SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 4/24/2020 1183320 Ducks convert part of their ice complex in Irvine to food 1183346 Edmonton Oilers' Gaetan Haas waiting out COVID-19 in bank Switzerland 1183321 Ducks fan survey: Lots of love for Trevor Zegras, a pivotal 1183347 JONES: Edmonton a sure bet if NHL resumes in certain year for Bob Murray venues 1183348 Lowetide: Mavrik Bourque a quality option for the Oilers in the draft 1183322 Bruins president : ‘Everything is on the table now’ 1183323 NHL Network to air documentary on 1970 Bruins on May 1183349 Q&A: Rob Blake on ‘staying in touch’ with the Kings and 10 sticking to ‘the plan’ 1183324 NHL floating ideas to complete 1183350 PROSPECT CALL NOTES, QUOTES WITH RECENTLY 1183325 Bruins’ Breakdown: Sean Kuraly may be better suited on SIGNED TURCOTTE, MADDEN, HULTS wing 1183326 Cam Neely: Everybody on board "to do whatever possible to get this season completed" 1183351 Devan Dubnyk, Jordan Greenway to represent Wild in 1183327 Two Bruins players to participate in NHL Player Gaming NHL Player Gaming Challenge Challenge 1183352 Top 20 Minnesota draft picks: We chose them during our 1183328 Bruins know their time is now, Cam Neely says, and are Virtual Happy Hour prepping for return 1183329 I don’t know if we’ve ever talked about it…’: A candid chat with 1183354 Our Canadiens fantasy draft final / La finale de notre repêchage 1183330 Sabres goalie prospect Erik Portillo named to USHL MontrealCanadiens All-Star Team 1183353 'It's always been about winning to me,' Canadiens' 1183331 Sabres Mailbag: League pushing hard to complete regular Brendan Gallagher says season 1183332 MSG's 'Sabres Classics' to spend two weeks on run to '99 Cup final 1183355 Miss hockey? Predators' 2017 playoff run will 1183333 The Sabres’ most defining moment of the past 20 years: re-air on Fox Sports Tennessee Drury and Briere exit 1183356 Predators goalie Pekka Rinne talks NHL pause, dogs, Saros, cooking, more 1183357 Simulating the 2020 NHL playoffs, Round 2: Avalanche vs. 1183334 Dustin Wolf earning his place in the hockey world: ‘It’s a Predators feel-good story’ 1183358 Why Devils’ Nikita Gusev took off after coaching change 1183335 NHL would consider resuming in Raleigh, but lack of 1183359 Pelotons, Rollerblades and yoga: How NHL players are practice ice stands as obstacle staying in shape without the ice 1183336 Re-living Carolina’s Cup run with Aaron Ward, Bret 1183360 As Devils’ coaching search begins, Hedican and Scott Burnside navigates unique situation 1183337 Alex DeBrincat will play in NHL video game tournament to 1183361 NHL skating toward a reopening of training camps in raise money for coronavirus relief June? 1183338 Dietz: Send NHL to the box for this ridiculous restart plan 1183362 NHL team planning May 15 workouts ahead of possible restart 1183339 Simulating the 2020 NHL playoffs, Round 2: Avalanche vs. 1183363 NY Rangers prospect Nils Lundkvist weighs whether to Predators sign or wait one more year 1183364 NHL skating toward a reopening of training camps in June? 1183340 Blue Jackets sign Elvis Merzlikins to two-year contract 1183365 The decision 20 years ago that changed the direction of extension the Rangers franchise Stars Senators 1183341 Ben Bishop wants chance at Stars Stanley Cup playoff run 1183366 Bill Daly says returning to NHL cities makes the most with or without fans present sense if the league plays this summer 1183342 ‘I don’t know if we’ve ever talked about it…’: A candid chat 1183367 The will be well prepared if the NHL draft with Tyler Seguin goes ahead in June 1183343 How gaming helped Stars’ Stephen Johns through both 1183368 PLAY TIME? government committees will look quarantines of his life closely at pro and amateur sports 1183344 Detroit Red Wings mock draft: looks to again 1183345 Anthony Mantha, Madison Bowey to represent Red Wings in NHL Player Gaming Challenge 1183369 Bob Clarke and Bill Barber: Coaches have made a major 1183401 Alex Ovechkin, play to a tie, raise more difference in the Flyers’ turnaround | Sam Carchidi than $40,000 for coronavirus relief 1183370 If NHL resumes, it could play at four sites; tricky decision 1183402 Ovechkin, Gretzky raise $40,000 for charity with 'NHL 20' to be made on draft dates competition 1183371 Wilt Chamberlain stands alone as Philly’s champion in 1183403 Evgeny Kuznetsov to represent Capitals in NHL Player greatest pro athlete poll Gaming Challenge 1183372 Lindros now an ambassador for Flyers team that once 1183404 How did T.J. Oshie spend his draft night? Watching MTV divorced him 1183405 What is the Caps' best all-time Czech lineup? 1183373 An OT winner, a weird Oilers fan and a thrilling Flyers 1183406 Marc-Andre Fleury has a secret about his Game 7 save of victory in NHL 20 Alex Ovechkin 1183374 Report: Swedish forward Linus Sandin intends to sign with 1183407 What is long-time Caps forward – and video star – Kelly Flyers Miller up to today? 1183375 Flyers make Eric Lindros team ambassador, announce his participation with All In Challenge Websites 1183376 Should make Flyers Hall of Fame? 1183413 / Ex-NHL player Colby Cohen is putting career contacts to use to bring PPE to U.S. 1183414 The Athletic / ‘I don’t know if we’ve ever talked about it…’: 1183377 Penguins A to Z: Niclas Almari gets a taste of North A candid chat with Tyler Seguin American hockey 1183415 The Athletic / You may not know NHL Seattle’s Alexandra 1183378 Penguins’ Matt Murray, Primanti Bros. to feed police Mandrycky, but those who know hockey do 1183379 First Call: Pittsburgh as NHL return city?; Some 1183416 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Ranking the top 10 underrated potential Steelers draft targets prospects of whichever team you cheer for 1183380 Penguins players, staff calling season ticket holders 1183417 Sportsnet.ca / How an NHL game based on speed and 1183381 Penguins on pause: Justin Schultz's contract year derailed skill is rewarding thinkers by injuries 1183418 Sportsnet.ca / How an NHL draft could work in June amid 1183382 Penguins' Matt Murray opens up Primanti Bros. tab for COVID-19 pandemic police 1183419 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs' Shanahan supportive of NHL 1183383 Who is the greatest hockey player from Pittsburgh? holding virtual draft in June 1183384 Marc-Andre Fleury has a secret about his Game 7 save of 1183420 Sportsnet.ca / Navigating COVID-19 pandemic a Alex Ovechkin challenge like no other for 1183421 Sportsnet.ca / Canucks' Markstrom not worried about contract limbo during pandemic 1183385 Re-evaluating the Sharks’ decisions to trade for — and 1183422 Sportsnet.ca / Memories of '93: Remembering the Maple extend — Erik Karlsson Leafs-Red Wings series 1183423 Sportsnet.ca / How would Scott Stevens defend Oilers' McDavid in today's NHL? 1183386 Lightning announce #StickTogether auction to benefit 1183424 Sportsnet.ca / The best team in Canucks coronavirus relief efforts history, Part II – Sportsnet 1183387 Lightning’s Alex Killorn announces 'Dock Talk’ T-shirt sale 1183425 TSN.CA / Maple Leafs-like philosophy allows to help children in need Ryan Hardy to build USHL juggernaut 1183388 How Alex Killorn became an influencer with celebrity ‘Dock 1183426 TSN.CA / Adding goalies to the All-Decade Teams of each Talk’ Instagram shows NHL club 1183427 TSN.CA / Frederik Andersen open to any scenario that results in NHL returning 1183389 Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen is visualizing a return to 1183428 TSN.CA / Mendes: Ottawa Senators F Bobby Ryan opens hockey up on quarantined life in Idaho 1183390 Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson will join the Star in a 1183429 TSN.CA / Four NHL cities that could host a summer video chat to answer your questions restart 1183391 ‘Rent-a-Goalie’ creator tells Gary Bettman that hockey can 1183430 USA TODAY / Fans running out of patience as teams wait refuse refunds on tickets to postponed games 1183392 Maple Leafs' Freddy ready for any NHL re-start plan 1183393 Maple Leafs' Andersen eager to play in any NHL restart Jets plan 1183408 Winnipeg a long to be a host city if NHL resumes 1183394 Real Sports Network: How the Leafs and Raptors nearly 1183409 NHL removes Winnipeg from list of re-start sites created a TV ‘powerhouse’ 1183410 Pionk would love a shot at the title, if and when NHL fires 1183395 Toronto Maple Leafs All-Fan Ire Team: From JFJ to Phil to back up Toskala 1183396 Bringing back feels like a no-brainer for the World Leagues News Leafs. But is it? 1183431 European Athletics Championship CANCELLED 1183397 The Gifted: How Maple Leafs prospect Mikhail Abramov altogether this summer redefined his game 1183432 ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay to miss broadcast with coronavirus 1183433 Programs and coaches that have taken financial cuts 1183411 Ben Kuzma: For Canucks, Miller trade return trumps because of the coronavirus pandemic virtual draft dilemmas 1183434 Syracuse AD John Wildhack talks financial impact of 1183412 How the UFA goalie market gives Canucks an advantage coronavirus, says no discussion of eliminating sports in keeping Jacob Markstrom 1183435 Tom Brady Auction Among Continued Efforts By Tampa Bay Pro Sports In Fight Against Coronavirus 1183436 predicts tennis will be 'one of the last sports 1183398 Knights’ Ryan Reaves approves of Raiders’ first-round to get back to normality' picks 1183437 Coronavirus: Italy's sports minister says decision on return 1183399 Ryan Reaves, Alex Tuch to participate in NHL Gaming to football will be made 'in coming days' Challenge 1183438 Fresno State president leaves open possibility of 1183400 Indefinite timeout: From the Knights to the Lights, Las eliminating sports programs Vegas’ sports teams plan for uncertain scenarios SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1183320 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks convert part of their ice complex in Irvine to food bank

By HELENE ELLIOTTSPORTS COLUMNIST

APRIL 23, 20204:26 PM

Although the NHL season is on pause and players have been advised to stay at home through April 30, the Ducks found a good use for the largest of the four rinks at their Great Park Ice practice complex in Irvine.

On Thursday, the Ducks opened the doors to Rink 2 — an Olympic-sized surface that’s 15 feet wider than regulation NHL rinks — and turned it into a storage facility for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Art Trottier, vice president of The Rinks, said about 120 pallets of premade food boxes were delivered and stored on Rink 2 starting at 8 a.m.

The food will be distributed by Second Harvest Food Bank, which for the last five Saturday mornings has helped those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by conducting drive-through food distribution at , the Ducks’ home rink.

Boxes full of supplies are moved onto a rink at Great Ice Park in Irvine.

Boxes full of supplies are moved onto a rink at Great Ice Park in Irvine.(Josh Hulstein / Great Park Ice)

“They contacted us and asked us if we had storage space and I said, ‘This is perfect,’ ” Trottier said. “We had just taken down the ice sheets the previous week so we definitely had some space. And it’s a community building, so what better way to help out the community in this type of situation?”

According to the Ducks, more deliveries are scheduled to arrive and be stored at Great Park Ice next week. The facility has been closed since March 18 and will reopen when health officials deem it safe.

LA Times: LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183321 Anaheim Ducks them. The current players that are in their prime and leaned on are not stars. The youngsters aren’t ready to take on prime roles.

There was a little more belief in their current core, made up of players Ducks fan survey: Lots of love for Trevor Zegras, a pivotal year for Bob like Ryan Getzlaf, , Hampus Lindholm, John Gibson, Josh Murray Manson, Adam Henrique and Rickard Rakell. But the predominant feeling is that the core, as well as their overall talent base on the NHL roster, is average-to-below average. By Eric Stephens Apr 23, 2020 12 Fans were on the money with these. There is enough talent to make them competitive. Just not enough to match up with the league’s better teams. These are interesting times. Challenging times. But they also offer the opportunity to do some different stuff when it comes to covering a hockey Ah, but the future looks bright. Right? team. The current roster might not inspire a great deal of confidence, but the There aren’t any Ducks games to pore over right now, but that doesn’t Ducks’ prospect pipeline still seems to engender much hope. A rousing mean we are without questions about the team we follow. And with a little 87.8 percent of you gave their system 3 and 4 votes on our poor-to- more time on our hands these days, The Athletic thought it would be excellent scale, with 4 winning out in decisive fashion. interesting to dig in with the fan base and hit up our loyal readers with a survey that had some pertinent questions about the franchise and maybe The takeaway here: People like to think about what they could have an inquiry or two that you didn’t expect. versus what they currently have. I like to think about a 2020 Maserati Quattroporte more than my currently shelved 2000 Audi A6. (It did force From the look of the results in real time and in total, you were willing to me to buy a somewhat used Acura). get involved right away and offered up many of your opinions. There were a total of 471 responses and we thank each and every one of you We want Zegras! We want Zegras! for participating. I’m already thinking of different questions for the next Safe to say, there will be a little anticipation for when Trevor Zegras will time we do this and am eager to top the number of voters. After all, this is play his first game. a chance for you to have your say. Last year’s top draft pick is now signed and has turned pro. And with the Do the responses reflect the entire Ducks fan base? Possibly, in some NHL and holding out hope for finishing their cases. Maybe not, in others. But this survey gave us a little window into regular seasons, it is possible that the 19-year-old playmaking center the subjects that are important to you. And, as always, we welcome your could make his debut with the Ducks or — more likely — the AHL’s San thoughts below. Pose some other questions of your own. One of them Diego Gulls. Not only is the date of that debut undetermined but where could wind up in a future survey. and against whom are also unknown. But there is more excitement over Coaching and management him than any other Ducks prospect by more than a 6-to-1 margin.

Recently, I went over the positives and negatives of Eakins’ first season. Max Comtois did garner a decent amount of votes and the 2020-21 Overall, I felt he did a commendable job in keeping engaged a roster that season should be one where the big winger with some potential scoring can use an upgrade compared to many of the teams he must game-plan touch should make a push toward sticking in Anaheim for the whole against. Based on 468 responses on a 1-to-5 scale with 1 defining poor season. And I’m thrilled about throwing in the option of voting for and 5 serving excellent, it concluded that you felt he did solid work. whoever the club’s first pick in this year’s draft will be. That’s what the Eakins was given 3 or 4 votes on 90.4 percent of the surveys, with the hope of a high first-round choice brings. results just about evenly split between the two. As for young defensemen Axel Andersson and Jackson LaCombe, well, Just four people thought Eakins did a bad job. Conversely, there were three people each brought the love. more than a handful who gave him the highest of marks. All in all, there Better post-trade deadline days ahead? remains an upbeat feeling about his tenure as he heads into Year 2. Whether you thought Murray was making significant changes on his Just about everyone also chimed in on another popular topic. More roster or simply moving some deck chairs around, you cannot deny the attention has moved in the direction of the 64-year-old Murray, who has GM was wheeling and dealing at this year’s deadline. been GM since 2008 and now presides over a team that is still near the bottom of the Western Conference after presiding over a run of And his moves gave many of you some optimism as to their long-term postseason appearances. outlook. While 189 of the 467 responders feel it is too early to say if he improved the team with his changes, 185 folks feel the Ducks are better As you see, the responses were very varied when it came to the amount off compared to 93 voters giving a thumbs down. You wonder how much of confidence that’s currently in Murray. Early looks at the real-time the yes votes simply reflect happiness that Murray did something. voting showed most unsatisfactory, but it swung favorably toward him in the survey’s final few days. The range shows that while Murray has his From a scribe’s perspective, we like it. More content, right? fans, he also has a healthy number of detractors and has work to do to restore faith in his ability to steer the Ducks back into playoff waters. Next The playoffs? The Cup? Those will happen again, right? year will be pivotal for him. You’re not that bullish on next season. But 2021-22? Now that’s a Keep the explosives in storage winner.

One of the elements I found most fascinating about this survey is how the Of the 469 responses, there were 231 of you who feel the following percentage of respondents fluctuated when it came to whether the Ducks season will be the one where the Ducks make a triumphant return to the should continue with their modest retooling of their roster as opposed to postseason. Just 39 of you think they’ll get back into contention next a full rebuilding plan. spring. But a healthy amount of you (153) feel like this retool has the distinct look of a multiyear rebuild. And the remaining 46 are thinking high Initial voting did not favor going toward a rebuild. But then momentum draft picks for the next few years are the only thing to look forward to. swung toward that, to the where there was an even split between the two plans. However, the later ballots turned the tide decidedly back The pessimism doesn’t extend to this question. All but 18 of you fine toward continuing the transition that Murray and the club have started. As readers believe that the Ducks will eventually get that Stanley Cup much as there might be an appetite to bottom out and shoot for drafting a bookend. Now wouldn’t that be funny if they get their second before potential game-changer, the thought of stripping things down and losing some franchises bathe in the celebration of their first? (Love you, a lot does not sit well with many more. Vancouver).

Core strengthening exercises needed The fan base is hardly about the bandwagoners

In a way, the responses to these two questions are reflective of where If you just became a Ducks fan, good on you. There’s no wrong time to they are at in their evolution. The stars got older and could no longer lead become one. But many of you were hooked the moment they came into being. Nearly half of our responders say they were with from There were 392 responses for this question and 182 of you had Jean the very beginning in 1993. Surely, some of that was this new NHL team Sebastien Giguere’s No. 35 as the next number to be hung in the rafters. setting up shop in highly populated Orange County to give the Kings a natural Southern California rival. But we’re betting that movie — you It is a logical and deserving choice. Look, a high standard should be set know the one — and the team’s popular logo and jersey reeled in many for that kind of honor. Giguere had just one top-five Vezina Trophy finish others. in his eight-plus seasons with the Ducks. But he had 206 of his 262 career wins and 32 of his 38 shutouts in Anaheim. And he will forever be It didn’t take a championship to create fans, at least according to our poll. remembered for putting the Mighty Ducks on his back in the 2003 Quite a few of you got on board following Anaheim’s first playoff playoffs and then backstopping them to the Cup four years later. Those appearance (and series win) in 1997 and the spirited underdog 2003 run are two solid reasons why No. 35 hasn’t been issued since he was to the Cup final. But 64 of you said fandom happened in the years after traded in 2010. 2007. The next clear choice is Ryan Getzlaf (146 votes) and his No. 15. Some of your comments: Hazarding a guess that you’re not asking he should already be retired. That would be a little mean, no? “20th anniversary game when they wore the Eggplant and jade, have been hooked since” Love was shown to Guy Hebert (31), who got four votes. A certain former Hart Trophy winner (10) got 19 nods. Paul Kariya (9) got four and we “in 2015 when the San Diego Chargers where talking about moving from might need to bring those four up to speed. And there were also two San diego. I got turned off by NFL and Dean Spanos $$ greed. So I votes for “1510.” That’s a lot of numbers on one jersey. switched to NHL – the Ducks and San Diego Gulls” No Kings No! “2006 When the ECHL San Diego Gulls Folded” Now the above sub-headline is a twist on the chant that grates on Ducks “When the Gulls’s came to San Diego” fans when Kings faithful infiltrate Honda Center, and we suspect that “When the Ducks acquired Ryan Kesler” you’ve got a far better response in mind. But we also offer a friendly suggestion. You can fire up that “Let’s Go Ducks!” retort before Kings “When the Gulls folded in 2006, I bought season tickets and started fans start wiring into “Go Kings Go!” Kind of blunts the impact, or so I’ve driving from San Diego. It was the closest hockey.” heard.

Memo to the Ducks’ marketing department: Strengthen that brand from I’m feeling confident that our little survey can be applied to the thousands the OC all the way down to San Diego. You’ve got an opportunity to own of Ducks fans out there. There is zero doubt who you consider Anaheim’s that entire region, hockey-wise. Get a Ducks preseason game down to main rival. If anything, I thought the Sharks might have done better in our , work it into a weekend jaunt for those who make the poll, but just 26 of 466 people checked off that box. And they were an drive down and reward the locals who have delivered the AHL’s best easy second choice after any other team. attendance. Pronto. But there were some submissions that were worth a double-take. Also Also loved this response: listed under “other” appeared to be several iterations of Nashville Predators, as seen on the pie chart. “October 6, 2000. The day I was born” “Kings, but Golden Knights and Jets climbing up that ladder” Live hockey rules “Probably still the Kings but damn do I hate the Golden Knight’s fans at There is a little mea culpa at work here. The question of how many HC…” games attended created a little confusion. It’s clear I should have further specified it early on by asking how many did you attend this season. It “Trashville” did lead to some interesting responses. “Right now, none. They are not good enough for a rival.” “This season or ever? A couple this year, hundreds since ’93.” The last one was a little spicy. (I like spicy, by the way. Not too spicy, “This year zero. Typically 2-5” though.) But there were multiple votes for Vegas and Nashville. The former because the Golden Knights always seem to beat them during the “Since 1995, moving to So. Cal., over 200 games” regular season. The latter because the Predators always beat them in “I guess I don’t understand this question. Is this how many games in my the playoffs. first year of fandom or in total? I was born in 1993 and have attended For whatever reason, the Red Wings still hold an acidic place in some of about 40+ ducks games in my life.” your stomachs. You do know that they were the worst team in the NHL “I live far away. I have attended about 500 when i was a season ticket by far this season. Maybe it is still the sight of all those natives holder.” bringing those bright red-and-white winged-wheel jerseys to the arena for the team’s only visit. “Normally around 20 some, moving to Iowa made that less this season” What’s the vibe on the Samuelis as the club’s stewards? They’re Gr-r- “I moved to Texas Oct. 18. I did have NHL Center Ice though” reat!

“be more specific. this season? total?” Here are six of the first seven responses: “Great.” “Good.” “Amazing.” “Great owners.” “Love them.” “They are awesome.” The one missing Ouch. Got it. response was “Ok.” Which is OK. What impressed me was that the bulk of you reported that you not only The Ducks have been competitive through most of their 15-year run as attended a game this past season but went to several. Heck, there were owners. It helps that two elite linemates powered a lot of that. But they 24 of the 466 responders who said they went to every game. At the other got the Cup early on and have been chasing another ever since. end of the scale, there were 45 who did not go to a Ducks game. (And I didn’t specify home or road.) But there were 206 who attended at least Most of the comments voice strong support for the couple. But there was 10 games. some criticism offered up that was similar to our pre-trade deadline survey. Here’s a sampling of responses: Yes, there are Ducks fans out there. Diehards even. Enough for a quality survey here. But I’m looking to beat the overall number next year. Tell “This is an interesting question and I’m genuinely curious how many your friends. people’s opinions of them has changed as much of their philanthropic work has become more public as most had stayed private. I’ve heard a Meanwhile, I got the biggest kick out of this response to the question: lot of stories over the years of their kindness and from a fan perspective “Does viewing all 82 games per season on tv count as attending?” what they’ve done with The Rinks program is nothing short of incredible. Can people be mad because they run on a budget? Sure, but I think Yeah, that’s a hard no. that’s part of any business and they’ve given the team the tools and resources to work around this.” For the next jersey retirement, it’s time to get Jiggy with it “Great people and generous in the community, but too complacent with management that has not produced.”

“Top notch owners but too behind the scenes at times.”

“Hard to give them any flack about not spending an extra $2M on a 4th line plug when they donate $100M to build hospitals.”

“I really appreciate their philanthropy, which is what is most important. I would like to see them make a splash in the FA market every once in a while.”

“Charitable and good people. Do a good job of being present in the community. Sometimes I wish they’d take more initiative in talking to the fans about the status of the team, as well as being more upfront with their long-term plans. Lastly, I wish they’d give Bob Murray an ultimatum or something. At least showing that the general manager position isn’t a safe seat if the team is doing poorly for consecutive years.”

“They need to be more hands on & control the team more”

“I’ve always liked the Samuelis. They seem level headed and allow the team to be run by the people who know hockey. They open the wallet when necessary.”

“They saved our team, made it a winner and have enriched our community. Couldn’t be happier with them as owners.”

And there was this assessment:

“I am proud of the Samuelis as much as they contribute to the Anaheim culture, the future of hockey as an elite sport in SoCal, and they obvious love for their players. They care for their arena, and the arena employees, seem interested in their ticket-holders, and have built/are building support operations both in Irvine and in Anaheim. However, they do not seem to want to pay for top-end talent, and in this survey where you ask about a Cup race, these two factors cancel each other out. I do not support the burn-it-down philosophy but they held onto Carlyle too long and they are holding onto Murray too long, it appears. I would like them to invest in better health and awareness, which I think they are doing at the recommendation of Eakins. Still, though, too many people view them just as figureheads, and thus there needs to be a manager who is current with the trends, who is able to communicate with the younger players, and who speaks honestly and not in surly sound-bytes. I put this at the feet of the Samuelis.”

One of the motivations behind doing this survey is culling your thoughts on how we cover the Ducks here at The Athletic. We know that you have made a financial investment in our product and expect a high return on that. I hope we have delivered. And I’ll keep pushing to give you not just more but something different. I know that I can safely speak for the immensely talented group of people who keep our website churning when I say we very much value your thoughts.

On a personal level, it is unbelievably heartwarming to see all the positive comments about what I’ve done since joining up in the summer of 2018. I do believe our writers have different strengths that help offer the comprehensive coverage that we promised from the beginning. It is a we continue to push toward achieving.

Trust me, I’m working on taking you further behind the scenes and I’ll continue to work with the team to further open up that window into what the Ducks do. I’m continuing to incorporate analytics a little more into stories when I feel it can augment and propel a piece without taking away from it, like what Jordan Samuels-Thomas did in some of his Ducks work for us.

And all the comments about player features and more player features. I love them, too.

Thank you so much for staying on the journey. Tell your friends. Keep on reading.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183322 Boston Bruins The league months ago announced that the Bruins would finish their September 2020 training camp in Germany, then open their regular season in Prague vs. the Nashville Predators.

Bruins president Cam Neely: ‘Everything is on the table now’ “I think there is a good chance that might get postponed,” said Neely, “based on looking at possibly playing into July, even August. And if that’s the case, you know, there is no question the [start to] the following By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff,Updated April 23, 2020, 7:24 p.m. season is going to get delayed a little bit. So if it does get postponed, we would welcome going there the following year.”

Kevin Paul Dupont If the Bruins can get back in business and resume the 2019-’20 regular season, look for the them to play the remaining 10 games of their 82- Boston Globe LOADED: 04.24.2020 game schedule, followed by what the NHL still hopes can be a full slate of Stanley Cup play.

Those are the informed guesses of Bruins president Cam Neely, who late Thursday afternoon answered an array of questions from season ticket holders, and 98.5’s Bob Beers, during a 30-minute on-line town hall session.

“Everything is on the table now, based on the conversations I’ve had with the league,” said Neely. “I can tell you this, both the players and ownership want to do everything possible to try to get this season completed. If that means playing into the summer, we are all willing to do that.”

If that were the case, noted Neely, it likely would mean rolling forward the start of the 2020-’21 season — something he said the league feels is possible without having to scale back the standard 82-game season.

It also remains to be seen if the Bruins would play their final five home games at the Garden, or be forced to play at a neutral site. The league has developed myriad contingency plans, but remains unable to settle due to so many unknown factors related to the pandemic.

“But everything is on the table with trying to get this season completed, which is exciting for us,” said Neely. “I know our players are excited about it, based on where we [stood in the standings] when the pause took place [March 12] and the potential that our group has.”

Once getting “the green light” to get back in action, said Neely, the league envisions up to a three-week training camp before games resume. That’s roughly the equivalent of a standard pre-season training camp, which usually includes the start of the exhibition season after about only one week of training.

“Then they are talking about taking another three weeks to finish the regular season,” offered Neely.

Based on that projection, the playoffs would begin some six weeks after camp opens. If, say, the doors opened in early May, the playoffs wouldn’t begin until mid- or late-July.

Neely said there has been no talk on the league level about a playoff slate other than the standard four rounds of best-of-seven-game play. In that scenario, the Cup champ might not be crowned until mid- or late- September

“Any calls that I’ve been on with the league,” said Neely, “they have not mentioned shortening the playoff rounds at all.”

Neely also said that he didn’t believe the players would embrace the idea of returning to camp and then jumping directly into Cup play without first playing in non-playoff games.

Virtually all of the league’s contingency plans are being structured around revenue. Any shortfall in income, be it due to games that must be canceled or otherwise diminished gate receipts, ultimately would impact how much players are paid for this season (settling their escrow reserves) and where the salary cap lands for next season.

Prior to the lockdown, the league projected a cap next season upward of $85 million.

“There’s no question this is going to affect the cap for next year,” said Neely. “It may even affect it a little bit after that. But I think Don [Sweeney] and our group has done a good job of projecting forward what we may need to do to keep a competitive team on the ice and being mindful of maybe a flat cap for a year or two.” 1183323 Boston Bruins

NHL Network to air documentary on 1970 Bruins on May 10

By Chad Finn Globe Staff,Updated April 23, 2020, 2:20 p.m.

The NHL Network will pay homage to perhaps the most beloved team in Boston sports history May 10 when it premieres the documentary “The 1970 Bruins: Big, Bad, & Bobby.”

The documentary, which will air at 8 p.m., debuts 50 years to the day after Bobby Orr and friends clinched the 1970 Stanley Cup.

During a roundtable interview, Orr, Gerry Cheevers, Phil Esposito, and Derek Sanderson discuss how this team earned a permanent place in the hearts and minds of New England sports fans.

“[We weren’t just close] on the ice, but off the ice, we would have family gatherings with our wives and our children, always kids in the dressing room and practice and so that was important for us,’’ says Orr during the conversation. “For us to be successful, we just felt we had to be like that. And we were having a blast, and we were winning games.”

Harry Sinden, the Bruins coach in 1970, and forward Ken Hodge are also among those interviewed in the documentary, which is narrated by the Dropkick Murphys’ Ken Casey.

Chad Finn

Boston Globe LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183324 Boston Bruins

NHL floating ideas to complete season

In one scenario, the league would have four NHL arenas host three games per day.

From staff and wire reportsUpdated April 22, 2020, 8:24 p.m.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday the league is studying proposals to return to the ice to finish the season, including one scenario where as many as four NHL arenas would host three games each per day without fans.

Bettman stressed the number of cities and locations have not been decided. “Maybe it’ll be two cities,” he said. “It’s not something that we can predict right at this moment.”

The NHL, which paused the season March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, also floated the idea to the general managers of holding the 2020 NHL Draft in June before the season ends.

"No decision has been made,'' Bettman said. "And I said as we were getting some feedback. We don’t live in a world of perfect anymore. We’re going to have to make adjustments.

"Ideally from our standpoint — and it would resolve a lot of issues — would be if we could complete the regular season, even if it’s on a centralized basis, and then go into the [] the way we normally play them.

"That would be ideal. But that's, again, one of the numerous models we're looking at, and if we can't do ideal, if we can't do perfect, we're going to have to figure out what's next to perfect."

The NHL has decided against playing in non-NHL arenas at neutral sites because league arenas are best equipped with the infrastructure to handle its needs if it decides to centralize games.

“If we’re going to be centralized, we need the back of the house that NHL arenas provide, whether it’s multiple locker rooms, whether it’s the technology, the procedures, the boards and glass, the video replay, the broadcasting facilities,” Bettman said.

The NHL would need four NHL-caliber locker rooms in each arena, because if it plays three games per day in one arena, it would need to use appropriate sanitizing procedures as teams move in and out.

“The particular location could be anywhere that isn’t a hot spot and has what we need both in terms of the arena and having practice facilities," Bettman said, "because if you bring in seven or eight clubs to a particular facility, and you’re playing lots of games on a regular basis without travel, there does need to be ice for practice.”

Boston Globe LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183325 Boston Bruins 2-1 win in Chicago on Feb. 5. “I like the way he’s played. Is it a result of him being up there, is it a result of him playing left wing with Charlie Coyle? It’s a bit of a different role, it’s a more offensive role than shutting Bruins’ Breakdown: Sean Kuraly may be better suited on wing down the top line. We have to look at that. Is that a better spot for him?”

Since then, Kuraly had been slotted back at fourth line center intermittently but the last game the B’s played before the stoppage — By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald one of their finest wins of the season, a 2-0 victory in Philadelphia — Kuraly was Coyle’s left wing. PUBLISHED: April 23, 2020 at 7:06 p.m. | UPDATED: April 23, 2020 at 7:06 p.m. Looking ahead to next season, the B’s may have more centers than they do open spots. Barring a trade, the one-two punch of Bergeron and

David Krejci will still be intact, Coyle signed a long-term deal last (The latest in a series of player-by-player analyses that will appear November, Lindholm is signed for another year and top prospect Jack occasionally). Studnicka has earned a legitimate audition in the next training camp, whenever that may be. With two full NHL seasons under Sean Kuraly’s belt, we thought we knew exactly who he was. Kuraly had carved out a niche as a physical, Is Kuraly truly a viable option for more long-term work as a top-nine hustling fourth line center who could take part of the load off Patrice wing? That’s yet to be determined, but it certainly seemed like he was in Bergeron and the first line when it came to shutting down the opposition’s the process of proving just that. best lines. The fact that, ever since he scored an overtime game-winner in Ottawa in the 2017 playoffs, he has displayed a penchant for raising his game when it mattered most has only added to his value for the Boston Herald LOADED: 04.24.2020 Bruins.

But as the fourth line and its various pieces struggled at times this year, Kuraly was moved around the lineup and, by the time of the stoppage because of the coronavirus outbreak, we were left with an unexpected question. Do we really know who Sean Kuraly is? Is he the centerman that he’d always been throughout his development or would he better serve the B’s as a wing?

When the season began, there was at least two sure things with the Bruins forward group, and that was that , and David Pastrnak would comprise the top line and it would be one of best lines in the league. Check and check.

Now, we knew there would be a few things to work though in the middle six, but there was a fairly good comfort level that the fourth line of Kuraly between Joakim Nordstrom and Chris Wagner was going to be there as well. The trio had played a lot together in the B’s run to the Stanley Cup Final last season. And even though everyone referred to the group as the fourth line, that was a bit of misnomer. The group often got more important minutes than the so-called third or second lines as it was tasked with pinning the opposing top lines in their own end on the occasional shift.

The B’s had signed the versatile if unspectacular center/wing Par Lindholm to pitch in whenever the inevitable injury occurred after Noel Acciari, another key piece of the bottom six mix, signed with Florida.

But the Nordstrom-Kuraly-Wagner line never really congealed into the super glue it was expected to be. Nordstrom was in and out of the lineup due to injury, illness and ineffectiveness. The hard-hitting Wagner was not having the same impactful year that he’d had in his homecoming season in 2018-19.

And Kuraly was not immune to slumps, either. He’d already set a career high in points with modest 6-17-23 totals in 69 games before the stoppage, but his possession stats, well below 50%, were some of the worst of his still young career. Expected to be the driver of the line, Kuraly was not consistently clicking with his linemates, for whatever reason.

Perhaps the low point came on Feb. 1, when he was healthy scratch for a lopsided Bruins win in Minnesota. Kuraly had already established himself as an important piece to the B’s puzzle in his two full seasons, so it was fully expected that coach Bruce Cassidy would be put him right back in there for the next game and he did. But he also flipped him to play left wing on the third line with Charlie Coyle, whose own game picked up after the mid-season All-Star break and bye week.

The relative freedom Kuraly now had on the wing as opposed to the defensive responsibilities he had down low as a centerman allowed him to use his speed and physicality to get in on the forecheck at the other end of the ice to create some productive havoc.

“When you make those decisions to put guys in the stands, it’s not easy for guys who have been there for you in playoff runs. Not that Sean’s this grizzled veteran, but still he’s been a big part of our team in April, May and June last year. But you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to keep the train running,” said Cassidy after Kuraly scored a big goal in the B’s 1183326 Boston Bruins

Cam Neely: Everybody on board "to do whatever possible to get this season completed"

By Joe Haggerty April 23, 2020 7:36 PM

Bruins President Cam Neely is in NHL zoom meetings just about every day as a member of the NHL Board of Governors while the 2019-20 NHL regular season is on pause. And the Hall of Fame Bruins forward still sees a pathway to the NHL completing the 82-game regular season followed by a full two-month Stanley Cup playoff tournament to award the Cup this season.

Once NHL teams get the clearance to start skating in small groups at their practice facilities, a three-week training camp period would be followed, in theory, by teams playing three weeks of regular season games at one of four NHL designated areas across North America designed to host each of the teams in their division. Multiple reports have pegged a potential date in July that the NHL would re-start the season while leaving the league to start the 2020-21 regular season sometime in November with an 82-game season still expected for next year as well.

Per ESPN.com, Carolina, Minnesota and Edmonton along with a TBA Atlantic Division location are the front-runners to host the three weeks of regular season games played Olympics-style with multiple games each day.

There would need to be rapid, universal testing in place for all individuals involved with the games being played, including the players themselves, and the players would need to be quarantined for the duration of the season remaining.

Both things won’t be easily accomplished, obviously, and is part of the reason that there’s no timetable to re-start the season for at least a couple of months.

"Everything is on the table based on conversations that I’ve had with the league.

"I can tell you this. Both the players & NHL ownership want to do whatever possible to get this season completed,” said Neely, on a Thursday afternoon virtual town hall with Bruins season ticket-holders. “If that means playing into the summer then we’re all willing to do that. The feeling is there’s an opportunity to be able to push next season back and still get an 82-game schedule in next year. Everything is on the table to try and get the [2019-20] season completed.

“Obviously we have to see what happens nationally and North America- wise.

Players are doing everything they can to keep themselves in the best shape possible before we get back to some kind of training camp and get on the ice. I know our players are very excited about it based on where we were when the pause took place and the potential that our group has.”

Interesting, Neely added that he didn’t think the NHLPA was going to approve any scenario where the NHL would jump straight into a playoff tournament without any regular season games to ramp up to the postseason. The Bruins president also presented a pretty sobering scenario where there could be a flat salary cap for a couple of seasons to come for the NHL based on the harsh economic ramifications of the coronavirus outbreak globally.

But the bottom line is that there is still strong hope that the NHL will be able to complete the current season, and that is the kind of hope that keeps people going while pushing through the current hardships of social distancing and self-quarantining across the country.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183327 Boston Bruins

Two Bruins players to participate in NHL Player Gaming Challenge

By Justin Leger April 23, 2020 5:25 PM

With other sports leagues using video games to keep fans entertained during these tough times, the NHL has decided to get in on the action.

Thursday, the league announced the first-ever NHL Player Gaming Challenge. Starting on April 30, players from all 31 clubs will represent their teams by competing against one another in EA SPORTS' NHL 20. It'll be defenseman Charlie McAvoy and winger Jake DeBrusk teaming up for the Boston Bruins for the four-week event.

“Over the past several weeks, the NHL, its Clubs and player community have been very active with gaming initiatives in an effort to connect with fans while social distancing — such as charity tournaments, simulated games and nightly streams,” NHL vice president of business development and innovation Chris Golier said. “The NHL Player Gaming Challenge presented by Honda will take gaming to another level. We know how competitive our players are, and coupled with the interaction between players, these series of competitions will be extremely fun to watch.”

The NHL Player Gaming Challenge will consist of weekly matchups, which will be announced on Thursdays and Saturdays. NBC Sports will air the first series of games April 30, including Calgary vs. Ottawa and Columbus vs. Winnipeg, starting at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

The competition will be for a great cause, as the NHL and Electronic Arts will donate a combined $100,000 in support of the CDC Foundation’s COVID-19 relief efforts.

Other notable players participating are brothers Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators) and Matthew Tkachuk (Calgary Flames). Evander Kane will represent the San Jose Sharks, Evgeny Kuznetsov will play for the Washington Capitals, and Tyler Johnson will compete for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183328 Boston Bruins Anton Blidh. has been more liberal with distancing guidelines than other countries.

8. If this season resumes, fan attendance will be reduced, if not Bruins know their time is now, Cam Neely says, and are prepping for eliminated altogether. Television will have to lead the way. Additional return camera locations have been discussed with in-person spectator sightlines not being an issue.

By Fluto Shinzawa Apr 23, 2020 6 “If we’re doing it without fans, we want to make it the best TV event programming possible,” Neely said. “If that’s the case, we might see different camera angles. Bring the cameras a little lower than you normally would because there’d be no fans in the way. We’re looking at: Bruins president Cam Neely is the Bruins’ primary point person with How can we bring the game on TV a little differently than we see it now?” commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly. As such, Neely is the team executive most familiar with how the NHL might 9. The 2020-21 salary cap could be flat because of lost revenue. Ditto for proceed with the remainder of 2019-20. Thursday, he sat down with 2021-22. It would make general manager Don Sweeney’s task of re- season ticket holders on a video call and took questions, offering a signing Torey Krug challenging. window into what the Bruins are thinking and planning for when it comes to restarting their season. “No question it’s going to affect the camp for next year,” Neely said. “It may even affect it a little bit after that. Don and our group here have done Here are 12 takeaways from Neely’s call: a nice job of projecting forward what we may need to do to keep a competitive team on the ice and being mindful of maybe a flat cap for a 1. The league is intent on completing the 2019-20 regular season and year or two.” proceeding with the playoffs. The Bruins played 70 of 82 regular-season games before the league commenced its suspension on March 12. 10. The Bruins and Predators were scheduled to start the 2020-21 regular season in Prague, . The trip will likely be “Both players and ownership want to do everything possible to get this postponed until 2021-22, assuming next season starts later. season completed,” Neely said. “If it means playing into the summer, we’re all willing to do that if it means pushing next season back. It’s an 11. Neely sounded skeptical about the 2020 NHL Draft taking place in opportunity to push and still get an 82-game season in the following year. June before the completion of the 2019-20 season. We’re going to be as patient as possible. Players are doing everything they can to keep themselves in the best shape they can before we can “A lot of trades happened at the deadline that were contingent on what hopefully get back to some sort of training camp and get on the ice. happens with that team in the playoffs or that player in the playoffs,” Everything is on the table to try and get this season completed, which is Neely said. “It could affect your draft choice. A lot of things have to be exciting for us. I know our players are very excited about it based on worked out to have the draft prior to finding out who the Stanley Cup where we finished when the pause took place and the potential our group champion is. It could affect some transactions that have already taken has.” place.”

2. Neely is not worried about how veterans such as Zdeno Chara, 43, The Bruins have continued to prepare for the 2020 draft as usual, albeit and Patrice Bergeron, 34, are preparing for possible resumption, even remotely. They do not have a first-round pick, which they sent to with a month-plus off the ice. Anaheim in the Ondrej Kase trade.

“I know our group,” Neely said. “Especially the veteran guys. They’re so 12. Neely classified Joey Kocur as the toughest player he ever fought. professional. They all realize their careers are ticking down. They’ve The two tangled when Neely was still in Vancouver. played more years than they have in front of them. They see an “Thankfully, he hit my helmet,” Neely said. “He split my helmet right down opportunity here. We have an opportunity in front of us with how many the middle with a punch. This guy had quite a punch. He was packing. years they feel they have left to compete. They’d be ready to go.” We didn’t see him that much, thankfully for me.”

3. If local, national and international governing bodies give the NHL the green light, the most likely scenario would be for players to participate in informal workouts and practices with their teams. This would be followed The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 by a training camp of approximately three weeks. It would then take approximately three weeks for the regular-season games to be completed before the playoffs. There have been no league discussions about shortening playoff rounds to fewer than seven games.

4. Games would likely be played in centralized locations, perhaps four to six cities. The players would have to be isolated in those locations.

“It’s not a bad idea to drop-ship teams in, keep them quarantined in hotels and bring them into games, as long as everybody’s taking care of themselves in that regard,” Neely said. “It probably gives them a little better opportunity to finish out the regular season in that respect.”

5. The priority for Bruce Cassidy and his staff during this time has been to study possible playoff opponents.

“It does give the coaching staff a little more time to really break down a lot of video,” Neely said, “which they’re taking advantage of.”

6. All parties want to complete this season. But one of the NHL’s priorities is to maintain an 82-game season in 2020-21, even if it means pushing the start date past the usual early-October puck drop.

“They do not want to compromise next year’s schedule,” Neely said. “This year has already been compromised, to a degree. It will look differently if we get up and running, possibly. But we don’t want to compromise next year. We do feel like we could start later and still not compromise the number of games played.”

7. International players who went back to their offseason homes overseas would most likely face quarantine after returning to North America. This would include Swedish players like Joakim Nordstrom and 1183329 Boston Bruins So when did you first hear the Tyler vs. Taylor stuff? That’s going to last forever.

It’s hard to put to a date. Probably around Christmas (of his draft year). I I don’t know if we’ve ever talked about it…’: A candid chat with Tyler want to say around there somewhere. I started hearing Taylor/Tyler. Seguin People would start calling me Taylor Seguin, getting me confused with . Playing in Plymouth, he’s in Windsor, you’re kind of a natural rivalry. Windsor was a powerhouse back then, you know? By Craig Custance Apr 23, 2020 33 They were ridiculous. That was the Cam Fowler group with Taylor?

Yeah. Cam Fowler. Was it (Greg) Nemisz too? First round. They were Tyler Seguin is great. The forward is not afraid to say just stacked. They had Ryan Ellis. They had all those guys. They had interesting things. He’s willing to share stories. In a hockey world where tough guys too. They had all the meats. Back then, it was still kind of a players often lean on cliches, Seguin does the opposite. And during his tough guy league. conversation on The Full 60, he didn’t disappoint while sharing details of his Tyler vs. Taylor draft year, the Bruins trade and what he thought of Was that the era too? Drew Doughty’s comments about the potential coming playoffs. Kassian was there too … and I was the target of the team. It was fun For those who would rather read than listen, here is an extended Q&A of though – the Taylor/Tyler. And it was funny, we used to because we were highlights from the conversation, with portions edited for clarity and all younger, we used to talk about the 18-year-olds, the 19-year-olds length. would go to Windsor to go drink. We were in Michigan, we’d hear the vets talking after the game to the Windsor guys about where they’re I just saw you’re getting involved in the All-In Challenge to raise funds for going out in Windsor that night after the game. It was a rivalry on the ice, those on the frontline right now. What’s the package you’re offering? and off the ice, it wasn’t. It was fun times.

I got a text from Michael Del Zotto, one of my good buddies, I got a text We’d be playing in Plymouth, we’d be sold out, 4,000 people, but I ‘d look from him about the challenge. I was like, “That’s weird, I was just looking in the corner, I’d see 100 guys wearing black with black notepads. I knew at it on .” He said he was doing it and wanted to know if he could it was scout night as well. As a player, if you’re being honest, you always nominate me. I was happy to be a part of it and was thinking of ideas of see them. You know where they are, you know where they’re sitting. You what to do – whether it was a round of golf in the offseason or dinner or know how many are in attendance at night. Taylor and I got to know each come to the Stars game. That’s where I came up with the whole Stars other. He’s a ’91-born so I never had any contact with him or saw him package. They can come to the pregame skate, come to the dressing much growing up because I’m a 92. I got to know him, we’re always still room after. Meet some of the players and myself, sit on the glass at the nice to each other, never had any beef. Never, Taylor/Tyler massive game that night and I’ll take them to dinner, as well. It’s for a great cause, competition. I always secretly cheer for him and watch his career. I’m all about Cornovarius relief stuff right now. Crazy times in a crazy world. I’m glad how it all came together. And secretly hope yours is a little better?

I wanted to get into your backstory a little bit. I know you wanted to play We’re competitive pro athletes, right? I was happy as anyone else when at Michigan. How close did that come to happening? he won the MVP, seeing what he went through, leaving Edmonton. I left Boston. There’s so many things where we’ve gone separate ways in our Michigan got all the way to the point where you could get a full-ride or career, and there are so many things that are the same in our career. not, and I didn’t quite get it. I had offers from other schools, it’s been so Having the same GM in Peter Chiarelli as well. long now, I can probably just say that I was kind of pissed off about it. It was always my dream. I went to Red Berenson’s hockey camps when I That’s right. was like 12-13 years old in the summers and got to see the big boys out You can sit here and write a book about the different things. We had fun there and their team. with what we had to go through.

It was always a dream of mine. I had other offers but I wasn’t fully getting If I remember correctly, you were No. 1 rated by Central Scouting, right? one from Michigan. One summer I grew six inches and I was going into making that decision and I had a friend I worked out with, Chris Terry, he Yes. I don’t know if it changed. I remember going to world junior camp, was the for the at the time. He was getting in the four days before the camp, I got rated No. 1 and Taylor was No. 2. I my ear training at a place called Varsity in . I just knew that was remember having that, I’m not going to say cockiness, but I was going my sign and where I was going to go. I went ninth overall to the Plymouth into camp confident. I’m like, ‘This is my spot to lose.’ I didn’t think I did Whalers and I had an OK rookie year, nothing special. My second year, anything wrong to lose that spot. I got into meetings with the coaches, came and took over the team, found something in me and the head coaches told me they’re going with an older team. It was just believed in me and put me into that next level. After that, all I could hear one of the conversations I remember how I felt after, what I was wearing, was Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin. one of those things that stick with you.

Did Michigan ever make a full offer? When it came to the draft time, I think he went back to slotted No.1. You have to remember too, going into the second year in the OHL, draft year. I don’t recall them ever making a full offer, no. Cam Fowler was No. 2 going in, I was a little bit lower. A couple points If they make one, do you go to Michigan? back. I got off to a good start and this was all thanks to Mike Vellucci as well. Then it became the Taylor/Tyler thing Yeah. Especially early on. I remember them giving one to another player that played for Honeybaked. I remember that really bothered me. I This is all coming back to me, I haven’t thought about this in a long time. thought I was better than that player. I didn’t know him. I remember I was Cam was locked in at three when he slips in the draft. It was crazy. just a kid. It just really fired me up, when I heard someone else got an offer and I hadn’t gotten one yet. That just led to my next decision. I also Going into that year, it was Cam Fowler and Taylor Hall. I kind of came in thought I was going to get drafted by the Erie Otters, I think it was second within the first little bit. Then Cam Fowler was like No. 3 for sure. We kind overall and they took someone else and that fired me up even more. of had one or two and the third. Then the draft happened. Little things that you remember that made you have that extra tick, and here we are. That was wild. What do you remember about talking to Edmonton?

Who was the Honeybaked kid they gave a full ride to? I guess I have a story, I don’t know if anyone – I don’t know if we’ve ever talked about it or if it’s been out there. Taylor and I actually flew out to (laughs) I don’t want to say. I don’t want to go there. Boston and Edmonton together in one weekend. We went out to Edmonton on a Friday. This is when I first got to know him. I talked to him I feel like I could do some math after and figure it out. a couple times, ‘Hi and byes. Congrats on winning.’ I didn’t know him I don’t even know if he ended up playing there. He didn’t do anything because he’s a 91 birth year and I’m a 92. I got to really know Taylor wrong. We can have a nice off-air talk when you want to do that. when we went to Edmonton and Boston. One weekend we went to Edmonton one night. Taylor would go with the owners and management and I’d go with the coaches and we’d rotate. Whether it’s dinner or lunch. Going to Edmonton and everything, it was a great city. I got to meet You’ve played with internationally too. So, who is your favorite some of the players. I wasn’t sure if it was Edmonton or Boston. Next day non-NHL teammate you’ve played with? we hopped on a flight and went to Boston. In Boston, we had to do a little testing, which we didn’t have to do in Edmonton. We figured Boston Ummm. That’s tough. We had a really good World Championship team a might be a little tougher place to play because of the two experiences of couple years ago. the recruitment trips. The Prague year?

I got to know Taylor, obviously a great guy. I was happy I went to Boston. Yeah, the Prague year. I had a ton of fun at that. Obviously not making You were with Taylor a lot at this point, you’re doing all the draft stuff. world juniors, I didn’t make Olympics. I made World Cup and got hurt in Game 2 against the U.S. It was good. We didn’t know each other. A lot of times you grow up playing against these guys. I first heard Taylor Hall’s name at an OHL I don’t remember that. Cup, and I just heard about some kid who had four or five goals for Yeah, I was there, the second game against the U.S. (Ryan) Suter gave Kingston. I think it was Kingston. That was the first time I heard Hall’s me a little jab, not a dirty play, he put me off balance, I went into the name. Growing up my whole life, I heard about John McFarland and Jeff boards and I cracked my heel bone. I tried to hide it for two days at Skinner. Those were the two guys I heard all the time. … I never heard of practice but then finally Babs (Mike Babcock) was like, ‘Segs, what’s Taylor Hall really because of the age difference. going on?’ I was like, alright, let’s talk. I have to be honest here. I had to Sure enough, we got to know each other. It’s funny we still do once in a pull the chute. The World Championship team was pretty great. That was while these Taylor and Tyler interviews. People always look for this the first time I got to know Sidney Crosby a little bit better. Playing with hidden rivalry, don’t like each other. I like Taylor a lot, I love his hockey him and seeing (how he ticks) and everything, that was pretty good and game, I definitely am a fan of his and follow his career. I want him to get becoming friends with him. Just a special player and one I learned from a in the playoffs, he’s worked so hard to get there. lot.

It would be more fun if you guys hated each other. My most funny teammate I didn’t know about was Brent Burns. Burnsie. Getting to know him on the bus out in Prague, I was a big fan of his. The I agree. We definitely laugh about that. Everyone looks for that too. But way he looks, no teeth and crazy hair. Probably him and (Mike Smith) our it’s definitely not the case. goalie back then. Those are two guys I didn’t know I’d be buddies with and how good of a teammate they were. You win a Stanley Cup as a teenager with the Bruins and you said once that you wish that winning a Stanley Cup had happened later in your I enjoy learning about cooking elk through Brent’s Instagram. career. What did you mean? You meet this guy, you know, he’s got no teeth, crazy hair and this big I meant understanding the complete worth of the Stanley Cup. Don’t backpack at all times, you know? You go, ‘What’s in the backpack.’ He make this be a pity party at all. You walk into your NHL career, your first has things in the backpack – he’s ready for anything to come. If the world year, ‘Boom’ you win the Stanley Cup. Your second year, your team is is ending in that day, what’s in that backpack, he’s ready to go. Whether even better, you get upset in the first round against Washington. Your it’s cooking or hunting or anything. He’s such a good character, I really third year is a lockout year, you play in Europe, you go to a Stanley Cup enjoy his company and being a teammate with him for a tournament. final again and lose to Chicago. I’m sitting there in my first three years, and I go, I won a Stanley Cup, I had an even better team and boom I’m in How did you find out about the trade from Boston to Dallas? the again. I’m like, ‘This is going to happen all the I was in, I think it’s called Osterville, around Cape Cod. It was July 4, I time.’ That’s where I wish I just knew the grind. Even the leadership side. had all my closest friends with me. All my buddies, there was probably 20 Or understanding the team side, how much more it is than just a piece of of us, we were just hanging in the backyard on the beach. Where we metal. Everything that comes with it. were, we didn’t have good (phone) service, you couldn’t make a phone I remember standing in the dressing room (after winning the Cup). … I call, you couldn’t really do anything. I heard rumors about me getting remember looking over and seeing Big Z (Zdeno Chara) and (Mark) traded around the draft. I remember watching the draft and just talking to Recchi and they’re like these grown men that are so emotional. I my agent, he said, ‘Yeah, there’s rumors but Boston isn’t saying remember looking over at them and I’m sitting here with the biggest anything.’ smile, I have the first cigar I’ve ever had. … And looking over and seeing It’s July 4th, I’m not expecting anything, I’m with my closest friends, I how emotional these men are. I knew how awesome it was to win the remember one of my buddies said, ‘Hey, you have to check your phone, Stanley Cup, I was so happy. But I didn’t have that feeling those grown something is going on. People are asking, where’s Tyler?’ Some phones men had. I didn’t understand it. are working, some aren’t. I go inside, my phone is on the charger, I’ll Now, sitting here in my 10th season, talking about maybe not even never forget this. I see probably maybe 40-50 messages. All of them say playing the playoffs this year and having the Stanley Cup, I know that “Dallas.” None of them really say traded or anything. They say Dallas. feeling. I understand more what the Stanley Cup is and how hard it is to I’m sitting there … I have no idea. I don’t know a thing about Dallas. We get there and the grind. Even if you have the great team, that one-off just had a lockout year, we didn’t really play the West teams. I’d only playoff round or Tampa last year. There are so many things to it I didn’t been to Dallas once, it was in and out. I had to hop in a car and drive understand my first year. downtown from where I was, which was 15 minutes away to make a It’s all these things that drive me to win again. phone call. I get there and listen to voicemails, I talk to my agent, he said, yeah, you’ve just been traded to the Dallas Stars. I get on the phone with Just imagine doing it now, and you’re standing next to a guy like Joe . A couple minutes later, I drove back to Boston and I was gone Pavelski, who has been through some battles. within 24 hours to Toronto and the rest is history.

Look, even our coach, . There are so many special stories. Last year, that Blues series was unreal. Were you sick when the Blues I look at Twitter and see different players talk about their teams and how won it all? What’s your emotion when you’re like, ‘We had that team on they have something special. I’m sitting here saying, I think we have the ropes?’ something, we have something even more special. That’s how I feel. That’s why I’m here and it’s a big reason why I’m down to play this year It was something new this past offseason for sure … it usually takes me in the playoffs. Whether it’s fans or no fans. There are so many a couple of rounds to watch the Stanley Cup playoffs … when you lose opportunities to get a chance at the Stanley Cup, so I’m all for playing the playoffs it’s hard to watch them. Knowing who won was a little harder hockey this year. We play for the fans and hope there will be fans there to watch this offseason and knowing the games and where we were on in the stands, but if there’s not, I don’t want to miss an opportunity to win. home ice in Game 6. You just learn different things. Besides being in the So I want to play. finals, I’d never played against a team that went on to win it all and knowing that we were right there. That was definitely tougher. One of the interesting things to me – you played with in Switzerland, you played with as a kid, right? That wrap-around …

My last year, my draft year I played with Jeff Skinner and my teammate I had front row seats, I was right there. now Jamie Oleksiak. You can’t sit there and think about that. You can think about I scored one goal the game before, what if I scored two goals? There’s so many different elements. I’ll never forget, we were up two goals against Chicago when I’m in Boston, I walked down the right-hand wing and I hit the post. You can put this down to one thing or 100. It’s crazy what you can think about. You try not to go down that rabbit hole. There’s many chances we had.

Be honest, how much time do you need to prepare if they’re like, ‘We’re turning the lights on for this season?’

I’ll be ready, conditioning and off-ice and training, I’m ready to go. You do need time on the ice. You can’t train for the first couple weeks, the lungs, the cold throat, being on the ice again. You can rollerblade as much as you want … you need to get on the ice and go through those motions. We do need some kind of time. Is that a week if you’re a goalie? I don’t know. If you’re a player, you need a couple of weeks. Or three weeks. I don’t know. I’ve never been here before.

This notion that a team like the Senators or whoever are going to play three meaningless regular-season games doesn’t add up to me.

In one breath, you don’t feel bad because that team is not in a playoff position. In another, you feel bad because some players aren’t playing from March until November maybe? That’s a long time without hockey. This is making me think of the World Cup. We were able to skate and prepare for the World Cup, it was starting training camp in August in Ottawa. I was skating like crazy, and all these players in Canada are talking about it. We had an against the U.S., we come back after the first period and it’s a playoff game. You can’t have an exhibition game against the U.S. It is Canada/U.S., this is a playoff game. We are all dying. We’re all cramping. Furnace face. You can’t prepare for a playoff game and expect to be amazing. That’s how I look at this year. We’re all going to be going in that first playoff game and it’s going to be tough.

It’s either going to be a playoffs where guys are getting hurt and it’s not that great. Or it’s going to be the best playoffs you’ve ever seen because guys are rested and you have teams that have guys who are injured. Look at Colorado and the guys they had banged up, everybody is back and ready to go. This is going to be an interesting playoff. I think this is going to be the hardest Stanley Cup to win. So we’ll see.

Drew Doughty said it doesn’t count as much so …

I saw that comment. I like Doughts and I think Doughty is a great guy, if he was sitting in the playoffs right now I’d like to see if he’d make that same comment.

(laughs) I think he even admitted that.

I hope he admitted that. I’m sure he was kidding around. I saw that too and was like, no way he’s dead serious about that too.

He’s another one who is the best.

He is. He’s funny. He’s just the best because he’s got no filter. He’s got something to say, he’ll say it. He’s an honest guy and I respect that about him.

You’ve always been the same way. A bit of a wild card. It’s kind of why I was surprised you re-upped in Dallas.

Yeah, I mean, I got to watch John Tavares … I knew those were the shoes you’re going to follow when I watched closely from behind closed doors. I just sat back on my couch in Dallas and said, am I happy here? Do I love this place? Dallas is just home to me. I was looking for that feeling ever since you leave Toronto when you’re 14 on a bus going to St. Mike’s or going to Michigan to play for the Plymouth Whalers, or going to Boston Bruins for a couple years winning the Cup. And now in Dallas, this just felt like home.

I didn’t want to play a couple of years and go somewhere else again. I wanted to ground my feet. I love Dallas, I love the city, I love the people, I have friends here. Toronto is where I grew up and where my family is. Dallas is home now.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183330 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres goalie prospect Erik Portillo named to USHL All-Star Team

By Mike Harrington

Published Thu, Apr 23, 2020|Updated Thu, Apr 23, 2020

Goaltender Erik Portillo, the Sabres' third-round draft pick last year, has been named a first-team all-star by the Hockey League after a stellar season with the Dubuque (Iowa) Fighting Saints.

Portillo, 19, went 19-5-1 for Dubuque and led USHL goaltenders with a 2.11 goals-against average while also posting a .915 save percentage.

Portillo led Sweden's premier junior league in both GAA (1.99) and save percentage (.931) in 2018-19. He will play for the University of Michigan next season along with two other USHL all-stars from the Chicago Steel: Forward Brendan Brisson and defenseman Owen Power.

Buffalo News LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183331 Buffalo Sabres Mike: This idea of the Sabres and the six other non-playoff teams in a consolation tournament with the winner getting the No. 1 pick is just weird. I fail to see how the players would be motivated to take part. And Sabres Mailbag: League pushing hard to complete regular season who's watching that bitter Detroit-Ottawa showdown? We've played almost 70 games here. Go send this idea to the folks in Detroit right about now and see how much they like it. They will have the draft lottery when the regular season ends or is declared over and they determine a By Mike Harrington playoff format. At 68-71 games, the season is legitimate. Determine the odds like you normally do.

It sure sounds like the NHL is trying to resume the season. The whole Rick asks: Why does it seem we suddenly only hear from season. We're talking not just the playoffs, but a resumption of play that and none of the comments about the teams or their situation come from would actually see the Sabres back on the ice for the first time since Terry? March 9. Mike: It would be good to hear from once in a while – While the view from here is that the league would be best served by especially when times are tough – but he's long established he's not reopening with an expanded playoff setup, it's clear that players don't feel interested in much interaction with the media. Who's always done his that they can go from months of inactivity right into a postseason series talking? The team president. Remember how much we used to hear from even after a short training camp. And there's an argument to be made as Ted Black and ? That's why we're finally starting to hear well that teams like the Sabres who don't make the playoffs can't be from Kim Pegula. It's clear she's getting much better advice of late, asked to sit around with no games for as long as eight months until the offering detailed comments to multiple media outlets in the face of the 2020-21 season gets under way. current crisis at Pegula Sports and Entertainment. If she's going to be the spokesperson for ownership now, so be it. So the latest grind on the rumor mill coming out of Commissioner Gary Bettman's appearance Wednesday night on Sportsnet has the league Cindy asks: Why is it such a big deal that a company is laying off looking at 2-4 neutral sites to complete the remaining schedule, which employees right now? And would this be a big deal if the Sabres were would likely have to be redrawn to avoid travel and probably wouldn't winning? start until July. Even without fans, it would be a way to drive some Mike: PSE may not be one of the biggest companies in Buffalo, but it's revenue to the teams and players because it would fulfill obligations to certainly one of the most prominent as it runs two of the city's long-time television partners on both sides of the border. And bedraggled institutions in the Bills and Sabres. So when it makes major changes, ownership groups across the league, like the Pegulas in Buffalo, would such as suddenly firing three long-time vice presidents and issuing get some cash infusion as well. dozens of other layoffs and furloughs, that's big news. If the Sabres were Questions, please ... winning, maybe PSE would not have had to take these kind of steps because it's safe to assume its revenue from tickets, concessions, Beagleboyjarz asks: Should the league bother finishing this season or merchandise and the like would be much higher from a winning team just prepare for October? Can you envision an arena with 1/20th playing in front of a full building every night. capacity? (I know...I know. The Sabres' arena was close to that this year). BetterDays asks: Why doesn't the NHL tell Kim to step aside and tell the team to hire a hockey president? Cappy asks: At this point why not just bag the season (like a lockout shutdown)? No fan revenue anyway. Let everyone focus on family and Mike: The NHL wouldn't do that. The league doesn't get involved in treat it like an extended break for next season. personnel decisions of its teams unless there's some clear violation of league rules or the law involved. I've long been a proponent of a hockey Mike: If you can ensure the safety of the players and all ancillary president and feel that no one can be the president of both the Bills and personnel, and health officials give the OK, the NHL and all pro sports Sabres like Brandon was and like Kim Pegula is trying to be now. My leagues should absolutely return to play. All teams in the NHL have opinion on the best setup continues to be a president of hockey over already played at least 68 of their 82 games so their season is already Jason Botterill, with Kim Pegula moving into some sort of president of legitimate. Finish it off – or at least play to an even number of games like business operations, with an eye on the situation regarding New Era 74, 76 or 78 – to determine your playoff teams and hand out the Stanley Field and the badly needed upgrade of KeyBank Center. There is no Cup. If that doesn't happen until Labor Day, so what? I'm envisioning interest in that setup on their part. It's their company. arenas with no capacity, by the way. I'm afraid it might be a long time until fans are allowed to return. Greg4watson asks: If the #Sabres had not fired (Darcy) Regier and stuck with him through the “suffering" are they in a better position as a hockey The estimate is a $1 billion loss – with a B – if the entire thing is just team? #TrustTheProcess. called off. Neither the players nor the owners want that. It could send the league into chaos in terms of areas such as the salary cap, escrow from Mike: When Regier was fired early in the 2013-14 season, it was simply players' paychecks and the financial stability of some franchises. time for him to go after more than 16 years. His shelf life had expired. The fan base had long tired of Regier, who looks pretty good in the rear- Carl asks: How about division tournaments, double round-robin? view mirror with four trips to the conference final when Tim Murray and Tournament winner gets ? Jason Botterill couldn't sniff the playoffs. The bigger question without an answer is would the Sabres have been in a better position if they had Mike: That's kind of what we're looking at. The Sabres, for instance, had stuck with Pat LaFontaine. That one, we'll never know. nine of their remaining 13 games left outside the Atlantic Division but no way that holds up if they actually play (Good luck with more games Jim asks: I saw the Sabres finishing poorly again and ending up 29th in against Boston and Tampa Bay, against whom they were a combined 0- the standings. If that would have happened, was Botterill fired? Did Covid 7). The only change to the playoff format I expect will be in numbers of save his job? teams qualifying. So the "division tournaments" will simply be used to make up the final standings. Mike: Yes and Yes. A March collapse would almost certainly have been the end for Botterill as GM. But now that PSE is under financial duress John asks: I can’t imagine they are thinking 82 games. A couple of teams from the pandemic, it's hard to imagine the Sabres firing the GM – and would need to play 14 games. That would require a month of regular thus paying him not to work – after laying off and furloughing so many season. Wouldn't 74 or maybe 76 make sense? employees. I wrote this shortly after the pause began: It's going to be too tough to hire a new GM with all the uncertainty surrounding the offseason Mike: Yep. I say get to 78, which is the number the Sabres played in their and draft. Keep Botterill on and fire him next year if you need to. first four years in the NHL. Playoff teams want to get some games in prior to the postseason and you really can't bring a team back for all this for, say, just six or seven games. Buffalo News LOADED: 04.24.2020 Robin asks: What do they do about the draft lottery now? Would they really consider a tournament for it? 1183332 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo News LOADED: 04.24.2020

MSG's 'Sabres Classics' to spend two weeks on run to '99 Cup final

By Mike Harrington

Published Thu, Apr 23, 2020|Updated Thu, Apr 23, 2020

You're going to be able to party like it's 1999 for the next two weeks on MSG's "Sabres Classics."

Starting Monday, the network will show 10 games from the Sabres' 1999 playoff run, which lasted all the way to the infamous "No Goal" loss to the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final.

The first run of each game will air weeknights at 8 p.m. on MSG and the MSG Go app. They will then be available the next day on the "Sabres Classic Games" NHL.com video channel.

The '99 Sabres pulled a big upset in the first round with a sweep of the Ottawa Senators. They then advanced to the Eastern Conference final for the second straight year by beating Boston in six games, and advanced to the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 1975 by beating Toronto in five games in what remains the only playoff series ever between the longtime QEW rivals.

The Cup final, of course, ended in triple overtime of Game 6 on 's controversial goal at then-Marine Midland Arena in the wee hours of June 20, 1999. The replay of that game will close the '99 run on Friday, May 8.

Most of the replays will be the CBC telecasts of the games. Monday's and Wednesday's replays will feature the broadcast.

Here's the complete schedule:

Monday – East quarterfinals Game 4 (April 27, 1999): The Sabres' 4-3 win over Ottawa completes a stunning series sweep over the East's No. 2 seed.

Tuesday – East semifinals Game 4 (May 14, 1999): Dominik Hasek makes 24 saves in a 3-0 win over Boston that gives the Sabres a 3-1 series lead.

Wednesday – East semifinals Game 6 (May 18, 1999): Curtis Brown scores the game-winner in a 3-2 victory over Boston that wraps up the series.

Thursday, April 30 – East finals Game 1 (May 23, 1999): Dwayne Roloson makes 28 saves in place of an injured Hasek as the Sabres get the jump with a 5-4 win at Toronto.

Friday, May 1 – East finals Game 3 (May 27, 1999): Hasek makes 24 saves in a 4-2 victory that gives the Sabres a 2-1 lead over the Leafs.

Monday, May 4 – East finals Game 4 (May 29, 1999): Geoff Sanderson scores two goals and longtime TV analyst Rob Ray scores a memorable tip-in goal in a 5-2 victory over the Leafs to give the Sabres a 3-1 series lead.

Tuesday, May 5 – East finals Game 5 (May 31, 1999): Erik Rasmussen's third-period goal snaps a tie and holds up as the game-winner as the Sabres post a 4-2 victory in Toronto to advance to the Cup final for the first time in 24 years.

Wednesday, May 6 – Stanley Cup final Game 1 (June 8, 1999): Jason Woolley scores on "the shot heard 'round the hockey world" as the Sabres post a 3-2 overtime victory in Dallas' .

Thursday, May 7 – Stanley Cup final Game 4 (June 15, 1999): Dixon Ward scores the game-winning goal as the Sabres hold off the Stars, 2- 1, to even the series at two wins apiece.

Friday, May 8 – Stanley Cup final Game 6 (June 19, 1999): The 2-1 triple-overtime loss that stands alone as a gut-punch in franchise history for the way it ended the Sabres' Cup dreams two wins shy of a championship.

1183333 Buffalo Sabres clear to management that Drury was leaving. Briere signed an eight-year, $52 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.

It still stings Briere when people say he chose to leave the Sabres, who The Sabres’ most defining moment of the past 20 years: Drury and Briere had appeared in back-to-back Eastern Conference finals. exit “It wasn’t my decision,” Briere said. “I had to move on, unfortunately. It’s just the way it was. It’s the way it happened. I’ve moved on from that. By John Vogl Apr 23, 2020 16 There’s no hard feelings.

“Things happen for a reason, and I’m not trying to throw anybody under the bus. It’s done. We can’t change anything about it.” Why does July 1, 2007 still send a shiver down the spines of Sabres fans? Ultimately, things worked out for Briere and Drury. Briere’s status as a fan favorite continued in Philly, where he led the Flyers to the Stanley It’s been almost 13 years. So much has happened since then. You’d Cup final in 2010 and proved he was not just a complementary player. think time would have finally healed old wounds. He remains in the organization as vice president of operations for the ECHL team in Maine. Drury didn’t have the same on-ice success, retiring If you really think that, you may not remember what Sabreland was like with a knee injury after getting bought out in 2011, but he remains in the back then. Rangers’ organization in the dual role of assistant general manager in “We embraced the fans,” retired defenseman Brian Campbell said. “We New York and GM of the AHL team in Hartford. had a good group of guys that knew that the fans were important to us. As for the Sabres … “It was fun. If you wanted to have a beer with a fan or they wanted to “Of course you wonder ‘what if?’” Golisano said. “Anybody in sports have a beer, it was like, ‘OK, let’s have a beer.’ Obviously, times have wonders ‘what if’ every day of their life probably, and I’m no exception.” changed definitely with the era of phones and camera phones, but I felt like that was a great era in time where you could still enjoy the moment The Sabres missed the playoffs the next two years after losing Drury and and have some fun with people.” Briere, and they haven’t won a series without them. The 53 victories in 2006-07 were followed by 39- and 41-win seasons. Other players Oh, man, was it fun. There were parties outside the arena and wall- followed the co-captains out the door. shaking events inside. Fans rushed to the TV to watch games and ran to convenience stores to buy collectible medallions. Jerseys flew off the “It seems like a piece or two was leaving every year at that point,” said shelves faster than pucks went in the net for the NHL’s highest-scoring Campbell, who was traded in February 2008. team. There was applause for the players on the ice and high-fives whenever they walked into stores, bars and restaurants. The Sabres put their money in the understudies for Drury and Briere, matching an offer sheet for Thomas Vanek and re-signing Jason “That’s part of the reason why it was so cool playing here is people cared Pominville, Derek Roy, Tim Connolly, Jochen Hecht and Paul Gaustad about their team,” former co-captain Daniel Briere said. “That side of it (plus Miller). While they all had their fine moments, Vanek says the was really special, the bond we created with the fans. We kind of came Sabres’ biggest failure was not reinforcing them the same way his group out of nowhere coming out of the lockout, and it was unexpected I think backed up Drury and Briere. from the fans. They just ran with it.” In 2006-07, the Sabres had seven forwards with at least 50 points. In That’s why it hurt so much when it all disappeared on that fateful day. 2007-08 and ’08-09, they had three. Buffalo lacked the scoring depth that had led it close to the promised land. The roles that Vanek, Roy and When The Athletic editors sent a message asking for each team’s Pominville filled under Drury and Briere couldn’t be matched by the likes defining moment of the past 20 years, it was a Sabres no-brainer to pick of Drew Stafford, Clarke MacArthur and Daniel Paille. July 1, 2007. Sure, there was some thought given to The Tank and its successful path to Jack Eichel or the flailing rebuild since he arrived. But all those other departures, extensions and signings were merely the running over Ryan Miller and exposing his teammates as aftershocks. The big quake came July 1, 2007, when the co-captains kittens is on the short list. There was the franchise-saving sale out of said goodbye to Buffalo and the fan base said farewell to unbridled fun. bankruptcy to B. Thomas Golisano and the subsequent flip to longtime fan Terry Pegula. It all ended so quickly.

But losing Briere and – the heart and soul of Buffalo’s “You’d like to have had more cracks at it, for sure,” Campbell said. “I beloved hockey team – in a matter of hours remains the most vivid think if you truly look at it, there could have been more cracks at the can moment. and finding a way to get it done.

“It bothers me that people have negative feelings about the way we “It’s my biggest regret in my career that I never won a Stanley Cup here. handled it,” Golisano said during his return to KeyBank Center in We had the team in place for those couple years to do that, and to give February, “but I thought we handled it as best we could under the that back to the city of Buffalo would have meant so much.” circumstances.”

Alas, a long-held difference of opinion is why July 1, 2007, still hurts in The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 Buffalo. In theory, the Sabres could have kept both stars.

“I thought I was going to be a Sabre for the rest of my career, honestly, even after the season,” Briere said.

In reality, the Sabres were going to keep only one co-captain: Drury. As Tim Graham, Bucky Gleason and I discovered, the Sabres and the center verbally agreed to a four-year, $21.5 million extension early in the 2006-07 season. But the organization failed to present the contract and Drury’s camp withdrew the deal after a couple of weeks of waiting, feeling it was “bad business” not to finish the talks.

The Sabres went back to Drury with the same offer when the season ended, but by then the market had shifted and he decided to become a free agent. Drury signed a five-year, $35.25 million deal with the New York Rangers.

Meanwhile, managing partner Larry Quinn and general manager pegged Briere as a complementary player and not someone to spend on and build around. The Sabres’ leading scorer didn’t even get an offer from the team until a few days before July 1, when it became 1183334 Calgary Flames together for more than 10 years, he can speak to the kid’s progress — and, more importantly, to his spirit.

“It’s been an uphill fight,” said Jensen. “As good as he is, as great as his Dustin Wolf earning his place in the hockey world: ‘It’s a feel-good story’ numbers are, as much upside as there is, you’re just scratching the surface. The package he presents, it’s all been fought for — and fought for hard. Nothing was ever given to that kid. Of all the goalies I’ve worked By Scott Cruickshank Apr 23, 2020 5 with over the years, that’s the kid who’s had to fight it out at every corner.

