-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 8/8/2021 Bruins 1219181 David Krejci’s departure from Bruins means opportunity for others to fill center spots 1219182 Sweeney: Krejci's return to Bruins 'open-ended' 1219183 Will Bruins Listen To Their Fans And Snag Dvorak Off NHL Trade Market? 1219184 Stronger, faster and (mostly) vegan, Blackhawks’ Adam Gaudette has ‘changed who I am as a player’ Colorado Avalanche 1219185 Guest Column: From my perch in Vancouver, things look just fine with the Avs Detroit Red Wings 1219186 Three of Detroit's pro teams converged in Allen Park. A sign of a changing scene? 1219187 A resurgent Zack Kassian could be an important part of the Oilers’ scoring 1219188 TSN’s Craig Button dishes on Kings 2021 , prospect pool 1219189 Rangers can take lesson from Adam Pelech’s new Islanders deal 1219190 Adam Pelech’s Deal with New York Islanders a Golden One for Both SidesPublished 18 hours ago on August 7, 2021 1219191 Monster Contracts for D-Men, Angry Eichel Trade Potentials Tampa Bay Lightning 1219192 Pat Maroon Q&A: On Cup party, Corey Perry, baby and Lightning ‘running it back’ 1219193 Kane case: How do sports leagues investigate allegations? Websites 1219195 Sportsnet.ca / What NHL coaching staffs do to improve during the off-season Winnipeg Jets 1219194 Dylan DeMelo on Brenden Dillon, Nate Schmidt and the emotions of Seattle exposure SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1219181 Will he watch any video of Krejci playing in the Czech Extraliga?

“If there’s chatter that he’s thinking of coming back, obviously we’d watch it,” Cassidy said. “We have a lot of our own stuff to do, watch a lot of our David Krejci’s departure from Bruins means opportunity for others to fill own prospects. If there’s a highlight package someone puts together I’d center spots watch it, for sure.”

UP IN THE AIR

By Matt Porter Will Krejci’s No. 46 ever be retired?

Updated August 7, 2021, 8:35 a.m. If this is it for David Krejci, does No. 46 go to the TD Garden rafters?

I say yes, eventually, but on the Rick Middleton timeline.

These days, much of the clip-curation duty falls to two video Krejci is seventh in assists and games in Bruins history, and eighth in coordinators, four assistant coaches, and a four-person analytics team. points. Since 2011, only Nikita Kucherov (127), Sidney Crosby (109), and But Cassidy recently spent time pulling together footage that best shows Brad Marchand (107) have more playoff points than Playoff Krech, who the Bruins’ style of play in the offensive, defensive, and neutral zones. put up a 35-68—103 line in 129 games. A brilliant two-way player, and When newcomers arrive for training camp next month — or earlier — one of the best playmakers of his era. Fourteen years as a Bruin. Cassidy and his assistants will sit down with them and go over the standards. It may take a while; Middleton was honored some 30 years after he retired, after watching luminaries such as Kaspars Daugavins wear his No doubt, clips of David Krejci will be shown. No. 16.

Though is rightfully seen as the gold standard for Chatting about retired numbers with Bruins radio announcer playing the Bruins’ way, forever anticipating and executing to his late last season, he had Nos. 33 (Zdeno Chara), 37 (Patrice Bergeron), coaches’ delight, Krejci always knew where to be. The consistency his 40 (Tuukka Rask), and 63 (Marchand) as no-doubters. He wasn’t sure longtime No. 2 center displayed is one reason it’s so hard for Cassidy to about Krejci. He noted that productive fan favorites Wayne Cashman (12) project how Charlie Coyle will do as a replacement. and Ken Hodge (8, retired for Cam Neely) aren’t there (nor, I would note, “Bergy will still give us high-end minutes,” Cassidy said. “We know that. are Gerry Cheevers and Tim Thomas, who shared 30). David is the one, he played a big role for us, sometimes quietly. Now all “Krejci spent his whole career here. Hodge didn’t. Cash did,” Beers of a sudden when he’s not here, we’ll probably realize how good a player noted. “I don’t know if Krech gets up there. I think Rask is in. Rask, he was. I think we all knew it. Now we’re going to live it firsthand without Bergy, Marchy — as long as he keeps going, no question. And Z, as that 1-2 punch.” soon as he retires.”

A Taylor Hall-Coyle-Craig Smith line could be productive, in theory. Coyle By the way, Chara, training in Slovakia, hasn’t decided whether to play clicked with Smith in training camp. Cassidy felt those two and the another season. departed Nick Ritchie (Toronto) were one of his strongest lines entering the season. Hall instantly meshed with Krejci upon arrival, but if ETC. recovered from offseason knee surgery, Coyle could rediscover his game as a physical, puck-possessing, righthanded distributor. Hall would bring Kane puts Sharks in a tough spot the speed and stickhandling and zone entries. Smith would do the dirty A few months back, one agent who has clients on the Sharks said of work and have a finger on the “shoot” button. Evander Kane’s off-putting personality: “That guy walks into a room and “He’ll be excited for that opportunity,” Cassidy said of Coyle. “I mean, the flowers wilt.” why wouldn’t you be? You get some extra minutes, you’re moving up in The Athletic reported this past week that several of Kane’s San Jose the lineup, a little more ask of the offensive side of things.” teammates don’t want to play with him despite his production (team-high That’s the theme of this offseason, opportunity. For Coyle, for Erik Haula, 22 goals and 49 points in 56 games last season). This comes on the who could center a resurgent Jake DeBrusk and hard-to-play-against heels of allegations from Kane’s estranged wife that he bet on games he Nick Foligno on the No. 3 line. For , who will challenge played in. Curtis Lazar and Tomas Nosek for the No. 4 center role. When filing for bankruptcy in January, Kane, 30, claimed gambling losses In Cassidy’s opinion, the in the forward unit is Jack Studnicka, of $1.5 million over the previous year. The collective bargaining who played 31 games last season between Boston (1-2—3 in 20 games) agreement between the NHL and NHLPA prohibits gambling on any NHL and Providence. He has added some 10 pounds and could play at 6 feet game. A reminder is posted in every dressing room. 1 inch and 185 pounds. As a right shot, is he a second-line candidate? But count me as skeptical that Kane, who has made no secret of his love Can he hold down a No. 3 center spot, or play the wing? for gambling, was throwing Sharks games. He certainly wasn’t betting on “Last year he didn’t play a lot of hockey,” Cassidy said, “but it has them to lose, given the season he submitted. It’s difficult to see how one allowed him to get stronger in the gym.” left wing could so greatly affect the performance of 17 other skaters and a goalie. So it has gone for all NHL hopefuls over the last year and a half, with ice time limited during a critical growth period. Cassidy liked the size of the The Sharks are in a tough spot. Kane will make $7 million each of the prospects at the team’s development camp in Brighton this past week, next four years, with a three-team trade list. They have $26.5 million in including 2018 fourth-rounder Curtis Hall (6-4, 216 pounds), who has cap space tied up in Brent Burns (unrestricted free agent in 2025), Marc- grown a couple inches and put on 15 pounds since he was drafted. Edouard Vlasic (2026), and Erik Karlsson (2027). A prudent move would Whether Hall, or 6-3, 209-pound Johnny Beecher (30th overall, 2019) be to deal UFA-to-be Tomas Hertl, rather than give the 27-year-old a ever slide into the middle of the Boston lineup will be determined by the raise on his expiring $5.625 million deal. finish they add to their framework. Trading for Karlsson in September 2018 was supposed to get the Sharks Meanwhile, the Bruins will monitor how Krejci fares with HC Olomouc, his over the hump, but it looks like the furthest this core will get was the Cup hometown Czech club. Final in 2016. A tough situation for a group that’s experienced a lot of close — eight 100-point seasons, four conference finals — since Joe Cassidy, while reasoning that the team might be “humming along” in a Thornton arrived in November 2005. Without Thornton last season, they post-Krejci season and wouldn’t want to mess with the lineup, finished 26th in the NHL, their worst showing since finishing second-to- acknowledged recently that a Krejci return in late April or early May is a last in 1997. That finish landed them Patrick Marleau at No. 2 overall that “definite possibility” if they haven’t found the right mix. summer, one spot after the dead-last Bruins picked Thornton.

“I think it could happen,” Cassidy said. “I’m not going to speculate This year’s first-rounder, Swedish winger William Eklund (No. 7 overall), because I don’t know what he wants to do. But I think we all know he’s is a few years away. The Sharks’ return to relevance will be even further got some good hockey left in him, so it might be something he chooses off. To not have a teammate pulling on the rope has to make it tougher. to do.” Kane strongly denied his soon-to-be-ex’s accusations, saying he was going against advice of his legal counsel to do so. But if he comes to the game angry. Many players are like that, Zadorov said. has to move Kane, he likely isn’t getting a haul in return. But MacKinnon is different. More pain is ahead. “He’s crazy that way at the moment he just sees red, and can’t control Salary cap could rise in 2022 himself, then he comes back to earth,” Zadorov said. “It’s all because of the competitor he is. Personally, it energizes me being around him.” The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported the NHL is projecting a $1 million bump in the salary camp, to $82.5 million, in advance of the 2022- Zadorov, acquired from the Blackhawks for a third-round pick, was one of 23 season. 17 players to file for salary arbitration. Others include Nashville starting netminder Juuse Saros, Pittsburgh defensive stalwart Zach Aston-Reese, Come October, the league will begin a third straight season with the and new Seattle acquisition Vince Dunn. Sportsnet reported that, for the cap’s upper limit frozen at $81.5 million. Seravalli reported the NHL first time in recent memory, two clubs requested arbitration: Minnesota projects $4.8 billion in revenue for this upcoming year, a figure boosted with Kevin Fiala, and Philadelphia (Travis Sanheim). by new TV deals with Disney (ESPN) and Warner Media (Turner Sports), plus expansion fees from the Seattle Kraken. Loose pucks

That the revenue remains shy of pre-pandemic revenue figures ($4.9 Winnipeg's Pierre-Luc Dubois changed his number from 13 to 80 to billion in 2019-20) with all that extra juice, Seravalli noted, suggests the honor former teammate Matiss Kivlenieks.MINAS league believes its buildings won’t be full for at least some of the year. PANAGIOTAKIS/GETTY

The extra salary-cap room should help the Bruins, who will need to pay Though many players approved of the idea, the NHL didn’t roll out a arbitration-eligible restricted free agent Charlie McAvoy next summer, -style schedule that was popular during the pandemic last and unrestricted free agent David Pastrnak before July 2023. season. The Bruins have one home-road back-to-back, against the Rangers in late April. “I’m surprised they didn’t want to go down that Laine in need of reboot road,” coach said. “There seemed to be good feedback on Patrik Laine was supposed to be the highest-scoring Finnish NHLer since it.” … Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois, once traded for Laine, changed his Teemu Selanne. With 44 goals as a 19-year-old in 2017-18, Laine looked Winnipeg jersey number (from No. 13 to No. 80) to honor his former to be well on his way. teammate, Columbus goalie Matiss Kivlenieks, who died in a fireworks accident on July 4 … One of the strangest parts of the NHL’s dealings The right wing scored 138 goals in his first four seasons. Then came the with the Olympics: the latter won’t allow highlights from hockey drop-off in Winnipeg, the trade to Columbus, and 12 goals in 46 games competition to be shown to non-rightsholders, even if the organization is last season. After shouldering the blame for his troubles in an exit loaning its most prized assets — a tradition that boosted Olympic hockey interview in May, Laine changed his tune during an interview with to new heights from 1998 through 2018. For example, Sidney Crosby’s Aamulehti, his hometown newspaper. He claimed ex-Blue Jackets coach “golden ” in 2010 and T. J. Oshie’s shootout exploits against Russia John Tortorella short-changed his production by making him play two- in 2014 are nowhere to be found in NHL video highlights on air or online. way hockey. I don’t get it … The defending NWHL champion Boston Pride restocked their roster with Lynn product Katie Burt, a netminder for the PWHPA, “You have to cheat a little bit,” if you want to become a Rocket Richard and ex-Connecticut Whale forward Kayla Friesen, among several winner, Laine reasoned, per a translation. “I think it’s stupid not to use my signings. The addition of Burt, a national team-caliber goalie, will boost a potential.” Pride club that could lose All-Star Swedish starter Lovisa Selander during After accepting his qualifying offer from the Blue Jackets — one year, the lead-up to Beijing. Boston’s weekends-only 20-game schedule begins $7.5 million — Laine is looking for a rebound under new coach Brad Nov. 6 at … Fans of “Ted Lasso,” the Apple TV series Larsen. However, that relationship may have started on the wrong foot. starring Jason Sudeikis, had to be thinking about Roy Kent when they The Columbus Dispatch reported that the reason Laine was benched on learned that the bellicose Tortorella was heading to ESPN as an analyst. Feb. 8, three games into his time with the Jackets, was because he Asking Torts for his thoughts on Columbus’s performance and hearing, uttered a “disrespectful comment” toward then-assistant coach Larsen. “They played like [bleep]!” would be an in-character answer for both men. The newspaper reported that the sides have moved on.

