Chips: ''Simplicity'' key on PP; QB Addison urged to shoot more

After finishing ninth in power play efficiency at last year's World Juniors (3/18, 17%), Team Canada must find a way to turn its high-end talent into more man-advantage goals. What's the key? ''Simplicity,'' said assistant coach Mitch Love. ''These guys tend to want to overpass and make life harder on themselves than they have to.'' Lethbridge's Calen Addison will quarterback the top unit and is being urged to shoot more.

Hockey Canada management group leader Mark Hunter watched Wednesday's practice from the stands alongside Dave Cameron, a former Ottawa Senators head coach who previously served as Canada's bench boss at the World Juniors. Team Canada is actually practising at Cameron's home rink this week as the 61-year-old is now behind the bench of the Vienna Capitals in the Austrian league.

Canada suffered a heartbreaking loss with Cameron at the helm in 2011 blowing a three-goal lead in the third period of the gold-medal game in Buffalo. A year earlier when Cameron was an assistant coach, Canada lost to the United States in overtime of the gold-medal game in Saskatoon. But the pain associated with those heartbreakers has faded and the good memories remain.

"Everything about the World Juniors was positive," Cameron insists. "Yeah, you know, the losses stick with you a little bit longer, but that’s the game. If you’re going to be in this game any amount of time you’re going to have to deal with losses and we know the importance of the World Junior teams and the emotion that’s involved, but you know that when you sign up."

Cameron was also an assistant to Pat Quinn – "The smartest man I’ve ever been around" – in 2009 when Canada won gold in Ottawa.

"The best thing is the people you work with and I worked for three different staffs, started with Pat Quinn, Willie Desjardins and it’s just the other coaches you get to work with, you get to pick their brain and spend some time with them."

What's the biggest challenge coaching Canada at the World Juniors?

"There's so much pressure on these kids and I think your biggest challenge is just to remind them it’s still just a game, nothing has changed," Cameron said. "Yes, it’s on TV; yes, your family’s there; yes, 1166941 Websites franchise points lead. Wheeler is also closing in on 900 NHL games played. Ehlers has scored seven times in his last 15 games.

There is great chemistry between Andrew Copp and Adam Lowry, a line TSN.CA / Beyak: So far, so good for the Winnipeg Jets that provided some physicality. Those two were critical in the improvement in the penalty kill numbers and up until an injury, Mathieu Perreault was a great fit on the third line. Perreault was injured Sunday Dennis Beyak and is in concussion protocol, while Copp left the game against Carolina in the second period and did not return due to an upper-body injury. For

16 games the Jets ran the same top nine forwards, now lose two players To get a true picture of the Winnipeg Jets season after 34 games, off one line in back-to-back games. Having Perreault and Copp out for November 1 would be a dividing line. After a number of offseason any length of time will cause a major disruption to the forward group, changes to the Jets' defence group, injuries to start the season and a especially with Bryan Little already out of the lineup indefinitely. group getting to know each other, the Jets started 6-7 including a 1-4 five Injuries derailed the fourth line at the start of the season, but it was game home stand. From November 1 on, the Jets are 14-5-2, had a five- starting to take shape and form an identity as well with the acquisition of game home ice winning streak snapped Tuesday, but are still 8-2-1 in the Nick Shore and the steady play of Logan Shaw. Gabriel Bourque, back last 11 at home. from injury, was elevated into Perreault’s spot, and Shore and Shaw So what was the turning point? In the win column, it started in San Jose, both saw action in Copp’s spot after he left Tuesday's game. This just as a 3-2 win in a game they were outshot 53-19, but Connor Hellebuyck was the Jets loaned David Gustafsson to Sweden for the upcoming World brilliant and their goaltender won them one. Next night in Vegas they Junior Hockey Championship. trailed 3-1 going into the third, but won the game on a Kyle Connor But through it all, so far, so good for the Winnipeg Jets. They have not overtime winner. So yes, those two wins on back-to-back nights put them lost consecutive games since a three-game losing streak in mid-October. on the right path. And with a 20-12-2 record, sit in third spot in the Central. But starting But lets go back a bit. We mentioned that homestand that did not go well. Thursday against Chicago, the Jets play six of eight games in the division It ended with a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Kind of ended, including a home-and-home against St. Louis, the defending Stanley Cup because the October 26 Heritage Classic against Calgary in Regina, was champs, and the team that bounced them in the first round last spring, a Jets home game. That was a fun event to be part of. Mosaic Stadium which they have not played yet this season. was picturesque that Saturday night. Over 33,500 on hand for the game, temperature very manageable, snow flurries adding to the beauty of the night. The day allowed them to forget about the home stand and soak up TSN.CA LOADED: 12.19.2019 the event.

The result was a 2-1 win, followed by a post game flight to California to start a three-game trip. They lost in Anaheim but played well. Then Hellebuyck’s heroics in San Jose, and followed by another incident that inside the dressing room was also huge. In the Vegas game, Adam Lowry put Alex Tuch out of the game with a hit, and was challenged by one of the NHL’s toughest, Ryan Reeves. Lowry answered the challenge. Those in the dressing room feel there was a “mood change” after that.

After giving up an average of 3.38 goals against in the first 13 games of the season, the Jets have allowed only 2.52 in the last 21, including six in Tuesday's loss to Carolina. The penalty killing numbers have jumped from 65 per cent in the first 13 games to 77 per cent in the last 21, including 0 for 3 on the PK the last two games. Coaches love when the goals against stat trends in the right direction.

While the power play numbers are not where they want them to be, nor where they were last year at this time, it too is trending in the right direction with six power play goals in the last five games, four of the goals from Mark Scheifele. So a 35.2 per cent clip over the past five games. Much better than the season percentage of just over 17.

After getting shutout in San Jose last November 25, 2018, the Jets scored 45 goals over a 12-game period, 14 on the power play. Fast forward to November 23 of this season and in 11 games the Jets have scored 40, eight on the power play. So yes, the defensive numbers have been good, but some new line combinations are putting up some offensive numbers.

Each of the top three lines brought something different.

Mark Scheifele, 26, between Kyle Connor, 23 and Patrick Laine, 21, is a young, dynamic line. They can pass the puck, find seams and create. They score off the rush, all three can shoot the puck very well and they score off offensive zone time. Scheifele’s offensive zone vision has gone to another level. There is some risk to this line, but also plenty of reward. Scheifele has a seven-game point streak going (7-5-12) and is 12-12-24 in the last 21 games and leads the team in scoring at 16-20-36 in 34 games. Connor had a six-game point streak (4-6-10) snapped Tuesday, but still has 8-10-18 in his last 15 games. Laine has added 6-10-16 in his last 15 games.

Blake Wheeler at centre with Jack Roslovic and Nikolaj Ehlers is pure speed. Injuries have given Roslovic the opportunity to play in the top six and the 22-year-old is taking advantage of it, notching his seventh goal on Tuesday and only a cross bar in the third period from it being a two- goal game for Roslovic. Wheeler has 614 points as a member of the Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise, and is one back of Ilya Kovalchuk for the