“That sounds like I’m blowing a bunch of smoke, but, I mean, it really is the truth.” Refreshing the computer screen at his grandma’s house in Morgan Hill, Calif., the boy waited. And waited. And then learned that he’d been Told that Flames fans, in a recent survey in The Athletic, chose Wolf as selected by the WHL Everett Silvertips. the locals’ second-best prospect behind Jakob Pelletier, a first-rounder, Jensen doesn’t seem surprised. “Definitely an exciting day.” “It’s a feel-good story, right?” he said. “But it’s a feel-good story that I Three years later at the 2019 NHL Draft, he was nestled with well- think he’s going to follow through on and cash in on.” wishers — parents Michelle and Mike, grandparents and aunts and uncles, friends — in the near-empty stands at Rogers Arena. The drill Growing up in the San Jose area, Wolf began playing hockey as a boy. turned out to be similar to the bantam draft. Sitting tight, then getting After only a month or so, he gravitated to the net. word. This time it had been the Calgary Flames who finally ended the suspense. “It kind of took off from there.”

No different than most youngsters, Dustin Wolf’s pivotal moments have And, thanks to the family’s season tickets, he could admire Sharks star been shared with loved ones. And there can be no denying the tightness Evgeni Nabokov on a regular basis. — and commitment — of his immediate family, who relocated from San One day, at an open practice, he was even introduced to his hero. The Jose to Los Angeles to Everett, Wash., as the lad progressed from minor scene remains vivid, in part because legendary goalie coach Warren hockey to rep hockey to junior hockey. Strelow had been on the ice in his electric wheelchair as he worked with “Great parents, good people, incredibly supportive,” said James Jensen, Nabokov and Vesa Toskala. who has been Wolf’s goalie coach for years. “Obviously, I’ve known them “Which is crazy to think about now,” said Wolf, noting that USA Hockey for a long time.” has named national-team camps and mentorship programs after Strelow, However, beyond the warm and fuzzies, behind the hugs and backslaps, who died in 2007. “Crazy to think I was actually able to meet him and there is a young man whose jaw clenches. Because he knows. meet the goalies, too. Something I’ll definitely remember. It was pretty awesome.” Being undersized means getting overlooked. Seeing how serious their son was about hockey, the Wolfs — and other In 2016, 103 players, including 11 goalies, were selected before the families in the region— would fly in Jensen, then based in Los Angeles, Silvertips made his day. In Vancouver a year ago, he listened to the to work with their little puck-stopping hopefuls every couple of weeks. names of 213 prospects, including 21 goalies, before hearing his own. Heck, he was perilously close to not being picked, period. (Chris Mast/Everett Silvertips)

“Going into that, I wouldn’t have expected to last that long,” Wolf, listed at “When I first met Dustin, you could tell — the kid was into it, right?” 6-foot and 165 pounds, said the other day. “I guess it’s nice to say you recalled Jensen. “But you can’t look at a 7-year-old and say, ‘Hey, that’s have that seventh-round background — it could make for a good story, going to be Calgary’s draft pick in 11 years.’ But he was an absolute hopefully, down the line. workhorse. You could put anything in front of him, any drill, even setting him up to fail, and he’d absolutely love it. Just a great kid to work with. “Once you get your foot in the door, you just have to work to make your name known even more.” “As he got older and he started to acquire some skill and some talent, it got even more interesting. It took just two short years and he pretty much He’s polite. He’s diplomatic, appreciative. But there is an edge. outgrew the programs that were available for him in northern California … which, at that point in time, was still behind southern California.” About his own expectations, Wolf is baldly upfront. For starters, he never bothers to set specific goals. Since Wolf’s dad, a software designer for law-enforcement agencies, could work remotely, it was no problem for the family to move to Los “The only number I pride myself on is being at the top of every Angeles. There, Wolf hooked up with the Jr. Kings organization. Not only leaderboard,” he said, referring to the four traditional netminding was this top-flight hockey, it allowed the boy to get one-on-one sessions categories. “That’s something I want to be — the best each and every with Jensen twice weekly. year.” “I was able to dive in deep with him, so I was constantly improving,” said This winter he did set the CHL pace — 1.88 goals-against average, .935 Wolf. “If I didn’t have those years, I don’t know where I’d be. Definitely a save percentage, nine shutouts. That Alexis Shanks, of QMJHL lot of credit goes to him.” Chicoutimi, posted two more wins than his 34 did not go unnoticed. When Wolf was 16, the family relocated again, this time to Everett. (Chris Mast/Everett Silvertips) There, a succession plan had been hatched. He would join the Silvertips, “I wish we could’ve played those last five games. I think we could’ve serve as Carter Hart’s understudy, then take over. done some damage as a group, myself included,” Wolf said. “Now I’ve Wolf snickers. “One hundred and twenty-five games later, I think it’s been got a lot of work to do this upcoming season if I want to prove some more a good choice.” people wrong.” Remarkably, he and Hart have combined for five consecutive first all-star Which happens to be his modus operandi, knocking the wind out of team nods in the Western Conference. Wolf, who turned 19 last week, naysayers. can make it six — three apiece —next season. “Yeah, you can totally sense that,” said Jordan Sigalet, goalie coach of “Obviously, Carter’s had his path,” Wolf said of his former stablemate, the Flames. “When you talk to him you can tell there’s that chip on his who, at 21, is the Philadelphia Flyers’ starter. “He had his tremendous shoulder. He’s got to use that to fuel the fire.” career in the . Now it’s my job to continue that For the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy, which goes to the WHL’s top goalie, and set my own path. he is once again a finalist. (Last year, Prince Albert’s Ian Scott, of “Things have gone pretty well thus far.” Calgary, prevailed.) Along the way, even if his stat line as the resident first-stringer looks Awards and statistics are dandy, but there’s much more to Wolf, awfully similar year to year, Wolf is becoming a more refined goalie. according to Jensen, currently with the Silvertips. Having worked “I don’t think there was a huge jump,” he said, “but there were definitely “When it comes to putting a bad game aside and just looking ahead, he’s some pieces of my game that I improved tremendously.” an absolute rock.”

Such as? “My post play. How I get in and out of the posts. Just the Junior excellence well-established, Wolf will nevertheless tend the movement on my knees between the posts is getting more Bobrovsky- Silvertips’ nets for a fourth season in 2020-21. esque, I would say. A lot smoother and cleaner and definitely faster.” After that, there is no telling what happens. His puck-handling skills have been polished. And, given his size, the Flames have asked Wolf to shore up his in-traffic technique. Fighting for “Can he be a pro? Why not? Why can’t Dustin Wolf play in the NHL one sight lines. Battling to find pucks. He did as he was told. day?” said Jensen. “Since he’s been little, every time he’s pushed up to a higher level there’s been a bit of a learning curve, then he excels. You tell Not that Wolf considers himself a finished product. me — when does that end for somebody?

“It’s funny,” said Sigalet. “As a kid who’s had these types of numbers for “For me, there’s nothing in the tea leaves that says he can’t continue.” two years in a row, he’s still texting or calling, asking me what he can work on, what he can do better.

“Last week, he sent me a video of his whole season. He’s an eager and The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 determined kid, and he’s definitely not satisfied with having two good junior years.”

On March 12, the Silvertips congregated at Angel of the Winds Arena. The plan was to hit the ice for a quick rip, hop on the bus, then grab a bite en route to Tri-City, the first stop in a three-games-in-three-nights weekend.

They never left.

“Everything started to unfold in a negative fashion,” said Wolf. “Obviously, it was one of the last times the whole group was together. Not the greatest of situations. Wish we could have had a different scenario on that front.”

So now the CHL’s 2018-19 scholastic player of the year is left doing puzzles with his mom, playing video games, binge-watching “Tiger King,” catching up on his sleep, wishing he could go outside.

“The parents read up on all the new information doctors are coming up with. I’m not allowed to leave the house, so I’m kind of in a state of what- do-I-do-now,” Wolf said. “It’s just trying to find ways to occupy time at this point. I never thought I’d be saying that with our crazy schedule. But that’s the way it’s turned out so far.”

If he’s bored he can study (even more) tapes of Juuse Saros, a natural role model for Wolf, who, in fact, actually stands an inch taller than the Nashville Predators netminder. But Wolf insists he can pick up pointers from NHLers of all sizes, from to (if you ever wonder why he wears No. 32).

He doesn’t feel the need to embrace only the short-guy template.

After all, he’s been forging his own way for years.

“People have always questioned his lack of physical height without really digging deep to find out if he’s a good goaltender or not,” said Jensen. “A lot of people just make that blanket statement — ‘Oh, he’s not 6-foot-3, so he’s not going to be a pro.’ I think he has always taken that as a chip on his shoulder. His hockey IQ is off the charts.

“The higher the level, the harder it is for a sub-6-foot-3, 6-foot-4 guy — they’re going to get exposed if they’re not patient. So I would say a big strength is his ability to read plays and not get caught guessing.

“An incredible student of the game.”

Sigalet’s assessment of the 2001-born prospect is no different. He sees a sharp youngster who is ahead of his butterfly-first peers in some ways. His first inclination is not to drop. If Wolf anticipates a high shot, he remains on his feet, staying big in the net.

“Everyone knocks on his size, but if you have the smarts, size doesn’t matter,” said Sigalet. “And when you can move and skate as well as Wolfy does, you’re going to have success.”

Too, there’s a mental sturdiness that Wolf has cultivated.

On March 7, AHL Stockton goalie coach Thomas Speer ventured into Everett to watch Wolf face the rival Seattle Thunderbirds. He allowed four goals — on 19 shots — in a 5-2 setback. The next night in Seattle? He repelled 23 of 25 pucks to preserve a 3-2 win.

“He figured out early on that one goal doesn’t make or break your career, that one goal doesn’t lose the game for you,” said Jensen. “Back-to-back losses are pretty rare for him. And three in a row? You’d be hard-pressed to find three losses in a row on his resume since he was, like, 12. 1183335 Carolina Hurricanes

NHL would consider resuming in Raleigh, but lack of practice ice stands as obstacle

BY LUKE DECOCK

APRIL 23, 2020 11:35 AM

PNC Arena is empty and unable to host events Thursday, April 2, 2020 as social distancing and stay at home orders are in effect during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a development that will come as a surprise to no hockey parent who has struggled to find ice time in the Triangle, a lack of practice rinks is the biggest obstacle standing in the way of the potential resumption of the NHL season in Raleigh.

Carolina Hurricanes general manager said Thursday the team and NHL have discussed using PNC Arena as a neutral site for eight sequestered teams playing three games a day as soon as July or August, the NHL’s current contingency plan to finish out the regular season. But Waddell told a committee of the Centennial Authority, which oversees PNC Arena, that the NHL needs practice facilities for all eight teams to conduct training camps simultaneously.

Even if one of the two ice sheets at the Hurricanes’ new practice facility in Morrisville is ready by June, which Waddell said is possible, the Triangle would just meet the bare minimum of the NHL’s needs in that respect, although the arena and area are otherwise capable.

“We’d love to be in a position to host for multiple reasons,” Waddell said. “We’re not at the top of the list, but we’re still talking about it.”

The NHL paused its season on March 12 as the coronavirus swept across the continent, and several players and team staff members across the league have since tested positive for COVID-19. Waddell said the NHL believes it can complete the remainder of a 76-game regular season in 13 days and a full 82-game season in 24 days of play at four neutral sites before going straight into the playoffs, presumably without fans.

The Hurricanes have played 68 games and have earned 81 points, sixth best in the Eastern Conference. They are tied for fourth place in the .

Because of the sharp dropoff in hotel and restaurant tax revenue and lack of events at PNC — arena general manager Dave Olsen told the authority the building would “unequivocally” remain empty through the end of its fiscal year in June — the authority’s building and construction committee cut its project budget for the next fiscal year from $4.2 million to $1.6 million. Among several postponed projects is the next phase of the new scoreboard installed last year.

“Those are just going to have to sit for a while, as painful as that can be,” authority executive director Jeff Merritt said. “We’ve had to make some of these decisions in a vacuum, and very quickly.”

Profile Image of Luke DeCock

LUKE DECOCK

News Observer LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183336 Carolina Hurricanes underfunded and had to rely on scrappiness and defensive diligence to have any modicum of success this squad was from another planet. The planet Firewagon. Or something like that.

Re-living Carolina’s Cup run with Aaron Ward, Bret Hedican and Scott Ward: When Lavy (Peter Laviolette) came in after Mo () got Burnside fired, he sat me down and said, “Hey, listen, you gotta come back here next season and weigh way less.”

By Sara Civian Apr 23, 2020 44 I’m like, “What?”

He’s like “Yeah, you gotta come back here and weigh so much less.”

This was supposed to be an oral history of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final I’d been playing for Scotty (Bowman) and he would preach being a power Game 7 between the Hurricanes and the Oilers. It’s airing Thursday on defenseman, weighing a certain (large) amount, being physical. Well, FOX Sports Carolinas, after all. Lavy already knew there was going to be change to this game. So he told me I couldn’t come back to play for the Carolina Hurricanes unless I But the more I learned about this 2005-06 Hurricanes team in pursuit of dropped 15 pounds. So I do that, and sure enough, he still got under my that, the more I realized how incomplete a story that would tell. This team skin. He made me play forward the first game of the season. I didn’t was all about off-ice brotherhood, no egos, ridiculous practices and know what the hell he was trying to prove at the time, like, I had never digital cameras. played forward, and he made me play forward the first game of the year. But he got my attention. He got out of every single guy, individually, the Let defensemen Aaron Ward and Bret Hedican and The Athletic’s very best you could ever get out of them, and that’s the truth. He broke me out own Scott Burnside, who was with NHL.com at the time, take it away … of the mold I had created for myself and made me realize I had to do Pieces coming together something different. I had to play to his system — everyone did. He was going to find a way to get it out of you whether you liked it or not. Hedican: You can’t really just say it was that one year when everything came together, I gotta go back and hit the reverse button. Even in 2002 I It was incredibly tough, but here’s the coolest thing — by the first month had only been there a week and I knew this team was special. Being part of playing under this guy we were all like “Hell yeah.” He made you of the 2002 Stanley Cup team I knew early on that team was special and believe in yourself in a way you never envisioned or thought possible. He it was, we ended up losing to Detroit that year but if you look back their also made you believe in the guy beside you. We had six defensemen payroll was close to 100 million dollars and our payroll was 20-something who probably spent the entirety of their whole career — except maybe million — that was before the salary cap. My point is, I could feel the (Hedican) — kinda laying back. He told every single guy no matter who ingredients of success way back then (but something was missing). you are you have to be up on the play and play offense, and we’re all like “Oh, Christ.” But then all of a sudden it became a fun game and you Even the year before we won the Stanley Cup, Ray Whitney had called figured out why he wanted you to do that — that was the system of the me and asked what I had thought of the team because (then-Hurricanes whole team.” GM) was thinking about signing him. I said, “I think we’re a player or two away from winning the Cup.” I remember he paused, and Hedican: At the beginning of the season, Peter Laviolette had this team- in so many words he said, “What the F are you talking about, you didn’t building ropes course, and from that point on we all kind of put our egos even make the playoffs this year.” And I said “I know, but that’s just the aside. We all realized that all of our shit stinks, if you will, that nobody is team we have.” above anybody else. We’re all in this together. And I feel that was the moment where it’s like the roots were planted into the ground and it Ward: The easiest way to describe it: It was the most accurate definition began to grow. of a sum of the parts team. We had gone through 2002 and no one expected it. We had gone through an absolute debacle in ‘03-’04 (28-34- Going into the Stanley Cup Finals, the only two guys in the weight room 14 record) — the general manager is walking in ready to trade us all. after Game 7 against the Sabres were me and Rod Brind’Amour. I Then in the lockout year (2004-05) everyone went to play somewhere remember Roddy and I kinda looking at each other, giving each other a else — Craig Adams was in Milan, I ended up in Germany, guys ended kind of high-five handshake, like “Hey man, this is it. This is our time. up kinda going off different places. When we came back, there was a This is what we worked for.” moment we realized what kind of team we were assembling. It was like Speaking of Laviolette … “Holy shit, Cory Stillman is coming to play for us, holy shit Ray Whitney was coming to play for us.” We had these really talented guys coming Ward: Lavy came in and decided to shake things up in a way that got our from these places and it was abnormal for the Carolina Hurricanes to attention, he challenged a lot of veteran guys to think outside their career bring in players like that, you know what I’m saying? — outside of what their expectations were for themselves or what they thought they had to be. For that man, I guarantee you if you asked the When did you know something special was brewing? question: “If Peter Laviolette said ‘put your head through that wall and Burnside: When I think of this final series, which of course culminated in you’ll be successful,’ would you do it?” To a man, every single guy on an emotional seventh game in Raleigh, I am always brought back to the that team would do it. Every single guy believed in what he was selling. narrative that led up to not just this final series — which was terrific by He broke down the barriers of what you thought was normal and the way — but the entire 2005-06 season and the playoff tournament that acceptable in the world of hockey off the ice, and it also kind of parlayed followed. This was, of course, the season that followed the lost 2004-05 into how things worked on the ice. season — a season scuttled because neither the NHL nor the NHLPA (For example), the first time we did Monday Night Football and he could get their act together in time. It remains, in my opinion, one of the brought in poker tables and blackjack tables, I’m 33 or 34, I can tell you lowest points in hockey history. A stain that cannot be unstained (is that a my exact words were “Fuck that.” I didn’t want to spend my Monday night word?). with, like, my GM. I couldn’t be more against all of this because I don’t The season that followed, though, was notable because it included want for him to be in a position to judge me on how many beers I had, or changes to the rules like the introduction to the shootout but also a how I’m acting, or who I’m interacting with or anything like that. But after commitment to give fans a more entertaining game on the ice with that first time I’m like, “OK, this is not a bad idea. This is pretty cool.” We officials mandated to call the rulebook as it was intended to be called. all kind of showed up and from there he started to push the boundaries Why it took a lockout to get that to happen, well, that’s as much a on ice and off ice for every single guy. He did it straightforward then he mystery as why you can make a glove-pass in the defensive zone but did it in a subliminal manner, like weird stuff, cheesy stuff, hokey stuff. nowhere else. But the game returned after it’s self-imposed one-year Giving Chad LaRose a camera. Do you know that story? exile better and faster than ever. The result was that teams which most Superfan accurately anticipated the new game and built their teams accordingly quickly established themselves as contenders. Ward: So midway through the season all of the sudden Lavy hands (then-rookie) Chad LaRose a camera, I think it was a digital camera. And No team got the new game quite like Jim Rutherford’s Carolina he made Rosey swear to never disclose why he had the camera. Hurricanes. They were electric. The ‘Canes scored 294 regular-season Honestly, I feel bad to this day. We just lit him up. When guys finally goals and only conference-leading Ottawa and Presidents’ Trophy- figured it out, it was like, “Holy shit, I was brutal.” winning Detroit scored more. For a team that had perpetually been Seriously, I still remember we were sitting in San Jose and our hotel had spare bits of floor. Those poor hotel people. Remarkably the media corps one of those entertainment districts like North Hills. So we’re all sitting did rebound later in that single off-day between Game 6 and Game 7 to out there having dinner and drinks on the patio, and here comes Rosey produce one of the most epic pre-Stanley Cup final social gatherings of with his fucking camera. We’re like “Hey, superfan if you want a picture all time. Some of it took place in a bar that was owned by longtime come over here!” Guys were just fucking abusing him. We couldn’t figure Hurricane Bates Battaglia (Editor’s note: Lucky B’s!). out why the hell he had this camera. Among the many vivid memories of that well-attended gala was the sight But the cool thing was, Lavy had already thought halfway through the of a prominent member of the media stepping boldly behind the bar to season that this team had something special and he wanted to create continue pouring beer quite some time after last call had been something that come playoff time we could commemorate and announced. Last spring I was in Raleigh working on some pre-playoff immortalize the journey we went through. Rosey got all these pictures of stories about the Hurricanes and I wandered into this same bar. It took the special things we were doing, in the trenches of guys getting together me a few minutes to recall that I had actually been in this establishment at the dinners that mattered the most. Laviolette made this hilarious pre- and that it was, in fact, the same place where we had celebrated the playoff video that was epic, but it took Rosey taking all that abuse. It took impending end of the ’06 playoffs. I immediately called Pierre LeBrun to a lot for a rookie to shut his mouth and not tell the truth why he had that tell him where I was, although he seemed less excited than I was at the camera, and we learned to appreciate what that kid did to capture that for discovery. us. Hedican: Oh man, I think my fondest memory is after the game was over We’re talking ’bout practice? and they cleared out all the media, it was just the guys and the trainers and the coaches (in the dressing room). I just remember the feeling of (Editor’s note: A few months ago when I was catching up with Ward, he looking around that room saying, “Holy shit, man. What a group of guys.” mentioned how intense these 2005-06 practices were. For the record, Just selflessness, a willingness to make the guy beside them better, not Hedican brought it up before I even asked and the stories did not caring about themselves, just caring about others. I think if I could go disappoint.) back in time, of all the moments, and even though I was savoring it when Hedican: I just remember the level of excellence we had every day during it was happening, I wanna go back and squeeze a little bit more out of practice. If you asked any NHL athlete “Do you remember practices?” I that one, you know? bet you to a man they would say no — they would remember games, Ward: My favorite thing about the Cup run eventually might’ve got Peter goals and yada yada yada. Well, I remember practices from that year Laviolette fired. We had every single family member that was able to and moments that we had blew my mind, the standard of excellence and make it to Raleigh up on this platform that Lavy somehow prepared. the way we pushed each other at practice. Games became easy, literally, Every kid, every parent, whoever you could get on the ice, whoever during the course of that year. The games were not even close to the showed up — they invited everybody as whole to get on the ice for this level of compete we had at our practices. panoramic picture. Honestly, it’s my prized possession. And I know There was a calmness even before Game 7, it was like the work had people might not acknowledge this but the wives had a massive role been done. I remember that practice facility — it’s not a great practice during the playoffs. I remember Roddy’s dad, I remember Cam Ward’s facility, let’s call it what it is — and even back in the day, it wasn’t very dad, all my kids at that time were up there. And the Stanley Cup is just nice. It made me think, “Hey, you don’t need nice facilities to have a sitting there. I can now look back and I know exactly who everyone is. All championship team.” But I remember a practice where about midway these people, there it is captured in one photo. through I thought, “Holy cow, I have never seen anything like this before.” That photo pissed off (former Hurricanes majority owner) Pete It even brings a smile to my face to this day, it was unbelievable to watch Karmanos. We heard stories later on that he was like, “Who the hell the level of precision, the level of compete. I remember even the coaches arranged that, this is my Stanley Cup.” He was mad that the focus was were feeling it, I remember Laviolette pulling us all in and he kind of just taken from that being the Carolina Hurricanes Cup win and put on the paused and he looked at all of us, and you could kind of see the steam Carolina Hurricanes friends and family. But whatever. coming off of every player’s head. He said to us, “If we practice like we’ve been practicing and like we practiced here today, no one will stop us. We The playoff atmosphere in Raleigh will win the Stanley Cup.” And that was in the middle of the year. Hedican: It was awesome. What I loved about it is that there’s so many That’s what I’ve taken with me forever. college families in that Raleigh area — some went to UNC, some went to NC State, etc. You have all of these different kind of fans with different Ward: I actually had a running competition with Roddy and Justin allegiances, but what the Canes do to the Raleigh area is they bring Williams and it got pretty intense. Even in pre-game skate, I was every person together. They are all Carolina Hurricanes fans, and I love dropping down on passes on two-on-ones. Laviolette’s practices were, that. I love that about our town. I remember driving to the rink around 4, “This, this, this, then get the hell off.” When we got to the two-on-ones, it 4:30 in the afternoon before the game at a 7:30 puck drop and it’s got to the point where it was so competitive that Roddy and Willy would packed already, they’re already tailgating. It’s a fun community to be a line up to go against me every single time. I either had a great pregame part of, I remember all my buddies coming into town during the 2002 run meal or an awful one based on how successful I was against them. And and I said, “You guys won’t believe it. Your minds are going to be blown then the goalies found out how much was riding on it — (Martin) Gerber when you come into town. And believe me, they couldn’t believe it.” and Cam (Ward) would completely sell out on two-on-ones. You know how competitive Roddy is, right? Well, Willy became the same way, so Ward: I had friends on other teams who we were playing against us that that I would derive a ton of excitement that day just from ruining his pre- year, they would have practice at, like, 11 a.m. and they’d get out there game skate — just from not letting him score. and people were out there tailgating. There’s a level of investment from a fan to get there, creating an atmosphere and an environment for the Fondest 2006 Stanley Cup Final memories home team and that was part of it. One of the coolest experiences I just Burnside: What happens in a playoff series is that the longer it goes — had was NHL Network just replayed our finals and I got to sit down with especially deep in the playoffs — the more the folks covering it want to my girlfriend and watch it. One of the things I had noticed was nobody sat go home. Hey, we’re human, too, no? (Or at least a close down. approximation.) So I’ll be honest, with the Canes up 3-1 in the series and Like, Game 6 we got punted in Edmonton. We got our asses handed to playing Game 5 at home it was hard not to think about being a 45-minute us. And you’d be lying if you didn’t say there was some level of flight home to . Of course the Murphy’s Law of all playoff series is apprehension going into Game 7. Was your confidence the highest? No. that if you’re 45 minutes from home Fernando Pisani picks off a Cory Did Roddy and Laviolette do what they were supposed to do? Yeah. But Stillman pass in overtime and scores the first shorthanded game-winning when you stepped on the ice it was like “Holy shit.” You couldn’t help but goal in Stanley Cup final history. (It was a) long trip back to Edmonton for get completely taken up by the amount of emotion and intensity in the Game 6 which absolutely everyone knew was going to be followed by a building. If I’m an Edmonton Oiler, I’m having a “holy shit” moment, like Game 7 back in Raleigh. Everyone was right. awestruck. As a Carolina Hurricane, I had a “holy shit” moment, like, “The The charter (the NHL introduced a media charter for this series) left at (fans are) here and they’re ready. I gotta elevate myself.” some ungodly hour after Game 6 to get everyone back to Raleigh. I I don’t know, I hate having to validate what Carolina is or isn’t, because remember we landed just after sun-up in Raleigh and of course when we every market is unique, but you know what? We created our own version got to the hotels used by the media none of the rooms were ready. of the Stanley Cup playoffs that year, and I think that’s why the People were camped out sleeping on suitcases and in corners and on excitement last year was the way that it was — because everyone knew what was coming.

Is it weird seeing Brind’Amour coach Williams?

Hedican: I love it. If I could be standing beside Rod as a coach, or at least be around for another year, another month, another day? I would love it. I would love the opportunity to stand beside both those guys. Justin Williams, you’re not going to affect him one way or another which I feel is a great lesson for young players, and I know that’s how Rod feels about him in that locker room. These young players, when they get to see him prepare every night they realize he doesn’t have a lot of highs and lows, he just is the same guy every day and there’s power to that. Hell, I’d take him as long as I could if I were Roddy.

Ward: I think it’s been an asset if you think about it, you have a rookie coach and an asset in the locker room that completely has loyalty to the coach. And whether or not the guys can relate to Roddy’s mentality and approach, I think Justin Williams is a natural go-between. He’s able to impart exactly what Rod’s thinking — and I don’t think Rod’s that hard to understand, but Justin is a perfect backup. Justin knows what makes Roddy tick, they are best friends. I think that’s probably one of the most unique relationships in the . I think that’s a great thing.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183337 Chicago Blackhawks

Alex DeBrincat will play in NHL video game tournament to raise money for coronavirus relief

By PHIL THOMPSON

CHICAGO TRIBUNE |

APR 23, 2020 | 12:14 PM

Chicago Blackhawks winger Alex DeBrincat will join a video game tournament of NHL players to help raise money for coronavirus relief.

The first-ever NHL Player Gaming Challenge will feature at least one player representing all 31 teams.

From streaming ‘Call of Duty’ to ‘MLB The Show’, Chicago athletes are entertaining fans during quarantine — while also staying competitive »

One-on-one matchups begin April 30 and run over the next four weeks, and details about each pairing’s broadcast and storylines will be revealed at the beginning of the week.

The Senators’ Brady Tkachuk will face brother Matthew, of the Flames in one matchup. Other gamers include the Sharks’ Evander Kane and Predators’ Filip Forsberg. Seahawks tight end Luke Willson will represent the expansion Seattle franchise.

The league’s Foundation and Electronic Arts will donate a total of $100,000 to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation to help improve COVID-19 response.

The video game exhibition is another phase of the NHL’s #HockeyAtHome initiative — launched after league suspended play last month because of the COVID-19 pandemic — and has included social media outreach and activities with fans such as Devils star P.K. Subban’s “NHL Hat Trick Trivia.”

Incidentally, DeBrincat took on Hawks teammate Dylan Strome in an NHL20 video game battle in December using on the United Center’s video board as a monitor.

“We’ve had a lot of competitions over the years,” DeBrincat said in a team promotional video.

Strome broke DeBrincat’s virtual jaw during a scrum but DeBrincat won the game.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183338 Chicago Blackhawks

Dietz: Send NHL to the penalty box for this ridiculous restart plan

Associated Press

John Dietz

The NHL has lost its mind.

That's my 2 cents on the league's "trial balloon" of a plan that was unveiled by Commissioner Gary Bettman Wednesday.

The league's restart scenario revolves around bringing the 31 teams to two, three or four central locations, playing out the regular season and then conducting the Stanley Cup playoffs.

"No decision has been made," Bettman told SportsNet. "And I said as we were getting some feedback, 'We don't live in a world of perfect anymore. We're going to have to make adjustments.'

"Ideally, from our standpoint -- and it would resolve a lot of issues -- would be if we could complete the regular season, even if it's on a centralized basis, and then go into the (playoffs) the way we normally play them.

"That would be ideal. But that's, again, one of the numerous models we're looking at, and if we can't do ideal -- if we can't do perfect -- we're going to have to figure out what's next to perfect."

This sounds far from perfect, however.

First of all, why finish the regular season? Do you really want to make players from Detroit (17-49-5), Ottawa (25-34-12), San Jose (29-36-5) and Los Angeles (29-35-6) get back into shape just so everyone can finish with 76, 78 or 82 games?

It's ridiculous.

Even if you do that, how do you make sure all of the teams are in the right spots? The Blackhawks' remaining games were against Ottawa, Washington, Minnesota (twice), Buffalo, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Dallas, the Kings, Montreal, the Islanders and Rangers.

I can't even imagine how they make that work.

"Clearly, we can play into the summer," Bettman said. "Clearly, we can play next season, which we intend to do in its entirety, starting later. And so, with a lot of timing options, we have a great deal of flexibility, and we're not going to rush anything.

"We're not going to do anything that's crazy. We're going to try and do something, under the circumstances at the time, that is sensible."

Sorry, this hardly seems sensible.

What seems sensible is to actually reduce the playoff field to maybe 10 teams, gathering them in one location. The top three in each conference are in; the 4 and 5 seeds play a best-of-three series to advance. That's Flyers vs. Penguins in the East; and Stars vs. Oilers in the West.

And go from there.

Is it perfect? Of course not.

But at least it's not complete lunacy.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183339 Colorado Avalanche meeting to discuss what happened and hopefully turn around in a few days here.”

“I know it’s a playoff series but there is some sort of strange connection I Simulating the 2020 NHL playoffs, Round 2: Avalanche vs. Predators feel with Matt Duchene,” Girard said. “Not sure why but it just feels that way. Kammy (Vladislav Kamenev) was saying the same thing the other day. It’s wild as hell.” By Adam Vingan, Ryan S. Clark and Dom Luszczyszyn Apr 23, 2020 17 — Ryan S. Clark

Game 2 The NHL isn’t back yet, but we’re going to pretend it is. Over the last month, we’ve run a simulation of how the NHL’s regular season might Neither team changes its lineup. have played out if the league hadn’t been suspended on March 12. Now, Colorado takes Game 2 to even the series. the standings have been set and we’re carrying that forward through the playoffs. This time around, one of our beat writers from each team will be Gamesmanship is not typical with the Avalanche but it was before, during in charge of every lineup decision, the narrative for every playoff game and after a 1-0 overtime win over the Predators to tie the series at 1-1. and they’ll get to decide what “happened” in each game. Join us as we make our way through the simulated postseason to crown a virtual The club opted to have prospects Justus Annunen, Shane Bowers, Stanley Cup champion. Bowen Byram, Shamil Shamkov and Danila Zhuravlyov be part of a ceremonial puck drop. At first glance, it might appear to be a strange The Predators shocking the defending Stanley Cup champions was the move. But those are all players the team received either via trade or only real surprise of the first round on Earth 2. Now, Nashville gets a test through the NHL Draft as part of the three-team deal with the Ottawa that may be just as difficult in fending off the No. 2 seed Colorado Senators and Predators in exchange for Matt Duchene. Avalanche, fresh off a wild finish against the Stars. Both series ended in six. Now, as for the game itself? There was some showmanship that was more coincidental. Girard, after his opening game mishap, scored the On paper, Colorado is clearly the stronger team, but this series will be a game-winning goal in addition to the fact the Avalanche looked stronger bit closer than it would be normally thanks to a rough end to the regular on defense. season for the Avalanche on Earth 2. They start the series with a 54 percent chance of ousting the Predators. He was about to address the media when Vladislav Kamenev yelled at him, “Tell ’em why you mad son! Tell ’em why you mad!” This series really doesn’t have any business being this close. The Predators have an elite top pair that’s the envy of the league, but as a “But … I’m not mad?” Girard said. “I just scored the game-winning goal. whole the Avalanche defense is deeper – and Cale Makar is emerging as What’s wrong with you?” an elite force in his rookie year. In net, Juuse Saros grades out stronger The exchange between Girard and Kamenev drew laughs but it was than Philipp Grubauer, but not by much. before the team learned J.T. Compher sustained a lower-body injury that And then there’s the forwards. Nashville has no match for anyone on will keep him out for at least two games. Colorado’s top line and that’s the major difference in a series. The depth — Ryan S. Clark may be similar, but it’s elite talent that will take a team where it needs to go. Colorado has it in spades up front and Nashville doesn’t – a problem “The past is the past,” Duchene insisted when asked about the the team has had for most of its existence. symbolism of the ceremonial faceoff. “I am where I belong.” He then tipped his cowboy hat to reporters before exiting the dressing room with It didn’t matter much in a first-round upset over St. Louis, though. Maybe an acoustic guitar slung over his back. it won’t matter here either. — Adam Vingan (Also, for those wondering Valeri NATEchsuhkin has been restored to factory settings and is back to his usual self for the second round. The Game 3 NHL on Earth 2 has since added an amendment to its CBA regarding the Before Game 3, Predators coach John Hynes shakes up his top six, creation of hosts to store copies of superstar consciences.) switching Forsberg and Jarnkrok on the left side. He also inserts Dan Game 1 Hamhuis and Yannick Weber for Jarred Tinordi and Korbinian Holzer. For the Avalanche, Colin Wilson makes his triumphant return to the Nashville continues its Cinderella run with an unexpected Game 1 road Avalanche lineup against his former team. Jared Bednar also hinted that win. we’d see a lot more MacKinnon for the rest of the series.

Two years ago, the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Predators drew the Nashville takes a 2-1 series lead in a tight game. upstart Avalanche in the first round, engaging in an entertaining six-game series. The roles were somewhat reversed this time, with the Avalanche It was the smack heard around the hockey world. playing the part of the legitimate Stanley Cup contender. As is tradition in Nashville, a wave of catfish splattered on the ice before The Predators, though, pulled off the Game 1 upset in a 4-2 win at Pepsi Game 3 at Bridgestone Arena. But an errant catfish toss from Cy Young Center. With the score tied late in the third period, Samuel Girard, a Award winner and Vanderbilt University graduate David Price, there to Predators draft pick who was traded to the Avalanche in 2017, misplayed energize the crowd, slapped Avalanche coach Jared Bednar in the face. the puck on a breakout, resulting in an own goal. It set the tone for a contentious 2-1 Predators win. The teams combined “OH, MY GOD!” guest commentator Tony Schiavone screamed on air. for 60 penalty minutes, most of which were assessed when Nikita “SAMUEL GIRARD HAS BETRAYED THE COLORADO AVALANCHE!” Zadorov incited a line brawl after a hard check on Rocco Grimaldi in the second period. Zadorov received a major boarding penalty and the The turnover did not seem as underhanded as Schiavone claimed it to Predators capitalized twice, with Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg scoring be, but after the game, Girard was spotted discreetly conversing and the goals. shaking hands with Matt Duchene in a back hallway near the Predators’ dressing room, fueling conspiracy theories for the next few days. — Adam Vingan

— Adam Vingan Another game against the Predators. Another post mortem leaving Bednar and his assistants wondering what they can do for offensive Allowing four goals has created a few questions when it comes to Philipp production. Grubauer and the team’s overall defensive performance. The Avalanche allowed six goals in total in the first round against the Dallas Stars. For The top line featuring Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko now, the plan is to stick with the current setup with the idea that changes Rantanen has struggled. Is it time to break them up and create some could take place should there be a repeat in Game 2. new line combinations to do something different?

“One game is not enough to completely overhaul what we have done to But that’s just it with the Avalanche right now. These are the sort of this point,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “We’ll have a team games that were supposed to come easier compared to previous seasons. Suddenly, they must now ask questions that would prevent Here’s another question Bednar will have to answer ahead of Game 6. them from falling into a 3-1 hole. Was this the performance that saw Francouz win the net going forward or “We’ve got to be better,” MacKinnon said. “It’s just that simple.” was this just a one-off?

Of course, Bednar was asked about the bizarre interaction with Price and “Frankie has been patient and has worked hard to earn his chances,” the catfish. Bednar said. “That’s no knock on Grubi. Saying he has not been good for us down the stretch would be a slap to the face. And honestly? We’ve “It’s like we say back home,” Bednar said. “You can turn the other cheek seen enough of that already this series.” but know your face will eventually get bruised. We’ll see what’s what.” — Ryan S. Clark — Ryan S. Clark Game 6 Game 4 True to his word, John Hynes plans to evenly disperse ice time among No changes expected for Nashville. Down 2-1, Colorado is expected to his top six forwards in Game 6, also choosing to return Filip Forsberg and break up its top line in search of depth. Joonas Donskoi has had a poor Calle Jarnkrok to their positions from the beginning of the series. Hynes playoffs so far and will start the game on the fourth line. changes his third pair from Dan Hamhuis and Yannick Weber to Jarred Cinderella is one game away from Round 3! Tinordi and Korbinian Holzer, but plans to give Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis close to 30 minutes of ice time. The video clip of the catfish incident was everywhere in the lead up to Game 4. Bednar brushed off repeated questions about it, but could not — Adam Vingan avoid the massive banner depicting the catfish making contact with his No changes for Colorado. face that hung outside the main entrance to Bridgestone Arena. Colorado forces Game 7 with a huge road win. “Another meaningless banner they can hang here,” Bednar said after the morning skate, finally delivering the soundbite reporters were craving. Five fingers.

Bednar’s flippant remark spread across Nashville, and the quote was Jared Bednar held up that many when staring at David Price and the written on the electronic whiteboard inside the Predators’ dressing room Nashville Predators. It leaves Bridgestone Arena guessing but it later when players arrived that afternoon. On the ice, the motivated Predators comes out on Twitter that Bednar was referencing the famed “Chappelle did not screw around, putting on a rare 60-minute performance and Show” sketch when Rick James asked Charlie Murphy, “What did the five coasting to a 5-2 win that left the Avalanche teetering. Filip Forsberg, fingers say to the face?” Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson, who had struggled all season to recapture their previous magic as a line, combined for four of the S.L.A.P. Predators’ five goals. MacKinnon’s third-period goal was the only one scored in a 1-0 victory — Adam Vingan that now forces a Game 7 for a date in the Western Conference final. The decision to give MacKinnon and his linemates more minutes has So much talk about catfish had sports radio hosts in both markets talking paid off for two straight games. Will it work for a third that will see the Avs about another catfish: The Avalanche as Stanley Cup contenders. take a step further than what they reached last year? Or will it all be for nothing? Beating the Stars and avoiding the Blues created a landscape that should have allowed the Avs to at least reach the Western Conference “We don’t need anything tripping us up right now,” Landeskog said. final. But now? They are a game away from the golf course during a “Unlike that blue line in San Jose last year.” season used to establish their legitimacy toward being one of the NHL’s elite teams. One more contest.

Perhaps those big picture questions will be answered later. Right now, Can the Avalanche make it “Game. Blouses” or are the Predators going the goal is to find solutions. For the lack of scoring. For the defensive to Denver knowing they have a chance to say “F#ck Your Couch” at combinations. Could a change be coming in net even though Grubauer Pepsi Center? has really only had two poor performances through the first two rounds? — Ryan S. Clark

“Go ahead and talk about fish,” a frustrated Rantanen said at his stall. Game 7 “We need to fish our asses out of this pretty soon.” In preparation for Game 7, John Hynes throws caution to the wind, — Ryan S. Clark reuniting Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson and Game 5 promising to give them heavy minutes, as well as Matt Duchene’s line.

It’s an elimination game, so expect both teams to really lean on their top “Roman and Ryan Ellis won’t be leaving the ice,” Hynes said after the six and top pairings. Especially Colorado, where there will be even more morning skate. MacKinnon. For Nashville, that means like … 19 minutes for the top line. — Adam Vingan

Donskoi has moved back to the top six and the Avalanche have also “Nate and Cale won’t be leaving the ice,” Bednar said after the morning made a change in net with Pavel Francouz getting his first career playoff skate. start. — Ryan S. Clark This one’s not over yet as the Avalanche demolish Nashville at home. The Avalanche complete the comeback and beat the Predators in seven. Is this it? Is this the answer? Pepsi Center was quiet when the final buzzer sounded all because of a Questions keep surrounding the Avalanche. Especially after a 5-1 victory pre-recorded video request submitted by Samuel Girard. that saw them stay alive and push it to a 3-2 series. For now. Bednar’s decision to increase the minutes of his top six forwards worked. The arena got quiet when Girard’s video was displayed on Pepsi Vision. Landeskog, MacKinnon and Rantanen each had a goal while also “Everyone. Everyone. Be quiet,” he said with a smile. “I want our friends finishing with two points apiece. Andre Burakovsky and Nazem Kadri from Nashville to know this is what it sounds like to blow a 3-1 lead.” scored the other goals while the Girard-Cale Makar partnership was able to facilitate while giving the Avs a shutdown duo when needed. Yeah. HE said that. Samuel Girard. The quietest man on the Avalanche’s roster made such a bombastic statement against his former employer. Now it is just a matter of whether it can work again in Game 6 with the It’s even more ironic given Girard has the Predators logo tattooed on his idea the Predators could also make a few changes? forearm, something he does for all the teams he has played for in his “I tried to give more minutes up top to close it off, but might be time to go career going back to when he was in junior. back to the more balanced approach that was working to start the series,” Predators coach John Hynes said after the game. Jokes aside, the Avalanche are in the Western Conference final after grabbing a 3-1 lead after falling behind 3-1 to the Predators.

Reaching this stage further cements the Avalanche’s argument as a team that could indeed challenge for the Stanley Cup both this year and beyond.

It was the normal scene inside of a dressing room. There was a sense of excitement and a sense of relief. But then it all changed once Bednar burst through the double doors and had a moment that was captured on video.

— Ryan S. Clark

The Predators will find no solace in a first-round upset of the defending champion St. Louis Blues. The series loss to the Avalanche is just the latest playoff disappointment for a core of players who are running out of chances. Predators GM cannot sit idle during the offseason and must make a drastic move to shake up the roster.

— Adam Vingan

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183340 Columbus Blue Jackets And that was after starting the season with an 0-4-4 record, bloated 3.41 GAA and paltry .889 save percentage in 10 games as Korpisalo’s backup.

Blue Jackets sign Elvis Merzlikins to two-year contract extension He’s tied for second in the NHL with five shutouts and is fifth in GAA (2.35) and save percentage (.923).

Brian Hedger The Columbus Dispatch The question now, with two talented goalies and one net, is how to keep Merzlikins and Korpisalo both sharp? Apr 23, 2020 at 5:32 PM Merzlikins’ richer contract suggests that he’ll have the inside track to the starting role moving forward, but Korpisalo isn’t planning to just sink back into the backup role without putting up a fight. They started the season with two question marks in net, but the Blue Jackets now have what looks like a pair of aces guaranteed for the next "It’s part of sports," he said. "I’ve been fighting for my spot for a while in two seasons. my career, so it’s nothing new. I think a little bit of competition brings out the best in both." After signing Joonas Korpisalo to a two-year contract extension on Friday, the Jackets completed their top goaltending tandem by signing The Blue Jackets are banking on it. Elvis Merzlikins to a new two-year deal Thursday. "If you want to call it a problem, it’s a great problem to have," Kekalainen "If you don’t have good goaltending, you have no chance," general said. "We’ll make sure that we get everybody enough ice time. We’re manager Jarmo Kekalainen told The Dispatch last week, after signing going to let them battle it out, and maybe there’s somebody who rises Korpisalo. "It’s a luxury to have two good young goalies who are as above, who knows? But that’s a luxury for our organization to have two talented and competitive as they are." great young goalies like that."

Merzlikins, 26, will make $3 million in 2020-21 and $5 million in 2021-22, Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.24.2020 which is an average annual value of $4 million per season against the NHL’s salary cap. Korpisalo, who will turn 26 this month, will make $2.2 million in 2020-21 and $3.4 million in 2021-22 for a salary-cap hit of $2.8 million per season.

Assuming both continue to improve on what they’ve done this season, their combined cap hit of just $6.8 million is still a bargain despite each gaining a significant salary bump.

Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who won the Vezina Trophy last season, signed an eight-year extension last offseason with an average annual value of $9.5 million per season. Former Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky’s seven-year deal with the carries a $10 million cap hit.

The Jackets’ new combined average annual value for their goalies also slides into the NHL’s salary structure among goalies right behind Boston’s Tuukka Rask and Vegas’ Marc-Andre Fleury, who each cost their teams $7 million against the cap by themselves.

Korpisalo and Merzlikins, while still a little green, also proved their mettle this season during separate stints when each owned the net.

Korpisalo won the No. 1 job out of training camp and handled top billing until Dec. 29, when he tore a meniscus in his right knee during a shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks at .

It was his seventh straight start and 10th straight appearance during a hot streak that started Nov. 9 in a 5-2 victory at the Washington Capitals. Korpisalo went 6-0-3 with a 1.72 goals-against average, blistering .942 save percentage and one shutout in that stretch, which helped him earn the first NHL All-Star invitation of his career.

"I took some steps forward and I certainly believe there are a lot of steps still to be taken, and I’m working for it hard," Korpisalo said Monday during a conference call with reporters. "I think there’s stuff I’ve done the right way to earn this (new contract)."

Merzlikins can make the same claim.

After taking over the net for nearly two months while Korpisalo rehabbed, the Latvian rookie dazzled while helping the Jackets stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. He went 12-5-4 with a 1.97 GAA, .935 save percentage and five shutouts in 21 games with Korpisalo out, including his first career shutout Jan. 11 in Las Vegas.

That was the front end of back-to-back shutouts that included the Jackets’ 3-0 victory against Boston three days later in Columbus, a feat he pulled off a second time in home games Feb. 4 and Feb. 7 against Florida and Detroit.

The shutout against the Panthers was a 1-0 overtime win in a goaltending dual against Bobrovsky, which was the second time in a row he’d bested "Bob" in Columbus and second win in three games opposing the Jackets’ former star goalie. 1183341 Dallas Stars

Ben Bishop wants chance at Stars Stanley Cup playoff run with or without fans present

By SportsDay Staff

2:57 AM on Apr 22, 2020

Dallas Stars goalie Ben Bishop joined NHL Now on a remote episode to discuss a potential start to the Stanley Cup playoffs, his skills as a grill master and more. Here are the highlights of that conversation, edited for clarity.

How have things been being at home with the family?

Bishop: "It’s been great. That’s been the silver lining behind this is you get to spend a lot of time with the family. I have respect for the wife, being home 24/7 with the little guys is not an easy task. We sleep well chasing them all day.

“We’ve got another one on the way in a couple months so we’ve been setting up the room upstairs where Benjamin is going to move into. So I’ve been hanging some shelves, getting the carpet laid down and doing all the little things to get the room ready.”

How have your grilling skills been evolving during the break?

Bishop: “I sent that (picture) to Tom and it’s a little steak, horse radish, potato and mixed vegetables too. We’re trying to keep it healthy in quarantine too.”

What shows have you been watching lately?

Bishop: "We’ve watched a few things. We started the Michael Jordan thing last night which was obviously really cool. We finished season three of Ozark and we watched Tiger King. But we don’t have too much time.

“At night time after we put them down we’re ready for bed, but we’ve watched the top shows right now. So we’ve finished those and we’ve got to find a new one.”

If we could come back and play into the summer would you be OK with that?

Bishop: "Yeah absolutely. I think most of the guys don’t have that many opportunities to win a Stanley Cup in your career. If that was taken away from you it’d be a tough pill to swallow. I kind of changed my mindset, assuming that we will come back at some point and just treating April and May as almost like your summer, then really start to gear it up.

"Hopefully in July or August we start at that time. It’s almost like our summer is going on right now and when we pick up it might be like the world cup: straight into playoffs. I think we all have our fingers crossed but obviously the important thing is the health of the world right now.

“Just keeping everyone healthy but hopefully we’ll turn the corner here and we can start playing some hockey. Whether it’s with fans or not, as long as we can get out there and do the things we love and hopefully people can watch. We’ll just have to see what happens.”

Do you think Carole Baskin killed her husband?

Bishop: “I think so. I think one of the tigers had a good dinner. Well, I wouldn’t say a good dinner, but had a dinner.”

The final question is referring to the Netflix documentary called “Tiger King” Joe Exotic and other private zoo owners across the nation.

Fun fact: before Exotic opened his zoo in Oklahoma he owned a pet store in Arlington.

Bishop’s comments about the rarity of having a chance to compete for a Stanley Cup shed light on why cancellation of the 2020 playoffs would be more difficult for the Stars than the Mavericks.

One thing about the playoffs does look certain: if there is a chance to play them safely, Ben Bishop and his team are willing to do what it takes to make it happen.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183342 Dallas Stars (laughs) I don’t want to say. I don’t want to go there.

I feel like I could do some math after and figure it out.

‘I don’t know if we’ve ever talked about it…’: A candid chat with Tyler I don’t even know if he ended up playing there. He didn’t do anything Seguin wrong. We can have a nice off-air talk when you want to do that.

So when did you first hear the Tyler vs. Taylor stuff? That’s going to last forever. By Craig Custance Apr 23, 2020 33 It’s hard to put to a date. Probably around Christmas (of his draft year). I want to say around there somewhere. I started hearing Taylor/Tyler. Tyler Seguin is great. The Dallas Stars forward is not afraid to say People would start calling me Taylor Seguin, getting me confused with interesting things. He’s willing to share stories. In a hockey world where Taylor Hall. Playing in Plymouth, he’s in Windsor, you’re kind of a natural players often lean on cliches, Seguin does the opposite. And during his rivalry. Windsor was a powerhouse back then, you know? conversation on The Full 60, he didn’t disappoint while sharing details of They were ridiculous. That was the Cam Fowler group with Taylor? his Tyler vs. Taylor draft year, the Bruins trade and what he thought of Drew Doughty’s comments about the potential coming playoffs. Yeah. Cam Fowler. Was it (Greg) Nemisz too? First round. They were just stacked. They had Ryan Ellis. They had all those guys. They had For those who would rather read than listen, here is an extended Q&A of tough guys too. They had all the meats. Back then, it was still kind of a highlights from the conversation, with portions edited for clarity and tough guy league. length. Was that the Zack Kassian era too? I just saw you’re getting involved in the All-In Challenge to raise funds for those on the frontline right now. What’s the package you’re offering? Kassian was there too … and I was the target of the team. It was fun though – the Taylor/Tyler. And it was funny, we used to because we were I got a text from Michael Del Zotto, one of my good buddies, I got a text all younger, we used to talk about the 18-year-olds, the 19-year-olds from him about the challenge. I was like, “That’s weird, I was just looking would go to Windsor to go drink. We were in Michigan, we’d hear the at it on Twitter.” He said he was doing it and wanted to know if he could vets talking after the game to the Windsor guys about where they’re nominate me. I was happy to be a part of it and was thinking of ideas of going out in Windsor that night after the game. It was a rivalry on the ice, what to do – whether it was a round of golf in the offseason or dinner or and off the ice, it wasn’t. It was fun times. come to the Stars game. That’s where I came up with the whole Stars package. They can come to the pregame skate, come to the dressing We’d be playing in Plymouth, we’d be sold out, 4,000 people, but I ‘d look room after. Meet some of the players and myself, sit on the glass at the in the corner, I’d see 100 guys wearing black with black notepads. I knew game that night and I’ll take them to dinner, as well. It’s for a great cause, it was scout night as well. As a player, if you’re being honest, you always I’m all about Cornovarius relief stuff right now. Crazy times in a crazy see them. You know where they are, you know where they’re sitting. You world. I’m glad how it all came together. know how many are in attendance at night. Taylor and I got to know each other. He’s a ’91-born so I never had any contact with him or saw him I’VE ACCEPTED THE #ALLINCHALLENGE TO HELP FEED THE much growing up because I’m a 92. I got to know him, we’re always still HUNGRY DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME. CLICK HERE TO SEE nice to each other, never had any beef. Never, Taylor/Tyler massive WHAT I’M PUTTING UP: HTTPS://T.CO/UQVWA3NEWP. ALSO, competition. I always secretly cheer for him and watch his career. @BENBISHOP30, @BMARCH63 I CHALLENGE YOU TO BE ALL IN!! LETS GOO PIC.TWITTER.COM/DVB3VJDJYN And secretly hope yours is a little better?

— TYLER SEGUIN (@TSEGUINOFFICIAL) APRIL 19, 2020 We’re competitive pro athletes, right? I was happy as anyone else when he won the MVP, seeing what he went through, leaving Edmonton. I left I wanted to get into your backstory a little bit. I know you wanted to play Boston. There’s so many things where we’ve gone separate ways in our at Michigan. How close did that come to happening? career, and there are so many things that are the same in our career. Michigan got all the way to the point where you could get a full-ride or Having the same GM in Peter Chiarelli as well. not, and I didn’t quite get it. I had offers from other schools, it’s been so That’s right. long now, I can probably just say that I was kind of pissed off about it. It was always my dream. I went to Red Berenson’s hockey camps when I You can sit here and write a book about the different things. We had fun was like 12-13 years old in the summers and got to see the big boys out with what we had to go through. there and their team. If I remember correctly, you were No. 1 rated by Central Scouting, right? It was always a dream of mine. I had other offers but I wasn’t fully getting one from Michigan. One summer I grew six inches and I was going into Yes. I don’t know if it changed. I remember going to world junior camp, making that decision and I had a friend I worked out with, Chris Terry, he the four days before the camp, I got rated No. 1 and Taylor was No. 2. I was the captain for the Plymouth Whalers at the time. He was getting in remember having that, I’m not going to say cockiness, but I was going my ear training at a place called Varsity in Brampton. I just knew that was into camp confident. I’m like, ‘This is my spot to lose.’ I didn’t think I did my sign and where I was going to go. I went ninth overall to the Plymouth anything wrong to lose that spot. I got into meetings with the coaches, Whalers and I had an OK rookie year, nothing special. My second year, the head coaches told me they’re going with an older team. It was just Mike Vellucci came and took over the team, found something in me and one of the conversations I remember how I felt after, what I was wearing, believed in me and put me into that next level. After that, all I could hear one of those things that stick with you. was Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin. When it came to the draft time, I think he went back to slotted No.1. You Did Michigan ever make a full offer? have to remember too, going into the second year in the OHL, draft year. Cam Fowler was No. 2 going in, I was a little bit lower. A couple points I don’t recall them ever making a full offer, no. back. I got off to a good start and this was all thanks to Mike Vellucci as well. Then it became the Taylor/Tyler thing If they make one, do you go to Michigan? This is all coming back to me, I haven’t thought about this in a long time. Yeah. Especially early on. I remember them giving one to another player that played for Honeybaked. I remember that really bothered me. I Cam was locked in at three when he slips in the draft. It was crazy. thought I was better than that player. I didn’t know him. I remember I was just a kid. It just really fired me up, when I heard someone else got an Going into that year, it was Cam Fowler and Taylor Hall. I kind of came in offer and I hadn’t gotten one yet. That just led to my next decision. I also within the first little bit. Then Cam Fowler was like No. 3 for sure. We kind thought I was going to get drafted by the Erie Otters, I think it was second of had one or two and the third. Then the draft happened. overall and they took someone else and that fired me up even more. That was wild. What do you remember about talking to Edmonton? Little things that you remember that made you have that extra tick, and here we are. I guess I have a story, I don’t know if anyone – I don’t know if we’ve ever talked about it or if it’s been out there. Taylor and I actually flew out to Who was the Honeybaked kid they gave a full ride to? Boston and Edmonton together in one weekend. We went out to Edmonton on a Friday. This is when I first got to know him. I talked to him in the stands, but if there’s not, I don’t want to miss an opportunity to win. a couple times, ‘Hi and byes. Congrats on winning.’ I didn’t know him So I want to play. because he’s a 91 birth year and I’m a 92. I got to really know Taylor when we went to Edmonton and Boston. One weekend we went to One of the interesting things to me – you played with Patrick Kane in Edmonton one night. Taylor would go with the owners and management Switzerland, you played with Jeff Skinner as a kid, right? and I’d go with the coaches and we’d rotate. Whether it’s dinner or lunch. My last year, my draft year I played with Jeff Skinner and my teammate Going to Edmonton and everything, it was a great city. I got to meet now Jamie Oleksiak. some of the players. I wasn’t sure if it was Edmonton or Boston. Next day You’ve played with Canada internationally too. So, who is your favorite we hopped on a flight and went to Boston. In Boston, we had to do a little non-NHL teammate you’ve played with? testing, which we didn’t have to do in Edmonton. We figured Boston might be a little tougher place to play because of the two experiences of Ummm. That’s tough. We had a really good World Championship team a the recruitment trips. couple years ago.

I got to know Taylor, obviously a great guy. I was happy I went to Boston. The Prague year?

You were with Taylor a lot at this point, you’re doing all the draft stuff. Yeah, the Prague year. I had a ton of fun at that. Obviously not making world juniors, I didn’t make Olympics. I made World Cup and got hurt in It was good. We didn’t know each other. A lot of times you grow up Game 2 against the U.S. playing against these guys. I first heard Taylor Hall’s name at an OHL Cup, and I just heard about some kid who had four or five goals for I don’t remember that. Kingston. I think it was Kingston. That was the first time I heard Hall’s Yeah, I was there, the second game against the U.S. (Ryan) Suter gave name. Growing up my whole life, I heard about John McFarland and Jeff me a little jab, not a dirty play, he put me off balance, I went into the Skinner. Those were the two guys I heard all the time. … I never heard of boards and I cracked my heel bone. I tried to hide it for two days at Taylor Hall really because of the age difference. practice but then finally Babs (Mike Babcock) was like, ‘Segs, what’s Sure enough, we got to know each other. It’s funny we still do once in a going on?’ I was like, alright, let’s talk. I have to be honest here. I had to while these Taylor and Tyler interviews. People always look for this pull the chute. The World Championship team was pretty great. That was hidden rivalry, don’t like each other. I like Taylor a lot, I love his hockey the first time I got to know Sidney Crosby a little bit better. Playing with game, I definitely am a fan of his and follow his career. I want him to get him and seeing (how he ticks) and everything, that was pretty good and in the playoffs, he’s worked so hard to get there. becoming friends with him. Just a special player and one I learned from a lot. It would be more fun if you guys hated each other. My most funny teammate I didn’t know about was Brent Burns. Burnsie. I agree. We definitely laugh about that. Everyone looks for that too. But Getting to know him on the bus out in Prague, I was a big fan of his. The it’s definitely not the case. way he looks, no teeth and crazy hair. Probably him and (Mike Smith) our You win a Stanley Cup as a teenager with the Bruins and you said once goalie back then. Those are two guys I didn’t know I’d be buddies with that you wish that winning a Stanley Cup had happened later in your and how good of a teammate they were. career. What did you mean? I enjoy learning about cooking elk through Brent’s Instagram.

I meant understanding the complete worth of the Stanley Cup. Don’t You meet this guy, you know, he’s got no teeth, crazy hair and this big make this be a pity party at all. You walk into your NHL career, your first backpack at all times, you know? You go, ‘What’s in the backpack.’ He year, ‘Boom’ you win the Stanley Cup. Your second year, your team is has things in the backpack – he’s ready for anything to come. If the world even better, you get upset in the first round against Washington. Your is ending in that day, what’s in that backpack, he’s ready to go. Whether third year is a lockout year, you play in Europe, you go to a Stanley Cup it’s cooking or hunting or anything. He’s such a good character, I really final again and lose to Chicago. I’m sitting there in my first three years, enjoy his company and being a teammate with him for a tournament. and I go, I won a Stanley Cup, I had an even better team and boom I’m in the Stanley Cup finals again. I’m like, ‘This is going to happen all the How did you find out about the trade from Boston to Dallas? time.’ That’s where I wish I just knew the grind. Even the leadership side. I was in, I think it’s called Osterville, around Cape Cod. It was July 4, I Or understanding the team side, how much more it is than just a piece of had all my closest friends with me. All my buddies, there was probably 20 metal. Everything that comes with it. of us, we were just hanging in the backyard on the beach. Where we I remember standing in the dressing room (after winning the Cup). … I were, we didn’t have good (phone) service, you couldn’t make a phone remember looking over and seeing Big Z (Zdeno Chara) and (Mark) call, you couldn’t really do anything. I heard rumors about me getting Recchi and they’re like these grown men that are so emotional. I traded around the draft. I remember watching the draft and just talking to remember looking over at them and I’m sitting here with the biggest my agent, he said, ‘Yeah, there’s rumors but Boston isn’t saying smile, I have the first cigar I’ve ever had. … And looking over and seeing anything.’ how emotional these men are. I knew how awesome it was to win the It’s July 4th, I’m not expecting anything, I’m with my closest friends, I Stanley Cup, I was so happy. But I didn’t have that feeling those grown remember one of my buddies said, ‘Hey, you have to check your phone, men had. I didn’t understand it. something is going on. People are asking, where’s Tyler?’ Some phones Now, sitting here in my 10th season, talking about maybe not even are working, some aren’t. I go inside, my phone is on the charger, I’ll playing the playoffs this year and having the Stanley Cup, I know that never forget this. I see probably maybe 40-50 messages. All of them say feeling. I understand more what the Stanley Cup is and how hard it is to “Dallas.” None of them really say traded or anything. They say Dallas. get there and the grind. Even if you have the great team, that one-off I’m sitting there … I have no idea. I don’t know a thing about Dallas. We playoff round or Tampa last year. There are so many things to it I didn’t just had a lockout year, we didn’t really play the West teams. I’d only understand my first year. been to Dallas once, it was in and out. I had to hop in a car and drive It’s all these things that drive me to win again. downtown from where I was, which was 15 minutes away to make a phone call. I get there and listen to voicemails, I talk to my agent, he said, Just imagine doing it now, and you’re standing next to a guy like Joe yeah, you’ve just been traded to the Dallas Stars. I get on the phone with Pavelski, who has been through some battles. Jim Nill. A couple minutes later, I drove back to Boston and I was gone Look, even our coach, Rick Bowness. There are so many special stories. within 24 hours to Toronto and the rest is history. I look at Twitter and see different players talk about their teams and how Last year, that Blues series was unreal. Were you sick when the Blues they have something special. I’m sitting here saying, I think we have won it all? What’s your emotion when you’re like, ‘We had that team on something, we have something even more special. That’s how I feel. the ropes?’ That’s why I’m here and it’s a big reason why I’m down to play this year in the playoffs. Whether it’s fans or no fans. There are so many It was something new this past offseason for sure … it usually takes me opportunities to get a chance at the Stanley Cup, so I’m all for playing a couple of rounds to watch the Stanley Cup playoffs … when you lose hockey this year. We play for the fans and hope there will be fans there the playoffs it’s hard to watch them. Knowing who won was a little harder to watch this offseason and knowing the games and where we were on home ice in Game 6. You just learn different things. Besides being in the finals, I’d never played against a team that went on to win it all and knowing that we were right there. That was definitely tougher. The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020

That Jamie Benn wrap-around …

I had front row seats, I was right there.

You can’t sit there and think about that. You can think about I scored one goal the game before, what if I scored two goals? There’s so many different elements. I’ll never forget, we were up two goals against Chicago when I’m in Boston, I walked down the right-hand wing and I hit the post. You can put this down to one thing or 100. It’s crazy what you can think about. You try not to go down that rabbit hole. There’s many chances we had.

Be honest, how much time do you need to prepare if they’re like, ‘We’re turning the lights on for this season?’

I’ll be ready, conditioning and off-ice and training, I’m ready to go. You do need time on the ice. You can’t train for the first couple weeks, the lungs, the cold throat, being on the ice again. You can rollerblade as much as you want … you need to get on the ice and go through those motions. We do need some kind of time. Is that a week if you’re a goalie? I don’t know. If you’re a player, you need a couple of weeks. Or three weeks. I don’t know. I’ve never been here before.

This notion that a team like the Senators or whoever are going to play three meaningless regular-season games doesn’t add up to me.

In one breath, you don’t feel bad because that team is not in a playoff position. In another, you feel bad because some players aren’t playing from March until November maybe? That’s a long time without hockey. This is making me think of the World Cup. We were able to skate and prepare for the World Cup, it was starting training camp in August in Ottawa. I was skating like crazy, and all these players in Canada are talking about it. We had an exhibition game against the U.S., we come back after the first period and it’s a playoff game. You can’t have an exhibition game against the U.S. It is Canada/U.S., this is a playoff game. We are all dying. We’re all cramping. Furnace face. You can’t prepare for a playoff game and expect to be amazing. That’s how I look at this year. We’re all going to be going in that first playoff game and it’s going to be tough.

It’s either going to be a playoffs where guys are getting hurt and it’s not that great. Or it’s going to be the best playoffs you’ve ever seen because guys are rested and you have teams that have guys who are injured. Look at Colorado and the guys they had banged up, everybody is back and ready to go. This is going to be an interesting playoff. I think this is going to be the hardest Stanley Cup to win. So we’ll see.

Drew Doughty said it doesn’t count as much so …

I saw that comment. I like Doughts and I think Doughty is a great guy, if he was sitting in the playoffs right now I’d like to see if he’d make that same comment.

(laughs) I think he even admitted that.

I hope he admitted that. I’m sure he was kidding around. I saw that too and was like, no way he’s dead serious about that too.

He’s another one who is the best.

He is. He’s funny. He’s just the best because he’s got no filter. He’s got something to say, he’ll say it. He’s an honest guy and I respect that about him.

You’ve always been the same way. A bit of a wild card. It’s kind of why I was surprised you re-upped in Dallas.

Yeah, I mean, I got to watch John Tavares … I knew those were the shoes you’re going to follow when I watched closely from behind closed doors. I just sat back on my couch in Dallas and said, am I happy here? Do I love this place? Dallas is just home to me. I was looking for that feeling ever since you leave Toronto when you’re 14 on a bus going to St. Mike’s or going to Michigan to play for the Plymouth Whalers, or going to Boston Bruins for a couple years winning the Cup. And now in Dallas, this just felt like home.

I didn’t want to play a couple of years and go somewhere else again. I wanted to ground my feet. I love Dallas, I love the city, I love the people, I have friends here. Toronto is where I grew up and where my family is. Dallas is home now. 1183343 Dallas Stars stress-free and pain-free (now), it’s fun and I missed it for sure. It’s something I did for so long, then you take it for granted until you can’t do it anymore. Something as little as riding a bike or going on a run.”

How gaming helped Stars’ Stephen Johns through both quarantines of Johns wanted to get better sooner. But he says the harder he worked, his life the worse he got. It was an emotional roller coaster where, for the first time in his life, he dealt with depression and anxiety.

By Sean Shapiro Apr 23, 2020 3 Johns leaned on heavily on his girlfriend Taylor Zakarin during his recovery. No one truly understood his situation, but she sympathized in a way no one else could.

Stephen Johns has been spending much of the last month of quarantine “At certain points, there was no one else I could turn to because I didn’t trying to stay out of the virtual gulag. want to. Because there was no one else that could really understand what I was going through,” Johns said. “To be able to lean on her – and I That’s where you go in Call of Duty: Warzone if you die in the first-person did every day, and I still do because I still have some of my bad days – shooter. It’s a one-on-one showdown to stay in the game, with the victor she’s obviously been a huge impact on my life and a big reason I was returning to the battle. able to come back this year. Without her, honestly, I don’t know where I’d Johns posted a highlight of a gulag success on his Instagram story on be.” Tuesday morning. A week earlier, fans watched online as Johns and When Johns says “bad days” now, he’s not referring to physical issues, Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson dropped in for a game with the but to the stress that comes up when thinking or worrying about what Dallas Empire esports team. He’s also live-streamed with OpticGaming, happened. a Los Angeles-based esports team. “It’s from the depression and anxiety and all the other side effects that At a time like this, video games and esports have become valuable you can’t really explain. Things I didn’t really think were realistic feelings pastimes for many people. They provide a sense of virtual normalcy in a before this whole situation,” Johns said. “Before this, I really didn’t reality run astray. understand depression and anxiety and all that stuff. Now, I have a real For Johns, it’s that and so much more. It’s a reminder of his first grasp on it. I really can sympathize with people who go through similar quarantine, the time he was forced to distance himself from the world as things and go through tough situations. It changed my life. And, he battled to understand what was going on inside his own head. Video obviously, for a long (time), it wasn’t for the better. But looking back on it games, like the gulag in a virtual battle royale, helped Johns bide his time now, it opened my eyes up to how good life is and how bad life can be.” to recovery and a second chance at an NHL career. There were other support groups during his first quarantine. Some are Johns still isn’t ready to share the full story or the finer details about the conventional – namely, his family, whom Johns is close with injury that cost him a season and a half during the prime of his career. But the 28-year-old also found key anonymous support in the gaming He’s willing to fill some of the holes at this time, but he’s not ready to world, even if those helping him had no idea they were doing it while divulge exactly what happened after he arrived at training camp in 2018 teaming up in PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. supposedly healthy, only to then not play in the NHL again until Jan. 18, “It was very helpful and escaping reality in some way, I guess, (when I 2020. Detailing the doctors’ visits and frustrating attempts to figure out was injured),” Johns said. “It helped with a little eye-hand coordination. what was going on is Johns’ story to tell when the time is right for him. Some doctors talked highly of how video games can help re-train the Throughout his absence, Johns’ ailment was referred to by Stars brain in moderation. But I really think that was a good escape, and it was coaches and management as post-traumatic headaches. While he kind of the only thing I had to lean on to get away from reality and get out doesn’t dispute that assessment, Johns uses the term “post-concussion of my head. syndrome” after meeting with what he describes as “countless” doctors. “Through my injury, I really didn’t have a lot of my friends to play with so I “Every doctor pretty much said that, and that’s a whole different story for just played with a lot of random people and met a lot of random people in another time. But they all said I had post-concussion syndrome. But who the gaming world. They didn’t know a thing about me; they didn’t know I knows?” Johns said. “That’s a story for someday.” played hockey. But there is a certain bond when you play over time. You spend hours playing together just talking about the video game.” There’s a sense of frustration and relief in Johns’ voice with the word “someday.” There’s still an unknown – a part of his situation he still needs Video games have been a staple for Johns since he played college to process. But he’s also reached a point of comfort that he’s in the next hockey at Notre Dame. At the time, it was a bonding activity with other step of his life. It’s a step where he’s proven that he could return to the teammates. Since then, it’s evolved into an outlet to build new NHL and play at a similar level, if not better than his performance before relationships. He met one of his closest current friends online playing injury. Xbox. Each summer, the friend visits Johns’ house in Pennsylvania, where they golf, hang out and, of course, play video games. After returning to the Stars lineup against the Minnesota Wild in January, an emotional day when he fought back tears on a snowy day in St. Paul, “He usually comes for a week,” Johns said. “It’s pretty funny, but it’s also Johns grew from a question mark to an exclamation point for Dallas. He really cool to see how gaming can connect people.” helped solidify the Stars’ defensive top four, and his minutes were scaled Johns doesn’t have many gaming connections in the hockey world. He up as the long-term plan of him skating with Miro Heiskanen was finally said the only NHL player he frequently plays with is Calgary Flames realized 18 months after the Stars first dreamed of that situation. forward Austin Czarnik. Another less frequent partner is Stars And then the NHL shut down on March 13, a day after the NBA shuttered defenseman Jamie Oleksiak. Johns brings his Xbox when the team is on operations following Rudy Gorbert’s positive COVID-19 test. The world the road, which makes him an outlier on a team without many gamers. adjusted to a new normal. Meanwhile, Johns felt the eerie similarities to Johns said doesn’t watch cable; if he has control of the TV, he’s typically his first quarantine. watching Twitch “until Taylor really wants to watch something else.”

“It’s definitely uncharted territory for everyone at this point,” Johns said. Johns eventually wants to take a deeper dive into esports and gaming. “But for me, personally, I kind of self-quarantined for a year and a half. I He’s not sure of the path or what that would entail, but it’s an industry really couldn’t go to movie theaters or restaurants because of the noise. that he’d like to explore both during and after his NHL career. He jokes So I’m kind of used to this. Which is kind of weird. So everyone is getting about being a player before quickly admitting “I’m not good enough.” a little taste of what I went through. Everyone is going crazy, and at least More realistically, it’s something behind the scenes. this time, someone is telling me I can’t do something and it’s not my “It’s a new thing in this world with the whole esports and video games body.” being mainstream,” he says. “I think there are going to be a lot of Having a working body is something Johns said he’ll never take for opportunities in the future here with different roles and different jobs that granted again. come out with it. I want to be part of that somehow.”

“For so long there, when I kind of got my heart rate up to a certain level, Johns admits he doesn’t know anything about the technical side, but my body would just shut down,” Johns said. “Just being able to work out would enjoy finding a way to work with game developers and share some ideas. If not, team ownership isn’t out of the realm of possibility, and he wouldn’t be the first pro athlete to jump into esports ownership. It’s more common in the NBA, though; Johns would be one of the first hockey players to really dive into the virtual world if he eventually goes that route.

For now, getting involved means building relationships in the gaming world, something he’s spent more time doing virtually during this quarantine. He connected with OpticGaming through a mutual friend, while his appearance with the Dallas Empire was facilitated by the Stars when the esports team reached out to the NHL franchise.

“I’m just dipping my toes into the water, still,” Johns said. “I’m trying to meet as many people as I can in that area.”

It’s a welcome change from what the activity meant to him just one year ago. Instead of giving him solace during a lonely period in his life, video games are helping Stephen Johns venture outward once again.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183344 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings mock draft: Steve Yzerman looks to Germany again

Helene St. James, Detroit Free PressPublished 1:23 p.m. ET April 23, 2020 | Updated 1:23 p.m. ET April 23, 2020

In this mock draft, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman adds another German to the rebuild.

The Wings ensured a last-place finish March 10, two days before the NHL hit pause on the 2019-20 season because of COVID-19. As the draft lottery format currently stands, that gives the Wings an 18.5% chance of selecting first overall, and guarantees they’ll pick no worse than fourth overall.

The 2020 NHL draft has been postponed from its scheduled date of June 26-27 in Montreal because of the pandemic. Forward Alexis Lafreniere is regarded as the consensus first overall pick.

In this exercise, we give the Wings the second pick. And Yzerman dips into the Deutsche Eishockey Liga for a second straight year to select left wing Tim Stützle of Adler Mannheim. Stützle was ranked the top international skater in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau final rankings.

Yzerman drafted Mannheim defenseman Moritz Seider at sixth overall in 2019.

Stützle, listed as 6-foot-1, 187 pounds, tallied seven goals and 27 assists in 41 games this season. He was named Rookie of the Year in Germany’s top league.

“Stützle is a smart, creative, playmaking forward,” Goran Stubb, Director of NHL Central Scouting’s European Services, told NHL.com. “He has an exceptional combination of skating and puck skills that are at an elite level and he’s capable of making precision plays at top speed with a wicked finishing shot.”

Stützle turned heads at the World Junior Championships, drawing comparisons to Chicago’s Patrick Kane for his mobility and creativity. In five games at the event, Stützle had five assists and averaged 18:43 in playing time.

Yzerman surprised hockey pundits – and Seider – when he selected Seider last year, as the 6-foot-4, 207-pound defender last June. Seider had been forecast to go somewhere in the teens

Stützle, who was born Jan. 15, 2002, could be a good fit for the Wings. He is regarded as one of the best skaters in the draft. He has great acceleration, and can change on the fly. He isn’t afraid to challenge defenders, but also has the agility to simply go around them. He has great vision, and a willingness to go to the net – and if that doesn’t work, he’ll find a teammate and set up a scoring opportunity. Stützle mostly has played left wing, but his skill set means he could transition to center over time, especially as he gains more strength.