Say this for Laine: He has kept some good company this summer. He Boston Globe LOADED: 08.08.2021 was spotted golfing with Selanne in Finland this past week, around the time Team Suomi hosted an orientation camp with some 40 players in advance of Beijing 2022 and the World Championship, held in Tampere and Helsinki next May. Bruins prospect Urho Vaakanainen was one of the invited candidates.

MacKinnon allows no room for error

Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon is as strict as they come, from his diet to his expectations of teammates.JUSTIN EDMONDS/GETTY

New Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov believes his ex-Colorado teammate, Nathan MacKinnon, is a Michael Jordan-level competitor — right down to the uber-strict dressing room rules and occasional berating of teammates.

Among the items to unpack from Zadorov’s sit-down with Russian YouTuber Cherkas Atlant, as translated by a Calgary fan site:

▪ According to Zadorov, MacKinnon pays a dietician $50,000 a year, has a live-in physiotherapist during the season (at $1,000 per day), and pays his personal chef $100,000 a year.

▪ MacKinnon drinks only water, got rid of all sweets from the Colorado dressing room, and had the team replace the pasta in the meal room with protein-rich chickpea pasta. There is no carbonara sauce on the pasta — in MacKinnon’s view, that’s offseason food, not Stanley Cup fuel.

▪ A missed pass in practice — even by a few inches — might earn a screaming rebuke and/or a slapped puck back in the passer’s direction.

▪ MacKinnon, like Zadorov, likes to play video games before coming to the rink on game days. But MacKinnon likes to lose at Fortnite, because 1219182 Boston Bruins

Sweeney: Krejci's return to Bruins 'open-ended'

BY JUSTIN LEGER

Perhaps when it comes to David Krejci and the Boston Bruins, it isn't "goodbye." It's "see you later."

The longtime Bruins center announced last week he's leaving the team to play in his native Czech Republic. He didn't retire from the NHL, however, which leaves room for an eventual return to Boston.

Ranking Bruins' top 10 prospects after 2021 NHL Draft

B's general manager Don Sweeney certainly isn't ruling it out.

"Ultimately, with David [Krejci] making his decision, we're wondering whether or not he may return at some point in time, but that's an open- ended [situation]," he told reporters Friday.

So you're saying there's a chance?

For now at least, Charlie Coyle is expected to step up and assume Krejci's role as Boston's second-line center. Forwards Erik Haula, Nick Foligno, and Tomas Nosek were signed in free agency for additional depth, but should we expect more roster changes before the regular season begins Oct. 16?

"We're constantly exploring options and conversations," Sweeney said. "You know the trade situations sort of die down a little bit after free agency and everyone sort of reevaluates where they're at, but there has been some ongoing prior to that that we'll continue to explore.

"If we can improve our roster, we're going to. We certainly addressed some of the needs, and we have some younger players that want to continue to vie for spots and opportunity. I don't think any team thinks they're a finished product sitting here in August."

Coyle -- or whoever ends up taking Krejci's place -- will have some big shoes to fill. During his 15-year career in Boston, Krejci totaled 730 points (215 goals, 515 assists) in 962 career games. The 35-year-old also was one of the best players in Bruins playoff history. In 156 postseason games, Krejci tallied 124 points (42 goal, 82 assists), the fifth-most of any player since 2006-07.

That's a player you leave the door open for.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.08.2021 1219183 Boston Bruins

Will Bruins Listen To Their Fans And Snag Dvorak Off NHL Trade Market?Published 16 hours ago on August 7, 2021

By Jimmy Murphy

What keeps linking center Christian Dvorak to the Boston Bruins on the NHL trade rumor circuit? Is it an actual fire still or simply the fumes left behind from what was a swirling NHL trade market just two weeks ago?

Remember, sources confirmed to Boston Hockey Now that in the midst of that chaotic NHL trade market heading into the NHL Entry Draft (June 23-24) and through the opening bell of NHL Free Agency, the Bruins and Coyotes did discuss Dvorak in trade talks. NHL sources confirmed to BHN Friday night and again on Saturday morning that Sweeney has indeed kept in touch with Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong to see where he’s at with the 25-year-old Dvorak. Dvorak is in the third season of a six-year contract that carries a $4.4 million cap hit.

Bruins fans let it be known in a recent three-choice tweet poll that Dvorak, who had 17 goals and 14 assists in 56 games last season, is the man they want to fill the 2C void Krejci left behind. Dvorak (42.1%), edged out captain (39.3%), who has also been constantly linked to the Bruins but more so because he’s a North Chelmsford, MA native, which makes for a great narrative. The other choice was Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen, who is still currently available on the NHL trade market. Johansen mustered up just 18.6 percent of the vote.

In a media Zoom call with Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney on Friday, the topic du jour was the team’s present and future at the center position. On more than one occasion during the call, Sweeney let it be known he’s open for business when it comes to finding a center on the NHL trade market.

“Well fortunately we still have a No.1 center in Patrice and the level that he upholds,” Sweeney replied when asked about his team’s depth at center. “Then it’s gotta be by committee and growth. Obviously, we got Jack [Studnicka] there and if we can’t do it internally then obviously we’re gonna have to look externally. It’s an important position and we even identified through the draft with [Brett] Harrison and you have to have strength up the middle of the ice. A lot of professional sports teams will identify that and we’re no different in that regard. You’re never comfortable unless you just have a wealth of talent and drafted extremely well.”

A week after watching longtime Bruins center David Krejci leave the NHL to return home to the Czech Republic, Sweeney hinted at Krejci potentially returning to the Bruins later in the upcoming 2021-22 regular season.

“I think we addressed some areas that we wanted to,” Sweeney said. “Ultimately, with David making the decision. …We’re wondering whether or not he may return at some point in time, but that’s open-ended.”

In order to avoid Krejci, 35, having to pass through waivers, the Bruins would have to sign the UFA center by December 15. Sweeney also confirmed that discussions on a contract extension for 36-year-old captain Patrice Bergeron have begun and are ongoing.

Now the question is: will the Bruins do what they did with their blueline last season when they tried to solve the voids left behind from Zdeno Chara’s and Torey Krug’s departures from within? Or will they reward their fans and acquire Dvorak before the season begins on October 16?

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 08.08.2021 1219184 Chicago Blackhawks A quick follow-up question about those recipes sends Gaudette on an excited search for his new cookbook.

One of his favorites is an Asian-style bowl with chickpeas, edamame Stronger, faster and (mostly) vegan, Blackhawks’ Adam Gaudette has beans, quinoa, broccolini, sweet potatoes, cabbage and kale. Another is ‘changed who I am as a player’ a wrap with “fake bacon,” tofu, avocado, spinach and vegan cheese. On Tuesday night, he devoured fried tofu, carrots and vegetarian dumplings.

“It was hard to switch . . . but it’s definitely worth it,” he said. “As I did it By Ben Pope more and got more committed to it, it became easier and easier.”

Aug 7, 2021, 6:30am CDT While most vegan converts tout the weight-loss benefits, Gaudette is one of few vegans trying to gain weight — and do so while maintaining pro

-level fitness. Adam Gaudette notices the difference in his workouts and skating The key is enormous food intake. He burns about 3,000 calories daily, so sessions. He notices it during meals. He notices it when he first wakes he tries to eat 4,000 to 4,500, which requires constant effort. In addition up. to sprawling lunches and dinners, he snacks on peanuts and cashews all The 24-year-old Blackhawks forward, locked in with a two-year contract afternoon and adds protein-rich beans into anything he can. extension in July, will arrive at training camp this fall feeling by far the “I have this breakfast bar that has 350 calories in it,” he said. “I have two best he ever has in his NHL career. of them for breakfast on my way to work out, and that’s 700 calories He’s 20 pounds heavier and counting — almost at his target weight, already. Then I come home and I eat a full meal after working out. I try to finally. He’s stronger, faster, more fluid on his skates and harder to knock keep track of my calories, and these little bars and the nuts help, off pucks. because they add up.”

And he’s almost completely vegan, which he credits as the source of it Coming to Chicago soon all. On the ice, Gaudette’s improvement is obvious. Northeastern sports “It’s changed who I am as a player,” he said, “and given me a bunch of performance director Dan Boothby, who has worked with Gaudette every confidence.” summer since 2015, can tell better than anyone.

Weight gain, at last “There’s really no secret to it — he’s just worked really hard this summer,” said Boothby, who holds 8 a.m. workouts for a group that During a promising seven-game audition with the Hawks in April and includes Gaudette, his brothers and fellow Hawks signee Mike Hardman. May, Gaudette opened up about his candidiasis issues. “I felt bad for him when he was working as hard as he was before and For years with the Canucks — and even dating back to his college still struggling to gain weight. To have that issue figured out, to put on the hockey at — he struggled with digestion, weight that he has this year to build on that frame, and [to see] his vomiting stomach bile most mornings, developing nausea from the mere efficiency and quality movement patterns, I’m excited for him.” smell of certain foods and almost never feeling hungry. Gaudette’s old 82-flex sticks have been cast aside; they started feeling A blood test eventually revealed that the amount of Candida — a too “whiffy.” Instead, he now uses 87-flex sticks with the resistance to naturally occurring type of yeast — in his stomach was 250 percent match his weight. above normal. A two-week antibiotic cycle in November and another in February solved the immediate problem. He’s setting new personal bests in every weight-room exercise, from bench presses to pull-ups. And he’s doing all of it without dealing with But until that point, Gaudette — 6-1 with a boxy frame — not only hip-flexor or groin injuries, which nagged him in previous summers. suffered from daily discomfort and confusion but also played perpetually underweight. Every season, he’d lose 10 or more pounds. “I feel more powerful, quicker coming out of turns,” he said. “What I didn’t really expect is I feel more fluid and smoother, too, [because before] “An 82-game season is strenuous on the body, and I wasn’t getting sometimes I felt like I’d trip over my own feet.” enough calories and nutrients to repair the muscles that had been working so hard,” he said. He plans to drive to Chicago and move into a yet-to-be-found apartment at the end of the month, giving him plenty of time to settle in before camp “In 2019-20, I came in at 185 pounds, and I was feeling really good begins. [about that]. Two months later, I’m weighing in at 177. And last year was tough because I had a tough offseason, being sick, and then COVID hit. I And then he expects Hawks (and Canucks) coaches, management and hopped on the scale one day and saw it in the 160s, and I was like, fans will see a far different Adam Gaudette than they’ve seen before. ‘Jesus.’ ” “I don’t think I need to change the way I play,” he said. “Some things are It’s a different story now. He noticed his weight starting to increase within just going to be a little bit easier. I won’t be bumped off pucks as easily, the first two weeks of this offseason, while he and his wife vacationed in and I’ll be able to win more stick battles or get in front of the net or be the Caribbean. It continued once he returned home to better defensively by containing guys. and began his regular summer workout routine. “It’s going to be 20 more pounds that somebody has to fight against. He weighs 190 now, and he’s hoping to reach 195 or 200 by the start of Playing at 170 [and] going up against a guy who’s 210, that’s a lot of the season. work you have to put in to try to win that battle. Being 190 or 195, those things will come a little easier, and I’ll be able to come out on top of those “Every week, I’ve just felt the weight going up and up,” he said. “I didn’t battles a lot more.” put on any fat at all; I put on all muscle. My body fat [percentage] stayed the same. I feel much more limber, more energized.”