In 2018-19, Stützle tallied 23 goals and 32 assists in 21 games with Mannheim’s U20 squad, plus four goals and seven assists in five playoff games, helping his team to the DNL Championship.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183345 Detroit Red Wings

Anthony Mantha, Madison Bowey to represent Red Wings in NHL Player Gaming Challenge

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit NewsPublished 1:06 p.m. ET April 23, 2020

Detroit – Anthony Mantha and Madison Bowey are going to test their video game skills.

They will represent the Detroit Red Wings as part of the NHL Player Gaming Challenge, which will feature all 31 teams.

Over the course of the next four weeks, starting April 30, each team will be represented by one or two players and will go head-to-head against another team.

Weekly matchups, storylines and broadcast details will be revealed at the beginning of each week.

The NHL Foundation and Electronic Arts will donate a combined $100,000 in support of the CDC Foundation’s COVID-19 relief efforts.

Other players taking part include Farmington Hills native Alex DeBrincat (Chicago), Tyler Johnson (Tampa Bay), Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa) and Matthew Tkachuk (Calgary).

Detroit News LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183346 Edmonton Oilers They’ve re-signed Nygard to a one-year deal for $875,000 and Haas, if he returns, would likely be in the same salary range.

“When I came over, everything was new and at the end I almost played Edmonton Oilers' Gaetan Haas waiting out COVID-19 in Switzerland 60 games,” he said. “That was a positive for me, a great experience. When you are a hockey player, you want to play more and more and more. That’s the attitude I have. I did my job but I’m pretty sure I can help with more offence.” Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal He played an average of 9:41 a game, about half what he would have

played in Switzerland. Next Monday, Edmonton Oilers centre Gaetan Haas can go out to get a “That was pretty hard but I’ve always taken my career step-by-step. I had haircut, buy some flowers, get a tattoo or buy some garden shears with the same (starting out) in the Swiss League, then I played more and the Swiss government ending the five-week COVID-19 lockdown in the more. Now I’m starting at the beginning in another league,” he said. “My first of three phases. goal is to sign again with the Oilers. I have a contract still with Bern, Will he get some roses for his mom or girlfriend, Aurelie? though, so it’s not a big problem. I’m not worried. With everything that happened this season, coming over at 27, that was a bonus. Does he need to sit in a chair while somebody leans over him to cut his hair? “For sure, I want to stay with the Oilers. You want to play against the best players in the world.” “Right now, you don’t get to the market and all the restaurants are still closed, like in Canada you should have social distancing, just be careful,” Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.24.2020 said said the first year Oilers forward, who returned to his country a week ago after spending the first month here when the NHL paused its season March 12.

“When they open the first things on the 27th, they will see how everything reacts. I’m not sure how cutting hair will work but they will have to wear a mask and gloves. I would feel safe if everybody has a mask and gloves on, not a lot of stuff can happen, but you have to change the mask and gloves every time.”

In Switzerland, a country with 8.5 million citizens, they have had 28,207 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,526 deaths. By comparison, Canada with a population of 37.5 million, has 40,824 confirmed cases and 2,028 deaths.

While non-essential places are reopening next week, schools remained closed until May 11, and libraries, museums and zoos could be back in business on June 8. When restaurants, bars and fitness places open again remains up in the air.

Haas was one of the last Oilers to return to Europe.

“I felt if everybody else was going home, I could go too,” he said of teammates Oscar Klefbom, Joakim Nygard and Adam Larsson, of Sweden. “I don’t think we have to worry about getting back (to Edmonton).”

Haas has no idea when or if he’ll get any ice back home to skate during the NHL stoppage, but he’s got his rollerblades.

“I can do in-line skating,” he said. “I do a lot of that in the summer. I started to play hockey that way. In-line skating at least gives you some practise.”

Haas, 28, was very interested to see his Bern team hire Florence Schelling, the first woman general manager of a professional top-tier men’s team. Bern, the best drawing team in Europe averaging 16,290 fans per game, is where Roman Josi and Nico Hischier once played.

Schelling, the 2014 Olympic MVP, went to Northeastern University in Boston and was a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier award as top collegiate player in 2012.

“That was a surprise for me, maybe for the entire hockey world, but she has a lot of experience with the national team in Switzerland and she has what you need for the job. It’s great that a woman has this job,” said Haas, who spent two years with Bern and still has a contract with that team but had an out clause to come play with Oilers.

But he doesn’t have a new NHL deal yet.

Haas’s girlfriend, who works in human resources, played goal growing up and in junior, but not at the same calibre as Schelling.

“She doesn’t know Florence personally but certainly the name,” Haas said.

The Oilers are mulling over whether to bring back Haas as a bottom-six forward. They like his speed, his defensive ability, how he adapted to a new league and a smaller rink, and he drew lots of penalties in his 58 games but he only had 10 points (five goals). They feel he has to get stronger in one-on-one battles but he got better as the season wore on. 1183347 Edmonton Oilers While the focus appears to be on four cities, Bettman suggested that’s not necessary.

“Maybe it’ll be two cities. It’s not something that we can predict right at JONES: Edmonton a sure bet if NHL resumes in certain venues this moment. The particular location could be anywhere that isn’t a hot spot and has what we need.”

Edmonton, you would have to figure, would rank No. 1 on the list, Terry Jones regardless. And I don’t think it would be a huge stretch to suggest if NHL games are going to be played this summer, you could expect them to be

played here. It is waaaaaay too premature. But the idea makes so much sense it has Obviously, the NHL Players Association would have to sign off on it, found credibility and momentum. although that would be expected. The league and the players have never Again, it’s a big ‘if’. But IF the NHL could receive clearance by health walked arm in arm like they are right now. authorities to hold games with no fans in the stands sometime in, say, A lot of other things would have to happen for the league to play their late July or early August, Edmonton, has emerged as the leading locale. remaining 189 regular season games. When the NHL paused, If there were to be a site selected to gather teams from each division to Vancouver had 13 games remaining, Calgary, Arizona, Los Angeles and quarantine themselves and have three games a day, Edmonton, Saint San Jose 12 with Vegas, Anaheim and Edmonton had 11 each to play. Paul, Minn., and Raleigh, N.C., have been projected as the most likely You’d figure they’d rewrite the schedule to feature all divisional match- division game host cities, with an Atlantic Division site to be determined. ups. The Oilers have four games remaining against Eastern Conference Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet broke the story the NHL has moved away teams, including Philadelphia, Washington, Ottawa and the New York from any previous concepts of neutral site locations such as North Islanders. They also have one versus Central Division Colorado. The Dakota, and are now looking at a single NHL city per division and playing rest, two against Anaheim and one each against Vegas, San Jose and as many as three games a day to complete the remainder of each team’s Calgary are divisional dates. 82-game schedule. Also involved are determining before or after dates of the NHL Draft Again, it’s waaaaay to premature, especially with COVID-19 numbers still Lottery, NHL Awards and NHL Entry Draft. escalating, but with such a concept Edmonton appears to be the potential Again, waaaaaaaay too premature. But for what it’s worth, BetOnline host with the most, including: produced odds Wednesday on the proposition of: Will the next NHL • A state of the art NHL building with the No. 2 ranked ice surface in the game be played August 1 or sooner? Yes: 1-to-2. No: 3-to-2. league and more than adequate number of dressing rooms. Rogers Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.24.2020 Place even had a trial run two years ago in August with the Hlinka- Gretzky U-18 eight-nation event held here.

• The J.W. Marriott hotel located across a short pedway bridge to the arena is perfect to keep players in a first-class quarantined environment.

• An excellent practice facility is located within the Rogers Place complex to accommodate teams not scheduled to play that day.

• And Edmonton, at least to this point, has done an exceptional job at self-isolating and social distancing to keep the COVID-19 numbers to a level most other NHL cities would certainly envy.

One sound bite that keeps bouncing around my brain came from Oilers president Bob Nicholson during a recent conference call in reference to the expected cancellation of Hlinka-Gretzky II, scheduled for Aug. 5-10.

“Everyone would like to see the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament happen but in fairness, I’d rather see the Edmonton Oilers in the playoffs in the month of August. Those are things we’re working through at the present time,” said Nicholson.

The concept got more legs Wednesday when Premier Jason Kenney admitted he received a call from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman about the situation here.

Kenny said he had a general discussion with Bettman but no formal proposal about playing games here.

Alberta’s chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw said any proposal from the NHL would have to line up with public health requirements.

Bettman gave it even more legs Wednesday evening when he confirmed Friedman’s report that neutral site gatherings of teams has now been totally discarded in an interview with Ron MacLean on his new Sportsnet pandemic programming segment, In Conversation.

“We can’t play in a small college rink in the middle of a smaller community because NHL arenas are best equipped to handle its needs if it decides to centralize games. We need the back of the house that NHL arenas provide, whether it’s multiple locker rooms, the technology, the procedures, the video replay, the broadcasting facilities …”

Bettman also discussed making a location like Edmonton (although he never mentioned a specific city) a hub city and gave the concept further credibility.

He said the NHL would need four-NHL calibre locker-rooms in each arena because if it plays three games per day in one arena, it would need to use appropriate sanitizing procedures as teams move in and out. 1183348 Edmonton Oilers Lavoie at even strength in his draft year: 62 games, 24-28-52 (.839 points per game)

The truth is that prospects who play major power-play minutes are also Lowetide: Mavrik Bourque a quality option for the Oilers in the draft more likely to play those same minutes in pro hockey, and both men will no doubt have their opportunities once they turn pro.

Comparing Bourque to his fellow draft-eligible forwards from the QMJHL By Allan Mitchell Apr 23, 2020 14 this season gives us a fascinating view.

Bourque and Dawson Mercer marched in lockstep this season, trailing Alexis Lafreniere, the consensus No. 1, by some distance. Let’s have a There was a time when the Edmonton Oilers avoided the QMJHL in a big look at each man’s even-strength scoring numbers: way. Ken Holland and the Oilers chose Rafael Lavoie in 2019’s second round, but Peter Chiarelli drafted no skaters from the league in his time Lafreniere at even strength in his draft year: 52 games, 30-40-70 (1.35 as Oilers general manager from 2015-18. Previous to Lavoie, the last points per game) QMJHL forward drafted in the top 50 by Edmonton was Marc Pouliot in 2003. Bourque at even strength in his draft year: 49 games, 25-20-45 (.918 points per game) Lavoie’s selection perhaps signals a new day for Edmonton in regard to the QMJHL and the change in direction might be timely for the Oilers. Mercer at even strength in his draft year: 42 games, 16-18-34 (.810 The big forward delivered impressive point totals in his draft year, points per game) improved on them in the year that followed and is in a prime position to Bourque and Mercer look similar based on the boxcar numbers, but Bob enter pro hockey this fall with the Bakersfield Condors. McKenzie’s midseason rankings for TSN had Mercer No. 13 and Edmonton is in a tough spot at the 2020 draft, needing a skill forward Bourque No. 28. while drafting well outside the top 10, where all the elite talents are Why? Size, skating, saw him good, there could be multiple reasons. chosen. We don’t know when the Oilers will pick in the first round yet, but Bourque missed some games this season, so there’s likely some worry a good guess would have Holland at the podium between picks No. 20- about his durability. 25. In order to get a quality offensive prospect at that number, the team will need to be creative. What does it all mean?

Enter Mavrik Bourque. For Edmonton, drafting later in the first round, looking for a “moneypuck” market inefficiency will be key. The things that Bourque can do (be the The player best player on his line while also impacting the offence in a positive way) He is a highly skilled centre for a team that is crawling from the make him an attractive option at No. 20 or later. wreckage. As a 16-year-old rookie in 2018-19, Bourque was the second- He played on a team that didn’t give him a lot of help, elevating linemates leading scorer (25-29-54 in 64 games) on a team with 49 losses. Oilers and scoring at impressive levels. Bourque’s talent is not in question. He fans might remember Pouliot having a similar experience in the same delivered beyond expectations. His vision, playmaking ability and league in 2002-03. impressive ability to score goals make him dangerous and unpredictable Bourque’s numbers this season saw great improvement, as he emerged on every rush. Edmonton fans will love his passing prowess, his as an impact offensive player (29-42-71 in 49 games) while his team lost consistent ability to find an open man with barely a sliver of daylight. only 32 games. Impressive improvement, driven by a draft eligible If Edmonton picks at No. 20, my guess is one goalie and at least four prospect. defencemen will already be off the board. Take out the four OHL He is a nifty playmaker. In his midseason ranking of the draft’s top forwards sure to be gone (Quinton Byfield, Marco Rossi, Cole Perfetti, players for The Athletic, Scott Wheeler called him “a one-man creator Jack Quinn), plus Swedes Alexander Holtz and Lucas Raymond, who uses little fakes and cuts to create for himself or give the puck to his German pivot Tim Stutzle and Finn Anton Lundell and we’re at a baker’s teammates in open ice. He’s one of the craftier players in junior hockey dozen. right now.” I believe Bourque’s name enters the conversation around that time. It’s At 5-foot-11 and 171 pounds, Bourque is a smallish forward, and entering likely more than one NHL team is going to give him a first-round grade. the season, HockeyProspect.com evaluated Bourque as “a decent skater The Oilers will do well to grab him if he remains available when the team who demonstrates good quickness in tight, but will need to improve his is called to the podium on draft day. acceleration and top speed.” The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 Based on his performance at the top prospect game, along with my scouting sources, I’m going to suggest Bourque’s speed won’t be an issue for most teams in assessing him in the draft. The numbers and his scoring dominance on his own team (he finished tied for first despite missing 14 games) suggest he is a top-flight prospect, a first-round talent.

The numbers

Let’s start by comparing Bourque to someone we know, Raphael Lavoie, who was born Sept. 25, 2000, and turned 18 very early in his draft season. Bourque’s 18th birthday was in January, meaning he is about 100 days younger than Lavoie in draft-day eligibility. It isn’t a massive gap but development time is a big deal for players his age. Here are the numbers, including all disciplines, in each player’s draft year:

He is younger and posted superior numbers. Good signs. Bourque played for a challenged team, meaning he likely received a push offensively. That would involve extra ice time in all areas and his power- play numbers (4-21-25 in 49 games) are substantial. Lavoie, as an example, posted 7-13-20 with the man advantage in 62 games during his draft year. That impacts the overall numbers.

Bourque at even strength in his draft year: 49 games, 25-20-45 (.918 points per game) 1183349 Los Angeles Kings That’s one of the main concerns and the possibility of different trades around the draft — how would that be affected and handled. Those are the complications for a draft (in June).

Q&A: Rob Blake on ‘staying in touch’ with the Kings and sticking to ‘the If it is later, how much more difficult is it for the scouts since they are that plan’ much more removed from live viewings?

For some of these kids and some of their teams, they were a few weeks away from playoffs. Or if they weren’t in the playoffs, you probably By Lisa Dillman Apr 23, 2020 2 weren’t going to get many live viewings anyway. The U18 tournament in Michigan was a big one because a lot of the high-end prospects would

have been competing against each other. It’s a good finish to the work Rob Blake’s home life and professional life are coexisting under one roof, you’ve done. They’ll miss out on that part of it. the same way it is for most of his staff. But what this has done is open the door to dive into video and break it The Kings’ general manager has a set routine during the NHL’s hiatus, down. Their work has already been supplemented by a majority of live starting at 9 a.m. with virtual meetings, via a Microsoft platform, with views. members of the hockey operations staff — executive vice president Jeff There was a video call with , Tyler Madden and Cole Hults, Solomon, director of player development Glen Murray and director of and they mentioned an earlier call today that they had with you and player personnel Nelson Emerson. several other prospects. What was the general purpose of the call? Another member of the household has his video conference session on We’ve looked at breaking the team into different sections and staying in Zoom at right about the same time — young Max Blake. touch. Obviously, we’re staying in touch with Kings players on weekly “My son’s Grade 2 class is every day at 9. There’s a bunch of kids updates when we get them from the league. Both the league and the screaming for a little bit … until everybody hits the mute,” Rob Blake said (NHL Players Association) have been terrific in keeping everybody up to with a laugh. speed.

There are more meetings with director of amateur scouting Mark Yannetti With the eight players, I call them new signings, but some of them — and his staff, as well as other conferences with coach Todd McLellan and (Samuel) Fagemo or (Jacob) Moverare were already signed and playing his assistants. in Europe. We talked with them today just to give them an update on what is happening with the league and hopefully be able to put “Enough to keep you busy. It’s more of a routine and takes you to mid- something in place for different types of camps as the summer goes on afternoon,” Blake said. “The contact with other departments is more or the year goes on. intense during this because I think you have more time. You’re not at the rink where you get interrupted whether it’s a practice or something else. Did the NCAA stoppage have any impact on the decision by Madden and You make the best of what you can.” Hults to turn professional?

His two older children, Jack and Brooke, are in their senior and junior I would say the majority of kids in college, by Christmas, they kind of years in high school, respectively, and are also completing their studies knew what they’re going to be doing. With Cole Hults, we met with him online. At night, like with most of us, there is Netflix viewing. last summer and discussed going back for another year (at Penn State) with the whole focus on eventually turning pro. You understand their And … parameters and what they want to accomplish but also knowing that their ultimate goal is turning pro eventually. “We started with puzzles, but that ran its course pretty quick,” Blake said. Where do you stand with Arthur Kaliyev? In an interview on Thursday with The Athletic, Blake spoke about what he has been doing during this pause in the NHL schedule, provided updates We’ve been in discussions with Artie. I don’t know if there’s pressure to on some of the prospects (including Finnish forward Rasmus Kupari, who get this in place, but he’s another very important prospect for us with his is recovering from knee surgery) and draft preparations. He also talked scoring ability. His options are more limited next year by turning pro; it is about whether the Kings might deviate from The Plan. either the NHL or going back to junior. It’s not as much a pressing issue as it would have been with the college kids that had to get signed right Have you started exit meetings with your players? I know at least one away. non-playoff team, the Anaheim Ducks, have started that process. How is Rasmus Kupari progressing? I haven’t done them with players. We’ve gone over the protocol with the coaching staff. I wouldn’t consider it an exit meeting but more of a review He was able to travel home to Finland about two weeks into the pause. of the season. We’ve done individual players with both staffs. Now we’re He was rehabbing with John Meyer’s group at our rink and was getting going to get into systems next week with the coaches. full motion back. We were comfortable letting him go home and continue rehab for a period of time before coming back. Listen, it’s a tough injury. They’ve had their time to prepare. So next week we’ll block off a week for But rehab-wise, he’s on track and doing well. system reviews with Todd and his staff. The Kings could be well-positioned to take advantage of potential Where do you stand on having the NHL Draft sooner than later, even bargains on the free-agent market. Could there be a shift in your before a possible resumption of the regular season in July? philosophy to take advantage of a buying opportunity? Whatever they decide. Do you do it in June or after the season concludes The landscape is a little unknown with the salary-cap projections. But if there is a season? The league is good at weighing all the differences you’re in a position where you have some flexibility. I think our big cap and complications with each (scenario) and ends up choosing the one year is a year from now. We’ve been able to work the roster enough this with the least complications. year to allow for some flexibility, not thinking a situation like this would Believe me, none of them are going to be perfect. We’ve taken the ever occur. At least you are in the situation where, depending on how the approach of whatever it is, we will deal with it. Mark’s staff is really good. landscape looks, you may be able to look at some things. What they (the scouts) have missed out on are the final views of the We don’t have to deviate from our plan because of this. Signing the U18s or some of the playoff series. A lot of the live views had taken place Turcottes … that was in place, regardless. We’ve been able to stick to already by majority of staff. The trips to Europe by the majority of staff the plan and get these guys signed. Ownership has been good in have taken place. We’ll supplement some of that with video going allowing us to pursue business as usual for now. forward. The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 I’ve told Mark all along, “Just be prepared for June or later in the year.” There will be issues for every team and different issues.

One of those issues for the Kings is conditional draft picks in this upcoming draft. 1183350 Los Angeles Kings Faust: “I get the sense that this is similar for you, Alex?” Turcotte: “Yeah, I mean, I love my parents, but sometimes, it’s just – oh,

my God. Obviously, no one can work, so they’re not working and I’m PROSPECT CALL NOTES, QUOTES WITH RECENTLY SIGNED home all day. And I’m usually not used to being home all day. It’s kind of TURCOTTE, MADDEN, HULTS funny, though. I think I’m going to look back at it and say that I got to spend some time with them.”

— I feel for high school seniors deprived of an opportunity to graduate/be JON ROSENAPRIL 23, 20200 COMMENTSPROSPECTS AND second semester seniors/to play spring sports. I would’ve had a SCOUTING breakdown had I not played varsity baseball senior year, and this was for a team whose league’s baserunning rules specified a dead ball should a

player’s yarmulke fall off. So I can’t even begin to imagine how Hults felt Centers Alex Turcotte and Tyler Madden and defenseman Cole Hults as a top defenseman on the seventh-best team in the NCAA’s pairwise joined LA Kings Television Play by Play Announcer in a Zoom rankings when the remainder of the season was canceled, ending a shot video conference at noon Thursday, marking the first time all three at an NCAA championship. fielded questions since they’d signed with Los Angeles. For Madden, it There’s some solace that the Nittany Lions were regular season champs. was his first extended media session since he was sent to Los Angeles in “At our ending meetings, we were told we were going to get a ring, so I the trade. Let’s get down to brass tacks. think that helped a little bit. A little bit bittersweet, still, but that definitely Notes! (Quotes below) helped,” Hults said.

— Stick taps to host Alex Faust, who did an outstanding job as the — One final bit. Lots of good quotes below. There was actually a group moderator. It’s not always easy interviewing multiple subjects, let alone call Thursday morning between the prospects that are going pro next those narrowly on both sides of 20. Appropriate time was spent with all year – Turcotte mentioned there were eight total on the call – and three well-spoken players whose personalities were revealed. Faust also General Manager Rob Blake. It was important to continue to put faces also opened the call by expressing how he was looking forward to a and names together and was “nice to know you’re not alone and we’re “more regular welcome” once professional sports start up again. Good, going to have that big young group going in next year,” Hults said. classy open. Alex Turcotte, on playing against Cole Hults and Penn State in the Big — One quick takeaway was that Cole Hults looked built, more so than Ten: before. He thicc: Obviously we played each other a lot. They whooped us more times than Was noticing the same thing. Like Cole Hults could kill a dude we did to them, so they were pretty tough games. They’re the best team https://t.co/wbrVYYx4LM in the Big Ten. Just playing against them, it was challenging, but it was a lot of fun, too. They were a really offensive team, they were running and — Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) April 23, 2020 gunning, and we were kind of the same way. I wouldn’t say there was as much defense being played, but it was a lot of fun. Just playing in the Big Hults already had a good frame when he entered Penn State as a 19- Ten, it was an eye opener for me, just because all the teams that are in year-old freshman; he looks like a pro now. It was easy to see that he’s there, everyone’s pretty good and any given night you don’t know who’s been putting in the work as advertised – as one would expect from a going to win. [Cole Hults: Yeah, it was great. Wisconsin and Penn State player who put in three years at an NCAA program. always kind ofhad that rivalry, too – they won the tournament the year One fitness benefit is that he’s close with fellow Madison native Ryan before I came in, so they’ve always kind of had that rivalry. I’m from Suter, who owns the Madison Capitols franchise Hults played for in the Madison, too, so it’s always cool coming back and playing those guys. USHL. (His general manager and coach in Madison was Garrett Suter, Obviously, getting the best of them was pretty cool.] Ryan’s brother.) Hults and a friend have been going over to Suter’s Turcotte, on signing his NHL contract the final day before the coronavirus weight room to work out and get out of the house five days a week during shut down the NHL: quarantine. “Obviously, being from Madison, I grew up around the Suters, so I’ve watched a lot of the Wild and when Ryan was in Nashville. It was pretty ridiculous. I remember I was on the way to LA, and I had the I watched a lot of his game and what he does – I look at him as a mentor WiFi on my phone. I was on Twitter and they canceled the NBA season, to me, so I think I watch him more than anybody else and learn from and I kind of had a bad feeling about with the direction the NHL was him.” going to go with, and the AHL, obviously. So, it was a pretty weird first day, and then the next day I went to the rink and I kind of met some of — It was interesting to hear how the players were getting in their needed the guys, but at that point everyone was cleared out. They were taking work with gyms and rinks currently closed. For Turcotte, it was as if he protocol and stuff, being safe, so it was really weird, but it’s something was 14 years old, practicing in the cul-de-sac again. “Yeah, I’ve got some I’m going to remember forever, for sure. Bauer Rollerblades. They’re pretty nice,” he said. “Going in my driveway, I usually just go out there, roam around and rip pucks. It’s the closest Turcotte, on getting to know Toby Bjornfot at development camp: thing I can do to playing hockey. There are no rinks open here, so hopefully when those open up, obviously I’ll be skating, but it’s kind of the Yeah, dev camp was awesome. That’s when you get to meet all the new best I’ve got right now.” guys and all the guys that are going through the same process as you. It’s where I met Cole and a bunch of other people, and you meet the Madden broke a finger in the game immediately following Northeastern’s development staff too and get on the ice with them and learn. I think that Beanpot championship, ending a tremendous 18-game, 14-goal, 30-point was a lot of fun, and then with Toby, I played against him those two years run. He’s itching to get back out on the ice – as one would expect from in international tournaments. He was always on Sweden. We got drafted the kin of former character forward , who earned a together, so I met him at the draft and I took him to Chipotle right when reputation as someone hard-nosed and difficult to play against. we got to L.A. And I know a lot of people are giving it to me because there’s probably better Mexican food down there. I’m from the Midwest, Even John Madden’s car suggestions were apparently grating. Though so that’s all we’ve got here. And he loved it, so there’s no complaints. Tyler hasn’t yet been to California, he understands he needs to buy a car. “My dad’s been in my ear, don’t get this don’t get that,” Tyler Madden Tyler Madden, on how he found out his rights were traded to Los joked. “It’s been a fun conversation in the Madden household for a while Angeles: now.” It was weird. I was actually in my dorm room playing Xbox, and one of It brought up a conversation about dads during the quarantine. [inaudible] with Vancouver asked me if I’d heard, and I didn’t really know what he was talking about or anything. He told me and it started breaking Madden: “I mean, I like my dad a lot, but being in the same household a little bit, and I had a couple calls from Rob Blake and everybody from with him for a long time-“ the LA Kings side. But, yeah, it was definitely weird. It kind of surprised Turcotte: “Oh, dude, brutal-” me a little bit, but I was excited for the most part to join such a great organization. Madden: “A lot of competitions and stuff between us just to pass the time. Whatever we can do to stay busy.” Tyler Madden, on taking stock of training camp positional battles: Yeah – it’s kind of a good thing, though, at the same time, because you know you’re going to be surrounded by great players that make you better. That’s one thing, but for sure, everybody’s going to come in ready to play, everybody wants a spot on the big team. It’s just going to be one of those things for whoever wants it more at that time, and obviously everybody’s got the skill and there are a lot of young players, but it’s exciting, for sure, I think is the biggest thing for me. [Alex Turcotte: I think adding on to that, we’re all going to be competing against each other but that’ll make us all better players. In the long run, at least, it’ll make us a lot better, and that’s how we can build friendships and become buddies. I think all of it’s going to be great. Yeah, there’s a lot of competition, but we’re going to be friends, too, and it’ll only make us better.]

Cole Hults, on his low-maintenance reputation:

The last few years my game’s only gotten better in what I do well. I think going into school, I always had the simple mindset of wanting to get the pucks to the forwards. My brother always told me when I was younger I can make a great first pass – I’m Bobby Orr to him – so that’s my motto since I was like 16 when he told me that. It just kind of accumulated over the years. I like to play a simple game, I want to get pucks to guys like Madden and Turcotte, and it just worked out well. I like to compare my game to Ryan Suter’s. He’s a low-maintenance guy, obviously super- effective at what he does, but not too flashy, he won’t stand out. But he’s really good at what he does.

Hults, on continuing his education:

I’m a junior, so I’m finishing school, obviously. Only one year left. I’ll probably take some classes in the summer as well and probably keep chipping away at it because I’m pretty close here now. I’m aa big gamer, actually. I play a lot of video games. It kind of just kills a lot of time. Our whole team – it’s kind of a good way for us to catch up and shoot the shop online and stay on touch with each other, too. [Alex Faust: What’s your favorite?] Oh, Call of Duty is the big thing right now. We usually get together every other night and play that. [Tyler Madden: I think I’m right there with him. Call of Duty to pass the time is definitely a big hobby of mine, and just like he said – just to be able to play with guys that I went to school with last year, it’s nice to keep in touch with them. Hobby-wise, I’ve been taking a lot of walks, and also we’ve been a big puzzle family, but I guess you can’t get any more puzzles anywhere, they’re all sold out. We did a couple of those, a couple TV shows we’ve been watching.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183351 Minnesota Wild

Devan Dubnyk, Jordan Greenway to represent Wild in NHL Player Gaming Challenge

By Sarah McLellan APRIL 23, 2020 — 12:48PM

Goalie Devan Dubnyk and forward Jordan Greenway will represent the Wild in the NHL Player Gaming Challenge that will showcase players’ virtual hockey skills.

Over the course of four weeks starting next Thursday, each NHL team – led by one or two players – will battle in a one-time matchup against another club in EA Sports NHL 20 game play.

The National Hockey League Foundation and Electronic Arts will donate a combined $100,000 to support the CDC Foundation’s COVID-19 relief efforts. The CDC Foundation is an independent nonprofit that helps the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention save and improve lives, including during the COVID-19 response.

Brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk are among the nearly 50 players scheduled to participate, and even Seattle – which isn’t set to begin play until 2021-22 – will be included; Seahawks tight end Luke Willson is playing on Seattle’s behalf.

Weekly games will be released on Thursdays and Saturdays. NBC Sports will air the first series of contests, and all matches will be available within NHL Network’s on-air programming or its Twitch channel and the NHL’s social platforms: Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook Premiere and NHL.com.

Star Tribune LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183352 Minnesota Wild

Top 20 Minnesota draft picks: We chose them during our Virtual Happy Hour

APRIL 23, 2020 — 7:32AM

The Star Tribune sports staff gathered for its weekly pandemic-coping Virtual Happy Hour on Wednesday and set about drafting the Top 20 draft choices by Minnesota teams.

Had to be a team taking a player, not a Minnesota player being drafted by an out-of-state team. Sorry, Kevin McHale. (And we could have argued well into the night about whether Dave Winfield would have counted, considering that he was taken by the Vikings in the 17th round of the 1973 NFL draft before going on to his Hall of Fame baseball career.)

You knew who was going to get drafted near the top. But the order among the best of the best was upon to question. Randy Moss of the Vikings? Joe Mauer or Kirby Puckett of the Twins? Maya Moore of the Lynx?

No, it was Kevin Garnett of the Timberwolves.

By the end of the draft, we had six Vikings in our Top 20, with a bit of a surprise about the last among the six. The group also dips into the American basketball Association, in which a Minnesota team has a brief run, and includes a player who has yet to make an appearance in Minnesota.

Here's the list. And you can see the reactions to those picks and all of our Virtual happy Hour conversation, by clicking here.

No. 1: Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves, 1995. (Michael Rand, senior digital writer)

No. 2: Joe Mauer, Twins, 2001. (Jeff Day, copy editor)

No. 3: Randy Moss, Vikings, 1998. (Ken Chia, copy editor)

No. 4: Alan Page, Vikings, 1967. (Chip Scoggins, columnist)

No. 5: Kirby Puckett, Twins, 1982. (Marcus Fuller, college basketball writer)

No. 6: Maya Moore, Lynx, 2011. (Jerry Zgoda, soccer and golf writer)

No. 7: , North Stars, 1988. (Chris Miller, pro sports editor)

No. 8: Fran Tarkenton, Vikings, 1961. (Randy Johnson, Puck Drop editor)

No. 9: Neal Broten, North Stars, 1979. (Howard Sinker, digital sports editor)

No. 10: Elgin Baylor, Minneapolis Lakers, 1958.(Sinker)

No. 11: Randall McDaniel, Vikings, 1988. (Johnson)

No. 12: , Twins, 1999. (Miller)

No. 13: Mel Daniels, Minnesota Muskies, 1967. (Zgoda)

No. 14: Carl Eller, Vikings, 1964. (Fuller)

No. 15: Kent Hrbek, Twins, 1978. (Scoggins)

No. 16: Matt Birk, Vikings, 1998. (Chia)

No. 17: Ricky Rubio, Timberwolves, 2009. (Day)

No. 18: Kirill Kaprizov, Wild, 2016. (Rand)

No. 19: Adrian Peterson, Vikings, 2007. (Rand)

No. 20: Brent Burns, Wild, 2003. (Miller)

Star Tribune LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183353 MontrealCanadiens “Players will look at it selfishly,” he said. “If they think they have a chance to win the Stanley Cup, they’ll be in favour. I think I’d rather stay here and train and get my body ready for next season when we have a chance to compete.” 'It's always been about winning to me,' Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher says Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.24.2020

Author of the article:Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette

The Canadiens and Brendan Gallagher will talk about a contact extension this summer and the feisty winger said it will take more than a boatload of money to get his signature on a new deal.

“You have to have priorities, you have to understand what’s important for you,” Gallagher said Thursday in a conference call from his off-season home in the Vancouver suburb of Tsawwassen. “It’s always been about winning to me. Everyone loves having money and everyone loves being in a good city and these are things that are important, but you have to understand what’s most important and, for me, that’s winning.”

If you think that sounds like Gallagher wants out of Montreal, you would be wrong. When asked whether he thought it was possible to win with the Canadiens he replied: “I definitely do.”

While he said it was discouraging to miss the playoffs in each of the past two seasons (and heading for a third miss this season), he expressed confidence in general manager Marc Bergevin’s vision and pointed to the development of youngsters like Nick Suzuki as a sign that the Canadiens are headed in the right direction.

Bergevin has a lot of work to do in the coming year. All three members of his top line — Gallagher, Tomas Tatar and Phil Danault — are heading into the final seasons of their contracts.

Gallagher noted that it’s “an opportunity to set yourself for life. It’s something everyone dreams of having but (money’s) not my priority. I don’t want go through my entire career and look back having regrets.”

No matter how it works out, there will be money. Gallagher scored 30 goals in each of the two previous seasons and had 22 in this pandemic- shortened one. There will be comparisons made to Chris Kreider, who passed on free agency to sign a seven-year, $45.5-million contract with the New York Rangers. Kreider is a year older than the 27-year-old Gallagher and has twice scored 28 goals.

Gallagher’s current six-year deal has a cap hit of $3.75 million, but unlike Max Pacioretty, you won’t hear him complaining about being underpaid.

“I was happy to sign for a six years because it gave me a sense of security as a player and I was able to block out a lot of things that younger players have to deal with mentally,” Gallagher said. “That was important to me at the time. Now, I want to put myself in a position to compete for the Stanley Cup and I believe in Montreal we have that potential and you can see steps going forward. As a player, you always like to stay where you are. Nobody like change all that much, it kinda scares you. If it’s possible to work it out in Montreal, it’s something I’d enjoy.”

When asked to describe his current condition, Gallagher said he is bored. He works out with his father Ian, who is a strength coach, and tries to maintain contact with his teammates. There’s a daily call with Paul Byron — “We like to argue a lot,” Gallagher said — video chats with a larger group of players and cribbage games with his father. He also talks soccer with Tomas Tatar and Artturi Lehkonen.

“In the early days of the lockdown, he stayed in Montreal and played a lot of Call of Duty with his teammates, but he admitted that he wasn’t very good.

He was asked to participated in the NHL20 Player Gaming Challenge, but he suggested that the team would be better represented by Victor Mete and Suzuki.

“Those kids are always playing games.”

As for real games, Gallagher said he has heard a number of different scenarios for a return to the ice. He said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman appeared determined to finish the season one way or another, but he noted that any plan to play after July 1 has to be approved by the Players’ Association. 1183354 Montreal Canadiens loose metal siding, but honestly, I think he did a great job attempting to match my group.

And sure, has the best win percentage in team history, not to Our Canadiens fantasy draft final / La finale de notre repêchage mention more Vezina trophies than Roy and the best save percentage in team history, but Patrick Roy did manage to generate more assists, and that has to count for something. Not as much as having fewer shutouts than Dryden, but still, it's something. By The Athletic Montreal Apr 23, 2020 21 Kudos, Arpon. You did a fantastic job drafting the second-best team in

this tournament. My hat's off to you, just like it will be for my fans when The results are in, and we have a championship round. Lyle Odelein scores a natural hat trick in the first period of the first game.

Our Canadiens fantasy draft at The Athletic Montreal solicited a lot of opinions on the rosters put together by Arpon Basu, Marc Dumont, Marc The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 Antoine Godin and Sean Gordon, with comments giving varying degrees of support to each team. But ultimately, it had to be put to a vote, and the people have spoken.

The first semi-final pitted Team Dumont against Team Gordon, and it was a relatively tight matchup. But ultimately, voters seemed to prefer Team Dumont’s two-way strength to Team Gordon’s balanced lineup, with what might have been the best top-4 on defence in our league.

The other semi-final had Team Basu against Team Godin, and shockingly, this was not close at all. Our subscribers seemed to either sell Team Godin unjustifiably short, or totally overrated Team Basu, which may bode well for him in the final. We’ll see!

So, now we move on to the championship round, Team Basu against Team Dumont. Let’s hear from the two general managers, and then you decide who will get bragging rights at The Athletic Montreal for life.

I’ve got to say, I thought I knew Marc. Apparently, I don’t.

When this exercise began, I figured he would draft a team built for possession hockey, filled with offensive skill and forcing opponents to waste all their energy trying to get the puck back. Instead, Dumont filled his team with “defensive” forwards, which basically means forwards who play without the puck, and then rounded it out with goons. Most teams are built with three scoring lines and a checking line. Dumont decided to flip that and build a team with one scoring line and three checking lines. Interesting strategy.

Seriously, who is this guy and what has he done with the real Marc Dumont?

Anyhow, putting aside my concern for Marc’s safety and well-being while being cared for by his kidnappers, I’m happy to face this team in the final.

Marc appeared to try and compensate for his lack of punch offensively by building a blue line that can support the attack, which is a fine strategy, even though it’s a bit backwards. Still, I’m left wondering wonder how you support an attack that doesn’t exist.

As for Marc’s constant assertion that Ken Dryden has the best save percentage in Canadiens history, I think I would have had an .850 save percentage playing behind that team. How will Dryden react when he isn’t spending 80 percent of the game watching his teammates toy with the opposition at the other end of the ice? Ironically enough, that’s exactly what Dryden would have been doing playing behind my team in this matchup. But I’ll take Patrick Roy and his mutant-like clutch gene any day.

Personally, what I most look forward to is Claude Lemieux goading Chris Nilan or John Ferguson or Lyle Odelein into a fight and then turtling once every period, giving us a free power play and, roughly 40 percent of the time, a free goal as well.

I must tread carefully.

Not only is Arpon my competition, he's also my boss, which makes criticizing his selections a little more complicated.

On that note, I think Arpon did a great job drafting forwards. Sure, you might say my forwards have more Selke trophies, Stanley Cups, postseason All-Star nods, goals, assists and points, but other than that, I feel like he holds a distinct advantage if we ignore that Maurice and Henri Richard are playing on the same line for my team.

When comparing defencemen, you might be tempted to point out that my team has more Norris trophies, as well as players that actually wear skates that aren't made of beaver chew, discarded barber chairs and 1183355 Nashville Predators

Miss hockey? Predators' 2017 Stanley Cup playoff run will re-air on Fox Sports Tennessee

Drake Hills, Nashville TennesseanPublished 11:00 a.m. CT April 23, 2020

Playoff hockey is returning to Fox Sports Tennessee, but it won't be from the 2019-20 NHL season. With the current season suspended indefinitely, fans will instead get the chance to relive the Predators' 2017 Stanley Cup playoff run.

The network announced Tuesday it will re-air all 14 playoff victories, including the Preds' two wins against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final, in its "Golden Classic" series.

In addition to the original broadcast teams, Predators players Mattias Ekholm, Pekka Rinne, and Colton Sissons will provide additional commentary on highlighted moments from the 2016-17 season.

The games will air at 7 p.m. CT on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week, beginning April 28 with Game 1 of the first-round series against the Chicago Blackhawks and ending June 11 with Game 4 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final against the Penguins.

Tennessean LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183356 Nashville Predators #Peks#Juggling@PredsNHL https://t.co/ev4lkGvOkXpic.twitter.com/d00BHW3DGw

— Chris Mason (@cmace30) April 6, 2020 Predators goalie Pekka Rinne talks NHL pause, dogs, Saros, cooking, more How’s his dog doing?

The Beard Goes On @TheTristanBrew

Paul Skrbina, Nashville TennesseanPublished 5:00 a.m. CT April 23, (Pabla) is doing great. I am lounging around on my couch and she's right 2020 | Updated 5:42 p.m. CT April 23, 2020 next to me sleeping right now. She's loving this. She gets so much attention. We are both here, me and my girlfriend. We take her outside all the time.

We asked you to ask us questions to ask Pekka Rinne. Who has the hardest shot in the league? Who has the quickest wristshot? Who has the most difficult shot to read? The Predators goalie answered Wednesday afternoon during a phone conversation with The Tennessean. sportpassion.de @Lars_Mah

Topics ranged from his dog to quarantine life to cooking to scoring a goal Hardest shot? I still say (former Predators defenseman) Shea Weber. against the Blackhawks earlier this season. When he bombs it it's so hard. Forwards? (Alex) Ovechkin has one of the hardest shots. It's hard to stop. I'd say those guys and Patrik Laine is up The questions and answers have been edited for clarity. there, too.

Going to be talking with Predators goalie and all-around nice guy Pekka (Most difficult shot to read) would probably be Ovechkin and Laine. Rinne on Wednesday afternoon. Have a question you’d like me to ask Those guys are tough to read and it comes fast. It's a hard shot. him? Reply here. pic.twitter.com/5fas3zhF3K Predators goalie Pekka Rinne on scoring first NHL goal against Chicago — Paul Skrbina (@PaulSkrbina) April 21, 2020 Blackhawk Nashville Tennessean

Did he have any thoughts of heading back to Finland during the pause? Thirty other teams ... why did he have to score against my Blackhawks? And what were the best and worst (or funniest since he probably won’t it was a dagger to my heart. say anything bad about him!!) things about having Juuse (Saros) as a roomie? galaxytrash @galaxytrash35

Susan Prather @suzagator Sorry about that. I didn't really care who it came against, but it was like icing on the cake. I absolutely love playing against Chicago. I love I'm still somewhat thinking about it, but I want to kind of wait for the news playing in their building, in our building. For years and years they've been (on) what's going to happen. Our situation here (in Nashville) is good. We one of the better teams in the league. The past few years we've had their have a house and the weather is nice. I feel like the setup here is perfect number and it's always been such good games, a lot of battles. I have a for us right now. lot of respect for them. They're tough players. They've been in the league It was always Juuse and Miikka (Salomaki) at the same time. It was for a number of years. Amazing careers like (Patrick) Kane, (Jonathan) probably during their first, maybe three years. It was during training camp Toews, (Duncan) Keith, (Brent) Seabrook and Corey Crawford. They've and after that they got their own places and rental apartments. won Cups and done amazing things. But about the goal, I've been dreaming about it and really didn't care. I was happy to see it go in. The funniest thing was probably the cooking sessions. Both of them, especially at the beginning, they didn't really know anything about If you could add anything at all to your home right now to have during cooking so I would make them chop vegetables and prepare a salad or quarantine, what would it be? Do you have any recurring hockey dreams something and I would cook for us. After that, I wouldn't say they are top or nightmares? chefs but they know how to cook now. Katie @katielovelesss

It was always fun having a couple of younger guys around. We would I love tennis. We both (he and his girlfriend) play. I'd love to have a tennis play video games (FIFA, NHL) ... just typical stuff. It was just like having court. roommates. They're both such easy going guys. I was fortunate to help them at the time. Not really. But I catch myself dreaming about winning the Stanley Cup all the time. What’s his favorite thing to do when he visits (near his hometown) Oulu? What does he drink when he goes back to Finland? How are you staying in shape for #StanlyCupRun? That’s my #HopeFromFans Miss all of our guys on the team! Karhu @JOFAPreds Pat @pat_tooslow My favorite thing when I go back to Oulu is seeing my family, my friends. That's number one. The second thing, for the past three years we've had I have a gym at home. I had built in the garage so I can do all my our summer cabin or cottage, just being able to go there. Especially the exercises and physical training there. Specific _goalie stuff, I have hand- early part of summer, we spend a lot of time there. You can only get eye coordination stuff, like you throw balls against a trampoline and you there by ferry or boat. It's on a small island in front of our hometown. have to react, stuff like that.

(Rinne repeated the drink question then probably forgot about it). Tennessean LOADED: 04.24.2020

How is he staying busy these days, any new hobbies? Is he watching any of the older Cup finals being aired?

JenYellsAtErrrbody @YellsAtErrrbody

(He taught himself how to juggle, as revealed to Chris Mason)

No, not too much (of the replays). I've had the NHL Network on and they always show playoff series from the '90s and early 2000s. Those are fun to watch. It's different hockey and I was growing up back home and I paid a lot of attention. It brings back a lot of memories. It's fun to watch older hockey.

People: Come on Mace, give the people what they want.

Me: Fine I will. 1183357 Nashville Predators “One game is not enough to completely overhaul what we have done to this point,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “We’ll have a team meeting to discuss what happened and hopefully turn around in a few days here.” Simulating the 2020 NHL playoffs, Round 2: Avalanche vs. Predators “I know it’s a playoff series but there is some sort of strange connection I feel with Matt Duchene,” Girard said. “Not sure why but it just feels that way. Kammy (Vladislav Kamenev) was saying the same thing the other By Adam Vingan, Ryan S. Clark and Dom Luszczyszyn Apr 23, 2020 17 day. It’s wild as hell.”

— Ryan S. Clark The NHL isn’t back yet, but we’re going to pretend it is. Over the last Game 2 month, we’ve run a simulation of how the NHL’s regular season might have played out if the league hadn’t been suspended on March 12. Now, Neither team changes its lineup. the standings have been set and we’re carrying that forward through the playoffs. This time around, one of our beat writers from each team will be Colorado takes Game 2 to even the series. in charge of every lineup decision, the narrative for every playoff game Gamesmanship is not typical with the Avalanche but it was before, during and they’ll get to decide what “happened” in each game. Join us as we and after a 1-0 overtime win over the Predators to tie the series at 1-1. make our way through the simulated postseason to crown a virtual Stanley Cup champion. The club opted to have prospects Justus Annunen, Shane Bowers, Bowen Byram, Shamil Shamkov and Danila Zhuravlyov be part of a The Predators shocking the defending Stanley Cup champions was the ceremonial puck drop. At first glance, it might appear to be a strange only real surprise of the first round on Earth 2. Now, Nashville gets a test move. But those are all players the team received either via trade or that may be just as difficult in fending off the No. 2 seed Colorado through the NHL Draft as part of the three-team deal with the Ottawa Avalanche, fresh off a wild finish against the Stars. Both series ended in Senators and Predators in exchange for Matt Duchene. six. Now, as for the game itself? There was some showmanship that was On paper, Colorado is clearly the stronger team, but this series will be a more coincidental. Girard, after his opening game mishap, scored the bit closer than it would be normally thanks to a rough end to the regular game-winning goal in addition to the fact the Avalanche looked stronger season for the Avalanche on Earth 2. They start the series with a 54 on defense. percent chance of ousting the Predators. He was about to address the media when Vladislav Kamenev yelled at This series really doesn’t have any business being this close. The him, “Tell ’em why you mad son! Tell ’em why you mad!” Predators have an elite top pair that’s the envy of the league, but as a whole the Avalanche defense is deeper – and Cale Makar is emerging as “But … I’m not mad?” Girard said. “I just scored the game-winning goal. an elite force in his rookie year. In net, Juuse Saros grades out stronger What’s wrong with you?” than Philipp Grubauer, but not by much. The exchange between Girard and Kamenev drew laughs but it was And then there’s the forwards. Nashville has no match for anyone on before the team learned J.T. Compher sustained a lower-body injury that Colorado’s top line and that’s the major difference in a series. The depth will keep him out for at least two games. may be similar, but it’s elite talent that will take a team where it needs to go. Colorado has it in spades up front and Nashville doesn’t – a problem — Ryan S. Clark the team has had for most of its existence. “The past is the past,” Duchene insisted when asked about the It didn’t matter much in a first-round upset over St. Louis, though. Maybe symbolism of the ceremonial faceoff. “I am where I belong.” He then it won’t matter here either. tipped his cowboy hat to reporters before exiting the dressing room with an acoustic guitar slung over his back. (Also, for those wondering Valeri NATEchsuhkin has been restored to factory settings and is back to his usual self for the second round. The — Adam Vingan NHL on Earth 2 has since added an amendment to its CBA regarding the Game 3 creation of hosts to store copies of superstar consciences.) Before Game 3, Predators coach John Hynes shakes up his top six, Game 1 switching Forsberg and Jarnkrok on the left side. He also inserts Dan Nashville continues its Cinderella run with an unexpected Game 1 road Hamhuis and Yannick Weber for Jarred Tinordi and Korbinian Holzer. win. For the Avalanche, Colin Wilson makes his triumphant return to the Avalanche lineup against his former team. Jared Bednar also hinted that Two years ago, the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Predators drew the we’d see a lot more MacKinnon for the rest of the series. upstart Avalanche in the first round, engaging in an entertaining six-game series. The roles were somewhat reversed this time, with the Avalanche Nashville takes a 2-1 series lead in a tight game. playing the part of the legitimate Stanley Cup contender. It was the smack heard around the hockey world.

The Predators, though, pulled off the Game 1 upset in a 4-2 win at Pepsi As is tradition in Nashville, a wave of catfish splattered on the ice before Center. With the score tied late in the third period, Samuel Girard, a Game 3 at Bridgestone Arena. But an errant catfish toss from Cy Young Predators draft pick who was traded to the Avalanche in 2017, misplayed Award winner and Vanderbilt University graduate David Price, there to the puck on a breakout, resulting in an own goal. energize the crowd, slapped Avalanche coach Jared Bednar in the face.

“OH, MY GOD!” guest commentator Tony Schiavone screamed on air. It set the tone for a contentious 2-1 Predators win. The teams combined “SAMUEL GIRARD HAS BETRAYED THE COLORADO AVALANCHE!” for 60 penalty minutes, most of which were assessed when Nikita The turnover did not seem as underhanded as Schiavone claimed it to Zadorov incited a line brawl after a hard check on Rocco Grimaldi in the be, but after the game, Girard was spotted discreetly conversing and second period. Zadorov received a major boarding penalty and the shaking hands with Matt Duchene in a back hallway near the Predators’ Predators capitalized twice, with Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg scoring dressing room, fueling conspiracy theories for the next few days. the goals.

— Adam Vingan — Adam Vingan

Allowing four goals has created a few questions when it comes to Philipp Another game against the Predators. Another post mortem leaving Grubauer and the team’s overall defensive performance. The Avalanche Bednar and his assistants wondering what they can do for offensive allowed six goals in total in the first round against the Dallas Stars. For production. now, the plan is to stick with the current setup with the idea that changes The top line featuring Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko could take place should there be a repeat in Game 2. Rantanen has struggled. Is it time to break them up and create some new line combinations to do something different? But that’s just it with the Avalanche right now. These are the sort of “I tried to give more minutes up top to close it off, but might be time to go games that were supposed to come easier compared to previous back to the more balanced approach that was working to start the seasons. Suddenly, they must now ask questions that would prevent series,” Predators coach John Hynes said after the game. them from falling into a 3-1 hole. Here’s another question Bednar will have to answer ahead of Game 6. “We’ve got to be better,” MacKinnon said. “It’s just that simple.” Was this the performance that saw Francouz win the net going forward or Of course, Bednar was asked about the bizarre interaction with Price and was this just a one-off? the catfish. “Frankie has been patient and has worked hard to earn his chances,” “It’s like we say back home,” Bednar said. “You can turn the other cheek Bednar said. “That’s no knock on Grubi. Saying he has not been good for but know your face will eventually get bruised. We’ll see what’s what.” us down the stretch would be a slap to the face. And honestly? We’ve seen enough of that already this series.” — Ryan S. Clark — Ryan S. Clark Game 4 Game 6 No changes expected for Nashville. Down 2-1, Colorado is expected to break up its top line in search of depth. Joonas Donskoi has had a poor True to his word, John Hynes plans to evenly disperse ice time among playoffs so far and will start the game on the fourth line. his top six forwards in Game 6, also choosing to return Filip Forsberg and Calle Jarnkrok to their positions from the beginning of the series. Hynes Cinderella is one game away from Round 3! changes his third pair from Dan Hamhuis and Yannick Weber to Jarred The video clip of the catfish incident was everywhere in the lead up to Tinordi and Korbinian Holzer, but plans to give Roman Josi and Ryan Game 4. Bednar brushed off repeated questions about it, but could not Ellis close to 30 minutes of ice time. avoid the massive banner depicting the catfish making contact with his — Adam Vingan face that hung outside the main entrance to Bridgestone Arena. No changes for Colorado. “Another meaningless banner they can hang here,” Bednar said after the morning skate, finally delivering the soundbite reporters were craving. Colorado forces Game 7 with a huge road win.

Bednar’s flippant remark spread across Nashville, and the quote was Five fingers. written on the electronic whiteboard inside the Predators’ dressing room when players arrived that afternoon. On the ice, the motivated Predators Jared Bednar held up that many when staring at David Price and the did not screw around, putting on a rare 60-minute performance and Nashville Predators. It leaves Bridgestone Arena guessing but it later coasting to a 5-2 win that left the Avalanche teetering. Filip Forsberg, comes out on Twitter that Bednar was referencing the famed “Chappelle Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson, who had struggled all season to Show” sketch when Rick James asked Charlie Murphy, “What did the five recapture their previous magic as a line, combined for four of the fingers say to the face?” Predators’ five goals. S.L.A.P.

— Adam Vingan MacKinnon’s third-period goal was the only one scored in a 1-0 victory So much talk about catfish had sports radio hosts in both markets talking that now forces a Game 7 for a date in the Western Conference final. about another catfish: The Avalanche as Stanley Cup contenders. The decision to give MacKinnon and his linemates more minutes has paid off for two straight games. Will it work for a third that will see the Avs Beating the Stars and avoiding the Blues created a landscape that take a step further than what they reached last year? Or will it all be for should have allowed the Avs to at least reach the Western Conference nothing? final. But now? They are a game away from the golf course during a season used to establish their legitimacy toward being one of the NHL’s “We don’t need anything tripping us up right now,” Landeskog said. elite teams. “Unlike that blue line in San Jose last year.”

Perhaps those big picture questions will be answered later. Right now, One more contest. the goal is to find solutions. For the lack of scoring. For the defensive Can the Avalanche make it “Game. Blouses” or are the Predators going combinations. Could a change be coming in net even though Grubauer to Denver knowing they have a chance to say “F#ck Your Couch” at has really only had two poor performances through the first two rounds? Pepsi Center?

“Go ahead and talk about fish,” a frustrated Rantanen said at his stall. — Ryan S. Clark “We need to fish our asses out of this pretty soon.” Game 7 — Ryan S. Clark In preparation for Game 7, John Hynes throws caution to the wind, Game 5 reuniting Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson and It’s an elimination game, so expect both teams to really lean on their top promising to give them heavy minutes, as well as Matt Duchene’s line. six and top pairings. Especially Colorado, where there will be even more “Roman and Ryan Ellis won’t be leaving the ice,” Hynes said after the MacKinnon. For Nashville, that means like … 19 minutes for the top line. morning skate.

Donskoi has moved back to the top six and the Avalanche have also — Adam Vingan made a change in net with Pavel Francouz getting his first career playoff start. “Nate and Cale won’t be leaving the ice,” Bednar said after the morning skate. This one’s not over yet as the Avalanche demolish Nashville at home. — Ryan S. Clark Is this it? Is this the answer? The Avalanche complete the comeback and beat the Predators in seven. Questions keep surrounding the Avalanche. Especially after a 5-1 victory that saw them stay alive and push it to a 3-2 series. For now. Bednar’s Pepsi Center was quiet when the final buzzer sounded all because of a decision to increase the minutes of his top six forwards worked. pre-recorded video request submitted by Samuel Girard. Landeskog, MacKinnon and Rantanen each had a goal while also The arena got quiet when Girard’s video was displayed on Pepsi Vision. finishing with two points apiece. Andre Burakovsky and Nazem Kadri scored the other goals while the Girard-Cale Makar partnership was able “Everyone. Everyone. Be quiet,” he said with a smile. “I want our friends to facilitate while giving the Avs a shutdown duo when needed. from Nashville to know this is what it sounds like to blow a 3-1 lead.”

Now it is just a matter of whether it can work again in Game 6 with the Yeah. HE said that. Samuel Girard. The quietest man on the Avalanche’s idea the Predators could also make a few changes? roster made such a bombastic statement against his former employer. It’s even more ironic given Girard has the Predators logo tattooed on his forearm, something he does for all the teams he has played for in his career going back to when he was in junior.

Jokes aside, the Avalanche are in the Western Conference final after grabbing a 3-1 lead after falling behind 3-1 to the Predators.

Reaching this stage further cements the Avalanche’s argument as a team that could indeed challenge for the Stanley Cup both this year and beyond.

It was the normal scene inside of a dressing room. There was a sense of excitement and a sense of relief. But then it all changed once Bednar burst through the double doors and had a moment that was captured on video.

— Ryan S. Clark

The Predators will find no solace in a first-round upset of the defending champion St. Louis Blues. The series loss to the Avalanche is just the latest playoff disappointment for a core of players who are running out of chances. Predators GM David Poile cannot sit idle during the offseason and must make a drastic move to shake up the roster.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183358 New Jersey Devils “He was struggling early, especially on the defensive side of the puck.” Nasreddine said. “It's not like Gusev doesn't care about defense, He does. We all know he’s a magician offensively, but not a dumb player defensively by any means. It’s just an adjustment. Why Devils’ Nikita Gusev took off after coaching change “I think the biggest thing with Gusev is you can’t tell a player like this to dump the puck all the time because his strength is not to go back and get it. His strength is to have the puck on his stick and make plays and fight, By Randy Miller and that’s what he’s done. This guy can turn a play in a phone booth.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 04.24.2020 Whether Devils interim coach Alain Nasreddine is back for next season, one of his subtle coaching decisions could pay dividends for years.

First-year Russian winger Nikita Gusev was inconsistent and disappointing until Nasreddine was elevated from assistant coach on Dec. 3 when John Hynes was fired.

Since the coaching change, Gusev leads the Devils with 32 points in 44 points, 11 of them coming in his final 10 games before the NHL season went on pause March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic

Given more freedom to showcase his tremendous offensive skills, Gusev made a quick transformation to what he was in the KHL when he was a four-time All-Star and 2018-19 league MVP.

“Players like that, you’ve got to give a little bit of a longer leash to be able to make plays,” Nasreddine said Wednesday in a media conference call.

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

Nasreddine got Gusev going by putting the 5-foot-10, 180-pounder on a line with two defensively responsible veteran forwards, center Travis Zajac and left wing Blake Coleman.

Gusev started taking more chances, he made some plays, he started scoring more and his confidence grew.

Then after Coleman was traded on Feb. 16, Gusev’s game elevated to a higher level when he was aligned with center Pavel Zacha and left wing Jesper Bratt.

“I think putting him with Coleman and Zajac brought stability where he was able to play a little bit more on offense,” Nasreddine said. “And then I thought the chemistry later with Zacha and Bratt complimented Gusev a little better. The first thing I did when I took over … I didn’t want to take the stick out of his hands.

“We all know in hockey there’s a cliché: You don’t want to throw the pucks over the blue line, and it was never acceptable for us. But a player like Gusev, you can live with a couple turnovers because he’s going to make a lot more plays, and I think we saw that when we put him with Zacha and Bratt, who can also make plays off the rush and were extremely dangerous. So that’s why we like the chemistry on that line.”

For the season, Gusev leads the Devils with 31 assists in 66 games, his 44 points are one behind team leader ’s 45 and his 13 goals rank fifth.

As Gusev continues to gain NHL experience, he could develop into a star player like he was in . Gusev dominated playing for SKA St. Petersburg from 2015-16 through 2018-19, scoring 76 goals and 270 points in 206 games.

Drafted in the seventh round by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2012, Gusev opted to stay in Russia until April of last year when he signed a one-year entry-level contract with Vegas, which had acquired his rights during the 2017 expansion draft.

But before debuting for Vegas, Gusev was dealt to the Devils last July for a third-round draft pick in 2020 and a second-round pick in 2021, then immediately signed to a new two-year, $9-million contract that runs through next season.

Gusev, who is too old for NHL rookie status at 27, didn’t do much scoring early on this season. He managed just five points in his first 13 games, 12 in 23 games with Hines coaching. But he got hot in his second game after the coaching change, scoring two goals and 12 points in a 13-game stretch from Dec. 6 to Jan. 2.

A month later, Gusev surged again in February and March to key a Devils 10-5-2 streak in their last 17 games which has them 13 points out of a playoff spot with 13 games remaining. 1183359 New Jersey Devils ahead in their training, like those training in Sweden who have access to ice, but many others will be behind.

Dr. Michael Alaia, a sports medicine specialist at NYU’s Langone Pelotons, Rollerblades and yoga: How NHL players are staying in shape Orthopedic Center played hockey for several years and previously spent without the ice time on the Islanders’ medical team. Without the ice, it’s impossible to avoid becoming somewhat de-conditioned.

“I've played hockey my whole life and there was a time when I was good Abbey Mastracco, NHL WriterPublished 4:55 a.m. ET April 24, 2020 but that's long gone,” Dr. Alaia said. “But these players are going to come back and they're going to be a little bit de-conditioned there. They are not

going to feel as though they're ready to go. But that detriment is probably Travis Zajac is one of several veteran players in the NHL who has going to be felt around the entirety of the league or the entirety of experienced a work stoppage. The 34-year-old New Jersey Devils’ center whatever collegiate league is going on as well. knows what it takes to keep his body in competitive shape during a “So everybody is going to be put at a disadvantage. The only question is, period of time where he may have to snap back into action at any time, how disadvantaged will some be compared to others?” having gone through the most recent lockout in 2012. When play resumes, Dr. Alaia expects to see some specific injury This is different. patterns relating to lower-body muscle strains, particularly in the groin “It's different because you don't have ice and don't have a group to really and hamstrings. work out with, train and push,” Zajac said on a recent conference call “These are muscles that are very often injured in hockey players when with reporters. So a lot of it is on the player "to really get motivated and they're not really activating them and not really undergoing an exercise stay engaged and stay interested and have a routine.” program,” he said. “I don't particularly think there's going to be a higher The coronavirus pandemic shut down the NBA on March 11 and the NHL incidence of fractures, let's say collarbone injuries or injuries from followed suit a day later. The entire sports world came to a screeching checking, because those usually stay relatively constant regardless of halt seemingly overnight. whatever time of the season, except for potentially the playoffs because as you know, those are played at an intensity level higher than the Tentative dates were given. Initially, the NHL was hoping to resume play regular season.” in April and begin the Stanley Cup Playoffs in May. But then the days dragged on as the COVID-19 curve began to spike. Fitzgerald is emphasizing mobility and flexibility. He’s also encouraging clients to look at their weaker aspects that they may now have the time to The league is still hopeful for a summer restart, with teams spread out build up. The one thing he cautions against is overtraining. through four regional neutral sites and fans excluded from the equation. The Devils are just as hopeful but some players from other teams have “Programming, in my opinion, has to be pretty smart right now, because hesitations. you don't want to want to put athletes into a hole that they can't get out of by overtraining them during this period,” he said. “There’s nothing else to There are a number of challenges that come along with restarting the do, so we do too much, right? I think it's fair to say that it was initially a NHL and every other sport, for that matter. The virus and the spread of it little bit of a recovery (period) and now we're in that kind of maintenance will determine when normal life can resume. phase waiting for that next kind of wave of news.”

Feb 18, 2020; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New Jersey Devils center The NHL has debated multiple scenarios for a return, but in order to Travis Zajac (19) handles the puck during the first period against the St. resume the season safely, Fitzgerald recommends a training camp Louis Blues at Enterprise Center. period of at least two weeks.

The top athletes in other sports should be fine when competition is ready "I can’t see the NHL saying ‘Hey, we're going to start in a week. Get your to resume. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has been playing catch in his teams ready,'" the former Ducks trainer said. "That would be backyard with his wife Amy, a former UCLA softball player, and manager catastrophic. They need a 14- to 30-day ramp-up for it to be safe, in my Aaron Boone has been able to oversee some home bullpen sessions. opinion." Some basketball players have courts as part of their home gyms. Even for those who are not as lucky, their off-field or off-court training can What the teams are doing mirror what they do in games. Hockey players typically train in groups in the offseason. But obviously But hockey players face a unique challenge: Getting on the ice. that’s not possible right now with non-essential workers forced to stay in their own homes. Each player has a different setup in their home. Zajac “I don't think there is anything you can do to replicate what's done on the and his teammate, P.K. Subban, have extensive home gyms. Others, ice,” said Mark Fitzgerald, a strength and conditioning coach who runs however, may be extremely limited in their equipment. the Elite Training Systems facility in Whitby, Ontario, and counts former Devils forward Adam Henrique as one of his clients. The Devils are taking into account each player’s individual needs and individual home setups when it comes to strength and conditioning plans. The risk factors “At this level, most players have their own personal trainer, which is fine, It’s difficult for NHL players to know what they’re training for right now. but I think it's important for our strength coaches to get in touch with Play stopped at a time when many were starting to increase their off-ice them, make sure that they have everything they need because they don't training in anticipation for the postseason, which tends to be a long, have access to facilities,” Devils interim coach Alain Nasreddine said. arduous battle with increasing physicality throughout. “We want to be able to give them resources where they can work out, stay in shape. So that's what we've been doing.” Players like Zajac and Henrique, now with the Anaheim Ducks, were long out of the playoff chase but still have to stay in season-shape in the event New Jersey trainers have sent players yoga workouts and had skills the 2019-20 season is completed. coach Ryan Murphy post workouts online for things like stick handling and shot improvement, so players are still able to work on skills in Standings aside, Fitzgerald first encouraged his clients to get rest but addition to strength. now he has them in a maintenance type phase to be ready to play whenever it’s safe to do so. What they're doing at home

“Until they announce that it's not going to come back, we have to keep So many players are using Rollerblades that ESPN’s Emily Kaplan wrote them on the verge of being ready,” Fitzgerald said. “If we let it slide too a whole story about it. Wayne Gretzky advocated for it, Jack Hughes and much then they are going to get de-conditioned. The same goes for his brothers Quinn and Luke have been in-line skating around their another month or so and they don't do anything, then yeah, that's not a Michigan neighborhood. Zajac ordered a pair to be able to skate with his good place to be.” kids on the driveway of their New Jersey home.

The NHL is planning on giving teams a short training camp period but Fitzgerald, however, isn’t a fan. falling out of playing shape could result in injuries. Some players will be “Rollerblading is a strange one,” he said. “It’s definitely not something spend time with their kids and wives, even if it means competing with that I would like a lot of guys doing at a high volume in the offseason. It is them on the Peloton bike. slightly different than the skating stride. I'm being really picky now, but it's not really an activity that I would want a lot of my athletes doing just It’s not ideal, but we can adapt and learn from this crisis to make strides because you're trying to mimic something that isn't really the same. It’s in sports medicine even when strides aren’t possible on the ice. comparable, yes, but it's not the same.” Bergen Record LOADED: 04.24.2020 Another popular fitness item has been the Peloton bike. Islanders captain Anders Lee ordered ordered one, as did former Devils forward Blake Coleman (now with the Tampa Bay Lightning). Dr. Alaia said this is an effective option because spinning is a low-impact cardio exercise that also trains the lower body and core, which is key for hockey players.

“Symmetry is important,” Dr. Alaia said. “If they can strengthen their abductors and adductors at the same time, that's what we're really looking for — muscle strength training, low-impact exercise and cardio, sort of like a Peloton, anything to keep the cardiac reserve is going to be exceedingly important.”

Fitzgerald prefers the assault bike because it moves the upper and lower bodies at the same time.

“I don't really put a lot of bike rides into programs now because biking is incomplete hip flexion and extension,” he said. “So when you skate, it's complete hip flexion and extension, so the bike isn't really teaching you to be more efficient with your skating.”

However, Fitzgerald sees the appeal in the Peloton platform, which allows you to take live classes from your home and view a standings board with other users in the class. It brings the competitive aspect players are missing right now into their homes.

“(Former NHL defenseman) Kevin Bieksa got one just so he could beat everybody in the class,” Fitzgerald said. “He didn't even know these people. Yeah, they don't know who he is but he likes to take pictures (of the standings), he sends them to me every time to say, ‘Hey, I beat all these guys.’”

Plus, Peloton bikes are more popular with the players' wives than assault bikes.

Dr. Alaia and Fitzgerald both like bodyweight and yoga workouts to maintain strength, in addition to things like spin bikes and sprints. Fitzgerald can give his clients a program to ramp up their fitness in a short amount of time when a date to return finally arrives.

And if an athlete injures himself doing a workout at home, he can still receive care. Non-elective surgeries are still restricted in many COVID-19 hotspots, like New Jersey and New York, but some orthopedic surgeries to repair tendon ruptures or fractures are considered essential.

Telemedicine has made great strides in recent years and athletes of all levels are able to receive treatment, such as physical therapy, virtually.

“A lot of people doing telemedicine therapy right now,” said Dr. Katherine McElheny, an assistant attending physician at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. “Our players with the Mets, a lot of them are doing their sessions remotely on FaceTime with our trainers and our strength coaches and our athletic trainers and our physical therapists, etc. So, I think just the way that technology has developed over the last several years, but also just in the last few weeks, has been pretty amazing.”

What we will learn

When all of the professional and amateur leagues start getting underway again, Dr. Alaia, Dr. McElheny and their colleagues will be looking for new injury patterns and data to study. This is a generational crisis unlike any other we have ever seen, so while it’s easy to recommend certain exercises and treatment plans right now, some of it is just guesswork based on best practices and what we already know about injury prevention.

“All of the emergencies that we've had in have been, for the most part, quick,” Dr. Alaia said. “When 9/11 happened, the emergency response system was activated. Doctors came in, they did their part. And then for the most part that ended quickly, Hurricane Sandy came in, and NYU for one was affected for four to six weeks and there was an end in sight.”

There is no end in sight right now.

Fitzgerald sees several silver linings for his athletes. They can take this time to analyze their sleep and their nutrition and rehab some lingering injuries they may have been forced to push through in the past. They can 1183360 New Jersey Devils attempts and chances, but Blackwood was able to cover up some of those issues.

If the NHL does try to resume the regular season, there will likely be a As Devils’ coaching search begins, Alain Nasreddine navigates unique lengthy training camp and then a sprint to finish the remaining games. situation This break, plus the training camp, could give Nasreddine and his coaching staff a chance to make more alterations to how they want to the team to play.

By Corey Masisak Apr 23, 2020 8 “I went back and looked at systems (during the hiatus),” Nasreddine said. “When I came in, I think the last thing you want to do is just a complete

overhaul. And I don’t think it required a complete overhaul, to be honest. It’s not easy to find a unique situation in the NHL, something that truly We made a few tweaks that I think were good for our team, and they lives up to the definition of the word. Alain Nasreddine is in one: He’s one weren’t major tweaks. … Right now, I consider if we come back to almost of five interim head coaches as the league navigates the hiatus caused be another like a new year because we’re going to have a training camp, by a global pandemic; he’s also the only one working for an interim we have time to make some adjustments. So there are a few tweaks and general manager. a few things we’re going to look at and I think that will give us a perfect opportunity to work on them, whether it’s seven games, 13 games, Had the regular season concluded without pause, Nasreddine and Tom whatever that is.” Fitzgerald might know their fates for next season by now. It’s possible the Devils would have already conducted a full general manager search and It sounds almost like a second job interview. The situation could give made a decision, and that person would have decided whether Nasreddine the opportunity to show Fitzgerald and the managing Nasreddine stayed or not. partners what he would have done with a normal offseason to prepare and adjust. Most interim coaches don’t get that chance. For now, both are trying to remain focused on the present, which means leading an organization in the middle of a pandemic. “There’s a reason why we’re in the position we’re in,” Nasreddine said. “There’s a lot more than just the offense. We’ve done a lot of good “As far as I know, I was the head coach on March 12 and I’m the head things. Defensively, I think we can all agree that there is a lot of room for coach of the New Jersey Devils (now),” Nasreddine said. “I’ve heard improvement. I don’t see it being an issue with the system. There are what’s going on with interviews and stuff like that, but to be honest I’m numerous teams that play the same system we do and they’re very just focused on this season. I don’t think there’s a need for an interview successful, they’re in the top five of defensive teams in the league. For with myself because we’re still in the season. Once the season ends, I us, we have got to find ways of teaching — maybe a different way to don’t know how it’s gonna go. Obviously I need clarification on my job as make sure it registers with the players and they understand. I still have the interim tag on my title, but right now I conduct myself as if I was the New Jersey Devils head coach, which I am, and that’s how I go “I just felt like a lot of times we shot ourselves in the foot with mental about my business.” mistakes. You have to remember one thing, especially with the trades we’ve made: We’re the youngest team in the league. … so it’s gonna be The Devils’ search for a head coach has begun despite Fitzgerald still a work in progress. But at the end of the day we’re in the NHL. Yes, you being in the interim GM role. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported have to develop, but you also have to win games.” Tuesday that the Devils have talked to former Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant and others about the position, and that Nasreddine For Nasreddine, the shutdown has been about finding the right balance remains a legitimate candidate to retain the job. of communication with his players and staff. He said they don’t need to hear from him every other day, but they also need to know this group is The Devils fired coach John Hynes on Dec. 3 and dismissed GM Ray still together and they can’t “drift into summer mode;” the Devils are Shero on Jan. 12 after the club, which began the season with increased operating like the 2019-20 season will resume until the league says it will expectations, got off to a dreadful start and was out of playoff contention or won’t. by December. Like others in his position, Nasreddine has enjoyed the unexpected time New Jersey has interviewed one outside candidate for the GM job — at home with his family. He declared himself principal of the house — Mike Gillis, who ran the Canucks from 2008-14. While it makes sense to “(my kids) didn’t like that very much” — and he’s thankful for family expect the Devils to make a decision on the GM role first, the market is dinners and movie nights. When he’s not working on plans for the Devils different for each position right now. or making sure his kids are doing their homework, he is also checking in on the family side business run by his brother, Samy. Some, if not all, of the other GM candidates currently work for other teams, and the Devils would need to ask permission to interview them. The two own 39 rental units in Montreal. Being a landlord during a Gallant is one of several high-profile coaches who have been fired pandemic is another unique situation Nasreddine wasn’t expecting to recently. That group also includes Bruce Boudreau, Peter Laviolette and encounter. Mike Babcock. As LeBrun noted, the only two teams that fired their coach and don’t have to worry about potential playoff games once the season “Things are OK with me, but my brother is a whole different story,” he resumes are the Devils and the Sharks. said. “(Samy) is a real estate agent and the market is basically dead in Montreal. They’ve prohibited real estate agents from trying to sell and New Jersey lost Nasreddine’s first five games in charge, but went 18-12- have buyers, so he’s not having much to do. He’s dealing with our 7 from then on despite trading Taylor Hall, Blake Coleman, Sami investment properties, and that’s another tough situation because a lot of Vatanen, Andy Greene and Wayne Simmonds. people are struggling. Trying to collect the rent, you try to have empathy and try to understand that people are going through tough times. And so “I can tell you one thing, my first year of coaching (as an AHL assistant in far, we’ve been OK. It’s been going well. It’s a month. Hopefully this 2010-11) wasn’t pretty. I had to work, and I dug in and I worked and I doesn’t drag out too much, but it’s not an easy situation back home.” worked to get better,” Nasreddine said. “(This experience) basically told me again that I work hard, I pride myself in my work ethic and that’s what It would be great for Nasreddine, Fitzgerald and the Devils if their current I needed. state of uncertainty did not drag on as well. If the franchise wants to complete a thorough search, the timeline is somewhat out of the “And I really grew. I mean, three months felt like a year, but I felt like I got managing partners’ control. experience — 10 years worth. I just felt really comfortable in the end. I know it’s only 40 or 50 games, but I feel like I’ve learned a lot. I’m ready.” “Right now, we’re planning as if we’re coming back,” Nasreddine said. “The only thing we don’t know is how many games we’re going to play. One of the biggest factors in the club’s turnaround once Nasreddine took But right now it seems like everyone really believes we’re going to come over was the play of Mackenzie Blackwood. The Devils were 30th in the back and that’s how you have to keep the mindset — stay engaged and league in save percentage when Hynes was fired and ninth with stay ready.” Nasreddine. The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 The team’s offensive numbers improved, in part because Nasreddine stressed increasing the pace. New Jersey also yielded more shot 1183361 New York Islanders

NHL skating toward a reopening of training camps in June?

By Andrew Gross

Are the skates in motion, even incrementally, toward a possible restart of the NHL season?

The New York Post reported on Thursday that one of the league’s 31 teams has told its players to be prepared to report on May 15 for the start of informal workouts leading up to a training camp in June.

“That date is not anything that came from the League,” deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an e-mail to Newsday.