‘This way of eating works’ Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 08.08.2021

Gaudette believes the key to maintaining his newfound health is his diet.

What started as an effort to simply eliminate sugary and processed foods and drinks has evolved into nearly full-fledged veganism. He eats no meat, dairy or other animal products outside of an admitted few “cheat days.”

“I’ve tried a ton of new foods this summer — a ton of new recipes, different types of vegetables I never thought I’d like, but it’s been really good,” he said. “This way of eating works.” 1219185 Colorado Avalanche And why did they trade so much for this Darcy Kuemper guy when they could have lost nothing and brought back Grubauer?

Here are the reasons I think this offseason was a big success: Guest Column: From my perch in Vancouver, things look just fine with The choice to let Graves and Donskoi move on. They were going to lose the AvsPublished 16 hours ago on August 7, 2021 Ryan Graves to the Kraken, and they could also not afford to keep Joonas Donskoi. Sakic was able to kill two birds with one stone here. He was able to gain assets (a 2nd round pick and Mikhail Maltsev) for what By Nathaniel Torok should have been nothing. This left either Joonas Donskoi or JT Compher as the clear choices for the Kraken. Everyone knew they were

taking Donskoi. And the Avs needed them to take Donskoi as well. It was I grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, and have been a fan of the all calculated. All of a sudden the Avs now have an extra $7 million to Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche since I was five years old. It’s a play with to make sure they can sign more important players. bit of a funny story about how I originally became a Nordiques fan. I was Gabriel Landeskog signing. I know there was some debate about this but surrounded by fans growing up, with a few family most agreed that they should bring back Landeskog as long as it was the members being Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres fans as we right price. I think Landeskog could have gotten $9 million on the open were originally from . I played my minor hockey at the North market if he chose to leave. He wants to be here though and wants to Shore Winter Club in North Vancouver. This is the same club where Joe win a cup in Colorado. He took a discount and the Avs got him at exactly Sakic played his minor hockey until he was about fourteen years old the $7 million AAV cap hit they wanted. This is a win all around. before moving on to the Burnaby Winter Club. signing. No brainer obviously. This guy is phenomenal. And His sister Rosemary was my power-skating teacher and I still have a they signed him for less AAV than what Zach Werenski and Seth Jones vivid memory of Joe coming onto the ice with us one day with a stick and and Darnell Nurse signed for. puck (we weren’t allowed a stick and puck with power-skating) and getting yelled at by his sister – “JOE! GET OFF THE ICE JOE!” Her 4. Sakic’s decision not to make any unnecessary signings or overpay brother had just been drafted by the Quebec Nordiques from the Swift anyone including Brandon Saad. He may have had his hand forced with Current Broncos in the first round of the 1987 NHL entry draft. In my Saad here as they didn’t have the cap room but when I look at what free eyes, he immediately became a superhero. I must have talked about my agent forwards were available and how much they got paid then it makes close encounter with a real NHL player to my parents non-stop – and I sense to pass on every one of them. 4.5 a year for Mike Hoffman? 3.8 for still remember getting home from school on my birthday and there was a Nick Foligno? 5.5 for Philip Danault? 4.9 for Blake Coleman for six brand new Quebec Nordiques jersey hanging on my closet years!? 3.75 for an aging and slow skating Paul Stastny? And then who door. From then on anytime the Nordiques were in town playing the else was really available? Do we actually think guys like Nick Ritchie, Vancouver Canucks I was at the Pacific Coliseum with my dad in my Joe Mathieau Perreault, Corey Perry, Ondrej Kase, Ryan Dzingel, Derek Sakic jersey. And when I got home at night I had posters like these on Stepan etc…make this team better? I don’t think so. I do believe Ryan my bedroom wall. Murray and Darren Helm were appropriate depth signings though. And I believe their agile skating ability fits well with this team. And my birthday cakes always said something like ‘Quebec rules’ written out in icing. 5. Bowen Byram, Alex Newhook, Sampo Ranta and Logan O’Connor. I know this isn’t an offseason move but these guys all have another year of To make a long story short when the Nordiques relocated to Colorado in experience and are going to be improved players next season. It makes 1995 I immediately became a die-hard Colorado Avalanche fan. And not losing guys like Donskoi and Saad that much easier, and also makes long after the relocation, there was an Avalanche jersey waiting for me those losses make a bit more sense as well. I actually believe Ranta on my closet door on my birthday. And soon after that this championship finds a spot on this team and makes an impact this year. Maybe he beats poster on my bedroom wall: Maltsev for the last spot? I guess what I am saying is that I love this hockey team and I have been 6. Nazem Kadri protected and staying. I think he is a great player and I there from the start. The two Stanley Cups. And the ups and downs ever still believe in him. He is still the perfect second-line centerman for this since. team. I know how many chances he has had. I want to give him one I like to think that this new iteration of the Avalanche began with the 48- more. point season five years ago. The team has clearly come a long way since And now for the big one that everyone seems to be upset about and then. I believe this team’s first real chance at a Stanley Cup was two debating. This is actually the move I am most happy with and the main years ago when they were defeated in game 7 by the . I was reason I think this team is better: not completely convinced they were ready though and I also knew they were not going to win with Michael Hutchinson as the eventual starter. Kuemper over Grubauer, Timmins, a first and a conditional 3rd. Last year’s President’s trophy-winning team was the first time I expected them to win a Stanley Cup. I really believed they were the best team in I add Timmins and the picks with Grubauer because that’s what they the NHL heading into the playoffs and I was shocked at how they fell ended up losing in the end when they made this decision. To begin with I apart against Vegas in the second round. am a huge fan of Darcy Kuemper. I think he is capable of being an elite goaltender in this league. I thought he was incredible against Colorado in There is one silver lining I took from last year’s disappointing end to the the playoffs two years ago. At the beginning of last season I was tweeting season. I truly believe in the notion that you have to have your heart that the Avs should move on from Grubauer and make a move for broken before you can win a Stanley Cup. And I believe that the Kuemper. I know I probably would have been wrong about this in the end heartbreak that they experienced will make them a better and hungrier as Grubauer had a great season while Kuemper’s was full of injuries. team moving forward. It’s part of the process. You have to be patient. How long did it take Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning to I just believe Sakic and the Avalanche think Kuemper gives them a better win a Cup? Take a look. Remember their Presidents Trophy a few years shot at winning and they made their decisions accordingly. I don’t buy the back and the first-round sweep by the Columbus Blue Jackets? The sky argument that Sakic had to scramble after Grubauer signed in Seattle. was falling. Heartbreak. And now look at them. They knew exactly what they were doing.

And this leads me to the realities of where this team is at now and how I I believe they thought that Kuemper is a better goaltender and that it was think they did this offseason. I think this is a better team than last year’s. worth losing Grubauer, Timmins and the picks to get their guy. And in the The heartbreak they experienced is the first reason why. I also believe end it doesn’t matter that they lost Timmins and the first-rounder. As Joe Sakic has done a great job this offseason. crazy as that might sound. If the belief is Kuemper is a better goaltender and gives them a better chance at winning then it is a no-brainer I’m not sure what fans were expecting from Joe this offseason. There decision. I think they had those conversations before they chose to not was just no chance that they could afford to bring everyone back. And if up their offer to Grubauer. I also do not believe they had any other goalie you took a quick browse on Twitter these days you would think the sky is in mind. I think it was Grubauer or Kuemper all along. I don’t think they also falling within #avsnation. The general sentiment with most fans is really considered Frederik Andersen, Braden Holtby, Martin Jones etc … that this team has taken a step back. They have subtracted rather than In fact I think if Kuemper was not available then they would have upped added. How could they possibly be better? Why hasn’t Sakic done more? their offer and given Grubauer an extra year. He just wasn’t their guy anymore, and it was time to move on. And IMO they now have a better goalie and are now a better team. I may be proven wrong on this but time will tell.

The last thing that everyone has to understand is that just because they are entering this season with this roster does not mean it will be the same team come playoff time. Sakic has half a season to figure out if they need to add more scoring depth. Do I think that there is a possible hole on the second line? Yeah, I think so. I do not think that JT Compher fits there. He is a third-line player at best. I do believe that Alex Newhook could be successful on that second line though. Let’s see how the season goes. Let Byram, Newhook, Ranta, Maltsev, and possibly Kaut and Bowers show what they can do first and then decide if we need to add some more depth.

I think it is time for everyone on Twitter to stop being so negative though. Take a deep breath. This is a great hockey team. And an improved hockey team that has gone through the process of having their hearts broken.

And in a way, I love this team even more than when I was cheering on Sakic, Forsberg, Roy, Tanguay, Hejduk and Foote. I want nothing more than for this team to win another Stanley Cup. I’ll be making the trip from Vancouver to Denver when it happens. All we need is just a little more patience.

Colorado hockey now LOADED: 08.08.2021 1219186 Detroit Red Wings brought a sense of detail and inner swag that feels built for this franchise. He understands this place and the psyche of this underrated baseball town.

Three of Detroit's pro teams converged in Allen Park. A sign of a And then there’s , who knows us as well as any outsider changing sports scene? ever could. The Wings’ general manager has been an insider here for well more than half his life now, which means he knows that some of the savviest hockey fans in the world reside in and around the 313.

SHAWN WINDSOR They understand how difficult it is to rebuild an NHL team. They understand they need patience.

And yet? A couple of rookies fought last week at Detroit Lions camp. It was more of a skirmish, truthfully, one head coach Dan Campbell let play out for a SHAWN WINDSOR: Cade Cunningham's most impressive feat so far? moment before stepping into to throttle everything back. Capturing the cool of Detroit already

“Nobody backed down from each other and they got better from it, so I His imprint on the franchise in his newest role is unmistakable, most was happy,” Campbell said the next day. notably his desire and eye for finding a certain kind of relentless talent. This may not be unique to Detroit, but it’s a trait that’s suited to Detroit. There’s a sweet spot there between aggression, perhaps some shoving, even a minor dustup and all-out chaos. The best football teams thrive in It’s not a coincidence that all four teams are led by purveyors of this that space. Campbell seems born to navigate it. mantra. From Weaver reaching back to the “Bad Boys” culture to Casey insisting that newcomers care enough to make their beds. From Hinch Whether his approach — and persona — lead to wins the next 2-3 installing an aggressive and speedy approach on the base paths to seasons is hard to say. But it’s also hard to blame anyone for riding the Yzerman shipping off talent that wasn’t consistently aggressive enough. waves of his charming and fiery vibes. From Campbell to Brad Holmes — the Lions general manager — to, How can’t you love the details of his daily coffee intake? frankly, Sheila Ford Hamp, who sought a fingers-in-the-dirt charisma to Two ventis and a double-shot of espresso? Why not? lead this long-tortured franchise. The Lions may not win much more this fall than they have the last few years. And how can’t you love the way he expresses himself, beyond the now- famous “biting kneecap” line? Last week, he dropped the word “truck,” as They may be searching for a quarterback and playmakers from the top of getting trucked. He called rookie receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown, the “sun the draft next spring as we’re all wondering how Campbell and Holmes god,” then waited a moment for his audience to laugh. He peppered will shake off a disastrous first year. Then again, the team might show sentences with “oh my God, man” and “back in the day” and “I love that,” just enough fire and spirit to validate all the goodwill bouncing around the a phrase he uses generously and often, to describe his players, his staff, region in this late summer of love. the Lions, the city. Last week’s scuffle could be proof of that. WINDSOR ON PISTONS: Pistons admit the future may come a touch As Campbell said: “... to me you end up having a problem when you start quicker with Kelly Olynyk acquisition having all-out brawls all practice long. And it’s like, ‘Oh my God, here we Which he treats like his city, because it is, for now, and, at the moment, go.’ We have a 10-minute period and we have eight minutes of it is that’s all that matters. Campbell senses the change and opportunity you fighting amongst the team where it’s kind of counterproductive.” sense, not just with the Lions, but across the professional sporting But if stopped after a few seconds of all-out fury? landscape in general. “Those little things … man, I just think they make you practice better. Last Monday, he and the team welcomed Pistons general manager Troy They make you practice harder.” Weaver and head coach Dwane Casey to a practice. A few days later they welcomed a couple of Tigers: Akil Badoo and Derek Hill. We’ll see where it all leads.

Thanks to the @Lions for helping us get a workout in before tonight's No one is expecting a title run overnight. It’s fair, though, to expect some game! pic.twitter.com/Yx4iPBcXwL measure of results to follow the burgeoning buy-in. It’s hot out there. It’s been heating up for a while. — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) August 4, 2021

Baddoo and Hill stayed on the field after practice to catch a few passes from a throwing machine, laughing and smiling, before heading off to a Detroit Free Press LOADED: 08.08.2021 game that night against the Boston Red Sox, a team they beat twice in three games.

It’s been like that often the last month or two, as the Tigers continue to reawaken this baseball town; just as the Pistons are doing, building on a promising group of rookies from last season, getting ready for summer league in , where No. 1 pick, Cade Cunningham, is set to make his debut.

After so many years in the desert, after so much losing and despair, all four franchises — the Lions, Tigers, Pistons and Wings — appear worthy of attention and, dare I say, love once again. It’s hard to predict who will get to a parade first. For each, a parade still feels a long way off.

But the competitive spirit is finally percolating, and it’s been easy to spot at Lions camp lately. Not just in the dustup between a couple of rookies looking to prove their bona fides and not just in the daily barrage of words and phrases favored by Campbell, but in the cross-pollination of the teams.

If it’s not quite a Detroit renaissance yet, it surely feels like a moment. Campbell wanted to be here. So, too, did Weaver and Casey and, most overtly, Cunningham, who grew up in Texas with the Old English D tucked inside his soul.

AJ Hinch may not have spent his youth idolizing the Tigers the way former manager Jim Leyland did, but the current Tigers’ manager 1219187 Edmonton Oilers 10 11

13 A resurgent Zack Kassian could be an important part of the Oilers’ scoring 11

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By Jonathan Willis 9

Aug 7, 2021 2

5

For the second consecutive expansion draft, the Oilers’ protected list 5 didn’t matter very much. In 2017, Vegas took Griffin Reinhart, whose NHL career was already over. This time around, the 5 Kraken seduced pending free agent Adam Larsson. Absent a contract 11 extension, he was never going to figure into Edmonton’s protection scheme. 17-18

Thus it’s largely academic that the Oilers spent a protection slot on Zack 8 Kassian. 9 Given Kassian’s age (30), remaining contract (three years at a $3.2 million cap hit) and recent performance (five points in 27 games last 9 season), it was a controversial decision. It would have been controversial 9 the other way, too: Kassian is among the most physically intimidating players in the NHL, and rare in his class because he also has legitimate 12 scoring ability. 11 Nor is that scoring ability purely a function of playing with Connor McDavid. This is what I wrote when the Oilers acquired him early in 18-19 2015-16: 6

“The 6’3″, 217-pound right wing plays an abrasive physical game, but his 10 appeal has always been that he’s capable of dressing in a top-nine role. He’s only an average puck possession player but since 2013-14 has 9 scored 1.88 points/hour at five-on-five.” 10 That piece went on to point out that 1.88 points per hour was really good. 9 It was a better number than that posted by Edmonton’s top right winger (Jordan Eberle). It was also a better number than that posted by the 11 league’s then preeminent power forward, . 19-20 (On that note: one of Peter Chiarelli’s few strong points as Edmonton GM was his ability to get big guys who could play for basically nothing. He 2 dealt Ben Scrivens for Kassian and a fourth-round pick for Patrick 3 Maroon. That made it all the more tragic when he overpaid to bring in Lucic in the summer of 2016.) 2

At the time of the Seattle draft, there were rumours that Edmonton was 9 protecting Kassian because he had real trade value. Undoubtedly he did: look no further than the ’ summer shopping list. 5 Kassian could have been traded for draft capital to restock a badly 8 depleted cupboard, and then the cap space created could have been used on someone like Tomas Tatar (since signed by ). 20-21

The further into the offseason we get, the more it looks like Edmonton 11 protected Kassian for its own use. Oilers GM was one of the first managers in the league to move away from enforcers, but he has 11 always valued size. Edmonton’s top nine isn’t particularly big without 12 Kassian: 14 The group average is 6-foot-1 and 194 pounds, though Yamamoto’s extreme position at the small end of the NHL size scale warps that 12 number. Exclude him and the average weight jumps to 199 pounds, with the group getting bigger still if Ryan McLeod (6-foot-2 and 207 pounds) 11 can earn a top-nine role. We can argue how relevant this is to winning — The chart above shows where Kassian’s numbers in each category Tampa Bay just won back-to-back Cups with a playoff top nine that would rank on the average NHL team’s forward depth chart. Anything averaged 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds — but GMs care about it. from 1-3 is first-line calibre, 4-6 second line and so on, all the way down That Kassian is big enough is well known. Is he good enough to help? to 13-14 for reserve forwards. Here, it’s useful to look back over his career in Edmonton. The first four numbers — goals, assists, points and shots — are Zack Kassian at 5-on-5 as an Oiler individual scoring rates. The last two numbers — goals and expected goals — are on-ice rates, reflecting the total performance of Kassian’s SEASON G/60 A/60 P/60 S/60 GF% XGF% whole line.

15-16 We find that Kassian doesn’t shoot the puck much by NHL standards. He is a good finisher and a better playmaker than he generally gets credit 10 for. Usually, he scores like a third-line forward. 8 Kassian’s lines tend to outperform their expected numbers. In terms of -2.80% possession, he is consistently in the fourth-line range. Even the magic of McDavid is only able to bump up those numbers a little bit. However, -1.00% Kassian’s actual on-ice goal numbers tend to be better than that: usually, 3.70% his lines score like a typical NHL third line. -4.90% Long story short: Kassian looks like a third-line five-on-five player. Sometimes he’s better than that and sometimes he’s worse, but what he Draisaitl without McDavid, 2018-21 gives up in possession he makes up for in scoring. If we ignore for a SITUATION TOI CF% SF% GF% XGF% minute the chance that he’s gone off an age cliff, history suggests he can be a helpful NHL depth scorer. w/ Kassian

Where can he most help? It’s tempting to say “with McDavid and Leon 137.9 Draisaitl, where he had his career year” but there’s a problem with that. If McDavid and Draisaitl play together, there are better internal options for 43.80% that third spot than Kassian: 40.90% McDavid and Draisaitl together, 2018-21 50.00% SITUATION TOI CF% SF% GF% XGF% 45.30% w/ Kassian w/o Kassian 733.8 1612.1 49.30% 47.20% 47.40% 47.80% 53.70% 51.20% 48.70% 47.80% w/o Kassian Difference 968.3 -3.40% 51.60% -6.90% 51.60% -1.20% 57.90% -2.50% 52.20% Kassian hasn’t had much of a run with Draisaitl, which makes sense Difference given how terrible the shot metrics for the duo are. He did have a long run with McDavid and the numbers are a mixed bag: lousy Corsi and -2.30% expected goals, OK shot numbers and solid goal results (21 for, 20 against). -4.20% The coaches could put Kassian on McDavid’s wing, Puljujarvi on -4.20% Draisaitl’s and bump Yamamoto into a third-line role. Yamamoto faded -3.50% down the stretch last year, with just one goal in his last 25 games. Kassian wasn’t much better but he also didn’t have the advantage of If the Oilers load up their top line, the right winger shouldn’t be Kassian. being glued to the defending Hart winner either. Both Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto have done a better job, and given how well Zach Hyman played with Auston Matthews and Mitch There is, however, an interesting third option. The most successful Marner in Toronto (64 GF%, 59 xGF%) he’s a better bet in that slot too. Edmonton team of Kassian’s career was the 2017 club that went to the second round of the playoffs, and like a lot of Oilers players, Kassian had Kassian isn’t the right fit for a super line, but what if Edmonton splits up a good year. The weird thing is that he did it without the benefit of high- McDavid and Draisaitl? end linemates: mostly he played on the third line with Benoit Pouliot or McDavid without Draisaitl, 2018-21 the fourth line with Mark Letestu. The Oilers brought in David Desharnais at the deadline and after that Kassian played with him and Pouliot. SITUATION TOI CF% SF% GF% XGF% That 2017 team is often fondly remembered for its depth. Todd McLellan w/ Kassian discovered how much he liked McDavid and Draisaitl together that year (generally with Maroon, who meshed nicely) and as a result for the most 456.1 part the second line was Lucic with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Eberle. 48.70% Pouliot, Desharnais and Kassian ended up as the third unit while the fourth was anchored by Letestu, with Drake Caggiula, Anton Slepyshev, 49.80% Tyler Pitlick and Jesse Puljujarvi all filling depth roles.

51.20% Edmonton invested in its forward depth this summer, in the form of Hyman, Warren Foegele and Derek Ryan. There’s a very good chance 47.00% that Foegele starts as the Oilers’ third-line left winger, bringing his own w/o Kassian combination of size, speed and five-on-five scoring history. Ryan could well start as the centre on that line, bringing excellent underlying 1197.9 numbers and his own long track record of five-on-five scoring.

51.50% People forget just how good Pouliot was before his game fell off under McLellan, but Foegele is an easy player to underrate and by 2017 Pouliot 50.80% was sliding. There’s a risk that Ryan drops off at 34, but Desharnais was 47.50% already well into his decline and even at his peak he lacked Ryan’s two- way game and was only a marginally better five-on-five scorer. All things 51.90% considered, as an NHL right winger, I’d rather have today’s Foegele/Ryan than 2017’s Pouliot/Desharnais. Difference Vintage Kassian could be a pretty good complement to that line. He’s a selective shooter who finishes well, which makes him a nice match opposite Foegele, a volume shooter who doesn’t. Both bring size and speed, and Foegele is likely to be even better on puck retrievals than Pouliot. That Foegele and Ryan are both intelligent two-way types also make them a nice match for Kassian, who at his best gets a little bit of freedom to get in and hit.

That doesn’t mean Kassian necessarily starts with those two. With three new top-nine forwards, lines are a moving target and Dave Tippett is apt to try multiple combinations in any event. The key thing is that the Oilers now have enough proven five-on-five scorers to run three competent lines.