This follows comments from Florida Panthers president and CEO Matt Caldwell on a Re-Open Florida Industry Working Group conference call on Wednesday that “the NHL is trying to target sometime in July [to resume the season] when we feel that players are safe and we have enough testing and we have enough ways to get back on the ice.”

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who repeatedly has said no plans have been ruled out or in, outlined one model for the potential resumption of play during an interview on Wednesday with Sportsnet’s Ron MacLean.

Bettman said the NHL is looking at a model that could include as many as four NHL cities hosting up to three games each day. He added that NHL arenas with practice rinks and at least four locker rooms would be preferable.

There were 189 regular-season games remaining when play was paused on March 12. Bettman has said that, optimally, the NHL would complete the regular season before starting the playoffs. However, he also has said that maintaining a full 2020-21 season is a priority.

No playoff format has been formalized.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183362 New York Rangers

NHL team planning May 15 workouts ahead of possible restart

By Larry BrooksApril 23, 2020 | 4:46pm | Updated

Even as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said, “we’re not going to rush anything,” in his interview with Sportsnet on Wednesday, the NHL may be on an accelerated timeline to resume the season.

The Post has learned that at least one NHL team has told its players to be prepared to report on May 15 to begin informal workouts that would precede a training camp of up to three weeks. Not all teams have acted in a similar manner.

“I don’t know what Clubs are telling their Players,” deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Post via email. “We have not specified or articulated any ‘target dates’ to our Clubs at this point.”

Players — or teams — would presumably be isolated beginning with the report date. That might mean sequestration for a duration of up to four months if the NHL completes the 189 outstanding games remaining in the regular season ahead of holding a traditional Stanley Cup playoffs.

Bettman on Wednesday said the league will centralize its games in up to four locations. Further complicating matters is the fact many teams are unlikely to receive clearance from their local governing bodies and health agencies to conduct workouts and/or camps at home.

That means those teams would have to relocate to their assigned central location for camp and the duration of the season/playoffs.

Though nothing is etched in stone, Columbus, Ohio, is the favorite to host Metropolitan Division teams. That, of course, includes the Rangers, Islanders and Devils. It is not known what social distancing and “re- opening” guidelines would apply in Ohio in mid-May.

Sources indicate that as of Thursday, there had yet to be an in-depth conversation between the NHL and NHLPA regarding protocols that would be in place to protect the players against being infected with the coronavirus. The same protections, of course, would have to apply to their entirety of team traveling parties that would range from 50-60 individuals.

Testing — and retesting — would seem mandatory but it is unknown whether and just how the NHL would be in position to administer that high a volume of tests beginning in just over three weeks.

It is also unknown whether players returning from Europe — and specifically from Sweden, where the country has taken a more laissez- faire approach to combating the virus — would need to be quarantined for two weeks upon their arrival in North America.

If that were the case, those players would have to depart their homeland on or around May 1 — one week from Friday. The NHL has a self- isolation guideline in place through April 30 that had been expected to be extended.

But that, as much else, is unclear.

New York Post LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183363 New York Rangers His offensive skills and skating ability — the traits that motivated the Rangers to draft him — shined, while his defensive game continued to evolve.

NY Rangers prospect Nils Lundkvist weighs whether to sign or wait one "I’ve tried to improve that," he said. "When I came up to the men's team, I more year was weighing — I don't know really what I weighed, but I was really light. During these two seasons, I have built up my body, getting some more muscle, and I feel stronger, so I think that has been good."

Vincent Z. Mercogliano, NHL WriterPublished 3:43 p.m. ET April 23, Lundkvist weighed around 170 pounds when the Rangers drafted him, 2020 but he says he's up to over 185. That added strength, along with his stick work and mobility, has increased confidence that he can be a reliable

defender at the highest level. Nils Lundkvist is living his dream in more ways than one. He's bracing for his eventual move to North America — "The game there The No. 28 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft has risen as arguably the is a little bit faster, the rinks are smaller and the guys are a little bit top prospect for the New York Rangers, with a promising NHL career still bigger," he said — but he also feels he has unfinished business in the ahead of him. In the meantime, he's become a smashing success in the SHL. while playing for his hometown team, Luleå. Luleå finished the regular season in first place by a 14-point margin and "I'm happy with the improvement that I made," he said Thursday. "And was heading to the playoffs as the No. 1 seed when the season was also, I’m really happy about our team's performance." canceled in March.

Speaking to the USA TODAY Network from his home in Sweden, the 19- "We were ready to go into the playoffs and hopefully have a long run year-old defenseman said he's beginning to ramp up his workouts again there and challenge for a championship," Lundkvist said. "We had a while laying low due to the coronavirus pandemic. really good chance this year, so I'm hungry to win something here back home. We have a lot of fun here." He's coming off an eye-opening season. Bringing a title to the team he grew up rooting for would be the cherry on Lundkvist broke the SHL record for points by a defenseman under the top before embarking on the next journey, but Lundkvist's ultimate goal age of 20, posting 31 points (11 goals and 20 assists) in 45 games to lies on the other side of the Atlantic. surpass current NHL stars such as Victor Hedman and Erik Karlsson. "I'm dreaming of being a part of the New York Rangers and dreaming That performance has bolstered his prospect status around the world. about playing in the NHL," he said. "If it's next year or if it's two years He's widely considered the Rangers' best unsigned prospect, which has away, I don't really know, if I will be honest." led to speculation that he could ink his entry-level contract soon. "We’re discussing it a lot right now, seeing where the opportunities are Lundkvist indicated that's a bit premature, as he continues to weigh the the best," he added. "I have a lot of good options to think about." pros and cons of such a major decision. Bergen Record LOADED: 04.24.2020 "I think it’s no rush," he said. "We see the circumstances right now with the coronavirus in a big part of the world. We don’t even know if the (2020-21) season is going to start as planned next year, and the NHL hasn’t really turned off their (2019-20) season. It’s hard to say because of that."

If he decides to sign this offseason, Lundkvist would almost surely begin with the Rangers' AHL affiliate in Hartford. Like fellow 2018 first-round pick K'Andre Miller, the organization's preference is to let its young defensemen get their feet wet in the AHL until they earn a promotion.

Going straight to the NHL is unlikely, especially with fellow right-handed defensemen Jacob Trouba, Tony DeAngelo and Adam Fox on the roster.

Lundkvist fully understands that, and if the Rangers believe beginning next season with Hartford is best for his development, he seems willing to heed that advice.

"I want to listen to and see what they have to say — see what they think is best for me," he said. "I think Hartford is maybe a good alternative, but I also know how good improvement you can get back in Europe and in the SHL. It’s a really good league and we have a really good team up here in Luleå, and I think we will have it next year, too. So, we will see what happens."

The other option for Lundkvist is to play one more season with Luleå, then sign with the Rangers heading into the 2021-22 season, at which point he would only be 21.

He's been in Luleå's system since the 2015-16 season, rising to their top SHL club by the time he was drafted in 2018. He was disappointed with his 2018-19 season, netting only 10 points in 41 games, with Lundkvist reflecting on it as a learning experience.

He took those lessons and made a significant jump at age 19.

"During that period, I had a pretty tough time and it didn’t go the way that I wanted it to," he said. "When you have expectations, that year it felt like I tried to do too much. I tried to do things that I don't need to do and I didn't play to my strengths. That was the biggest part of that came with me from that period. If I want to play well, I'm just doing simple things."

By simplifying his game, Lundkvist found a consistent approach — and consistent results. 1183364 New York Rangers

NHL skating toward a reopening of training camps in June?

By Andrew Gross

Are the skates in motion, even incrementally, toward a possible restart of the NHL season?

The New York Post reported on Thursday that one of the league’s 31 teams has told its players to be prepared to report on May 15 for the start of informal workouts leading up to a training camp in June.

“That date is not anything that came from the League,” deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an e-mail to Newsday.

This follows comments from Florida Panthers president and CEO Matt Caldwell on a Re-Open Florida Industry Working Group conference call on Wednesday that “the NHL is trying to target sometime in July [to resume the season] when we feel that players are safe and we have enough testing and we have enough ways to get back on the ice.”

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who repeatedly has said no plans have been ruled out or in, outlined one model for the potential resumption of play during an interview on Wednesday with Sportsnet’s Ron MacLean.

Bettman said the NHL is looking at a model that could include as many as four NHL cities hosting up to three games each day. He added that NHL arenas with practice rinks and at least four locker rooms would be preferable.

There were 189 regular-season games remaining when play was paused on March 12. Bettman has said that, optimally, the NHL would complete the regular season before starting the playoffs. However, he also has said that maintaining a full 2020-21 season is a priority.

No playoff format has been formalized.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183365 New York Rangers The Islanders took Rick DiPietro first overall in 2000, and another goalie, Brent Krahn (who played one NHL game), went at No. 9 to Calgary. In the second round, back-to-back, Anaheim selected goalie (who played 465 NHL games) and Ottawa drafted Mathieu Chouinard The decision 20 years ago that changed the direction of the Rangers (who played one). Dallas then grabbed Dan Ellis (212 NHL games). franchise Toronto took Mikael Tellqvist (113) early in the third round, and another goalie Jean-Francois Racine (0) later, and Pittsburgh selected Peter Hamerlik (0). In the fourth, Detroit picked Stefan Liv (0), Buffalo selected By Rick Carpiniello Apr 23, 2020 33 Ghyslain Rousseau (0), Calgary took Levente Szuper (0), Florida took Davis Parley (0).

They laugh now because, well, it is laughable. The Rangers nabbed Snee in the fifth round. He would play zero NHL games. Then came a run on goalies. The Devils, Kings and Sharks and The Rangers, who surely have had their share of bad luck and their fair took consecutive goalies at the end of the fifth round — Matus Kostur (0), amount of curses at the draft table over the years, also happened to have Nathan Masters (0) and Nolan Schaefer (7). somehow unearthed a franchise player late on the second day of an NHL entry draft in the beautiful city of Calgary, Alberta on June 25, 2000. Goalies went first, second and fourth in the sixth round, Atlanta taking Zdenek Smid (0), Columbus Shane Bendera (0) and Philadelphia Roman For lack of a better term, they stepped in it. Knee-deep. Cechmanek (212). Chicago drafted Michael Ayers (0).

And it changed the organization’s path for 15 years. “So we got into the seventh round and we’re trying to stay awake more than anything else,” Maloney said with a chuckle. “It’s quite funny, to be honest with you,” Don Maloney, then the Rangers’ assistant GM, recalled. “You take out the millions of dollars you spend on Nashville grabbed Jure Penko (0) at No. 203, two spots ahead of the scouting, evaluating, and how luck has such a big part in it. Rangers’ pick.

“Well, it’s a combination of being prepared and luck.” Twenty-one goalies had been drafted to that point.

To start at the top, the Rangers were in a bit of chaos at the time. On Rockstrom was the European scouting wiz who helped Smith load up on March 28, with four games left in a 1999-2000 regular season that would the first four Russians to win the Stanley Cup – (whom be their third of seven straight non-playoff seasons, both team Smith also scouted extensively), , Sergei Nemchinov and president/GM – who had won the franchise’s only Stanley Cup . In their days together in Detroit, Rockstrom would in what is now 80 years – and coach were fired. find, and Smith would help draft, Nicklas Lidstrom, among others. Rockstrom lasted 10 years with Smith, and another 11 with Sather. He is On June 1, after much searching, owner Jim Dolan hired to currently working for the Montreal Canadiens. leave Edmonton and replace Smith. Sather deemed that pretty much everything was wrong with the Rangers. He didn’t even interview interim “So as we’re getting closer to our pick, I was sitting at the middle by the coach , who would leave to be an assistant coach in microphone,” Maloney said. “Martin Madden’s on my right and Christer Tampa Bay. He let pretty much all of the team’s free agents leave and Rockstrom, who at that time was the head European scout – and really, if allowed the very useful defenseman Mathieu Schneider to go to you look at the Rangers’ success at the draft table through the late ‘80s Columbus in the expansion draft the day before the first round in Calgary. and ‘90s, it mostly was a result of Christer and the work he did. So his voice was very strong and powerful at the draft table. Sather smartly kept Smith’s scouting staff intact to run the draft, a group that included head scout Martin Madden, European scout Christer “At the time, there was some thought that he had too much sway, Rockstrom, and Maloney, who had been a terrific Rangers player who especially with the later picks. He seemed to get his way and a lot of his helped get them to the 1979 Stanley Cup final. picks.”

So there was some chaos, yes. Perhaps not to the degree of the summer Perhaps Madden was annoyed by that. Perhaps, like many hockey in which Smith had replaced the fired Phil Esposito as GM in 1989. The people (Maloney included), goalies are considered to be a completely search that ended up with Smith’s hire lasted late into the summer and different breed than forwards or defensemen. Joe Bucchino, who had risen from a stick boy into the front office under Esposito, had to run the draft in the absence of a GM. That’s chaos. “I’m basically sitting at the table,” Maloney said, “and we hadn’t talked for about the last 45 minutes about, ‘Maybe we’ll look at a goalie with this Bucchino did OK, too, grabbing Steven Rice (first round), Rob Zamuner pick.’ I just happened to glance at Christer’s draft list.” and Louie DeBrusk (third), Jim Cummins (fourth), Aaron Miller (fifth) and Roman Oksiuta (10th). All had NHL careers of one degree or another, All the scouts have booklets, each scout having drawn out his list, in and Smith used Rice and DeBrusk (and of course Bernie Nicholls and a order, ranked by position. As a player was picked, that scout would pile of cash) to get in 1991. scratch out the name with a highlighter pen, as no longer available. Maloney saw the top goalie in Europe, according to Rockstrom’s list, was In 2000, with a new GM not terribly involved in the drafting – and Sather still there. A kid named Henrik Lundqvist, who by the way, was seated in had a lot on his plate as he, along with Toronto and Los Angeles, gained the Saddledome for two whole days as his twin brother Joel, a forward, Philadelphia’s permission to negotiate with Eric Lindros on draft weekend was selected with the third pick of the third round by Dallas. – the Rangers still had in place those responsible for the Calgary entry draft. Around this time, Dallas GM Bob Gainey, as the story goes, was being convinced by his scouts that joining Henrik with Joel would be a great So they sat at the draft table, Maloney in the middle between Madden public relations move if nothing else, and why not? What do you have to and Rockstrom, Sather seated not far away, and all of them surrounded lose in the seventh round? Indeed, some GMs by then have been known by the rest of the scouting staff and top front-office people. to trade off some picks just so they don’t have to stick around for the tedious end of the draft. Gainey apparently was sold on taking Henrik They had no first-round pick (where have we heard that before?), with the Stars’ next pick if he were still available. selected defenseman Filip Novak in the second, and Dominic Moore in the third. “Now, I didn’t know Lundqvist from (anybody),” Maloney said. “I knew his brother. I liked his brother, Joel, quite frankly. But goaltending to me, Part of the plan, though, was to reinforce the team’s goaltending future. they’re just a foreign object. You just leave them alone. So I said, Mike Richter had suffered an ACL tear at the All-Star skills competition in ‘Christer, is that your top goalie in Europe?’ He actually said, almost in a Toronto that year. Kirk McLean was his backup. J.F. Labbe was in the whisper, ‘Yeah, but don’t mention it to Martin. Martin doesn’t like him and system, and Sather signed Jason Labarbera a week after being hired. So I know he doesn’t want him.’ It was so illogical at the time. It was one of in the fifth round, they selected goalie Brandon Snee out of Union those things like, ‘That makes absolutely no sense.’ We’re in the seventh College in the fifth round, No. 143 overall. round of a draft and right now you’re really throwing darts, for the lack of There were goalies to be had – goalies who would have varying degrees a better word.” of NHL success, but mostly none. When the Rangers got to their seventh-round pick, No. 205 overall, Maloney decided to take Henrik Lundqvist. Yes, it was a dart. But, to Rockstrom, it was more than that.

“To Christer’s credit, he did have him as the top guy (in Europe),” Maloney said. “But apparently Henrik had – he was fairly good in a November tournament, wasn’t so good in December, wasn’t very good in February tournament, so obviously Martin at the time didn’t think very much of him. I literally grabbed (Rockstrom’s) draft list and just swung it over and put it right in front of Martin. I pointed to (Lundqvist’s) name and said, ‘Martin, we’re looking for a goalie. This is Christer’s top guy in Europe.’ It’s one of those things, like, why wouldn’t we take him? It made no sense at all.

“Martin’s a really nice man. He kind of threw up his hands and said, ‘Oh yeah, fine. OK.’ Almost like we’ll take him because Christer gets what he wants. He was a little sour about it.

“You think about the scouting staff. They work all year to try and get the list to try and get guys and obviously Martin didn’t like Henrik at the time. But that’s exactly what happened. Our turn came, we selected him. I will give Martin a lot of credit, though, because that following November – we had drafted him and Martin was at a tournament in Sweden and called me up and said, ‘Don, I think we have a goalie here.’ Right away he saw, obviously, what he didn’t see his draft year, And the story goes from there.”

The story includes one of the greatest careers in franchise history. Lundqvist holds virtually every team goaltending record. His 459 regular- season wins are sixth all-time, and second among active goalies. His 64 shutouts lead all active goalies, as does his “goals saved above average” total of 183 – he’s led the league in that stat nine times.

He has played in a team record 128 playoff games, been to three conference finals and a Stanley Cup final. Lundqvist is the only NHL goalie ever to win six straight Game 7s, and he allowed one goal or fewer in all of them. In a four-year stretch in the last decade, he had a 15-3 run when facing elimination (1.47 goals-against average, .954 save percentage). He was the reason for all of the Rangers’ success during his career.

Moore, by the way, in his second incarnation as a Ranger, scored the only goal in Lundqvist’s favorite and biggest game, a 1-0 victory over Montreal in Game 6 of the 2014 Eastern Conference final, putting the Rangers into the Stanley Cup final they would lose to the Los Angeles Kings.

Madden, went to work for the Canadiens that July, a few days after the Rangers signed another goalie, Johan Holmqvist.

Maloney, who was the Islanders GM when the Rangers won the ’94 Cup, remained with the Rangers from ’95 until 2007, when he became the GM of the Phoenix Coyotes (he was GM of the year in 2010). He now is the senior VP of hockey operations in Calgary.

Sather had gone into that 2000 draft trusting his scouts and Maloney.

“Glen was really, like, ‘Do what you can do. Do the best that you can,’” Maloney said. “Lo and behold the guy he grabbed in the seventh round is a franchise changer.

“So that’s it. That’s my biggest contribution to the whole Rangers franchise (he laughed again). This great scouting acumen, this great vision I had, was basically glancing down and saying, ‘That makes no sense.’”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020

1183366 Ottawa Senators something like that were to happen we wouldn’t have large crowds gathering in arenas.

“I gather the NHL is looking at finishing the season in arenas for Bill Daly says returning to NHL cities makes the most sense if the league television purposes without large crowds. Whether or not we could plays this summer accommodate that, we don’t yet know. We haven’t yet received a formal proposal and we’d obviously turn to the chief medical officer for her advice.”

Bruce Garrioch The league isn’t sure what route it’s going to take and can’t even be sure it will return to action in the first place unless there are reassurances it’s

safe to do so. Yes, the NHL is trying to put plans in place, but the reality The National Hockey League is working on a contingency plan, actually is the first step that has to be taken is self-isolation has to be lifted for it’s “plans”, in case they’re able to complete the regular season and hold players and it doesn’t appear that’s going to happen before mid-May. playoffs in the summer. At that point, the league would like to be able to open its facilities to small While the league has studied the possibility of holding games in neutral groups of players and from there the next step would be holding a two- sites like , N.H., Grand Forks, N.D. and Saskatoon in July or week training camp to prepare for what might happen in July. August, it would appear those solutions are off the table because the reality is they don’t have the facilities needed to not only host a national broadcast, but the also hotel space required to host the teams that will Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.24.2020 make their way to each city.

Instead, as NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly noted in an interview with this newspaper Wednesday it makes more sense to use league rinks and hotel facilities used by the teams because they already have the infrastructure in place to make this work if that’s what the league does to try to award the Stanley Cup this summer if the threat of the novel coronavirus subsides enough to allow it to happen.

“No final decisions have been made,” said Daly. “We’ve highlighted what the benefits would be of playing in NHL cities and the primary benefit being an NHL-ready facility. They have our standards, our technology and have all the modern accoutrements that you’d need technologically in terms of broadcasting or creating a broadcast for the game. They have a lot of built in advantages that will be attractive when it comes time to making that decision.”

The league will likely require a hotel within close proximity that has over 300 rooms to make this work.

“You talk about some of the neutral sites we’ve looked at would be in smaller communities and they don’t have the same hotel capacity,” said Daly. “It depends on what formula we come up with, who plays where and how many teams and all that stuff so there’s a lot of variables there.

“One of the advantages of NHL cities is the infrastructure in NHL cities that are big enough generally to accommodate more people to the extent that you need to accommodate them.”

As TSN’s Frank Seravalli said in a report Thursday morning there’s no shortage of options for the league and a lot of what happens will depend on if the COVID-19 outbreak has subsided in the areas where the NHL wants to play its games. Daly also told this paper that the ability to do testing would have to be in place to make sure the environment is safe.

All things being equal, the league would like to keep the coaching staff and players in a bubble if it does return to play in July and August by using four cities for the four divisions. That means they’d like to have hotels that are within close proximity to the arena which means places like Edmonton, Buffalo, Glendale, Ariz., Minnesota and even Vegas make sense.

Seravalli mentioned Dallas and Raleigh, N.C. as other possibilities.

The newly-built JW Marriott located in Edmonton’s Ice District would mean that city would be a perfect candidate for games at Rogers Place Arena with the stands empty and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney confirmed he’s had discussions with the league during his daily news conference Wednesday.

There also has to be good practice facilities in close proximity because if you’re going to have seven or eight teams in one town they have to have the ability to get on the ice elsewhere.

“I can say that I did receive a call from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman who wanted to ask some questions about Alberta’s status in combatting COVID-19,” Kenney told reporters. “There was a very general conversation. We haven’t received a formal proposal of any kind.

“I underscored that if there was a proposal forthcoming we would expect the league to prepare a very detailed plan to mitigate risk. I can’t really comment further, I would just say that as we get into the summer we hope to see more activity as part of our relaunch. It’s pretty clear to me if 1183367 Ottawa Senators Senators took top prospect Tim Stutzle from Germany the club may have to wait a full season to get him over here.

“It’s (something) we pointed out to the managers. We’re still hopeful we’ll The Ottawa Senators will be well prepared if the NHL draft goes ahead in be in position where we’re implementing a new player transfer agreement June for next year in the next couple of days,” Daly said. “And, one of the elements to that player transfer agreement is a signing deadline on players who are drafted in the 2020 draft and if that draft hasn’t happened and the deadline has passed you’re effectively turning the Bruce Garrioch page on that class of draftees for an additional year. April 23, 2020 3:24 PM EDT “It certainly is the intention of the European leagues, and I talked to them as early as (Tuesday), to have their season next year and it would certainly be unfair to them if they’re a week into their season and we’re The Ottawa Senators likely don’t have any objections with the NHL draft coming over and signing a player because he was drafted and we’re being held in June. bringing him back to North America. That’s not how we would do business and it would be unfortunate if that was the result for some of our For that matter, neither should the rest of the teams at the bottom of the NHL clubs, but that’s certainly one of the risks of not going early.” standings including the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres or New Jersey Devils.

As NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told me an interview Wednesday, Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.24.2020 no system is going to be perfect, but the league would like to go ahead with its annual draft before the rest of the season and the playoffs are held in the summer because nothing is normal during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus around the world and that means adjustments will have to be made.

Daly indicated the metric the NHL will use to determine the order for the draft lottery will be the winning percentage of the club’s involved and that bodes well for the Senators. Right now, the Senators have a .437 winning percentage which gives them a 13.5% chance at winning the lottery with their own pick plus an 11.5% opportunity with the selection they have from the San Jose Sharks in the Erik Karlsson trade.

Essentially if the league goes by winning-percentage the club’s chances in the lottery won’t change one bit. That’s nothing but good news for the Senators and their faithful who are excited about the possibility of the club getting the No. 1 overall pick to take winger Alexis Lafreniere of the Rimouski Ocean or even just chance to have two selections in the top five of a great draft isn’t bad either.

The reality is the GM’s opposed to this have to show flexibility and this decision isn’t going to linger because the league likely needs to know in the next two or three weeks what direction it will take.

“The fact is a lot of the logistical challenges we’d have with a June draft are the same issues we’re going to have deal with two, three or four months whenever we do have the draft because we don’t know what kind of season we’re going to return too, whether we can play a regular season, regular season standings, a play-in round,” said Daly.

“Those are all issues that are going to raise the exact same draft-type issues as putting it before the end of the season is going to raise so. At the end of the day, you have to lay out all the pros and cons and do what’s best for the league as a whole.”

I can guarantee you Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion, assistant Peter MacTavish, chief scout Trent Mann and the rest of their veteran scouting staff have no issue with the draft being held in June. No, there won’t be a combine in Buffalo to test the players this spring, but as Dorion noted in a conference call last week they’ve been operating business as usual on that front and are well prepared for whatever happens.

While the Senators had planned to host their scouting meetings at the Centre next month, adjustments may have to be made on that front to do it virtually. That’s not going to be an issue and the only area it will really take away from is the team dinners after the day which also include discussion about prospects once the actual meetings are completed.

Making sure the Senators are prepared for the draft, Dorion, Mann and other members of the staff have been interviewing prospects on Zoom calls. It gives them an opportunity to get to know the players personality and it gives teams like Ottawa a good handle on guys they’re interested in taking.

Daly noted part of the reason the league wants to move the draft to June is to make sure the clubs have access to European players. If the NHL waits until September to hold its draft then those players would be in camp or starting the season with their teams overseas. It means if the 1183368 Ottawa Senators

PLAY TIME? Ontario government committees will look closely at pro and amateur sports

Tim Baines,

April 23, 2020 3:22 PM EDT

A couple of provincial government committees — one for each of amateur and professional sports — is pushing ahead to talk about a safe post-COVID-19 sporting environment.

With an official announcement expected early next week, former Ottawa Senators president/CEO Cyril Leeder and former Toronto city councillor Karen Stintz (Variety Village president/CEO) will co-chair the amateur sports ministerial advisory committee, while Leeder will also work on the pro side, along with representatives from the NHL (Leafs and Senators), CFL (Tiger-Cats, Argos and Redblacks), NBA (Raptors), Canadian Elite Basketball League (Guelph, Hamilton, Niagara and Ottawa) and two rugby clubs (Toronto and Ottawa). It’s assumed Canadian Premier League soccer (Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton) will also be represented.

Don’t expect this to speed up the return of the NHL, NBA or CFL or any of the other professional sports to Ontario cities, also don’t look for any kind of amateur sporting activities to be happening imminently.

“The committees have four weeks to do consultation, then two weeks to write their report,” Lisa MacLeod, Ontario minister of heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries told Postmedia on Thursday. “That will help inform the ministry how we can get back to playing. This will not be a decision taken lightly and it will be taken with the advice of the medical officer of health in the province of Ontario.

“The committees have a six-week window, but that doesn’t mean in six weeks anything opens up. It just means we’ll have a series of recommendations to start to enact in order to play when the chief medical officer of health warrants it. Obviously, everybody has shuttered and there are no sports going on, so we’re looking for what a gradual, measured re-entry will look like. How do we keep our players, our coaches, our administrators and our fans safe?”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford placed MacLeod on an economic and jobs recovery team to consult with sectors and industry partners in order to understand how they can best and safely re-open the economy in the province over a period of time when it is safe to do so. She says the committees are a good way to evaluate, then push forward.

“Having the right people around the table can best inform me and the government on how we best can do that, rather than us just telling them what to do when we’re not the ones on the ground,” she said. “With amateur sport, how do we look at a post-COVID-19 re-entry into playing safe? How do we break the stigma of gathering again? What do facilities and equipment look like for us to play safely? When do we play safely? What sports might be able to re-enter quicker than others? How do we equip our volunteers and coaches in a post-COVID-19 reality?”

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183369 Philadelphia Flyers “They just did things right,” Clarke said. “Everybody contributed, everybody was important. They were a tough team to play against.”

“The sad part about it,” Barber said from his home in Runnemede, N.J., Bob Clarke and Bill Barber: Coaches have made a major difference in on Wednesday, “is that it seems like we’re snakebitten sometimes. We the Flyers’ turnaround | Sam Carchidi get to Finals, we’re banged up.”

Since winning their last Stanley Cup in 1975, the Flyers lost their next six appearances in the Finals, the last time in 2010. by Sam Carchidi, “We were on a roll this season, and who knows where we would have ended?” Barber said, adding that Hart “was coming into his own.”

The Flyers were soaring when the season was suspended last month Barber believes there will be a Stanley Cup champion crowned at some because of the coronavirus pandemic. point in 2020. Clarke said he has confidence that Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner, will do what’s best for all involved. They had all “bought in” and were playing unselfishly, coach said recently. “Everyone’s focus has been on the team." “I have a lot of faith in Bettman,” Clarke said. “We have 31 teams and soon to be 32, and players from all over the world because of what That’s true. So is the fact that all four lines were contributing. Ditto the Bettman has done. I know he gets criticized, but he’ll make the right much-improved defensive units and goalies Carter Hart and Brian Elliott. decisions for the league. Whatever decision is made, it will be for what’s The players, said Vigneault, who had won nine of their last 10 games right for everybody in the league – owners, the players, and the game.” when the season was paused March 12, are the ones who deserve the Regaining their mojo credit. If the season is resumed, Barber was asked how difficult it would be for Still, it’s interesting that two Hockey Hall of Famers now connected to the the Flyers to regain the momentum they had built before the league was team’s front office – Bob Clarke and Bill Barber – both immediately shut down. mentioned “coaching” when asked about the team’s success in separate conversations this week. “It’s going to be hard for everybody in the league,” Barber said, “but I still think it’s going to be on the back of the players’ minds here that, ‘You Vigneault, a strong coach of the year candidate, and assistants Michel know what, we had something going here.’ From the leadership Therrien and Mike Yeo are in their first year with the Flyers, while Ian standpoint, from (Claude) Giroux and Couturier, that will be mentioned, Laperriere, Kim Dillabaugh, and Adam Patterson are holdover assistants. I’m sure, in the dressing room. It’ll be, ‘Hey guys, we were on a roll here. Besides their overall play, the Flyers’ special teams have improved We were one of the best teams. Let’s go out and try to apply that.’ ” dramatically under the new regime. Barber, who had both knees replaced in December and has made great A year ago, the Flyers went 37-37-8 (82 points) and finished sixth in the physical progress, acknowledged that it “will be harder because that eight-team Metropolitan Division; they were 41-21-7 -- on pace for 106 (momentum) was taken away,” but that it can still be regained. points -- and in second place this season, which had 13 games left when play was suspended. During home games, Barber frequently sits with Dave Scott, chairman of the Flyers’ parent company, . Scott’s expertise is in “I’m not surprised,” Barber, the Flyers’ head coach in the early 2000s and the cable industry, but he has learned the ins and outs of the NHL since now a senior advisor for the club, said of the turnaround. “The reason becoming a part of the Flyers seven years ago, and Barber has helped being, I look at the coaching staff. I admire their style. They make people him understand the finer points of hockey. accountable, and it doesn’t matter who you are. I think that’s a big step, and we have our young players who are maturing, and good leadership.” “Dave is obviously a very astute guy, and he wants to win as bad as the fans want to win,” Barber said. “He wants to win in the worst way, and Former Flyers star Bill Barber, now an advisor for the team, receives his he’s surrounded himself with some really good hockey people.” banner from a member of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in 2018. Especially the coaching staff.

Former Flyers star Bill Barber, now an advisor for the team, receives his banner from a member of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in 2018. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.24.2020

Clarke, who also serves as a senior advisor and was instrumental in bringing general manager to the Flyers, was asked his impressions of this season’s team.

“It was a really well-coached hockey team,” he said from his home in Sarasota, Fla., on Wednesday. “I really enjoyed watching this team; it’s one of the better-coached teams we’ve had for a while now.”

He paused.

“They had good goaltending, the defense was good, the forwards were good,” he added. “I think it was one of those teams where you can’t base the players’ performances on statistics.”

Back when Clarke played, he was usually among the league leaders in points, and players like Barber, Reggie Leach and Rick MacLeish were frequently among the league’s top goal scorers, while Bernie Parent was among the goalies with the best stats in the NHL.

This year’s Flyers don’t have any scorers close to the league leaders. Travis Konecny is 32nd in the NHL with his team-leading 61 points, and Sean Couturier is 42nd with 59 points. Konecny has a team-high 24 goals, 44th in the league.

Carter Hart is the only Flyer among the NHL leaders, placing sixth in goals-against average (2.42) and tied for 13th in save percentage (.914) among goalies who have played at least 30 games.

‘Everybody was important’ 1183370 Philadelphia Flyers

If NHL resumes, it could play at four sites; tricky decision to be made on draft dates

by Sam Carchidi,

If the NHL can resume, it is kicking around the idea of playing in as many as four of the league’s arenas, with three games daily at each venue.

Gary Bettman, the league’s commissioner, outlined some ideas, which he stressed were among the many the NHL is considering, during an interview Wednesday with TSN in Canada.

The league suspended its season March 12 because of the coronavirus outbreak. The Flyers have 13 regular-season games remaining, and all teams have between 11 and 14 games left.

If the season is played at four NHL arenas, they have not been selected, Bettman said, adding that having games at just two rinks has also been discussed.

The rinks would be in cities that are not hot spots for the coronavirus, the commissioner said, and the arenas would need practice facilities “because if you bring in seven or eight teams to a particular facility and you’re playing a lot of games on a regular basis without travel, there does need to be ice for practice.”

Edmonton, Minnesota, Carolina, Dallas, Arizona, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Columbus, and Toronto are among the cities that have been reported as possible sites. The Wells Fargo Center has not been contacted by the league as a possible site, a source said.

Bettman said players would need three weeks of training camp before the season resumed.

The decision on whether to resume will “ultimately be made by medical people and people who are in governments of all different levels,” Bettman said. He added that “clearly, we can play into the summer. Clearly, we can play next season, which we intend to do in its entirety, starting later.”

Bettman also said there is a chance the 2020 draft will be held in June, before the end of the regular season. That would be tricky because teams’ draft positions are usually determined by the regular season and the playoffs.

“It was a trial balloon,” Bettman said of floating the draft idea to general managers. He said he was getting lots of feedback from the general managers, and acknowledged the plan was a bit unusual but added “we don’t live in a perfect world anymore. We’re going to have to make some adjustments.”

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183371 Philadelphia Flyers

Wilt Chamberlain stands alone as Philly’s champion in greatest pro athlete poll

by Staff Reports,

We posed the question: “Who is Philly’s greatest pro athlete of all-time? Our readers answered in a big way by making round-by-round selections in the Inquirer’s 64-player interactive bracket.

Wilt Chamberlain received 1,219 first-place votes in our readers’ completed brackets to win the Philly championship game. Mike Schmidt (642 votes), (305), (211), and Brian Dawkins (196) rounded out the top five pro athletes by total votes.

All of the No. 1 seeds (Chamberlain, Clarke, Schmidt, and Reggie White) held their spots in the final voting, as each was atop the balloting in the most polls for their respective teams to advance to the Final Four.

White ranked as the least-favorite pick to win the Philly championship round among the No. 1 seeds. Dawkins, ranked the fourth-best Eagles player of all-time, finished as the bracket’s top sleeper pick. The Eagles Hall of Famer was the highest seed to finish in the top five.

Sixers players made up three of the top six selections, according to readers, with No. 3-seed Allen Iverson earning 145 votes.

Player rankings were provided by Inquirer beat reporters Les Bowen (Eagles), Keith Pompey (Sixers), Scott Lauber (Phillies), and Sam Carchidi (Flyers).

Final votes for the top 10 players:

1. Wilt Chamberlain - 1,219 votes (37.7%)

2. Mike Schmidt - 642 votes (19.9%)

3. Bobby Clarke - 305 votes (9.4%)

4. Julius Erving - 211 votes (6.5%)

5. Brian Dawkins - 196 votes (6.1%)

6. Allen Iverson - 145 votes (4.5%)

7. Reggie White - 110 votes (3.4%)

8. Chuck Bednarik - 104 votes (3.2%)

9. Bernie Parent - 74 votes (2.3%)

10. Steve Carlton - 61 votes (1.9%)

Inquirer beat reporters Keith Pompey, Les Bowen, Sam Carchidi and Scott Lauber debate Philadelphia's best pro athletes of all-time.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183372 Philadelphia Flyers

Lindros now an ambassador for Flyers team that once divorced him

By Rob Parent

Eric Lindros has made official his long reconciliation with the Flyers.

His playing career here might have ended badly, with a seemingly ruined relationship with the team's management, but Lindros has come full circle in his history with this city's hockey club.

He was officially named a Flyers team ambassador Thursday, which made convenient the promotion he and the club are working on together.

Lindros, a Hockey Hall of Famer and Flyers Hall of Famer who has made returns to Wells Fargo Center with increasing frequency in recent years, accepted his position and was said to "kick the partnership off by joining the hockey club in participating in the ALL IN Challenge," according to a team news release.

The ALL IN Challenge is a digitally oriented fund-raiser bent on COVID- 19 hunger relief. The release goes on to say Lindros' partnership with his long-ago club will "celebrate the relationship between Lindros and the Flyers and bring the hockey legend back to Philadelphia for community events, fan appearances, and corporate partner engagements once the NHL season resumes."

"Few players in Flyers history inspire as much excitement and passion among the fanbase as Eric Lindros," said Valerie Camillo, president of business operations for the Flyers. "During this unprecedented time, those positive feelings are exactly what we want to deliver to our fans."

She claimed the plan to make Lindros a team ambassador - joining fellow Broad Street Bullies alums Bernie Parent and Bob Kelly - had been "in the works for quite some time, and we made the decision to kick it off right now, not only as a special engagement for our fans, but even more importantly, as an integral way to assist those impacted by COVID-19."

Over the past several years, Lindros' relationship with the Flyers has been a story of healing. It really began with former GM Bob Clarke, who went from close father figure to Lindros antagonist before he finally dealt his former team captain away to the Rangers in 2001, making a bold move by lobbying the committee to consider Lindros over a period of years.

Things grew from there.

“I look forward to being back with my Flyers family and kicking things off in a way that makes a positive impact during a time of need,” Lindros said in a statement. “Philadelphia has always been my home away from home and I’m eager to continue connecting with and giving back to the passionate Flyers fan base that has treated me so well over the past two decades.”

Lindros played 486 games with the Flyers from 1992 through 2000, netting 290 goals and earning 659 points. After the trade he played for the Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars until retiring in 2007.

He made his long-sought public return to South Philly in an alumni hockey game on Dec. 31, 2011 as part of a Winter Classic Game weekend celebration. the club subsequently honored him, John LeClair and in a Legion of Doom reunion, and Lindros was then inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame in 2014. The Hockey Hall of Fame nod finally came in 2016, and in 2018 Lindros' No. 88 jersey was raised to the rafters.

Delaware County Times LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183373 Philadelphia Flyers

An OT winner, a weird Oilers fan and a thrilling Flyers victory in NHL 20

By Jordan Hall

April 23, 2020 10:00 PM

Flyers fans were four days away from seeing Connor McDavid at the Wells Fargo Center before the NHL season was suspended March 12 because of the coronavirus outbreak.

So while you couldn't see him live in action, fans did get a chance to see the virtual version of the 23-year-old superstar Thursday night as NBC Sports Philadelphia aired an NHL 20 simulation of the the Flyers-Oilers matchup.

With the great trio of Jim Jackson, and Taryn Hatcher on the call, the Flyers beat the Oilers in an overtime thriller, 5-4.

Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier had multi-point games, while Ivan Provorov scored the game-winner on a nasty shot.

McDavid put up a goal and an assist but Carter Hart turned him away twice in overtime, finishing with 44 saves.

Couturier scored a huge goal in the third period to extend the Flyers' lead to 4-2. It was important insurance because the Oilers tied the game with consecutive goals to force the extra session.

Giroux and Scott Laughton turned things on in the middle stanza with back-to-back goals to put the Flyers in control.

The fellas almost hurt Giroux's neck here on the celebration.

Back-to-back!

James van Riemsdyk opened the game's scoring by flushing home a rebound during the first period.

GOAL! @JVReemer21 stays hot in simulation hockey. @NBCSPhilly | #EDMvsPHI pic.twitter.com/SKrT0IxZIx

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 23, 2020

Meanwhile, this Oilers fan was pretty weird, choosing a peculiar technique to celebrate during the action.

He went home unhappy as the Flyers improved to 3-1-0 in the NHL 20 simulations.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183374 Philadelphia Flyers

Report: Swedish forward Linus Sandin intends to sign with Flyers

By Jordan Hall

April 23, 2020 7:45 PM

It appears the Flyers could be adding a Swedish forward to the mix in 2020-21.

Linus Sandin, a 23-year-old who played in the Swedish Elite League during 2019-20, intends to sign with the Flyers, according to a report Thursday night by Sportsnet Canada’s Chris Johnston.

Nothing is official as a contract has not been signed, per the report, so a potential deal could fall through.

It sounds like the IIHF transfer agreements will be/have been extended for a year.

Either way, there's no official entry-level contract yet, but Sandin has picked the Flyers from the group of interested NHL teams.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 23, 2020

A 6-foot-1, 209-pound winger, Sandin finished tied for third in the SHL this past season with 19 goals. He scored 36 points in 51 games for HV71.

During 2019-20, the Flyers had five prospects play in the SHL (Olle Lycksell, Linus Hogberg, Adam Ginning, David Bernhardt, Samuel Ersson), so they scout the league well and see it a lot.

Oskar Lindblom and Robert Hagg are also SHL products. Lindblom went from being a 2014 fifth-round pick to winning 2016-17 SHL Forward of the Year with 47 points (22 goals, 25 assists) in 52 games for Brynäs IF as a 20-year-old. Hagg shares the same hometown of Uppsala as Sandin, who is the brother of Rasmus Sandin, a 2018 first-round pick of the Maple Leafs.

@NHLFlyers @Robbanhagg @MapleLeafs @Rasmussandin och HV71- spelaren @LinusSandin , kände att de ville göra skillnad. De har nu tillsammans med IFU Arena sett till att hjältarna på @Akademiska_Nytt fått 850 matlådor! pic.twitter.com/LlOD4amsnH

— IFU Arena (@ifuarena) April 22, 2020

Sandin, who went undrafted and turns 24 years old in May, is considered to have bottom-six NHL potential.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183375 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers make Eric Lindros team ambassador, announce his participation with All In Challenge

By Jordan Hall

April 23, 2020 5:48 PM

Before Eric Lindros watched his No. 88 rise to the Wells Fargo Center rafters, made something clear.

"You are back where you belong," he said to Lindros on Jan. 18, 2018, the night of his jersey retirement ceremony. "This time, it's forever."

The ill-will stuff is a thing of the past.

On Thursday, the Flyers introduced Lindros as an official team ambassador, a new relationship that will begin with his participation on behalf of the club in the All In Challenge, which is a fundraiser for COVID-19 hunger relief.

“Few players in Flyers history inspire as much excitement and passion among the fan base as Eric Lindros, and during this unprecedented time, those positive feelings are exactly what we want to deliver to our fans,” Valerie Camillo, Flyers and Wells Fargo Center president of business operations, said in a release. “This ambassadorship with Eric has been in the works for quite some time, and we made the decision to kick it off right now, not only as a special engagement for our fans, but even more importantly, as an integral way to assist those impacted by COVID-19.”

With the All In Challenge, the Flyers are auctioning off the "Ultimate Philadelphia Flyers Game Day Experience," which includes some very cool fan experiences alongside Lindros.

“I look forward to being back with my Flyers family and kicking things off in a way that makes a positive impact during a time of need,” Lindros said in the release. “Philadelphia has always been my home away from home and I’m eager to continue connecting with and giving back to the passionate Flyers fan base that has treated me so well over the past two decades.”

The Flyers and @88EricLindros have accepted the #ALLINCHALLENGE!

Bid on the Ultimate Flyers Experience and join the @allinchallenge to raise funds for COVID-19 relief: https://t.co/r9VTPfk0w2 pic.twitter.com/1DgQnxhJOF

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 23, 2020

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183376 Philadelphia Flyers three-year run from 1988-1991 is up there with anyone in franchise history, scoring 45, 37 and 40 goals, respectively, during those three seasons.

Should Rick Tocchet make Flyers Hall of Fame? Tocchet was one of the most prominent players on the Flyers' teams that stood toe to toe with the 80s Edmonton Oilers, one of the greatest dynasties in sports history. Tocchet also served as captain for one season and later in his career returned to the Flyers as a glue guy, part By Brooke Destra, Katie Emmer, Taryn Hatcher, Joe Fordyce, Jordan of the team that beat his former team (the Penguins) in five overtimes Hall during the 2000 playoffs. Unfortunately, Tocchet’s best season and his April 23, 2020 1:40 PM one Stanley Cup ring as a player came with the hated rival Penguins in between his two Flyers tenures.

Tocchet is hands down a Flyers Hall of Famer. Going End to End today are NBC Sports Philadelphia's Brooke Destra, Katie Emmer, Taryn Hatcher, Joe Fordyce and Jordan Hall. Hall

The topic: Should Rick Tocchet make the Flyers Hall of Fame? Maybe it's just me but I find it odd to induct a player into a franchise's Hall of Fame when he won a Stanley Cup with the organization's rival team. Destra In fact, Tocchet has won three Cups with the Penguins — two as an assistant coach and one as a player. And good for him. Tocchet not only has a strong case to make the Flyers Hall of Fame but he also has the potential for the Hockey Hall of Fame in the future. Don't get me wrong, Tocchet had a heck of a career and could have a shot at the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was that old-school power forward, Even though his 18 seasons in the NHL had been spaced out across a a leader and a winner with impressive numbers. handful of teams, he did some of his best work in Philadelphia — starting and ending his career as a Flyer. But with the Flyers, he doesn't rank in the organization's top 10 for games, goals or points, and he wasn't able to hoist the Cup in Philly. It’s curious to think about where he would’ve ended in the franchise leaderboards if he spent his whole time in Philadelphia, but he's currently A really good Flyer and a great player, but not sure he'll get into the 15th overall in points. He also ranks in the top 20 for every other main Flyers Hall of Fame. category, including games played, goals and assists.

Now, he also found success in Pittsburgh, posting his career high in points for a single season (48 goals, 61 assists, 109 points) and also Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.24.2020 coming back and winning two Stanley Cups behind the bench. (That was making the case for the Hockey Hall of Fame, of course.)

Emmer

Absolutely.

Throughout his 10 seasons with the orange and black, he made quite the impact, whether it was on the score sheet or being the reliable enforcer the team needed.

The 1988-89 season was one of Tocchet’s best scoring seasons with the Flyers — he had the seventh-highest goals per game average in the league with a 0.68 mark, and behind Tim Kerr, Tocchet was the team’s second top scorer that season with 81 points (45 goals, 36 assists).

Though he didn’t have numerous high-scoring seasons with the Flyers, Tocchet consistently made an impact in other ways with his hockey smarts or hockey fists.

Tocchet had a combined 1,713 PIM with the Flyers. He was the true definition of Philly tough.

A combination of his abilities, toughness and hockey IQ helped the Flyers to two Stanley Cup Final appearances (1985, 1987).

Tocchet started and finished his 18-year NHL career in Philadelphia, he had a passion for the city and a passion for the fans. He deserves to be in the Flyers HOF.

Hatcher

Tocchet 100 percent gets my vote. He worked his way up from being a bottom-six guy to a player who posted back-to-back-to-back-to-back 30- plus-goal seasons, highlighted by a 45-goal season in 1988-89. He ended his Flyers career with 232 goals and 508 points. Both of those statistics put him in the franchise's top-15 all-time in those respective categories.

Not to mention he’s the Flyers' all-time leader in penalty minutes, which means he accomplished all that while spending a fair amount of time in the sin bin. Iconic.

Fordyce

If anyone not named Bobby Clarke embodied the face of Flyers hockey more than Tocchet, let me know. My dad is one of the biggest Flyers fans I know and the first hockey player he ever told me about was Tocchet.

He was tough, a great teammate, a goal-scorer and an enforcer. Whatever the orange and black needed him to be, he was. Tocchet’s 1183377 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins A to Z: Niclas Almari gets a taste of North American hockey

Seth Rorabaugh

Thursday, April 23, 2020 4:01 p.m.

While the NHL is on hold because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Tribune-Review will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 54 individuals under NHL contract with the organization, from mid- level prospect Niclas Almari to high-profile trade acquisition Jason Zucker.

Niclas Almari

Position: Defenseman

Shoots: Left

Age: 21

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 180 pounds

2019-20 AHL statistics: 51 games, seven points (one goal, six assists)

Contract: First year of a three-year entry-level contract, $809,167 cap hit.

Acquired: Fifth-round selection (No. 151) overall in 2016 draft

This season: After appearing in two regular-season and one postseason game on an amateur tryout basis in 2017-18 with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Almari is in his first full professional season at the North American level.

The 2019-20 campaign has been a learning experience for Almari, who is getting used to playing on the smaller North American rink (200 by 85 feet) as opposed to the larger (and somewhat random) rinks he grew up playing on in his native Finland. While he has been a healthy scratch at times throughout the season, he’s received a fairly ample workload because of injuries or recalls for veteran defensemen such as Kevin Czuczman, Zach Trotman and David Warsofsky.

He hasn’t taken huge steps this season, but he’s heading in the right direction if he’s to become an NHL-er.

The future: If Almari makes it to the NHL, he’ll be the safe left-handed partner to a right-handed defenseman who has some offensive pop. Think Brian Dumoulin or Marcus Pettersson with fewer physical gifts.

Tribune Review LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183378 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins’ Matt Murray, Primanti Bros. to feed police

Seth Rorabaugh

Thursday, April 23, 2020 12:15 p.m.

Penguins goaltender Matt Murray is teaming with Primanti Bros. to offer food to police in Pittsburgh beginning Thursday.

According to a release from the team, Murray has “a $5,000 open tab” for officers at the downtown restaurant located at 2 Market Square.

“I want to thank the people on the front lines who put themselves at risk every day to keep us safe,” Murray said in the release.

Tribune Review LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183379 Pittsburgh Penguins And, ultimately, #COVID19 will set the timeline. There will be three phases: red, yellow, and green.

pic.twitter.com/NahiYrKovo First Call: Pittsburgh as NHL return city?; Some underrated potential — Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) April 22, 2020 Steelers draft targets It appears there is a rather large and indiscernible gap between our

lockdown state now (red), large gatherings still being prohibited (yellow), Tim Benz and aggressive mitigation orders being lifted (green).

Thursday, April 23, 2020 6:37 a.m. Where does a hockey game in front of (presumably) no fans, with up to four rosters of players in uniform, and about 200 other necessary people in the building fit into that three-tiered system?

For “First Call” today, we’re still talkin’ hockey in a bubble. No. Seriously. I’m asking. I have no clue.

Just different bubbles. Look, it’d be great if Pittsburgh can be a host city for the NHL’s return. It’d be more than fun for our region. I’d call it an honor. Forget New Hampshire, North Dakota and Saskatchewan. And frankly, most of us have shown dedication toward flattening the NHL commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed through ESPN.com that the curve. We’ve honored requests and requirements to staying inside. A NHL is looking at four NHL host cities as designated locations to large percentage of us have been being patient with state restrictions condense the league and to restart the 2019-20 season. based largely on the fact that we just so happen to have a much bigger No games have been played since mid-March because of the city in our borders five hours away. coronavirus pandemic. Our local businesses deserve the kiss. The report states that teams would be split into four designated cities. I’m not betting on it, though. Almost like NCAA basketball tournament regions. Just one other item for “First Call” today … The venues would host three games per day. The league is trying to find places that have contained outbreaks well compared to the rest of North Sports Illustrated put together a list of overrated and underrated players America, plus satisfactory arenas and practice facilities. in the NFL Draft.

ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski reports that the Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton It lines up well for the Steelers. Oilers and Minnesota Wild are early favorites as host teams. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB/LSU), Laviska Shenault (WR/Colorado), and Could PPG Paints Arena be a fourth location? Bettman has said that this Logan Wilson (LB/Wyoming) are all players on the underrated list. They doesn’t have to be by division. The arenas in question need to have the are all draftees that I have seen “mocked” to the Steelers in the late-first locker room space to host four teams at once. I’m not sure if all four at to late-third rounds. PPG Paints have the “NHL-caliber” specifics and space Bettman is requiring. But the building has hosted NCAA basketball and hockey So if they hit the Steelers at pick No. 49 or No. 102 because they have tournaments in the past. been “underrated,” that’s good news for fans of the Black and Gold.

It also doesn’t have an additional practice sheet of ice. But if Pittsburgh A Penn State product is on that list, too. Meanwhile, on the overrated list, were to be considered as a destination in a pinch, the RMU Island Sports there is a quarterback and a wide receiver some have tried to drive to the Center, the team’s practice complex in Cranberry, and others in the Steelers. region could help.

Theoretically, Pittsburgh has contained the pandemic very well. Based on Tribune Review LOADED: 04.24.2020 numbers published by TribLive on Wednesday, there had only been 560 cases reported in the city of Pittsburgh and 1088 in all of Allegheny County. The 15219 zip code — where the arena is located — has reported nine positive cases out of 138 tests.

Not bad for one of America’s top 30 metro areas.

However, Tom Wolf is the governor of Pennsylvania. And his recently released standard of less than 50 new cases per 100,000 over a given two-week period may be hard for a region of our size to meet.

Right now, our pacing isn’t bad. But when you see variances such as 73 people in Gibsonia or 44 in Coraopolis, versus six in the 15222 zip code Downtown on Liberty Avenue, that seems like a shaky number to maintain for a region of our size, if we are judging county by county.

At a rate of one diagnosed person per 2,000, we’re talking about very little wiggle room.

Not to mention, the nature of how and why those residents were tested, such as patients in nursing homes or retired and aging population that may not come into the city anyway.

In other words, the city’s infection numbers may be impacted by countywide circumstances that might as well be a galaxy away from PPG Paints Arena, even though the statistics were gathered within the same area of dominant influence.

Not to mention Wolf’s arbitrary and nebulous, color-coded pandemic- threat system he is using to gauge how various regions can open up.

Tonight, I’m announcing our plan to slowly reopen Pennsylvania.

We will use a measured, scientific approach. We will not just be flipping a switch to go from closed to open. 1183380 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins players, staff calling season ticket holders

Mike DeFabo

Penguins fans don't know exactly when they'll be able to see their favorite players again. But some just might hear from them.

Starting on Wednesday morning, general manager Jim Rutherford, coach Mike Sullivan and his staff and all of the players began making personal phone calls to select season ticket holders and corporate sponsors. Each individual will be dialing about 15 to 20 of the fans who typically pack PPG Paints Arena, with the goal of reaching around 400 to 500 people.

Tom McMillan, the Penguins vice president of communications, said the goal is to brighten some spirits and stay in contact with the fans. The calls started at 9 a.m. on Wednesday and will continue for three days.

Penguins fans are among the most passionate in the NHL with a 600- plus game sellout streak that dates back to 2007. Earlier this season, Forbes named Penguins fans No. 1 in the NHL for the third time since 2009. The study based the ranking on local television ratings, attendance, secondary market ticket demand, merchandise, social media reach and percentage of a given team’s market that watched, attended or listened to a game in the past year.

Only time will tell when those fans might get to see a game again — especially live. The Penguins (40-23-6) were sitting in third place in the Metropolitan Division standings when the NHL season was suspended on March 10 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, the NHL extended the self-quarantine guidelines through the end of April, a deadline that might be pushed back further.

As of now, there are no concrete plans about when or how the NHL might resume its season.

Mike DeFabo:

Post Gazette LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183381 Pittsburgh Penguins LONG-TERM OUTLOOK: There are three options when Schultz becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Penguins could decide this year is an anomaly and find a way to fit him into their long- term future. Schultz could bet on himself with a one-year deal with the Penguins on pause: Justin Schultz's contract year derailed by injuries hope of driving up his value. Or, after winning the Cup two times in Pittsburgh, maybe Schultz find a new long-term home elsewhere.

Mike DeFabo: Mike DeFabo

Post Gazette LOADED: 04.24.2020 The NHL has “paused” its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unclear if it will resume. So, with one eye still on the future, the Post- Gazette’s Matt Vensel and Mike DeFabo are looking back at what each Penguins player did in 2019-20. We started with the captain, No. 87, and will count down by jersey number.

Sometimes, hockey players celebrate goals. Other times, they breathe a sigh of relief.

Justin Schultz fell into that second category on March 10, when he beat Devils goalie MacKenzie Blackwood for his first goal since Nov. 12.

That fourth-month drought between the two goals largely defined Schultz’s 2019-20 season. During that span, Schultz spent two separate stints on injured reserve and endured a 21-game drought without a point and a 27-game dry spell without a goal.

When he’s healthy and on top of his game, Schultz is an offensively gifted blue liner with skill, smarts and the ability to run the top power play. As recently as three years ago, he racked up 51 points during the 2017 season and filled in flawlessly for Kris Letang during a second straight Stanley Cup run. The problem for Schultz this season was he was rarely healthy and on top of his game. In total, Schultz tallied just three goals and nine assists in 46 games to go along-with a minus-13 rating.

The tough-luck season couldn’t have come at a much worse time.

There were already questions about Schultz’s long-term future in Pittsburgh when the season began. The 29-year-old defenseman was playing out the final year of a three-year deal, with unrestricted free agency looming at season’s end. Some salary cap gymnastics might have been necessary to keep the blue liner in Pittsburgh long term on a team that’s always challenged to keep all its talent on the payroll.

As the season unfolded, a number of factors cast more doubt that Schultz will be a Penguin beyond this season. Schultz’s recent injury history is at the top of the list. After a broken ankle derailed Schultz’s 2018-19 season, he once again fell on hard injury luck, missing 23 of the Penguins’ 69 games.

Beyond that, rookie defenseman John Marino emerged, almost out of nowhere, to become a top-four caliber defenseman. With Letang on the top pairing and Marino in the second, Schultz got bumped to the third pairing as the team’s third-best righty.

The other factors are financial. The Penguins already made a considerable investment on their blue line when they inked Marcus Pettersson to an extension that will carry an average annual value of $4,025,175 through the 2024-25 season. Adding Jason Zucker in the trade market will eat up another $5.5 million per year from the cap through the 2022-23 season. And the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic could add another wrinkle when it comes to the cap.

Add it all up and it’s not unreasonable to wonder if that slump-snapping goal Schultz scored in New Jersey might be one of his last in a Penguins uniform.

DEFINING MOMENT: Schultz’s injury issues began to flare up on Nov. 21, when coach Mike Sullivan said the defenseman would be out “longer term” with a lower-body injury. Sullivan said at the time that it was difficult to pinpoint when the injury occurred, suggesting it was something that had been nagging Schultz even before he was sidelined.

STAT THAT STANDS OUT: Injuries have forced Schultz to miss considerable time over the last two seasons. After missing 53 games last year, Schultz missed another 23 this season. He’s played just about 50 percent of the 151 games over the last two years.

IF THE SEASON RESUMES: Schultz had been playing on the third pairing next to Jack Johnson. With the defensemen now all healthy, odds are Schultz would remain in this spot. Recently, the Penguins have been using Schultz on the top power play unit in place of Letang. It remains to be seen if that will continue. 1183382 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins' Matt Murray opens up Primanti Bros. tab for police

Matt Vensel:

Matt Murray is thanking Pittsburgh police officers with the gift of pastrami.

Yeah, you’re probably going to need a little more context here. The Penguins announced Thursday that the two-time Cup-winning goalie is partnering with Primanti Bros. to launch a $5,000 open tab for hungry police officers.

Beginning today, Murray and Primanti Bros. will offer police access at its Market Square location. The restaurant chain is currently only offering takeout service, but orders may be placed by calling ahead or in person at the restaurant. Officers should be present and show a badge to access the goalie’s tab.

“I want to thank the people on the front lines who put themselves at risk every day to keep us safe,” the 25-year-old said Thursday in a statement.

Matt Vensel:

Post Gazette LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183383 Pittsburgh Penguins Miller is playing the best hockey of his career, and make no mistake, it’s been a really good career. He’s having one of the great seasons ever authored by a local product, currently putting up 27 goals and 72 points in 69 games during his first season in Vancouver. Miller has managed Who is the greatest hockey player from Pittsburgh? three 20-goal seasons and appears to be getting better. He’s only 27.

Umberger’s take: “All of the kids who were drafted that year are really, really good players. And J.T. is definitely one of them. Just a really good By Josh Yohe player.” Apr 23, 2020 John Gibson

Career stats: 287 games, 139-103-33, 2.53 GAA, .918 save percentage Pittsburgh isn’t Montreal or Toronto when it comes to producing NHL John Gibson (Brad Rempel / USA Today) talent. The lowdown: Gibson has emerged as one of hockey’s best goalies. You It’s not New Mexico, either. could make an argument that he’s the most physically gifted goaltender The NHL is now littered with Western Pennsylvania products, some of in the game, a rare combination of size and athleticism. His numbers whom have become impactful NHL players. There once was a time when have been hurt by the Ducks’ struggles during the past two seasons, but anyone making it to the NHL from Pittsburgh — even a defenseman who there’s little doubt that Gibson is a star. made the NHL for a cup of coffee — was a big deal. The 2011 NHL Draft Gibson has also been an international star, leading Team USA to a changed everything, and not just because Brandon Saad, Vince number of international championships. If NHL players were still Trocheck, John Gibson and J.T. Miller were drafted, but because they all participating in the Olympics, he’d be the Team USA starter. became NHL standouts. Umberger’s take: “I don’t see Gibby play as often as some of the other Many local players have reached the NHL, but six clearly have separated guys just because his entire NHL career has been out west in Anaheim themselves in the battle of Best Player from Pittsburgh. and I don’t see those games as often. But I think we all know how good Let’s break down the numbers, along with some analysis from R.J. he is. The numbers speak for themselves.” Umberger. Brandon Saad R.J. Umberger Career stats: 588 games, 169 goals, 178 assists, 347 points, 0.59 PPG Career stats: 779 games, 180 goals, 212 assists, 392 points, 0.50 PPG The lowdown: Saad owns two things that no one else on this list can The lowdown: The Plum product enjoyed a very good NHL career, joining claim: Two Stanley Cup rings. And he came by them honestly. Saad Ryan Malone as the true godfathers of Western Pennsylvania hockey emerged as something of a star during his first stint with the Blackhawks, players. Umberger was a good power forward who scored 20 or more scoring eight goals in the 2015 postseason during the Hawks’ final Cup goals in four straight seasons for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He also run. bettered the 20-goal mark with the Flyers. While Saad was certainly surrounded by talented teammates from the He was a good, steady power forward for a seven-year stretch. It also beginning, he was always considered to be the most talented member of should be noted that he scored 14 career Stanley Cup playoff goals in the Big Four. And he is. He’s already produced five 20-goals seasons only 30 games. His career was cut a bit short by injuries, but there’s no and scored 31 for the Blue Jackets during the 2015-16 season. A power question that he was a good, reliable top-six winger for the better part of forward who is a wonderful skater, Saad is among the NHL’s better left a decade. wings. The Penguins were interested in him in 2015, but after trade talks stalled, they acquired instead. Umberger’s take: “I take a lot of pride in what I did because there was a barrier before Ryan Malone and I made it to the NHL. We grew up Saad’s career appears to have plateaued in recent years but he still has watching and Jaromir Jagr. To make it to the same produced 21 goals in 58 games for the Blackhawks this season. He’s a league they were in, as a Pittsburgh kid, it was a really big deal and it really good player and his postseason track record is a good one. always will be to me.” Umberger’s take: “I live in Columbus so I got to see him play a lot when Ryan Malone he was here. He’s a great hockey player, really fast, can do it all.”

Career stats: 647 games, 179 goals, 191 assists, 370 points, 0.57 PPG Vincent Trocheck

Ryan Malone (David Berding / Icon Sportswire via Associated Press) Career stats: 427 games, 112 goals, 172 assists, 284 points, 0.67 PPG

The lowdown: He fittingly started his career with the Penguins and is the Vincent Trocheck (Charles LeClaire / USA Today) first Pittsburgh born and trained player to reach the NHL. He did so with The lowdown: What a player Trocheck has become. While Saad had the some flair. Malone scored 22 goals in his rookie season for the advantage of being drafted by a good organization with considerable horrendous 2003-04 Penguins, which was no small feat for a kid. Malone NHL talent, Trocheck, frankly, did not. The Panthers left him in the AHL had a similar career to Umberger in that he was an effective power for far too long, as he clearly was ready to play in the NHL about a year forward for a considerable stretch of time, emerging as Evgeni Malkin’s before he was given the opportunity. preferred left wing during the Penguins’ 2008 Stanley Cup final run. Trocheck has the best points per game figure of any player from He was a skilled player and even notched five shorthanded goals in one Pittsburgh. He’s played in multiple NHL All-Star games and enjoyed an season. As the first born and raised Pittsburgher to represent our city in exceptional three-season run from 2015-18. During those three seasons the NHL, he did well. with Florida, Trocheck produced 79 goals, 103 assists and 182 points in Umberger’s take: “He was a heck of a good player. Big, skilled. We were 240 games. He’s recently been slowed by multiple lower-body injuries the two that made it up first and that will always be a cool thing. Ryan’s a but remains a force when healthy and figures to put up significant good guy and had a really good NHL career.” numbers with the talented Hurricanes.

J.T. Miller Umberger’s take: “These guys can all skate so well, these younger guys. Trocheck is definitely one of those guys. He can really move and he’s Career stats: 504 games, 122 goals, 187 assists, 309 points, 0.61 PPG turned into a great two-way player.”

The lowdown: I feel like he’s the most under-the-radar local product. Of Final analysis the Big Four drafted in 2011, Miller probably received the least amount of hype. This is interesting because he was the first of the four drafted and So, who is the best player from Pittsburgh? Really, it’s to be determined. went to a big market team (the Rangers). I think the numbers and eye test indicate that Saad, Gibson, Trocheck and Miller have surpassed Malone and Umberger. Picking between the four is difficult. For one, Gibson is a goaltender, so comparing him to the others is difficult, though I’d suggest he is the most dominant hockey player to come from Western Pennsylvania.

Among the skaters?

My current list looks like this:

1. Trocheck

2. Saad

3. Miller

4. Malone

5. Umberger

So here’s the deal. I think Saad has clearly had the most accomplished career of these players. He’s the most polished of this group, the surest bet to score 20 or more goals every season and, I’m willing to bet that he’d be the winner if I conducted a poll. I love Saad on a personal and professional level. He’s terrific. However, I feel like Trocheck, from 2015- 2018, played at a higher level than any local product has. And he was doing it for an eternally mediocre organization and without being surrounded by considerable high-end talent. He plays with a fire that I love.

Of any player from Pittsburgh, Trocheck possesses the highest point per game total. This is pretty impressive, and I believe his numbers will take off in Raleigh if he can stay healthy.

Let’s not forget Miller in this equation, either. What a season he is having.

Gibson, of course, could very well be considered the best at his particular job. In fact, I’d say he is. But when determining the “best player,” it’s always hard to figure out where goaltenders should rank.

The beauty of this is that the Pittsburgh Four are all either 26 or 27. Their careers are theoretically and hopefully not even halfway over.

Let the debate rage on. And feel some pride when considering your options.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183384 Pittsburgh Penguins Said Scuderi: “As I remember it, a lot of his damage was on the power play, and most of it came early in the series.”

Actually, Ovechkin had scored only two of his seven goals on the power Marc-Andre Fleury has a secret about his Game 7 save of Alex Ovechkin play. He also recorded half of his six assists in Game 6, including on the Capitals’ tying- and go-ahead goals in the third period that required an answer by Sidney Crosby late to force overtime.

By Rob Rossi “Do I think we were better as the series went on? I do. Do I think we did better against him after Games 1 and 2? I do,” said Dan Bylsma, who Apr 23, 2020 had replaced Michel Therrien as the Penguins’ coach almost three months to the day of Game 7 against the Capitals in 2009.

Marc-Andre Fleury remembers his favorite save as if it happened “That doesn’t mean he was the guy I wanted to see coming in on a yesterday, not in what feels like another lifetime. breakaway early in Game 7. My memory isn’t always great, but I probably even said something to our players the day before about us not An elimination game. In a building where he had won only one letting that happen.” postseason game. Surrounded by a mass of red-wearing fans who were doing their best to make him feel like he was in the belly of a beast. And Bylsma had said something along those lines to his players between the guy who had the puck on his stick blade was not only the opposition’s Games 6 and 7. Not that he had needed to state the obvious. best player, not merely a future Hockey Hall of Famer, but also “Even then, he was one of the best goal scorers I’d ever played against,” somebody who had few equals in the history of the sport. Guerin said of Ovechkin. “He was like a bull in a china shop. He was fast, As Alex Ovechkin barreled toward him about three minutes into Game 7 and that shot of his was … look, I’ve never seen a guy shoot like he can, between the Penguins and Capitals in 2009, Fleury was ready, almost by and back then, he looked to shoot all the time. They fed off him scoring accident. goals, and it felt like he was shooting the puck whenever it came to him.”

“I don’t know if you force (Ovechkin) to do stuff. He sort of forces you to Scuderi and Gill, neither of whom could match Ovechkin’s skating do stuff, right?” Fleury said. “Before their games in Washington, they prowess, realized their best chance was to deny him the puck. When showed goals on the Jumbotron. And, you know, I always watch the Ovechkin did get the puck, they wanted him to be at a spot on the ice Jumbotron.” where any shot attempt would be of the low-percentage type.

He did. He still does. “I’ve always said the only chance you have against him is to take away his time and space,” Scuderi said. “It’s the only chance you have. And I But never before — and not since — Fleury’s first never-forget save in a think we did that more as the series went on.” Game 7 on the Penguins’ championship run 11 years ago has his habit of peeking up at an arena’s video board helped him like it did May 13, Gill agreed, but with one caveat. 2009. That night, it was the “secret” to him getting the final, definitive “It’s a good approach, the right approach,” he said. “The only problem is, victory in a one-on-one battle with Ovechkin. Ovi doesn’t need much time or space to get off a great shot. Whenever All things considered, it’s understandable Fleury points to one save as he shoots, it’s a great shot. He’s that good.” the most important of his life, the stop that changed everything for him Before the series, Ovechkin had scored six goals in 11 career games and the Penguins over a decade ago. against Fleury. Then he ripped off five in the series’ first seven periods. This one. “It got better, but it was bad early,” Fleury said. “I don’t think he was It is one of the most important plays in franchise history, and it’s being doing something different. He was, I think, hot. Maybe sometimes there featured as The Athletic is celebrating the most important plays of the was traffic or something, but it’s always like that in the playoffs. He was past 20 years. just looking to shoot so much, you know? I mean, he always does. You have to be ready for him to shoot. He’ll do it from anywhere on the ice.” “When Flower made that save, it’s the first time those playoffs when I thought, ‘It might be our year,’” said Bill Guerin, who joined the Penguins With 17 games against Ovechkin under his belt, Fleury figured he had just before the trade deadline in March — nine weeks before an epic probably seen everything Ovechkin had to offer in terms of variety of second-round showdown with the Capitals concluded with a Game 7 at shots. Still, he wanted to leave nothing to chance for Game 7 — including what was then called Verizon Center. up to the last possible minute.

The Penguins had not wanted to be in the American capital for Game 7. He decided to scout a pregame video package the Capitals regularly Though they had quite nearly fallen behind, 3-0, in their best-of-seven displayed on their video board. What could it hurt? The package was series — Kris Letang’s overtime goal in Game 3 at the old Mellon Arena sure to feature footage of Ovechkin scoring goals, and Fleury thought is arguably the most important goal that gets lost to history in Pittsburgh there was at least a chance the video could serve as a cheat sheet for — Guerin dared not reveal what he was thinking after a loss in Game 6 the final exam that was Game 7. at home that forced the series to a decisive contest. Again, Ovechkin had either scored or set up 13 goals through six games. “There’s always one team that doesn’t want to be in the Game 7,” Guerin Fleury figured Ovechkin was going to get a few chances with everything said. “It’s the team that could have won it in Game 6. on the line. Not that he was planning for Ovechkin to land a breakaway around three minutes into the game. However, when it happened … “And we should have won it in Game 6 in Pittsburgh. That’s not a knock on the Caps. Give them credit. But even though we lost Games 1 and 2 “Well, he did the same move on the breakaway that I saw on the in their building, I feel like we were the better team every other game.” Jumbotron before the game. He scored that way on the Jumbotron,” Fleury said. “So, when I saw him come down, I was maybe looking for That point can be debated. Only Game 4 had not been decided by one that move. And he still fooled me pretty good. He has such a good shot, goal. The team that scored first had lost four times. The earliest winning you have to respect it. But I didn’t commit all the way, because I knew — goal had come 1:46 into the third period of Game 2. Overtimes were from what I’d seen on the Jumbotron — that he might go around me. He needed in Games 3, 5 and 6. did. And I was able to get a piece of it.

The Penguins might have felt as though they held a territorial advantage “But, yeah, I scouted him on the Jumbotron. That was my secret.” throughout the series. Even if they had, Ovechkin’s individual dominance had negated it. He had scored seven goals and assisted on six others Not even Fleury’s teammates were aware of his secret until a decade heading into Game 7. after his sensational save — all right, his first sensational save — in Game 7 of the 2009 postseason. Evgeni Malkin had simply chalked up “I’ll go to my grave telling people we did a decent job against him,” said the stop to Fleury being the “best goalie on breakaways.” Hal Gill, who, along with defense partner Rob Scuderi, often drew the assignment of playing against Ovechkin’s line. “He stops everybody in practice,” Malkin said. “I don’t worry. Not even with Ovechkin on a breakaway. Flower is too fast. He made a great save, of course. But I’m not surprised.” Capitals fans were stunned, and Ovechkin appeared to sense some of what Guerin felt watching the scene play out.

“Game over,” Guerin said. “You could feel the life come out of their building.”

About five minutes after Fleury’s save, Crosby and Craig Adams scored eight seconds apart. Those goals sent shivers throughout the silenced crowd. Goals by Guerin and Letang within the first two-plus minutes of the second period ended all suspense.

A tight, tantalizing series was sent into the history books with a blowout in the finale: Penguins 6, Capitals 2.

The Penguins would go on to win the Cup. They would win it again in 2016 and 2017, besting the Capitals in the second round each time.

The Capitals finally won the Cup in 2018. They beat the Penguins in Round 2 and defeated Fleury’s upstart Golden Knights in the final.

How might all of it have played out differently had Ovechkin scored?

“I remember thinking that was the save of Fleury’s career,” said Ray Shero, the general manager of the Penguins in 2009. “I was wrong.”

“People said I’ll never make a bigger save and I think that’s probably true,” Fleury said of the Cup-clinching robbery of Nicklas Lidstrom in Game 7 of the Cup final. For Fleury, the final-seconds save in Detroit served as a fitting bookend to the early-minutes stop on Ovechkin in Washington that he made almost two months to the day prior. “Maybe it’s my best save. It won us the Cup, right? That’s pretty awesome.

“I think I like the one in Washington that year more. It’s, like, not as big a deal as the one in Detroit, but that one in Washington on Ovechkin was pretty good.”

Pretty important, too.

It’s no secret what followed for the Penguins after Fleury flummoxed Ovechkin: The greatest run of great days for hockey in Pittsburgh.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020

1183385 San Jose Sharks “It’s going to be imperative that when he comes back in September that he’s ready to make a difference from Day 1 because we can’t afford to wait until November to get his game going,” Boughner said on Feb. 16.

Re-evaluating the Sharks’ decisions to trade for — and extend — Erik Karlsson will turn 30 on May 31, so his offseason training will only get Karlsson more important as he moves forward in his Sharks career. Just like they were at the start of this season, all eyes will be on Karlsson at the beginning of next season, too.

By Kevin Kurz The bottom line: Karlsson simply hasn’t played that Norris Trophy-caliber hockey that he’s getting paid to play for long enough stretches, Apr 23, 2020 regardless of all the other factors. A strong start next season would go a long way toward helping his reputation among the fan base, but for that to happen, he might have to change or just simply increase his offseason It’s a common occurrence that any time a professional sports team training. underachieves, the fan base will direct much of its ire towards the highest-paid player on the roster, particularly if that player hasn’t lived up Injury bug to expectations. There was already a concern at the time of the trade that Karlsson’s Such is the case with the 2019-20 Sharks, who, if there is not a injury history meant that he would struggle to remain a dominant player. resumption of the regular season, will finish in last place in the Western A lacerated Achilles tendon in 2013 and major ankle surgery in 2017 led Conference. Overall, the Sharks have the third-worst record in the NHL to speculation that he was never going to be one of the league’s best and don’t even have their own first-round draft pick in the upcoming NHL defensemen again. Draft, which would have provided at least some hope for the future. The injuries, of course, have continued with the Sharks. Karlsson Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the recent fan survey we required surgery to repair his groin last offseason after injuring it twice in conducted at The Athletic is how many among the fan base are the second half of the 2018-19 season. It’s worth recalling the odd displeased with the acquisition of (and subsequent contract extension circumstances of those injuries, too — just one day after Wilson said that for) defenseman Erik Karlsson, who signed an eight-year, $92-million they were going to be cautious with Karlsson, the defenseman returned deal last June that made him the highest-paid defenseman in the league. to play against the Bruins on Feb. 26, only to get hurt again right away. Of the 1,001 people who replied, 48.8 percent believe that general Why he was permitted to play in that game in the first place sure seems manager Doug Wilson should not have offered that lucrative deal. like a huge error in judgment by either Karlsson, the medical staff, or Further, in the “least favorite player” category, Karlsson garnered 92 of someone else in the organization. It’s a decision that they may have still the 696 votes (13.2 percent), exceeded only by the 166 votes for Martin been paying for this season, considering Karlsson’s mobility just wasn’t Jones, who has some of the poorest stats for No. 1 goalie in the NHL the same. over the past two seasons. (In the “favorite player” category Karlsson got Karlsson again missed significant time this season, breaking his thumb just 3.5 percent of the vote, finishing seventh.) on Feb. 14 after getting hit with a slap shot. He was expected to miss the Assuming these results reflect the fan base as a whole, Karlsson is rest of the regular season before it was cut short due to the coronavirus clearly a polarizing figure. To be sure, many fans are thrilled that he’s shutdown. locked up in teal for the long term, and believe he can still be among the The bottom line: Karlsson still has to show he can remain in the Sharks’ best players in the NHL. lineup on a more permanent basis. The thumb injury shouldn’t be all that Still, two days after his season-ending thumb injury in February, Karlsson concerning and can probably be chalked up to bad luck, but have the admitted that he’s been the recipient of what he called “tough love” from other significant injuries caught up with him? This season suggests that Sharks fans. may be the case.

Why might that be? Let’s examine four main factors regarding what has In the room transpired with Karlsson and the Sharks since that blockbuster trade on There was a major change in the dressing room last summer when Joe Sept. 13, 2018. Pavelski departed and Logan Couture was made the new captain. On-ice performance Karlsson was named as an alternate captain and was going to be relied upon to be more of a leader. In his first season with the Sharks, Karlsson posted 45 points (3g, 42a) in 54 games. From late November until mid-February, Karlsson was clearly In that regard, the first half of the season, in particular, did not go the best player on the team and maybe even the best player in the smoothly. There was no cohesion among the group on the ice, as league. Had he kept it up, he could have won a third Norris Trophy. A evidenced by the team’s miserable record, but there was frequent pair of groin injuries, though, sidelined him for about six weeks, and when bickering on the bench and in the dressing room, too, according to he returned for the playoffs he was not 100 percent healthy. It showed. multiple sources. Boughner recently mentioned that the team cohesion was an issue that he attempted to correct after taking over in December. This season, Karlsson never found that level he was at prior to the groin injuries. His scoring was down, with 40 points (6g, 34a) in 54 games, but How much of that is because of Karlsson? That’s tough to know, and it defensively is where he really struggled. Far too often, Karlsson gave the would probably be unfair to pin the blame solely on one player. But puck away or was caught out of position or flat-footed, leading to a prime former Sharks forward John Scott revealed in January on his “Dropping scoring chance the other way. He was as much of a liability defensively the Gloves” podcast that Karlsson’s personality might not be meshing as he was an asset on offense. When Karlsson was on the ice, the very well with everyone else. Sharks scored 42 goals at five-on-five, but surrendered 45. After mentioning that he had dinner with some of his former Sharks Had Karlsson remained healthy in 2018-19, the Sharks might have won teammates, Scott said he asked them about Karlsson. the Stanley Cup. That’s how good he was for that stretch in the middle of “I’m not going to say who answered the question, but they’re like, yeah, the regular season. He was, quite simply, dominant. he’s terrible. He’s checked out, he’s not invested, and he just does not This season, though, he looked off from the beginning. The fact that the want to play, really. Maybe I’m paraphrasing words,” Scott said. Sharks had such terrible depth up front, along with a second straight Scott’s co-host added: “We asked them, what’s he like? And all they season of poor goaltending, surely affected Karlsson’s stats. Still, as the could say is that he talks a lot. That was the only thing they said about NHL’s highest-paid defenseman, he didn’t come close to meeting him. He talks a lot.” expectations. “Talks a lot and doesn’t really do much,” Scott said. “It’s concerning. We Perhaps the biggest issue with Karlsson’s play has been that he’s gotten were talking to guys on the Sharks, and they know. I don’t see how he off to poor starts in each of his two seasons with the Sharks, which was lasts there. I really don’t.” common for him in Ottawa, as well. On Feb. 16, interim coach Bob Boughner indicated that he expects Karlsson to be in better condition from the outset of the 2020-21 season. From Karlsson’s side, the defenseman admitted in December in an The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 interview in Tampa that every once in awhile he goes “a little bit overboard, and you’re going to do things that in the heat of the moment that you probably wouldn’t have done if you sat down and took a deep breath.”

His partner at the time, Brenden Dillon, said: “There’s obviously instances in games where emotions run high. I think there’s better ways to handle it sometimes than maybe how certain guys do, and I think he’d be the first guy to tell you in certain instances he could have done things differently.”

The bottom line: Pavelski leaving was obviously something that the entire organization didn’t realize would have such a negative effect.

Still, this is an issue that can sometimes can get fixed. In 2014-15, for example, there were many indications that the Sharks’ dressing room wasn’t great that season, either — recall that Wilson said he was told that some players looked at one another as “co-workers rather than teammates.” While Wilson was also not popular in the dressing room during a season that, in hindsight, now looks like a discreet tank job by management, the general manager found veteran, respected players like Paul Martin and Joel Ward in the subsequent offseason, leading to a quick turnaround in 2015-16.

Karlsson, and probably a few others, might have to change their approach in the dressing room next season if the team is going to rebound quickly. This is a sport that demands players put their bodies on the line for the good of the team and their teammates, so it’s vital to get this fixed.

The assets traded to Ottawa

Along with owning the Sharks’ first-round pick in this year’s draft, which is likely to be in the top-three overall, here’s what else Ottawa has from that Karlsson deal:

• Center Josh Norris, the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, who was tied for third in the AHL in scoring with 61 points (31g, 30a) in 56 games for Belleville this season (and played three scoreless games for the Senators). Norris could project as a second-line NHL center and has been compared to Sharks captain Logan Couture for his proficient two- way game.

• Center Chris Tierney, who posted 11 goals and 37 points in 71 games this season and is a pending restricted free agent.

• Winger Rudolfs Balcers, 23, who posted three points (1g, 2a) in 15 games with Ottawa this season.

• Goaltender Mads Søgaard, who was taken with the second-round pick in 2019. Søgaard, 19, has a 40-21-4 record and .915 save percentage in two seasons for Medicine Hat (WHL).

• A third-round pick in 2020 (from Winnipeg, in exchange for defenseman Dylan DeMelo).

• The Sharks’ second-round pick in 2021.

Along with Karlsson, the Sharks also turned winger Francis Perron into forward Timur Ibragimov, whom they selected in the sixth round of the 2019 draft. He spent this season in Russia.

The bottom line: You can’t blame Karlsson for what the Sharks gave up to get him, but the trade just doesn’t look good right now, and could very well be the deal that ultimately costs Wilson his job if the team doesn’t quickly rebound next season. Not only does Norris look like a lock to play in the NHL, the Senators could end up drafting a future star in this year’s draft, too.

There’s still so much that can happen, of course, as this trade isn’t even two years old. If the Sharks are able to retool this offseason and become an elite team again, and Karlsson returns to top form, the trade and extension could still pay dividends.

On the other hand, there’s tremendous reason for hope if you’re a Senators fan. Dealing Karlsson could end up being the move that started them down the right path again after a couple of years of misery. Right now, that looks like the more likely outcome.

In the meantime, the Sharks’ acquiring Karlsson and locking him up for most of the rest of the decade will continue to be a much-debated topic among Sharks faithful.

1183386 Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.24.2020

Lightning announce #StickTogether auction to benefit coronavirus relief efforts

MARI FAIELLO

Fans will have the chance to bid on signed sticks from every current Lightning player and some former ones, too.

Like many other sports organizations, the Lightning are trying to help people suffering from the coronavirus any way they can.

The team’s latest effort is a live online auction that allows fans to donate money directly toward relief efforts in exchange for a player-signed stick.

Every current player on the team’s roster is featured, in addition to some former players, including 2004 Stanley Cup champion captain Dave Andreychuk, Vincent Lecavalier, Brian Bradley and others.

The online auction started Thursday and will end May 1 at 5 p.m. The bidding on sticks for current players starts at $150, while former player sticks are starting at $75. Fans also can choose to donate any amount they wish on the website without bidding on a stick.

In the hockey community, we #sticktogether both on & off the ice.

The Bolts Better Halves are launching an auction of player & alumni signed sticks to support everyone battling COVID-19 in our community.

The auction is live & closes May 1st at 5pm!

Bid: https://t.co/nKzyxhpdyA pic.twitter.com/VDRg81qbWT

— Lightning Foundation (@LightningFDN) April 23, 2020

The auction is just the latest effort the Lightning has made since the coronavirus halted the season last month.

Tampa Bay owners Jeff and Penny Vinik have donated nearly $2 million in relief efforts so far, including $1 million to Metropolitan Ministries, $100,000 to both “One Tampa” and a similar fund in St. Petersburg to help individuals and small businesses, and $50,000 to a student fund at USF.

All of the proceeds from a T-shirt sale based on forward Alex Killorn’s “Dock Talk with Killer” live Instagram show will go to the Hillsborough Education Foundation to help children who can’t get resources like food and educational supplies during this time of online learning.

The Lightning also pledged to create a fund for Amalie Arena’s part-time employees and donate 500,000 meals to Feeding Tampa Bay in late March. The players’ significant others are lending a hand, as well, donating food to the staff at Tampa General Hospital.

View this post on Instagram

We are all in this together. Thank you to @lsorganics for helping the @tblightning wives and girlfriends provide meals and wellness shots to the staff at Tampa General Hospital. #thankshealthheroes

A post shared by Deanna Shattenkirk (@deannashattenkirk) on Apr 1, 2020 at 7:56am PDT

Contact Mari Faiello at [email protected]. Follow @faiello_mari.

We’re working hard to bring you the latest news on the coronavirus in Florida. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. If you haven’t already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription.

UP NEXT:Lightning’s Alex Killorn announces 'Dock Talk’ T-shirt sale to help children in need

Mari Faiello - Sports reporter

1183387 Tampa Bay Lightning Girardi couldn’t put his finger on an exact number but said it was more than 1,900 (records say 1,954). He was ranked first in the league when he retired, but Chicago’s Brent Seabrook has since passed him.

Lightning’s Alex Killorn announces 'Dock Talk’ T-shirt sale to help Killorn’s last visit, to Callahan’s house, was probably the most children in need entertaining for Lightning fans.

The two talked about Boston’s Brad Marchand licking Callahan’s face during Game 4 of the 2018 Eastern Conference semifinals. MARI FAIELLO “I was in shock,” Callahan said. “It was a scumbag move to do. I didn’t know how to react.”

Proceeds will benefit the Hillsborough Education Foundation to help Callahan’s shoulder was dislocated at the time, so it was taped to his children who don’t have food or educational resources. body, prompting an awkward-looking comeback at Marchand.

It didn’t take long for Alex Killorn’s “Dock Talk with Killer” live Instagram The Lightning won the series, four games to one. video series to take off. “We got the last laugh out of that one,” Callahan said. Quite literally. As a sign of appreciation, Killorn gave each of his guests gifts. The first episode — which the Lightning forward hosted last week from a Sergachev received a cat-themed fanny pack and Union Studio gift card. jet ski — was a hit. So, of course, he was up for a second. Girardi got some Icy Hot for his ankles and a Tide To Go pen. Callahan scored some treats for his dog, Levi. But the series isn’t just about giving fans an inside look at the lives of current and former Lightning players while the NHL season is on hold. They also received “Dock Talk” T-shirts. Nor is it simply about growing Killorn’s brand or him becoming an “influencer.” “This will be perfect to wash the car with," Callahan joked.

Following Wednesday night’s episode, Killorn posted that “Dock Talk” T- Other nuggets from the episode shirts are on sale at the Lightning’s online store. All proceeds will go Killorn is trying to get a Bucs-themed episode lined up. He acknowledged toward the Hillsborough Education Foundation so that children who bringing Tom Brady on board would be a stretch, but he might be able to cannot afford meals and/or obtain the necessary tools for online classes get in touch with other players on the team. can get help. His favorite Lightning player is right wing . “I tell him Get your Dock Talk shirts now at http://tampabaysports.com. These every time I play with him, he’s my favorite. He thinks I’m joking.” things are gonna sell quick. Not only will you stand out at Amalie but everywhere in Tampa. People will know you are part of the dock talk Will he ever join video-sharing service TikTok? “Not ever going to get tribe! More importantly 100% of profits will be going to the Hillsborough one. That’s where I draw the line. I’ll never look into a camera and just education foundation. For kids who have been affected by covid-19 and dance.” cannot afford meals and the tools necessary for online classes. Thank you His favorite TV show is The Office. “I watch it every night before I sleep and during the day if I take a nap. My favorite episode is probably, ‘The A post shared by Alex Killorn (@akillorn17) on Apr 22, 2020 at 3:35pm Dinner Party.’” PDT Favorite arena to play in: Killorn said the in Montreal is pretty The one-hour video chat, which attracted more than 1,700 viewers at one cool because he’s able to play in front of his home crowd, but Rogers point, gave Lightning fans a pleasant distraction in the midst of the Arena in Vancouver is probably his favorite because he always plays well worldwide coronavirus pandemic. there.

Killorn brought along defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and former Contact Mari Faiello at [email protected]. Follow @faiello_mari. Lightning players Dan Girardi and Ryan Callahan for the episode. Vincent Lecavalier couldn’t make it, Killorn said, because his daughter, UP NEXT:Jeff and Penny Vinik nearing $2 million in COVID-19 relief Victoria, had a golf lesson. efforts

Killorn and Sergachev poked fun at one another, Killorn admitting it was Mari Faiello - Sports reporter Sergachev who inspired him to stream the “Dock Talk” episodes in the first place. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.24.2020 The two chatted about Sergachev’s 2-year-old Bengal cat, Niagara, and his near-daily workout regimen (which includes borrowing a friend’s gym four times a week, as well as yoga sessions with his girlfriend, Liza, every other day).

Killorn then moved on to former fan-favorite Girardi, who was joined by his children, Landon and Shaye.

”(The kids) are pretty jacked up right now,” Girardi joked.

A screengrab of former Lightning defenseman Dan Girardi joining the second episode of Alex Killorn's "Dock Talk." Girardi's children, Landon and Shaye, also made an appearance. [Alex Killorn via Instagram]

The former Lightning blueliner didn’t wait for Killorn to get the party started, tuning in early to catch Killorn’s chat with Sergachev while sipping red wine. Girardi quipped it was his first glass of the day.

At one point, Killorn handed his phone to Girardi so the retired defenseman could share one of his famous tales.

“We Purell’ed the phone,” Killorn joked.

Prompted by a fan’s question, Killorn asked Girardi how many shots he blocked in his career. 1183388 Tampa Bay Lightning “Maybe Sea-Doo can be a sponsor!” he said. Killorn reached out to teammates in the Lightning’s group chat to see if

any of them would be open to joining him on his show. He aimed high for How Alex Killorn became an influencer with celebrity ‘Dock Talk’ stars like Stamkos, who is a private guy and was initially skeptical. But Instagram shows Stamkos was great on Episode 1, discussing everything from “Tiger King” to whether there’d ever be another 60-goal scorer (he said yes and picked Auston Matthews).

By Joe Smith “(Stamkos) was tough at first, he said ‘no chance,’ but I told him it’d be fun, no big deal,” Killorn said. “(Hedman) was the first to say he’d do it. Apr 23, 2020 The other guys were like, ‘That’s great.’ I had a vision for what it would be. I didn’t think it’d be painful, thought it’d be easy, fun. A lot of times, when players talk to the media, you don’t get much out of them. But me TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Killorn finally hopped off his jet ski late Wednesday doing it live and (because) they probably don’t think many people are and settled into his Davis Islands home. He picked up his phone for a watching, you get a bit more of their personality.” more low-profile chat. You definitely got that in Wednesday’s episode. I ask the Lightning wing how it feels to be an influencer? It started with Sergachev, the 22-year-old Russian defenseman who has “It feels pretty good — nothing I ever envisioned,” Killorn said, laughing. blossomed into a two-way force. He’s also one of the most active players “I’m just riding the wave.” on social media (@sergach98 on Instagram), posting videos and pics of his Bengal cat, Niagara, and girlfriend, Liza Shelby. Killorn approached It’s been one heck of a ride for Killorn, 30, who has made his “Dock Talk” Sergachev, whose legs were hanging off the dock, and told him he was a jet ski Instagram live chat a go-to for any self-quarantining Lightning fan. huge inspiration for the show. It’s Conan O’Brien on Channelside. It’s David Letterman on Davis Islands. “Every weekend, I watch you do a Q&A with fans,” Killorn said. “I figured it was time. Two influencers coming together.” Killorn has enjoyed showing off his lighter side — along with his teammates — while raising money (through selling T-shirts) for Killorn asked about Niagara and how Sergachev has been spotted taking Hillsborough Education Foundation. The first episode, recorded two her for walks on occasion. “She goes crazy at home,” Sergachev said. weeks ago, featured Killorn driving around on his jet ski and interviewing captain Steven Stamkos, defenseman Victor Hedman and Ryan Killorn asked Sergachev where he learned to fight, noting his big bouts McDonagh. All from their docks. against Jake McCabe in Buffalo on New Year’s Eve and then Canadiens captain Shea Weber later in the season. It took two years for Sergachev “I got all the big boys at once, thinking it’d be just one episode,” Killorn to get into his first NHL fight. said. “But now that I’m doing this, I want to do an episode with Tom Brady. He’d be tough to get. But Gronk, I bet he’d do it.” “I had some boxing training,” Sergachev said. “I was surprised I beat up the first guy (McCabe). The second guy (Weber), I was just lucky.” There’s Killorn, going for the big fish. Killorn joked he didn’t think Sergachev knew who he was messing with in What started as a way for Killorn to interact with fans during this Weber, “one of the toughest guys in the league. I don’t think you’d want coronavirus shutdown has taken on a life of its own. More than 1,600 to do that again,” Killorn said. fans logged on to Killorn’s show Wednesday, including several teammates chirping him in the comments section. He has sponsors now, “I don’t,” Sergachev said. too, with Pepsi (a Lightning sponsor) joining up. Killorn chugged a Pepsi That’s when one of the managers from American Social popped out of at the beginning of Wednesday’s episode. the restaurant with a pizza and a bottle of white wine. Killorn said the “Pepsi. That’s what I like.” business has been hurting during the shutdown, and he wanted to help them out. The manager promoted the restaurant’s Wednesday deal: a This episode included interviews with Lightning defenseman Mikhail pizza and a bottle of wine for $20. Sergachev grabbed a slice before he Sergachev and retired players Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi. Killorn took off. popped by one of his favorite restaurants, American Social, to give them a plug and pick up a pepperoni pizza. Killorn doesn’t know how long he’ll Like in the first episode, Killorn brought gifts for each of his guests. For continue doing this, but he hopes to have a Buccaneers- themed episode Sergachev, Killorn brought a leopard-print fanny pack for his cat and a (fellow Harvard alum and Bucs tight end Cameron Brate already signed card for a haircut from a local spot. Sergachev joked he was growing his on). And there are still plenty of other teammates on Davis Islands who hair out “Heddy style.” he hasn’t caught up with yet. Sergachev. “The fans have jumped on it,” Killorn said. “The feedback has been great. Then Killorn gave out some merchandise: the tie-dyed blue “Dock Talk It’s almost become a hockey player’s ultimate free agent video. It with Killer” tee. They’re $30, but Killorn said all the profits (likely around showcases the life in Tampa and the way we live down here. Other $20-plus per shirt) go to the Hillsborough Education Foundation. In the players are like, ‘That’s crazy you live like that. You can jump on a jet ski first day, he sold nearly 1,000. and hop over to a buddy’s house. “A lot of my initiatives have been education-driven because of my “I could drive my jet ski to the rink if I wanted to!” background,” Killorn said. “I was asking about front-line people and the The league has been pushing for players to showcase on Twitter, Tampa hospitals — they’re doing a good job in getting supplies. Instagram and other social media what they’ve been up to while also (Breseman) told me that with the schools canceled, a lot of kids were in providing messages on staying home and staying safe. Lightning senior need. They’re all using iPads now and computers for school, and director of broadcasting and communications Brian Breseman hopefully with what we raise, we can give them the tools they need.” approached Killorn about doing something like that a few weeks back. Kendra Oestreich, the director of communications for the foundation, said Post a video on social telling fans everything will be fine and that players she saw Killorn’s tweet Wednesday night about the T-shirt proceeds and are thinking of them. immediately texted her CEO Kim Jowell: “Did you know about this?” It was a surprise to them all — but a welcome one. “I had seen so many people post videos like that, I didn’t want to do it,” Killorn said. “Even though the messages are sincere, I didn’t want to be “At first, you do a double-take,” said Michael McCollum, the foundation’s the 14th guy doing that message. I said I’d do something for the fans, but chief advancement officer. “You want to make sure it’s real.” it’d be on my terms.” McCollum said they are working on bridging the digital divide now, Killorn, who moved into his house on Davis Islands several years ago, recently providing 1,000 WiFi hot spots to help kids have access to online admits he hadn’t used his jet ski a ton. He joked that he didn’t even know learning. They’re also distributing supplies like pencils, crayons and what kind of jet ski he owned, that it just came with the house. paper to 20,000 students. “It’s wonderful,” Oestreich said of Killorn’s donations. “We were super What was going through Callahan’s head when Bruins star Brad thrilled. It will definitely go a long way.” Marchand licked his face during a scrum in the 2018 playoffs?

Girardi is entertaining on a regular day. Former teammates call him one “I was in shock, obviously,” Callahan said. “It was a scumbag move to do, of the funniest players they’ve ever been around. to lick somebody like that. I didn’t know how to react. At the time, I needed shoulder surgery, my shoulder was taped down to my side, so I Now imagine the retired defenseman chatting on his dock with a glass or couldn’t really get at him. At the end of the day, it was a scumbag move. two of red wine in his system? We got the last laugh (a series victory) out of that one.”

That’s the casual setup for “Dock Talk,” and Killorn and Girardi had some There were tons of laughs in this “Dock Talk,” and that’s the point after fun Wednesday. Girardi discussed the best prank he had pulled off, all. Killorn isn’t sure when the next episode will be, but he plans to send a which was back in his AHL days in Hartford. direct message on Twitter to Brady to see if he can get the GOAT on his “(Brandon) Dubinsky was a rookie,” Girardi said. “And one of the vets cut show. The Lightning wing could also visit Davis Islands neighbors Tyler the toes off his dress shoes. Cut the soles out of the shoes, so his toes Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Yanni Gourde. went through. He was so mad, he didn’t come on the team bus. We were Either way, Killorn will keep riding the wave. in Portland and we drove by him — he was on the bench stewing.” “The most fun part is putting myself out there,” Killorn said. “When you go Killorn asked Girardi for his favorite memory with the Lightning, and all of and do things not knowing what to expect, you wake up in the morning, a sudden Girardi’s two kids came out and joined: Landon, 10, and Shaye, ‘Why did I say I was going to do that?’ But you push your comfort level. 6. Girardi coached Landon’s youth hockey team, the Brandon Bulls, to a state title (with Vincent Lecavalier). Girardi said his top moment in Tampa “It’s been a fun experience. I came up with the concept myself, got the Bay was scoring an overtime goal against Boston in the playoffs a couple guys to do the interviews and came up with the T-shirt tie-dye look. of years ago. (Breseman) and (the Lightning) helped me out a ton. But from start to finish, I came up with all this stuff myself. It’s cool to see everything come “You threw it in front, you thought it went off a Boston guy, but it hit my together.” stick,” Girardi said. “Definitely one of the top memories for me. Playoff overtime goal? Can’t beat that.”

“I thought I scored that one,” Killorn said. “Everyone came to me.” The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020

Girardi with son Landon, 10, and daughter Shaye, 6.

Killorn then asked how many career blocked shots Girardi had. The defenseman is second in NHL history with 1,913, behind only Brent Seabrook.

“Fun fact, if you guys want to check out the Guinness Book of World Records in 2020, I made it there for the most blocks in the NHL,” Girardi said. “It’s a big deal.”

“I bet you have it displayed,” Killorn quipped.

“It’s on my coffee table,” Girardi responded.

Killorn had a creative gift for Girardi: a tube of IcyHot, a running joke for all the bumps and bruises the shot-blocker got during his career. The camera panned to Girardi’s bulging ankles.

“Looks like they have baseballs inside them,” Killorn said.

Girardi’s good friend and former Rangers/Lightning teammate, Ryan Callahan, was the final guest. But it was a 5-10 minute drive to get to his house from Girardi’s, so Killorn answered a few fan questions.

Favorite Tampa restaurants: “Bern’s and On Swann.”

Ever hit a hole in one? “My first hole-in-one last year at Avila, a 115-yard shot.”

Golf handicap? “I’m scratch.”

Favorite TV show: “‘The Office.’ I watch that literally every night before I go to sleep.”

Favorite cocktail: “Espresso Martini.”

When is former Lightning defenseman Andrej Sustr co-hosting? “We tried to get him for this one, but he’s building beehives — literally — in the Czech Republic.”

Are you going to TikTok? “I’m not going to TikTok. I know I’m an influencer, but that’s where I draw the line. I’ll never look into a camera and do a dance. If my influencer career has to end that way, it’s fine by me.”

Callahan (left) chats with Killorn.

Killorn finally pulled up to Callahan’s dock for his last interview. They talked about the Bucs getting Gronkowski and Brady, a new neighbor in Davis Islands. “It’s awesome,” Callahan said. “The Bucs stadium is hosting the Super Bowl, too. Don’t think it gets any better than that.”

Callahan talked about returning to NHL Network next year and the difference between playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs and the Olympics. And Killorn, of course, asked Callahan what every Lightning fan has tried to ask the past two years. 1183389 Toronto Maple Leafs Count Andersen among those who want to see the 2019-20 season resume.

“I’m pretty open to pretty much everything that can be done to salvage Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen is visualizing a return to hockey the season and finish the season and get a Stanley Cup champion,” he said. “I think all 31 teams have put a lot of time and effort in, obviously, so I definitely want to see something to be done to finalize the season and … not lose out on all the hard work.” Kevin McGran

Thu., April 23, 2020 LOADED: 04.24.2020

When hockey returns, whenever and however that may be, Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen figures the shooters will have an advantage over the goalies.

“As a shooter you don’t really need a goalie to work on your shot, but I think as a goalie you definitely need someone to shoot at you,” he said. “Maybe the shooters have a little bit of an advantage.

“But I think it’s all about what you do in your time off. I’ve been focusing on trying to keep sharp so I don’t want it to be like an excuse or anything … we’ve got to make the wait worthwhile and be ready when we do start back up.”

It can’t hurt that Andersen is housed with Auston Matthews in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“Once we get more pucks, I think I have a pretty good shooter here,” Andersen said.

Matthews invited Andersen to join him once the league allowed its players to go home. Andersen said he didn’t want to go to Denmark, which was already locked down due to the coronavirus pandemic, and Matthews didn’t think it was a good idea for Andersen to stay “crammed” in a condo in Toronto.

So Andersen took Matthews up on his offer and is happy to keep the company of his best friend on the Leafs.

“Auston was kind enough to offer (for) me to come down here and spend time with him and actually have some contact instead of just FaceTiming everyone the whole time,” Andersen said.

“We’ve been close friends since we've played together, but obviously this allowed us to spend even more time (together). It’s been fun so far. We get pretty competitive in some of the things we do ... To have someone just to hang out with and talk to is nice.”

Matthews, talking to reporters two weeks ago, said he and Andersen were playing roller hockey while he worked on his shot. But Andersen, he said, was “not going in the net, I wouldn’t do that to him. He’s not a street hockey goalie.”

But that appears to be changing.

“It’s definitely a challenge not to be able to go on the ice,” Andersen said. “I do have my gear out here, so I think we’re going to experiment a little bit. We have a little sport court at his house now, so I definitely think we’re going to test that out and shoot some pucks and maybe I can work on my stickhandling as well, maybe my shot.”

Andersen suggested they might try using a tennis ball machine, or play some different games. “(Matthews has) a ping-pong table, so we could be playing that a little bit to keep some athleticism and not miss too many steps in this interruption of the season ...

“I think, especially at a time like this where facilities are limited, it’s about trying to be creative and coming up with something.”

Andersen keeps in touch with goaltending coach Steve Briere, and watches video to keep his mind in the game. He has particularly enjoyed watching Dominik Hasek highlights.

“I’ve been trying to watch some video and keep my mind mentally in the game,” he said. “You can’t compare this time with a regular summer. I think it’s very different than when you know you have a time that you come back.

“Now is a time where you need to keep the mental (focus) on actually playing hockey even though you can’t be on the ice. I think the videos have allowed me to keep that going. (You) try to feel like you’re still playing games even if it’s just visualization or something like that.” 1183390 Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson will join the Star in a video chat to answer your questions

By Braydon Holmyard

Thu., April 23, 2020

Before the season came to an abrupt end due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nick Robertson was having himself a season.

The Peterborough Petes forward and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect racked up 55 goals and 31 assists in 46 games before the rest of the schedule was cancelled to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Robertson led the league in goals despite playing 16 fewer games than Ottawa 67’s forward Jack Quinn, who finished the year in second with 52.

And the GTHL product could very well find himself in the Leafs lineup next season.

Last month, general manager Kyle Dubas said the club will give the five- foot-nine American, who won’t turn 19 until September, “every opportunity” to make the club in the lead-up to the 2020-21 season.

Next week, Robertson will join the Star for a video chat to talk about what he’s been up to the last few weeks and answer questions from fans.

Want to know what he likes about Toronto or Peterborough?

Has he gotten to know any other Leafs players?

What’s his favourite self-quarantine activity?

Did he always know he could be an elite scorer at the OHL level?

Toronto Star LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183391 Toronto Maple Leafs reporters last week. “So I just don’t see how or when we’re going to be able to make any type of decision to return to the season.”

That’s the message Bolton thinks all sports leaders should be conveying ‘Rent-a-Goalie’ creator tells Gary Bettman that hockey can wait at the moment.

“Personally, I don’t think we see the end of this season, I don’t think they’ll play it,” Bolton said. “I love the idea of a tournament when it’s all Mark Zwolinski said and done, an opportunity to fill the ice with the game again.

Thu., April 23, 2020 “But ... if they (try to end the season) the way they’re talking about, it would be a way that would do nothing for me.”

Chris Bolton loves hockey, but he feels the message that hockey will return is the wrong one to be sending while the dangers of the Toronto Star LOADED: 04.24.2020 coronavirus remain strong.

Bolton was the creator and star of the TV series “Rent-a-Goalie,” which ran from 2006 to 2008 and included such guest stars as Phil Esposito, Darryl Sittler, and Hayley Wickenheiser. Bolton called it a dream come true in part because he was a fictional sports executive interacting with hockey legends.

He’s not a sports executive anymore but Bolton, a writer/photographer who turns 50 Friday, penned a letter to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and others recently asking that the league not rush back to salvage revenues lost to the coronavirus shutdown.

“It’s a leadership issue,” said Bolton, who also addressed Leafs executives and Kyle Dubas in his letter along with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Toronto Mayor John Tory and others. “It is beholden on the leaders of our institutions to help the public, not get their hopes up on hanging carrots.

“We need to hear from them that we’re not going to restart the season when we have health-care workers needing (personal protective equipment) on the front lines, when people are sick in hospitals, and with no idea when this will end or when we will have a handle on it.”

None of the league, the province and the mayor’s office responded to a request to comment on Bolton’s email.

Bolton’s letter comes as government, business and sports officials study return scenarios from the virus, which has shut down the much of the world on many levels since early March.

Bettman said recently that the league is looking at every avenue possible for a potential return. And on Wednesday, in an interview with Sportsnet, he outlined a plan where the NHL would resume play in four league locations, divided by conference or division. The games would be played without fans and with limited media.

Florida Panthers president Matt Caldwell told reporters the league is targeting a July return.

Bolton is in favour of hockey being played again, but feels the priority should be fighting the pandemic.

“It’s fair and fine to talk about the return of the game,” he said. “We can talk about the future but it’s only a guess at when it comes back …

“Bettman is a smart man. He knows we don’t need sports right now.”

Bolton feels the commissioner has wrongly aligned himself with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has talked to the leaders of North American professional sports and encouraged the games return as soon as possible.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Trump’s leading adviser on the virus, said last week there is a way to bring sports back with athletes quarantined in hotels while playing in empty arenas or stadiums.

“Put (the players) in big hotels, wherever you want to play, keep them (under surveillance),” Fauci said. “Have them tested every week and make sure they don’t wind up infecting each other or their family, and just let them play the season out.”

Polls in the U.S. show fans aren’t in any hurry to join the players in arenas or stadiums. In a Seton Hall poll two weeks ago, 61 per cent of those canvassed who identified as sports fans said they would not feel safe attending games until a vaccine for the virus is available.

Hockey stars such as Morgan Rielly, Tyler Seguin and Drew Doughty have said that public health and safety far outweigh discussions about a return to hockey. “People are dying even more every day,” Doughty told 1183392 Toronto Maple Leafs In that vein, Leafs’ goalie coach Steve Briere has been in constant contact with Andersen and he in turn with Toronto backup Jack Campbell. Coach Sheldon Keefe has been preaching to all of the Leafs to make good use of this unexpected break in play. Maple Leafs' Freddy ready for any NHL re-start plan “Stevie’s been awesome, helping with anything I need like video or different drills,” Andersen said. “We don’t want to make this pause where you don’t get anything out of it. You have to create a skill or sharpen one Lance Hornby in any way possible.” April 23, 2020 8:36 PM EDT EDGE TO THE SHOOTERS AFTER LAYOFF

The question has been posed: Will NHL snipers have the advantage After a month in quarantine at Auston Matthews’ home in Arizona, when and if play resumes in the summer, or would it be the goaltenders? Frederik Andersen isn’t going to quibble where, when or how the NHL re- For starters, neither group has taken this kind of break at this particular starts its season. time of season before. Not that the Maple Leafs goaltender is complaining about his teammate’s “As a shooter, you don’t really need a goalie to work on your shot. As a extended hospitality, but he’d like to get back on-ice instead of solely goalie, you need someone to shoot at you,” Maple Leafs netminder facing Matthews’ shots in the small condominium sports court. And more Frederik Andersen said. “But it’s all what you do in your time off. I don’t than six weeks into the COVID-19 shutdown, he’s encouraged with talk want to make excuses (when play resumes), I want to make the wait of the regular season being completed with games in designated NHL worthwhile and be ready.” cities, perhaps one large centre hosting clubs from each of the four divisions. Andersen wryly noted it was “a very eventful season” for the Leafs even before COVID-19 descended on the world, with Mike Babcock’s firing That idea has more practicality than other summer startup plans that and criticism levelled at the team and his own play. have been bandied about and has at least been discussed at the league executive level. “That stands out,” he mused. “But one thing I really liked about our team is that we really answered the bell. We had our best games against some “I’ve heard a lot of different ideas and scenarios, but I’m pretty much very good opponents.” open to anything that can be done to salvage the season,” Andersen told the Toronto media on a Thursday afternoon conference call.

Andersen would not be bothered by making a few more personal and Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.24.2020 team sacrifices or changes to routine. That includes possibly a couple of more weeks in isolation-type conditions in one hotel and playing a number of games in a short window with no spectators.

“I’m not against that. Everyone wants sports back on,” he said. “I think if there’s a chance we can go back, we owe it to ourselves to play the game we’re so passionate about and we owe it to the fans who’ve been waiting. It will give them something to watch. Fans are starving for something other than a rerun of old shows. It will be a big part of returning to normal.”

Andersen would like to see those March and April regular season games — teams have between 11 and 14 remaining — completed as a prelude to normal playoffs, which are also what revenue starved post-season teams crave.

“There are 31 teams who’ve put a lot of time and effort in. I’d definitely like to see something done to finalize the season, move on and not lose out on all the hard work.”

If Andersen is left with nothing to watch on TV (Matthews joked in a previous conference call they have very differing tastes in programming) he doesn’t mind classic hockey games and has been admiring the dexterity of Hall Of Famer Dominik Hasek.

Andersen, who ranked fourth in league wins when play was halted, did not to return to his native Denmark when the NHL shuttered on March 12, in part because the country was ahead of North America in closing its borders. It has since been among the first in Europe to gradually relax restrictions, with a stampede to barber shops the first order of business for many Danish males.

Rather than sit out the NHL hiatus in Toronto, the 30-year-old Andersen elected to hang with fellow bachelor Matthews in Scottsdale. He brought his gear with him and, when there’s space open on the court, the two have some one-on-one shooting with pucks. Matthews, who was closing in on 50 goals, is not exactly taking it easy on his friend and that’s kept Andersen sharp.

“I’ve got a pretty good shooter out here,” he said with a touch of humour. “And maybe I can work on my stickhandling.

“It has been fun. We’ve been close friends since we’ve played together and we get pretty competitive with some of the things we do (including Matthews’ ping pong table). You have someone to talk to instead of just Facetiming the whole time.

“It’s definitely a challenge not to be able to go on the ice. At a time when facilities are limited, it’s about being creative, it’s important not to miss too many steps.” 1183393 Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.24.2020

Maple Leafs' Andersen eager to play in any NHL restart plan

Lance Hornby

April 23, 2020 2:12 PM EDT

'Home' ice is available for isolated hockey players

After a month in quarantine at Auston Matthews’ home in Arizona, Frederik Andersen isn’t going to quibble where, when or how the NHL re- starts its season.

Not that the Maple Leafs goaltender is complaining about his teammate’s extended hospitality, but he’d like to get back on ice instead of solely facing Matthews in the small condominium sports court.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has said one of the ideas being discussed after more than six weeks on hold from COVID-19 concerns is wrapping up regular season play with a concentration of games in designated league cities, perhaps one in each division.

“I’ve heard a lot of different ideas and scenarios, but I’m pretty much open to anything that can be done to salvage the season,” Andersen told the Toronto media on a Thursday afternoon conference call.

Even if it means a couple of weeks in strict isolation-type conditions again in one place and possibly without spectators for the games?

“I’m not against that. Everyone wants sports back on. I think if there’s a chance we can go back to play, we owe it to ourselves to play the game we’re so passionate about and owe it to the fans who’ve been waiting. It will give them something to watch. Fans are starving for something other than a re-run of old shows. It will be a big part of returning to normal.”

Andersen would like to see those missing March and April regular season games completed as a prelude to normal playoffs at some point in the summer.

“There are 31 teams who’ve put a lot of time and effort in. I’d definitely like to see something done to finalize the season, move on and not lose out on all the hard work.”

Andersen chose not to return to his native Denmark when the NHL shuttered on March 12, with that country ahead of North America in closing its borders. But rather than stay in Toronto, he elected to hang out with fellow bachelor Matthews in Scottsdale. He brought his gear with him and when there’s space open on then court, there’s 1-on-1 shooting.

The Blue Knight is moving on!

Andersen advances in our Head-To-Head mask bracket. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/8T1lj3Ij10

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 22, 2020

“It’s definitely a challenge not to be able to go on the ice,” Andersen said. “We can experiment a little bit. I have a pretty good shooter out here and maybe I can work on my stick-handling.

“At a time when facilities are limited, it’s about being creative. He has a ping pong table we can play, too. It’s important not to miss too many steps in this interruption.”

In that vein, Leafs’ goalie coach Steve Briere has been in constant contact and Andersen is also keeping tabs on back-up Jack Campbell. Coach Sheldon Keefe has been telling all the Leafs to make good use of this unexpected break in play.

“Stevie’s been awesome, helping with anything I need like video or different drills, trying to stress we don’t want to make this pause where you don’t get anything out of it. You have to create a skill or sharpen one in any way possible. I’ve tried to keep my mind in the game.”

Andersen thinks the goalies could be a bit behind when play starts up.

“As a shooter, you don’t really need a goalie to work on your shot: as a goalie you need someone to shoot at you. But it’s all what you do in your time off. I don’t want to make excuses (when play resumes), I want to make the wait worthwhile and be ready.” 1183394 Toronto Maple Leafs “We didn’t have big budgets,” Shannon said. “We couldn’t pay a lot. So my selling mode was, ‘we will teach you how to be a professional broadcaster, and then you can go and make money somewhere else.”

Real Sports Network: How the Leafs and Raptors nearly created a TV Andi Petrillo, now the host of Leafs Lunch on TSN Radio 1050 in Toronto ‘powerhouse’ (as well as the Olympics, on CBC), is among the station’s former employees. Other graduates have moved into jobs in sports and TV across North America. Steve (Dangle) Glynn, the Sportsnet personality, also spent time at the network. By Sean Fitz-Gerald Leafs TV was already providing fanatics with more access than its Apr 23, 2020 competitors. In addition to the raw video from practices and access to the dressing rooms, the channel was producing hour-long pre-game shows and 90-minute post-game shows. When Pat Quinn was coach of the Maple Leafs, he allowed the team’s in- house television channel into the dressing room before and after games. When Quinn was head coach, the channel carried all of his news His practices and news conferences were broadcast live, and Quinn conferences live, from the moment he stepped behind the lectern until became, in the words of one executive, “the No. 1 star of the network.” the moment he left. Depending on his mood, Quinn would be on the air for a half-hour at a time. On the day of the NHL’s trade deadline in 2002, the network kept Quinn to itself. Leafs TV was a new channel, launched by Maple Leaf Sports & “That was the best content we could ever create,” Shannon said. “Pat Entertainment six months earlier, and it was the only place Quinn loved it and we loved it.” appeared that afternoon — leaving TSN, Sportsnet, and every other The channel started carrying a handful of live games. outlet in the dark. “We became a factor in the marketplace,” Shannon said. “That was our “It’s outrageous,” Doug Ackhurst, general manager of The Fan 590, told largest goal, to be part of the question: ‘Is (the game) on CBC? Is it on . Sportsnet? Is it TSN? Or is it on Leafs TV?’” “I hope it’s a one-time occurrence,” TSN president Keith Pelley told the Shannon left the company in 2006, and the expansion plans started paper. leaking out to the public five years later. There were models to follow in There would be plans, though, for MLSE to lay claim to much, much the United States, where regional powers in Boston (NESN) and New more. York (YES) were already established.

Those plans had a name: Real Sports Network. Peddie, along with , his chief operating officer, hired Ed Desser, a ranking executive at the NBA who became a leading sports It would be a regional sports network that wielded some of the most media consultant. His arrival was seen as a signal of how serious the valuable rights in Canadian sports broadcasting. MLSE would control company was about its plans. dozens of regional Leafs games, along with Raptors rights, Toronto FC games and all the Marlies content it wanted. “We started really looking at, ‘what could we do?’” Peddie said. “And we said, ‘well, shit.’” There were plans for a studio to be built next to the arena, where Leafs and Raptors players would have been invited to appear in front of a live By 2011, they already had a brand in place. Real Sports Bar & Grill audience. A nightly highlights program would likely have been created, opened a year earlier and was soon named “North America’s Best Sports focused on the teams within the MLSE empire (which has since grown to Bar” by ESPN. They also had a stable filled with sports teams. include the Argonauts and Raptors 905). When existing rights deals with the networks had expired, Peddie said “There was a potential powerhouse there,” said one Canadian sports MLSE would have been able to offer 52 regional Leafs games, as well as broadcast insider. 70 Raptors games. There were two dozen Toronto FC games and all the Marlies games. “Powerhouse,” echoed another. They would have removed entire blocs of programming from TSN and Launching the network would have carried risk for MLSE, which would Sportsnet. The Leafs would still have been on the CBC on Saturday have surrendered its guaranteed broadcast contracts with the gamble it nights, but the rest of the week would have belonged to MLSE. could make more money on its own. There were regulations to navigate, prices to negotiate and infrastructure built to replace what the big “Pretty powerful,” said Peddie. networks had been delivering for years. There would also have been some powerful risk factors to consider. A On top of that, their teams were not very good for much the first decade Canadian broadcast insider who requested anonymity suggested of the new century. The Leafs would eventually miss the playoffs in 10 of networks would not usually generate a profit on a regular-season Leafs 11 seasons. Toronto FC dropped coaches and managers like candy game. If a network paid $1-million for the right to carry a regional Leafs wrappers. The Raptors were not yet a title contender. The summer game — on top of what it cost to produce the game — it could not expect program calendar would have the strength of single-ply. to generate enough advertising to cover the expense.

Would fans subscribe to watch? The money was in the subscriber fees, which the networks negotiate with the cable companies. “In the models we did,” former MLSE chief executive Richard Peddie said, “we believed that within two years, that little exercise would be Would Peddie, who had just pulled the Leafs rights away from Bell and worth $1 billion.” Rogers, have received an easy time at the negotiating table for his new channel? Probably not, according to . John Shannon was hired as the first employee at Leafs TV, in December 2000. The operation was not based inside Air Canada Centre, but rather There would also be production costs, which had typically been covered in a squat, nondescript building nestled under the Gardiner Expressway, by the networks. There would also be advertising expenses, with MLSE two kilometres east of the arena. having to promote not only its channel, but also its teams.

The building was also home to the company’s new basketball station, Being a regional channel would also have placed limits on the size of the Raptors NBA TV, in which the NBA held a 30 percent stake. That audience, which would then impact the size of the advertising contracts. relationship gave the channel full access to programming from the U.S., There is also the concern about growing the audiences for the teams and Shannon made it the exclusive Canadian home to TNT’s Thursday themselves. night broadcast. Would more than 13,000 fans have gathered at Mosaic Stadium, in “That gave us massive and instant credibility for the Raptors channel,” he Regina, to watch a Raptors playoff game last spring if their broadcast said. rights had been locked into a specialty sports channel for years? Would there have been similar gatherings in cities and towns across Canada if Both the Leafs and Raptors channels launched in September 2001. casual fans had not had easy access to watch the team and learn about Peddie is not among those skeptics. He helped build MLSE from a the game along the way? company that had a hockey team, a basketball team and a building (Air Canada Centre), into a national sports entertainment monolith. The And then there was the question of what Real Sports Network would do company branched into television, real estate (), and every year after April when the Leafs’ rights moved to the national restaurants. He does not believe Rogers and Bell were as interested in platforms for the playoffs (assuming they qualified). Toronto FC was a acquiring those parts of the empire. new team in 2007, and it struggled for a decade to find its competitive footing. “They didn’t want to be in the restaurant business, and concerts are nice,” he said. “But they bought it for the content.” As one former MLSE executive told The Toronto Star in 2011: “What are they going to show in July? Wendel Clark fishing?” Peddie had announced his retirement long before the sale was finalized. He was into the home stretch of his tenure when it happened, and he “It probably would have been quieter in the summer, but most TV was out at a function with an executive from the pension plan three networks are,” said Chris Hebb, who was senior vice-president, content months later. (Bell and Rogers, unsurprisingly, were not interested in and communications, with MLSE. “In terms of the winter? We had a very pursuing Real Sports Network as a concept after spending more than $1- powerful offering.” billion for the company and its rights.)

In 2009, MLSE added GolTV, the soccer channel, to its broadcasting Someone at the function asked the executive why they sold their majority stable. stake.

Desser, the U.S.-based consultant, said the risk in launching the Real “Well,” the executive said, “I think they topped out.” Sports Network would not have been that large. And the cost would not have been burdensome for a company as big as MLSE. “Nope,” Peddie said. “I think you left $1 billion on the table.”

“Relative to what a winger costs, it wouldn’t be substantial,” he said.

“Ontario is certainly big enough to support such a network,” Desser The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 added. “The teams — particularly the Leafs — were clearly popular enough to support such a network. Really, it was just a matter of the willingness on the part of ownership to do it.”

Growth in digital has only increased since talk of Real Sports Network ended. In Canada, DAZN, the online sports subscription service, has a suite of rights that includes the English Premier League, as well as football, boxing and other sports.

It does not have much hockey. A subscription offer available last month would cost $150 a year in Canada.

That is $12.50 a month.

Could MLSE have charged $20 a month for access to the Leafs and Raptors?

Based on a conservative estimate of 500,000 subscribers, that would gross $120-million in revenue before a single advertisement was sold. (Two industry sources suggested the Leafs now earn $1-million per game from the networks.)

Die-hard fans of the Leafs would still have been able to watch their team on Hockey Night in Canada, but they would have been left with no choice but to sign up for Real Sports Network for the rest. Fans of the NBA champion Raptors would have had to sign up to watch most games. Advertisers and other corporate partners who wanted a connection to those teams would have to go through MLSE.

“I think it would have been very valuable,” said Desser. “I think that it would have allowed the teams to control more of their destiny which, when you’re in the team business, is an important and valuable thing.”

The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan had been the majority shareholder in MLSE since 2003, but sold its stake in 2011, only days after discussion of Real Sports Network appeared in the Toronto Star. Companies with heavy investments in sports television split the 79.53 percent ownership share, with half of it going to Bell (TSN) and half going to (Sportsnet).

“It’s the only time in my career where the plan to launch a television network ultimately ended up causing a multi-sport entertainment company to get sold,” said Desser. “That’s pretty extraordinary.”

Did the possibility of Real Sports Network really contribute to MLSE’s sale?

“Richard’s vision was kind of like the matador with the red flag in front of the bull — the bull being Bell and Rogers,” Shannon said. “Richard’s vision scared the heck out of them. So the best option for them was to control the market, to buy the teams, buy the channels and guarantee themselves market rate for the content, and also guarantee that they would never be shut out of the content.”

There is skepticism in the business community over how much influence the possibility of the network really could have held over a transaction that large. It had been reported the pension plan was shopping MLSE around long before the transaction was completed, for $1.32 billion. 1183395 Toronto Maple Leafs It’s worth noting that Ferguson has since gone on to become a valued and respected member of the Boston Bruins front office where he serves as the team’s executive director of player personnel.

Toronto Maple Leafs All-Fan Ire Team: From JFJ to Phil to Toskala HEAD COACH

Randy Carlyle

By Jonas Siegel Under Carlyle, the Leafs often felt like a house of cards waiting to collapse. That they often did kinda proved the point. Apr 23, 2020 Carlyle’s Toronto teams earned an undesirable rep for getting badly out- shot. Looking back now, the numbers are pretty jarring: The Leafs were out-shot by six shots a game in Carlyle’s first full season, eight shots(!) a Maybe it was because of performance. Maybe a contract was to blame. game in Year 2, and more than five shots a game at the time of his firing Maybe it was injuries. Maybe it was a little bit of everything. in Year 3. During those three seasons, the Leafs ranked 28th, 29th, and Maybe the criticism was even a little — or a lot — unfair. 29th (at the time of his dismissal) in expected goals.

Following the lead of The Athletic’s Raptor crew, we’ve put together a Thanks in part to good buddy James Mirtle, who was then at The Globe Maple Leafs club comprised of the men who have elicited the most and Mail, Corsi was filtering into the mainstream. And Carlyle’s teams consternation from fans in the salary cap era. were the opposite of possession darlings.

And we’re going deep here: A general manager, a head coach, 12 What earned the former Leafs coach more ire from fans was his old- forwards, eight D, and three goalies. school deployment, which often saw two so-called enforcers in the lineup at the same time, as well as a smart, but low-ceiling player like Jay Let’s go! McClement receiving heavy amounts of ice time.

GENERAL MANAGER Carlyle’s Leafs did make it to the post-season in the strike-shortened 2013 season, and were a period away from an upset victory over Boston John Ferguson Jr. in Round 1. But his tenure came to be defined by the unsustainable There were reportedly four finalists for the Leafs’ vacant GM job in the strategies he put in place. summer of 2003: Bob Nicholson, Neil Smith, Steve Tambellini, and a 36- It’s what led to the Shanahan-led front office dismissing Carlyle midway year-old in the St. Louis Blues front office with a famous dad: John through the 2014-15 season, while the Leafs were in a playoff spot, but Ferguson Jr. still getting pummeled in the shots against department. Nicholson and Tambellini were thought to be too close to Pat Quinn, the FORWARDS (12) Leafs coach at the time and soon-to-be ex-GM. Smith was apparently a no-go for Quinn, though. And so, evidently, the Leafs went with David Clarkson Ferguson. A day after they bought out the final four years of Mikhail Grabovski’s Richard Peddie, the Leafs president at the time, claimed to have five-contract, the Leafs under GM Dave Nonis, signed 29-year-old David canvased the league and asked about upcoming executives. Sound Clarkson for seven years and nearly $37 million. familiar? Except in this case (unlike Brendan Shanahan’s plucking of Kyle Dubas from the OHL years later), Peddie vaulted Ferguson right into “I’m not worried about (years) six and seven right now,” Nonis said. “I’m the GM’s chair of a team that was doggedly pursuing a Stanley Cup. worried about one, and year one I know we’re going to have a very good (Less than a year later, Peddie would hire the similarly inexperienced player. I believe that he’s got a lot of good years left in him. He’s not 35- Rob Babcock to guide the Raptors.) years-old. We never went after an old free agent.”

Skepticism was immediate from both fans and media: Why was a Stanley The now-former Leafs GM added: “If David Clarkson doesn’t score 30 Cup contender — the last gasp of one anyway — turning things over to a goals in a Leaf uniform, but provides all the other things that we know rookie NHL GM? he’s going to provide, we’re pretty comfortable we’re a better team.”

Ferguson said the organization’s faith in him was “well placed and will be Those words haven’t aged well. rewarded.” In his first year running the team, Ferguson’s Leafs had 103 In fact, they almost immediately blew up in flames as Clarkson leaped off points — the best total of the Pat Quinn era — but they would fall short of the bench in the preseason to defend Phil Kessel from the monstrous their Cup goals, losing to Philadelphia in six games in Round 2. John Scott. It was all downhill from there. The contract. The preseason brawl. The ensuing automatic 10-game Following the 2004-05 lost season, the Leafs missed the playoffs in suspension to start his Leafs career. The Wendel Clark comparisons he 2005-06. Ferguson then fired Quinn. It wasn’t a popular move with fans, leaned into (wearing No. 71; Clark’s old No. 17 turned around). It all not unlike the Mark Shapiro-Ross Atkins dismissal of John Gibbons with seemed to build up into pressure Clarkson wasn’t equipped to meet. the Blue Jays. According to Ken Campbell, then at the The Toronto Star, Before his Leafs debut in Columbus, Clarkson griped about not being on Quinn told those around him that he was effectively gone the day the team’s top power-play unit. He finished his first season — the Nonis Ferguson replaced him as GM. had talked about — with five goals, 11 points, and a 39 percent expected But what really agitated fans about JFJ, who promoted Paul Maurice goals mark in 60 games. All while carrying a $5.25 million cap hit. from the Marlies after firing Quinn, was the club’s lack of any apparent Things went a teensy bit better in Year 2 with 10 goals and 15 points in direction. 58 games. But by then, with five years still remaining on his deal, the Under Ferguson, the Leafs often paid for past performance, signing past- contract was salary cap-destroying disaster for the Leafs. their-prime stars such as Jason Allison, Eric Lindros, Jason Blake, and That they got out of it in February 2015, in exchange for Nathan Horton Mike Peca. He was also reckless with future assets and struggled to (physically unable to play again), was a minor miracle for the transition to a salary cap league. He also never appeared comfortable organization. operating as the face and voice of the team, which certainly didn’t help matters in a market like Toronto. In all, over 118 games as a Leaf, Clarkson totaled 15 goals and 26 points. Ferguson was fired midway through the 2007-08 season as the Leafs sat 28th in points percentage. (Peddie then named Cliff Fletcher the team’s His contract, which the organization re-acquired last fall as extra security interim GM, another misfire that would further derail the franchise in other for the Mitch Marner contract negotiations, will finally expire whenever ways.) the 2019-20 season comes to an end.

Jason Blake The final, big problematic move of the JFJ era was bringing Blake aboard Toskala struggled), sacrificing not only a first-rounder and a second- on a five-year contract when free agency opened in 2007. rounder in 2010, but another one in 2011 that became . (Where were the pick protections???) Blake had just scored a career-best 40 goals for the Islanders. But he was also about to turn 34, and those 40 goals came with a huge spike in It all meant that for a while anyway, Kessel was judged through the lens shooting percentage (13 percent). It reeked of the kind of overpay and of the trade. Was he really worth a price as steep as that? Why wasn’t he over-commitment emblematic of Leaf teams of that era. good enough to push the Leafs higher in the standings?

Blake did win the Masterton Trophy for playing through a leukemia Kessel actually did his part — sixth in the league in goals per game diagnosis in his first season, and netted a team-leading 25 goals and 63 (0.41) as a Leaf. Management never surrounded him with similar high- points for a bad Leafs team in Year 2. But he was clearly overpaid and level talent though. The best teammate he ever played with in Toronto on the decline, and eventually sold off to Anaheim, along with another was… Joffrey Lupul? Tyler Bozak? ? JFJ misfire, Vesa Toskala, in 2010. That said, Kessel’s gruff personality, and hit-or-miss work ethic, Jay McClement especially as the face (fairly or not) of Toronto teams that exploded, made him an easy target for fans and media. It was a question of usage with McClement. He was popular among teammates though: He looked like a helpful addition when the Leafs signed him as a free agent in 2012, a defensive “stopper” who could kill penalties and defend Colton Orr/Frazer McLaren a lead. Carlyle grew to adore him so much though that things eventually went too far in the old ice-time department. Though he didn’t produce It was their impenetrability in the Leafs lineup that frustrated fans, much offence by the second year of his two-year contract — just 10 particularly during the 2013 season. points in 81 games — McClement still garnered almost 15 minutes a The NHL was already in the early stages of its drift away from fighting, game from the Leafs coach. He played more than 20 minutes 10 times, but the Carlyle-led Leafs still insisted on dressing both Orr and McLaren including one November game against Minnesota worth highlighting in on the fourth line — including in Game 1 of the 2013 playoffs against particular. Boston. McLaren was bumped in Game 2, but Orr suited up in all seven McClement logged 23 minutes and 37 seconds that night, most among games that spring. He was held without a point. The following summer, Leafs forwards, and almost eight minutes more than Phil Kessel. Yes, the the Leafs — now under Nonis — brought Orr and McLaren back on two- Leafs had five power plays to kill off, but as the game sheet below year deals, leaning into a style that seemed to be waning. indicates, McClement even topped Kessel in even-strength ice-time too. The two combined to play 82 games for the Leafs over the 2013-14 and Nik Antropov 2014-15 seasons, with zero points.

The Antropov story turned around a bit at the end. His final two seasons Nazem Kadri as a Leaf: 26 goals and 56 points in 72 games, followed by 21 goals and It was hard for anyone in Toronto — fans, media, coaches, teammates, 46 points in 61 games. managers — not to like Kadri.

But by then it was too late for many fans. A rebuilding squad pioneered He was bubbly. He was earnest. He had swagger and bite. And he had by would deal him to the Rangers for a second-round pick. an interesting set of skills. But there tended to be noise around Kadri, for It’s the early years in Toronto that really frustrated fans when Antropov one reason or another, from the start. For a while, it was off-ice maturity struggled to live up to sizable expectations that came with being the concerns that put his long-term future with the Leafs into real question. highest selection by the Leafs (10th overall in 1998) since 1992 when the Kadri ultimately grew into the kind of edgy centre who could score and franchise swung and missed on somebody named Brandon Convery. defend that Burke envisioned when he picked Kadri seventh overall in 2009. Damien Cox in The Toronto Star called Antropov, “the biggest draft gamble in the history of a franchise that has flubbed one draft after But after earning lengthy, ill-advised suspensions early in playoff series another.” Antropov came from obscurity in Kazakhstan, with one against the Bruins in both 2018 and ’19 — ones that arguably cost the anonymous Leafs official telling Cox, “We didn’t think anyone else would Leafs the series, he scuffed up a nice redemption story. have the guts to take him before us.” It speaks to his popularity that his suspension is often the third, fourth or, Antropov put up a respectable 30 points in 66 games as a 19-year-old even fifth factor (Jake Gardiner, Frederik Andersen, Mike Babcock, not rookie. But after that, he had trouble staying on the ice, and producing enough skill!) mentioned when talk of those two series comes up. consistently when he did make it out there. He topped 70 games once in Tim Connolly his first seven seasons (returning to St. John’s of the AHL at one point), managing more than 33 points in a season just once. By the 2004 No. 1 centre!!! playoffs, he had tumbled to the fourth line, notching just two assists in 13 Granted he was Plan B after missing out on in free agency games that spring. that summer, the hope at the time was that Connolly could be the much- Antropov had only two goals and five points in 28 playoff games with the needed, much-talked, about first-line centre for Kessel. Leafs. It never worked out. Playing on a two-year contract, Connolly was injured On the ice, he was another underachieving high Maple Leafs draft pick. before his first season got underway. And though he returned to play He has since rejoined the Leafs as a skill development consultant. alongside Kessel, there were no sparks. He ended up with only 36 points in 70 games, with a not-so-nice 46 percent expected goals mark and a Phil Kessel sub-49 percent faceoff mark. Not great for a $4.75 million cap hit. Oh, the infamous trade. One Burke hated to talk about. Definitely not the No. 1 centre Burke was hoping for.

“Was it worth it? Was it not worth it? I find it amusing,” the then-president Connolly was Marlie-bound at age 31 when the 2012-13 lockout came to and GM said of the trade aftermath following a 2009-10 season that saw an end. That was the last anyone heard of him, for a while. the Leafs finish 29th overall, with their first-round pick already Tyler Bozak surrendered in the Kessel swap. “Like, I got news for you: We’re all gonna know at some point. This is no different than two farmers side by Bozak arrived on the scene before Connolly — and became one of the side arguing whether they plant soybeans or corn. One guy plants few (only?) college lottery tickets that later worked out great for the soybeans. One guy plants corn. Guess what? We’re gonna know at Burke-led Leafs. But it was during Bozak’s first full season that the No. 1 some point who won! We don’t have to argue the whole time while the centre expectation noise got loud. Bozak had only 32 points in 82 games plants grow for God’s sake. We’re gonna be able to tell! You’ll all have an that year despite playing with Kessel and logging over 19 minutes per answer on this. But in the mean-time, you dissect it to death – ‘It’s too game. much. It’s not enough.’ And I’m amused by it more than angered by it.” Bozak came around after that, evolving into a dependable complement The answer was clear even then: Burke had misjudged the quality of his (and spokesperson) for Kessel, a valued leader, faceoff guru, and power- team (he claimed to know something was amiss in the preseason when play smarty. The ill-placed talk of him as a No. 1 centre eventually Though he was still among the higher-paid players on the team, quieted down after the franchise landed a kid named Auston Matthews. Komisarek fell to third pair in his second year with the Leafs. He was a Marlie by the time the lockout-shortened 2013 season rolled around and Patrick Marleau was finally bought out that summer.

Half contract, half usage. Jake Gardiner

It may have been the only way to pry him out of San Jose, but giving The errors could be glaring. And after Game 7 in 2018, when Gardiner Marleau a third year on his free-agent deal in the summer of 2017, at a stepped up and took the blame for the Leafs defeat, everything else pricey $6.25 million on the cap, was always going to be dicey. He was positive Gardiner had produced was largely (and unfortunately) drowned close to 38 when Lamoriello brought him in, and the Leafs would soon out. have extremely healthy raises to pay their young core. He’s the most polarizing, but legitimately good, player the Leafs have had But it was during the 2019 playoffs when Maple Leafs fans’ ire for him in recent memory outside of, and maybe even including, Kadri. peaked. One corner of the fanbase is convinced that Gardiner is not all his During that regular season, the 39-year-old finished with only 37 points supporters make him out to be, and that his mistakes are indeed a fatal — then his fewest in a full season since he was an 18-year-old rookie in flaw. Others dig (not even all that deep) into the analytics and find a San Jose. Babcock continued to lean on him in the post-season incredibly useful , a one-man breakout who drives play the anyway, deploying Marleau on a William Nylander-centered line even as right way. the series rolled along and Marleau struggled to get much done offensively. For the non-believers, consider a very basic fact: Over the last three seasons of Gardiner’s lengthy tenure in Toronto, when the teams were He had one shot or less in five of the seven games against Boston. talented, the Leafs outscored teams by 58 goals when Gardiner was on (It’s fair to question Babcock, though it also seems right to ask who the ice in 5-on-5 situations. should have played in Marleau’s place. Kadri was suspended. Trevor Oddly enough, in the beginning, it was the #FreeJake Gardiner campaign Moore was a rookie. Tyler Ennis may have been stretched too far with a that started the debate around him. He was held to only 12 games during promotion. If anything, it was the other puzzle pieces that probably the 2013 regular season and he was benched for Game 1 of the playoffs. needed rearranging.) He then stacked up five points in the remaining six games of the series Otherwise, Marleau was adored by teammates and likable for his quiet, while logging over 23 minutes a night. persistent approach to the game. Bryan McCabe Of course, the contract did come back to the bite the Leafs in the end — with a first-round pick being sacrificed to Carolina to get that last year off The positive narrative surrounding McCabe seemed to change near the the books. Fans will likely have mixed feelings about the brief Marleau end of the 2004, a season that saw him finish fourth in Norris Trophy era. voting.

Joffrey Lupul In Game 5 of their second-round playoff series against the Flyers, McCabe played almost 26 minutes but was on the ice for six of seven It was always a question of health with Lupul, who was acquired in a Philadelphia goals. And he was out there for two of Philadelphia’s three laudable trade with Anaheim that also landed the Leafs Jake Gardiner goals in the decisive Game 6, including as the last man back when and sent Francois Beauchemin back to the Ducks. ended things in OT:

When he did play and was feeling it, Lupul could be a force: Then came the own goal, which really shouldn’t have morphed into as It looked like the Leafs really had something when they hooked Lupul up big of a focal point as did. It was October, for one thing, and just one with Kessel during the 2011-12 season. He put up a point per game (67 game of 82 for a mediocre team that missed the playoffs by more than a in 66) that year and earned an invite to the All-Star Game. few points.

But Lupul was always dealing with an injury. A groin. A bruised foot. A Part of it was money. knee issue. A broken arm from a Phaneuf misfire. A broken hand after he Prior to the 2006-07 season, McCabe had signed a five-year deal worth fell on his stick at practice. Sports hernia surgery. Surgery on his knee. almost $30 million. And although he would deliver 15 goals and 57 points Not long after the lockout ended in 2013, the Leafs gave Lupul a five- the first year of that contract, he would fall on hard times after that before year extension. He suited up 69 times in Year 1 of the deal, 55 in Year 2, finally being dealt to Florida for Mike van Ryn just prior to the 2008-09 46 in Year 3, and then he was gone — mysteriously disappearing after a season. series of failed physicals. Never the most cerebral player, he came to be defined — rather unfairly He did bring Leaf fans this iconic interview: — by the own goal.

DEFENCE (8) But as one of the pillars of the Leaf teams that veered deepest into the post-season in recent memory, McCabe should be remembered for a lot Mike Komisarek more than that, and undoubtedly as one of the better Leafs of the last 25 years. The headliner of Burkeapalooza in the summer of 2009, Komisarek was probably doomed from the start by expectations — belligerence! Nikita Zaitsev pugnacity! — and of course, that contract: five years and $21.5 million. Contracts, contracts, contracts. If only analytics were a larger part of the calculus for management back then. In his last year with the Canadiens, Komisarek posted a 45 percent In a cap world, it’s often about the contract. And for Zaitsev, his second expected goals mark, and he may have been propped up by his defence NHL contract — seven long years, with a $4.5 million annual cap hit — partner, Andrei Markov. He was also approaching 30 and lacked speed topped anything he could possibly offer on the ice. in a game that was only getting faster. Babcock liked to point out that Zaitsev was better than most thought, the Komisarek seemed determined to live up to the truculent expectations best the Leafs had on defence at separating man from puck. Maybe if right away, racking up 15 penalty minutes opposite his old Montreal Zaitsev’s cut of the pie had been a mere $2.5-3 million, he would have teammates in his Leafs debut. been more appreciated by fans for that stuff.

His fight snowballed from there. He was right around the 50 percent mark in expected goals as a Leaf, even though he was buried in the defensive zone, primarily against The Leafs were outscored 10-2 in October when he was on the ice 5-on- gruelling competition. 5. Fans got on him. He pressed more. Shoulder surgery ended his season in January. But on a team where every dollar counts, Zaitsev was never going to be able to overcome his contract in the eyes of fans. And not without merit. That the Leafs managed to extricate themselves from that deal last both fans and media – is complicated by the messy state of the summer with no long-term penalty, is no small feat. organization for nearly all of his tenure.

Dion Phaneuf Tomas Kaberle

It’s possible, maybe even likely, that on a different – a.k.a. better – team, He’s undeniably one of the best players the Leafs have ever produced, Phaneuf wouldn’t have attracted anywhere near the same amount of an eighth-round pick who has more points than any Leafs defenceman attention and fury as he ultimately did in Toronto. Had he been asked to not names Borje Salming. be the second or third best defenceman on the Leafs (and paid as such), and not one of the faces of the team alongside Kessel, he likely would Still, what often irked fans over Kaberle’s 12 years with the team was an have enjoyed more success, and as a result, popularity. unwillingness to let ‘er rip from the point. Kaberle was the opposite of Tyson Barrie, firing only as a last resort. That was especially true during Instead, Phaneuf proved to be overexposed as the No. 1 D in Toronto, Kaberle’s early years (before the 2004-05 lockout) when he was particularly under Carlyle. It’s difficult to separate Phaneuf’s underlying sometimes averaging not much more than a shot per game — including numbers in those years from the schemes and strategies of his coach, 82 shots in 82 games as an NHL sophomore. but either way, they weren’t pretty. What they seemed to reveal was a defenceman ill-equipped to do the primary job that was asked of him — “Shoot!” fans in attendance at the Air Canada Centre would scream as to slow down top lines. Nor did he bring much offence to the table. Which Kaberle hung onto the puck during a power play. meant that he didn’t meet the job description of No. 1 defencemen, nor The question now is whether those concerns were overblown. the compensation that comes with it. Were the Leafs hurt by Kaberle’s reluctance to shoot? Probably a little. The day before the 2014 Winter Classic in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Leafs But it also seemed like a grievance very much of the time, when stats — gave their captain a seven-year extension with a rich $7 million cap hit. and the thinking they induced — were far less advanced than they are That put Phaneuf among the highest-paid defenders in the game when today. the contract kicked off in the 2014-15 season: Gardiner, for instance, averaged fewer shots for his Leafs career (1.43) Highest-paid D (2014-15) than Kaberle (1.5), but rarely, if ever, did Gardiner’s unwillingness to P.K. Subban shoot brew into anything of consequence.

$9,000,000 Like Gardiner, Kaberle was knocked for not putting his 200-plus pound frame to work defensively. Unlike Gardiner, for most of Kaberle’s Leafs Shea Weber career there were no possession stats kicking around to suggest he was doing more good than harm. $7,857,143 In the years we do have possession data for, Kaberle was a plus that Ryan Suter way:

$7,538,461 2007-08: 51 percent

Kris Letang 2008-09: 51 percent

$7,250,000 2009-10: 53 percent

Brian Campbell 2010-11: 50 percent

$7,142,875 Roman Polak

Dion Phaneuf Babcock probably had this one right, looking back now.

$7,000,000 The former Leafs coach took some heat for his devotion to Polak over Drew Doughty the years. Polak was heavy, tough and determined. He was a man, as Babcock liked to say. There was the time, for instance, during the last- $7,000,000 place 2015-16 season, when Polak took a puck to the face, got stitched up, and returned to set up a goal. Zdeno Chara And so while he didn’t move the puck that well, he brought a punch the $6,916,667 Leafs lacked otherwise. Though he started a large portion of shifts in the Erik Karlsson defensive zone, Polak ended up right around 50 percent expected goals in his final two seasons with the Leafs. Not bad, in other words. $6,500,000 Jeff Finger Alex Pietrangelo If the Leafs did really intend to sign Finger for four years and $14 million $6,500,000 on the first day of free agency in 2008 (and not Kurt Sauer as some have speculated), the question of why remains just as unclear today as it was Phaneuf couldn’t live it up to the deal, one a -led front back then. office managed to extricate itself from at no long-term cost in a blockbuster trade with Ottawa. Finger was 28 going on 29 at that point. He’d played only 94 games in the league and was even scratched in some playoff games that spring for Still, at least some of the ire that came Phaneuf’s way was misplaced. It Colorado. “Me and my agent were joking when we sent the contract to really should have been laid at the feet of management – starting with the (Players’ Association). They were like: ‘Who’s this guy?’ I kind of Burke and ending with Nonis. Phaneuf wasn’t suited for the public-facing laughed,” Finger told The Star’s Kevin McGran at the time. “I’m sure a lot aspect of the captaincy, which matters more in Toronto than it might in of people are wondering who I am and what I’m about.” other markets. That mattered all the more because the other guy who might have shared some of that load – Kessel – shied away from it Then-Leafs coach Ron Wilson boasted that Finger was the most entirely. improved defenceman in the Western Conference. He’d play the hard minutes, kill penalties, be “tough and mean” around the net. Phaneuf was rightly panned for his role in Salutegate. Whether a planned or impromptu reaction to fans’ frustration, Phaneuf, as captain, could and “We feel he has tremendous upside and has potential,” then-interim GM should have, prevented it from happening. Cliff Fletcher said of Finger in conversation with Tim Wharnsby, then of The Globe and Mail. He did work hard at practice, in the gym, and during games — setting as much of the tone as he could, that way. He was looked up to by younger Finger did block some shots and chewed up 20 minutes a game in Year players, and made a real effort at bringing them along. Morgan Rielly has 1 while playing primarily with a 19-year-old Luke Schenn. In his second raved about Phaneuf’s mentorship. But as is the case with many of the season with the Leafs, Finger suited up just 39 times while playing under names on this list, Phaneuf’s place in Leafs history – and in the minds of 14 minutes a night. The final two years of Finger’s four-year deal were spent with the Marlies. fell apart that season, but Bernier was actually a top-tier goalie when he first arrived from the L.A. Kings. GOALIE (3) Check out his first-year 5-on-5 numbers with the Leafs: Andrew Raycroft Elite 5/5 goalies -- 2013-14 “We paid a good price, but we understood that we had to move something of value in order to get this player.” Tuukka Rask

The player was Andrew Raycroft and the price John Ferguson Jr. was 0.942 referring to in conversation with The Star was prized goalie prospect, and the team’s No. 1 pick a year earlier, Tuukka Rask. 25.6

It’s still confounding all these years later how that became the price the Semyon Varlamov Leafs GM agreed to pay for Raycroft. Any trade value Raycroft had 0.935 previously built up should have been gone by the summer of 2006. The season that earned him the Calder Trophy — highlighted by a .926 save 19.9 percentage — had been the one before the 2004-05 lockout. In the new Carey Price world that had followed, Raycroft’s numbers had crumbled. In 2005-06 he went 8-19-2, with an .879 save percentage for Boston. How could he 0.934 possibly have fetched an opposing team’s No. 1 prospect? 16.2 Yes, , the Leafs’ third-round pick in 2004, looked to be on the rise as well as the WHL MVP and goalie of the year in the CHL. But Sergei Bobrovsky Rask had just completed a sterling season himself as an 18-year-old in 0.933 the Finnish league (.926). Even if you thought Pogge might be the future, that still doesn’t explain why Rask would be the acquisition cost for 13.4 someone like Raycroft. Ben Bishop So why not keep both? 0.932 Fans were rightly frustrated when Raycroft flailed as the Leafs No. 1. (He did temporarily match the franchise record for wins!) The wound stung 13.1 even more as Rask developed into a star. All told, the Leafs got 91 Jonathan Bernier games of subpar netminding from Raycroft. The Bruins have gotten more than 500 games and counting from Rask, including a Vezina Trophy, plus 0.930 50 wins in the post-season and a Stanley Cup. 10.7 Not good. Henrik Lundqvist Vesa Toskala 0.929 Also not good: spending more quality assets to gamble on yet another goalie one year — almost to the day! — after the Raycroft/Rask swap. 9.4

At the outset of draft weekend in Columbus in 2007, Ferguson Braden Holtby surrendered picks No. 13 (which became Lars Eller) and 44 (Aaron 0.930 Palushaj), along with a fourth-round selection in 2009 (Craig Smith) for Toskala, a 30-year-old who had been No. 2 to Evgeni Nabokov in San 7.9 Jose, and a declining Mark Bell. Kari Lehtonen Toskala had a strong start to his career with the Sharks, posting a .929 save percentage in 39 games over his first two seasons. In his first year 0.928 after the lockout, his save percentage dipped to .901. It was .908 the 7.8 season before the Leafs acquired him. Mike Smith Does that sound like a No. 1 goalie? 0.927 Before he even played a game for them, the Leafs awarded Toskala — who still had another year remaining on his current deal — a two-year 6.1 extension with a $4 million cap hit. The problem? The Leafs, under Carlyle, were second-last in the league He started 64 games in his debut season, but unfortunately for the Leafs, in both possession and expected goals. and their frustrated fans, he was only a slight upgrade over Raycroft, finishing the year tied for 25th in save percentage (.904) among those And Bernier was prone to give up a bad goal, which didn’t endear him to that started at least 40 games. fans during a rocky time for the organization:

There were regrettable moments. And Toskala, a laid-back and Another collapse by the Leafs — Bernier included — in the 2014-15 easygoing fellow, didn’t seem to possess the Jack Campbell gene for season only made for more sour feelings. accountability when talking with the media. When Babcock came aboard the following season, all he seemed to see In Year 2 — when his new contract kicked in — the wheels came off was how small Bernier — listed at 6-feet, 185 pounds — was. Not the entirely as his save percentage plummeted to .891. goalie to lead his team into the future. Not long after the Leafs got that guy the following summer — trading for Andersen, a relative giant in He was also failing to keep the puck out in shootouts, which led to then- comparison at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds — Bernier was dealt to Anaheim for coach Wilson, in an almost unbelievable sequence of events, replacing future considerations. him with 41-year-old Curtis Joseph for a shootout against Anaheim: He’s been a reliable 1B type ever type since. Toskala fell even further in year three (.874) and was finally shipped off with Blake to Anaheim for Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

Jonathan Bernier The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020

In a different universe, the Jonathan Bernier experience in 2013-14 might have worked out better. It’s easy to forget now, in light of how the Leafs 1183396 Toronto Maple Leafs 12 2015-16

20 Bringing back Jason Spezza feels like a no-brainer for the Leafs. But is it? 12

2014-15

By Jonas Siegel 20

Apr 22, 2020 10

2013-14

Just about everyone from the 2001 NHL Draft has hung up their skates. 24

Only six still remain in the NHL today: No. 1 overall pick Ilya Kovalchuk; 14 Minnesota Wild pillar Mikko Koivu; wily defenceman Dan Hamhuis; goalies Mike Smith and Craig Anderson, and, of course, Jason Spezza, 2012-13 who went just behind Kovalchuk, second overall to Ottawa. 23

In 2001, Peter Forsberg, retired now for almost a decade, led the league 15 in scoring during Spezza’s rookie year with the Senators. Mario Lemieux was still dominating as a player for the Penguins. Sidney Crosby and 2011-12 Alex Ovechkin were still a couple years away from starting their NHL careers. Sheldon Keefe was grinding away as a depth forward for the 25 Tampa Bay Lightning. Kyle Dubas — now Spezza’s boss with the Leafs 16 — was a teenager. 2010-11 The point is, he’s been around a long time. 25 Spezza will turn 37 in June. He wants to keep playing beyond this season and wants to continue doing it for the Leafs, fuelled by a 18 persisting love for the game and desire to win the game’s biggest prize. The three guys in that class this season are Joe Thornton, Patrick “Hockey’s not work to me. I enjoy the challenge,” Spezza said during a Marleau and Justin Williams, who took half the year off before deciding to Tuesday afternoon conference call with local media. “And I love the day- return to the Hurricanes. Thornton, now firmly a depth contributor for the to-day grind. I love the coming to the rink and figuring out what to do that Sharks, topped the group with 31 points in 70 games. day. So kinda the passion, I think, is what’s allowed me to play this long. And just driving (me) is that passion, and the chance to win a Stanley During the 2010-11 season, meanwhile, Teemu Selanne had 80 points at Cup. I’m in it for as long as I can be, or until I can win a Stanley Cup. It’s age 40 for the Ducks. Ray Whitney had 77 points a year later at 39. something that I dreamt of as a kid, and I would love nothing more than Gradually, though, it’s gotten harder for older players to survive, let alone to do it here in Toronto. It would be pretty special.” have a big impact. The game has gotten a lot faster, which eradicates Spezza’s agent, Rick Curran, explained Tuesday that he hasn’t spoken most of the slowpokes, Thornton notwithstanding. Plus, there’s lots of with the Leafs yet about a new contract for Spezza for the 2020-21 appeal in plopping youngsters on entry-level contracts right into NHL season. In light of everything going on in the world, and the uncertainty it lineups, if only to see if they can play. has caused with regard to the NHL’s salary cap, it’s “too premature” for The ground usually falls out from under the graybeards in a hurry. that, Curran explained. But the Leafs, he added, know that Spezza wants Witness Marleau’s fall-off for the Leafs. Or consider Jarome Iginla. He to return to play for them again next season. His client has been “fulfilled” had 61 points at age 36, 59 points at 37, 47 points at age 38 and then, playing at home. abruptly, just 27 points at 39. That spelled the end for the future Hall of Bringing him back feels like an open-and-shut case for the Leafs. Though Famer. it’s not without some important considerations. The Leafs likely won’t have much more to give Spezza than the $700,000 (Nick Turchiaro / USA Today) he’s getting this season, which limits the financial risk of keeping him in the mix. For one thing, the game is slowly weeding out players like Spezza. Spezza isn’t quite as old as Marleau or Thornton. And while his role Check out how greatly diminished the annual class of skaters 37 and shifted pretty dramatically, he managed to make a difference for the older, which Spezza will join next season (or even this one, if it ever gets Leafs in limited duty before the season was paused. back on track), has become from only a decade earlier, particularly among forwards: Remarkably, in 2019-20 Spezza put up nearly as many points (25) in 58 games, playing just over 600 minutes, as he did while playing 77 games 37-and-over club on average, and around 1,000 minutes, in the two prior seasons (26, 27).