That’s good news for Kassian: whether he ends up next to McDavid or next to Ryan, he’s likely to have competent help. The trick for him will be rediscovering the form he lost last year, the form that propelled him up rather than down the depth chart.

Last season was one of the strangest in NHL history, with players locked down and Canadian buildings fan-less; all else being equal, it’s easy to look at a player who had a down year and chalk it up to circumstances. However, Kassian is 30, and many a player has lost his game at that age — including Justin Abdelkader, to whom we have compared Kassian before.

If Kassian can score 1.5 points per hour while hitting everything that moves, he’ll be contributing to Oilers wins and the team will be more than happy to have him, even at $3.2 million. If he can’t, Edmonton’s forward depth will look much more suspect, and it will be hard not to look at him and think about what else it could have bought with that cap space.

The Athletic LOADED: 08.08.2021 1219188 Los Angeles Kings “Helenius plays hard and he wants to be involved in the challenging parts of the game. He imposes himself. If he was a little bit better of a skater, he would be a top-10 pick in this draft. This is where projection comes into play and [the Kings] confidence in their player development staff TSN’s Craig Button dishes on Kings 2021 Draft, prospect pool comes into play.”

Button on getting Kirsanov in the third round

By Jack Jablonski All Kirsanov has to do is continue developing and getting on the ice. He’s a really smart and good player that I easily could’ve seen going in the

first round. Following the conclusion of the 2021 NHL Draft, Craig Button of TSN Ranked in the 20’s on the majority of the expert’s and media’s mock joined me for our new social media content series “Tradin’ Jabs” to talk drafts, Pinelli at 42 is hard to fathom given the talent he possesses. about the draft as a whole and more importantly, the four Kings draft picks. Button, currently TSN’s longtime Director of Scouting and former “Pinelli can score from 35 feet from the net, he can score on the rush, or NHL Scout, Director of Player Personnel and NHL General Manager had even in tight. He has a game that allows him to assimilate himself to any nothing but positive things to say about the job that , Mark style of game,” Button said. “[He] can do it in so many different ways.” Yannetti and the scouting staff did on July 23rd & 24th. Like Clarke, Pinelli faced adversity when the OHL cancelled their season. When the Kings selected the right-handed defenseman Brandt Clarke And, like Clarke, Pinelli too went overseas and played against grown with the eighth overall pick in the draft, it couldn’t have worked out any men. With the late notice of the OHL cancellation, Pinelli got in just 13 better from an LA Perspective, as the Nepean, Ontario, Canada native games with HDD Jesenice, a Slovenian team in the AlpsHL league. fell into Blake and Yannetti’s lap. Button, who had Clarke ranked as high Pinelli made the most of it, scoring six goals and tallying five assists as the number-two prospect in the draft found the Kings and Clarke a during his time in Slovenia and had the fourth-highest points-per-game pairing perfect. average on his team.

“Taking into consideration that Clarke was drafted by the Kings, what an Having fallen victim to the cancellation of the OHL season, along with opportunity to be an understudy behind Drew Doughty,” Button said. “I hundreds of other players both in this draft class and those not picked, think about Drew, and over the years he’s so enthusiastic about playing draft stock varied for players from that league. It’s reason to believe there the game. I think [Doughty] is going to be just as enthusiastic about was disparity in year’s draft for those players, with projected rangers taking players like Brandt Clarke under his wing.” varying team-to-team.

Not only is Clarke finding himself in a situation that could benefit him “Some players got an opportunity to play a little more, some other players tremendously in the next few years, but the eighth overall pick also brings didn’t get a much of an opportunity at all,” Button said. “As a draft-eligible along a skillset unlike any other defenseman in the Kings prospect pool. player, you want to get out and not only do you want to help your team, Without an OHL season this past year due to Covid-19, Clarke traveled but you want to show off your abilities. These young players are working overseas and was able to showcase his abilities in Slovakia against and sacrificing so much at a young age to get to this point. It’s one part of bigger, stronger and older competition. Having had the opportunity, it. It’s not the end all be all, but it’s a very important part of these player’s Clarke put on a display of his offensive-branded game and high-end development and scouting. For the young players in this draft class, I playmaking, tallying 15 points (5-10=15) in 26 games. really felt for them.”

“It’s all about the offensive imagination and [Clarke’s] creativity,” Button Fortunately, the Kings third and fourth selections did have a true chance said. “His comparable is Erik Karlsson, that’s the type of game that to showcase their talents the past season. Helenius, the 6’6” Finnish Clarke plays, I think that highly of [Clarke]. He becomes a very difficult center played 54 games and Kirsanov, the Russian defenseman racked player to defend because he plays the game forward. He plays the game up 51 games across various Russian leagues. without any predetermined plan, takes what’s coming to him and adjusts accordingly. He doesn’t know what he’s going to do, so how does the The Kings clearly felt Helenius wasn’t going to be available much longer opponent know what he’s going to do.” when they traded up from pick 72 to acquire the Finn with the 59th selection in the draft. With a very different skill set than almost every The addition of Clarke to the pool of defensemen in the pipeline has other prospect in the Kings organization, Helenius has a ton of solidified that position for the Kings for what seems to be many years to opportunity to set himself apart from the pack. come. “When you see Helenius play, he’s unique,” Button noted. “There are not As previously noted on LAKI, the Kings entered the draft with seven many players like him and when you have a player who imposes himself picks, but came out with just four players. After staying put in the first and makes playing against difficult, it becomes a real challenge to round and getting the guy they wanted, the Kings used their remaining opponents……the qualities Helenius possesses are NHL caliber; get the six picks to move up in the draft three separate times to take center skating in the pace up, and he will be a player that adds a different Francesco Pinelli (2nd round, 42nd overall), center Samuel Helenius element to the Kings.” (2nd round, 59th overall) and the left-handed defenseman Kirill Kirsanov (3rd round, 84th overall). The final 2021 selection was another situation that left people wondering why Kirsanov was available when the Kings took him with the 84th “The draft is about who do we want…who do we really want,” Button overall selection. Alongside a stacked defensive core on the U20 explained. “Going into the draft, everyone across the league has put in Russian National Team that had their top-four defenseman drafted in the the work. The easy thing to do is sit back and just wait till you’re up and top three rounds (including Kirsanov), Kirsanov is in great hands with Igor say, ‘we’ll take this guy.’ But, when you want somebody, it takes guts to Larionov in the national tournaments. Beyond his promising situation on move up in the draft and the Kings did just that.” the Russian national team, Kirsanov’s attributes are headlined by his advanced knowledge of the game. Able to read the game at a level With a current prospect pool ranked as the best in the NHL, the Kings unlike many of his peers, Kirsanov’s effectiveness stems from his great didn’t necessarily need six or seven new draft picks. Instead, Blake, on-ice positioning. Yannetti and company were able to get aggressive and go after the higher-end talent at the beginning of day two. All three draft picks on day “Kirsanov is exceptionally smart. When you talk about playing the game two were projected in one place or another to go higher in the draft than with a chess-like mind, Kirsanov does just that,” Button said. “He where the Kings drafted them. understands where to go and doesn’t waste a lot of movement chasing people because he thinks the game at a higher level. He’s an excellent Button on Pinelli being drafted 42nd overall passer and knows where to go with the puck before he gets it.” “After the first round concluded, I went back to my draft board and Every year when the draft comes around, teams are drafting for the realized that no one picked Pinelli. I was shocked… Mark Yannetti does projected holes in their lineup a few years down the road. For the Kings, such a terrific job drafting, and I have so much respect for him. Yannetti those holes are have essentially dissipated and turned into strengths. In is extremely experienced and he has every reason to be giddy for getting 2018, when Rob Blake decided it was time to retool the Kings roster and Pinelli with the 42nd overall pick.” trade players away for draft picks, this current prospect pool is what he Button on drafting Helenius at 59 envisioned; a group of young talent that is deep with NHL caliber in multiple positions.

“[The Kings] are building a pipeline at right defense, they’re building a pipeline at center ice and they’re building a pipeline with scoring wingers……the depth in my view of high-quality players, that one day can contribute on the top two lines or play significant minutes on the blue line is almost an embarrassment of riches for the Kings organization.”

Since the overhaul began, the players drafted by this organization have been both consistent and very focused on what Blake believes the identity of the Kings team should be moving forward. With 11 draft picks from the 2018-20 drafts already having suited up for the Ontario Reign, and four of those 11 players having played for the Kings (Quinton Byfield, Tobias Bjornfot, Arthur Kaliyev and Rasmus Kupari), Blake and Yannetti’s strategy of implementing this newer look of Kings youth is on the horizon of becoming a mainstay in LA. The identity of the Kings prospects is coming to fruition in the Ontario and will soon become the identity of the Kings if the successful development of the recent draft picks continues.

“A hallmark for the Kings 2021 draft and even the past few years, is that the players they’re taking are all extremely competitive,” Button summarized. “They want to take the initiative……they are all quality people and want to contribute to the organization in the long haul. I think the Kings are on a really good track, where not only do they have players who can be difference-makers, but they will be coming through the system together.”

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 08.08.2021 1219189 New York Islanders The fact is, if the Rangers and general manager — three months on the job — are going to be able to navigate the cap and mold a contender out of the raw materials left behind, someone is going to have to break the chain. A player is going to have to willingly take a smaller Rangers can take lesson from Adam Pelech’s new Islanders deal piece of the pie so that there is enough to go around for his neighbors.

That’s what in winning organizations with winning cultures do.

By Larry Brooks The Devils are collecting nicer pieces of talent, with Tomas Tatar joining as potential jump-starters and Jonathan Bernier enlisted August 7, 2021 to take the burden off MacKenzie Blackwood in net the way that Corey Crawford was meant to last year until the veteran retired before the season began. Perhaps lost in the analysis of why Adam Pelech would sign an eight- year deal with an average annual value of $5.875 million with the Newest Devil Tomas Tatar (l.) playing with the Canadiens. Islanders while just two years away from unrestricted free agency in an But, and this is just a question, does anyone outside New Jersey offseason in which inferior, albeit more productive, defensemen, such as ownership and management honestly believe Lindy Ruff is the coach Zach Werenski and Darnell Nurse, have scaled the $9 million-per bar, is who will take the Devils to the next level, which in this case is simply this simple truth: making the playoffs? That is what players with winning organizations do. So if COVID-19 outbreaks persist into the autumn, won’t the NHL have to With the burden of constructing and maintaining a Stanley Cup contender maintain taxi squads for a second year in order to ensure clubs have falling as much on the players as on management and ownership under enough players to play in case of a rash of game-day positive tests? the NHL’s perverse hard-cap system, that is exactly what the Islanders’ First Brady Skjei in a trade, then Jesper Fast as a free agent last year left side shutdown defenseman did on Friday. and both Derek Stepan and Brendan Smith this year. Traditional statistics still rule in arbitration, so it is true Pelech might not That means the Candy Canes of Carolina somehow have twice as many have had the strongest case given that he was the only one of 19 players who played for the Rangers in the 2017 playoffs than the defensemen with more than 1,000 minutes played to record 14 or fewer Blueshirts themselves, who present only Zibanejad and Kreider as points, with four goals and 10 assists. So he might have made less the holdovers. next two years. But, barring injury, he surely would have struck for a bonanza on the open market. And of course with Tony DeAngelo on board as well, this kind of brings to mind Neil Smith’s famous line when the-then GM was asked why he was Instead, Pelech, who will turn 27 on Aug. 16, opted for security. Just as adding so many ex-Oilers to the Rangers’ early-1990s roster: “What do importantly, he opted to remain on the Island while doing his part to give you want me to do, trade for Sharks?” general manager his best chance of turning this contending team into a championship one before the cap tears it This just in: Jack Eichel has hired Aaron Rodgers as his agent. asunder.