2019-20 There are some things to consider moving ahead, though.

8 It’s unlikely Spezza produces at the same rate next season. He had an on-ice shooting percentage of almost 10 percent at 5-on-5 this year — a 3 serious spike from his number the previous two seasons with Dallas.

2018-19 When the 2019-20 season stopped, he was producing around two points 11 per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 — the highest mark for him since the 2015-16 season when he had 63 points overall as a 32-year-old. In those final two 7 Stars seasons, Spezza managed around one point per 60 at 5-on-5.

2017-18 Spezza also buried nine goals in 2019-20 while shooting over 12 percent. He shot just under eight percent in the three prior seasons. 19 It’s probable that Spezza won’t be quite as prolific offensively next 14 season, particularly if the forward depth improves and Spezza isn’t 2016-17 required as much. But that will depend on whether Nick Robertson can step in and play; whether some combination of Pierre Engvall, Alexander 17 Kerfoot, Andreas Johnsson and/or Kasperi Kapanen takes a step because he’s a guy who was a high draft pick and an elite player growing forward; and whether Alexander Barabanov can play. up in the league. He entered the league at a young age and had success. To have a guy like that in the locker room, obviously, he’s Still, what Spezza put together as a 36-year-old was obviously changed his role a bit as he’s gotten older, but he’s been where all of our encouraging, and bodes well for valuable contributions of some kind next younger superstars have been before. So he can provide a lot of season for a team that needs value wherever it can find it. leadership in that perspective.

“I think, as the year progressed, my role became a little more defined and “It would be awesome to have him back again,” Hyman said. then I was able to focus on just playing and being a good positive influence on the games every night, and less so about being in and out of Curran said conversations with the Leafs on that front would take place the lineup,” Spezza said of his first season with the Leafs. “And I think once the season wrapped and the landscape had cleared. that helped me just understand what my role was and what was expected of me.” “I do hope it works out,” Spezza said of returning to the Leafs again next season. “But at this point, it’s not the focus. But — I would love to be Early of course — in fact, in the very first game of the regular season — back. I feel like we’re building things with this club and I want to be a part former Leafs coach Mike Babcock seemed determined to grind Spezza of it.” down, making him a healthy scratch for the sentimental home opener against the Senators. Babcock wasn’t committed to having Spezza in the lineup every night after that. That changed once Sheldon Keefe took The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 over, and Spezza proved he could even slide up higher in the lineup from the fourth line.

In fact, almost half of Spezza’s 5-on-5 minutes (235) came alongside Kapanen in what would have been third-line duty, often as the centre. Kapanen was Spezza’s most frequent linemate.

During one stretch in November, he managed a pair of goals and a pair of assists at 5-on-5 over seven games, along with an expected goals mark of nearly 60 percent.

Over 69 minutes with Kapanen on one wing, Engvall on the other, and Spezza in the middle, the Leafs controlled 54 percent of the shot attempts and outscored teams 5-2.

It wasn’t ideal for someone his age with slowing (if still competent) foot speed to play that high in the lineup, and Keefe tried hard to get away from it as the season progressed. But it’s a helpful option to have again next season — a vet who can jump-start a line when needed. All the more so given the uncertainty of the Leafs’ 3C position, with Kerfoot still a question mark there and Engvall likely not up for such the challenge at this early stage of his NHL career.

What’s interesting is that Spezza’s fourth lines weren’t quite as successful, particularly with Frederik Gauthier on board: The Leafs controlled under 47 percent of scoring chances when those two were out there together in 124 minutes and were an even 7-7 in the goals department.

It got worse when Kyle Clifford, another heavy body lacking speed, was added to the group.

What that probably means is the Leafs need to use quicker, more skilled complements to Spezza on a fourth line. Maybe Adam Brooks plays some games next season. Perhaps Nic Petan gets another chance or even Kenny Agostino earns his first opportunity with the Leafs. Or maybe the front office scrounges together some dollars to find help on the free- agent market.

Would a speedster like Matt Nieto cost too much? Chandler Stephenson? Nick Cousins? (Maybe the time has come to make Gauthier, assuming the Leafs bring him back, more of a depth forward at this point.)

At worst, bringing Spezza back for another tour in Toronto ensures at least one versatile (enough) forward for the bottom of the lineup. It probably makes some sense, however, if the organization leans into one aspect of Babcock’s approach, and that’s holding Spezza out on the second night of back-to-backs. Maybe only 70 games will give his legs an added bit of jump in the postseason.

What Spezza brings to the 2020 playoffs, if they ever do come around, may only enhance the case to bring him back.

One of the most productive power play players of his era, Spezza remained useful there when he got the chance on the Leafs second unit (seven points, five of them primary). He also continued winning faceoffs, including 55 percent in the defensive zone, where his fourth lines usually started. Finally, as GM Kyle Dubas hoped when he lured Spezza last summer on a one-year deal, Spezza became a hugely popular and influential presence around the room.

“He has a hockey mind and you can ask him any question about hockey (and) he’ll give you an answer,” Zach Hyman said on another conference call earlier this month. “He’s a great presence for our younger guys 1183397 Toronto Maple Leafs he was dynamic enough as a creator for everyone else that he could get by without creating a ton for himself.

Then, as a sophomore on a Victoriaville Tigres team that lacked talent, The Gifted: How Maple Leafs prospect Mikhail Abramov redefined his Abramov’s game changed in dramatic ways. Though his assist totals game stayed relatively static (he went from 38 assists to 41), he more than doubled his goal output, scoring 35 times in 63 games for 76 points. In the process, his rate rose as much as just about any year-over-year performer in junior hockey, finishing the season at 0.56 goals per game By Scott Wheeler and 1.21 points per game. Apr 22, 2020 Part of that uptick in his scoring was surely due to his age and experience. He had to be his team’s best player, which meant playing a little more selfishly. The proof is in the numbers. By the end of the year, In hockey, as in life, there are archetypes built on hyperbole and the nearest scorer on the team had just 41 points, 35 less than Abramov. buzzwords that are designed to fit every player into a predefined box. He nearly outscored his closest teammate by a count of 2-to-1. It was Scouts and evaluators often fall prey to lazily characterizing young one of the most pronounced gaps in teammate-relative production in prospects in this way: the power forward, the two-way center, the one- recent memory at the junior level. dimensional scorer, the stay-at-home defenseman. But sometimes, just sometimes, there’s a player who is so different from everyone else in But it was about a whole lot more than circumstance. It was also about a approach or ability that he is able to distinguish himself through his decided shift in his approach and the development of some new skills. uniqueness. These players have turned one skill into the body of their Pass-first players don’t score 35 goals, or move into the top 10 in the game and highlight all of the different ways hockey can be played at the league in scoring, without deciding they’re going to change the way they highest levels. “The Gifted” is a 10-part series that examines, through play. video, the NHL’s most fascinating prospects and the unique skill sets that define them. By popular demand, “The Gifted” is back for a fourth year at Two things happened to create his new outcomes. The Athletic. It runs every Wednesday from April 8 to June 10. The first was the decision to just shoot the puck more. In 2019-20, The Gifted (2017 series): Part 1: Carl Grundstrom | Part 2: Jordan Kyrou | Abramov took 244 shots in 63 games (3.9 shots per game), up from 167 Part 3: Vitaly Abramov | Part 4: Juuso Valimaki | Part 5: Vili Saarijarvi | in 62 (2.7 shots per game) in 2018-19. Part 6: Filip Chlapik | Part 7: Travis Sanheim | Part 8: Timo Meier| Part 9: Kirill Kaprizov | Part 10: Elias Pettersson The second was a necessary uptick in his shooting percentage, which rose from 9.6 percent to 14.3 percent. And while some of that is likely a The Gifted (2018 series): Part 1: Miro Heiskanen | Part 2: Casey byproduct of a little more puck luck, a review of his game in both seasons Mittelstadt| Part 3: Dylan Strome | Part 4: Oliver Wahlstrom | Part 5: suggests it’s also about shot location. Gabe Vilardi | Part 6: Adam Boqvist | Part 7: Evan Bouchard | Part 8: Kristian Vesalainen |Part 9: Jonathan Dahlen | Part 10: Morgan Frost For a deeper look at his game, I reviewed most of his shifts from his last 19 games of the season, spanning from Jan. 19 to March 7. The Gifted (2019 series): Part 1: Cale Makar | Part 2: Nick Robertson | Part 3: Jason Robertson | Part 4: Aleksi Heponiemi | Part 5: Adam Fox | In that span, he scored eight goals and added 17 assists for 25 points Part 6: Dante Fabbro | Part 7: Emil Bemstrom | Part 8: Cody Glass | Part alongside 69 shots (3.6 shots per game). 9: Martin Necas | Part 10: Bode Wilde You first begin to see the adjustments a player makes when you watch The Gifted (2020 series): Part 1: Jonatan Berggren | Part 2: Philip their eyes. They begin to look for different things on the ice. Tomasino | Part 3: Mikhail Abramov | Part 4: Thomas Harley | Part 5: With Abramov (No. 9 in all sequences), you start to see him tunnel vision Robin Salo | Part 6: Raphael Lavoie | Part 7: Alex Newhook | Part 8: the net more consistently. His first instinct when he gets the puck isn’t to Bobby Brink | Part 9: Samuel Poulin | Part 10: Patrik Puistola survey the ice. He’s looking for the shot first and the pass second. This series has always been about prospects who’ve used one skill, or a Watch here, how, by the end of the year, he doesn’t even look at his particular combination of them, to unique ends. The ones who’ve found linemates when there’s a scoring chance available to him: different ways than most to impact a game. In theory, these players represent some of the most fascinating case studies in the game. Their A year ago, when he turns back with the puck here, he probably hits the difference can be studied and picked apart, producing along the way (I open trailer. This year, he turns to the net and uses the traffic to nearly hope) insights into the dynamism of the sport and the varied ways the score from distance: game is being played. In time, this approach pays off. But it’s about repetition. It starts with his The Gifted has, in that pursuit, likely ignored players who haven’t just mindset when the puck is on his stick. Then he can start to build out the found one skill (or approach) to build their game around. This year, as I new skills he really needs to take advantage. prepared my list of potential subjects for the series, I wanted to take a closer look at a player who, in some way or another, markedly changed In my updated viewings, it quickly became clear that some of Abramov’s their game. already refined skills help him as a shooter, too. His standout puck handling skill, in particular, helps him disguise his shot and change I wanted to study a shapeshifter of sorts. A player who knew his best angles. This way, even without a shot that really pops off his stick, he can skills, or his single approach, wasn’t likely to be enough to propel him to surprise defenders and goalies with his release: the next level and found a new — potentially better — way of using his tools But it starts with the decision to look for that shot in the first place.

And there may be no player whose change was as perceptible as Mikhail And it’s one thing to be in the slot and looking for it, but it’s another to do Abramov’s. it from the outside, too. The natural tendency for a playmaker when he’s got a bad angle is to look to give the puck to someone else. One of the When the Maple Leafs selected him 115th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, bigger changes that happened in Abramov’s game started with his Abramov had just wrapped up his rookie season in the QMJHL with 16 approach from his goal line spot on the power play. You can become goals and 38 assists for 54 points in 62 games, good for 0.26 goals per predictable from that spot if opposing teams know you won’t look to the game and 0.87 points per game. net. It becomes easy to defend against the backdoor option.

His game, at the time, was built on a line-driving, puck-handling approach Here, Abramov shows a willingness to put the puck on net and it creates and a perimeter, playmaking skill set. He was a diminutive pass-first a goal off the scramble in front: centre who was at his best when he was shading to the outside to bring defenders with him and throwing passes to the middle of the ice to create Here, that puck-to-the-net approach creates a fortunate redirect goal off a offence. I was enough of a fan of those skills that he landed at No. 53 in teammate’s skate: my final ranking for the draft. But there were legitimate concerns as to In time, what he learned through this new approach was that one things whether the way he played was sustainable at the next level and whether doesn’t have to come at the expense of the other. Abramov processes the game fast enough (a skill his playmaking approach of old helped There’s much of the same on display in this effort on a goal against that build) that when shots aren’t there, he can still find his linemates. he could have easily prevented:

This sequence is a good example of that: None of this is to say, either, that there aren’t times where Abramov is still looking pass first. There are: Though Abramov identifies his pass option on the way up the ice, he is considering shot right up until the defender takes it away from him. It’s He’ll still occasionally pull-up off the rush to make his play too: then, and only then, that he falls back on his other skills and sets up a goal with the cross-ice pass. But those aren’t his default plays. He’s not predictable anymore.

And on the power play, one doesn’t come at the expense of the other, it Because at any point, he can also beat defenders with skill. And when he actually encourages the other. does, he’s not always thinking pass anymore. This is a perfect example of that: Below, his new approach blends with his natural skill to create an assist. He’s just creating it differently than he used to. There, after going outside-in on the first defender (with one hand on his stick), notice the way Abramov looks off two passing options, confident A year ago, his instinct on that play is to fade away from the net and look he can score on his own. The move aside, that’s a tough shot to execute for the backdoor or slot pass from his forehand. Now, he’s thinking attack too — and speaks once more to the way his tools blend with his as soon as he gets the puck. In doing so, he fakes as if he’s going to shooting. He pulls that puck back into his feet and shoots off his back attempt a jam play and slides the backhand through the collapsing foot short-side and high. pressure to the open man. It’s a brilliant play. Abramov corrals the following pass off his foot and into a quick release to He can still make that play off his forehand, too. But it’s a more show off some skills as a shooter here, too: dangerous play when he shades to the net to make it, because he draws defenders in as they attempt to block a shot that’s not coming. It opens And while these skills — and the development of them — contributed to up his options, just by moving his feet in the direction of the net instead of his huge season, I actually think they had less to do with it than his standing still: conscious effort to adjust the way he played did.

Here’s another example from that familiar goal line spot on the power Because he has always had the hands: play, where his movement to the net creates the pass: But he didn’t always change his pace off the rush, drop his shoulder and This is true off the rush, too. Instead of shading to outside, he began attack the net to use those skills in the right ways: shading to the middle of the ice. (Aside: That really is impressive change of pace. Watch how quickly he This is true even when he’s passing. Because when he gives it, the go goes from a glide into darting past the defender as soon as the defender that follows is normally a push to the middle instead of a drift to the pivots. Abramov doesn’t have great top speed but that quick acceleration perimeter. Watch here, after he throws a backhand pass from the has increasing value in today’s game.) outside-in, the way he tracks the play to the front of the net: He didn’t always hold onto the puck to confident attack directly at Or here, in a similar sequence, the way he decides to cut to the net to defenders, either. Above, he goes around the defender before cutting to create instead of going to the backhand pass: the net. He also showed in my viewings an increased willingness to take the play to them, though, as well. Even though the end result is Abramov picking up a secondary assist from the outside, it’s the decision to attack the crease that starts that The following sequence might be the perfect example of everything I’ve sequence. touched on. He’s still showing the flair, puck skill and deception that made him an interesting prospect. Only now he’s doing it for himself, That’s true below, too. Here he is, picking up an assist (ho hum). But instead of for others. The end result is a highlight reel goal that has as here he also is, picking up that assist through a rebound from a shot that much to do with the choices he makes to go from the perimeter to the he takes to the front of the net instead of staying below the goal line to middle as it does with his talent in protecting the puck or shaking off the look pass: defenders with his body positioning:

Again and again, these themes play out in different parts of Abramov’s The old skills made him a darn good junior-level playmaker. But the new game. approach puts him in a better position to become a darn good NHL player one day. Now, instead of holding onto the puck to wait for his passing options to get open, Abramov will hold onto the puck long enough to look for a spot to attack into the middle. Watch here, immediately after pressure from the opposing defender eases, how Abramov turns to make a play to the The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 net:

Or watch the way he attacks off the wall to the slot here:

Though the outcome (a likely accidental assist) looks a bit lucky, I love the decision. He’s being aggressive.

And he rarely bobbles that play, so it’s something he can go to as repeatable. The sequence below is nearly identical. Abramov attacks, he goes to his backhand in the slot and he uses that net-driven approach to complement his passing skill:

In most cases, I’d be less concerned with the outcomes than I am with the decision or the intent. It’s nice to see him circling the net and pouncing on a loose puck to finish off a scramble like this:

The cross-ice pass below highlights his skill, but it’s nice to see him turn and face the net first:

Abramov still has things he needs to work on if he’s going to progress to the NHL level. He needs to get stronger and faster if his new approach is going to succeed. His defensive game still has some warts, too. Though he was better on draws in 2019-20 (up to 51.8 percent from 49.1 percent) and he was a regular on Victoriaville’s penalty kill and he can lack detail and engagement.

He doesn’t give an honest attempt on the shot block below and then he doesn’t stop on the puck as he fades back into the play: 1183398 Vegas Golden Knights

Knights’ Ryan Reaves approves of Raiders’ first-round picks

By Mark Anderson Las Vegas Review-Journal

April 23, 2020 - 8:43 PM

Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves also is a big Raiders fan, and he weighed in with his thoughts on the team’s two first-round NFL draft picks Thursday night.

The Raiders selected Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III with the 12th selection and Ohio State cornerback Damon Arnette at No. 19.

Local @Raiders fan Ryan Reaves is PUMPED about the new draft picks

Btw nice jersey @reavo7five pic.twitter.com/mMrNuXU9Aq

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 24, 2020

“Henry Ruggs at wide receiver brings that speed, brings the swag in the robe. I like the robe look,” said Reaves, wearing a Raiders jersey, on the Knights’ Twitter account. “Damon Arnette brings the boom at cornerback. So please, Vegas, whether you’re a Knights fan or you’re a Raiders fan — you should be both — but no matter what you are, join me in welcoming the first two first-round picks to your Las Vegas Raiders, baby. Let’s go.”

The Knights also welcomed the newest members of the Raiders family with freshly made jerseys.

How do you welcome the newest @Raiders draft pick to Las Vegas?

Well with a fresh new VGK jersey of course @__RUGGS pic.twitter.com/KSaTBw34IK

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 24, 2020

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183399 Vegas Golden Knights

Ryan Reaves, Alex Tuch to participate in NHL Gaming Challenge

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

April 23, 2020 - 10:13 am

Ryan Reaves and Alex Tuch will represent the Golden Knights in the NHL Player Gaming Challenge.

The four-week charity event starts April 30 and features players from all 31 teams, in addition to NHL Seattle, competing on the EA Sports NHL20 video game.

Each club will be paired in a one-time matchup, which will be released on Thursdays and Saturdays each week, the league said in a news release.

NBC Sports Network will air the first series of games, including Calgary vs. Ottawa (the Tkachuk brothers facing off) and Columbus vs. Winnipeg, beginning at 2 p.m. Pacific. All of the matches will be streamed on the NHL’s social platforms: Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook Premiere and NHL.com.

The NHL and Electronic Arts will donate a combined $100,000 in support of the CDC Foundation’s COVID-19 relief efforts.

“Over the past several weeks, the NHL, its Clubs and player community have been very active with gaming initiatives in an effort to connect with fans while social distancing — such as charity tournaments, simulated games and nightly streams,” said Chris Golier, NHL vice president of business development and innovation. “The NHL Player Gaming Challenge presented by Honda will take gaming to another level. We know how competitive our players are, and coupled with the interaction between players, these series of competitions will be extremely fun to watch.”

The lineup of participants includes NHL standouts Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators, Evgeny Kuznetsov of the Washington Capitals and others.

One suggestion if the NHL hasn’t already made the matchups: A Knights- Sharks virtual contest would be fire, as San Jose is represented by Evander Kane and Marcus Sorensen.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183400 Vegas Golden Knights scheduled to start their season on April 9, drew a Pacific Coast League- best average attendance of 9,299 fans per game last season.

“We can’t have fans in the stands doing anything, but we’re going to have Indefinite timeout: From the Knights to the Lights, Las Vegas’ sports an umpire, catcher and hitter stand in a box that’s 6 feet [wide],” Logan teams plan for uncertain scenarios says. “It’s got to be across the board. I don’t think you can say we can’t have any fans because we can’t enforce the 6-foot rule, but we’re going to let the players do it.”

By Case Keefer (contact) The Lights, who were within two days of the start of their season when the United Soccer League postponed on March 12, are in a similar Thursday, April 23, 2020 | 2 a.m. position. The organization has built its brand around the game-day experience and expected another attendance jump in its third year, after a near-20 percent increase to 7,711 per game last year at Cashman Almost every day, Las Vegas Lights owner/CEO Brett Lashbrook holds a Field. virtual meeting with his soccer team’s staff. And almost every day, Lashbrook imparts some version of the same message. “People want to come down Saturday night, have a hot dog and a beer, and scream and dance,” Lashbrook says. “I don’t want to sound like a “We will be back,” Lashbrook emphasizes. “Sports and live entertainment salesman right now, but candidly, that’s where the club makes its money, haven’t died forever, in any way, shape or form. We don’t know when we putting on 17 live events every year.” will be back, but we need to be ready to go as soon as we get that green light.” Lashbrook sounds confident the Lights will begin their season as soon as it’s safe. Logan sounds optimistic the Aviators could start by June, with That mirrors the attitude of most sports organizations, from the minors to some of the games lost in April and May tacked on after its announced the majors, regional to national, as COVID-19 postponements stretch into schedule concludes in early September. a second month. Leagues remain hopeful to get back to the playing field and are trying to stay proactive, but remain stuck in a holding pattern That could put the Aviators in unforeseen competition with Las Vegas’ while health and safety officials determine a timetable. newest sports franchise, the Raiders, slated to begin playing at the under-construction Allegiant Stadium during the NFL preseason in “We’re all circling the airport trying not to run out of gas,” says Don August. The coronavirus has thus far not impacted the NFL schedule; the Logan, Las Vegas Aviators president and chief operating officer. new league year and free agency started as planned on March 18.

There’s a sense that the NBA and NHL, the two major leagues that The only major change has been the April 23-25 NFL Draft’s shift from a paused their seasons in mid-March, will set the precedent. Both have live Las Vegas event to a virtual one. A much larger headache could worldwide television deals that draw in billions annually—and the playoffs ensue if Allegiant Stadium isn’t completed on time, but it’s said to be 85 are the most valuable part of the package. The leagues figure to try percent done and on target for competition by the end of July. whatever they can to recoup at least a portion of that revenue, but the exact route remains unclear, as most reports so far amount to Whether the Raiders will share their first year in Las Vegas with UNLV’s speculation. football team seems murkier. NCAA officials and conference commissioners have made no guarantees on going forward with fall That’s left teams like the Vegas Golden Knights, in the Pacific Division’s sports seasons and reportedly told Vice President Mike Pence they No. 1 seed position when the NHL halted, in a similar position as their would not compete if colleges aren’t in session at that time. fans—waiting for updates to trickle in. The latest briefing saw the NHL extend self-quarantine guidelines for players and team staff from April 15 That has left the UNLV athletic department in the same bind as its to April 30, but otherwise, there hasn’t been much news. professional counterparts, scrambling on how to proceed and work around an indefinite end date. “We’re exploring and want to be prepared for whenever the circumstances present themselves,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman “We’re creating contingency plans,” UNLV athletic director Desiree Reed- said April 13 on CNN’s Anderson Cooper Live. “We haven’t ruled Francois says. “For the past three weeks, all of our head coaches and anything in, haven’t ruled anything out, and we’ll be prepared to go in our senior staff have been working on how this pandemic impacts us— whatever direction makes sense at the time.” (The Golden Knights had not just today [and] not just tomorrow. We did a futurist exercise where not responded to our inquiries at press time.) we mapped out [what happens] if we don’t come back until May 15, which is the end of the academic year, if we don’t come back until June Bettman acknowledged reports suggesting the NHL might stage the rest 8, which is second session summer school, if we don’t come back until of its season in Grand Forks, North Dakota—home to several ice rinks as August 4, which is when football and our fall sports report back. ‘How is the annual host to junior hockey tournaments—but the commissioners your respective team impacted?’” downplayed the scenario as just one possibility. Similar setups have dominated the discourse for other major leagues. Several reports have As with so many things right now, no one really knows. indicated the NBA is interested in moving its season to Las Vegas, and LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 04.24.2020 is reportedly considering stationing its franchises at their spring-training bases in Arizona and Florida.

Those ideas make sense on one level. They would greatly reduce travel, and restrict attendance to players, coaches and essential personnel only—games would be played without fans. Participants would be subject to regular testing and instructed to quarantine at hotels between competition.

But some local sports executives caution those scenarios are far from certain. Logan, whom Baseball America named Minor League Executive of the Year after he oversaw the Triple-A Aviators’ move from Cashman Field to Las Vegas Ballpark last season, cast particular doubt on the widespread spring-training-site MLB rumors.

“I’ve spoken to a number of Major League folks,” Logan says. “They had a call, and they had a number of ideas floated around, and all of a sudden, that’s the one that leaks out. A few people I’ve talked to aren’t crazy about [that one].”

Logan also isn’t convinced closed-door games are the answer. Resuming without fans might work for the majors, but the minor leagues are more dependent on their live product than TV revenue. The Aviators, who were 1183401 Washington Capitals Guess who? @ovi8, that's who! https://t.co/fSlVBH7N7K pic.twitter.com/q09N4qsvhE

Alex Ovechkin, Wayne Gretzky play to a tie, raise more than $40,000 for — Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 23, 2020 coronavirus relief After a Tom Wilson tally extended Washington’s lead to 4-1 late in the second period, “JohnWayne” suggested they go straight to a shootout to determine the winner in lieu of playing a deciding third game. Scott Allen “I don’t think they’re going to come back from this,” Ovechkin said. April 23, 2020 at 8:55 AM EDT Gretzky, who retired six years before the shootout was introduced to ensure every game ended with a winner, had another idea.

Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky squared off in EA Sports’ NHL 20 on AD Wednesday to help raise money for novel coronavirus relief. The showdown, which was contested on Xbox and streamed on the “Let’s leave it a tie, one win each,” he said before offering to match half of Washington Capitals’ Twitch channel for fans to enjoy, ended in a tie and the money raised by fans, including one donor with the handle a donation of more than $40,000 to be split between the Monumental ‘Let’sGoPens!’ ” … Nobody wins, nobody loses, and charities all get a lot Sports and Entertainment Foundation’s “Feeding the Frontlines” fund and of money.” the Edmonton Food Bank. Ovechkin’s family agreed to match the other half, resulting in a total of Ovechkin played as the 2019-20 Capitals and was paired with Caps $41,041.67. Gaming esports pro John “JohnWayne” Casagranda in the two-on-two Gretzky got the last word before signing off. format, while Gretzky represented an alumni Edmonton Oilers squad with help from his sons, Ty and Trevor. “Just so you know, I got the four Stanley Cups,” he said. “It’s over.”

“Just so everyone knows, I’m horrible at this, but we’ll have a lot of fun,” It was a great time to play with u and your boys!! don’t trade them they Gretzky, who retired in 1999 as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer are good players ))) huge thx to all the fans who donate and support us! with 894, announced before jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the first game by See u guys soon https://t.co/ZrwM3m4n2h scoring as his virtual self. — Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) April 23, 2020 AD What an incredible night! “That’s 895,” one of Gretzky’s sons joked. Thanks to all who helped us raise over $20,000 for COVID-19 relief! Ovechkin takes on Capitals' new esports pro, gets smacked in NHL 20 And a special thank you to the Gretzky and Ovechkin families for On the board first: 99⃣ !⃣ matching the donation to push the total to over $40,000 for @MSEFndn’s “Feeding the Frontlines” fund and @yegfoodbank. https://t.co/fSlVBH7N7K pic.twitter.com/8PkuMXPah8 pic.twitter.com/jPk4pKvYOJ

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 23, 2020 — Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 23, 2020

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Ovechkin shouted after tying the score on Washington Post LOADED: 04.24.2020 a goal by Jakub Vrana. The teams traded goals in the second period and entered the third tied at 2. Gretzky, who noted that it’s hard to see the TV when you get to be almost 60 years old, was fading.

“My hands are getting tired,” he lamented halfway through the third period after the Capitals took a 3-2 lead and an Oilers goal was wiped out by goalie interference. “My fingers are sore.”

Moments later, Gretzky predicted that Edmonton would score the tying goal and go on to win in overtime. In fact, the Oilers took a 4-3 lead on a goal by with 2:30 remaining and it was Ovechkin and “JohnWayne” who needed a miracle at the end of regulation. With 2.8 seconds to play, Michal Kempny deflected a shot past Oilers goalie Grant Fuhr off a perfect pass from Lars Eller.

AD

Ovi scoring #NHL20 goals is as exciting as his real ones pic.twitter.com/tdmCWmtSSu

— #NHL20 (@EASPORTSNHL) April 23, 2020

“Oh my God!” Ovechkin shouted. “What a play! Atta boy, Kemps!”

Gretzky would score in overtime to give the Oilers a 5-4 win. He was ready to put down the sticks.

“It’s over! We’re done!” he shouted. “Is there a second game? I’m so tired.”

.@WayneGretzky with an absolute SNIPE in overtime pic.twitter.com/osLYXuP9Bd

— #NHL20 (@EASPORTSNHL) April 23, 2020

After a short break, the two legends regrouped for what was originally billed as a best-of-three series. Ovechkin and “JohnWayne” found their rhythm in the second game.

“Guess who?!” Ovechkin said after his virtual self gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead early in the first period. “Guess who?!” 1183402 Washington Capitals

Ovechkin, Gretzky raise $40,000 for charity with 'NHL 20' competition

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times - Thursday, April 23, 2020

For the first time ever, two of the greatest hockey players to ever live squared off. It just happened, like many sports these days, in the video game world.

Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky livestreamed two games of “NHL 20” on Wednesday night and raised more than $40,000 to split between two charities for coronavirus relief efforts. More than 450,000 people logged in to watch the stream on Twitch, according to Twitch’s view counter.

The money will be split between Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation’s “Feeding the Frontlines” fund and the Edmonton Food Bank in Edmonton, Canada. Viewers on Twitch donated more than $20,000, and Gretzky and Ovechkin agreed to match that total.

As for the games themselves, Gretzky and his son beat Ovechkin and Caps Gaming streamer JohnWayne 5-4 in overtime in the first game, but Ovechkin got revenge on Gretzky’s Oilers with a 4-1 win the second time around.

Gretzky played as a classic Oilers team that included video game versions of himself, Mark Messier, and Paul Coffey. Ovechkin controlled the 2019-20 Capitals.

Ovechkin didn’t hold back his desire to celebrate when he scored, especially on this game-tying goal in which his Lars Eller fed JohnWayne’s Michal Kempny on a breakaway in the last three seconds to force overtime.

Ovi scoring #NHL20 goals is as exciting as his real ones pic.twitter.com/tdmCWmtSSu

— #NHL20 (@EASPORTSNHL) April 23, 2020

But after video-game Braden Holtby laid out for a big save, the Oilers deposited one behind him for the overtime winner.

.@WayneGretzky with an absolute SNIPE in overtime pic.twitter.com/osLYXuP9Bd

— #NHL20 (@EASPORTSNHL) April 23, 2020

Ovechkin scored a goal as himself in the first minute of the second game as Washington had an easier time on its way to a 4-1 win.

Washington Times LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183403 Washington Capitals Weekly matchups will be released each week, and the games can be streamed on Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook Premiere and NHL.com.

Evgeny Kuznetsov to represent Capitals in NHL Player Gaming Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.24.2020 Challenge

By Mike DePrisco April 23, 2020 12:25 PM

Juan Soto, Derrius Guice, Rui Hachimura and Evgeny Kuznetsov.

What do those names have in common, other than the fact they're some of D.C. sports' brightest young stars? They're all down to give it a go in their respective sports' video game.

The NHL announced its first-ever Players Gaming Challenge featuring NHL players representing all 31 teams Thursday. Beginning April 30, players representing each team will face off in weekly matchups on EA Sports' NHL 20 over the course of a month. Kuznetsov will represent the Capitals.

The NHL and EA plan to donate a combined $100,000 in support of the CDC Foundation’s COVID-19 relief efforts.

Here's a look at the representatives from each team:

Anaheim Ducks: Cam Fowler

Arizona Coyotes: Conor Garland, Clayton Keller

Boston Bruins: Jake DeBrusk, Charlie McAvoy

Buffalo Sabres: Brandon Montour

Calgary Flames: Noah Hanifin, Matthew Tkachuk

Carolina Hurricanes: Warren Foegele

Chicago Blackhawks: Drake Caggiula, Alex DeBrincat,

Columbus Blue Jackets: Elvis Merzlikins, Zach Werenski

Colorado Avalanche: J.T. Compher

Dallas Stars: Stephen Johns, Jamie Oleksiak

Detroit Red Wings: Madison Bowey, Anthony Mantha

Edmonton Oilers: Caleb Jones, Darnell Nurse

Florida Panthers: Jonathan Huberdeau

Los Angeles Kings: Michael Amadio, Blake Lizotte

Minnesota Wild: Devan Dubnyk, Jordan Greenway

Montreal Canadiens: Victor Mete, Nick Suzuki

Nashville Predators: Filip Forsberg

New Jersey Devils: Mackenzie Blackwood

New York Islanders: Matt Martin

New York Rangers: Chris Kreider

NHL Seattle: Luke Willson, Seattle Seahawks (NFL)

Ottawa Senators: Brady Tkachuk, Chris Tierney

Philadelphia Flyers: James van Riemsdyk

Pittsburgh Penguins: Zach Aston-Reese, Bryan Rust

San Jose Sharks: Evander Kane, Marcus Sorensen

St Louis Blues: Colton Parayko, Robert Thomas

Tampa Bay Lightning: Tyler Johnson

Toronto Maple Leafs: Zach Hyman

Vancouver Canucks: Thatcher Demko, Adam Gaudette

Vegas Golden Knights: Ryan Reaves, Alex Tuch

Washington Capitals: Evgeny Kuznetsov

Winnipeg Jets: Anthony Bitetto, Kyle Connor 1183404 Washington Capitals

How did T.J. Oshie spend his draft night? Watching MTV

By J.J. Regan April 23, 2020 10:00 AM

Imagine you are a first-round caliber NHL player on your draft night. What do you think that night would be like? What would you do? Whatever you're envisioning now is very different from the night T.J. Oshie had.

Oshie was selected in the first round, 24th overall, in the 2005 draft by the St. Louis Blues.

Was he there at the draft for the photo op and to shake hands with the general manager? Was he with family and friends all waiting for his name to be called? Was he even watching it on TV? The answer to all three questions is no.

"I think I have a little bit of a different story than a lot of the other guys that were drafted," Oshie said in a video conference. "I was at my buddy’s house. I think I was watching MTV’s Real World or Road Rules Challenge or one of those things and I wasn’t really paying attention to the draft."

As stunning as this may seem, it is important to remember that the NHL draft is very different from the NFL draft. Generally, first-round players in the NFL are expected to contribute right away and play that year as a rookie. In hockey, the vast majority of players are still years away from reaching the NHL, if they ever do, from when they are drafted.

Oshie would go on to play three years at the University of North Dakota before making his NHL debut in 2008.

"My dream wasn’t really to get drafted, it was to play in the NHL," Oshie said. "I never watched hockey growing up, I don’t know, I never watched the draft. I honestly didn’t even really know what it meant so I think when you see it on TV now and you see the kids get drafted and you see the families there, and them getting to go up on stage, it is probably a cool feeling an accomplishment, but it is something that I didn’t think about so it wasn’t necessarily that important for me personally."

This led to a few awkward moments for Oshie after getting drafted including on his initial phone conversation with the team.

"They asked me who I was excited, most excited to play with on the Blues, and I didn't know any players that played for the Blues since I didn't watch hockey," Oshie said. "Obviously I was like, 'Oh, just everyone. Just playing in the NHL will be amazing.' So after the initial phone call they told me I was going to do a media conference call, and so I ran to my buddy's house and I don't know if it was Google or whatever, but bring up the St. Louis Blues' roster and coaches and all that stuff and try to figure out as much as I could, like cramming for a test."

Oshie added, "Not your typical draft story."

No kidding.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183405 Washington Capitals

What is the Caps' best all-time Czech lineup?

By J.J. Regan April 23, 2020 6:00 AM

Hockey fans from the capital of the United States tune in every game to cheer on a Capitals team led by a Russian superstar, an elite Swedish center and a Canadian goalie. Hockey truly is an international game with many players coming from all around the world to don those red sweaters.

We know who some of the best Capitals were, but what if you separated the players by their native countries? Where have the best Capitals players really come from? Let's look at some of the best players in franchise history to determine what the best lineup is (two wings, one center, two defensemen and one goalie).

For the next installment, we are looking at the best Czechs to play for Washington.

Forwards

Jakub Vrana - Michal Pivonka - Jaromir Jagr

How's that for an offensive line?

Pivonka is one of the greats in franchise history. He spent his entire 13- year career with Washington and ranks fifth in team history with 599 points and third in assists with 418. He was a cerebral passer and was really the gold standard for a set-up man in Washington before Nicklas Backstrom. And a bonus point goes to him as he had to defect just to make it to the NHL.

Jagr's time with Washington was disappointing to be sure, but he still managed to score 83 goals and 118 assists in 190 games. The fact that he could be disappointing while also scoring over a point per game tells you all you need to know about Jagr's skill level.

Vrana is the surprise here, but he is supremely talented and, in my mind, an underrated star in the NHL. Without any power play production, he is flying under the radar, but this is truly a breakout season for him with 25 goals and on pace for 29. When it is all said and done, he could be one of the best scorers in franchise history.

Defensemen

Michal Kempny - Roman Hamrlik

The addition of Kempny in 2018 was a major factor in the team winning the Stanley Cup. Washington does not win the Cup without trading for Kempny who stepped into a top-pair role alongside John Carlson.

Hamrlik came to Washington very near the end of his career. He was well past his prime in his two seasons with the Caps, but he still remained a solid stay-at-home defenseman.

Goalie

Tomas Vokoun

Trying to choose between Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth was the toughest decision for me in this lineup.

When the Caps traded away Neuvirth, it was a signal that Braden Holtby was the No. 1 in Washington. There were many who, at the time, thought the team had chosen the wrong goalie of the two. I was not among them. I was never a big fan of Neuvirth's game and I felt he was far too injury prone. In the one postseason in which he went in as the No. 1 for the Caps, he completely fell apart in the second round in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Neuvirth is not why the Caps lost that series, but he did not do much to help the team in those four games either with a save percentage of .867.

Ultimately Neuvirth played in Washington for six seasons and left with little to show for it. I don't think there is any question that Vokoun was the better goalie overall so I give him the nod over Neuvirth between the pipes to play with his countrymen.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183406 Washington Capitals Actually, Ovechkin had scored only two of his seven goals on the power play. He also recorded half of his six assists in Game 6, including on the Capitals’ tying- and go-ahead goals in the third period that required an answer by Sidney Crosby late to force overtime. Marc-Andre Fleury has a secret about his Game 7 save of Alex Ovechkin “Do I think we were better as the series went on? I do. Do I think we did better against him after Games 1 and 2? I do,” said Dan Bylsma, who had replaced Michel Therrien as the Penguins’ coach almost three By Rob Rossi Apr 23, 2020 32 months to the day of Game 7 against the Capitals in 2009.

“That doesn’t mean he was the guy I wanted to see coming in on a Marc-Andre Fleury remembers his favorite save as if it happened breakaway early in Game 7. My memory isn’t always great, but I yesterday, not in what feels like another lifetime. probably even said something to our players the day before about us not letting that happen.” An elimination game. In a building where he had won only one postseason game. Surrounded by a mass of red-wearing fans who were Bylsma had said something along those lines to his players between doing their best to make him feel like he was in the belly of a beast. And Games 6 and 7. Not that he had needed to state the obvious. the guy who had the puck on his stick blade was not only the opposition’s “Even then, he was one of the best goal scorers I’d ever played against,” best player, not merely a future Hockey Hall of Famer, but also Guerin said of Ovechkin. “He was like a bull in a china shop. He was fast, somebody who had few equals in the history of the sport. and that shot of his was … look, I’ve never seen a guy shoot like he can, As Alex Ovechkin barreled toward him about three minutes into Game 7 and back then, he looked to shoot all the time. They fed off him scoring between the Penguins and Capitals in 2009, Fleury was ready, almost by goals, and it felt like he was shooting the puck whenever it came to him.” accident. Scuderi and Gill, neither of whom could match Ovechkin’s skating “I don’t know if you force (Ovechkin) to do stuff. He sort of forces you to prowess, realized their best chance was to deny him the puck. When do stuff, right?” Fleury said. “Before their games in Washington, they Ovechkin did get the puck, they wanted him to be at a spot on the ice showed goals on the Jumbotron. And, you know, I always watch the where any shot attempt would be of the low-percentage type. Jumbotron.” “I’ve always said the only chance you have against him is to take away He did. He still does. his time and space,” Scuderi said. “It’s the only chance you have. And I think we did that more as the series went on.” But never before — and not since — Fleury’s first never-forget save in a Game 7 on the Penguins’ championship run 11 years ago has his habit Gill agreed, but with one caveat. of peeking up at an arena’s video board helped him like it did May 13, “It’s a good approach, the right approach,” he said. “The only problem is, 2009. That night, it was the “secret” to him getting the final, definitive Ovi doesn’t need much time or space to get off a great shot. Whenever victory in a one-on-one battle with Ovechkin. he shoots, it’s a great shot. He’s that good.” All things considered, it’s understandable Fleury points to one save as Before the series, Ovechkin had scored six goals in 11 career games the most important of his life, the stop that changed everything for him against Fleury. Then he ripped off five in the series’ first seven periods. and the Penguins over a decade ago. “It got better, but it was bad early,” Fleury said. “I don’t think he was This one. doing something different. He was, I think, hot. Maybe sometimes there It is one of the most important plays in franchise history, and it’s being was traffic or something, but it’s always like that in the playoffs. He was featured as The Athletic is celebrating the most important plays of the just looking to shoot so much, you know? I mean, he always does. You past 20 years. have to be ready for him to shoot. He’ll do it from anywhere on the ice.”

“When Flower made that save, it’s the first time those playoffs when I With 17 games against Ovechkin under his belt, Fleury figured he had thought, ‘It might be our year,’” said Bill Guerin, who joined the Penguins probably seen everything Ovechkin had to offer in terms of variety of just before the trade deadline in March — nine weeks before an epic shots. Still, he wanted to leave nothing to chance for Game 7 — including second-round showdown with the Capitals concluded with a Game 7 at up to the last possible minute. what was then called Verizon Center. He decided to scout a pregame video package the Capitals regularly The Penguins had not wanted to be in the American capital for Game 7. displayed on their video board. What could it hurt? The package was Though they had quite nearly fallen behind, 3-0, in their best-of-seven sure to feature footage of Ovechkin scoring goals, and Fleury thought series — Kris Letang’s overtime goal in Game 3 at the old Mellon Arena there was at least a chance the video could serve as a cheat sheet for is arguably the most important goal that gets lost to history in Pittsburgh the final exam that was Game 7. — Guerin dared not reveal what he was thinking after a loss in Game 6 Again, Ovechkin had either scored or set up 13 goals through six games. at home that forced the series to a decisive contest. Fleury figured Ovechkin was going to get a few chances with everything “There’s always one team that doesn’t want to be in the Game 7,” Guerin on the line. Not that he was planning for Ovechkin to land a breakaway said. “It’s the team that could have won it in Game 6. around three minutes into the game. However, when it happened …

“And we should have won it in Game 6 in Pittsburgh. That’s not a knock “Well, he did the same move on the breakaway that I saw on the on the Caps. Give them credit. But even though we lost Games 1 and 2 Jumbotron before the game. He scored that way on the Jumbotron,” in their building, I feel like we were the better team every other game.” Fleury said. “So, when I saw him come down, I was maybe looking for that move. And he still fooled me pretty good. He has such a good shot, That point can be debated. Only Game 4 had not been decided by one you have to respect it. But I didn’t commit all the way, because I knew — goal. The team that scored first had lost four times. The earliest winning from what I’d seen on the Jumbotron — that he might go around me. He goal had come 1:46 into the third period of Game 2. Overtimes were did. And I was able to get a piece of it. needed in Games 3, 5 and 6. “But, yeah, I scouted him on the Jumbotron. That was my secret.” The Penguins might have felt as though they held a territorial advantage throughout the series. Even if they had, Ovechkin’s individual dominance Not even Fleury’s teammates were aware of his secret until a decade had negated it. He had scored seven goals and assisted on six others after his sensational save — all right, his first sensational save — in heading into Game 7. Game 7 of the 2009 postseason. Evgeni Malkin had simply chalked up the stop to Fleury being the “best goalie on breakaways.” “I’ll go to my grave telling people we did a decent job against him,” said Hal Gill, who, along with defense partner Rob Scuderi, often drew the “He stops everybody in practice,” Malkin said. “I don’t worry. Not even assignment of playing against Ovechkin’s line. with Ovechkin on a breakaway. Flower is too fast. He made a great save, of course. But I’m not surprised.” Said Scuderi: “As I remember it, a lot of his damage was on the power play, and most of it came early in the series.” Capitals fans were stunned, and Ovechkin appeared to sense some of what Guerin felt watching the scene play out. “Game over,” Guerin said. “You could feel the life come out of their building.”

About five minutes after Fleury’s save, Crosby and Craig Adams scored eight seconds apart. Those goals sent shivers throughout the silenced crowd. Goals by Guerin and Letang within the first two-plus minutes of the second period ended all suspense.

A tight, tantalizing series was sent into the history books with a blowout in the finale: Penguins 6, Capitals 2.

The Penguins would go on to win the Cup. They would win it again in 2016 and 2017, besting the Capitals in the second round each time.

The Capitals finally won the Cup in 2018. They beat the Penguins in Round 2 and defeated Fleury’s upstart Golden Knights in the final.

How might all of it have played out differently had Ovechkin scored?

“I remember thinking that was the save of Fleury’s career,” said Ray Shero, the general manager of the Penguins in 2009. “I was wrong.”

“People said I’ll never make a bigger save and I think that’s probably true,” Fleury said of the Cup-clinching robbery of Nicklas Lidstrom in Game 7 of the Cup final. For Fleury, the final-seconds save in Detroit served as a fitting bookend to the early-minutes stop on Ovechkin in Washington that he made almost two months to the day prior. “Maybe it’s my best save. It won us the Cup, right? That’s pretty awesome.

“I think I like the one in Washington that year more. It’s, like, not as big a deal as the one in Detroit, but that one in Washington on Ovechkin was pretty good.”

Pretty important, too.

It’s no secret what followed for the Penguins after Fleury flummoxed Ovechkin: The greatest run of great days for hockey in Pittsburgh.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183407 Washington Capitals So Miller got back into the real estate business with his wife, Shelby. The couple has been together since they were in high school.

“The next step would be to probably move, if I wanted to stay in What is long-time Caps forward – and video star – Kelly Miller up to coaching,” Miller said. “And the reason why I got out the first time is today? because I didn’t want to move. I enjoy coaching. What I don’t love is the life of a coach. And the life of a coach – if you want to be successful – is to keep moving around and moving up the ladder. The only reason I got back into it here at Michigan State is because I didn’t have to move. I By Tarik El-Bashir Apr 23, 2020 5 love coaching and I loved my experience there, but it was nice not having to move to a new city and drag the family there. My wife is very successful in real estate; she’s really one of the top realtors in our area. Kelly Miller was a mainstay in the Capitals’ forward corps for more than a So for me to say, ‘OK, Shelby, we’re going to move to Timbuktu and I’m dozen years. going to be the coach there, and all that work you’ve done in terms of your real estate career, you’re going to have to start over somewhere He’s fourth in franchise history in shorthanded goals, fifth in games else.’ That’d be cruel.” played, seventh in game-winners and eighth in career plus-minus. Hanging up his whistle had another benefit: Miller was able to attend Miller, now a commercial real estate agent in Michigan, was also the most of his youngest daughter’s soccer games at Duke. reluctant star of a late 1980s music video called, “More than a team.” “Ashton was captain her senior year and they ended up going all the way If you’re a Caps fan of a certain age, you may recall it. If not, you can to the finals,” he said. “It was just a blast. I was like a groupie, I was at thank us later. every game. I was driving to Clemson. I was flying out to Boston College. Talking this week on the phone from his home near Lansing, Michigan, They played at West Virginia, I drove there. I thank God, really, for the Miller chuckled when asked about the video. opportunity. He gave me a push out of hockey, and I just was able to have that year of just enjoying watching her play. So everything happens “Well,” he began, “that was during that whole MTV era, and for a reason.” (defenseman) Neil (Sheehy) was the mastermind behind all that. I thought it was a lot of fun. I mean, it was totally out of my comfort level, A year later, Miller found himself enthralled with another team’s playoff and probably way out of the comfort level of most hockey players.” run: the Alex Ovechkin-led Caps, who went on to claim the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. It was just good friends having fun, Miller said. And if there’s one thing Miller remembers about his time in D.C., it’s how much he enjoyed “It was very fulfilling because I have such a fondness for the organization coming to the rink every single day. and all the people there, like (longtime team president) ,” he said. “And for them to finally achieve what they’ve been working at for so “First of all, I love the organization,” said the 57-year-old, who travels to long … to finally cap it off with a Stanley Cup, that was just tremendous.” the Washington area each summer to participate in the alumni game. “You look at the players that we had go through there, whether it’s Scott Miller paused. Stevens or Rod Langway or . I mean, you can go through a “I felt like a proud family member,” he added. “It was like watching your list of just guys that are just terrific people and terrific hockey players. It family finally reach this goal of what it’s been striving for for so long.” was fun to be a part of something like that.” Although Miller doesn’t follow the Caps on a daily basis, he does Miller arrived in D.C. midway through the 1986-87 season from New York routinely check up on them. And prior to the current season being as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Bobby Carpenter to the paused, he liked what he was seeing. Rangers. During Miller’s 13-year tenure in Washington, the Caps qualified for the playoffs 11 times, including two trips to the Eastern “I do keep an eye on my Caps because I still have a big place in my heart Conference finals and a spot in the 1998 Stanley Cup final. The winger for them and I like to see them do well and it’s fun to watch them play. notched 40 or more points five times and topped 50 points twice. They’ve been consistently good,” he said. “It’s so tough to win the Stanley Cup. I’m proud to be a part of that family and hope, like “For me, it was extra special because I was there for a long time and I everybody else, I hope that they can win another one.” thought we played at a really high level for a very long time,” he said. “We had a couple of years in there where it wasn’t as good, but for the If Miller has a regret, it’s that the Caps weren’t able to finish off their 1998 most part we were one of the top teams in the league.” run with a championship.

Hockey runs in Miller’s blood. His brothers Kevin and Kip also played in Aaannnddd maybe a certain music video. the NHL. Anaheim Ducks goalie Ryan Miller and former Red Wings winger Drew Miller are his cousins. “Yeah, I’ve had a couple of friends bust my chops over it,” Miller said with a chuckle. “It’s just good for a laugh and I appreciated Neil putting it all So when Kelly Miller retired, it was no surprise that he pivoted to together. But it definitely pushed most of us out of our comfort zone.” coaching. He served as an assistant coach with the Ducks during the 2000-01 season and with the Islanders from 2001-03. The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020

“That was a lot of fun,” Miller said. “Then my (three) daughters were getting to the age where it was getting kind of tough to move them around. I didn’t really want to move anymore. So we jumped out of coaching and came back to Lansing, Michigan, and set up shop here.”

He got into the commercial real estate business and later joined a bank holding company.

“It was a good experience,” he said.

But it wasn’t hockey.

In 2011, he jumped back behind the bench as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Michigan State, joining the staff of head coach and former Spartans teammate Tom Anastos. Miller is one of 10 members of his extended family to suit up for MSU.

When Anastos resigned following a seven-win season in 2016-17, Miller, for the second time during his coaching career, had a tough choice to make: continue pursuing a head coaching position or climb down from the carousel and be a soccer dad. And, for the second time, he chose his family. 1183408 However, multiple reports from NHL insiders suggest the Twin Cities would be the likely Central Division base. A Jets source told the Free Press on Thursday that Winnipeg would be a long shot at best at this point, although the situation remains fluid and nothing is set in stone. The Winnipeg a long shot to be a host city if NHL resumes biggest hurdle, it appears, would be enough hotel rooms to house as many as seven teams at once, in addition to all the other league staff, Minneapolis-St. Paul emerging as regional favourite if NHL returns this broadcasters and media. season Don’t forget, these athletes have pretty high — some might say snobby

— standards when it comes to where they stay. I’d suggest they may By: Mike McIntyre | Posted: 04/23/2020 12:03 PM | Comments: 24 | Last want to lower them given the situation, but don’t hold your breath on that Modified: 04/23/2020 7:04 PM | Updates happening. Build a JW Marriott in downtown Winnipeg and then we’re talking.

Numerous issues would first have to be addressed for this to fly, At first it seemed to be nothing more than wishful thinking, a delusional including getting all players back in North America, then ensuring all are long shot at best. But hope really does spring eternal, and that sound you carefully screened and monitored for coronavirus to ensure there’s no hear is growing chatter that the 2019-20 NHL season may indeed live to risk. One infection would bring it all to a screeching, every expensive halt. see another day. Ultimately, the NHL is at the mercy of others to give them the green light.

Don’t just take my word that we could be on the verge of a truly unique "All of this is contingent, nothing has been decided," Bettman told Ron summer of puck, a sentiment I’ve been hearing more and more in recent MacLean in his interview Wednesday. "The decision ultimately will be days from various sources around the league. Commissioner Gary made by medical people and people who run governments at all different Bettman got gums flapping and tongues wagging Wednesday night when levels. We’re not going to try to do anything that flies in the face of what he revealed the league is exploring a unique return-to-play scenario in we’re being told is appropriate." which all 31 teams would be centralized in as many as four existing NHL markets, perhaps one from each division. "There are so many scenarios out there, we would have to nail down which one we're talking about," Neal Pionk said in a conference call.

Winnipeg is not expected to be one of them, with Minneapolis-St. Paul emerging as the regional favourite in that department. "There are so many scenarios out there, we would have to nail down which one we're talking about," Neal Pionk said in a conference call. With seven or eight teams housed in each location, multiple games would be held daily in each venue without fans as a means of finishing An exploratory process on potential hosts is already underway, with out the regular season, which had just over three weeks remaining when Bettman calling Alberta premier Jason Kenney earlier this week to talk the league paused in mid-March due to the global pandemic. This would about Edmonton, which has it’s shiny new Ice District next to Rogers greatly reduce the amount of travel required, while also avoiding densely Place and including ample luxury hotel rooms. Glendale in the Pacific, populated hot spots such as New York, where coronavirus numbers are Dallas in the Central, Raleigh and Pittsburgh in the Metropolitan and still sky high. Toronto in the Atlantic are other locales that have been mentioned.

Let’s use the 37-28-6 Winnipeg Jets as an example. Under this proposed One thing that is off the table are neutral-site locations, such as Grand scenario, seven of Winnipeg’s games could be played in their host venue Forks, N.D., and Saskatoon, Sask., which had been previously explored — their four remaining "home" games and three "road" games against but is now ruled out. Central Division rivals who would be in the same city. The other four road "Minneapolis would work pretty well for me. It’s only three hours south games, all against Pacific Division teams, could be held in whatever city (from Duluth), so I’m in favour of that," Jets defenceman Neal Pionk said those squads were based out of. Thursday in a Zoom call with media. The Minnesota native is currently This would mean only needing to bounce between two different locales, hunkered down at his off-season home along with his girlfriend and one instead of the seven that would be required under their normal schedule of his brothers. (home games in Winnipeg, then two road games in Calgary, and one "If it works out — obviously safety is the first priority, as far as local each in Vancouver, Dallas, Nashville, Colorado and Arizona). Most NHL governments or state governments or provincial governments — as long teams would be in a similar situation, since the majority of games down as they allow that and the public is healthy, I would be in favour of the stretch are against divisional and conference opponents. playing in a centralized location without fans," said Pionk. The regular season would end in July, with traditional playoffs beginning "There are so many scenarios out there, we would have to nail down in August and running through September. That would allow for a full which one we’re talking about. But as far as playing in an empty venue to 2020-21 season to begin around November, following a very hectic and declare a Cup champion, I would be in favour. With the way we were abbreviated "off-season" in October. Whether that could include fans if a playing at the end of the year, hopefully, we can carry that momentum if vaccine still hasn’t been developed and approved by then remains and when things pick back up." unlikely at this point. As unlikely as it once seemed, they may yet get that opportunity in what Make no mistake: As much as this will be framed as trying to help get life would be a summer like no other. back to normal, it all boils down to cold, hard cash. As in the forecasted US$1 billion in lost revenue if the 2019-20 season can’t be concluded, LOADED 04.24.2020 which would have a major trickle-down impact on the entire league, including the future salary cap and player contracts.

There’s a lot at stake, including throwing a lifeline to the league’s broadcast partners starving for fresh content, which is why talk is heating up to find a solution to get back on the ice. The fact several cities, provinces and states are starting to discuss how they plan to slowly reopen and boost the economy is also fuelling that optimism.

No matter where teams play if the NHL returns, there won't be any fans in the stands to cheer them on. (John Woods Winnipeg Free Press files)

No matter where teams play if the NHL returns, there won't be any fans in the stands to cheer them on. (John Woods Winnipeg Free Press files)

At first blush, Winnipeg would seem to be an ideal location for teams to come play, with a low rate of infection and mostly flattened curve, in addition to NHL-ready infrastructures such as Bell MTS Place for games and Bell MTS Iceplex for practices. 1183409 Winnipeg Jets From a hockey perspective, the home of the Jets has enough locker- rooms, and the four-sheet Iceplex just west of the Perimeter Highway would presumably make an ideal practice facility.

NHL removes Winnipeg from list of re-start sites Of course, all this presumes government health officials even give the all- clear for the NHL to put a plan like this into motion.

Bettman says the league could play all summer. The first step would be Paul Friesen to get players skating again, with at least a three-week training camp to follow.

Players from around the world would have to be cleared to fly and cross If the NHL bucks the odds and finds a way to re-start the season, borders, which raises another issue for health officials to grapple with, in Winnipeg will not be one of the cities to host games. whatever sites are chosen. Various “infrastructure” issues make the capital unsuitable, “As Manitoba health or government officials, do I want to welcome eight Winnipeg Jets sources confirmed on Thursday. NHL teams to my jurisdiction where I’ve done a very good job of planking It’s not clear what those issues include, but one of the city’s biggest the curve and kept people safe and people haven’t been travelling?” cheerleaders has a pretty good idea. Spiring said. “We’ve kind of controlled who’s been coming into our province. Do I want to open that door, potentially, with eight NHL teams?” “It’s hotel-related, probably,” Dayna Spiring, president/CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg, told the Sun. “Winnipeg comes at this at a bit of Good question. a disadvantage, from a hotel perspective. If you were to have eight teams Without fans in the stands, the need for a passionate hockey market playing in Winnipeg, there’s an argument that you would need eight might not be paramount, but Spiring touts Winnipeg’s history with the different hotels. whiteout street parties, anyway, saying fans here would find a way to “And the hotels they’re looking at are high-end hotels, and there is a rally without forming crowds. question of whether or not we would have eight that are suitable for “Could we make it work, assuming we could get the safety pieces in them.” order? We absolutely could,” she said. “We would roll out a red carpet for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman discussed some of the options the the NHL… people would do everything they could to make it a league is looking at on Sportsnet, Wednesday night. celebration to make them feel welcome. Even if it’s just pictures on the windows or our whiteout signs, whatever it is. That’s what we’re good at.” Among the possibilities is centralizing all the teams in four NHL cities. One thing Spiring wasn’t ready to do was throw in the towel, regardless Spiring expressed surprise that Winnipeg has been ruled out. of what I told her about Winnipeg being off the list.

She has been in on the discussions about what hosting games would “When someone tells me no, that’s when the sale begins,” she said. “I’m look like and says she’s provided alternatives to some of the NHL’s initial not sure I’m even prepared to walk down that road.” requirements. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.24.2020 “Some of the questions we’ve raised are, ‘Would all eight teams need to be here at the same time? Would you be able to use a hotel for more than one team if you could social distance and do what you need to do?’ It’s very conceivable that you could have more than one team in a hotel,” she said.

There’s also the need to house NHL officials and other league staff, plus the huge contingent of visiting media covering each team.

The pandemic shutdown, now well into its second month, has sparked all kinds of speculation about what a re-started NHL could look like.

Bettman said the four host sites aren’t necessarily based on the NHL’s four divisions. But he ruled out using neutral-site college arenas in smaller communities, like Grand Forks, N.D..

The reason: Only NHL-caliber arenas would provide the standard of amenities needed, including at least four NHL-caliber locker-rooms, broadcast facilities, big-league boards-and-glass setups and up-to-date technology.

The idea of centralizing teams would be to keep players and staff safe and quarantined, with no travel from city to city.

There would be multiple games per day, with no fans in the stands, in an effort to complete as much of the regular season as possible, before starting the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“Could be anywhere that isn’t the (COVID-19) hot spot and has what we need, both in terms of the arena and having practice facilities,” Bettman said. “Because if you bring in seven or eight clubs to a particular facility and you’re playing lots of games on a regular basis without travel, there does need to be ice for practice.”

Winnipeg seems to fit much of that bill, particularly the top item on the list.

“When you look at the outbreaks of COVID-19 across the country and across North America, we are sitting in a very enviable position,” Spiring said. “We’ve done a very good job of flattening this curve. If I were the NHL and I were looking at what markets would I like to put my players in, this would be one of my top choices, simply from a safety perspective.” 1183410 Winnipeg Jets Now, Pionk sits in his Duluth summer home, living with his brother and girlfriend, and waiting for the season to return.

There’s unfinished business on a team, he feels, was hitting its stride at Pionk would love a shot at the title, if and when NHL fires back up the right time.

With that in mind, he says he’ll take anything the league offers for a chance to contest for the Stanley Cup. Scott Billeck “There are so many scenarios out there, we would have to nail down which one we’re talking about,” Pionk said. “But as far as playing in an empty venue to declare a Cup champion, I would be in favour. With the Neal Pionk’s journey to Winnipeg last summer was initially met with way we were playing at the end of the year, hopefully, we can carry that disappointment, both from the player and from the fan base. momentum if and when things pick back up.” Like any player satisfied with his current digs, Pionk’s first choice wasn’t OH, THOSE SMALL COMMUNITIES to be a part of a package deal that sent Jacob Trouba to the New York Rangers and Pionk packing up to Canada. Sure, Pionk’s hometown of Ask Neal Pionk how he feels about another player from Hermantown in Hermantown, Minn., isn’t a far drive from the Manitoba capital. A few the Jets organization and he’ll tell you he’s pretty excited about it. miles to the east sits Duluth, where Pionk played two seasons with the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Soon, he and Dylan Samberg, Winnipeg’s second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft who signed with the club a few weeks back, could even be But after a season where he battled his own confidence while playing on sharing the ice together. a cellar-dwelling Rangers club, the last thing to give the old self- assurance meter a boost was getting shipped out of the Big Apple. For now, however, it’s just something cool to watch unfold.

As summer was beginning to pick up back in Winnipeg, and with the “I remember growing up watching him and then just to watch his whole inevitable Trouba trade looming, questions in these parts centred around journey going from Hermantown, playing a little bit of junior, and then what the Jets would get in return for one-half of their potent shutdown going to Duluth having all of the success that he did at UMD and then defensive pairing. signing his first pro contract, it’s really cool to see,” Pionk said.

A first-round pick and Pionk wasn’t exactly what some had in mind. And If nothing else, Hermantown now has a new favourite NHL team. in the age of social media and snap judgments, Pionk simply didn’t cut it. “I mean, I would think it’s got to be, right?” Pionk said. “So Hermantown Speaking to the assembled media on Thursday via a video conference is a town of about 10,000 people and there’s only been a couple of guys call, Pionk said he turned the page of frustration within the same day. playing in the NHL from Hermantown. So the fact that there’s a potential of two former Hermantown defencemen to be on the same blue line, I “Obviously when the trade first went down I wasn’t very pleased, and I think that’s got to make it the favourite.” don’t think anybody would be,” Pionk said. “But I always tell people that I think within 24 hours I was cool with it. I turned the page and moved Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.24.2020 forward. And now I couldn’t be happier to be in Winnipeg.”

It would take several months more for Jets fans to do the same.

For many, Pionk wasn’t Trouba, and he never would be.

It’s a tune that would gradually change as the year went on.

By the time the pause button was hit on the season, a good swath of fans hadn’t just set up tents at Camp Pionk, they were actively promoting it being better than Camp Trouba.

Whatever took place in New York — a struggling team, a defensive partner that held him down or his bout with low confidence — Pionk had shed it all by the time he stepped onto the ice in Winnipeg.

“I think the start is huge,” Pionk said. “I give credit to my coaches for giving me the opportunity and also to my teammates, more than anything, because you make a good play and your teammates capitalize on it, it makes everyone look good. And same thing when I make a mistake, those guys were there to bail me out. All of that led to myself having more confidence and having an overall pretty good year.”

That opportunity included anchoring the power play and playing a truckload of minutes in Winnipeg’s decimated blue line.

In 73 games with the Rangers the season prior, his sophomore year in the NHL, Pionk had six goals and 26 points. He reached that mark in early January this season, setting a new career-high in points on Jan. 8.

When the pause button was pressed, the 24-year-old had 45 points, including 25 with the man-advantage. (For what it’s worth, Trouba had seven goals and 27 points prior to the pause.)

That opportunity? Pionk ran with it, averaging 23:23 per night.

There was a chip on his shoulder, one that’s been there for a while.

Going undrafted will do that for any player who thinks he was passed over dozens upon dozens of times by every team in the NHL.

“Absolutely. It definitely gave me a chip on my shoulder,” Pionk said. “There might be some people that say it gave me too much of a chip, because I definitely used it as a driving force for me. Without being drafted and going into junior hockey, I was always looking to prove myself and to prove to people that I can play in college and can play in pro. And not only in pro but the NHL. It definitely helped.” 1183411 Vancouver Canucks until at least July, so rosters remain frozen — unless the league gets creative. But who would want to part with a roster player before a playoff run?

Ben Kuzma: For Canucks, Miller trade return trumps virtual draft “There are still a lot of questions about how we can have a draft before dilemmas playing out the season and it’s hard to make plans,” added Benning. “How this plays out for us is we’re going to try and sign some UFAs and make decisions on other players.

Ben Kuzma “We may not get picks if we decide to go in that direction. But teams aren’t going to be able to sign everybody to recover money because we

don’t know where the (salary) cap is going to be. That’s how we got A virtual draft won't have the same big-event feel for Jim Benning and his Miller.” NHL peers. Miller struggled early as the 15th overall selection in the 2011 draft, but "The difference he (Miller) has made to our whole group for us to get to his value to the Canucks goes beyond leading the club in scoring with 72 the next level, I can justify it (conditional draft pick). Would I do it all over points (27-45) in a career season. The intangibles of determination and again? I would." — Jim Benning, Vancouver Canucks GM leadership have trumped the conditional pick surrender.

Jim Benning had his own version of an NHL virtual draft in 1981. And the 27-year-old Miller has three more years left on his contract at a palatable US$5.25 million annual cap hit. The highly-touted ’ leading scorer passed on attending the annual event at the Montreal Forum. The offensive “The difference he has made to our whole group for us to get to the next defenceman was selected sixth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs level, I can justify it (pick),” said Benning. “He has made an impact on based on an eye-popping 139 point season (28-111) that ranked fourth in wins and development of good young players. Would I do it all over the WHL. again? I would.

Back then, the draft wasn’t the heavily produced television showcase it “The (first round) pick (for New Jersey) in this year’s draft, if we’re a has become and only a few of the top-ranked players actually showed playoff team, would be 15 to 20 and that kind of player needs one or two up. Benning was at home in Edmonton with his parents when the call more years of junior or college and then a year or two in AHL.” came from Punch Imlach. No fanfare. No face time. It’s the Miller mentorship that has been a boon to the Canucks. He took “Most of the other kids from Western Canada weren’t at the draft either,” interest in , another first-rounder who needed the tough Benning recalled Thursday. “Most from the Ontario and Quebec leagues love of an AHL demotion, and helped the winger become a better player who could get there were there. And I didn’t know where I was going to in all facets of the game. go in the draft because there wasn’t social media or the way it is now “That kind of stuff doesn’t get talked a lot about — the positive impact with the draft. that J.T. has had. He’s always talking and sometimes it’s positive and “I had a really good year and all the players on our four lines had at least negative to get these guys going. He has played on good teams and has 20 goals. In Portland, I interviewed with New Jersey that had the fifth pick had hard times and everything he does is with an internal conviction. And (Joe Cirella).” he wants everybody around him to do the same and hold up their end of the bargain. It was a much simpler time. “Young players are just trying to find their way in the game and it usually The 21 teams were flipped in reverse order of final standings and the takes about three years, but J.T. has pushed their development to a draft wasn’t preceded by a lottery process. Fast forward and the prospect higher level than they may have even thought.” of a virtual draft in June, because of the novel coronavirus pandemic and physical distancing edicts, presents problems that go beyond Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.24.2020 communications.

There are time constraints if the league resumes the paused schedule to first finish the regular season and push back commencement of next season. And if the NHL goes straight to a 24-team, play-in Stanley Cup tournament, post-season seeding will be based on win percentage and not overall wins.

The NFL didn’t have these concerns because of the off-season and held its virtual draft Thursday. It obviously didn’t mirror the raucous crowd of 600,000 crowding downtown Nashville last year, but still offered videos and panel discussions to bring a buzz.

But it was still different. And so will the NHL version.

The order of draft selection based on final standings will affect the Vancouver Canucks because of the conditional first-round pick surrendered in the J.T. Miller trade acquisition last June.

If the league goes directly to a tourney concept, and uses points percentage because of an unbalanced amount of games remaining for clubs, the Canucks would advance to the post-season for the first time in five years. If the league tries to squeeze in the remainder of the regular season, the Canucks would be have to climb from ninth in the Western Conference to qualify for the post-season.

The 26th-ranked Devils own the conditional Miller pick following a February trade with Tampa Bay in which they parted with forward Blake Coleman. If the Canucks advance to the playoffs, New Jersey would own three first-round picks. If not, the pick goes to 2021.

The 2020 scenario would leave Benning, the Canucks general manager, without first- and second-round picks because Los Angeles received the second-rounder in the Tyler Toffoli trade.

Recouping that pick would be difficult and normally involve a pre-draft package that would include a player. However, the season won’t resume 1183412 Vancouver Canucks 35 31

.919 How the UFA goalie market gives Canucks an advantage in keeping Jacob Markstrom Thomas Greiss

1B tandem

By Harman Dayal Apr 23, 2020 19 34

31

Re-signing Jacob Markstrom will be the most important task on Jim .913 Benning’s offseason to-do list. Aaron Dell Markstrom’s desire to remain in Vancouver creates mutual interest for a continued partnership, but agreeing on an extension won’t be easy. Backup

As The Athletic explored in January, the two camps are likely to wrestle 31 over term and a no-move clause. 33

“He’s probably going to feel like he’s earned the right to get some term,” .907 one veteran player agent said in January. “If I was his agent, I would say that Markstrom’s got to be five years. A goalie like him should be looking Mike Smith to get five years.” Backup The Canucks can’t afford to get too generous with term, making this negotiation complex. One factor that could give Vancouver leverage is 38 the favourable supply and demand outlook for starting goalies. 39

“It’s shaping up to be a buyer’s market for goalies,” one league source .902 said. Jimmy Howard We can begin to analyze the market ourselves by first looking at which netminders are set to become unrestricted free-agents. Backup

Top Projected UFA Goalies 36

Robin Lehner 27

Legit No.1 .882

28 Between Markstrom, Braden Holtby and Robin Lehner, three legitimate No. 1 goalies are eligible to hit the open market. 36 There might be some risk at the top with Holtby given that he was below .920 .900 this season, but he has a strong track record, and that matters. Jacob Markstrom Goalies are notoriously volatile – it was just two seasons ago that Carey Price (rated the NHL’s second-best goalie by a panel of GMs and Legit No.1 coaches) slumped to a .900 save percentage in 49 games. In other words, a good reputation can often trump one down year and while 30 teams may shy away from handing Holtby a big contract, you can bet 43 that some organizations will still see him as a No. 1.

.918 It’s not as if Markstrom will be without question marks either. The 30- year-old been outstanding the past two years, but not only do I think he’s Braden Holtby underrated outside of Vancouver but more importantly, clubs will wonder if he can replicate that performance away from goalie coach Ian Clark. Legit No.1 It’s going to be an especially valid question because of the limited track 30 record Markstrom has as a starter.

48 The real strength of this UFA class comes from the middle-tier, however, as there are a plethora of veteran netminders that could excel in a .897 tandem.

Corey Crawford Corey Crawford was strong in 40 games for the Chicago Blackhawks and might even be seen as a legitimate starter by some teams. Elsewhere 1A tandem you’ve got Anton Khudobin who posted a .930 save percentage in 30 35 appearances for Dallas, Jaroslav Halak (.921 save percentage in 71 games over the last two seasons) and Thomas Greiss. 40 And to round out the group you’ve got some intriguing backup options as .917 well. Jimmy Howard is just one season removed from registering a .909 save rate in 55 games as Detroit’s No. 1, while Aaron Dell has been one Anton Khudobin of the league’s better backup options behind a permissive Sharks 1B tandem defence.

34 In total, you have three bona fide No. 1 goalies, a fringe starter (Crawford) and three veterans who can be stable 1B options in a tandem 30 (Khudobin, Halak and Greiss).

.930 This doesn’t even take into account the goalies that could be available Jaroslav Halak via the trade route.

1B tandem The Rangers have three high-end goalies in Igor Shesterkin, Alexandar Calgary Flames Georgiev and Henrik Lundqvist – one of them will have to be moved out. Columbus will have to decide between Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis $16.9M Merzlikins at some point in the next two years. And with Tristan Jarry 13 emerging as Pittsburgh’s No. 1, RFA Matt Murray could be gone, especially with Casey DeSmith waiting in the wings. Vegas Golden Knights

There’s a lot of options if you’re in the market for goalie help. $8.1M

How many teams would be in on Markstrom? 15

The key for Vancouver is examining which clubs have both the need and Salary data courtesy CapFriendly, assuming $81.5 million 2020-21 cap flexibility to pony up for someone of Markstrom’s calibre. After all, ceiling that will determine what his options alternative to the Canucks are. Starting from the top after the Canucks, we’ve got Chicago and San A glance around the league reveals that there aren’t a lot of teams with Jose. Both teams are in no position to spend big money in free agency. undisputed starters, but break each case down individually and it’s hard While $14.9 million in cap space might sound like a lot, the Sharks have to spot clubs that would be willing to splurge on an upper-class goalie like 10 spots to fill on their 23-man NHL roster (just shy of $1.5 million per Markstrom, Holtby or Lehner. player). Chicago’s best bet, meanwhile, will be hoping Crawford agrees to a team-friendly extension. NHL Teams With Goalie Needs Los Angeles, Detroit and Ottawa all have the requisite space, but they’re Vancouver Canucks all buried deep in the depths of a rebuild. If I’m in Detroit’s shoes why $16.3M would I sign an expensive veteran goalie like Markstrom, Holtby or Lehner when I could sign a much cheaper stop-gap and weaponize the 14 extra cap space to take on bad contracts for assets?

Chicago Blackhawks New Jersey may have been willing to shell out for goaltending help some months ago, but that was before 23-year-old Mackenzie Blackwood $7.35M emerged as a shining light. The Devils managed a 22-14-8 record (97- 18 point pace) in the 44 games that Blackwood started. A rocky start to the year for Blackwood meant that the season was already lost by the time San Jose Sharks he found his game, but he posted a .927 save percentage since early December to finish the year with an above-average .915 save rate. $14.9M Blackwood is the future and the Devils will be looking for a stable veteran 13 behind him, rather than a No. 1 option.

Minnesota Wild Following New Jersey, you’ve got Washington. The Capitals have top prospect Ilya Samsonov ready to take over after apprenticing under $16.2M Holtby this season and they have a cap crunch with just $10.1 million in space and open roster vacancies. 17 “I would be very surprised if Holtby re-signs,” said our Capitals beat Los Angeles Kings writer, Tarik El-Bashir. $20.8M Washington might just feel comfortable running with Samsonov and 16 Pheonix Copley (signed to a one-way deal for next year). Even if they do decide they need help, they’re much more likely to opt for one of the 1B Detroit Red Wings veterans.

$35.2M Carolina could use more stable goaltending, but Petr Mrazek and James Reimer are already signed for next year, in addition to the fact that they 11 have limited cap space. Ottawa Senators Buffalo, meanwhile, could use stabilization in the near future but have a $39.6M pair of budding goalies in Linus Ullmark (.915 save percentage in 35 NHL games this year) and top prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. They’re 9 unlikely to spend big on a starter who would block the path to No. 1 New Jersey Devils status.

$26.3M Vegas might require help with a declining Marc-Andre Fleury, but their cap situation doesn’t leave room open for a ton of flexibility. 13 As it stands right now, Vancouver, Minnesota and the two Alberta teams Washington Capitals are the only organizations that would realistically bid on the upper-range netminders. Even then, a team like Edmonton isn’t guaranteed to be in $10.4M the mix. Mikko Koskinen dressed in 37 games with a .917 save 16 percentage – it’d probably make more sense for them to use their cap space to bolster their dire wings and settle for a cheaper second goalie. Carolina Hurricanes Of course, the NHL could offer a compliance buyout and that could $9.15M change the landscape, but there doesn’t look to be many teams in a position to spend big in goal right now. 15 How this affects Markstrom negotiations Buffalo Sabres The dynamics of this summer’s goalie market could give Vancouver the $34.5M upper hand in negotiations with Markstrom.

10 “If they believe Markstrom has very limited options, the Canucks hold Edmonton Oilers more leverage regardless of his stats,” a second player agent told The Athletic in January. $11.5M

15 “Most goalies don’t get to July 1st because it historically hasn’t been a very good play,” the agent said in a follow-up conversation on Wednesday.

“I think Markstrom’s not in as strong a position as he might otherwise believe based on historical trends with goalies, his age and the fact that he didn’t have success early on (in his career).

“If I were him, I’d want to get something done in Vancouver.”

No. 1 goalies are in a unique spot when they hit the open market because there are only 31 starting jobs in the league. In contrast, when a top-six forward becomes a free agent, for example, he may have anywhere from 10-20 teams interested because skaters are in much greater need.

That isn’t to say that the market is always worse for goalies – all it takes to raise the price is for two teams to engage in a bidding war, as we saw last summer with Sergei Bobrovsky.

However, for every case like Bobrovsky’s where one cashes in, you have Lehner’s situation where he had to settle for a one-year deal coming off a Vezina Trophy nomination.

It can be hit or miss for UFA starting goalies that enter the open market and this year’s class, in particular, might find it tough to hit the jackpot.

A different leverage point to keep an eye on is the status of the first- round pick Vancouver relinquished in the J.T. Miller trade. If the Canucks end up keeping that pick for the 2020 NHL Draft, that means they’ll have to surrender it unprotected next year. This scenario would put a lot of pressure on the Canucks to do well in 2020-21.

“That’s a great leverage point for Markstrom if it turns out that way,” the second agent said of a scenario where Vancouver has to give up an unprotected first next year.

Overall though, the question many will ask in light of these team-friendly market dynamics is what Markstrom’s final contract could end up costing. That’s, unfortunately, something that’s incredibly tough to predict given the uncertain cap climate. Industry sources that The Athletic spoke to are guessing that most free-agents will face downward pressure across the board if the salary cap stays flat, but we don’t know about factors such as a potential compliance buyout, the status of conditional picks and so much more.

These complications are why Jim Benning is waiting for more clarity before proceeding on talks with any of his pending free-agents, including Markstrom.

All we can really deduce for now is that it’s probably going to be a buyer’s market for goalies this summer – something that should help the Canucks in their pursuit of keeping Markstrom on a reasonable contract.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183413 Websites approvals and adjoining address information were aligned and up to date.

For more than three weeks, Cohen fastidiously read up on governmental The Athletic / Ex-NHL player Colby Cohen is putting career contacts to regulations, guidelines and parameters regarding protective equipment. use to bring PPE to U.S. He researched for hours on the websites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FDA.

He did so knowing that some of the snafus in his previous gig — like the By Katie Strang Apr 23, 2020 2 time he received an entire set of inventory with logos peeling off the fabric — would not suffice in this situation. If they were bringing critical,

potential life-saving products into the United States, they would need to Last month, Terry Tracy was on the couch at his home in Philadelphia be top-notch. There was no room for error. and watching New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s daily press briefing, “He pours himself into something and puts the work in, day in and day which was quickly becoming appointment TV as the coronavirus out,” Tracy said. “He’s completely self-taught. Even though we knew the pandemic began ravaging the nation, particularly in major metropolitan apparel space, once you get into items that (healthcare workers) put on areas. their face to prevent themselves from getting infected and dying, things When Tracy heard Cuomo bemoan the difficulty of producing personal that require FDA clearance, this is next-level stuff. You can’t mess up. protective equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers, he picked up This isn’t a case of ‘the leggings are messed up and don’t fit the butt.’” his phone and called his former business partner — former NHL player This is what made the two such complementary partners at Endeavor. Colby Cohen. Tracy had the business acumen and the corporate retail experience, Cohen and Tracy joined forces in 2018 at Endeavor Athletic, a luxury while Cohen’s work ethic, willingness to learn and charisma made him a performance apparel line that Cohen helped launch, which included tremendous asset. online sales and grew to 10 retail locations. On paper, the two had little in It also didn’t hurt that he brought to any negotiation the cachet of a common. Cohen was a standout defenseman at Boston University and a professional athlete and someone who was on television. That brought a second-round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2007. He played sense of intrigue and mystique to the table during the course of their six seasons of professional hockey before becoming an analyst for NBC dealings with international business partners. Sports. Tracy, on the other hand, worked for years in corporate retail for behemoths like Gap, J. Crew and Ralph Lauren, has a master’s degree Cohen, pictured here with host Katie Emmer and former Flyer Scott in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania and is Hartnell, works both for NBC Sports in Philadelphia and for Westwood a doctoral candidate in public policy & administration at West Chester One doing radio analysis. (Courtesy of Colby Cohen) University; he is the rare former retail executive who will scurry from a fashion show to wonk out at a policy lecture. On previous business trips to China, Tracy noticed that Cohen was the first to throw himself into touring a production plant and engaging the line But the odd couple clicked and, after years of working together at workers with earnest efforts to learn more through what Tracy jokingly Endeavor, they became friends. Which is why Tracy dialed up Cohen refers to as his “really, really bad Chinese.” after the briefing. The important part is that he’s as interested in creating rapport with the You need to make a call, he told Cohen. sewing machine operator as he is with the CEO, and that draws people to him. That conversation prompted Cohen to get in touch with some of their business contacts in China, where most of their retail line was produced “What stands out is, the same thing that got him up at 14, 15, 16 years at one point. Both had seen public and private health centers, locally and old, skating at 4:30 in the morning is what I see day in and day out,” nationwide, decry the lack of PPE and neither wanted to remain idle. Tracy said. “He has very good instincts, very good intuition … very high EQ [emotional intelligence], and he’s extremely studious.” Cohen, who is of course not working on hockey while the NHL season is on hold, wanted to become a reliable supplier of protective equipment to Since their first shipment has arrived, Tracy has contacted local and state health provider systems. Tracy felt they had the relationships and officials to gain an understanding of their aggregate public health needs contacts to pull it off. and institutional priorities. He said he recently had a discussion with the CEO of a social services non-profit who has encountered such difficulty “We got to a point where we felt like everyone was in need of things and obtaining PPE that the executive has resorted to buying plastic we felt we could get them here,” Cohen said of the PPE market. tablecloths from the dollar store to protect the agency’s frontline workers. Cohen and Tracy put together a small group of partners who could The goal, Tracy said, is not to make a quick buck but rather to serve an combat not only the bureaucratic and logistical hurdles of the overseas immediate and pressing public need, and to help replenish the strategic medical supply chain, but also to navigate the complex geopolitical stockpile of PPE. That makes CAST Suppliers basically a start-up, and if dynamics. That group, named CAST Suppliers, recently completed its it means the business must absorb losses in the initial stages to build a first purchase order; a shipment of 10,000 surgical-grade FDA-approved sustainable enterprise for the future, they are prepared for that. N95 respirator masks, perhaps the most coveted item for healthcare In the meantime, Cohen set up a website – another skill he had to learn workers in the fight to prevent COVID-19 transmission. That shipment on the fly – to explain the products his group has available. In addition to arrived in the U.S. last week. masks, the company will offer all of the head-to-toe essentials, such as Which is not to say that the process was seamless. gowns, gloves, goggles and face shields. It will also test materials like nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs and sanitary materials like Colby Cohen worked in both the design and production side of Endeavor antimicrobial wipes and try to sort out how they can be obtained. People Athletic, a luxury performance apparel company. (Courtesy of Colby throughout the hockey community have already offered to help with the Cohen) group’s efforts, Cohen said.

Cohen, in his previous gig with Endeavor, worked in both product and It’s been a crash course in medical supply chain, but it’s been a design. He was already knowledgeable about sourcing textiles and worthwhile effort for Cohen and Tracy, two Type A personalities who fabrics, but still needed to sift through different medical-grade didn’t want to remain helpless while the crisis bloomed around them. qualifications and identify the relevant Food and Drug Administration Tracy said that had they not put these pre-existing relationships to good approvals – from the manufacturers to the exporters to those who signed use, it would have amounted to a “dereliction of civic duty.” for the product once it entered the United States. Cohen felt the same. And so at a time when he’d normally be interviewing players, analyzing game tape and breaking down matchups for the first round of the Stanley His cousin, a surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, has Cup playoffs, Cohen instead went through the laborious and sometimes been assisting in relief efforts for over a month now. Cohen may have tedious task of making sure his company was properly designated by the played in one of the most fiercely competitive and physically punishing FDA as a registered importer, and that all of the necessary FDA professional sports leagues in the world, but it’s hard for him to fathom the strength and resilience his cousin has had to call upon on a daily basis.

“He goes to work every day to save people’s lives and I can’t imagine what that’s like,” Cohen said. “It’s scary to go to the grocery store, so I can’t imagine what it must be like for him to be in the hospital every day and then come home to his family. … Even though it’s on a smaller scale, if I’m able to do something beneficial that can help him indirectly or other people like him, why wouldn’t I do that?”

Cohen hopes that CAST will become a consistent, reliable and steady supplier of PPE while potentially testing other materials as the country continues to grapple with this pandemic. He predicts that these will be even more important once the economy is opened and other businesses start trying to locate protective gear for their workers.

If he can help satisfy that need, the efforts will be worthwhile.

“For me these are skills I had and these are different relationships over the years (I gained). It’s kind of putting it all to good use, I guess. That’s how I view it.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183414 Websites (laughs) I don’t want to say. I don’t want to go there. I feel like I could do some math after and figure it out.

I don’t even know if he ended up playing there. He didn’t do anything The Athletic / ‘I don’t know if we’ve ever talked about it…’: A candid chat wrong. We can have a nice off-air talk when you want to do that. with Tyler Seguin So when did you first hear the Tyler vs. Taylor stuff? That’s going to last

forever. By Craig Custance Apr 23, 2020 33 It’s hard to put to a date. Probably around Christmas (of his draft year). I want to say around there somewhere. I started hearing Taylor/Tyler. People would start calling me Taylor Seguin, getting me confused with Tyler Seguin is great. The Dallas Stars forward is not afraid to say Taylor Hall. Playing in Plymouth, he’s in Windsor, you’re kind of a natural interesting things. He’s willing to share stories. In a hockey world where rivalry. Windsor was a powerhouse back then, you know? players often lean on cliches, Seguin does the opposite. And during his conversation on The Full 60, he didn’t disappoint while sharing details of They were ridiculous. That was the Cam Fowler group with Taylor? his Tyler vs. Taylor draft year, the Bruins trade and what he thought of Yeah. Cam Fowler. Was it (Greg) Nemisz too? First round. They were Drew Doughty’s comments about the potential coming playoffs. just stacked. They had Ryan Ellis. They had all those guys. They had For those who would rather read than listen, here is an extended Q&A of tough guys too. They had all the meats. Back then, it was still kind of a highlights from the conversation, with portions edited for clarity and tough guy league. length. Was that the Zack Kassian era too? I just saw you’re getting involved in the All-In Challenge to raise funds for Kassian was there too … and I was the target of the team. It was fun those on the frontline right now. What’s the package you’re offering? though – the Taylor/Tyler. And it was funny, we used to because we were I got a text from Michael Del Zotto, one of my good buddies, I got a text all younger, we used to talk about the 18-year-olds, the 19-year-olds from him about the challenge. I was like, “That’s weird, I was just looking would go to Windsor to go drink. We were in Michigan, we’d hear the at it on Twitter.” He said he was doing it and wanted to know if he could vets talking after the game to the Windsor guys about where they’re nominate me. I was happy to be a part of it and was thinking of ideas of going out in Windsor that night after the game. It was a rivalry on the ice, what to do – whether it was a round of golf in the offseason or dinner or and off the ice, it wasn’t. It was fun times. come to the Stars game. That’s where I came up with the whole Stars We’d be playing in Plymouth, we’d be sold out, 4,000 people, but I ‘d look package. They can come to the pregame skate, come to the dressing in the corner, I’d see 100 guys wearing black with black notepads. I knew room after. Meet some of the players and myself, sit on the glass at the it was scout night as well. As a player, if you’re being honest, you always game that night and I’ll take them to dinner, as well. It’s for a great cause, see them. You know where they are, you know where they’re sitting. You I’m all about Cornovarius relief stuff right now. Crazy times in a crazy know how many are in attendance at night. Taylor and I got to know each world. I’m glad how it all came together. other. He’s a ’91-born so I never had any contact with him or saw him I’VE ACCEPTED THE #ALLINCHALLENGE TO HELP FEED THE much growing up because I’m a 92. I got to know him, we’re always still HUNGRY DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME. CLICK HERE TO SEE nice to each other, never had any beef. Never, Taylor/Tyler massive WHAT I’M PUTTING UP: HTTPS://T.CO/UQVWA3NEWP. ALSO, competition. I always secretly cheer for him and watch his career. @BENBISHOP30, @BMARCH63 I CHALLENGE YOU TO BE ALL IN!! And secretly hope yours is a little better? LETS GOO PIC.TWITTER.COM/DVB3VJDJYN We’re competitive pro athletes, right? I was happy as anyone else when — TYLER SEGUIN (@TSEGUINOFFICIAL) APRIL 19, 2020 he won the MVP, seeing what he went through, leaving Edmonton. I left I wanted to get into your backstory a little bit. I know you wanted to play Boston. There’s so many things where we’ve gone separate ways in our at Michigan. How close did that come to happening? career, and there are so many things that are the same in our career. Having the same GM in Peter Chiarelli as well. Michigan got all the way to the point where you could get a full-ride or not, and I didn’t quite get it. I had offers from other schools, it’s been so That’s right. long now, I can probably just say that I was kind of pissed off about it. It You can sit here and write a book about the different things. We had fun was always my dream. I went to Red Berenson’s hockey camps when I with what we had to go through. was like 12-13 years old in the summers and got to see the big boys out there and their team. If I remember correctly, you were No. 1 rated by Central Scouting, right?

It was always a dream of mine. I had other offers but I wasn’t fully getting Yes. I don’t know if it changed. I remember going to world junior camp, one from Michigan. One summer I grew six inches and I was going into the four days before the camp, I got rated No. 1 and Taylor was No. 2. I making that decision and I had a friend I worked out with, Chris Terry, he remember having that, I’m not going to say cockiness, but I was going was the captain for the Plymouth Whalers at the time. He was getting in into camp confident. I’m like, ‘This is my spot to lose.’ I didn’t think I did my ear training at a place called Varsity in Brampton. I just knew that was anything wrong to lose that spot. I got into meetings with the coaches, my sign and where I was going to go. I went ninth overall to the Plymouth the head coaches told me they’re going with an older team. It was just Whalers and I had an OK rookie year, nothing special. My second year, one of the conversations I remember how I felt after, what I was wearing, Mike Vellucci came and took over the team, found something in me and one of those things that stick with you. believed in me and put me into that next level. After that, all I could hear was Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin. When it came to the draft time, I think he went back to slotted No.1. You have to remember too, going into the second year in the OHL, draft year. Did Michigan ever make a full offer? Cam Fowler was No. 2 going in, I was a little bit lower. A couple points back. I got off to a good start and this was all thanks to Mike Vellucci as I don’t recall them ever making a full offer, no. well. Then it became the Taylor/Tyler thing If they make one, do you go to Michigan? This is all coming back to me, I haven’t thought about this in a long time. Yeah. Especially early on. I remember them giving one to another player Cam was locked in at three when he slips in the draft. It was crazy. that played for Honeybaked. I remember that really bothered me. I thought I was better than that player. I didn’t know him. I remember I was Going into that year, it was Cam Fowler and Taylor Hall. I kind of came in just a kid. It just really fired me up, when I heard someone else got an within the first little bit. Then Cam Fowler was like No. 3 for sure. We kind offer and I hadn’t gotten one yet. That just led to my next decision. I also of had one or two and the third. Then the draft happened. thought I was going to get drafted by the Erie Otters, I think it was second overall and they took someone else and that fired me up even more. That was wild. What do you remember about talking to Edmonton? Little things that you remember that made you have that extra tick, and I guess I have a story, I don’t know if anyone – I don’t know if we’ve ever here we are. talked about it or if it’s been out there. Taylor and I actually flew out to Who was the Honeybaked kid they gave a full ride to? Boston and Edmonton together in one weekend. We went out to Edmonton on a Friday. This is when I first got to know him. I talked to him in the stands, but if there’s not, I don’t want to miss an opportunity to win. a couple times, ‘Hi and byes. Congrats on winning.’ I didn’t know him So I want to play. because he’s a 91 birth year and I’m a 92. I got to really know Taylor when we went to Edmonton and Boston. One weekend we went to One of the interesting things to me – you played with Patrick Kane in Edmonton one night. Taylor would go with the owners and management Switzerland, you played with Jeff Skinner as a kid, right? and I’d go with the coaches and we’d rotate. Whether it’s dinner or lunch. My last year, my draft year I played with Jeff Skinner and my teammate Going to Edmonton and everything, it was a great city. I got to meet now Jamie Oleksiak. some of the players. I wasn’t sure if it was Edmonton or Boston. Next day You’ve played with Canada internationally too. So, who is your favorite we hopped on a flight and went to Boston. In Boston, we had to do a little non-NHL teammate you’ve played with? testing, which we didn’t have to do in Edmonton. We figured Boston might be a little tougher place to play because of the two experiences of Ummm. That’s tough. We had a really good World Championship team a the recruitment trips. couple years ago.

I got to know Taylor, obviously a great guy. I was happy I went to Boston. The Prague year?

You were with Taylor a lot at this point, you’re doing all the draft stuff. Yeah, the Prague year. I had a ton of fun at that. Obviously not making world juniors, I didn’t make Olympics. I made World Cup and got hurt in It was good. We didn’t know each other. A lot of times you grow up Game 2 against the U.S. playing against these guys. I first heard Taylor Hall’s name at an OHL Cup, and I just heard about some kid who had four or five goals for I don’t remember that. Kingston. I think it was Kingston. That was the first time I heard Hall’s Yeah, I was there, the second game against the U.S. (Ryan) Suter gave name. Growing up my whole life, I heard about John McFarland and Jeff me a little jab, not a dirty play, he put me off balance, I went into the Skinner. Those were the two guys I heard all the time. … I never heard of boards and I cracked my heel bone. I tried to hide it for two days at Taylor Hall really because of the age difference. practice but then finally Babs (Mike Babcock) was like, ‘Segs, what’s Sure enough, we got to know each other. It’s funny we still do once in a going on?’ I was like, alright, let’s talk. I have to be honest here. I had to while these Taylor and Tyler interviews. People always look for this pull the chute. The World Championship team was pretty great. That was hidden rivalry, don’t like each other. I like Taylor a lot, I love his hockey the first time I got to know Sidney Crosby a little bit better. Playing with game, I definitely am a fan of his and follow his career. I want him to get him and seeing (how he ticks) and everything, that was pretty good and in the playoffs, he’s worked so hard to get there. becoming friends with him. Just a special player and one I learned from a lot. It would be more fun if you guys hated each other. My most funny teammate I didn’t know about was Brent Burns. Burnsie. I agree. We definitely laugh about that. Everyone looks for that too. But Getting to know him on the bus out in Prague, I was a big fan of his. The it’s definitely not the case. way he looks, no teeth and crazy hair. Probably him and (Mike Smith) our You win a Stanley Cup as a teenager with the Bruins and you said once goalie back then. Those are two guys I didn’t know I’d be buddies with that you wish that winning a Stanley Cup had happened later in your and how good of a teammate they were. career. What did you mean? I enjoy learning about cooking elk through Brent’s Instagram.

I meant understanding the complete worth of the Stanley Cup. Don’t You meet this guy, you know, he’s got no teeth, crazy hair and this big make this be a pity party at all. You walk into your NHL career, your first backpack at all times, you know? You go, ‘What’s in the backpack.’ He year, ‘Boom’ you win the Stanley Cup. Your second year, your team is has things in the backpack – he’s ready for anything to come. If the world even better, you get upset in the first round against Washington. Your is ending in that day, what’s in that backpack, he’s ready to go. Whether third year is a lockout year, you play in Europe, you go to a Stanley Cup it’s cooking or hunting or anything. He’s such a good character, I really final again and lose to Chicago. I’m sitting there in my first three years, enjoy his company and being a teammate with him for a tournament. and I go, I won a Stanley Cup, I had an even better team and boom I’m in the Stanley Cup finals again. I’m like, ‘This is going to happen all the How did you find out about the trade from Boston to Dallas? time.’ That’s where I wish I just knew the grind. Even the leadership side. I was in, I think it’s called Osterville, around Cape Cod. It was July 4, I Or understanding the team side, how much more it is than just a piece of had all my closest friends with me. All my buddies, there was probably 20 metal. Everything that comes with it. of us, we were just hanging in the backyard on the beach. Where we I remember standing in the dressing room (after winning the Cup). … I were, we didn’t have good (phone) service, you couldn’t make a phone remember looking over and seeing Big Z (Zdeno Chara) and (Mark) call, you couldn’t really do anything. I heard rumors about me getting Recchi and they’re like these grown men that are so emotional. I traded around the draft. I remember watching the draft and just talking to remember looking over at them and I’m sitting here with the biggest my agent, he said, ‘Yeah, there’s rumors but Boston isn’t saying smile, I have the first cigar I’ve ever had. … And looking over and seeing anything.’ how emotional these men are. I knew how awesome it was to win the It’s July 4th, I’m not expecting anything, I’m with my closest friends, I Stanley Cup, I was so happy. But I didn’t have that feeling those grown remember one of my buddies said, ‘Hey, you have to check your phone, men had. I didn’t understand it. something is going on. People are asking, where’s Tyler?’ Some phones Now, sitting here in my 10th season, talking about maybe not even are working, some aren’t. I go inside, my phone is on the charger, I’ll playing the playoffs this year and having the Stanley Cup, I know that never forget this. I see probably maybe 40-50 messages. All of them say feeling. I understand more what the Stanley Cup is and how hard it is to “Dallas.” None of them really say traded or anything. They say Dallas. get there and the grind. Even if you have the great team, that one-off I’m sitting there … I have no idea. I don’t know a thing about Dallas. We playoff round or Tampa last year. There are so many things to it I didn’t just had a lockout year, we didn’t really play the West teams. I’d only understand my first year. been to Dallas once, it was in and out. I had to hop in a car and drive It’s all these things that drive me to win again. downtown from where I was, which was 15 minutes away to make a phone call. I get there and listen to voicemails, I talk to my agent, he said, Just imagine doing it now, and you’re standing next to a guy like Joe yeah, you’ve just been traded to the Dallas Stars. I get on the phone with Pavelski, who has been through some battles. Jim Nill. A couple minutes later, I drove back to Boston and I was gone Look, even our coach, Rick Bowness. There are so many special stories. within 24 hours to Toronto and the rest is history. I look at Twitter and see different players talk about their teams and how Last year, that Blues series was unreal. Were you sick when the Blues they have something special. I’m sitting here saying, I think we have won it all? What’s your emotion when you’re like, ‘We had that team on something, we have something even more special. That’s how I feel. the ropes?’ That’s why I’m here and it’s a big reason why I’m down to play this year in the playoffs. Whether it’s fans or no fans. There are so many It was something new this past offseason for sure … it usually takes me opportunities to get a chance at the Stanley Cup, so I’m all for playing a couple of rounds to watch the Stanley Cup playoffs … when you lose hockey this year. We play for the fans and hope there will be fans there the playoffs it’s hard to watch them. Knowing who won was a little harder to watch this offseason and knowing the games and where we were on home ice in Game 6. You just learn different things. Besides being in the The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 finals, I’d never played against a team that went on to win it all and knowing that we were right there. That was definitely tougher.

That Jamie Benn wrap-around …

I had front row seats, I was right there.

You can’t sit there and think about that. You can think about I scored one goal the game before, what if I scored two goals? There’s so many different elements. I’ll never forget, we were up two goals against Chicago when I’m in Boston, I walked down the right-hand wing and I hit the post. You can put this down to one thing or 100. It’s crazy what you can think about. You try not to go down that rabbit hole. There’s many chances we had.

Be honest, how much time do you need to prepare if they’re like, ‘We’re turning the lights on for this season?’

I’ll be ready, conditioning and off-ice and training, I’m ready to go. You do need time on the ice. You can’t train for the first couple weeks, the lungs, the cold throat, being on the ice again. You can rollerblade as much as you want … you need to get on the ice and go through those motions. We do need some kind of time. Is that a week if you’re a goalie? I don’t know. If you’re a player, you need a couple of weeks. Or three weeks. I don’t know. I’ve never been here before.

This notion that a team like the Senators or whoever are going to play three meaningless regular-season games doesn’t add up to me.

In one breath, you don’t feel bad because that team is not in a playoff position. In another, you feel bad because some players aren’t playing from March until November maybe? That’s a long time without hockey. This is making me think of the World Cup. We were able to skate and prepare for the World Cup, it was starting training camp in August in Ottawa. I was skating like crazy, and all these players in Canada are talking about it. We had an exhibition game against the U.S., we come back after the first period and it’s a playoff game. You can’t have an exhibition game against the U.S. It is Canada/U.S., this is a playoff game. We are all dying. We’re all cramping. Furnace face. You can’t prepare for a playoff game and expect to be amazing. That’s how I look at this year. We’re all going to be going in that first playoff game and it’s going to be tough.

It’s either going to be a playoffs where guys are getting hurt and it’s not that great. Or it’s going to be the best playoffs you’ve ever seen because guys are rested and you have teams that have guys who are injured. Look at Colorado and the guys they had banged up, everybody is back and ready to go. This is going to be an interesting playoff. I think this is going to be the hardest Stanley Cup to win. So we’ll see.

Drew Doughty said it doesn’t count as much so …

I saw that comment. I like Doughts and I think Doughty is a great guy, if he was sitting in the playoffs right now I’d like to see if he’d make that same comment.

(laughs) I think he even admitted that.

I hope he admitted that. I’m sure he was kidding around. I saw that too and was like, no way he’s dead serious about that too.

He’s another one who is the best.

He is. He’s funny. He’s just the best because he’s got no filter. He’s got something to say, he’ll say it. He’s an honest guy and I respect that about him.

You’ve always been the same way. A bit of a wild card. It’s kind of why I was surprised you re-upped in Dallas.

Yeah, I mean, I got to watch John Tavares … I knew those were the shoes you’re going to follow when I watched closely from behind closed doors. I just sat back on my couch in Dallas and said, am I happy here? Do I love this place? Dallas is just home to me. I was looking for that feeling ever since you leave Toronto when you’re 14 on a bus going to St. Mike’s or going to Michigan to play for the Plymouth Whalers, or going to Boston Bruins for a couple years winning the Cup. And now in Dallas, this just felt like home.

I didn’t want to play a couple of years and go somewhere else again. I wanted to ground my feet. I love Dallas, I love the city, I love the people, I have friends here. Toronto is where I grew up and where my family is. Dallas is home now. 1183415 Websites Christian, through rowing as high school seniors. Christian and his family had moved to Atlanta from Buffalo. He was and remains a massive Sabres fan, which is what led to Mandrycky getting into the sport.

The Athletic / You may not know NHL Seattle’s Alexandra Mandrycky, “I think hockey is different especially from football and baseball in that if but those who know hockey do you blink, you’ll miss action,” she said. “In football, there is a stat about how much time there is of actual play whereas with hockey, it’s a full 60 minutes. You look away, you’re going to miss something. I liked the unpredictability of it just watching it as a fan. I was also swept up in that By Ryan S. Clark Apr 23, 2020 34 my husband’s family are so passionate about it that it was contagious in that aspect.”

The story behind the hiring of Ron Francis as the first general manager in Mandrycky was a senior in college when she started reading about NHL Seattle’s history actually provides more insight into rising star hockey online. She had analyzed baseball statistics for some classes at Alexandra Mandrycky. Georgia Tech and wanted to do something similar with hockey. Her first experiment came out of a disagreement with Christian over a certain Mandrycky, the team’s director of hockey administration, was charged NHL player she liked more than he did. She decided to find statistics to with analyzing each of the GM candidates being considered by the help prove her point, but couldn’t. It turned out the unnamed player in the organization, including Francis. She researched how many players on experiment was not good relative to the rest of the NHL. Still, the the Carolina Hurricanes, who reached the Eastern Conference final in exercise laid the foundation for a career she didn’t see coming. 2018-19, were homegrown talents, then applied the same approach to the 2019 Calder Cup-winning Charlotte Checkers, the Hurricanes’ AHL “That’s what lead me on the investigative journey,” Mandrycky said. “It affiliate. was trying to be right. Everyone wants to always be right. That’s what led me there. I started really getting into CapGeek. I had not honestly She noted that under Francis, the Hurricanes were seldom in danger of thought about the business side of the game. I was just watching hockey approaching the salary-cap ceiling. He wasn’t making expensive forays being played on the ice. I wasn’t thinking about what people were making into free agency to fill roster holes. That appealed to NHL Seattle CEO on their contracts, what the difference between an RFA and a UFA was, Tod Leiweke based on lessons learned during his tenure with the Tampa free-agency frenzy. Bay Lightning about the dangers of free agency for clubs in nontraditional markets. “I hadn’t really thought too hard about that side of the game. That has a huge impact on team construction and who your team ends up trading for Mandrycky had, in short, given Leiweke a lot of reasons to like Francis. or signing. … I would never claim to be an expert in hockey strategy and But there was a catch, one Leiweke had laid out before the search even scouting, but contracts? I’ve taken business classes. I understand how began. markets work. This is something I can dive into and own this domain in a way.” “I told her, ‘Look, I’m going to hire you before we hire the GM, but ultimately, this is going to be the decision of the GM,'” Leiweke said. “It A couple of years later, Mandrycky joined up with Andrew C. Thomas could be that in six months (the new GM) says, ‘There’s another analytics and Sam Ventura to co-found war-on-ice.com, a hockey analytics site. person I may want to bring in.’ She took that leap of faith, which showed Mandrycky was consulting at her day job while working on the website for smarts, courage, conviction of who she was and her journey to that fun, but the work she, Thomas and Ventura did to the Wild contacting point.” Thomas and inviting him to join the organization. The Wild wanted to target someone with a technical skill set who understood data modeling. As it turned out, Leiweke needn’t have worried. They did not know if they would be hiring one or two people to fit that “Ron loved her,” he said. “He loved her confidence. He loved her need, so when Thomas “highly recommended” Mandrycky to Minnesota, courage. He loved her conviction. They’ve formed a great partnership bringing her on board was “an easy decision,” according to Harder. thus far.” “The fact she had zero experience in the front office meant very little to Alexandra Mandrycky and Seattle GM Ron Francis. us,” said Harder, who now does some part-time work for the Flyers. “She and Andrew and others had built a great website with war-on-ice. They Colleagues describe Mandrycky as someone who works feverishly did a great job with it. We wanted those skill sets to complement what we behind the scenes without attempting to receive any personal acclaim. were doing as a group. It was a really easy sell. With Alex, it did not Former Minnesota Wild assistant general manager Shep Harder refers to matter that she did not have experience at the NHL level. If anything, I her as an “unassuming superstar” who makes her team and those think it was a benefit to have someone like her because she had fresh around her the priority. But she never aspired to be a hockey superstar. ideas.”

Growing up in the Atlanta suburbs, Mandrycky was always a good The ability to work with numbers is what got Mandrycky hired at the start student. She planned on becoming an attorney. of the 2015-16 season, but she was valued for her prowess in making “Up until my senior year of high school, I always thought I was going to sense of the data and simplifying it for those around her. (Paul, her be a lawyer,” she said. “When we talk about role models growing up, my father, said making complicated subjects easier to understand is role model was Elle Woods from ‘Legally Blonde.’ I think I saw that movie something that comes naturally to Mandrycky.) According to Harder, and I thought, ‘Being a lawyer looks great.’ I love arguing with my many around the Wild organization felt they could relate to and trust parents, so why not argue professionally?” Mandrycky because of her disarming personality and commitment to the team. Christian was working toward completing his Ph.D in Mandrycky also excelled in math and science, and her interest in those bioengineering at the University of Washington, so the couple was subjects grew when she took AP calculus and AP physics as a senior. separated during the season. Mandrycky would stay in Minneapolis-St. That is when it dawned on her that she enjoyed trying to find solutions to Paul for weeks at a time. problems more than writing essays. At the end of the 2018-19 campaign, she was contacted by Leiweke, who “I ended up Georgia Tech, which a great school,” Mandrycky said. “I said he first learned about Mandrycky by reading a story about her by remember my AP statistics teacher had always said if you think you want The Athletic’s Michael Russo. The story detailed how her husband was to go into business — at the time I thought I would just become a getting a doctorate at UW, and her journey in hockey seemed to align business major and pursue that path — try industrial engineering, which with how Leiweke wanted to build his staff. Leiweke spoke to a friend to is what I ended up majoring in. She said you’ll end up doing similar things get more information about Mandrycky before seeing if she was to a business major but get paid more. … I took classes at the business interested in grabbing coffee. school. I took classes in statistics and computer science. It was a super well-rounded education.” “She paid her dues,” Leiweke said. “You talk to people who’ve worked with her and they’ve said really, really positive things. I know other teams Mandrycky had grown up playing and watching sports. She participated were interested in her. She’d have been a great fit in any number of in club rowing as a youth and watched Phillies games with her cities.” Philadelphia-native dad, Paul, a mortgage loan officer. Hockey wasn’t a huge part of her upbringing — she didn’t attend her first Thrashers game Leiweke hired Mandrycky in June 2019. The team will not play until until 2010 — but that changed when she met her future husband, October 2021, but the staff is working toward the process of building what it believes can be the strongest possible roster through the expansion draft. Mandrycky assists with several items ranging from amateur scouting to pro scouting to the salary cap, plus contracts and coaching.

COVID-19 has brought much of the NHL world to a halt, and while NHL Seattle is in a different situation than other teams, the pandemic has shifted some timelines. Mandrycky’s hockey operations department, however, is still pressing ahead in anticipation of the expansion draft and the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. She said the 48-hour window between those events can be hectic, which is why her team using the time it has now to prepare.

Naturally, there is an interest surrounding anything related to NHL Seattle right now. Practically everyone who follows hockey wants to know the nickname and color scheme. There are questions about whether Seattle can replicate the success of the Vegas Golden Knights or if it will be more like the typical expansion team that struggles at first.

There are also questions about what the opportunity means for Mandrycky and her career. A number of people in the sport believe what she does with NHL Seattle could lead to her receiving more interest for other front-office roles. But for now, her concern remains focused on NHL Seattle and nothing else.

“I’m not angling for anything in the future,” she said. “Right now, my focus is on the team we’re going to put on the ice in October 2021, and I don’t think too far ahead. Certainly, I love being in this industry and I would love to stay in, and we’ll see where it takes me.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183416 Websites OK, maybe you’re not supposed to do that with forwards either, but it helps. If a winger has lots of goals, he’s probably playing well. Defensemen? Who knows.

The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Ranking the top 10 prospects of And that matters, because if you’re being really honest, you barely ever whichever team you cheer for actually see any of these prospects play. You’ll check out a highlight every now and then, and you keep telling yourself that you’re going to find a way to watch junior and AHL games. But mostly, you’re just going by the stats, and that means you really have no idea which defensive By Sean McIndoe Apr 23, 2020 142 prospects are any good.

Last game, this prospect played 22 minutes, blocked two shots, took a The NFL draft starts tonight, and as a hockey writer, it’s hard not to feel a minor penalty and had a 52 percent Corsi according to the high school little bit jealous of my football colleagues. They’ve got lots to write about kid who was tracking stats for a minor league game while getting these days, with actual news and transactions to report on. distracted by his phone. Sure, fourth on this list seems about right, let’s just go with that. And more importantly, as every sportswriter knows, fans love prospect talk. They can’t get enough of it. And if you cover an NFL team, you now 5. The guy who came over in a recent trade get to spend weeks profiling and projecting and ranking all of these new Oh man, you love this guy. Sure, it was sad to see a veteran head out prospects. the door. But you have to give something to get something and when that Well, I want in on that action. So today, I’m presenting my breakdown of trade went down you got a prospect who’s going to be a big part of the the top 10 prospects of your favorite hockey team. future.

That’s right, your team. No, I don’t know which one that is. And no, I’m The more you think about it, the more you can’t believe the other team not going to let that stop me. I’m pretty sure I can accurately break down ever gave him up. I mean, they were the team that drafted him, and your top 10. How hard can it be? Move over Pronman and Wheeler, I’ve developed him and watched every minute of every game he played. They got the prospect beat covered today. have all the inside information about his conditioning and work habits and character. They know more about this kid than anyone else ever possibly 1. The first-round pick from the most recent draft could, and they still gave up on him … in a trade … where come to think of it they didn’t even get that much in return. This guy is a sure thing. No, first-round picks don’t always turn out, and you never really know how a player will develop. But this guy is a virtual You know what, don’t dwell too much on this. Top five prospect! lock. From the moment the team announced his name, you’ve seen nothing but praise for his well-rounded game, not to mention his pedigree 6. The goalie who was drafted like nine years ago and is apparently still and character. Also, the team’s GM said he couldn’t believe he was still on this list? available when their pick came, and it’s illegal to lie about that sort of Is … is this guy still a prospect? You remember being pretty excited thing. when he was drafted, but that was three jobs and two apartments ago. This prospect has already been penciled in as a regular in the lineup for Ever since then, he shows up on every annual prospect list with a note the coming season, and honestly, that’s probably being conservative. about how he’s developing well but is still a few years away. That’s He’s pretty much a sure-thing for the top six and will probably be driving normal for goalies, right? Sure it is. Goalies are weird and they just take the first line by November. Calder Trophy? You won’t guarantee longer. anything, but yeah, it’s more likely than not. That’s the beauty of a first- Still, you recently watched an interview with him and he’s very clearly round pick. They’re locks. going bald. It feels like a bad sign that he missed time this season with 2. The first-round pick from a few years ago who should really be here by an injury that was listed as “upper-body arthritis”. You remember him now but it’s fine looking really good in the world juniors once, but now that you think about it the clips of that tournament are in standard definition and you’re pretty Sometimes it just takes a little while longer, right? There’s no need to sure that at one point you saw him make a save on Jaromir Jagr. worry. Who’s panicking? Not you. Certainly not you. This guy will rank either sixth or seventh on this list every year until he Would it be nice if this prospect was already producing in the NHL, like retires. the guy taken one pick ahead of him and also one pick behind him and also the three other picks after that and somehow several guys from later 7. The guy who’s stuck in the KHL rounds? Yes. In a perfect world, that would be happening. But that is not Yep, any year now. Good things come to those who wait, and sometimes happening, and you’re fine with this. that means navigating the complicated KHL-to-NHL pathway. You don’t Remember, it’s not unusual for prospects to need a few years before fully understand how that works, but once a year your team’s GM travels they can stick in the NHL and still go on to become legitimate superstars. to Belarus for what will be described as “a productive meeting” with the It happened with Mark Scheifele and also … uh … look, Scheifele’s player’s representatives. That’s progress, right? He’s on his way. good, OK? This guy will be too. Everybody just stop panicking. (Checks ticker, sees this guy just signed a seven-year extension with a 3. The mid-round sleeper pick you’re a little too invested in team whose name is all consonants.)

This guy didn’t get much attention when he was drafted, and everyone Yep, any year now. just kind of forgot about him almost immediately. But then he went back 8. The guy whose dad played in the NHL to junior and put up better than expected numbers, and fans started paying attention. OK, technically this could probably apply to half the guys on the list. But for some of them, having a dad who used to play in the NHL is just one And you were at the front of the line, jumping on the bandwagon before line on their resume. With this guy, it’s pretty much his main claim to anyone else. Sure, it was like seven minutes before everyone else, but fame. that still counts. You have appointed yourself president and founder of this fan club, and you will personally fight anyone who says anything bad Seriously, it’s going to get a little weird. This guy’s dad will be mentioned about this prospect. in every profile. He’ll be quoted in every story. You will see dozens of grainy clips and photos of this prospect when they were 3 years old, Bottom line: This kid is going to be good. He has to be. Because if he being held by famous hockey players and taking wobbly slap shots on isn’t, you’re going to feel like you’ve wasted a big chunk of your sports- Hall of Fame goaltenders before falling over. Isn’t that adorable? It sure fan life. is. Should you be concerned that they’re now 20 years old and they still 4. The defenseman fall over after every wobbly slap shot? Um, yeah, maybe. But it’s still adorable. He’s… good? You think he’s good. That’s what you’ve heard, at least. But the thing with defensemen is that you can’t just look at the point There is a roughly 90 percent chance that this guy’s dad was your totals and instantly know how they’re doing the way you can for forwards. current GM’s roommate in the minors. 9. The guy they drafted with a pick they acquired from the Maple Leafs

Congratulations, this guy is going to the Hall of Fame.

10. The guy who isn’t very good and is clearly only being included because this list is supposed to have 10 names on it and oh no …

He was a sixth-round pick, he’s still in junior even though you’re pretty sure he’s 26, his stats are awful and the only time you’ve ever seen him show up in a highlight package was when TSN did a “Top 10 times someone tried to take a shift with his skate guards still on” video and he was six of them.

Uh, why is this guy in our top 10? Oh no, are our prospects bad? Are we that team? I think we might be. This guy should definitely not be on any kind of respectable list but here he is.

But that can’t be right. The GM swears we have a strong pipeline. One of the local media guys is always writing that. You can distinctly remember getting into a screaming social media fight with fans from other teams whenever they suggested the future wasn’t bright.

But now you’ve made it all the way to the end of this list, and you’re feeling underwhelmed. Shouldn’t your team have more guys than this? You could swear there used to be more. OK, I guess some of those guys have graduated to the NHL. There were a few who got traded. That one guy never signed and went back into the draft. Those other guys who got hurt. And most of the rest just kind of disappeared. And now you’re left with … this.

This is all Pronman’s fault. Let’s go yell at him on Twitter.

Honorable mentions: The college free agent you were really excited about last year and have already given up on; the guy you never mention because his name is impossible to spell; the guy you only remember because he had that super awkward draft day photo; the guy who’s already been called up a dozen times but is still somehow a prospect I guess; the guy everyone loves a little too much because he’s short; the guy you have literally never heard of until just now.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183417 Websites First Weber, on what’s resulted from the emphasis of skill in hockey over the past decade or two.

“…When we were in minor hockey everything was based around Sportsnet.ca / How an NHL game based on speed and skill is rewarding systems, and doing the forecheck properly and playing the right way and thinkers now, it’s like … I don’t even think they teach that, all they do is teach skill. Skate really fast and have good skill. Kids have skills coaches at six, seven years old, there’s all these tools and things that I’ve never seen before. I used to stickhandle with golf balls around hockey gloves in the Justin Bourne | @jtbourne April 23, 2020, 2:12 PM basement, now there’s all these things I’ve never even heard of, it’s crazy. It goes to show though, the kids that do this stuff their whole life, it’s just automatic. You might not get as many guys that think the game Each week, Justin Bourne’s column will cover three different topics in as well, but you have definitely a lot more skill and speed, and in a varying depths. Think of it as a three course meal with an appetizer, main different way.” course, and dessert… The point Weber was making was a positive one about the speed and Appetizer: Players who would’ve “fit” better in other eras may not have skill in the game today, and how second nature it’s become for players to been more effective in them do things he wouldn’t have dreamed possible at the start of his career. Still though, I’m drawn to the throwaway line about “might not have as A favourite pastime of long-running hockey fans is to look back at a skill- many guys that think the game as well,” because I’ve thought it myself. first player from hockey’s physical peak and daydream about how that It’s a point at least worth considering. player would’ve looked in today’s skill-first game. To a lesser extent we do it with other skill sets and eras, too. Sure you’d like to see Alexei Because the league has shifted to such an emphasis on speed and skill, Kovalev play in 2020, but wouldn’t it be fun to see Milan Lucic play when the shape of the play changes more rapidly and more often over the toughness was truly valued? course of a given shift, which has made reading the game situation harder. Most of defence is sorting out what situation your team is in The thinking is generally pretty A to B when we imagine these things. (forecheck, or neutral zone forecheck, or return-to-D-zone, or breakout, Using the example of small skill guys of yore playing today: those players or d-zone coverage, or or or), then assessing your role within that…and were denied countless opportunities that they’d have been allowed to acting. If you don’t dial in the first part correctly, you’ll react incorrectly, attempt today, and therefore would’ve produced more. That’s pretty and be the broken link in your defence’s chain. obvious when you think back to how the game was played for a while. I mean, remember this Lemieux goal? He was a pull-boat for this lucky But that whole scene — other team breaking the puck out as your team defenceman’s waterskiing adventure, which was provided at no charge. tries to get it back — used to unfold a fraction slower. I’d compare reading the play in hockey today to listening to a podcast on about 1.5x No amount of hooking and holding could stop Mario Lemieux. from speed. You can do it, but you’re less certain you’re getting all the r/hockey information correctly. It’s coming at you pretty quick. When things were Of course, not everyone was a 6-foot-6 horse, so this result was an even marginally slower, teammates got burned or caught out of position outlier. Usually those hooks just negated a chance entirely, so yeah — it less often, and that forced fewer split-second reactions. It’s when things makes sense to think the small and skilled would’ve been better off break down that figuring your role in the defence really gets hard, and today. players are being asked to make those panic-reads more and more often as the speed of the game ramps higher and higher. Where I think we get it wrong, though, is that the way the game was played in those days is often what allowed those smaller skilled players So as I mentioned in our opening today, it’s with some irony that players to make it and excel. With so many players focused on strength and who don’t necessarily have the pure skillset that defines this era have physicality, those with more puck ability were special and thereby desired become extremely valuable. I’m thinking here of a guy like Zach Hyman, commodities. They did something most other players on the roster who’s beloved for his ability to effectively play a structured game. Same couldn’t: create more chances at earning chances, which made them goes for the guy who we’ll hear from next, Paul Stastny. specialists. If they played in an era where almost everyone played an For many years, Stastny has been a valued contributor as a thinker in a offence-first creative game, would they still be noteworthy players in the game that more regularly looks like it’s brought to you by Skittles and league? Mountain Dew. The quote’s a long one, but he explained the point I’m I asked a version of this question on Twitter, and the replies were trying to make here better than I can, so let’s have it: interesting and often insightful. “These young guys, they’re so skilled, so fast, I skate with a lot of young Who are some hockey players who you feel played in the "wrong" guys in the summer. I skate at the University of Denver so you see a lot era? Like whose skill set would've been better suited for the style of play of those guys, I mean it’s insane when you see what they can do in 1-on- of a different decade? 1 drills, 3-on-3 hockey, kinda shinny hockey. But at the end of every summer when we play the pros versus the college guys, and once we — Justin Bourne (@jtbourne) April 21, 2020 start playing the body a little bit, once we start controlling the puck a little The most common reply was Paul Kariya, a great vote and a guy who bit and slowing it down, it just seems like they get lost a little bit out there. might be Patrick Kane-plus if he played in this era. Maybe. But for those Like I said you can teach anyone to be as fast as possible, and teach without his level of world-beating, Hall of Fame talent, I’m not sure the someone to stickhandle all day and shoot all day, but can you teach them logic always holds up. Not every skill guy from the ’90s would be a better where to be in the right spot, or how to react when you don’t have the version of themselves if transported to hockey in 2020, because so many puck, how to find ways to get the puck, how to get on the forecheck, and of those skill-first guys exist now. I think that’s what smart guys do really well.”

Many of them may be deemed redundant rather than unique. It might be He added this on the idea of being more thoughtful with the puck, rather more likely that guys like Nic Petan or Seth Griffith would’ve been unique than just going for it: enough to make it 25 years ago, but aren’t special enough in today’s “Where you really see the skill of the game is 3-on-3 or shootout. There’s game (which I think is the opposite of how the logic usually works when so much room out there, so much skill, that you can see guys try to beat we play this game). everyone. What frustrates me the most is when I watch an OT game and There are hundreds of great suggestions in response to that tweet, and there’s whatever, three minutes left, and a young guy gets out there fresh some with explanations that totally make sense. I just think it’s worth and tries to beat three guys. To me that drives me crazy, because remembering that for many players, it was their uniqueness amidst their overtime, once you have the puck you should have the puck the rest of era that provided their value. the time. Also, if there’s nothing going on it’s hard to score if they’re just playing man-on-man defence. There’s things that are unbelievable that Along the same vein as the idea of players fitting eras was an interesting takes fans out of their seats that they can do stuff, then there’s stuff that point made by Shea Weber on Hockey Central on Monday, and can be frustrating, but y’know it’s our job to try to teach these guys other elaborated on by Paul Stastny Wednesday. things about the game that they don’t learn from their skills coaches, or they don’t learn when they just do 1-on-1 stuff.” Emphasis is mine.

It used to be that you’d figure out how to play within the team structure, then they’d hope your skill would come around to where you’d be a valued contributor. Today they worry about getting the skill down first, then teaching the structure. I think the latter is the correct way to do it (the elite skill part is tougher to come by), but I do think we’re seeing players who have the structure down cold being rewarded, where that used to just be a mandatory part of being an NHLer.

I promise I’ve been given no instruction to promote this, but I am because I think it’s the most must-see, relevant conversation for hockey fans in the midst of this awful pandemic. Among the more noteworthy bits of info is the idea that they could pick four locations, break the teams off into their respective divisions, and finish out some version of the regular season (potentially playing a few games per day on the same ice sheet in front of no fans) in July before heading into the post-season.

Obviously everything is still wait-and-see at this point, but as of today, I’ve got real hope. And I think it’s been a while since the hockey community has felt that way.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183418 Websites During my weekly appearance on The Instigators radio show in Buffalo, co-host Andrew Peters suggested doing the lottery and the draft at the same time. Basically, announce who has the pick and tell them to go.

Sportsnet.ca / How an NHL draft could work in June amid COVID-19 Okay, let’s wait for the GMs to recover… pandemic I don’t think you can do that. Some prep time is needed. But I don’t think it’s a bad idea to tighten the gap. Let’s say the draft is June 5-6, a Friday/Saturday. Do the lottery one week before. If the NHL wants buzz, Elliotte Friedman | @FriedgeHNIC April 23, 2020, 7:51 PM that will be an intense week of buzz.

To make it easier for the teams to handle, this year only you limit who can win (I don’t want to see tankathons destroying hockey like they are One of the more interesting things about Gary Bettman’s conversation destroying baseball — that’s why everyone should be able to win next with Ron MacLean on Wednesday night was the commish referring to the year). Decide how many teams really deserve a shot at the highest pick. possibility of a June draft as “a trial balloon.” Detroit? Absolutely. Ottawa (both picks)? For sure. Los Angeles? Yes. That didn’t sound like a guarantee, but several NHL general managers Anaheim? I think so. If the NHL is considering 24-team playoffs, Buffalo have resigned themselves to it happening — even if they’re not thrilled and New Jersey could still make it. (one in particular made his feelings quite clear). They know the end result So that makes your five-lowest teams eligible for the top selection. The if Bettman supports an idea. The early betting line is June 5. most anyone would be able to move up then, is four spots. So, we’ll see. I’m going under the assumption that, if this does occur, The kicker is, everyone in the lottery gets the same chance. For example, points percentage will be used to figure out the lottery odds. Some other Boston, at No. 1 overall, gets the ability to move up four spots, too. If they ideas: or St. Louis were upset in the first round, they’d drop eight, so this is a bit Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey of a cookie for them, too. world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what MODERATELY CRAZY TRADE IDEA they think about it. The pre-playoff draft limits trades, because playoff-contending clubs ADD 1-3 EXTRA ROUNDS won’t want to weaken themselves. One interesting idea was suggested. The first round — held on a separate day — takes the longest, but teams Let me just introduce it by saying I don’t think there’s any chance it will whip through two-to-seven like Kyle Bukauskas and hair product. happen, but figured I’d throw it out there. Pittsburgh Steelers GM Kevin Colbert proposed extending the NFL Draft Let’s just say a team wants to move up, and, in theory, if the draft was by three rounds, a sentiment that was ignored. I thought it made sense, held in normal circumstances, could trade a player for the opportunity to because teams will have less information than normal. Why not give do so. The teams involved and the league could work out a trade to be them wiggle room? finalized after both clubs are finished in 2019-20 (or should it be It’s also a nice gesture to eligible players during a difficult time. Why not necessary, the season is cancelled). It would be privately filed with the give 93 more of them (and their friends/families) the great feeling of league. The only way for it to be rescinded is injury. getting drafted? It’s interesting, but seems far-fetched. CREATE A “VIRTUAL” COMBINE Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.24.2020 The NHL is hopeful that, sometime before the draft, teams will be able to open their training facilities to small groups. Should that occur, they could invite prospects living nearby to come during low-event hours to test. This is trickier for players who don’t live near NHL facilities, especially Europeans. Obviously, you’re hoping these tests could occur at a rink or workout area near them. All NHL clubs would watch at the same time on Zoom. Then, the footage would be released to the public.

This idea becomes a lot trickier if facilities don’t open. Not everyone has a treadmill or Peloton. But teams are getting smarter and smarter every year with their ability to measure physical ability. You could create a test with input from all the teams, and ask prospects to do them while teams watched.

Again, the video could be made public later. Not perfect, but we’re trying to make chicken salad out of chicken “you know.”

MAKE TEAMS AGREE ON CONDITIONS OR DEFER THE TERMS FOR ANOTHER YEAR

Vancouver knows that it owes a first-rounder to New Jersey this season or next. The Canucks also owe Los Angeles a fourth if they re-sign Tyler Toffoli. If Washington wins the Stanley Cup this season, the 2021 third- rounder they sent to San Jose moves to 2020. The Islanders owe Ottawa a third-rounder if they win it all.

The last two are easy to defer. Unless the Canucks re-sign Toffoli before the draft, you can defer that one as well.

As for the first-rounder, see if Vancouver and the Devils agree on what to do with this year’s choice. Maybe the Canucks want to give it up and New Jersey agrees. Maybe the Canucks want to give the Devils their 2021 pick and the Devils agree. End of story.

But if they can’t come to a consensus, Vancouver keeps the pick — and the years in question become 2021 and 2022.

THE LOTTERY 1183419 Websites arenas and that’s what we’re going to ultimately need if we’re going to come back in a centralized basis and play multiple games a day.”

Shanahan said Toronto is one of the cities being considered, adding that Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs' Shanahan supportive of NHL holding virtual the league is “looking at several” options. draft in June “I think it can happen. I think that it’s highly unlikely we’ll play any part of this season — whether it’s in the summertime or early fall — in front of fans, but I still think that there’s an appetite to have games and to put Emily Sadler | @EmmySadler April 23, 2020, 7:12 PM them on and to make just a really fantastic TV product and get everybody feeling just a little bit back to normal,” Shanahan said. “I don’t think out

first step into the ‘getting back to normal’ is going to be how we left it, but As the NHL continues to figure out its next steps amid the COVID-19 I do think that we’ve got to sort of readjust our expectations. This plan pandemic, the draft poses a particularly interesting dilemma. that I’ve heard, with the four hub cities, I think is a plan that can work.”

At the moment, it’s not a question of where — a virtual setup, similar to Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.24.2020 what football fans will see Thursday night as the NFL conducts its entry draft, feels like the only safe solution — but the “when” is still very much in question.

The league is currently consulting with teams on the idea to go ahead with a June draft, keeping the timing of the marquee event, despite the fact that the 2019-20 season would not be complete at that point.

Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan explained on Tim & Sid Thursday that while a June draft isn’t a perfect solution, he believes it’s the best way forward.

“I would be okay with that,” he said. “It’s not perfect, but I would say this: Who knows what it’s gonna look like if we think we’re gonna do this in August, September, or October? If we’re playing hockey, if we’re finishing a Stanley Cup, if we have the hopes and anticipation of doing a quick turnaround and restarting a season.”

Holding the draft just two months from now wouldn’t have much effect on teams’ assessments of prospects, as junior leagues and major events have been cancelled already.

“I don’t think doing this in August or September is really going to change much,” said Shanahan. “We’re not going to see these young guys play any more. We’ve seen them all, we’ve got video on them all.”

There are, however, several potential complications that would need to be sorted out — most notably, the fact that the final standings (and lottery odds) would not yet be decided at that point. It also raises questions about teams’ abilities to conduct trades involving active players and about how to proceed in cases of teams holding (or owing) conditional picks based on standings or playoff results.

“It’s not ideal, we’re never gonna be in a position for this year’s draft where we’re down on the floor together and mixing and mingling and making trades and talking to one another,” Shanahan said. “So my view — and it’s just the view of the Maple Leafs, and I’ve talked to Kyle Dubas on this — is while we know what we’re doing now, which is not anything, we should get it out of the way and take care of it in June. I know other clubs and I respect that they might have a different opinion, but certainly Toronto would support the league in doing it remotely in June.”

On the topic of resuming and completing the 2019-20 season, one idea being considered is a four-city setup that would see players from each division descend upon one hub to play things out.

Shanahan believes using hub cities is “a very workable scenario.”

“I do like the idea of four hub cities, the idea of bringing each division to that hub city,” Shanahan said. “We’re not talking about doing it right now or anywhere right around the corner but when the time is safe and the proper authorities give the clearance to do so, under the right precautions I think that it is a very workable scenario.”

Reports earlier in the month suggested the league might be looking at the possibility of holding games at neutral sites, in non-NHL cities like North Dakota or New Hampshire. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Tuesday that that idea was no longer on the table, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday that the use of NHL rinks would be a necessary part of the league’s ability to resume.

“We can’t play in a small college rink in the middle of a smaller community because if we’re going to be centralized, we need the back of the house that NHL arenas provide,” Bettman told Ron MacLean on In Conversation. “Whether it’s multiple locker rooms, whether it’s the technology, the procedures, the boards and glass, the video replay, the broadcasting facilities. Those are the things that are in place in NHL 1183420 Websites in-season June draft as a “trial balloon” he presented to general managers if only because that’s not typically how business is done in his league.

Sportsnet.ca / Navigating COVID-19 pandemic a challenge like no other He’s not a commissioner known to tackle issues through consensus- for Gary Bettman building.

He’s usually weighed every pro and con before the other smart people in the room have even framed the debate. Chris Johnston | @reporterchris April 23, 2020, 2:11 PM Consider it a sign of the times that Bettman is assuming a different stance now — still very much leading the internal search for solutions, of course, but leaning heavily on an infectious disease consultant and When I was on the front lines covering the NHL lockout in 2012-13, I sat medical advisors and governments. down with the chief negotiator from a major Canadian company to gain insight into what happens behind closed doors during a contentious He’s steered the NHL through its share of storms over the years and may collective bargaining process. never encounter a financial challenge as great as this one ultimately becomes, but he’s already recognized that the solution to the problem The most enlightening piece of information he shared is that skilled won’t be found in racing against other leagues or rushing something into negotiators like Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr always know where the place. deal is. Instead, the NHL commissioner will watch how this unfolds and take his That is, no matter how chaotic things get among their respective cues from the experts. constituencies or how emotional discussions turn at the bargaining table, those in charge would always recognize where they had to get to, and “We’re going to need time to come back right,” said Bettman. “And when when, in order to start down the road to a settlement. we come back, it’ll be having done the right things. And if it means we’re not first, so what? We’re over 100 years old as a league. Why that anecdote is relevant here is because it helps illustrate how unique the COVID-19 pandemic is for a whip-smart commissioner now in “We’re not going anywhere.” his 28th year running the league. Even during the most turbulent times of Bettman’s tenure with the NHL — the three lockouts — he maintained a Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.24.2020 stronger degree of control over the process than was probably evident to most of us on the outside looking in.

But today, with North America at a standstill because of a health crisis unlike any we’ve seen before in our lifetimes, there should be no illusion of authority or control. This is even beyond the scope of someone leading a multi-billion dollar enterprise, and Bettman freely admits that the return- to-play modelling and planning he’s overseeing at the league office may wind up being for naught.

“Listen, the decision ultimately will be made by medical people and people who run governments at all different levels, so we’re not going to try and do anything that flies in the face of what we’re being told is appropriate,” Bettman said during a candid interview on Ron MacLean’s ‘In Conversation’ show Wednesday night.

This is an essential piece of context to consider when examining any droplet of information that leaks out about how the NHL might reasonably conclude its 2019-20 season.

Right now the best-case scenario would see the remaining 189 regular- season games played tournament-style in four centralized NHL cities. That means as many as three games per day, per venue, and almost certainly no fans in the building — a concept first reported this week by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

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 would be followed by a post-season that runs through the summer and ultimately produces a Stanley Cup champion.

“That would be ideal,” Bettman told MacLean. “But that’s one of the numerous models we’re looking at and if we can’t do ideal, if we can’t do perfect, we’re going to have to figure out what’s next to perfect.”

The league must keep its options open in a third of NHL cities because there’s no telling how the coronavirus might spread in the coming months or how warm individual governments might remain to the idea of NHL games in their jurisdictions as July approaches.

Bettman noted that they might ultimately decide to use two centralized locations rather than four — or perhaps expand the playoff field rather than trying to complete the regular season in whole or in part.

“All of this is contingent. Nothing has been decided,” he said. “This is just part of the modelling I talked about where we’re making sure we’re prepared for any eventuality. … It’s not something that we can predict right at this moment.”

The challenges brought on by the coronavirus demand flexibility, not to mention the ceding of any meaningful level of power over events. It was somewhat surprising to hear Bettman refer to this week’s proposal of an 1183421 Websites General manager Jim Benning has no plans on letting Markstrom leave, either. But, again, these times are unprecedented and it’s impossible to know what the salary-cap will or won’t allow the Canucks to do.

Sportsnet.ca / Canucks' Markstrom not worried about contract limbo “You want to play for somebody that wants you,” Markstrom said. “I think during pandemic everybody feels the same. I know everybody in the organization from ownership, to everybody working the locker room and the front office. I’m very comfortable in Vancouver.

Iain MacIntyre | @imacSportsnet April 23, 2020, 8:00 AM “I think there’s a very bright future (for the Canucks). It’s here, it’s not even around the corner. I think it’s here right now.”

They’re just waiting for the world to brighten a little, too. VANCOUVER – From the day questions about his contract began, which was roughly the day training camp opened in a different lifetime last Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.24.2020 September, Jacob Markstrom said he wanted to remain with the Vancouver Canucks and as long as he played well he was confident it would work out that way.

Then the 30-year-old goaltender not only had the best season of his career, but one of the best years by any National Hockey League goalie this season.

And yet, here we are.

The worst pandemic of our lifetime, which is collapsing economies much bigger and far-reaching than the NHL’s, has created uncertainty as extraordinary as the coronavirus itself.

Despite wishful planning about a potential return of hockey in July, nobody knows when major professional sports can be safely resumed. And no one has any idea what next season will look like.

There are a few billion people as uncertain about the future as Markstrom is, but he is experienced enough to understand that his problems ahead of unrestricted free agency are grossly insignificant compared to what countless others are facing in the time of COVID-19.

“With all the other stuff, hockey has kind of become not so important with everything going on around the world,” Markstrom told reporters in a conference call from Sweden on Wednesday. “Obviously, I would have liked to have a long-term deal and know what I’m going to do for the next few years here. But that’s not the case right now. Nobody knows what’s going to happen this year. Hopefully, we get back playing. Even next year, and cap hits and all that stuff, hockey is kind of secondary.”

In a season interrupted by the death of his father in December and halted on Feb. 24 by knee surgery about two weeks before the NHL shut down, Markstrom went 23-16-4 with a .918 save percentage that was fifth in the NHL among starting goaltenders. Shot-quality metrics push his ranking higher than that and Markstrom, who won seven times when his team yielded more than 40 shots to the opposition, was easily the Canucks’ most valuable player.

When the league gets around to handing out awards, Markstrom’s name will appear on a lot of Vezina Trophy ballots.

Before the nightmare began, Markstrom was having a dream season for an essential player on an expiring contract. He was in a position to command more money and term than the $11-million-US deal he signed three years ago.

Suddenly everything seems to have changed — except his importance to the Canucks.

“Obviously, it’s been a little while since I was without a contract,” he said from Gavle by video-conference. “But I’ve been in this situation before (where) you never know where you’re going to be playing or if you’re going to be playing. When I was in Utica (in the AHL in 2014-15), that was the last year of my contract and I thought it could be my last season in North America. There’s obviously uncertainties. I’d rather know where I’m going to be and know what’s going to happen in the future. But with everything that’s going on that nobody could predict, it’s kind of taken a back seat to everything else.

“In my mind, I want to stay in Vancouver. That’s my goal. The season isn’t over this year, either. I’m still hoping we can come back and play and make a push in the playoffs here. It’s going to be tough to get fans in the building, but give the people and city of Vancouver something to cheer for. That’s pretty much 100 per cent of my mindset. I’m still a Vancouver Canuck and I’m super proud of being it. I have no plans of leaving.” 1183422 Websites In the span of three games, winning the series had gone from seemingly impossible to inevitable—in the eyes of Leafs supporters, anyway.

“Everyone was planning the parade route in Toronto and we came home Sportsnet.ca / Memories of '93: Remembering the Maple Leafs-Red for game six and they just whipped us, badly,” Fletcher says. Wings series Detroit’s 7–3 victory at Maple Leaf Gardens further entrenched the odd dynamic of the series. When the Leafs won, it was by the skin of their teeth; when the Wings were victorious, they flexed overwhelming Ryan Dixon | @dixononsports April 23, 2020, 11:31 AM offensive muscle.

“In three of the seven games, it looked like the Leafs didn’t belong,” says Jim Devellano, a member of Detroit’s front office since 1982. Sportsnet is turning back the clock to relive Canada’s most unforgettable best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoffs series with NHL Classics: Best of Against that backdrop, Toronto travelled south, having settled firmly back Seven Series. Game 2 of 1993’s showdown between the Toronto Maple into underdog status. Leafs and Detroit Red Wings airs tonight, April 23, starting at 5:30 p.m. ET. The full broadcast schedule can be found here. “I’m not even sure our wives and mothers thought we had much of a chance,” Fletcher says. Standing on a Toronto Maple Leafs bench that was emptying fast, equipment manager Brian Papineau blasted a water bottle in a moment Optimism had almost fully eroded when Gilmour, with just 2:43 left in the of pure joy. On the Joe Louis Arena ice, a player whose total mass contest, slid home the goal that tied game seven 3–3. With the Wings appeared to be 50 percent helmet and visor was bear-hugged by Toronto reeling, Peter Zezel nearly delivered the win in regulation on a captain Wendel Clark after scoring the overtime goal that sunk the Detroit wraparound attempt, but the rudimentary video review of the time could Red Wings in the seventh game of an epic first-round series. Nikolai not definitively prove the puck crossed the line. Borschevsky had returned to the series just in time to notch the marker Whatever stewing occurred over that near miss, it gave way to that gave his team an unlikely victory, and restored the shine to a celebration just 2:35 into overtime: “[Bob] Rouse hammers one back in franchise dulled by decades of dysfunction. for Toronto. Clark, shoving it to the corner. Out front again, Rouse. It’s not as though the Leafs had absolutely nothing to cheer about from Scores! Scores! Well, the Leafs win it! The Leafs defeat the Detroit Red 1967 through 1993. There were the odd playoff series wins in the 1970s Wings in overtime, this has been an unbelievable turn of events!” and ’80s, but they amounted more to momentary blips of success than Had legendary CBC play-by-play man Bob Cole been able to foundational building blocks. immediately determine that Borschevsky redirected the puck into the net, The 1992–93 squad, however, was different. Just a couple years after maybe the call wouldn’t have been so letter perfect. But the goal the passing of majority owner Harold Ballard, Toronto was benefiting occurred when Borschevsky—dressed for the first time since game one from the clear direction provided by Stanley Cup–winner Cliff Fletcher in and wearing a visor to protect his busted face—beat Lidstrom out of the the GM’s chair, and the tough love of coach . From setting a corner and parked himself a couple feet behind Cheveldae, who’d moved new franchise record with 44 wins to Doug Gilmour establishing a new out to challenge Rouse on the shot. all-time Leafs mark with 127 points, the Blue and White were back. The Because it wasn’t blatantly obvious the puck had been tipped, the call return, however, had to be validated by playoff success, and nothing wasn’t “Borschevsky wins it!” It was “The Leafs win it!” And that’s as it could have prepared Leafs fans, players and management for the varied should be—not just because it emphatically confirmed what had just emotions a fortnight of fighting with their Original Six rivals would bring. occurred—but because for all the justifiable focus on the team’s lead For years, a third-place finish in the Norris Division meant a dubious horses, Toronto was a lunch-pail gang that needed everyone pulling on berth in the playoffs that was more about the fact that 16 of the NHL’s 21 the rope. They couldn’t match the Wings’ firepower, but they sure knew teams made the post-season than any reflection of competency. That’s how to gut out the close ones. how a couple Leafs outfits from the ’80s made the big dance despite a “That was as much a special part of it, when you’re on a team where it’s complete lack of fancy footwork. In 1992–93, however, the Norris was a just not a few guys,” says Mark Osborne, a third-liner on that club. “Yeah, powerhouse. Despite notching 99 points, Toronto finished behind two you’re nowhere without Wendel or Dougie—that kind of star power. But teams in its division, the Chicago Blackhawks leading the way with 106 at the same time, you know that just the stars aren’t going to do it for points, followed by Detroit’s 103. you.” While only four points separated the clubs, the Leafs were decided The wave of emotion that followed the Leafs’ win was overwhelming. underdogs versus a high-powered Wings squad that had scored more Among the hair tussles and backslaps inside the dressing room, goals than any outfit in the league. Fletcher, meanwhile, had rebuilt the defenceman Todd Gill broke down and cried. Outside the room, old fans Leafs on the fly the previous year and a half, and nobody was quite sure rediscovered their voice, while new ones finally had something other than what to expect from the Buds. “There was a lot of curiosity with our whole past mythology to subsist on. group just to see how we reacted to it,” says Fletcher. Maybe it was only a first-round victory, but it was an operatic series that The early returns were positively awful. Detroit ran over Toronto in the handed the tragic ending to someone else. The Leafs advanced to within first two games at Joe Louis Arena, winning by a combined score of 12– a single victory of the Stanley Cup Final that spring, but it was defeating 5. Making matters worse, Borschevsky—who scored more goals than Detroit that instantly seemed more like a franchise resurgence than a any other Leaf that season with 34—sustained a broken cheekbone in temporary reprieve from the heartache. game one that forced him to the press box. “I remember coming back to Toronto,” Fletcher recalls, “and saying, ‘Our season can’t end like this. “It most certainly changed the whole atmosphere in Toronto,” Fletcher We’ll lose everything we’ve built up.’” says. “Finally, they got something to be really proud of and really enjoy.”

Losing game three would have been a virtual death sentence for the Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.24.2020 team, so Burns decided to fight fire with fire, starting Gilmour head-to- head against Detroit captain Steve Yzerman, the fourth-leading scorer in the league with 137 points. Clark, who’d faced perhaps the harshest media criticism of his career after two uninspired performances in Detroit, came through with a goal and Dave Andreychuk—acquired at mid- season when the Leafs shipped Grant Fuhr to Buffalo and handed the goalie reins to 21-year-old Felix Potvin—bagged a pair in a 4–2 triumph. When Andreychuk notched two more in game four, Toronto knotted the series 2–2 heading back to Michigan.

The familiar Joe Louis script played out for a while in game five, with Detroit running out to a 4–1 lead. But a stirring comeback was capped in overtime when Clark picked the pocket of Nicklas Lidstrom and sent a pass to Mike Foligno, who fired the puck past Tim Cheveldae for the win. 1183423 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / How would Scott Stevens defend Oilers' McDavid in today's NHL?