This is an example of what happens when a winning culture becomes ingrained within an organization. The state-tax issue aside, players take New York Post LOADED: 08.08.2021 less to play for the Lightning. They volunteer to do that.

Brad Marchand chose to take less to stay in Boston by signing an eight- year extension worth $6.125 million per in September 2016 rather than opting to hit the open market the following July, when he could have named his price. Multiple players, beginning with Martin Brodeur, chose to take less to play for the championship-era Devils when Lamoriello’s budget acted as a cap. We know about Sidney Crosby, who has been fine with being scandalously underpaid throughout his tenure in Pittsburgh.

At some point, this is going to become necessary for the Rangers, though there is a slightly different dynamic for them because management habitually has made free-agent signees and trade acquisitions its highest-paid players. It is extremely difficult to ask accomplished homegrown guys to take less, when more is given to guys based on what they have achieved for other teams.

By the way, do you realize that the Blueshirts have never given more than a two-year bridge deal to a forward coming off entry-level? Two years for Ryan Callahan, Derek Stepan, Brandon Dubinsky, Chris Kreider, Artem Anisimov and Filip Chytil; one year for J.T. Miller and Mats Zuccarello (who played on three successive one-year deals out of entry level).

Adam Fox, the homegrown Norris Trophy winner and a year away from restricted free agency coming off entry level, could surely live as well and provide as well for generations of future No. 23s for $9 million per season as the $10.5 million he might be able to command. But why would Fox have this obligation when the Rangers gave Jacob Trouba $8 million per year in order to get him to sign after acquiring him from Winnipeg two years ago? Trouba didn’t settle for less. So Fox has that burden?

Artemi Panarin came to the Rangers for less than he was offered by the Islanders, that is surely true, but he pressed for $11,643,857 per as a free agent out of Columbus when the Rangers tried to hold the line at $11 million per. Panarin has been worth the price of admission, don’t get me wrong, but why would Mika Zibanejad be expected to accommodate management now and take less? 1219190 New York Islanders

Adam Pelech’s Deal with New York Islanders a Golden One for Both SidesPublished 18 hours ago on August 7, 2021

By Stefen Rosner

Earlier Monday, the New York Islanders officially announced the signing of defenseman Adam Pelech to an eight-year contract extension worth a $5.75 million AAV. Pelech, who has become a premier defender in the NHL over the last few years, is the biggest key to the Islanders’ continued success, and locking him up long-term ensures that defense will prevail on the island for years to come.

Pelech’s ability to shine in the NHL spotlight will be limited due to his focus on defense rather than the offensive side of his game. Yet the old saying “defense wins championships” still remains a truth.

It’s a reason why Pelech will never win a Norris Trophy at the NHL level, but if there was an award for best defensive defenseman, that would be one he surely gets votes for.

During the 2019-20 campaign, it became abundantly clear the importance of Pelech on both sides of the puck. When he went down with a “season-ending” Achilles injury, the Islanders did not just see their defense struggle to keep pucks out of the net, they saw the offense also drop in production. Pelech is not an offensive juggernaut by any means, but he makes critical plays in transition and at the blue line to create chances for his teammates in the offensive zone.

It is also worth mentioning that Pelech is only 26-years old, and it is fair to say he has not even entered his prime yet.

About the contract, the Islanders started this offseason cap-strapped. Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello worked his magic to create salary-cap space to re-sign his unrestricted and restricted free agents. But the first domino that needed to fall before the other contracts did was Pelech’s. He was the top priority and figuring out his contract opens the doors to the availability of finances for others. With the way Lamoriello operates, those other deals are more than likely already done and just waiting to be officially filed.

Now, Pelech did file for arbitration, with his hearing scheduled for August 12. While that may have been a formality, there was no doubt that Pelech would be back with the Islanders this upcoming season. But for a player of his skill set, he had reason to ask for a pay raise.

While he did get a pay raise, with his last contract being $1.6 million annually, the expectation that this new deal could come in over $6-$6.5 million would not have been a shock at all. The shock was that it came in under $6 million.

Although contracts do not show their true worth until they are completed, this could be one that becomes one of the best the Islanders have ever signed.

The Islanders now have $11.2 million in cap space to sign their key free agents, including the ability to bring in a few more pieces to bolster the club.

It’s a new age on the island, with players taking hometown deals to remain with the club. Success over the last few seasons and trust in the organization has led to these deals and it is a bright sign when a top- flight player plays along with the recent narrative.

More from Pelech: "This is where I want to be. Couldn't be happier with the term. I think all the guys feel the same way. They know something special is going on here."#Isles

— Joe Pantorno (@JoePantorno) August 6, 2021

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 08.08.2021

1219191 Pittsburgh Penguins

Monster Contracts for D-Men, Angry Eichel Trade Potentials

Published 19 hours ago on August 7, 2021

By Dan Kingerski

Despite the flat salary cap, NHL GMs are throwing cash at defensemen. Today’s “wow moment will be tomorrow’s “untradeable” asset, but that didn’t stop Adam Pelech and Darnell Nurse from signing long-term deals. ESPN explored what’s left, or who’s left, for Jack Eichel on the NHL trade market, and the Pittsburgh Penguins will need to get creative…or they are done this offseason.

Greetings from some small town on Rt. 6 near the NY border. I stopped for the night and a beer on Friday night–Walked into a little place, and the bartender carded me. First time in years! She carded me because I was the only one in the little dive bar who she didn’t know… The place literally stopped when I walked in. Good times.

It should be painfully clear to the Buffalo Sabres and GM that he won’t get his asking price. I am surprised Jim Rutherford isn’t part of the Sabres team by now. That would have been an entertaining circus watching him work the NHL trade market with an asset like that.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Penguins GM didn’t insert either Mark Friedman or Chad Ruhwedel into the lineup but conceded the Penguins would have to get creative IF they can upgrade.

NHL Trade Chatter, News and National Hockey Now

ESPN+: Greg Wyshinski crosses off a few teams and updates how the New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights can make it work. Buffalo is sticking to its guns.

TSN: A lawyer for one of the aggrieved Chicago Blackhawks players at the heart of the sexual assault and coverup scandal has specifically asked SafeSport to investigate Blackhawks GM, .

Sportsnet: Edmonton Oilers D-man Darnell Nurse got PAID. Eight years and $74 million, Cha-ching.

NYI Hockey Now: We congratulate Adam Pelech on a big payday and the New York Islanders for actually submitting and announcing a contract they’ve signed. Pelech will be in New York for a long time.

Boston: The door is open for David Krejci to return but more importantly– Bruins contract negotiations with Patrice Bergeron have begun.

The Penguins are about to be in the same situation with aging stars and expiring contracts. It will be curious to see how the two organizations handle the situation.

Philly: Travis Sanheim’s arb date is set for his team-requested arbitration. Will they settle?

Washington: The Pittsburgh Penguins prize center depth and kept Jeff Carter in the expansion draft. The Washington Capitals depth is a big question– where do the Capitals stand in the final phase of the offseason?

Detroit: The Red Wings are going to be better–they’ve had a stealth offseason and brought in veteran Sam Gagner to help the kids along.

Colorado: Hello, first-round pick Oskar Olaussson, who already signed his ELC!

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 08.08.2021 1219192 Tampa Bay Lightning I thought it was crazy during the rally when it was storming — lightning and thunder — and you guys came back on stage

What people forget is that the fans are the most important thing to us. Pat Maroon Q&A: On Cup party, Corey Perry, baby and Lightning You want them to feel part of it. They were barricaded around, and ‘running it back’ couldn’t come through, so we had to go to them. They waited all day Monday, some had jobs and they were there all day to see the Cup and get close to it. I got to say hi to them, hug them, drink beers with them. That’s the most important thing. They were all in the rain, and I felt we By Joe Smith had to go out there. The kids were still there. That was so cool. Yanni Aug 7, 2021 (Gourde) was the star of that celebration I think.

The most important thing was being there for the fans because they were there for us, going to the watch parties and filling out the stadium. The It’s a great time to be Pat Maroon. The Lightning veteran wing is one of rain didn’t bother them, and didn’t bother us. the most colorful characters in the NHL, and he’s now won the Stanley Cup in three consecutive seasons (the last two with Tampa Bay). Maroon You mentioned Yanni. I know you lost a lot of guys this offseason (Blake and his wife, Francesca, have a baby daughter due in October, and the Coleman, Barclay Goodrow, Tyler Johnson), but was losing Yanni in the Lightning just signed one of his closest friends Corey Perry to a two-year expansion draft one of the toughest? deal in free agency. He’s been enjoying time back home in St. Louis and Yanni stings a little bit. It’s a tough loss for us. He was the guy that drove throwing out the first pitch at a Cardinals game to Baseball Hall of Famer the bus for us. He was that anchor that led the way for us every single Ozzie Smith. We caught up with Maroon on Friday to talk about the Cup night. Not only was he a good player but a good family man, good locker run and party, surprising Ryan McDonagh on his Cup day, losing Yanni room guy, a huge presence in the locker room. His whole family, his wife, Gourde and going for a three-peat. his family. We’re going to miss them all. I know it’s a business, and this is The Lightning picked up Corey Perry in free agency, and I know you guys part of it. Yanni is a heck of a player. There’s a reason why Seattle go back a long way to your Anaheim days. What does he bring to this wanted him. I can see him being the captain there one day. That one group? stings, losing what he did every single night. He played 150 percent every night, in practices and games. Those are the guys you win with. You saw what he did in the playoffs, what he brings. He brings not only leadership to the locker room, but another voice we need in that locker You and Alex Killorn were on the “SpittinChiclets” podcast recently room. He can probably push us over the edge again. He’ll help fill a big talking about how superstitious this team is, how you had players signing role where we lost that (Blake) Coleman, (Barclay) Goodrow and (Yanni) in the bathroom together. Did you guys lose any of your ‘singers’ this Gourde line, where they were so effective. He can bring that same offseason? attitude. He’s very effective below the circles, he can score at a high (Laughs). Well, Johnny is a singer. It’s the craziest thing, we have guys level. He’s a good net-front presence, and he’s great for our power play. that go into the bathroom and sing. We lost Johnny, I’ll have to think I’m pumped that we got him. about who else. There would be like 15 guys in there, but only six guys Congratulations to you and (wife) Francesca on the baby on the way. that sing. One guy picks a song and they start singing to each other and You’ve got a lot to celebrate then at the end they yell ‘KUUUCH!’

We’re both very excited we’re having a baby girl. And we’re going to be You’ve won three Cups in a row now (two with the Lightning). Think you delivering in Tampa. And it’s right around the corner too. Oct. 28. (My guys can do it again? son) Anthony is pumped. He’s been joking that he’s calling her ‘Lucy.’ I truly think we can run it back again. It depends on our health, how guys We’re not naming her Lucy, but it’s been funny to hear him talk about it. are feeling, our attitude. But we’ve been texting together as a group and I saw you surprised Ryan McDonagh on his Cup day last weekend in St. thinking, we’ve brought our top two lines back, our big four on ‘D,’ the Paul. How did that come together? best goalie in the world. We added (Pierre Eduoard Bellemare), we’ve got (Ross) Colton, (Mathieu) Joseph. You add Taylor Raddysh and those We had to surprise someone, right? Me and my wife talked about it, and I guys can fill in. Why not? talked to (Zach) Bogosian to see what we could work out. I’d stay at Bogosian’s house. He was going to the Cup party either way — he lives Brayden Point, ‘Kuch’ and (Ondrej Palat) are coming back. There’s no in Minnesota too. I’m like, “Why don’t we go surprise Mac?” He’ll be doubt in my mind we can run it back. Guys want to do it again. That’s shocked. He sent the invite anyway but didn’t know if I could make it. why we play.