Mike Johnston | @MikeyJ_MMA April 23, 2020, 2:55 PM

Scott Stevens and Connor McDavid played in two drastically different eras in the NHL. There were far fewer restrictions when it came to clutching, grabbing and stick work when Stevens played, whereas McDavid has more space with which to work and is able to display his remarkable speed and skill in part due to the league’s cutback on obstruction and headshots and a set of rules that allows for more offence.

So, if Stevens played with today’s ruleset, how would the Hall of Fame blue-liner defend against the Edmonton Oilers superstar?

“You know what, I don’t know if I’d still have a way to defend him,” Stevens said with a laugh Thursday during an appearance on Sportsnet 590 The Fan’s Hockey Central. “I think I’d skate backwards as fast as I can and hopefully he doesn’t beat me.”

Stevens debuted as a teenager in 1982 and retired prior to the 2004 lockout. The three-time Stanley Cup champion is regarded as one of the most physically intimidating players in NHL history, however there was plenty more to his game than mere menace.

“I think you have to be patient,” Stevens said. “You have to back up but you back up too much, you give him too much space, you give him a chance to shoot the puck or make another play. He’s just a guy that has more gears than I’ve seen any hockey player have that’s played the game. It’s just amazing how fast his feet move and how quickly he can change gears and change his speed. You think he’s going top speed and you’re playing him right and then all of a sudden he puts it into another gear into overdrive and you’re like, ‘Whoa where’d that come from?’ He’s a special player and I still don’t know if I have an answer for that but I think I’d be very patient.”

Stevens never won a Norris Trophy but did finish top-10 in Norris votes 16 times during his 22-year NHL career, including being a runner-up to Ray Bourque on two occasions. Laying the body wasn’t the only way he gained an edge on his opponents.

“I’d want to make sure I keep him on the outside, not let him get to the middle and try to angle him and force him at the post as much as I could but he’s a special player and I think he’s beat a lot of good players from what I’ve seen so far,” Stevens said of defending the two-time Art Ross winner. “I think everyone’s still kind of finding a solution for Connor McDavid. I mean it’s his (fifth) year in the league and he keeps putting consistent numbers up and doing things we haven’t seen before. He keeps getting better so he’s fun to watch.

“Speed kills and no one likes to play against speed because it can embarrass you and that’s what he’s been doing to a lot of players.”

Among defencemen, Stevens ranks second all-time in games played with 1,635, fourth with 2,785 penalty minutes, 12th in points with 908 and won the Conne Smyth Trophy as playoff MVP in 2000 with the New Jersey Devils.

“I’m proud of the way I played,” Stevens said. “I believe that my physical style helped me be able to produce offensively. That was part of the way I played. When I was doing the physical things, playing hard and playing simple hockey it’s funny the offence kind of followed that. So, I knew what got me to the NHL, I knew what would keep me there and what would help me put up some numbers and be a good all-around defenceman. That’s what I always wanted to be. I didn’t want to be one dimensional.”

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183424 Websites Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.24.2020

Sportsnet.ca / The best team in Vancouver Canucks history, Part II – Sportsnet

by Iain MacIntyre

BIEKSA It was just such a great time in our lives. We were starting to have our kids and our families. We were together for a while before success, and [then] we’re on top of the world. I don’t think it’s something we took for granted. You spent a lot of time together and made some really close friendships for life.

BALLARD That was the most fun professional hockey experience I’ve had and, as you know, for me personally, it wasn’t an ideal situation. There’s so many good people there and you could just tell from Day 1, it was a special group.

HIGGINS That whole spring was the most fun I ever had playing hockey.

EHRHOFF The people there, we laughed for two years.

VIGNEAULT I consider myself so lucky. I spent seven terrific years with that group. Obviously, you’re in this to win the ultimate prize, but as a coach, what you want to do is get the best from your group. They always gave me their best.

GILLIS I can’t tell you how proud I am of those guys and their willingness to believe in us as a management group. They didn’t have to — they all had choices. It was a very special time to be part of the Vancouver Canucks.

CARLING I had pride for the Canucks, where I worked. But my true passion is the Kansas City Chiefs, since I was 14. I would be the first to admit I have cared way too much about this football team. They lost every important game in my history. This year, they won the Super Bowl and I was so happy. I think about it every single day. Every. Single. Day. About six days after the Super Bowl, [Canucks vice-president of communications] Chris Brumwell reaches out. He goes, “Have you come down from your high yet?” I said, “No, and I’m not sure when I’m going to.” In fact, I’d been thinking a lot about the 2010–11 team in kind of a melancholy way. Because what I realized is there are three layers where you can interact with a team.

There’s the players themselves. They’re the ones that deserve all the credit. They’re the ones that make the sacrifice. They’re the ones with the world-class talent that makes it possible. Then you’ve got your staff — coaching, management and support staff. It could be 150 people. The people that sell tickets and all that, just pour everything they’ve got into it, right? They work 70 hours a week. And you’ve got the fans. Without the fans, there’s no games, there’s no money, there’s no TV, there’s no nothing. But as emotionally invested in the Chiefs as I am, I know how much harder I worked as an employee of the Canucks for 20 years.

What I realized, having never experienced it before … it’s forever. If I live to be 100, I can say, “Well, I remember 55 years ago the Chiefs won the Super Bowl.” I was thinking in a sad way, “It’s hard to win, and when you have the opportunity, you don’t want it to pass you by because it’s forever.” I’m only experiencing it as a fan, but I’ve been a fan for 31 years and I’ve been all-in and it’s such an awesome feeling. And I remember, I was sad for a couple of days. I talked to about a week or two after that and he was asking me, “Tell me about it — tell me where you were when you watched the game.” And I said, “If it’s okay, I want to tell you this story.” I said, “I just wished you’d won in 1994. I didn’t know you, I was living in Victoria. I don’t care.” And all the guys we just talked about — the brothers and Louie and Alain in 2011, I just wish you’d won. Because it’s forever. They can’t take it away. And it changes conversations.

The ’94 team is beloved here, as you know. Anybody 40-plus, they love that team. They love Cliff [Ronning], they love Pavel [Bure], they love Kirk [MacLean] and they love Trevor. The 2011 team, [it was like] nothing was ever good enough. I remember thinking for a long time, “This team will never be as beloved as the 1994 team.”

But I was at the Sedin night as well, and thinking, “It’s starting to feel different.” 1183425 Websites "I do think that there's some challenges like a line rush against and even the confidence at the blueline for a forward when he has to cover and the puck comes, it's a very foreign spot for them to be in. And then, certainly, around the net there are areas where forwards are more comfortable or TSN.CA / Toronto Maple Leafs-like philosophy allows Ryan Hardy to it's more natural for them to score so there's some challenges with it. I build USHL juggernaut don't know if we'll ever get to this completely utopian position-less concept, but I do think there's a place for a lot more crossover of the

positions and as long as the players are accountable to what their main Mark Masters responsibilities are I think you can do some really creative things."

Steel GM Ryan Hardy joins @markhmasters and discusses position- less hockey, wooing Fantilli and Brisson's development. Video: Chicago Steel general manager Ryan Hardy has built a juggernaut in the https://t.co/QqfCCwQdZf pic.twitter.com/5YONU8dBWK United States Hockey League by embracing a similar philosophy to that of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas. — TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 23, 2020

"There's a lot of parallels in what we're doing and what they're doing," You guys signed a contract with a company to help player mindset Hardy agreed. "Obviously, we share two guys in player development in resilience development. What does that entail? Darryl Belfry and Adam Nicholas who are consultants for the Leafs and run our player development with Tristan Musser. So, I think in terms of a "It's actually a company out of Toronto. It’s two brothers, Matthew and commitment to individual development and doing that within the Chris Caldaroni, and Mind-Body Fusion is the company ... The mental framework of a larger team I think we're very much aligned." health component is a very prevalent thing that we're talking about now. There's so much pressure on these kids and I think sometimes, even in Of course, the Leafs and Steel play in different leagues with different my position, we don't have a full appreciation for the scrutiny that they're challenges. With a weekend-heavy schedule, there's more time for under. Social media makes the world very small and there's a lot of development in the USHL, a junior league. things they're trying to balance whether it's school, whether it's NHL draft, whether it's their passion for hockey and maybe not having success, so "But in terms of a mindset and a mentality we're after the same thing," we partnered with Mind-Body Fusion. They come in about once a month Hardy said, "having uniform concepts in each department and having or every six weeks, they come in for a week and work with the players everybody on the same page and pulling in the same direction." and then they're always available to the players by phone or by Skype to That direction for the Steel has been up. They made the Clark Cup final have dialogue ... The main principle of it is to give them tools and last year as Hardy was named the league's top general manager. And strengthen their skill-set to deal with adversity and deal with different Chicago was clearly the class of the USHL this year with a 15-point bulge situations that don't necessarily go their way and how can they keep it on atop the standings when the season was called due to the COVID-19 the track, so to speak." pandemic. INTENTIONAL ACTIONS are what GUIDE your energy towards Even with no games being played, the organization continued to ACHIEVING results. A resilient individual keeps their intentions focused experience success. Highly-touted prospect Adam Fantilli, projected to during times of duress. #Resilience #Athlete #Sport #Esports #Mindset be the No. 1 pick in the Ontario Hockey League draft, opted to sign with — Mind-Body Fusion (@Mind_BodyFusion) April 8, 2020 the Steel. And TSN director of scouting 's latest list of the top 100 draft prospects featured six Steel players, including forward Brendan The hired Steel head coach Greg Moore to replace Brisson at No. 22. Sheldon Keefe in the American Hockey League earlier this season. You served as director of player personnel at the USA Hockey National So, what's working in the Windy City? Hardy, who served as an amateur Development Team Program when Moore was an assistant coach there. scout with the Boston Bruins for two seasons before moving to Chicago, Why do you think Moore is a good coach? spoke to TSN via Zoom this week. The 34-year-old lays out his team- building philosophy and shared insight on why the Steel have "When we hired him he had only been an assistant for three years at the experienced so much success. The following is an edited transcript of the NTDP, but I could just see so much promise and so much potential in interview. him. There's a style that he wants to play that's nuanced and there's a lot of granular details in it that I very much believe in, it just takes some time. How would you describe your team-building philosophy? So, when we started last year, we really struggled out of the gate that "For me, it starts with our coaching staff and the way we're set up. We all first year and then it started to gain momentum and all the kids bought are united in a vision of how we want to play, a style that we want to play. into Greg's philosophy and the coaches were completely on board with We want to have the puck. We want to make plays. We get labelled as a what he was doing and once we turned (it on) we really started to have progressive, offensive team, but I do think that it's very much marrying some success. progressive and modern concepts with the older-school habits that still "Greg's a smart guy. The thing I most admire about him is he's really a do matter in the game and instilling those in young people. We don't have quality person. He has a passion for people. He's a natural leader, he's a top six and a bottom six or a top four and a bottom two or whatever, we done that his whole life being captain of different teams. And just the way just try and get as many highly competitive and intelligent people that he goes about his business, he's professional, he treats people well. As a love hockey and have a passion for hockey into our program and then we player, he's a guy who had to earn his way and scratch and claw for teach them. We provide them resources. We've had a lot of success so anything he got so he has that mentality with a brain that works in a way far, so hopefully we can keep it going." that he is very open to new ideas and wanting to challenge the status I don’t know if we ever put together a complete 60, so there’s not one quo and push things in a certain way, which aligns with Kyle and what that sticks out. Each game has something, so I’d pick one we score a lot they're trying to do there so I think that's why it was a good fit." in. From @markhmasters: Marlies' head coach Greg Moore talks #AHL If you don’t want to watch a full game, I had this sent to me learning curve and top Leafs prospects - https://t.co/yn1eKJBJxR yesterday. It’s the essence of @ChicagoSteel hockey in 45 seconds. #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/DTuY1DNZwn https://t.co/L5geDIbmsp pic.twitter.com/ZjCiaxMkyF — TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) April 23, 2020 — Ryan Hardy (@ryanphardy) April 7, 2020 How did you sell Adam Fantilli on the Steel? I know you drafted his Do you think we'll ever see position-less hockey? brother, Luca Fantilli, which probably helps, but how did you sell a guy who was set to become the No. 1 pick in the OHL draft on moving south? "We experiment with something probably close to that ... of our five-on- five goals 0.79 per game were scored by defencemen, which is a very "You try to keep brothers separate, it's important. When I got to the high number. So, we try to encourage our defencemen to get in the rush. National Program, Matthew Tkachuk was already in the Program and so There was one instance when we possessed the puck for 30 or 40 when I started to recruit Brady it was important to me that Brady had his seconds in the offensive zone and then (had) a 2-on-0 in front of the own experience and I've tried to do that the same way here. goalie and the two players in front of the goalie are our two defencemen so we give our defencemen a lot of freedom. "We drafted Luca and I think he's very much an underrated player that "And from an on-ice perspective, I do think there's a lot of opportunity (for went to Kimball Union Academy this year and was really successful, growth) ... we talk about a lot of these ideas we have and then we study almost a point per game as a defenceman and running their power play (Russian coaching legend) Anatoly Tarasov and the stuff he did in 1965 and playing in every situation, so that part took care of itself. and we're not changing the world by any stretch or reinventing the wheel, but there's a lot of opportunity to look to the past and find areas that can "Adam, obviously, we had identified him just tracking the GTHL and help us in the future." watching him two years ago as a late '04 (birthday) and it was like, 'Wow, this is an impressive package that this kid has.' The Fantillis are really TSN.CA LOADED: 04.24.2020 impressive people. They've been really transparent with us. They said, 'Hey, we're going to look at this one year at a time, we're not closing the door to the OHL, we're not necessarily going to the NCAA,' and I said, 'I'm fine with that.'

"When I was with the National Team Program we had a lot of kids that would come through and then decide, ultimately, to play Major Junior, and so we were cognizant that Adam had options. What we 'sold him on' was just the development piece. We have guys at the rink from nine o'clock in the morning to five o'clock at night and we have a lot of pieces and a lot of items that work through their development.

"I didn't tell him how great he was. We told him, 'Hey, you're a talented 15-year-old, but there's no such thing, really, as an elite 15-year-old. You're just a kid and there's so many areas you can grow and here are the areas we think you can grow and here are the resources we have and how we think we can help you.'

"You can tell right away when people are committed to a process and believe in what you're doing and the Fantillis never were like, 'What's his role? Is he going to be top six? Can he have this?' It was just, 'Hey, this is a great opportunity for our son and it's another benefit that the boys can stay together at least one more year and we'll see what happens from there.'"

OHL teams have been told Fantilli will revisit the decision a year from now and all options remain on the table. Playing in the USHL preserves his ability to choose. A year from now, he will know which OHL team has drafted him, what U.S. college has committed to him.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 25, 2020

Brendan Brisson, the son of player agent Pat Brisson, recorded the most points by a rookie in Steel history with 59 in 45 games. What stands out the most about him?

"You look back three years ago and he was pretty off the radar. He was not perceived to be an elite player in his age group and then he grew as the years went along and this year he really accelerated his development. Brendan is a smart player. He can make plays, he's crafty with the puck, he's got fast-twitch skill, he can score, he has so many attributes that make him multi-dimensional.

"This year he put a lot of work in on his off-ice habits in terms of making every detail matter. And his play off the puck, he put in a lot of work on his defensive play. It's funny, there's a lot of noise around our program with how much we score and how much we value offence, but we want to have well-rounded players and Brendan really embraced that. This is a player who's trajectory is heading straight north.

"Now he's able to look back on all these experiences he had as a young person with [Brisson clients] Nathan MacKinnon and John Tavares and Sidney Crosby and all these people that he got to interact with and subconsciously you put some things in the memory bank and now it's all coming full circle for him and he's reflecting on those things and how they can help him."

What is hockey's biggest blind spot?

"We've made a lot of progress in so many areas. I think the biggest thing I see, and it's not a specific hockey thing ... (but) where we've had success is that everyone that comes to work with us is committed to a larger mission and is able to put aside their own self interest and we're able to have open dialogue. It would seem, maybe from an outside perspective, to be contentious but it's not really. It's people with a full respect for each other and I think it's amazing what you can accomplish when you look at yourself as a servant to the people that are around you and that's what I do with our coaches, that's what we all do with our players.

"This is a players game and the players are smarter than ever and they know a lot about things beyond hockey and I think the more we can empower them and give them, not full control, but more or less it's their locker room and their team, I think that's when we can all have the most success. 1183426 Websites goaltending position for a while, and heaps of their starts this decade went to an aged-out Miikka Kiprusoff and Karri Ramo, who washed out of the league in 2015-16. I suppose the glass-half-full perspective is that by the time Calgary had a playoff-calibre roster again, Smith and Rittich TSN.CA / Adding goalies to the All-Decade Teams of each NHL club were there to provide decent enough goaltending. (Flames goalies stopped 90.5 per cent of shots in 2019-20, good enough to have Calgary

on the inside track for a playoff berth.) Travis Yost TSN.CA LOADED: 04.24.2020

On Tuesday, we started assembling our All-Decade Teams for every National Hockey League franchise, with a focus on the skaters. Now, we need to round out the rosters with a couple of goaltenders.

The selection criteria for the goalies will be identical to that of the skaters. We’re using a regression-based Goals Above Replacement model to measure contributions from each goaltender over the course of the past 10 years.

These measures give heightened value to netminders who (a) stopped a higher percentage of shots relative to their peers; and (b) did so over a large number of games with one organization. Goals Above Replacement also takes into consideration important adjustments, like the variance observed in the quality of shots faced from goaltender to goaltender. (Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck would like to remind you that this is important.)

A quick accuracy check at the top of our leaderboard shows New York’s Henrik Lundqvist, Montreal’s Carey Price, Los Angeles’ Jonathan Quick, and Boston’s Tuukka Rask rounding out the top four – a good sign that the measurement criteria is appropriate and in line with more simplistic measures (e.g. raw save percentage or goals saved above average).

One thought while we are here before delving into a team-by-team analysis. Defining the goaltender of the decade is a great test for how much you weigh individual contributions against team-level contributions.

Lundqvist will end the decade with the eighth-highest save percentage (minimum 10,000 shot attempts faced), which is strong in its own right. But when you adjust those shots based on expected scoring rates, Lundqvist rockets past the competition. For context, his 163 goals saved above expectations is double that of Anaheim’s John Gibson in second place, and nearly triple that of the aforementioned Quick (No. 4) and Price (No. 5).

On performance alone, I don’t think there is any doubt Lundqvist was the best of the bunch. But team hardware – unlike many of the other similarly great goalies – never materialized for King Henrik. If you are looking for the right balance of individual performance tied to team success, perhaps someone like Quick or Rask draws more attention.

At any rate, here are the selections, with total Goals Above Replacement contributions trended on the right:

Where were the tightest races? Curiously, most of them were in Canada. Let’s take a closer look at three of them.

Vancouver Canucks: Roberto Luongo versus Jacob Markstrom really isn’t much of a debate over the course of their careers, but the goaltender of the decade discussion gets interesting for two reasons: Luongo’s dominance was really in the preceding decade, and Markstrom has been very productive near the close, posting a 91.3 all situations save percentage in 227 games. The gap between the two was infinitesimal, but Luongo’s outstanding 2010-11 was by far the best single season between the two and enough to give him the edge. Fun fact: Luongo is also one of eight goalies to represent two different teams, as he was also the most productive Florida Panthers goalie this decade.

Edmonton Oilers: The bar to clear for Edmonton goalies wasn’t particularly high. Edmonton finished 29th in the decade in save percentage (88.8 per cent), and much of that was driven by the seasons where netminders like Nikolai Khabibulin, Ben Scrivens and Devan Dubnyk struggled on bad hockey teams. Cam Talbot is an interesting pick because his ending in Edmonton was unceremonious – though disastrous might be a better word to describe his 89.3 save percentage in his final season there. But Talbot was perhaps the biggest reason why the Oilers ended their playoff drought in 2016-17, where he finished fourth in the Vezina Trophy race.

Calgary Flames: It’s never a good sign when the two goalies who make your team – Mike Smith and David Rittich – have a combined 212 games played with the organization. But the Flames struggled to resolve the 1183427 Websites Part of that work has included reflecting on the Leafs’ first 70 games – for Andersen individually and the team as a whole. Toronto entered the pause on a high note by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1, and there was a cautious look ahead to what a potential first-round Stanley Cup TSN.CA / Frederik Andersen open to any scenario that results in NHL playoff series might look like against the Bolts as the Leafs settled into returning third place in the Atlantic Division.

“There's a lot of different things to uncover [about the season],” Andersen said. “[It’s] not turbulent, but definitely a very eventful season, I think, with Kristen Shilton a coaching change and some ups and downs. But one thing I really liked about our team is the way we really answered the bell when we had our backs pushed against the wall. We saw some of our best games against The National Hockey League has been modelling a number of different some really good opponents, especially later on.” scenarios that could see the regular season resume amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and Maple Leafs’ goaltender Frederik Andersen is open to Whether the Leafs will be able to pick up where they left off remains to be trying just about any of them •– including isolating in one city and playing seen, but Andersen isn’t giving up hope that there will be a return to play without fans. and an opportunity for closure on what’s been a hard-fought campaign.

“I'm not against [any of] that,” Andersen told reporters on a conference “[I want] anything that could be done to salvage the season and finish it call Thursday. “I think everyone wants sports back on, and I think if or to [have a champion],” Andersen said. “I think all 31 teams have put in there's a chance we can go back to play, we owe it to ourselves to play a lot of time and effort, so I definitely want to see something being done the game we're so passionate about and we owe it to the fans that have to try to finalize the season and move on and not lose out on all the hard been waiting, too. I think live sports will be a big part of bringing the world work that's been put in.” back to normal.” TSN.CA LOADED: 04.24.2020 Andersen hunkered down in his Toronto condo when the NHL first hit pause on March 12, hoping to wait out a short break. But as the days lengthened, that small space became suffocating. By that time, Andersen was no longer able to get back to his native Denmark due to increased travel restrictions, so he took up teammate Auston Matthews on his offer to isolate at the centre’s home in Phoenix.

“Denmark was ahead of Canada and the U.S. a little bit [in terms of] being shut down so [going back there] was out of the question for me, and Auston was kind enough to offer me [the chance] to come down here and actually have someone to talk to,” Andersen said. “We get pretty competitive in some of the things we do, which is fun. I'm very appreciative of being out here.”

Matthews told reporters in early April that he wasn’t peppering Andersen with shots during their regular workouts (“he’s not a road hockey goalie,” joked the 22-year-old), and given the lack of ice available to players during the pandemic, Andersen has had to be creative in maintaining his skills.

Andersen had just been getting his game back on track when the season shut down, after losing four of five starts during a stretch in the middle of February. He rebounded with a 4-0-1 run from there, giving the netminder a 29-13-7 record with a .909 save percentage and 2.85 goals- against average on the year.

“I do have my gear out here, so I think we're going to experiment a little bit,” Andersen said. “[Matthews] has a sports court in his house now, so I definitely think we're going to test that out and shoot some pucks and maybe I’ll work on stickhandling as well as my shot. In times like this, you’re coming up with something [different] like [using] a tennis ball machine so you don't miss too many steps in this little interruption of the season.”

While it may be easier for forwards like Matthews or Mitch Marner to use rollerblades, a stick and ball to keep their coordination sharp, Andersen maintains there’s no reason goalies can’t also be on top of their game if and when play resumes.

“As a shooter, you don't really need a goalie to work on your shot. I think as a goalie, you definitely need someone to shoot at you,” Andersen said. “But I think it's all about what you do in your time off. I've been focusing on trying to keep sharp. I don't want to make it into an excuse or anything, so I just want to try to make the wait worthwhile and be ready when we do start back up.”

Andersen has stayed in regular contact with Leafs’ goalie coach Steve Briere over the pause as they brainstorm new ways for the goalie to hone his craft with limited resources.

“Stevie has been awesome trying to help me out with anything I need, like with video and keeping my mind mentally in the game still, or different drills to be doing,” Andersen said. “We’re trying to stress that we don't make this a pause where you don't get anything out of it. So, try to create a skill or sharpen your skills in any sort of way that's possible right now. You need to keep the mental focus on actually playing hockey even though you can't be on the ice.” 1183428 Websites fly back on the final day the border remained open for non-essential travel between Canada and the United States in late March.

“We made some calls and got things together. We flew at the last TSN.CA / Mendes: Ottawa Senators F Bobby Ryan opens up on possible moment,” Ryan said. quarantined life in Idaho Prior to that, Ryan was observing an extended period of self-isolation in Ottawa after being on the Senators' team charter that returned from California with multiple cases of COVID-19. Ian Mendes Ryan recalls getting off the team charter in Ottawa and wondering if he was risking his own family’s health by returning home.

Bobby Ryan is not one of those athletes or celebrities who is worried “I kind of felt like a bad parent getting off that plane and going straight about trying to find a barber during the quarantine phase of the COVID- home,” he said. 19 pandemic. Ryan said he contemplated phoning Danielle and telling her that he was “I’ve been saving money on haircuts for years because I married a now- going to stay in a hotel in Ottawa. While they didn’t find out about any retired hairdresser from Newport Beach,” Ryan said with a laugh. “So I’m positive test results for a couple of days, Ryan had a hunch that trouble way ahead of the game. I’ve been getting my hair cut by her for 11 years was on the horizon. now.” “We knew we were exposed, flying back,” Ryan said. “But I went home But earlier this week, the pandemic lockdown forced a role reversal. For and was healthy through it all.” the first time ever, Ryan was the one who gave his wife, Danielle, a haircut. The 33-year-old concedes he is torn as to whether or not he wants to see a resumption of the 2019-20 regular season. While their two young children were taking an afternoon nap, the couple went to their patio for an outdoor haircut. Ryan was given strict On one hand, he felt rejuvenated in the eight games since returning to instructions from Danielle on how to proceed with a pair of scissors. the lineup after his three-month absence. His brief return included a memorable hat-trick performance against the Vancouver Canucks on “She told me exactly what to do,” he said. Feb. 27 in his first game on home ice since acknowledging his absence was due to treatment for alcohol abuse. And the verdict? Even in the absence of live sports on television, Ryan said he won’t re- “She said, ‘It’s straight.’ So I’m all good,” he chuckled. watch that magical night against the Canucks from two months ago. It That Ryan is able to help out at home with something as complicated and conjures up too many feelings. delicate as a haircut for his wife is nothing short of remarkable. “I don’t want to watch it. I have seen it, but I get emotional every time,” he Just a few months ago, Ryan was forced to leave the Ottawa Senators said. “So I don’t need to see it again.” after suffering what he described as a panic attack during a practice with Given his age – and the fact the Senators were sitting at the bottom of his teammates in November. For several weeks after that he was in the standings when the NHL paused – it probably makes more sense for isolation – away from his wife and kids – receiving in-patient treatment at Ryan to start preparing for next season. a private facility for a battle with alcohol abuse. “It’s probably better for the body to get ready for next year at this point Looking back, Ryan understands that if he didn’t complete that phase of instead of coming back after an extended period of time,” Ryan said. “I the program just before Christmas, there is no telling how he would be could go either way. Selfishly, I always want to play. It doesn’t seem able to handle the stress and pressure of the current COVID-19 likely, with where we’re at standings-wise that the Sens are going to be quarantine. playing any games down the stretch. But I’ll keep training like we’ll be “It would have been really bad going into this had I not gone through playing in two weeks.” what I did back in the early part of December to get help,” he said. “I Without access to a lot of fitness equipment, Ryan has had to get couldn’t imagine being isolated with my family. It wouldn’t have been creative to maintain his conditioning. He does some stickhandling inside good for my marriage, because I wasn’t in a good place to really help.” the garage to keep his hand-eye coordination sharp, while a local gym The ongoing therapy sessions have drastically altered Ryan’s outlook on loaned him a Peloton, which has quickly become his favourite piece of life, leaving him with a fresh perspective on how to tackle the challenge equipment. of the current lockdown. “It’s incredible,” Ryan said. “Everybody seems to make fun of the Peloton “One of the things I’ve really learned in the past four and a half months is and there’s a cult following, but the thing is incredible. The spinning is that there only a few things you can control. And what’s outside those incredible, and I will be buying one when all is said and done here.” limits are going to happen anyway,” Ryan said. “So just try and stay Taking online spin classes is just one way in which Ryan has adapted to within the bubble. I can’t control the situation. I can only control the temporary realities of the pandemic. He continues to have regular thoughts.” check-ins with a therapist as part of his recovery program, but he has to With a fresh approach, Ryan is now in a healthy frame of mind to provide do that remotely as well. a significant amount of support to his family during the quarantine period. “I have to do my therapy on the phone, so you lose that face-to-face His two children – who are on the verge of turning four and two – take up dialogue that, for me, means a lot,” he said. the majority of his time these days. For now, the only face-to-face dialogue he is having is with his family – “We’re just trying to survive at this point,” he said, echoing the sentiment which suits Ryan just fine. He said he's so exhausted from spending time of many parents of toddlers. “I’ve had less time on my hands than usual, with the kids that he falls asleep by 8:30 pm on most nights. if you can believe it.” “We’re just enjoying it. We were in a nice rhythm before I got back into Ryan and his family are riding out the pandemic in their off-season home the swing of playing after my time off this year, so I feel like we’re right in the Idaho Panhandle – almost a straight shot south of Trail, B.C. The back into that rhythm with me being home every day and not going to the area is so quiet, Ryan said he can count on one hand the number of rink,” Ryan said. people he’s seen in his community over the past few weeks. “They haven’t gotten tired of me yet, I don’t think,” he added with a laugh. “When you come to Idaho at this time of year, you’re forced to isolate by nature,” he said. “There’s not many people around here.” TSN.CA LOADED: 04.24.2020 The family made the decision to return to Idaho from Ottawa last month once they realized the NHL season was not going to be resuming in the foreseeable future. They hastily arranged airline tickets and were able to 1183429 Websites TORONTO COVID-19 data: Toronto Public Health reported Wednesday that 4,069

positive cases have been confirmed in the city, which accounts for one- TSN.CA / Four NHL cities that could host a summer restart third of Ontario’s reported 12,245 positive cases. (Source: Toronto Public Health)

Toronto’s case: ’s proximity to a number of rinks and Frank Seravalli arenas, walking distance to hotels, as well as experience hosting NHL tentpole events, makes Toronto a top candidate. The 2016 World Cup of

Hockey proved the arena could house eight teams and their equipment NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday the league has been under one roof. During that tournament, Coca-Cola Coliseum – home of busy “modelling” different scenarios for a potential summer restart to the the AHL’s Marlies – was used as a practice facility. The Maple Leafs are 2019-20 season. among the only NHL teams that has a four-sheet practice hub, the Ford Performance Centre in suburban . Additionally, the old Maple That includes the possibility of resuming play in two to four centralized Leaf Gardens - now named Mattamy Athletic Centre - is located locations, likely without fans, and the idea of a draft held in June before downtown. The NHL also has bodies on the ground with one of its league the season is completed. offices connected to Scotiabank Arena, plus it could provide the easiest logistics for the league’s Canadian national broadcast partner. Given all “All of this is contingent, nothing has been decided,” Bettman said in an of the ice and infrastructure, Toronto could feasibly host all 16 teams for interview with Sportsnet. “The decision ultimately will be made by a Stanley Cup playoff. But for one of the NHL’s most densely populated medical people and people who run governments at all different levels. cities, it might all come down to medical data and risk factors presented. We’re not going to try to do anything that flies in the face of what we’re being told is appropriate.” PITTSBURGH

Bettman said there is the possibility of multiple games being played per COVID-19 data: Pennsylvania has been a hotspot, but Allegheny day in two or “as many as four” NHL cities, with the league never having County – home of the Penguins – accounts for just 1,088 of the state’s seriously considered play at non-NHL venues. 35,684 positive cases. That’s three per cent of the cases in a county that accounts for 10 per cent of the state’s population. (Source: PA Dept. of The plan could include regular-season play, a traditional 16-team playoff, Health) or even an “expanded” playoff. Pittsburgh’s case: The city’s downtown PPG Paints Arena has hosted Teams might be grouped by division, but not necessarily, Bettman some of the NHL’s biggest games over the last decade and there is a said. Sources indicated that the NHL could have teams playing at sites suitable Marriott hotel located directly across the street. But the Steel outside of their usual geographic area, such as two groups of eight teams City’s biggest selling point for hosting an NHL restart may actually be its at two sites in the West – circumstances that would be dictated by which top-rated UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex practice facility, located 20 localities have eased restrictions. minutes away in quiet Cranberry, Pa. The two-pad complex has seating “We’re just constantly trying to figure out what our alternatives will be,” for more than 1,500 in its main arena, where the Pens practice, plus the Bettman said. partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center provides sports medicine and medical care at one of the best hospitals in the Bettman’s stated requirements for host sites are: country.

- “The location could be anywhere besides a [COVID-19] hot spot.” DALLAS

- “We need a lot of ice. There does need to be practice facilities.” COVID-19 data: Texas has only the 12th-most positive cases in the - “We need four NHL-calibre locker rooms. Because if you’re going to United States despite being the second-most populous state. There have play three games in one day, you’ve got to be moving things around, and been 4,790 positive cases in the four county Dallas-Fort Worth metro you’ve got to make sure that we’re taking the proper sanitizing area as of Wednesday, which is proportionate to its population among 29 procedures.” million Texas residents. (Source: Texas Department of State Health Services) Sources indicate the league is keeping a running list of up to 10 NHL cities that could suitably host in the event of a centralized restart. Dallas’ case: Dallas may have a leg up because Texas could be among the first states to ease restrictions related to COVID-19. Retail Locations such as St. Paul, Minn., and Raleigh, N.C., have been stores that have been closed since mid-March will soon begin to open for reported as possibilities. But construction of the Hurricanes’ practice curbside pickups. Plus, the city has a robust case on its own merit, and facility is running behind schedule now due to the coronavirus and their likely a willingness to host with a little Texan hospitality. American current facility is not fit to host teams. Airlines Center is a modern facility that would provide significant space. Outside, across Dirk Nowitzki Way, there is a stylish ‘W’ Hotel with 220 The have reportedly expressed a desire to host. rooms and 32 suites - which could serve as home to nearly five teams. Columbus could make a ton of sense with its state-of-the-art practice The Stars’ practice facility, , is 25 minutes away in facility attached to Nationwide Arena. Frisco, plus the team owns seven other rinks in the DFW metro area. Here are four additional cities where the NHL could host centralized One of the only mitigating factors might be the Texas heat and humidity summer hockey: in July or August, but Bettman said recently that is one of the league’s least concerns. EDMONTON No matter where, no matter when, one thing is clear: the NHL is Edmonton’s case: Edmonton’s ICE District checks all of the NHL’s working on a list of options to resume the season if it is at all feasible. boxes. It’s a completely self-contained area, with the sparkling new arena, a spacious community ice rink, and a luxury JW Marriott hotel all “With a lot of timing options, we have a great deal of flexibility,” connected – allowing for players and officials to never step outside. The Bettman said. “We’re not going to rush anything, we’re not going to do 322-room hotel with 24 suites, which is owned by Oilers owner Daryl anything that’s crazy. We’re going to do something under the Katz, could house up to seven teams, and is equipped with two circumstances at the time that is sensible.” restaurants, more than 15,000 square feet of meeting space, plus a gym TSN.CA LOADED: 04.24.2020 and pool. Add in the fact that Edmonton is in the second-least infected city in the NHL, it figures to be on any short list. Alberta premier Jason Kenney said Wednesday he received a call from Bettman.

“There was a very general conversation,” Kenney said in his briefing. “We have not received a proposal of any kind. I underscored that if a proposal were forthcoming, we would obviously expect the league to prepare a very detailed plan to mitigate risk.” 1183430 Websites MLB officials are in a scramble to devise contingencies to play any games – including fan-less options in Arizona or Florida that would destroy its ticket inventory – while juggling constantly shifting information from health officials, the federal government and state and local USA TODAY / Fans running out of patience as teams refuse refunds on authorities. tickets to postponed games While official league directives put teams in the position of providing pro forma responses to fans that can come off as callous, the league official noted that, to the extent fans have a unique situation or economic Gabe Lacques hardship, they are welcome to call their team’s ticket department to address it.

Sports fans are, by nature, loyal to a fault, and willing to put their faith in That’s what Katers did. While he didn’t cite a specific hardship in their teams with the promise of a positive outcome down the road. communications with his season-ticket representative, he aired his grievance regarding the Nuggets’ 2020-21 invoice and received some But they also aren’t fools, and can look at a calendar and see that, due to relief: The team suspended his payments until June, at which point they the COVID-19 pandemic that has shut down their teams and leagues, the will review the situation. 2020 season in the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball almost certainly won’t proceed – or resume – as usual. He appreciated the gesture but wishes he didn’t have to initiate the discussion – and as a business owner, realizes the conduct of And with an estimated $1 billion in consumer capital held by franchises companies and corporations now may dictate the depth of customer and ticket services amid a health and economic crisis, that patience may loyalty later. be running out. “It’s any organization where you have people trying to purchase your Earlier this week, a class-action lawsuit was filed against MLB, its 30 product, but particularly fans and season-ticket holders. Don’t ignore franchises and ticket vendors such as Ticketmaster and StubHub, them,” he says. “This is where your income comes from. Don’t think, just seeking repayment of tickets purchased while claiming the defendants by not communicating with them, everything will be OK. You have to let “are aware that their representations that the 2020 MLB regular season them know what you’re doing and how you’re helping, and if you’re will be played is false and misleading.” paying hourly employees. If we feel we’re contributing to something, that’s OK.” Meanwhile, as NBA and NHL season-ticket holders wonder what’s to become of the five to 10 games worth of inventory remaining, they, too, MLB clubs, according to a compendium of media reports, have are not getting refunds – instead, they’re receiving invoices for 2020-21 committed to paying their employees through May 31. Yet the long-term season tickets. reckoning is touching the entire entertainment industry.

Even that season is in some doubt as leagues are put in the nearly Ticketmaster, long the target of sports and entertainment fans’ ire, came impossible position of playing along with health officials and under fire for not immediately offering refunds to postponed concerts. epidemiologists to try and project when any games can resume – let Now, it is preparing a refund plan for big-ticket tours such as Taylor Swift alone games in arenas packed tightly with fans. and Billie Eilish that have been cancelled or moved to 2021.

Yet the optics of their next actions regarding paid-for but probably never- The class-action lawsuit filed Monday in California claims that MLB, used tickets may frame how their most loyal fans feel about them. Ticketmaster and other third-party ticket groups “agreed with each other (explicitly or tacitly), and intended that the monies paid (including all Andrew Katers already feels disillusioned. A small-business owner who ancillary costs) by Class members for MLB 2020 tickets not be refunded has held season tickets for about 10 years, he was (in part or in full) in violation of California consumer and other laws.” startled to find his first post-shutdown communication from the team was an email toward the end of March indicating he’d be charged for a MLB, saying it does not comment on pending litigation, declined to second installment of 2020-21 tickets on April 1. respond.

To which Katers thought, well, what about the eight games remaining for As April gives way to May, and the Centers for Disease Control and this year – let alone the economic duress many ticketholders are in? Prevention likely extend the recommendation against gatherings of more than 50 people beyond May 10, the inertia doesn’t figure to last. MLB, the “It was a little distasteful,” says Katers, a native of Australia. “I told our NHL and NBA will have to further consider the effects on their 2021 ticket rep, I realize it’s just an organizational email and you’re not seasons should they try to jam in full schedules and playoffs in 2020. responsible, but that I found it insensitive they were going to ding our credit cards while we have games not being used. Their fans understand this. They also have their limits.

“There are many who would find this a burden to pay, when there are “These franchises are owned by the 1-percenters,” says Katers, “and we many Nugget fans out of work. They should have given it more of a look need to know where our money is going, and who are you helping with before sending it out in this environment.” it? Don’t treat your season-ticket holders like they’re a given.

While NHL spokesperson John Dellapina said ticketing practices and “Because we’re as fickle as anybody else.” policies are left up to individual teams, MLB and NBA teams are taking direction from league offices, who have opted not to cancel games, but USA TODAY LOADED: 04.24.2020 rather continue classifying them as “postponed.”

The leagues' position is defensible, in that nobody truly knows if some, all, or no games on the dockets will be played. But it also enables clubs to hang on to ticket revenue at a time when 26 million Americans have filed for unemployment in the past five weeks.

MLB is nearly a month removed from its originally scheduled March 26 opening day, and teams have seen an average of 13 games postponed, or about 15% of an 81-game home schedule.

For now, the league is counseling its teams to treat the games like rainouts, to encourage fans to retain tickets while letting them know they hope to play as many games as possible, according to a baseball official familiar with MLB’s strategy. The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

NBA officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 1183431 World Leagues News Tokyo 2020 organisers received the Olympic flame in a scaled-down handover ceremony in the Greek capital on March 19.

ATHLETICS European Athletics Championship CANCELLED altogether this summer The World Athletics Indoor Championships, which was due to be held from March 13-15 in Nanjing, is postponed until March 2021.

Riath Al-Samarrai The World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, has been postponed due to concerns over the danger of the coronavirus and its ability to spread 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES North Korea cancelled the Pyongyang Marathon scheduled for April after The 2020 Olympic Games has been postponed until 2021 on March 24 - imposing a border lockdown due to the level of outbreak in South Korea, becoming one of the last major sporting events this summer to fall victim where the Seoul Marathon is cancelled in a bid to protect runners. to the coronavirus. The half-marathon is cancelled and the French government also Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe held a crucial conference call with decided to ban all public gatherings of more than 100 people, before Olympics chief Thomas Bach on Tuesday to formally decide a plan and ordering people to stay at home from March 15 for at least 15 days. The they have chosen to postpone for 12 months. race involving some 44,000 competitors was scheduled for Sunday March 1. Organisers said the race will be postponed to a date yet to be The decision also means the Tokyo Paralympic Games will be subject to determined. a one-year delay. The Marathon, which had been scheduled to take place on April Despite the delay, the name of the delayed Games will still be Tokyo 26, has been postponed until October 4. Over 40,000 runners were due 2020, the city's governor Yuriko Koike revealed. to take part. A joint statement from the IOC and Tokyo 2020 organising committee The Barcelona marathon scheduled for March 15 has been postponed read: 'In the present circumstances and based on the information until October. provided by the WHO today, the IOC President and the Prime Minister of Japan have concluded that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo BOXING must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic boxing qualifiers to be staged in Wuhan were cancelled by the Olympic Games and the international community. International Olympic Committee, but went ahead in Amman from March 3-11. 'The leaders agreed that the Olympic Games in Tokyo could stand as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times and that the The IBF title fight between Daniele Scardina and Andrew Francillette in Olympic flame could become the light at the end of the tunnel in which Milan on February 28 was postponed by Matchroom due to restrictions in the world finds itself at present. Italy following the outbreak.

'Therefore, it was agreed that the Olympic flame will stay in Japan. It was The Japanese boxing commission cancelled all fight cards scheduled for also agreed that the Games will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic March on government advice to suspend all pending sporting fixtures. Games Tokyo 2020.' They will not be rescheduled.

There was plenty of scepticism whether the Olympics would pull through Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce's Battle of Britain has been pushed back and continue as scheduled while events linked to the games were called from April to July off. The Olympic torch relay in Greece was cancelled on Friday March 13 The British Boxing Board of Control announced on Tuesday March 17 - just a day after the flame was lit in Olympia. that all boxing events under their jurisdiction for March will be postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have been postponed by one year due to due to the coronavirus. the coronavirus That decision has lead to the clash between Daniel Dubois Large crowds mobbed Hollywood actor Gerard Butler as he lit the and Joe Joyce being postponed. That fight, which had been penciled in cauldron in the Greek city of Sparta despite repeated warnings for for April 11, has been rescheduled for July 11 at the O2 Arena. spectators not to attend because of coronavirus. , who was due to fight Lyndon Arthur on the undercard of That forced the decision by the Greek Olympic Committee to halt the the all-British clash, announced on March 29 that his father had died as a torch relay on Greek soil on just the second day of its scheduled eight- result of contracting the coronavirus. day journey. It is the only the third time that a relay to Athens for the He revealed in an Instagram post that he had no underlying health issues summer Games has not been completed. and urged everyone to stay at home.

The Olympic flame will still be handed over to the Tokyo 2020 organising Matchroom Boxing has also postponed all events scheduled for March committee at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on Thursday March 19, and April, including Josh Kelly's European title fight against Russia's but without fans present. David Avanesyan (scheduled for March 28).

Athletes were told to keep training but many struggled considering the The European Olympic boxing qualification tournament in London has government lock-down measures put in place. been suspended. It was due to secure qualification for Tokyo 2020 for 77 On Friday March 13 US president Donald Trump's suggestion to male and female boxers, with 322 taking part. postpone the Tokyo Olympics for a year because of the coronavirus was Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn has said Anthony Joshua's immediately shot down by Japan's Olympic minister. heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev, which is scheduled for 'The IOC and the organising committee are not considering cancellation June 20, could be rearranged for July. All Matchroom promoted fights in or a postponement - absolutely not at all,' Seiko Hashimoto, an Olympic March and April have been postponed. bronze medalist, told a news conference in Tokyo. Canelo Alvarez vs Billy Joe Saunders, earmarked for May in Las Vegas, On Tuesday March 17, Kozo Tashima, one of the Japanese Olympic was postponed before even being announced, however the Mexican is Committee's vice presidents and president of the Japanese Football reportedly still planning to make the bout happen in June. Association, tested positive for coronavirus. CRICKET

The International Olympic Committee and Tokyo organisers have stayed England's tour of Sri Lanka was postponed on March 13, with the on message since the viral outbreak in China three months ago spread England and Wales Cricket Board citing 'completely unprecedented across Asia and then the globe: The games will open as scheduled on times'. July 24. The decision was confirmed while Joe Root's side were in the field at All Chinese domestic fixtures at all levels were postponed and the Colombo's P Sara Oval, contesting a warm-up game for a two-Test season pushed back, the first football to be affected by the outbreak in series. the country of its origin. However, reports suggest that the league could resume on April 18 as China gets to grip with the virus. On March 18, the West Indies offered to host England's upcoming home Tests against them in the Caribbean instead of in the UK - should the Asian Champions League matches involving Guangzhou Evergrande, coronavirus outbreak not have improved by then. England are due to Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai SIPG are postponed until April. face the Windies in a a three-Test series, which is due to start at the Oval on June 4 but could be delayed until September. If playing the series in The start of the Korean K-League season is postponed. The four teams England proves unworkable, CWI have offered to step in for this series, in the AFC Champions League are playing their matches behind closed and also for England's three Tests against Pakistan, due to start on July doors. 30. Although there are Covid-19 cases in the Caribbean, its impact there Japan's J-League postponed all domestic games until the middle of has been limited so far. March, but further delays are inevitable.

The start of the Indian Premier League season has also been delayed Ludogorets players were taking no chances after the coronavirus until April 15. The 2020 campaign had been set to start on March 29. The outbreak in Italy IPL franchises are also ready to quarantine their foreign players for a period of 14 days, if travel restrictions are lifted to allow them to arrive. Italy, the country worst hit by the virus outside China, suffered a spate of cancellations before the government put the population on lockdown. All On March 13, India's ongoing one-day international series against South sport, including Serie A games, were suspended until at least April 3 to Africa was postponed, while Australia's one-day internationals against contain the virus. New Zealand will be played behind closed doors. In , it was announced on Friday 13 March that there will be no top- Scotland's one-day series against the United States and UAE have been flight football in France for the immediate future after their governing postponed. The games were scheduled to be played in Florida in April. body postponed all matches.

England’s cricketers would not play any rescheduled Test series against In Spain, April 18's Copa del Rey final between between Athletic Bilbao West Indies in the Caribbean until December at the earliest, it emerged and Real Sociedad has been postponed. LaLiga is also postponed until on March 19. the end of March at least.

CYCLING Germany's Bundesliga, the other major European league, is also Cycling's Giro d'Italia has been called off, with the race scheduled to start suspended until April 3 at least. in Hungary in May. The Dutch and Portugal's Primeira Liga are also suspended.

The final two stages of the UAE Tour were cancelled after two members The Football Association of Ireland announced that all football under its of staff on the race were suspected of having the disease. jurisdiction will cease until March 29.

Danish cyclist Michael Morkov was tested for coronavirus after being put Major League Soccer has been suspended for 30 days until mid-April in isolation with David Beckham's first Inter home game delayed.

The Tour de France is under threat of cancellation, with the scheduled The South American Football Confederation postponed this year's Copa start in Nice taking place in just over three months, on June 27. With America, due to take place from 12 June to 12 July, until 2021. British and French governments anticipating that the pandemic will last until the summer, race organizers are studying alternative scheduling. FIFA said that the newly-expanded Club World Cup, originally scheduled to take place in China in June 2021, will be postponed and a new date The Paris-Roubaix cycling race, another major event on the French announced when 'there is more clarity on the situation'. sports calendar, was postponed due to the pandemic, while the April 5 Tour of Flanders, only previously cancelled during World War I, was also On March 13, the FA announced that all of England's games scheduled postponed in a further sign that Le Tour is under grave threat. for the month would be postponed, including those of development teams. It means that England's friendlies with Italy and Denmark have FOOTBALL been called off.

This summer's Euro 2020 tournament has been moved to next summer Euro 2020 play-off matches due to be held on March 26, including (2021) following a UEFA conference held on March 17. The Scotland v Israel have been put off until June. postponement provides a chance for European club competitions to be completed. Olympiakos' owner Evangelos Marinakis has tested positive for the coronavirus All football in England is suspended until at least April 30 - but the 2019- 20 season should eventually be completed after the FA bend their own Manchester United clash at Austrian side Lask was behind closed doors, rules to extend the campaign INDEFINITELY after holding crisis talks on with United handing out £350 to each fan to help with travel and March 19. accommodation after they sold 900 tickets for the Europa League game.

The decisions to suspend follows players and staff becoming affected by Newcastle United banned their players from shaking hands with each the virus, or individuals self-isolating as a precaution after reporting other amid coronavirus fears. symptoms consistent with Covid-19. Cristiano Ronaldo went into isolation in Madeira after it emerged that his The Premier League has moved to cancel games following the global Juventus team-mate, Daniele Rugani, has coronavirus. Squad members outbreak of coronavius Blaise Matuidi and Paolo Dybala also tested positive.

The Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal, Elsewhere in Italy, Fiorentina striker Patrick Cutrone, who is on loan from scheduled for March 11, had already been postponed as a 'precautionary Wolverhampton Wanderers, tested positive for coronavirus. measure' after Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos In Spain, 35% of Valencia's squad staff tested positive for coronavirus, Marinakis tested positive for coronavirus weeks after watching his Greek with all cases being asymptomatic. team play at the Emirates Stadium. Real Madrid's first-team squad were in quarantine after a member of the On March 13, UEFA announced all Champions League and Europa basketball team tested positive for Covid-19. The two teams share the League fixtures scheduled are postponed, as well as the quarter-final same training facility. draws for both competitions. UEFA hope to conclude the competitions in the summer but no dates are yet set. Liverpool have announced a charity match between a Reds Legends side and Barcelona Legends, due to be played at Anfield on March 28, Birmingham City become the first Championship side to see players take has been postponed. temporary 50 per cent wage cuts to ease financial pressure. United soon followed in a bid to keep paying all of their non-football staff. FIFA says it will postpone South American World Cup qualifying matches due to take place in March. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for coronavirus on March The European Tour have cancelled all tournaments until the popular 12 with the entire first-team squad being put into isolation. The Gunners' Made in Denmark event on May 21. Many of them were due to be held in game against Brighton, scheduled for Saturday March 14, has been China or east Asia in countries badly hit by the outbreak. postponed. The women's game has also been hit by postponements and In the early hours of Friday, March 13, Chelsea announced that winger cancellations, with the year's first major, the ANA Inspiration, the highest Callum Hudson-Odoi had been diagnosed with the illness. profile casualty.

The club's first team went into self-isolation, while two buildings at their The Masters has been postponed for the first time since the Second training ground in Cobham were closed. World War

Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Manchester Lorenzo Gagli and Edoardo Molinari were withdrawn from the Oman City, have sent players home to train alone following the British Open on medical grounds after Gagli showed symptoms of the virus. He government's increasing crackdown on mass gatherings and shared a hotel room with Molinari and he was told to self-isolate. They unnecessary social contact. were later reinstated to the tournament after testing negative for the virus. West Ham chief Karren Brady called for the season to be null and void while Aston Villa believe no team should be relegated. In this situation HORSE RACING Liverpool, the runaway league leaders, could face the horror of being denied the title despite being on the brink of securing their first league The Grand National was called off following new British government trophy in nearly 30 years. restrictions to fight the spread of coronavirus made it impossible to stage the Aintree showpiece on April 4. The Cheltenham Festival went ahead Reports suggest football bodies across England and the rest of Europe amid some criticism before the social distancing measures were are bracing themselves for a reported total shutdown of every league tightened. until September. The Japan Racing Association revealed that 'government-sanctioned Top-level English and Scottish football was initially suspended until April races' will go ahead behind closed doors. 3 at the earliest. The Football Association, the Premier League, the English Football League, FA Women's Super League and FA Women's Racing in Ireland attempted to take place behind closed doors starting on Championship all agreed to call a halt to competitive action with March 29 - but that decision was changed after government cancelled all immediate effect. sporting events.

All levels of English football below the National League North and South The Dubai World Cup meeting will go ahead on March 28 'without paid have been called off and voided with no promotion and relegation due to hospitality spectators'. the calendar being decimated by the coronavirus outbreak. Racing Post forced to temporarily suspend publication of the flagship FORMULA ONE daily racing newspaper for the first time since their inception in 1986 due to all action in UK and Ireland being suspended. The season-opening Australian Grand Prix was called off after a McLaren team member came down with Covid-19, leading to the British The Cheltenham Festival went ahead despite travel disruption caused by team pulling out prior to a decision being made on whether the race the virus would still go ahead. RUGBY

The announcement came hours after Lewis Hamilton said it was This year's Six Nations will have to wait for its conclusion with all 'shocking' that the race was going ahead. remaining games postponed.

The Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on April 19 was the first race to be England's game with Italy and Ireland's trip to France had already been postponed, with no decision over whether it will be reinserted into the called off with Wales and Scotland leaving it until the day before before 2020 calendar for later in the season. calling off their game.

The Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for March 20-22, is also called off, as Saturday, 31 October is a possible date for the final weekend of matches. is the inaugural Vietnam Grand Prix, which was scheduled to take place in Hanoi on April 5. The Women's Six Nations has also been hit by postponements.

It was hoped that the Dutch Grand Prix on May 3 would be the first race Ireland's Six Nations encounter with Italy on March 7 has been of the new season but that has also been postponed due to Covid-19. postponed

The iconic Monaco Grand Prix on May 24 was cancelled for the first time The RFU has suspended all levels of rugby in England until April 14, with in 66 years before Formula One announced their race in Azerbaijan had the announcement coming shortly after the Premiership was halted for been postponed. five weeks.

The Chinese GP was first to be cancelled and other races could yet The quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup follow that lead have also been postponed. Those games were scheduled for April 3, 4 and 5. GOLF The RFL and rugby league's Super League have now followed suit and On March 13, the Masters was postponed. In a statement released postponed all fixtures for at least three weeks. Eight Leeds Rhinos online, Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, players had been confirmed to be self-isolating. emphasised that the decision makers hope to hold the championship 'at some later date'. The first men's major of the year was due to begin on TENNIS April 9. Wimbledon has been cancelled for the first time since World War II as All The US PGA Championship, the second major of the year, has now England Club chiefs called the tournament off at an emergency meeting. joined the Masters in being postponed. It had been due to take place at It was considered impossible for the tournament to be moved back to TPC Harding Park in San Francisco from May 11-17, but has been later in the year, or to be played without fans, and so chiefs have pulled rescheduled for later this summer. the plug entirely. After deciding to play with no spectators from the second round of the This is the first time that Wimbledon will not be staged since 1945. Only Players Championship onwards, the PGA Tour cancelled the event one Grand Slam has missed a year since the war, the 1986 Australian entirely after the first round on March 12. Open, and that was for the technical reason of the date shifting forward They also scrapped the following three events leading up to the Masters, from December into January. but after that was cancelled four further events in April and May – the The French Open, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, is RBC Heritage, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the Wells Fargo postponed until September amid a wide lockdown in France. Championship and the AT&T Byron Nelson - also bit the dust. It is hoped that the season can be resumed in late May. The clay-court major was scheduled for May 24 to June 7, but that has Doubts remain as the Asian weightlifting championships, scheduled for shifted to September 20 to October 4, after the US Open, which was due March, are relocated from Kazakhstan to neighbouring . They to be the final major of the year. could still be postponed.

Players have been quick to criticise the move, which has created a MAILONLINE LOADED: 04.24.2020 conflict with the Laver Cup men’s team event spearheaded by Roger Federer, and a women’s tournament in China.

All events on the ATP Tour have been suspended for six weeks.

The BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in California, set to start on March 9, was postponed at the eleventh hour. It came after a confirmed case of the coronavirus in the nearby Coachella Valley.

The final of an ATP Challenger event in Bergamo, Italy, between Enzo Couacaud and Illya Marchenko of was cancelled. Both players received ranking points and prize money for getting to the final. They were denied the opportunity to play behind closed doors.

China forfeited a Davis Cup tie because the men's team were unable to travel to Romania for the March 6-7 play-off.

WTA events have also been cancelled. The WTA announced they are assessing their schedule with a number of events set for China in the second half of the season.

The International Tennis Federation has announced that the Fed Cup finals have been postponed. The event was due to be held in Budapest in April and the competition's play-offs, which were set to take place in eight different locations, have also been placed on hold.

The WTA also announced no tournaments will be staged for at least five weeks.

Wimbledon has been cancelled for the first time since World War II

OTHER SPORTS

The NBA has been suspended indefinitely after two Utah Jazz players contracted the virus. On March 17 star Kevin Durant confirmed he had tested positive for the virus alongside three unnamed team-mates.

In an aid to decrease risks of exposure to the virus, the NBA had told players to avoid taking items such as pens, markers, balls and jerseys from autograph seekers.

The NHL has announced it has paused the 2019-20 season with no date confirmed for when it will resume.

The UFC has cancelled its next three events, although president Dana White is still pushing ahead for the highly-anticipated lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.

MotoGP have cancelled their first two races of the season in Qatar and Thailand.

South Korea's baseball league cancelled all 50 pre-season game which were slated to take place from March 14-24. It is the first time since the leagues inception in 1982 that an entire set of exhibition matches are off.

The first-stage draw for the Table Tennis World Championships, scheduled for South Korea from March 22-29, is postponed.

A beach volleyball tournament, due to be held in Yangzhou from April 22- 26, is postponed until after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

World Short track speed skating championship in Seoul is cancelled.

The World Triathlon Series event in Abu Dhabi was postponed as a precautionary measure.

The Women's World Championships in Canada have been cancelled.

All 72 pre-season baseball games in Japan are to take place behind closed doors

In badminton, the German Open (March 3-8), Vietnam Open (March 24- 29) and Polish Open (March 26-29), all Olympic qualifying events, are cancelled due to 'strict health protection'.

The Japanese professional baseball league made the decision to play their 72 pre-season games behind closed doors until March 15. Baseball is among the most popular sports in Japan. 1183432 World Leagues News

ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay to miss broadcast with coronavirus

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

APRIL 23, 2020 AT 2:59 PM

One of the NFL Draft’s most respected experts won’t be giving his live analysis of picks during the event that begins Thursday and runs through Saturday.

ESPN’s Todd McShay is at home and recovering from coronavirus that had already greatly impacted the broadcast of the 2020 draft. He announced on Twitter that he is grateful for the support of his colleagues and healthcare workers and he will watch the draft from home. pic.twitter.com/d5ZNqgwEqJ

— Todd McShay (@McShay13) April 23, 2020

McShay also made sure to take a jab at fellow ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. The pair have a $5,000 bet on which of quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Jordan Love will be picked first.

ESPN’s and NFL Network’s coverage of the draft had already been greatly affected by coronavirus.

“It’s unprecedented as far as having all of these people not be in one spot,” Seth Markman, ESPN’s vice president of production, told CNN Business. “The amount of feeds we’re going to get coming into our building, we’ve never seen anything like it. How do we communicate with all those people? How do we choose the best shots?

“There’s a lot of variables and I think until Thursday night actually happens, it’s hard to tell exactly how this is all going to work out.”

With the draft plans along the Las Vegas strip scrapped because of social distancing practices to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the TV networks will lean on remote cameras for not only prospects but television hosts and analysts.

ARIZONA SPORTS LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183433 World Leagues News

Programs and coaches that have taken financial cuts because of the coronavirus pandemic

Barrett Sallee

The coronavirus pandemic has caused massive disruptions around the globe, and the college football world is no exception. Spring practices and spring games were canceled, football-related activities have been shut down and the recruiting calendar has been disrupted after the NCAA implemented an emergency dead period as people around the country shelter-in-place.

The status of the 2020 college football season hangs in the balance, and schools depend on football for the financial solvency of their athletic departments. Coaches have seen their bank accounts take hits as a result of concerns stemming from the concerns over the start of the season.

"If this starts to bleed into the fall and this starts to impact football, this is really going to be a transformative event for the industry as a whole," Zach Maurides, CEO of Teamworks, told CBS Sports senior writer Dennis Dodd.

Which coaches have seen their paychecks cut? Here's a look at the growing list of names.

ACC

Louisville: Head coach Scott Satterfield (10%)

Syracuse: Head coach Dino Babers (10%)

Wake Forest: Head coach Dave Clawson (10%)

Big 12

Iowa State: Head coach Matt Campbell (One-year pay reduction, suspension of bonuses and incentives)

Pac-12

Colorado: Head coach Karl Dorrell (10%)

Washington State: Head coach Nick Rolovich (5% pay cut and suspension of bonuses and/or incentives)

SEC

Missouri: Head coach Eli Drinkwitz (10%)

Mountain West

Boise State: Football staff furloughed (7-10 days)

CBS Sports LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183434 World Leagues News “I do think sport, as it’s done in the past, will be very important in terms of galvanizing and getting us back to normal,” Wildhack said. “It’ll be well received. It’ll be embraced by people. You can see that people miss Syracuse AD John Wildhack talks financial impact of coronavirus, says sports.” no discussion of eliminating sports syracuse.com LOADED: 04.24.2020

By Chris Carlson | [email protected]

Syracuse, N.Y. — The decisions made by some college athletic departments across the country as they prepare to handle the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic have been severe.

Old Dominion has dropped its wrestling program. Cincinnati has shuttered men’s soccer. Even Power Five programs haven’t been immune. Louisville’s athletic department cut 40 positions and furloughed 45 other employees for between two and three months.

Schools have already lost out on the annual payout provided by the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, which was canceled. The future of this fall’s college football season is one of the sports world’s biggest discussions and a financial uncertainty.

So far the fallout at Syracuse appears to have been much more manageable, and the school has taken actions that indicate there’s no panic.

“I’ve spent a tremendous amount of time on our budget with our senior leadership team in athletics,” Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack said on Thursday. “You try to identify where the risks are and quantify what those risks could be. So much is unknown at this point in time. But we were able to realize significant savings from the cancellation of spring sports. Our staff has been diligent about trying to manage our expenses. You’ve got to build a variety of budget contingencies.”

Wildhack and five of the school’s most well-compensated coaches took voluntary pay cuts of 10%.

That — along with some cost-containment measures that Wildhack did not go into great detail about — sound like the extent of the changes the Syracuse athletic department has planned for the moment.

“I need to salute coaches (Dino) Babers, (Jim) Boeheim, (Quentin) Hillsman, (Gary) Gait and (John) Desko because when I had conversations with them individually over the weekend they were very quick to volunteer and say I’m willing and I’m able to help,” Wildhack said. “I salute those five coaches. When the chancellor approached me about taking a reduction, I immediately said yes as well because leaders should set the example. That’s where we are at this point. Just those reductions. We put other cost-controls in place. It’s all designed so the impact on our staff is as limited as absolutely possible.”

Wildhack said he has had no conversations about eliminating sports. Syracuse’s efficiency is likely enhanced by the fact that it has just 16 programs (this number combines cross country and track and field), a relatively low number compared to many Power Five (Big Ten, SEC, ACC, Big 12, Pac-12) schools.

“We’ve had no discussion at all in terms of eliminating sports,” Wildhack said. “We run an efficient operation here, which we should. There’s been no discussion at all of eliminating sports.”

The school has offered seniors from its spring sports programs that were granted an extra year of eligibility the opportunity to return next year as long as they were in good academic standing.

WIldhack said 28 seniors in spring sports have expressed an interest in returning. The NCAA has granted those athletes an extra year of eligibility and allowed schools to carry more athletes on scholarship.

While Wildhack said the school is supporting the choices of athletes who want to return (some schools, most notably Wisconsin, are not) he did not guarantee they’d receive the same level of financial aid as they did last year. He said the school would try to make things “comparable to the best of our ability."

Wildhack noted the school will make efforts to be flexible and provide more payment options for fans who are purchasing season tickets during a time of financial stress. He also said he expects the school will continue to stress the importance of mobile ticketing, a shift that the school emphasized last year. 1183435 World Leagues News

Tom Brady Auction Among Continued Efforts By Tampa Bay Pro Sports In Fight Against Coronavirus

Tom Layberger

Tampa Bay’s professional sports teams and athletes continue to do their part in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is among several celebrities taking part in the All-In-Challenge auction platform organized by Fanatics to help children in need, the elderly and front-line workers.

The winner of Brady’s auction, which concludes April 28, will attend (along with three guests) the Bucs’ home opener, receive a game-used jersey and cleats worn by the quarterback as well as either a post-game dinner or a private workout with Brady.

Earlier this month Brady and his wife, Gisele Bundchen, donated funds to Feeding Tampa Bay for 750,000 meals.

The Glazer family, owners of the Buccaneers, donated five million meals to Feeding Tampa Bay, which serves several counties in west central Florida.

One of the receivers Brady will be targeting this season, Mike Evans, donated $100,000 with half going to the United Way Suncoast in Tampa and the other half assisting his native Galveston, Texas.

Several Buccaneers players have been aiding Metropolitan Ministries by purchasing meals from local restaurants, helping those businesses in the process, and delivering them to the non-profit.

Former Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston and WWE superstar Thaddeus Bullard, a.k.a Titus O’Neil, each donated $25,000 to Metropolitan Ministries to provide food for families.

The Rays and the Rowdies, which the MLB team owns, are jointly allocating $1 million to non-profit organizations throughout the Tampa Bay region with $700,000 having been committed as of April 17. The teams have also established a COVID-19 Relief Grant program to assist organizations with 501(c)(3) status that focus on, among other things, hunger relief and shelter, and are being impacted by the pandemic.

The Rays/Rowdies donated $250,000 to Feeding Tampa Bay and launched a virtual food drive that raised $400,000. The Rays also partnered with Papa Johns to deliver pizzas to police officers and nurses working at coronavirus testing centers in the parking lot of Raymond James Stadium, the Buccaneers’ home venue.

Rays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough, his wife, Nicole, and pitching prospect Shane McClanahan treated staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa to breakfast.

The Rays/Rowdies, Lightning and Buccaneers each contributed $100,000 to a fund established by the city of Tampa to help residents and small businesses.

Bryce Huffman, an employee of Vinik Sport Group, the parent of the Lightning, has been spending of his time producing 3D masks and donating them to The Spring of Tampa Bay, which provides support and services to domestic violence victims.

The Vinik Family Foundation, headed by Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and his wife, Penny, donated $300,000 to Metropolitan Ministries for meals and $50,000 to the University of South Florida’s USF United Support Fund to help students with rent and obtain essential supplies.

Last month, the team’s players pledged to donate 500,000 meals through Feeding Tampa Bay. Along with corporate sponsor Mosaic, a Tampa- based phosphate mining company, the team donated $200,000 to 14 Tampa Bay area food banks through its Goals for Food program. forbes.com LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183436 World Leagues News In the absence of any tennis, Murray has been isolating at home in Surrey near London with his wife and three kids.

Outside of hopping on Instagram Live calls with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray predicts tennis will be 'one of the last sports to get back to Rafael Nadal, the two-time Wimbledon winner has been catching up on normality' experiences he missed out on when traveling for international tennis tournaments.

By Christina Macfarlane and Ben Morse, CNN "When you're traveling, you often miss (events) like the first time that maybe your kids walk, that they crawl and things like that," he explained. "We got some bikes for our kids and they basically cycled for the first time on their own. (CNN)As tennis tournaments are forced to push back their starting dates because of the coronavirus pandemic, Andy Murray says tennis will be "They've done a little bit of swimming without holding on to their mom or "one of the last sports to get back to normality." their dad for the first time and things like that which, they might seem like small things, but to a parent, they aren't." The tennis calendar has been severely disrupted by the spread of Covid- 19, with Wimbledon canceled, the French Open postponed until CNN LOADED: 04.24.2020 September, and US Open officials "monitoring the situation."

International travel has ground to a halt to slow the spread of the virus and because of the industry's global footprint, three-time grand slam winner Murray thinks tennis fans will have to wait to watch their beloved sport.

"If you took the French Open, let's say things in Europe have improved, but there are certain countries that might still have issues," Murray told CNN's Christina Macfarlane.

"Let's say it was still an issue in South America, for example, and France was not allowing flights in from South America or certain countries.

"And you then have a tournament basically where people or players from a certain continent or countries are not allowed to come in to compete. I think the tournament loses."

Murray added that we'd have to feel as though "the whole world is working normally and traveling normally" again before tennis can come back, "especially the major competitions."

Doing more

Having watched how quickly the virus has spread in Britain without the ability to test every case, Murray is uncertain if he too has been infected.

"I was a little bit sick for two or three days about four weeks ago. So actually, before the beginning of when the quarantine started, I was sort of isolating for probably four or five days before that," said Murray.

"Most people I've spoken to have had some sort of symptoms and felt a little bit sick, but it's quite difficult to know whether you have actually had the virus or not. And obviously, the test should be saved for people that are in severe situations and the frontline NHS workers in this country."

With no competitions taking place, the income of athletes has been impacted. Georgian tennis player Sofia Shapatava recently started an online petition asking for financial help from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for players struggling to pay the bills, which over 2,000 people have signed.

While admitting that the "top 60-70 in the world will be fine," Murray thinks that the distribution of funds to help players who are struggling needs to be "looked at."

"Players ranked 250-300 in the world, it's going to be really, really challenging for them," said Murray, whois currently ranked 129. "And I think in the last few years, there has been some improvements and some changes, but probably not enough.

"Sometimes you see the prize money check for the winner of the grand slams. And it's like, I don't know what it is exactly, but something like $4 million. And could that money be used better and spent elsewhere in the earlier rounds or the qualifying draws or maybe used to grow some of the smaller events?"

Frustrating timing

A hip problem forced Murray to miss almost a year, and in January 2019, the Scot wept in a press conference when he said he intended to retire because of the injury, only to play doubles at Wimbledon later that year.

The former world No.1 had been aiming to make his return at the Miami Open in March before it was canceled.

"I was training to get ready for that and that was going to be a good test. I was fit and feeling pretty strong," said Murray. 1183437 World Leagues News

Coronavirus: Italy's sports minister says decision on return to football will be made 'in coming days'

PUBLISHEDAPR 22, 2020, 11:43 PM SGT

MILAN (AFP) - Italy’s sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora warned on Wednesday (April 22) that caution was needed as he promised a decision “in the coming days” on whether Italian football clubs can return to training amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Spadafora held a two-hour video-conference with representatives of Italian football, including federation chiefs, professional and amateurs leagues, players and doctors.

“I listened with great attention to the various positions that emerged and in the next few days, after a discussion with the Minister of Health and the Technical Scientific Committee, we will issue the updated provisions regarding the possibility and the procedures for a return to training,” said Spadafora.

All sport in Italy has been suspended for the past six weeks as the country grapples with the Covid-19 crisis which has killed over 25,000 people.

“I can assure you that maintaining a profile of extreme prudence, as I am doing, is the most unpopular position imaginable,” Spadafora later said in a post on Facebook.

“But we have the duty and responsibility to ensure that the whole country, obviously including the world of sport, can soon emerge from this health crisis.

“I am also a fan who misses following my team.

“I was looking forward to the European championships this summer, but they will be postponed, like the Olympics, the Giro d’Italia and all sports competitions in our country.

“It is a huge disappointment, in a much bigger and deeper pain, in an atrocious mourning that has struck our country, Europe, the whole world.”

The 20 Serie A clubs voted unanimously on Tuesday to complete the league season, which has been suspended since March 9.

The federation presented Spadafora with a medical code to allow the resumption of competition.

Players could start training again, in small groups and under strict medical supervision, from May 4, the date on which the government plans to start easing the containment measures.

Matches would start at the end of May or the beginning of June.

Spadafora earlier addressed the Italian Senate on the “gradual resumption” of sports activities, and later held talks with representatives of 19 other Italian federations.

“This restart is necessary because sport is important not only for its economic value but also its social value,” he said.

LOADED: 04.24.2020 1183438 World Leagues News making financial adjustments which are intended to preserve sports and opportunities for student-athletes.”

HOW FRESNO STATE’S 21 SPORTS COMPARES Fresno State president leaves open possibility of eliminating sports programs While the Group of Five commissioners and athletics directors across college athletics are concerned about supporting 16 sports, Fresno State is wondering how it will support 21.

BY ROBERT KUWADA It has eight men’s sports – baseball, basketball, cross country, football, APRIL 21, 2020 05:25 PM golf, tennis, outdoor track and field and wrestling.

It has 13 women’s sports – basketball, cross country, equestrian, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor track and Fresno State President Joseph Castro has been opposed to cutting field, outdoor track and field, volleyball and water polo. Bulldogs sports programs, but with the university and its athletics department struggling due to declining revenues related to the Fresno State is sponsoring more sports than some Power Five coronavirus he left open the possibility of eliminating sports in the future. conference schools that generate far more athletics revenue.

“The pandemic has already affected the university and auxiliary In the Pac-12, Arizona has 18 sports programs and in 2019 generated organization budgets,” Castro said in a statement Tuesday, responding $95.9 million in athletics revenues, according to USA Today. Utah has 18 to questions from The Fresno Bee on the possibility of cutting sports with $91.4 million in revenue, Colorado has 16 with $89.6 million, programs and pay cuts for university and athletics administrators and Washington State has 16 with $65.1 in revenue. coaches. Every one of the Bulldogs’ programs lost money in 2019.

“Like other universities across the nation, we have experienced a Fresno State athletics director Terry Tumey already has warned Bulldogs significant loss of revenue in areas such as dining, housing, parking, coaches of budget cuts next year, with the Mountain West and NCAA athletics, Save Mart Center and other auxiliary operations. In addition, distributions cut by as much as $1.3 million due to the cancellation of the the state of California has delayed its assessment of tax receipts, which NCAA basketball tournament. will delay the final 2020-21 state budget allocation to the California State University until early fall. The Governor’s May revision to the proposed Tumey and the Bulldogs’ coaches are assessing other ways to cut costs 2020-21 state budget will guide our budget planning for next fiscal year. including scheduling and travel, staying closer to home and traveling by bus rather than by air when possible. Fresno State spent $3.6 million on “We have already imposed a pause on virtually all new hiring and ceased team travel in 2019, including air and ground travel, lodging, meals and all business travel and event expenses for the foreseeable future. Other incidentals. options for reducing costs will be considered in the coming weeks and months.” It also could consider pay cuts or furloughs for athletics administrators, staff and coaches. Boise State on Monday announced it was furloughing Fresno State, which restored wrestling and added women’s water polo in employees including coaches with losses due to coronavirus-related 2015, has 21 sports programs. That is among the most in the Mountain cancellations on campus running close to $10 million. West Conference and more than some Power Five conference schools, taxing an athletics department that has struggled to cover its costs. THE FRESNO BEE LOADED: 04.24.2020

In 2019 athletics received $20.9 million in university support with $16.5 million coming from the institution and $4.4 million from student fees, according to financial documents Fresno State submitted to the NCAA.

Revenues for the year were $49.8 million. Total costs were $50.1 million.

With university support likely to be cut and growing questions about how the 2020 football season will shape up, the Bulldogs’ athletics department could have no choice but to trim sports.

Football accounted for more than 60% to 70% of athletics generated revenue including more than $5 million in ticket sales last season.

GROUP OF FIVE ASKS NCAA FOR RELIEF

Commissioners from the Group of Five conferences last week sharpened focus on what life could be like for college athletics departments post- coronavirus, requesting relief from the NCAA on a number of bylaws that govern Division I membership due to the financial impacts of the pandemic.

One of those bylaws is a requirement that schools sponsor 16 sports programs.

In a letter to the NCAA, the Group of Five commissioners including Craig Thompson from the Mountain West also asked the NCAA to relax bylaws on football attendance, football scheduling, athletic aid and summer activities for football and basketball, among others.

The Group of Five cuts have already begun: Old Dominion cut its wrestling program, and Cincinnati eliminated men’s soccer.

“We have been working closely with our membership for the past few weeks developing potential options to address the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Thompson said in a news release. “Other conferences are engaged in the same process and this collaborative request from the Group of Five is intended as the sort of creative alternative these unprecedented times demand.

“The waivers of NCAA legislation would create a permissive environment, allowing each institution and conference across the Division I landscape the necessary flexibility to determine how best to proceed in