And then it ended up working out great. It was so cool and fun to be part of it. When you have a Cup party, you want your teammates there. I The Athletic LOADED: 08.08.2021 know everyone has a busy schedule and it’s hard to do. But we were pumped to be a part of it. We were both teary-eyed, to be honest with you.

How much will having Bogosian back add?

We’re really happy to get him back. He’s unbelievable on the back end, another veteran guy we lost after the first Cup. He’s physical, fits the role well. A good veteran, leads by example. Man, we’re so excited to have ‘Bogo,’ one of my good friends. Happy to lock him up for three years. He’s going to fit our back end, which will be big and strong. We’ll miss Luke (Schenn), but we’re happy to have Bogo.

What was your favorite part of the Cup celebration?

Just being with the guys right after the parade. Two days later, still having families here. My mom, dad, my wife, my kid was there. That’s the most important thing because they missed it last year (when the Lightning won it in the Edmonton bubble). We had such a great time with our families, like we hadn’t seen each other in 10 years. I’m happy for all the wives and families that missed it the first time around, they got to celebrate in the locker room and be part of it. It felt like we had some normalcy. You win with the guys and work your bag off and put your body on the line every single night. To be able to win with them and enjoy it — just party — it was special. 1219193 Vegas Golden Knights “Most of the action is handled by illegal sports books,” he said. "Get into that and get them knowing that and make sure that the player produces his phone records and his payments, so you can see where the money is going in and out and you can see where the payments are coming from.” Kane case: How do sports leagues investigate gambling allegations? That's easier said than done, but leagues are not alone in conducting these types of investigations.

By Stephen Whyno, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy, while declining to detail the league's playbook on investigating, said, “We have a robust monitoring and Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021 | 2 a.m. information network with multiple sources of information and substantial resources to ensure compliance with our policies and to detect and investigate improper activity.” That has included security representatives Allegations from his estranged wife that Evander Kane bet on hockey in Nevada for decades and now nationwide. games, including his own, and tried to lose for profit have sparked an NHL investigation into the forward's gambling activities. WHO DOES THE ACTUAL INVESTIGATING?

Just what the league will find and how quickly is anyone's guess. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said NHL officials “have a number of third-party resources that we regularly employ to monitor betting activities If the investigation reveals Kane bet against his own team, those are on our games. I expect those resources will be utilized as part and parcel uncharted waters for a league that has signed more than a half dozen of the overall investigation” of Kane. partnerships with sports books, data providers and other gambling- related entities since the Supreme Court cleared the way for legalized SportRadar is the NHL's “integrity services provider," and there are other in 2018. companies in that space, including Genius Sports and US Integrity. In tennis, where match-fixing and betting irregularities came to light in the WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS CASE? past two decades, an independent integrity unit was formed to flag suspicious patterns and dole out punishments. On social media, Anna Kane wrote: “How does the NHL let a compulsive gambling addict still play when he’s obviously throwing games to win Like the International Tennis Integrity Agency, the NHL has agreements money?" and "Can someone ask (Commissioner) Gary Bettman how that in selling data to legal sports books, there could be an obligation to they let a player gamble on his own games? Bet and win with bookies on cooperate with investigations and hand over records beyond privacy laws his own games?” Kane vehemently denied the allegations and said he that are stricter in Europe than North America. would be cleared of any wrongdoing. Several experts said if an athlete does all of their betting illegally or with WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL PUNISHMENT? an off-shore outlet, it could be significantly more difficult to find proof. A whistleblower could help in that department, and integrity companies The gambling case familiar to most U.S. sports fans is that of Pete Rose, often have contacts at so-called “gray market" betting outlets who could who was banned from for life. The NHL does provide information. have gambling scandals in its history, though it has been a while. HOW OFTEN ARE INVESTIGATIONS ONGOING? NHL coach Rick Tocchet in May 2007 pleaded guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling and was put on probation for two years for his role in Probably more often than you think. an illegal gambling ring caught by the “Operation Slapshot” undercover police operation while working as an Arizona Coyotes assistant. He was Seth Palansky, vice president of corporate and social responsibility at allowed to return to the NHL the following February on the condition he Conscious Gaming who also has worked for the NFL and Caesars refrained from gambling. Entertainment, said there are currently three insider betting investigations going on in three different jurisdictions — nothing to do with Kane. Boston players Don Gallinger and Billy Taylor were banned in 1948 for betting on the Bruins and reinstated in 1970. Walter Pratt was banned for As recently as this year, Russian tennis player Yana Sizikova was nine games for betting on games, but he wound up in the Hall of Fame. arrested in Paris on suspicion of match-fixing at the 2020 French Open. The NFL investigated and punished Shaw in 2019. WHAT IS THE NHL POLICY ON GAMBLING? NBA Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty in 2008 to wire fraud and The collective bargaining agreement includes this sentence: “Gambling transmitting betting information for taking thousands of dollars from a on any NHL Game is prohibited.” This is a fairly common stance for gambler for inside tips on games, including games he worked. He was professional leagues, including the NFL, which suspended Josh Shaw for sentenced to 15 months behind bars. the rest of 2019 and all of 2020 for betting on other games around the league. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at the time said: "If you work WHAT MORE CAN BE DONE? in the NFL in any capacity, you may not bet on NFL football.” McCarthy said preventative measures are the start of the NFL’s efforts NHL teams can go as far as prohibiting employees from hockey and Joe Bertolone, executive director of the International Center for operations to the business side from even joining fantasy leagues for Gaming Regulation at UNLV, believes education is the biggest key. money. There is the question of what falls under gambling, given the “Making sure that athletes understand what it is that’s really going on in variety of full-season and daily fantasy gaming options. sport betting is hugely critical,” Bertolone said. “Is it 50% of the puzzle? Is "It absolutely has to be expanded beyond this one line," US Bets sports it 75% of the puzzle? I don’t know. But what I do know is that when betting analyst Chris Altruda said of the NHL policy. “There’s a wide someone is smarter about something, they’re going to be able to prevent latitude of what a player conceivably can and cannot do to that end.” a lot of problems down the road.”

Altruda and other experts wondered if leagues will expand to preventing Palansky's Conscious Gaming wants to take monitoring and enforcement players from betting on any sport. Declan Hill, a professor at the to another level. If a league contracts with the company, it can provide University of New Haven who has written extensively about match fixing the names and information of anyone who should be prevented from and , takes it one step further. gambling on a given sport from placing any bets with the sports books that also opt in. “Part of the price of being a professional athlete should be: You're not allowed to gamble,” Hill said, referring to any sport and casino wagering. “Our technology works to follow the policies of the league,” Palansky “That’s going to be immensely difficult but, it’s one of those things that said. “In Evander Kane’s case, he would be able to log on. And if he have to be done because I’ve seen the credibility of sports destroyed wants to place a bet on Olympic track and field, he could do that. But if around the world.” he tries to make a bet on hockey, he couldn’t.”

WHAT GOES INTO AN INVESTIGATION?

The first step, Hill said, is finding out where a player is placing bets. LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 08.08.2021 1219194 Winnipeg Jets It’s been very exciting. I’m good buddies with Brenden Dillon. He was my D-partner in San Jose, I would say, 90 percent of my time there. I leaned on him a lot. I called him and I just told him, “I’m so excited to have you here in the fold. I think you’re going to be fitting right in.” He’s an amazing Dylan DeMelo on Brenden Dillon, Nate Schmidt and the emotions of guy off the ice, a great personality — he’ll fit right in with our room. And I Seattle exposure think everybody’s gonna love him, the way he plays the game and plays hard. There’s no freebies out there with him. And he has an underrated

offensive game. He can skate and get up the ice. I’m looking forward to By Murat Ates playing with him again.

Aug 7, 2021 Great having Nate Schmidt in the fold, too. I skated with Bo Horvat this summer, and he had nothing but good things to say. A high-energy guy, everybody knows that — you can hear him on the ice even if you’re the away team. But he’s an awesome player, too. A great skater who gets up Dylan DeMelo isn’t sitting around his London, Ontario, home pouting in the rush really well and defends really well. I think those two guys just because Winnipeg exposed him in the Seattle expansion draft. add another element to our D corps that was definitely by committee last He’s not scheduling 3 a.m. workouts, not channelingsome kind of year. Everybody said that was a weak point of our team. With these two Michael Jordan-esque ability to take things personally. additions, I don’t think you can say that now. I think we look real good back there. “You just have to worry about what you can control,” DeMelo told The Athletic this week. “If I had been picked by Seattle, that would have been How about getting Paul Stastny back? a fun experience. If I stayed in Winnipeg, which I am, awesome. That’s Bringing Stas back in is great. He’s done it all. A thousand-plus games. A Plan A.” great leader. Still an amazing hockey player. I’m really happy to have Plan A began when DeMelo was acquired from the Ottawa Senators in him. It’s been nice to get to know him off the ice. He’s a great guy and 2020 and instantly impressed his new coaches in Winnipeg. Paul can have a chat with anybody on the team about anything. Maurice was quick to anoint DeMelo’s clean, intelligent style of play as Can you explain the cachet that a guy like Stastny has? What it’s like to “coach’s porn.” DeMelo also fit in well with his new teammates, especially see from your perspective? Josh Morrissey, with whom he went on to match up against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in Winnipeg’s 4-0 sweep of the Oilers this Yeah, I think it would be kind of hard to explain. I just remember the first year. day he came in — and obviously, he knew the majority of the guys from his time here in Winnipeg, but he wasn’t on our team when I was there in Along the way, DeMelo signed a four-year contract extension with the the bubble. It just felt like, as soon as he walked in the room, he was just Jets, bought a home in Winnipeg and started establishing roots. one of the guys. It was like he was on the team already. He’s just a He and his wife, Jessica, celebrated the birth of their first child, Caleb, in super-approachable guy who can talk to anybody in the room about January. anything. I think he’s just a very cerebral person, on and off the ice. He’s one of those guys that knows a little bit about everything. I don’t know But the business of hockey can be cruel sometimes. Even as the DeMelo what it is — I just think he’s a very special person. I don’t think there’s family started their new life in Winnipeg, they knew the expansion draft many people like that. Maybe it was the way he was raised or just the loomed large. way he is as a person, but he’s definitely one of a kind and we’re Logan Stanley’s emergence meant that DeMelo became Kraken bait; definitely lucky to have him. despite his first-round, “hand-of-God” heroics against Edmonton, DeMelo When did you first start to think, “Hey, wait a second, I might be exposed was left exposed in the draft. in the expansion draft”?

How did that feel? How agonizing was it to wait four days to find out his I guess you can date it back to when I signed the contract. fate? When I signed, I picked Winnipeg, but in the back of my mind, you know, DeMelo detailed his experiences in depth, making sure to note a there’s a possibility you might be only there for one year. You might get particularly classy phone call he received from Jets general manager picked up by Seattle. Maybe Seattle picks you, you get flipped. … during the process. Anything can happen. But I guess you can date it back to then, but I’m He also shared his thoughts on Winnipeg’s upgraded defence corps, dad not thinking about it throughout the season. life, a scouting report on Nate Schmidt and old friend Brenden Dillon, and Then the season finishes, you unwind, you decompress, you think about an explanation of how he and Dillon became “Dilly Dilly” back in San the year and you look at your play. I felt there was a chance I might be Jose. protected, but I figured I’d be on the outside looking in. Obviously, Neal Here are the highlights of a fun and far-ranging conversation, edited for and Josh were going to be protected for sure. They’re probably our two clarity and length. best defencemen. And I figured Stan (Logan Stanley) was going to get protected over me, and that was purely off how great of a year he had What’s it like to finally get to share your baby son with family members and the potential he has as a player. His growth, if he can get to where this summer? we all think he can get to, he’s going to be a heck of a defenceman in this league. And I understood that. Timing-wise, I couldn’t tell you exactly It’s amazing. You know, I have a big family. A lot of extended family, a lot when, but that’s what I was thinking throughout the summer leading into of cousins. So it’s been really nice to share those times and share those it. And I guess that came true, that I was going to be exposed. moments with them. Especially my parents and my in-laws — they’re with him pretty much on a daily basis, kind of able to take him off our Then, when the lists were made public … Chevy actually gave me a call hands, and we need a little time for ourselves and maybe get some extra the day before and just wanted to let me know I was going to be sleep. He slept over at my parents’ house on the weekend for a day unprotected. He said he didn’t want me to find out through Twitter, which there, which was really nice. As much as it’s nice having a kid and it’s an I thought was very classy of him. It’s a classy organization, so I amazing accomplishment, an amazing milestone, the people around you, appreciated that. He said, “We’re really hoping you don’t get picked — your loved ones, being the first grandbaby and both of mine and Jess’ we don’t want to lose you.” I understood. From a business side, you family just kind of puts more emphasis on it. So he’s getting spoiled. It’s protect those three guys. It’s what you do. I would have done the exact been amazing. That’s why we’re really happy to be home and kind of just same thing if I were in their shoes. soaking up all this time. It was a lot on Jess during the year, basically doing it on her own. And for the most part, she was doing a lot of it on her From that moment on, when you realize you’re not going to be protected, own. I think she’s really getting a refresher being home and seeing then you have the emotions take over. “Am I going to get picked? We just familiar faces and getting help. bought a house, what do I do with the house?” You go down the rabbit hole a little bit, but you try not to do it too much until you know what’s And how has it felt to watch your team add players like Brenden Dillon actually happening. and Nate Schmidt? What does that look like, as you’re going through all of those emotions? How are you sleeping at night during expansion week? I think it’s fortunate that I have a newborn. He keeps you on your toes. different, we might have had a longer run there but, overall, given You can forget your day-to-day life when you play with him. And he tires everything, I think it was a great year. There’s just so much to be excited you out, too — so I had no problem sleeping, to be honest. It was just about with this group, both on and off the ice. And the additions we when I was on my own, when I was driving to the rink or driving to the brought in, they’re excellent players, but I think they’re even better people gym. Or when I was talking with Jess when we were having dinner and off the ice, which will only add a better dynamic to our group. she would ask me, “What do you think the chances are?” I’m like, “I don’t know, 50-50, I guess? They either take me or they don’t.” I don’t know what they were thinking. Maybe they pick me, maybe they flip me to The Athletic LOADED: 08.08.2021 another team who wants me, like I said.

I don’t know. I was just on edge, I guess you could say. Not in a bad way or to the point where I can’t function, but you just don’t know, right? You’re just waiting for that shoe to fall. And it’s not just me — I have a wife, a dog, and a 6-month-old. I was worried about how that would work on a flight, housing and everything like that. Like I said before, you go down that rabbit hole a little but then, I guess, it was all for naught. I’m happy to be staying.

I figured, though, in the morning, when (Seattle) signed (Jamie) Oleksiak and (Adam) Larsson, that I was going to be all right. And then Chevy gave me a call later and told me they were taking (Mason Appleton) instead.

Would it be fair to describe that moment as relief?

Yeah. I was relieved, staying in Winnipeg. If I were to get picked by Seattle, obviously there would have been excitement to have gone to a new franchise. The excitement of the unknown would have been fun, but I was comfortable in Winnipeg. And if I were to get picked up, I would feel like I wasn’t able to finish what I had sought out to do. To try to win. To go far and have a couple of playoff runs. I picked Winnipeg. I didn’t even go to free agency. I picked Winnipeg, and I wanted to be there. I wanted to stay, so I was really happy it worked out that way.

Going back to your old teammate Brenden Dillon, what more can you share about him just as a person?

I wouldn’t say he’s a laid-back personality, but he’s a very fun guy. A very easy-going personality. Then you watch him play and, for the lack of a better word, he’s a bastard out there. He hits guys, he gets in there, he mixes it up. But off the ice, he likes to hang out with the guys and have a good time. He always tries to get people involved, whether it’s for a dinner or getting guys together. Great in the room, well-liked, especially when I was in San Jose — everybody loved him. You guys will get to know him — he was raised well and comes from a great family. And you know, nothing was ever given to him. He’s had to work really hard for his chances. He was undrafted but went out to Dallas and worked his way up from there. He worked at his craft, and he’s earned everything he’s gotten.

Do you prefer Dillon-DeMelo or Brenden-Dylan — and where does “Dilly Dilly” come from?

When we were playing the most together in my last year there in San Jose, that Bud Light commercial came out with the “Dilly Dilly.” His nickname was “Dilly,” I’m Dylan. … It wasn’t a huge thing, but sometimes there were signs (in the stands) in San Jose saying “Dilly Dilly.” It wasn’t too big, but it was just a little thing between him and I that we just said “Dilly Dilly.” Internally, we became the Dilly-Dilly pair. We’ll see if that gets reunited — I’m not sure what will happen — but if it does maybe we can get into a Bud Light commercial or something.

Stastny has talked a lot about the lack of quit in your room last year. What was special about going through such a unique season together, compared with other years?

I think just how funky the year was — with everything, with COVID. Not being able to have a normal year, we really had to rely on each other. We had to find ways to make it fun sometimes. And I know people will say we’re lucky, and we definitely are, but some days it’s just tough coming to the rink, you know? You’re not able to do anything else — you go to the hotel, you go back to the rink. … We’re human beings, and we’re looking for fun things to do, and fewer of those things were there for us. We had a great leadership group that had some ideas, and we did a lot of things together, which was really nice. Everybody felt like they were involved — or at least I definitely felt like that. From a team perspective, we were a very tight-knit group. It was just a weird year.

That losing streak, too. Everybody was writing us off going into the playoffs, saying Edmonton’s going to have their way with us. Or whoever we come up against. We banded together and saw all of that, we really rallied, and we had a great first round there. Maybe if things were a little 1219195 Websites It’s here that I liked the idea of coaches coming together with new on-ice ideas to put in for the next season, and that does happen. It’s integral that after stepping away, everyone is able to come back together and come up with big-picture adjustments. But if you’re a regular NHL Sportsnet.ca / What NHL coaching staffs do to improve during the off- watcher, you’re also aware that “new ideas” aren’t exactly a thing that’s season regularly welcomed or implemented beyond theory.

Upgrading technology

August 7, 2021, 4:28 PM Technology is improving at the speed of light, but most coaching staffs at the pro level are 40-60 years old and didn’t exactly grow up writing code, Staff if you’re picking up what I’m putting down. So whatever it is that’s coming next needs to be tested, installed on everyone’s laptops, and some teaching is required. , NHL players come back to training camp and the wave of “best-shape- of-his-life” stories flood in like clockwork. It’s understandable though, as One of the biggest advancements right now is in video sharing, allowing it’s possible to physically develop well into your 20s. Training builds on coaches to do so much more from a distance than they used to be able previous training, weaknesses get worked on and new heights are to. They can send players video and will know if they’ve watched said reached. The quality of NHL hockey gets better by a few percentage video, and they can ask them questions at certain points of the video points each off-season, so players have got to at least match that to not while prompting them to respond (and the video won’t play beyond fall behind. certain moments if the players don’t).

Ipso facto, a ton of players really are in the best shape of their lives. Got 31 Thoughts: The Podcast it. Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey Having spent years in that cycle myself, starting with junior and working world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what my way up to my first NHL camp, I couldn’t have imagined a coaching they think about it. staff did much of anything during the off-season while I was running the Each summer new players are welcomed to the organization, whether stairs of Kelowna’s Apple Bowl or adding weight to the squat rack. through the draft or trades or free agency. It would be silly to ask these After getting hired to be a video guy in the Toronto Maple Leafs guys to show up on Day 1 of camp and start working with them then. organization, though, I quickly learned that could not be further from the Once camp is upon a team, that treadmill begins anew, which is a bad truth (at least in this era of the NHL). Which was disappointing for anyone time to start learning to run at the team’s preferred speed. who was hoping for full summers off. So the work gets done to prepare meetings with those players, often Like the players, a coaching staff has to take some time off. The season including the systems the team play, and occasionally includes skill puts you on a steady metaphorical treadmill, day after day of preparing additions that the player development team wants that player to work on. for games, which end and signal the beginning of the next game’s prep When you get a new player, you want the best version of them. with seemingly no break in between. As I said, it’s unlikely that these people are in the same building, so a lot You’re back on it way too soon though (emotionally, anyway). Because if of video changes hands, with the goal of everyone showing up on Day 1 you’re hoping to improve from within, as players are with the physical without feeling overwhelmed and unprepared. training, it’s usually the work you do early in the summer that leads to the Draft and UFA prep work big gains later on. The following comes from my perspective as a video coach, who has to do a lot of the facilitating between players and staff Let’s not forget that some of the biggest off-season questions for teams given everyone lives all around the globe. are just who to bring in the next year. With that, there’s a lot of video mining of potential picks and free agents — many, many of whom will Individual player projects never play for the organization. It’s not uncommon for teams to want NHL / AHL teams have full-on stat departments now, and there’s almost video packages on all potential players (this can be harder for say, junior- always red flag numbers (something that doesn’t match the consensus of aged kids overseas, but there are ways to get it all). Usually, teams just staff opinions) that need looking in to. Teams want to know: what are we want to get a sense for what their skill sets are, without requiring the missing there? Maybe the question is: why does the left side of our D higher-ups to watch a dozen games of every available player given that allow so many more zone entries when our better defencemen play that there are so many to track (and if they do, they at least need to be side? condensed down to just that player’s shifts).

On top of that, there are usually numbers that do match the eye-test (for At some point, there’s still actual hockey that gets played in the off- example, a D-man that struggles turning retrievals into breakouts) and season as well. Player development camps happen and games are teams want to know what the common problem is, and what can be done logged and clipped and picked through just like regular season games. differently. There are prospect tournaments and overseas events and never a shortage of hockey to draw the attention of team brass. Once answers are found, which can take pouring through a good amount of time-on-ice, the player has to be looped in. They need to be shown The work is different, but there’s still work. what’s been found to better understand what can be worked on. I imagine that decades ago, the off-season for an NHL general manager This is where the player development staff get involved. Fixes often need or coach was mostly filled with playing golf and enjoying themselves. to be made (maybe that defenceman needs a better pivot to get back on Let’s not kid ourselves: some of that still happens, which is a healthy dumped pucks quicker to buy themselves an extra half-second), and thing. But hockey has moved pretty close to 365 — call it 335? — and it’s drills need to be designed to help that player improve in that very specific no longer just the players who put in the off-season work to get better. area. Fitting then, that for a lot of coaches and managers these days, coming Teams use a great variety of technology here, and it’s not the back to camp must feel like they’re in the best (mental) shape of their responsibility of those people to have the technology side nailed down. lives. That falls on the video coach.

This takes the above concepts, but exists more specifically for the staff. If Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 08.08.2021 the team played a variety of systems throughout the season, you’d want to parse what worked better for the team, and with which personnel in which roles. Teams try to do this in-season, but they play 82 games, with AHL teams playing over 70. They rarely have more than a day off in between games, and you’re always wary of sample size at mid-season. Once it’s all said and done, you can put together a better retrospective on what worked for the group.